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

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IN JUST A MATTER OF DAYS, STUDENTS ACROSS THE STATE WILL RETURN FOR IN PERSON LEARNING AT THEIR SCHOOLS.

SOME HAVE ALREADY BEGUN AND ASIDE FROM A STATEWIDE MAST MENDE, GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY SAID ROUTINE TESTING SHOULD BE EMPLOYED.

HE ANNOUNCED 207 $267 MILLION TO SUPPORT K-12 SCHOOLS TESTING OUT PROGRAMS.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, 55% OF YOUTH AGES 12 TO 17 HAVE AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

44% ARE FULLY VACCINATED AND WON'T NEED TO BE PART OF THAT REGULAR TESTING.

REGARDLESS, STATE LEADERS SAY THEY ARE READY FOR THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, REPORTING MORE THAN 1800 NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 AND 20 MORE DEATHS.

A NEW MILESTONE WAS HIT TODAY AS WELL.

NEW JERSEY IS NOW OVER THE THRESHOLD OF 80% OF ALL LGB PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

JUST ABOUT 5.6 MILLION ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A GROWING LIST OF BUSINESSES I'M A VENUES AND OTHER SITES THAT ARE NOW REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION OR ACCESS, BUT AS THEY DO, SO, TOO IS THE DEMAND FOR FIRST VACCINE CARDS.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

ON INSTAGRAM THIS NEW JERSEY WOMAN WENT BY THE NAME ANTI- VACCINE MAMA AND ALLEGEDLY SOLD CARDS FOR $400 A POP AT LEAST 15 FAKES TO FRONT LINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS ACCORDING TO MANHATTAN VA WHO SAYS AND ACCOMPLISHED CHARGE ANOTHER 252 UPLOAD THE BOGUS INFO INTO NEW YORK'S OFFICIAL VACCINATION DATABASE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY CALLED ANTI- VAXXERS, A KNUCKLEHEAD.

>> I DO NOT THINK THAT IS WIDESPREAD AT ALL.

AND WE WILL COME DOWN ON ANYBODY WHO DOES THAT WITH A FULL FORCE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND OBVIOUSLY UNDERMINES PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Reporter: INTERNET FRAUD IS NOT THAT RARE AND U.S. CUSTOMS BUSTED SEVERAL BOGUS VAX CARD SCHEMES.

AS FOR HOSPITAL AND NURSING HOME WORKERS BUYING FAKE CARS, APPARENTLY TO EVADE MANDATORY WORK PLACE VACCINATION RULES, NEWARK UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL CAUGHT A HANDFUL OF STAFFERS WITH FAKE CARDS SAYS CEO, DR. SHARIF.

>> WE LOOKED AT THE CARDS AND FOUND NOTABLE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE WAY THE CARDS LOOKED AND THE WAY THE REAL CDC CARDS LOOK.

THEN WE WERE ABLE TO DETECT CASES THANKFULLY.

IT MAKES EVERYBODY LESS SAFE.

IF PEOPLE ARE DISHONEST ABOUT THEIR VACCINATION STATUS.

>> HE FEARS VISUAL CARD INSPECTIONS MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH AND WANTS TO SEE AN INCREASE DID STATEWIDE OR NATIONAL DATABASE.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF CONSTERNATION POLITICALLY ABOUT "VACCINATION PAT SPORTS" BUT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IF A QR CODE IS NEEDED OR AN ELECTRONIC FORM OF VERIFICATION IS NEEDED TO REALLY VERIFY VACCINATIONS THEN THAT IS WHERE WE SHOULD GO.

>> AS FOR STUFF WITH BOGUS CARDS, THE DOCTOR FIRED THEM.

COREY BASH AGREES.

>> IF SOMEBODY'S WILLING TO BUY FALSIFIED VACCINATION RECORDS, WHAT OTHER PRACTICES ARE THEY ENGAGED IN?

>> Reporter: BOSTITCH BASH SAYS CARDS ARE CRUCIAL IN RESTAURANTS AND THEATERS WERE PEOPLE HAVE TO REMOVE MASKS TO SIT CLOSE TOGETHER.

A PROMOTE PLAYHOUSE WILL BE CHECKING ITS CUSTOMERS VACCINATION CARDS WHEN IT REOPENS IN OCTOBER.

THAT WILL FOLLOW BROADWAY'S LEAD.

>> WE WILL BE LOOKING TO THE BEST PRACTICES THAT ARE BEING PUT INTO PLACE FOR THESE PROCEDURES, WHETHER IT IS THE DOCKET OR A RELATIVELY NEW ONE OUT THAT I HAVE STARTED TO LOOK AT CALLED CLEAR WHICH ALSO VERIFIES IDENTITY.

>> SOMEONE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE SYSTEM FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: ROWAN UNIVERSITY OFFERED UP TO $1000 OFF ROOM AND BOARD TO PROMOTE VACCINATIONS AND KEEP THE VIRUS OFF CAMPUS.

THEY CHECK CARDS AGAINST THE JERSEY STATE THAT VACCINATION DATABASE.

SO FAR THEY FOUND ZERO FAKES.

>> THE ONLY WAY IT WOULD GET PAST THAT SYSTEM IS IF THEY SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER WHO WILL HAS ACCESS TO NJ I S TWO UP TO UPLOAD FAKE DATES.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE ANOTHER SYSTEM USES QR CODES AND BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY TO SAFEGUARD VACCINATION INFORMATION, SOMETHING A MEDICAL CENTER DECIDED TO TRIBE, AND ROLLING MORE THAN 200,000 PEOPLE WHO GOT COVERT SHOTS AT THEIR VENUES INTO THE SERVICE SYSTEM.

>> THERE IS NO WAY SOMEBODY CAN ALTER OR MISUSE THIS INFORMATION.

>> OR SELL IT?

>> OR SELL IT.

THAT IS THE EXACT POINT.

THEY CANNOT SELL IT.

>> Reporter: INSTAGRAM TICK DOWN VAX MAMAS ACCOUNT AND CHARGE 31-YEAR-OLD JASMINE CLIFFORD OF LYNDHURST AND HER ACCOMPLISHMENTS OFFERING A FALSE INSTRUMENT AND CONSPIRACY AND ALSO CHARGED THE 13 A LEGEND CUSTOMERS BUSTED IN THE CRACKDOWN.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AMONG THE UNVACCINATED, SOME ARE SEEKING ALTERNATIVE ROUTES THAT CAN COME WITH DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES.

THE CDC IS REPORTING A SURGE IN PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE DRUG IVERMECTIN DESPITE WARNINGS FROM THE AGENCY AND THE FDA AGAINST USING IT.

THE MEDICINE IS TYPICALLY USED TO TREAT PARASITIC WORMS OFTEN IN ANIMALS AND HAS, SO FAR, REPEATEDLY FAILED IN CLINICAL TRIALS TO TREAT PEOPLE INFECTED WITH THE CORONAVIRUS.

FEDERAL HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THOSE WHO TAKE IT CAN BECOME SEVERELY ILL FROM SELF- MEDICATING WITH IVERMECTIN INCLUDING OVERDOSING AND,.

WE ASKED THE NEW JERSEY RETICLE SCHOOLS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE, DR. LEWIS NANCY NELSON.

>> Reporter: DESPITE ALL OF THE WARNINGS THIS SEEMS TO BE A SURGE IN DEMAND FOR IVERMECTIN IN PARTICULAR.

WHY IS THAT AND WHAT IS THE DANGER OF TAKING IT?

>> WHY PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR THIS IS THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

THEY ARE HOPING ON HOPE THAT THIS MEDICATION IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO TREAT THE DISEASE THEY HAVE GOTTEN DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO TRUE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT THAT.

THE DANGER IS IT IS NOT INDICATED FOR THIS DISEASE AND THE MEDICATION HAS NO CARDIOVASCULAR OR NEUROLOGICAL ADVERSE EFFECT PARTICULARLY IN HIGH-DOSE BUT AGAIN IT IS AT THE VERY LEAST, A TREATMENT THAT DOESN'T WORK.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A DRUG THAT WE SEE USED IN HORSES, COWS, LARGE ANIMALS.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT IS INGESTED IN THE HUMAN BODY?

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE MEDICATION IS USED TO TREAT DISEASE THAT DOESN'T REALLY EXIST IN THE UNITED STATES.

THINGS THAT IS X THROUGHOUT THE WORLD BUT IT IS TAKING A HUMAN BEING APPROPRIATE DOSE AND FOR REASONS THAT BENEFIT EXCEEDS THE RISK.

IN THIS PLACE THERE IS NO KNOWN EXPECTED BENEFIT SO EVERYTHING YOU DO WHEN YOU TAKE THIS DRUG IS ALL ABOUT RISK.

>> FROM WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE FOLKS BEING DRIVEN TO THIS, IS IT THAT THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS FROM THE COVID-19 VACCINE?

AND WHY WOULD THEY GO THIS ROUTE FOR SOMETHING THAT, AS YOU SAY, IS PROVEN NOT TO TREAT THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS WHEN THERE IS A VACCINATION THAT DOES?

>> LET'S BE REALLY CLEAR.

FOR VIRTUALLY EVERY DISEASE IN THE WORLD, PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN TREATMENT.

THE VACCINE PREVENTS DISEASE.

IN ALMOST EVERYBODY WHO GETS VACCINATED.

IT IS IN PERFECT BUT WE KNOW THE DEATH RATE IS EXCEPTIONALLY LOW.

WE KNOW THE HOSPITALIZATION RATE IS FAIRLY LOW AND WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE WHO GET SICK DIE EVEN WITH TREATMENT.

SO EVEN IF IVERMECTIN WORKED, VACCINES ARE STILL A BETTER OPTION.

>> WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CONCERN, DR. LEWIS?

I SAW RECENTLY THAT AMAZON CAME UNDER FIRE BECAUSE FOLKS WHO WERE SEARCHING, STARTING TO SEARCH THE FIRST PART OF THAT WORD WERE BEING DIRECTED TOWARD THIS PARTICULAR MEDICATION.

WHAT IS YOUR CONCERN ABOUT IT BEING OUT THERE?

>> THIS IS A TOXIC OR POTENTIALLY TOXIC MEDICATION WHEN TAKEN IN THE WRONG DOSE.

WE KNOW IT PRODUCES NEUROLOGICAL ADVERSE EFFECTS WHEN TAKEN IN EXCESS.

, WOULD BE EXAMPLE.

WE KNOW IT ALSO HAS CARDIOVASCULAR EFFECTS.

PEOPLE'S BLOOD PRESSURE DROPS, AND THEY GET HEART ARRHYTHMIAS.

IT IS NOT A BENIGN DRUG.

AT LOW DOSES IT IS SAFE BUT NOT EFFECTIVE AND AT HIGHER DOSES IT IS TOXIC.

>> Reporter: DR. LEWIS NELSON, THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ROUGHLY 20 YEARS, THERE ARE NO U.S.

TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN.

MORE THAN 120,000 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED.

THOUSANDS HAVE ARRIVED AT THE USN THOUSAND MOORS ARE WAITING AT SO-CALLED TRANSIT HUBS IN EUROPE AND THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE THEY END UP AND EVENTUALLY RESETTLE IS UNCLEAR.

NEW JERSEY'S JOINT BASE McGUIRE DIX LAKEHURST IS ONE LOCATION WHERE SERVICE MEMBERS ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT WITH THOSE WHO ARRIVED WORKING WITH DOZENS OF AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE CAKE STATE TO HELP EVACUEES START A NEW LIKE LIFE.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE WAITING FOR THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE BEEN RELOCATED TO THE U.S. OR WILL BE RELOCATED TO THE U.S. TO COMPLETE PROCESSING AT U.S. GOVERNMENT FACILITIES BEFORE RECEIVING THEM.

>> Reporter: RESETTLEMENT AGENCIES LIKE THE IRC ARE POISED READY TO ASSIST THE AFGHAN REFUGEES WHO LANDED IN NEW JERSEY SETTLE INTO THEIR NEW LIVES.

THEY HELP WITH THINGS LIKE -- >> LOOKING FOR HOUSING, GETTING PEOPLE INTO JOBS, GETTING CHILDREN AND ROLLED IN SCHOOL, MAKING SURE WHERE PEOPLE KNOW TO GO TO THE DOCTOR.

>> THE VETTING PROCEDURE TYPICALLY STARTS OVERSEAS WITH A 14 STEP PROCESS THAT CAN TAKE UP TO TWO YEARS BUT WITH THE SPEED THIS GROUP HAD TO ESCAPE AFGHANISTAN, THE VETTING IS NOW HAPPENING HERE.

>> IT IS HAPPENING ON THE BASES IN THE UNITED DATES ARE THERE GOING THROUGH SOME INTERVIEW PROCESS WITH IMMIGRATION.

THEY ARE BEING PUT INTO DIFFERENT KINDS OF TRACKS, IF YOU WILL FOR THEIR ONGOING STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: EVERY PERSON CLEAR TO STAY IN THE U.S. WILL BE A DOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT.

WHAT IS UNCLEAR IS HOW MANY WILL STAY IN NEW JERSEY AND HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE TO MOVE THEM OFF THE MILITARY BASE BUT WHEN THEY DO, HOUSING WILL BE A CHALLENGE.

>> AS EVERYONE IN NEW JERSEY KNOWS, HOUSING IS A CHALLENGE IN THE BEST OF TIMES AND THESE ARE NOT THE BEST OF TIMES.

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE PANDEMIC IS THAT LANDLORDS HAVE GOTTEN MORE, LET'S JUST SAY, DISCERNING OR DISCRIMINATING ABOUT WHICH TENANTS THEY TAKE IN BECAUSE THEY WANT GUARANTEES THAT THE TENANTS WILL PAY THEIR RENT.

THESE NEW TENANTS ARE ARRIVING WITH NO CREDIT HISTORY , NO PAY STUBS.

ALL OF THE MARKS THAT A NORMAL LANDLORD PROPERTY MANAGER WOULD LOOK AT.

>> Reporter: WELCOME HOME JERSEY CITY IS RENTING APARTMENTS NOW IN ADVANCE OF FAMILIES THEY EXPECT TO RECEIVE ONCE HOUSING IS SECURE THEN THEY MOVED TO JOB PLACEMENT.

>> THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS COMING OVER I IMAGINE THAT WILL HAVE A CERTAIN CERTIFICATION, HE HAD A DOCTOR, NURSE, TEACHER IN THEIR HOME COUNTRY.

HOW CHALLENGING IS IT TO GET THOSE FOLKS REPOSITIONED IN SIMILAR CAREERS HERE?

>> IT IS VERY CHALLENGING AND YOU HAVE HONED IN ON A CLASSIC DILEMMA FOR THE HIGHLY SKILLED PERSON WHO COMES OVER IN AN EMERGENCY AND, YOU KNOW, A SURGEON IN PAKISTAN IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PRACTICE SURGERY IN THE UNITED STATES AS SOON AS THEY ARRIVE.

THERE IS AN ORGANIZATION CALLED UPWARDLY GLOBAL THAT DOES JUST THAT.

THEY PLACE SKILLED CREDENTIALED CLIENTS IN THE INDUSTRIES THAT THEY WORK IN IN THE BEST KINDS OF JOBS THEY CAN FIND.

>> ANOTHER CRITICAL STEP IS MAKING SURE THE KIDS NEEDS ARE MET.

>>> GETTING INTO SCHOOL, HAVING THE ABILITY TO LEARN ENGLISH ENGLISH.

WE HAVE SEEN LEVELS OF PROFICIENCY ALREADY BUT WORKING WITH THE SCHOOLS WERE A LOT OF THE KIDS ARE PLACE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE SUPPORTS THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: THESE GROUPS ACTIVELY SEEK OUT AREAS WHERE PEOPLE FROM AFGHANISTAN HAVE ALREADY SUCCESSFULLY SETTLED.

>> I'M CONFIDENT ONCE WE GET THROUGH THIS INITIAL CRISIS PHASE AND GET PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING SITUATIONS THAT THEY WILL DO WELL IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE SEEN THE AFGHAN COMMUNITY DO VERY WELL IN NORTHERN NEW JERSEY.

>> THAT MODEL OF SUCCESS HELPS MAKE WHAT CAN BE A TRAUMATIC TRANSITION JUST A LITTLE EASIER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>> Reporter: >>> A REP FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE.

THE GROUP MET VIRTUALLY THIS MORNING AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR DRAWING A NEW MAP OF CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES EVERY 10 YEARS BASED ON POPULATION COUNTS.

IT IS A HIGH STAKES TASKED WITH THE GOAL OF RIDDING GERRYMANDERING FROM THE PROCESS AND THIS GO AROUND, ADVOCATES ARE CALLING FOR A LOT MORE PUBLIC OVERSIGHT.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> LET ME SAY GOOD MORNING AND WELCOME.

IT'S NICE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

>> Reporter: PROBABLY A QUICK NEW JERSEY REDISTRICTING MEETING AS YOU WILL SEE.

THE CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE MAP REDRAWING IS UNDERWAY WITH A PROMISE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, FORMER STRAIGHT STATE SUPREME COURT JUSTICE JOHN WALLACE OF TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE PROCEEDINGS.

>> AS NOTED BY THE BYLAWS AND REQUIRED BY THE CONSTITUTION, THIS COMMISSION WILL HAVE AT LEAST THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE STATE.

ALTHOUGH WE ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS, I EXPECT WE WILL HAVE MANY MORE.

>> Reporter: ONE THING THEY HAVE DONE ALREADY IS THEY SAID THEY'RE GOING TO ACCEPT WRITTEN TESTIMONY AND MAPS FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> THAT IS GREAT.

IT IS NOT SOMETHING IN THE PAST THAT A PUBLIC HAS HAD THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO DO, MAINLY BECAUSE THE SOFTWARE WASN'T AS ACCESSIBLE IN THE PAST BUT NOW IT IS.

>> Reporter: THE POLITICAL CARTOGRAPHY LITERALLY REDRAWING THE MAP WILL BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SIX DEMOCRATS AND SIX REPUBLICANS.

AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THAT GENERALLY RESULTS IN THE NEED FOR A TIEBREAKER.

CHAIRMAN WALLACE.

AS BOTH SIDES TRIED TO RENDER A MAP THAT FAVORS THEIR PARTY.

ON THE CONGRESSIONAL FRONT, DEMOCRATS HOLD A 10-TO 2 ADVANTAGE WHICH COULD AFFECT HOW MUCH FEDERAL AID NEW JERSEY GETS BUT ALSO AFFECT CONGRESSIONAL MAJORITIES IN THE 2022 MIDTERMS.

PATEL OF THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE AS THE CENSUS FIGURES PAINT A DIFFERENT PICTURE FROM OF THE STATE LOOKED LIKE IN 2010 AND THE NEW DISTRICTS NEED TO REFLECT THAT ESPECIALLY IN THE STATE'S LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS.

>> WE HAVE A HISTORY IN NEW JERSEY INCLUDING THE MAPS WE CURRENTLY HAVE OF CONSISTENTLY OVERREPRESENTED WHITE COMMUNITIES.

IN A STATE LIKE OURS THAT IS OVER 45% COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO NOT DO THAT ANY LONGER.

>> SOMETHING ELSE THAT WILL IMPACT THE NEW MAPS IS THE NEW LAW WHICH MADE NEW JERSEY ONE OF 13 STATES THAT WILL COUNT INCARCERATED PEOPLE IN THEIR HOME TOWNS WHERE THEORETICALLY THEY WILL RETURN AFTER SERVING THEIR TIME AND NOT THE TOWNS WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF CHANGES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS 2, 3, AND 10 BECAUSE THEY HAVE 1% OF THEIR POPULATION ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS IS COUNTED AS INCARCERATED MEANING INCARCERATED IN PRISONS IN THOSE DISTRICTS.

SO WE KNOW THAT BUT WHAT WE DON'T KNOW YET BECAUSE THE CENSUS DATA CAN'T TELL US THIS BUT WE WILL FIND OUT A LITTLE LATER DOWN THE LINE, IS WHERE THE FOLKS ARE GOING TO INSTEAD BE COUNTED.

>> Reporter: BRENDA McCOY IS PRESIDENT OF NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE WHICH JUST PUBLISHED A STUDY ON THIS VERY ISSUE.

THAT STUDY FOUND THAT LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS 29, 12, 3 AND 1 WOULD LIKEWISE BE IMPACTED BY THE NEW LAW.

SO THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE WITH THE COMMISSION'S WORK.

ALL THE MORE REASONS THEY SAY, ON THE BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE NEED TO NOT ONLY PAY ATTENTION BUT TO GET INVOLVED.

THE COMMISSION HAS UNTIL JANUARY TO FINISH ITS WORK I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> PRESSURE IS MOUNTING ON REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL NOMINEE JACK CIATTARELLI'S CAMPAIGN OVER AN AD FEATURING A SEXUAL ASSAULT SURVIVOR.

KATIE BRENNAN HAS REPEATEDLY CALLED FOR THE AD TO BE REMOVED.

IT REPLACED PUBLIC VIDEO OF HER ALLEGATIONS OF BEING RAPED BY A FORMER TOP EIGHT TO GOVERNOR MURPHY DURING HIS 20,017 2017 CAMPAIGN BUT CHILLING RALLIES CIATTARELLI STEVE IS NOT BUDGING INSTEAD RELEASING A SECOND SPOT INCLUDING TENANTS IMAGE AND PAINTS THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AS BEING TOXIC FOR WOMEN.

BRENNAN RECENTLY TOLD NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THE USE OF HER NAME AND STORY WAS DISRESPECTFUL AND APPEARS A TACIT ENDORSEMENT FOR THE GOP CAMPAIGN.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR JACK CIATTARELLI SAYS THERE IS NO PLAN TO REMOVE THE AD OR ADJOINING WEBSITE.

>>> TONIGHT, MORE SO FOR SO- CALLED GHOST GUNS ARE OFF THE STREETS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING ACROSS STATE LINES DURING A CRACKDOWN ON A GUN TRAFFICKING RING BETWEEN CAMDEN AND PHILADELPHIA.

THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL OF NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA TODAY ANNOUNCING THEY HAVE ARRESTED THREE INDIVIDUALS FOR ALLEGEDLY PURCHASING UNTRACEABLE HIM A PARTIALLY ASSEMBLED FIREARMS IN PENNSYLVANIA THEN SELLING THEM FULLY ASSEMBLED IN NEW JERSEY.

20 GHOST GUNS INCLUDING SIX AR STYLE ASSAULT -- >>> ADDING A CONGESTION TAX FOR THAT APPROXIMATELY $3000 PER YEAR ON TOP OF THE COST FACING NEW JERSEY TO COMMUTERS THAT ALREADY STANDS AT $4000 IN TOLLS AS THEY ENTER THE CITY, USING THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE.

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

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> A QUICK NOTE FOR ANYONE PLANNING TO TRAVEL IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

THE GOVERNOR TODAY ASKING EVERYONE TO STAY PUT AS THE STATE BRACES FOR THE REMNANTS OF HURRICANE IDA.

AT LEAST 15 COUNTIES ARE UNDER TORNADO WATCH BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

MOST AREAS SHOULD EXPECT BETWEEN 2 TO 4 INCHES OF RAINFALL.

PARTS OF CENTRAL AND NORTH JERSEY COULD SEE UP TO 6 INCHES.

THREATS OF FLASH FLOODING IS IT ALREADY HITS SATURATED GROUND.

>>> IT IS STARTING TO FEEL LIKE YOU CAN'T ESCAPE THEM.

FIVE MORE COUNTIES ARE NOW ON THE STATES QUARANTINE ZONE LIST FOR THE DREADED SPOTTED LANTERNFLY BRINGING NEW JERSEY TO 13 QUARANTINE COUNTIES TOTAL.

THE INSECT IS NOT A DANGER TO HUMANS BUT DOES CAUSE DAMAGE TO CROPS.

THE STATE HAS ASKED FOR HELP BY LITERALLY SQUASHING THE BONES ON SITE HOW FAR WE EXPECT THEM TO SPREAD, MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ONE, CHANCES ARE THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE.

THE SPOTTED LANTERNFLY POPULATION IN NEW JERSEY IS GROWING WITH NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN.

>> THEY WERE INTRODUCED FROM ASIA INTO PENNSYLVANIA AND BERKS COUNTY IN 2014 AND HAS SINCE SPREAD THROUGHOUT A LARGE NUMBER OF COUNTIES IN PENNSYLVANIA.

THREE YEARS AGO, IT STARTED MOVING INTO NEW JERSEY.

AND IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, IT HAS GONE FROM JUST A COUPLE OF REPORTS TO PRETTY MUCH ALL OVER THE STATE.

>> IT WAS ONLY A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN I WENT MET WITH CAMDEN COUNTY ARBORS, DAN NOWAKOWSKI ABOUT THE INCREASE IN SIGHTINGS.

>> THEY ARE EVERYWHERE, SUPER INVASIVE INVASIVE AND IT'S A NUISANCE PAST.

>> Reporter: ONLY EIGHT COUNTIES WERE UNDER A QUARANTINE ORDER AT THE TIME.

NOW THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS ADDED FIVE MORE TO THE LIST RING IN THE TOTAL TO 13 INCLUDING MIDDLESEX COUNTY WHERE ONE OF OUR REDUCERS RECENTLY SPOTTED ONE.

>> IT IS A GOOD HITCHHIKER.

THE NYMPHS CAN JUMP ON A CAR OR YOUR CLOTHING WITHOUT YOU KNOWING IT AND THE SAME WITH THE ADULTS.

>> Reporter: SIGHTINGS HAVE BEEN REPORTED NEARBY LIKE NEW YORK AND WEST VIRGINIA, VIRGINIA, MARYLAND OHIO AND INDIANA.

AND WHEREVER THEY GO, FARMS AND GARDENS ARE IN DANGER OF DESTRUCTION.

>> THEY ARE SET FEEDER SO THEY EXCRETE SUGARY SUBSTANCES WHICH MOLD GROWS ON AND THOSE SUGARY SUBSTANCES ATTRACT STINGING INCENSE INSECTS LIKE WASPS AND BEES SO YOU CAN GET ACCIDENTAL STINGS FROM THOSE INSECTS TRYING TO FEED ON THE DROPPINGS.

>> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO CONTROL THE SPREAD, PEOPLE ARE BEING ASKED TO KILL THE BUGS WHENEVER THEY SEE THEM.

THAT IS WHAT BRENDA JOBST DID WHEN SHE RECENTLY ORGANIZED A SPOTTED LANTERNFLY MURDER CLUB.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE DO ALL DAY.

WE ARE SO ANNOYED WITH THEM AND THE DAMAGE THEY ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS ABOUT 80 OF HER NEIGHBORS, ALSO FED UP WITH THE BUGS, TURNED OUT WITH WEAPONS OF CHOICE ON THE HUNT TO GET RID OF THEM.

>> I KNOW THEY WILL NOT GET EVERY SINGLE ONE BUT AFTER COUNTING THOSE UP, WE HAVE KILLED ABOUT 6000.

WHICH IS REALLY GREAT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF EGG MASSES THEY LAY AND HOW MANY WE REALLY STOPPED FROM COMING BACK NEXT YEAR.

>> WHILE EXPERTS DON'T THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO COMPLETELY STOP SPOTTED LANTERNFLIES THEY ARE ASKING RESIDENTS TO STOMP THEM OUT.

>> WE CAN HELP BY GOING OUT LATE IN THE FALL AND EARLY WINTER AND SCRAPING EGG MASSES OFF OF STRUCTURES THAT WE SEE YOUR OFF OF TREES.

FORMAT FOR OTHER WAYS YOU CAN PITCH IN, CHECK OF THE STATES WEBSITE, BAD BUG.NJ.GOV.

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

>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD OVER TO NJTVONLINE.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABUS 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.