>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS FUNDED BY NJ INSURANCE.

SERVING YOUR NEEDS FOR BUSINESSES AND 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

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

AND BY THE NEW MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

HELLO AND WELCOME TO I AM JOANNA GAGIS, IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

.

WELCOME TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A NEW POLL TODAY SHOWS GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY MAINTAINING A NINE POINT EDGE OVER REPUBLICAN JACK CIATTARELLI .

THAT IS IN LINE WITH ANOTHER POLL THAT CAME OUT EARLIER THIS WEEK.

AS CIATTARELLI MAKES THE FINAL CAMPAIGN STOPS TO SHRINK THE GAP HE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF EARLY IN POTION IN-PERSON VOTING TODAY .

GOVERNOR MURPHY CAST HIS BALLOT ON SATURDAY AND FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA WAS IN NEWARK STUMPING FOR THE GOVERNOR .

MURPHY IS TRYING TO SEAL THE DEAL BY, ONCE AGAIN, TROTTING OUT ANOTHER HIGH PROFILE POLITICIAN, BERNIE SANDERS, WHO CALLED MURPHY ONE OF THE BEST GOVERNORS IN THE COUNTRY AND URGED VOTERS TO GIVE HIM A SECOND TURN.

SO WILL THAT?

BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN JACK CIATTARELLI AND WIFE, MELINDA, ARRIVED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW ELECTRONIC EARLY VOTING SERVICE THIS MORNING.

AFTER HE WAS CHECKED AND HE SCROLLED HIS NAME ON THE iPAD AND ENTERED THE BOOTH TO CAST HIS BALLOT IN AN ELECTION WHERE POLLS SHOW THEM RUNNING BEHIND BY 9-11 POINTS.

WHAT TYPE OF EARLY IMPACT COULD WE GET FROM EARLY VOTING?

>> I THINK THE TURNOUT ON TUESDAY AND THE VOTING.

I DON'T THINK WE WILL SEE LARGE EARLY VOTING NUMBERS BUT WE ARE CREATURES OF HABIT AND NOT USED TO THIS BUT I'M CONFIDENT ELECTION DAY THAT WE WILL GET THE TURNOUT WE NEED.

>> Reporter: THE LATEST NUMBERS SHOW 45% OF THE VOTES HAVE BEEN CAST BY DEMOCRATS AND 33% BY REPUBLICANS, 21% UNAFFILIATED.

THEY SAY THIS SYSTEM APPEALS TO REPUBLICANS.

>> REPUBLICANS TRUST IT AND LIKE HITTING THE BUTTON AND GOING INTO THE MACHINE.

THEY ARE ENJOYING THE SYSTEM AND MORE REPUBLICANS ARE USING IT.

>> I WOULD HOPE SO.

I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO WIN THE ELECTION.

>> OUR FRIENDS WERE VOTING EARLY.

>> Reporter: WHO DID YOU VOTE FOR?

>> ACROSS THE LINE REPUBLICAN.

>> Reporter: BUT RASMUSSEN SHOWS DEMOCRATS UP BY A HARD HIGHER MARGIN.

THEY VOTE 65% COMPARED TO REPUBLICANS WITH 19% AND UNAFFILIATED AT 16%.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVE A 200 VOTE LEAD NOW AND BY ELECTION DAY IT WILL BE A 250 -- 250,000 VOTE LEAD.

HE JUST NEEDS TO OVERCOME THAT AND IT'S A BIG THING TO DO.

>> Reporter: WHETHER THOSE IN JERSEY VOTE EARLY OR ON NOVEMBER 2nd THE NUMBERS FAVOR DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE ONE MORE MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS AND REPUBLICANS.

SO GETTING THE VOTE IS CRUCIAL.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WELCOMED BERNIE SANDERS TO NEW BRUNSWICK LAST NIGHT WITH THE PURPOSE OF MOTIVATING THE COLLEGE-AGED AUDIENCE.

>> YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MORTGAGE YOUR FUTURE TO GET A DECENT EDUCATION.

GOVERNOR, THANK YOU FOR MAKING HIGHER EDUCATION IN NEW JERSEY MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> Reporter: MURPHY URGED THE CROWD TO GET OUT AND VOTE AND LISTED FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOR STUDENTS WHO QUALIFY AND PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND STRONG GUN SAFETY LAWS.

>> AND BY THE WAY WE HAVE LEGALIZED WEED.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: >> I NEED YOU.

YOU HAVE GOT TO VOTE, EITHER BY MAIL OR EARLY IN PERSON VOTING.

OR, IF NOT, ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd.

I NEED YOU.

>> Reporter: THE CHEERING DOESN'T TRANSLATE INTO VOTES BUT HE DOES HOLD THE EDGE THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE GET TO THE POLLS ON TUESDAY.

EARLY VOTING IS AVAILABLE THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING AT SELECT POLLING PLACES ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> WITH THE POLL NUMBERS TIGHTENING AND WITH A FEW DAYS LEFT TO CAMPAIGN, WHAT DO EACH OF THESE CANDIDATES NEED TO DO TO SECURE VICTORY?

THE RECENT POLL PUTS THE RACE AND THE SINGLE DIGIT SPREAD AND IT SHOWS THE WORDS FROM CIATTARELLI ON POLICE REFORM HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE AND CUT THE LEAD BY MURPHY.

BUT CIATTARELLI CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE FROM LOW NAMED RECOGNITION.

SO WHAT CAN WE EXPECT BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER 2nd?

LET'S GO TO OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

MICHAEL HAVE YOU SEEN ANYTHING IN THIS LAST WEEK THAT WOULD MOVE THE NEEDLE EITHER WAY ESPECIALLY FOR JACK CIATTARELLI , WHO IS TRAILING MURPHY IN THE POLLS BY ABOUT NINE POINTS RIGHT NOW?

>> WHAT I'VE SEEN IS A COMPLETE CHANGE IN THE NARRATIVE THIS ELECTION.

IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS TIGHTENING.

IT WENT FROM 16, 13, 9, 6 LAST WEEK.

WHEN THE STOCKTON BOW CAME OUT THIS WEEKEND SHOWED IT WAS CLOSER TO THE 11-POINT GAME OR A 9-POINT GAP AND I THINK THEY WERE BREATHING EASIER AT MURPHY HEADQUARTERS AFTER THAT.

>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE IN THE FINAL STRETCH IN THESE LAST FEW DAYS?

>> FOR THE MURPHY CAMPAIGN, THEY HAVE TO DRIVE OUT THE PARTY.

THEY HAVE THE BIGGER PARTY IN THE STATE SO THEY HAVE TO GET OUT DEMOCRATS AND CONTINUE TO BRING UP THE MARGINS.

THEY HAVE THE BIG LEAD IN THE BOAT AND THEY NEED TO ONE OF THE LEAD.

FOR CIATTARELLI COMING NEEDS TO CONVINCE HIS PARTY AND ALWAYS THOSE OTHER VOTERS.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT TASK.

HE NEEDS TO CONVINCE THEM TO COME OUT BIG ON ELECTION DAY.

>> DOES THE EARLY VOTING FAVOR DEMOCRATS IN A WAY THAT WILL GIVE MURPHY THE WIN?

>> I DON'T THINK THERE EARLY VOTING WILL BE THAT MUCH OF A FACTOR.

TURNOUT IN THE EARLY VOTING HAS NOT BEEN SO STELLAR.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS AN ELECTION DAY AND THE DROP BOXES, IT IS A LITTLE BIT.

PATRICK MURRAY SAID THE DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT AS TO ABSOLUTELY COLLAPSE FOR THIS TO GO THE WAY OF JACK CIATTARELLI AND I THINK THAT IS CORRECT.

>> Reporter: ANY SURPRISES YOU THINK WE WILL SEE?

THE VIDEO THAT SURFACED THIS PAST WEEK OF MURPHY WAS AN ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE A BIT.

AT ANY SURPRISES THAT YOU EXPECT OR THINK MAY COME AROUND IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS?

>> I DON'T THINK ANY NEW ISSUES.

I THINK WE COULD SEE THE REITERATION OF THE ISSUES WE'VE SEEN SO FAR.

WE WILL BE HEARING MORE FROM MURPHY ON THE PROMISES MADE AND THE PROMISES KEPT IN THE AGENDA, THE PROGRESSIVE AGENDA.

BECAUSE THAT IS WILL DRIVE OUT THE DEMOCRATIC VOTES.

FOR JACK WILL BE REMINDING PEOPLE OF THE CASE THAT HE'S MADE THAT NEW JERSEY IS READY FOR A CHANGE.

HE'S MADE THAT CASE OF THE LAST YEAR.

SO IT WILL BE FAMILIAR TO THOSE OF US WATCHING.

THEY WILL REITERATE THE POINTS TO THOSE THAT MATTER.

>> I SAY IF JACK CIATTARELLI SOMEHOW MIRACULOUSLY PULLS THIS OUT, IT WOULD BE THE BIGGEST UPSET IN A ELECTION IN NEW JERSEY LIKE MODERN AREA GOING BACK TO THE CONSTITUTION OF 1947.

HE HAS RUN A TERRIFIC CAMPAIGN AND IS AN INTERESTING CANDIDATE.

BUT THE NUMBERS JUST DON'T SEEM TO BE GOING HIS WAY.

>> AND IF I CAN JUMP IN.

YOU DO REALLY WANT TO SEE A GROUNDSWELL IF YOU ARE SENSING A CHALLENGE THAT WOULD KNOCK OFF THE INCUMBENT WHICH IS A VERY HARD THING TO DO.

YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO SENSE THE GROUNDSWELL BUT I DON'T THINK ANY OF US HAVE REALLY SENSED THAT AT THIS POINT.

FOUR THANKS TO BOTH FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVES.

AND A REMINDER TO JOIN US HERE FOR OUR SPECIAL NJ DECIDES 2021 ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd, AT 10:00 P.M. WE WILL BRING YOU THE MOST UP- TO-DATE RACE RESULTS AND ANALYSIS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

YOU CAN ALSO GO TO THE NEW SITE FOR THE LATEST ELECTION ANALYSIS AND REPORTING.

THE FDA HAS APPROVED THE SHOTS FOR THE KIDS FROM PFIZER.

THE CDC COULD ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE PANEL.

FDA REGULATORS HAVE SIGNED OFF ON TWO DOSES EACH, ONE THIRD THE AMOUNT GIVEN TO OLDER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

HEALTH WORKERS ARE WORKING WITH PHARMACIES AND SCHOOL-BASED NEXT TO GET THOSE DOSES DELIVERED.

MORE THAN 6 MILLION PEOPLE 12 AND UP ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED, A NUMBER THAT COULD INCREASE WITH THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT.

>>> NINE YEARS AGO TODAY SUPERSTORM SANDY MADE LAND SURE IN NEW JERSEY.

WREAKING HAPPEN -- IT WAS CONSIDERED A ONCE IN A CENTURY STORM BUT AS TROPICAL STORM IDA SHOULDERS FLOODING FROM EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE COMMON DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND PUTTING MORE HOMES AT RISK THAN EVER BEFORE AND REQUIRING INDIVIDUALS TO PURCHASE COSTLY FLOOD INSURANCE.

BUT A NEW BILL IN WASHINGTON THAT IS BEEN CHAMPIONED BY NEW JERSEY REPRESENTATIVES AIMS TO FIX THOSE PROBLEMS WITH THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

>> I CANNOT TELL YOU HOW HEARTBREAKING IT WAS TO LOOK AT MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER AND SAY THAT WE CANNOT GO HOME BECAUSE OUR INSURANCE COMPANY CHEATED AND THE AGENCY OF OUR GOVERNMENT CHARGED.

THEY LET IT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: EMOTIONS VERY WRONG FOR THE SUPER DANDY -- SUPER STORM SANDY SURVIVOR.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE.

>> I THOUGHT I WOULD BE HOME IN WEEKS OR A MONTH WITH $250,000 OF FLOOD INSURANCE.

MY HOUSE WAS CONDEMNED.

MY INSURANCE COMPANY PAID ME $0.37 ON THE $1.00.

IT TOOK ME SEVEN YEARS TO GET HOME.

>> Reporter: HE'S ONE OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYANS THAT GOVERNORS ARE HOPING TO PROTECT.

THEY ARE WORKING HERE AROUND CITY HALL TO ANNOUNCE BIPARTISAN BILLS TO REFORM THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF LESSONS AND FACE THE WORST NATIONAL DISASTER THE STATE EVER FACED AND THEN WE FACE THE MAN-MADE DISASTER WHICH IS HOW FEMA DEALT WITH POLICYHOLDERS WHEN THEY MADE CLAIMS, MANY TIMES FOR THE FIRST TIMES IN THEIR LIVES.

SO WE TAKE ALL OF THOSE LESSONS AND INCORPORATE IT IN LEGISLATION.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD CAP ANNUAL INCREASES AT 9% AND DEVELOP A SOPHISTICATED FLOOD MAP TO MORE ACCURATELY SEE WHO LIVES IN THE HEART OF THE FLOOD ZONE.

THE NEW SYSTEM IS BEING PHASED IN BY FEMA AND WILL LEAD TO HIGHER PREMIUMS FOR MOST POLICYHOLDERS.

PREMIUMS COULD INCREASE MODESTLY BUT SOME COULD SEE HIKES UP TO A PRINTER SENT -- HIKES UP TO 18% PER YEAR.

>> THEY COULD LOSE 20% OF OLIV POLICYHOLDERS IN THE COUNTRY AND THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT DOESN'T SERVE INSURANCE COMPANIES BUT SERVICEPEOPLE.

THE NEW JERSEYANS WHO ARE ALREADY LOOKING AT THE HIGH COST.

THEY HAVE AN INSURANCE PROGRAM THAT WON'T PUSH THEM OUT OF HAVING INSURANCE BUT MAKES SURE THAT THEY HAVE IT.

>> WITH THE THREAT OF MORE STORMS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE THEY SAY MORE FUNDING NEEDS TO BE PUT IN TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PREVENT DAMAGE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> OUR NEIGHBORS SAW THEIR ENTIRE LIFE SWEPT AWAY IN ONE INSTANCE.

THESE 100 YEAR STORMS AND 500 YEAR STORMS ARE COMING EVERY, EVERY MONTH.

THE FACTS MATTER.

>> Reporter: IT WILL EXTEND THE PROGRAM FOR ANOTHER FIVE YEARS.

THIS IS AN ADDED INSURANCE FOR THOSE WHO FEAR THE DAMAGE OF WHAT THE NEXT DOOR MAY BRING.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS IN ROME TODAY AT THE G 20 SUMMIT MEETING WITH INTERNATIONAL LEADERS TO PUSH FOR SEVERAL KEY STRATEGIES TO END THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ADDRESS THE CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

NO STOP IN ROME IS COMPLETE WITHOUT AN AUDIENCE WITH THE POPE.

A DEVOUT CATHOLIC HIMSELF, JOE BIDEN SPOKE WITH POPE FRANCIS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WORLD LEADERS FOCUSING THEIR EFFORT ON THE CLIMATE, WHICH IS WHAT THE PRESIDENT HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH AS HE GOES TO HIS SECOND SUMMIT OVERSEAS, THE UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLASCOW, SCOTLAND.

THAT STARTS ON SUNDAY.

THE PRESIDENT HAS YET TO FINALIZE HIS BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN.

WITHOUT THAT IN PLACE CAN HE EFFECTIVELY BRING OTHER, MORE HESITANT COUNTRIES ALONG?

TONY McDONALD WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE SUMMIT AND WATCHING FOR WHAT IT ALL MEANS FOR NEW JERSEY AND THE NATION.

TONY, YOU ARE GOING TO GLASS CALL IN A FEW DAYS.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO HEAR FROM THE PRESENT IN PARTICULAR IN TERMS OF HIS BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN?

AND IS IT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO GET OTHERS TO COME ON BOARD?

>> I THINK REALLY THE PRESIDENT WANTS TO SEND A POSITIVE MESSAGE THAT THE U.S. IS BACK AS PART OF THE PLAN.

THE FACT THAT CONGRESS HAS NOT ACTED YET I THINK WILL UNDERCUT THAT A LITTLE BIT BUT I THINK YOU WILL SEE A VERY AFFIRMATIVE STATEMENT FROM THE PRESIDENT THAT HE WILL DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER AND HOPEFULLY CONVINCE CONGRESS TO COME ALONG TO ACTUALLY ADOPT SOME REALLY AGGRESSIVE CLIMATE ACTION SO WE CAN -- >> WHAT DO YOU THINK WERE GOING TO BE HEARING THAT WILL MAKE A DIRECT IMPACT ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN NEW JERSEY ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO CLEAN ENERGY?

>> THERE ARE SEVERAL STRATEGIES OUTLINED SIGNIFICANT TO NEW JERSEY.

ONE IS OFFSHORE DRILLING.

HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE FACILITATE RENEWABLE ENERGIES AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE ENVIRONMENT.

I THINK HE'S AGGRESSIVELY PUSHING AND I THINK NEW JERSEY IS SUPPORTIVE AND WAY THAT RESPECTS THE TRADITIONAL FISHING RIGHTS.

I THINK ANOTHER EXPECTATION THAT HE MENTIONS IS -- MID- ATLANTIC AND NEW YORK MAJOR PORT BUT THEY HAVE ANOTHER ACTIVE PORT IN NEW JERSEY.

I THINK WE WILL SEE A COMMITMENT BY THE U.S. TO HELP WITH THE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES FOR LASTLY I THINK YOU WILL GET A COMMITMENT FROM THEM.

HOW CAN WE PROTECT THE OCEAN AND AWAY?

YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW THE OCEAN IS THE REGULATOR OF CARBON IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

IT -- WANTED TO MAKE SURE CAN CONTINUE.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE A COMMITMENT TO BLUE CARBON NOT ONLY BY PROTECTING THE OCEAN BUT ALSO INVESTING IN RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE ALONG THE SHORE AND MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: THIS MEETING IS BEING CALLED OUR LAST BEST CHANCE AT REALLY REVERSING SOME OF THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

DOES THE PRESIDENT HAVE ENOUGH JUICE TO PULL COUNTRIES LIKE INDIA, THAT'S ALREADY EXPRESSED PUSHBACK, AND PULL THEM ALONG?

>> WE NEED TO PUSH AND PULL AT THE SAME TIME.

I AM NOT SURE RIGHT NOW.

I THINK MOST OF THE PREDICTIONS ARE PESSIMISTIC.

AND NOT SUFFICIENT AS THEY CURRENTLY STAND.

VASTLY DETERMINED COMMITMENTS.

COUNTRIES DEVELOP THEIR OWN APPROPRIATE STRATEGIES.

OBVIOUSLY SOME OF THE COUNTRIES HAVE NOT HAD THE BENEFIT OF THE INDUSTRIALIZATION YEARS AGO AND THE BENEFITS.

THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.

I DO THINK COUNTRIES COMING FORWARD WITH MORE AGGRESSIVE ACTIONS THAN THEY EVER HAVE.

REMAKE THANKS SO MUCH TO TONY McDONALD.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IS HEALTH CARE FOR FAMILIES IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY GETTING CHEAPER?

WE HAVE THE ANSWER FOR THAT COMING UP FROM RHONDA.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WILL HEALTH CARE MAY FIND IT'S NOT AS EXPENSIVE THIS YEAR.

STARTING ON MONDAY THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT OPEN ENROLLMENT IS FOR THOSE WHO NEED HEALTH CARE THROUGH THE STATE'S HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE, GET COVERED NEW JERSEY.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION SAYS RECORD LEVELS OF FINANCIAL HELP ARE AVAILABLE FOR THIS SIGN A PERIOD IN ORDER TO MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

9 OUT OF 10 RESIDENTS ENROLLING IN GET COVERED NEW JERSEY WILL QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

ESTATES IS THE MAJORITY OF THEM WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A HEALTH PLAN AT A COST OF $10 PER MONTH OR LESS, THANKS TO SAVINGS FROM BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

ADDITIONALLY, THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS CONSUMERS WILL ALSO HAVE MORE HEALTH CARE PLANS TO CHOOSE FROM ON THE EXCHANGE.

A SOUTH JERSEY SCHOOL WILL BE OFFERING JOB TRAINING FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN THE WIND ENERGY INDUSTRY.

ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE BROKE GROUND ON A WIND TRAINING FACILITY ON ITS CAMPUS.

THE STATE AWARDED THE COLLEGE A $3 MILLION GRANT FOR THE FACILITY, WHICH IS SET TO OPEN NEXT FALL.

THEY HAVE 1800 STUDENTS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR.

>>> RISING PRICES ARE UNDER CONTROL JUST YET.

INFLATION HIT A NEW 30 YEAR HIGH INTO TIMBER.

FOR INFLATION HAS NOT INCREASED THIS FAST SINCE 1991 ACCORDING TO THE REPORT FROM THE U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT.

MORE TROUBLE FOR THE ECONOMY.

CONSUMERS ARE SPENDING LESS.

AS A RESULT, ECONOMIC GROWTH SLOWED TO A RATE OF JUST 2% IN THE MOST RECENT QUARTER.

>>> FACEBOOK HAS BEEN UNDER FIRE SINCE THE WHISTLEBLOWER RELEASED INTERNAL DOCUMENTS AND SAID THE COMPANY PUTS PROFITS OVER PROTECTING USERS.

NOW FACEBOOK IS GIVING ITSELF A FRESH START PICK THE COMPANY IS CHANGED ITS NAME.

THE NEW NAME REFLECTS THE PLANS TO EXPAND BEYOND SOCIAL MEDIA AND INTO VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY.

>>> NOW HERE'S A CHECK ON HOW WALL STREET TRADING WRAPPED UP THIS WEEK.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

MECH AS WORLD LEADERS COME TOGETHER TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE A KEY COMPONENT FROM THE MURPHY CLEAN ENERGY ADDENDA HAS MOVED FORWARD.

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES APPROVED 105 NEW PROJECTS THAT ARE PART OF THE SOLAR PROGRAM.

THE PROJECTS WILL PROVIDE CLEAN ENERGY FOR ABOUT 33,000 HOMES IN LOW AND MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES AND SIX OF THE LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND COMPANIES OF THE WORLD ARE BIDDING FOR SPACE AT THE NEW JERSEY WIND PORT WHICH IS SET TO OPEN IN SALEM COUNTY.

ONE OF THE COMPANIES VYING FOR A SPOT IS ATLANTIC SHORES WHICH COULD BE BUILDING ONE OF THE LARGEST OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS IN THE STATE.

>> OUR CONSTRUCTION WILL START, ESTIMATED 2024.

OFF-ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN 2025.

THAT WILL TAKE ABOUT ONE YEAR OR SO AND WE EXPECT THE COMMISSIONING OF THE TURBINES IN 2026 AND FULL OPERATION IN 2027.

>> Reporter: THIS WOULD BE LOCATED OFF THE JERSEY SHORE.

IT'S THE LARGEST WIND FACILITY APPROVED SO FAR.

IT WILL HAVE UP TO 200 TURBINES LIKE THESE SIMULATION SHOWN.

EACH IS OVER 1000 FEET TALL IN BETWEEN NINE MILES AND 20 MILES OFF THE JERSEY SHORE.

IT COULD GENERATE 1500 MEGAWATTS OF ELECTRICITY, ENOUGH TO POWER 700,000 HOMES ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPER.

>> YOU HAVE THE FOUNDATION AT THE SEAFLOOR AND A GIANT TOWER THAT COMES UP, ACTING AS A CURRENT BREAK THAT FISH CAN HIDE BEHIND.

THE LITTLE FISH GATHERING BEHIND IT AND THEN YOU HAVE THE PREDATORS THAT COME INTO FEED ON THAT.

>> Reporter: THE CHARTER BOAT SUPPORTS IT AND SAYS IT COULD BE THE LAST CHANCE TO SAVE THE JERSEY SHORE FROM BEING DESTROYED.

>> THERE IS ABSOLUTELY A COST OF DOING NOTHING AND WE ARE SEEING THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE SEEING TEMPERATURE RISE IN THE WATER AND SOUTHERN SPECIES MOVING INTO OUR WATERS.

THAT WILL CONTINUE IF WE DELAY THIS.

>> NOT EVERYBODY SUPPORTS THE PROJECT.

WIND WITHOUT IMPACT SAYS THE TURBINES ARE A EYESORE.

AND IT WILL HURT VULNERABLE WILDLIFE.

>> IF PEOPLE HAVE A CHOICE OF GOING SOMEWHERE TO LOOK AT WIND TURBINES OR ANOTHER BEACH WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WIND TURBINES, WE THINK THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE ISLAND WILL BE VERY SEVERE.

YOU HAVE THE MIGRATION CARTER OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC WHITE WHALE AND THE NOISE FROM THE OPERATION OF THESE TURBINES WILL SPREAD INTO THAT MIGRATION AREA.

YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY BLOCKING THE MIGRATION OF A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED WHALE.

REMAKE THEY'VE HELD THREE PUBLIC FORUMS.

THE CHARTER CAPTAIN HE SAYS HE STILL THINKS MORE RESEARCH NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE APPROVING THE WIND TURBINES.

>> I LIKE TO SAY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE SCIENCE BEHIND THEM TO SUPPORT THAT THESE THINGS WILL NOT AFFECT US.

SO THEY WILL BASICALLY BE BUILDING A SCIENCE PROJECT AND SEE HOW IT AFFECTS THE FISHING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

IF IT TEARS THE FISHING INDUSTRY APART, THEY DON'T CARE.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC SHORES HAS COMMITTED MORE THAN $15 MILLION TO RESEARCH THE IMPACT ON WIND ON FISH AND WILDLIFE.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SCIENCE EXPERIMENT.

THE RESOURCES ARE LIKE A PENSION AND IT'S MY JOB TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE HERE FOR PEOPLE.

THE FISHERMEN DON'T OWN THE RESOURCES.

THE COMMUNITIES DON'T OWN THEM.

THESE ARE RESOURCES OWNED BY THE PEOPLE MEANING ALL OF US AND WE HAVE TO KEEP THOSE RESOURCES INTACT.

>> Reporter: IF APPROVED THERE WOULD BE A MONTHLY BILL INCREASE OF ABOUT $2.00 FOR RESIDENTS AND $20 FOR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS AND $172 FOR INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMER STARTING IN 2027.

IT SHOULD INJECT $1 BILLION IN THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

WILL ALSO BRING FULL AND PART- TIME JOBS ACROSS THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION PARTS OF THE PROJECT.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES, TURNING TO THE REPORT'S ROUNDTABLE ON SATURDAY WITH DAVID CRUZ .

SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 P.M.. AND DAVID IS TALKING WITH JACK CIATTARELLI AS WELL THIS WEEKEND.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US ALL WEEK.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

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