>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY THE MEMEBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WINGS PROJECT.

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

♪ >>> FROM NJPBS.

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZI.

>> GOOD EVENING THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZI.

WE BEGIN WITH THE EFFORT TO COMBAT THE RISE IN ASIAN HATE CRIMES.

INCLUDING IN NEW JERSEY PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE HATE CRIMES ACT WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FROM BOTH CHAMBERS OF CONGRESS.

AND DOUBLE DOWN ON HIS ADMINISTRATION'S COMMITMENT TO STEM HATRED AND BIAS.

CALLING IT THE UGLY POISON THAT'S LONG HAUNTED AND PLAGUED OUR NATION.

THE NEW LAW GIVES LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE RESOURCES TO MAKE REPORTING OF HATE CRIMES MORE ACCESSIBLE.

INCLUDING ONLINE REPORTING MECHANISMS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES.

AND DESIGNATES A POINT PERSON AT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO EXPEDITE REVIEWS OF HATE CRIMES RELATED TO COVID-19.

MORE THAN 6600 HATE INCIDENTS WERE DOCUMENTED FROM MARCH 2020 TO MARCH 2021.

MANY LEADERS SAY THE TRUE NUMBER OF BIAS AND HATE INCIDENTS IS MUCH HIGHER.

MOST GO UNREPORTED.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH NEW JERSEY'S FIRST ASIAN AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVE BEFORE HE ATTENDED THE BILL SIGNING.

GOOD TO CATCH UP WITH YOU AGAIN.

IT'S NOT OFTEN WE SEE SUCH SWIFT AND BIPARTISAN ACTION IN CONGRESS LATELY ANYWAY.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE CERTAINLY HAVE SEEN QUICK MOVEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHALLENGES AND THE VIOLENCE THAT THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FACING.

I'M PROUD THAT WE'RE ABLE TO GET THAT KIND OF BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND TRY TO MOVE THAT FORWARD FOR A BILL SIGNING RIGHT AWAY.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT THE POINT PERSON AT THE D.O.J.

THIS PERSON IS GOING TO HELP EXPEDITE REVIEWS OF THESE CHIMES WHICH HISTORICALLY HAVE BEEN HELD UP OR HAD DIFFICULTY MOVING THROUGH.

IS THAT THE WAY TO ADDRESS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CALLED IT THE SECOND PANDEMIC, THE SECOND CRISIS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN DEALING WITH.

>> THE BILL WILL DO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT WILL HAVE A POINT PERSON THAT WILL BE ABLE TO FOCUS ON THIS.

THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN IN LARGE PART THE ISSUES OF HATE CRIMES HAS OFTEN BEEN NUMBER 4, 5, OR 6 ON A PRIORITY LIST.

NEVER ABLE TO GET THE KIND OF ATTENTION AND PRIORITIZATION THAT IT NEEDED.

AND THE BILL WILL INCREASE THE ABOUT FOR US TO SET UP REPORTING STRUCTURES, HOTLINES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

ALLOW US TO HAVE PROPER TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AROUND THIS COUNTRY AND ELSEWHERE FOR US TO BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN AND SHOW AND FAMILIARIZE PEOPLE WITH THE KIND OF CHALLENGES THAT THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IS FACING.

AND THIS IS MORE BROADCAST.

YOU HAVE TO GET THE HATE CRIMES.

IT WILL BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE RESPONSE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK THE MESSAGE IS CONGRESSMAN AS YOU AND I HAVE BEEN SPOKEN ABOUT FAMILIES LIVING IN FEAR WHO DON'T WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO PLAY OUTSIDE WITHOUT A WATCHFUL EYE.

WHAT MESSAGE DOES THIS SEND TO THE FAMILIES?

>> I FELT THAT THE FRUSTRATION AND THE FEELING LIKE IS ANYONE LISTENING?

IS ANYONE CARING ABOUT WHAT ANYONE IS DOING.

AND THE FEELING OF NOT BEING HEARD OR SEEN.

I HOPE THIS BILL IS PART OF THAT ANSWER THAT SAYS YES, WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

YES, WE ARE TRYING TO WORK TO ADDRESS IT.

AND MOVE THE NEEDLE FORWARD.

IS THE BILL GOING TO FIX ALL THE PROBLEMS?

NO.

I'LL BE VERY HONEST.

IT'S NOT GOING TO IMMEDIATELY MAKE ME FEEL SAFE AND MORE SECURE FOR MY PARENTS AND MY CONCERNS ABOUT THEM AND OTHER ELDERLY ASIAN AMERICANS THAT WE'VE SEEN THE RISE IN ATTACKS AGAINST THEM.

I SAW AN ELDERLY ASIAN AMERICAN WOMAN WHO WAS TELLING ME ANY TIME SHE GOES OUTSIDE SHE DOES FACE TIME WITH HER KIDS JUST IN CASE SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE IT FOR HER.

AND IT'S A STEP FORWARD.

AND I HOPE WE RECOGNIZE THAT.

>> ARE THERE OTHER ADDITIONAL MEASURES THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE OF THIS?

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD POINT.

THERE'S A LOT OF TRAUMA IN THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO BE ABLE TO FEEL SAFE?

IT'S REALLY THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS.

AND THAT'S NOT JUST THROUGH GOVERNMENT OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECURITY EFFORTS.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

I THINK THE ELEMENT THAT I FEEL MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE YOUNG ASIAN AMERICANS.

I'M A FATHER OF A 3-YEAR-OLD AND A 5-YEAR-OLD.

AND FOR THEIR FIRST UNDERSTANDINGS OF BEING ASIAN AMERICAN TO COME FROM THIS PERIOD IN TIME OF SUCH HATE AND INTENSITY OF VIOLENCE, I WORRY ABOUT THEM AND OTHER YOUNG ASIAN AMERICANS AND WHAT THEY'RE PROCESSING FROM THIS MOMENT.

AND THIS KIND OF RENEWED SENSE OF XENOPHOBIA AND FOREIGNNESS THAT HOVERS OVER US.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ANDY KIM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOU TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> IN ANOTHER BIPARTISAN VOTE.

THE HOUSE VOTED IN FAVOR OF INVESTIGATING THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL.

A COMMISSION MIRRORING THE ONE THAT LOOKED INTO THE 9/11 ATTACKS.

NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESS MEMBERS WERE SPLIT ON THEIR VOTE.

REPUBLICAN JEFF VAN DREW VOTED NO.

34 OTHERS DEFIED THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE LEADERSHIP BY SIDING WITH DEMOCRATS.

THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON IT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS AND IF PASSED.

THE COMMISSION IS TASKED WITH ISSUING A FINAL REPORT BY DECEMBER 31st .

LAYING OUT THE CAUSES AND FACTS OF THE RIOT AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT A SIMILAR ATTACK IN THE FUTURE.

>>> THE HEAD OF NEWARK'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WAS ALSO ON CAPITOL HILL YESTERDAY.

PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ONLY STATE RUN HOSPITAL TOLD MEMBERS OF THE U.S. SENATE HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THE COUNTRY IS PREPARED FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC.

TESTIFYING BEFORE THE SENATE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE WAYS MEDICAL SYSTEMS WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD.

HE WARNED AGAINST U.S.

DEPENDENCY ON FOREIGN MANUFACTURERS FOR PPE AND CERTAIN DRUGS AND ENCOURAGED CONGRESS TO SUPPORT MORE STATS TOWARDS INCREASING SUPPLIES.

>> TODAY WE'RE IN THE FINAL MILES OF THE PANDEMIC BUT THE PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS IS NOT OVER.

I AM NOT CONVINCED WE ARE PREPARED FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC WHETHER FROM A VACCINE RESISTANT VARIANT.

THERE'S STILL MUCH WORK TO DO.

>> HE WENT ON TO TELL LAWMAKERS, THE HOSPITAL'S FOCUS HAS SHIFTED TO VACCINATION EFFORTS ACROSS THE STATE JUST SHY OF 4 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

4.7 MILLION HAVE AT LEAST ONE SHOT.

FOR THOSE WHO GOT THEIR SHOTS EARLY IN THE ROLLOUT.

THE CEOs OF PFIZER AND MODERNA SAY A BOOSTER MAY BE NEEDED AS SOON AS SEPTEMBER.

LEADERS ARE STILL WAITING FOR DATA FROM CLINICAL TRIALS AND BELIEVE PEOPLE WILL NEED A BOOSTER SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 8 TO 12 MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING THE SECOND SHOT.

THE BOOSTERS WILL HELP STAY AHEAD OF ANOTHER OUTBREAK AS NEW POSITIVE CASES CONTINUE TO DECLINE, 513 CONFIRMED TESTS REPORTED AND 25 MORE DEATHS.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHERE OFFICIALS FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON STAND ON THE NEED FOR AN ADDITIONAL VACCINE DOSE AS THEY CONTINUE LOOKING INTO 28 CASES OF RARE BUT DANGEROUS BLOOD CLOTS NOW LINKED TO THE ONE SHOT VACCINATION OUT OF 9 MILLION DOSES GIVEN NATIONWIDE.

ONE NEW JERSEY WOMAN IS AMONG THE SMALL GROUP.

SHE SURVIVED BLOOD CLOTS THAT DEVELOPED IN HER LUNGS AND IS NOW SHARING HER STORY.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> I GUESS I SORT OF DIED.

I DIDN'T FEEL THAT BAD.

>> Reporter: SHE DIDN'T FEEL DANGEROUSLY ILL WHEN SHE AND HER HUSBAND PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT 10 DAYS AFTER GETTING THE J&J VACCINE.

SHE STARTED FEELING ACHY ON HER RIGHT SIDE, AND IT HURT TO BREATHE DEEPLY.

AND THEY CALLED IN THE SYMPTOMS.

>> SHE CAME OUT AND SAID TO ME.

GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> SHE WAS BREATHING FAST, FAST, FAST.

AND THEN HER HEART RATE WAS VERY FAST.

>> Reporter: SHE NEWELLEN HAD GOTTEN THE J&J SHOT.

THEY PAUSED THE VACCINE BECAUSE OF COMPLICATIONS WITH BLOOD CLOTS.

SHE FEARED SHE HAD CLOTS IN HER LUNG.

>> >> YOU'RE NOT GETTING OXYGENATED BLOOD, ALL YOUR ORGANS ARE GOING TO SUFFER.

AND THAT CAN COMPLETELY CUT OFF THE BLOOD CIRCULATION.

AND YOU CAN DIE FROM SHOCK OR COLLAPSE.

>> ELLEN'S HUSBAND INSISTED THEY GO.

AT VALLEY HOSPITAL TESTS SHOWED MULTIPLE BLOOD CLOTS IN BOTH LUNGS.

DOCTORS GAVE HER A BLOOD THINNER AND ADMITTED HER FOR WHAT TURNED INTO A 5 DAY STAY.

SHE SUFFERED A COLLAPSED LUNG AND GOT MORPHINE FOR THE PAIN.

>> I HAD WEIRD MUSCLE ACHES ALL OVER MY BODY.

BOTH OF MY HIPBONES FELT LIKE SOMEONE WAS GRIPPING THEM.

THEY SENT ME TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T HAVE DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS.

>> IN THE HOSPITAL THE PULMONOLOGIST TOLD HER HEALING WILL TAKE A WHILE.

>> YOU'LL HAVE TO BE ON BLOOD THINNERS FOR 3 MONTHS.

>> AM I SUSCEPTIBLE NOW TO THIS.

AND HE SAID WHO KNOWS?

UNCHARTED WATERS.

>> HERE'S WHAT WE DO KNOW.

BLOOD CLOTS OCCURRED 3 TO 15 DAYS AFTER THE SHOT.

AND CAN INVOLVE THE BRAIN, LUNGS, LEGS, OR ABDOMEN.

SYMPTOMS INCLUDE SEVERE HEADACHE, BLURRY VISION, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, WEAKNESS AND PAIN.

28 CASES OF CLOTTING.

MOST AMONG WOMEN UNDER 49.

3 PEOPLE HAVE DIED.

ELLEN'S CASE WAS REPORTED TO THE CDC.

SHE'S HEARD OF OTHER CASES IN NEW JERSEY AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DOESN'T COLLECT STATISTICS.

>> THE THING WITH THE BLOOD CLOTS IS I STILL HAVE THEM.

THEY ARE JUST GETTING DISSOLVED.

I BELIEVE THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THIS IS HAPPENING TO.

AND IT'S A SERIOUS SIDE EFFECT.

>> BUT YOU CAN ALSO DIE OF COVID.

>> I AM TOTALLY PRO VACCINE.

I WILL GET MORE VACCINE.

AND I JUST THINK IT'S A YOU KNOW KIND OF A FREAK OCCURRENCE.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WON'T DELIVER ANY J&J VACCINES TO STATES AFTER SERIOUS MANUFACTURING ERRORS RUINED DOSES AT A BALTIMORE PLANT.

THE COMPANY EXPECTS TO RESUME MANUFACTURING SOON.

>> AFTER HAVING THE SHOT.

BEWARE.

IF YOU FEEL SICK, JUST GO TO THE DOCTOR.

>> STATE LAWMAKERS GOT TO WORK TODAY PASSING DOZENS OF NEW BILLS.

MANY WERE PANDEMIC RELATED.

THE ASSEMBLY APPROVED PROPOSALS RANGING FROM ADDRESSING THE PPE SHORTAGE TO REFORMS AT NEW JERSEY'S WOMEN'S PRISON.

IT WAS A BILL THAT DIDN'T GET POSTED ATTRACTING MOST OF THE ATTENTION.

A BILL WOULD HAVE ALLOWED EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED BY THE GOVERNOR TO CONTINUE UNTIL 2022.

A PROPOSAL THAT GENERATED PUSHBACK FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>>> NEW JERSEY SPOTLIGHT NEWS WRITER, HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE ACTION AT THE STATE HOUSE AND IS HERE WITH THE LATEST.

>> AMONG THE BIG NEWS TODAY WAS THIS DECISION BY SPEAKER COUGHLIN NOT TO PUT THE BILL UP FOR A VOTE.

>> WE HAD HEARD THERE WAS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SPEAKER AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT AND GOVERNOR MURPHY.

AND THEN SUDDENLY, THE SPEAKER DECIDED TO PULL THE BILL.

THERE'S CERTAINLY AN AWFUL LOT OF REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION TO IT.

THE REPUBLICANS SEEM TO THINK IT GIVES MURPHY TOO MUCH POWER.

I THINK THE TERM WAS TOSSED AROUND A LOT.

DEMOCRATS SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS THIS WITHOUT REPUBLICANS.

SO THERE MUST BE SOME CONCERN AMONG THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS AS WELL.

>> SO ASIDE FROM THAT, WE DID SEE A LOT OF MOVEMENT.

ISSUES THAT WERE BROUGHT UP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WALK ME THROUGH WHAT WAS ACTUALLY APPROVED TODAY.

>> THERE WERE SO MANY PIECES OF LEGISLATION APPROVED.

THERE WERE A COUPLE THAT SPECIFICALLY RELATE TO LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES WHERE WE'VE HAD THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO DIED.

THAT'S KIND OF WHERE IT ALL BEGAN.

WE HAD THE WORST SITUATION WAY BACK LAST SPRING.

SO THERE ARE MEASURES THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO BEEF UP INFECTION CONTROL POLICIES AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE CARRIED OUT SYSTEM WIDE AS WELL AS FOR THE FACILITIES THEMSELVES TO SUBMIT REPORTS TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, DOING THE RIGHT THING IN TERMS OF INFECTION CONTROL.

THERE WAS ALSO LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR ESSENTIALLY SET PEOPLE ASIDE TO WORK WITH LEGISLATORS OFFICES DURING A PANDEMIC LIKE THIS BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH, YOU KNOW, GETTING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

THAT WAS ANOTHER ONE THAT PASSED.

AND THERE WERE MEASURES THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD VETOED REGARDING PPE STOCKPILES AND OTHER LEGISLATION LIKE THAT THAT FELL THROUGH.

EVERYTHING FELL THROUGH PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> WHAT ABOUT, YOU'VE BEEN COVERING THIS FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

SOME PROPOSALS FOR REFORM THERE.

WAS THERE MOVEMENT?

>> THOSE BILLS THAT WE SENT, THE KEY BILLS DID PASS.

AND THE BIGGEST IS BODY CAMERAS FOR ALL CORRECTIONS OFFICERS STATEWIDE IN TERMS OF IN THE PRISON SYSTEM AND NEW SECURITY CAMERAS AND NEW TRAINS PUT IN PLACE.

AND THERE WERE SOME CHANGES IN TERMS OF HALFWAY HOUSES AND MAKING PEOPLE ELIGIBLE.

SO THOSE PASSED AS WELL.

>> SO A LITTLE WAYS TO GO BEFORE ANY OF THIS BECOMES LAW.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> THE STATE LEGISLATURE IS STILL AT ODDS OVER A PROPOSAL TO BAN MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR PUBLIC CORRUPTION CASES.

THIS WEEK, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE FESTIVAL ABOLISHED THE MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR SIX NONVIOLENT DRUG CRIMES.

THEY INCLUDE DISTRIBUTING DRUGS TO YOUTH, USING A JUVENILE TO SELL DRUGS.

LEADING A TRAFFICKING NETWORK.

MAINTAINING A FACILITY THAT PRODUCES DRUGS, AND MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTING, OR DISPENSING THEM.

AN ONLINE PORTAL IS LAUNCHED FOR ANYONE SERVING A MANDATORY MINIMUM FOR ONE OF THOSE OFFENSES.

>>> THE PANDEMIC JOB RECOVERY MARCHS ON BUT AT A SLOW PACE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST NUMBERS.

>> NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY CONTINUES TO RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC, BUT IT IS A SLOW GO.

THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STANDS AT 7.5%.

THAT IS ABOVE THE NATIONAL RATE OF 6.1%.

PRELIMINARY FEDERAL ESTIMATES SHOW THAT NEW JERSEY ADDED FEWER THAN 4,000 NEW JOBS LAST MONTH.

THERE HAVE BEEN NEW JOBS ADDED FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS.

AND NEW JERSEY HAS ONLY RECOVERED A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF OF ALL OF THE JOBS LOST SINCE MARCH AND APRIL.

>>> WE'VE BEEN REPORTING A LOT ABOUT COMPANIES STRUGGLING TO FIND WAIT STAFF AND OTHER WORKERS.

THERE'S ANOTHER GROUP OF EMPLOYEES IN SHORT SUPPLY AND THAT'S HEALTHCARE WORKERS, INCLUDING DOCTORS.

THIS ISSUE IS THE FOCUS OF A HEARING ON CAPITOL HILL.

DR. DAVID, LEADS THE AAMC, A NONPROFIT THAT REPRESENTATIVES MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN THE U.S. >> OUR ANNUAL WORK FORCE REPORT CONTINUES TO PROJECT THAT DEMAND FOR PHYSICIANS WILL OUTSTRIP SUPPLY LEADING TO A PROJECTED SHORTAGE BETWEEN 54,100 AND 139,000 PHYSICIANS BY 2033.

>> ANOTHER DOCTOR WHO TESTIFIED CALLED THE WORK FORCE SHORTAGE A CRISIS.

>>> THE LATEST COVID-19 RELIEF BILL IS MOVING THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

BACKED BY BUSINESS GROUPS.

THE BILLS WOULD PROVIDE $235 MILLION IN GRANTS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES RECOUP SOME OF THE FINANCIAL LOSSES.

RESTAURANTS, MICRO BUSINESSES, CHILD CARE CENTERS AND NONPROFITS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.

THIS BUCKET OF MONEY IS ON TOP OF THE $85 MILLION ALLOCATED JUST LAST MONTH.

THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION SAYS THE GRANTS WILL ALLOW MORE BUSINESSES TO KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN.

>>> THE GROCERY CHAIN WHOLE FOODS IS ADDING 40 NEW SUPERMARKETS NATIONWIDE AND FOUR IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY WILL BE IN JERSEY CITY, SKILLMAN, WAYNE, AND, NO OPENING DATES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED YET.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET FARED TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> JOIN RHONDA SLAVE RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND.

THE GROWING POPULARITY OF CRYPTO CURRENCY AND HOW THEY'RE CHANGING THE WAY YOUR MONEY WORKS.

WATCH SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. >> THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE PART OF A CONTENTIOUS DEBATE IN MISSISSIPPI, MOST ABORTIONS ARE BANNED AFTER 15 WEEKS OF PREGNANCY.

THE DEMOCRATIC STATE LEADER IN NEW JERSEY ARE RAMPING UP THE CALL FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT INTRODUCED LAST YEAR.

>> THE TIME TO PASS REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT IS NOW.

>> GO HELD A FORUM TODAY TO URGE LEGISLATORS TO TAKE UP A BILL TO CODIFY ABORTION AND OTHER REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS INTO LAW.

>> THE LEGISLATION IS FILLED WITH PROACTIVE CHANGES, AND FOUR JUMP OUT AT ME.

ELIMINATING OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES, EXPANDING THE SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONERS.

STRIKING OUT OF DATE AND UNNECESSARY MEDICAL RESTRICTIONS.

AND FREEING UP ACCESS TO ORAL CONTRACEPTION WITH A 12 MONTH SUPPLY.

>> PANELISTS PRESSED THE URGENCY FOR THE STATE TO TAKE UP THE MATTER NOW THAT THE SUPREME COURT HAS AGREED TO TAKE UP A CASE FROM MISSISSIPPI.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD VERSUS CASEY HOLDS MORE WEIGHT.

>> CASEY DECIDED TO REJECT THE TRIMESTER FRAMEWORK.

REGULATION OF ABORTION AND WHAT REGULATION COULD HAPPEN WAS FOCUSED ON THE LINE OF VIABILITY WHICH IS ABOUT 24 WEEKS.

A STATE THAT HAS A BAN THAT IS A PRE-VIABILITY BAN AND A 15 WEEK BAN IS ABSOLUTELY A PRE- LIABILITY BAN, THAT STATE WAS ACTING WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE THAT THAT LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> AND SO THE SUPREME COURT HEARING THE MISSISSIPPI CASE.

>> IT MIGHT MEAN THAT THEY WANT TO REINFORCE THE LANGUAGE WHICH IS THAT YOU CANNOT COMPLETELY BAN ABORTION PRE-VIABILITY.

OR IT MIGHT MEAN THEY WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY NOW THAT WE HAVE A RECONSTITUTED SUPREME COURT AND DECIDE TO OVERRULE ROE V. WADE.

>> I REMEMBER THE DAY QUITE CLEARLY BEFORE ABORTION WAS LEGAL.

THIS IS THE TIME TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT OUR LEGISLATURE WILL PUT INTO LAW, AND THIS GOVERNOR WILL SIGN WOMEN'S ACCESS TO COMPLETE HEALTHCARE ALONG WITH THE ABILITY TO ACCESS THAT HEALTHCARE.

>> DESPITE CALLS FROM LONGTIME ADVOCATES, THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT PUT FORWARD THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT FOR A HEARING.

STEVE SWEENEY DECLINED COMMENT.

AND A SPOKESPERSON SAID THE BILL REMAINS UNDER CONSIDERATION.

WHILE THE BILL HAS STRONG SUPPORT IN THE POLLS, IT HAS STRONG OPPOSITION FROM ANTIABORTION GROUPS LIKE NEW JERSEY RIGHT TO LIFE THAT CALL IT RADICAL.

>> IT SAYS RIGHT IN THE LEGISLATION THAT FUTURE LEGISLATURES WOULD BE RESTRAINED FROM PASSING ANY LAWS THAT DEAL WITH EVOLVING VIEWS OF THE PEOPLE OR INFORMATION AND ADVANCEMENTS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

IT WOULD PREVENT ANY FUTURE VOTE BY THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

>> SHE HOPES THAT WHEN THE SUPREME COURT HEARS THE ARGUMENT.

>> THAT THEY WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND OVERTURN THIS TERRIBLY TRAGIC DECISION THAT'S ENDED THE LIVES OF OVER 62 MILLION INNOCENT BABIES.

>> MAKING ABORTION ILLEGAL DOESN'T MEAN THAT PEOPLE STOP HAVING ABORTIONS.

IT MEANS THAT PEOPLE STOP HAVING SAFE ABORTIONS.

>> THE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR THE CASE IN NOVEMBER.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS HOPEFUL THIS BILL CAN PASS BY.

>>> REPORTERS ROUND TABLE IS LIVE AT 10:00 A.M.

TOMORROW.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS OFFERING VACCINE INCENTIVES.

WHAT DO BUSINESSES THINK OF IT?

AND THE NEW MASK GUIDELINES.

SHE'LL TAKE A LOOK AND CHAT WITH A PANEL OF REPORTERS.

WATCH IT ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

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

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG TERM, SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM.

AND FOR ME.

IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

AS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.

WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME A TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJE MEMBER.