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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AND BY THE PSC G FOUNDATION.

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

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

ALL TEACHERS IN THE STATE WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

AN OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY AT SIX ACTED WITHIN DAYS.

NEW JERSEY JOINS A HANDFUL OF OTHER STATES PUTTING A VACCINE MANDATE IN PLACE FOR EDUCATORS.

THE NEW RULE WAS FIRST RECORDED BY NJ ADVANCED MEDIA BUT IT IS STILL UNCLEAR WHETHER THE STATE WILL GIVE TEACHERS THE OPTION OF TESTING IN LIEU OF A VACCINE.

DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN BRACING FOR THE REQUIREMENT EMMA WITH THE RISE OF NEW INFECTIONS CAUSED BY THE DELTA VARIANT.

ONE 2400 NEW POSITIVE CASES CONFIRMED TODAY AND NINE MORE DEATHS, THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF NEW CASES SINCE APRIL.

WITH THE STATE COMING CLOSER TO 5.5 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED .

THE NEWS COMES AS PARENTS IN TOWNS ACROSS THE STATE THIS WEEK STAGED PROTESTS AGAINST A RECENT MASK MANDATE REQUIRING FACE COVERINGS IN SCHOOLS FOR ALL STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND STAFF.

RALLYING FOR THE RIGHT TO MAKE THAT CHOICE ON THEIR OWN.

THE VACCINE MANDATE IS ALSO LIKELY TO FACE PUSHBACK, OUR EDUCATION WRITER JOHN MOONEY HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: >> THE EDUCATION COMMUNITY HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS, NO FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT YET BUT WHAT YOU EXPECTING?

>> Reporter: I THINK IT MAY BE AS SOON AS MONDAY WHEN HE TALKS TO REPORTERS IN HIS REGULAR BRIEFING.

BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE HE WILL BE ISSUING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WOULD REQUIRE TEACHERS TO EITHER THE VACCINATED FOR COVID- 19 OR UNDERGO WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY TESTING.

PRETTY MUCH STARTING FAIRLY QUICKLY, I THINK IT MIGHT BE A FEW WEEKS TO GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

BUT IT WOULD BE CLOSE TO THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

AND AS YOU MENTIONED, SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE FIGURED THIS IS COMING AND A BUNCH OF THEM HAVE TAKEN STEPS THEMSELVES TO REQUIRE THAT TEACHERS BE VACCINATED BUT SOME HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO.

THIS WILL MAKE IT A STATEWIDE MANDATE.

>> WHAT IS THE WORD ON EXEMPTIONS?

LATELY WE'VE BEEN SEEING REPORTS OF TEACHER AND STAFF SHORTAGES.

ANY WORD ON EXEMPTIONS AND/OR IF THIS COULD DRIVE MORE FOLKS TO LEAVE?

>> Reporter: THE MAIN EXEMPTION IS THAT IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BE TESTED, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET VACCINATED.

THAT REALLY IS THE BIG OPT OUT.

BUT OBVIOUSLY COMES WITH THE REQUIREMENT.

BUT OTHER PLACES HAVE BEEN STRICTER, THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IS REQUIRING YOU BE VACCINATED OR YOU DON'T TEACH.

SO THERE IS A BIG OPT OUT.

A -- AT LEAST FROM WHAT I'VE HEARD, IT'S GOING TO BE EITHER YOU FOLLOW THESE CONDITIONS, OR MAYBE YOU NEED TO FIND ANOTHER PROFESSION.

>> IS NOT GOING TO BE LEFT UP TO EACH DISTRICT TO NEGOTIATE?

OR WILL THIS BE A BLANKET AS FAR AS THE TESTING OR VACCINATION GOES?

>> Reporter: I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE OTHER, IT WILL BE A BLANKET.

WHERE IT COULD BE NEGOTIATED AND HAS TO BE DETERMINED LOCALLY IS HOW THAT TESTING WILL WORK.

NOT SO MUCH THE WEEKLY PART, BUT WHERE IT CAN BE, WHO WILL PAY FOR IT, A BUNCH OF SCHOOLS HAVE OPENED TESTING CENTERS IN THEIR OWN BUILDINGS.

SO THAT WOULD CERTAINLY BE UP FOR DISCUSSION.

BUT THE MAIN ONE IS IT WILL BE A BLANKET REQUIREMENT.

>> WHAT ABOUT FOR KIDS?

ANY INDICATION THAT THIS COULD EXTEND TO A MANDATE FOR OUR STUDENTS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL?

>> Reporter: WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

THAT WILL BE VERY CONTROVERSIAL, NEITHER MURPHY NOR OTHER GOVERNORS HAVE TOUCHED THAT.

BUT IT'S THE NEXT QUESTION, I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE DETERMINED BEFORE THE START OF THE YEAR UNLESS THINGS REALLY GET BAD.

BUT IT WILL BE COMING UP, I'M SURE WE WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT.

>> OF COURSE, AN ELECTION YEAR AS WELL SO THAT WILL BE A LOT TO TACKLE.

JOHN MOONEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AS ALWAYS.

>>> FRESH OFF HIS TRIP FROM ITALY, GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY MADE CLEAR THE STATES STANCE ON DETAINING IMMIGRANTS.

SIGNING LEGISLATION THAT BANS ALL DATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM RENEWING OR ENTERING INTO NEW CONTRACTS TO HOUSE VIRAL IMMIGRATION DETAINEES.

THE LAW IS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY AND ALSO EXTENDS TO PRIVATE FACILITIES, BUT IT DOES NOT TERMINATE ANY CURRENT CONTRACTS IN PLACE.

JUST THIS WEEK, A PRIVATE PRISON IN UNION COUNTY RENEWED A CONTRACT WITH I.C.E.

FOR ANOTHER TWO YEARS WHILE ESSEX COUNTY ANNOUNCED THE END OF A RELATIONSHIP WITH I.C.E.

THE OTHER TWO DETENTION FACILITIES IN HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES WERE EITHER CAPPING OR NO LONGER TAKING NEW DETAINEES.

CITY ADVOCATES CALLED IT A VICTORY IN THEIR YEARS LONG EFFORT BUT ARE STILL PUSHING TO ALLOW THOSE IMMIGRANTS FACING DEPORTATION TRIALS TO AWAIT THE COURT DATES FROM HOME.

IT'S STILL UNCLEAR WHETHER DETAINEES FROM NEW JERSEY WILL BE TRANSPORTED TO.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S LEGAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IS FINALLY STARTING TO TAKE SHAPE.

NEARLY A YEAR AFTER VOTERS APPROVED RECREATIONAL SALES.

STATE REGULATORS OUTLINED WHAT THE FUTURE INDUSTRY WILL LOOK LIKE.

ADDRESSING FEES, LICENSING, GROWING AND SALES WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON SOCIAL AND RACIAL EQUITY IN THE MARKET.

SOME OF THAT WILL STEM FROM A NEWLY APPOINTED POSITION, GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY TAPPING WESLEY WITH WHITE AS DIRECTOR OF THE COMMISSION OFFICE OF DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE APPLICATIONS FOR CANNABIS BUSINESSES RUN BY WOMEN, MINORITIES AND THOSE MOST AFFECTED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS GET PRIORITY.

THERE IS NOW JUST SIX MONTHS FOR REGULATORS TO SET A DATE TO START LEGAL WEED SALES.

THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF BUSINESS OWNERS WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THE NEW RULES MEAN FOR THEM.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN 24 HOURS SINCE NEW JERSEY CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION RELEASED THE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE RECREATIONAL MARKET.

ENTREPRENEUR TRAVIS ALLIE SAYS THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD NEWS.

>> THE CRC DID AN EXCELLENT JOB WHEN IT COMES TO THE DEFINITIONS OF WHAT IS SOCIAL EQUITY, A DIVERSE APPLICANT AND APPLICANT FROM IMPACT ZONES.

AND GIVING PRIORITIZATION TO THOSE.

>> Reporter: THE FOUNDER APPLIED FOR A LICENSE BACK IN 2019, BUT THAT ROUND OF LICENSES STILL HASN'T BEEN HANDED OUT BECAUSE OF LITIGATION AND PANDEMIC DELAYS.

>> 146 COMPANIES LIKE OURS THAT DID NOTHING WRONG, WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS FOR RESOLUTION.

WE DESERVE TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT WE WON OR LOST.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE ALSO WANTS IN ON THE RECREATIONAL SIDE BUT IS FACING AN UPHILL BATTLE.

>> NOT ONLY DO WE NOT GET ANY ADVANTAGE WE HAVE TO PAY BETWEEN $100,000 AND $1 MILLION IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ADULT USE MARKET IF WE ARE LICENSED.

THAT MAKES SENSE FOR EXISTING ATC'S THAT ARE A BUSINESS MAKING MONEY AND HAVE DISPENSARIES, BUT FOR THE 2019 RFA APPLICANTS IT IS TOTALLY UNFAIR.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS TEAM HAS SPENT MORE THAN $500,000 BECAUSE OF DELAYS TO HIS MEDICAL LICENSE.

HE'S BEEN PAYING RENT ON A SITE FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS TO MAINTAIN GOOD STANDING ON HIS APPLICATION BUT HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO SELL ANY PRODUCT.

ON TOP OF THAT, HE DOESN'T KNOW IF YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO OPEN THE DISPENSARY THERE NOW THAT THE TOWN HAS OPTED OUT OF THE RECREATIONAL INDUSTRY.

>> THE MAYOR RIGHTLY VETOED IT, THEY ARE HAVING AN EMERGENCY SESSION TONIGHT AND THE COUNCIL IS TRYING TO OVERRIDE IT.

ORANGE IS NOT BANNING RECREATIONAL, THEY ARE BANNING EVERYTHING.

UNLESS THE LANGUAGE IS CLEAR, WHERE YOU CAN SAY WE WILL ALLOW CULTIVATION, MANUFACTURE AND RESALE FOR SPECIFICALLY MEDICAL LICENSES.

IF YOU JUST SAY THERE IS NO CULTIVATION IT APPLIES TO BOTH.

WE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO TAKE THAT LICENSE TO A SIMILAR TOWN.

WE ALREADY HAVE APPROVAL IN NEWARK, WE WILL JUST MOVE OVER TO NEWARK.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES LOOKING TO GET LICENSED, MEDICAL DISPENSARIES WILL BE FIRST IN LINE TO SELL RECREATIONAL POT.

THEY MUST SHOW THEY HAVE ENOUGH PRODUCT TO PROVIDE FOR MEDICAL CUSTOMERS.

SHE HAS PLANS TO OPEN A THIRD AND WANTS TO ADD RECREATIONAL SALES TO ALL OF THEM.

>> WE ARE OBVIOUSLY GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE AS AN INDUSTRY HAVE ENOUGH TO NOT ONLY MEET THE MEDICAL DEMAND OUT THERE BUT ALSO MEET SOME OF THE INITIAL REQUIREMENTS.

I KNOW AS A STANDALONE OPERATOR, I THINK WE CAN MEET THE ENTIRE DEMAND, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THE LIMITATIONS.

I THINK RIGHT NOW I'M HOPING IT CAN BE SPREAD ACROSS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE SOME AVENUE TO LARGER CANNABIS MARKET.

>> NEW CULTIVATOR LICENSES HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO 37 DURING THE FIRST TWO YEARS BUT THERE IS NO CAP ON THE NUMBER OF MICRO- BUSINESSES.

A COMPANY WITH 10 EMPLOYEES OR LESS.

>> THERE WERE GREAT PROVISIONS AROUND SOCIAL EQUITY AND MAKING SURE THAT NEW, SMALLER APPLICANTS CAN GET INTO THE INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: TOWNS HAVE UNTIL SATURDAY TO WRITE ORDINANCES TO DECIDE IF THEY ARE IN OR OUT.

TRENTON INITIALLY LIMITED THE NUMBER OF DISPENSARIES TO FIVE.

IT NOW WITH THE FINAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, HAS SINCE DOUBLED THAT NUMBER TO 10.

AND UPDATED ITS ORDINANCE TO WELCOME BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN.

NEW JERSEY CRC HAS ABOUT SIX MONTHS TO DECIDE WHEN THE RECREATIONAL POT INDUSTRY CAN BEGIN SELLING.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> VERIZON COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IS TRIGGERING A NEW ROUND OF SAFETY RESTRICTIONS.

HOSPITALS IN NINE COUNTIES ARE BRINGING BACK LIMITS ON VISITORS.

ROUGHLY 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RULE WAS LIFTED.

PATIENTS WILL BE ALLOWED JUST ONE VISITOR NOW WHO MUST REMAIN MASKED AND SCREENED FOR SYMPTOMS.

THE RULE CHANGE AFFECTS THOSE IN HOSPITALS IN ATLANTIC BURLINGTON, CAPE MAY, CUMBERLAND, GLOUCESTER, MONMOUTH, OCEAN AND SALEM COUNTIES.

COVID PATIENTS OR INDIVIDUALS WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED VISITORS BUT THERE WILL BE EXCEPTIONS MADE FOR PEDIATRIC AND DISABLED PATIENTS.

SIMILAR SITUATIONS HAVE BEEN PLAYING OUT AT NURSING HOMES ACROSS THE STATE, FAMILIES WITH LOVED ONES IN LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS REACHED OUT TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS FRUSTRATED OVER THE GUIDANCE REOPENING THE FACILITIES TO VISITORS.

THEY SAY VAGUE LANGUAGE ALLOWED LOOPHOLES, MAKING FOR A PATCHWORK OF POLICIES AND LOVED ONES BEING SHUT OUT.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> AS LONG AS EVERYBODY IS WEARING MASKS AND FOLLOWING ALL THE RULES, THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE FAMILIES SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN AN ONGOING BATTLE FOR HER TO SPEND TIME WITH HER MOTHER.

>> ON SUNDAYS, THEY SAID YOU CAN VISIT US AT HER WINDOW AND AT THE BEGINNING, WE DID TRY THAT.

MY SISTER AND MY AUNT HAD GONE AND MY MOTHER, A COMPLETELY UPSET HER.

SHE HAS ALZHEIMER'S, SO SHE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY COULDN'T BE IN.

IT WAS SO UPSETTING TO HER THAT WE NEVER DID THAT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: DESPITE A MANDATE FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ADVISING IN PERSON VISITS AT LONG-TERM FACILITIES COULD RESUME, SHE SAYS THE FACILITY WHERE HER MOTHER LIVES CONTINUES TO ENFORCE ITS OWN RESTRICTIVE RULES.

>> THE DOH GUIDELINES ARE JUST NOT CLEAR ENOUGH.

AND EVERYBODY IS DOING DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> IT'S REALLY HARD RIGHT NOW, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE SEE RISING CASES IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND THE FACILITIES.

IT'S VERY COMPLICATED RIGHT NOW.

WE DO HAVE POSITIVE TESTS.

STAFF MEMBERS DO COME INTO THE FACILITY AS POSITIVE.

SO WE ARE TRYING TO BALANCE IT.

>> Reporter: A PRINCIPAL SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE THE RESIDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE VISITORS.

AND THAT VISITATION SHOULD BE REOPENED ASAP.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO STATE GUIDELINES, FACILITIES SHOULD SCREEN ALL VISITORS FOR SYMPTOMS BUT THEY AREN'T ALLOWED TO TEST VISITORS OR TURN AWAY ANYONE WHO HASN'T BEEN VACCINATED.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS REQUIRED ALL HEALTHCARE WORKERS INCLUDING THOSE IN LONG-TERM CARE MUST GET VACCINATED BY EARLY SEPTEMBER OR THEY WILL BE SUBJECT TO REGULAR TESTING.

MEANWHILE, BIDEN ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT FACILITIES THAT DON'T GET THEIR EMPLOYEES VACCINATED WILL RISK LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, 73.6% OF STAFF ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> WE NEED THAT NUMBER TO BE HIGHER, AND THERE ARE WHERE FACILITIES WERE IT IS LOWER.

IT WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF MAKING IT POSSIBLE FOR MORE VISITATION, BECAUSE THE PRESUMPTION IS THAT WE WILL HAVE FEWER POSITIVE RESULTS.

BUT THAT REALLY DEPENDS ON THE TRAJECTORY OF THE CURRENT SURGE OF THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> BUT THE FRUSTRATION IS STILL HIGH FOR MANY FAMILIES.

SUZANNE VON BERGEN EVENTUALLY FELT LIKE SHE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO BRING HER MOTHER TO LIVE WITH HER.

>> THOSE OF US WHO HAVE OUR LOVED ONES WITH ALZHEIMER'S OR DEMENTIA, IT WAS HORRIBLE .

WE COULDN'T SEE THEM FOR SIX MONTHS, THE FACILITIES OFFERED TO ZOOM CALLS BUT YOU TAKE A 90- YEAR-OLD WHO DOESN'T KNOW TECHNOLOGY TO BEGIN WITH, AND HAS ALZHEIMER'S, AND IS IMMOBILE, AND SHE'S NOT GOING TO SIT STILL FOR A CALL.

ESSENTIALLY FOR SIX MONTHS, I RARELY SAW MY MOM.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS WORKED TIRELESSLY WITH ADVOCATES, FAMILIES AND LONG-TERM CARE INDUSTRY TO MAKE SURE THAT VISITATION IS ALLOWED AND CONDUCTED IN A SAFE MANNER FOR RESIDENTS, VISITORS AND STAFF.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS IN THE PROCESS OF CONSIDERING REVISIONS TO THE DIRECTOR OF LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES THAT WOULD INCLUDE CLARIFICATION OF THE VISITATION REQUIREMENTS.

IN THE MEANTIME, PEOPLE OF FAMILY IN LONG-TERM FACILITIES SAY THEY UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

THEY JUST WISH IT DIDN'T COME AT THE EXPENSE OF SPENDING PRECIOUS MOMENTS WITH THE ONES THEY LOVE THE MOST.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT TONIGHT, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH ROAD TO RECOVERY FROM THE STATES ARTS AND CULTURE INDUSTRY.

DISRUPTIONS CAUSED BY COVID-19 ARE ONGOING, BUT THIS WEEK THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BEGAN TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR A NEW GRANT PROGRAM THAT WILL GIVE FOR-PROFIT VENUES AND BUSINESSES THAT POST, PRODUCE OR MANAGE LIFE EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES UP TO $300,000 IN RELIEF AID.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

JOHN COSTELLO IS THE EDA PROGRAM MANAGER WHO LED THE TEAM IN CREATING THIS COMMUNITY STAGE GRANT.

JOHN, IT'S A PART OF ABOUT $17.5 MILLION.

HOW FAR DO YOU ALL EXPECT THIS MONEY TO GO?

>> BRIANA , WE SEE IT AS A BIG PART OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE RECOVERY.

WE ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH AS MANY VENUES, PRODUCERS, PROMOTERS, MARKETERS AS WE CAN.

AND WE REALLY ARE WORKING TO HIT THOSE MARKETERS, AND THE MOST IMPACTED COMMUNITIES.

WE THINK WE WILL HAVE SOME IMPACT BY SPREADING IT PRETTY FAR.

AND THEN ALSO MAKING SURE THAT IT IS A PRETTY SIZABLE AWARD OF UP TO 300,000 IN SOME CASES.

>> WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THIS?

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT APPLYING?

>> THOSE VENUES WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE AT THE SHORE, ALL THE WAY TO PROMOTERS AND PRODUCERS FINDING THE NEXT BON JOVI OR QUEEN LATIFAH.

>> A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE RELIEF PROCESS WAS THE FACT THAT SOME OF THESE MOM AND POP SHOPS, PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS OR COFFEE SHOPS, REALLY NEEDED THIS EXTRA HELP .

>> YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT, AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE ARTS AND CULTURE SECTOR, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ABLE TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE THROUGH THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THESE ARE THE PLACES THAT MAKE NEW JERSEY THE PLACE PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE, WORK AND PLAY.

>> THE APPLICATION HAS ONLY BEEN OPEN FOR A COUPLE DAYS, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT HOW MANY BUSINESSES ARE APPLYING?

>> WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF INTEREST IN THAT, I WANTED TO SAY THAT WHILE WE ARE GETTING A LOT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS ABLE TO APPLY.

THAT IS AT IS THAT NJ.GOV, WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO APPLY AS SOON AS THEY CAN BECAUSE IT IS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.

>> HOW IS THE AMOUNT CALCULATED AND HOW QUICKLY CAN WE EXPECT SOME OF THESE PLACES TO START SEEING MONEY?

>> WE ARE CALCULATING IT BASED ON 30% OF OPERATING REVENUE UP TO 300,000, THAT IS ALOFT BETWEEN 2019 AND 2021, SO UP TO 300,000 AND WE HAVE BROUGHT ON STAFF, IT IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK EFFORT.

REALLY TRYING TO GET THE MONEY OUT DIRECTED TO THE INDUSTRY IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY POSSIBLE.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE THOSE WILL GO OUT.

AND YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>>> MEANWHILE, THE STATE IS STILL WORKING THROUGH AN UNUSUAL DILEMMA.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TICKED UP TO 7.3%.

SOME ECONOMISTS ARE PREPARING FOR A SHIFT WITH THE EXTENDED FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS SET TO END ON SEPTEMBER.

>>> SO FAR THE STATE HAS REGAINED 75% OF JOBS LOST.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING TRADING NUMBERS.

EVACUATIONS ARE HAPPENING AT AFGHANISTAN KABUL AIRPORT, WORKING TO REMOVE U.S. CITIZENS AND VULNERABLE AFGHANS FROM THE COUNTRY.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS UNDER PRESSURE TO EXPAND EVACUATION EFFORTS AS TALIBAN FIGHTERS LIMIT ACCESS TO THE AIRPORT.

THE PRESIDENT TODAY CALLING THE EFFORT "ONE OF THE LARGEST MOST DIFFICULT AIRLIFT IN HISTORY."

EVACUATING ABOUT 13,000 PEOPLE THAT THE U.S. MILITARY AIRLIFT BEGAN AUGUST 14th.

ROUGHLY HALF WERE EVACUATED YESTERDAY ALONE.

IN HIS MESSAGE, THE PRESIDENT TOLD AMERICANS LOOKING TO GET OUT OF THE COUNTRY WE WILL GET YOU HOME.

BUT COULDN'T PROMISE THE OUTCOME OR THAT IT WOULD COME WITHOUT RISK.

HIS ADMINISTRATION IS BASING POTENTIAL INVESTIGATIONS FROM LAWMAKERS AND INTENSE SCRUTINY OVER THE WITHDRAWAL STRATEGIES FROM THE 20 YEAR WAR.

OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL AARON WENT ON THE RECORD WITH FORMER GOVERNOR TOM KANE WHO LED THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE 9/11 TERRORIST ATTACKS FOR HIS TAKE.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

AS I WATCHED THE FALL OF KABUL ON MY TELEVISION SET, I WONDERED IF THIS WAS THE RUIN OF THE BRIDE AND PRESIDENCY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT IS TOO EARLY TO SAY IT'S THE RUIN OF THE BIDEN PRESIDENCY.

IT'S A TERRIBLE THING, AND HUMAN TRAGEDY UNFOLDING RIGHT NOW IN AFGHANISTAN IS TERRIBLE.

NOT JUST FOR INDIVIDUALS, BUT FOR THE COUNTRY AND THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY.

20 YEARS OF EFFORT, HUGE DOLLARS AND HERE WE ARE.

>> I ASSUME THAT YOU AGREE WITH THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE TROOPS, IT'S MORE THE EXECUTION THAN THE POLICY THAT WENT WRONG.

AM I RIGHT?

>> YOU ARE RIGHT, THE WITHDRAWAL HAD TO OCCUR BECAUSE WE WEREN'T ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING BY STAYING THERE.

SO THE WITHDRAWAL WAS CORRECT BUT THE INTELLIGENCE FAILURE THAT ACCOMPANIED THAT WITHDRAWAL WAS INEXCUSABLE AND ONE OF THE GREATEST INTELLIGENCE FAILURES THAT I HAVE SEEN IN MY LIFETIME.

>> THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE PULLED OUT EARLIER, BUT THE AFGHAN GOVERNMENT DIDN'T WANT TO SPREAD A LACK OF CONFIDENCE IN THE COUNTRY.

AND SO WE HELD OFF.

DO YOU BUY THAT?

>> NO, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.

IN FACT, THE TROOPS WERE SUPPOSEDLY TRAINED COLLAPSED, WE HAD -- IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TWO OR THREE YEARS.

THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN US TIME FOR A LOT OF THINGS.

NOW, I DON'T BUY IT.

THIS WILL TAKE A LOT OF LOOKING AT, SERIOUS CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATIONS AND TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY UNITED STATES INTELLIGENCE, THERE WERE PEOPLE UNDERGROUND THERE FOR YEARS.

HOW THEY EVER COULD MAKE THIS KIND OF MISTAKE.

>> HOW DO WE AS A COUNTRY SALVAGE THE SITUATION?

>> IS DIFFICULT TO SALVAGE, WE CAN TRY OUR BEST NOW TO GET OUR PEOPLE OUT AND AFGHAN ALLIES OUT, WHETHER WE CAN OR NOT IS TOO EARLY TO TELL.

THE SCENE THERE ARE TERRIBLE AND THE TALIBAN HAS CHECKPOINTS AROUND THE AIRPORT, WHETHER THEY WILL LET EVERYBODY OUT OR NOT IS UP TO THEM, NOT US .

>> WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS NOTION OF TALIBAN 2.0?

THAT THEY ARE A MILDER VERSION OF WHAT WE KNEW 20 YEARS AGO.

>> WE WILL FIND OUT, WE DO NOT KNOW THAT.

I HOPE THEY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE, THEY HAVEN'T IN THE PAST.

BUT THEY COULD BE.

YOU JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, WE DON'T HAVE MUCH CONTROL OVER IT.

>> IN TERMS OF POLITICS, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE BIDEN AGENDA THAT DEALS WITH INFRASTRUCTURE AND SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND THAT WAS THE TALK OF WASHINGTON?

>> I'M SURE THEY WILL TRY TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THE AGENDA BUT ANYTIME THE PRESIDENT TAKES A HIT LIKE THIS, IT AFFECTS EVERYONE.

IT AFFECTS OUR CONFIDENCE IN THE ADMINISTRATION AND OUR TRUST.

SO WHEN THAT HAPPENS, IT AFFECTS EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON.

BUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TO PULL ITSELF TOGETHER, REORGANIZE, HELP WITH INVESTIGATION TO FIND OUT WHAT WENT WRONG AND CARRY ON.

>> FORMER GOVERNOR TOM KANE, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH US.

>>> MEANWHILE, HAITI IS STILL REELING FROM A 7.2 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE ON SATURDAY.

THE DEATH TOLL HAS NOW RISEN TO MORE THAN 2000, 12,000 HAVE BEEN REPORTED INJURED, THOUSANDS MORE LEFT HOMELESS.

HOSPITALS IN THE NATION'S SOUTHWEST SECTION HARDEST HIT ARE THE EARTHQUAKE HAVE BEEN LEFT CRIPPLED.

RESCUE WORKERS SAY THE REGION IS IN DIRE NEED OF MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

IN NEWARK TODAY, POLITICIANS AND FAITH LEADERS GATHERED AT CITY HALL HOLDING A PRAYER VIGIL FOR ALL THOSE AFFECTED.

ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS TO HELP WITH RELIEF EFFORTS.

AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO GET INVOLVED, STATE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING WITH THE RECOVERY EFFORT SAY FINANCIAL DONATIONS HELP THE MOST.

GOING A LONG WAY TO BUY FOOD AND CRITICAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES LOCALLY IN HAITI.

>> ANY GOODS AND SERVICES AND ALSO MONEY TO MOVE THROUGH WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO SAY WE, WE BECAUSE THE FOLKS IN HAITI ARE OUR PEOPLE.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI , FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT, BY ORSTEAD.

AND PSEG , COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.