>> 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.

IT IS A TUG-OF-WAR FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS THEY SETTLE INTO THE START OF THE YEAR, WORKING TO KEEP KIDS SAFE AND IN PERSON FOR THEIR CLASSES.

ALL TRACING AND TRACKING THE POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES AS THEY EMERGE.

WITH POSITIVE TESTS CONTINUING TO FLUCTUATE, STATEWIDE, MORE THAN 2000 REPORTED TODAY AND 28 MORE DEATHS.

BUT, ANOTHER?

OR IS MOVING DOWNWARD.

HOSPITALIZATIONS DROP BELOW 1000 FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER ONE MONTH.

THAT IS MORE THAN 5.8 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE THAT ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

WITH SCHOOL BACK IN SESSION, STATE AND LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE AN ADDED LAYER TO MONITOR, KEEPING TABS ON THE 39 IN OUTBREAKS CURRENTLY BEING DID IN NEW JERSEY.

AND, THE ROOT SOURCE OF THE MORE THAN 200 POSITIVE CASES ON THEIR RADAR AS OF TODAY.

THAT IS DOUBLE THE AMOUNT FROM JUST OVER A WEEK AGO, AND IT DOES NOT TELL THE WHOLE PICTURE.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COVID-19 CASES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN LINKED TO IN SCHOOL TRANSITION, BUT ARE KEEPING TEACHERS AND HUMANS WHO MAY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED AT HOME, AND IN QUARANTINE.

THAT'S THE CASE IN TOMS RIVER WERE MORE THAN 800 STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE BACK IN A FAMILIAR SETTING OF PANDEMIC VIRTUAL LEARNING.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WE ONLY NEEDED ABOUT FOUR DAYS INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR AND SHE WAS ALREADY BEING QUARANTINE.

>> TINA'S EIGHT-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IS ONE OF 1000 STUDENTS FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD TO POINTING ALREADY SINCE THE START OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

>> IN TOMS RIVER SCHOOL DISTRICT, THEY ARE REPORTING 218 CONFIRMED CASES AMONGST STUDENTS, AND 33 CASES AMONGST STAFF SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> SUPERINTENDENT STEPHEN JANCO SAYS THE NUMBER OF COVID POSITIVE CASES IS RELATIVE TO THE STATUS OF DISTRICT WITH MORE THAN 2000 EMPLOYEES AND CLOSE TO 50,000 STUDENTS ACROSS 18 SCHOOLS.

>> CURRENTLY, WE HAVE 791 STUDENTS QUARANTINED AND 26 STAFF.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT PERCENTAGES, THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN 5% OF THE STUDENTS AND A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN 1% OF THE STAFF.

>> JANCO BLAMES THE SUMMER TOURISM IN THE REGION FOR THE INFECTION RATE THAT HAVE PLAGUED THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND SAYS IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MASK OPTIONAL DAYS THAT WERE GRANTED DURING THOSE FIRST FEW WARM WEATHER WEEKS.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION DID LEAD TO DISTRICTS DECIDING WHAT WAS CONSIDERED MASK OPTIONAL WEATHER.

THE SITUATION THAT YOU'RE IN RIGHT NOW, IT MAKES YOU QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT ALLOWING THAT TO BE OPTIONAL ON THOSE SCHOOLS WAS THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> SOME OF THOSE SCHOOLS WERE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR HAD TO DO WITH, WERE IN SCHOOLS THAT WERE FULLY AIR-CONDITIONED AND STUDENTS WERE WEARING MASKS RIGHT FROM THE START.

SO, I'M NOT QUESTIONING THAT.

ESPECIALLY WITH NUMBERS COMING DOWN ON THAT.

>> THE NUMBER OF COVID POSITIVE CASES ALSO HAS NOT CHANGED PETERSON'S MIND ABOUT WANTING MASKS TO BE OPTIONAL.

>> THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY REASON IN REGARDS TO THE NUMBERS INCREASING.

AND SO, AGAIN, FOR THAT REASON, I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE OPTIONAL.

THEY WERE OPTIONAL AT THE END OF LAST SCHOOL YEAR AND WE DID JUST FINE.

>> PETERSON IS ALSO UNHAPPY ABOUT THE REQUIRED QUARANTINE FOR HER DAUGHTER AT HOME AND THE HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

>> PARENTS NEED TO WORK AND GET BACK TO LIFE.

CHILDREN NEED TO GET BACK TO LIFE, THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE FOR US TO CONTINUE TO QUARANTINE HEALTHY CHILDREN FOR LITERALLY NO REASON.

>> GOES QUARANTINES, THE DIRECTION OF THE OCEAN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT IS URGING THE DISTRICT TO ENHANCE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AMONGST THE STUDENTS AGES 5 TO 17, SAYING IN A STATEMENT, THIS INCLUDES BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO SANITIZATION, MINIMIZE PHYSICAL GATHERING, AND CAVORTING, HAND HYGIENE AND RESPIRATORY ETIQUETTE, MASKING, AND OTHER.

WE ALSO RECOMMEND ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVE THE COVID VACCINE AND TESTING AS NECESSARY.

JANCO SAYS HE IS MAKING SOME CHANGES.

>> WE ARE MOVING SOME STUDENTS IN THEIR CLASSROOMS AS OPPOSED TO IN THE CAFETERIA, TRYING TO DO SEATING CHARTS.

IS TRYING TO SPREAD IT OUT AS BEST WE CAN.

FOR ALTERNATIVE AREAS AS WELL.

>> AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT THESE QUARANTINES ARE ONLY COMPOUNDING THE LEARNING LOSSES STUDENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS, JANCO IS TAKING MEASURES TO INCREASE INSTRUCTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUARANTINE STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY ONLY ABLE TO WATCH THEIR CLASSES REMOTELY.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO POSSIBLY LOOK AT PAYING TEACHERS WITH OUR MONEY TO ALSO REDO THAT FOR THE STUDENTS OVER QUARANTINE.

SO, WE WANT TO GO FURTHER THAN THAT.

>> HE SAYS WITH STANDARDIZED TESTS COMING IN JUST A FEW WEEKS, THE ADDED INSTRUCTION WILL HELP THE STUDENTS CURRENTLY QUARANTINING GET BACK UP TO SPEED, EVEN IF IT IS FROM HOME.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO VACCINES, RESEARCHERS HAVE POINTED TO THE SHARING OF INFORMATION AS A KEY FACTOR IN VACCINE HESITATION.

YOUTUBE, THIS WEEK, AND I'M STILL BAN THE ACCOUNTS OF SEVERAL PROMINENT ANTI-VACCINE ACTIVISTS, FALLING IN LINE WITH POLICIES BEING ENFORCED BY FACEBOOK AND TWITTER TO REMOVE CONTENT FALSELY CLAIMING APPROVED VACCINES ARE DANGEROUS.

PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY, DR. COREY BOSCH STUDIES THE INFLUENCE OF THESE ACTIVISTS, AND SHARES INSIGHT ON JUST HOW FAR THEY HAVE REACHED.

FIRST OF ALL, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I WONDER, HOW HAVE ACTIVISTS LIKE THESE FOLKS ON THE PLATFORMS AT THIS POINT, AS OPPOSED TO WHEN WE WERE REALLY IN THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> THEY REMAIN VERY POPULAR, VERY ACTIVE ON THESE SITES.

AND, WITH THE TREND THAT WAS BEING NOTED IS THAT, THE FOCUS ON COVID-19 VACCINES SPECIFICALLY THEN SHIFTED TO JUST VACCINE CONTENT IN GENERAL AND WAS SPILLING OVER TO OTHER VACCINES, WHICH ARE TRIED AND TRUE AND PROVEN TO BE SAFE BY TRUSTED AUTHORITIES.

AND SO, THE FOCUS WAS NO LONGER SPECIFICALLY ON COVID-19, BUT NOW SPREADING TO JUST VACCINES, ALL VACCINES IN GENERAL, AND THAT IS WHERE THE STAND WAS TAKEN BY YOUTUBE TO REALLY START MONITORING THIS IN A LOT CLOSER FASHION.

>> IS THE RESPONSIBILITY ON THE SOCIAL NETWORKS?

AND I MEAN HOW FAR DOES IT GO?

WAS IT REMOVING SOMEONE WHO IS AN ACTIVIST OF THIS NATURE?

>> WELL, THAT'S JUST ONE STEP IN THE GAME.

WE'VE SEEN THIS WITH OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS WHEREBY A USER MIGHT BE REMOVED, BUT THEN THEY BECOME VERY ACT OF IN THE COMMENTING, POSTING, GENERATING LIKES AND DISLIKES.

SO, THERE ARE WAYS AROUND IT JUST FROM REMOVING SOMEONE ALONE IS NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM ENTIRELY.

NOW, THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY A MONUMENTAL TASK BECAUSE THE PLATFORM IS TAKEN ON MISINFORMATION, AND NOW HAS TO DISCERN WHAT IS MISSING FORMATIVE AND WHAT IS THE TRUTH, AND AS WE KNOW, THE POPULARITY OF THESE SITES IS JUST SO TREMENDOUS, AND THIS IS REALLY GOING TO TAKE AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF EFFORT.

>> FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE, HOW DIFFICULT IS YOUR JOB WHEN YOU'RE UP AGAINST A MAJOR PLATFORM LIKE A FACEBOOK, LIKE A YOUTUBE WHERE THIS INFORMATION CAN BE SHARED AMONG MILLIONS WITHIN SECONDS?

>> IT REALLY COMPLICATES THINGS, IT REALLY HINDERS OUR ABILITY TO USE VERIFIED NEWS, NEWS THAT IS RELIABLE AND TRUSTED, AND WHAT YOU SEE IS THAT OFTENTIMES, THESE ACTIVISTS HAVE A MUCH LARGER, GREATER PLATFORM AND ABILITY TO SPREAD INFORMATION, AND WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT MISINFORMATION SPREADS INCREDIBLY FAST, IN PARTICULAR.

>> IS THERE A COUNTER TO IT AS A PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT QUESTION WHEN PEOPLE SEE THESE VIDEOS, THEY BELIEVE THEM.

>> CERTAINLY, AND AT JUST BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF VIRAL SPREADING OF MISINFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS.

IT IS THING THAT PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS REALLY CAN'T HANDLE.

IN ADDITION TO THEIR EVERYDAY WORK.

IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ARE DOING.

AND THAT'S WHY GETTING THESE SOCIAL MEDIA NETWORKS ON BOARD IS SO INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN HANDLE ON OUR OWN.

>> HERE, JUST ONE STEP IN THIS WHOLE PUZZLE, AS YOU MENTIONED.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> YOU AS WELL, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

THE FIGHT TO MAINTAIN ATLANTIC CITY'S NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS FAR FROM OVER.

A JUDGE ON WEDNESDAY ORDERED THE OASIS DROP IN CENTER TO REMAIN OPEN FOR AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH AFTER THE SOUTH JERSEY A's ALLIANCE FOLLOWED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY TO STOP OFFICIALS FROM CLOSING THE ACCESS SITE BY OCTOBER 12.

OASIS IS ATLANTIC CITY'S BUSIEST NEEDLE EXCHANGE LOCATION, BUT THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED THIS SUMMER TO SHUT IT DOWN.

ARGUING, THE PROGRAM BRINGS INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS TO THE CITY AND WITH IT, AND EXTRA BURDEN ALONG WITH USED NEEDLES DISCARDED IN THE STREETS.

ADVOCATES SAY THE MOVE IS DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE WITH ADDICTION AND WITH HIV OR AIDS.

CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE REVIEWING THE LAWSUIT AS THEY AWAIT IN NOVEMBER 12 HEARING PRE-WE GO NOW TO CEO SOUTH JERSEY A's ALLIANCE, LEADING THE CHARGE AGAINST THE VAN.

SO, THIS LATEST ORDER FROM THE JUDGE DOES NOT MEAN THAT THIS IS OVER, BUT IT DOES BUY SOME TIME, YES?

>> IT DOES.

THIS IS REALLY THE FIRST TIME THE COURT SYSTEM HAS LOOKED AT THE ISSUE.

SO.

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO NEXT.

OBVIOUSLY, THE CITY COUNCIL MADE THIS VERY CLEAR OVER THE SUMMER.

IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE?

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE ALTERNATIVES, BUT, THE CITY COUNCIL, WE FELT LIKE THIS WAS OUR LAST RESORT TO GO TO ACTION.

WE HAVE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE CITY FOR MULTIPLE YEARS, AND THEY REALLY ARE NOT INTERESTED IN HAVING THE SERVICE HERE IN ATLANTIC CITY.

>> ONE THE ARGUMENTS WE'VE HEARD FROM COUNCILMEMBERS IS THAT YOU KNOW, PLATE IT PLACES AN EXTRA BURDEN ON THE CITY BY BRINGING FOLKS IN.

WHAT IS YOUR COUNTER TO THAT?

>> WE NOT THINK THAT THEY ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

THEY, THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE THAT COME FROM OTHER AREAS BECAUSE THE SERVICE IS SO NEEDED, BUT, THE MAJORITY OF OUR CLIENTS ARE ATLANTIC CITY RESIDENTS.

>> TO THOSE FOLKS HAVE ANOTHER OPTION?

WHERE ELSE CAN THEY GO FOR CLEAN AND STERILE SYRINGES?

>> THERE REALLY IS NO OTHER OPTION.

>> SO, HOW MANY FOLKS VISIT THIS SITE EVERY YEAR?

I KNOW THAT DURING 2020, THINGS WERE HEIGHTENED ON ALL LEVELS, BUT HAS A NEED AND DEMAND REALLY GROWN?

>> SO, PRIOR TO COVID, WE WERE SEEING ABOUT 1200 PEOPLE A YEAR UNDUPLICATED, AND YOU KNOW, NOW THAT THERE ARE INCREASES IN OPIOID TESTS, WE DEFINITELY NEED TO BE SEEING OUR CLIENTS EVEN MORE.

ONE, IN ADDITION TO GIVING SYRINGES TO CLIENTS, TO PROTECT THEM FROM SPREADING INFECTIOUS DISEASE, WE ALSO GIVE OUR CLIENTS NARCAN, WHICH PREVENTS OPIOID DEBTS.

AND, WE KNOW JUST LAST YEAR ALONE, THAT WE HAD 48 PEOPLE COME TO OUR OFFICE AND SAY HEY, I USED IT, AND I'M ALIVE BECAUSE I USED THE NARCAN THAT YOU GAVE ME, AND YEAH.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM RESIDENTS IN THE CITY WHO USED THE SITE ONCE THEY LEARNED THAT IT COULD POSSIBLY BE BANNED WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS FROM NOW?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED AND THEY FEEL LIKE THERE IS NO OTHER OPTION FOR THEM TO GET CLEAN AND STERILE SYRINGES, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE HEARD FROM MANY OF OUR CLIENTS, UNFORTUNATELY, THEY DON'T FEEL THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO STOP USING SYRINGES, SO THERE LAST RESORT WOULD PROBABLY BE TO SHARE SYRINGES, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE EXPECT THE THERE WILL BE A HIGHER LEVEL OF DISEASE TRANSMISSION HERE IN ATLANTIC CITY.

>> ARE RIGHT, WE WILL BE CHECKING BACK WITH YOU AS THIS GOES FORWARD.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR YEARS, THAT PIPES CONTAMINATED NEWARK'S DRINKING WATER, A RESULT OF AGED INFRASTRUCTURE, CHEMISTRY, AND MINIMAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM.

NOW, THE CITY IS NEARLY FINISHED REPLACING ALL 23,000 SERVICE LINES WITH COPPER PIPES, FASTER THAN JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE U.S.

BUT, THERE IS STILL A NUMBER OF RESIDENTS STRUGGLING TO TRUST THE WATER.

LEAH MISHKIN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: JUST SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN IN NEWARK, NEW JERSEY REPLACING THE PIPE THAT BRINGS WATER INTO THIS FIVE-STORY BUILDING.

>> THE SUPER OF THE BUILDING TOLD US THE WATER HAS NOT BEEN GOOD FOR YEARS.

HE REMEMBERS IT COMING OUT OF THE SINK DIRTY.

THEY RELIED ON FILTERS AND BOTTLED WATER TO BE SAFE.

THAT'S WHY HAVING THE OLD LEADPIPE REPLACED IS A BIG MOMENT.

>> HE SAID HE WILL BE A LOT HAPPIER.

>> Reporter: THE CITY STARTED GETTING VIOLATIONS FOR HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD AT THE BEGINNING OF 2017.

AS FAULTY TREATMENT CAUSED CITY WATER TO CORRODE BADLY OUTDATED THAT SERVICE LINES IN OLD HOMES.

LEAD IS CHECKED IN WATER SYSTEMS EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR 6 STRAIGHT MONITORING PERIODS ACROSS THREE YEARS, THE CITY WAS HIGH FOR LEAD.

ONE OF THE RESPONSES FROM THE CITY WAS TO HAND OUT FILTERS.

IN THE SUMMER OF 2019, THERE WERE CONCERNS THAT THE FILTERS WERE NOT WORKING.

THAT LED TO BOTTLED WATER BEING HANDED OUT, AND THAT IS WHEN NEWARK MADE HEADLINES.

STUDIES LATER SHOWED THAT THE SOLDIERS WERE WORKING, BUT THE HARSH LIGHT PUSHED ESSEX COUNTY TO LOAN THE CITY $120 MILLION TO PAY FOR THE DEADLINES TO BE REPLACED QUICKLY.

>> TWO YEARS AGO, WE WERE LOOKED AT VERY NEGATIVELY ABOUT EXPOSING.

AND NOW WE ARE LIKE THAT AROUND THE WORLD AS A MODEL FOR REMOVING THEM.

>> THE WATER DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY TOOK MORE THAN 28,000 PROPERTIES AND REPLACED MORE THAN 22,000 LEAD LINES.

HE SAYS THEY ARE DOWN TO THE FINAL 1400 HOMES LEFT TO CHECK.

IF PIPE REPLACEMENT IS NEEDED, THEY DO IT.

>> OTHER THAN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WHAT IT ELSE'S IN THAT?

>> JUST SOME HOMES THAT WE COULD NOT VISIT, WHEN COVID STARTED BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE THERE.

>> Reporter: NEWARK'S DRINKING WATER HAS MED STANDARDS IS THE SECOND HALF OF 2019.

>> THE LEAD SERVICE LINES ARE BEING REPLACED.

I AM MORE CONFIDENT THAT I WAS A YEAR OR TWO AGO.

>> Reporter: THE CAUCUS NUMBER IS THE WHOLE COMMUNITY DOES NOT SHARE THE CONFIDENCE IN THE WATER JUST YET.

>> THEY ARE A BIT GUARDED.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS LIKE SHEENA McDONALD STILL RELY ON THE NEWARK WATER COALITION FOR ITS FREE OTTO PORTER.

THEY SAY NOTHING THE CITY DOES WILL CHANGE THEIR MINDS.

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T DRINK THE WATER OUT OF THE FAUCET ANYWAY.

>> Reporter: THIS MOTHER SENT HER DAUGHTER TO TAKE A TEST THREE MONTHS AGO AND SHE HAD LET IN HER SYSTEM.

THAT SCARES HER TO THIS DAY SO SHE WON'T DRINK THE WATER EITHER.

>> WE ARE GETTING IT FROM THE AIR, THE SOIL, THE WATER, AND IT'S LIKE WHAT DO YOU DO?

HOW DO YOU PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY?

>> SHE STRESSES THAT EVERY SINGLE HOME IN NEWARK IS GETTING CHECKED IF IT HAD NOT BEEN ALREADY.

THEY ALSO TEST THE WATER AFTER SIX MONTHS TO ENSURE SAFETY.

THE CITY GIVES OUT FREE FILTERS TO USE IN THE SIX MONTHS AFTER REPLACEMENT OF PRECAUTION, AND THEY ALSO URGE RESIDENTS TO FLUSTER SINKS AND PLUMBING AFTER REPLACEMENT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>> A MASSIVE CASH INFUSION AT A MEDICAL FACILITY THAT NEEDS IT MOST.

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

>>> A GAME CHANGING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR A NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL.

STATE MEDICAL CENTER TODAY SHARE THE NEWS THAT RECEIVED A $100 MILLION DONATION TODAY, WHICH IS THE LARGEST GIFT EVER GIVEN TO ANY HOSPITAL IN NEW JERSEY.

ST. BARNABAS WILL GET A NEW NAME.

IT WILL BE CALLED THE COOPERMAN BARNABAS MEDICAL CENTER IN HONOR OF THE GIFT FROM THE COOPERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION.

VARIOUS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF RW J BARNABAS HEALTH AND A MEMBER OF THE NJPBS BOARD OF TRUSTEES SAYS THE DONATION WILL ENABLE HOSPITAL TO DELIVER EVEN HIGHER QUALITY HEALTHCARE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> INVESTMENTS HAVE TO BE MADE IN TECHNOLOGY AND FACILITY, AND HUMAN CAPITAL.

AND ALL OTHER IMPORTANT RANKING FILE ROLES.

AND SO, THIS MONEY WILL HELP US ACCELERATE THAT.

>> THE COOPERMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION IS A CHARITABLE TRUST CONNECTED TO THE WALL STREET FINANCIER LEON COOPERMAN WHO RAISED HIS FAMILY IN ESSEX COUNTY.

NEW JERSEY'S PUBLIC WORKERS PENSION FUND IS COMING OFF ONE OF ITS STRONGEST YEARS FOR INVESTMENT RETURNS IN DECADES.

PENSION FUND HAD AN AUDITED RETURN AND NEARLY 29% IN ITS LAST FISCAL YEAR, AND NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS'S JOSH GOTTHEIMER SAYS THAT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN EXPECTATIONS.

>> JUST LIKE ANYONE WHO HAS THE RETIREMENT OR ANY OTHER INVESTMENT ACCOUNT, YOU KNOW, AND FOR THE LONG HAUL, AND THE HIGHER FISCAL YEAR AND THE RETURN IS RARELY 1%.

BUT, THAT SAID, COMING CLOSE TO 30% IN ANY YEAR IS REALLY REMARKABLE.

>> TO LEARN MORE, CHECK OUT JOHN'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> IN BERKELEY HEIGHTS TODAY, GOVERNOR MURPHY AND OTHERS MARKED PFIZER'S DECISION TO OPEN A NEW OFFICE THERE, BRINGING THE TOTAL OF 3000 JOBS TO THE COMMUNITY.

MOST OF THOSE JOBS WILL BE TECHNOLOGY-RELATED AND HIGH- PAYING.

WITH SALARIES AVERAGING $100,000 A YEAR.

PFIZER RECEIVED TAX CREDITS IN ORDER TO EXPAND IN NEW JERSEY.

A BIG DEAL FOR OUR GARDEN STATE COMPANY, BUYING XL, A MASSACHUSETTS COMPANY THAT WILL ENABLE IT TO EXPAND ITS PORTFOLIO OF DRUGS.

THE DEAL IS VALUED AT 11 1/2 ALIEN DOLLARS.

NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

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

>> THE NEED FOR MORE HOME-GROWN MANUFACTURING BECAME APPARENT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND ON NJ BUSINESS BEAT AS SHE LOOKS AT GROWTH IN THE INDUSTRY FOR SKILLED WORKERS AND WHY THE STATE MIGHT JUST LEAD THE WAY IN MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES.

TUNE IN SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS THAT PROVIDED BY THE EMERGENCE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NJ.

>>> THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 9000 AFGHAN EVACUEES LIVING IN THE JOINT BASE IN LAKEHURST.

THOUSANDS MORE COULD BE COMING SOON.

MOST WILL END UP RESETTLING IN OTHER STATES, BUT HUNDREDS ARE EXPECTED TO MAKE A HOME HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

FOR THOSE AFGHAN FAMILIES, ESCAPING THE TALIBAN RULE AND MAKING IT TO THE U.S. IS JUST PART OF THE CHALLENGE THAT LIES AHEAD.

BUILDING A NEW LIFE, FINDING JOBS, AND ADAPTING TO AMERICAN WAYS WILL TAKE YEARS, AND PATIENTS.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN SPOKE WITH ONE FAMILY THAT ARRIVED FROM AFGHANISTAN IN 2017, AND KNOW IS THAT JOURNEY WELL.

>> IT WAS A DIFFERENT WORLD, DIFFERENT CULTURE, DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: CALL IT CULTURE SHOCK MIXED WITH INTENSE RELIEF.

MOHAMMED AND HIS WIFE LANDED AT NEWARK AIRPORT WITH THEIR YOUNG SON FOUR YEARS AGO.

MOHAMMED HAD WORKED FOR AMERICANS IN A HIGHLY COVETED JOB AT THE KABUL WATER TREATMENT PLANT, BUT DECIDED TO LEAVE AFTER GETTING INJURED BY A SUICIDE BOMBER.

>> SO I DECIDED TO MOVE AT LEAST IS NOT FOR ME, FOR MY WIFE AND MY SON.

I WAITED LIKE THREE YEARS FOR THE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, TO GET MY VISA.

>> HE GOT A SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA.

ONE JUST 34,500 ISSUED SINCE 2014, MOSTLY FOR AFGHANS AND IRAQIS WHO WORKED WITH AMERICANS.

AFTER A 43 HOUR TRIP FROM KABUL, THE FAMILY FOUND THEMSELVES IN NEW JERSEY COMPLETELY DEPENDENT UPON NONPROFIT GROUPS FOR EVERYTHING.

A COLLEGE-EDUCATED TEACHER WHO WAS TWO MONTHS PREGNANT FELT UTTERLY LOST.

>> WHEN WE CAME HERE, I DID NOT KNOW ANY OF THIS, AND I DON'T HAVE ANY FRIENDS, AND MY FAMILY IS NOT HERE.

>> THERE WAS A TIME BUT I REMEMBER I FELT VERY HELPLESS.

I SAID WELL, I CAN'T FIND A JOB, I WAS TRYING.

>> Reporter: IT TOOK THE FAMILY MONTHS OF EFFORT DURING WHICH THEIR DAUGHTER WAS BORN.

EVENTUALLY, MOHAMMED AND HER BOTH GOT DRIVER'S LICENSES, THEY GOT JOBS.

BUT, LIKE MANY IN NEW JERSEY, THEY KEPT SEARCHING FOR AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

>> HOUSING, THAT IS THE BIGGEST THING.

WE STRUGGLED WITH THE HOUSING SINCE THEY WERE NOT READY FOR THAT.

THEY COULD NOT FIND A HOUSE AT THE BEGINNING.

>> THESE FOLKS ARE COMING INTO AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN GENTRIFIED.

IN PLACES SUCH AS MORRIS COUNTY.

AND SO, YOU HAVE A COMPETITION WHERE THE HOUSING MARKET IS DWINDLING.

>> Reporter: MARK VOLUNTEERS WITH REFUGEE ASSISTANCE WHICH IS HELPING SOME 5 FAMILIES AS THEY RESETTLE IN NEW JERSEY, INCLUDING THE MANY AREAS.

IS WORKING TO SPONSOR ONE OF AT LEAST 500 AFGHANS WHO GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS WILL FIND PERMANENT HOMES HERE.

THEY ARE ALL CURRENTLY STAYING WITH MORE THAN 9000 REFUGEES AT JOINT BASE LAKEHURST.

BUT, SETTLEMENTS WERE AN EXPENSIVE PROCESS AND HOUSING IS EVEN HARDER TO FIND SINCE IDA LEFT SO MANY HOMELESS.

IN FACT, ELIZABETH MAYER HAS REFUSED TO ACCEPT AFGHAN REFUGEES BECAUSE TOO MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS STILL NEED PLACEMENT AFTER FLOODING DAMAGED HUNDREDS OF APARTMENTS.

>> FOLKS WANT TO MOVE TO SOME OF THESE DESIRABLE SPOTS THAT HAVE GOOD TRANSPORTATION.

YOU NEED TO HAVE GOOD TRANSPORTATION TO GET TO A JOB.

>> MOHAMMED AND HIS FAMILY HAD TO MOVE FOUR TIMES BEFORE FINALLY RENTING THIS DUPLEX.

THE FAMILY NEEDS TWO CARS TO GET TO WORK, BUT FINALLY, AFTER FOUR YEARS.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR FAMILY, WHICH I HAD, WHEN YOU HAVE A GOOD JOB, I GOT A GOOD JOB, IT'S MY HOME.

>> NOW, THEIR KIDS AROUND ON BIKES IN THE DRIVEWAY.

THE FAMILY ENJOYS GOING OUT FOR PIZZA.

BUT, THEY KNOW MORE AFGHANS BACK IN KABUL WHO ARE DESPERATE TO LEAVE.

>> MY MOTHER IS LIKE ALWAYS WAY BACK, BECAUSE THEIR ESCAPE.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH VISAS.

SO, RIGHT NOW, I WOULD NOT SAY IT'S IMPOSSIBLE, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE A REALLY LONG, AND DIFFICULT PROCESS.

>> THEY ALSO KNOW A LONG AND STRESSFUL RESETTLEMENT AWAITS THE AFGHANS AT NEW JERSEY'S JOINT DAYS.

THEY ARE HOPING TO VOLUNTEER ALONG WITH RAMP, THE SAME FOLKS WHO WELCOMED THEM TO THEIR NEW HOME.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT A REMINDER TO GET REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 A.M., WHEREVER YOU STREAM THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER, OR FACEBOOK.

A PANEL OF JOURNALISTS LOOK AT KEY MOMENTS FROM THE FIRST TELEVISED GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE AND DO A DEEP DIVE ON WHAT IS AHEAD IN THE ELECTION.

THEN, DON'T FORGET TO TUNE IN FOR THE SECOND AND FINAL DEBATE BETWEEN THE CANDIDATES PRODUCED BY NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

THAT IS OCTOBER 12, 8:00 P.M. AT ROWAN UNIVERSITY, WITH OUR COSPONSORS OF WNYC NEW YORK PUBLIC RADIO AND THE ROWAN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP.

WATCH IT LIVE ON AIR OR ONLINE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING HERE, WE WILL 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.