>>> FROM NJPBS THIS IS SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

THERE WAS ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING YESTERDAY.

THIS TIME AT A MEDICAL BUILDING IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA WHERE A SHOOTER CARRYING AN AR15 KILLED FOUR PEOPLE AND INJURED AN UNTOLD NUMBER OF OTHERS.

THIS IS NOW THE 20th MASS SHOOTING IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN TEXAS JUST EIGHT DAYS AGO WHERE A GUNMAN KILLED 19 STUDENTS AND TWO TEACHERS.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, A 32-YEAR- OLD MAN WAS ARRESTED YESTERDAY AFTER HIS MOTHER ALERTED POLICE THAT HE SAID HE WANTED TO SHOOT UP A SCHOOL LIKE IN TEXAS ACCORDING TO POLICE.

THE MAN WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH MAKING TERRORIST THREATS AND WAS LATER PUT INTO THE HOSPITAL.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WENT ON LOCKDOWN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR YESTERDAY MORNING.

LAKEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, ALSO WENT INTO LOCKDOWN THIS WEEK THOUGH NO CREDIBLE THREATS WERE FOUND.

A 12-YEAR-OLD DID BRING A GUN INTO A CHARTER SCHOOL IN NEWARK ON TUESDAY AND WAS TAKEN IN TO CUSTODY.

>>> AS HAS SHOOTINGS SEEM TO BE HAPPENING ALMOST DAILY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY BIPARTISAN GROUPS OF LEGISLATORS ARE MEETING THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS A POSSIBLE FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE TO THE GUN VIOLENCE THOUGH REPUBLICANS DON'T SEEM LIKELY TO MOVE ANY BILLS FORWARD.

TODAY NEW JERSEY'S DEMOCRATIC UNITED STATES SENATORS HELD A RALLY AND PRESS CONFERENCE IN WEST NEW YORK WHERE THEY TALKED WITH OUTRAGED PARENTS AND STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE TO FEEL SAFER GOING TO SCHOOL.

>> STUDENT MARCHERS CHANTED FOR AN END TO GUN VIOLENCE AS THEY WALKED FROM MEMORIAL HIGH IN WEST NEW YORK TO RALLY ON THE SCHOOL LAWN THIS MORNING.

THERE PROTESTORS HAD SET UP EMPTY DESKS TO REMEMBER THOSE SHOT TO DEATH IN TEXAS.

EACH VICTIM'S NAME WAS FLASHED.

>> I TEXT THEM DURING A DRILL, AFTER A DRILL TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M OKAY AND THAT I LOVE THEM VERY MUCH BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO DIE.

WHEN IT IS A DRILL OR NOT.

>> WE WANT TO BE STRICT BECAUSE WE FEAR FOR OUR LIVES EVE DAY.

THAT SHOULDN'T JUST GO THROUGH OUR HEAD.

>> HOW CAN WE LOOK OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN IN THE FACE AND EXPLAIN WHY THEY HAVE TO PRACTICE HIDING IN A CLOSET?

>> NEW JERSEY'S TWO UNITED STATES SENATORS MET WITH STUDENTS AND PROMISED TO PUSH FOR NATIONAL GUN CONTROL MEASURES IN WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK WHEN THEY HOPE NEGOTIATORS CAN FIND A COMPROMISE TO BREAK PARTISAN GRIDLOCK AND PERHAPS AGREE ON ITEMS LIKE UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, BANNING HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND RAISING THE AGE TO BUY CERTAIN GUNS TO 21.

>> IF WE PASS THIS LEGISLATION THAT IS [INAUDIBLE] IT'LL OBVIOUS BE SMALL CHANGE.

IT'LL BE NECESSARY CHANGE BUT IT'LL NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO END THIS NATIONAL NIGHTMARE.

>> TEACHERS SAID THEY FEEL AS TRAUMA EYED AS THEIR STUDENTS.

A MEMBER OF THE NJPBS COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD.

>> I'M SAD.

I'M SAD THAT EVEN TODAY MY COLLEAGUES WENT INTO THEIR BUILDINGS, THEIR CLASSROOMS NOT KNOW FIGURE TODAY IS THE DAY THEY WILL HAVE TO PUT THEMSELVES IN FRONT OF BULLETS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THEIR STUDENTS.

>> I HAVE BEEN BLESSED THAT MY TURN HASN'T COME YET BUT I ALWAYS WONDER IF IT'LL BE NEXT.

EVEN WITH ALL THE SECURITY WE HAVE.

I STILL DON'T FEEL SAFE.

> ONE TEACHER EXPLAINED THAT DESPITE POLLS SHOWING MOST AMERICANS DO SUPPORT REFORMS WEALTHY LOBBIES LIKE THE NRA CONTINUE TO WIELD POLITICAL CONTROL.

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT I AM SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING DEAD CHILDREN AND TEACHERS, DIE BECAUSE WE HAVE COWARDS IN THE SENATE THAT REFUSE TO STAND UP TO THE NRA.

I'M SICK AND TIRED OF SEEING NEIGHBORING STATES REFUSING TO JOIN STATES LIKE NEW JERSEY IN PASSING COMMON GUN SENSE LAWS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SANDY HOOK SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

EMOTIONS RUN HIGH BUT IN A NATION THIS POLARIZED OVER GUNS WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF REAL REFORM.

>>> >> PEOPLE WANT FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

>> POLITICAL TENSION IS REACHING CRITICAL MASS.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE KIND OF STRONG PROTECTION THAT WE ARE USED TO IN NEW JERSEY BUT I THINK THERE IS SOME CONSENSUS TO GET SOMETHING DONE IN WASHINGTON.

I THINK THAT WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT EVEN REPUBLICAN SENATORS ARE FEELING SOME PRESSURE, JUST FROM HOW MUCH OF A DAILY THING THESE SHOOTINGS ARE AT THIS POINT.

>> COMMUNITY PRESSURES ACCOMPLISHED SOME REFORMS, MAINLY HALT THE STATE LEVEL BUT THEY POINT OUT THE UNITED STATES SENATE'S BLOCK OF RURAL STATES OR GUN CULTURE REMAINS POPULAR AND A HURDLE.

>> I KNOW SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW BUT THOSE WHO SEEK TO KILL AMERICANS WITH SUCH WEAPONS DO NOT HAVE GREATER RIGHTS THAN OUR NATION'S CHILDREN TO WHOM WE HAVE A PRECIOUS OBLIGATION TO PROTECT.

THEIR RIGHT IS JUST AS GREAT IF NOT GREATER.

>> EXPECT FIERY DEBATE NEXT WEEK.

IN WEST NEW YORK.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> JUNE IS GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH AND TO MARK THE START THREE ACTIVIST GROUPS GATHERED IN ELIZABETH LAST NIGHT AT THE SITE OF TWO RECENT MURDERS.

THE NATIONAL UNITED YOUTH COUNCIL, THE ANTI VIOLENCE COALITION AND ALL CAME TOGETHER TO RALLY AGAINST THE UP TICK IN VIOLENCE ACROSS THE STATE AND THEIR CITIES.

>> [INAUDIBLE] IN OUR COMMUNITY TODAY, ON THE NEWS AND AT OUR DINNER TABLE, WE TALK ABOUT IT ON THE JOB, WE TALK ABOUT IT AMONG PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE.

WE SAY THAT WE HAVE A VIOLENT PROBLEM IN AMERICA BUT WE DON'T HAVE A VIOLENCE PROBLEM IN AMERICA.

WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM WHO BELIEVE THAT VIOLENCE IS THE WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS.

>> THE GROUPS CARRIED SIGNS AND SHARED PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO HAVE DIED FROM GUN VIOLENCE.

THE RALLY KICKED OFF A CAMPAIGN THAT WILL RUN STATEWIDE AND THAT CALLS FOR THE PASSING OF A BILL TO CREATE A DIVISION ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION IN EACH OF THE STATE'S 21 COUNTIES.

>>> COVID CASES ARE IN THE THOUSANDS WITH THE STATE REPORTING MORE THAN 3,000 NEW CASES OF COVID TODAY AND 15 NEW DEATHS.

CONTROLLING THE SPREAD IN NURSING HOMES HAS PROVEN A CHALLENGE THROUGHOUT THE PAN DEMOCRAT ELK.

ONE SUSSEX COUNTY FACILITY HAS FACED CRITICISM FOR ITS FAILURE TO KEEP RESIDENTS SAFE.

WOODLAND BEHAVIORAL AND NURSING CENTER JUST HAD ITS LICENSE SUSPENDED BY THE STATE IN THE SAME WEEK THAT FEDERAL REGULATORS ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD NO LONGER REIMBURSE FOR MEDICAID PATIENTS.

MOST OF THOSE PATIENTS ARE POOR AND ARE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA, MENTAL HALT AND OTHER DISABILITIES.

THOSE REIMBURSEMENTS ACCOUNT FOR 90% OF ITS INCOME.

WHAT COUPLES NEXT AND WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE CURRENTLY LIVING THERE.

JOINING ME TO EXPLAIN IS HEALTH CARE RIDER LEO STANTON.

WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM.

>> THIS FACILITY IS THE PLACE WHERE MORE THAN 100 PATIENTS DIED FROM COVID.

17 WERE FOUND IN A MAKESHIFT MORGUE EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW TO THOSE PATIENTS WHO ARE NO LONGER GOING TO HAVE THE REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

>> I MEAN WE ARE -- THESE ARE REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS.

WE ARE IN -- CLEARLY SOMEWHAT UNCHARTED TERRITORY HERE.

I MEAN ACTIVISTS AND REGULATORS WILL SAY THIS IS ALL VERY UNUSUAL.

YOU HAVE AS YOU SAID A TRIFECTA HERE.

THEY ARE GOING TO LOOSE 9 OUT OF $9 IN 23 DAYS.

THAT'S A VERY, VERY SHORT TIME FRAME TO MAKE CHANGES.

THEY HAVE ALREADY HAD THE LICENSE PULLED FROM THE STATE, THAT'S THE QUESTION.

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH --WHICH IS NOW 345 PLUS RESIDENTS WHO -- YOU KNOW SOME OF THEM THIS IS THEIR HOME?

SOME OF THEM MAY NOT WANT TO LEAVE.

ALL OF THEM HAVE THE RIGHT TO, YOU KNOW, TO HAVE --THE RESPECT AND PROCESS THIS DECISION AND THINK IT THROUGH AND CONSIDER THEIR OPTIONS.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE POOR, THEY ARE DISABLED, BY AND LARGE, YOU KNOW THIS IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT TEND TO GET IGNORED.

YOU KNOW THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

IT'S A SERIOUS SITUATION.

>> ARE THERE ENOUGH BEDS AROUND THE STATE AND HAS THE STATE OFFERED ANY KIND OF SUPPORT FOR THE FAMILIES WHO NEED TO RELOCATE?

>> THE STATE DID SAY --I ASKED IS THERE ROOM BACK AT LAST WEEK IT WAS 366 RESIDENTS.

THE STATE TOLD ME, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TOLD ME IN ONE WORD, YES.

OKAY.

YOU KNOW EVERYBODY IS CONCERNED ABOUT CAPACITY THOUGH.

BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS NEEDS.

I DID THE MATH THE OTHER DAY.

I THINK THE STATE HAS ABOUT 130DEMENTIA BEDS THAT ARE LICENSED.

YOU WILL --PROBABLY DOZENS OF PEOPLE WITH DIAGNOSED DEMENTIA WHO NEED A HOME.

YOU KNOW THERE ARE DISABILITY RIGHTS FROM NEW JERSEY AND GROUP THAT'S BEEN VERY INVOLVED HAS SAID, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DISABLED MAY NOT NEED TO BE IN THIS KIND OF HIGH LEVEL INSTITUTIONAL CARE.

THERE IS A SENSE THIS HAS BEEN A DUMPING GROUND FOR, YOU KNOW, PSYCH HOSPITALS AND OTHER FACILITIES.

YOU KNOW MAYBE IT'S GROUP HOMES FOR SOMEPLACES.

THERE'S A COLON I CAN UNDER CAPACITY ISSUE WITH GROUP HOMES.

THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED AND EACH PERSON IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO DESERVES THE RESPECT AND, YOU KNOW, TO HAVE THIS PROCESS WORK FOR THEM.

YOU KNOW IT'S A VERY, VERY SHORT TIME FRAME AND A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED.

>> OBVIOUSLY A NAME CHANGE DIDN'T DO THE TRICK TO MAKE THIS CENTER A MORE VIABLE PLACE.

IS THE STATE CONSIDERING SELLING IT AND HOW ARE THERE ANY --BETTER GUARANTEES THAT IT IS A MORE VIABLE, SAFER PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO GO?

>> I THINK HAVING THE MONITOR AND THE MULTIPLE LAYERS OF NEW --MANAGEMENT AND I SHOULD NOTE THAT THE STAFF, NOBODY HAS EVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THE STAFF NOT WORKING AS HARD AS POSSIBLE TO DO THEIR BEST.

I HAVE HEARD SOME VERY GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THERE.

THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH OF THEM.

WILL IT SELL?

GREAT QUESTION.

THE MARKET FOR 500 BED NURSING HOMES WITHOUT A LOT OF SINGLE ROOMS IS REALLY LIMITED.

THEN THERE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT MEDICAID DOLLAR WHICH IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY BUT IT'S GUARANTEED AND I'M PRETTY SURE THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY LOOKING AT THAT.

COURT FILINGS SUGGEST THE OWNERS, CURRENT OWNERS THINK THERE'S AN ASSET THERE.

YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS TO IT IN THE END, WHO KNOWS.

IT'S UNFORELY MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US UPDATED ON THIS IMPORTANT STORY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN READ HER ENTIRE STORY AT NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> ON WEDNESDAY AMAZON WORKERS STAGED A WALK OUT OVER WHAT THEY ARE CALLING A BROKEN PROMISE BY THE COMPANY.

THE FACILITY IS CLOSING AND MANY OF THE WORKERS WERE TOLD THEY WOULD BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER FACILITY BUT NOW MOST OF THEM ARE BEING REASSIGNED TO WAREHOUSES MUCH FAR AWAY, SOME UP TO AN HOUR AWAY ACCORDING TO EMPLOYEES.

A REPRESENTATIVE JOINED WITH WAREHOUSE WORKERS YESTERDAY, CALLING ON OS HA, TO INVESTIGATE THE RATE OF WORK ERIN JURIES AT AMAZON.

MORE THAN 1600 WORKPLACE INJURIES WERE REPORTED LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO RESEARCH BY NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE.

ALMOST ALL OF THEM SERIOUS ENOUGH THAT THOSE EMPLOYEE HAS TO MISS WORK.

WE DUG DEEPER INTO WHAT WORKERS CALLING FOR AT MA'AM AMAZON.

>> AS AMAZON GREW TO BE THE SECOND LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYER THE NUMBER OF WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS HAS ALSO GROWN.

A CONGRESSMAN SAID THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN AND FIGURE OUT WHY AMAZON WAREHOUSE WORKERS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT THAN OTHER WAREHOUSE WORKERS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

>> IT IS STARK.

THE REALITY THERE IS A PERSON BEHIND ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS THAT GOT HURT.

I USED TO BE IN THE INDUSTRY.

I WORKED AS AN ELECTRICIAN AND IN REFINERIES AND WAREHOUSES.

>> ONE DAY ONE OF THE PACKAGES OPENED AND A POWDER CAME OUT AND GOT ALL OVER ME.

I STARTED TO HAVE AN ALLERGIC REACTION AND STARTED GETTING HIVES AND I STARTED HAVING TROUBLE BREATHING.

>> SHE WORKED AT THE CENTER IN ELIZABETH TWO YEARS AGO AS A SEASONAL EMPLOYEE.

>> INSTEAD OF CALLING THE AMBULANCE I HAD TO WAIT FOR TWO HOURS WHILE THE REACTION WAS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AND THEN THEY FINALLY TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL.

WHEN I STOPPED WORKING WHEN THE HOSPITAL BILLS AND THE AMBULANCE BILLS STARTED TO COME AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THEM.

AMAZON DIDN'T PAY FOR THEM EVEN THOUGH I WAS HURT AT WORK.

>> SHE SAID SHE WASN'T OFFERED INSURANCE BECAUSE SHE WAS A PART TIME WORKER AND JUST RECENTLY PAID OFF HER $1,000 HOSPITAL BILL.

SHE SAID HER MOTHER ALSO GOT HURT AT THE SAME CENTER THIS PAST JANUARY.

>> WHEN SHE WENT TO THE DOCTOR HER DOCTOR SAID THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT SHE WAS CARRYING AT WORK AND TOLD HER TO STOP WORKING THERE.

SO SHE WENT TO AMAZON TO ASK FOR A TRANSFER TO A LIGHTER LOAD BECAUSE OF HER INJURY AND THEY SAID NO, THERE IS NOTHING LIGHTER HERE THIS IS WHAT THE WORK S SHE WAS CRYING WITH PAIN.

>> THOSE WORKERS NEED ENFORCEABLE STANDARDS TO PROTECT THEM.

THE BEST EMPLOYERS PROVIDE THIS.

AMAZON HAS PROVENNED OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE PRIORITIES FOR THE VERY WORKER THAT BRINGS ITS COMPANY SUCCESS.

THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE THINK TANK NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE THE INJURY RATE AT THIS AMAZON WAREHOUSE WENT UP 70% FROM 2020 TO 2021.

IT'S NUMBERS LIKE THAT HAVE CONGRESSMAN ASKING OSHA TO INVESTIGATE AMAZON, PARTICULARLY IN NEW JERSEY.

>> IT'S NOT UNIQUE TO JUST THIS FACILITY.

OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE PROBLEMS HERE.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

WHY IS IT THAT THEY ARE 88% HIGHER THAN A JOB IN ANOTHER WAREHOUSE?

SOMETHING IS GOING ON.

FROM A PUBLIC POLICY POINT OF VIEW WE NEED TO FIND OUT.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO COME TO WORK AND GET HURT.

THAT'S NUTS.

>> I'M NOT ALONE.

MY MOTHER IS NOT ALONE.

THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AMAZON WORKERS JUST LIKE ME WHO ARE SUFFERING AND WE DEMAND THAT OSHA INVESTIGATE AMAZON AND THAT AMAZON BE RESPONSIBLE, BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INJURIES THAT THEY ARE CAUSING TO THEIR WORKERS.

>> THE CONGRESSMAN SAID HE TOLD OSHA ABOUT HIS PROBLEM WAS AMAZON IN A HEARING LAST WEEK AND ALSO IN A LETTER CO SIGN BY OTHER LEADERS IN NEW JERSEY.

WE REACHED OUT TO OSHA AND AMAZON AND DIDN'T REACH A RESPONSE.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT'S A RED HOT JOB MARKET FOR COLLEGE GRADS.

WE HAVE THE OUTLOOK AND ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

HOW IS IT LOOKING?

>> IT'S COLLEGE GRADUATION SEASON AND THOSE NEW GRADS SEARCHING FOR THEIR FIRST JOB SHOULD HAVE SOME LUCK.

AS WE HAVE REPORTED YESTERDAY, JOB OPENINGS WERE PLENTIFUL.

WAGES HAVE ALSO GONE UP.

I SPOKE TO ANDY CHALLENGER.

>> WE KNOW THAT NEW GRADUATE WHEN IS THEY FIRST ENTER THE WORK FORCE IF THE JOB MARKET IS BOOMING, THEY TEND TO SEE A LONG TERM INCREASES IN THEIR OVERALL INCOME SO THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR NEW GRADUATES TO BE ENTERING.

>> ECONOMISTS SAY THE RED HOT LABOR MARKET MAY BE COOLING A BIT.

HIRING SLOWED IN MAY ACROSS THE UNITED STATES PRIVATE COMPANIES ADDED JUST 128,000 NEW WORKERS, A DECLINE FROM RECENT MONTHS AND WEAKER THAN EXPECTED.

ONE SAID TODAY THE BIGGEST CONSTRAIN ON THE LABOR MARKET IS STILL THE SHORTAGE OF WORKERS.

TOMORROW THE GOVERNMENT WILL OFFER ITS MONTHLY REPORT ON THE JOB MARKET.

NEW YORK IS THE LATEST STATE TO PUT A GAS TAX HOLIDAY IN PLACE, SUSPENDING ITS TAX THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

IN NEW JERSEY THERE HAVE BEEN PROPOSALS MADE BY STATE LAWMAKERS IN BOTH PARTIES TO PROVIDE RELIEF AT THE PUMP BUT SO FAR THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ENACTED.

NEW JERSEY'S GAS TAX IS 42.4 CENTSS.

>>> PLAIN FIELD HAS DECIDED TO SETTLE OUTSTANDING WATER UTILITY BILLS FOR SOME 2,000 RESIDENTS.

THE CITY WILL PAY MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS TO NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER FOR THOSE RESIDENT WHO ARE IN ARREARS.

THAT'S ONE OF A SERIES OF RELIEF PROMISES ANNOUNCED SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

>>> AND JERSEY CITY HAS ANNOUNCED THE FIRST ROUND OF GRANTS FROM ITS ARTS AND CULTURE TRUST FUND SET UP AFTER VOTERS APPROVED A MEASURE IN 2020.

THE CITY IS DISTRIBUTING CLOSE TO $900,000 TO 89 ARTISTS AND ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

THE MAYOR SAID THAT THE INVESTMENT IN THE ARTS IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

THE CITY ACCEPTED APPLICATIONS FOR THE GRANTS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON THE STOCK MARKET FROM TODAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, BY UNITING BUSINESS LEADERS TOKER MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBER SMJ.COM AND RIVERVIEW JAZZ, PRESENTING THE JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 4th AND 5th.

EVENT DETAILS INCLUDING PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATION ARE ONLINE AT RIVERVIEW JAZZ.ORG.

>>> AND JOIN RHONDA FOR NJ BUSINESS BEAT THIS WEEKEND.

SHE PUTS THE STATE OF THE LABOR MARKET IN FOCUS, HIGHLIGHTING THE HUGE INCREASE IN JOB OPENINGS, THE LACK OF WORKERS TO FILL THE OPENINGS AND HOW COMPANIES ARE GETTING CREATIVE TO BRING WORKERS BACK.

WATCH IT SATURDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. >>> ATLANTIC CITY HOSTED A JOB FAIR TO LET NEARBY RESIDENTS KNOW ABOUT ALL THE JOBS OPEN IN THE TOURIST TOWN.

POSITIONS THAT RANGE FROM DEALERS, SERVERS, AND HOUSE KEEPING.

EACH OF THEIR NINE CASINOS HAD REPS THERE BUT AS THEY ADVERTISE THE JOBS WORKERS JUST LAST NIGHT WERE PICKETING WITH A LOCAL UNION CALLING FOR A SIGNIFICANT PAY RAISE.

THEY WANT A PIECE OF THE REVENUE FROM SPORTS BETTING AND ONLINE GAMING THAT THEY SAY CASINOS ARE NOT PASSING ONTO THE EMPLOYEES.

THE CASINOS SAID THAT IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

>> AS NEW JERSEY TRIES TO RETURN TO LIFE, AS IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE STRUGGLE TO GET A JOB REMAINS A REALITY.

>> I HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR ABOUT FIVE MONTHS.

ON UNEMPLOYMENT.

I NEED TO GET BACK OUT THERE.

I MEAN I'M AN OLDER WOMAN BUT I STILL HAVE --I'M NOT IN A ROCKING CHAIR YET.

>> THEY HOPE THIS JOB FAIR WILL HELP TURN THINGS AROUND.

>> WE ARE CERTAINLY REBOUNDING.

IN FACT IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS OF 2022 OUR EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE OVER PRIOR YEAR WHICH IS A GREAT THING.

WE ARE GROWING EVERY MONTH.

WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN BACK TO OUR PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

>> JENNIFER WHO WORKS AS A TEACHING SPECIALIST IN THE STOCKTON UNIVERSITY'S TOURIST AND EVENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SAID THAT ABOUT 26,000 PEOPLE WERE WORKING IN THE INDUSTRY IN FEBRUARY OF 2020.

THAT NUMBER IS NOW DOWN TO ABOUT 22,000.

ROOM FOR 4,000 POSITIONS TO BE FILLED.

>> OUR REVENUES ARE GETTING VERY CLOSE TO AND IN SOME AREAS MAY HAVE PASSED PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

THE ONLINE GAMING AND THE SPORTS GAMING DO MAKE UP PROBABLY ABOUT 40 TO 50% OF THE REVENUE BUT STILL MOST OF THEM OVER 50% COME FROM THE BRICK AND MORTAR PROPERTIES.

>> WE HAVE OVER, I WOULD SAY, 300 POSITIONS WE NEED TO FILL.

WE HAVE SEASONAL POSITIONS, PART TIME, FULL TIME, MANAGER ROLES, A LOT OF THE GUEST ROOM ATTENDANCE AND STUFF LIKE THAT IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST ISSUES.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE.

>> WHY THE CASINOS ARE LOOKING TO FILL SO MANY POSITIONS PEOPLE LIKE JANE WHO WORK AS A BARTEND EVERY SAID THERE ARE MAJOR ISSUES WITH HOW EMPLOYEES ARE TREATED.

>> OVERWORKED, UNDERPAID, YOU KNOW WE ARE FORCED TO WORK OVERTIME A LOT OF TIMES.

WE ARE FORCED TO --ONCE WE DO HAVE --WE ARE FORCED TO WORK OVERTIME BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE TO COVER THE SHIFTS.

YOU KNOW THAT AFFECT US AT HOME A LOT.

I STILL HAVE THREE KIDS LIVING AT HOME WITH ME.

IT'S HARD WITH RENT.

GOOD, BILLS,.

>> SHE IS ONE OF DOZENS OF MEMBERS FROM THE WORKER'S UNION UNITE HERE LOCAL 54 WHO PICKETED OUTSIDE TROPICA NA CASINO.

THEY WANT BETTER TERMS BUT THE CONTRACTS EXPIRE JUST AFTER MIDNIGHT YESTERDAY.

A DEAL HAS STILL NOT BEEN REACHED.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME OUT AND JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT LOCAL 54 AS A WHOLE IS READY TO FIGHT FOR WHAT WE DESERVE.

WE WANT THE COMPANIES TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT WE NEED AND DESERVE.

ITS BEEN A LONG TIME.

IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO STEP IT UP.

>> CASINO ACTIVISTS ARE HOPING BOTH SIDES WILL BE ABLE TO FIND A POSITIVE RESOLUTION.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH ON TAP POTENTIAL IN THE CITY.

MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO EVEN START TO LOOK FOR A JOB, LET ALONE WHAT IT TAKES TO WORK IN A CASINO.

I THINK THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO COME OUT AND EDUCATE AND GET PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME JOIN THE WORK FORCE WHERE THERE ARE SO MANY JOBS OPEN RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO WORK BUT MAY NOT KNOW WHERE TO START.

ME PERSONALLY I LIKE TO GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF SOMEWHERE TO START.

>> WORKER AREN'T SURE IF A STRIKE IS IN THE NEAR FUTURE BUT UNION MEMBERS WOULD HAVE TO TAKE A VOTE TO AUTHORIZE ONE BEFORE IT COULD HAPPEN.

>>> A 13-YEAR-OLD HAS SPELLED HER WAY TO THE FINALS OF THE SPELLING BEE.

SHE MADE IT THROUGH THE QUARTERFINALS, CORRECTLY SPELLING SERGE.

A VERB THAT MEANS TO OVERCAST RAW EDGES OF FABRIC.

I'M SURE YOU KNEW THAT.

THE 8th GRADER IS COMPETING FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP TONIGHT AT 8:00 P.M.

THE SPELLING BEE WILL BE LIVE AND IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2019.

THE 2020 COMPETITION WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC AND LAST YEAR WAS MAINLY VIRTUAL.

SHE WAS ONE OF SEVEN STUDENTS WHO ENTERED THIS YEAR'S CONTEST.

SHE WILL HAVE THE WHOLE STATE ROOTING FOR HER TONIGHT AND IN OUR BOOK SHE IS ALREADY SPELLED SUCCESS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU JOIN US ON TUESDAY, JUNE 7th FOR THE LARGE NJ DECIDES 2022 PRIMARY NIGHT COVERAGE.

WE WILL HAVE ALL THE FINAL VOTES AND POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND LIVE REPORTS FROM THE KEY CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY RACES WE ARE WATCHING.

THAT'S 10:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON NJPBS AND ON THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.