>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

TAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RJW 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.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> WHITE HOUSE OFFICIALS ARE WORKING WITH THE POLISH GOVERNMENT TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED TODAY ALONG THE POLISH/UKRAINIAN BORDER.

THE U.P.

REPORTS THAT TWO MISSILES ENTERED UKRAINE KILLING TWO PEOPLE.

IT CAME FROM A RUSSIAN ATTACK ON THE UKRAINIAN POWER GRID.

IF DETERMINED IT WAS A DIRECT STRIKE ON POLAND, A NATO NATION, IT COULD REMARK RETALIATION BY NATO FORCES.

INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE.

FOLKS TRAVELING THROUGH NEWARK INTERNATIONAL LIBERTY AIRPORT WILL SOON BE WELCOMED BY A TRANSFORMED TERMINAL A, THE NEARLY THREE DOLLAR RENOVATION INCLUDES ART MURALS AND VENDORS REPRESENTING THE DIVERSITY OF THIS DATE AND NEW DROP-OFF AND PICKUP SPACES FOR DRIVERS.

THIS IS THE FIRST UPGRADE OF ITS TIME FOR THE NEARLY 50-YEAR-OLD TERMINAL A, AND THE LARGEST IN THE PORT AUTHORITY'S HISTORY.

RANDY FLANAGAN TOOK A TOUR THROUGH THE NEW SPACE TODAY AND HAS MORE ON THE TERMINAL THAT WILL OPEN DECEMBER 8th.

>> Reporter: A CEREMONIAL RIBBON CUTTING OFFICIALLY OPENED THE BRAND-NEW TERMINAL A AT NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

1 MILLION MODERN SQUARE FEET OF SOARING SPACE OUTFITTED WITH HIGH-TECH SECURITY, FOUR LOUNGES, AND 43 GATES.

THE DESIGNS JERSEY CENTRIC, FEATURING ARTWORK AND TRIVIA BRIMMING WITH GARDEN STATE FLAVOR.

>> Reporter: THE PRICE TAG REPRESENTS THE BIGGEST SINGLE JERSEY INVESTMENT EVER MADE BY THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

THE NEW TERMINAL WILL REPLACE THE NEARLY 50-YEAR-OLD CURRENT TERMINAL A WHICH GOVERNOR MURPHY CALLED TRYING, PAINFUL, AND EXHAUSTING WITH A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY THAT WILL STREAMLINE THE AIR TRAVEL ASKED VARIANCE FOR 13 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR.

>> THE EXPERIENCE OF THIS BUILDING WILL LITERALLY TRANSFORM WHAT PEOPLE THINK OF HOW THEY THINK ABOUT NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: TRAVELERS WILL BE ABLE TO BOARD THE AIRPORT WITH CONTACTLESS SCANNERS.

SECURITY GOT AN UPGRADE AND WILL FEATURE A DOZEN MORE SCREENING LANES THAN THE OLD TERMINAL.

>> IS 14 NEW SCREENING LANES IN THIS TERMINAL WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, CUSTOMERS HAVE MULTIPLE OPTIONS TO GET PROCESSED IN.

>> IS GOING TO BE A LOT EASIER, SO BEING ABLE TO JUST SCAN YOUR BOARDING PASS AND GO THROUGH, THAT MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER FOR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE EXTRA SPACE AND EFFICIENCY CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH.

AIR TRAVEL THIS THANKSGIVING IS EXPECTED TO ALMOST COMPLETELY RECOVER FROM PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS OF 80% OVER LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO AAA.

WORKERS ARE STILL PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THIS NEW TERMINAL, WHICH WAS BUILT WITH AN EMPHASIS ON DIVERSITY.

>> WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO CREATE A TRULY NEW JERSEY SENSE OF PLACE.

AND DOING IT ALL WITH INTENTION TO MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN THE AIRPORT.

>> I'M ECSTATIC WHEN I SEE WHAT I WALK INTO THIS AIRPORT.

WHY?

BECAUSE NEWARK AND ELIZABETH ARE PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND BROWN AND NATIVE COMMUNITIES.

PREDOMINANTLY IMMINENT COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS WHAT YOU SEE, FROM THE ARTWORK TO THE VENDORS, TO PEOPLE THAT ACTUALLY DID THE WORK THEMSELVES, TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING IN THIS DAY EVERY DAY FROM SECURITY GUARDS TO MAINTENANCE FOLKS TO THE PEOPLE WORKING ON THE RUNWAY.

THEY REPRESENT THESE COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN WHEN WE BUILD IN CITIES LIKE THIS.

THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE CITY HAVE TO BENEFIT FROM THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THAT TODAY.

>> Reporter: JERSEY IS ALL OVER THE PLACE FOR MASSAC MURALS, TWO DIGITAL TRIVIA DISPLAYS.

OUTSIDE, A NEW AIR TRAIN STATION AND A PARKING GARAGE WILL FEATURE CAR RENTALS, MAKING IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.

THE FACILITY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE COMPLETED BY THIS PAST SUMMER, BUT THE PANDEMIC CREATED HURDLES.

>> WE OVERCAME COVID OVER A YEAR AND HALF OF DECIMATING OUR LABOR FORCE.

MEN OFTEN SICK, ON QUARANTINE, REPLACEMENTS, LATE DELIVERIES OF MATERIALS BECAUSE OF MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: THE NEW TERMINAL OPEN FOR AIR TRAVEL ON DECEMBER 8th, IN TIME FOR WINTER HOLIDAY TRAVEL.

AUTHORITIES HIRED A PLANNING FIRM TO LOOK AT BUILDING A NEW TERMINAL B. I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS ARE ONE WIN AWAY CLINCHING CONTROL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AFTER THREE KEY RACES WERE DECIDED IN FAVOR OF THE GOP.

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, AND TWO SEATS IN CALIFORNIA.

THAT GIVES REPUBLICANS ONE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT WITH WHICH TO BLOCK GOVERNMENT POLICIES FOR THE REMAINDER BIDENS TERM.

REPUBLICANS FAILED TO SECURE CONTROL OF THE SENATE AFTER MANY OF THE CANDIDATES BACKED BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP LOST THEIR TICKETS.

LAST NIGHT, THE NATION HEARD FROM TRUMPS FORMER PRESIDENT BY MIKE PENCE TALKING FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT JANUARY 6th.

HE SAID TRUMPS ACTIONS WERE, QUOTE, RECKLESS, AND HE ENDANGERED EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY AND THE CAPITAL.

TONIGHT, THE NATION IS EXPECTING FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TO ANNOUNCE YET ANOTHER RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

>> YOU BELIEVE DONALD TRUMP SHOULD EVER BE PRESIDENT AGAIN?

>> DAVID, I THINK THAT'S UP TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

BUT I THINK WE WILL HAVE BETTER CHOICES IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS TRUMP IS FACING SEVERAL FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS INTO HIS ROLE IN THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION, HIS BUSINESS DEALINGS, AND THE CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS FOUND THAT HIS MAR-A-LAGO HOME.

HOW WILL A TRUMP RESIDENTIAL RUN BE RECEIVED BY THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, AND WILL WE SEE ANOTHER MATCHUP AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP?

LET'S GET INTO IT WITH OUR NEXT GUEST, DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE GENTLEMEN LEROY JONES AND BOB HUGUENIN.

LEROY JONES, BOB HUGUENIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE PRESIDENT TRUMP THROW HIS HAT IN THE RING TONIGHT.

IS THIS WELCOME NEWS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

>> I THINK THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS EXPECTING IT.

ONE THING ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WE ARE SO FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GREAT RANCH OF CANDIDATE, HOPEFULLY MANY GREAT CANDIDATES.

I THINK IT'S UP TO THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY VOTERS OF HOW THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE IT OR NOT.

BUT HE WAS A GREAT PRESIDENT IN TERMS OF THE ISSUES AND POLICIES HE ADOPTED, THE ECONOMY, A STRONG NATIONAL DEFENSE, AMERICA FIRST POLICIES.

THERE WERE THINGS I DIDN'T AGREE WITH HIM ON MANY FRONTS.

I THINK WE GOT A LOT OF GREAT CANDIDATES OUT THERE, AND WE HAVE TO RESPECT THE PRIMARY VOTERS.

>> LEROY, REPUBLICANS ARE WRESTLING WITH WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE PARTY LEADER.

DEMOCRATS, TOO, ARE QUESTIONING WHETHER OR NOT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS THE ONE TO TAKE ON THE TASK OF THE PRESIDENCY IN 2024 AND TAKING ON A POSSIBLE PRESIDENT TRUMP CANDIDATE.

WHAT YOU SAY TO THAT?

>> YOU KNOW, LOOK.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL MAKE THAT DECISION, AS ANY SITTING PRESIDENT DOES.

BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK THE QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE PART REPUBLICAN PARTY WELCOMED THE DONALD TRUMP CANDIDACY.

I THINK WE DO.

YOU KNOW, DONALD TRUMP, TO THE CONTRARY OF WHAT WAS JUST SHARED, WAS PRESIDENT WITH A LOT OF ISSUES.

YOU KNOW, THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION WAS, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE DARKEST MOMENTS OF THIS COUNTRY, WHICH, YOU KNOW, THAT ISSUE IS STILL BEING DEBATED.

WHETHER IT BE LEGALLY, MORALLY, OR --YOU KNOW, WHATEVER ANGLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS CERTAINLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT LOSS OF LIFE.

THE POTENTIAL EXPOSURE TO OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> LEROY, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

MANY CAMPAIGNS SUPPORTED IN THE PRIMARY THESE MORE EXTREME TRUMP CANDIDATES AND PROVED SUCCESSFUL TO THEM, BECAUSE MANY OF THOSE CANDIDATES HAVE LOST IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT'S A MOVE RIGHT NOW, FOR DEMOCRATS TO SAY YES, WE WANT TRUMP BECAUSE HE'S READABLE IN THE GENERAL?

>> LOOK.

IF THEY LOOK AT THAT IS A PLUS, HE'S A GIFT THAT CONTINUES TO BODE WELL FOR DEMOCRATS.

>> BOB, LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

>> I WANT TO RESPOND TO LEROY'S ADVICE TO REPUBLICANS.

I THINK IT'S ALWAYS FUNNY THAT WHEN DEMOCRATS TALK ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP BEING THE GREATEST GIFT, THEY DON'T EVER WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR OWN PRESIDENT WHO COST AMERICAN LIVES IN AFGHANISTAN, WHO HAS DESTROYED THE AMERICAN ECONOMY AND MADE US ENERGY DEPENDENT.

AND SO I THINK WE REALLY DO HOPE THAT THE DEMOCRATS RALLY AROUND PRESIDENT BIDEN AND MAKE SURE HE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION, BECAUSE THERE IS NO GREATER GIFT REPUBLICANS THAN PRESIDENT BIDEN RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY THAT SOME SEEM TO BE COALESCING AROUND SOMEONE LIKE FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS, YOU BELIEVE HE COULD BE SOMEONE THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDS UP BACKING WHO, PERHAPS, HAS A STRONGER CHANCE TO BEAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THE ONE THING IS, 2024 IS A LONG WAY OFF.

WE HAVE 23 ELECTIONS IN FRONT OF US, A LOT OF ISSUES TO DEAL WITH, AND THE HEALTH -- IF YOU LOOK AT PRESIDENT BIDEN, HIS AGE AND MENTAL ACUITY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IS NO SPRING CHICKEN, EITHER.

I THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THE SIDE, DO THEY WANT A FRESH FACE OR SOMEONE NEW?

WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GREAT STABLE CANDIDATES.

>> THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH.

>>> UP TO 10% OF WOMEN ENTERING STATE AND FEDERAL PRISON ARE PREGNANT, BUT THE SYSTEM OFTEN FAILS TO PROVIDE PROPER MATERNAL CARE OR EVEN MEET THE WOMEN'S BASIC HEALTHCARE NEEDS.

IT'S A PROBLEM NEW JERSEY CONGRESSWOMAN CHERYL IS GOING TO ADDRESS.

SHE SPOKE AT A SYMPOSIUM THIS WEEK ABOUT A BIPARTISAN BILL SHE'S ANSWERED, THE JUSTICE FOR INCARCERATED MOMS ACT.

>> BECAUSE PRISONS HAVE SO OFTEN BEEN SET UP FOR MEN, THAT WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT SYSTEMS THAT DON'T ALWAYS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THINGS LIKE PREGNANCY, PAINFUL MENSTRUATION, BREAST CANCER, SEXUAL ASSAULT OR SEXUAL TRAUMA, OR THE QUALITY OF HYGIENE PROJECTS GIVEN OR NOT GIVEN TO FEMALE PRISONERS.

>> THE LEGISLATION WOULD AND THE PROCESS OF SHACKLING PREGNANT PRISONERS AND CREATE PROGRAMS TO BETTER CARE FOR WOMEN BEHIND BARS.

>>> A NEW INFLUX OF CASH IS ON THE WAY TO HELP NEW JERSEYANS RE-BLOG FROM TROPICAL STORM IDA MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER DARRELL THROUGH THE STATE.

$149 MILLION IN RECOVERY GRANTS IS COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THAT'S IN ADDITION TO THE 228 MILLION THIS HAS ALREADY RECEIVED.

ADVOCATES SAY THAT FIRST NUMBER FELL SHORT OF THE ACTUAL NEEDS FOR STORM SURVIVORS.

NOW AT 337 MILLION IN HAND, THE STATE NEEDS TO CREATE A PROGRAM TO DISTRIBUTE THOSE FUNDS.

THE ADVOCACY GROUP NEW JERSEY ORGANIZING PROJECT IS ASKING FOR SOME FLEXIBILITY IN THE ELIGIBILITY STANDARDS SO MORE STORM VICTIMS HAVE A CHANCE TO GET SOME HELP.

AFTER CAMPAIGN PROMISES TO END THE BEAR HAD ONCE AND FOR ALL, GOVERNOR MURPHY SURPRISED AND DISMAYED SOME CONSERVATIONISTS WHEN HE SAID HE BRING BACK THE BEAR HUNT IN DECEMBER.

TODAY, THE NEW JERSEY FISH AND GAME COUNCIL MET TO HAMMER OUT THE DETAILS, INCLUDING WHEN THE SHOOT MIGHT HAPPEN, AND HOW LONG IT MIGHT LAST.

TED GOLDBERG WAS THERE TO HEAR THE ARGUMENTS, AND HE HAS MORE ON HOW THE REINSTATED HUNT COULD PLAY OUT.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THEIR SEASON IS BACK IN NEW JERSEY.

FISH AND WILDLIFE COUNSEL VOTED TO AMEND STATE GAME CODES TO PUT BEARS BACK IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF NEW JERSEY HUNTERS.

>> IT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT WHERE WE HAD HOPED TO END UP.

THE EMPIRICAL DATA AND THE ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE WAS OVERWHELMING THAT WE WERE COMING CLOSE TO PUTTING PEOPLE -- PEOPLE'S LIVES AT RISK, AND WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY CAMPAIGNED ON GETTING RID OF THE STATES BEAR HUNT AND REDUCING THEIR POPULATION WITH NONLETHAL TACTICS.

HE SAYS THAT PART OF HIS PLATFORM ISN'T CHANGING.

>> THIS IS NOT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE UP ON ALL THE NONLETHAL STUFF, WHETHER IT'S CASH MANAGEMENT OR MORE STAFF, MORE TRAINING.

WE WILL CONTINUE THAT, AND WE WILL DO THAT AND MORE.

WE WILL INTENSIFY THAT.

BUT IT WAS CLEAR THAT AS OF NOW, THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH.

>> THANK YOU, ALL PROPOSALS ARE CARRIED BY THE COUNCIL.

>> Reporter: THEY EXPLAINED TO THE COUNCIL WHITE BEAR SEASON HAD TO COME BACK.

NAMELY THE BEARS HAD BECOME MUCH MORE PREVALENT NEAR PEOPLE'S HOMES.

ACCORDING TO DATA, NUISANCE AND DAMAGE REPORTS FROM BEARS HAVE TRIPLED FROM LAST YEAR TO THIS YEAR.

SOME SAY A BEAR HUNT WILL PROTECT PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE.

>> WE MUST ACT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE WHOLE.

SOME DAYS, THAT IS NOT EASY.

AND IT ALSO LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO GOVERNOR MURPHY FOR ALLOWING US TO ASSIST YOU WITH KEEPING NEW JERSEY SAFE.

>> IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE POPULATION, WE NEED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THEM.

WE NEED TO USE ALL THE TOOLS WE CAN.

I ENCOURAGE THIS COUNSEL TO RE-EVALUATE A LOT OF THESE DECISIONS IN THE FUTURE, TO LOOK AT ALL MEANS OF POPULATION REDUCTION TO GET US TO A SAFE, MANAGEABLE LEVEL OF BEARS.

>> Reporter: OTHERS AREN'T SO SURE.

THEY ARGUE THAT THE INCREASE IN REPORTS ISN'T DRASTIC, AND THAT IT'S COMPARABLE TO PREVIOUS YEARS, WHEN GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE ALLOWED THE BEAR HUNTS.

>> WE HAD A MAJOR DROUGHT, AND BEARS CAME OUT LOOKING FOR FOOD AND WATER.

THAT'S A MAJOR REASON WHY THERE'S AN INCREASE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

THE NUMBER OF AGGRESSIVE BEERS AND NUISANCE BEARS, THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE RANGE.

>> PEOPLE ARE SO ANGRY RIGHT NOW, AND THEY ARE VERY UPSET.

>> SHE BROUGHT THOUSANDS OF SIGNED PETITIONS TO TUESDAY'S HEARING PROTESTING THE BEAR HUNTS.

SHE DOESN'T THINK THE STATE TRIED HEIGHT ENOUGH WITH NONLETHAL TACTICS.

>> I DON'T HEAR OF IT WHEN I DO THE TABLING EVENTS FROM RESIDENTS, THE RESIDENTS ARE SO HAPPY TO RECEIVE OUR INFORMATION.

THEY NEVER KNEW ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS, THE TIPS, THE GARBAGE CONTROL -- THE STATE IS NOT DOING ANYTHING.

>> SHE WASN'T ALONE.

MOST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO SPOKE AGREED WITH HER.

>> IT'S SHAMEFUL THAT THE GOVERNOR OF NEW JERSEY IS PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE BEAR HUNT.

HE RAN FOR OFFICE, COMMITTED TO A COMPREHENSIVE BEAR MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, AND A NONLETHAL MESSAGE, INCLUDING DEALING WITH GARBAGE, AND HAS DONE NOTHING ALONG THOSE LINES WHEN IT COMES TO DEALING WITH FOOD ISSUES THAT ARE THE MAJOR CAUSE OF AIR/HUMAN INTERACTION.

>> RAY LESNIAK TOLD US LAST WEEK THAT HE WILL SUE THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO STOP THE BEAR HUNT FROM HAPPENING.

HE SAYS IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND INEFFECTIVE.

>> PAINTING AND HUNTING ITSELF INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF BEAR/HUMAN INTERACTIONS, AND INCREASES THE LITTER SIZE AND EARLIER BREEDING A FEMALE BLACK BEARS.

ANY ACTION TAKEN BY THE FISH AND GAME COUNCIL VIOLATES THE THIRD ARTICLE OF THE NEW JERSEY CONSTITUTION.

>> Reporter: ALL THAT'S LEFT FOR BEAR SEASON TO RETURN IS FOR GOVERNMENT MURPHY TO OFFICIALLY APPROVE IT.

THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS.

UNDER THE PROPOSED RULES, CUBS ARE OFF-LIMITS TO HUNTERS IF THEY ARE LIGHTER THAN 75 POUNDS, AND SO ARE ADULTS BEARS WALKING WITH THEM.

IN TRENTON, I'M TED GOLDBERG, AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE NOW AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT STRUGGLING CHILDCARE CENTERS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS ON A NEW GRANT PROGRAM.

WHEN CAN CHILDCARE OPERATOR START APPLYING?

>> JOANNA, AS OF TODAY, OPERATORS OF CHILDCARE CENTERS CAN APPLY FOR STATE GRANTS TO SUPPORT THEIR BUSINESS.

YOU WILL RECALL A FEW WEEKS AGO FIRST LADY TAMMY MURPHY ANNOUNCED THE CHILDCARE FACILITIES IMPROVEMENT GRANTS PROGRAM AT AN EVENT IN BLOOMFIELD.

THE FIRST PHASE OF THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC AUTHORITY PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE NEARLY $15 MILLION IN GRANT, UP TO $200,000 TO LICENSED CENTERS TO COVER THE COST OF MAKING IMPROVEMENTS.

IN ATLANTIC CITY TODAY, A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY WAS HELD FOR ATLANTICARE'S NEW $38 MILLION MEDICAL ARTS PAVILION.

THE FACILITY WILL PROVIDE MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE, PEDIATRICS, AND OTHER SERVICES WITH THE GOAL OF INCREASING ACCESS AND ADDRESSING HEALTH DISPARITIES IN THE REGION.

IT WILL ALSO SERVE AS A NEW HOME FOR THE HEALTH SYSTEMS PHYSICIAN TRAINING PROGRAM.

IN THE MEANTIME, AMAZON IS BROADENING ITS REACH AND HEALTH CARE, ANNOUNCING THAT IT HAS LAUNCHED A VIRTUAL HEALTHCARE CLINIC IN 30 NEW STATES, INCLUDING NEW JERSEY.

THE PLATFORM WILL CONNECT USERS WITH HEALTHCARE WRITERS, AND IS DESIGNED TO TREAT COMMON AILMENTS LIKE ALLERGIES.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS VARIOUS MEDIA REPORTS SAY UP TO 10,000 AMAZON TECHNOLOGY EMPLOYEES COULD BE LAID OFF STARTING THIS WEEK.

AFTER A SERIES OF LEGAL SETBACKS, THERE'S A PUSH FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO EXTEND THE MORATORIUM ON FEDERAL STUDENT DEBT PAYMENTS, WHICH IS DUE TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

A NEW SURVEY FROM THE STUDENT DEBT CRISIS CENTER FINDS 83% OF UNIT LOAN BORROWERS SAY THE PAYMENT PAUSE IS PANDEMIC RELIEF THEY CURRENTLY DEPEND ON.

CODY HUNANIAN IS THE CITY'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> WE CANNOT WHILE THE ECONOMY IS SO CERTAIN FOR BORROWERS, AND WHEN THE FUTURE OF STUDENT LOAN POLICIES PUSH 40 MILLION AMERICANS BACK INTO REPAYMENT.

>> WE ARE RELYING ON CREDIT CARDS MUCH MORE THAN IN THE PAST.

A NEW REPORT FROM THE NEW YORK FEDERAL RESERVE SHOWS THAT THE LARGEST INCREASE IN CREDIT CARD DEBT IN 20 YEARS, DELINQUENCIES ARE INCREASING, BUT NOT AT AN ALARMING RATE.

ANOTHER REPORT SHOWING THAT INFLATION APPEARS TO BE RETREATING LIFTED THE STOCK MARKET EARLY IN THE TRADE DAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

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

>>> NEW JERSEY IS FACING A SHORTAGE OF OB/GYN'S, AND IT COULD HAVE MAJOR CONSEQUENCES IN THE MATERNAL HEALTH INDUSTRY IN THE DATE.

SHORTAGES LOOMING WHEN PEOPLE FROM OUT OF STATE ARE INCREASINGLY TURNING TO NEW JERSEY FOR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE.

WHAT IS DRIVING THESE DOCTORS OUT?

RAVEN SANTANA LOOKS AT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN THIS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT SECTOR OF THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

>> THERE STILL IS NOT ENOUGH TO ME, DEMAND.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE MORE DIFFICULT OVER THE NEXT DECADE AFTER EXPERTS SAY THERE WILL BE A TREMENDOUS SHORTAGE OF OBSTETRICIANS.

DR. DONALD SHERMAN ACT, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF NEW JERSEY, IS AN AGING POPULATION COMBINED WITH NEW JERSEY'S HIGH MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE IS CAUSING OB/GYN'S TO LEAVE.

>> IT'S MANY DOCTORS STRUGGLING TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PATIENTS.

AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THAT WAS I BURNOUT THAT A LOT OF THE DOCTORS THAT MIGHT HAVE PRACTICED UNTIL AGE 65 OR 70, OR 75, ARE NOW LEAVING AT THE AGES OF 50 AND 55.

IN NEW JERSEY, WE HAVE ONE OF THE HIGHEST MEDICAL MALPRACTICE RATES.

SO WHEN YOU ARE PRACTICING, AND IF YOU GET A SALARY OR YOU HAVE X, BUT YOUR OVERHEAD IS 30% HIGHER THAN IN ANOTHER STATE, YOUR SALARY IS ACTUALLY 30% LESS.

>> ACCORDING TO PROJECTIONS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND, THERE WILL BE A NATIONWIDE DEFICIT OF OB/GYN BY 2030.

THE REPORT NOTES THAT WHILE AN ESTIMATED 13,000 OB/GYN'S WILL ENTER THE WORKFORCE BY THE END OF THE DECADE, JUST OVER 22,000 WILL BE LOST.

THAT DROP MEANS A PROJECTED OVERALL DEFICIT OF MORE THAN 5000 OB/GYN'S NATIONWIDE BY 2030.

>> WHAT WE HAVE IS A SYSTEM WHERE WE ARE SURROUNDED BY PHILADELPHIA AND NEW YORK, AS WELL AS DELAWARE AND OUR OWN EXCELLENT UNIVERSITIES THAT ARE TRAINING A LOT OF DOCK THERE'S AN EVEN DOING THE RESIDENCY PROGRAMS HERE NEW JERSEY.

BUT THEY ARE NOT NECESSARILY ESTABLISHING THEIR PRACTICE HERE.

>> A NONPROFIT THAT FOCUSES ON IMPROVING THE HEALTH OF REGNANT INDIVIDUALS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

THAT INCLUDES CAPE MAY COUNTY WHERE THE REGIONAL CENTER AND IT IS A ETHICAL SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER.

>> WHAT WE WORRY ABOUT, FOR THOSE FAMILIES THAT HAVE CONTINUED TO RELY ON CAPE REGIONAL, IS TRANSPORTATION AND THE AVAILABILITY OF AN EMERGENT REESE HORSE.

NOT ONLY FOR A DELIVERY, BUT POTENTIALLY FOR ANOTHER OBSTETRIC COMPLICATION THAT OCCURS HIGHER TO DELIVERY.

>> IS NOT JUST THAT NEW JERSEY TRAINED DOCTORS, THEY PAY LESS THAN THEY COULD IN OTHER PLACES.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. BUREAU OF STATISTICS, THE MEAN WAGE IN THE NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY CITY AREA WAS 200 $75,000 IN 2021.

COMPARED TO NEARLY $358,000 IN PHILADELPHIA, $328,000 IN DALLAS, NEARLY 400 $3000 IN BOSTON, AND ABOUT $295,000 IN MINNEAPOLIS.

>> GETTING STARTED AND NEW JERSEY IS ABSOLUTELY CHALLENGING FOR ANYONE PROFESSIONALLY, AND FOR ANYONE WHO IS EXPECTED TO LEARN AT AN LEVEL WHERE THEY HAVE A LIFESTYLE THEY LIKE, NEW JERSEY SETS THOSE CHALLENGES EVEN MORE.

AND THEN THAT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE INSURANCE IS EVEN MORE OF A CONCERN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ARC STATURE COMMUNITY.

>> THEY AGREE THERE ISN'T A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION, BUT EARLY INTERVENTION ON THOSE EXTERNAL FACTORS LIKE WAGE AND UNIT LOAN DEBT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO EASE THE VERDICT FOR OB/GYN'S SO THAT THEY CAN IN TURN WANT TO WORK HERE IN JERSEY.

FOR AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>> MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLAT ARMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I JOANNA GAGIS FOR THE ENTIRE SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.

>> AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE ASSOCIATION.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

A CHANCE TO BELONG, AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE A NJEA MEMBER.

>> ORSTED 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 U.S..TRAN05.COM.