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BRIANA VANNOZZI .

>> THAT EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI .

NEW JERSEY IS TAKING ON THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY, SUING FIVE OIL AND GAS COMPANIES ALONG WITH THEIR TRADE GROUP, ALLEGING THE KNOWINGLY DECEIVED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE ROLE OF FOSSIL FUELS AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACCUSES THE COMPANIE OF BEING AWARE FOR DECADES THAT THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS IS A MAJOR CAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE , WHICH IS NOW CAUSING NEW JERSEY TO ASK VARIANCE RISING SEA LEVELS.

HOTTER TEMPERATURES AN INCREASINGLY INTENSE STORMS.

ACCORDING TO THE LAWSUIT, THE INDUSTRY INSTEAD LAUNCHED A PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN TO SO DOUBT AND CONFUSE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE CAUSES AND EXISTENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN ORDER TO INCREASE PROFITS .

NEW JERSEY I NOW PART OF NEARLY TWO DOZEN SIMILAR CLAIMANT LAWSUITS BY OTHER CITIES, STATES, AND COUNTIES, AND IT COMES AS NEW JERSEY IS STILL REBUILDING.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEY GENERAL PLAT SKIN IN THE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS CHIEFS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE TAKING ON SOME OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES ON THE PLANET FOR WHAT THEY SAY IS A PATTERN OF SYSTEMIC FRAUD THAT HAS MADE STORMS LIKE SANDY , WHICH LEFT $70 BILLION IN DAMAGE IN ITS WAKE , MORE DANGEROUS.

>> WE ARE SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE TO EVERY INDUSTRY, INCLUDING THE PETROLEUM INDUSTRY.

IF YOU LIKE TO THE PUBLIC TO PROTECT YOUR PROFITS, WE WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE.

NO MATTER HOW MUCH INFLUENCE YO MAY HAVE.

>> Reporter: THE SUIT FILED TODAY IN TRENTON NAMES EXXON MOBIL, SHELL MOBILE, CHEVRON , CONOCO PHILLIPS , BP, AND THE INSTITUTE, KNOWING THAT THEY ALLEGEDLY MISLED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE EXISTENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND ACCELERATING IT.

>> THEY NOT ONLY FAILED TO WARN THE PUBLIC, THEY ACTUALLY LIGHT FOR US FOR DECADES TO LET IT BUILD UP.

THEY LET A CAMPAIGN TO CONFUSE THE PUBLIC'S ABOUT FOSSIL FUELS AND CLIMATE CHANGE EVEN THOUGH THE SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS WAS SECURE.

THEY DID THIS TO AVOID -- SPECIFICALLY T AVOID A CLEANER, LOWER CARBON TEACHER AND TO PRESERVE THEIR MARKET FOR THEIR COMMODITIES.

>> Reporter: TWO OF THE COMPANIES NAMED REACTED QUICKLY, ISSUING STATEMENTS TODAY BEFORE A PRESS CONFERENCE WAS COMPLETE.

WE DO NOT BELIEV THE COURTROOM IS THE RIGHT VENU TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE, SAYS A STATEMENT BY SHELL OIL, BUT SMART POLICY BY GOVERNMENT SUPPORTED BY ALL BUSINESS SECTORS , INCLUDING OURS, AND FROM CIVIL SOCIETY IS THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO REACH SOLUTIONS AND DRIVE PROGRESS.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS LIKE THIS WASTE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TAXPAYER MONEY AND DO NOTHING T ADVANCE MEANINGFUL ACTION THAT REDUCE THE RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, SAID EXXON MOBIL.

>> I THINK THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN LYING TO US FOR DECADES -- WE WILL SEE THEM IN COURT.

>> WE DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY, BECAUSE IT JUST PLAIN WRONG TO PUT PROFIT OVER PEOPLE AND THE PLANET THAT WE SHARE.

WE DEMAND THAT THE OIL MAJORS ANSWER FOR THIS EVENING DECEIVING NEW JERSEYANS , FOR MAKING CLIMATE POLICY SO HARD TO ACHIEVE THROUGH OBFUSCATION AND DELAY.

>> Reporter: THE STATE IS SEEKING UNSPECIFIED CIVIL PENALTIES AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES, AS WELL AS AN INJUNCTION REQUIRING THE COMPANIES TO STO DECEIVING CONSUMERS.

THE TIMELINE FOR THIS KIND OF SUIT IS DIFFICULT TO PREDICT, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE A COUPLE OF PREVIOUS SETTLEMENTS.

GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE INFAMOUSLY SETTLED IT COULD HAV BEEN A $9 BILLION PAYOUT FOR JUST $200 MILLION.

IN THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT OF 1998, WHICH AWARDED THE STATE 7.5 BILLION OVER 25 YEARS, AND INSTEAD THIS DATE TOOK A LUMP SUM OF $3 BILLION IN 2003, WHIC WENT MOSTLY TO PLUG BUDGET HOLES.

I'M DAVID KRUSE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NEW JERSEY EDUCATORS SAY TH STATE NEEDS TO STEP UP SUPPORT TO HELP THEM GET A HANDLE ON POST-COVID LEARNING RECOVERY FO THEIR STUDENTS.

AT A STATEHOUS HEARING ON MONDAY, TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS PLEADED WITH LAWMAKERS TO EASE UP ON TESTING MANDATES AND THE RHETORIC AROUN STUDENT PERFORMANCE , GIVING ASSEMBLY MEMBERS A GLIMPSE AT WHAT THE CLASSROOM IS REALLY LIKE AFTER TWO YEARS OF LIVING WITH THE PANDEMIC.

SENIOR CORRESPONDED JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> IT'S VERY HARD TO TARGET WHERE THE SUPPORT NEEDS TO BE.

>> Reporter: TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW THE STATE CAN SUPPORT TEACHERS AND STUDENTS THIS YEAR, THE ASSEMBLY EDUCATION COMMITTEE HELD A HEARING TO LISTEN TO EDUCATORS.

>> WE DID SEE A 20% INCREASE OF STUDENTS FALLING BEHIND IN THEI LANGUAGE ARTS SCORES ON THE NEW JERSEY STATE ASSESSMENT.

AND I MATH, WE SAW A 15% INCREASE IN STUDENTS FALLING BEHIND.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL EDUCATION EXPERTS TESTIFIED ABOUT THE STRUGGLES THEY ARE SEEING IN THEIR CLASSROOMS SINCE COVID.

>> WE SAW STUDENTS STRUGGLING WITH ANXIETY AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS HAVE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF HER TEACHERS.

>> SOMEONE SAID TO ME, MY NINTH GRADERS ARE STILL TITLING.

THAT SIX GRADE BEHAVIOR, AND THEY NEVER GOT OUT OF IT BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T IN SCHOOL.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.

A SECOND GRADE TEACHER TOLD ME HI STUDENTS DON'T KNOW HOW TO TELL TIME.

>> Reporter: THEY ASKED FOR MOR SUPPORT TO HIRE MORE TEACHERS AND HALF, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOL RUNS OUT , TO RELAXING STATE GUIDELINES SO ASPIRING TEACHERS CAN MORE EASILY EARNING TEACHER CERTIFICATION .

>> WE ALSO NEED TO REDUCE CERTIFICATION THESE.

PARTICULARLY, TEACHERS OF COLO AND ALSO PARAPROFESSIONALS GETTING CERTIFIED AS WELL.

>> Reporter: SOME CAUTION ABOUT THE EXPECTATIONS OF TRYING TO CATCH KIDS UP.

>> THERE'S PRESSURE TO GET KIDS BACK TO WHERE THEY WERE PRE-PANDEMIC.

IT'S DRAINING TO HEAR THAT, IT'S DEMORALIZING.

AND IF YOU GIVE US TIME TO GET THEM THERE, WE WILL DO IT.

>> I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK THE LEGISLATORS TO BALANCE WITH TH LEARNING LOSS.

I HOPE WE MAKE THIS NARRATIVE ABOUT RECOVERY.

NOT ONLY ACADEMIC, BUT ALSO THE EMOTIONAL RECOVERY OTHER STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

>> I TRY NOT TO USE THE WORD LEARNING LOSS EITHER.

AND THE REASON THAT I DON'T USE THAT TERM IS, I AM A DIFFERENT PERSO TWO YEARS LATER, AS ALL OF US IN THIS ROOM AND ALL OF US IN THIS WORLD ARE.

SO FOR ME TO ASSUME THAT I WOULD TEACH AND LEARN EXACTLY THE WAY THAT THINGS TOOK PLACE IN MARCH OF 2020 , IT WOULD BE WRONG OF ME AS A SCHOOL LEADER.

>> IF THERE'S A MESSAGE THAT SOUNDED LOUDER THAN ANYTHING TODAY, IT'S STOP THE TESTING.

EVEN AS DISTRICT OF ALREADY COMPLETED ROLLING OUT THE STRONG ASSESSMENT THIS FALL.

>> ELIMINATE START STRONG AND USE ONLY NJ SLA AS A METRIC FO IMPROVEMENT.

IT'S NOT A GOOD USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL TIME AND IT'S ALSO STEERING OUR RESOURCE AWAY FOR THE ADULTS PREPARING FOR THESE TESTS IN THE BEGINNIN OF THE YEAR.

WE ARE TRYING TO INVESTIGATE KIDS TO HELP, AND YET THE PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM THA SUPPORT ARE GIVING A STATE ASSESSMENT.

>> START STRONG, WHY BOTHER?

W HAVE BETTER ASSESSMENTS BUILT INTO THE CURRICULUM THAT WE DO.

WE ALREADY USE THOSE.

AND TO SIMONSON'S POINTS, STOP REQUIRING STUDENT OBJECTIVES.

THEY END UP BEING PAPERWORK COMPLIANCE EXERCISES WHICH PROVIDE LITTLE ACTIONABLE DATA.

>> A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE STAT TO STEP OUT OF THE WAY AND LET TEACHERS DO THE JOBS THEY ARE TRAINED TO DO TO TEACH.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, AND JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> A NEW STATEWIDE PLAN TO ADDRESS THE RISING RATES OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AMONGST DUDEN IS GIVING SERIOUS PUSHBAC AFTER THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATIO ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO EFFECTIVELY AND A SYSTEM OF SCHOOL-BASED YOUTH SERVICES THAT IS BEEN IN PLACE FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS.

REPLACING IT WITH A REGIONAL MODEL THAT OPERATES OUTSIDE THE SCHOOLS AND HOPES TO PROVIDE MORE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

THIS COMES AT A TIME WHEN STUDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING HEIGHTENED LEVELS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC.

MENTAL HEALTH REPORTER BOBBY BREYER BRINGS U THE LATEST ON THE PROPOSAL AND THE PROTEST AGAINST IT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH REPORT FOR AMERICA.

BOBBY, WELCOME TO YOU I GUESS THE FIRST QUESTION IS, WHY DOES THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO CHANGE A SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN HERE SINCE THE 80s?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

AND REALLY, THE REASON BEHIND DOING IT WAS TO SERVE -- AS THEY SAID, TO SERVE MORE STUDENTS WITH MORE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE THROUGHOUT THIS DATE IN LIGHT OF THE EMOTIONAL TOLL THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN.

NOT ONLY ON STUDENTS, BUT ON THEIR PARENTS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.

THI IS REALLY A PLAN FOR THE STATE AS THEY ARE PROPOSING TO HELP MORE STUDENTS OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE 90 SCHOOL-BASED SCHOOL PROGRAMS THAT BY NOT ONLY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, BUT ALSO THINGS LIKE COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY HELP FOOD PANTRIES, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE TO REALLY ASSIST STUDENTS IN NEED.

SO THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CRITICISM OF THIS NEW PLAN FROM FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN ON THE GROUND HELPING AND SERVICING STUDENTS ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> WHAT'S THEIR MAIN GRIPE?

WHAT'S THEIR BIGGEST POINT OF CONTENTION HERE?

YOU SAID THER IS 90 SCHOOLS THAT ARE USING TH IN SCHOOL MODEL.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF THOUSAND IN THE DATE.

SO I'M WONDERING HOW MANY KIDS AREN'T GETTING HELPED.

>> RIGHT.

FROM WHAT I'M TOLD FROM STATE OFFICIALS, THERE'S ABOUT 2000 100 OTHER SCHOOLS THAT WOULD BENEFIT HIM THIS POTENTIAL MODEL.

BUT WHAT A LO OF ADVOCATES OF THE CURRENT AN SCHOOL-BASED PROGRAM HAVE SAID IS THAT THIS MODEL THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY USING REALLY BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS WITH STUDENTS.

STUDENTS FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING TO THESE SOURCES WITHIN THE SCHOOLS THEMSELVES.

THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE SPEAKING WITH COUNSELORS WHO THEY BUILT A RELATIONSHIP WITH, AND IT'S REALLY A COMMUNITY SETTING.

THEIR MAIN OPPOSITION TO THE PLAN IS IF THIS MODEL WERE TO TAKE PLACE, A LOT OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE ALREADY FORMED WOULD NO LONGER EXIST.

AND A LOT OF FOLKS WHO FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING TO RECEIVE THE SERVICES, MAY NOT FEEL AS COMFORTABLE WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIAN WHO WAS ONLY SPENDING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME WITHIN THE SCHOOL PER WEEK AS THE ADVOCATES HAVE SAID.

>> WE ALWAYS KNOW THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT STIGMA WITH GETTING HELP FOR THESE ISSUES.

TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT THIS REGIONAL SYSTEM WOULD ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE.

>> SURE.

FROM WHAT THE STATE IS PROPOSING, THEY ARE CALLING IT HUB AND SPOKE MODEL.

ESSENTIALL WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THERE ARE 15 HUBS OR CENTERS THAT CA EITHER BE IN A PHYSICAL LOCATIO OR A VIRTUAL LOCATION, AND THERE'S 15, BECAUSE THOSE 15 AR BASED ON THE 15 DIFFERENT COURT DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

SO ESSENTIALLY, THESE HUBS OR CENTERS WOULD BE STAFFED WITH PREVENTION COUNSELORS, MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS, AND OTHERS WHO ESSENTIALLY WITHOUT HORSE SERVICES TO DIFFERENT SITES SUCH AS SCHOOLS, LOCKERS, COMMUNITY-BASED SETTINGS, HOME , AND ESSENTIALLY WOULD SEND CLINICIANS OR OTHERS TO THESE LOCATIONS , WHICH THEY ARE CALLING THE SPOKES, TO HELP STUDENTS IN NEED.

>> I KNOW WE WILL BE HEARING A LOT MORE ABOUT THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORTING AND WE WILL BE CHECKING BACK IN WITH YOU.

YOU CAN READ THE STATES FULL PLAN AND MORE ABOUT THE BACKLAS IN BOBBY BREYER'S STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> A NEW BILL TO LIMIT CONCEALED CARRY GUN PERMITS IN NEW JERSEY IS A STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW.

AN ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON MONDAY ADVANCED TH LEGISLATION THAT WAS INTRODUCED JUST DAYS AGO.

IT WOULD BAN GUNS AND 25 PUBLIC AREAS, INCLUDING PLACES LIKE SCHOOLS, PUBLIC PARKS, AND GROCERY STORES, AND REQUIRE NEW JERSEY GUN OWNERS TO TAKE ON SAFETY TRAINING COURSES, ALONG WITH DYING LIABILITY INSURANCE.

THE PROPOSAL IS CONSIDERED THE STATE LAWMAKERS RESPONSE TO A U.S. SUPPORT RULING IN JUNE GUARANTEEING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT OF PEOPLE TO CARRY FIREARMS IN PUBLIC SPACES , AND A RECENT DECISION BY A FEDERAL JUDGE OVERTURNING A LAW IN NEW YORK THAT BAND CONCEALED CARRY IN PLACES LIKE THE CITY SUBWAY SYSTEM AND TIMES SQUARE.

THE APPROVAL DIDN'T COME WITHOUT SOME FIERY DEBATE FROM REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS WHO ARGUED NEW JERSEY'S ALREADY STRICTEST IN THE NATION ON LAWS PENALIZED LAW-ABIDING GUN OWNERS, AND IT COULD LIKELY FACE LONG, ASKED THE CHALLENGES IN COURT.

THE CALLS ARE GROWING LOUDER FOR PASSAIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR TO RESIGN AFTER NEWLY RELEASED PUBLIC DOCUMENTS SHOW HER OFFIC DROPPED NEARLY A DOZEN INVESTIGATIONS INTO FIVE PATTERSON COPS, WHO WERE LATER ARRESTED BY THE FBI AND CONVICTED IN FEDERAL COURT, ADMITTING THEY ROBBED AND ASSAULTED PEOPLE THEY ILLEGALLY'S POPPED IN THE CITY.

LOCAL ACTIVIST SAY THE SCANDAL WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS JUST THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF PROSECUTOR VALDES ONGOING FAILURE TO PROTECT THE COMMUNIT , AS SHE HAS BEEN ENSNARED IN OTHER HIGH-PROFILE ALLEGATIONS AND LAWSUITS.

I'M JOINED NOW BY THE EDITOR OF THE PATTERSON PRESS, WHO HAS BEEN CLOSELY FOLLOWING THE STORY AND HAS THE LATEST DETAILS.

JOE, THANKS FO JOINING ME ON THE SHOW.

I WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK FIRST AND HAVE YOU JUST BRIEFLY WALK THROUGH THIS SO-CALLED ROBBERY SQUAD, REALLY WHAT HAS BEEN ON OF THE BIGGEST SCANDALS IN THI POLICE DEPARTMENT IN PATTERSON IN SOME TIME.

AND WHAT THE CONVICTIONS WERE THERE.

>> SO SIX OFFICERS HAD BEEN CONVICTED IN FEDERAL COURT.

FIVE OF THEM PLEADED GUILTY, ON WENT TO TRIAL AND HAD THE OTHER FIVE TESTIFY AGAINST HIM.

THE ADMITTED MAKING LEGAL STOPS AN OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS.

SOME OF THE CRIMES GO BACK TO 2016, AND THE LAST CRIMES WERE IN 2018.

THEY ARE ALL COMPLETING THEIR PRISON TERMS .

THEY WERE SENTENCED IN SEPTEMBER.

>> YES, WHICH RANGE UP TO A COUPLE OF YEARS DEPENDING ON EACH CASE.

THERE WAS NEW PUBLIC DOCUMENTS MADE AVAILABLE TO FOLKS.

WHAT DID THAT SHOW US ABOUT HOW THIS PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HANDLED THESE CLAIMS AN THE INVESTIGATIONS?

>> WELL, WE GOT A REQUEST FOR RE-MANNED LETTERS FROM THE PROSECUTOR TO THE PATTERSON INTERNAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

WHAT THEY TELL US IS THAT OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS, TH PATTERSON POLICE DEPARTMENT CONTACTED THE PROSECUTORS OF ABOUT FIVE MEMBERS OF THE ROBBERY SQUAD, ALL FIVE WHO PLEADED GUILTY, WITH ALLEGATION THAT THEY THOUGHT MIGHT BE CRIMINAL IN NATURE .

AND IN 10 DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIONS, THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE DECIDED THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PURSUE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION , KICKED IT BACK TO PATTERSON POLICE FOR ADMINISTRATOR REVIEW.

>> SO HAVE WE HEARD FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON THEIR INVOLVEMENT , OR LACK OF INVOLVEMENT?

'S B MAC THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS NOW SAID THAT IT IS REVIEWING THE SITUATION.

NO MORE, NO LESS >> PROSECUTOR VALDES HAS BEEN I OFFICE FOR OVER A DECADE NOW.

THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER HIGH-PROFILE CASES AND ALLEGATIONS.

WHAT ARE ACTIVIST AND PEOPLE IN THE CITY TELLING YOU AS YOU BEEN REPORTING ON THIS ABOUT HER TENURE?

>> THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE SAYING THAT SHE SHOULD RESIGN.

SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVISTS IN PATTERSON SAY THIS CASE AND OTHERS OVER HER TENURE HAVE CONVINCED THEM THAT THEY HAVE N TRUST IN HER.

IF SHE COULDN'T FIND EVIDENCE AGAINST THESE OFFICERS , ONE OF THE ACTIVISTS SAID, THEN SHE SHOULD BE THE PROSECUTOR.

>> I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, IF THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IS THE WATCHDOG FOR THE POLICE, WHO IS THE WATCHDOG FOR THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE IF THEY HAV NO CON CONFIDENCE IN HER?

WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP BASED ON WHAT YOU BEEN TOLD BY THE AUTHORITIES?

>> WHEN YOU SAY NEXT STEP, SHE IS UP FOR REAPPOINTMENT.

IN ONE OF MY COUNTERPARTS HAS REPORTE MULTIPLE TIMES THAT GOVERNOR MURKY , BUT THE APPOINTMENT IS BEING BLOCKED BECAUSE OF SENATORIAL COURTESY BY SENATOR KRISTIN CORRADO, WHO TODAY JUS CAME OUT WITH A PRESS RELEASE CALLING ON VALDES TO RESIGN AS WELL.

SO HER STATUS AS PROSECUTOR IS UP IN THE AIR BECAUSE OF THAT APPOINTMENT SITUATION.

>> YEAH.

AND THAT LEGISLATIVE INTERVENTION.

ALL RIGHT.

JOE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPORTING.

THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> MY PLEASURE.

BE WELL.

>>> NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS BEIN CALLED OUT FOR FAILING TO KEEP TRAIN STATIONS ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OF NEW JERSEY TODAY REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH THE AGENCY REQUIRING IT TO MAKE UPDATES AT 5 OF ITS BUSIEST INTERCITY RAI STATIONS.

THAT'S NEWARK PENN, PRINCETON JUNCTION, METROPARK, TRENTON, AND NEW BRUNSWICK.

TH LOCATIONS ARE CONSIDERED WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE, BUT THE SETTLEMENT IDENTIFIED MORE THA 200 OTHER A.D.A.

VIOLATIONS THA WILL NEED TO BE MODIFIED.

THEY RANGE FROM LACK OF HANDICAPPED PARKING SPACES , TO MISSING OR INADEQUATE RAMPS .

IN TRENTON, ONE OF THE TRACKS IS WITHOUT AN ELEVATOR.

OTHERS LACKED ACCESS TO RESTROOMS OR WERE MISSING SIGNS.

THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYS THE AGENCY IS ALREADY WORKING TO BRING THE TAINT STATIONS INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE A.D.A.

.

ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY TRANSIT MAP, MORE THAN HALF OF ITS NEARLY 170S NATIONS ARE NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS REACHED OUT TO NEW JERSEY TRANSIT FOR COMMENT, BUT DID NO RECEIVE A RISK ON.

>>> SOUTH JERSEY LEADERS ARE LOOKING TO BRING GAMING AND ALL THE REVENUE THAT COMES WITH IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS ON NEW e-SPORTS HUB.

PLUS, TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> EFFORTS TO GROW THE e-SPORTS, OR COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMES INDUSTRY, AND SOUTH JERSE KICKED UP A NOTCH TODAY.

A RIBBON CUTTING WAS HELD FOR THE e-SPORTS INNOVATION CENTER AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY, WHICH WILL ASK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING MORE EVENTS TO THE AREA, AS WEL AS TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY FOR TH CASINO INDUSTRY.

IN NEW JERSEY, e-SPORTS IS LEGAL THROUGH SPORTS BETTING OPERATORS, AND LEGISLATION IS INTRODUCED THAT WOULD ALLOW ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS TO OFFER e-SPORTS AS AN INTERNET BETTING OPTION.

STOCKTON IS ALSO HOSTING THE FIRST CASINO EATS BOTH CONFERENCE ON THE EAST COAST.

AN EVENT ORGANIZER SAYS GETTIN THE CASINO INDUSTRY INVOLVED WILL FUEL THE GROWTH OF THE SPORTS.

>> IF THEY CAN MAKE MONEY, THERE'S MONEY TO BE MADE FOR EVERYONE.

EATING THAT PUBLISHER OF THE VIDEO GAMES, THE PEOPLE PLAYING THE VIDEO GAMES, AND THEN THE PEOPLE REGULATING AND MAKING THOSE VIDEO GAMES SAFE AND AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

>> THE LATEST CASINO REVENUE NUMBERS FROM ATLANTIC CITY SHOW CONTINUED GROWTH IN INTERNET GAMING , WITH SEPTEMBER REVENUE OF MORE THAN 10% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

REVENUE FROM IN PERSON GAMBLING WAS UP JUST 1.3 COMPARED TO LAST YEAR, BUT ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINO OPERATOR ARE LIKELY TO MEET AND POTENTIALLY EXCEED PRE-PANDEMI REVENUES BY THE END OF THE YEAR ACCORDING TO STOCKTON UNIVERSITY.

STATE LAWMAKERS CANCELED A PLANNED VOTE ON A BILL TO GIVE MORE RIGHTS TO TEMPORARY WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY .

YESTERDAY'S MOVE BY THE STATE SENATE WAS SEEN AS A SURPRISE, WITH SENATE PRESIDENT SAYING THE BILL DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH VOTES.

BUT HE DID NOT SAY THE LEGISLATION WAS DEAD.

BUSINESS LEADERS HAVE POSED THE BILL, WHICH HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A CONDITIONAL VETO FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY.

NOW, HERE'S OUR CHECK ON TODAY'S TRADING ON WALL STREET.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORTS PROVIDED BY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY , ANNOUNCING ITS 2022 NEW JERSEY BUSINESS HALL OF FAME , NOVEMBE 3rd AT THE HYATT REGENCY IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE AT J AND J.ORG .

AND BY ROWAN UNIVERSITY.

EDUCATING NEW JERSE LEADERS, PARTNERING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, TRANSFORMIN NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

>> AND THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT BEFORE WE GO, WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT A NEW PODCAST SERIES WE ARE LAUNCHING TODAY.

WITH THE MIDTERM ELECTION JUST THREE WEEKS OUT, THE NJ DECIDES 2022 ELECTION EXCHANGE , A POLITICAL PODCAST SERIES THAT GIVES YOU INSIGHT ACCESS TO NEW JERSEY'S CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS, HOSTED BY SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ, SENIOR DIGITAL PRODUCTS EDITOR, COLLEEN O'DAY, AND MYSELF .

WE BRING YOU CANDID CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE ISSUES IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE WITH EACH CANDIDATE.

THERE'S A CLIP FROM MY CHAT WITH TOM MALINOWSKI, RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT.

REPRESENTATIVE MALINOWSKI, THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

SO LET ME ASK YOU FIRST -- YOU ARE NO STRANGER TO A CHALLENGE.

YOU ARE PART OF THE BLUE WAVE IN 2016.

LAST YEAR, RAZOR THIN MARGINS IN YOUR RACE.

WHY SHOUL VOTERS ELECT TO GIVE YOU A THIR TERM?

>> I GO BACK TO WHAT I PROMISED TO DO WHEN I FIRST RAN IN 2018 -- OR, MORE ACCURATELY, WHAT VOTERS ASKED ME TO DO WHEN I FIRST RAN.

WE TALKED ABOUT ISSUES LIKE THE COST OF HEALTHCARE IN AMERICA.

THE MOMENT WHEN THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WAS ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK, PROMISED TO SAVE THE ACA, MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE.

WE PASSED LEGISLATION THAT DID EXACTLY THAT.

I HEARD FROM SENIORS WHO WERE UP IN ARMS THAT AMERICANS PARTICULARLY , OUR SENIOR POPULATION PAYS FIVE, SIX, 10 TIMES AS MUCH FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AS ANYBODY IN ANY OTHER WEALTHY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

THEY ASKED ME TO GO TO WASHINGTON AND TRY TO LET MEDICARE NEGOTIATE WITH THE DRU COMPANIES TO GET THE COST OF THOSE DRUGS DOWN.

WE DID THAT.

>> HAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 202 TAB TO FIND THE FIRST FOUR EPISODES OF THE POT CAST, OR DOWNLOAD IT WHEREVER YOU STREAM YOUR PODCASTS.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

ASK FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTUR FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAM AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE YOUNG, AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS GIULIANA TORI HONEY, AND I'M PROUD TO BE A MEMBER.