>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PRESENTED BY MGM INSURANCE GROUP SERVING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

[ MUSIC ] >>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH RIHANNA FOR NOSY .

>> GOOD EVENING, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A GENERATION, THE UNITED STATES SENATE APPEARS POISED TO ADDRESS MASS SHOOTINGS AND GUN VIOLENCE.

ADVANCING A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WILL TOUGHEN FEDERAL GUN LAWS, BY REQUIRING MORE GUN SELLERS TO REGISTER WITH A FEDERAL DEALER DATABASE THAT MANDATES THE USE OF BACKGROUND CHECKS, HAVING MORE THOROUGH REVIEWS OF PEOPLE AGED 18 TO 21 YEARS OLD WHO WANT TO BUY GUNS, AND PUTTING IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR MENTAL HEALTH, SCHOOL SAFETY, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS.

BUT, IT FALLS SHORT OF WHAT MOCHE WANTED INCLUDING BANNING SPECIFIC WEAPONS, AND WILL NEED TO CLEAR A NUMBER OF HURDLES IN THE SENATE.

STILL, SOME ARE CALLING IT A WATERSHED MOMENT FOR WASHINGTON, AS MANY AWAIT A LOOMING U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION ON NEW YORK'S CONCEALED CARRY LAWS THAT COULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR SIMILAR CHALLENGES IN NEW JERSEY.

AS LAWMAKERS HERE FINALLY TAKE THE PACKAGE OF GUN REFORM BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN STALLED IN THE LEGISLATURE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> OUR NATION HAS BEEN SHIPPED TO THE CORE OVER THE PAST MONTH WITH TWO HORRIFIC MASS SHOOTINGS.

>> Reporter: AFTER EMOTIONAL DEBATE, JERSEYS ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE VOTED MOSTLY ALONG PARTY LINES TO ADVANCE A NINE BUILD AND CONTROL PACKAGE, THE LATEST ROUND OF REFORMS BY GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY.

REFERRING TO RECENT MASSACRES IN ALL THE AND BUFFALO, PROPONENTS PUSHED FOR MORE RESTRICTIONS ON GUNS AND AMMUNITION, PARTICULARLY BUILT A 509, THAT RAISES THE LEGAL AGE TO PURCHASE LONG GUNS FROM 18 TO 21 .

>> THE RECENT TRAGEDIES IN BUFFALO AND INVOLVED A ILLUSTRATE THE DANGERS OF EASY ACCESS TO DEADLY RIFLES BY TEENAGERS .

>> BUT WE DO HAVE AT THAT AGE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE WHOSE BRAINS ARE STILL FORMING, MEANING THAT THEIR JUDGMENT AND SELF- REGULATION FUNCTIONS ARE STILL IMMATURE.

>> Reporter: OPPONENTS NOTED THE MEASURE WOULD STRIP SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS FROM LEGAL ADULTS IN A STATE THAT IS ALREADY GOT SOME OF THE TOUGHEST GUN-CONTROL LAWS IN THE NATION.

>> IS GOING TO MATRICULATE TO THE COURT, THE COURT IS GOING TO BE FACED WITH THE DECISION, ARE YOU DEPRIVING 18 OR 20-YEAR- OLDS OF THEIR ABILITY TO DEFEND THEMSELVES?

TO ME, THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION IS YES, BECAUSE YOU CANNOT ON HANDGUNS, NOW YOU CANNOT OWN ANY FIREARM TO DEFEND YOURSELF.

SO, IN OUR ESTIMATION, THIS IS A COMPLETE VIOLATION OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

>> Reporter: OTHER MEASURES, THE COMMITTEE APPROVING, WOULD REGULATE AMMUNITION SALES, BAND 50 CALIBER WEAPONS, AND BODY ARMOR, AND UPGRADE CRIMES RELATED TO SO-CALLED ON RELATABLE GHOST GUNS, ONE CONTROVERSIAL BILL ALREADY PASSED BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE, WHICH STRIP GUN MANUFACTURERS SINGULAR IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY, AND ALLOWED THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SUE THE INDUSTRY, THAT DREW FIERCE FIRE .

>> IT MAKES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL EIGHT NATIONAL GUNS ARE.

I SAY NATIONAL BECAUSE THE BILL IS ACTUALLY NATIONAL IN SCOPE.

THIS BASICALLY WHAT DENIES IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND EMPOWERS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO HARASS A WHOLE PANOPLY OF INDUSTRY MEMBERS .

>> THIS IS AN ATTEMPT BY THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF NEW JERSEY STATE LEGISLATURES TO PUT THE GUN OUT OF BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE THE .

>> THE ONLY THING THAT IS BEING WEAPON I START FIREARMS, ESPECIALLY AGAINST COMMUNITY OF COLOR AND INNOCENT PEOPLE.

THAT IS WHY THE BILL IS SO IMPOTENT FIX >> Reporter: A LONGTIME ADVOCATE A FAMILIAR ARE ADVOCATES ON BOTH SIDES AND THE REPUBLICAN MINORITY FOUND ITSELF CONSISTENTLY OUTVOTED.

DEMOCRATS, EVEN AS THEY VOTED THEIR APPROVAL NOTED THE BILLS WILL UNDOUBTEDLY GET SOME TWEAKS .

>> I JUST HAVE TO READ A LITTLE MORE ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONAL ASPECT OF THIS LEGISLATURE BEFORE IT GOES TO THE FLOOR.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, OVER ON THE SENATE SIDE, IT IS DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE STALLED MANY OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S GUN- CONTROL REFORMS FOR MONTHS, BUT THE POLITICAL JAM COULD BE EASING.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CONSIDERS THE SAME PACKAGE OF REFORMS, SIGNALING POSSIBLY AN AGREEMENT.

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN CERTAINLY ON FOR CALLING THE MEASURES COMMON SENSE AND STATING HE WILL WORK TO BUILD CONSENSUS TO ADVANCE THESE MEASURES, WHICH PUT US ANOTHER STEP FORWARD IN MAKING THE NEW JERSEY SAFER FOR ALL.

BUT JERSEY LAWMAKERS COULD FACE A SIGNIFICANT RECKONING IF U.S. SUPREME COURT RULES TO OVERTURN NEW YORK'S GUN CARRY PERMIT LAW THAT IS SIMILAR TO NEW JERSEY'S GUN OWNERS MUST APPROVE THEIR SAFETIES THREATENED TO CARRY A GUN.

JUSTICES COULD OPT FOR SOMETHING SIMPLER .

>> TO HAVE WHAT MOST STATES HAVE NOW, WHICH IS CALLED A SHALLOW ISSUE, WHICH IS IF YOU NEED ME TO THE FEDERAL CRITERIA FOR GUN OWNERSHIP AND YOU GET A PERMIT TO CARRY.

>> THE RULING IS EXPECTED THIS MONTH.

I AM RENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE FIGHTING RISING INFLATION BY HELPING PARENTS SAVE MONEY THIS FALL.

TODAY IN REDBANK, GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCED AN AGREEMENT FOR A BACK-TO-SCHOOL TAX HOLIDAY AS PART OF THE NEGOTIATION OVER THE 2023 STATE BUDGET.

FROM AUGUST 27th TO SEPTEMBER 5th, SALES TAXES WILL BE DROPPED FOR ALL SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH COLLEGE PICKETT INCLUDES THE BASICS LIKE PENS AND PENCILS, BUT ALSO ART SUPPLIES, EVEN SPORTS EQUIPMENT, LAPTOPS AND BIKE HELMETS.

15 OTHER STATES AND WASHINGTON, D.C.

ALREADY OFFER SOME FOR TO TAX HOLIDAY ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRODUCTS.

THE GOVERNOR WAS JOINED BY SENATE PRESIDENT NICK GUTIERREZ, SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLIN, AND SENATOR SINGLE POWELL.

ONE WEEK AFTER THE LEADERS AGREED TO SPEND $2 BILLION ON PROPERTY TAX REBATES FOR MILLIONS OF HOMEOWNERS.

THE DEMOCRATS ARE TESTING THESE MEASURES AS A WAY TO HELP FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH RISING COSTS IN THE ECONOMY .

>> AS INFLATION, I NEED NOT SAY, BUT I WILL REPEAT, THIS IS A CENTRAL WORRY AROUND ALL OF OUR STATES TABLES NOW, THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT.

WE CAN MORE THAN AFFORD TO GIVE OUR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS THIS TAX BREAK .

>> AND YOU CAN CATCH GOVERNOR MURPHY TOMORROW NIGHT ON SEASON'S FINAL EPISODE CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ.

DAVID WILL TALK TO THE GOVERNOR ABOUT HIS PLANS TO EXPAND GUN REFORM, AND GOALS FOR HIS SECOND TERM IN OFFICE.

THAT IS TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM .

>>> THERE IS AN ALARMING NEW TREND IN THE RATE OF UTERINE CANCER CASES IN THE UNITED STATES UTERINE OR ENDOMETRIAL CANCER IS EXPECTED TO BECOME THE THIRD MOST COMMON CANCER AMONG WOMEN BY 2040, WITH THE MORTALITY RATE HIGHEST AMONG BLACK WOMEN.

IN FACT, A NEW STUDY SHOWS BLACK AMERICANS DIE OF UTERINE CANCER AT TWICE THE RATE OF WHITE WOMEN AND THERE ARE SHARP DISPARITIES AMONG ASIAN AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES TOO.

DESPITE ALL THIS, MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH PUBLIC ATTENTION BEING GIVEN TO THE DISEASE.

DR. MARK FEINSTEIN IS A RESEARCHER AT THE RUTGERS CANCER INSTITUTE IN NEW JERSEY AND JOINED US TO EXPLAIN.

DR., I WONDER IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN POINT TO AS THE REASON WHY THESE RATES ARE INCREASING FOR TO YOU UTERINE CANCER.

>> YES, THIS IS A VERY DISTURBING TREND THAT WE ARE SEEING, THAT OUR BLACK AMERICANS, IN PARTICULAR AND BLACK AND HISPANIC WOMEN, WE SEE A RISE IN ENDOMETRIAL CANCER.

ONE OF THE REASONS IS THERE IS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN THE MORE AGGRESSIVE SUBTYPES AND SOME OF OUR ETHNIC MINORITIES, INCLUDING BLACK WOMEN.

THAT IS PART OF THE ISSUE, THAT IS PART OF THE REASON WHY THIS IS MORE AGGRESSIVE SUBTYPES HAVE A TENDENCY TO POTENTIALLY RECUR, AND POTENTIALLY NOT BE RESPONSIVE TO TREATMENT.

>> YOU TALK, DR., ABOUT THE DISPARITIES THAT WE ARE SEEING AMONG COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

WHY IS IT THAT IT WAS AT FIRST BELIEVED THAT BLACK WOMEN, IN PARTICULAR, WERE NOT PRONE, AND DID NOT SUFFER FROM THIS TYPE OF CANCER?

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DR. CLARK AND OUR COLLEAGUES DID IN THIS ARTICLE AT THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE AS THEY ADJUSTED FOR MEETING PEOPLE WITH HYSTERECTOMIES.

OBVIOUSLY IF SOMEBODY HAS UTERUS REMOVED THEY ARE NOT RISK AS MUCH FOR THESE CANCERS.

AND WOMEN OF COLOR ARE PARTICULARLY GETTING HYSTERECTOMIES.

SO, WHEN YOU ACTUALLY ADJUST FOR THOSE HYSTERECTOMIES, WE ACTUALLY SEE A DISTURBING DIFFERENCE IN THE SURVIVAL RATES .

>> IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY, OR A LAYMAN, CAN DO TO PREVENT THESE RATES FROM INCREASING FURTHER?

>> YES, WE NEED TO LISTEN TO OUR PATIENTS, WE NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR PATIENTS, TO BE ABLE TO GET THE CARE THAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY HAVE THESE ABNORMALITIES.

IF SOMETHING IS WRONG, IT NEEDS TO BE EVALUATED.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, I THINK ON THE PATIENT SIDE AS WELL AS THE PROVIDER SIDE, TO YOUR POINT, THAT WE NEED TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE PATIENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE ABNORMAL UTERINE BLEEDING.

SOMETIMES WE LEARN WHAT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT IN THE ARTICLE, AND WHAT HAS BEEN POINTED OUT ALSO IN THE PUBLIC AND ADVISORY BOARD BY THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF OBSTETRICIANS AND GYNECOLOGISTS, THAT WOMEN OFTEN SEE MANY DIFFERENT PROVIDERS BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY SEE THE ONE THAT DECIDES TO DO THE TESTING THAT LEADS TO A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER.

THAT CAN BE TROUBLE.

SO, WE REALLY NEED TO SORT OF HONE IN ON THOSE ISSUES VERY FAST .

>> I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU QUICKLY, DR., THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH FOCUS OVER THE YEARS ON OVARIAN CANCER.

DO WE NEED TO SHIFT PERSPECTIVE NOW?

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE CANCERS THAT I BELIEVE MANY IN OUR WORLD OF GYNECOLOGICAL AND ONCOLOGY BELIEF, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS.

IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE GET THE WORD OUT TO OUR PATIENTS ABOUT REALLY LISTENING TO OUR SYMPTOMS, SEEING WHAT THE BREATHING PATTERN IS, AND KNOWING THAT ANY ABNORMAL BLEEDING SHOULD BE EVALUATED .

>> ALL RIGHT, DR. MARK FEINSTEIN, THINK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU.

>>> AS THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY AND ALLIES CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH , THEY ARE ALSO STARING DOWN THE INCREASE OF VIOLENCE, THREATS, AND DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES.

VIRTUE OF HEALTH IN BURLINGTON COUNTY, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE CREATING A NEW SAVE SPACE, THE AREAS FIRST PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS.

OFFERING SPECIALIZED SERVICES IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE .

>> SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>> WE HAVE MANY PRIMARY CARE OFFICES, MANY RITUAL, THEY ARE WONDERFUL PLACES.

THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY WANTED TO PROVIDE SOMETHING THAT WILL CELEBRATE THEIR UNIQUENESS .

>> DR. SHANNON GROSS SAYS MANY TIME AMERICARE VISITS FOR LGBTQ PLUS PATIENTS CAN BECOME UNCOMFORTABLE, EXHAUSTING, AND IN SOME CASES, DISCRIMINATORY, IF THE DOCTOR MAKES ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THEIR LIFESTYLE AND HEALTH.

SO, DR.

GROSS AND TEAMS SPEARHEADED THE IDEA TO CREATE RITUAL PRIDE PRIMARY CARE, AND YOU PRACTICE DESIGN FOR THE TO BE DQ PLUS COMMUNITY.

DR.

GROSS WILL SERVE AS ONE OF THE LEAD PHYSICIANS .

>> I WANT TO GIVE THEM A PLACE WHERE THEY FEEL THAT THEY ARE THE NORM AND NOT THE EXCEPTION .

>> HE IS A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY, SINCE THE OPENING OF THE PRACTICE WHO MAKES IT MET ALCHEMY FOR EVERYONE.

THEY SAY IT IS THE FIRST OF THEIR KIND .

>> JUST A MEDIC OR OF THE MEDICAL CARE WE PROVIDE.

IT IS THE ENVIRONMENT FROM THE MOMENT YOU WALK IN THE DOOR.

YOU HAVE CHILDREN WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ, OR CHILDREN OF PEOPLE WHO DO.

AND THIS WILL PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT MOST OF US WOULD HAVE IN ANY OTHER PRIMARY CARE PRACTICE.

SO, YOU GO TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR, YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR, AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY CAN BE SEEN THERE.

THE SAME THING WILL BE POSSIBLE HERE, BUT WE WILL ALSO HAVE THOSE ADDITIONAL SERVICES FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DO NEED THEM .

>> IT'S ABOUT KNOWING THAT YOU ARE GOING TO FACILITY LIKE THIS AND THAT YOU ARE IN A SAFE SPACE WHERE YOU CAN AUTHENTICALLY BE YOURSELF BUT AUTHENTICALLY SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES, THAT YOU ARE GETTING THE TREATMENT YOU WANT.

WHETHER IT IS GENDER AFFIRMING CARE OR THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR HIV MANAGEMENT OR A PLACE THAT YOU CAN BE YOURSELF WITH IT LETTER THAT YOU CAN TALK ABOUT TOPICS THAT YOU DON'T SEE A NORMAL FAMILY PRACTICE IS.

>> Reporter: THE PRACTICE HAS EIGHT EXAM ROOMS ALSO OFFER SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AGES SEVEN AND UP, THE GOAL IS TO OFFER A WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT TO THE ENTIRE FAMILY PICS FOR HUSBAND AND I I THINK ABOUT ADOPTING, SO IT IS AWESOME TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT THERE IS A WHOLE TEAM OF PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE FAMILIAR, AND AWARE, AND NO OF THE COMPLICATIONS TO BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH OUR FAMILY HOLISTICALLY IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN FOR US.

SO, THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I AM MOST EXCITED ABOUT .

>> HE IS AMONG ONE OF THE MANY LOCAL RESIDENTS ABLE TO RECEIVE CARE AND PRACTICE.

HE AND HIS HAS HUSBAND MOVED TO NEW JERSEY EARLIER THIS YEAR AND SAY IT IS A RELIEF TO KNOW HE WILL BE IN THE HANDS OF DOCTORS EXPERIENCED IN CARING FOR LGBTQ+ INDIVIDUALS .

>> I KNOW THAT FOR ME, PERSONALLY, IN THE PAST, WHEN I HAVE TRIED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH DOCTORS, SOMETIMES I FELT LIKE I HAVE HAD TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF EDUCATING IN THAT APPOINTMENT WITH THE DOCTOR THEMSELVES.

SO, KNOWING THAT THERE IS A PLACE LIKE THIS HERE, AND BEING ABLE TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE INCLUSIVE AND OPEN AND KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT STUFF THAT IS PERTINENT TO THE COMMUNITY IS VERY HELPFUL.

SOMETIMES GOING TO THE DOCTOR CAN BE ANXIETY PROVOKING.

THAT MIGHT TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF THE BARRIER OFF AND MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR DOCTOR.

>> VIRTUAL PRIDE PRIMARY CARE BEGINS OFFICIALLY OPENING FOR PATIENT ON JUNE 27th.

STAFF SAYS THAT MORE LOCATIONS WILL OPEN THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND OFFER A RANGE OF SPECIALIZED SCREENINGS AND SERVICES FOR THE TO BE DQ COMMUNITY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA .

>>> 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.

>> Reporter: ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE IN AN UPROAR OVER TODAY'S UNANIMOUS VOTE PUSHING FORWARD A BILL INVOLVING LIBERTY STATE PARK PICKET SETS ASIDE $250 MILLION FOR A TASK FORCE TO FIX THE FACILITIES AT ONE OF THE STATES MOST POPULAR OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS.

BUT, CRITICS WANT A MEASURE AMENDED TO INCLUDE PROTECTIONS THAT WOULD PREVENT PRIVATIZATION AND LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT.

ACTIVIST ARE ACTING LAWMAKERS FOR SPECIFIC LANGUAGE TO PRESERVE IT AS A PUBLIC GREEN SPACE, IN AN AREA THAT LACKS ASSESS TO OPEN SPACES.

AND IS IN A HIGHLY DESIRABLE AREA WITH VIEWS OF MANHATTAN SKYLINE RIGHT THERE IN JERSEY CITY.

THE BILL SPONSORS THAT THE PARK IS IN DESPERATE NEED OF UPGRADES AND LACKS FACILITIES THAT COULD BETTER SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

YOU TONIGHT, THE WHITE HOUSE IS CALLING FOR A GAS TAX HOLIDAY TO EASE THE FINANCIAL PRESSURE AT THE PUMP, BUT COULD IT BACKFIRE ON THE ECONOMY?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS, PLUS TWO NIGHTS BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> WITH INFLATION REMAINING HIGH AND CONSUMERS FEELING SQUEEZED, PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY CALLED ON CONGRESS TO SUSPEND THE FEDERAL GAS TAX FOR 3 MONTHS, AND ASKED STATES TO TAKE SIMILAR ACTION.

THE RESIDENT SAYING THAT GAS PRICES IN THE U.S. HAVE CLIMBED NEARLY TWO DOLLARS A GALLON SINCE RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

>> I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THE GAS TAX HOLIDAY ALONE IS NOT GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

BUT, IT WILL PROVIDE FAMILIES SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF READING ROOM, AS WE CONTINUE WORKING TO BRING DOWN PRICES FOR THE LONG HAUL.

>> THE FEDERAL GAS TAX, WHICH IS JUST OVER $.18 A GALLON IS USED TO FUND TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS.

THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE GOVERNMENT CAN USE OTHER REVENUES TO FUND THOSE PROJECTS WHILE THE GAS TAX HOLIDAY IS IN PLACE.

BUT, IT IS UNCLEAR WHETHER CONGRESS WILL ACT, AS SOME MEMBERS ARE SKEPTICAL.

MEANTIME, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS ALSO ENCOURAGING OIL COMPANIES AND REFINERS TO BOOST CAPACITY AND OUTPUT, TO GET MORGAN OUT TO THE MARKET.

THE PRESIDENT IS MEETING WITH OIL COMPANY EXECUTIVES TOMORROW.

>>> LEGISLATION TO REFORM AUTO INSURANCE WILL LEAD TO HIGHER RATES FOR MORE THAN 1 MILLION DRIVERS, ACCORDING TO OPPONENTS WHO TESTIFIED AT A SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING THIS WEEK.

BUT, SUPPORTERS OF THE BILL SAY THEY ARE NEEDED TO HELP DEMS OF CAR ACCIDENTS.

ONE OF THE BILLS THAT CLEARED THE COMMITTEE WOULD REQUIRE DRIVERS TO CARRY $250,000 IN PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION, OR PIP UP FROM THE CURRENT MINIMUM LEVEL OF JUST 15,000.

>>> RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS RAISING TUITION AND FEES BY 2.9% FOR THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINNING THIS FALL.

THE UNIVERSITY NOTED THE INCREASE IS NEARLY TWO THIRDS BELOW THE CURRENT RATE OF INFLATION .

>>> ON CAPITOL HILL, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAMPION TESTIFYING THAT A RECESSION IS A POSSIBILITY, WALL STREET KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON HIS COMMENTS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET IS CLOSING TODAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THESE ARE YOUR TOP DISMISS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT, PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE, THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJ MAGAZINE.THAT.

>>> AND JOIN RHONDA FOR A VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE, DISCUSSING THE OFFSHORE WIND INDUSTRY AND ITS PLANS TO BRING WIND POWER TO NEW JERSEY CUSTOMERS WHILE TRYING TO PROTECT PUBLIC AND BUSINESS INTEREST.

THAT IS TOMORROW, JUNE 23rd, AT 4:00 P.M. HAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG TO REGISTER FOR THE LIVE EVENT.

>>> AND UPDATE ON THE MULLICA RIVER FIRE THAT HAS BEEN BURNING IN WHARTON STATE FOREST SINCE SUNDAY, THE NEW JERSEY FOREST FIRE SERVICE SAYS THE BURN IS NOW 95% CONTAINED.

IT REACHED MORE THAN 13,000 ACRES OF LAND THROUGHOUT WASHINGTON AND MULLICA TOWNSHIPS.

NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO PROPERTY WAS DAMAGED.

OFFICIALS SAY SMOKE MAY BE VISIBLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD WHILE FIREFIGHTERS CONTINUE TO PATROL AND EXTINGUISH WHAT IS LEFT.

>>> IT IS OFFICIAL, SUMMER IS NOW UNDERWAY, AND THE SEASON MEANS BIG BUSINESS FOR HOUSE ALONG THE SHORE.

BUT, FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, BEACHES AND POOLS ARE FACING A THREAT, THE RISK OF SHUTTING DOWN, OR NOT OPENING AT ALL, BECAUSE OF A LINGERING LIFEGUARD SHORTAGE.

THIS IS DRIVEN BY LOW AND EMPLOYMENT AND THE PANDEMICS EFFECTS ON TRAINING.

TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY FROM THE JERSEY SHORE.

>>> ONE BRIGANTINE MAYOR VINCE SARAH SAYS LIFEGUARDS, HE SEES MUCH MORE THAN JUST PEOPLE PATROLLING THE BEACH .

>> THEY ARE AMBASSADORS TO OUR CITY, OUR BEACH PATROL IS BASICALLY OUR FRONT LINE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SUMMER ECONOMY HERE, THE HEART OF THE SUMMER ECONOMY IS BEING WHEN PEOPLE COME DOWN, THE IMPRESSION THEY HAVE OF THE CITY AND THEIR INTERACTION WITH OUR LIFEGUARDS.

>> Reporter: AND A LOT OF SHORE TOWNS, THERE WILL NOT BE AS MANY INTERACTIONS THIS SUMMER.

VOICES LIKE CAPE MAY COULD BE FORCED TO CLOSE BEACHES BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH LIFEGUARDS.

>> Reporter: SOME OF IT MIGHT BE THE SALARIES.

THEY ARE JUST OVER $12 AN HOUR TO START, AND KIDS CAN ACTUALLY GO ACROSS THE STREET AND MAKE 20 FOR POURING COFFEE .

>> I THINK THE LABOR SHORTAGE IS REALLY WHAT IS IMPACTING THE LIFEGUARD SITUATION, THE OTHER ADVANTAGES TO BEING A LIFEGUARD THAT YOUNGER PEOPLE LIKE.

YOU ARE OUT ON THE BEACH ALL DAY, BUT THEN WHEN THEY LOOK AND SEE THAT HEY, I CAN STILL LIVE ON THE SHORE AND I CAN STILL HAVE A GOOD LIFESTYLE DOWN THERE I CAN SAVE $1000 OR SO COURSE OF THE SUMMER, THAT BECOMES MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE .

>> MARTY FRANCO SAYS CAPE MAY NEEDS TO HIRE AROUND 15 NEW LIFEGUARDS TO KEEP ALL OF THE BEACHES OPEN.

YESTERDAY THE CITY RAISED ITS LIFEGUARD PAY TO AT LEAST $15 AN HOUR.

TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE .

>> THERE ARE ROOKIES ALL THE WAY UP TO THE 10th YEAR GUARDS YOU ARE MAKING BELOW THAT.

SO, THAT IS A GOOD BUMP FOR THEM.

IT IS A GOOD BUMP FOR THE NEW KIDS.

HOPEFULLY IT WILL HAVE AN EFFECT ON PEOPLE THAT MIGHT WANT TO COME THIS LATE .

>> IT IS NOT JUST THE LABOR SHORTAGE THAT IS SHRINKING NEW JERSEY'S SUPPLY OF LIFEGUARDS.

THE PANDEMIC CUT INTO THE TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS, AND RISING RENTS HAVE PRICED OUT PEOPLE WHO MIGHT WANT TO LIVE DOWN THE SHORE .

>> THE BUSINESSES IN TOWN HAVE PURCHASED THE ANALYSIS AND FILLING THEM UP WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES, WE HAVE TO APPROACH THEM TO SEE IF THEY CAN GIVE US A COUPLE OF ROOMS FOR THE GUARDS.

SO FAR WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY POSITIVE RESPONSES FROM THAT .

>> A LONG TIME AGO YOU COULD HAVE A BUNCH OF FRIENDS GET TOGETHER AND LIVE IN ONE HOUSE FOR THE SUMMER AND LIFEGUARD.

UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS NOT HAPPENING ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: RON DIFELICE IS ANOTHER CONCERN IS SAFETY .

>> SOUTH JERSEY FAMILIES WITH TWO LOST TWO LIFEGUARDS IN THE LINE OF DUTY LAST YEAR WHICH IS STILL ON EVERYBODY'S MIND, IT IS DIFFICULT, YOU KNOW?

IT IS THE REALITY OF WHAT WE DO HERE, OBVIOUSLY PROTECTING AND SERVING OUR COMMUNITY.

IT CAN BE DANGEROUS.

>> Reporter: LAST SUMMER BRIGANTINE HAD 110 LIFEGUARDS, THAT WAS PLENTY TO KEEP EVERY BEACH OPEN.

THIS SUMMER, BRIGANTINE ALSO HAS 110 LIFEGUARDS WORKING, AFTER HIRING 14 NEW ONES.

SO, WHAT IS BRIGANTINE DOING DIFFERENTLY?

>> WE NEED TO PUT SOME PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO ATTRACT YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE BEACH PATROL, THAT IS WHY WE STARTED THE LIT PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE JUNIOR GUARD PROGRAM.

THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE REALLY DEVELOPED AN INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT AMONG THE PEOPLE FROM THE AREA OF BEING A LIFEGUARD, HAVING THE TRAINING TO BE PREPARED TO BE OUT HAS REALLY HELPED OUR NUMBERS .

>> WE DO IT STARTING AT THREE, WE HAVE KIDS ON THE ISLAND THAT START SWIMMING AT THREE AND WORK UNTIL THEY ARE 15 AND THEY ARE PREPARED AND INTERESTED IN BECOMING LIFEGUARDS.

WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT WHEN IT IS THEIR TURN, THEY CANNOT AND TRY OUT WITH US.

>> Reporter: RECANTING PAYS LIFEGUARDS A LITTLE OVER $13 AN HOUR TO START.

TRAINING FOR THE NEW GUARDS STARTS TOMORROW.

IN BRIGANTINE, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING, BUT MAKE SURE TO TUNE INTO THE LATEST EPISODE OF OUR MULTIMEDIA SERIES HAZARD NJ, LOOKING AT THE THREAT CLIMATE CHANGE POSES TO THE STATE SUPERFUND.

THIS WEEK, THE TEAM VISITS THE RINGWOOD MINDS WHERE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY LEFT A TOXIC LEGACY DURING THE 60s AND 70s THAT IS STILL FLICKING THE PEOPLE LIVING ON THE LAND.

IT IS A LOT MORE THAN JUST AN ENVIRONMENTAL STORY.

REEDED ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG, AND LISTEN WHEREVER YOU STREAMER PODCAST.

I AM RIHANNA BEEN NOSY FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RJ W BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> AND WAS THERE, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

THERE I AM MILES, THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME.

AND BODY, AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH, THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO, BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF, I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANT WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO BREATHE, TO ACHIEVE, THE CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN ANGIE A MEMBER.

THERE I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I AM STILL HERE .

>> THAT IS ME AND MY DOCTOR WHEN WE HAD TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY .

>> WITH A NEW KIDNEY I HAVE STRENGTH .

>> THEY GAVE ME NEW LIFE .

>> I'M STILL GOING TO EXPLORE NEW PLACES .

>> BUT THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE, NOBODY.

>> I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO LIVING WITH MY LIFE, THAT IS POSSIBLE NOT PICK INVADED KIDNEY TREATMENTS AND WORLD RENOWNED CARE AT TWO RENOWNED HOSPITALS .

>> I GOT MY LIFE BACK .

>> ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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