>> 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.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE START OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR HAS NOT BEEN WITHOUT COMPLICATIONS.

JUST WEEKS IN, AND DISTRICTS ARE BATTLING A NUMBER OF CHALLENGES.

STAFFING SHORTAGES, CONTINUE CLEANUP FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA, AND NOW, THE START OF COVID OUTBREAKS.

FORCING SOME CLASSES, EVEN ENTIRE SCHOOLS TO TEMPORARILY SWITCH TO VIRTUAL LEARNING.

SO FAR, HUNDREDS OF POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE.

NO, THE FULL EXTENT OF THE SITUATION IS UNCLEAR.

BECAUSE THE STATES COVID DASHBOARD AND DATA TRACKING SYSTEM IS BEHIND ON UPDATES, AND THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR DISTRICTS TO MAKE THE INFORMATION PUBLIC.

STILL, SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT BEING ON FAR BETTER FOOTING TO START THIS SEPTEMBER.

YET, THE PATCHWORK APPROACH TO QUARANTINING ENCLOSURES IS LEAVING SOME PARENTS CONFUSED.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> THREE INDIVIDUALS TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE COVID-19.

SO, STARTING TODAY, THAT PLUS WILL BE LEARNING REMOTELY.

>> THE COVID OUTBREAK IN A FOURTH GRADE JERSEY CITY CLASS IS AMONG THE 13 POSITIVE CASES REPORTED BY THE DISTRICT IN JUST THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL.

AND, THE SECOND-LARGEST SCHOOL SCHOOL SYSTEM IS JUST ONE OF MANY DISTRICTS AROUND THE STATE DEALING WITH COVID OUTBREAKS ALREADY.

IN ROBBINSVILLE, MORE THAN 220 STUDENTS CURRENTLY IN QUARANTINE AS A SUPERINTENDENT SHARED WITH THE DISTRICT LAST WEEK.

>> OVER THE PAST WEEK, WE HAVE HAD A FULL CLASSROOM HAVING TO QUARANTINE.

LAST TIME, WE HAD THE QUARANTINE OF 75 STUDENTS AT POND GROWTH THAT TRIED OUT FOR THE SOCCER TEAM, AND WE HAVE THREE UNRELATED OUTBREAKS, OR INFECTIONS HERE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, WHICH MEANS OUR SCHOOLS ARE CONSIDERED AN OUTBREAK.

>> EVEN WITH THOSE NUMBERS, ONLY THE HIGH SCHOOLERS CLOSE FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING.

QUITE DIFFERENT THAN IN WEST WINDSOR PLAINSBORO WHERE THE ENTIRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WENT VIRTUAL AFTER 5 REPORTED CASES.

SUPERINTENDENT, DAVID ATUL HOLDER AND IN A LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THE CLOSURE WAS MADE OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION, BUT GROUNDED IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT 4 OF THE LAST FIVE REPORTED CASES FALL OUTSIDE OF ANY IDENTIFIED CONTACT TRACING, AND SUBSTANTIATE THE POTENTIAL OF GREATER SPREAD WITH A NURSE COMMUNITY.

HOW, AND WHEN TO CLOSE THE SCHOOLS IS A DECISION THAT IS LEFT TO THE DISTRICTS, AND IT CAN BE HARD TO FIND CONSISTENCY.

IN NEW PROVIDENCE, ONE FULL SIXTH GRADE CLASSES QUARANTINE ALONG WITH PORTIONS OF TWO OTHER CLASSES AFTER POSITIVE CASES BEGAN PLAGUING THE DISTRICT IN THE FIRST WEEK.

>> THE VERY FIRST DAY WAS ACTUALLY MASK OPTIONAL POLICY.

WHICH WAS WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST FULL WEEK OF SEPTEMBER, AND BY FRIDAY, THERE WERE THREE POSITIVE CASES IDENTIFIED AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHICH LED TO A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BEING PUT IN QUARANTINE DUE TO CONTRACT TRACING PURPOSES.

>> STACY GUNDERSON HAS TWO KIDS IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WITH THE QUARANTINE CLASS.

SHE IS CONCERNED THAT CASES POPPING UP SINCE THE QUARANTINE MIGHT MEAN THAT MORE IN SCHOOL TRANSITION IS HAPPENING.

>> THERE WERE ADDITIONAL CASES REPORTED LAST WEEK INCLUDING SOME THAT HAD TO AGAIN BE CONTACT TRACE, WHICH MEANS IT WAS NOT COMING FROM THE QUARANTINED KIDS FROM THE FIRST EXPOSURE.

NOTHING HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED BY THE DISTRICT AS IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION.

YET, AS A PARENT, IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE.

AND, WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CRITERIA IS FOR REDEEMING SOMETHING IN IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION.

>> THE GUIDANCE LEFT IT TO THE DISTRICT BY WHICH DUDES ARE CLOSE CONTACTS OF A POSITIVE PERSON, WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION, AND TO COMMUNICATED BACK TO THEIR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

BUT, ACCORDING TO STATE EPIDEMIOLOGIST, DR. CHRISTINA 10 POINT >> WE DEFIED AN OUT RAKE IN IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION OUTBREAK TO BE 3 OR MORE EPIDEMIOLOGIC LEAK LINKS CASES WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS AMONG THEM, AND THERE MIGHT BE SOME COMMON ACTIVITY, OR CONTENT, CERTAINLY WE DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE MIGHT BE SPORADIC CASES, YOU KNOW, ONE-OFF CASES AND SCHOOLS THAT MIGHT NOT, THAT MIGHT JUST EXIST ON ITS OWN.

FEMA, PARENTS ARE LEFT WATCHING AND WAITING AS MORE AND MORE CASES POP UP AND GOES ACROSS THE STATE TO SEE IF AND HOW THEIR DISTRICTS WILL REACT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> TURNS OUT TWO DOSES OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID-19 VACCINATION ARE BETTER THAN ONE.

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANY RELEASED DATA TODAY SHOWING A BOOSTER DOSE OF ITS ONE-SHOT VACCINE, IT GENERATES A STRONGER IMMUNE RESPONSE, AND A ROBUST INCREASE IN ANTIBODIES.

ACCORDING TO THE DATA, THE EXTRA SHOT PROVIDES 94% PROTECTION AGAINST THE VIRUS, MONTHS AFTER PEOPLE RECEIVED THE FIRST DOSE.

THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY HAVE NOT YET IN PEER-REVIEWED, BUT J&J OFFICIALS SUBMITTED THE DATA TO REGULATORS INCLUDING THE FDA.

IN NEW JERSEY, NEARLY 440,000 PEOPLE WILL HAVE GOTTEN J&J SHOTS.

THAT'S OUT OF THE NEARLY 5.8 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

BUT, IT MEANS ONLY ABOUT 8% OF ALL FULLY IMMUNIZED PEOPLE IN THE STATE RECEIVED THEIR SHOT FROM JOHNSON & JOHNSON.

THE VACCINE WAS ONCE CONSIDERED CRITICAL TO ENDING THE PANDEMIC.

SO, WHAT DOES THIS NEW DATA MEAN?

WE ASKED DR. MARTIN BLASER, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE.

>> BEASLEY, DR. BLASER, BIG NEWS OUT OF J&J.

A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR ABOUT THESE FINDINGS.

WHAT DO WE KNOW SO FAR?

>> WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ELEMENTARY RESULTS FOR ONE-SHOT REGARD, BUT THEY WERE NOT AS GOOD AS THE TWO SHOT VACCINES.

AND NOW, THEY HAVE ANNOUNCED NEW RESULTS FROM GIVING TWO SHOTS TO THE VACCINE.

AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S JUST AS GOOD AS THE OTHERS.

AND, THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH A LOT OF OTHER INFORMATION THAT HAS COME OUT THAT THE J&J VACCINE LOOKS JUST AS GOOD AS A SINGLE SHOT OF MODERNITY OR PFIZER, NO, WE SEE THAT TWO SHOT JUST AS GOOD AS TWO SHOTS OF MODERNITY AND PFIZER.

YOU, IN FACT WERE INVOLVED WITH RUTGERS UNIVERSITY TRIALS FOR J&J.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE HAD THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOT.

SO MUCH OF THE DISCUSSION AROUND BOOSTERS HAS BEEN AROUND PFIZER AND MADONNA.

WE HAVE HEARD, SPECIFICALLY FOLKS WHO SAID THEY FELT KIND OF LEFT OUT AS THIS MOVED FORWARD.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF A BLACK HOLE, THERE.

BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

EVERYBODY WHO HAD THE SINGLE J&J SHOT REALLY SHOULD GET I CAN SHOT.

THERE WOULD BE A RECOMMENDATION, WHETHER IT SHOULD BE A SECOND J&J, OR WHETHER PFIZER AND MODERNA WILL DO.

I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAD ONE J&J SHOT HAVE ALREADY GOTTEN A SECOND SHOT WITH ONE OF THE OTHERS.

>> SO, WHAT DOES THIS DO THEN FOR J&J'S REPUTATION?

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF SETBACKS NOT LONG AFTER THE VACCINE WAS RELEASED.

PUBLIC MESSAGING, OF COURSE, BEING A BIT OF A PROBLEM, THERE.

YOU ANTICIPATE THAT CHANGING NOW?

>> YEAH, WELL, J&J HAD SOME BAD LUCK, AND MAYBE SOME BAD DECISIONS, BUT THEY, THEY CAME OUT OF THE SHEET TO THE BASE JUST AS FAST AS THE OTHERS.

BUT THEN, THINGS SLOWED DOWN.

AND NOW, THEY ARE KIND OF A DISTANT THIRD.

THIS SHOULD HELP THEM CATCH UP, BECAUSE THE VACCINE CAN BE USED WITHOUT THE SAME KIND OF COLD START.

IT MAY BE VERY USEFUL IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.

IT'S STILL VERY USEFUL IN THE U.S..

I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT WE HAVE THREE VACCINES THAT WORK.

THEY ALL WORK AND THEY ALL SEEM TO WORK ABOUT THE SAME.

YOU NEED TWO SHOTS FOR THE FULL DOSE, AND MAY BE THERE'S GOING TO NEED TO BE A BOOSTER FOR THE J&J JUST LIKE FOR THE OTHERS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN THE FACT THAT IT WAS ONE DOSE, MORE EASILY STORED, AND TRANSPORTED.

I MEAN, THERE WAS A LOT OF WEIGHT ON THAT WHEN THIS VACCINE WAS RELEASED.

DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS BEING A REALLY, CHANGING THE GAME AS FAR AS THE BOOSTER ROLLOUT, HERE?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'VE LEARNED.

AND AGAIN, WE LEARNED A LOT IN THE LAST YEAR.

WE LEARNED THAT TWO DOSES BETTER THAN ONE.

AND PROBABLY THREE DOSES IS BETTER THAN TWO.

>> DR. MARTIN BLASER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>> NEW JERSEY RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES ARE PREPARED TO HELP UP TO 135 EVACUEES FROM AFGHANISTAN ESTABLISHED NEW LIVES OVER THE COMING MONTHS.

THAT NUMBER COULD GROW AS MORE EVACUEES ARRIVE IN THE U.S. FROM ABROAD.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY BEING HOUSED AT THE JOINT BASE IN LAKEHURST IN BURLINGTON COUNTY.

AS MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS, THERE IS AN OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF SUPPORT IN THE EFFORT, BUT, FINDING EVACUEES HOUSING LOOKS TO BE A CHALLENGE.

>> WE COME TO APPRECIATE THE PLIGHT OF FAMILIES WHO ARRIVED HERE WITH VERY LITTLE EXPERIENCE WITH ENGLISH EXPECTED TO RESTART A LIFE HERE.

>> THAT IS WHY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WELCOME HOME, JERSEY CITY SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION IS PREPARING TO HELP AFGHAN FAMILIES, HOPING TO MAKE NEW JERSEY HOME.

THE COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT HAS BEEN PROVIDING CRITICAL SOUP FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

>> WE ARE PARTNERING WITH IRC, INTERNATIONAL RESCUE WHO MAY NEED TO WORK PRIMARILY WITH HUMANITARIAN PAROLEES, WHO MAY BE LEAVING THE JOINT BASE, WHETHER IT'S LAKEHURST, OR COMING TO US THROUGH ANOTHER PLACE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE HOUSING TO THOSE FOLKS, PARTICULARLY IN THE ABSENCE OF FEDERAL FUNDS BEING ALLOCATED TO THOSE HUMANITARIAN PAROLEES.

>> IS BEEN THREE WEEKS SINCE THE U.S.

WITHDREW MATURITY FORCES IN AFGHANISTAN AS THE TALIBAN TOOK CONTROL.

ACCORDING TO SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, ROUGHLY 8500 AFGHAN EVACUEES ARE BEING TEMPORARILY HOUSED AT JOINT BASE McGUIRE LAKEHURST.

BUT, HE SAID THE NUMBER COULD RISE TO ABOUT 13,000.

WHITEOUT OFFICIALS SAY AFGHANS HAVE SOME INPUT ON WHERE THEY WANT TO SETTLE, OFTEN CHOOSING AREAS WHERE FAMILY OR OTHER AFGHANS LIVE, LIKE ELIZABETH, THE INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE IS HEADQUARTERED.

>> THERE'S AN ANTICIPATED 535 AFGHAN PAROLEES THAT WE ANTICIPATE, YOU KNOW, MAKING A HOME IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY WILL BE WORKING WITH ABOUT 250 OF THOSE.

>> THE IRC OFTEN HOUSES REFUGEES AND ELIZABETH SO THEY CAN EASILY GET TO AND FROM THE RESETTLEMENT AGENCY FOR APPOINTMENTS.

BUT, LAST WEEK, THE MAYOR SENT A LETTER TO THE ARC ASKING THEM TO HOUSE AFGHANS AND NEIGHBORING TOWNS, OUTLINING THE CITY'S CHALLENGE IS TO FIND HOUSING FOR ITS OWN RESIDENCE, FOLLOWING SEVERE FLOODING FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA.

>> THE MAYOR, WRITING IN PART, THE CITY OF ELIZABETH CURRENTLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 400 RESIDENTS, INCLUDING 21 SYRIAN AND AFGHAN REFUGEE FAMILIES DISPLACED FROM THEIR HOMES.

RESETTLING AFGHAN REFUGEES AT THIS TIME WOULD PRODUCE INSURMOUNTABLE CHALLENGES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK WE'RE LOOKING AT YOU KNOW, ANY AND ALL OPTIONS ACROSS THE STATE, WHERE HOUSING IS AVAILABLE, WHERE COMMUNITIES ARE LOOKING AT COMING AND SUPPORTING FOOD AND THAT INCLUDES FAITH BASED COMMUNITIES AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS.

>> GROUPS LIKE REFUGEE ASSISTANCE AND PARTNERS WHICH PROVIDE REFUGEES WITH DAILY SUPPORT AS THEY RESTART THEIR LIVES.

ONE OF THE MAIN GOALS IS TO FIND AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT THAT CAN BE A CHALLENGE HERE IN NEW JERSEY, ESPECIALLY SINCE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ENDS AFTER ABOUT THREE MONTHS.

REFUGEES THEN HAVE TO FIND JOBS TO PAY FOR RENT AND OTHER BILLS.

MOST REFUGEES PAY BACK THE COST OF THEIR PLANE TICKETS WITHIN THREE YEARS.

>> THE RULE OF THUMB, IDEALLY, NO MORE THAN 2000 A MONTH FOR A PLACE THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE A FAMILY OF 3 OR 4 PEOPLE, AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE RENT AND UTILITIES.

>> AS EFFORTS CONTINUE TO HELP AFGHAN EVACUEES, THOSE WORKING TO RESETTLE THEM IN NEW JERSEY SAY MORE FUNDING IS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN AFFORD THE STATES HIGH COST OF LIVING.

ADVOCATES ARGUE, THE INITIAL ASSISTANCE REFUGEES RECEIVE IS WORTH THE INVESTMENT.

AS THEY BEGIN TO PAY TAXES AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE NEW COMMUNITIES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>> FROM PRICE GOUGING TO FAKE DISASTER RELIEF CHARITIES, THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAYS SCAMMERS ARE OUT THERE.

WAITING TO PRAY ON INNOCENT VICTIMS OF TROPICAL STORM IDA.

JUST ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR SHAMELESS ACTORS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VULNERABLE, AND TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS ARE VOWING TO CRACK DOWN ON ANYONE GAMING THE SYSTEM.

BUT, THEY'RE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR FRAUD AND HAVE TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID IT.

WE GO TO THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF NEW JERSEY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS.

THE OFFICE SET UP A HOTLINE OF HOW RESIDENCE HAVE BEEN CALLING IN.

WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN REPORTING?

>> SURE, YESTERDAY 100% HAVE BEEN CALLING IN AND BEEN GETTING COMPLAINS ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS.

WE CANNOT TALK ABOUT ALL OF THEM SOME OF THEM ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT WE ARE SEEING THINGS RELATED TO PRICE GOUGING, NOT ONLY ON CENTRAL GOODS AND SERVICES, BUT, YOU KNOW, SOME COROLLARY SERVICES.

LIKE A SNAKE CLEANUPS, POOL CLEANUPS, HOME REPAIR.

THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

WE ARE ALSO GETTING COMPLAINS ABOUT TOWING COMPANIES.

IF YOU HAD A CAR TOWED FROM A LOCATION.

AND NOW WE ARE SEEING SOME COMPLAINTS ABOUT CAR SHORTAGES CALLED PRICING.

THAT SORT OF THING.

IN THE WAKE OF NATURAL DISASTER, HURRICANE IDA.

>> THESE ARE CARS THAT MAY BE POTENTIALLY HAD FLOODING OR OTHER DAMAGE OF THAT NATURE AND ARE NOW BEING PUT BACK ON THE MARKET?

>> SURE, YEAH FRENEMY, WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A TON OF COMPLAINTS YET ABOUT THE CARS, BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE ALWAYS REALLY AWARE THAT WE AS CONSUMERS TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL IN CONSIDERING WHEN THEY ARE PURCHASING A NEW CARPET KIND OF LOOK FOR SOME SIGNS THAT MAYBE IT WAS NOT A FLOOD OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

SO, CHECK THE INTERIOR, CARPETING AND TRUNK.

ANY STAIN LIKE THAT THEY CAN LEAD YOU TO POSSIBLY CONCLUDING THAT THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY FLOODED IN THE HURRICANE.

>> HOW WOULD YOU RATE WHAT YOURS SO FAR FROM WHAT IS BEING REPORTED FROM THE PUBLIC, AS FAR AS FRAUD GOES?

>> WE ARE IN THE EARLY DAYS, SO WE HAVE TO SEE HOW IT IS ALL PROGRESSING.

WE'RE DEFINITELY RECEIVING COMPLAINTS, BUT, IT'S NOT ALWAYS THE IMMEDIATE DAYS AFTERWARDS THAT WE SEE THE COMPLETE, IT'S OFTEN A FEW WEEKS OUT AND WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RESPONSIVE TO THE INTENT THAT WE GET THE SAME AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS THAT WE DID IN HURRICANE SANDY.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR RESIDENCE SO THEY CAN BE A KEEN CONSUMER.

>> AN EDUCATED CONSUMER IS SORT OF THE BEST DEFENSE AGAINST A LOT OF THESE THINGS.

SO FOR INSTANCE, WITH RESPECT TO IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTORS, WHICH WE WOULD ASSUME WOULD BE A MAIN SOURCE OF COMPLAINTS AFTER HURRICANE IDA, YOU NEED TO JUST KIND OF DO YOUR HOMEWORK, I THINK ARE THE BEST THING IS GET A COUPLE OF ESTIMATES, MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PAYING AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE NOT PAYING SAID THEY THAT IS OUT OF PROPORTION WOULD WHAT THE MARKETPLACE WOULD BEAR.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE LIABILITY INSURANCE WITH QUESTIONS LIKE THAT.

ADDITIONALLY, I WOULD CALL US, SEE IF THE HOME AND PERMIT CONTRACTORS ARE REGISTERED.

SEE IF THEY HAD ANY COMPLAINTS FILED AGAINST THEM, SEPARATELY, I THINK I JUST LOOKOUT FOR RED FLAGS.

ANYTHING THE CONTRACTOR ASKED ME FOR A LARGE SUM OF MONEY UPFRONT.

ANYTHING THAT SUGGESTS THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO WRITE A CONTRACT IN WRITING.

BE CAREFUL HOW YOU PAY FOR THE CONTRACT.

>> SEAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> I APPRECIATE IT, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> HOW LONG WILL THOSE LOW INTEREST RATES STICK AROUND?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE FROM THE START OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S TWO DAY POLICY.

RHONDA?

>> THE FEDERAL RESERVE TODAY BEGAN MEETING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS NEXT FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY.

SINCE THE PANDEMIC, THE FED HAS CUT INTEREST RATES LOW AND SUPPORTED THE ECONOMY IN OTHER WAYS.

AND, IT'S MADE A DIFFERENCE HERE IN NEW JERSEY, ACCORDING TO ONE EXECUTIVE.

FRANK SORRENTINO, THE CHAIRMAN AND CEO OF THE CONNECT BANKS SAYS BUSINESSES ARE OPTIMISTIC TO GET BACK THE FUTURE EVEN WITH RISING CASES OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> THAT ONE BANK MAKES LOANS AND SUPPORTS BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMY, AND THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE REALLY LOOKING AT GREATER OPPORTUNITIES GOING FORWARD.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, SORRENTINO SAYS LOW INTEREST RATES HAVE HELPED DEVELOPERS MOVE FORWARD WITH NEW PROJECTS IN THE STATE, SUCH AS THE HOTEL LUXURY DEVELOPMENT IN SOMERSET HILLS.

TOMORROW, THE FED IS EXPECTED TO SAY IT WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP RATES LOW.

NEW ORGANIZATIONS ARE COMING FORWARD TO HELP NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO SUFFERED LOSSES FROM HURRICANE IDA.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS IS PROVIDING MORE KIDS WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND IT'S TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS OF UP TO $2000.

THE DEADLINE TO APPLY IS AT THE END OF NEXT MONTH, BUT APPLICATIONS ARE BEING PROCESSED ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

AND, A BRIDGEWATER BASE INTERNATIONAL SAYS IT IS DONATING $50,000 TO THE AMERICAN RED CROSS TO HELP WITH REBUILDING EFFORTS IN THE HARD- HIT AREA NEAR ITS OFFICES.

TOMORROW, THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD WILL NEED TO RECONSIDER WAY TO ADVISE TAX CREDITS UNDER THE STATES EMERGE PROGRAM.

THE FISERV IS BASED IN WISCONSIN AND SEEKING TO OPEN AN OFFICE IN BERKELEY HEIGHTS, BRINGING UP TO 3000 JOBS IN THE STATE.

A FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY WITH SEVERAL OTHER OFFICES LOCATED IN NEW JERSEY, THEY DECLINED TO COMMENT.

AFTER YESTERDAY'S BIG SELL OFF, A DIFFERENT STORY ON WALL STREET TODAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW STOCKS ENDED THE SESSION.

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

>>> DESPITE A SETBACK, DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS ARE PLEDGING TO CREATE A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS WEEK, A NONPARTISAN SENATE RULES INTERPRETER KNOWN AS THE PARLIAMENTARIAN REJECTED DEMOCRATS PROPOSAL TO INCLUDED IN THE THREE AND HALF TRILLION DOLLAR SPENDING BILL.

BUT SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ SAYS THE PROCESS IS NOT OVER.

HE IS WORKING WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO FIND AN ALTERNATIVE PATH.

THE EFFORT TO PUSH FORWARD, BEING SUPPORTED BY THOUSANDS RALLYING TODAY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 9 BUSES FROM NEW JERSEY LOADED UP AND OUT EARLY THIS MORNING.

JOINING ADVOCATES FROM 30 OTHER STATES IN A NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP MARCH.

LOOKING TO HOLD CONGRESS ACCOUNTABLE FOR PROMISES MADE TO IMMIGRANTS.

AMONG OTHER POLICY ISSUES.

>> IT IS THE MORAL AND JUST THING TO DO, AND IT IS ECONOMICALLY SMART THING TO DO TOO BECAUSE WHEN WE EMPOWER IMMIGRANTS TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL, WE GROW THE ECONOMY FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL AMERICANS.

>> THIS MONTH, WE WILL PURSUE A HISTORIC EFFORT TO CREATE A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR MILLIONS OF UNDOCKED MINTED IMMIGRANTS ACROSS AMERICA.

>> FOR DECADES, LAWMAKERS AND EDUCATION ADVOCATES HAVE LOOKED AT WAYS TO CORRECT SCHOOL FUNDING IN EQUITIES.

BUT, EVEN WITH THOSE ATTENDS, NEW REPORTS SHOW BLACK AND BROWN STUDENTS STILL AREN'T GETTING THE SAME RESOURCES FOR EQUAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES AS THEIR WHITE PEERS, SYSTEMIC DISCRIMINATION.

THE INCUMBENT OR CHALLENGER WILL FACE TOUGH DECISIONS WHEN IT COMES TO FIXING NEW JERSEY'S SCHOOL SEGREGATION PROBLEM.

SR.

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> IS AN ENDURING IRONY IN NEW JERSEY.

IN THE ONE HAND, OUR PUBLICS WAS ARE FREQUENTLY RENT AMONG THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, SEVERAL STUDIES HAVE SHOWN OUR SCHOOLS TO BE AMONG THE MOST SEGREGATED, LIKE TOP 10 MOST SEGREGATED IN THE COUNTRY.

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

I THINK WHEN YOU REALLY LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN, WE HAVE REALLY, BY FAR, THE BEST SCHOOLS.

>> THAT IS HARD TO HEAR IN A STATE AS DIVERSE AND SUPPOSEDLY PROGRESSIVE AS NEW JERSEY., STUDIES SHOW THAT BLACK AND LATINO STUDENTS, ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE STATES 1.2 MILLION SCHOOLKIDS ARE ATTENDING SCHOOLS THAT ARE MORE THAN 90% NONWHITE.

THAT IS DEFECTIVE SEGREGATION.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL SAYS FORMER STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE, GARY STEIN.

WHO ALONG WITH PASTOR BOWYER WAS PART OF A GROUP THAT SUED THE STATE BACK IN 2018.

>> WE HAVE LEARNED THAT BLACK AND LATINO SCHOOLCHILDREN WHO WERE AT 10 DIVERSE SCHOOLS INVARIABLY DO BETTER.

NOT ON THE EDUCATIONAL, BUT THEY DO BETTER IN THEIR ADVANCEMENT, HIGH SCHOOL, AND COLLEGE.

IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY.

IN THEIR HEALTH, IN THEIR GENERAL SUCCESS.

>> THE MURPHY MINISTRATION HAS TAKEN EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO SLOW THE PROCEEDINGS.

AND IN RESPONSE TO THE MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT BY THE PLAINTIFFS, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ASKED FOR MORE TIME TO DEPOSE MORE WITNESSES.

>> THAT MOTION WAS FILED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019.

IT IS NOW SEPTEMBER OF 2021.

AND, THAT MOTION HAS NOT BEEN HEARD.

>> SCHOOL SEGREGATION IS ON THE TOP OF THE LIST OF ISSUES GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS YEAR.

DESPITE COVID LAYING BARE, THE STATES EDUCATIONAL DISPARITIES.

>> I'M ALL FOR BY THE INTEGRATION OF OUR STUDENT POPULATIONS.

THOSE ARE DISCUSSIONS, THOSE ARE DISCUSSIONS WE CAN HAVE.

ONCE I AM ELECTED.

SO, YEAH.

>> YOUR CURRENT PLANS?

>> I DO NOT HAVE CURRENT PLANS SPECIFICALLY NO.

>> AND IN A RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT A 10 YEAR PATH TO UNIVERSAL PRE-K LAST WEEK, GOVERNOR MURPHY TOO SEEMED AT A LOSS TO ARTICULATE A POLICY.

>> IT IS A LONG-SOUGHT, AND SALLY, THE PREMISE OF YOUR QUESTION IS, RIGHT?

IT'S BUILDING FOR A LONG TIME, AND WE STAY AT IT, AND I THINK PRE-K IS ONE OF THE WEAPONS THAT WE CAN USE.

GOING IN PARTICULAR TO GET KIDS WHO MAY BE DISADVANTAGED FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, >> WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT PHIL MURPHY OR THE ADMINISTRATION THAT THEY ARE LITERALLY BLOCKING DESEGREGATION IN SCHOOLS, OR IN I EXAGGERATING BY SAYING THAT CUSTOMER >> NO, I DON'T THINK YOU'RE EXAGGERATING AT ALL AND I THINK WHAT HAS THE MOST TO SAY ABOUT IS THE INFLUENCE AND THE FEAR OF A VERY POWERFUL, RACIST, WHITE ELECTORATE, AND WHETHER YOUR TALKING ABOUT LIKE CONSERVATIVES AND IN MANY CASES, RIGHT REGRESSES.

THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT CONVERSATION.

>> THE NEW JUDGE ON THE CASE HAS SET A TIMELINE THAT COULD RESULT IN ORAL ARGUMENTS IN LATE JANUARY OR EARLY FEBRUARY.

IMPLEMENTING A REMEDY, IF ONE IS PRESCRIBED WOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE.

WHICH MAKES ACTUALLY KNOWING WHERE THE NEXT GOVERNOR STANDS PRETTY IMPORTANT.

AND DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> JOIN US FOR OUR NJ DECIDES 2021 ELECTION CONVERSATIONS FOR OUR SENIOR COURSE ON IT, BRENDA FLANAGAN AND HEALTH CARE WRITER LILO STAINTON LEAD THE DISCUSSION ON HEALTHCARE.

TO REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE EVENT HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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