>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND HORIZON BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF BLUECROSS AND BLUESHIELD ASSOCIATION .

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

>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDRESS THE NATION LAST NIGHT WITH WHAT SOUNDED MUCH MORE LIKE A CAMPAIGN SPEECH THAN A PRIME TIME PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS BECKY BLASTED FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS FOLLOWERS, CALLING MY MENACES AND A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY, SAYING WE ARE UNDER ASSAULT BY TRUMP EXTREMISM.

HE ASKED THE NATION TO REJECT TRUMP, CALLING THIS MOMENT CONTINUED BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THE NATION.

>> DEMOCRACY ENTERS ONLY IF WE THE PEOPLE RESPECT THE GUARDRAILS OF THE REPUBLIC, ONLY IF WE ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

ONLY IF WE THE PEOPLE SEE POLITICS NOT AS TOTAL WAR BUT MEDIATION OF OUR DIFFERENCES.

DEMOCRACY CANNOT SURVIVE WHEN ONE SIDE BELIEVES THERE ARE ONLY TWO OUTCOMES TO AN ELECTION, EITHER THEY WIN OR THEY WERE CHEATED.

>> HE LAUDED HIS OWN ACCOMPLISHMENT SENDS TANG ON THE FACE, SAYING HE PASS THE LARGEST GUN REFORM PACKAGE SINCE CLINTON, I JUST HEALTHCARE REFORM SENSE OBAMA AND THE LARGEST INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT SENSE EISENHOWER BUT KEVIN McCARTHY OFFERED A PRE- BOTTLE TO THE SPEECH, SAYING THE PRESIDENT DISPARAGED HARD- WORKING AMERICANS WHO ARE CONCERNED WITH RISING CRIME AND INFLATION CAUSED BY DEMOCRATS.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, HOW DID THIS SPEECH LAND HERE IN NEW JERSEY BOTH FOR REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF THE PRESIDENT AND FOR DEMOCRATS, SOME OF WHOM WHO HAVE CALLED FOR BIDEN NOT TO RUN AGAIN IN 2024.

JOINING ME TO DISCUSS, THE DIRECT RIDER UNIVERSITY, MICAH RASMUSSEN.

HOW DO YOU THINK THIS SPEECH WAS RECEIVED HERE IN NEW JERSEY?

I THINK IF YOU ARE A SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT BIDEN, IF YOU ARE A DEMOCRAT, YOU PROBABLY FOUND A LOT TO LIKE A NICE PIC IF YOU ARE SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, YOU DID NOT LIKE IT AT ALL.

THE QUESTION IS, HOW DID IT PLAY TO THOSE WHO ARE NOT AMONG THOSE TWO CAMPS, DEMOCRACY, FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE IN UNPOPULAR THING.

>> CERTAINLY, THERE ARE MODERATE REPUBLICANS BUT CERTAINLY NO SHORTAGE OF TRUMP VOTERS IN THIS COUNTRY, DO YOU THINK IT DISENFRANCHISE NOT JUST MAGA VOTERS BUT MODERATE REPUBLICANS AS WELL?

I DON'T THINK IT DROVE AWAY MODERATE REPUBLICANS BECAUSE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER.

I THINK HE WAS VERY MUCH SAYING TO MAGA PEOPLE , WE WANT TO ISOLATE YOU, WE WANT TO EXPOSE THE FACT YOU ARE ANTIDEMOCRATIC.

I THINK THIS MARKS A TURNING POINT.

WE HAVE TRIED TO UNITE, YOU DON'T WANT TO REJECT THESE TACTICS THAT ARE ANTIDEMOCRATIC?

WE WANT TO ISOLATE YOU AND KEEP THIS FROM GROWING AND SPEAK TO THE REST OF THE NATION.

>> THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A CAMPAIGN SPEECH.

WAS IT INAPPROPRIATE TO USE THE PRESIDENTIAL PULPIT IN THIS MANNER?

>> I THINK THOSE WHO WANT TO FIND A PARTISANSHIP CAN CERTAINLY FIND PARTISANSHIP.

BUT A TAX ON DEMOCRACY THAT HAPPENED TO BE PARTISAN ARE STILL ATTACKS ON DEMOCRACY IN DEFENDING DEMOCRACY THAT HAPPENS TO BE SUBJECT TO ATTACK FROM PARTISANSHIP IS NOT A SIN.

YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD ALL BE DEFENDING DEMOCRACY, WHETHER IT'S PARTISAN OR NOT PARTISAN.

>> DEMOCRATS ARE DIVIDED ON WHETHER HE SHOULD RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM IN 2024.

DO YOU THINK THIS WAS A CALL, A MESSAGE TO THOSE DEMOCRATS CALLING FOR HIM TO STEP ASIDE?

SAYING I'VE GOT THE FIGHT TO TAKE ON ANOTHER RUN AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP?

>> HE KNOWS HIS NUMBERS ARE CLIMBING AGAIN.

HE HAS LEGISLATIVE WINS HE CAN POINT TO, HE DID POINT TO.

I THINK HE IS CLIMBING HIS WAY BACK OUT OF THE BASEMENT AND THAT'S A HARD THING TO DO.

I THINK HE'S SHOWING DEMOCRATS IN THE NATION HE IS WILLING TO TAKE THE FIGHT.

HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE A LIABILITY AND HE'S SHOWING HIS GOT SOME FIGHT IN HIM AND WE WILL SEE WHERE THAT GOES AFTER THE SELECTION.

A LOT OF THAT DEPENDS WHAT THE RESULTS LOOK LIKE.

>> THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, DO YOU THINK THIS HELPS AS DEMOCRATS TRY TO GEAR UP TO HAVE SOME WINS OR DO YOU THINK IT HURTS?

I THINK THE MAGA'S HAVE SUCCEEDED IN GETTING THEIR CANDIDATES TO BECOME THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE IS.

THEY ARE PROVING TO BE QUITE WEAK, DR. OZ, HERSCHEL WALKER FOR EXAMPLE.

ARIZONA SEEMS LIKE HE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE RIGHT NOW.

>> THANKS SO MUCH.

>>> THE CDC SIGNED OFF ON AN UPDATED COVID-19 BOOSTER FOR EVERYONE OVER THE AGE OF 12 THE BOOSTERS TARGET BOTH THE ORIGINAL COVID-19 STRAIN AS WELL AS THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS OMICRON SOME VARIANCE THAT ARE DOMINANT IN THE U.S.

THE SHOTS SHOULD BE RECEIVED TWO MONTHS AFTER YOUR MOST RECENT SHOT OR BOOSTER AND BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN JERSEY IN THE COMING DAYS.

>>> DANIELLE IS THE FIRST HURRICANE OF THE 2022 SEASON PICKETT IS FORMING IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN NOW BUT AT THIS POINT, IT IS NOT EXPECTED TO HIT LAND BUT SOME RESIDENTS ARE STILL REELING FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA THAT MADE LANDFALL ONE YEAR AGO, KILLING 30 AND WREAKING HAVOC ON THE LIVES OF SO MANY.

YESTERDAY, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED A NEW STATE WEBSITE, NJ.GOV/DISASTER HELP WHERE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS CAN GO FOR INFORMATION AFTER A STORM LIKE WHERE TO FIND FOOD, SHELTER AND MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

BUT FOR SOME RESIDENTS LIKE THE 600 LOW INCOME TENANTS THAT WERE DISPLACED FROM THEIR APARTMENTS AND ELIZABETH, FINDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING HAS BEEN A DAUNTING TASK.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON THE OBSTACLES THEY FACE.

>> I MISS HER SMILE, I MISS HER WEIGHT, EVERYTHING ABOUT HER.

>> Reporter: HAS ANNA SMITH THOMAS REMEMBERING WHAT SHE LOVED THE MOST ABOUT HER COUSIN.

TO BE 33-YEAR-OLD WAS ONE OF FOUR WHO DIED LAST YEAR AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA FLOODED THE PLAZA HERE IN ELIZABETH.

>> SHE LOST HER LIFE TRYING TO SAVE THREE OTHER PEOPLE.

WHO WOULD DO THAT?

SHE NEVER HAD ANY CHILDREN, NEVER MARRIED, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING WAS LOST FOR HER.

HER FAMILY WAS ON THE PHONE WITH HER WHEN SHE TOOK HER LAST BREATH.

>> Reporter: IT ALSO FOR 600 RESIDENTS OUT OF THEIR HOME, MENDING IN MY TEMPORARY HOUSING ACROSS THE STATE.

A YEAR LATER, RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

>> WHY DIDN'T YOU HAVE AN EVACUATION PLAN?

WHY ONLY A COUPLE PEOPLE CAME TO GET PEOPLE OUT.

THERE WERE KIDS, PEOPLE SWIMMING ACROSS THE STREET.

>> HOW THE GOVERNMENT SEE PEOPLE LIKE THIS, PEOPLE WHO ARE PRIMARILY IN LOW INCOME, MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND HOW TO RESPOND.

>> Reporter: ISHMAEL, HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO GET PERMANENT HOUSING FOR THE PAST YEAR.

HE SAYS THE MAYOR IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO MOVE THINGS ALONG.

WE WERE THERE IN JANUARY WHEN HE AND A GROUP OF RESIDENTS MARCHED INTO CITY HALL, DEMANDING THE OFFICE TAKE ACTION.

THE MAYOR RELEASED A STATEMENT QUOTE SINCE HURRICANE IDA, THE CITY IS HOUSED OVER 700 PEOPLE.

THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX, OAKWOOD PLAZA, IS STILL GOING UNDER RENOVATION.

WE ARE HOPEFUL BY OCTOBER AT LEAST ONE OF THE BUILDINGS WILL BE REOPENED FOR RESIDENTS TO MOVE INTO.

>> THE PROBLEM IS, THERE ARE 600 RESIDENTS DISPLACED.

EVEN IF YOU FIX ONE BUILDING, YOU'RE TALKING MAYBE 45 THAT CAN GO IN THAT BUILDING?

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHERS?

IT IS STILL A DILEMMA.

>> Reporter: EVEN IF RESIDENTS WANTED TO LOOK FOR A NEW PLACE, ADVOCATES SAY SOARING PRICES ARE PREVENTING THEM FROM LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGE, A LOT OF FOLKS ARE MOVING INTO SUBSTANDARD HOUSING AND THERE'S A LOT OF MOLD IN THESE APARTMENTS BUT THEY HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.

WE ARE REELING FROM THE TRIFECTA OF THE PANDEMIC, THE EVICTION MORATORIUM AND I DOUBT.

WHEN LOW INCOME FAMILIES JOINED THE HOUSING REFUGEES WHO CAN'T FIND AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

>> ANITA SAYS SHE IS THANKFUL TO BE IN HOUSING NOW BUT SHE MESSES HER HOME.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK, IT'S 20 MINUTES TO ELIZABETH AND PEOPLE WANT TO GO BACK.

>> IF THEY WANT TO COME HOME, TRY TO FIX IT, ASSESS THE DAMAGE, WHATEVER THEY NEED TO DO, YOU KNOW, LET THEM COME BACK.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR CIS MANAGEMENT ISSUED A STATEMENT , SAYING 90% OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON SITE AND WE CONTINUE TO TARGET THE RETURN FOR SOME FAMILIES BY YEARS END.

THEY HAVE WORKED WITH THE STATE TO PROVIDE RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO DISPLACED RESIDENTS.

BUT FOR RESIDENTS AND SUPPORTERS, THEY ARE SAYING MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THEY WANT STOP FIGHTING UNTIL EVERYONE IS BACK HOME.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> TO HELP KICK OFF THE START OF SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH THIS SEPTEMBER, THE STATE IS PUTTING MONEY BEHIND THE COLLABORATION TO PREVENT A GROWING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THE PROGRAM AIMS TO PROVIDE MORE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR KIDS.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS MORE.

>> I WAS A PATIENT AT A HEALTH, I HAD A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS PRIOR TO WHEN I WAS RUNNING FIVE YEARS AGO.

I NEEDED MEDICATION, COULD NOT GET AN APPOINTMENT AND THAT PROGRAM HELPED ME.

IT HELPED ME MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: SENATOR SPEAKING CANDIDLY ABOUT HIS OWN STRUGGLES WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SHARING WHY HE AND HIS SPEAKER ARE PROUD TO ANNOUNCE 12 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING FOR THE NEW JERSEY PEDIATRIC PSYCHIATRIC COLLABORATIVE, WHICH WILL BOOST MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR THE STATE'S YOUTH.

>> ANYBODY WHO NEEDS A THERAPIST OR A COUNSELOR DOES NOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR AN APPOINTMENT.

IT IS STILL REALLY DIFFICULT DEALING WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES CAN BE DIFFICULT, ACCESS CAN BE DIFFICULT, FINDING THE RIGHT PROVIDER CAN ALSO BE DIFFICULT.

>> THERE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO, MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE FED, HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE, MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO SUCCEED AND ITS LARGELY IN TERMS OF EDUCATION BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO PROVIDE FURTHER WELL- BEING.

THAT IS CLOSER TO A MORAL OBLIGATION, SO THIS IS NOT IN THE NATURE.

>> Reporter: AND THE EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM, PROVIDE A SAFE OUTLET WHERE THEY CAN RECEIVE TREATMENT AND CARE WITHOUT A TRIP TO THE ER THAT CAN BECOME COSTLY.

>> THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN, THE ONLY PLACE I CAN GO IS THE ER.

AND WE SEE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, ADDICTION PROBLEMS, THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE TO TURN, AND THEY ARE ALREADY SATURATED WAS SICK PATIENTS IN GENERAL.

ON TOP OF THAT, HAVING A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, IT OVERWHELMS THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS.

>>> THE NEW FUNDING ANNOUNCED AS PART OF THE STATE'S BUDGET AND AN EXPANSION OF A PILOT PROGRAM THAT STARTED EIGHT YEARS AGO BUT WILL NOW INCLUDE ACCESS TO PSYCHIATRY FOR KIDS.

>> THE FIELD OF MEDICINE THAT DEALS WITH CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IS THE MOST UNDERSERVED OF ALL MEDICAL SPECIALTIES IN AMERICA RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH PROVIDERS.

WE THINK OUR PROJECT IS CRITICAL AND INNOVATIVE BECAUSE IT UTILIZES THE PEDIATRICIANS WHO FAMILIES HAVE CONNECTIONS TO TO REACH OUT TO THEIR LOCAL PEDIATRICIANS TO GET HELP FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THE PEDIATRICIAN CAN REACH OUT TO US FOR HELP.

>> THEY NOW ASTHMA, RUNNY NOSES, ALL THAT, BUT THIS IS BECOMING A BIG PART OF OUR PRACTICE.

>> EVERY WEEK, THERE ARE SEVERAL PATIENTS WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF SOMETHING OR NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH SOMETHING AROUND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> PARENTS FEEL VERY REASSURED, YEARS AGO, THE PARENT WOULD GET A PHONE NUMBER, THEY CALL AND MAYBE THEY WOULD GET AN APPOINTMENT IN THREE OR FOUR MONTHS.

THIS ONE, WITHIN A FEW DAYS DEPENDING ON THE ACUTENESS OF WHAT'S GOING ON, THEY GET A PHONE CALL TO AT LEAST TRIAGE THE SITUATION.

>> WE ARE AVAILABLE AS CONSULTANTS BY TELEPHONE OR ZOOM AND WE CAN ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SEE KIDS URGENTLY TO TRY TO AVOID CHILDREN AND FAMILIES GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

WE WANT TO TRY TO FOCUS ON HEALTHY DEVELOPMENT AND WORKING WITH PEDIATRIC COLLEAGUES WITH THERAPIST AND PSYCHIATRIST TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS MORE APPROPRIATELY.

>> NEEDED FUNDING FOR A GROWING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AMONG JERSEYS KIDS.

>> FOR MORE ON THE FUNDING FOR PEDIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH, CATCH UP BOBBY BREYER'S ARTICLE ON OUR WEBSITE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG EXTRACT THE SUMMER SEASON IS WINDING DOWN BUT MANY BUSINESSES ARE GEARING UP FOR ONE LAST BLAST OF TOURIST ACTIVITY THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND, BUT HOW HAVE THEY FAIRED OVERALL THIS SUMMER?

TED GOLDBERG TAKES A LOOK AT HOW THE WARM WEATHER, HIGH GAS PRICES AND INFLATION HAVE IMPACTED THE ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: IS LABOR DAY LOOMS, SO DOES THE END OF SUMMER.

HOW DID IT GO FOR JERSEY SHORE BUSINESSES?

THAT DEPENDS WHO YOU ASK.

>> NUMBERS ARE GOOD, ALMOST BACK TO PRE-COVID-19.

WE ARE SO DEPENDENT ON WEATHER, SO AS LONG AS WE GET GOOD WEATHER ALL SUMMER, WE WILL HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF CUSTOMERS.

>> IT WAS A CHALLENGING SUMMER.

>> Reporter: RESTAURANT OWNERS LIKE MARILYN SAY THE LABOR SHORTAGE MADE IT HARD TO FIND QUALITY EMPLOYEES.

>> WE GOT A BARRAGE OF LOTS OF PEOPLE COMING THROUGH FOR JOBS BUT NOT QUALIFIED AND NO ABILITY TO TRAIN THEM PROPERLY.

>> WEAKENS ARE BIGGER THAN THEY'VE EVER BEEN BUT THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO HANDLE THE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: STOCK AND PROFESSOR, MICHAEL BUTLER, SAYS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM FOR RESTAURANTS.

>> THE LABOR SHORTAGE AFFECTED THEM SIGNIFICANTLY AND THEY SIMPLY COULD NOT GET PEOPLE TO WORK.

EVEN RAISING THE WAGES, THEY STILL HAD A DIFFICULT TIME GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK.

MOST OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE OPERATING WITH LESS THAN A FULL CONTINGENT OF WORKERS AND NOT RESTRICT THAT THEIR GROWTH.

>> Reporter: RESTAURANTS ARE ALSO COMPETING AGAINST EACH OTHER FOR SKILLED EMPLOYEES.

TIM McLUHAN RAISED THE WAGE AT HIS RESTAURANTS TO $15 AN HOUR, A MOVE THAT OTHER RESTAURANTS WERE NOT ABLE TO MATCH.

>> MOST RESTAURANTS ARE WORKING UNATTENDED 12% PROFIT MARGIN IF THEY ARE LUCKY.

IF YOU JUST WENT UP 10%, YOU ARE OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES WHERE ANOTHER BIG OBSTACLE, FORCING HIM TO TRIM MENUS THAT HIS 13 RESTAURANTS.

>> IF THEY CHARGE TOO MUCH, WE WILL NOT BUY IT.

WE TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM ANY FROZEN PRODUCT.

>> WE HAVE SPECIFIC TOILET PAPER HOLDERS AND SPECIFIC TOILET PAPER HAS TO GO IN THOSE FOR THEM TO WORK AND WE COULD NOT FIND IT.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS ALSO A CHALLENGING SUMMER FOR RENTERS.

PAUL SAID HE HAD TO WORK HARDER THAN NORMAL TO HIT HIS USUAL 90% OCCUPANCY FOR PROPERTIES.

>> I THINK WE'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH ECONOMIC CONCERNS AND ECONOMIC AFFORDABILITY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER OBSTACLE IS A LOCAL ORDINANCE BANNING HOME RENTALS OF LESS THAN ONE WEEK UNLESS THE LANDLORD ALSO LIVES ON THE PROPERTY.

>> BACK CUT INTO USE OF PROPERTY RIGHTS, THEY CAN COME AND ENJOY THE HOUSE THE WAY THEY CHOSE TO.

IT CERTAINLY AFFECTED SECONDARY BUSINESS, PEOPLE WERE NOT COMING IN FOR TWO OR THREE WEDDINGS FOR AN EXAMPLE.

THEY MADE SECOND HOMEOWNERSHIP A SECOND-CLASS CITIZEN AND DRASTICALLY REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RENTALS.

>> Reporter: EVEN WITH THESE CHALLENGES AND HIGHER THAN NORMAL GAS PRICES, PEOPLE FOUND PLENTY OF REASONS TO SQUEEZE IN A SUMMER OF FUN.

>> THE BOARDWALK, THE BEACH, THE POOL, A FUN VACATION.

>> GAS PRICES ARE CRAZY.

WE PUT IT IN OUR BUDGET.

YOU GOT NO OTHER CHOICE.

IT'S GOOD FOR THE KIDS TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> Reporter: MAKING IT WORK DESPITE ADVERSITY WE HAVE SEEN THIS SUMMER.

ON THE JERSEY SHORE FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, TED GOLDBERG.

>>> NEW JOBS REPORT WAS RELEASED TODAY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS THE NINTH TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> OF THE GOVERNMENT'S MONTHLY JOBS REPORT OUT TODAY SHOWS COMPANIES HIRED 315,000 WORKERS IN AUGUST.

THE U.S. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE EDGED UP TO 3.7%.

IT IS EVEN HIGHER FOR BLACK AND HISPANIC WORKERS.

TODAY'S REPORT REFLECTS A SLOWDOWN IN HIRING, A TREND WE ALSO SAW EARLIER IN THE WEEK.

>>> THE SHIFT TO REMOTE WORK HIGHLIGHTED ISSUES IN NEW JERSEY.

WORKERS WHO ARE DOING JOBS FROM THEIR HOMES ARE STILL PAYING TAXES TO OTHER STATES WHERE THEIR COMPANIES ARE BASED LIKE NEW YORK.

THAT IS COSTING NEW JERSEY BILLIONS IN LOST REVENUE, SO GOVERNOR MURPHY IS PROPOSING BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION FOR WHAT SOME CALL THE UNJUST TAXATION OF JERSEY WORKERS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL PROPOSALS ON THE TABLE, INCLUDING ONE TO INCENTIVIZE COMPANIES TO ASSIGN WORKERS TO LOCATIONS IN NEW JERSEY AND ANOTHER THAT WOULD TAX WORKERS WHO WORK FOR COMPANIES BUT DON'T LIVE IN OUR STATE.

REPUBLICAN LEADERS EXPRESS SUPPORT, SAYING THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME.

>>> A PROGRESSIVE GROUP RANKS NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF THE BEST STATES TO WORK IN.

IT COMES IN EIGHTH IN THE ANNUAL INDEX PUT OUT BY OXFAM AMERICA.

FOR WORKING WOMEN, THE STATE RANKS SEVENTH.

I SPOKE WITH DR. CAITLIN HENDERSON, A RESEARCH ADVISER AT THE ORGANIZATION.

>> WE HAVE A STRONGER MINIMUM WAGE THAN THE FEDERAL MINIMUM AND A LOT OF OTHER PEERS STATES.

NEW JERSEY IS PAID LEAVE, A LOT OF THE PROTECTION POLICIES WE TRACK.

IT'S A FEW STATE THAT HAS A DOMESTIC WORKERS BILL OF RIGHTS AND IT PROTECTS THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.

>> HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, GAS PRICES ARE AVERAGING $3.87 FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR.

THAT IS $.12 CHEAPER THAN A WEEK AGO, ACCORDING TO AAA.

>>> HERE'S THE CHECK ON THE STOCK MARKET AHEAD OF THE LONG WEEKEND.

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

>>> REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR HOLLY HAS CLEARED THE WAY FOR SUPREME COURT NOMINEE TO HAVE A CONFIRMATION HEARING IN THE SENATE.

SHE PREVIOUSLY BLOCKED HER AFTER AN UNWRITTEN RULE CALLED SENATORIAL COURTESY THAT IS HELD UP HEARINGS FOR MORE THAN 17 MONTHS BUT THE SENATOR HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNOR MURPHY THAT A CONSERVATIVE JUDGE WOULD BE NOMINATED TO MAINTAIN THE TRADITION OF A PARTISAN BALANCE ON THE STATE SUPREME COURT.

>>> AND HUDSON COUNTY, THE POLITICAL MACHINE IS AT IT AGAIN, ALL BUT ENSURING THE TORCH BE PASSED FROM RETIRING TOM TO HIS SUCCESSOR, CRAIG I.

HE IS THE FATHER OF JERSEY SIDDLE COUNCILWOMAN WHO DOMINATED THE NEWS AFTER FLEEING A HIT AND RUN.

IS THE SYSTEM RIGGED AGAINST THE NEWCOMER?

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, HAS MORE.

>> MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY.

>> Reporter: RETIRING EXECUTIVE SAID THERE'S ALWAYS BEEN A RELATIONSHIP GUY.

USE LOYAL TO FRIENDS AND DUG IT AGAINST HIS ENEMIES.

IN POLITICS, A FRIEND UP AHEAD OF A COUNTY WITH ALMOST 400,000 VOTES IS A GOOD FRIEND TO HAVE, SO THE GOVERNOR SHOWS UP FOR RIBBON CUTTINGS.

GREAT GUY, WHO HAS BEEN IN TOM'S INNER CIRCLE FOR DECADES, IS ABOUT TO BE ANNOUNCED AS THE CURATED SUCCESSOR AT AN EVENT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

SPECIAL GUEST, PHIL MURPHY.

JUST WITNESSED THE ELECTION OF THE NEXT HUDSON COUNTY AS EXECUTIVE.

IT'S A PROCESS DESIGNED NOT TO ATTRACT TOO MUCH ATTENTION.

>> IS IT FAIR?

IS WHAT FAIR?

THIS PROCESS.

>> I BELIEVE IT IS, THERE'S A PRIMARY, DAVE IS DIFFERENT FROM THAT OF AN ACTIVIST, PART OF A COALITION OF PROGRESSIVES TRYING TO MESS WITH THE MACHINE.

>> WHAT'S YOUR SENSE OF THAT?

IS IT GOING TO JUST BE A CORONATION?

NO, I THINK THERE IS A REASON WHY THE POLITICAL PARTY BOSS HANDPICKS CANDIDATES, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAINTAIN THE ABUSE OF POWER, SUPPORTING THEIR POLITICALLY CONNECTED PEOPLE.

>> IT'S AN ARGUMENT PROGRESSIVES HAVE MADE BEFORE AND 2020 AND IN 2022.

ACTIVISTS CHALLENGED IN 2020 AND HIS NAME HAS COME UP AS A POTENTIAL CHALLENGER TO CRAIG GUY.

HE SAYS HE IS NOT DOING THAT BUT WE SHOULD NOT DISCOUNT THE PROGRESSIVE COALITION 0-2 RECORD AND HUDSON.

>> I GUESS IT STRIKE THREE AND YOU'RE OUT OR THIRD TIME IS THE CHARM.

>> WELL, AND THAT REGARD, I GUESS I WOULD SAY, CERTAINLY, WE WOULD LIKE TO PUT UP MORE VICTORIES ON THE ELECTORAL FRONT BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, WE ARE PLAYING A RIGGED GAME.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO UPHOLD ON THE REAL KEY IS TO PUT UP GOOD QUALITY CANDIDATES, RIGHT?

THAT CANADA AND THE QUALITY OF THE CANDIDATE COMES BEFORE THE FACT THAT THERE IS AN ELECTION COMING UP.

WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO PUT UP ANYBODY.

>> YOU HAVE TO CATCH THE ORGANIZATION WHILE THEY ARE ASLEEP, WHICH IS A TRICKY THING TO DO BUT WHEN THERE IS AN OPEN SEAT, A PIVOTAL SEAT, WE KNOW WILL BE AN IMPORTANT SEAT FOR THEM, THEY WILL TRY TO WAKE EVERYBODY UP AND GET EVERYBODY BEHIND THEIR CANDIDATE WHILE THE SEAT IS OPEN.

>> Reporter: CRAIG GUY HAS NEVER FACED VOTERS THAT BEFORE.

IS AN INSIDER AS THE IMPOSING FORMER POLICE LIEUTENANT WHO MANEUVERED HIS WAY VERY CLOSE TO THE SEAT AT THE HEAD OF A COUNTY GOVERNMENT WITH A $600 MILLION BUDGET.

HE HASN'T BEEN FULLY VETTED YET SAID ONE INSIDER.

OPPONENTS SAY THAT PROCESS IS ABOUT TO BEGIN.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR US THIS WEEK BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEW JERSEY NEWS.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM HERE AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

OR STEAD, COMMITTED TO A NEW, LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN AIR ENERGY FOR NEW JERSEY.