>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION , MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

IT'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN RING PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> BACK GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE SPREAD OF THE NEW DELTA COVID VARIANT IS PROBING MORE WARNINGS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND CAUSING MORE MASK MANDATES AND SAFETY RESTRICTIONS.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS URGING BOTH UNVACCINATED AND FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE TO CONTINUE WEARING MASKS TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE NEW STRAIN BUT THAT CDC IS MAINTAINING ITS POSITION THAT THOSE FULLY IMMUNIZED AGAINST COVID-19 CANDIDATES FACE COVERINGS INDOORS AND OUTSIDE.

LEAVING IT UP TO STATES AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE THEIR OWN RECOMMENDATIONS.

DATA FROM NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SHOWS THE DELTA VARIANT NOW MAKES UP MORE THAN 15% OF CASES BEING TRACKED IN THE STATE, MORE THAN DOUBLE FROM A WEEK AGO AS THE ADMINISTRATION REPORTS 223 NEW CASES AND EIGHT MORE DEATHS.

MORE THAN 4.9 MILLION PEOPLE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AND GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS NEW JERSEY IS IN GOOD SHAPE BUT HE IS PUSHING FOR MORE ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS TO GET THEIR SHOTS, INDICATING NO PLANS TO PUT MASK MANDATES BACK IN PLACE.

BUT WHAT SHOULD WE MAKE OF THE MIXED SIGNALS FROM THE NATIONAL LEVEL?

WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, COREY VACH, JOINS US TO EXPLAIN.

DR. VOSS, HOW DO WE MAKE SENSE OF SOME OF THE GUIDANCE COMING OUT AS CONSUMERS FROM TWO MASSIVE AGENCIES, THE CDC AND WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SPLIT ON MASK WEARING RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE KEEP IN MIND HIS RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CDC CAME OUT PRIOR TO THE DELTA VARIANT BEING TRANSMITTED AND IS KNOWING HOW TRANSMITTED THIS VARIANT COULD GET.

SO THIS IS NOT TO SAY THAT THIS STANCE WILL REMAIN AND THAT THIS IS PERMANENT.

I THINK AT THIS POINT, IN OUR COUNTRY, WE ARE LOOKING AT THINGS AT A MORE COMMUNITY LEVEL AND REALLY WEIGHING THE RISKS AND BENEFITS OF WIDESPREAD MANDATES AND WIDESPREAD CHANGES.

AT THIS POINT, LOOKING VERY MUCH TO CURB COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY WHERE THIS VARIANT IS BEING SPREAD SO QUICKLY.

>> SHOULD WE LOOK AT IT THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS IN A PLACE HERE LIKE NEW JERSEY WHERE WE DO HAVE A GOOD CHUNK OF THE POPULATION VACCINATED?

THAT IS NOT THE CASE ELSEWHERE.

SO FOLKS WHO HAVE SAID, I'VE GOT BOTH VACCINES AND I'M NOT WEARING A MASK ANYMORE I'M A SHOULD WE BE LOOKING AT IT THROUGH THAT LENS?

>> CORRECT.

I THINK IT IS INTERESTING.

IT REALLY DOES PUT A PERSON WHO HAS RECEIVED BOTH VACCINATIONS AND IS FULLY VACCINATED IN A POSITION OF MAKING THAT CHOICE.

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE GUIDANCE FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION TO CONTINUOUSLY WEAR MASKS WHILE VACCINATED.

NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE THE CHOICE.

THAT COMES DOWN TO YOUR VALUES AND YOUR LEVEL OF RISK AVERSION ESPECIALLY IN A PLACE LIKE NEW JERSEY WHERE OUR POPULATION IS SO DENSE.

HOW MUCH OF A RISK DO WE WANT TO TAKE?

AND IN ESTABLISHMENTS WITHOUT A MASK OR HAVING LARGE GATHERINGS WITHOUT A MASK, GIVEN THE FACT WE KNOW THIS VARIANT IS SO TRANSMISSIBLE.

THE OTHER ISSUE THAT CONTINUOUSLY COMES UP IS THAT PEOPLE ARE VERY EAGER TO LET THEIR CAR DOWN AND GO ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS.

WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT NO VACCINE IS 100% EFFECTIVE.

SO THE REASON THAT IT IS BEING RECOMMENDED BY SOME AGENCIES TO CONTINUE WEARING A MASK WHILE FULLY VACCINATED IS THERE COULD BE A BREAKTHROUGH CASE.

THAT MEANS THAT EVEN THOUGH FULLY VACCINATED, YOU COULD CONTRACT COVID AND THE CONCERN IS MORE ABOUT SPREADING THE VARIANT SO RAPIDLY THROUGH THE COMMUNITY.

KEEP IN MIND THERE IS A HUGE PART OF THE POPULATION THAT ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE UNVACCINATED AND WITHIN ALL COMMUNITIES, THERE ARE CERTAIN POCKETS OF THE POPULATION WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

SO THOSE UNVACCINATED POPULATIONS REALLY CONCERN US THE MOST WITH REGARD TO COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION.

AND IT'S HAPPENING VERY QUICKLY IN CERTAIN PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> PROFESSOR COREY VACH, ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU, TOO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> IT APPEARS THE PANDEMIC MADE PERMANENTLY CHANGE WORK LIFE FOR A LOT OF RESIDENTS.

A DICKINSON POLE WE REPORTED ON EARLIER THIS WEEK SHOWS THAT DESPITE MOST ADULTS BEING VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19, ABOUT ONE QUARTER SAY THEY WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THE OFFICE.

THIS COULD HAVE A RIPPLE EFFECT NOT JUST ON THE WORKPLACE BUT ON THE ENTIRE STATE INFRASTRUCTURE.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT WILL MAKE LIFE EASIER AND BETTER FOR ME TO WORK AT HOME.

>> Reporter: JOSH LIVES IN VERONA, WORKS IN SALES AND HIS COMPANY'S MAIN OFFICE LOCATED IN TINA CLOSED DOWN DURING THE PANDEMIC'S HIGH, SHIFTING STUFF AROUND.

NOW THAT THE STATE IS REOPENING, JOSHUA CONSIDERED WHAT CLIMBING BACK INTO THE SADDLE TO COMMUTE WOULD BE LIKE BY CAR OR MASS TRANSIT AND OPTED TO WORK FROM HOME.

>> IT IS NICE TO GET THE KIDS UP IN THE MORNING AND GET THEM OFF TO SCHOOL AND COME HOME TO A QUIET HOUSE AND AT LEAST FOR A LITTLE BIT AND WORK AND THEN NOT HAVING TO HAVE THE STRESS OF BEING STUCK IN TRAFFIC AND BRINGING THAT HOME WITH YOU.

>> WE ARE NEVER GOING BACK TO THE PRE-PANDEMIC WORLD.

PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN USED TO IT OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR.

IT IS A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIVING AND A LOT OF THEM, ABOUT HALF, SAY THEY LIKE IT >> Reporter: FTU POLL DIRECTOR SAYS 26% OF THOSE WORKING AT HOME SAY THEY WILL NEVER GO BACK TO WORK ON TIME WHILE 27% OF RETURN TO THE WORKPLACE.

28% WILL WORK A HYBRID SCHEDULE.

THE RESULT?

EXPECT MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTS LIKE FEWER RIDERS ON NJ TRANSIT.

>> PEOPLE TAKING THE BUS OR TRAIN, IT IS A GOOD THING.

TRAINS AND BUSES ARE LESS CROWDED.

>> Reporter: ACCEPT THAT NEW JERSEY'S MASS TRANSIT USES PASSENGER FARES TO PAY BILLS.

FEWER TICKETS COULD MEAN FUTURE FARE HIKES AND WE ARE ALREADY SEEING AN IMPACT ON TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

>> WE HAD A BUNCH OF PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH MASS TRANSIT WHO HAD TO GO TO WORK SO THEY BOUGHT CARS, THEY LEASED CARS AND THEY ARE DRIVING IN.

SO WE HAVE MORE CARS ON THE ROAD.

THAT MAKES IT WORSE FOR LITERALLY EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, THE CURRENT HOUSING BOOM IS PARTLY FUELED BY FOLKS WHO WANTED TO ESCAPE THE PANDEMIC, FIND A NICE SUBURBAN HOME AND WORK FROM THERE.

STATE CHAMBER OF CONGRESS, VP, MICHAEL EDGINGTON SAYS THIS COULD SHIFT THE WORKPLACE LANDSCAPE, LITERALLY.

>> EMPLOYERS WAY MAY LOOK AT BUILDINGS AND SAY HEY, I MIGHT NOT NEED ALL OF THAT SPACE AS LONG AS THE WORK IS GETTING DONE AND THERE IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

I THINK MOST EMPLOYERS I SPEAK TO ARE FLEXIBLE AND WANT TO WORK WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES.

CERTAINLY, QUALITY OF LIFE, BRENDA, IS CRITICAL AND IMPORTANT TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: CERTAINLY RENTAL PRICES FOR OFFICE SPACE, DOWNTOWN AND IN SPRAWLING PARKS HAVE FALLEN.

AT THE SAME TIME, WORK FROM HOME PRODUCTIVITY HAS INCREASED SAYS MORRIS DAVIS AND AND NOT EVERY CORPORATION IS WILLING TO ABANDON HEADQUARTERS YET.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE INVESTMENT BANKING WORLD WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS NEW JERSEY, HOW THAT PLAYS OUT BECAUSE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF INVESTMENT BANKS, AT LEAST TWO I'M A THAT HAVE STATED WE ARE AN IN PERSON ORGANIZATION.

>> Reporter: JP MORGAN, GOLDMAN SACHS AND OTHERS ARE CALLING STAFF BACK TO THE OFFICE.

FACEBOOK, MICROSOFT AND GOOGLE COULD ADJUST SALARIES OF EMPLOYEES THAT KEEP WORKING FROM HOME BUT IF ENOUGH PEOPLE QUIT, DAVIS SAYS -- MARKET FORCES ARE LARGER THAN THE FIRMS.

FIRMS CAN SET POLICY BUT THE MARKET WILL DICTATE WAGES.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I NEED IN THE OFFICE OR NEED TO BE IN OUR OFFICE TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT I CAN'T ACCOMPLISH FROM HOME?

>> Reporter: THERE IS THE BOTTOM LINE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN NEWARK, MORE THAN 45 IMMIGRANT DETAINEES HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM THE ESSEX COUNTY JAIL THIS WEEK TO UNKNOWN LOCATIONS.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHY BUT THE DETAINEE POPULATION IS DECREASING NOW THAT THE COUNTY CORRECTIONAL CENTER AGREED TO END ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH I.C.E.

THE TRANSFERS RAISE CONCERN FROM ADVOCATES WHO HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THE CLOSURE OF THESE FACILITIES AND THE RELEASE OF INDIVIDUALS HELD IN THEM.

THIS COMES AS THE ACLU TODAY FILED A FEDERAL CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT TO BLOCK THE LONG- DISTANCE TRANSFER OF I.C.E.

DETAINEES FROM THE JAIL.

OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE REPORTER, MONSY ALVARADO HAS THE DETAILS.

MONSY, AT THIS MOMENT, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT WHERE SOME OF THESE DETAINEES HAVE CONSENT?

>> SO THIS MORNING I WAS TALKING TO SOME ATTORNEYS.

WE KNOW THAT AT LEAST ONE PERSON WENT TO NEVADA.

A FEW PEOPLE WENT TO GEORGIA.

AND MASSACHUSETTS.

THERE ARE SOME ATTORNEYS WHO DON'T KNOW WHERE THEIR CLIENTS ARE AS OF THIS POINT.

WE ARE HOPING TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT LATER IN THE DAY.

>> THIS IS THE BASIS FOR THIS LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY THE ACLU.

FAMILIES ARE SAYING, LISTEN, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE CONTACT OR SEE OR VISIT OUR LOVED ONE.

>> YES, IT IS REALLY ROUGH.

I SPOKE TO A MAN WHOSE BROTHER WAS SENT TO NEVADA YESTERDAY AND HE USED TO GO VISIT HIM EVERY WEEKEND WITH HIS DAUGHTER.

SO NOW HE IS LIKE HOW AM I GOING TO GO TO NEVADA?

I HAVE TWO JOBS.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND HE WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT TELLING HIS PARENTS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT KNOW THEIR SON HAD BEEN TRANSFERRED >> 30 DETAINEES YESTERDAY, MONSY AND 16 TODAY?

IS THAT RIGHT?

DO WE KNOW WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR THE TRANSFER?

>> WELL, IN ESSEX COUNTY THEY HAD SAID THEY WERE GOING TO PHASE OUT OF THE CONTRACT AS OF AUGUST 23rd.

SO THE I.C.E.

DETAINEES HAD TO GET OUT OF THERE BY THAT DATE.

SO THE OFFICIALS THERE SAY THIS IS PART OF OUR PHASE OUT.

BUT IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN SAYING UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THERE ARE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES NOW.

SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING TRANSFERRED OUT AND SHOULD NOT BE BUT SHOULD BE RELEASED TO THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY LEAVE COURT HEARINGS AND DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS.

THE ESSEX COUNTY FOLKS ARE SAYING, HEY, THIS IS PART OF WHAT PHASING OUT MEANS.

AND THE ADVOCATES ARE SAYING NO, THESE SHOULD NOT BE TRANSFERRED.

>> DID IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO OR WERE YOU ABLE TO GET ANYTHING ON THE RECORD ABOUT THE HUNGER STRIKES AND PROTESTS THAT WERE TAKING PLACE?

>> YES, SO WE ARE HEARING SOME OF THE HUNGER STRIKERS IN ESSEX COUNTY WERE AMONG THOSE TRANSFERRED.

ACLU AND OTHERS HAVE SAID THAT I.C.E.

HAS NOT SAID ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.

I REACHED OUT TO THEM YESTERDAY.

THEY HAVEN'T COMMENTED ON THE TRANSFERS OR THE HUNGER STRIKERS THAT WERE AMONG THEM.

SO STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM.

>> WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE?

NOW THE DETAINEES HAVE BEEN TRANSFERRED AND SOME OF THE LOCATIONS ARE UNKNOWN.

YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TRACK A FEW OF THE STATES.

WHAT IS NEXT?

>> I GUESS WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THIS LAWSUIT.

IF A JUDGE MAKES SOME KIND OF A RULING TO BLOCK THIS FROM NOW SO WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE COURTS TO SEE IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE AT THIS POINT.

>> ALL RIGHT, MONSY ALVARADO, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS APPOINTING ANDREW BROCK TO SERVE AS AN ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE REMAINDER OF HIS TURN.

HE IS CURRENTLY FIRST ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WILL STEP IN FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL GRAY WELL.

THIS INCLUDES POST AT THE U.S.

ATTORNEYS OFFICE AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND IS THE FIRST OPENLY GAYS IN HISTORY.

THIS IS PART OF'S APOLOGY TO THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND ONE OF HIS FINAL ACTS IN OFFICE.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GRAY WELL APOLOGIZE FOR TARGETING GAYS BARS TO STRIP LIQUOR LICENSES AND PENALIZE BARDS BARS AND CLUBS SUSPECTED OF CATERING TO THE GAYS COMMUNITY.

HOMOSEXUALITY WAS CONSIDERED A CRIMINAL ACT IN THE 1960s.

IN A NEW, LARGELY SYMBOLIC DIRECTIVE, THE AJI'S OFFICE VACATES MORE THAN 120 ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS ISSUED AGAINST THOSE BUSINESSES AND PLEDGED ANTI-BIAS AND CULTURAL DIVERSITY TRAINING FOR STAFF AT THE LIQUOR LICENSING DIVISION.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE IN ASBURY PARK WHERE THEY WELL, OTHER STATE OFFICIALS AND MEMBERS OF THE GARDEN STATE EQUALITY, COMMEMORATING THE APOLOGY AT THE FORMER LOCATION OF PADDACK BAR, A TAVERN SHUT DOWN IN 1956 FOR ALLOWING GAYS PATIENTS PATRONS INSIDE.

>> THE HEARTACHE CAUSE WAS REAL AND THE PAIN THAT WE HAVE HEARD IS APPARENT.

NOTHING WILL EVER MAKE THAT GO AWAY.

TODAY, MORE THAN 50 YEARS LATER, THERE IS LITTLE I CAN SAY EXCEPT THAT I AM SORRY.

>>> ANTI-SEMITIC ATTACKS AND OTHER ACTS OF HATE ARE STILL BEING REPORTED IN RECORD NUMBERS ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

BUT THOSE EXPERIENCES CAN LOOK AND FEEL DIFFERENTLY FOR TWO OF COLOR WHO SAYÃFOUR NAZI OF COLOR.

THEY ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO HATEFUL REMARKS AND VIOLENCE.

THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR TWO COMMUNITIES WHO SHARE A HISTORY OF STRUGGLE IN THE UNITED DAYS.

AS PART OF OUR EXPLORING HATE, RACISM AND ANTI-SENTIMENT SEMITISM.

>> Reporter: AFTER REFLECTING FOR OVER A DECADE, MARVIN FELT IN HIS HEART AND SOUL HE WANTED TO COME CONVERT TO JUDAISM AND IN 2019, HE DID.

WHAT HE DID NOT EXPECT WAS THE ANTI-SEMATISM HE WOULD FACE FROM FAMILY, FRIENDS AND STRANGERS.

JUST THREE MONTHS AGO -- >> ONE OF MY FRIENDS AND I ALMOST GOT IN A FIST FIGHT.

HE SAID I SEE YOU HAVE YOUR JEWISH STAR TATTOOED IN THE BACK LIKE A SLAVE.

I SAID I'M NOT A SLAVE.

I'M NOT HERE TO JUSTIFY BUT IT'S HARD OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE BURLINGTON COUNTY RESIDENT DESCRIBES ANOTHER INCIDENT AT A GAS STATION IN NEW JERSEY NOT LONG AFTER CONVERTING IN 2019.

HE WAS WEARING HIS KIPPAH, WORN IN JUDAISM AS A WAY TO HONOR GOD WHEN HE HEARD TWO MEN HE DID NOT KNOW BY THEIR TRUCK.

>> THEY SAID, "LOOK AT THE JEWISH BOY."

AND THERE ARE CERTAIN WORDS THAT GOT UNDER MY SKIN BAD AND WHEN HE SAID "JEWISH BOY" IT IS LIKE HE IS SMACKING ME IN THE FACE.

>> Reporter: HIS 13-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS WITH HIM AT THE TIME AND IMMEDIATELY FELT SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

>>> MY DAUGHTER SAID, "DAD, WHAT DID HE CALL YOU? "

AND I SAID, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT AND SHE SAID CAN YOU NOT WEAR YOUR KIPPAH WHEN YOU ARE AROUND?

AND I SAID WHY?

AND HE SAID BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: INCIDENTS AGAINST NAZI ARE WHAT WE TRACKED , WE DON'T TRACK WHETHER THEY ARE ORTHODOX OR REFORMED OR WHETHER THEY ARE NAZI OF COLOR OR NOT.

WE TRACK ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS.

>> Reporter: IN MAY, ANTI- SEMITIC ATTACKS INCREASED AT ALARMING RATES IN THE UNITED DATES.

SCOTT RICHMAN IS THE ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE REGIONAL DIRECTOR.

HOW IS THE CURRENT SITUATION?

>> IT IS NOT AT THE LEVEL THAT WE SAW IN MAY.

IT IS STILL AT A HIGH POINT.

>>> I THINK WHAT MADE THINGS CHALLENGING, BEING A KKK OF COLOR THIS SUMMER WAS THAT LAST SUMMER, IT WAS CHALLENGING TO BE A PERSON OF COLOR.

>> Reporter: JEWISH FEDERATION OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, SUPPORTIVE SERVICES NAVIGATOR, LAUREN CONVERTED TO JUDAISM IN 2007.

SHE SAID ONE GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED SHE FELT GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE FELT THAT THE SAME PEOPLE WHO MADE THEIR SCREENS BLACK THIS TIME THIS YEAR WERE SILENT WHEN ANTI- SEMITIC ACTS WERE OCCURRING.

I RECENTLY ATTENDED A JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AND ONE OF THE PANELISTS AT THAT EVENT SAID WHEN WE ARE SILENT WHEN SOMEONE COMMITS AN ANTI-SEMITIC ACT, WE ARE SILENT WHEN SOMEBODY COMMITS A RACE ACT.

WHITE SUPREMACY WINS.

WE HAVE THE SAME TARGETS.

THEY MAY TARGET PEOPLE OF COLOR ONE DAY AND NAZI ANOTHER DAY BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO STAND TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

>> TO CA COWARD ATTACK A 65- YEAR-OLD RABBI WALKING DOWN THE STREET IS HEINOUS AND THAT CAN'T BE TOLERATED IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM AND THAT IS ONE THING THAT US, JEWS OF COLOR -- >> AS AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN TRENT RAPING W JEW -- BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS NOT JUST EXTERNALLY BUT INTERNALLY THAT A GROUP OF US AT FL WANTED TO BRING SOME EDUCATIONAL ASPECTS TO, TO REALLY BEGIN SOME THOUGHT-PROVOKING CONVERSATIONS ON WHAT WE COULD DO IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THE GREAT BRIDGE BUILDERS FOR OUTSIDE OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> MARVIN SAYS HAVING EXPERIENCE BOTH RACISM AND ANTI- SEMATISM, THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IS THE SAME.

THEY ARE BOTH TAUGHT AND HE SAYS THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS, I'M GAYS -- LEAH MISHKIN.

-- >>> BY OVERTURNING A LOWER COURT RULING FROM USING EMINENT DOMAIN TO TAKE LAND NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION.

IT COULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR PIPELINE PROJECTS TO BE BUILT DESPITE YEARS OF EFFORT BY ENVIRONMENTALISTS TO BROUGHT BLOCK THEM.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> RATHER THAN SETTLE ANYTHING, THE HIGH COURTS RULING SERVED TO PROLONG THE SAGA NOW IN ITS SEVENTH YEAR.

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT INSIGNIFICANT THAT IT UPHOLD IT UPHELD THE RIGHTS OF PRIVATE COMPANIES TO SEEK EMINENT DOMAIN COME UP PRIVATE AND PUBLIC LANDS FOR PROJECTS LIKE PEN EAST WHICH WOULD TRANSPORT NATURAL GAS ALONG THE 115 MILE PIPELINE FROM THE MARSALIS JAIL AREA IN PENNSYLVANIA TO NEW JERSEY.

>> IT IS A PROJECT THAT CAN'T MAKE NEW JERSEY'S ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS BECAUSE IT WOULD PUNCH THROUGH AN ENVIRONMENTALLY STANDARD AREA THAT IS PRISTINE STREAMS THAT PROVIDE DRINKING WATER AND CRITICAL WILDLIFE HABITAT.

THERE IS NO WAY TO BUILD IT PIPELINE TO THAT AREA AND MAKE NEW JERSEY'S STRICT ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS NOT ABOUT THAT TO PER SE, IT WAS ABOUT THE COMPANY'S RIGHT TO TAKE THE LAND, 131 PROPERTIES, 42 OF WHICH ARE FARMLAND OR PRESERVED AS OPEN SPACE THAT IT SAYS IT NEEDS FOR ITS BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT.

THIS DECISION IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE PROJECT.

READ THE STATEMENT FROM THE COMPANY.

"IT PROTECTS CONSUMERS TO RELY ON INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FROM BEING DENIED ACCESS TO MUCH- NEEDED ENERGY BY NARROW STATE POLITICAL INTERESTS."

>> INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU NEED EMINENT DOMAIN.

THAT HAS BEEN THE WAY IT HAS BEEN IN THIS COUNTRY FOR OVER 200 YEARS AND BEFORE THAT BUT THIS IS WHAT PEOPLE DO.

THEY USE THE LAW TO TRY TO DELAY PROJECTS IN ORDER TO KILL PROJECTS AS OPPOSED TO MAKING THE DETERMINATION WHETHER OR NOT THESE PROJECTS ARE ACTUALLY NEEDED.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF CONTRACTS AND CUSTOMERS WITH THIS PIPELINE ARE COMPANIES THAT ARE AFFILIATED WITH THE COMPANIES THAT ON THE PROJECT.

AND THE COURTS AND REGULATORY AGENCIES ARE TAKING A MUCH HARDER LOOK NOW AND REALLY QUESTIONING WHETHER THOSE KINDS OF AFFILIATE CONTRACTS ARE SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE OF PUBLIC NEED FOR A PROJECT.

>> Reporter: THAT ASPECT OF THE CASE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE DC CIRCUIT OF THE COURT OF APPEALS.

THE GOVERNOR TODAY PROMISED THE ADMINISTRATION WASN'T WHIPPED YET.

>>> THE GOOD NEWS IS WE HAVE ANOTHER -- A LOT OF OTHER TOOLS IN OUR TOOLBOX THAT WE CAN DEPLOY.

I DON'T HAVE ANY NEWS TO MAKE IT ON THAT.

BUT WE WILL STAY OUT THIS ONE.

>> Reporter: JACQUELINE EVANS WAS SEVEN ACRE ORGANIC FARM, HOME AND ART STUDIO ARE IN THE PIPELINE'S PASSED.

SHE SAT ON THE PORCH TODAY WITH 17-YEAR-OLD, KATIE, ONE OF HER THREE CHILDREN.

PRE-MUCH UNFAZED BY THE DECISION.

KATIE, PARTICULARLY, CREDITED THE PAST SEVEN YEARS AS BEING TRANSFORMATIONAL FOR HER.

>> I JUST THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS A BETTER PLACE BUT I THOUGHT THAT PEOPLE WOULD TAKE CARE OF ME AND THAT HAVING MY HOME TAKEN AWAY FROM HE WOULDN'T BE A REALITY LIKE A PIPELINE.

I DID NOT THINK STUFF LIKE THAT HAPPENED AND ONCE YOU REALIZE ONE SMALL THING LIKE THIS IT'S LIKE IT OPENS UP YOUR OURS TO OTHER ISSUES AND OTHER INJUSTICES OTHER PEOPLE ARE FACING.

>> Reporter: IF THE PROSPECT OF DEALING WITH A SMART, ENGAGED, 17-YEAR-OLD ISN'T DAUNTING ENOUGH, THE PROJECT STILL FACES STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORY HURDLES AS WELL AS CURRENT AND PERHAPS FUTURE LITIGATION.

I'M DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> INTO NIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, A SEPARATE SUPREME COURT DECISION COULD MEAN TAX BREAKS ARE LESS LIKELY FOR OUT- OF-STATE REMOTE WORKERS.

THE COURT REJECTED, IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, A LAWSUIT ARGUING IT UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR MASSACHUSETTS TO COLLECT INCOME TAXES FROM EMPLOYEES OF COMPANIES BASED IN THE STATE BUT WORKING FROM HOME ELSEWHERE.

-- DURING THE PANDEMIC.

NEW JERSEY IS IN A SIMILAR TUG- OF-WAR WITH NEW YORK'S THANKS TO A STRICT RULE CALLED "CONVENIENCE OF THE EMPLOYER" WHICH TAXES INCOME EARNED IN NEW YORK IF THE EMPLOYEE WORKS AT HOME BY CHOICE RATHER THAN NECESSITY.

THAT WASN'T THE CASE OF COURSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE IS DISAPPOINTED BY THE DECISION BUT IS CONSIDERING OTHER OPTIONS.

>>> TURNING NOW TO THE MARKET, HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE.

THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

>>> AHEAD OF THE JULY 4th HOLIDAY, A REMINDER OF AMERICAN VALUES.

LADY LIBERTY'S LITTLE SISTER, A SECOND GIFT FROM FRANCE MORE THAN A CENTURY AFTER THE ORIGINAL WAS SENT TO THE U.S.

IN 1885.

A REPLICA OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY BUT 16 TIMES SMALLER I'M A STANDING JUST OVER NINE FEET, WEIGHING 1000 POUNDS, DOCKING IMPORT ELIZABETH AFTER BEING CARRIED ON A CARGO SHIP, TRACING THE SAME PATH ACROSS THE ATLANTIC AS THE STATUE IN NEW YORK.

MANY LIBERTY WILL BE ON DISPLAY IN ELLIS ISLAND THROUGH THE WEEKEND BEFORE MOVING TO THE FRENCH EMBASSY IN WASHINGTON, DC FOR THE NEXT DECADE, A MONUMENT TO THE AND DURING FRENCH/AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP AND A MONUMENT TO ALL THOSE SEEKING FRIENDSHIP AND REFUGE.

>>> SINCE THE DEDICATION OF THIS STATUE'S BIGGER AND OLDER SISTER, MILLIONS OF IMMIGRANTS FIRST GLIMPSE OF THIS NATION WAS OF A TORCH HELD HIGH ABOVE THE HARBOR'S WATERS.

EACH CAME IN SEARCH OF THEIR AMERICAN DREAM AND MANY OF THEM FOUND THAT DREAM, BY THE WAY, RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

WE, IN TURN HAVE COME TO PROBABLY CALL THEM OUR FELLOW NEW JERSEYANS AND FELLOW AMERICANS.

THIS IS TRUE WHETHER A FAMILY ARRIVED HERE A CENTURY AGO OR MUCH MORE RECENTLY.

OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ARE PART OF OUR RICH HISTORY AND THEY ARE JUST AS VITAL TO OUR VIBRANT FUTURE.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO FOLLOW A REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEAR.

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND LOU SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR EXPLORING EIGHT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE SYLVIA A AND SIMON B -- ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI- SEMITISM.

THE HEATER JAKE PETERSON AND -- FUND.