>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" PROVIDED BY, THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD, PSEG ONE HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND COURSE DID, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE ENERGY CLEAN FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>>> HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

I AM IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI >>> CALLS FOR REFORM AT ONE OF THE STATES MOST TROUBLED NURSING HOMES MAYBE STARTING TO SEE RESULTS.

THE STATE'S THREE VETERAN HOMES HAVE BEEN UNDER A SPOTLIGHT THIS WEEK, AS THE GOVERNOR HAS ANNOUNCED HE WILL SEE GAIT OUTSIDE VENDOR TO TAKE OVER MANAGEMENT OF THE NURSING FACILITIES, WHICH HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST DEATH RATES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

CONTINUE CONCERN WITH INFECTION CONTROL AT THE VETERANS HOME IN EDISON HAS CALLED FEDERAL REGULATORS TO CUT OFF FUNDING AND PUT THE HOME'S FUTURE INTO QUESTION, BUT A LITTLE MORE THAN A WEEK AFTER THESE DATES SENT IN AN EMERGENCY STRIKE TEAM TO START MAKING CHANGES, THE TROUBLED NURSING HOME MAY BE TURNING A CORNER, ACCORDING TO STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAID TODAY, MINIMAL PART HAS FIXED SOME OF ITS SHORTCOMINGS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO STAND LONG ENOUGH SO WE CAN BE ASSURED THAT THE RIGHT PROCESSES AND PRACTICES ARE IN PLACE AND WILL STAY.

>> Reporter: HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAYS, THE MISSION-CRITICAL STRIKE TEAM RECENTLY TASKED WITH CREATING DANGEROUS SAFETY LAPSES AT THE STATE RUN VETERANS HOME IN MENLO PARK HAS HELPED THE FACILITY CORRECT THE FIVE SO-CALLED IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY'S, PROBLEMS SO EGREGIOUS THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES STOPPED PAYING FOR NEW ADMISSIONS THERE JUST BEFORE THANKSGIVING.

MET THERE WAS A SURPRISED, UNANNOUNCED VISIT TUESDAY IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY'S WERE LIFTED.

THEY HAVE IMPLEMENTED EVERYTHING WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO IMPLEMENT.

THEY STILL HAVE SOME DEFICIENCIES THAT YOU WOULD FIND IN A SURVEY THAT REQUIRE A PLAN OF CORRECTION AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT.

THEY ARE NOT IN A SITUATION WHERE MEDICARE WOULD PULL FUNDING RIGHT NOW.

>> SO AT THIS POINT, NEW ADMISSIONS HAVE RESUMED?

>> I CAN'T TELL YOU THAT, I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK WITH THE SURVEYORS.

WOOD MENLO PARK CRISIS COMPLAINS OF POOR PERFORMANCE AT THE HOMES, WHICH LOGGED SOME OF THE HIGHEST OF THE CODE THAT IN THE NATION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS WEEK ORDERED NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS TO HIRE AN OUTSIDE VENDOR WITH EXPERIENCE RUNNING NURSING HOMES TO IMPROVE OPERATIONS AND TRAIN LEADERSHIP, STARTING WITH THE 312 BED MENLO PARK FACILITY.

PRESENT KELLY, WHO ATTENDED THE CONFERENCE ON IMPROVING NEW JERSEY'S LONG-TERM CARE INDUSTRY TODAY, SAYS, IT IS NECESSARY.

>> I THINK WHAT HAPPENS WITH STAFF TURNOVER, VIGILANCE DECREASES.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED.

THEY WERE DOING WELL, AND IN A VERY SHORT PICKLE TIME, THEY NEED A LOT OF HELP.

>> DID LEADERSHIP ESSENTIALLY FAIL?

>> YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS THINK IT STARTS AND ENDS WITH LEADERSHIP.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO CBS, BUT GOT NO RESPONSE.

NEW JERSEY HEALTH OFFICIALS HOPE TO FAST-TRACK IMPROVEMENTS AT THE VETERANS HOMES, BUT SUBSTITUTE CHANGES TO NEW JERSEY'S LONG-TERM CARE INDUSTRY WILL TAKE YEARS AND COST A LOT OF MONEY.

>> IT WAS PRETTY AMAZING AT HOW THE PEOPLE GO IN AND OUT OF NURSING HOMES, EACH TIME ABLE TO BRING INFECTION WITH THEM.

>> SPEAKERS NOTED MANY OF NEW JERSEY'S LARGE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES FEATURED TWO OR MORE RESIDENTS, PROUD CROWDED LIVING THAT HELP SPREAD COVID DURING THE PANDEMIC'S HEIGHT.

THEY GREENLIGHTED THE GREENHOUSE PROJECT, AUTHORED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION LET FEATURES INDIVIDUAL ROOMS, A HIGH ATMOSPHERE IN A HIGHLY TRAINED STAFF WITH FAR LESS TURNOVER AND LESS POTENTIAL FOR SPREADING INFECTION.

>> THAT MAY NOT BE POPULAR TO ME BUT IT IS THE REALITY.

YOU NEED LESS PEOPLE AND MORE MONEY THAN THE PEOPLE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE.

>> ARE THEY GOING TO HAVE TO BE PAID MORE, YES.

YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK IF YOU TALK TO ANY PROVIDER TO ME WHEN THEY SEE STAFF TURNOVER, THEY ARE SEEING MONEY WALK OUT THE DOOR.

IF THEY INVEST IN SOMEONE ME IF THEY INVEST A LITTLE MORE IN THEIR SALARY, THAT PERSON STAYS, AND YOU GET THE BETTER QUALITY OUTCOMES FOR YOUR RESIDENTS, THAT PAYS FOR ITSELF.

THAT IS A WIN-WIN IN AND EVERYBODY IS HAPPY.

>> Reporter: THE IDEA IS QUICKLY TAKEN HOLD WITH JERSEY POLICYMAKERS.

IN NEW BRUNSWICK, BRENDA FLANAGAN "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> NEW JERSEY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL TODAY ANNOUNCED $5 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING TO PROTECT ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE IN THE WAKE OF THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S OVERTURNING OF ROE V. WEIGHT.

THE GRANT MONEY WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH TRAINING FOR ALL ELIGIBLE AND PRACTICING PROFESSIONALS HERE IN THE STATE, AS WELL AS STUDENTS TRAINING TO BE LICENSED AS PRACTICING OFFICIALS IN ABORTION CARE.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAID, ALL TRAINING PROVIDED THROUGH THE INITIATIVE IS REQUIRED TO BE PATIENT CENTERED, TRAUMA INFORMED, EQUITY BASED.

THE FUNDING WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND WILL BEGIN JANUARY 1st, 2023.

>>> NEIGHBORS OF NEW JERSEY'S MUSLIM COMMUNITY ARE ASKING POLICE TO INVESTIGATE TRUCKS DISPLAYING HATEFUL, ANTI-ISLAMIC MESSAGES.

THE TRUCKS WERE REPORTED CIRCLING THREE DIFFERENT MOTHS IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY LAST WEEK AND AT LEAST ONE OF THE TRUCKS WAS CAPTURED ON SURVEILLANCE VIDEO, ACCORDING TO THE COUNCIL ON ISLAMIC RELATIONS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SHOWING WITH SUPPORT FOR THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY TWEETING, ANTI-MUSLIM INTIMIDATION TACTICS ARE DOWNRIGHT SHAMEFUL.

NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO FEAR BEING HARASSED AT THEIR PLACE OF WORSHIP, OR IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THIS FOLLOWS AN INCIDENT IN AUGUST, WHEN A BULLDOZER WAS PRESENT DURING AN INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE IN EDISON AND WOODBRIDGE.

THE NEW JERSEY CHAPTER ON AMERICAN AND ISLAMIC RELATIONS HAVE CALLED LOCAL LEADERS TO CONDEMN THE OFFENSIVE USE OF THE BULLDOZER, WHICH IN INDIA SYMBOLIZES ANTI-MUSLIM SENTIMENT.

LOCAL LEADERS NOW SAY THEY WANT THESE INCIDENTS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY.

>> SO, IT HAS BECOME AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT JUST LIKE BULLDOZER OR MAYBE THE TRUCK EPISODE, BUT IT IS REALLY IMPACTING PEOPLE'S LIVES AND CAUSING A DISTURBANCE AND JUST ANOTHER FORM OF ANTI-MUSLIM HATE THAT HAS NOW MADE ITS WAY TO JERSEY.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS CALLING ON LAW ENFORCEMENT TO TAKE THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY, BRING CHARGES AGAINST THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS COORDINATED EFFORT THAT HAS TARGETED THE MOSQUES.

>> MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA BATTLED NEW JERSEY, FEMA IS PROVIDING $1 MILLION TO HELP FORTIFY THE STATE AGAINST FUTURE STORMS.

THAT MONEY WILL BE FOCUSED ON MANVILLE, A FLOOD PRONE BOROUGH, STILL WORKING TO RECOVER FROM THE STORM WHERE MANY RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DECIDE WHETHER TO PAY TO ELEVATE THEIR HOMES, OR TAKE BUYOUTS AND LEAVE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, JOANNA GAGIS HAS MORE ON THE NEW MONEY AND HOW TO ROUTE THE PROPERTY BUYOUTS ARE RESHAPING THE COMMUNITY, TRYING TO GET BACK ON ITS FEET.

>> CAME BACK TO THE HOUSE TO DEVASTATION.

SIX FEET OF WATER IN THE BASEMENT, THE ENTIRE BASEMENT TO GET EVERYTHING WE HAD DOWN THERE AND FOUR FEET OF WATER INTO THE MAIN LIVING AREA, A RANCH HOUSE.

THAT IS EVERYTHING GONE.

>> MARIANNE MORRIS IS AMONG MANY OF THE RESIDENTS FORCED TO FLEE THEIR HOMES WHEN HURRICANE IDA HIT LAST SEPTEMBER.

SHE, LIKE MANY OF HER NEIGHBORS, HAS BEEN IN A HOLDING PATTERN EVER SINCE.

>> WE WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO FIND AN APARTMENT AVAILABLE IN BRIDGEWATER.

BUT PAYING RENT AND MORTGAGE AT THE SAME TIME IS NOT EASY.

I APPLIED FOR FEMA PRINTING ASSISTANCE.

I GOT ONE CHECK FROM THEM TO HELP WITH A SECURITY DEPOSIT, DID NOT EVEN COVER THE FULL SECURITY DEPOSIT.

THEN, FEMA JUST WIPED THEIR HANDS.

I DID NOT GET ANY MORE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AT ALL.

NOW, I AM FIGHTING HERE OVER A YEAR LATER FOR RETRO FROM THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

>> FEMA HAS COMMITTED FUNDS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE FUNDS WILL BE USED IN PART TO PAY FOR RESIDENTS TO ELEVATE THEIR HOMES, PART OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S PLAN OF MAKING COMMUNITIES MORE STORM RESILIENT.

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 40 HOMEOWNERS INTERESTED IN ELEVATION.

THAT IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE IT KEEPS THE TAX REVENUES IN TOWN.

WITH A VERY HOT REAL ESTATE MARKET, IF THE BUYOUT ARC MARKETS ARE A LITTLE BIT LOW, PEOPLE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

THEY MIGHT AS WELL STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND ELEVATE THEM.

>> SOME HOMEOWNERS LIKE THIS ONE CHOSE TO ELEVATE THEIR HOMES BEFORE THE FUNDS CAME IN.

THEY WILL NOT SEE A DOLLAR IN FEMA REFUNDS BECAUSE THEY DID THE WORK ON THEIR OWN.

STILL, OTHERS ARE CHOOSING THE BUYOUT OPTION, RUN THREE FEMA PROGRAM CALLED THE SWIFT CURRENT INITIATIVE.

FEMA ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT $10 MILLION WOULD BE DEDICATED TO MANVILLE THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

>> IT IS $10 MILLION ALLOCATED TO MANVILLE, VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT, BUT ONLY FOR BUYOUTS, NO ELEVATION.

>> Reporter: THOSE BUYOUTS ENDED UP COSTING THE MUNICIPALITY BECAUSE THEY LOSE THE TAX INCOME ON THE PROPERTY.

BUYOUTS ARE ALREADY COMMON IN MANVILLE, WHICH FLOODS OFTEN DUE TO OVERDEVELOPMENT IN NEARBY TOWNS THAT FLOOD THE TWO RIVERS AND ONE BROOK IN YOUR RIGHT MANVILLE.

THOSE HAVE BEEN HAPPENING THROUGH A PROGRAM WHERE HOMES AND AREAS ARE BOUGHT THROUGHOUT THE STATE WITH THE SUPPORT OF FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>> ANY FUNDING WE CAN GET TO HELP WITH MEDICATION, GETTING THEM MOVED OUT OF THOSE AREAS TO DIFFERENT AREAS IN TOWN WHERE WE DON'T HAVE THE FLOODING IS CRUCIAL.

WHATEVER FUNDING WE CAN GET AT MAYOR STATED IN THE PAST, WE ALWAYS SEEM TO BE LIKE THE FORGOTTEN TOWN.

IT IS TIME FOR US TO START GETTING OUR FAIR SHARE.

>> THE BUYOUTS THROUGH THE NEW SWIFT PROGRAM ARE MUCH TOUGHER FOR HOMEOWNERS TO QUALIFY FOR.

>> YOU NEEDED NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM INSURANCE TO BE ELIGIBLE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE IN TOWN HAD PRIVATE FLOOD INSURANCE OR NO INSURANCE.

IF THEY ARE NOT IN THAT PROGRAM, THEY WEREN'T ELIGIBLE.

THERE HAS BEEN NO REAL SENSE OF URGENCY TO HELP HERE, IN MY OPINION.

>> FOR THOSE WHO ARE, HE SAYS, THE DELAY IS BEYOND FRUSTRATING.

>> NOW IT IS 15 MONTHS AFTER THE EVENT AND I AM TOLD, IT MAY BE UP TO ANOTHER YEAR BEFORE A BUYOUT IS OFFERED UNDER THE SWIFT CURRENT PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE IN PLACE TO HELP US SURVIVORS OF ALL OF THIS, BUT IT IS TOO LATE.

IT IS LIKE, HERE WE ARE A YEAR LATER, NOW WE WILL TALK ABOUT BUYOUTS, NOW WE WILL TALK ELEVATION.

WE NEEDED THIS STUFF THEN WE NEED PEOPLE TO WORK ON THIS STUFF THEN, NOT A YEAR, A YEAR AND HALF LATER.

WHEN WE ARE ALL UPSIDE DOWN ON OUR MORTGAGES, NOW KNEE-DEEP IN DEBT THAT WE DID NOT HAVE BEFORE.

>> THEIR PLEADING FOR THE MARKET MINISTRATION TO ADVOCATE TO FASTER RELIEF SO HOMEOWNERS CAN GET BACK IN THEIR HOMES, OR MOVE ON.

IN MANVILLE, JOANNA GAGIS, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> THE FIGHT OVER A MASSIVE WAREHOUSE PROPOSAL IN SOUTH JERSEY WE REPORTED ON EARLIER THIS WEEK IS NOW HEADING TO COURT.

A GROUP OF HARRISON TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ON WEDNESDAY SUED THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT, CLAIMING THAT THE TOWN'S MASTER PLAN WAS ILLEGALLY UPDATED TO ALLOW NEW WAREHOUSES TO BE BUILT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

NOW, A NORTH JERSEY-BASED DEVELOPMENT PLANS TO BUILD A 2 MILLION SQUARE-FOOT DEVELOPMENT COMPLEX IN THE TOWN ON WHAT IS CURRENTLY FARMLAND.

THAT PROPOSAL HAS STIRRED UP ANGER AMONGST NEIGHBORS WHO ARGUE, SUCH A WAREHOUSE WOULD FLOOD THE AREA WITH HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC AND HARM THEIR POLITY OF LIFE.

LOCALS OPPOSED TO THE PLAN SHOWED UP IN MASKS TO A PLANNED BOARD MEETING WEDNESDAY NIGHT, WHERE OFFICIALS WERE SCHEDULED TO VOTE AND APPROVE THE PLAN.

THE MEETING WAS POSTPONED AND IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THE VOTE WILL BE RESCHEDULED.

>>> A NEW BATCH OF FEDERAL DOLLARS IS COMING TO THE GARDEN STATE TO UPGRADE BADLY, OUTDATED BORDER SYSTEMS.

THE EPA ANNOUNCED ON THURSDAY THAT NEW JERSEY WILL RECEIVE $169 MILLION TO BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS.

THE MONEY IS COMING FROM THE $1.2 TRILLIANT INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED LAST YEAR.

STATE AUTHORITIES WILL BE ABLE TO SPEND THE MONEY ON LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENTS, UPGRADE DRINKING WATER LINES, AND SEWER UTILITIES IN EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH NEW CONCERNS LIKE TOXIC PFAS, ALSO CALLED FOREVER CHEMICALS.

THE FUNDS WILL CHIP AWAY AT AN OVERWHELMING PROBLEM IN NEW JERSEY.

REGULATORS IS GET ESTIMATE THE STATE WILL NEED $30 MILLION IN UPGRADES.

>>> FOR MORE ABOUT NEW JERSEY'S ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, THE NEW EPISODE OF THE HAZZARD NJ OUTCAST.

THIS TIME, THE HOST HEADS TO EDGEWATER WERE A SUPERFUND SITE ON THE HUDSON RIVER IS BEING CLEANED UP AS THE WATER RISES AND FILAMENT PRESSURES GROW.

DOWNLOAD IT AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> AT THE HEART OF THE PANDEMIC, MANY CASINOS WERE FORCED TO CLOSE FOR BUSINESS.

MANY DATA SHOWS THAT FOOD TRAFFIC WAS REDIRECTED TO ONLINE GAMBLING AND SPORTS SPORTS WAGERING.

IT IS NOW CAUSING CONCERN AFTER THE STATE IS ALSO SEEING AN INCREASE IN CALLS TO COMPULSIVE GAMBLING HELP HOTLINES.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, CALL TO THE 1-800 GAMBLER HOTLINE HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 2019 TO 2021.

FELICIA GROTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE COUNCIL ON COMPULSIVE GAMBLING IN NEW JERSEY, JOINS ME TO DISCUSS THE SEARCH AND WHY SHE NOW SAYS, YOUNG GAMBLERS ARE A RISING CONCERN.

FELICIA, HOW BAD IS THE ONLINE GAMBLING ADDICTION HERE IN NEW JERSEY?

>> WELL, SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY SINCE AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE GAMBLING WHO WERE SEEKING ENTERTAINMENT AND AN ESCAPE, BECAUSE THEY WERE QUARANTINED AND DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TO DO.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF CALLS TO OUR 800 GAMBLER HELPLINE, WE FOUND A TOTAL OF ABOUT 10,984 CALLS WERE RECEIVED FROM 2019 TO 2020.

WHEREAS, IN THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WE HAD 27,483 CALLS TO 800-GAMBLER, REFLECTING A 67% INCREASE IN CALLS.

THE PROBLEM IS GROWING AND IT IS NOT ONE THAT IS AS EASILY NOTICEABLE AS OTHER ADDICTIONS THAT PEOPLE IN OUR STATE EXPERIENCE.

>> YOU KNOW, FELICIA, YOU TOUCH ON A REALLY IMPORTANT POINT.

ADVERTISEMENTS ARE NO LONGER JUST ON TV AND RADIO, THEY ARE ALSO ONLINE.

TELL ME ABOUT HOW ONLINE ADVERTISING IS PLAYING A PART IN ONLINE GAMBLING.

>> IT IS EVERYWHERE.

THE PUBLIC IS BOMBARDED WITH OFFERS FOR FREE BETS, LINES OF CREDIT, ESPECIALLY IN THE WORLD OF SPORTS BOOK.

THESE MESSAGES INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF STATE RESIDENTS TO POTENTIALLY DEVELOP A GAMBLING PROBLEM.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE RECOGNIZED THAT THEY HAVE A GAMBLING PROBLEM, INCESSANT ADVERTISING CAN BE AN ACCELERATOR FOR INDIVIDUALS TO RELAPSE AND BREAK THEIR SOBRIETY.

IT PLAYS A VERY, VERY BIG PART IN WHY PEOPLE ARE GAMBLING TODAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FELICIA, OUR YOUNG GAMBLERS NOW A CONCERN?

>> MOST DEFINITELY.

YOU KNOW, YOUTH ARE VERY IMPRESSIONABLE.

SOCIETY'S PERSPECTIVES OF GAMBLING HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS.

YEARS AGO, WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, ONE COULD GAMBLE EITHER IN NEVADA OR ATLANTIC CITY.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE NOW.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WHEN CHILDREN GAMBLE AT A VERY YOUNG AGE, THEY ARE MUCH MORE APT TO DEVELOP A GAMBLING PROBLEM LATER IN LIFE.

IT IS QUITE CONCERNING.

>> SO HOW DO WE FIX ALL OF THIS?

WHAT RESTRICTIONS NOW NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE?

>> I BELIEVE THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY NOW NEEDS TO INVEST IN PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS, TO WARN THE PUBLIC OF THE DANGERS OF DEVELOPING A GAMBLING PROBLEM, THAT IT CAN BECOME ADDICTIVE.

ANOTHER WAY OF ADDRESSING THE ISSUE IS TO PLACE LIMITS ON ADVERTISING, JUST LIKE ALCOHOL COMMERCIALS.

THERE SHOULD ALSO BE THE WARNING LABELS ON ONLINE GAMBLING PLATFORMS, AS WELL AS BRICK AND MORTAR CASINOS.

THEY WOULD WARN INDIVIDUALS THAT GAMBLING CAN BE ADDICTIVE.

>> FELICIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME TO SPEAK ABOUT SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC.

>> I THINK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO FOCUS ON THIS ISSUE, WHICH IS A GROWING PROBLEM.

I ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING A GAMBLING PROBLEM TO CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.

WE ARE HERE FOR SUPPORT, HELP, AND TREATMENT, IF YOU CHOOSE TO RECEIVE IT, AND WE ARE HERE TO PROVIDE A COMPASSIONATE, LISTENING EAR.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP THOSE STRUGGLING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

WE SO APPRECIATE IT.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE AN IMPORTANT MOVE TO PREVENT RAIL WORKERS FROM STRIKING THE SAME DAY THAT MORE THAN A PROJECTED NUMBER OF JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE ECONOMY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE IT OFFICIAL TODAY, SIGNING A BILL TO PREVENT FREIGHT RAIL WORKERS FROM STRIKING, WHICH HE SAID, WOULD HAVE DEVASTATED THE ECONOMY.

A STRIKE COULD HAVE OCCURRED DECEMBER 9th, HAD CONGRESS NOT MOVED QUICKLY THIS WEEK TO APPROVE LEGISLATION TO AVERT A WALKOUT.

LAWMAKERS DID NOT PASS A PROVISION PROVIDING PAID SICK LEAVE FOR WORKERS, WHICH IS SOMETHING UNIONS WERE FIGHTING FOR.

>> I KNOW THIS IS A TOUGH VOTE FOR MEMBERS OF BOTH PARTIES.

IT WAS TOUGH FOR ME, BUT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AT THE MOMENT, TO SAVE JOBS, PROTECT MILLIONS OF WORKING FAMILIES FROM HARM AND DISRUPTION, AND KEEP SUPPLY CHAINS STABLE AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, AND CONTINUE THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE, WE CONTINUE TO SEE ON THE ECONOMY.

>> ON THAT TOPIC, THE PRESIDENT TOUTED TODAY'S JOBS REPORT, WHICH SHOWS THE LABOR MARKET REMAINS RESILIENT.

263,000 NEW JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE ECONOMY IN NOVEMBER, WHICH WAS MORE THAN EXPECTED.

WORKER WAGES ALSO ROSE AT A FASTER PACE.

THE NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HELD STEADY AT 3.7%.

A LAW THAT WOULD PROTECT WORKERS IN THE EVENT OF MASS LAYOFFS WOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UNDER A BILL APPROVED BY A SENATE COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

IN 2020, NEW JERSEY ENACTED A LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE SEVERANCE PAY AND ADVANCE NOTIFICATION AHEAD OF SUCH LAYOFFS, BUT THE LAW WAS PUT ON HOLD WHEN COCO HIT.

THE BILL 'S SPONSOR, SENATOR JOE CRYAN SAYS, NOW THAT THE HEALTHCARE CRISIS IS SUBSIDING, IT IS TIME TO PUT WORKER PROTECTIONS IN PLACE.

>>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS AGREED TO HEAR A LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSED STUDENT DEBT RELIEF PROGRAM.

IN AGREEING TO TAKE UP THE CASE, THE COURT KEPT IN PLACE AN INJUNCTION THAT PREVENTS THE WHITE HOUSE FROM MOVING FORWARD WITH DEBT RELIEF.

THE JUSTICES WILL CONSIDER THE CASE IN FEBRUARY.

>>> NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

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

>>> MAKE SURE YOU CATCH NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER, LOOKING AT RETAIL AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, LEARNING HOW MAINSTREAM AND HOME BASED BUSINESSES OPERATE FREELY FROM THEIR BIG BOX COUNTERPARTS.

THAT IS SATURDAY AT 5 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 ON NJ PBS.

>>> THE U.S. MEN'S SOCCER TEAM PULLED OFF A MAJOR WIN OVER IRAN ON TUESDAY AND IS SET TO FACE ANOTHER LAND THIS SATURDAY IN THE KNOCKOUT ROUND.

THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY HERE IN JERSEY, WE CANNOT BE PROUDER AS A U.S.

TEAM THIS YEAR HAS TWO PLAYERS, AS WELL AS A HEAD COACH HAILING FROM THE GARDEN STATE.

THEIR VICTORY IN QATAR MARKS THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 10 YEARS THAT THE U.S.

TEAM HAS ADVANCED TO THE ROUND OF 16 IN THE WORLD CUP.

TED GOLDBERG SPOKE WITH MEDFORD NATIVE, BRANDON AARONSON, WHO EARNED THE NAME MEDFORD MESSY, AS HE ROSE TO PLAY FOR LEEDS UNITED IN THE ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE, TO NOW THE WORLD STAGE PEERS >> ALL I EVER WANTED TO DO WAS TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER AND GO TO WORLD CUP'S, PLAYING IN THE BEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE AND PREMIER LEAGUE, IT IS BEEN A DREAM COME TRUE.

IF YOU WOULD'VE TOLD ME, I THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN SHOCKED.

>> BRANDON AARONSON DREAMED ABOUT THE WORLD CUP IN BETWEEN DRILLS ON THESE FIELDS.

THE MEDFORD NATIVE PRACTICE RELENTLESSLY AS A KID, BUT DID NOT EXACTLY LOOK THE PART OF WORLD CLASS SOCCER PLAYER.

>> I WAS ALWAYS THE SMALLEST.

AT THAT TIME, I WAS NOT GETTING A LOT OF PLAYING TIME.

I WAS ON THE BENCH A LOT.

I WOULD ALWAYS TELL MY DAD, AM I GOING TO GROW, GET BIGGER, SO I CAN COMPETE WITH THESE OLDER GUYS.

HE WOULD TELL ME, LISTEN, YOU BEING SMALL IS A BLESSING IN DISGUISE, BECAUSE IT WILL TEACH YOU THINK THESE BIGGER GUYS WILL NOT GET.

I HAD TO FIND THE RIGHT SPACES, WORK ON MY TECHNICAL ABILITY IN ALL OF THIS STUFF.

>> WHILE HE WAS TOUTED AS ONE OF THE MOST SKILLED TEAM PLAYERS IN SOUTH JERSEY, HE DID NOT ALWAYS GIVE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION FOR COACHES AND SCOUTS, EVEN AFTER A GIRL GROWTH SPURT HELP HIM SHOOT UP FROM A MERE 5'3".

>> I WAS SMALL AND SKINNY, LIKE A BABY GIRAFFE AT THAT TIME.

I HIT THIS GROWTH SPURT AND I SAID I WAS A BABY GIRAFFE, LIKE ON ICE SKATES.

I CANNOT CONTROL MY BODY.

IT WAS SO WEIRD.

I GREW SIX INCHES IN THE WINTERTIME, IT WAS CRAZY.

>> HE CAME OUT AS MAYBE 100 POUNDS SOAKING WET.

I REMEMBER HE HAD LONG HAIR AND WOULD LOOK FOR THE BALL, YOU COULD SEE HIS HEAD MOVING.

>> TOMMY WILLIAMSON COACHED AARONSON AFTER HE WON A SPOT IN THE PHILADELPHIA'S YOUTH PROGRAM.

AARONSON ROUTINELY PLAYED AGAINST OLDER KIDS AND NEVER BACK DOWN PEERS >> HE ENGAGED A 6'5" GUY AND BROKE HIS COLLARBONE.

THAT IS JUST HIS NATURE, BRANDON'S NATURE, HIS TENACITY, THAT AGGRESSIVENESS, AND FEARLESSNESS.

>> NOWADAYS, AARONSON IS STILL ONE OF THE SMALLER GUYS ON THE PITCH, STANDING A WHOPPING-- >> 5'10", BUT I LIKE TO SAY I AM 5'11" WITH SHOES ON.

>> WHICH PUTS HIM FIVE INCHES BELOW THE LOW NEW JERSEY MAN, MATT TURNER.

HE GREW UP IN PARK RIDGE PEERS >> WE WERE ROOMMATES AT HIS FIRST NATIONAL CAMP.

THAT WAS PRETTY SPECIAL AND I GOT TO KNOW MATT DOING THAT TIME AND WE KICKED IT OFF, OF COURSE BEING NEW JERSEY NATIVES BOTH OF US, SHARING THE SAME INTERESTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT AND WE REALLY GOT ALONG.

>> WHILE ARONSON ALWAYS DREAMED OF THE WORLD CUP AS A 5-YEAR-OLD, AARONSON SAYS, TURNER NEVER WATCHED A FULL SOCCER GAME UNTIL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> LOOKING NOW, HE WATCHES EVERY SINGLE WORLD CUP GAME AND LOVES IT.

EVERYBODY'S STORY IS DIFFERENT AND WITH HIM, I THINK HE IS SUPER SPECIAL.

I AM REALLY HAPPY FOR HIM.

HE IS AN AMAZING GUY.

I AM HAPPY THERE IS TWO NEW JERSEY GUYS ON THIS TEAM.

>> THREE IF YOU INCLUDE THE HEAD COACH.

THE SAME ENTITY ALUM TOLD AARONSON THAT HIS WORLD CUP DREAM WAS A REALITY.

>> I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW ON WEDNESDAY, WE WILL BE ANNOUNCING YOU IS ONE OF THE 26 LAYERS ON THE ROSTER FOR THE WORLD CUP.

>> AARONSON HAS PLAYED AS A SUBSTITUTE IN ALL THREE OF THE WORLD GAMES SO FAR, BUT WHEN CHRISTIAN POLICY WENT DOWN AFTER SCORING THE GO-AHEAD GOAL AGAINST IRAN, AARONSON STEPPED IN TO FILL THE VOID AND HELP CLINCH THE WIN TO ADVANCE PEERS >> ALL OF THE COPING MECHANISMS HE HAD PLAYING AGAINST THE 60 GUYS, NOW HE IS STRONGER HERE NOW HE IS QUICKER.

>> AARONSON REALLY LEARNED THE GAME HERE ON THESE FIELDS IN MEDFORD.

HE WILL PLAY ON A SLIGHTLY LARGER STAGE TOMORROW, THE ROUND OF 16 AT THIS YEAR'S WORLD CUP.

IF AARONSON AND TEAM USA BEAT THE NETHERLANDS, THE AMERICANS WILL BE OFF TO THE ROUND OF EIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2002, WHEN AARONSON WAS JUST A YEAR AND A HALF.

>>> IN MEDFORD, TED GOLDBERG, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, TUNE IN TO REPORT HIS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS TO DAVE SWEENEY ABOUT THE TOP ISSUES FACING THE STATE IN THE NEW YEAR SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 P.M. ON NJ PBS.

AND ON CHECKBOX, HE TALKED WITH THE SENATE PRESIDENT ABOUT THE SENATE'S AGENDA ABOUT THE LATEST GUN REFORM, ABORTION, A TEMP WORKER BILL OF RIGHTS, AND MUCH MORE.

WATCH IT SATURDAY AT: 30 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:30 A.M. ON NJ PBS.

>>> I AM RAVEN SANTANA, FOR THE ENTIRE "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US AND ENJOY THE WEEKEND.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

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