>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEW IS BROUGHT BY INSURANCE NEEDS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSED THE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK MADE A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNBACKED RATED WORKERS IN THE DATE, ROLLING BACK THE ROUTINE COVID TESTING MANDATE FOR TEACHERS, SCHOOL WORKERS, AND OTHER STATE OF WAYS.

IT FALLS IN LINE WITH RECENT CDC GUIDANCE, AND IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR NEW YORK CITY EDUCATION OFFICIALS TO FOLLOW A SIMILAR'S SUIT, TODAY ANNOUNCING STUDENTS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO TAKE A DAILY HEALTH SCREENING OR GET TESTED FOR COVID-19 ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

PUBLIC OFFICIALS SAY IT'S TIME TO MAKE THE CHANGE, AND OTHER VACCINES ARE WIDELY AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE SIX MONTHS AND OLDER.

BUT NEW JERSEY LAGS AND YOUTH COVID VACCINATION RATE, PARTICULARLY FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 5.

THAT'S GOT PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS WAVING THEIR RED FLAGS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>>> NO COVID SHOT?

NO PROBLEM.

IS NOT ANYMORE FOR UNVACCINATED SCHOOL TEACHERS AND STAFF, OR FOR CHILD CARE WORKERS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY LIFTED MANDATORY TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR UNVACCINATED WAYS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CDC LOOSENED ITS COVID RESTRICTIONS.

THE REVERSE MANDATE FREES THOUSANDS FROM GETTING A WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY TEST JUST WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO MEET THE MOMENT, AND WE THINK THIS MEETS THE MOMENT.

IT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CDC.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT, AND THIS IS ANOTHER STEP IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO HELP WITH A BIG SCHISM IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT BETWEEN VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED WORKERS.

>> YES FELLOW DEMOCRAT MURPHY TO REPEAL THE MANDATE AFTER SEVERAL TEACHERS IN HIS MONMOUTH COUNTY DISTRICT CALLED THE REQUIREMENTS UNFAIR AND EXPENSIVE.

NOT ALL SCHOOLS COVER TESTING COSTS.

TEACHERS FELT CONSTRAINED, BUT ADAMANT.

>> THEY WERE NOT GETTING VACCINATED.

IT WAS A PERSONAL CHOICE, AND THEY WANTED THIS POLICY TO CHANGE.

>> I THINK IT'S LONG OVERDUE.

WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS NOW FOR A WHILE.

>> REPUBLICAN SENATOR ANTHONY BUCO COSPONSORED A BILL TO PULL BACK THE MANDATE AFTER TESTING HEALTHY TEACHERS AND STUDENTS IS NO LONGER RECOMMENDED.

>> I JUST THINK IT'S UNNECESSARY.

THE TESTING REQUIREMENTS THAT HE HAD IMPOSED WERE EXPENSIVE.

THEY WERE BURDENSOME, AND THEY WERE DISCRIMINATORY.

>> THIS VIRUS, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER RISK, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE EVER GOING TO GET DOWN TO ZERO.

>> SEAN SPILLER IS PRESIDENT OF THE LARGEST TEACHERS UNION AND A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD.

HE ALSO GOT AN EAR FULL FROM UNVACCINATED TEACHERS.

HE SAYS RESEARCHERS HAVE PROVIDED VACCINES, MASKS, AND TEST'S, ALL SCHOOL TOOLS TEACHERS CAN USE AGAINST COVID.

HE MAINTAINS IT'S NOW AN INDIVIDUAL DECISION AS NEW JERSEY NAVIGATES TOWARDS A NEW NORMAL.

>> YOU TRY TO MITIGATE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN, PROVIDE TOOLS AND OPTIONS.

AND I THINK THAT'S A PLACE WE ARE AT NOW.

WE ARE CERTAINLY SEEDING IT IN THE SCIENCE AND GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC.

>> I THINK THEY'RE SIMPLY RESPONDING TO WHAT THE CDC IS SAYING.

HE'S NOT MAKING THIS UP IN A VACUUM.

>> BUT THEY CRITICIZE THE CDC FOR WILTING UNDER PUBLIC PRESSURE FROM A POPULATION THAT IS JUST OVER COVID.

FOR UNVACCINATED STATE WORKERS AND CONTRACTOR STARTING SEPTEMBER 1st, ALTHOUGH HE LEFT THEM IN PLACE FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND STAFF IN CONCORD SETTINGS.

>> OUR BEST DEFENSES VACCINATION.

OBVIOUSLY, THE CDC HAS CHANGED ITS GUIDELINE TO BE WANTED TO THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CDC'S JOB.

I THINK THEIR JOB IS TO PROTECT US FROM DISEASE.

B MAC I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO FACE WHEN WE RETURN TO SCHOOL IN A FEW WEEKS.

>> SCHOOL NURSE POINTS TO STATE VACCINATION RATES, WHILE OVERALL NEW JERSEY CAN BOAST 6.8 MILLION, MORE THAN 80% OF RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THE NUMBER OF KIDS WHO HAVE GOTTEN COVID SHOTS LAGGED, LESS THAN 1% FOR KIDS SIX MONTHS TO TWO YEARS, ABOUT 1.5% FOR CHILDREN AGED THREE TO FOUR, ABOUT A THIRD OF FIVE TO 11- YEAR-OLDS, AND TWO THIRDS OF MOSTLY TEENS.

COGAN LAMES POLITICS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> I UNDERSTAND WHERE THE GOVERNOR DID THAT.

I DO THINK THERE'S BEEN TREMENDOUS NEGATIVE PUSHBACK.

AND SADLY, I THINK PUBLIC WILL HAS BEEN ON PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> PEOPLE JUST HAVE NO TOLERANCE FOR THIS ANYMORE, AND IT'S ON WATCHING IT.

IT IS BEING, IN SOME WAYS, POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

>> HE SAYS THE COVID VACCINE, RE-ENGINEERED, ARRIVES SOON.

BUT PREDICTS IN OCTOBER COVID SEARCH FOLLOWING HOLIDAYS AND THE START OF SCHOOL.

COVID IS ENDEMIC IN THE POPULATION.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>> FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE NEW STATE GUIDANCE AND WHO IT AFFECTS, CHECK OUT REPORTING ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS CONSIDERING ONE WAY TO GET THOSE COVID VACCINATION RATES UP AMONG KIDS BY ALLOWING TEENS 14 AND OLDER TO GIVE THEIR OWN CONSENT.

NEW JERSEY IS CURRENTLY ONE OF 40 STATES REQUIRING PARENTAL CAN RENT FOR VACCINATIONS OF MINORS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

THAT'S NOT SITTING WELL WITH SOME TEENAGERS WHO ARE EAGER TO GET THE SHOT, ALONG WITH THE PROTECTION THEY AFFORD.

POLLS SHOW MANY PARENTS ARE STILL HOLDING OFF ON GETTING THEIR KIDS VACCINATED AGAINST THE VIRUS OUT OF WORRIES ABOUT POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS, AMONG OTHER THINGS.

A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FROM UNION COUNTY WHOSE PARENTS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT GROUP.

I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH HER ABOUT WHY SHE IS ADVOCATING FOR LAWMAKERS TO CHANGE THE CONSENT RULES.

>> YOU HAVE GIVEN A VOICE TO, REALLY, A DEMOGRAPHIC THAT HAS NOT HAD ONE.

NOT HAVING CONSENT TO GET A COVID VACCINE.

WHY DO YOU FEEL IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THIS MESSAGE TO GET OUT?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WHEN IT'S LEFT IN THE HANDS OF PARENTS AND GUARDIANS TO DECIDE WHETHER KIDS MY AGE AND MY DEMOGRAPHIC SHOULD BE VACCINATED, THEN IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE OUR COMMUNITY DOESN'T MATTER, ARE OPINION ABOUT OUR HEALTH DOESN'T MATTER.

HIS PANDEMIC HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

AND IF VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE, WE SHOULD DO THAT FOR OTHER KIDS WHO CAN'T TAKE THE VACCINE.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE AROUND ME ARE VACCINATED, AND SOMETIMES YOU GET JUDGED FOR THAT.

IT'S NOT ONLY ABOUT GETTING JUDGED.

>> SURE.

I IMAGINE WITH SCHOOLS, YOU KNOW, BEING BACK IN WILL SWING, ALL TYPES OF AFTERSCHOOL ACTIVITIES,'S WORKS, AND THE LIKE -- THAT PUTS YOU AT A GREATER RISK OF EXPOSURE, YOU KNOW?

>> YES, IT DOES.

THEY TOOK OUT THE MANDATORY MASK RULE.

NOBODY REALLY WEARS A MASK ANYMORE.

AND IT'S NOT LIKE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OUR SCHOOL HAS GONE DOWN.

>> WHAT IS YOUR CONCERN THEN?

YOU ARE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE FALL, BEING UNVACCINATED?

>> I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE NOW WE DON'T ONLY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT COVID, WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MONKEYPOX.

I'M UNVACCINATED FOR BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

SO NOW MY PLATE IS EVEN MORE FULL WITH WHAT I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, AND HOW I HAVE TO KEEP MY HEALTH.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER STUDENTS WHO ARE IN THE SAME POSITION AS YOU ARE?

MARK >> I WOULD TELL THEM TO DO THEIR BEST TO GET VACCINATED, AND TRY TO CONVINCE THEIR PARENTS TO GET VACCINATED.

I WOULD TELL THEM TO HAVE HOPE.

BECAUSE HOPEFULLY THIS WILL PASS, AND WE ARE ALLOWED TO GET SOME SENSE.

>> THIS WEEK YOU WERE IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND DECIDED TO LIFT THE MANDATE ON SCHOOL SETTINGS, CHILD CARE SETTINGS, OTHER STATE AREAS, ALLOCATIONS FOR WORKERS TO BE MANDATORY TESTING IF THEY ARE UNVACCINATED.

HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO THE PICTURE FOR YOU NOW, HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL IN JUST A HANDFUL OF WEEKS?

>> WELL, I THINK IF THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT, WE WON'T SEE ANYTHING.

AND TO BE HONEST, I DON'T THINK COVID WAS HANDLED PROPERLY.

WE SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER TO HANDLE COVID AND STUDENTS COMING BACK.

BUT THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT ADMINISTRATION CAN TAKE ALL THE BLAME FOR.

IT ALSO HAS TO DO WITH SEVERAL OTHER THINGS.

BUT I THINK MANDATORY TESTING, IF IT'S NOT ENFORCED, >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>>> WELL, NEARLY 600 ORGANIZATIONS HELPED BY GIVING OUT MORE THAN $65 MILLION IN GRANT.

NOW, MORE THAN TWO YEARS AFTER LAUNCHING, THE NEW JERSEY PANDEMIC RELIEF FUND SHUTTING DOWN.

IT'S A SIGN OF THE TIMES.

FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY FOUNDED TO HELP COMBAT THE HARDSHIPS OF THE PANDEMIC, KEEPING FOOD PANTRIES AND GETTING GRANTS TO CHILDCARE GROUPS FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE, TUTORING PROGRAMS, AND MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS.

IT ALL KICKED OFF WITH THAT STAR-STUDDED VIRTUAL BENEFIT CONCERT WAY BACK IN APRIL, 2020.

JERSEY FOR JERSEY BROUGHT OUT SOME NEW JERSEY NOTABLES.

JOHN BON JOVI, BRUCE GREENSTEIN, CHRIS ROCK, DANNY DeVITO TO NAME A FEW, AND RAISED A WHOLE LOT OF CASH.

BUT IT WILL WIND DOWN AS THE STATE NOW LOOKS TO MOVE BEYOND THE PANDEMIC PHASE.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS BROUGHT BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> WITH THE START OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR JUST WEEKS AWAY, PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT THIS DATES NEW SEX ED CURRICULUM ARE LETTING THEIR VOICES BE HEARD.

PROTESTING THE GUIDELINES AND BECOME A SOURCE OF CONTROVERSY OVER THE LAST YEAR AND ARE BEING PREPPED FOR LESSONS IN CLASSROOMS THIS FALL.

ADVOCATES SAY THE CURRICULUM IS INTENDED TO MAKE SCHOOLS MORE INCLUSIVE, BUT CRITICS ARE CALLING IT A WAY TO, QUOTE, INDOCTRINATE STUDENTS.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> NEW JERSEY PARENTS HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND OPINIONS ABOUT THIS DATES NEW STANDARDS FOR HEALTH AND SEXUAL EDUCATION.

SOME SAY SEX ED IS VITAL FOR STUDENTS.

>> WE HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO THE FAMILIES, AND WE URGE YOU TO LEAVE THE ACADEMICS TO THE PROFESSIONALS.

>> WHILE OTHERS THINK THAT'S A TOPIC BEST LEFT TO BE TAUGHT AT HOME.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN STEWARD ABOUT THEIR BODIES AND HOW TO PROTECT THEM.

>> THIS IS A VIOLATION OF PEOPLE'S RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

TEACH ABSTINENCE LIKE YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE.

>> DURING LAST NIGHT'S PUBLIC HEARING, PARENTS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT OTHER VERSIONS OF THE DATE GUIDELINES WHICH INCLUDE HAVING STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION BEFORE THEY FINISH FIFTH GRADE.

>> I DO NOT WANT MY KIDS TO LEARN ABOUT THESE PEOPLE FROM A TEXTBOOK.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE STATE SETS EDUCATIONAL GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IT'S UP TO EACH DISTRICT ON HOW TO TEACH EACH TOPIC.

OVER THE WEEKEND, PARENTS AND WOULD BRING RALLIED TO -- WHOSE VALUES DO WANT PASSED ON TO YOUR KIDS?

YOURS, OR THE GOVERNMENTS?

>> REPORTER:: LUND LEADS THE PROGRAM GROUP THAT ARGUES THAT STATE GOVERNMENTS AND TEACHERS ARE TRYING TO INDOCTRINATE CHILDREN.

THEY SAY STATE GUIDELINES ARE TOO EXPLICIT IN HOW SHOULD BE TAUGHT.

>> WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE OF THIS?

'S >> WHEN YOU TEACH ABOUT STI'S, YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN CONTRACT THEM.

>> IS GROOMING CHILDREN TO HAVE .

SECONDLY, IT IS DANGEROUS .

>> YOU WOULD BE FAIRLY HARD- PRESSED TO FIND A MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT WHO DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SOME OF THOSE BEHAVIORS WERE, EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROPER TERMINOLOGY.

>> AN ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS TRAIN TEACHERS FOR SEX ED CLASSES.

SHE SAYS THE STATE GUIDELINES ARE AGE-APPROPRIATE AND ARGUES THAT PARTS OF SEX ED ARE CRUCIAL, EVEN FOR SOME AS YOUNG AS SECOND GRADE.

>> TEACHING KIDS ABOUT THE SCIENTIFIC NAMES OF THEIR SEX PARTS IS FINE FREE BIOLOGY OR ANATOMY CLASS.

>> THAT IS A PROTECTIVE FACTOR FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, SO THAT STANDARD COMBINED WITH THE OTHER SET OF STANDARDS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING BODILY AUTONOMY AND WHAT CONSTITUTES CHILD ABUSE , INCLUDING SEXUAL ABUSE, MAKING SURE THAT THEY COVER WHAT IS SAFE TOUCH AND UNSAFE TOUCH.

>> PARENTS OF NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE OPTION TO OPT THEIR CHILDREN OUT OF SEX ED.

MIDDLETOWN IS REVERSING THAT IDEA AND HAVING STUDENTS OPT IN.

IF A PARENT WANTS THEIR KID TO LEARN SEX ED, THEY HAVE TO'S RETURN A SIGNED PERMISSION SLIP.

MIDDLETON'S BOARD OF EDUCATION THINGS IT'S A GOOD COMPROMISE.

>> WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER TO GIVE PARENTS THAT SORT OF AFFIRMATIVE OPPORTUNITY .

FEEDBACK HAS BEEN VERY POSITIVE.

I THINK THAT PARENTS APPRECIATE THE MIDDLETOWN IS REALLY TRYING TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT AND ALSO GIVE PARENTS CONTROL OVER, YOU KNOW, THIS ASPECT OF THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

>> MIDDLETOWN PARENTS WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THE CURRICULUM ONLINE BUT WHERE THEY OPT IN.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND TOMS RIVER WILL VOTE ON ITS CURRICULUM TOMORROW.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG .

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY FINALIZED THE SWEEPING CLIMATE TAX AND HEALTH SPENDING BILL THAT TOOK MORE THAN A YEAR TO NEGOTIATE, SIGNING THE LANDMARK INFLATION REDUCTION ACT THAT IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR VICTORY FOR DEMOCRATS AND HIS ADMINISTRATION AHEAD OF THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

IT INCLUDES NEARLY $370 BILLION FOR CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICIES, $64 BILLION TO REDUCE HEALTHCARE COSTS AND EXTEND THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, PAID FOR IN PART BY TAXING BIG CORPORATIONS THAT EARN MORE THAN $1 BILLION A YEAR.

WITH A PORTION OF THE REVENUE BEING RAISED GOING TOWARDS PAYING DOWN THE NATIONAL DEFICIT.

BUT THE DEAL IS CONSIDERED A SCALED DOWN VERSION OF THE PRESIDENT ORIGINAL BUILD BACK BETTER BILL, AND INCLUDED CONCESSIONS LIKE A LONG TALKED ABOUT UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE AND TAX CREDITS FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS.

FINALLY, PRICES AT THE PUMP ARE DROPPING, BUT NOW, STATE OFFICIALS WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO HIT DRIVERS WITH A DIFFERENT COST.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS, PLUS TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> NEW JERSEY DRIVERS WILL SOON FIND OUT IF THERE GAS TAXES WILL INCREASE.

RIGHT NOW, NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX IS OVER $.82 PER GALLON.

STATE LAW REQUIRES TREASURY OFFICIALS TO CONDUCT A YEARLY ANALYSIS OF WHETHER GAS TAX REVENUES ARE ADEQUATE SUPPORT NEW JERSEY'S TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND, WHICH PAYS FOR VARIOUS TRANSPORTATION PROJECT.

THE NEW GAS TAX RATE MUST BE ANNOUNCED BY LATE AUGUST, AND THEN IT WOULD GO INTO EFFECT ON OCTOBER 1st.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER SAYS EVEN WITH RECORD GAS PRICES THAT WE SAW EARLIER THIS YEAR, GAS CONSUMPTION HASN'T CHANGED TOO MUCH.

NOW, THAT'S THE KEY FACTOR OFFICIALS LOOKING AT HER WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO CHANGE THE RATE.

>> IT'S HARD FOR ME OUTSIDE TO DO TOO MUCH HANDICAPPING OF THE DECISION, BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE MOST RECENT REVENUE REPORT THAT THE TREASURY HAS PUT OUT, AND WE LOOK AT THE REVENUES FOR THE GAS TAX, THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT WAS COLLECTED OVER THE LAST 13 MONTHS DROPPED SLIGHTLY COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD THE PRIOR YEAR.

>>> NEW JERSEY WILL RECEIVE $9.5 MILLION FROM EXXON MOBIL AS PART OF A POLLUTION RELATED LAWSUITS SETTLEMENT.

THE STATE'S LAWSUIT, FILED IN 2019, CENTERED ON THE COMPANY'S DUMPING OF INDUSTRIAL CONTAMINANTS ON A 12 ACRE SITE IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY, STARTING BACK IN THE 1950s.

THE EXXON PROPERTY SITS ON A TITLE AREA, AND THE POLLUTANTS MADE THEIR WAY INTO WATERWAYS AND WETLANDS ACCORDING TO THE STATE.

EVEN AFTER REMEDIATION, THE STATE FOUND THE PRESENCE OF PCVS IN THE AREA, THOSE HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS ARE KNOWN TO CAUSE HEALTH RISKS.

>>> ANOTHER SIGN TODAY OF A COOLING HOUSING MARKET, NEW U.S. HOME CONSTRUCTION FELL SHARPLY IN JULY, DOWN 9.6% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

AND MORE HOME SALES CONTRACT ARE BEING CANCELED AS POTENTIAL BUYERS WALK AWAY FROM PROPERTIES.

THE REAL ESTATE FIRM REDFIN SAYS OF THE HOMES THAT WENT UNDER CONTRACT LAST MONTH, MORE THAN 16% OF THE DEALS FELL THROUGH.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE ON RECORD, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RING OF 2020 IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC.

REDFIN SAYS HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES ARE SIDELINING PROSPECTIVE BUYERS.

THE FAA SAYS THINGS ARE BACK TO NORMAL AT NEWARK AIRPORT AFTER A ROUGH MONDAY FOR TRAVELERS.

>>> STAFFING SHORTAGES FORCE THE FAA TO REDUCE FLIGHTS AROUND NEWARK AS WELL AS JFK AND LaGUARDIA, RESULTING IN DELAYS OF UP TO TWO HOURS FOR SOME WHITES.

THE FAA IMPLIED THAT THE STAFFING SHORTAGE INVOLVED ITS AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS, BUT IT DID NOT SPECIFY WHICH EMPLOYEES WERE OUT.

NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON TODAY'S NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> TODAY MARKS DAY ONE OF A NEARLY WEEKLONG DEMONSTRATION FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE.

THE EMPOWER NJ COALITION KICKED OFF A 50 MILE WALK BEGINNING IN NEWARK, DRAWING ATTENTION TO NEWARK, DRAWING ATTENTION TO% FOSSIL FUEL EXPANSION PROJECT, ACTIVISTS WANT CANCELED.

DOZENS OF PEOPLE GATHERED IN THE IRONBOUND ACTION OF WORK AT NOON TODAY TO PROTEST TWO NATURAL GAS POWER PLANT PROJECT BEING PLANNED BY NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AND THE PASSAIC VALLEY SEWERAGE COMMISSION.

BOTH ARE ON A LIST OF SEVEN PENDING FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS ENVIRONMENTALIST SAY WOULD INCREASE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN NEW JERSEY BY UP TO 38%.

AND THEY ARE IN AREAS OF THE STATE THAT THEY SAY ARE ALREADY OVERBURDENED BY POLLUTION.

ORGANIZERS ARE ALSO PLANNING TO MAKE STOPS IN WOODBRIDGE AND REDBANK WHILE HOSTING COMMUNITY MEETINGS AND OTHER EVENTS TO INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE STATES NEW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LAW, AND ABOUT RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

>>> THE U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL WILL TRAVEL TO UKRAINE THIS WEEK TO MEET WITH UKRAINIAN AND TURKISH LEADERS ABOUT THE RECENTLY BROKERED DEAL RESTARTING GRAIN EXPORT TO THE BLACK SEA.

U.N. OFFICIALS SAY THE RIPPLE EFFECT FROM THE WAR HAS WORSENED THE FOOD CRISIS, PARTICULARLY IN EAST AFRICA.

THE CONFLICT IS STILL ESCALATING .

RUSSIAN OFFICIALS REPORTED INJURIES TODAY FROM A MASSIVE EXPLOSION AT ONE OF THE MILITARIES AMMUNITION DEPOTS AND CRANIA.

BUT IT IS STILL UNCLEAR IF UKRAINIAN TROOPS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK, AND THAT THE SITUATION PLAYS OUT, EFFORTS TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THE WAR CONTINUE HERE AT HOME AND ABROAD USING MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, NOT WEAPONS, TO BE HEARD.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: IT WAS UNEMOTIONAL WELCOME FOR THE NEARLY 90 MEMBERS OF THE UKRAINIAN RADOME ORCHESTRA AS THEY ARRIVED AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TODAY.

>> OUR SOLDIERS ARE DEFENDING ON THE FRONT LINE, AND WE ARE DEFENDING HERE, MAKING MUSIC.

>> THEY ARE PART OF THE SYMBOLIC FREEDOM TOUR.

MOST ARE MEMBERS OF OTHER EUROPEAN ORCHESTRAS.

AN EQUALLY EMOTIONAL DAY FOR EMPLOYEES OF UNITED AIRLINES, WHICH SUPPORTED THE AMERICAN LEG OF THE TOUR.

>> I AM A PROUD UKRAINIAN.

MY ANCESTORS CAME OVER FROM ELLIS ISLAND, AND THEY WERE UKRAINIAN.

BEING HERE AT NEWARK AIRPORT AND HAVING THE ABILITY TO GREET THESE FOLKS AS THEY COME OFF THE AIRPLANE, KNOWING THAT THE MISSION THEY ARE ON, GETTING TO PLAY FOR PEOPLE AND THE PUBLIC THAT SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT, IT IS JUST INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE ORCHESTRAS FIRST TOP IN THE U.S. , AS THEY ARE SET TO PERFORM TWO FREE CONCERTS AT LINCOLN CENTER.

>> IT ACTUALLY CAME ABOUT THROUGH THE METROPOLITAN OPERA.

THEY CAME TO US AND SAID, WE THINK THIS IS IMPORTANT.

THERE ARE THESE AMAZING MUSICIANS IN UKRAINE AND WE WANT TO SUPPORT THEM.

HOW DO WE REPRESENT THEM HERE AT LINCOLN CENTER IN THE UNITED STATES?

AND SO ALL THE 11 INCH TO TWO SHINS JOINED FORCES TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PLAY ALMOST 90 MUSICIANS HERE TO NEW YORK TO PERFORM, TO THE UNITED STATES TO PERFORM.

>> Reporter: TOUR MANAGER ALEXANDRA KULA SAID IT TOOK ABOUT 10 MONTHS TO GATHER UP THE MUSICIANS, AND RELOCATE TO VARIOUS PARTS OF EUROPE.

>> Reporter: WAS IT EASY TO FIND EVERYONE?

>> THAT WAS DIFFICULT AND TRICKY.

THESE MUSEUM -- MOST OF THEM, THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER AND THEY HAVEN'T PLAYED WITH EACH OTHER BUT WERE.

THAT WAS SUDDEN.

WE ARE A BIT TIRED BE, BECAUSE WE ARE NOW ALMOST VANISHING THIS TOUR, ALMOST TWO WEEKS ON TOUR AND PERFORMING IN A DIFFERENT CITY EVERY DAY.

IT'S A BIT EXHAUSTING.

BUT I HOPE THEY ARE WANT TO PERFORM DECENTLY HERE IN THE U.S.. >> DESPITE THE LONG SEVEN HOUR FLIGHT, ALMOST EVERY MUSICIAN IS DESCRIBED FEELING EXCITED, THANKFUL, AND EMOTIONAL, HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO USE THE ARTS TO SHOW SUPPORT AND SOLIDARITY WITH UKRAINE.

>> FOR US, OF COURSE, IT'S ALSO IN THE WAY WE ARE FIGHTING, BUT ON THE CULTURAL FRONT WITH SHOWING THE UKRAINIAN SPIRIT, UKRAINIAN CULTURE, UKRAINIAN ARTISTRY, AND IT HAS BEEN VERY, VERY SPECIAL AND VERY EMOTIONAL.

>> THE MUSICIANS WILL PERFORM AT LINCOLN CENTER.

ALL THE TICKETS ARE FREE, DONATIONS FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF UKRAINIANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BE MADE AT WELCOME.US, WHICH SERVES AS A CENTRAL RESOURCE HUB OF THE WORD.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACED, AND INSTAGRAM SO YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, ASK FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE 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 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 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 TORI YANNI, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN AND JE MEMBER.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR HEALTH, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

IT'S WHY AT HORIZON, BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED, MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY, OR SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH, TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE, ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLANS SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED, AND WE CAN HELP.

BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK.

NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES, ALL THE TIME.