>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AND LIE CEN SIGH OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION AND PSCG FOUNDATION.

>>> THIS IS N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANNA VENMOSY.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANNA VENMOSY.

A HARROWING NIGHT ACROSS THE STATE, ONE OF THE MOST DEVASTATING STORMS TO HIT NEW JERSEY IN YEARS WITH AT LEAST TWO CONFIRMED TORNADOES TOUCHING DOWN ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

ONE COULD BE CATEGORIZED AS AN EF-3.

THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA HAD FLOODING AND AT LEAST TEN PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE FLOODING.

A PATH OF DESTRUCTION THAT TURNED SIDE ROADS INTO RAGING RIVERS.

THE WATER TAKING DOWN WITH IT POWER LINES AND TREES.

AT THE PEEK OF THE STORM, MORE THAN 80,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES LOST POWER.

SOME PARTS OF THE STATE RECORDING THE HIGHEST SINGLE DAY TOTAL OF RAIN IN HISTORY, 8 TO 11 INCHES POUNDING PARTS OF NEW JERSEY.

HOLY NAME HOSPITAL, ONCE THE EPICENTER OF THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK, FLOOD WATER RUSHING INTO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CAUSING THE HOSPITAL TO TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN OVERNIGHT.

RAIL SERVICE ON NEW JERSEY TRANSIT SUSPENDED TODAY.

REPORTS SHOW PASSENGERS WERE STRANDED ON RAIL CARS FOR 12 HOURS LAST NIGHT WITH NO POWER, NO VENTILATION AND FLOOD WATERS PREVENTING RESCUE CREWS FROM REACHING THE TRAINS.

IT IS A STATE OF EMERGENCY AND SPEAKING WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN WILT A MAJOR DECLARATION AND FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT COME WITH IT FROM FEMA TO AID IN THE RECOVERY THAT COULD TAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN WHAT IS THE FIFTH LARGEST HURRICANE IN HISTORY.

THE DEATH TOLL SURPASSING THAT OF HURRICANE IRENE IN 2011, FLOYD IN 1999 AND THE WORST OF THE FLOODING MAY BE YET TO COME.

WE BEGIN OUR CORDIAL WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANNIGAN.

>> Reporter: RAIN FALLING AT A BIBLICAL 3 TO 5 INCHES AN HOUR FORCED FLOOD WATERS ON TO STREETS AND HIGHWAY WAYS ACROSS NEW JERSEY AND DEADLY ASSAULT BY THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM IDA THAT CAUGHT FOLKS AND OFFICIALS BY SURPRISE.

AIR BOATS ROARED THROUGH INUNDATED STREETS WHERE THE DELAWARE RIVER JUMPED ITS BANKS.

IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE ALMOST 9 END OF RAIN FELL A SUDDEN DELUGE THAT SLAMMED MULTIPLE DOWNTOWN.

>>> IN SOMERVILLE A SMALL WATER WAY CALLED PETERS BROOK ROARED ACROSS BACKYARDS, CLIMBED STEPS AND BROKE INTO PEOPLE'S HOMES ALONG GREEN STREET.

YANNI SAID IT HAPPENED IN A FLASH.

>> ALL OF A SUDDEN TRAMPOLINES STARTED FLYING, WINDOWS STARTED BUSTING OUT OF THE HOUSE AND THE WATER TOOK THE WHOLE DOWN FLOOR IN TWO MINUTES.

>> TWO MINUTES?

>> TWO MINUTES.

WE HAD JUST ENOUGH TIME TO GET UP TO THE SECOND FLOOR.

>> IT WAS SCARY.

>> MOST VEHICLES GOT ABANDONED WERE THAT'S ROOFS BARELY ABOVE WATER AND SOME MOTORISTS DIDN'T ESCAPE AND RESCUERS WORKED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT.

>> PEOPLE WERE STUCK IN THEIR VEHICLES AND WE NEED TO RESCUE THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID EMERGENCY CREWS LAUNCHED BOATS AFTER THE RIVER ROSE UP TRAPPING MOTORISTS IN THEIR VEHICLES.

>> WE ARE DOWN HERE ON 8th STREET WHERE OUR FIREFIGHTERS ARE UTILIZING THE BOAT TO SAVE LIVES.

>> THROUGHOUT THE EVENING IT WAS NONSTOP THE RESCUES AND RESPONSES.

>> Reporter: HE TODAY SAYS NOT EVERYONE MADE IT OUT.

>> WE TRIED LAST NIGHT, BUT WE HAD A 70-YEAR-OLD FATHER AND HUSBAND WHO UNFORTUNATELY WAS TRAPPED IN HIS VEHICLE AND DROWN INSIDE HIS VEHICLE UNDER SIX FEET OF WATER.

>> Reporter: FIREFIGHTERS RESCUED THE WIFE AND SON.

THE RESCUE TEAMS SEARCHED FOR TWO MISSING PEOPLE SWEPT AWAY BY STORM WATERS.

IN ELIZABETH ANOTHER TRAGEDY WHERE FOUR INCLUDING AN ELDERLY COUPLE AND THEIR SON DROWNED IN A BASEMENT APARTMENT.

FOUR MORE DIED IN SOMERSET, ANOTHER IN MILFORD BOROUGH.

ACROSS THE STATE RESCUES CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

IN MIDDLESEX TOWNSHIP THEY CARRIED PEOPLE SURROUNDED BY FLOOD WATERS OUT OF THEIR HOUSES.

IN LODI THEY FERRIED OUT FAMILIES WHO SPENT AN ANXIOUS NIGHT MARINED IN THEIR HOMES.

>> WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY NOW AND WE ARE TRYING TO FIND SPACE FOR THEM, TRYING TO FIND A HOTEL ROOM FOR THEM.

IT IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING.

>> Reporter: COUNTY EXECUTIVE SAYS MANY BRIMS ARE OUT OF SERVICE AS RIVERS THAT RUN THROUGH BURGEON COUNTY SPILLED INTO STREETS IN SEVERAL TOWNS.

>> IT HAS BEEN A ROUGH 24 HOURS RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF MAJOR INCIDENTS.

WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF HOUSE FIRES, A NUMBER OF STREET CHANCES.

>> THIS IS GOING TO TAKE US SOMETIME TO DIG OUT OF THIS.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

I WANT TO SAY ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US, WE'RE GOING TO STAY HERE AND BE BY THE SIDE OF THE RESIDENTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED SO SEVERELY >> Reporter: IN SOMERVILLE DURING THE FLOOD, A GAS LEAGUE TRIGGERED A HOUSE EXPLOSION.

>> THAT WAS INSANE.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT WE FELT IT AND IT WAS OVER HERE BECAUSE WE'RE LITERALLY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN.

>> Reporter: FORTUNATELY, THE FAMILY WASN'T HOME.

POLICE ROPED OFF THE AREA AND TRAVEL REMAINS TOUGH.

AFTER WATER SUBMERGED TRACKS AND TUNNELS, THEY SUSPENDED ALREADY SERVICE EXCEPT ON THE ATLANTIC CITY RAIL LINE.

B REMAINED CLOSED AFTER THE LOWER LEVEL FLOODED OVERNIGHT.

AT LEAST 370 FLIGHTS CANCELLED TODAY.

BACK IN SOMERVILLE, RESIDENTS STARTED CLEANING.

OTHER WORST IS OVER RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW?

THE WORST IS OVER.

>> YOU WANT TO SAY IN THIS HOUSE?

>> OH, YEAH.

ONCE I GET TO FIX IT UP A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THE BASEMENT IS ALL FLOODED OUT AND I HAVE A LOT OF STUFF DOWN THERE A LOT OF STUFF.

>> WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH WORSE THROUGH SANDY AND EVERYTHING THAT IS WHY WE'RE JERSEY STRONG.

>> Reporter: TOO MANY FLOODS.

YOU'RE WILLING TO SELL AT THIS POINT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YOU DONE?

>> I'M DONE.

>> Reporter: CREEKS ARE STILL DRAINING AND SOME RIVERS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO CREST UNTIL TOMORROW.

IT COULD TAKE DAYS FOR FLOOD WATERS TO ROW SEED.

IN SOMERVILLE, I'M BRENDA FLANNIGAN, N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THE TORRENTIAL RAINFALL AND FLOODING WAS JUST ONE PIECE OF THIS EPIC STORM.

AT LEAST TWO TORNADOES RIPPED THROUGH SOUTH JERSEY TEARING THE ROOFS OFF HOMES, DEMOLISHING SOME TO PILES OF RUBBLE.

DEBRIS TOSSED HUNDREDS OF YARDS IN THE AIR.

THEY ARE STILL COMPLETING SURVEYS OF THE DAMAGE AND MORE LIKELY.

IN MULL CA HILL, AN UNBELIEVABLE SIGHT.

RESIDENTS STILL IN SHOCK AT LEAST TWO DOZEN HOMES DESTROYED AND 100 DAMAGED ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR.

IT RESULTED IN NO FATALITIES FOR THE GLOSS TER COUNTY TOWN.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> I'M JUST, DA-I DON'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: KATHY IS AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.

>> WE WERE HANGING AROUND AND WE GOT ALERTS ON OUR PHONES THAT THERE WAS A TORNADO WARNING SO WE WENT IN THE BASEMENT AND WE WERE JUST CHILLING OUT DOWN THERE AND ALL AT THE SAME MOMENT WE JUMPED UP LIKE WE HEARD SOMETHING AND THE DOGS EARS WENT FUNNY AND WE LIKE DOVE UNDER THE STEPS ALL FOUR OF US AND THE DOG AND THE FROG AND EVERYBODY AND IT WAS LIKE THIS SOUND -- IT SOUNDED LIKE A WIND TUNNEL.

THAT IS WHAT IT SOUNDED LIKE AND THE HOUSE SHOOK AND I THINK THAT IS BECAUSE NOW THE ROOF WAS GETTING RIPPED OFF.

>> SHE SAID IT'S ONLY LAST ADD FEW MINUTES AND WHEN THE MOM OF TWO CAME OUTSIDE WITH HER FAMILY, THIS IS WHAT THEY SAW.

THEIR HOME OF NEARLY TEN YEARS DESTROYED.

>> EVERYBODY IS OKAY.

ALL THE ANIMALS GOT OUT, TOO, WHICH IS AWESOME SO WE'RE ALL KIND OF IN SHOCK WANDERING AROUND NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.

>> Reporter: HER FAMILY IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL LEFT PICKING UP THE PIECES AFTER A TORNADO RIPPED THROUGH LAST NIGHT.

>> HOLY -- >> Reporter: ONE NEIGHBOR SHARING THIS VIDEO SHOWS THE MOMENTS THE TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN.

THIS ONE IS ONE OF TWO THAT HIT THE STATES.

>> EXTRAORDINARY!

SADLY TRAGIC.

HISTORIC.

$24 HOURS IN NEW JERSEY, NO OTHER WAY TO PUT IT.

>> THAT IS THE THING THAT IS MOST DISTURBING ABOUT THIS STORM IS THAT IN NEARLY EVERY COMMUNITY YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE SAYING, WE NEVER HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE.

WHAT WE SAW YESTERDAY EVENING WAS ALMOST OUT OF THE "WIZARD OF OZ."

THESE ARE IMAGES WE'RE MORE LIKELY TO SEE FROM KANSAS AND THE GREAT PLAIN STATES AND IT WAS HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE.

>> THIS IS SOME OF THE DAMAGE THAT RESIDENTS ARE DEALING WITH TODAY AFTER THAT TORNADO PASSED THROUGH HERE LAST NIGHT.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THE WOOD, CLOTHES, HANGERS, JUST SO MUCH DIFFER STATION.

NOW, I WANT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA AS TO HOW STRONG THAT TORNADO WAS.

ALL OF THIS OVER HERE ACTUALLY CAME FROM THAT HOUSE OVER THERE AND NOW NEIGHBORS SAY THEY ARE JUST IN DISBELIEF.

>> THAT IS ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS.

THIS IS HER CLOSET.

THAT IS HER MATERNITY STUFF.

>> WHILE HER HOME WASN'T AFFECTED TOO MUCH BY THE TORNADO, SHE SAYS SHE IS DEVASTATED TO SEA WHAT IT DID TO HER FRIEND ASHLEY THOMAS' HOME.

>> MY KIDS' BETH FRIENDS LIVE THERE AND IT IS SHOCKING.

STILL KIND OF PROCESSING ALL THIS.

IT DOESN'T FEEL REAL.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN DOING WHAT SHE CAN TO HELP OUT.

>> YOU NEVER KNOW.

EVEN MANAGING TO HELP FIND HER PREGNANT FRIEND'S PURSE.

>> YES.

MY WALLET IS IN HERE EVERYTHING.

>> THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MONEY.

IT JUST FEELS GOOD I HAVE AN I.D.

I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, I HAD NO I.D., NO INSURANCE CARD, NO WAY TO DO ANYTHING WITHOUT YOUR WALLET SO I'M RELIEVED THAT WAS ONE THING WE COULD FIND IN THIS.

>> EVEN THOUGH THIS COMMUNITY WAS REALLY HIT HARD, THE MAYOR COMMENDING THE COUNTY'S QUICK RESPONSE.

>> I WATCHED IT CRYSTALLIZE IN FRONT OF MY EYES OVER THE NEXT 30, 40, 50, 60 MINUTES WHERE EVERYTHING WAS CORD KNIGHTED.

WE HAD PEOPLE FILLING THE ROOM READY TO WORK.

>> Reporter: THERE EAR ABOUT 16F00 CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE NO POWER BUT CREWS ARE HOPE TO GET IT UP BY MIDNIGHT.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE GOING TO BE STRAGGLERS AND SOME THAT CAN'T TAKE SERVICE BACK BECAUSE THEIR HOUSE IS SO DAMAGED.

>> DON'T TAKE THOSE WARNINGS LIGHTLY, THOUGH, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU GET THEM 100 TIMES AND NOTHING HAPPENS, YOU'RE LUCKY BUT THE ONE TIME, IF THEY DIDN'T TAKE IT SERIOUSLY, THEIR STORY WOULD BE DIFFERENT.

>> THE RED CROSS IS HELPING FAMILIES CURRENTLY DISPLACED SETTING UP EMERGENCY HEADQUARTERS.

BUT EVEN THOUGH THE ROAD TO RECOVERY WILL BE ALONG ONE, NEIGHBORS SAYING THEY ARE IN IT TOGETHER.

>> FOR N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> EVEN WITH CLEAR SKIES, THE @MART OF THIS STORM IS NOT OVER.

IT WAS REACHING PEAK FLOOD STAGE INTO TODAY AND THE HISTORICAL FLOODING COULD GET WORSE INTO TOMORROW FOR SOME AREAS.

NUMBERS SHOW RAINFALL WAS HEAVIEST IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE THAN 10 INCHES IN SUSSEX BUREAU OF SUSSEX COUNTY AND 9 UNDER IN PARTS OF MIDDLESEX AND MERCER.

$8 END OF RAIN THERE STAGGERING ACROSS THE BOARD.

AS THE GOVERNOR NOTED TODAY, DEVASTATED STORMS LIKE THIS ARE BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AND ARRIVING WITH GREATER INTENSITY TO THE GET A GRASP ON IT ALL, WE TURNED TO ANTHONY.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE HEAVIEST SINGLE DAY TOTALS OF RAINFALL FOR A LOT OF AREAS IN THIS STATE.

WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE PACE OF THIS STORM?

>> IT WAS REMARKABLE.

WE WERE EXPECTING HEAVY RAINS AS A RESULT OF THE MOISTURE FROM THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA, BUT GETTING 6 TO 9 INCHES OF RAIN ACROSS A WIDE SWATH OF CENTRAL NEW JERSEY WAS CERTAINLY NOT WHAT I EXPECTED.

MY EXPECTATIONS WOULD HAVE BEEN LOCALLY PERHAPS AMOUNTS IN THAT RANGE BUT NOT OVER SUCH ALARM AREA.

>> WE JUST HAD A WEATHER EVENT WITH HURRICANE HENRI.

IT SEEMS LIKE OFFICIALS HERE AND IN THE TRI-STATE WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY THIS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE DID GET MORE RAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME WITH IDA YESTERDAY THAN WOE DID WITH HENRI.

HENRI WAS VERY WEATHER AND PRODUCED RAIN IN NEW JERSEY, SOME AS MUCH AS WE GOT YESTERDAY WITH IDA, BUT THE RAIN FROM IDA CAME IN A MUCH MORE CONCENTRATED FASHION.

HERE AT OUR WEATHER STATION IN NEW BRUNSWICK WE HAD SOMETHING LIKE 5 INCHES OF RAIN IN FOUR HOURS, SO THAT WAS MIRRORED IN OTHER PLACES AROUND THE STATE AND THAT MADE THE IMPACTS WORSE.

>> WHAT ROLE AND I'M SURE EVERY ONE IS THINKING ABOUT THIS AND ASKING YA ABOUT THIS, WHAT ROLE DOES CLIMATE CHANGE PLAY?

>> IN EVENTS LAKE THIS HAPPEN WHEN A LOT OF INGREDIENTS COME TOGETHER IN JUST THE RIGHT WAY.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADDS A LITTLE BIT MORE TO THAT LIST OF INGREDIENTS SO A WARMER ATMOSPHERE CAN CONTAIN MORE MOISTURE.

OF COURSE, WHEN THAT MOISTURE COMES TOGETHER TRIGGERED BY A STORM LIKE IDA, THAT IS WHAT PRODUCES VERY, VERY HEAVY RAIN AND WE HAVE SEEN EVIDENCE FROM OBSERVATIONS THAT THESE HEAVY RAIN EVENTS ARE GETTING MORE INTENSE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND SOME OF THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

HOW MUCH?

THAT IS A QUESTION THAT WILL REQUIRE MORE RESEARCH IN THE COMING DAYS, BUT THERE ARE WAYS OF GETTING AT THOSE ANSWERS.

>> I MEAN, I HAVE HEARD FOLKS, YOURSELF INCLUDED, SAY IT THIS WAY.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOW.

YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT SOMETHING OF THE FUTURE.

WE HAVE GOVERNOR MURPHY TALKING ABOUT BRINGING DOLLARS TO BUILD UP OUR RESILIENCY INFRASTRUCTURE.

IS THAT THE WAY FORWARD WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INCIDENTS COMING MORE SEVERE?

>> THE WAY TO DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE WILL REQUIRE US TO BOTH TRY TO REDUCE THE CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE, THE GREENHOUSE GAS INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND ALSO TO ADAPT TO THE A FEBRUARY OF CLIMATE CHANGE, BECAUSE AS YOU SAID, CLIMATE CHANGE IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING.

IT IS HAPPENING NOW.

AND CHANGING OUR SOURCES OF ENERGY ISN'T SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE INSTANTANEOUSLY SO THERE WILL BE MORE CHANGES IN CLIMATE IN THE FUTURE AND BECOMING MORE RESELL INGREDIENT, MOVING INFRASTRUCTURE OUT OF HARM'S WAY, TRYING TO BE BETTER PREPARED FOR EVENTS LAKE THIS IS SOMETHING WE'LL NEED TO DO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

HOPE YOU STAY SAFE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE WHO NEEDS HELP GO TO READY.NJ.GOV.

THAT IS THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEBSITE.

Y'ALL FIND PHONE NUMBERS AND LATEST ALERTS BY FOLLOWING READY N.J. ON TWITTER.

STATE LEADERS REMINDING EVERYONE TO STAY OFF THE ROAD SO CREWS CAN DO THE WORK AND DON'T DRIVE INTO FLOODED AREAS ESPECIALLY IF YOU SEE DOWNED POWER LINES.

IT IS A ONE-TWO PUNCH FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY RALING FROM THE PANDEMIC NOW HIT BY IDA.

RHONDA HAS THE LATEST.

RHONDA.

>> Reporter: LAST NIGHT'S FLOODING SWEPT THROUGH HOMES, AS WELL AS BUSINESSES LEAVING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE IN ITS WAKE.

IT IS FAR TOO EARLY TO KNOW THE EXTENT OF THE FINANCIAL LOSSES, BUT TOM KAINE JR. SAID DOWNTOWN IN HIS DISTRICT WERE HIT HARD.

>> YOU CAN SEA THE VIDEOS IN DOWNTOWN.

DOWNTOWN IS MILEAGE SLAYTIVE DISTRICT OR WHERE THERE ARE -- WE HAD 8 INCHES OF RAIN THAT CAME DOWN AND IN FACT EVERY SINGLE DOWNTOWN IN MY DISTRICT.

THAT HAS HAPPENED ACROSS THE STATE.

>> HE SAID THIS IS THE LATEST BLOW FOR BUSINESSES AND THE LAST THING THEY NEED NOW IS A TAX INCREASE.

>> MEMBERS ARE CIRCULATING A PETITION TO FORCE GOVERNOR MURPHY TO HOLD A SESSION.

THEY WANT THE GOVERNOR TO USE FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS TO REPLENISH THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND THAN PUT THE BURDEN ON BUSINESSES.

HE WANTS THEM TO BACK THE EFFORT.

>> MOST ARE LOOKING AT THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND THIS STARTED YESTERDAY .

MY HOPE IS PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE CONVERSATIONS.

>>> SEVERAL DEMOCRATS JOINED THE REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP BUSINESSES.

NEW FILINGS FOR FIRST TIME UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FELL TO THE LOWEST LEVEL SINCE MARCH 2020 WHEN THE PANDEMIC LED TO LOCKDOWNS AND THE ECONOMY.

THE NUMBER OF JOBLESS WORKERS COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT FOR SOMETIME IS ALSO DECREASING.

MANY TIME, MILLIONS OF WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL BE LOSING THEIR EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN A FEW DAYS.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE APPROVED A BANKRUPTCY PLAN SUBMITTED BY OXYCONTIN MAKER PURDUE PHARMA TO SETTLE LAWSUITS AGAINST IT WHILE GIVING THE COMPANY'S BILLIONAIRE OWNERS LEGAL IMMUNITY.

>> THE SACKLER FAMILY WOULD BE SHIELDED FROM FUTURE AND CURRENT LAWSUITS.

UNDER THE SETTLEMENT THEY WILL GIVE UP OWNERSHIP OF THE COMPANY AND CONTRIBUTE 4 1/2 BILLION DOLLARS.

PURDUE PHARMA WOULD BE A NEW COMPANY AND BE REQUIRED TO FUNNEL ITS PROFITS INTO GOVERNMENT LED EFFORTS TO TREAT OPIOID ADDICTION.

HERE IS A CHECK ON THE TRADING DAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> INE DEEPLY DIVIDED VOTE, THE SUPREME COURT IS ALLOWING A TEXAS LAW THAT BANS MOST ABORTIONS AFTER SIX WEEKS TO REMAIN IN PLACE STRIPPING WOMEN OF THAT RIGHT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS SLAMMING THE DECISION.

ADVOCATES ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER AVENUES AND THE RIPPLE AFFECTS CAN BE FELT HERE IN NEW JERSEY WHERE LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN CODFYING THE RATE OF ABORTION INTO STATE LAW, A HOT-BUTTON ISSUE RATE BEFORE A STATEWIDE ELECTION.

JOANNA GAGGIS REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IT IS A VERY DARK DAY IN TEXAS FOR THE MILLIONS IMPACTED BY THIS BAN ON ABORTIONS AFTER SIX WEEKS.

A ABORTION RIGHT ADVOCATES IN NEW JERSEY WATCHED IN DISMAY WHEN THEY DID NOT STOP A LAWSUIT THAT BANS ALL ABORTIONS WITH NO EXCEPTIONS AFTER SIX WEEKS.

THE MOST RESTRICTIVE BAN IN THE NATION.

ANTIABORTION GROUP FAMILY POLICY ALLIANCE SAID IN A STATEMENT, IT IS A GREAT DAY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS AND BABIES IN THE WOMB AND THEY PROTECT LIVES, BUT OTHERS ARGUE THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL GIVEN THE PRESIDENT OF ROE V WADE.

>> IF THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS ROE AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD VERSUS CASEY IT WILL SEND IT BACK TO THE STATES SO THOSE OF US IN NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE VERY BROAD ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES AS WELL AS OTHER REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES, BUT ACROSS THE BORDER INTO PENNSYLVANIA AND YOU MIGHT FIND YOURSELF IN A STATE THAT SAYS NOBODY CAN HAVE ACCESS TO ABORTION SERVICES.

>> BUT WHILE LEGALITY ISN'T IN QUESTION HERE, ADVOCATES WONDER WHY THE STATE WON'T PUT FORWARD A BILL TO EXPAND THOSE SERVICES.

>> NEW JERSEY STILL HAD AND HAS REGULATIONS AND RESTRICTIVE POLICIES ON THE BOOKS THAT MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR NOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BYE TO ACCESS THE CARE THEY NEED WHETHER IT BE COST.

WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A BILL TO ADDRESS ALL OF THAT.

>> THIS IS THE THIRD MOST LOBBIED BILL IN NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATURE, AND TWO OTHERS BEING THE BUDGET BILLS.

WHY HAS THIS NOT GOTTEN A HEARING?

>> THERE IS A GENERAL UNCOMFORTABLENESS WITH THIS TOPIC.

IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE THE MEMBERS HAVE ACTUALLY HAD TO DO SOMETHING PROACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO ABORTION CARE POLICY.

AND SO THEY ARE OUT OF PRACTICE ON HOW TO TALK ABOUT IT.

WE HAVE ALLEGETURE THAT IS NOT FULLY AWARE OF HOW VULNERABLE POPULATIONS HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THIS CARE, EVEN IN NEW JERSEY.

>> BUT IN LIGHT OF YESTERDAY'S EVENTS, ONE WOMAN IS CALLING ON THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP TO HOLD A SPECIAL SESSION ON THE BILL.

>> WE NODE TO GET DOWN TO IT AND THE GOVERNOR EVEN MENTIONED HE WOULD LIKE TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION BECAUSE AT THIS POINT WE'RE NOT GOING BACK UNTIL AFTER NOVEMBER.

WE ARE ON BREAK.

AND I WOULD HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS SENDS A CLEAR MESSAGE, THAT NEW JERSEY STANDS FOR FREEDOM AND ALL OF OUR HEALTH COMMUNITIES AND WE NEED TO PASS THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT TODAY, NOT TOMORROW, BUT TODAY.

>> SO IF THE FOUNDATION OF THAT SERIES OF CASE LAWS IS IMPACTED IMPAIRED, TAKEN AWAY, THE ENTIRE REALITY IN OUR STATE FALLS LIKE A HOUSE OF CARDS WHICH IS WHY WE NEED TO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PUT THIS PROTECTION INTO STATUTE.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR CRAIG COUGH LYNN GAVE NO INDICATION THERE MIGHT BE A SPECIAL SESSION BEFORE THE ELECTION SAYING THE BILL REMAINS UNDER CONSIDERATION AND THE LAME-DUCK AGENDA IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

THEY DIDN'T RETURN OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT, BUT REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE SLAMMED THE BILL AND THE GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT OF IT SAYING IN A STATEMENT, THE LAW HE IS PUSHING WOULD PREVENT PARENTS FROM BEING NOTIFIED IF THEIR 15- YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS SEEKING AN ABORTION WHILE ALLOWING ABORTIONS UP TO A MINUTE OF BIRTH PERFORMED BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN A MEDICAL DOCTOR.

THAT IS INSANE.

>> THOSE PAST 2H WEEKS.

HE CALLED THE GOVERNOR OUT OF STEP WITH NEW SER SY AND COULDN'T GET HIS PARTY TO SUPPORT SOMETHING SO OUT OF TOUCH SO IT IS A WAITING GAME TO SEE HOW NEW JERSEY WILL HANDLE THE BILL AND THE MISSISSIPPI CASE CHALLENGING A 15 WEEK BAN ON ABORTION.

>> IT COULD BE A BIG TELL.

>> WE'RE DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE SUPREME COURT'S INACTION SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT WHAT THEIR INTENT IS, BUT WE WANT TO PREPARE.

WE HAVE BEEN SAYING WE CAN'T TAKE AWAIT AND SEE APPROACH HERE WHEN IT COMES TO OUR HEALTHCARE.

>> BUT FOR NOW THAT IS ALL ANYONE CAN DO.

I'M JOANNA GAGGIS.

>>> BEFORE WE GO OFF THE AIR TO THE, AGAIN, THE PLACE TO GO FOR UPDATE AND HELP FROM THE STATE READY.NJ.GOV.

YOU CAN ALSO HEAD TO N.J.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS FOR THE LATEST ON THE AFTERMATH OF THE STORM AND CONTINUING OUR REPORTS.

I'M BRIANNA VENMOSY.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH EVERYONE AS THE STATE WIDE CLEANUP CONTINUES.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDGE CASE ASSOCIATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

OUR WJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

THE OCEAN WING PROJECT.

AND PSAG COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF THE KNEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

>> WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM