>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI .

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

NEW JERSEY'S MOST COMPETITIVE CONGRESSIONAL RACE IS NOW CRITICAL TO THE NATIONAL FIGHT FOR POWER IN CONGRESS.

THE REMATCH BETWEEN INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT TOM ZALASKI AND FORMER REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR TOM CAN JR.

IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT IS BEING CONSIDERED THE BELLWETHER RACE FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

ANALYST SAY A WIN OR LOSS COULD INDICATE HOW THE MONEY WILL GO FOR REPUBLICANS ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

DONORS AND POLITICAL GROUPS ARE PAYING ATTENTION.

ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CAMPAIGN FINANCE NUMBERS, AT $40 MILLION, DEMOCRATS ARE FOR OUR RAISING REPUBLICANS HERE IN NEW JERSEY, WHO HAVE PUT UP 15 MILLION ON THEIR END.

IN THE SEVENTH DISTRICT, MALINOWSKI RAISED TWICE AS MUCH AS KEAN .

ANOTHER CASH INFUSION IS REPORTEDLY ON ITS WAY FROM THE DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE.

A SHIFT IN A RACE MANY INSIDERS COUNTED OUT OF THE DISTRICT WAS REDRAWN TO INCLUDE MORE REPUBLICAN LEANING TOWNS , CHANGING THE MAKEUP OF THE VOTER DEMOGRAPHIC TO FAVOR CAN, LEAVING MALINOWSKI TO DEFEND HIS IT IS THE APPARENT SACRIFICIAL LAND BROKER PARTY SAW NO AND VOTES FOR A WIN.

CANVASSERS FROM PROGRESSIVE GROUPS ARE MAKING ONE LAST PITCH.

THEY ARE OUT THIS WEEKEND KNOCKING ON THOUSANDS OF DOORS IN THE DISTRICT.

DEMOCRATIC HEAVY HITTERS CAME OUT TO SUPPORT MALINOWSKI'S CAMPAIGN, AS WELL.

HOSTING A RALLY IN ONE OF THE NEWLY ADDED TOWNS TO THE DISTRICT.

A KEY TO THE RACE AS A DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLD.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, U.S.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER, ALONG WITH OTHER FEDERAL , STATE, AND LOCAL LAWMAKERS DID THEIR PART TO REV UP THE CROWD.

>> THIS RACE IS GOING TO BE DECIDED BY A HANDFUL OF VOTES.

YOU GET TO DECIDE WHO IS THE CONGRESSMAN FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WHETHER DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS, INSURRECTIONIST REPUBLICANS, CONTROL THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WE WANT MORE INFRASTRUCTURE OR MORE INSURRECTIONS?

>> INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY WAS OUT ON SATURDAY CASTING HIS BALLOT ALONG WITH FIRST LADY TIMMY MURPHY AND THE FAMILY ON THE STATE'S FIRST DAY OF EARLY, IN PERSON VOTING FOR IT USING ONE OF THE ROUGHLY 140 POLLING PLACES SPREAD OUT ACROSS NEW JERSEY, WELCOMING RESIDENTS TO EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO VOTE DURING THE STATE NINE-DAY EARLY VOTING PERIOD.

TOMORROW IS ALSO THE DEADLINE IF YOU PLAN ON APPLYING FOR A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT.

JUST ANOTHER ONE OF THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS PLEDGING EXTRA SAFEGUARDS AGAINST VOTER FRAUD AND OTHER ILLEGAL ACT, ROLLING OUT A NEW VOTER PROTECTION INITIATIVE TO HELP VOTERS, SHOULD THEY ENCOUNTER A PROBLEM.

AS IT ALWAYS DOES, IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO WHETHER PEOPLE PARTICIPATE.

SENIOR PROJECT EDITOR COLLEEN O'DAY JOINS ME NOW WITH AN UPDATE ON EARLY VOTER TURNOUT.

COLLEEN, FROM WHERE WE SIT NOW, BOTH THE ELECTION ITSELF AND VOTING HAVE REALLY KICKED INTO HIGH GEAR.

I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN TRACKING ALL OF THIS.

WHERE DO WE STAND WITH VOTE BY MAIL AND EARLY VOTING?

>> AS OF RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE ABOUT 460,000 PEOPLE VOTED AS OF THE END OF YESTERDAY .

ABOUT 411,000 DID SO BY MAIL SO FAR.

ABOUT 46,000 IN PERSON ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY TO VOTE EARLY ON A MACHINE.

ACCORDING TO THE NUMBERS, DEMOCRATS HAVE A MUCH BIGGER LEAD IN THE VOTE BY MAIL IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE OF VOTES CAST.

ALSO , ABOUT 50% OF THE EARLY IN PERSON FOLKS WERE DEMOCRATS, VERSUS ABOUT 30% OF REPUBLICANS, 28% UNAFFILIATED OR OTHER THIRD PARTIES.

>> TO WE HAVE ANOTHER COMPARISON AS TO THE PREVIOUS GENERAL ELECTION , 2020?

THE LAST TIME THERE WAS A MIDTERM , THE VOTER TURNOUT, AND WHETHER OR NOT WE STAND TO SURPASS THAT.

>> 2020 IS A HARD COMPARISON TO MAKE HER THAT WAS ESSENTIALLY A VOTE BY MAIL ELECTION BECAUSE WE HAD COVID.

I DID NOT LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS.

I THINK WE HAD 92% OF PEOPLE USING A MAIL-IN BALLOT.

THEY WERE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO BECAUSE WE ARE TRYING TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF COVID .

THAT'S NOT REALLY A GOOD COMPARISON.

WE'VE ONLY HAD EARLY VOTING IN PERSON ONE OTHER YEAR , LAST YEAR, THE GENERAL ELECTION WAS THE FIRST TIME.

NUMBERS ARE A LITTLE BIT LOWER.

BUT THERE WAS A MUCH BIGGER EMPHASIS ON THAT ELECTION .

IT WAS THE FIRST TIME.

I FEEL LIKE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PUBLICITY ABOUT THIS.

HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, VIEWERS WILL SEE THIS AND KNOW THAT THE IS ANOTHER OPTION FOR THEM.

>> THE PRESIDENT WAS ON TOP OF THE BALLOT THEN.

NOT THE CASE THIS TIME.

I'M WONDERING IF YOU ARE HEARING IF FOLKS ARE JUST EAGER TO GET BACK INTO THE BOOTH, WHETHER IT'S EARLY OR ON THE ACTUAL ELECTION DAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HOLD THAT SACRED .

>> AN AWFUL LOT OF PEOPLE JUST WANT TO VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

IT WAS ODD.

WHEN I VOTED MYSELF ON SATURDAY, I HEARD SOMEONE SAYING THAT HE THINKS WE SHOULD JUST VOTE ON ELECTION DAY.

SHOULD TRY TO GET RESULTS ELECTION NIGHT OR THE NEXT DAY OR WHATEVER.

BUT HE VOTED EARLY.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE WHY HE DID THAT.

BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DEFINITELY WANT TO GO ON ELECTION DAY.

IT'S GOING TO BE OLD-FASHIONED.

THE CAST THAT BALLOT FOR ITS >> TO JUMP BACK TO SOMETHING YOU REFERENCED BEFORE.

NOT A LOT OF PUBLICITY ABOUT THE OPTIONS.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUBLICITY FOR THE CANDIDATES .

PERHAPS, SHOULD SOME OF THE MONEY THAT HAS BEEN SPENT BY THESE PACKS AND CAMPAIGNS BEEN SPENT ON JUST GETTING PEOPLE TO KNOW THEIR OPTIONS TO VOTE?

>> YOU WOULD THINK SO.

THAT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAVE ONE PURPOSE IN MIND, WHICH IS TO EITHER ELECT SOMEONE OR NOT ELECT SOMEONE.

THEY ARE EITHER FOR OR AGAINST IT.

BUT DEFINITELY.

IT CERTAINLY SEEMS THERE SHOULD BE MORE PUBLICITY.

>> WE WILL BE CHECKING BACK IN WITH YOU AS WE INCH CLOSER TO ELECTION DAY.

THANK YOU.

>> JUST OVER A WEEK TO GO UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

WE GOT YOU COVERED WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW.

JUST GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB TO FOLLOW ALONG WITH MORE DETAILS ON CANDIDATES AND YOUR DISTRICT WITH ALL OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO CAST YOUR VOTE.

A SHAKEUP AT THE STEAKHOUSE.

CHIEF OF STAFF TO STATE SENATE PRESIDENT HAS DESIGNED RESIGNED AND INTENDS TO PLEAD GUILTY TO FEDERAL TAX EFFICIENT CHARGES.

ACCORDING TO THE SECOND MOST POWERFUL DEMOCRAT IN NEW JERSEY.

TONY HAS SERVED AS CHIEF OF STAFF SINCE 2018.

HE IS A LONGTIME DEMOCRATIC OPERATIVE.

SERVING AS HEAD OF THE LOCAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND ELIZABETH.

HE WAS SUBPOENAED IN 1 TO 21 BY STATE INVESTIGATORS LOOKING FOR DETAILS AND TO ROUGHLY $50,000 IN PAYMENTS MADE TO HIM AND HIS LATE WIFE BY SEAN CATTELL, A MAN AT THE CENTER OF A MURDER FOR HIRE PLOT.

THOSE PAYMENTS WERE MADE BY THE FORMER STATE SENATOR .

IN HIS STATEMENT, HE SAID THAT HE SERVE THE PUBLIC AND MANY ADMIRABLE CAPACITIES.

ADDED THAT HE WAS GLAD TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS PERSONAL FINANCIAL ACTIONS.

PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS ARE CALLING AT THE PANDEMIC AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>>> TENS OF MILLIONS OF WORKING ADULTS WHO EXPERIENCED LONG COVID.

A WIDE RANGE OF POTENTIALLY DISABLING SYSTEMS .

THE CONDITION HAS NO STANDARD WAY OF PRESENTING AND NO KNOWN TREATMENT, MAKING IT AN ESPECIALLY TOUGH BATTLE WHEN GOING UP AGAINST DISABILITY AND INSURANCE COMPANIES WITH AN ILLNESS THE WORLD HAS NOT YET FULLY UNDERSTOOD.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IT SO HARD TO SEE WHAT IS WRONG, YOU KNOW.

YOUR AVERAGE PERSON WILL SEE ME.

I LOOK NORMAL.

>> Reporter: MEGAN CLEMENS WORKED IN MANHATTAN.

A DEMANDING JOB IN REAL ESTATE FINANCE BEFORE CATCHING COVID JULY 2020.

EVER SINCE, SHE HAS STRUGGLED TO RECOVER.

HER DOCTORS DIAGNOSED LONG COVID WITH SYMPTOMS INCLUDING CHRONIC EXHAUSTION, WHICH LEADS TO BRAIN FOG AND WORST.

THE 29-YEAR-OLD COULD NOT FUNCTION.

>> IF I SIT DOWN AND READ THROUGH EMAILS , I MAY GET A RESURGENCE OF SORE THROAT, HEADACHES , DIZZINESS .

IT JUST KIND OF SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON MY ENTIRE LIFE, REALLY.

>> Reporter: SHE FILED THROUGH DISABILITY BENEFITS THROUGH PRIVATE INSURER METLIFE.

IT TURNED INTO A LAWSUIT A PART OF AN EVOLVING LEGAL BATTLEGROUND DRIVEN BY COVID PANDEMIC VICTIMS TOO SICK TO WORK BUT MUST PROVE THAT THEY ARE SICK ENOUGH TO GET DISABILITY BENEFITS.

IT'S NOT AN EASY CALL.

>> EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE MAY BE ABLE TO GET UP AND FUNCTION, THEY MAY BE ABLE TO GET UP AND LEAVE THE HOUSE, IF YOU ARE NOT PERFORMING AT THE SAME LEVEL YOU WERE BEFORE YOUR COVID-19 INFECTION, WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU GET EVALUATED.

>> WE HAVE RIGHT NOW HUNDREDS OF THESE CASES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE REPRESENT CLIENTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THIS ATTORNEY TOOK THE CASE WHEN SHE SAID THE COMPANY DENIED DISABILITY BENEFITS WHEN CLIENTS OFTEN LACK THE STRENGTH AND ENERGY TO ENGAGE IN A LEGAL BATTLE.

>> APEL WHO ARE SCARED AND THEY COME TO US AND SAY, DO THEY REALLY THINK THAT WE ARE MAKING THIS UP >> IT REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION AND IT TAKES TIME.

THIS IS NOT A COME TO THE OFFICE, ONE VISIT MY WE WRAP UP EVERYTHING IN 15 TO 20 MINUTES.

IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET THROUGH THE DIFFERENT LAYERS OF TESTING, AS WELL AS GET THROUGH SOME OF THESE EVALUATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IN JULY 2021 RECOGNIZED THAT LONG COVID CAN BE A DISABILITY.

NOTING THAT AN INDIVIDUALIZED ASSESSMENT IS NECESSARY TO DETERMINE HOW SYMPTOMS MEET LIMIT MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITY.

16 MILLION AMERICANS WORKING AGE SUFFER FROM LONG COVID, CREATING SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR INSURERS.

>> THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY SPENDS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO CONVINCE THE AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT IT IS A BIG FRAUD.

THAT EVERYBODY WHO FILES THESE CLAIMS IS COMMITTING FRAUD .

IN 38 YEARS OF PRACTICE, I CAN TELL YOU THE ONLY FRAUD OF EVER SEEN IS ON THE PART OF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

THEY TAKE THE PREMIUM AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO PAY.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESMAN FOR THE NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF LIFE INSURER SAYS HE IS NOT AUTHORIZED TO DISCUSS THE MATTER.

SHE MADE DISABILITY PAYMENTS FOR THE LIFE OF HER POLICY BUT SHE FACES A LONG ROAD >> I LOVE TO BE BACK IN THE WORLD WORKING AGAIN.

>> Reporter: METLIFE DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> MORE CITIES ARE TURNING TO COMMUNITY LED EFFORTS TO REDUCE VIOLENCE ON OUR STREETS.

IT'S BEING LED BY A SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION AND A PROFESSIONALLY TRAINED TEAM OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS APPLYING CONFLICT RESOLUTION TACTICS ALONG WITH HER OWN SHARED EXPERIENCES WITH STREET LIFE TO REACH TROUBLED CITY RESIDENTS AND ULTIMATELY HELP THEM TURN THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> OKAY.

>> A WAVE OF EMOTIONS AS SHE WALKS IN FRONT OF HER CHILDHOOD TRENTON HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2005.

>> I DROVE PAST MANY TIMES BUT NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE THE COURAGE TO COME BACK.

>> Reporter: THIS HOUSE IS WHERE SHE WITNESSED HER MOTHER ROBERT SHOT AND KILLED >> HE WAS JUST 15 YEARS OLD.

MY BROTHER, AT THE AGE OF 15, HE JOINED A BLOOD AGAIN.

THERE WAS ANOTHER SET IN THE CITY, AS WELL.

ME AND MY BROTHER AND TWO OF HIS FRIENDS AND ABOUT FOUR ADULTS WALKED UP OR THEY WERE ADULTS TO ME.

OLDER PEOPLE.

OLDER THAN HIM WALKED UP AND JUST STARTED SHOOTING.

I REMEMBER RUNNING DOWN THE BLOCK AND HIDING BEHIND THE CAR.

HE WENT INSIDE.

IT WAS SO FAST I FORGOT WHERE EVERYBODY ELSE WENT.

BY THE TIME THE PEOPLE RAN PAST ME BECAUSE I WAS NOT A TARGET, I RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO SEE MY BROTHER ON THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: 17 YEARS LATER, SHE IS USING THE EXPERIENCE TO HELP PREVENT FUTURE TRAGEDIES WORKING AS A HIGH-RISK INTERVENTIONIST WITH THAT STREET CHAIN.

IT CONSISTS OF MEMBERS FROM THE COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE AND STREET LIFE IN SOME WAY.

THEIR GOAL IS TO PROMOTE PEACE AND HEALING AND ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES WITH RESIDENTS.

>> GO HANG OUT ON THE CORNER.

IT GIVES ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME OUT OF MY OFFICE, GET OUT AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUNG MEN.

SAY LISTEN, I WAS IN THE SAME PLACE YOU ARE AT.

>> A FORMER DRUG ADDICT AND DEALER, SHE DECIDED TO TURN HIS LIFE AROUND AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL YEARS IN PRISON.

NOW HE IS USING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS HE LEARNED ON THE STREET TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE CREATE THEIR OWN BUSINESSES THE RIGHT WAY.

>> USED TO RUN BY THIS CORNER RIGHT HERE.

I ACTUALLY GOT SHOT TWO BLOCKS AWAY.

BEING ABLE TO TALK TO OUR YOUNG FOLKS.

BEING ABLE TO TALK TO FORMER GANG MEMBERS.

BEING ABLE TO TALK TO LITTLE KIDS THAT ARE THINKING ABOUT GOING INTO A GANG.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT CAN HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS.

>> BACK IN 2004, I JOINED THE BLOODS.

I GOT TWO FIVE-STAR GENERAL.

I DID A LOT OF DIRT IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE BIRTH OF HIS DAUGHTER WAS THE TURNING POINT THAT HE NEEDED TO DO BETTER.

HE IS A CHAMPION PROFESSIONAL BOXER UPLIFTING IS COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S HEARTWARMING.

IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

IT'S VERY HEARTWARMING.

>> Reporter: FOR YEARS, TRENTON HAS BEEN A CITY PLAGUED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

IN 2020, THE CITY BROKEN YOU RECORD WITH 40 HOMICIDES.

THE CITY TIED THE RECORD AND 2021 .

SO FAR, THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN 18.

>> BACK , I HEARD THE GUNSHOTS.

>> Reporter: HE IS SAVING LIVES WORKING AS A FIREFIGHTER IN THE THEATER WHILE ALSO DONATING HIS TIME WITH THE STREET TEAM.

AN INITIATIVE UNDER THE COMMUNITY GROUP ELEVATION OF SOCIAL JUSTICE.

SINCE THE SPRING, MEMBERS HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO PROVIDE OUTREACH AND SCHOOLS TO SOME OF THE CITY'S MOST TROUBLED YOUTH.

>> SAY SOMEBODY HAD A BEEF.

INSTEAD OF POLICE INTERVENE, WE ARE GOING TO RECONCILE THOSE TWO.

THE GOAL IS TO GET THEM TO SIT DOWN AT A TABLE.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK OUT, MEMBERS OF THE STREET TEAM SAY IT NEVER HURTS TRYING.

>> WE LIKE TO SAY THOSE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEM ARE CLOSEST TO THE SOLUTION.

WE ARE BRINGING THOSE PEOPLE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE PEACE IN TRENTON, NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THE TEAM IS COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE MISSION FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY.

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

>>> RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST ON THE SITUATION AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> LOCAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS ARE RENEWING THEIR CALL FOR MORE FINANCIAL HELP TO COUNTER RISING EXPENSES FOR HEALTH INSURANCE AND PENSION BENEFITS , THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND THE NEW JERSEY STATE LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES ARE ONCE AGAIN URGING GOVERNOR MURPHY TO USE ADDERALL COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS TO OFFSET INCREASES IN HEALTH BENEFIT EXPENSES.

BEYOND THE 24% PREMIUM INCREASE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE STATE HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM, THEY ARE FACING DOUBLE-DIGIT PENSION CONTRIBUTION RATE INCREASES.

OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN WARNING THAT THESE HIGHER COSTS COULD LEAD TO PROPERTY TAX INCREASES, SERVICE CUTS OR LAYOFFS.

IN THE MEANTIME, REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE STATE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE ARE REQUESTING THAT A HEARING BE HELD TO DISCOVER WHY HEALTH UNIONS HAVE INCREASED BY SO MUCH.

IT COULD IT EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.

ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS FALLOUT FROM THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR.

TODAY ON THE GLOBAL MARKET, PRICES FOR WHEAT AND CORN CLIMBED AFTER RUSSIA PULLED OUT OF A DEAL THAT WOULD ALLOW UKRAINE TO EXPORT GRAINS AND YOU REIGN IS ONE OF THE WORLD TOP GRAIN PRODUCERS.

DIESEL FUEL PRICES HAVE BEEN RISING AS SUPPLIES ARE LOW.

THE UPTICK IN PRICES OF BOTH REAL AND FOOD ARE A REMINDER OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO GET INFLATION UNDER CONTROL.

>>> AND EATONTOWN NATIVE HAS COME UP WITH A NEW BUSINESS CALLED MOJO, WHICH IS KIND OF LIKE A STOCK MARKET WHERE PEOPLE INVEST IN ATHLETES.

HE ONCE DID IN NEW JERSEY A FEW WEEKS AGO.

>> THE INCEPTION HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOWNLOADS.

YESTERDAY WAS SUNDAY .

OUR BUSIEST DAY.

THE PRICES OF THE PLAYERS BASICALLY FLUCTUATE BASED ON HOW THEY PLAY ON THE FIELD.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, JETS TIGHT AND HAD A GOOD DAY ON THE FIELD YESTERDAY.

HIS STOCK WAS UP 10% TODAY.

ON TO THE OTHER STOCK MARKET, HERE IS A LOOK AT CLOSING NUMBERS.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP IS THE STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY.

UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT CHAMBERS AS M.J..COM.

AND BY NJ TIA NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE ON TOURISM DECEMBER 1st AND 2nd AT RESORTS CASINO CELL HOTEL IN ATLANTIC CITY.

INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJTIA.ORG .

>>> ON THIS DAY A DECADE AGO, HALLOWEEN IN NEW JERSEY WAS EFFECTIVELY CANCELED .

TRICK-OR-TREATING AND OTHER HALLOWEEN NIGHT ELEVATIONS WERE POSED OWNED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, DUE TO DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN THE AFTERMATH OF SUPER STORM SANDY.

TODAY, THE GOOD NIGHTMARE OF THE CLEANUP AND FLOODING STILL EXIST FOR MANY HOMEOWNERS WHO CONTINUE TO RUN UP AGAINST TURTLES IN THE FEDERAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM AND WORRY THAT RECENT CHANGES TO THE RISK MODELS COULD LEAVE THEM MORE VULNERABLE THAN LIFE BEFORE SANDY.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> I WAITED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM AT 11 AT NIGHT THROUGH MY DEEPWATER WITH HOUSES BURNING DOWN AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS EXPLODING IN THE PITCH BLACK .

THAT WAS THE EASY PART.

>> Reporter: DOUG QUINN BARELY SURVIVED SUPER STORM SANDY.

HIS HOME WAS NOT AS FORTUNATE.

IT WAS DESTROYED BY FOUR FEET OF FLOODING.

>> I WAS NOT CONCERNED BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN INSURANCE.

I'M A FINANCIAL ADVISOR.

I'M RECOMMENDED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS , IF NOT TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF COVERAGE TO MY CLIENTS OVER MY CAREER.

>> Reporter: HE HAD A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS OF INSURANCE THAT WAS INITIALLY PAID OUT LESS THAN $.40 ON THE DOLLAR.

>> THE DAMAGE TO MY FOUNDATION WAS A BULK OF THE RESUME OF THE HOUSE HAD TO BE TORN DOWN.

IT WAS ALREADY THERE.

IT WHAT'S CALLED THE EARTH MOVEMENT.

THE SHIFTING OF THE SUPPORTING SOILS.

>> Reporter: IT TOOK SEVEN YEARS FOR QUINN TO BE PAID IN FULL AND FINALLY REBUILD HIS HOME.

ONLY AFTER CATCHING A BREAK WHEN ANOTHER FAMILY SUE THEIR INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER LEARNING THEY WERE BEING DEFRAUDED.

>> THEY ORDERED A REINSPECTION AND COINCIDENTALLY SAME AT THE SAME INSPECTOR.

THEY CONFRONTED HIM AND SAID, YOU KNOW, YOU CHEATED US.

YOU SAID THIS WAS STORM DAMAGE AND WE HAVE THIS REPORT FROM OUR INSURANCE COMPANY SAYING THAT YOU SAID IT IS AND.

HE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT IS NOT THE REPORTER WROTE.

>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATION THAT FOLLOWED PRODUCED PROOF THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY KNOWINGLY WITHHELD MONEY THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID OUT.

CASES LIKE THIS HAVE SHAKEN PEOPLE'S FAITH IN THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM.

PROPERTY OWNERS NEED IT IF THEY LIVE IN A HIGH RISK FLOOD AREA WITH A GOVERNMENT-BACKED MORTGAGE.

IT HAS UNDERGONE SEVERAL CHANGES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS SINCE SANDY.

NAMELY, A NEW PRICING MODEL CALLED RISK RATING 2.0.

>> IT ASSESSES RISKS BASED ON THE INDIVIDUAL, RATHER THAN A LARGER AREA.

IN THEORY, THAT SOUNDS GOOD BUT AS A CONSEQUENCE, WE THINK ONLY YOU KNOW, PRICES ARE GOING UP FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> IT IS PULLING HIM BETTER DATA, NEW MODELING TECHNIQUES , REALLY TRYING TO BRING THE FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM IN LINE WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART PRIVATE-SECTOR PRICING MODELS.

>> Reporter: FEMA SAYS THE NEW RATINGS MEAN HOMEOWNERS WILL NOW PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF THE RISK.

SAYS THEY ARE BASED ON A PROPERTY'S UNIQUE BLOOD RISK AS WELL AS THE COST IT WILL TAKE TO REBUILD.

RISK RATING 2.0 HAS IT DETRACTORS THIS AUTHOR SAYS IT IS SHORTSIGHTED AND CONGRESSMAN FRANK ALONE SAYS IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

>> OF THOSE PEOPLE LEAVE THE PROGRAM, WILL BE LEFT?

WHO ARE WEALTHY.

>> INSURANCE PRICE IS NOT A GOOD ON HIGH RISK BE CHANGING OVER TIME.

>> Reporter: THE SENATOR HAS SPONSORED A BILL THAT WOULD OVERHAUL THE NFIP.

CONGRESSMAN MALONE IS NOT CONFIDENCE IN IN THE FIX.

>> IF YOU ARE NEAR IT, YOU SUPPORTED.

IF YOU'RE IN WYOMING, YOU MIGHT NOT GET THERE IS THAT, TOO.

THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ALONE SAY, WHY DON'T WE JUST FORGET ABOUT ALL THIS?

>> PLENTY OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WILL NEVER FORGET THE DEVASTATION FROM SANDY, NOR THE PAIN AND ANGUISH THEY SUFFERED FOR YEARS AFTER AT THE HANDS OF BAD FAITH INSURANCE COMPANIES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM TED GOLDBERG READ >> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU HAD OVER TWO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR OUR ENTIRE TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT HALLOWEEN.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

NO -- MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AND BY THE PS E.G.

FOUNDATION.

>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN SERVING BUSINESSES FOR OVER A CENTURY.

AS PART OF THE GARDEN STATE, WE HELP THEM PENNIES KEEP THEIR VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, EMPLOYEES ON THE JOB, AND PROJECTS ON TRACK.

WORKING TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES FROM ILLNESS AND INJURY.

TO KEEP GOODS AND SERVICES MOVING ACROSS THE STATE.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJBARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR APPLE OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A RWJBARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU'VE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE.

DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS , EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM .