>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM 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.

AND NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS MONDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT IS THE FINAL WEEK OF AUGUST, AND FOR MANY FAMILIES, THAT MARKS THE UNOFFICIAL END TO SUMMER.

THE START OF THE BACK TO SCHOOL ROUTINE.

AS DISTRICTS BEGIN REOPENING, SCHOOL SECURITY IS ONCE AGAIN TOP OF MIND.

WITH THE MEMORY OF THE UVALDE, TEXAS MASSACRE STILL FRESH, IT'S A SOBERING, STUNNING REALITY FOR THIS GENERATION OF STUDENTS.

WHERE MANY WILL BE GREETED BY ARMED OFFICERS AND UPDATED SAFETY PROTOCOLS WHEN THEY WALKED THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE CLASSROOMS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> I THINK THE MORE THEY DO, THE BETTER WE ARE.

THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB SO FAR.

>> SHE IS PLEASED WITH SECURITY EXPERTS WERE A NEW $2 MILLION SURVEILLANCE CAMERA NETWORK HAS BEEN INSTALLED THROUGHOUT THE SYSTEM, AND EVERY SCHOOL WILL GET ITS OWN POLICE OFFICER THIS YEAR.

IT FOLLOWS THE HORRIFIC UVALDE, SCHOOL SHOOTING MASSACRE IN TEXAS.

A TRAGEDY THAT REFOCUSED MANY NEW JERSEY DISTRICTS ON ENHANCED SAFETY MEASURES.

SEVERAL ARE AMONG DISTRICTS OPTING TO ADD POLICE OFFICERS TO SCHOOL PAYROLLS.

>> OFFICER PRESENT, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG KIDS, THE MORE THEY SEE THE OFFICER THE MORE COMFORTABLE THEY ARE.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU MORE COMFORTABLE?

>> I AM, I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING.

>> THE FACT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS ALREADY ON SITE AND ABLE TO RESPOND, CHANGES THE DYNAMIC IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT BELIEVES HAVING POLICE ALREADY ON SCENE HELPS DETER ACTIVE SHOOTERS.

HE WANTS STUDENTS TO FORGE CONNECTIONS WITH OFFICERS.

>> THE SITUATION IN TEXAS PROMPTED US TO GET THE FUNDING AND WE ARE ABLE TO DO IT.

I THINK THE PARENTS ULTIMATELY FEEL A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF COMFORT WHEN THEY DRIVE TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY AND DROP OFF THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEY ARE GREETED BY OUR SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.

>> AT THIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, OUTDOORS REQUIRE ELECTRONIC PASSES TO OPEN.

TEACHERS NOW WILL PRACTICE LOCKDOWN DRILLS WITH STUDENTS WHEN CLASSES START SEPTEMBER 6th.

LAST WEEK, THE SCHOOL GOT A NEW SECURITY CAMERAS GIVING EDUCATORS FULL OVERSIGHT OF SCHOOL GROUNDS SAYS THIS PRINCIPLE.

>> OUR NEW CAMERA SYSTEM HAS PRETTY MUCH EVERY AREA IN THE SCHOOL COVERED.

OUTSIDE OF THE MAIN DOORS AND INSIDE IN EACH OF THE HALLWAYS.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ARE PRETTY SET.

EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE JUST SECOND NATURE TO US AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: MORE SAFEGUARDS ARE COMING.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A NEW LAW DIRECTING DISTRICTS TO CREATE THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS FOR 2023 TO HELP IDENTIFY AND INTERVENE WITH STUDENTS WHO COULD TURN TO VIOLENCE.

AND A NEW BILL WOULD LAUNCH MANDATORY STOP THE BLEED CLASSES IN NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOLS TO TRAIN STUDENTS HOW TO HANDLE GUNSHOT WOUNDS IN MASS SHOOTING SITUATIONS.

>> FIRST THINGS FIRST.

EVERY STUDENT IS IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT HAS TO SEEK SHELTER AND SAFETY AND LISTEN TO THE GROWN-UPS AROUND THEM.

WHEN THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, IF THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO THE AID OF SOMEONE, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO.

HOW TO APPLY A TOURNIQUET OR APPLIED PRESSURE TO A BLEEDING ONE.

>> Reporter: STOP THE BLEED TRAINING IS A SOLID FIRST-AID SKILL, BUT FOR KIDS SUFFERING FROM ANXIETY OR TRAUMA, SHOULD THIS BE A MANDATORY ASSIGNMENT?

>> IF A STUDENT IS TRAUMATIZED -- MAYBE HAS A HISTORY OR IS NOT COMFORTABLE LEARNING ABOUT IT, I THINK THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF OPT OUT FOR THE CURRICULUM I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS PRESIDENT- ELECT OF THE SCHOOL NURSING ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAYS THE CORE SHOULD FOCUS ON FIRST DAY.

>> IF WE DEEMPHASIZE THE SCHOOL SHOOTING PART OF IT AND MAKING IT MORE OF A LIFE SKILL THAT CAN BE USED ON ALL PLATFORMS.

HOME, SCHOOL, SPORTS, WORK.

I THINK THAT'S THE ROUTE WE SHOULD BE GOING.

>> I THINK THERE ARE REASONS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ANXIETY AND MENTAL WELL-BEING OF STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THIS RUTGERS RESEARCHER SAYS ANY SAFETY LESSONS NEED TO BE PRESENTED CALMLY.

>> WHEN YOU GO BEYOND THAT TO ACTING OUT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

WHEN YOU MAKE LIKE SOMETHING REAL IS HAPPENING, YOU INCREASE SOMEONE'S FEAR THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN THAT'S UNLIKELY, THAT'S WHERE I GET CONCERNED THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TRAUMATIZING OR SCARING CHILDREN.

>> HE SAYS STUDENTS DO NEED TO BE PREPARED, BUT SCHOOLS ALSO NEED TO STRIKE A BALANCE.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS >>> NOW THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PLEDGING TO FORGIVE TO LOANS FOR MILLIONS OF BORROWERS, MANY ARE WONDERING IF THEY QUALIFY.

JUST HOW MUCH OF A DENT IT WILL MAKE IN THE DEBT THEY'VE RACKED UP, OR PUT OFF, OVER THE YEARS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS A DEEPER LOOK AT WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THOUSANDS OF CURRENT AND FORMER NEW JERSEY COLLEGE STUDENTS.

>> I TOOK OUT A LOAN FOR $3500, AND NOW IT IS $5750.

>> A PRICE ON HIGHER EDUCATION SEE SAYS SHE JUST COULDN'T AFFORD.

THE SINGLE MOM HAD TO TAKE A BREAK FROM ATTENDING HUDSON COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALMOST 10 YEARS AGO BECAUSE OF SOME LIFE CHANGES.

WHEN SHE TRIED TO GO BACK, SHE WAS TOLD SHE COULDN'T ENROLL BECAUSE HER LOANS WERE IN DEFAULT.

>> I COULDN'T PAY IT BECAUSE I'M A SINGLE MOM.

I HAD A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITIES AT THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: THERE IS HOPE AGAIN FOR HER TO FINALLY GET THE DEGREE SHE HAS ALWAYS WANTED.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS PLEDGING TO CANCEL $10,000 IN FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN DEBT FOR TENS OF MILLIONS OF BORROWERS MAKING $125,000 OR LESS PER YEAR.

PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR ANOTHER $10,000.

>> IT THAT GIVE BORROWERS OPPORTUNITIES TO PAY DOWN OTHER LOANS, HIGH INTEREST THAT.

>> THIS IS A FINANCIAL ATTORNEY SPECIALIZING IN DEBT RELIEF.

SHE SAYS MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW QUICKLY LOAN BALANCES CAN INCREASE WHEN INTEREST CONTINUES TO ACCUMULATE.

>> WHEN YOU ARE DEFERRING PAYMENTS ON STUDENT LOANS, AND THE INTEREST IS ACCUMULATING, THE BALANCES GO UP.

THAT MAKES IT EVEN MORE CHALLENGING FOR BORROWERS TO PAY OFF.

>> SHE RECOMMENDS BORROWERS MAKE SURE THEIR TAX RETURNS ARE UP-TO-DATE SO THEY CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR AUTOMATIC FORGIVENESS.

>> IF YOU DON'T, AND YOU HAVE NOT FILED A FEDERAL TAX RETURN, AND YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AUTOMATIC FORGIVENESS NOT HAPPENING, BE AWARE THAT AN APPLICATION WILL COME OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

THAT IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF AND LOOK FOR.

>> WE HAVE HAD A RAPID INCREASE IN STUDENT THAT OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS.

IT REALLY TRIPLED TO ABOUT $1.75 TRILLION.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THIS ECONOMIST, THERE ARE ABOUT 43 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO OWE AROUND $30,000- $40,000 IN STUDENT LOANS.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION OF THEM ARE RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

HE BELIEVES THE LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM WILL BE A GREAT HELP IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY FOR THINGS LIKE IMPROVING CREDIT SCORES AND BUYING A HOUSE.

>> THERE ARE SOME CLAIMS THAT IT'S GOING TO BE INFLATIONARY BECAUSE THE DOLLARS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO PAY DOWN THE DEBT ARE GOING TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO CONSUMER SPENDING.

THAT'S NOT A STRONG ARGUMENT.

LOAN PAYMENTS HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED, WERE SUSPENDED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THEY ARE DUE TO END IN JANUARY.

SO, ALL OF A SUDDEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE LOAN HOLDERS PAYING THEIR DEBT AGAIN.

THAT IS SORT OF COUNTERBALANCING THE LOSSES OF PAYMENTS DUE TO LOAN FORGIVENESS.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS ATTENDING COLLEGE ALSO AGREE.

>> I'M TAKING OUT LOANS, SO PERSONALLY I FEEL LIKE IT'S VERY BENEFICIAL ON THE BACK END WHEN I GRADUATE.

IT'S NOT REALLY MUCH OF A WORRY OR CONCERN.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE SOME CRITICS WHO DON'T BELIEVE FORGIVING STUDENT LOANS NOW IS FAIR TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY PAID THERE IS OFF.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY.

IT'S GREAT THAT THE WORLD IS ADVANCING AND HELPING STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS LIKE TAYLOR WHO SAYS SHE IS GRATEFUL.

>> IT GIVES ME HOPE THAT I CAN GO BACK.

>> Reporter: SHE'S WASTING NO TIME.

SHE IS RESUMING CLASSES THIS WEEK, AND HAS PLANNED TO BECOME A CHEF ONCE SHE GRADUATES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THERE'S TRULY NOTHING YOU CAN'T GET DELIVERED TO YOUR DOORSTEP.

IN NEW JERSEY, THAT WILL SOON INCLUDE A COCKTAIL.

THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ON FRIDAY SIGNED OFF ON A SPECIAL RULING WITHIN THE DIVISION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL ALLOWING THIRD-PARTY DELIVERY SERVICES LIKE DOOR DASH AND OTHERS TO BRING YOU ALCOHOLIC DRINKS TO GO.

THESE ARE FROM RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND LIQUOR STORES.

HOME DELIVERY FOR FOOD SKYROCKETED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THE CHANGE USHERS IN A NEW ERA OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY FOR e- COMMERCE THAT WILL BENEFIT BUSINESSES.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE STARTING OCTOBER 1st, AND WILL INCLUDE MANDATORY BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR DELIVERY DRIVERS, INCLUDING CRIMINAL HISTORY AND DRIVING RECORD.

THAT DRIVER IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING THE PERSON RECEIVING THE ALCOHOL IS 21 YEARS OLD.

AND THEY ARE NOT BUYING IT FOR SOMEONE ELSE UNDER AGE.

IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING, THAT THE ALCOHOL DELIVERIES WILL NOT BE ALLOWED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

>>> MEANWHILE, PUBLIC OUTRAGE OVER RUTGERS UNIVERSITY'S SPENDING PRACTICES IS GROWING LOUDER, AND NOW INCLUDES STATE LAWMAKERS.

ONE REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR IS CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION OVER A RECENT REPORT THAT FOUND THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY RACKED UP MORE THAN $450,000 WORTH OF DOOR DASH FOOD DELIVERS FROM MAY OF 2021 TO JUNE, 22 TO.

DESPITE THE SCHOOL WHICH IS PARTIALLY FUNDED BY TAXPAYER DOLLARS RUNNING AT A $73 MILLION DEFICIT THE YEAR PRIOR.

RUTGERS RESPONDED TO THE INVESTIGATION SAYING ATHLETES WERE PERMITTED TO USE THE DELIVERY SERVICE DUE TO QUARANTINE REGULATIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THE SENATOR POINTS OUT SOME OF THOSE ORDERS INCLUDED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF LAVISH STEAK AND SEAFOOD MEALS, ALONG WITH NONFOOD ITEMS.

NOW, HE'S FED UP.

HE IS WITH ME NOW.

SENATOR, THANKS FIRST OF ALL FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF REPORTS RECENTLY ABOUT SPENDING AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY.

THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR THOUGH, SEEMS TO REALLY PUSH YOUR BUTTONS.

WHAT ARE YOU CALLING FOR IN THIS INVESTIGATION?

>> IT'S THE STRAW THAT BROKE THE CAMEL'S BACK.

THIS IS THE SECOND BAZAAR, LACK OF OVERSIGHT, OF SPENDING, OF MONEY THAT ONE WAY OR ANOTHER IS TAXPAYER MONEY.

THIS IS A STATE INSTITUTION.

TO FIND OUT THAT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE BEING SQUANDERED, OR THERE'S NO OVERSIGHT, IS STUNNING TO ME.

WE SAW A PREVIOUS SCANDAL, I THINK OVER FIVE YEARS, THERE WERE I THINK $10 MILLION OF QUESTIONABLE SPENDING TO DISNEY TRIPS, ET CETERA, BY FOLKS WITHIN RUTGERS ATHLETICS.

THAT WAS TROUBLING.

NOW WE HAVE THE DOOR DASH SCANDAL.

THAT SEEMED TO HAVE NO OVERSIGHT.

OVER HALF $1 MILLION IN LAVISH, REGULARLY LAVISH SPENDING BY STUDENTS.

AGAIN WITHIN RUTGERS ATHLETICS.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU PROPOSE, SENATOR, ASIDE FROM SOME ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE FOLKS IN CHARGE OF THOSE EXPENDITURES, I MEAN WITHHOLDING STATE MONEY?

THERE WAS MORE FUNDING PUT IN JUST THIS MOST RECENT BUDGET FOR THE SCHOOL.

>> WE SHOULD STOP SPENDING TAXPAYER RESOURCES TO HELP THEM CONTINUE WITH THIS LACK OF IRRESPONSIBILITY.

THAT'S JUST --IT'S GOT TO STOP.

THERE HAS GOT TO BE ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT DOESN'T SEEM AS IF THERE IS ANY.

THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH DECISION-MAKING AT RUTGERS.

>> LET ME JUST ASK YOU ABOUT THIS THOUGH, AND THE ARGUMENT THAT HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT THE COST OF BEING A PART OF A BIGGER ATHLETICS PROGRAM.

ABOUT GROWING THE ATHLETICS PROGRAM AT RUTGERS.

WHAT THAT BRINGS BACK TO THE SCHOOL, AND ECONOMICALLY, AND HOW YOU WAY THAT HERE.

>> HOLD ON.

THE ARGUMENT IS BECAUSE THE RUTGERS ATHLETIC PROGRAM IS SO AMAZING AND BRINGS SUCH PRESTIGE TO NEW JERSEY, BY THE WAY I SUPPORT ALL RUTGERS TEAMS.

BUT BECAUSE IT BRINGS BACK PRESTIGE, WE SHOULD LET THEM SPEND WHATEVER THE HELL THEY WANT OF WHATEVER TAXPAYER DOLLARS THEY WANT ON WHATEVER THEY WANT.

NO, THAT HOLDS WATER FOR ABOUT ONE SPLIT SECOND.

IT'S A GARBAGE ARGUMENT THAT I WILL NOT ACCEPT.

EVERYBODY, EVERYBODY, I DON'T CARE HOW MUCH PRESTIGE YOU BRING BACK TO NEW JERSEY, HAS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND HAS TO BE RESPONSIBLE WITH THE RESOURCES NEW JERSEY PROVIDES YOU.

>> WOULD YOU PROPOSE OUR CALL FOR FOLKS TO COME BEFORE AND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE WITHIN THE LEGISLATURE?

WHAT WILL YOU DO MOVING FORWARD?

>> I WILL SCREAM ABOUT IT AND TRIED TO ENERGIZE AS MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, AND THE TAXPAYERS, WHOSE MONEY IT IS BEING SQUANDERED, LISTENING AND HELP JOIN ME IN THIS CALL.

TO THE POINT WHERE WE EITHER START VOTING PEOPLE OUT OF OFFICE WHO ARE NOT PURSUING THE OVERSIGHT THAT I'M CALLING FOR, OR WE GET THE OVERSIGHT THAT I'M CALLING FOR.

>> THAT SCREAM, THAT CALL BEING MADE HERE.

SENATOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT.

>> THANKS, APPRECIATE IT.

>>> IN OUR SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS REPORT, AFTER RIDING A PANDEMIC HOT STREAK, IT APPEARS THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IS COOLING IN PARTS OF NEW JERSEY.

MONTHLY HOUSING DATA OUT THIS WEEK FROM NEW JERSEY REALTORS SHOWS HOME SALES SLOWED IN JULY FOR NEARLY HALF THE STATE'S COUNTIES.

MEDIAN PRICES WERE DOWN MONTH OVER MONTH TOO, AND IN ESSEX COUNTY FOR EXAMPLE, THAT'S THE BIGGEST IF WE SAW.

THE MEDIAN PRICES DOWN FROM $715,000 TO $650,000.

WHILE BURLINGTON COUNTY DROPPED FROM $370,000-$360,000.

IT IS STILL CONSIDERED A SELLERS' MARKET THOUGH.

DATA REVEALS THE NUMBER OF NEW LISTINGS IS DOWN ACROSS THE MAJORITY OF THE STATE ABOUT 15%.

HOMES ARE ALSO SITTING ON THE MARKET A LITTLE LONGER, ABOUT 27 DAYS ON AVERAGE STATEWIDE.

MARKET EXPERTS SAY IT HAS TO DO WITH HIGHER MORTGAGE RATES, AND PEOPLE GETTING BACK TO PRE- PANDEMIC LIFE, TAKING THOSE VACATIONS AND SLOWING DOWN IN THE SUMMER.

>>> AT LONG LAST, ABBOTT LABORATORIES IS RESTARTING PRODUCTION OF ITS BABY FORMULA.

SHIPMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO HIT RETAIL STORES IN ABOUT SIX WEEKS.

THE MICHIGAN FACILITY WAS AT THE CENTER OF THE NATIONWIDE INFANT FORMULA SHORTAGE THAT LEFT FAMILY SCRABBLING TO FEED THEIR BABIES.

THE FACTORY SHUTDOWN IN FEBRUARY FOLLOWING THAT VOLUNTARY RECALL OF FORMULA DUE TO BACTERIA CONTAMINATION.

TWO INFANTS DIED, ANOTHER TWO BECAME SICK FROM THE PRODUCTS.

ABBOTT'S RECALL CAME AMID OTHER PANDEMIC RELATED SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, JUST INTENSIFYING THE SHORTEST.

THE PLANT IS ONE OF JUST FOUR COMPANIES IN THE U.S. THAT CONTROL ABOUT 90% OF THE INFANT FORMULA MARKET.

IT HAS FACED SEVERAL HICCUPS AND GETTING BACK UP AND RUNNING, INCLUDING SEVERE FLOODING FROM HEAVY RAINS THAT CAUSED YET ANOTHER TEMPORARY SHUTDOWN IN JUNE.

WELL, THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE SAYS RESTARTING PRODUCTION IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TO GETTING FORMULA BACK ON THOSE SHELVES.

>>> TURNING NOW TO WALL STREET.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

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

WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITING BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE.

>>> AS THE STATE PREPARES TO MARK THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF TROPICAL STORM IDA, SEVERAL LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE RAMPING UP PRESSURE ON THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE GOOD ON ITS COMMITMENT TO FIGHT THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

BY IMMEDIATELY LAUNCHING A PENDING EMERGENCY FLOOD RULE.

THAT WILL REDRAW FLOOD MAPS TO MATCH THE SO-CALLED ONCE IN 100 YEAR STORMS THAT ARE NOW HITTING NEW JERSEY WITH MORE FREQUENCY.

JOHN HURDLE HAS MORE DETAILS ON THE FATE OF THAT PLAN, AND HE JOINS ME NOW.

SO, JOHN, THE RUB HERE AS I UNDERSTAND IT FROM YOUR REPORTING, IS THAT THIS EMERGENCY RULE WAS SET TO TAKE PLACE.

THERE WAS A TON OF PUSHBACK FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

NOW, THESE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE ALLEGING THAT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING A STEP BACK.

IS THAT WHAT'S HAPPENING?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE ACTUALLY --THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THEY HAVE PROTESTED THE APPARENT WITHDRAWAL OF THIS EMERGENCY RULE.

WHAT THEY SAY IS THAT IT'S WELL PAST TIME THAT NEW JERSEY UPDATES, UPDATES ITS LAND-USE REGULATIONS TO ALLOW FOR CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY ARE VERY WORRIED THAT IF THESE RULES ARE NOT UPDATED, TO INCREASE --TO INCREASE THE LEVEL OF THE FLOOD MAPS BY TWO FEET IN INLAND AREAS, THEN MORE LIVES MIGHT BE LOST IN WHAT THEY TERM AS THE NEXT TROPICAL STORM IDA.

>> WHERE DOES THE PROPOSAL THEN DEVIATE FROM THE CURRENT MAPS?

HOW OUTDATED OF THE INFORMATION ARE WE USING RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, THE MOST RECENT INFORMATION THAT IS BEING FED INTO THE CURRENT MAPS IS 1999.

SOME OF IT IN FACT GOES BACK FURTHER THAN THAT.

THE FOLKS WHO ARE CALLING FOR THIS RULE TO BE IMPLEMENTED RIGHT AWAY SAY THAT THE CURRENT RULES SIMPLY DON'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CURRENT REALITIES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

SO, THEY ARE EXPOSING NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS TO BIGGER, MORE FREQUENT STORMS AND HUGE FLOODING THAT IS EXPECTED TO COME.

IN FACT, IT IS ALREADY COMING AS SHOWN BY THE EVENTS OF ALMOST A YEAR AGO.

>> THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HASN'T SAID THAT IT WON'T ACT ON THIS RULE, BUT WHERE DO THEY STAND?

WHAT IS THE FATE OF IT?

>> WELL, THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO SAY THAT IT IS SERIOUS ABOUT HELPING NEW JERSEY TO BECOME MORE RESILIENT TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

BUT, HAVE SAID VERY LITTLE ELSE ABOUT WHETHER IT IS GOING TO PRESS AHEAD AND IMPLEMENT THIS RULE, OR WHETHER THE RULE IS GOING TO BE CHANGED.

THE ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO SAY THAT IT WILL HOLD WHAT IT CALLS AMPLE STAKEHOLDER SESSIONS.

BUT, IT HASN'T SCHEDULED ANYTIME FOR THOSE.

SO, THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS ARE VERY MUCH UP IN THE AIR.

WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THIS IS AT THE MOMENT.

>> OF COURSE, THERE WAS A TIME IS OF THE OF HEAVEN.

HURRICANE SEASON IS HERE.

WE WILL BE CHECKING BACK IN WITH YOU ON THIS.

JOHN HURDLE, THANK YOU.

>>> FOR YEARS, NEIGHBORS OF A RECYCLING PLANT AND SCRAP METAL YARD IN SOUTH CAMDEN HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT REPEATED FIRES AT THE FACILITY.

THEY HAVE PUMPED NOXIOUS BLACK SMOKE INTO THAT PART OF THE CITY, CAUSED EXPLOSIONS THAT COULD BE HEARD DOWNTOWN, AND IN SOME CASES, FORCED EVACUATIONS.

A CAMDEN BASED ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFIT IS NOW QUESTIONING WHETHER THE COMPANY IS IN FACT A RECYCLING CENTER AS IT MAINTAINS.

WITH THREATS TO SUE THE CITY AND NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION FOR ALLEGEDLY NOT PROTECTING RESIDENTS'S HEALTH.

>> Reporter: WHEN THIS CAMDEN RECYCLING CENTER CAUGHT FIRE LAST YEAR, PEOPLE LIKE CELESTE RODRIGUEZ WERE SCARED.

>> I SMELL THIS WEIRD, METALLIC SMELL IN THE HOUSE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS FROM THE STOVE, PERHAPS SOMEBODY COOK SOMETHING.

SMOKE EVERYWHERE IN THE SKY.

I'M LIKE WHAT IS GOING ON?

THERE IS POLICE EVERYWHERE, PEOPLE SEEM TO BE PANICKING.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS LIVED IN CAMDEN ALL HER LIFE.

NOW, ABOUT A MILE AWAY FROM THE RECYCLING CENTER.

THE SMOKE AND FIRE CAUSED A LOT OF CONCERN.

>> I GOT THINGS TOGETHER, WALLET, PHONE, KEYS.

I GOT MY LEASE TOGETHER FOR MY DOG.

THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT IN THE END I NEVER LEFT.

I WAS TOO AFRAID TO GO AND LEAVE THE HOUSE.

WONDERING LIKE WHAT IF WE LOSE THE HOUSE?

LOOKING AT THE PARK, IT WAS JUST FOG.

>> Reporter: SHE WASN'T HURT BY THE FIRE, BUT IT DID TRAUMATIZE HER.

>> I HAD TO WEAR A MASK IN MY HOUSE.

I WAS WORRIED ABOUT MY DOG.

WHAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO HIM?

I'M SMELLING IT EVEN THROUGH MY MASK.

IT WAS VERY IRRITATING IN MY NOSE AND MY THROAT.

>> RECYCLING CENTER IS OWNED BY EASTERN METAL RECYCLING, OR EMR.

OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, THEY DEALT WITH FIRES IN THEIR CAMDEN RECYCLING CENTER AND THERE'S GOT TO WASTE AND RECYCLING CONSULTANT SAYS THESE KINDS OF FIRES ON UNCOMMON OR UNIQUE TO EMR.

>> IT'S JUST AN ACCIDENTAL THING.

A TORCH CATCHES SOMETHING OR THERE IS SOME SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION BECAUSE OF FINE METAL SHAVINGS.

IF YOU'VE EVER USED A SPARK ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, THAT'S BASICALLY IRON THAT IGNITES.

>> Reporter: EMR DID NOT RESPOND TO A COMMENT ON THIS FOR.

SOME PEOPLE SAY EMR IS IGNORING THEIR CONCERNS AS WELL.

>> WE SPENT ABOUT 20 MONTHS TRYING TO GET INVOLVED AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH EMR ON LIKE WHAT ARE THEIR SAFETY PROTOCOLS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY SAID THAT WE ARE WORKING ON IT, GIVE US SOME MORE TIME, GIVE US SOME MORE TIME.

IT'S BEEN ABOUT 20 MONTHS.

>> PEREZ AND THE CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSFORMATION HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE STATE DEP ACCUSING EMR OF BEING DISHONEST ABOUT WHAT THEIR FACILITIES ACTUALLY DO.

EMR MAINTAINS THEY ARE A RECYCLING CENTER AND DO NOT ACCEPT SOLID WASTE, WHICH WOULD SUBJECT THEM TO MORE REGULATIONS.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE MUCH MORE RISK OF OLDER AND RODENTS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

BOTH HAVE TO HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIVE CONTROLS, BUT A RECYCLING CENTER IS TYPICALLY LESS STRINGENT.

BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAKING IN AS HARMFUL A MIX OF MATERIALS.

>> A FIRE WOULD HAPPEN AND IT WOULD LESSEN THEIR IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY.

A PILE THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE ENCLOSED.

A BIG GUST OF WIND WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TAKE THE TOP PART AND HAVE A LOT MORE PARTICULATE MATTER IN THE AREA WHICH GOES INTO YOUR RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.

IT CAN CAUSE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES AND IN CAMDEN IT'S A.

>> Reporter: RODRIGUEZ'S CONCERN IS ABOUT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN CLOSER, AND THOSE WHO WORK THERE.

>> PEOPLE ARE PROBABLY SMELLING IN THAT METALLIC STUFF EVERY DAY.

I'M JUST WONDERING LIKE WHAT DID THEY EXPENSE?

IN THEIR JOB, AND THERE IS LIKE A LITTLE STORE THERE AS WELL.

IT'S LIKE THEIR OWN LITTLE COMMUNITY THAT IS LIKE, I KIND OF WORRY FOR THE MOSTLY.

THE PEOPLE'S HOUSES THAT ARE MORE CLOSER TO THAT AREA.

>> PEREZ SAYS IF THE DEP DOESN'T RESPOND THEY WILL SUE TO MAKE EMR COMPLIANT.

AND TRIED TO PROTECT CELESTE RODRIGUEZ AND THOSE LIVING NEAR THESE SITES.

IN CAMDEN, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS >>> THAT'S GOING TO DO IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

BUT, MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.

SO, YOU CAN KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU RIGHT BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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