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>>> FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

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

THERE IS MORE TELLTALE SIGNS THAT WE ARE IN THE THICK OF ELECTION SEASON.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TODAY PAYING A VISIT TO THE GARDEN STATE AND ACCORDING TO REPORTS, SHE RAISED CAMPAIGN MONEY FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE AND TOLD SUPPORTERS THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE RIGHT NOW BEFORE MAKING HER WAY TO NEW YORK CITY TO HIT THE LATE-NIGHT TV CIRCUIT.

HER FUNDRAISING STOP COMES IN THE WAKE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VISIT TO NEW JERSEY LAST WEEK, HOSTING A FUNDRAISER AT GOVERNOR MURPHY'S HOME RAISING $1 MILLION FOR DEMOCRATS WITH JUST WEEKS TO SPARE BEFORE THE BIG MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

THIS WEEKEND, THOUSANDS TURNED OUT ACROSS THE STATE IN SUPPORT OF ONE OF THE ELECTIONS MOST HOT BUTTON ISSUES, ABORTION RIGHTS.

ATTENDING THE RALLY DUBBED THE MARCH TWO ROEVEMBER HIGHLIGHTING PUBLIC PUSHBACK AGAINST THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO OVERTURN THE FEDERAL ABORTION PROTECTIONS OF ROE V. WADE.

THEY MARCHED THROUGH THE STREETS OF MONTCLAIR SATURDAY WAVING BANNERS AND SIGNS AND DEMOCRATS AND PUTTING SENATOR BOOKER AND REPRESENTATIVES BONNIE WATSON: IN AND MIKEY CHERYL AMONG THEM.

>> LET'S HEAR A CHEER FOR ALL OF THE WOMEN WHO WERE HERE 50 YEARS AGO TODAY AND ARE BACK HERE AGAIN TODAY.

LET'S HEAR A CHEER FOR ALL THE MOMS HERE TODAY WHO KNOWS THAT ROE PROTECTED THEIR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE KIDS.

LET'S HAVE A CHEER.

LET'S CHEER TODAY FOR ALL OF THE YOUNG WOMEN AND KIDS WHO ARE HERE, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE.

>>> DESPITE POLLING THAT SAYS OTHERWISE, ABORTION SEEMS TO BE A DEFINING ISSUE IN NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL RACES DOMINATING CAMPAIGN MAILERS AND ADVERTISEMENTS WITH CANDIDATES USING ONE ANOTHER'S STANCES TO APPEAL TO VOTERS, PARTICULARLY IN THE SEVENTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THE REMATCH BETWEEN THE CONGRESSMAN AND THE FORMER STATE SENATOR IS AMONG THE MOST COMPETITIVE IN THE NATION.

THE SENIOR WRITER AND PRODUCTS MANAGER IS HERE WITH MORE.

>> COLLEEN, NOT ONLY HAS ABORTION BEEN A CENTRAL ISSUE IN THE RUN UP TO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, IT HAS BECOME SOMEWHAT CONFUSING IN SOME OF THESE RACES.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DISTRICT 7 WHERE THERE IS SOME CLARITY NEEDED ON WHERE THE CANDIDATES STAND.

>> IT IS CLEAR THAT TOM MALINOWSKI IS PRO-CHOICE AND FOR TOM KANE THE REPUBLICAN HE CALLED HIMSELF PRO-CHOICE BUT WHEN YOU SEWN INTO HIS RESTRICTIONS THAT HE PUT IN ON IT, IT'S NOT REALLY A LABEL THAT YOU CAN USE ANYMORE.

IT'S NOT A USEFUL LABEL.

HE SUPPORTS RESTRICTIONS AFTER 20 WE, ALTHOUGH STILL WITH THE EXCEPTION FOR INCEST AND THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER AND THAT THROUGH NO RESTRICTIONS ON ABORTION AND HE HAS HAD A HARD TIME SAYING THAT WHEN HE HAS BEEN OUT IN PUBLIC.

>> WHAT IS THE MAIN ISSUE?

WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIS WEBSITE, IT IS TOUGH TO DISCERN WHERE HE STANDS ON IT AND THIS HAS COME UP IN SOME FORUMS BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED?

>> HIS REGULAR WEBSITE THAT YOU WOULD FIND IF YOU GOOGLED TOM KEAN FOR CONGRESS DOESN'T MENTION ABORTION AT ALL BUT IF YOU GO TO TOM KEAN CONSERVATIVE OR TOM KEAN OR AT A LITTLE CONSERVATIVE AFTER THAT YOU WILL FIND WHAT PEOPLE HAVE CALLED THE HIDDEN WEBSITE WHERE, IN FACT, HE IS STRONGLY VOTING TO PROTECT LIFE AND CONGRESS WHICH WOULD LEAD YOU TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS ACTUALLY MORE ANTIABORTION THAN SUPPORTING IT.

THE FORMER SEVENTH DISTRICT WAS A VERY --A LOT OF PROGRESSIVES AND IT.

SO THEY VOTED FOR HILARY CLINTONS, FOR INSTANCE.

THE DISTRICT HAS CHANGED.

IT CERTAINLY IS MORE RED BUT IT MAY SWING TOWARD FOLKS WHO DON'T CARE AS MUCH ABOUT ABORTION.

>> THAT IS THE MAIN QUESTION.

WHERE DOES THIS ISSUE RANG FOR VOTERS?

THERE WAS A POLL OUT LAST WEEK THAT SHOWED ABORTION MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE AT THE TOP OF MIND.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT SHOWED INFLATION AND THE ECONOMY WERE AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, WHICH IS WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT AND THAT IS TYPICALLY WHAT MOTIVATES VOTERS, WHEN WE ARE PAYING MORE FOR GROCERIES OR GASOLINE, THEN THAT IS WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL THINK ABOUT AND THIS IS WHAT I AM VOTING FOR AND I WILL BLAME THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION WHICH MAY NOT BE THE BEST PLACE TO PUT BLAME BECAUSE THESE ARE COMPLICATED ISSUES.

WHAT ABORTION DOES RANK UP THERE.

IT DOES NOT RANK UP AT THE TOP BUT DEMOCRATS AND A LOT OF THESE DISTRICTS KNOW THEIR BASE IS VERY INTERESTED IN THE ABORTION ISSUE SO THEY ARE PUSHING IT.

>> IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS, IT HAS BEEN PRETTY CUT AND DRY WHERE PEOPLE STAND ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

IS THAT WHY CANDIDATES ARE BLURRING THE LINE?

>> I DEFINITELY THINK SO.

IN THE THIRD DISTRICT, HE IS UNABASHEDLY PRO-CHOICE AND NO RESTRICTIONS AND HIS OPPONENT THAT HE IS PRO-LIFE AND NOT SUPPORTING ABORTION BUT HE DID SAY HE COULD SEE REASONS TO ALLOW ABORTIONS MAYBE IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER AND HE WOULD ALSO DEFINITELY ALLOW FOR EXCEPTIONS FOR INCEST AND RAPE AND LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

SO MAYBE HE DOESN'T WANT TO COME ACROSS AS AND TO --ANTIABORTION.

>> THE REASON THE THOSE TERMS HAVE BECOME SO CRUCIAL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COLLEEN.

>> DON'T FORGET, FOR ALL OF YOUR ELECTION NEEDS YOU CAN HAD TO OUR WEBSITE AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB TO FOLLOW ALONG AND CANDIDATE PROFILES AND MORE DETAILS ON YOUR DISTRICT ALONG WITH WHERE AND HOW TO VOTE.

ANOTHER ISSUE NOW BEING INJECTED INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS IS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S RECENT DECISION TO PARDON ANYBODY CONVICTED OF A FEDERAL CRIME FOR POSSESSING MARIJUANA WHILE URGING GOVERNORS TO DO THE SAME.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHEN A STATE WHEN AN EXPUNGEMENT OF LOW-LEVEL MARIJUANA OFFENSES IS ALREADY IN PROGRESS?

WE REPORT.

>> Reporter: WE KNOW IT IS NOT MOVING AS FAST.

THIS ADVOCATE IS TALKING ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY LAW THAT EMPOWERS COURTS TO AUTOMATICALLY EXPUNGE MORE THAN 360,000 CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS INVOLVING SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA AND LIKE MANY WORKING FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE REFORM SHE CALLS IT A GOOD BEGINNING.

>> HAVING THE RECORD EXPUNGED MEANS THAT THAT PERSON NO LONGER HAS TO EXPOSE PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS EXIST TO A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER OR HOUSING OR FINANCIAL AID.

>> Reporter: HOW WELL IS IT WORKING?

IN THE STATE THAT ARRESTED 30,000 FOLKS A YEAR ON MARIJUANA CHARGES DURING THE FAILED WAR ON JOB --DRUGS, SHE SAID IT HAS TO BE EXPANDED TO HELP PEOPLE BY INCLUDING MORE SERIOUS CRIMES.

>> THE WAY IN WHICH WE SENTENCE AND EXPUNGE CURRENTLY WRITTEN DOESN'T DO ENOUGH TO MAKE A SIZABLE DENT AND THE DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE FOCUS OF LOW-LEVEL POSSESSION OFFENSES.

>> EXPUNGEMENT'S ARE ABOUT LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD AND ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE THE BEST.

>> Reporter: HE RUNS THE NEW JERSEY REENTRY CORPORATION HELPING 15,000 INMATES FIND THEIR WEDDING AFTER AN INCARCERATION AND HE NOTES MOST CLIENTS ARRIVE WITH MORE COMPLICATED RECORDS AND NEED TO FILE PETITIONS FOR MORE EXPUNGE AND.

THEY HAVE APPLICATIONS PENDING BUT IT HITS THE BOTTLENECK WHERE POLICE HAVE PROCESS CASES AND THEY SAID THEY NEED HELP.

>> THE ONE THING I COULD ASK A SUPPORTIVE RESOURCES FOR THE STATE POLICE.

I THINK THAT IS CRITICAL SO THE PIPELINE MOVES EXPEDITIOUSLY SO THE PROCESS MOVES UNINTERRUPTED.

>> THERE ARE SOME DELAYS IN THE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: LEGAL SERVICE ATTORNEYS HAVE STEPPED IN BECAUSE CASES COULD HIT ROADBLOCKS.

>> UNFORTUNATE DELAYS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING EXPUNGEMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GOTTEN THERE EXPUNGEMENT BUT ARE WAITING FOR PROCESS.

AND MAYBE THIS IS TO CATCH UP AND I HAVE HEARD ABOUT BACK LOGS AND THE SYSTEMS AND OTHER COMPLICATIONS.

>> Reporter: BUT THEY SAY OFFICIALS ARE DEDICATED TO MAKING IT WORK AND EXPUNGEMENT GETS ACTIVE WARRANTS CANCELED AND PENDING CASES DISMISSED AND IT ERASES CRIMINAL FINES WHICH IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR MANY SAYS DAMON WATSON.

>> MARIJUANA FINDS ARE HUGE.

A LOT OF TIMES BUT THAT IS HOVERING OVER THEM AND THEY KNOW IT IS THERE, THAT IS THE SORT OF CHAOTIC TRAIL OF MAYHEM THAT CAUSES THEM TO COMMIT MORE CRIME, BECAUSE IT TAKES AWAY THEIR HOPE.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN LAST WEEK PARDONED 6500 PRIOR FEDERAL SIMPLE MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS AND HE URGED STATE GOVERNORS TO GRANT PARDONS.

>> NOBODY SHOULD BE IN JAIL JUST FOR USE AND POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA.

>> SO IT IS HYPOCRISY AND INJUSTICE AND RACIAL INJUSTICE BECAUSE WE KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT OVERWHELMINGLY HAVE CRIMINAL CONDITIONS ARE BLACK AND BROWN.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY'S OFFICE CLAIMS BECAUSE THESE LOW-LEVEL MARIJUANA OFFENSES ARE BEING EXPUNGED FROM INDIVIDUALS RECORDS, PARDONS AREN'T NECESSARY.

BUT THEY SAY CLEMENCY COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR SOME AND HE ASKS OUT OF THE 360,000 EXPUNGEMENT, HOW MANY HAVE BENEFITED.

>> IT IS NOT CLEAR HOW MANY HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY PROCESSED BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THERE AND WHERE DO THEY EXIST AND IN WHAT COUNTY ARE THEY LIVING?

STROKE HE SAID IT NEEDS MORE TRANSPARENCY.

>> DURING THIS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS ARE STEPPING UP THE WAYS THEY SUPPORT SURVIVORS AND AFTER RECENT STUDIES FOUND ALARMING INCREASES IN THE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES BEING REPORTED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

OUR CORRESPONDENT REPORTS ON ONE GROUP'S EFFORTS TO HELP THEM REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

>> SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO FIND WORDS FOR ABUSE, BUT EVERYBODY IS ALWAYS ABLE TO MAKE IMAGES.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE IMAGES IN THEIR HEADS.

AND SO THE HEALING POWER OF ART MAKING IS STRONG.

>> Reporter: THAT IS LIKE ART THERAPY OFFERS ALL THE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE TO COME TO THE CENTER FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN BERGEN COUNTY.

SHE RUNS THE ART PROGRAMS FOR BOTH WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

>> THE TRAUMA COMES THROUGH WITH IMAGES AND EXPRESSING THAT WITH IMAGES AND USING VARIOUS COLORS.

EQUALLY IMPORTANT ARE THE WOMEN COMING TO THE GROUP.

THEY START REALIZING THEY ARE NO LONGER ISOLATED.

>> Reporter: LIKE AURORA WHO RECENTLY CAME TO THE CENTER WITH HER DAUGHTER AFTER YEARS OF ABUSE.

>> WE WERE SO CUT OFF AND ISOLATED.

IT WAS A CYCLE AND IT WAS JUST GOING AROUND FOR MANY YEARS.

YOU KEPT GOING UNTIL YOU JUST END UP HOW I WAS AND I WAS SO DEPRESSED AND I THOUGHT IT WAS ALL MY FAULT.

>> COMING TO GROUP.

THEY MEET OTHER SURVIVORS.

THEY ARE ABLE TO TALK TO EACH OTHER AND TELL STORIES AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: DO THEY MAKE ARTWORK TOGETHER?

>> IN GROUP, ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS WHAT THIS GROUP IS.

>> Reporter: IT IS AN EXHIBITION ON DISPLAY AT THIS ART SCHOOL GIVING VOICE TO SURVIVORS EXPERIENCES AND OFFERING A CONVERSATION STARTER IN THE COMMUNITY AROUND DOMESTIC ABUSE.

>> THIS IS CALLED A WOMAN'S WORK IS NEVER DONE AND THIS PERSON LIKES TO DO ART AND SO.

THERE ARE SOME WHIMSICAL PARTS OF THIS HERE.

>> Reporter: ARE THERE SOME HAPPY PARTS AS WELL?

>> THERE IS A CHAIN HERE AND A BROKEN CHAIN AND THIS IS WHAT ALLOWED HER TO BREAK AWAY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS OFTEN THE MOST HARDEST PART.

>> I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER OUR FINANCES.

FOR THE MOST PART, OUR DAUGHTER WITNESSED EVERYTHING AND EVEN WHEN THAT HAPPENED, THAT INCIDENT THAT HE LOCKED ME IN THE OTHER ROOM AND HE EVEN CALLED THE POLICE ON ME AND TOLD THEM IT WAS MY FAULT THAT I WAS UNSTABLE AND I NEEDED HELP.

I KNEW THEN THAT I HAD TO DO SOMETHING.

THE NEXT DAY I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE US IN.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER SEES MORE NEED AND COMPLEX TRAUMA IN THEIR CLIENTS LATELY.

>> THE CHILDREN ARE MORE DAMAGED BY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH THIS IN THEIR HOMES.

WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS RELATED TO THE ISOLATION THAT OCCURRED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THEREFORE EXPOSED TO A LOT MORE VIOLENCE THAN IN THE PAST THEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO GO OUT TO FRIENDS HOMES AND SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER USED TO SERVE AROUND 30 PEOPLE TODAY AND IT IS NOW AROUND 118.

THE NUMBERS KEEP GROWING.

>> WE HAVE A COMPLETE LEGAL TEAM OF THREE ATTORNEYS AS WELL AS A PARALEGAL.

THEY DO HELP SURVIVORS GET A RESTRAINING ORDER THEY NEED TO HELP KEEP THEMSELVES SAFE AS WELL AS PROVIDE REPRESENTATION.

>> Reporter: EVERYTHING FROM DIVORCE AND CUSTODY TO IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

IT IS THE HEALING AND REBUILDING THEY ARE MOST FOCUSED ON.

OFTEN, THAT COMES ONE STROKE AT A TIME.

>> ISSUES OF VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ABUSE ARE STILL PLAGUING NEW JERSEY'S ONLY WOMEN'S PRISON.

PROSECUTORS ON FRIDAY REVEALED ANOTHER FORMER CORRECTIONS OFFICER FROM A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY HAS BEEN INDICTED.

TYRELL HARRIS McLAUGHLIN OF JERSEY CITY IS ACCUSED OF SECOND-DEGREE SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ONE COUNT OF SECOND-DEGREE OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT, AND ONE COUNT OF FOURTH DEGREE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONTACT ALL IN CONNECTION WITH A SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A FEMALE INMATE AT THE FACILITY THAT TOOK PLACE JUST WEEKS AFTER FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO REIN IN YEARS OF ABUSE AT THE FACILITY.

14 OTHER EX-OFFICERS HAVE BEEN INDICTED SINCE SEPTEMBER FOR THEIR ROLES FOR THE VIOLENT 2021 MIDNIGHT RAID AT THE PRESENT THAT LEFT TWO WOMEN WITH SERIOUS THIS INJURIES AND THE PROSECUTORS CALL THESE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM AMONG THE MOST EGREGIOUS POSSIBLE ABUSES OF THE BADGE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY PROMISED TO CLOSE THE PRISON, BUT HE HAS NOT GIVEN DETAILS ON THAT TIMELINE.

>>> A MASSIVE WATER MAIN BREAK INTERRUPTED IN NORTH JERSEY AND IT IS STILL AFFECTING SERVICE FOR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CUSTOMERS AND IN ESSEX, PASSAIC AND OTHER COUNTIES WATER UTILITY OFFICIALS SAY THE LEAK IN THE PIPE LOCATED IN NUTLEY HAS BEEN SEALED, BUT IT COULD TAKE DAYS TO FULLY RESTORE WATER SUPPLY TO RESIDENTS.

IT PROMPTED THE TOWNS OF GLENRIDGE AND MONTCLAIR TO DO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY ASKING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS TO STOP USING WATER UNLESS ESSENTIAL.

BLOOMFIELD ISSUED A BOIL WATER ADVISORY AND A TWITTER UPDATE THIS MORNING FROM THE MAYOR SAID THE TOWN IS STILL IN A HOLDING PATTERN WHILE OFFICIALS WAIT FOR CLEARANCE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

MEANWHILE, IN NEWARK, RESIDENTS ARE BEING ADVISED THAT THEY MAY EXPERIENCE LOW OR NO WATER PRESSURE AS A RESULT OF THE BREAK.

IT IS JUST THE LATEST IN A STRING OF HIGH PROFILE WATER MAIN BREAKS AS NEW JERSEY'S INFRASTRUCTURE SHOWS SIGNS OF THE STAGE.

>> THE RECENT SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND RISING INFLATION COST ARE BOOSTING APPRECIATION FOR THE STATE MANUFACTURING SECTOR.

WE HAVE THOSE DETAILS PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY IS SEEING SOME MOMENTUM.

THAT WAS THE MESSAGE OF THIS YEAR'S ANNUAL MADE IN NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURING DAY, WHICH WAS HELD LAST FRIDAY WITH ABOUT 1000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE.

IT IS PUT ON BY THE NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PROGRAM AND THE ORGANIZATION'S CEO JOHN KENNEDY MENTIONED A FEW OF THE RECENT POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S EFFORTS IN REGARDS TO $35 MILLION IN THE BUDGET FOR MANUFACTURING INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT MANUFACTURERS, WE ARE NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT IS IN THERE YET, WE ARE BETTING ON SOME REALLY GREAT THINGS.

THE OFFSHORE WIND INVESTMENT AND 70% OF THAT IS A MANUFACTURING.

NO, WE CAN'T MANUFACTURE EVERYTHING, BUT WE CERTAINLY BELIEVE WE CAN MANUFACTURE A CHUNK OF THAT.

THOSE ARE GOOD POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: HE SAID FOR MANUFACTURERS AROUND THE STATE, THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE CONTINUES TO FIND ENOUGH WORKERS.

POTENTIAL HOME BUYERS OR TENANTS WOULD HAVE TO BE INFORMED ABOUT POSSIBLE FLOOD RISKS TO PROPERTIES THEY ARE INTERESTED IN UNDER A BILL ADVANCING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

LANDLORDS OR HOME SELLERS WOULD HAVE TO MAKE A DISCLOSURE BEFORE ANY CONTRACT IS SIGNED.

THE FLOOD DISCLOSURE PROPOSAL CONFIGURE AFTER THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA DEVASTATED PARTS OF NEW JERSEY.

MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES ARE WEIGHING WHETHER THEY SHOULD LEAVE THE STATE HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM AFTER RATE INCREASES OF 20% WERE APPROVED BY THE STATE COMMISSION.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEW JERSEY LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES NEW JERSEY MONITOR SAID THEY ARE RESEARCHING POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES.

THERE ISN'T MUCH TIME TO MAKE A DECISION FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR AS OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE HEALTH PROGRAM LAUNCHED ON OCTOBER 1 AND WILL BE OVER AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.

>>> THE STOCK MARKET WAS OPEN ON THIS HOLIDAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THOSE CLOSING NUMBERS.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

I AM RHONDA SHAFFLER.

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

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT OUR WEBSITE AND BY ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY ANNOUNCING ITS 2022 NEW JERSEY BUSINESS HALL OF FAME, NOVEMBER 3 AT THE HYATT REGENCY IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE.

>>> IT APPEARS TO BE SLEEPING THROUGH NEW JERSEY.

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY IS THE LATEST MAJOR INSTITUTION TO ANNOUNCE IT IS CUTTING ALL FINANCIAL TIES WITH FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES AND DIVESTING AND DISASSOCIATING FROM 90 CORPORATIONS IT SAYS ARE THE LARGEST CONTRIBUTORS TO CARBON EMISSIONS.

IT IS A MAJOR DECISION FOR THE IVY LEAGUE WITH ONE OF THE LARGEST ENDOWMENTS IN THE WORLD.

WE EXPLAIN.

>> DEALING WITH THE UNIVERSITY YOU HAVE EXPECTATIONS LOW AND WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE ANOTHER DELAY AND PUSHING BACK.

>> IN OUR PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION, WE WERE TOLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE AND WOULDN'T HAPPEN.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR LIKE THREE YEARS WITH OUR 10 --CAMPAIGN IN 10 YEARS TOTAL ORGANIZING.

>> Reporter: THOSE YEARS OF WORK PAID OFF EARLIER THIS MONTH WHEN PRINCETON ANNOUNCED IT WOULD DIVEST ALMOST $2 BILLION OF ITS ENDOWMENT TIED TO FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES IN THE THERMAL, COAL SPACES AND THEY ARE ALSO DISASSOCIATING REFUSING TO TAKE RESEARCH MONEY FROM 90 COMPANIES INCLUDING EXXON MOBIL.

>> IT SHOWS THAT PRINCETON IS CAPABLE OF TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AND CAPABLE OF THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD NEVER HAVE LIKE EXXON MOBIL WHICH FUNDS ARE CENTER.

>> WHEN THEY SAID IT WAS TOO POLITICAL OR WE CAN'T DO INDIRECT HOLDINGS, YES, WE CAN.

THEY ARE GOING TO.

I THINK THIS PROVES WE CAN DIVEST AND WE CAN DO IT FOR SOME COMPANIES AND OTHERS.

>> Reporter: PRINCETON ISN'T THE ONLY NEW JERSEY UNIVERSITY DISTANCING ITS ENDOWMENT FROM THIS INDUSTRY.

LAST YEAR, RUTGERS ANNOUNCED IT WOULD DIVEST FROM ALL OF ITS FOSSIL FUEL HOLDINGS.

>> THERE IS A STATEMENT THAT SAYS WHAT YOU DO IS NOT REALLY LEGITIMATE ANYMORE AND IT MAKES EMPLOYEES MOST LIKELY NOT WANT TO WORK THERE.

AND IF EVERYBODY SAID WE WON'T GIVE THEM ANY MORE CAPITAL, THEY WILL HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING WAYS TO MAKE OPERATIONS.

>> Reporter: AS MORE COLLEGES DIVEST FOR FOSSIL FUELS, NEW JERSEY'S PENSION COULD FOLLOW SUIT.

SENATOR BOB SMITH HAS SPONSORED A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE TO DIVEST FROM THE 200 LARGEST PUBLICLY TRADED FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES.

>> WHAT YOU DO IS SINGLING OUT THE FACT THAT A MAJOR STATE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES THAT THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY ISN'T DOING ENOUGH TO HELP THE PLANET.

>> Reporter: THE BUSINESS INDUSTRY HAS PUSHED BACK, ARGUING THAT NEW JERSEY SHOULD NOT PLAY POLITICS WITH ITS PENSION FUND.

THIS MOVE WILL MAKE IT LESS LIKELY FOR COMPANIES TO CREATE RAIN INNOVATIONS.

>> AS WE CONVERT TO CLEAN ENERGY, IT WILL REALLY BE THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND LARGE FOSSIL FUEL COMPANIES WHO WILL LEAD THIS TRANSFORMATION TO SAY YOU WILL WANT TO FUND EXXON AND YOU WILL PRIOR FRIED THEM -- PROVIDE THEM CAPITAL.

>> A WAY TO GET ATTENTION IS TO SAY THAT YOUR SHARES OF STOCK ARE IN THE PENALTY BOX.

YOU ARE NOT WORKING QUICKLY ENOUGH TO HELP US SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS HERE SAY THEY KNOW IT IS UNLIKELY THEY WILL CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR OF OIL COMPANIES BY JUST HAVING PRINCETON DIVEST ITS MONEY AND THEY SAY IF MORE STATES AND MORE SCHOOLS TO JOIN THEIR CAUSE IT WOULD BE MORE HELPFUL.

>> IT IS PART OF THIS GLOBAL COMMITMENT TO END TIES WITH THIS INDUSTRY.

>> FOR PRINCETON TO MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT LIKE THIS, PEOPLE SEE PRINCETON AS A BIG AND LEGITIMATE INSTITUTION, AND THEY WILL FOLLOW IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS.

>>> FINALLY, TODAY'S HOLIDAY IS COLUMBUS DAY OR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY AND IT TURNS OUT IT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK.

TECHNICALLY THIS SECOND MONDAY OF OCTOBER IS STILL RESERVED TO COMMEMORATE THE ITALIAN EXPLORER CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS AND THE ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS WHO FACED PERSECUTIONS THROUGHOUT THE CENTURIES IN UNITED STATES WITH PARADES AND FESTIVALS BEING HELD OVER THE WEEKEND IN JERSEY CITY AND SEASIDE HEIGHTS AND PATTERSON, WHERE OFFICIALS TODAY RAISE THE ITALIAN FLAG OUTSIDE CITY HALL HONORING THE THOUSANDS OF IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO PATTERSON IN THE EARLY 1900S TO WORK IN THE SILK MILLS.

THE HOLIDAY HAS COME UNDER FIRE AS A SYMBOL OF THE COLONIZATION AND OPPRESSION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE LED BY COLUMBUS.

CITIES LIKE NEWARK ARE FOLLOWING PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PROCLAMATION TO INSTEAD OBSERVE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY FOLLOWING ABOUT A DOZEN OTHER CITIES AND STATES FORMALLY RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF NATIVE PEOPLES.

NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS WITHDREW A BILL IN 2020 THAT WOULD HAVE OFFICIALLY REPLACED COLUMBUS DAY.

>>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WEBSITE AND FOLLOW WITH HER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE NEWS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

R WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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