>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJ AND INSURANCE GROUP SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

THE PSE G FOUNDATION.

AND, BY THE BLUE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART E NJ.

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

>> THEY ARE BACK IN THE STORES AND SEARCHING FOR DEALS.

GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM RAVEN IN FOR BREANNA.

AFTER A YEAR THAT SAW MUCH OF THE BLACK FRIDAY FRENZY SHIFT ONLINE DO THE THE PANDEMIC, THIS YEAR, WITH MILLIONS VACCINATED, SHOPPERS ARE BACK IN BRICK AND MORTAR SHORES STORES.

ECONOMISTS SAY ANTICIPATE RECORD SPENDING THIS YEAR.

A RECORD CHANGE THAT TOOK A BACKSEAT FROM ONLINE DEALS LAST YEAR.

THE AMERICAN DREAM, ONE OF THE STATE'S HIGHEST PROFILE MALLS, SHOPPERS WERE THERE AS THE SUN WAS RISING READY TO CLAIM THEIR PRIZE.

JOANNA TAKES US INSIDE AMERICAN DREAM ON BLACK FRIDAY.

>> WE WANTED TO TRY SEAM WITH THE STORES WERE LIKE THE MUSTANG WITH THE WHOLE ENVIRONMENT WAS LIKE.

ON SUCH A POPULAR DAY, BLACK FRIDAY.

>> BLACK FRIDAY AT THE AMERICAN DREAM ALL IN EAST RUTHERFORD HAS BEEN BUSY.

BUT, NOT WHERE TOO MANY CUSTOMERS HAD TO WAIT OUTSIDE TO GET INTO A STORE.

MORGAN AND HER FAMILY CHECKED OVER FOR BRIDGEWATER AREA.

THAT AND TO FINALLY OPEN THEIR WALLETS.

>> ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF COVID LAST YEAR, LIKE, I FELT LIKE MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS TRYING TO SAVE A LOT.

THIS YEAR, AND FINALLY LETTING MYSELF SPLURGE AND LET LOOSE A BIT.

THIS LOAN ENVIRONMENT IS REALLY GOOD BECAUSE UNLIKE MY HOMETOWN MALLS, CROWDED BEYOND COMPARE RIGHT NOW.

HERE, IF YOU FEEL COVID CONSCIOUS OR ANYTHING, YOU CAN 100% SPREAD OUT.

IT FEELS LIKE A VERY COMFORTABLE ENVIRONMENT.

>> SHOPPERS CAME TO THE BERGEN COUNTY MALL FROM ALL OVER.

AND I DROVE FROM THE BRONX BRIGHT AND EARLY THIS MORNING LOOKING FOR BROUGHT LACK FRIDAY DEALS.

>> SINCE IT IS BLACK FRIDAY, WE ARE GETTING TO THE PRESENCE CHEAPER.

SO, GETTING EVERYTHING.

>> BY MIDMORNING, SHE WAS ON HER HALF-TIME BREAK.

CAFFEINATED BEFORE HEADING BACK OUT TO CHECK OFF ALL THE NEEDS ON HER LIST.

>> I'M PREPARED FOR THIS.

I'M GUESSING MOST OF THE SHOPPING DONE TODAY.

>> GOOD AND BAD AT THE SAME TIME.

OF COURSE, IS CHEAP.

BUT STILL, YOUR SPENDING MONEY.

>> RETAILERS ARE PREPARING FOR RECORD SPENDING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

IN FACT, THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION EXPECTS SOMEWHERE NEAR 10.5% GROWTH IN SPENDING OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS.

>> THE LINE WAS OUT THE DOOR.

BEFORE WE LEFT THE DOORS OUT, GREAT DOOR BUSTERS.

THE ENERGY IS GREAT.

I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A PHENOMENAL YEAR.

SO, ON THE RETAIL SALES SIDE, THERE IS A LOT OF PENT-UP DEMAND.

>> AMERICAN DREAM IS HOPING TO CAPTURE THAT REVENUE GROWTH, NOT JUST FROM PEOPLE LOOKING TO SPEND THEIR RETAIL DOLLARS, BUT, FROM THOSE LOOKING TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND FIND SOMETHING FUN TO DO THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> I AM FEELING REALLY HAPPY AND EXCITED.

I LOVE ROLLER COASTERS.

>> WE ARE HEADING UP TO THE NICKELODEON EXPERIENCE.

WE ARE GOING TO DO SOME DINING AND SOME ICE SKATING, HOPEFULLY.

>> WHILE SOME WALLETS ARE BURSTING AT THE SEAMS, OTHERS HAVE FELT THE PINCH SINCE COVID.

>> THE PANDEMIC AND EVERYTHING WHAT I HAVE ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD.

THAT USUALLY WOULD SPEND ON HOLIDAY GIFTS.

BUT, THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD DEALS.

IF YOU SEARCH FOR THEM AND FIND THEM, YOU KNOW, THAT IS ALWAYS REALLY GOOD.

HONESTLY, MOST OF THE SHOPPING THAT I HAVE BEEN DOING HAS BEEN ONLINE.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT FOR ME TO COME ON HERE, TO A MALL AND WALK THROUGH AND MAKE A PURCHASE.

>> ALI TOLD US THAT GLOBAL SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES HAVE IMPACTED THE WAY HE IS SHOPPING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> ANY HOLIDAY GIFTS THAT I KNEW I WANTED GET FOR FAMILY, I ORDERED PROBABLY MID-OCTOBER.

KNOWING THAT MAYBE THERE WOULD BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH SHIPPING.

BUT, EVEN THEN, SOME OF THE GIFTS HAVEN'T SHIPPED OUT YET.

SO, IT IS KIND OF JUST LIKE A TOSSUP.

THAT IS KIND OF WHY I CAME HERE TODAY TO BECAUSE IF I SEE IT HERE MIGHT AS WELL GET IT.

THEN, CANCEL THE ORDER ONLINE BECAUSE AT LEAST I WILL HAVE IT ON HAND.

>> INVENTORY HAS BEEN A CONCERN FOR RETAILERS WHO HAD TO DEAL MANY OF THE SAME BACKLOGS THAT SHOPPERS HAVE FACED.

>> WE HAVE ALL SEEN IMAGES OF THE CALIFORNIA COAST.

ALTHOUGH SHIFTS THERE THAT CREATE KIND OF PILING UP IN THE PORTS.

OUR RETAIL PARTNERS AND SALES HAVE PLANNED FOR THAT.

WE HAVE ANTICIPATED THAT.

WE PLANNED AHEAD.

WE ARE WELL INVENTORIED.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR STORES COMMITTING IS THERE.

STOCKED, READY TO GO.

>> FINDING EMPLOYEES HAS ALSO PUT THE PENSION MANY RETAILERS TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH THE INCREASED SHOPPING DEMAND.

>> AS FAR AS THE STAFFING SIDE, DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE.

WE HAVE GOT TONS OF OPENINGS.

TONS OF OPPORTUNITIES.

IF YOU DO KNOW ANYBODY THAT IS LOOKING, DEFINITELY SEND THEM OVER.

WE DOING LOTS OF JOB FAIRS.

WITH ALL OUR RETAIL PARTNERS.

TO DO THE HIRING.

>> FOR SHOPPERS LIKE CHARLES THURMAN FROM MISSOURI, JUST BEING BACK IN A MALL IS ALL SHE NEEDS.

>> SINCE COVID HAD HIT MOST OF OUR STORES, SOME OF OUR STORES GOT SHOT DOWN.

SOME OF THEM NEVER REOPEN.

BEING ABLE TO ACTUALLY SHOP AND SPEND MONEY IS GREAT.

>> MUSIC TO A MALL OWNER'S EARS.

I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE MERRY.

BUT, SMALL BUSINESSES ARE DEALING WITH THE HOLIDAY BLUES.

THAT IS BECAUSE MANY MOM AND POP STORES CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE TO FIND ENOUGH HELP AND KEEP IN ITEMS ON STORE SHELVES.

DUE TO SUPPLY-CHAIN AND STAFFING DISRUPTIONS.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES BELIEVE THE CRISIS COULD FORCE SHOPPERS TO LOOK FOR HOT ITEMS SOMEWHERE ELSE.

IT CAN HAVE LINGERING REFLECTS AS MANY SMALL BUSINESSES RELY ON SALES MADE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON TO CARRY THEM THROUGH THE YEAR.

I SPOKE WITH NEW JERSEY SAFE DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT BUSINESS.

EILEEN, TO DISCUSS THE STATES SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SHOPPING LOCAL THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

I MEAN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SO, WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR NEW JERSEYANS TO SHOP LOCAL AND WHAT IMPACT DOES THE HOLIDAY SEASON HAVE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES?

>> IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE IN NEW JERSEY TO SHOP LOCAL.

AND TO SUPPORT NOT ONLY SMALL BUSINESSES SATURDAY, WHICH WE KNOW IS TOMORROW, BUT TO SUPPORT YOUR MAIN STREETS AND YOUR MOM-AND-POP BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

AS YOU KNOW, AS WE ALL KNOW, MOM-AND-POP BUSINESSES MAIN STREETS HAVE TAKEN A HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT TRULY IS MAKE OR BREAK TIME.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, THE HOLIDAY SEASON WAS SO CRUCIAL TO ALL SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

BECAUSE IF THEY DIDN'T MAKE THOSE GREAT SALES, THOSE GREAT PROFITS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, THEY WEREN'T GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE REST OF THE YEAR.

BECAUSE THERE ARE CERTAIN TIMES THAT BUSINESSES REALLY NEED TO RING THOSE CASH REGISTERS SO THAT THE DOLLARS FLOW IN THE DOLLARS COME IN.

>> I MEAN, THE NFIB'S LATEST SMALL BUSINESS OPTIMISM INDEX, ALMOST HALF OF ALL BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO FILL OPEN POSITIONS.

WHAT CAN BUSINESSES DO TO COUNTERACT THIS STAFFING CRISIS AND WHAT CAN THE STATE DUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

RECENTLY, WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH NOT ONLY THE GOVERNOR, BUT, WITH ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CONKLIN AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT TO TALK ABOUT FURTHER OUR CHANGES TO HELP ENCOURAGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO TAKE PART TIME JOBS.

SO IF WE CAN LOSE SOME OF THOSE REGULATIONS, LET 16-YEAR-OLDS WORK A LITTLE BIT LATER, THAT CERTAINLY COULD HELP.

I THINK IT IS ALSO HAS TO COME BACK TO DEVELOPING COMPETENCE.

WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO GET VACCINATED.

BUT, NEW JERSEYANS ARE VACCINATED.

SO, WE NEED TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT IT IS OKAY TO GO OUTSIDE.

IT IS OKAY TO BE WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

WE JUST NEED TO RETURN TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK IS A THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING NEW JERSEY SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> I THINK THE LABOR SHORTAGE IS REALLY A STRUGGLE STILL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

ESPECIALLY IT HIT THE RESTAURANTS AND BAR OWNERS MORE SO PROBABLY THAN OTHER BUSINESSES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T, MAYBE THEY ARE OPEN BUT THEIR WHOLE RESTAURANT IS OPEN.

AND THEY DON'T WANT TO SEE PEOPLE.

YOU MAY WALK IN AND CMT TABLES.

BUT, THE WANT TO SEE CUSTOMERS WHO KNOWING THAT IT IS GOING TO BE AN HOUR BEFORE ANYBODY HAS TIME TO WAIT ON YOU.

SO, CLEARLY DOES REMAIN A PROBLEM.

I THINK ANOTHER COMPONENT OF THIS IS DEVELOPING CONFIDENCE IN DAYCARE.

>> MANY BUSINESSES ARE FEELING THE IMPACT OF SUPPLY-CHAIN DELAYS.

AND CONGESTION.

YOUR OPTIMISM INDEX SAW SOME BUSINESSES WHO WERE FORCED TO RAISE PRICES WITH LOW STOCK.

HOW ARE ALL THESE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS COPING WITH THESE SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES?

>> AGAIN, IN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THERE IS JUST NO PARTICULARLY.

ONE WEEK YOU CAN FIND PRODUCTS FROM A CERTAIN DISTRIBUTOR AND THE NEXT WEEK THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

SO, IT CLEARLY REMAINS A STRUGGLE.

I WAS TALKING TO A PRINTER WHO HAD A HUGE JOB, A HALF-MILLION DOLLAR JOB.

HE WAS ABLE TO FULFILL IT BECAUSE HE COULDN'T GET THE SUPPLIES NECESSARY FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTRACT.

SO, WE ARE TAKING THIS ON A WEEK BY WEEK BASIS, ON A DAY BY DAY BASIS.

BUT, THERE DEFINITELY IS A DISRUPTION AND HOPING THAT IN 2022, WE WILL SEE THINGS TURNING AROUND.

>> THAT IS HOPE.

EILEEN, THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR SPEAKING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

HAVE A GREAT DAY AND REMEMBER, SHOP MAIN STREET, SHOP LOCAL.

>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS TONIGHT, NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS SAY MESSAGE RECEIVED AND MESSAGE HEARD.

AFTER VOTERS TOPPLED SOME INCUMBENTS AND FAVORITES IN THIS MONTH'S ELECTION.

LAWMAKERS BELIEVE THE MESSAGE IS SIMPLE.

TO DEAL WITH AFFORDABILITY IN OUR STATE FIRST BEFORE TACKLING SOCIAL ISSUES.

WHILE LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE LISTENING, VOTERS WANT THEM TO ACT ON THAT MESSAGE TO LOWER TAXES AND COSTS IN OUR STATE.

THE SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CREWS CALLED REPORTS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF HURT OUT THERE.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE HEARS YOU AND HE FEELS YOUR PAIN.

LAWMAKERS LIKEWISE SAY THEY GOT THE MESSAGE FROM VOTERS FROM A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

>> WHAT ABILITY IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE BEFORE WE STAYED.

TAXES CONTINUE TO BE HIGH.

COST OF LIVING IS HIGH.

HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, HIGHWAY IS HIGH.

THOSE ARE THE ISSUES WE SHOULD BE TACKLING.

NOT SOME OF THESE WEDGE ISSUES.

>> THE PRIMARY CONCERNS OF ALMOST ALL OF US ARE COST-OF- LIVING AND HOW CAN WE CONTINUE TO RAISE OUR FAMILIES HERE.

>> THEY DID SEND SOME DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS PACKING AND ELECTED SOME REAL RED REPUBLICANS.

WHOSE CAMPAIGNS RAN ELECTION AS A TIME TO RETURN TO POCKETBOOK ISSUES AND AWAY FROM WHAT SOME HAVE CALLED HASHTAG ISSUES.

>> WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM THAT NEW JERSEYANS HAVE.

REGARDING THE STATE FOR LITERALLY 50 YEARS.

THE 50 YEARS THAT WE HAVE BEEN PULLING IN NEW JERSEY.

TAXES.

PROPERTY TAXES.

THIS IS, YOU KNOW, PERENNIALLY, THE CONCERN NEW JERSEYANS FOR DECADES, OF COURSE.

>> ASHLEY, OF THE EAGLETON CENTER AT RUTGERS SAYS 53% OF RESPONDENTS TO A RECENT POLL SAID EITHER TAXES OR THE ECONOMY ARE THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING THE STATE.

LIKE THE WEATHER, EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABILITY.

BUT, WHO IS ACTUALLY GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

>> GIVE THEM AN AGENDA THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW.

CERTAIN THINGS THEY CAN DO LEGISLATIVELY OR POLICY WISE THAT WOULD HELP AFFORD ABILITY.

FIRST, WE HAVE KEPT SPENDING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, AT THE COUNTY LEVEL AT 2%.

WHY NOT PASS A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WITH A CERTAIN CAP?

EVEN IF IT IS 3%.

IT COULD BE 4%.

WHATEVER IT IS.

WE HAVE SEEN 7% INCREASE HIS PEER BECAUSE UNLESS YOU PUT POLITICIANS ON A BUDGET, THEY'RE GOING TO FIND A REASON TO SPEND MONEY.

>> COURSE, CAPTAIN STATE SPENDING IS EASY TO SUGGEST WHEN YOU ARE IN THE MINORITY PARTY IN THE STATE CAPITAL.

BUT PRIMARY GOES FURTHER CALLING FOR A FLORIDA STYLE REAL ESTATE TAXES SYSTEM.

>> CONCEPT IS WHEN YOU ARE LIVING IN YOUR HOUSE, YOU HAVE A LIMITED INCREASE IN YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

WHEN YOU SELL THAT HOUSE AND THE NEW FAMILY COMES IN, THE FAMILY THAT NOW IS, LET'S SAY A TWO EARNER, YOU KNOW, THEN HE PUT THE PROPERTY TAXES AT THE FAIR MARKET VALUE.

IT REALLY WORKS IN PART BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES.

NOW IS SOMETHING THAT THEY FACE IN BEER BUT, IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE BECAUSE YOU KNOW, AS I GET OLDER, OTHERS GET OLD AND WE START TO RETIRE AND UNDERSTAND IN OUR HOUSE, -- >> WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE STRUCTURE OF NEW JERSEY AS A WHOLE.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR A WHILE.

I THINK THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO ACT.

600+ SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

HUNDRED HOUSING AUTHORITY'S.

SURE AUTHORITIES.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS.

WE NEED TO DO MASSIVE SHARED SERVICES.

I THINK FOR A LONG TIME, WE HAVE MADE IT OPTIONAL AND IMPROVISING.

NOW HAS TO GET TO A PLACE FOR IT IS TRYING TO BE FORCED.

>> POWELL ALSO SAYS HE WANTS INCOME TAXES TO BE THE MAIN SOURCE OF SCHOOL FUNDING.

HE SAYS THE TAB IS ALWAYS ON HOMEOWNERS NO MATTER IF THEY HAVE KIDS IN THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM OR NOT.

OR IF THEY ARE SENIORS, ON FIXED INCOME.

BUT, SUE, OF WORKING FAMILIES, SAYS THE REAL ECONOMIC EVIL LIES IN THE LAYER OF GOVERNMENT WE OFTEN KNOW THE LEAST ABOUT.

THE COUNTY.

>> HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CONTROLLED BY LIKE FIVE PEOPLE.

OR SEVEN.

WHO HAVEN'T EVER RUN A COMPETITIVE RACE IN THEIR ENTIRE CAREERS AND THEY HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE LONGER THAN I HAVE BEEN ALIVE.

BY THE WAY, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN WE CUT SERVICES OR AID OR SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES.

IT IS ME NOW.

WE'RE SICK OF GIVING UP THE KIND OF THE CONVERSATION OF AFFORD ABILITY TO THE RIGHT.

I DON'T TAKE IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN THAT WAY.

I THINK A QUICK WE CAN HAVE A SERIOUS CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW OUR PARTY, DEMOCRATS, CAN BE MORE A CANNIBAL TO WORKING- CLASS PEOPLE.

IT STARTS WITH GETTING UP IN OUR BACKYARDS IN NEW JERSEY.?

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR WALLET.

YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE AND ADVOCATES SAY WHILE YOU MAY NOT FIND IT FULL OF EXTRA CASH IN THE NEW YEAR, THEY PROMISE TO HELP EASE YOUR ECONOMIC PAIN.

ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THEY THINK MORE OF YOU ARE WATCHING AND VOTING.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> HERE IS A CHECK OF WALL STREET TRADING ON THE DAY AFTER THE HOLIDAY.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJ TIAS NEW JERSEY COMFORT CONFERENCE ON TOURISM.

DECEMBER 1st AND SECOND AT THE HARD ROCK HOTEL AND CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY.

EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AT NJ TIA.ORG.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS HALL OF FAME.

A VIRTUAL EVENT ON DECEMBER 9th , 6:00.

MORE INFORMATION ONLINE AT JA NJ.ORG.

AND, BY NEW JERSEY BUSINESS MAGAZINE.

THE MAGAZINE OF THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION.

REPORTING TO EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS IN ALL 21 COUNTIES OF THE GARDEN STATE.

SINCE 1954.

>> STOCKS WERE SHARPLY DOWN TODAY WITH CONCERNS ACROSS THE WORLD ABOUT AN AGGRESSIVE NEW COVID-19 VARIANT DISCOVERED IN AFRICA.

RIGHT NOW, IT IS LABELED THE VARIANT B11529.

SCIENTISTS WORN IT CONTAINS MORE THAN 30 MUTATIONS OF THE PROTEIN THAT BINDS THE VIRUS TO YOUR CELLS MUCH MORE THAN THE DELTA VARIANT.

THERE IS NO CONFIRMATION OF CASES OUTSIDE OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.

BUT, U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTEDLY WORKING WITH SOUTH AFRICAN SCIENTISTS TO STUDY THE VARIANT AND MANY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES HAVE MOVED TO RESTRICT FLIGHTS TO AND FROM CON AFRICA.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, CASES ARE SLOWLY RISING WITH MORE THAN 1900 MORE CASES AND THREE MORE DEATHS REPORTED.

CLOSE TO 6.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN OUR STATE ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

ABOUT 1.2 MILLION HAVE RECEIVED A THIRD SHOT OR A BOOSTER.

AHEAD OF WORLD AIDS DAY, WHICH IS OBSERVED DEFENDS HER DECEMBER 1st, NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RELEASED A PLAN WITH A BOLD GOAL.

TO END THE HIV EPIDEMIC IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

BETWEEN 2010 AND 2019, THE NUMBER OF NEW ADULT ADOLESCENTS HIV AIDS DIAGNOSES DECLINED FROM 1345 CASES IN 2010, TO 1115 AND 2019.

A 17% DECREASE.

WHILE NEW JERSEY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN REDUCING NEW HIV INFECTIONS, ADVOCATES SAY THERE IS STILL WORK TO DO.

I SPOKE WITH AT THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AND PREVENTION AT HIGHEST AND AIDS FOUNDATION AXLE SOURCE MARRERO AT THE SOURCE COMPANY HAS A PLANT IN THE HIV EPIDEMIC BY 2025.

AXEL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CURRENTLY, HOW MANY JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE LIVING WITH HIV AND AIDS.

>> WE HAVE OVER 32,000 INDIVIDUALS.

THE STATS HAVE BEEN GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

ALTHOUGH, YOU STILL HAVE POCKETS OF INFECTION.

DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR COLOR.

SPECIFICALLY GAZE, BLACK MEN, LATINO MEN LIVING IN URBAN CENTERS.

AND VULNERABLE AND DELETE INDIVIDUALS WHO STILL INJECT DRUGS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> WAS A STATES PLAN TO ACHIEVE ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC?

>> WE STILL NEED, THE GOVERNOR HAS RELEASED A PLAN THAT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS IN THE WORKS.

IT WAS TWO YEARS AGO, THE GOVERNOR CALLED UPON COMMUNITY LEADERS, HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND OTHERS TO JOIN IN MAPPING OUT A BLUEPRINT TO GET TO ALLOW NEW JERSEY TO END THE EPIDEMIC BY 2025.

THAT TASK FORCE CREATED, A REPORT HAS BEEN RELEASED BY THE GOVERNOR THE CALLS FOR, AGAIN, 100% OF INDIVIDUALS KNOWING THEY ARE HIV POSITIVE.

INFECTION, REDUCING THE RATES OF INFECTION BY 75%.

AND, CREATING ACCESS FOR AT LEAST 90% OF INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE ANTIVIRALS OR PREVENTION.

SO, THAT IS A TASK FORCE AND THE REPORTS OF THE GOVERNMENT, THE REPORT HAS BEEN RELEASED.

NOW, COMES THE MORE DIFFICULT TASK WHICH IS TO MAP OUT THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ALL OF THE GOALS AND STEPS NEEDED TO ACHIEVE ALL THOSE GOALS.

HOPEFULLY, THE IMPLEMENTATION WILL MAP OUT WHAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE ENVIRONMENT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE CAN DO, WHAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN DO IN THE LEGISLATIVE FACTION.

AND WE WILL ALERT OTHER POLICIES WE NEED TO PUT INTO PLACE WITH'S REGULATORY INSURANCE OR MEDICAID REFORM THAT THE ENTIRE PLAN WILL THEN BE MAPPED OUT FROM STEP A TO B TO C TO T. TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LOFTY GOALS AROUND INFECTION AND PREVENTION ARE MET.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE THE GREATEST CHALLENGE TO ACHIEVING THIS GOAL?

>> THERE ARE TWO CHALLENGES.

THE MACRO AND THE SMALLER ONE.

THE MACRO IS STILL THERE.

SCIENCE IS NOT ALWAYS FULLY EMBRACED BY EVERYONE, WHETHER IT IS HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONERS, THE POLITICIANS, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS THEMSELVES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE STATE REJECTS THAT WE ARE STILL HAVING TO ARGUE THE SCIENCE AROUND THE SYRINGE ACCESS FORMULATION PROGRAMS.

ACTUALLY SAVE LIVES, SAVE MONEY IN OUR PROHIBITION, COVID PREVENTION STRATEGY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND HEPATITIS C. WE ALWAYS HAVE TO ARGUE THE STUDY AROUND SCIENCE.

THE MODERNIZATION OF TREATMENT AND PREVENTION IS LITERALLY THE CORNERSTONE OF WHY WE SHOULD LOOK AT ALL OF OUR CRIMINALIZATION STATUTES REGARDING HIV.

MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ELECTED THE CURRENT SIGNS OF TREATMENT AND TRANSMISSION.

WE ARE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO BATTLE AND DO A LEVEL SETTING AROUND THE SCIENCE, THE UPDATED SCIENCE OF TREATMENT AND TRANSMISSION.

BUT, ALSO, HOW THE SCIENCE TRANSLATES INTO PROVEN PREVENTION STRATEGIES AND HAVING TO FIGHT THOSE PROGRAMS.

THAT IS ONE.

AND THEN, THEN, I'M SORRY, THAT IS AT THE LARGER LEVEL.

EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD BE POLICY REFORM.

THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.

FOR GOING TO ADDRESS ACCESS TO PREVENTION FOR BOTH TREATMENT AND PREVENTION, YOU THEN HAVE TO LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT THE EXISTING SYSTEMS OF CARE ARE 100% RESPONSIVE TO THOSE NEEDS.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE ON THE RIGHT PATH.

BUT, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF WORK TO DO, AXEL, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR SPEAKING TO US.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> 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.

>> FINALLY, TONIGHT, A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE PAYING OFF IN PATTERSON.

IT'S NOTED HOW THIS WEEKEND IS A BIG ONE FOR ALL TYPES OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

ONE OWNER IS CELEBRATING WITH A GRAND OPENING AFTER A ONE YEAR LONG JOURNEY THAT TOOK HIM AND HIS FAMILY FROM WAR-TORN SYRIA TO MAINSTREET PATTERSON.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER SHARES HOW THIS FAMILY IS GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT LIFTED THEM UP.

>> AND AMERICAN DREAM COME TRUE FOR THIS FAMILY.

THEY ARE NOW THE PROUD OWNERS OF ONE OF MAINSTREET'S NEWEST BUSINESSES.

DR. FRUIT.

>> WE CREATE WAFFLE FRUIT SALAD.

SMOOTHIE MILKSHAKE, ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

WE HAVE ALSO ARABIC ICE CREAM.

THAT IS SPECIAL MADE.

HONESTLY, THE IDEA WAS IT BELONGED TO MY WIFE.

SHE STARTED TO SELL THIS STUFF FROM HOME.

AND THEN PEOPLE, SHE FIND GOOD FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE.

THEN, SHE, I ENCOURAGED HER TO OPEN THE BUSINESS.

WE WERE LOOKING FOR A GOOD SPOT TO START THIS BUSINESS.

WE THINK ABOUT PATTERSON.

>> THE DREAM OF OWNING THIS BUSINESS IS MORE THAN CECELIA COULD HAVE IMAGINED.

WHEN HE AND HIS PREGNANT WIFE FIRST CAME TO THE U.S. >> WE WERE SCARED FOR MORE SEVEN YEARS AGO.

I CAME HERE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, AND A LOT OF ARABIC COMMUNITY HERE, THAT IS WE WERE WILLING TO HELP ME.

THEN, YEAH, IT'S TOUGH TO DO WORK LIFE FOR ASYLUM.

I GOT MY DOCUMENT.

AND DAY BY DAY, I MEAN, YOU KNOW, IT'S NICE WHEN THEY GIVE YOU SECOND CHANCE.

THIS IS, I MEAN, WE ESCAPED FROM SYRIA.

YOU KNOW WHERE HE CAME FROM.

I APPRECIATE THE CHANCE THEY GIVE IT TO US HERE.

TO LIVE.

AND THAT IS WHY I TEACH MY GIRLS THIS.

THEY GIVE US SECONDS CHANCE TO LIVE.

>> THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS THE EMBODIMENT OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN I SAY THAT THIS IS A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS AND THAT YOU CAN SUCCEED.

IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> THE MAYOR IS SHOWING HIS SUPPORT FOR THE DR. FRUIT.

HE SAYS IT IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW IMMIGRANTS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND HELP IT GROW.

>> FROM A PERSONAL STANDPOINT, MY MOTHER IS FROM SYRIA AS WELL.

I FEEL A LITTLE BIT OF KINSHIP WITH THIS YOUNG MAN.

AND I'M PRETTY SURE HE'S SIGNIFICANTLY YOUNGER THAN ME.

I'M GETTING OLDER THAN EVERYBODY NOW.

SO, MY MOTHER CAME TO PATTERSON JUST LIKE HE AND HIS WEALTH WIFE HAVE COME TO PATTERSON.

SEEKING A BETTER LIFE.

UNFORTUNATELY, HE CAME UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A LEADER WHO HAS BEEN CONSIDERED OPPRESSIVE.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TORTURED IN SYRIA.

I DON'T WANT TO ELABORATE TOO MUCH ON HIS SITUATION BUT YOU CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHY HE WOULD WANT TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY TO COME HERE.

TO SEEK SOMETHING MUCH BETTER FOR HIM, HIS WIFE, AND NOW, I BELIEVE, YOU HAVE THREE CHILDREN.

THREE CHILDREN.

HE IS LIKE ME.

WE ARE IN COMPETITION.

BUT, I AM DONE.

NEVERTHELESS, I'M SO GLAD THEY ARE ABLE TO PLY THEIR TRADE, PURSUE THEIR PASSION.

AND THEY CAN DO IT WITHOUT ANY FEAR FROM THE GOVERNMENT RETALIATING AGAINST THEM.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, IT IS THE ANTITHESIS GOVERNMENT SUPPORTS HIM AND HIS WIFE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> HE SAYS HE IS EXCITED TO OPEN HIS STORE HERE IN PATTERSON.

HE HOPES HE CAN SHOW OTHERS LIKE HIM THAT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

>> WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY, I STARTED WORKING OTHERWISE.

DOING TWO JOBS A DAY.

SLEEP FOR TWO HOUR.

WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS, YOU HAVE TO GO SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY.

AND, AGAIN, THIS COUNTRY GAVE ME A CHANCE.

THERE IS A JOB EVERYWHERE.

IF YOU ARE HARD-WORKING, YOU WILL START WORKING.

I MEAN, DAY BY DAY, EVERY TIME YOU WORK, YOU FIND SOMETHING.

YOU FIND RESULT.

IT WASN'T THAT EASY FOR US AS SYRIAN.

YOU KNOW THE LAST THING HE WAS CRAZY FOR US.

I ESPECIALLY STILL HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THERE.

I CAME ON WITH MY WIFE.

NOW I HAVE THREE KIDS.

NOW I AM TEACHING MY KIDS I OWE THIS COUNTRY.

AND MY KIDS OF THIS COUNTRY ALSO.

AND, YOU KNOW, WORKING HARD, THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT IN THIS COUNTRY.

IT'S EASY.

JUST WORK HARD AND YOU GOING TO GET IT.

>> NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

I'M MELISSA.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT, HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE VERY LATEST.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

HOWARD WJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN MOON PROJECT BY POST IT.

AND A SAG.

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