>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

WE BEGAN WITH A POTENTIALLY POWERFUL NEW TOOL IN FIGHTING THE CORONAVIRUS.

AN EXPERIMENTAL PILL THAT TREATS COVID-19.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY REPORTS THE MEDICATION CUT THE RISK OF HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH BY NEARLY HALF IN A CLINICAL TRIAL.

THIS WAS GIVEN TO HIGH RISK PATIENTS EARLY IN THEIR INFECTIONS.

THE RESULTS WERE SO POSITIVE THAT AN INDEPENDENT BOARD OF EXPERTS RECOMMENDED THE TRIAL STOPPED EARLY TO ALLOW THEM TO APPLY FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FDA IN WHAT COULD BE THE FIRST ANTIVIRAL PILL FOR COVID-19.

AS THE STATE REPORTS, ANOTHER ROUGHLY 1600 NEW CASES AND 16 MORE DEATHS.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS MAINTAIN VACCINES ARE STILL THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST THE DEADLY VIRUS.

MORE THAN 5.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

ROUGHLY 140,000 RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN A THIRD DOSE SHOWN TO BOOST IMMUNITY AND PROTECTION.

SO FAR ONLY PFIZER HAS BEEN GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT FROM FEDERAL REGULATORS TO ADMINISTER SO-CALLED BOOSTER SHOTS FOR HIGH RISK PEOPLE, BUT MODERNA IS RIGHT ON THEIR HEELS.

STEPHANIE, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

LET ME START FIRST WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT, THE COMPANY HAS BEEN FAIRLY QUIET SINCE HE PULLED OUT OF THE VACCINE GAME, WHAT DOES THAT SAY TO YOU, HOW TELLING IS IT THAT THEY STOPPED THIS CLINICAL TRIAL EARLY BECAUSE OF THE RESULTS?

>> THEY WERE HOPING TO ENROLL OVER 1000 PEOPLE BUT AFTER SEEING THE RESULTS FROM ABOUT 775, THEY WERE SO POSITIVE IN TERMS OF THE OUTCOME THAT THEY WERE SEEING THAT THEY STOPPED THE TRIAL BECAUSE AT THAT POINT IT WOULD NO LONGER BE ETHICAL TO NOT GIVE THE DRUGS TO PEOPLE WHO WERE IN THE PLACEBO ARM AND THAT'S WHY WE TEND TO STOP THOSE TRIALS EARLY.

>> WHAT KIND OF IMPACT IS THIS GOING TO HAVE.

WE ARE IN A NATION LARGELY VACCINATED COMPARED TO OTHER COUNTRIES.

WHERE WILL THIS BE FELT IF THIS DOES IN FACT GET EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION?

>> THESE TRIALS WERE EXCLUSIVELY DONE AND PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT VACCINATED SO WHAT THIS IS SAYING IS IN PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED, THEY WERE 50 PERCENT LESS LIKELY TO HAVE HOSPITALIZATION OR DEATH IF THEY WERE ALREADY SHOWING MILD SYMPTOMS.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY SHOWING SEVERE SYMPTOMS, IT'S TOO LATE TO TREAT WITH THIS DRUG, BUT FOR PEOPLE COMING IN GETTING TESTED EARLY, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN REDUCING THE RISK OF ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL OR DEATH AND THAT HAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT IMPACTS.

TO KEEP SOME OF THE PRESSURE OFF OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS AND FEWER PEOPLE ARE DYING WHICH IS ALWAYS A GOOD OUTCOME.

>> LET'S TRANSITION TO THE FACT THAT HERE IN NEW JERSEY WE'VE BEEN GEARING UP TO GIVE OUT BOOSTER SHOTS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED THROUGH PFIZER.

WHAT'S ON TAP WITH MODERNA?

ANOTHER COMPANY THAT WE HAVEN'T HEARD AS MUCH ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE BOOSTERS BUT THEY ARE RIGHT ON THE CUSP, YES?

>> RIGHT, THEY HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR DATA TO THE FDA FOR A BOOSTER DOSE, A THIRD DOSE AT HALF OF WHAT THE PREVIOUS DOSAGE HAD BEEN.

THEY LOOKED AT A BOOSTER THAT'S 50 MICROGRAMS BECAUSE THAT WAS SHOWN TO BE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WITHOUT GIVING MORE THAN IS NECESSARY.

>> SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE A HIGHER AMOUNT OF THE VACCINE IN EACH DOSE, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S MORE DURABLE?

>> THE DATA COMING OUT, REAL- WORLD DATA OUTSIDE CLINICAL SETTINGS ARE SHOWING THAT THE MODERNA VACCINE HAS EFFICACY THAT IS MORE DURABLE SO WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SAME AMOUNT OF DROP OFF SO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD MODERNA WHO ARE NOT OTHERWISE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, MAY NOT NEED THAT THIRD DOSE AS SOON AS SOMEBODY MAYBE WITH PFIZER.

>> IT IS A FINE LINE, YOU WANT TO GIVE THE BEST EFFECT POSSIBLE WITHOUT GIVING TOO MUCH OF THE MEDICATION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE'S A CERTAIN RETURN ON INVESTMENT AND YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DOSE RESPONSE.

AT A CERTAIN POINT, GIVING MORE DOESN'T NECESSARILY PROTECT YOU MORE AND MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF ADVERSE OUTCOMES SO YOU WANT TO WALK THAT FINE LINE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE TO BE HOSPITALIZED OR TWO UNFORTUNATELY DIED, WITHOUT GIVING DOSES THAT ARE MORE THAN WHAT ARE NEEDED.

>> GOOD TO TALK TO YOU AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU.

>>> HOW THAT SOME FRIENDLY COMPETITION TO BOOST VACCINE RATES?

THE MAYORS OF TRENTON AND PATTERSON ARE WAGING A BAD OVER WHICH CITY CAN GET THE HIGHEST COVID-19 VACCINATION RATE AMONG RESIDENTS BY THE END OF THE YEAR AND THE MOST 12 TO 17-YEAR- OLDS IMMUNIZED AGAINST THE VIRUS.

TO COMPARE, 73 PERCENT OF ELIGIBLE TRENTON RESIDENTS HAVE AT LEAST ONE SHOT WHILE 58 PERCENT ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

IN PATTERSON, THE THIRD-LARGEST CITY IN THE STATE, THEY ARE AHEAD WITH 86 PERCENT OF RESIDENTS WHO HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE DOSE AND 73 PERCENT OF PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED.

THE LOSING CITY WILL HAVE TO FEED THE OTHER TOWNS FIRST RESPONDERS, BOTH MAYORS OVERSEE LARGE MINORITY POPULATIONS AND SAY THEY HAVE HAD TO DO EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY OUTREACH TO OVERCOME VACCINE HESITANCY.

>>> WITH THE MAJORITY OF SCHOOL AGE KIDS STILL INELIGIBLE FOR COVID-19 VACCINES, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SET ASIDE MORE THAN $260 MILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF AID TO HELP DISTRICTS SET UP REGULAR TESTING, BUT UNLIKE VACCINES FOR TEACHERS AND STAFF, THE STATE IS NOT MANDATING SCHOOLS TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH WEEKLY TESTS FOR STUDENTS, LEADING TO A PATCHWORK OF EFFORTS AND MORE FRUSTRATION AMONG THE PARENTS AND EDUCATORS.

>> WE WERE MEANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF WOULD BE TESTED AT THE SCHOOLS BUT NO TYPE OF TESTING THAT WE HAD TO LAST YEAR IS IN PLACE IN ANY OF THE SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: THE NEWARK TEACHERS UNION IS ASKING THE DISTRICT TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS PROMISE TO START A TESTING PROGRAM TO MINIMIZE DISRUPTION THE SCHOOL YEAR.

IN NEARBY MONTCLAIR, PARENTS GOT TIRED OF WAITING FOR THEIR DISTRICT TO DO THE SAME, AND A GROUP OF MOMS TOOK MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.

>> I WAS LIKE WHY DON'T WE AS PARENTS COME TOGETHER AND ORGANIZE OUR OWN POP-UP TESTING SITES AT LOCATIONS NEAR THE SCHOOLS SO THAT MORE KIDS CAN GET TESTED?

>> Reporter: THEY PARTNERED WITH MED RIGHT AND THE MONTCLAIR FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE TO SET UP A DIFFERENT TESTING SITE EVERY THURSDAY NEXT TO A SCHOOL.

THEY LAUNCH YESTERDAY HERE AND HAD ABOUT 50 PEOPLE TURN UP, AND BY THIS MORNING, THEY HAD THEIR TEST RESULTS ARE READY.

>> IN OUR PERFECT WORLD THE DISTRICT TAKES IT OVER, THIS IS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK AND WE DON'T MIND DOING IT BUT WE DEFINITELY HAVE JOBS AND KIDS TO TAKE CARE OF AND WE ARE HOPING THE DISTRICT CAN DO SOMETHING THAT IS EQUIVALENT TO THIS, TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE COMING TO SCHOOL WITHOUT COVID.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS NO DASHBOARD, SO PARENTS HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY STUDENTS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE OR QUARANTINED SO FAR THIS YEAR AND THEY'RE ASKING FOR THAT INFORMATION TO BE SHARED.

IN NEWER, SO FAR, 75 OUT OF 35,000 STUDENTS AND 74 OUT OF 10,000 TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE TESTED POSITIVE, AND WHILE THAT IS ONLY ABOUT .02 PERCENT, THE IMPACT IS GREATER.

>> TESTING REMAINS A CRITICAL NEED BECAUSE IT'S ADDING TO A FRUSTRATION THAT IS AFFECTING INSTRUCTION.

BECAUSE OF THE MYSTERY OF SURROUNDING WHICH CHILD HAS IT AND WHICH CHILD DOESN'T, MI IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE CHILD WHO IS A SILENT CARRIER AND MI NOW A CARRIER, WRINGING IT HOME TO MY ELDERLY PARENTS OR TO MY FAMILY OR MY OWN CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IS CALLING CAUSING TEACHERS TO CALL OUT OF WORK.

THE SUPERINTENDENT HASN'T RESPONDED YET WITH HIS PLANS FOR THE PROGRAM AND NEITHER HAS THE MONTCLAIR SUPERINTENDENT, BUT CHATHAM'S SUPERINTENDENT EXPLAINED THE CHIP PLAN THIS YEAR.

>> LAST YEAR WE HAD A VENDOR COME IN ONCE A WEEK EVERY FRIDAY AND WE OFFERED TESTING AS AN OPTION FOR ALL FAMILIES AND ALL STAFF MEMBERS IN THE DISTRICT ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS.

>> Reporter: OVER THE SUMMER, THEY SHIFTED FROM OFFERING IT TO FAMILIES, TO ONLY PROVIDING TESTING TO UNVACCINATED STAFF.

>> ONCE WE RECEIVED WORD FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ABOUT THE PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES THEY ARE OFFERING TO DISTRICTS, THEN WE WILL BROADEN THE PROGRAM AND INCORPORATE STUDENTS AGAIN LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: IT IS BELIEVED THAT IT IS ALSO ABOUT THE MONEY AND NEWARK.

>> WE WOULD IMPLORE, ONCE AGAIN FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN AND FOR THE SAKE OF TEACHING AND LEARNING, TO TEST NOW AND WORRY ABOUT WHO WILL PAY FOR IT LATER.

>> Reporter: WELL MONTCLAIR FIGURES IT OUT, THESE MOMS PLAN TO BE OUT HERE EVERY THURSDAY.

>> IF IT'S NECESSARY TO KEEP IT GOING TO THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR I THINK THERE'S ENOUGH PEOPLE THAT WANT TO DO THAT IS THAT ENOUGH INTEREST AND WE WANT TO EXPAND THIS TO MORE SITES AND KEEP THIS GOING AS LONG AS NEEDED.

>> Reporter: THEIR GOAL IS TO SET UP A BIT TESTING IN EVERY SCHOOL.

>>> IT'S BEEN NEARLY A MONTH SINCE THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA RAVITCH NEW JERSEY, DESTROYING HOMES AND DISPLACING RESIDENTS.

AS OF THIS MORNING, THAT MONEY HAS NOT HELPED HUNDREDS OF LOW- INCOME TENANTS FROM HARDHEAD ELIZABETH WHO ARE GROWING DRESS SPREAD FOR ANSWERS AND FEELING DESERTED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

>> I HAVE NOTHING, MY WIG SOMEBODY GAVE ME, MY CLOSE SOMEBODY GAVE ME.

>> Reporter: TENANTS FREELY VENTED THEIR GRIEF AND ANGER AS THEY GATHER TO DEMAND ACTION IN FRONT OF THE OAKWOOD PLAZA APARTMENTS IN ELIZABETH.

I IT IS DEADLY FLOODING DROWNED FOUR PEOPLE AND DESTROYED 300 UNITS OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING.

DISPLACED HAIR FAMILIES COUCH SURFING BETWEEN RELATIVES AND HOTELS, FEEL ABANDONED.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE NO EMPATHY OR SYMPATHY.

>> WE ARE OUTRAGED, ALL OF US.

WE HAVE NO HELP, WE HAVE NOTHING.

>> Reporter: THIS DISPLACED RESIDENT HAS A NEW TENANT RIGHTS ORGANIZATION WHICH ISSUED A LIST OF DEMANDS INCLUDING SECTION 8 HOUSING VOUCHERS OR FOR ANY DISPLACED TENANT WHO REQUEST ONE.

THE GROUP FORMED AFTER ELIZABETH'S MAYOR TOWARD THE DEVASTATED COMPLEX WITH HUD DEPUTY SECRETARY ADRIAN TODMAN, BUT DIDN'T MEET WITH TENANTS.

>> WITH HARD, HOW CAN YOU WORK WITH SOMEBODY AT THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND NOT SPEAK TO YOUR OWN TENANTS?

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: TENANTS WANT TO MEET WITH HUD SECRETARY, THEY COMPLAINED OAKWOOD'S MANAGEMENT COMMUNITY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES OR CIS IS OFFERING TO PLACE THEM IN APARTMENTS LOCATED IN SOUTH JERSEY, FAR FROM CRUCIAL CONNECTIONS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THEIR JOBS AND THEIR LIVES AND DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS?

WE ARE ALREADY LIVING IN LOW- INCOME HOUSING, SO WHEN WE MOVED DOWN TO ATLANTIC CITY, HOW ARE WE GOING TO WORK?

>> WE NEED SECTION 8 VOUCHERS.

THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME BACK HERE, LET THEM HAVE THAT OPTION.

DON'T TREAT US LIKE SLAVES BECAUSE SLAVERY IS OVER.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS AND WE HAVE TO START TO DO THE RIGHT THING NOW.

>> Reporter: AFFORDABLE HOUSING ADVOCATE SAYS HUD'S REDTAPE TIES UP THOUSANDS IN FEDERAL AID, MONEY THAT IS AVAILABLE BUT RESTRICTED TO PANDEMIC SPENDING ONLY.

>> I THINK HUD NEEDS TO REALLY LOOSEN THEIR GRIP ON THE SPENDING PLANS THAT THEY ETCH IN STONE AND DON'T ALLOW US TO HELP THE PEOPLE WITH BOOTS ON THE GROUND, BECAUSE WE KNOW WHERE THE MONEY NEEDS TO GO.

GIVE US THAT FLEXIBILITY.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO BELIEVE THAT TRANSFERRING DISPLACED FAMILIES TO APARTMENTS HOURS AWAY FROM WHERE THEY'VE BUILT LIVES IN CONTACTS IS NOT HELPFUL, BUT I DO DISPLACED 1000 FAMILIES IN UNION COUNTY ALONE AND IT'S NOTED THAT FINDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING ANYWHERE IN NEW JERSEY CAN BE CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE.

>> I KNOW SOME OF THE OCCUPANTS OR ARGUED THAT OPTION OF GETTING A SECTION 8 VOUCHER TO FIND AN APARTMENT SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> THE MAYOR, THE GOVERNOR, THE DEPUTY CAME TO THIS PROPERTY AND THEY LOOKED AT THE BROKEN BUILDING BUT THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT EVERYBODY'S BROKEN HEARTS.

>> Reporter: HAD DID NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS BUT SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT IT'S WORKING CLOSELY WITH CIS AND THE CITY OF ELIZABETH TO ENSURE ALL RESIDENTS HAVE A HOME UNTIL OAKWOOD PLAZA UNITS ARE REPAIRED AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE UNTIL RESIDENTS HAVE A DECENT AND SAFE PLACE TO LIVE.

>>> FEDERAL LAWMAKERS ARE SENDING A LAST-MINUTE LIFELINE TO NEW JERSEY TOWNS HARDEST HIT BY TROPICAL STORM IDA, APPROVING BILLIONS IN DISASTER RELIEF AID DUE TO IDA AND OTHER STORMS, JUST BEFORE THE MIDNIGHT DEADLINE ON THURSDAY, SECURING THE PRESIDENT'S SIGNATURE, INCLUDING FORGIVENESS FOR MORE THAN $30 MILLION IN OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY DISASTER LOANS.

THOSE WERE DISTRIBUTED BY FEMA TO 21 TOWNS IN THE WAKE OF SUPER STORM SANDY TO HELP THEM RECOVER AND REBUILD, WELL NEW JERSEY DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS PUSH THE GOVERNMENT TO CANCEL THE REMAINING LOANS POINTING TO COMMUNITIES STILL STRUGGLING, NINE YEARS AFTER SANDY HIT.

THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF LOAN FORGIVENESS ARE BEING CONCENTRATED AT SHORT TOWNS IN OCEAN AND ATLANTIC COUNTY'S.

>>> THAT FUNDING BILL PASSED BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS LAST NIGHT, JUST BEFORE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD'VE HAD TO SHUT DOWN, BUT NEGOTIATIONS OVER A SENATE PASSED INFRASTRUCTURE BILL CONTINUED TODAY ON CAPITOL HILL.

PRESIDENT BIDEN MEETING WITH HOUSE DEMOCRATS THIS AFTERNOON AS THEY TRIED TO STRIKE A COMPROMISE FOLLOWING A BITTER FEUD BETWEEN THE LIBERAL AND MODERATE MEMBERS OF THE PARTY, RESULTING IN A STALEMATE OVER THE PRESIDENT'S DOMESTIC AGENDA .

PROGRESSIVES HOLDING FIRM AGAINST PASSING A $1 TRILLION PARTISAN IN THE STRUCTURE BILL UNLESS THERE IS MOVEMENT ON A THREE AND HALF TRILLION DOLLAR SOCIAL SPENDING AND CLIMATE CHANGE PACKAGE.

OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT WENT ON THE RECORD WITH HERB JACKSON.

>> WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CAPITOL HILL RIGHT NOW?

>> WE COULD HAVE AND PROBABLY DID PREDICT THIS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, PART OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IS IN ORDER TO GET SOMETHING THROUGH A 50/50 SENATE, THEY HAD TO MAKE A PROMISE THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE HAVING TROUBLE DELIVERING ON WHICH WAS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION ON TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND WOULD ONLY MOVE INCLUDING THINGS LIKE CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

BEING ATTACKED ON CLIMATE CHANGE, THAT BILL WILL ONLY MOVE IF THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WOULD ONLY MOVE IF THE BROADER RECONCILIATION BILL WAS MOVING AS WELL AND THE RECONCILIATION BILL IS VERY COMPLICATED AND THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CONGRESS WHO HAVE DIFFERENT IDEAS OF WHAT SHOULD BE IN IT OR NOT TO BE IN IT AND IS ONLY A FEW VOTES TO SPARE.

THERE ARE NO VOTES TO SPARE FOR THE DEMOCRATS ON THE SENATE SIDE AND ONLY THREE VOTES TO SPARE ON THE OTHER SIDE.

THEY CAN'T PASS ONE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T PASS THE STRUCTURE BILL BECAUSE THE PROGRESSIVES WHO WANT THE RECONCILIATION BILL WILL NOT VOTE FOR IT UNLESS THEY ALSO GET THE RECONCILIATION BILL WHICH HAS KIND OF STALLED.

>> SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY?

>> IT'S A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR A BIG ABYSS THAT HE IS FALLING INTO.

I WOULD WAGER THAT AT SOME POINT THEY'RE GOING TO GET THE OF THE STRUCTURE BILL AND SOME AGREEMENT ON A RECONCILIATION PACKAGE TO ADVANCE DOWN THE ROAD, BUT RIGHT NOW THEY DON'T HAVE THAT, AND PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED LAST NOVEMBER?

IN ONE SENSE, JOE BIDEN TOOK THE WHITE HOUSE BACK FROM DONALD TRUMP AND THE DEMOCRATS TOOK CONTROL OF THE SENATE AT THE SAME TIME THEY CONTROLLED THE HOUSE AND ANOTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS, THE DEMOCRATS LOST AND 13 INCUMBENTS WERE DEFEATED IN THE HOUSE LAST YEAR AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL THERE, REMEMBER THOSE INCUMBENTS WHO WERE DEFEATED IN THE HOUSE.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE SITTING THERE SAYING WE MAY NOT BE HERE IN TWO YEARS OR THE END OF 2024 IF THEY KEEP GOING, AT THE SAME TIME THE PEOPLE WHO HELP DELIVERY THE VICTORY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN SAY WHAT DID WE FIGHT FOR IF NOT THESE PRIORITIES WOULD PROMISE THE VOTERS ESPECIALLY IF WE ONLY HAVE TWO YEARS, SO IT IS A REAL GAME OF DEMOCRAT ON DEMOCRAT WELL REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING LET THEM FIGHT OVER IT.

>> IS A GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

>> I'VE HEARD, YEAH.

>> HOW DO YOU SEE IT?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE PHIL MURPHY ISN'T IN AS MUCH TROUBLE, CERTAINLY IN NEW JERSEY.

IF YOU LOSE A COUPLE OF LEGISLATIVE SEATS, BUT HE ADVANCES COMFORTABLY, NO ONE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT NEW JERSEY FOR THE 2022 MIDTERMS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> IT WAS GREAT TALKING TO YOU.

>>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PRODUCING THE SECOND AND FINAL TELEVISED GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12 AT 8 PM ALONG WITH OUR COSPONSORS WNYC NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO IN THE RHC E INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP.

WE WANT YOUR INPUT, SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO NJ DECIDES AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND >>> RELIEF AT THE GAS PUMP AS YOU GET INTO THE WEEKEND, BUT HOW MUCH AND FOR HOW LONG.

>>> IF YOU ARE NEW JERSEY DRIVER YOU JUST GOT A TAX BREAK.

THE STATE GAS TAX DROPPED 8.3 CENTS TODAY TO 42.4 CENTS A GALLON.

THE GAS TAX IS SET EACH YEAR BASED ON FUEL CONSUMPTION PROJECTIONS.

YOU MAY RECALL LAST YEAR THERE WAS A TAX INCREASE WHEN GAS TAX REVENUE SLUMPED.

EVEN WITH THE TAX DECREASE, GAS PRICES HERE ARE STILL A FEW PENNIES HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE ACCORDING TO AAA.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS THREATENING TO TAKE ACTION IF NEW YORK MOVES FORWARD WITH ITS CONGESTION PRICING PLAN, WHICH WOULD HIKE TOLLS FOR NEW JERSEY DRIVERS.

ACCORDING TO POLITICO, MURPHY SAID HE WOULD CONSIDER VETOING THE MINUTES OF EVERY PORT AUTHORITY MEETING.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED THAT A KIND OF NUCLEAR OPTION, VETOING THE MINUTES WOULD ESSENTIALLY HALT PORT AUTHORITY BUDGETS AND CONTRACTS, INTENTIONALLY CREATING SOME LOGISTICAL HABIT HAVOC IN THE REASON.

NEW JERSEY'S MANUFACTURERS CAME TO THE STATES AID THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, SCALING UP TO PRODUCE PPE HERE TODAY, THAT HARD WORK WAS RECOGNIZED.

THE NEW JERSEY MANUFACTURING EXTENSION PROGRAM HELD AN EVENT TO CELEBRATE ALL THINGS MADE IN NEW JERSEY.

ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CEO, THE INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO FACE SOME CHALLENGES, INCLUDING SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, AND LABOR SHORTAGES.

>> THE INDUSTRY HAS NOT HAD A GREAT PIPELINE FOR A WHILE NOW AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HITS US NOT ONLY IN NEW JERSEY BUT NATIONALLY.

WE ARE STARTING TO TURN SOME CORNERS ON THIS, IT JUST TAKES TIME.

>> KENNEDY IS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT A RECONCILIATION BILL UNDER DEBATE IN WASHINGTON WHICH WOULD RAISE THE CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX RATE IMPACTING MANUFACTURERS.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> JOIN RHONDA THIS WEEKEND FOR A DEEPER LOOK AT GROWTH WITHIN THE STATES MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY.

THE DEMAND FOR YOUNG, SKILLED WORKERS AND WHY THE STATE MIGHT JUST LEAD THE WAY IN MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES.

YOU CAN WATCH IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAYS AT 5 PM AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 A.M. >>> AS WE WRAP UP THIS NATIONAL DRIVE ELECTRICALLY, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IS PUSHING MORE JERSEY DRIVERS TO MAKE THE SWITCH FROM GASOLINE POWERED CARS.

PART OF A MASSIVE EFFORT TO REDUCE EMISSIONS AND COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SET AN AMBITIOUS GOAL OF REGISTERING MORE THAN 300 THOUSAND ELECTRIC CARS IN THE STATE OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, BUT CAN SUPPLY CHAINS AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE HANDLE IT?

>> THIS IS THE AREA WHERE I CHARGE APPEARED >> Reporter: PAM FRANKLIN IS THE CEO OF A COMPANY ON A MISSION TO ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING ON WHEELS.

>> WE HAVE A GOAL THAT WE HAVE TO GET 330,000 OF THESE CARS ON THE ROAD BY 2025.

THIS IS BASED ON OUR CLIMATE GOALS.

>> Reporter: THE GOOD NEWS IS, THE NUMBER OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN THE STATE IS ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY.

>> IN THE LAST YEAR THE NUMBER OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAS INCREASED FROM 30,000 TO A LITTLE OVER 40,000.

>> Reporter: ONE REASON THOSE NUMBERS ARE CLIMBING IS BECAUSE OF THE NEW JERSEY BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES PROGRAM CALLED CHARGE UP NEW JERSEY WHICH GAVE PEOPLE AN INCENTIVE OF UP TO $5000 FOR GOING ELECTRIC.

>> THE MONEY WAS ALLOCATED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS AND DEMONSTRATES THE POINT THAT PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND WE JUST NEED TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE FINANCIAL INCENTIVE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE CHARGING STATIONS ARE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ALSO HOPING FOR ANOTHER FEDERAL PROGRAM OFFERING FEDERAL INCOME TAX CREDITS OF UP TO $7500 FOR DRIVERS WHO GO ELECTRIC.

PEOPLE STILL HAVE ANXIETY.

THE FEAR OF GOING ELECTRIC AND RUNNING OUT OF BATTERY.

THE STATE IS TRYING TO EASE THOSE WORRIES INCLUDING ONE RUN BY DEP AND BP YOU CALLED IT PAYS TO PLUG-IN WHICH OFFERS GRANTS TO INSTALL CHARGING STATIONS AT WORK WORKPLACES.

>> OUR CLEAN FLEET PROGRAM FUNDS FOR GOVERNMENT BUILDING AND THE BOARD RECENTLY APPROVED A TOURISM PROGRAM THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR PUBLIC CHARGES ON TOURISM LOCATIONS.

>> Reporter: ELON MUSK PAID OUT- OF-POCKET FOR A SUPERCHARGED NETWORK OF FAST CHARGERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ALLOWING PEOPLE TO GET UP TO 200 MILES IN 15 MINUTES.

>> HE UNDERSTOOD SOMETHING VERY FUNDAMENTAL.

THE REST OF THE CAR MANUFACTURING WORLD IS CATCHING UP TO THAT.

>> Reporter: PAM EXPLAINS THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WILL CHARGE THEIR CARS AT HOME, SHE SAYS SHE GETS ANYWHERE FROM 180, TO 300 MILES FROM ONE OVERNIGHT CHARGE.

>> MOST OF US IN THE STATE ONLY DRIVE 40 MILES A DAY.

>> Reporter: AND MORE ELECTRIC CAR MODELS ARE ENTERING THE MARKET, LOWERING COSTS, ANOTHER BARRIER WHEN THE INDUSTRY LAUNCHED.

PLUS FIRST-GENERATION ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE GOING INTO THE USED MARKET, MAKING THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE AND YOU ALSO HAVE GAS TO FACTOR IN.

>> I HAVE 80,000 MILES ON THIS CAR.

IF I WAS FEELING 80,000 MILES WITH PETROLEUM IT WOULD'VE COST ME $10,000.

BECAUSE OF HOW I FUEL OUT OF MY HOUSE, IN MY GARAGE, CHARGING MOSTLY ON NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS, THAT COST CAME DOWN TO $800.

>> Reporter: THE HOME INSTALLATION PROCESS ISN'T SEAMLESS JUST YET.

IT'S HOPED THAT AS THE MARKET EVOLVES, THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE IS MADE EASIER BY HAVING DEALERS ABLE TO ACCESS ANY PROGRAMS AND INCENTIVES AVAILABLE.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK BUT JOIN US FOR REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUISE SATURDAY AT 6 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10 AM ON NJ PBS FOR RECAP OF THE FIRST GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE ALONG WITH A SPECIAL EPISODE OF CHAT BOX SATURDAY AT 6:30 AND SUNDAY AT 10:30.

DAVID TALKS TO FAMED U STREET BANDMEMBER AND SOPRANO START STEVIE VAN ZANDT ABOUT HIS NEW MEMOIR, DON'T MISS IT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT FIRST WEEKEND OF OCTOBER.