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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND OR STEAD, CREATED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS DOING THE EU AND G7 IN DECLARING NEW SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA, INCREASING THE PRESSURE ON RUSSIA'S LARGEST BANKS BY BANNING ALL NEW INVESTMENT AND BLOCKING MOST OF THE COUNTRY'S FINANCIAL SECTOR.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL ALSO BLOCK ALL BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS ON PEOPLE TIED TO THE KREMLIN, INCLUDING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN'S DAUGHTERS.

THERE IS MORE WORLD LEADERS ACCUSE RUSSIAN FORCES OF COMMITTING WAR CRIMES AGAINST UKRAINE FOLLOWING THE RELEASE OF FOR FIND IMAGES OF DEAD CIVILIANS USUALLY KILLED IN A MASS GRAVES AND STREETS OF TOWNS JUST OUTSIDE UKRAINE'S CAPITAL.

THE EXODUS OF UKRAINIAN CIVILIANS IS HAPPENING IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY.

THE PENTAGON WARNING MILITARY CONFLICT IS EXPECTED TO GET WORSE THERE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER SPOKE WITH NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO STILL HAVE FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN UKRAINE AS THEY LIVE THROUGH THE WAR WITH THEM.

SOME OF THE IMAGES YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE ARE DISTURBING.

>> I AM TERRIFIED AND SCARED FOR MY FAMILY.

NOT ONLY FOR MY FAMILY, FOR THE COUNTRY AND THIS FEELING OF SOMETHING HAS BEEN BROKEN IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: JANNA BROWN STRUGGLING TO HOLD BACK THE TEARS AS SHE SEES HARROWING IMAGES PAINTING A PICTURE OF A BRUTAL MASSACRE UNFOLDING IN HER HOMELAND.

>> IT IS TOTAL INJUSTICE, ESPECIALLY FROM WHAT WE SAW FROM ABUJA.

I DON'T KNOW IF GOD EXISTS.

WHERE IS HE?

IT IS VERY PAINFUL THE AMOUNT OF CRUELTIES UNIMAGINABLE.

WE CANNOT WRAP OUR HEAD AROUND THIS.

>> Reporter: YANEZ, FROM ARIAL POOL, A CITY FUNDED BY RUSSIAN FORCES.

SIX WEEKS INTO THIS CONFLICT, THOSE HE ESCAPED ARE SEEING GRAPHIC IMAGES OF WHAT THEY LEFT BEHIND.

RUSSIAN FORCES ARE ACCUSED OF TORTURING AND KILLING THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS.

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY RECOUNTING WHAT HE MET WITNESSED IN THE UKRAINIAN CITY OF ABUJA DURING YESTERDAY'S ADDRESS IN FRONT OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL.

>> SOMEONE SHOT ON THE STREETS.

OTHERS WERE THROWN INTO WELLS.

THEY DIED THERE AND WERE SUFFERING.

THEY WERE KILLED IN THEIR APARTMENT HOUSES, BLOWING UP GRENADES.

CIVILIANS WERE CRUSHED BY TANKS WHILE SITTING IN THEIR CARS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD JUST FOR THEIR PLEASURE.

THEY CUT OFF LIMBS, SLASHED THEIR THROATS.

WOMEN WERE TRANRAPED AND KILLED IN FRONT OF THE CHILDREN.

THEIR TONGUES WERE PULLED OUT, ONLY BECAUSE THE AGGRESSOR DID NOT HEAR WHAT THEY WANTED TO HEAR.

>> Reporter: CLAIMS THE KREMLIN AND RUSSIA'S MINISTRY OF DEFENSE STRONGLY DENIED.

>> IT IS STANDARD FOR RUSSIA TO DENY EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: DIMITRI McKAY LOVE IS A MEMBER OF THE RUSSIAN CLUB.

HE IS FROM BELARUS, A COUNTRY RUSSIA ALSO TRIED TO CONTROL.

IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT RUSSIA IS CALLING THE IMAGES FROM ABUJA A HOAX.

>> MOST OF THE RUSSIAN POPULATION, THEY JUST WATCH STATE TV.

STATES TV IS A HUGE MACHINE AND PROPAGANDA CREATED BY RUSSIANS.

THEY TOOK LESSONS FROM HITLER'S STATE AND THEY MADE IT EVEN BETTER.

PROBABLY THE BEST PROPAGANDA MACHINE IN THE WORLD AND PEOPLE WHO WATCH RUSSIAN TV, THEY DON'T KNOW REALITIES.

MAYBE THEY WON'T KNOW PICTURES FROM ABUJA ON RUSSIAN TV BUT COMMENTS WILL BE SUCH ORCHESTRATED, THEY NEVER WILL BE SURE.

>> Reporter: IT IS NOT SHOCKING FOR ALI PRAVDA, WHO LEFT THE CITY OF HARKEY, ANOTHER OF PUTIN'S RECENT TARGET SEVEN YEARS AGO, AND LIVES IN JERSEY CITY.

>> IS A STUDENT OF HISTORY, I KNOW RUSSIAN BRUTALITY QUITE WELL.

I KNOW HOW THEY CONDUCT TOWARD.

I KNOW RUSSIAN MILITARY AND RUSSIAN OFFICIALS, MORE CRIME DOES NOT COMPRISE SOMETHING DESPICABLE.

IF ANYTHING, IT IS ANOTHER TOOL TO MAKE THE POPULATION WHICH IS OCCUPY COMPLIANCE.

>> HOW PEOPLE CAN BE SO CRUEL.

IT FEELS LIKE THEY'RE NOT HUMAN BEINGS TO THEM.

>> Reporter: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY IS CALLING THESE ATROCITIES GENOCIDE, AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND MOST OF THE CALL FOR A CHILD.

LLAMA MORON NEARLY PRAISED FOR THE SLAUGHTER OF HER UKRAINIAN COUNTRYMEN TO STOP >>> RESIDENCE WITHOUT INSURANCE WILL HAVE TO DIG INTO THEIR POCKETS FOR COVID-19 TEST OR VACCINATION.

THAT IS BECAUSE THE FEDERAL PROGRAM COVERING COVID CARE FOR THE INSURED HAS OFFICIALLY ENDED.

THE FUNDS THAT PAID FOR IT IS OUT OF MONEY.

THE NEED APPEARS TO STILL BE THERE ACROSS NEW JERSEY TODAY.

MORE THAN 1400 AND CASES AND 15,000 BEING REPORTED.

THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION IS BACK UP OVER 1.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THOSE STILL IN NEED OF A TEST?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN FINDS OUT.

>> IT SHOULD BE FREE WHETHER YOU HAVE INSURANCE OR NOT.

>> Reporter: A CUSTOMER AT THE CITY MD IN NEWARK IS DEEPLY UNHAPPY AFTER FINDING OUT SHE MIGHT HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE FOR A COVID TEST.

THE COMPANY POSTED A WARNING ON THE DOOR EXPLAINING FEDERAL COVID FUNDING EXPIRED LAST MONTH.

SO, PATIENTS WITHOUT INSURANCE WILL BE CHARGED THE UNINSURED VISIT RIGHT, OR A CO-PAY FOR THOSE WITH COVERAGE.

>> THE GIRL STATED I HAVE TO HAVE MY INSURANCE CARD OR PAY $225.

>> $225?

>> $225 TO GET IN NO SWAB.

>> THAT'S A RIP OFF.

THEY NEED TO DO THAT FOR FREE OR LIFT THE MANDATE BECAUSE I VACCINATED.

MY I NEED A COVID TESTIFY WANT TO TRAVEL?

>> Reporter: FEDERAL MONEY FOR COVID TESTING EXPIRED MARCH 22nd.

A BIPARTISAN BILL IS FAST TRACKING ANOTHER 10 BILLION IN FEDERAL COVID EIGHT WENT OFF THE RAILS TUESDAY WHEN REPUBLICANS DEMANDED THE SENATE VOTE FIRST ON CONTROVERSIAL IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

THERE IS NO FIXED.

MEDICARE AND MEDICAID CONTINUE TO COVER COVID SERVICES BUT SEVERAL PROVIDERS ARE BILLING OF INSURED CUSTOMERS FOR COVID TESTS AND THEY ARE SHOCKED.

>> I DON'T MIND PAYING $20 BUT I'M NOT PAYING 200 SOMETHING DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS ANNOUNCED $125 FEE FOR PCR TESTS NOTING IT CAN NO LONGER PROVIDE TESTS FOR FREE TO THE UNINSURED.

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HALL STATED THAT IS TOO SOON TO SAY WHAT THE SPECIFIC IMPACT OF A LACK OF FEDERAL FUNDING WILL BE.

THE DEPARTMENT IS MONITORING FOR CHANGES TO OUR PROVIDER NETWORKS, ESPECIALLY IN OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

NONPROFITS OVEREAT.

CHRISTOPHER WREN RUNS THE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL JERSEY.

VACCINATED AND TESTED THOUSANDS OF CLIENTS WHETHER OR NOT FOLKS COULD PAY, WHILE STILL PERFORMING THOSE FREE SERVICES THEY DEPEND ON GOVERNMENT MONEY.

>> WE HOPE THAT CONGRESS AND OUR STATE LEADERSHIP UNDERSTANDS THE NEED AND THEY ALL WORK TOGETHER TO GET US THE FUNDING REQUESTED.

>> Reporter: THE $10 BILLION COVID FUNDING COMPROMISED REPRESENT LESS THAN HALF THE LIGHTHOUSES ORIGINAL $22.5 BILLION REQUEST.

IT IS FUNDED BY CLIENT BACK ON SPENT FEDERAL COVID AID AND ALSO NEGOTIATORS CUT $5 MILLION INTENDED TO HELP FUND VACCINATIONS AROUND THE GLOBE.

>> Reporter: AS IF SOMEHOW THE UNITED STATES EXISTS IN A VACUUM SEPARATE FROM THE WORLD.

>> Reporter:.

HOW CUTE IS CALLED THAT SHORTSIGHTED.

>> UNLESS WE HELP THE REST OF THE WORLD GET THIS UNDER CONTROL, IT WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE INFECTIONS.

>> Reporter: HOW LONG SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOUND TESTS AND SHOTS?

IF COVID WAS A BASKETBALL GAME, MOST WOULD THINK WE ARE IN OVERTIME BUT WE HAVE ONE.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WILL TELL YOU THE VIRUS PLAYS IN LONG GAME.

THE BA.2 VARIANT IS DRIVING ANOTHER SMALL SPIKE IN COVID CASELOADS AND THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO MUTATE.

A LARGER SEARCH IS EXPECTED COME FALL.

>> KEEPING PEOPLE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED IS KEY.

TO GO BUT WHICH HAS TO DO WITH MONEY.

YOU CREATE AN OBSTACLE THAT HAS TO DO WITH INSURANCE.

>> Reporter: PARTICULARLY IF YOU GET JOB OR TESTED ONLY BECAUSE GOVERNMENT MANDATES REQUIRE IT.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS US TO GET THESE TESTS AND PUT MANDATES ON US TO GET TESTED AND VACCINATED AND ALL THAT BUT WE HAVE TO COME OUT OF OUR POCKET FOR IT?

>> Reporter: YOU CAN STILL FIND FREE TESTS SITES LISTED AT COVID-19.NJ.GOV OR OLDER ORDER FREE AT HOME TESTS.

THE SENATE VOTE APPEARS SNARLED, AS LAWMAKERS PLAN TO LEAVE SATURDAY FOR A TWO-WEEK CAMPAIGN RECESS.

>>> AS LAWMAKERS CONTINUE BUDGET HEARINGS THIS WEEK, MANY WERE ALARMED BY A SIMPLE YET KEY PIECE OF LANGUAGE LEFT OUT OF THE BILL.

EXACTLY WHO WILL APPROVE HOW THE REMAINING $3 BILLION IN COVID RELIEF AID GETS SPENT?

AND WHY LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT APPEARS TO BE REMOVED.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER COVERED THE HEARING AND JOINS US TO EXPLAIN.

THE TREASURER TESTIFIED BEFORE LAWMAKERS THIS WEEK.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISAGREEMENT OVER THIS.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

IT IS NICE TO BE WITH YOU.

THIS CAME UP OVER TWO DAYS OF BUDGET HEARINGS.

EVEN LAWMAKERS FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PARTY BRINGS THIS IS A CONCERN.

GOING FORWARD, NEW JERSEY HAS ABOUT $3 BILLION IN ITS FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF THAT HAS BEEN UNALLOCATED.

THAT IS A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY.

HOW EXACTLY THIS MONEY GETS APPROVED AND WHO GETS THE FINAL SAY, LAST YEAR THAT WAS AN ISSUE THAT CAME UP DURING BUDGET DISCUSSIONS.

THEY SOLVED IT BY COMING UP WITH THE COOPERATIVE PROCESS TO ALLOCATE WHAT WAS AT THE TIME $6 BILLION.

WE HAVE USED HALF OF IT OVER THE LAST YEAR.

WHEN THAT LANGUAGE WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET, THE MARKET PRESENTED TO LAWMAKERS LAST MONTH, IT RAISED EYEBROWS AMONG BOTH PARTIES BUT EVEN MURPHY'S ON PARTY.

THE STATE TREASURER INDICATED A WILLINGNESS TO KEEP WORKING TOGETHER.

LAWMAKERS WANT TO SEE IT IN WRITING.

>> Reporter: ARE THE RULES FOR HOW THIS MONEY CAN BE SPENT?

IS THIS THE SAME AS STIMULUS MONEY?

KIND OF MONEY IS IT?

>> THE STATE HAS STRICT RULES FOR HOW IT USES ITS OWN RESOURCES.

THIS FEDERAL MONEY IS IN A WHOLE OTHER CATEGORY.

IT RAISES THE QUESTION OF DOES THE LEGISLATOR APPROPRIATE IT AND MURPHY APPROVE THE BUDGET OR SOME OTHER PROCESS APPROPRIATE.

LAST YEAR AGAIN, THEY CAME UP WITH A PROCESS THAT LED TO CRITICISM IN LATE NOVEMBER AFTER THANKSGIVING.

IT TOOK LAWMAKERS 30 MINUTES TO APPROVE A QUARTER MILLION AND SPENDING AND WITH LITTLE INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW SPECIFIC PROJECTS WERE SELECTED.

THE IDEA THAT WE SHOULD REVISIT THIS AND COME UP WITH A BETTER PROCESS IS NOT A BAD ONE.

IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMUNICATION ISSUE THAT CAUSED THE SNACK WE SAW.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING THAT COULD POTENTIALLY OF INTO THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS?

>> IN THEORY IT COULD BE.

ONE LAWMAKER USED THE TERM NONNEGOTIABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATOR RETAINING.

THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, A POWERFUL SPOT.

THE WAY THE TREASURER HAS TALKED ABOUT THIS, AND LANGUAGE AND BUDGET DOCUMENT SUGGESTS THAT THE AMERICAN ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO KEEP DOING THIS COOPERATIVELY WANTS TO REVISIT THIS ISSUE AGAIN.

>> THAT IS THE MAIN POINT IS THAT WITHOUT THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE.

>> WHETHER THAT'S THROUGH THE BUDGET LIKE THEY DID LAST YEAR OR A SEPARATE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, A GOOD PROCESS NEEDS TO BE ESTABLISHED.

>> THANK YOU FOR CHECKING IN WITH US.

>>> IN POLITICS, MOST OF THE LEADERS WILL TELL YOU THEY PAY LITTLE ATTENTION TO POLLS.

THAT IS OF COURSE UNLESS THE SCALES TIP IN THEIR FAVOR.

THE LATEST MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY POLL TAKES THE POLLS ON GOVERNMENT MURPHY'S STATE APPROVAL RATING MONTHS INTO HIS SECOND TERM.

THE FRONT OFFICE IS TAKING NOTE.

>> Reporter: STOP IF YOU THIS ONE BEFORE.

AMBITIOUS NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR THINKS HE CAN BE PRESIDENT.

YOU HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE?

ASK AMBITIOUS NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY 100 TIMES AS HE PLANS TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 100 TIMES HE WILL TELL YOU -- >> NOT PLANNING ON RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: IF YOU LOOK AT IT FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, TODAY'S UNIVERSITY POLL SHOULD BE REGISTERING WELL.

THE POLL FINDS 57% OF REGISTERED VOTERS APPROVE OF THE GOVERNOR'S JOB PERFORMANCE, WHICH IS 35% GIVING HIM THE THUMBS DOWN.

>> WHEN WE ASK PEOPLE HOW A GOVERNMENT IS DOING IN A POLL, AND PEOPLE SIMPLY TALK ABOUT IT, THEY TALK IN TERMS OF NARRATIVES.

THEY DON'T COME UP WITH A LAUNDRY LIST OF POLICIES.

THAT IS WHERE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS FALLEN BEHIND AND HAS NOT DONE AS WELL IS IN CONVEYING A NARRATIVE THAT THEY ARE ABOUT SOMETHING COHESIVE.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE POLL ASKED IF THIS GOVERNOR HAD ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING IN HIS FIRST TERM IN A FEW MONTHS, THE RESPONSE MAY GIVE THE GOVERNOR PAUSE.

25% OF VOTERS SAID HE HAD NO ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

42% SAID THEY WERE MINOR.

30% SAID HE ACCOMPLISHED ANYTHING.

MURPHY'S TEAM SEES THE POLL AS A CONFIRMATION.

IN TODAY'S CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT, SAYS A STATEMENT FROM MURPHY CHIEF OF STAFF GEORGE HELLMAN, THESE NUMBERS THAT A STRONG MESSAGE THAT GOVERNOR MURPHY ENJOYS BROAD SUPPORT FOR HIS AGENDA OF THE START OF HIS SECOND TERM.

>> FOR MURPHY LIBERAL IDIOT EXTREMIST BUT PEOPLE DON'T IF I CAN.

>> Reporter: JOHN BROWN NEGLECTS A GUY WHO IS LIKABLE, WHICH EXPLAINS WHY HE WILL MAKE A PUBLIC APPEARANCE WITH MURPHY.

MURPHY BRETT KAVANAUGH AND KRISTI SWEENEY.

CHRISTIE HAD HIS SIGHTS SET ON WASHINGTON WELL BEFORE HE WON HIS REELECTION.

THE POLL SHOWS THE KIND OF MISTRUST JERSEY HAS BECAUSE DESPITE CONSTANT DENIALS, PHOTOS OF MIXED.

45% SAY THE GOVERNOR HAS HIS EYE ON THE BALL HERE.

THE SAME 45% SAY HE IS ANGLING FOR A WHITE HOUSE RUN.

>> CHRIS CRISTI TOOK THAT TO A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL IN THE PUBLIC TOOK NOTICE OF IT.

I THINK NEW JERSEY ARE SKEPTICAL OF EACH GOVERNOR AS THEY COME INTO OFFICE.

WHAT ARE YOU REALLY ABOUT?

ARE YOU GOING TO FOCUS ON THIS JOB WERE LOOKING FOR THE NEXT JOB?

>> THEY DON'T VOTE FOR A GOVERNOR BECAUSE THEY WANT HIM TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

IS NUMBERS WILL ABSOLUTELY DROP ONCE PEOPLE THINK HE IS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO CHRIS CRISTI ADULT WILL HAPPEN TO PHIL MURPHY.

>> Reporter: FROM ONE GUY WHO HAS SEEN A GOVERNOR'S POLLS CRASH AND BURN, FOCUS ON THE JOB..

CELEBRITIES GOOD POLL NUMBERS BUT NEXT ON THE PRESIDENTIAL STUFF, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

>>> MAKE SURE TO TUNE INTO CHAT BOXES SEVIER CORRESPONDENT DAVID CHRIS DEMAIO.

HE GOES ONE-ON-ONE WITH U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER ABOUT THE WAR OF WORDS OVER SUPREME COURT NOMINEE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, THE PUSH TO FREE STUDENT LOANS AND THE FIGHT AHEAD FOR DEMOCRATS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

WANT TO LIVE THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJP BSE TO CHANNEL OVER EVERY STREAM.

>>> AND WHAT IS BEING CALLED A HISTORIC WIN, AMAZON WORKERS AT STOUT A DAVID AND GOLIATH LIKE VICTORY, VOTING TO START THE FIRST EVER LABOR UNION FOR EMPLOYEES IN THE BEHEMOTH ONLINE RETAILERS 27 YEAR HISTORY.

THE HARD-FOUGHT WIN IS ADDING MOMENTUM TO A NEW LABOR MOVEMENT SPURRED BY THE PANDEMIC.

AND WORKERS HAVING THE UPPER HAND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION.

HAS GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> WHEN COVID-19 CAME TO PLAY, AMAZON FAILED US.

THEY DROPPED THE BALL IN MY TO THE PUBLIC SAYING THEY ARE DOING ALL THESE THINGS.

NONE OF THAT WAS THE REALITY OF OUR SITUATION.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY NATIVE CHRIS WALLACE SAYS IN HIS OWN'S MISTREATMENT OF EMPLOYEES INSPIRED HIM TO ORGANIZE THE COMPANY'S FIRST LABOR UNION ON A PLANT IN STATEN ISLAND.

>> WE WENT EVERY OTHER INDUSTRY AND EVERY OTHER BUSINESS TO KNOW THAT THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

ARE GOING TO UNIONIZE.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO QUIT OUR JOBS.

>> Reporter: THAT SAME FEELING APPLIES TO SOME EMPLOYEES AT STARBUCKS.

>> OUR PAY DOES NOT REFLECTS THE AMOUNT OF WORK WE PUT INTO THIS STRESSFUL WORK PLACE.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR HIGHER PAY.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR MORE PEOPLE ON THE FLOOR SO IT IS A STRESSFUL.

>> Reporter: THERMAL GOAL IS A SHIFT SUPERVISOR AT A STARBUCKS IN HOPEWELL, ONE OF THREE STORES VOTING ON ORGANIZING THIS MONTH.

SHE SAYS SHE IS NOT AFRAID TO LOSE HER JOB AT STARBUCKS RETALIATES AGAINST HER.

>> I HAVE SEEN UNJUST WRITEUPS AND FIRINGS SO MUCH IN THE PAST MONTH OR SO.

A LOT OF WOMEN OF COLOR, AS I AM.

I AM NOT NOT EXPECTING IT, BUT IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL KEEP ME FROM PUSHING FORWARD.

IT WILL HONESTLY ONLY MAKE ME MORE ENERGIZED TO WORK AGAINST STARBUCKS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE WAY >>> STOPPED UNIONS IS BY HOLDING WITH CALL CAPTIVE AUDIENCE MEETINGS.

>> THEY TELL THE WORKERS, THESE BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN TO YOU.

UNIONS HAVE, I THINK, BEEN VERY SLOW TO LET GO OF THAT TACTIC AND UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT THEY REALLY NEED TO DO IS BUILD AN ORGANIZATION OF WORKERS INSIDE THE FACILITY, LIKE AMAZON, THAT WILL SELF ORGANIZE.

>> Reporter: SUSAN SHERMAN TEACHES THAT WORKERS AMAZON EMPLOYEES SUCCESSFULLY ORGANIZED BECAUSE IT WASN'T LIKE A TRADITIONAL UNION.

THERE WAS NO HELP FROM NATIONAL GROUPS.

>> THE EMPLOYER ALWAYS WANTS TO SAY, WE DON'T NEED A THIRD PARTY INTERFERING BETWEEN YOU AND US.

THEY TOOK AWAY THE ADVANTAGE OF THE EMPLOYER'S CAPTIVE AUDIENCE TACTIC BY USING SOCIAL MEDIA.

THEY KIND OF OUTMANEUVERED AMAZON AND ITS TWO CORE ADVANTAGES.

>> Reporter: PATRIZIO CAMPOS MEDINA IS A LABOR ACTIVIST WHO LEADS THE WORK FOR INSTITUTE AT CORNELL.

SHE SAYS THE PANDEMIC PLAYED A BIG ROLE, TO.

>> IT'S NOT JUST TO YOUR FIGHTING AGAINST BUT WHAT YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR.

'S WORKERS WERE FIGHTING FOR MORE DIGNITY ON THE JOB, MORE HEALTH AND SAFETY ON THE JOB FOR THEIR LIVES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSWOMAN BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN VISITED MICHAEL'S HOPEWELL STARBUCKS THIS WEEK AND 26 LITERS IS LEGISLATOR SIGNED A LETTER CALLING FOR THE COMPANY TO RECOGNIZE ORGANIZING EFFORTS.

EMPLOYEES AT HOPEWELL HAVE TWO MORE WEEKS TO SEND IN THEIR VOTES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> OIL EXECS: THE DEFENSE AGAINST PAIN AT THE PUMP.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE ON THE SKYHIGH GAS PRICES AND TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>> Reporter: THE HIGH COST OF GASOLINE WAS THE FOCUS OF A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HEARING TODAY INSISTED OIL EXECUTIVES WERE IN THE HOT SEAT.

CONGRESSMAN FRANK POLIN SAID OIL COMPANIES ARE MAKING BILLIONS AND USING HIGH PROFITS TO BENEFIT SHAREHOLDERS AND CONSUMERS.

>> WELL IS CHOOSING TO KEEP SUPPLY LOW.

PAKISTAN WITH THE HARD-EARNED DOLLARS A STRUGGLING AMERICAN CONSUMERS.

THE GAMBIT OIL IS PLAYING IS NOTHING NEW.

>> Reporter: EXECUTIVE SAY THEY'RE NOT KEEPING PRICES ARTIFICIALLY HIGH TO INFLATE THEIR PROFITS AND THE PRICES ARE INFLUENCED BY GLOBAL OIL SUPPLIES AND OTHER FACTORS.

REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE ENERGY COMMITTEE CRITICIZED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOR NOT DOING MORE TO SUPPORT DOMESTIC OIL PRODUCTION.

CONGRESSMAN PAUL ALSO ANNOUNCING TODAY THAT NEW JERSEY WILL RECEIVE $834 MILLION IN FUNDING FROM THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

IT IS A BOOST FOR NJ TRANSIT, AS MONEY CAN BE USED TO BUY NEW BUSES AND TRAINS AND TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY.

MORTGAGE RATES CONTINUE TO CLIMB AT LEAST ONE BIG REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE, REDFIN, SAYS THE RED-HOT HOUSING MARKET IS SHOWING SIGNS OF COOLING.

THE RATE FOR A 30 YEAR FIXED RATE LOAN HAS NOW CROSSED 5%.

A YEAR AGO, MORTGAGE RATES WERE LESS THAN 3 1/2%.

REFERENCES MORTGAGE RATES ARE SHOOTING UP AT THE FASTEST PACE IN HISTORY, SENDING THE TYPICAL MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT FOR A HOME BUYER UP MORE THAN $500 SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR.

REDFIN SAYS FEWER PEOPLE ARE APPLYING FOR MORTGAGES AND DOING ONLINE SEARCHES FOR HOMES.

>>> NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS CAN LEGALLY BET ON COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMING.

E SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP HAS LAUNCHED ITS SPORTS ONLINE BETTING PLATFORM AFTER RECEIVING APPROVAL FROM THE STATE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT.

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

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

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE THE INTERNET, SHAHEEN HOLLOWAY IS NOT THE ONLY PEACOCK FRYING THE COOP AFTER A MIRACULOUS CINDERELLA ROOM, AT THE NCAA'S BIG DANCE.. ST. PETER'S TOP PLAYERS ARE LEAVING THE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM, ENTERING WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE TRANSFER PORTAL.

JUNIOR GUARDS DOUG ENTERED, WHOSE SIGNATURE MUSTACHE TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN DURING THE TOURNAMENT, MATTHEW LEE, AND DARRELL BRINGS THE THIRD ARE WEIGHING THEIR OPTIONS.

THE PORTAL ALLOWS COLLEGE ATHLETES TO PUT THEIR NAME IN A NATIONAL DATABASE OF COACHES AND STAFF FROM OTHER SCHOOLS CAN REACH OUT OFFERING SCHOLARSHIPS.

AND OF COURSE A TRANSFER OPTIONS.

WE WON'T BE SHY ABOUT OUR HOPE THE TRIO STAYS IN JERSEY AND MAYBE EVEN FOLLOWS THEIR COACH.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.WORK AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE FROM THE ENTIRE TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP , SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS .

AND BY THE TREND 20 FOUNDATION.