>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP.

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

HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND BY THE FUEL MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY.

SLANG>>> FROM NJ PPS THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

JERSEY IS SEEING CONCERNING COVID 19 NUMBERS AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

CLOSE TO 2000 NEW CASES TODAY AND 30 NEW DEATHS.

BUT THE GOVERNOR IS URGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

AS OFFICIALS FEAR UP TO 2000 HOSPITALIZATIONS BY JANUARY.

MORE THAN 6 POINT ONE JERSEYANS ARE FULLY VACCINATED DESPITE VACCINATION RATES BEING HIGH, NOT ALL TOWNS ARE SEEING EQUAL COVERAGE.

ONE TOWN IN PARTICULAR IS SEEING A LOWER VACCINATION RATES AND SOME OF ITS NEIGHBORS.

SO MUCH THAT THEY ARE GIVING INCENTIVES LIKE GIFT CARDS TO GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

BUT WILL IT WORK?

MELISSA ROSE COOPER EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: THANKSGIVING IS JUST A COUPLE DAYS AWAY BUT KATIE ALREADY HAS HER HEART SET ON WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO FOR CHRISTMAS.

>> I'M HOPING I CAN TRAVEL DOWN SOUTH.

TO SEE MY FAMILY.

IT HAS BEEN A WHILE.

I THINK IT IS TIME.

>> Reporter: WHEN SHE FINALLY GETS THE CHANCE TO SPEND TIME WITH THOSE SHE LOVES SHE WANTS EVERYONE TO STAY HEALTHY.

SO THE EAST ORANGE SENIOR IS MAKING SURE SHE GETS HER COVID VACCINE BOOSTER SHOT.

>> I WANT TO BE SAFE.

I THINK WE ALL SHOULD TRY TO GET THE BOOSTER SHOT.

BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE HOPING TO HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON.

ONE BY ONE SENIORS CAME TO THIS IS EAST ORANGE VACCINATION SITE TO GET THERE BOOSTER SHOT IN TIME FOR THANKSGIVING.

>> WE KNOW OUR SENIORS WERE ONE OF THE FIRST GROUPS TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE THE COVID 19 VACCINE HERE IN THE CITY OF EAST ORANGE.

AND SO BECAUSE WE KNOW IMMUNITY WITHIN OUR SENIOR POPULATION AND ALSO GENERALLY DIMINISHES AFTER A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS FOR J&J IN SIX MONTHS FOR PFIZER AND MODERNA WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE OUR SENIORS HAD A CONVENIENT OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE THE BOOSTER.

WE ARE COMING RIGHT BACK TO OUR SENIOR BUILDING TO PROVIDE THAT.

>> Reporter: EAST ORANGE IS LACKING IN VACCINATION RATES.

JUST 60% OF ADULTS IN THE CITY ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

FOR SENIORS IN EAST ORANGE THAT RATE CLIMBS TO 73%.

BUT STILL FALLS WELL SHORT OF THE OVERALL SENIOR VACCINATION RATE IN OUR STATE, 82%.

>> IT INITIALLY STARTED OFF SLOWLY.

IN THE VERY BEGINNING.

BUT IT PICKED UP GREATLY.

THE PERCENTAGES AND THE RATE OF VACCINATION ENDED UP ACTUALLY PRETTY HIGH.

BUT THE RATE OF BOOSTERS WERE LOW AND THAT IS WHY WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR SENIORS HAD CONVENIENT ACCESS TO THEM.

>> Reporter: AS THANKSGIVING APPROACHES CITY OFFICIALS ARE HOPING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO GET THERE BOOSTER SHOTS WITH THE NEW COVID 19 VACCINATION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

RESIDENCE GETTING THERE BOOSTER WILL GET A $20 GIFT CARD TO WALMART ALONG WITH A HOLIDAY FOOD BOX.

AND FOR THOSE GETTING THEIR FIRST OR SECOND DOSE THEY CAN ALSO GET A HOLIDAY FOOD BOX ALONG WITH A $50 CARD FOR AMAZON.

>> THIS HOLIDAY SEASON A GIFT CARD A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD OR WALMART GIFT CARD WILL GO A LONG WAY.

WE JUST WANT TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY.

WHY GETTING VACCINATED IS SUPER IMPORTANT.

I FEEL LIKE IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET VACCINATED ESPECIALLY HERE IN ELDERLY SHELTER.

IT IS EASY TO CONTRACT THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO HURT THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR OUR SENIORS TO GET THE BOOSTER SHOT.

ESPECIALLY IF THEY ALREADY TOOK THE FIRST TWO SHOTS.

HERE IS THE THIRD SHOT, THE BOOSTER.

TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK AT OUR NUMBER COUNT NOT ONLY WOULD OUR SENIORS BUT ALSO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ALSO OUR TEENAGERS THAT ARE HERE.

JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THIS IS SUCH IMPORTANT VACCINATION IS SUCH IMPORTANT INITIATIVE IN TERMS OF THE BOOSTER.

SO THAT WAY HERE ARE NUMBERS CAN DROP DRASTICALLY.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW BOOSTER SHOTS ARE BEING OFFERED AT VARIOUS SENIOR CENTERS ACROSS EAST ORANGE BY APPOINTMENT ARE ONLY.

THE OFFENSIVES CONTINUE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST OFFICIALS SAY THEY HOPE MORE RESIDENTS WILL CONTINUE TO GET THERE BOOSTER.

SO EVERYONE CAN BE SAFE.>>> AS MANY OF US PREPARE TO TRAVEL TO REUNITE WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE STATE HAS RELEASED TRAVELING DATA ON SCHOOL COVID CASES WHICH ARE ONCE AGAIN ON THE RISE.

NEARLY 23,000 COVID INFECTIONS HAVE BEEN REPORTED SINCE THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND T 12 SCHOOLS AND 3 1/2% OF STUDENTS HAVE HAD TO MISS SCHOOL FOR COVID RELATED REASONS.

THAT IS ALL BASED ON DATA REPORTED FROM ABOUT 60% OF THE STATES PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AMONG THOSE SAME SCHOOLS MORE THAN 85% OF TEACHERS ARE VACCINATED.

BUT THE RATE OF VACCINATION AMONG SCHOOL-AGE KIDS CONTINUES TO BE MUCH LOWER.

LEAVING MANY SCHOOLS ON EDGE.

I SPOKE WITH HEALTHCARE PROVIDER -- EARLIER TODAY ABOUT THE TRENDS AT SCHOOLS THAT IN TURN CAN MEAN A SURGE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AS FAMILIES GATHER FOR THE HOLIDAYS.>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE KNOW THE NUMBERS ARE ON THE RISE AGAIN.

BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE CALLS TO SKIP THANKSGIVING LIKE WE DID LAST YEAR.

WHY IS THAT?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I THINK IN ONE WORD IT IS VACCINES.

THE REASON THAT WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SPIKES WE HAVE A MORE TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT AND DELTA NOW.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COVID.

THE REASON WE ARE NOT SEEING THOSE SPIKES IS BECAUSE OF THE VACCINE.

THE 70+ PERCENT OF NEW JERSEYANS THAT ARE NOW VACCINATED.

ELIGIBLE NEW JERSEYANS.

BUT THAT SAID, WE DO HEAR SOME AS GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THE OTHER DAY, IF YOU ARE VACCINATED HAVE AT IT.

GO CRAZY.

JUST NOT IN THE CAR.

BUT IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED, THAT CHANGES THE GAME.

IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED OR IF YOU'RE GATHERING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED YOU REALLY NEED TO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE PRECAUTIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN USING FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW.

THE MASKING HANDWASHING, THE TESTING, THE STAYING HOME WHEN YOU ARE SICK.

ALL THE STUFF WE ARE GETTING TIRED OF HEARING BUT STILL MATTERS.

>> AND WHAT IS THE GUIDANCE WE'RE GETTING FROM HEALTH AUTHORITIES REGARDING HOLIDAY TRAVEL AND GATHERINGS?

>> ABOUT THE GENERAL PRECAUTIONS, BUT ALSO GET YOUR BOOSTER.

IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE WHICH IS NOW EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN VACCINATED OVER AGE 18 OR 18 AND OVER.

INCLUDING 18-YEAR-OLDS.

WHO HAVE THE MODERNA OR PFIZER SHOT AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AGO.

EVERYONE WITH JOHNSON AND JOHNSON WHO HAD IT AT LEAST TWO MONTHS AGO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BOOSTERS.

SO PEOPLE SHOULD GET THOSE.

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED YET THEY URGE YOU TO GET VACCINATED.

THERE IS SORT OF A TWO OR THREE WEEK PERIOD BEFORE YOU REALLY GET THAT MAXIMUM PROTECTION.

HANUKKAH CHRISTMAS KWANZAA WE HAVE OTHER HOLIDAYS COMING.

NEW YEAR'S.

THERE IS PLENTY OF CELEBRATING STILL TO BE DONE.

SO GET VACCINATED IF YOU HAVEN'T.

>> YOU KIND OF TOUCH ON THIS BUT HOW IMPORTANT ARE BOOSTERS AMID THIS ARISE?

>> THERE HAS BEEN CLEARLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS GETTING THAT FIRST SHOT.

BUT BOOSTERS ARE IMPORTANT.

THE REASON IS THESE VACCINES ARE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE AT KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL AND KEEPING THEM FROM DYING FROM COVID.

BUT WHEN THEY START TO WEAR OFF A LITTLE BIT, THEN YOU CAN STILL HAVE THAT SPREAD.

WE CAN STILL GET INFECTED IF WE ARE VACCINATED.

AND PASS THAT ALONG.

THAT IS WHERE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TRYING TO STOP OR AND THIS PANDEMIC OR CREATE A MORE MANAGEABLE SITUATION, THAT IS ABOUT GETTING THAT KEEPING THAT INFECTION RATE DOWN.

AND THAT IS WHERE BOOSTERS COME INTO PLAY.

>> ARE WE SEEING THE PUBLIC RESPONSE AND EMBRACE BOOSTERS?

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WAS AN UPTICK.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS HAS DONE REPORTING OF OUR OWN WHERE WE TALK TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN OUT THERE GETTING BOOSTERS AND SPECIFICALLY TO TRAVEL.

BUT UPTICK IS STILL NOT WHAT GOVERNOR MURPHY AND OFFICIALS WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US AND SPEAKING TO US AND GIVING US ALL THAT GREAT INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

>>> A BILL THAT WOULD GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO ABORTION AND STATE LAW IS ONCE AGAIN FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS SAID PASSING THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT WAS ONE OF HIS TOP POSTELECTION PRIORITIES.

BUT IT STILL HASN'T GOTTEN SO MUCH AS A COMMITTEE HEARING IN TRENTON.

OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT REPORTS.

>> Reporter: YOU WOULD THINK THE DEBATE OVER THE REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT IN NEW JERSEY WOULD FOLLOW THE EXPECTED PRO-ABORTION RIGHTS AND ANTI-ABORTION-RIGHTS POSITIONS.

OF COURSE THEY DO.

-- NEW JERSEY RIGHTS TO LIFE SAID SHE AND HER ALLIES ARE INTENSIFYING THEIR EFFORTS AGAINST THE BILL.

>> IS THIS MORE ABOUT THIS BILL OR IS IT ABOUT OPPOSITION TO THE PROCEDURE ENTIRELY?

>> THE BUILD IS VERY EXTREME.

THERE ARE NO LIMITS ON ABORTION WHATSOEVER IN THIS BILL.

IT ALLOWS THE ABORTIONS THE ENTIRE NINE MONTHS OF PREGNANCY.

IT EVEN GOES BEYOND SAYING THAT IT REMOVES PROSECUTION FOR ANYONE WHO IS PREGNANT.

REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE PREGNANCY, THEY WOULD NOT BE PROSECUTED.

>> Reporter: IT CODIFIED INTO LAW THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

THAT IS AT THE CORE.

A HEDGE AGAINST WHAT MANY SEE AS THE STRONGEST THREAT TO ROE V WADE SINCE IT BECAME LAW IN 1973.

BUT THE BILL ALSO EXPANDS ACCESS TO ABORTION FOR MANY FAMILIES BY DOING THINGS LIKE ALLOWING MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS OTHER THAN PHYSICIANS TO PERFORM THE PROCEDURE AND REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO COVER ABORTION AND BIRTH CONTROL.

>> THE EXPANSION OF INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ABORTION SERVICES IN THIS BILL, THAT IS PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL.

HAVING MONEY MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE A RIGHT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO EXERCISE IT?

THAT IS WHAT THIS IS TRYING TO DO.

>> Reporter: THE FACT IS IT HAD MORE THAN TWO DOZEN COSPONSORS WHEN IT WAS INTRODUCED IN OCTOBER OF 2020.

BUT SINCE THEN IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN ABLE TO FIND A WAY INTO A COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA.

AND CERTAINLY SINCE THE SO- CALLED RED WAVE OF A FEW WEEKS AGO IT SEEMS ALONE AS IT HAS EVER BEEN.

MORE THAN TWO DECADES IS INNOCENTLY MEN -- HAS SEEN HIS SHARE OF BILLS LOSE THEIR LUSTER.

>> AND A TRUE BLUE DEMOCRATIC STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY, 1 MILLION MORE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS IT IS A BIT OF A HEAD SCRATCHER AS TO WHY A BILL LIKE THIS WOULD LANGUISH.

IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A BILL THAT AUTOMATICALLY GETS TAKEN UP AUTOMATICALLY GETS POSTED.

BUT HAVING SAT IN THE ASSEMBLY AND SEEING BILLS NOT EXACTLY LIKE THIS BUT SIMILAR, OFTEN FIGHT FOR THE LIGHT OF DAY.

BECAUSE OF DISTRICT CONCERNS THAT MEMBERS HAVE POLITICAL CONCERNS.

IT IS A FRUSTRATING ODDITY OF NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

>> Reporter: THAT APPEARS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS BILL.

THERE IS REAL CONCERN THAT REDISTRICTING COULD CHANGE THE WAY SOME DISTRICTS LOOKED.

AND NOT IN A GOOD WAY FOR DEMOCRATS.

AND THAT RED WAVE REALLY HAS SOME LAWMAKERS LOOKING TO MAKE MORE NEWS ON ECONOMIC ISSUES AND LESS NEWS ON THE SOCIAL FRONT.

BUT THE BILL'S SPONSOR MAJORITY LEADER LORETTO WEINBERG THINKS IT IS STILL A WORTHY EFFORT.

>> HOPEFULLY WE WILL COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

THERE ARE ISSUES AROUND REQUIRING RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS TO PROVIDE INSURANCE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.

THERE ARE ISSUES AROUND CO-PAYS AND SO ON.

I THINK WE WILL COME I THINK THERE ARE EIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS THAT WE CAN MAKE AS WELL AS IN THE ASSEMBLY.

I THINK THE SENATE NEEDS ASSURANCE THAT THE ASSEMBLY IS ALSO A WILLING PARTNER.

WHICH I THINK IS ANOTHER LITTLE COMMUNICATIONS ISSUE.

THAT WE HAVE TO WORK OUT.

>> Reporter: AS FAR AS MUNICATION GOES IF IT IS HAPPENING IT IS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES.

BECAUSE ASIDE FROM SOME REASSURING WORDS ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER, THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER HAS SAID NOTHING ABOUT A COMMITTEE HEARING.

AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT WHO COULD NOT FIND A SPOT FOR THE BILL FOR OVER A YEAR IS NOT COMMENTING ON THE FATE OF THE BILL.

TODAY.

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

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

>>> ALLEGED VICTIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THEODORE McCARRICK MICHAEL REDDING IS CLAIMING THE FORMER CARDINAL AND ARCHBISHOP OF NEWARK ABUSED HIM WHEN HE WAS STUDYING TO BE A PRIEST IN THE NEW WORK ARCHDIOCESE 35 YEARS AGO.>>> IS ONE OF SEVERAL ALLEGATIONS BROUGHT AGAINST McCARRICK OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

AND REDDING IS ONE OF HUNDREDS OF PLAINTIFFS WHO IS TAKING CIVIL ACTION UNDER A NEW JERSEY LAW THAT GAVE SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS A TWO-YEAR WINDOW TO SUE OVER DECADES OLD ALLEGATIONS.

BUT THAT WINDOW IS CLOSING AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

>> IT HAS BEEN TOO MANY YEARS OF JUST NOT SPEAKING OUT.

I FEEL LIKE IT IS THE RIGHT TIME IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT TODAY.

MY STORY AND -- COURAGE TO COME FORWARD.

SO BE IT.

I WANT TO HELP AND BE ABLE TO TELL OTHER PEOPLE STORIES AS WELL.>> THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NEWARK DID NOT ADDRESS A LAWSUIT IS THAT IT TAKES SERIOUSLY ALL ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE.

ADDING THAT THEY REMAINED FULLY COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH SURVIVORS OF ABUSE IN AN ONGOING EFFORT TO RESOLVE ALLEGATIONS OF PAST ABUSE.

McCARRICK WAS DEFROCKED IN 319 AT THE VATICAN DETERMINED HE HAD SEXUALLY ABUSED BOTH ADULTS AND MINORS.

>>> A SIMMERING TENSION BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK OVER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE REGION'S PORTS TOOK IT WAS YESTERDAY.

WHAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HANDING THE GARDEN STATE A VICTORY.

NEW JERSEY WANTS TO DEPOSIT DISSOLVE THE COMMISSION NEARLY 70-YEAR-OLD AGENCY CREATED TO FIGHT ORGANIZED CRIME AT THE PORTS.

NEW JERSEY LEADERS HAVE ARGUED THE AGENCY IS MAKING BUSINESS UNNECESSARILY DIFFICULT AT THE PORTS.

SO STATE LAWMAKERS VOTED TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COMPACT AND 2018.

WITH A PLAN TO HAVE A NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE FILL THE VOID.

YOUR CHALLENGE THE MOVE ARGUING EITHER STATE CAN INDEPENDENTLY DECIDE TO END THEIR ARRANGEMENT.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS DECLINED TO HEAR NEW YORK'S CASE EFFECTIVELY GIVING NEW JERSEY THE VICTORY.

SOME LEGAL EXPERTS SAY NEW YORK CAN STILL PURSUE ANOTHER APPEAL.

WHILE OTHERS WARN THIS MAY SET A PRECEDENT AND FUTURE HIGHER STAKES CASES SUCH AS IF EITHER STATE WANTED TO UNDO THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

LONGER WAIT TIMES AND ON STOCK SHELVES.>>> BECOMING A FAMILIAR SCENE AT STORES IN JERSEY WERE NEARLY 1 MILLION JOB OPENINGS LOANED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

RETAIL SEASONAL HIRING WAS DOWN 9% LAST MONTH APPEAR TO LAST OCTOBER.

JOANNA REPORTS ON THE NEW REALITY THAT HAS LEFT RETAILERS SCRAMBLING TO FIND ANY HELP THEY CAN AS SHOPPERS PREPARE TO CHECK OFF THEIR HOLIDAY GIFT LIST.

>> I CLOSE ONE LOCATION BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: HE COULD NOT FIND A SINGLE WORKER OUTSIDE HIS FAMILY TO STAB HIS CLOTHING BOUTIQUE OASIS IN RIDGEWOOD.

HE STILL HAS HIS MONTCLAIR LOCATION BUT STAFFING HAS BEEN A PROBLEM HERE TOO.

>> IT ALWAYS WAS HARD.

AFTER COVID IT IS HARDER.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO COME TO WORK.

ESPECIALLY THE MILLENNIUM.

THEY WANT TO WORK ONE OR TWO DAYS A WEEK THAT IS ENOUGH FOR THEM.

SOMETHING THEY NEVER SHOW UP FOR WORK.

>> Reporter: CALLS IT GHOSTING AND SAID IT HAPPENS A LOT BUT HEARD NOTHING BUNDT CAKE VAGARY IN WAYNE.

BEYOND STRUGGLING TO HIRE EMPLOYEES SHE IS FEELING THE IMPACTS OF A GLOBAL WORKER SHORTAGE.

>> WE ARE STRUGGLING MAKING SURE WE GET THE RIGHT PRODUCT AND THE RIGHT INGREDIENTS AND BEING ABLE TO STAY IN BUSINESS.

WE SEE IT FROM A PERSONAL STANDPOINT IN THE BAKERY.

AND WE ALSO SEE IT FROM JUST THE GLOBAL SHORTAGES WITH OUR DELIVERIES.

>> Reporter: MANY OWNERS ARE WORRIED BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND RECORD STAFF LET ALONE SEASONAL WORKERS TO MEET THE FAST APPROACHING HIGHER HOLIDAY DEMAND.

>> LIKE OTHER INDUSTRIES RETAILERS ARE FACING A NATIONWIDE LABOR SHORTAGE.

IN FACT WE HAD OVER 1 MILLION OPENINGS IN THE MOST RECENT RELEASE BY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

EVEN IF WE EMPLOYED EVERYBODY THAT HAS CLAIMED UNEMPLOYMENT, WE WOULD HAVE MANY MORE OPENINGS THAN EVERYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE EMPLOYED AS A RETAIL.

PERSON.

>> Reporter: JET CLIENT SAID BEING UNDERSTAFFED COULD REALLY HELP HURT BUSINESSES PROJECTED TO HAVE RECORD GROWTH THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

OF 8 1/2 TO 10 1/2% FROM LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION PICS.

THIS IS PROBABLY RECORD LEVEL SPENDING THAT IS GOING TO OCCUR.>> BY HOLIDAY CONSUMERS.

LAST YEAR IT WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 8% GROWTH RATE.

>> Reporter: THE TYPICAL GROWTH RATE HAS BEEN ABOUT 4% EACH YEAR.

>> IT IS REALLY A PANDEMIC SYNDROME THAT WE ARE SEEING.

PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF EXCESS CASH AND SAVINGS THEY CAN SUPPLEMENT ALONG WITH HIGHER WAGES.

>> Reporter: THE GROWTH WILL BE GOOD FOR BUSINESSES WHO THOUGHT THEY WOULD NOT SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC.

THAT INCLUDES 41% OF ALL BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES IN NEW JERSEY.

SAYS FOUNDER OF AFRICAN- AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> MANY BUSINESS ARE GOING TO HIT GOALS THEY NEVER THOUGHT WERE ATTAINABLE.

THAT IS A GOOD THING.

WE HAVE A SITUATION NOW -- NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL.

EVERYTHING IS REQUIRED ALL HANDS ON DECK.

SO FOLKS ARE BUSY.

THAT IS A GOOD THING.

UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE SOME INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE NOT GETTING THEIR NEEDS MET IN A TIMELY MANNER.

BECAUSE THE WORKER SHORTAGE.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE FLUSH WITH CASH AND MANY ARE STRUGGLING JUST TO GET BY.

TOO OFTEN THERE ARE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN FORCED OUT OF THE WORKFORCE DUE TO NO CHILDCARE OPTIONS BECAUSE THOSE CHILDCARE BUSINESSES CANNOT FIND WORKERS EITHER.

MICHELLE SAID HIGHER SALARIES AND SIGN-ON BONUSES ARE ONE WAY BUSINESSES ARE TRYING TO FILL THE GAPS.

>> WE SEE MANY GIVING ENHANCE PAY FOR SEASONAL WORK.

THE GOOD THING IS THAT IS A MOMENT IN TIME.

THEY CAN PROBABLY AFFORD TO PAY THAT EXTRA SALARY AND BONUS BECAUSE IT IS FOR ONE TIME.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID IT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE IS A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.

>> IT CAUSES INFLATION.

IT EXACERBATES INFLATION BECAUSE WE HAVE TO INCREASE THE COST OF OUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES.

THEY ARE MORE EXPENSIVE TO DELIVER.

>> WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE USUALLY -- THE HOLIDAY SEASONS WE HAVE TO HIRE OUT.

BUT WE HAVE SOME STUDENTS WHO ARE NOT IN SCHOOL.

THEY COME IN.

THAT HAS BEEN HELPING US OUT.

>> Reporter: RETAILERS SCRAMBLE TO FILL POSITIONS THEY ARE ASKING CUSTOMERS TO BE A LITTLE EXTRA PATIENT.

AS THEY WERE TO MEET HIGHER DEMAND THAN THEY HAVE SEEN IN YEARS.

>>> RUTGERS-CAMDEN FACULTY MEMBERS HAVE ISSUED A NO- CONFIDENCE VOTE FOR RUCKERS CHANCELLOR ANTONIO TILLIS.

HIS DEPUTY CAMPUS PROVOST DANIEL HART.

THE REAR MOVE COMES AMID QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY HOWARD -- THE DEAN OF THE UNIVERSITY'S COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES WAS FIRED.

TILLIS IS AN EXCITING PERSONNEL MATTERS.

FACULTY MEMBERS BELIEVE THE FIRING WAS CONNECTED TO HIS PUBLIC COMMENTS HE MADE CRITICIZING RUTGERS-CAMDEN FOR STRUCTURAL AND CHRONIC UNDERINVESTMENT.

FACULTY SAY THEY HAVE BEEN UNDERPAID COMPARED TO FACULTY ON THE UNIVERSITIES OTHER CAMPUSES.

RUTGERS PRESIDENT JONATHAN HOLLOWAY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE MAY HAVE BEEN MISSTEPS AT THE CAMDEN CAMPUS.

BUT REITERATED HIS REPORT FOR TILLIS.

HIGH GAS PRICES WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING COULD BE GOING DOWN.

AS THE WHITE HOUSE TAKES ACTION TO CURB CAUSE.

RHONDA HAS DETAILS AND THE DAYS TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> LOWER GAS PRICES COULD BE ON THE WAY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED HE WILL TAP INTO THE NATION'S STOCKPILE OF OIL SUPPLIES TO HALT THE RISE IN FUEL PRICES AND SAYS OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE AGREED TO DO THE SAME.>>> OUR COMBINED ACTIONS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF HIGH GAS PRICES OVERNIGHT.

IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

IT WILL TAKE TIME BUT BEFORE LONG YOU SHOULD SEE THE PRICE OF GAS DROP WHERE YOU FILL UP YOUR TANK.

>>> TODAY'S MOVE COMES AS GAS PRICES ARE HOVERING AROUND $3.40 A GALLON.

A SEVEN-YEAR HIGH.

THE ED MINNEY STATION WILL RELEASE 50 MILLION BARRELS OF OIL FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE.

>>> BUSINESS CONTINUES TO REBOUND AT ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS.

GROSS OPERATING PROFITS MORE THAN DOUBLED AT THE CITY'S NINE CASINOS.

DURING THE MONTHS OF JULY AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

THE STATE DIVISION GAMING ENFORCEMENT SAID THE COLLECTIVE PROFIT TOTALED $310 MILLION.

A YEAR AGO PROFITS WERE SQUEEZED AS THE CASINOS DEALT WITH PANDEMIC RELATED RESTRICTIONS.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER REASON FOR THE HIGHER PROFITS.

CASINOS ARE NOW OPERATING WITH FEWER WORKERS.

JANE DIRECTOR AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY LEVINSON INSTITUTE SAID THAT RAISES THE QUESTION OF FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AT THE CASINOS.

WITH THE POSSIBILITY THAT SOME OPEN JOBS WILL ULTIMATELY BE ELIMINATED.

>> ONE OF THE CASINOS IS APPLAUDING THE WORK OF ITS EMPLOYEES AS IT MARKS A MILESTONE.

THE TROPICANA IS CELEBRATING ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY AND TODAY GAVE A SHOUT OUT TO ITS TEAM SANG MUCH OF ITS SUCCESS IS DUE TO THE SERVICE ITS WORKERS DELIVERED TO GUESTS.

54 OF ITS EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN THERE SINCE THE BEGINNING BACK IN 1981.

>>> OHIO JURY IS HOLDING PHARMACIES RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ROLE IN THE NATION'S OPIOID CRISIS.

THE JURY FOUND THREE RETAIL CHAINS RECKLESSLY DISTRIBUTED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PAIN PILLS AND TO OHIO COUNTIES AND BLAMED THEM FOR NOT STOPPING THE FLOW OF PILLS THAT COST HUNDREDS OF OVERDOSE DEATHS.

RETAIL CHAIN CVS WALGREENS AND WALMART ARGUED IT WAS THE DOCTORS WHO CONTROLLED HOW MANY PILLS WERE PRESCRIBED.>>> A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM.

DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE NJ TIA.ORG.

AND BY JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS HALL OF FAME.

A VIRTUAL EVENT ON DECEMBER 9th AT SIX P.M. FOR MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT JEA MJ.ORG.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE LATEST.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

GOOD NIGHT.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS RATE FOR EVERY CHILD.>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> AND THE OCEAN RAIN PROJECT.

BY ORSTED.

NAS AG.

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

>>>