>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJ INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, HORIZON BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENTLIANCEE OF THE ASSOCIATION AND BY THE PSG FOUNDATION.

>> FROM NGSS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

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

THE U.S. WILL BEGIN WIDELY DISTRICTING COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS STARTING NEXT MONTH FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED A FULL ROUND OF THE MODERNA OR PFIZER VACCINES.

IT IS PENDING APPROVAL FROM THE FDA AND AN INDEPENDENT CDC VACCINE PANEL.

DATA SHOWS PROTECTION FROM THE VACCINE DECREASES OVER TIME.

A SURGE OF NEW CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IS SPURRED BY THE DELTA VARIANT.

THERE IS A FEDERAL MASK MANDATE ON PLANES, TRAINS AND BUSES THROUGH JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

THE ADDITIONAL DOSES WILL START GOING IN ARMS THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 20th.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS PREPARED TO RAMP UP ACCESS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WITH 5.4 MILLION IN THE STATE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AND ELIGIBLE FOR THE THIRD SHOT.

THE CDC RECENTLY UPDATED THE RECOMMENDATION FOR PEOPLE WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS TO RECEIVE A BOOSTER AND SAYS VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE, HOSPITALIZATION, AND DEATH IS STILL HIGH.

ACROSS THE STATE 1200 TESTS WERE CONFIRMED POSITIVE WITH 10 ADDITIONAL DEATHS.

ALL BUT FOUR COUNTIES IN THE STATE ARE LISTED AS HAVING HIGH TRANSMISSION RATES ACCORDING TO THE CDC.

WILL THE BOOSTER BE ENOUGH TO STOP THE SPREAD?

>> THE EFFICACY OF THE VACCINE IS CLEAR.

IT IS REALLY CLEAR.

BUT IT IS NOT PERFECT.

OVER TIME, IMMUNITY GOES DOWN AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE BEGINNING TO SEE.

>> Reporter: DR. MARTIN BLAZER SAYS THE STUDIES COMING OUT OF ISRAEL, A FEW MONTHS AHEAD OF THE U.S.

IN VACCINATION SCHEDULES IS SHOWING THAT A BOOSTER WILL HELP INCREASE THE ANTIBODIES IN YOUR SYSTEM, CRUCIAL NOW WITH THE RAMPANT SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> IT IS PROBABLY TWICE AS INFECTIOUS AS THE ORIGINAL WUHAN VIRUS.

WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE FUTURE VARIANTS, WHETHER THEY WILL BE MORE INFECTIOUS OR THEY WILL CAUSE MORE DISEASE AND DISABILITY.

>> THIS REMAINS A PANDEMIC OF THE UNVACCINATED.

>> Reporter: A STARK REMINDER FROM THE CDC ABOUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE DEADLY OUTBREAKS OF COVID-19 AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED THEY WILL START OFFERING BOOSTER SHOTS ON SEPTEMBER 20th TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE 8 MONTHS OUT FROM THEIR SECOND COVID-19 SHOTS.

BOOSTERS ARE AVAILABLE IN NEW JERSEY TO ANYONE WHO HAS A COMPROMISED IMMUNITY SYSTEM.

>> IF THEY HAD A NUMBER OF IMMUNE CONDITIONS, OR BEING MEDICATIONS WHICH IMPAIR THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEMS, THERE IS A CLEAR LIST OF THOSE FROM THE CDC WEBSITES, THOSE AT RISK.

>> Reporter: ONLY MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES ARE APPROVED FOR THE BOOSTER AT THIS TIME.

>> RECOMMENDATION IS TO GET THE SAME VACCINE THAT YOU HAVE HAD BEFORE.

THERE IS NO SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION OUT YET FROM THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON WHICH WE KNOW IS A ONE SHOT VACCINE.

>> Reporter: STUDIES ARE BEING DONE AND EXPERTS ANTICIPATE THAT A BOOSTER WILL BE NEEDED FOR J AND J RECIPIENTS AS WELL.

>> I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT THE COLLECTION OF THE VIRUS.

WILL THERE BE ANY VALUE OF GETTING A BOOSTER THROUGH THE NOSE OR MOUTH TO LIMIT SPREAD?

>> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.

NO, IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO TAKE THE VACCINE AND I THINK THAT OVERTIME THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT WAYS THE VACCINE WILL BE ADMINISTERED OTHER THAN INJECTION.

BUT WHAT YOU POINT TO CORRECTLY IS THAT WHERE THE VIRUS SEEMS TO LINGER, RIGHT?

BUT IF YOU BOOST IT, THE ANTIBODIES WILL PREVENT IT FROM LINGERING THERE TOO.

>> Reporter: NONE OF THE EFFORTS WILL WORK UNTIL WE START FOCUSING ON CHILDREN.

>> 12 TO 18 EXTREMELY WELL.

THEY WILL LIKELY BE SPREADERS TO THE LITTLE ONES THAT CAN'T GET VACCINATED YET.

SO I SAY, HOW DARE WE AS A COUNTRY EXPECT YOUNG KIDS, 7-YEAR-OLDS, AND 8-YEAR-OLDS, TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL IN THE SAME BUILDING POTENTIALLY WITH PEOPLE WHO CAN GET THEM SICK.

>> Reporter: NATIONALLY 43% OF KIDS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, 33% AGED 12 TO 15.

VACCINATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR KIDS 5-11 BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

SCHOOLS SHOULD ADMINISTER IT LIKE THEY DID WITH THE POLIO VACCINE WHEN HE WAS A KID, HE SAYS.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE TO FIND A VACCINE FOR THEIR KIDS.

I TRUST MORE IF YOU HAVE THE KIDS IN A ROOM WITH THE NURSE WATCHING THEM.

THEY KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

>> Reporter: DR. RICE SAYS WHEN MASKS ARE OFF IN SCHOOLS, CHILDREN NEED TO BE AT LEAST 6 FEET APART IF NOT MORE GIVEN THE SPREAD OF DELTA.

>>> MEANWHILE JACK TERELLIE SLAMMED THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S PANDEMIC RESPONSE DURING A TOWN HALL IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

HE CRITICIZED THE GOVERNOR FOR CORONAVIRUS RELATED DEATHS AT NURSING HOMES, LONG LINES AT DMV AND COVID RESTRICTIONS.

A UNIVERSITY POLL OUT TODAY SHOWS THAT MURPHY STILL HOLDS THE LEAD IN THE RACE.

52% OF VOTERS SUPPORT THE INCUMBENT AND 61% SAY THEY HAVE NO OPINION ON THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.

MURPHY HAS AN EDGE OF INDEPENDENT VOTERS AND IN THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

SOUTH JERSEY TILTS SLIGHTLY TOWARDS CHIT RELY.

THE TOP ISSUE ACCORDING TO THESE SURVEYED, 41% SAY IT IS THE PANDEMIC.

TAXES CAME IN A CLOSE SECOND AT 32%.

>>> U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ IS VOWING TO INVESTIGATE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S FLAWED WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHAN STN AND HAD THE QUICK COLLAPSE OF THE AFGHAN ARMY.

MENENDEZ IS CHAIR OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE AND SAID IN A STATEMENT, THE AMERICAN AND AFGHAN PEOPLE WERE NOT TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ARMED CAPACITY TO UPERATE AGAINST TALIBAN FORCES.

DEMOCRATS FROM THE COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE AND ARMED SERVICES ECHOING BIPARTISAN ANGER AND ALSO PLANNING INVESTIGATIONS AS CHAOS CONTINUES AND OFFICIALS SCRAMBLE TO EVACUATE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND AFGHAN ALLIES FROM THE COUNTRY IN WHAT IS BEING CALLED A BOTCHED EXIT FROM AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR.

TALIBAN MILITANTS ATTACKED PROTESTERS OUTSIDE OF KABUL, FIRING INTO THE CROWD, BEATING PROTESTERS AND JOURNALISTS, KILLING AT LEAST ONE PERSON AND STOKING FEARS OF WHAT IS TO COME UNDER THE REGIME.

AS OF NOON YESTERDAY, THE LAST 12I.C.E.

DETAINEES WERE RELEASED AFTER YEARS OF PRESSURE AND PROTEST FROM IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES AND AHEAD OF SCHEDULE TO MAKE ROOM FOR INMATES FROM UNION COUNTY.

THERE IS A SHARED BROKERAGE BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

ADVOCATES TELL US THAT THEY ARE RELIEVE BUT THE WHEREABOUTS OF SOME DETAINEES ARE UNKNOWN.

>> WHERE WILL THEY GO?

DO WE KNOW?

>> WE DON'T.

THEY HAVE BEEN TAKING THEM TO ALL DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE HEARD MASSACHUSETTS, GEORGIA, NEVADA, LOUISIANA, FLORIDA.

WE JUST -- I ONLY FIND THESE OUT FROM THE ATTORNEYS.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS OF COURSE A CONCERN OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND ADVOCATES FOR SOME TIME.

LAWSUITS FROM THE ACLU STEMMING ABOUT THIS ISSUE.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> THE ACLU LAWSUIT, A JUDGE RULED AGAINST ACLU AND BASICALLY SAID I.C.E.

CAN CONTINUE TO TRANSFER PEOPLE OUT OF THE STATE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE JUDGE SAID DURING THE HEARING WAS THAT A LOT OF THE SITES LOCALLY ARE NOT ACCEPTING DETAINEES FOR WHATEVER REASON SO THAT'S WHY THEY ARE MOVING THEM OUT OF STATE.

THE ACLU WAS DECIDING WHAT TO DO WITH THE LAWSUIT.

>> INSTEAD OF HOUSING THE DETAINEES, THE JAIL WILL NOW BRING IN INMATES FROM NEARBY UNION COUNTY.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THAT DEAL?

WHEN WILL THAT BEGIN?

AND SOME SEE THIS AS KIND OF A TRADEOFF, SOME HAVE CALLED IT.

>> YEAH, THEY ALREADY STARTED TO TAKE IN UNION COUNTY INMATES WHILE THE I.C.E.

DETAINEES WERE BEING PHASED OUT.

THAT AGREEMENT HAD STARTED ALREADY.

YOU KNOW, THE THOUGHT IS, THEY WERE TAKING IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR I.C.E.

DETAINEES PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC AND THEY ARE HOPING TO MAKE UP SOME OF THAT LOSS AND REVENUE WITH THE INMATES.

AT ONE POINT, ESSEX HOUSED AROUND 6700 DETAINEES, THEY HAD THAT CONTRACT FOR 15 YEARS.

THIS IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT ESSEX COUNTY MADE OFF OF THE AGREEMENT.

WILL WE BE MAKING THAT WITH UNION COUNTY RIGHT AWAY?

PROBABLY NOT BUT THE HOPE IS THAT THE LOSS OF REVENUE WILL BE MADE UP BY THE UNION COUNTY INMATES.

>> THE FUTURE OF THE OTHER CONTRACTS STILL STANDING IN THE STATE?

>> THERE IS PENDING LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW AT THE GOVERNOR'S DESK THAT HE NEEDS TO SIGN TO KIND OF PREVENT ANY MORE NEW DETENTION CENTERS FROM OPENING UP.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT GOVERNOR MURPHY WILL DO.

WE ARE WAITING FOR THAT.

FOR IMMIGRANT ADVOCATES, ESSEX COUNTY SHUTTING DOWN WAS A BIG DEAL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THE FBI IS LAUNCHING AN AD CAMPAIGN TO INCREASE THE REPORTING OF HATE CRIMES AFTER DATA RELEASED LAST YEAR FOUND HATE CRIMES ACROSS THE COUNTRY ROSE TO THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL IN MORN A DECADE.

AND ANTI-ASIAN INCIDENTS SPIKED SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

STILL, THE MAJORITY GO UNREPORTED SAYS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

THE FBI WANTS TO MAKE IT KNOWN THAT PROSECUTING THOSE CRIMES IS A TOP PRIORITY.

>> JUST AS THE UNITED STATES IS THE GREATEST MELTING POT IN THE WORLD, NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE STATES.

>> DESPITE ALL OF THE CULTURES YOU CAN FIND HERE, THE NUMBER OF HATE CRIMES IN NEW JERSEY IS ON THE RISE.

CIVIL RIGHTS ARE PART OF THE FABRIC OF OUR COUNTRY.

THERE ARE LEGAL PROTECTIONS, SOME STRETCHING BACK MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY THAT PROVIDE AMONG OTHER THINGS, FREEDOM FROM DISCRIMINATION BASED ON A PERSON'S RACE, RELIGION, GENDER, OR GENDER IDENTITY,FUL LIMITATION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

>> THE FBI WANTS TO MAKE SURE EVERY RESIDENT MAINTAINS THESE RIGHTS SO THE AGENCY IS WORKING WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS AROUND THE STATE LAUFRPING A NEW CAMPAIGN CALLED PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES TOGETHER.

THE GOAL IS TO GET PEOPLE TO REPORT HATE CRIMES SINCE OFFICIALS SAY THE MAJORITY GO UNREPORTED.

BEING A PRODUCT OF SEGREGATION AS A CHILD, UNDERSTANDING THERE WERE PLACES THAT I COULD NOT GO IN, PLACES THAT THEY SAID I SHOULDN'T BE AT THAT TIME, AND EVEN COMING FROM THE CORPORATE WORLD HERE IN NEW JERSEY, UNDERSTANDING THAT DISCRIMINATION IS A DEEP ROOTED SEED HERE.

AND OFTEN IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE BECOME SO USED TO THE ABUSE THAT WE DON'T REPORT.

>> MESSAGES LIKE THIS WILL BE PLACED THROUGHOUT THE STATE INCLUDING ON BUSES AND TRAINS, AND ON BILLBOARDS ON THE HIGHWAY, LETTING PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THEY SHOULD DO.

THEY ARE ALSO BE TRANSLATED INTO 17 LANGUAGES SO NO ONE IS LEFT OUT.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ONE LANGUAGE.

EVERY STATE IN INDIA HAS A DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.

I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT IS IMPORTANT.

>> ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE, OVER 1400 BIASATTACKS AND HATE CRIMES WERE REPORTED IN 2020.

THAT'S UP 45% INCREASE FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

ATTACKS AGAINST PEOPLE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY WENT UP 84% AND 74% AGAINST THOSE IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITY.

THE JEWISH COMMUNITY WAS THE SECOND MOST IMPACTED GREW WITH NEARLY 300 ATTACKS.

>> JERSEY CITY WAS A NATIONAL HORRIFIC EVENT WHERE PEOPLE WERE SLAUGHTERED.

THERE WAS A MASSACRE OF MANY PEOPLE.

WHEN PEOPLE GET BEATEN UP, WHEN THEY GET NAME CALLING AT THEM, MADE TO FEEL INSECURE, IF THEY ARE HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE IN A STREET SIDE CAFE AND IT IS TARGETED AT THEM BECAUSE OF WHO THEY ARE, BECAUSE THEY ARE JEWISH.

>> THE FBI SAYS THEY REALLY WANT TO GET PEOPLE TO FEEL COMFORTABLE GETTING TO THEM.

EVEN IF YOU SUSPECT SOMETHING MIGHT BE A HATE CRIME, REPORT IT AND LET THEM DO THE WORK.

COMMUNITY LEADERS AGREE.

>> OUR COMMUNITY HAS TO SAY, GUESS WHAT, I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS DISCRIMINATED AGAINST, IF THIS IS A HATE CRIME, HOWEVER LET THE FBI FIGURE IT OUT.

>> THIS WILL MAKE US FEEL A LITTLE SAFER, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK WOMEN AND TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR.

THEY ARE THE MOST DISCRIMINATED GROUP AROUND HERE AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHO TO TURN TO.

>> MESSAGES FROM THE CAMPAIGN ARE ALREADY BEING DISTRIBUTED DIGITALLY.

MORE SIGNS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON DISPLAY NEXT WEEK.

THE ADS WILL RUN THROUGH NEXT NOVEMBER.

I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> HOSPITALS IN HAITI ARE BEING OVERWHELMED BY SURVIVORS OF THIS WEEKEND'S 7.2 MAGNAITUDE EARTHQUAKE.

THE DEATH TOLL IS NEARLY 7,000.

THE TOLL IS EXPECTED TO RISE WITH MANY PEOPLE STILL MISSING.

SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS ARE BEING PUT ON HOLD DUE TO HEAVY RAINS AND WINDS SWEEPING THROUGH THE COUNTRY, CAUSING MUD SLIDES AND BLOCKING ROADS.

1 TOIT 2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE DISASTER, THE LATEST IN A STRING OF DEVASTATING EVENTS FOR THE ISLAND NATION, STILL REELING FROM THE AASINATION OF THE PRESIDENT LAST WEEK.

THE TEAM OF COFOUNDER FOR HAITI IS.

>> HOW DIFFICULT IS IT TO GET TO THE PEOPLE WITH BACK TO BACK DISASTERS.

I'M PICTURING 2010 AND WITH THE STORM THAT RAGED THROUGH AND POMMELED THE AREA.

HOW TOUGH IS THEIR JOB RIGHT NOW?

>> IT IS VERY DIFFICULT.

THEY NEED BIG TRUCKS.

THEY NEED HEAVY EQUIPMENT.

THEY NEED MAJOR VEHICLES.

YOU CAN'T TAKE A REGULAR VEHICLE THROUGH THAT DEVASTATION.

THE ROADS HAVE BEEN CRACKED WIDE OPEN.

YOU NEED SERIOUS EQUIPMENT.

WE HAVE A TEAM OF FOLKS THAT WE ARE AFFILIATED WITH THAT ARE ON THE GROUND.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DOCTORS AND NURSES FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.

WE FORMED NJ FOR HAITI 10 YEARS AGO.

11 YEARS LATER WE ARE STILL THERE AND THE WORK CONTINUES.

NOW THE WORK HAS BEEN DOUBLED.

WE WILL BE THERE TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK AND SUPPORT THE EFFORTS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE GROUND.

THIS TIME AROUND, I WANT TO SAY WE ARE MUCH BETTER PREPARED THAN WE WERE IN 2010 WITH THE RESPONSE TEAM, AND THE TYPE OF EFFORT THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE DISPORA OF THE COMMUNITY.

BUT THE WORLD'S RESPONSE TO HAITI, THEY HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL TO HAITI AND HAITI'S PEOPLE.

>> SO WHAT DOES NJ FOR HAITI NEED MORE RIGHT NOW FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN AND LOOKING TO HELP?

AND HOW DO YOUR RELIEF EFFORTS LOOK DIFFERENT HERE THAN WHAT IS BEING DONE ON THE GROUND THERE?

>> WELL, THE RELIEF EFFORTS IS TO SUPPORT WHAT IS ON THE GROUND NOW.

WE ARE WORKING IN CONCERT WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE GROUND.

WE DON'T WANT TO DUPLICATE EFFORTS.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE, NJ4 HAITI.ORG, HAVE A LIST OF ITEMS NEEDED AND DOLLARS ARE MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW TO REALLY SUPPORT THE HAITIAN PEOPLE.

LAST TIME AROUND, A LOT OF PEOPLE DONATED CLOTHES.

WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING ANYONE SEND CLOTHES OR FOOD.

THAT CAN BE FOUND IN HAITI, CAN BE PURCHASED IN HAITI.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT THE ECONOMY OVER IN HAITI.

WE DEFINITELY COLLECTING FUNDS AT THIS TIME AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE GET THE NECESSARY MEDICAL SUPPLIES.

THAT YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF.

WHAT YOU WILL HAVE FROM THIS POINT ON IS MEDICAL RELIEF FROM NOW AND FOR MONTHS TO COME AND MAYBE YEARS TO COME.

>> REALLY STRATEGIC EFFORTS AND LESSONS LEARNED AS YOU MENTIONED.

STANLEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE PEOPLE OF HAITI.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND GIVING US THIS PLATFORM.

>>> AT LONG LAST, THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE STATE'S RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW, STARTING A COUNTDOWN TO LEGAL SALES SET TO BEGIN WITHIN 6 MONTHS.

THE RULES WILL HIT TWO DAYS BEFORE ANOTHER DEADLINE.

THAT'S WHEN TOWNS NEED TO DECIDE WHETHER TO ALLOW, RESTRICT, OR OUT RIGHT BAN CANNABIS SHOPS AND OTHER BUSINESSES FROM OPERATING WITHIN THEIR BORDERS.

WITHOUT IT, THE STATE IS A PATCHWORK OF REGULATIONS.

I THINK IT IS ALL OVER THE MAP.

>> THERE ARE 565 TOWNS IN NEW JERSEY AND ALL OF THEM HAVE TO DECIDE BY THIS SATURDAY WHETHER THEY WANT IN ON THE POT INDUSTRY OR NOT.

IF TOWNS DON'T ADOPT THEIR OWN REGULATIONS BY THEN, THEY WILL DEFER TO STATE RULES AND REGULATIONS MEANING THEY CAN'T OPT OUT OR CHANGE THE RULES FOR 5 YEARS.

>> THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE RIGHT NOW.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, CLARITY IS COMING.

>> NEW JERSEY'S CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION PLANS TO RELEASE RULES ON THE MARKET ON THUFRZ, GIVING TOWNS JUST TWO DAYS TO REVIEW THEM BEFORE THEY HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.

MANY MUNICIPALITIES HAVE CHOSEN TO INITIALLY OPT OUT OF THE INDUSTRY, WITH THE GOAL OF OPTING BACK IN AFTER CLOSELY REVIEWING THE STATE'S RULES.

>> I THINK THAT IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH THE BUSINESSES RIGHT NOW LOOKING TO OPERATE.

YOU NEED TO GET A LOCATION, YOU NEED TO KNOW THE ORDINANCES IN THE TOWN, YOU NEED THE DETAILS OUT THERE.

>> THE CANNABIS TRADE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT GIVES THE EXAMPLE OF SECAUCUS WHERE HE OPERATED A MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY.

>> RIGHT NOW IT IS BANNED FOR ADULT USE AND THERE ARE OTHER TOWNS THAT HAVE DONE THE SAME.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE LOCAL POLITICS OR GO WITH WHAT IS SURE FOR THE TOWNS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN POSITION IN FAVOR OF MARIJUANA OR HAVE CLEAR ORDINANCES OUT THERE AND THERE ARE MANY.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON ALL FRONTS IN JERSEY CITY.

WE WILL BE IN ALL CATEGORIES INCLUDING CONSUMPTION, DISPENSION, GROWTH FACILITIES.

THE VOTERS IN NEW JERSEY AND THE VOTERS IN JERSEY CITY SPOKE VERY CLEARLY.

>> MAYOR STEVE PHILIPS SAYS THEY ARE PASSING AN ORDINANCE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO AMEND IF NEED BE.

THERE ARE FEES, WE ARE LOOKING TO BE CONSISTENT WITH HOBOKEN SO WE ARE NOT COMPETITIVE.

>> WHERE DO THE OTHER TOP CITIES STAND?

THE CITY OF ELIZABETH IS ON BOARD AND ADOPTED A FRAMEWORK LAST MONTH FOR A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES INCLUDING RETAIL AND CULTIVATION.

THE TOWN OF LAKEWOOD, NOW THE FIFTH LARGEST IN THE STATE AFTER THE MOST RECENT CENSUS COUNT BANNED RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA BUSINESSES BACK IN APRIL.

AND THEY HAVE NO PLAN TO REVISIT THE MATTER.

IN PATTERSON, THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED 6-1 TO OPT OUT OF THE MARKET.

ANDRAY SAYER WAS DISAPPOINTED BUT AS HE PUTS IT, DEFEAT IS NEVER FINAL OR FATAL IN HIS CITY.

>> I'M ACTUALLY CONSIDERING ALL OPTIONS FOR A VETO.

I HAVEN'T MADE MY MIND UP ON THAT.

WE DON'T WANT TO DISCOURAGE ANYONE WHO IS INVESTING IN OUR CITY.

76% OF PATTERSON VOTERS SUPPORTED THE QUESTION ON THE BALLOT LEGALIZING MARP.

ON TUESDAY'S NEWARK'S CITY COUNCIL GAVE THE GO AHEAD FOR ESTABLISHMENTS INCLUDING NO MORE THAN FIVE RETAIL STORES AND TWO INDOOR CONSUMPTION AREAS.

BUSINESSES WILL BE STRICTLY REGULATED.

THEY MUST HAVE ARMED SECURITY GUARDS DURING OPERATION AND ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM INSPECTIONS.

>> WE WILL AMEND IT IF WE NEED TO.

IF YOU DENT SAY ANYTHING, WE HAVE NO SAY SO.

>> A POSITION MANY TOWNS ARE TAKING AS THEY AWAIT FOR MORE INFORMATION, NOW LESS THAN 24 HOURS AWAY.

>>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE LATEST WAVE OF NEW COVID-19 ININFECTIONS IS NOT STOPPING GAMBLERS FROM RETURNING TO ATLANTIC CITY.

THEY SET A NEW ONLINE GAMBLING RECORD IN JULY.

THE NINE CUSEEN AS BROUGHT IN $18 MILLION FROM INTERNET BETS, THE BEST MONTH EVER IN NEW JERSEY.

WITH GAM BLLG, SPORTS BETTING AND RACE TRACKS, THE INDUSTRY WAS UP 70% FROM JULY 2020, 28% HIGHER THAN 2019, PREPANDEMIC.

THE CUCENAS POSTED REVENUE INCREASES FOR JULY AS WELL, HARD ROCK LEADING THE PACK.

>>> AFTER YESTERDAY'S TOUGH CLOSE ON WALL STREET, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET FARED TODAY.

>>> SCIENTISTS AT MODERNA ARE HOPING THE SAME MRNA MODEL USED FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINATION MAY BE ABLE TO HELP PREVENT HIV.

THEY COULD BEGIN TRAILS FOR VACCINES EARLY THIS WEEK.

THAT ACCORDING TO THE CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY WITH THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH.

PHASE ONE WOULD MEASURE THE SAFETY OF THE VACCINE AND BASIC IMMUNE RESPONSE.

PHASES TWO AND THREE WILL COLLECT DATA ON WHETHER THE VACCINE IS EFFECTIVE OR NOT.

MODERNA IS LOOKING FOR 56 HEALTHY ADULTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 50 WLOO DO NOT HAVE HIV TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FIRST PHASE OF THE STUDY.

THE DEAN OF RUTGERS UNIVERSITY OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS IT IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD AFTER YEARS OF UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DEVELOP A VACCINE.

>> IT'S ABOUT TIME.

I HAVE SOME CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL WORK BECAUSE THE MRNA VACCINES WORK IN A VERY DIFFERENT WAY.

THEY SEND MRNA IN AND THEY CREATE LIKE A STRUCTURE, A PROTEIN STRUCTURE THAT LOOKS LIKE THE VIRUS AND THEN ANTIBODIES RESULT.

I THINK THIS MAY BE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS.

>> FINALLY TONIGHT, WHAT IS A SUMMER WITHOUT THE ATLANTIC CITY AIR SHOW?

AFTER A YEAR HIATUS CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC, THE EVENT IS BACK.

IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT.

THE U.S. ARMY GOLDEN KNIGHTS KICKED OFF THE SHOW, PARACHUTING IN AT SPEEDS UP TO 120 MILES PER HOUR.

THIS YEAR'S SALUTE TO THOSE WHO SERVE RECOGNIZED THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY TO GET US THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

100 IN THE STATE WERE GIVEN SOME OF THE BEST SEATS IN THE HOUSE ON THE BEACH WHERE THEY COULD FEEL THE THUNDER AND ROAR FROM OVERHEAD.

THE U.S. THUNDERBIRDS HEAD LINED THE SHOW WITH THE RAPTOR DEMONSTRATION TEAM AND THE GEICO SKY TYPERS GETTING IN ON THE AEROBATICS.

THE RETURN OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SPECTATORS, EYES ON THE SKY AND FEET ON THE GROUND.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT YOU CAN HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG TO FOLLOW OUR REPORTING.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEEIA TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT, BY OIS TD, AND OHG, COMMITTED TO A SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR EXPLORING HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE PROGRAM TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM.

THE GREENY FUND, AND PATTY ASKWORTH KENNA.

>>> I'M KAYLA AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR, TO TEACH HIM, TO PROTECT HER, AND TO TAKE CARE OF ME TOO.

I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE THAT DOES THE SAME, THAT MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR MY SCHEDULE.

SO I CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

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