>>> 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 NJ PBS , THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

MASKS AND SCHOOLS HAVE BECOME A POLITICAL FLASHPOINT, A LINE IN THE SAND FOR SOME PARENTS AND LAWMAKERS, WHO SAY THEY ARE FED UP WITH THE COVID RELATED MANDATE THAT NOW ALLOWS EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO SET THEIR OWN MASKING RULES.

THE ARGUMENT, LIKELY TO REP IN THE FALL WHEN KIDS HEAD BACK FOR IN PERSON LEARNING, AND AS INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS KEEP CLOSE WATCH ON THE RAPID SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT, WITH CASES CAUSED BY THE NEW STRAIN ROUGHLY DOUBLING EVERY WEEK IN THE STATE.

254 NEW POSITIVE TESTS REPORTED TODAY, AND FOUR OR MORE DEATHS.

FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED, DELTA REPRESENTS LITTLE THREAT TO SERIOUS ILLNESS.

MORE THAN 5 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE NOW FULLY IMMUNIZED, BUT IT COULD AFFECT SCHOOL REOPENING RULES IN THE FALL, WITH THE MAJORITY OF KIDS NOT YET ELIGIBLE FOR SHOTS.

THAT IS NOT SITTING WELL WITH SOME PARENTS AND SCHOOL WORKERS WHO TESTIFIED BEFORE THE STATE GOP TODAY, SAYING IT IS TIME TO LET KIDS DITCH THE MASKS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>>> THIS IS NOTHING LESS THAN CHILD ABUSE, CHILD ENDANGERMENT, AND DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: PARENTS EAGERLY TESTIFIED AGAINST REQUIREMENTS MAKING CHILDREN WEAR MASKS IN SCHOOLS MATURING A FACEBOOK SESSION SPONSORED BY REPUBLICAN SENATORS, CHAFING AT THE REFUSAL FOR HEARINGS.

THIS OFFERED PLATFORMS TO THOSE FIGHTING MASK MANDATES IN COURT.

>> IT'S AN ASSAULT ON OUR CHILDREN AND PARENTAL RIGHTS.

THE MASKS ARE HARMING CHILDREN, AND IT NEEDS TO STOP.

MY CHILDREN ARE NOT GOING TO SCHOOL WITH MASKS.

>> OUR CHILDREN NEED PROTECTION.

WE AS PARENTS DIDN'T EVER AGREE TO THIS.

AND OUR KIDS DON'T HAVE ANY SAY.

>> Reporter: MURPHY'S LATEST COVID ORDER STATES SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN EXEMPT KIDS FROM MASKS AND HOT WEATHER, AND LEAVES IT UP TO INDIVIDUAL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE WHETHER STUDENTS SHOULD WEAR MASKS WHEN THEY RETURN TO CLASSES THIS FALL AREA MOST EPIDEMIOLOGISTS AGREE MASKS REMAIN A FRONT-LINE DEFENSE AGAINST COVID, ESPECIALLY THE HIGHLY INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT.

>> PEOPLE WEAR MASKS FOR A LIVING.

PHYSICIANS, SURGEONS, WELDERS.

THERE IS A WHOLE LIST OF OCCUPATIONS.

MASKS ARE NOT IN AND OF THEMSELVES INHERENTLY DANGEROUS.

>> Reporter: THE POLITICALLY DIVISIVE BACKLASH REMAINS INTENSE.

TODAY'S WITNESSES INCLUDED SCROLL NURSE AND THEY HAVE MEANT ANTI-MASK ACTIVIST ERIN PAYNE, WHO WAS FIRED FOR OPPOSING MASK POLICIES AND HER STAFF TOWNSHIP DISTRICT.

>> THE MASKS ARE NOT HELPING.

THEY ARE CAUSING ILLNESS AND HARM, PSYCHOLOGICAL, EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, DEVELOPMENTAL HARM TO CHILDREN MIGHT HAVE SEEN IT.

>> Reporter: ALSO TESTIFYING, FORMER TRUMP ADVISOR PAUL ALEXANDER, HIGHLY CRITICIZED FOR PROMOTING HERD IMMUNITY THROUGH MASS INFECTION.

MICROBIOLOGIST MARIA CRISLER, WHO REPEATED AN INACCURATE CLAIM THAT MASKS FORCE KIDS TO REPRIEVE THEIR OWN HARMFUL CARBON DIOXIDE, AND IT CONTROVERSIAL HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL PROFESSOR, WHO SAID COVID DOESN'T MAKE KIDS VERY SICK.

>> FOR THAT REASON, THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEALTH REASONS FOR CHILDREN, TO FORCE CHILDREN TO WEAR MASKS, INDOORS OR OUTDOORS.

>> IF WE AGREE WE ARE HARMING CHILDREN WITH THESE MASKS, THE SCIENCE IS BACKING US UP.

THE PARENTAL TESTIMONY AND DOCTORS AND NURSES BACKING US UP.

WHERE IS THE LINE GOING TO BE DRAWN ON WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TO HURT THE CHILDREN NEXT?

>> I ABSOLUTELY DISAGREE.

MASKS ARE EFFECTIVE.

WE HAVE SHOWN THAT BY A MULTITUDE OF STUDIES.

DR. MEG FISHER SAYS A SCIENCE ACTUALLY PROVES MASKS DO WORK, NOTING WIDESPREAD MASK WEARING HELPED TO ALMOST EXTINGUISH THE PAST FLU SEASON.

>> AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE HARMING CHILDREN.

THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE, MULTIPLE STUDIES THAT SHOW YOU ARE NOT REBOOTING YOUR OWN CARBON DIOXIDE.

THE MASKS AREN'T THAT TYPE.

IT TURNS OUT THAT CHILDREN DO EXTREMELY WELL AT WEARING THE MASKS.

WE KNOW THAT IN SCHOOLS AM AWARE THE MASKS WERE WORN THE MOTHER WAS NOT TRANSMISSION IN THAT SCHOOL SETTING.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS ON THE PANEL ACCUSED GOVERNOR MURPHY TO BOWING FOR PRESSURE FROM THE TEACHERS UNION TO PROMOTE MASKS AND SCHOOLS.

>> THEY WANT THESE MASKS TO CONTINUE, AND GOVERNOR MURPHY IS ALL TOO WILLING TO BOW DOWN TO WHAT THEY WANT.

>> PARENTS SHOULD BE THE ONLY ONES MAKING MEDICAL DECISIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: AND MURPHY SPOKESWOMAN SAID HIS DECENTRALIZED APPROACH TO SCHOOL MAX KING IS INTENDED TO PROVIDE SPOTS ABILITY FOR SCHOOLS, LOOK AT HEALTH OFFICIALS, AND PARENTS TO WORK TOGETHER ON A MASKING POLICY BASED ON LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH DATA.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

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

>>> TROPICAL STORM ELSA IS EXPECTED TO DUMP SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN, ALONG WITH STRONG WIND IN THE AREA, BUT IT CAN ALSO BREAK UP SOME OF THE INTENSE HEAT THE REGION HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING.

THERE IS A GROWING BODY OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SHOWING CLIMATE CHANGE IS MAKING HEAT WAVES LONGER, HOTTER, AND MORE DANGEROUS.

IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, EXTREME HEAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO HUNDREDS OF DEATHS IN RECENT WEEKS.

WE ASKED ANTHONY BROCKLEY, CODIRECTOR OF RECTORS CLIMATE INSTITUTE, ABOUT THE FUTURE IMPACT AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES ON THE HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, PERIL AND PROMISE.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR BROCKLEY, HEAT WAVES ARE NOT NEW, BUT IS CLIMATE CHANGE TO BLAME FOR HOW SEVERE THE SITUATIONS OF GOTTEN?

>> CLIMATE CHANGE DOES AFFECT NOT ONLY THE SEVERITY OF HEAT WAVES, BUT ALSO THE FREQUENCY OF HOT DAYS.

HOT DAYS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN IN TODAY'S CLIMATE THAN THEY WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

>> Reporter: CAN WE POINT TWO MAN-MADE CLIMATE CHANGE VERSUS WHAT WILL BE OCCURRING NATURALLY AS PROGRESSING SOME OF THESE EVENTS?

>> YES.

THERE ARE SCIENTIFIC METHODS THAT ARE USED TO TRY TO DO WHAT IS CALLED CLIMATE ATTRIBUTION TO TRY TO FIND OUT WHAT ASPECTS OF A PARTICULAR EXTREME WEATHER EVENT WERE AFFECTED BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT IS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS THE PROBABILITY OF AN EXTREME WEATHER EVENT HAPPENING .

SO FOR INSTANCE, THE HEAT WAVE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, AND WESTERN CANADA, THAT HAPPENED LAST MONTH.

THERE HAS BEEN A RECENT STUDY THAT INDICATED THAT THAT HEAT WAVE WAS 150 MORE TIMES LIKELY TO OCCUR IN TODAY'S CLIMATE AS A RESULT OF CLIMATE CHANGE THAN IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WITHOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS VERY MUCH A NOW PROBLEM, NOT A FUTURE PROBLEM, AS IT WAS SORT OF DISCUSSED IN DECADES PAST.

SHOULD WE EXPECT THIS TO BE A FORESHADOWING OF WHAT'S TO COME, PERHAPS FOR OUR AREA?

>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE WEATHER STATION WE HAVE ON CAMPUS AT RUTGERS HAS BEEN RECORDING TEMPERATURES FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

IF WE GO BACK TO, SAY, THE 1970s, THERE WERE ON AVERAGE ABOUT 15 DAYS PER YEAR THAT REACHED THE 90s OR HIGHER IN THAT TIMEFRAME.

IN THE LAST DECADE, WE ARE NOW UP AROUND 30 DAYS PER YEAR REACHING THE 90s OR HIGHER.

AND OF COURSE, THAT IS PART OF A TREND.

IF WARMING CONTINUES, WE WILL SEE MORE AND MORE OF THOSE EXTREME HEAT DAYS, AND EVENTUALLY, SOME OF THEM WILL PROBABLY BE MORE EXTREME THAN ANYTHING WE HAVE SEEN IN THAT 100 YEARS OF RECORDS.

>> Reporter: DOES IT TELL YOU ANYTHING ABOUT JUST HOW QUICKLY THE PACE HAS QUICKENED?

YOU MENTIONED JUST IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, DOES ANY DATA THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE THAT THE TIME SPAN MAY SHORTEN IF THE SITUATION CONTINUES AS IT IS?

>> WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IS THAT, EVEN THOUGH YOU LOOK AT TEMPERATURES OVER THE GLOBE, AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THE PAST 100 YEARS HAS SEEN A RISE IN TEMPERATURES, BUT THAT RISE HAS ACCELERATED BEGINNING AROUND 1970.

SO, SINCE 1970, WE HAVE BEEN WARMING AT ABOUT TWICE THE RATE THAT WE WOULD CALCULATE IF WE LOOKED BACK OVER, LET'S SAY THE LAST CENTURY, OR A LITTLE BIT MORE.

SO WE HAVE SEEN AN ACCELERATION.

THE QUESTION IS OF COURSE WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, AND WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FUTURE DEPENDS IN LARGE PART ON HOW MUCH MORE CARBON DIOXIDE AND OTHER GREENHOUSE GASES GO INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

>> Reporter: ANTHONY BROCKLEY, SAINT INC. YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> A SMALL ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS ARE HITTING THE STREETS IN A MASSIVE CLEANUP EFFORT DUBBED CAMDEN STRONG, RIDDING THE CITY'S NEIGHBORHOODS OF TRASH AND DEBRIS, REMOVING ABANDONED CARS, AND DEMOLISHING ABANDONED HOMES.

THE THEORY IS A CLEAN CITY LEADS TO A CLEAN MIND, AND IT HINGES ON GETTING RESIDENTS TO JOIN IN.

JANINE DONALDSON REPORTS.

>> Reporter: NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS CAMDEN ARE GETTING A MUCH NEEDED MAKEOVER.

>> THIS IS A CANTING CLEAN CAMPAIGN, PART OF OUR OVERALL CAMDEN STRONG INITIATIVE, TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH THROUGHOUT OUR HUMANITY.

WE'VE DONE THE DEMOLITION OF HOUSES, THE INFRASTRUCTURE, REPAVING OUR STREETS, AND OUR CLEAN CAMPAIGN, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO ENGAGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE CAMDEN MAYOR WALKED THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEAR WHITMAN PARK.

>> LET'S GO.

CAMDEN STRONG.

TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> REPORTER:: ON THE COMMUNITY TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE MASSIVE CLEANUP EFFORT.

>> WHEN WE LEAVE, THEY'LL SAY WHEN I SEE A PIECE OF TRASH, WE'VE GOT TO MAINTAIN THIS, AND I HAVE TO TELL MY NEIGHBORS COME A LET'S MAINTAIN THIS.

>> I FEEL SO GRATEFUL, AND I PEOPLE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COMMUNITY AND THEY COME OVER AND SUPPORT ONE COMMUNITY THAT NEEDS HELP KEEPING IT CLEAN.

>> Reporter: PUBLIC WORKS, CODE ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE, AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS TRIMMED HEDGES AND CLEAN STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND EMPTY PARKS.

>> WHITMAN PARK WAS THE AREA WHERE MOST OF THE CHILDREN COME AND PLAY.

I FEEL HAPPY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO STEP OVER, YOU KNOW, PAPER OR GLASS OR CANCEL.

THEY CAN COME AND ENJOY THE PLAYGROUND.

WE'RE HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> WE TRY TO FOCUS ON THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE THE MOST COMPLAINTS, OR THE HIGHEST GRASS.

AS WE DO THE CLEANUP, IT GETS A LITTLE EASIER AS WE GO DOWN THE MUSCLE THAT WAY EVERYBODY CAN GET THE SERVICES RENDERED THAT THEY DO TAXES FOR.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO TORE DOWN MAKE IT HOUSES IN AN AREA WHERE BOARDED-UP BUILDINGS CAN BE SEEN ON NEARLY EVERY STREET.

>> THIS IS A KNOWN AREA THAT USED TO BE PRETTY BAD BACK IN THE DAY AS IT RELATES TO DRUG ACTIVITY.

IF YOU GET RID OF BUILDINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SITTING FOR 20 OR MORE YEARS, AND YOU CLEAN THOSE AREAS AND PUT MURALS UP, IT KEEPS IT GOING, AND YOU START SEEING PEOPLE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: 300 ABANDONED BUILDINGS WILL BE TORN DOWN.

IT'S OVERDUE.

>> IF YOUR HOUSE IS ATTACHED TO A VACANT HOUSE, YOU KNOW, THAT REALLY IS SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T WANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HAVE TO PAY TAXES.

THEY WANT TO KEEP THAT PROPERTY UP, BUT IF THERE IS AN ABANDONED HOUSE BUT IT WILL BRING THE VALUE DOWN.

IT'S VERY MUCH NEEDED IN THE CITY OF CAMDEN, AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> Reporter: KEITH WALKER, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS, SO SOME OF THE MONEY USED FOR THE INITIATIVE WAS LEFT OVER FROM A $126,000 GRANT AWARDED TO THE CITY BY THE STATE.

>> ALL EFFORTS THAT WE HAVE TO PUT FORTH WE PUT TOWARDS THIS CLEANUP, I BELIEVE THE ADMINISTRATION IS DOING IT.

BUT NOW WE NEED THE COMMUNITY BUY-IN TO HELP THE VOLUNTEERS COME OUT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS OTHER CITIES USING THE GRANT HAVE AS MANY AS 300 VOLUNTEERS.

A NUMBER CAMDEN STRIVES FOR, BUT SEES IS A MONUMENTAL HURDLE IN AREAS COMPRISED OF MOSTLY RENTERS.

>> I WOULD LIKE IT TO GROW FROM THE ASPECT FROM COMMUNITIES ARE BEING ENGAGED AND EMPOWERED, AND COMING OUT AND SUPPORTING THE CAUSE.

>> Reporter: CREWS WILL BE CLEANING UP 11 NEIGHBORHOODS ALTOGETHER, IN HOPES THAT RESIDENTS WILL FEEL PRIDE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND TAKE UP THE CHARGE TO KEEP THEM CLEAN I'M JANINE DONALDSON FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> ANOTHER WAREHOUSE, ANOTHER LEGAL BATTLE.

OPPONENTS OF A MAJOR WAREHOUSE PROJECT IN WARREN COUNTY WANT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO STEP IN, AND PREVENT THE TOWN OF PHILLIPSBURG FROM ALLOWING THE CONSTRUCTION ON A ROUGHLY 7 ACRE SECTION OF PROTECTED GREEN ACRES LAND.

OUR CONTRIBUTOR JON HURDLE HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY.

>> Reporter: NOT UNLIKE SOME OF THE OTHER BATTLES YOU HAVE COVERED, THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT REALLY PITS THE RESIDENCE BETWEEN THE BUILDER AND THE TOWN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE SUIT HAS BEEN BROUGHT BY FIVE RESIDENTS OF PHILLIPSBURG, WHO ARE SUING THE TOWN COUNCIL, SAYING THAT THE TOWN COUNCIL WAS WRONG TO PASS AN ORDINANCE THAT WOULD COMMIT THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 510,000 SQUARE FOOT WAREHOUSE ALONG THE RIVERFRONT AREA.

NOW, I MEAN, WE ARE STARTING TO BECOME FAMILIAR WITH THESE COMMUNITY LAWSUITS, EITHER SEEKING TO CURB SO-CALLED WAREHOUSE SPRAWL , BUT WHAT SEEMS TO SET THIS ONE APART IS THAT SOME OF THE LAND WHERE THE WAREHOUSE WOULD BE BUILT IS ACTUALLY OPEN SPACE .

IT IS DESIGNATED OPEN SPACE UNDER THE DEP'S GREEN ACRES PROGRAM.

AND OF COURSE THE OPPONENTS OF THIS PLAN ARE HORRIFIED BY THE IDEA, WELL, THEY ARE HORRIFIED BY THE WAREHOUSE IN GENERAL, BUT THEY ARE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED THAT SOME DESIGNATED OPEN SPACE COULD BE USED FOR THIS PROJECT.

>> Reporter: IT TYPICALLY COMES DOWN TO THE ISSUE OF SPACE, RIGHT?

WHETHER DESIGNATED FOR GREENACRES OR NOT, WHAT IS THE DEP SAYING IN ALL OF THIS?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE DEP IS NOT COMMENTING FOR THE SIMPLE REASON THAT THIS IS PENDING LITIGATION, BUT I HAD SPOKEN WITH A COUPLE OF LAND USE EXPERTS ON THIS, AND THEY SAY IT WOULD BE HIGHLY UNUSUAL FOR THE DEP TO REMOVE A PARCEL, AND BY THE WAY, IT'S ONLY ABOUT 7.5 ACRES INVOLVED HERE, TO REMOVE A PARCEL FROM THEIR PRESERVATION PROGRAM.

THEY SAY THAT THESE ACQUISITIONS THAT THE DEP HAS MADE OVER THE YEARS ARE FAR PROTECTED, TO PROTECT OPEN SPACE, WHERE DEVELOPMENT, IT WILL NO LONGER BE POSSIBLE.

SO THE VIEW OF SOME CRITICS IS THAT SELLING OFF A PARCEL LIKE THIS WOULD BE A BETRAYAL OF PUBLIC TRUST.

>> Reporter: JON HURDLE, GREAT REPORTING AS ALWAYS.

THANK YOU FOR STAYING ON TOP OF THIS.

>>> THERE IS RESOLUTION TONIGHT IN THE MASSIVE LAWSUIT BROUGHT AGAINST OXYCONTIN MAKER TO PHARMA.

NEW JERSEY WILL SHARE IN A $4.3 BILLION HISTORIC SETTLEMENT WITH NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, AND A DOZEN OTHER STATES.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS NEW JERSEY STANDS TO RECEIVE $110 MILLION IN THE DEAL, AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT.

THE SAMPLER FAMILY WILL HAVE TO SURRENDER OWNERSHIP OF THE BANKRUPTCY DRUG COMPANY, AND RELEASE MORE THAN 30 MILLION FAMILY AND PURDUE PHARMA DOCUMENTS THAT DETAIL THE ROLE THEY PLAYED IN THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

THE FIRST FORMAT MONTHS OF THIS YEAR ALONE, THE OFFICE REPORTED MORE THAN 1000 SUSPECTED OPIOID OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE STATE.

NEARLY 3000 LAWSUITS WERE FILED AGAINST THE COMPANY, CHALLENGING WHAT THEY CALLED A, QUOTE, GREED DRIVEN OPIOID MARKETING AND SALES STRATEGY, ALLEGING THE FAMILY TARGETED VULNERABLE PATIENT POPULATIONS TO MAKE THEIR FORTUNE.

>>> ARMOR PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP MADE A RARE PUBLIC APPEARANCE YESTERDAY, HOLDING A NEWS CONFERENCE AT HIS BEDMINSTER GOLF CLUB, ANNOUNCING CLASS-ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST TECH GIANTS GOOGLE, FACEBOOK, AND TWITTER, ALONG WITH THEIR CEOs, CLAIMING HE IS THE VICTIM OF CENSORSHIP.

AFTER HE WAS BANNED FROM THE PLATFORMS IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION, AND FOR POSTING FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT VOTER FRAUD IN THE 2020 ELECTION.

ON WEDNESDAY, TRUMP CALLED THE LAWSUIT, QUOTE, A VERY BEAUTIFUL DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

THE COURTS HAVE DISMISSED A STRING OF SIMILAR LAWSUITS, AND TECH COMPANIES ARE LEGALLY PERMITTED TO RUN THEIR SITES AS THEY SEE FIT.

THEY HAVE CONSISTENTLY REJECTED CLAIMS THAT THEIR PLATFORMS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY PARTISAN IDEOLOGY.

>>> THE STATE IS DOING AWAY WITH A LOOPHOLE THAT HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR SOME EMPLOYERS TO SKIRT THE LAW.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS, AND OUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS CRACKING DOWN FURTHER ON EMPLOYERS WHO ILLEGALLY CLASSIFY THEIR WORKERS AS CONTRACTORS.

IT IS A PRACTICE THAT COST THE STATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOST CONTRIBUTIONS FOR PROGRAMS LIKE UNEMPLOYMENT, AND DISABILITY INSURANCE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SIGNED FOR BILLS THAT WOULD GIVE THE STATE ADDITIONAL TOOLS TO GO AFTER THOSE SKIRTING THE LAW.

>> EMPLOYERS WHO ENGAGE IN THIS CLASSIFICATION UNLAWFULLY DRIVE DOWN WAGES, AND THEY PAID WORKERS IN CASH OFF OF THE BOOKS TO GIVE THEMSELVES AN UNFAIR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE AGAINST THE EMPLOYERS WHO DO RIGHT BY THEIR WORKERS, AND FOLLOW OUR LAWS.

>> Reporter: MURPHY POINTED OUT THE MISCLASSIFICATION ALSO PREVENTS WORKERS FROM QUALIFYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND OTHER BENEFITS.

ANOTHER BILL SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR AIMS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED BROADBAND INTERNET SERVICE.

THIS BILL SETS UP A COMMISSION TO STUDY HOW TO PROVIDE THAT ACCESS IN RURAL AND LOW-INCOME AREAS OF THE STATE.

THIS BECAME AN ISSUE DURING THE PANDEMIC AMOUNT WHEN STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES WERE FORCED TO WORK ONLINE.

NEW JERSEY'S JOB MARKET CONTINUES ITS UNEVEN RECOVERY.

MORE THAN 10,000 RESIDENTS FILED NEW FIRST TIME JOBLESS CLAIMS IN THE LATEST WEEK.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT'S ADVANCED CLAIM SURVEY, THIS IS A DECLINE FROM THE PRIOR WEEK.

THE STATE HAS NOW PAID OUT MORE THAN $31 BILLION IN UNEMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS SINCE MARCH OF 2020, WHEN THE PANDEMIC REALLY TOOK HOLD.

THE AMERICAN DREAM MALL WILL OPEN A NEW SECTION TO SHOPPERS IN A FEW WEEKS.

THE MALL WILL OPEN ITS LUXURY RETAIL WING ON SEPTEMBER 17.

ABOUT 20 HIGH END STORES WILL OPEN ON THAT DATE.

EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE ABOUT 80 STORES IN ALL.

NEW JERSEY IS AMONG THE THREE DOZEN STATES JOINING AN ANTITRUST LAWSUIT AGAINST GOOGLE.

THE STATES ARE ACCUSING GOOGLE OF USING ITS MARKET DOMINANCE TO UNFAIRLY RESTRICT ACCESS TO ITS GOOGLE PLAY STORE.

THE LAWSUIT CONTENDS THAT LED TO CONSUMERS PAYING HIGHER PRICES FOR THEIR MOBILE APPS.

GOOGLE RESPONDED BY SAYING THE SUIT HAD NO MERIT.

NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER , AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT, THE CORONAVIRUS IS STILL A THREAT TO AMERICA'S FAVORITE PAST TIME.

JUST LIKE RESTAURANTS AND CONCERT HALLS, MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PARKS SHUTTERED FOR MUCH OF LAST YEAR.

COVID CANCELED THE ENTIRE 2020 MINOR LEAGUE SEASON.

WITH NO ONE TO BUY TICKETS, LET ALONE A HOTDOG OR BEER, REVENUE PLUMMETED FOR LOCAL CLUBS.

NOW THE MINOR LEAGUE IS ASKING WASHINGTON FOR HELP, READY TO GO DOWN SWINGING.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE LIGHTS ARE ON AT STADIUMS FOR MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CLUBS LIKE THE JERSEY SHORE BLUE CLAUSE, BUT THE PANDEMIC HASN'T MADE IT EASY TO STAY IN THE GAME.

>> REVENUE HITS FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS, AND ALL OF THE MINOR LEAGUE TEAMS, IS ABSOLUTELY CATASTROPHIC.

>> Reporter: THE 2020 SEASON, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO START IN EARLY APRIL LAST YEAR, EVENTUALLY GOT CANCELED.

CLUBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WENT 600 DAYS, ACCORDING TO MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, WITHOUT A GAME.

THE JERSEY SHORE BLUE CLAUSE TEAM PRESIDENT SAYS THE TIMING OF THE PANDEMIC COULD NOT HAVE BEEN WORSE.

>> YOU HAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGE THAT YOU HAVE ORDERED IN ORDER TO STOCK UP FOR THE FIRST HOMESTAND.

WE HAVE MERCHANDISE.

WE HAVE GIVEAWAYS AND ALL OF THE THINGS THAT TEAMS LIKE OURS DO.

THOSE ARE ALL EXPENSES THAT ARE INCURRED WELL BEFORE THE START OF THE SEASON.

ONCE THE SEASON IS CANCELED, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE LARGELY INTO THE EXPENSES ALREADY.

IT IS TREMENDOUSLY IMPACTFUL.

>> Reporter: COMBINE THAT WITH THE 2021 SEASON, WHICH HAD A DELAYED START AND RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE.

ACCORDING TO MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, CLUBS EXPECT TO GENERATE ONLY 35% OF NEW REVENUE OF A NORMAL SEASON, LIMITING THE ABILITY TO HIRE AND SPEND LOCALLY.

>> OUR TRADITIONAL 70 GAME SEASON WAS REDUCED TO A 60 HOME GAME SEASON.

THERE IS NO TICKET TO SELL THEM IF THEY CAN'T COME THROUGH YOUR DOOR.

THERE IS NO HAT, NO SHIRT, NO HOTDOG, NO BEER.

THERE IS NOTHING TO SELL THEM, AND THEREFORE YOUR ENTIRE BUSINESS MODEL COMES TO A SCREECHING HALT.

AND THAT IS WHY THIS LEGISLATION IS SO CRITICAL FOR MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND SEEMS LIKE THE BLUE CLAUSE.

>> Reporter: TO MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RECOVERY ACT WOULD ALLOCATE 550 MILLION FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT WAS ALREADY APPROVED BY CONGRESS FOR BUT RELIEF, BUT WASN'T USED FOR TO GO TO A GRANT PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE CLUBS.

IN DECEMBER, MORE THAN 100 HOUSE MEMBERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE SIGNED A LETTER IN SUPPORT.

THE LEGISLATION IS AWAITING A VOTE.

>> THE MONEY WE SPENT ON LOCAL HOTELS WHEN WE PUT THE PLAYERS UP.

MONIES THAT WE SPENT ON LOCAL VENDORS, WITH RESPECT TO FOOD AND BEVERAGE PURCHASING, AND ALL THE THINGS WE DO AS A CONSUMER, AND WE ALSO EMPLOY HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE.

>> IT'S NOT VIEWED AS A HANDOUT, A REINVESTMENT INTO COMMUNITIES FOR THE COUNTRY.

OR MAKE THE PATRIOTS BECAME AN AFFILIATE TEAM OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES LAST FALL.

THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER SAYS IT WAS A BOOST DURING TOUGH TIMES, BUT REVENUE IS STILL DOWN COMPARED TO PRE- PANDEMIC.

>> IF I LOOK FROM THIS YEAR TO 2019, WE ARE PROBABLY DOWN ABOUT 50%.

BUT OVERALL, AS WE GOT TO JUNE 3rd AND WE GO TO 100%, WE SEE THE CROWDS SLOWLY COMING BACK.

IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR PEOPLE'S COMFORT LEVELS TO GET OUT IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: TIME SOME MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS MAY NOT HAVE OF THE LEGISLATION DOESN'T PASS.

>> IT IS A MULTIYEAR RECOVERY.

WE'VE SEEN SO MANY SMALL BUSINESSES, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, GO OUT OF BUSINESS AS A RESULT OF COVID, AND MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAMS ARE SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> CONCERT VENUES, THESE OTHER SHUTTERED VENUES THAT RECEIVED MONEY, I WAS SHOCKED THAT MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT.

WITH THIS COVID RELIEF, I HOPE IT DOES GET PUSHED THROUGH.

IT IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT, NOT JUST FOR THE PATRIOTS, BUT FOR ALL OF MINOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL.

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

>>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH DAVID CRUZ IS BACK TOMORROW ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY KICKS OFF THE SHOW OVER THE DEBATE OF TEACHING CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN SCHOOLS, AND A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS DIGS INTO THE LATEST ON THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AND TOP HEADLINES THIS WEEK.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND THE OCEAN WENT PROJECT I ORSTED AND PSE&G, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE OR NEW JERSEY.

LEAD FUNDING FOR PERIL AND PROMISE IS PROVIDED BY DOCTORS FABULOUS.

MAJOR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE MARK HAAS FOUNDATION, AND SUE AND AKER JOAQUIN JAIME THE THIRD, AND THE PHILIP MILSTEIN FAMILY.

>>> THE OCEAN AND WIND PROJECT, BY ORSTED AND PSE&G.

WE PROVIDE A RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY, JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.