>> FUNDING FOR AN SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF BUSINESSES MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ON LINE.

>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOIG US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI .

NEW JERSEY'S PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM IS BEING PEGGED FOR A MAJOR TRANSFORMATIN MAJOR TRANSFORMATION WITH GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCING ANOTHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECT TODY PROJECT TODAY THAT WILL CENTER AROUND A CENTRAL JERSEY TRAIN LE TRAIN LINE WITH PLANS FOR RESIDENTIAL UNITS, RETAIL, AND COMMERCIAL SPACE, CREATING ANOTHER TRANSIT HUB.

THESE ARE PLACES FOR COMMUTERS TO LIVE THAT MAKE THEIR TRIPS TO YORK OR WORK DESTINATIONS EASIER.

BUT THE SUCCESS OF PUMPING MORE RESS INTO THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION M IS DEPENDENT ON NEW JERSEY TRANT JERSEY TRANSIT, AND WHETHER THE AGENCY CAN OPERATE AT PEAK PERF.

PEAK PERFORMANCE.

ESPECIALLY WITHOUT A CRITICAL ADVOCATE FOR.

FOR WRITERS.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID COURSE REPO.

COURSE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: 20 DIFFERENT STATION PROJECTS GOING ON FROM SMALL RENOVATIONS TO MASSIVE PROJECT LIKE THIS ONE HERE IN METRO PARK.

YOU NAME IT.

FROM CN TO HOBOKEN AND ALL THE MAJOR PARTS IN BETWEEN, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY HAS BEEN, FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO, ON A PUBLIC TRANSIT TRANSIT FUELED VICTORY LAP, TOUTING NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS PROJECTS WITH GLEAMING OFFICE TS OFFICE TOWERS AND SWANKY APARTMENT BUILDINGS.

THIS PROJECT DOESN'T HAVE A FANCY NAME YET, BUT TODAY'S EVENT WAS TO ANNOUNCE THE NAMING OF THE DEVELOPER, RUSSO DEVELOPMENT.

>> >> I ASK FOLKS FOR PATIENT, BUT IT WILL BE WORTH IT.

AT THE ENDF THE RAINBOW, THE STATE WILL HAVE HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED.

>> Reporter: TRANSFORMATIVE APPEARS TO BE THE WORD OF THE MOMENT WHEN IT COMES TO NJ TRANSIT, WHICH IS CERTAINLY RAMPED UP ITS REVENUE-GENERATIN.

REVENUE-GENERATING PROJECT.

THERE ARE CRITICS WHO SAY THE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY HAS TAKEN A LESS VIGOROUS APPROACH TO CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND THE MOST G EXAMPLE OF THAT IS THAT OF THE POSITION OF COMMUTER ADVOCATE, WHOSE OCCUPANT IS SUPPOSED TO STAND UP FOR COMMUTERS, HAS BEEN BEEN VACANT FOR OVER TWO YEARS .

PEOPLE ARE SAYING, WHERE'S MY ADVOCATE?

>> JUST IN TERMS OF THE OPTICS OF WHAT MESSAGE YOU WANT TO SENM THE AGENCY TO THE COMMUTING PUBC COMMUTING PUBLIC, WHAT IS IT?

>> >> SO GREAT QUESTION.

PEOPLE ART ARE NOT CLAMORING FOR THAT, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE NOT TAKING SERIOUSLY.

IN A PERFECT WORLD, I'D LIKE TO SEE THAT FIL.

THAT FILLED.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO.

>> WE HAVE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEES.

WE HAVE TWO COMMITTEES FOR NORTH AND SOUTH , SOUTH JERSEY, AND WE HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE GROUP AND AN AGENCY.

IT'S NOT LIKE WE ARE NOT NOT DOING ANYTHING.

>> I WILL CLOSE IT OFF WITH THIS THIS STATEMENT.

THE PREMISE OF YOUR QUESTION IMPLIES IT'S AN ER OR.

I WOULD SAY IT'S AN AND TO BOTH.

>> THE IDEA THAT IF AT THE END F TWO YEARS THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY WHO COULD FULFILL SUCH A POSITION, IT REALLY KIND OF STRETCHES BELIEF A LITTLE BIT.

I DON'T UND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE POSITION HAS NOT BEEN FILLED.

BUT THEN THERE'S THE OTHER PART OF ME THAT DOES UNDERSTAND.

THE LEADERSHIP AT NJ TRANSIT AND I S I SAYS THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE INTERESTED INTO CREATING AN INDEPENDENT CUSTOMER ADVOCATE.

>> TO BE FAIR, COMMUTER ADVOCATE ADVOCATE OR NOT, WRITERS ARE GOING TO BE WRITERS.

AND ALL YOU YOU NEED IS ONE CANCELED TRAIN TO TURN SOMEONE OFF OF TRANSIT AND BACK INTO THEIR CARS.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION IS A LONG.

LONG GAME.

REAL ESTATE, THAT'S A A DIFFERENT STORY.

THERE, YOU GOT TO STRIKE BEFORE THE ECONOMC WINDS SHIFT.

AND YOUR BEST LAIDS GET BLOWN AWAY.

IN METRO PARK, D DAVID KRUSE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

> >> LATE TODAY, WE LEARN THE STAE WILL STEP IN AND TAKE OVER TRENTON WATERWORKS, PUTTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PRON IN CHARGE OF DIRECT OPERATIONS OF THE BELEAGUERED UTILITY OWNED OWNED AND RUN BY THE CAPITAL CITY.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER NEIGHBORS IN TOWNS THAT RECEIVED RECEIVED DRINKING WATER FROM TRN FROM TRENTON WROTE TO STATE LEADERS URGING THEM TO INTERVENE , FOLLOWING ANOTHER SCATHING REPORT ABOUT THE ONGOING FAILURES AT TRENTON WATERWORKS.

ON A WEBSITE RUN BY THE DEP, IT NOTES THAT AS OF TODAY, WATER QUALITY SAMPLES TAKEN AT THE UTILITY DO MEET ALL SAFETY STANS FOR THE 200,000 RESIDENTS SERVE.

RESIDENTS SERVES.

WHILE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE FANNING OUT ACROSS THE STATE, TAKING THEIR CAMPAIGN PITCHES TO THE VOTERS OF LESS THAN A MONTH AGO BEFORE THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

IN THE HOTTEST RACE IN NEW JERSEY IS STILL THE SEVENTH DISTRICT BETWEEN TWO TERM INCUMBENT TOM MALINOWSKI AND REPUBLICAN TOM KEAN JR., FACED SCRUTINY FOR DECLINING INTERVIEW REQUEST AND FORGIVING LITTLE NOTICE OF HIS PUBLIC APPEARANCES.

IT MAY COME AS NO SURPRISE THAT ONE OF THE HOTTEST TICKETS IN TOWN THIS WEK THIS WEEK IS A DEBATE BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES, THE ONLY TIME THEY PLAN TO FACE OFF IN PERSON THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER COLLEEN O'DAY JOINS ME WITH THE LATEST.

HEY, COLLEEN.

SO WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS DELETE?

WHERE IS IT TAKING PLACE?

WE KNOW OUR TEAM REALLY STRUGGLED TO GET THESE TWO CANDIDATES TO AGREE TO A DEBATE, SO WHY IS IT HAPPENING NOW?

MARK >> THIS IS GOING TO BE HELD BY E GATEWAY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

IT'S IN CLARK AT THE Y INN.

BUT DON'T SHOW UP IF YOU DON'T HAVE A TICKET, BECAUSE IT IS SOLD OUT.

THE GATEWAY CHAMBER CHAMBER HAS BEEN DOING DEBATES LIKE THIS FOR 24 YEARS, SO IT'S NOT THAT IT'S KIND OF A GROUP THAT HAS COME OUT OF THE BLUE, IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS A TRADITION FOR THEM.

BUT IT IS JT KIND OF COMING BACK, I THINK, INTO EVERYBODY'S CONSCIOUSNESS THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SO SO HARD TO SEE, AT LEAST, TODD E TODD KANE OUT IN PUBLIC JUST MINGLING WITH, TALKING TO REGULAR FOLKS AND TALKING TO TH.

THE PRESS.

>> FIRST OF ALL, IS IT COMMON FOR TICKETS TO BE NEEDED TO A DEBATE?

YOU HAVE TO PAY LIKE $40 $40 TO GET INTO THIS THING.

AND WHAT ARE THE PARAMETERS THAT HAE BEEN SET THAT THESE CANDIDATES AGREED TO DO THIS?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE DEBATE.

FOR FOR THE MOST PART, I THINK WE THINK OF DEBATES THAT ARE FREE AND OPEN.

WE CONDUCTED MANY OF THEM OURSELVES IN THE PAST.

YOU MADE IT A TICKET MANY TIMES, BUT BUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT.

IN THIS CASE, THIS IS A GROUP THAT'S HAVING THIS FOR THM AT A HOLIDAY INN.

THERE IS A BREAKFAST SERVED, SO THAT'S WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING OR.

IT'S GOING TO FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY AND OF COURSE THE INFLAN THE INFLATION OF COURSE.

THIS IS IS THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND KIND OF THERE THING, WHAT MEMBERS ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR, WHICH IS DISCUSSION OF THE ECONOMY.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE 5 5 MAIN AREAS OF FOCUS, BUT NO CAMPAIGN KNOWS WHAT THE QUESTIONS WILL BE IN ADVANCE.

>> >> I WONDER, COLLEEN, DOES IT REGISTER WITH VOTERS OF CANDIDATES AREN'T HOLDING PUBLI, PUBLIC EVENTS, IF THEY ARE NOT HOLDING PUBLIC EVENTS, DOES IT EVEN MOVE THE NEEDLE?

WE SEEN A MUCH DIFFERENT ELECTION CYCLE THIS YEAR.

>> I'M NOT SURE.

IT CERTAINLY DOES WITH A CERTAIN SENTIMENT OF OF THE PUBLIC, PROBABLY THE PROGRESSIVE SECTION MOST LIKELY.

WITH REPUBLICANS, IT MIGHT EMBOLDEN THEM, BECAUSE, YOU KNO, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A PRESIDENT WHO WHO IS VERY ANTI-PRESS, AND I THINK SOME OF THAT HAS CERTAINLY , YOU KNOW, WORN OFF ONTO THE SUPPORTERS.

SO I THINK THERE'S A A MOCKUP CROWD, AND CERTAINLY THAT'S PART OF WHO TOM KEAN IS GETTING TO GET TO VOTE FOR HIM AND THEY WOULD AGREE, DON'T TALO THE PRESS, BECAUSE WE CAN'T TRUST THEM.

>> THERE IS A BIG GET OUT THE VOTE RALLY PLANNED THIS WEEKEND FOR TOM KEAN JR. , BUT IT IS CLOSED TO THE PRESS.

WE DON'T HAVE MANY DETAILS.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IT FROM YOUR REPORTING, AND WHO IS IT REALLY LOOKING TO ATTRACT?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S IN BELVIDERE, NEW JERSEY, AND THE HEADLINER IS IS RONA McDANIEL, WHO IS THE CHR OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMM.

NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A GET OUT THE VOTE RALLY.

THESE THINGS ARE KIND OF LIKE HIGH SCHOOL PEP RALLIES.

THERE'S THERE'S NO -- THERE'S REALLY NO DISCUSSION OF ISSUES.

THERE ARE NO HARD QUESTIONS.

THAT'S WHAT WE KNOW.

>> COLLEEN O'DAY.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> FOR ALL YOUR ELECTION NEEDS,W TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG, TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE RACES WE ARE WATCHING FOR CANDIDATE PROFILES, AND MORE ON YOUR DISTT YOUR DISTRICT, ALONG WITH WHERE AND HOW TO VOTE.

> >> IT TURNS OUT EVEN IF YOU ARER THE LEGAL AGE OF 21 TO BUY CIGARETTES IN NEW JERSEY, A NEW STUDY FINDS THAT WON'T STOP MOSS MOST STORES FROM SELLING THEM T. TO YOU.

THE ALARMING FINDINGS COME FROM RUTGERS UNIVERSITY OF RESEARCH THAT HAD UNDERAGE BUYERS BETWEEN 18 TO 20 YEARS OLD ANTITOBACCO RETAILERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WHERE THEY THEY SUCCESSFULLY BOUGHT CIGARETTES, CIGARS, AND OTHER TOBACCO PRODUCT IN MORE THAN 40% THAN 40% OF THEIR VISIT.

EVEN THOSE WHO ARE CARDED AND FOUND TO BE UNDER AGE STILL HAD SOME SUCCESS IN BUYING THE CIGARETTE.

THE CIGARETTES.

THE FINDING COMES ON THE HEELS OF A STUDY RD LAST WEEK BY THE CDC SHOWING TEAM VAPING REMAINS A SERIOUS PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEM.

MORE THAN THAN 2.5 MILLION TEENS REPORTED THEY USED THE PRODUCT WITHIN THE THE LAST MONTH.

HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS THE LEAD AUTHOR OF OF THE RUTGERS DUDDY, ASSISTANT OF THE RUTGERS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC.

PUBLIC HEALTH.

MARY, YOUR TEAM SET OUT TO SORT OF LOOK AT WHAT THE STATUS IS OF UNDERAGE USE OE SUBSTANCES WITHIN THE TOBACCO W. WHAT DID YOU FIND, AND WHY DO THIS TYPE OF STUDY?

>> WE DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE IMT THE IMPACT OF INCREASED AGE OF SALE LAWS, SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, WERE TOBACCO 21 HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2017.

AND WE FOUND, ACTUA, FOUND, ACTUALLY, UNFORTUNATELY, PRETTY EASY ACCESS IN CONDUCTING UNDERAGE ATTEMPTS BETWEEN 2019 IN 2020.

WE HAVE PARTICULARLY HIGH RATES OF NONCOMPLIANCE WITH WITH THE LAW.

THEY WEREN'T BEIND BEING CARDED AS HIGH AS WE LIKE TO SEE, AND IN ABOUT 40% OF ALL STORE VISITS, THEY WERE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY PURCHASE A PRODUCT.

PRODUCT.

>> WOW.

WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THAT TO?

IS THERE PERHAPS A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE LAW WHEN WHEN THEY WERE CARDED?

WHAT DID YOU FIND HAPPENED IN THOSE SITU?

THOSE SITUATIONS?

>> KARTING IS ABSOLUTELY A GREAT GREAT PREDICTOR OF RESTRICTING , RESTRICTING ACCESS, BUT WE FIND THAT EVEN WHEN STORES CARD, ABOT 14% OF PURCHASE ATTEMPT WERE STILL SUCCESSFUL.

SO IT COULD BE BE A MIX OF FACTORS, ONE BEING RETAILER EDUCATION WITH THE STATE LAW THAT REQUIRES EVERYONR THE AGE OF 21 TO SHOW PROOF OF .

OF AGE.

AND THERE MAY JUST BE NE BE NONCOMPLIANCE WITH STORES WANTING TO MAKE A PROFIT AND PROVIDE TOBACCO PRODUCTS TO EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF AGE.

>> WHAT DID THIS TELL US ABOUT THIS TREND?

WE KNOW THAT YOUTH VAPING AND USE OF THOSE TYPE OF PRODUCT IS ON THE RISE.

IT'S BEEN CONTINUALLY RISING.

WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THIS TREND THAT WE ARE SEEING?

IS IT ACCESS THAT IS PERHAPS MAKING IT A LITTLE MORE ENTICING?

>> I DO THINK IT'S A MULTITUDE F FACTORS.

THE DATA FROM THE CDC IS ACTUALLY MORE ENCOURAGING THAN, I THINK, SOME PEOPLE ARE SUGGESTING.

THE DATA IS NOT THAT NOT THAT MUCH DIFFERENT THAN 2021.

AND IN FACT, IF WE LOOK AT AT THE DATA BACK TO 2019 AND 2020, IT'S ACTUALLY A PRETTY COT DOWNWARD TREND IN e-CIGARETTE U. e-CIGARETTE USE.

>> SO THAT WOULD BE ABOUT 2.5 MILLION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORTED VAPING?

>> CORRECT.

THERE IS SOME PROGRESS ON THAT FRONT.

WE ARE SEEING MUCH FEWER YOUNG PEOPLE USING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES THAN THAN WE DID EVEN JUST THREE YEARS AGO, THAT I DO THINK THERE'S A CONSENSUS THAT WE DON'T WANT ADOLESCENT USING THESE PRODUCTS AT ALL.

WE COULD BE DOING MORE TO RESTRICT THEIR ACCESS TO THE PRODUCTS AT THE P. THE POINT-OF-SALE.

>> WHAT YOU WANT POLICYMAKERS TO TO DO WITH THIS INFORMATION NOW?

NOW?

>> I'D LOVE TO SEE THEM STRENGTN EXISTING POLICIES LIKE TOBACCO 21, LIKE OUR STATE LAW THAT RESTRICTS FLAVORS IN ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES.

I THINK WE COULD BE DOING MORE COMPLIANCE CHECKS.

PENALTIES COULD BE HIGHER, SLIGHTLY WE COULD AMEND THOSE PS THOSE POLICIES AND MAKE THEM EVEN STRONGER, AND WE COULD CONSIDER OTHER POLICIES THAT WEW WE KNOW TO BE EFFECTIVE, LIKE REDUCING TOBACCO RETAILER DENSE THE, AND RESTRICTING THE SALE, PERHAPS RESTRICTING THE SALE ALR SALE ALTOGETHER TO ADULT ONLY F. ONLY FACILITIES.

>> SURE.

MARY HERB, THANK YOU FOR THIS REALLY INTERESTING STUDY.

>> THANK YOU.

> >> A HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYER PLAYER FROM KEYPORT IS THE LATEST IN WHAT HAS BEEN A SERIES SERIES OF CRITICAL INJURIES RELD TO THE SPORT.

SENIOR LINEBACKER LOGAN BLANKS SUFFERED A SEVERE NECK AND SPINAL INJURY DURING A GAME SATURDAY AGAINST LAKEWOOD.

ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, HE DOES HAVE FEELING, MOVEMENT, AND SENSATION IN HIS S HIS LIMBS, BUT HIS RECOVERY IS D TO BE LONG.

HE IS THE SECOND MONMOUTH COUNTY TEEN TO SUFFER A A SPINAL INJURY IN RECENT WEEKS WOBBLING THE BALL.

A SENIOR UNDERWENT SURGERY FOR A BROKEN VERTEBRAE HE SUSTAINED DURING A SEPTEMBER GAME, AND REMAINS IN THE HOSPITAL.

JUST TWO DAYS PRIOR, LYNDON HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE XAVIER McLEAN DIED NEARLY TWO WEEKS AFTER SUFFERING SUFFERING A CRITICAL HEAD INJURY INJURY DURING A GAME.

A FOURTH HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER DIED IN HIS SLEEP IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, BUT IT IT HAS NOT BEEN LINKED TO FOOTBALL, AND A CAUSE OF DEATH HASN'T BEEN PROVIDED.

> >> PANDEMIC DRIVEN HEALTHCARE WORKER SHORTAGES ARE NOW CRISIS LEVELS ACCORDING TO STATE LEADERS WITH NEW JERSEY'S VACANCY RATE FOR NURSES INCREASG FROM JUST OVER 8% IN 2020 TWO MORE THAN 13% IN 2021.

ACCORDING ACCORDING TO THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION, FEDERAL DA FEDERAL DATA ALSO PREDICTS NEW JERSEY WILL FACE THE THIRD-LARGEST NURSING SHORTAGE IN THE NATION BY 2030.

TO ADDRES IT, A GROUP OF DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS TODAY LAID OUT A NINE BILL PACKAGE THEY SAY WILL INCENTIVIZE MORE PEOPLE TO ENTER TO ENTER THE HEALTHCARE PROFESS.

HEALTHCARE PROFESSION.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD MAKE MORE LOANS AVAILABLE TO THOSE INTERESTED IN BECOMING NURSING S NURSING TEACHERS, INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RESIDENCY SLOTS FOR P, FOR PSYCHIATRIST'S, AND WORK WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO RECRUIT UNEMPLOYED RESIDENTS INTO HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONS AMONG OTHER ITEMS.

>> 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.

> >> FIRST IT WAS LOW INVENTORY AND PANDEMIC DRIVEN BUYERS.

NOW IT'S SKYHIGH MORTGAGE RATES KEEPING THE HOUSING MARKET OUT OF REACH FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS, PLUS TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> IT'S GETTING HARDER TO BUY AE IN NEW JERSEY.

30 YEAR CONVENTIL MORTGAGE RATES CONTINUE TO CLIMB, AND HAVE TOPPED 7% IN TODAY'S MARKET.

THE VICE PRESIDENT AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS WOULD-BE HOMEBUYERS ARE GETTING PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET.

>> WE OBVIOUSLY KNOW THAT HOUSIG AFFORDABILITY IS NOT A NEW ISSU, NEW ISSUE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE RECENT AND VERY STEEP RISE IN INTEREST RATES, IT REALLY HAS ED POTENTIAL HOMEBUYERS BUYING POW.

BUYING POWER.

AND THEY ARE HAVING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME ENTERING THE MARKET, ESPECIALLY FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS WHO DON'T HAVE THE HOUSING EQUITY THAT HOMEOWNERS HAVE TO RELY ON.

>> TOMORROW, THE SOCIAL SECURITN IS DUE TO ANNOUNCE ITS COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVE BENEFIT CHECK, BENEFIT CHECKS, WHICH WOULD TAKE TAKE EFFECT IN 2023.

DUE TO RISING INFLATION, IT'S EXPECTED TO BE ONE OF THE BIGGEST ADJUSTS IN DECADES.

THE NONPROFIT SENIOR SENIOR CITIZENS LEAGUE RECENTLYD AN EIGHT POINT 7% INCREASE.

NETFLIX IS GETTING CLOSER TO BUILDING A BIG PRODUCTION STUDIO STUDIO IN FORT MONMOUTH.

THE COY WAS THE TOP HITTER FOR NEARLY 300 ACRES OF LAND AT THE FORMER ARMY BASE.

THE PRICE OF THE BIDS NOT DISCLOSED, AND NETFLIX WOULL NEED ADDITIONAL APPROVALS TO MOVE FORWARD.

THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE FORM CERT REPORTS TT REPORTS THAT YEAR TO DATE, ACTIVITY IN BOTH CENTRAL AND NORTH JERSEY WAS DOUBLED FROM THE SAME PERIOD LAST YEAR.

THE TOTAL LEASED SPACE IS STILL FIVE PERCENT BELOW LEVEL SEEN IN 209 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

WITH LOWER VACANCIES, OFFICE RENTS ARE INC. ARE INCREASING.

FINALLY, THE LONGTIME LEADER AT THE NEW JERSEY SOCIETY FOR CPAs HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.

RALPH ALBERT THOMAS WILL LEAVE THE POST HE'S LED FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS NEXT JUNE.

THERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S TRADING ON WALL STREET.

THESE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORTS PROVIDED BY JUNIOR ACHIT OF NEW JERSEY, ANNOUNCING ITS 2022 NEW JERSEY BUSINESS HALL OE OF FAME NOVEMBER 3rd AT THE HYAT REGENCY IN NEW BRUNSWICK.

EVENT DETAILS ONLINE AT JA NJ.ORG, AND AND BITE NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WA.

AMERICAN WATER.

WE KEEP LIFE FL.

LIFE FLOWING.

> >> IT WAS 11 MONTHS AGO WHEN STATE AND CITY LEADERS AND ATLANTICS DIDDY DUG THEIR GOLDEN GOLDEN SHOVELS INTO THE GROUND, A CEREMONIAL GROUNDBREAKING FOR A MAJOR GROCERY CHAIN THAT WAS HAILED AT THE END OF THE CITY'S STRUGGLING STATUS AS A FOOD DESERT, WITH PROMISES MADE TO RS TO RESIDENTS THAT THE SUPERMARKET WOULD BE COMPLETE WN A YEAR.

BUT AS TED GOLDBERG REPORTS, AT LEAST SO FAR, THE PROMISE MADE HAS NOT BEEN A PROMISE DELIVERED.

>> Reporter: WHEN SHOPRITE BROKE GROUND IN A NEW LOCATION IN ATLANTIC CITY A YEAR AGO NOVEMBER, PEOPLE HAD HIGH HOPESR THE GROCERY STORE REPLACING THIS THIS PARKING LOT.

IT'S GOING TO PLANT ITS FLAG HERE, BUT IS GOING TO IMPACT THE COMMUNITY.

>> ATLANTIC CITY HAS BEEN A FOOD FOOD DESERT FOR TOO LONG.

WE SAW SAW THIS AS MEETING A VERY GLARING NEED.

>> Reporter: 11 MONTHS LATER, THE PARKING LOT DOESN'T LOOK ALL LOOK ALL THAT DIFFERENT.

THERE'S THERE'S BEEN NO CONSTRUCTION ON THIS $18 MILLION PROJECT, AND NO NO VISIBLE PROGRESS TOWARDS A NW GROCERY STORE.

COUNCILMAN SAID THAT HE WAS TOLD DELAYS CAN BE LAID ON RED TAPE AND OTHER ISSU.

OTHER ISSUES.

>> THERE'S THE SUPPLY CHAIN, THERE SOME -- NOT GOVERNMENTAL HURDLES, BUT THEY ARE POINTING TO THINGS LIKE THAT.

I SAY SHOPRITE AT ITS WORD.

>> Reporter: >> Reporter: STATE SENATOR VINCE VINCE POLISTINA DOES NOT.

HE SAYS THE GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONS DONE PREMATURELY.

SENATOR POLISTINA SAYS SHOPRITE NEVER FINALIZED ITS DEAL TO LEASE THE LAND FROM THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHO, OR SEE RDA.

>> IT MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE TO GIVE RESIDENTS HOPE AND THEN 11 MONTHS LATER HAVE NOTHING DONE AND SAY ITS SUPPLY CHAIN I.

CHAIN ISSUES.

>> I REFUSE TO BELIEVE THAT ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ACTORS AT DIT LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, CIVIC AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP, ARE ENGAGED IN A MASSIVE CONSPIRACY.

>> UNTIL THAT SHOPRITE IS BUILTR ANOTHER LARGE GROCERY STORE TAKES ITS PLACE, ATLANTIC CITY L STILL BE CONSIDERED A FOOD DESERT.

THAT VOID IS FILLED BY , SMALLER GROCERY SHOPS, AND UPSTART FARMERS MARKET.

>> IT'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: FOR SIX YEARS, PAGE PAGE VAQUERO HAS RUN THE COMMUNITY -- PANTING AND PROVIDING AC WITH LOCALLY GROWN.

GROWN FOOD.

IF SHOPRITE NEVER MATERIALIZES, SHE HAS OTHER IDEAS FOR LOTS LIKE THIS ONE.

>> >> WHEN I SEE EMPTY LOTS, I THINK, WE COULD GROW FOOD HERE.

I SEE EMPTY STORES AND I THINK, WOW, LOOK AT WHAT WE COULD PUT HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE'S OPENING HER T STOREFRONT IN THE OUTLETS NEXT .

NEXT WEEK.

SHE SAYS SMALL STORES STORES LIKE HERS COULD HELP NEW JERSEY'S FARMERS MORE THAN LARGS LIKE SHOPRITE.

>> IN THE BLUEBERRY CAPITAL OF NEW JERSEY, YOU GOING TO HAMMONN SHOPRITE AND THE BLUEBERRIES ARE BLUEBERRIES ARE FROM CALIFORNIA.

WE HAVE THIS ISSUE WITH NOT LEVERAGING WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR .

OUR BACKYARD.

>> Reporter: A FARM OR GARDEN WOULD MORE LIKELY STAND THE TEST THE TEST OF TIME.

>> WHEN SHOPRITE DECIDES FIVE OT YEARS DOWN THE LINE THAT IT NOT WORKING AND THEY ARE JUST GOING TO LEAVE, WHAT IS ATLANTIC CITY GOING TO DO WITH ANOTHER GIANT EMPTY BUILDING?

>> Reporter: WHETHER SHOPRITE STILL PLANS TO BUILD HERE, NO ONE KNOWS.

WE REACHED OUT TO VILLAGE SUPERMARKETS, THE COMPANY THAT OWNS SHOPRITE, AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SENT US THIS STATEMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO WORK WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO DELIVER ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS AND AND AFFORDABLE FOOD IN ATLANTIC CITY.

OUR OFFICE CONTINUES TO WK WITH THE APARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND THE SEE RDA TO ADDRESS THESE DELAYS, AND WILL E TO SUPPORT TO ASSESS ALL OPTIONS.

ADVOCATES HEARSAY, ENOUGH DELAYS.

THE STATE SHOULD SUPPORT SMALLER OPERATIONS TO PLANT SEEDS AND HELP ATLANTIC CITY SHED ITS LABEL IS A FOOD D. FOOD DESERT.

IN ATLANTIC CITY, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

> >> FINALLY TONIGHT, YOU CAN CHECK THIS OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST.

LADY LIBERTY'S CROWN IS REOPENING TO THE PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER TWO YEARS SINCE THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PAN.

THE PANDEMIC.

NOW, OTHER PORTIONS OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY GRADUALLY REOPENED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, SO THIS THIS IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR MILEE MAJOR MILESTONE IN THE LIFTING OF REMAINING COVID-19 RESTRICTIS COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

WE WILL WARN YOU, THOUGH, IT IS A TOUGH.

ONCE YOU MOUNT THE 215 STEPS TO THE TOP OF THE PEDESTAL, VISITORS NEED TO CLIMB ANOTHER 162 STAIRS TO GET TO THE CROWN.

THE REWARD IS WORTH IT, THOUGH.

SWEEPING VIEWS OF THE NEW YORK .

YORK HARBOR.

IF YOU WANT TO GO, BOOK YOUR TICKETS FAST.

SLOTS ARE FILLING UP MONTHS IN ADVANCE.

AS OF THIS MORNING, TICKETS WERE SOLD OUT UNTIL NOVEMBER.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT DON'T MISS THIS WEEK'S EFFORT OF CHAT BOX WITH POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ, RETAKES DEEPER LOOK AT THE THE STATE OF LATINO NEW JERSEY AND A NUMBER OF WIDE-RANGING INS WITH SOME OF THE STATES KEY LATINO LEADERS FROM EVERYTHING IN POLITICS TO THE ECONOMY TO IN AND THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES TO PROGRESS.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS CHANNEL, OR EVER YOU STREAM.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE TEAM, INKS ARE BEING WITH US.

WE WILL WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED .

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

NEW JERSEY.

>> I MILES, AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

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