>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PRESENTED BY THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE STATE 'S DEADLIEST STORM SINCE SANDY, I DON'T BROUGHT MASSIVE FLOODING AND DEVASTATING WINDS.

EVEN TORNADOES FORCING RESIDENTS TO EVACUATE THEIR HOMES.

SOME RESIDENTS REMAIN DISPLACED AND SAID THE MONEY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROMISED TO GIVE THEM TO HELP REBUILD IS NOT YET IN THE HANDS OF SOME FAMILIES WHO NEED IT.

THAT IS WHY STORM VICTIMS CALLED ON FEDERAL DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING FOR RESIDENTS.

FEMA ASSISTANCE HAS REACHED MANY RESIDENTS, FEMA ALSO NOTES THEIR ASSISTANCE PROVIDE BASIC NEEDS TO MAKE A HOME SAFE, SANITARY, AND FUNCTIONAL.

FEMA ASSISTANCE DOES NOT MAKE YOU WHOLE AGAIN, BUT RESIDENTS SAY IT IS THE DISASTER RECOVERY SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE WHOLE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS HERE AT >> WE NEED TO CREATE HOMES IF INDIVIDUALS WANT TO MOVE AND OVERALL BE BETTER PREPARED FOR DISASTERS HERE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: ONE BY ONE, GRASSROOTS ADVOCATES TOOK THE MIC IN FRONT OF THE STATE HOUSE ANNEX, CALLING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING.

HER HEAD WAS HOME BY TROPICAL STORM IDA.

SHE SAYS SHE IS WAITING FOR FEMA TO SEND AID.

>> MY BASEMENT WAS FLOODED WITH FECES.

>> Reporter: IT IS A TOXIC ISSUE THAT CAN LEAD TO HEALTH ISSUES IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE OFTEN FORGOTTEN ABOUT IN TIMES OF DISASTER, ACCORDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE DIRECTOR FOR CLEAN ACTION.

>> THEY ARE HAVING COUGHING EPISODES AND THOSE WITH ASTHMA OR HAVING ASTHMA EPISODES AND THEN THE INSURANCE COMPANIES SAY WELL, I DON'T REALLY SEE THE DAMAGE.

YOU LOST ALL OF YOUR FURNITURE.

YOU LOST ALL OF YOUR FOOD AND THESE ARE THINGS YOU NEED TO SURVIVE.

THEY ARE SAYING IT IS NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE IT'S NOT LIKE WHERE THE FLOOD WHERE PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.

>> Reporter: I DON'T KNOW BEHIND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN DAMAGES.

SHE SAYS FEMA GAVE HER $250.

THANKFULLY SHE HAD FLOOD INSURANCE, BUT SHE STILL HAD TO PAY $20,000 OUT OF HER OWN POCKET.

>> I DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE THE COMMUNITY IS DOING EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE THESE THINGS DON'T HAPPEN AGAIN OR REMEDIATION IS HAPPENING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTED.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN ANDY KIM AND TOM MALINOWSKI JOINING IN THE FIGHT.

>> THE QUESTION WE KEEP ON GETTING IS THE SAME QUESTION THAT YOUR KIDS ASKED YOU.

WHAT HAPPENS THIS YEAR?

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR?

DO WE HAVE TO BE AFRAID EVERY TIME THERE IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR RAINSTORM?

>> WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR THE MOON.

WE ARE ASKING FOR FAIRNESS.

WE ARE ASKING FOR DIGNITY, TO BE ABLE TO LIVE A LIFE OF DECENCY, TO BE ABLE TO REBUILD THEIR HOMES IN A WAY THAT CAN GIVE THEM SOME SECURITY.

AND A TIME WHERE WE KNOW THIS IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE.

>> Reporter: WITH THE SEASON OFFICIALLY UNDERWAY, SURVIVORS AND ADVOCATES SAY THE RECOVERY SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW, NOT LATER.

>> IT'S RIDICULOUS.

>> Reporter: HIS HOME WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AFTER HURRICANE SANDY NEARLY 10 YEARS AGO.

HE GOT $150,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

SHORTLY AFTER, HE WAS TOLD HE NEEDED TO PAY BACK $60,000 BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PAID HIM TOO MUCH.

>> I AM A TAXPAYER IN NEW JERSEY.

I HAD FLOOD INSURANCE ON MY HOUSE AT THAT TIME AND, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID, I FOLLOWED EVERY PROTOCOL AND DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN, NOW THEY ARE BASICALLY FORCING ME TO SELL MY HOUSE SO I CAN GIVE SOME OF THAT EQUITY OUT OF MY HOUSE TO REPAY THEM BACK.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FROM THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT SAID THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AGREED RELIEF MONEY TAKES TOO LONG TO BE DISTRIBUTED AND CALLED ON CONGRESS TO REFORM THE SYSTEM.

THE AGENCY HAS ALLOCATED NEARLY $183 MILLION IN IDA RECOVERY TO NEW JERSEY, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE DISPERSED WITHIN 60 DAYS.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> IT'S BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS SINCE GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LAW.

NOW STATE REGULATORS ARE UNVEILING THE ACTUAL RULES NEEDED TO PUT IT INTO ACTION.

THE LAW IS AIMED AT POWER PLANTS AND OTHER SOURCES OF POLLUTION FROM BEING PLACED IN LOW INCOME AND MINORITY COMMUNITIES, WHICH ARE ALREADY OVERBURDENED WITH MOST OF THE STATES POLLUTING INDUSTRIES.

THE NEW RULES FROM THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION WILL REQUIRE IT TO CONSIDER HOW THE NEW FACILITIES PROPOSED IN THESE COMMUNITIES COULD WORSEN EXISTING POLLUTION.

AND TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN THEY APPROVE PERMITS.

THE RULES WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK AND ARE SUBJECT TO PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE THEY ARE FINALIZED.

FOR MORE ON THE NEW RULES, CHECK OUT TOM JOHNSON'S REPORTING AT NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> PEOPLE USED TO SWIM AND FISH IN THE RIVER BUT DECADES OF POLLUTION LEFT THE RIVER ONE OF THE MOST TOXIC SITES IN THE U.S.

THE 17 MILES OF THE RIVER IS A DESIGNATED FEDERAL SUPERFUND SITES, 1 OF 114 IN NEW JERSEY.

THE EPA ANNOUNCED A CLEANUP PLAN THAT INCLUDED BANK TO BANK DREDGING, DIGGING UP, AND REMOVING TOXIC SEDIMENT IN THE RIVER BED.

THAT $1.84 BILLION PROJECT HAS YET TO BEGIN, SO WHAT IS THE HOLD UP?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS EXAMINING THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THESE SUPERFUND SITES.

>> IT WAS SCARY.

>> Reporter: LONGTIME NEW YORK RESIDENT, NANCY, RECALLS WHEN THE EPA SENT SUITS AND RESPIRATORS TO VACUUM UP TOXIC CONTAMINANTS IN HER NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT WAS JUNE, 1983.

ZACH, WHO PUBLISHED A LOCAL PAPER, WOULD SOON DISCOVER SHE LIVED NEAR THE NATION'S SUPERFUND SITE.

>> PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WERE WEARING THEIR NORMAL CLOTHES AND LOOKING AT THESE GUYS AND NOBODY KNEW WHY THEY WERE HERE IN THE BEGINNING.

>> Reporter: THEY FOUND OUT FAST.

A CANCER-CAUSING BYPRODUCT OF AGENT ORANGE HAD SPREAD INTO HOMES AND GARDENS FROM THE CHEMICAL PLANT OVER BY THE PASSAIC RIVER.

PEOPLE CALLED THEIR LAWYERS.

>> I JUST HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY.

YOU ARE RIGHT, I AM SCARED.

>> Reporter: CLEANUP MEANT BURYING THE FACTORY SITE UNDER A THICK CONCRETE CAP 20 YEARS AGO, BUT INVESTIGATORS DISCOVERED THE COMPANY HAD ALSO DUMPED IT INTO THE PASSAIC RIVER FOR DECADES.

A JERSEY APPELLATE COURT IN 1992 DESCRIBED THE WASTE DISPOSAL POLICY AS ESSENTIALLY DUMPING EVERYTHING IN THE PASSAIC RIVER WITH FULL AWARENESS OF THEIR MIGRATION TO AND DEVASTATING IMPACT UPON THE ENVIRONMENT.

DIOXIN TRANSFORMED THE RIVER BODY INTO A TOXIC SLUDGE FOLKS CALLED BLACK MAYONNAISE AND DESPITE INTERIM DREDGING BY THE EPA, MOST OF IT IS STILL THERE 40 YEARS LATER.

>> IF YOU ASK THE AVERAGE NEW YORKER IF THEY HAVE EVER BEEN ON THE PASSAIC, THEY WILL LOOK AT YOU LIKE YOU ARE INSANE BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW IN THIS COMMUNITY THE WATER IS NOT SAFE TO GET ON.

THROUGH THE PROGRAMS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REIGNITE THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE RIVER.

>> Reporter: A PARTNERSHIP OF ORGANIZATIONS CELEBRATED 10 YEARS OF REHABILITATING RIVERFRONT PARK HERE IN NEW YORK.

KIDS CAN CANOE.

FOLKS CAN FIND PEACE OF MIND.

ENGLER STILL CAN'T SAFELY EAT THEIR PATCH.

SWIMMING HERE IS UNWISE AND CLIMATE CHANGE THREATENS TO RAISE SEA LEVEL, CAUSING STRONGER STORM SURGES ROARING UP THE RIVER.

THE AREA IS ALREADY IN A FLOODPLAIN AND THE CLIMATE CLOCK IS TICKING HARD.

>> IT IS THE COMMUNITIES THAT WILL EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE WORST CONSEQUENCES OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

WORKING TOGETHER, WE ARE MAKING REAL PROGRESS BUT WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO CLEAN UP?

FIRST OF ALL, IT IS A COLOSSAL PROJECT THAT INVOLVES DREDGING TONS OF TOXIC SEDIMENT AND CAPPING THE RIVER FROM BANK TO BANK WITH CLEAN SAND FOR MILES.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE THE LARGEST CLEANUP AND HISTORY.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEY MICHAEL GORDON MITIGATED POLLUTION ISSUES FOR RESIDENTS HERE AT >> IT IS THE MOST COSTLY SUPERFUND SITE AND WE ARE MOVING FROM THAT CORE AREA THREE AND HALF-MILLION YARDS.

>> Reporter: DREDGING AND CAPPING THE STRETCH OF RIVER COULD TAKE 6 TO 8 YEARS TO IMPLEMENT AND COST $1.3 BILLION.

SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN UNTIL YOU ADD THE LAWSUIT.

EPA WARNS ITS PLAN ONLY WORKS ONCE A LEGAL AGREEMENT IS IN PLACE FOR ONE OR MORE POSSIBLE PARTIES TO PERFORM OR PAY FOR THE CLEANUP.

THOSE PARTIES INCLUDE GLEN SPRINGS HOLDINGS, A SUBSIDIARY OF CHEMICAL.

OTHER OWNERS, TEXAS WHICH FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY THREE MONTHS AFTER THE EPA ANNOUNCED ITS RIVER CLEANUP IN 2016.

BY THE WAY, THEY BELONG TO Y PF, A STATE OWNED OIL COMPANY IN ARGENTINA.

IT IS PONDEROUS.

>> IT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE LAW AND THE INABILITY OF COMPANIES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTION AND THE INABILITY FOR GOVERNMENT TO FORCE THEM TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: FINALLY THERE IS THAT.

THE PLAN INCLUDES ANOTHER NINE MILES OF POLLUTED RIVER BOTTOM EXTENDING ALL THE WAY UP TO THE DUNDEE DAM, 17 MILES TOTAL AND COST ANOTHER $0.5 BILLION OR SO WITH DIFFERENT MULTIPLE POLLUTERS EXPECTING TO PAY FOR IT.

IT IS AN AMBITIOUS VISION.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE WOULD LOVE IF IT WERE FASTER.

>> Reporter: AND CONTINUING TO PUSH FOR CLEAN UP.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> CHECK OUT THE LATEST EPISODE OF OUR PODCAST, HAZARD NJ.

IT'S AVAILABLE ANYWHERE YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> MORE FUNERALS WERE HELD TODAY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE SCHOOL SHOOTING IN UVALDE.

NEW INFORMATION INDICATES THE DOOR TO THE SCHOOL WAS NOT PROPPED OPEN WHEN THE SHOOTER ENTERED, AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED.

INSTEAD, IT'S BELIEVED THE DOOR FAILED TO LOCK WHEN SHOT.

THE CONFLICTING REPORTS BEFORE UVALDE LAW ENFORCEMENT ENGAGED WITH THE SHOOTER AT THE CENTER OF AN INVESTIGATION BUT STATE INVESTIGATORS SAY THE DEPARTMENT CHIEF STOPPED RESPONDING TO THEIR REQUEST FOR A FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEW ON WHAT HAPPENED THE DAY OF THE SHOOTING.

TODAY ARREDONDO DENIED THE ALLEGATION, SAYING HE HAS BEEN IN TALKS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY EVERY DAY SINCE THE TRAGEDY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS HE HOPES NEW STATE GUN LEGISLATION CAN BE PASSED INTO LAW WITHIN A MONTH AND CALLED ON CONGRESS TO PASS GUN REFORM THAT HAS BROAD SUPPORT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE GOT OVERWHELMING MAJORITIES FOR THINGS LIKE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND RED FLAG LAWS, YOU GOT TO BE 21 TO OWN A GUN.

MY GOD, CONGRESS HAS TO ACT.

IT IS A SHOCKING DISPLAY OF HOW POWERFUL IT IS AS IT SITS BETWEEN THE WILL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND IN ACTION IN CONGRESS.

ENOUGH ALREADY.

>> THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE UNSOLVED DEATHS OF A PROMINENT NEW JERSEY COUPLED WITH POLITICAL CONNECTIONS WHO WERE KILLED IN THEIR HOME IN 2014.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S INVESTIGATION COMES AFTER NANCY SOLOMON REVISITED THE CASE IN THE PODCAST DEAD-END, A NEW JERSEY POLITICAL MURDER MYSTERY SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE MISTAKES LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MADE WHEN INVESTIGATING THE DEATHS.

THE SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE DETERMINED THE LAWYER KILLED HIMSELF AND HIS WIFE OF 47 YEARS, BUT HIS FOUR SONS REFUSED TO BELIEVE IT.

SIX MONTHS AFTER THE MURDERS, THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE CHANGE THE MANNER OF DEATH FROM UNDETERMINED TO SUICIDE, LEAVING THE SONS ON A QUEST FOR TRUTH.

IT TOOK A PODCAST TO REOPEN THE CASE.

I SAT DOWN WITH THE HOST.

>> NANCY, WHAT I FIND SO INCREDIBLE ABOUT THIS, IT TOOK A PODCAST, YOUR PODCAST TO REOPEN THE CASE.

DID YOU EVER THINK IT WOULD COME TO THIS?

>> WELL, I CAN'T LIE.

I HOPED IT WOULD COME TO THIS.

I MEAN, I HOPED I WOULD SOLVE THE MURDER, TO BE HONEST.

THAT TURNED OUT TO BE HIGHLY UNREALISTIC.

YOU KNOW, I DON'T HAVE SUBPOENA POWER AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES AND SO IT BECAME MORE AND MORE CLEAR TO ME THE MORE REPORTING I DID ON THIS THAT THAT WAS THE AGENCY THAT NEEDED TO TAKE UP THIS CASE AND THAT IS THE AGENCY THAT SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT UP IN 2014.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS A VERY GOOD STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WHAT WAS MOST UNSETTLING ABOUT THE CASE?

>> I THINK THE THING THAT BOTHERS ME PERSONALLY, OR THE THING I FIND MOST DISTURBING IS THAT JOHN SHERIDAN HAD A REPUTATION.

HE HAD SERVED THE PUBLIC FOR SO MANY YEARS AND HAD BEEN A VERY PUBLIC SERVICE MINDED PERSON AND HIS REPUTATION WAS COMPLETELY RUINED WITH THE ACCUSATION THAT HE KILLED HIS WIFE AND THEN HIMSELF AND SO, YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT THAT HAS SAT THERE FOR 7 1/2 YEARS AND HAS NEVER BEEN RESOLVED AND CLARIFIED AND HIS REPUTATION HAS NEVER BEEN FULLY REPAIRED, THAT IS WHAT BOTHERS ME THE MOST.

>> WELL, IN 2014, WE KNOW THE SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE DEEMED THE DEATHS A MURDER-SUICIDE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, SO WHAT EVIDENCE DID YOU FIND THROUGH YOUR REPORTING THAT YOU BELIEVE SHOWS THIS CONCLUSION WAS JUST WRONG?

>> THERE IS SO MUCH.

THERE WAS AN INDEPENDENT AUTOPSY DONE THAT FOUND THE DETECTIVES MISREAD THE KNIFE WOUNDS AND THAT THE SIZE OF THE KNIFE WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE THAT WAS IN THE ROOM AND HENCE IT WAS THE KNIFE THAT KILLED JOHN SHERIDAN THAT WAS MISSING FROM THE CRIME SCENE.

AS I INTERVIEWED THE DOCTOR, HE SAID IT'S ODD TO HAVE A SUICIDE IN WHICH THE WEAPON IS NOT THERE.

THERE IS THAT.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A MURDER- SUICIDE BECAUSE THE DOOR TO THE BEDROOM WAS BLOCKED BY AN ARMOIRE THAT HAD BEEN TIPPED OVER OR HAD FALLEN OVER AND THERE WAS A BACKDOOR TO THAT BEDROOM THAT LED TO THE BACK STAIRS.

THERE WAS A FIRE POKER THAT WAS UPSTAIRS AND JOHN SHERIDAN HAD LATERAL BRUISES ACROSS HIS CHEST AND FIVE BROKEN RIBS AND A CHIPPED TOOTH.

THERE WERE JUST -- I WOULD SAY THAT WAS THE MOST STARTLING EVIDENCE THAT REALLY UNDERMINED THE IDEA THAT IT WAS A MURDER- SUICIDE.

>> WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE NEW INVESTIGATION?

ARE THEY REACHING OUT TO PEOPLE?

IS THE FBI INVOLVED AT THIS POINT?

>> ALL I KNOW FROM THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, I GOT A ONE SENTENCE EMAIL THAT THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THE CASE.

I THINK OFFICIALLY THAT MEANS THEY HAVE SUPERSEDED IT, WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE TAKEN IT OVER FROM THE SOMERSET COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE.

THAT IS PART OF THE PROCESS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL GETTING INVOLVED.

>> SO MANY TWISTS AND TURNS.

THANK YOU FOR SITTING DOWN WITH ME TO DISCUSS THIS.

IF YOU AREN'T LISTENING TO ME, YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST.

YOU HAVE TO.

IT'S AMAZING.

>>> IF YOU STILL CAN'T FIND FORMULA, HELP IS ON THE WAY.

MILLIONS OF BOTTLES ARE HEADED TO THE U.S. AS PART OF OPERATION FLY FORMULA.

DONATING CARGO SPACE TO SHIP FORMULA FROM EUROPE TO THE U.S. TODAY PRESIDENT BIDEN MET WITH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM MAJOR INFANT FORMULA MANUFACTURERS TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS TO ACCELERATE AND RAMP UP IMPORTS THROUGH OPERATION FLY FORMULA, ANNOUNCING A PLAN TO AIRLIFT 4.6 MILLION BOTTLES OF FORMULA FROM AUSTRALIA STARTING ON JUNE 9th, +3.7 MILLION BOTTLES FROM THE UK.

FOR MORE ON HOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TO OVERCOME THIS CHALLENGE, REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES JOINS ME TO DISCUSS THE CRISIS.

DR. KASS, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW BIG OF A CRISIS THIS IS?

SOME OUTLETS ARE REPORTING THREE -QUARTERS OF FORMULA IN NEW JERSEY ARE SOLD OUT.

MANY PARENTS ARE FRANTIC.

A LOT THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO ARE REALLY SCARED THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO GET FORMULA FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> THIS IS A CRISIS WE ARE ADDRESSING WITH A GOVERNMENT APPROACH.

THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE AND WE ARE ADDRESSING THAT WITH A SERIES OF CONCERNS.

THIS FORMULA CRISIS FOR A MULTIPLE NUMBER OF REASONS.

WE HAD THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE, A MANUFACTURING FACILITY THAT WAS FOUND TO NEED IMPROVEMENT IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE IT PRODUCES INFANT FORMULA, AND NOW WE ARE A FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT PLANT HAD TO SHUT DOWN AND WE ARE DEALING WITH A CRISIS ON THE SHELVES AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE PARENTS EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE ACCESS TO THE FORMULA THEY NEED FOR THEIR BABIES.

>> I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LOT OF TALKING AND A LOT OF PLANS.

MANY PARENTS THAT I'VE GOTTEN A CHANCE TO SPEAK TO HAVE SAID THEY ARE LOOKING TO EACH OTHER FOR HELP.

THEY ARE REALLY THINKING OUT OF THE BOX, SO WHAT IS BEING DONE TO HELP PARENTS GET THE FORMULA THEY NEED TO FEED THEIR BABIES?

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T MANUFACTURE FORMULA BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE FORMULA THAT IS MANUFACTURED IS SAFE FOR OUR BABIES TO INGEST.

ONE OF THE THINGS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IS INVOKED THE FEDERAL PRODUCTION ACT TO INCREASE THE PRODUCTS THAT ARE USED TO MAKE FORMULA SO AS WE DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED FORMULA, WE HAVE MORE PRODUCTS AND WE CAN INCREASE DOMESTIC PRODUCTION.

ANOTHER THING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IS IMPLEMENT OPERATION FLY FORMULA, A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BRINGING IN 1.5 MILLION BOTTLES OF THE FORMULA INTO STATES LIKE INDIANA AND PENNSYLVANIA AND VIRGINIA SO WE CAN DISTRIBUTE THAT FORMULA AND GET IT ON THE SHELVES WHERE IT IS NEEDED.

>> ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT PEOPLE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT, WE ARE SEEING EMPTY SHELVES NOT ONLY IN STORES, BUT AT FOOD PANTRIES AS WELL.

LOW INCOME FAMILIES ARE IMPACTED BY THIS THE MOST.

HOW ARE THEY SUPPOSED TO GET FORMULA?

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE REMIND FAMILIES TO NOT TAKE IN MORE FORMULA THAN YOU NEED FOR YOUR BABY AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLY OUT THERE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.

A LOT OF THE ISSUES WE SAW EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC WITH PEOPLE ACCUMULATING MORE THAN THEY NEEDED, WE WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE WE ARE CONTINUING TO INCREASE AND SUPPORT FORMULA DOMESTICALLY.

WE ARE FLYING IN MORE FORMULA, SO PLEASE DO NOT KEEP MORE FORMULA IN YOUR HOUSE THEN YOU NEED AND HELP MAKE SURE THE RESOURCES WE HAVE OUT THERE CAN BE DISTRIBUTED AMONGST YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THE FORMULA THEY NEED FOR RIGHT NOW.

>> DR. KASS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US HOPE AND LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

>> REMEMBER THIS ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AND LOOKING AT EVERY ASPECT THAT IT CAN SUPPORT TO GET FORMULA ONTO THE SHELVES AND WE WILL NOT STOP UNTIL EVERY BABY HAS THE FORMULA THEY NEED.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SITTING DOWN WITH ME TO DISCUSS THIS.

>>> THE JOBS ARE OUT THERE BUT FINDING WORKERS TO FILL THEM IS PROVING DIFFICULT ACCORDING TO A NEW FEDERAL JOBS REPORT.

RHONDA HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: WORKERS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY.

THE FIRST IN A SERIES OF JOBS REPORTS OUT THIS WEEK SHOWS 11.4 MILLION UNFILLED JOBS IN THE U.S.

IN APRIL.

THAT IS A DECLINE FROM THE PRIOR MONTH, BUT THE TREND OF MORE OPEN JOBS THAN PEOPLE TO FILL THEM REMAINED INTACT.

ANOTHER 4.4 MILLION PEOPLE QUIT THEIR JOBS IN APRIL.

A LITTLE CHANGE FROM THE PRIOR MONTH.

THE TIGHT JOB MARKET HAS MADE IT CHALLENGING FOR SOME COMPANIES TO HIRE SEASONAL WORKERS.

AT SIX FLAGS GREAT ADVENTURE, THEY HAVE HAD TO RAISE WAGES TO FILL CURRENT OPENINGS, ACCORDING TO MARKETING MANAGER CHRISTIAN FITZGERALD.

>> THE LARGEST INCREASES HAVE BEEN IN AREAS WE CONSIDER MOST CRITICAL.

YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR OPERATIONS, FOOD SERVICE, SECURITY.

THOSE ARE AMONG THE POSITIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN THE LARGEST INCREASES SINCE 2020.

MOST TEAM MEMBERS ARE STARTING BETWEEN 15 AND $20 AN HOUR.

>> Reporter: IN ATLANTA CITY, CASINO WORKERS UNITE HERE A PLAN TO PICKET ON THE BOARDWALK IN FRONT OF THE TROPICANA CASINO.

THERE HAS BEEN NO AGREEMENT REACHED IN ONGOING CONTRACT TALKS WITH THE CASINOS, ALTHOUGH THE UNION HAS NOT VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE STRIKE.

CITY COUNCILMEMBERS IN OCEAN CITY DON'T WANT TO SEE POWER LINES CONNECTED TO AN OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT RUNNING THROUGH THEIR COMMUNITY.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, ORSTED FILED A PETITION TO INSTALL UNDERGROUND TRANSMISSION LINES.

ACCORDING TO ATLANTIC CITY, THE CITY COUNCIL LAST WEEK PASSED A RESOLUTION ASKING THE DPU TO DENY THE REQUEST, SAYING THERE ARE OTHER POSSIBLE ROUTES.

ORSTED SAYS THE ROUTE FOR THE LINES WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE IT WOULD CAUSE THE LEAST DISTURBANCE TO RESIDENTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

THE RESOLUTION DEALT WITH THE ISSUE OF ALLOWING EASEMENTS FOR THE POWER LINES ACROSS PROPERTY PURCHASED UNDER THE STATE GREEN ACRES PROGRAM.

NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT STOCK TRADING TODAY ON WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY RIVERVIEW JAZZ, PROVIDING THE JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 4th AND 5th.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATION ARE ONLINE AT RIVERVIEWJAZZ.ORG.

>>> PROGRESSIVES HAVE LONG ARGUED THAT PARTY BACK POLITICAL CANDIDATES HAVE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE BECAUSE THEY GET A PRIME SPOT ON THE BALLOT.

THEIR NAMES APPEAR ON THE LINE, USUALLY THE FIRST COLUMN ON THE BALLOT.

CANDIDATES WITHOUT PARTY BACK AND CAN FIND THEMSELVES IN COLUMNS FURTHER DOWN THE BALLOT IN WHAT SOME CALL BALLOT SIBERIA.

THE PLAINTIFF INCLUDING POLITICAL CANDIDATES AND PROGRESSIVE GROUPS ARGUE THE BALLOT DESIGN IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND PUTS CANDIDATES WITHOUT PARTY BACKING AT A DISADVANTAGE.

A FEDERAL JUDGE THIS WEEK DISMISSED MOTIONS TO THROW OUT THE CHALLENGE, RULING THE PLAINTIFFS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SUE.

>>> AND JOIN US TUESDAY, JUNE 7th FOR OUR LIVE NJ DECIDES 2022 PRIMARY NIGHT COVERAGE.

WE WILL HAVE POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND LIVE REPORTS FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY RACES.

THAT IS 10:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS AND A STREAMING ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO NJTVNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT FOR ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

FROM OUR ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU.

>>> NJM INSURANCE, SERVING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.