>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, THE PSEG FOUNDATION, AND BY THE CLEAR EMERGENCE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

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

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

THE GLOVES CAME OFF IN THE FIRST TELEVISED DEBATE BETWEEN GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY AND HIS GOP CHALLENGER, JACK CHIARELLI.

THE TWO CLASS LAST NIGHT ON VIRTUALLY EVERY ISSUE FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC TO TAXES, AND THE RESPONSE TO TROPICAL STORM IDA.

FINDING ALMOST NO COMMON GROUND, SPARRING OVER MUCH OF WHAT THE CAMPAIGNS HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTING FOR WEEKS.

TOO SOON TO TELL HOW TO REGISTER WITH VOTERS, BUT THE LATEST UNIVERSITY POLL OUT TODAY PUTS GOVERNOR MURPHY IN A 9 POINT LEAD OVER CHIARELLI.

IT'S THE FIRST INDEPENDENT POLL WHERE THE GOVERNOR DOES NOT HAVE A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD.

THE SURVEY ADDED 552 LIKELY VOTERS, GIVES BIRTH EA JOB APPROVAL RATING OF 54% WITH THE PANDEMIC NAMED THE TOP ISSUE.

THE MAJORITY OF VOTERS BELIEVE MURPHY'S BEST SUITED TO MANAGE THE STATES COVID-19 RESPONSE.

BUT, HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE IN JACK CHIARELLI ON TAX ISSUES.

HE IS STILL STRUGGLING WITH NAME RECOGNITION, THE DEBATE, ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO DIVIDE HIMSELF FOR VOTERS., AND IT WAS A FIERY SHOW.

SENIOR COAT POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ WAS THERE.

>> Reporter: THEY CAME READY TO RUMBLE AND THE CROWD WAS RIGHT THERE WITH THEM.

ROWDY MOST OF THE NIGHT, AND INSPIRING THEIR GUYS TO GET JUST AS SHARP ELBOWED.

JACK CHIARELLI TRAILING IN MOST POLLS, NEEDING TO BE SEEN ON THE SAME STAGE.

IF ONLY SO THAT VOTERS COULD PUT A FACE TO THE NAME.

AND, MURPHY, NEEDING TO NOT STUMBLE, ESCHEWING CONVENTIONAL WISDOM, FIXING FOR A FIGHT.

>> THIS IS A FIGHT, HE'S SUPPORTS CONCEALED CARRY.

HE VOTED, THIS IS TRUE.

HE SAID FOR CERTAIN PROFESSIONS LIKE THAT.

REALTORS.

HE VOTED AGAINST BACKGROUND CHECKS, HE VOTED AGAINST BANNING 50 CALIBER WEAPONS.

HE VOTED AGAINST REDUCING MAGAZINES.

WE HAVE THE STRONGEST AND 50 MILES IN AMERICA AND YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE US LESS SAFE.

SEE AND TALK TO PEOPLE THAT REPLENISH ATM MACHINES AND SIT IN AN OPEN HOUSE ALL DAY BY THEMSELVES.

>> YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING.

>> BUT THE CPA AND FORMER SOME WOMEN HIT MURPHY HARD ON HIS HANDLING OF THE CRISIS AT LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES.

RATHER, 8000 RESIDENTS DIED FROM COVID IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE REASON NEW JERSEY LEADS THE NATION IS BECAUSE THE GOVERNOR KNOWS THERE IS NO TAKING IN NURSING HOME PATIENTS AND LET'S NOT FORGET, THE NUMBER OF NURSING HOME DEATHS TO PLACE IN OUR VETERAN HOMES OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE STATE.

UNDER PRESIDENT TRUMP, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INITIATED FOUR DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIONS IN DIFFERENT STATES IN NURSING HOME DEATHS.

ONLY ONE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES TODAY IN JOE BIDEN'S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

NEW JERSEY, AND RIGHTFULLY SO.

>> WE ARE STILL DIGGING OUT THE DAMAGE THAT TRUMPED IT IN TERMS OF MASS AND MAKING A POLITICAL.

I MEAN, COME ON.

THIS GUY, THIS GUY HAS AND WITH HIM EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

SPEAKING OF THE RALLY, LET'S FOCUS ON DOING THE RIGHT THINGS BASED ON SCIENCE, DATA, AND FACTS.

>> IF I MAY, THOSE WATCHING AT HOME PLAYING THAT DRINKING GAMES, TAKE A SHOT EVERY TIME YOU HEAR TOM, I SUGGEST THEY STOP LISTENING BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE BOMBED REALLY SOON.

>> JUST IN CASE YOU PUT THIS MEET UP WAS ALL HEAT AND NO LIGHT, THERE WERE CLEAR POLICY DIFFERENCES ON ISSUES LIKE GUNS AND TAXES, BUT ALSO, THINGS LIKE ABORTION WHICH COULD BECOME MORE CRITICAL TO THE COUNTRY IN THE COMING YEAR OF THE CHALLENGES TO DISTRICT OF TEXAS LAW ON ABORTION MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE COURTS.

>> LET ME BE CLEAR.

I DO NOT SUPPORT THE NEW LAW IN TEXAS.

I CONSIDER IT A FORM OF EXTREMISM.

BUT I TELL YOU WHAT ELSE I CONSIDER A FORM OF EXTREMISM FOR THE BILL THAT HE WANTS ON HIS DESK THAT IS UNDEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP ON POST.

IT'S A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW ABORTION AMONGST 7, 8, 9.

A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.

FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

IT NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS, AND THAT IS A DECISION BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DAUGHTER THERE, PERIOD.

>> IS DUBBED BY THE CALAMITY OF NURSING HOMES, CHIARELLI HAS SOME POLITICAL BAGGAGE CARRIED OVER FROM EARLIER THIS YEAR.

HIS PRESENCE AT A STOP TO STILL RALLY IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>> I WENT THERE, I DID NOT SEE PEOPLE AND WHAT WE FIND OFFENSIVE.

I DID NOT SEE ANY OF THOSE SIGNS.

OKAY, NOW LET ME SAY THIS.

IF THEY WERE THERE, I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE.

THE GOVERNORS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ATTENDING RALLIES THAT PEOPLE WERE HOLDING SIGNS THAT SAID DEFUND THE POLICE, OR NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE.

I CANNOT HELP RESPONSIBLE FOR WHATEVER PERSON DOES.

>> WANTED NO JUSTICE NO PEACE BECOME CONTROVERSIAL?

THIS IS, THIS RISES TO THE LEVEL OF DISQUALIFYING.

COME ON, MAN.

YOUR PICTURE AND NAME ARE ON THE INVITATION.

YOUR PICTURE AND NAME ON THE INVITATION.

THERE IS VIDEO, I'VE SEEN IT WITH MINE EYES STANDING RIGHT BESIDE YOU.

THERE ARE CONFEDERATE FLAGS THAT WERE WHITE SUPREMACIST.

IT THE EXACT SAME COCKTAIL THAT LED, GENERALLY SIX BY THE WAY, JANUARY 6th WITH A DEMOCRACY.

MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WERE KILLED, INCLUDING A NATIVE NEW JERSEY SON.

THE PROBABLY TALK TO WERE OVER THE MOON ABOUT HIS PERFORMANCE.

THEIR CAMPAIGN HAS FAILED TO REGISTER WITH VOTERS SO FAR, BUT LAST NIGHT, AT LEAST CHIARELLI WAS ABLE TO STAND NEXT TO THE INCUMBENT AND LAND A FEW BODY BLOWS.

WHAT DOES IT ALL MEAN?

PROBABLY NOT MUCH AT THIS POINT.

BUT, IT CERTAINLY MAKES THE NIGHTS GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE PRODUCED BY NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT MUCH MORE IMPORTANT.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SEEING IF THE DEBATE WAS ANY INDICATION THAT MEDS ME IS A ACTED TO RAMP UP AS CANADA HITS THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL OVER THE FINAL WEEKS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

ON EITHER SIDE, THEY WILL BOTH SAVE THEY WILL WIN.

ANOTHER CANDIDATE MADE A SERIOUS MISSTEP, WHICH CONDUCTED A CAMPAIGN THIS COAST OF THE VOTE.

BUT, THEY MAY HAVE ALSO MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIT ON MORE SUBJECTS THAT MATTER FOR MOST OF THOSE, OR HEADING TO THE POLLS.

OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, AND SENIOR WRITER , COLLEN O'DEA OFFER A BREAKDOWN AND WAS AHEAD FOR THE RACE.

>> SO, ARCS ARE USUALLY FLYING.

A LOT OF QUICK COMPASSIONATE RETORTS LAST NIGHT.

GIVE ME YOUR TAKEAWAYS.

>> WELL, I THINK OVERALL, I MEAN, IF YOU JUDGED IT LIKE TWO GUYS WHO WERE MEETING WHO HAD BEEN ON THE SAME LEVEL, I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE TO SAY THAT MURPHY PROBABLY DID A LITTLE BETTER ON SUBSTANCE.

BUT THE FACT THAT JACK, WHO 60% OF THE VOTERS IN THE FALL DID NOT KNOW WHO HE WAS, THE FACT THAT HE SHOWED UP AND HE HELD HIS OWN, AND THAT THE FEW BLOWS, I THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT IS BULLYING REPUBLICANS TODAY WHO HAVE BEEN TALKING TO WHO FELT LIKE THEY HAD A BIG TREE LAST NIGHT.

I WOULD NOT SAY THAT IT WAS THE KNOCKOUT THAT THEY SAID IT WAS, BUT I THINK THAT JUST SHOWING UP WAS REALLY BIG FOR JOHN REITMEYER.

JOCULARLY.

>> THIS IS REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO SHOW HIMSELF TO VOTERS.

THEY SEEMINGLY KNOW GOVERNOR MURPHY AT THIS POINT.

>> YEAH, I'M NOT SURE.

I KNOW THAT THE REPUBLICANS THINK AND HOPE THAT IT DID, BUT IN TERMS OF THE UNAFFILIATED VOTERS OUT THERE, WE ARE THE ONES THAT YOU KNOW, YOU'RE LOOKING TO GET TO, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S SOMEONE WHO IS AN ANTITAX PERSON, THEN MAYBE IT DID, FOR HIM BECAUSE HE LANDED SOME BLOWS.

I THINK ON THAT ISSUE.

BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND, IF THERE'S SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN SOCIAL ISSUES, LIKE GUN CONTROL, OR ABORTION, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK THAT HE HELPED HIMSELF THERE BECAUSE HE HAD SOME KIND OF TORTURED ANSWERS, OR SOME VERY WELL REHEARSED ANSWERS THAT DID NOT NECESSARILY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK WILL PLAY WELL WITH THE AVERAGE NEW JERSEY BOATER.

>> THEY ALSO MADE SOME NEWS.

I STANCE ABOUT IMMIGRATION, IMMIGRANTS.

AND, MURPHY, ON TAXES.

WHAT WAS SAID, THERE?

>> WELL, HE SAID THAT HE WOULD SUPPORT LICENSES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

ALTHOUGH, THERE WAS SOME REPORTING THAT SUGGESTED THAT EVEN EARLIER IN THE DAY HE SAID THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

AS FAR AS GOVERNOR GOES, HE SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT RAISE TAXES AGAIN IN THE SECOND TERM.

ANY TAXES.

HE SAID NO NEW TAXES, WHICH, YOU KNOW, IS NOT ALWAYS A GREAT PLACE TO MAKE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE TO BREAK IT.

IN YOUR SECOND TERM, BUT, HE TOLD ALL OF US THAT HE'S BEEN SAYING THAT FOR THE PAST YEAR THAT HE WOULD NOT RAISE ANY TAXES.

SO, IT WAS NEWS TO US BECAUSE BOTH OF THOSE THINGS WERE SOMETHING THAT WE HAD NOT SPECIFICALLY HEARD BEFORE.

>> CALLING, DID EITHER CANDIDATE LANDED A SOLID JOB ON THE OTHER, ON ANY OF THESE TOPICS?

>> INC. CHIARELLI CAME OUT REALLY STRONG AT THE BEGINNING WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT THIS IS APPROPRIATE TO SAY, BUT HE ESSENTIALLY ACCUSED MURPHY OF BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF FOLKS IN NURSING HOMES BECAUSE OF THE POLICIES THAT WERE MADE.

SO, THAT WAS.

I MEAN, THAT WAS REALLY VERY STRONG, A STRONG GLOW, I THINK THAT HE STRUCK.

>> DID THEY FIND ANY COMMON GROUND OR LEARN ANYTHING ABOUT THESE CANDIDATES IS GOING TO MEAN SOMETHING TO VOTERS WHEN THEY HAD TO THE POLLS?

YOU FIRST, DAVID.

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT WE'VE LEARNED ANYTHING NEW BUT I THINK THAT IF JACK AND HIS TEAM LOOK AT THIS DEBATE AGAIN, IN PREPARATION FOR THEIR NEXT DEBATE, THEY SHOULD KNOW THAT THE ISSUE OF TAXES WORKED AT THE END AND HIS CLOSE, HE TALKED ABOUT IT AND IT SEEMS TO REALLY LANDED A BLOW.

BUT, HE DID NOT DO THAT REALLY EFFECTIVELY UNTIL THE END.

>> WE WILL LEAVE IT THERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COLLEEN O'DEA, DAVID CRUZ.

>>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PRODUCING THE FINAL DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12th 8:00 P.M. .

NJ PBS NEW YORK COMIC RADIOS WNYC, AND THE ROMAN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP ARE COSPONSORING THE EVENT.

YOU CAN WATCH THE PRIMETIME DEBATE LIVE ON NJPBS AND LISTEN ON WNYC STATIONS.

IT ALSO BE LIVE STREAMED ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND WEBSITE, NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS WEBSITE .

WE WANT YOUR INPUT, THOUGH.

SO, SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> STATE HEALTH LEADERS ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON COVID-19 CASES IN SCHOOLS.

IN TOMS RIVER, 890 STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE UNDER QUARANTINE.

THAT IS 6% OF THE STUDENT POPULATION WITH MORE THAN 260 CONFIRMED CASES THERE SINCE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THE MAJORITY OF POSITIVE TEST ARE FROM STUDENTS.

THE DISTRICT, ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE STATE WAS AMONG THOSE THAT BEGAN THE YEAR WITH MASKS OPTIONAL IN SCHOOLS WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE BUILDINGS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE EITHER PARTIAL OR NO ACE THE.

THE GOVERNOR'S MANDATE ALLOWS FOR THAT CHOICE IN EXCESSIVE HEAT SITUATIONS.

BUT, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SCHOOL SAYS CONNECTING THE MASS POLICY WITH POSITIVE CASES IS MISLEADING, AND UNFOUNDED.

ADDING, THE NUMBERS ARE QUOTE CONSISTENT WITH A COMMUNITY AT HIGH RISK OF TRANSMISSION.

FACE COVERINGS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES REVISIT SCHOOLS CYNNE SIMPSON WERE 20.

OF THE STATEWIDE DAILY CASELOAD REMAINS STEADY AT ROUGHLY 1600 NEW CONFIRMED TESTS, BUT WITH 20 MORE DEBTS.

>> 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.

>>> MEANWHILE, SCHOOL DISTRICTS STATEWIDE ARE STRUGGLING TO HIRE ENOUGH TEACHERS.

THE STAFFING SHORTAGE HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR YEARS, BUT HIT A BREAKING POINT WHEN THE PANDEMIC ARRIVED, PUSHING MORE SCHOOL WORKERS TO RETIRE, OR CHANGE CAREERS.

IN NEWARK, THE SITUATION MAY HAVE REACHED A BREAKING POINT.

THE STATE'S LARGEST DISTRICT HAS 120 POSITIONS ON UNFILLED MORE THAN THREE WEEKS INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR, MAKING MATTERS WORSE, TEACHERS AND PARENTS WERE PROMISED A ROBUST COVID-19 TESTING PROGRAM TO BE ROLLED OUT ON DAY ONE.

ALL FOR AN ADDED LAYER OF PROTECTION AGAINST THE VIRUS TRANSMISSION.

CLASSES HAVE STARTED BACK, BUT THE TESTING HAS NOT.

OUR CONTRIBUTOR FROM CHALK BEACH HAS THE LATEST.

SO, STUDENTS ARE SHOWING UP TO CLASS AND WHAT?

NO TEACHERS?

HOW DIRE IS THE SITUATION?

>> ONE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT SAID SHE SHOWED UP TO SCHOOL ON THE FIRST DAY FOR A FORENSIC SCIENCE CLASS AND FOUND A BASKETBALL COACH WAS LEADING THE CLASS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE SOMEONE TO COVER IT.

AND SO, WHEN THE SCHOOL YEAR STARTED, THERE WERE 120 UNFILLED INSTRUCTIONAL POSITIONS, WHICH INCLUDES TEACHERS, BUT ALSO COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATORS.

AND SO, THAT MEANS SUBSTITUTES, SOMETIMES LONG-TERM, SOME ARE CYCLING IN AND OUT OF THE CLASS WHICH CREATES AND ABILITY FOR STUDENTS, AND IN OTHER CASES THEY WERE COMBINING CLASSES AND SELF, THAT MEANS MORE STUDENTS IN A ROOM OR FOR EACH TEACHER.

AND, THE KIND OF HAD A WORST- CASE SCENARIO.

SOMEONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A CREDENTIAL ON A PARTICULAR SUBJECT TO FILL THAT IN.

SO NONE OF THE OPTIONS ARE GREAT.

>> AND OF COURSE WE ARE COMING OFF OF A YEAR AND A HALF OF PANDEMIC LEARNING.

WERE OF COURSE, THERE'S A LOT OF CATCH UP TO BE HAD, HERE.

>> EXACTLY.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN THEY REALLY NEED STRONG INSTRUCTION.

I WILL SAY THE DISTRICT HAS TAKEN SEVERAL STEPS, AND JUST SINCE THIS WEEK IT'S BEEN ABOUT THREE WEEKS TRUE THEY HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS.

THINGS THEY'VE TRIED IS OFFERING BONUSES FOR HARD STAFF PHYSICIANS.

LIKE BILINGUAL TEACHERS.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH UNIVERSITIES TO GET NEW TEACHERS TO GRADUATE AND COME TO SCHOOLS.

AND, THE STATE IS ALSO WORKING ON THIS TOO.

THEY HAVE RECENTLY PASSED A GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A LAW THAT WOULD EASE REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHERS AND TRAINING TO FILL THESE POSITIONS IT SO THERE ARE STEPS TO HELP GET RID OF SOME OF THESE OPENINGS BEFORE IT GETS TOO FAR INTO THE YEAR.

>> WHICH WILL INEVITABLY TAKE TIME.

VERY QUICKLY, THIS IS DISTRICTWIDE SO ARE WE SEEING THIS JUST IN SPECIALIZED AREAS OR GENERAL EDUCATION AREAS TOO?

>> THIS IS PARTICULARLY ACUTE IN AREAS LIKE SPECIAL EDUCATION, BILINGUAL, BUT OTHER SUBJECTS TOO.

MATH AND SCIENCE.

HIS INTEREST NEWARK, THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THERE ARE SHORTAGES IN THESE AREAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> SO IN ADDITION TO THERE BEING A TEACHER SHORTAGE, STUDENTS AND STAFF WERE SUPPOSED TO BE TESTED UPON RETURNING TO SCHOOL, WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE?

>> YEAH, SO THEY WERE ASKED ACTING, MEANING THE TEACHERS UNION AND FAMILIES THAT THERE WOULD BE WEEKLY TESTING FOR STUDENTS AND FOR STAFF MEMBERS.

AGAIN, BECAUSE IT'S ANOTHER SAFETY MEASURE ON TOP OF MASKS, ON TOP OF VACCINE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T ALWAYS CATCH PEOPLE WHO ARE ASYMPTOMATIC.

AND SO, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, BUT IT HAS NOT STARTED YET.

AND AGAIN, WE ARE SEVERAL WEEKS INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THE DISTRICT HAS NOT EXPLAINED WHAT IS CAUSING THE DELAY, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE THEY WERE STILL WORKING ON THE DETAILS WITH THE TESTING PROVIDER.

IN THE MEANTIME, I'M HEARING FROM TEACHERS WHO ARE NERVOUS ABOUT HIDING STUDENTS WHO ARE UNBACKED AND THEY DID AND NOT BEING TESTED.

NO, THEY'RE NOT SURE IF THEY MIGHT BE CARRYING THE VIRUS AND PARENTS AS WELL ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT POSITIVITY RATES THE RIGHT NOW QUESTION MARKET IS THE DISTRICT UTILIZING SOME OF THE MONEY THE STATE WAS GIVEN IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THESE COVID-19 TESTS?

>> YEAH, THE STATE HAS SET ASIDE THE POOL OF MONEY TO HELP WITH TESTING AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAID THAT A BIG MAJORITY OF DISTRICTS DID ASK PRESS INTEREST IN GETTING SOME OF THAT MINING FOR TESTING.

THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THAT IS UP AND RUNNING AND I THINK A LOT OF DISTRICTS ARE STILL WORKING ON IT.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO FINDING A WAY TO ACTUALLY GET THESE TESTS GOING.

FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

>> VERY QUICKLY, POSITIVITY RATES, WE SEEING A SPIKE IN CASES WITHIN THE RULES?

>> YESTERDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID THE NUMBERS ARE ABOUT 75 STUDENTS SINCE STARTED HERE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE BUT OVERALL, THAT IS A PRETTY SMALL PERCENTAGE.

SO I THINK SO FAR, THE MEASURES SEEM TO BE WORKING PRETTY WELL.

>> ARE RIGHT, ON TOP OF IT AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AFTER FIVE YEARS OF OVERSIGHT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, NEW YORK MAYOR SAYS IT IS TIME TO END THEIR WATCH OVER THE CITY'S POLICE DEPARTMENT, NOTING THAT HE WAS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE DID ITS JOB, AND THE ONCE SCANDAL RIDDEN POLICE FORCE IS ON A NEW PATH.

BUT, THE COURT APPOINTED FEDERAL MONITOR DISAGREES.

IN A JUNE FEDERAL COURT FILING, HARVEY SAID HE NEEDS AT LEAST ANOTHER TWO YEARS TO FINISH HIS AUDITS OF THE DEPARTMENT, WHICH IT BUMPS AND DELAYS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

HARVEY'S RECENT REPORTS SHOW NEWARK PD IS STILL NOT COMPLIANT IN SEVERAL TYPICAL AREAS AND FAR FROM REACHING THE 95%!

THEY NEED FOR HIS JOB TO BE DONE.

THE MAYOR PREACHES WORK BUT SAID IT IS COSTING THE CITY BIG BUCKS, WITH NO END IN SIGHT.

FOR MORE ON THE SITUATION IN NEWARK, CHECK OUT THE FULL STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> BUSINESS OWNERS ARE ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH MAKING REQUESTS FOR STATE AID DURING THIS COVERT ERA.

NOW, MONEY IS IN THE PIPELINE TO REBUILD AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> HELP IS ON THE WAY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY FLOODING FROM HURRICANE IDA.

DURING HIS TRUST BRIEFING EARLIER TODAY, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED, THE STATE HAS ISSUED THE FIRST ROUND OF EDA ASSISTANCE, TO THOSE BUSINESSES THAT SUFFERED DAMAGE, THE GOVERNOR SAYS MORE GRANT AWARDS WILL BE FORTHCOMING FOR THE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES EXPANDING IN NEW JERSEY.

WE ARE MOVING TO A NEW LOCATION IN BERKELEY HEIGHTS AND THEY WILL ADD MORE THAN 1900 NEW POSITIONS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

OTHER JOBS WILL BE RELOCATED THERE AS WELL.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPROVED TAX CREDITS TO THE COMPANY, WHICH IS PLEDGING TO INVEST MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN THE STATE.

TAX CREDITS WERE AWARDED UNDER NEW JERSEY'S NEW EMERGE PROGRAM.

AS WE CONTINUE TO LOOK AHEAD TO ELECTION DAY IN NEW JERSEY, THE TOP OF THE TICKET IS OF COURSE GETTING ALL THE ATTENTION.

BUT, THERE IS ALSO A PUBLIC QUESTION ON THE BALLOT WITH BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS.

THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON THE BALLOT THAT WOULD ALLOW GAMBLING ON COLLEGE GAMES AND STATE, OR GAMES AND WAS NEW JERSEY COLLEGE TEAMS ANTICIPATE.

ACCORDING TO THAT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY POLL, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT EARLIER, 45% OF THOSE SURVEYED OPPOSE THE AMENDMENT.

40% SAY THEY SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL .15% ARE NOT SURE.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE LEGAL CHALLENGES TO COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES.

UNITED AIRLINES, WHICH HAS A MAJOR HUB IN NEW YORK IS NOW FACING TWO LAWSUITS.

THE LAWSUITS CENTER AROUND EMPLOYEE REQUESTS FOR A RELIGIOUS OR MEDICAL EXEMPTION.

UNITED AIRLINES MANDATED THAT ALL 67,000 OF ITS EMPLOYEES GET VACCINATED, AND THE AIRLINES AS 99% OF ITS WORKERS HAVE BEEN FIRED.

IT DID FIRE NEARLY 600 EMPLOYEES FOR REFUSING TO GET VACCINATED.

UNITED WAS ONE OF THE FIRST COMPANIES TO MANDATE EMPLOYEE VACCINES.

OF COURSE, OTHERS HAVE SINCE FOLLOWED SUIT.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON THE TRADING DAY ON WALL STREET.

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

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY BY NEW JERSEY MAGAZINE.

WHAT TO DO AND SO MUCH MORE ON THE LOCAL NEWSSTAND ONLINE AT NJMONTHLY.COM.

>>> THE LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA CAME WITH A STEEP PROMISE TO VOTERS.

A CLEAN SLATE FOR THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS PREVIOUSLY CONVICTED ON THOSE DRUG-RELATED CHARGES.

THE COURT SYSTEM HAS IN WIPING MARIJUANA OFFENSE RECORDS SINCE JULY, THE TROUBLE IS, ONLY A FRACTION OF THE PEOPLE AFFECT DID KNOW THEIR CASES ARE NOW EXPUNGED.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS ON EFFORTS TO SPREAD THE WORD.

>> IT WAS A PRETTY BIG DAY.

>> ANDRE HUNTER WAS THRILLED TO LEARN THAT A POSITION OF MARIJUANA OFFENSE HE WAS CONVICTED FOR IN 2000 FOR MY HAVE BEEN CLEARED FROM THE COURT PUBLIC RECORDS.

THAT MEANS HE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO REPORT IT FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION OR APPLYING FOR A JOB, OR ON A HOUSING APPLICATION.

>> I DID NOT KNOW, SO I'M PRETTY SURE THAT MY APPEARANCE DID NOT KNOW EITHER THAT THERE WERE GOING TO WIPE THESE CHARGES AWAY.

>> Reporter: HUNTER MAY BE ONE OF THE 362,000 PEOPLE THAT HIS RECORDS HAVE BEEN ASKED JUST SINCE JULY 1st.

WHEN THE MARIJUANA DECRIMINALIZATION WENT INTO EFFECT.

LIKE HUNTER, VERY FEW ARE AWARE OF THE CHANGE OF THE RECORD STRAIGHT SO THE NEW JERSEY COURTS CAME FROM AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAST WEEK TO GET THE WORD OUT.

>> IF YOU RETURN WITH CERTAIN POSSESSION, AND OTHER MARIJUANA OFFENSES LIKE JOB PARAPHERNALIA, BEING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBS, OR FAILURE TO MAKE LAWFUL DISPOSITION OF A CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE.

YOUR CASE MAY HAVE BEEN AUTOMATIC EXPUNGED.

TO CONFIRM.

>> YOU WOULD CONTACT THE COURTHOUSE, WHICH IS WHERE I WOULD GO OR THE CLERK'S OFFICE.

AND FROM THERE, YOU NEED TO GO AND, OR YOUR ATTORNEY CAN GO AND RECEIVE THE CERTIFICATION.

CFS CERTIFICATION IS A CONFIRMATION IN CASE AN EMPLOYER OR SOMEONE ASKED FOR IT.

>> IN THE PAST WEEK, WE'VE GONE FROM 2800 CERTIFICATIONS TO 5301 WEEK.

>> SOCIAL EQUITY CANNABIS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE ARE ALSO PARTNERING TO HELP PEOPLE FIGURE OUT IF THEIR CASE WAS EXPUNGED.

ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY COURTS, YOU CAN FILE A MOTION FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW.

IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR CASE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ASKED PUNISHED.

IF YOUR CASE INVOLVES A HORSE AREAS CHARGE, THEN IT MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR PUNISHMENT.

THE LAW FIRM ASSISTED WITH A ONE-DAY EXPUNGEMENT CLINIC EARLIER THIS MONTH FOR THE CANNABIS LAW PRACTICE COCHAIR SAYS 78 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE EVENT.

>> IT WAS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF, AND WE CAN GIVE GOOD NEWS TO THE PRESENT SAY HEY, YOU'RE CLEAR.

WITH REGARD TO THE ONES THAT ARE A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED, WE WANT TO WORK WITH BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE STATE TO MAKE SURE THEY QUALIFY AND THE RECORDS ARE EXPUNGED AS WELL, AND THAT IS THE GOAL.

NO ONE IS HERE LOOKING TO PROFIT, REALLY JUST TRYING TO HELP AND I THINK THE STATE IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME THING.

THE EGG ANDRE HUNTER ALWAYS WANTED TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN.

NOW, THAT COULD BE AN OPTION BECAUSE PREVIOUS BARRIERS MIGHT BE LIFTED.

SEE McDUFF YOU CAN WORK AROUND ANY MEDICINE OR ANYTHING.

TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL TO GET CERTAIN BLANKS.

YOU CAN HAVE ANY POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS.

>> OPENING UP DOORS, HE SAYS HE THOUGHT WERE FOREVER CLOSED.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT DON'T MISS A SPECIAL EPISODE OF CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ THIS WEEK.

IF YOU'RE A FAN OF BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN OR THE SOPRANOS, YOU WILL WANT TO CATCH DAVID'S CHAT WITH E STREET BAND MEMBER.

HE SHOWS AN INTIMATE LOOK AT HIS NEW MEMOIR AND TALKS ABOUT GROWING UP AS A JERSEY BOY.

HOW THAT LED TO A CAREER FROM THE STATE TO THE SCREEN.

JOINING THE CONVERSATION TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE:30 P.M. FROM WHEREVER YOU STREAM, THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER, OR FACEBOOK .

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> 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.