>> FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANNA.

>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM RHONDA IN FOR BREANNA.

THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY WORKERS SPACE COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATES AND MANY ARE COMPLYING.

THE STATE DOESN'T HAVE DATA ON HOW MANY STATE WORKERS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SANG A VERY HIGH PERCENTAGE ARE COMPLYING.

OVERALL JUST SHY OF 6 MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED, MORE THAN 76% OF THE STATES ELIGIBLE POPULATION ACCORDING TO THE CDC .

THE MANDATE FROM THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION COMES WITH A CHOICE STATE WORKERS AND TEACHERS WHO DON'T WANT TO GET VACCINATED CAN GET REGULAR TESTING INSTEAD.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS BACK IN THEIR STATE OFFICES AS THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED WORKERS WOULD RETURN IN PHASES.

IN THE MEANTIME, MANY OF NEW JERSEY'S HEALTH SYSTEMS ARE ALSO IMPOSING THEIR OWN VACCINATION MANDATES BUT THOSE GO A STEP FURTHER WITH HOSPITALS TELLING EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED OR FACE LOSING THEIR JOBS.

NOW THOSE DEADLINES ARE COMING TO AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ARE CUTTING FROM THE RANKS.

COULD THE FIRINGS CAUSE A SHORTAGE IN HEALTHCARE WORKERS OR IMPACT CARE?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE DID HAVE SOME PEOPLE EXIT THE ORGANIZATION YESTERDAY.

WE HAD 120 INDIVIDUALS CHOOSE TO NO LONGER WORK HERE.

>> ITS CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER SAYS STAFFERS WHO LEFT REFUSED COVID SHOTS.

THE SOUTH JERSEY HEALTHCARE SYSTEM JOINT BARNABAS YESTERDAY WHICH FIRED 118 STAFFERS ACROSS DOZENS OF FACILITIES LIKE MOST MAJOR HEALTHCARE NETWORKS IN NEW JERSEY, BOTH CHAINS MANDATED VACCINATIONS BUT OFFERED STAFF NO TESTING OPT OUTS.

SO THOSE WHO FAILS TO GET MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS LOST THEIR JOBS.

THAT MEANT LOSING 1% OF ITS STAFF FOR VIRTUAL ACROSS FIVE HOSPITALS.

>> DOES THAT KEEP THOSE HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO ARE REMAINING THEIR SAFER, YES?

DOES IT POTENTIALLY IMPACT PATIENT CARE IF WE ARE LOSING WORKERS?

THAT IS ALSO TRUE AND I THINK WHAT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING IS WHAT PART OF THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM ARE THESE INDIVIDUALS WORKING IN?

>> WE HAD A FEW NURSES, A PHYSICIAN, DIETARY -- SECURITY, IT WENT ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION.

FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT IN ONE PARTICULAR AREA WHERE IT WOULD HAVE CRIPPLED A SERVICE BUT IT WAS REALLY ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> ARE WJ AN UNDERWRITER OF NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS REPORTS 99.7% OF ITS 35,000 EMPLOYEES HAVE GOTTEN COVID SHOTS.

THE REST HAVE EXEMPTIONS AND IT TOOK STEPS TO PROACTIVELY RECRUIT FOR POSITIONS DEEMED AT RISK FOR VACANCY.

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IMPOSED A SIMILAR VACCINATION MANDATES WEEKS AGO AND AS A RESULT FIRED FEWER THAN 10 STAFFERS ACCORDING TO CEO DOCTOR SHARIF.

>> PATIENTS AND FAMILIES SHOULD FEEL SAFE WHEN THEY COME TO A CAMPUS FOR MEDICAL CARE.

THE SAFEST THING YOU CAN DO IS TO ENSURE A HIGH VACCINATION RATES AMONG YOUR STAFF.

>> THIS IS A REBOOT.

EVERY ORGANIZATION GOES THROUGH A REBOOT.

THE HOSPITALS, THE TEACHING PROFESSION, MANY PROFESSIONS WILL DO A REBOOT BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE EITHER LEAVING THE PROFESSION OR AREN'T WILLING TO TAKE THE VACCINATION MANDATES.

>> THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THIS THAN JUST THE MANDATE.

SO MANY HAVE LEFT THE FIELD ALREADY SAYING THIS IS JUST NOT WORTH IT AND YOU CAN UNDERSTAND WHY.

>> DEBBIE, NEW JERSEY'S LARGEST HEALTHCARE WORKERS UNION HAD SAYS SO MANY MEMBERS EXPERIENCE SEVERE DISTRESS DURING THE PANDEMIC'S FIRST TERRIFIC MONTHS IN NEW JERSEY, THEY ARE LOOKING FOR EXITS EVEN AS THE INDUSTRY SUFFERS SEVERE STAFFING SHORTAGES, VACCINATION MANDATES JUST ADDED MORE STRESS.

>> FORTUNATELY AS A UNION, WE HAD A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

WE WERE ABLE TO INFLUENCE THE PROCESS, WE HAD VERY VERY FEW TERMINATIONS.

WE HAVE A HUGE STAFFING CRISIS.

MANY OF OUR EMPLOYERS ARE DESPERATE FOR NURSES, AND THEY ARE LOOKING IN THE SAME POOL.

THERE IS NOT AN ENDLESS SUPPLY EVEN OF AGENCY NURSES.

>> THAT IS HAVING AN IMPACT NOT ONLY ON COSTS BUT ON QUALITY.

>> UNIVERSITIES HAVE BEEN HIRING EXPENSIVE SO-CALLED TRAVELING NURSES AND LAB TECHS FROM AGENCIES THAT THEY INSIST EVERYONE MUST BE VACCINATED.

>> THAT IS WHAT I AM WORRIED MOST ABOUT.

WE KNOW THAT SAFE STAFFING IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO QUALITY OUTCOMES IN MANY KEY AREAS.

SO WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH STAFFING RATIOS DESPITE ALL OF THOSE CHALLENGES.

WORRIED FOR WHAT'S AHEAD IF THIS LABOR SHORTAGE GETS WORSE.

>> WE ARE USING OUR OWN STAFF WORKING EXTRA HOURS AND THEN WHERE WE HAVE TO, WE AUGMENT WITH TRAVELING STAFF.

THAT IS REALLY OCCURRING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH, THE NEXT HOSPITAL SYSTEM THAT COULD END UP FIRING STAFF FOR NOT COMPLYING SAYS MORE THAN 99% OF ITS 36,000 WORKERS HAVE GOTTEN COVID SHOTS, IF YOU NETWORKS INCLUDING HOLY NAME AND COOPER UNIVERSITY HEALTHCARE STILL OFFER UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES A COVA TESTING OPTION.

I AM A BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE FDA IS PLANNING TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO MIX AND MATCH COVID-19 BOOSTERS WITH AN ANNOUNCEMENT ON THAT EXPECTED LATER THIS WEEK.

A HEALTH OFFICIAL TOLD THE ASSOCIATED PRESS THAT THE FDA IS EXPECTED TO SAY THAT USING THE SAME BRAND FOR A BOOSTER IS PREFERABLE.

IT ALLOWS FOR MIXING AND MATCHING, IT COULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET BOOSTERS AND ALLOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD ADVERSE REACTIONS TO TRY A DIFFERENT SHOTS.

OTHER COUNTRIES CURRENTLY DO ALLOW MIXING AND MATCHING.

THE EXPECTED ANNOUNCEMENT COMES A WEEK AFTER A STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH SHOWED PEOPLE WHO GOT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE SAW A BIGGER INCREASE IN ANTIBODIES THAN OTHERS AS COMPARED TO A SECOND SHOT OF J&J.

BOOSTERS FOR ALL COVID VACCINES COULD BE AUTHORIZED BY THE END OF THE WEEK FOLLOWING MEETINGS BY THE FDA AND CDC.>>> WITH TWO WEEKS TO GO BEFORE ELECTION DAY, A NUMBER OF HIGH-PROFILE DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING THE ROUNDS IN NEW JERSEY TO STUMP FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY.

FORMER PRESIDENT OBAMA IS SET TO ATTEND A RALLY IN NEWARK THIS WEEKEND.

FIRST LADY JOE BIDEN CAMPAIGNED WITH THE GOVERNOR LAST FRIDAY.

VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS APPEAR WITH HIM EARLIER THIS MONTH.

WHILE TODAY ISN'T BEING COUNTED AS A CAMPAIGN EVENT, IT IS HARRISES HUSBAND TURN, THE SECOND GENTLEMAN OF THE UNITED STATES APPEARING WITH THE FIRST LADY OF NEW JERSEY.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS ON THIS LATEST VISIT FROM WASHINGTON AND ITS FOCUS ON GETTING MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

>> THIS WAS NOT TO BE CLEAR A CAMPAIGN EVENT.

GOVERNOR MURPHY WAS NOT AROUND BUT A PAIR OF PROMINENT SPOUSES WERE HERE AT THE VACCINATION SITE AT EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL IN NEWARK TO BOTH MAKE THE POINT THAT GETTING VACCINATED ESPECIALLY FOR KIDS IN HIGH SCHOOL IS CRITICAL BUT ALSO THAT THIS SITE IS GETTING THE JOB DONE.

>> THIS IS ONE OF OUR MAIN AND LARGEST VACCINATION SITES HERE IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.

IT WAS THE FIRST SITE WE OPENED AND IT HAS BEEN OUR BUSIEST SITES AND STAY ONE.

AT THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC, THIS SITE WAS DOING 800 VACCINE TODAY IN THE CAFETERIA.

REOPENED, WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TO LEAP WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT AND PRINCIPAL WOULDN'T ALLOW IT.

THIS SITE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING THE WORD OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> 100% OF THE KIDS AGE 12-17 AND EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL ZIP CODE ARE VACCINATED.

THAT IS NOT NOTHING WHERE RATES HAVE BEEN SLOW TO MATCH THE STATE AVERAGE.

WITH NEW FEDERAL APPROVALS ON SHOTS FOR YOUNGER KIDS, THE TARGET IS EXPANDING SAYS THE STATES HEALTH COMMISSION.

>> WE ARE GEARING UP FOR THE FIVE-YEAR-OLDS AND 11-YEAR- OLDS, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PARENTS ARE WITH THEM AND WILL HAVE HOURS, EXTENDED HOURS TO MAKE SURE THE PARENTS CAN MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE TO 11-YEAR-OLDS.

>> LEAVE IT TO NEW JERSEY, THE PLACE WHERE I GREW UP.

>> THAT IS DOUG AS HUSBAND AND VICE PRESIDENT HE IS KNOWN AS THE SECOND GENTLEMAN DOING WHAT SPOUSES OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT GENERALLY DO.

THAT IS PROMOTE THE ADMINISTRATION'S AGENDA.

IN THIS CASE, MAX ACCESS BUT DON'T JUST TAKE IT FROM HE SAID THE FORMER JERSEY RESIDENTS.

>> TALK TO FOLKS WHO HAVE HAD IT AND MAYBE BECOME THE BEST ADVOCATES IN THE COMMUNITY FOR OTHERS TO GET.

SO I HOPE YOUR PARENTS WENT OUT AND TOLD THEIR FRIENDS.

>> ONCE THEY UNDERSTOOD IT A LITTLE BIT BETTER, IT WAS EASIER FOR THEM.

IT IS BEST WE GET IT AND THEIR FRIENDS GOT IT'S.

WANT TO EXPLAIN IT TO ONE, THEY WILL EXPLAIN IT TO THE REST.

>> I AM A LAWYER.

SO I THINK LAWYER BRAIN AND IT IS FACTS AND EVIDENCE.

WHERE THE CASES ARE HIGHEST IN THE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE HIGHEST, VACCINES ARE THE LOWEST AND IT IS VICE VERSA.

WE WANT TO BREAK IT DOWN THAT WAY.

>> YOU CAN SEE THIS VISIT BY SOMEONE FROM THE FIRST FAMILIES AS JUST PART OF THE NATIONAL VACCINATION EFFORTS WHICH EVEN IN JERSEY STILL FACES A VOCAL AND ORGANIZED OPPOSITION.

YOU CAN ALSO SEE IT AS A NOT-SO- SUBTLE REMINDER TO RESIDENCE IN CITIES LIKE NEWARK WHERE BARACK OBAMA WILL BE VISITING ON SATURDAY THAT THEY GOVERNOR THEY HAVE RIGHT NOW HAS FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES.

I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> JOINING THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE TEXAS LAW BANNING ABORTIONS .

NEW JERSEY'S ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED THAT HE HAS JOINED A BRIEF SUPPORTING THE US JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SUPREME COURT CHALLENGE OF THE LAW WHICH BANS ABORTIONS AFTER SIX WEEKS.

THE BRIEF WAS FILED BY 23 ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND A DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IT CONTENDS THE TEXAS LAW VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO SEEK AN ABORTION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SUPPORTS THE FILINGS SAYING WE WILL FIGHT THIS MISGUIDED AND RECKLESS ASSAULT ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND WE WILL NOT REST UNTIL THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE IS NO LONGER UNDER THREAT.

NEW JERSEY'S PROGRAM TO BUY OUT HOMES AND FLOODPLAIN AREAS KNOWN AS THE BLUE ACRES PROGRAM IS GETTING A REDESIGN.

THE STATE WILL ALSO NOW BUY UP PROPERTIES THAT ARE EXPECTED TO FLOOD DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE STATE SAYS GIVEN FORECAST FOR BIGGER STORMS -- IT IS TIME TO CHANGE THE APPROACH TO FLOOD PROTECTION.

I SPOKE WITH JOHN ABOUT WHAT THE CHANGES MEAN FOR HOMEOWNERS.

THE STATE IS TAKING A NEW PROACTIVE APPROACH HERE.

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR HOMEOWNERS AND FLOOD ZONES OR FUTURE FLOOD ZONES?

>> THEY WILL HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING THEIR PROPERTIES BOUGHT OUT BY THE STATE AND THE IDEA OF THIS NEW STRATEGY IS THAT IT WILL TAKE A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH TO PLANNING FOR THE FLOODING THAT IS EXPECTED TO COME WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHAT THE DEP SAYS IS THAT THIS NEW PROACTIVE APPROACH WILL BE COMBINED WITH RESILIENCY MEASURES, THINGS LIKE LEVIES OR SEAWALLS OR FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES PERHAPS IN INLAND AREAS WITH THE IDEA THAT SOME OF THOSE PROPERTIES COULD ACTUALLY BE SAVED BY ANTICIPATING THE DAMAGE THAT THEY WILL GET IN YEARS TO COME.

>> HOW COULD THE STATE DETERMINE WHICH PROPERTIES ARE EXPECTED TO FLOOD IN THE FUTURE DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> THERE ARE TWO BROAD ANSWERS TO THAT, ONE IS THE FORECAST THE SEA LEVEL RISE FORECAST THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED BY THE STATE AND BY A SERIES OF ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THOSE FORECASTS SAY IS THEY ARE EXPECTING A RISE OF ABOUT TWO FEET IN SEA LEVEL AT THE JERSEY SHORE COMPARED WITH LEVELS IN THE YEAR 2000.

SO THAT IS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT THEY ANTICIPATE THIS AND THE OTHER OF COURSE IS SIMPLY JUST THE EXPERIENCE OF SEEING HOW CLIMATE CHANGE IS AFFECTING THE PROSPECT FOR FLOODING AS WE SAW MOST DRAMATICALLY A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO WITH TROPICAL STORM IDA.

>> SO THIS PLAN IS ALSO SET TO BRING A VICIOUS CYCLE THAT IS IN PLACE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN EXACTLY?

>> I SPOKE WITH THE DP COMMISSIONER AND HE REFERS TO THE VICIOUS CYCLE AS MEANING THAT IT IS A QUESTION OF DAMAGE AND REPAIR AND THEN REPEATS.

HE IS ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO GET OUT IN FRONT OF THAT CYCLE AND ANTICIPATE THE STORMS RATHER THAN JUST REACTING TO THEM.

>> ARE ADVOCATES ALSO TELLING YOU THAT EVEN MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THIS DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH?

WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT RESIDENTS?

>> I THINK THE LONG-TERM POSSIBILITY IS SIMPLY MANDATORY BUYOUTS.

MR. -- HAS PREVIOUSLY REJECTED WHEN I HAVE SPOKEN TO HIM OVER THE LAST MONTH OR SO, HE HAS DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MANDATORY BUYOUTS BUT SOME ADVOCATES SAY THAT THE NATURE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND IN PARTICULAR THE MAGNITUDE OF SEA LEVEL RISE FORECAST WILL ACTUALLY REQUIRE THAT THE MOST VULNERABLE AREAS MAY BE SUBJECT TO MANDATORY BUYOUTS BY THE STATES.

>> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE TALKING TO YOU ON THIS.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME.

>> THE GARDEN STATES INDUSTRY JUST LANDED IN THE RECORD BOOKS.

NEW JERSEY IS NOW THE FIRST STATE TO EVER TOP $1 BILLION IN SPORTS BETS ANY SINGLE MONTH.

I SAT DOWN WITH PLAY NJ ANALYST DUSTIN TO FIND OUT WHAT PROPELLED NEW JERSEY TO THE LEAD AND ASKED IF THE STATE CAN STAY THERE GIVEN A NEW COMPETITION.

YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR SOME TIME THAT NEW JERSEY WAS ON TRACK TO CONTINUE TO BREAK SPORTS BETTING RECORDS AND WE CERTAINLY JUST SAW THAT.

>> WE JUST SAW THE BIGGEST MONTH EVER IN NEW JERSEY SPORTS BETTING HISTORY AND REALLY IN ANY REGULATED US MARKET FOR SPORTS BETTING, $1 BILLION WAS WAGERED IN SEPTEMBER.

THAT WAS THE START OF THE NFL SEASON.

IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST MONTH FOR SPORTS BETTING AND WE KNEW THIS WAS COMING.

THIS WAS COMING FOR NEW JERSEY INTO THE SPINE AWAY THE BIGGEST MARKET FOR SPORTS BETTING RIGHT NOW ECLIPSING NEVADA BY A WIDE MARGIN AND CEMENTS NEW JERSEY AS THE LEADER IN SPORTS BETTING ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> CAN IT MAINTAIN THAT LEAD AS MORE STATES CONTINUE TO OFFER SPORTS BETTING, THE LATEST BEING CONNECTICUT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

CONNECTICUT WILL NOT BE THE ONE THAT WILL CHALLENGE THEM.

RELATIVELY LIMITED MARKET, VERY MUCH DIFFERENT FROM NEW JERSEY.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON IS NEW YORK.

NEW YORK IS IN THE PROCESS OF LEGALIZING SPORTS BETTING RIGHT NOW.

THERE TAKING BIDS FOR WHO WILL OPERATE IN THE STATE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM NEW YORK THAT NEW JERSEY BECAUSE IT IS CONVENIENT THEY HAVE LEGAL OPTIONS IN NEW JERSEY SO IF THEY GET LAUNCHED EARLY 2022 AT OF THE SUPER BOWL, THAT WILL BE WANT TO WATCH BECAUSE IT COULD QUICKLY RAMP UP AS ONE OF THE LARGEST SPORTS BETTING MARKETS.

>> WHAT IS NEW JERSEY DOING RIGHT TO CAPTURE ALL OF THIS ACTIVITY?

>> THEY HAVE A REALLY GOOD WIDE- OPEN COMPETITIVE MARKET.

THEY LET PRETTY MUCH ANY OPERATOR WHO IS WILLING TO BE REGULATED TO COME IN AND GET A LICENSE TO OPERATE AND THAT TURNS INTO A GOOD EXPERIENCE FOR CONSUMERS.

IT TURNS INTO A LOT OF COMPETITION AND THAT IS WHAT DRIVES THESE BIG NUMBERS IS THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE SPORTS BETTING OFFERS TO TRY TO ATTRACT CONSUMERS AND THAT TURNS INTO LOTS OF WAGERS, LOTS OF REVENUE AND LOTS OF TAX REVENUE FOR THE STATES.

>> HOW MUCH MORE CAN THE NEW JERSEY MARKET GROWTH?

>> IT IS HARD TO SAY.

WE ARTIE KNOW THAT NEW JERSEY HAS GROWN FASTER THAN WE THOUGHT IT WOULD I THINK.

WE KNEW THE BILLION-DOLLAR MARK WOULD BE ECLIPSED.

CAN 2 BILLION A MONTH BE POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE?

ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THE HEADWINDS OF NEW YORK LUNCH WILL IMPACT NEW JERSEY SOME BUT WE WILL SEE CONTINUED GROWTH YEAR-OVER- YEAR.

THIS SEPTEMBER IS THE BIGGEST MONTH FOR SPORTS BETTING.

YOU ALMOST HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SPORTS BETTING UNTIL SEPTEMBER OF NEW YEAR TO SEE WHAT NEW JERSEY DOES.

>> VERY SOON WE WILL GO TO THE BALLOTS OF NEW JERSEY.

THERE IS A QUESTION ON THE BALLOT THAT WILL ENABLE SPORTS BETTING FOR NEW JERSEY COLLEGE TEAMS, GAMES PLAYED HERE, WHAT DO OTHER STATES DO IN REGARDS TO THAT AND POTENTIALLY WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN FOR THE MARKET?

>> OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN BETTING ON IN-STATE COLLEGE TEAMS AND ON COLLEGE SPORTS THAT TAKE PLACE IN THE STATES.

IT IS DEFINITELY NOT IDEAL OFFSHORE SPORTS BACK -- BOOK.

THIS IS JUST INCREASING WHAT PEOPLE CAN BET ON, BRINGING REGULATION OF SPORTS BETTING INTO THE LIGHT.

IS A RELATIVELY SMALL PART OF THE MARKET BUT YOU WERE TRYING TO ATTRACT EVERY CONSUMER YOU CAN AND IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO BET ON RUCKER'S FOOTBALL OR BASKETBALL, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM THAT OPTION AND IT JUST MAKES NEW JERSEY SPORTS BETTING A MORE ROBUST PRODUCT.

>> GOOD TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

YOU WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO WAIT FOR YOUR MONTHLY IS A PAST STATEMENT TO KNOW HOW MUCH YOU ARE SPENDING ON TOOLS.

AVENUE MURPHY HAS SIGNED A LAW REQUIRING THAT DRIVERS RECEIVE PUSH NOTIFICATIONS ON THEIR SMART PHONES 24 HOURS AFTER A TOOL HAS BEEN PAID.

TO GET THE NOTIFICATIONS, DRIVERS NEED TO DOWNLOAD THE NEW JERSEY EASY PASS AT.

THE NEW LAW COVERS TOLLS PAID ON THE PARKWAY, TURNPIKE, ATLANTIC CITY EXPRESSWAY AND THE CAPE MAY COUNTY BRIDGE COMMISSION TOLL BRIDGES.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET PERFORMED TODAY.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJ NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DECEMBER 1 AND SECOND AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJ TIA.ORG.

>> MANY OF US TAKE GROWING TO THE GROCERY STORE FOR GRANTED.

IN ATLANTIC CITY, RESIDENTS HAVEN'T HAD A FULL-SERVICE GROCERY STORE IN MORE THAN 15 YEARS.

STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS BLAMED THE LACK OF ACCESS TO FRESH, HEALTHY FOODS FOR A HOST OF HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT PERSIST IN THE CITY.

THE RESORT TOWN'S LONG-STANDING REPUTATION IS A SO-CALLED FOOD DESERT IS OVER.

TODAY THE POWERFUL CASINO REINVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FINALLY VOTED IN FAVOR OF SPENDING $19 MILLION FOR A NEW SHOPRITE SUPERMARKET.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON WHETHER THE STORE WILL FEED THE NEEDS OF THE CITY.

>> NOW IT IS PAST TIME FOR ATLANTIC CITY TO HAVE A FULL- SERVICE SUPERMARKET.

>> COUNCILMAN AND PRESIDENT OF ATLANTIC CITIES NAACP CHAPTER THROWING HIS SUPPORT BEHIND THE CASINO REINVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS $18.7 MILLION PLAN TO PLACE A SHOPRITE SUPERMARKET AT THIS PARKING LOTS IN ATLANTIC CITY.

THE GROCERY STORE WILL RELIEVE SOME OF THE PRESSURE RESIDENTS FACE EVERY DAY TRYING TO FIND FOOD.

>> MANY PEOPLE IN ATLANTIC CITY DON'T HAVE PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION.

I HAVE TO TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

THEY HAVE TO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO GET FOOD.

>> THE CITY HASN'T HAD A FULL OPERATING SUPERMARKET SINCE 2006, FORCING MANY PEOPLE TO SHOP AT CORNER STORES WHICH LOCAL OFFICIALS SAY OFTEN TIMES DO NOT HAVE HEALTHY FOOD.

>> ALL THE STUDIES SHOW THE GREAT CITY OF ATLANTIC CITY IS A FOOD DESERT.

WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH SUPERMARKETS HERE.

>> COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE PAIGE WHO RUNS THIS LOCAL GARDEN ON THE GROUNDS OF SISTER JEAN'S PANTRY ARE ONE OF THE ONLY ONES PROVIDING FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS IT.

>> EVERYONE DESERVES ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD SO THAT IS WHAT WE CREATES.

WE DO THE BEST WE CAN TO FACILITATE THE CHANGE OF THE ENVIRONMENTS.

WE CANNOT GROW ENOUGH VEGETABLES TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER BUT WHAT WE CAN IS FULFILL OTHER NEEDS AND PEOPLE WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR.

>> ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD IS ALSO A HUGE PROBLEM FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS.

ATLANTIC CAPE COMMUNITY COLLEGE RUNS ITS OWN SMALL PANTRY ON CAMPUS THAT IS ACCESSIBLE 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> OVER THE PAST YEAR DURING COBIT AND THE PANDEMIC, WE DEFINITELY HAD A HIGH NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT WERE FACING FOOD INSECURITY IS, NOT BEING ABLE TO GET A HOT MEAL OR JUST A MEAL IN GENERAL FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> ATLANTIC CITY IS CONSIDERED TO BE A FOOD DESERT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND HEALTHY FOODS.

>> THE TERM OF FOOD DESERT IMPLIES THIS IS A NATURAL OCCURRENCE, DESERTS OCCURRING NATURALLY AROUND THE WORLD.

IT IMPLIES THIS IS SOMETHING THAT JUST HAPPENED ON ITS OWN WHICH WE KNOW IS COMPLETELY NOT TRUE.

>> INSTEAD JANINE COFOUNDER" NADIR OF THE NEW JERSEY FOOD DEMOCRACY COLLABORATIVE AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY SAYS SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES ARE A RESULT OF DECADES-OLD ECONOMIC POLICIES AND PRACTICES LIKE REDLINING.

SHE HOPES FUTURE CITY POLICIES ADDRESS LINGERING PROBLEMS THAT A SUPERMARKET ALONE CANNOT FIX.

>> ONE OF THE BIG QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ASKING IN ATLANTIC CITY IS WHAT ARE THE BARRIERS THAT KEEP PEOPLE FOOD INSECURE?

WHAT PREVENTS ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN ATLANTIC CITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCES, WHAT PART OF THE CITY THEY LIVE IN, WHAT KEEPS THEM FROM BEING ABLE TO GET ADEQUATE AMOUNTS OF HEALTHY NUTRITIOUS CULTURALLY APPROPRIATE FOODS CONSISTENTLY?

>> THE SHOPRITE IS EXPECTED TO BRING OVER 100 NEW JOBS AND WHILE COMMITTEE ADVOCATES ARE EXCITED, THEY SAY IT STILL WON'T ADDRESS OTHER MAJOR CONCERNS.

>> IF YOU ARE HOMELESS GOING TO A SUPERMARKET YOU NEED MONEY.

YOU NEED A PLACE TO STORE IT AND COOK IT BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SUPERMARKET PARTNER WITH SOME OF THE LOCAL MAKERS AND BE ABLE TO OFFER A SECTION IN THE SUPERMARKET LIKE AN INTERNATIONAL FOODS BUT INSTEAD LOCAL FOODS.

SO WE CAN EMPOWER PEOPLE TO GROW MICRO GREENS AT HOME MUST START THEIR OWN HOME BUSINESS AND START TO SELL THEM IN THE STORES AND WE WILL START SEEING THAT UPPER MOBILITY AND OWNERSHIP OVER THEIR BUSINESS, NOT JUST STOCKING SHELVES.

>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE COULD ARGUE THAT IT DOESN'T SERVE THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC IN ATLANTIC CITY TO HAVE A SHOPRITE, A PROVEN CREDIBLE FOOD SOURCE, A PROVEN CREDIBLE NAME IN THE BROADER COMMUNITY.

SO I FEEL FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THE SMALL BUSINESS PERSON BUT I DON'T THINK THAT FEELING OVERRIDES THE OVERALL GOOD OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> NOW THAT THE SHOPRITE PLAN HAS BEEN APPROVED, RESIDENTS OF THE CITY WILL FINALLY HAVE WHAT THEY HAVE LONGED FOR, ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND HEALTHY FOOD.

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

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

A REMINDER TO CHECK OUT OUR FIVE DAY VIRTUAL EVENT CALLED AMERICAN CITIES REBUILDING.

IT IS NOW UNDERWAY.

THIS IS OUR SECOND ANNUAL SERIES OF OF VIRTUAL CONVERSATIONS, FOCUSING ON HOW CITIES HARD-HIT BY COVID-19 WILL TAKE A LEADING ROLE IN MOVING COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES BEYOND THE NEW NORMAL.

HEAD TO THE AMERICAN CITIES REBUILDING WEBSITE TO REGISTER.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> NJ 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 BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, THE PS -- FOUNDATION AND BY THE FEW MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND -- NJ.

>> 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, THE CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE A NJ EA MEMBER.