FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE.

SERVING BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION AND BY THE --SMART HEAT AND J.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIAND OF A NOSY.

>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

LAST WEEK IT LOOKED LIKE JACK CIATTARELLI WAS CLOSING THE GAP BETWEEN HIMSELF AND GOVERNOR MERCY AND MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY HAS RELEASED ITS FINAL POLL OF THE CAMPAIGN SEASON.

THAT POLL PUTS GOVERNOR MURPHY 11 POINTS AHEAD OF HIS.

REPUBLICAN CONTENDER.

A PRETTY?

BIG SWING FROM LAST WEEK'S 6 POINT ADVANTAGE.

NEITHER CANDIDATE SEEMS TO BE RELYING MUCH ON THESE NUMBERS.

MURPHY HAS BEEN RUNNING AS IF HE HAS BEHIND AND CIATTARELLI, WELL, HE DOESN'T BELIEVE THIS POLL.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

PUT BACK FOUR YEARS AGO AS JACK CIATTARELLI TRIED TO UNSEAT HIS OPPONENT FOR THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINATION, MOST OBSERVERS FELT THAT CIATTARELLI SIMPLY RAN OUT OF TIME.

WITH JUST A WEEK LEFT TO ELECTION DAY PROPER THIS YEAR, A NEW MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL SUGGESTS IF THERE IS A CIATTARELLI SEARCH AS REPUBLICANS KEEP SUGGESTING, THE NUMBERS SIMPLY DON'T SHOW IT.

>> THE UNDERLYING FUNDAMENTALS OF THIS RACE REALLY HAVEN'T SHIFTED ALL THAT MUCH.

AMONG REGISTERED VOTERS, MURPHY LEADS 50-39 PERCENT WITHIN A PERCENTAGE POINT OR TWO OF MONMOUTH'S PREVIOUS TWO POLES FROM SEPTEMBER AND AUGUST.

THE GOVERNOR MAINTAINS HIS LARGE LEAD AMONG HIS BASE MY BLACK AND LATINO VOTERS.

THAT AGAIN, TAXES IS ONE OF THE TOP ISSUES AMONG VOTERS.

>> Reporter: IT IS ONE ISSUE AND ALL THE OTHER ISSUES, HE HAS THE ADVANTAGE AND THAT IS THE KEY.

IT HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH TO REALLY SHAKE UP THE DYNAMICS.

>> THE NUMBERS -- >> CAMPAIGN STRATEGIST, CHRIS RUSSELL SAYS DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE.

>> I THINK MURRAY IS GOING TO SWING AND MISS BIG ON THIS.

I THINK WE ARE LOOKING AT A CLOSE RACE ON ELECTION DAY.

IT COULD GO EITHER WAY.

BUT IT IS MARGIN OF ERROR TYPE STUFF.

THAT IS OUR POLLING THAT SAYS THAT.

THE EMBERSON POLL LAST WEEK AS YOU SAW WAS SIX POINTS AMONG TIGHTER TURNOUT MODELS CLOSER THAN THAT AND EVEN THE MURPHY CAMPAIGN IS NERVOUSLY TALKING A LITTLE TOO MUCH ABOUT THEIR POLLING AND IS GETTING OUT THERE AND THEY HAVE A CLOSE RACE.

>> Reporter: THE REPUBLICAN SURGE IS MOSTLY ANECDOTAL.

THE EMBERSON POLL NOTWITHSTANDING.

THE CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN WRAPPING UP APPEARANCES WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND SUPPORTERS, CALLING THE MURPHY CAVALCADE OF DEMOCRATIC STARS, JUST FURTHER PROOF THAT THE INCUMBENT IS NERVOUS.

STILL, WITH DEMOCRATS AND UNAFFILIATED VOTERS FOR OUTNUMBERING REPUBLICAN REPUBLICANS, CIATTARELLI MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SWING SWING VOTERS THAT MAY BE OUT THERE.

IN ORDER FOR A CANDIDATE LIKE JACK CIATTARELLI TO OVERCOME THAT REGISTRATION DEFICIT, HE REALLY HAS TO AIM FOR ALMOST A SHUTOUT AMONG THE UNAFFILIATED VOTERS AND THAT IS JUST REALLY DIFFICULT TO DO PLUS IF YOU LOOKED AT THE SELF IDENTIFIED PARTISANS, PHIL MURPHY IS IN THE MID-90s AMONG DEMOCRATS AND JACK CIATTARELLI IS IN THE MID- 80s AMONG REPUBLICANS.

THAT SHOWS THAT DELICATE TYPE ROPE HE HAS TO WALK WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TODAY, PAYING ENOUGH OF REASONS TO DONALD TRUMP WHILE NOT FRIGHTENING FAIR-MINDED INDEPENDENT VOTERS WHO MIGHT GO WITH HIM.

>> THEY SAY THE ONLY POLL THAT MATTERS IS THE ONE ON ELECTION DAY WHICH IS TRUE BUT CONSIDERING THAT MONMOUTH HAS CALLED THE PREVIOUS TWO GOVERNORS RACES CORRECTLY, AND TO MID DISMISSING THE NUMBERS AND RUNNING HARD IS THE BEST AND PROBABLY ONLY STRATEGY LEFT.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, AND YOU SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> JOIN DAVID TOMORROW NIGHT ON CHAT BOX.

HIS GUEST AS JACK CIATTARELLI MAKING HIS FINAL CASE FOR GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

WATCH HIM WHEREVER YOU STREAM, THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER OR FACEBOOK.

>>> TURNING TO THE STATE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE RACES WHERE EVERY SEAT IS UP FOR GRABS, DEMOCRAT VINCE MATTHEW HAS A SLIGHT EDGE OVER REPUBLICAN VINCE PALESTINIAN IN THE COMPETITIVE SENATE RACE FOR NEW JERSEY'S SECOND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT.

A NEW STOCKTON UNIVERSITY POLL SHOWED DiMAGGIO WITH A 48-41% LEAVE AT 6% UNDECIDED.

PALESTRINA HAS BEEN UNOFFICIALLY FILLING SENATE SEATS SINCE AUGUST WHEN REPUBLICAN SENATOR CHRIS MOUND LEFT TO SERVE IN MURPHY'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS BUT IT IS A STATISTICAL DEAD HEAT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TICKET WITH ONLY TWO PERCENTAGE POINTS BETWEEN THE ASSEMBLY CHALLENGES, DEMOCRAT FIT KAREN FITZPATRICK AND ATLANTIC COUNTY COMMISSIONER CAME IN AT 24% WHILE INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT JOHN ARMATO AND REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER SWIFT SCORING 23%, COMING IN AT 22% AND THE FORMER ATLANTIC CITY MAYOR, DON GUARDING IN, A REPUBLICAN.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE READY TO START VACCINATING KIDS AS YOUNG AS FIVE NEXT THURSDAY.

>>> THEY HAVE ORDERED MORE THAN 200,000 PEDIATRIC DOSES AHEAD OF THE CDC SUSPECTED SIGNOFF NEXT WEDNESDAY.

VACCINES WILL BE AVAILABLE AT PHARMACIES, PEDIATRICIANS OFFICE AND IN SCHOOL CLINICS IMPACTING 760,000 OR SO KIDS WHICH GOVERNOR MURPHY CALLS A GAME CHANGER THOUGH HE SAID HE HAS NO PLANS TO MANDATE THE VACCINE.

MORE THAN 6 MILLION RESIDENTS 12 AND UP ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

TODAY THE STATE REPORTED ANOTHER ROUGHLY 1000 CASES AND 33 MORE DEATHS.

A REMINDER WE ARE STILL IN THIS PANDEMIC LESS THAN A WEEK FROM THE ELECTION.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE ELECTION?

IF GOVERNOR MURPHY IS CHOSEN FOR ANOTHER TERM, WILL HE CHANGE HIS TUNE ON THOSE MANDATES?

AFTER A VIDEO SURFACED THIS WEEK ALLEGEDLY SHOWING HIM AND CAMPAIGN STAFFERS SHOWING A VACCINE PASSPORT MANDATE WOULD GO INTO EFFECT AFTER THE ELECTION, SOME VOTERS WONDER WHAT WILL A MURPHY SECOND TERM BRING?

>> Reporter: EXPLOSIVE PROTEST AGAINST MASKS AND VAST SEEN VACCINE MANDATES --COULD IMPACT VOTER CONCERNS IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

POLLS SHOW A MAJORITY SUPPORT TOM MURPHY AS HANDLED THE PANDEMIC BUT HE HAS RESISTED FOLLOWING NEW YORK CITY'S LATE OF REQUIRE PASSPORTS FOR ACCESS TO MOST INDOOR ACTIVITIES.

THE GOVERNOR HAS CITED VACCINE EQUITY BUT A PASSPORT WOULD UNFAIRLY IMPACT PEOPLE OF COLOR.

SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE, REVEREND CHARLES BOYER DISAGREES.

>> PEOPLE MAY SAY EQUITY IS THE REGION REASON BUT TO ME THAT MAKES NO SENSE.

THE REAL REASON THERE IS NO VACCINE PASSPORT PORSCHE D AND PAST IS BECAUSE OF THE BACKLASH.

BUT MAKING NOTES THE CONCERNS OVER EQUITY STEM FROM MINORITY HESITANCY AND LACK OF ACCESS TO COVID SHOTS.

EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC IT CAUSED A LOT OF PEOPLE OF COLOR GETTING VACCINATED BUT HE CLAIMS CONCERTED EFFORTS BY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND BLACK CHURCHES HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED THE VACCINATION GAP.

HE BELIEVES SIDING EQUITY NOW WITH AN ELECTION LOOMING AMONGST A VIRUS POLITICS.

>> A LOT OF TIMES THINGS GET THROWN ON THE BACK OF BLACK COMMUNITIES EVEN IN A WAY TRYING TO SAY THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO PROTECT US WHEN IT IS REALLY ABOUT BACKLASH FROM THE MAJORITY AGAINST WHITE CONSERVATIVES.

IT IS A FEAR OF DOING THAT, TAKING IT A DEEPER STEP BEFORE AN ELECTION WHICH HISTORICALLY SKEWS MORE CONSERVATIVES IN THESE OFF YEAR ELECTIONS.

>> I WILL SAY WITH GREAT RESPECT, POLITICS DOESN'T ENTER THIS AND NEVER HAS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY REPORTED 70% OF JERSEY'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES VACCINATED, UP TO 85% OF LET NEXT RESIDENTS.

>> I WOULD NEVER SAY NO TO ANYTHING THAT WOULD LEAVE OPTIONS ON THE TABLE PARTICULARLY THIS THING TAKES A TURN FOR THE NEGATIVE BUT THAT IS GENUINELY THE REASON IT HAS BEEN MY REASON FROM DAY ONE.

>>> THERE IS NO WAY TO SEPARATE POLITICS FROM ANY POLICY ONE WEEK BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

MICHAEL RASMUSSEN DISCOUNTS DIRE WARNINGS FROM CONSERVATIVES THAT MURPHY IS JUST WAITING TO DROP THE HAMMER ON VACCINE PASSPORTS IF HE IS REELECTED.

>> IF HE TURNS AROUND IN A WEEK OR TWO AND SAYS NO, WE ARE DOING IT NOW.

THAT IS NOT A GOOD LOOK.

SO I THINK THAT THIS MAKES IT A LITTLE LESS LIKELY THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE IMMEDIATE AFTER THE ELECTION.

>> ASSUMING MURPHY IS OUR NEXT GOVERNOR, I WOULD HOPE THAT HE WOULD LOOK AT THE DATA AND SEE WELL, WHERE ARE WE.

WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ELECTION AND THE POLLS IN IT, NOVEMBER, WHEN CASES ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WE ARE ALSO ADDING IN CHILDREN, 5 211 WHO ARE POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: WITH KID VACCINES STILL APPROVED ONLY UNDER EMERGENCY RULES, MANDATES SEEM UNLIKELY.

MONTCLARE EPIDEMIOLOGIST, STEPHANIE SILVERA BELIEVES VACCINE PASSPORTS WOULD HELP PROTECT PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO SUFFERED FROM COVID AT FAR HIGHER RATES THAN WHITES BUT SHE SAYS MURPHY COULD OPT OUT ON PASSPORTS >> I THINK HIS CASE NUMBERS ARE ABLE TO STAY LOW ENOUGH HE MAY NEVER PUT IN A VACCINE REQUIREMENT.

OR THE VACCINE PASSPORT LIKE THEY HAVE IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> Reporter: WHILE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, JACK CIATTARELLI SUPPORTS MURPHY'S VACCINATION ORDER FOR SCHOOL STAFF, BECAUSE THERE IS A TESTING OPT OUT, HE IS ANTI-MANDATE.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A REMINDER TO JOIN US HERE ON NJ PBS TO JOIN US FOR OUR NJ DECIDES ELECTION COVERAGE NEXT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd STARTING AT 10 P.M. WE WILL HAVE THE MOST UP-TO- DATE RACE RESULTS AND BRING YOU ANALYSIS FROM ALL THE MATCHUPS ACROSS THE STATE PLUS YOU CAN HEAD TO OUR DIGITAL NEWS SITE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG FOR ALL THE LATEST ELECTION ANALYSIS.

>>> LIKE A SCENE FROM A MOVIE, WATERFIELD NEW JERSEY TUNNEL YESTERDAY AS THE STORM DUMPED WATER ON NEW JERSEY REMINDING US THAT WATER IS A FORCE THAT IS POWERFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE.

MONMOUTH COUNTY WAS HIT THE HARDEST WITH CARS STRANDED AND ROADS BLOCK.

NO CASUALTIES REPORTED FROM THE STORM THAT THE COAST IS NOT CLEAR ON THE DAMAGE IT COULD STILL BRING.

FLOOD WARNINGS WERE IN EFFECT TODAY FOR PORTIONS OF MORRIS, PASSAIC, BERGEN, ESSEX, WARREN AND SUSSEX COUNTIES WHERE RIVERS AND BODIES OF WATER COULD PRESS AND OVERFLOW.

THAT COULD BE MORE PAIN FOR RESIDENTS STILL REBUILDING AFTER THE DEVASTATION OF HURRICANE IDA.

LIKE THE TENANTS AT ONE APARTMENT COMPLEX IN ELIZABETH WHO ARE STILL DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES.

AS I TOLD ALYSSA ROSE COOPER TODAY, THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: >> ALL THE WATER WAS EVERYWHERE.

TERESA STILL RELIVING THE NIGHT THAT TURNED HER LIFE UPSIDE DOWN AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA FLUTTERED HER HOME IN ELIZABETH EIGHT WEEKS AGO.

NERVOUSLY WATCHING THE NOR'EASTER COMING IN.

>> I LOST EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING IS STILL STUCK IN OUR UNIT.

FOUR PEOPLE DIED IN THE FLOODED COMPEX INCLUDING A FAMILY OF SEA.

NOW, SHE ALONG WITH 1600 OTHER RESIDENTS ARE STILL OUT OF THEIR HOMES, MANY LIVING IN SHELTERS AND HOTELS ACROSS THE STATE.

SHE SAID NO WORD FROM THE OWNER, CIS MANAGING REGARDING WHETHER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN YET THE COMPANY IS STILL ASKING THEM TO PAY RENT.

>> I HONESTLY THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT RESIDENTS AT ALL.

YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THEM.

THEY HAVE TWO OFFICES DOWN THERE AT THAT LOCATION AND NEITHER ONE ANSWER THE PHONE.

>> A COUPLE WEEKS AGO THEY TRIED TO BRING 16 FAMILIES BACK.

COME TO FIND OUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAD TO LITERALLY SHUT IT DOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS MOLD AND OTHER KINDS OF MILDEW THAT WERE INTOXICATING THE PROPERTY.

>> Reporter: ISHMAEL HAS THE NATIONAL UNITED CONSUL JOINING TENANTS AMID DEMANDS FOR THE CITY AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO STEP UP.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.

SEE IF THERE IS CRIMINALITY INVOLVED.

CIS HAS TO DO A LOT OF THE THINGS THEY HAVE DONE WRONG, NOT ALERTING FAMILIES BEFORE THAT THIS WAS A FLOOD RISK AREA.

AND SECONDLY, NOT HAVING PREPARATION WHEN INCIDENTS LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

AN ISSUE THAT CONTINUES TO BE A CONCERN WITH THE THREAT OF MORE STORMS LIKE YESTERDAY'S NOR'EASTER SATURATING THE GROUND.

THIS FEMA DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER IN CRANFORD SUPPORTS ABOUT 15 TO TO 20 RESIDENTS EVERY DAY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE FLOODING FROM THEIR BASEMENT, FLOODING FROM THEIR CARS AND THEY ARE COMING FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WAITING ON INSURANCE SETTLEMENTS AND THEY ARE TAKING WELL BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY CLAIMS.

>> Reporter: RELEASES AVAILABLE FROM OTHER AGENCIES LIKE -- >> Reporter: HOMEOWNERS CAN BORROW FUNDS TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THEIR PRIMARY RESIDENTS.

AND HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS CAN BORROW FUNDS TO REPLACE THE CONTENTS OF THEIR HOME BUSINESSES, CAN BORROW FUNDS TO MAKE REPAIRS TO BUILDINGS, REPLACE INVENTORY.

>> Reporter: SIMMONS SAYS GETTING THE HELP HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE SINCE TENANTS CAN'T GET INSIDE THE COMPLEX.

PEOPLE ARE MISSING APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ANSWERING.

THEY DON'T HAVE PICTURES SO THEY DON'T HAVE PICTURES OF THE UNIT SO THEY CAN'T GET HELP.

>> Reporter: CIS SAYS IT HAS BEEN KEEPING TENANTS AND FORMS BUT GETTING THINGS IS FIXED IS SLOW BECAUSE OF SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE.

A SPOKESPERSON SAID IN PART," WE NOW ESTIMATE MOST FAMILIES WILL NOT RETURN TO UNITS FOR 6 TO 12 MONTHS.

IT IS CRITICAL TO IDENTIFY AND/OR ACCEPT TEMPORARY HOUSING AS HOTEL RESOURCES WILL EXPIRE SOON.

OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE, PROVIDE THE NECESSARY MEANS TO GET THROUGH THE DIFFICULT TIME AND RETURN FAMILIES TO THEIR HOMES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: >> IT IS NOT COMPLICATED BECAUSE WHY PUT PEOPLE BACK IN THIS PLACE THAT IS LIFE- THREATENING?

>> TENANTS AND ADVOCATES HOPE CITY AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS WILL LISTEN TO THEIR FREEZE FOR HELP AND STEP IN SO THEY CAN GET BACK TO NORMAL LIVES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> 29,000 RESIDENTS OF MIDDLESEX AND UNION COUNTIES WERE TOLD RECENTLY THERE IS A CHEMICAL IN THEIR WATER BUT THE COMPANY THAT SUPPLIES THE WATER IS CALLING IT SAFE.

THE CHEMICAL KNOWN AS PF AWAY EXCEEDS THE LIMIT ALLOWED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND YET MIDDLESEX WATER COMPANY HAS SAID IT WON'T PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE TO ITS CUSTOMERS LIKE FILTERS OR BOTTLED WATER.

SEVERAL MAYORS IN THAT REGION ARE INVESTIGATING THE SAFETY OF THE WATER AND NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WRITER, JON HURDLE JOINS ME TO TELL ME WHAT IT MEANS.

WHAT ARE THESE FOREVER CHEMICALS?

WHERE DID THEY COME FROM AND HOW HARMFUL ARE THEY?

>> THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1940s.

THEY ARE MAN-MADE CHEMICALS.

AND THEY ARE BEST KNOWN FOR BEING USED IN NONSTICK COOKWARE, ALSO USED IN A SERIES OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS INCLUDING FLAME RESISTANT FABRICS AND NOTABLY HAVE BEEN USED IN FIREFIGHTING FOAM WHICH IS RESULTING IN THE CONTAMINATION OF WATER SUPPLIES AROUND MANY AIRPORTS AND MILITARY BASES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE COMPANY SAYS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS.

THEY SAY THAT THESE ARE NOT HARMFUL FOR RESIDENTS.

WHAT ARE THE X SEEDINGS AND DOESN'T POSE A DANGER?

>> THE EXCEEDED'S IS AROUND FIVE OR SIX PARTS PER TRILLION.

OVER THE LIMIT THAT THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS SET.

AND WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS IS THAT EXCEEDANCES IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE UNTIL ABOUT THE MIDDLE OF 2023 WHEN THEY HAVE NEW TREATMENT PLANT WHICH IS DUE TO COME ONLINE.

>> SO WHY WANT THE COMPANY THEN PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE FOR THE COMMUNITY WHO IS CLEARLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HEARING THAT THERE ARE CONTAMINANTS IN THEIR WATER, NOT PROVIDED REALTORS OR BOTTLED WATER, EXPLAINED THAT?

>> WELL, THE COMPANY SAYS IT IS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T SEE THIS AS AN IMMEDIATE RISK TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEP LIMIT IS WHAT IT IS BUT THEY ARE ALSO SAYING THE COMPANY SAYS THAT THEY REFER TO THIS LIMIT AS "EXTRAORDINARILY STRINGENT.

AND THEY SAY THAT THEIR WATER QUALITY IN FACT HAS NOT CHANGED SINCE BEFORE THE LIMIT CAME INTO EFFECT LAST YEAR.

AND THAT REALLY, ALL THAT HAS CHANGED IS THE STATE OF THE REGULATION.

>> IS THE COMPANY WITHIN THEIR BOUNDS AT THIS POINT OR COULD THEY FACE ACTION FROM THE DEEP EP OR CONSUMERS?

>> WELL, THEY COULD CONCEIVABLY FACE ACTION FROM THE DEP.

THE DEP HASN'T, SINCE THE COMPANY ISSUED ITS EXCEEDANCES LETTER TO THE PUBLIC LAST FRIDAY, THE DEP HASN'T ATTEMPTED TO JUSTIFY OR EXPLAIN THE SPECIFIC LEVEL BUT THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ENFORCING NOW, THAT LEVEL WITH MIDDLESEX WATER AND OTHER WATER PURVEYORS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EXPLAINING TO US.

>>> TURNING TO PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES, WITH COVID RESTRICTIONS LIFTING THE LAST FEW MONTHS, ARE MORE PEOPLE HITTING THE ROAD ARE TAKING FLIGHT?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THAT AND THE OTHER SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> AIRLINE AND OTHER TRAVEL IN THE AREA HAS YET TO GET BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

THE PORT AUTHORITY HAS RELEASED DATA ON PASSENGER VOLUMES AT THE AIRPORTS, RICHARDSON TUNNELS AND THE PASS SYSTEM.

AS OF LAST MONTH, PASSENGER VOLUME AT NEWARK AND NEW YORK CITY AIRPORTS WAS STILL DOWN 40% COMPARED TO TWO YEARS AGO BEFORE COVID.

BRIDGE AND TUNNEL VOLUMES NEARLY BACK TO NORMAL LEVELS BUT RIDERSHIP HAS PLUMMETED, DOWN 56% COMPARED TO SEPTEMBER 2019.

>>> IN THE MEANTIME THE SEAPORT IS HANDLING RECORD SETTING CARGO VOLUMES.

NEW JERSEY'S EFFORTS TO GROW ITS THE FILM AND PRODUCTION INDUSTRY MAYBE GET A MAJOR BOOST.

>>> NETFLIX PLANS TO BUILD ON A PARCEL OF LAND AT PORT MONMOUTH WITH THE HOPES OF BUILDING PRODUCTION FACILITIES.

HEADS ARE DOING MID-JANUARY TO THE PORT MONMOUTH ECONOMIC REVIVAL ASSOCIATION BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR WHEN A DECISION WOULD BE MADE.

NETBOOKS STATED GOVERNOR MURPHY AND STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE CREATED A BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT THAT IS WELCOME FILM AND TELEVISION BACK TO THE STATE, OFFERING TAX CREDITS FOR PRODUCTION COMPANIES.

>>> ANOTHER STEP IN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF NEWARK AS THE OWNER AND DEVELOPER OF THE GATEWAY CENTER.

ONYX EQUITIES GAVE AN UPDATE ON RENOVATION WORK AT THE OFFICE COMPLEX.

EIGHT NEW RESTAURANT HAVE SIGNED LEASES TO OPERATE AT GATEWAY AND ARE SAID TO OPEN EARLY NEXT YEAR.

JONATHAN SCHOLZ IS THE COFOUNDER AND MANAGING PARTNER AT ONYX EQUITIES AND SAYS HE SEES THIS AS A KEY STEP IN MAKING SURE GATEWAY IS A HUB IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO FEEL BOTH IN THE BUILDING AND OUTSIDE THE BUILDING THAT THIS IS SOMEWHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

TO SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FRIENDS, EAT GREAT CUISINE.

HAVE MEETINGS, GATHER AND MAKE IT REALLY THE EXPERIENCE THAT IT DESERVES.

>>> FINALLY IN WASHINGTON, A PROPOSAL WAS FORMALLY INTRODUCED TO TAX BILLIONAIRES TO PAY FOR SOME OF THE PROPOSED SPENDING IN THE BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN.

BILLIONAIRES WOULD BE TAXED ON THE GROWTH OF THEIR ASSETS LIKE STOCKS AND BONDS BUT THAT PLAN IS ALREADY FACING HURDLES.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THESE ARE YOURS TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT 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 NJ MONTHLY.CALM.

>>> THE IMPACT OF COVID HAS BEEN FAR MORE DEVASTATING ARE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR DURING THE PANDEMIC FROM HIGHER INSTANCES OF SEVERE ILLNESS AND DEATH TO RATER LEARNING LOSS FOR STUDENTS WHO HAD LIMITED ACCESS TO EDUCATION TO HARSHER ECONOMIC CHALLENGES CAUSED BY UNEMPLOYMENT THAT LEFT MANY RESIDENTS UNSURE WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL WOULD COME FROM.

BUT ONE ORGANIZATION IS STEPPING UP TO FILL THE NEED IN THE WORK AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS ON THE METERS FOR LIFE WHO BUILT A COMMUNITY REFRIGERATOR IN THE SOUTH WERE TO OFFER A LIFELINE FOR HUNGRY NEIGHBORS.

>>> HOW ARE YOU?

MIKE HERE IN DO WORKS SOUTH WORK, NO QUESTIONS ASKED AS RESIDENTS SHOW UP EARLY TO TAKE GROCERIES FROM ITS COMMUNITY FRIDGE.

EVERYTHING IS FREE.

>> Reporter: CLIFF COMES ONCE, SOMETIMES TWICE A WEEK TO GET THINGS LIKE MILK AND FRUIT.

HE TOLD US THIS WEEK, HE NEEDED HELP.

HE IS DISABLED AND SO IS HIS SON.

IT IS JUST THE TWO OF THEM AT HOME.

>> I APPRECIATED.

>> Reporter: HE IS THE MAN WHO BROUGHT THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE TO THE SOUTH WORD.

HE SAYS HE GETS CALLS FROM PEOPLE SAYING I HAVE DOLLAR 20.

I HAVE $50.

I WANT TO DONATE TO THE FRIDGE.

HE DOES NOT TURN THEM DOWN.

THESE DONATIONS HAVE HELPED FEED MORE THAN 600 FAMILIES SINCE THE FRIDGE OPENED IN AUGUST.

>> I WISH THESE RESOURCES WERE AROUND WHEN I WAS A KID.

WHEN WHITE WAS 15 YEARS OLD, HE LOST HIS MOM AND HE SAYS HIS FATHER WAS AWAY AND HE ENDED UP HOMELESS FOR SIX WEEKS AND FINDING FOOD WAS A STRUGGLE FOR HIM.

HE WAS TAKEN IN BY HIS HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER.

>> HE GAVE ME DISCIPLINE, STRUCTURE.

HE GOT ME BACK TO SCHOOL.

I WAS ABLE TO DO WONDERFUL THINGS IN MY LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS ASSISTANCE.

>> Reporter: THE FATHER OF 70 SEVEN THINKS ABOUT THE TEACHER ALL THE TIME AT HIS SCHOOL, LEADERS FOR LIFE ACADEMY, AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL FOR 16 TO 25 YEARS OLD.

THE COORDINATOR, MRS. J SAYS A LOT OF STUDENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS, A BARRIER THEY WERE TO REMOVE.

>> CONNECTING THEM WITH THE RIGHT PROGRAM AND GETTING THEM BACK ON TRACK TO RECEIVE THEIR HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA BECAUSE IF I CAN'T GO SOMEWHERE AND SLEEP COMFORTABLY AT NIGHT I'M NOT GOING TO IT UP IN THE MORNING AND THINK ABOUT GETTING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA.

SHE SAYS THIS IS WHERE THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE SITTING RIGHT OUTSIDE THEIR SCHOOL DOOR MEANS A LOT TO EVERYONE IN THE BUILDING.

>> EVEN FOR MYSELF I REMEMBER GROWING UP AND AFTER A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF DAYS WITHIN THE MONTH, WE CAME AT A VERY SCARCE RATE FOR FOOD.

THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE, I KNOW THE COMMUNITY APPRECIATES IT.

YOU PUT SOMETHING OUT, IT IS GONE.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE WANT.

>> WE ARE HELPING FAMILIES THAT CAN REALLY SUPPORT THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: KIA DIAZ SAYS SHE DOESN'T JUST TAKE PRIDE IN THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE.

SHE LOOKS UP TO THE MAN THAT BROUGHT IT HERE.

>> THE KIDS COME HERE AND WE TALKED TO HIM AND GET ADVICE FROM HIM AND I FEEL AS THOUGH HE JUST TEACHES YOU LIFE LESSONS AND MORE LIKE HOW TO BE A GOOD PERSON IN LIFE AND I FEEL LIKE MR. WHITE IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN MY LIFE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: WE ASKED HIM WHAT HIS HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF HIS WORK HELPING HIS COMMUNITY.

>> HE WOULD'VE BEEN PROUD BUT IN HIS OWN WAY, HE WOULD'VE SAID YOU HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH.

KEEP GOING.

>> Reporter: SO HE WILL KEEP GOING AS LONG AS THE COMMUNITY FRIDGE STAYS FULL TO THE TAKING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> THAT DOESN'T FOR US THIS EVENING BUT HEAD OVER TO NJTVONLINE.ORG AND CHECK OUT ALL OF OUR REPORTS ON THE ISSUES IMPACTING PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES OF THE NEW JERSEY AREA.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT.

SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND PSE&G, WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES.

>>> STRONGER FUNDING FOR HUNGRY NEW JERSEY --PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA FAIR JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.