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

AND, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A SENSE OF URGENCY FROM THE GOVERNOR AND STATE HEALTH LEADERS TODAY AS COVID-19 CASES IN THE HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO RISE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT ALL NEW JERSEY HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND CERTAIN STATE AND PRIVATE HEALTHCARE FACILITIES WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED, OR UNDERGO REGULAR TESTING FOR COVID-19.

THIS ALSO EXTENDS TO WORKERS IN LONG-TERM CARE, AND AT HIGH RISK CONGREGANT SETTINGS.

THEY MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED BY SEPTEMBER 7th, WITH NO EXCEPTIONS AND NO EXTENSIONS.

OR THEY WILL FACE TESTING, AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK.

THE MANDATE COVERS HOSPITALS, LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES, VETERANS HOMES, CORRECTIONAL AND JUVENILE DETENTION CENTERS, DEVELOPMENT OF CENTERS, AND PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE REQUIREMENTS WILL HELP INCREASE PROTECTION AGAINST THE SPREAD OF COVID-19, INCLUDING THE HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE DELTA VARIANT.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS MORE ON THE MANDATE.

>> WE WERE ONE OF THE FIRST HOSPITALS IN THE STATE WHEN THE MANDATE KICKED IN, SO WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THOSE RESULTS ARE.

>> CEO UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS ON THE LIST OF FACILITIES WORK WORKERS MUST GET A COLLEGE OR GET TESTED.

UNIVERSITY WON'T EVEN FURTHER MANDATING THE VACCINE ONLY AND OFFERING NO TESTING OPT OUT ALTHOUGH, STAFF CAN CLAIM RELIGIOUS OR MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS.

SO FAR, HOSPITAL STAFF HAS GONE FROM 55% IMMUNIZED LAST MONTH TO 95% AS OF LAST FRIDAY.

>> MANDATES WORK AND MANDATES ARE NECESSARY WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN OUR REGION.

WHO MAY NOT ONLY GET COVID-19, BUT ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO GET SICK AND DIE FROM IT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID A SEPTEMBER 7th DEADLINE FOR ALL STAFF TO EITHER THAT THERE SHOTS OR GET TESTED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK AND A LONG LIST OF HEALTHCARE IN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES, INCLUDING NEW JERSEY'S THREE STATE RUN VETERANS HOMES.

THE SWEEPING MEASURE INCLUDES PRIVATE FACILITIES, LIKE LONG- TERM CARE SYSTEMS, ACUTE CARE HOSPITALS, COUNTY JAILS, AND HOME HEALTH AGENCIES.

NO EXCEPTIONS, NO EXTENSIONS, MURPHY WORN.

>> TO BE CLEAR, THIS STANDARD IS THE ABSOLUTE FLOOR.

WE ARE REVIEWING ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES TO SET AGGRESSIVE TESTING STANDARDS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE STATE'S HIGH- RISK SETTINGS.

AND, TO BE CLEAR, WE RETAIN THE ABILITY AND THE AUTHORITY TO GO FURTHER IF WE DO NOT SEE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES IN VACCINATION RATES WITHIN THIS WORKER POPULATION.

>> DEMANDED COMES AS COLTON COVERTS FELT DELTA VARIANT RAMPAGES ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

OUT OF 21 COUNTIES, ONLY ONE, WARREN, IS NOT CONSIDERED A HIGH OR SUBSTANTIAL RISK FOR COVERAGE VISION, THE CDC ADVISED EVEN VACCINATED FOLKS TO MASK UP INDOORS.

NEW YORK'S REQUIRING ALL STATE AND CITY WORKERS TO GET VACCINATED, AND MURPHY HAS A MANDATE THAT IT CAN ALSO WIDEN TO INCLUDE OTHER NEW JERSEY STATE WORKERS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO START WITH THE MOST VULNERABLE, THE MOST LOGICAL COMMUNITIES AND THEN WE WILL SEE HOW THAT GOES, AND YOU KNOW, I MENTIONED THAT AS IT RELATES TO THINGS LIKE THE PORT AUTHORITY AND NJ TRANSIT.

>> Reporter: POCKETS OF VACCINE RESISTANCE AMONG STAFF IN LONG- TERM CARE SETTINGS WERE MORE THAN 1000 RESIDENTS ARE WORKERS WHO HAVE DIED OF COVID MAMA 71% OF LONG-TERM CARE EMPLOYEES ARE VACCINATED STATEWIDE ON AVERAGE.

SOME PLACES REPORT JUST 33%.

THE DEAN OF RUTGERS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH BELIEVES JERSEY HAS HIT A PANDEMIC FLASHPOINT OVER HOW TO WASH DELTA SPREAD AND KNOWN NEEDS STATEWIDE MANDATES.

THIS IS MY OPINION FOR THE MANDATES THAT NEED TO HAPPEN IS THAT VACCINES NEED TO BE MANDATORY, PERIOD.

I THINK THEY HAVE NO CHOICE.

THAT IS THE MOST DRASTIC MANDATES THE GOVERNMENT COULD DO, BUT PROBABLY WILL NOT DO.

JUST BECAUSE OF THE POLITICAL REALITIES OF MANDATED VACCINE TO PEOPLE.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MANDATE AND THEN WOULD LIKE TO LIFT DEMENTED BUT WE ALWAYS GIVE THEM A BACKUP PLAN.

>> DR. RACHEL EVANS WORKS WITH A RATE OF TRANSMISSION IS COMING WITH ONLY 60% OF ELIGIBLE CITY RESIDENCE, EVEN PARTIALLY VACCINATED.

SHE SAYS SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN A SHOT STILL DON'T TRUST VACCINE SAFE, AND THE MORE PERSUASION.

SHE'S FRUSTRATED WITH PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING.

>> WE ALSO KNOW THAT IF WE DID NOT GET VACCINATED QUICKLY AND IF WE WOULD BE DEALING WITH SERIOUS VARIANCE, AND HERE IS WHERE WE ARE THREE MONTHS LATER AT THAT PLACE.

>> THE CDC PUBLICIZED DATA ON FRIDAY ACKNOWLEDGING BREAKTHROUGH CASES OF COVID DRIVEN BY THE DELTA VARIANT THAT IS A GAME CHANGER.

EVENING NEW JERSEY, ONE OF THE MOST VACCINATED STATES, WHERE 70% OF ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS HAVE GOTTEN FULLY IMMUNIZED.

RUTGERS DR. LEWIS NELSON SAYS WE ARE STILL NOT VACCINATED ENOUGH.

>> WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO REDUCE TRANSMISSION FROM ONE PERSON TO ANOTHER.

AND SINCE EVEN VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN TRANSMIT IT, AND BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY IS VACCINATED, I THINK THAT THE ANSWER IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE TO WEAR A MASK.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY DID NOT GO NEAR WEST MANDATES TODAY AND SAID HE WOULD UPDATE MASK REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS BEFORE THEY REOPEN THIS FALL.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE LATEST GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC IS , MASK UP IN AREAS WITH HIGH OR SUBSTANTIAL RISK OF TRANSMISSION.

IN NEW JERSEY, 20 OUT OF THE 21 COUNTIES FELL INTO THAT CATEGORY.

DUE TO THEIR HIGH TRANSMISSION RATES.

WHILE THE CDC'S REVERSAL HAS LED TO CONFUSION FOR THE PUBLIC, IT SAYS CREATING CLINICAL PRESSURE FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY IN AN ELECTION YEAR.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ TAKES A LOOK AT THE POLITICS OF MASKING.

>> Reporter: THE CDC HAS COME UNDER FIRE FOR ISSUING NEW GUIDANCE ON WEARING MASKS AND DOORS.

THE GUIDANCE THROUGH COLD WATER ON THE GOOD FEELINGS INSPIRED BY THE AGENCY'S PREVIOUS GUIDANCE THAT WE COULD DITCH MASKS INDOORS.

THE LEADER OF ONE OF THE STATES LARGEST HOSPITALS SINCE CDC DIRECTOR WAS AT A TOUGH SPOT.

>> I DO BELIEVE SHE'S MAKING THE RIGHT DECISION BASED ON THE DATA IN FRONT OF HER, IN FRONT OF HER AGENCY, BUT IT'S NEVER NEWS THAT IS NECESSARILY RECEIVED WELL.

AND I APPLAUD HER COURAGE FOR IT.

>> GREATEST OR NOT, THE ANNOUNCEMENT SENT A RIPPLE THROUGH THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND REIGNITED THE POLITICAL FIRESTORM OVER HANDLING OF THE CRISIS.

IN STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY, RESIDENCE ARE TOLD TO MASK UP INDOORS AGAIN.

ON A MANDATE, YET, THE GOVERNOR SAYS.

>> FOR THE TIME BEING, YOU JUST GOT TO USE COMMON SENSE.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE NOT MANDATING IT BECAUSE NOT ALL INDOOR SETTINGS ARE CREATED EQUALLY.

>> BUT REPUBLICANS SAY THE CDC GUIDANCE AND THE SUBSEQUENT DIRECTIVE FROM GOVERNORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO GET PEOPLE TO MASK UP, UNDERMINES CONFIDENCE ON THE OTHER MORE POTENT WEAPON THAN THE COVID FIGHT.

VACCINATIONS.

STATE SENATOR DECLAN OWES GAGNON SAYS THE CDC DROPPED THE BALL.

>> THERE'S NO NEED TO PANIC AT THIS POINT.

NO NEED TO REIMPOSE MASK MANDATES OR ANY OTHER MANDATES THAT SENDS THE MESSAGE THAT WE FEEL THE VACCINE DOES NOT WORK AND IT'S COUNTERING OUR MESSAGE TO CONTINUE TO PERSUADE MORE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

THERE'S NO REASON FOR IT RIGHT NOW.

>> TO BE SURE, MOST EXPERTS POINT OUT THAT THE VACCINES ARE WORKING.

HOSPITALIZATIONS IN JULY OF 2021 IN NEW JERSEY ARE LESS THAN HALF OF WHAT THEY WERE IN JULY OF 2020.

AND SO, BREAKTHROUGH CASES WHILE GROWING, STILL ARE NONE THE LESS THAN 1% OF NEW CASES.

>> EVERYONE NEEDS TO RELAX, TAKE A BREATH, WEAR A MASK IF YOU CHOOSE, AND WAIT.

WE ARE GOING TO KNOW IN THE NEXT TWO OR THREE WEEKS WHERE THIS IS GOING.

MY SUSPICION IS, IT'S NOT GOING TO GO TO A VERY BAD PLACE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> YOU LOOK AT THE CURVE NATIONALLY BUT ALSO IN NEW JERSEY.

DAILY CASES, IT IS ON THE UPSLOPE, AND THAT SLOPE IS GETTING MORE STEEP INSTEAD OF LESS DEEP.

>> IF THE VIRUS IS UNPREDICTABLE THAT SINCE THE BIGGEST POLITICAL CHALLENGE FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY.

HE'S MANAGED TO SURVIVE 18 MONTHS OF PANDEMIC WITH HIS APPROVAL RATING MOSTLY POSITIVE.

BUT, IF THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD, THEN HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO INCREASE.

THE GOVERNOR COULD FEEL THAT IMPACT.

>> IS A DELICATE BALANCING ACT, RIGHT QUESTION MARK EVERY DECISION THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION MAKES IS GOING TO BE CALCULATED BASED ON IT BEING AN ELECTION YEAR.

>> ASHLEY KOENIG OF THE EAGLETON POLLING CENTER IS THE PANDEMIC WILL VERY LIKELY BE AT THE CENTER OF THE POLITICAL DEBATE THIS FALL.

>> BUT OBVIOUSLY, THE DELTA VARIANT IS CHANGING ALL OF THIS, AND COULD PLAY A REALLY BIG IMPACT ON THE ELECTION, AND NOW, WE ARE WALKING A DELICATE LINE FOR BOTH CANDIDATES IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT SURVIVING THE PANDEMIC THE SEQUEL?

OR WAIVE WHATEVER WE ARE ON, OR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC RECOVERY QUESTION MARK SO I THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT BOTH CANDIDATES ARE GOING TO CONSIDER MOVING FORWARD.

>> TODAY, THE GOVERNOR REITERATED HIS STATEMENTS AT POLITICS WAS NOT PART OF HIS CALCULATION.

ON MASKS OR MASK MANDATES.

>> WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND.

AND IF NEED BE, IF IT TURNS TO NEEDING TO MANDATE IT, WE WILL.

WE SAID THAT IN OUR STATEMENT.

SO, POLITICS IS NOT IN THE CARDS IN EITHER OF THOSE.

>> MEANWHILE, PUBLIC AND GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE HAS FOCUSED HIS CAMPAIGN ON SOCIAL ISSUES, LIKE SEX ED CURRICULUM, AND CRIME.

WE REACHED OUT TODAY TO ASK ABOUT MASKS AND MASK MANDATES, BUT GOT NO REPLY.

I AM DAVID CRUZ , NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FEW PEOPLE IN THE STATE KNOW BETTER THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF THIS PANDEMIC THAN THE NURSES WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES AND HOSPITALS, AND NURSING HOMES.

THE STATES LARGEST NURSES UNION WANTS ITS MEMBERS TO GET VACCINATED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS AGAINST COVID-19.

BUT, IT DOES NOT SUPPORT MANDATING THAT WHILE THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED HE REQUIRED EITHER VACCINATION TO REGULAR TESTING FOR HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES.

HE IS NOT MANDATING THAT AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT., SEVERAL OF THE STATES LARGE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS HAVE, SAYING WORKERS MUST EITHER GET VACCINATED, OR FACE GETTING FIRED.

HP AE, WHICH REPRESENTS 14,000 NURSES AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS IN THE STATE SAID THESE EMPLOYERS MUST BARGAIN WITH THE UNION, BEFORE REQUIRING THE VACCINES, AND COME TO AN AGREEMENT ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES FOR THOSE WHO DON'T.

BEFORE THE GOVERNOR'S ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, WE SPOKE WITH HPA E PRESIDENT, DEBBIE WHITE.

DEBBIE, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> NOW, YOUR ENCOURAGING MEMBERS TO GET VACCINATED, BUT YOU DON'T SUPPORT MANDATES.

WHY IS THAT?

>> WELL, LET ME BE CLEAR, WE ARE NOT OPPOSING VACCINES.

OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN THROUGH A LOT.

NO ONE UNDERSTANDS BETTER THAN THE AVERAGE HEALTHCARE WORKER JUST HOW DEVASTATING THIS PANDEMIC HAS BEEN.

THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH A LEVEL OF TRAUMA THAT IS THE AVERAGE HEALTHCARE WORKER THAT NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND UNLESS THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE TRENCHES.

>> WHAT WE WANT TO STRESS HERE IS THAT WE HAVE MET WITH SEVERAL EMPLOYERS THUS FAR, AND OUR EMPLOYERS ARE NOT DISAGREEING WITH OUR RIGHT TO BARGAIN OVER THE EFFECTS OF THIS MANDATORY LAB.

THEY HAVE NOT CHALLENGED US, THEY HAVE ANSWERED OUR QUESTIONS REALISTICALLY, THEY HAVE GIVEN US SOME REALLY GOOD RESPONSES, AND HAVE ADDRESSED ALL OF OUR CONCERNS.

>> I JUST FEEL LIKE GETTING AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE NEGOTIATIONS FOR THESE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS STAND, AND WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO NEGOTIATE QUESTION MARK ESPECIALLY SINCE ALL MAJOR HOSPITALS AND SOME OF THEM ARE PUTTING THESE MANDATES IN PLACE REQUIRING THE VACCINATIONS, OR AN EMPLOYEE FACES TERMINATION.

SO, SPECIFICALLY WHERE ARE YOU IN TERMS OF THESE DISCUSSIONS?

>> WE ARE ADDRESSING ISSUES LIKE REALISTIC TIME FRAMES, THE VALID EXEMPTIONS, AND THE ACTUAL ISSUE OF EXEMPTIONS, AND EMPLOYEE SHOULD BE VERY LIBERAL WITH EXEMPTIONS.

THEY DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE EMPLOYEES FOR BOTH THE VACCINATION IS PROHIBITED.

WE ARE ALSO TALKING ABOUT REACTIONS TO VACCINES, AND WHAT HAPPENS THEN.

AND, CERTAINLY DISCIPLINE.

BUT THESE ARE ALL ISSUES UNDER LABOR LAW THAT ALLOW US TO NEGOTIATE WITH EMPLOYERS.

AND, OUR GOAL IS THE SAME.

TO INCREASE VACCINATION RATES, TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID.

THESE ARE ALL COMMON GOALS THAT WE HAVE.

WHICH >> WOULD YOU SUPPORT THE MANDATE OF THE VACCINES WERE FULLY APPROVED BY THE FDA OR THE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION?

>> WE ARE STILL OBLIGATED TO BARGAIN WITH THE EMPLOYER OVER THE EFFECTS.

IT IS JUST WHAT A UNION DOES.

WE REPRESENT OUR MEMBERS.

SO, WHETHER IT IS IN EMERGENCY USE FULLY AUTHORIZED, OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A UNION REMAINS THE SAME.

SO, BARGAIN FOR EMPLOYERS OVER ANY NEW WORKING CONDITION.

>> YOU DETAILED EARLY ON SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOUR MEMBERS FACE DURING THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME.

DO YOU REMEMBER FEELING MORE PROTECTED NOW IN COMPARISON TO LAST YEAR?

>> I BELIEVE SO.

I THINK THERE ARE STILL ISSUES THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING WITH THE EMPLOYERS, AND I CAN DETAIL ONE OF THOSE ISSUES FOR YOU LATER.

BUT, I DO BELIEVE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION IS, YES, ALL IN ALL, OUR MEMBERS ARE FEELING A LOT MORE PROTECTED AT THIS POINT.

>> WHAT IS THAT ONE ISSUE?

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT EMPLOYERS ARE NOT TESTING FULLY VACCINATED PATIENTS, AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE HEALTH SYSTEM.

THIS IS CONSENTING TO US.

AND, IT IS CONCERNING BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND RECENTLY THROUGH STUDIES THAT VACCINATED AND UNVACCINATED ALIKE CAN CARRY THE VIRUS IN THEIR NASAL FAIRINGS IN THE SAME VIRAL LOADS.

SO, IT'S VERY CONCERNING THAT WE ARE NO LONGER TESTING VACCINATED PATIENTS.

WE SHOULD BE TESTING ALL PATIENTS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO END OUR CONVERSATION THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE THIS WEEK ON THE TRILLION DOLLAR BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

OVER THE WEEKEND, SENATE NEGOTIATORS FINISHED WRITING THAT MASSIVE BILL, WHICH TOTALS 2700 PAGES.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE MONEY WOULD BE SPENT ON NEW INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING $110 BILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES, $39 BILLION FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND $66 BILLION FOR ROAD PROJECTS.

THERE IS BILLIONS MORE FOR A WIDER INFRASTRUCTURE, AIRPORTS, PORTS, BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS, AND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS.

SOME OF THE MONEY COULD BE ALLOCATED FOR THE LONG-AWAITED GATEWAY PROJECT.

LAWMAKERS ALSO HELP TO BUILD OUT ON THREE AND HAVE TRILLION DOLLAR BUDGET PLAN THIS WEEK.

AS OF TODAY, ALLSTATE COURTHOUSES FORMALLY REOPENED TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MARCH 2020.

UP UNTIL NOW, RESIDENTS CAN ONLY ENTER A STATE COURTHOUSE FOR A SCHEDULED PROCEEDING, OR IF THEY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT IN ADVANCE.

CORE OPERATIONS WILL RUN REMOTELY THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

IN PERSON CRIMINAL TRIALS WILL BE HELD BRIEFLY LAST FALL, AND RESUMED ON JUNE 15.

GRANDEUR IS ALSO RESUMED IN PERSON SESSIONS IN MID-JUNE.

DESPITE EFFORTS TO INCREASE STATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO NEW JERSEY'S PUBLIC WORKER PENSION FUND, ANGLE REMAIN UNDERFUNDED.

YET, THE STATES PENSION FUND MANAGERS FACING INCREASING PRESSURE TO DEBUNK CERTAIN ASSETS, EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT PROFITABLE BASED ON SOME LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT DICTATE WHEN CERTAIN INVESTMENTS ARE BANNED.

WE DECIDED TO DIG DEEPER INTO THIS STORY WITH OUR JOHN WRIGHT MEYER.

SO, THE STATE PENSION FUND IS BAD FOR MAKING CERTAIN INVESTMENTS.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME EXAMPLES OF THAT?

>> YEAH, AND SOME OF THESE INVESTMENT BANDS GO BACK A NUMBER OF YEARS ABOUT CURRENT EVENTS WE HAD, CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT INVESTING IN COMPANIES THAT WERE TAUGHT TO THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN BECAUSE THAT COUNTRY'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS, AND AT ONE POINT, THERE WERE ALSO A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT GENOCIDE IN THE DARK REGION OF THE STUDENT DATA AND THEN MORE RECENTLY, LAWMAKERS AND FORMER GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE BANNED INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES THAT WERE PARTICIPATING IN A BOYCOTT MOVEMENT TO PROTEST THE TREATMENT OF PALESTINIANS BY ISRAELIS.

AND SO, THAT'S ANOTHER ONE OF THESE INVESTMENTS, INVESTMENT THAT IS ON THE BOOKS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> ARE OTHER BANDS LIKE WE NOW QUESTION MARK >> THERE HAS BEEN SOME HOPE FOR DISCUSSION, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR A BAN ON FOSSIL FUEL AND INVESTMENTS ROOTS OF THE COMPANIES THAT ARE PROFITING OFF OF FOSSIL FUELS AND THE ARGUMENT THERE IS THAT NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE STATES THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND SO, IS IT APPROPRIATE THAT ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE ASKING TO USE PUBLIC WORKER PENSION FUNDS TO PROFIT OFF OF THE COMPANIES THAT ARE BASICALLY VIEWED AS CONTRIBUTING TO ONGOING GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> DID THIS AT EFFECT THE PENSION FUND'S ABILITY TO GENERATE RETURN ON INVESTMENT WHICH IS ALSO IMPORTANT?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE SCOPE, AND YOU KNOW THE TYPE OF, NEW JERSEY IS AN OVER $90 BILLION PENSION FUND, SO SOME OF THESE INVESTMENTS WILL PROBABLY NOT MAKE OR BREAK THE PENSION SYSTEM.

YOU KNOW, AS AN ISOLATED INVESTMENT.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU KNOW, THE IDEA IS TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS, TO FUND THE RETIREMENTS, ROUGHLY 800,000 WORKERS AND RETIREES IN NEW JERSEY.

SO THEY DO HAVE TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN PLAYING BY THE RULES, BUT LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNORS HAVE SET FOR THEM ALSO TRYING TO GET THE BEST RETURN POSSIBLE FROM THESE INVESTMENTS, AND REMEMBER, THAT WHEN THE INVESTMENTS MAKE GOOD RETURNS, THAT EASES THE PRESSURE ON TAXPAYERS BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, TAXPAYERS HAVE RETIREE PENSIONS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THANKS.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON THE STORY, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

NOW HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET FARED TODAY.

>>> AFTER THOSE VIOLENT UNDERSTANDS LATE LAST WEEK, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS NOW CONFIRMED THERE WERE FIVE TORNADOES THAT TOUCHED ON IN NEW JERSEY.

METEOROLOGIST SAY TWO TORNADOES TORE THROUGH WORCHESTER COUNTY.

ONE IN WASHINGTON STATE PARK WHERE MULTIPLE TREES WERE DAMAGED.

METEOROLOGIST ESTIMATE THE TORNADOES TOP WINS REACHED 150 MILES PER HOUR.

ANOTHER TORNADO HIT THE WINDSOR SECTION OF ROBBINSVILLE.

THESE LATEST CONFIRMATIONS, AFTER METEOROLOGIST CONFIRMED THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN VERONA ESSEX COUNTY, AND TWO MORE IN OCEAN COUNTY WITH THREE PEOPLE INJURED AND DOZENS OF HOMES WERE DAMAGED ALONG THE CHALLENGER BASED ON THE 5 TORNADOES, LAST WEEK'S STORM IS TIED FOR THE SECOND-BIGGEST TORNADO OUTBREAK ON RECORD IN NEW JERSEY HISTORY, GOING BACK TO DATA FROM 1950.

THE BIGGEST OUTBREAK EVER, 7 TORNADOES IN ONE DAY OCCURRED BACK IN 1989.

MANY OF US HAVE BEEN GLUED TO THE TV, CAPTIVATED BY THE SUMMER OLYMPICS.

OUR STATE IS WELL REPRESENTED IN THE SUMMER GAMES, AND WHAT IS BETTER THAN WATCHING JERSEY ATHLETES COMPETE?

AT UNION CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, ONLY THIS MORNING, A WATCH PARTY WAS HELD TO CHEER ON STAR ATHLETE, SIDNEY McGLOCKLIN.

JOANNA GAGIS WAS THERE.

>> THIS GROUP WAS UP WITH THE SUN THIS MORNING TO BE HERE AT UNION CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO CHEER ON THEIR OWN SIDNEY McGLOCKLIN ASHY RACE TO QUALIFY FOR THE WOMEN'S OLYMPIC 400 METER HURDLE FINAL IN TOKYO.

>> I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOMENTS SHE'S HAD COMING UP IT >> IF IT IS A TEST OF TIME SHE GETS AND DOING WHAT IS WE THINK IS GOING TO DO SHE MIGHT BE THE MOST CELEBRATED ATHLETE IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE.

OR IN OUR LIFETIME.

>> HER FORMER COACH AND TEAMMATES WERE IN THE ROOM TO CHEER ON THE STAR ATHLETE.

McGLOCKLIN PREVIOUSLY BROKE THE WORLD RECORD ASHY RACED AGAINST 2016 RIO CHAMPION.

>> HONESTLY, IT'S AMAZING.

EVER SINCE WE WERE ON THAT ONE REALLY TOGETHER, WE KNEW THAT SHE WAS GOING TO GO FAR, EVER SINCE SHE CAME TO SCHOOL.

>> SHE'S WILLING TO WORK, SMART, SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT SHE NEEDS, AND AS SHE HAS MATURED AND BECOME AN ADULT, SHE'S PUTTING ALL THE PIECES TOGETHER.

I'M JUST HAPPY THAT I WAS ALONG FOR THE RIDE FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS.

>> WHEN I WAS LITTLE I USED TO DO CAMPS HERE AND SHE WAS ONE OF COACHES AND IT WAS SO AMAZING.

TO SEE HOW MUCH SHE'S BECOME IS JUST LIKE REALLY MIND BLOWING TO AMAZING.

>> Reporter: IS ONE OF MANY NEW JERSEY ATHLETES FINDING THEIR STROKE IN TOKYO.

>> OUR FIRST METAL FROM NEW JERSEY WAS MORGAN PEARSON, FORMER LIFEGUARD FROM SPRING LAKE IN THE MIXED TRIATHLON RELAY WHICH IS A NEW EVENT THIS YEAR.

>> NICK FINK MADE IT TO THE FINALS IN THE MEN'S 200 METER BREASTSTROKE, BUT PLACED FIT IN THAT RACE.

>> HE WAS DISAPPOINTED BY THAT, BUT FIFTH BEST IN THE WORLD.

I MEAN, THAT'S A REALLY GREAT COMPASS.

>> Reporter: SOME PAINFUL LOSSES IN THE SEMI FINALS, TODD FRAZIER ON THE MEN'S BASEMENT WERE KNOCKED OUT BY JAPAN TODAY, WHILE THE WOMEN'S U.S. SOCCER TEAM WAS UPSET BY CANADA IN THE SEMI FINALS.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD TIME IN FIVE GAMES THEY DID NOT SCORE A SINGLE GOAL.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO WIN LIKE THAT.

>> SOME CONDITIONS ARE STILL TO COME, LIKE COMPUTING AND RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS ON THURSDAY.

JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN, EXPECTED TO MEDDLE IN THE INDIVIDUAL EQUESTRIAN JUMPING.

RUDY WINKLER SECURED HIS SPOT IN THE HAMMER THROW FINALS.

YOU CAN CATCH HIM IN ACTION AT 7:15 ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, AND TRENTON'S OWN EXPECTED TO DOMINATE THE 800 METER AFTER A STRONG SEMI FINAL.

>> I WOULD SAY SHE WAS GOING TO BE THE RATTLER, AND SHE WENT OUT AND GOT IT, AND SHE KNEW THAT SHE WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT IF THEY WANTED HER, THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO COME GET HER.

SHE RAN HER RACE, SHE LOOKED ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

>> COACH BERNICE MITCHELL IS WATCHING FROM THE NBC BE VIEWING PARTY IN FLORIDA WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO CANNOT GO TO TOKYO.

THEY WILL BE UP BRIGHT AND EARLY FOR HER FINAL RACE TUESDAY MORNING AT 8:00 A.M. >> I DO NOT THINK THAT THERE'S ANYONE IN THAT FIELD THAT CAN DEFEAT HER.

HER ONLY COMPETITION IS HERSELF, AND AS LONG AS SHE IS IN THE RIGHT STATE OF MIND AND THE RIGHT SPIRIT, SHE IS ALREADY ON THE PODIUM.

>> MITCHELL WILL ALSO BE WATCHING THE EPIC SHOWDOWN BETWEEN SIDNEY McGLOCKLIN TOMORROW NIGHT.

A RACE THAT THEY SAY IS PROBABLY THE MOST ANTICIPATED SINGLE RACE OF THE TRACK AND FIELD COMPETITION.

>> SO, WITH ALL EYES ON OUR NEW JERSEY ATHLETES THIS WEEK, IT COMES DOWN TO ONE RACE, TWO NAMES, BUT IN THIS ROOM, WE ARE TEAM SIDNEY.

IN SCOTCH PLAINS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT'S IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, 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, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS, THE MEN AND WOMAN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR, AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

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