FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND THE OCEAN PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FROM NEW JERSEY.

>>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> WITH DAYS BEFORE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS ARE WATCHING A CONCERNING TREND WITH CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS.

THE COMBINATION OF FAMILIES RETURNING FROM VACATIONS AND THE RISE OF THE DELTA VARIANT AND THE POPULATION OF KIDS LESS LIKELY TO BE VACCINATED CAUSES THIS.

STATEWIDE, THE NUMBER OF ELIGIBLE PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED HAS SURPASSED 5.5 MILLION.

THE DAILY CASE COUNT CONTINUES INCREASING.

MORE THAN 1700 NEW CONFIRMED TESTS AND 11 MORE DEATHS REPORTED TODAY.

THE RISE OF PEDIATRIC COVID CASES IS HEATING UP THE DEBATE OVER HOW BEST TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THAT PARENTS SAY THE ANSWER IS NOT EASY.

>> I'M WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGAINST IT.

>> Reporter: PAMELA RICHMOND FERVENTLY OPPOSES MASK MANDATES FOR KIDS AT SCHOOL.

SHE HAS TWO, DESPITE RISING CASES IN NEW JERSEY.

SHE RALLIED IN TRENTON TO OPPOSE GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ORDER THAT EVERYONE IN SCHOOL MUST MASK UP WHEN CLASSES RESUME.

>> MASKING THEM UP AND KEEPING THEM CONFINED TO THE MASK OVER THEIR MOUTHS ISN'T THE ANSWER.

>> Reporter: RICHMAN, A TOWNSHIP COUNCIL MEMBER, ACKNOWLEDGES KIDS GET SICK BUT ARGUES MOST RECOVER.

THE COVID HAS KILLED SEVEN CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY ON THE DELTA VARIANT IS DRIVING A SURGE IN PEDIATRIC CASES HERE.

THE POSITIVITY RATE JUMPED FROM 1% IN EARLY JULY TO ALMOST SEVEN.

HOSPITALIZED KIDS WENT FROM 2 THROUGH 14 AMONG KIDS UNDER 18.

>> WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WILL EVOLVE WITH THE DELTA VARIANT AND WE WOULD RATHER CHILDREN NOT GET INFECTED.

THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THEM IS TO VACCINATE THEM AS SOON AS THEY CAN BE VACCINATED.

FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T BE VACCINATED, MASKS.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE HERE A LONG TIME, JUST LIKE THE FLU.

>> Reporter: ARE THERE COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITIES TO OTHER PEOPLE?

>> IT MIGHT SOUND COLD BUT I DON'T.

I'M ON THIS PLANET TO TAKE CARE OF MY CHILDREN AND MY FAMILY.

>> SELFISH, SELFISH PEOPLE.

YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

IT SHOULDN'T BE POLITICAL.

IT HAS BECOME POLITICAL.

>> Reporter: THAT COMPELLED MIDDLETOWN GRANDMOM, LINDA ERICKSON, TO FIGHT A CONTENTIOUS ANTI-MASK MOVEMENT IN HER SCHOOL DISTRICT TO ULTIMATELY PERSUADE THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO REJECT A POLICY THAT WOULD LET PARENTS OPT-OUT OF THE MASK MANDATE.

ERICKSON'S GRANDCHILDREN ARE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> OUR KIDS CAN GET VACCINATED, YET AND EVERYBODY WANTS KIDS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE DO.

WE WANT THEM TO BE SAFE THERE.

>> IT WOULD BE DARN IT NEAR CRIMINAL TO PUT UNMASKED KIDS IN WITH MASKED KIDS.

>> Reporter: A RECENT MONMOUTH POLL SHOWS SOME 70% OPPOSE MURPHY'S MUSK MANDATE AND HOBOKEN SCHOOLS ARE TAKING A STRONGER POSITION, REQUIRING KIDS 12 AND UP TO GET VACCINATED OR GET TESTED EVERY WEEK AND STATEWIDE, ONLY HALF OF THOSE KIDS ELIGIBLE HAVE GOTTEN THE SHOTS.

>> NOBODY WANTS THE MASK FOR LIFE, NONE OF US, EVEN THE VACCINATED.

THE UNVACCINATED.

>> Reporter: 27 OF THIS DOCTOR'S PATIENTS TESTED POSITIVE THIS MONTH AND 10 OF THEM WERE KIDS.

>> WE HAVE TO BE VERY, VERY CAREFUL.

KIDS SHOULD WEAR THE MASK AND THERE SHOULD BE EDUCATED.

I'M PRETTY SURE THE TEACHERS WILL BE VACCINATED, AT LEAST THAT IS THE BIG FORCE TO KEEP IT FROM SPREADING.

>> IS THIS LEGAL?

A SWEEPING MANDATE?

MASKS ON HEALTHY CHILDREN, 1.4 MILLION CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY UP TO EIGHT HOURS A DAY?

>> Reporter: KELLY FORD JOINED A LAWSUIT TO BLOCK THE GOVERNOR'S MASK MANDATE AND SAID HER SON CAN'T WEAR A MASK FOR MEDICAL REASONS AND MASKS GIVE HER DAUGHTER PANIC ATTACKS.

LIKE PAMELA RICHMOND, SHE WILL SEEK EXEMPTIONS FOR HER CHILDREN.

>> MY BASIC ARGUMENT IS MAMA BEAR.

PARENTS ARE AFRAID TO SEND KIDS TO SCHOOL WITHOUT A MASK, BUT I'M AFRAID IN THE EXACT SAME -- THE EXACT SAME RIGHT TO PROTECT MY CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: SCHOOL STARTS IN ANOTHER WEEK FOR MOST KIDS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND IN AFGHANISTAN.

A DEVASTATING DAY WITH THE PENTAGON CONFIRMING 12 U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS WERE KILLED AND 15 WERE INJURED IN AN ATTACK JUST OUTSIDE KABUL'S AIRPORT.

THE NUMBER OF AFGHAN CIVILIANS KILLED AND INJURED WITH A HEALTH OFFICIAL ESTIMATED AT LEAST 60 CIVILIAN LIVES WERE LOST BUT THE MILITARY HAS NOT CONFIRMED THE EXACT NUMBER.

THE DEADLY BLAST CAME FROM TWO SUICIDE BOMBERS BELIEVED TO BE ISIS FIGHTERS WHO DETONATED THE BOMBS AT THE ABBEY GATE AND THE BARRON HOTEL, A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE GATE.

THE U.S. AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE RACING TO EVACUATE CITIZENS AND AFGHAN ALLIES, A HARROWING SCENE WITH MORE THAN 13,000 PEOPLE BEING EVACUATED IN THE PAST 24 HOURS.

THE PENTAGON, TODAY, ESTIMATES MORE THAN 1000 AMERICANS ARE STILL IN AFGHANISTAN.

TENS OF THOUSANDS MORE AFGHANS ARE SEEKING TO GET OUT.

DESPITE THE ATTACK, THE U.S. MILITARY VOWS TO CONTINUE THEIR MISSION, EVEN AS THEY SAY OTHER, QUOTE, REAL AND IMMINENT ATTACKS REMAIN.

NEW JERSEY'S U.S.

SENATOR, BOB MENENDEZ, CHAIR OF THE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, CALLED THE SITUATION A HUMANITARIAN CRISIS, SAYING THE TALIBAN CAN'T BE TRUSTED WITH AMERICAN SECURITY, URGING THE COMPLETION OF THIS MASSIVE EVACUATION.

EVACUEES HAVE BEGUN ARRIVING AT JOINT BASE MCGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST, ONE OF FOUR U.S. FACILITIES TAKING AND PEOPLE FLEEING THE COUNTRY.

OUR SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITER HAS THE LATEST.

OBVIOUSLY, A TENUOUS SITUATION AT THE KABUL AIRPORT AND FOR THOSE THAT MADE IT SAFELY STATESIDE AND INTO NEW JERSEY, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?

WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING ABOUT THOSE THAT ARE HERE?

>> Reporter: WE STARTED RECEIVING EVACUEES FROM AFGHANISTAN BETWEEN TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

WE DON'T KNOW TOO MANY DETAILS AS TO HOW MANY.

BUT, THERE IS A REPORT THAT THEY ARE PREPARING TO TEMPORARILY HOUSE UP TO 9500 EVACUEES FROM AFGHANISTAN IN THE NEXT COMING WEEKS.

IT'S A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS TO ONE YEAR AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE THINKING, AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: THESE FOLKS COULD BE STAGED AT THE MILITARY BASE AND MCGUIRE FOR SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR.

WHAT WILL THAT LOOK LIKE?

WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ON THAT IN 1999.

COMING FROM KOS OF OH, THEY WERE KEPT THERE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

THEY'VE DONE THIS BEFORE.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS GOING TO BE MORE PEOPLE, 9500 BUT WE GOT ABOUT 4500 OR SO.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS A LARGER OPERATION.

IN THE PAST, WHEN THE ETHNIC ALBANIANS WERE THERE, THEY SET UP A PLACE FOR THEM TO LIVE.

NOT ONLY DORMITORIES TO SLEEP, BUT PLACES WHERE THEY COULD HAVE RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND I REMEMBER READING ABOUT A COUPLE THAT THEY MARRIED AT THE TIME.

WE'VE SEEN IT IN OTHER BASES RECEIVING THE EVACUEES, WHERE THEY ARE SETTING UP COTS AND AIR CONDITIONING AND THAT IS WHAT NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE TO DO TO HOUSE THESE PEOPLE TEMPORARILY.

>> IN FACT, IT IS THE DOUGHBOY PARADE GROUNDS WHERE THESE ENCAMPMENTS ARE GOING TO BE SET UP?

>> Reporter: YES.

THEY WILL BE SETTING UP ABOUT 378 TENTHS THAT WOULD HOUSE 12 PEOPLE IN THEM.

IN ADDITION, THERE WILL BE BUILDINGS WHERE THEY WILL HOUSE SOME OF THE EVACUEES.

IT'S A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT OPERATION AND IT WILL BE HAPPENING TO SET UP THE BASE FOR THESE EVACUEES.

>> HAVE YOU LEARNED ANYTHING, MONSEY, ABOUT THE SCHEDULE OF THE EVACUEES ARRIVING?

ARE THEY FLYING DIRECTLY INTO NEW JERSEY OR FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS?

>> Reporter: ORIGINALLY, THOSE COMING FROM LEWIS AIRPORT IN VIRGINIA ARE COMING IN AND THEY ARE BEING SENT TO THE MILITARY INSTALLATIONS.

I'M NOT CLEAR, IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME THAT THEY ARE FLYING INTO NEW JERSEY OR BEING BUSED IN OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET AT THAT.

>> AGAIN, THE PRESS IS KEPT AWAY BUT THERE ARE REPORTS THAT PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT COULD BE RECEIVING EVACUEES AS EARLY AS THIS WEEKEND.

MONSEY EL DORADO, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> GOP CANDIDATE JACK CIATTARELLI IS OUT WITH THE CAMPAIGN'S WEBSITE AND ADD.

HE IS DOWN IN THE POLLS AND HIS TEAM IS SHIFTING TOWARD TARGETING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S RECORD BUT NOT JUST ON THE PANDEMIC OR THE ECONOMY.

IT APPEARS THE CANDIDATE SEES THE CONFRONTATION WITH WOMEN AS A KEY INROAD.

DAVID CRUZ EXPLAINS.

>> FOR THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN, THEY WERE ENDORSING THE MURPHY TICKET AS CHAMPIONS FOR WOMEN'S ISSUES AND REPUBLICAN JACK CIATTARELLI WAS PAINTING A DIFFERENT IMAGE OF THE GOVERNOR IN A NEW DIGITAL AD.

>> I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE HERE TODAY.

I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ATTACKED.

I HAD ACCESS TO PEOPLE IN THE HIGHEST POSITIONS OF POWER IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THE ADD FEATURES KATIE BRENNAN, WHOSE RAPE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A CAMPAIGN STAFFER WAS SHOWN IN THE SPOTLIGHT OF THE TOXIC ENVIRONMENT OF POLITICS IN NEW JERSEY AND RESULTED IN LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS AND REFORMS.

CIATTARELLI WANTED TO REMIND VOTERS OF THE MAN AT THE TOP OF THE TICKET AT THAT TIME.

>> WE SEE TIME AND AGAIN WHERE POWERFUL MEN OR MEN THAT ARE HIS FRIENDS ARE PUT AHEAD OF WOMEN MAKING VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS.

WE'VE SEEN IT WITH HIS CAMPAIGN AND WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND WE SAW IT WITH THE WOMEN WHO PLAYED ON HIS PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAM AND THERE IS A PATTERN HERE AND WE WANT THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY TO GET TO KNOW THE REAL PHIL MURPHY.

>> Reporter: LORETTA WEINBERG, COCHAIRING THE HEARINGS IN 2019, AT THE HEAD OF THE LINE FOR CRITICIZING THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLING OF THE BRENNAN ALLEGATIONS.

SHE QUESTION THE MOTIVES OF CIATTARELLI TODAY.

>> WHAT I FIND INTERESTING IS THAT WHILE THIS WAS GOING ON, I DIDN'T HEAR HIS VOICE.

DURING MY FOUR YEARS OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I DIDN'T HEAR HIS VOICE.

I DON'T HAVE MUCH SYMPATHY FOR THOSE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WHO SEEM TO HAVE LOST THEIR VOICES.

FOR JACK CIATTARELLI TO TRY TO USE THIS IN A POLITICAL MANNER IN THIS CAMPAIGN IS INAPPROPRIATE.

>> Reporter: BRENNAN, HOLDING A JOB IN THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION BEFORE MOVING INTO WORK FOR NEW YORK, REACTED TO THE AD.

SURVIVORS ARE NOT YOUR PROPS, SHE TWEETED, YESTERDAY.

WE ARE NOT YOUR POLITICAL PONDS AND TO USE ME AS SUCH WITHOUT MY CONSENT IS DISRESPECTING SURVIVORS AND IT IS DISRESPECTING WOMEN.

>> I WOULD NEVER DISRESPECT KATIE BRENNAN OR ANY WOMAN WHO CAME FORWARD THAT HAS BEEN ABUSED IN THE WAY THAT KATIE BRENNAN HAS.

SHE DID COME FORWARD TO MAKE HER STORY KNOWN.

THE REASON SHE DID IS BECAUSE ADMINISTRATION IGNORED HER.

>> THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THE BRENNAN CONTROVERSY THREATENED TO CONSUME THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.

THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO, ESPECIALLY IN THE WORLD OF POLITICS.

COULD IT BE USED AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL ON MURPHY TODAY?

>> NOT AT ALL.

I THINK IT WILL BACKFIRE RAPIDLY.

THE PUBLIC DOES NOT LIKE CAMPAIGNS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN USED, AS KATIE BRENNAN HAS IN A HORRIFIC WAY.

IT'S A BRAVE WOMAN WHO WANTS TO GO ON WITH HER LIFE AND SHE DOES NOT WANT TO BE A PROP IN THE CAMPAIGN.

>> Reporter: THIS LATEST SALVO FROM THE CIATTARELLI CAMPAIGN CONTINUES TO TRY TO DEFINE MURPHY.

SOFT ON CRIME, BUNGLED WITH THE COVID CRISIS AND NOW, AN ENABLER OF MISOGYNISTS.

ALL THE POLLS, INCLUDING ONE FROM LAST WEEK, SUGGEST THE CANDIDATE PEOPLE KNOW THE LEAST ABOUT IS JACK CIATTARELLI.

DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THERE MAY BE A COMPLETION DATE WITHIN REACH FOR THE CLEANUP OF THE SUPERFUND SITE WITH NEARLY 15 YEARS AFTER THE DEP FIRST FOUND HIGH LEVELS OF LEAD ALONG THE SHORELINE AND THE BAR HARBOR SECTION OF THE BRIDGE, EPA ADMINISTRATOR MICHAEL REAGAN MADE A STOP AT THE SITE WITH CONGRESSMAN FRANK PULL-ON TO ANNOUNCE THE AGENCY WILL TAKE OVER THE CLEANUP TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.

THEY WILL SUPPORT THE SEAWALL SECTOR OF THE PROJECT AND IT'S CONTAMINATED WITH LEAD, ARSENIC AND COPPER ALONG THE SEAWALL, AS WELL AS' LEG, A BYPRODUCT OF METAL CASINGS LEFT BEHIND FROM AN INDUSTRIAL COMPANY IN THE 1960s AND 70s.

>> EPA WILL ENSURE THAT THE DESIGN IS COMPLETED AND A TECHNICALLY SOUND MANNER THAT WILL LEAD TO A SUCCESSFUL CLEANUP OF THE SEAWALL SECTOR.

I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE POLLUTER WILL PAY US FOR THE RESOURCES TO DO THE REDESIGN.

>> AFTER SUCCESSFULLY WEATHERING THE GREAT RECESSION, SHOPPING MALLS FACE ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WITH THE PANDEMIC SPURRING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS SURGING ONLINE SALES AND THERE ARE DRASTIC CHANGES TO CONSUMER BEHAVIOR.

WHAT IS LEFT IS AN ONSLAUGHT OF EMPTY RETAIL SPACE AND DEVELOPERS IN SOUTH JERSEY ARE TAKING STOCK OF DYING SHOPPING MALLS AND GIVING THEM A SECOND LIFE AS A PLACE TO LIVE.

ALYSSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: WEST TOWN MAYOR, NICOLE GILLESPIE IS DISCUSSING PLANS TO REDEVELOP WHAT IS MOSTLY A NAKED AREA AT THE MORRISTOWN MALL.

COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO IMPROVE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT ALONGSIDE THE SHOPPING CENTER.

>> IT INCLUDES APARTMENTS, 375 AND THEY WILL BE SET ASIDE AS AFFORDABLE HOW CHING WHICH WE NEED.

>> Reporter: MANY NEW JERSEY PEOPLE FACE ONGOING HOUSING CRISIS IS MADE WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> TO QUALIFY, YOU HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN MEDIAN INCOME LEVELS FOR THE AREA.

DEPARTMENTS WILL WILL BE WHAT WE CALL INCLUSIONARY, A MIX OF MARKET RATE AND AFFORDABLE WITH NO DISTINGUISHING WHAT IS AFFORDABLE.

THEY WILL BE MIXED IN SO PEOPLE DON'T FEEL ISOLATED OR THAT THEY HAVE BEEN MARKED.

WE THINK WILL BE A GREAT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD FOR LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> IT'S A GREAT IDEA AND WE NEED MORE OF IT IN THE AREA.

WE NEED PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE.

THEY WERE DOING THIS NEAR MORRISTOWN TO TRY TO FIND SPACE.

>> WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FIND SPACE.

IT SHOULD BE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE.

>> PEOPLE IN THE AREA WILL ALSO HAVE A MUCH-NEEDED FACELIFT LONG OVERDUE.

>> MALLS HAVE SHIFTED FROM A CENTER WHERE PEOPLE WENT TO HANG OUT TO WHERE THEY ARE DOING ONLINE SHOPPING AND NOT THRIVING AS RETAIL CENTERS.

THEY WILL RETAIN RETAIL AT THE MALL BUT THE VISION IS TO TURN THOSE SPACES INTO MORE OF AN ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE.

THERE IS ALREADY A MOVIE THEATER AND WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER CREATIVE IDEAS TO BRING PEOPLE HERE TO HAVE EXPERIENCES RATHER THAN JUST SHOPPING.

THEY CALL IT A COMPLEMENT TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IT CREATES THAT LIVE, WORK AND PLAY ENVIRONMENT TO MAKE IT A BETTER USE OF THE SPACE.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S A PARKING LOT AN OPPORTUNITY AS TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN LIVE, PLAY, SHOP AND MAKE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ENTIRE MORRISTOWN COMMUNITY.

WE WANTED TO BE A PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO GO.

A ONE-STOP SHOP.

NOT ONLY TO JUST CREATE JOBS AND TAX REVENUE FOR THE COMMUNITY, BUT TO SOLIDIFY THE PROPERTY AS THE CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY AND TO ENHANCE OFFERINGS FOR EVERYBODY.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT ASSET AND WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE THE CONSTRUCTION START AND SEE WHAT IT WILL TURN INTO.

>> MEDICAL FACILITIES AND THE HOTEL ARE PART OF THE PLAN FOR THE COMPLEX AND WHEN THE APPROVALS ARE RECEIVED, THE GOAL IS TO START CONSTRUCTION IN EARLY 2022.

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

>>> SOMEONE HAS TO REPLENISH THE INSURANCE FUND AFTER THE PANDEMIC AND EMPLOYERS SAY IT SHOULD NOT BE SOLELY THEM.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE AND THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES ARE CALLING ON THE A MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO USE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS TO REPLENISH THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TRUST FUND.

AFTER PAYING OUT MILLIONS OF UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS, THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS COALITION, COMPRISED OF NEARLY 100 BUSINESS AND TRADE ASSOCIATIONS MADE THE REQUEST IN A LETTER SENT TO THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.

WITHOUT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, BUSINESSES ARE FACED WITH A $252 MILLION TAX INCREASE THIS FALL AND ADDITIONAL INCREASES IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

WHEN ASKED DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE EARLIER IN THE WEEK, THE GOVERNOR DECLINED TO MAKE A SPECIFIC COMMITMENT.

>> FOLKS SHOULD EXPECT WE WILL BE DOING MORE.

WHETHER SPECIFIC OR NOT TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE QUESTION, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY THINKING THROUGH HOW TO CONTINUE TO CLOSE UP AND HELP THE A TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE TRUST FUND.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FIRE LAYING FIRST-TIME JOBLESS CLAIMS IN NEW JERSEY INCREASED SLIGHTLY WITH MORE THAN 10,500 NEW CLAIMS FILED ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S WEEKLY STATE-BY-STATE BREAK DOWN OF ADVANCED INITIAL CLAIMS.

NEW JERSEY IS PAYING OUT EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BUT THAT PROGRAM IS DUE TO END DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER.

>>> A NEW JERSEY COMPANY RECEIVED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FDA FOR ITS NEW AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST.

FRANKLIN LAKES BASED, BD, SAID IT'S THE FIRST AT-HOME ANTIGEN TEST USING COMPUTER VISION TECHNOLOGY AND A SMARTPHONE TO INTERPRET A DISPLAY OF THE TEST RESULTS.

THE TEST DOES NOT REQUIRE A PRESCRIPTION AND BD SAID IT WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE TO BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND VETERANS.

>>> CANNABIS COMPANY, CURE LEAF, HAS OPENED A DISPENSARY IN BORDENTOWN, THE SECOND GIN22 LOCATION IN THE STATE.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON THE TRADING ON WALL STREET.

THAT IS THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES AND I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

>>> A DESPERATE PLEA FOR BLOOD DONATIONS.

NEW JERSEY BLOOD SERVICES TELLS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THE STATE IS CRITICALLY LOW ON SUPPLY.

IN FACT, THE REGION IS NOW AT A TWO TO THREE DAY SUPPLY LEVEL, SIMILAR TO THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC.

FEARS OVER THE SPREAD OF THE DELTA VARIANT APPEAR LARGELY TO BLAME, CANCELING BLOOD DRIVES AND DETERRING HEALTHY DONORS.

THE SENIOR DIRECTOR AT BLOOD SERVICES SAID THE SHORTAGE COULD LAST FOR MONTHS.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

LET'S START WITH THE CAUSE OF THE BLOOD SHORTAGE.

>> I THINK IT'S THE INCREASED INFECTION RATES AND THE DELTA VARIANT WITH NEW PRECAUTIONS GOING BACK INTO EFFECT AT BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS AND DELAYED BUSINESSES HAVING THEIR EMPLOYEES RETURN TO WORK.

IT'S A SORT OF COMBINATION OF FACTORS.

>> WHEN WE SAW THE SHORTAGE, PREVIOUSLY, IT WAS WHEN THE RETURN OF ELECTIVE SURGERIES STARTED.

YET, WE STILL HAD FOLKS IN THE HOSPITALS IN NEED OF CARE DUE TO COVID OR OTHER REASONS.

IS ANY OF THAT A FACTOR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>>> HOSPITALS ARE USING MORE BLOOD THAN PRE-PANDEMIC AND WE ARE HAVING PEOPLE GIVE BLOOD BUT WE NEED MORE BLOOD THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC EVER STARTED.

WE'VE HAD THREE SEMESTERS OF NO YOUTH DONORS AND HIGH SCHOOL DONORS ACCOUNT FOR 50,000 ANNUAL DONATIONS.

WE ARE HEADED INTO THE FALL FOR OUR FOURTH SEMESTER WHERE SCHOOLS ARE ADDING PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND WE DON'T KNOW IF THESE BLOOD DRIVES WILL RETURN.

>> PUT IT INTO PERSPECTIVE.

HOW CRITICAL IS THE SITUATION?

>> OUR FIRST HURDLE IS THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY AND IT'S DIFFICULT IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE EVERYONE HAS THEIR BIG LAST HURRAH FOR THE SUMMER WITH A TON OF PEOPLE GOING ON VACATION AND THE BLOOD SUPPLY DROPPED FROM THE FIVE-DAY WHICH WE WANTED PRE-PANDEMIC TO BE SEVEN- DAY AND WE ARE HOVERING AT FIVE AND DROPPED TO THE THREE DAY AND ALL POSITIVE AND/OR NEGATIVE WERE ONE-HALF 2000 AND 4000 EXTRA DONATIONS AND RARE ESPECIALLY APPRECIATIVE TO COVERING THE SHORTAGE TODAY BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE WORD OUT AND FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND SAVE A LIFE.

IF IT GOES WELL, WE GET BETWEEN 2000 AND 4000 EXTRA DONATIONS.

WE ARE APPRECIATIVE TO YOU COVERING THE SHORTAGE TODAY.

THAT IS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THE WORD OUT AND FOR PEOPLE TO SAVE A LIFE.

BACK VERY QUICKLY, YOUR MESSAGE TO FOLKS WHO MAY BE STAYING AWAY FROM BLOOD DRIVES OR MAYBE STAYING OUT OF ANY TYPE OF AREA WHERE YOU CAN DONATE BECAUSE OF COVID.

YOUR MESSAGE TO THEM?

>> WE'VE GONE TO EXTRAORDINARY MEASURES TO KEEP OUR OWN STAFF AND OUR PRECIOUS, LIFE-SAVING DONORS SAFE AND THEY'S ARE ALL LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE.

COME TO OUR BLOOD DRIVE OR DONOR CENTER AND YOU WILL FIND YOU ARE VERY COMFORTABLE WITH OUR SET UP AND ARE PRECAUTIONS.

>> ANDREA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US AND IN THE MEANTIME, GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

FOR THE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> NJ INSURANCE GROUP SERVING BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUECROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION AND THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT BY ORSTED AND PSEG.

RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL AND SUPPLY CHAIN AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> IN THE UNCERTAIN TIMES, YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK.

AT HORIZON BLUECROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY AND MORE SUPPORT FOR MENTAL HEALTH, TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLAN SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

WE CAN HELP.

EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK, NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES.

ALL THE TIME.