>>> 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 BRIAND OF THE NOSY .

>>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIAND OF THE NOSY.

THE FIRST SHOTS ARE IN THE ARMS OF KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 5.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, COVID- 19 VACCINES BEGAN BEING ADMINISTERED FOR THE YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF THE POPULATION.

NEW JERSEY PARENTS, WHO WERE ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT, REPORTED FEELING RELIEF AND GRATITUDE TO BE AMONG THE FIRST TO GET THEIR YOUNG KIDS VACCINATED.

EVEN AS STATEWIDE POSITIVE TEST ARE SUBTLY DECLINING.

JUST OVER 1800 NEW CASES, AND 10 CONFIRMED DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED TODAY, AND WHILE SOME FAMILIES HAD LUCK FINDING A PHARMACY WITH A READY SUPPLY OF VACCINES, PLENTY OTHERS SAY THEY HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD TAKE DAYS OR EVEN WEEKS BEFORE THE SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IT'S LITTLE MIA'S BIRTHDAY AND AT SIX MONTHS SHE IS JUST OLD ENOUGH TO TAKE COVID VACCINATION.

SHE IS NOT EXACTLY A FAN.

BUT, HER MOM HAS BEEN WAITING A VERY LONG TIME.

SARAH ROTHSTEIN ALSO BROUGHT HER TO DID YOUR OLD VACCINATED HERE AT CIRCUIT PHARMACY IN MONTCLAIR PICKS GIMMICK I JUST WANT TO PROTECT THEM.

THAT IS ALL I WANT TO DO AS THEIR MOM, I WANT TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

AND WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO THAT FOR 2 YEARS.

>> WE WENT WITH MODERNA.

BUT HONESTLY IF WE PICKED EITHER ONE WE WOULD'VE AND FINALLY WITH THAT PICKS MET TYLER MADELEINE'S PARENTS WATCHED THEIR TWO-YEAR-OLD PLAY OUTSIDE AFTER GETTING HER SHOT PICTURE PARENTS FEEL SUCH RELIEF .

>> WE HAVE NEVER TAKEN HER TO A LIBRARY, A RESTAURANT, WE HAVE BEEN REALLY CAUTIOUS.

AND GOT, I AM SO THRILLED TO HAVE THIS, I REALLY AM .

>> EMILYS TURNED UP EVERY 15 MINUTES TO GET THEIR LITTLES VACCINATED WHICH NOW OFFERS MODERNA'S TWO SHOT REGIMENT AND WILL SUIT AT PFIZER'S THREE DOSE VACCINATION SERIES, BOTH FOR KIDS STARTING AS YOUNG AS SIX MONTHS.

APPOINTMENT HERE OPENED AS SOON AS THE CDC GAVE ITS APPROVAL WITH SLOTS ALL BILLED THROUGH NEXT WEDNESDAY.

>> WE ARE COMPLETELY BOOKED .

>> I ORDERED THE VACCINE TWO WEEKS AGO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

WE HAD IT ON THE WEEKLY ORDERING THINK THAT I DID NOT GET THE FULL QUANTITY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT IN THE BEGINNING THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF SHORTAGE.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY STATE OFFICIALS PREORDERED 61,000 DOSES OF CHILD COVID VACCINES, ANTICIPATING THE CDC'S APPROVAL, ACCORDING TO PEDIATRICS EXPERT DR. JEAN KRAFT .

>> RIGHT NOW, THE STATE IS BUSILY DISTRIBUTING THAT TO PHARMACIES, TO PEDIATRICIANS, TO OTHER VACCINATING SITES.

>> Reporter: DR. KRAFT SAYS FAMILIES CAN BOOK APPOINTMENTS THROUGH NEW JERSEY CUT COVID WEBSITE, ESSEX COUNTY OFFERS SHOTS TO KIDS AGES SIX MONTHS AND UP BEGINNING THURSDAY IN LIVINGSTON, HUDSON COUNTY STARTS TOMORROW BUT, SOME PHARMACIES, INCLUDING CVS AND WALGREENS ARE NOT VACCINATING THE YOUNGEST KIDS, AT LEAST NOT YET.

SOME PARENTS JUST WENT STRAIGHT TO SOCIAL MEDIA .

>> WE CALLED 67 PHARMACIES, BUT THERE ARE SOME REDDIT AND FACEBOOK GROUPS WHERE THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION I GOT AROUND.

WE HEARD ABOUT AND WE CAME HERE .

>> IT WAS LIKE A SCRAMBLE TO TRY TO GET AN APPOINTMENT, BECAUSE I KNOW THERE IS GOING TO BE SO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO GET THIS VACCINE FOR THEIR KIDS .

>> NOT EVERY FAMILY IS RUSHING TO TAKE COVID TAUGHT SHOT.

INFECT A KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION POLL SHOWS FEWER THAN ONE IN FIVE FAMILIES WERE EAGER TO GET THEIR LITTLE ONES VACCINATED.

BUT A THIRD SAID THEY WOULD LIKE TO WAIT AND SEE .

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO REACH OUT TO THEIR PEDIATRICIANS FIRST, THAT WAY THEY CAN HAVE ANY PRESSURES ABOUT THE VACCINE ANSWERED .

>> SOME PEDIATRICIANS TRAINED TO HANDLE THE VACCINE EARLY ACCESS TO STATE SUPPLIES, BUT NOT EVERY MEDICAL OFFICE: EYES .

>> SO, THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CERTIFIED AS OFFICES WHO ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE VACCINES, WE WERE ABLE TO GO IN AND PREORDER IT.

>> Reporter: REGARDLESS, SOME PARENTS CANNOT CONNECT.

THIS DOCTOR CANNOT FIND AN APPOINTMENT FOR HER TOO-YEAR- OLD SOPHIA .

>> I'VE BEEN SCOURING THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYWHERE IN THE AREA.

THERE HAS NOT REALLY BEEN ANY MOVEMENT FOR KIDS BELOW THE AGE OF 3 .

>> SHE WILL KEEP NETWORKING HEALTH OFFICIALS EXPECTED THIS INITIAL RUN ON VACCINATIONS, AND URGE FAMILIES TO BE PATIENT.

I AM LINDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> Reporter: 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.

>>> THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION TODAY HELD ITS FOURTH PUBLIC HEARING, FOCUSING ON HOW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TEAM AND HIS ALLIES PRESSURED STATE OFFICIALS AND BATTLEGROUND STATES TO ALTER THE 2020 ELECTION VOTES.

HEARING FROM A SLATE OF KEY WITNESSES, INCLUDING THREE REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS.

THEY SAID THEY RECEIVED TWEETS, THOUSANDS OF TEXT MESSAGES AND CALLS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF EMAILS, AND IN PERSON APPEARANCES FROM TRUMP'S LAWYERS AND OTHERS, TO CHANGE THE OUTCOME WHEN THEY REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE IN EFFORTS TO UNDERMINE THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

ARIZONA HOUSE SPEAKER RUSTY BOWERS, A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN, WHO VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP, TOLD THE COMMITTEE HE RECEIVED PERSONAL PHONE CALLS FROM THE FORMER PRESIDENT, AND HIS LAWYER RUDY GIULIANI, URGING HIM TO GO FORWARD WITH THE QUOTE FAKE ELECTORAL SCHEME TO PUT FORWARD ILLEGITIMATE IT ELECTORS LINED UP TO VOTE FOR TRUMP.

BUT OFFERED NO PROOF OF EVIDENCE THAT TRUMP WON THE AMOUNT OF BOTH TO HIS TEAM CLAIM TO .

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP BEGINS BY CALLING YOU A RHINO, PUBLIC IN THE NAME ONLY, THEN HE REFERENCES A CONVERSATION IN NOVEMBER OF 2020, IN WHICH HE CLAIMS THAT YOU TOLD HIM THAT THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED AND HE HAD WON ARIZONA.

AND TO QUOTE THE FORMER PRESIDENT VISITED, DURING THE CONVERSATION YOU TOLD ME THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED AND THAT I WON ARIZONA, END QUOTE.

DID YOU HAVE SUCH A CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT?

>> I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT, THAT CERTAINLY IS NOT IT.

>> Reporter: BOWERS SAID HIS FAMILY FACED THREATS AND PROTESTERS WHO SURROUNDED HIS HOME WHILE HIS DAUGHTER WAS GRAVELY ILL. AND IN GEORGIA, REPUBLICAN SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER TESTIFIED THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SPENT OVER AN HOUR ON THE PHONE WITH HIM, PUSHING THE SECRETARY TO FIND THE 11,000 VOTES NEEDED TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION, AND THREATENING CRIMINAL CHARGES.

HE AND GABRIEL STIRLING, GEORGE'S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL, TESTIFIED THAT THEY RAN DOWN ALL 300 ALLEGATIONS OF ELECTION FRAUD BY THE TRUMP TEAM AND FOUND EVERY SINGLE ONE TO BE FALSE.

GEORGIA ELECTION WORKER SHANE MOSS SHARED EMOTIONAL STORIES OF THE THREATS AND HARASSMENT SHE FACED AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP AND RUDY GIULIANI SINGLED SHE AND HER MOTHER OUT BY NAME, FALSELY ACCUSING THEM OF ROCKING THE BOAT.

RECEIVING A TORRENT OF RACIST AND HATEFUL MESSAGES.

>> AT THIS TIME IN MY LIFE IT IS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

I NO LONGER GIVE OUT MY BUSINESS CARD, I DON'T TRANSFER CALLS.

I DON'T WANT ANYONE KNOWING MY NAME.

I DON'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE WITH MY MOM, BECAUSE SHE MIGHT YELL MY NAME OUT OVER THE GROCERY AISLE OR SOMETHING.

I DON'T GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AT ALL.

I HAVE NOT BEEN ANYWHERE AT ALL.

I'VE GAINED ABOUT 60 POUNDS.

I JUST DON'T DO NOTHING ANYMORE, I DON'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE AND SECOND-GUESS EVERYTHING THAT I DO.

THIS HAS EFFECTED MY LIFE IN A MAJOR WAY.

IN EVERY WAY.

ALL BECAUSE OF LIES.

>> WILL, FIRE CREWS ARE STILL ACTIVELY BATTLING A MASSIVE WILDFIRE SPREADING THROUGH WHARTON STATE FOREST, THAT HAS NOW GROWN TO MORE THAN 13,000 ACRES , BUT IS 85% CONTAINED.

NO INJURIES HAVE READ BEEN REPORTED OR STRUCTURES DAMAGED, THE EFFECT ON THE FOREST AND SURROUNDING AREAS IS SUBSTANTIAL.

NOW, AUTHORITIES BELIEVE THEY HAVE CONFIRMED THE CAUSE.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY FOREST FIRE SERVICE SAYS IT'S FINALLY GOTTEN A HANDLE ON THE MULLICA RIVER FIRE THAT STARTED BURNING SUNDAY .

>> MEASURES WERE NOT EFFECTIVE AT CONTAINING THE FIRE, BECAUSE OF EXTREMELY TENSE FIRE BEHAVIOR, WHICH RESULTED FROM VERY LOW HUMIDITIES, UNPRECEDENTED VIEWPOINTS, SUSTAINED WINDS AT 23 MILES AN HOUR, WITH WIND GUST UP TO 30 MILES AN HOUR.

THIS FIRE WAS SENDING BURNING EMBERS, CAUSING SPOT FIRES, LONG DISTANCES .

>> TODAY, 75 FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING THIS BLAZE, TRYING TO EXTINGUISH WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE STATE'S LARGEST FOREST FIRE IN 15 YEARS.

OFFICIALS WITH THE DEP INITIALLY THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE STARTED FROM LIGHTNING .

>> WE WERE ABLE TO RULE THAT OUT, AND IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE, WE DID FIND AN ILLEGAL, UNATTENDED CAMPFIRE PIXEL, THAT IS THE CAUSE THAT WE ARE INVESTIGATING NOW.

SMITH >> IT IS SORT OF A HAPHAZARD EVENT, THERE IS NO PLANNING ABOUT FIRE.

WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AFTERWARDS?

>> BOB WILLIAMS IS A PROFESSIONAL FORESTER.

HE SAYS THE STATE WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS MASSIVE FOREST FIRE HAS SO FAR RESULTED IN NO INJURIES AND JUST A FEW EVACUATIONS AT LOCAL CAMPGROUNDS.

WILLIAMS WANT THE DEP TO PLAY A LARGER ROLE IN PREVENTING FUTURE FOREST FIRES.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO LOOK AT THIS LANDSCAPE AND BEGIN TO EXPLAIN TO US WHAT IT IS GOING TO PROVIDE, IN TERMS OF CONSERVATION OF THESE FOREST, AS OPPOSED TO, RIGHT NOW WE SIMPLY HAVE PRESERVATION .

>> IF WILLIAMS HAD HIS WAY, THE STATE WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE THE NUMBER OF PRESCRIBED BURNS DONE EACH YEAR.

WILLIAMS ARGUES THAT NEW JERSEY'S FOREST ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO INTENSE WILDFIRES BECAUSE TREES AND UNDERBRUSH ARE MORE DENSELY PACKED TOGETHER AND SURROUNDED BY NATURAL FUELS .

>> MOST PEOPLE PERCEIVE THE CUTTING OF A TREE AS A REALLY BAD THING.

AND IT JUST ISN'T, WHEN DONE PROPERLY.

AND IN THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS .

>> THE DEP DID PRESCRIBED BURNS IN SOME FOREST A FEW MONTHS AGO.

WILLIAMS SAYS IT WAS NOT ENOUGH, WHILE THE FOREST FIRE SERVICE SAYS IT IS SEEING FEWER WILDFIRES EACH YEAR AND NEW JERSEY .

>> WE HAVE REALLY AGGRESSIVELY GEARED UP OUR COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS, AND PROGRAMS.

WE HAVE SEVERAL COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR ACTUAL EDUCATION AND MAINTENANCE AROUND COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE NOT CLEARCUTTING, BUT WE ARE MODIFYING THE ARRANGEMENT AND THE CONNECT HIPPITY OF THOSE FUELS, AND THAT VEGETATION, SO IT IS LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FIRE AND FIRE SPREAD.

AND, SO, WE PUT ALL OF THAT TOGETHER .

>> IS NOT GETTING THE KIND OF FIRE IT NEEDS TO KEEP THAT FUEL DOWN, BOTH IN QUANTITY AND STRUCTURE, THAT ALLOWS I WILDFIRE TO RUN FAST.

THAT IS GOING TO GROW.

IF YOU PUT ON TOP OF THAT THAT THE CLAIMANT IS GETTING HOTTER AND DRIER, OBVIOUSLY IT IS GOING TO BE WORSE .

>> THE DEP SAYS FIREFIGHTERS WILL NEED A FEW MORE DAYS TO FULLY CONTAIN THE MULLICA RIVER FIRE, BUT SMOKE WILL STICK AROUND FOR THE NEXT WEEK.

SO, PEOPLE WITH BREATHING PROBLEMS NEAR WHARTON FOREST SHOULD BE CAREFUL.

IN WOODLAND TOWN SHIP, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> INCIDENCE OF REPORTED HATE AND BIAS CRIMES ARE INCREASING IN NEW JERSEY.

AND ACCORDING TO STATE LEADERS, THEY ARE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY TO SPECIFIC POPULATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IN 2021, MORE THAN 1800 BIAS INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED IN THE STATE, THAT IS 29% HIGHER THAN THE YEAR PRIOR.

ANTI-ASIAN CRIMES WERE UP 87%.

ANTI-LGBTQ CRIMES ROSE 65%.

AND RACIALLY MOTIVATED CRIMES AGAINST BLACK AND JEWISH RESIDENTS, THOSE WERE ALSO UP.

AT THE CONFERENCE TODAY IN NEWARK, LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, FAITH-BASED LEADERS, AND A NUMBER OF ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS GATHERED TO EXPLORE THE ROOT CAUSE OF BIAS HATE AND VIOLENCE.

AND FIND WAYS TO COMBAT THEM.

ONE REASON, THEY SAID, IS THE UP TICK CAUSED BY MORE PEOPLE COMING FORWARD TO REPORT THOSE INCIDENTS, THANKS TO NEW SYSTEMS MAKING IT EASIER TO DO SO.

OFFICIALS SAY HATEFUL RHETORIC, ESPECIALLY FROM PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF POWER AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ARE ALSO CONTRIBUTING TO THE RISE.

>> THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTED INSTANCES OF BIAS HAVE BEEN VERBAL.

AND THANKFUL BE, NONE RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF ANY NEW JERSEY IN.

SIX COULD BE, IF WE DID NOT HAVE IN PLACE THE SMART AND STRONG GUN SAFETY LAWS THAT HAVE MADE US A NATIONAL BOTTLE.

I FEAR FOR WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN HAD WEAPONS OF WAR BEEN AS READILY AVAILABLE IN NEW JERSEY SAR IN OTHER STATES.

AND I FEAR FOR WHAT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN IF NEW JERSEY HAD THE NUMBERS OF CONCEALED WEAPONS WALKING AROUND OUR STREETS AS OTHER STATES, INCLUDING, BY THE WAY, THOSE WHICH NOW NO LONGER EVEN REQUIRE AN INDIVIDUAL TO APPLY FOR A CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT.

MUSICAL, THE NATION'S EIGHT ANXIOUSLY AWAITING A DECISION ON THE FATE OF ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE U.S., SET TO BE RELEASED BY THE SUPREME COURT BEFORE IT RECESSES FOR THE SUMMER AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

IN NEW JERSEY, THERE IS A DIFFERENT BATTLE BREWING OVER ABORTION, THE PROCEDURE IS ALREADY LEGAL HERE, AND WILL REMAIN SO, SINCE IT WAS CODIFIED INTO STATE LAW LAST JANUARY.

BUT, GOVERNOR MURPHY WANTS TO FURTHER EXPAND ACCESS TO ABORTION.

LEADERS AND THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE SAY HIS PROPOSAL IS UNLIKELY TO PASS, BECAUSE IT DOES NOT HAVE THE VOTES.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, YOU HAVE HEARD THAT BEFORE.

CHRIS CRISTI USED TO SAY THAT A LOT.

AND IT HOLDS TRUE IN THE FADING PROSPECTS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ABORTION ACCESS 2.0 SET OF BILLS.

THE BILLS WOULD EXPAND ACCESS BY REQUIRING INSURANCE COMPANY'S TO PROVIDE COVERAGE AND BROADENING THE POOL OF PROVIDERS AMONG OTHER THINGS.

THOSE MEASURES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN SO-CALLED FREEDOM OF REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE ACT SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR IN JANUARY, WHICH MOST SIGNIFICANTLY CODIFIED ACCESS TO ABORTION IN TWO STATE LAW.

THE GOVERNOR MADE THE CASE FOR THE NEW BILLS IN A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST MONTH .

>> A PERSON'S ABILITY TO ACCESS ABORTION CARE SHOULD NOT DEPEND ON HOW MUCH MONEY THEY MAKE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION, WE NEED TO GUARANTEE ACCESS TO AN ABORTION.

>> Reporter: THE BILLS HAVE GOTTEN THE COLD SHOULDER FROM LAWMAKERS IN THE GOVERNOR'S OWN PARTY.

THE SENATE RESIDENT DECLARED THAT THE VOTES JUST ARE NOT THERE.

ONE LONG-SERVING DEMOCRAT SAID PARTY LEADERS ARE LOOKING AT THE MOST RECENT LOSS OF ASSEMBLY SEATS IN DEFEAT AT THE FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT AS SIGNS OF A GATHERING RED WAVE.

IT IS NOT ABOUT PRINCIPALS OR RIGHT OR WRONG, SAID THE LAWMAKER, WE JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY MORE MEMBERS.

>> I THINK THE MOST RECENT ELECTIONS IN NEW JERSEY HAVE PROVEN THAT NEW JERSEY IS NOT AS FAR LEFT AS THE GOVERNOR MAY THINK IT TO BE.

>> Reporter: SENATOR HOLLY PCG SAYS'S SHEET SUPPORTS ACCESS TO ABORTION AND POINTS OUT THAT IT IS PART OF STATE LAW.

SHE SAYS SOMEONE SEEKING ABORTION CARE AND CANCELING HERE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DO SO, EVEN IF THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS ROE V WADE.

SHE SAYS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S WITH THE NO PAY REQUIREMENT ON INSURANCE COMPANIES IS A GUARANTEE THAT EVEN PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE GOES TOO FAR .

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE IN NEW JERSEY TO HAVE HEALTHCARE COVERED WHEN NEEDED.

AND I DON'T SEE WHY WE ARE PICKING AND CHOOSING WHAT IS 100% FREE, WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE, FOR EVERY OTHER MEDICAL CONDITION, HAS TO CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING TOWARD IT.

AND WHEN YOU ARE OPENING IT UP TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT EVEN RESIDENTS OF THE STATE, AS WAS WHAT WAS PROPOSED, I THINK IT IS A SLAP TO PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: PROVIDERS PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTION WILL BE FORCED TO CROSS STATE LINES, AND THAT NEW JERSEY WILL BE IMPACTED BY THAT.

THE REALITY IS THAT THOSE PEOPLE WILL BE FACING A MYRIAD OF OTHER CHALLENGES BESIDES AN UNWANTED PREGNANCY .

>> WHAT WE LEFT BEHIND, AND WHO WE LEFT BEHIND IN THE PASSAGE OF THE FREEDOM OF REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE ACT WHEN WE DID NOT PASS THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT, ARE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS, FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING LIVING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

YOUNG PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO ALREADY FACE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO MEDICAL CARE ACROSS THE BOARD.

THIS PROPORTIONATELY, BACK IN BROWN COMMUNITIES IN NEW JERSEY .

>> THAT SHE AND A COUPLE OF THOSE CAMERA-SHY DEMOCRATS WHO SPOKE OFF THE RECORD TODAY, SUGGESTED THAT THERE IS MORE TO THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL THEN EXPANDING A RIGHT TO ABORTION ACCESS .

>> WE ARE REBUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM IN NEW JERSEY .

>> IT IS ALL PART OF JUST WANTING TO POSITION HIMSELF AS THE MOST PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATE FOR FUTURE RUN AT PRESIDENT.

THE GOVERNOR SHOULD PUT HIS OWN MONEY WHERE HIS MOUTH IS.

HE HAS A MULTITUDE OF DARK MONEY, 501(C) FORCE, BILL AND TAMMY MURPHY FAMILY FOUNDATION, THAT HAS $10 MILLION IN ASSETS THAT HAS NEVER DONATED ONE DOLLAR TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD OR WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE FIRST FAMILY HAS CONTRIBUTED PERSONALLY, AND THE FIRST LADY HAS HEADLINED FUNDRAISERS FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD., THESE BILLS WILL NOT MAKE IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE ON THE GOVERNOR'S PERSONAL WEALTH.

THEY WILL HAVE MORE TO DO WITH POLITICAL CAPITAL, WHETHER HE HAS GOT ANYTHING LEFT, AND WHETHER THIS IS AN ISSUE ON WHICH HE IS PREPARED TO SPEND IT.

I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS FULLY STAFFED AND BACK ON SCHEDULE, BUT THE WEEKEND CHAOS CAUSED BY A MASS STICK OUT IS NOT OVER YET.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS, PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> NJ TRANSIT TRAIN SERVICE HAS BEEN RUNNING NORMALLY, FOLLOWING A HOLIDAY WEEKEND THAT BEGAN WITH SERVICE DISRUPTIONS AND ENGINEER ABSENCES.

HUNDREDS OF ENGINEERS CALLED OUT SICK ON FRIDAY AND OVER THE WEEKEND.

IT WAS ALL PART OF WHAT NJ TRANSIT CALLED AN ILLEGAL JOB ACTION STAGE BY THE BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND TRAINED MEN UNION.

THE TRANSIT AGENCY WENT TO COURT OVER THE ACTION, AND ON SUNDAY, A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED THE ENGINEERS BACK TO WORK AND BAR THE UNION FROM ANY FUTURE WORK STOPPAGES.

MEANTIME, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY CALLED THE LABOR DISPUTE UNACCEPTABLE AND DESPICABLE.

OF THE ENGINEERS UNION, WHICH HAS DESIGN A NEW CONTRACT WITH NJ TRANSIT STILL HAS NOT RESPONDED TO REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

>>> GAS PRICES HAVE NOW FALLEN BELOW FIVE DOLLARS A GALLON IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AAA SAYS OIL PRICES HAVE FALLEN DUE TO RECESSION WORRIES, SO THAT HAS LED TO THE LOWER GAS PRICES.

STILL, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS SAYING HE IS CONSIDERING EIGHT FEDERAL GAS TAX HOLIDAY, THE FEDERAL GAS TAX IS OVER $.18 A GALLON.

AND ONE NEW JERSEY BUSY BUSINESS LEADER URGING STATE LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER SUSPENDING NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX EVEN FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS.

ANTHONY RIZZO, PRESIDENT OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY SAYS IT WOULD BE A BIG HELP FOR BUSINESSES.

>> A LOT OF THESE FOLKS HAVE ESTABLISHED CHARGES AND CONTRACTS THAT CANNOT CHANGE FOR A LOT OF OUR BUSINESSES ARE ACTUALLY ABSORBING THE HEIGHT GAS PRICES.

THAT IS UNFORTUNATE, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME RELIEF THERE.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS U.S. HOME SALES FELL 3.4% IN MAY, THE FOURTH STRAIGHT MONTH OF DECLINES.

THE GROUPS CHIEF ECONOMIST SAYS HE EXPECTS A CONTINUED DROP IN HOME SALES, AS MORTGAGE RATES ARE RISING.

BUT, HOUSING SUPPLY IS STILL LOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THE MEDIUM PRICE FOR AN EXISTING HOME IS NOW ABOVE $400,000, THAT IS A GAIN OF NEARLY 15%, COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO .

>>> NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING ACTION ON WALL STREET.

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

>>> AND JOIN RHONDA FOR AN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSING THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY, AND ITS PLANS TO BRING WIND POWER TO NEW JERSEY CUSTOMERS, WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT PUBLIC AND BUSINESS INTERESTS.

THAT IS THURSDAY, JUNE 24th AT 4:00 P.M.. HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO REGISTER FOR THE LIVE EVENT.

>>> WILL COME OF LONG-STANDING ARGUMENT OVER NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TEST IS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT, AFTER BEING SUSPENDED FOR 2 YEARS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ONE OF THE STATES MOST INFLUENTIAL LAWMAKERS IS PUSHING THE BILL TO -- THIS YEAR'S EXIT EXAM AS A FIELD TEST, MEANING THE RESULTS WON'T COME FOR THIS YEAR'S 11th GRADERS.

WHILE GIVING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TWO MONTHS TO COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATIVE.

FOUNDING EDITOR AND EDUCATION WRITER JOHN MOONEY HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY AND JOINS US WITH THE LATEST.

JOHN, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY FEW YEARS THIS EXIT EXAM IS DEBATED.

WHAT IS THIS LATEST PROPOSAL NOW BEING PUT FORWARD?

>> IT IS COMING FROM STATE SENATOR TERESA RUIZ, WHO IS ALSO THE MAJORITY LEADER FOR THE STATE SENATE, AND A BIG VOICE ON EDUCATION POLICY.

SHE USED TO BE THE CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE BEFORE HER PROMOTION, AND REALLY HAS DRIVEN AT LEAST FROM THE LEGISLATURES POINT OF VIEW, HAS DRIVEN EDUCATION POLICY AS MUCH AS ANYONE, IF NOT MORE.

AND SHE IS TRYING TO RESOLVE LONG-RUNNING ISSUE, WHICH HAS BEEN WE HAVE A STATE LAW, NEW JERSEY HAS A STATE LAW THAT THERE BE AN EXIT EXAM ADMINISTERED IN 11th GRADE, AND THAT DATES BACK DECADES.

IT HAS REALLY GOTTEN IN THE WAY OF TRYING TO DO SOME DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME WORKAROUNDS OVER THE YEARS, BUT AT THIS POINT WE ARE BACK TO AN 11th GRADE TEST, WHICH IS, IN SOME CASES, ON SUBJECTS THAT THE KIDS TOOK IN EIGHTH OR NINTH GRADE.

AND SO, SHE HAS PASSED AND PROPOSED A BILL THAT WOULD PUT A PAUSE ON THE 11th GRADE TEST, BEYOND IT BEING A FIELD TEST, WHERE IT WOULD COUNT, AND ASKED THE STATE APARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATIVE.

SOMETHING THAT IS PALATABLE TO ALL SIDES, THAT IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH ONE, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT TESTING IN THIS STATE .

>> YEAH, DID SHE LAY OUT SPECIFICS JOHN, IN THE PROPOSAL FOR WHAT SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STATE PUT IN THERE, TO FINALLY PUT THIS TO BED SO TO SPEAK?

>> NO, SHE DIDN'T.

I ACTUALLY TALKED TO HER AGAIN TODAY.

ANDINO, SHE IS WORKING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY I THINK THEY ARE WORKING ON IT AS WELL, THEY ARE CERTAINLY AWARE OF THE CONTROVERSY AROUND THIS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT BE EARLIER IN STUDENTS CAREERS, WHETHER IT WOULD BE A MIX OF PORTFOLIO AND ACTUAL WORK, AS WELL AS THE STANDARDIZED TEST, I THINK THERE'S A FEW VARIATIONS OUT THERE.

THERE ARE STATES, WE ARE NOT THE ONLY STATE THAT DOES THIS.

AND SO, WE WILL SEE.

BUT, THE STATE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT MOVE VERY QUICKLY.

THIS IS GOING TO BE IN PLACE IN TIME FOR NEXT YEAR, TERESA RUIZ HAS SAID THAT SHE IS NOT GOING TO PUT UP, DOES NOT HAVE THE PATIENCE TO WAIT BEYOND THAT BUT WE WILL SEE.

AS YOU POINTED OUT, THIS HAS BEEN A LONG-RUNNING ISSUE IN THIS STATE.

I AM NOT SURE IT IS GOING TO BE GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON .

>> IS THERE A SCENARIO WHERE THERE IS NO STANDARDIZED TESTS REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO GRADUATE?

>> I DON'T THINK, I THINK THAT IS UNLIKELY WITH TERESA RUIZ AS THE MAJORITY LEADER IN THE STATE SENATE.

AT LEAST AT THE MOMENT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, MINES DO CHANGE OVER THIS.

IT CERTAINLY HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS, AND I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE SAID .

>> SO, THE BALL IS BACK IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S COURT.

ALL RIGHT, JOHN MOONEY, WE WILL BE CHECKING BACK WITH YOU ON THIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THINK .

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW .

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

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND HORST AT, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.