>> 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.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE ARE STILL MONTHS AWAY FROM THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR BUT DON'T TELL THAT TO A GRASSROOTS GROUP OF PARENTS WHO ARE GETTING OUT AHEAD OF ANY FUTURE DECISIONS BY MURPHY'S ADMINISTRATION TO REINSTATE MASK MANDATES FOR STUDENTS.

TODAY, FOLLOWING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR, TO BLOCK THAT POSSIBILITY.

EVEN AS FEDERAL VACCINE EXPERTS WARNED THAT CHILDREN WILL BE MOST AT RISK IF VACCINE RATES DON'T CONTINUE TO RAMP UP.

STATEWIDE, MORE THAN 5.1 MILLION PEOPLE WHO LIVE, WORK, OR GO TO SCHOOL HERE ARE NOT FULLY VACCINATED.

AND, CASES ARE CREEPING UP A BIT.

371 NEW POSITIVE TEST, FIVE ADDITIONAL DEATHS REPORTED TODAY.

BUT, CASES ARE STILL FAR LOWER THAN THEY WERE IN THE WINTER AND SPRING.

MURPHY MAINTAINS HE WANTS TO KEEP ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE FOR PUTTING RESTRICTIONS BACK IN PLACE, SHOULD NUMBERS SPIKE AGAIN.

THAT INCLUDES MASKING BUT, THE CDC SAYS FULLY VACCINATED STUDENTS AND TEACHERS DON'T NEED FACE COVERINGS AT SCHOOLS.

ADDING FUEL TO AN ALREADY BLAZING FIRE.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> MY SON AND DAUGHTER IN HIGH SCHOOL DID NOT GO TO SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT HANDLE MASKS.

>> FILING A POLITICALLY CHARGED FEDERAL LAWSUIT TO BLOCK GOVERNOR MURPHY FROM ORDERING A RENEWED STATEWIDE MASK MANDATES FOR NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

SHE HAS ONE 3 PARENT GROUPS AND THE DOZEN HASKELL IS CLAIMING MURPHY'S ORDERS COULD VIOLATE THE RIGHTS TO SPEECH AND ASSOCIATION, AND PRIVACY OF NEW JERSEY SCHOOL CHILDREN.

THEY TALKED ABOUT HER SON, A SPECIAL ED STUDENT.

>> HE NEEDS TO SEE PEOPLE'S FACIAL EXPRESSIONS IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON.

BUT, WE DON'T STAND UP FOR OUR CHILDREN.

THOSE ARE NOT GOING TO GO AWAY.

>> THESE RULES INVADE A BASIC SENSE OF PERSONAL PRIVACY, THEY IMPEDE THE ABILITY TO LEARN TO COMMUNICATE, THEY ACTUALLY BLOCK MUCH COMMUNICATION.

THEY SHOW EXPRESSION, THEY CHILLED THE ABILITY TO PERFORM FRIENDSHIPS AND ASSOCIATION.

>> ATTORNEY BRUCE WAS REPRESENTING THE PARENTS ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE DID RESEND THE MASK MANDATES UNDER 28, LEAVING IT UP TO INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS TO REQUIRE KIDS MASK UP WHEN CLASSES RESUME THIS FALL.

BUT, THE GOVERNOR RESERVED THE RIGHT TO REIMPOSE THE ORDER OF COLD CONDITIONS WERE REQUIRING IT.

NOT TAKING CHANCES.

>> THE GOVERNOR CANNOT SIMPLY IMPOSE THESE RULES JUST TO ENSURE NO ONE GETS SICK.

THERE IS A VERY HIGH BAR WHEN GOVERNMENT LIMITS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THAT'S WHAT GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS DONE.

THERE'S A VERY REALISTIC CHANCE THAT COME SEPTEMBER, THESE ORDERS WILL BE REINSTATED.

YOU KNOW, WE FRANKLY HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A POLITICAL ISSUE AS WELL.

>> CHILDREN ARE NOT TRULY SUBSEQUENT TO COVID-19, ALTHOUGH IT'S LED TO SEVERE ILLNESS, AND EVEN DEATH IN SOME KIDS.

HE SAID TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF COULD ALL GET VACCINATED IF THEY CHOSE.

HE CLAIMED THE GOVERNOR CUT AGAIN DEFAULT WAY MASK MANDATES AND THE POLITICAL PRESSURE FROM NEW JERSEY'S POWERFUL TEACHERS UNION.

>> THE GOVERNOR AS BEING POLITICAL.

THEY WANT TO TAKE TOUGH MEASURES SO NO ONE CAN BLAME THEM LATER IF THINGS GO WRONG.

AND SO, CHILDREN ARE BEING USED IN THE SENSE AS TOOLS.

BASICALLY, AS AN EXPERIMENT.

>> THE PARENTS WERE USING THEIR CHILDREN AS POLITICAL PUNS, WHICH I BELIEVE IS THE CASE.

>> RUTGERS DEAN BELIEVES POLITICS COULD BE DRIVING THIS KIND OF COMPLAINT, MORE THAN ANY HEALTH CONCERNS OR MASKS IMPEDING KIDS COMMUNICATION.

>> THEY CAN EXPRESS THEMSELVES, FINE WITH THE MASK.

I THINK THAT IS A STRETCH TO ME.

AND AGAIN, THE SCIENCE HAS WORN OUT WITH THE CURRENT STRAINS OF THE VIRUS, CHILDREN DO NOT GET SICK BUT SOME DO GET VERY SICK.

AND, ESPECIALLY TEENAGE KIDS.

>> LEGAL EXPERT ARE LIKE THAT.

>> THIS IS IT, YOU CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.

I THINK THAT IS STILL A LESS LIKELY WAY TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

BUT, I DON'T DENIGRATE AT ALL THE ACTUAL, THE CONCERNS THAT THEY'VE RAISED, I THINK THEY'RE VERY REAL.

>> BUT THEY EXPECT THE COURT PROBABLY WON'T NEED TO DECIDE THIS ISSUE OVER THE SUMMER, AND WOULD CHOOSE TO WAIT UNTIL THE GOVERNOR ACTUALLY RE-IMPOSES A STATEWIDE MASK ORDER, EVEN THEN.

>> SO LONG AS THE STATE CAN HAVE A LEGITIMATE BASIS FOR IMPOSING THE REGULATION.

AND SO LONG AS IT'S NOT TRYING TO ACTUALLY INHIBIT EXPRESSIONS.

THE EXECUTIVE AUTHORITIES.

OUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS ARE GOING TO FEEL THE HEAT, POLITICALLY.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE REFUSED TO COMMENT ON A PENDING LEGAL MATTER.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE STATE IS ALSO ABOUT ITS DISCOURAGING RECORD OF GUN VIOLENCE THIS SUMMER.

ONE THAT IS PLAYING OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY THERE THIS WEEK, PRESIDENT BIDEN URGED LOCAL AND FEDERAL LEADERS TO COME TOGETHER AND FIND A SOLUTION TO THE OUT RAKE.

LEAVING OUT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH MAYORS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS FROM MAJOR CITIES.

INCLUDING THE WORK, THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO USE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL COVID-19 RELIEF FUND TO HIRE MORE OFFICERS AND HELP CITIES PAY OVERTIME.

HE LAID OUT A STRATEGY FOR REDUCING THE LEVEL OF ILLEGAL FIREARMS, AND INVESTING IN MORE COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS.

LIEUTENANT ANTHONY LIMA WAS AT BIDEN'S MEETING AS THE HEAD OF NEWARK'S POLICE SHOOTING RESPONSE TEAM.

HE WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CITIES COMMUNITY STREET TEAM TO REDUCE VIOLENCE.

WE ASKED HIM WHETHER THE PRESIDENT'S PLAN WILL MAKE REAL CHANGE.

GOOD TO TALK WITH YOU, WHAT CAN YOU SHARE WITH US ABOUT YOUR MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT, AND THE FACT THAT THE CITY OF NEWARK WAS ASKED TO BE INVOLVED?

>> THE PRESIDENT IS DEFINITELY COMMITTED TO THOSE EFFORTS, WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO SUPPORT HIM AND BACK IN.

>> ALSO GO THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

HIS DEVOTING FUNDS TO DIFFERENT AGENCIES, DIFFERENT PURPOSES.

HE WANTS TO ADD FEDERAL PARTNERSHIPS AMONG THEM, AND SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY POLICING.

AND, CRIME INTERVENTION.

>> YEAH, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE IN THE CITY OF NEWARK, LIEUTENANT?

WILL THAT BE YOU KNOW, MORE FEET ON THE GROUND, MORE COPS ON THE STREET?

OR MORE OF THESE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS?

OR A MIXTURE OF ALL OF THE ABOVE?

>> DEFINITELY A MIXTURE OF BOTH.

HE IS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING FUNDING TO HIRE MORE POLICE OFFICERS TO GET MORE PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREETS, AND ANOTHER IMPORTANT PART WAS THE CRIME INTERVENTION PROGRAMS WHERE CIVILIANS COME INTO PLAY AND THEY HAVE COMMUNITIES GET INVOLVED WITH COMBATING VIOLENCE AMONG THEMSELVES.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR TAKE AWAY?

>> ASIDE FROM BEING A VERY HUMBLING EXPERIENCE, I AM A SMALL PART OF THE NEWER YOLK POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SOME OF THE BIGGER TOWNS IN THEIR, IT WAS ALL ABOUT COMING TOGETHER, AND GAINING THOSE PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LOCAL AGENCIES AND SURROUNDING AGENCIES AND WORKING TOGETHER TO COMBAT SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE HAVING.

WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE, SO WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH A LOT OF OTHER DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER, AND TRYING TO PUT THESE PROGRAMS INTO PLACE.

>> WHAT WILL THAT MONEY MEAN FOR A DEPARTMENT LIKE NEWARK?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO MEAN MORE COPS COMING ON THE JOB, IT'S GOING TO BE, WE ARE AT AN INTERESTING POINT IN POLICE HISTORY WHERE A LOT OF OUR OLDER POLICE ACADEMY CLASSES ARE GETTING READY FOR RETIREMENT, AND SOME OF OUR NEWER ACADEMY CLASSES ARE STARTING TO COME OUT, AND TO BACKFILL THAT LOSS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE EXPERIENCING IS GOING TO BE HUGELY IMPORTANT TO GET MORE COPS ON THE JOB.

FOR THE CRIME INTERVENTION PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE, SUCH AS THE COMMUNITY STREET TEAM AND SOME OF OUR VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAMS.

IT'S GOING TO HELP CITIZENS AND COMMUNITY RESIDENTS GET MORE INVOLVED WITH TRYING TO SOLVE PROBLEMS AMONG THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES, BUT AS WELL AS GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH SOME INITIATIVES, JOB PLACEMENTS, SOCIAL FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLING, AND THINGS LIKE THAT FOR SOME OF THE YOUNGER KIDS ARE OUT THERE.

AND THAT'S GOING TO BE HUGELY IMPORTANT.

>> YEAH, WHAT TYPE OF BURDEN DOES THAT ALLEVIATE OFF OF YOUR OFFICERS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THIS SCOURGE OF GUN VIOLENCE?

>> IF WE CAN GET A LOT OF YOUNGER KIDS INVOLVED, AND KEEPING THEM SAFE, AND GIVING THEM PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO ACTUALLY DO, THAT LEADS THE WAY FOR ALL OF US.

>> LIEUTENANT ANTHONY LIMA WITH THE NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> MAYORS OF TOWNS WILL LIKELY JUMP ON ANY EXTRA FUNDING TO GET MORE OFFICERS ON THE GROUND.

SOME LOCAL LEADERS SAY THEY'VE HAD TO CRACK DOWN AS SUMMER CROWDS AS WELL, POINTING TO WHAT THEY CALL DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR BY TEENAGERS.

LEADING TO CURFEWS AND SHUTDOWNS ON BOARDWALKS.

SPARKING NEW DEBATE OVER RECENT CHANGES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICIES DEALING WITH JUVENILES.

JANINE DONALDSON HAS OUR STORY FROM THE JERSEY SHORE.

>> Reporter: STORE TOWNS ARE BOOMING WITH VISITORS, AND WHILE IT IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS, IT IS BAD FOR SOME WHO SAY LARGE CROWDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT OF CONTROL.

>> WE ARE GETTING WET OUT HERE, AND WE ARE WALKING AROUND TRYING TO START STUFF, BUT YEAH, IT'S CRAZY OUT HERE.

THE CROWDS HAVE LEFT ONE SHORT TOWN TO TAKE DRASTIC ACTION.

LAST FRIDAY, MAYOR MARTIN COLUCCI ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER CLOSING THE BOARDWALK AND BEACHES OVERNIGHT TO ALLOW POLICE TO DISPERSE LARGE GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO HE SAYS ARE BEING DISRUPTIVE.

IN A STATEMENT, HE BLAMED THE DECISION ON NEW POLICING REFORMS, SAYING QUOTE, THIS UNFORTUNATE MEASURE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF GOVERNMENT MURPHY'S DESTRUCTION OF ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS PERTAINING TO JUVENILES, AND THE ELIMINATION OF CERTAIN POLICE POWERS.

IN DECEMBER, ATTORNEY GENERAL KABIR GREENWALD ISSUED A DESIGN TO YOUTH AND DIRECTION FOR THE JUVENILE SYSTEM.

CALLING FOR OFFICERS TO LET KIDS OFF WITH CURBSIDE WARNINGS RATHER THAN A SUMMONS OR REST PER GRAYWATER SAYS THE CHAMBER DOESN'T MENTION ABOUT YOU JUSTICE REFORM.

ARGUING COURT FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS, THE SYSTEM WORKS BEST WHEN JUVENILES ARE DEVOTED AWAY FROM FORMAL COURT PROCEEDINGS, AND TOWARDS SOCIAL OR FAMILIAL SUPPORT.

>> THERE ARE SOME CHANGES, AND IT WAS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE, BUT TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST, I FEEL FOR EVERYBODY IN THE SITUATION.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO BE OUTSIDE, THEY ARE EXCITED TO BE OUT OF THEIR HOUSE, AND, YOU KNOW, FOR THESE KIDS, THIS IDEA OF LIKE ROGUE, CRAZY PEOPLE, I DON'T PERSONALLY SEE IT.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS PARTICULARLY TEENAGERS HAVE NOT BEEN A HUGE ISSUE IN CAPE MAY, AND WHILE HE'S BEEN VOCAL ABOUT HIS OPPOSITION TO THE REFORMS, HE SAYS HE JUST HOPES EVERYONE CAN BRING THE TEMPERATURE DOWN, AND FIND A GOOD SOLUTION.

>> I SEE ADULTS PARTYING JUST AS HARD AS I SEE TEENAGERS PARTYING.

IT'S JUST, THEY HAVE A PLACE TO BE, THEY ARE SPENDING MONEY IN A BUSINESS.

SO, I WANT TO, I THINK IT IS SO EASY TO THROW TEENAGERS UNDER THE BUS.

AND I'M JUST NOT GOING TO DO THAT YET.

>> HOWEVER, IN BEACH HAVEN OR LONG BEACH ISLAND, MAYOR COLLEEN LAMBERT SAYS CROWDS HAVE BEEN OUT OF CONTROL.

WE HAVE YOU KNOW A LOT MORE PEOPLE HERE THAN WE EVER USED TO HAVE, AND THIS WEEK, LIKE I SAID, THE PAST WEEK AND IN PARTICULAR, EVERYBODY TALKED TO US AND SAID THEY HAD NEVER SEEN SO MANY PEOPLE IN BEACH HAVEN, AS A LONG, LONG TIME RESIDENT, I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

>> WITH THE NEW REFORMS AND FEWER OFFICERS THIS YEAR, SHE SAYS TEENS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE.

>> HERE, WE DO NEED SOME TEENS TO HAVE ENFORCEMENT.

WE NEED THEM TO BE ABLE TO TAKE SOMEONE AND GIVE THEM THE CITATION.

ALL THE THINGS THAT THEY USED TO DO AS A DETERRENT, WHICH NOW THEY CANNOT DO.

>> LAMBERT WANTS TO SEE REFORMS RESCINDED OR MODIFIED.

>> THE POLICE HAVE TO HAVE MORE POWER TO ISSUE ON SPOT, LIKE YOU KNOW, IF THE YOUTH KNOW THAT NOTHING IS HAPPENING, THERE'S NO DETERRENT.

THE ACT SEASIDE HEIGHTS MAYOR SAYS WITH LARGE CROWDS OF TEENS, THE KEY IS MUTUAL RESPECT.

>> ARE CROWDS THIS YEAR HAVE BEEN VERY BIG.

COURTESY, RESPECT.

IF YOU DO THOSE TWO TYPES OF THINGS, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD CROWD AND BEHAVIOR.

YOUNG PEOPLE, AS WELL AS OLDER PEOPLE.

>> HE CALLS WITH SOME TOWNS ARE EXPERIENCING GROWING PAINS.

>> I BELIEVE THE COMMUNITIES THEY'RE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS, ARE NOT USED TO THE TOURISM TRAFFIC THAT THEY ARE GETTING NOW.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE GETTING MUCH MORE TRAFFIC AS FAR AS INDIVIDUALS, AND NOW, THEY ARE SEEING A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT.

>> WE JUST GOT TO BEG PEOPLE, IT'S ONE THING TO HAVE FUN.

AND WHO CAN BLAME YOU FOR WANTING TO HAVE FUN AFTER WHAT WAS GONE THROUGH?

BUT DO IT RESPONSIBLY.

>> I AM JANINE DONALDSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> STATE SENATOR TOM KANE JR. OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED A NEW CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN TODAY, HOPING TO CHALLENGE DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE TOM MALINOWSKI AGAIN AFTER GIVING HIM A RUN FOR HIS MONEY LAST ELECTION CYCLE.

NARROWLY LOSING HIS BID IN THE DISTRICT WHERE DEMOCRATS CLIPPED THE SEAT BLUE FOLLOWING THE ELECTION OF FORMER PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP OR THE CAMPAIGN KICKOFF IS GETTING SOME HELP HIM A PROMINENT NATIONAL REPUBLICAN.

HOUSE MINORITY LEADER, KEVIN McCARTHY JOINED KANE FOR A FUNDRAISER TODAY AT THE BRIDGEWATER DINER, EMPHASIZING THE TARGET BEING PLACED ON MALINOWSKI BY THE GOP.

BUT, IT IS UNLIKELY WE WILL SEE KANE AND McCARTHY TOGETHER.

THE FUNDRAISER WAS CLOSED TO THE PRESS.

THE SITUATION IN CUBA IS ADDING NEW POLITICAL PRESSURE FOR FEDERAL AND STATE LAWMAKERS.

HUNDREDS TOOK TO THE STREETS YESTERDAY EVENING, RALLYING IN NORTH BERGEN, WHERE A LARGE POPULATION OF NEW JERSEY'S CUBAN IMMIGRANTS AND CUBAN- AMERICANS RESIDE.

IN SOLIDARITY WITH CUBAN RESIDENTS WHO ARE LASHING OUT AGAINST THE ISLAND'S COMMUNIST GOVERNMENT, CUBA HAS BEEN HARD- HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

THE PROTEST ERUPTED OVER FOOD SHORTAGES AND HIGH PRICES.

SOME SAY IT IS TIME FOR THE U.S. TO INTERVENE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: CALLS FOR LIBERATION, FILLING THE AIR IN NORTH BERGEN AS HUNDREDS OF CUBAN-AMERICANS GATHERED AND MARCHED TOGETHER AS ONE.

>> I JUST WANT TO SEE FREEDOM IN MY COUNTRY, FOR MY GRANDPARENTS, FOR MY MOM, MY DAD.

WE JUST WANT FREEDOM.

>> Reporter: A SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR THE THOUSANDS OF CUBANS CURRENTLY PROTESTING COMMUNIST LEADERSHIP ON THE ISLAND.

>> EVERYONE WANTS FREEDOM FROM THE DICTATORSHIP OF 62 YEARS.

THEY ARE FEARFUL FOR THEIR LIVES, BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM DON'T BELIEVE IN THE DICTATORSHIP THEY HAVE TO LIVE THERE.

>> FOR THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, CUBANS HAVE BEEN TAKING TO THE STREETS DEMANDING CHANGE FOR THE COUNTRY.

ABLE DEMONSTRATION NOT SEEN IN MORE THAN SIX DECADES.

THE PROTEST COMES AS THE ISLAND CONTINUES TO DEAL WITH ECONOMIC HARDSHIP THAT HAS WORSENED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

MANY PROTESTERS ARE SAYING THAT BEING ATTACKED FOR SPEAKING OUT.

NEW JERSEY HAS FAMILY TIES THERE, THEY SAY THEY ARE HEARTBROKEN.

>> WE KNOW THAT THEY NEEDED FOOD OVER TWO MONTHS AGO.

AND, THERE IS NO FOOD, THERE'S NO ELECTRICITY, NO WATER SO, WE HAVE NO WAY OF LEGALLY GETTING STUFF OVER TO THEM SO THE REASONS TO GET FOOD TO THEM, WANTED TO THEM, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE, LET THEM LEAVE.

>> LOCAL OFFICIALS, ALSO THROWING THEIR SUPPORT BEHIND PEOPLE.

NORTH BERGEN MAYOR AND STATE SENATOR HELPED ORGANIZE THIS RALLY.

>> I AM AMAZED AT HOW QUICKLY THESE-- IT SHOWS HOW STRONG THE PEOPLE FEEL.

THEY'VE BEEN SUBJUGATED ALL THESE YEARS, AND NOW THE HOSPITALS ARE CLOSED, AND THE FOOD SHORTAGE.

SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE IN OUR NATION.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, JACK CHIARELLI ALSO TAKING PART IN THE RALLY.

YOU PEOPLE ARE BEING DENIED THEIR MOST BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS LIKE FOOD AND MEDICINE.

>> Reporter: BUT SOME OTHER POLITICIANS, INCLUDING SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, WHO WAS ONCE ACUMEN IMMIGRANTS ARE CALLING CHIARELLI'S APPEARANCE A PUBLICITY STUNT.

THE GROUP, RELEASING A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART, AFTER SUPPORTING THE RHETORIC AND BIGOTRY OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, ASSEMBLY MEN IS NOW ATTEMPTING TO USE OUR VIBRANT CUBAN COMMUNITY AS A POND FOR HIS OWN POLITICAL PURPOSES.

WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY REJECT THIS OPPORTUNISTIC WAY OF THINKING, AND WON'T ALLOW A POLITICIAN WITH A SELF-SERVING AGENDA TO WEAPON IS THE CUBAN PEOPLE SUFFERING AND DRAG US BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES WERE PUT INTO SILOS, AND LEFT BEHIND.

BUT, FOR THE CUBAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THEY SAY THEY JUST WANT TO SEE THEIR HOME COUNTRY FINALLY BE FREE.

>> MY GRANDPARENTS, MY GRANDMOTHER, MY COUSINS, MY FRIENDS A LITTLE KID, EVERYONE IS THERE.

WE NEED HELP, HELP US PLEASE.

SOS, CUBA.

>> FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IS DRAWING FIRE FROM RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND SUPPORTERS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR PROMISING TO HOLD BACK THE LGBTQ CURRICULUM REQUIRED PUBLIC RULES.

THE COMMENTS WERE RECORDED ON VIDEO DURING A CAMPAIGN STOP AT A GUN RANGE VESTMENT KRYSTEN McCUE WANTED TO DEAL WITH IT.

GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

WE ARE NOT TEACHING SODOMY AND SIX.

AND WE ARE GOING TO ROLL BACK THE LGBTQ CURRICULUM BECAUSE IT GOES TOO FAR.

IT WAS FIRST OBTAINED BY THE WNYC ADVOCATE HATEFUL AND DIVISIVE.

HE TOLD WNYC TO PARENTS, NOT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO TEACH MATURE CONTENT.

WE'VE BEEN REMINDING ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE MAIL FOR THE STATE REBATE CHECKS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS NEW NUMBERS ON HOW MANY HAVE BEEN RECEIVED SO FAR IN TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA?

>>> SOME RESIDENTS SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED TAX REBATES FROM THE STATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT SAYS MORE THAN 200,000 REBATES HAVE BEEN MAILED OUT TO BEGINNING OF THIS MONTH AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

NOW, MORE THAN 760,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A REBATE CHECK OF UP TO $500 BASED ON THEIR INCOMES.

HE RECALLED THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS LAST FALL TO SEND TAX REBATES TO FAMILIES AS PART OF AN AGREEMENT TO RAISE TAXES ON HIGH INCOME RESIDENTS.

AND, MORE MONEY IS OUT OF THE WAY.

THE IRS SAYS IT WILL ISSUE ANOTHER ROUND OF REFUNDS THIS WEEK TO NEARLY 4 MILLION TAXPAYERS WHO OVERPAID TAXES WITHOUT ANY COMPENSATION.

NOW, THIS PAST MONTH, A NEW ONE WAS ASSIGNED THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX IN THE FIRST 10,000 $200 IN JOBLESS BENEFITS RECEIVED IN 2020.

THEY NOW HAVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON NEW JERSEY'S OBLIGATION UPGRADING THE OUTLOOK FROM TABLE.

HE'S ALSO PLACED A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON ADDITIONAL DEBT ISSUED BY THE STATE.

ACCREDITING AGENCIES CITING STATE GOVERNMENT'S DECISION TO PAY DOWN DEBT AND CONTRIBUTIONS PENSION SYSTEM AS REASONS FOR IT BRIGHTER OUTLOOK.

>>> A SOUTH JERSEY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IN THIS PAINTING.

ATLANTICARE IS PLANNING AND $75 MILLION EXPANSION.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SAYS THE EXPANSION WILL ENHANCE EFFICIENCY FOR THE DELIVERY OF CARE, AND ENSURE THAT THE HOSPITAL IS PREPARED FOR FUTURE HEALTHCARE EMERGENCIES.

>> WE HAVE ALL THE GOODIES THAT WE NEEDED TO CARE THAT WE WENT THROUGH, BUT WE REALLY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WERE CLOSED FUTURE.

>> TO DO THAT, ATLANTICARE WILL ADD 15 NEW ROOMS, AND IS, AND CREATE AN OBSERVATIONAL UNIT FOR OVERNIGHT CARE.

EXTRA BREAK GROUND EARLY NEXT YEAR.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW TRADING FAIR TODAY ON WALL STREET.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WORKING TO KEEP NEW JERSEY AND BUSINESS ONLINE AT NJCHAMBER.COM.

>> MARIJUANA MAYBE LEGAL INJURES OF THIS NUMBER OF FEDERAL LAWS ON CANNABIS U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER IS LONG OVERDUE FOR ENDING THE FEDERAL BAN REMOVING CANDIDATES ARE BEING CLASSIFIED AS A TITLE I DRUG THAT IS ALONG WITH HEROIN.

IN THEIR LATEST PROPOSAL, BOOKER, AND NEW YORK SENATOR CHUCK SCHUMER, ALSO CALLING FOR NONVIOLENT MARIJUANA CRIMES TO BE EXPUNGED, AND A 5% FEDERAL TAX ON MARIJUANA PRODUCTS TO HELP COMMUNITIES HIT HARDEST BY CURRENT DRUG LOSS.

THE SENATORS SAY THE PROPOSAL WILL BE DRAFTED UNTIL LEGISLATION UNTIL THEY GET MORE INPUT FROM OUTSIDE GROUPS.

THOSE FEDERAL LAWS HAVE LED TO ISSUES IN STATES WHERE THE SUBSTANCE IS LEGAL, INCLUDING OURS, AFFECTING EVERYTHING FROM BANKING TO ADVERTISING.

THAT WAS A FLASHPOINT DURING LAST MEETING WITH THE CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION, AS MEMBERS HAMMER AWAY AT SETTING GROUND RULES FOR THE NEW MARKETPLACE.

BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THE RACE IS ON TO FINISH THE REGULATIONS THAT WILL FUND THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

ACCORDING TO THE COMMISSION, SOUNDTRACK.

>> WAS ALREADY BEGUN PEN TO PAPER, ADJUSTING SEVERAL RULES.

WE'VE MADE REVISIONS AS WE CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM EXPERTS, AND THE PUBLIC THAT COMES AUGUST 21st, REALLY WANT THE RULES TO BE CLEAR.

IN THE DISCUSSION AT HAND?

PACKAGING, LABELING AND ADVERTISING CANNABIS.

>> LEARNING LABELS SHOULD BE LARGE, THEY SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE FRONT OF THE PACKAGE, HAVE CLEAR, DIRECT, AND ACCURATE MESSAGES ABOUT SPECIFIC HEALTH EFFECTS.

>> EXECUTIVE MEDICAL DIRECTOR DR. DIANE PALERMO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING OPAQUE PACKAGING, WITH CHILD RESISTANT CLOSURES.

ALSO, AVOIDING CANDY LOOK LIKE.

>> HERE'S AN IMAGE OF THE REALLY BAD EXAMPLE THAT WE TOOK FROM THE PATIENT WE SAW THE UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS.

A YOUNG CHILD WHO GOT INTO THIS PACKAGE, WHICH YOU CAN SEE LOOKS LIKE EVERYBODY'S FAVORITE CANDY, HAS A TEAR OPEN TOP.

THE BEST OPTION IS THE UNIT DOSE CHILD RESISTANT CLOSURE WHICH YOU CAN SEE IS AROUND EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUAL PIECES.

>> DR. DAVID NATHAN FOR DOCTORS WITH CANNABIS REGULATION UNVEILED WHAT HE HOPED THE STATE ADAPTS AS THE UNIVERSAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS SYMBOL.

>> WE FURTHER PROPOSE THE USE OF A QR CODE THAT CANNOT ONLY VALIDATE THE AUTHENTICITY OF A REGULATED PRODUCT AND LINK TO MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT CANNABIS USE, IT CAN ALSO TALK ABOUT MISUSE.

INSIDE HOW MUCH DOES PACKAGING ACTUALLY COST CUSTOMER >> FURTHER FROM THIS MARKET OPENED IN 2018 SO THE SEARS INVITED A MEMBER OF THE SAN FRANCISCO CANNABIS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE TO WEIGH IN ON HOW THESE REGULATIONS COULD IN FACT THE MARKET.

>> THINGS LIKE THIS WERE NIGHTMARES FOR CALIFORNIA.

WE HAD YOU KNOW, LABELING REQUIREMENTS THAT CHANGED LIKE FOUR TIMES, WHICH, LIKE IT LED TO THESE HIGH-LEVEL EXTINCTION EVENTS FOR A LOT OF SMALL OPERATORS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW, SOMEONE COULD HAVE SPENT $20,000 ON PACKAGING, AND ALL OF THOSE YOU KNOW PACKAGES ARE UNUSABLE.

>> MANY JURISDICTIONS HAVE PROHIBITED MANUFACTURERS AND PRODUCTS FROM TARGETING ANYTHING THAT WOULD COME CLOSE TO TARGETING KIDS.

SO, THEY HAVE TO BE LIKE STRIPPED.

THEY CANNOT BE THERE.

THEY CAN BE MARKETING WITH CARTOON CHARACTERS.

IN THE CANNABIS REFORM ACTIVIST, BILL CARUSO SAYS TOWNS ARE LOOKING WHETHER OR NOT TO ALLOW THIS INDUSTRY TO OPEN ON A RETAIL OR MANUFACTURING SIDE.

HOW TO ALLOCATE THE REVENUE FROM IT.

THERE WERE TOWNSEND DECIDED THEY ABSOLUTELY WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS.

ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM.

>> THE BIG, BIG VAST MAJORITY RIGHT NOW, THE TOWNS THAT ARE REALLY THERE.

>> TOWNS HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 21 TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHETHER THE CRYSTAL POT BUSINESSES WILL BAN THEM.

THAT IS THE SAME DATA COMMISSION PLANS TO HAVE RULES AND REGULATE THE MARKET.

BUT, CARUSO SAYS WHAT WAS HE ON THAT THEY WON'T TELL THE FULL PICTURE.

>> I SENSE WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SEE AFTER THESE WERE ADOPT DID AND HOW THEY WERE ADOPTED OUT.

OPTING BACK IN.

>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR WORDING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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