>>> SERVE SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> FROM SERVE PBS, THIS IS SERVE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

INFLATION IS IMPACTING MILLIONS ACROSS THE STATE AND ECONOMISTS DON'T EXPECT THINGS TO GET BETTER SOON.

A TOUGH REALITY FOR FOLKS IN JERSEY AS GAS PRICES LINGER AROUND THE 5-DOLLAR MARK.

AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE MONEY ON FOOD WITH RISING COSTS AT THE GROCERY STORE.

AT THE SAME TIME, FEDERAL INTERVENTIONS THAT WERE PUT INTO PLACE DURING THE PANDEMIC HAVE DRIED UP, LEAVING INFLATION THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S NUMBER ONE FOCUS.

IN RESPONSE, THE FEDS HAVE RAISED INTEREST RATES BY THREE QUARTERS OF A PERCENTAGE IN AN EFFORT TO TAMP DOWN ON INFLATION.

BUT UNTIL IT HELPS TO COOL RISING PRICES, IT IS A DOUBLE WHAMMY FOR THE LOWEST INCOME FOLKS WHO ARE ALREADY THE MOST AFFECTED BY RISING PRICES AND WHO COULD NOW BE AT THE GREATEST RISK OF LOSING THEIR JOB IF RECESSION HITS.

WHAT CAN POLICYMAKERS DO TO TRY TO OFFSET ALL OF THIS?

AND HOW IS IT AFFECTING FOLKS IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THE COST OF LIVING IS ALREADY SO HIGH.

OUR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> YOU GO TO WORK AND EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.

>> IT IS A HARD BOTTOM LINE.

INFLATION BITES EXTRA HARD AT THE PUMP WHERE GAS PRICES KEEP GOING HIGHER AND HIGHER.

$5 A GALLON ON AVERAGE IN NEW JERSEY.

RISING PRICES EVERYWHERE ARE FORCING SOME PEOPLE TO CHANGE HOW THEY LIVE.

MARCIO CANNOT WORK FROM HOME BUT -- >> IT WILL BE AN OPTION.

GAS PRICES ARE OUT OF CONTROL.

>> I THINK ABOUT, I REALLY WANT THIS BUT I'M NOT GOING TO DO THAT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THE COSTS ARE SO MUCH HIGHER.

>> AS YOU SPEND, THE BUSINESS MAKES LESS AND THE ECONOMY SLOWS DOWN.

WE COULD BE IN A RECESSION RIGHT NOW.

>> THEY SAY SALARIES CANNOT MATCH THE SKYROCKETING PRICES.

EMPLOYEES AT FIVE ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS THREATENED TO STRIKE OVER WAGES THAT DON'T KEEP PACE WITH INFLATION.

BUT THEY WARNED THAT BUSINESSES GENERALLY RAISE PRICES TO COVER HIGHER SALARIES, WHICH DRIVES UP COSTS.

THE MAY CONSUMER PRICE INDEX SOARED TO 8.6% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

WHAT DOES THAT DO TO A HOUSEHOLD BUDGET?

>> THE HIGHEST IN 40 YEARS.

WITH INFLATION RATE, IT IS ADDING $460 PER MONTH TO THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD.

>> THEY FIGURE IT COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR BEFORE THE ECONOMY WILL RIGHT ITSELF.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE TRIED TO SLOW THINGS DOWN BY RAISING INTEREST RATES THREE QUARTERS OF A POINT THIS WEEK, DRASTIC ACTION THAT COULD HAVE DRASTIC CONSEQUENCES.

>> THE FEDS WILL BREAK SOMETHING.

BREAK INFLATION OR BREAK THE ECONOMY.

THEY WILL BRING INFLATION DOWN.

THEY ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT.

THEY WILL PROBABLY NEED A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK TO AVOID A RECESSION THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS.

>> THE FED'S RATE HIKE PUSHED MORTGAGE RATES UP TO 6%.

THEY SAY THE RUNAWAY HOUSING MARKET NEEDS TO COOL OFF AND IT IS CERTAINLY SLOWING.

>> EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.

EVEN THE COST OF MONEY IS GOING UP.

TRY TO BUY A HOUSE RIGHT NOW.

YOU CAN'T.

>> EVEN THE RENT IS TOO DARN HIGH FOR MANY WITH JERSEY'S AVERAGE RENT FOR A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT HITTING ALMOST $3000, UP 42% OVER LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO RENT.COM.

FOOD PRICES KEEP RISING TOO.

UP 12%.

SEVERAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS NOW TEETERING ON A CLIFF INCLUDING SUMMER SCHOOL LUNCHES LUNCHES.

SNAP BENEFITS COULD DECREASE AS PANDEMIC ARAB BENEFITS EXPIRE.

THAT ALARM SNAPPED ADVOCATES AND RECIPIENTS.

>> WE WOULD BE LOSING THE MAXIMIZATION OF SNAP BENEFITS.

SNAP IS THE ABSOLUTE FRONT LINE DEFENSE AGAINST HUNGER.

AND THAT WILL HAVE A DEVASTATING IMPACT.

>> IT IS SCARY TO THINK OF WHEN THAT WILL GO AWAY WITH THE INFLUX AND PRICES.

I REALLY DON'T KNOW.

IT WILL BE DEVASTATING FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES.

>> ALICIA ALVAREZ HAS FOUR KIDS TO FEED.

$40 FOOD SHOPPING TRIPS NOW RUN $100.

>> IF MY LIGHT BILL IS $100, THEY MIGHT JUST BE GETTING 50 THIS MONTH BECAUSE I HAVE TO PUT THE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE AND IT IS USUALLY TOWARDS FOOD.

>> WE MIGHT BE POST COVID TO AN EXTENT BUT IT IS THIS DOMINO IMPACT, WHICH I DON'T THINK ANYBODY COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> THIS FOOD BANK EXECUTIVES SAID PANTRIES STRUGGLE TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND BUT IT IS TOUGH.

ADVOCATES FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS URGE THE STATE TO TOP ITS 3 BILLION-DOLLAR PANDEMIC RELIEF FUND AND PROVIDE CASH PAYOUTS THE PROGRAMS LIKE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES.

>> IT IS TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE NO EMERGENCY SAVINGS AND NO DISPOSABLE INCOME TO DEAL WITH RISING PRICES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> .

>> BRENDA FLANAGAN, SERVE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FEDERAL LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS TO KEEP DOWN THE COST OF LIVING AND THE NEW JERSEY CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS TAKING A LEADING ROLE.

WE SPOKE WITH A CONGRESSMAN YESTERDAY ABOUT THE RISING COSTS OF EVERYDAY ITEMS.

HE SAID HE IS WORKING ON A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO TRY TO KEEP DOWN PRICES.

ONE OF THE MAIN FOCUSES IS THE MEAT INDUSTRY.

A BILL HE SPONSORED TO INCREASE SCRUTINY ON POTENTIAL PRICE GOUGING BY THE INDUSTRY WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE HOUSE THIS WEEK.

>> PRICES OF MEAT IS UP 300% SINCE COVID STARTED.

AS TO IS NOT GETTING PAID MORE FOR THE BEEF.

THE CATTLE PRODUCERS.

THEY ARE NOT GETTING PAID MORE FOR THE BEEF.

WHEN IT GOES TO THE PROCESSORS, THEY ARE THE ONES MASSIVELY JACKING UP THE PRICE.

THE KEY IS WE NEED TO GIVE MORE TOOLS TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO BE ABLE TO GO AFTER THOSE POLLUTERS.

THAT IS WHAT WE WERE FOCUSED ON THIS WEEK AS WELL AS OTHER STEPS WE ARE TAKING TO GET GAS AND OIL PRICES DOWN AS WELL IS MAKE SURE WE GET SUPPLY CHAINS MOVING, WHICH IS ANOTHER BIG ISSUE THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH COME WITH THE COVID ECONOMY WITH A LOT OF BACKUPS IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN WHICH IS PUSHING PRICES UP.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW WITH THE CONGRESSMAN ON CHAT BOX THIS SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 ON SERVE PBS.

PLUS, IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE WEEK'S POLITICAL HEADLINES, TUNE IN TO THE REPORTER ROUNDTABLE.

JOANNA SPOKE WITH THE SENATE MAJORITY LEADER ABOUT PLANS FOR RELIEF FOR NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS DURING THIS TIME.

THAT IS ON SERVE PBS.

>>> COVID VACCINES FOR CHILDREN UNDER FIVE HAVE BEEN GRANTED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

THE FEDERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION TODAY GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT FOR BOTH MODERNA AND PFIZER'S VACCINES FOR CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS SIX MONTHS OLD, DEEMING THEM SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR THE YOUNGEST AGE GROUP.

BUT THIS DECISION DOES NOT MEAN SHOTS CAN BEGIN TODAY.

THE VACCINES GO TO THE CDC ADVISORY PANEL WHICH IS EXPECTED TO VOTE TOMORROW ON WHETHER IT WILL RECOMMEND SHOTS.

AND THE FINAL SIGNOFF WILL COME FROM THE CDC DIRECTOR, DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY.

THE DIRECTOR HAS ORDERED 61,000 DOSES.

ABOUT 45,000 OF PFIZER AND 16,000 OF MODERNA WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL, PEDIATRICIANS OFFICES AND PHARMACIES.

IT IS NOT CLEAR WHEN THE SHOTS WILL ARRIVE AND WHEN THEY WILL BE ADMINISTERED.

FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING MONTHS TO GET THE YOUNGEST KIDS PROTECTED, THIS DAY COULD NOT COME SOON ENOUGH.

BUT DEMAND IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE AS HIGH AS IT WAS FOR OLDER KIDS AND ADULTS.

ACCORDING TO AN APRIL SURVEY BY THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION, FEWER THAN ONE OUT OF FIVE PARENTS WITH KIDS IN THE AGE GROUP NATIONWIDE PLAN TO GET THEIR CHILDREN VACCINATED RIGHT AWAY.

IN NEW JERSEY, 36% OF KIDS 5-11 ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THIS AS THE STATE IS REPORTING CLOSE TO 3000 NEW COVID CASES AND EIGHT NEW DEATHS.

>>> AFTER A SERIES OF MASS SHOOTINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT SEEMS THERE IS NO RELIEF IN SIGHT.

THURSDAY, TWO MORE PEOPLE WERE SHOT AND KILLED AND ONE INJURED WHEN A SUSPECT OPENED FIRE AT A SMALL CHURCH MEETING IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA.

THE DEADLY ATTACKS WERE BEING FELT MILES AWAY IN NEW JERSEY WHERE THE ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS SET TO HOLD HEARINGS ON A NUMBER OF BILLS ON THE GOVERNOR'S GUN SAFETY 3.0 PACKAGE NEXT WEEK, INCLUDING LEGISLATION TO RAISE THE AGE TO PURCHASE A RIFLE OR A LONG GONE FROM 18, TO 21.

THIS AS OUR NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE RIVER IN DELAWARE PASSED A SERIES OF LAWS INCLUDING ONE THAT BROUGHT BACK STATE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND A BAN ON THE SALE OF ASSAULT WEAPONS.

THE FEDERAL BIPARTISAN GUN BILL CRAFTED BY SENATOR CORY BOOKER AND OTHERS, MAY HAVE HIT A ROADBLOCK OVER SENDING FUNDS TO STATES WITH RED FLAG LAWS AND DISAGREEMENTS OVER FINDING DATING PARTNERS FOR THE BOYFRIEND LOOPHOLE.

THE PLAN WAS TO BRING THIS HISTORIC LEGISLATION TO VOTE NEXT WEEK.

>>> THE NEWER COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH TO VIOLENCE INTERVENTION OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS HAS LED TO A SIGNIFICANT DECLINE IN SERIOUS CRIME.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT.

WHILE IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE PREVALENCE OF SOME CRIMES HAS GONE UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE REPORT FOUND THAT INCREASES WERE LESS PRONOUNCED IN NEWARK THAN IN MANY OTHER CITIES.

CITY LEADERS AND ADVOCATES SAY THE BOND BETWEEN THE NEWARK LONG-TERM COMMUNITY ACTIVIST GROUPS AND GOVERNMENT OFFICES, ARE CITED AS REASONS FOR THE PROGRESS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER EXPLAINS HOW NEWARK IS TRYING TO SHARE ITS MOTTO AROUND NEW JERSEY AS PART OF THE ONGOING SERIES, "CHASING THE DREAM" FOCUSING ON JUSTICE, POVERTY AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> AS A PERSON WHO WORKED IN THE SYSTEM, AS A PROSECUTOR FOR MORE THAN A DECADE, I WORKED AS A T AT THE PROVIDER, TRYING TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM FROM THE OUTSIDE.

I WAS A POLICY ADVISOR IN THE WHITE HOUSE AT MAIN JUSTICE.

WHAT I LEARNED IN MY TIME IS THAT THE ANSWERS TO VIOLENCE DON'T EXIST IN THE SYSTEM.

>> INSTEAD, JENNY HODGE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF EQUAL JUSTICE USA SAYS THE SOLUTION LIES RIGHT HERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

ACCORDING TO HODGE, WHEN A VIOLENT CRIME HAPPENS, THE SYSTEM TAKES STEPS TO PUNISH THE OFFENDER WITHOUT TACKLING THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

>> IT IS NEVER TO ADDRESS WHAT MADE THE PERSON MAKE THE DECISION ON THE DRIVERS OF VIOLENCE.

THINK ABOUT WHAT DRIVES VIOLENCE.

WE KNOW POVERTY IS A DRIVER OF VIOLENCE AND TRAUMA IS A DRIVER OF VIOLENCE.

THE SYSTEM IS NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THOSE DRIVERS.

WHAT IT DOES IS EXACERBATE THEM AND MAKE THEM WORSE.

>> SO HODGE AND OTHER LEADERS ARE TRYING TO CREATE BETTER WAYS TO MAKE COMMUNITIES SAFER, COLLABORATING EFFORTS IN A NEW REPORT, "THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC SAFETY, EXPLAIN THE POWER AND POSSIBILITY OF NEWER'S REIMAGINED PUBLIC SAFETY ECOSYSTEM."

>> WE USED TO THINK LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS THE TOTALITY OF SAFETY AND THE RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.

BUT THE PUBLIC EXECUTION OF GEORGE FLOYD CREATED A REAL INFLECTION POINT TO REALLY CONSIDER THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY, IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT DE- ESCALATION STRATEGIES AND ONE INVESTMENT INTO BODY WORN CAMERAS AND STUFF FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT IT IS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY BASED INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> INVESTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, LIKE CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH TRAUMA RECOVERY SERVICES HAND ESTABLISHING HOSPITAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS THAT HAVE HELPED NEWARK DRASTICALLY REDUCE CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN RECENT YEARS.

ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, JUST FOR THE PANDEMIC, THE CITY RECORDED A HISTORIC LOW IN MURDERS, WITH A 51% DECREASE SINCE 2015.

IN 2020, CRIME WAS DOWN 70% IN COMPARISON TO THE YEAR 2000 THAT EVEN THOUGH THE CITY HAS SEEN AN UPTICK IN CRIME DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE INCREASE HAS STILL BEEN RELATIVELY LOW COMPARED TO OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

>> A LOT OF CREDIT REALLY GOES TO THE MAYOR AND WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO IS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO COORDINATE THE STRATEGY FOR COLLECTIVE RESPONSES AND WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THE HEALING WE WANT TO SEE HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY IS HAPPENING FOR THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN HARMED THE MOST.

>> THE NEWARK COMMUNITY BASED APPROACH TO ADDRESSING VIOLENCE OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN CATCHING THE ATTENTION OF OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DEALING WITH THEIR OWN ISSUES OF CRIME.

IT IS PROOF THAT WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE CITY WORKS.

>> I'M HAPPY THAT PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE CITY, HAS ALSO BEEN WILLING.

JUST LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LIKE THE COMMUNITY, EVERYBODY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS NOT COMPLETELY BOUGHT INTO THIS.

BUT I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, MOST OF THE PEOPLE WE ARE DEALING WITH, THE DIRECTION THE STATE IS GOING AND THE SPEED IT IS GOING, LAW ENFORCEMENT SEES WHAT WE ARE DOING AS AN INTEGRAL AND IMPORTANT PART OF MAKING SURE THE VIOLENCE IS REDUCED.

>> IN MIAMI MANY YEARS OF PRACTICE, I NEVER HAD AN ACCUSED WHO COMMITTED A VIOLENT CRIME WHO THEMSELVES HAD NOT BEEN TRAUMATIZED AT SOME POINT BEFORE.

IF WE CAN SERVE SURVIVORS AND MEET THEM AT THE POINT WHEN TRAUMA HAPPENS AND HELP THEM HEAL, WHAT WE DO IS PREVENT THE TRAUMA FROM MANIFESTING IN HARMFUL WAYS LATER.

>> STEPS THAT THE LEADERS SAY THEY ARE DETERMINED TODAY TO MAKE SURE COMMUNITIES AROUND NEW JERSEY ARE SAFE FOR EVERYONE.

OR SERVE SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> A BILL TO PROTECT THE PERSONAL INFORMATION OF FEDERAL JUDGES WAS BLOCKED IN THE U.S. SENATE BY KENTUCKY SENATOR RAND PAUL FOR A THIRD TIME.

THE LEGISLATION WAS PROPOSED FOLLOWING THE 2020 MURDER OF 20- YEAR-OLD DAVID ANDREW AT HIS PARENT'S HOME.

THE INTENDED TARGET WAS HIS MOTHER, U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE ESTHER SALAS.

THE LAWYER WAS DISGRUNTLED MEN'S RIGHTS ATTORNEY.

HE ATTEMPTED TO SPEAK WITH SENATOR PAUL YESTERDAY FOR A VOTE TO PASS LEGISLATION WITHOUT DEBATE BUT REFUSED TO TALK TO HER ACCORDING TO SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ.

HE LATER OBJECTED TO THE BILL'S PACKAGE WITH LANGUAGE STIPPLING PROTECTIONS FOR CONGRESSIONAL LAWMAKERS.

ESSENTIALLY FORCING THE BILL TO MEET THE 60 VOTE THRESHOLD NEEDED TO AVOID A FILIBUSTER.

SENATOR MENENDEZ OBJECTED TO PAUL'S ACTIONS ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE AS DID SENATOR CORY BOOKER.

>> TO HOLD OF THE PROTECTION OF OTHER FELLOW CITIZENS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GETTING PROTECTION, TO ME, DOES NOT MARK THE NOBILITY OF THIS BODY AND THE SELF-SACRIFICE OF THIS BODY.

>> THE ROLE'S EYES WOULD BE ON EAST RUTHERFORD COME 2026.

METLIFE STADIUM PUTTING NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ON THE MAP ONCE AGAIN AS FIFA CHOOSES THE NEW YORK NEW JERSEY AREA AS A HOST FOR THE WORLD CUP.

THE WINNING BID WAS CELEBRATED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY AND NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS WHO LED A WATCH PARTY AT LIBERTY STATE PARK.

AS YOU CAN SEE, SOME YOUNG SOCCER FANS COULDN'T CONTAIN THEIR EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE NEWS.

THIS MARKS THE SECOND TIME THE WORLD CUP GAMES WILL BE PLAYED HERE IN DECADES.

THE LAST TIME NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY WAS GRANTED THE BID WAS 1994.

IN TOTAL, 16 WHOLE HOST CITIES WILL HOST THE 2026 TOURNAMENT.

WHY HIS JERSEY THE BEST CHOICE FOR THE WORLD CUP?

AND WHAT CAN WE EXPECT AHEAD OF THE BIG GAME BEING HELD AT METLIFE?

FOR MORE ON WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE STATE, I'M JOINED BY SERVE ADVANCE MEDIA SPORTS COLUMNIST, STEVE POLITY.

HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THAT FOR NEW JERSEY TO BE SELECTED AS A HOST CITY FOR AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT LIKE THIS?

>> I THINK IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST EVENTS THAT WILL EVER BE PLAYED IN NEW JERSEY SPORTS HISTORY.

NEW JERSEY HAS HOSTED SUPER BOWLS AND SEVERAL MAJOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THEY POSTED THE NBA AND THE NHL FINALS.

BUT REALLY, THE WORLD CUP STRIKES AT AN INTERNATIONAL LEVEL.

AND FOR WHATEVER GAMES HAVE BEEN IN NEW JERSEY, THE EYES OF THE ENTIRE SPORTING WORLD WILL BE WATCHING METLIFE STADIUM AND WATCHING THE STATE.

SO THAT IS A BIG HONOR.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE INTERNATIONAL SOCCER FANS IN THE AREA.

A VERY EXCITING MOMENT.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP SOCCER FANS.

WHAT WILL IT DO FOR THE SPORT IN NEW JERSEY AND AROUND THE COUNTRY?

>> IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME, NEW JERSEY HOSTED IN 1994.

SUCKER HAS TAKEN AN EXTRAORDINARY BOOM.

THE MLS IS A BIG LEAD NOW AND SOCCER.

THE WOMEN'S NATIONAL LEAGUE HAS FLOURISHED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE GRASS ROOTS LEVEL.

PARTISAN -- PARTICIPATION NUMBERS ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

IF THE TOURNAMENT HAD THAT MUCH OF AN IMPACT 20 YEARS AGO, I THINK YOU COULD EXPECT TO SEE THE SAME IMPACT THIS TIME AROUND.

>> IT IS AN EXCITING TIME FOR SOCCER FANS.

BUT WILL HOSTING THE WORLD CUP PROVIDE A BOOST TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY AND HIS STAFF SAY IT IS A 500 MILLION-DOLLAR POTENTIAL.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE ECONOMIC PEOPLE THAT WOULD DISPUTE WHAT KIND OF IMPACT HAVING AN EVENT LIKE THAT CAN HAPPEN THE STATE.

CLEARLY, IT IS MORE THAN JUST A GAME.

THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FANS COMING TO THE AREA.

THERE WILL BE TEAM'S TRAINING AT LOCAL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE AN IMPACT BEYOND HOW MANY GAMES ARE HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

AND I THINK THERE WILL BE COMMUNITIES AROUND NEW JERSEY THAT WILL FEEL THE IMPACT.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR CONCERNS?

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO ACCOMMODATE FOR AN EVENT LIKE THIS.

>> THE LAST BIG EVENT IN NEW JERSEY, THE SUPER BOWL IN 2014 WAS A DISASTER AFTERWARDS BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED WITH SERVE TRANSIT.

THERE WAS NO OTHER WAY TO PUT IT.

FANS WAITED FOR HOURS FOR TRAINS.

THE TRAIN STATIONS WERE CROWDED AND UNRELIABLE.

AND IT REALLY LEFT A BLACK MARK ON WHAT OTHERWISE WAS A VERY WELL-RUN EVENT.

SERVE TRANSIT ENSURES THAT THEY WILL HAVE IT RIGHT THIS TIME.

BUT IF YOU HAVE EVER WRITTEN ONE OF THE TRAINS YOU COULD BE SKEPTICAL.

AND THAT CERTAINLY WILL BE A BIG ISSUE WHEN PEOPLE START STUDYING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN HERE IN FOUR YEARS.

>> WHAT MEASURES DO YOU FEEL NEED TO BE PUT INTO PLACE SO THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

>> THEY JUST HAVE TO HAVE MORE TRAINS.

I THINK THEY WERE CAUGHT OFF GUARD, NOT JUST WITH THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO USED SERVE TRANSIT LAST TIME AROUND, BUT THE FACT THAT ALL OF THEM ARE USING IT AT THE SAME TIME.

OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF BIG EVENTS AT METLIFE STADIUM.

JUST LAST NIGHT, PAUL MCCARTNEY HAD A CONCERT THERE.

THERE MUST BE A BETTER SENSE FOR HOW TO GET PEOPLE IN AND OUT OF THERE AND INTO NEW YORK CITY.

THEY HAVE TO KNOW THAT MOST FANS ARE LIKELY COMING FROM NEW YORK CITY.

IF THAT IS THE CASE, I'M SURE THEY WILL BE MORE PREPARED.

AND CERTAINLY, THEY WOULD HAVE LEARNED FROM WHAT WAS A NIGHTMARE IN 2014.

>> WE HAVE TIME TO PREPARE.

LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU ARE VERY WELCOME, RAVEN.

APPRECIATE IT.

>>> TRAVEL TROUBLE ON THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT LEADING TO MORE THAN TWO DOZEN CANCELLATIONS.

THE AGENCY IS REPORTEDLY BLAMING THE UNION FOR THE ISSUES.

RHONDA SCHEFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS PLUS ALL OF TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

RHONDA, WHAT HAPPENED ON THE TRAINS TODAY?

>> RAVEN, SERVE TRANSIT OFFICIALS SAY THAT AN ILLEGAL JOB ACTION ORCHESTRATED BY A UNION LED TO THE CANCELLATION OF MORE THAN 30 TRAINS TODAY AND ONE SERVE TRANSIT SPOKESPERSON SAID ENGINEERS CALLED OUT OF WORK NEARLY TRIPLE THE RATE OF THE AVERAGE WEEKDAY.

AND A LETTER FROM SERVE TRANSIT TO THE UNION OBTAINED BY NEW JERSEY 101.5, THE AGENCY SAYS THE ILLEGAL JOB ACTION IS RELATED TO THE JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY.

THE LETTER STATES THE BROTHERHOOD OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS AND TRAINS MEN DID NOT ACCEPT A NEW AGREEMENT THAT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THEM OFF ON JUNETEENTH.

THE TRAINS WERE CANCELED AND SERVE TRANSIT IMPLEMENTED SYSTEMWIDE CROSS HONORING OF TRAIN TICKETS ON ITS BUSES AND LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM, AS WELL AS ON PRIVATE BUSES AND PATHWAY TRAINS.

THE UNION DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO THE REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> A POSSIBLE WORKER STRIKE IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM FOR ATLANTIC CITY'S CASINOS.

STOCKTON UNIVERSITY'S LLOYD D LEVINSON INSTITUTE OF GAMING, HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM, IS WATCHING HOW INFLATION MAY IMPACT REVENUE.

THE FACULTY DIRECTOR EXPLAINS IT IS SOMETHING TO WATCH THIS SUMMER.

>> EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE ARE EAGER TO TRAVEL, THEY WILL TRAVEL TO ATLANTIC CITY.

WITH INFLATION, THEY WILL HAVE LESS MONEY TO SPEND WHEN THEY GET HERE.

THAT COULD IMPACT THE NUMBERS GOING FORWARD.

>> HER COMMENTS COME ON THE HEELS OF THE DIVISION OF GAMING MONTHLY REPORT ON CASINO GAMING REVENUE.

IN MAY, BRICK-AND-MORTAR GROSS GAMING REVENUE TOTALED MORE THAN $233 MILLION, UP MORE THAN 9% OVER LAST YEAR.

BUT DOWN A BIT FROM THE PRIOR MONTH.

INTERNET GAMING REVENUES WERE ALSO LITTLE CHANGED FROM APRIL.

>>> ANOTHER SETBACK IN BABY FORMULA PRODUCTION.

ABBOTT NUTRITION RECENTLY REOPENED A PLANT IN STURGIS, MICHIGAN BUT WAS FORCED TO CLOSE AGAIN THIS WEEK, THIS TIME DUE TO FLOODING AND STORM DAMAGE.

THE COMPANY EXPECTS PRODUCTION AND ESTIMATION TO BE DELAYED FOR A FEW WEEKS AS IT CLEANS UP.

ALTHOUGH IT STATED THAT IT HAS ENOUGH SUPPLY TO MAKE CURRENT DEMAND UNTIL THAT PRODUCTION IS RESTARTED.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON TODAY'S STOCK MARKET ACTIVITY.

I'M RHONDA SCHEFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY MARTIN TUCHMAN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT AT SERVE IT OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE .

BUSINESS FOCUSED AND TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN.

>>> TODAY, NEW JERSEY CELEBRATES JUNETEENTH, ALSO KNOWN AS FREEDOM DAY.

IT HAS BEEN A TRADITION IN THE UNITED STATES FOR MORE THAN 150 YEARS AND MARKS THE DAY ON JUNE 19th, 1865, WHEN ENSLAVED BLACK PEOPLE IN GALVESTON, TEXAS, FINALLY LEARNED ABOUT THEIR FREEDOM.

WHILE IT WAS FIRST RECOGNIZED AS A FEDERAL AND NEW JERSEY STATE HOLIDAY LAST YEAR, IN ITS SECOND YEAR, SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS SAY MUCH OF THE MOVEMENT'S MAIN AIMS INCLUDING REPARATIONS AND POLICE REFORM, REMAINS STALLED IN NEW JERSEY.

TED GOLDBERG IS IN NEWARK WITH MORE ON THE PUSH FOR REFORMS.

>> MARK: PEOPLE IN NEWARK CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH BY MARCHING IN THE STREETS AND CHANTING FOR CHANGE.

AMONG THEIR DEMANDS, REPARATIONS FOR PEOPLE WHOSE ANCESTORS WERE ENSLAVED.

>> WE HAVE REPARATIONS BECAUSE OF JIM CROW.

AND BECAUSE OF DENIAL OF HOUSING.

WE HAVE REPARATIONS BECAUSE OF DENIAL OF JOBS.

WE HAVE REPARATIONS BECAUSE WE HUNG FROM TREES.

WE WANT REPARATIONS BECAUSE OUR LIFE IN THIS COUNTRY HAS BEEN MADE MISERABLE BY A SYSTEM THAT IS DESIGNED TO UNDERMINE AND STEAL THE WEALTH AND WORTH FROM OUR BODIES.

>> THIS COUNTRY IS ONE OF THE RICHEST, PERHAPS THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TODAY AND THAT WEALTH WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE LABOR OF OUR ANCESTORS.

WE DEMAND REPARATIONS.

WHAT I'M DEMANDING IS, AND WHAT I THINK OTHER PEOPLE ARE DEMANDING, IS THAT WE WANT A WORLD THAT WAS STOLEN FROM US RETURNED TO US.

>> SLAVERY IS A HORRIBLE THING TO HAPPEN TO PEOPLE AND TO SHOVE IT UNDER THE RUG AND FORGET ABOUT IT IS NO WAY TO CONFRONT HISTORY.

IT IS NO WAY TO BE HONEST.

IT IS NO WAY TO LIVE.

REPARATIONS FOR JUSTICE, REPARATIONS.

WE NEED TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHO WE ARE IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> PEOPLE ALSO USED JUNETEENTH AS A CALL TO ARMS FOR OTHER ISSUES LIKE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND PROBLEMS IN EDUCATION.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A VERY STRONG UNDERINVESTMENT IN SCHOOLS HAPPENING LIKE AN BLACK AND BROWN SCHOOLS AROUND NEW JERSEY.

WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN MORE INCREASES IN SECURITY AND METAL DETECTORS AND POLICE PRESENCE AT BLACK AND BROWN SCHOOLS IN WHITE SCHOOLS.

>> WE ALSO CALL FOR, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, AN END TO POLICE BRUTALITY.

THIS STRUGGLE RIGHT HERE IN THE 21st CENTURY, THAT WILL DETERMINE WHETHER WE LIVE IN THE CITY AS RESIDENTS OR IF WE ARE PUSHED OUT.

>> THIS IS THE IDEA WE HAD ON JUNETEENTH.

NOT TO BE A DATE OFF BUT A DAY ON.

NOT A DAY WHERE WE STAY HOME BUT A DAY WHEN WE STAND UP.

NOT TO BE A DAY THAT WE ARE SILENT WATCHING TV, BUT THAT WE ARE MAKING SOME MODERN-DAY NEWS.

BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO UNTIL JUSTICE FALLS DOWN LIKE WATER AND RIGHTEOUSNESS LIKE A MIGHTY STREAM.

>> JUNETEENTH IS OBSERVED IN NEW JERSEY A LITTLE EARLIER THAN THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

IN NEW JERSEY, JUNETEENTH IS THE THIRD FRIDAY IN EACH JUNE WHILE THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY IS JUNE 19th.

IN NEWARK, I'M TED GOLDBERG, SERVE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO SERVE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

FOR THE ENTIRE SERVE SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE MONDAY!

.

>> SERVE INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

FUNDING FOR CHASING THE DREAM IS PROVIDED BY THE JP FOUNDATION WITH ADDITION FUNDING FOR THE JOAN COWLITZ