>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, 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.

AND, BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE TALIBAN IS NOW IN CONTROL OF AFGHANISTAN.

IN A STUNNING TURN OF EVENTS, THE EXTREMIST MILITANT GROUP HAS RETAKEN THE CAPITAL WITH A SPEED VIEW ANTICIPATED, AND LITTLE RESISTANCE FROM AFGHAN SECURITY FORCES, MANY SURRENDERED OR FLOODED THEIR POST.

IT COMES TWO DECADES AFTER U.S.

TROOPS DROVE THE TALIBAN OUT OF THE CITY IN THE WAKE OF THE TERROR ATTACKS OF 9/11.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS AND AFGHAN LIVES LOST IN THE 20 YEAR WAR.

JUST A LITTLE CHAOS AND CONFUSION ON THE GROUND TODAY.

FOLLOWING THE COLLAPSE OF ITS RESTROOM BACK TO GOVERNMENT, PANICKED CROWDS CAN BE SEEN FLOODING THE TARMAC EARLIER TODAY.

COUPLE AT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

VIDEO, SHOWING THOSE DESPERATE TO ESCAPE TALIBAN RULE, CLINGING TO THE FEW LAUNCH OF A U.S. MILITARY AIRCRAFT UP IS PREPARED TO LEAVE THE RUNNING FOR THE PENTAGON, AND OPPOSING ALL FLIGHTS MILITARY OR CIVILIAN IN AND OUT OF KABUL, AS PRESIDENT BIDEN SENDS IN THOUSANDS OF TROOPS TO SECURE THE AIRPORT, AND EVACUATE U.S. CITIZENS.

EVEN AS THE UNITED STATES PLANS TO WITHDRAW MILITARY FORCES BY NEXT MONTH.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, DEFENDING ITS DECISION, CLAIMING THE MILITARY WOULD HAVE BEEN VULNERABLE TO TALIBAN ATTACKS IF THE U.S. DID NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON A DEAL BROKERED UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR FORCES TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

THE CONGRESSMAN HAS BEEN IMPLORING THE BIDEN DEMONSTRATION TO SECURE EVACUATIONS AND PROTECT THOSE STILL ON THE GROUND.

HE JOINS ME NOW.

>> RISSMAN.

I HAVE TO START THEM OF COURSE WITH YOUR REACTION TO WHAT IS UNFOLDING RIGHT NOW.

>> I'M INCREDIBLY SAD AND UPSET ABOUT IT.

I THINK IT WAS AVOIDABLE, BUT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE, AND MY FOCUS HAS BEEN ON TRYING TO SAVE AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN OUT OF THIS TERRIBLE SITUATION.

I'VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE GROUND, HEARING TERRIBLE STORIES, AND CRIES FOR HELP, AND I'VE BEEN URGING THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO WHAT IS NECESSARY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY WHO BET ON THE FUTURE THAT WE PROMISED IN AFGHANISTAN, WHO IS AT LEAST WITHIN REACH OF OUR ABILITY TO GET THEM HAS GOTTEN LIFTED.

>> BASED ON WHAT YOU KNOW, HOW LONG CAN U.S. OFFICIALS MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRPORT, AND ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT FOLKS WHO HAVE HELPED U.S.

TROOPS IN THE PAST?

WHETHER IT BE AS INTERPRETERS, FOLKS WITH THOSE SPECIALIZED VISAS AS BEING TARGETS NOW OF THE TALIBAN.

>> WE HAVE PROMISED TO TAKE OUT FIRST AND FOREMOST AMERICAN CITIZENS IN AFGHANISTAN, AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS LEFT.

PEOPLE WHO AFGHANS WHO WORKED FOR OUR EMBASSY AND VARIOUS MISSIONS THERE, THOSE WHO HELPED MILITARY AS TRANSLATORS IN OTHER WAYS, AND A BROAD RANGE OF AFGHANS WHO ARE LIKELY TO BE PARTICULARLY TARGETED BY THE TALIBAN, INCLUDING JOURNALISTS, WOMEN'S RIGHTS, HUMAN RIGHTS LEADERS, AS STUDENTS AND STAFF AT THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY, MANY OTHERS.

AND, YES.

ABSOLUTELY, A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE ON A TALIBAN LIST.

AND, RIGHT NOW, WE GOT TO DO IS SECURE THAT AIRPORT.

AND, THEN BRING AS MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO THE AIRPORT, AND HOLD ONTO IT SO THAT THEY CAN STAY THERE UNTIL WE CAN GET AIRCRAFT IN AND OUT FOR ALL OF THEM.

THAT IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME DETERMINATION ON OUR PART.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE MORE TROOPS THAN WE HAVE THERE BEFORE JOE BIDEN ORDERED THIS WITHDRAWAL.

BUT, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO KEEP OUR PROMISE TRAITS >> YEAH.

OF COURSE WE KNOW THAT THE WITHDRAWAL WAS COMING.

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE DIFFERENTLY?

WAS THERE ANY WAY THAT U.S. OFFICIALS COULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT THIS WOULD DEVOLVE SO QUICKLY MY >> IT WAS CERTAINLY KNOWN THAT THIS WAS A POSSIBLE CONTINGENCY.

THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE MILITARY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT.

SO, LONG AS WE WERE DETERMINED TO LEAVE, I'M NOT SURE IF THERE WAS AN EASY WAY TO LEAVE WITHOUT THIS KIND OF CHAOS.

YOU KNOW, MY PREFERENCE WOULD HAVE BEEN THAT WE WOULD HAVE STAYED, FRANKLY.

THAT WE WOULD HAVE KEPT THE VERY SMALL FORCE WE HAD THERE, WHICH ENABLED THOUSANDS OF EUROPEAN TROOPS, AND MANY MORE THOUSANDS OF INTERNATIONAL CONTRACTORS TO ENABLE THE AFGHANS TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY.

BUT I THINK ONCE THE DECISION WAS MADE TO LEAVE, EFFECTIVELY AND THE SCHEDULE THAT DONALD TRUMP SET, THEN I THINK, SOME KIND OF DISASTER WAS INEVITABLE.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THOSE TRYING TO GET OUT FOR SURE!

I'M HEARING THAT IT'S BEEN HARDER TO GET TO THE AIRPORT.

THAT'S WHAT CONCERNS ME.

I'VE HEARD ABOUT WOMEN LEADERS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHO HAVE BEEN VICIOUSLY BEATEN.

CLOSE TO THE AIRPORT.

I'VE HEARD THAT PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LEAVE OUR SAYING THAT THEY PROBABLY NEED TO GET RID OF THE PASSPORTS AND I.D.

DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE IF THEY ARE CAUGHT WITH THOSE IDS ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT, THEY WILL AGAIN, GET ON THE TALIBAN LIST.

WHAT I'VE BEEN URGING THE ADMINISTRATION TO DO IS SECURE THE AIRPORT, AND CALL LITERALLY EVERYBODY ON OUR LIST.

THEY WILL HAVE A LIST OF PEOPLE TO BE EVACUATED, AND TELL THEM TO COME TO THE AIRPORT, EVEN IF THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SIT THERE AND EAT MRAS FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEK.

WAITING FOR THE PLANE TO COME.

>> CONGRESSMAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, WE WILL LET YOU GET BACK TO IT.

WE KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK AHEAD OF YOU.

THANKS SO MUCH.

AND ACROSS THE NATION TONIGHT, THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH IS MOURNING THAT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THE U.S. COULD SEE MORE THAN 200,000 NEW CASES OF COVID-19 A DAY.

AS THE DELTA VARIANT CONTINUES RAPID READING.

THE NIH ADDING THE 90 MILLION OF VACCINATED AMERICANS ARE SITTING DUCKS FOR THE VIRUS.

MORE THAN 1100 POSITIVE NEW TESTS AND FOUR MORE DEATHS REPORTED TODAY, WITH MORE THAN 5.4 MILLION PEOPLE HERE FULLY VACCINATED.

ON FRIDAY, THE CDC RECOMMENDED PEOPLE WITH MODERATE TO SEVERELY COVER MYCENAEAN SYSTEMS SHOULD GET AN ADDITIONAL DOSE OF EITHER THE PFIZER OR MODERNA VACCINE, FOLLOWING THE FDA'S AUTHORIZATION FOR THE GROUP.

AS LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS, VACCINATION SITES ACROSS THE STATE WASTED NO TIME GETTING THE EXTRA SHOP IN ARMS.

>> A PICTURE IS WORTH 1000 WORDS, AND THIS PHOTO SHOWS ONE HAPPY PERSON PROUDLY HOLDING UP THE NUMBER 3 AFTER RECEIVING A COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT.

>> YESTERDAY, A FRIEND OF MINE IN NEW YORK POSTED THAT HE HAD JUST GOTTEN HIS AT RITE AID.

SO, I CALLED THE LOCAL RITE AID LIKE 5:00, THEY SAID WE ARE CLOSING AT 6:00.

I WAS THERE WITHIN 20 MINUTES.

>> RESIDENT HAS HIV, AND HER STUDIES HAVE SHOWN IMMUNOCOMPROMISED PEOPLE MAY HAVE NOT BUILT UP A STRONG IMMUNITY FOR THE FIRST TWO DOSES OF THE VACCINE.

THANK YOU FOR THE EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION.

>> NEPHEWS UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR.

AND I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING AROUND THEM THINKING THAT I MIGHT, SOMEHOW PASS FOR THE VIRUS THAT IS DORMANT.

>> ON THURSDAY, THE U.S. FDA AMENDED AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR BOTH PFIZER, AND MODERNA.

TO ALLOW CERTAIN AMINO COVER MY STEEPLE TO GET A THOROUGH DOSE OF COVID-19 VACCINE.

AND, JUST ONE DAY LATER, THE CDC OFFICIALLY SIGNED OFF ON BOOSTER SHOTS FOR THAT GROUP.

>> IT SHOULD BE AT LEAST 28 DAYS PAST HER SECOND DOSE?

BUT, IT CAN BE LONGER THAN THAT.

>> THE CDC SAYS CANCER PATIENTS, ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS, PEOPLE WITH ADVANCED , OR UNTREATED HIV, AND OTHERS WITH CONDITIONS, OR IF YOU TAKE MEDICATIONS THAT WE CAN IMMUNE SYSTEMS, THEY'RE ALL ELIGIBLE.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, THOSE GROUPS MAKE UP 3% OF THE ADULT POPULATION.

>> WE HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING IN PLACE A MEANS FOR OUR PATIENTS TO GET THOSE ADDITIONAL VACCINATIONS AS EASILY, AND AS STRAIGHTFORWARD AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE DIRECTOR OF WRECKERS CANCER INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY, AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AMONG ONCOLOGY AT RWJ BARNABAS, AN UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> I THINK IT IS PRUDENT THAT WE ARE NOW MOVING FORWARD WITH AN ADDITIONAL DOSE, TO TRY TO BOOST THEIR IMMUNE RESPONSE, BUT IT'S NOT IN RESPONSE TO SEEING LARGE NUMBERS OF PATIENTS, WINDING UP WITH SERIOUS ILLNESS REQUIRING HOSPITALIZATION.

>> DESPITE THE NEWS OF BREAKTHROUGH CASES, EPIDEMIOLOGIST, STEPHANIE SILVERA SAYS THE POPULATION HAS SHOWN A PANIC AND TRYING TO GET A BOOSTER SHOT RIGHT NOW.

THE CDC SAYS MORE THAN 1 MILLION AMERICANS HAVE ALREADY DONE THEIR VACCINE DOSE BEFORE THE FDA AUTHORIZED THEIR USE.

>> THE DATA IS HOLDING UP.

IN NEW JERSEY, 99.9% OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS ARE AMONG THE COMPLETELY UNVACCINATED OR PARTIALLY VACCINATED.

BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED TWO WEEKS AFTER THE SECOND DOSE, IT IS LESS THAN .1%.

SO THE VACCINES ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

>> ESSEX COUNTY IS NOT WASTING ANY TIME.

THEY GIVE UP MORE THAN 250 BOOSTER VACCINES.

AS OF THE AFTERNOON, THEY ALREADY DONE AN ADDITIONAL 300.

SO, HOW DID HEALTHCARE WORKERS KNOW IF SOMEONE IS ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER?

IN ESSEX COUNTY -- >> WE ARE DOING THE HONOR SYSTEM, TAKING THEM AT THEIR WORD.

NO QUESTION MARK AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH THE VACCINATIONS EARLY ON.

AND THAT IS WHAT THE STATE WOULD LIKE TO SEE US DO NOW IS UNITE AS FOR BARELY SPEAKING TO HIM AFTER HIS THIRD DOSE, HE SAYS HE'S FEELING GOOD.

>> THE SIDE EFFECT WAS MINIMAL.

IT WAS A BIG HEADACHE.

A LITTLE BIT OF A LATE START TODAY.

JUST A RESTLESS NIGHT SLEEP.

BUT, I FEEL FINE.

I DON'T SEE THE DOWNSIDE TO TAKING IT.

IF IT'S GOING TO PROTECT ME, MY FAMILY.

>> THE CDC SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD GET A BOOSTER SHOT FROM THE SAME VACCINE INITIALLY RECEIVED, WHETHER IT IS PFIZER, OR MODERNA.

THE FDA HAS NOT APPROVED A BOOSTER SHOT FOR JOHNSON & JOHNSON YET.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH DATA.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>> DESPITE THE LATEST WITH A INFECTION, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS NOT BACKING DOWN FROM HIS POSITION TO RETURN STUDENTS TO FULL-TIME AND PERSON LEARNING THIS FALL.

WITH NO REMOTE OPTION.

LASTLY, THE PERMIT EDUCATION CIRCULATED NEW GUIDANCE FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ASKING EDUCATORS TO PREPARE FOR THE LIKELIHOOD THAT SOME STUDENTS WILL NEED TO QUARANTINE DURING THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

AND, REQUIRE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION.

A GROWING NUMBER OF PARENTS ARE PETITIONING THE STATE TO MAKE VIRTUAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR ALL, BUT THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, JUST WEEKS AWAY.

JOANNA GAGIS HAS THE STORY.

>> WE'VE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE THAT WE SPOKEN TO, AND THEY ARE LIKE NO, MIKE IT IS GOING TO GO VIRTUAL.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE THE PANDEMIC.

AND WE ARE LIKE NO, UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE NOT.

NEW JERSEY HAS TAKEN THAT OPTION COMPLETELY AWAY.

>> KAREN STRAUSS AS PART OF THE GROUP NEW JERSEY PARENTS FOR VIRTUAL TRAITS THAT IS CALLING ON GOVERNOR MURPHY TO GIVE FAMILIES A REMOTE LEARNING OPTION FOR KIDS THIS YEAR.

>> MY FIVE-YEAR-OLD, WHO IS NOT VACCINATED, HE WILL END UP BEING HOMESCHOOLED.

WE HAVE NO WAY OF SENDING HIM IN AND PUTTING THEM AT RISK.

HE HAS HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM AND ASTHMA.

AND SO, EVEN JUST A COMMON COLD CAN MAKE HIS LUNGS SHUT DOWN.

>> HOMESCHOOLING IS AN OPTION THAT MORE FAMILIES HAVE INCREASINGLY TURNED TO DURING THE PANDEMIC.

FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

STEPHANIE HOMESCHOOLED HER SON THROUGH FIRST GRADE ALL OF LAST YEAR.

THERE WERE SO MANY UNKNOWNS, WE DID NOT KNOW WAS GOING TO HAPPEN,, ARE THEY IN SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL CUSTOMER SO MANY TIMES THEY WERE IN AND OUT, WE JUST DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THAT BACK AND FORTH, AND I JUST DID NOT WANT HIM TO COME OUT PUT HIM THROUGH THAT.

ALSO, I DID NOT WANT HIM TO HAVE TO SIT IN A MASK ALL DAY LONG.

IT'S A LOT FOR THESE KIDS TO HANDLE, ON TOP OF VIRTUAL POINT >> SHE HAS REGISTERED HER SCENT TO START SECOND GRADE IN SEPTEMBER, IN THE NEW DISTRICT OF WYCKOFF, BUT SHE SAID THEY'RE GOING TO BE FLEXIBLE AS THE YEAR GOES ON.

>> THE SECOND HE TOLD ME HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE THERE IN A MASK ANYMORE, WE COME RIGHT BACK OUT.

I MEAN, I'M LETTING IT BE HIS DECISION, BUT I HONESTLY THINK MASKING SHOULD BE A PARENT AND A CHILD'S CHOICE AT THIS POINT.

>> MANY PARENTS AGREE AND FIND THE GROUP UNMASK OUR CHILDREN HOLDING PROTEST AGAINST THE GOVERNOR'S RECENTLY SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER, REQUIRING MASKS FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS THIS YEAR.

SOME ARE WILLING AGAINST THEIR LOCAL DISTRICT, AS THEIR SUPERINTENDENT ROBERTSON HAS EXPERIENCE.

>> IF THE FOLKS HAVE CONTRARY OPINIONS TO THAT, THERE IS CHANNELS TO VOICE THAT TO THE GOVERNOR, BUT I DON'T HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE THAT, AND I APPRECIATE HEARING THE POSITION.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DESPERATELY WANTED TO KEEP USING MASKS FOR FEAR OF THE SPREAD SAC NUMBERS RISE POINT >> THE NUMBER OF KIDS GETTING VERY SICK FROM COVID IS ALSO RISING.

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH DIRECTOR, FRANCIS COLLINS, ONE THAT HER KIDS ARE VERY SERIOUSLY AT RISK FROM THE VAULTS OF VARIANCE, CITING THE NEARLY 2000 KIDS HOSPITALIZED, SOME IN THE ICU, AND MORE THAN 400 KIDS WHO'VE ALREADY DIED FROM THE VIRUS.

AFTER WEEKS OF NO NEW CASES, THE DISTRICT IS SEEING A SPIKE FROM ITS ATHLETICS, AND SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, RAISING THE CRITICAL QUESTION FOR ALL DISTRICTS.

>> THE SITUATION IS BECOMING MORE PRECARIOUS, IF IT'S THAT PRECARIOUS, THEN WHAT ABOUT A VIRTUAL OPTION QUESTION BECAUSE PARENTS ARE LOOKING FOR THAT, AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO FOR KIDS WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, OR HAVE OTHER SITUATIONS THAT THEY CANNOT COME TO SCHOOL CUSTOMER >> THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS OUTLINED GUIDANCE THAT INCLUDES SOME EXCLUSION CRITERIA, OR A CHILD, OR GROUP OF CHILDREN WILL BE UNABLE TO ATTEND SCHOOL, DUE TO ILLNESS, OR EXPOSURE.

ANY DISTRICTS ARE PREPARING FOR MORE WIDESPREAD CLOSURES.

>> WE GOT RID OF THE PLANS THAT WE DEVELOPED IN THE SPRING OF 2020.

THIS IS JUST, YOU KNOW, THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE OF OUR FOUR OPTIONS.

BUT, WE STILL HAVE ALL OF OUR PLANS READY TO GO.

SO IF THE SITUATION YOU KNOW, REQUESTS WHERE WE HAVE TO GO TO OPTION 2 OR THREE OR OPTION FOUR, WE ARE PREPARED TO DO SO.

>> AN APPROACH HE BELIEVES MANY DISTRICTS ARE TAKING AS THE DAYS COUNTDOWN TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

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

>> IN THE MEANTIME, THE U.S. IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IS CONFIRMING ITS EXTENDED A CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE PRISON IN UNION COUNTY.

JUST AS ADVOCATES REINFORCE THEIR PUSH FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY TO SIGN LEGISLATION SENT TO HIM IN JUNE.

THAT WOULD BAN STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES ALONG WITH PRIVATE PRISONS FROM ENTERING, RENEWING, OR EXTENDING AGREEMENTS WITH ICE TO DETAIN IMMIGRANTS AT THEIR FACILITIES.

THIS LATEST CONTRACT IN UNION COUNTY WILL HOLD UNTIL 2023.

OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER HAS THE DETAILS.

HERE IS MONSY ALVARADO.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE DETAINEES THERE?

HOW MANY?

WHAT IS THE POPULATION QUESTION >> THE POPULATION RIGHT NOW IS 134 .

AS OF FRIDAY.

THAT IS FLUID, RIGHT?

HOW MANY THEY BRING IN EVERY DAY.

THIS MEANS A LOT.

BECAUSE WE ARE RIGHT NOW WE ARE WAITING TO BE SIGNED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY, THAT WOULD PREVENT ANY RENEWING OF SUCH CONTRACTS.

AND SO, YOU HAVE TO ANOTHER THERE'S THREE ENTITIES HERE.

THERE'S THE COURSE OF IT THAT RUNS THE CITY, RIGHT?

AND THEN THEY HAVE THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY.

AND SO, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS.

SO, THE AGREEMENT THAT WAS SIGNED LAST WEEK THAT EXTENSION IS BETWEEN ICE, AND CIVIC.

SO BASICALLY, ICE IS LIKE I AM CONTRACTING YOU, YOU KNOW, THROUGH AUGUST TO CONTINUE TO DETAIN OUR IMMIGRANTS DETAINEES IN NEW JERSEY.

RIGHT?

AND THEN THERE IS THIS OTHER CONTRACT BETWEEN CIVIC AND THE PROPERTY OWNER THAT RUNS THROUGH NEXT YEAR, JUNE 30th THE NEXT YEAR.

THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY WANT TO TERMINATE THAT LEASE.

SO, THAT IS IN COURT RIGHT NOW.

SO, DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS IN COURT, WE WILL SEE WHETHER YOU KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS OTHER CONTRACT BETWEEN ICE.

>> THIS IS BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC FOR YEARS.

WHAT ARE THE DEBATES ON EITHER SIDE FOR THE GOVERNORS ASSIGNING OR NOT SIGNING?

>> YEAH, SO I MEAN, UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THERE WERE HARSHER IMMIGRATION POLICIES, AND SO THAT LET A LOT OF PEOPLE TO HOLD PROTESTS AT THE SITE.

YOU KNOW, THROUGH THE YEARS IT'S ALWAYS BEEN, THEY'VE BEEN THERE SINCE 2003, 1983.

AND SO, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PROTESTS THERE.

OTHER TRUNK, THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THIS PROTEST, THEY WOULD BLOCK THE STREETS.

AND SO, THAT'S WHAT LED TO THE OWNERS TO KIND OF LOOK AT THIS.

YOU KNOW, LEAST BETWEEN THEM AND CIVIC.

AND, YOU KNOW.

SO NOW THEY ARE DECIDING WE WANT TO GET UP BUT THE BIG DEBATE IS, ADVOCATES DON'T WANT ANY FACILITY TO HAVE THIS FEDERAL IMMIGRATION DETAINEES HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

THE PUSH FOR THIS BILL, AND OF THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT SIGNED IT AND PASS THE LEGISLATURE INTO.

AND I THINK WHAT'S GOING ON THERE IS THAT NO, THIS IS ELECTION YEAR FOR THE GOVERNOR, AND HE IS REALLY THINKING THINGS THROUGH, ANYTHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY GO WRONG, AND OR HIS ELECTION.

>> VERY QUICKLY, ANY WORD FROM HIS OFFICE ON THAT?

>> KNOW THEY HAVE A POLICY NOT TO COMMENT ON LEGISLATION THAT IS PENDING, SO YOU KNOW.

EVERY TIME I REACH OF IT'S LIKE THERE'S NO COMMENT.

SO, I JUST DON'T KNOW, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SURE.

>> FOR MORE ON HER REPORTING AND THE FIT OF THE BILL SITTING ON GOVERNOR OVERSEAS DESK, HAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG .

>>> SINCE THE START OF PANDEMIC, NEW JERSEY HAS PAID OUT NEARLY $8 BILLION AND COUNTING IN UNAPPOINTED BENEFITS TO WORKERS HIT LAYOFFS AND FURLOUGHS, DEPLETING THE FUND, AND FORCING THE STATE TO BORROW MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PAY FOR IT.

NOW, IT IS TIME TO REPLENISH THE INSURANCE PROGRAM, AND IT APPEARS THE BURDEN WILL FALL ON BUSINESSES.

FACING A $250 MILLION TAX HIKE THIS YEAR.

THE FIRST OF WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAX INCREASES.

POTENTIALLY LEAVING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON THE HOOK FOR PUTTING THAN $1 BILLION BACK INTO THE FUND.

THE GOP LAWMAKERS AND BUSINESS LOBBYISTS ARE CRITICIZING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION FOR DECLINING TO USE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY TO HELP OFFSET THE COST, OR MONEY FROM THE STATE SURPLUS TO AVOID THE TAX HIKE.

>> YOU COULD HAVE LOST MONEY LAST YEAR, AND RESTAURANTS, BUT YOU HAVE TO PAY MORE IN TAXES, BECAUSE OF THIS TAX INCREASE.

SO, THE TAX ON JOBS IS TOUGH TO SWALLOW ESPECIALLY WHEN WE WANT PEOPLE TO REHIRE AND RECOVER JOBS.

SO, HOPEFULLY IS A PRIORITY TO ADDRESS THIS.

WE STILL HOPE THE MURPHY DEMONSTRATION AND OUR LEGISLATOR CHOOSES TO PUT SOMETHING IN THE SOFT AND, REDUCE, AND AMELIORATE YOUR TWO AND THREE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW FOR A FACT THAT IT WILL HAPPEN, BUT THERE IS STILL A CHANCE.

>> TURNING OUT TO WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

THE NATION'S FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM KNOWN AS SNAP IS GETTING A BOOST IN FUNDING.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION APPROVED THE LARGEST INCREASE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM IN ITS HISTORY.

HOPING TO HAVE LOW INCOME FAMILIES STILL STRUGGLING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

BENEFITS FOR SNAP, FORMALLY CALLED FOOD STAMPS WILL RISE AN AVERAGE OF 25% ABOVE PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS.

IT MEANS ALL 42 MILLION AMERICANS ENROLLED IN THE PROGRAM WILL SEE A BUMP IN THE MAFIA ASSISTANCE WHEN THE CHANGES GO INTO EFFECT THIS OCTOBER.

RISING $36 FROM THE AVERAGE OF $121 A MONTH PER PERSON.

BENEFITS ARE AWARDED ON A SLIDING SCALE, MORE THAN 800,000 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE ENROLLED, ADVOCATES HAVE ARGUED FOR YEARS THAT THE GUIDELINES WERE OUT OF DATE, AND NOT REACHING THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES TRULY IN NEED.

A SITUATION MADE WORSE BY THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT OF THE COVID- 19 CRISIS.

>> SPOTTED LANTERN ARE BLACK AND THEY ARE EASY TO IDENTIFY.

ABOUT AN INCH AND A HALF LONG WITH WINGS COVERED IN AN UNMISTAKABLE CRIMSON RED, AND BLACK DOTS.

BUT, DON'T BE FOOLED BY THEIR GOOD LOOKS.

THE INVASIVE BUG CAN DAMAGE PLANTS, AND GROWING CROPS.

8 COUNTIES ACROSS THE STATE ARE NOW UNDER POINTING BECAUSE OF THE BUG TO DO?

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> THERE ONLY ABOUT AN INCH LONG, SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND, BUT ONCE THEY GET TOGETHER AND FORM LARGE GROUPS, THE SITE OF THESE SPOTTED LANTERN SLIDES CAN BE A LITTLE DISTURBING.

>> THEY ARE SO PROLIFIC AND NOTICEABLE.

BECAUSE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT A TREE IT LOOKS LIKE THE ENTIRE THING IS MOVING.

YOU KNOW, IT IS QUITE A VISUAL.

YOU CAN SEE IT COME TO MAKE A BIG MESS, THEY LEAVE DROPPINGS EVERYWHERE.

THEY CAN DISCOLOR THE TREES.

>> THE INVASIVE SPECIES FIRST POPPED THEM IN NEW JERSEY A FEW YEARS AGO AFTER STATE OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS ACCIDENTALLY BROUGHT TO THE REGION FROM ASIA.

>> THEY ARE EXCELLENT, AND THEY TELL THEMSELVES-- WE THINK SOME STONE PRODUCT, SOME AGGREGATE STONE PRODUCT, THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> THEY FIRST ARRIVED HERE.

AND THEY'VE JUST BEEN SPREADING SINCE THEN.

>> FINDINGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED MOST OF THE STATE.

IT IS SO BAD IN SOME AREAS THAT A QUARANTINE ORDER IS IN EFFECT IN 8 COUNTIES, INCLUDING HERE IN CAMDEN.

>> THIS MEANS THAT WE ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE DON'T AND OVERTLY TRANSFER THEM TO OTHER AREAS WHERE THEY ARE NOT ALREADY SET UP.

SO, ON THE COUNTY WEBSITE, WE HAD A CHECKLIST, THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR VEHICLES, HOW TO CHECK THINGS MOVING IN AND OUT BECAUSE TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT MOVING.

THE YOUNG ONE IS WITH YOU WHEN YOU GO PLACES.

>>'S OVER HERE IS ONE OF SEVERAL SHOPS THAT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN TO THE PARK TO TRY TO CATCH THE SLIDES.

SO NOW WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT THEY KINDA WALK UP THE TREE INTO THIS NETTING, AND WHEN THEY GET TO THE TOP, THEY GET TRAPPED INTO THE PLASTIC.

THIS CAN BE A NIGHTMARE FOR FARMERS AND THEIR CROPS.

THE EXCRETE HONEYDEW, WHICH CAUSES BLACK MOLD TO GROW IN PLANTS.

MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO GROW.

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SAYS IT DESTROYED SPOTTED LANTERN FLIGHT EGG MASSES ON 600 PROPERTIES IN THE WINTER ALONE.

ROBIN ANDERSON KNOWS ALL TOO WELL THE DAMAGE THEY CAN CAUSE.

THE BUGS HAVE RUINED HIS FIANCEE'S GARDEN.

>> SHE GOT A GREENHOUSE, SHE MIGHT SAY.

SHE HAS ALL THE STUFF OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW.

SO IT'S KILLING ALL OF HER PLANTS OUTSIDE.

SO, I'M DOING EVERYTHING I CAN TO TRY TO KEEP THEM DOWN, BUT THEY ARE REALLY GETTING OUT THERE RIGHT NOW THAT I KNOW OF.

AS FAR AS ANY CHEMICALS THAT YOU COULD DO, OR ANYTHING.

I ASSUME.

TO STOP, LIKE THEY SAY, GO HOME ANYWAY YOU CAN.

FEMA WE ARE ACTUALLY SAYING PEOPLE ARE DOING IT.

IF YOU SEE ONE, STOMP IT OUT.

AND BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THESE INSECTS, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT WHEN THEY ARE IN FULL STAGE.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS STOP THEM FROM LAYING MORE EGGS.

SO, RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE IN THEIR TRIMESTER STAGE OF LIFE.

AND THEY ARE LAYING EGGS RIGHT NOW IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

SO ANYWHERE YOU DESTROYED IS ANOTHER INSECT THAT IS NOT LAYING MORE EGGS FOR NEXT SEASON.

WHICH WILL MULTIPLY.

>> IF YOU SEE AN EGG MASS, OFFICIALS SAY YOU SHOULD SCRAPE THEM INTO A PLASTIC BAG WITH HAND SANITIZER AND THROW IT OUT.

AND, IF YOU'RE STILL NOT SURE WHAT TO DO, THE STATE HAS SET UP A WEBSITE WITH ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT YOU CAN HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATORS, THE MEN AND WOMAN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR, AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.