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

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AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, NEW EVIDENCE TONIGHT SHOWS THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINES DO PROVIDE STRONG PROTECTION AGAINST SEVERE ILLNESS.

EVEN WITH THE DELTA VARIANT SPREADING WIDELY THROUGHOUT THE U.S. THAT DATA WAS PRESENTED MONDAY TO A PANEL OF VACCINE ADVISERS AT THE CDC AS THEY DISCUSS THE POTENTIAL NEED FOR BOOSTER SHOTS.

THERE IS ALSO GROWING RESEARCH AROUND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE FROM MODERNA'S VACCINE.

A STUDY OF NEARLY 2500 WORKERS AT A MAJOR BELGIUM HOSPITAL SYSTEM SHOWS MODERNA'S DOSES CREATED TWICE THE ANTIBODIES OF PFIZERS.

ONE REASON MAY SIMPLY BE THE LENGTH OF TIME BETWEEN DOSE REQUIREMENTS.

THE MODERNA SHOTS ARE SPREAD OUT OVER FOUR WEEKS AND PFIZERS ARE GIVEN WITHIN THREE.

THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF HOSPITALS AND DEATHS ARE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

5.6MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED WITH 1600 NEW CASES BEING REPORTED TODAY.

ALSO, TESTING POSITIVE, A BREAKTHROUGH CASE, THE COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

AND, ANOTHER 19 CONFIRMED DEATHS TODAY, AS FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS DEBATE WHETHER TO ALLOW STATES TO BEGIN ADMINISTERING BOOSTER SHOTS.

NEW JERSEY IS ALREADY PREPARING TO RAMP UP CAPACITY TO MEET THE DEMAND WITH A TIME LINE FOR THAT ROLLOUT STILL UNCERTAIN.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET SICK AT MY AGE SO I'M COMING FOR A THIRD SHOT.

>> Reporter: 70-YEAR-OLD MARTY GOT HIS BOOSTER AT THE ESSEX COUNTY SITE IN WEST ORANGE.

THE OFFICIAL ELIGIBILITY INCLUDES A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS OR RECENT ORGAN TRANSPLANTS.

THE CDC SAYS THEY CAN GET A THIRD DOSE.

BUT THAT DIDN'T APPLY TO HIM WHO GOT HIS SECOND SHOT SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANY IMMUNE ISSUES WERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RIGHT ANSWER IS.

I WANT THE SHOT.

>> I'M 89 YEARS OLD.

I'M THE ELDERLY AND I JUST THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME.

>> THE CDC SAYS THIS IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT MY HEALTH AND EVERYONE AROUND ME.

>> THE CDC IS STILL PUTTING TOGETHER THE OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS.

>> I MEAN, I HEARD A LOT.

>> Reporter: COUNTY HEALTH WORKERS DON'T ASK PEOPLE'S IMMUNE STATUS.

>> WE DON'T ASK THEM.

WE CANNOT.

WE HAVE TO TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD.

WE WANT TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN THERE.

>> Reporter: COUNTY EXEC JOE SAYS THEY HAVE GIVEN THOUSANDS OF BOOSTERS WITH VACCINES PLENTIFUL AND INFRASTRUCTURE READY TO RAMP UP AHEAD OF A SPICE IN DEMAND.

PRIORITIZE FRONT LINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

LONG TERM RESIDENTS.

THEY ARE NOT EXPECTING VERY STRICT CONDITIONS.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THERE WILL BE AN ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.

IT WAS REALLY DUE TO THE LIMITED AMOUNT OF VACCINES WE HAD.

THAT IS NOT REALLY AN ISSUE.

>> Reporter: HOSPITALS AND PHARMACIES HAVE BEEN GIVEN OUT THIRD DOSES IN NEW JERSEY SINCE MID AUGUST.

36,500 SO FAR THE STATE ESTIMATES.

THE CDC REPORTS 995,000 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THE ADDITIONAL SHOTS NATIONWIDE BUT THAT'S JUST THE BEGINNING.

NEW JERSEY'S PLANNING TO REOPEN SOME OF ITS ORIGINAL VACCINATION MEGASITES TO GIVE BOOSTERS.

FIGURING UP TO 2.4 MILLION PEOPLE COULD BECOME ELIGIBLE IN JUST THREE WEEKS DEPENDING ON THE CDC'S MUCH ANTICIPATED BOOSTER GUIDELINES.

>> IT APPEARS BOOSTERS WILL BE RECOMMENDED FOR INDIVIDUALS EITHER SIX OR EIGHT MONTHS FOLLOWING THE COMPLETION OF THEIR INITIAL SERIES OF A PFIZER OR MODERNA VACCINE.

AND DATA FOR A JOHNSON & JOHNSON BY THE WAY IS NOT YET FINALIZED.

>> Reporter: THE CDC'S VACCINE ADVISORY PANEL WHICH MET YESTERDAY SAID IT IS CRITICAL TO UPDATE SAFETY DATA BEFORE IT OKAYS COVID BOOSTERS FOR A WIDER POPULATION.

MEANWHILE, THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED SEPTEMBER 20th COVID BOOSTER LAUNCH DATE.

>> THE WHITE HOUSE IS DIRECTED IN LARGE PART BY POLITICAL MOTIVATIONS.

THE CDC IS DIRECTED BY SCIENCE.

I THINK THAT THE CDC ENDS UP CATCHING UP EVENTUALLY BECAUSE THEY REALIZE SCIENCE CANNOT EXIST SEPARATE FROM POLITICS.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE.

>> Reporter: HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH IS IN TALKS TO REOPEN THE MEADOW LANDS SITE FOR BOOSTERS.

THEY ARE ANXIOUS TO GIVE MEDICAL STAFF A THIRD DOSE OF VACCINE.

80% OF EMPLOYEES ARE FULLY VACCINATED BUT THEY ARE SEEING BREAKTHROUGH INFECTIONS.

>> THE MAJORITY OF FOLKS ARE GETTING INFECTED WITH THE DELTA VARIANT IS THE WORRY.

IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS FOR US THAT WE ARE ANXIOUS TO GET BOOSTER IN PLAY.

>> Reporter: THE CDC PANEL IS EXPECTED TO MEET AGAIN ON THE ISSUE BY MID SEPTEMBER, REGARDLESS.

JERSEY IS PREPPING TO ROLL OUT ITS BIG BOOSTER CAMPAIGN BY THE 20th.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WAYNE TOWNSHIP IS JUST THE LATEST EXAMPLE OF THE KNOCKDOWN DRAG OUT FIGHT OVER COVID-19 MANDATES.

AFTER A MONTH LONG DISPUTE, A STATE APPOINTED ABRITROR.

THE LOCAL POLICE UNION SUED THE TOWNSHIP OVER THE LEGALITY OF THE ORDER.

AND THE POLICY REQUIRES ALL EMPLOYEES TO BE FULLY VACCINATED BY SEPTEMBER 17th.

OR LOSE THEIR JOB.

THE APPROVED MANDATE ALLOWS FOR SOME MEDICAL AND RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS, AND LOCAL OFFICIALS STILL NEED TO NEGOTIATE OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN WITH THE POLICE UNION.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS ALSO LOCKED IN A BITTER DEBATE WITH PARENTS OVER THE USE OF MASKS IN SCHOOLS.

AS STUDENTS BEGAN RETURNING TO THE CLASSROOM NEXT WEEK.

>>> IT'S THE END OF THE LINE FOR SOME RENTERS WHO HAVE BEEN RELYING ON A STATE PROGRAM TO KEEP THEM FROM BEING EVICTED FOR MISSED PAYMENTS.

STARTING TOMORROW, THE YEAR-AND- A-HALF EVICTION MORATORIUM LIFTS FOR MIDDLE INCOME TENANTS WHO MAKE BETWEEN 80 TO 120% OF THEIR COUNTY'S MEDIAN INCOME.

RENTERS EARNING BELOW THAT THRESHOLD WILL STILL BE PROTECTED THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IN ESSEX COUNTY, THAT APPLIES TO A COUPLE MAKING LESS THAN $62,800 A YEAR.

THE RULE IS AS ADDITIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE SET TO EXPIRE FOR HALF A MILLION RESIDENTS.

A BENEFIT THAT WOULD COST THE STATE AT LEAST $300 MILLION A YEAR TO CONTINUE.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE MORE JOB OPENINGS THAN THERE ARE UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE REASON, SOME ARE AFRAID TO GO BACK TO WORK BECAUSE OF COVID-19 EXPOSURE.

OTHERS HAVE TROUBLE FINDING CHILD CARE.

BUT, THE MAJORITY BELIEVE STAYING UNEMPLOYED IS A GOOD ECONOMIC DECISION.

>> WHEN YOU ADD THE UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION FROM THE STATE, TO THE EXTRA THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PAYING, I SAW ONE STUDY THAT SAID 67% OF THE UNEMPLOYED PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY MAKING MORE MONEY BEING UNEMPLOYED THAN WHEN THEY WERE WORKING.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COLLECTING A CHECK FROM THE STATE AND $300 A WEEK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT ON MONDAY, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY ANNOUNCED HE WOULD NOT EXTEND THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANT PROGRAMS SET TO EXPIRE ON SEPTEMBER 4th.

>> NO STATE IS EXTENDING THIS BENEFIT, CONTINUEING THE $300 A WEEK BENEFIT THROUGH STATE RESOURCES WOULD BE COST PROHIBITIVE.

IT WOULD COST AT CURRENT AT LEAST $314 MILLION PER WEEK.

AND PERHAPS, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS MORE.

IN OTHER WORDS, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WELL MORE THAN $1 BILLION PER MONTH TO MAINTAIN THIS BENEFIT.

>> Reporter: THEY HOPE ENDING THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS WILL CONVINCE PEOPLE TO RETURN TO WORK AND IN TURN PREVENT SHORT STAFFED BUSINESSES FROM MAKING CUTS.

OR, HAVING TO CLOSE FOR GOOD.

>> EVEN THOUGH WE ARE OPEN 100%, WITH E ARE NOT OPERATING 100% CAPACITY.

WHICH MEANS WE CAN'T BE GENERATING 100% OF REVENUE.

>> BECAUSE THE ECONOMY IN THE COUNTRY AND IN NEW JERSEY, TOO, IS GROWING SO RAPIDLY, THERE IS A TREMENDOUS NEED FOR WORKERS.

SO, TO ADD THAT EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION AND TO HAVE THE STATE HAS TO COME UP WITH A BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH TO COME UP WITH THAT WHEN MANY OF THOSE WORKERS CAN GO BACK TO WORK, SIMPLY DOESN'T SEEM TO MAKE SENSE.

>> Reporter: THE DECISION IS WELCOMING NEWS TO GREGORY CORE, THE OWNER OF SIX CORE'S ORIGINAL CUSTARD STORES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WE ARE HOPING THAT WILL HELP A LOT OF SMALL MOM AND POP EMPLOYERS.

WE CLOSE IN OCTOBER.

IF WE CAN PICK UP A COUPLE OF EMPLOYEES BETWEEN NOW AND THEN, THAT WOULD BE FANTASTIC.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE SUMMER IS A NEW CHALLENGE BECAUSE THEY WERE UNDERSTAFFED AND COULDN'T STAY OPEN AS MANY HOURS AS HE WOULD HAVE LIKED.

HE WISHED THE GOVERNOR WOULD MAKE THE CALL TO EXTEND THE BENEFITS BEFORE THE SEASON STARTED.

>> THIS PROGRAM SUBSIDING AND KIDS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A BUMP IN OUR EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS.

AS A RESULT OF THIS, I'M NOT THINKING THERE WILL BE A BOOM.

BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE ARE STILL ADJUSTING.

>> Reporter: PATRICK SAYS HE WAS THANKFUL FOR THE EXTRA CASH WHEN HE WAS UNEMPLOYED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN HIS RESTAURANT CLOSED TO THE PANDEMIC.

HE HAS BEEN BACK TO WORK SINCE JULY.

HE SAYS HE HOPES THERE IS A PATH TO BRING IT BACK IF NEEDED.

HE FEARS THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT COULD FORCE LEADER TO PUT RESTRICTIONS BACK IN PLACE OR WORSE, SHUT BUSINESSES DOWN AGAIN.

>> EVERYONE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IS ABSOLUTELY WORRIED ABOUT THIS.

EVERYONE IS ON PINS AND NEEDLES.

>> Reporter: THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE EMPLOYERS REQUIRING VACCINATIONS.

HE THINKS MANY PEOPLE WILL CHOOSE TO GO ON UNEMPLOYMENT TO AVOID GETTING THE SHOT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR IS OVER.

THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE LAST U.S.

TROOPS FROM THE AIRPORT IN KABUL JUST BEFORE MIDNIGHT LOCAL TIME ON MONDAY.

THE COUNTRY IS NOW FIRMLY IN THE HANDS OF THE TALIBAN.

ITS FUTURE, IN QUESTION.

CELEBRATORY GUNFIRE COULD BE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE CITY AS THE TALIBAN DECLARED VICTORY IN THEIR 20-YEAR WAR WITH THE UNITED STATES.

THE MASSIVE AIR LIFT OF THE FINAL EVACUEES SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF TWO WEEKS OF CHAOS AND VIOLENCE.

MORE THAN 120,000 PEOPLE INCLUDING MORE THAN 5500 AMERICANS WERE EVACUATED.

BUT STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ESTIMATE UP TO 200 U.S. CITIZENS ARE STILL IN AFGHANISTAN LOOKING TO GET OUT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN, TODAY, FIERCELY DEFENDING HIS DECISION SAYING HE WAS NOT "GOING TO EXTEND THIS FOREVER WAR," THANKS SERVICE MEMBERS, ADDING THAT 90% OF AMERICANS WHO WANTED TO LEAVE WERE ABLE TO.

FOR THOSE WHO REMAIN, THE PRESIDENT PLEDGING THERE IS NO DEADLINE TO HELP THEM OUT IF THEY SO CHOOSE.

WHILE, VOWING REVENGE ON ISIS K. BUT WHAT DOES THAT WORK LOOK LIKE IN THE DAYS AHEAD?

WE TURN TO VALTEC WOLFF FROM RUTGERS UNIVERSITY CAMDEN.

PROFESSOR, A LOT HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN SAID THE UNITED STATES DIPLOMATIC MISSION HAS NOW BECOME.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> WHAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE MEANT IS THAT THE USE OF FORCE IS GONE.

IT IS OFF THE TABLE.

AT LEAST, ANY KIND OF OVERT USE OF FORCE.

THE MISSION IS NOW ENTIRELY AT THE HELM OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

AND, MUCH OF IT ACTUALLY WAS AT THE HELM OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

AND, THERE WAS A LARGE DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE SECURITY FORCES AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT MISSION.

>> Reporter: SO WHAT DOES THE UNITED STATES PRESENCE AND INVOLVEMENT THEN LOOK LIKE MOVING FORWARD?

>> WELL, THE PRESIDENT HAS DISCUSSED THE OVER HORIZON COUNTER TERRORISM POLICY.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS DEALING WITH THREATS AT A DISTANCE.

AND, FROM A SECURITY STANDPOINT, THE SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN IS GOING TO GET WORSE.

YOU ARE GOING TO SEE CIVIL INSTABILITY.

YOU WILL HAVE FIGHTING BETWEEN ISIS-K, THE TALIBAN.

AL-QAEDA IS BEGINNING TO INTEGRATE AND HAS BEEN INTEGRATING ITSELF THERE.

IT WILL REALLY BE A CHALLENGING AND AT TIMES UGLY SITUATION.

>> SO FOR THAT NUMBER OF U.S. CITIZENS WHO REMAIN ON THE GROUND THERE, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR THE UNITED STATES TO CONTINUE ANY TYPE OF MISSION TO AT SOME POINT HELP THOSE FOLKS EVACUATE WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO DO SO AND WILL THEY HAVE TO RELY ON SOME SORT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL WORK WITH THE TALIBAN AND SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS IN ORDER TO GET THAT DONE?

>> YES.

AND I THINK TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

THERE'S A GROUP OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO REMAIN BEHIND FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS BUT THERE'S ALSO A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF AMERICANS WHO COULDN'T GET TO THE AIRPORT.

THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT SOON.

MUCH SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

NO ONE CAN PREDICT WHAT KABUL IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE 60, 90, 120 DAYS FROM NOW.

THERE'S A POSSIBILITY THERE IS SOME SEMBLANCE OF STABILITY.

OR THINGS COULD TURN SIDEWAYS.

THE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GET OUT SHOULD DO SO THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> THE THREATS FROM GROUPS LIKE ISIS-K, PROFESSOR WOLF.

HOW CRITICAL, HOW IMMINENT ARE THOSE TODAY, WITHOUT U.S.

TROOPS ON THE GROUND?

>> WELL, ISIS-K IS LIKE AL- QAEDA WITHOUT A STRATEGY.

AL-QAEDA WANTED THE U.S. OUT OF SAUDI ARABIA.

THEY WANT THE U.S. OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST.

THEY HATE IRAN.

AND THEY DO NOT HAVE MUCH OF A STRATEGY IN FOCUSING OUTSIDE OF ITS IMMEDIATE AREA.

SO, THEIR MAIN TARGETS ARE GOING TO BE THE TALIBAN.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT THAT IS THERE.

AND, ANY KIND OF IRANIAN INFLUENCE.

SO, THEIR ATTACKS ARE MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE FOCUSED WITHIN KABUL.

WITHIN AFGHANISTAN.

>> MORE TENUOUS DAYS AHEAD.

PROFESSOR.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE STATE IS BRACING FOR THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA.

IT HAS ALREADY BEEN A HOT AND RAINY SUMMER SEASON.

A NEW CLIMATE REPORT COMES AS NO SURPRISE TO MANY, LANDING NEW JERSEY AT THE TOP OF THE LIST OF STATES GETTING WARMER.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, OR NOAA, NEW JERSEY'S COAST HAS INCREASED FASTEST.

DATA SHOWS WINTERS HERE ARE NOT AS COLD.

SPRING AND SUMMER ARE WARMER.

ADD TO THE SUMMER HEAT ALL THE HEAVY RAIN WE HAVE HAD LATELY WITH MORE ON THE WAY.

HURRICANE IDA IS TRACKING TOWARD NEW JERSEY.

AND IS EXPECTED TO BRING WITH IT HEAVY FLOODING THIS WEEK.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES ON THE STORIES OF HUMAN CLIMATE CHANGE.

PERIL AND PROMISE.

>> Reporter: AFTER DEVASTATING LOUISIANA, RIPPING UP HOMES, AND LEAVING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE STRANDED IN FLOODED WATERS.

THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA ARE HEADED TO THE GARDEN STATE.

>> THE STORM WAS ONE OF THE WORST THAT THE REGION HAS SEEN AND THAT IS A LOT.

FOR NEW ORLEANS, THE LEVEES HELD THEMSELVES BUT THE DAMAGE WE SAW IN NEW ORLEANS IS NOT DISAPPEARING.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING WITH THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA IS THAT WE WILL STILL GET HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: NOW A TROPICAL DEPRESSION, IDA IS EXPECTED TO HIT OUR AREA TOMORROW WITH THE POTENTIAL OF CREATING MORE DAMAGE FOR PARTS OF JERSEY ALREADY IMPACTED WHEN HENRI PASSED THROUGH THE STATE A WEEK AGO.

>> WE CAN EXPECT A LOT OF RAIN.

THREE INCHES MINIMUM FOR MOST OF THE STATE WITH FOUR, FIVE, OR SIX INCHES OF RAIN FALLING IN LOCALIZED AREAS.

SO, THAT MUCH RAIN, GIVEN HOW WET THE GROUND IS AFTER HENRI, WE SHOULD EXPECT A LOT OF FLASH FLOODING OVERNIGHT WEDNESDAY WHEN THE HEAVIEST RAIN SHOULD BE FALLING AND, AS THE SYSTEM DEPARTS, ALL THE WATER WILL FLOW INTO THE RIVERS.

FAIRLY SUBSTANTIAL RIVER FLOODING WOULD BE POSSIBLE.

HEADED THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY.

>> IT IS NOT PEOPLE'S IMAGINATION.

WE ARE SEEING JUST A HISTORIC NUMBER OF RAIN EVENTS.

LAST SUMMER WAS HISTORIC NUMBER OF HURRICANES.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS SAYING THIS SUMMER COULD BE ONE OF THE WETTEST ON RECORD, DATING BACK TO THE EARLY 1930s.

>> WE ARE NOT EVEN IN SEPTEMBER AND WE HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN HIT BY HENRI.

ABOUT TO GET HIT BY IDA.

WE HAD TROPICAL STORM ELSA GIVE A GLANCING BLOW IN EARLY JULY.

WHAT WE ARE REALLY SEEING RIGHT NOW IS THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

AND, SADLY, ONE OF THE IMPACTS IS GOING TO CONTINUE, IS THAT WE WILL SEE MORE EXTREME PRECIPITATION EVENTS.

AND THAT IS NOT JUST HURRICANES.

THOUGH THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH RIGHT NOW WITH IDA.

IT ALSO JUST MEANS MORE RAINSTORMS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

MORE NOR'EASTERS.

AND SO, PLACES THAT SEE FLOODING LIKE THE SHORE ARE GOING TO SEE MORE OF IT.

COMMUNITIES THAT HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED FLOODING SHOULD BE ON THE LOOKOUT.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUING A FLASH FLOODING WATCH FOR MOST OF THE STATE.

WITH THE STORM COMES THE POTENTIAL FOR POWER OUTAGES.

PSE&G RELEASING A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE WEATHER AND PREPARING FOR HEAVY RAIN AND POTENTIAL FLOODING.

WE ARE STAFFED AND PREPARED TO DEAL WITH ISSUES AS THEY ARISE.

>> I WOULD STAY OFF THE ROADS WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHEN THE FLASH FLOOD THREAT WILL BE THE HIGHEST.

>> Reporter: THOUGH WE ARE IN THE THREAT OF HURRICANE SEASON, IT IS NOT OFFICIALLY OVER UNTIL NOVEMBER.

SO MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS ARE POSSIBLE.

>> BECAUSE IF WE KEEP ON GETTING HIT BY NOR'EASTERS AND TROPICAL STORMS, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE WARMER FLOODING.

THAT IS AN IMPACT DIRECTLY FROM CLIMATE CHANGE.

MORE EXTREME WEATHER.

MORE EXTREME PRECIPITATION EVENTS.

SO, THE TWO ARE OBVIOUSLY VERY LINKED.

THIS IS INCREASINGLY OUR NEW NORMAL.

>> Reporter: A NORMAL EXPERTS SAY WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE FOR FUTURE HURRICANE SEASONS TO COME.

FROM NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION COULD USE FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY TO EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

BUT WILL THEY?

>> THE UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAM IS COMING TO AN END.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS NEW JERSEY CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE PAYING OUT EXTENDED BENEFITS TO COVER THE ADDED $300 IN WEEKLY PAYMENTS.

NEW JERSEY DOES HAVE ABOUT $4 BILLION IN UNSPENT FEDERAL DOLLARS FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

JOHN WRIGHTMEYER SAYS IN THEORY, THE STATE COULD USE THAT MONEY TO INCREASE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

BUT, THE POT WOULD RUN DRY IN JUST A FEW MONTHS.

>> MAYBE THE STATE ON PAPER CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FUND THESE BENEFITS OR FUND THEM TO SOME DEGREE.

IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH OF THE REMAINING FEDERAL AID TO YOU ALLOCATE TO ONE PURPOSE WHEN THERE IS NO SUCH NEED OUT THERE.

WE SEE HELP WITH UTILITY BILLS.

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS SEEKING FEDERAL FUNDING TO HEAD OFF A LOOMING PAYROLL TAX INCREASE.

AND SO, THERE IS JUST A LOT OF NEED OUT THERE.

>> YOU CAN READ MORE OF HIS STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS MAY FEEL THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE IDA BEYOND THE EXPECTED RAINY WEATHER COMING OUR WAY.

HIGHER GAS PRICES ARE NOW POSSIBLE.

AS OIL COMPANIES HAD TO TAKE THEIR REFINERIES OFFLINE AHEAD OF THE STORM.

ACCORDING TO AAA, AS OF MONDAY, 13% OF U.S.

REFINING CAPACITY WAS DOWN.

TYPICALLY, A CATEGORY 4 STORM COULD MEAN THREE PLUS WEEKS BEFORE REFINERIES ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

AAA SAYS DRIVERS SHOULD EXPECT GAS PRICE FLUCTUATIONS THROUGH LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

AND OTHER ANALYSTS THINK HIGHER PRICES ARE POSSIBLE BEYOND THAT.

AAA SAYS AS OF TODAY, GAS PRICES ARE AVERAGING $3.19 A GALLON IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> ANOTHER COMPANY IS RAISING PAY TO ATTRACT WORKERS.

PNC BANK WHICH HAS THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY EMPLOYEES IS RAISING ITS MINIMUM WAGE FROM 15 TO $18 AN HOUR STARTING IN LATE NOVEMBER.

THE COMPANY SAYS THE MOVE WILL HELP IT ATTRACT AND KEEP THE BEST TALENT.

NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

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

>>> WELL, THREE WEEKS AND NO MOVEMENT.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, NEW JERSEY RECEIVED DETAILED POPULATION COUNTS FROM THE U.S. CENSUS BUREAU.

INFORMATION NEEDED BY TWO BIPARTISAN COMMISSIONS CHARGED WITH REDRAWING LEGISLATIVE AND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

BUT RATHER THAN QUICKLY GETTING TO WORK ON SUCH A LABOR INTENSIVE TASK, BOTH GROUPS SAY REDISTRICTING IS ON HOLD.

BECAUSE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T CONSIDER THE DATA "OFFICIAL."

OUR SENIOR WRITER AND PROJECTS EDITOR COLLEEN O' DEA HAS THE LATEST.

>> COLLEEN, WHAT'S THE LATEST WHY THE ADMINISTRATION DECLARING THIS DATA IS NOT YET OFFICIAL?

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND I DIDN'T GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER DESPITE ASKING A FEW TIMES IN A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> THIS DATA CAN BE USED FOR ALL THE THINGS THE TWO BIPARTISAN COMMISSIONS NEED THEM FOR.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND, THE LAST CHECK I MADE, MORE THAN A HALF DOZEN STATES AT LEAST, HAVE ALREADY STARTED THEIR RESTRICTING PROCESSES.

USING THE DATA THAT CAME OUT ON THE 12th.

>> SO, I MEAN, OF COURSE, THERE'S A DEADLINE HERE.

BUT, THE STATE IS NOT GOING TO BE USING THIS FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

SO, IS IT REALLY THAT URGENT?

>> RIGHT, AND I THINK THAT IS THE OTHER POINT.

IS WHILE THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS STARTED AND SOME OF THE MEMBERS WANT TO GET THIS PROCESS STARTED, THE CONGRESSIONAL MAP DOES NOT NEED TO BE DONE UNTIL MIDDLE OF JANUARY AND THE LEGISLATIVE MAP DOESN'T NEED TO BE DONE UNTIL NEXT MARCH.

FIRST, FOLKS WOULD LIKE, PARTICULARLY FOR CONGRESS, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE RUNNING.

BUT IN CONGRESS, REMEMBER, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT WHERE YOU ARE RUNNING AND THAT DOES HAPPEN SOMETIMES.

WE HAD IT HAPPEN IN NEW JERSEY IN RECENT YEARS.

SO, I GUESS IT ISN'T REALLY URGENT.

>> YEAH.

BUT I MEAN, AT LEAST IT SEEMS ANYWAY THAT ELECTION CYCLES ALMOST NEVER END.

CAMPAIGN CYCLES ALMOST NEVER END.

SO, ANY DETRIMENT THERE FOR POTENTIAL CANDIDATES?

>> I MEAN, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE RACES EVERYBODY IS WATCHING IS THE SEVENTH DISTRICT.

WHERE, STATE SENATOR TOM CANE IS ONCE AGAIN GOING TO CHALLENGE THE DEMOCRAT WHO HAS HAD SOME TROUBLE IN THE LAST YEAR.

NOW, DEPENDING ON HOW THAT DISTRICT GETS REDRAWN, YOU KNOW, CANE COULD WIND UP OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THAT DISTRICT.

HE COULD STILL RUN THERE.

BUT, IT MIGHT MAKE HIS CASE A LITTLE LESS, YOU KNOW, HARDER TO MAKE.

AND, THE DISTRICT COULD BECOME MORE DEMOCRATIC.

WHICH COULD HELP MALENOWSKI.

WE DON'T KNOW THAT.

AND ALL THE CANDIDATES WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT AS THEY ARE PROGRESSING IN THEIR CAMPAIGNS.

>> ALL RIGHT, COLLEEN, ALWAYS ON TOP OF THE DATA FOR US.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> FOR MORE OF COLLEEN'S REPORTER INCLUDING WHAT THIS MEANS FOR VOTERS, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> 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 ORSTED.

AND, PSEG.

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

FUNDING FOR PEARL AND PROMISE PROVIDED BY DR. P. ROY VAGALOS AND DIANA T. VAGALOS, THE MARK HAAS FOUNDATION AND SUE AND EDGAR.

AND MILLSTEIN FAMILY.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE THE 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 NJEA MEMBER.