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

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY JOB.

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.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRENDA FLANAGAN.

--BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE GOVERNOR'S RACE IS FAR FROM OVER IF YOU ASK THE CIATTARELLI CAMP AT LAST THAT THE AP DECLARED GOVERNOR MURPHY THE PROJECTED WINNER OVER HIS CHALLENGER.

BUT NOT ALL THE BALLOTS ARE COUNTED YET.

IN FACT, POSSIBLY UP TO 100,000 MAIL-IN BALLOTS STILL NEED TO BE FACTORED IN WHICH COULD END UP SHIFTING THE GOVERNOR'S CURRENT NEED OF 40,000 VOTES, THOUGH IT IS NOT LIKELY.

AND ANOTHER CUTE RACE WAS CALLED TODAY.

THE DRAMATICALLY CHANGED THE LANDSCAPE IN NEW JERSEY.

STEVE SCENIC SWEENEY HAS BEEN DEFEATED BY A BARELY KNOWN NONUNION TRUCK DRIVER KNOWN AS EDWARD DIRT.

IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST UPDATES UPSETS IN THE POWER STRUCTURE.

BRENDA FLANAGAN IT LOOKS AT WHAT A >> DOWN SIGNALS IN THE DEMOCRATIC STATE.

PHIL MURPHY DELIVERED HIS DELAYED VICTORY SPEECH AFTER DECLARING THE WINNER OVER REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER JACK CIATTARELLI WHO REFUSE TO CAN SEEN AFTER ALL VOTES WERE COUNTED.

MURPHY CELEBRATED THE SO-CALLED BREAKING OF A CURSE.

HE IS THE ONLY GOVERNOR TO BE REELECTED IN NEW JERSEY SINCE 1977.

>> IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE, FOLKS, COME TO NEW JERSEY.

IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE AMERICA IS HEADING, LOOK TO NEW JERSEY.

AND IF YOU WANT TO BE GOVERNOR OF ALL OF NEW JERSEY, YOU MUST LISTEN TO ALL OF NEW JERSEY.

AND NEW JERSEY, I HEAR YOU.

>> THE LITTLE STRESS BALL, A NAILBITER.

I DID NOT THINK WE WOULD PULL IT OFF BUT WE DID.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS CHEERED BUT THEY ARE SPOOKED.

THE APPARENT LEFT SHIFT IN THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE THAT ENABLED MURPHY TO ENACT PROGRESSIVE MEASURES LIKE A $15 MINIMUM WAGE AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE SUFFERED A SEEMINGLY SEISMIC SNAPBACK WITH TUESDAY'S ABOUT OBSERVERS THINK JERSEY'S SUBURBS OCCUPY THAT MORE MODERATE POLITICAL SPACE ALL ALONG.

AND MURPHY'S MESSAGING MISSED THE MARK.

>> INSTEAD OF RUNNING ON A MESSAGE OF I WAS A CRISIS LEADER DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A PLAN TO MAKE NEW JERSEY AFFORDABLE AGAIN, ALL THOSE THINGS THAT WE GENERALLY SEE IN A NEW JERSEY CAMPAIGN, HE RAN ON HERE IS THE LAUNDRY LIST OF PROGRESSIVE WISH LIST ITEMS THAT I ACCOMPLISHED DURING MY FIRST TERM.

AND HE SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERPERFORMED WHERE A DEMOCRAT SHOULD BE.

THAT TELLS US THAT THAT IS NOT THE MESSAGE VOTERS WANT TO HEAR.

PUBLIC MONMOUTH POLLS PATRICK MURRAY APOLOGIZED TO BOTH CAMPAIGNS AND NEW JERSEY VOTERS ADMITTING HE MISSES THE REPUBLICAN OUTRAGE THAT BOOSTED CIATTARELLI AT THE BALLOT BOX BUT NOTED MURPHY'S MARGIN OF VICTORY MATCHED HIS POPULARITY WITH VOTERS AROUND 50%.

DEMOCRATS DID NOT REGISTER THE DEEP DISCONTENT TELEGRAPHED AT RALLIES AND RAUCOUS SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS.

>> THOSE PEOPLE WERE MOTIVATED TO COME OUT AND THE VERY NEXT SENTENCE AFTER UNMASKING KIDS IS GET RID OF MURPHY.

>> Reporter: ANALYSTS CONDUCTED POSTMORTEMS LOOKING FOR CLUES IN NEW JERSEY'S BODY POLITIC, PARTY OPERATIVE THAT DEMOCRATS NEED TO REACH OUT.

>> USE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE AND EDUCATE AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT WHY YOU DID NOT COME OUT.

ABOUT WHY WE HAVE THIS CONSISTENT ACTIVE RESIDENTIAL DROP OFF IN TURNOUT PARTICULARLY IN SOME COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: CIATTARELLI HAD COATTAILS.

DEMOCRATS SUFFERED LOSSES IN THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE ESPECIALLY THE STUNNING UPSET THAT KNOCKED OF LONGTIME POWERHOUSE UNIT RESIDENT EMMA STEVE SWEENEY WHO HAS NOT BEEN SEATED.

ASSEMBLY LEADER CRAIG KAUFMAN RETAINED HIS SEAT BUT LEADERSHIP IN THREE OR FOUR CAUCUSES COULD CHANGE, DAMPENING THE PROGRESSIVE HILLS IN THE HOPPER LIKE CODIFYING REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> THE PENDULUM WILL SWING BACK NOT ONLY WITH WHAT WE SAW IN TERMS OF WHO TURNOUT ON ELECTING DAY IS MORE MODERATE BUT NOW YOU WILL SEE THE PARTY RESPOND TO THAT AND START TO MOVE BACK.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS NOT GOING TO FIND AS RECEPTIVE AN AUDIENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE AS PERHAPS HE HAD BEFORE.

COURAGE IS A WELCOME COMMODITY WITH GETTING REELECTED ALSO A WELCOME COMMODITY AND THOSE GET BALANCED BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE DECISION-MAKING.

>> Reporter: FORMER -- A SUPPLEMENT JOHN WISNIEWSKI SAYS THE GOVERNOR --THE, DEMOCRATS ONGOING CIRCULAR FIRING SQUAD IN DC, THE FAILURE TO PASS MAJOR BILLS COST THEM POLITICAL MOMENTUM BACK HOME IN NEW JERSEY.

>> WASHINGTON ISN'T GETTING THINGS DONE THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE GETTING TIED DOWN IN INTERNAL FIGHTS.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR AND SUPPORTERS HELD HANDS AND DANCED LAST NIGHT BUT FUTURE POLITICAL DANCES WILL BE FAR MORE COMPLEX.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WITH THE MARGIN BETWEEN GOVERNOR MURPHY AND JACK CIATTARELLI HOVERING AROUND 1.5 TO 2%, IT IS LIKELY THE CIATTARELLI CAMP WILL CALL FOR A RECOUNT.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT AND HOW LONG COULD IT BE BEFORE NEW JERSEYANS HAVE A CERTIFIED ELECTION AND A VICTORY DECLARED?

SENIOR WRITER, COLLEEN ODEA BREAKS DOWN THE PROCESS.

IS THERE ANY CRITERIA, THRESHOLD IN PLACE OF NUMBERS THAT NEED TO COME IN FOR JACK CIATTARELLI TO CALL FOR A RECOUNT?

>> THERE REALLY AREN'T IN NEW JERSEY LAW.

SOME STATES HAVE PROVISIONS FOR AUTOMATIC RECOUNTS BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

THE ONE THING THAT THE CIATTARELLI CAMPAIGN WOULD HAVE TO KIND OF TRIED TO PROVE IS THAT THERE WERE SOME IRREGULARITIES.

YOU CAN'T JUST SAY WELL, I LOST BY THIS SMALL AMOUNT SO LET'S DO A RECOUNT.

HE WOULD HAVE TO SAY IN X COUNTY, THIS HAPPENED AND THEN MAKE IT INFLUENCE THE COUNT.

>> WITH THE MARGINS AS CLOSE AS IT IS, IT IS LIKELY THEY WILL ASK FOR A RECOUNT.

HOW LONG COULD THE PROCESS TAKE AND HOW LONG COULD WE BE WAITING FOR VERIFICATION OF THIS ELECTION?

>> SO THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO IN THE TIME CAME AND JIM FLORIO RACE AND IT TOOK ABOUT A MONTH TO GET THE RESULTS.

THAT IS ON TOP OF THE WHOLE TIME THAT YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR ASKING FOR THE RECOUNT SO YOU CAN'T ASK FOR A RECOUNT UNTIL AFTER ALL THE VOTES ARE IN.

THAT IS NEXT MONDAY AT THE EARLIEST.

WE DO HAVE A TOTAL OF 19 DAYS --EXCUSE ME, 17 DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION TO ASK FOR IT SO THAT WOULD BRING US TO NOVEMBER 19th.

IF THEY DON'T ASK UNTIL NOVEMBER 19th AND WE ARE LOOKING AT MAYBE CHRISTMAS, KNOWING WHAT THE FINAL OUTCOME IS.

>> IF THESE VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS CONTINUE TO COME IN, FAVORING DEMOCRATS, FAVORING GOVERNOR MURPHY, DOES IT BECOME LESS LIKELY THAT CIATTARELLI'S TEAM ASKS FOR A RECOUNT?

>> I THINK SO.

RIGHT NOW, YOU KNOW, AS WE ARE REPORTING THIS, THE RACE HAS ALREADY GOTTEN FURTHER APART SO WE ARE NOW UP TO A 40,000 VOTE MARGIN FOR MURPHY, ABOUT 1.5 PERCENTAGE POINTS.

RECOUNTS AS WE SAW FROM LAST YEAR AND ACTUALLY FROM THAT CANE/FLORIO RACE DON'T USUALLY FIND A LOT MORE VOTES.

FINDING 40,000 VOTES I THINK WOULD BE KIND OF DIFFICULT.

>> PEOPLE ARE STILL CALLING INTO QUESTION THE VALIDITY OF THIS RACE.

WE ARE HEARING IT ALL DAY TODAY, IT IS FIXED, CERTAIN COUNTIES FLIPPED AFTER THEY WERE 100%.

WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THESE NUMBERS AS THEY CAME IN FROM THE TIME THE ELECTION STARTED FROM THE TIME THE POLLS CLOSE.

HAVE ANY COUNTIES FLIPPED THAT WERE ORIGINALLY ONE RED THAN BLUE?

DID WE SEE THAT ANYWHERE HAPPENING DURING THIS ELECTION?

>> SO THE BIGGEST ONE WHERE THAT HAPPENED WAS BERGEN COUNTY AND THERE WERE PROBABLY TWO GOOD REASONS FOR THAT.

ONE IS THAT UNTIL ALL OF THE PRECINCTS ARE COUNTED, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE THE VOTES ARE COMING FROM.

VOTES TYPICALLY DO COME IN LATER FROM SOME OF THE MORE URBAN AREAS BECAUSE THEY OFTEN HAVE MORE VOTERS.

THE SECOND REASON IS THOSE VOTE BY MAIL AND EARLY VOTE TALLIES.

BOTH OF THOSE FAVOR DEMOCRATS SO THERE ARE MORE DEMOCRATS VOTING AND THAT SHOULD HAVE FAVORED PHIL MURPHY.

>> THAT SHOULD BE HOW THE VOTE BY HIM MAIL NUMBERS CONTINUE TO TURN TOWARDS MURPHY.

THANK YOU, COLLEEN ODEA, SO MUCH.

>>> A TECTONIC POWER SHIP SHIFT MOVING THROUGH TENT AND AFTER ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL POLITICAL PLAYERS WAS TAKEN DOWN SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY WILL ABDICATE THE THRONE LEAVING THE POLITICAL MACHINE WITHOUT ITS STAR PLAYER.

NAMES HAVE ALREADY BEEN MENTIONED AS POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS.

SENATORS PAUL SARLO, --KOTHARI AND JOE CRYAN ALL NEW JERSEY SENATORS WHO COULD FILL THE OPEN LANE.

IT APPEARS ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN HAS THE VOTES TO HOLD ONTO HIS SEAT AND SENATOR LORETTA WEINBERG IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THE YEAR BECAUSE OF DOUBLE WAS PASSING HER LONG-HELD TORCH TO RUIZ WHO COULD BECOME THE MAJORITY SENATE LEADER IN THE STATE.

MEANWHILE REPUBLICANS ARE RESTRUCTURING THEIR LEADERSHIP AS NEWCOMERS JOINED THE TEAM.

SENATORS STEPHEN R WHO WAS NAMED LEADER OF THE PARTY REPLACING TOM KING JR. WHO HELD THE POST FOR 14 YEARS.

THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP CHANGES WILL TAKE EFFECT AFTER THE LAME DUCK SESSION ENDS OF THE SHIP SWEARING IN AND JANUARY.

WHAT WILL BE UNFINISHED BUSINESS THAT DEMOCRATS TRY TO PUSH THROUGH IN THE FINAL WEEKS?

MELISSA ROSE COOPER TAKES A LOOK.

>> WE NEED POLICE REFORM.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WAY POLICING IS DONE.

IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

COMMUNITY ACTIVIST, LARRY HAMZA SOME OF THE REFORMS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND SAFETY MAY NOT HAPPEN IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN SOON.

>> RIGHT NOW THE TOP PRIORITY IS A CIVILIAN POLICE REVIEW BOARDS WITH SUBPOENA POWER.

AND THAT IS A REFORM THAT WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR FOR 60 YEARS.

ALSO, PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CALLING ON THE GOVERNOR TO BAN THIS BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW POLICE TO LOOK AT BODYCAM FOOTAGE BEFORE THEY GIVE THEIR STORY AS TO WHAT HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: POLICE REFORMS, ABORTION RIGHTS AND EXEMPTIONS FOR VACCINES ARE ALL HOT POCKETS TOPICS THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED DURING THE LAME DUCK SESSION.

MANY BILLS ARE ON THE GOVERNOR'S DEATH.

>> I THINK THE LAME-DUCK SESSION IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFERENT AFTER THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION THAN WE THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO BE.

CLEARLY, THERE IS A LOT OF LEGISLATION THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS TO DEAL WITH WHETHER HE WANTS TO OR NOT.

JUST BECAUSE IF HE DOESN'T ACT ON IT, IT WILL AUTOMATICALLY BECOME LAW.

>> Reporter: IN NEW JERSEY, ANY BILL WAITING FOR THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE MORE THAN 25 DAYS CAN BECOME LAW.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE MORE THAN 40 WAITING FOR THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY IS EXPECTED TO VETO OR SIGN THEM DURING THE LAME-DUCK SESSION LEADING SOME NEW JERSEYANS TO WONDER WHY HE WAITED SO LONG.

>> HE WAS PREOCCUPIED I THINK WITH THE ELECTION.

CLEARLY.

ALSO, HE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY BY WAITING UNTIL NOW TO NOT ACT ON SOME CONTROVERSIAL STUFF BEFORE THE ELECTION.

SO THOSE WERE THINGS THAT COULD HAVE TURNED OFF SOME GROUPS OF VOTERS SO HE REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THOSE HOT BUTTONS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER, FOR BETTER OR WORSE, THE HOT BUTTONS DIDN'T GO AWAY BUT HE CAN ACT ON THEM NOW WITHOUT WAITING WORRYING ABOUT -- >> >> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH HE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO VETO OR SIGN THE PENDING BILLS, --WILL ULTIMATELY CHANGE HOW THE LEGISLATURE CAN MOVE FORWARD WHEN IT COMES TO ISSUES LIKE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

>> AT THIS POINT, IF THE DEMOCRATS AREN'T SCALING THE BACK, THEY SOON WILL BE.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE THE EXPENSIVE PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE.

IF ANYTHING GETS OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE AT THIS POINT, IT MAY NOT.

>> I THINK THE VOTERS HAVE SENT A MESSAGE AND THIS MESSAGE WAS TO BOTH MURPHY AND TO THE LEGISLATURE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR DECISIONS IN TRENTON ARE MODERATE, IN THE MIDDLE BECAUSE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, DEMOCRATS THOUGHT THEY COULD DO ANYTHING THEY WANTED AND MURPHY THOUGHT THEY COULD DO ANYTHING THEY WANTED.

GUESS WHAT X NOVEMBER 2nd WAS A MESSAGE.

YOU REALLY CAN'T DO THAT.

YOU BETTER JUST BE REASONABLE, SMART AND PRACTICAL OTHERWISE GUESS WHAT?

WE MAY KICK YOU OUT.

>> Reporter: IT IS UNCLEAR WHICH BILLS WILL BE SIGNED INTO LAW BUT THE GOVERNOR PLANS TO MEET ANY DEADLINES.

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

>>> GOING OUT TO EAT IN NEW JERSEY WILL FEEL A LITTLE DIFFERENT TODAY.

THE STATES NEW STRAW LAW WILL PREVENT BUSINESSES FROM GIVING OUT PLASTIC STRAWS UNLESS YOU ASK FOR ONE.

THIS IS ONE PART OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATIONS ATTACK ON SINGLE USE PLASTICS TO CONTRIBUTE TO MILLIONS OF PLASTIC FRAGMENTS FLOATING IN THE WATERWAYS AROUND NEW JERSEY.

THOSE FRAGMENTS MAKE THEIR WAY INTO THE FOOD CHAIN AND THREATEN HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM.

THE LAW WILL ALSO BAN ALL THIN SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS.

SOME CONCESSIONS WILL REMAIN FOR DRY-CLEANING BAGS AND THOSE USED FOR PRODUCE.

PAPERBACKS WILL BE BANNED ALONG WITH ITEMS MADE WITH POLYSTYRENE ALSO KNOWN AS STYROFOAM.

THAT WILL START AT THE END OF MAY NEXT YEAR.

WHEN IT DOES, NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE THE MOST AGGRESSIVE STANCE AGAINST SINGLE USE PLASTICS IN THE NATION.

BUSINESSES THAT MAKE THE RULES WILL FACE A FINDS.

>>> MARK YOUR CALENDARS IF YOU WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THE DATE IS SET WHEN YOU NEED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED OR FACE TESTING.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS PLUS ALL THE OTHER SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS HEADLINES.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATE MIRANDA?

>> JOANNA, THE GOVERNMENT'S NEW RULES ON VACCINE MANDATES IN THE WORKPLACE ARE OUT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S MANDATE COVERS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO WORK FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES WITH MORE THAN 100 EMPLOYEES.

STARTING ON JANUARY 4, WORKERS MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 OR UNDERGO WEEKLY TEST FOR CORONAVIRUS EXPOSURE.

COMPANIES DO NOT NEED TO PAY FOR TESTING BUT THEY DO NEED TO GIVE WORKERS TIME OFF TO GET VACCINATED.

ANYONE WHO ISN'T VACCINATED BY DECEMBER 5th MUST WEAR A MASK.

COMPANIES THAT DON'T COMPLY WITH THESE RULES CAN BE FINED.

THERE IS A SEPARATE RULE FOR 70 MILLION HEALTHCARE WORKERS THAT ALSO MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED BY JANUARY 4th BUT THEY DO NOT GET A TESTING OPTION.

BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS WHOSE PROPERTIES WERE DAMAGED DURING HURRICANE IDA HAVE MORE TIME TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL DISASTER LOANS.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAS EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FOR BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS, HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS.

THE NEW DEADLINE IS DECEMBER 6th.

LOW-INTEREST ROAST LOW INTEREST LOANS TO PAY FOR REPAIRS.

BUSINESSES CAN BORROW UP TO $200 AND HOMEOWNERS CAN APPLY FOR UP TO $200,000.

>>> COMPANIES HAVE WORK TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO INCREASING DIVERSITY.

A REPORT FROM EXECUTIVE WOMEN OF NEW JERSEY SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO PLACING WOMEN ON THE CORPORATE BOARDS OF PUBLIC COMPANIES, PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE.

BUT RACIAL MINORITIES AREN'T SEEING THE SAME PROGRESS.

ANNA MARIA TO HEAD IS PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION.

LAST YEAR WITH THE PANDEMIC, WITH THE RACIAL RECKONING THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THIS COUNTRY, I THINK THIS HAS BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE TO REALLY PRESS CORPORATIONS TO HAVE DIVERSE CORPORATE BOARDS MORE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE CLIENT BASE OF THE CUSTOMER BASE.

>>> FINALLY RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AGREEMENT KNOWN AS THE RACK IS GOING TO BE CALLED JERSEY MIKE'S ARENA.

THEY SIGNED A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR AGREEMENT WITH THE SANDWICH CHAIN.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE STOCK MARKET TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER WITH YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS SPONSORED BY FIELD MERCHANTS OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NEW JERSEY.

>> TUNING WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEK AND AS SHE PUTS THE JOB MARKET AND FOCUS AND TAKES A LOOK AT HOW THE NEW JERSEY WORKFORCE IS CHANGING.

FROM COMPANIES NO LONGER DEMANDING COLLEGE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS TO WORKERS USING THEIR NEWFOUND LEVERAGE TO FIND BETTER JOBS.

CHECK IT OUT SATURDAYS AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> THEY ARE NOT THE FLASHIEST RATE RACES TO WATCH ON ELECTION DAY BUT THE PEOPLE ELECTED TO YOUR LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION CAN HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON YOUR DAILY LIFE.

AS EDUCATION ISSUES FLARED IN THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION, SO, TOO DID THE TEMPERATURE IN SOME OF THESE SCHOOL BOARD RACES WHERE PARENTS DEMANDED MORE SAY IN THEIR KIDS EDUCATION.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> THIS WAS A RESPONSE FROM PARENTS.

IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

IT IS NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE.

WE NEED TO TRY SOMETHING BETTER TO MAKE IT BETTER.

WE REPORTER AND GOING FOR RENTAL ANGER AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS ACROSS THE STATE WITH MANY ARGUING FOR CHOICE WHEN IT COMES TO PANDEMIC RELATED RESTRICTIONS.

THAT ANGER REACH THE POLLS THIS WEEK WITH INCUMBENTS AND FAVORITES IN THEIR RACES.

>> PARENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN SCHOOLS AND WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

THEY SHOULD HAVE A ROLE IN THE CURRICULUM, IN HOW THEY SEE SCHOOLS CONDUCTING THE DAY.

>> Reporter: IN MONTCLAIR, PARENTS WANTED MORE OF A SAY AND PARENTS GOT A BIG WIN WHEN VOTERS APPROVED CHANGES FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD.

CITIZENS WILL VOTE FOR ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BEFORE TUESDAY'S VOTE.

IT WAS THE MAYOR WHO APPOINTED THE BOARD.

>> FIRST WHILE THERE IS NO PROCESS.

AND THIS ISN'T A SLIGHT AGAINST ANYONE BUT IF YOU ASK OUR MAYOR OR PREVIOUS MAYORS WHAT THEIR PROCESS WAS, TO CONSIDER, TYPICALLY YOU GET WORDS LIKE IT IS A FEELING OR IT IS WHO I ENCOUNTER OR WHO I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO.

OR IS NOT ABOUT NO ONE IS FILLING SOMETHING OUT, BEING SCREEN, GOING FOR AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO GET A THIRD-PARTY PERSPECTIVE OR ANY OF THAT SO I DO THINK IT IS DANGEROUS.

>> Reporter: PETERS AS WELL HE HAS NO ISSUE WITH THE MAYOR OR THE MEMBERS OF HIS CHOOSING, HE HAS AN ISSUE WITH THE PROCESS, A PROCESS HE SAYS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO HOLD ANYTHING ACCOUNTABLE.

>> AND IT BANKES ON HAVING THE PERSON YOU WANT BEING THE MAYOR AND THEN YOU HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE BUT INFLUENCE OVER SCHOOL POLICY FOR A FOUR YEAR PERIOD.

WITH THE NEW MODEL WHICH WE MOVE TOWARD, AND 97 OTHER MUNICIPALITIES DO THIS IN NEW JERSEY, EVERY YEAR, BOARD MEMBERS ARE UP FOR RE-ELECTION SO VOTERS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE INFLUENCE ON THE DIRECTION OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WHAT THEY SAID THEY WANT TO SEE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, MONTCLAIR HAS HAD SIX DIFFERENT SUPERINTENDENTS.

>> IT IS FULL OF ENGAGED PARENTS AND THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN ISSUES ONGOING WHERE PARENTS ARE NECESSARILY HAPPY WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AND MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

I THINK THIS WAS A PERFECT STORM OF THE CONFLICT OF THE MAYOR ALONG WITH COVID AND I WOULD SAY COVID HAS DEFINITELY BROUGHT IT UP AS AN ISSUE TO ADDRESS.

>> Reporter: STILL, MACK OPPOSES THE SCHOOL BOARD CHANGES IN MONTCLAIR AS DOES COUNCIL MEMBER, DAVID CUMMINGS.

>> WE HAVE FOUND DURING THE DEEP DIVE INTO THE RESEARCH THAT THERE ISN'T ANY DATA THAT SHOWS AN ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD HAS BETTER EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES THAN AN APPOINTED SCHOOL BOARD SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT SUPPORTS ONE OR THE OTHER BASED ON THAT.

>> THE APPOINTED BOARD, WHERE MAYORS TRADITIONALLY MADE SURE THAT ALL THE BOARDS ARE REPRESENTED IN THEIR SELECTIONS, AND THEY ALSO MADE SURE THEY WERE ABLE TO CHOOSE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TALENT THAT THEY WANTED ON THE BOARD.

BUT IF YOU ONLY NEED 10 SIGNATURES TO RUN, IT'S GOING TO BE CHAOS.

THAT'S MY POINT IN TERMS OF WHEN YOU ASK ME MY CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: CHECKS AND BALANCES THAT SENATOR MICHAEL DOHERTY SAYS WAS BROUGHT TO LIFE DUE TO COVID.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE THESE ONE-SIZE- FITS-ALL POLICIES AND SHUT UP PEOPLE FROM THE PROCESS, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE A PUSHBACK AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE BECAUSE YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO IT AND WIN AND SERVE IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND HAVE A VOICE.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> IT'S DAY TWO FOR YOUNGER KIDS WANT TO GET VACCINATED BUT THE LINES ARE SHORTER IN THIS GROUP BECAUSE SO MANY PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO GET THEIR KIDS THE SHOT.

THIS AS THE STATE REPORTS TODAY THERE ARE 6,090,000 RESIDENTS FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT FOR SOME PARENTS, FEAR ABOUT THE SHOT HAS BEEN SPARKED BY MISINFORMATION CIRCULATING AMONG PARENT GROUPS AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT IS MAKING IT HARD FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS TO REACH FAMILIES.

I SPOKE WITH HEALTH SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT WILLIAM PATTERSON UNIVERSITY, DR. COREY BASCH ABOUT THE CHALLENGE.

WE KNOW THE PARENTS FALL INTO THREE CATEGORIES, THOSE EAGER TO GET KIDS VACCINATED, THOSE WERE HESITANT AND THOSE WHO SAY THEY NEVER WILL.

TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE HEARING ON THE GROUND AND SOME OF THE MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN SPREADING WITH PARENTS?

>> JUST LIKE WE SAW WITH THE ADULTS, VACCINATIONS CAMPAIGN, WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE SAME THING WITH CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS WHEREBY MISINFORMATION HITS SOCIAL MEDIA AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL IT.

AND THE REAL PROBLEM HERE IS THAT THOSE WHO TEND TO BE VERY OPPOSED TO THE VACCINATION ARE GIVING ANECDOTAL STORIES AND THESE STORIES TEND TO BE UNVERIFIABLE SO TESTIMONIALS, VERY GRAPHIC PICTURES AND ONE FACT CHECKERS GO TO FOLLOW UP ON THOSE STORIES, OFTEN, WE FIND THEY ARE NOT VERIFIABLE BUT THERE IS A LOT OF DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN DONE BECAUSE THE AXIS IS SO WIDESPREAD AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THESE STORIES ALREADY.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS SPECIFICALLY THAT YOU ARE HEARING AND HOW MUCH IS JUST PROVABLE?

OF US SOME TANGIBLES?

>> THERE ARE JUST ANECDOTAL ACCOUNTS WERE A CHILD, THEY ARE SHOWING VIDEOS WHERE CHILDREN CAN NO LONGER FUNCTION THE WAY THEY COULD, PRIOR TO THE VACCINE.

AND THEN WHEN SOMEONE GOES TO FACT CHECK THAT AND GET EVIDENCE AND THEY TEND TO SEE THAT THESE ARE GENERALLY ANECDOTAL AND THAT THE FACTUAL INFORMATION ISN'T NECESSARILY THERE.

HAVING SAID THAT, IT IS NOT IMPOSSIBLE THAT A CHILD COULD HAVE SIDE EFFECTS JUST LIKE AN ADULT COULD AND SO REALLY, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REALLY PUSHING PARENTS TO SPEAK WITH THEIR CHILDREN'S PEDIATRICIANS TO GET THE FACTUAL INFORMATION AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS RATHER THAN TURNING TO PLACES LIKE SOCIAL MEDIA THAT WE KNOW ARE FILLED WITH UNVERIFIABLE ACCOUNTS AND REALLY ARE PUSHING PEOPLE IN A DIRECTION AT A TIME WHEN THEY ARE VERY SENSITIVE AND FEELING VERY VULNERABLE AND WORN OUT FRANKLY FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> WITH SOMETHING THAT IS SO NEW LIKE THIS COVID VACCINE FOR KIDS, HOW DO YOU SPREAD INFORMATION IN A WAY THAT OFFERS REAL TANGIBLE, SAFE ADVICE TO PARENTS?

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE PROFESSIONALS IN THESE SPACES WHERE PARENTS TURN TO AND RIGHT NOW, WE ARE LOOKING VERY HEAVILY AT SOCIAL MEDIA AND HOW DO WE GET MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS SEEN ON THESE PLATFORMS SO THAT THEY CAN NEGATE A LOT OF THE NEGATIVE MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION THAT IS SO PREVALENT ON THE PLATFORMS AND THAT SPREADS SO INCREDIBLY QUICKLY.

ONCE THIS INFORMATION SPREADS, IT IS SO DIFFICULT AND MAKES OUR JOB ALMOST INSURMOUNTABLE TO BACKTRACK AND NEGATE ALL OF THESE ACCOUNTS THAT NEED TO BE DISPROVEN.

>> DR. COREY BASCH, THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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