>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ARE WEIGHING INTO THE NEW JERSEY GUBERNATORIAL RACE, THROWING THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND GOVERNOR MURPHY.

MAKING THE ENDORSEMENT JUST DAYS AHEAD OF THE PLANNED VISIT TO THE STATE TO PROMOTE COVID- 19 VACCINES AND THE PRESIDENT'S SPENDING BILL AGENDA.

IT IS NOT A SURPRISE, BUT IT DOES LEND GRAVATAR TO THE CAMPAIGN.

THE LATEST FIGURES SHOW GOVERNOR MURPHY BRINGING IN $13 MILLION FROM POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS OUTPACING REPUBLICAN RIVAL 10 MILLION.

HE IS HOPING FOR AN END OF CAMPAIGN CALL FOCUSING ON EVERGREEN ISSUES FOR JERSEY VOTERS, TAXES AND THE ECONOMY.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.

>> YOU NEVER HEAR PHIL MURPHY CELEBRATE.

>> Reporter: POLLS, PUNDITS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE HAVE THE -- BEEN SUGGESTING HE FOCUS HIS ATTACKS ON GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY'S ECONOMIC POLICIES.

IN THE DAYS SINCE THE FIRST GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE, HE SEEMS INTENT ON DOING JUST THAT.

>> HE HAS RAISED YOUR PERSONAL TAXES ON TOP OF SIGNIFICANT TASK -- TAX INCREASES.

HIS BUDGET IS UP $11 BILLION IN FOUR YEARS TIME.

>> HIS FOCUS WAS ON POLICY HE HELPFUL HELP SMALL BUSINESS AND BY EXTENSION APPEAL TO MODERATE VOTERS OF FARED DISCO AFRAID THAT A SLOW RECOVERY HURTS EVERYONE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE 15 FOR -- THE FIRST 15,000 OF BUSINESS INCOME TAX-FREE.

WE NEED TO NOT TAX THE GAIN ON THE SALE OF IPO STOCK.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO THAT ARE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AND WOULD CHANGE THE PERCEPTION OF NEW JERSEY OVERNIGHT.

>> Reporter: ALL INITIATIVES THAT HAVE PERKED UP LEADERS OF LARGE BUSINESS GROUPS LIKE THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, WHICH HAVE FELT A BIT AT ARMS LENGTH FROM THE SOCIALLY MINDED FORMER GOLDMAN SACHS HAD.

THE CHAMBER DOESN'T ENDORSE CANDIDATES, BUT IT IS --THE LEADER SAID HE LIKED WHAT HE WAS HEARING.

>> ONE OF HIS GOALS IS TO MAKE NEW JERSEY A VERY COMPETITIVE BUSINESS STATE AND TO LEVERAGE ALL OF OUR ASSETS.

AND TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC RECOVERY BY DOING THAT.

THAT IS MUSIC TO THE EARS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WE ARE TRYING TO RECOVER AND WE NEED TO START RECOVERING FASTER.

SO HE SEEMS TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE RIGHT THINGS.

BUT HE'S NOT GOVERNOR, HE HASN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SHOW THAT YET.

WHAT HE SAID SOUNDS VERY GOOD TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: TO GIVE HIM HIGH MARKS FOR HIS HANDLING OF THE COVID CRISIS BUT HAVE BEEN LESS HAPPY WITH HIS STEWARDSHIP OF THE STATE ECONOMIC RECOVERY.

NOW THEY SAY A TOO SLOW DISPERSAL OF EMERGENCY FEDERAL FINANCIAL HELP.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID A PLEDGE OF NO NEW TAXES.

THERE'S ALREADY TWO YEARS OF NEW TAXES INCLUDED.

THREE YEARS.

STARTING RIGHT NOW WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND, THAT IS RIGHT NOW.

IN THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION, THOSE ARE TAX INCREASES ON BUSINESS.

TO REFUND THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND.

WE SHOULD BE USING FEDERAL MONEY TO HELP OFFSET.

IT IS A BIG-TICKET ITEM.

BUT THESE BUSINESSES DO NOT CAUSE THE NEED TO HAVE TO LAYOFF THEIR WORKFORCE.

WHY SHOULD THEY BE PENALIZED BY INCREASED TAXES?

>> THE GOVERNORS DID RELEASE 10 MILLION IN FUNDS FOR SMALL BUSINESS RENT RELIEF.

BUT THAT IS CHUMP CHANGE TO A BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON ITS HEELS WAITING FOR A MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY CHAMPION BUT RESIGNED TO FINDING A WAY TO DEAL WITH THE GUY THEY HAVE.

>> IT WAS A MUCH CALMER AND CORDIAL EVENT FOR THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES BY COMPARISON TO LAST WEEK'S DEBATE.

CURRENT DEMOCRATIC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHEILA OLIVER AND DIANE ALLEN MET TUESDAY NIGHT FOR THEIR FIRST AND ONLY DEBATE IN THIS YEAR'S RACE.

THEY CLASHED OVER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND VACCINE REQUIREMENTS, ALL THE WAY TO THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION RECORD ON WOMEN.

THEY ALSO FOUND TOPICS ON WHICH THEY AGREED.

FOR MORE ON THAT, WE GO TO OUR SENIOR WRITER COLLEEN O'DAY.

MUCH DIFFERENT DEBATE THAN WE SAW LAST WEEK BETWEEN THE TWO GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES.

WHAT KIND OF ISSUES CAME UP?

>> THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT WHO SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT MANDATES VERSUS WHO DOESN'T SUPPORT GOVERNMENT MANDATES.

THERE WAS AN INTERESTING COMMENT BY SHEILA OLIVER ON THAT.

>> LET'S TAKE A LISTEN.

>> JACK AND DIANE THINK THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT MANDATE VACCINATION, BUT CONVERSELY, THEY BELIEVE THAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD TELL A WOMAN WHETHER SHE SHOULD BEAR A CHILD OR NOT.

>> STRONG FEELINGS ON EITHER SIDE ABOUT MANDATES, AND MANDATES IN GENERAL.

WHAT ELSE?

THEY SORT OF DO DOVE INTO THE RACE QUESTION.

>> IT WAS AN INTERESTING QUESTION ABOUT WHITE PRIVILEGE, THERE WAS A CALL LAST WEEK WITH JACK CIATTARELLI WHO COMPLETELY DUCKED THE QUESTION.

AND DIANE ALLEN WAS ASKED THAT AND SHE ATTACKED IT HAD ON.

AND SHEILA OLIVER ALSO CHIMED IN.

>> FOR MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE WHITE, WE ARE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THINGS AND DO THINGS THINKING THAT WE ARE DOING IT ON OUR OWN WHEN IN FACT WE ARE DOING IT BECAUSE WE ARE BEING GIVEN A LITTLE LEEWAY BECAUSE OF OUR COLOR.

>> THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVISION OF ASSET THAT ARE AFFORDED TO ONE CLASS AND ONE RACE OF PEOPLE.

NOT GIVEN TO THE OTHER.

>> ONE OF THE OTHER BIG ISSUES IS THE RECORD ON WOMEN.

WE HAD TWO WOMEN TALKING ABOUT IT LAST NIGHT.

>> AT THE FIRST GOVERNOR DEBATE, MURPHY SAID WHEN HE WAS ATTACKED ON THIS ISSUE, HIS POSITION ON WOMEN AND HOW HE HAS TREATED THEM.

HE SAID, WHY DON'T YOU ASK MY LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR?

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED LAST NIGHT.

SHE CERTAINLY PUT UP A STRONG DEFENSE OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AND DIANE ALLEN KIND OF CAME BACK WITH HER OWN TAKE ON IT.

>> PHIL MURPHY IS THE ONLY GOVERNOR IN MY EXPERIENCE THAT HAVE WOMEN AT THE TABLE WHEN MAKING DECISIONS, MAJOR DECISIONS ON A DAILY BASIS.

HE HAS OPENED UP GOVERNMENT FOR INCLUSION.

>> IF THERE IS AN ISSUE AND A WOMAN HAS A PROBLEM, HE IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

TAKE A LOOK AT KATIE BRIAN, SHE TRIED TO GET THAT INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNOR, SHE WASN'T HEARD.

>> WAS THIS A DEBATE THAT REALLY GAVE VOTERS SOMETHING TO WORK WITH?

>> CERTAINLY IF YOU MISSED THE GOVERNOR DEBATE OR JUST WANT MORE INFORMATION, YES.

FOR THE MOST PART, POLLING SEEMS TO SHOW THAT VOTERS DON'T CARE VERY MUCH.

>> COLLEEN O'DAY ON TOP OF IT AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU.

>>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PRODUCING THE SECOND AND FINAL DEBATE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC AND COVERING -- INCUMBENT OPENER PHIL MURPHY AND REPUBLICAN JACK CIATTARELLI, LIFE ON OCTOBER 12th ALONG WITH OUR COSPONSORS WNYC AND ROMAN INSTITUTE FOR PUBLIC POLICY AND CITIZENSHIP.

WE WANT YOUR INPUT, SEND YOUR QUESTIONS TO NJ DECIDES AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

AND BE SURE TO WATCH LIVE ON NJ PBS AND WNYC STATIONS OR ONLINE AND OUR PARTNERS WEBSITES.

LEADING UP TO THE DEBATE, OUR TEAM WILL HOST ONE MORE ELECTION CONVERSATION THIS WEEK.

JOIN US TOMORROW FOR A PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND CLEAN ENERGY MODERATED BY MEMBERS OF THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM.

MEANWHILE, THE STATE'S TOP LAW- ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL IS LOOKING TO MAKE HIS MARK, ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREW BROCK WAS TAPPED TO REPLACE OUTGOING GENERAL LAST SUMMER.

MAKING GUN VIOLENCE INVENTION A CORNERSTONE OF HIS TIME IN OFFICE.

IN THE MONTHS SINCE, HE HAS ANNOUNCED MULTIPLE PROGRAMS TO TRACK DOWN ON RINGS AND TRAFFICKING.

WE SPOKE ABOUT THOSE EFFORTS AND HIS TOP PRIORITIES WHILE HE IS ON THE JOB.

>> LET ME ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, A STATEWIDE TASK FORCE TO SPECIFICALLY INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE GUN VIOLENCE CASES.

IS THIS AN INITIATIVE YOU SEE AS A HALLMARK OF WHAT WILL BE YOUR TIME IN THIS OFFICE?

>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON RIGHT NOW.

THE REALITY IS GUN VIOLENCE IS UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND NEW JERSEY IS NOT IMMUNE.

WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THIS.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT NO SINGLE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY WILL BE ABLE TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE ON ITS OWN.

WHICH IS WHY WE ARE PULLING TOGETHER FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> A LOT OF THIS HINGES ON COLLABORATION.

SO HOW DETRIMENTAL HAS THAT BEEN IN PURSUING SOME OF THESE ACTIONS SOONER?

>> IT'S A REALLY INTERESTING QUESTION.

I THINK THERE ARE GOOD PARTNERSHIPS THAT EXIST IN OUR STATE, BUT SINCE BECOMING ACTING AG I HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO TRAVEL THE STATE AND THE TOWN WITH DOZENS OF POLICE CHIEFS AND PROSECUTORS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE SAID WAS THAT WHEN THEY THINK ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE, IT OFTEN IS FROM A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND THEY OFTEN KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, THAT IS NOT FINDING ITS WAY TO THE FEDERAL, STATE AND COUNTY PROSECUTORS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE.

WE WANTED TO CLOSE THOSE INFORMATION GAPS AND MAKE OUR CASE IS MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE.

>> YOU ARE LOOKING MORE AT THE INVESTIGATIVE SIDE AS OPPOSED TO PROSECUTION.

>> IT'S BOTH.

AND WE RECOGNIZE, IN ORDER TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE IN THE STATE, WE HAVE TO ADOPT A THREE- PRONGED STRATEGY.

YOU HAVE TO TREAT THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE, KEEP DANGEROUS WEAPONS AWAY FROM THOSE MOST LIKELY TO USE THEM, AND HOLD ACCOUNTABLE THOSE WHO ACTUALLY USE THEM TO ENGAGE IN VIOLENCE.

NONE OF THOSE ON THEIR OWN WILL SOLVE GUN VIOLENCE BUT TAKEN TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE REAL PROGRESS.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE JOB NOW FOR MORE THAN TWO MONTHS, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR MAIN INITIATIVE?

>> I AM FOCUSING ON THREE ISSUES, REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE, DEMOTING GOOD POLICING POLICY AND ADDRESSING RACIAL INJUSTICE IN OUR STATE.

I THINK ON ALL THREE OF THOSE ISSUES, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES UNDERWAY THAT WE THINK WILL MAKE LIFE BETTER FOR THE RESIDENTS OF NEW JERSEY.

>> WE HAVE A GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION COMING UP.

IF MURPHY STAYS ON, AND ASKS YOU TO STAY IN THE POSITION, WILL YOU?

>> I WILL SERVE IN THIS POSITION FOR HOWEVER LONG GOVERNOR MURPHY ASKED ME TO.

I FEEL HONORED TO SERVE THE STATE AND I AM HAPPY TO DO IT HOWEVER LONG HE WOULD LIKE ME TO.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THIS WEEK, THE SUPREME COURT REFUSED TO HEAR A CASE BY A FAMILY HELPING TO REVIVE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPER IN WHICH HE FATALLY SHOT A MENTALLY ILL MAN HOLDING A GUN TO HIS OWN HEAD.

THE DECISION RAISES A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ABOUT LEGAL BARRIERS, KNOWN AS QUALIFIED IMMUNITY, WHICH PROTECT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER GOVERNMENT WORKERS FROM LIABILITY UNLESS PROVEN OTHERWISE.

IT'S A COMPLICATED SYSTEM THAT HAS COME UP AGAINST MORE AND MORE PUSHBACK IN RECENT YEARS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WILLIE GIBBONS AS A YOUNG BOY, HIS MOTHER STILL FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE A DECADE AFTER HER 33- YEAR-OLD SON WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY A NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPER.

>> SHE SAID TO ME, MY SON WAS NOT PERFECT.

BUT HE DIDN'T DESERVE TO DIE LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE, IN 2011, TROOPERS WERE SENT TO A HOME AFTER A WOMAN ALLEGED HER FORMER BOYFRIEND WAS WAVING A GUN AND VIOLATING A RESTRAINING ORDER.

TROOPERS SAY BY THE TIME THEY ARRIVED, GIBBONS LEFT IN A TRUCK STILL WITH A GUN.

WHEN THEY LOCATED GIBBONS WALKING AND CONFRONTED HIM, TROOPERS SAY HE DREW HIS GUN.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, TROOPERS THEN FIRED TWO SHOTS AT HIM.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CONCLUDED IT WAS IN THEIR WORDS JUSTIFIED.

BUT THERE IS NO VIDEO FOOTAGE OF THE SHOOTING.

ACCORDING TO COURT RECORDS, GIBBONS ONLY EVER POINTED THERE GUN AT HIMSELF AT THE FAMILY ATTORNEY SAYS WILLIE DID NOT HAVE A GUN.

THEY ALSO SAY THE OFFICERS TOLD HIM DIRECTLY HE DIDN'T FEEL THREATENED, YET HE SHOT WITHIN SECONDS.

ATTORNEYS SAY THE FATHER OF THREE SUFFERED FROM SCHIZOPHRENIA AND NO ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO DE-ESCALATE.

THEY ALSO POINT TO HOLES IN THE CASE LIKE THIS ONE.

>> THE SECOND OFFICER SHOWS UP, AND HE SHOWS UP ALLEGEDLY BEFORE SHOTS WERE FIRED.

THE NEIGHBOR WHO WAS NEXT DOOR, WHO LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW ONE CAR AFTER THE SHOOTING TOOK PLACE.

>> IF THE OFFICERS ARE NOT TELLING THE TRUTH, EVERYTHING THEY ARE SAYING MIGHT BE FABRICATED.

>> Reporter: THIS CASE NEVER WENT BEFORE A JURY.

THE OFFICER WAS GRANTED QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

GIBBONS FAMILY ATTORNEY SAYS BECAUSE HE SAID HE BELIEVED HE HAD THE RIGHT TO SHOOT.

QUALIFIED IMMUNITY REFERS TO A LEGAL DEFENSE THAT PROTECTS POLICE AND OTHER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES FROM LAWSUITS UNLESS IT IS PROVEN THEY VIOLATED A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> WHEN THEY ARE DISPUTED, THE JUDGE CANNOT DECIDE A CASE.

THAT HAS BEEN OUR ARGUMENT.

>> THE GIBBONS FAMILY ATTORNEY PETITIONED THE SUPREME COURT BUT THE COURT DECLINED TO CONSIDER THE CASE, LETTING THE ORIGINAL DECISION STAND.

JUSTICE SOTO MAYOR WROTE A DISSENT, ARGUING SINCE THERE ARE DISPUTED FACTS IN THE CASE, SHE WOULD GRANT THE PETITION AND REVERSED THE THIRD SURFACE --CIRCUIT JUDGE.

>> WHY NOT ELIMINATE QUALIFIED IMMUNITY AND JUST ALLOW IT TO GO TO THE COURTS AND ALLOW THE JURY TO DECIDE?

>> IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THE PUBLIC --ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PUT THEMSELVES IN THE SHOES OF THE OFFICER WHEN THEY'RE OUT IN THE FIELD.

PARTICIPATE IN THE TRAININGS.

THEY BREAK FOOTAGE DOWN TO SECONDS OF A FRAME, THAT CAN BE USED TO PERSUADE A JURY AGAINST AN OFFICER.

NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS FRATERNAL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SAYS THE UNION REPORTS MORE TRANSPARENCY AND CHANGES WITHIN.

HOWEVER, HE SAYS GETTING RID OF QUALIFIED IMMUNITY WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL.

>> AS YOU LOOK AT OUR RECRUITING FROM 2012, THE STATE POLICE HAD ABOUT 15,000 APPLICANTS AND DOWN TO 2017, THAT NUMBER WAS CUT IN HALF TO 8000.

THE LATTER CLASSES ARE EVEN WORSE SHAPE.

>> WELL, PEOPLE ARE NOT WANTING TO BECOME POLICE OFFICERS IF YOU GET RID OF QUALIFIED IMMUNITY.

AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT SAYS A LOT MORE THAN IT IS INTENDED TO.

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN'T DO YOUR JOB WITHOUT ANY RISK OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PEOPLE YOU SERVE, THEN THERE ARE MUCH GREATER ISSUES GOING ON THAN THE DANGERS YOU FACE IN PERFORMING THEIR DUTY.

>> Reporter: KAREN THOMPSON IS A SENIOR ATTORNEY FOR ACLU NEW JERSEY.

>> IT IS A HARD JOB, OF COURSE, BUT THIS IS WHY WE TRAINED POLICE OFFICERS, WHY WE REQUIRE CERTAIN EMOTIONAL CAPACITY BEFORE BECOMING A OFFICER.

>> THEY HAVE TO PUT HIMSELF IN THE PLACE OF THE OFFICER AT THAT TIME.

POSSIBLY OUTNUMBERED THREE TO ONE, HOW CLOSE IS BACKUP?

>> Reporter: THERE IS CURRENTLY A STATE BILL PENDING TO END THE QUALIFIED IMMUNITY DEFENSE IN NEW JERSEY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM LEAH MISHKIN.

>>> WE HAVE NEW UPDATES TONIGHT ON JUST HOW MANY RESIDENTS ARE ON THE PAYROLL 19 MONTHS INTO THIS PANDEMIC.

WE HAVE THE LATEST JOB REPORTS.

>> THE LATEST REPORT CARD ON THE JOB MARKET LOOKS GOOD.

ADP SAYS PRIVATE COMPANIES HIRED AT A HEALTHY PACE IN SEPTEMBER, ADDING 568,000 NEW JOBS.

THE NUMBER WAS HIGHER THAN FORECAST.

THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY CONTINUE TO BOUNCE BACK, ABOUT 40% OF THOSE NEW JOBS CAME FROM HIRING AT BARS, RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.

WE WILL GET THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S MONTHLY JOB REPORTS LATER THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS NEW JERSEY'S NEW HIRING PROGRAM IS GETTING SOME ATTENTION.

THE PROGRAM PROVIDES SMALL BUSINESSES WITH FUNDING TO TRAIN NEW EMPLOYEES, WHILE ALSO PROVIDING A $500 BONUS FOR THOSE NEWLY HIRED WORKERS.

>> IN THE WEEKS SINCE WE ANNOUNCED IT, MORE THAN 2100 HAVE TAKEN THE FIRST STEP OF REGISTERING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

INTERESTINGLY, 700 OF THEM REACHED OUT WITHIN THE FIRST 24 HOURS.

>> WITH STAFFING SHORTAGE AS A PROBLEM, THE STATE WANTS TO MAKE SURE IT HAS ENOUGH POLL WORKERS FOR THE ELECTION.

IT IS GIVING THOSE WORKERS A RAISE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER INCREASING PAY BY $100 TO $300 ON ELECTION DAY.

WORKERS WILL ALSO GET AN HOURLY INCREASE DURING THE EARLY VOTING PERIOD LATER THIS MONTH.

THERE IS ANOTHER AT-HOME COVID- 19 TEST FOR SALE WHICH COULD HELP THE SHORTAGE OF RAPID TESTS.

THE FDA HAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT TO A TEST MADE BY A CON LABORATORIES WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY DOUBLE AT-HOME TESTING CAPACITY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

THE TEST WILL PROVIDE RESULTS IN ABOUT 15 MINUTES AND IT WILL BE SOLD OVER-THE-COUNTER.

THE COMPANY DID NOT SAY HOW MUCH IT WILL COST, BUT IT PLANS TO PRODUCE MORE THAN 100 MILLION OF THEM PER MONTH.

AND THAT AMOUNT WILL DOUBLE NEXT YEAR.

ANOTHER VOLATILE DAY ON WALL STREET.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND ALSO YOUR TOP WITNESS STORIES.

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

COVERING ALL OF NEW JERSEY, WHAT TO DO, WHERE TO GO AND SO MUCH MORE.

ON LOCAL NEWSSTANDS AND ONLINE.

>> ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST EMPLOYERS IS MOVING AHEAD WITH A $125 MILLION PLAN TO BUILD A NEW CARGO HUB AT NEWARK INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE MOVE BY AMAZON IS EXPECTED TO INFUSE ABOUT 1000 NEW JOBS BUT THERE IS MOUNTING CONCERN FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS ABOUT THE ONLINE RETAIL GIANT TRACK RECORD OF WORKPLACE SAFETY.

NOT TO MENTION POTENTIAL AIR POLLUTION AND EVEN MORE NEW TRUCKS CRAMMING THE ROADWAYS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

DOZENS OF RESIDENTS, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ACTIVISTS GATHERED IN NEWARK WITH A LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY.

THEY SAY A PROPOSED PLAN TO SPEND 125 MILLION ON TWO 250,000 SQUARE FEET CARGO FACILITIES NEXT TO THE AIRPORT IS A BAD IDEA.

>> I HAVE A 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, I GREW UP WITH MY HOUSE SHAKING FROM THE NUMBER OF PLANES.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE INCREASED NUMBER OF PLANES AND TRUCKS THAT DESTROY OUR STREETS, WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT, WE MOVED BACK FURTHER BECAUSE OF THE CONSTANT HONKING AND NOISE THAT REALLY POLICE -- POLLUTES OUR AIRWAYS.

FOR SOME REASON, THAT IS NOT DONE IN BLACK COMMUNITIES.

>> AMAZON'S PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BRING ABOUT 1000 JOBS TO THE AREA AS THE COMPANY SEEKS TO GROW ITS CARGO AIRLINE.

BUT RESIDENTS SAY THAT PROMISE DOESN'T MEET ANYTHING IF THE COMPANY ISN'T TAKING CARE OF EMPLOYEES.

>> WHEN I WORKED FOR AMAZON, I WAS OVERWORKED AND UNDER SERIOUS PRESSURE.

AMAZON TREATED US LIKE ROBOTS.

WE WILL WE WERE GIVEN SO MUCH SO SHORT BATHROOM BREAKS AND HAD TO WALK FAR ACROSS THE WAREHOUSE THAT BY THE TIME WE GOT BACK, WE BARELY HAD TIME TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.

>> PROTESTERS ALSO SAY THEY FEAR IT WILL LEAD TO DIRTIER AIR AND MORE HEALTH ISSUES IN NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.

>> WE KNOW THAT RESEARCH AND DATA HAS SHOWN THAT WAREHOUSES WOULD BRING THIS POLLUTION TO NEIGHBORHOODS, HIGH TRAFFIC, ET CETERA ARE CORRELATED WITH BAD AIR QUALITY AND RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS, THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> I AM ASTHMATIC AS WELL, I HAVE PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY THAT ARE AND THE POLLUTION THAT YOU GUYS ARE BRINGING TO OUR CITY, I HOPE YOU REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT Y'ALL ARE GOING TO DO TO MAKE THE AIR BETTER FOR US TO BREATHE.

>> RESIDENTS SAY IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HURTFUL TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE UPSET THAT AMAZON HASN'T TAKEN THE TIME TO LISTEN TO THEIR CONCERNS.

>> THEY COME TO A COMMUNITY AND THEY JUST BARNSTORMER IT, THEY DON'T TALK TO THE COMMUNITY, THEY DON'T FIGURE OUT WAYS TO MAKE THINGS GOOD AND HEALTHY.

THEY DON'T WORK OUT GOOD PAYING JOBS.

>> THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME AMAZON IS FACING OPPOSITION.

RESIDENTS IN SEVERAL CITIES HAVE ALSO FOUGHT PLANS FOR THE COMPANY TO EXPAND FOR SIMILAR AIR QUALITY, WORKER SAFETY, AND CONGESTION CONCERNS.

WE WANT TO TO COME TO THE TABLE AND TALK ABOUT HOW WE CAN OFFSET THOSE THINGS AND WE WANT TO EDUCATE YOU ON THE HAZARDS IT HAS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> PORT AUTHORITY DID NOT RESPOND TO THE CONCERNS BUT SAID NEGOTIATIONS WITH AMAZON ARE UNDERWAY.

AMAZON DID NOT RETURN OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> NEW TONIGHT, THE STATE WILL REQUIRE ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO REPORT ALL COVID-19 DATA ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

INCLUDING ANY TESTING DONE BY THE SCHOOLS AMONG STUDENTS AND STAFF AND CASES REPORTED TO SCHOOLS BY PARENTS REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE INFECTION OCCURRED.

IT IS ALL TO GIVE HEALTH LEADERS A MORE COMPLETE PICTURE OF CASE AND VACCINATION RATES.

69 OUTBREAKS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION WITH NEARLY HALF REPORTED IN JUST THE LAST WEEK ALONE.

MEANWHILE, A NEW REPORT FROM THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FINDS THE COVID-19 VACCINE SAVES LIVES AND KEPT THOUSANDS OF OLDER RESIDENTS OUT OF HOSPITALS.

DATA SHOWS THE VACCINES SAVED THE LIVES OF NEARLY 1400 NEW JERSEY MEDICARE RECIPIENTS AND POINTED TO ANOTHER NEARLY 9002 AVOIDED INFECTION.

STATEWIDE, JUST SHY OF 5.9 MILLION PEOPLE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED AS A MID-OCTOBER DEADLINE APPROACHES FOR ALL PRE- K THROUGH 12 GRADE STAFF TO GET IMMUNIZED OR UNDERGO TESTING 1 TO 2 TIMES A WEEK.

THAT DOES IT FOR US, BUT JOIN DAVID CRUZ FOR CHATTERBOX LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30.

HE WILL TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT THE GOVERNOR RACE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR, SO WHAT'S NEXT?

JOIN THE CONVERSATION WHEREVER YOU STREAM THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER, OR FACEBOOK I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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