>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

POWERED BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

FROM NJPBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

ADVOCATES ARE NO LONGER IMAGINING WHAT A POST-ROE V WADE WORLD LOOKS LIKE, THEY ARE PREPARING FOR ONE.

AND, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS ON BOARD.

AS HE NOTED ON AIR LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO EXPAND THE STATE LAW PRESERVING THE LEGAL RIGHT TO ABORTION, AND REQUIRE INSURANCE COMPANIES TO COVER THE EXPENSE OF THE PROCEDURE WITH NO OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS.

THAT PROVISION GOT SCRAPPED FROM THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE BILL, A CASUALTY OF THE POLITICAL PROCESS.

NOW, GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL TAKE THE PITCH BACK TO LAWMAKERS TOMORROW.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> FELT VERY SCARED.

>> SOUTH JERSEY WOMAN WE WILL CALL JOAN TOLD US HER ABORTION STORY.

SHE ASKED TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS BECAUSE SHE FEARS A SOCIAL BACKLASH.

10 YEARS AGO, JOHN WORKED AT A WALMART, STRUGGLED WITH HEROIN ADDICTION AND GOT PREGNANT WHILE USING DRUGS.

SHE AGONIZED OVER HER CHOICES.

>> I FELT BACKED UP AGAINST A WALL, I FELT THERE WERE NOT OTHER OPTIONS, BUT I WAS ASHAMED.

>> JOHN HAD NO HEALTH INSURANCE, SHE WORRIED ABOUT MISSING THREE DAYS OF WORK.

HER THEN BOYFRIEND PAID FOR THE BASIC FIRST TRIMESTER ABORTION, BUT JOAN SAYS THEY COULD NOT BEEN AFFORDED AN EXTRA HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR SEDATION.

>> THAT THE TERRIFYING OUTCOME, AND TO DO IT, NOT SEDATED WAS PHYSICALLY PAINFUL.

JUST HAPPEN TO BE AWAKE THROUGH THE WHOLE THING IS DIFFICULT.

>> IT'S REALLY CHALLENGING.

THERE ARE SOME SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT EXIST TO HELP PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE INSURANCE OR DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY OUT-OF- POCKET FOR RICHARD >> AND DR. KRISTIN BRANDY SAYS EVEN PEOPLE WITH INSURANCE CAN DISCOVER THEIR PLANS DON'T PAY FOR ABORTION.

CRITICS WANT THAT CHANGED.

NOW, WITH THE SUPREME COURT PROMISING TO OVERTURN ROE V WADE, THEY ARE PUSHING A NEW POLITICAL CRUSADE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> IS A WOMAN IN SHORT CUSTOMER SHE IS PAYING FOR HER MEDICAL CARE, WHATEVER MEDICAL CARE SHE NEEDS IT SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER HER HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN, IRREGARDLESS OF WHAT IT IS.

>> WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED NEW JERSEY'S FREEDOM OF REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE ACT, IT DID CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS.

BUT, RELUCTANT LAWMAKERS HAD STRIPPED OUT MANDATORY INSURANCE COVERAGE PROVISIONS.

MURPHY WILL ANNOUNCE NEW LEGISLATION THIS WEEK THAT REVIVES THE ABORTION INSURANCE MANDATE, ACCORDING TO RESOURCE FAMILIAR WITH THE GOVERNOR'S PLANS.

>> I AM HOPEFUL THAT ITALY TOWARDS HAVING MORE INSURANCES COVER THIS CARE.

JUST LIKE THEY COVER OTHER TYPES OF PREGNANCY RELATED CARE.

>> IS ONE OF THE UNIQUE BARRIERS WE HAVE IN NEW JERSEY, AND AGAIN, I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING TO PROTECT NOT ONLY OUR LIFE ACCESS TO THIS SERVICE.

>> ABORTION RIGHTS ACTIVISTS SAY JERSEY ALSO NEEDS A BILL LIKE THE ONE BACK THIS WEEK BY NEW YORK, ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMES.

IT CREATES A $50 MILLION STATE FUND TO PAY ABORTION PROVIDERS, AND OFFSET COSTS FOR LOW INCOME AND UNINSURABLE UNDER INSURED ABORTION PATIENTS.

WITH AN INFLUX OF PATIENTS EXPECTED FROM OUT-OF-STATE, IF ROE FALLS, PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NEW JERSEY IS ALREADY COORDINATING RESOURCES WITH NEW YORK AND PENNSYLVANIA CHAPTERS.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT FOUR TEAMS AND THOSE TEAMS CONSIST OF A CLINICIAN, NURSE AND THREE CLINICAL SYSTEMS.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND OUR HOURS WITH THOSE.

OPEN WHEN WE ARE TRADITIONALLY CLOSED, EXPAND ON THE WEEKEND, AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING APPOINTMENT.

>> PROCEDURES CAN COST ANYWHERE FROM A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR UNCLE McKAY FIRST TRIMESTER VACATION ABORTIONS TO 10,000 AND UP FOR WHERE, LATE-TERM, OR EMERGENCY OPERATIONS REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION AND SURGERY.

AND, WHILE MEDICAID COVERS COST FOR ELIGIBLE NEW JERSEY PATIENTS, MANY LOW INCOME PATIENTS DON'T QUALIFY ADVOCATES NOTE.

>> THEY ARE ACTIVELY FUNDRAISING FOR THE HEALTHCARE THEY NEED.

THE CLOCK IS TICKING, SO THE LONGER THIS TAKES, THE MORE EXPENSIVE THE PROCEDURE BECOMES.

>> JONAH MEMBERS AND SHE SUPPORTS LEGISLATION TO HELP FUND ABORTION HEALTHCARE BECAUSE SHE SAYS COST SHOULD NOT BE A HURDLE.

>> THE DECISIONS I MADE, I'M NOT A BAD PERSON.

I DON'T FEEL I NEED ANY FORGIVENESS FROM ANYONE.

THAT WAS MY HEALTHCARE DECISION AT THE TIME.

>> NEXT WEEK, JOAN WILL GRADUATE FROM LAW SCHOOL.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ONE OF THE STATES MOST HIGH- PROFILE PRISONERS BEING GRANTED PAROLE.

IN A SPLIT DECISION, BUT A DOOZY UP IN COURT TODAY RULED 85-YEAR-OLD FORMER BLACK PANTHER MEMBER, IS ELIGIBLE FOR RELEASE AFTER SERVING 50 YEARS IN PRISON.

HE WAS CONVICTED OF MURDERING NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPER DURING WHAT BECAME AN INFAMOUS SHOOTOUT ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE.

THE COURT REVERSED A 2017 DECISION BY THE STATE PAROLE BOARD, DENYING PAROLE WHO SOUGHT BUT FAILED TO WIN PAROLE EIGHT OTHER TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

THE COURT POINTED TO THE GREEN PRISON RECORD EFFORTS TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST VIOLENCE AND HIS ADVANCED AGE AS REASONS HAS RELEASE WOULD NOT PRESENT AN ONGOING DANGER TO THE PUBLIC.

THE ROLLING WAS QUICKLY CONDEMNED BY GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY AND ACTING STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYING IN A STATEMENT, HE WAS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN THE GOVERNOR WENT ON, MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM ARE HEROES AND ANYONE WHO TAKE THE LIFE OF AN OFFICER ON DUTY SHOULD REMAIN BEHIND BARS UNTIL THE END OF THEIR LIFE.

HIS CASE ALSO INVOLVED SOMEONE WHO WAS CONVICTED AND LATER ESCAPED TO NEW JERSEY.

SHE CHANGED HER NAME AND FLED TO CUBA BECOMING THE FIRST WOMAN ON THE DI'S MOST WANTED TERRORIST LIST AND REMAINS A FUGITIVE.

>> IT'S BECOME A POLITICAL LIGHTNING ROD IN TRENTON, LAWMAKERS TRYING TO GRAPPLE WITH THE GROWING CONCERNS OF THE STATES NEW SEX EDUCATION STANDARDS, WHICH SET GUIDELINES FOR WHEN THE STUDENTS SHOULD LEARN ABOUT TOPICS LIKE ANATOMY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND GENDER IDENTITY.

ON MONDAY, THE SENATE PASSED A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED BILL TO INCREASE THE TRANSPARENCY AROUND THE CURRICULUM, BUT NOT WITHOUT A FIGHT.

PARENTS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND CONSERVATIVE GROUPS TESTIFIED AGAINST THE BILL AND STANDARDS FOR OVER TWO HOURS, CRITICIZING THE STANDARDS AS BEING TOO GRAPHIC AND ASIAN APPROPRIATE.

ADVOCATES SAY THE PUBLIC HAS BEEN MISLED BY THE SPREAD OF THIS INFORMATION, EDUCATION WRITER, JOHN MOONEY HAS THE LATEST ON THE CONTROVERSY.

>> SO, JOHN, THIS OBVIOUSLY WAS A PRETTY HEATED HEARING YESTERDAY.

WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS RAISED AND DID ANYBODY SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE STANDARDS?

>> YEAH.

THE CONCERNS ARE FAMILIAR.

I MEAN, THERE WERE SOME PARENT RIGHT GROUPS, SOME PARENTS, SOME RELIGIOUS-BASED GROUPS, THEY REALLY USED THIS HEARING TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE STANDARDS THAT HAVE STARTED THIS WHOLE THING, ALBEIT A COUPLE YEARS AGO, BUT IT HAS INVENTED A BIT IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS AND THE TRANSPARENCY PIECE OF THIS, AND THE SPONSORED TRIED TO GET GOING BACK TO THE ACTUAL BILL, AND THE BILL IS ABOUT POSTING THE STANDARDS AND HAVING SOME PUBLIC FORUMS FOR THEM, AND THAT WAS LESS OF THE ISSUE.

THE MORE OF THE ISSUE WAS THAT THE STANDARDS WERE OUT THERE, ALL AND THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE DRIVING CURRICULUM, AND THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE BILL.

THE SENATOR WAS LEFT HANGING OUT THERE.

A COUPLE OF THE BIGGER GROUPS THAT THERE WAS NONE OF THE SUPPORT FOR THIS BILL THAT YOU CERTAINLY SAW ON THE OTHER CITRIX REMIX LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT SO QUICKLY, IT REQUIRES THE DISTRICT TO POST THE CURRICULUM ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE.

IN ADDITION THEY HAD TO HOLD ANNUAL MEETINGS SO THAT PARENTS CAN GET THEIR INPUT.

THEY WOULD POST THIS CURRICULUM IN THE SUMMER PRESUMABLY SO THEY WOULD HAVE TIME TO DIGEST IT.

DOES THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN RAISED?

>> FAIRLY.

I MEAN, IT IS CERTAINLY ADDRESSING SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT MAYBE ALL OF CURRICULUM SHOULD BE POSTED SO THAT FOLKS KNOW EXACTLY WHAT GOING ON, BUT, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE HEATED RHETORIC AROUND IT AND FRANKLY, A LOT OF MISINFORMATION, THIS IS NOT GETTING AT THAT AT ALL, AND THE STANDARDS ARE GOING TO STAY OUT THERE AND I'M GUESSING, AS LONG AS WE HAVE CULTURE WARS, THIS IS GOING TO GET FAIRLY HEATED.

>> I MEAN DOES IT SEEM LIKE THIS WILL MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY AND TO THE GOVERNOR QUESTION MARK DOESN'T EVEN HAVE A SPONSOR THERE AT THIS POINT?

>> I THINK IT WILL.

AND YOU KNOW, IT BARELY WAS FILED YESTERDAY.

SO THE FACT THAT IT DOES NOT HAVE A SPONSOR MAYBE IT WOULD BE WISE TO LINE ONE BEFORE YOU FILE BUT I THINK IT WILL.

AND I'M GUESSING IT WILL.

BUT THERE'S GOING TO YOU KNOW, I THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO STAY AWAY FROM THIS ISSUE AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.

IT'S NOT A GOOD ISSUE FOR THEM, AND SO, IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO GET SOME OF THE SUPPORT ON ANY OF THIS ISSUES.

BUT, I'M GUESSING THAT IT'LL GET THROUGH, YOU KNOW.

FOR WHATEVER REASON, MURPHY, GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL PROBABLY SIGN IT BUT WE WILL SEE.

I THINK IT HAS A WAYS TO GO.

SEE McCHRYSTAL THAT MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO ARE JUST CALLING FOR THE STANDARDS ENTIRELY TO BEING REPEALED, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING?

>> THAT'S NOT HAPPENING.

>> NOT UNDER THE CURRENT MAKEUP OF THE LEGISLATURE.

NOR THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WHICH, LAST WEEK REAFFIRMED ITS SUPPORT FOR THESE STANDARDS, ALBEIT WITH SOME DISSENT, BUT I DON'T SEE THOSE TURNING MUCH, AND I DON'T SEE THOSE REPUBLICAN-LED BILLS EVEN GETTING POSTED.

MAYBE THEY WILL GET FILED BUT I DON'T SEE THEM GETTING BEFORE A COMMITTEE, NOT WITH THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP THAT IS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> AND AGAIN, WE WILL NOTE THAT THESE ARE STANDARDS BEING PUT FORWARD, WHAT HAS BEEN CIRCULATED THUS FAR IS NOT ACTUAL CURRICULUM, THAT WILL BE IN THE CLASSROOMS.

A LOT OF MISINFORMATION GOING ON THERE., JOHN, I KNOW YOU'LL BE STAYING ON THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> NICE TO TALK WITH YOU.

>> IN WHAT MAY BE A PALM FOLLOWING A CHILLY INDOOR MOTHER'S DAY WE CAN, THE STATE IS REPORTING MORE THAN 4000 NEW COVER CASES TODAY AND 8 RELATED DEATHS.

OTHER INDICATORS ARE POINTING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

THE STATES A SEVEN DAY AVERAGE FOR CONFIRMED CASES, THE 127% FROM JUST A MONTH AGO.

THE WEEKLY AVERAGE HAS INCREASED FOR 20 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.

NOW SOME OF THESE ARE ALL NUMBERS THE STATE HAS NOT EXPERIENCED SINCE LATE JANUARY.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOT SPIKING FORTUNATELY, THAT IS A GOOD SIGN.

BUT, THEY ARE ON THE RISE, HITTING NEARLY 650 PATIENTS WITH CONFIRMED OR SUSPECTED CORONAVIRUS CASES.

ALL DUE TO THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BE A TWO STUFF VARIANCE OF THE VIRUS AND LAST PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTIONS LIKE MASK MANDATES.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER TELLS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS MASKING IS UP TO RESIDENTS AND DOES NOT ANTICIPATE RINGING THE REQUIREMENT BACK AT THIS TIME.

>> THE CITY OF NEWARK IS LAUNCHING A ONE MILLION-DOLLAR PROMISE, GIVING 40 LOCAL STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND A FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITY.

DEBT FREE.

IT'S THE FIRST CLASS FOR A NEW PILOT PROGRAM THAT WILL PAY THE WAY FOR THEIR BACHELOR'S DEGREES.

TUITION, ROOM, BOARD, AND A FUTURE.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> DEBT FREE.

>> PARENTS, TEACHERS, AND MENTORS.

STUDENTS GATHERED AT CITY HALL TO CELEBRATE THEIR FOUR YEAR DEBT FREE COLLEGE EDUCATION AT TEAM ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY.

UNDER THE CITY'S GUARANTEED EDUCATION POLYP PILOT PROGRAM, STUDENTS WILL RECEIVE TUITION, ROOM AND BOARD FREE OF CHARGE AT THE UNIVERSITY THROUGH A MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT PROVIDED BY THE CITY OF NEWARK.

>> WE'LL HAVE JAMES, LIKE ANYBODY ELSE, SOMETIMES WE FORGET OUR DREAMS GOING FROM DAY TODAY AND WE FALL DOWN SO MANY TIMES WE FORGET WE HAD A DREAM.

AND SO, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET HELP TO FULFILL THOSE DREAMS.

>> TO BE ELIGIBLE, STUDENTS MUST BE A RESIDENT, HAD A GREAT FISHING 1.8 AND 2.5, MUST CHOOSE AN ACADEMIC FOCUS AND SOCIAL WORK, PSYCHOLOGY, EDUCATION OR MERCY.

THE PROGRAM IS SPECIFICALLY FOR AT RISK STUDENTS WHICH DOES HAVE INCARCERATED PARENT OR A PARENT WHO WAS RECENTLY RELEASED FROM JAIL, OR A STUDENT WHO HAS LOST A PARENT OR SIBLING TO VIOLENCE.

>> IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY BECAUSE NOTHING WORTH IT EVER IS.

BUT, LOOK AT WHO IS HERE WITH YOU TODAY TO HELP YOU.

>> ALL 40 STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES TO ELIZABETH UNIVERSITY WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO ATTEND THE STUDENT ORIENTATION AND TOUR THE CAMPUS.

A MIXTURE OF PRIDE, EXCITEMENT AND A SENSE OF RELIEF WAS EXPRESSED BY EVERYONE I SPOKE WITH.

>> AT THE APPLICATION WAS KIND OF STRESSFUL.

WE WENT THROUGH A LOT, MY FINANCIAL AID.

IT WAS JUST LIKE I WANTED TO GIVE UP ON IT BECAUSE IT WAS SO MANY COMPLICATIONS AND I HAVE TO KEEP COMING BACK HERE AND TELLING PEOPLE THAT NOW THAT WE COME I'VE BEEN SELECTED AS KIND OF A GOOD THING.

SOMETHING I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, YOU KNOW AFTER COLLEGE.

IT'S REALLY GOOD.

MATCHES HERE, DEBT FREE, FREE EDUCATION.

SHE'S ABLE TO MAKE EVERY EDUCATION DECISION THAT SHE WANTS.

>> IF WE LOOK AT THE DATA, WERE ABLE TO SIMMER DOWN TO YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEE BETWEEN AGE OF 16 AND 24 WHO ARE NOT CONNECTED TO THE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN 2015 I DID A RESEARCH STUDY, 82% OF THE CRIMES THAT WERE COMMITTED IN THE CITY WERE DONE BY YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN AGES 16 AND 24.

WELL, IF THEY ARE NOT IN SCHOOL, WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY ARE DOING?

WORKING ALONE.

YOU'RE GOING TO WRAP HER ARMS AROUND THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.

ALL THE KIDS.

>> S AND AS I SPOKE WITH HIM, THE PROGRAM GIVES THEM A SECOND CHANCE TO ACHIEVE DREAMS AND GOALS THEY DID NOT EVEN KNOW WERE POSSIBLE.

>> AT MY OTHER SCHOOL BEFORE LIFE, I HAVE GOT KICKED OUT AND STUFF AND I DID NOT KNOW TO DO WITH MYSELF BECAUSE HONESTLY I DID NOT THINK I COULD MAKE IT TO COLLEGE.

BECAUSE OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN THROUGH.

>> WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY I WAS THRILLED.

I TOLD EVERYBODY BECAUSE I WORK IN A SALON, I TOLD EVERYBODY AND LIKE HEY, I GOT INTO COLLEGE, I GOT THE SCHOLARSHIP.

I WAS EXCITED.

I WOULD HAVE NEVER PUT COLLEGE NEXT TO MY NAME, NEVER SAID I WAS GOING TO COLLEGE AND THEN I'VE SEEN THIS OPPORTUNITY AND MY MINDSET CHANGE BECAUSE COLLEGE IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET UP IN LIFE.

EVERYBODY IS HERE HOLDING ME TO ALL THESE GREAT PEOPLE THAT I HAVE MET IN MY LIFE OVER THIS PAST COUPLE MONTHS IS HOLDING ME UP TO IT AND I'M JUST VERY THANKFUL FOR THEM.

>> AND AS THE STUDENTS PREPARE FOR A NEW CHAPTER, THE MAYOR, REMINDING THEM TO SEIZE THE MOMENT.

>> IT IS A REASON THAT YOU'LL EXCEL AND NOBODY CAN MAKE ME MISS THIS MOMENT.

I'M NOT GOING TO MISS THIS MOMENT, IT IS MY MOMENT, I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THIS MOMENT.

I DON'T CARE WHAT IT TAKES, I'M GOING TO WALK ACROSS THE STAGE BECAUSE NOBODY EXPECTS ME TO BE HERE, BUT I DID IT.

I DID IT.

GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.4 PROSPECTIVE HOMEBUYERS CAN GET A FOOT IN THE DOOR.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST ON THE HOUSING MARKET AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES, RHONDA.

>> SOME RELIEF FOR POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS WHO HAVE FOUND THAT HOUSES ARE GETTING SNAPPED UP QUICKLY.

ACCORDING TO REALTOR.COM, THERE IS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF HOMES FOR SALE ON THE MARKET IN THE INVENTORY EXPECTED TO INCREASE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

BEFORE, A SHORTAGE OF HOMES FOR SALE SAID HOUSING PRICES SURGING IN THE NEW YORK AND NORTH JERSEY AREA, LISTING PRICES ARE MORE THAN 9 1/2% FROM A YEAR AGO.

BUT, THE RECENT RISE IN MORTGAGE RATES HAS LED TO SOFTER DEMAND WITH HOME SELLERS HAVING TO REDUCE PRICES TO CLOSE THE SALE.

STILL, HOMEOWNERSHIP REMAINS OUT OF REACH FOR MANY NEW JERSEYANS, BUT LEGISLATION SEEKS TO CHANGE THAT.

THE SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE YESTERDAY PASSED A BILL CALLED THE NEW JERSEY AMERICAN DREAM ACT.

IT WOULD SET ASIDE $25 MILLION TO PROVIDE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS PROVIDING GRANTS FOR A DOWN PAYMENT OR A HOME REPAIR.

THE TRADES ARE HAVING A MOMENT TO NEW JERSEY, BETWEEN THE GROWING OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY AND UPCOMING PROJECTS, THANKS TO THE FEDERAL BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, SKILLED LABOR IS IN DEMAND.

TOMORROW, OFFICIALS WILL GATHER IN AN AND 10 AS THE EASTERN ATLANTIC STATES REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS HOLD AN OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW TRAINING FACILITY, THE UNION SAYS WILL MAKE OUR STATE A PREMIER DESTINATION FOR TRAINING.

BRINGING FOR THE UNION'S EXECUTIVE SECRETARY-TREASURER.

>> IS GOING TO BE AN EXTREME DEMAND FOR HOLY GENERATION OF FOLKS TO COME INTO THE INDUSTRY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE PREPARING FOR WITH THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY.

AND OUR OTHER 14 TRAINING CENTERS THROUGHOUT THE COUNCIL.

>> ELSEWHERE CALLED THE NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF AV FORMULA HAS BEEN HAVING THE ATTENTION OF THE WHITE HOUSE, WHICH SAID YESTERDAY, THE FDA IS WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO TRY TO TACKLE THE SHORTAGE.

NEW JERSEY IS AMONG THE HARD- HIT STATES.

THE SHORTAGES DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES THAT WORSENED AFTER THE FDA RECALLED FORMULA MADE A MICHIGAN FACILITY WHILE INVESTIGATORS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF BACTERIAL INFECTIONS IN INFANTS WHO CONSUME THE FORMULA.

ALL FOUR BABIES WERE HOSPITALIZED AND THE INFECTIONS MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DEATHS OF TWO OF THE INFANTS.

NOW, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET TRADING WRAPPED UP TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY PRESENTING THE JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 4th AND FIFTH.

EVENT DETAILS AND PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATIONS ARE ONLINE AT RIVERVIEW JAZZ.ORG.

>>> TONIGHT, WE CONTINUE LOOKING AT HUNGER NEW JERSEY.

AS IT GETS HARDER AND HARDER TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

A NEW REPORT FINDS MORE THAN 285,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN THE STATE WERE FOOD INSECURE DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

MEANING, THEY DID NOT HAVE RELIABLE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE NUTRITIOUS FOODS.

THE DATA WAS COMPILED BY THE FOOD RESEARCH AND ACTION CENTER WITH SUPPORT FROM THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION AND POINTS OUT START THIS READIES WITHIN THE STATE FOR INSTANCE, IN 2021, 14% OF BLACK HOUSEHOLDS AND 18% OF LATINO HOUSEHOLDS IN NEW JERSEY INDICATED THEY SOMETIMES OR OFTEN DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

THE RESEARCH RECOMMENDS INVESTING IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS WHILE BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO HELP GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL AGENCIES WORK TOGETHER TO DISTRIBUTE FOOD AND ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF HUNGER LIKE SYSTEMIC RACISM.

AND, PER STRINGS ARE BEING PULLED TIGHTER TO PROVIDE FOOD WITH THE COST OF GASSING RECORD HIGHS JERSEYS PRESENT AT THE PUMP?

ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, JUMPING ABOUT $.20 FROM LAST WEEK FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID RECENTLY HE IS OPEN TO PROVIDING RELIEF OF SOME SORT FOR RESIDENTS AND LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE ARE NOW PROPOSING BILLS TO ALLEVIATE THE PAIN.

BUT, WILL THEY GET SUPPORT?

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> PULLING UP TO THIS GAS STATION IN EAST RUTHERFORD CANNOT BELIEVE THEIR EYES.

>> THE PRICE OF GAS IN NEW JERSEY IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

THE AVERAGE PRICE PER GALLON OF REGULAR UNLEADED IS $4.49 WHICH IS MORE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF ABOUT $4.37.

>> HAVE AN AUDI AT HOME SO IT COSTING YOU $100 TO FILL UP ON PREMIUM.

>> UNLEADED PRICES ARE CHEAPER BUT THE COST IS STILL HURTING A LOT OF POCKETS.

>> IS FINE BECAUSE THERE'S NOT ENOUGH REFINED PRODUCTS ACROSS THE GLOBE, SOME OF THAT IS RELATED TO RUSSIA, NOT SENDING MOLECULES TO EUROPE, AND THE UNITED STATES IS SENDING MOLECULES TO YOUR EUROPE AND LATIN AMERICA.

>> EVEN THOUGH THE PRICE OF GAS IS HIGH, THE PRICE OF OTHERS IS CAUSING YOU EVEN MORE SO CONCERN.

>> PEOPLE IN THE NORTHEAST THAT HAVE HEATING OIL TO HEAT THEIR HOMES AND I UNDERSTAND IT IS FULL OF CHILE, THEY ARE GOING TO GET IT AT SIX DOLLARS A GALLON, AND FUEL PRICES WERE AS HIGH AS SEVEN DOLLARS A GALLON.

>> SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS WE ARE SEEING, THE EMPTY SHELVES THAT ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE, THEY WILL BE RESUPPLIED BY DIESEL BURNING TRUCKS, AND WITH DIESEL UPWARDS OF $6.23 IN NEW JERSEY, MULTI-ALL-TIME HIGH PRICE, THAT CREATES MORE OF THE INFLATION THAT WE ARE SEEING.

>> SENIOR MANAGER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS WITH AAA NORTHEAST SAID THE PRICES WE ARE SEEING NOW ARE WELL BEYOND RECORDS FROM LAST MARCH WERE AGHAST WITH THE HIGHEST IT HAS BEEN SINCE 2008.

>> WE DID THE FIRST DRIVERS SURVEY BACK IN MARCH OF 2018.

AND, WE ASKED DRIVERS WHAT THE PIN POINT WAS FOR THE PRICING OF GASOLINE.

AND BACK IN 2018.

40% SAID THREE DOLLARS A GALLON FOR THE FOLLOW-UP SURVEY THAT WE DID JUST THIS PAST MARCH, 60% OF DRIVERS SAID THE POINT IS A FOUR DOLLARS PER GALLON.

WELL, WE HAVE BLOWN THROUGH FOUR DOLLARS PER GALLON.

SO, I WORRY THAT FOR SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE POPULATION, THAT THEY ARE REALLY HAVING A TOUGH TIME BEING ABLE TO PAY FOR GASOLINE.

>> SO, STATE LAWMAKERS ARE PROPOSING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE SOME RELIEF.

AS A SOME OF THE CLERGY INTRODUCES A BILL THAT WOULD GIVE REBATES OF $400-$800 TO NONCOMMERCIAL CAR OWNERS AND CREATE A FAIR HOLIDAY FOR TRANSIT RIDERS.

SENATOR EDWARD DURER IS ALSO PROPOSING A REBATE THAT WOULD PROVIDE $500 TO JOINT TAX FILERS MAKING UP TO $250,000 A YEAR, AND $250 FOR SINGLE FILERS, MAKING UP TO $125,000 A YEAR.

>> WITH RISING INFLATION AND THE TAX COST OF LIVING AND THE GAS TAX KEEP GOING UP AND THE GAS PRICES GO UP, I MEAN WE ARE NEARLY DOUBLE WHAT WE WERE A YEAR AGO.

IT'S JUST HURTING EVERYBODY.

I MEAN, WE HAVE OVER FOUR AND HALF BILLION DOLLARS SITTING THERE OF EXTRA TAX MONEY.

FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU KNOW, THAT WE PAID THE GOVERNMENT, WHY NOT GIVE IT BACK WAS RIGHT >> EXPERTS SAY THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO TO SAVE AT THE PUMP, THAT INCLUDES MAKING SURE YOUR CAR IS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION AND LETTING UP ON THE GAS PEDAL A LITTLE BIT.

>> FOR EVERY FILE FIVE MILES PER HOUR OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR YOU DRIVE IT'S LIKE ADDING $.25 TO THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF GASOLINE.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE IS OPEN TO PROVIDING SOME SORT OF RELIEF FOR RESIDENTS, SENATOR IS HOPEFUL HIS BILL WOULD GET THE SUPPORT IT NEEDS TO HAVE NEW JERSEYANS MAKE ENDS MEET.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GET MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

NINE IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE A NJ EA MEMBER.