>>> FUNDING FOR ANTI-SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTEAD AND PSEG.

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT, THE FIRST APPROVED CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN THE NATION.

THE FDA HAS FULLY APPROVED THE PFIZER BIO ONE TECH COVID-19 VACCINE FOR EVERYONE 16 AND OLDER AND IT WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE UNDER EMERGENCY YOUTH AUTHORIZATION FOR ADOLESCENTS AGES 12 TO 15 YEARS OLD.

IT IS THE FASTEST VACCINE APPROVAL IN THE AGENCY'S HISTORY .

THE FDA INSISTING ON SIX MONTHS OF REAL DATA FOR THE RESEARCH.

THE FIRST SHOTS WERE ADMINISTERED IN MID DECEMBER AND IT MEANS WHETHER THERE IS A PANDEMIC OR NOT, THE DOSES WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED.

IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR MILESTONE BY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, WHEN THEY SAY COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR MORE VACCINE MANDATES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY ANNOUNCING ALL STATE WORKERS I'M A TEACHERS AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED OR UNDERGO REGULAR TESTING.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE HOPEFUL THE FDA'S MOVE COULD ALSO HELP PERSUADE THE HESITANT TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES.

NEARLY 5.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE FULLY IMMUNIZED.

STATE LEADERS ARE NOW ANTICIPATING A BUMP IN THAT RATE AS THEY POINT TO THE RISE OF NEW INFECTIONS DRIVEN BY THE DELTA VARIANT.

MORE THAN 1400 NEW CASES AND THREE ADDITIONAL DEPTHS REPORTED TODAY.

HOW MUCH WILL FULL APPROVAL SWAY THOSE ON THE FENCE?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS OUR STORY.

>>> WE WELCOME THE FDA'S FULL APPROVAL OF THE PFIZER VACCINE AND WE HOPE THIS WILL SPUR MORE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN A WEIGHT AND SEE MODE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: WITH THE FDA GIVING IT ITS OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT, STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS HOPE TO SEE A BOOST IN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND A BUMP IN VACCINATION RATES.

>> WE KNOW FROM OUR COVID COMMUNITY CORE VOLUNTEERS THAT LACK OF FDA APPROVAL HAS BEEN CITED BY SOME AS THE REASON THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE VACCINATION.

>> Reporter: HOPEFULLY THIS WILL MOVE THE NEEDLE FOR SOME OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

>> I THINK EVEN MORE SO THAN THAT, THE PUSHBACK ON EMPLOYERS AND SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITIES REQUIRING THE VACCINE, BECAUSE IT DID NOT HAVE FULL FDA APPROVAL, NOW GOES AWAY.

BOBAK THE FDA'S ACTING COMMISSIONER EXPLAINED THE AGENCY COMPLETED PFIZER'S LICENSE EVALUATION IN JUST THREE MONTHS WITHOUT SACRIFICING SCIENTIFIC STANDARDS.

>> THE PUBLIC CAN BE CONFIDENT THIS VACCINE MEETS THE FDA'S GOLD STANDARD FOR SAFETY, EFFECTIVENESS AND MANUFACTURING QUALITY.

WE REQUIRE THAT FOR IMPROVED PRODUCT.

>> Reporter: THE CONFIDENCE WILL LIKELY BUILD.

>> FOR THOSE WHO HAVE A LOT OF DOUBT AND SKEPTICISM.

>> Reporter: DO YOU THINK THIS WILL ACTUALLY CONVINCE PEOPLE?

>> I THINK IT WILL CONVINCE A PORTION OF THE POPULATION FORMING A KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION POST SHOWED 30% OF UNVACCINATED FOLKS SAID THAT CONSIDERED OR WERE DEFINITELY TAKE THE VACCINE ONCE IT OBTAINED THE FDA'S FULL SIGNOFF CURRENTLY, SOME 70% OF ALL ELIGIBLE JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED BUT IN THE MINORITY COMMUNITIES WHERE RATES OF VACCINATION RUN LOWER THAN AVERAGE -- >> THE FDA APPROVAL TODAY IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT.

NEW JERSEY CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, ISRAEL, WHO RESISTED VACCINATION AND IS RECOVERING FROM COVID IN THE HOSPITAL, BELIEVES THE FDA'S BACKING WILL COMMIT SOME VACCINE SKEPTICS IN MINORITY COMMUNITIES WHERE COVID HAS TAKEN A TERRIBLE TOO.

HE IS A VACCINATION CONVERT.

>> I OWE IT TO GOD AND TO MY COMMUNITY.

I WILL BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO NOT SPEAK UP ABOUT THINGS THAT COULD SAVE US AND THIS VACCINE IS A SAVIOR.

IT CAN HELP.

SOME VACCINE HOLDOUTS LIKE McCUTCHEON NURSE, CHRIS ARNELL, ARE NOT SWAYED BY TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> I DECLINED THE VACCINE AND I DEFINITELY THE FDA APPROVAL IF ANYTHING WILL NOT MAKE ME FEEL MORE CONFIDENT ABOUT MY DECISION TO GET VACCINATED.

SHE FEARS THE FEDS STILL RUSHED THE VACCINES APPROVAL FOR POLITICAL REASONS.

SHE FEELS VACCINE RISKS STILL OUTWEIGH BENEFITS.

BUT IF HER EMPLOYER REQUIRES COVID VACCINATIONS, THEN WHAT?

>> I WOULD HATE TO LOSE MY JOB AND HATE TO HAVE TO WALK AWAY FROM MY JOB FINANCIALLY OBVIOUSLY AS WELL AS OTHER REASONS BUT DEFINITELY, I WOULD CONSIDER WALKING OUT.

>> Reporter: SOME STAFF WILL PROBABLY BE TERMINATED AT NEWARK'S UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WHICH ALREADY REQUIRES STAFF TO GET VACCINATED ACCORDING TO CEO DR. SHARIF ELMA HOME.

SHE HE SAID SOME STUFF TWO EXEMPTIONS BUT 93% COMPLIED.

>> IT IS WORTH CONSIDERING THIS AT ANY BUSINESS OR PLACE OF WORK AND NOW THAT YOU HAVE FULL FDA APPROVAL FOR PFIZER I HOPE WARMING MANY MORE BUSINESSES TO THE HARD STEP OF MANDATING BUT I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE THAT FLOODGATES COULD OPEN.

>> Reporter: LABOR LAW SPECIALIST, THEN WIDENER SAYS THE EMPLOYERS WILL LIKELY MOVE TOWARDS MANDATING.

>> I EXPECT TO SEE LITTLE BY LITTLE EMPLOYERS ARE GOING TO COMMIT AND IT COULD BE THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS IN TERMS OF AGAIN, HOW HARD TO WE HAVE TO PUSH TO GET TO A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF WORKFORCE BEING VACCINATED?

>> Reporter: HE SAYS PROBABLY THE LAST THING AN EMPLOYER WANTS IS TO END UP AS THE PUBLICIZED TEST CASE ON VACCINE MANDATES AND A LAWSUIT FILED BY THEIR OWN WORKERS.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS EXPECTED, GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING ALL PRE-K THROUGH 12th GRADE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF IN THE STATE TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BY MID OCTOBER.

OR BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR COVID- 19 TESTING.

IT AFFECTS ALL STATE WORKERS, TOO INCLUDING EMPLOYEES AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

THIS AS A SCHOOLS ARE SET TO OPEN AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AN ELECTION IS ON THE LINE IN NOVEMBER.

HOW MUCH IS THAT PLAYING INTO THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION AND THE TIMING?

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

AS TROPICAL STORM'S GO, TROPICAL STORM HENRI THAT THE BILL PERFECTLY FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY.

BACK FROM EUROPEAN VACATION, SLEEVES ROLLED UP, FOR EJECTING CONFIDENCE IN THE STORM'S AFTERMATH IN FRONT OF A DOZEN TELEVISION CAMERAS.

GOOD FOR THE MORNING NEWS BUT STILL NOT THE TOP NEWS OF THE DAY TO COME OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

THIS AFTERNOON, MURPHY MANDATED VACCINATIONS OR WEEKLY TESTING FOR K-12 TEACHERS AND STAFF BY OCTOBER 18th.

>> NATIONWIDE IS THE LATEST AS OF THE LATEST DATA RATHER FROM THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, THE NUMBER OF KIDS IN HOSPITALS, SADLY, ACROSS THE COUNTRY BECOME A BECAUSE OF COVID HIT A DAILY AVERAGE OF 1234 AND I'M TOLD BY THAT TEAM THAT THE NUMBER GOT AS HIGH AS 1900 PEDIATRICS CASES IN OUR NATION'S HOSPITALS LAST WEEK AND THE NUMBER OF AVERAGE DAILY PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS HAS TRIPLED IN JUST FOUR WEEKS.

>> >> Reporter: MURPHY'S ORDER IS NOT AS STRICT AS NEW YORK CITY'S ORDER WHICH HAS A NO TESTING ALTERNATIVE FOR COMES AFTER CONSULTATIONS WITH THE NJEA WHICH FOLLOWED THE LEAD OF ITS NATIONAL OFFICE IN CALLING FOR THE HYBRID VACCINATION OR TESTING PLAN.

THE GOVERNOR CALLS IT A CONSTRUCTIVE RELATIONSHIP.

HIS OPPONENT IN NOVEMBER'S GOVERNOR'S RACE, REPUBLICAN, JACK CIATTARELLI, CALLS IT KOWTOWING TO UNION MONEY.

HE COULDN'T FIND TIME TO TALK TO US FROM THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TODAY BUT CIATTARELLI ISSUED A STATEMENT THAT SAID, "WHY IS GOVERNOR MURPHY WILLING TO FIND COMMON GROUND ON A FLEXIBLE VACCINATE OR TEST POLICY WITH THE TEACHERS UNION BUT NOT WILLING TO DO THE SAME WITH PARENTS WHO OPPOSE HIS MATH MANDATE FOR K-12 STUDENTS?

THE ANSWER OF COURSE IS SIMPLE.

AVERAGE PARENTS DON'T RUN A POWERFUL UNION THAT FUNNELED $10 MILLION IN DARK MONEY TO BENEFIT THE GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN."

BUT A NEW MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL OUT TODAY SAYS THE ANTI- MASK SENTIMENT CIATTARELLI SEEMS TO WANT TO CHANNEL IS NOT AS FERVENT AS HE MAY BE THINKING.

>> ABOUT ONE IN FOUR VOTERS THAT SAY NO MASKS, KNOW HOW, DON'T TELL ME I HAVE TO GET THE VACCINE.

IT'S MY DECISION.

THAT NUMBER HAS NOT MOVED.

THE NUMBERS THAT HAVE MOVED ARE PEOPLE SAYING ARE WE DOING ENOUGH OR SHOULD WE BE DOING MORE?

THOSE NUMBERS GO BACK AND FORTH.

THAT IS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF NEW JERSEYANS SET.

THAT'S WHY THE GOVERNOR MAKES THESE DECISIONS.

YOU HAVE THE MAJORITY SAYING THAT MIGHT BE THE THING TO DO.

>> Reporter: CAMDEN TEACHERS UNION PRESIDENT KEITH BENSON SAID TODAY HE GAVE MURPHY HIGH MARKS FOR BEING PROACTIVE.

>> BASED ON THE SURVEY RESULTS WE GOT THAT ROUGHLY 70%, CLOSE TO 80% OF DISTRICT STAFF HAS BEEN VACCINATED ALREADY.

THAT SAFETY WAS PRIMARY CONCERN LAST YEAR.

I WOULD BELIEVE OVERALL THAT IS A WELCOME THING FOR MEMBERS TO KNOW THAT THEIR FELLOW STAFF MEMBERS ARE GOING TO BE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THAT MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL ALSO FOUND ALMOST HALF OF PARENTS SURVEYED SAID THEY WOULD LIKE A HYBRID OR VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON SCHOOLING.

ASKED ABOUT THAT TODAY, MURPHY SAID HE WOULD PREFER EVERYONE IN THE CLASSROOM COME SEPTEMBER BUT ALLOWED FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT HYBRID LEARNING AND EVEN FULL REMOTE LEARNING, VERY UNPOPULAR WITH VOTERS, COULD HAPPEN.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS DAVID MENTIONED, GOVERNOR MURPHY AND OTHER STATE LEADERS TOWARD FLOOD RAVAGED PARTS OF THE STATE EARLIER TODAY, STOPPING IN SECTIONS OF MIDDLESEX COUNTY POUNDED BY THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM HENRI.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, UP TO 10 INCHES FELL IN SOME TOWNS.

IN META, ROUGHLY 200 PEOPLE WORK RESCUED.

WATER RESCUES WERE PERFORMED AS CARS WERE OVERTAKEN BY RISING WATERS.

ROSE WERE CLOSE.

IN MONROE TOWNSHIP, AND BACKYARDS TURNED INTO PONDS FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY VISITING ONE HOUSE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE WATER LINE GOES UP ABOUT TWO FEET ON THE GARAGE AND HOUSE.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT WILL SEEK FEMA AID FOR HOMEOWNERS HIT BY THE FLOODING.

IN CRANBERRY, THE BRAINERD LIKE ROARING AS IT OVERFLOWED THE SILVER LINING OF THIS STORM, THE LOW WIND.

IT HELPED KEEP POWER OUTAGES AT AROUND 4000 STATEWIDE YESTERDAY.

BERGEN COUNTY, MERCER COUNTY, SECTIONS OF NEWARK HARD-HIT AS THE WATER RECEIPTS.

THE DAMAGES BEING REVEALED.

CLEANUP IS UNDERWAY.

EXPECTED TO BE EXPENSIVE EXTENSIVE.

>> FLOODING MAY CONTINUE WITH THE RUNOFF AND AS RIVERS DRAIN OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, THAT RISK OF THOSE FLOODED ROADWAYS REMAINS A CONCERN.

IF YOU HAVE SEEN IT ON ONLY HERE BUT IN TENNESSEE AND EVERYPLACE ELSE, THE LINE THAT WE USE IS, "TURNAROUND, DON'T DROWN."

THAT WATER HAS A POWER THAT SOMETIMES DOESN'T SEEM IT UNTIL YOUR KNEES ARE DEEP AND IT.

WE STAND READY TO ASSIST THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY IF NEED BE.

>>> U.S. MILITARY OFFICIALS ARE CONFIRMING JOINT BASE McGUIRE DIX LIKE HORSES PREPARING TO RECEIVE AFGHAN LET REFUGEES INCLUDING SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AS WELL AS OTHERS CONSIDERED TO BE AT REST.

ONE OF FOUR U.S. MILITARY BASES NOW PREPARE TO TAKE IN EVACUEES.

TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THEIR ARRIVAL IS IMMINENT AFTER SENDING A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN THIS WEEKEND RELAYING THAT NEW JERSEY IS READY TO DO ITS PART.

THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND AT KABUL'S AIRPORT IS CHAOTIC WITH THOUSANDS OF AFGHAN ALLIES UNABLE TO GET OUT AND A SHOOTING INCIDENT EARLY THIS MORNING ILLUSTRATING JUST HOW FRAGILE SECURITY IS AT THE SITE.

A WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL TODAY SAID SINCE AUGUST 14th, THE U.S. HAS EVACUATED OR ASSISTED IN EVACUATING 37,000 PEOPLE OUT OF THE TALIBAN CONTROLLED NATION.

THERE ARE PLANS TO RAMP UP OPERATIONS USING THE HELP OF U.S. COMMERCIAL AIRLINERS.

THAT VIRAL IMAGE YOU WILL RECALL OF A C-17 MILITARY AIRCRAFT PACKED WITH EVACUEES LAST SUNDAY.

THAT WAS BEING MANNED BY CREW MEMBERS FROM JERSEY'S OWN JOINT BASE, McGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST.

THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED WAS A RECORD 823.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE AUGUST 31st DEADLINE FOR WITHDRAWING TROOPS.

>>> THE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF 9/11 GAVE RIVES TO A NATIONWIDE WAVE OF HATE CRIMES.

WHILE THE COMMUNITIES BEING TARGETED HAVE SHIFTED OVER THE YEARS, MANY OF THE ACTS AGAINST THEM REMAIN UNCHANGED.

TONIGHT, OUR CONTRIBUTING WRITER, IAN SHARINN DEPICTS ONE MAN'S JOURNEY TO FAR RIGHT RADICALIZATION WITH THE HELP OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

THE MORE VIOLENT AND EXTREMIST HIS ONLINE MESSAGES WERE, THE MORE POPULAR HE BECAME.

THAT IS UNTIL THE FBI THAT INVOLVED.

IAN SHARINN JOINS US AS PART OF "X FLOORING HATE, "OUR ONGOING "EXPLORING HATE."

THIS YOUNG MAN YOU PROFILE, CALL NICHOLAS MILLER GOES BY THE NAME OF THE "GYPSY CRUSADER " ONLINE.

HOW DID AUTHORITIES GET TIPPED OFF TO HIS ACTIVITIES?

>> WELL, THERE WAS A DILIGENT INVESTIGATOR AT THE ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE NAMED CARLA HILL WHO MONITORS VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA LET'S OF THE ALT RIGHT AND THE GYPSY CRUSADER CAME TO HER ATTENTION AND SHE STARTED LOOKING AT IT.

AND SHE STARTED SEEING THAT HE WAS GETTING INCREASINGLY MORE POPULAR.

ON THESE DARK WEBSITES.

AND HE WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY MORE RADICAL.

>> YOU KNOW, IAN, IT IS ODD BECAUSE SOME OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, THESE "DARK CORNERS," AS YOU CALL THEM HAVE BECOME A CATCH 22.

THEY ARE HELPFUL FOR THE PI IN TRACKING AND PINPOINTING THESE FOLKS BUT THEY ALSO CULTIVATE THIS FOLLOWING LIKE THIS MAN HAD.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I MEAN, IT IS A FASCINATING CONCEPT.

RADICALIZATION, AS YOU KNOW, AND THE PEOPLE OF AFGHANISTAN KNOW, IS NOT A NEW PHENOMENA.

HOWEVER, WHAT IS NEW IS SOCIAL MEDIA AND HOW IT EXPEDITES THE PROCESS OF RADICALIZATION.

>> SO, IAN, WHO WAS MR. MILLER TARGETING?

WHO WERE SOME OF HIS MESSAGES TARGETED TO?

AND HOW DID THE FBI EVENTUALLY TRACK HIM DOWN?

>> YEAH, HIS TARGETS GREW ALONG WITH HIS HATE.

AND I MEAN, FIRST IT WAS BLACKS AND THEN IT WAS ALSO TOURED 20 AND THEN HISPANICS AND THEN JOURNALISTS AND PROGRESSIVE POLITICIANS AND THEN IT WAS BASICALLY ANYONE WHO WASN'T WHITE AND DIDN'T THINK LIKE HE DID.

HE MOVED TO FLORIDA.

AND CARLA HILL, THIS INVESTIGATOR AT THE ADL CONTACTED THE FBI THERE.

AND THEY LOOKED INTO IT.

THEY FOUND OUT THAT HE DID HAVE POSSESSION OF WEAPONS.

AND THEY RAIDED HIS HOME AND ARRESTED HIM.

>> I MEAN, SOME OF THESE MESSAGES, DISTURBING PUTS IT LIGHTLY.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

AND I MEAN, ONE OF THE REASONS I DID THIS STORY WAS BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE ALL TRYING -- AFTER JANUARY 6, WE ARE ALL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY THIS RADICALIZATION OF HUGE SEGMENTS OF AMERICA HAS TAKEN HOLD.

AND I THINK WE ARE OBLIGATED TO NOT JUST DEMONIZE THESE PEOPLE BUT TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS.

>> DISILLUSIONMENT, AS YOU WRITE, THAT TURNS INTO THAT EXTREMISM.

REALLY EXTENSIVE REPORTING ON THIS.

IAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> HAPPY TO.

>>> THREE MORE OF IAN'S REPORTING, HEAD TO NJTVONLINE.ORG.

>>> AS RHONDA SCHAFFLER TELLS US IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT,, SCHOOLS ARE NOT JUST THE ONLY EMPLOYERS REQUIRING THE VACCINE.

>> THE NEW JERSEY CHANMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCED IT EMPLOYEES BE VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

CHAMBER CEO, TOM BRACKEN, A MEMBER OF THE NJ PBS BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAYS EMPLOYERS ACROSS NEW JERSEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO ENCOURAGE THEIR WORKERS TO GET VACCINATED, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FDA DECISION.

THE INN BOARDING OF VACCINATED EMPLOYEES, THE CHAMBER WILL REQUIRE ALL ITS EMPLOYEES AT EVENTS TO PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION OR A NEGATIVE COVID TESTS.

>>> LEADERS OF THE STATE'S LONG- TERM CARE INDUSTRY ARE LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF THE BIDEN MINISTRATIONS NEW FEDERAL COVID- 19 VACCINE MANDATE FOR NURSING HOME WORKERS.

ALTHOUGH LABOR LEADERS SAY THEY WOULD PREFER ADDITIONAL OPTIONS FOR EMPLOYEES, SUCH AS VACCINES OR REGULAR COVID TESTING, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAID IF WORKERS DO NOT GET VACCINATED, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD WITHHOLD MEDICARE AND MEDICAID FUNDING.

AN NJ SPOTLIGHT HEALTHCARE REPORTER, LEO STANTON SAYS THAT HAS SOME CONCERN.

>> NEW JERSEY NURSING HOMES RECEIVE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, AT LEAST 360 OR $70 MILLION IN FUNDING ANNUALLY FROM THESE KINDS OF SOURCES.

TWO OUT OF THREE RESIDENTS ARE COVERED UNDER MEDICAID.

IT IS A HUGE PORTION OF WHAT ALMOST EVERY NURSING HOME IN NEW JERSEY EARNS.

SO IT IS REALLY CRITICAL FUNDING.

>> FOR MORE ON THIS STORY, READ THE REPORT ON NJTVONLINE.ORG.

>>> SOME GOOD NEWS FOR POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS.

NATIONWIDE, THERE ARE MORE HOMES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND THE MARKET IS SETTLING DOWN A BIT.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS WHICH RELEASED A REPORT TODAY SHOWING THAT EXISTING HOME SALES ROSE SLIGHTLY IN JULY.

RIGHT NOW, HIGH-END BUYERS ARE IN THE MARKET, EXPENSIVE HOMES ARE SELLING WELL, AND MORE BUYERS ARE PAYING WITH CASH.

YEARS AFTER FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY AND CLOSING ITS DOORS, TOYS "R" US WHICH WAS HEADQUARTERED IN NEW JERSEY IS MAKING A RETAIL COME BACK.

MACY'S IS SELLING TOYS "R" US BRANDED PRODUCTS ONLINE AND NEXT YEAR, IT WILL OPEN TOYS "R" US STORES WITH 400 LOCATIONS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE DAY UNFOLDED ON WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> ♪ ♪ >>> THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY WILL HAVE MORE TO GRAPPLE WITH THIS FALL THEN COVID-19 AND A VACCINATION MANDATE.

THE STATE HAS BEEN FACING A TEACHER SHORTAGE FOR YEARS.

NOW COMPOUNDED BY A VARIETY OF PANDEMIC RELATED ISSUES, LIKE CONCERNS OF A CONTRACTING THE VIRUS, GETTING VACCINATED, AND UNRELIABLE CHILDCARE.

SOME DISTRICTS SAY EVEN IF THEY ARE READY FOR THE RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING, THEY MAY BE FORCED TO PIVOT.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT A DOZEN CLASSES THAT AT THIS TIME HAVE NO SPECIFIC TEACHER ASSIGNED FOR THE YEAR.

>> NORMALLY WE ARE RIGHT AROUND THE MID-20s FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR VACANCIES.

AS OF THIS MORNING, WE ARE AT 68 VACANCIES.

>> IT IS LIKE DC AGAIN.

IN THESE FINAL WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS, SOME DISTRICTS FIND THEMSELVES IN A SIMILAR SPOT AS LAST YEAR, SCRAMBLING TO FILL OPEN TEACHER POSITIONS BEFORE UNITS WALKED BACK INTO THE BUILDINGS.

SOME FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE SEE THIS EXACERBATED BOUNTIFULLY IN THE LARGEST PARTICULARLY URBAN DISTRICTS.

THIS YEAR WE ARE ALL FEELING THE PINCH ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT ARE HARD TO STAFF.

SPECIAL EDUCATION, SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, BILINGUAL EDUCATION ARE AREAS THAT ARE THE MOST AFFECTED.

>> Reporter: TEACHER SHORTAGES WERE A PROBLEM NATIONALLY AND IN NEW JERSEY YEARS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BUT FERNANDO SAYS COVID HAS MADE IT WORST.

>> THE ISSUE IS NOT FINDING SUFFICIENT QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.

PART OF IT IS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND THERE WAS NOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO GRADUATE AS MANY CANDIDATES SO THEY DID NOT GET TO DO STUDENT TEACHING IN PERSON.

THEY DID NOT HAVE NECESSARY REQUIREMENTS.

>> HOW DIFFERENT OTHER REASON FOR TEACHERS REQUIRING RETIRING THIS YEAR?

IS IT AS MUCH ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE MOUNT THE WORK LOAD?

>> IT IS COMBINATION OF ALL FACTORS.

HOW THE WORKLOAD IS CHANGING.

I THINK PEOPLE WHO WERE IN A POSITION TO CONTEMPLATE RETIREMENT ARE SAYING I'M UNCERTAIN ABOUT THIS YEAR AND PERHAPS I WILL BE BETTER OFF TO RETIRE.

>>> THERE IS A LOT OF TEACHERS THAT ARE LEAVING BECAUSE THEY EITHER WANT TO RELOCATE CLOSER TO HOME OR BECAUSE OF A COVID ENVIRONMENT, THEY HAVE INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD AND COVID HAS CHANGED THE GAME PLAN FOR EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: TEACHERS WHO SHOW UP FOR WORK ON IN SEPTEMBER WILL HAVE A NEW REQUIREMENT IS ANNOUNCED TODAY BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

>> TODAY I'M SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING ALL PRESCHOOL THROUGH GRADE 12 SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BY OCTOBER 18 AND IF THEY ARE NOT, TO SUBMIT TO A MINIMUM 1 TO 2 TESTS PER WEEK.

>> Reporter: MANY DISTRICTS HAVE ALREADY SURPASSED A 70% VACCINATION RATE AMONG TEACHERS AND STAFF BUT COULD THE MANDATE DRIVE OUT TEACHERS WHO ARE STILL ON THE FENCE ABOUT VACCINATION?

>> I THINK NOT.

I THINK AT THIS POINT IN TIME, TEACHERS UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ENVIRONMENT HAS BEEN IN THE MOST DIFFICULT OF TIMES DURING THE PAST SCHOOL YEAR.

MOST ARE ACCEPTING THE VACCINE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR LOVED ONES.

AS DISTRICTS ANNOUNCE THE NEW RULES, STAFF SHORTAGES ARE PUTTING IN PLANS TO FILL POSITIONS.

>> EVEN IF IT MEANS HAVING OTHER TEACHERS THAT ARE NOT CLASSROOM TEACHERS IN THOSE POSITIONS.

FOR INSTANCE, A READING SPECIALIST WHO HOLDS A TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE.

>> THE ONLY WAY TO DO IS IS WITH PER DIEM SUBSTITUTES AND WHEREVER POSSIBLE, THE PRINCIPAL IN THE BUILDING WOULD TRY TO COMBINE CLASSROOMS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE COVERAGE AT THAT BUILDING BY A CERTIFIED TEACHER.

>> Reporter: NOT AN EASY SOLUTION.

BOTH ARE TOUTING SALARY AND BENEFITS OFFERINGS IN A LARGE LAST-DITCH EFFORT TO GET A TEACHER AT THE FRONT OF EVERY CLASSROOM.

JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NIGHT NEWS.

>>> WHILE THEY ARE NOT HEADING HOME YET, THE TEAM FROM TOMS RIVER EAST CAME FROM BEHIND IN A MAJOR RALLY DURING THIS WEEKEND'S LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES, BEATING CONNECTICUT 11-4 ON SATURDAY, AVOIDING ELIMINATION.

EVERY PLAYER CONTRIBUTED TO THE WIN ACCORDING TO THE COACH BUT IT WAS THE SHORTSTOPS FIFTH INNING GRAND SLAM THAT SECURED THE COME BACK SAILING THE BALL OVER THE CENTERFIELD FENCE OF THE TEAM WENT WILD.

THAT WAS THE FIRST GRAND SLAM FOR NEW JERSEY IN THE LITTLE LEAGUE WORLD SERIES SINCE TODD FRAZIER, NOW A MAJOR LEAGUER, DID IT IN 1998.

THAT IS ALSO THE LAST TIME THE TEAM FROM TR BROUGHT HOME THE TITLE.

THE NEXT GAME WILL BE PLAYED TOMORROW AT 3:00 P.M. AND WE KNOW THEY WILL RING BACK THAT MAGIC THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

>>> IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJTVONLINE.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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MAJOR FUNDING FOR "EXPLORING HATE" HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY SYLVIA A AND SIMON B POINT OF THE ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI- SEMITISM.