>> 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.

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

>>> WE BEGIN ANY DECISION MADE IN ATLANTIC CITY THAT IS PROVOKING PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE.

A DECISIVE VOTE CLOSING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM.

HELPING PEOPLE WHO USE INTRAVENOUS DRUGS BY GIVING THEM CLEAN NEEDLES TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF DISEASE, AND PROVIDE HELP FOR ADDICTION.

IT'S ONE OF 7 SIGNS IN THE STATE THAT REACHES A LARGE SWATH OF THE POPULATION SOUTH JERSEY PRE-WAS CONSIDERED CONTROVERSIAL, THE PRACTICE IS NOW EMBRACED BY DRUG AND ADDICTION EXPERTS.

AND, IT APPEARS ADVOCATES ARE NOT GOING DOWN WITHOUT A FIGHT.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> ABOUT 50 DAYS FROM NOW, WE HAVE TO STOP GIVING OUT SYRINGES.

>> Reporter: OASIS IS THE ONLY PLACE IN ATLANTIC CITY THAT SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM AND 1 OF JUST 7 IN THE STATE.

OVER THE PAST 14 YEARS, SOUTH JERSEY CEO CAROL HARDY SAYS THEY'VE GIVEN OUT CLEAN SYRINGES AS A WAY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS ARE NOT SHARING ONE AND POTENTIALLY GETTING A HORSE READING HIV AND AIDS, AS WELL AS OTHER AIRBORNE PATHOGENS, LIKE HEPATITIS C. POLICE SAY IS GOING TO BE DEVASTATING TO BREAK THE NEWS TO THE 1200 CLIENTS THAT RELY ON THEM FOR HARM REDUCTION.

>> WE EXPECT THAT WE WILL HAVE HIGHER RATES OF HIV, AND HEPATITIS THROUGHOUT OUR CITY, AND POTENTIALLY IN OUR REGION.

YOU KNOW, CLEARLY WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THE PROGRAM, BUT AT THIS POINT, THERE IS NO OTHER PLAN.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 50 PEOPLE, INCLUDING MANY HEALTH EXPERTS TESTIFIED AT THE FINAL BUT WEDNESDAY NIGHT HOPING TO SWAY THE COUNSEL AND SAVE THE SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAM.

>> BY MEETING PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAMS BUILD TRUST WITH PARTICIPANTS, AND WHEN PEOPLE SEEK TREATMENT, THEY ARE READY TO CONNECT THEM WITH EVIDENCE-BASED SERVICES.

>> THE CDC RECOMMENDS THIS PROGRAM, THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW JERSEY RECOMMENDS THIS PROGRAM.

THE STATE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH RECOMMENDS THIS PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: STILL, DESPITE PASSIONATE OPPOSITION, THE VOTE WAS 7-2 IN FAVOR OF STOPPING ALL SYRINGE ACCESS PROGRAMS IN THE CITY.

COUNCILMEMBERS SEE THE VALUE IN THE PROGRAM BUT ARGUED ATLANTIC CITY SHOULD NOT BE THE ONLY COMMUNITY TO SHOULDER SYRINGE ACCESS AND REHABILITATION.

>> NONE OF OUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS OR CIVIC LEADERS OR COMMUNITY LEADERS AND SPOKE IN FAVOR OF KEEPING OTHER DEAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM NOT BECAUSE THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN THE OLD EXCHANGE, THEY DON'T BELIEVE IN HARM REDUCTION, NOT BECAUSE OUR CIVIC READERS IN OUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN OUR COMMUNITIES EVERY DAY DON'T FIGHT AGAINST THE PROBLEM OF OPIATE ABUSE, AND LIVE WITH IT, BUT BECAUSE THEY BELIEVE, AS WE HAVE ARTICULATED, THAT IT'S NOT JUST A ATLANTIC CITY PROBLEM, THAT WE NEED, WE ARE WILLING TO DO OUR FAIR SHARE HAVE WE DONE FOR ALMOST 15 YEARS, BUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE TO GET INVOLVED, AND WHEN I SEE OTHER PEOPLE, I MEAN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.

>> IT'S OUT OF CONTROL, THE NEEDLE IS ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

TWO AND HALF YEARS AGO, WE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA OF DOING THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE MUST WHERE IT WOULD GO TO EVERY MUNICIPALITY.

IN THE STATES IT WAS THEY WOULD WORK WITH US ON THAT.

AND NOBODY EVER DID NOTHING, AND NOT ONE MUNICIPALITY WOULD TAKE ONE DAY.

>> IT CAN'T BE GOING FORWARD EVERYBODY COMES TO ATLANTIC CITY THAT HAS AN OPIATE PROBLEM.

ALEX HANNIE HAS TOO MUCH TO TAKE IT OR THAT CANNOT BE THE SOLUTION.

HAVING SAID THAT, THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS THEY CAN GO PICK >> LOOKING TO COLLABORATE WITH ATLANTIC CITY TO MAKE SURE THE PROGRAM CONTINUES.

THEY WOULD NOT GIVE US DETAILS OF A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME.

>> I THINK 50 DAYS IS A REALLY SHORT TIME TO MAKE MAJOR CHANGES IN THE PROGRAM, SO WE ARE YOU KNOW, PREPARING AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: DESPITE SIT DATE CONTROL OVER THE CITY, THE DAVID GOVERNOR DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER OVER THE COUNSEL'S DECISION UNLESS THE LAW IS CHANGED.

AN ADVOCATE SAY CHANGES IN THE WORKS.

>> IT WOULD REMOVE THE NEED FOR ME TO SPELL THESE TWO TREAT THESE PROGRAMS.

THE ACCESS SHOULD BE IN EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE STATE, BUT THE ANSWER IS NOT TO CLOSE THE PROGRAM.

THE ANSWER IS TO OPEN MORE.

FOUR AS DIFFERENT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT WORK TO FIND A SOLUTION IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS, PRESSURE IS MOUNTING FOR LAST WEEK IN ATLANTIC CITY, COUNCILWOMAN WAS ATTACKED, AND TOLD NOT TO GO AGAINST THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE.

>> BEST AN ISOLATED SITUATION.

AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION, BUT HERE ATLANTIC CITY, THERE IS NO HOSTILITY OR TENSION IN THE COMMUNITY AROUND THIS QUEST.

I AM CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL HAVE A SOLUTION WITHIN THAT TIME FRAME.

>> Reporter: FROM NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> THERE ARE NO MORE THAN 900,000 CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19.

PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS ARE HOPING TO PREVENT THIS FROM INCREASING FURTHER NOW THAT WE ARE 17 MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC.

BUT, TODAY, 750 NEW POSITIVE TESTS ARE BEING REPORTED.

THAT IS THE MOST SINCE MAY, AND ANOTHER FOUR CONFIRMED DEATHS.

NEW JERSEY HAS COME ALONG WAY SINCE BEING IN AN EARLY CORONAVIRUS HOTSPOT IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT THE POLICE AND STATE OFFICIALS ARE GETTING MORE DESPERATE, BEGGING RESIDENTS TO GET VACCINATED.

5.2 MILLION ARE FULLY IMMUNIZED AS OF TODAY.

WITHOUT THE SHOTS, DATA SHOWS THERE IS LITTLE DEFENSE AGAINST THE NEW CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT, AND THE INCREASE IN POSITIVE CASES IS RAISING CONCERNS.

WE COULD BE SEEING A POST JULY 4th HOLIDAY SPIKE.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SILVEIRA SAYS PEOPLE PARTIED AND PICNICKED OVER THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE DELTA VARIANT, JERSEYS RATE OF TRANSMISSION STANDS AT 1.4%, THE HIGHEST SINCE NOVEMBER, WHICH MEANS, THE VIRUS IS AGAINST READING ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY AMONGST THE UNVACCINATED.

TODAY'S COVID CASE COUNT, 750.

RUTGERS DEAN PERRY BLAMES HUMAN BEHAVIOR.

>> WE GET THINGS A LITTLE BIT UNDER CONTROL, AND THEN WE STOPPED.

ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO CONTAIN THE DISEASE, AND IT REEMERGES.

AND, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE AFTER JULY 4th.

THINGS OPENED WIDELY, PEOPLE ARE NOT WEARING MASKS, WE NOW HAVE THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> YOU PRETTY MUCH HAVE TWO CHOICES.

EITHER GET THE VACCINE, OR GET COVID.

AND IF YOU CHOOSE THE LATTER, AND YOU THINK THAT COVID IS GOING TO BE FINE, LOOK AT THE DATE OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW IN THEIR 30s AND 40s WHO ARE HAVING SEVERE ILLNESS, AND EVEN YOUNGER, AND MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE OTHERWISE HEALTHY?

>> THE NUMBERS UNFORTUNATELY ARE GOING UP.

THIS IS A PANDEMIC, STILL WITH US AND IT IS A PANDEMIC OVERWHELMINGLY OF UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: 70% OF NEW JERSEY ADULTS ARE OVER 18 ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

1 DOSE OF THE TWO DOSE VACCINE DOES NOT CUT IT AGAINST THE VARIANT.

NEW JERSEY'S SEVEN-DAY ROLLING AVERAGES 540 COVID CASES, MORE THAN DOUBLE LAST YEAR'S 262.

THE DELTA VARIANT BURNING THROUGH THE WEAKEST LINK, UNVACCINATED HOSTS COMPRISING 51.4% OF THE CASES IN NEW JERSEY.

83% NATIONWIDE.

>> THE PAST BLAMING INDIVIDUAL HOLIDAYS OR REASONS FOR TRAVEL AT THIS POINT, ACCOUNTABILITY IS ON PEOPLE TO JUST GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HAS 5 COVID CASES NOW.

ONE RECENT DEATH.

BUT, HOSTILE TO STATISTICS LIKE BEHIND AN INFECTION.

IT TAKES A COUPLE WEEKS TO SEE THE SURGEON EMERGENCY ROOMS AND A NEW COVID VARIANT CALLED LAMBDA HAS NOW BEEN DETECTED IN THE U.S. HOW GOOD OUR CURRENT VACCINES AGAINST LAMBDA?

>> WE DO HAVE TEST TUBE DATA ON THE RESPONSIVENESS TO ANTIBODIES GENERATED FROM THE VACCINE.

IT'S NOT LOOKING GREAT WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE TEST TUBE STUDIES.

SO, I'D BE VERY CAREFUL AND WATCH THIS CLOSELY ESPECIALLY IF LAMBDA STARTS TO STRATFORD WE HAVE NOT SEEN IT YET BUT WE ARE ALL BRACING OURSELVES.

>> PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE UNVACCINATED, UNLESS THERE WAS A VERY GREAT NEED TO TRAVEL, I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU STAY HOME.

>> Reporter: STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ADVISER SAYS CURRENT VACCINES TO PROTECT AGAINST DELTA, HOWEVER, BREAKTHROUGH CASES HAVE KILLED 49 PEOPLE THROUGH MID-JULY.

HE ADVISES EVEN THE BEST VACCINES ARE NOT 100%.

HE URGES INCREASED PRECAUTIONS.

>> AND FULLY VACCINATED IF I'M INDOORS IN CLOSE QUARTERS FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME, ESPECIALLY WITH THE VACCINATION, GOING TO TAKE THE SIDE OF CAUTION AND STILL WEAR A MASK.

>> Reporter: NEIGHBORING PHILADELPHIA IS NOW RECOMMENDING INDOOR MASKS, EVEN FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED ALL THE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY HAVE REIMPOSED MASK MANDATES TO STOP DELTA SPREAD.

JERSEY COULD BE HEADED THERE, EVEN THOUGH GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS FOR NOW IT IS UP TO INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> WE DON'T ENJOY PUTTING MASKS ON OUR CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE ALTERNATIVE IS THAT YOUR CHILD MAY GET COVID-19 AND SPREAD IT TO A VULNERABLE FAMILY MEMBER.

IT HAPPENED TO MY OWN DAUGHTER.

SHE GOT IT FROM SCHOOL.

AND SHE'S HEADED TO MY OTHER TWO KIDS.

>> VACCINE FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN COULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN A FEW MONTHS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS ARE LOOKING TO CRACK DOWN ON THE RISE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN HIS FIRST PRESS CONFERENCE AS ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL, ANDREW BROCK LAID OUT A STRATEGY TO TARGET THE SURGEON NEW JERSEY CITIES, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY ANNOUNCING CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST 14 DEFENDANTS LINKED TO THE STREET GANG IN PATTERSON, REMEMBERS WERE ALLEGEDLY PLANNING A VIOLENT CONFLICT WITH A RIVAL DRUG GANG TO CLAM TERRITORY.

PATTERSON ALONE SAW A 25% INCREASE IN FATAL SHOOTINGS FOR THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR.

STATES ALSO BEGINNING A SEPARATE MULTIAGENCY OPERATION TO FOCUS ON REMOVING OTHER VIOLENT OFFENDERS FROM THE STREETS, AND INITIATING MORE GUN BUYBACK AS PART OF THE GUNS PER CASH PROGRAM IN MULTIPLE CITIES UP AND DOWN THE STATE, RESIDENTS CAN TURN IN FIREARMS WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED, AND EARN UP TO $250 PER WEAPON.

>>> IN TRENTON, THE CAPITAL STILL IN THE CITY IS STILL REELING FROM TWO FATAL SHOOTINGS TAKEN PLACE IN DAYLIGHT.

IT COMES AS A NEW POLICE DIRECTOR TAKES THE HELM.

AMONG HIS FIRST INITIATIVE, CREATING A TASK FORCE TO COMBAT VIOLENCE IN THE CITY, AND PUTTING AN EMPHASIS ON COMMUNITY POLICING.

SOMETHING THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE A CHALLENGE WITH PUBLIC MISTRUST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

CAN THE STRATEGIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

JANINE DONALDSON HAS THE STORY.

>> >> URBAN CRIME HAS BEEN AN UPTICK.

>> Reporter: THERE HAVE BEEN 12 HOMICIDES IN TRENTON THIS YEAR .4 OF THEM THIS YEAR ALONE.

ONE OF THEM IN BROAD DAYLIGHT.

>> YOU CANNOT ARREST HER REAL CRIME, AND WE REALLY HAVE TO ALSO DO ALTERNATIVES TO GANG INITIATION AND YOUTH VIOLENCE, AND THAT IS BY READING OR SEEING RICK REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

SETTING UP INTERNSHIPS.

SO, WE ARE USING AMERICAN RECOVERY FUND DOLLARS TO DO ALL OF THAT, AND TO TRY IN THE LONG RUN, NOT REPEAT WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR WHERE WE HAD A REAL UPTICK IN CRIME.

>> Reporter: MASTER, THE CITY HIT A GRAND RECORD WITH 40 HOMICIDES FOR THIS YEAR, CITY LEADERS SAID THEY ARE DEDICATED TO REDUCING THOSE NUMBERS STARTING WITH A NEW LEADER IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE MAYOR SAYS WHAT THE UPTICK IN GANG VIOLENCE, HE WANTED SOMEONE WHO IS INVESTED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY POLICING.

>> DIRECTOR WILSON HAS-- ESTABLISHING NEW ROUTES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WORKING WITH A LOT OF THE RANK AND FILE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE LONG TERM.

AND, REALLY JUST WORKING WITH THE MORELL, NOT ONLY WITH THE POLICE BUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO KNOW THAT HE REALLY CARES ABOUT REDUCING VIOLENCE.

>> I PERSONALLY KNOW HIM AS AN OFFICER BUT DON'T CONSIDER THINGS HE DID WITH THE THE COMMUNITY THAT DEVELOPED IT, THAT GROUP, THAT MEET COMMUNITY CONNECTION SO IT'S GOING TO BE A WORK IN PROGRESS.

>> STEVE WILSON BECAME POLICE DIRECTOR JULY 1st, AND WHILE HE'S INTO POSITION, HE'S BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY FOR DECADES.

HE RETIRED FROM THE TRENTON POLICE FORCE AFTER 26 YEARS AND SAID THAT EXPERIENCE GIVES HIM A LOOK FORWARDED TO THE CITY, BUT HE NEEDS MORE OFFICERS.

>> AND OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THE CITY.

IN THE CRIME TRENDS, AND WITH ATTICS VARIANCE, WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF HAVING WORKED WITH DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, WHEN I WALKED IN THE DOOR, I AM NOW ABLE TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, AND I AM ABLE TO TALK TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS FROM LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL, AND GET HELP WITH MANPOWER AND INITIATIVES TO ATTACK CRIME.

>> WILSON SAYS THEY JUST RECEIVED A GRANT FOR COMMUNITY STREET TEAM TO HELP INTERCEPT AT RISK YOUTH.

SIMILAR PROGRAMS HAVE HAD SUCCESS IN OTHER CITIES LIKE NEWARK.

HE IS RUNNING ON PLANS TO BUILD A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND HE MET WITH THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO THIS DISCUSS CHARGING VIOLENT OFFENDERS FEDERALLY.

>> WHAT I'M GOING TO BE DOING DIFFERENTLY IS UTILIZING THE PATROL BOARD WHICH IS THE BIGGEST PART OF OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT TO INITIATE MY COMMUNITY POLICING PHILOSOPHY.

AND THAT IS POLICE OFFICERS CAN BE LAW ENFORCERS AND WHEN THEY ARE NOT TASKED WITH DOING THOSE THINGS ENFORCING LAW, THEY ARE ALSO CAN BE OFFICERS AND WHY NOT UTILIZE THE DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF JUST THE SMALL UNIT ASSESSES COMMUNITY POLICING ON THE VAN.

>> Reporter: AARON GREEN SAYS A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS IN TRENTON ARE SYSTEMIC AND PLANS CHANGE NEED TO BE CHANGEABLE OF THE COMMUNITY CAN SEE IT AND BECAUSE OF A PART OF IT.

>> IN TERMS OF BEING IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO HELP DISSUADE CRIME THAT OCCURS, BUT THE ROOT CORE OF VIOLENCE IS HAPPENING OUR COMMUNITY ARE SYSTEMIC ISSUES OR PAUL CRAWLEY SCHOOLS, LACK OF EDUCATION AND BREAKDOWN IN OUR FAMILIES.

>> THE STATE IS ADDRESSING ANOTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS WITH PLANS TO REPLACE ALL WATER SERVICE LINES WITHIN THE NEXT DECADE.

HOPING TO PUT AN END TO LEAD POISONING FOUND IN OWN HOUSING STOCK IN SCHOOLS.

DONA MURPHY TODAY, CITING THREE BILLS INTO LAW THAT WILL REQUIRE MANDATORY INVENTORY OF THE SERVICE LINES, AND REMOVE RESTRICTIONS SO TOWNS AND WATER COMPANIES HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO PAY FOR THE PIPE REPLACEMENT.

REGULAR INSPECTIONS AND REMEDIATION'S FOR RENTAL PROPERTIES, AND START A NEW WEB BASED PAINT HAZARDS EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR BOTH THE TENANTS AND LANDLORDS FOR THE STATE HAS ABOUT 300 LEAD SERVICE LINES, ADVOCATE SAID MURPHY'S A SIGNATURE MIX NEW JERSEY THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO PUT A HARD TARGET ON ILLUMINATING THE PIPES.

EXPOSURE IS DECLINED IN RECENT YEARS AND STATE HEALTH DATA SHOW NEARLY 5000 CHILDREN HAVE ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS BETWEEN 2018 AND 2019.

NO AMOUNT OF BLOOD IS SAFE TO INGEST AND TO DEVELOP MENTAL ISSUES IN 20 CHILDREN.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A DECADE THERE WILL BE NO BEAR HUNT THIS FALL.

THE STATE DID NOT SIGN OFF ON UPDATED BEAR MANAGEMENT PLAN AND WITH THAT ONE, THE HUNT CANNOT HAPPEN.

IT MEANS GOVERNOR MURPHY IS ABLE TO MAKE IT ON A CAMPAIGN PROMISE HE PLEDGE IN 2017 TO END THE CONTROVERSIAL HUNT.

BUT, ALLOWING THE STATE APPOINTED COMMISSIONER TO MISS THE DEADLINE FOR APPROVING THE PLAN.

THEY ARE CALLING IT A POLITICAL MOVE DURING AN ELECTION YEAR AND SAY THE POLICY IS IMPORTANT PART OF BLACK FOR POPULATION CONTROL.

THIS CAN BE MANAGED USING NONLETHAL PRACTICES.

MURPHY ANNOUNCED LAST OCTOBER THEY WOULD BE THE LAST SEASON UNDER HIS WATCH AND RESTRICTED THE PARAMETERS FOR THE HUNT BY CLOSING IT ON PUBLIC LANDS IN 2018.

IT'S NOT EXACTLY WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE PUSHING FOR, BUT THE STATE PENSION FUND IS MOVING FORWARD WITH INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES THAT COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.

A DEBATE THAT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR PUTTING $200 MILLION INTO A CALIFORNIA-BASED GROUP DEDICATED TO WHAT IT CALLS POSITIVE CLIMATE IMPACT.

BUT, ACTIVISTS WERE HOPING FOR MORE, LIKE THE STATE FULLY DIVESTING FROM ALL FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRIES.

OUR FINANCE REPORTER HAS MORE ON THE DECISION.

SO, WHY EXACTLY DOES THE STRATEGY NOT MEET WHAT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE LONG BEEN CONTENDING?

>> YEAH, I MEAN, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO BE UNHAPPY WITH THE PENSION FUND GETTING INTO THE CLIMATE SPACE IN THIS WAY, BUT THERE'S BEEN A BIG PUSH IN RECENT YEARS AND HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES TO SEE THE PENSION FUND COMPLETELY DIVESTS ANY STAKES IT HAS IN COMPANIES OR FUNDS WITH TIES TO THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY.

AND SO, THIS IS THE PENSION FUND INVESTING IN CLIMATE FLOORED FUNDS PUSHING RENEWABLES IN CLEANER TRANSPORTATION AND TRYING TO HELP THE MEET THEIR NET ZERO GOALS, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES WHO WANT TO SEE ON THE INVESTMENT SIDE, ANY INVESTMENT THAT THE PENSION FUND MAY HAVE HAS TIES TO THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY GO AWAY, OR BEGIN TO BE WOUND DOWN.

AND SO, THAT'S SORT OF WHERE THE TENSION IS THESE DAYS WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THESE ISSUES RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND INVESTING PRIVATE PENSION FUND.

>> WELL, WHAT WOULD IT TAKE, HOW DIFFICULT WOULD IT BE FOR THE STATE APPOINTED LESSONS FROM SOME OF THOSE INDUSTRIES??

THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION, AND THERE IS A STUDY APPARENTLY GOING ON RIGHT NOW THAT IS LOOKING AT SORT OF ALL THE PENSION FUNDS TIES TO FOSSIL FUELS.

YOU KNOW, WORKERS EARLIER THIS YEAR ANNOUNCED THAT IT WAS STARTING A DIVESTMENT EFFORT, AND SOME OTHER BIG PENSION FUNDS HAVE DONE THE SAME THING.

THEY CAN JUST, NEW JERSEY'S PENSION FUND IS WORTH MORE THAN $90 BILLION AND HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT INVESTMENTS AND FUNDS THAT ARE INVESTED IN AND SO, IT'S QUITE AN EXERCISE TO FIND OUT EXACTLY HOW STRONG THOSE TIES ARE.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING SIMILAR HAS GONE ON WITH TIES TO THE GUN INDUSTRY.

AND, CONCERNS ABOUT YOU KNOW, RETIREES PROFITING OFF OF FIREARMS.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP IN RECENT YEARS, WITH THE PENSION FUND, AND SOME OF THESE ETHICAL QUESTIONS ABOUT YOU KNOW, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS THE FUND A LOT OF PEOPLE'S RETIREMENTS IN NEW JERSEY AND SO, THE IDEA OF THE PENSION FUND MANAGERS IS TO GENERATE POSITIVE RETURNS.

>> I'M GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT WITH THE FIREARMS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE BETWEEN THE RETURNS VERSUS ETHICAL STANDARDS THAT THE STATE SAYS IT STANDS FOR.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND IN THIS CASE, WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES I THINK IT IS IN ALL OF THE ABOVE STRATEGY RIGHT NOW.

TRYING TO, OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THE PENSION FUND WILL STAY IN SOME OF THESE FOSSIL FUEL INVESTMENT MAYBE HAVE A BIGGER SAY HAVE A HUGE INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT, INVESTOR AND SOME OF THESE INVESTMENT POLICIES.

BUT IN THE SAME TIME, TRYING TO MAKE SOME MONEY OFF OF THOSE SHIP TO RENEWABLES THAT ARE OCCURRING AND SEEING A RIPE OPPORTUNITY TO PROFIT OFF OF SOME OF THE CLEAN ENERGIES THAT ARE COMING ONLINE RIGHT NOW.

>> TO TALK TO YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> SAME HERE.

>>> STRIKE AT THE REGENT AIRPORT.

THE UNION, REPRESENTING ABOUT 10,000 SERVICE WORKERS AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL, JFK, AND LaGUARDIA AIRPORTS, SECURED A NEW THREE-YEAR CONTRACT THAT INCLUDES BETTER BENEFITS, SAFETY GUIDELINES, AND PROTECTIONS AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.

ACCORDING TO STATEMENTS FROM 32 BJ, NEGOTIATIONS LASTED OVER THREE MONTHS.

THE NEW CONTRACT GIVES AIRPORT WORKERS GUIDELINES FOR THE HEALTHY TERMINALS ACTS, SET TO GO INTO EFFECT IN NEW JERSEY ON SEPTEMBER 1st, PROVIDING WORKERS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE WITH NO MONTHLY CO-PREMIUM.

THAT WAS A STICKING POINT FOR THE UNION WHICH SAID THE AIRPORT WORKERS WERE FRONT-LINE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THEIR JOBS, INCLUDING CLEANING THE CABINS AND TERMINALS, WORKING SECURITY, AND AS WHEELCHAIR ATTENDANTS, THE NEW CONTRACT EXPIRES EVERY 28, 2024.

TURNING OUT TO WALL STREET, HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, JERSEY ROOTS AT THE TOKYO OLYMPICS.

FOR EVERYONE PLANNING TO WAKE UP EARLY TOMORROW MORNING TO CATCH THE LONG-AWAITED OPENING CEREMONIES, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO SPOT NOT ONE, BUT NEARLY TWO DOZEN NEW JERSEY ATHLETES COMPETING AS PART OF TEAM USA.

AFTER THE PANDEMIC SIDELINED THE GAMES IN 2020, SOME RETURNING MEDAL WINNERS ARE THERE, WHILE OTHERS ARE OUT TO FULFILL A LIFELONG DREAM.

JOANNA GAGIS HAS OUR STORY.

>> THIS IS SIMPLY AMAZING TO SEE THAT 5-YEAR OLD.

NOW, TO THE 19-YEAR-OLD WHO IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, SMILING AND IS ALWAYS LIGHTING UP THE STAGE.

IT IS SO AMAZING TO SEE.

>> THE FORMER HASKELL TRACK COACHES HAVE CELEBRATED ONE OF THEIR OWN SET TO COMPETE IN THE TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES.

>> AND THE NAMES OF OUR GREAT PROPHET, STEVIE WONDER, DON'T YOU WORRY ABOUT A THING.

BECAUSE, IF THEY KNEW IS GOING TO BRING BACK THE GOALS OF TRENTON AND THE COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: 1 TO 17 NEW JERSEY ATHLETES AND FOUR ALTERNATES FIGHTING FOR THEIR SPOT ON THE STAND IN THESE OLYMPIC GAMES THAT WERE POSTPONED BY A YEAR BECAUSE OF KOBE.

WHEN HE THE HUNDRED METER RACE WOULD NOT JUST BE AN INCREDIBLE PERSONAL FEET, SAYS SPORTS COLUMNIST.

>> IF SHE CAN WIN THE GOLD MEDAL IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1968 THAT THE U.S. HAS WON THE GOLD MEDAL IN THAT EVENT.

SO, THAT WOULD BE A HUGE INTERNATIONAL STORY.

>> SOME NEW JERSEY REGULARS WILL REAPPEAR THIS YEAR, LIKE GYMNASTS, LORI HERNANDEZ, BUT NO ON THE SCENE, BORN IN RUSSIA, AND WAYS AND REST CABO, COMPETING IN RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS THAT WAS BROUGHT BACK AFTER 37 YEARS.

>> THE ONE SUPERSTAR WHO WILL ATTRACT THE MOST ATTENTION IS SYDNEY McLAUGHLIN.

SHE IS A HURDLER FROM THE NEW JERSEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL.

SHE WILL BE EXPECTED TO WIN A GOLD MEDAL AFTER SETTING THE WORLD RECORD AT THE 400 METER HURDLES.

>> Reporter: AFTER MAKING IT TO THE YANKEES BY GETTING CUT, FORMER BASEBALL PLAYER TODD FRAZIER IS MAKING HIS DEBUT AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES AS FORMER COACH, KEN FRANK, EXPECTS GREAT THINGS.

>> ACED ON THE TOP BUT I KNOW, TODD FRAZIER THAT I KNOW, HE'S A WINNER.

THE PRESSURE YOU PUT ON HIM, THE BETTER YOU GET.

SO, HE ONCE, HE WOULD LOVE TO END IT WITH A GOLD MEDAL.

HE IS EXCITED.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM AFTER SO OF SUFFERING AN OPENING LOSS WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE CARLY LLOYD COMPETING FOR GOLD AT 39 YEARS OLD, THIS WILL BE THE LAST OLYMPIC GAMES FOR LLOYD.

>> A WRECKERS SOCCER PLAYER WHOSE COACH HAS BEEN A HUGE SUPERSTAR IN THE SPORT FOR SO LONGER TO SEE IF SHE CAN EXIT WHAT IS BEEN A GREAT CAREER IN INTERNATIONAL SOCCER WITH A GOLD MEDAL.

>> Reporter: THE TWO TIME OLYMPIC CHANTS ARE ALSO FIGHTING OFF THE FIELD FOR EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN.

A FIGHT THAT WILL NO DOUBT CONTINUE AFTER LLOYD RETIRES.

ANOTHER ATHLETE TO LOOK OUT FOR?

JESSICA SPRINGSTEEN.

THIS BABY WAS NOT BORN TO RUN, BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM SHE WAS BORN TO HIDE.

>> MUSICIAN OF SOME NOTE, BUT JESSICA WILL BE COMPETING IN THE EQUESTRIAN EVENTS, SHOW JUMPING, AND BASED ON THAT TEAM'S HISTORY AND THE VICKS, HAS A VERY GOOD CHANCE TO LEAVE WITH A METAL.

>> Reporter: AND SWIMMING, 28- YEAR-OLD MOORESTOWN NATIVE, NICK THINK MEDEVAC/WHEN HE QUALIFIED WITH A PERSONAL BEST IN THE HUNDRED METER RESTAURANT.

AND RUDY WINDOW BROKEN AMERICAN RECORD DURING THE TRIALS.

EACH CONTEST, A CHANCE TO BOOST OUR OWN SENSE OF JERSEY PRIDE, SAYS POLITY.

>> WE ARE NEW JERSEY, WE CAN HAVE AN INTEREST WHEN HE PUT ON THE TELEVISION.

YOU KNOW, TO WATCH THESE GAMES OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEONE WHO COULD HAVE BEEN YOUR NEIGHBOR, COULD'VE BEEN SOMEBODY WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL WITH WHO IS COMPETING AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE TIME DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOKYO AND THE U.S., THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL KICKOFF TOMORROW MORNING AT 7:00 A.M., AND THE COMPETITION WILL BEGIN LATER IN THE DAY BUT, HERE IN NEW JERSEY, ALL EYES WILL BE ON OUR YOUNG ATHLETES WHO ARE WORKING TO BRING HOME THE GOLD THE GARDEN STATE.

IN TRENTON, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

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.