>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY AND J IRVIN GROUP.

BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AM RIHANNA.

APPARENTLY THE WAIT WAS WORTH IT AND BURNING A HOLE IN THE POCKETS OF MORE THAN 12,000 RECREATIONAL CANNABIS CUSTOMERS WHO BOUGHT PRODUCTS ON THE FIRST DAY OF LEGAL SALES IN NEW JERSEY, SPENDING JUST SHY OF $2 MILLION, ACCORDING TO THE STATE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, WHICH SAYS MEDICAL MARIJUANA SALES HAVE ALSO BEEN STRONG OVER THE LAST 30 DAYS.

ROUGHLY 64,000 OUNCE OF PRODUCTS DISPENSED TO PATIENTS AND CAREGIVERS.

ALL IN ALL, LINES AND SALES HAVE BEEN STEADY AT THE 13 DISPENSARY LOCATIONS IN THIS STATE, BUT YOU WILL NOT FIND OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS FROM SEVERAL CITIES WAITING IN LINE TO MAKE A PURCHASE.

THERE IS A GROWING LIST OF MAYORS AND LAWMAKERS GETTING BEHIND AN EFFORT TO BAR CANNABIS USE FOR OFF-DUTY COPS.

A DIRECTIVE THAT BEGAN IN JERSEY CITY AND QUICKLY SPREAD TO NEARBY NEWARK, KEARNY AND WEEHAWKEN.

CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS A GOOD SPUR ANOTHER AMENDMENT TO THE LAW.

>> THERE IS JUST ENOUGH SCIENCE ON THE EFFECTS OF CANNABIS TO CONFUSE AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE MISINFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN OVER THE DEBATE OF LEGALIZATION.

NOBODY CAN ACCURATELY SAY HOW HIGH HIGH REALLY IS AND THE BREATHALYZER TO DETERMINE YOUR LEVEL OF INTOXICATION JUST DOES NOT EXIST.

THAT IS PROMPTING MAYORS AND PRO-LEGALIZATION MAYORS LIKE MAYOR PHILLIPS TO THREATEN TERMINATION OF COPS WHO CONSUME OFF-DUTY.

>> LET'S SAY YOU GO TO WORK AS AN OFFICER AND YOU GET INTO AN INCIDENT WHERE YOU HAVE A CAR CRASH OR YOU DISCHARGE YOUR WEAPON, AND THEN NEW JERSEY REQUIRES DAVID CRUISE TO GO FOR A BLOOD TEST AND IN THE BLOOD TEST, YOU TEST NEGATIVE FOR ALCOHOL.

WE KNOW IMMEDIATELY YOU WERE NOT CONSUMING ALCOHOL ON THE JOB, BUT YOU TEST POSITIVE FOR CANNABIS BECAUSE YOU SMOKE YOU SAY A WEEK AGO, AND IN THE COMMUNITY MIGHT SAY I THINK THAT DAVID IS A FREQUENT SMOKER AND I THINK HE SMOKED YESTERDAY OR SOMEBODY MIGHT SAY HE CONSUMED SOMETHING ON THE JOB.

>> THE LIABILITY COULD BE ENORMOUS.

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO IS STILL NOT SPEAKING TO THE PRESS ISSUED GUIDANCE LAST WEEK SAYING COPS CAN CONSUME OFF- DUTY.

LEGALIZATION SKEPTIC WHO IS ALSO MAYOR OF WOODBRIDGE SAYS HIS FEELINGS ON THE SUBJECT ARE BE KNOWN BY IT TO BE WITH CANNABIS REMAINING IN ONE'S SYSTEM FOR 30 DAYS, HE TWEETED SUBJECT THEMSELVES TO LAWSUITS AND QUESTIONING JUDGMENTS.

TAGGING THE STATE PBA.

>> YOU ARE SURE THE MAISIE OF JERSEY CITY IS SAYING NOT ON HIS WATCH.

IF WE HAD LEFT IT UP TO THE EMPLOYERS, THIS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM.

BECAUSE OF WHAT THEY HAVE DONE ULTIMATELY HAVE CREATED ANOTHER PROBLEM WHERE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THINGS OR SAY NOT ON THEIR WATCH.

I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE RIGHT ANSWER IS.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT TEST TO HELP US THROUGH THIS.

DON'T PASS SOMETHING SAYING OKAY, POLICE CANNOT BE FIRED AND THEN EVEN ON OUR LOT.

IT IS WRONG.

I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A PRECEDENT AND DO PRESENCE WITH THE SPEAKER ACCIDENT WITH US AND HELP US FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS THAT WE WILL HOLD IN COUNTY AND STATE.

>> LEE GREENWALD IS SET TO BE WRITING A BILL TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE.

THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE SAYS HE FURTHERED HEARINGS ON THE BILL, BUT THE PRESIDENT SAYS HE WILL NOT POST A BILL THAT SINGLES OUT COPS OR ANYONE FOR CONSUMING OFF-DUTY.

>> WE ARE SETTING UP TWO CLASSES OF CITIZENS IF WE GO DOWN THAT ROAD.

WHERE DOES IT END?

THIS TOPIC WAS DEBATED.

THIS WAS A TOPIC OF MUCH DEBATE DURING THE PROCESS.

IF WE GO DOWN THAT ROUTE WHERE WE ARE REGULATING PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR WHEN THEY ARE NOT WORKING, WHERE DOES THAT END?

WHAT ABOUT TRUCK DRIVERS?

WHAT ABOUT HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS, WHAT ABOUT EVERY OTHER TOPIC WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

IF WE ARE GOING TO REGULATE PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR THAT IS NORMALLY LEGALIZED FOR EVERYBODY ELSE, WHAT ELSE DO WE WANT THEM TO DO?

>> THE FATHER OF LEGAL WEED WHO HAPPENS TO CONTROL THE SENATE DOCKET SAYS EVERYONE SHOULD JUST CHILL AND SEE HOW THINGS GO.

DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TURNING TO THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE, TENSIONS ARE RISING BETWEEN RUSSIA AND THE WEST AFTER MOSCOW CUT OFF NATURAL GAS APPLIES TO POLAND AND BULGARIA, THREATENING TO DO THE SAME TO OTHER NATO MEMBERS RECEIVING ENERGY FROM RUSSIA IF THEY REFUSE TO PAY IN RUBLES.

EUROPEAN LEADERS ARE ACCUSING RUSSIA OF BLACK MOLD.

OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGING THE LOSS OF SEVERAL EASTERN TOWNS AND VILLAGES TO RUSSIAN FORCES.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SET THIS WEEK RUSSIAN FORCES ARE NOW TURNING THEIR SIGHTS ON HEALTHCARE FACILITIES IN UKRAINE, ATTACKING 150 SO FAR.

MEANTIME, U.S. MARINE BETTY AARON TRY TO READ WHO HAD BEEN DETAINED IN RUSSIA SINCE 2019 HAS BEEN RELEASED IN A PRISONER SWAP.

THE RESULT OF MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE WHITE HOUSE AND RUSSIAN LEADERS.

MEANWHILE, REPORTS OF ANTI- SOMATIC INCIDENT HIT AN ALL- TIME HIGH ACROSS THE U.S.

IN 2021, AND NEARLY 30% OF ALL THE EVIDENCE DOCUMENTED TOOK PLACE IN OUR BACKYARD BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK.

THE LATEST DATA RELEASED BY THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE TUESDAY FINDS A DISTURBING TREND OF INCREASING HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE AGAINST JEWISH RESIDENTS.

WITH 370 TOTAL INCIDENTS IN THE GARDEN STATE, THE HIGHEST NUMBER EVER RECORDED BY THE ADL, THE AUDIT COMES JUST WEEKS AFTER A SPREE OF ATTACKS ON ORTHODOX JEWISH RESIDENTS IN THE LAKEWOOD AND JACKSON AREAS.

SCOTT RICHMOND IS THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR AT THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE AND JOINS US AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES EXPLORING HATE ON ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM, AND EXTREMISM.

SCOTT, THANKS FOR JOINING US TO TALK ABOUT THIS AUDIT.

THAT THE FINDINGS SURPRISE YOU PASTE ON WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING PLAY OUT IN DIFFERENT TOWNS ACROSS THE STATE?

>> I WAS CONCERNED.

2021 HAD CLEARLY BEEN A YEAR OF MANY SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS.

IT MIRRORS WHAT IS GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE AUDIT SHOWED THAT NOT ONLY HAD WE HIT A RECORD, BUT IT WAS MUCH MUCH HIGHER THAN THE 2020 NUMBERS.

>> SO WALK US THROUGH, IF YOU WILL WHERE THE MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS OCCURRED, IF YOU CAN BREAK IT DOWN AND THAT WAY.

>> THE INCIDENT OCCURRED IN 19 OF THE 21 COUNTIES.

BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE INCIDENTS OCCURRED IN THREE COUNTIES.

THEY ARE BERGEN, OCEAN, AND MILLA SEX COUNTIES.

THEY ARE COUNTIES THAT ARE HOME TO LARGE NUMBERS OF ORTHODOX JEWS.

WE WOULD CALL THEM VISIBLY IDENTIFIABLE.

SO THAT SORT OF MAKES SENSE, AND THEN OF COURSE IN OTHER COUNTIES AS WELL, BUT THOSE ARE THE ONES WHERE THE MOST INCIDENTS OCCURRED.

>> THESE ARE INCIDENTS THAT RANGE FROM A SWASTIKA BEING PAINTED OUTSIDE A SYNAGOGUE TO VIOLENCE, TO ACTUAL ATTACKS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ADL DIVIDES THE AUDIT INTO THREE TYPES OF INCIDENTS.

IT IS HARASSMENT, VANDALISM, AND UNSOLD.

HARASSMENT WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY IN PERSON.

IT COULD BE ONLINE.

IT COULD BE ZOOM BOMBING.

THERE IS A REAL RANGE.

VANDALISM LIKE WHAT YOU SAID, SWASTIKAS OR OTHER KINDS OF GRAFFITI.

OF COURSE ASSAULT, THE MOST VICIOUS KIND OF ATTACK.

THERE WERE SIX ASSAULTS IN NEW JERSEY, THAT IS AN INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR AND REALLY THOSE ARE THE MOST HEINOUS KINDS OF ATTACKS AGAINST THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

>> THROUGH THE WORK OF THE ADL, WHAT DOES IT POINT TO?

IS THERE SOMETHING STEMMING OR PERHAPS THE SOURCE OF WHY WE SEE A RISE?

THE HIGHEST ON RECORD.

THIS IS TELLING, NO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS NOT LIMITED TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE SEEN A GENERAL RISE IN HEAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YOU HAVE SEEN ATTACKS AGAINST THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, ATTACKS AGAINST THE LGBT COMMUNITY, VERY VISIBLE VIOLENCE AGAINST VA API COMMUNITY.

SO THIS GENERAL RISE IN HATE IS OUT THERE, BUT I THINK WE COULD POINT TO A FEW SPECIFIC FACTORS.

ONE OF WHICH IS ONE THING THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, WHICH WAS THE CONFLICT IN MAY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS.

THAT RESULTED IN A LARGE NUMBER OF ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS.

IT IS NOT EXPLAINED ALL OF THE RISE, BUT IT DOES EXPLAIN SOME OF THE RISE LAST YEAR, COMPARING MAY 20, 2010 MAY 2021 WHEN THE CONFLICT HAPPENED.

YOU SAW OVER 100% RISE IN ANTI- SOMATIC INCIDENTS.

BUT THEY ARE MUCH MORE LONG- TERM FACTORS.

POLARIZATION.

WE LIVE IN A DIVIDED SOCIETY, AND THIS DIVIDED SOCIETY MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO PUSH HATE TO THE EXTREMES.

WE HAVE A WEAK CENTER, SO SOCIETY CAN'T PLAY ITS TRADITIONAL ROLE OF PUSHING HATE TO THE MARGINS.

OF COURSE THERE'S A GENERAL EMBOLDENING OF EXTREMISTS ON BOTH SIDES, THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT, AND THAT OF COURSE IS A TREND OF THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> SCOTT RICHMOND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ESTATE COMMISSION OF INVESTIGATION IS PROBING THE DEPTHS OF ROUGHLY 200 RESIDENTS AT NEW JERSEY'S STATE RUN VETERANS HOMES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE INVESTIGATION ADDS TO MULTIPLE OTHERS LED BY THE NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INTO THE VETERANS HOMES, WHICH HAD AMONG THE HIGHEST DEATH RATES FROM COVID IN THE COUNTRY.

AS THE STATE REPORTS, MORE THAN 2400 NEW POSITIVE CASES TODAY.

THAT IS A SPIKE FROM JUST YESTERDAY AND 14 MORE DEATHS.

THE CDC SAYS COVID HAS INFECTED MORE THAN HALF OF ALL AMERICANS AND 75% OF CHILDREN.

YET DESPITE THE RECENT UPTICK, WHITE HOUSE CHIEF MEDICAL ADVISOR SAYS THE PANDEMIC PHASE OF COVID IS OVER IN THE U.S. AS THE COUNTRY BEGINS SHIFTING TO AN END DIMMICK STAGE WHERE HEALTH OFFICIALS TREAT THE CORONAVIRUS AS A SEASONAL DISEASE.

RESIDENCE OF NEWARK'S IRONBOUND SECTION SAY THEY ARE TIRED OF SEEING THE NEIGHBORHOOD USED AS A DUMPING GROUND FOR PROJECTS THAT DAMAGES THE ENVIRONMENT AND CHOKE THE AIR WITH POLLUTION.

MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE TUNING IN AND SOUNDING OFF TUESDAY NIGHT DURING AN ONLINE PUBLIC HEARING CONDEMNING THE PASSAIC VALLEY SEWAGE PLAN TO HOLD A POWER PLANT AT THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN THE COMMUNITY.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES AND NEIGHBORS SAY THAT AREA OF THE CITY IS ALREADY OVERBURDENED WITH POLLUTION.

IT IS HOME TO THREE OTHER GAS POWER PLANTS, A TRASH INCINERATOR AND HEAVY TRAFFIC FROM NEARBY PORTS AND INDUSTRY.

THE PBS HE NEEDS TO BUILD A BACKUP PLAN TO KEEP THE FACILITY RUNNING DURING A POWER OUTAGE AFTER SUPER STORM SANDY IN 2012 THE PLANT LOST POWER FOR THREE DAYS, CAUSING NEARLY 900 MILLION GALLONS OF RAW SEWAGE TO SPILL INTO THE PASSAIC RIVER.

BUT OPPONENTS SAY THEY'RE NOT TAKING RENEWABLE ALTERNATIVES SERIOUSLY.

DURING THE HEARING, THE COMMISSION SAID IT PLANS TO REDUCE OTHER SOURCES OF POLLUTION AT THE PLANT, ADDING THE FACILITY WOULD BE OFF-LINE MOST DAYS OF THE YEAR.

THE PUBLIC HAS UNTIL JUNE 3 TO COMMENT ON THE PLANT AND EFFORTS TO COMPLY WITH THE STATE'S ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LAW.

>> YOU HAVE GOT EXACTLY ONE WEEK FROM TODAY TO STOCK UP ON REUSABLE BAGS WORK STARTING MAY 4, THE STATE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAG BAN GOES INTO EFFECT.

RETAIL STORES AND RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE STILL BUSY WORKING OUT HOW THEY WILL PACKAGE TO GO ITEMS AND WHILE MANY ARE ON BOARD WITH THE CHANGE, OTHERS TELL MELISSA COOPER THEY FEEL THE RISING COST COULD BE BAD.

>> AND OTHER TYPICAL MORNING FOR SUSAN.

SHE SPENT THE LAST YEAR GETTING TO KNOW HER CUSTOMERS AS THEY PICK UP WHATEVER THEY NEED AT HER CONVENIENCE STORE IN MONTCLAIR.

COME NEXT WEEK, THESE PLASTIC BAGS SHE USES TO PACKAGE ITEMS WILL BE A THING OF THE PAST.

>> I THINK IT IS GREAT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO WITH THE SAME TOKEN, WE HAVE GOT TO GET USED TO IT.

IT IS GOING TO BE A NEW NORM, AND SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF IT, AND THEY GET A LITTLE ANGRY WHEN YOU EXPLAIN IT TO THEM, LIKE TELLING THEM SOON WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GIVE YOU BAGS.

I THINK IT IS JUST A MATTER OF THEM GETTING USED TO THEM NOT HAVING BAGS, SO THEY CAN START BRINGING THEIR OWN BAGS.

>> THAT IS WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE HOPING WILL HAPPEN ONCE A STATE BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS GO INTO EFFECT ON MAY 4.

THE LAW APPLIES TO PAPERBACKS AT GROCERY STORES, BUT RESTAURANTS AND OTHER FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS LIKE THE CAFE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO USE PAPERBACKS.

>> WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING.

SO EVERYTHING WE DO, WE HAD THAT IN MIND ALREADY.

>> OWNER GUSTAVO MADE SURE TO STOCK THE CAFE WITH PAPERBACKS AND RECYCLED CONTAINERS WHEN IT OPENED THREE MONTHS AGO.

>> TWO YEARS AGO EVERYBODY WAS CONCERNED WITH STRAWS.

HOW MANY WATER BOTTLES AND STRAWS TO BE USED?

I'M SURE THERE IS A LOT MORE WATER BOTTLES.

IT IS MAINLY WHEREVER THE FOCUS IS.

SO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES.

>> WHILE THEY AGREE THE PANEL PLASTIC BAGS IS BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, THERE ARE SOME CONCERNS THAT SWITCHING TO ALTERNATIVES THAT HURT THEM FINANCIALLY.

>> PAPERBACKS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE, FOR SURE.

>> CAMP IS THE OWNER OF STUFFED GRASS BURGERS IN MONTCLAIR.

HE SAYS HE ONLY USES PAPER PRODUCTS INSIDE HIS BUSINESS.

HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MAKING THE SWITCH FROM PLASTIC, BUT WITH INFLATION RISING, HE HAS HAD TO RAISE PRICES BY 15 TO 20% OVER THE PAST YEAR.

AND NOW HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE PLASTIC BAND COULD AFFECT OTHER BUSINESSES.

>> RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE TRYING TO FIND ANY WAY THEY CAN TO CUT A COST, BASICALLY.

SO RIGHT NOW I AM SENSITIVE ABOUT MY FRIENDS IN THE BUSINESS WHO HAVE ORDERED THOUSANDS OF PLASTIC BAGS WITH THEIR LOGOS.

I AM WONDERING IF THERE ARE RULES IN PLACE TO PROTECT THEM SO THEY CAN GET RID OF THOSE.

IT IS ALREADY HARD ON SMALL INDEPENDENT RESTAURANTS.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES WERE CHALLENGED ENOUGH WITH COVID.

LOSING WORKERS, THE COST OF GOODS GOING UP, SOME OF US FLOODED, AND HAS BEEN A VERY INTERESTING TWO YEARS.

>> JARED ALSO USES PAPERBACKS AND HIS WEST ORANGE BUSINESS.

HE DOES NOT THINK THE BAN IS A GOOD IDEA RIGHT NOW AND QUESTIONS WHO IT ACTUALLY BENEFITS.

>> IF YOU TAKE A SUPERMARKET, THEY NO LONGER HAVE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE PAPERBACKS.

THEY ARE SAVING A TON OF MONEY WHILE STILL LETTING YOU USE THE PLASTIC BAGS IN THE PRODUCE SECTION, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE HOWEVER THEY CAN NOW SELL YOU A REUSABLE BAG FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR IT, SO IT IS A PROFIT FOR THE BIG BOYS, IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS IMPACTING THE BOTTOM LINE FOR MOM AND POP RESTAURANTS.

>> BUSINESSES CAN APPLY FOR A WAIVER IF THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO FIND COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES.

SO FAR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION'S SAYS IT HAS APPROVED FIVE OR SIX REQUESTS AND DENIED OTHERS.

ANY BUSINESS WHO VIOLATES THE BAN ONCE IT GOES INTO EFFECT WILL FACE A WARNING FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE FOLLOWED BY FINES OF UP TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR REPEATED OFFENSES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> FOR EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE UPCOMING BAN ON SINGLE-USE PLASTICS, CHECK OUT GENESIS'S STORY.

>>> HOSPITALS IT'S NOT JUST SAVE LIVES DURING THE PANDEMIC, THEY PLAYED A PART IN SAVING OUR ECONOMY.

RHONDA HAS DETAILS IN TONIGHT'S TOP HEADLINES.

>> A NEW REPORT ON NEW JERSEY'S HOSPITALS LOOKS AT THEIR IMPACT ON OUR STATE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

IN 2020, HOSPITALS SAVED THE LIVES OF MORE THAN 105,000 CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS.

THE HOSPITAL INDUSTRY EMPLOYED 154,000 WORKERS IN 2020, BUT ONE BYPRODUCT OF THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN A STAFF SHORTAGE, WHICH IS RESULTING IN HIGHER COSTS FOR HOSPITALS ACCORDING TO JOHN HOPKINS WITH THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

>> IN 2021, HOSPITALS SPENT ALMOST $100 MILLION MORE IN OVERTIME PAY, AND ALMOST $450 MILLION MORE ON AGENCY NURSE FEES.

>> THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAYS HOSPITALS CONTRIBUTED NEARLY $28 BILLION IN DIRECT ECONOMIC ACTIVITY TO THE STATE IN 2020.

THE IMPACT ROSE TO 62 BILLION WHEN MEASURING HOW HOSPITAL SPENDING SUPPORTS OTHER INDUSTRIES.

REVENUE HAS INCREASED IN NEW JERSEY AS TRAFFIC ON THE TURNPIKE AND PARKWAY IS NEARLY BACK TO PRE-COVID LEVELS.

TOLL REVENUE ON BOTH HIGHWAYS WAS UP IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR COMPARED TO LAST.

MEANTIME, THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT UNDER A NEW FINANCING AGREEMENT, DRIVERS WHO PAID FOR EASY PASS WITH A CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS AS THE AUTHORITY WILL COVER THE COST.

>>> MORTGAGE RATES CONTINUE TO CLIMB WITH CONVENTIONAL RATES AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE 2009.

THE AVERAGE RATE OF A 30 YEAR FIXED- RATE MORTGAGE HAS INCREASED TO 5.37%, UP FROM 5.20.

A YEAR AGO, THE RATE WAS ABOVE 3%.

THE MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION SAYS DEMAND FOR MORTGAGES IS NOW ABOUT HALF OF WHAT IT WAS A YEAR AGO AND THAT IS LEADING TO LAYOFFS IN THE INDUSTRY.

WELLS FARGO ANNOUNCED JOB CUTS DUE TO A DECLINE IN THE HOME LENDING BUSINESS NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> HOW DO YOU GET THE PUBLIC TO CARE ABOUT AN ISSUE THEY CAN'T YET SEE, LIKE RISING SEA LEVELS AND THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE?

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY VISITING PROFESSOR CHRISTINA GERHART MAY HAVE IT FIGURED OUT.

SHE IS LEADING A SERIES OF LOCKS IN A FLOOD PRONE AREA OF THE STATE USING CHALK TO OUTLINE FUTURE SHORELINES FORECASTED BY CLIMATE SCIENTISTS AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE STATE DOES NOT HEED THE WARNINGS.

CORRESPONDENT BRENDA REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES FOCUSING ON THE HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> FOR FOLKS STUDYING CLIMATE CHANGE, DRILLING A CHUCK BOARD DOWN THE STREET IS ALMOST LIKE DETECTIVES SKETCHING THE OUTLINE OF A CRIME VICTIM ON THE SIDEWALK.

IT SHOWS HOW FAR WARMING OCEAN LEVELS COULD RISE IN ABOUT 80 YEARS, POTENTIALLY FLOODING HUNDREDS OF HOMES.

THEY WANT YOU TO NOTICE.

>> TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF SEA LEVEL RISE, TO ENCOURAGE CURIOSITY AMONG COMMUNITIES AND TO ENCOURAGE ENGAGEMENT.

IT WE WERE WALKING AND WE LEFT, IT WOULD NOT LEAVE AS MUCH OF A TRACE.

>> OFFICER GERHART LED THIS WALKING TALKING TALKING TOUR CALLED HIGH WATER LINE NEW JERSEY DESIGNED TO INFORM THE SAYREVILLE COMMUNITY ABOUT A VERY REAL THREAT.

STUDIES PROJECT SEA LEVELS WILL RISE AT FIVE FEET BY 2100 IN A TOWN IS SURROUNDED BY WATER.

THE SOUTH RIVERS AND ROBIN BAY WOULD SUBMERGE THE HOMES ALONG MacARTHUR AVENUE WHERE RESIDENCE REACTIONS TO THE CHALK LINE DIFFERED WIDELY.

>> IT IS SCARY TO KNOW THAT THIS WHOLE PLACE WILL BE UNDERWATER SOON.

>> JULIE APPLAUDS EFFORTS TO HIGHLIGHT THE HAZARDS.

>> PEOPLE ARE JUST NOT AWARE OF THE CONSEQUENCES.

IT SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE.

>> I WILL BE GONE BY THE TIME THAT HAPPENED.

>> FOR JOE ALBAN, IT IS A NON- ISSUE.

THE RIVER IS A HALF-MILE BEHIND HIS HOUSE.

>> THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY FLOODS, EXCEPT FOR SANDY.

WE HAD A LITTLE WATER IN THE GARAGE.

>> SUPER STORM SANDY ACTUALLY DEVASTATED NEIGHBORHOODS ALONG THE RIVER JUST BEHIND HIS HOUSE.

>> 250 HOMES WERE OFFERED AFTER HURRICANE SANDY.

THERE WAS 18 FEET OF WATER THAT INUNDATED THE AREA.

IT WAS THE THIRD YEAR IN A ROW THAT THIS AREA HAD FLOODED.

ONE RESIDENT HAD JUST FINISHED REPAIRING DAMAGE CAUSED IN 2010.

>> A FEW PROPERTY OWNERS CHOSE TO ELEVATE THEIR HOUSES ABOUT ESTIMATE OF FLOOD LEVELS OR JUST HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT 149 SAYREVILLE HOMEOWNERS HAD HAD ENOUGH AND ACCEPTED BUYOUTS THROUGH THE DEP'S BLUE ACRES PROGRAM WITH ITS HOUSES DEMOLISHED, THIS NEIGHBORHOOD WILL BECOME A FLOOD BUFFER ZONE.

>> IN MY ESTIMATION, WHAT IT OFFERS US IS AN EXAMPLE OF SUCCESSFUL RETREAT FROM THE COASTLINE.

>> GERHART IS WORKING WITH CLAIMANT CENTRAL TWO JERSEYS HISTORIC SHORELINE AND TO SEE WHAT SEA LEVEL RISE WILL LOOK LIKE.

SHE SAYS THEY ARE CONNECTED.

>> WATER LIKES TO RECLAIM TERRITORY THAT IT WAS PREVIOUSLY IN.

IT IS A VERY COMMON THING.

ONE THING THAT I DO IS I LOOK AT MAPS FROM 1850.

THIS AREA WE ARE STANDING ON, WHICH IS RIGHT HERE USED TO ALL BE TIDAL WETLANDS, AND OFTEN YOU WILL SEE THERE IS A REMARKABLE SIMILARITY BETWEEN WHAT IS FORECAST FOR SEA LEVEL RISE INUNDATION ZONES AND HISTORICAL WETLANDS.

>> SHEETS OF THE PAST CAN PREDICT THE FUTURE, A NEW CLIMATE RESILIENCY STUDY COLLECTING IDEAS FROM SEVEN MIDDLESEX COUNTY TOWNS, THE DEP AND OTHER EXPERTS WITH AN ACTION PLAN DUE NEXT MONTH.

IN THE END, ADVOCATES SAY THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS CONVINCING PEOPLE TO ACT.

>> IT IS STILL HARD TO GRASP EVEN AT A LOCAL LEVEL SINCE WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, YOU KNOW?

>> KRISTI FALCONER SAYS THAT IS WHY DRAWING A HIGH WATER LINE CAN HELP IT GIVES FOLKS TANGIBLE EVIDENCE AND THE CHALK IS WATER-SOLUBLE AND BIODEGRADABLE.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT TO CHAT BOX WITH THE SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK DAVID TAKES A LOOK AT MATERNAL HEALTH IN THE STATE AND IN PARTICULAR, HOW THE PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED MOTHERS AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

I WILL BE AGHAST SHARING MY STORY AND WE WILL BE JOINED BY DOCTOR CAMPBELL ABOUT SUPPORTING MOTHERS THROUGH THEIR BIRTH AND BEYOND.

THAT IS THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

BARNABAS HELP, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND OR STUD, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR EXPLORING HATE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE SIL VA AND SIMON B PROGRAMMING AND PARENTED TO FIGHT ANTI- SEMITISM.

SUE AND EDGAR THE THIRD, CHARLOTTE AND DAVID ACCURATE, PETER PETERSON.

>> MAJOR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE FOUNDATION AND SUE AND EDGAR I HEIM THE THIRD AND THE CHERYL AND PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY.

>> THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, THE CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE A MEMBER.

>> OR STUD WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OR STUD, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

ONLINE AT U.S. DEBT OR STUD.COM.