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

♪ FROM NJPBS, THIS IS "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS," WITH BRIANNA VANNOZZI.

BRIANA: GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US THIS TUESDAY NIGHT.

I'M BRIANNA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGIN WITH A DIRE WARNING FROM THE U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY.

JANET YELLEN TURN CONGRESS THIS WEEK THAT THE U.S. COULD RUN OUT OF CASH TO PAY ITS BILLS BY JUNE 1, THAT IS IF CONGRESS DOESN'T RAISE OR SUSPEND THE DEBT LIMIT AND AVERT WHAT COULD BECOME A GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS.

THAT IS A PREDICTION THE NONPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE AFFIRMED.

ONE MONTH IS NOT A LOT OF TIME TO GET A RESOLUTION ON THE $31 TRILLION DEBT LIMIT.

THE WARNING, PUTTING MORE PRESSURE ON THE HIGH-STAKES STANDOFF BETWEEN PRESIDENT BIDEN AND CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS OVER GOVERNMENT SPENDING.

THE GOVERNMENT AND HOUSE SPEAKER KEVIN MCCARTHY WILL MEET NEXT WEEK TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATING.

MEANWHILE, HOUSE DEMOCRATS THIS AFTERNOON BEGAN A PROCESS THAT COULD ALLOW THEM TO BYPASS HOUSE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP AND FORCE A VOTE TO RAISE THE DEBT CEILING.

THE GOP-LED HOUSE NARROWLY PASSED A DEBT CEILING BILL LAST WEEK TO TEMPORARILY RAISE THE LIMIT BY MORE THAN $1 TRILLION, TIED TO THEIR DISCRETIONARY SPENDING CATS.

MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RAILING AGAINST THE LEGISLATION, SAYING THAT THE CONSEQUENCES WOULD BE DAMAGING FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE.

>> NOW WE ARE SAYING AS DEMOCRATS AND THIS IS WHAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS SAYING, IS WE SHOULD JUST DO WHAT WE HAVE DONE EVERY YEAR FOR THE 35 YEARS I HAVE BEEN IN CONGRESS, WHICH IS EXTEND THE DEBT CEILING, LIFT THE DEBT CEILING, THEY ARE DEBTS.

WE DON'T NEED TO CREATE THIS ARTIFICIAL SITUATION FOR NO REASON, BECAUSE IT'S NOT A PROBLEM RIGHT NOW, AND WE DON'T WANT TO PUT IT ECONOMY IN TROUBLE, AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO HURT OTHER PEOPLE ON MEDICAID WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM BEING KICKED OFF.

BRIANA: FEDERAL SPENDING CUTS COULD TRICKLE DOWN TO NEW JERSEY'S EMERGENCY SERVICES, WHICH HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO FIND NEW RECRUITS AND VOLUNTEERS SINCE THE PANDEMIC, PARTICULARLY AT THE STATE'S FIRE DEPARTMENTS, THEY HAVE LEANED HEAVILY ON CASH INFUSIONS FROM THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY, STATE AND FEDERAL LEADERS GATHERED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW ROUND OF MONEY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

REPORTER: FIREFIGHTERS CONFRONT NOT JUST HEAT AND FLAMES WHEN THEY RUSH INTO BATTLE BLAZING BUILDING, OFTEN THEY FACE PARTICULATE MATTER LACED WITH CANCER-CAUSING CONTAMINANTS.

THE CDC REPORTS, CANCER IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR FIREFIGHTERS, FOR THEIR WELCOME GOVERNOR MURPHY'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF $10 MILLION IN A GRANT NEW JERSEY FIRE DEPARTMENT BUY EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT.

>> SOPHISTICATED, 21ST-CENTURY GEAR, P.P.E., HELMETS, STUFF THAT DETOXES UNIFORMS WHEN THEY ARE WASHED AND AFTER AN EVENT, IT TAKES THE CARCINOGENS OUT.

REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IT IS THOSE HARMFUL TOXINS THAT ARE GETTING FIREFIGHTERS DISPROPORTIONATE RATES OF CANCER.

>> THE PARTICULATE COST A LOT OF MONEY.

THAT KEEPS THE CANCER OFF SO THAT IS ONE THING THIS GRANT PROGRAM HELPS US.

BRENDA: THIS ASSISTANT CHIEF AT COMPANY THREE SAYS THE MONEY WILL ALSO HELP FOR FIREFIGHTERS' INDIVIDUAL BREATHING APPARATUS EQUIPPED WITH GPS TRACKERS.

IT IS PART OF THE FEDERAL RESCUE PLAN FUNDS, AND IT WILL HELP THE ONGOING FIGHT AGAINST CANCER.

>> THE CDC OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED THE NATIONAL FIREFIGHTER REGISTRY FOR CANCER, A PROGRAM THAT TRACKS INCIDENCE OF CANCER AMONG FIREFIGHTERS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY'RE COMING FROM AND GIVE DEPARTMENTS MORE INFORMATION.

BRENDA: CANCER ACCOUNTED FOR 74% OF LINE-OF-DUTY DEATHS LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS.

THE NATIONAL REGISTRY OPEN TO ALL FIREFIGHTERS, WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER.

FOR MANY HERE, THE ISSUE FELT VERY PERSONAL, AS THEIR COLLEAGUE BOBBY ALLEN OF PATTERSON, A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE FIREFIGHTERS MUTUAL BENEVOLENCE ASSOCIATION, IS BATTLING THE DISEASE.

>> WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HIM AND HE IS UNDERGOING SURGERY TODAY, IF YOU COULD GIVE OUR LOVE AND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.

BRENDA: THE CONGRESSMAN AND NOTED THAT THE SECOND GRANT RELIEVES TOWNS FROM HAVING TO FRONT THOUSANDS OF TAX DOLLARS TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT.

>> MAKING SURE THAT WE COMMIT THE RESOURCES THAT THE FIREFIGHTERS NEED IS REALLY WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT.

BRENDA: THE MANY WILL GET DIVIDED UP ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

LAST YEAR SOME 300 FIRE DEPARTMENT BENEFITED FROM THE PLANS.

>> FIREFIGHTERS FROM ACROSS BERGEN COUNTY RECEIVED MORE THAN $3 MILLION.

THE BULK WENT TOWARDS REPLACING CRITICALLY NEEDED SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

LIKE LAST YEAR, WE WILL PRIORITIZE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS AND THE DEPARTMENTS AND COMMUNITIES THAT WERE HIT HARDEST BY THE PANDEMIC.

BRENDA: MURPHY RECALLED THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN EMS AND FIREFIGHTERS RUSHED TO HELP PATIENTS, EVEN THOUGH NO ONE WAS SURE HOW THE VIRUS SPREAD.

DETOXING BIOHAZARD'S BECAME A PART OF SAFETY PROTOCOLS, ALTHOUGH IT WAS OFTEN JERRYRIGGED.

NOW IT IS SOMETHING THAT DEPARTMENTS CAN PURCHASE.

>> A LIVE SIX BLOCKS AWAY SO IF I CALLED 9-1-1, GOD FORBID, THEY ARE COMING FROM HERE.

THIS IS VERY PERSONAL TO ME.

BRENDA: FIRE COMPANY THREE STARTED AS A BUCKET GATE.

IT CELEBRATED ITS 100TH BIRTHDAY LAST YEAR.

GETTING A PIECE OF THIS GRANT IS ANOTHER PRESENT.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

BRIANA: MEANWHILE, CRITICS ARE BLASTING GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE DEMOCRATIC LED LEGISLATURE FOR THE RECORD HIGH NUMBER OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES, WHICH STANDS AT 60 TODAY, BUT FLUCTUATES DUE TO RETIREMENTS.

AT A RECENT SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING IN TRENTON, LEADERS OF THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION CALLED THE PACE AT WHICH JUDGES ARE BEING CONFORMED TO THE BENCH "APPALLING."

CIVIL CASES REMAIN ON PAUSE IN SIX COUNTIES BECAUSE THERE ARE NO JUDGES TO HEAR THEM.

SENIOR WRITER AND PROJECTS EDITOR COLLEEN O'DEA HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE STORY, AND JOINS ME NOW.

SOME PRETTY TOUGH WORDS FOR LAWMAKERS, AND THE GOVERNOR THIS WEEK.

GET US UP TO SPEED WITH WHERE THE PROCESS STANDS RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN TOUGH TO FOLLOW, HONESTLY.

COLLEEN: SO RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE 20 NOMINEES AWAITING CONFIRMATION BY THE SENATE.

THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WHICH IS THE FIRST STEP FOR THEM, IT DOES NOT MEET UNTIL MAY 18.

IF ALL 20 WERE TO BE APPROVED BY THE COMMITTEE, THEN WE COULD EXPECT POSSIBLY BY THE END OF THE MONTH THAT ALL OF THEM MIGHT BE CONFIRMED TO THE SENATE.

BUT RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 60 OPENINGS, 60 VACANCIES, WE ARE EXPECTING ANOTHER 22 BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WHICH MEANS WE ARE NOT EVEN KEEPING PACE WITH THAT AT THE MOMENT.

BRIANA: SENATOR SARLO SAYS YOU'RE DOING THIS AS FAST AS WE CAN, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE MAINTAINED THE SAME ABOUT THE SPEED WITH WHICH THEY ARE BETTING NOMINEES, SO HOW DID WE GET INTO THIS POSITION?

COLLEEN: WE GOT INTO THIS POSITION BECAUSE THE FIRST TERM OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION REALLY WAS -- THERE WERE JUST A SMALL NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS AND NEW JUDGES CONFIRMED.

WHEN MURPHY TOOK OFFICE, THERE WERE NINE CONCEIVES OF THE BENCH AND THEY SHOT RIGHT AWAY, BECAUSE IN HIS FIRST YEAR, FOR INSTANCE, THERE WERE ONLY TWO NEW JUDGES PUT ON THE BENCH, ONE OF WHOM WAS PUT ON BY GOVERNOR CHRISTIE -- IT WAS THE END OF THE CHRISTIE TERM.

SO WHEN YOU ARE LAGGING BEHIND LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAD THE NUMBER OF VACANCIES SHOOT UP TO MORE THAN 70 AT ONE POINT.

NOW, DURING THIS NEW TERM OF THE GOVERNOR, THERE HAVE BEEN MORE NOMINATIONS, HE HAS NOMINATED 81 PEOPLE SINCE JANUARY OF 2022, SO THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD.

BUT WHEN THE NUMBER OF JUDGES RETIRING CONTINUES TO BE THE SAME NUMBER AS THOSE GETTING CONFIRMED, THEY ARE NOT MAKING UP GROUND.

BRIANA: YOU HAVE TO WONDER WHAT ARE THE REAL-TIME CONSEQUENCES FOR FOLKS WAITING FOR A TRIAL.

COLLEEN: MY GOODNESS.

WE KNOW THAT IN TWO PARTS OF THE STATE, I THINK IT IS MULTIPLE COUNTIES IN THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH, CIVIL TRIALS HAVE ESSENTIALLY BEEN HALTED.

PEOPLE CAN'T GET A DIVORCE, AND THAT CERTAINLY HAS MAJOR CONSEQUENCES ON THE PARENTS, AS WELL AS IF THERE ARE ANY CHILDREN INVOLVED.

I COULDN'T IMAGINE BEING IN THAT POSITION AND NOT BEING ABLE TO GET A DIVORCE SIMPLY, YOU ARE TOLD, BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ENOUGH JUDGES TO HEAR YOUR CASE.

BRIANA: AT THIS RATE, IS THE STATE GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE UP THE DEFICIT?

COLLEEN: THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE COURTS HAD TOLD THE BUDGET COMMITTEES IN THE SENATE THAT IT WOULD TAKE THREE YEARS, IF THE ADMISSION CAN PICK UP THE PACE AND BOOST THE NUMBER OF NOMINATIONS, AND THE SENATE CAN CONFIRM MORE PEOPLE.

BUT AGAIN, IF THEY CAN'T NOMINATE AND CONFIRM MORE PEOPLE THAN ARE RETIRING, THEN WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE?

BRIANA: THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT SAID IT PROBABLY BEST, "GET IN THE ROOM, THROW AWAY THE KEY," USING MURPHY'S WORDS ABOUT THE RUTGERS UNIVERSITY STILL WITH THE UNIONS.

COLLEEN O'DEA, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

COLLEEN: THANK YOU.

BRIANA: THERE IS AN UNWRITTEN TRENTON ROOM ALSO DELAYING TRADITIONAL APPOINTMENTS, YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT IN COLLEEN O'DEA'S FULL STORY ON OUR WEBSITE.

ANOTHER LIBRARIAN IS AT THE CENTER OF THE BITTER CULTURE WAR SURROUNDING BROOKE BURNS, AND IS SUING A GROUP OF PARENTS AND RESIDENTS FOR DEFAMATION AND ALLEGATIONS MADE ABOUT HER OVER LGBTQ BOOKS AVAILABLE ON THE LIBRARY/SHELVES.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, IT COMES AS THE NUMBER OF REPORTED CHALLENGES TO BOOKS IS DOUBLING.

>> THAT IS WHY I EXIST IN THE LIBRARY, TO PUT BOOKS IN THE HANDS OF THE KIDS WHO NEED THEM.

REPORTER: SHE IS A LIBRARIAN WHO IS NO STRANGER TO BOOK CHALLENGES, SHE HAS HAD SEVERAL IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

BUT ONE BOOK CHALLENGE GOING ON NOW, OVER THE TITLE "GENDER QUEER: A MEMOIR," IS -- SHE HAS SHE BEEN DEFAMED BY PARENTS FIGHTING TO GET THE BOOK OFF THE SHELF.

>> ALL THE REALLY HEINOUS, VILE VITRIOL SHE IS SUFFERING ON THE INTERNET RIGHT NOW IS OUT OF LINE.

THEY ARE CALLING HER THINGS LIKE A CRIMINAL, CHILD PREDATOR, A GROOMER.

JOANA: IT IS SOMETHING THE LIBRARIANS HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS -- FRUSTRATED PARENTS DIRECTING THEIR ATTACKS AT THEM.

>> THEY RESORT TO SOCIAL MEDIA ATTACKS USING THE WORST EPITHETS YOU CAN IMAGINE TO DESCRIBE THE WORK OF LIBRARIANS ARE SIMPLY THERE TO SERVE THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS.

JOANA: THE COUPLE HAS BROUGHT A DEFAMATION SUIT AND GO TO THE GROUP OF ROCKS.

PARENTS.

>> WHEN SOMEONE IS ATTACKED AND ACCUSED OF CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR THAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE, THAT IS SLANDER AND INFORMATION.

THAT IS WHAT YOU'RE DEALING WITH IN THIS CASE.

FREE SPEECH.

IT IS IRONIC.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FREE SPEECH ACCESS THAT STUDENTS SHOULD HAVE TWO THESE VOLUMES.

AND THEN THIS GROUP OF PARENTS WHO BELIEVE THAT IT IS THEIR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO GO OUT AND SLANDER SOMEBODY.

JOANA: BOTH SIDES ARE ACCUSING EACH OTHER OF HYPOCRISY AND IRONY.

THIS ATTORNEY IS REPRESENTING THE PARENTS.

>> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN HIS SPEECH BY THE PARENTS THAT SAYS THAT SHE HAD INAPPROPRIATE MATERIAL THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED PORNOGRAPHIC IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY.

IT SHOULD BE THE BASIS FOR A DEFAMATION LAWSUIT.

WE FIND IT TO BE AND IRONY THAT THE LIBRARIAN IS REALLY SUING THE PARENTS FOR SPEECH THAT WE THINK IS PROTECTED FIRST AMENDMENT SPEECH OF THE PARENTS.

JOANA: DOES HOW AND WHERE THOSE COMMENTS ARE MADE MATTER?

>> YES AND NO.

MOST OF THE COMMENTS WERE MADE IN THE CONTEXT OF BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS.

TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY WERE MADE THERE, ARE POSITION IS THAT THEY ARE PRIVILEGED.

WE HAVE THOSE MEETINGS SO THAT THERE CAN BE FREE AND UNFETTERED DEBATE.

>> THEIR ATTORNEYS WROTE ME A LETTER SUGGESTING THAT THE COMMENTS WERE PRIVILEGED, WHICH IS A RECOGNITION THAT THEIR COMMENTS ARE DEFAMATORY, THAT THERE IS AN EXCEPTION BECAUSE THEY OCCURRED IN A BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING.

THERE IS NO LAW IN NEW JERSEY WHICH I AM AWARE OF THAT WOULD CREATE THAT KIND OF EXCEPTION.

JOANA: IF THERE IS ONE THING ALL SIDES CAN AGREE ON, ITS THAT THE DEBATE OVER THESE BOOKS SHOULD CONTINUE, BUT IN A PROPER AND RESPECTFUL FORUM.

>> HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE SCHOOL LIBRARIAN, GO AND TALK TO THE LIBRARIAN.

TALK ABOUT YOUR OBJECTION.

FIND OUT WHY THE LIBRARIAN HAS SELECTED THAT FOR THEIR PARTICULAR COLLECTION.

JOANA: ROXANA CAIVANO, THAT DECISION IS ALWAYS PERSONAL.

>> BEING ABLE TO PUT THE BOOK IN THE HANDS OF SOMEONE WHO MIGHT NEED IT, EVEN IF IT HELPS ONE STUDENT, THAT IT IS WELL WORTH IT.

JOANA: WORK SHE WILL KEEP DOING AS HER CASE MOVES SLOWLY THROUGH THE COURSE.

FOR NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

BRIANA: ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S MOST POPULAR HOMEGROWN MUSIC FESTIVALS HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN CANCELED, JUST A WEEK BEFORE HIS BIG COMEBACK.

THE MULTI-DAY BAMBOOZLE EVENT IN ATLANTIC CITY WAS SLATED TO START THIS THURSDAY, BUT GOT SHUT DOWN AFTER ORGANIZERS.

TO GET FINAL PERMITS FROM THE CITY, AND AFTER MONTHS OF COMPLAINTS FROM TICKET BUYERS WHO DEMANDED REFUNDS, ACCUSING THE EVENT'S PROMOTER OF LYING ABOUT THE MUSICAL LINEUP.

WELL NOW, THEY ARE STRUGGLING TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK, EVERYONE POINTING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER.

KARIN PRICE MUELLER IS A CONSUMER COLUMNIST FOR NJ ADVANCED MEDIA AND THE STAR-LEDGER, AND COINCIDENTLY WRITES A COLUMN CALLED "BAMBOOZELED."

SHE JOINS ME NOW.

TELL US THE LATEST, YOU JUST UPDATED A STORY ABOUT THIS EVENT, WHAT CAN WE TELL FANS AT THIS POINT, BESIDES THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO THIS FESTIVAL?

GUEST: AS YOU KNOW, THEIR COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MOUNTING.

37 RECEIVED AS OF THIS MORNING.

PART OF THE CONFUSION HERE IS HOW PEOPLE CAN GET THEIR REFUNDS.

IF THEY RECEIVED TICKETS THROUGH TICKETMASTER OR EVENTBRITE, THEY CAN GO DIRECTLY TO THOSE ENTITIES TO GET THE REFUND, BUT THE PROMOTER SAID EVERYBODY SHOULD GO TO THE POINT OF PURCHASE TO GET THEIR REFUND.

BUT THE COMPANY WHICH SOLD THE NFT TICKETS WHICH WERE THE FIRST ONES THAT WENT FOR SALE, THEY ARE BASICALLY POINTING THE FINGER AT EACH OTHER, SAYING TO PEOPLE, YOU SHOULD GO FROM ONE TO THE OTHER -- IT IS A MESS.

.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FOR THEIR REFUNDS.

BRIANA: ALL THE WHILE, BOOKS ARE OUT, WHAT, HOT -- FOLKS ARE OUT, WHAT, HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS?

WHAT WERE THEY PROMISED?

KARIN: IT WAS A THREE-DAY PASS THAT WENT FOR 361 DOLLARS.

THE COMPLAINT PRIOR TO THE CONSOLATION OF THE FESTIVAL IS THAT THE TICKETS, WHEN THEY WERE FIRST SOLD, THEY WERE PROMISED THAT THESE WOULD BE THE CHEAPEST AVAILABLE AND THAT AS MORE PEOPLE WERE ADDED TO THE LINEUP, MORE PERFORMERS CAME ON, THE TICKETS WOULD GET MORE EXPENSIVE.

BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

AND EVENTUALLY ENDED UP THIS $100 DISCOUNT CODE.

SO PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT LATER, IN THEORY COULD HAVE GOTTEN THEM CHEAPER THAN THE FIRST AVAILABLE EARLY BIRD TICKETS.

BUT $361 A POP.

BRIANA: WHICH IS SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT FOR THESE TYPES OF MUSICAL FESTIVALS, RIGHT, YOU SIGN UP NOT KNOWING WHAT THE LINEUP IS GOING TO BE, THAT UNDER THE PREMISE THAT TICKET SALES ARE ONLY GOING TO GO UP.

WHAT IS THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT DOING WITH THESE COMPLAINTS?

KARIN: THEY ARE NOT GIVING ANY OFFICIAL EXPLANATION OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING, BUT THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THEY ARE LOOKING AT THEM.

THERE HAVE BEEN 37 COMPLAINTS SO FAR.

BUT IT IS COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT INVOLVES MULTIPLE ENTITIES, AND IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR THE STATE TO SORT IT OUT.

BRIANA: THERE WAS A LOT OF LEARNING INTO THE EVENT AND IN ITS DECISION TO CANCEL IT.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE COMPANY'S STANCE RIGHT NOW?

KARIN: THE COMPANY HAS NOT RESPONDED TO ANY OF OUR REQUESTS FOR MORE INFORMATION OR AN EXPLANATION, BESIDES WHAT THEY POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

BUT ATLANTIC CITY, WHICH IS WHERE THE FESTIVAL WAS SUPPOSED TO PLEASE, DIDN'T GIVE THE FESTIVAL ITS FINAL PERMITS.

THE CITY SAID THE FESTIVAL PROMOTER HAD NOT GIVEN IN THE NECESSARY PAPERWORK, SO THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO APPROVE IT, AND AFTER THAT, THE FESTIVAL WAS CANCELED.

ALONG THE LINE, TALKING ABOUT PURCHASING TICKETS AND NOT KNOWING WHO THE PERFORMERS ARE GOING TO BE, THAT IS NORMAL FOR MOST FESTIVALS, BUT THESE PEOPLE WERE SAYING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THEY PROMISED CERTAIN KINDS OF ACTS AND THAT IS NOT WHAT ENDED UP BEING BOOKED, SO THE PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED THE TICKETS SAID THEY PURCHASED THEM UNDER FALSE PRETENSES.

BRIANA: KARIN PRICE MUELLER >> COLUMNIST FOR NJ ADVANCED MEDIA, THANK YOU.

SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS COULD BE ON PAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THREE YEARS.

-- IN 15 YEARS.

HOLLYWOOD WRITERS ARE ON STRIKE.

TV AND FILM SCREENWRITERS FROM THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA WORKED OF THE JOB, BRINGING REDUCTION TO A HALT.

THE WORK STOPPAGE BEGAN THIS AFTERNOON AFTER NEGOTIATIONS STALLED MONDAY NIGHT WITH THE LABOR GROUP REPRESENTING STUDIOS AND STREAMING SERVICES.

IT COMES AS MANY OF THOSE COMPANIES HAVE SEEN THEIR STOCK PRICES DECLINE, RESULTING IN COST CUTTING AND LAYOFFS.

THE WRITERS GUILD SAYS STUDIOS HAVE CREATED A GIG ECONOMY INSIDE A UNION WORKFORCE.

MEMBERS OF THE UNION ARE FIGHTING FOR HIGHER MINIMUM PAY AND GUARANTEED LENGTH OF EMPLOYMENT.

THE STRIKE COULD FORCE AN EARLY END TO SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SHOWS' SEASONS AND DELAY THE START OF NUANCE LATER THIS YEAR.

WALL STREET IS BRACING FOR ANOTHER RATE HIKE FROM THE FED.

HERE IS HOW STOCKS CLOSED TODAY.

♪ >> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NEW JERSEY AMERICAN WATER.

ONLINE ATJERSEYAMWATER COLUMN.

-- ONLINE AT NEWJERSEYAMWATER .COM.

♪ BRIANA: HERE IS ONE WAY TO PUT AN ENDBRIANA: TO COMBATIVE PARENTS ON THE SIDELINES OF YOUTH SPORTS.

IF THEY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE UMPIRE'S CALL, THEY WILL HAVE TO SUIT UP AND MAKE THE CALL THEMSELVES.

THE TOWN IS TRYING A NEW APPROACH AFTER A SERIES OF ATTACKS ON VOLUNTEER UMPIRES FORCING THEM TO QUIT.

TED GOLDBERG REPORTS.

TED: WHEN JIM LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL, HE SAYS MOST PARENTS ARE REASONABLE AND RESPECTFUL.

MOST OF THEM.

>> EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE YOU MIGHT HAVE A PARENT THAT IS A LITTLE BIT OUT OF HAND, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE A TALK WITH THEM AND MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND, HEY, YOU GOT A LOT OF YOUNG CHILDREN HERE, THEY FOLLOW YOUR LEAD, LET'S NOT TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO BE DISRESPECTFUL TO THE UMPIRES OR TO THE COACHES OR ANYONE.

>> I WOULD SAY PROBABLY 95% OF THE TIME, THOSE PARENTS GOT IT ONLY APOLOGIZED AND THEY BACK OFF.

REPORTER: BUT THAT 5% OF PARENTS WHO ARE ABUSIVE ACTUALLY CAUSE UMP TO QUITS.

SO THE TOWN IS TRYING A NEW TACTIC -- ANYONE WHO VERBALLY BERATE AN UMPIRE, WORK STEPS ONTO THE FIELD TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A CALL, WILL HAVE TO WORK AS AN U FOR THREE GAMES WITHIN THE SEASONMP, OR BE COMPLETELY SIDELINED WITH YOUR LONG BANNED FROM ALL YOUTH SPORTS IN BEDFORD.

NOT JUST BASEBALL.

>> WE WANT THEM TO FEEL THE TENSION THAT WE FEEL OUT ON THE FIELD WHEN THERE IS A BANG-BANG PLAY AND THEY HAVE TO MAKE A CALL.

HALF THE PEOPLE WILL BE HAPPY WITH THE CALL.

AND OF COURSE THE OTHER TEAM WILL NOT BE HAPPY.

>> IT MAY BE THE 5% OR 10% RULE.

MOST PARENTS ARE GOOD, THEY JUST WANT TO COME OUT HERE AND WHAT THE GAME, WHAT THEIR SON OR DAUGHTER PLAY, BUT IT'S ALWAYS THAT CERTAIN FEW AND FOR WHATEVER REASON THEY GO OVER THE TOP.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE THEM REALIZE, STOP GOING OVER THE TOP.

, OUT HERE AND ENJOY THE GAME AND LET EVERYBODY ELSE ENJOY IT TOO.

TED: THE MAYOR SAYS THE TOWNSHIP PREVIOUSLY HAD RULES OF THE BOOKS FOR FINISHING FIRING FANS, BUT AREN'T THE EASIEST TO ENFORCE.

>> WE KNOW MOST OF THE FOLKS TOO SO THAT MAKES IT CHALLENGING WHEN YOU KNOW YOUR FRIEND AND NEIGHBOR AND THEY WERE GOING OUT OF CONTROL AND YOU HAVE TO SAY YOU HAVE TO CALM THINGS DOWN.

THEY HAVE THEIR CHILD LAYING SO THEY HAVE BLINDERS ON TO THAT.

>> THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS AND OUR FRIENDS.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND, BUT NOT AT ANY COST.

TED: THIS IS THE PRESIDENT OF BEDFORD LITTLE LEAGUE.

HE SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT VERBALLY ABUSIVE FANS TO START FIVE LAKE INTERNET-FAMOUS FOR THE WRONG REASONS.

HE SAYS THIS RULE ISN'T A MUZZLE.

HE STILL WANTS PARENTS TO CHEER, HE JUST DOESN'T WANT THEM TO SWEAR OR USE OF THE LANGUAGE THEY NORMALLY WOULDN'T USE IN FRONT OF CHILDREN.

>> WE UNDERSTAND PEOPLE GET EXCITED.

IT IS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

THIS IS ABOUT THE ABUSE, THE EXPLETIVES, THE NAME-CALLING TO PEOPLE THAT TOOK THE TIME TO VOLUNTEER FOR THESE PEOPLE THAT ARE YELLING FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>>>> PEOPLE GET EXCITED WHEN THEIR KIDS ARE UP AT BAT, OR IF THEIR CHILD GETS THROWN OUT.

THEM TYPE OF THINGS HAPPEN AND WE ARE OK WITH THAT, AS LONG AS YOU DON'T COME DOWN AND START SCREAMING AND HOLLERING AT THE UMPIRE OR AT THE CHILDREN.

ONCE YOU DO THAT, TIME TO GO.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE THESE CHILDREN LIFE LESSONS -- SPORTSMANSHIP, RESPECT, CAMARADERIE.

AND THEY PUT A MONKEY WRENCH IN THE GEARS WHEN THEY DO THIS.

TED: THIS RULE HAS BEEN IN THE BOOKS FOR TWO WEEKS, AND SO FAR, NO PARENTS HAVE HAD TO CALL BALLS AND STRIKES YET.

BEDFORD LITTLE LEAGUE TELL ME THEY HOPE IT NEVER COMES TO THAT, AND THEY HOPE FANS CAN ENJOY WATCHING KIDS PLAY BALL WITHOUT MAKING UMPIRING A MISERABLE EXPERIENCE.

IN BEDFORD, I AM TED GOLDBERG.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

BRIANA: ALRIGHT, FINALLY TONIGHT, IN THE BATTLE OF THE HUDSON, JERSEY WINS.

THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS LAST NIGHT WON GAME SEVEN, AND THEIR FIRST PLAYOFF SERIES IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

SHUTTING OUT THEIR RIVALS, THE NEW YORK RANGERS, 4-0, ELIMINATING THEM FROM THE PLAYOFFS.

THE DEVILS DOMINATED THE GAME, KILLING THREE PENALTIES IN A SCORELESS FIRST PERIOD, THEN COMING OUT STRONG IN THE SECOND TO BREAK THE SCORELESS TIE.

ROOKIE GOALTENDER AKIRA SCHMIDT STOPPED ALL 31 SHOTS ON GOAL, RECORDING HIS SECOND SHUTOUT OF THE SERIES.

THE TEAM, CELEBRATING HIM, HAVING TAKEN OVER AS A STARTER IN GAME THREE WHEN THE DEVILS TRAILED 2-0 IN THE SERIES.

THE TEAM NOW HEADS TO RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA FOR GAME ONE OF ITS SECOND-ROUND SERIES AGAINST THE CAROLINA HURRICANES ON WEDNESDAY, ONE OF THE FINAL 8 TEAMS STANDING.

THE STANLEY CUP IS WITHIN REACH.

AND THAT IS ALL WE HAVE FOR YOU TONIGHT.

IT REMINDER, THOUGH, YOU CAN LISTEN TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANYTIME VIA PODCAST REVENUE STREAM.

MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD IT AND CHECK US OUT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

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

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

♪ >> 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.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, THE VOICE FOR REAL ESTATE IN NEW JERSEY.

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM.

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

♪