>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION GROUP AND THEN RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE DELTA VARIANT OF COVID-19 HAS BEEN DOMINATING RISING CASELOADS AND CONCERNS BUT TODAY'S ESTATE HEALTH LEADERS SAY A NEW VARIANT CALLED MU HAS BEEN DETECTED.

THE WHO LEADERS ARE SUGGESTING THE STRAIN MIGHT BE RESISTANT TO VACCINES.

NEW CASES IN NEW JERSEY ARE ONCE AGAIN OVER 2015 ADDITIONAL DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED AS MORE GOVERNMENT BODIES ESTABLISH VACCINE MANDATES FOR THEIR WORK ORDERS, A WAY TO STEM THE SPREAD OF THE VARIANT.

MORE THAN 5.6 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS LAYING OUT A SWEEPING NEW VACCINE MANDATE ORDERING THE REQUIREMENT FOR AS MANY AS 100 MILLION AMERICANS.

THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION REPORTS UNVACCINATED INDIVIDUALS ARE 11 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM COVID COMPARED TO THOSE THAT HAVE HAD THEIR FULL SHOTS.

WITH THE MANDATE, WILL IT MAKE A DENT IN THE RECENT CASE LOAD SURGE?

ONE CORRESPONDENT REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN PATIENT.

OUR PATIENCE IS WEARING THIN.

REFUSAL HAS COST ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN BLEND OF THE WILLFULLY UNVACCINATED FOR PROLONGING THE NATION'S PANDEMIC AND SWITCHED HIS MO FROM THE PROVERBIAL CARROT TO A BIG STICK.

HIS MANDATE IS FOR ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THE U.S.

WORKFORCE.

THE AGGRESSIVE POLICIES ARE DESIGNED TO COMPEL VACCINE RESISTANT FOLKS TO GET THE SHOT AND CREATE A VACCINE FIREWALL AGAINST THE INFECTIOUS DELTA VARIANT THAT IS BURNING ACROSS THE NATION.

>> WE HAVE REACHED A POINT WHERE INCENTIVES AND ASKING NICELY SIMPLY ARE NOT WORKING, SO WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THESE MANDATES BE ISSUED, WHETHER IT IS BY PRIVATE COMPANIES, UNIVERSITIES, OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> MORE PEOPLE GETTING VACCINATED WILL BE THAT MUCH BETTER FOR THE STATE AND I DO THINK WE SHOULD ALL HOPE FOR GREATER THAN 90% VACCINATION RATES.

>> MORE THAN 70% OF NEW JERSEY VACCINATED -- FOR THE MOST PART, IT HAS BEEN ENACTED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

TEACHERS, STATE WORKERS, AND HEALTHCARE STAFF MUST ALSO GET VACCINATED OR GET TESTED WEEKLY.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TOOK A FAR MORE CONTROVERSIAL STEP, REQUIRING PRIVATE BUSINESSES WITH MORE THAN 100 EMPLOYEES TO GET THEM ALL VACCINATED OR TEST THEM WEEKLY.

>> THE INCONVENIENCE AND COSTS OF TESTING, WHETHER THAT IS BORNE BY THE EMPLOYER OR EMPLOYEE, WILL BE A MAJOR DISINCENTIVE TO REMAIN UNVACCINATED AND I THINK WE WILL SEE A HUGE INCREASE IN PEOPLE BEING VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH HE ANNOUNCED AMAZON AND WALMART WILL SOON SELL COVID HOME TEST KITS AT COST.

IN NEW JERSEY, MANDATES COULD IMPACT MORE THAN 4600 PRIVATE WORKSITES AND OVER 1.3 MILLION EMPLOYEES.

BUSINESS LEADER MICHELLE NOTES HER MEMBERS GENERALLY OPPOSE MANDATES BUT -- >> AT THE SAME TIME, FOR SOME BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING, I FEEL THEY FEEL RELIEF THAT THE MANDATE TAKES THE PRESSURE OFF OF THEM BECAUSE THEY JUST HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

>> Reporter: NEW REGULATIONS WILL FLOW FROM OSHA AND WILL REQUIRE EMPLOYERS GIVE WORKERS PAID TIME OFF TO GET VACCINATED.

VIOLATORS COULD RISK HEAVY VIOLATORS, UP TO $14,000 PER CASE.

>> WORKING WITH THE COMPANIES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HURDLES THEY MAY HAVE WITH THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND TRYING TO COMPLY BEFORE WE WHACK THEM WITH VERY LARGE COMPLIANCE PENALTIES IN THIS REGARD.

>> Reporter: SHE HOPES REGULATORS ALLOW BOSSES TO TERMINATE NONCOMPLIANT WORKERS FOR CAUSE SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

LABOR LAW EXPERT ROSEMARIE IN SUCH REGULATIONS WILL PROBABLY STAND.

>> I THINK IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL FOR THE PRESIDENT TO DO THIS.

THAT IS REGARD TO PRIVATE COMPANIES.

UNIONS ARE GOING TO WANT TO NEGOTIATE THIS AND IT CERTAINLY IS A CONDITION OF WORK BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS NEGOTIABLE BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE NEGOTIATIONS -- THEY WILL BE PREEMPTED BY THE OSHA REGULATION ONCE THEY HAVE IT.

>> Reporter: OSHA IS EXPECTED TO UNVEIL THOSE REGULATIONS AND SOME UNIONS ARE PROTESTING VACCINATION MANDATES REQUIRING TESTING AND OPT OUTS WHILE OTHERS ARE ON BOARD.

THE BOTTOM-LINE -- >> WE NEED FULL PARTICIPATION AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

THIS IS NOT AN INDIVIDUAL HEALTH ISSUE.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANIGAN.

>> MORE RESIDENTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE FEDERAL DOLLARS NEEDED TO REBUILD AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA.

THE WHITE HOUSE APPROVED FOUR MORE COUNTIES FOR FEMA'S MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION LIST, MAKING IT A TOTAL OF 10, ADDING ESSEX, HUDSON, MERCER, AND UNION.

STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS PRESSED PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WHEN HE TOURED NEW JERSEY EARLIER.

THEY PLEADED TO EXPAND THE FEDERAL HEALTH.

FEMA ALSO LOOKED AT DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS FOR BURLINGTON, MONMOUTH, MARS, AND WARREN COUNTY.

THEY ARE WAITING TO HEAR BACK ON THEIR STATUS.

27 RESIDENTS DIED FROM THE STORM AND TWO REMAIN MISSING.

NORTH JERSEY.COM CONFIRMED A MEDICAL EXAMINER IN NEWARK IDENTIFIED TWO BODIES RECOVERED FROM THE RIVER.

A PAIR OF FRIENDS WENT MISSING DURING THE STORM AND WERE SWEPT AWAY IN THE RAGING WATERS.

>>> IN ELIZABETH, SOME RESIDENTS ARE DISPLACED BY IDA DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY WILL REBUILD.

MANY ARE WITHOUT FLOOD OR RENTAL INSURANCE AND QUESTION WHETHER THEIR BELONGINGS LOST TO THOSE FLOODWATERS WILL EVER BE REPLACED, FEARING WITHOUT A HOME OR A CAR, THEY WILL SOON BE WITHOUT A PAYCHECK.

ONE WRITER EXPLAINS.

>> A LOT OF THEM HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING OR RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT.

THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE -- IT FINISHED LAST WEEK.

SOME OF THEM HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THAT.

I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE PUTTING UP THEIR STORIES ON GOFUNDME BECAUSE THEY NEED HELP.

>> Reporter: CHRIS CHRISTIE IS LAYING OUT HIS VISION FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND STOKING RUMORS HE IS PLOTTING ANOTHER PRESIDENTIAL BID FOR TAKING THE GOP DURING AN APPEARANCE AT THE RONALD REAGAN LIBRARY, WHERE HE URGED FELLOW REPUBLICANS TO FACE THE REALITIES OF THE 2020 ELECTION, MAKING THINLY VEILED JABS AT HIS ONE-TIME ALLY, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND RIPPING INTO HIS BASELESS CLAIMS OF ELECTION FRAUD.

HE BACKED TRUMP IN 2016 AND LATER ADVISED HIS REELECTION CAMPAIGN THAT BEGAN DISTANCING HIMSELF FROM THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT AFTER THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL.

IN HIS SPEECH, THE FORMER GOVERNOR KNOWN FOR HIS BRASH STYLE TOLD IN PERSON AUDIENCE EXACTLY WHAT HE BELIEVES THE PARTY NEEDS TO DO TO WIN ELECTIONS MOVING FORWARD.

>> WE NEED TO RENOUNCE THE CONSPIRACY THEORISTS AND THE TRUTH DENIERS.

THE ONES WHO KNOW BETTER AND THE ONES WHO ARE JUST PLAIN NUTS.

WE NEED TO QUIT WASTING OUR TIME, OUR ENERGY, AND OUR CREDIBILITY ON CLAIMS THAT WILL NOT EVER CONVINCE ANYONE OF ANYTHING.

PRETENDING WE WON WHEN WE LOST IS A WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY AND CREDIBILITY.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY IS OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, MAKING HIS PITCH FOR REELECTION.

TODAY, APPEARING AT A RALLY IN BLOOMFIELD FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ALONGSIDE SOME OF THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS AND GUN SAFETY ADVOCATES.

HE PLEDGED HIS COMMIT TO MAINTAIN AND EXTEND THE TOUGHEST IN THE NATION GUN LAWS, JUST ONE OF MANY ISSUES HE WILL BE DEBATING WITH HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS.

ONE CAMPAIGN IS TAKING A SWIPE AT THEIR RESPONSE TO STATE CRISES FROM COVID-19 TO TROPICAL STORM IDA, CLAIMING HIS DECISIONS COST LIVES.

ONE CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT SPOKE ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE SITTING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR ABOUT THAT CRITICISM AND THAT DEMOCRATIC THE TEAM'S ELECTION STRATEGY.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

YOUR OPPONENT WAS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S RESPONSE TO LAST WEEK'S STORM.

THE GOVERNOR OF PENNSYLVANIA DECLARED AN EMERGENCY THAT DAY AT 9:00 IN THE MORNING, SO NOT UNTIL 10:00 FOR PHIL MURPHY.

SHE SAID THE BOTTOM-LINE IS WHAT WAS HE DOING DURING THOSE 13 HOURS WHEN HE COULD'VE MOVED TO SAVE LIVES AND PROPERTY?

WHAT WAS HE THINKING?

THERE MUST BE AN INVESTIGATION.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> I DO NOT BELIEVE THE GOVERNOR MISSED THE BALL IN TERMS OF DECLARING EMERGENCY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT SENATOR ALAN IS, YOU KNOW, HAVING TO HELP, YOU KNOW, SLAM UP ON GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR JACK, BUT I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PERFORMANCE IN RESPONSE TO THE STORM -- HOUR WHOLE TEAM, WE USED ALL THE GOVERNMENT, EVERY SINGLE DEPARTMENT AND AGENCY WITHIN OUR STATE STRUCTURE IS ON THE GROUND, ADDRESSING ISSUES RELATED TO PEOPLE WHO WERE VICTIMIZED.

>> THE PANDEMIC IS LIKELY TO BE THE TOP ISSUE IN THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC AND PARTICULARLY THE DELTA VARIANT?

>> I THINK THAT WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.

I THINK THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB BECAUSE 80% OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR STATES ARE VACCINATED.

I THINK THAT THE CHALLENGE THAT LIES AHEAD IS PEOPLE NOT LETTING THEIR GUARDS DOWN.

I BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE VARIANT IS HERE AND WE ARE A TRANSIENT POPULATION.

WE TRAVEL BETWEEN BORDERS AND WE TRAVEL OUT TO DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, NEW JERSEYANS DO.

I THINK THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS WE WILL HAVE TO ZONE IN ON.

I DO BELIEVE OUR POLICY IN SCHOOLS IS THE APPROPRIATE POLICY AND YOU ARE BEGINNING TO SEE STATES WHO HAVE BEEN TOTALLY AGAINST MASKING IN SCHOOLS, INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DEFYING THOSE GOVERNORS AND SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WITH MASKS.

>> WHAT IS THE CASE FOR REELECTING PHIL MURPHY?

>> I BELIEVE OUR RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

IF YOU EXAMINE THE 2017 CAMPAIGN AND THE PLATFORM THAT WE PUT OUT , WE HAVE FULFILLED EVERY PROMISE AND COMMITMENT THAT WE MADE TO THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY.

I OFTEN HEAR THE OPPONENTS SAY THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONSIVE TO EVERY COMMUNITY AND EVERY SECTOR, WHETHER IT BE A, QUOTE, BLUE AREA OF THE STATE OR A, QUOTE, RED AREA OF THE STATE.

I AM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT HOUR ADMINISTRATION AND SPECIFICALLY THE GOVERNOR AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN RESPONSIVE TO EVERY REGION AND EVERY COUNTY, SMALL COMMUNITIES, RURAL COMMUNITIES, AS WELL AS CITIES IN OUR STATE.

I BELIEVE OUR RECORD SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.

>> LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MICHAEL.

IT IS GREAT TO BE WITH YOU AGAIN.

>>> GRADUATION TESTS ARE BACK FOR HIGH SCHOOLERS THIS SPRING.

THE NEW JERSEY GRADUATION PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT HAS LONG BEEN USED AS A REQUIREMENT TO GET YOUR DIPLOMA, ALBEIT A CONTROVERSIAL ONE.

THE EXAM WAS SUSPENDED TWICE DURING THE PANDEMIC AND FACED CHALLENGES FOR YEARS BEFORE THAT.

IN SPRING 2022, HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS WILL BE TESTED IN ENGLISH AND MATH IN A COMPUTER- BASED EXAM FOLLOWING A UNANIMOUS VOTE FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THE VOTE HARDLY ENDS THE DEBATE.

NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST TEACHERS UNION IS PUSHING BACK.

THEY ARGUE STUDENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TAKE A MANDATORY TEST TO GRADUATE AND OTHER CRITICS SAY IT CREATES UNNECESSARY HURDLES AFTER TWO YEARS OF PANDEMIC SCHOOLING.

STATE BOARD MEMBERS SAY THEY SPEND YEARS DEBATING AND DELIBERATING THE ISSUE BEFORE MAKING THEIR DECISION.

>>> FOR MORE ON THE RETURN OF THE MANDATORY GRADUATION EXAM, CHECK OUT REPORTS ON OUR WEBSITE.

>>> WITH MULTIPLE CRISES AT PLAY, SMALL BUSINESSES JUST CANNOT SEEM TO CATCH A BREAK.

WE HAVE MORE ABOUT HELP'S ON THE WAY AND THE ROAD TO RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: THIS GOVERNMENT IS GROWING CONCERNED ABOUT NEW AND PROLONGED CHALLENGES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES FROM THE DELTA VARIANT.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IS ENHANCING ITS COVID ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM FOR BUSINESSES STILL REELING FROM THE PANDEMIC.

BUSINESSES ARE NOW ALLOWED TO BORROW UP TO $2 MILLION, AN INCREASE FROM THE PREVIOUS LIMIT OF $500,000.

ONE DIRECTOR SAYS THERE HAS BEEN STRONG DEMAND FOR ALL PANDEMIC ASSISTANCE OFFERED.

>> WE HAVE LOOKED AT $37.4 BILLION IN COVID-19 ECONOMIC AID ALONE.

THAT IS THE INJURY DISASTER LOANS, THE HURRICANE IDA LOANS, THE GRANTS, THE PPE, THE RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION.

THESE ARE ALL RECORD-BREAKING LOANS.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THIS YEAR TO APPLY FOR THAT EXPANDED PROGRAM.

ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS ARE LOOKING TO STAFF UP AND ARE HOPEFUL THEY MAY HAVE MORE APPLICANTS NOW THAT THE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS HAVE ENDED.

THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO HELD A JOB FAIR AND RECEIVES MORE THAN 100 APPLICANTS ACCORDING TO THEM.

MANY OF THOSE APPLICANTS WERE HIRED ON THE SPOT.

NEXT WEEK, THEY WILL ALSO HOLD A JOB FAIR.

>>> A BIG NEW HEALTHCARE PROJECT IN ATLANTIC CITY TOOK ANOTHER STEP FORWARD.

THEY ARE BUILDING A $38 MILLION PAVILION AND TODAY, OFFICIALS GATHERED AS THE FINAL STEEL BEAM WAS PUT IN PLACE.

THE FACILITY WILL GIVE ATLANTICARE THE ABILITY TO EXPAND ITS SERVICES IN THE REGION.

THIS NEW PAVILION IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN ABOUT A YEAR.

>>> SUEZ WATER CUSTOMERS AND WHOLE BACK END WILL GET A DISCOUNT FOLLOWING THE BOILED WATER ADVISORY THAT CAME OUT OF LAST WEEK'S FLOODING.

JERSEY CITY IS ALSO IN TALKS WITH THE COMPANY FOR A CREDIT FOR ITS RESIDENTS.

THAT BOILED WATER ADVISORY WAS IN PLACE FOR THREE DAYS AFTER HURRICANE IDA.

HERE IS A LOOK AT WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP NEWS BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> NJ BUSINESS RETURNS.

JOIN US FOR MORE ON WHAT IS BEING CALLED THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

WHY RECORD NUMBERS OF WORKERS ARE MAKING CAREER CHANGES AND THE STEPS YOU SHOULD TAKE TO SHORE UP YOUR FINANCES BEFORE QUITTING YOUR JOB.

YOU CAN FIND MORE SATURDAYS AT 5:00 AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 IN THE MORNING.

>>> ON SEPTEMBER 11th -- MORE FUNDING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OTHER SURVIVORS OF THE TERROR ATTACKS HAS BEEN ADDED TO A SPENDING BILL MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH CONGRESS.

NEARLY $3 BILLION WOULD FUND THE 9/11 WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES NO- COST MEDICAL CARE FOR HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE STEMMING FROM THE ATTACKS.

MORE THAN 110,000 PEOPLE RECEIVE CARE THROUGH THE PROGRAM AS IT FACES A POTENTIAL FUNDING SHORTFALL WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

NEW NAMES ARE STILL BEING ADDED TO HEALTH ISSUES ARISING FROM EXPOSURE TO THE DUST AND OTHER DEBRIS AT GROUND ZERO ALL THOSE YEARS AGO.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ORDERED FLAGS TO BE FLOWN AT HALF STAFF IN MEMORY OF THOSE NEARLY 3000 PEOPLE WHO DIED IN THE ATTACKS.

750 WERE FROM NEW JERSEY ALONG.

FOR SURVIVORS, IT IS A MEMORY THAT WILL NOT FADE WITH TIME.

>> IT IS SOMETHING I WILL REMEMBER FOR THE LAST OF MY LIFE.

>> I DO NOT KNOW HOW OR WHY.

>> TWO STRANGERS CONNECTED BY THE EVENTS OF ONE TRAGIC DAY.

>> I WAS -- >> THEY WERE A FERRYBOAT CAPTAIN AND HIS ROUTE WOULD TAKE PEOPLE FROM HOBOKEN TO THE WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER.

>> WHEN THE FIRST PLANE HIT, I DID NOT KNOW IT WAS A PLANE.

I NOTICED THERE WAS A BIG GAPING HOLE OF ABOUT SEVEN STORIES TALL AND FLAMES WERE POURING OUT OF IT.

>> I RECEIVED A CALL FROM A FRIEND OF MINE THAT WAS WORKING.

HIS WIFE CALLED ME AND SHE WAS TRYING TO REACH HER HUSBAND AND SHE COULD NOT.

MY FRIENDS WERE ON THE 106th AND 107th FLOOR.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE HOME BECAUSE A FRIEND HAD ASKED HIM TO SWAP SHIFTS.

>> I STARTED TO MAKE CALLS.

THE PHONE WAS RINGING AT THAT TIME UNTIL WHEN THE BUILDING COLLAPSED AND IT WENT DEAD SILENT.

>> I WAS COVERED IN DUST.

WHEN THE BUILDINGS CAME DOWN, THERE WAS A TOTAL OF FIVE TO SEVEN MINUTES WHERE YOU COULD NOT SEE IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.

WE HAD TO RUN BY RADAR.

>> Reporter: THEY EVACUATED PEOPLE UNTIL 3:00 IN THE MORNING, TAKING A BREAK ONLY TO BRING FOOD AND DRINKS TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

SYDNEY SEARCHED EVERY HOSPITAL WITH HIS FRIEND COLETTE'S WIFE, HOPING TO FIND HIM ALIVE.

HE WAS A FATHER AND HIS THIRD CHILD WAS BORN JUST 24 HOURS BEFORE THE ATTACK.

>> IT IS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE BUT HE WAS NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT I LOST.

THERE WERE 73 PEOPLE THAT WE LOST THAT DAY.

>> Reporter: THEY WENT TO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TO HAVE THE 20th DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.

>> I WAS 34.

MARTIN MORALES WAS WORKING TO SECURE A LIVELIHOOD FOR HIS MOTHER AND HIS TWO SIBLINGS.

I SAW ANOTHER FRIEND OF MINE, HE WAS JUMPING BACK IN 2001 BECAUSE HE GOT HIS CITIZENSHIP.

>> Reporter: HE THINKS ABOUT HIS OWN DAUGHTER BORN THREE WEEKS AFTER THE ATTACK, KNOWING SHE COULD HAVE GROWN UP FATHERLESS.

HE SAYS PEOPLE THAT WENT TO WORK THAT MORNING DID NOT KNOW HE WOULD COME HOME.

HE HAS SPENT EVERY DAY UNDERSTANDING THAT LIFE IS A GIFT, PRECIOUS, SOMETHING THAT CAN BE LOST EVERY DAY.

TONY ALSO KNOWS THAT.

HE SPENT A YEAR AND A HALF SHADOWING FIRST RESPONDERS BACK AND FORTH.

17 YEARS LATER, HE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH COPD.

>> A PERSON GRIEVES OXYGEN -- WITHIN THREE YEARS, MY OXYGEN LEVEL WENT FROM THAT TO 0.41 LEADERS.

PEOPLE COME OUT AND PEOPLE WOULD ASK ME HOW DID YOU GET SICK AND I EXPLAINED TO THEM AND THEY WOULD SAY THANK YOU TO ME.

I SAID YOU DO NOT HAVE TO THANK ME.

I WOULD DO THE SAME THING YOU WOULD HAVE DONE AND ANYBODY ELSE WOULD HAVE DONE.

>> HE RECEIVED A LUNG TRANSPLANT AND JUST TURNED 65.

>> I HAVE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

MY GOAL IS TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW, THAT HAS GONE THROUGH THIS OR IS GOING THROUGH THIS.

>> Reporter: TWO MEN FOREVER CHANGED, NO HELPING OTHERS NEVER FORGET.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THIS IS THE COMMON REFRAIN WHEN WE THINK BACK TO THAT TRAGIC DAY FOR JOURNALISTS WHO CAPTURED THOSE PHOTOS AND STORIES.

THE IMAGES ARE STILL VIVID, FRESH, RAW.

A THREAD THAT BINDS THEIR EXPERIENCE AND LIVES.

ONE CORRESPONDENT SPEAKS WITH THE THREE VETERAN REPORTERS WHO COVERED THE 9/11 ATTACKS ABOUT THOSE MOMENTS AND HOW IT STILL AFFECTS THEM 20 YEARS LATER.

>> I WONDERED IF I COULD JUST GET YOU TO SHARE THE THING THAT STICKS WITH YOU NOW, 20 YEARS LATER, ANY IMAGE OR SOUND BITES.

LET'S START WITH YOU, DOUG.

>> I THINK COVERING MAJOR TRAGIC EVENTS LIKE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN THE SAME.

I THINK WE STARTED TO REALIZE THAT REPORTERS, ANCHORS, AND THOSE THAT ARE IN THE MIDST OF COVERING A STORY LIKE THIS, WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

WE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH AND THAT WE HAVE TO CONSIDER AND PEOPLE THINK WE ARE ROCKS.

WE ARE NOT.

WE ARE JUST LIKE YOU AND WE HAVE EMOTIONS.

YEAH, WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM IN CHECK AND BE PROFESSIONAL BUT I DO NOT THINK AFTER 9/11, THINGS WERE EVER THE SAME.

>> WE DID A STORY IN JERSEY CITY, LOOKING AT A COMMUTER PARKING LOT AND LOOKED AT THE DRY CLEANING IN THE CARS.

WE LOOKED AT THE COFFEE MUGS LEFT IN THE CARS AND THE OTHER THINGS LEFT IN THE CARS AND IT WAS NOW 7:00 OR 9:00 AT NIGHT AND YOU JUST GOT THIS IMPRESSION THAT THESE WERE PEOPLE WHO WERE LOST AND PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT COMING BACK AND THE OTHER THOUGHT I HAD WAS I GREW UP IN NEW WORK.

WE USED TO GO UP PARK AVENUE, ON PARK STREET AND SIT ON THE CORNER WITH A CLEAR SHOT OF LOWER MANHATTAN.

WE USED TO SEE THE TALL TOWERS AND EVERYTHING AND JUST -- WHEN I THINK OF THAT, IT MAKES IT FEEL ALMOST LIKE IT IS A PERSONAL LOSS AS WELL BECAUSE THAT IS PART OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOUR WORLD IS.

>> I WALKED TO GROUND ZERO OR AFTER THE TOWERS FELL AND I DID NOT COME HOME FOR THREE DAYS.

THAT EXPERIENCE IS AS VIVID TO ME TODAY AS IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

I STILL REMEMBER WALKING INTO THIS PLACE WHERE THERE WAS WHITE DUST EVERYWHERE AND I WAS STARING AT THE RUBBLE PILE AND THINKING TO MYSELF, MY GOODNESS, ARE THERE 50,000 OR 25,000 PEOPLE DYING OR ARE DEAD THERE?

WE DO NOT HAVE iPHONES BUT WE HAD CELL PHONES AND THERE WERE THESE CLUNKY THINGS WE CARRIED AROUND WITH US AND I REMEMBER WALKING AROUND GROUND ZERO, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT LET ME FIND A CELL PHONE AND WE DO NOT HAVE LAPTOPS BACK THEN BUT -- I ENDED UP WRITING MY COLUMN OUT LONGHAND ON A PIECE -- ON ILLEGAL TABLET AND THEN CALLING THEM.

I GOT A CELL PHONE AND I CALLED THE NEWSROOM AND I WAS DICTATING MY COLUMN OLD SCHOOL.

THAT IS HOW I DID IT.

>> WE FORGET, I THINK, THAT IN THE WAKE OF THESE ATTACKS, AND FOR YEARS, REALLY, THERE WERE ALL THESE CONSPIRACY THEORIES, YOU KNOW, THAT'S TOWERS IMPLODED AND THAT WAS NOT A JET THAT HIT THE PENTAGON.

IT GOT ME THINKING ABOUT HOW, AND OUR CURRENT CONSPIRACY CULTURE, HOW WOULD WE REACT TO A SIMILAR ATTACK TODAY?

I WONDER TODAY IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED, IF YOU WOULD HAVE THE IMMEDIATE AFTERMATH UNITY IN THIS COUNTRY OR WOULD YOU HAVE MORE FINGER-POINTING AND BLAMING AND SOME OF THE SAME RANCOR THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW?

>> I DO NOT EVEN WONDER ABOUT THAT, MICHAEL.

WE ARE SO DIVIDED WHEN IT COMES TO NEWS COVERAGE AND PEOPLE WANT TO BELIEVE WHAT THEY WANT TO BELIEVE.

I THINK THERE WOULD BE -- TO USE THE WORD AGAIN, CHAOS, ESPECIALLY ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> I AGREE.

>> THERE WAS ONE DIRECTOR AND A COLUMNIST AND MICHAEL HILL, WHO HOSTS THE MORNING EDITION.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOU ALL.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING SOME TIME WITH US TODAY.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US.

BEFORE WE GO, FOR ANYONE IN NEED OF STORM RECOVERY ASSISTANCE AND LIVING IN THE 10 COUNTIES NOW UNDER THE FEDERAL DISASTER DECLARATION, YOU CAN GO TO DISASTERRESISTANCE.GOV FOR THOSE LIVING IN SOME COUNTIES.

YOU CAN ALSO REPORT RESOURCES AT MJ.GOV/IDA AND ALSO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLOOD INSURANCE THROUGH FLOOD SMART .

OF COURSE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU UPDATED ON OUR WEBSITE ALONG WITH MORE ALL WEEKEND LONG.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEW STEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AS WE REMEMBER AND HONOR THOSE WE LOST ON 9/11.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> WE ARE SERVING THE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.