>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE , SERVING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

>>> IT WAS A GOOD NIGHT FOR INCUMBENTS IN NEW JERSEY.

ESTATE IN DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS HELD ONTO THEIR PARTY'S NOMINATION OR RAN UNCONTESTED IN TUESDAY'S PRIMARY ELECTION.

SETTING THE STAGE FOR MIDTERMS IN NOVEMBER AND PARTY CONTROL OF CONGRESS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S,.

THE MARKEY RACE WAS IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT WHERE THE REPUBLICAN FAVORITE FENDED OFF SIX CHALLENGERS, SECURING AN ANTICIPATED GENERAL ELECTION REMATCH WITH TOM MALINOWSKI.

IN THE EIGHTH DISTRICT, SON OF THE U.S.

SENATOR, IS POISED TO BE HEADED TO WASHINGTON ALONGSIDE HIS FATHER EASILY WINNING THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION TO REPLACE THE RETIRING CONGRESSMAN WITH CONSIDERABLE SUPPORT AND MONEY HEADING INTO NOVEMBER.

AND LONGTIME REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS SMITH LOCKING HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION TO RUN FOR AN UNPRECEDENTED 22nd TERM IN NEW JERSEY'S FOR THE DISTRICT.

TURNOUT WAS PERHAPS AS BIG A TOPIC AS THE CANDIDATES.

AT LEAST 700,000 PEOPLE VOTED IN WHAT WAS BILLED TO BE A SLEEPY PRIMARY.

THE EXACT NUMBER, THAT'S STILL UNCLEAR.

BALLOTS CONTINUE TO BE COUNTED.

IT'S ALREADY HIGHER THAN THE LAST SIMILAR PRIMARY ELECTION IN 2020, LIKELY THANKS TO THE POPULARITY OF VOTE BY MAIL COUPLED WITH THE NEW EARLY IN- PERSON VOTING.

WHILE THERE WERE NO BIG SURPRISES, PENDANTS SAY THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF TIME FOR THAT OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> I THINK THE REPUBLICAN LINE HELD PRETTY WELL.

>> Reporter: IF YOU WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM YESTERDAY'S ELECTION, IT'S THAT.

THE LINE, THE COVETED SPOT ON THE BALLOT FOR THE PARTIES WAS THE DISTRICT IN ALMOST ALL THE RACES.

JOHN KING JUNIOR DECEASED BY SEVEN OPPONENTS UNABLE TO SECURE EVEN 50% OF THE VOTE, BUT IT WAS ENOUGH TO GET HIM INTO A REMATCH WITH TOM MALINOWSKI IN THE FALL IN THE DISTRICT THAT'S BEEN ENGINEERED TO FAVOR A REPUBLICAN.

>> SINCE DONALD TRUMP IS NOT IN OFFICE AND CHRIS CHRISTIE IS NOT IN OFFICE AND JOE BIDEN IS IN OFFICE AND BILL MURPHY IS IN OFFICE, IT'S A LOT EASIER TO RUN AS A REPUBLICAN BECAUSE GOVERNING IS HARD, BUT CAMPAIGNING AGAINST THE GOVERNING GROUP IS EASY.

SO NOW, GOOD LUCK TRYING TO SAY, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE WITH WITH THE BIDEN-MURPHY POLICIES.

>> Reporter: THANK THE REPUBLICAN ESTABLISHMENT, CHRIS SMITH, WHO AFTER EASY ELECTIONS BASED A CHALLENGE AGAINST REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER MIKE CRISPY.

HE WAS NOT AS OFFENDED AS NOT HAVING THE PARTY LINE AS HE WAS ABOUT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING SO MANY WAYS TO VOTE.

>> THE NEW JERSEY GOP WAS SO FEARFUL THAT THEY POURED TONS OF MONEY AND TO RUN A MASSIVE VOTE BY MAIL PROGRAM.

WE BLINKED, IT TURNED ON, AND IT WAS 65-35.

WE OVERCAME THAT.

>> Reporter: MOST DEMOCRATS HAD LITTLE TO NO OPPOSITION IN THEIR PRIMARIES.

EVEN DONALD PAYNE WHO HAD A PROGRESSIVE OPPONENT, HEADACHE CAKEWALK.

>> THOSE THINGS EXCITE ANYBODY ELSE.

FOR ME, JUST THIS ELECTION, FOR US, IT DEMONSTRATED THERE IS DEFINITELY A NEED TO REFORM THE PARTY LINE IN NEW JERSEY SO WE CAN GET MORE PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND VOTE.

XO THE LINE, WHICH FACES A COURT CHALLENGE NOW, WAS THE DETERMINING FACTOR IN THE ESPECIALLY GOP RACES WHERE THE NUMBER OF CONSERVATIVE VOTERS APPEARED TO BE UP, ALBEIT SPLIT, AMONG VARIOUS CANDIDATES.

BUT WILL THEY GALVANIZE AROUND THE TOM CAIN JR. OR BOB HEALY?

THAT WILL DEPEND A LOT ON WHAT THE TONE OF THE COUNTRY IS IN NOVEMBER.

IN POLITICS, YOU KNOW THAT NOVEMBER IS FOREVER AWAY.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" >>> THIS YEAR'S PRIMARY RACES WERE FAR MORE CROWDED THAN USUAL.

REDRAWN BOUNDARIES AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS AND FRACTURES AMONG BOTH PARTIES PITCHING CANDIDATES AGAINST THE TRADITIONAL MODERATE WHO TEND TO WIN OVER NEW JERSEY VOTERS.

NOW THAT THE MATCHUPS FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS SET, WE ASKED A POSTER, PATRICK MURRAY, WHAT TO EXPECT.

PATRICK, THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.

NO REAL BIG SURPRISES, BUT WE DO NOW KNOW WHAT WE CAN LOOK AT FOR THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

LET'S START WITH DISTRICT 7.

LAST NIGHT ON OUR AIR REPRESENTATIVE TOM MALINOWSKI SAID ALL EYES WILL BE ON HIS RACE WITH TOM CAIN JR.

IF YOU WRITE ABOUT THAT?

>> Reporter: YES.

THIS IS ONE OF THE TOUGH TARGETS IN THE COUNTRY.

PART OF IT WAS BECAUSE IT WAS A TOUGH RACE IN 2020.

THIS IS A REMATCH BETWEEN TOM CAIN AND TOM MALINOWSKI.

THIS IS A DISTRICT THAT HAS CHANGED BECAUSE OF REDISTRICTING TO BECOME FRIENDLIER TO REPUBLICANS.

IT WILL MAKE IT A TOUGH PILL FOR MALINOWSKI TO HOLD ONTO IT.

>> IS HE THE ONLY ONE IN DANGER?

>> Reporter: YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING.

2022 IS SHAPING UP TO BE A BAD YEAR FOR DEMOCRATS.

THEY ARE THE PARTY IN POWER.

THEY ALWAYS EXPECT TO LOSE SEATS.

RIGHT NOW, THE PRESIDENT IS VERY UNPOPULAR.

DEMOCRATS, IN MANY CASES, ARE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE PROGRESSIVE USE AND MORE MODERATE VIEWS.

THAT PLAYS INTO THE KIND OF SWING VOTER OR INDEPENDENT VOTER, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE FEW OF THEM AROUND, BUT IT IS ABOUT ENTHUSIASM.

REPUBLICANS HAVE A LOT MORE ENTHUSIASM.

WHICH MEANS THAT LIKE CONGRESSWOMAN CHERYL, JOSH GOTTHEIMER, HAVE FRIENDLIER DISTRICTS.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE OUT OF THE WOODS YET.

>> IT ALMOST SEEMS, PATRICK, LIKE WE COULD BE LOOKING AT THE SAME DISTRICT WE DID IN 2018 WHEN THEY WERE FLIPPED -- 2016, WHEN THEY WERE FLIPPED VIEW.

YOU MENTIONED JOSH GOTTHEIMER, FIFTH DISTRICT.

NICK DE GREGORIO DID CONCEDE.

>> I THINK JOSH GOTTHEIMER GOT WHAT HE WANTED.

THEY WERE PUTTING OUT EXPENDITURES ON BEHALF OF FRANK PALLOTTA.

HE GOT THE OPPONENT HE WANTED, AND OPPONENTS STRONGLY ALIGNED WITH DONALD TRUMP.

THE ESTABLISHMENT WAS NICK DE GREGORIO.

THAT MEANS JOSH GOTTHEIMER KNOWS WHAT HIS TRAGEDY IS GOING TO BE.

HE IS GOING TO PAINT PALLOTTA BEING TOO FAR TO THE RIGHT, TOO FAR IN PRINT'S CAN'T, IN PARTICULAR FOR THIS DRASTIC DISTRICT.

>> WAS THERE ANY BIG TAKE AWAY FOR YOU LAST NIGHT ASIDE FROM, I THINK WE SHOULD'VE HAD A DRINKING GAME FOR THE AMOUNT OF TIMES WE TALKED ABOUT HAVING THE PARTY LINE.

>> Reporter: YEAH.

THE PARTY LINE WAS REALLY IMPORTANT.

EVEN IN PLACES, FOR EXAMPLE, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THE FIFTH DISTRICT.

THE LINE WENT TO DE GREGORIO, BUT PALLOTTA WAS PRETTY SMART.

SOME FOLKS MAY HAVE BEEN CONFUSED BY THAT AS WELL AS THE INDEPENDENCE.

LET'S TAKE ANOTHER PLACE WHERE THERE WAS A BIT OF AN UPSET, WHICH WAS THE 11th DISTRICT, WHERE THE MORRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, TAYFUN SELEN , WAS EDGED OUT BY PAUL.

HE HAS A SMALL PART OF THE DISTRICT BECAUSE HE WAS THE PROSECUTOR.

HE WIPED THE SLATE CLEAN AND PASSAIC COUNTY.

THAT ALLOWED HIM WERE HE WAS COMPETITOR TO COMPLETELY OVERTAKE WHAT HAD BEEN CONSIDERED THE FRONT RUNNER IN THE CASE.

>> PATRICK MURRAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> FOR A FULL LIST OF NEW JERSEY'S BY MARY ELECTION RESULTS AND MORE ON THE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FALL, CHECK OUT CALLING ALL DAY'S REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> ONE ISSUE THAT IS SURE TO COME UP ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IS ABORTION RIGHTS TO GOVERNOR MURPHY SENT STATE LAWMAKERS A DRAFT BILL EXPANDING ACCESS TO ABORTION IN PREPARATION OF A LIKELY DECISION BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN ROE V WADE.

THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING GOOD ON A PROMISE HE DELIVERED LAST MONTH TO CREATE A SO-CALLED ABORTION SAFE HAVEN HERE.

THE BILL INCLUDES MANDATING PRIVATE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ABORTION WITH NO CO-PAYS AND CREATING A $20 MILLION REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FUND WITH ANOTHER POT OF MONEY FOR AN ABORTION CLEAR CARE TRAINING PROGRAM.

IT ALSO PROPOSES $5 MILLION TO BOOST SECURITY AT EXISTING FACILITIES TO PROTECT THEM FROM TAX.

IT IS UNCLEAR IF THE DEMOCRATIC- CONTROLLED LEGISLATOR WILL SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL PROJECT A YEARS LONG FIGHT OVER POSSIBLE DEVELOPMENT AT LIBERTY STATE PARK IS FLARING UP AGAIN.

ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND PARK SUPPORTERS IN JERSEY CITY SAY A NEW BILL WOULD ALLOW PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD ON RECREATION AND ATHLETIC GROUNDS RATHER THAN KEEP THE OPEN SPACE IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE.

IT'S CONSIDERED THE CROWN JEWEL OF NEW JERSEY'S STATE PARK SYSTEM, BUT LIBERTY STATE PARK'S DESIRABLE LOCATION HAS HAD DEVELOPERS ANGLING FOR A PIECE OF IT FOR DECADES.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: LIBERTY STATE PARK HAS WELCOMED DOG WALKERS AND SIGHTSEERS FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY'S MOST POPULAR STATE PARK BROUGHT IN ALMOST 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN FISCAL YEAR 2021.

THAT IS FOUR TIMES AS MANY VISITORS AS ANY OTHER STATE PARK.

>> THE PARK MEANS A LOT TO EVERYONE WHO USES IT BECAUSE THIS IS THE FREE PEOPLES PARK BEHIND LADY LIBERTY.

IT IS AN URBAN PARK THAT IS A TREMENDOUS MENTAL HEALTH, EMOTIONAL HEALTH, SPIRITUAL HEALTH, PHYSICAL HEALTH PUBLIC RESOURCE.

>> Reporter: SAM HAS SEEN PLENTY OF EFFORTS TO TRY AND PRIVATIZE HIS MOTHER'S BRAINCHILD.

>> IT HAS A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART BECAUSE MY FATHER LED THE CAMPAIGN TO CREATE THE PARK, AND HE CO-LED MANY MAJOR BATTLES AGAINST PRIVATIZATION OF THIS PARK BECAUSE OF FREE ANDY GREENE PEOPLES PARK IS WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND WHAT PEOPLE DESERVE.

>> Reporter: HE IS AFRAID IT IS AT RISK BECAUSE OF A NEW BILL IN TRENTON.

THREE HUDSON COUNTY SENATORS ARE SPONSORING AN ACT THAT WOULD ALLOCATE $250 MILLION TO FIX UP THE PARK AND CREATE A NEW COMMITTEE OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES TO OVERSEE FUTURE CHANGES TO THE PARK.

BUT ADVOCATES WORRY THAT THE BILL DOES NOT EXPLICITLY BAN DRIVER TO STATION.

THEY ARE ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE BILL REFERS TO THE PARK AS AN ECONOMIC RESOURCE AND A WAY TO GENERATE REVENUE.

>> THERE'S LOTS OF REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS MORE ABOUT PRIVATIZATION AND BUILDING A STADIUM AND EMPATHY ARE AND LARGE-SCALE PRIVATIZATION THAT LEADS TO POLITICS, PATRONAGE, RATHER THAN IMPROVING THE VISITOR EXPERIENCE AT LIBERTY STATE PARK.

>> THE OVERWHELMING BROAD PUBLIC CONSENSUS HAS ALWAYS CLEARLY AND STRONGLY AND AGAINST PRIVATIZATION PLANS FOR THIS PARK, NO MATTER WHAT MONEY WAS PROMISED.

>> Reporter: STATE SENATOR BRIAN STACK IS ONE OF THE BILL'S COSPONSORS.

IN A STATEMENT, HE SAYS, IT IS FINALLY TIME FOR HUDSON COUNTY TO GET THE PARK IT DESERVES AND ESTABLISH LIBERTY STATE PARK AS THE CROWN JEWEL OF NEW JERSEY AT THE PARK SYSTEM.

ADVOCATES SAY THEY DON'T KNOW ENOUGH SPECIFICS.

>> ARE WE TALKING ABOUT STADIUMS?

ARE WE TALKING ABOUT AMPHITHEATERS?

HOW LARGE ARE THESE THINGS?

ARE WE GOING TO ENSURE THAT PLACES LIKE CAVEN POINT, ARE THEY GOING TO BE PROTECTED?

>> THE ARENA AND EPIC THEATER WOULD DESTROY PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PARK.

THE PARK'S LOTS ARE FULL ON NICE WEEKENDS.

THERE WOULD BE INEVITABLE TRAFFIC JAMS, NO MATTER HOW MANY PARKING SPACES AND SHUTTLE BUSES ARE ESTABLISHED, AND IT WOULD JUST TURN THE PARK INTO A COMMERCIAL SITE INDUSTRY THE CULTURE OF THE PARK.

>> Reporter: STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER RAJ.

HE SAID THE STATEMENT TO US.

I SUFFER FROM PARANOIA INFORMED BY DECADES OF STRUGGLES AGAINST ATTEMPT TO PRIVATIZE.

I CANNOT SUPPORT ANY OTHER BILL UNLESS IT IS ADVANCED IN CONCERT WITH OR MERGED WITH LIBERTY STATE PARK PROTECTION ACT AND INCLUDES SUFFICIENT GUARDS AGAINST PRIVATIZATION.

JERSEY CITY'S MAYOR IS ON THE FENCE ABOUT SUPPORTING THE CURRENT BILL BUT CALLS IT A GOOD START.

>> IF YOU GET PAST THE HISTORICAL POLITICS OF LIBERTY STATE PARK AND JUST LOOK AT THIS IN ISOLATION, THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD THINGS HERE FROM THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO THE ROBUST COMMITTEE.

THERE ARE STILL PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.

THIS BILL DOES NOT ELIMINATE ANY PROTECTIONS.

IT DOES NOT ALLOW PROTECTIONS MOVING FORWARD, WHICH IS CONCERNING, BUT IT DOES NOT MOVE US BACKWARDS, EITHER.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION THEY NEED THE MONEY.

>> Reporter: THEY ESTIMATE IT WOULD COST $50 MILLION TO CLEAN UP THIS TRAIN STATION TO GET RID OF THE ASBESTOS.

HE SAYS THE MONEY IS NOT WORTH IT IF IT MEANS HAVING TO PRIVATIZE A LARGE PORTION OF THE PARK.

>> MERGE THE TWO BILLS, GET THE $250 MILLION, AND PROTECT THE PARK FROM PRIVATIZATION.

RAJ'S BILL DOES ALLOW FOR A SMALL SCALE COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES, LIKE ICE-SKATING RINK, FOOD VENDORS THE PARK- APPROPRIATE SMALL-SCALE COMMERCIALIZATION.

>> WE CERTAINLY WOULD LIKE TO SEND MONEY FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS SPENT THE RIGHT WAY, TAXPAYER DOLLARS THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY, LOCAL RESIDENTS.

ALSO,.

GETTING THE PRIORITIES MET BECAUSE WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF STAFF AT STATE PARKS.

WE HAVE A BACKLOG OF NEEDS.

WHEN WE SPEND MONEY HERE AT LIBERTY STATE PARK, WE WANT TO SEND IT ON IMPROVING ATHLETIC FIELDS, ACTIVE RECREATION, PASSIVE RECREATION, NOT BILLING STADIUMS AND PATRONAGE PITS.

>> Reporter: LIBERTY STATE PARK WILL CELEBRATE ITS 46 BIRTHDAY NEXT WEEK.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST PRIVATIZATION, AND THERE IS LITTLE DOUBT IT WILL BE THE LAST.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS", I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PUSHING FORWARD FOR PLANS TO PROTECT AN UNDERWATER CANYON JUST OFF THE JERSEY SHORE AND TURN IT INTO A MARINE SANCTUARY PICK THE HUDSON CANYON IS A NEARLY 2-MILE DEEP CRACK CONSIDERED THE LARGEST UNDERWATER CANYON ON THE EAST COAST.

IT'S JUST 100 MILES FROM THE SHORELINE.

THE AREA IS A CRITICAL HABITAT FOR OCEAN LIFE.

IT SUPPORTS AND DANGEROUS WHALES AND COMMERCIALLY VALUABLE FISH.

SANCTUARY PROTECTIONS WERE FIRST PROPOSED IN 2016, BUT THE NOMINATION STALLED THROUGH PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TIME IN OFFICE, CREATING A NEW SANCTUARY WOULD BE PART OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S GOAL TO PROTECT 30% OF THE LAND AND WATER BY 2030.

THE PROPOSAL IS NOW SUBJECT TO PUBLIC COMMENT AS THE DEMONSTRATION GATHERS INPUT FROM THE FISHING AND OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRIES.

>>> THERE IS A PROCESS AS MAKING THE SWITCH TO A GREEN ENERGY ECONOMY WILL BRING IN THE GREEN FOR RESIDENCE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS FROM THE NEW REPORT , PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S MOVE TO CLEAN ENERGY WILL BENEFIT THE ECONOMY AND CREATE THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS .

THAT'S ACCORDING TO RESEARCH FROM THE APPLIED ECONOMICS CRITIC, WHICH PROVIDES ANALYSIS ON ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE ORGANIZATION FOUND THAT NEW JERSEY STANDS TO GAIN AN AVERAGE OF $1.3 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND 11,000 NEW JOBS ANNUALLY IF THE STATE INCREASES ITS EFFORT TO TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY BY 2050, WHICH IS A MURPHY ADMINISTRATION GOAL.

ADVOCATES WANT TO MAKE SURE JOB CREATION IS INCLUSIVE, SAYING CLEAN ENERGY CREATES A BIG OPPORTUNITY FOR LOW-INCOME AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

DEBORAH COLE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT NEW JERSEY WORK ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL.

>> MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BLACK, BROWN, INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE ACCESS TO THESE JOBS, WOMEN, RIGHT?

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING -- THIS IS A VERY UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY.

WE ARE LOOKING TO BUILD A WHOLE NEW INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.

WE ARE AT THE GROUND LEVEL.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT UTILITY SHUT OFFS IS FAST APPROACHING IN NEW JERSEY.

STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS ARE REMINDING RESIDENTS ONCE AGAIN TO SIGN UP FOR HELP.

AT AN EVENT IN CANTON YESTERDAY, CUSTOMERS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN UP ON SITE FOR UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE STATE.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR A PROGRAM OR SIGN UP FOR A PAYMENT PLAN IS JUNE 14.

IN ORDER FOR CUSTOMERS TO RECEIVE PROTECTION FROM SERVICE SHUT OFF.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MORE THAN 1 MILLION GAS, ELECTRIC, AND WATER CUSTOMERS THAT ARE BEHIND ON THEIR PAYMENTS, OWING A COLLECTIVE $750 MILLION.

>> Reporter: BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO PREPARE MORE STUDENTS FOR MANUFACTURING CAREERS IS CLEAR TO THE COMMITTEE.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE CITY BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE OKAYED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD SET UP A MANUFACTURING CAREER PATHWAY AT NEW JERSEY'S COUNTY COLLEGES AND VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS.

ONE OF THE BILL'S SPONSORS, SENATOR STEVEN OROHO, SAYS MANUFACTURING HAS MADE A COMEBACK.

BUSINESSES ARE HAVING TROUBLE FINDING ENOUGH QUALIFIED WORKERS FOR OPEN JOBS.

>> Reporter: WITH MORTGAGE RATES ON THE RISE, DEMAND FOR LOANS HAS NOW FALLEN TO THE LOWEST LEVEL IN 22 YEARS, ACCORDING TO NEW DATA TODAY FROM THE MORTGAGE BANKERS ASSOCIATION.

APPLICATIONS FOR A MORTGAGE TO PURCHASE A HOME FELL 6.5% FOR THE WEEK AND WERE DOWN 21% FROM THE SAME WEEK A YEAR AGO.

APPLICATIONS TO REFINANCE ALSO FELL.

THE AVERAGE RATE OF A 30-YEAR CONVENTIONAL MORTGAGE HAS INCREASED TO 5.4%.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY ESTATE MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY, ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

>>> PARENTS AND STUDENTS IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY SAY A SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST WAS FIRED IN VALIDATION FOR ORGANIZING AN LGBTQ+ AWARENESS EVENT AND FOR TEACHING INCLUSIVE CURRICULUM.

ADVOCATES SAY THE PISCATAWAY SCHOOL BOARD EFFECTIVELY VOTED TO FIRE THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR BY DENYING HER TENURE.

AND NOW, THEY ARE FALLING ON THE BOARD TO RE-CONSIDER.

>> AFTER PLANNING LESSONS FOR THE DATE OF SILENCE, THERE WERE SOME COMPLAINTS, ONE OR TWO COMPLAINTS, AND MY LESSONS WERE ABRUPTLY CANCELED.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME, SAYS DR. CASSIA MOSDELL, THAT HER ADMINISTERS IN THE PISCATAWAY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT WERE UNHAPPY WITH THE LESSONS SHE PLANNED FOR THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENT, TEACHING ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF PEOPLE FROM THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION BECAME VERY ACCUSATORY OF ME.

IT WAS VERY ABRUPT AND A REAL DEPARTURE FROM PAST PRACTICES.

>> Reporter: A SHORT TIME LATER, DR. MOSDELL SAID THEY DENIED HER TENURE AFTER BLOWING REVIEWS FOR YEARS AND THE LESSONS SHE HAD BEEN TEACHING.

>> THESE LESSONS WERE THE SAME ONES I HAD BEEN USING FOR YEARS.

IN FACT, THE MAIN FOCUS OF THESE LESSONS WAS A VIDEO THAT I HAD USED MY FIRST YEAR IN PISCATAWAY THAT HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN PRAISED THAT MY PICTURE WAS PUT ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT REPORT.

>> Reporter: THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SHE WOULDN'T RETURN HIT MANY OF HER STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS HARD.

>> I FELT AT FIRST SHOCKED.

BEEN UPSET.

I'M REALLY GOING TO MISS HER NEXT YEAR.

>> SHE WAS VERY UNDERSTANDING AND WAS ACTUALLY VERY EFFECTIVE IN HELPING THE KIDS COPE WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON DURING COVID AND ALSO KIDS WHO MIGHT'VE BEEN GETTING BULLIED.

>> Reporter: THEY SHOWED UP TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR MOSDELL AT THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING, TO SHOW HOW MUCH SHE SUPPORTED HER STUDENTS.

>> OUR STUDENTS EXTREMELY VALUE EVERY CONVERSATION WITH HER BECAUSE OF HOW COMFORTABLE WE FEEL AROUND HER.

NO MATTER WHAT, SHE SACRIFICES TO ATTEND EVERY HAPPINESS COMMITTEE MEETING, AND SHE PROVIDES A SAFE SPACE.

>> MANY OF MOSDELL'S STUDENTS HELPED PLAN THE LESSONS ON THE DAY OF SILENCE, A DAY TO ALLOW SILENCE ON BEHALF OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

SHE SAID SHE HAS DONE THIS BEFORE, AND IT'S BEEN VERY WELL RECEIVED.

>> THERE WAS DISTRICT APPROVAL FOR THE DAY OF SILENCE.

I THINK WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION IN MY BUILDING AND AT THE HELM, THERE WAS A LOT OF SCRUTINY OF IT THIS YEAR.

THIS SORT OF CRACKDOWN CAME AFTER THE COMPLAINTS REACHED THE SUPERINTENDENT.

AND THE CONTENT WAS, EXPLAINING THE HARMS OF DEROGATORY, HOMOPHOBIC SLURS IN TEACHING LGBTQ+ HISTORY IN A FACTUAL, APPROPRIATE WAY.

>> Reporter: DO YOU BELIEVE THE DISTRICT IN RESPONSE TO YOU WAS IN RESPONSE TO PARENTS NOW BEING MUCH MORE AWARE OF THIS LGBTQ+ CURRICULUM AND THE GENDER IDENTITY CURRICULUM THAT NEW JERSEY HAS INSTATED?

>> YES, I DO.

I FEEL LIKE IT WAS ABSOLUTELY IN RESPONSE TO THIS NEW POLITICAL CLIMATE.

>> Reporter: SOME PARENT STARTED A PETITION TO HAVE MOSDELL'S COMMISSION REINSTATED.

MANY FEEL THE VOICES OF IF YOU ARE OUTWEIGHING THE MANY, LIKE STEPHEN'S SON.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO BELIEVE THE DISTRICT HAS THE SAME CONCERNS ABOUT ENSURING THAT ALL STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION, PERSUASION, GENDER ORIENTATION, OR ANYTHING ELSE, ARE WELL-SUITED TO ENTER THE WORLD WITH AS MUCH RESPECT UNDERSTANDING TOLERANCE AS THEY CAN, BASED ON THE TYPE OF EDUCATION THAT THEY GET.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT BUT SAID IT SUPPORTS LGBTQ STUDENTS.

THERE WILL BE A DONALDSON HEARING WHERE SHE CAN CHALLENGE HER FIRING IN A PUBLIC SETTING.

>>> THAT DOES IT THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR CHECKBOX WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS WITH FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY ABOUT THE STATE'S ECONOMY AND THE BUDGET APPROACHES HE IS PROPOSING, ALONG WITH THIS WEEK'S PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS.

THEN HE TALKS WITH ELISSA FROM THE NEW JERSEY SHARING NETWORK ABOUT THE STATE OF OREGON THE A NATION AND THE IMPACT THE GIFT OF LIFE HAS BEEN TO HIS FAMILY.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" NEWS TEAM , THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

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

RDW BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE CREATIVE TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED .

A CLEAN, SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.