>>> 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 FRIDAY NIGHT.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAS SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN-CONTROL LAWS IN THE COUNTRY, AND 10 DAYS AGO, NEW RESTRICTIONS WERE PUT IN PLACE FOLLOWING MASS SHOOTINGS IN UVALDE, TEXAS, AND BUFFALO.

BUT WHILE NEW JERSEY WAS ENACTING TOUGHER LAWS, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ISSUED A CLOSELY WATCHED RULING ON CONCEALED CARRY.

GUARANTEEING THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO CARRY A WEAPON FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION WITHOUT HAVING TO PROVE A JUSTIFIABLE NEED.

THE HIGH COURT'S RULING HAS SPAWNED AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF THOSE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING GUNS HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN VISITED A SHOOTING RANGE IN UNION AND FOUND CONCEALED CARRY CLASSES ARE FILLING UP.

>> I'M GOING TO SHOOT A COUPLE ROUNDS TO SHOW YOU WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE COMING OUT OF THE HOLSTER.

>> Reporter: PETER BISHOP DEMONSTRATED THE DRAW AND SHOOT TECHNIQUE HE BELIEVES GUN OWNERSHIP MASTER IF THEY WANT TO QUALIFY FOR CARRY PERMITS.

>> WE PUSH THE SAFETY FACTORS, AND PROFICIENCY.

COMING OUT OF A HOLSTER YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO DO IT.

THE MORE YOU DO IT, THE REPETITION, THAT'S WHERE THE STUDENT REALLY UNDERSTANDS IT AND IT BECOMES MUSCLE MEMORY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF RTSP, A BUSINESS THAT COMBINES FIREARM SALES WITH SEVERAL SHOOTING RANGES AND EXPERT INSTRUCTION.

FOLKS WANT TO ENROLL IN CARRY CAUSES SINCE A RECENT U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING CLEARED THE WAY FOR NEW JERSEY GUN OWNERS TO APPLY FOR CARRY PERMITS WITHOUT HAVING TO FIRST JUSTIFIABLE NEEDS.

>> AS LONG AS YOU ARE A LAW- ABIDING CITIZEN, I DON'T SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS FOR IT.

>> Reporter: DO YOU PLAN ON SIGNING UP FOR A CLASS?

>> MAYBE, EYE MILITARY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

>> DRYING FROM A HOLSTER IS VERY DIFFERENT FOR THE NEW JERSEY SHOOTER WHO HAD NEVER DONE IT.

THEY ARE NOW ENTERING THIS NEW WORLD AND THEY ARE USED TO HAVING A GUN ON A BENCH.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY PEOPLE ARE LINING UP FOR THE TWO HOUR CARRY PERMIT APPLICATION CLASS.

THE $99 COURSE WALKS STUDENTS THROUGH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS.

THIS MAN HAS OWNED A GUN FOR TWO YEARS AND GOT HIS CERTIFICATE TODAY.

>> IT WAS 90% SAFETY.

>> Reporter: WAS IT WORTH IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY YES.

YOU GET KNOWLEDGE OF SOMETHING YOU MAY HAVE TO USE.

YOU DON'T WANT PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND WITH GUNS THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT THE THEY ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: HE IS SIGNING UP FOR THE RANGE QUALIFICATION CLASS.

SLOTS FILL UP AS SOON AS THEY OPEN.

IT FOCUSES ON BEST DRAW AND SHOOT PRACTICES.

FAIR WARNING, IT'S NOT FOR NEWBIES.

>> WE ASSUME THAT YOU ARE PROFICIENT WHEN YOU ARE GOING INTO THE QUALIFICATION, AND WE WILL PULL YOU OFF THE LINE IF YOU'RE NOT.

WE DO RECOMMEND A LOT OF TRAINING PRIOR TO.

THAT'S GOOD FOR ALL THE RANGES AROUND THE STATE.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, RANGES LIKE THIS ONE ARE SETTING THEIR OWN INSTRUCTION STANDARDS WHILE THEY AWAIT MORE DETAILED DIRECTIONS FROM NEW JERSEY'S STATE POLICE.

LAST YEAR THEY APPROVED.500 APPLICATIONS.

NOW THEY ARE EXPECTING A BRUSH.

>> AS THE OVERSEERS OF THAT PROCESS, WE ARE LOOKING TO TECHNOLOGY LIKE WE RECENTLY DID WITH THE ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS AND JUST INCLUDING ANOTHER MODULE IN ORDER TO ACCEPT WHAT COULD BE UPWARDS OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF APPLICATIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> Reporter: AFTER YOU LEARN TO DRAW AND SHOOT, THEN WHAT?

NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS ARE STILL DECIDING ON A LIST OF VENUES WHERE THEY WOULD BAN CONCEALED CARRY WEAPONS IN THE INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

THINK SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS, AND MASS TRANSIT.

USING LOCATION AS A RESTRICTION INSTEAD OF THE PERMIT PROCESS, LAWMAKERS ARE HAMMERING OUT LEGISLATION NOW WHICH COULD FACE A COURT CHALLENGE AS SOON AS IT IS SIGNED.

>> THIS IS GOING TO CREATE A LOT OF CHAOS AND A LOT OF LITIGATION, BUT AS FAR AS THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS CONCERNED, IT'S A STEP FORWARD TO OPEN CARRY IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATES HAVE ALREADY SUED TO REVERSE JERSEY'S DECADES-OLD ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN, AND THE 10 ROUND RESTRICTION ON AMMUNITION MAGAZINES.

GUN-CONTROL ADVOCATES PREDICT SIGNIFICANT BATTLES AHEAD.

>> WE FEEL STRONGLY WE CAN DEFEND THE LAWS WE HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING SO STRONGLY FOR SO MANY YEAR DECADES.

IN THE SPACE.

TO TRY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT AMERICANS FROM GUN VIOLENCE IN ALL OF ITS FORMS.

>> Reporter: IT'S A NEW LANDSCAPE, AND FOR NOW ONE WHERE NEW JERSEY GUN OWNERS, UNFETTERED BY THE SUPREME COURT, WILL SEEK CARRY PERMITS.

IT'S JUST ANOTHER LAYER OF SELF PROTECTION.

>> I REALLY DON'T SEE IT GETTING THAT FAR, BUT I WOULD RATHER BE ABLE TO PROTECT MYSELF IF IT EVER DOES GET THAT FAR.

>> Reporter: LINDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY WAS SWORN IN TODAY AS THE NEW CHAIRMAN OF THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION IN A MOVE THAT COULD HELP RAISE HIS NATIONAL PROFILE.

THE SWEARING-IN TOOK PLACE IN PORTLAND, MAINE, AT THE GROUP'S SUMMER MEETING.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR HAS LED THE ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS AN ADVOCACY GROUP.

MURPHY BECOMES CHAIRMAN AT A CONTENTIOUS TIME, WITH SIGNIFICANT DIVISIONS AMONG BLUE AND RED STATES OVER ISSUES LIKE GUN CONTROL AND ABORTION.

GOVERNOR MERCIFULLY IS ALSO ON TRACK TO LEAD ANOTHER NATIONAL ORGANIZATION, THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION, STARTING NEXT YEAR.

MURPHY ALSO SERVED AS CHAIRMAN OF THAT GROUP IN 2020.

THE GOVERNOR'S LEADERSHIP IN NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS COMES AS HIS NAME HAS BEEN MENTIONED AS A POSSIBLE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE SHOULD PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN NOT SEEK A SECOND TERM.

BUT MURPHY HAS INSISTED HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN A RUN FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

>>> MEANTIME AS THE GOVERNOR ASSUMED HIS NEW ROLE WITH THE NATIONAL GOVERNORS ASSOCIATION TODAY, HE ANNOUNCED AN INITIATIVE CALLED STRENGTHENING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

THE GOALS OF THE INITIATIVE INCLUDE INCREASING AWARENESS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND REDUCING STIGMA, AS WELL AS IMPROVING ACCESS TO CARE.

>>> SPEAKING OF MENTAL HEALTH, STARTING TOMORROW, NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS FACING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES HAVE A NEW NUMBER TO CALL FOR HELP.

IT IS 988.

A CRISIS HOTLINE THAT WILL GO LIVE AS OF SATURDAY CONNECTING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH, OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CRISIS, WITH A TRAINED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THE RESOURCE COULD BE ESPECIALLY CRITICAL FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO OFTEN DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO ADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT THE NEW 988 HOTLINE EARLIER TODAY, ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN SAYING, WE ARE AT A CRITICAL POINT IN OUR RESPONSE TO THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, AND THAT'S WHY INVESTMENTS ARE NEEDED.

>> OUR BUDGET, FUNDING FOR THE MENTAL HEALTH PRAYER PROGRAM INCLUDED $28.8 MILLION FOR THE 988 HOTLINE AND MOBILE CRISIS TEAM.

THE RELATED SERVICES THAT WILL FILL THE GAP WE HOPE.

THAT CURRENTLY EXISTS BETWEEN OUR STATE'S SYSTEM, COMMUNITY CRISIS CARE, AND TRULY REVOLUTIONIZED OUR SYSTEM OF CRISIS CARE AT THE TIME WHEN WE NEED IT THE MOST.

>>> NEW JERSEY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE SOLVED A FAMOUS COLD CASE KNOWN AS THE PRINCESS DOE CASE.

40 YEARS AFTER THE BODY OF A TEENAGE GIRL WAS FOUND IN A BLAIRSTOWN CEMETERY IN WARREN COUNTY.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE EARLIER TODAY, AUTHORITIES ANNOUNCED THE VICTIM WAS A 17-YEAR-OLD FROM LONG ISLAND NAMED DAWN OLANICK.

THEY HAVE CHARGED 68-YEAR-OLD ARTHUR KINLAW WITH FIRST- DEGREE MURDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE CASE.

HE IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED IN NEW YORK ON TWO OTHER MURDER CONVICTIONS.

INVESTIGATORS ALLEGE KINLAW TRIED TO LURE OLANICK INTO PROSTITUTION, AND WHEN SHE REFUSED, THEY SAY HE DROVE HER TO NEW JERSEY AND KILLED HER.

AUTHORITIES ALSO REVEALED THAT KINLAW CONFESSED TO THE KILLING BACK IN 2005, BUT DETERMINING THE VICTIM'S IDENTITY WAS CRUCIAL TO BUILDING A CASE AGAINST HIM.

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL EXPLAINED KINLAW WAS FINALLY IDENTIFIED THANKS TO ADVANCES IN FORENSIC SCIENCE.

>> IT'S THIS TYPE OF COLLABORATIVE POLICING THAT IS A HALLMARK OF WHAT WE DO HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

IT'S THIS TYPE OF INVESTIGATIVE WORK THAT GETS RESULTS.

THAT ALLOWS FAMILY MEMBERS AND SURVIVORS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR LOVED ONE, AND TO PROPERLY GRIEVE.

IMPORTANTLY, I THINK WE NEED TO A KNOWLEDGE THAT DEVELOPMENTS IN FORENSIC AND GENETIC SCIENCE, THAT THE PROSECUTOR TOUCHED ON, HAVE ALLOWED US TO HAVE THESE BREAKTHROUGHS.

THAT ALLOWS US TO BE HERE TODAY.

>>> A FOLLOW-UP TONIGHT TO A STORY WE REPORTED ON A FEW WEEKS AGO ABOUT A POPULAR PISCATAWAY SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST, DR. CASSIA MOSDELL, WHO FAILED TO RECEIVE TENURE.

DR. MOSDELL SAYS SHE WAS FIRED OVER HER LESSONS ON LGBTQ EDUCATION, AND FOR ORGANIZING A DAY OF SILENCE PROTEST WITH STUDENTS.

IN JUNE, BURDENS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY ATTENDED A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TO PLEAD WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT TO REINSTATE HER.

BUT, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.

SO LAST NIGHT, DR. MOSDELL HAD WHAT'S KNOWN AS A DONALDSON HEARING, FORMERLY CHALLENGING THE DISTRICT'S DECISION.

AS JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, SHE FAILED TO SWAY THE SCHOOL BOARD AND WILL NOT BE RETURNING TO THE DISTRICT THIS FALL.

>> IN SOME WAYS, IT'S THE INVISIBLE ONES.

A STUDENT REACHING OUT AFTER THE DEATH IN THE FAMILY.

A WALK AROUND THE BUILDING.

>> Reporter: DR. CASSIA MOSDELL STOOD BEFORE THE CUSSED AT AWAY BOARD OF EDUCATION AND PLEADED AS HER JOB BACK AT SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST.

SHE WAS FIRED EARLIER THIS YEAR AFTER CLAIMS OF INSUBORDINATION BY HER SUPERIORS, INCLUDING HER COORDINATING A DAY OF SILENCE TO HONOR THOSE IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY, AND FAILURE TO CONDUCT A BULLYING CLIMATE STUDY IN THE SCHOOL.

SHE DENOUNCED THOSE CLAIMS.

>> IT IS SHOCKING.

>> Reporter: MOSDELL WAS ALLOWED TO APPEAL HER FIRING IN WHAT'S CALLED A DONALDSON HEARING, WHICH SHE ASKED TO MAKE PUBLIC.

MOSDELL'S PRESENTATION MOVED SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS.

ONE BOARD MEMBER HIGHLIGHTING INCONSISTENCIES IN THE COMPLAINT, AND POINTING OUT THAT DR. MOSDELL WAS GIVEN EXTREMELY HIGH PRAISE IN EACH OF HER FOUR ANNUAL REVIEWS.

>> THE ONES I SAW WERE ALL GOOD.

EVEN IN THE VERY LAST ONE, AFTER THIS INCIDENT, IT WAS GOOD.

>> Reporter: JOHNSON, THE ONLY BOARD MEMBER TO SPEAK OUT IN SUPPORT OF MOSDELL, WHO DOESN'T KNOW PERSONALLY, ALSO QUESTION COMPLAINTS ABOUT MOSDELL ASKING STUDENTS TO WEAR BLACK ON THE DAY OF SILENCE.

ONE BOARD MEMBER SAID SHE WAS MOVED BY MOSDELL'S IMPACT ON HER STUDENTS, AND MIGHT HAVE CONSIDERED REINSTATING HER, BUT -- >> CONSIDERING THE ORGANIZED MOVEMENT, IT WAS ANTI-LGBTQ.

>> Reporter: ONE BOARD MEMBER DID MAKE A MOTION TO REINSTATE MOSDELL, AND THE BOARD VOTED.

>> MR. JOHNSON?

>> YES.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: THE FINAL VOTE, 6-3 TO LET MOSDELL GO, DESPITE INTENSE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FROM HER COMMITMENT TO LGBTQ AND OTHER MARGINALIZED STUDENTS.

>> IT'S DEVASTATING AND SAD, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT MY STUDENTS WILL GO ON AND DO WONDERFUL THINGS.

HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH WORKING TOGETHER IN THIS PROCESS.

>> Reporter: DR. MOSDELL SAID SHE PLANS TO TAKE A MINUTE TO FIGURE THINGS OUT AND WHAT COMES NEXT.

WHILE THIS DISTRICT NOW NEEDS TO REPLACE A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EDUCATOR SHORTAGE.

IN PISCATAWAY, JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WORKERS ARE SEEKING TO FORM UNIONS EMPOWERED BY A TIGHT MARKET, AND DRIVEN BY THE DESIRE FOR BETTER WORK ENVIRONMENTS.

THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD REPORTS A SHARP UPTICK IN PETITIONS THIS YEAR FROM WORKERS EAGER TO UNIONIZE.

IN NEW JERSEY TODAY, WORKERS AT MEDIEVAL TIMES WERE CASTING VOTES ON UNIONIZING, AS WERE BARISTAS AT A STARBUCKS ON CHURCH STREET IN MONTCLAIR.

THE MONTCLAIR LOCATION COULD BECOME THE FOURTH UNIONIZED STARBUCKS IN OUR STATE.

OUR TED GOLDBERG HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE ORGANIZED LABOR PUSH AT STARBUCKS, AND TALK TO BARISTAS WHO BEGAN CASTING THEIR BALLOTS TODAY.

>> Reporter: WORKERS AT THE CHURCH STREET STARBUCKS IN MONTCLAIR SAY MANAGEMENT HAS IGNORED THEM LONG ENOUGH.

>> THERE IS SUCH A DISCONNECT.

THE ONLY REASON NOW THAT THEY ARE DOING ANYTHING TO SORT OF LIKE LISTEN TO US, OR MAYBE ANSWER ANY OF OUR PROBLEMS, IS BECAUSE OF THE THREAT OF UNIONIZATION.

>> Reporter: SHIFT SUPERVISOR NYAH BAKER HAVE WORKED THERE FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR, IN HOPES UNIONIZING WILL LEAD TO CHANGE.

>> MORE COVERAGE IN HEALTHCARE, COVERAGE IN CHILDCARE.

DEFINITELY BEING ABLE TO LIKE HAVE MORE HOURS, MORE CONSISTENT HOURS.

>> THAT ARE WORKING CONDITIONS AND BETTER PAY.

WE DO PUT A LOT OF WORK IN ON DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.

ESPECIALLY RECENTLY.

SOMETIMES WE'VE HAD TO PUT LIKE A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK THAN MOST OTHER STORES HAVE TO.

>> Reporter: THE CHURCH STREET LOCATION COULD BE THE FOR STARBUCKS IN NEW JERSEY TO UNIONIZE.

NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG 14 SAYS THAT MOMENTUM HAS INSPIRED HIS COWORKERS.

>> IT'S REALLY EXCITING.

SO MANY OTHER STORES ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AND ACTUALLY TRYING TO ORGANIZE TOGETHER.

EVEN MORE SO THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY GIVING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE OTHERS AS WELL TOO.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE ABLE TO GET THE BALL ROLLING SO QUICKLY, HAS A LOT TO DO WITH THE WORK THAT WAS DONE IN THE HOPEWELL STORE IN NEW JERSEY.

NOW WE ARE ABLE TO GET LIKE, IN ALMOST A MONTH, AND ELECTION DATE, WHICH OTHER STORES LIKE HAD TO WAIT MAYBE THREE MONTHS, SOME SIX MONTHS.

>> Reporter: HOW COME YOU WERE ABLE TO DO THIS SO QUICKLY?

>> THE OTHER STORES PAVED THE WAY.

THEY PAVED THE WAY FOR US.

>> Reporter: STARBUCKS ISN'T THE ONLY COMPANY SEEING A BIG BOOST AND WORKER ORGANIZATION.

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, THERE BEEN MORE PETITIONS TO UNIONIZE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR THAN IN FISCAL YEAR 2021.

OF 56% INCREASE.

IN FISCAL YEAR 2022, IT STILL HAS THREE MUST AGO.

LABOR EXPERTS TELL US THIS ISN'T SURPRISING.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING AT STARBUCKS IS ACTUALLY A TREND ACROSS OUR ECONOMY.

WORKERS AFTER THE PANDEMIC ARE REALIZING THAT THEY ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF CORPORATE AMERICA.

>> WE ARE SEEING THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND THE RISING INFLATION.

IT'S REALLY HITTING A LOT OF WORKERS IN THE POCKETBOOK AS WELL.

IT'S A MIXED CONCERN OF HAVING A SAFE WORKPLACE, AND HAVING A VOICE IN THE WORKPLACE, AND ALSO JUST ENSURING THAT YOUR PAYCHECK IS KEEPING UP WITH THE RAPIDLY INCREASING RATE OF INFLATION.

>> Reporter: BAKER AND CRUZ SAY THEY HAVEN'T FACED RETALIATION, BUT STARBUCKS HAS LET THEM KNOW HOW THEY FEEL.

>> WE HAVE TO WATCH LIKE AN HOUR AND A HALF VIDEO OF THE CEO COMPLAINING ABOUT UNIONS, AND HOW IT IS RUINING LIKE THE STARBUCKS PARTNER RELATIONSHIP.

>> SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMPANY SAYING THAT IT IS LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE LIKE 30%, OR $300 OUT OF YOUR PAYCHECK.

THAT SEEMS REAL RIDICULOUS THEY WOULD EVEN THINK THAT MUCH.

>> IT'S TYPICAL FOR EMPLOYERS TO ENGAGE IN THESE SORTS OF SCARE TACTICS.

SOME WILL BE EVEN MORE CREATIVE THAN OTHERS.

THE INTERESTING THING IS DUE TO SOCIAL MEDIA AND SO MANY OF THESE WORKERS BEING YOUNG WORKERS, AND BEING CONNECTED, EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> THEY ARE USING THE SAME TACTIC.

THAT IS THE LABOR LAW THAT WORKS IN FAVOR OF CORPORATIONS AND CORPORATE AMERICA.

IT IS USED TO INTIMIDATE WORKERS AND USED TO INTIMIDATE THEM FROM DEMANDING THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE A UNION.

>> Reporter: THE ACTUAL BALLOT SHOULD BE SENT OUT BY THE END OF TODAY, AND THEY ARE DUE BACK TO THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD ON AUGUST 5th.

IN MONTCLAIR, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN TONIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSING ON SKY HIGH INFLATION AND ITS IMPACT ON ALL OF US SINCE THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX HIT A RECORD 9.1% FOR JUNE.

NEW JERSEY SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ALSO STRUGGLING WITH RISING COSTS, INCLUDING BUSINESSES THAT YOU MIGHT NOT EXPECT.

JOINING ME NOW IS SCOTT CHAMBERS, THE OWNER OF A BUSINESS IN WILDWOOD.

GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> GIVE ME A SENSE OF WHERE YOU ARE SEEING COST PRESSURES IN YOUR BUSINESS.

>> EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE BOARD.

COST OF SHIPPING TO SHIP, TO RECEIVE, AND SHIP OUT GOODS.

THE GOODS COMING IN, THE PRODUCTS.

INCREASED DRASTICALLY EVERY TIME WE RECEIVE A NEW ORDER.

PAYROLL.

I MEAN, LABOR HAS GONE THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> HOW ARE YOU MANAGING THIS?

>> WE ARE NOT SURE.

IT IS ONE DAY AT A TIME.

WE'VE ADJUSTED PRICES.

WE'VE TRIED TO ADJUST PRICES ACCORDINGLY.

YOU CAN ONLY RAISE HIM SO MUCH FOR SOME THINGS.

>> IF YOU'RE LIMITED ON HOW MUCH YOU CAN RAISE PRICES, THAT WOULD HURT YOUR BOTTOM LINE, RIGHT?

IF THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN PASS ON TO YOUR CUSTOMERS.

>> CORRECT.

>> SO, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR BUSINESS THIS YEAR?

THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE HEIGHT OF THE SEASON FOR YOU.

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT YOU WILL NOT BE MAKING THE KIND OF PROFIT YOU HAVE IN THE PAST?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S THE BIG CONCERN WITH MYSELF AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

THEY CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH, AND PEOPLE ARE GOING WITHOUT, AND SHOPS ARE GOING WITHOUT AS WELL.

>> HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING CLOSE TO THIS IN TERMS OF HOW QUICKLY INFLATION HAS IMPACTED THE BUSINESS?

>> I DON'T RECALL IT IN MY ENTIRE LIFE, LET ALONE MY BUSINESS CAREER.

DEFINITELY HAS NEVER HAPPENED.

>> SO, HOW DO YOU EVEN PLAN AHEAD AND THINK FOR THE FALL, AND THINK ABOUT IDEAS YOU HAVE FOR EITHER EXPANSION, OR ADDING PRODUCTS, AND DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO RETHINK ALL OF THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

OVERHEAD HAS DRASTICALLY INCREASED.

THE POSSIBILITY OF EXPANDING THE BUSINESS, THE PRODUCT LINES, BASICALLY ARE EITHER PUT ON HOLD, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND WE ARE CONSIDERING DOWNSIZING.

MAKING IT, NOT MORE AFFORDABLE, BUT SMALLER OPTIONS.

SO WE CAN COMPETE, BECAUSE WE ARE SO SEASONAL.

THE OVERHEAD HAS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.

THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT.

>> IT IS WE'RE JUST TALKING TO YOU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.

IMAGINE THIS REPEATED ALL UP AND DOWN THE BOARDWALK IN WILDWOOD.

ALL ACROSS JERSEY SHORE TOWNS.

ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

IT IS REALLY SOMETHING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO CONTEND WITH AFTER WHAT WAS ALREADY A DIFFICULT COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> EXACTLY.

EXACTLY.

JUST LIKE THE RESTAURANTS IN OUR AREA.

THE COST OF GOODS AND AVAILABILITY OF PRODUCTS HAS SKYROCKETED.

YOU JUST HEAR EVERYBODY MENTIONING IT AND KNOCKING CERTAIN BUSINESSES BECAUSE OF CERTAIN PRICES.

SOME PEOPLE GET IT, AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T.

WE ARE NOT MAKING THESE UP, AND PEOPLE AREN'T GOUGING ON ANYTHING.

THEY ARE JUST DOING IT TO GET BY AND TO SURVIVE.

IT'S DIFFICULT IN INTERESTING TIMES.

>> SCOTT, I WISH YOU THE BEST OF LUCK.

I HOPE THINGS GET BETTER FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS, AND I THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPENDING SOME TIME WITH ME.

>> GREAT, THANKS FOR HAVING US.

TAKE CARE.

>>> NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET ENDED THE WEEK.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> RISING COSTS MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR FAMILIES TO AFFORD SOME OF THE BASICS, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE TOILETRIES AND HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

BUT, THE PATTERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS FOUND A WAY TO HELP.

STARTING THIS FALL, STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS THOSE PRODUCTS BY VISITING WHAT THEY ARE CALLING CONFIDENCE CLOSETS BEING INSTALLED IN 33 SCHOOLS.

STUDENTS CAN TAKE ANY TOILETRIES THEY WANT FROM THE CLOSETS, AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ALSO PLANS TO EXPAND PLACING WASHERS AND DRYERS IN MORE OF ITS SCHOOLS.

A PROGRAM INITIATED THIS PAST YEAR.

AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS, IT'S ALL ABOUT MAKING STUDENTS FEEL CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE.

>> PAYING THE RENT, PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

WASHING CLOTHES.

GOING TO A LAUNDROMAT.

>> Reporter: LONG AND EXPENSIVE IS A LIST OF THINGS SOME PADDING STRUGGLE TO CHECK OUT.

THE PATTERSON SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT SAYS MANY TIME HYGIENE PRODUCTS CAN FALL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE LIST.

THAT LEAVES SOME STUDENTS TO FEEL ASHAMED.

>> WE SAW STUDENTS DON'T COME TO SCHOOL, OR THEY COME TO SCHOOL, OTHER STUDENTS MAKE FUN OF THEM.

LIKE, THEY FEEL ISOLATED.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY THE DISTRICT ANNOUNCED CONFIDENCE CLOSETS.

THEY WILL BE INSTALLED IN SCHOOLS AND PRIVATE AREAS TO GIVE STUDENTS K-12 ACCESS TO TOILETRIES THEY OFTEN GO WITHOUT BECAUSE THE FAMILY CAN'T AFFORD THEM.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE ALMOST LIKE A FOOD PANTRY.

WE HAVE SOME OF THEM IN SCHOOLS WHERE YOU CAN BUY AND PICK UP WHAT YOU NEED, BUT THIS IS GOING TO BE MORE OF --YOU CAN CALL IT A PANTRY CLOSET.

WE USE THE WORD CLOSET BECAUSE WE WANT IT TO BE PRIVATE, SO THAT IF YOU CAME UP AND TOOK CARE PRODUCTS, YOU PUT IT IN YOUR KNAPSACK, IN YOUR BAG, WHEREVER YOU PUT IT, NOBODY WOULD EVEN KNOW.

WE ARE ASKING THE PRINCIPLES FOR THEM TO COME UP WITH A SPACE IN THE BUILDING.

IT'S GOING TO EQUATE TO EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

IF I HAVE TO GO TO THE NURSE'S OFFICE, LET'S JUST SAY I'M NOT FEELING WELL.

I DON'T WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT.

THEN, I GO AND IS CONFIDENTIAL.

>> THIS REPRESENTS 33 SCHOOL LOCATIONS WHERE THE CLOSETS ARE GOING TO BE SET UP.

GRADES SIX THROUGH 12 IT'S ABOUT 11,500 STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: PASTOR MATT ANDERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, IS ONE OF 50 CHURCHES PARTNERING WITH THE DISTRICT TO COLLECT DONATIONS AND FUND RAISE FOR THE CONFIDENCE CLOSETS.

>> ULTIMATELY TO SUSTAIN THIS OVER THE COURSE OF TIME, IT'S OVER 200,000 TOILETRIES ITEMS.

SOME OF THEM ARE LARGER, SOME OF THEM ARE SMALLER LIKE HAIR TIES AND NAIL CLIPPERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: STARS ACADEMY IS ONE OF THOSE 33 SCHOOLS THAT WERE RECEIVE A CONFIDENCE CLOSET.

IN ADDITION, IT IS ONE OF EIGHT SCHOOLS THAT WILL ALSO RECEIVE A BRAND-NEW WASHER AND DRIER.

DISTRICT OFFICIALS SAY IT'S ALL ABOUT REMOVING BARRIERS.

>> YOU SAID YOU KNOW WHAT, LET'S GET THE WASHER AND DRIER.

SO WE STARTED DOING THAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

THEY REALLY TOOK OFF.

THE STUDENTS BRING THEIR UNIFORMS.

ALL OF OUR STUDENTS ARE IN UNIFORMS.

BRING THEM IN, THEY WASH THEM, THEY DRIVE IN.

THEY CAN BE IN THERE WITH A FRIEND, THEY ARE WASHING AND DRYING BEARS, BECAUSE WE HAVE MULTIPLE WASHING MACHINES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL.

IT IS REALLY CATCHING ON AND STUDENTS ARE UTILIZING IT.

IT IS ALL FREE.

WE SUPPLY ALL THE PRODUCTS YOU NEED.

>> HAVING THAT CONFIDENCE WILL LEAD TO SUCCESS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES, NOT JUST IN SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: SCHAFER SAYS THE WASHERS AND DRYERS INSTALLED IN HIGH SCHOOLS WILL ALL BE INSTALLED IN MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

SHE SAYS THEY HOPE TO HAVE THE CONFIDENCE CLOSETS IN ALL THE SCHOOLS THIS FALL.

FOR SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THAT'S IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

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