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NJREALTOR.COM >> [ MUSIC ] >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" WITH BRIANA FENNESSEY.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH SAD NEWS.

FORMER DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR JIM FLORIO HAS DIED.

GOVERNOR FLORIO SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HIS LIFE IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

IT BEGAN IN 1969 WHEN HE WON A SEAT IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY.

HE SPENT 15 YEARS AS A CONGRESSMAN REPRESENTING SOUTH JERSEY BEFORE BECOMING THE STATE 'S 49th GOVERNOR, HOLDING OFFICE FROM 1990 TO 1994.

THE FORMER AMATEUR BOXER AND U.S. NAVY OFFICER WAS KNOWN FOR NEVER BACKING DOWN FROM A CHALLENGE, EVEN WHEN IT WAS POLITICALLY UNPOPULAR.

HE BECAME A CHAMPION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WAS CONSIDERED AHEAD OF HIS TIME ON THE ISSUE, CREATING THE NEW JERSEY PINELANDS NATIONAL RESERVE AND PASSING THE CLEAN WATER ENFORCEMENT ACT, ONE OF THE NATION'S STRONGEST ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS OF ITS TYPE.

PERHAPS MOST SIGNIFICANTLY, ENACTING THE SUPERFUND LAW TO CLEAN UP TOXIC WASTE SITES THAT PLAGUED THE STATE AND THE U.S.

GOVERNOR FLORIO WAS KNOWN FOR TACKLING TOUGH ISSUES, LIKE BANNING ASSAULT WEAPONS AND REFORMING PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.

HIS TIME IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE WAS ALSO MISREMEMBERED.

PUSHING THROUGH A $2.8 BILLION TAX INCREASE TO PAY FOR SOME OF THOSE PIRATES, LEADING TO A VOTER REVOLT THAT ULTIMATELY COST HIM HIS SEAT, AFTER ONE TERM, DO TO THE ANTI-TAX CLASS.

STILL, IT WAS HIS STYLE OF LEADERSHIP THAT ENDURED.

POLITICIANS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, INCLUDING THE FORMER REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS, CHRIS CHRISTIE AND CHRISTINE TODD WHITMAN TODAY PRAISED HIS COUNSEL DURING THEIR TIME IN OFFICE AS A LEADER WHO PUT PRINCIPLES FIRST NO MATTER THE COST TO HIS CAREER.

STATEMENTS HAVE BEEN POURING IN FROM ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS TO BUILDING TRADES, LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAWMAKERS, PRAISING THE FORMER GOVERNOR'S GUTS AND BIRTH, HIS ABILITY AND GRACE.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS ORDERING STATE FLAGS TO FLY AT HALF STAFF IN HIS HONOR, CALLING GOVERNOR FLORIO'S TIME IN OFFICE A TESTAMENT THAT LEGACIES ARE BUILT BY DOING THE RIGHT THINGS.

GOVERNOR JIM FLORIO WAS 85 YEARS OLD.

>>> JOINING ME NOW, OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ AND SR.

WRITER COLLIN O'DAY, TWO REPORTERS WHO COVER THE FLORIDA GOVERNOR OVER THE YEARS.

DAVID, I KNOW YOUR EMAIL INBOX HAS BEEN AS INUNDATED AS MINE HAS WITH STATEMENTS ON THE PASSING OF GOVERNOR FLORIO.

I RECEIVED ONE FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL THAT SAID, IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT A MAN WHO AT 85 YEARS OF AGE, FEELS LIKE HE HAS LEFT US TOO SOON.

WHAT IS HIS GREATEST LEGACY?

IS IT THE ENVIRONMENT?

WHAT DO YOU POINT TO?

>> AS WE GO FORWARD, WE WILL SEE HE HAD INFLUENCE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

OF COURSE, OFFERING THE LEGISLATION THAT CREATED THE SUPERFUND PROGRAM IS HIS LASTING LEGACY.

IT HAS BECOME PART OF OUR VERNACULAR.

IN NEW JERSEY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HE IS AN ADVOCATE FOR SCHOOL DESEGREGATION, AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN SCHOOLS.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE STILL CURRENTLY, TODAY, IN THE MIDDLE OF LEGISLATION OVER.

AS WE GO FORWARD, WE WILL SEE WHAT AN INFLUENTIAL MAN THIS WAS AND WHAT A GREAT IMPACT HE HAD AND CONTINUES TO HAVE ON THE STATE.

>> COLLIN, I KNOW YOU COVERED FLORIO IN A NUMBER OF POSITIONS.

WE MOST FREQUENTLY DISCUSS HIM AS GOVERNOR.

HE HAD QUITE THE POLITICAL CAREER PRIOR TO THAT.

>> HE IS KNOWN IN CAMDEN COUNTY HOLDING APPOINTED POSITIONS IN GOVERNMENT.

AND HE RAN FOR CONGRESS.

HE WAS IN CONGRESS A TERMS.

AS HUMID POINTED OUT, THE SUPERFUND YOU SEE LEGISLATION LEGACY IS A HUGE PART OF HIS LEGACY.

HE WAS GOVERNOR.

HE TRIED TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN '81 AGAINST TOM CAIN.

BLAST BY, I THINK, THE SMALLEST MARGIN IN HISTORY OR MODERN HISTORY, 1700 VOTES.

CAME BACK AND WON IN '89.

HE TRIED TO WIN A SENATE SEAT IN THE 2000s.

LOST IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

HE WAS ALWAYS INVOLVED IN DIFFERENT COUNCILS, COMMITTEES, AND DID AN AWFUL LOT.

>> I WONDER WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT COVERING HIS CAREER, COLLEEN.

I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT MENTION IT ENDED UP BEING THE LARGEST POLITICAL PROTEST IN NEW JERSEY WHERE FOLKS WERE ACTUALLY THROWING ROLLS OF TOILET PAPER DOWN AT THE STATEHOUSE WHERE YOU ARE ABOUT A TAX HIKE, AN UNPOPULAR TAX HIKE THAT GOVERNOR FLORIO PUT FORWARD.

>> I AM GLAD WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OTHER THINGS.

THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN AS WELL, IN THE STATE.

IT DOES STICK OUT IN MY MIND, THE PROTEST AND THE TAX HIKE.

WHEN HE RAN FOR GOVERNOR, HE SAID HE DID NOT SEE THE NEED FOR NEW TAXES.

THERE WAS A RECESSION.

THERE WAS A SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA THAT NEEDED TO BE ENDED.

HE PUSHED FOR THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY IN BOTH HOUSES.

8 TO POINT OUT BILLION DOLLAR TAX HIKE OF ALL KINDS OF TAXES, INCLUDING A TAX ON TOILET PAPER.

>> DAVID, WHAT STANDS OUT TO YOU?

THIS IS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ENDEARED BY BOTH PARTIES?

>> YEAH, FOR ME AS A JOURNALIST, INCREDIBLY GENEROUS WITH HIS TIME AND ALWAYS SUCH A SMART GUY TO TALK TO.

A LOT OF TIMES YOU HAVE POLITICIANS WHO SPEAK IN SOUNDBITES AND SOMETIMES IN TELEVISION THAT WILL WORK.

BUT, WHENEVER YOU TALKED TO JIM FLORIO, YOU WOULD GET NUANCE AND CONTEXT.

THAT DID NOT ALWAYS TRANSLATE INTO EASY SOUNDBITES.

IT WAS A BENEFIT TO SPEAK TO HIM.

I WANT TO SAY ALSO, I AM THINKING OF LUCINDA, TODAY, HIS WIFE.

AN INTELLIGENT AND ELEGANT MOMENT.

>> DAVID CRUZ TALKING ON THE PASSING OF GOVERNOR JIM FLORIO.

OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY.

>>> MEANWHILE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY OF GOVERNOR JIM FLORIO IS FELT IN CAMDEN WHERE THE DELAWARE RIVER IS THE CLEANEST IT HAS BEEN IN A GENERATION.

THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH POLLUTION PERSISTING.

COUNTY AND CITY LEADERS TODAY BEGAN REMOVING A THREE-STORY 70,000-TON TOXIC DIRT PILE FROM THE BERGEN SQUARE NEIGHBORHOOD.

FOR YEARS, RESIDENTS COMPLAINED OF THE DUST AND MUD THAT SPILLED ONTO THE STREETS AND INTO THEIR BACKYARD, AFFECTING THEIR HEALTH.

THE CITY IS WORKING WITH A LICENSED THAT REMEDIATION COMPANY TO REMOVE THE ILLEGALLY DUMPED WASTE AND CLEANUP THE LOCATION.

THE MOVE COMES ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ORDER THE WASTE REMOVAL.

THE AGENCY BEGAN EXPECTING THAT SITE IN 2002 AND FOUND THE PRESENCE OF KNOWN CARCINOGENS THAT CAUSE CANCER, LEADING TO MULTIPLE LAWSUITS AND A GRASSROOTS PUSH TO HOLD THE ILLEGAL NUMBERS ACCOUNTABLE.

>>> FROM PUERTO RICO TO CANADA, EMERGENCY WORKERS ARE TRYING TO GRASP THE FULL EXTENT OF DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY HURRICANE FIONA, CAUSING WIDESPREAD DAMAGE IN BOTH AREAS.

FORECASTERS ARE KEEPING CLOSE WATCH OF THE TRACK UP HURRICANE IN AS IT ROLLS TOWARD WESTERN CUBA AND FLORIDA, WHERE MORE THAN 15 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO FACE STRONG FOR COMMON SENSE GUN LAWS AND FLOODING.

IT IS A BURST OF TOPICAL ACTIVITY THAT STARTED OUT CALMLY ENOUGH.

NEW JERSEY STATE CLIMATOLOGIST DAVE ROBINSON IS WITH ME NOW FOR MORE INSIGHT ON THE ATLANTIC HURRICANE SEASON AND THE POSSIBLE IMPACT HERE.

DAVE, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE HURRICANE SEASON, WHEN WE LOOKED, IT WAS RELATIVELY QUIET.

THEN THINGS IN THE ATLANTIC SEEMED TO EXPLODE.

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

>> PATTERNS IN THE ATMOSPHERE, THE BIG EXPLANATION.

FOR MOST OF THE EARLY PART OF THE SEASON, THE AIR WAS SUBSIDING.

WE HAD HIGH PRESSURE OF VARIOUS LEVELS IN THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE ATLANTIC BASIN.

WITH THAT, THOSE STORMS COULD NOT PERCOLATE UP THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE.

NOW, THE PRESSURE PATTERN CHANGED A BIT AS WE GOT INTO SEPTEMBER AND THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WITH THAT, MORE LOW PRESSURE ENTERING MIDDLE LEVELS OF THE ATMOSPHERE THAT ALLOWED THE STORMS TO BUBBLE UP, IF YOU WILL.

>> NOW, WE HAVE FOLKS AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYING HURRICANE IN COULD BECOME A STORM WE HAD NOT SEEN IN OUR LIFETIME, WHICH IS HARD TO THINK ABOUT.

TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE, AS IT RAPIDLY INTENSIFIES.

>> YEAH, IT HAS RAPIDLY INTENSIFIED, WHICH IS WHAT WE SEE QUITE OFTEN IN RECENT YEARS.

IT WILL MAKE ITS WAY OVER WESTERN CUBA IN REALLY DEAL A BLOW TO THAT AREA.

IT IS NOT HEAVILY POPULATED.

THEN YOU WILL GET INTO THE AND PROBABLY MAXED OUT AS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE.

IT MAY WEAKEN AS IT APPROACHES THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA, DEPENDING EXACTLY HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THERE, AND CLEAR IT MAKES LANDFALL.

BUT, IT SEEMS LIKE, NO MATTER WHAT, IT WILL BE A POWERFUL STORM THAT IT MAKES LANDFALL.

IF IT IS IN THE MIDDLE-UPPER WEST COAST OF THE PENINSULA, TAMPA, IN THE VICINITY, THAT IS AN AREA THAT HAS NOT BEEN HIT ALL THAT OFTEN IN RECENT DECADES.

OUR EYES HAVE BEEN PEELED BACK TOWARD LOUISIANA, WHICH HAS TAKEN IT AFTER HIT AFTER HIT, FOR INSTANCE.

WHAT MAY BE UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS TIME, OR NOT AS COMMON, WHERE IT IS GOING TO HIT.

>> DO WE UNDERSTAND HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS IMPACTING THE WAY THESE HURRICANES CAN SO QUICKLY CHANGE COURSE OR BECOME DEVASTATING AND DEADLY?

>> YEAH, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE STUDIES THAT ARE OUT THERE, IT IS AN ACTIVE AREA OF SCIENCE, THEY ARE FINDING.

IT IS NOT THAT WE ARE SEEING MORE STORMS.

WE ARE SEEING STRONGER STORMS.

THERE ARE WARMER OCEAN TEMPERATURES AND WARMER ATMOSPHERE FUELING THESE STORMS.

WE ARE SEEING STORMS THAT SPIN UP PRETTY QUICKLY.

THEY DO NOT GIVE YOU AS MUCH TIME TO GET OUT OF HARM'S WAY.

THE OTHER THING INTERESTING THAT HAS BEEN FOUND, ONCE THE STORMS COME IN LAND, THEY LOSE THEIR POWER.

BUT THEY TEND NOT TO LOSE THEIR POWER AS QUICKLY AS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST.

QUICKER DEVELOPING STORMS, STRONGER STORMS, AND STORMS THAT MAINTAINED THEIR STRENGTHS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER IN LAND THAN THEY DID IN THE PAST.

>> REALLY KEY INSIGHT.

IS THERE, TAKE COMMENT COLLEGES DAVE ROBINSON.

THANK YOU, AS ALWAYS.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

ANY TIME.

>>> 50 GUIDELINES SURROUNDING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING SCRUTINIZED AFTER A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER FROM LINDEN DIED NEARLY TWO WEEKS AFTER BEING CRITICALLY INJURED DURING A GAME, SUFFERING FROM AN APPARENT TRAUMATIC PAIN INJURY.

TED OBERG REPORTS.

THE TRAGEDY IS NOT THE ONLY DEATH TO ROB A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM THIS SEASON.

>> Reporter: LINDEN FOOTBALL PLAYED WITH HEAVY HEARTS SATURDAY, THREE DAYS AFTER THE DEATH OF TEAMMATE XAVIER McLEAN.

>> WE KNOW FOOTBALL IS A DANGEROUS SPORT.

HERE IN LONDON, WE DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ENSURE OUR KIDS ARE PLAYING IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: McLEAN SUFFERED A HEAD INJURY AFTER A BRUTAL HIT ON A KICK RETURN DURING A GAME ON SEPTEMBER 9th.

THE SOPHOMORE RUNNING BACK SPEND TIME ON LIFE SUPPORT BEFORE PASSING AWAY.

HE IS THE SECOND HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER IN UNION COUNTY TO DIE THIS MONTH AFTER ANOTHER SENIOR ALLEY DIED IN HIS SLEEP.

WE DON'T KNOW IF FOOTBALL CONTINUED TO THE DEATH OF ALI, BUT THE TRAGEDIES HAVE RENEWED DEBATE ABOUT HOW TO MAKE FOOTBALL PAPER.

>> WE NEED TO REDUCE ATHLETIC EXPOSURE.

WE CAN DO THAT BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF PRACTICES, THE AMOUNT OF CONTACT IN PRACTICES ALTOGETHER.

>> I DON'T SEE THE NEED FOR TACKLING OR WHAT YOU DO AT THE LIGHTWEIGHT LEVEL.

THAT IS THE KEY, TEACHING TO TACKLE.

WE NEED CLINICS TO MAKE SURE THESE COACHES ARE CERTIFIED.

>> Reporter: BENJE WE WILL HE COACHED HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

HE HAS OPPOSE LAWS THAT WOULD BAN USE TACKLE FOOTBALL ANSWERS RULE CHANGES WOULD DO A BETTER JOB OF PROTECTING ATHLETES.

ONE EXAMPLE IS CHANGES TO KICK RETURNS.

>> YOU CANNOT GET A RUNNING SPOTTER.

YEARS AGO, YOU HAD A RUNNING START.

THEY MOVED THE KICKOFF FIVE YARDS TO PREVENT THESE COLLISIONS.

THE NFL AND EVERYBODY DOES IT.

>> Reporter: HEALTH EXPERTS SAY HEAD INJURIES WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF FOOTBALL.

THE BEST THING TO BE DONE IS EDUCATE KIDS ABOUT THE RISKS OF PLAYING AND TEACH THEM IT IS OKAY TO TAKE YOURSELF OUT OF A GAME TO HELP AVOID FURTHER INJURY.

>> WE KNOW CONCUSSION AFFECTS HOW YOUR BRAIN FUNCTIONS.

IT CHANGES YOUR NEUROCHEMISTRY.

IN DOING SO, IT AFFECTS THE NEURONS IN YOUR BRAIN.

IF YOU HAVE PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS, YOU CAN HAVE EMOTIONAL SYMPTOMS, BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOMS.

YOU CAN HAVE COGNITIVE INKING SYMPTOMS.

YOU >> YOU TEND TO THINK THEY ARE INVINCIBLE.

AS A SOCIETY, WE NEED TO WORK ON IT.

PLAYERS NEED TO KNOW, IF YOU DON'T FEEL WELL, YOU HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING.

AND THAT IS OKAY.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR PLAYED FOOTBALL WHEN HE WENT TO LYNN IN HIGH SCHOOL.

A SHOULDER INJURY FROM HIS PLAYING DAYS STILL HURTS HIM SOMETIMES.

HIS KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PLAY.

HE STILL LOVES FOOTBALL, EVEN WITH THIS DARK CLOUD HANGING OVER IT.

>> WE HAVE SEEN IT IN OTHER CITIES IN OTHER STATES.

WHEN I WATCH A FOOTBALL GAME, I DON'T THINK I WILL LOOK AT THE GAME ANYMORE >> THE THE FRIENDS OF XAVIER McLEAN MADE THIS MEMORIAL FOR HIM.

IN LONDON, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> LEADERS WANT TO INCREASE BREAST-FEEDING RATES FOR NEW MOMS AS A PLAN TO IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR BABIES.

TO GET THERE, PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS HAVE CREATED A FIVE- YEAR ROADMAP THAT WILL BOTH BOOST SUPPORT FOR BREAST- FEEDING AND RAKE DOWN AREAS.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS HAS THE STORY.

>> 80% OF FAMILIES START WITH SOME FORM OF BREAST-FEEDING OR THE FEEDING OF HUMAN MILK TO THEIR INFANTS.

WE KNOW THE RATES DROP OFF SHARPLY IN THE EARLY WEEKS AND ENDS AT SIX MONTHS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY ROLLED OUT A BREASTFEEDING STRATEGIC PLAN WITH THE GOAL OF HELPING WOMEN BREAST-FEED THEIR BABIES FOR LONGER LENGTHS OF TIME.

>> IT PUT TOGETHER A SYSTEMIC AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAM FROM AN EQUITY PERSPECTIVE TO UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF INFANT EATING AND HEALTH EQUITY IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THIS PERSON HELPED DEVELOP THE PLAN.

>> WE NEED TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO LACTATION SUPPORT IN THE STATE, INCLUDING THE CLINICAL LACTATION SUPPORT PROVIDED BY LACTATION CONSULTANTS.

WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE DIVERSITY AND MORE CULTURALLY CONGRUENT CARE TO SUPPORT LACTATION IN THE STATE, PARTICULARLY TO ADDRESS THE RACIAL DISPARITIES THAT NEW JERSEY HAS IN TERMS OF LACTATION RATES.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, WOMEN OF COLOR HAVE THE LOWEST BREASTFEEDING RATES IN THE STATE, YET BLACK MONTHS ARE SEVEN TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE AND BLACK BABIES MORE THAN THREE TIMES LIKELY TO DIE IN THE FIRST YEAR THAN WHITE BABIES.

BREASTFEEDING CAN HELP, SAYS THIS EXPERT.

>> MORE COMORBIDITIES, THINGS LIKE DIABETES, THINGS LIKE HYPERTENSION, BREAST CANCER, OVARIAN CANCER, ALL THOSE VARIOUS THINGS.

BREAST-FEEDING HELPS WITH THOSE THINGS.

>> AT LEAST FOR SIX MONTHS, YOU WOULD SEE LONG-TERM BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THE CONVERSATION AROUND BREASTFEEDING NEEDS TO START BEFORE THE WOMAN BECOMES PREGNANT AND NEEDS TO BE NORMALIZED CULTURALLY IN SOCIETY.

>> BY THE TIME A PARENT ENTERS THE FIRST TRIMESTER, THEY COULD HAVE ALREADY STARTED WEIGHING THE PROS AND CONS ON HOW THEY WILL FEED THEIR BABY.

AND IT IS PRETTY MUCH SOLIDIFIED BETWEEN THE SECOND AND THIRD TRIMESTERS.

WE CAN OFFER THE BREAST-FEEDING SUPPORT, IF WE DO IT AFTER THEY HAVE THE BABY, THEY ARE BEHIND THE BALL.

>> Reporter: THE BREAST-FEEDING COALITION WAS THRILLED TO SEE A MAJOR FOCUS ON THE PLAN IN THE STATE FOR HAVING MORE DIVERSITY IN THE LACTATION FIELD, INCLUDING THOSE WHO MAKE HOME VISITS.

>> IT IS A VULNERABLE STATE.

PEOPLE NEED TO ADMIT, I NEED HELP WITH THIS.

IT ISN'T GOING THE WAY I THOUGHT IT WOULD GO.

WE NEED SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN YOUR CULTURE OR TRADITIONS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN ESSENTIALLY WHO YOU ARE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE WILL INCLUDE SUPPORT FOR BREAST- FEEDING WOMEN RETURNING TO WORK AND BEING ABLE TO GO IN PERSON AS POSSIBLE.

THE GOAL IS TO GET MORE WOMEN TO BREAST-FEED.

SHE SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO PASS JUDGMENT ON THOSE WHO DON'T.

>> MOST WOMEN COMBINATION FEET.

WE HAVE THIS COMPETITION.

FOR MOST FAMILIES, IT IS YES AND.

WE MEET FAMILIES WHERE THEY ARE.

>> Reporter: FOR HER "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> TURNING TO THE SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, IT IS NOT JUST VERBAL WARNINGS ANYMORE.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS ASKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO REIGN IN THE NEW YORK CITY CONGESTION PRICING PLAN.

ACCORDING TO NORTH JERSEY.COM, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE FRIDAY SENT A LETTER TO THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION REQUESTING A MORE THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE MTA'S PLAN THAT WILL CHARGE DRIVERS ANYWHERE FROM FIVE DOLLARS TO $23 FOR ENTERING MANHATTAN SOUTH OF 60 STREET.

THE MTA RELEASED A 4000-PAGE ASSESSMENT ON THE PLAN IN AUGUST OUTLINING SEVEN SCENARIOS TO TELL DRIVERS WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING TRAFFIC, INCREASING AIR QUALITY, AND PUSHING COMMUTERS TOWARD USING MASS TRANSIT, WHILE ALSO RAISING ABOUT $1 BILLION ANNUALLY FOR THE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY TO IMPROVE SUBWAYS AND BUSES.

IN HIS LETTER, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY SAID NEW JERSEY REMAINS OPEN TO THE IDEA.

BUT HE ARGUED THE PLAN LOOKS MORE LIKE A REVENUE SCREAM AND LESS ABOUT TRAFFIC CONGESTION.

THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER OPPONENTS HAVE POINTED OUT, NEW JERSEY WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM THE FUNDS, BUT THE DRIVERS WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THE COST.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECISION ON CONGESTION PRICING BY JANUARY.

>>> THE STATE'S LARGEST HEALTH INSURER JUST GOT A STEP CLOSER TO OVERHAULING ITS BUSINESS MODEL.

HORIZON BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF NEW JERSEY LAKE LAST WEEK GOT A PRELIMINARY APPROVAL TO BECOME A FOR-PROFIT HEALTHCARE BUSINESS.

THERE IS STILL AN INTENSE VETTING PROCESS FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE WHICH WOULD PERFORM A HEALTH IMPACT STUDY TO DECIDE IF RESTRUCTURING IS, IN FACT, IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE HORIZON'S 3.6 MILLION POLICYHOLDERS.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY SIGNED A LAW IN DECEMBER 2020 CLEARING THE PATH FOR HORIZON TO CHANGE ITS GOVERNING STRUCTURE.

THE $13 BILLION, AND HE WOULD BE ABLE TO SPIN OFF FOR-PROFIT SYSTEM HERE IS OR BUY CHAINS OF PHYSICIAN PRACTICES, AMONG OTHER OPTIONS.

THE COMPANY WILL PAY NEW JERSEY ONE A $1 BILLION OVER 25 YEARS TO EASE THE PAIN FROM LOSING ITS TAX REVENUE.

PUBLIC HEARINGS OVER THE CHANGE ARE SAID TO BE HELD IN OCTOBER.

OPPONENTS ARGUE THE SCHEDULE FOR THOSE IS BEING RUSHED WITH HEARINGS BEING HELD BEFORE THE STATE'S IMPACT STUDY IS COMPLETE.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS FOLLOWING A ROUGH LAST WEEK ON WALL STREET.

SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY SUPPORTING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR OVER 150 YEARS.

INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBER SNJ.COM.

>>> SHOW THERE IS A GROWING MOVEMENT TO CENSOR BOOKS IN SCHOOLS.

WITH THIS YEAR ON TRACK FOR THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF BAND BOOKS ON RECORD, MORE THAN 1600 TITLES ACROSS 32 STATES, INCLUDING NEW JERSEY WITH THE BALL TARGETING CHARACTERS AND TOPICS IN THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY.

IT WILL BE REPORTED BY MELISSA RIGGS COOPER.

>> OUR JOB IS TO EDUCATE CHILDREN ABOUT THE WORLD AND LIFE.

CRACK THAT IS WHAT HE IS TRYING TO DO WITH THE HUNDREDS OF BOOKS HE HAS WRITTEN.

HE WAS RECOGNIZED IN 2020 IS NEW JERSEY AUTHOR OF THE YEAR FOR HIS LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS.

HE WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN HIS BOOKS RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT WHETHER CHILDREN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO READ THEM.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE IDEA THAT YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE AND SAFEST LIVES POSSIBLE.

BUT YOU CAN BE IGNORANT ABOUT THINGS THEY WILL NOT KEEPING THEM A AND ABOUT THINGS THEY WILL NOT ENCOUNTER -- >> Reporter: THE ISSUE OF WHETHER A BOOK SHOULD BE BANNED IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY PRESENT IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES HERE IN THE STATES AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT CONCERNS CONTROVERSIAL TOPICS LIKE RACE, GENDER, AND SEXUAL PREFERENCE.

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW UNPRECEDENTED THIS IS.

WE DO NOT NORMALLY SEE THIS IN THE UNITED STATES UNLESS IT IS BOOKS BE REMOVED FROM SCHOOL LIBRARIES.

>> Reporter: JONATHAN FRIEDMAN IS THE DIRECTOR OF FREE EXPRESSION AT PENN AMERICA.

'S REPORTS, AND IN THE USA, FOUND MORE THAN 2500 INSTANCES OF BOOKS BEING BANNED FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS DURING THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR, AFFECTING NEARLY 4 MILLION STUDENTS.

>> THERE IS UNQUESTIONABLY A POLITICAL ELEMENT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SO WHAT HAPPENED WITH GOVERNOR DUNCAN IN THE VIRGINIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE WHERE QUOTE UNQUOTE PARENTS RIGHTS WERE A KEY THEME.

THEY ARE TRYING TO REPLICATE THAT.

AS THEY HAVE DONE SO, THE IMPACT HAS BEEN MORE DRACONIAN.

THERE IS THE IDEA THAT IF ONE PARENT OBJECTS TO SOMETHING, THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO HOLD HOSTAGE THE KIND OF EDUCATION AND TURNING IN BOOKS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY FOR US STUDENTS ALL STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

>> THE SUPREME COURT HAS OFFERED US GUIDANCE IN THIS REGARD.

THEY HAVE CAREFULLY AND NARROWLY DEFINED WHAT IS A PROTECTED SPEECH IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS A VERY NARROW CATEGORY OF SPEECH THAT IS NOT PROTECTED UNDER THAT PRECEDENT, JUST BECAUSE A BOOK WILL TOUCH ON TOPICS DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE PUBERTY, WHERE BABIES COME FROM, GENDER IDENTITY, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DOES NOT MAKE IT INAPPROPRIATE OR MAKE IT ILLEGAL.

>> Reporter: THE SUPREME COURT DECISION IN 1982 LEADING TO AN ANNUAL BANNED BOOKS EVENT, WITH LAST WEEK MARKING THE 40th ANNIVERSARY.

>> THE PURPOSE IS TO CELEBRATE AND REMIND PEOPLE ABOUT OUR FREEDOM TO READ IN THE NEED TO PROTECT IT.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL LIBRARIAN MARTHA HICKSON SAYS EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE BOOKS THEY WANT TO READ.

>> THERE IS A COVER ON THE BOOK.

YOU CAN CLOSE IT AND PUT IT BACK ON THE SHELF.

YOUR REFUSAL OR LACK OF DESIRE TO READ A BOOK DOES NOT GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO RESPECT OTHERS FROM READING AT.

>> Reporter: ADVOCACY IS ULTIMATELY THE PARENTS' DECISION IF THEY WANT THEIR CHILD TO READ A PARTICULAR BOOK.

AS THE LAW PROTECTS THE FREEDOM TO READ, EVERYONE SHOULD RESPECT THE RIGHT FOR ANYONE TO REMAIN ON THE SHELF.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS", I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BE SURE TO HEAD TO "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" AND FOLLOW US ON ARE SOCIAL MEDIA FORMS TO FOLLOW THE NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> LIVE, FROM THE AGNES VERAS NJTV STUDIOS AT 2 GATEWAY CENTER IN NEWARK, THIS IS NJTV NEWS WITH MARY ALICE WILLIAMS.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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