>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE COMPANY, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

>>> INKS FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT, I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

WE BEGAN WITH YET ANOTHER TRAGIC MASS SHOOTING IN A NATION PLAGUED BY FAR TOO MANY OF THEM.

THIS ONE CULMINATING IN THE PARENT'S WORST NIGHTMARE.

21 VICTIMS KILLED IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TEXAS THE MASSACRE AT THE ELEMENTARY IN TEXAS IS THE DEADLIEST SCHOOL SHOOTING IN THE U.S.

SINCE THE SANDY HOOK SHOOTING 10 YEARS AGO.

THE GUNMAN WAS AN 18-YEAR-OLD MALE WHO AUTHORITIES SAY, BEFORE THE ATTACK, SENT PRIVATE FACEBOOK MESSAGES OR WHO'S GOING TO SHOOT HIS GRANDMOTHER, THEN A SCHOOL.

HE BARRICADED HIMSELF IN A FOURTH GRADE CLASSROOM AND OPENED FIRE USING A RIFLE MURDERING TWO TEACHERS, 19 STUDENTS.

THE YOUNGEST, JUST 18 YEARS OLD.

HE INJURED 17 OTHERS BEFORE BEING FATALLY SHOT BY POLICE.

THIS LATEST ATTACK COMES TWO WEEKS AFTER DOZENS OF PEOPLE WORK KILLED IN MASS SHOOTINGS FROM BUFFALO NEW YORK TO LAGUNA WOODS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

TURNING NATIONAL ATTENTION BACK TO THE ALREADY HOT BUTTON TOPIC OF GUN CONTROL.

IN NEW JERSEY, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY CALLED ON THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS HIS LATEST GUN SAFETY PACKAGE WHICH HE INTRODUCED MORE THAN A YEAR AGO AND HAS YET TO BE POSTED FOR A VOTE.

IT INCLUDES REQUIRING GUN OWNERS TO LOCK UP THEIR FIREARMS AND RAISING THE MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE SHOTGUNS AND RIFLES FROM 18 TO 21 YEARS OLD.

HE ALSO PRESSED THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE A VOTE ON PROPOSED BILL THAT WILL UNDO THE STATE STRICT GUN LAWS.

>> IN THE FACE OF MASS SHOOTING THROUGHOUT OUR NATION, CHILDREN BEING SLAUGHTERED TO THE POINT WHERE INDICATE THESE BEAUTIFUL, PRECIOUS CHILDREN, WERE UNRECOGNIZABLE.

I SAY, LET THESE FOLKS COME FROM OUT BEHIND THEIR PRESS RELEASES AND THEIR TWEETS AND CAST VOTES BEFORE THE RESIDENTS OF THIS GREAT STATE.

>> NEITHER ASSEMBLY SPEAKER OR SENATE PRESIDENT COMMITTED TO POSTING THOSE BILLS FOR A VOTE.

THE SPEAKER CALLED THE SHOOTING A BARBARIC ATTACK AND ADDED THAT NEW JERSEY NEEDS TO LOOK TO STRENGTHEN GUN SAFETY LAWS.

THE SENATE HASN'T TAKEN A STAND BUT THEY WILL KEEP OPEN MIND IN ANY ADDITIONAL ACTIONS THAT WILL REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE.

TOUGHER GUN LAWS ARE ONE WAY TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEW JERSEY'S GUNS VIOLENCE RESEARCH CENTER JOINS IS NOW FOR MORE INSIGHT.

MIKE, AS SOMEONE'S WHOSE SOLE JOB IS TO RESEARCH GUN VIOLENCE, ONE OF THE IDEAS WE HEAR TIME AND TIME AGAIN IS TO HAVE SOMEONE IN PLACE WHO IS ALSO CARRYING A GUN TO SPUR TO ACTION.

THAT DIDN'T HELP HERE.

IS THAT A VIABLE SOLUTION?

>> I DON'T SEE ANY EVIDENCE THAT IT IS.

THE GENERAL LINE I FALL BACK ON FROM THE DATA WHERE YOU HAVE MORE FIREARMS, YOU HAVE MORE GUN VIOLENCE.

THE EVIDENCE THAT IT CREATES MORE SAFETY IS NOT BACKED UP BY SCIENCE.

>> WE ARE ALSO HEARING THAT THESE INSTANCES ACCOUNT FOR 1% OF THE GUN VIOLENCE WE SEE IN AMERICA.

YET WE KNOW THAT DEATH BY FIREARMS IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF FATALITY FOR CHILDREN.

>> IT IS A STUNNING SITUATION, PROBABLY TO HARD FOR ANYONE TO UNDERSTAND NOT IN OUR COUNTRY, WHAT WE SEE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

THESE MASS SHOOTINGS ARE ONLY 1% OF GUN VIOLENCE, IT'S NOT BECAUSE MASS SHOOTINGS ARE RARE, IT'S JUST BECAUSE GUN VIOLENCE IS SO COMMON.

>> WE HEAR CALLS TO ACTION BUT WHAT DOES THAT NEED TO LOOK LIKE?

>> THE ACTION LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS, FOLKS IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS HAVE DIFFERENT PATHS TO CONTRIBUTE TO PERM CURBING GUN VIOLENCE.

IN THE LEGISLATURE THEY CAN ADDRESS MASS SHOOTINGS OR DAY- TO-DAY GUN VIOLENCE AND SUICIDE.

THAT CAN INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND CLOSE THE LOOPHOLES FOR BOTH FEDERAL AND LOCAL INFORMATION.

NON-LEGISLATIVE, ENCOURAGING STATE FIREARMS STORAGE CAN MAKE A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON PREVENTING ALL FORMS OF GUN VIOLENCE, FROM SUICIDE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

ALSO, FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE THE SPACE IN THIS LEGISLATIVE AREA OR DON'T HOW TO PROMOTE SAFE STORAGE CAN ADVOCATE HOWEVER THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY VOICE THE DATA BEHIND THIS AND MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE REALITY OF DAY- TO-DAY GUN VIOLENCE IN AMERICA.

>> WHAT IS THE CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS PLAY HERE, MIKE?

>> I'M A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST, I THINK ABOUT THAT ALL THE TIME.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY COULD NOT ONLY BE VIC'S BUT PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE.

YOU CAN'T SAY IT IS ALL MENTAL ILLNESS, NOT ONLY DOES THAT DEFY THE DATA, IT ADDS FURTHER STIGMA AND SHAME TO THOSE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND IN THE CONTEXT IN THE NATION THAT DOESN'T DO A GOOD JOB TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH CARE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE.

IT REALLY ANGERS ME TO SEE THAT NARRATIVE.

I AM NOT ARGUING THAT FOLKS WHO COMMIT MASS MURDER ARE DOING WELL MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY BUT THE BLAME ON MENTAL ILLNESS IS SIMPLY MISSED STATEMENT OF FACT.

>> WE HEARD THE GOVERNOR TODAY PUSHING AGAIN FOR HIS LATEST PACKAGE OF GUN REFORM MEASURES.

IS NEW JERSEY GETTING IT RIGHT SO FAR WITH THE LAWS THAT WE DO HAVE ON THE BOOKS?

>> I JUST GOT HOME FROM THE PRESSER, I DO THINK SO, I THINK IT IS NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST FIREARM RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

AND THAT'S NOT TO SAY WE CAN DO BETTER, WE ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS TO GET INTO EVEN A BETTER SPOT.

THE RATES ARE LOW COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE MODERN WORLD BUT THE RACE IS STILL SKYHIGH.

THERE IS STILL MORE WE CAN DO.

THERE IS MORE GROUND WE CAN COVER AND I AM GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN A STATE THAT IS TRYING TO COVER THE GROUND.

>> ALWAYS MORE TO DO, MIKE ANESTIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TONIGHT .

>>> TODAY ALSO MARKS THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE POLICE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD, WHOSE DEATH UNDER A WHITE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA, SPARKING WORLDWIDE OUTRAGE AND SUPPORT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT REFORMS.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TODAY SIGNED EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMED AT STRENGTHENING POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, CALLING FOR A NATIONAL DATABASE OF FEDERAL OFFICERS WITH DISCIPLINARY RECORDS AND PROVEN CLAIMS OF MISCONDUCT.

IT ALSO CREATES NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR TRAINING AND REQUIRES FEDERAL AGENCIES TO UPDATE USE OF FORCE POLICIES.

MEANWHILE, ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN PRESSING THE WHITE HOUSE TO TAKE ACTION EVER SINCE A SWEEPING REFORM BILL FAILED IN CONGRESS LAST YEAR.

>> DOES IT FUNDAMENTALLY GET AT THE ARGUMENTS FROM THE AFFECTED COMMUNITIES?

PROBABLY NOT.

IT DOESN'T FOCUS ON THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS ECONOMIC DISPARITY, RACISM, AND SO FORTH.

I HOPE THAT OUR CONGRESS CAN BUILD ON THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER SO YOU CAN HAVE REAL TALENT TANGIBLE IMPACT AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL.

IF THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T FEEL THEIR VOICES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS THAN I AM NOT SO SURE THEY WILL GET THE APPLAUSE THAT THEY ARE EXPECTING FROM THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

>>> TO SOLVE THE CITY'S LONG- STANDING GUN VIOLENCE PROBLEM KIMBER OF ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PROBABLY THE LARGEST IN THE STATE, MADE UP OF CITY OFFICIALS, RESIDENTS AND CLERGY , AMONG OTHERS.

THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO HIT TAKE TAKE A HANDS-ON APPROACH TO CURB THE AMOUNT OF GUNS ON THE STREET.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> WE CONFISCATED OVER 300 GUNS ACROSS THE STREET.

>> Reporter: TRENTON MAYOR IS HOPING AN INITIATIVE WILL HELP CURB GUN VIOLENCE IN THE CITY.

HE IS ESTABLISHING A A VERY COMMITTEE, 11 MEMBERS FROM THE COMMUNITY WILL MAKE UP THE COMMITTEE AND EACH ONE TO DISCUSS DIFFERENT WAYS TO MAKE THE CITY SAFER.

>> WE WANT TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC AND BY AND LARGE ALL WALKS OF LIFE, THEY ARE FROM THE COMMUNITY, A PASTOR, PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN PRISON REENTRY ISSUES, NONPROFITS, ALL WALKS OF LIFE, MOTHERS, FATHERS.

BUT WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT TRYING TO CHANGE THE THOUGHT PROCESS OF MANY OF THE YOUNG, WE WANT TO TURN THEM AWAY FROM A GANG AFFILIATION, GUN VIOLENCE.

>> IS CRITICAL THE PUBLIC SAFETY MOVES TO COMMUNITY HANDS AND WERE NOT TAKING AN OVERLY PUNITIVE AND HARMFUL APPROACH THAT OVER USES POLICE RATHER THAN PEOPLE TO RESOLVE CONFLICT.

>> Reporter: GUN VIOLENCE HAS PLAYED TRENTON FOR YEARS.

IN 2020, THE CITY BROKE A RECORD WITH 40 HOMICIDES.

LASTER THEY HAD ANOTHER 40.

>> WE ARE LOSING A LOT OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE WHO WERE DYING ON THE STREETS UNNECESSARILY.

WHAT STICKS IN MY MIND, IT'S NOT TOO LONG AGO WERE AT CHILD WAS MURDERED WHEN SHE WAS PLAYING OUT IN THE STREETS.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, WE JUST CAN'T TALK OR JUST SIT ON THE SIDELINES.

WE CAN'T WAIT FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO DO THE WORK.

>> WE ENFORCE THE LAW BUT THEY ARE THE EYES AND EARS ON THE STREET.

WITH THIS COMMITTEE, BRINGING IN IDEAS AND SHARING INFORMATION, I THINK WITH THE DEPARTMENT BECOMING A LOT COMMUNITY FRIENDLIER AND BEING A LOT MORE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE IS GOING TO WORK OUT.

>> Reporter: WHILE SOME COMMUNITY LEADERS BELIEVE THE MAYOR HAS GOOD INTENTIONS, SOME FEEL THERE WASN'T ENOUGH PUBLIC OUTREACH AND NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE WERE INCLUDED WHEN THE BOARD WAS FORMED.

>> YOU HAVE TO PUT A COMMUNITY- BASED SURVEY SO PEOPLE WHO YOU ARE LOOKING TO TAP INTO, CONNECT WITH, MORE IMPORTANTLY ADVISE AND INFORM AND EXPOSE, NOW ARE AWARE OF.

SO YOU HAVE PURCHASED THE PATIENT, THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN, PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF WHAT TRANSPIRED TO A SMALL DEGREE BY SEEING THE NEWS CONFERENCE.

THAT IS TOO LATE.

IS NOT A POLICING ISSUE, WE HAD A FULL POLICE FORCE, WE STILL HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF MURDERS.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR MAINTAINS THAT THE COMMITTEE IS TO ALLOW FOR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND THEY HOPE THE COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT IT.

>> HOPEFULLY THEY WILL LISTEN TO 11 CIVILIANS OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES WHAT'S ON THEIR MIND WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE REFORM ISSUES BUT ALSO BEING PROACTIVE IN GETTING THE GUNS OFF THE STREET AND GETTING OUR YOUTH ENGAGED IN ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE.

>> Reporter: THE COMMITTEE PLANS TO ISSUE TWO REPORTS EACH YEAR WITH ITS RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE.

>>> MEANWHILE CANDIDATES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR NEW JERSEY'S EIGHTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WERE PRESSED, IN REAL TIME, TO RESPOND DURING AN ONLINE FORM TUESDAY EVENING.

AS THEY FIVE FOR THE OPEN SEAT OF RETIRING CONGRESSMAN SIRES.

THERE IS STILL PROMISES TO BE FIGHT.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> Reporter: , THREE DEMOCRATS ARE VYING TO REPLACE RETIRING SIRES .

THEY FACE OFF LAST NIGHT ON A FORUM ON FAITH SPOT FACEBOOK HOSTED BY A GROUP CALLED THE NITTY-GRITTY.

>> I CALL IT PRACTICAL POLICIES.

I SUPPORT ADDITIONAL PUBLIC EDUCATION, COLLEGE EDUCATION OR POST SCHOOL TRAINING, THE DREAM OF BECOMING CITIZEN.

>> Reporter: NEW TO THE POLITICAL SCENE EVEN HIRED A TEACHER WHO LIVED IN HUDSON COUNTY IN 20 YEARS AFTER SPENDING MUCH OF HER LIFE MOVING AROUND THE U.S. ON THE WORLD, SHE'S UP AGAINST ANOTHER POLITICAL NEWCOMER.

>> I BELIEVE IN MEDICARE FOR ALL I BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO HIGH-QUALITY AIR HEALTHCARE.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO A DECENT HOME.

I SUPPORT CODIFYING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, DOING WHATEVER IT TAKES TO SECURE THOSE RIGHTS.

ABOLISH THE FILIBUSTER OR EXPAND THE SUPREME COURT.

>> Reporter: BOTH OF THESE CANDIDATES HAVE AN UPHILL BATTLE WHO ARE UP AGAINST MEN AND DAYS WHO SUPPORTS THE GOVERNOR AND THE HUDSON COUNTY PARTY LINE AND HE HAPPENS TO BE THE SON OF BOB MENENDEZ.

>> TO MEET THE CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE FACING IS A COMMUNITY, THE INFORMED MY DECISION TO RUN.

>> Reporter: IS REPORTS OF THE OTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING WAS PLAYING OUT THE CANDIDATES EXPRESS HOW THEY WOULD TAKE ON THE GUN LOBBY IN CONGRESS.

>> I WOULD BE REMISS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING HER TALKING ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS, BUFFALO, CONTINUES A PATTERN OF VIOLENCE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE WOULD BE MOTIVATED TO CHANGE OR IF WE THINK IT'S THE DIRECTION WE'RE HEADING WITH ACCESS TO GUNS IS GOOD?

>> THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT PROTECT THE SELLERS OF GUNS, THAT IS WHERE WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE, PRETTY QUICKLY.

WE WILL STOP THE SENSELESS MASS MURDERS FROM HAPPENING.

>> Reporter: AMONG MANY OF THEIR KEY PRIORITIES, THE REAL DIVIDE LOOKS THAT THERE'S FUNDRAISING.

MENENDEZ HAS OUTPACED HIS.

BY CONTRAST OTHERS HAVE RAISED ONLY $25,000.

>> TO THIS POINT IN MY CAMPAIGN I HAVE TAKEN NO MONEY FROM ANYBODY.

PART OF MY CAMPAIGN, I NEVER ENVISION MYSELF DOING A LOT OF MAILERS.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO PRIDES HIMSELF ON THE MONEY HE'S NOT TAKING.

>> I'M NOT TAKING ANY MONEY FROM CORPORATE TAX, FOSSIL FUEL EXECUTIVES OR LOBBYISTS.

>> Reporter: THEY PUSH BACK THAT THIS CONGRESSIONAL SEAT IS BEING HANDED TO MENENDEZ BY HIS FATHER.

>> CAN'T THINK YOUR BLOODLINE IS GOING TO CARRY YOU TO THE EDGE, THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN.

>> HE ALREADY HAS PROHIBITIVE ADVANTAGES OF FUNDRAISING, ORGANIZATIONAL AND ENDORSEMENT STRENGTH.

>> Reporter: A PARTY LINE THAT ALMOST ALWAYS DELIVERS FOR THE CANDIDATE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> ONE OF THE STATE'S LARGEST AND MOST TROUBLED NURSING HOMES IS ON THE VERGE OF THE STATE TAKEOVER.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS REQUESTING A COURT ORDER TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE WOODLAND BEHAVIORAL AND NURSING CENTER IN SEXIST COUNTY.

THE NURSING HOME WAS ALREADY UNDER THE WATCH UNDER A MONITOR IN HEALTH INSPECTORS FOUND THE FACILITY FAILED TO PREVENT ABUSE, NEGLECT AND OTHER SERIOUS SAFETY VIOLATIONS.

THE FIRST MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, WHEN POLICE WERE CALLED TO BRING IN A SUPPLY OF BODY BAGS AND DISCOVERED 17 DEAD RESIDENTS IN A MAKESHIFT WARD.

MORE RESIDENTS DIED OF COVID-19 AT THE FACILITY THAN ANY OTHER NURSING HOME AND THE STATE AND OUTBREAKS REMAIN A PROBLEM.

ACROSS NEW JERSEY TODAY MORE THAN 3400 NEW POSITIVE CASES AND 15 MORE DEATHS ARE REPORTED.

>>> WE WILL SOON HAVE MORE OPTIONS TO BUY LEGAL WEED.

THE STATES CANNABIS REGULATORY COMMISSION APPROVED FIVE NEW RECREATIONAL DISPENSARIES MAKING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF LOCATIONS 18.

THEY WILL BE MANY STORES WILL BEGIN IN A FEW WEEKS WHEN EDGEWATER PARK OPENED ITS DOORS TO RECREATIONAL CUSTOMERS THIS MORNING.

THE SITE WAS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BUT OPENING STALLED WHILE THE DISPENSARIES SETTLE ZONING ISSUES WITH THE TOWN OVER AND EXPANDING PARKING LOT.

IN NEW JERSEY ONLY 3 1/2 PEOPLE WERE SERVED, DEMAND IS THERE IN THE FIRST MONTH.

THE STATE REPORTED $24 MILLION IN SALES FOR RECREATIONAL CANNABIS.

>>> BENEATH THE CRISIS OF THE ONGOING BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE IS THE RESILIENCE OF PARENTS.

MOMS WHO PARTICULAR FOUND UNIQUE WAYS TO CONNECT FAR AND WIDE TO PROVIDE A BASIC NEED KEEPING THE CHILDREN SAID.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

>> Reporter: YOU SEE A PICTURE OF YOUR FORMULA , AND THEN YOU LOOK AT THE COMMENTS AND THERE'S 400 COMMENTS, YOU KNOW YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET PICKED.

>> Reporter: AMY DOLAN SAYS FINDING BABY FORMULA HAS BEEN LUCK OF THE DRAW.

HER STRUGGLE TO FEED HER YOUNGEST SON, CONNOR, HAS LED HER TO FIND SUPPORT AND SOMETIMES LUCK ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

"WE'VE ALL COME TOGETHER, DOESN'T MATTER WHAT ANYONE'S BACKGROUND IS, WE JUST HAVE THIS COMMON NEED TO FEED OUR CHILDREN.

I WAS ABLE TO GET THREE CANS OF ELECAN FORMULA THAT HADN'T BEEN RECALLED. "

>> MAYBE THEY ONLY HAVE TWO CANS AND IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO BREAK IT UP.

>> Reporter: SHE JOINS MILLIONS OF PARENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO ARE DESPERATE TO FEED THEIR BABIES AND MANY HAVE JOINED FORCES MAILING SPECIALTY FORMULAS TO ONE ANOTHER REACHING OUT FROM FAR AND WIDE TO GET THEIR FORMULA THAT THEY NEED FOR THEIR BABY.

WHEN MOTHER HAS BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO RECEIVE AND GIVE FORMULA TO MOMS.

THE TASK CAN BE OVERWHELMING AND HEARTBREAKING.

>> IT HAS HONESTLY BECOME MORE IMPOSSIBLE.

I HAVE BEEN FINDING SAMPLE CANS HERE AND THERE BUT NOT ENOUGH TO SUSTAIN HER.

WHAT I HAVE DONE, I HAVE COMPLETELY CHANGED HER FORMULA.

I HAD SOME EXTRA, READY TO USE FORMULA THAT REAGAN WASN'T TOLERATING SO I POSTED, IT'S REALLY STRESSFUL BECAUSE WHO DO YOU PICK WHOSE BABY GETS TO BE FED?

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY THIS NEW DAD ONLY ONE OF BE IDENTIFIED , HE SAID HE COULDN'T FIND FORMULA FOR HIS OWN FIVE WEEK OLD SON, THE BABY FORMULA FINDER SITE THAT LAUNCHED ON FRIDAY HAS HAD NEARLY 10,000 SIGN-UPS, REACHING PARENTS AND MORE THAN 53 ZIP CODES.

>> WE HAVE MESSAGES COMING IN THIS IS THANK YOU, IT WORKED.

WITHIN SIX HOURS I HAD FORMULA.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE SITE IS FREE AND ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE.

>> JUST GO TO THE WEBSITE, YOU WILL NOT RESELL YOUR FORMULA, YOU ARE NOT TRYING TO SCALP IT OR STOCKPILE, YOU JUST BUY WHAT YOU NEED AND THAT YOU AND YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY HAS A BABY.

ONCE YOU GO INTO THAT, GIVE US YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND A ZIP CODE AND WE USUALLY SEARCH AROUND 50 MILES AROUND YOU SO THAT IS THE RADIUS.

ONCE YOU GET SIGNED UP, YOU GET A TEXT MESSAGE, GO TO YOUR CONTROL PANEL, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CHECK THE BOX AND THAT'S IT.

JUST WAIT.

>> Reporter: HE HAS NO PLANS TO KEEP THE SIGN-UP LONG-TERM JUST UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED HE CREDITS HIS WIFE FOR THE SITE SUCCESS.

>> WE HEAR ALL THE TIME THAT MOMS ARE SO GREAT AND THIS IS ANOTHER WAY FOR THEM TO EXPERIENCE IT FIRSTHAND TO JUST REALLY TAKE OVER, IT'S REALLY INSPIRING TO SEE HOW GOOD OF A MOTHER SHE HAS BEEN.

HOPEFULLY THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, WE STILL KEEP SEEING SHIPMENTS COMING FROM OVERSEAS.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT MY WEBSITE DOESN'T HAVE TO LAST VERY LONG WHICH MEANS THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED IN THOSE BABIES HAVE BEEN FED.

>>> RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST ON THE FEDERAL PROBE INTO THE FORMULA SHORTAGE AND TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> THE ANGER OVER THE NATIONWIDE BABY FORMULA SHORTAGE SPILLED OVER TO CONGRESS TODAY AS MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND ENERGY AND CONGRESS SUBCOMMITTEE DEMANDED ANSWERS FROM OFFICIALS OF THE FDA.

THE FDA COMMISSIONER SAID FORMULA SUPPLY WILL INCREASE IN A FEW WEEKS BUT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ASSURED WANTED ASSURANCES THAT A SHORTAGE LIKE THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN AND THEY SAID THE FDA HAS FALLEN SHORT.

ONE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION WAS THE WASHINGTON POST REPORT TODAY THAT STATED A WHISTLEBLOWER SENT A REPORT TO THE FDA ALLEGING UNSANITARY CONDITIONS AT THE ABBOTT BABY FORMULA PLANT IN STURGIS MICHIGAN.

BUT THE FDA OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF FOOD SAFETY DID NOT SEE THAT REPORT FOR FOUR MONTHS.

BY THAT TIME A BABY HAD DIED AND TWO OTHERS WERE HOSPITALIZED.

HERE IS AN EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE FDA OFFICIAL AND ALABAMA CONGRESSMAN.

>> WHAT IS IT, YOU DIDN'T GET THE REPORT?

HOW IS IT THEY GOT TIED UP IN THE BUREAUCRACY AND IT DIDN'T GET TO THE PERSON WHO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR RESPONDING TO IT?

>> I'M NOT SURE WHY THE REPORT WASN'T SHARED WITH ME AND HOW IT DIDN'T GET ESCALATED.

THERE WILL BE A REVIEW AND WE WILL TRY TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

>> Reporter: MEANTIME THE PLANT IN QUESTION IS DUE TO RESUME FORMULA PRODUCTION ON JUNE 4th.

>>> MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IS THE UNOFFICIAL START OF SUMMER ON THE CASINO INDUSTRY IS READY TO WELCOME TOURISTS.

MANY OF THE CASINOS HAVE MADE MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS, WHICH INCLUDE RENOVATED HOTEL ROOMS, NEW RESTAURANTS, SOME OF WHICH WILL OPEN FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEKEND.

COLLECTIVELY CASINOS HAVE INVESTED ABOUT $1 BILLION OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

HEAR NOW HOW TO CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSE TODAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY.

>>> FINALLY TONIGHT WE LEAVE YOU WITH THE BEST KIND OF JERSEY NEWS AFTER SIX LONG YEARS, BRUCE SPRINGS STREET AND THE E STREET BAND ARE RETURNING TO THE BIG STAGE.

BEGINNING IN 2023, IT WILL BE THE BAND'S FIRST TIME TOGETHER SINCE 2017.

APPARENTLY, BRUCE SPRINGS FRAME SPRINGSTEEN IS READY TO GO, HE HAS THE JONES TO PLAY LIVE VERY BADLY.

THE TOUR WILL KICK OFF IN THE U.S.

STARTING IN FEBRUARY BEFORE HEADING OVERSEAS.

THE DATES HAVE NOT BEEN ANNOUNCED.

THE BAND WILL THEN COME BACK TO THE U.S. WITH SOME LATE-SUMMER OUTDOOR GIGS, THEY HAVE TO HIT AT METLIFE STADIUM, RIGHT?

TICKETS GO ON SALE THIS FRIDAY, GOOD LUCK GETTING A PAIR.

THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

>>> IN THE MEANTIME HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK OUT OUR NEWS FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

FOR THE ENTIRE TEAM THANKS FOR WATCHING TONIGHT WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, CREATED TO LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.