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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSE SEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND BY THE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT MJ.

>> FROM NJ PBS THIS IS NC SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.

RHONDA IN FOR BRIANNA.

22 DAYS UNTIL THE ELECTION AND THE FINAL GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE IS TOMORROW NIGHT HERE ON NY PBS.

IN ADDITION TO THE GOVERNOR'S RACE, ALL ASSEMBLY SEATS AND STATE SENATE SEATS ARE UP FOR GRABS.

THIS YEAR THERE ARE NOW MORE WAYS THAN EVER TO CAST YOUR BALLOT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, VOTERS WILL HAVE THE OPTION OF GOING TO THE POLLS EARLY.

AND AFTER LAST YEAR'S MOSTLY MAIL IN ELECTION, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ARE EXPECTED TO, AGAIN, SEND THEIR BALLOTS THROUGH THE MAIL OR CAST THEM AT SECURE BALLOT DROP BOXES.

REGULAR IN PERSON ELECTION DAY VOTING IS AVAILABLE TOO.

BUT LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALS ARE FACING POLL WORKERS SHORTAGES AND OTHER CHALLENGES AS WELL.

JOANNA REPORTS.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE DIFFERENT.

YOU KNOW?

ELECTION DAY IS TEN DAYS.

VOTERS HAVE TEN DAYS TO VOTE.

NINE DAYS OF EARLY VOTING PLUS ELECTION DAY.

VOTE BY MAIL BALLOTS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AND WILDLY POPULAR.

>> Reporter: WITH THE ELECTION THREE WEEKS AWAY AND A NEW VOTING SYSTEM IN PLACE, COUNTY BOARDS OF ELECTION ARE RAMPING UP FOR THE HERCULEAN TASK AHEAD BUT THEY ARE MISSING A MAJOR PIECE.

>> WE ARE STILL BETWEEN 500 TO 600 POLL WORKERS SHORT.

>> Reporter: UNION COUNTY NICOLE SAYS THE SHORTAGE IS COMING AT A TIME WHEN EVEN MORE PERSON POWER IS NEEDED WITH A NEW ELECTRONIC VOTING SYSTEM AND NEW EARLY VOTING OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEW JERSEY.

>> I LIKE TO CALL IT EARLY IN PERSON VOTING.

WE'VE HAD EARLY VOTING FOR MANY, MANY YEARS WITH MAIL IN BALLOT VOTING.

>> Reporter: MAIL IN BALLOTS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST AND DROPPED OFF AT BALLOT DROP BOXES POSITIONED IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.

THEY ARE COLLECTED AND PROCESSED DAILY HERE IN UNION COUNTY.

AND WITH EARLY IN PERSON VOTING STARTING NINE DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, THE NEW ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS ARE CRITICAL TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTION.

>> EVERY VOTING DISTRICT ACROSS THE STATE IS GOING TO HAVE, IT'S BASICALLY SOME FORM OF TABLET WHERE WE ARE SIGNING IN VOTERS ON ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS.

SO EARLY VOTING REQUIRES ALL OF THESE ELECTRONIC POLL BOOKS TO BE SYNCED TOGETHER FOR NINE DAYS STRAIGHT.

I CAN'T GO INTO ONE EARLY VOTING SITE AND VOTE AND GO TO ANOTHER ONE AND TRY TO VOTE AGAIN.

I WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE FLAGGED AS HAVING VOTED.

>> Reporter: IN MONMOUTH COUNTY, THE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS ARE STAFFED BUT THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND POLL WORKERS FOR ELECTION DAY.

AND THE NEW TECHNOLOGY REQUIRES HOURS OF ADDITIONAL TRAINING PLUS MORE RESPONSIBILITY DURING SHIFTS.

AND MANY POLL WORKERS ARE SENIORS SAYS CHRISTINE HANLAND.

>> IT'S DAUNTING BECAUSE YOU ARE LEARNING ALL NEW TECHNOLOGY, ALL NEW SETUP FOR THE MACHINE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE THE COVID-19 FEARS THAT PEOPLE HAVE.

SO IT'S BEEN A LITTLE DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WOULD OFFER MORE MONEY TO THESE WORKERS.

A MOVE THAT DORATO SAYS IS LONG OVERDUE.

>> WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER INCREASING THE PAY FOR ELECTION DAY FROM $200 TO $300.

IT'S A ONE TIME STIPEND.

THEY DESERVE THE PAY RAISE.

AND THAT IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY OUR SEASONED POLL WORKERS ARE NOT COMING BACK.

>> Reporter: NOW COMES THE EFFORT OF GETTING THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE PAY AND THE NEW VOTING OPTIONS.

IN MONMOUTH COUNTY, THEY HAVE CREATED EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS.

>> NEW JERSEY IS JOINING OTHER STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> OUR BOARD OF ELECTIONS ALSO DID A TELEVISION COMMERCIAL.

AND WE'RE DOING A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ADVERTISING.

AS WELL AS APPEARANCES, TALKING TO PEOPLE.

I ALSO SENT A LETTER TO EVERY REGISTERED VOTER IN THE COUNTY THAT EXPLAINED THE ENTIRE VOTING PROCESS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU HAVEN'T YET REGISTERED TO VOTE, THE DEADLINE IS TOMORROW.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO VOTE BY MAIL, YOU NEED TO MAIL IN A REQUEST FOR A BALLOT NO LATER THAN OCTOBER 26th OR STOP BY YOUR COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE BY 3:00 P.M.

THE DAY BEFORE THE ELECTION.

ON THE CAMPUS OF UNION COUNTY COLLEGE, I'M JOANNA NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY'S GOVERNOR RACE ISN'T IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT.

AT LEAST WHERE MONEY IS CONCERNED.

I TALKED WITH CHARLIE STYLE, A COLUMNIST FOR THE RECORD NORTHJERSEY.COM ABOUT CAMPAIGN FINANCING AND WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR BOTH CANDIDATES HEADING INTO TOMORROW'S FINALIZED TELEVISED DEBATE.

THE GOVERNOR RACE IS NOT ATTRACTING AS MUCH MONEY AND ATTENTION AS THE RACE IN VIRGINIA OUTSIDE OF OUR BORDERS.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF THAT?

>> MOST OF THE MONEY IS FLOWING IN A LOPSIDED FASHION TO VIRGINIA.

AND THERE IS A COUPLE OF REASONS FOR THAT.

ONE IS THAT, THAT RACE IS A REAL TOSSUP AND THE NEW JERSEY RACE ISN'T RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT WOULD BE A BIG PRIZE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WHICH WAS TRAILING.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WAS TRAILING FOR MOST OF THE SUMMER AND HAS BROUGHT IT WITHIN A STATISTICAL HEAT.

SO NOW BOTH PARTIES ARE THROWING A LOT MORE MONEY THERE THAN HERE.

AND RIGHT NOW, FRANKLIN, JACK IS TRAILING BETWEEN 9 AND 13 POINTS TRAILING GOVERNOR MURPHY BETWEEN 9 AND 123 POINTS.

AND SECONDLY HE HAS LESS MONEY IN HIS OWN ACCOUNT ON HIM.

THEY ARE WEIGHING TWO CANDIDATES WHAT RACE I SHOULD BE INVESTING ON.

ONE I HAVE A SHOT AT WINNING VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW SEEMS TO BE THE PLAY.

>> SO WHEN IT COMES TO CAMPAIGN HERE, YOU MENTIONED JACK WHO RECENTLY WROTE A PIECE THAT POINTED OUT, WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANY BIG PROPOSAL FROM HIM IN TERMS OF CUTTING TAXES.

OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HAVE IN THE PAST.

AND ARE YOU LOOK FOR ANY SURPRISES IN THE FINAL DEBATE TOMORROW WHICH WITH WILL HAVE ON PBS.

>> THE REASON WHY YOU ARE NOT SEEING THOSE IS BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T WORKED.

I DON'T THINK THE BIG BANNER HEADLINE, I'M GOING TO CUT YOUR TAXES BY 30% OR 10%.

ON BALANCE THEY HAVEN'T WORKED.

AND THEY LOOK IN THEIR TAXIC GIMMICKS.

I THINK HE KIND OF RECOILS THAT KIND OF SHOWMANSHIP.

THAT KIND -- I THINK YOU HAVE THOSE TWO FORCES.

AS FOR TOMORROW NIGHT, I THINK BOTH CANDIDATES I THINK JACK NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF THIS RACE.

TO SHOW THAT HE IS FAR MORE VIABLE AND THAT HE IS NOT THIS EXTREMIST THAT THE MURPHY CANDIDATE, CAMPAIGN HAS PAINTED HIM AS.

>> CHARLIE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

IT'S BEEN GREAT SPEAKING WITH YOU.

>> IT'S MY PLEASURE.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE TWO CANDIDATES SQUARE OFF IN THE SECOND AND FINAL TELEVISED DEBATE PRODUCED BY NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

IT'S LIVE 8:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12th AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY.

NY PBS IS COSPONSORING THE DEBATE WITH NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO WNYC AND THE ROWAN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP.

PLEASE SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO NJDECIDES@NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

AND STICK AROUND AFTER THE DEBATE AND JOIN SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ FOR ALL OF THE POST DEBATE ANALYSIS.

STREAMING LIVE ON OUR NY SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> TWO YEARS BEFORE COVID TORE THROUGH THE STATES NURSING HOMES AND KILLED THOUSANDS OF ELDERLY RESIDENTS, THE REHABILITATION AND NURSING FACILITY WAS THE SITE OF A DEVASTATING OUTBREAK THAT LEFT 11 CHILDREN DEAD AND SICKENED 25 OTHERS.

NOW 13 FAMILIES, INCLUDING SEVEN WHO LOST A CHILD, HAVE REACHED A $6.2 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH THE FACILITIES FORMER OPERATORS.

THE FAMILIES ALLEGE THE FACILITY FAILED TO STOP AN OUTBREAK OF ADINO VIRUS FROM SPREADING THROUGH THE WING WHERE ELLE ELDERLY CHILDREN LIVED.

AND FAILED TO COMMUNICATE WITH FAMILIES.

THE SETTLEMENT COMES WITH NO ADMISSION OF WRONG DOING ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY FOR THE FAMILIES.

THERE MAY BE ANOTHER TOOL TO FIGHT COVID-19.

NEW JERSEY BASED MERCK IS ASKING THE FDA FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR ITS ANTIVIRAL PILL THAT TREATS MILD TO MODERATE CASES OF COVID 19.

LATE STAGE CLINICAL TRIALS SHOW THE DRUG REDUCED THE CHANCES OF HOSPITALIZATION BY 50% IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS.

IF THE FDA APPROVES THE REQUEST, THE PILL COULD BECOME AVAILABLE IN A FEW WEEKS.

MEANTIME COVID-19 HAS LEFT ANOTHER TERRIBLE TOLL IN NEW JERSEY.

LEE OWE TALKED WITH MANY WHERE 5,000 CHILDREN WERE ORPHANED BY COVID-19 DURING THE FIRST 14 MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC.

LELO AS YOU REPORTED THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE ORPHAN CHILDREN ARE MEMBERS OF BLACK OF HISPANIC FAMILY.

WHY DO WE SEE THAT DISPARITY?

>> IT'S ONE OF THESE OVERWHELMING THINGS WHEN YOU LOOK ADD THE STATISTICS, THE DEMOGRAPHICS, IT WAS ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY BLACK AND BROWN CHILDREN.

I THINK THE REASONS ARE THE REASONS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

GREATER EXPOSURE WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSING OPTIONS AND WORKPLACE FRONT LINE JOBS TEND TO BE HELD BY PEOPLE WHO ARE ETHNIC AND RACIAL MINORITIES A LOT IN THIS STATE.

AND THEN YOU HAVE UNDER LYING HEALTH RISKS.

AND THEN YOU HAVE UNEQUAL ACCESS TO CARE AND RACISM IN CARE.

THESE ALL COMPOUND TO END UP WITH DEATH RATES THAT ARE MULTIPLE TIMES HIGHER FOR BLACK AND BROWN INDIVIDUALS THAT GET COVID.

AND AS A RESULT, MORE ORPHANS.

>> WHAT DO CHILD ADVOCATES SAY ABOUT THE SORT OF HELP THESE CHILDREN NEED?

>> WELL, THEY SAY, YOU KNOW, FIRST OF ALL IT'S RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM.

RIGHT?

AND LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE SO MANY THINGS WE ARE DEALING WITH AFTER COVID SO THIS IS ANOTHER ONE WE HAVE TO BE AWARE OF.

BUT IT REALLY ALSO GOES BACK TO THAT NETWORK OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT SYSTEM.

THAT NETWORK OF SERVICES THAT PEOPLE NEED.

YOU'VE DONE STORIES ON IT.

I'VE DONE STORIES ON IT.

YOU KNOW.

WE HAVE PARENTS WHO ARE HAVING REALLY STRESSED KIDS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE HAVE KIDS THAT HAVE SERIOUS, SERIOUS ISSUES.

SUICIDAL IDEATION.

SUICIDES.

THERE ARE A HOST OF PROBLEMS AND NOT JUST WITH KIDS.

SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THOSE RESOURCES ARE THERE IN THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY TO SERVE ALL OF THESE NEEDS INCLUDING NOW PEOPLE WHO WILL BE DEALING WITH THE TRAUMA OF ALL OF THIS LOSS.

WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT WHEN YOU LOSE A PARENT.

>> IS THERE ADEQUATE SUPPORT RIGHT NOW?

AND THIS IS AN AREA THAT THERE IS A LOT OF CHALLENGES IN.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT IS EXACTLY THE QUESTION.

IT SEEM THE SYSTEM IS STRETCHED PRETTY THIN.

THE STATE HAS REALLY GREAT CHILD SERVICES.

IS IT ENOUGH?

YOU KNOW PEOPLE GENERALLY THINK IT'S NOT.

BUT THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO SPREAD THE WORD AND LET PEOPLE KNOW THERE IS A NEED.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS TODAY, CARGO SHIPS ANCHORED OFF OF PORTS IN CALIFORNIA UNABLE TO DOCK AND UNLOAD THEIR CONTENTS HAVE BECOME A VIM BOLL OF A GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN IN DISTRESS.

A BACKLOG THAT IS THE RESULT OF BOTTLENECKS OCCURRING IN MANUFACTURING, TRUCKING, AND WAREHOUSING.

ALL OF THAT NEEDS TO FUNCTION WELL FOR YOU TO RECEIVE A BOX ON YOUR DOORSTEP.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN CHECKED OUT THE SITUATION IN PORT NEWARK WHERE THE WORK BEGINS ON SHORE.

>> IN 50 YEARS OF DOING THIS, IT HAS NEVER BEEN THIS FRUSTRATING.

IT'S CRAZY.

IT WILL GET WORSE.

IF YOU WANT SOMETHING, YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE FOR IT.

THERE WILL NOT BE ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

>> Reporter: TOM CLAIMS WHAT YOU WANT FOR THE HOLIDAYS COULD BE PILED UP SOMEWHERE INSIDE OF A CARGO CONTAINER POSSIBLY ADD PORTS NEWARK AND ELIZABETH AS TRUCKS WAIT TWICE AS LONG TO ACCESS TERMINALS AND UNLOADED CONTAINERS CLOG DISTRIBUTION CENTERS.

MONTH LONG BOTTLENECKS IN SHIPPING AND TRUCK TRAFFIC IN PORTS IN CALIFORNIA AND ALONG THE EASTERN SEA BOARD HAVE THROTTLED TRANSPORTATION SO BADLY.

>> THE MERCHANDISE THAT IS IN DISTRIBUTION CENTERS NOW OR WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO WON'T BE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE FOR THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.

>> Reporter: NIKE REPORTEDLY CAN'T FIND ENOUGH SHIPPING CONTAINERS TO DELIVER ITS PRODUCTS FROM OVERSEAS.

COSTCO IS LIMITING PURCHASES ON ITEMS LIKE TOILET PAPER.

AND TOY COMPANIES ARE TELLING CONSUMERS TO DO THEIR HOLIDAY GIFT BUYING NOW.

>> WE ARE SHORT ON CONTAINERS.

WE ARE SHORT ON LABOR AT THE PORTS.

WE ARE SHORT ON TRUCKERS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THINGS OUT OF THE PORTS.

SO ALL OF THAT ADDS TO THE HEADACHE.

>> Reporter: SUPPLY CHAIN EXPERT EXPLAINED IT'S A WORSE CASE SCENARIO.

SINCE THE PANDEMIC THERE IS A WORKER SHORTAGE NATIONWIDE WITH CONSUMER DEMAND SPIKING, CONTAINER SHIPS OFTEN QUEUE UP 60 DEEP OR MORE WAITING TO OFF LOAD AT TERMINALS IN L.A..

SHIPS DON'T WAIT AS LONG TO DOCK HERE IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

>> I WOULD NOT CHARACTERIZE THE SHIP SIDE OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS PROBLEMATIC OR EVEN AT THE TERMINAL.

ALTHOUGH THE TERMINALS ARE, IN FACT, OPERATING AT VERY HIGH UTILIZATION.

IT'S THAT ENTIRE FLOW TO THE WAREHOUSE, DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES, AND THEN OBVIOUSLY WHERE THE CARGO GOES AFTER THAT.

THERE ARE BOTTLENECKS THROUGHOUT THAT SYSTEM.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF FINGER POINTING.

THE TERMINALS TELL US WE NEED TO GET MORE STUFF OFF THE TERMINAL.

SO THEY CAN OPERATE MORE EFFICIENTLY.

AND WE TELL THEM WE NEED TO GET OUR TRUCKS IN AND OUT FASTER SO WE CAN PICK UP MORE LOADS.

>> PRODUCTIVITY IS DOWN 40%.

DESPITE A CONTAINER SHORTAGE MOUNTAINS OF EMPTY BOXES TAKE UP VALUABLE SPACE AT THE PORT BECAUSE IT'S CHEAPER THAN RETURNING THEM.

AND COSTS KEEP RISING.

SHIPPING RATES FROM ASIA SORED 7-10 TIMES HIGHER SINCE COVID AND THAT DIRECTLY IMPACTS PRODUCT AVAILABILITY ACCORDING TO SHIPPING EXPERT CARTHY.

>> MOST COME FROM OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY.

AND SHIPPING FROM ASIA HAS BEEN REALLY BAD.

THE RELIABILITY FOR TRANSPACIFIC SHIPS HAS BEEN REALLY LOW.

>> BECAUSE THE COST OF SHIPPING IS SO HIGH, SOME MANUFACTURES AND SOME PARTS PROVIDES ARE REFUSING TO MAKE STUFF.

SO THEY ARE JUST, IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE FOR THEM BUSINESS WISE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, TRUCKERS MAKE BETTER PAY WORKING SO- CALLED LAST MILE DELIVERIES FOR AMAZON THAN WAITING IN LINE AT THE PORT.

IT'S ALL ADDING UP TO A ROCKY SHOPPING SEASON.

>> IF IT'S ON A SHIP, IT'S GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE.

THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE.

>> Reporter: I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDE BY NJTIA NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DECEMBER 1st AND 2ND AT THE HARD ROCK CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

INFORMATION ONLINE.

>>> STRETCHES OF GREEN TITLE MARSHES FROM THE MEADOW LANDS TO DELAWARE BAY SERVE AS NATURAL FLOOD BARRIERS FOR COASTAL TOWNS AND HELP BOOST WATER QUALITY IN POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS.

BUT A NEW RUTGERS STUDY FINDS NEW JERSEY'S TIDAL MARSHES ARE DISAPPEARING.

PART OF OUR ON GOING SERIES OF HUMAN STORIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE PERIL AND PROMISE.

>> THERE WILL MORE AND MORE WATER AND LESS AND LESS LAND.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH SCIENTIST WITH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

SHE INVITED US TO THE WHITE HOUSE CENTER LOCATED ON 194 ACRES ADJACENT TO THE BAY IN WARE TOWN.

>> THAT RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE SHORELINES ARE ERODING QUITE RAPIDLY.

SO WE ARE LOSING MARSH DUE TO EROSION AT THE SHORELINE.

THE CREEKS WHICH FEED WATER INTO THE MARSH AND PROVIDE SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENTS TO THE MARSH ARE EXPANDING OVER TIME.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE TIDAL MARSHES, GRASSY MEADOWS WHERE SALT WATER MEETS THE LAND ARE GROUND ZERO AND ARE IN DANGER OF DISAPPEARING COMPLETELY BY THE NEXT CENTURY.

LOSING THE MARSHES COULD MEAN FUTURE DISASTER.

>> IN ADDITION TO BUFFERING COASTAL COMMUNITIES FROM STORMS, TIDAL WETLANDS ARE CONSIDERED TO BE THE KIDNEYS OF THE NATURAL WORLD.

SO THEY FILTER WATER.

THEY GAVE US CLEAN WATER.

THEY TAKE THE NUTRIENTS AND POLLUTION OUT OF THE WATER AND INCORPORATE IT BACK INTO THEIR STRUCTURE.

MANY OF THE IMPORTANT COMMERCIAL FISH SPECIES THAT PEOPLE INLAND LIKE TO EAT HAVE SOME LIFE STAGE THAT IS DEPENDENT ON SALT MARSHES.

>> Reporter: HER RESEARCH WAS PART OF A STUDY LED BY RUTGER'S RESEARCH.

TO MITIGATE THE LOSSES OF TIDAL MARSHES.

>> THEY ARE LIVING RIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THE WATER.

AND AS SEA LEVEL RISES, THEY HAVE REALLY TWO OPTIONS.

THEY CAN EITHER INCREASE THEIR ELEVATION SO THEY STAY AHEAD OF SEA LEVEL RISE, OR THEY CAN MOVE INLAND.

BUT MOVING INLAND IS NOT POSSIBLE IF THERE IS TOWNS AND HOUSES AND ROADS RIGHT BEHIND THEM.

>> Reporter: MARTHA IS A PROJECT COORDINATOR FOR THE PARTNERSHIP.

A NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM THAT HELPS RESTORE, PROTECT, AND ENHANCE BORDER QUALITY.

AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE BAY AND WATERSHED.

>> IT USED TO BE IT WOULD FLOOD ONCE OR TWICE A YEAR.

AND NOW IT'S AT LEAST TWICE A MONTH IF NOT MORE.

>> Reporter: UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, MARSHES CAN KEEP PACE WITH SEA WATER RISE.

BUT AT AN ACCELERATED RATE, THEY CAN'T.

WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE DROWNING AND CAUSING FLOODING LIKE THIS.

>> YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS OUR WETLANDS GO, A NUMBER OF THEM WILL BE UNDER WATER BY 2050.

A NUMBER OF EXAMPLES WORLDWIDE WHERE COMMUNITIES HAVE TAKEN ACTION, IN SOME CASES, MOVED SOME OF THEIR THINGS BACK OFF FROM THE SHORE AND KIND OF GONE INLAND.

>> Reporter: BEYOND MOVING HOMES INLAND, THE REPORT OFFERS RECOMMEND ADDING NEW SEDIMENT ON TOP OF MARSHES.

AND CREATE LIVING SHORELINES TO PROTECT MARSHES FROM FURTHER EROSION.

>>> TODAY IS COLUMBUS DAY.

AND FOR THE FIRST TIME THE HOLIDAY WAS ALSO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY BY PRESIDENT BIDEN THROUGH A PROCLAMATION.

IN JERSEY CITY, ONE SCHOOL DECIDED TO FOREGO ITS TRADITIONAL DAY OFF TO INSTEAD HONOR THE NEWLY RECOGNIZED HOLIDAY AND TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ALREADY HERE WHEN THE FAMED EXPLORER CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS CAME ASHORE.

>> WHAT IS ONE FACT THAT YOU KNOW ABOUT COLUMBUS DAY?

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS AT LEARNING COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL IN JERSEY CITY NORMALLY HAVE THE DAY OFF FOR THIS FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

FOR DECADES REFERRED TO AS COLUMBUS DAY.

BUT THISSEER THEY ARE USING IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

>> NOT FULLY UNDERSTANDING ALL OF OUR HISTORY LEADS US TO SOMETIMES MAKE DECISIONS THAT MIGHT NOT BE FULLY INFORMED.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT COLUMBUS DAY, WE USUALLY REMEMBER IN 1492.

>> DO YOU REMEMBER?

>> THAT COLUMBUS SAILED THE OCEAN BLUE.

>> WHICH IS TRUE.

A LOT OF THAT COMES ALONG THE MYTH THAT HE DISCOVERED THE AMERICAS.

>> Reporter: LARSON TOLD HER STUDENTS COLUMBUS DISCOVERED THE AMERICAS FOR THE EUROPEANS.

BUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WERE ALREADY LIVING HERE.

>> HE LANDED FIRST IN THE BAHAMAS.

FROM THERE HE WENT TOEST PAN OWE LA WHICH IS THE ISLAND THAT IS DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND HAITI.

FROM THERE JAMAICA, CUBA.

THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INDIGENOUS TO THAT AREA.

>> Reporter: MANY ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ADVOCATING TO HAVE THE HOLIDAY RENAMED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY BECAUSE OF THIS REGION.

>> HE WAS AN EXPLORER.

I WOULD LIKE THEM TO UNDERSTAND THE OTHER SIDE AND THE CONSEQUENCES THAT CAME WITH HIS EXPLORATION.

>> Reporter: TO MANY ITALIAN AMERICANS, IT WASN'T NECESSARILY ABOUT COLUMBUS BUT A DAY TO HONOR ITALIANS THAT IMMIGRATED TO THIS COUNTRY AND FACED MISFREEDOM AND RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION.

THAT IS THE REASON IT WAS FIRST ESTABLISHED IN 1892.

>> HAVE YOU GOTTEN ANY PUSH BACK FROM SOME PARENTS THAT SAY THEIR FAMILY IS ITALIAN AND THEY WANT THE STUDENTS TO ALSO KNOW ABOUT THAT SIDE OF THE STORY?

>> SO NO, WE HAVEN'T REALLY.

BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, ITALIAN CULTURE IS SOMETHING THAT IS STUDIED IN THE SCHOOL.

BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS IN SEVENTH GRADE DO AN ENTIRE EUROPEAN HISTORY UNIT.

WE DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN A CONVERSATION OF COLUMBUS DAY VERSE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.

WE WANT OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE A BROADER UNDERSTANDING.

WE ARE THE MOST DIVERSE SCHOOL IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE THE MOST DIVERSE FACULTY IN THE STATE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL VOICES ARE AT THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE FORTY AND FIFTH GRADERS THAT SANG THIS SONG PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION TOLD US THEY ARE HAPPY THEY LEARNED ABOUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

>> USUALLY WE WOULD BE CELEBRATING COLUMBUS DAY.

BUT COLUMBUS DIDN'T CELEBRATE AMERICA FIRST.

PEOPLE WERE LIVING THERE.

AND THEY WERE WORKING REALLY HARD TO SURVIVE.

>> Reporter: WHAT ARE THESE NINE AND TEN-YEAR-OLDS WANT TO SAY TO THE ANCESTORS?

WHAT WOULD YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW?

>> I WOULD WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO ME AND THAT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS, HE WASN'T, HE DIDN'T DISCOVER WHERE WE LIVE NOW.

>> I THINK THE SAME THING AS HER TOO.

I THINK I WOULD WANT TO LET THEM KNOW THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO PEOPLE BECAUSE WE CAN LEARN A LOT FROM INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: TODAY THEY DID.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

AND HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG WHERE WE WILL CONTINUE COVERING THE STORIES EFFECTING THE STATE.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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

RWJ WARREN BUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND PSEG.

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

LEAD FUNDING PROVIDED BY.

MAJOR SUPPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE MARK HOSS FOUNDATION AND SUE AND EDGAR III.

AND THE CHERYL AND PHILLIP MILLSTEEN FAMILY.

>>> JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS.

AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

NJM.

WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

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

>> THAT IS ME AND MY DAUGHTER WHEN WE WENT TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH.

>> THEY GAVE ME A NEW LEASH ON LIFE.

>> I'M STILL GOING EVERYWHERE AND EXPLORING NEW PLACES.

>> NOBODY THOUGHT I WOULD BE HERE.

>> WE ARE TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH KIDNEY CARE.

>> THEY GAVE ME MY NORMAL LIFE BACK.

>> RWJ BANEBOUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.