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Tonight, a chill sets send.

Cities are opening warming centers as temperatures plunge across the garden state.

Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season that is shorter than normal this year.

Putting extra pressure on small businesses.

>> They have a short window of time to make their sales and often December cells are what carry a small business through the year.

>> Nursing wild animals back to health F they were injured in this month's massive North Jersey forest fire.

>> We had 190 calls the first week, just related to the fire.

I have a great team of rehabers and apprentice rehabers and we were all responding around the clock.

Raven: Devil for a day.

One young hockey tickets a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join the pros.

>> It was a lot of fun.

It was great to meet the guys and to -- also meet the greatest goalie of all time.

Raven: Spotlight news begins right now.

♪ Announcer: From NJ PBS this is "NJ Spotlight News" with Brianna Vannozzi.

Raven: Good evening and thanks for joining us on this Friday night.

I am Raven Santana in for Brianna Vannozzi.

We begin with a few of today's top headlines.

After weeks of unseasonably warm weather, New Jersey is bracing for the cold.

at least 20 counties have issued a code blue with most running into next week.

Temperatures expected to dip down into the 20's overnight with highs only reaching the 30's in some areas this weekend.

Counties issued code blue alert when temperatures are affected to drop below freezing for an extended period.

It allows county governments to work with their emergency management teams to make shelter and resources available for adults experiencing homelessness.

Most of the latest of its on Monday or Tuesday.

Essex County is leaving it in place until December 7.

Hudson County's will run through December 11.

Camden County representatives also remind residents to keep pets indoors and provide warm shelter.

If you or someone you know is in need of shelter, call 211, go to the New Jersey 211 website or contact your local county representatives.

The new Republic school district is under fire for breaking the rules when it comes to spending taxpayer money.

According to a new investigation by the state Department of Education, the district hosted a staff fun day for office administrators, staff and their kids back in June but used more than $33,000 in state aid to do so.

Included a DJ, carnival booth and police and fire presented.

The Department of Education says Newark schools must now pay back that $33,000 that was misused for the party.

According to the investigation, the money used did not fall in line with state regulations which say state aid can only be used for district sponsored events if the event "clearly aligned with the district's goals and objectives."

Representatives argued it did fall in line with their stated goal of culture and teambuilding but state investigators disagreed, saying the event lacked educational and professional development content or any activities surrounding the district's future plans.

Rutgers says it is ready to get the search underway for its next president, but they want to hear from you first.

The records Board of Governors announced it has created a presidential search committee that will be cochaired by Amy Towers and Alberto Cotino.

They will hire the search firm to help with the process.

Paul the committee will include 20 members and they plan to host a number of in-person town hall meetings were students and the surrounding community may weigh in.

Those interested can also head to a special presidential search website set up by the school where you can track the search process by the Townhall schedule and complete a survey.

The current president Jonathan Holloway announced a few month ago this would be his final year with plans to leave the position at the end of June.

He was the University's first black president but his tenure was marked by a faculty strike last year and a no-confidence vote by the faculty Senate and student protests calling for the divestment from Israel.

The first public hearing for the search committee is December 3.

The Richard weeks Hall of engineering.

Black Friday traditionally is the day shoppers wait to find the best deals and retailers hope to hit record sales with big bargains.

At the American dream all folks were early to look for serious savings on gifts or maybe a little something for themselves.

The traditional Black Friday experience has been undermined by weeks of so-called pre-Black Friday deals leading up to the big day.

While big sales can stimulate overspending, this holiday shopping season comes with some unique challenges including inflation, looming tariffs and Thanksgiving falling later this year, meaning fewer days to shop for consumers and selling for retailers.

How this impact consumer confidence and spending?

To discuss what the business outlook for the holy season looks like I'm joined by Eileen Keen, state director for the national Federation of Independent businesses.

Thank you for joining me.

>> Thank you for having me.

Raven: We have kicked off the busiest shopping period of the year.

There are five fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

How will this impact this year's holiday shopping?

Eileen: I think it adds to not only the stress for shoppers and consumers but it adds to the stress for small business owners.

They really -- right now small businesses are facing such serious competition from online shopping.

I was out and about a bit this morning.

The crowds at the local Main Street stores just did not seem as great as it has been in other years.

EWe worry about the competition of online shopping.

Raven: That's a great point, because sticking on the topic of competition, we have seen pre-Black Friday deals at least a week before today.

In some cases weeks ahead of time.

These sales can really impact when you think about how shoppers are energized or not.

It takes away the lackluster from that traditional Black Friday kind of deal.

What does that look like for both consumers and retailers as we head into the shopping season?

Eileen: As you stated what the -- we are short five days this year.

Last year there were five Thursdays in November.

It adds to the stress.

I'm going to think about small business owners.

It does really add to their stress, because they have just a short window of time to make their sales.

Remember, often December sales will carry a small business through the new year.

I think there has been some good news on the horizon.

I love that last week Governor Murphy signed into law the permanent outdoor dining.

That is a real boost to Main Streets.

Not only does it help restaurants and other eating establishments, but it adds to the ambience and beauty of Main Street.

It is an attraction.

It is a reminder to go to that local boutique, go to the local florist, shop -- find those small stores and support the small guys.

Raven: There is something different about going in-person and seeing it.

When we think about shopping, whether you are a small business or a big department store, inflation is playing a role in this year's shopping season.

Our retailers adjusting their prices or sales so shoppers can spend more?

What are the trends you are noticing when we think about inflation?

Eileen: When we think about inflation, for the small business owner it is also covering their operational expenses that are rising.

There is limning fears on the horizon.

What will be the effect of tariffs going into 2025?

So, for small business owners it is a matter of working 15 hour days, being in your store, managing your own store.

Yes, you have to come up with those giveaways.

I call them giveaways because there is not necessarily a profit involved but it is what gets the shopper into the store to hopefully make additional purchases.

Raven: You spoke about that competition with the big-box stores and small businesses.

What are small businesses doing to set themselves apart from the group and attract customers?

Eileen: Locally they participate in Main Street, Chamber of Commerce activities, planned events.

Today is Friday and tomorrow is Saturday.

Tree lightings are a big deal.

They are festive.

They are fun.

They get people out but they are also a reminder to shop here.

Don't just sit on your couch at home and shop.

You can be out and about and touching the merchandise and appreciate it and getting in the spirit and beauty of the season.

Raven: Thank you for joining me.

Eileen: Thank you.

Raven: We have got some much-needed rain over the last few days after more than a month of dry weather, which created a firestorm throughout parts of New Jersey.

We reported on the impact those wildfires had on roads and homes, but tonight we are exploring how a wildfire can put wildlife at risk of serious harm .

Brenda Flanagan spoke to workers at the last resort wealth -- wildlife refuge which is been working to support animals impacted by the Jennings Creek Fire.

>> That has been all over because he came of the huge burn.

All four feet burned.

Smoke inhalation.

Brenda: Nancy showed us the grand Hao-ching eight named extra crispy potato, a small burn patient caught up in the very big Jennings Creek Fire that ravaged 5300 acres of forest on the Jersey-New York border.

Rapidly advancing flames drove injured wildlife onto roadsides, into people's backyards.

Folks called Warner who runs the last resort wildlife refuge atop mold mount and West Milford.

>> We had 190 calls the first week.

Just related to the fire.

I have a great team of rehabers and apprentice rehabers and we were responding around the clock.

Brenda: Most animals died of their injuries at the scene.

About 20 made it to last resort where volunteers set up a makeshift emergency burn center of sorts, running IVs and incubators and oxygen chambers in different buildings on the grounds.

>> They were coming in mostly with burns on their feet and bodies.

A lot of smoke and elation issues.

Respiratory issues.

Brenda: Besides extra crispy he was on the mend, there's a possum still recovering after her feet got badly burned.

A skunk that initially needed oxygen and nebulizer treatments.

Injured raccoons and several foxes, including this one that is under a vet's care as his scorched eyes slowly healed.

>> He will probably be released in early spring.

Once he is healed and he can see and he can go hunt, catch my Sandy Fox ends again.

Brenda: Several fire victims will spend the winter healing, getting the strength back.

When it comes time to be released some will be let go here.

The center sits on 86 acres of wilderness.

Warner and her volunteers are fueled by donations and dedication.

She is a trained vet tech, a state license wildlife rehabilitation expert who bought this place four years ago to care for patients like this seven month old Bobcat that arrived starving and covered in tcicks.

She worries about the survivors that escaped to adjacent woods.

>> They need to hibernate or be nested and their homes are gone.

Brenda: She is asking residents to show some grace and patience.

>> Recognize these animals may come into your yards looking for rest or refuge briefly until they move onto the next location.

Put out some water and take your dogs and kids inside and let them have arrest and be kind.

Brenda: Warner plans to open a full-service wildlife hospital serving the whole state up on the mountain.

She has a big property and a bigger heart.

In West Milford, I'm Brenda Flanagan, "NJ Spotlight News."

Raven: After months of debate and hundreds of public comments, the state Department of environment the protection says it has finalized a vehicle access map for warm state forest.

They will begin stripped enforcement of the map soon.

Leaders say they will be 261 total vehicle miles inside the forest, 57 of those are paved state and county roads alongside 28 miles for hunting access.

The remaining 175 miles will be used for maintenance access and law enforcement.

Fines for illegal offloading go to a minimum of $1000.

If you cause damage you could pay up to five times the total cost of that damage.

He received almost 1800 written comments during the public comment period from January to April.

From today to the end of the year, State Park police say they will take an educational approach, teaching illegal off rotors about the new maps and routes.

Beginning January 1, they will begin strict enforcement of those maps.

The new maps and routes will help protect the health of the forest as well as critical plants and wildlife in the area.

One of the state's last remitting Virgin old-growth forests sitting on a patch of land owned and managed by Rutgers University in New Brunswick has been chosen for preservation by the national organization, the old-growth forest network.

The 65 acre stretch of land located in Somerset County is considered a sanctuary of biodiversity supporting hundreds of species of plants, birds and soil microbes.

Joanna Gagis got a tour the forest and has more on how the old-growth forest forms and why it is important to our state.

>> We have the old-growth forest.

We have a series of younger forests.

Joanna: She took us on a walk through one of only a handful of old-growth forest in the state of New Jersey.

This went on by Rutgers University.

As she explains, they working to preserve that forest and grow newer ones around it in areas that used to be agricultural fields.

>> We study have a field, and Oldfield turns into a forest.

This field on the left was abandoned in 1958.

This field was abandoned in the 1960's.

Since then they have been studied how it turns from a cedar -- red Cedar dominated forest to Oak dominated forest.

We can compare that to the old-growth so we know how a field turns back into a forest.

It is called forest succession.

Joanna: What does it mean to be an old-growth forest?

>> It's an older forest.

Typically, some are defined as may be 200 years old.

Maybe even older.

What is unique about Mettler's Woods, it has never been cut.

Is aversion old-growth forest.

-- a virgin old-growth forest.

It has never been cut.

The soil has never been disturbed by plowing or farmland.

Some of these trees in here are close to 300 to 350 years old.

Joanna: It represents what a forest might have looked like when the first European settlers came here and it is a preserve for plants and animals.

It does not happen without caretakers out here managing it.

>> Managing a forest.

I love to think of it like managing a household.

There are different chores you have to do.

At home you have to clean the dryer vent or the gutters.

Here one of the big things to deal with our invasive species.

Multi-floral, Japanese stilt grass, barberry.

We have to cut those out whenever we see them to keep them off the trails.

Especially around the research plots we have to cut them back.

Joanna: The plots are scattered around the 65 acres of old-growth woods, exploring which species will have the greatest chance of survival.

>> This is how forests regenerate.

You will have saplings under the -- maybe this tall or taller, under the canopy growing very slowly in the shade.

As soon as the canopy gap opens, a tree dies and there's lots of sunlight, they will shoot up.

Joanna: They are researching if a genotype from Kentucky will do better as the climate is warming.

>> Because the climate will be more like Kentucky in 30 or 40 years.

Trees live a really long time.

We are looking towards that.

Can these trees survive.

?

Joanna: Climate change is already impacting the forest.

Is it concerning that it's happening now?

We've had unseasonably warm weather?

>> Is a combination between the fact we've had some drought and we have some rain now but also the fluctuation in temperature recently has been crazy.

Certain species internal of plants -- in general of plants are less tolerant.

It can affect the populations.

Joanna: The forest was inducted into the old-growth forest network, an organization dedicated to connecting people to nature by creating publicly accessible native forests.

>> To be part of the network is instrumental in keeping this as a preserve, educating the public, our local community about the importance of old-growth forests in terms of how they preserve biodiversity, both plants and animals, soil.

Joanna: Because most forests across New Jersey are made up of oak and hickory, the research data can be then be applied to forests across the state to help restore them.

Infrequent Township, I'm Joanna Gagis, NJ Spotlight News.

Raven: Each year the New Jersey Devils take to the ice for a good cause, hockey fights cancer night is an annual event in collaboration with RWJ Barnabas health.

It shines the bravery -- the light on bravery of cancer patients and their families and underscoring advancer cancer research, prevention and care.

The devils will host a 12-year-old from East Brunswick who is fighting lymphoma.

Ted Goldberg was there as the super fan got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become a member of the team under an official one-day contract.

>> There he is.

[APPLAUSE] Ted: On Wednesday, Theo was not a cancer patient.

He was a New Jersey double with his own locker and jersey.

>> It is so cool.

And it is signed.

It was fun.

It is like a hockey fan's dream come true.

Ted: As part of the hockey fights cancer initiative, Theo joined the devils for their morning skate this weekend but some of his favorite players.

>> It was a lot of fun.

It was great to meet the guys and to just -- and meet our Gilly the greatest goalie of all time.

Ted: Theo did more than just meet Marty.

>> How are you?

Nice to meet you.

Ted: Our Gilly the greatest goalie of all time offered Theo a one-day contract to join the team.

>> When you see a young kid going through phases of his life that will be a battle and you see it, you look in his face and how happy he was, for us it is something that is important to give back in a moment of need like that.

>> Today has exceeded all expectations.

Ted: Theo got to bring his entourage, including his loving family.

They all got to experience the sights and sounds of a hockey practice.

>> They are so much faster than I thought they were going to be.

The keeps telling me the puck goes 90 miles an hour.

You don't feel it on the screen at home.

>> It was all quiet and you could hear the -- all the sounds more.

You can see all the goals up close.

>> It is not just for Theo.

The entire family can come together and we can bring his doctors and nurses, his care team together to really celebrate his journey.

Ted: Theo enjoyed meeting all the devils, and in particular -- >> Jack was the funest to meet.

It was cool meeting one of the greater players in the league.

Ted: DHL says hockey fights cancer has raised more than $36 million into began in 1998.

Our deputy Barnabas says it's been a big help for cancer research.

>> We are raising important through hockey fights cancer that is going back to programs and services that people will see and benefit for for a long time.

>> When you see a professional franchise, see the lifestyle and see how much stuff we do here, it brings back a lot of great memories that he can remember for the rest of his life.

It is his family going to the same thing also.

>> It is hard to be in the unit and seeing the kids and their families.

I think it is fantastic.

The more money we can get into research and into the labs and into the folks trying to make a dent in learning about different treatments and all of that.

Ted: About that autographed jersey.

Theo says he has no plans on framing it.

>> I'm going to wear it until I grow out of it.

And gloat to other kids at school.

Ted: An incredible souvenir from an exciting day.

>> P is usually cool and collected.

Today I saw that breakdown.

The preteen thing broke down a little bit today because it was very cool to meet his heroes.

Ted: Theo will be part of the ceremonial puck drop before Saturday's game and he will ride the Zamboni during intermission.

In Newark, on Ted Goldberg, NJ Spotlight News.

Raven: That doesn't for us tonight.

A reminder to download the NJ Spotlight News podcast so you can listen to us anytime.

I am Raven Santana for the entire team, thank you for being with us and have a great weekend and we will see you right back here on Monday.

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We are committed to empowering communities.

We work hand-in-hand with you, our neighbors, to educate young people, support research, environmental sustainability and equitable opportunities, provide training and other services all over New Jersey and Long Island.

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That is what drives us, the PSEG foundation.

>> I'm Gloria monks.

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