>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSEN AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLY CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT .

THERE IS A NEW VACCINE MANDATE FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING THAT ANY WORKERS EMPLOYED UNDER A STATE GOVERNMENT CONTRACT MUST ALSO GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 OR FACE WEEKLY TESTING.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAID TODAY THAT THE STATE IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS TO VACCINATE CHILDREN AGAINST COVID, AS THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL-BASED OUTBREAKS RISE WITH ANOTHER 30 OUTBREAKS LAST WEEK.

NEW JERSEY HAS SEEN A TOTAL OF 126 OUTBREAKS SINCE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE EXPECTED TO APPROVE VACCINES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN SOON AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED TODAY IT HAS OBTAINED ENOUGH DOSES OF PFIZER'S COVID VACCINE TO INOCULATE ALL OF THE 5 TO 11- YEAR-OLDS IN THE COUNTRY.

RATHER THAN USING MASS VACCINATION SITES, THE ERRORS, PHARMACIES AND CLINICS WILL BE CALLED UPON TO VACCINATE CHILDREN.

>>> MEANTIME, AS WE AWAIT DECISIONS FROM REGULATORS ON MODERNA AND J&J BOOSTERS, THE BIG QUESTION IS, WILL THERE BE A RUSH TO GET THEM?

NEARLY 6 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED, SO FAR ONLY A MINORITY OF THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR BOOSTERS HAVE ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES.

SENIOR CORRESPONDED INTO FLANAGAN LOOKS AT WHAT IS BEHIND THE HESITATION.

>> IT IS A NO-BRAINER, WHY WOULDN'T YOU?

>> Reporter: BOTH EACH GOT A THIRD MODERNA SHOT TODAY AT AN ESSEX COUNTY VACCINATION SITE HERE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE UNDER A CDC ADVISORY THAT ISSUED A LIST OF QUALIFYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS .

IT IS NOT TECHNICALLY A BOOSTER, BUT THAT IS HOW MANY PEOPLE SEE IT.

>> I DO HAVE AN UNDERLYING CONDITION, BUT I AM DOING IT ALSO JUST TO GET A THIRD DOSE FOR MORE INSURANCE.

>> I WANT TO PROTECT MYSELF, MY FAMILY AND OTHER PEOPLE AND HOPEFULLY GET RID OF THIS AWFUL SCORCH OF A VIRUS.

>> PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE COME IN AND JUST WALKED IN.

I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO MAKE SURE WAS ELIGIBLE.

>> Reporter: MOST FOLKS WHO WANT A COVID SHOT ONE EITHER A THIRD DOSE OR A PFIZER BOOSTER, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RUSHED TO LINE UP FOR JOBS, EVEN AFTER THE CDC RECOMMENDED BOOSTERS FOR ANYONE OVER 65, PEOPLE WITH CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS OR PART PEOPLE WORKING IN SPECIAL HIGH RISK JOBS.

ONLY ABOUT 20% OF NEW JERSEYANS ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER HAVE ACTUALLY GOTTEN ONE.

>> I THINK THERE IS SOME HESITATION, THERE DOESN'T NEED TO BE.

THE RISK IS EXCEEDINGLY SMALL FOR THE BENEFITS ARE REAL.

>> Reporter: DR. LEWIS NELSON SAYS WITH MESSAGES SWIRLING FROM THE FDA, CDC AND THE WHITE HOUSE, PEOPLE AREN'T SURE ABOUT WHICH VACCINE TO BOOST OR WHEN.

>> THERE IS DAILY NEWS REPORTS ABOUT HOW DIFFERENT ADVISORIES ARE MAKING DIFFERENT RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE ONE THING THAT IS CLEAR IS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE OLDER OR PEOPLE WHO HAVE UNDERLYING IMMUNOLOGICAL DISEASES, THINGS LIKE DIABETES OR CERTAIN CANCERS , ARE AT HIGHER RISKS, THOSE PEOPLE DO SEEM TO BENEFIT FROM GETTING AN ADDITIONAL DOSE OF THE BACK.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION, IT IS CONFUSING.

THAT IS WHY IT IS HARD FOR ME WHEN I PUT OUT A MESSAGE, WE HAVE TO GO OVER AND OVER BECAUSE CHANGE QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: ETHICS OFFICIALS SAY A FEDERAL REGULATORS UPDATE RULES TO APPROVE BOOSTERS FOR MODERNA AND J&J VACCINES, IT COULD OPEN FLOODGATES AT LEAST HERE, WHERE MODERNA WAS A VERY POPULAR OPTION.

>> WE DID ABOUT 300,000 INDIVIDUALS TO 400,000 JUST MODERNA.

THEY WILL BE QUALIFYING FOR THAT.

DEFINITELY WILL INCREASE OUR NUMBERS ALREADY FOR NURSES, REGISTRATION STAFF IS READY.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, BOOSTER OPTIONS FOR J&J VACCINE RECIPIENTS WHO THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE ONE AND DONE COULD EXPAND FROM JUST ANOTHER DOSE OF J&J TO INCLUDE BOOSTERS OF EITHER PFIZER OR MODERNA, IT IS CALLED THE MIX-AND-MATCH PROPOSAL.

FEDERAL REGULATORS WHO INITIALLY FELT RELUCTANT ABOUT MIX-AND-MATCH CAN NOW REFER TO A NEW STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

IT SUGGESTS THAT ORIGINAL J&J RECIPIENTS COULD BENEFIT MORE FROM MODERNA OR PFIZER BOOSTERS THEN GETTING AN ADDITIONAL DOSE OF J&J.

IF THE SCIENCE SAYS YOU NEED AN EXTRA SHOT, GO AHEAD AND GET AN EXTRA SHOT.

THAT WILL BE THE ADVICE.

WE ARE ANTICIPATING ALL THREE OF THE VACCINES AVAILABLE FOR UNITED STATES CITIZENS WILL REQUIRE EXTRA DOSING.

>> I DID NOT KNOW YOU COULD MIX- AND-MATCH.

I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THAT ONE.

I WOULD HAVE TO DO MORE STUDIES ON THAT ONE BEFORE I DO THAT.

>> Reporter: THIS NURSE GOT A J&J JOB AND PLANS TO CHOOSE BOOSTER.

SHE IS STILL TRYING TO CONVINCE OTHERS, ONE OF HER UNVACCINATED FRIENDS IS NOW HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID AND VERY SICK.

>> HE IS ONLY 35 YEARS OLD, IT IS NOT A JOKE.

CORONAVIRUS IS NOT A JOKE.

PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND, PUT POLITICS ASIDE AND TAKE THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: IN WEST ORANGE, BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" .

>>> FOR MORE, CHECK OUT THE NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> THERE IS A POLITICAL DISPUTE IN TRENTON OVER A MAJOR PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE CITY OFFICIALS ARE SPARRING OVER HOW TO PAY FOR THE CITY'S EMERGENCY RADIO AND PHONE SYSTEMS.

TRENTON'S 911 SYSTEM IS AT RISK OF BEING SHUT OFF AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE PAYMENT OF AN OUTSTANDING BILL.

MEANTIME, THE MAYOR WANTS TO USE MILLIONS OF FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS TO PAY FOR UPGRADES OF THE SYSTEM.

THE BICKERING OVER WHAT TO DO COMES AT A TIME WHEN CRIME IS ON THE RISE IN TRENTON.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> IN THIS SPOT IS THE SECONDARY BACKUP TO FIRE DEPARTMENT IN CASE THERE IS A FIRE.

>> Reporter: CAPTAIN JOHN SAYS OCTOBER 31st, EMERGENCY RESPONSE THERE'S RESPONDERS MAY HAVE NO WAY OF COMMUNITY WITH EACH OTHER.

THAT NIGHTMARE COULD BECOME A REALITY IN A LITTLE OVER A WEEK IF THE CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT APPROVE A MEASURE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.

>> WE HAVE HAD LAPSES WITH OUR CURRENT SERVICE PROVIDER.

COUNSEL HAS MADE IT CLEAR THEY DON'T WANT TO CONTINUE, BUT THEY ALSO DON'T WANT TO PAY THEM EITHER.

OUR CURRENT PROVIDER WILL SHUT OFF THE SERVICE OCTOBER 31st.

>> Reporter: TRENTON MAYOR SAYS THE CITY CURRENTLY OWES NPS COMMUNICATIONS $200,000 FOR ITS SERVICES.

HOWEVER, TRENTON CITY COUNCIL HAS INDEFINITELY TABLED THE RESOLUTION TO PAY THE BILLS, THAT IS WHY THE VENDOR IS THREATENING TO SHUT DOWN THE ENTIRE RADIO SYSTEM.

>> WE DO HAVE A SOLUTION.

THE COUNTY HAS OFFERED US TO USE THEIR 911 EMERGENCY TRANSMISSION AIRWAVES AT NO COST.

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BUY THE EQUIPMENT THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE COUNTY'S 911 SYSTEM.

WE ARE ASKING COUNSEL TO AUTHORIZE UP TO $4 MILLION IN AMERICAN RECOVERY FUNDS.

THIS WOULD BE AT NO COST TO TRENTON TAXPAYERS SINCE THE COUNTY WILL PAY FOR THE AIR FREQUENCY AND ARP WILL PAY FOR THE RADIOS THEMSELVES.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT UNFORTUNATELY PULLED THE RESOLUTION FROM CONSIDERATION TONIGHT.

WE ARE BOXED IN WHERE THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZING US TO CONTINUE WITH THE CURRENT PROVIDER, BUT NOT LETTING US TAKE ANYONE UP EITHER.

>> Reporter: THE LACK OF RISK SUPPORT FOR EMERGENCY RESPONDERS COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A WORSE TIME.

LAST YEAR, THE CITY EXPERIENCED A RECORD NUMBER OF HOMICIDES.

THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN 30.

>> EITHER EIGHT POLICE OFFICERS CANNOT TALK AMONGST ONE ANOTHER IF THEY ARE IN TROUBLE, AS WELL AS FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONVERSE IN A FIRE SCENE, GOD FORBID SOMEONE IS TRAPPED IN A FIRE AND ARE IN A CERTAIN LOCATION IN THE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS OVER 8000 TRAN TONY AND CAN BE PUT AT RISK, NOW THAT THE CITY NEEDS TO BE MOVED ON A BACKUP CHANNEL HE SAYS IS NOT MEANT FOR EXTENDED USE.

>> THE POLICE WILL GO ON A BACKUP CHANNEL, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WILL GO ON A BACKUP CHANNEL, THE REST OF THE CITY ENTITY, PUBLIC INSPECTIONS, WORKS, SEWER, THEY WILL HAVE NO RADIO COMMUNICATIONS WHEN IT HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: THE CITY COUNCIL IS DIVIDED ON THE ISSUE.

JOE HARRIS AND PLANS TO WALK ON A RESOLUTION TO ALLOCATE $4 MILLION FOR 911 UPGRADES.

>> THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, FIRES ON BROAD STREETS, SHOOTINGS, PEOPLE GETTING STABBED.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS BEHIND ALL OF THIS?

>> THERE HAS BEEN TOO MUCH ARGUING, FIGHTING, TOO MUCH GRANDSTANDING.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO PRESIDENT KATHY McBRIDE FOR AN INTERVIEW, BUT SHE DECLINED AND PROVIDED THIS STATEMENT INSTEAD, QUOTE, IF THERE IS A DEED TO THE STATE, IT IS RESIDENCE AND VISITORS SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF THE FAILURES OF THE MAYOR.

OUR EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH A SUBPAR SYSTEM UNDER THE MAYOR FOR YEARS, WHICH HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE CONTRACT.

THIS ISSUE DID NOT JUST ARISE THIS PAST MONTH AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS DESERVE A STATE-OF- THE-ART SYSTEM.

THAT SYSTEM WAS DETAILED IN A PROFESSIONAL REPORT, PAID FOR BY THE CITY OF TRENTON AND IGNORED BY THE MAYOR GROSS EURO.

THE NEXT CHANCE TO BREAK THE POLITICAL STANDING WILL COME AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON THURSDAY NIGHT.

FOR NOW, TRENTON'S TEACHER OF THE ISSUE WILL BECOME UNCLEAR.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAS WORKED TO SHRINK ITS PRISON POPULATION IN RECENT YEARS, BUT THOSE EFFORTS HAVE NOT ENDED THE TROUBLING, RACIAL DISPARITIES THAT EXIST BARS.

A NEW REPORT FINDS BLACK RESIDENTS ARE INCARCERATED HERE AT A RATE OF 12 1/2 TIMES OF WHITE RESIDENTS.

THAT IS THE WORST RATE IN THE NATION.

SO, WHY DOES THAT DISPARITY STILL EXIST, EVEN AFTER THE STATE SEPARATES ITS REFORM?

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS OUR STORY.

>> BECAUSE PRISONS ARE NATURALLY OUT OF VIEW, THEY ARE DESIGNED TO BE OUT OF VIEW, WE AS A SOCIETY CAN FORGET WHO IS THERE AND FOR HOW LONG.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY NEHLS, SENIOR RESEARCH ANALYST WITH THE SENTENCING PROJECT SAYS NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW WHERE THEIR TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO WAS BEING PLACED BEHIND BARS.

THE ADVOCACY GROUP RELEASING A NEW REPORT THAT FINDS NEW JERSEY INCORPORATES INCARCERATES BLACK PEOPLE 12.5 TIMES MORE THAN WHITE PEOPLE.

>> IT IS A MIXED BAG BECAUSE IT IS A STATE THAT HAS HAD TREMENDOUS INCARCERATION, ABOUT 38, 39% DROP IN ITS STATE IMPRISONMENT OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS OR SO.

OVERALL, THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE NUMBER OF BLACK PEOPLE, A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF BLACK PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN NEW JERSEY.

THERE IS STILL THIS VERY TROUBLING DISPARITY BETWEEN BLACKS AND WHITES IN THE STATE.

>> Reporter: A DISPARITY THAT HAS NOT CHANGED MUCH SINCE THE LAST REPORT IN 2016.

>> WHEN YOU ARE LIVING IN A STATE THAT IS AMONGST ONE OF THE MOST SEGREGATED IN A NATION, IN A STATE WHERE THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP IS AMONGST THE WIDEST IN THE NATION, IT IS ABSOLUTELY NO SURPRISE THAT THOSE SAME DISPARITIES WOULD BE IN A PRISON BECAUSE WHAT DRIVES PRISON CONDITIONS IS THE DESPERATION AND THE HARDSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH ULTIMATELY LEADS TO THE DESPERATION THAT LEADS TO CRIME.

>> WE NEED TO DO A DRASTIC OVERHAUL FOR OUR SENTENCING POLICY.

WE TOOK A FEW GOOD STEPS TOWARD REDUCING MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCING APPLICATION, BUT WE NEED TO END ALL MANDATORY MINIMUM.

WE NEED POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY.

NEW JERSEY IS BEHIND IN POLICE DISCIPLINARY TRANSPARENCY, 29 OTHER STATES HAVE BETTER DISCIPLINARY TRANSPARENCY PRACTICES THEN NEW JERSEY, SO WE NEED TO CATCH UP.

>> Reporter: STATE LAWMAKERS TOOK SOME ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THE 2016 REPORT.

A NEW LAW WAS ADOPTED, REQUIRING CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILLS TO INCLUDE RACIAL IMPACT STATEMENTS TO SEE WHAT KIND OF EFFECT LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE ON COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, BUT ADVOCATES, INCLUDING ASSEMBLYMAN BETTY, WHO SPONSORED THE BILL, SAYS IT IS NOT BEING DONE.

>> WE NEED TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND WE NEED PEOPLE TO SPEAK UP.

IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO SAY I AGREE WITH YOU.

WE NEED WHITE PEOPLE, DIFFERENT RELIGIONS, PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT COLOR TO STEP UP AND SAY, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> THOSE LAWS WERE PUT IN PLACE IN THE 80s AND 90s, DURING A VERY UNDERSTANDABLE CRIME RHYMES RISE AND INFESTATION OF THE CRACK EPIDEMIC.

THOSE DRUG LAWS THAT WERE PUT IN PLACE THAT WERE NOT RESEARCH- BASED, BUT FEAR-BASED MODELS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO REVERSE.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES ARE HOPING THE FINDINGS OF CONTINUE RACIAL DISPARITIES WILL PUSH LAWMAKERS TO ADDRESS STATE POLICIES.

FOR COLLEEN , TRENTON, I MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS THAT ARE ATTRACTING ATTENTION.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ TAKES A LOOK AT THE SECOND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT SENATE RACE, WHICH IS PROVING TO BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGN IN THE STATE.

>> IT IS HARD NOT TO LOOK AT ATLANTIC COUNTY WITHOUT VIEWING IT THROUGH THE PRISM OF ATLANTIC CITY.

AC IS THE ECONOMIC ENGINE, A WORKPLACE WHERE THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS AND A SOURCE OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TAX REVENUE AND OTHER ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

THE TWO MEN LOOKING TO REPLACE DEPARTING SENATOR CHRIS BROWN AGREE ONLY THAT IT IS A BIG ISSUE, NOT SO MUCH ON THE JOB THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE TO PROP IT UP AFTER FOUR YEARS AND FOUR MORE FORTHCOMING OF STATE CONTROL.

>> THE CITY HAS UNFORTUNATELY GOT MAJOR CHALLENGE.

IT HAS BEEN 43 YEARS SINCE RESORTS OPENED.

I WAS 7 YEARS OLD.

THERE ARE PARTS OF THAT CITY THAT LOOK WORSE NOW THAN EVER.

THERE IS CRIME OVER THERE.

WE NEED MORE POLICE.

WE NEED IT CLEANED UP.

THE CITY HAS GOT SOME SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES.

>> THEY WANT TO LOOK AT GRANTS, I PROVIDED A $35 MILLION GRANT FOR BARS AND RESTAURANTS TO HELP THEM ACTUALLY--WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR COME DOWN AND WE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE ON THAT.

$120 MILLION FOR MICRO BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: THE SECOND DISTRICT IS IN SOUTH JERSEY, NEVER ESPECIALLY HOSPITABLE TO GOVERNOR MURPHY, BUT DEMOCRATIC REGISTRATION IS UP DOWN HERE.

THEY MAKE UP 38% OF THE VOTERS, COMPARED TO 27% FOR REPUBLICANS .

IT IS THE UNAFFILIATED WHO MAKE THIS A DISTRICT WHERE THE SENATOR IS A REPUBLICAN, BUT THE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ARE DEMOCRATS.

AS FOR WHERE THE DISTRICT STANDS ON WHO IS AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET, JOHN OF HUGHES CENTER FOR PUBLIC POLICY AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY SAYS IT IS A MIXED BAG.

>> PEOPLE'S SUPPORT, GOVERNOR MURPHY'S VACCINE MANDATES AND MASK MANDATES, THEY WERE VERY UNHAPPY ALONG THE SHORE WITH OUR TOURIST ECONOMY, THAT IT TOOK SO LONG TO REOPEN THE BUSINESSES.

SO, THERE MAY BE SOME LINGERING RESENTMENT OVER THAT.

THE DEMOCRATS CERTAINLY HAVE SOME ADVANTAGES.

ONE OF THEM IS MONEY.

IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE A 2-1 ADVANTAGE IN FUNDRAISING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: AND THAT IS NOT COUNTING THE OUTSIDE MONEY FROM INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURE GROUPS, WHICH WILL MAKE THIS THE STATE'S MOST EXPENSIVE LEGISLATIVE RACE, AND THAT IS NOT ALWAYS A GOOD THING.

IRONICALLY, SOMETHING BOTH SIDES AGREE ON.

>> I THINK WE ALL WISH WE COULD LIMIT IT SOMEHOW, SO WE COULD HAVE REAL CAMPAIGNS AND TALK ABOUT REAL ISSUES AND NOT HAVE ALL OF THIS EXTRANEOUS STUFF THAT JUST DISTRACTS PEOPLE.

AGAIN, THAT IS NOT THE WORLD WE LIVE IN RIGHT NOW, IT IS WHAT IT IS AND WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> I HAVE NO CONTROL, FIRST OF ALL.

SECOND OF ALL, THROUGH OVERSATURATION, PEOPLE COME UP TO ME IN A STORE OR KNOCKING ON DOORS AND THEY SAY I HAVE SEEN THIS AD, OR IT IS PRETTY NEGATIVE, YOUR OPPONENT, WHATEVER.

YOU HAVE TO GO SAY THESE ARE INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES AND WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER.

>> Reporter: MESIAL SAYS HE CHALLENGES PARTY WHEN NEEDED, CRITICIZING THE GOVERNMENT IN THE PAST ON SLOW CASINO REOPENING AND THE CLOSING OF TRANSIT'S ATLANTIC CITY LINE.

HE HOPES FOR A MORE COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR, WHICH YOU WOULD EXPECT TO HEAR FROM A REPUBLICAN , WHEN REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME HERE, DEMOCRATS ARE EXPECTED TO RUN BOTH HOUSES AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, TRENTON.

>>> A STRING OF PROMISING DEMOCRATS HAVE COME TO A CAMPAIGN IN FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY IN RECENT WEEKS.

LAST NIGHT, GOP CHALLENGER GOT HIS OWN PROFILE VISITOR IN THE FORM OF REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRWOMAN, RHONDA McDANIEL.

SHE CRITICIZED GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR NEW JERSEY'S HIGH TAXES AND UNEMPLOYMENT, ADDING THAT MURPHY IS SHAKING IN HIS BOOTS OVER THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

WITH ELECTION DAY LESS THEN TWO WEEKS AWAY AND EARLY VOTING BEGINNING THIS SATURDAY, VOTER REGISTRATION COULD PLAY A BIG ROLE AT WHO EMERGES VICTORIOUS IN THIS GOVERNOR'S RACE.

UNAFFILIATED VOTERS, ONCE OUTNUMBERED, BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR, REGISTERED DEMOCRATS BECAME THE DOMINANT VOTING BLOCK.

I SPOKE WITH "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR COLLEEN O'DAY ABOUT HOW THAT MIGHT PLAY OUT IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE.

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THIS SHIFT IN REGISTRATION NUMBERS AND HOW WILL IT POTENTIALLY IMPACT JACK ?

>> IT REALLY WAS LONG AGO THAT NEW JERSEY HAD A FAIRLY BALANCED REGISTRATION BETWEEN THE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

IT WAS NOT UNTIL RECENT YEARS THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE REALLY PULLED AWAY.

THERE IS MORE THAN 1 MILLION MORE DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS .

THAT IS REALLY A PROBLEM FOR JACK CHILLER REALLY, HE HAS GOT TO NOT ONLY MOTIVATE ALL OF THE REPUBLICANS TO COME OUT AND VOTE FOR HIM, BUT HE ALSO HAD TO MOTIVATE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF UNAFFILIATED VOTERS.

WE'VE GOT LOTS OF THEM, TO AN NAP MILLION 2 1/2 MILLION, OR SWAY DEMOCRATS TO COME OVER.

THE MASS IS REALLY NOT IN HIS FAVOR.

>> Reporter: SO WHAT WAS BEHIND THE SHIFT IN CHANGE IN VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBERS?

WHAT CAUSED THIS?

>> WHAT REALLY HELPED WAS WAY BACK WHEN, WHEN BARACK OBAMA FIRST RAN FOR PRESIDENT.

HE MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT, REALLY ACROSS THE NATION, TO TRY TO REGISTER MORE FOLKS.

THAT WAS KIND OF THE START FIRST UPTAKE IN DEMOCRATIC REGISTRATION IN THE STATE.

THEN, WE HAVE JUST SEEN IT HAPPEN IN KIND OF DRIPS AND DRABS OVER TIME.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, BEFORE HE WAS GOVERNOR, WHEN HE WAS RUNNING, PUT SOME MONEY BEHIND THAT EFFORT.

NEW JERSEY ALSO IS DOING AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION NOW , SO PEOPLE ARE KIND OF THINKING RIGHT AWAY, WELL, WHO DO I WANT TO BE?

SO, AS THE STATE HAS GROWN BLUER DEMOGRAPHICALLY AS WELL, WE NOTICED SOME FOLKS HAVE MOVED OUT OF STATE.

THEY TENDED TO BE MORE REPUBLICANS.

THE FOLKS MOVING IN TENDED TO BE MORE DEMOCRATIC.

IT HAS KIND OF SNOWBALLED.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WILL HAVE TO BE A REAL, THOUGHTFUL STRATEGY, I GUESS, FROM THE STATE GOP MOVING FORWARD, GIVEN THAT THE NUMBERS AREN'T IN THEIR FAVOR.

>> THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HOLD THE STATEHOUSE OR EITHER OFFICE, EITHER THE SENATE OR ASSEMBLY.

THEY HAD NOT WON A U.S. SENATE SEAT IN NEW JERSEY INDICATES.

THERE HASN'T REALLY BEEN A STANDARD THERE, SOMEBODY TO GO OUT THERE AND DO THE KIND OF LEGWORK THAT YOU NEED TO REALLY BOOST VOTER REGISTRATION, GET MORE MONEY COMING INTO THE PARTY.

THEY ARE KIND OF IN A REBUILDING PHASE.

AGAIN, THAT HAS KIND OF HURT JACK TRENT 24.

THEY NEED SOMEBODY TO DO THAT WORK.

UNTIL THEN GET SOMEBODY TO DO THAT WORK, THEY WILL NOT HAVE THE NUMBERS.

AGAIN, IT IS DIFFICULT.

>> COLLEEN, THANKS.

>>> FOR MANY OF US, THE OFFICE IS TILL OUR KITCHEN TABLE.

EVEN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BACK TO THE OFFICE, IT MAY NOT BE FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH NEW JERSEY'S REAL ESTATE MARKET?

LIKE THE WORKPLACE ITSELF, IT IS UNDERGOING A TRANSFORMATION.

LEAH MICHIGAN INTO THE FUTURE WORK IN THE STATE'S REAL ESTATE FOOTPRINT FOR TONIGHT'S " SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORTS."

>>> THE RETURNED BACK TO THE OFFICE IS A PROCESS COMPANIES ARE FIGURING OUT IN REAL-TIME.

>> THE FOOTPRINTS ARE CHANGING.

THEY MAY COME INTO THE OFFICE THREE DAYS A WEEK OR TWO DAYS A WEEK, AND THEN THEY WILL WORK AT HOME FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEK.

I DON'T THINK THE DEMAND FOR OFFICE IS GOING TO BE WHAT IT ONCE WAS.

>> Reporter: PROFESSORS JAMES HUGHES SAYS THAT MEANS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE OFFICE SPACES WILL BE USED THE MOST.

NEW JERSEY'S COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION CEO SAYS AMENITIES TO INCENTIVIZE EMPLOYEES TO WANT TO GO BACK TO THE OFFICE, THINK FACEBOOK AND GOOGLE OFFERING FREE FOOD, RELAXATION ROOMS AND COFFEE SHOPS.

>> KNOWS THAT DID NOT PUT AS MUCH TIME AND EFFORT INVESTMENT MONIES INTO THEIR PORTFOLIO ARE HAVING A MUCH HARDER TIME.

THOSE OFFICE OWNERS, DEVELOPERS THAT HAVE INVESTED SOME SIGNIFICANT MONIES OVER THE YEARS IN THEIR TECHNOLOGY, IN THEIR AMENITIES, IN THEIR UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE ARE DOING QUITE WELL.

>> ONE OF THE OTHER FRIENDS BESIDES WORKING FROM HOME IS WORKING NEAR HOME.

WE SEE SOME SATELLITE OFFICES UTILIZING EXISTING OFFICE BUILDINGS TO SET UP SMALL SUITES OF VASES NEAR WHERE CLUSTER OF EMPLOYEES LIVE.

>> Reporter: USES SAYS WITHIN THE PAST YEAR OR TWO, OBSOLETE OFFICE BUILDINGS HAVE BEEN TORN DOWN TO MAKE ROOM FOR FULFILLMENT CENTERS, LARGE WAREHOUSES, A BOOMING INDUSTRY WHICH EXPLODED WITH THE ADVENT OF e-COMMERCE AND HAS CONTINUOUSLY BEEN TRENDING UPWARDS, HE SAYS.

>> I HAVE JUST TAKEN DOWN A 100,000 FOOT OFFICE BUILDING IN PISCATAWAY, NEW JERSEY, AND I AM BUILDING A 100, 000 SQUARE FEET OF WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION.

>> Reporter: THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF A PRIVATE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY THAT THEY HAVE DEMOLISHED VIRTUALLY EVERY OFFICE BUILDING THEY OWN TO TURN INTO INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION, INCLUDING A 500,000 SQUARE FOOT OFFICE BUILDING IN CRANBERRY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT WAS ORIGINALLY BUILT FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANY, THEN WHEN THEY WERE ABSORBED, IT BECAME PRUDENTIAL INSURANCE.

WHEN THOSE LEASES EXPIRED, WE WERE UNABLE TO LEASE THAT BUILDING.

WE BUILT NEARLY 1 MILLION FEET OF INDUSTRIAL SPACE WHERE THE OFFICE BUILDING STOOD.

THE SPACE WAS LEAST IMMEDIATELY , EVEN BEFORE IT WAS COMPLETED.

I THINK THE FUTURE FOR OFFICE SPACE IS SOMEWHAT DIM.

THAT IS NOT TO SAY THERE WILL NOT BE AN OFFICE MARKET, THERE WILL BE, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT MARKET.

>> NEXT YEAR, 2022, WE SEE A TESTING OUT OF ALL OF THESE ALTERNATIVE MODELS.

>> Reporter: WHETHER THAT IS RETURNED TO OFFICE, WORK FROM HOME, WORK NEAR HOME, OR A COMBINATION.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" , LEAH MICHIGAN.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET FARED TODAY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORTS PROVIDED BY, NEW JERSEY MONTHLY MAGAZINE, COVERING ALL OF NEW JERSEY, WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO, AND SO MUCH MORE ON LOCAL NEWSSTANDS AND ONLINE AT IN JMONTHLY.COM.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, REMEMBER TO CATCH "CHATTERBOX" WITH SENIOR DAVID CRUISE ON THURSDAY.

DAVID DISCUSSES THE LAWSUIT THAT SEEKS TO DESEGREGATE NEW JERSEY'S SCHOOLS.

HOW THE PANDEMIC IS FURTHER EXPOSED THE ISSUE OF EQUAL ACCESS IN THE CLASSROOM AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT IS THURSDAY 6:30 P.M., LIVE ON OUR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> NJ INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

VERIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, PSEG ASSOCIATION, AND BY THE NEW EMERGENCE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART INC. NJ.

>>> DAY AFTER DAY, WE RELY ON ELECTRICITY FOR ALL OF THE ORDINARY THINGS IN OUR LIVES AND FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY.

>> MOM!

>> HEY, SWEETIE!

HOW ARE YOU?

TELL ME ABOUT THE GAME.

>> I SCORED TWO GOALS.

>> THAT IS MY BOY.

>> AT PSEG, OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU NOW IS MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER.