>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY 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 ROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL TATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM .

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> AT EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AND BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE THANKSGIVING TRAVEL RUSH IS IN THE SWING WITH PASSENGERS ON PLANES AND TRAINS EXPECTED TO RETURNED TO NEAR PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

AAA PROJECTS 1.5 MILLION NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WILL TRAVEL 50 MILES OR MORE OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

THAT'S ABOUT A 2% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.

THE MAJORITY DRIVING TO HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS.

PACK YOUR PATIENCE IF YOU ARE ON THE ROADS.

THE SCHEDULES BROUGHT ON BY THE PANDEMIC MAY CHANGE WHEN WE SEE CROWDS WITH SO MANY PEOPLE'S STILL WORKING HYBRID SCHEDULES.

TRANSPORTATION EXPERTS ANTICIPATE THE RUSH TO BE SPREAD OUT .

TRIPS STARTING EARLIER AND EXTENDING THE ON THE WEEKEND.

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL, BUSY, CONGESTED TIME OF THE YEAR.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> Reporter: HECTIC DAY AND THE TRAVEL OVER THE SUMMER, HEARING STORIES OF FLIGHTS BEING CANCELED AND DELAYED.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST TRAVEL DAYS OF THE YEAR.

>> THE ADVICE HAS BEEN ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS.

>> Reporter: HECTIC AND EXPENSIVE IS WHAT I HEARD CONSISTENTLY FROM PASSENGERS AT NEWARK AIRPORT READ OF THE 55 MILLION AMERICANS EXPECTED TO TRAVEL WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, 6.3 MILLION WILL BE TRAVELING THROUGH NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

ACCORDING TO THE COURT AUTHORITY.

EXPERTS SAY IT IS NOT JUST BUSY.

>> ESTIMATED THAT AIRFARES ARE BETWEEN 43% AND 46% HIGHER THAN THEY WERE IN YEARS PAST.

THAT'S A HUGE INCREASE.

A BIG REASON WHY PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING AND WE HAVE SEEN THIS IN RESEARCH -- WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN NOW BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN THE FUTURE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHEN SOMETHING MAY ONCE AGAIN RESTRICT OUR ABILITY TO TRAVEL.

>> HAVING A TIGHTER BUDGET THIS YEAR.

THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME NORMALCY AND ENJOYING THE HOLIDAY SEASON AFTER TWO HOLIDAYS WERE MARKED BY COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

>> SEEING EVERYBODY NOT WORRYING ABOUT A MASK MADE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE.

MADE ME FEEL LIKE THESE ARE BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS NOT BACK TO NORMAL IS THE PRICE AT THE PUMP.

THE SENIOR MANAGER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR AAA NORTHEAST SAYS THAT WHILE DRIVING REMAINS THE MOST OPULENT FORM OF TRAVEL, AND ALSO REMAINS A PRICEY FORM OF TRAVEL.

>> NEW JERSEY IS UP $3.77 PER GALLON.

LAST TIME, WE WERE AT $3.45 PER GALLON.

NONE OF THESE PRICES ARE NOT AS CHEAP AS LAST YEAR.

IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM AT THOSE PRICES BE CONSIDERED CHEAP.

DRIVING IS STILL THE MOST POPULAR FORM OF TRAVEL.

ABOUT 89% TRAVEL WILL DRIVE TO THEIR DESTINATIONS.

WHAT IS ALSO VERY INTERESTING IS THE FACT THAT NEW YORK CITY IS THE TOP FOR .

THEY HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING TO THE CITY.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE LEAVING.

TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE BUSY IN BOTH DIRECTIONS NO MATTER WHICH ROAD YOU MIGHT TAKE >> Reporter: DRIVERS I SPOKE WITH AT THE REST STOP HAD MIXED REACTIONS ABOUT THE ROADS.

>> COMING FROM QUEENS, TO D.C. >> WOULD'VE THE ROADS BEEN LIKE?

>> CLEAR SO FAR.

A LITTLE BIT OF TRAFFIC IN MANHATTAN, BUT NOT BAD.

>> THEY WERE CLEANING LEAVES OFF THE PARKWAY .

WHICH IS THE WRONG WAY TO DO IT.

>> I WAS CONCERNED.

I THOUGHT FOR SURE COMING ACROSS THE GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE THEY WOULD BE TRAFFIC, BUT IT WAS CLEAR.

MIGHT BE PANICKING.

NOT PANICKING NOW , I'M OKAY.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY.

JUST WANT TO GET BACK RID >> MAKING SURE THAT YOU PREPARE, NOT PANIC, IS KEY.

>> ESPECIALLY FOR DRIVERS, WE ARE ANTICIPATING OVER HUNDRED 11,000 BREAKDOWNS.

THAT'S JUST AAA MEMBERS.

FROM WEDNESDAY, TODAY, THROUGH SUNDAY.

THE TOP ITEMS WE WILL GET CALLS TO OUR TIRES AND DEAD BATTERIES.

VERY SIMPLY, MAKE SURE YOUR TIRES ARE PROPERLY INFLATED.

>> OR THOSE WHO MAY BE FLYING, THE PORT AUTHORITY ORGANIZES YOU TO ARRIVE TWO OR THREE HOURS PRIOR TO A FLIGHT.

AND TO EXPECT LONGER LINES AT CHECKPOINTS.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE IS ONE OF THE MOST HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL YOUR LONG.

IT ONE REASON TRENT ROTATION OFFICIALS IN THIS DATE ARE PROPOSING A MASSIVE WIDENING PROJECT READ ADVOCATE THEY IT WOULD ALLEVIATE TRAFFIC CONGESTION AND A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS THAT COME WITH IT THE PRICE TAG TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT IS BALLOONING .

SOME EXPERTS SAY IT COULD ENCOURAGE MORE CAR USE, ALL AT THE EXPENSE OF PUBLIC TRANSIT.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> NEARLY 700 DEATHS ON NEW JERSEY ROADS LAST YEAR.

THE TURNPIKE , MANY PEOPLE KNOW IT IS NOT A SAFE ROAD.

DOES NOT GET MORE DANGEROUS.

>> JENSEN NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE AUTHORITY'S $10.7 BILLION PLAN TO EXPAND THE TURNPIKE TO AND FROM THE HOLLAND TUNNEL.

>> PREPARING AND WIDENING THE HIGHWAY , BUILDING AN ENTIRELY NEW HIGHWAY NEXT TO THE EXISTING ONE AND TEARING DOWN THE OLD ONE.

THIS IS AN URBAN HIGHWAY THAT PASSES RIGHT THE WINDOWS OF PEOPLE'S HOMES, APARTMENTS, SCHOOLS, PARKS .

ONE BLOCK FROM HERE.

CHILDREN OF ALL AGES , NOT PLEASANT STANDING HERE.

ALL THE TRUCK EXHAUST EXHAUST FROM THE CARS.

THE BRAKE DUST, THE CAR DUST.

IT'S A DISASTER.

>> EVEN MORE FRUSTRATION SINCE THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY RECENTLY MORE THAN DOUBLED THE COST.

$4.7 BILLION ESTIMATE GIVEN IN 2017.

THE AGENT DECIDING INFLATION AND RISING INTEREST RATES WITH A STARK JUMP.

>> NOT ACCURATE.

4.7 BILLION IN 2017.

INFLATION LEADS TO 5.7 BILLION.

NOT IN .7 BILLION.

1 BILLION HERE, 1 BILLION THERE, AND IT HURTS TO ADD UP TO REAL MONEY.

THIS IS A MOMENT WHEN THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT IS RAISING PRICES.

NEED TO FIND MORE WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO GET AROUND NEW JERSEY WITHOUT HAVING TO GET INTO A CAR.

>> Reporter: THAT MEANS HOPPING ON A BIKE TO COMMUTE, WHICH SHE SAYS CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

JUST ONE OF THE ISSUES MORGAN IS FACING AFTER LIVING IN THE AREA FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS.

>> HAVE DEVELOPED ASTHMA SINCE LIVING HERE.

HUDSON COUNTY HAS A F RATING FROM THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION FOR ITS ARC HOLIDAY.

IN ADDITION, THE ROAD VIOLENCE.

MORE CARS, MORE CONGESTION AND CUTTING THROUGH LOCAL ROADS AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO WALK, BIKE , EVEN FOR LOCALS TO DRIVE.

>> IT'S A FAILED STRATEGY.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RESEARCH, TYO TRANSPORT POLICY INSTITUTE.

FROM HIS STUDIES, THEY WILL ONLY LEAD TO MORE CONGESTION IN THE FUTURE.

>> STANDARD I WAS BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK .

THE HIGHWAY GETS BIGGER.

MORE PEOPLE NOW COMMUTING BY CAR.

THE SURFACE STREETS ARE GOING TO HAVE WORSE.

DUMPING MORE TRAFFIC ONTO THE SURFACE STREETS.

>> ANYBODY WHO LOOKS AT THIS PROJECT REALLY REALIZES IT IS SUCH A BAD IDEA.

THE ONLY ONES IN FAVOR OF THIS ARE THE SPECIAL INTERESTS, THE ONES WHO WOULD BENEFIT FINANCIALLY FROM IT.

NO ONE ELSE WANTS IT.

THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN USE THAT $10 BILLION TO MAKE THE LIVES OF ALL NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS BETTER.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE AUTHORITY SAYS IT'S ESTIMATED THAT THE COST COULD CHANGE AGAIN AS SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES NORMALIZED IN THE MEANTIME, CRITICS ARE ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS OVER THE PROJECT.

HOPING TO INVEST IN OTHER FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION THAT THEY SAY ARE SAFER AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE-COOPER.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE THE SITUATION AT A BELEAGUERED RUN NURSING HOME IS NOT GETTING MUCH BETTER.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY ON TUESDAY DISPATCHED A MISSION CRITICAL TEAM TO THE VETERANS MEMORIAL HOME AFTER A FEDERAL INSPECTION UNCOVERED ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH INFECTION CONTROL, SAFETY VIOLATIONS , AND ABUSE.

ACCORDING TO STATE DATA, 22 OF THE HOMES RESIDENTS ARE INFECTED WITH COVID-19.

THE HOME HAS HAD AN ACTIVE OUTBREAK FOR ROUGHLY A YEAR.

THE FACILITY HAS THREE COVID CASES.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, AUTHORITIES INTEND TO CUT MENLO PARK OFFER FROM FEDERAL FUNDING INCLUDING MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PAYMENTS AFTER INSPECTION REPORTS SAID RESIDENTS WERE IN,, IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY .

HAD SOME OF THE HIGHEST COVID RELATED DEATH TOLLS IN THE NATION DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THREE-MEMBER EMERGENCY STRIKE TEAM WILL SPAN AT LEAST ONE MONTH AT THE PARK WORKING WITH STAFF AND LEADERSHIP.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS EXTENDING THE FREEZE ON STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS .

A PANDEMIC-ERA POLICY THAT BEGAN MARCH 2020 TWO HELP PEOPLE STRUGGLING TO MAKE THEIR PAYMENTS.

THE LATEST OZ WAS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE JANUARY 1st , BUT COULD NOW STRETCH UNTIL US LATEST JUNE 2023.

ALL AS A LARGER STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS PLAN BY THE WHITE HOUSE REMAINS TIED UP IN COURT.

BEVERLY BROWN IS THE FINANCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM DIRECTOR AT NEW JERSEY ACTION AND IS JOINING ME TO HELP US EXPLAIN WHAT THIS MEANS FOR MILLIONS OF BORROWERS.

HELLO.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WE KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS APPLIED FOR THIS.

I IMAGINE THIS IS GOOD NEWS TO THOSE PEOPLE WERE HOPING TO NOT HAVE TO MAKE THOSE PAYMENTS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

>> THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

THIS MEANS FOR STRUGGLING STUDENTS ON BORROWERS, IT WILL HELP THEM KEEP FOOD ON THE TABLE DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND ALSO GIVE THEM TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THEIR AFFAIRS IN ORDER WHEN THE REPAYMENT DOES START OUT IN JUNE.

THE QUESTION MEANS FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN REPAYMENTS THAT WERE PAUSED WILL CONTINUE TO BE PAUSED UNTIL JUNE.

DURING THAT TIME , THESE BORROWERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THE BROADER CANCELLATION INITIATED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN THAT IS NOW CAUGHT UP IN THE COURT.

WITH THIS EXTENSION , THAT WILL MEAN THESE BORROWERS HAVE THE TIME TO APPLY.

EVERYTHING IS WORKED OUT IN THE COURTS.

THEY MAY HAVE THEIR LOANS FORGIVEN.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WOULD BE IMPACTED?

>> THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY HAS APPROXIMATELY OVER 1 MILLION STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS WITH ANYWHERE FROM $25-$30,000 WORTH OF DEBT .

POTENTIALLY , MOST OF THOSE BORROWERS COULD APPLY FOR THE 10 , AND A GOOD PORTION OF THEM COULD APPLY FOR THE $20,000 RELIEF THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS INITIATED.

IT COULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON THE NUMBER OF BORROWERS IN NEW JERSEY OVERALL.

AND AS I SAID, IN COMBINATION WITH SOME OF THE OTHER RELIEF PROGRAMS, TALKING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYANS WHO COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS PROGRAM.

>> THERE IS AN ARGUMENT THAT WHEN THIS POLICY WAS PUT INTO PLACE, FOLKS DID NOT KNOW WHAT IT WOULD BE .

JUST STARTING IN THE PANDEMIC.

IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

WE ARE NOT ANYMORE .

I'M ON THE LITIGATION THAT IS PLAYING OUT, THAT IS ONE OF THE THREADS IN THERE.

HOW DO FOLKS LIKE YOURSELF WHO HAVE WORKED IN THIS BASE COUNTER THAT?

>> FIRST OF ALL, THE STUDENT LOAN DEBT CRISIS IS OF A MAGNITUDE THAT I WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON GENERATIONS TO COME.

THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION HAS SKYROCKETED IN THE LAST 30 YEARS.

DIDN'T SO NOT ONLY PAYING CONSERVATIVE AMOUNTS FOR TUITION TO BEGIN WITH.

THE WAY THE SYSTEM IS STRUCTURED, MANY OF THEM ALREADY PAID BACK THE PRINCIPAL THEY BORROWED AND THE INTEREST IS GOING TO LEAVE THEM IN DEBT FOR PERPETUITY.

THAT HAS A HUGE IMPACT, NOT ONLY ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIVES.

AND ON OUR ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

WE HAVE DIVESTED THEM HER EDUCATION AND WE ARE PAYING FOR IT BY HAVING A WORK HORSE THAT IS CRIPPLED WITH DEBT.

THESE BORROWERS ARE OFTEN NOT ABLE TO BUY HOMES.

THEY ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE ECONOMY IN A WAY THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE OTHERWISE.

THIS IS REALLY ABOUT AN INVESTMENT IN OUR SOCIETY, AND OUR WORKFORCE, AND PROVIDING A GREAT PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY FOR SO MANY YEARS.

>> NEW JERSEY CITIZEN ACTION.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> IN QUEUE AND HAPPY THANKS GIVING TO YOU.

>> HAPPY THANKS GIVING TO YOU, AS WELL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> OUR SPOTLIGHT ON HIS THIS REPORT TONIGHT.

THE HOUSING MARKET IS HITTING ANOTHER SPEEDBUMP , ADDING TO GROWING CONCERNS ABOUT A POTENTIAL CRASH THE LATEST MONTHLY REPORT FROM NEW JERSEY REALTORS SHOWS EXISTING HOME SALES DROPPED NATIONWIDE FOR THE EIGHTH MONTH IN A ROW .

ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, THAT IS A 24% LINE FROM THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

BETWEEN INFLATION AND SKYHIGH MORTGAGE RATES, THE REPORT SAYS AFFORDABILITY IS THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE FOR BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS.

IT'S NOT ALL BAD, THOUGH.

THE QUESTION IS, WHERE DOES THE MARKET GO FROM HERE?

PRESIDENT OF NEW JERSEY REALTORS HAS SOME THOUGHTS ON THAT.

ROBERT, THANK YOU FOR JOINING THE SHOW.

I THINK WHEN FOLKS LOOK AT NUMBERS LIKE THESE, THEY WONDER, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

WHAT IS THE SHIFT?

WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?

>> YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST THAT.

IT IS JUST A SHIFT IN THE MARKET .

WE DID NOT SEE THE ANTICIPATED INVENTORY, NEW INVENTORY COME TO MARKET AS EVERYBODY.

DID.

THE INVENTORY IS STILL VERY, VERY LOW.

AGAIN A LOT OF FORECASTERS SEEM TRIPLE THREATS REPORTED ON THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE JUST DID NOT SEE IT.

THAT COMBINED WITH RISING INTEREST RATES THAT WE SAW THROUGHOUT THE YEAR , DID NOT NECESSARILY TAKE MANY BUYERS OUT OF MARKET .

BECAUSE WE DID NOT SEE THE INVENTORY, THE NUMBERS ARE REALLY JUST STARTING TO SHIFT DOWNWARD.

WE ARE STILL SEEING MULTIPLE OFFERS.

WE ARE STILL SEEING CLOSE TO SALES PRICE VERSUS LIST PRICE.

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 98 AND 101% OF THE LIST PRICE.

SO THE PRICES ARE STILL HOLDING STRONG.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF, YOU KNOW, THERE IS FEWER BUYERS BECAUSE OF INTEREST RATES BUT A LOT LESS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF INVENTORY.

>> THE INVENTORY ISSUE.

SHOULD WE PREPARE FOR A PRICE CORRECTION IN THE FUTURE?

I KNOW YOU ARE SAYING THAT THERE ARE NO MULTIPLE OFFERS COMING IN FOR THE SALES.

BUT IT'S NOT LIKE THE BIDDING WARS THAT WE SAW DURING THE HEIGHT .

>> REAL ESTATE IS VERY LOCAL.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT FROM A STATE PERSPECTIVE, YOU ARE ALREADY STARTING TO SEE PRICE CORRECTIONS.

IN SOME OF THE LOCAL MARKETS, MAYBE NOT YET READ IN OTHER MARKETS, YOU ARE .

WE ARE SEEING AVERAGE DAYS ON MARKET INCREASING PRETTY MUCH ACROSS THE STATE.

ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 5 PERCENT.

WHAT USED TO SELL IN 5 TO 7 DAYS , IF PRICED CORRECTLY, MAY TAKE 12 TO 15 DAYS.

>> WHO IS HIT HARDEST?

IS IT STILL FIRST TIME BUYERS, ROBERT?

STARTED AT 3.5.

NOW WE ARE AT HEAVEN.

7.25.

THE AMAZING THING ABOUT THAT IS THAT WE DID NOT THE MANY OF THOSE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS , THEY ARE STILL OUT THERE.

AS LONG AS IT'S WITHIN THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS, THEY'RE DOING IT.

>> ARE WE AT THE BEGINNING OF A MARKET DOWNTURN?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE, BASED ON THE ANIMUS , I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE INVENTORY COME IN AND TO SEE INTEREST RATES FOLLOW THE END OF 2022 INTO THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2023.

I THINK THOSE MOVE UP BUYERS AND THE DOWNSIZE ERRS , WE WILL SEE THAT INVENTORY HIT THE MARKET ON THE FIRST QUARTER AND BEYOND WITH 2023.

I THINK THE BUYERS WILL STILL BE OUT THERE.

YOU WILL SEE MORE BECAUSE THE INTEREST RATES WILL DROP.

>> GOOD NEWS TO HANG ONTO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> ON WALL STREET, HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW TRADING NUMBERS TODAY .

NUMBERS FOR THE THINGS HOLIDAY.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT DIVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP WATER FLOWING.

ONLINE ADS NEWJERSEYAN.COM >>> FAMILIES ARE PREPPING FOR A HOLIDAY FEAST.

PLENTY MORE DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WILL BE ABLE TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE AT ALL.

RISING RENT COST, FOOD COST , AND INFLATION, FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE STATE ARE GEARING UP FOR A BUSY HOLIDAY SEASON TO MAKE SURE NO NEW JERSEY FAMILY GOES WITHOUT TED GOLDBERG HAS THE STORY.

>> WITH THANKSGIVING MERE HOURS AWAY, THE PHONE CLAIRE SALVATION ARMY IS DELIVERING 210 TICKET EMAILS AROUND ESSEX COUNTY.

>> THEY SAY THE NEED FOR FOOD HAS BECOME MUCH GREATER , THANKS, IN PART, TO INFLATION.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE WHO GO INTO THAT WITH A SURPLUS, THEY LOSE SOME OF THEIR SURPLUS.

BUT WHAT IF YOU DON'T GO INTO IT WITH ACER US?

SUDDENLY YOU FIND YOURSELF IN NEED AND YOU CUT BACK SOMEWHERE, WHETHER ON FOOD, TOYS AT CHRISTMAS FOR YOUR KIDS.

>> THE SALVATION ARMY IS NOT JUST DELIVERING AND SKIPPING MEALS.

THEY ARE ALSO SERVING THEM TOMORROW AND THINGS EVERY DAY.

THIS LOCATION IS PLANNING TO SERVER AND 400 PEOPLE.

VOLUNTEERS TELL ME IT HAS BEEN A GREAT EXPERIENCE SO FAR TO GET ALL THIS FOOD READY TO GO.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY REWARDING.

I LOVE DOING THIS.

MY MOM RAN A SOUP KITCHEN FOR MANY YEARS.

I AM FAMILIAR WITH WORK LIKE THIS AND I LOVE IT.

IT'S SO MUCH FUN AND GRATIFYING TO BE ABLE TO HELP PEOPLE.

>> PEOPLE LIKE PAUL.

>> WHATEVER WE HAVE.

IT'S JUST GREAT TO SEE EVERYONE AND GREAT TO SEE THE OTHERS, YOU KNOW.

>> Reporter: HE LIVES NEARBY AND HAS BEEN COMING TO THESE DINNERS FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.

HE WAS HAPPY TO SEE OLD FRIENDS AND MAYBE MAKE SOME NEW ONES >> A LOT OF ROOMS IN THE BUILDING HAVE FAMILIES.

GRANDCHILDREN AND ALL THAT STUFF BUT THERE ARE SUCH AND SUCH YEARS WHERE EVERYBODY MOVED OUT OF STATE OR PASSED ON, SO , YOU KNOW, I DON'T REALLY SEE THEM.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN A BUSY TWO WEEKS OR FOOD DONATIONS IN NEW JERSEY.

OREGON COUNTY COMMISSIONER OVERSAW 75 THOUSAND POUNDS OF PRODUCE BEING DISTRIBUTED TO LOCAL FOOD BANKS.

>> POTATOES, ONIONS, SQUASH, CAB'S.

EVERYTHING THAT CAN MAKE THE SIDES OF A WONDERFUL, DELICIOUS MEAL.

>> Reporter: SAYS IT WILL HELP FEED A LOT OF HUNGRY FAMILIES.

>> EVERY SINGLE DAY, RIGHT NOW, WE ARE SEEING SUCH SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE NETWORK.

A TIME WHERE BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT MEAL TOGETHER AS A FAMILY IS SO CRITICAL THIS WILL ENABLE FAMILIES WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> SUPPORTING THEM AND MAKING SURE WE GET SOME OF JERSEYS BEST INTO THE HANDS OF OUR NEIGHBORS THIS THANKSGIVING AND YEAR-ROUND.

HERE IN THE COUNTY , IT'S AN AREA OF HIGH NEED.

WE ARE WORKING TO HAVE STRONG PARTNERS LIKE THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR AND THE TEAM OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HELP US.

>> Reporter: JUST LIKE IN MONTCLAIR, OREGON COUNTY HAS A GROWING NEED FOR FOOD.

>> ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE WHO DO NOT KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.

THAT IS STILL AT PANDEMIC PEAK LEVELS.

>> EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK, THERE'S PEOPLE PULLING INTO THE BUILDING, GETTING THEIR FOOD FROM A FOOD BANK.

IT'S BEEN PRETTY OVERWHELMING.

>> HE WAS THRILLED TO ADD MORE DONATED TO TO THE J FCS FOOD BANK.

>> NOBODY'S GOING TO BE GOING HUNGRY.

AT LEAST THE ONES THAT COME TO THE JEWISH CENTER.

I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

>>> WHO DOES NOT LOVE A LITTLE NEW JERSEY SNARK?

TURNS OUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ONE BUT NEW JERSEY IS STANDING HIS GROUND.

SENT A LETTER TO THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION ASKING WHY IT TOLD THE STATE TO TAKE DOWN THE STATE'S SARCASTIC DIGITAL ROAD SAFETY SIGNS.

THE SHORT PHRASES ON DISPLAY ARE MOSTLY CORNY LIKE HOCUS-POCUS, DRIVE WITH FOCUS.

BUT ALSO WITH YOU.

IN SOME CASES, GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR APPS .

OR WE WILL BE BLUNT.

DON'T DRIVE HIGH.

SOME OF THEM AGREE WITH THE DISCUSSION AND REPORT BEING DISTRACTED DUE TO BEING WITH EYES OFF THE ROAD.

BUT SOME SAY THE SIGNS OF POSITIVE RECEPTION.

THEY WANT THEM TO PROVIDE ANY DATA LEADING TO THE DECISION.

THE HEAD OF NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF TRANCE ROTATIONS IS THAT THE TOWN WAS EFFECTIVE, STAYING WITH DRIVERS LONGER THAN THE BLAND LANGUAGE TYPICALLY USED TO REMIND PEOPLE NOT TO DRINK AND DRIVE RID I GUESS THE QUINTESSENTIAL, IN-YOUR-FACE, JERSEY STYLE JUST IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA FORMS .

KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE , THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TONIGHT, BE SAFE AND SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED.

COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH NATIONALS 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.

>>> FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, NEW JERSEY REALTORS HAVE BEEN HELPING CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS LIVE IN SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES, JUST LIKE HERE IN BEAUTIFUL ASBURY PARK, NO MATTER WHAT YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS ARE.

THERE IS A NEW JERSEY REALTOR FOR YOUR.

FIND YOUR REALTOR ONLINE.