FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS 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.

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

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT, I'M RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A MASS SHOOTING AT A MALL IN INDIANA THAT LEFT THREE PEOPLE DEAD AND TWO INJURED.

POLICE SAY THE MAN WALKED INTO THE GREENWOOD PARK MALL WITH A RIFLE AND OPENED FIRE IN THE FOOD COURT.

THE SHOOTER WAS KILLED BY A MAN LEGALLY CARRYING A GUN IN THE MALL.

HE'S BEING CALLED A GOOD SAMARITAN.

ONE OF THE INJURED IS A 12-YEAR- OLD GIRL.

THE OTHER VICTIMS HAVE NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED.

THIS AS A NEW REPORT AND BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE SHOWED NEARLY 400 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE AT THE SCENE OF THE HORRIFIC MASSACRE AT A UVALDE, TEXAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

NINE WENT INSIDE TO CONFRONT THE SHOOTER WORKER MORE THAN ONE HOUR.

THE REPORT CRITICIZES NOT ONLY LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, BUT STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THEIR INACTIVITY IS 19 STUDENTS AND TWO TEACHERS WERE KILLED AT ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

IT SAYS AT LEAST 100 SHOTS WERE FIRED INSIDE THE SCHOOL BEFORE A SINGLE OFFICER ENTERED AND LAID OUT A NUMBER OF FAILURES INCLUDING THE ONE TAKING COMMAND OF THE SCENE.

SO FAR THE ACTING CHIEF OF THE UVALDE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PLACED ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AS THE MAYOR PROMISES A FULL INVESTIGATION INTO HIS ACTIONS.

>>> VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WAS IN NEW JERSEY TODAY GIVING THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE 113th NAACP CONVENTION IN ATLANTIC CITY.

HARRIS, THE FIRST BLACK WOMAN VICE PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTED THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THE VICE PRESIDENT ALSO SOUNDED AN ALARM FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS TO CHOOSE, VOTING RIGHTS AND THE NEED FOR STRICTER GUN LAWS TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE.

>> WE MUST RECOGNIZE THERE ARE THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING TO DRAG US BACKWARDS.

EXTREMISTS SO-CALLED LEADERS, WHO ARE ATTEMPTING TO UNDERMINE OUR DEMOCRACY.

AND ASSAULT OUR MOST FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS.

THE FREEDOM TO BE SAFE FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

THE FREEDOM TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT OUR OWN BODIES.

AND THE FREEDOM TO VOTE.

>> THE VICE PRESIDENT ALSO MET WITH NEW JERSEY LEGISLATORS TO DISCUSS PROTECTION OF ABORTION RIGHTS IN THE WAKE OF THE SUPREME COURT'S REVERSAL OF ROE V. WADE.

A LOCAL SCHOOLTEACHER AND COMMUNITY ACTIVIST IS ALSO SPEAKING AT THIS YEAR'S CONVENTION.

HE JOINS ME TO DISCUSS WHAT HE HOPES WILL BE ADDRESSED AT THE CONVENTION.

LET'S FIRST TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE VICE PRESIDENT BEING AT THIS CONVENTION.

>> YES.

SO IT'S A HUGE IMPACT TO HAVE THE VICE PRESIDENT, KAMALA HARRIS, COME TO THE NAACP CONVENTION THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT'S HAPPENING WITHIN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE WHITE HOUSE, AND THE SUPPORT OF A BLACK LEADER INSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS THAT WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE AND HEAR AT THIS CONFERENCE?

>> SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE HAVING IN THIS CONFERENCE IS THE ONSLAUGHT OF WHITE SUPREMACIST VIOLENCE THAT BLACK AMERICANS AND BLACK PEOPLE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SINCE OUR BEING HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

PARTICULARLY WITHIN THIS LAST GENERATION.

THE WHITE SUPREMACY VIOLENCE AND POLICE VIOLENCE.

I THINK SOMETHING ELSE THAT WE ARE SEEING A LOT MORE OF FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS IS THIS CALL TO STUDENT BEST.

WE KNOW THAT BLACK PEOPLE IN GENERAL ARE BURDENED WITH STUDENT DEBT MORE SO THAN OTHER ETHNICITIES.

IF WE WERE ABLE TO CANCER STUDENT DEBT, THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE US MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW WELL FOR OUR FAMILIES.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR -- FORWARD TO HEARING ABOUT, OR LEARNING ABOUT AT THIS CONVENTION, GIVEN EVERYTHING THAT HAS GONE ON IN THE LAST YEAR.

>> THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY NATURAL BORN LEADERS WILL BE ABLE TO DEVELOP SKILLS AND A NETWORK OF OTHER LEADERS IN ORDER TO TAKE BACK OUR COMMUNITIES AND TAKE BACK POWER.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WILL ALSO BE SPEAKING, AND YOU'LL BE TOUCHING ON THE POWER OF GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS.

>> YES.

YES.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE TODAY TO BE ABLE TO ORGANIZE YOUTH AND COLLEGE STUDENTS IN ORDER TO TRAIN THEM UP IN ORDER TO TAKE POWER BACK.

OFTEN TIMES COLLEGE STUDENTS THINK THEY HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO TAKE INITIATIVE, OR THEY ARE WAITING FOR THE LEADER TO GET THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED.

BUT, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TEACH THESE KIDS THAT NO, YOU ARE THE LEADERS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

WE ARE GOING TO START TO TEACH YOU THE SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE, IN ORDER TO CONFRONT ANY INJUSTICES THAT HAPPEN ON YOUR CAMPUSES OR IN YOUR COMMUNITIES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THE GOVERNMENT'S LEADING INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT AND FACE OF THE NATION'S PANDEMIC RESPONSE, DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, ANNOUNCED HIS PLANS TO RETIRE IN 2025.

THE 81-YEAR-OLD HAS ADVISED SEVEN PRESIDENTS.

THE NEWS COMES AS THE BA.5 SUV- VARIANT IS NOW THE DOMINANT SPRAIN ACCOUNTING FOR ABOUT 64% OF CASES IN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK ACCORDING TO THE CDC.

THIS COMES AS THE STATE IS REPORTING 1500 NEW CASES, AND ONE NEW DEATH.

SO, IS THERE A SUMMER SURGE IN THE MAKING, AND CAN ANYONE EVEN PROPERLY TRACK IT?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> EVERYBODY IS LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW, LIKE I HAVE A VACCINE, UNPROTECTED.

STOP BOTHERING ME, I NEED TO GO ABOUT MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: YET EVERYBODY KNOWS SOMEBODY WHO JUST GOT COVID.

GENOMIC SEQUENCING SHOWS THE BA.5 AREA IS DRIVING 64% OF INFECTIONS IN THE NEW JERSEY NEW YORK AREA.

IT'S ALSO CAUSING REINFECTION, EVEN IN PEOPLE WHO HAD COVID QUITE RECENTLY.

>> IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO BECOME REINFECTED.

IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO HAVE SOME KIND OF REACTION TO THAT REINFECTION.

>> THE RULE OF THUMB WAS YOU HAVE HAD COVID NOW, YOU GOT MAYBE THREE MONTHS OF IMMUNITY.

BA.5, WE ARE SEEING PEOPLE BEING REINFECTED WITHIN THE MATTER OF A MONTH OR SIX WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THIS EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAYS NOBODY CAN GET AN ACCURATE COUNT OF NEW COVID CASELOADS BECAUSE MOST FOLKS NOW USE AT-HOME ANTIGEN TESTS.

BUT, NEW JERSEY'S COVID COMMUNITY SPREAD MAP REPORTS MOST COUNTIES SHOW A HIGH TRANSMISSION RATE, EXCEPT FOR FOUR WITH MEDIUM LEVELS.

ABOUT ONE QUARTER OF PEOPLE WHO GET COVID REPORT SO-CALLED BRAIN FOG, AND MANY CAN'T SHIP THAT COVID COUGH FOR WEEK.

DOCTORS CAN PRESCRIBE EFFECTIVE ANTIVIRALS LIKE PAXLOVID, BUT WHILE THE FDA AUTHORIZED ANOTHER MEDICINE, JERSEY HAS HIT A SNAG SAYS ONE PHARMACIST.

>> WITHIN OUR OWN BOARD OF PHARMACIES, THE REGULATIONS HAVE NOT BEEN SET UP TO REALLY GIVE US THE APPROPRIATE GUIDANCE ON HOW WE SHOULD APPROACH THAT.

SO AT THIS POINT WE ARE SORT OF IN A HOLDING PATTERN IN TERMS OF PHARMACISTS DISPENSING OF.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS TRADE GROUP, GARDEN STATE PHARMACY OWNERS, HAS REQUESTED DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT.

HE SAYS TIMING IS KEY WITH THESE MEDICINES, AND THEY WANT SPECIFICS.

>> NOT JUST US, NOT JUST THE INDEPENDENT COMMUNITY PHARMACIES, BUT ALSO THE CHAINS AND OTHER PRACTICE SETTINGS ARE READY TO GO.

IT IS JUST WE OBVIOUSLY WANT TO DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY, AND WE WANT TO FOLLOW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF OUR BOARDS HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

SO, WE ARE WAITING ON APPROPRIATE GUIDANCE FROM THEM BEFORE WE PULL THE TRIGGER.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE A CVS SPOKESMAN SAYS THEY ARE IN TOUCH WITH THE FDA, AND ARE CURRENTLY EVALUATING THEIR GUIDANCE AND ACTIVELY WORKING TO EXPAND ACCESS FOR PATIENTS BY POSITIONING OUR PHARMACISTS TO ASSESS PATIENTS AND PRESCRIBED ORAL ANTIVIRALS AS APPROPRIATE.

BA.5 HAS SHOWN IT CAN EFFECTIVELY EVADE CURRENT COVID VACCINES BECAUSE THIS PIRATE MUTATES SO RAPIDLY.

THIS RESEARCHER ADMITS THAT'S WHY COVID KEEPS ONE UPPING SCIENTISTS.

>> I'VE BEEN WRONG NOW FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES FROM ALPHA, THROUGH DELTA, THROUGH OMICRON, AND NOW THE SUV-VARIANTS.

NOTHING IS GOING TO OUTCOMPETE WHAT WE ARE SEEING WRONG EACH TIME.

THE CHANCES ARE THAT THERE WILL BE A VARIANT THAT WILL EMERGE, AND YOU ARE SEEING THAT ALREADY.

IN INDIA, THERE'S ANOTHER NEW VARIANT THAT IS CIRCULATING AND NOW IN 10 COUNTRIES AND THE UK, AND THROUGHOUT.

SO, NOT SURPRISING.

>> Reporter: THAT VARIANT HAS ALREADY BEEN DETECTED IN THE U.S.

MEANWHILE, THE FDA LAST MONTH URGED DRUGMAKERS TO FORMULATE VACCINES THAT TARGET THESE NEWEST OMICRON SUB- VARIANTS.

HE DOESN'T EXPECT TO SEE A BOOSTER FOR BA.5 ANYTIME SOON.

>> WHAT I SEE THIS FALL FOR SURE, IS THE RELEASE OF NEW VERSIONS OF THE VACCINE THAT ADDRESS SOME OF THE NEWER VARIANTS.

WILL IT BE READY?

A RESPONSE FOR THE VACCINE BY DECEMBER 4 BA.5, UNLIKELY.

>> Reporter: MODERNA'S LATEST CLINICAL TRIAL TO SHOW SOME IMPROVED RESULTS AGAINST BA.4 AND BA.5, AND THE CURRENT MRNA VACCINES TO PREVENT SEVERE DISEASE, EVEN FROM BA.5.

SCIENTISTS BELIEVE VACCINES PLUS TREATMENTS LIKE PAXLOVID WILL HELP CONTAIN COVID, IF NOT DEFEAT IT.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AS THE STATE TRIES TO KEEP BA.5 CONTAINED, MONKEYPOX CASES ARE ON THE RISE.

THERE ARE JUST OVER 1800 CASES IN THE U.S.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC.

MONKEYPOX IS A RARE DISEASE CAUSED BY THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS, AND CAN CAUSE RASHES, WHICH MAY RESEMBLE PIMPLES OR BLISTERS, AND ARE SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY'S FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS.

AS OF TODAY, NEW JERSEY HAS JUST OVER 30 REPORTED CASES, AND HEALTH OFFICIALS IF THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO SPREAD, WE COULD BE DEALING WITH TWO PANDEMICS.

ACROSS THE RIVER, 489 CASES OF MONKEYPOX HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN NEW YORK, WHERE MASS VACCINATION SITES HAVE BEEN OPENED IN THE CITY TO HELP CONTAIN THE OUTBREAK.

IN ADDITION TO GETTING TESTED, HEALTH ADVOCATES SAY BETTER PUBLIC MESSAGING IS NEEDED, ESPECIALLY IN THE GAY COMMUNITY, WHERE THE MOST CASES HAVE BEEN DETECTED.

THE VIRUS IS MOST OFTEN SPREAD BY SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT.

FOR MORE ON NEW JERSEY'S RESPONSE, CHECK OUT THE REPORTING AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS HAVE A NEW NUMBER TO CALL FOR HELP, 988.

THE CRISIS HOTLINE THAT WENT LIVE ON SATURDAY WILL CONNECT PEOPLE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISIS WITH A TRAINED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THE TIMING OF THE 988 HOTLINE IS CRITICAL, AS RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO FEEL THE STRAIN OF THE ONGOING PANDEMIC, GUN VIOLENCE AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A NEW CRISIS NUMBER TO CALL, AND IT IS NOT 911, IT IS 988.

IT IS FOR ANYONE IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> WHAT 988 REPRESENTS IS A THREE DIGIT NUMBER FOR INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS TO BE IMMEDIATELY CONNECTED TO THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE TEAM.

THOSE TEAMS WILL BE ABLE TO TALK TO INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS, AND PROVIDE RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL HOTLINE LAUNCHED THIS SATURDAY AS AN EASIER CALL NUMBER THAN MANY OF THE EXISTING CRISIS HOTLINES.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, IT MEANS FASTER, MORE TARGETED RESPONSES FOR PEOPLE FEELING DESPERATE AND ALONE.

>> INDIVIDUALS THAT CALL 988, AND THOSE 988 TEAMS WOULD IDENTIFY RESOURCES IN THAT INDIVIDUAL'S LOCAL COMMUNITY.

MEET THE INDIVIDUAL WHERE THEY ARE AT, LAUNCH OUR MOBILE TEAMS TO PICK THE INDIVIDUAL UP, BRING THEM IN TO SERVICES AND IDENTIFY WHAT IS NEEDED FIRST.

PROVIDE PSYCHIATRIC CARE, LICENSED CLINICAL THERAPY, AND THEN ALSO IDENTIFY ANY SOCIAL DETERMINANT OF HEALTH NEEDS, LIKE HOUSING OR FOOD.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY RECENTLY DEDICATED NEARLY $13 MILLION TO EXPAND THE 988 RESPONSE CENTERS.

>> WE HAVE FIVE CALL CENTERS STATEWIDE THAT ARE HELPING SUPPORT CALLERS WHO MAY BE CONNECTING TO 988.

THIS IS REALLY AN EVOLUTION AND TRANSITION OF OUR EXISTING SYSTEMS.

WITH THE LAUNCH OF 988, IT WILL HELP PROPEL US INTO A NEW ERA OF CRISIS RESPONSE SERVICES THAT WE CAN BE EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE IN NEED.

REDNECK CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND THE DIOCESE OF TRENTON IS ONE OF THOSE CENTERS THAT PROVIDES URGENT CARE AND OTHER OUTPATIENT SERVICES INCLUDING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER TREATMENT.

IT'S ALL PART OF A MOVE AWAY FROM 911 RESPONDERS WHO MIGHT APPROACH A MENTALLY ILL PATIENT WITH A LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE, RATHER THAN A MEDICAL ONE.

>> ARE CRISIS NAVIGATORS, THEY WENT THROUGH A TRAINING EMBEDDED IN THE 911 CALL CENTERS.

THEY ALSO PARTICIPATED IN ACTIVE TRAINING ON SITE AT OUR CRISIS PROGRAM.

WE PROVIDE THEM WITH TRAUMA INFORMED CARE TRAINING.

DE-ESCALATION.

HOW TO ASSESS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IS COMING IN, AND WHATEVER THEIR CRISIS MAY BE, WHETHER IT IS MENTAL HEALTH.

IT MIGHT BE SUPPORT WITH MEDICAL NEEDS.

JUST WRAPPING THE SERVICES AROUND THEM.

>> Reporter: TO BETTER MEET THE NEEDS OF A GROWING POPULATION WITH MENTAL ILLNESS TODAY, CAPITAL HEALTH, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES, IS TRAINING THEIR MEDICAL STUDENTS IN CRISIS MENTAL HEALTH SAYS THIS DOCTOR.

>> CRISIS MENTAL HEALTH IS SPECIFIC POINT IN A CLIENT'S CARE THAT CAN DETERMINE WHERE THEY GO THERE AFTER.

SO, THAT ABILITY TO REACH CARE IN THAT MOMENT OF CRISIS CAN EITHER MEAN THEIR SUCCESS, WERE THEIR FAILURE.

EVERYBODY DESERVES THIS CARE.

>> Reporter: THIS COMMISSIONER SAYS A CALL CENTER WILL EXPAND ITS OFFERINGS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> IT WILL BE A 24/7 PLACE TO CALL.

IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE ACCESS TO TEXT FEATURES VIA MOBILE PHONE, 24/7.

WE WILL ALSO BE FOLLOWING UP WITH CALLS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF SOMEONE REACHING OUT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL WHO CALLED EXPRESSING SUICIDAL IDEATIONS.

>> Reporter: IF THE CALL CENTERS ARE EVER OVERWHELMED, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY WILL ACT AS A BACKUP CALL CENTER, DIRECTING PEOPLE TO CARE.

JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THERE ARE 112 DAYS UNTIL THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN NOVEMBER.

AS DEMOCRATS TRY TO HOLD ONTO POWER, CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES AREN'T WASTING ANY TIME RAISING MONEY FOR THEIR REELECTION CAMPAIGNS.

HERE IN JERSEY, SOME CANDIDATES ARE HOARDING CASH AMOUNTS TOTALING MORE THAN $1 MILLION IN THEIR CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN WAR CHESTS.

FORMER SENATE MINORITY LEADER REPUBLICAN TOM KANE JR. HAS RAKED IN AROUND $700,000 FOR HIS CAMPAIGN IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

HE HAS NEARLY DOUBLED THAT IN THE BANK WITH $1.3 MILLION.

21 TERM REPUBLICAN ENCUMBERED CHRIS SMITH HAS JUST UNDER THAT AFTER RAISING $1.2 MILLION SO FAR IN DISTRICT 4.

ROB MENENDEZ RAISED OVER $1.3 MILLION IN TOTAL, SECURING THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION IN JUNE.

REPUBLICAN PAUL DEGROOT HAS ONLY RAISED $21,000 FROM DONORS OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS, AND YET HAS NEARLY $300,000 CASH ON HAND AFTER LOANING $200,000 TO HIS CAMPAIGN IN HIS BID TO UNSEAT DEMOCRAT MIKIE SHERRILL IN THE 11th DISTRICT.

MIKIE SHERRILL'S WARCHEST LEADS THE PACK.

THE TWO TERM DANIEL CREDIT CONGRESSWOMAN GOING UP A HEFTY $6.1 MILLION FOR HER REELECTION CAMPAIGN SO FAR THIS CYCLE.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MAINTAINS A HUGE CACHE OF DATA TO REPUBLICANS, BUT DO DEEP CAMPAIGN POCKET SECURE AN ELECTION WIN?

COLLEEN O'DAY JOINS ME TO BREAK IT ALL DOWN.

SO, I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, DOES MONEY REALLY TALK?

>> SO, IT USUALLY DOES.

IF YOU HAVE NO MONEY, YOU JUST CAN'T GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT.

THERE DOES COME A POINT THOUGH, ESPECIALLY IN A MIDTERM ELECTION LIKE THIS ONE, WHERE IF YOU'VE GOT ENOUGH MONEY TO GET SOME ADS UP, AND TO COMPETE, YOU MAY NOT NEED TO HAVE AS MUCH AS YOUR OPPONENT.

>> WHAT TYPE OF VARIABLES COULD IMPACT THIS MIDTERM ELECTION WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT ABORTION AND PRESIDENT BIDEN?

>> THOSE ARE DEFINITELY KEY ONCE.

IN A MIDTERM ELECTION LIKE THIS ONE, THE PRESIDENT'S PARTY, IN THIS CASE THE DEMOCRATS, TYPICALLY LOSE SEATS.

THAT HAD BEEN EXPECTED TO HAPPEN, BUT WITH THE SUPREME COURT RULINGS ON ROE VS. WADE AS WELL AS THE GUN RULING THAT PRECEDED IT, THE DEMOCRATS SEEM TO HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE BIT OF A BOOST.

WHETHER THAT WILL BE MAINTAINED THROUGH NOVEMBER IS UNCLEAR, BUT WHAT DEMOCRATS CAN CERTAINLY RUN ON, AS THOSE ISSUES AND APPEAL TO MORE MODERATE REPUBLICANS, AND CERTAINLY MODERATE INDEPENDENCE.

OR, UNAFFILIATED VOTERS.

THAT MIGHT HELP THEM TO HOLD SOME OF THE SEATS THAT MAY BE A LITTLE BIT IFFY.

>> COLLEEN, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIG DECIDERS?

WHAT HAS CHANGED?

ESPECIALLY WHEN WE THINK ABOUT POLLING?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THE 2016 ELECTION REALLY CHANGED AN AWFUL LOT.

DONALD TRUMP WAS NOT EXPECTED TO WIN AND HE DID.

THEN, THINGS JUST KIND OF WENT A LITTLE BIT CRAZY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT PULLING INFORMATION, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT HAS INVOLVED REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP SUPPORTERS, THEY TEND TO NOT WANT TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

THEY OFTEN DON'T ANSWER THE PHONE.

THAT HAS KIND OF MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR POLLSTERS TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHERE CANDIDATES STAND.

AS WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS MIDTERM ELECTION, WHEN WE GOT REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES WHO PERHAPS ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR TRUMP 'S SUPPORT OR LOOKING TO PORTRAY THEMSELVES AS A BIG TRUMP BACKER.

IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT FOR INSTANCE, FRANK IS RUNNING AGAINST JOSH.

ONE HAS ABOUT 1/10 OF WHAT THE OTHER HAS IN THE BANK.

IF HE CAN REALLY PUSH THIS PRO TRUMP CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN NARRATIVE, HE MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE BECAUSE THE FIFTH DISTRICT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN SWING.

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

$14 MILLION IN THE BANK IS A LOT OF MONEY.

I GUESS WE WILL SEE WHERE THAT WILL TAKE HIM.

>> HE HAS RAISED THE 18th MOST AMOUNT OF MONEY IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE IN THE NATION.

SO, HE DOES VERY, VERY WELL.

IS CERTAINLY THE BEST FUNDRAISER OF THE NEW JERSEY DELEGATION.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS BRING WITH ALL THIS MONEY.

COLLEEN O'DAY, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> HEAR YE, HEAR YE, MEDIEVAL TIMES.

JOINING THE LIKES OF MANY OTHER COMPANIES LIKE AMAZON, AND STARBUCKS.

IN A 26-11 VOTE, THE 40 MEDIEVAL TIMES PERFORMERS MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

THEY JOINED THE AMERICAN GUILD OF VARIETY ARTISTS, WHICH REPRESENTS THEATRICAL AND STUMP PERFORMANCE.

THEY ARE SEEKING HIGHER PAY, HEALTH INSURANCE, PROPER SAFEGUARDS, AND A CULTURE OF RESPECT FOR EACH PERFORMER.

IN A STATEMENT, THE UNION SAID WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MANAGEMENT TO CREATE A FAIR, SAFER, AND MORE ENJOYABLE MEDIEVAL TIMES.

THIS MAKES THE FIRST UNION TO BE ORGANIZED AT THE CHAIN'S 10 LOCATIONS IN NORTH AMERICA.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITED BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE.

>>> AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> NEARLY A MONTH AGO, A MASSIVE FIRE BURNED MORE THAN 13,000 ACRES ACROSS BURLINGTON COUNTY.

THE BLAZE THAT STARTED FROM AN ILLEGAL CAMPFIRE IS NOW BEING CONSIDERED BY EXPERTS TO BE THE LARGEST WILDFIRE HERE IN THE STATE IN 15 YEARS.

WHILE IT SOUNDS CATASTROPHIC, THE FIRE ULTIMATELY BENEFITED, NOT HARMED, THE LOCAL ECOSYSTEM.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: WHAT A DIFFERENCE A WEEK MAKES.

>> TAKE AWAY ALL THE GREEN, THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS COMPLETELY BLACK AND BROWN.

EVERYTHING SCORCHED, EVERYTHING BURNED.

>> Reporter: CARLTON MONTGOMERY SAYS THE STATE FOREST IS QUICKLY HEALING ITSELF.

IT SUFFERED NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST WILDFIRE IN 15 YEARS.

>> THERE IS FERNS OUT THERE, OAKS THAT ARE SPROUTING FROM THEIR BASES.

HUCKLEBERRY AND BLUEBERRIES COMING UP.

>> Reporter: THE MULLICA RIVER FIRE TORCHED A PORTION ABOUT THE SIZE OF MANHATTAN.

CONSERVATION EXPERTS SAY IT IS LESS TRAUMATIC TO THESE TREES THAN YOU MIGHT THINK.

>> THIS TREE IS ALREADY RESPONDING TO THE FIRE BY PUTTING OUT NEW ROUTES.

BOTH FROM THE TRUNK AND FROM THE BIG.

THAT TREE WILL PROBABLY SURVIVE.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN SAYS THESE TREES HAVE EVOLVED TO BEAR THE BRUNT OF BAD BURNS.

SOME OF THEM DIE, BUT MOST OF THEM STAND STRONG.

>> FIRES HAVE BURNED LIKE THIS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

WE KNOW THESE TREES ARE ADAPTIVE TO THE FIVE.

>> THE PARK HAS ADAPTED TO DO THAT.

IT IS THICK AND TOUGH.

IT IS MEANT TO BRING LIKE THIS, BUT IT CAN PROTECT THE INSIDE.

>> EVEN IN A FIRE THAT IS HOT ENOUGH TO WHERE IT ACTUALLY TOP KILLS THE TREE.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE ABOVEGROUND PORTIONS OF THE TREE ARE BURNED SO BADLY THAT IT DIES, A LOT OF TIMES IT WILL SPROUT FROM UNDERGROUND.

>> Reporter: IF TREES DON'T SURVIVE, THEY PLANT SEEDS FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> A LOT OF THE PINECONES WILL OPEN ON THEIR OWN OVER TIME.

WHEN A FIRE COMES THROUGH, IT OPENS VIRTUALLY ALL OF THEM.

>> THE ECOSYSTEM THAT IS OUT THERE, IN ESSENCE IT WAS NECESSARY TO CONTINUE LIFE.

SEVERAL OF THE SPECIES THAT WILL ACTUALLY THRIVE FROM THIS EVENT THAT OCCURRED, AND IN HISTORY IT WILL OCCUR SOMEDAY.

>> Reporter: THE MULLICA RIVER FIRE BURN THROUGH MORE THAN 13,000 ACRES AND LEFT A LOT OF IT LOOKING BLACK AND.

STILL, MONTGOMERY SAYS THAT DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT MORE CATASTROPHIC.

>> IT COULD HAVE BURNED PARADISE CAMPGROUND TO THE SOUTH.

I THINK IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE FIRE EVENTUALLY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE DIDN'T HURT A PEOPLE, AND IT DIDN'T DESTROY ANY PROPERTY.

MONTGOMERY SAYS THE FIRE WOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE IF IT WENT FOR THE PRESCRIBED BURNS.

THE STATE AIMS TO BURN 20 TO 25,000 ACRES WORTH OF FORCED EACH YEAR TO MITIGATE THE RISK OF LARGER FIRES.

>> WE THINK IT IS TOO LOW OF A GOAL, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE NUMBER OF ACRES THAT YOU DO PRESCRIBED BURNING INCOME IS THE WAY YOU DO THE PRESCRIBED BURNING.

CREATING A LARGER, HOTTER FIRES GOING TO HAVE A MORE SIGNIFICANT ECOLOGICAL IMPACT.

>> Reporter: MONTGOMERY SAYS THIS PART OF THE FOREST WAS SCORCHED BY A SIMILAR WILDFIRE SEVEN YEARS AGO.

THESE TREES WERE ALMOST ALL ALIVE, SCARRED BLACK, BUT STILL GREEN AND FULL OF LIFE.

TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT'S IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW NIGHT.

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

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST TO OUR NJM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

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

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> I'M VERY GRATEFUL THAT I'M STILL HERE.

>> THAT IS ME AND MY DONOR WHEN WE WENT TO CELEBRATE THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH THE NEW KIDNEY AHEAD STRENGTH.

>> I'M STILL GROWING EVERYWHERE AND EXPLORE NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE, NOBODY.

NOW I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY LIFE, THAT'S POSSIBLE NOW.

>> THEY GAVE MY NORMAL LIFE BACK.

>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.