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>>> VERIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS THURSDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> HERE WE GO AGAIN.

THIS DATE IS BACK IN THE THROES OF DANGEROUSLY HOT CONDITIONS.

ANOTHER HEAT WAVE WITH THE HUMIDITY SURGING AND LITTLE RELIEF FOR ROUGHLY THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.

MOST OF NEW JERSEY IS UNDER A HEAT ADVISORY, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE THANKS TO A HEIGHT HIGH HEAT INDEX.

THAT IS WHAT THE TEMPERATURE FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU COMBINE AIR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY.

IT IS CREEPING INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS, PUSHING UPWARD OVER 100 DEGREES IN SEVERAL AREAS TODAY.

DESPITE RECENT RAINS, STATE REPORTS SHOW THE SCORCHING HEAT DOUBLED THE LEVEL OF MODERATE DROUGHT IN NEW JERSEY OVER THE LAST WEEK AS THE STATE'S WALTERS, SOME CITIES ARE IN FOR AN EVEN TOUGHER TIME.

THEY ARE CALLED URBAN HEAT ISLAND.

NEW JERSEY IS HOME TO SEVERAL OF THEM WEAR BUILDINGS AND BLACKTOP CAUSE IT TO BE HOTTER THAN THE SURROUNDING AREAS.

THE IMPACT IS FELT MOST DURING SUMMER MONTHS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WHEN SUMMER TURNS UP THE HEAT TO HIGH, BRICK CITY BAKED LIKE A BRICK OVEN.

SIDEWALKS, STREETS, AND BLOCKS OF PACKED BUILDINGS WITH SCARCE SHADE IN AN ALMOST TREELESS LANDSCAPE COOK UP TEMPERATURES THAT COULD SOAR 10 DEGREES HIGHER THAN SUBURBS 10 MILES AWAY.

WE ASKED NEWARK NATIVE CHRIS WRIGHT WE GUESS, WHAT IS THE AUDIT YOU HAVE EVER SEEN IT READ ON AT THE MONITOR?

>> 109 DEGREES.

YEAH, IT WAS HOT.

LACK OF TREES, CONCRETE EVERYWHERE.

>> THAT SORT OF SERVICE, ROOFTOP BUILDINGS, PAVEMENT, ABSORBS SOLAR ENERGY BETTER THAN OTHER SERVICES.

10, 15 DEGREES MAY BE POSSIBLE IN A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUBURBS OR URBAN AREAS.

>> Reporter: MONTCLAIR STATE RESEARCHERS GREG POPE STUDIED THE HEAT ISLAND SEASCAPES THAT SOAK UP THE SUN'S ENERGY AND RADIATE IT BACK.

DURING HEAT WAVES, THEY GENERATE AN ESCALATED ENERGY SPIRAL.

>> ESPECIALLY HEATS IT UP MORE AT NIGHT.

IT'S RELEASES THAT HEAT BACK TO THE ATMOSPHERE.

OUR NIGHTTIME PEOPLE JUST DON'T GET AS COOL, WHICH MEANS IT IS EASIER TO HEAT UP LATER IN THE NEXT MORNING.

>> ENVIRONMENTALISTS MAPPED THREE HEAT ISLANDS, JERSEY CITY, NEWARK, AND ELIZABETH.

YOU CAN SEE HOW HEAT ENERGY IS ABSORBED THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND NIGHTTIME IS BRUTALLY INTENSE.

IN ELIZABETH TODAY, EVEN FOLKS IN AN URBAN GARDEN FOUND THE TEMPERATURES UNBEARABLE.

>> YOU CAN'T GO OUTSIDE IN 105 DEGREES, WHICH IT IS TODAY.

>> THE BREEZE IS VERY WARM.

IF IT IS GOING TO BE 95 OR 100 TODAY, ON A HEAT ISLAND YOU MIGHT BE UP TO 110, 115 RIGHT OFF THE BAT.

AT THAT POINT IN TIME, YOU ARE JUST BLOWING HOT AIR AROUND.

>> NEWARK ISN'T CODE RED STATUS FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

FOLKS CAN FIND RELIEF IN CITY COOLING CENTERS, BUT HOW CAN CITY OFFICIALS TURNED DOWN THE TEMPERATURE IN URBAN HEAT ISLAND?

>> THIS THING YOU CAN DO IN ANY AREA, QUICKLY, IS TO PLANT TREES.

TREES GIVE YOU A CANOPY.

>> AND JONATHAN PHILIP SAYS, CANOPIES GIVE YOU SHADE.

HIS GROUP PLANTED AN EXPERIMENTAL MICRO-FOREST IN CONCERT WITH THE NEW JERSEY CONSERVATION FOUNDATION.

IT IS ABOUT 200 TREES AND SHRUBS POPPED INTO A SMALL SPACE WITH GOOD SOIL.

THE CITY PLANS TO PLANT FOUR MORE AND WILL EXPLORE HOW TO BRING MORE TREES BACK INTO THE LANDSCAPE.

>> WHETHER IT BE IN CONTAINERS, OR ALONG PARKING LOTS OR STRINGS CREATING A LOT OF THESE HEAT ISLAND TO BREAK DOWN THE TEMPERATURE.

>> MEANWHILE, RODRIGUEZ WORKS HER DOWN BOTTOM FARMS, AN URBAN GARDEN IN NEWARK'S IRONBOUND NEIGHBORHOOD CREATED ON A OLD PARKING LOT SITE THAT RADIATED PIERCE HEAT.

THEY COVERED IT WITH WOOD CHIPS AND SOIL WHICH NOT ONLY SUPPORTS FRUIT TREES, VEGGIES AND FLOWERS, IT IS SO MUCH COOLER THAN BAKING ASPHALT.

>> IT IS JUST UNHEALTHY.

I THINK THAT IS ALL WE ARE TRYING TO DO, LIVE A HEALTHY LIFE.

>> IN NEWARK, BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".

>>> DIVIDED AND MINISTRATION HAS DECLARED THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK IN THE U.S. A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

THE DECLARATION COMES A WEEK AFTER THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION INSTITUTED A GLOBAL EMERGENCY WITH 6600 KNOWN CASES NATIONWIDE.

WE ARE HOME TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST INFECTIONS.

NEW JERSEY HAS GOT 188 CONFIRMED CASES.

THE FULL EXTENT ME THOUGH, IS NOT KNOWN DUE TO FEDERAL DELAYS IN TESTING, VACCINE AND DATA- GATHERING.

THE MOVE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE REMOVES REDTAPE AND GIVES FEDERAL AGENCIES THE ABILITY TO DIRECT MONEY FOR EXPANDED ACCESS TO TESTING AND TREATMENT.

>>> UPDATED COVID-19 BOOSTERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE READY FOR THE FALL.

BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA ARE WORKING ON NEW VACCINES MADE UP OF THE OLD FORMULA AND A NEW ONE, TARGETING THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS BA.4 AND BA.5 SOME VARIANCE.

THE SHOTS ARE EXPECTED TO ADD MORE PROTECTION AND POSSIBLY PERSUADE PEOPLE WHO STILL HESITATE TO GET ONE.

ACCORDING TO THE CDC, NEARLY 80% OF ADULTS OVER 18 ARE FULLY VACCINATED, BUT LESS THAN HALF OF AMERICANS HAVE HAD A SINGLE BOOSTER SHOT.

MEANWHILE, CASE COUNTS REMAIN HIGH, NEARLY 3000 NEW INFECTIONS AND ANOTHER 13 DEATHS REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

THAT IS NOT HELPING THE CASE FOR EMPLOYERS, WOULD LIKE THEIR WORKERS TO RETURN TO THE OFFICE.

IT COULD COST COMPANIES MILLIONS IN TAX BREAKS THAT HINGE ON EMPLOYEES SHOWING UP IN PERSON.

>> THEY SAID, HEY, IN TERMS OF LIFESTYLE AND EVERYTHING ELSE AND PRODUCTIVITY, THIS WORKS SO MUCH BETTER FOR US.

ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO MAKE US COME INTO THE OFFICE?

>> Reporter: HE SAYS, REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO RETURN TO THEIR JERSEY CITY OFFICE EVEN JUST THREE DAYS A WEEK, DID NOT GO OVER VERY WELL.

>> WE UNFORTUNATELY TRAGICALLY LOST SOMEBODY PRIOR TO THAT.

IT WAS SOMEWHAT TRAUMATIC FOR THE COMPANY, PERSONALLY.

WE JUST SAID, YOU WANT TO WORK FROM HOME, WORK FROM HOME.

>> Reporter: THAT MEANS HIS COMPANY, PRO-CAPITAL BUSINESS FUNDING, STANDS TO LOSE TAX CREDITS IT RECEIVED FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY WILL MET RURAL NJ PROGRAM, THE VERY INCENTIVES THAT BROUGHT THEM FROM NEW YORK INTO NEW JERSEY.

>> WINDOWS COMPANIES WERE FIRST APPROVED FOR THOSE AWARDS, THE RULES WHERE THEY HAD TO BE IN THE OFFICE 80% OF THE TIME.

DURING COVID, WHEN WE WERE REAUTHORIZING NEW INCENTIVES, THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE PROVIDED FOR A PROVISION THAT SAID, WE CAN TAKE THAT TO 60%, TRYING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO WORKPLACE DYNAMICS, BUT STILL REQUIRES 60% TIME IN OFFICE.

>> Reporter: BASIS AND THAT THE PROGRAM DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT EXTENDED IT DURING APRIL.

THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED COMPANIES AROUND THE STATE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM, BUT MOST ARE IN NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST CITIES.

>> ARE PART OF THE BARGAIN THAT WAS STRUCK, WE WANT MORE JOBS IN OUR URBAN CITIES, SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES, BRINGING INVESTMENT AND REVITALIZATION TO OUR URBAN MAC COMMUNITIES.

>> SO FAR, EIGHT COMPANIES ARE CHOOSING TO GO FOR A TOTAL OF 7 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS IN TAX CREDITS SO THEY CAN PLEASE KEEP WORKING FROM HOME.

>> ESPECIALLY IN TECH.

YOU CANNOT RECRUIT PEOPLE AND SAY, YOU MUST COME INTO THE OFFICE.

IT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO TELLING PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO WORK SIX DAYS A WEEK.

>> I THINK THE PRICE OF GAS HAS NOT HELPED, SITTING IN TRAFFIC HAS NOT HELPED.

>> SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL VULNERABLE.

THE SECOND THING COMES DOWN TO EMPLOYEE RETENTION.

THE LABOR MARKET IS EXTREMELY HOT RIGHT NOW.

IT MAY NOT SEEM THAT WAY, THE WAY THAT EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT A RECESSION.

IF EMPLOYEES THREATEN TO QUIT, IF THE FIRM MANDATES YOU HAVE TO BE AT THE OFFICE FIVE DAYS A WEEK FOR ME OR THREE DAYS A WEEK, FIRMS HAVE TO TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY.

>> Reporter: MOE DAVIS SAYS, WORKERS WITH THE MOST MARKET POWER, HIGHER WAGE EARNERS, ARE USUALLY THE ONES ABLE TO WORK FROM HOME.

>> ONCE WE GET TO A POINT IN TIME WHERE THE ECONOMY IS SUCH THAT JOBS ARE HARDER TO COME BY, AND THINGS ARE ROUGHER OUT THERE, I THINK THE EMPLOYER WILL BE MORE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT, IF YOU WILL.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, THE SHIFT IN WORK CULTURE IS HAVING AN IMPACT.

DAVIS SAYS, THE EMPTY RETAIL SPACE IS AFFECTING CITY TAX REVENUES, WHICH IN THE HURTING RESIDENCE.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN INCREASE TAXES WHERE PEOPLE DON'T EARN MUCH MONEY.

I AM NOT SURE WHERE TAXES COULD RISE.

MY GUESS IS, CITY SERVICES WILL BE CUT.

HOW MANY CITY SERVICES NEED TO BE CUT DEPEND ON HOW MUCH OF THE BUDGET ASSESSMENTS FROM THESE OFFICE AND RETAIL PROPERTIES WORK.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, HE SAYS, THE STATE NEEDS TO GET MORE CREATIVE WITH TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAMS BEFORE COMPANIES THAT ARE FULLY REMOTE START MOVING THEIR HEADQUARTERS OUT OF THE STATE ALTOGETHER.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> A CASE BEFORE THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT THIS WEEK TEST THAT THE STATE'S NEW COMPASSIONATE RELEASE LAW.

DECLINING TO PAROLE A TERMINALLY ILL INMATE SERVING TIME FOR 3 MURDERS.

DESPITE THE PROJECTION, THE OPINION COULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR OTHER SERIOUSLY ILL AND SIGNIFICANTLY DISABLED PRISONERS TO WIN EARLY RELEASE.

COLLEEN O'DEA IS COVERING THE STORY AND JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR FUTURE CASES.

WHAT WENT INTO THE COURT'S DECISION TO DENY THIS COMPASSIONATE RELEASE?

WHAT ARE THE TERMS HERE?

>> SO, THE LAW, WHICH IS 18 MONTHS OLD NOW, SAYS THAT A PERSON HAS TO BE EITHER TERMINALLY ILL, OR PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED, AND NEED 24-HOUR CARE.

THE QUESTION WAS, HOW DO YOU KIND OF DEFINED THAT PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED PART WHEN A PERSON ISN'T TERMINALLY ILL, WHICH F.E.D.

WAS NOT.

THEY KIND OF TOOK A LOOK AT TWO DOCTORS ' REPORTS ON THE INDIVIDUALS AND DETERMINED THAT WHILE IN FACT HE HAS SOME MEDICAL ISSUES, HE CAN DO THINGS LIKE, EITHER FEED HIMSELF, GO TO THE BATHROOM HIMSELF, GET UP AND DOWN OUT OF BED.

THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF DAILY ACTIVITY THAT THEY WERE LOOKING FOR.

>> SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN GOING FORWARD?

I IMAGINE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER CASES THAT ARE GOING TO COME FORWARD HOW DOES THIS SET THE BAR?

>> THERE ARE TWO MORE CASES ACTUALLY COMING NEXT MONTH, WHICH LAWYERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO, AND ADVOCATES TO SEE WHAT MORE GUIDANCE THAT THE COURT GIVES.

IN ONE OF THOSE CASES, IT WAS PRETTY HIGH PROFILE.

THE JUDGE FOUND THAT WHILE THE PERSON IS PHYSICALLY INCAPACITATED, THE JUDGES SAID THAT HE HAD THE ABILITY, THE DISCUSSION TO SAY, I AM NOT GOING TO RELEASE YOU ANYWAY.

THAT IS A CASE THAT ADVOCATES ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR.

THE QUESTION THEN BECOMES, NOW THAT YOU HAVE THE GUIDANCE FOR WHAT ACTUALLY IS THE DEFINITION OF INCAPACITATED, THE SECOND PART OF THAT IS, DO YOU POSE A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC?

SO, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE ADVOCATES ARE LOOKING FOR THE COURT TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE GUIDANCE ON.

>> OF COURSE, THERE IS A LOT OF OPPOSITION TO USING THIS LAW AT ALL.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR IN REPORTING ON THIS AND GATHERING COMMENTS, WHICH I KNOW WAS DIFFICULT TO DO, IN HOW PEOPLE ARE FEELING?

IT'S >> IT IS REALLY THERE ARE TWO BIG CAMPS.

THERE ARE KIND OF SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES WHO SAY, WHEN A PERSON IS OLD, VERY OLD, OR ABOUT TO DIE, VERY ILL, WHY KEEP THEM IN PRISON?

THERE IS REALLY NO BENEFIT TO DOING THAT ANYMORE.

THEY ARE NOT A DANGER TO SOCIETY.

IT ALSO COSTS A LOT OF MONEY TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THEM THERE.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, PEOPLE THAT ARE ANTICRIME AND REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS KIND OF ONE THAT IS MORE FOR PUNISHMENT.

YOU DID A CRIME, NOW YOU HAVE TO GO AWAY AND YOU WERE GIVEN A TERM, YOU HAVE TO SERVE IT OUT.

THOSE ARE THE TWO OPPOSING SIDES THAT NEVER SEEM TO BE ABLE TO MEET IN THE MIDDLE.

>> AND MAY NEVER BE ABLE TO.

VERY QUICKLY, COLLEEN, PART OF THE IMPETUS BEHIND THIS LAW WAS TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS TO GET THESE FOLKS OUT OF STATE PRISON.

HOW IS THAT GOING?

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE, GENERALLY?

IS IT HELPING THAT EFFORT?

>> IT IS GOING QUICKLY.

THERE IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN EXPEDITED APPEAL IN THIS CASE COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER, FIRST HEARD BY THE SUPERIOR COURT IN FEBRUARY.

STILL SEVEN MONTHS, SO IT IS NOT VERY QUICK, BUT IT IS A CASE WHERE ALL SIDES AGREE WITH LET'S SAY IT IS A TERMINAL PERSON, WHICH I DON'T THINK WE HAVE SEEN YET, IT MIGHT MOVE A LITTLE BIT FASTER.

>> COLLEEN O'DEA FOR US.

THANK YOU, COLLEEN.

TO READ MORE ABOUT THE DECISION AND ITS IMPACT ON FUTURE RULINGS, CHECK OUT COLLEEN O'DEA'S REPORTING ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> NEW JERSEY IS DOING HIM A COLD GIANT MONSANTO AND TWO OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, TAKING COMPENSATION CLAIMING THEY CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE STATE'S NATURAL RESOURCES DUE TO CONTAMINATION FROM TOXIC CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS KNOWN AS PCBs PRODUCED BY THE COMPANY FOR DECADES.

IN THE LAWSUIT, THE NEW JERSEY DEP AND ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ALLEGED MONSANTO NEW PCBs POSED A SERIOUS HEALTH THREAT TO THE PUBLIC AND ENVIRONMENT, BUT CONTINUED TO MANUFACTURE, DISTRIBUTE, AND SELL THE TOXIC CHEMICALS.

THE LAWSUIT ALSO CLAIMS THAT QUOTE, RECKLESS LONG-TERM DISCHARGE OF THE HAZARDOUS PCBs FROM MONSANTO'S FACILITY ALONG THE DELAWARE RIVER IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

STUDIES SHOW PCBs ARE LINKED TO LIVER DAMAGE, THYROID DISEASE, IMMUNE SYSTEM ISSUES, AND COGNITIVE IMPERATIVE, ESPECIALLY IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN.

THE COMPLAINT, HUNDREDS OF BODIES OF WATER IN THE STATE, SPANNING ABOUT 6000 RIVER MILES ALONG WITH ABOUT 400 SQUARE MILES OF BAYS AND ESTUARIES HAVE BEEN DAMAGED BY THE CONTAMINATION.

ALL OF THAT ASIDE, THE SURE SEEMS LIKE A GREAT PLACE TO BE DURING THIS HEATWAVE.

IF YOU DON'T OPT FOR A DIP IN THE OCEAN, BUT ALL THE EXTRA VISITORS ARE PUTTING A STRAIN ON A STATEWIDE LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE, FORCING SOME BEACHES TO CLOSE AND OTHERS TO OPERATE IN NEW WAYS AS THEY FILL STAFFING HOLD DURING THIS BUSY PART OF THE SEASON.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS FROM BRIGANTINE.

>> Reporter: BEACHGOERS IN BRIGANTINE HAVE BEEN FREE TO SWIM ALL SUMMER, DESPITE THE WORRY THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH LIFEGUARDS.

THE BRIGANTINE BEACH PATROL STARTED THE SUMMER WITH 110 OF THEM, PLENTY TO KEEP THE BEACHES OPEN AND SAFE.

ALL BUT FIVE LIFEGUARDS ARE STILL WORKING, AND LOSING FIVE IS ENOUGH TO PUT A STRAIN ON WHO IS LEFT.

>> IT DOESN'T STRETCHES OUT.

IT IS A SEVEN-DAY WEEK OPERATION.

EVERY LIFEGUARD HAS TWO DAYS OFF EVERY WEEK.

THE SPECIAL EVENTS, EXTRACURRICULAR STUFF, ALWAYS SOMETHING PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT.

NOW, BALANCING CLOSING THE BEACH IN THE MORNING, BECAUSE THERE IS OTHER ACTIVITIES GOING ON.

>> Reporter: KIP EMIG HAS BEEN A CHIEF OUT HERE FOR 20 YEARS.

HE SAYS, IT IS TOO LATE IN THE SUMMER TO HIRE AND TRAIN NEW LIFEGUARDS.

LIKE I WILL HAVE TO PULL THREE OR FOUR LIFEGUARDS OFF THE BEACHES TO TRAIN THE GUARDS, GO THROUGH THE CPR, FIRST AID, RESCUE BORDER TRAINING, BOAT TRAINING, PHYSICAL TRAINING, RUNNING, SWIMMING, ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS.

VERY DIFFICULT TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN A HOT COUPLE OF WEEKS HERE IN BRIGANTINE, LIFEGUARDS ARE ON PACE FOR FEWER RESCUES THAN AN AVERAGE SUMMER BECAUSE THE OCEAN WATER HAS BEEN SO COLD, FEWER PEOPLE ARE GOING SWIMMING.

JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE FEWER PEOPLE IN THE OCEAN THAT ME THAT LIFEGUARDS HAVE IT EASY, IT JUST MEANS THEIR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES ARE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

>> WE HAVE RESPONDED TO MORE MEDICAL CALLS AND HEAT EXHAUSTION.

BREATHING PROBLEMS, ANY OF THOSE ISSUES, ARE GUARDS ARE DEALING WITH.

>> Reporter: THE LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE WAS A BIGGER CONCERN FURTHER SOUTH IN CAPE MAY.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO GET THAT DONE, BUT WE DID GET THERE.

>> Reporter: HARRY BACK SAYS, THE CITY GOT THERE BY REVAMPING ITS TRAINING PROGRAM, MAKING IT MORE FLEXIBLE TO ATTRACT MORE RECRUITS.

>> WE HAVE ONE TEST DAY, ONE TEST THEY ONLY FOR THE WHOLE YEAR.

IF PEOPLE CAN'T MAKE THAT DATE, IT WAS JUST TOO BAD.

WHAT WE HAD TO DO WAS CONTINUE TO TEST MORE PEOPLE.

WE DID NOT JEOPARDIZE OUR STANDARDS IN ANY WAY, JUST A LONGER, DRAWN OUT PROCESS.

>> Reporter: AS WE HEAD TOWARD THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER, FEWER LIFEGUARDS ARE WORKING THE STANDS FOR VARIOUS REASONS.

>> THEY GO BACK TO THEIR OTHER JOBS.

SOME HAVE ALREADY STARTED SCHOOL.

WE HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO SEE THOSE PEOPLE LEAVE.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN REALLY LUCKY WITH, ESPECIALLY THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE HAD SOME PART- TIME SENIOR PERSONNEL WHO WERE ABLE TO GET TIME FROM THEIR NORMAL CAREERS THAT THEY NORMALLY HAVE.

>> Reporter: HE SAID, THE CHANGES CAPE MAY PUT IN PLACE FOR THE SUMMER COULD BE PERMANENT.

>> IT HAS REALLY HAD A TAKE A HARD LOOK AT HOW WE DO OUR RECRUITING, HOW WE DO OUR TESTING AND HIRING AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO ADAPT TO WHAT WE THINK IS A NEW ERA OF TIME WITH LIFEGUARDING AND HOW WE WILL GET THESE YOUNG, ATHLETIC, RESPONSIBLE MEN AND WOMEN TO TAKE THIS JOB.

>> Reporter: AND HELP KEEP THESE BEACHES OPEN THROUGH THE END OF THE SEASON.

IN BRIGANTINE, TED GOLDBERG, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> THAN WAS JOBS REPORT IS OUT AND IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE WHERE WE WERE A YEAR AGO.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS ON UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS, PLUS BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> MORE WORKERS ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS.

WE LEARNED TODAY THAT U.S. JOBLESS CLAIMS HIT AN EIGHT MONTH HIGH, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST WEEKLY DATA.

ECONOMISTS SAY, IT IS A CLEAR SIGN THAT LAYOFFS ARE INCREASING.

THIS WEEK, RETAIL GIANT, WALMART, LAID OFF A FEW HUNDRED CORPORATE EMPLOYEES AND SOME TECH COMPANIES HAVE ALSO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED JOB CUTS.

CONSUMERS ARE GROWING FEARFUL OF AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN.

A SURVEY FROM NEWARK BASE CREDENTIALED FINANCIAL FOUND, MOST PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT INFLATION AT 74% OF RESPONDENTS EXPECT A RECESSION OR ECONOMIC DOWNTURN WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

I SPOKE WITH CAROLINE FEENEY, CEO OF PRUDENTIAL'S INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT BUSINESSES.

>> THIS CONCERN IS DEFINITELY WIDESPREAD, RHONDA.

IN FACT, HALF OF ALL AMERICANS WORRIED ABOUT MONEY EACH AND EVERY DAY.

EVEN MORE, 70% ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SECURITY.

>> Reporter: ELSEWHERE, TWO NEW JERSEY STATE SENATORS ARE INTRODUCING A BILL THEY HOPE WILL COUNTER THE RECENT SURGE IN CAR THEFTS IN NEW JERSEY THIS YEAR.

SENATORS RICHARD CODEY AND ANTHONY BUCCO SAY, THE STATE IS ON TRACK TO SEE MORE THAN 17,000: VEHICLES IN 2022.

THEIR BILL WILL EXPAND AN INCREASE PENALTIES FOR STILLING AND RECEIVING VEHICLES, INCLUDING NEW PENALTIES FOR JUVENILES, AND THEY SAY HAVE BEEN RECRUITED BY ORGANIZED CAR THEFT RINGS.

NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS SAY, THERE IS NO NEED TO EXPAND A NATURAL GAS PIPELINE IN THE STATE, OPPOSING A PIPELINE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PROPOSED BY TRANSCO.

THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND THE STATE DIVISION OF GREAT RATE COUNSEL SAID IN A RECENT FILING WITH FEDERAL REGULATORS THAT THE STATE IS WILLING POSITION WITH CAPACITY AND CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR AN EXTENSION, BUT GAS UTILITY COMPANIES IN THE STATE DISAGREE WITH THAT.

THEY SAY, THE EXTRA CAPACITY IS NEEDED.

TO FIND OUT MORE, READ MY COLLEAGUE TOM JOHNSON'S STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE SPOTLIGHT ENDED TODAY.

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

>>> SOMETIMES, ALL IT TAKES TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS IS A LITTLE IDEA AND A BIG HEART.

THAT IS THE CASE FOR ONE SOMERSET COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHOSE MISSION TO CREATE A LITTLE FREE PANTRY IN HER TOWN IS TAKING OFF.

USING A FREESTANDING WOODEN BOX THAT IS OPEN 24 SEVEN AND STOPPED BY THE COMMUNITY TO QUIETLY FIGHT A GROWING PROBLEM.

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY AS A PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY, FOCUSING ON THE COMPLEXITY OF FOOD INSECURITY IN THE STATE.

>> THESE ARE EASY TO COOK MEALS.

AS WE SAID, WE HAVE SOAP, TOILET PAPER.

>> Reporter: 18-YEAR-OLD SHAILEE SHAH IS THE CREATOR OF JERSEY'S FIRST LITTLE FREE PANTRY, BASICALLY LIKE A FREE LIBRARY, EXCEPT WITH FOOD AND OTHER BASIC NECESSITIES.

THE INCOMING FRESHMAN AT NJIT SAYS, HER VERY FIRST FREE LITTLE PANTRY WAS CREATED BACK IN 2018 AT HER MIDDLE SCHOOL IN EDISON BEFORE SHE MOVED TO HILLSBOROUGH.

SINCE THEN, IT HAS EXTENDED TO TWO MORE LOCATIONS, IN FRONT OF THE SOMERVILLE YMCA IN JANUARY 2020, AND NOW HERE IN FRONT OF THE BRIDGEWATER YMCA ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

THE PANTRY IS LOCATED FAR ENOUGH FROM THE ENTRY WHERE THERE IS PRIVACY, BUT CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE ROAD WHERE SOMEONE COULD EASILY PULL OVER AND GIVE OR TAKE ITEMS.

SHAH SAYS, THEY EVEN INSTALLED A SOLAR LIGHT AFTER REALIZING THAT SOME PEOPLE MADE THEIR STOPS WHEN IT IS DARK OUT.

>> OUR LITTLE FREE PANTRY IS OPEN 24/7, ANYBODY CAN COME AT ANY TIME AND THAT ENCOURAGES ANONYMOUS GIVING AND TAKING.

I HAVE VOLUNTEERED AT FOOD BANKS AND SOUP KITCHENS AND STUFF AND I REALIZE THERE IS THIS PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE GIVER AND TAKER.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE THE GIVER IS DOING A REALLY NICE DEED BY GIVING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL EMBARRASSED AND ASHAMED TO ASK FOR HELP AND BE LIKE, HEY, I NEED TO GO TO A FOOD BANK AND SHOW MY FACE THERE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO NONPERISHABLE ITEMS, SHAH SAYS, TOILETRIES, ESPECIALLY TAMPONS, ARE SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ITEMS THAT CAN BE DONATED TO THE PANTRY.

>> I LEARNED THAT THE SNAPBACK PROGRAM IN AMERICA DOES NOT COVER THE COST OF TAMPONS, EVEN TOILET PAPER, AND WE KNOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC,.

POVERTY IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE.

WE ARE TRYING TO ADD MORE PADS, TAMPONS, MENSTRUAL CUPS TO THE PANTRY.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE PANTRY MAY BELITTLE, IT IS NOT CHEAP.

SHAH SAYS, ON AVERAGE, COST ABOUT $800 TO BUILD AND MAYBE ANOTHER $200 TO FILL UP WITH FOOD.

>> WE HAVE HAD A FEW GOFUNDME, DONATIONS FROM STORES SUCH AS LOWE'S, TARGET, SHERWIN-WILLIAMS.

ALL OF THE STORES HAVE GIVEN DONATIONS AND THE YMCA.

THIS YEAR, WE HAD A DONOR THAT GAVE US $500, WHICH WAS HONESTLY AN AMAZING BLESSING.

THAT COVERED THE ENTIRE COST OF THE LABOR TO BUILD HIS PANTRY.

WE HAVE HAD THE YMCA ALSO DONATE $1000 IN THE PAST, DURING THE, 19 PANDEMIC.

WE CAN ROUTINELY STOP THE PANTRY AGAIN AND AGAIN.

>> OUR COMMUNITY IS CALLED TOGETHER HOOD.

WE HAVE TO VOLUNTEER CHAMPIONS THAT WILL ACTUALLY GO OUT AND DO THE STAPLES SHOPPING, MAKE SURE IT IS ENOUGH BACK CLOSET AT THE Y AND WE HAVE OUR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF HELPED REFILL THAT.

>> KATE RUSSO IS THE DIRECTOR, ONE OF THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HOST THE FREE PANTRY ON THE YMCA SITE.

RUSSO SAYS, THE Y IS THE PERFECT HOME FOR THE PANTRY.

>> YOU CAN BE ABLE TO HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR IN A DIGNIFIED WAY.

PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH HUNGER DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.

THEY'VE NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH IT.

I THINK THERE IS A STIGMA THAT GOES ALONG WITH THAT AND WE ARE HOPING TO BREAK THAT DOWN AND LET EVERYONE KNOW, WHOEVER IS HUNGRY, WE ARE HERE TO HELP.

>> Reporter: SHAH SAYS, SHE'S HOPING TO INSTALL ANOTHER LITTLE FREE PANTRY IN NEWARK, WHERE SHE WILL BE ATTENDING NJIT IN THE FALL.

IN THE MEANTIME, IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN INSTALLING A LITTLE FREE PANTRY IN THEIR TOWN OR CITY, VISIT THE NONPROFIT AT THESPARKMEMENTUM.ORG.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" IM ERVIN SANTANA.

>>> AND THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM TO KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS IN THE STATE.

>>> I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM A, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER AND HOISTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A LONG TIME SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.