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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND, THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED.

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

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

>>> THAT EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI .

THE REQUEST IS IN.

JOHNSON AND JOHNSON, TODAY AT THE FDA TO AUTHORIZE A BOOSTER DOSE OF ITS ONE-SHOT CORONAVIRUS VACCINE AND IS LEAVING THE DECISION OF WHO SHOULD GET THE SHOTS UP TO FEDERAL REGULATORS.

THE PHARMACEUTICAL IS THE THIRD TO GOVERNMENT FOR THE GO-AHEAD ON ADDITIONAL DOSES.

J&J SAYS IT BOOSTER HAS 94% EFFECTIVENESS, AND A SECOND SHOT SIX MONTHS AFTER THE FIRST INCREASES ANTIBODY PROTECTION BY UP TO 12 TIMES.

IN NEW JERSEY, JUST SHY OF 5.9 MILLION PEOPLE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT, LESS THAN 450,000 HAVE GOTTEN THE J&J VACCINE.

STATEWIDE, ANOTHER ROUGHLY 1200 NEW CONFIRMED CASES ARE BEING REPORTED, ALONG WITH 37 MORE DEATHS.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S REQUEST COMES AS THE DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR MANY MORE WORKERS IN THE STATE TO MEET A VACCINE REQUIREMENT TO STAY AT THEIR JOB.

BUT, OUR MANDATES THE BEST PATH TO GETTING MORE SHOTS IN ARMS?

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE MADE THE CONSCIOUS DECISION NOT TO TERMINATE EMPLOYEES FOR CHOOSING NOT TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE EXECUTIVE SAYS 80% OF HER STUFF GOT THERE BUT SHOTS FOLLOWING GOVERNMENT FEES SEPTEMBER 7th MANDATE THAT ALL NEW JERSEY HEALTHCARE WORKERS GET VACCINATED, OR GET TESTED.

UNLIKE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, VIRTUAL HEALTH, AND RW J BARNABAS, SHE DECIDED NOT TO FIRE STAFF OVER REFUSING THE VACCINE CAN INSTANTLY MANAGE TO CONVINCE ALL BUT 140 HOLDOUTS TO GET THE JOB BY DEBUNKING VACCINE MISINFORMATION.

>> TO TALK ABOUT SCIENCE, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT IS PROVEN, TALK ABOUT WHAT IS KEEPING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY SAFE.

AND, I THINK, YEAH.

NOT TAKING THE APPROACH, AND BEING, MORE SYSTEMATIC AND EDUCATIONAL ABOUT IT HAS HELPED US ACHIEVE THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE.

>> ALL THE HOSPITALS.

THEY ARE PROBABLY A STRONG WORD, BUT, YEAH.

I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW THE BENEFIT OF FIRING SOMEBODY.

>> IRIS RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THAT CHARACTER HE SAID.

THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY ANALYSIS WAS EVER PERSONAL, NONE OF IT WAS EVER MEANT TO TARGET INDIVIDUALS.

>> UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, CEO, ALSO MET WITH EXITING VACCINES HESITANT STAFF AND THOSE WHO LIVED REFREEZE THE SHOT AND DID NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAL RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS WERE TERMINATED, NO TESTING OPT OUTS.

THE HOSPITAL STAFF VACCINATION RATES STANDS AT OVER 93%.

>> WE CAN'T ABIDE BY THE RISK ANYMORE OF SPREADING THIS VIRUS ON A MEDICAL CAMPUS TO VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHO MAY DIE FROM IT.

THEY ARE VERY LIKELY TO DIE FROM IT IF THEY GET THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> THAT MEANS THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO KEEP COVID OUT OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

>> VIRTUAL HEALTH CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER SAYS STAFF IN THESE HOSPITALS REFUSE THE VACCINE BY OCTOBER 15th DEADLINE WILL ALSO BE FIRES 95% HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

LIKE UNIVERSITY, IT WON'T EXCEPT THE TESTING OPT OUT.

YOU CAN TEST NEGATIVE ONE DAY, BE AT WORK AND TEST POSITIVE THE NEXT, BUT THAT PRIOR DAY, YOU WERE SHOWING THE VIRUS.

>> SO IT IS NOT SAFE IN YOUR MIND.

>> WE DON'T BELIEVE SO.

>> ON THE OTHER HAND, THE HOME HEALTHCARE AGENCY CREDITS TESTING WITH BEING CONVINCED 96% OF THAT STUFF TAKE THE VACCINE.

WELL, 1200 CONTINUE TO RESIST.

>> WE'VE HAD OVER 300 INDIVIDUALS WHO AFTER BEING TESTED FOR TWO WEEKS IN A ROW SAID I DON'T WANT TO BE TESTED EVERY WEEK, I WILL JUST GET THE VACCINE.

SO, I DO BELIEVE THAT THE TESTING ALTERNATIVE IS WORKING.

>> THE MANDATE, THE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND INDUSTRIES ARE USING IS WORKING.

>> THE NUMBERS SHOW VACCINATION RATES HAVE RISEN DRAMATICALLY AMONGST NEW JERSEY HEALTHCARE WORKERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE HAD TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A JOB AND A SHOT.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE VACCINE RULES FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS THIS MONTH, MEANWHILE, EVERY PROVIDER COMPLAINS IT HAS HAD TO COMBAT FALSE VACCINE RUMORS USUALLY PICKED UP BY STAFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> SEEMS TO BE A LOT OF MONEY TO BE MADE ON THE INTERNET, BY PUTTING THIS INFORMATION OUT.

THAT IS VERY UPSETTING TO ME.

THAT PEOPLE CAN PROFIT REALLY, AT THE COST OF OTHERS.

>> JUST TODAY, CONGRESS HEARD FROM A WHISTLEBLOWER WHO CLAIMED FACEBOOK NEW DISINFORMATION ON ITS PLATFORMS CAUSED HARM.

FACEBOOK DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THIS COLD-WEATHER SEASON IS EXPECTED TO GET OFF ON BETTER FOOTING THAN THE LAST PANDEMIC WINTER.

HOLIDAYS, INCLUDED.

BUT, THAT IS ALL CONTINGENT UPON PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR.

ACCORDING TO STATE HEALTH LEADERS, THEY ARE NOT ANTICIPATING CAN'T FOLLOWING EVENTS, FOR EXAMPLE, OR CALLING FOR NO FAMILY GATHERINGS.

THAT IS THANKS TO WIDESPREAD VACCINATION RATES.

STILL, HOW SHOULD THE PUBLIC APPROACH HEADING INDOORS FOR MORE AND MORE EVENTS?

OUR HEALTHCARE WRITER, LILO STAINTON JOINS ME TO EXPLAIN.

SO, BASED ON THE COVID-19 METRICS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, HOW SHOULD PEOPLE APPROACH NOT JUST THE COLDER WEATHER SEASON, BUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON?

>> WELL, AS WE HEARD FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY, NEW JERSEY IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS ON HALLOWEEN, AND WAS LAST YEAR.

NOW, I SORT OF REMEMBER A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SCENARIO LEADING UP TO HALLOWEEN.

THERE WAS A LOT LAST YEAR HAPPENING IN 2020.

DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, THERE'S A LOT OF DEBATE, WAS IT SAFE TO TRICK-OR- TREAT, SOMEONE IS F-LINE ON HIS FRONT YARD SO THEY COULD MAINTAIN DISCIPLINE THE FAMILY.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GOT CREATIVE.

THIS YEAR, THE WORRY IS LEFT.

BUT, HE ALSO SAID PEOPLE HAVE.

IT'S NOT THE TRICK-OR-TREATING IT GETTING INTO THE BASEMENT, BIG HOUSE PARTY, A BUNCH OF KIDS IN A VACATION TO DEATHLY START TO RUN INTO TROUBLE.

OR ADULTS SHARING SNACKS, YOU KNOW?

THAT'S WHERE YOU HAVE THE RISK OF INFECTION.

YOU YEAH, BASICALLY DON'T SHARE YOUR SNACKS.

THIS WEEK, FEDERAL REGULATORS SAID IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT INDOOR PARTY, GET A FAN?

KEEP IT VENTILATED QUESTION MARK WINDOWS OPEN?

IT SOUNDS LIKE LAST YEAR AND YET, YOU'RE SAYING THE SIGNS ARE TRENDING MORE POSITIVELY?

RIGHT.

SO THAT'S THE INTERESTING PART WHEN YOU GO TO THE DATA THAT UNDERLINES THESE DECISIONS, OR UNDERLIES THESE DECISIONS, HOSPITALIZATION RATE, THE NEW CASE RATE.

THOSE ARE STARTING TO GO DOWN.

JUST A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT IS INTERESTING IS, WHEN I WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE SAME DATA FROM LAST YEAR, THEY WERE ACTUALLY AT A LOWER POINT, 75 PER VENT AS OF YESTERDAY, LOWERCASE COUNT.

IN CASE IS.

HUNDREDS OF FEWER PEOPLE AND HALF THE DAY.

THOUGHT, STATE OFFICIALS AT THAT POINT HAD MODELING AND INFORMATION CLEARLY, YOU RIGHT.

WE WERE ON AN UPWARD TREND, AND WHAT WE SAW WITH THE MONTHS THAT FOLLOWED LAST YEAR WAS THINGS WENT UP, AND WE SAW THE LARGEST WAX THAT WE HAD.

SO, VERY DIFFERENT PICTURE.

I THINK, AND WE HAVE VACCINES.

SO THAT IS THE KEY PIECE OF IT.

>> WE HAVE VACCINES, THAT IS RIGHT COULD ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANKS.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> MUCH OF THE ROUGH-AND- TUMBLE POLITICS WE KNOW TO BE NEW JERSEY ORIGINATED IN HUDSON COUNTY WHERE POLITICAL MACHINES WIELD THEIR POWER AND LANDING AN ELECTED POSITION OFTEN REQUIRES THE BLESSING UP POLITICAL BOSSES.

IN JERSEY CITY, A LONGTIME UNION ORGANIZER IS LOOKING TO TAKE ON MAYOR, STEVE PHILIP, AND HE COULD BE THE FIRST SOCIALIST TO BE ELECTED IN 100 YEARS.

SR.

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> IN JERSEY CITY, MAYOR STEVE PHILIP APPEARS TO BE UP FOR REELECTION.

HE HAS AN OPPONENT WITH LITTLE NAME RECOGNITION.

EVEN THE CITY COUNCIL RACES ARE MOSTLY PREDICTABLE.

BUT ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE, PROGRESSIVES ARE LOOKING TO DO SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE HERE IN PROBABLY EVER.

ELECTED SOCIALIST TO A SEAT IN GOVERNMENT.

>> SO, I WANT TO EMPHASIZE I AM A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST.

I'M RUNNING FOR OFFICE TO REPRESENT THE LEFT SIDE OF JERSEY CITY, TO IMPROVE WORKING PEOPLE'S LIVES.

>> IN OTHER WORDS, DON'T LET THE LABELS SCARE YOU, BROOKS, A STAFF REPRESENTATIVE FROM HP AE, THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS UNION, SAYS SOCIAL DEMOCRATS WANT WHAT EVERYONE ON THE WEST SIDE ONCE.

>> PROTECTING AND EXPANDING RENT CONTROL AND REALLY ENFORCING WHAT IS ON THE BOOKS BECAUSE IT IS NOT ENFORCED.

MAKING SURE THAT LONG-TERM HOMEOWNERS ARE NOT TAXED OUT OF THE CITY WELL JARED KUSHNER PACES $.65 ON THE DOLLAR.

AND, BUILDING NEW AFFORDABLE UNITS AND BEING CREATIVE ABOUT THAT.

>>, BROOKS IS UP AGAINST AN OPPONENT, INCUMBENT WHO IS BACKED BY MAYOR PHILIP, WHICH MAKES HER THE FAVORITE RIGHT NOW.

>> I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS COMES DOWN TO LEADERSHIP.

RIGHT?

AND WE ARE ALSO BOTH DEMOCRATS.

AS IT RELATES TO BE A SOCIAL DEMOCRAT, IN MAINE I THINK A LOT OF OUR POLICY IS VERY SIMILAR, AND I DON'T THINK THAT BEING A SOCIALIST REALLY HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH HIS ABILITY TO LEAD.

>> BEING SO OUTWARDLY PROGRESSIVE, CASTING YOURSELF IN THE BERNIE SANDERS MODE WERE A CENTURY AGO, THE CITY MAY HAVE HIRED GOONS TO CHASE UNION ORGANIZERS INTO THE HUDSON RIVER, LITERALLY IS BECOMING MORE COMMON.

HECTOR MADE SOME NOISE LAST YEAR WHEN HE CHALLENGED LONGTIME INCUMBENT, FOR A SEAT IN CONGRESS.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE TUNED OUT POLITICS BECAUSE YOU KNOW, THEY THINK ALL POLITICIANS ARE THE SAME AND THEY ARE ALL GOING TO DO THE SAME THING AND THAT I REALLY CARE ABOUT YOU.

ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS THEMSELVES.

WE ARE GIVING PEOPLE ALL NOT SOMETHING TO VOTE AGAINST, BUT SOME THING AFFIRMATIVE TO VOTE FOR.

>> BUT, EVERYONE AROUND HERE IS A PROGRESSIVE.

SO, AS HUDSON COUNTY POLITICAL STRATEGIST, PHIL WHO REPRESENTS PHILIP AND THE HCD OH, HUDSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION, A.K.A., THE ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS.

>> KEEP WHAT PEOPLE WANT ARE DEMOCRATS, AND THEY WANT PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AGENDA AND I DON'T THINK THE CANDIDATES WOULD HAVE OPPOSED THE HC D O.

>> OVER THE COUNTY HOUSING DETAINEES FOR EYES AND OVER THE SO-CALLED POSITIONING SYSTEM THAT FAVORS INCUMBENTS.

PROGRESSIVES AROUND THE STATE HAVE FILED SUITS TO END THE PRACTICE.

THE CASE IS PENDING.

IF THE COUNTY WERE TO THEIR POWER, TO HAND THOSE POSITIONS, YOU MIGHT ACTUALLY SEE WHY CAMPAIGNS ARE BASED ON DEALS.

AND, FEWER, BASED ON POSITIONS WITH PROGRESSIVES THINK WOULD BE REALLY PROGRESSIVE.

I AM DAVID CRUZ , NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PRODUCING THE SECOND AND FINAL TELEVISED CABINET REAL DEBATE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC INCOMING GOVERNOR, PHIL MURPHY, AND REPUBLICAN, JACK CHIARRELLI, LIVE ON IT 8:00 P.M. ON OCTOBER 12.

ALONG WITH OUR COSPONSORS, WNYC NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO AND THE INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP.

WE WANT YOUR INPUT, THOUGH, SO SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND BE SURE TO WATCH LIVE ON NJPBS AND WNYC STATIONS ARE ONLINE AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND OUR PARTNERS WEBSITE .

LEADING UP TO THE DEBATE, OUR TEAM WILL HOST TWO MORE ELECTION CONVERSATIONS THIS WEEK.

JOIN US TOMORROW, OCTOBER 6th AT NOON FOR A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE ON SOCIAL JUSTICE AND IMMIGRATION.

THEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7th, A PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLEAN ENERGY.

MODERATED BY THE WNYC AND NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM.

TO ATTEND, REGISTER AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

BEACH TOWNS, STILL WORKING TO PAY BACK MILLIONS FROM SUPER STORM SANDY RECOVERING.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS GIVING THEM MORE THAN $25 MILLION WORTH OF COMMUNITY DISASTER LOANS AND 19 TOWNS BY FEMA.

THIS IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT KEPT MANY MUNICIPALITIES CHAPPED.

CONGRESSMAN FROM COLUMBIA CALLED RELIEF CRITICAL FOR THE AREA AS LOCAL LEADERS AND FINANCES SQUEEZED FURTHER BY THE PANDEMIC.

THIS WAS TUCKED INTO A SHORT- TERM SPENDING BILL, BY PRESIDENT BIDEN TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

ADVOCATES NEXT STOP IS A SIMILAR HELP FOR VICTIMS.

CALL BACK FROM THE FEDERAL AID FOLLOWING LETTER FAMILIES LEAVE THE ROOM, GIVEN, THEY WILL REMAIN IN OUR HOMES.

WE WILL BE ABLE TO FINALLY CLOSE THE BOOK ON THE BIGGEST NATURAL DISASTER IN NEW JERSEY.

AND WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES ARE NOW STRUGGLING TO RECOVER FROM HURRICANE IDA AND THEY DON'T GO THROUGH THE SAME THING.

>> LOCAL WEDDING VENDORS.

ADJUSTING TO HIGH DEMAND FROM COUPLES RESCHEDULING THEIR EVENT.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND STRUGGLING TO MAKE SPACE FOR NEW CLIENTS.

ALL THIS, WHILE THEY WORK TO STAFFING SHORTAGES AND SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER PRICES FOR THOSE WEDDING BOUQUETS AND CENTERPIECES, YOU NAME IT.

IT'S AN UNPRECEDENTED WEDDING SEASON AND STIFF COMPETITION FOR COUPLES.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> IT IS THE YEAR OF THE WEDDING AFTER PARTY.

COVID ERA NEWLY WEDS ARE FORCED TO CANCEL THE WEDDING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND ARE READY TO CELEBRATE THEIR LOVE WITHOUT MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> I THINK BEFORE THE SPECIFIC TIME FRAME THEY WANTED, NOW IT'S CHANGING.

>> VINCENT RUSSO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE VALLEY WEDDING VENUE IN CLIFTON.

AT ONE POINT, HE SAYS MORE THAN 75% OF HIS STAFF WAS LAID OFF DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, FORCING HIM TO RESCHEDULE 175 WEDDINGS, AND LOSE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE MONEY THAT YOU'RE MAKING IS REALLY FOOD COST IS A TREMENDOUSLY.

NOT REALLY APART FROM MARGINS COMING DOWN.

>> SUMS RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED.

THE PHONE HERE HAS NOT UPBRINGING.

THIS HAS CONTINUED TO SEARCH FOR AVAILABILITY IN 2022.

DEFINING ALMOST NOTHING OPEN DURING THE WEEKEND.

WHICH IS WHY THEY ARE NOW CONSIDERING THE WEEKDAYS.

>> SAID OKAY, YOU KNOW MONDAY, TUESDAY, GREAT.

ALSO, THEY BENEFIT FROM THE FACT THAT IT'S A LOWER COST.

WE THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE VERY GOOD TURNOUT.

I MEAN, FROM 100 PEOPLE TO 200 PEOPLE.

>> NEVER SEEN SO MANY INCREASE EVER.

IN OUR 10 YEARS IN BUSINESS.

>> WEDDING DAY COORDINATOR, CARLA FRIDAY SAYS WITH COUPLES IN A RUSH, THE DEMAND CAN BE OVERWHELMING FOR PROFESSIONALS.

>> WE ARE TRAINING PEOPLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND, BUT I NOTICE A LOT OF VENDORS IN THIS INDUSTRY ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND HELP.

>> IS ONLY ONE OF ME, ALTHOUGH, WE HAVE A TEAM.

SO THAT MEANS THAT I DID LOSE SOME COUPLES THAT I WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNING TO CELEBRATE WITH.

>> THAT LETTING THEM COULD NOT COME AT A BETTER TIME FOR WEDDING DJ, TONY WHO DESCRIBED 2020 AS A SLOW-MOTION TRAIN CRASH.

>> YOU SEE YOUR EVENT CALENDAR SLOWLY BUT SURELY DETERIORATING, AND BEING RIPPED OUT FROM UNDER YOU, SO NOW I WENT DOWN TO ABOUT A QUARTER OF WHAT I WOULD HAVE HAD FOR 2020.

>> I TRIED TO ONLY DO ABOUT YOUR, AND THEN 36, I THINK?

IN THEIR PRETTY MUCH ALWAYS IN LIKE SIX MONTHS?

>> IS USED TO CAPTURING THE HEARTFELT AND HAPPY MEMORIES AT THE WEDDING COULD BUT IN 2020, HE SAID MANY CUSTOMERS WERE ALSO LEFT UNHAPPY, AND EVEN FURIOUS WHEN LARGE WEDDINGS WERE FIRST PUT ON HOLD.

>> LOST TONS OF WORK.

GOT SUED, THREATENED TO BE SUED BY A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WELL.

PEOPLE WERE LIKE, YOU'RE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS PANDEMIC.

WE NEED TO CANCEL OUR WEDDING.

IT'S LIKE WELL, I HAVE A BUSINESS ALSO, AND, YOU KNOW.

I HAVE TO SURVIVE TO FEED MY FAMILY.

>> A GENTLE REMINDER THAT COVID HAS BEEN TOUGH ON EVERYONE.

ALL OF THOSE I SPOKE WITH ENCOURAGED BRIDES AND GROOMS TO BE PATIENT.

YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED TO BE SETTLING ON PLANNING YOUR DREAM WEDDING, BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM ERVIN SANTANA.

>>> SO THE ONGOING FIGHT OVER STATE AND LOCAL TAX CAPS, NOT YET.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST INTERNET'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

HEY?

>> ANOTHER SETBACK IN THE EFFORT TO ROLL BACK ON FEDERAL DEDUCTIONS ON STATE AND LOCAL TAXES.

A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT IN MANHATTAN REJECTED EFFORTS BY NEW JERSEY AND THREE OTHER STATES TO OVERTURN THE ACCORDING TO -- THE COURT RULED THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAD AUTHORITY TO IMPOSE A $10,000 CAP ON DEDUCTIONS, WHICH OCCURRED AS PART OF THE 2017 TAX OVERHAUL PLAN, BEFORE STATES ARGUED THAT THE CAP IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

OLDER NEW JERSEY WORKERS NOW HAVE MORE PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY, SIGNING LEGISLATION STRENGTHENING WORKPLACE LAWS TO END DISCRIMINATION IN THE HIRING, PROMOTING, OR FORCED RETIREMENT OF EMPLOYEES, BASED ON THEIR AGE.

>> EMPLOYERS WHO ENGAGE IN THESE PRACTICES REINFORCE THE IDEA THAT CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE HAVE LESS WORK THAN OTHERS.

YET, AGEISM OFTEN GOES UNQUESTIONED, AND EVEN WITHIN OUR OWN LAWS.

>> AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE LEGISLATION CLOSED A LOOPHOLE IN NEW JERSEY LAW THAT MANDATED TENURED HIGHER EDUCATIONAL EMPLOYEES WHO RETIRED AT AGE 70.

>>> A WIN FOR NEW JERSEY HOME BAKERS AND CANDY MAKERS LOOKING TO MAKE MONEY FURTHER CULINARY CREATIONS.

NEW JERSEY NOW ALLOWS BAKED GOODS MADE FROM HOME TO BE SOLD FOR PROFIT.

THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS PUBLISHED NEW GUIDELINES TO ALLOW RESIDENTS TO OPERATE AS MRS. FROM HOME KITCHENS WITH A NEED TO APPLY FOR A LICENSE, WHICH COSTS $100 UNTIL NOW, NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN THE ONLY STATE IN THE COUNTRY THAT INHIBITED THE SALE OF HOME BAKED GOODS ACROSS THE STATE FOR PROFIT.

ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY, A FORMER FACEBOOK PRODUCT MANAGER TURNED WHISTLEBLOWER TOLD CONGRESS SHE BELIEVES THE COMPANY'S PRODUCTS HARM CHILDREN, AND LAWMAKERS SHOULD TAKE ACTION.

HER COMMENTS CAME AFTER YESTERDAY'S FACEBOOK OUTAGE, THE DISRUPTED COMMUNICATIONS FOR BILLIONS OF USERS, INCLUDING SMALL BUSINESSES WHO RELY ON THE SERVICE.

NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET TRADING ENDED UP THIS DAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO RESETTLING THE THOUSANDS OF AFGHAN EVACUEES NOW LIVING AT U.S. MILITARY BASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IMMIGRATION STATUS MATTERS.

THOUGH, THEY ARE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS REFUGEES, THAT TERM BRINGS WITH IT A NUMBER OF BENEFITS AND OTHER SERVICES FOR WHICH REFUGEES QUALIFY.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, MOST OF THE AFGHAN INDIVIDUALS BEING HOUSED AT THE BASE IN SOUTH JERSEY FALL UNDER A CATEGORY WITH FAR FEWER RESOURCES.

>> THOUSANDS OF EVACUEES ARE BEING HOUSED IN NEW JERSEY AND HUNDREDS WILL SOON BE RESETTLED HERE.

WHILE MANY REFER TO THESE AFGHANS AS REFUGEES, MOST ARE ACTUALLY CLASSIFIED AS HUMANITARIAN PAROLEES AND THAT CAN MAKE THE RESETTLEMENT PROCESS MORE CHALLENGING.

SEE HUMANITARIAN PAROLE IS A WAY TO BE PERMITTED TO COME INTO THE UNITED STATES AND THEREAFTER, YOU HAVE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REGULARIZE HER STATUS.

>> THE NATION HAS GIVEN THEM VARIOUS HUMANITARIAN SITUATIONS THAT ONLY LAST FOR A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME.

>> DOES NOT GRANT ANY SORT OF LONG-TERM STATUS AT ALL.

ON THE CONTRARY, WHEN SOMEONE IS DESIGNATED AS A REFUGEE, RIGHT?

THAT MEANS THAT THEY HAVE MET CERTAIN LEGAL STANDARDS REGARDING PAST PERSECUTION OR FEAR OF FUTURE PERSECUTION, AND THEY ARE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES AS REFUGEES, WHICH IS A STATUS.

THAT IS A WAY TO REMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES PERMANENTLY.

>> BUT, HUMANITARIAN PAROLEES ARE NOW GETTING MORE HELP IN THE RESETTLEMENT PROCESS.

LASTLY, CONGRESS PASSED A CONTINUING RESOLUTION THAT GIVES THEM ACCESS TO THE SAME BENEFITS AS REFUGEES.

>> THIS ALLOWS THEM TO ACCESS MEDICAID, THEY WILL GIVE THEM FOOD ASSISTANCE.

ACCESS TO NUTRITION PROGRAMS.

IT MAKES THEM ELIGIBLE FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.

>> WHILE IMMIGRATION ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTION, THEY SAY IT IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP.

>> FOR THESE FOLKS TO BECOME LEGAL PERMANENT CITIZENS, THEY WOULD THEN HAVE TO APPLY FOR ASYLUM.

IT'S A VERY LONG, AND CUMBERSOME PROCESS.

WE DON'T SEE ANY POINT TO PUTTING THEM THROUGH THAT.

>> ADVOCATES SAY THE GOAL SHOULD BE A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

>> WE ARE URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO PASS THE F AND ADJUSTMENT ACT, WHICH WOULD AUTOMATICALLY PUT THE HUMANITARIAN PAROLEES ON A PATH TO GET LEGAL PERMANENT CITIZENSHIP STATUS.

>> AS OF LAST WEEK, ABOUT 9500 AFGHAN EVACUEES WERE BEING HOUSED AT THE BASIN LAKERS.

AND, JERZY IS EXPECTED TO RESETTLE MORE THAN 500 OF THEM.

THOUGH, THAT NUMBER COULD INCREASE.

A PATH TO PERMANENT RESIDENCY COULD ALSO BE IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR AFGHAN EVACUEES WHO APPLY FOR A SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA BEFORE COMING TO THE U.S.. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS SAY MANY OF THEM ARE ALREADY NEAR THE END OF THE PROCESS WHEN THE U.S. EMBASSY IN KABUL HAD TO SHUT DOWN.

BUT, IT MAY NOT BE A VIABLE OPTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING TO APPLY NOW.

>> TAKES YEARS, SO THERE MAY BE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS, WHO MAY, AT THIS POINT, START THE SID PROCESS.

IT WOULD BE WORSE.

ANY IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY WHO IS ASSISTING THEM IN THAT EFFORT TO TRY TO SEE WHETHER IT MIGHT NOT BE A FASTER PATH FOR THEM TO SEEK ASYLUM.

>> ADVOCATES SAY THEY HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A LOT OF SUPPORT ACROSS THE STATE, AND WELCOMING AFGHAN EVACUEES, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG ROAD AHEAD TO MAKE SURE THEY GET ALL THE HELP THEY REALLY NEED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> FINALLY, THE SO-CALLED MICHAEL JORDAN OF CLIMATE SCIENCE JUST TOOK ON THE 2021 NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS, AND WHAT IS MORE, HE IS A JERSEY GUY.

THE PRINCETON PROFESSOR IS PART OF A TRIO TO BE AWARDED THE HIGH HONOR.

THE 90-YEAR-OLD IS A PIONEER IN THE FIELD HE BUILT THE FIRST EVER CLIMATE MODEL IN THE 1960s EXPLAINING GLOBAL WARMING AND THE ROLE HUMANS PLAY CONTRIBUTING TO IT.

THIS WOULD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE SAYS HE LAID THE FOUNDATION FOR CLIMATE CHANGE STUDIES.

HE IS CURRENTLY SENIOR METEOROLOGIST FOR PRINCETON'S ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC SCIENCES PROGRAM.

WHEN THE NOBEL COMMITTEE, PROFESSOR TO SHARE THE NEWS, HE WAS REPORTEDLY GOB SMACKED, NOT JUST A NOBEL PRIZE WINNER, BUT HUMBLED TOO.

AND, THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

OR, HEAD TO OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES.

I AM NJPBS BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, THE PSEG FOUNDATION, AND BY THE CLEAR EMERGENCE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.