>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S GET HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND ORSTED.

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH A SURPRISE NO ONE WANTED.

U.S. INFLATION CATAPULTING TO A FOUR DECADE HIGH FOR JUNE.

THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX, IT'S A MEASURE OF GOODS AND SERVICES RELATED TO THE COST OF LIVING, SPIKED 9.1% FROM A YEAR AGO.

THAT IS HIGHER THAN ECONOMISTS ESTIMATED, MARKING THE FASTEST PACE FOR INFLATION SINCE 1981.

SQUEEZING YOUR POCKET, AND FAMILY BUDGETS ACROSS THE STATE, FURTHER SLOWING DOWN AN ALREADY SLUGGISH ECONOMY, IT MEANS YOU ARE PAYING MORE FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING.

TAKE A LOOK.

GAS PRICES ARE UP NEARLY 60% YEAR OVER YEAR.

GROCERIES, THOSE ARE UP MORE THAN 10%.

BUYING A NEW CAR, THAT IS OVER 11% HIGHER.

THE COST OF RENT IS UP MORE THAN 5.5%.

EVEN MEDICAL CARE WILL SET YOU BACK MORE THAN IT DID A YEAR AGO.

IT ALL SPELLS TROUBLE ACCORDING TO ECONOMISTS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT RHONDA SCHAFFLER JOINS ME NOW TO WALK US THROUGH THE LATEST.

RHONDA, YOU LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS, AND YOU HAVE TO WONDER , HAVE WE REACHED THE PEAK WHERE THIS IS GOING TO GO?

>> WE HAVE NOT BASED ON THIS REPORT, WHICH SHOWED INFLATION WAS RUNNING EVEN HOTTER THAN ECONOMISTS EXPECTED.

NOW, THERE IS SOME TALK, GIVEN THE FACT THAT GAS PRICES HAVE FALLEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, THAT THERE MIGHT BE SOME RELIEF NEXT MONTH.

BUT, WHAT'S TROUBLING ECONOMISTS AND OTHERS, IS THAT INFLATION IS JUST SO PERVASIVE.

THE COST OF EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.

YOUR RENT WENT UP NEARLY 1%.

YOU BUY A BOX OF CEREAL, THAT IS MORE EXPENSIVE.

GOING TO THE DENTIST.

YOU NAME IT, MOST GOODS AND SERVICES ARE COSTING MORE.

>> WHAT'S DRIVING IT THOUGH?

WHAT IS BEHIND THIS?

I KNOW INFLATION OF COURSE IS A BIG FACTOR.

>> SO, WHAT'S REALLY DRIVING THESE HIGHER PRICES IS A HANGOVER IF YOU WILL FROM SOME OF THE FALLOUT FROM THE COVID- 19 PANDEMIC.

THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN REPORTING ON FOR SO LONG.

THOSE LOCKDOWNS IN CHINA, AND THERE'S ACTUALLY SOME CONCERN THERE MIGHT HAVE TO BE ANOTHER LOCKDOWN IF COVID CASES CONTINUE TO RISE.

SO, THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS STILL SHOWING SIGNS OF DISRUPTION, AND ON TOP OF THAT, IN TERMS OF THE ENERGY CRISIS, THERE IS THE LINK BETWEEN THE RUSSIA AND UKRAINE CONFLICT.

RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE.

THAT PROPELLED AN ENERGY CRISIS HIGHER SO THAT TOO WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM.

EVEN WITH ALL THOSE FACTORS, THIS IS JUST SO UNUSUAL TO SEE INFLATION RUNNING AT THESE LEVELS.

KEEP IN MIND, THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS A TARGET RATE OF INFLATION OF JUST 2%.

WE ARE SO FAR ABOVE THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> I MEAN, I GUESS, WHAT CAN THE FEDERAL RESERVE DO?

ECONOMISTS AS YOU MENTIONED WERE SOMEWHAT SURPRISED BY THIS.

IT WAS ABOVE ESTIMATES.

CAN THE FEDERAL RESERVE DO ANYTHING AT THIS POINT?

>> THE FED IS TRYING.

THAT'S WHY THE FED IS RAISING INTEREST RATES.

THEY RAISED THEM AT THE LAST MEETING AND ARE EXPECTED TO RAISE THEM, AND PERHAPS RAISE THEM BY A HIGH AMOUNT AT THE MEETING LATER THIS MONTH.

KEEP IN MIND, WHEN THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISES INTEREST RATES, IT DOESN'T CHANGE EVERYTHING OVERNIGHT.

THINGS HAVE TO FILTER INTO THE ECONOMY.

THE BALANCE THE FED HAS TO DO IS TO TRY TO RAISE RATES, AND THEN QUELL CONSUMER DEMAND.

BUSINESS DEMAND.

THAT SHOULD BRING DOWN INFLATION.

THAT'S KIND OF LIKE THE FED PLAYBOOK.

THE WORRY THAT PEOPLE HAVE IS IT IS HARD TO DO.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT, SLOW THE ECONOMY DOWN, AND NOT HAVE IT FALL INTO RECESSION?

>> YEAH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS.

MORE AND MORE IT SEEMS AS EVERY WEEK GOES ON ABOUT A RECESSION.

YOU TALK TO FOLKS, YOU ALMOST DON'T NEED A REPORT TO TELL YOU THAT THESE PRICES ARE UP.

YOU JUST HAVE TO GO TO THE STORE AND BUY A BASIC GOOD.

OUR WAGES ANYWHERE KEEPING UP WITH WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN THESE RISE OF CONSUMER PRICES?

>> THEY ARE NOT.

IN THE LAST REPORT ON THE JOBS MARKET WE LEARNED THAT AVERAGE HOURLY WAGES INCREASED 5.1%.

THAT IS ACTUALLY, IN A NORMAL YEAR, WOULD BE HEALTHY, BUT IN A YEAR LIKE THIS WITH INFLATION SO STRONG, WAGES ARE NOT KEEPING UP.

SO, THIS IS WHY PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE FALLING BEHIND.

THIS IS WHY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOW INCOME AND POOR PEOPLE, WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING MIGHTILY AS PRICES RISE.

SO, THIS IS THE PROBLEM.

IT'S A PROBLEM FOR COMPANIES AS WELL, BECAUSE IF THEY KEEP RAISING RAGES, THAT MEANS THEY'VE GOT TO CUT EXPENSES SOMEWHERE ELSE.

SO, IT'S KIND OF A VICIOUS CYCLE, AND IT'S HARD TO CONTROL INFLATION.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE ECONOMY REALLY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS IN DECADES.

>> ALL RIGHT, RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR US ON THIS DECADES HIGH CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

THANKS, RHONDA.

THE REPORT SPENT WALL STREET REELING TODAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW MARKETS REACTED TO THE NEWS.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY SJ MAGAZINE.

THE HEART AND SOUL OF SOUTH JERSEY.

ONLINE AT SJMAGAZINE.NET.

AND BY THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

HELPING TO BUILD A STRONGER, FAIRER NEW JERSEY ECONOMY.

>>> MONEY IS ALSO AT THE CENTER OF MORE INFIGHTING BETWEEN TRENTON CITY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR.

THE MOST RECENT CLASH, APPROVING AN ANNUAL BUDGET.

COUNCILMEMBERS REFUSED TO PASS A SPENDING PLAN BY THE CITY'S JULY 1st DEADLINE.

THE MAYOR SAYS IT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO FORCE HIS OFFICE TO SHUT TRENTON DOWN OVER THE BUSY FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

IT IS A BATTLE WHERE EVERYONE APPEARS TO BE LOSING.

>> IT'S NOT THIS TRENTON THAT IS PARALYZED BY COMPLETE POLITICAL CHAOS, IT IS JERSEY'S CAPITAL CITY, WHERE A VENOMOUS CLASH BETWEEN CITY COUNCILMEMBERS AND A MAYOR HAS LEFT THE TOWN WITHOUT A BUDGET SINCE THE END OF APRIL.

THE ONGOING POLITICAL RISK PUSHED THE MAYOR TO PAY THE BILLS BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, EVEN AS THE TOWN'S BUDGET PROCESS REMAINS UNDER ONGOING SCRUTINY BY JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS.

HE NOW THINKS THE GRIDLOCK WILL REQUIRE STATE INTERVENTION.

YOU WOULD BE OKAY IF THEY COME IN AND TAKE OVER?

>> I DON'T THINK WE HAVE ANYTHING -- WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE AT THIS POINT.

WE'VE ASKED, AND FOR THE GOOD OF THE RESIDENTS, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, WOULD IT BE EMBARRASSING TO ME, YES?

ARE PEOPLE GOING TO SAY I CAN'T GET THE JOB DONE, YES.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED TO HAVE A CLEAN WATER SYSTEM.

WE NEED TO HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY APPARATUS.

WE NEED TO HAVE -- MAKE BOND PAYMENTS AND WE NEED TO HAVE A BUDGET.

>> Reporter: HE PROPOSED A $226 MILLION BUDGET IN APRIL.

THREE COUNCILMEMBERS BACK THE MAYOR, BUT HIS SPENDING PLAN ENCOUNTERED IMMEDIATE OPPOSITION FROM THE OTHER THREE MEMBER BLOCK, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT AND ANOTHER MEMBER WHO ALSO SHOUTED AT EACH OTHER DURING BUDGET MEETINGS.

IS ONE EXAMPLE.

>> DON'T PLAY WITH ME!

I HAVE THE REVENUES.

EXCUSE ME!

>> DON'T EXCUSE ME, YOU EXCUSE YOURSELF.

BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO GIVE US THE INFORMATION.

YOU DON'T DO YOUR JOB, AND THEN YOU WANT TO -- >> COUNCILWOMAN!

>> YOU DON'T DO YOUR JOB.

>> HUSH YOUR MOUTH, PLEASE.

SHOW SOME RESPECT.

>> YOU DON'T TELL ME TO HUSH UP, COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE A COUNCILMEMBER RESIGNED, PROGRESS STALLED EVEN MORE.

AT A RECENT MEETING THE MAYOR PROPOSED A SEVENTH COUNCIL CANDIDATE TO BREAK THE IMPASSE AND THINGS EXPLODED OVER AN ISSUE OF PROTOCOL.

>> THE MAYOR IS TRYING TO HIJACK MEETINGS.

HE HAS NO RIGHT TO BE HERE.

>> HE IS OUT OF ORDER AT THE MOMENT.

>> MUTE HIM RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAS DECLINED TO APPROVE A $24 MILLION TAX LEVY FOR TRENTON'S SCHOOLS.

THEY ALSO NEXT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S REQUEST FOR $446,000 TO BUY ACCIDENT BOTTLES AND HARNESSES.

ONE COUNCILMEMBER, WHO BACK BOTH MEASURES AND THE MAYOR, SAYS I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THEY WANT TO DO THIS TO THE CITY OF TRENTON.

I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL FOR 13 YEARS, AND I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MY LIFE.

HEAT WE HAVE A COUNCIL THAT HAS A LOT OF PERSONALITY PROBLEMS.

THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS.

THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WORKING TOGETHER AS A TEAM.

THAT IS UNFORTUNATE, AND THEY HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE RESIDENTS.

TAXPAYERS.

THAT IS THEIR JOB TO DO.

>> Reporter: A GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS EXPERT SAYS FOR NOW, IT IS PAY-AS-YOU-GO BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THAT WILL KEEP TRENTON RUNNING AND THE STATE USUALLY TRIES TO AVOID HEAVY-HANDED INTERVENTION LIKE IT'S FULL TAKEOVER OF ATLANTIC CITY FINANCES.

>> AT SOME POINT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.

WHETHER THEY SEE PROGRESS, OR THAT THEY PREFER TO SOLVE THESE LOCALLY.

>> Reporter: WE RESPONDED TO BOTH THE,, AND NEITHER RESPONDED.

TRENTON DOESN'T CURRENTLY MEET THE CONDITIONS FOR STATE SUPERVISION.

THE DIVISION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES CURRENTLY HAS TECHNICAL ADVISERS WORKING WITH THE CITY ADMINISTRATION, AND ATTENDING CITY COUNCIL BUDGET HEARINGS.

WE HAVE NO ADDITIONAL COMMENT BEYOND THIS.

MEANWHILE, THE MAYOR WILL KEEP PAYING THE BILLS WITH EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

THE COUNCIL VOTED TO EXTEND THEIR TERMS OF OFFICE UNTIL NOVEMBER.

>> I THINK THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL THAT ONE OF US IS GOING TO WIN IN NOVEMBER.

I THINK THE RESIDENTS WILL BE BETTER OFF ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ROUGHLY 2.5 YEARS SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, SCIENTISTS SAY THE MOST INFECTIOUS, TRANSMISSIBLE FORM OF THE CORONAVIRUS IS NOW AMONG US.

THE SNEAKY, SHAPE SHIFTING, BA.5 SUV-VARIANT NOW ACCOUNTS FOR 65% OF ALL NEW CASES ACROSS THE U.S.

IT IS NEARLY THE SAME IN OUR REGION ACCORDING TO THE CDC.

DRIVING UP INFECTION RATES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN NEW JERSEY, MORE THAN 2700 POSITIVE TESTS AND SEVEN CONFIRMED DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED STATEWIDE TODAY.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE NOW UP OVER 1000% FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE FEBRUARY.

ALL AT A TIME WHEN MOST OF THE PUBLIC IS DROPPING THEIR VIGILANCE FOR THE VIRUS.

EAGER TO ENJOY THE SUMMER WITHOUT THE WEIGHT OF CORONAVIRUS RELATED MANDATES AND RESTRICTIONS.

BUT, THE PANDEMIC IS FAR FROM OVER ACCORDING TO PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS.

NEW JERSEY'S STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAYS HER TEAM HAS BEEN WATCHING, PLANNING, AND PREPARING FOR THE VIRUS TO MUTATE, AND SHE JOINS ME NOW.

COMMISSIONER, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

THIS VIRUS IS NOT JUST SPREADING, BUT ALSO EVOLVING WITH THIS SUV-VARIANT, BA.5.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT'S RECOMMENDATION TO THE PUBLIC RIGHT NOW?

>> WE KNOW THAT BA.5 IS A HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE SUV- VARIANT OF THE OMICRON VARIANT.

WE KNOW IT HAS A PROPENSITY FOR EVADING IMMUNITY AND INVADING THE RESPIRATORY TRACT.

SO, WE REALLY WANT EVERYONE TO BE AWARE THAT COMMUNITY LEVELS ARE INCREASING.

OUR CASES IN HOSPITALS ARE INCREASING.

SO IN ADDITION TO BASIC HYGIENIC GOOD PRINCIPLES, WASHING YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY, STAYING HOME IF YOU ARE SICK, DISINFECTING SURFACES, WE REALLY WANT YOU TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT INDOOR SPACES.

WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE MASKING IN INDOOR SPACES.

WE ENCOURAGE YOU AGAIN TO JUST BE AWARE OF WHO YOU ARE, AND WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PROTECT YOURSELF BASED ON YOUR OWN HEALTH.

TO PROTECT THOSE THAT YOU INTERACT WITH, BASED ON PARTICULARLY, THEIR HEALTH.

>> ESSENTIALLY, COMMISSIONER, IS THIS AGAIN ABOUT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY?

SHORT OF REINSTATING A MASK MANDATE, YOU HAVE THE CDC MAKING THE SAME RECOMMENDATIONS, PARTICULARLY IN THOSE COUNTIES THAT ARE NOW AT WHAT THEY CALL HIGH RISK BASED ON THEIR MODELS.

IS THERE A SCENARIO WEAR MASKS NEED TO BE MANDATED AGAIN?

>> I THINK THE ONE THING WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT THIS VIRUS IS ACTING DIFFERENTLY THAN ANY OTHER VIRUS WE'VE DEALT WITH.

WE ARE GOING TO BE LIVING WITH IT FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, SO THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO IS EDUCATE PEOPLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES, AND TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

WE CAN'T KEEP MANDATING, MANDATING, MANDATING, IF THIS IS GOING TO BE WITH US FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

IT MAY BE CIRCULATING AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.

WE MAY CALL IT ENDEMIC.

NO MATTER WHAT, WE NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PROTECT OURSELVES GOING FORWARD.

>> A LOT OF FOLKS, AS YOU KNOW, OUR TESTING AT HOME.

NOT GOING IN TO A LOCATION AND DOING A PCR TEST.

HOW ACCURATELY ARE YOU ABLE TO TRACK NOW THIS VIRUS, AND HOW MUCH CAN YOU DO PREDICTIVE MODELING BASED OFF OF THAT?

>> TWO VERY GOOD QUESTIONS.

FIRST OF ALL, OUR PREDICTIVE MODEL FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, DID NOT WORK OFF CASES.

IT WORKED OFF HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND THEN WENT BACK TO CASES.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE OUR MOST PERFECT INDICATOR AT THIS POINT IN TIME.

CASES, BECAUSE OF EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID, PROBABLY, MOST LIKELY, DEFINITELY I GUESS I SHOULD SAY, UNDERCOUNTED.

BUT THEY ARE DIRECTIONALLY CORRECT.

AS WE SEE THE CASES THAT WE DO HAVE THAT ARE REPORTED, AND THEY ARE INCREASING, WE KNOW THAT THE TRAJECTORY IS INCREASING.

>> SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY THEN ABOUT THE SEVERITY, NOT JUST OF THIS SUV-VARIANT, BUT OF WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW, TYPICALLY SUMMER, THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

>> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS IS THAT AFTER THE JULY 4th WEEKEND WE ALWAYS SEE A BUMP UP.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

WE HAD PREDICTED ABOUT 1000 CASES IN OUR HOSPITALS TODAY, AND WE HAVE 1013.

WHAT WE ARE ALSO PREDICTING IS THAT IT IS GOING TO STAY AT THAT LEVEL, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN WE HAVE SEEN IN PRIOR SUMMERS.

I THINK THAT IS THE RESULT OF BA.5, SO WE ARE BEING VIGILANT.

AGAIN, WE ARE ENCOURAGING GOOD HYGIENIC PRACTICES.

MASK, BE VIGILANT, KNOW YOURSELF, KNOW THE PEOPLE THAT SURROUND YOU.

GET TO LIKE YOUR MASK.

>> THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

HEAT THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> SEVERAL NORTH JERSEY MAYORS SAVE THE DEVELOPER BEHIND THE AMERICAN DREAM MEGAMALL HAS YET TO MAKE GOOD ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN PAYMENTS THEY ARE OWED.

NEGOTIATED AS PART OF THE ORIGINAL DEAL WHEN THE COMPLEX WAS BUILT, ACCORDING TO NORTH JERSEY.COM, ONE OPERATOR AND DEVELOPER OWES $9 MILLION TO THE SURROUNDING TOWNS OF EAST RUTHERFORD, CARLSBERG, AND SECAUCUS.

IN ADDITION TO THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DUE TO 14 OTHER TOWNS IN THE MEADOWLANDS AREA.

THE DISPUTE CENTERS ON WHETHER AMERICAN DREAM MEETS THE DEFINITION OF BEING FULLY OPEN.

LOCAL OFFICIALS SAY THE 2019 GRAND OPENING SHOULD HAVE TRIGGERED THE START OF THIS PAYMENTS IN THE TAXES AGREEMENT.

THE COMPANY ARGUES IT IS NOT ON THE HOOK UNTIL THE MALL REACHES 100% OCCUPANCY.

>>> FOR AS LARGE AND POWERFUL AS OUR OCEANS APPEAR TO BE, THEY ARE ALSO VULNERABLE.

ENDANGERED BY THE AMOUNT OF PLASTICS THAT GET DUMPED IN EACH YEAR.

CAUSING SCIENTISTS TO SOUND OFF WITH CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEALTH OF BOTH MARINE AND HUMAN LIFE.

NEW JERSEY ALREADY BANNED SINGLE USE PLASTICS, AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS ARE TEAMING UP WITH A GLOBAL CAMPAIGN TO SEE WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE TO LIMIT PLASTIC WASTE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER HAS THE STORY.

HEAT PLASTICS WHEN THEY GET IN YOUR SYSTEM, THEY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO BREATHE.

THERE ARE TOXINS SO THEY CAN CAUSE CANCER AND OTHER DISEASES IF YOU CUMULATED TO CERTAIN LEVELS.

HEAT IT'S A BIG PROBLEM ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> Reporter: THIS CEO HAS BEEN WORKING TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

IN 2016, THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CONDUCTED A STUDY THAT FOUND PLASTIC IN MORE THAN 75 SAMPLES PULLED FROM THE NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY HARVEY.

>> YOU WILL FIND PLASTICS IN THE WATER.

MICROPLASTICS.

LARGER PLASTICS AS WELL.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS MANYFOLD.

IT IS THAT THEY GET INGESTED BY MARINE ORGANISMS.

WE'VE ALL SEEN THE PICTURES OF SIX PACK HOLDERS FOR SODA THAT GET CAUGHT IN TURTLES AND IN FISH, AND KILLED HIM.

THERE ARE ALSO A LOT OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES AND FISH AND JUST MICROPLASTICS.

WE EAT THOSE FISH THAT HAVE THE PLASTIC IN IT.

IT'S WORKING ITS WAY, IS NOT ONLY HARMING THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM, WHICH IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT IT'S ALSO FINDING ITS WAY INTO HUMANS AND POSING THREATS TO HUMAN HEALTH.

>> Reporter: THEIR RESEARCH ULTIMATELY INFLUENCING THE GARDEN STATE'S PLASTIC BAN THAT WENT INTO EFFECT IN MAY.

NOW, THE ORGANIZATION IS LOOKING FOR MORE WAYS TO FIGHT PLASTIC POLLUTION.

THIS WEEK, THEY TEAMED UP WITH A BRAZILIAN GROUP HEADING A GLOBAL EXHIBITION, VOICE OF THE OCEAN.

>> WE STARTED IN BRAZIL AND WENT THROUGH THE AMAZON JUNGLE AND STOPPED IN THE CARIBBEAN AND THE BAHAMAS.

MIAMI AND OVERHEAR, AND FROM HERE WE ARE GOING NORTH ALL THE WAY TO MAINE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES TO ADOPT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BEHAVIORS.

>> EVERY DAY IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IF YOU CHANGE.

INSTEAD OF HAVING YOUR OWN PLASTIC BOTTLE, YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF BOTTLE.

IF YOU HAVE A TOOTHBRUSH, USE A WOODEN, A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TOOTHBRUSH.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY IS TAKING THE LEAD TO FURTHER PREVENT POLLUTION.

STARTING JANUARY, 2024, MANUFACTURERS WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE PACKING PEANUTS.

IT IS A MOVE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES APPLAUD.

>> STYROFOAM IS NOT RECYCLABLE, AND WE HAVE FOUND PIECES OF STYROFOAM, WHETHER IT IS FROM CONTAINERS THAT ARE BROKEN DOWN TO SMALLER PIECES, OR ACTUALLY THE PACKING PEANUTS, WE ARE FINDING STYROFOAM IN LARGE AMOUNTS ON OUR BEACHES.

IT IS MISTAKEN FOR FOOD BY ANIMALS.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO TAKE THINGS ONE STEP FURTHER WITH A PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY BILL AND THAT REDUCING HARMFUL MATERIALS USED TO PACKAGE ITEMS.

SENATOR BOB SMITH CALLING IT A NATURAL FOLLOW-UP TO THE STATE'S PLASTIC BAG BAN.

>> IF YOU WENT TO THE LOCAL HOSPITAL AND HAD A BLOOD TEST DONE, GUESS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO FIND IN YOUR WATER?

MICROPLASTICS.

THEY DETERIORATE OVER TIME INTO SMALLER AND SMALLER PARTICLES.

MICROPLASTICS ARE IN THE AIR, THEY ARE EVERYWHERE.

>> EVEN IF YOU ARE TAKING THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS LIKE PUTTING IT IN THE RECYCLING, TAKING IT TO A RECYCLING CENTER, REUSING IT, IT CAN STILL INTO THE WATER.

REALLY THE BEST WAY TO ELIMINATE PLASTIC IN THE ENVIRONMENT IS TO ELIMINATE THE USE OF PLASTIC ENTIRELY.

>> Reporter: WHILE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATES CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR MORE SOLUTION TO KEEP THE WATER CLEAN, THEY ARE HOPING THEIR WORK WILL LEAD TO MORE PEOPLE, AND BUSINESSES, FINDING PLASTIC ALTERNATIVES SO ONE DAY IT WILL NO LONGER BE A THREAT TO OUR HEALTH OR OUR ENVIRONMENT.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> EVEN THOUGH SCHOOL IS OUT, ADVOCATES WILL REMIND YOU THAT HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A SUMMER VACATION.

THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY'S KIDS RELY ON SCHOOL MEALS.

IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES, IT IS THEIR ONLY RELIABLE MEAL FOR THE DAY.

FOR THIS YEAR, THE STATE IS MAKING MORE IN PERSON SUMMER FOOD PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES AFTER HAVING TO SCRAP THOSE OPTIONS DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

RUBEN SANTANA REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY, FOCUSING ON THE COMPLEXITY OF FOOD INSECURITY HERE IN THE STATE.

>> I'M EATING A SANDWICH.

>> Reporter: THIS GIRL WAS HALFWAY THROUGH HER TURKEY AND CHEESE SANDWICH WHEN SHE HAPPILY TOOK A BREAK TO SHOW ME WHAT WAS IN HER LUNCHBOX TODAY.

>> I HAVE SOME CHOCOLATE MILK.

>> Reporter: SHE IS JUST ONE OF THOUSANDS OF KIDS IN THE CITY RECEIVING A FREE SUMMER MEAL UNDER THE STATE'S SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM, WHICH IS RUN BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF THAT CULTURE.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF FOOD AND NUTRITION FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE PROGRAM IS CRITICAL TO CHILDREN WHO RELY ON SCHOOL LUNCH, BUT ARE NOW MISSING MEALS NOW THAT SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER.

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY A MIX OF THE WAY THAT MEALS ARE BEING OFFERED.

MEALS ARE BEING OFFERED ON SITE, GRAB AND GO.

WE ALSO HAVE SOME THAT ARE BEING OFFERED IN BULK WHERE PARENTS CAN PICK UP THE MEALS.

SO THE USDA HAS EXTENDED FLEXIBILITIES TO THE SUMMER FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM THIS YEAR.

WE HAVE 161 SPONSORS, AND WE ARE SERVING ALMOST 1200 SITES STATEWIDE, WHICH IS FANTASTIC.

THEY DO PROVIDE THE NUTRITIOUS MEALS THAT THE CHILDREN NEED.

MANY OF THEM ALSO HAVE ACTIVITIES THAT CHILDREN CAN PARTICIPATE IN.

SO, DEFINITELY A GREAT ASSET TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN THE SUMMERTIME.

>> ONE, TWO -- >> Reporter: THE FEDERAL CHILD NUTRITION WAIVERS WERE SLATED TO END ON JUNE 30th, BUT LAST WEEK PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED INTO LAW THE KEEP KIDS FED ACT.

A BIPARTISAN ACT THAT EXTENDS THOSE WAIVERS INTO THE SUMMER AND NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

HEAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR SUMMER MEALS BECAUSE THE WAIVERS PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY FOR PROGRAMS TO OPERATE.

SUCH AS THINGS LIKE ALLOWING FOR GRAB AND GO.

WHERE CHILDREN DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO CONSUME THE MEAL ON SITE.

AS WELL AS PARENT PICK UP.

MULTIPLE DAY SERVICE IN SOME CASES CAN STILL BE ALLOWABLE UNDER THE EXTENSION OF THE WAIVERS.

>> THAT'S THE REALITY FOR MANY HOUSEHOLDS OF FAMILIES HERE IN THE CITY.

A LOT OF THE PARENTS IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS FINANCIALLY .

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE KIDS ARE BEING NOT ONLY FED, BUT ALSO ACTIVE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE RECREATION CENTER ARE COMMON SITES WHERE MEALS ARE BEING OFFERED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CITY'S RECREATION OFFICE SAYS THE WIND ABOVE AND BEYOND.

>> WE USED SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE USED OUR EMAIL LIST.

NUMBER THREE WE DID THE VERY TRADITIONAL KNOCKING ON DOORS.

IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, WE SENT OUR PART-TIME STAFF TO PROVIDE FLYERS AND INFORMATION FOR THIS PROGRAM AND ALL THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE FOR OUR SUMMER MEALS PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: ON AVERAGE, ORTIZ SAYS MORE THAN 2500 FREE MEALS ARE HANDED OUT PER DAY AT 36 DIFFERENT SITES WITHIN THE CITY.

>> OUR BIGGEST PARTNER IS A SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEY ARE PROVIDING A LOT OF PROGRAMS IN S.T.E.M.

AND ARTS.

THAT ALLOWS FOR KIDS NOT ONLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS, BUT ONCE AGAIN TO RECEIVE A MEAL.

SO, WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERS.

I CAN TELL YOU DURING COVID, WE GAVE OUT 150,000 MEALS IN A TWO MONTH TIME SPAN.

HEAD THEY SAY THEY ARE WORKING ON NEW INITIATIVES AND PROGRAMS TO BETTER CONNECT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO FREE SUMMER MEALS IN THE FUTURE.

FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO FIND THE CLOSEST FEEDING SITE NEAR YOU, YOU CAN TEXT SUMMER MEALS AT THIS NUMBER OR VISIT THE USDA SITE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> WELL, THAT'S IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS TO KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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