>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH RIHANNA VANOZZI.

>>> THE OHIO TRAIN DERAILMENT IS REIGNITING FEARS HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

TWO WEEKS AFTER A TRAIN CARRYING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS AND TOXIC CHEMICALS DERAILED IN EAST PALESTINE OHIO.

RESIDENTS ARE REPORTING A GROWING NUMBER OF HEALTH PROBLEMS FROM RASHES AND NAUSEA TO DIFFICULTY BREATHING.

THEY ARE BECOMING MORE CONVINCED THAT THE SYMPTOMS ARE LINKED TO THE TOXIC VINYL CHLORIDE RELEASED WHEN THE FREIGHT TRAIN CRASHED.

THAT IS DESPITE REPORTS FROM FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS THAT NO DANGEROUS LEVELS OF THE CONTAMINANTS ARE BEING DETECTED, BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SENDING MEDICAL EXPERTS TO OPEN A HEALTH CLINIC THERE TOMORROW AT NOON.

PEOPLE IN THE AREA CAN GET HEALTH SCREENINGS AND HOPEFULLY MEDICAL QUESTIONS ANSWERED.

ADVOCATES WHO LIVED THROUGH THE PAULSBORO, NEW JERSEY TRAIN DERAILMENT OF 2012 THAT SPELLED THE SAME TOXIC CHEMICALS SAY THEY KNOW THOSE FEARS WELL.

THEY ARE MOUNTING NEW CALLS TO ACTION TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IMMEDIATELY I WAS THINKING, THESE POOR PEOPLE.

I KNOW WHAT'S COMING THEIR WAY.

>> Reporter: AS WATCHED FIRST RESPONDERS IN OHIO STRUGGLING TO RESPOND AFTER THIS MONTH'S TRAIL DERAILMENT CONTAINING TOXIC VINYL CHLORIDE TRIPLED HIS MEMORIES OF PAULSBORO.

A DECADE AGO, DERAILED ON A SWING BRIDGE IN THE SOUTH JERSEY AND PLUNGING FOUR TANKERS OF VINYL CHLORIDE INTO MANTUA CREEK.

ONE TANK CAR CRACKED SENDING UP A HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL THAT LINGERED OVER THE NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE HE LIVED.

HE RECALLS >> THIS WAS LIKE 9:30 IN THE MORNING AND ABOUT TWO HOURS IN, PLUS AFTER THE WRECK.

I HAD FRIENDS OUT THERE ON THE FIRST RESPONDER TEAMS WITHOUT PROPER EQUIPMENT THEY NEEDED TRYING TO HELP DO WHATEVER THEY COULD.

IT WAS A DISASTER.

>> THIS HIGH DOSE OF VINYL CHLORIDE WAS RELEASED AND THE FIRST RESPONDERS DIDN'T HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY NEEDED TO MOUNT A PROPER RESPONSE.

>> Reporter: TRACY WAS A DELAWARE RIVER KEEPER AND HER OFFICE WAS JUST 13 MILES AWAY FROM THE PAULSBORO WRECK.

SHE SAYS THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD REPORT STATED THAT THIS ACCIDENT AS PAULSBORO STANDS OUT BECAUSE OF THE POORLY EXECUTED EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

IT LISTS FAILURES, INCLUDING HOW THE INCIDENT COMMANDER HAZMAT PROTOCOLS AND CONRAIL'S INITIAL REFUSAL TO PROVIDE CRUCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT DANGEROUS CHEMICALS.

AIR MONITORING ARRIVED LATE AND SHOWED LEVELS OF THOUSANDS OF TIMES OVER SAFETY LIMITS.

>> THEY WERE NOT PROPERLY PREPARED AND THIS IS A PROBLEM WE HAVE ACROSS OUR ENTIRE NATION.

WE ARE NOT PREPARING OUR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS OR GIVEN EQUIPMENT THAT IS NEEDED.

>> Reporter: RECOMMENDED FEDERAL REGULATIONS TO REQUIRE TRAIN CREWS TO IMMEDIATELY PROVIDE THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE INFORMATION FOR ALL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON THE TRAIN TO FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE OFFICIALS AND DEVELOPING OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND RESPONSE PLANS.

MANY REFORMS, INCLUDING BRAKING SYSTEM GOT RESENTED IT DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

SINCE 2015, 110 DERAILMENTS NATIONWIDE HAVE RESULTED IN THE RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN EFFECT.

>> Reporter: ELLEN PARKES PICKED UP THE BILL CHAMPION BY RETIRED SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG.

SHE DEMANDED TOUGHER RAILROAD SAFETY RULES FOR OIL TRAINS TRAVELING THROUGH DENSELY POPULATED NEW JERSEY TOWNS AFTER THE HORRIFIC DERAILMENT AND EXPLOSION THAT KILLED 47 PEOPLE IN KUBIK, CANADA.

SAFETY STANDARDS FOR RAILROADS.

>> WHO TO REACH OUT TO AND WHETHER TO EVACUATE.

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS ON THE TRAIN THAT WAS HAZARDOUS.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A 10 CAR EXPLOSION.

IT COULD BE ONE SCAR CAR THAT LEAKED.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SERVING FOLKS IN 2015 AND FOUND MORE THAN HALF EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS SHOWING ACUTE EXPOSURE TO HIGH LEVELS OF VINYL CHLORIDE.

DR. JULIAN BAER SAYS THAT HEALTH IMPACT DEPENDS ON LENGTH AND INTENSITY OF EXPOSURE.

>> IT GENERALLY HAS PROLONGED EXPOSURE AND THE CONCERN IS ALWAYS CANCER GRID LIVER CANCER MAINLY, BUT ALSO LUNG CANCER, BRAIN, LEUKEMIA.

>> Reporter: IT CAN TAKE YEARS TO SHOW UP.

ATTORNEY SUIT CONRAIL ON BEHALF OF A COUPLE OF THOUSAND PAULSBORO RESIDENTS AND ALMOST ALL SETTLED OUT OF COURT.

SOME EXEC DID CHECKS FOR $500 IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WRECK, BUT GAVE UP THEIR RIGHT TO SUE FOR MORE.

THEY SAY IT'S ALL ABOUT AVOIDING LIABILITY.

>> THEY ARE NOT TOLD THE TRUTH THEN AND AUNTS TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT HOW SERIOUS IT WAS AND HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS.

>> Reporter: THE DERAILMENT REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT TRANSPORTATION SINCE SOUTHERN A STINGING LETTER LIMNING THE INDUSTRY LOBBYING AGAINST SAFETY UPGRADES WHILE POP GETTING POCKETING BILLIONS OF PROFITS.

THE RAILROAD SAID IT IS REVIEWING THE LETTER.

MEANWHILE, >> THIS CAN HAPPEN IN YOUR TOWN FOR SOME FAR-OFF TOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY AT ANY MOMENT.

>> SETTLED AND MOVE HIS FAMILY OUT OF PAULSBORO AND AWAY FROM RAIL LINES.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS MAKING A SURPRISE VISIT TO THE UKRAINIAN CAPITAL KYIV EARLY THIS MORNING TAKING A NEARLY 10 HOUR TRAIN RIDE FROM THE BORDER OF POLAND TO MEET WITH UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY UNDERSCORING HIS ADMINISTRATION'S UNWAVERING SUPPORT JUST DAYS BEFORE THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF RUSSIA'S INVASION.

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND ZELENSKY FALLING UKRAINIAN SHOULDERS.

BIDEN ANNOUNCING ANOTHER HALF $1 BILLION IN U.S. MILITARY AID FOR THE WAR-TORN COUNTRY AND MORE SANCTIONS TO COME AGAINST MOSCOW.

ZELENSKY HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED ON THE WEST TO PROVIDE FIGHTER JETS AND OTHER LONG-RANGE WEAPONS, WHICH THE U.S. HAS DECLINED.

IT'S UNPRECEDENTED FOR AN AMERICAN PRESIDENT TO TRAVEL TO AN ACTIVE WAR ZONE WITHOUT A LARGE U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE, BUT THE VISIT COMES AT A CRITICAL TIME FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHO IS TRYING TO KEEP ALLIES UNIFIED IN SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE WITH THE WERE EXPECTED TO I.

MEANWHILE, THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICAN WHITE HOUSE HOPEFULS MAKING THEIR INTENTIONS KNOWN FOR THE 2024 ELECTION, BUT IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF ANY NOTABLE NEW JERSEYANS PLAN TO TOSS THEIR HAT IN THE RAIN WHERE TALKING GOVERNOR MURPHY, U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER AND FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE WHO MADE A GO BUT BACK IN 2016.

ANY AND ALL WILL HAVE TO CONTEND WITH A LINGERING FACTOR.

ONE TIME PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP.

DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> PRESIDENTS' DAY SALES ASIDE, TODAY IS A DAY TO HONOR PRESIDENT LINCOLN AND WASHINGTON, BUT IN JERSEY, IT IS A DAY TO WONDER WHO OF OUR LEADERS, PRESENT AND PAST, MIGHT BE CONSIDERING THEIR OWN RUN FOR THE BIG JOB.

WITNESS GOVERNOR MURPHY'S RECENT TRIP TO UKRAINE AND GERMANY, BUT ALL SIGNS SEEM TO POINT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION, WHICH MEANS MURPHY WON'T RUN.

THAT LEAVES HIS PREDECESSOR CHRIS CHRISTIE AS THE JERSEY BOY MOST LIKELY TO.

LAST ASKED THE FORMER GOVERNOR WAS STILL IN THE MULLING PHASE.

>> I DON'T FEEL LIKE I AM IN A RUSH TO INTRODUCE MYSELF OR REINTRODUCE MYSELF TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I THINK THEY KNOW ME PRETTY WELL.

I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M IN A RUSH.

SOMETIME IN 2023 AND PROBABLY THE END OF FIRST QUARTER OR BEGINNING OF SECOND QUARTER, SOMEWHERE AROUND THE TIME WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.

>> Reporter: ANNOUNCED CANDIDATES CONSISTS OF HONOR PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS FORMER ACOLYTE, SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR AND U.N.

AMBASSADOR, NIKKI HALEY.

REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE MEMBER, THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL ELECTION CYCLE.

>> TYPICALLY, FEBRUARY IS A TIME WHERE THINGS REALLY HEAT UP, BUT THE CYCLE, NO.

>> Reporter: TRUMP COULD HAVE MAJOR LEGAL ISSUES TO DEAL WITH IN NEW YORK, GEORGIA AND WITH WHAT STILL COULD COME OUT OF THE SPECIAL PROSECUTOR'S JANUARY 6 INVESTIGATION.

ALSO, THERE IS THE DeSANTIS FACTOR.

THE POPULAR FLORIDA GOVERNOR UNDECLARED FOR PRESIDENT SO FAR, SHOWING THAT HE IS A CLOSE SECOND BEHIND TRUMP IMPOSED WHERE CHRISTIE DOESN'T EVEN REGISTER WITH VOTERS, LIKE LITERALLY 0%.

>> WHAT I DO SEE IN BEING CLOSE TO THE GOVERNOR AS I AM INSIDE HE IS SOUGHT AFTER AND SPEAKS AROUND THE COUNTRY ALL THE TIME.

PEOPLE LIKE YOURSELF AND IMMEDIATE'S DON'T SEE.

HE JUST SPOKE IN FRONT OF A GROUP OF FIVE OR 600 PEOPLE IN FLORIDA LAST WEEK.

HE WAS IN WASHINGTON RECENTLY AT THE RGA WORKING WITH AND SPEAKING WITH CURRENT AND FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.

HE SPOKE WITH THE REPUBLICAN JEWISH COALITION AND HUGE EVENT IN LAS VEGAS.

>> Reporter: NOT TO MENTION HIS WEEKLY APPEARANCES ON THIS WEEK ON ABC, BUT ANOTHER CHRISTIE CONFIDANT SAYS THAT WHILE HE BELIEVED HE HAS GOT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A GREAT PRESIDENT, HE IS NOT SURE THE FORMER GOVERNOR HAS AN OPEN LANE TO WRITE TO VICTORY.

>> WITH TRUMP, LOYALTY IS 100%.

TO ME, THEY FOLLOW SIMON SAYS.

IT IS RIDICULOUS.

THEY CAN'T HEAR ANYTHING BUT TRUMP, SO YOU KNOW THEY ARE OUT, RIGHT?

THE ANTI-TRUMP STOOD NEXT TO TRUMP UNDERGOING LIKE THIS, HE IS ANTI-TRUMP, SO -- I JUST DON'T SEE --THERE IS POLICY ORIENTED PEOPLE KNOW HE WOULD BE A GOOD PRESIDENT, BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ENOUGH.

>> IT IS ABOUT ME TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT MOMENT TO GO, THE TUMBLERS HAVE CLICKED INTO PLACE AND I CAN GO WHERE THEY HAPPENED AND I CAN WILLINGLY SAY, THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: BY CHRISTIE'S ON TIMECLOCK, THAT IS FAST APPROACHING.

SOME STILL BELIEVE THAT HIS MOMENT MAY HAVE ACTUALLY PASSED.

I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEGOTIATIONS HAVE STALLED BETWEEN MUTABLE TIMES AND THE UNION REPRESENTING THE CAST AT THE LYNDHURST LOCATION.

THEY ARE TRYING TO UNIONIZE OVER THE SUMMER FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF OTHER LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE, BUT WORKERS TO THE COMPANY WON'T NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH.

THE CASE IS BEING DRAGGED TO COURT AS MUTABLE TIMES SUES THE UNION FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE LATEST.

>> YOU ARE BREAKING A LIMB OR IF THE HORSE THAT'S ON YOU, THAT'S IT.

>> Reporter: KNOWS THE RISKS OF WORKING AT MEDIEVAL TIMES.

ON SUNDAY, HE WAS LUCKY THAT AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS HORSE LED TO A SORE SHOULDER AND NOT MUCH ELSE.

>> MY HORSE DIDN'T HAVE THE REINS ON THEM, SO AS I WAS GETTING OUT NOT REALIZING IT, ENDED UP ON THE HORSE AND FALLING OFF OF IT AS A GOT OUTSIDE OF THE ARENA.

>> Reporter: ACCIDENTS ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAPPEN AT MEDIEVAL TIMES AGREES TO A CONTRACT WITH THE UNION REPRESENTING ITS EMPLOYEES.

WORKERS SAY SAFETY AND STAFFING LEVELS ARE TOP PRIORITIES IN NEGOTIATIONS.

>> WOULD HAVE A FRESH OF LIGHTS ON AND LIGHTS OFF.

SQUIRES AND PEOPLE WERE PREPARED.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE BEING PUNISHED FOR UNIONIZING WHEN ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS HAVE A SAFE WORK ENVIRONMENT AND GET PAID PROPERLY.

>> Reporter: HE IS NOT SURE THAT MEDIEVAL TIMES WAS OPERATING IN GOOD FAITH.

LAST OCTOBER, THE COMPANY SUED THE UNION IN FEDERAL COURT FOR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT.

THE UNION'S NAME IS MIDDLE TIMES PERFORMERS UNITED AND THE COMPANY ALLEGES IN MEDIEVAL TIMES APPEARS, IT COULD CREATE CONFUSION.

>> THEY ARE CLAIMING THAT IT WILL BE THE COMPANY, BUT WE DON'T LOOK LIKE THE COMPANY.

>> IF THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO USE, WHAT A HORRIBLE DEPLORABLE TAX TACTICS ARE YOU WHEN SHE'S IN THE FUTURE?

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS MEDIEVAL TIMES HAS REGULARLY SPEECH ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND DELETE ANY COMMENTS CONSIDERED PROUNION.

>> THEY STARTED HIDING COMMON COMMENTS AND DELETING THEM.

THEY TOOK COMMENTS DOWN COMPLETELY ON THEIR OWN TIKTOK, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY HAVE LOST IN THE COURT OF PUBLIC OPINION.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO MEDIEVAL TIMES FOR A RESPONSE AND TO DISCUSS THE LAWSUIT.

WE DIDN'T HEAR BACK.

>> THE LAWSUIT IS FRIVOLOUS ON THE PART OF THE CORPORATION.

>> Reporter: WILLIAM IS A PROFESSOR OF LABOR STUDIES AND EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS AT RUTGERS.

HE DOESN'T EXPECT THE LAWSUIT TO DO MORE THAN TRY TO SCARE OFF WORKERS.

>> IT IS WELL WITHIN FAIR USE, BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKERS AT MEDIEVAL TIMES AND ASSOCIATED WITH MEDIEVAL TIMES, SO TO ME, IT IS AN ATTEMPT AT PUNITIVE RETALIATION.

>> Reporter: FILED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS WITH THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD WHILE TRYING TO HAMMER OUT A CONTRACT.

>> A LAWYER AND TWO OTHER PEOPLE.

THEY WILL SIT THERE AND TELL YOU WHY YOU ARE NOT WORTH IT AND WHY THEY HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY YOU, BUT THEY DON'T VALUE ENOUGH TO DO SO.

WE ARE MAKING HUGE CONCESSIONS COMING DOWN HUGE PERCENTS OF WHAT WE ORIGINALLY WANTED.

>> Reporter: FORMER EMPLOYEES CLAIM THEY HAVE BEEN PUSHED OUT BECAUSE THEY SUPPORTED THE UNION.

SEAN QUICKLY WORKED HERE FOR FIVE YEARS AND HE AGREED TO RETURN AFTER COVID FOR ONE PERFORMANCE AND ONE REHEARSAL A WEEK.

>> THEY SCHEDULE ME TO TWO REHEARSALS INSTEAD OF MY REGULAR ONE AND I MISSED THE EMAIL WHERE THEY PUT THAT I WAS GOING TO BE THERE TO TWO PROPOSALS.

>> Reporter: HE WAS WRITTEN UP.

>> I MISSED SEVERAL REHEARSALS OVER THE YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

BY SIGNING THE WRITE UP, YOU ARE GIVING THEM PERMISSION TO FIRE YOU.

>> Reporter: SCHEDULED FOR A MEETING, BUT NOT A PERFORMANCE.

HE QUIT BEFORE ATTENDING THE MEETING ASSUMING HE WOULD BE FIRED.

>> IF AN EMPLOYEE IS PUT IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CHOOSE TO RESIGN BECAUSE THEIR JOB IS MADE UNPLEASANT OFF THE BACK OF AN ORGANIZATION ACTIVITY AND CLEAR CORRELATION BETWEEN THOSE TWO THINGS, FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT, THAT IS THE SAME.

>> Reporter: THE NEXT STEP BETWEEN MUTABLE TIMES AND ITS UNION COMES ON TUESDAY WHEN A JUDGE IS EXPECTED TO RULE ON A MOTION BROUGHT ON BY THE UNION TO DISMISS THE TRADEMARK VIOLATION LAWSUIT.

I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A NEW PROGRAM IS HOPING TO ENSURE SOMEONE'S PAST DOESN'T PREDICT THEIR FUTURE.

BY INVESTING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO WORK FORCE TRAINING AND OTHER SKILLS FOR INDIVIDUALS ON PROBATION.

WITH AN EMPHASIS ON THOSE WHO HAVE HAD PRIOR DRUG OFFENSES, HELPING THEM FIND JOBS, PURPOSE AND A FRESH START.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS A STORY.

>> I CAN DO THINGS.

THE PROBLEM WASN'T ME DOING THOSE THINGS, BUT GETTING A JOB.

EVERY TIME I PUT IN MY REGULAR COMES UP AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING.

>> Reporter: ELI MANUEL ISN'T ASHAMED THAT HE ONCE WAS ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS AFTER A BAD MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT OR THAT HE HAS DRUG OFFENSES ON HIS RECORD.

HE SAYS HE IS ASHAMED THAT HE STRUGGLED TO FIND A JOB BECAUSE OF HIS PAST.

HE IS NOT ALONE.

HE IS ONE OF THE 130,000 NEW JERSEYANS WHO ARE CURRENTLY ON PROBATION AND MANY FOR DRUG OFFENSES.

>> I DON'T HAVE ANY VIOLENT OFFENSES.

DRUG CHARGES AND LITTLE CORE OFFENSES.

FOR ME, GETTING A JOB WHERE I'M DOING SOMETHING THAT I THINK FOR ME, IT MATTERS AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IT MAKES ME THINK ABOUT NOT WANTING TO GO BACK, YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: HAS SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE JUDICIARY OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUILDING SUCCESS, ALSO KNOWN AS THE NJ JOBS PROGRAM.

IT WAS ESTABLISHED BY RETIRED COURT JUDGE MARK SAMSON AND STOCKTON PRESIDENT WHO WAS THE CHAIR OF THE NEW JERSEY PRESIDENTS COUNCIL.

>> IT IS NO LONGER ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMEONE DOES NOT GET CAUGHT COMMITTING A CRIME WITHIN THE FIVE YEARS OF PROBATION.

THE EMPHASIS IS ON GETTING THEM A JOB AND LIVING WAGE WITH BENEFITS IN ORDER TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE PROBATION.

>> Reporter: THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE WORKFORCE THEM IN TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS ON PAROLE TO PARTNER HIGHER EDUCATION.

THE MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM WILL CREATE SPACES FOR INTERNSHIPS AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO ATTEND COLLEGE.

>> IMAGINE THE COST TO DO THE TRAINING FOR THAT MANY PEOPLE.

WE WANT TO RAMP THIS PROGRAM UP BE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

THAT IS WHAT THEY WILL BE.

>> IS IN THE FIRST TWO OR THREE WEEKS UNEMPLOYMENT SOFT SKILLS.

WHAT ARE THEY CUSTOMER GIFT WAKE UP IN THE MORNING AT 6:00 OR 630.

HE HAD TO GET UP APPROPRIATELY AND SHOW UP ON TIME.

THE THEORY OF OUR WORKFORCE ABOUT INTRANETS IS THAT IF YOU ARE ON TIME, YOU ARE LATE AND EARLY, ON TIME.

FINANCIAL LITERACY, WHAT YOU DO WITH YOUR PAYCHECK AT THE END OF THE WEEK?

IF YOU HAVE CONFLICT, HOW TO RESOLVE IT?

YOU DON'T RESOLVE IT BY WALKING OUT THE DOOR.

THESE ARE ALL SKILLS THAT HAVE TO BE TAUGHT TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE NEVER HAD A JOB.

WITHOUT THAT, SENDING SOMEBODY TO A JOB IS KIND OF A HOPELESS PROCEDURE, BECAUSE THEY WILL GET TO THE JOB A WEEK OR TWO LATER AND GET IN A FIGHT WITH SOMEBODY.

IT WILL NOT WORK OUT WELL.

HERE WE ARE IN A PICKLE AGAIN.

>> LABOR IS BEHIND IT AND ALL OF THESE ENTITIES, PRIVATE CORPORATIONS BEHIND IT.

ALL OF THESE ENTITIES TOGETHER WILL GET THE WORD OUT, BUT IT IS NOT THAT MUCH OF A RISK.

>> Reporter: ALL THREE MEN ARE ON A MISSION TO CONTINUE GROWING AND EXPANDING THE PROGRAM, SO DESPITE HER PAST RECORD, YOU CAN HAVE A SUPPORT AND ACCESS YOU NEED TO PREPARED AND GET A FAIR CHANCE WHEN APPLYING FOR A POSITION AND MAKING NEW JERSEY A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND WORK.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> WE HAVE A CLEAR PICTURE OF THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO APPLIED FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION OF THEM ARE FROM NEW JERSEY.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY POLITICO.

THE HIGHEST PERCENT PER CAPITA CAME FROM MAJORITY NONWHITE AND LOWER INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.

HUDSON AND GLOUCESTER COUNTIES HAD LARGEST NUMBER OF APPLICANTS.

NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE MORE THAN $42 BILLION IN FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS, THE 12 HIGHEST AND THE COUNTRY, ACCORDING TO DATA.

IT IS UNCLEAR IF ANY OF THOSE BORROWERS WILL EVER HAVE THEIR DEBT WIPED CLEAN.

THE PROGRAM REMAINS IN LIMBO AND IT IS TIED UP IN LEGAL CHALLENGES IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT FOUR MONTHS AFTER BEING LAUNCHED.

ARGUMENTS ARE SLATED FOR LATER THIS MONTH WITH THE DECISION EXPECTED BY AS LATE AS JUNE.

>>> BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, HELP FOR THE LITTLE GUYS.

THE STATE HAS A NEW PROGRAM TO SUPPORT STARTUPS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS, PLUS OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> STARTING A BUSINESS REQUIRES HARD WORK, PERSEVERANCE AND MONEY.

TO HELP SUPPORT NEW BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY, THE COMMISSION ON SCIENCE INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY RECENTLY AWARDED A TOTAL OF MORE THAN $500,000 TO 17 STARTUPS IN THE LATEST FUNDING ROUND OF A SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THE STARTUPS ARE FOCUSED ON A RANGE OF INDUSTRIES FROM CLEAN TECHNOLOGY TO AEROSPACE AND GENE THERAPY.

THE COMMISSION IS AWARDED NEARLY TWO AND HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO 80 STARTUPS SINCE 2020.

WITH TODAY BEING A HOLIDAY, A LOT OF WORKERS ARE ENJOYING A WORD DAY WORKWEEK.

IN PROSPECT PARK, FOR THE 40 HOUR WORKWEEK ALL THIS MONTH.

IT IS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM THAT PROSPECT PARK'S MAYOR SAYS PROVIDES A BETTER WORK LIFE BALANCE.

POLICE OFFICERS AND PUBLIC WORK EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE PILOT, WHICH RUNS THROUGH JUNE 30.

>>> LATEST JOBS REPORT SHOWS PLENTY OF COMPANIES ARE STILL HIRING, BUT JOB CANDIDATES ARE GETTING FRUSTRATED BY HAVING TO GO THROUGH SEVERAL ROUNDS OF INTERVIEWS.

A CON 'S BOARD SURVEY FINDS THAT 18% OF THOSE CANDIDATES TAKE ACTION IF THEY DON'T HEAR BACK FROM A COMPANY.

REBECCA RAY IS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL AT THE CONFERENCE BOARD.

>> YOU HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MORE LIKELY TO POST A NEGATIVE REVIEW OR A FRIEND FROM RECOMMENDING THEM TO WRITE OFF A COMPANY AND PERHAPS PRODUCT AND SERVICES WHEN THEY ARE NOT --PERCEIVED THAT THEY ARE NOT TREATED FAIRLY.

>> Reporter: TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO SAVE FOR RETIREMENT BY MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO CERTAIN PLANS EXEMPT FROM STATING INCOME TAX.

RIGHT NOW, 401(K) TEXT EXEMPT, BUT THIS BILL WOULD EXTEND THE TAX EXEMPTION TO OTHER PLANS LIKE 403B RETIREMENT PLANS AND I.R.A.s.

SEVERAL BUSINESS GROUPS ARE BACKING LEGISLATION.

FIND OUT MORE BY READING MY ARTICLE ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ANNOUNCING ITS WAY NEW JERSEY BUSINESS SUMMIT AND EXPO ON MARCH 14 AND MARCH 15 IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT DETAILS ARE ONLINE AT NJ CHAMBER.COM.

>>> FINALLY, SOME NEWS TO SHARE ABOUT FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER.

AFTER A SERIES OF BRIEF HOSPITAL STAYS, THE 98-YEAR-OLD LONGEST LIVING AMERICAN PRESIDENT IS ENTERING HOSPICE CARE.

IT IS AT HIS HOME IN PLAINS, GEORGIA, ACCORDING TO A STATEMENT FROM THE CARTER CENTER.

THE STATEMENT GOES ON TO SAY THAT THE 39th PRESIDENT HAS THE FULL SUPPORT OF HIS FAMILY AND MEDICAL TEAM IN OPTING TO SPEND HIS REMAINING TIME AT HOME INSTEAD OF ADDITIONAL MEDICAL INTERVENTION.

CARTER BEATS BRAIN CANCER IN 2015, BUT FACED A NUMBER OF OTHER HEALTH SCARES IN THE YEARS SINCE.

THE ONE TIME PEANUT FARMER AND LITTLE-KNOWN GEORGIA GOVERNOR ROSE TO PROMINENCE AS A WASHINGTON OUTSIDER WHEN HE LAUNCHED HIS BID FOR THE PRESIDENCY AND OF THE 1976 ELECTION, THEN DEFEATING GERALD R FORD SERVING A SINGLE TOMB TUMULTUOUS TERM.

CARTER WENT ON TO EARN A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE IN 2002 FOR HIS WORK WITH THE NONPROFIT CENTER HE FOUNDED WITH WIFE ROSALIND WHO REMAINS AT HIS SIDE.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE BOYS FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJ REALTOR.COM.

>>> THE PSE G FOUNDATION.

NJM HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES FOR OVER A CENTURY AS PART OF THE GARDEN STATE, WE HELP COMPANIES KEEP THEIR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, EMPLOYEES ON THE JOB AND PROJECTS ON TRACK.

WORKING TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROM ILLNESS AND INJURY TO KEEP GOODS AND SERVICES MOVING ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

IN AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELEMEDICINE.

YOU CAN USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE, SO DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.