>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.
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AND ORSTED.
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FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.
>> GOOD EVENING.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.
WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS OUT OF NEWARK WHERE TWO POLICE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN SHOT BY A GUNMAN FIRING FROM THE ROOFTOP OF A BUILDING IN THE SOUTH WARD.
HELICOPTER VIDEO FROM LOCAL ABC 7 SHOWS THE SCENE AT BOLSER PLACE WITH POLICING TACTICAL GEAR SEARCHING A MULTISTORY APARTMENT COMPLEX.
ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE GOVERNMENT REMAINS AT LARGE.
LAW ENFORCEMENT TELLS US THAT THEY WERE SERVING A WARRANT WHEN THE GUNMAN OPENED FIRE.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS NOT COMMENTING ON THE INCIDENT.
A TWEET BY GOVERNOR MURPHY THIS AFTERNOON STATES, I AM AWARE OF AND CLOSELY MONITORING THE SITUATION IN NEWARK.
I AM IN TOUCH WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND PROVIDING RESOURCES AND IS REQUESTED.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL RESIDENTS ARE SAFE.
ACCORDING TO REPORTS FROM NJ.COM, THE SHOOTER WAS USING A LONG GUN AND AUTHORITIES LOCKED DOWN THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS INCLUDING SCHOOLS URGING RESIDENTS TO STAY INDOORS.
WE WILL CONTINUE MONITORING THE SITUATION AS IT UNFOLDS.
CALL IT AN OCTOBER SURPRISE OR BAD TIMING FOR DEMOCRATS AFTER RECENT WARTS REVEALED A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INVOLVING U.S.
SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ.
THE SECOND FEDERAL PROBE HE HAS FACED IN A DECADE AND THIRD OVERALL.
THIS ONE COMES ONE WEEK AWAY FROM THE MIDTERM ELECTION WHERE HIS SON IS A CANDIDATE AND THE APPARENT AIR FOR THE EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT SEAT WITH THE BACKING OF THE PARTY MACHINE AND AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF REGISTERED DEMOCRATIC VOTERS IN THE DISTRICT.
THE NEWS OF THE INVESTIGATION DOES NOT SEEM TO BE RATTLING THE RACE OR PARTY LEADERS, WHO ARE SHOWING UNWAVERING CONFIDENCE IN NEW JERSEY'S SENIOR U.S.
SENATOR.
SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUISE REPORTS.
>> Reporter: BOB MENENDEZ IS A MAN OF THE SENATE.
SENATORS FROM THOSE OTHER STATES TURNED TO HIM TO JOIN IN THE FIGHT FOR THE AVERAGE AMERICANS THAT ARE STRUGGLING.
PLEASE HELP ME WELCOME BOB MENENDEZ.
>> BUSINESS AS USUAL THE DAYS AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF ANOTHER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ.
TOP DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE PREEMPTIVELY PRAISING THE LONG SERVING DEMOCRAT, WHO WAS REPORTEDLY UNDER SCRUTINY BY PROSECUTORS LOOKING INTO THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING A COMPANY IN BERGEN COUNTY THAT GOT AN EXCLUSIVE CONTRACT WITH EGYPT TO CERTIFY HELLO PRODUCTS.
THE OFFICE CONFIRMED THE INVESTIGATION.
OTHERWISE, SCANT DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE.
>> IT IS STILL KIND OF MURKY.
THAT IS ONE OF THE QUESTIONS.
GOING INTO THIS, A LOT OF THE POLITICAL OPERATIVES IN NEW JERSEY THAT WE SPOKE TO HAD NO CLUE THIS WAS COMING.
THIS WAS NOT LIKE A VAST THING THAT EVERYBODY KNEW ABOUT.
IT IS STILL BEING PIECED TOGETHER.
STILL NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR WHAT THIS HAS TO DO.
NOTHING IS REALLY OFFICIAL.
>> THE TIMING OF THE NEWS JUST DAYS BEFORE CRITICAL MIDTERM ELECTIONS HAS RAISED A FEW EYEBROWS.
MUTED RESPONSE FROM REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE IS ALSO CURIOUS.
THIS IS BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR NEW JERSEY DEMOCRAT AS VOTERS DESPERATELY SEEK TO PUT GAS IN THEIR CARS AND FOOD ON THEIR TABLES.
THEY WILL REMEMBER THAT DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN MORE FOCUSED ON PURSUING PERSONAL GAIN THAN SOLUTIONS FOR STRUGGLING NEW JERSEY FAMILIES.
ACTIVIST PATRICIA CAMPOS, A MENENDEZ SUPPORTER SAYS THAT THIS THIRD INVESTIGATION IS CONCERNING.
BOTH AS A LEGAL ISSUE AND AS A TACTICAL MATTER FOR THE SENATOR AND HIS POLITICAL FUTURE.
>> IT IS CONCERNING THAT HE IS AGAIN BEING INVESTIGATED.
THE TIMING IS ALSO CONCERNING.
YOU KNOW, HE SHOULD BE WORRIED ABOUT RAISING MONEY FOR HIS REELECTION.
THIS COMES AT A TIME THAT WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO BE ABLE TO RAISE FUNDS.
>> WHEN WE LOOK AT PUBLIC OPINION, THERE IS NO GREAT LOVE FOR THE SENATOR AMONG THOSE IN NEW JERSEY, EVEN AMONG THE MOST RECENT POLL.
MENENDEZ PULLS POORLY WHEN IT COMES TO FAVORABILITY AND APPROVAL RATING COMPARED TO HIS OTHER DEMOCRATIC COUNTERPARTS IN THE STATE.
HOVERING AROUND 38% APPROVAL.
29% ARE FAVORABLE OF THE SENATOR.
CORY BOOKER ALWAYS GETTING A MUCH HIGHER RATING AND GOVERNOR MURPHY GETTING MUCH HIGHER RATINGS, AS WELL.
THIS IS KIND OF THE PATTERN WE HAVE SEEN HIS ENTIRE TIME IN OFFICE WHEN IT COMES TO POLLING.
>> HE HAS BEEN QUIET ABOUT THE LATEST INVESTIGATION AND HAS SURVIVED SOME SALACIOUS ELEVATIONS AND TOUGH POLITICAL BATTLES OVER THE PAST FEW DECADES.
THE MOST RECENT TRIAL IN 2017 ENDING IN A MISTRIAL.
CORRUPTION CHARGES BEING DROPPED.
FREQUENT TARGET OF REPUBLICAN RHETORIC DESPITE OR PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE POWERFUL PLACE HE STILL HOLDS IN HIS PARTY NATIONALLY.
NEW JERSEY POLITICS, HE IS MORE FEARED THAN LOVED, SAY MANY INSIDERS.
MANY WHOM ARE ALREADY LOOKING AHEAD TO 2024.
MENENDEZ FACES REELECTION.
>> EVERYBODY WANTS TO TAKE A SHOT AT GOING TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE.
2018 ALLEGATIONS, THERE WAS THIS CONCERN THAT HE MIGHT NOT WIN.
THESE PEOPLE WERE POSITIONING THEMSELVES.
I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THOSE SAME NAMES FROM SOME OF THESE PARTS COME UP AGAIN, SAYING THAT THEY WOULD CHALLENGE HIM.
>> AND, AS THE SENATOR MADE CLEAR AND 2017, THEY DO IT AT THEIR OWN PERIL.
>> THOSE WHO ARE DIGGING MY POLITICAL GRAVE TO JUMP INTO MY SEAT, I KNOW WHO YOU ARE AND I WON'T FORGET YOU.
>> DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>> THE FINAL DAY TO VOTE IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS IS EXACTLY ONE WEEK AWAY.
THE STATE 'S TOP ELECTION OFFICIAL IS WARNING THE PUBLIC ABOUT TEXT MESSAGES CONTAINING ELECTION MISINFORMATION.
SECRETARY OF STATE SAYS THAT SOME NEW JERSEY VOTERS ARE RECEIVING MESSAGES WHICH APPEAR TO BE SENT BY AN ORGANIZATION CALLED BOATING FUTURES, PROVIDING AN ACCURATE VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND INCORRECT POLLING LOCATIONS.
THE MESSAGES HIT INBOX JUST AS VOTERS ACROSS THE STATE CAST THEIR BALLOTS THIS WEEKEND FOR EARLY IN PERSON VOTING, CAUSING SOME CONFUSION.
VOTERS IN FOR OTHER STATES ALSO RECEIVED THE PERSONALLY TAILORED MESSAGES.
THE COMPANY RESPONSIBLE APOLOGIZED IN A STATEMENT ON ITS WEBSITE, SAYING THE MESSAGES WERE SENT IN ERROR.
ELECTIONS ANALYST SAY TEXT MESSAGES CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET OUT THE VOTE.
PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUTH VOTERS.
A HIGHLY COVETED VOTING BLOCK THIS CYCLE.
THEY WERE EXPECTED TO TURN OUT IN DROVES AFTER THE FALL OF ROE V WADE.
BUT THE ENTHUSIASM APPEARS TO BE LACKING.
TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.
>> Reporter: FELICITY WINTER WAS EXCITED TO VOTE AS A FRESHMAN AT RUTGERS.
TWO YEARS LATER, SHE IS ENCOURAGING CLASSMATES TO CAST THEIR BALLOTS, TOO.
>> I THINK POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
I THINK IT IS THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR DEMOCRACY.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING AND MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD.
>> SHE HAS HEARD THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT A RELIABLE VOTING BLOCK.
SO HAS ELIZABETH MADDOW, THE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR YOUTH LOCAL PARTICIPATION AT RUTGERS.
SHE HAS HEARD IT PHRASED MORE HARSHLY.
THAT YOUNG PEOPLE DO NOT CARE ABOUT VOTING.
>> I WOULD STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH THAT, AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE.
THESE ARE GENERATIONS THAT WANT TO MAKE THEIR COMMUNITIES BETTER.
THEY WANT TO LOOK AT POLITICS AND THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AS A WAY TO ADDRESS THESE PUBLIC PROBLEMS.
>> PEOPLE MAY NOT BE THE MOST INFORMED.
I THINK GENERALLY, WHEN YOU TELL THEM WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE VOTING ON, THEY CARE.
>> SHE IS OPTIMISTIC THAT YOUNG ADULTS WILL VOTE BETWEEN NOW AND ELECTION DAY.
MAYBE NOT IN NUMBERS THAT WE SAW DURING THE GENERAL ELECTION TWO YEARS AGO, BUT SURPASSING THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTION IN 2018.
>> SO FAR, WE ARE SEEING REALLY ENCOURAGING SIGNS ABOUT YOUTH ENGAGEMENT AND YOUTH POLITICAL ANTICIPATION.
THAT REALLY CARRIES ON ATTEND A TREND THAT WE HAVE SEEN SINCE 2018.
WE HAVE SEEN A SLOW BUT STEADY UPTAKE IN YOUTH VOTER TURNOUT RATES.
THE LAST MIDTERM ELECTIONS WAS NOT SO SLOW AND STEADY.
IT WAS A PRETTY DRAMATIC INCREASE.
>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY YOUTH VOTER TURNOUT TRIPLED BETWEEN THESE TIMES.
AS FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION IN 2020, NEW JERSEY LED THE COUNTRY IN TURNOUT WITH 18 TO 29-YEAR-OLDS.
TWO THIRDS OF THEM VOTED.
REMOVING BARRIERS TO THE BALLOT BOX.
>> DOING MORE AT THE STATE LEVEL TO MAKE IT EASIER.
FOR EXAMPLE IN NEW JERSEY, WE HAVE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.
EARLY VOTING.
ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION.
THESE ARE ALL TOOLS OR PRACTICES THAT HEIGHTEN THE LIKELIHOOD THAT YOUNG ADULTS ARE GOING TO VOTE IN SOLID NUMBERS.
MADDOW IS NOT SURE WHAT THE NUMBER WILL BE THIS YEAR.
SHE THINKS VOTERS ARE MOTIVATED BY SIMILAR ISSUES AS OLDER VOTERS.
>> CERTAINLY FOR THE ECONOMY, IT'S AN ISSUE THAT MATTERS.
NOT JUST FOR OLDER AMERICANS, BUT COLLEGE-AGE STUDENTS, YOUNG ADULTS.
>> WHAT WE WERE SEEING AHEAD OF THE DEADLINE REALLY MIRRORED WHAT WE ARE SEEING ACROSS DEMOGRAPHICS.
THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT JOBS AND INFLATION.
THEY ALSO CARE ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND THEY CARE A LOT ABOUT COMING YOU KNOW, ISSUES THAT ARE THREATENING OUR DEMOCRACY.
>> JESSE BURNS LEADS THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN NEW JERSEY.
SHE SAYS THE GARDEN STATE COULD GROW IT SHARE OF VOTERS BY INTRODUCING SAME-DAY REGISTRATION.
>> THEY TEND TO BE YOUNGER VOTERS, OR THEY HAVE MISSED THE DEADLINES TO APPLY FOR COLLEGE.
SAME-DAY VOTER REGISTRATION SHOWS A 10 PERCENTAGE POINT INCREASE.
>> THE DEADLINE FOR REQUESTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT IN NEW JERSEY WAS TODAY.
THE DEADLINE FOR VOTING IN PERSON IS 8:00 P.M. NEXT TUESDAY.
IN NEW BRUNSWICK, I AM TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.
>> WE ARE ONE WEEK OUT FROM THE MIDTERM ELECTION.
WE WANT TO LET EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT A NEW POLITICAL PODCAST SERIES WE HAVE LAUNCHED.
THE NJ DECIDES 2022 ELECTION EXCHANGE.
INSIGHT AND ACCESS TO CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS, HOSTED BY DAVID CRUISE, SENIOR PROJECT EDITOR COLLEEN O'DAY AND ME.
WE GIVE YOU CANDID CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE ISSUES IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE EKE WEEK WITH THE CANDIDATES.
THIS WEEK IS MY ONE-ON-ONE WITH THREE TERM DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT REPRESENTATIVE JOSH GOTTHEIMER, LOOKING TO HOLD ONTO HIS FIFTH DISTRICT STREET FOR A FOURTH TERM.
>> THANKS FOR JOINING ME TODAY.
>> IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK IN PERSON.
>> ANOTHER REMATCH HERE.
FILL IN THE BLANK FOR ME.
I FEEL LIKE IT TO CONGRESS, MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IS WHAT?
>> MY NUMBER ONE PRIORITY WILL CONTINUE TO BE TO FIGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF THE DISTRICT MY JOB IS TO WORK WITH EVERYONE.
DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, ANYONE WILLING TO HELP NEW JERSEY.
WE GOT A LOT DONE IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WRITING FOR JERSEY.
GETTING MORE MONEY BACK TO THE FIFTH DISTRICT.
UP 357% IN TERMS OF WHAT WE GOT.
>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, CLOYING MONEY BACK?
>> PEOPLE PAY TAXES AND SEND THEM TO WASHINGTON.
HISTORICALLY, THE 5th DISTRICT, ESPECIALLY BEFORE I GOT THERE, DID NOT REALLY APPLY FOR A LOT OF GRANTS FOR A FIRE TRUCK OR AN AMBULANCE, TO HELP A NONPROFIT, TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES OUT.
ALL OF THESE RESOURCES, BUT YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR THEM.
IF YOU DON'T, YOU DON'T GET THEM.
>> TO HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW, GO TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE NJ DECIDES 2022 TAB TO LISTEN TO IT THERE AND YOU WILL FIND ALL THE EPISODES OF THIS NEW PODCAST SERIES.
OR DOWNLOAD THEM WHEREVER YOU STREAM YOUR PODCAST.
>>> IT LOOKS LIKE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION COULD BECOME A POLICY OF THE PAST.
SUPREME COURT JUSTICES ON MONDAY SIGNALED THAT THEY ARE LIKELY TO DO AWAY WITH USING RACE AS A FACTOR IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS.
A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION THAT IS POISED TO OVERTURN A DECADE OLD PRECEDENT.
DURING HEATED HOURS LONG ORAL ARGUMENTS, JUSTICES WADE CASES CHALLENGING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION POLICIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH ORELLANA AND HARVARD UNIVERSITY.
MEMBERS OF THE COURT'S CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY QUESTIONED WHETHER THE PRACTICES WERE LAWFUL.
AND IF COLLEGES COULDN'T DAD AN ACT RACE NEUTRAL POLICIES TO IMPROVE DIVERSITY.
THE POLICY WAS ORIGINALLY INTRODUCED TO REMEDY HISTORIC DISCRIMINATION.
FOR YEARS, HAD THE STRONG SUPPORT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE TUITIONS AND CORPORATIONS.
WITHOUT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, THERE WILL BE LOWER BACK AND HISPANIC POPULATIONS AT ELITE COLLEGES.
OPPONENTS, THOUGH, VIEW THE IDEA OF RACIAL EQUALITY TO MEAN ALL RACES NEED TO BE TREATED THE SAME.
18-YEAR-OLD RIDGEWOOD RESIDENT CHRISTINA WAS AMONG THOSE RALLYING OUTSIDE THE SUPREME COURT YESTERDAY.
SHE IS A FRESHMAN AND THE CODIRECTOR OF THE UNC FOR AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION GROUP.
ONE OF THE SCHOOLS AT THE CENTER OF THE LAWSUITS.
HER GROUP IS PUSHING TO KEEP THE POLICY ALIVE.
AND SHE JOINS ME NOW BETWEEN CLASSES.
CHRISTINA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
YOUR GROUP SUPPORTS WHAT HAS COME TO BE KNOWN AS RACE CONSCIOUS ADMISSIONS.
WHY IS IT THE VIEWPOINTS THAT THIS HELPS PROMOTE DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY, ESPECIALLY AT A LARGE INSTITUTION LIKE THE ONE YOU ATTEND?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME TODAY.
RACE CONSCIOUS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT THING.
OUR HISTORY IS NOT COLORBLIND.
THE 13th AND 14th AMENDMENTS ARE CLEAR THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF RACIAL BARRIERS IN JUSTICE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IN THIS COUNTRY.
THE GROUP FOR AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION TALKS ABOUT RACE CONSCIOUSNESS.
IT HELPS ALL STUDENTS OF COLOR.
AS AN ASIAN AMERICAN, I THINK IT IS A BIG REASON WHY I'M AT UNC TODAY.
IT'S A REASON WHY I ADVOCATE FOR IT AS A FIRST-GENERATION FRESHMAN STUDENT.
IT TELLS MY STORY.
IT'S A BIG OF WHO I AM AND A BIG PART OF FUTURE APPLICANTS APPLYING.
>> THIS ISSUE, AS YOU KNOW, HAS BECOME PARTICULARLY CONTENTIOUS AMONG THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
SOME FOLKS ARGUE THAT THE VERY PREMISE THAT RACE SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED REST ON RACIAL STEREOTYPES.
PARTICULARLY AGAINST ASIAN AMERICAN HENS.
THIS, QUOTE, UNQUOTE MODEL MINORITY MYTH.
TALK ABOUT THAT AND HOW THAT INFLUENCES YOUR THINKING IN THIS CASE.
>> YEAH.
I THINK THAT IS A MISCONCEPTION.
ACCORDING TO THE ASIAN AMERICAN 2020 VOTER SURVEY, 69% OF ASIAN AMERICAN SUPPORT AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION.
THE MAJORITY OF ASIAN AMERICANS SUPPORTED BECAUSE IT HELPS US AND OTHER GROUPS GET INTO HIGHER EDUCATION.
THERE WAS ALSO NO PROVEN STUDY THAT ASIAN AMERICANS ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST WHEN THERE IS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION.
>> THIS IDEA THAT YOUR CULTURE, YOUR RACE COULD INSTEAD BE INCLUDED IN PERHAPS AN ESSAY LIKE SOME OF THE CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES ARGUED YESTERDAY.
CAN IT BE DONE THAT WAY?
THAT WAS ONE OF THE POINTS THAT WAS MADE.
THAT IT COULD BE INCLUDED IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS ABOUT THE PERSON YOU ARE COMING TO THAT COLLEGE WITHOUT ACTUALLY FOCUSING SPECIFICALLY ON RACE.
IS THAT AN OFF-BASE WAY OF THINKING ABOUT IT?
>> WE HAVE SEEN OTHER INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, UCLA, AND THE TUITIONS LIKE THAT WHO HAVE GONE TO MORE NEUTRAL ALTERNATIVES.
THEY HAVE COME OUT AND SAID THAT IT DOES NOT REALLY WORK.
THEY'VE SEEN THE POPULATION DROP.
IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE THERE IS CURRENTLY A NEUTRAL WAY TO REVIEW APPLICATIONS.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HEAR STORIES AND IDENTITIES.
I AM A FIRST JEN STUDENT.
THAT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY IDENTITY.
I THINK ALL STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHARE THAT WITH WHOEVER IS REVIEWING THEIR APPLICATION.
>> NEW JERSEY RESIDENT CHRISTINA TALKING TO US FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.
>> THE FIRST OF THE MONTH MEANS BILLS ARE DUE.
RENT IS DUE.
ENROLLMENT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE OPENS.
RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS NEW DETAILS ON THE HELP AVAILABLE FOR THOSE UNABLE TO AFFORD COVERAGE AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.
RHONDA.
>> THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE MAKE CHOICES ABOUT OUR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR NEXT YEAR AND TODAY MARK THE START OF OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE STATE HEALTH INSURANCE MARKETPLACE KNOWN AS GET COVERED NEW JERSEY.
THE MARKETPLACE IS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE INSURANCE THROUGH AN EMPLOYER OR ANOTHER PROGRAM LIKE MEDICARE.
NEW JERSEY'S BANKING AND INSURANCE COMMISSIONER SAYS THAT HISTORIC LEVELS OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ARE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR.
>> INDIVIDUALS THAT, IN THE PAST, MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO QUALIFY OR WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THEY MAY BE ELIGIBLE THIS TIME AROUND.
>> RESIDENCE WILL QUALIFY FOR FINANCIAL HELP AND MANY HAVE ACCESS TO A PLAN AT $10 PER MONTH OR LESS.
FOR THE 324,000 NEW JERSEYANS YOU GOT COVERAGE IN THE MARKETPLACE IN 2022, A 20% INCREASE.
PHARMACEUTICALS.
DO NOT EXPECT TO SEE THE HELP WANTED SIGNS YOU SEE EVERYWHERE COMING DOWN JUST YET.
THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE JOBS NATIONWIDE SURGED IN SEPTEMBER.
MORE THAN 10 MILLION OPEN POSITIONS, WHICH WAS MORE THE NEXT EXIT.
THE LODGING AND FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY REPORT THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF UNFILLED JOBS.
INFLATION WILL TAKE A BITE OUT OF YOUR THANKSGIVING MEAL THIS YEAR.
WELLS FARGO CRUNCHED SOME NUMBERS AND FOUND TURKEY PRICES FORECASTED TO BE 23% HIGHER THAN A YEAR AGO.
PRICES FOR OTHER DINNERS WILL BE UP, AS WELL.
U.S. FEDERAL RESERVE BEGAN A TWO-DAY MEETING ON INTEREST RATES TODAY.
HERE IS HOW WALL STREET IS FARING AHEAD OF TOMORROW'S RATE ANNOUNCEMENT.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.
THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.
>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY ROWAN UNIVERSITY.
EDUCATING NEW JERSEY LEADERS.
PARTNERING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES.
TRANSFORMING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.
>>> SCHOOL OFFICIALS SAY THIS PROGRAM IS HAVING AN EVEN GREATER IMPACT THAN EXPECTED, HELPING STUDENTS TO GAIN ACCESS TO BASIC TOILETRIES THEY OFTEN GO WITHOUT.
ELIMINATING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AS A RESULT OF IT.
AS RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS THE PROGRAM IS EXPANDING AND REACHING MORE YOUTH IN NEED.
>> TOILETRIES AND HER PRODUCTS AND EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH THIS IS JUST NOT A PRIORITY WHEN TRYING TO PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE.
>> IN AN INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT ECONOMY, THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS MANY PATTERSON FAMILIES ARE GOING WITHOUT AN ORDER TO PAY FOR OTHER NECESSITIES, IN TURN CAUSING CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AMONG STUDENTS READ >> 11,500 NEWTONS GRADE SIX THROUGH 12.
WE REALLY NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS ALL OF THOSE NEWTONS.
BOYS AND GIRLS.
33 SCHOOLS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE AN INVENTORY FOUR.
I THINK WHAT YOU HEARD IS THAT THE FEMININE PRODUCT ARE CRITICAL.
>> IN JULY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SERVER SCHOOLS, COALITION WITH PATTERSON CHURCHES, ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCHING OF THE CLOSETS INITIATIVE.
THE AIM IS TO HELP STUDENTS GET ACCESS TO PERSONAL HYGIENE PRODUCTS.
TODAY THEY ANNOUNCED THE HELP OF A GENEROUS DONATION FROM COLGATE AND THEY ARE ABLE TO FULLY EXPAND AND STOCK CONFIDENCE CLOSETS FOR NEARLY 30,000 PRODUCTS DONATED BY THE COMPANY.
>> INCLUDING SUPPLIES, TOOTHPASTE, TOOTH RUSH, BODY WASH, AND SOAP TO BEGIN TO STOCK OUR CLOSETS.
SOME OF THE KIDS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE THOSE PRODUCT.
TO UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CONTRIBUTION, YOU ONLY NEED TO THINK ABOUT GETTING THROUGH THE DAY OR MULTIPLE DAYS WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO WASH HER HAIR OR BRUSH YOUR TEETH.
>> A LOT OF US DO NOT WORK BECAUSE WE ARE UNDERAGE.
WE DON'T HAVE THOSE RESOURCES AT HOME.
GET LAID, MADE ENOUGH, BROUGHT DOWN, TALKED DOWN UPON.
SHE ACTUALLY HELPS ME FEEL SAFE IN SCHOOL.
>> IN AN EFFORT TO HELP STUDENTS LIKE GENESIS REMAIN CONFIDENT IN SCHOOL, CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM SPECIALIST RAQUEL TRANSFORMED THIS CLOSET INTO A SHE SPOT.
A PRIVATE AREA TO ALLOW STUDENTS ACCESS TO PERIOD SUPPLIES LIKE TAMPONS, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
>> THE INCIDENT WITH MY STUDENT HAPPEN THE FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER 2021.
I PUT A CALL FOR HELP ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE.
BY OCTOBER 21st, IT WAS A REGISTERED NONPROFIT IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BECAUSE I GOT AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DONATIONS.
AS FAR AS MENSTRUAL PRODUCT, THEY WILL GRAB TWO OR THREE.
I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF GIRLS QUIETLY ASKED ME IF THEY CAN TAKE FOR THEIR ENTIRE CYCLE.
YOU DON'T NEED TO ASK ME THAT.
TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.
>> THE NEED TO EXPAND ACCESS TO THESE PRODUCTS HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF LEGISLATION IN TRENTON.
TO PROVIDE THE PADS AND TAMPONS AND SCHOOLS AS WELL AS WOMEN'S SHELTERS AND PANTRIES IN AN EFFORT TO HELP BOTH FEMALE AND MALE STUDENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD HYGIENE PRODUCT.
THE CONFIDENCE QUANTIC AND SHE SPOT OPERATE AS A ONE-STOP SHOP HERE AT JOHN F. KENNEDY HIGH SCHOOL.
>> WITH THE PARTNERSHIP, I WAS ABLE TO GET MORE SHAMPOOS AND BODY WASHES.
A LOT OF TOOTH PASTE FROM COLGATE RED A LOT MORE TOOTHBRUSHES.
WE ARE GOOD ON THAT.
JUST HOPING FOR MORE FEMININE PRODUCT.
IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE A BOY OR A GIRL.
I HAVE MALE AND FEMALE DEODORANT.
SPRAY, ROLL-ON, INVISIBLE STICK AND REMAKE THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS AS OF NOW, THE HIGH SCHOOL IS THE ONLY LOCATION WITH COMBINED USE.
THEY HOPE TO RECEIVE MORE SUPPLIES FOR ALL 33 CONFIDENCE CLOSETS AS THEY REMAIN IN DEMAND AND ARE A REASON FOR CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.
I'M RAVEN SANTANA.
>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.
MAKE SURE YOU GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDENS DATE.
I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.
FOR THE ENTIRE, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.
WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.
>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS.
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY.
AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.
AND IT NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.
MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT M.J. REALTOR.COM.
>> ORSTED WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.
JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDENS DATE.
ORSTED.
COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.
ONLINE AT US.ORSTED.COM.