>> 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 THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A COVID-19 MASK MANDATE COULD BE BACK ON THE TABLE AFTER THE NATION'S TOP INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS SAID THIS WEEKEND, THE U.S. IS QUOTE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI ON SUNDAY EXPRESSED FRUSTRATION OVER THE SURGE OF NEW INFECTIONS RIPPLING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CALLING IT AN UNNECESSARY PREDICAMENT AT THIS POINT OF THE PANDEMIC.

FOR HIS PART, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS PLANNING TO LEAVE MASKING UP TO INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY, BUT SAYS HE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT ANY NEW CDC GUIDANCE ON THE ISSUE WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

AFTER MORE THAN A MONTH OF DAILY CASELOADS, THAT NUMBER IS STEADILY CLIMBING.

594 NEW CONFIRMED TEST AND THREE ADDITIONAL DEBTS BEING REPORTED TODAY.

POSITIVITY RATES AND TRANSMISSION ARE ALSO ON THE RISE.

STATE LEADERS AS A POSITIVE CASES WILL GET WORSE BEFORE THEY GET BETTER.

ESPECIALLY AS THE DELTA VARIANT NOW ACCOUNTS FOR NEARLY THREE QUARTERS OF ALL NEW CASES IN THE STATE.

>> THE TRANS WE ARE SEEING OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS I SUGGEST WE ARE NOT DONE SEEING THESE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE.

NOW, THANKFULLY BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF FULLY VACCINATED NEW JERSEYANS IS SO HIGH, WE ARE RELATIVELY HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT RETURN TO WHERE WE WERE, EVEN A LITTLE MORE THAN WE WERE A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, BUT I BEG YOU, UNLESS MORE OF YOU, FOR WHATEVER REASON HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED, STEP UP AND RECEIVE YOUR DOSES.

THESE RISKS WILL REMAIN.

>> TO CUT DOWN ON THE RISK AND POSTED TO THE VACCINATED PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE SUGGESTING PEOPLE UP THERE MASK GAME.

THOSE THIN CLOTH COVERINGS WHENEVER THEIR FAVORITE, AND EXPERTS ARE STRONGLY URGING THE USE OF AN N95, OR K N95 MASK DUE TO THE DELTA VARIANT BEING MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN PREVIOUS STRAINS.

THAT MESSAGE GOES DOUBLE FOR ANYONE TRAVELING, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THREE STATES.

POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS, NO ACCOUNTING FOR 40% OF THE COUNTRIES COVID-19 INFECTIONS.

HE'S TRAVELING SAFE FOR FAMILIES WITH UNVACCINATED KIDS.

JOANNA GAGIS TAKES A LOOK.

>> EVERYTHING GETS WIPES DOWN.

>> THEY DO IT, BUT I JUST GO MORE COMFORTABLE IF I'M ALSO GOING TO HIDE IT AND THEN I SANITIZE MY HANDS.

>> Reporter: ERICA IS AN EXECUTIVE AT AN URGENT CARE FACILITY IN HAWAII WHO IS VISITING FAMILY IN THE AREA.

SHE IS OPEN TO TRAVEL, BUT CAUTIOUS ABOUT HOW SHE DOES IT.

>> DEPENDS ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEM BUT I WILL TAKE DOWN MY MESS, EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: IS ONE OF 30,000 PASSENGERS FLYING UNITED TO NEWARK ON EVERY GIVEN DAY.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY YESTERDAY, 2.2 MILLION PASSENGERS TOOK TO THE SKIES YESTERDAY, BUT WHAT IS THAT FOR COVERT SPREAD NOW THAT THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS AUTHORING ACCOUNTS FOR NEARLY 75% OF THE NEW COVERT CASES IN NEW JERSEY?

83% IN THE U.S. >> WE KNOW THAT THE NUMBERS ARE ACTUALLY EVEN HIGHER NOW THAT THEY WERE LAST YEAR, IN THE MAIN DIFFERENCE ARE PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING, WE ARE GOING ON OUR REGULAR VACATIONS, WE ARE NOT WEARING MASKS INDOORS IN CROWDED AREAS, AND WE ARE TRAVELING LARGELY TO PLACES THAT HAVE LOWER VACCINATION RATES THAN NEW JERSEY DOES.

>> Reporter: THAT, AND PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE WORLD ARE COMING HERE TO VISIT DESTINATIONS LIKE THE JERSEY SHORE.

GUY RUBIN TAKE CAME TO THE EAST COAST IN CALIFORNIA AND IS HEADING OFF TO ISRAEL, SOMETHING THAT HE FEEL SAFE DOING NOW THAT HE IS VACCINATED.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M TAKING CARE OF MYSELF, AND IF I'M PUTTING ON A MASK, AND I MAKING SURE THAT I'M HEALTHY AND MAKING SURE THAT AND KEEPING A DISTANCE FROM PEOPLE AND NOT KEEPING CONTACT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE WEARING A MASK.

I'M JUST A SAFE AND TAKING CARE OF MYSELF AND I THINK I'LL BE GOOD.

>> THE NUMBER OF BREAKTHROUGH CASE FOR THE VACCINATED ARE LOW, EVEN WITH THE DELTA VARIANT, BUT IT'S THE UNVACCINATED TRAVELERS THAT HAVE DR. MEG FISHER CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH KIDS.

>> IF YOU'RE UNVACCINATED, YOU SHOULD NOT BE TRAVELING TO, MAYBE YOU SHOULD NOT BE TRAVELING ANYWHERE, BUT CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT BE GOING TO A HOTSPOT.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR OUR CHILDREN IS, FOR CHILDREN UNDER 12, THEY ARE NOT VACCINATED.

SO, I WOULD SAY THOSE CHILDREN, TO KEEP THOSE CHILDREN SAFE, IT WOULD BE BETTER TO NOT GO TO A HOTSPOT.

>> RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE HOTSPOTS FOR COVERT SPREAD IS FLORIDA, WHOSE CASELOAD MAKES UP NEARLY A QUARTER OF ALL THE NEW CASES IN THE U.S..

IT IS SOMETHING GABRIELLA AND LANA CONSIDERED WHEN THEY PLAN THEIR TRIP TO CHICAGO ESPECIALLY BECAUSE MONICA IS 12 AND NOT YET VACCINATED.

>> WE ARE TAKING THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS.

YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE WE ARE WASHING OUR HANDS ALL THE TIME JUST A KIND OF SOCIAL DISTANCE FROM PEOPLE UNTIL WE PROTECT OURSELVES.

YOU KNOW >> EVEN THE MASTER REQUIRED, ON FLIGHTS AND IN AIRPORTS WITH 400,000 PASSENGERS FLYING UNITED EACH DAY, THE AIRLINE HAS LAUNCHED A PROGRAM TO ENSURE PROPER CLEANING THROUGHOUT ITS FACILITIES AND ITS FLEET.

>> WE ANNOUNCED A PROGRAM CALLED CLEAN PLUS.

IT IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH BOTH CLAIRE OCHS AND THE CLEVELAND CLINIC TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CLEANING PROCESSES FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, ENHANCED, AND CLEAN AND EFFECTIVE FOR ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS IS A WALK TO THE FRONT DOOR.

IT'S BEEN A WHILE AIRLINES WORK TO MAKE TRAVEL SAFE, A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL TOLD REGISTERED IN THE U.S. WILL NOT LIFT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR NON-US PASSENGERS WHO HAVE BEEN TO PLACES LIKE THE UK, CHINA, INDIA, OR SOUTH AFRICA WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS OR THAT, WHILE THE CDC IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO REINSTATE MASK GUIDANCE INDOORS, EVEN FOR THE VACCINATED.

>> I THINK THAT THAT IS A VERY REASONABLE MOOD.

JUST LIKE THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS HAS SET FOR PEOPLE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, MASKS SHOULD BE WORN BY EVERYONE.

VACCINATED OR NOT VACCINATED.

>> EXPERTS CAUTION IF YOU SQUEEZING IN A LAST-MINUTE SUMMER TRIP, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE YOUNG KIDS, LEAVE YOURSELF TIME TO QUARANTINE BEFORE YOUR KIDS ARE BACK INSIDE SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

IN NEWARK, I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THERE'S A PUSH TO MAKE VACCINES MANDATORY FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS FOR NEARLY 60 MILLION MEDICAL GROUPS REPRESENTING DOCTORS AND OTHERS SAY THOSE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 AS A MORAL IMPERATIVE INFECTIONS RISING SHARPLY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, ANNOUNCING TODAY WILL BE THE FIRST FEDERAL AGENCY REQUIRING ITS HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO GET VACCINATED.

IN JERSEY SO FAR HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH AND ARE DELETED BARNABAS OFF OF THE ONLY TWO MAJOR HEALTHCARE FACILITIES REQUIRING ALL EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED, OR LOSE THEIR JOB.

STATEWIDE DATA SHOW ON THE PLEADING, REASONING, AND PERSUADING JUST HAS NOT MOVED THE NEEDLE SIGNIFICANTLY IN RECENT WEEKS.

STILL HOVERING JUST ABOVE 5.2 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

SO, LOCAL LEADERS ARE TRYING ANOTHER APPROACH, GOING DOOR-TO- DOOR, PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES WHERE VACCINATION RATES LAG, AND USING A MORE PERSONAL APPROACH TO REDUCE HESITANCY.

OUR HEALTHCARE REPORTER HAS MORE ON WHAT IS BEING DONE.

>> BELOW, THE PUSH TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED HAS REALLY TURNED PERSONAL.

DATA ALONE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ENOUGH TO GET PEOPLE OVER THIS HURDLE OF HESITANCY.

>> RIGHT, WELL, FOR SOME PEOPLE IT IS HESITANCY.

FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT'S NOT THE RIGHT KIND OF DATA.

BUT, THOUGH, AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.

BUT, IT IS ALSO, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

IT'S A PERSONAL THING.

I WAS SO IMPRESSED I WAS THE MAYOR TOLD THEM IN LAKEWOOD.

THEY WERE TELLING ME I IT'S THIS CONVERSATION PIECE.

SHE DESCRIBES HERSELF AS BEING A NAG IN SOME CASES.

AND, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE NOT EASY DECISIONS FOR PEOPLE.

YOU KNOW, PROBABLY BRENDA OVER FLANAGAN REPORTED.

YOU KNOW, IN LAKEWOOD, THIS TREMENDOUS ORTHODOX JEWISH POPULATION AND A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY ARE SAYING THEY BELIEVE THEY WERE EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS, GOT SICK, AND HAVE ANTIBODIES AND THEREFORE DO NOT NEED THE VACCINATION.

AND THE MAYOR OF LAKEWOOD IS SAYING THERE'S NOT REALLY ENOUGH GOOD DATA OUT FOR HIM TO EASILY COUNTERACT THAT ARGUMENT AND SAY YOU STILL NEED TO GET VACCINATED.

THAT IS WHAT RADICAL PROFESSIONALS ARE TELLING US, BUT IT WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER IF THERE WAS BETTER DATA ON THIS.

YOU KNOW, ON THESE NUANCES THAT PEOPLE ARE STILL USING AS REASONS TO NOT GET VACCINATED.

>> YEAH, TOUGH TO MAKE A CASE WHEN WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH UPDATED INFORMATION.

WHAT ABOUT THOSE TOWNS THAT THE STATE WAS WATCHING FOR HAVING SIGNIFICANTLY LOW, YOU KNOW, LAGGING VACCINATION NUMBERS?

>> IS INTERESTING.

THESE ARE NECESSARILY THE TOWNS THAT HAVE THE LOWEST RATE THERE'S SOME QUIRKY SMALL POPULATION TOWNS THAT HAVE REALLY LOW WEIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THE STATE REALLY HAS A STAKE IN LAKEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, THESE ARE COUNTIES TO HAVE AT LEAST 10,000 PEOPLE, BUT STILL HAVE VACCINATION RATES, YOU KNOW, BETWEEN 50 AND 60%.

AND, THAT YOU KNOW, ADULTS WITH FIRST SHOT.

DOESN'T TALK ABOUT SECOND CHANCES THE FULL PROTECTION AND DOESN'T TALK ABOUT KATRINA IS A NEW ISSUE OF CONCERN.

>> VERY QUICKLY FROM YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THESE MAYORS AND LOCAL LEADERS, THESE TACTICS SEEM TO BE THE RIGHT WAY TO GO ABOUT THIS WITH NUMBERS REALLY YOU KNOW, NOT PICKING UP VERY MUCH?

>> THE SAVING AND MORE LOCAL ATTENTION WORKING WITH LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS PARTICULARLY IN LAKEWOOD, THERE IS REAL CONCERN.

CONCERN ABOUT THE BEARING, CONCERN WILL GO BACK IN TIME PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT WEARING THESE THINGS AGAIN.

SO, IT IS CONCERNING, FOR SURE.

>> REPORTING FROM THE ROAD FOR US TODAY, THANKS LILO.

>> THANK YOU.

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

>>> FOR YEARS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE WORKED AGAINST THE POLLUTION AND TRAFFIC THAT BUILDS UP IN NEIGHBORHOODS, SURROUNDING PORTS NEWARK ELIZABETH.

IT IS A VIABLE PATHWAY DELIVERING GOODS INTO THE STATE.

BUT, AREAS AROUND THE PORT HAVE NOT HAD A MAJOR INVESTMENT IN YEARS, EVEN AS NEIGHBORS COMPLAINED OF INCREASED GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, AND CONGESTION CAUSED BY THE FLOW OF GOODS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS DETAILS OF LONG- AWAITED INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADE.

>> WE GET TREMENDOUS TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC JAMS SOMETIMES ON A BAD DAY WE CAN BE WAITING OUTSIDE FOR AN HOUR, AND THEN INSIDE ACTUALLY SEVERAL HOURS.

>> Reporter: TOM'S TRUCKING COMPANY SENDS ABOUT 100 TRACTOR- TRAILERS A DAY THROUGH PORT OREGON ELIZABETH.

HE'S SEEN TRUCKS BACKED UP FOR MILES, AND THAT MEANS HOURS OF WASTED TIME WHILE THEY WAIT TO PICK UP SHIPPING CONTAINERS PACKED WITH CONSUMER GOODS HEADED TO A STORE NEAR YOU AND ACROSS THE REGION.

SO, HE APPLAUDS A $44 MILLION FEDERAL GRANT THAT WILL HELP FUND ROAD IMPROVEMENTS ALONG A CRITICAL CORNER, CORBIN STREET, THE PORT'S MAIN ACCESS ROUTE.

>> IT'LL SAVE AT LEAST A HALF AN HOUR TO AN HOUR A DAY OUT OF ROUNDTRIPS.

>> THINK ABOUT THE POSITIVE IMPACT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, AND THE PLANET MADE POSSIBLE BY A PROJECT THAT ONCE COMPLETE WILL REDUCE OVER 700,000 HOURS OF TRAVEL TIME FOR VEHICLES NAVIGATING PORT COMPLEX IN ONE YEAR.

>> Reporter: SENATORS BOB MENENDEZ AND CORY BOOKER JOINED A GROUP OF OFFICIALS TO ANNOUNCE THE U.S. DEPARTMENT TRANSPORTATION GRANT.

ABOUT 15,000 TRUCKS TRAVEL THIS EVERY DAY, 3600 TRUCKS IN OUR.

THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE PART OF THE HUNDRED 76 MILLION DOLLAR TENURE MODERNIZATION PROJECT WILL RECONFIGURE CORBIN, PORT, AND KELLOGG STREETS, AND REDESIGN THE TIGHTLY CURVED CORBIN STREET RENT.

>> GOOD FOR THE REPORT, GOOD FOR THE PLANET, AND GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE.

IT DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THAT.

>> IS ALSO EXPECTED TO CUT THE ACCIDENT RATE HERE BY 40% WITH TRUCKS SOMETIMES RUSHING TO MAKE APPOINTMENTS, THIS AREA HAVE LOGGED MORE THAN 400 ACCIDENTS WITH THREE DEATHS AND 81 INJURIES.

PORT AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN KEVIN O'TOOLE SAID A TRUCK COLLIDED WITH A K-9 POLICE VEHICLE JUST LAST WEEK.

>> THE TRUCK WAS GOING TOO FAST.

IT CAREENED ON ITS SIDE, SMASHED INTO THE VAN AND HAD A NUMBER OF OFFICERS AND DOGS THAT WERE INJURED.

THEY ARE ALL RECOVERING, BUT IT POINTS TO THE FACT THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME TRANSPORTATION RECONFIGURING SOME SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

>> Reporter: BUT IT'S NOT JUST TRUCKER SAFETY THAT'S AN ISSUE HERE.

THE FUMES FROM IDLING TRUCKS PERVADE NEARBY NEWARK WHERE KIDS SUFFER FROM ASTHMA AT FOUR TIMES THE NATIONAL RATE.

>> FOUR TIMES THE ASTHMA RATE, THE NUMBER ONE REASON OUR CHILDREN MISS SCHOOL, FOR HELP IS ASTHMA.

>> IT MAKES A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE IN WHAT SHOULD BE A RIGHT FOR EVERY CHILD, WHICH IS TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR.

>> VULNERABILITIES TO THE MORE LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES IS GREATER THAN IN OTHER COMMUNITIES.

AND SO, THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WILL MAKE THE AIR CLEANER.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE ARE THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: MARIA LOPEZ NUNEZ OF THE COMMUNITY CORPORATION CLAIMS THE PORT AUTHORITY AND TRUCKING COMPANY SHOULD DO MORE, PAY TO ELECTRIFY THEIR FLEETS, DON'T DIRTY DIESEL.

>> WE DON'T WANT THEM AT THE COST ON THE BACKS OF TRUCK DRIVERS.

BECAUSE TRUCK SERVICE TALK ABOUT COMMUNITY.

>> THEY SAY THEY ARE 2 TO 3 TIMES MORE EXPENSIVE THAN DIESEL RIGS.

HE WOULD LIKE GOVERNMENT HELP TO GO GREEN.

HE STRUGGLING TO HIRE MORE DRIVERS >> IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DRIVER EXPERIENCE FRUSTRATION OF THE DRIVER SITTING IN TRAFFIC.

WHEN TO OPERATE IN THE CORPORATE >> WHICH WON'T CHANGE ANYTIME SOON.

THIS PRODUCT WILL TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE.

AT PORTLAND, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT, CALLS FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO A LARGE MISCONDUCT BY ICE THAT NEW JERSEY'S IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITY.

15 IMMIGRANTS DETAINED OR PREVIOUSLY DETAINED AT THE BERGEN COUNTY JAIL FILED A COMPLAINT THIS MONTH WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ALLEGING ABUSE, MEDICAL NEGLECT, SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND OTHER DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS THEY SAY ARRIVED AT THE JAIL.

SIX OF THE IMMIGRANTS IDENTIFIED IN COMPLAINTS, BUT 94 REMAINING ANONYMOUS AS A FEAR OF RETALIATION FROM GUARDS AND THE STAFF AT THE FACILITY.

THE CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND ON LOCAL INC.

FILED ON BEHALF OF THE DETAINEES.

THE 13 PAGE DOCUMENT INCLUDES GRAPHIC TESTIMONY AT THE ALLEGED INCIDENTS BY DETAINEES INCLUDING VIOLENT USE OF FORCE, FORCING DETAINEES TO USE SOLD BEDSHEETS AND REFUSING MEDICAL HELP.

THE COMPLAINT URGES DHS TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION WHILE IMPLORING ICE TO TERMINATE ITS AGREEMENT WITH BERGEN COUNTY.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR ICE DECLINED OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

SO-CALLED CULTURE WARS ARE STILL DOMINATING THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AFTER REPUBLICAN NOMINEE JACK CHIARELLI SPARKED A DEBATE CRITICIZING THE STATES NEW LGBTQ CURRICULUM.

DRAWING STRONG REACTION FROM SUPPORTERS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY, WHO CALLED IT RADICAL BUT, A SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS, NOT LGBT ADVOCATES THINK JACK CHIARELLI WAS OFF-BASE.

>> WE ARE NOT TEACHING SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN KINDERGARTEN, SODOMY AND SIXTH GRADE.

>> IS A QUOTE THAT LOST A FIRESTORM OF CONTROVERSY AND IS STILL SMOLDERING.

REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, TRUCK 16 JACK CHIARELLI IS LEADING RIGHT FOR THE CULTURE WARS.

THE REACTION WAS QUICK AND DIRECT.

AN ENDORSEMENT OF GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY BY THE STATES LARGEST LGBTQ ADVOCACY GROUP.

>> HE IS USING CODED LANGUAGE THAT THEY USE ALL THE TIME AGAINST EQUALITY IN NEW JERSEY AND SO, FOR US, AS THE STATEWIDE LGBTQ ORGANIZATION, WE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT'S LIKE.

WE'VE BEEN COMBATING IT FOR YEARS, AND TO HEAR THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE BE USING IT AS THEY RUN FOR GOVERNOR IS REALLY DISCOURAGING, DISHEARTENING, AND QUITE HONESTLY, I EXPECTED BETTER FOR JACK, BUT IF HE GETS ELECTED IT'S VERY CLEAR HOW HE'S GOING TO GOVERN THE STATE, AND WE CANNOT HAVE THAT.

>> BY NOW, HIS PIVOT TO THE RIGHT HAS BEEN A FREQUENT TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AMONG POLITICAL OBSERVERS, BUT HE INSISTED IN THE STATEMENT THAT LOVE IS LOVE, AND IN AN OP-ED TODAY, HOWEVER, THERE CAN RAILED AGAINST CHANGES TO THE STATES CURRICULUM THAT NOW REQUIRE KINDERGARTNERS TO LEARN ABOUT GENDER IDENTIFICATION AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS TO KNOW ABOUT VAGINALLY, AND OH, AND ORAL SEX.

THAT IS NOT ENTIRELY ACCURATE, THOUGH, THE LGBTQ CURRICULUM, WHICH COVERS HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, AND OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS OF THAT COMMUNITY TAKES NO REFERENCE TO SEX ACTS, BUT THE NEW JERSEY LEARNING STANDARDS DOES.

BUT, THE LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS SAY IT IS MURPHY WHO IS FORCING AN AGENDA TRYING TO MAKE JACK CHIARELLI LOOK EXTREME.

FINDING ATTEMPT TO EXPOSE YOUNG CHILDREN TO OVERLY SEXUALIZED AND IDENTITY DRIVEN IDEOLOGY DOES NOT MAKE SOMEONE AN ANTI- LGBT BIGOT, IT MAKES THEM SANE, READ THE STATEMENT FROM THE GROUP.

>> IS SUPPORTED AND STOOD BY TRUMP AS HE ROLLED BACK PROGRESS FOR TRANSGENDER AMERICANS FROM LGBTQ PEOPLE WIDELY.

AND SO, FOR THEM TO SAY THAT JACK IS NOT A SURPRISE.

>> Reporter: J LASSITER CALLED HIS COMMENTS RETROGRADE, WHILE APPLAUDING SOME OF THE LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS EFFORTS IN GENERAL.

>> I THINK THE LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS MADE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LIKE LESS EXTREME, AND LESS AWFUL, AND I WAS ACTUALLY LOOKING AT THEIR TWITTER ACCOUNT EARLIER, AND THEY WERE REALLY CALLING OUT SOME OF THE REAL KIND OF RADICAL ELEMENTS RAN ALL OVER THE PARTY, AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE DO THAT.

SO, KUDOS TO THEM FOR THAT.

BUT, JACK DOES NOT HAVE A GOOD ENOUGH TRACK RECORD ON LGBT ISSUES TO AND DESERVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF PEOPLE.

>> SPOKESMAN FOR THE LOG CABIN REPUBLICANS WAS NOT ABLE TO TALK TO US TODAY, BUT AS JACK CHIARELLI HIMSELF SUGGESTED, AND ANOTHER SEGMENT OF THAT SAME VIDEO.

>> GIVE ME A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM .

GIVE ME A LITTLE WIGGLE ROOM HERE TO HAVE TO TALK ABOUT ISSUES.

HAS THE GOAL IS TO WIN.

>> NEW JERSEY VOTERS COULD BE IN FOR A LONG CAMPAIGN.

OF CODED LANGUAGE, AND EXAGGERATED OUTREACH.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> WELL, HOW MUCH SHOULD A GOVERNMENT WORKER HANDLE $93 BILLION ESTATE INVESTMENT GETTING PAID.

A LOT MORE, ACCORDING TO LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR MURPHY.

THE LEGISLATOR FOUND A FAST- TRACK BILL LAST MONTH GETTING RID OF A LONG-STANDING CAP ON THE ANNUAL SALARY FOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE'S DIVISION OF INVESTMENT.

IT IS A HIGH RESPONSIBILITY JOB, AND RUNNING THE $93 BILLION PENSION FUND THAT COVERS RETIREMENTS OF NEARLY 1 MILLION GOVERNMENT WORKERS.

THE STATE IS JUSTIFYING THE CHANGE DUE TO SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER AT THE POSITION IN RECENT YEARS, CAUSED BY THE LOUISVILLE BETTER PAYING PRIVATE SECTOR JOB ON YOUR MY WALL STREET.

OUR BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER EXPLAINS IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT.

>> DON, LISA, AND $3 BILLION WERE AT THE PENSION INVESTMENTS AND A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT, THE TIMING OF THIS POSITION IS ALSO KEY RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

RIGHT NOW, THE INVESTMENT DIRECTORS JOB IS VACANT.

SOMEBODY IS FILLING IT ON AN ACTING CAPACITY, AND IT IS THE THIRD TIME IN THE LAST DECADE THAT NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN SEEKING TO FILL THIS POSITION AFTER THE PERSON HOLDING IT HAS LEFT.

THE STATE FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

AND SO, NEW JERSEY IS IN A VERY COMPETITIVE MARKET WHEN IT COMES TO FINANCIAL JOBS.

WE ARE NOT RIGHT NEAR WALL STREET AND THERE'S ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WHO HOLD THESE POSITIONS TO MOVE ALONG.

AND, THE IDEA OF LIFTING THE SALARY CAP IS BASICALLY TO MAKE THE STATE MORE COMPETITIVE WHEN IT COMES TO ATTRACTING SOME OF THE TOP TALENT THAT YOU WON'T FIND MANAGING SOMETHING THE SIZE YOU JUST MENTIONED WITH SO MANY PEOPLE'S RETIREMENTS HINGED TO HOW WELL THESE INVESTMENTS DO.

IT'S REALLY ONE OF THE MORE OVERLOOKED MAYBE POSITIONS IN STATE GOVERNMENT, BUT THE ONE, ONE OF THE POSITIONS THAT PERHAPS HAVE AS MUCH RESPONSIBILITY AS ANY GOVERNMENT POSITION DOESN'T NEW JERSEY.

>> OKAY, SO GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE STATE IS MAKING ONE OF OUR LARGEST PAYMENTS TO THE FUND, THIS BUDGET CYCLE.

AS A TAXPAYER, HOW DO YOU JUSTIFY PAYING THIS PERSON MORE THAN THE $200,000 CAP CURRENTLY SET QUESTION MARK >> YEAH.

SO, THEIR OWN CAP HAD BEEN IN 200,000, IT WAS JUST LIFTED IN THE LAW AT THE END OF JUNE THAT WAS ENACTED THAT NOW, THERE IS NO CAP.

AND SO, $200,000 DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A MODEST SALARY BY NEW JERSEY STANDARDS, EVEN.

BUT WHEN HE DID A COMPARISON OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT THIS PERSON HAS, AND THE, WHAT PEOPLE CAN MAKE IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY, AND THIS REGION.

AND YOU KNOW, MANAGING THESE INVESTMENTS, IT'S NOT JUST FOR RETIREES.

THE PENSION FUND IS, AS YOU MENTIONED, NEW JERSEY IS MAKING A RECORD CONTRIBUTION IN THE CURRENT BUDGET TO THE PENSION FUND AFTER YEARS OF UNDERFUNDING.

AND SO, WHEN THESE INVESTMENTS DO WELL, WHETHER THROUGH GOOD MANAGEMENT, OR JUST THE MARKET DOING WELL, THAT CAN EASE THE BURDEN ON TAXPAYERS BECAUSE IT EASES HOW MUCH NEEDS TO COME OUT OF THE BUDGET FOR PENSIONS WHEN THE INVESTMENT RETURNS STRONG.

AND SO, GENERALLY, WE HAVE ONE STRONG INVESTMENT RETURN FOR THE PENSION FUND, AND WE WANT PEOPLE WHO ARE GOOD AT GENERATING RETURNS AND MANAGING THESE TYPES OF FUNDS IN CHARGE BECAUSE, IT ENDS UP BEING IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST TO HAVE A WELL MANAGED PENSION FUNDS THAN TO HAVE A POORLY MANAGED FUND WHERE WE ARE NOT MAXIMIZING RETURNS, AND THEN EVEN MORE OF THE BURDEN IS SHIFTED TO TAXPAYERS.

>> SURE, THE MORE MONEY COMES OUT OF THE BUDGET.

AND JOHN, PREDICT THE FINAL SAY ON THIS.

IS IT THE GOVERNOR, LEGISLATOR, TREASURER'S OFFICE QUESTION >> ESTATE INVESTMENT COUNCIL IS CONDUCTING THE SEARCH TO FILL THIS POSITION.

BUT, THE ULTIMATE SAY ON CELL WE WILL NOW COME DOWN TO THE STATE TREASURER.

THE NINTH JOHN WRIGHT MEYER, GREAT REPORTING AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

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

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, SOME LONG- OVERDUE HELP AFTER YEARS OF POLLUTION, THE HACKENSACK RIVER MAY FINALLY BE DECLARED A FEDERAL SUPERFUND SITE.

THE STATE IS PLANNING A MASSIVE CLEANUP ALONG THE 23 MILE STRETCH OF RIVER BETWEEN THE WARRENDALE DAM AND BERGEN COUNTY TO THE MOUTH OF THE RIVER IN NEW YORK BAY.

ENDORSING THE WATERWAY FOR A SPOT ON THE FEDERAL SUPERFUND LIST OF TOXIC SITES.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYS THAT WILL ENABLE THE STATE TO PURSUE CLEANUP PAYMENTS FROM PROBABLE POLLUTERS, BASICALLY ANY COMPANY ALONG THE RIVERBANK THAT KNOWINGLY OR UNKNOWINGLY CONTAMINATED THE WATER.

PREVIOUS EPA STUDIES FOUND ELEVATED LEVELS OF CANCER- CAUSING DIOXINS, PCBs, CADMIUM AND LEAD MERCURY IN SEDIMENT SAMPLE FROM THE REAR.

NOW, IT WON'T BE AN OVERNIGHT FIX.

APPROVAL PROCESS AND CLEANUP TYPICALLY TAKES YEARS, BUT COMES AS THE HACKENSACK RIVER IS THE CLEANEST IT'S BEEN IN DECADES.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG FOR 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.

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