>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS 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 ORSTED, COMMITTED 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.

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

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

HOUSEHOLDS ARE FEELING THE PRESSURE WITH THE LATEST CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT CONFIRMING WHAT'S BEEN SQUEEZING OUR POCKETBOOKS FOR MONTHS.

INFLATION HIT YET ANOTHER FORTY- YEAR HIGH, UP A RECORD 9.1% FROM A YEAR AGO.

CONSUMERS ARE PAYING MORE FOR FOOD, FUEL, HOUSING AND LIVING EXPENSES.

A NATIONAL JULY POLL FROM MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY FINDS THE NUMBER OF AMERICANS WHO SAY THEY ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY HAS INCREASED BY DOUBLE DIGITS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS, THE COST OF EVERYTHING IS GOING UP, EXCEPT WORKERS' PAYCHECKS.

>> EVERYTHING HAS GONE UP SO MUCH.

MY HUSBAND IS OUT OF WORK NOW.

>> THIS WOMAN AND HER DAUGHTER CAME TO SHOP AT WALMART, LIKE MANY PARENTS ROCKED BY A SEISMIC 9.1% SPIKE IN THE COST OF LIVING.

SHE FEELS INFLATION'S BITE MOST IN THE GROCERY AISLE.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT AND VERY STRESSFUL, AND SOME NIGHTS I DO CRY MYSELF TO SLEEP WONDERING HOW I'M GOING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

A BOX OF CEREAL WAS $7.69 AT THE GROCERY STORE.

>> Reporter: SEVEN BUCKS FOR CEREAL?

>> A BIG BOX OF LUCKY CHARMS.

WE SAID NO, WE'RE NOT GETTING THAT.

>> I CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I BOUGHT A STEAK.

>> Reporter: GAS PRICES HAVE DROPPED A BIT TO $4.45 PER GALLON.

FILLING THE GAS TANK STILL RUN $70, AND FOOD IS ANOTHER PAIN POINT.

>> EVEN CHICKEN, ROTISSERIE CHICKEN, $4.99, $5.99, NOW THEY ARE $10.99.

>> Reporter: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT?

>> [ LAUGHTER ] >> Reporter: BREAK IT DOWN, GAS PRICES JUST SKYROCKETED ALMOST 60% OVER THE PAST YEAR.

HOME ENERGY COSTS UP ALMOST 42%.

BUTTER UP 34%.

CHICKEN UP CLOSE TO 19%.

AMERICANS HAVEN'T SEEN INFLATION RATES LIKE THIS SINCE 1981.

IT CHANGES LIVES.

>> I'M OLDER, I'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE.

RECESSIONS AND INFLATION.

IT DOES AFFECT YOU.

YOU DON'T GO OUT AS MUCH.

YOU DON'T DO AS MUCH.

YOU FIND MORE THINGS TO DO AT HOME.

>> Reporter: WITH RISING PRICES, IT COSTS ADDICTIVE FOCAL FAMILY ALMOST $500 PER MONTH MORE JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

4 IN 10 AMERICANS SAY THEY ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY JUST TO STAY IN PLACE.

>> IT IS LEADING TO A VERY SOUR MOVE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN'S CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS INDEX.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE INDEX.

IT HAS REACHED RECORD LOWS.

>> Reporter: THIS ECONOMIC EXPERT SAYS PEOPLE ARE FALLING BEHIND ECONOMICALLY WHEN ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION.

WAGES DECLINED 1% IN A SINGLE MONTH, AND ALMOST 4% OVER THE PAST YEAR.

WHAT'S THAT MEAN?

>> THEIR WAGES ARE PROBABLY DECLINING IN REAL TERMS.

THEIR COST OF LIVING IS INCREASING FAR BEYOND THE WAGE INCREASES.

THEIR SAVINGS ARE TECHNICALLY DECLINING, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT GETTING A 9% INTEREST RATE IN THE BANK OR IN THEIR CHECKING ACCOUNT.

>> THEY ARE BUYING FEWER GOODS AND SEEING A DECLINING STANDARD OF LIVING.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN POINTED OUT THE PRODUCER PRICE INDEX ROSE TOO, UP MORE THAN 11%.

ONE COMPANY IS CAUGHT IN THE CRUSH, AND PASSING IT ON TO CONSUMERS.

>> EVERY SINGLE THING IS GOING UP CONSTANTLY.

IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE CERTAINLY NEVER FELT BEFORE IN MY LIFE.

>> WE NORMALLY DO A PRICE INCREASE IN THE TWO-YEAR PERIOD.

WE HAVE DONE FOUR.

>> Reporter: WHERE IS THIS HAD A CRACKED THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS EXPECTED TO RAISE INTEREST RATES BY ANOTHER 0.75% TRYING TO SLOW INFLATION AND MANEUVER THE ECONOMY INTO A SO-CALLED SOFT LANDING, ONE THAT AVOIDS A RECESSION.

>> THE ECONOMY IS SLOWING DOWN CONSIDERABLY.

I THINK WE ARE IN A RECESSION RIGHT NOW.

A SLOWDOWN IS DEFINITELY IN THE CARDS.

LESS LIKELY, BUT STILL PROBABLY OVER 50% CHANCE OF A DOWNTURN.

THE DOWNTURN HOPEFULLY WILL NOT GET TOO DEEP.

>> Reporter: THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS.

MEANWHILE, PEOPLE COPE.

INSTEAD OF SEVEN DOLLARS FOR A BOX OF LUCKY CHARMS, SHE FOUND A CHEAPER OPTION.

>> I WENT FOR THE STOREBRAND BOX IS ONLY $1.99.

BEN I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE GETTING ANOTHER VACCINE CHOICE.

THE FDA ON WEDNESDAY AUTHORIZED A NEW CORONAVIRUS SHOT FOR ADULTS.

IT IS MADE BY BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY NOVAVAX.

IT IS THE FOURTH COVID-19 VACCINATION TO GET CLEARANCE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND IT TOOK MORE THAN TWO YEARS TO DEVELOP.

NOVAVAX IS HOPING THE TWO THOUGH SHOT WILL APPEAL TO THE ROUGHLY 22% OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE YET TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES BECAUSE IT USES A MORE TRADITIONAL PROTEIN METHOD THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES.

RATHER THAN THE MESSENGER RNA TECH AND THE ABILITY.

ADVISERS TO THE CDC ARE EXPECTED TO MEET NEXT WEEK TO DISCUSS WHO SHOULD GET THE VACCINE.

THAT IS MUSIC TO THE EARS OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WHO HAVE BEEN WARNING ABOUT THE FAST SPREAD OF THE BA.5 OMICRON SUV-VARIANT.

MORE THAN 3500 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND 12 CONFIRMED DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED TODAY ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

DESPITE THE RISING CASES, CAUSED BY THE VARIANT, THE STATE IS STILL REPORTING LOW DEMAND FOR VACCINES IN KIDS.

THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMISSIONER WAS ASKED ABOUT THAT CHALLENGE AS BA.5 SWEEPS THROUGH THE STATE.

VACCINES FOR KIDS HAS BEEN ABOUT A MONTH.

SINCE THEY HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE.

FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5.

WHAT IS DEMAND LIKE IN THE STATE?

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE UPTICK?

>> LET'S START AT 12 TO 17-YEAR- OLDS.

AT THIS POINT, 12 TO 17-YEAR- OLDS, ABOUT 74% UNVACCINATED.

THEN WE GO TO THE 5 TO 11-YEAR- OLDS.

NOT AS MUCH.

ABOUT 43% OF 5 TO 11-YEAR-OLDS UNVACCINATED.

WE ARE STILL COLLECTING INFORMATION ON THE SIX MONTHS TO 4 YEARS.

WE KNOW THERE'S ABOUT 150,000 ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS IN NEW JERSEY IN THAT AGE COHORT.

WE KNOW THE UPTICK IS QUITE SLOW.

THE FIRST WEEK IT WAS PRETTY -- THE FIRST FOUR DAYS BY THE WAY IT WAS PRETTY HIGH.

WE GOT ALMOST 800 INDIVIDUALS, KIDS, VACCINATED IN THAT FIRST WEEK.

THEN, WE'VE SEEN IT WAYNE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE PHONE NUMBER.

WE KNOW FOR SURE ABOUT 12,000 DOSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN.

THAT'S LAST WEEK I BELIEVE.

SO, WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

SIX MONTHS TO 4 YEARS, WE ARE HOPING TO GET UP TO THE SAME PERCENTAGES AS THE 5 TO 11-YEAR- OLDS AT LEAST, AT A MINIMUM.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO BE ABOUT 70% AT A MINIMUM.

WE ARE THERE FOR THE 12 AND OVER.

>> WHAT IS YOUR SENSE, COMMISSIONER, HER PARENTS OF THOSE YOUNGEST CHILDREN JUST ON THE FENCE WAITING TO SEE?

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF IT?

>> I THINK THERE IS SO MUCH INFORMATION NOW ABOUT WHEN AND IMMUNITY, AND -- HOW MANY DOSES AND CERTAINLY UNDER 3 YEARS OF AGE, YOU GIVE IT IN THE LEAD.

IT SEEMS PEOPLE ARE OVERWHELMED.

OUR JOB HERE AT THE DEPARTMENT IS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT VACCINES ARE ACCESSIBLE, THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE.

THAT WE REALLY FOCUS ON HIGH RISK POPULATIONS, AND THAT WE ARE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE THAT NEEDS US FOR INFORMATION.

TO HELP TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THEMSELVES, FOR THEIR FAMILIES, FOR THEIR LOVED ONES, AND FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT IS PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY'S LONG STALLED NOMINEE FOR THE STATE SUPREME COURT MAY HAVE A WAY TO BYPASS THE SENATOR HOLDING UP HER CONFIRMATION.

BY MOVING.

ACCORDING TO POLITICO, SHE WOULD CONSIDER MOVING AWAY FROM HER CURRENT ENGLEWOOD HOME TO ADVANCE HER NOMINATION.

IS CURRENTLY BEING HELD UP BY A COUNTY LAWMAKER.

FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW, THROUGH AN UNWRITTEN RULE KNOWN AS SENATORIAL COURTESY.

THAT ALLOWS SENATORS FROM THE NOMINEES' LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT OR HOME COUNTY TO BLOCK THE PROCESS.

SHE MADE THE COMMENT IN RESPONSE TO A STUDENT'S QUESTION DURING A TALK AT RIDER UNIVERSITY.

HER STALLED APPOINTMENT IS GETTING INCREASED ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES IN THE STATE.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS THREE EMPTY SEATS WITH ONE BEING TEMPORARILY FILLED BY AN APPELLATE JUDGE.

>>> LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION HAS LONG BEEN A PROBLEM IN RURAL SOUTH JERSEY.

WERE BUS ROUTES IN PARTICULAR HAVEN'T BEEN REVAMPED IN DECADES.

CONSISTENTLY SERVED MORE OF THE POPULATION, AND SUFFERED LESS DECREASES OF RIDERSHIP DURING THE PANDEMIC.

NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS NOW LOOKING TO REDESIGN A TRI- COUNTY BUS NETWORK.

AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, IT WILL GIVE RESIDENTS THE TRANSIT OPTIONS THEY HAVE LONG DESERVED.

>> Reporter: WHETHER YOU ARE HEADED TO PHILADELPHIA, WILDWOOD, OR SOMEONE ELSE AROUND SOUTH JERSEY, IT MIGHT BECOME A LITTLE EASIER TO TAKE A BUS.

NJ TRANSIT IS REVIEWING 27 BUS ROUTES, IN BURLINGTON, CAMDEN, AND GLOUCESTER COUNTIES, AND FIGURING OUT HOW TO OPTIMIZE TRAVEL.

>> IT'S A REALLY GOOD TIME FOR ALL THE TRANSIT AGENCY TO TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT WHAT TRAVEL MARKET THEY ARE SERVING.

WHAT ARE THEIR STRONGEST TRAVEL MARKET, AND HOW DO THEY MAKE SURE THE BUS TRAVEL MARKET THAT HELD THE STRONGEST IN THE PANDEMIC, THAT THAT IS SORT OF A RELIABLE CUSTOMER BASE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SERVING AS EFFECTIVELY AS THEY CAN.

>> Reporter: THE STUDY IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO BUMP UP THE NUMBER OF RIDERS AFTER THE PANDEMIC CUT RIDERSHIP ACROSS THE STATE.

BUSES HAVE LESS GROUND TO MAKE UP.

FROM FISCAL YEAR 2019 TO 2021, BUSES LOST ABOUT HALF OF THE RIDERSHIP, WHILE TRAINS LOST NEARLY 3/4 OF IT.

>> BUSES SERVE MORE TYPES OF JOBS.

MORE TYPES OF TRIPS IN MORE PLACES.

A LOT OF THOSE ARE JOBS, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND STILL, THAT AREN'T OFFICE JOBS, THAT CAN'T BE DONE REMOTELY.

THOSE FOLKS WERE THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS DURING COVID THAT WERE KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON FOR THE REST OF US THAT WERE ABLE TO WORK REMOTELY.

THEY WERE RIDING THE BUSES ALL ALONG AND ARE STILL RIDING THE BUSES TODAY.

>> Reporter: THOSE BUSES CAN'T GET TO ALL OF SOUTH JERSEY, AND THAT'S WHERE FOLKS LIKE CROSS COUNTY CONNECTION COME IN.

THEY ARE A STATE-FUNDED NONPROFIT THAT PROVIDE SHUTTLES FOR LAST MILE TRANSIT.

GOING TO PLACES WHERE BUSES CAN'T.

>> THE SHUTTLES ARE SERVING A POPULATION THAT FOR THE MOST PART DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A VEHICLE.

ABOUT 90% OF THE PASSENGERS ARE GOING TO WORK.

ABOUT 70% OF THEM DO NOT HAVE A VEHICLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

>> Reporter: RHONDA ERKOWICZ HOPES THE NETWORK REDESIGN LEADS TO MORE SHUTTLES AND SOUTH JERSEY.

NJ TRANSIT ROUTES ARE STRETCHED PRETTY THIN TRYING TO ACCOMMODATE CUSTOMERS.

MORE SHUTTLES MIGHT HELP.

>> THAT RESULTS IN ROUTES THAT CAN LOOK KIND OF LIKE A BOWL OF SPAGHETTI.

THE BUS KIND OF ROUTES, DOES SOME FUNKY LOOPS HERE AND THERE, AND IT'S KIND OF A CIRCUITOUS ROUTING.

THAT'S FROM THE DESIRE TO TRY TO RUN ESSENTIALLY LIFELINE SERVICE, TO PROVIDE SOME AMOUNT OF ACCESS TO PEOPLE THAT LIVE HERE, THERE, OR A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYWHERE.

>> PUBLIC TRANSIT IS A LIFELINE FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS.

IF THEY HAVE ACCESS TO NEW JERSEY TRANSIT AND OUR COMMUNITY SHUTTLES, THEY NOW HAVE TREMENDOUS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIFE.

THEY CAN ACCESS JOBS, REGIONWIDE.

THEY ARE NOT CONFINED TO THEIR SMALL, GEOGRAPHIC RESIDENTIAL AREA FOR EMPLOYMENT.

>> Reporter: LIKE WAREHOUSE JOBS, WHICH HAVE BEEN POPPING UP ALL OVER SOUTH JERSEY.

>> IT'S WRITTEN A REALLY NAFF NOT TO.

THAT'S ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING JOB SECTORS.

WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE STRUGGLING THAT CAN REALLY BENEFIT FROM THOSE JOBS.

THEY ARE REALLY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO USING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> WHEN WE HEAD TO BE SOUTH JERSEY TOWNSHIPS, THE TOWNS HAVE ALL THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOBS.

NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION CAN SEEM TO GET PEOPLE TO THAT.

>> Reporter: TAHLIA CRAWFORD IS A CAMPAIGN ORGANIZER FOR TRI- STATE TRANSPORTATION CAMPAIGN.

SHE SAYS THE STUDY WOULD BENEFIT FROM NJ TRANSIT SENDING PEOPLE AROUND THE ENTIRE SOUTHERN REGION.

>> THE BEST WAY TO REACH THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON THE BUSES TO ACTUALLY RIDE THE BUS.

GET A PASSENGER ON THE BUS, START CONVERSATION AS TO WHY THEY PICK THE BUS.

WHY THEY NEED THIS BUS.

GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS.

SEE WHERE TRANSIT NEEDS ARE.

>> Reporter: RECOMMENDATIONS COULD COME AS SOON AS THIS FALL.

IN WINSLOW TOWNSHIP, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> A MILESTONE IN ATLANTIC CITY.

AS IT WELCOMES THE ANNUAL NAACP NATIONAL CONVENTION TO TOWN.

BEING HELD IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS.

HOSTING MORE THAN 90 EVENTS, STARTING TODAY, RUNNING THROUGH JULY 20th, AND COMING TOGETHER AT A CRITICAL TIME WITH ISSUES LIKE REPRODUCTIVE AND VOTING RIGHTS HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

THE BLACK COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO WORK ON AGE-OLD CRISES OF RACE, POLICE REFORM, AND JUSTICE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS FROM DAY ONE OF THE CONVENTION.

>> Reporter: AS VISITORS HEAD TO ATLANTIC CITY THIS SUMMER TO ENJOY SOME TIME ON THE SHORE, SOCIAL AND CIVIL ADVOCATES FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL ALSO GATHER HERE FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS FOR THE 113th NAACP NATIONAL CONVENTION.

>> THE NAACP NATIONAL CONVENTION HASN'T BEEN IN ATLANTIC CITY SINCE 1968.

THAT IS A HISTORICAL FACT.

ALSO, WE REMEMBER 1964.

SOME OF US REMEMBER WHEN FANNIE LOU HAMER MADE HER FAMOUS STATEMENT ABOUT SHE'S SICK AND TIRED OF BEING SICK AND TIRED.

THAT WAS HERE IN ATLANTIC CITY AT THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCILMAN, WHO ALSO HEADS THE NAACP'S ATLANTIC CITY CHAPTER SAYS IT'S FITTING TO HAVE THE NATIONAL CONVENTION RETURN HERE AT A TIME WHEN THERE IS SO MANY MAJOR ISSUES ON THE TABLE IMPACTING PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> WE HAVE FORCES THAT ARE TRYING TO TAKE AWAY THE HARD EARNED RIGHTS THAT THOSE OF US IN THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, WOMEN AND MINORITIES, HAVE GAINED IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE LEADERSHIP RIGHTS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND ORGANIZATION HAS 22,000, I'M SORRY 2200 UNITS IN 47 STATES, SPEAKS TO THOSE ISSUES LIKE ROE VS. WADE.

LIKE HEALTH DISPARITY.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT.

VOTING RIGHTS SUPPRESSION.

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER MAJOR ISSUE ON THE AGENDA, IMPROVING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE AND COMMUNITY.

>> THAT'S A REAL LIFE-AND-DEATH ISSUE.

IN FACT, WE HAD AN INCIDENT IN ATLANTIC CITY.

A 13-YEAR-OLD YOUNG MAN HAD A GUN AND SHOT TWO ADULTS.

THE POLICE CAME, THEY HAD A THREE HOUR STANDOFF.

IT ENDED PEACEFULLY WITH THEM TAKING THE YOUNG MAN INTO CUSTODY.

WE KNOW TOO MANY TIMES ACROSS HIS COUNTRY THAT KIND OF INCIDENT HAS NOT ENDED PEACEFULLY, AND IT ENDS UP WITH A PERSON OF COLOR BEING KILLED.

>> Reporter: ONE ISSUE LARRY BROWN JR. IS HOPING TO ACT ON.

HE IS THE NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE NAACP'S ACADEMIC, CULTURAL, TECHNOLOGICAL SCIENTIFIC OLYMPICS.

IT'S A YEAR-LONG PROGRAM THAT ENCOURAGES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO REACH THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM.

PREPARING THEM TO BEAT ANY CHALLENGES THEY MAY FACE.

>> FOR 45 YEARS, NAACP HAS PRESENTED STUDENTS ACROSS SIX DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.

BUSINESS, HUMANITIES, PERFORMANCE ART, VISUAL ARTS AS WELL AS S.T.E.M.

WE HAVE 33 DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES UNDER THOSE SIX CATEGORIES.

OUR STUDENTS ARE HERE TO SHOW THAT NOT ONLY ARE THE TODAY'S YOUTH, THEY ARE TODAY'S LEADERS.

>> THEY ARE EDUCATING THEMSELVES FOR THE FUTURE PRODUCTS THAT WE WILL NEED IN THIS COUNTRY.

THEY ARE AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILDREN.

THEY ARE NOT SHOOTING.

THEY ARE NOT USING THE BULLETS.

THEY ARE USING THEIR MINDS.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 8000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION, INCLUDING POTENTIALLY PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS.

THIS IS POWER.

>> THIS IS LIKE A THREE-YEAR PROCESS.

A LOT OF HARD WORK.

A LOT OF TEAMWORK.

TO GO TO THE NAACP FOR THE CONVENTION, THIS IS POWER.

THAT'S HOW WE GOT THE CONVENTION HERE TO ATLANTIC CITY, BY EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER, BEING ON THE SAME PAGE.

ONE SOUND, ONE VOICE, AND SHOWING OUR POWER.

>> Reporter: SOME SOCIAL ADVOCATES ARE CALLING ON THE NAACP TO DISINVITES GOVERNOR MURPHY, ACCUSING HIM OF NOT DOING ENOUGH TO FIX ISSUES OF SEGREGATION IN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT, THERE'S NO CONFIRMATION WHETHER THAT WILL HAPPEN.

HE IS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK NEXT WEEK.

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

>> AS YOU HER BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORT, ANOTHER KEY INFLATION MEASURE SHOWS RISING PRICES ARE HAMMERING BUSINESSES OWNERS TWOS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS PLUS TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

RHONDA?

>>> THERE IS NO LET UP TO THE NEGATIVE INFLATION NEWS WITH YET ANOTHER GOVERNMENT REPORT OUT SHOWING INFLATION AT NEAR RECORD LEVELS.

THE PRODUCER PRICE INDEX LOOKS AT THE COST OF PRODUCING GOODS, AND IT SHOWS BUSINESSES ARE GETTING SQUEEZED JUST LIKE YOU AND ME.

IN JUNE, INFLATION AT THE WHOLESALE LEVEL SURGED 11.3% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

MAINLY DUE TO RISING ENERGY COSTS.

A NEWLY RELEASED SURVEY FROM GOLDMAN SACHS SHOWS AN INCREASING NUMBER OF SMALL BUSINESSES SAY INFLATION IS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM, AND MORE THAN 90% OF THEM ARE WORRIED ABOUT A RECESSION.

BUSINESSES ALSO CITED DIFFICULTY IN FINDING WORKERS AS AN ONGOING CONCERN.

ONE NEW JERSEY PROGRAM IS TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO WORKFORCE TRAINING.

THE SOUTH JERSEY SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATORS TEACHES TEACHERS ABOUT THE HIRING NEEDS OF LOCAL COMPANIES, INCLUDING CAMPBELL'S, SUBARU, AND LOCKHEED MARTIN JUST TO NAME A FEW.

TEACHERS THEN TAKE WHAT THEY'VE LEARNED TO EDUCATE THEIR STUDENTS ABOUT THE JOB MARKET.

THE PROGRAM IS RUN BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, THE PRESIDENT AND CEO CHRISTINA, SAYS TEACHERS MEET WITH CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES TO GET A FIRSTHAND LOOK AT THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

>> THEY TAKE THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE IN THE BACKYARD, AND THE KINDS OF JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR EVERY STUDENT THAT MAY BE COLLEGE-BOUND OR MAY NOT BE.

THE KINDS OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT THEY MAY NOT KNOW EVER EXISTED.

SO, IT'S REALLY EXPOSING THE TEACHERS TO THE CORPORATE LANDSCAPE HERE IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>> ELSEWHERE, THE ENHANCED FEDERAL CHILD TAX CREDITS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED, BUT PROCESSING DELAYS AT THE IRS ARE STANDING IN THE WAY OF FAMILIES GETTING THOSE TAX CREDITS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY U.S.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ WHO JOINS FOUR OTHER SENATORS IN SENDING A LETTER TO THE IRS DEMANDING THAT THE SITUATION IS RECTIFIED.

THE SENATORS SAY THE TAX CREDITS KEPT 3 MILLION CHILDREN OUT OF POVERTY.

>>> TWITTER BACK IN THE NEWS AGAIN AS A GLOBAL OUTAGE LEFT COUNTLESS USERS UNABLE TO USE THE PLATFORM FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES THIS MORNING.

WHILE IT DOESN'T APPEAR TWITTER CAN POINT ANY FINGERS AT ELON MUSK, THE COMPANY SAYS IT IS INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE.

>>> HERE IS OUR CHECK ON TODAY'S STOCK MARKET TRADING.

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

>>> AFTER BEING ISOLATED, EXCLUDED, AND BULLIED IN SCHOOL, TIMOTHY DECIDED TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AND BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR OTHER YOUNG ADULTS WITH AUTISM.

HE WROTE AND SELF PUBLISHED A BOOK CREATING PAMPHLETS FOR KIDS, AND EVEN A YOUTUBE CHANNEL DEDICATED TO EDUCATING THE NONDISABLED POPULATION HOW TO COMMUNICATE AND SOCIALIZE WITH THOSE WHO HAVE A DISABILITY.

AS HE PUTS IT, BOTH COMMUNITIES NEED TO LEARN HOW TO WORK WITH ONE ANOTHER.

I SPOKE WITH TIM , AS WE RECOGNIZE DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH AND THE PASSING OF THE LANDMARK AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 32 YEARS AGO.

TIM , WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

I'M SO HAPPY TO GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH YOU.

TELL ME WHY YOU DECIDED TO CREATE ALL OF THESE RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE IN THE NONDISABLED COMMUNITY.

>> BECAUSE PEOPLE AREN'T BEING TAUGHT HOW TO COMMUNICATE.

IT'S A TWO WAY STREET.

BOTH PEOPLE WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES NEED TO BE TAUGHT HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHERS.

>> WAS THAT AN ISSUE FOR YOU GROWING UP, TIM?

DID YOU FIND THAT YOUR CLASSMATES, AND EVEN ADULTS, DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU?

>> IT WAS A PROBLEM FOR ME BECAUSE OTHER STUDENTS WERE OFTEN PUSHED TO GO TO SPEECH THERAPY JUST TO LEARN HOW TO IMPROVE THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS.

DESPITE THOSE SERVICES, IMPROVING MY SOCIAL SKILLS AND A FEW OTHER PEOPLE, PEOPLE LIKE ME WERE STILL SHUNNED BY THE REGULAR EDUCATION COMMUNITY.

>> WHAT WAS THAT LIKE FOR YOU, >> WHAT WAS THAT LIKE FOR YO%, TIM?

>> IT FELT -- I WAS OFTEN EXCLUDED BY REGULAR STUDENTS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT TAUGHT HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE LIKE ME.

THEREFORE, I FELT VERY LONELY AND DEPRESSED.

MAKING IT FEEL LIKE DURING PRE- COVID TIMES, IT FELT I WAS IN MY OWN QUARANTINE BECAUSE LIKE I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.

OR WHERE TO HANG OUT.

NOBODY, NOT MANY PEOPLE TO HANG OUT WITH.

>> YEAH.

THEN, I'M SURE ONCE IN QUARANTINE, IN COVID, IT MADE IT THAT MUCH WORSE.

>> IT DID.

A YEAR AFTER COVID, AND RIGHT AFTER I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, I MADE A NEW FRIEND THAT I GOT TO HANG OUT WITH DURING 2019.

THEN, DURING COVID I STILL GOT TO CONNECT WITH THEM.

>> TIM, I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT THE PAMPHLET YOU MADE.

IT HAS 10 SIMPLE TIPS FOR KIDS REALLY TO INTERACT WITH THEIR PEERS.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THAT?

>> I CAME UP WITH 10 TIPS THAT TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES TO SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY.

HOW TO TALK WITH THEM AND HOW TO INCLUDE THEM AND HANG OUT WITH THEM.

>> WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE, TIM, TO KIDS WHO MAY BE GOING THROUGH WHAT YOU WENT THROUGH IN SCHOOL?

>> THAT YOU CAN GET SOME INSPIRATION BY A TEACHER, FAMILY, OR OTHER ADVOCATE.

>> THIS IS DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH.

DO YOU SEE YOURSELF AS AN INSPIRATION FOR OTHER STUDENTS?

MAYBE THOSE WITH AUTISM.

MAYBE THOSE WITHOUT?

>> YES, I DO.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO TEACH STUDENTS HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH SOMEONE WITH A DISABILITY.

>> IF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR HELP ON HOW TO DO THAT, DO YOU THINK YOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND BOOK AND PAMPHLET CAN HELP THEM TO DO -- TO GET THERE?

>> YES THEY COULD.

TO HELP THEM BE INCLUSIVE.

IF YOU WANT TO BE INCLUDED, JUST FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

THAT WILL BE WILLING TO INCLUDE YOU.

>> RESILIENCE, AND I KNOW YOU'VE GOT A LOT OF IT.

TIM ROHR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE RESOURCES YOU'VE CREATED, AND FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

IT'S A PLEASURE.

>>> THAT'S IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI .

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

>>> AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> OR STEAD WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS.

EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

ORSTED, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.

>>> ♪