>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND OR STEAD, CREATED TO THE CREATION OF AN LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> IT EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE BABY FORMULA MANUFACTURER AT THE CENTER OF A NATIONWIDE RECALL SAYS IT HAS REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FDA TO FIX ISSUES THAT I THOUGHT THE PATRICIANS MICHIGAN FACTORY THAT HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR THREE MONTHS, CONTRIBUTING TO THE MASSIVE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE.

THE COURT APPROVES THE AGREEMENT, ABBOTT SAYS IT COULD RESTART THE SITE WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

IT WILL LIKELY TAKE UP TO TWO MONTHS TO GET PRODUCTS BACK ON SHELVES.

PARENTS ARE FRANTICALLY SCRAMBLING TO FIND WAYS TO GET THEIR BABIES FED.

NESTLé SAID TODAY, IT'S RUSSIAN BABY FORMULA PRODUCED OUTSIDE THE U.S.

VIA AIR FREIGHT TO HELP FILL THE GAP.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE PROPOSING A $28 MILLION EMERGENCY FUNDING BILL TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE.

IT IS AN UNNERVING HURDLE FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEEN SADDLED WITH THE BURDENS OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE THE MOST BASIC OF NEEDS.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>> IF YOU MAKE A 4 OUNCE BOTTLE AND HE DOESN'T DRINK ALL 4 OUNCES, IT GOES INTO THE FRIDGE SO WE CAN USE IT LATER TO STRETCH OUT THAT FORMULA AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

>> Reporter: EVERY SCOOP COMES IN THE HOUSEHOLD.

THAT IS BECAUSE AMY DOLAN, WAS UNABLE TO BREAST-FEED AND DEPENDS ON FORMULA, MOMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR BABIES AMIDST A NATIONWIDE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE STRUGGLING TO FEED MY BABY, TO FIND FOOD TO FEED THE BABY.

KEN DOLAN SAYS THE HUNT FOR FORMULA HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR HER FAMILY AS HER 8 1/2 MONTH OLD SON, USES A UNIQUE DUE TO A UNIQUE PROTEIN ALLERGY AFTER CENTURY ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR, SHE SAYS TO GET IT SHE IS DOWN TO TWO OPTIONS, TRAVELING AT LEAST TWO HOURS TO BUY MAYBE TWO CANS OF FORMULA, OR PAY DOUBLE THE PRICE FOR IT ON MY WISHES PRICE GOUGING HAS BEEN OUT OF CONTROL AND FRUSTRATING.

'S >> WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE PRICE GOUGING FOR WEEKS NOW.

WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING IT CREEP UP.

IT SHOULD BE ABOUT $45 A CAN.

WE ARE SEEING IT FOR USUALLY ABOUT 87 AGAIN NOW.

IT IS A 14 HEALTHCARE.

IT IS NOT A BIG KAREN.

WE HAD TO BUY THAT $400 FOR A PACK OF FORMULA, IT WOULD LAST AS A WE CAN HELP.

>> MONDAY, ABBOTT, THE BABY FORMULA COMPANY, FORCED TO RECALL THREE POPULAR BRANDS TO REOPEN THE MANUFACTURERS PLAN IN MICHIGAN TO.

WHILE IT IS GOOD NEWS, IT IS NOT ENOUGH APPARENT IN CRISIS MODE, VICKI FLEMING ORGANIZED A BABY FORMULA DRIVE.

>> WE RECEIVED AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

AS SOON AS WE GET THE FORMULA IN, IT COMES OUT.

WE ARE GETTING INCREASES FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NEED OF FORMULA.

IS FROM PEOPLE WHO NEED THAT SPECIALIZED TYPE OF FORMULA, THE ONE FOR MORE FUSSY BABIES FORMULA.

>> Reporter: THE LACK OF SUPPLY HAS LEFT.

THINKING OF UNTRADITIONAL OPTIONS, LIKE DONATED BREAST MILK.

PROBLEM IS THAT ISN'T THE FRONT PURPOSE OF MILK BANKS.

>> I THINK IS A POPULAR LOCAL BANK THROUGH NORTH AMERICA.

ARE ETHICALLY OBLIGATED TO SERVE THE MOST FRAGILE PREMATURE BABIES FIRST SO THAT IS OUR PRIMARY POPULATION THAT WE SERVE.

'S DONOR MILK IS MEDICINE FOR THOSE BABIES.

WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DO IS SOLVE THE FORMULA CRISIS.

IS ABLE TO SILENTLY READ AND SERVE THE NEEDS OF ALL OF THE FAMILIES WHO ARE STILL TRAGICALLY AFFECTED BY THIS CRISIS.

>> REGINA RUSH IS A MONSTER EIGHT MONTH OLD LUCA WAS UNABLE TO CONTINUE TAKING HER BREASTMILK DUE TO UNIQUE ALLERGIES.

AFTER SEEING THE NEED, RUSH SAYS SHE WANTED TO PAY IT FORWARD.

RUSH POSTED ON FACEBOOK SHE WANTED TO DONATE HER OUNCES OF BREASTMILK TO AM I STRUGGLING TO FEED HER BABY.

SHE DONATED THE BREASTMILK >> I WANTED TO SPLIT IT TO HELP AS MANY PEOPLE AS I CAN.

I HAVE JUST OVER 100 OUNCES AND THAT'S DOESN'T GO EXTREMELY FAR.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A PERSONAL DECISION TO DONATE HER BREASTMILK WHILE IT WORKED ON THE CASE, IT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE SAID FOR BABIES TO DRINK ANOTHER MOM'S BREAST MILK.

>> BE SUPER CAREFUL BECAUSE THE SITUATIONS BECOME AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO PREY ON OTHERS.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM SANTANA.

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT WILL WORK WITH THE FDA TO EXPEDITE THE BABY MADE IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND EXPORTED TO THE U.S.

THESE ARE PRODUCTS TO MEET THE HIGH STANDARDS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION BUT ARE BANNED FROM BEING SOLD HERE.

IS AN AREA WHERE NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN CHRIS SMITH IS PUTTING HIS FOCUS'S VISION FOR NEW LEGISLATION.

THE FORMULA AT THE 2022 TO BOLSTER THE U.S. BABY FORMULA SUPPLY AND ADDRESS SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS.

HE.

CONGRESSMAN SMITH, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON.

I HAVE TO ASK ABOUT THIS BILL YOU ARE PROPOSING.

A LOT OF THE TALK IS ABOUT THE SHUTDOWN OF THE ABBOTT MANUFACTURING FACILITY'S, THE STOCKPILING PEOPLE DOING COVID, BUT THIS COMES DOWN TO TRADE POLICY, DOES IT NOT?

>> THE QUESTION.

FORMULA ACT OF 2022 WOULD SEEK TO GET THE ADMINISTRATION TO QUICKLY COME TO TERMS WITH AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD TO ALLOW THE IMPORTATION OF BABY FORMULA.

FORTUNATELY, WE DON'T ALLOW THAT.

WE WANT THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE STANDARDS.

EVEN ABBOTT LABS, WHICH MANUFACTURES THE MAJORITY OF THE UNITED STATES AND THEY HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN, THEY HAVE A PLANT IN IRELAND AND BRING SOME OF THAT OVER HERE NOW.

WE NEED REDUNDANCY.

WE NEED ABILITY WHEN THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN SUPPLY CHAIN SHORTAGE TWO QUICKLY CORRECTED FOR THE SAKE OF THE MOMS AND ESPECIALLY THEIR BABIES.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN WARNINGS FOR YEARS CONGRESSMAN THAT THESE FOUR COMPANIES THAT PRODUCE THE MAJORITY, ABOUT 90% OF BABY FORMULA ARE VULNERABLE TO DISRUPTION WHY DID IT TAKE A CRISIS MAY MASSIVE SHORTAGE LIKE THIS, FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE'S HOW WE IMPORT FORMULA?

>> IT IS A GREAT QUESTION AND SEEMS TO BE THE WAY CONGRESS IN MANY GOVERNMENTS WORKS.

IT IS ONLY WHEN THE CRISIS HITS, IT HITS HARD IS TAKEN.

THIS WAS PREDICTABLE AS HE SAID.

WHEN YOU HAVE 'S MONOPOLIES, AND THERE IS TOO FEW MANUFACTURERS IN THIS CASE, IT DOES LEND ITSELF TO A CRISIS AT SOME POINT IN IS EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE.

AS YOU KNOW, ABBOTT DID SHUT DOWN THE PLANT IN MICHIGAN, BECAUSE THERE WAS SOME CONTAMINATION ALLEGED, WHICH SEEMS TO BE CREDIBLE.

HE WAS THE SAFEST POSSIBLE PRODUCT.

THAT IS WHY MORE, NOT LESS COMPETITION.

'S EVEN IF IT MEANS ON THE SHORT-TERM, GETTING IT FROM IRELAND OR SOMEONE ELSE FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE BABIES, READY TO DO.

>> IS YOUR LEGISLATION ALSO LOOK TO OPEN THE DOORS WITH OUR LARGEST TRADING PARTNER, CANADA?

A LOT OF THESE MANUFACTURERS OVERSEAS, IRELAND, GERMANY ELSEWHERE AND THAT REGION, OUR BIGGEST TRADING PARTNER RIGHT HERE, CANADA.

DOES THIS SUGGEST THAT AS WELL?

>> IT DOESN'T DIRECTLY BUT INDIRECTLY IT DOES BECAUSE WE ALL NEED TO LOOK AT THE FACT THAT WHEN IT COMES TO DAIRY, THERE ARE A LOT OF CONTROLS PUT IN BY THE FOLLOW ON'S TO THE NAFTA AGREEMENT.

THAT MAKES IT HARDER TO BRING CANADIAN IMPORTS IN.

WHEN YOU GOT A GOOD PRODUCT AND YOU GOT TRADE, THAT IS ON A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID OF COMPETITION AT ALL.

I THINK THAT IS GOING TO REOPEN THAT PROVISION OF THE CURRENT FREE-TRADE AGREEMENT >>, VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> THERE IS GOOD REASON FOR JUST ABOUT EVERYONE YOU KNOW HAS HAD THE CORONAVIRUS.

TODAY, THE STATE MARKED MORE THAN 2 MILLION CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 AND INFECTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE OVER THE NEXT MONTH, HEADING MORE THAN 7000 DAILY CASES IN MID-JUNE.

THAT UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HIGH SCENARIO MODEL.

'S WITH MORE THAN 3500 POSITIVE TESTS AT 18 DEATHS ARE BEING REPORTED STATEWIDE AS THE FDA AUTHORIZED VISORS COVID-19 BOOSTER DOSE FOR KIDS AGES 5 TO 11 YEARS OLD.

IS TO BE GIVEN AT LEAST FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE TWO PRIMARY DOSES, DETERMINING IT TO BE BOTH SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR KIDS.

CASES IN CHILDREN ARE FOUND TO BE LESS PREVALENT IN SEVERE, SOME OF THOSE MILLIONS ONCE INFECTED ARE STILL REPORTING LONG COVID SYMPTOMS, TWO YEARS AFTER THEIR INITIAL INFECTION.

AS SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN LAPORTE, PHONE CALL, CASES ARE CONTINUING TO RISE.

'S >> THIS IS A CRISIS IN TERMS OF RECOGNIZING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THIS.

I THINK WE ARE VERY UNDERESTIMATING THIS.

>> Reporter: DR. CATHERINE CLOSET IS SOUNDING THE ALARM ABOUT RISING CASES OF LONG COVID IN NEW JERSEY.

SHE SAYS A GROWING GROUP OF SO- CALLED CALLERS, INCLUDING CHILDREN, KEEP BATTLING SYMPTOMS LIKE BETWEEN FATIGUE AND RIGHT AND FIVE, MONTH AFTER THE INITIAL INFECTION.

RESEARCH SHOWS IT HITS 10 TO 20% OF CANCER GOT COVID ABOUT THREE MONTHS AFTER THEIR INFECTION, EVEN THOSE WHO WERE ISN'T A MINUTE ACCORDING TO DR. CAUSER.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE SCARIER PARTS OF ALL OF THIS IS THAT MANY OF THE PATIENTS I WOULD SEEK AND I WOULD SAY UPWARDS OF 75% OF THE I AM NOW SEEING IN THE POST COVID CLINIC HAD MILD SYMPTOMS WERE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THE TIME BETWEEN INFECTION AND ONSET OF COVID KELLY LOVE, IT IS TOUGHER TO DIAGNOSE.

SYMPTOMS VERY.

KIDS GET HEART PUBLICATIONS OR FEEL SHORT OF BREATH.

A NUMBER OF CASES HAS CLIMBED IN NEW JERSEY, DR. CAUSER WARNS.

>> THERE ARE 3 TO 400 CHILDREN IN NEW JERSEY RECEIVING TREATMENT.

'S WHAT WE DO KNOW IS IT IS FAR UNDERREPORTED AND FAR UNDERRECOGNIZED.

WE ARE SEEING ACTUAL CHANGES IN THE WAY THAT PEOPLE THINK, AND THE WAY THAT THEY CAN CONCENTRATE, AND THE WAY THAT THEY CAN SLEEP.

>> RECEIVED THE GENUINE STRUGGLES THESE KIDS HAVE.

THESE ARE ALL KIDS WHO WERE SOCIAL KIDS.

THEY WERE HIGH ACHIEVERS.

WE WERE PLAYING MULTIPLE SPORTS.

THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR DAILY FUNCTIONING.

>> Reporter: PEDIATRICIANS ACCORDING TO MILLION DOLLARS STUDY CALLED CLOCK.

THAT IS SHORT FOR COLLABORATIVE LONG- TERM STUDY OF OUTCOMES OF COVID- 19 INDICATES.

IN NEW JERSEY, IT IS RUN BY WRECKERS DR. LAWRENCE CARTMAN WHO SAYS RESEARCHERS NEED TO SET STANDARDS FOR SYNDROME.

'S >> LONG COVID CAN LOOK DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT CHILDREN.

BOTH DOCTORS AND PARENTS MAY OR MAY NOT RECOGNIZE IT.

>> WE STILL DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT LONG COVID IS'S IN TERMS OF ITS PHYSIOLOGY.

THE STUDIES ARE ONGOING.

>> Reporter: DR. ANTHONY MEJIA HEADS THE COVID INSTITUTE OF NEW JERSEY.

IS DOES STUDIES SHOW VACCINATIONS TO HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER AND SEVERITY OF LONG COVID CASES FOR ADULTS AND KIDS.

WHILE THERE IS NO FDA APPROVED TREATMENT, PFIZER'S ANTIVIRAL DRUGS, PENNSYLVANIA, HAS SHOWN THAT CAN DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE CASES OF LONG COVID IN ADULTS.

AGAIN, IT NEEDS TO BE STUDIED.

>> WE CAN IMAGINE THAT EVENTUALLY IT MAY BE THE GO TO DRUG FOR PATIENTS THAT ARE NEARLY POSITIVE WHO WANTS TO PREVENT THE INFECTION FROM RESULTING A LONG COVID.

IT IS MUCH TOO EARLY TO SPECULATE ON THAT.

>> THERE IS CURRENTLY NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH PACKS FOR THE TOTAL AMOUNT., CASES KEEP CLIMBING,'S NEW JERSEY COUNTY REPORT HIGH COVID ACTIVITY LEVELS.

THIS UNKIND AND IS NOT AS VALID AS EARLY VERSIONS, IT CAN CAUSE LONG COVID.

>>> THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE ENGINES PRIMARY ELECTION IS TODAY.

THERE IS A LOT AT STAKE.

THE VOTES WILL DECIDE WHO GETS ON THE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER'S MIDTERM ELECTION TO LET'S TALK CANDIDATES TO SERVE IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND DETERMINE THE BALANCE OF POWER IN CONGRESS.

UNAFFILIATED VOTERS CAN STILL SHOW UP AT THE POLLING LOCATIONS ON JUNE SEVENTH AND CAST A BALLOT, BUT THEY WILL BE AFFILIATED WITH THE PARTY THEY CHOSE.

ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY DISPUTED ELECTIONS OF THE PRIMARY SEASON IS ALREADY UNFOLDING TODAY IN PENNSYLVANIA AND KEY RACES FOR THE SENATE AND GOVERNOR.

THE MARQUEE MATCHUP, THE GOP SENATE PRIMARY WERE CELEBRITY DR. OZ HAS THE BACKING OF PRESIDENT TRUMP AGAINST TWO OTHER CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATES.

ONE WAS SEEN IN PHOTOS MUCH INTO THE U.S. CAPITOL THE DAY OF THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION.

BOTH RAISES ARE CONSIDERED TO BE A TEST OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT POWER.

PENNSYLVANIA ELECTIONS HAVE HISTORICALLY TAKEN THE PULSE ON VOTER SENTIMENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IN TRENTON, STATE LAWMAKERS ONCE AGAIN FIND THEMSELVES IN A HIGHLY UNUSUAL POSITION FIGURING OUT HOW TO SPEND BILLIONS IN EXTRA CASH.

MONDAY, OFFICIALS FROM BOTH THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SURFACES PREDICTED AND EVEN ROSIER REVENUE FORECAST FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THANKS TO ANOTHER BIG SURGE IN TAX COLLECTIONS.

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF PROPOSALS ON HOW TO SPEND IT.

BUDGET AND FINANCE WRITER JOHN WRIGHT MEYER IS HERE TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR YOU.

'S JOHN, LET'S TALK NUMBERS TO START.

HOW MUCH REVENUE IS BEING PREDICTED?

HOW MUCH EXTRA CASH ARE WE TALKING?

>> IT IS NICE TO BE WITH YOU TODAY.

IT IS A WHOLE LOT OF EXTRA CASH, EVEN FOR A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY, WHICH HAS BEEN DOING PRETTY WELL IN RECENT MONTHS.

YOU KNOW, THE PROJECTIONS THAT WE JUST HEARD NOW AT ANYWHERE BETWEEN ALMOST $8 BILLION IN REVENUE SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE REMAINDER OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR WHICH AT THE END OF JUNE AVENUE FISCAL YEAR WHICH BEGINS JULY FIRST.

THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT SHARE.

CAME BACK A LITTLE BIT FROM THE PICTURE,'S WE HAVE A STATE THAT A FEW YEARS AGO WAS COLLECTING 38 ALMOST $40 BILLION A YEAR AND IS PROJECTED TO BE UP OVER $50 BILLION A YEAR.

IS LIKE A 25% JUMP IN JUST A FEW YEARS TIME WAS WAS REALLY REMARKABLE FOR NEW JERSEY, WHICH USED TO STRUGGLE WITH REVENUE SHORTFALLS.

>> JUST A COUPLE YEARS AGO, WE WERE LOOKING AT A FISCAL CLIFF AND BORROWING BILLIONS IN A MUCH DIFFERENT STATE THAT WE ARE IN NOW.

WHAT ARE LAWMAKERS TALKING ABOUT?

REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS GETTING ON BOARD TOGETHER THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF?

'S >> WE ARE JUST REACHING THE TIME WHEN NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT GOING TO START TO REALLY TAKE PLACE IN MORE SERIOUS FASHION.

WILL HAVE TO SEE.

AND I WHAT WE ARE HEARING, THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING MORE WITH'S DIRECT PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR HOMEOWNERS AND ALSO DEFINITELY PUT IT AWAY MONEY AND BUDGET RESERVES WHICH IS SOMETHING NEW JERSEY HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD JOB OF.

WHEN RECESSIONS IT, THERE IS A LOT OF BUDGET CUTS BECAUSE THOSE RESERVES HAVE BEEN SO PALTRY.

WE ARE STARTING TO HEAR TALK ABOUT DEFINITELY FOR SURE DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT MORE TAX RELIEF AND THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR BUDGET RESERVES, WHICH WE ARE STARTING TO HEAR LEGISLATIVE LEADERS RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT AS WELL.

CERTIFIED THAT PERSON WHO WINS THE LOTTERY WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, TO SPEND IT ALL FANCY CARS DO YOU INVESTED AND START A COLLEGE FUND AND PAID ON YOUR CREDIT CARD DEBT?

THAT IS THE SITUATION NEW JERSEY IS AND RIGHT NOW.

>> I AM RESPONSIBLE WITH IT?

DO YOU SPEND IT ALL AT ONCE?

VERY QUICKLY, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN AS WE HEAD INTO BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS?

'S >> I THINK LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO DO A FAIR SHARE OF SPENDING THEIR PET PROJECTS.

THIS IS SEE THAT START TO HAPPEN.

I DO THINK WE ARE HEARING THEM TALK ABOUT THOSE THINGS LIKE THAT RELIEF AND BUDGET RESERVES.

>> JOHN WRIGHT MEYER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.. >>> THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IS WEIGHING IN, SAYING A CHECK OF THAT EXTRA MONEY SHOULD GO TO STRUGGLING BUSINESS OWNERS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER SPOKE TO THE STATE OF COMMERCE AND HAS THE DETAILS ALONG WITH TONIGHT'S TOP HEADLINE.

>> Reporter: AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS THOUGHTS ABOUT HOW TO SPEND ALL OF THAT EXTRA REVENUE.

THE NEW JERSEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS BUSINESSES NEED TAX AND FINANCIAL RELIEF AND REPEATED CALLS FOR MORE GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES, STILL TRYING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

IN ADDITION, THE CHAMBER WANTS TO SEE'S SOME OF THE REVENUE ALLOCATED TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND, REDUCING THE TAX BURDEN FOR BUSINESSES.

THE CHAMBER STATES THAT INVESTING IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY WILL LEAD TO A VIBRANT ECONOMY.

ESTATE AND SEVERAL MUNICIPALITIES ARE GETTING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO REVITALIZE NEIGHBORHOODS AND EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IN ANNOUNCING THE FUNDING, SENATOR CORY BOOKER SAID DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES WERE ALREADY STRUGGLING EVEN BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THAT THE NEW MONEY IS VITAL TO ENSURING A RECOVERY.

THE FUNDING, $177 MILLION IN ALL IS COMING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

PART OF THAT WILL GO TO SEVERAL COUNTY GOVERNMENTS.

>>> CASINO, ATLANTIC CITY ACCORDING TO THE STATE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT.

CASINOS ONE $235 MILLION FROM GAMBLERS IN APRIL.

THAT IS AN INCREASE OF ABOUT 24% FROM LAST APRIL AND IT IS A REASON FOR OPTIMISM.

ACCORDING TO JIM BUCHAN AVERAGE, THE FACULTY DIRECTOR OF THE LLOYD D LEVINSON INSTITUTE OF GAMING HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM AT STOCKTON UNIVERSITY.

>> NOT ONLY WAS IT UP OVER 2021, BUT IT WAS ALSO UP OVER 2019,'S WHICH WAS PRE-PANDEMIC.

THAT WAS A BIG RELIEF FOR THE INDUSTRY A GOOD SIGN FOR WHAT WE HAVE TO EXPECT FOR THE SUMMER.

>> Reporter: RW JERRY BARNABAS HEALTH AND ST. PETER'S HEALTHCARE SAY THE STATE HAS APPROVED THE DEAL TO CREATE AN ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTER IN NEW BRUNSWICK APPROVAL FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS STILL NEEDED NOW, HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET'S TRADING FROM TODAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS PROVIDED BY RIVERVIEW JOBS, PRESENTING THE JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE 4th AND 5th.

EVENT DETAILS, INCLUDING PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATION, ARE ONLINE AND REVIEW JOBS.ORG.

>>> IN NEWARK IS GETTING A TASTE OF HOLLYWOOD.

A FORMER PUBLIC HOUSING SITE WILL SOON BE THE HOME OF A $100 MILLION FILM AND TV PRODUCTION STUDIO.

NJ PACK IS COLLABORATING WITH LIONS GATE IN THE STUDIO GROUP TO BUILD A 15 ACRE FACILITY WITH SIX SOUNDSTAGES.

IT IS IN THE SOUTHWARD WITH A SUBORDINATE HOUSING PROJECT ONCE STOOD.

THE PROPERTY WAS ABANDONED IN 2015 AND DEMOLISHED LAST FEBRUARY.

LIONS GATE WILL BE THE ANCHOR TENANT AND HOLD THE NAMING RIGHTS.

IT IS THE FIRST PURPOSE BUILT STUDIO IN NEW JERSEY, SPECIFICALLY MADE FOR TV AND FILM PRODUCTION.

CONSTRUCTION IS SLATED TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER.

STUDIO IS EXPECTED TO CREATE 600 JOBS WITH PRIORITY GOING TO NEWARK RESIDENTS.

>> FILM AND A COVER RELATIONSHIP.

THIS IS A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT FOR US COMING BACK TO THAT MOMENT HERE.

IT IS INCREDIBLE WE COME BACK TO THAT MOMENT AT SOUTH BOYDEN, THE OLDEST AND FIRST HOUSING PROJECT BUILT IN THE CITY OF NEWARK.

WE DO THAT COMPLEX THAT HAS HAD SO MANY DIFFICULT DAYS PARTICULARLY IN ITS END.

>> FINALLY TO MY, FEEDING THE HEART OF SOUTH JERSEY.

FOOD INSECURITY BECAME A GROWING PROBLEM DURING THE PANDEMIC.

SO DID ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGGIES, MAKING VIRTUAL HELP MOBILE IS RESTORING A LIFESAVER FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE NOW COME TO RELY ON THE 40 FOOT FARMERS MARKET ON WHEELS TO PUT HEALTHY MEALS ON THE TABLE.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

>> FROM THE OUTSIDE, THIS LOOKS LIKE A TYPICAL TRANSIT BUS.

STEP INSIDE AND YOU WILL SEE.

INSTEAD, THERE ARE SHELVES ALL OF THINGS LIKE FRUITS, VEGETABLE, CEREAL AND BREAD.

ITEMS YOU WOULD NORMALLY FIND AT THE GROCERY.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THIS IS, A GROCERY STORE ON WHEELS, WHERE RESIDENTS LIVING IN CAMDEN CAN BUY WHAT THEY NEED AT REDUCED PRICES.

>> THERE IS A DISTINCT TIME.

I PULLED UP IN MY CAR AND WAS COMING TO VISIT THE MOBILE GROCERY STORE.

I WAS WATCHING WHAT WAS GOING ON.

AS I GOT OUT, A YOUNG WOMAN CAME OUT OF THE BACK DOOR WITH GROCERIES PICK SHE HOLD THEM IN THE AIR AND SAID LOOK WHAT I JUST GOT FOR $10.

IT STILL GIVES ME CHILLS.

>> Reporter: APRIL SHETLER, ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY HEALTH ENGAGEMENT A VIRTUAL HELP IS LIKE THAT PROVE HOW MUCH OF AN IMPACT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM T12 FOOD ACCESS PROGRAM HAS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM, NOW CELEBRATING ITS FIFTH YEAR, IS TO HELP CURB FOOD INSECURITY IN THE AREA.

>> JUST THE THOUGHT OF FAMILIES NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY, RESOURCES, OR ACCESS TO HAVE ENOUGH FOOD ON THE TABLE, SOMETHING THAT IS HARD TO SLEEP WITH.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: THE MOBILE GROCERY STORE IS THE LATEST ADDITION TO THE PROGRAM.

IT STARTED WITH THIS MOBILE FARMERS MARKET IN 2017.

A YEAR LATER CAME THE FOOD PHARMACY, A SIX MONTH INITIATIVE OPEN TO PATIENTS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY.

>> THEY RECEIVED REFERRAL FROM THE PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN AFTER ANSWERING A TWO-PART QUESTIONNAIRE ABOUT HUNGER AND VITAL SIGNS SCREENING AND IF THEY HAVE SOME SPECIFIC HEALTH CONDITIONS, FOR EXAMPLE DIABETES AND HYPERTENSION, ALL OF THOSE THINGS GIVE THE PATIENT A REFERRAL TO AS.

ARE INVITED TO COME FOR SIX MONTHS, ONCE A MONTH FOR THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD OF THE DIFFERENT FOOD PANTRIES.

REGISTERED DIETITIAN, MYSELF AND OTHER LOANS PROVIDED ATTRITION COUNSELING AT EACH VISIT.

THE BONUSES THAT EACH PATIENT LIVES WITH ABOUT 10 MEALS WERE OF FRESH PRODUCE AND HEALTHY NONPERISHABLE ITEMS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF NEW JERSEY, 800,000 RESIDENTS ARE CONSIDERED FOOD INSECURE.

IN SOUTH JERSEY, 17.3% OF KIDS FACE EVERY DAY.

SOMETHING MUCH PRENDERGAST, THIS IS IS THE PRESIDENT FOR VIRTUAL LISTERS USES REPORT KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

>> I HAD AN OCCASION AT A POINT IN TIME IN MY LIFE WHERE I HAD TO GET FOOD STAMPS.

I HAD TO TAKE MY FORAGES WITH MY CAR AND WALKED TO THE STORE I KNOW HOW BAD THAT CAN BE.

>> GETTING BACK WAS NEVER SOMETHING SHE QUESTIONED.

>> IT IS THE WAY VIRTUAL DOSE THINGS.

SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GO AND PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING NICE FOR YOU, BUT IT CAN BE DEMEANING.

THERE IS ALWAYS DONE WITH DIGNITY.

PROGRAM IS GOING STRONG.

LAST YEAR, THE CONDUCTOR CLOSE TO 20,000 TRANSACTIONS DISTRIBUTED ALMOST 110,000 POUNDS OF FOOD.

THEY ARE HOPING TO DO EVEN MORE THIS YEAR.

>> VIRTUAL HOUSES ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF TRYING TO TACKLE SOCIAL ISSUES THAT IMPACT HEALTH.

BRENT PROGRESS IS HERE FOR GOOD.

IT TRULY IS IN OUR DNA.

>> Reporter: THE MOBILE GROCERY STORE AND FARMERS MARKET DEDICATED SITES THEY VISIT EACH WEEK THROUGHOUT CAMDEN AND BURLINGTON COUNTY'S.

PROOF OF FINANCES ISN'T REQUIRED FOR ANYONE IS WELCOME TO SHOP FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER >> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO ENTER SPOTLIGHT NEWS AT WORK AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS TEAM FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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