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>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH RIHANNA BUT I WAS A.

>> WELCOME TO SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I AM INFORMED RIHANNA.

RESIDENTS STILL SUFFERING FROM THE AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL STORM IDA GOT SLAMMED AGAIN TODAY.

THE NOR'EASTER THAT ROLLED IN LAST NIGHT STAY AND HAS BEEN DUMPING RAIN ON NEW JERSEY ALL DAY LONG WITH PARTS OF THE STATE TAKING UP TO FIVE INCHES OF WATER.

IN FACT, SOME FORECASTING A MONTHS WORTH OF RAIN COULD FALL IN JUST ONE DAY BY THE TIME IT IS ALL DONE.

AND MURPHY DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY LAST NIGHT, WHICH LED MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE NEAR WATER TO CLOSE AT SCHOOL TODAY, AND THE GOVERNOR ALLOWED A LATE START FOR STATE EMPLOYEES.

TORRENTIAL RAINS COVER THE STATE, FLOODING ACCUMULATED IN AREAS LIKE BERGEN AND PASSAIC COUNTY'S.

POWER OUTAGES ALSO PLAGUED THE STATE LEAVING CLOSE TO 1800 CUSTOMERS IN THE TARGET ONE POINT.

FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS REMAINED IN EFFECT TODAY AND DRIVERS WERE URGED TO STAY OFF THE ROADS, ALTHOUGH IMAGES HAVE TRICKLED AND OF COURSE SUBMERGED IN WATER AROUND THE STATE.

THE RAIN DID EASE UP THIS AFTERNOON, BUT OFFICIAL WARNED THE STORMS ON ONE AND ANOTHER ROUND COMING THROUGH TONIGHT MEANS PEOPLE SHOULD STAY HOME WHEREVER POSSIBLE.

THE GOVERNOR WAS ASKED WHETHER HE RESPONDED MORE QUICKLY TO THE STORE AND THEN TO HURRICANE IDA WHERE 30 PEOPLE WERE KILLED, MANY STRANDED IN RISING FLOODWATERS.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> WE DO A POSTMORTEM ON EVERY STORM, BUT POLITICS ARE A FACTOR.

IT IS NOT A FACTOR.

OUR JOB IS TO SAVE AS MANY LIVES AS POSSIBLE.

THIS ONE IS A LONG STORM, AND WITH SIGNIFICANT PARAMETERS IN TERMS OF RAIN, POTENTIAL FLOODING, HIGH WINDS, UNPREDICTABILITY.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVE SET A GOAL TO PASS THE PRESIDENT'S SPENDING PLAN BY THE END OF THE MONTH AND THEY HAVE BEEN HAMMERING AWAY AT A DEAL THAT INCLUDES THE BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN, THE TOUGH NEGOTIATIONS HAVE SEEN THE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED 3 1/2 TRILLION DOLLAR PACKAGE NOW SLASHED TO ABOUT 1 1/2-2 TRILLION, TAKING WITH IT SOME OF THE KEY AGENDA ITEMS LIKE FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND SOME OF HIS CLEAN ENERGY TARGETS.

MEMBERS OF NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HAVE DUG THEIR HILLS ON ISSUES THAT MATTER TO RESIDENTS HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE SENIOR CORRESPONDENT FLANAGAN REPORTS ON WHAT THOSE NEGOTIATIONS AND AN EVENTUAL DEAL COULD MEAN FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS PRESIDENT BIDEN POPPED BY CARNEY TO PROMOTE HIS BUILD BACK AT HER PROPOSAL, NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUED AT A FEVER PITCH AMONGST DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS OVER A SCALED DOWN TO TRILLION DOLLAR VERSION THAT BOTH MODERATES AND PROGRESSIVES COULD SUPPORT.

WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR NEW JERSEY?

FOR ONE REINSTATING SALT.

STATE AND LOCAL TAX DISSECTIONS OF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS CAPPED IN 2017.

>> JACKSON REPORTS A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT.

>> SENATOR MENENDEZ WAS TELLING OUR STAFF YESTERDAY THAT THEY THINK THEY HAVE A DEAL ON THE STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION TO LIFT THE CAP BACK UP AT LEAST FOR TWO YEARS AND EVERYTHING IS STILL FLUID.

>> AS I HAVE SET FOR MONTH, NO SALT, NO DICE.

>> IT IS A REDLINE FOR JOSH.HEIMER.

JERSEY RESIDENTS PAY THE NATION'S HIGHEST PROPERTY TAXES.

>> REINSTATING SALT WILL BE IN THIS BILL.

IF THEY WANT FOLKS LIKE ME, WE HAVE MADE THAT CLEAR, AND WE FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT SALT BE REINSTATED AND WE GET SOME TAX RELIEF.

>> PAYING FOR IT, HE SAYS DEBATE CONTINUES ON PROPOSALS LIKE A BILLIONAIRES TAX AND DEMOCRATS ARE HAGGLING OVER WHETHER MEDICARE SHOULD NEGOTIATE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES, PLUS ADDING DENTAL, VISION, AND HEARING COVERAGE.

>> EXPANSIONS TO THE MEDICARE PROGRAM, WHICH ARE DEFINITELY UNDER A LOT OF SCRUTINY BECAUSE THEY ARE SO EXPENSIVE, BUT THEY ARE SO IMPORTANT, VISION, DENTAL AND HEARING, THINGS THAT SENIORS DON'T HAVE COVERAGE FOR, THAT WOULD BE HUGE.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS ALREADY CONNECTED MITCHELL'S SOCIAL REFORMS IN THE BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN INCLUDING 12 WEEKS OF PAID FAMILY LEAVE, AND FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY, BUT IT COULD BENEFIT FROM FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PRE-K CLASSES AND A CAP ON EXORBITANT COYOTE CARE EXPENSES, A PROPOSAL FROM CONGRESSWOMAN CHERYL.

>> NOBODY SHOULD PAY MORE THAN 7% OF THEIR INCOME AND CHILDCARE COSTS.

>> OPPOSITION FROM WEST VIRGINIA DEMOCRAT MANSION ON BEHALF OF HIS COPRODUCING STATE HAS GUTTED MUCH OF BIDEN'S CLEAN ENERGY GOALS.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES HAVE LOWERED EXPECTATIONS FOR A PARED BACK PLAN THAT PERHAPS OFFERS TAX BREAKS FOR ENERGY PRODUCERS WHO MEET EMISSIONS GOALS.

>> IT LOOKS DIFFERENT THEN WE STARTED OUT.

THAT IS OKAY, AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR ELECTED LEADERS.

WE EXPECT THEM TO BE OPEN TO DIFFERENT OPINIONS.

>> AS DEMOCRATS HAMMER A DEAL, PRESSURE IS BUILDING FOR A VOTE ON THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT IS ALREADY PASSED THE SENATE, BUT A HOUSEBOAT IS STILL PENDING.

>> WE WOULD HOLD IT UP FOR ANY PURPOSE AND LOOK AT THE RESOURCES FOR CLAIMANT RESILIENCY, HURRICANE IDA, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT HELP ADDRESS THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE WOULD HOLD THIS UP ONE DAY LONGER.

>> A BUILD BACK BETTER BILL COULD NOT ACTUALLY BE DRAFTED BY THIS WEEK.

IT IS TOO COMPLEX.

IF DEMOCRATS CAN REACH A CONSENSUS.

>> WHAT IS MORE LIKELY IN MY MIND IS SOME KIND OF PRESS CONFERENCE AGREEMENTS, BACK FLAP, AND THEN THEY ALSO PASS THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL >> WHATEVER PASSES, LEADERSHIP IS COACHING DEMOCRATS TO CALL IT A WIN.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER INTO THE END, THIS IS A WINNER FOR THE DEMOCRATS IN 2022, BUT I DO THINK IF THEY FAIL, THERE IS NO WAY THEY GET AROUND THAT THEY FAILED, AND THAT IS A LOSER.

>> BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> A LOOK AT THE COVID NUMBERS, TODAY THERE ARE 1211 NEW CASES AND 32 NEW DEATHS, BRINGING THE TOTAL TO NEARLY 28,000.

NEW JERSEY HAS MORE THAN 6 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED.

THOSE NUMBERS ARE SURE TO GO UP AS YOUNGER KIDS WAITING FOR VACCINES ARE A STEP CLOSER TO GETTING ONE THIS WEEK.

AND FDA ADVISORY PANEL TODAY RECOMMENDED THAT PFIZER'S VACCINE FOR KIDS AGES 5-11 RECEIVE EMERGENCY YOUTH AUTHORIZATION.

IT IS UP TO THE FDA TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATION, WHICH IS LIKELY TO HAPPEN LATER THIS WEEK.

AND MADONNA RELEASED DATA SHOWING IT'S VACCINE FOR 6-11- YEAR-OLD IS IT SAFE AND PROVIDES A POWERFUL IMMUNE RESPONSE.

MELISSA COOPER LOOKS AT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR KIDS IN NEW JERSEY.

>> DO I TRUST THE SCIENCE?

I KNOW THE COVID VACCINE MIGHT BE NEW, BUT THE TECHNOLOGY IT IS BASED ON IS NOT NEW.

>> ANDREA IS ANXIOUSLY AWAITING FOR THE DAY SHE CAN GET HER EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER BETTY AND FIVE-YEAR-OLD SON ASHER VACCINATED.

ALEXANDER SAYS BOTH HER KIDS HAVE GOTTEN ALL THE OTHER REQUIRED VACCINATIONS, SO GETTING ONE FOR COVID WILL GIVE THEM THE EXTRA PROTECTION THEY NEED TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM SAFELY.

>> MY DAUGHTER LAST WEEK WAS QUARANTINED AGAIN DUE TO EXPOSURE AT HER SCHOOL, AND SHE MISSED OUT ON A COUPLE SCHOOL DAYS.

SHE WAS QUARANTINED LAST YEAR FOUR TIMES, SO SHE MISSED 40 DAYS OF IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION, AND I'VE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT THE TOLL THAT IS TAKING ON HER, THE TOLL IT TAKES ON HER CLASSMATES, WHICH IS NOT LEARNING THAT SHE IS SUPPOSED TO BE LEARNING.

>> SHE AND MANY PARENTS ARE WAITING FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION OF PFIZER'S COVID VACCINE FROM 5-11-YEAR-OLD, WHICH IS EXPECTED BY THE END OF THE WEEK FOLLOWING TODAY'S MEETING OF AN FDA ADVISORY PANEL.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR NOW FOR SEVERAL MONTHS SINCE THE VACCINE WAS LICENSED FOR ADULTS BACK IN DECEMBER.

OVER THE LAST I THINK ABOUT SIX WEEKS, THERE HAS BEEN OVER 1 MILLION CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID.

THAT BRINGS THE TOTAL PROBABLY CLOSE TO 7 MILLION SINCE THE START OF.

SO WE HAVE SEEN A HUGE UPTICK, PROBABLY RELATED TO SCHOOL STARTING.

>> NOW, MODERNITY HAS DEVELOPED A COVID VACCINE THAT IS SAFE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN.

IN A TRIAL OF OVER 4700 KIDS AGES 6-11, MODERNA SAYS THE RESULTS SHOWED PARTICIPANTS HAD A POWERFUL IMMUNE RESPONSE WITH ANTIBODY LEVELS THAT WERE 1 1/2 TIMES HIGHER THAN YOUNG ADULTS.

>> INFECTIONS THAT OCCUR NOW FROM THE DELTA VARIANT IS REALLY OCCURRING PREDOMINANTLY IN THE UNVACCINATED CROWD.

THE POOL OF THE GREATEST NUMBER OF UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS ARE CHILDREN BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT HAD VACCINES, SO THE MOMENT WE GET INTO CHILDREN GETTING VACCINATED, THERE IS GOING TO BE FEWER HOSTS AND THAT MEANS LESS INFECTIONS OF COVID, SO THIS IS WHAT I CALL THE NEXT FRONTIER, AND COULD REALLY PUT A DENT IN THE INFECTIVITY OF COVID.

>> I THINK WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VACCINE, YOU NEED TO WEIGH OUT THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH COVID, AND I KNOW ONE OF THE BIG CONCERNS FOR PARENTS AS ISSUES OF MYOCARDITIS WITH THE VACCINE.

HOWEVER, WE KNOW THAT MYOCARDITIS IS MORE COMMON POST COVID INFECTION THEN IT IS POST COVID VACCINE, SO FOR ME, THE ELEPHANTS FAR OUTWEIGH THE RISK.

>> BENEFITS DOCTOR CATHERINE SAYS HER SON COLIN ALSO WANTS TO HAVE.

THE FIVE-YEAR-OLD EVEN WROTE A LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN TELLING HIM HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR KIDS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> HE WANTS TO BE ABLE TO GO TO HERSHEYPARK AND GO TO DISNEY WORLD AND NOT HAVE YOU KNOW, THE CONCERN.

IT'S AMAZING EVEN THOUGH HE IS FIVE AND HALF YEARS OLD, HE REALLY HAS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THE VIRUS IS CONTAGIOUS AND IT PRESENTS A RISK FOR ALL PEOPLE, AND HE REALLY WANTS THE VACCINE TO BE ABLE TO KEEP HIMSELF SAFE, BUT TO KEEP OTHERS SAFE AS WELL.

>> MODERNA AND PFIZER SAY ANY SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE VACCINE IN CHILDREN ARE MILD TO MODERATE.

MODERNITY IS LOOKING TO CONDUCT A CHILD FOR KIDS UNDER SIX TO EXPAND THE VACCINE REACH.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MELISSA COOPER.

>> ANYONE LOOKING TO ENTER THE STATE HOUSE WILL NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION OR TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID.

THE NEW POLICY APPROVED BY THE COMMISSION THAT OVERSEES THE BUILDING WAS PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES TODAY, AND ONE PARTY IS NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS SENT A LETTER TO SWEENEY AND ASSEMBLY SPEAKER COGHLAN CHALLENGING THAT THE RULE WOULD SEVERELY LIMIT ACCESS TO THE CAPITAL COMPLEX AND THUS PREVENT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

MEANWHILE, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY HAS ALSO ENACTED A VACCINE MANDATE.

IT WOULD APPLY TO THE ROUGHLY 10% OF STAFF STILL UNVACCINATED, GIVING THEM UNTIL DECEMBER 8 TO GET THEIR SHOT OR FACE DISCIPLINARY ACTION, WHICH COULD INCLUDE BEING FIRED.

>>> NEW VIDEO CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA WE PREFER THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION PURPORTS TO SHOW HIGH-LEVEL MURPHY CAMPAIGN STAFFERS SAYING THE GOVERNOR WILL ENACT A VACCINE PASSPORT MANDATE STATEWIDE ONLY AFTER HE WINS THE ELECTION.

THE VIDEO WAS RECORDED AND EDITED BY THE RIGHT-WING GROUP PROJECT VERITAS.

IT IS A COMMENT THAT HIS CAMP WASTED NO TIME RESPONDING TO SAYING THAT IF IT IS TRUE, THIS THE ULTIMATE HYPOCRISY AND AN APPALLING LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

BUT HOW TRUE IT IS REMAINS IN QUESTION.

MURPHY'S CAMPAIGN HAS ACCUSED PROJECT VERITAS OF AMBUSHING HIS STAFF IN A PARKING LOT AND LOWERING THEM INSIDE TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS AND THE HIGHLY EDITED CLIP THEY PUT OUT DOES NOT EXACTLY SHOW THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED THE FULL EXTENT OF THE ANSWERS GIVEN.

THE MURPHY CAMPAIGN RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING NOW HE HAS HIT ROCK BOTTOM.

THAT IS CIATTARELLI EMBRACING INTIMIDATION TACTICS, IT IS DISQUALIFYING FOR ANY CANDIDATE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

LEADERS FOR THE DEMOCRATS SAID THIS IS CRIMINAL HARASSMENT.

WE ARE CALLING ON CIATTARELLI TO DISAVOW THE CONTEXT OF THESE EXTREMIST AND JOIN US IN DENOUNCING JAMES O'KEEFE.

BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID THAT A VACCINE PASSPORT MANDATE IS STILL QUOTE ON THE TABLE.

LOWER TAXES, LESS SPENDING.

THAT HAS BEEN THE BATTLE CRY OF HIM DURING THIS CAMPAIGN.

IT IS THE SECOND RUN FOR JACK WHO HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF MURPHY'S SPENDING AND SAYS THAT BILLIONS COULD BE TRIMMED EASILY.

HE HAS ALSO SLAMMED WHAT HE SAYS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE BUDGET PROCESS OVER THE MANY YEARS OF DEMOCRATIC CONTROL IN TRENTON, BUT HE HAS LEFT A LOT OF THE DETAILS OF HIS SPENDING PLAN TO THE IMAGINATION, LEAVING VOTERS TO WONDER WHAT CHANGES HE WILL ACTUALLY MAKE TO THE BUDGET IF ELECTED.

OUR WRITER JOHN JOINS ME TO TALK DETAILS.

CIATTARELLI HAS SAID HE WILL CUT SPENDING AND CUT TAXES, BUT HAS HE SPECIFIED WHERE AND HOW HE WILL DO THAT?

>> RIGHT NOW, HE IS POINTING OUT THAT THE BUDGET IS QUOTE LOADED AND HE WANTS TO PUT IT ON A DIET AND HE HAS LOOKED BACK AT SOME PRIOR BUDGETS AS EXAMPLES OF WAYS WE COULD GET BACK TO A LOWER NUMBER, BUT LEFT OUT OF THE EXERCISE RIGHT NOW IS EXACTLY WHAT WOULD BE CUT FROM THE BUDGET.

HE TALKED ABOUT CUTTING TAX SOURCES LIKE REDUCING CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX.

THAT'S A BIG SOURCE OF REVENUE FOR NEW JERSEY'S BUDGET, SO WITH BIG TAX CUTS COMES A PROGRAM CUT OR SPENDING DECREASES, AND THAT IS AN AREA WHERE HE IS YET TO BE SPECIFIC.

HE SAID HE WOULD HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH LAWMAKERS ONCE HE TAKES OFFICE.

SO RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT WE WOULD BE GETTING IN TERMS OF SPENDING REDUCTION IF CIATTARELLI IS ELECTED, BUT IT WOULD BE A BIG DEPARTURE FROM THE WAY THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS HANDLED THE BUDGET.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME SIGNIFICANT INCREASES ON TOP EARNING BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT HIS TENURE SO FAR.

>> IN FACT, HE HAS BEEN CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNOR INCREASING THE BUDGET BY $11 BILLION, THAT LOADED TERM HE USED HAS HE SPECIFIED WHERE HE WOULD CUT BACK FROM SOME OF THOSE INCREASES, WHAT SOME OF THOSE CUTS WOULD BE?

>> YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE THE INCREASES HAVE GONE, NEW JERSEY IS SPENDING A LOT MORE IN AREAS IT NEGLECTED.

MORE FUNDING FOR K-12 SCHOOL AID FORMULAS AND MORE FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC WORKER PENSION SYSTEM AND THOSE ARE TWO AREAS THAT ARE NOT SPLASHY NECESSARILY, BUT IF YOU TAKE ABOUT SCHOOLS, THEY RELY ON LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES, SO THAT CAN EASE PRESSURE ON THOSE PROPERTY TAX BILLS, AND THE PENSION HAS BEEN IN A BAD SPOT FOR THE STATE IN TERMS OF ITS BALANCE SHEET, SO MURPHY HAS BEEN TRYING TO PREP THOSE THAT.

CIATTARELLI HAS NOT SAID SPECIFICALLY WHAT HE WOULD CUT, SO WE DON'T KNOW, BUT WE DO KNOW WITH SOME BIG AREAS OF THE BUDGET ARE PEER DEBT, PENSION, K-12, PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, THOSE ARE THE BIG TICKET ITEMS, SO WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHETHER THOSE PROGRAMS WOULD BE IMPACTED OR SOMETHING ELSE AS HE WOULD TRY TO PURSUE THIS SPENDING CUT PROPOSAL.

>> JUST A FEW SECONDS LEFT, HE SAYS HE HAS A NEW SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> WE ONLY HAVE A FEW DETAILS AND THAT IS A TRICKY AREA AND IT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY IMPACT EVERY COMMUNITY IN THE SAME WAY, SO SOME WOULD SEE SOME RELIEF AND MAYBE SOME WOULD SEEM THE BURDEN GO UP.

WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT TO SEE FOR MORE DETAILS ON THAT ONE.

>> IS IT UNUSUAL, JUST VERY QUICKLY TO NOT HAVE THE DETAILS BY NOW?

>>-GOVERNOR'S IN GENERAL DON'T WANT TO GET TRIPPED UP.

THEY WERE TO TELL US ABOUT THEIR GOALS, SO IT IS NOT NECESSARILY SURPRISING THAT WE DON'T HAVE MORE, BUT IT DOES MAKE IT HARDER TO ANALYZE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GET IF WE GET CIATTARELLI FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A REMINDER TO JOIN US HERE FOR OUR SPECIAL 2021 ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE NEXT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 STARTING AT 10 PM.

WE WILL HAVE THE MOST UP-TO-DATE RACE RESULTS AND ANALYSIS FROM ALL THE MATCHUPS ACROSS THE STATE, PLUS YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR DIGITAL NEW SITE FOR ALL THE LATEST ANALYSIS AND RECORDINGS.

>> SPEAKING OF THE ELECTION, NEW CAMPAIGN SPENDING NUMBERS ARE OUT.

RHONDA HAS THE FIGURES AND ALL THE OTHER SPITE LIKE ON BUSINESS HEADLINES.

WHAT IS HAPPENING TODAY?

>> SPENDING IN THIS YEAR'S GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION HAS NOW TOPPED $46 MILLION WITH A BLITZ OF ACTIVITY IN THE LAST TWO AND HALF WEEKS.

NEW NUMBERS FROM THE ELECTION LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION SHOW THAT THROUGH OCTOBER 19, GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS RAISED $16 MILLION TO CIATTARELLI'S 13 MILLION AND MURPHY HAS A STASH OF CASH ON HAND.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS GOT A LOT MORE TO SPEND THAN HIS OPPONENT.

HE HAS GOT ABOUT TWO DOLLARS TO CIATTARELLI FOR $10.

THE GOVERNOR HAS GOT A LOT MORE MONEY AND THERE ARE MORE INDEPENDENT SPENDING GROUPS THAT ARE BACKING THE GOVERNOR, AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THAT CAMPAIGN JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN SPEND WHATEVER THEY WANT.

>> IN THE PAST WEEK ALONE, INDEPENDENT GROUPS HAVE SPENT MORE THAN $7.4 MILLION.

>> IF THERE'S A SLOWDOWN IN NEW JERSEY'S RED-HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET IN SEPTEMBER, THERE WAS A DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF ON CELL CLOSINGS IN THE STATE, ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

SINGLE-FAMILY CLOSE SALES WERE DOWN THE 17 1/2%, CLOSE SALES AND TOWNHOUSES AND CONDOS ALSO FEEL, BUT OVERALL SALES ARE STILL UP MORE THAN 13% SINCE THE START OF THIS YEAR AND HOME PRICES ARE STILL RISING.

THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE OF A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME INCREASED AGAIN LAST MONTH TO $440,000.

THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO PROVIDE MONEY TO ENTREPRENEURS WITHIN THE NJ I.T.

COMMUNITY.

IT IS LAUNCHING A FUND THAT WILL PROVIDE $75,000 IN STARTUP MONEY.

THE UNIVERSITY IS MAKING IT $6.75 MILLION FUNDING COMMITMENT THANKS TO ITS ENDOWMENT.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME NJ I.T.

WILL DIRECTLY FUND STARTUP COMPANIES.

>> COMPANIES CONTINUE TO REPORT SUPPLY-CHAIN SHORTAGES ARE IMPACTING THEIR FINANCES.

TOYMAKER HASBRO SAYS IT RECENTLY MISSED OUT ON $100 MILLION IN ORDERS BECAUSE IT COULD NOT GET THE PRODUCTS DELIVERED.

HASBRO SAYS SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES WILL IMPACT HOLIDAY SALES, BUT IT'S RIVAL TOYMAKER IS MORE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON, SAYING IT HAS MANAGED TO WORK THROUGH IT SUPPLY-CHAIN PROBLEMS.

AND HISTORIC NEW JERSEY THEATER THAT SHUT ITS DOORS DURING THE PANDEMIC IS GETTING A SECOND ACT.

THE RIALTO THEATER IN WESTFIELD HAS BEEN PURCHASED BY A NONPROFIT GROUP THE WESTFIELD ARTS COLLECTIVE PLANS TO RESTORE AND REOPEN THE THEATER FOR FILM, LIGHT THEATER, ARTS AND LITERATURE EVENTS.

RIALTO HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1922.

>> HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DECEMBER 1 AND THE SECOND AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION IS ONLINE.

>> THEY ARE CUTE AND CUDDLY AND THEY HAVE A CANINE SENSE OF SMELL THAT CAN HELP KEEP OUR WATER CLEAN.

A NEW PROGRAM IS PUTTING PUPPIES TO WORK.

TRAINING THEM TO DETECT HUMAN POLLUTION IN OUR WATERWAYS.

I COME FROM FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE OR RUNOFF, SOMETHING WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE A LOT OF TODAY.

THESE HUMAN PATHOGENS CAN CAUSE MAJOR PROBLEMS IN OUR ECOSYSTEM, CREATING THREATS TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND EVEN CLOSURES OF PUBLIC BEACHES.

MICHIGAN REPORTS ON HOW DOGS ARE COMING TO THE RESCUE.

>> AT FIRST GLANCE, YOU SEE SOMEONE WALKING THEIR DOG ON A NICE FALL DAY.

NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY, BUT THIS DOG IS ON ASSIGNMENT.

>> YOU DETECT AND SOURCE TRACK HUMAN FECAL POLLUTION IN STORMWATER.

>> ARMY WAS FOUND SITTING ON THE PORCH OF A VACANT HOUSE, ABANDONED.

TODAY SHE HAS A HOME THANKS TO KAREN AND SCOTT REYNOLDS AND SHE HAS BECOME AN ENVIRONMENT OF TREASURE, TRAINED TO SNIFF OUT POLLUTION TAINTING OUR WATERS.

THE DOG RECENTLY WENT TO SIX DIFFERENT OCEAN COUNTY TOWNS OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE DAYS.

>> DURING THE FIVE DAYS, CLEAN OCEAN ACTION ALREADY HAD SOME KEY AREAS THAT THEY HAD DONE PREVIOUS SAMPLING AND HAD RESULTS.

>> ONE OF THE METHODS IS KNOWN AS SHIP AND SMITH, SENT TO TRAINED DOGS RECEIVE CABLES FROM HOTSPOTS TO SEE IF THEY DETECTED THE POLLUTION.

THEY WENT TO THOSE SAME AREAS AS ANOTHER LAYER OF VERIFICATION.

>> CHECKING THE OUTFALLS, THE PIPES DISCHARGED TO THE WATER AND THEN GOING UP ON THE STREETS AND OPEN MANHOLES AND LOOKING IN STORMWATER INLETS.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR BROKEN SANITARY SEWERS OR LEAKING SEPTIC TANKS GETTING INTO SURFACE WATERS, LAKES, RIVERS AND STREAMS AND CAUSING ISSUES SUCH AS BEACH CLOSURES.

>> WATER SAMPLES WERE COLLECTED.

DOCTOR KRISHNA CAN QUANTIFY HOW MUCH BACTERIA IS PRESENT.

>> ONE SET OF SAMPLE WILL GO TO A CERTIFIED LAB WHERE THEY ARE ANALYZING, THE SECOND SET ALSO GOES TO THE SAME LAB WHERE IT WILL BE ANALYZED FOR ENTEROCOCCUS, THE THIRD SET COMES HERE WHERE I ANALYZE FOR E. COLI.

>> THEY ARE BASICALLY TESTING TO CONFIRM WHAT REMI SMELLS.

>> AND TO CONFIRM WHAT IS THE SCOPE AND MAGNITUDE OF THAT BECAUSE DOGS SENSE OF SMELL IS EXTREMELY HIGH, SO IT COULD MEAN SOMETHING THAT IS LINGERING IN THE AIR, BUT YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT EXACTLY IS THE NUMBER, IS IT IN THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS BECAUSE EACH OF THESE INDICATOR BACTERIA HAVE A CERTAIN THRESHOLD.

>> THAT IS WHEN IT BECOMES DANGEROUS?

>> THAT IS WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CINDY SAYS SHE FIRST LEARNED ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL CANINE SERVICES IN 2014.

>> ONE OR TWO YEARS LATER, WE LEARNED THE NOVICE ENGRAVER WAS FACING A POTENTIAL DOWNGRADE BECAUSE OF FECAL CONTAMINATION FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND WE WERE LIKE WHAT IS THAT ABOUT, AND WE LAUNCHED INTO AN INVESTIGATION.

>> THE RIVER IS ONE OF THE LAST REMAINING AREAS IN THE NEW JERSEY HARBOR REGION, WHERE YOU CAN DO DIRECT HARVEST CLAIMANT SHE SAYS IN 2016, 568 ACRES WERE CLOSED DUE TO FECAL CONTAMINATION.

AS A PART OF THE PLAN TO TRY TO RESTORE THE CLAIMANT AREA, SHE CALLED KAREN AND SCOTT REYNOLDS TO BRING THEIR SEND TRAINED DOGS TO SNIFF OUT THE SOURCE OF THE POLLUTION.

>> THEY FOUND IT ALL, THEY FOUND THE SOURCES.

THERE IS A COUPLE PROBLEMS REMAINING, BUT IT IS HORSE POLLUTION PROBLEMS UP IN A CREEK THAT WE FOUND ALL THE HUMAN SOURCES AND ELIMINATED ALL THE HUMAN SOURCES.

>> THAT IS THE SAME GOAL FOR BARNEGAT BAY.

>> WILL THE DATA BE RELEASED?

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT ALL THE DIFFERENT DATA SETS AND THEN I THINK PROBABLY THE BEGINNING OF NEXT YEAR WE WILL HAVE RESULTS.

>> MAN'S BEST FRIEND HELPING TO RESTORE THE BARNEGAT BAY.

>> THAT IS IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT IS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL OUR TEAMS REPORTING ON THE ISSUES IMPACTING THE PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES OF NEW JERSEY.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN RAIN PROJECT.

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

>> WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GET MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE A MEMBER.

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

AND FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

TELL ME ABOUT THE GAME.

>> I SCORED SOME GOALS.

>> AT PS E.G., OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU KNOW IS MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER.