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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF NEW LONG-TERM CLEAN SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT WILL NOW BE EASIER FOR PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY TO RECEIVE BIRTH CONTROL.

TODAY THE GOVERNOR SIGNED A LAW THAT WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GET BIRTH CONTROL AT A PHARMACIST WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.

THE PASSAGE COMES AT THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY AFTER THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE FREEDOM OF REPRODUCTION ACT.

THEY WILL NEED TO SEE A CLINICIAN FOR AN INITIAL PRESCRIPTION BUT AFTER BEING CLEARED THEY CAN GET YEARLY REFILLS FROM A PHARMACIST.

BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS REACTION TO THE BILL THAT WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF UNWANTED PREGNANCIES IN THE STATE.

>> WE CAN PROUDLY SAY THAT WE HAVE FINALLY FREED THE PILL.

>> Reporter: SENATOR TURNER MEANS BIRTH CONTROL PILLS AND SHE WANTS TO MAKE THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE.

THIS WILL LET THE GERM NEW JERSEY PHARMACIST DISTRIBUTE CONTROL PILLS OVER-THE-COUNTER WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED IT INTO LAW TODAY.

>> THIS WILL BE THE LAW OF THE LAND.

>> Reporter: THURSDAY JOINED MORE THAN 20 OTHER STATES IN 100 COUNTRIES THAT HAVE OPENED UP ACCESS TO SELF-ADMINISTERED ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES WITHOUT HAVING TO SEE A DOCTOR FIRST.

>> FINDING THE TIME AND MONEY TO MAKE A AN APPOINTMENT WITH A DOCTOR AND TO GET A PRESCRIPTION FOR BIRTH CONTROL IS NOT EASY.

AS WOMEN TRY TO BALANCE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF JOBS, MANY TIMES, MULTIPLE JOBS.

AND WITH THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE AMONG BLACK WOMEN IS THREE TIMES THAT OF WHITE WOMEN, THIS IS ALSO RACIAL JUSTICE.

>> THIS WILL RESULT IN FEWER ABORTIONS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: WOMEN OFTEN RUN INTO BARRIERS TRYING TO ACCESS BIRTH CONTROL.

>> OVER MY 27 YEARS IN PRACTICE THIS HAS BEEN A CURRENT AND CHRONIC AND REPEATED PROBLEM WHERE WOMEN SAY THEY HAVE AN UNWANTED PREGNANCY BUT THEY COULD NOT TAKE THE DAY OFF WORK TO COME TO THE OFFICE OF A CLINICIAN JUST TO SIT AND GET A REFILL OF A PRESCRIPTION SO I TOOK A CHANCES.

>> Reporter: THERE IS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HORMONAL CONTRACEPTIVES IN FAMILY-PLANNING.

UNDER THE LAW CLIENTS WILL FILL OUT INFORMATION AND THEN FILLED THE PRESCRIPTION.

>> THEY ARE VERY WELL VERSED ON HOW THIS WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO THEIR MEDICAL HISTORY.

IT SO I THINK THAT HAVING THIS ABILITY TO DO THIS WILL ALLOW THEM TO SERVE A BROADER RANGE OF PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: THE BILL BY TURNER GAINED MOMENTUM AFTER THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE, RAISING THE STAKES FOR UNWANTED PREGNANCIES.

NEW JERSEY LAW IS NOT SPECIFIC TO NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

>> WE ARE NOT JUST DOING WHAT IS RIGHT FOR EVERY NEW JERSEY WOMAN TO MAKE HER OWN DECISIONS.

WE ARE MAKING NEW JERSEY A SAFE HAVEN FOR WOMEN FROM STATES WHICH DO NOT HONOR OR EVEN RECOGNIZE THEIR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOMS.

>> Reporter: MURPHY NOTED THAT TODAY MARKS THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE ACT, MAKING NEW JERSEY A SANCTUARY STATE FOR THOSE SEEKING ABORTION CARE.

ADVOCATES LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT AND MORE FINANCIAL SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO LACK INSURANCE.

>> WE ARE TALKING MORE MONEY.

WE HAVE LOOKED OUT AND ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO PROVIDERS IN THE BUDGET.

I THINK EXPANDING PHARMACIES AS A PROVIDER WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT CAN COME UP.

>> WE NEED LEGISLATION AND WE ARE OPEN-MINDED TO THAT.

>> Reporter: THIS NEW LAW WILL TAKE A WHILE TO IMPLEMENT.

FOR THE ADVOCATES, THE LONGEST WAIT IS OVER.

IN TRENTON I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IF YOU ARE BUSTED IN NEW JERSEY FOR MARIJUANA, THERE ARE LAWYERS THAT WILL HELP YOU.

THEY WILL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE WITH CANNABIS RELATED CONVICTIONS.

AFTER IT BECAME LEGAL LAST ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS INVOLVING SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA WERE EXPUNGED.

THOSE WITH BIGGER CHARGES MUST GO TO COURT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> THEY RUN A BACKGROUND CHECK AND SAW THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE ON MY RECORD AND PUT IN THE RECORDS TO EXPUNGE MY RECORD.

>> Reporter: HE WALKED IN TWO MARIJUANA CHARGES HYDER.

AT >> ONE WAS NEW YEAR'S EVE 2010 AND THE OTHER ONE WAS IN GOTHENBURG, SAME THING.

SMOKING OUTSIDE AND I WAS ARRESTED ON THOSE CHARGES.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN THE IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE WAITING FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

>> TRYING TO FIND A JOB DOING MECHANICAL WORK AT THE AIRPORT AND HAVING THAT ON MY BACKGROUND I COULD NOT GET EMPLOYMENT WITH THOSE TYPES OF AGENCIES SO I THINK THIS WILL HELP ME MOVE FORWARD AND HELP ME GET A JOB WITH AIRLINES EVENTUALLY.

>> Reporter: HE WAS JUST ONE SUCCESS STORY ON THE EXPUNGEMENT.

IT IS ONE OF SEVERAL CLINICS HELD AROUND THE STATE AND THIS ONE FOCUSING ON NEW WORK AS AN IMPACT ZONE.

A COMMUNITY HARD-HIT BY THE WAR ON DRUGS.

A REALITY THAT BRENDAN ROBINSON KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

>> I GREW UP WHERE MY FATHER DID 10 YEARS IN PRISON OVERSELLING CANNABIS.

I AM THE ONLY ONE IN MY FAMILY THAT HAS NOT BEEN IN PRISON FOR MARIJUANA.

I WENT FROM LIVING IN A MIDDLE-CLASS LIFE TO A LIFE OF POVERTY OVER CANNABIS.

THIS IS A PLANT THAT SO MANY ARE BENEFITING FROM THESE DAYS.

>> Reporter: SOME COME IN NOT KNOWING WHAT IS ON THEIR RECORD AND OTHERS NEED HELP NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM.

>> THERE ARE SOME THAT MOLLIFY FOR THE CLEAN SLATE PROGRAM AND AUTOMATIC EXPUNGEMENT.

IN MOST CASES THERE IS SOME TYPE OF ADMINISTRATIVE TASK THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE WANT TO BRING THEM IN AND EDUCATE THEM AROUND THE PROCESS.

LAWYERS FROM A FIRM WERE HERE ALL DAY PROVIDING FREE LEGAL SUPPORT AND PROVIDING EXPUNGEMENT FOR THOSE AVAILABLE.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION AND YOU ARE CHARGED, YOU CAN BE CHARGED WITH THE POSSESSION OR POSSESSION WITH SOMETHING ELSE.

LIKE OPERATING A MOTOR VEHICLE.

INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE.

ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO, WHAT THE STATE DID WAS, THEY EXPUNGED THE MARIJUANA CONVICTION ITSELF BUT NOT WHEN IT WAS ATTACHED TO ANOTHER CRIME.

WE ARE HERE TODAY TO GO THROUGH PEOPLES RECORDS TO EXPUNGE ANYTHING THAT EITHER THE STATE MISSED OR IF IT IS ATTACHED TO ANY OTHER CRIME BECAUSE IT QUALIFIES FOR EXPUNGEMENT.

>> Reporter: WHEN THEY FINISH THEY ARE CONNECTED WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

>> I AM JUST EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR PEOPLE.

TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF JAIL OR OUT OF PRISON AND PUT AN APPLICATION ON THEIR WEBSITE AND BE SEEN AS SOMEBODY WHO DID NOT DESERVE THAT KIND OF STIGMATIZATION AND NOW HAS A LEVEL OF EXPERTS IN CANNABIS.

>> Reporter: IT WILL TAKE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 3-6 MONTHS BEFORE RECORDS ARE CLEARED.

ANYONE WHO'S EXPUNGEMENT WAS NOT PROCESS TODAY, THEY CAN CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE LAWYERS HERE UNTIL THE CASE IS RESOLVED.

IN NEWARK I AM JOANNA GAGIS FOR NJTV NEWS.

>>> TODAY, PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING THAT THE GOVERNOR STOP DIVERTING FUNDING AWAY FROM THE CLEAN ENERGY.

THE IDEA IS TO GROW THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY AT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS DIVERTED MORE THAN $500 MILLION TO DATE.

THIS IS JUST DAYS AFTER THE STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH AND AHEAD OF THE BUDGET ADDRESS NEXT MONTH.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> WE NEED ACTION TODAY TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES FROM CLIMATE CHANGE AND IT STARTS WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> Reporter: ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES CALLING ON GOVERNOR MURPHY TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO STOP USING THE CLEAN ENERGY FUND TO COVER AND RELATED ISSUES.

IT IS MEANT TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL USAGE AND IMPROVE CLEAN ENERGY.

>> EVERYBODY IN THE STATE PAYS ROUGHLY $60 PER YEAR GOING INTO THE CLEAN ENERGY FUND.

IN THE FIRST DECADE OF THE FUND, DOLLARS WERE ALLOCATED TO GET THE SOLAR ENERGY MARKET UP AND RUNNING.

THE CLEAN ENERGY FUND PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF $100 MILLION FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THAT FOR YEARS GOVERNORS AND STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN SHIFTING MONEY FROM THERE TO FILL HOLES IN THE BUDGET.

A LARGE NUMBER OF DOLLARS GOING TO COVER OPERATING COSTS FOR NJ TRANSIT.

AND THEY SAY TAKING FROM THE FUND PUTS AT RISK NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY.

>> IT STARTED UNDER THE LAST GOVERNOR.

IT BALLOONED UNDER ABNER CHRISTY.

IT HAS CONTINUED UNDER GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> ALEX AMBROSE IS A TRANSPORTATION CLIMATE POLICY ANALYST WITH NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE THINK TANK.

HER REPORT, "STOP THE RAIDS" SHOW THAT MORE THAN $500 MILLION ALONE HAVE BEEN DIVERTED UNDER GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> THE MOST VULNERABLE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE SUFFERING DUE TO THE OVERRELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELS.

90% OF THE ENERGY PRODUCED IN OUR STATE COMES FROM NONRENEWABLE SOURCES AND 95% OF THE ENERGY CONSUMED COMES FROM NONRENEWABLE SOURCES.

IF YOU WANT TO MEET THE GOALS OF THE ADMINISTRATION WE NEED EVERY DOLLAR YOU HAVE.

EVERY DOLLAR DIVERTED IS A DOLLAR NOT BEING SPENT IN ADVANCING THESE GOALS.

IT IS DOLLARS NOT GOING TOWARDS WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES TO IMPROVE.

IT IS NOT GOING TOWARDS A GREEN ENERGY ECONOMY THAT GETS GOOD LOCAL JOBS, UNION JOBS, HERE IN THE STATE.

AND IT IS NOT GOING TOWARDS REDUCING CHILDHOOD ASTHMA.

AND THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY AND DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS OVERBURDEN COMMUNITIES.

>> WE INVEST THE MOST IN STATES WHERE WE HAVE CERTAINTY.

CERTAINTY THAT THE MARKET WILL BE THERE AND THAT PROGRAMS THAT ENABLE OUR BUSINESS WILL BE THERE.

AND, WHEN YOU RAID FUNDING LIKE HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN NEW JERSEY, IT POINTS OUR EYES TOWARDS OTHER STATES.

>> Reporter: THE STATE BUDGET FOR 2023 ALLOCATED $22 MILLION FROM THE CLEAN ENERGY FUND AND DIRECTED THAT MONEY TO BE SPENT ON ELECTRIC BUSES AND OTHER CLEAN ENERGY PROJECTS AT THE AGENCY.

ADVOCATES SAY THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT FUNDING WILL BE USED FOR THOSE PURPOSES.

IN OCTOBER THEY SENT A LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR ASKING HIM TO END THE PRACTICE OF SHIFTING FUNDING IN THE 2024 BUDGET.

>> GOVERNOR ENERGY, THE BEST TIME TO STOP READING THE FUNDING WAS YOUR FIRST BUDGET AND THE SECOND BEST TIME IS NOW.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY IS SET TO DELIVER HIS BUDGET REPORT NEXT MONTH.

FOR NJTV NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> OCEAN COUNTY CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH HOMELESSNESS.

THE CODE BLUE SPACES ARE AVAILABLE BUT NONPROFITS SAY THIS IS NOT EFFICIENT AND IT FORCES THEM TO FILL IN THE GAP ON DAYS WHEN THE CODE BLUE ALERT IS NOT ISSUED.

TED GOLDBERG HAS MORE ON HOW DIRE THE SITUATION IS AND HOW NONPROFIT AGENCIES ARE WORKING TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

>> THERE WERE THINGS GOING ON IN THE HOME WHERE I WAS STAYING WITH MY EX-HUSBAND THAT WERE NOT SAFE.

I WAS ASKED TO LEAVE BECAUSE I WAS NOT IN AGREEMENT WITH WHAT WAS HAPPENING.

>> THAT LED TO ELIZABETH BECOMING HOMELESS FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS.

COUCH SURFING UNTIL SHE FOUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SHE CREDITS OF FRIENDS, CHURCHES, AND NONPROFITS IN OCEAN COUNTY FOR HELPING HER GET BACK ON HER FEET.

SHE HAS THOUGHTS ON WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THAT BROUGHT HER TO THIS MEETING IN TOMS RIVER.

>> THERE IS A LACK OF CONTINUITY IN CARE AND CONTINUITY IN WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS.

IT IS TAKING THE HOMELESS POPULATION A LOT LONGER THAN IT REALLY COULD TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HOUSING, WITH A JOB.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT BECAUSE I THINK THERE WOULD BE MORE SUCCESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: SHE AND OTHERS SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES AND THE OBSTACLES LEADING TO HOMELESSNESS IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

>> THE UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION HAVE VERY LITTLE IN THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT JUST CAME OUT OF JAIL AND THEY DON'T HAVE DOCUMENTATION OR CREDIT.

>> Reporter: OCEAN COUNTY IS ONE OF THE FEW COUNTIES IN NEW JERSEY THAT DOES NOT HAVE A FULL-TIME HOMELESS SHELTER.

LEADING TO SOME FOLKS FORMING A TENT CITY IN LAKEWOOD IN 2014.

FOR YEARS THE COUNTY USED OFF-SEASON MOTELS TO HOUSE PEOPLE IN SEASIDE HEIGHTS.

>> A LOT OF THE SMALLER OR LESS POPULAR MOTELS DOWN IN SEASIDE ARE ACTUALLY CLOSING DOWN AND THEY ARE SELLING PROPERTY TO PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: CODE BLUE SHELTERS HAVE BECOME A TEMPORARY SOLUTION IN TOMS RIVER AND THERE ARE THREE OF THEM.

THEY OPEN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 35 DEGREES IN THE TOM TOWNSHIP.

>> THE TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN MILDER THIS YEAR SO IT GETS FRUSTRATING.

WE HAVE TO PUSH ON THE AGENCIES A BIT MORE TO TRY TO HURRY UP THE PROCESSES FOR SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE MOVING TOWARDS PERMANENCY.

>> Reporter: PAUL HOLST LEADS THE NONPROFIT JUST BELIEVE INC.

HE HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE SHELTER FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IT PROVIDES UP TO 40 BEDS IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

THEY ALSO OFFER RECREATIONAL SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO HOLD OUT HANG OUT, CLOSE TO WHERE AND CONNECTIONS TO SOCIAL SERVICES.

>> WE HAVE GOTTEN GREAT RESULTS AND WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY COMPLAINT.

GOING INTO THE TOWN WITH PEOPLE ASKING WHY WE ARE HERE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN A MILD WINTER THE SHELTER HAS ONLY BEEN OPEN 35 DAYS BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER.

HE SAYS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS HAS JUMPED 35% IN THE LAST YEAR.

>> THE NEED FOR A SHELTER IS HERE BUT FINANCIALLY OUR ORGANIZATION IS NOT PREPARED TO TOTALLY DO THAT YET BUT I THINK WE ARE GETTING CLOSER.

EVERY YEAR WE GET CLOSER AND BETTER AND WE GROW MORE.

THE IMPACT IS BECOMING MORE PREVALENT AND THE SUCCESS KEEPS US GOING.

>> Reporter: THOSE SUCCESSES PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION IN A OCEAN COUNTY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> UKRAINIAN SAY THE FIGHT IS STILL ONGOING BUT THE PRESENCE OF RUSSIAN TROOPS HAS INCREASED IN THE REGION AS MANY ANTICIPATE A LOOMING SPRINGTIME OFFENSIVE FROM THE RUSSIANS.

APPROXIMATELY 559 CIVILIANS INCLUDING CHILDREN WERE TRAPPED THERE ACCORDING TO UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS.

AWAY FROM THE FRONT LINES, DR. JOSHUA REMPELL FROM COOPER UNIVERSITY WENT TO UKRAINE FOR A TWO-WEEK HUMANITARIAN INITIATIVE.

HE SPOKE WITH OUR BRIANA VANNOZZI ABOUT HIS MISSION.

>> Reporter: DR. JOSHUA REMPELL, DESCRIBE FOR US WHAT IT WAS LIKE WORKING ALONGSIDE THE UKRAINE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH PAIN IN THIS PAST YEAR?

>> THANK YOU, FOR HAVING ME.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE BUT OVERALL, I WOULD SAY IT WAS OVERALL JUST A VERY INSPIRING OPPORTUNITY AND REALLY, I WAS WORKING BESIDE PEOPLE FROM ALL ASPECTS OF CIVILIANS ON THE STREET WHO WERE LOOKING TO GET ADDITIONAL TRAINING TO KIND OF HELP OUT THERE FELLOW PEOPLE THAT I THAT ARE OBSERVING SO MUCH TRAUMA ALL THE WAY TO HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATORS AND HOSPITALS.

WE WERE DOING A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT COURSES.

I WOULD SAY OVERALL WHAT I WAS JUST STRUCK THROUGHOUT THE TIME WAS JUST THE KIND OF INSPIRATION AND THE COMMITMENT TO DOING THE WORK BUT ALSO THE OVERALL SENSE THAT PEOPLE WANTED TO GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES IN PARALLEL WITH RECEIVING -- RECEIVING SOME NOVEL TRAUMA TRADING.

THE TEAM WAS KEPT FAIRLY SMALL SO WE KIND OF TAUGHT DIFFERENT COURSES THROUGHOUT THE TIME THERE.

THE COURSES AIMED AT CIVILIANS WHICH WERE LITERALLY OPEN FOR ANYONE WHO WANTED TO TAKE THEM.

IT WAS BASICALLY SOURCE CONTROL OF BLEEDING.

THAT IS A POPULAR COURSE INTERNATIONALLY CALLED "STOP THE BLEED."

IT PROVIDES TOURNIQUETS AND BASIC SUPPLIES AND TEACHING PEOPLE THAT IF THEY ARE ON THE SCENE OF A TRAUMA, JUST TO CONTROL THE BLEEDING INITIALLY.

THEN, ALL THE WAY UP TO COURSES --A PARALLEL COURSE OR THE HIGHEST LEVEL COURSE IS A BIT SMALLER AND IT IS TRUNCATED A LITTLE BIT.

IT IS GEARED TOWARDS ADMINISTRATORS AND SOME OF THE LARGER HOSPITALS IN TERMS OF GETTING THEIR HOSPITALS MORE PREPARED FOR MASS CASUALTY EVENTS.

IT REALLY SPANS THE SPECTRUM THROUGHOUT, WHICH MADE IT A BIT OF A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO VERY SATISFYING WORKING WITH PEOPLE SOME FROM SUCH DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY, DOCTOR, YOU WANT THE PEOPLE BACK HERE AT HOME TO KNOW ABOUT THE MEDICAL NEEDS IN UKRAINE?

>> I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT IS HARD FOR ME TO SAY ONE MESSAGE.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE NEEDS IN GENERAL OF UKRAINE AND HOW WE ARE SUPPORTING THE COUNTRY, I THINK --I WAS STRUCK BY THE OVERALL APPRECIATION.

THE MEDICAL SKILLS IN THE TRAINING FOR SURE BUT ALSO THE PRESENCE OF US BEING THERE AND SEEING AND SHARING PICTURES OF THINGS THAT I WITNESSED BACK HERE AT HOME AND JUST THE OVERALL APPRECIATION THAT THE WORLD CARES ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.

AND, IN ADDITION TO THE MORE SPECIFIC NEEDS.

I WAS JUST STRUCK BY THAT OVERALL THE APPRECIATION THAT THE WORLD IS TRYING OUR BEST AS WE CAN TO SUPPORT WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> DR. REMPELL WITH COOPER UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE, THANK YOU, FOR SHARING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> MAJOR TAX RELIEF COULD BE ON THE WAY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE HAVE DETAILS AND THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

>> BLOOMBERG TV SAYS THE GOVERNOR MAY LET THE CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX SUNSET AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

IT IS CURRENTLY 11 A HALF AND THAT IS THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

WHEN THE SURCHARGE WAS INTRODUCED IN 2018 IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TEMPORARY.

THEN THE ISSUE EXTENDED IT.

TODAY IN TRENTON REPORTERS ASKED ABOUT THE COMMENTS ON BLOOMBERG.

>> ON THE CORPORATE SIDE, A DEAL IS A DEAL AND IF SOMETHING IS GOING TO SUNSET, IT IS GOING TO SUNSET.

>> DROPPING THE TAX RATE BACK WOULD MAKE THE COUNTRY MORE COMPETITIVE.

STATE SENATOR PAUL SARLO WILL COSPONSOR LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY SENATOR SINGLETON REGARDING THE LIQUOR LICENSE.

IT OUTLINES HOW MUNICIPALITIES WOULD PROCEED WITH THE TRANSFER OF ADDITIONAL LICENSES.

SARLO SAYS THE STATE SHOULD CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO ALLOW FOR THE USE OF LOW INTEREST LOANS FOR SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES TO INVEST IN LIQUOR LICENSES.

>>> ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS PLAN TO APPEAL A DECISION BY THE FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION ALLOWING A UNIT OF WILLIAMS COMPANY TO EXPAND THE TRANSCO PIPELINE PROJECT IN THE STATE.

THE FEDERAL DECISION CAME AS THE STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES HAD SAID THE EXPANSION WAS NOT NEEDED.

FOR MORE ON THIS STORY READ THE REPORT BY TOM JOHNSON AVAILABLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> A NEW HEADQUARTERS WAS OPENED FOR LUVINE.

THEY SAY JERSEY IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO EXPAND.

>> THE PROXIMITY TO NEW YORK IN WASHINGTON, D.C.. THAT MAKES IT A GREAT PLACE TO SET UP ROOTS AND TO GROW.

I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> A REMINDER TO CATCH NJ BUSINESS BE THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

SHE DIGS INTO THE REGIONAL COMPETITION PICKING UP FOR THE NEW JERSEY MARIJUANA INDUSTRY AND HOW THE STATE PLANS TO USE THE FUNDING RAISED THROUGH RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

WATCH IT SATURDAY AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 9:30 AM ON NJ PBS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE STORIES CHECK IN WITH DAVID CRUZ.

HE WILL BE TALKING WITH JOSH WHO ENTERED THE RACE FOR THE MAYOR OF WEST NEW YORK.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 P.M. AND ON CHAT BOX WITH DAVID HE TALKS WITH FORMER REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE JACK CIATTARELLI GETTING HIS REACTION TO THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THAT IS 6:30 PM AT ON SATURDAY AND 10:30 AM ON SUNDAY ON NJ PBS.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

ENJOY THE WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

>>> NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REALTORS IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION ON NJREALTOR.COM.

>> AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES.

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS.

OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

INVESTING IN PARTNERS AND HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN.

SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE 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.

MY NAME IS JULIA TORIANI CROMPTON AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJEA MEMBER.