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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

A BATTLE IS BREWING AFTER PROPOSED INCREASES TO HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS FOR PUBLIC WORKERS AND LABOR UNIONS ARE STRIKING BACK.

HUNDREDS GATHERED IN PROTEST TODAY, REPRESENTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DISGRUNTLED WORKERS.

KAISER SAY IT'S THE LARGEST IN- PERSON LABOR RALLY IN THE STATE SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

ALTHOUGH IT DIDN'T QUITE RIVAL THE RALLIES OF THE FORMER GOVERNORS DAYS BUT THE MESSAGE WAS JUST A STRONG, THE UNIONS ALONG WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE URGING THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO CALL OFF A STATE COMMITTEE VOTE THAT WILL SOLIDIFY THAT RATE HIKE GIVING LEADERS MORE TIME TO NEGOTIATE.

IT'S AN UNUSUAL RIFT BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE UNIONS WHO HELPED ELECT HIM.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS FROM TRENTON.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS SOME START UP PUBLIC UNION FRUSTRATION THAT FOUND AN OUTLET TODAY IN A STATEHOUSE RALLY AGAINST WHAT COULD BE A 20% HIKE IN THE COST OF UNION HEALTH BENEFITS.

>> WE HAVE GIVEN UP RAISES, TO KEEP THE STATE AFLOAT.

IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR THEM TO NOW COME AFTER US TO PAY MORE FOR OUR HEALTH INSURANCE.

IT'S NOT RIGHT.

SO WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT BACK AND MAKE SURE OUR VOICES ARE HEARD.

>> Reporter: A COALITION OF OVER A DOZEN UNIONS BROUGHT IN CLOSE TO 1000 DEMONSTRATORS REPRESENTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PUBLIC WORKERS INCLUDING OVER 100,000 TEACHERS.

THE STATE HEALTH BOARD IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE TOMORROW ON RATE INCREASES FOR MANY OF THEM.

>> TODAY, WE ARE TRYING TO PREVENT THAT FROM US.

FOR THOSE RATE INCREASES, WE WILL MAKE IT EVEN MORE DIFFICULT FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO RECEIVE GOOD HEALTHCARE.

IMAGINE THAT.

AND WE ARE WORKING IN THE TRENCHES.

>> Reporter: THE STATE AGENCIES HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE UP ACROSS THE BOARD AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY BUT SOME STATE LAWMAKERS WHO SAY THEY WERE BLINDSIDED BY THIS PROPOSED INCREASE SUGGEST THE ADMINISTRATION COULD DO MORE TO HELP SOFTEN THE BLOW.

WHICH WE COULD ALL END UP FEELING.

>> MY GREATEST CONCERN IS THAT THE BILL WILL BE PASSED DOWN TO BOARDS OF EDUCATION'S, MUNICIPALITIES, COUNTIES, OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, AND IMPACT THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEE AND IMPACT THE INFRASTRUCTURE, IF IN FACT THEY CANNOT HOLD THE BILL, IT WILL TURN TO THE TAXPAYERS TO RAISE THOSE SUMS OF MONEY TO COVER THOSE COSTS.

SO WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR IN GENERAL WAS A BROADER CONVERSATION ABOUT MORE TRANSPARENCY AND LOOKING AT EVERY POSSIBLE MEASURE THAT WE CAN UNDERTAKE TO MITIGATE THIS IMMEDIATELY.

AND I'M NOT SURE THAT HAS HAPPENED.

WE ARE PRESSED FOR TIME, THEY HAVE TO TAKE A VOTE ON WEDNESDAY, AND I'M DISAPPOINTED.

>> THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS AROUND 10% INCREASE, SUGGESTING THERE'S $600 MILLION IN MONEY FROM THE SO-CALLED HORIZON CONVERSION FUND, THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP WITH KEEPING THE RATES DOWN.

AND ANOTHER $200 MILLION OF UNUSED FEDERAL COVID MONEY THAT THE ADMINISTRATION COULD JUSTIFIABLY USE TO HELP LESSEN THE IMPACT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WHO OWES HIS TWO GERMANS BY A LARGE TWO UNION SUPPORT SAID THIS WEEK THAT TALKS ARE ONGOING AND THAT A SOLUTION COULD STILL BE REACHED.

THE UNION SAID TALKS ARE ONGOING, ALTHOUGH OPTIMISM FOR A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT WAS LACKING.

>> ABOUT 1% WAS ALLOCATED TO HELP NEGATE OUR RAISE IN HEALTHCARE.

DOESN'T THAT SOUND LIKE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT PROPOSAL?

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE PLAN WAS MADE FOR, CORRECT?

INSTEAD OF THEM TURNING TO US, AND PUTTING THE BURDEN BACK ON US AND OUR FAMILIES AGAIN, THEY NEED TO INTERNALIZE THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: AS UNION RALLIES GO, THIS ONE DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF STAR POWER BUT IT WAS THE LARGEST SHOW OF UNION STRENGTH IN SOME TIME.

CERTAINLY SINCE BEFORE COVID.

BUT, WITH THE ADMINISTRATION APPARENTLY CONTENT TO LET TOMORROW'S VOTE TAKE PLACE, IT IS WORTH ASKING IF ANYONE UP THE STREET WAS LISTENING.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A NUMBER OF ISSUES WILL BE INFLUENCING VOTERS AS THEY HEAD TO THE POLLS FOR MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS FALL.

NOT THE LEAST OF WHICH ABORTION RIGHTS.

AND THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO OVERTURN THE LANDMARK ROE VERSUS WADE.

DEMOCRATS EXPECT THE TOPIC COULD PROVIDE A BOOST IN VOTES FROM WOMEN AND ABORTION-RIGHTS SUPPORTERS AND IT'S A SUBJECT WHERE CONGRESSWOMAN, CHERYL HAS LONG DEVOTED HER ATTENTION LAST NIGHT, HOSTING A PANEL WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD IN MONTCLAIR.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, JOANNA GARRIGUS WAS THERE.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST A GENERATION AHEAD OF ME, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THOSE PERSONAL STORIES?

WHO DEALT WITH DEATH FROM BACK ALLEY ABORTIONS, WHO SAW PEOPLE BLEEDING OUT ON THEIR EXAMINATION TABLES.

THE CONGRESSWOMAN HELD AN EVENT AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD LAST NIGHT, BRINGING THE ISSUE OF ABORTION ACCESS FRONT AND CENTER IN HER CAMPAIGN FOR REELECTION IN THE 11th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

>> LEST WE ALL THINK THAT HERE IN NEW JERSEY WE ARE FINE, HERE IN NEW JERSEY WE HAVE PROTECTIONS.

I ALWAYS REMIND PEOPLE, NEW JERSEY WAS THE FIRST STATE IN THE NATION TO DEFEND PLANNED PARENTHOOD.

SO WITH THESE MINIMAL BASELINE PROTECTIONS OF ROE, WE ARE SIMPLY AT THE MERCY OF THE BALLOT BOX.

>> OF THE EVENT BROUGHT OUT PRO- ABORTION SUPPORTERS WHO WERE CALLING FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO PROTECT ABORTION AFTER THE OVERTURNING OF ROE EVEN THOUGH NEW JERSEY HAS CODIFIED ABORTION ACCESS IN THE STATE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ALSO PASSED TWO LAWS PROTECTING PEOPLE SEEKING ABORTION FROM OUT-OF-STATE AS WELL AS THE PROVIDERS PERFORMING THEM.

>> TWO PIECES OF LEVITATION THAT PROHIBIT INDIVIDUALS FROM BEING EXTRACTED FROM NEW JERSEY IF THEY ARE SUBJECT FROM ANOTHER STATE, THEY PROHIBIT PUBLIC ENTITIES AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE FROM COOPERATING WITH SIMILAR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS FOR ABORTION CARE PROVIDED HERE, AND THEN PROHIBIT LICENSING REPORTS FROM TAKING ADVERSE ACTION AGAINST THE PROFESSIONALS HERE BASED UPON ABORTION CARE THAT IS PROVIDED.

>> Reporter: AND THE LEGALITY OF THE STATE LAWS COULD BE EVER- CHANGING AS ABORTION LAWS CONTINUE TO REVOLVE AROUND THE NATION.

>> THIS AREA IS JUST VERY MUCH IN FLUX, LEGALLY, THE DEGREE TO WHICH IT BUTTS UP AGAINST THE U.S. CONSTITUTION IS VERY REAL AND JUST VERY NEW AND SORT OF THE ANALYSIS OF WHAT CAN AND CANNOT PASS CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER, AT THIS POINT WE ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN THAT IS LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE CONGRESSWOMAN REMINDING THE AUDIENCE THERE HAS BEEN SOME MOVEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT SHE SUPPORTED TO EXPAND ABORTION ACCESS.

>> I VOTED FOR THE WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT WHICH CODIFIES ROE, WE ARE WORKING TO GET MORE SUPPORT IN THE SENATE AND THEN WE'VE ALSO PASSED LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE TO EXTEND LEGAL PROTECTIONS TO AMERICANS WHO UTILIZE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS TO TRAVEL TO ANOTHER STATE TO SEEK HEALTHCARE.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO ANOTHER GROUP, THE GROUP HAS REPORTEDLY SAID THAT ABORTION LAWS SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE STATES BUT WHEN WE SPOKE TO HIM THIS WEEK, HE OFFERED NO COMMENT SAYING HIS POSITION ON ABORTION WOULD INSTEAD BE RELEASED LATER THIS WEEK IN A PRESS RELEASE.

ABORTION HAS BEEN A FINE LINE FOR REPUBLICANS IN NEW JERSEY TO WALK, GIVEN THAT THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS IN THE STATE-SUPPORTED ROE BUT WILL IT BE ENOUGH TO BRING PEOPLE OUT TO THE POLLS ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE LOW APPROVAL RATING OF PRESIDENT BIDEN AMID RISING INFLATION.

>> HERE'S THE THING FOR WOMEN IN NEW JERSEY.

WE LOVE NEW JERSEY, WE THINK THAT WE HAVE SOME VERY GOOD LAWS HERE AND WE MOVE VERY QUICKLY BUT WE ARE AMERICANS.

YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE FREEDOM TO TRAVEL TO OTHER PLACES IN THIS COUNTRY, GO TO THE PHARMACY AND GET OUR CONTRACEPTIVES.

THE BASIC STUFF, OR IF OUR LIVES ARE IN DANGER OR OUR HEALTH IS IN DANGER, THAT WE ARE GOING TO RECEIVE MEDICAL CARE THAT WE NEED, OR THAT OUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AREN'T GOING TO FACE TRAVEL BANDS OR SOME SORT OF OTHER REDUCTION OF RIGHTS.

>> IT IS A MESSAGE SHE HOPES WILL BE ENOUGH TO DRIVE VOTERS OUT OF THE POLLS THIS ELECTION SEASON.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FOR A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE DISTRICT 11 MATCHUP, CHECK OUT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB SO YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW HEADING INTO THE FALL ELECTIONS, INCLUDING WHETHER YOU ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE AND WHO IS RUNNING IN YOUR DISTRICT.>>> SOME COMMUTERS FACED A DAUNTING DRIVE INTO WORK THIS MORNING WITH A NUMBER OF ROADS HIT BY FLASH FLOODING CAUSED BY OVERNIGHT STORMS.

FLOODING HAS BECOME AN ALL TOO FAMILIAR SCENARIO IN NEW JERSEY .

ESPECIALLY FOR HOMEOWNERS.

BUT, NEW FEDERAL DATA SHOWS MORE THAN 12,000 POLICYHOLDERS IN THE STATE HAVE DROPPED THEIR FLOOD INSURANCE.

AFTER A FEDERAL PROGRAM RAISED THEIR PREMIUMS.

THE NEW POLICY IS CALLED RISK RATING 2.0, RUN BY FEMA AND IT HAS RAISED RATES ON ROUGHLY 8 OUT OF 10 NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS WITH FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE.

WHILE ABOUT 20% OF THOSE WITH THE POLICY SO RATES DROP.

ALTHOUGH STATS HAVE SINCE BEEN PULLED FROM FEMA'S WEBSITE, THE AGENCY SAYS THE NUMBERS ARE BEING CHECKED FOR ACCURACY.

GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE, ESPECIALLY AS CLIMATE CHANGE INTENSIFIES FLOODING AND THOSE ONCE IN THE 100 YEAR STORMS WITH TROPICAL STORM IDA.

THE NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS MONDAY NIGHT HELD ITS SECOND AND FINAL PUBLIC HEARING GATHERING INPUT ON HOW THE STATE SHOULD SPEND MORE THAN $228 MILLION IN FEDERAL AID TO HELP FAMILIES HIT BY THE STORM AND THEY GOT AN EAR FULL.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

FOUR JONES OWNED HER HOME FOR NEARLY 7 MONTHS WHEN IT WAS HIT BY TROPICAL STORM IDA.

>> TO SEE THE WATER COMING OUT OF THE TOILET AND OUT OF THE SINK THAT YOU CAN'T STOP IS ONE ISSUE, TO HAVE WATER COMING IN FROM THE STREET THAT YOU ALSO CAN'T STOP, WE HAD TWO PUMPS, THEY FAILED.

>> Reporter: HER BASEMENT WAS FLOODED WITH TWO FEET OF WATER, HER FAMILY HAD TO BUY NEW PUMPS AND WORK FOR 12 HOURS TO DRAIN IT.

>> WE LOST AT LEAST THE FIRST 3 YEARS OF OUR SONS PHOTOS AND ART PROJECTS AND OTHER THINGS, WE ALSO LOST FURNITURE, BUT FOR ME, LOSING THOSE BABY PICTURES WERE MAJOR.

>> Reporter: FEMA AND FLOOD INSURANCE SENT HER PAYMENTS BUT NOT ENOUGH TO COVER ALL THE DAMAGE.

JONES WAS ONE OF THE MANY SURVIVORS EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION AT MONDAY'S PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

AS THE STATE PUTS TOGETHER A PLAN TO SPEND MORE THAN $228 MILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF.

STATE OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THAT IS ABOUT 60% OF WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED.

>> HOW MUCH MORE FIGHTING DO YOU HAVE TO DO?

HOW ABOUT YOU LITERALLY PUT A BOAT OUT THERE, THERE WAS SO MUCH WATER, BUT WHY SHOULD WE HAVE TO FIGHT SO HARD, SO STILL FOLLOWING UP WITH FEMA, THEY TOLD ME THE INVESTIGATION HAD ALREADY CLOSED MY CASE, NOBODY HAD EVEN BEEN TO MY HOUSE.

AND NOW FACING ALMOST A $250,000 BILL FROM MY LANDSCAPER TO REDO MY DRIVEWAY.

MY LANDSCAPING, THE TOWN KNOWS I HIRED A LAWYER, I HAVE AN ENGINEER, THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO HELP ME BECAUSE I'M NOT SOCIALLY VULNERABLE.

I WANT TO KNOW, WHAT PROGRAMS YOU HAVE IN PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE THE NEED PER SE, BUT DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THIS?

>> Reporter: THE FEDERAL FUNDS WILL BE SPENT ON THINGS LIKE HAZARD MITIGATION AS WELL AS RAISING HOMES ON STILTS AND BUYING OUT HOMEOWNERS IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

SOME RESIDENTS SAY ANOTHER SOLUTION IS TO STOP BUILDING HOMES IN AREAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODS.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE DEP PROPOSED RULES TO DO JUST THAT.

BUT THEY HAVE BEEN STALLED AFTER PUSHBACK FROM THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

>> WE CAN NO LONGER BUILD SMARTLY IN FLOOD PRONE AREAS.

OUR TOWN, OR OUR CITY DOES NOT EVEN WANT TO TAKE INVENTORY OF WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED.

>> WHY DO WE KEEP BUILDING IN THOSE PLACES?

BECAUSE BUILDERS MAKE MONEY DOING IT.

THEY MAKE MONEY PUTTING PEOPLE IN HARMS WAY.

AND OUR RULES ALLOW THEM TO DO IT.

IN FACT EVEN ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO IT.

AND THEY ARE BY THEIR BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> Reporter: JONES IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE STATE'S PLAN.

>> I'M HOPEFUL, I LIKE A LOT OF THINGS I SAW IN THE PLAN, IF THERE IS MITIGATION FROM STRUCTURES IN THE AREA, FROM THE COUNTY TO KIND OF HELP MOVE THAT WATER, LIKE A REALLY PROFESSIONAL LOOK, A DEEP DIVE INTO WHAT CAUSES THE BACKUP.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS CLIMATE CHANGE, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT THE POWERFUL STORMS BUT, WHAT CAN THE STRUCTURES DO?

WHAT CAN THE PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS DO?

>> THAT IS THE $228 MILLION QUESTION FACING THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY ONE YEAR AFTER HURRICANE IDA, THIS WAS THE SECOND AND FINAL PUBLIC HEARING BUT PUBLIC COMMENT IS STILL OPEN UNTIL FRIDAY.

>>> IT'S OFFICIAL, THE GATEWAY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION IS NOW IN CHARGE OF THE PROPOSED HUDSON TUNNEL PROJECT THAT WILL BUILD A NEW COMMUTER RAIL TUNNEL LINKING NEW JERSEY TO NEW YORK UNDER THE HUDSON RIVER.

IT IS A BUREAUCRATIC STEP THAT TRANSFERS RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROJECT FROM THE PORT AUTHORITY TO THE BISTATE AGENCY CREATED TO OVERSEE THE PLANTS.

BUT IT IS ALSO CONSIDERED A CRITICAL STEP IN ENABLING THE COMMISSION TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL GRANTS AND LOANS.

THE COMMISSION HELD ITS FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TODAY SINCE ANNOUNCING THE GATEWAY TUNNEL PROJECT WOULD BE DELAYED BY ANOTHER 3 YEARS, AND COST $2 BILLION MORE THAN LAST YEAR'S ESTIMATES.

THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION TODAY SAID FEDERAL FUNDS COULD GREATLY REDUCE THAT PRICE TAG AND MEMBERS ARE ALREADY WORKING TO APPLY FOR THAT HELP.

>>> ECONOMIST HAD HIGH HOPES BUT A DISAPPOINTING REALITY SET IN WITH TODAY'S INFLATION REPORT, RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: YOU WOULD THINK WE WOULD GET USED TO BAD NEWS ON THE INFLATION FRONT BUT TODAY'S REPORT WAS UNNERVING AND PROMPTED AN EARLY SELLOFF ON WALL STREET.

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SHOWED AN UPTICK IN AUGUST OVER THE PAST YEAR, INFLATION HAS INCREASED 8.3%.

FOOD, SHELTER AND MEDICAL COSTS ALL WENT UP LAST NIGHT, ECONOMIST THOUGHT INFLATION WOULD DROP IN AUGUST BECAUSE GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN FALLING, BUT THOSE FALLING PRICES OFFSET BY THE COST OF SO MANY OTHER GOODS ARE STILL RISING IN PRICE.

RIDESHARING COMPANY UBER HAS PAID NEW JERSEY $100 MILLION AFTER THE STATE SAID THE COMPANY MISCLASSIFIED DRIVERS AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, THE STATE AUDIT CONCLUDED THAT UBER IMPROPERLY CLASSIFIED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS AND THE COMPANY FAILED TO MAKE PRIOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST BOND.

STATE LABOR COMMISSIONER, ROBERT ANGELO EXPLAINS WORKERS LOSE THEIR RIGHTS WHEN THEY ARE MISCLASSIFIED.

>> THEY LOSE THEIR RIGHTS TO A MINIMUM WAGE, TO OVERTIME, TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, TEMPORARY DISABILITY, FAMILY LEAVE, INSURANCE, EQUAL PAY, ON AND ON, ANY BENEFITS ARE LOST WHEN SOMEBODY IS SPECIFIED AS INDEPENDENT.

>> OF THE COMMISSIONER SAID ROOTING OUT MISCLASSIFICATION WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PRIORITY FOR THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, THE UBER CASE IS THE LARGER SUCH PAYMENT EVER RECEIVED IN NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE HAS RECEIVED ANOTHER CREDIT RATING UPGRADE, FINCH HAS UPGRADED THE GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT AND CONTINUES TO HOLD A POSITIVE OUTLOOK.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FINCH HAS UPGRADED SINCE THEY STARTED RAISING IT BACK IN 1992.

ALSO THE THIRD CREDIT RATING UPGRADE FROM NEW JERSEY IN THE PAST YEAR.

>>> THE WHISTLEBLOWER WHO REVEALED SECURITY LAPSES AT THE SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANY TWITTER TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS TODAY, >> TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, TWITTER LEADERSHIP IGNORED ITS LEADERS BECAUSE THE PARTS OF LEADERSHIP LACKED THE COMPETENCY TO UNDERSTAND THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT AND PROBLEM, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEIR EXECUTIVE INCENTIVES LED THEM TO PRIORITIZE PROFITS OVER SECURITY.

>> TWITTER HAS DENIED THIS, THE TESTIMONY CAME ON THE SAME DAY TWITTER SHAREHOLDERS VOTED TO APPROVE ELON MUSK'S BID TO BUY THE COMPANY.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY ROWAN UNIVERSITY, EDUCATING NEW JERSEY LEADERS, PARTNERING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, TRANSFORMING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

>>> UKRAINIAN FORCES ARE MAKING DRAMATIC ADVANCES ON THE BATTLEFIELD, PUSHING THE RUSSIAN ARMY TO RETREAT FROM SEVERAL VILLAGES IN THE HARD- HIT NORTHEASTERN KHARKIV REGION, ENABLING UKRAINE TO RECAPTURE ABOUT 2000 SQUARE MILES OF TERRITORY FROM THE INVADING RUSSIAN MILITARY, SIGNALING A POTENTIAL TURNING POINT IN THE SIX MONTH OLD WAR.

BUT ALLIES HAVE BEEN CAREFUL NOT TO DECLARE A PREMATURE VICTORY.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT IS VOWING TO CONTINUE TO COUNTERATTACK UNTIL HE RECLAIMS ALL OF ITS TERRITORY.

THE RECENT GAINS REPRESENT ABOUT 10% OF THE LAND RUSSIA HAS SEIZED SINCE THE START OF THE ATTACK IN FEBRUARY.

MEANWHILE, THE KREMLIN THIS WEEK INSISTED IT WILL NOT BACK DOWN EITHER, PROMISING TO ACHIEVE ITS GOALS IN UKRAINE.

BUT THE RECENT DEFEAT FOR RUSSIAN TROOPS IS SPARKING RARE CRITICISM OF RUSSIAN PRESIDENT, VLADIMIR PUTIN, WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS THERE NOW CALLING FOR HIS RESIGNATION.

FOR INSIGHT ON HOW ALL OF THIS COULD PLAY OUT, WE TURN TO ALAN SANDERS, ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE.

PROFESSOR SANDERS, I THINK BACK TO THE EARLY DAYS OF THIS WAR WHEN RUSSIAN OFFICIALS SAID THEY WOULD HAVE THIS WRAPPED UP WITHIN DAYS, THAT UKRAINE'S GOVERNMENT WOULD FALL, IT HASN'T.

NOW WE ARE SEEING SOME SIGNIFICANT MOMENTUM ON THIS SIDE OF UKRAINIAN FORCES.

WHAT IF ANYTHING SHOULD WE MAKE OF THAT?

IS THIS THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL BECAUSE WE ARE HERE FOR A LONG- TERM CONFLICT, BUT WHAT IT REALLY SHOWS IS THAT MR. PUTIN AND HIS GENERALS MAKES HIM STRATEGIC MISCALCULATIONS, THEY UNDERESTIMATED THE RESOLVE OF THE UKRAINIANS TO DEFEND THEIR TERRITORY AND THEIR INDEPENDENCE, THEY MISCALCULATED ON THE WEST RESPONSE AND UNITY THAT THE INVASION WOULD CREATE AMONG NATO ALLIES.

AND THEY UNDERESTIMATED THEIR OWN MILITARY CAPACITIES, THEIR AMMUNITION, WEAPON SYSTEMS AND THE MORALE OF THEIR TROOPS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING, EVEN THE RUSSIAN STATE MEDIA, I WOULDN'T GO SO FAR AS TO SAY CRITICAL, BUT CERTAINLY ACKNOWLEDGING THAT SOME DEFEATS HAVE HAPPENED.

ARE THERE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES HERE NOW FOR HIM?

>> I THINK THE HUGE POLITICAL CONFLICT IS, THAT IS TO SAY, NOTHING IS GOING TO BE IMMINENT BUT IN THE LONG TERM, MR. PUTIN IS TRYING TO SHOW AN AURA OF INVINCIBILITY AND MILITARY INVINCIBILITY, BUT THERE ARE CRACKS THAT ARE SHOWING BOTH IN THE PASSIONS OF THE KREMLIN BUT ALSO IN THE MORNING DOVISH SECTIONS OF THE KREMLIN AND THE REGIME.

SO, WHILE NOTHING IS IMMINENT, NONETHELESS, THESE CRACKS RISK GETTING GREATER AND BROADER AND THAT IS A DANGER FOR MR. PUTIN'S REGIME.

>> EVEN BEYOND CRACKS, AS YOU PUT IT, YOU'VE GOT ELECTED OFFICIALS IN RUSSIA NOW GOING ON THE RECORD SIGNING THIS PETITION UP TO 50, WHEN I CHECKED PRIOR TO WAS TALKING, FOLKS WHO HAVE SIGNED ON TO THIS PETITION FOR HIM TO RESIGN, COULD THAT SPELL PERHAPS A SWIFTER END TO THIS WAR?

>> IT IS HARD TO REALLY JUDGE BUT CLEARLY WHAT IS UP TO HIM IS THAT THERE ARE THOSE CRACKS, AND IF THERE ARE THOSE CRACKS, THAT POSES A DANGER WHICH MEANS HE WOULD HAVE TO DIVERT RESOURCES TO TRY TO PATCH UP THOSE CRACKS AND IT ALSO HAS TO COME UP WITH SOME SORT OF STRATEGY OR SOME SORT OF DEVELOPMENT ON THE MILITARY FRONT TO TRY AND SILENCE THOSE SIGNS OF DISSENT.

>> ARE WE ANY CLOSER TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A DIPLOMATIC SETTLEMENT HERE?

>> WELL ANY GAINS THAT UKRAINE MAKES ARE OF COURSE USEFUL FOR A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION.

BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT MR. PUTIN MADE SOME RATHER BROAD CLAIMS AT THE OUTSET AND HE ASKED TO COME UP WITH SOME WAY TO GET AN OFFRAMP THAT WILL CLAIM SOME SORT OF VICTORY.

RIGHT NOW HE DOESN'T HAVE IT, AND SO IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE THAT HE WOULD BE WILLING TO SIT DOWN FOR NEGOTIATIONS AT THIS TIME.

ALSO, ONE OTHER VERY IMPORTANT ELEMENT THAT WE SHOULD TAKE NOTE OF, MR. PUTIN IS BETTING ON THE TIREDNESS OF THE WEST.

WE TEND TO BE AN INPATIENT GROUP OF NATIONS AND WE LIKE TO SEE IMMEDIATE RESULTS.

SO HE IS BETTING THAT ON THE LONG-TERM, THE WEST WILL SORT OF ABANDON UKRAINE, SO THESE VICTORIES ON THE BATTLEFIELD RIGHT NOW ARE IMPORTANT FOR RAISING THE MORALITY OF THE UKRAINIANS BUT ALSO FOR RAISING THE MORALE OF THE WEST AS IT HEADS INTO WINTER AND PARTICULARLY IN EUROPE, THAT WINTER WILL NEED SOME SERIOUS ENERGY PROBLEMS AND SHORTAGES.

SO ALL OF THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR THE MORALE OF THE UKRAINIANS, THE MORALE OF THE WEST AND OF COURSE TO MR. PUTIN, PUTTING HIM IN A BIND RIGHT NOW.

>> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD POINT, THANK YOU SO MUCH.>>> THE FOOD BANKS AND CHARITIES ACROSS THE STATE SAY THEY HAVE A SHORT- TERM SOLUTION FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS PILING UP IN YOUR HOME, DONATE THEM.

PLACES LIKE THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY REPORT BEING DESPERATE FOR THE BACK DONATIONS AS THEY CONTINUE TO HELP A RISING NUMBER OF FAMILIES IN NEED, IT IS A SEARCH THAT BEGAN AT THE PARK START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE ORGANIZATION LAUNCHED A WEBSITE WHERE PEOPLE IN NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY CAN DONATE CLEAN, LIKE NEW REUSABLE BAGS AT ANY ONE OF THEIR 300 PANTRIES AND DISTRIBUTIONAL CENTERS.

FULFILL FOOD BANK WHICH HELPS MONMOUTH AND OCEAN COUNTIES IS ALSO ACCEPTING DONATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FOOD BANK OF SOUTH JERSEY SAY THEY ARE IN NEED OF REUSABLE BAGS IN GOOD CONDITIONS.

FOR LOCATIONS IN BURLINGTON, CAMDEN, AND SALEM COUNTIES, AS A PART OF THE RECENT LAW BANNING SINGLE-USE PLASTIC AND PAPER BAGS, FOOD BANKS WERE GIVEN AN EXTENSION UNTIL NOVEMBER 4 TO MAKE THE SWITCH.

JUST BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE BILLS SPONSOR, SENATOR BOB SMITH SAID HE IS WORKING ON AN AMENDMENT TO THE LAW THAT WOULD ALLOW THE USE OF PAPER BAGS UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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