>> Tonight on NJ Spotlight News.

No guns allowed.

A New Jersey appeals court reinstates a no gun zone in certain public areas and gatherings.

>> We are fortunate to have one of the lowest rates of gun violence in America.

You're six times more likely to be shy in Mississippi than you are in New Jersey.

>> Parental notification.

Three more districts, Middletown, Marlborough and Malala Penn adopt new policies alerting parents of their child's gender identity.

>> Trying to tell me what is right for my family.

>> Rip away any form of comfort we have.

>> Lawmakers of pushed have been Delta eight cannabis products in the state citing the unregulated items pose dangerous health concerns.

>> Available to your children in places around the corner from your house and it is very bad for them.

>> Plus, good news for Jersey commuters.

The collapsed portion of the I-95 overpass will reopen this weekend.

Traffic nightmares are over for now.

NJ Spotlight News begins right now.

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♪ From NJPBS, this is NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi.

>> Good evening and thanks for joining us this Wednesday night.

Concealed weapons are banned again in New Jersey but only in certain spaces and not permanently.

A decision issued late Tuesday by a federal appeals court reinstated parts of the state's new law that prohibits carrying guns in so-called sensitive places I can get a legal to have a gun at parks, beaches, museums, casinos, entertainment facilities and other public areas but you can still carry in moving vehicles and on private property at the owner's discretion.

Prior to this week's ruling, U.S. District Court judge Renée Murray boom blocked the rules from taking effect.

It is the latest of has become an ongoing battle as the state tries to preserve restrictions gun rights groups have been fighting since they were enacted last year.

Does this new order mean the state could win this fight?

I'm joined by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Plotkin.

Attorney General, Inc. you for your time.

I would like to get your reaction to this ruling.

I am wondering if that surprised you at all given what the rulings have been up until this point.

>> Thank you for having me.

No, it did not surprise me because we have been saying all along the law the legislature dutifully considered and the governor signed in December is entirely consistent with the Second Amendment and with the Rowenta decision.

We have been saying in our papers and saying it publicly and we have been saying the decisions at the lower court not only were inconsistent with the Second Amendment jeopardize the safety of the residents of the state so I'm very gratified the Third Circuit has resoundingly agreed with us and has reinstated the vast majority of the law the governor signed.

That will keep our residents safe.

>> There are still key parts of the law that are blocked having those guns in vehicles is just one of those.

What does that mean for the state and for what is next for your office?

>> Let me be clear.

99% of the law is in effect today and is the law of the land.

There are few provisions we are continuing to litigate.

We will continue to fight for those provisions as well.

The provisions that are allowed to come back into effect, things like zoos and bars and restaurants where they serve alcohol and other places we know you allow firearms to enter the premises, you are more likely to have violence.

That is not just my opinion.

That is what the facts show in states that have had more liberal concealed carry laws for a long time.

They have had much higher rates of gun violence.

In New Jersey we are fortunate to have one of the lowest rates of gun violence in America.

Your six times more likely to be shot in Mississippi than you are New Jersey.

It is because of the strong walls we have and the way we enforce them.

>> The New Jersey rifle and pistol club rightfully points out this decision is only impacting carry rights until for the duration of the court case.

So I am curious how you move from there and what is in your jurisdiction to do.

>> That has been true about every decision.

They did not say that about the lower court decisions.

The decision we received yesterday was something called the stay pending appeal.

Got an emergency stay at the lower court decision that blocked part of the law appeared it with the low back into effect.

While it will go forward as litigations do, the key thing to know is that for the extended period this case goes on, the law the governor signed is overwhelmingly in effect which is a good for the residents of the state.

It is what we have been fighting for.

Is what we knew was legal and constitutional and it is what we knew would keep the residents of New Jersey safe.

>> I want to turn quickly to this development that happened last night with three boards of education on the Jersey shore area, Middleton, Monell been an Marlborough voting to approve the so-called parental rights notification policies.

Somewhat similar to what the Hanover Board of Education did.

I would like to know what your office -- if your office is planning to step in as you said it would if other boards of education run afoul.

These are your words of the state law.

>> We are closely monitoring what happened in those jurisdictions last night.

Let me be clear.

These policies that target people on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity violate our law.

We have been saying that.

Courts have agreed with us.

Ultimately they will not stand.

What they will do is stigmatize and her children who are identifying as openly gay or LGBTQ+ or having gender identity issues.

That is shameful.

.

It is going to put kids at risk at a time when we are already seeing a mental among our youth and I would ask every board that is considering this to understand what they are doing is illegal.

We will not allow it to stand.

What they are doing is most importantly hurting our kids.

>> Will your office have the resources to take this on if it comes to that?

>> We always make resources available to protect the rights of our residents.

That is not something we shortchange and we will continue to do that here.

>> Thanks so much for your time.

>> Thank you for having me.

>> The Attorney General's office will be keeping a close eye on the parental notification requirements approved Tuesday night by those three school boards.

Those districts likely will not be the last to take up similar rules.

As our Senior correspondent reports, the meetings were contentious.

>> For three hours a crowd chanted outside the meeting of Middletown school board protesting what they called anti-trans rule changes up for a vote inside.

The rally in Middletown.

Parallel protests in Marlborough and Manella been tiered all three boards ultimately voted to adopt a revised policy provision that would in effect out trans students to their parents but first debate raged for hours.

Proponents argued for parental notification.

>> I'm tired of the government of the people trying to coparent with me.

Trying to tell me what is right for my family.

>> I have four boys.

They feel like -- [INDISCERNIBLE] >> Middletown amended state guidance so that if a student requests transition help such as a name identity pronoun change, bathroom proper room accommodation or club sports accommodations, the school district shall notify a student's parent or guardian.

Opponents called it discriminatory.

>>>> What you want to do is rip away any form of comfort we have.

Even if your children are not telling you about themselves about the gender identity or sexuality.

That speaks volumes about you and not them.

>> The policies target and discriminate against a group of people that already face heavy marginalization in our community.

>>>> School boards have by nature been nonpartisan but politics now intrudes and about a lines are drawn in an all-out culture war.

Monmouth County is just the beginning.

Both sides now work with state and national organizers to field slates of candidates and influence policies.

Sean Hyland heads a conservative religious group.

>> There are a number of districts where the school board members are trying to get a vote on these policies.

They might have the minority view on the school board so the policy not coming up for a vote during the session.

Sure that would be part of local school board elections later this year.

>> Monmouth County is a hot mess right now.

What it is really about is a concerted organized well-funded effort to remove diversity inclusion from our classrooms.

>> Mike attended the Middletown meeting.

He founded a group supporting trends in LGBTQ rights that help to field last night's protests and hopes to fight back at the ballot box as well.

>>>> It is political fodder.

We know that over the past two election cycles we were caught like deer in the headlights.

We did not see it coming.

A sickly they used fear and rage to get themselves elected to the boards.

>> The parental notification issue is in court where New Jersey's Attorney General obtained an injunction against Hanover's policy which it says illegally discriminates against trans and LGBTQ students.

That policy remains on hold for now is the case heads for a hearing before New Jersey's division on civil rights.

I'm Brenda Flanagan, NJ Spotlight News.

>>'s the stat -- the state's new state property tax relief program appears to be a done deal.

Wrapped it all in boat today present in the final plan.

It will cut property taxes in half for residents over age 65 if they make less than $500,000 a year but put a $6,500 cap on it.

Details are still being ironed out and the full legislature has yet to vote on it.

If approved, the plan will go into effect in 2026.

The state says it will give extra tax relief this year adding another $250 rebate for senior homeowners and renters under the anchor program.

The plan comes ahead of November's election where 120 legislators are on the ballot.

Will makers from both sides of the aisle have criticized the plan saying it is not sustainable tiered it is estimated to cost over a billion dollars and still gives largest cuts to the wealthiest residents.

>> sayNJ will dramatically cut property prices for 90% of homeowners offering relief to tens of thousands of New Jerseyans.

In our discussions over the last month we have developed a framework that will deliver immediate relief to seniors and senior homeowners and renters.

We will increase -- with the increases the governor outlined to anchor benefits for seniors immediately >>.

State money is being doled out to the more than two dozen health care facilities and providers across New Jersey.

To help them pay for security upgrades through the state Homeland Security offices reproductive health security grant program.

5 million-dollar million dollar initiative helps providers considered at high risk targets of violence, vandalism, harassment or other illegal activity.

Facilities were given a maximum of $100,000 to make security upgrades which could include hiring security staff, emergency preparedness training and activities.

The state set aside the funding after the fall of roe and abortion provider started receiving threats from antiabortion protesters.

Abortion-related extremists continue to pose a moderate threat to the state.

Maternal health care has been a priority for the Murphy administration.

This week the state Department of Health released its annual Hospital maternity care report card.

It gives New Jersey high marks for bringing down the number of C-sections performed and serious health complications that can come with childbirth.

As Melissa Rose Cooper tells us, a significant racial gap remains.

>> C-sections put women and their babies at greater risk for serious complications.

>> Some medical experts are applauding efforts to decrease the amount of unnecessary C-sections >> Performed in >> New Jersey.

For babies complications can mean higher rates of infection purity can lead to respiratory complications.

It also causes intensive care unit stays to be longer.

From others and puts them at higher risk for complications such as higher rates of hemorrhage.

Infections and led clots.

>> The state Department of Health's latest maternity care report card shows cesarean delivery rates continued to decline.

>> Meeting the human services healthy people 2030 goal target of 23.6, fewer C-sections for individuals that present with their first pregnancy.

At term, single birth and vertex presentation is increased from 16% to 35%.

>> Data shows New Jersey's delivery rate in 2020 with 32.9%, a 1% drop from the year before and down from 35.7% when the state released its first Hospital maternity care report card.

Medical experts attributing the decline to improved earthing plans with patients as well as increased access to labor support.

>> This administration has had a huge emphasis on increasing the dual workforce I covering less other -- by covering doulas under Medicaid.

There is strong evidence that shows continuous labor support by doulas decreases C-section rates.

>> Although there are emergency situations where I C-section should be performed, there are concerns many of those procedures are not medically necessary.

>> Sometimes it is provider preference.

If it is better with their schedule or takes less time it can be the patient requested it.

Sometimes patients thank C-sections will be faster, less painful.

>> The report card highlighting racial disparities with black women having the highest number of cesarean deliveries increasing the chances of complication including postpartum hemorrhage and even death.

>> We are looking at fetal distress as a number one cause for why like women are having the C-sections.

That is subjective.

Are these black women delivering in hospitals where the staff is fully trained in fetal monitoring and the techniques to manage that and are we just jumping right to a C-section?

I have often heard black women be threatened and forced into having C-sections against their will even though they had time to labor.

I think there is a lot of miseducation and misinformation that comes to where black women are delivering at as well specifically looking at what the stages of labor look like and how long a woman should have an opportunity to labor.

>> Reticle professionals agree the key to professing -- to preventing a necessary C-section starts with making sure patients are educated and.

.

Involved in the process they say sticking to a standardize care plan could help ensure more equity a the birthing experience.

>> With so much focus on launching the state's recreational cannabis industry, lawmakers may have overlooked regulating a similar substance.

Delta eight is a THC compound found in hemp.

It is a psychoactive chemical that can produce a high though it is not the same level as cannabis products.

It is entirely unregulated.

You can find at a convenience store in the form of gummy's and other candies.

Now the legislature is quickly acting to ban Delta eight so it no longer ends up in the wrong hands.

Her Senior correspondent reports.

>> This is available to your children in places around the corner from your house and it is bad for them.

>> It is a substance called Delta eight, a THC compound found in hemp products that mimic the effects of Delta nine or cannabis and it is completely accessible to children right now.

>> We heard testimony from a constituent of assembly member Paul Moriarty whose son almost died.

>>>> There's been a rise in calls to poison control centers.

More than 2300 from the start of 2021 to a little more than a year later and 41% of those calls involved kids under the age of 18.

>> Little children getting into it and getting into gummy and other edibles.

They become uncoordinated, classy I'd.

They begin to walk.

Funny, talk funny some become very agitated.

It >> Is very scary to a parent when your child is unconscious, staring off into space.

We have seen seizures occasionally in some of these small children who get into high doses of cannabinoid.

>> it is especially dangerous because there is no regulation.

>> It is converted from CBD using a chemical process that can lead to the production of other compounds and can sometimes leave behind traces of the compounds through the conversion which selves are unsafe.

>> Because it is not controlled in any way, it is buyer beware.

We don't know what is always in them.

We don't know how much Delta eight is in it versus other substances.

Don't even know if there is Delta eight in it.

What it is made out of, where it is obtained.

It makes it quite dangerous.

>> The problem, it is actually not illegal to sell Delta eight right now.

Something Senator Scanlon calls a failure in federal law making >> The government legalized hemp production and not see this loophole.

Did not see these low THC plants material could be distilled from them to make very high potency THC products.

>> He has introduced several bipartisan bills to both Ben band Delta eight and regulated.

>> We need to get these products off the shelf and if someone wants to to continue to create them, we need to -- a regulatory framework and testing so we know what is in it and the consumer can know what is in it.

>> Longtime consumer advocate and lawyer Bill Caruso supports the bills he says protect the rollout of the cannabis marketplace in New Jersey.

>>>> This is unfair competition.

That is not the lead issue for why we should do this but it is one of them.

We are trying to create a new industry.

We should not allow this outside competition.

We have not even allowed regulated products of this type in the market.

When we do, when we allow a true edible market in the cannabis space, it will not allowed to be marketed to childre like some of these markets are but -- like some of these are .

I'm hopeful we can get >> It done before the summer break and put a stop to it now for we have another full summer of these incidents.

>> He only has two more weeks to make it happen.

>> In our spotlight on business report, the state wants its money back.

In a rush to get Covid relief aid out quickly the New Jersey Department of environment a protection wrongly paid out about $7 million to the state's fishing industry now the money needs to be returned.

According to a state comptroller report released Tuesday, payments made to 37 Marine fisheries did not appear to meet guidelines for the federal CARES act funding saying they were made quote more than whole meaning they received more money than their actual losses for 2020.

The report says some failed to submit the right documents requested to be eligible for the aid.

The report also found a few were ineligible because they did not have at least 35% loss in revenue.

It also accused the DEP of ignoring red flags.

.

The state did not name the fisheries that received the money.

The DEP says it has put more controls in place.

On Wall Street investors still appear to be taking a read there from last week's rally.

Here is how the markets closed.

>> Support for the business report provided by Jr. achievement of New Jersey providing students with skills and knowledge to explore, choose and advance their career paths for a brighter future.

Online at JA NJ.org.

♪ >> The state is not in drought but we are in the midst of a dry spell.

The Murphy administration is asking everyone to conserve water as we enter the summer season.

New Jersey's Department of Environmental Protection says reservoirs that supply drinking water to millions of residents have fallen below average.

Statewide we have had less than half the normal amount of rainfall for the last 30 days.

And we are below normal levels for three out of the last four months.

State climatologist Dave Robinson says New Jersey is running a deficit by about four inches of rain should portions of North and South Jersey have entered the moderate drought stage but there is no crisis yet.

It means you should cut back on watering your lawn and landscaping and generally be mindful about water usage.

We will leave you tonight with a welcome piece of good news for drivers.

Turns out predictions that it would take months to repair the collapsed section of I-95 in Philadelphia and cause a major traffic nightmare for the area were wrong.

The damaged section of the roadway will reopen this weekend to six lanes of traffic.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro said on Tuesday work is ahead of schedule.

That is thanks to construction crews working around-the-clock along with cooperation at the state and federal levels.

Crews filled the roadway with a recycle glass aggregate and they are in the process of.

Paving the temporary lanes.

.

It is unclear if the high low will reopen Saturday or Sunday but if you're itching to get back out there, you can check out the 24/7 livestream of the rebuild.

That does it for us tonight but make sure you tune in to Chat Box tomorrow night with David Cruz for the season finale.

David looks back at the most notable Chat Box interviews over the last year from the Patterson police take over two climate challenges and so much more.

It is Thursday at six: 30 p.m. on the NJ Spotlight News YouTube channel or wherever you stream.

A reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen anytime.

I'm Briana Vannozzi.

For the entire NJ Spotlight News team, thanks for being with us.

We will see you tomorrow.

♪ >> The members of the New Jersey education Association, making public schools great for every child.

RW J Barnabas health.

Let's be healthy together.

And Orsted, committed to the creation of a new long-term, sustainable, clean energy future for New Jersey.

♪ >> I'm Nick Manis.

2023 president of New Jersey realtors.

Whether it it is helping a family find a new home or helping secure space for business owners, New Jersey residents helping helping clients achieve their dreams for more than a century.

There is a New Jersey realtor for you.

Find your realtor at NJ.

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>> Life is unpredictable.

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Have served generations of New Jersey families and businesses and are committed to driving and ovations that put you at the heart of everything you do.

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♪