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

MAKING PUBLIC POOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

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

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> THAT EVENING.

THINGS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH A GIVEN REPORT FROM THE FEDERAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, WHICH INVESTIGATED THE LOUISVILLE METRO POLICE FOLLOWING THE 2020 SHOOTING DEATH OF BRIANA TAYLOR.

IT FOUND THAT OFFICERS ROUTINELY VIOLATED PEOPLE'S CIVIL RIGHTS BY REGULARLY USING EXCESSIVE FORCE, MAKING DISCRIMINATORY STOPS AND CONDUCTING SEARCHES BASED ON INVALID WARRANTS.

THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE HAS SIGNED AN AGREEMENT TO WORK WITH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ON REFORMS.

BUT MANY IN THE COMMUNITY ARE SAYING THIS INVESTIGATION JUST CONFIRMS WHAT THEY'VE KNOWN FOR YEARS.

TODAY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ALSO ANNOUNCING IT WILL BEGIN REVIEWING THE MEMPHIS POLICE FORCE IN THE WAKE OF TYRE NICHOLS' DEATH FOLLOWING A VIOLENT POLICE BEATING.

MEANWHILE, OUTRAGE ABOUT POLICE INVOLVED FATALITIES IS SPILLING OVER IN PATTERSON AND WHAT ACTIVISTS ARE CALLING YET ANOTHER SENSELESS SHOOTING.

THIS TIME OF A 31-YEAR-OLD MAN WHO WAS DEDICATED TO PREVENTING THESE TYPE OF DEADLY INCIDENTS.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ HAS OUR STORY.

>> WHAT ABOUT POLONIUS McKNIGHT.

WHAT ABOUT PHILIP DAY HAZARDOUS?

NOW NAJI.

>> Reporter: NAMES ECHOING THROUGH A FRIGID EVENING AIR IN THE VIGIL OUTSIDE THE PATTERSON HEALING COLLECTIVE, WHERE A STATEWIDE COALITION OF JUST THIS ORGANIZATIONS JOIN THE FAMILY OF NAJI C BROOKS WHO WAS KILLED LAST WEEK AFTER A STANDOFF WITH DEBTORS AND POLICE, WHO MET MEMBERS OF THE COLLECTIVES THEY REFUSED THEIR PULLEY PLEASE TO SPEAK TO HIM WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON THE SCENE.

>> I KEEP REPLAYING FRIDAY OVER AND OVER.

OUR TEAM OF CRISIS RESPONDERS BACK THE POLICE TO ALLOW US TO HELP.

THEY REPEATEDLY DENIED OUR REQUEST, DESPITE ASSISTING OVER 250 PATTERSON RESIDENCE SINCE OUR INCEPTION.

THE POLICE REFUSED TO LET US HELP OUR OWN BROTHER IN CRISIS, CITING A SUPPOSEDLY GUIDELINE.

IF THE POLICE HAD ALLOWED TRAINED PROFESSIONALS TO HANDLE THE SITUATION, OUR BROTHER WOULD STILL BE ALIVE.

>> FULL TRANSPARENCY ON OUR BELOVED SON AND BROTHER'S CASE.

WE WANT THE NAMES OF ALL THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE FROM ALL OFFICERS ON THE SCENE.

TO BE RELEASED TO OUR FAMILY ONLY.

WE WANT JUSTICE FOR PATTERSON'S HERO, NAJI C BROOKS.

>> WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO THE SHOOTING.

POLICE ARE NOT TALKING AND BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED.

THE IRONY OF THE SPECIALIST BEING DENIED HELP BY FELLOW CRISIS WORKERS ADDS RAGE TO THE GRIEF.

>> THEY ARE NOT WORTHY TO CALL THEMSELVES PUBLIC SERVANTS.

THEY ARE NOT WORTHY TO SAY THAT THEY PROTECT AND SERVE.

WHAT THEY DO IS SNUFF OUT LIFE.

THEY PUT THEIR KNEES ON THE NECKS OF BLACK ABLE AND WE ARE TIRED OF IT.

>> TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY.

BECAUSE THEY DEAL WITH THE RACIST SYSTEM THAT COMES AND CONSTANTLY CRIMINALIZES THEM AND TELLS THEM THAT THEY ARE NOT HUMAN.

OUR ADVICE FOR THE POWER STRUCTURE OF THIS CITY, IF YOU ARE TOO SCARED TO MAKE THE NECESSARY CHANGE, MOVE OUT OF THE WAY SO THAT THOSE WHO LOVE THE PEOPLE AND WORK WITH THE PEOPLE CAN DO RIGHT BY THE PEOPLE.

>> JUSTICE FOR NAJI.

>> DEMONSTRATORS MARCHED THE CITY HALL WHERE THE CROWD GREW TO OVER 300.

BEYOND EXPRESSIONS OF GRIEF AND ANGER, DEMONSTRATORS ARE CALLING FOR ACTION FROM THE FEDERAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT IN THE FACE OF REPEATED DEBTS OF BLACK AND BROWN MEN AT THE HANDS OF PATERSON POLICE.

>> I'M CALLING TODAY FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COME IN AND TAKE OVER THE PATERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I'M CALLING ON PHILIP R SELANDER, THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY TO COME IN AND CONDUCT AN OFFICIAL CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF NAJEE SEABROOKS.

>> Reporter: THIS MORNING, MAYOR ANDRE SAIA, WHO IS ALSO COME UNDER FIRE FOR NOT DOING ENOUGH TO REIN IN WHAT DEMONSTRATORS ARE CALLING A ROGUE ORGANIZATION.

WOULD NOT COMMENT ON WHETHER THE FEDERAL OR STATE INTERVENTION IS WARRANTED.

>> WE NEED ACCOUNTABILITY, TRENDS CURRENCY.

WE NEED THE TRUTH.

WE DEMAND THE TRUTH.

THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE.

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION YET AS FAR AS INTERVENTION IS CONCERNED.

I KNOW THAT EMOTIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH RIGHT NOW AND I JUST WANT THE FOOTAGE TO BE RELEASED AND THEN WE CAN DISCUSS HOW TO GO FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS HE MET WITH THE SEABROOKS FAMILY BUT SHARED NO DETAILS ON THE MEETING.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAYS HE HAS NO PLANS TO MEET WITH THE FAMILY JUST YET.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE DEATH OF NAJEE SEABROOKS IS THE LATEST CALLING INTO QUESTION WHAT, IF ANY, ROLE POLICE DEPARTMENTS SHOULD PLAY RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY RECENTLY PLEDGED $10 MILLION TO EXPAND A PROGRAM PEERING POLICE WITH MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS AND THOSE SITUATIONS.

COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS QUESTION IF THAT'S THE RIGHT APPROACH PREVENTING DEADLY ENCOUNTERS.

SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTER TAYLOR JONG AND MENTAL HEALTH WRITER BOBBY BREYER HAVE BEEN DIGGING INTO THIS ISSUE AND JOIN ME NOW TO DISCUSS.

TAYLOR, I KNOW YOU WERE ALSO AT THE RALLY LAST NIGHT.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE CONTEXT BEHIND WHAT WE ARE HEARING FROM THESE ADVOCATES?

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IN INCIDENTS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED.

THAT IS WHY THESE TEAMS EXIST.

WHAT IS REALLY PUSHING THE DEMAND?

>> A LOT OF PAIN, HONESTLY, AND TRAUMA FROM AN OVER POLICED COMMUNITY.

THAT'S DRIVING A LOT OF WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.

THESE REQUESTS HAVE BEEN DECADES IN THE MAKING.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

SOME OF THEM ARE CREATING COMMUNITY-BASED, NON-INCARCERATED CRISIS TEAMS THAT DO NOT INVOLVE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE MERE PRESENCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN EXACERBATE A SITUATION AND MAYBE RETRAUMATIZED BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES AND AGAIN HAVING VARIANCE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF POLICE VIOLENCE.

AND THE POLICE REVIEW BOARD.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS FROM THE 1960s.

AN INDEPENDENT BODY OF CIVILIANS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO REVIEW CASES OF POLICE MISCONDUCT AS WELL AS HAVE SUBPOENA POWER TO GATHER MORE INFORMATION.

THAT IS ONE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

>> AND GOING BACK TO A YEAR OR TWO YEARS AGO WHERE POLICE -- THERE WERE CALLS TO ABOLISH THE POLICE.

WE DO NOT HEAR THAT NOW.

WE DID NOT HEAR THAT LAST NIGHT FROM THESE ADVOCATES.

IS IT THAT THEY SEE A PLACE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THESE INCIDENTS?

AND WHAT IS IT IN THEIR MIND?

>> I THINK THAT THEY SEE THE EXPANSIVE MULTIBILLION-DOLLAR POLICE BUDGET AND SAY, HOW CAN WE INVEST THAT MONEY INTO COMMUNITY LED PROGRAMS, PUBLIC 50 PROGRAMS, THAT IS.

AND IT IS A PART OF THE CALLS THAT THEY WERE MAKING LAST NIGHT.

MAYBE NOT AS EXPLICITLY AS THE DE-FUND THE POLICE HASHTAG AND WHATNOT.

BUT THEY WANT TO SEE THE INVESTMENT AND THEY STILL DON'T WANT LAW ENFORCEMENT INVOLVED IN SOMEBODY'S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CALLS.

>> ARE POLICE EQUIPPED TO HANDLE MENTAL CRISIS INTERVENTIONS IN THIS WAY?

>> TO THE NUMBER OF SOURCES THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO ABOUT THIS, THEY SAY POLICED THROUGHOUT THE STATE ARE REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH TRAINING THAT DOES JUST THAT.

TO DE-ESCALATE MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT HAVE ALSO SAID THAT THIS TRAINING DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

POINTING TO INSTANCES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND TO WHAT RECENTLY HAPPENED.

CERTAINLY LAWS ON THE BOOKS REQUIRING POLICE OFFICERS TO GO THROUGH THIS TRAINING.

WHETHER OR NOT THAT TRAINING IS IMPLEMENTED INTO EACH POLICE DEPARTMENT IN EACH COUNTY IS DEPENDENT UPON HOW MANY TIMES THE POLICE CHIEF IN THE COUNTY PUSHES FOR THEMSELVES.

IT'S ABOUT THE EXPANSION OF THE RIDE TOGETHER PROGRAM.

>> WE ARE GOING TO SEE THAT IN MORE MUNICIPALITIES.

IS THIS SOMETHING, FROM YOUR REPORTING, THAT IS WELCOMED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT?

WE HAVE HEARD REPORTS THAT A LOT OF THESE OFFICERS FEEL THAT THEY ARE NOT QUALIFIED OR THEY ARE BEING TASKED WITH ITEMS THAT QUITE FRANKLY, THEIR TRAINING HAS NOT EQUIPPED THEM TO DO.

>> A NUMBER OF OFFICERS I'VE SPOKE WITH HAVE WELCOMED THE IDEA TO SAY ESSENTIALLY THAT IN MANY SITUATIONS, THEY ARE BUT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A THERAPIST WHO CAN DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION.

TO TAYLOR'S POINT, THOUGH, MANY ADVOCATES HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE POLICE INVOLVEMENT AT ALL WHEN SOMEBODY IS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF MODELS THAT MANY FOREX FOLKS 0.2 THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

ALMOST A GOLD STANDARD AT THIS POINT, ONE OUT OF OREGON THAT IS COMPLETELY CIVILIAN LED WHEN SOMEONE IS EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THEY DO NOT INVOLVE THE POLICE AT ALL.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, ANOTHER ONE THAT HAS GAINED NATIONAL RECOGNITION IS ONE OUT OF DENVER, COLORADO CALLED THE STAR PROGRAM.

A COMPLETELY CIVILIAN LED RESPONSE THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE POINTED TO AS A WAY FOR VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND HARM REDUCTION THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE POLICE IN ANY WAY.

>> OF COURSE, THE UNFORTUNATE IRONY HERE IS THAT PATERSON HAS A VIOLENCE INTERVENTION TEAM, OF WHICH MR. SEABROOKS WAS A PART OF.

BOBBY, TAYLOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

DAVID CONTINUES REPORTING ON THE AFTERMATH OF POLICE SHOOTING OF NAJEE SEABROOKS.

TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

>> AS PROMISED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SET TO APPEAL TO TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS BLOCKING PARTS OF THE NEW GUN LAWS.

PLACES LIKE PARKS, BEACHES, LIBRARIES WHERE STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE BANNED THEM.

THEY SAID THEY WOULD FILE NOTICE OF THE APPEAL TODAY IN AN EFFORT TO GET THE LAW ENFORCED WHILE THE CASE WINDS ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURSE.

IT COMES EIGHT MONTHS AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED IN THE BREWING CASE THAT GUNOWNERS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY FIREARMS AND STATES CANNOT IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS.

THE APPEAL ALSO COMES AS FEDERAL JUDGE RENE BOONE IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO MAKE A PERMANENT INJUNCTION ON THE CASE, BUT SET A DATE TO BEGIN ORAL ARGUMENTS FOR NEXT FRIDAY, MARCH 17th.

MEANWHILE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS ALSO GOING AFTER MORE THAN TWO DOZEN TOWNS IN THE STATE THAT ALLEGEDLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST LGBTQ PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO GET MARRIED.

THE OFFICE TODAY ANNOUNCED VIOLATIONS AGAINST 28 MUNICIPALITIES, WHOSE MARRIAGE LICENSE FORMS DON'T LET NON-BINARY PEOPLE APPLY UNLESS THEY MISS GENDER THEMSELVES EITHER AS MALE OR FEMALE.

IT IS A VIOLATION OF NEW JERSEY'S ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAW.

THE STATE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CREATED A THIRD OPTION FOR NON-BINARY RESIDENCE ON APPLICATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE SINCE 2019.

MUNICIPALITIES IN VIOLATION RANGE FROM VIOLENT, ARANDA, TO MORRIS TOWN IN NORTH JERSEY.

THE TOWNS IN VIOLATION COULD FACE UP TO $10,000 FINES.

THOSE MUNICIPALITIES WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO TAKE A SETTLEMENT OFFER AND ENTER AN AGREEMENT TO UPDATE THEIR WEBSITES WITH GENDER INCLUSIVE APPLICATIONS.

THE EMPLOYEES WILL ALSO HAVE TO UNDERGO ANTIDISCRIMINATION TRAINING.

>> A NEW SENSE OF URGENCY IN A FIGHT AGAINST A PROPOSED SET JERSEY LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS TERMINAL.

A FACILITY THAT WOULD SHIFT SHIP HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LNG, PRODUCED IN PENNSYLVANIA, AROUND THE WORLD RID CARRYING VIA TRAIN CARS THROUGH SOUTH JERSEY COMMUNITIES.

LEADERS STAGED A RALLY IN CAMDEN TUESDAY EVENING PRESSURING THE CITY COUNCIL TO OPPOSE THE PROJECT SLATED FOR GIBBS DOWN, ARGUING THE EFFECT OF A DERAILMENT LIKE THE ONE IN OHIO LAST MONTH WOULD BE FAR MORE CATASTROPHIC HERE.

ON TOP OF ADDING MORE TOXIC EMISSIONS TO ONE OF THE POOREST AND MOST POLLUTED CITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> IT'S UNNECESSARY.

WE HAVE MORE GAS NOW THAN WE NEED.

>> Reporter: JAMES STEWART LIVES IN NATIONAL PARK.

FIVE MILES FROM THE FORMER DuPONT REPINE SITE IN GIBBS DOWN.

HE JOINED PROTESTERS AT CAMDEN CITY HALL ARGUING AGAINST A PROPOSED PROJECT TO CONVERT THE SITE INTO AN EXPORT TERMINAL FOR LIQUEFIED NATIONAL GAS.

THEY WANT CAMDEN TO BECOME THE 19th MUNICIPALITY TO PASS A RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE PROJECT.

>> THE ONLY THING YOU'RE GOING TO DO THERE IS EXPORT LNG TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES.

NO BENEFIT TO NEW JERSEY.

NO BENEFIT TO THE U.S.

IT'S ONLY FOR PROFITS OF THE OIL INDUSTRY.

>> YOU CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS.

THERE'S NO BENEFIT TO THE PEOPLE OF CAMDEN AND THE RESIDENTS OF CAMDEN COUNTY WITH THESE TRUCKS AND RAIL LINES COMING THROUGH DANGEROUS MATERIALS.

>> WE COME TO SCHOOL TO LEARN AND GROW, NOT HAVE OUR HEALTH AND SAFETY THREATENED BY UNNECESSARY FOSSIL FUEL EXPORT TRAINS.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL WOULD BRING LNG TO GIBBS DOWN BY TRUCK AND TRAIN.

IT STILL NEEDS LOCAL AND STATE APPROVAL, WHICH MIGHT BE MORE DIFFICULT TO GET AFTER A TRAIN DERAILED IN RURAL OHIO LAST MONTH, RELEASING TOXIC CHEMICALS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE NATURAL GAS TERMINAL PROPOSES TO BRING LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, METHANE, MUCH MORE VOLATILE AND DANGEROUS THAN THE SUBSTANCE THAT WAS DERAILED IN EAST PALESTINE, OHIO.

>> THIS WOULD DESTROY THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE AIR AND WATER SUPPLY, AND CATASTROPHICALLY INTERRUPT OUR LEARNING.

>> 30, 40, 50,000 PEOPLE.

IN A FIVE MILE RADIUS, THERE'S ALMOST 1 MILLION PEOPLE.

IT WOULD BE A DISASTER OF UNTOLD PROPORTIONS.

WE DON'T NEED IT.

WE DON'T WANT IT.

WE ARE ASKING OUR REPRESENTATIVES TO QC THIS DATE.

WILL YOU SERVE THE PEOPLE OR WILL YOU SERVE MONEY?

THAT HAS BEEN THE CONDITION IN CAMDEN COUNTY FOR TOO LONG.

>> TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG URGING THEM TO GET RID OF THE TRUMP ERA RULE THAT WOULD ALLOW LNG TO BE MOVED BY RAIL.

SOME IN PENNSYLVANIA HAVE MADE THAT DEMAND.

CONGRESSWOMAN BONNIE COLEMAN TELLS US SHE WOULD SUPPORT THAT DEMAND.

THERE ARE PERMITS TO BUILD THE RAILROAD TRACKS ON THE SITE.

THE FIRST OF MANY APPROVALS NEEDED TO OPEN UP SHOP.

PROTESTERS HOPE THE SLOW PROCESS FOR APPROVAL CAN BE STOPPED IF THEY KEEP PRESSURING GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>>'S DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS SENT US THE OPPOSITE MESSAGE.

THEY ARE NOT IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE PROJECT.

THEY HAVE VOTED FOR PERMITS FOR A SECOND DOCK FOR THE PROJECT.

THE WORDS ARE GREAT BUT WE WANT ACTION FROM MURPHY.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS OPPOSED THE PROJECT FOR YEARS.

IN RESPONSE TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT, THE OFFICE IS DUE TO THE SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS POSED BY THE TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE OF LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS, GOVERNOR MURPHY REMAINS OPPOSED TO BOTH RAIL TRANSPORT AND THE USE OF THE GIFT AND FACILITY AS A TERMINAL.

IN CAMDEN, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ANOTHER JOBS REPORT TODAY SAYS THE LABOR MARKET REMAINS RESILIENT.

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

>> Reporter: MONTH AFTER MONTH, THE U.S. JOB MARKET IS DEFYING EXPECTATIONS.

THE LATEST EVIDENCE COME FROM NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP'S REPORT ON JOBS.

THE U.S. ECONOMY CREATED 242,000 NEW JOBS IN FEBRUARY.

HIGHER THAN WHAT WAS FORECAST.

MORE THAN TWICE THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS CREATED IN THE PRIOR MONTH.

THE REPORT ALSO SHOWED THAT WORKER PAY IS UP 7.2% OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THE ADP REPORT COMES OUT A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT'S CLOSELY WATCHED MONTHLY EMPLOYMENT REPORT, WHERE SIMILAR JOB GAINS ARE EXPECTED.

THE ROBUST HIRING COMES EVEN AFTER MONTHS OF INTEREST RATE HIKES BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE.

TRYING TO SLOW ECONOMIC GROWTH TO GET INFLATION UNDER CONTROL.

FOR WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE, THEIR PAYCHECKS ARE TYPICALLY SMALLER THAN THEIR MALE COWORKERS.

ON THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, WOMEN ARE STILL EARNING 82% OF WHAT MEN EARN.

THE GENDER PAY GAP HAS BARELY MOVED IN THE PAST 20 YEARS ACCORDING TO A PEW RESEARCH CENTER ANALYSIS.

BUT THERE IS PROGRESS ELSEWHERE.

COURTNEY McCORMICK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WOMEN OF NEW JERSEY SAYS THERE IS A POSITIVE TREND OF MORE FEMALES ON CORPORATE BOARDS AND MORE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES.

BUT IT'S WHITE WOMEN WHO ARE MAKING THE GAMES.

>> WORK REMAINS TO BE DONE.

WE SEE SOME LAGGING TRENDS DEALING WITH REPRESENTATION AMONG RACIAL MINORITIES.

WHILE WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS STRIDES, I THINK THERE REMAINS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE, PARTICULARLY FOR WOMEN OF COLOR.

>> Reporter: SINCE NJ TRANSIT LAUNCHED ITS MOBILE PAYMENT AFTER ABOUT A DECADE AGO, IT HAS SOLD 100 80 MILLION TICKETS.

FOR CUSTOMERS WHO DON'T HAVE A BANK ACCOUNT OR CREDIT OR DEBIT CARD, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO BUY TICKETS ON THE APP.

THAT IS NOW CHANGING.

NJ TRANSIT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT WRITERS WILL BE ABLE TO LOAD CASH ONTO THE APP AT 1000 PARTICIPATING NETWORK RETAILERS SO THAT PLACES LIKE 7-ELEVEN, WALGREENS, OR EMILY DOLLAR CAN CONVERT CASH INTO A DIGITAL BALANCE, ALLOWING THEM TO USE THE APP TO PURCHASE TICKETS.

HERE IS A CHECK ON TRADING FOR WALL STREET TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS DORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102.

PROUDLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITIES SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102.

LIGHTING THE PATH.

LEADING THE WAY.

>> FINALLY, ON THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY, CELEBRATING OUR BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS AND THE WAY THEY ARE CHANGING THE WORLD.

19-YEAR-OLD KIMBERLY FLOREZ IS THE DAUGHTER OF IMMIGRANTS.

FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT AND ONE OF THE STATES YOUNGEST BIG BUSINESS OWNERS, WHO SAYS HER NEW CAFE IN DOWNTOWN CRANFORD IS PROOF THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF MAKING YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: A KEY ELEMENT CAMILLE FLOREZ AIMS TO ACHIEVE WITH EVERY ITEM SHE SERVES INSIDE HER CRANFORD SHOP CRAFT.

>> A HEALTHY CAFE.

A TWIST ON WHAT WE USUALLY LIKE --WE GO TO CAFES AND EAT A LOT OF UNHEALTHY STUFF.

HIGH IN FATS, HIGH IN SUGARS, HIGH IN A LOT OF JUST BAD THINGS FOR YOU.

SO I WANTED TO TAKE A TWIST ON IT AND MAKE IT HEALTHY.

HEALTHY, YUMMY ALTERNATIVES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

YUMMY PROTEIN SHAKES FULL OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS.

T THAT HAS HERBS IN IT.

ALOE VERA.

A LOT OF GOOD STUFF FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: A DREAM SHE KNEW SHE WANTED TO PURSUE DURING HER FIRST YEAR OF COLLEGE.

>> I WAS IN A BUSINESS CLASS.

THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ENTREPRENEURIAL ADVENTURES.

THEY SAID IT CAN BE VERY, VERY REWARDING.

BUT IT'S JUST RISKY.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TAKE THAT RISK AND I WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW WHAT.

I'M YOUNG.

I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE.

WHY NOT?

>> WITH MONEY SHE SAVED WORKING TWO JOBS IN DECEMBER, FLOREZ MADE HER DREAM A REALITY.

ALL OF THIS AT JUST 19 YEARS OLD.

SHE THINKS HER PARENTS FOR GIVING HER THE COURAGE TO DO SO AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE.

>> THEY BOTH IMMIGRATED TO THE U.S.

WHEN THEY WERE 19 YEARS OLD.

THEY CAME WITH NOTHING.

NOW I'M 19.

FIRST GENERATION TO GO TO COLLEGE AND BE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> I FEEL AMAZING.

IT'S SUCH A BLESSING.

>> Reporter: HER FATHER AND RICK IS OVERJOYED WITH PRIDE AT HIS DAUGHTER'S SUCCESS.

THEY CAME HERE FOR A BETTER LIFE AND SEEING HER WORK AT THE BUSINESS THEY STARTED WHEN SHE WAS ONLY 14 WAS PROOF THAT SHE IS DESTINED FOR GREATNESS.

>> WE ALWAYS EXPECTED FOR HER TO DO SOMETHING.

SHE HAS BEEN IN A LOT OF MEETINGS WITH US.

SHE HAS SEEN OUR STRUGGLES.

EVERYTHING.

SO WE WERE READY.

ACTUALLY EXPECTED THIS TO IT WAS NOT A SURPRISE.

SHE'S 19.

ALWAYS THINKING SHE'S OUR BABY BUT SHE IS A BIG GIRL AND SHE HAS BIG DREAMS.

>> HE SPENDS HIS TIME SUPPORTING HER ANYWAY HE CAN.

WATCHING HER REACH BEHIND THE DREAM HE WANTS TO SET OUT FOR HIMSELF AND >> SHE IS ON HER WAY.

WHAT IT IS FOR HER, WHAT THIS COUNTRY CAN PROVIDE YOU IS HUGE.

SHE IS READY.

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO START HAPPENING.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS HELPING PEOPLE.

THIS IS THE BEGINNING FOR HER.

I EXPECT HER TO GO INTO PLACES THAT WE HAVE NOT EVEN IMAGINE.

>> I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE KIND OF YOU YOUNGER PEOPLE AS UNABLE TO DO CERTAIN THINGS.

THEY SEE THEM AS TOO YOUNG, BUT DON'T KNOW, NOT A LOT OF EXPERIENCE.

BUT IT'S NOT TRUE.

YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF SKILLS.

IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA, WHY WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE 30, 40, 50?

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT BUT IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY, YOU HAVE AN IDEA THAT YOU FEEL I CAN POP OFF OR SOMETHING THAT CAN ACTUALLY MAKE IT, THEN WHY NOT?

GO FOR IT.

WHO CARES?

WHO CARES WHAT PEOPLE THINK?

>> STILL ATTENDING COLLEGE FULL-TIME WHILE MAKING SURE HER BUSINESS GROWS.

SHE HOPES HER STORY CAN INSPIRE OTHERS TO PUSH FORWARD AND ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS, TOO.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> THAT'S IT FOR US.

YOU CAN LISTEN TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANYTIME VIA PODCAST WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

DOWNLOAD IT WHEREVER YOU CHECK IT OUT.

KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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>>> WHEN THE GIRLS SEE THESE ROLE MODELS THAT HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES, THEY START TO GET A SENSE OF CONFIDENCE IN WHAT THEY DO.

>> THEY GET INSPIRED.

COMPLETELY INSPIRED.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO BE LIKE HER.

I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO COLLEGE.

>> TO BE PRESIDENT OR EVEN -- >> IT EMPOWERS THEM.

GIVES THEM HOPE THAT THEY CAN DO ANYTHING THAT THEY WANT TO DO.