>>> FUNDING FOR NJ 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 NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT, A PANDEMIC PREDICTION BY THE NATION'S LEADING INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT , DR. ANTHONY FAUCI SAYING HE EXPECTS THE U.S. TO GET THE COVID-19 CRISIS UNDER CONTROL BY SPRING OF 2022.

BUT THAT IS IF AND ONLY IF AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AMERICANS GET VACCINATED AND THE COUNTRY CAN KEEP THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS AT BAY THROUGH THIS WINTER.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS HOPE THE TIME IT WOULD BE SHORTER BUT MANY SAID WOULD BE UNLIKELY UNTIL THE FDA AUTHORIZES A VACCINE FOR KIDS UNDER AGE 12.

JUST ABOUT 5.5 MILLION PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE IN NEW JERSEY OUT FULLY VACCINATED.

TODAY THE STATE REPORTED ON THE OTHER ANOTHER 1600 POSITIVE CASES AND 20 MORE DEATHS.

ALL 21 COUNTIES HAVE HIGH RATES OF VIRUS TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO THE CDC MEANING THE AGENCY RECOMMENDS MASKS INDOORS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

THIS IS ALL JUST A DAY AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED ALLSTATE AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED BY MID-OCTOBER OR UNDERGO REGULAR TESTING.

HOW DOES THE MANDATE SQUARE WITH EDUCATORS AND WORKERS?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: A CROWD CHEERED OPPOSITION TO THE GOVERNORS COVID VACCINATION ORDER FOR STATE WORKERS AND TEACHERS AT AN ANGRY RALLY IN TRENTON.

MURPHY'S MANDATE REQUIRES FULL COVID SHOTS BY OCTOBER 18th OR AT LEAST WEEKLY TESTING AND THESE PROTESTERS INCLUDING TEACHERS AND PARENTS PLAN A POLITICAL AND PERSONAL REBELLION.

>> PLEASE KNOW WE ARE NOT SCIENTISTS.

WE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PROVIDED THE FREEDOMS GRANTED TO US BY GOD AND THE CONSTITUTION TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN AS TRENCHANT INFORMED CONSENT.

>> IF IT COST ME MY JOB SO BE IT.

BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GO OUT WITHOUT A FIGHT.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT MUCH.

>> I WILL NOT BE PUSHED AND FORCED INTO ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, ANXIETY IN NEWARK WERE A HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER PLANS TO DEFY THE MANDATE AND REMAIN UNVACCINATED WHEN SHE RETURNS TO CLASS LAST NEXT WEEK.

SHE EXPECTS CONTROVERSY.

YOU MIGHT GET PRESSURED BY COLLEAGUES?

>> OF COURSE I GET PRESSURED ALL THE TIME.

THEY SHUN ME.

THEY OSTRACIZE ME.

WE ARE NOT TALKING TO YOU.

YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: FLOYD CLAIMS WITH THE FDA'S FULL APPROVAL THE PFIZER VACCINE HAS NOT GAINED HER TRUST.

SHE WANTS TO WAIT A YEAR AND OBSERVED SIDE EFFECTS.

>> I DON'T WANT TO BE FORCED INTO TAKING A VACCINATION.

I WANT TO DO IT ON MY OWN TIME.

THIS IS NOT A DICTATORSHIP.

I NEED TO WAIT SOME TIME TO SEE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED, I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE DRAWBACKS ARE.

>> FOR ALL OF US, IT IS IMPERATIVE, I FEEL THAT WE VACCINATE SO THAT WE PROTECT EACH OTHER AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE SAYING NO, I DON'T WANT TO BE VACCINATED OR IT IS AN INFRINGEMENT ON MY CIVIL RIGHTS, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THOUGHT PROCESS.

>> Reporter: EVENT JORDAN IS A HIGH SCHOOL HIGH SCIENCE TEACHER WHO SAYS STUDIES SHOW COVID VACCINES ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

SHE EXPRESSED RELIEF AT THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER.

>> WE WANT OUR KIDS BACK AND WE MISSED THEM BUT UNLESS THEY ARE VACCINATED, WE ARE THINKING ABOUT OURSELVES, ABOUT OUR OWN FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: -- >> YOUR CHOICE.

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO WORK IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL, CHARTER OR PAROCHIAL SCHOOL OR CHOOSE TO FIND A DIFFERENT CAREER.

>> Reporter: JOHN ABHA GONE HAS THE NEW WORK NEWARK TEACHERS UNION WHO CLAIMS 85% OF TEACHERS HAVE GOTTEN VACCINATED.

NEWARK'S PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORTS ABOUT A TOTAL OF 6300 EMPLOYEES HAVE SHOWN PROOF OF VACCINATION.

THE SUPERINTENDENT ALERTED THEM EARLIER THIS MONTH TO EXPECT A VACCINATION MANDATE AND HE CALLED GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ORDER A ORDER THAT IS ALIGNED WITH SCIENCE AS THE PRIMARY MITIGATING STRATEGY AGAINST THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

>> WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN A STRONG NEGATIVE RESPONSE.

IT HAS BEEN FAIRLY SILENT SO THAT TELLS US FOR THE MOST PART THEY ARE OKAY WITH IT.

>> Reporter: MAYBE.

A CITY HEALTH VACCINATION DEPARTMENT CITED AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOL HAD DRAWN JUST ONE RESIDENT DURING ITS FIRST TWO HOURS THIS MORNING WITH 12 APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED LATER ON.

IF TEACHERS ARE LINING UP FOR SHOTS, IT IS NOT HERE.

NEWARK IS MAKING TESTING OPT OUT LIST ATTRACTIVE.

IT WILL REQUIRE TEACHERS AND STAFF TO PICK UP THE INSURANCE CO-PAY FOR EVERY COVID TESTING TAKE.

THAT IS $20 A POP.

THEY HOPE THAT MIGHT HURT WORSE THAN GETTING THE SHOT.

IN NEWARK, I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'S NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER COVERS ALL PRE- K THROUGH 12th GRADE TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF ALONG WITH STATE WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES AT PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

BUT NOW LAWMAKERS.

ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, LEGISLATORS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE ROLE.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ DID INFORMAL POLLING ONCE THE CARVEOUT WAS DISCOVERED AND EVEN ELECTED OFFICIALS HEADSTRONG PATIENT.

>> ONE GOVERNOR MURPHY EGGS ISSUED HIS EXECUTIVE ORDER MANDATING THAT SCHOOL STAFF BE VACCINATED OR SUBJECTED TO WEEKLY COVID TESTS, HE ADDED THAT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER EXTENDED TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

A LITTLE LATER IN THE DAY A LOG LAWMAKER OF ESSEX COUNTY SENT ME A TEXT ASKING IF LAWMAKERS ALSO STATE EMPLOYEES WERE BOUND BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

INTERESTING QUESTION.

I ASSUME THAT THEY WERE BUT I CHECKED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN CASE AND THEY SAID, NO.

APPARENTLY, THE LEGISLATURE, AS A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT MAY NOT BE COMPELLED BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO FOLLOW ANY OF HIS EXECUTIVE ORDERS PERTAINING TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

SO I TWEETED THAT ALONG WITH A THOROUGHLY UNSCIENTIFIC POLL ASKING OUR TWITTER FOLLOWERS IF LAWMAKERS SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

NOT ONLY DID THEY THINK THAT THEY SHOULD BE, BUT THEY WERE REALLY ANNOYED AT THE LAWMAKERS.

SO WE SPOKE TO A FEW LEGISLATORS TODAY INCLUDING THE ONE WHO STARTED THE WHOLE THING.

>> I READ THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT SAYS ALLSTATE EMPLOYEES.

EFFECTIVELY, LEGISLATORS WORK FOR THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

IF SOMEONE HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION THEY WILL HAVE TO CLARIFY THAT.

THIS IS A RECKLESS WAY NOT TO -- FOR US AS LEGISLATORS NOT TO COMPLY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

I DON'T THINK HE HAS TO MENTION LEGISLATORS.

THEY ARE STATE EMPLOYEES.

>> IT HAS LONG THEN THAT I HAVE BEEN A PROPONENT IF WE ARE GOING TO PUT MANDATES ON THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT, MANDATES ON OUR OWN EMPLOYEES, WE NEED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO THE SAME THINGS TO OURSELVES.

OFTEN TIMES, THERE IS A LOOPHOLE OR EXEMPTION OR SOMETHING THAT MAKES THE PUBLIC TRULY HATE GOVERNMENT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS BECAUSE THEY RIGHTFULLY CALL BS AND GO WAIT A SECOND, YOU ARE FORCING ME AND MY FAMILY TO ABIDE BY A MANDATE THAT WE MAY OR MAY NOT AGREE WITH AND YET YOU ARE NOT DOING THE SAME THINGS TO YOURSELVES?

>> IT IS NOT REALLY UP FOR A VOTE.

IT IS THE WAY IT IS.

WE ARE A COEQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT SO THE GOVERNOR CANNOT COMPEL FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE VACCINATED.

WE ARE NOT STANDARD STATE EMPLOYEES.

THAT HAVING BEEN SAID, I THINK WE ALL SHOULD BE VACCINATED.

THE PEOPLE WHO HIRE US ARE THE PEOPLE SO IF THEY DON'T LIKE A POLITICIAN'S ANSWER, THEY CAN VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE.

>> SO YOUR ANSWER TO THEIR OUTRAGE IS VOTE US OUT OF OFFICE IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT?

>> YOU VOTE, FOLKS YOU DISAGREE WITH OUT OF OFFICE.

>> THE LEGISLATURE IS ALSO CONVENIENTLY KIND OF EXEMPT FROM MANY OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUESTS AND OTHER POLICIES THAT APPLY TO STATE EMPLOYEES.

THAT IS A POWER THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THEMSELVES AND COULD THEORETICALLY ALSO TAKE AWAY.

NEITHER THE SENATE PRESIDENT OR THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER WAS AVAILABLE TO TALK TO US TODAY.

MEANWHILE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CLARIFIED THIS AFTERNOON THAT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED YESTERDAY APPLIED TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOL STAFF BUT THE MANDATE ON STATE EMPLOYEES WAS A POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT.

NOT AN EXECUTIVE ORDER.

A BIT OF WORDPLAY THERE BUT STILL, ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT WHEN IT COMES TO MANDATES, ONLY THE LEGISLATURE CAN TELL THE LEGISLATURE WHAT TO DO.

NO MATTER HOW UNFAIR IT SEEMS, TO ANY OF US.

>>> CERTAINLY A POINT THAT HAS BEEN DEBATED.

THANK YOU, DAVID.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS STICKING WITH AN AUGUST THE FIRST DEADLINE, ONE WEEK FROM TODAY TO WITHDRAW SOME 6000 TROOPS FROM AFGHANISTAN DESPITE TOP AMERICAN ALLIES CALLING FOR AN EXTENSION.

AS THE CLOCK WINDS DOWN TO GET THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT, INCLUDING AMERICANS, A SPECIAL IMMIGRANT AFGHANS, THE PENTAGON SAID THEY HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO MEET THE DEADLINE AS A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE TALIBAN AFFIRMED THEY WILL NOT ALLOW AFGHANS TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.

THEY WARNED THE U.S.

THEY WILL NOT ACCEPT AN EXTENSION BEYOND THE END OF AUGUST ACCORDING TO THE PENTAGON, 21,000 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED FROM THE DOUBLE AIRPORT WITHIN A RECENT 24 HOUR WINDOW.

A PACE U.S. OFFICIALS PLAN TO MAINTAIN BUT THOSE ON THE GROUND FACE A DIRE SCENE.

WITHIN THE LAST DAY, FOUR FLIGHTS HAVE LANDED AT DULLES AIRPORT IN VIRGINIA CARRYING MORE THAN 1000 EVACUEES THAT WILL NOW TRAVEL TO ONE OF THE FOUR MILITARY BASES DESIGNATED AS PROCESSING LOCATIONS INCLUDING IN NEW JERSEY, AT JOINT BASE McGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST.

BASED ON WHAT WE KNOW THIS MOMENT, WHO ARE WE EXPECTING TO ARRIVE AT FT. DIX AND WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THEY GET HERE?

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE RECEIVING REFUGEES WHICH WILL BE PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS OR IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THOSE VISAS.

WE ARE ALSO GOING TO GET OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK WHO HAVE MAYBE WORKED FOR THE U.S. EMBASSY IN AFGHANISTAN.

AMERICAN CORPORATIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

SO THAT IS WHO WE ARE EXEMPT EVENTUALLY EXPECTING TO GET.

>> ONCE THEY ARE HERE, A LOT OF PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THAT AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN ONCE THEY ARRIVE?

>> YES, SO THE THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN ONCE THEY ARRIVE HIS MEDICAL SCREENING, HEALTH CARE THAT IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

EMERGENCY CARE IF THEY NEEDED AS WELL AS THEY WILL START GOING THROUGH THE PAPERWORK OF BECOMING, GETTING SOME TYPE OF TEMPORARY STATUS HERE AND ALSO RECEIVING SOME WORK AUTHORIZATION WHICH IS IMPORTANT.

THEN RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES HERE IN NEW JERSEY WILL HELP RESETTLE THESE FAMILIES INTO AMERICA AND THAT IS WHETHER THEY DECIDE TO STAY IN NEW JERSEY OR IF THEY HAVE FAMILIES SOMEWHERE ELSE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THAT WILL BE PART OF THAT PROCESS.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD AN HEIR TO THE GROUND AND EAR TO THE GROUND WITH BIDEN OFFICIALS.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT NEW JERSEY'S CAPACITY?

IS THERE A CAP ON HOW MANY PEOPLE WE CAN TAKE IN AND HOW MANY WE ARE EQUIPPED TO HELP?

>> IN THE PAST, FT. DIX HAS BEEN A PLACE WHERE THEY BROUGHT REFUGEES.

BACK IN 1999, WE RECEIVED ETHNIC ALBANIANS FROM KOSOVO.

WE RECEIVE ABOUT 4000 OR SO.

WE CAN POTENTIALLY GET THAT NUMBER.

IS GOING TO BE FLUID BECAUSE THEY WILL BE COMING IN AND RELEASED OUT.

WE WILL PROBABLY NOT HAVE AN EXACT FIGURE.

THEY WILL BE TELLING US IF WE HAVE GOTTEN ANY AT THIS POINT BUT I THINK WE CAN POTENTIALLY SEE THAT NUMBER HERE.

>> THESE ARE FOLKS, AS GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID YESTERDAY, WHO OFTEN END UP GOING TO WHERE THEIR FAMILY AND RELATIVES, FRIENDS ARE ALREADY LIVING.

NEW JERSEY DOES NOT HAVE A LARGE AFGHAN POPULATION.

SO DO WE EXPECT THAT THAT MAY CHANGE?

AND WHAT ARE YOU HEARING?

>> YES, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE IT GO UP HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE FAMILY HERE BECAUSE OUR AFGHAN POPULATION IS NOT BIG IN THE UNITED STATES.

I COULD SEE POTENTIALLY PEOPLE RESETTLING IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL KEEP AN EYE ON IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

IT TAKES SOME TIME TO DECIDE WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO STAY AND THEY HAVE TO START WORKING TO PAY BACK A LOT OF THE DEBTS THEY HAVE ETC.

SO I COULD SEE WERE POTENTIALLY THEY COULD START IN NEW JERSEY, STAY HERE FOR A FEW YEARS BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO MOVE TO OTHER STATES.

IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER REFUGEE AMENITIES THAT HAVE STARTED THEIR LIVES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> ALL RIGHT, MONSY ALVARADO, KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR ALL OF IT.

>>> RESETTLEMENT ACROSS NEW JERSEY ARE IN HIGH GEAR PREPARING FOR THE INFLUX OF EVACUEES.

AMID THE MASSIVE CROWDS OF PEOPLE ATTEMPTING TO GET OUT OF AFGHANISTAN, THOSE WHO RISK THEIR LIVES HELPING THE U.S. GOVERNMENT OVER THE COURSE OF THE TWO DECADE LONG WAR.

IN RETURN, THEY WERE PROMISED PROTECTION UNDER THE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM.

ACHIEVING THAT STATUS IS NOW HARDER THAN MORE AND MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER.

THE STORY IS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, "CHASING THE DREAM:POVERTY IN AMERICA."

>> Reporter: FOR THERE NEARLY A DECADE, THIS AFGHAN WORKED SECURITY AT A U.S. ARMY BASE.

BY 2010, THE UNITED STATES INCREASED MILITARY PRESENCE IN AFGHANISTAN.

A FEW YEARS LATER WHEN TROOPS WERE BEING PULLED BACK, THE TALIBAN STARTED TAKING HOLD AGAIN.

AROUND THAT SAME TIME, THIS MAN SAYS HE FEARED MORE AND MORE FOR HIS FAMILY'S SAFETY.

HE WAS RECEIVING SEVERAL THREATS.

>> -- >> Reporter: THE TALIBAN, HE ALLEGES, PUT EXPLOSIVE DEVICES IN HIS DRIVEWAY ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.

HE SAYS HE HAD TO CHANGE HOUSES FIVE TIMES IN THREE YEARS.

IN 2014, HE SAYS HE APPLIED FOR A SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA OR SIV WHICH PERMITS SOMEONE TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES AS A GREEN CARD HOLDER.

AFGHANS WHO WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE U.S. MILITARY AS INTERPRETERS AND OTHER CAPACITIES ARE ELIGIBLE.

IT TOOK HIM FIVE YEARS TO FINALLY ARRIVE IN NEW JERSEY AND HIS WIFE AND KIDS AS WELL.

>> THE PROCESS IS EXTREMELY LONG.

LAST WEEK, THE WHITE HOUSE SAID SOME 2000 SIV APPLICANTS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAD ALREADY ARRIVED IN THE UNITED DATES.

BUT NEARLY 20,000 MORE ELIGIBLE AFGHAN ALLIES, WHO RISKS THEIR LIVES AND HAVE APPLIED BUT STILL REMAIN IN LIMBO WITHOUT VISAS FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS AFGHAN NATIVE SAYS HE HEARS STORIES OF THE TALIBAN GOING TO THEIR HOUSES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND SOME REPORTED MISSING THE NEXT DAY.

IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, EILEEN KING ENGLISH SAYS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A SPECIAL IMMIGRATION VISA YOU NEED A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE U.S. MILITARY AND OTHER DOCUMENTS BEFORE BECOMING ELIGIBLE FOR AN INTERVIEW AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN KABUL WHICH IS NOW CLOSE.

>> BY UNDERSTANDING IS WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON THE GROUND, PEOPLE DOCUMENTARILY QUALIFIED ARE JUST RECEIVING EMAILS DIRECTLY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE TO GO TO THE AIRPORT.

IN ORDER TO TRY TO EVACUATE.

HOWEVER, THE ISSUE OF COURSE IS IT IS NOT SAFE FOR MANY PEOPLE TO ACTUALLY GET TO THE AIRPORT AND ONCE THEY GET THERE, THERE IS EXTREMELY LONG WAITS.

I HAVE HEARD REPORTS OF 30+ HOURS THROUGH MY COLLEAGUES.

THEY ARE WITH FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AND THERE HAS BEEN TEARGAS DEPLOYED.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN FEARS FOR FORMER COLLEAGUES AND REMAINING FAMILY.

MANY ARE ELIGIBLE TO LEAVE BUT FIND IT DIFFICULT TO MAKE HAPPEN GIVEN THE CURRENT CRISIS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE WHO GOT TO THE AIRPORT WHERE THE U.S.

FORCES THAT ARE THERE SAY IF YOU DON'T -- IF YOU ARE NOT A U.S. CITIZEN OR GREEN CARD HOLDER WE WILL NOT BORED YOU.

>> Reporter: THIS REVEREND RUNS A PROGRAM CALLED INTERFACE INTERFACE RISE WHICH HELPS REFUGEES FIND PERMANENT HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT ONCE THEY ARRIVE.

>> WE HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS HERE AND HIS WIFE IS STILL THERE.

SHE IS SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS THEY WANT ALL U.S.

TROOPS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN BY AUGUST 31.

TALIBAN SPOKESPERSON ANNOUNCED THERE WOULD BE NO EXTENSION BUT THESE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SAY IT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME.

>> WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE PEOPLE BUT JUST THE FACT THAT EVERYBODY IS WORRIED ABOUT THE LAST DAY OF AUGUST DEADLINE MEANS EVERYONE IS SCRAMBLING IN WAYS THAT ARE SLIGHTLY RECKLESS.

AS THE SITUATION UNFOLDS ABROAD, THE REVEREND PRAISED THE U.S. PRAYS THAT THE U.S. RETHINKS THE DEADLINE.

>>> AND WHEN FOUND GUILTY OF HAZING IN NEW JERSEY WILL FACE STIFFER CRIMINAL CHARGES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SON THE TIMOTHY PIAZZA LAW NAMED AFTER A REDINGTON TOWNSHIP NATIVE WHO DIED IN 2017 AFTER FALLING DOWN A FLIGHT OF STAIRS AT A PENN STATE FRATERNITY HOUSE DURING A HAZING INITIATION THAT INCLUDED HAVING DRINKING.

THE NEW LAW OPERATES HAZING CRIMES FROM A DISORDERLY PERSONS OFFENSE TO A 4th DEGREE CRIME IF IT CAUSES BODILY HARM AND A PERSON FACING AGGRAVATED HAZING CHARGES WILL FACE A 3rd DEGREE CRIME.

UNDER THE LEGISLATION, HAZING IS LISTED AS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CAUSING COERCING OR FORCING SOMEONE TO CONSUME ALCOHOL OR DRUGS.

DURING THE FEBRUARY 2017 INCIDENT, PIAZZA CONSUMED 18 ALCOHOLIC DRINKS IN LESS THAN 90 MINUTES.

FRATERNITY MEMBERS WAITED UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING TO CALL FOR MEDICAL HELP AFTER HE FELL DOWN THE STAIRS.

>> YOUNG MAN OR WOMAN SHOULD BE SUBJECTED TO LIFE-THREATENING BEHAVIOR FOR JUST WANTING TO BE INCLUDED.

HAZING IS ALWAYS DONE WITH THE INTENT TO CAUSE HARM.

THE IT PHYSICAL, OR PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT IT WILL CAUSE HARM.

>> Reporter: >>> A CHANGING OF THE GUARD IN NEW YORK POLITICS TONIGHT.

KATHY HOCHUL WAS SWORN IN AS THE FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR, TAKING OATH OF OFFICE IN A PRIVATE CEREMONY OVERSEEN BY THE CHIEF JUSTICE.

A PUBLIC EVENT WAS HELD AT THE CAPITOL BUILDING IN ALBANY.

HOCHUL IS REPLACEMENT FOR OUTGOING ANDREW CUOMO WHO WAS ENGULFED WITH SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS.

NOW THE STATE GOVERNMENT IS IN DISTRESS, FACING CRITICISM AND POSSIBLE INVESTIGATIONS INTO CUOMO'S HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS STILL SURGING.

TODAY, HOCHUL PROMISED NEW YORKERS SHE WILL NOT LET THEM DOWN AND WILL USHER IN A NEW ERA.

ON HIS LAST DAY IN OFFICE, CUOMO RELEASED A PRERECORDED VIDEO , DEFENDING HIS RECORD AND CRITICIZING THE "MEDIA FRENZY" HE SAYS LED TO AN UNFAIR JUDGMENT AGAINST HIM.

>>> WE DON'T GET TO SAY THIS OFTEN.

ONE OF THE STATE'S TEXAS IS ABOUT TO DECREASE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE STORY AND THE TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>> FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING PAIN AT THE PUMP YOU ARE ABOUT TO GET A BIG BREAK THE GAS TAX RATE IS GOING DOWN STARTING ON OCTOBER 1st.

THE RATE WILL DECREASE BY 8.3 CENTS A GALLON ACCORDING TO THE STATE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

JOHN REITMEYER EXPLAINS THE GAS TAX RATE IS REQUIRED TO BE SET EACH YEAR BASED ON A LAW PASSED IN 2016.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE GAS TAX HAS BEEN REDUCED SINCE THAT LAW WENT INTO EFFECT FIVE YEARS AGO.

IN THE PAST THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW RATE INCREASES REQUIRED.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT IS DELIVERING SOME RELIEF FOR MOTORISTS AT THE PUMP.

>> Reporter: THE NEW TAX RATE DRIVERS WILL PAY FOR GASOLINE IS 42.4 CENTS A GALLON.

IT IS SEVEN CENTS HIGHER FOR DIESEL FUEL.

THE CHANGE MEANS NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX GOES FROM THE 4th HIGHEST AMONG THE STATES TONIGHT ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE.

>>> NEARLY ALL OF ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS WERE PROFITABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR AS BUSINESS REBOUNDED FROM THE PANDEMIC RELATED CLOSURES.

BUT OCCUPANCY RATES AT THE HOTELS WERE DOWN COMPARED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

JANE OF STOCKTON'S LIGHT INSTITUTE SAYS A LABOR SHORTAGE COULD BE TO BLAME FOR THAT.

SHE SAYS STAFFING LEVELS REMAIN BELOW WHAT THEY WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> IN THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER, THE CASINO HOTELS HAD A HARD TIME FILLING THE OPEN HOUSE KEEPING POSITION SO IT IS UNCLEAR IF THIS HAD AN IMPACT ON THEIR ABILITY TO TURN OVER CLEAN ROOMS BUT THE TOTAL EMPLOYMENT FOR THE CASINO INDUSTRY WAS DOWN MORE THAN 6000 POSITIONS IN 2021 COMPARED TO 2019.

>> THE LATEST FIGURES FROM THE NEW JERSEY DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT SHOW THE CASINOS POSTED GROSS OPERATING PROFIT OF $185 MILLION IN APRIL, MAY, AND JUNE.

THAT WAS AMONG THE HIGHEST IN RECENT YEARS.

VALLEYS WAS THE ONLY CASINO TO POST A LOSS IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

>>> ONE DAY AFTER WE LEARNED THAT PREOWNED HOME SALES CONTINUED TO RISE IN JULY WE FOUND OUT THAT SALES OF NEWLY CONSTRUCTED SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ALSO ROSE LAST MONTH.

THIS IS REVERSING THREE STRAIGHT MONTHS OF DECLINES.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT OUR NUMBERS ON WALL STREET.

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

>> ♪ >>> THE RAIN FROM TROPICAL STORM HENRY FINALLY STOPPED WEDNESDAY BUT THE WORST IS NOT OVER.

TOWNS ALONG THE MILLSTONE RIVER ARE BRACING FOR FLOODING EXPECTED THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THIS WEEK.

AS OF THIS MORNING, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAID THE RIVER AT GRIGGSTOWN WAS STILL A FEW FEET ABOVE THE FLOOD STAGE.

ROADWAYS WERE FLOODED FROM WEST WINDS ARE TOWNSHIP IN MERCER COUNTY UP TO FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

MEANTIME IN BERGEN COUNTY, FLOOD WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT UNTIL TODAY.

FOR THE RAMAPO RIVER NEAR MAMA AND SADDLE RIVER, THE WATER RECEIVED THE AFTERMATH AND IT IS OVERWHELMING FOR HOMEOWNERS.

THEY DID NOT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE AND ARE PAYING FOR CLEANUP OUT OF POCKET.

SOME CITIES KNOWN FOR FLOODING AND MODERATE RAIN DURING THE BRUNT OF THE STORMS, SEWAGE OVERFLOW.

PUMP STATIONS ARE OPERATING AT FULL SPEED.

RECORD RAINFALL ACCORDING TO COUNTY OFFICIALS.

MORE THAN 6 1/2 INCHES IN HOBOKEN, THE MOST FROM A SINGLE STORM SINCE 2016.

>>> ANOTHER CHANCE FOR JERSEY TO REPRESENT.

THIS TIME AT THE PARALYMPIC SUMMER GAMES OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY IN TOKYO.

ATHLETES FROM THE GARDEN STATE ARE COMPETING IN MULTIPLE SPORTS AND EVENTS.

GARFIELD NATIVE, JILL FRANCO AND HIS WHEELCHAIR WILL BE SHOOTING FROM THE STARTING LINE FOR THE 100 AND 400 METER TRACK AND FIELD RACE.

THERE IS ROBERT CRISWELL FROM FREEHOLD, A BRONZE MEDAL SWIMMER FROM THE RIO GAMES.

YOU CAN CATCH ATHLETES WITH TIES TO JERSEY COMPETING IN ROWING, AND WHEELCHAIR RUGBY.

MORE THAN 4000 ATHLETES IN ALL REPRESENTING MORE THAN 130 NATIONS, SETTING NEW RECORDS FOR SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT THEY HAVE GOT.

>>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI .

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS 10, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL BE YOU SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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