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

THE NATION IS STILL RUNNING ON HIGH A MOTION FOLLOWING FRIDAY'S U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION OVERTURNING ROE VERSUS WADE:THE LANDMARK 1973 RULING ENSURING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO ABORTION.

THOUSANDS TOOK TO THE STREETS IN CITIES AND SMALL TOWNS THIS WEEKEND ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

DEMONSTRATING THE POLARIZING TENSION AMONG BOTH THOSE FIGHTING FOR ABORTION RIGHTS AND THOSE CELEBRATING THE DECISION.

THE RIGHT TO REGULATE ABORTION IS NOW IN THE STATES HANDS.

IN NEW JERSEY ABORTION RIGHTS WILL REMAIN UNCHANGED.

CODIFIED INTO STATE LAW EARLIER THIS YEAR.

ABOUT HALF THE COUNTRY HAS ALREADY MOVED TO LIMIT ACCESS OR OUTRIGHT BAN THE PROCEDURE, INCLUDING MISSISSIPPI.

WHERE THE CLINIC AT THE CENTER OF THE DECISION IS STARING DOWN ITS FINAL DAYS OF OPERATION.

WHILE A MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SURVEYED SAY THEY DISAGREE THE LATEST NPR POLL FOUND A MAJORITY OF THOSE EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF JUSTICES ON THE HIGH COURT.

IT IS JUST THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF FRACTURED OPINIONS ON THE ISSUE EVEN IN A BLUE NEW JERSEY.

>> THIS REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN SPOKE AT THIS RALLY IN TRENTON CHEERING THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON FRIDAY TO OVERTURN ROE VERSUS WADE.

>> CALLING OF THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY IN JANUARY THAT EXPANDS ACCESS TO ABORTION, CONTRACEPTION, AND DOES AWAY WITH LIMITS ON WHEN A WOMAN CAN ACCESS AN ABORTION.

SMITH HAS SAID HE WOULD SEEK A FEDERAL ABORTION BAN AFTER 15 WEEKS.

AN IDEA THAT HAS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND ADVOCATES IN NEW JERSEY DEEPLY CONCERNED.

>> IT WOULD MEAN THAT YOU WOULD SEE A LOT MORE WOMEN DIE.

YOU WOULD SEE A LOT MORE ILLEGAL ABORTIONS, WHICH WOULD BE POTENTIALLY UNSAFE.

WE WOULD SEE MORE WOMEN DIE FROM PREGNANCIES THAT ENDANGER THEIR LIVES BECAUSE IT COULD BE SOMETHING MEDICALLY HAPPENING WITH THE PREGNANCY.

>> ADEQUATE REASONS GO BEYOND WHAT MANY MIGHT THINK OF.

>> IT IS BROAD.

SOMEBODY'S MENTAL HEALTH OR EMOTIONAL HEALTH ALL PLAYS INTO THIS.

IT IS A DECISION THAT THEY MAKE.

WHAT IS BEST FOR THEM AT THAT MOMENT IN THEIR LIFE.

THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH A PREGNANCY AND GIVE BIRTH.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY WELCOMED OUT- OF-STATE WOMEN SEEKING CARE TO NEW JERSEY AND TODAY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE VOTED ON TWO BILLS PROPOSED BY THE SENATOR THAT WOULD PROTECT THEM FROM FACING EXTRADITION TO THEIR OWN STATES FOR SEEKING AN ABORTION HERE AND ALLOWS THEM TO COUNTER SUE FOR ANY LEGAL CHALLENGES THEY MAY FACED.

TODAY ACTING NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY GENERAL ADJOINED WITH THE NATIONAL COALITION OF 22 ATTORNEYS GENERAL TO SAY ABORTION CARE IS HEALTHCARE.

REGARDLESS OF THE DECISION -- >> ARE YOU CONCERNED THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM COULD BE OVERBURDENED BY WOMEN COMING FROM OUT OF STATE SEEKING CARE HERE?

>> YES.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY.

I THINK WE ALREADY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

I KNOW THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR.

MORE FUNDING TO EXPAND TRAINING AND CAPACITY.

WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE THE SURGEON DEMAND, BUT I THINK IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY WE WILL HAVE A SURGE AND COULD BE OVERWHELMED BY IT.

>> POINTING TO A KEY CHANGE IN THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT THAT ALLOWS MIDWIVES AND MID- LEVEL PROVIDERS TO PROVIDE ABORTION CARE DURING FIRST TRIMESTER.

>> WITH THE TRAINING I THINK THAT WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY AND WILL SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE ACCESS FOR PATIENTS AND DISSIPATING THE BACKLOG THAT YOU MIGHT ANTICIPATE.

YOU MAY THINK WE ARE PUTTING OURSELVES IN A GOOD POSITION IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THERE IS A BROAD LEVEL OF PEOPLE THAT CAN PROVIDE IT IN A SAFE MANNER.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW THE FIRST MAJOR GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION PASSED BY CONGRESS IN NEARLY 30 YEARS.

ENDING A STALEMATE OVER HOW TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE IN THE U.S.

THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES INCENTIVES FOR STATES TO PASS SO-CALLED RED FLAG LAW'S ALLOWING GROUPS TO PETITION -- REMOVE WEAPONS FROM PEEP AND DEEMED A THREAT TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

IT SETS ASIDE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND PRICES INTERVENTION PROGRAMS.

TOUGHENS LAWS AGAINST TRAFFICKING AND DOMESTIC ABUSERS.

WHILE EXPANDING BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR GUN BUYERS UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

IT FALLS SHORT OF MORE RESTRICTIVE PROPOSALS CHAMPIONED BY DEMOCRATS.

IT COMES A MONTH AFTER THE MASS SHOOTING AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TEXAS AND JUST DAYS AFTER THE SUPREME COURT ISSUED ANOTHER PLANNED MARK DECISION SAYING THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY A HANDGUN IN PUBLIC FOR SELF- DEFENSE.

>>> TWO YEARS AGO HEALTHCARE WORKERS WERE BEING HAILED AS HEROES WORKING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE PANDEMIC.

NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS ARE REPORTING RISING LEVELS OF HARASSMENT AND WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.

MOSTLY FROM PATIENTS.

LAWMAKERS ARE TAKING STEPS TO BRING PENALTIES AGAINST THOSE WHO COMMIT THE VIOLENCE, BUT IT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO KEEP HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES SAFE.

>> WELCOME.

HOW SEVERE OF A PROBLEM IS THIS?

>> WE KNOW THAT AT LEAST 10,000 VIOLENT INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED IN 2021.

IN NEW JERSEY.

AND THAT IS A PART OF -- 15% INCREASE OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

THIS IS DATA COLLECTED BY THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION FOR MORE THAN 60 HOSPITALS IN THE NETWORK.

IT IS A GOOD SAMPLE.

EVERYBODY SAYS IT IS ACTUALLY MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT, AND IS NOT JUST A NEW JERSEY PROBLEM BUT A NATIONAL PROBLEM.

THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS, BUT IT IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE.

>> WHAT IS DRIVING THIS?

IS IT PANDEMIC RELATED?

>> THAT IS INTERESTING.

I WAS SPEAKING TO ONE OF THE LARGE UNION PRESIDENTS AND SHE SAID TO LOOK AT SOCIETY.

WE ARE DIVIDED RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE VERY ANGRY.

A LOT OF THEM COME UP IN A HOSPITAL.

QUESTIONS ABOUT VACCINES OR WEARING A MASK.

RESTRICTIONS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BE IN THE ROOM AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THEY GET PEOPLE REALLY EXERCISED , AND THAT IS A PART OF WHAT IS COMING OUT NOW.

UNIONS WERE QUICK TO POINT OUT THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE THEY BLAME HOSPITALS IN PART FOR THESE LONG-STANDING REDUCTIONS IN STAFF.

THAT COULD BE FEWER NURSES OR SECURITY GUARDS.

FEWER EYES ON THE PROBLEM.

THEY SAY THAT IS A BIG PART.

>> WHAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP THE SITUATION?

BECAUSE I CANNOT IMAGINE THIS IS DOOMING ANYTHING BENEFICIAL FOR THE DIRE STAFFING SHORTAGES.

>> IT DOES NOT DO ANYTHING GOOD FOR PATIENT CARE.

A NUMBER OF CEOS I SPOKE WITH ARE DOING A LOT TO TRY TO POST THIS TO MAKE A ZERO TOLERANCE WORKPLACE.

THEY ARE DOING OUTREACH TO THE COMMUNITY SAYING THIS WILL NOT BE OKAY.

OTHER HOSPITALS ARE DOING THINGS AS WELL.

THERE ARE EFFORTS IN THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE SURE VIOLENCE AGAINST HEALTHCARE WORKERS IS IN A CERTAIN WAY THAT ENSURES PEOPLE STAY IN JAIL LONGER OR FACE HIGHER PENALTIES.

SOME OF THE WORKERS ALLIES UNION LEADERS SAY THAT MORE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A CHANGE.

>> REALLY GOOD REPORTING.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE FOLLOW-UP CONTINUES FROM THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT JOB ACTION THAT CAUSED HUNDREDS OF TRAIN CANCELLATIONS AT HEAD OF THE JUNETEENTH WEEKEND.

THE REAL AGENCY FILED A LAWSUIT FOR A PERMANENT RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST THE LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS UNION TO PREVENT THEM FROM STAGING ANY FUTURE WORK STOPPAGE.

THEY ASKED THE COURT TO FIND THEM TO COVER MONEY LOST FROM THE SHUTDOWN.

STARTING JUNE 17 NEW JERSEY TRANSIT WAS FORCED TO CANCEL 250 TRAINS AND SUSPEND SERVICE THAT MY AFTER MORE THAN 200 ENGINEERS CALLED OUT OF WORK, WHICH CONTINUED THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

THEY SAY IT WAS OVER ENGINEERS NOT RECEIVING OVERTIME PAY FOR WORKING THE HOLIDAY AND STALLED CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS ON TOP OF IT.

THE COURT GRANTED NEW JERSEY TRANSIT A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST THE UNION.

>>> THIS WEEK IS CONSIDERED TO BE AMONG THE BUSIEST AND MOST IMPORTANT IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

THE COUNTDOWN TO PASSING A STATE BUDGET BY THE CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED DEADLINE AT MIDNIGHT ON JUNE 30.

THE GOVERNOR AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN THE LEGISLATURE ARE HAMMERING OUT HOW TO SPEND THE HISTORIC TAX REVENUE.

AND WHAT TO INCLUDE OR LOSE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S ROUGHLY 50 BILLION DOLLARS SPENDING PROPOSAL.

WITH ONLY A HANDFUL FROM TRENTON'S INNER CIRCLE WHO KNOW THE DETAILS.

THE BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER IS STANDING BY AT THE STATEHOUSE WITH THE LATEST.

>> TELL ME, WHERE DO WE STAND AND WHAT DO WE KNOW THAT WILL MAKE IT INTO THIS BUDGET?

>> WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE A BUDGET BY THE END OF THE WEEK, AND IT WILL BE IN THAT BALLPARK, WHICH WILL BE A RECORD HIGH FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

FUELED BY THE SURGE AND TAX RISEN AS WE HAVE SEEN THE LAST FEW MONTHS BUT WE KNOW THERE IS A BIG INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF.

CREDIT THAT PEOPLE RECEIVED TYPICALLY IN THE SPRINGTIME.

THAT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME.

IT IS JUST THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE GOING OUT TO MANY MORE PEOPLE.

WE WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE STATE FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW MAKING A FULL PENSION CONTRIBUTION, WHICH IS NOTEWORTHY BECAUSE FOR YEARS IT HAS NOT MADE THEM.

THERE WILL BE A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT BUDGET SURPLUS, WHICH SOUNDS PRETTY WONKY BUT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THE SURPLUS MEANS WHEN THE ECONOMY TAKES A TUMBLE LIKE WE MAY SEE EVEN WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS THERE IS MONEY ON THE SIDE THAT CAN FUND KEY PROGRAMS FOR WHEN THE REVENUE START TO CLIMB.

SOME OF THE NUMBERS WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE FINAL FIGURES IN THE FINAL BILL RIGHT NOW ACTUALLY.

WE KNOW SOME OF WHAT IS ALREADY COMING TOGETHER HERE.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE NO SHUTDOWN, BUT THERE HAS TO BE POINTS OF CONTENTION.

WHERE DO THEY LIE?

>> CROSS YOUR FINGERS FOR NO SHUTDOWN.

THERE WAS REALLY NO REASON BECAUSE THE STATE HAS A LOT OF MONEY RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE LAST MINUTE BILLS BEING PROPOSED AS WE SPEAK.

RELATED TO INCREASED SPENDING ON SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION.

THERE IS A NEW $300 MILLION PROGRAM BEING PROPOSED BY THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER.

I THINK IT IS ALL OF THE PRIORITIES AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WITH A LOT OF MONEY TO GO AROUND RIGHT NOW MEANS THERE IS A LOT TO AGREE TO.

I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE ARE SEEING SOME OF THESE STICKING POINTS AT THE LAST MINUTE AS THEY COME DOWN TO THE FINAL WEEK.

>> THE EXPECTATION IS THAT WE WILL HAVE THE FULL VOTE OF APPROVAL TODAY.ANYONE >>> IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR HER DESTROYING THE NAVY SURE SANCTUARY.

>> HIS FATHER FOUNDED THIS PARK AND HIS FATHER SPENT THE BETTER PART OF HIS LIFE PROTECTING IT, BUT IS CRITICIZED FOR BEING OBSTINATE WHEN IT COMES TO DEVELOPING RECREATION ASSETS.

PART OF THE STRATEGY FOR THOSE HAS BEEN TO PAINT HIM AS INTOLERANT OF THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY THAT SURROUNDS THE PARK.

>> THE IRONIC THING IS THE GROUP STARTED OFF BY SAYING THAT NOT HAVING RECREATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT HAVE BEEN A DETRIMENT TO THE BLACK AND BROWN POPULATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THERE IS A VIEW THAT THE CURRENT STATE IS THE PRISTINE STATE IN THE BEST STATE AND I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT.

THERE IS CONTAMINATION AND INTO MUCH OF THE PARK LACK OF WRITABLE PATHS .

A LOT MORE CAN BE DONE THERE.

ESPECIALLY NOT FOR GUYS LIKE ME THAT DRIVE THERE, BUT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BOUGHT THAT PARK.

>> LEAVING NO ONE SATISFIED, AND ENSURING THE BATTLE FOR THE FUTURE OF LIBERTY STATE PARK WILL RAGE ON.

>>> IF IT FEELS LIKE ALLERGY SEASON IS WORSE THIS YEAR THAT IS BECAUSE IT IS.

ITCHY EYES, SNEEZING FUELED BY A COATING OF YELLOW DUST FLOATING IN THE AIR AND COVERING JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING OUTDOORS.

EXPERTS SAY THE EXPLOSION OF POLLEN IS PARTICULARLY WORSE HERE IN THE NORTHEAST.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT EXPLAINS HOW YOU CAN THINK HIGHER TEMPERATURES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE FOR DRIVING A LONGER AND EARLIER ALLERGY SEASON.

>> YOU SNEEZE ALL DAY.

THIS IS BRUTAL.

>> MOST NEW JERSEY ALLERGY SUFFERERS STARTED THEIR SEASON IN THE SPRING WITH POLLEN FROM MAPLE TREES AND THEN OAKS AND GRASS ADDS TO THE LOAD IN LATE SPRING AND THEN WEEDS BLOSSOM IN THE FALL.

THE CALENDAR OF MISERY DOES NOT END UNTIL A HARD FREEZE KILLS OFF THE WEEDS, BUT JERSEY ALLERGY SUFFERERS NOTICED A DISTURBING TREND.

THE POLLEN IS FLYING SOONER AND LONGER.

>> FOR ME IT WILL END AROUND SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER.

>> HAS IT GOTTEN WORSE?

>> I THINK SO.

>> IT DOES NOT EVEN MATTER IF THE SEASONS ARE CHANGING.

>> THE NUMBERS BACK THEM UP.

ANALYSIS DONE USED DATA FROM NINE COMMUNITIES ACROSS NEW JERSEY TO SHOW THE EXTRA DAYS STATEWIDE.

THAT MATCHES OBSERVATIONS AT THE UNIVERSITY ESPECIALLY FOR THE RAGWEED POLLEN COUNTS.

>> IF YOU DO NOT HAVE FROST THE PLANS DO NOT DIE, SO WE WILL HAVE A LONGER SEASON.

WE HAVE STARTED EARLIER AND IT WILL END LATER.

>> FOUR YEARS OF TESTING SHOWED TREE POLLEN SEASON NOW OVERLAPS WITH GRASS AND TOTAL POLLEN LOADS HAVE SKYROCKETED.

>> POLLEN COUNT HAS SOARED.

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT ON YOUR CARS.

THE YELLOW POWDER THAT COVERS THE CAR IS OAK AND BIRCH PREDOMINATELY.

>> RESEARCHERS FOUND CLIMATE CHANGE IS DRIVING THE POLLEN EXPLOSION.

>> IT IS NOT JUST POLLEN COUNTS THAT SHOW THE WARMING WORLD IS IMPACTING YOUR ALLERGIES.

IS ALSO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> WHEN THE POLLEN SEASON STARTS EARLY PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED TO TREE POLLEN FOR A LONGER TIME PERIOD.

THAT IS WHAT IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE INCREASES.>> EARLIER SPRING POLLEN SEASON'S DROVE ASTHMA HOSPITALIZATIONS UP.

RESEARCHERS SUSPECT IT REPEATS DURING FALL RAGWEED SEASON AND ADVISE ALLERGY AND ASTHMA PATIENTS TO MONITOR POLLEN COUNTS.

>> WE ARE THINKING OF A SYSTEM THAT TELLS US WHEN EXACTLY THE PEAK POLLEN SEASON IS GOING TO BE FOR A CERTAIN SPECIES IN THE SPRING.

PEOPLE CAN ANTICIPATE THAT AND PREPARE FOR IT.

>> SPEAKING TO THIS CONTRIBUTION OF WARMING TRENDS.

POLLUTION.

HAVING DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS IN CONTRIBUTING TO AN INCREASE IN ALLERGY SUFFERERS AND OF THE SEVERITY OF THE SUFFERERS AS WELL AS THE LENGTH OF TIME.

>> PATIENTS SHOULD GET TESTED AND TREATED FOR THE WORST POLLEN AND GEORGIE'S BECAUSE IT CAN HURT THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN ADULT AND CHILDREN TOO.

>> IT IMPACTS LEARNING.

ADULT ACTUALLY DECREASE WORK PERFORMANCE.

IT CAUSES SLEEP DISRUPTION.

IT IS REALLY NOT FUN.

>> IT BLOOMS PROLIFICALLY ALONG ROADS AND CONSTRUCTION SITES IN CITIES LIKE NEWARK WHERE 1 IN EVERY 4 KIDS DEALS WITH IT.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME HAD ONLINE AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FROM THE ENTIRE "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> THE NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

>> BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

>>> NJM HAS BEEN SERVING OVER 100 YEARS, BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND .

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR, AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.