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

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

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

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT IN UVALDE, TEXAS WHERE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS FACING MOUNTING ANGER FROM LOCALS OVER THE RESPONSE DURING THE MASS SHOOTING AT ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THAT LEFT 19 CHILDREN AND TWO OF TEACHERS DEAD.

AUTHORITIES ADMITTING FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT MISTAKES WERE MADE.

REPORTS NOW INDICATE THAT THE SHOOTER ENTERED THE BUILDING UNIMPEDED AND WAS LEFT INSIDE THE BUILDING FOR NEARLY AN HOUR UNTIL BORDER PATROL TACTICAL OFFICERS ENTERED.

CELL PHONE FOOTAGE FROM THE DAY OF THE SHOOTING SHOW PARENTS BEING HELD BACK BY POLICE OFFICERS AND YELLING AT THEM TO ENTER THE BUILDING.

DURING A RUCKUS NEWS CONFERENCE TODAY, THE PUBLIC DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY SAID THAT THE POLICE DID NOT ENTER THE BUILDING BECAUSE THEY BELIEVED THE SHOOTING WAS NO LONGER AN ACTIVE THREAT AFTER HE BARRICADED HIMSELF INSIDE THE CLASSROOM WHERE THE STUDENTS AND THEIR TEACHERS WERE MURDERED.

CALLING IT THE WRONG DECISION.

FOLLOWING TRAUMATIC MASS CASUALTY EVENTS LIKE THIS, IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT THEM WITH CHILDREN.

MANY PARENTS ARE LEFT GRAPPLING WITH WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD ADDRESS THE HORRIFIC ACT AND STRUGGLE WITH FEARS THAT THEIR KIDS MIGHT HAVE ABOUT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

WILL THEY BE SAFE?

PROFESSOR OF THE QUALITY -- PSYCHOLOGY AND DIRECTOR OF THE SOCIAL, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT MAP JOINS ME TO DISCUSS HOW YOU CAN MAKE THE PROCESS EASIER.

WHEN HORRIFIC EVENTS HAVE BEEN LIKE THE ONE IN TEXAS, WHAT DO WE TELL OUR CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGEST?

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING CHILDREN WANT TO HEAR IS REASSURANCE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW THEY ARE SAFE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW THAT IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN TO THEM.

WE CAN SAY THAT TO THEM HONESTLY BECAUSE THE LIKELIHOOD OF THIS HAPPENING IS VERY, VERY SMALL.

OF COURSE, IT IS SO TRAGIC WHEN IT HAPPENS.

FOR ANY GIVEN CHILD, WE ARE WILLING TO GIVE THEN THE SENSE THAT THEY ARE SAFE AND IT IS THE PARENT'S ASSURANCE OF THAT THAT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

>> AND WHAT AGE DO YOU FEEL IS APPROPRIATE TO ADDRESS TRAGEDIES WITH CHILDREN?

>> I THINK PARENTS HAVE TO KNOW THEIR KIDS.

CERTAINLY, WHEN WE GET UP TO THE UPPER MIDDLE SCHOOL, GRADES FOUR AND UP, THE KIDS ARE GOING TO BE SEEING AND HEARING THINGS THAT THEIR PARENTS CAN'T CONTROL.

MY VIEW IS THAT THERE IS NO CONVERSATION TO HAVE ABOUT THESE THINGS WITH PRESCHOOL CHILDREN.

IF THEY RAISE A QUESTION OR BRING SOMETHING UP TO YOU, THAT IS FINE.

IF THEY HAPPEN TO COME FOR EXAMPLE, SEE SOMETHING ON TELEVISION AND THEY SAY TO YOU, WHY ARE THOSE PEOPLE CRYING?

YOU CAN SAY SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED TO THEM.

SOME PEOPLE WERE HURT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

BUT WE ARE FINE HERE.

>> AND HOW SHOULD YOU SPEAK TO OLDER CHILDREN?

AND SHOULD YOU INITIATE A CONVERSATION OR WAIT FOR THEM TO COME TO YOU?

>> THIS GOES BACK TO THE QUESTION OF WHAT THE SCHOOL DOES.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR SCHOOLS TO BE COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS.

AND HOW THEY ARE RESPONDING TO THE SITUATION.

WHETHER THEY ARE DOING OR SAYING ANYTHING AND WITH WHICH CLASSES SO THAT THE PARENTS KNOW TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THE SCHOOL ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> KIDS, ESPECIALLY OLDER ONES WHO HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN, MIGHT BE FEELING HELPLESS THAT THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS KEEP HAPPENING.

HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THAT?

>> I THINK AS OUR KIDS GET OLDER, WE WANT THEM TO FEEL TWO FEELINGS, I BELIEVE.

ONE IS THAT SENSE OF WANTING COMFORT.

I THINK THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THOSE FOLKS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES?

AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE.

EVEN IF THEY MAY SEEM LIKE THEY ARE NOT A BIG DEAL.

SENDING A CARD OR LETTER OR DONATION OR A STUFFED ANIMAL TO A SIBLING OF A KID WHO HAS SUFFERED THE LOSS OF A SIBLING.

THESE MAY SEEM LIKE INCONSEQUENTIAL THINGS, BUT THEY DO MATTER AT LEAST IN THE SENSE THAT OUR KIDS CAN DO SOMETHING.

THE OTHER FEELING IS CONFRONTATION.

WE WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE ARE ISSUES AND THEY HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE.

AND WHAT CAN BE DONE SO THAT THEY WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN?

AND IT IS AMAZING THAT OUR TEENAGERS HAVE SOME TREMENDOUSLY USEFUL IDEAS.

VERY SENSITIVE AND THOUGHTFUL IDEAS ABOUT HOW THESE ISSUES -- ELECTING TO CONGRESS.

AND GIVE THEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN MAKE THEIR SCHOOL BETTER OR HOW THEY CAN MAKE THEIR SCHOOLS SAFER OR HOW THEY CAN MAKE THEIR SCHOOL A KINDER PLACE FOR EVERYONE WHO WALKS IN THE BUILDING.

AND SO I THINK THAT WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR KIDS TO BOTH BE RESPONDENTS AND TO WORK IN THE SPIRIT OF PREVENTING THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

>> SOME GREAT ADVICE AND GUIDANCE FOR SOME TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.

I KNOW I WILL BE USING THOSE TIPS.

PROFESSOR, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING WITH ME.

>> MY POLISHER.

>> AN UPDATE TO A STORY WE HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON INVOLVING A NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL AT THE CENTER OF A POSSIBLE CANCER CLUSTER.

AFTER MORE THAN 100 FORMER COLONIAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND STAFF WERE FOUND TO BE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER OVER A 30 YEAR PERIOD, AN INVESTIGATION FINDS NO EVIDENCE OF ANY CANCER- CAUSING HAZARDS ON THE SCHOOL PROPERTY.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS THE RESULT OF EXTENSIVE TESTING BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT STUDY FOR BOTH RADON AND RADIATION IN THE INTERIOR AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE SCHOOL.

BUT THE RESULTS ARE NOT SITTING WELL WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE NOW DEMANDING MORE REASSURANCE AND ADDITIONAL TESTING WHILE THE BUILDING REMAINS OPEN.

>> WE ARE VERY HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR EXTENSIVE TESTING FOR BOTH RADON AND RADIATION IN THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR OF THE SCHOOL BUILDING PRODUCED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY CANCER-CAUSING HAZARDS.

>> AND SO, CASE CLOSED ON THE THEORY THAT EXTREMELY RARE BRAIN TUMORS FOUND IN 120 GRADUATESOF THE SISAL COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ENVIRONMENTAL FACTOR RELATED TO THE SCHOOL SAID TOWN AND STATE OFFICIALS YESTERDAY.

>> WE SYMPATHIZE WITH ANYBODY WHO HAS EXPERIENCED BRAIN TUMORS AND BRAIN CANCERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES TO THIS TERRIBLE DISEASE.

BUT THERE IS NO CAUSE-AND- EFFECT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE ILLNESSES IN THE BUILDING OR GROUND THAT COLONIAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THE ONLY KNOWN OR CONFIRMED BECAUSE OF THE TYPES OF TUMORS FOUND HIS IONIZING RADIATION.

THE EPA SAID THAT IS WHAT THE RECENT RADON TESTING IN AND AROUND THE SCHOOL FOCUSED ON.

>> SO OUR INVESTIGATION BEGAN THERE, WITH RESPECT TO SOURCES OF RADIATION.

AND THAT INVESTIGATION OF SOURCES OF RADIATION WAS VERY, VERY THOROUGH.

>> AND SAID IT FOUND NOTHING TO WARRANT ANY FURTHER TESTING LIKE OF THE SOIL, AIR OR WATER AROUND THE SCHOOL.

BUT MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO WERE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE PRESS CONFERENCE TO ASK QUESTIONS ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE STATE'S CONCLUSION, LIKE THIS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST TO SET MORE TESTING IS ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE.

>> THERE IS A THING CALLED VAPOR INTRUSION.

SO LET'S SAY FROM A DRYCLEANER WHICH CAUSES CONTAMINATION, CAN ALSO CREATE VAPORS THAT INTO THE BUILDING AND AFFECT PEOPLE'S HEALTH.

>> THEY ARE ALSO PUSHING BACK ON THIS CASE CLOSED MOTION.

A MAN FIRST RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THESE RARE CANCERS ON THE SCHOOL BUT WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE INTERVIEW.

HE HAS BEEN TRACKING THE CASES IN A ONE MAN BANNED OPERATION DESPITE ASKING THE STATE TO TAKE ON THE DATA COLLECTION.

THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAYS THAT IT DOES NOT SEEM NECESSARY BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF CASES FOUND ARE NORMAL IF YOU LIVE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THE EXPECTED NUMBERS WERE CALCULATED USING RATES FROM THE NEW JERSEY STATE CANCER REGISTRY.

THE NUMBER OF EXPECTED, PRIMARY BRAIN AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM TUMORS AMONG STUDENTS OVER THE 1968-2021 TIME PERIOD WAS CALCULATED TO BE IN THE RANGE FROM 98, TO 105.

THE EXPECTED NUMBER OF THESE SAME TUMORS AMONG TEACHERS AND STAFF COME OVER THEIR LIFETIME, WAS ESTIMATED TO RANGE FROM 13, TO 14.

>> ACCORDING TO THE CDC, ABOUT TWO PEOPLE OUT OF 100,000 ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE RARE OR MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMORS AND ADDING THE PRIMARY AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEMS TOGETHER IT'S 23 AT 100,000.

COLONIAL HAS 121 AND THE ENTIRE POPULATION HERE IS ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT THE STATE TO STUDY THE NUMBERS.

>> IN ORDER TO DO THIS STUDY, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE DELINEATED AREA WHERE PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED.

WE NEED AND EXPOSURE TO CHARACTERIZE.

WE REACT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL DATA.

>> NO FURTHER TESTING BECAUSE THE CANCER NUMBERS ARE NORMAL AND NO HEALTH STUDY BECAUSE MORE AND FACTORS WERE FOUND IN THE RADON TESTING.

>> IT DOES NOT RING WELL AT ALL.

THEY HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THE LIST OF THE PEOPLE IMPACTED.

THEY HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE DOCTOR MEDICAL RECORDS PICK THEY HAVE NOT EVEN SPOKEN TO THE RESEARCH THEY HAVE DONE.

HE IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST AND DOES THIS FOR A LIVING.

>> WHILE THE STATE SEEMS ADAMANT THAT NO FURTHER TESTING NEEDS TO BE DONE, FURTHER QUESTIONS DO NOT REMAIN.

PEOPLE CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS IS THE END OF THE TESTING ROAD.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FOR MORE ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO COLONIAL HIGH SCHOOL AND WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT THE PROTECTION IS SAYING, READ JOHN HURDLE'S ARTICLE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND AN 85-YEAR-OLD MAN IS OUT FREE TODAY AFTER A HALF- CENTURY BEHIND BARS FOR ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S MOST NOTORIOUS CRIMES.

HE WAS A FORMER BLACK LIBERATION ARMY MEMBER AND WAS CONVICTED TO A LIFE SENTENCE AFTER A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A STATE TROOPER IN 1973.

AFTER 25 YEARS OF GOOD BEHAVIOR, IT HE HAD BEEN TURNED DOWN FOR PAROLE EIGHT TIMES ALREADY.

BUT THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT RULED 3-1 THAT THE PAROLE BOARD FAILED TO DETERMINE IF HE WAS LIKELY TO COMMIT ANOTHER CRIME IF SET FREE GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL OPPOSED OF THE RELEASE.

THE MAN WHO IS IN POOR HEALTH, CLAIMED HE LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DURING THE CRIME BUT SAYS HE IS REMORSEFUL FOR FOSTER'S DEATH.

>>> MEANWHILE, EARLIER THIS DEATH -- WE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED A NEW DIRECTIVE AIMED AT KEEPING PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL.

DIRECTING POLICE TO NO LONGER ARREST INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BENCH WARRANTS WITH BAIL AMOUNTS OF $500 OR LESS.

BENCH WARRANTS CAN BE ISSUED BY A COURT WHEN A PERSON FAILS TO PAY FINE OR APPEAR IN MUNICIPAL COURT FOR A MINOR OFFENSE, INCLUDING THINGS LIKE TRAFFIC TICKETS.

INSTEAD OF BEING LOCKED UP, THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE GIVEN A NEW COURT DATE AND RELEASED ON THE SCENE.

THE CHANGES MEANT TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY AND INTRUSIVE CUSTODIAL ARRESTS FOR 100,000 OUTSTANDING LOW-LEVEL WARRANTS.

IT IS ALSO AIMED AT ENSURING OFFICERS DON'T SPEND TIME PROCESSING ARRESTS THAT THE AG SAYS, BY AND LARGE, DO NOT FURTHER PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE MOVE HAS THE BACKING OF SOCIAL JUSTICE GROUPS AND THE ACLU AS WELL AS THE STATE'S LARGEST POLICE UNION.

>> THE NEW JERSEY SENATE HAS APPROVED 11 MORE NOMINEES TO BE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES TO AID IN THE IMMENSE BACKLOG OF COURT CASES STILL PENDING IN THE STATE.

THE NUMBER OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES NOW STANDS AT 65.

BUT COURT ADMINISTERED IS HAVE DEEMED A 25-30 VACANCIES TO BE THE MANAGEABLE AMOUNT THAT COURTS CAN HANDLE.

ESSEX COUNTY IS FEELING THE WEIGHT OF THE STRAINED COURT SYSTEM WHICH HAS 12 VACANCIES, MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY IN THE STATE.

CRITICS SAY IT IS GOVERNOR MURPHY'S AN ACTION TO NOMINATE AND COLLABORATE WITH SENATE LEADERS THAT CAUSED TO THE VACANCIES.

THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE SAID IT IS WORKING TO PUT FORTH THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE AND HAS ANNOUNCED THE INTENTION TO NOMINATE ANOTHER 21 JUDGES, MANY OF WHICH WOULD BE REAPPOINTMENTS OF SITTING JUDGES.

THE CHIEF JUSTICE WARNED THE LACK OF JUDGES HAS RESULTED IN ALMOST 7000 PEOPLE IN CUSTODY AWAITING TRIAL.

>>> AND THE WAY COULD BE AS LONG AS FOUR YEARS.

CURRENTLY, 26 SUPERIOR COURT NOMINATIONS ARE PENDING.

FOR MORE ON THE CRISIS IN THE STATE, CHECK OUT COLLEEN OWE DAY'S REPORTING ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE U.S. TRANSPIRATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG IS ON A TOUR OF JERSEY.

IT IS PART OF HIS EFFORT TO HIGHLIGHT BIPARTISAN AND FOR STRUCTURE LAW.

SIX MONTHS AFTER IT WAS SIGNED, THOUSANDS OF PROJECTS ACROSS ALL 50 STATES ARE UNDERWAY USING FUNDS FROM THE BILL TO SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION RELATED PROJECTS.

IN JERSEY, THE DEPARTMENT AND THE ADMINISTRATION GRANTED $3.4 BILLION IN INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING.

OUR CORRESPONDENT TED GOLDBERG HAS MORE ON THE SECRETARY'S TOUR OF AN UPCOMING ROADWAY IMPROVEMENT IN BURLINGTON COUNTY.

>> CRICKET SIGNS THAT CLOG UP INTERSECTIONS OR TWO TARGETS FOR THE RECENT FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE LAW.

U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETE BUTTIGIEG IN NEW JERSEY TOURING SPRINGFIELD TO SEE WHERE IMPROVEMENTS ARE COMING ON ROUTE 206.

>> WE SEE WHERE THERE IS A CHANCE TO SHOW ON THE GROUND WOULD ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE WORK WILL LEAD TO.

WE ARE DOING IT TO MAKE THE COMMUTE SAFER.

WE ARE DOING IT TO MAKE SURE GOODS CAN GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE MORE AFFORDABLY.

WE ARE DOING IT BECAUSE ECONOMIES DEPEND ON IT.

AND FOR A LONG TIME, OUR COUNTRY ALLOWED OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TO FALL BEHIND.

>> THE LAW ALLOCATES MORE THAN $3 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO PROJECTS IN NEW JERSEY.

PETE BUTTIGIEG SAID THAT INFRASTRUCTURE FIXES WILL HELP COMMUNITIES BE SAFER AND MORE PROSPEROUS.

>> THE SAME FUNDING SOURCE WILL ALLOW US TO DO THAT WORK ON 206.

THE LEGISLATION WILL ALLOW US TO BRING A LOT MORE FEDERAL MONEY TO PLACES LIKE THIS PART OF NEW JERSEY AND IMPROVE SAFETY AND THE ECONOMIC OUTCOMES FOR THE COMMUNITIES.

>> I WAS DRIVING IN WITH MY WIFE TO GET HERE.

WE WERE EXPERIENCING THE CHALLENGES OF THIS.

THE TURN ON TO 206, FROM 537, THERE IS A WAY TO DO THIS THAT KEEPS US SAFE AND KEEP THE COMMUNITY SAFE.

THIS IS DOWN THE ROAD FROM THE COUNTY GROUNDS AND THE COLUMBUS MARKET.

THERE IS A LOT HERE THAT CAN REALLY OPEN UP IF WE ARE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> TODAY WAS DAY TWO OF PETE BUTTIGIEG'S TOUR OF NEW JERSEY.

YESTERDAY, HE SPOKE AT THE COUNTY COLLEGE OF MORRIS AND SAID THAT INFRASTRUCTURE FIXES CAN ALSO HELP FIGHT INFLATION.

>> SOMETIMES A SHIP IS WAITING OFF THE COAST.

1000 MILES INLAND, WHERE HOUSES ARE READY FOR A TRUCK AND THAT CASCADES THROUGH THE SYSTEM.

WE KNOW THE STEPS THAT WE TAKE DIRECTLY NOW ON INFRASTRUCTURE HELP TO GIVE US SOME MORE FLUID GOODS MOVEMENT SYSTEM WHICH HELPS US FIGHT THE UPWARD PRESSURE ON PRICES.

>> PETE BUTTIGIEG SAID THE LAW WILL CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS.

>> LOOK AT WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE.

IT FITS RIGHT IN WITH PREPARING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORKERS FOR THE GOOD PAYING JOBS WE ARE CREATING THINGS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WERE SUPPORTED.

>> BUSINESSES ARE SO INTERESTED IN THIS THAT THEY ARE MAKING IT DOES REPRESENTING MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS THAT THEY WILL WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF.

>> THE SECRETARY ALSO EXPECTS TO SEE MORE CHANGES IN THE FUTURE BESIDES ADDED JOBS.

>> THIS WILL BE THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE PERIOD FOR TRANSPORTATION THAT WE HAVE HAD SINCE THE 1920s.

WE NEED TO GET OUT OF OUR OWN WAY A LITTLE BIT AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS.

MY DEPARTMENT CAN TELL YOU EXACTLY WHERE YOU NEED TO PUT THE LURE IN A CAR THAT IS SELF DRIVING.

BECAUSE IT WAS WRITTEN THAT WAY.

IT THEY ACTUALLY DON'T REQUIRE A DRIVER BUT THEY REQUIRE A MIRROR.

>> IN ALL, THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AUTHORIZES $550 BILLION IN FEDERAL SPENDING WITH A SMALL BUT NECESSARY PIECE COMING TO NEW JERSEY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M TED GOLDBERG.

>>> THE GOP BUDGET COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE GETTING THEIR CHANCE TO WEIGH AND ON THE PROPOSED STATE BUDGET.

RHONDA SCHEFFLER HAS MORE ON THE BILLIONS OF TAX RELIEF THEY ARE ASKING FOR.

PLUS TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>> RAVEN, IN A LITTLE MORE THAN A MONTH FROM NOW, NEW JERSEY WILL HAVE A NEW STATE BUDGET IN PLACE AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR CHANGES TO THE BUDGET PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY.

GOP MEMBERS OF THE SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HAVE PROPOSED $8 BILLION IN NEW TAX RELIEF INCLUDING DIRECT TAX REBATES TO RESIDENTS AND ALSO WANT TO REPLENISH THE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE FUND WHICH IS SOMETHING BUSINESS GROUPS HAVE ASKED FOR.

SOME OF THE PROPOSALS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED BEFORE.

AND WHETHER THE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATIVE MAJORITY ADOPTS ANY OF THEM HAS YET TO BE SEEN.

>>> FEDERAL REGULATORS PLAN TO CUT OFF MEDICAID FUNDING TO THE TROUBLED WILL AND BEHAVIORAL AND NURSING CENTER IN ANDOVER.

THIS IS FOLLOWING SERIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS.

THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES SAID THAT MULTIPLE INFECTION CONTROL DEFICIENCIES AT WOODLAND HAVE RESULTED IN 38 RESIDENT DEATHS SINCE OCTOBER OF 2021, DUE TO COVID-19.

A LOSS OF FEDERAL FUNDING WOULD EFFECTIVELY SHUT DOWN THE FACILITY AS IT HEAVILY RELIES ON STATE AND FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENTS.

WOODLAND CAN APPEAL THE ORDER.

THE NURSING HOME CHANGED ITS NAME TO WOODLAND AFTER IT GARNERED NATIONWIDE ATTENTION DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE BODIES OF 17 RESIDENTS WERE FOUND IN A MAKESHIFT MORGUE.

>>> ELSEWHERE, THE NEW JERSEY HOUSING MARKET HAS THE POTENTIAL TO COOL OFF A BIT.

RISING MORTGAGE RATES COULD KEEP SOME BUYERS OUT OF THE MARKET, ESPECIALLY AS HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE.

NEW JERSEY SAYS THE MEDIAN SALES PRICE FOR ALL PROPERTIES WAS $420,000 LAST MONTH.

THAT IS AN INCREASE OF OVER 9% COMPARED TO APRIL A YEAR AGO.

I ASKED TO THE TRADE GROUP PRESIDENT, ROBERT WHITE, WHAT IS DRIVING THE INCREASE.

>> LACK OF INVENTORY IS A BIG PART OF IT.

INVENTORY IS DOWN ABOUT 15%, OR ALMOST 13% YEAR-OVER-YEAR.

SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE AS MANY CLOSINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT AS MANY HOUSES AS THERE WERE AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>> MEANTIME, MORE THAN 80% OF NEW JERSEY SURVEYS SAY THAT THE CLIENTS POSTPONED MOVING OR SELLING BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND ALTERNATIVE HOUSING IN THEIR PRICE RANGE.

>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET WRAPPED UP THE TRADING DAY AHEAD OF THE LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

I'M RHONDA SCHEFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS SUPPORT ARE PROVIDED BY MARTIN SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT.

OFFERING NEW JERSEY'S FIRST BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE.

BUSINESS FOCUSED, TECHNOLOGY DRIVEN.

>> AND JAZZ, THE NEW JERSEY CITY JAZZ FESTIVAL JUNE.

DETAILS INCLUDING PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATION ARE ONLINE.

>> AS WE HEAD INTO THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, RESIDENTS AND VISITORS GET READY TO ENJOY SUMMER FUN ON THE NEW JERSEY BEAUTIFUL LAKES AND THE DEP IS MAKING SURE THEY DO IT SAFELY BY HIGHLIGHTING EFFORTS TO CONTROL HARMFUL BLOOMS WHICH HAVE PLAGUED LAKESIDE TOWNS IN NEW JERSEY OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THE HARMFUL BACTERIA DOESN'T JUST POSE HEALTH RISKS TO PEOPLE AND ANIMALS BUT CAN PUT A DENT IN SUMMER TOURISM.

SO HOW ARE TOWNS USING NEW MONEY TO PREVENT THESE FROM SPOILING ANOTHER SUMMER SEASON.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT LINDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> KICKING OFF THE SUMMER SEASON AT JERSEY LAKES TAKING A BOAT RIGHT ABOVE THE FLOATING CLASSROOM ABOVE LAKE A.

THE HIGHLIGHTING TOUR TO CONTROL HARMFUL BLOOMS.

THE LAKE COMMUNITIES FEAR A REPEAT OF THE DISASTROUS 2019 SEASON WHEN THEY PROMPTED THE DEP TO CLOSE SPEECHES.

>> SINCE 2019, WHEN WE ALL WOKE UP TO A VERY GREEN LIKE AND A REAL SLAP IN OUR FACE AS TO WHAT WE THOUGHT WE HAD BEEN DOING.

JUST A LOT OF WONDERFUL WORK HAS GONE ON.

WE CANNOT DO THE SAME THING AND EXPECT DIFFERENT RESULTS.

>> THE MAYOR OCCUPIES THE LAKE'S ENTIRE SURE AND HAS INSTALLED 36 DEP FINANCED AERATORS TO OXYGENATE THE WATER BECAUSE ALGAE FEEDS ON NUTRIENTS AND SEWAGE AND STRONG WATER RUNOFF.

THE TOWN ALSO ASKED THE DEP FOR FUNDING TO CONVERT THE SEPTIC TANKS TO MODERN SEWER LINES.

>> WE DID ABOUT 3000 FEET OF SEWER LINE DOWN THE ROAD.

IT COST ABOUT $400,000.

WE TOOK 40 LAKEFRONT SUBJECTS OF LINE.

SO THAT A SIGNIFICANT.

NEXT YEAR WHEN WE SEE HOW THIS RESULTED, WE WILL PROBABLY DO ANOTHER 3000 FEET AND DO ANOTHER 20 OR 30 LAKEFRONT SUBJECTS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF LOW HANGING FOOD.

IT IS ALL OVER THE LAKE.

IT IS DOING REALLY WELL.

>> THIS FILTERS NUTRIENTS FROM RUNOFF.

THE DEP FINANCED SEVERAL PILOT PROJECTS AND 2022 EXAM IS EFFECTIVENESS.

THE AGENCIES ALSO ANCHORED SEVERAL BUOYS ON THE LAKE TO MONITOR BACTERIA COUNTS AND DEPLOYED REGULAR AERIAL SURVEILLANCE AT SEVERAL LAKES TO DETECT ALGAE BLOOMS.

THIS MONTH, THE DEP SHOWS THE MAP WITH ONLY MOUNTAIN LAKE AT ORANGE ADVISORY LEVELS.

AND TWO LOWER BLUE WATCH LEVELS PICK THE CLASSROOMS HAVE BEEN KEEPING WATCH.

>> WHEN WE DO THE SCIENTIFIC TESTS, SOME OF THE READINGS WE ARE GETTING, MIGHT BE GOING UP ALREADY.

THIS IS ALREADY A CONCERN.

AND CONTROLLING THIS PROBLEM COSTS MONEY.

THE DEP HAD ANNOUNCED $10 MILLION IN GRANTS.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY.

BUT ANOTHER $10 MILLION IS IN THE PIPELINE.

>> A SPECIFIC STORMWATER MANAGEMENT GRANT PROGRAM WHERE THE DEP WILL FUND THE CREATION OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDIES FOR STORMWATER UTILITY.

WE BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, COUNTIES OR A COMBINATION OF LOCALITIES TO CONSIDER ESTABLISHING STORMWATER UTILITIES BECAUSE THEY PROMOTE THESE MANAGEMENT ENDS.

AND TO GET YOU STARTED, WE WILL PAY FOR IT.

>> IT IS THE WAY TO GO.

UNFORTUNATELY, IT WILL NOT BE ENOUGH.

WE THINK FOLKS SHOULD CHIP AND LOCALLY.

>> THE LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS ARE FINE WITH AERATORS, RAIN GARDENS AND FLOATING ISLANDS, ANOTHER WAY TO BIND UP NUTRIENTS AND CLEANUP LAKE WATER.

BUT THEY SAY THAT ADDRESSES THE SYMPTOMS THEY ARE PROMOTING STORMWATER UTILITIES.

>> IT WOULD CREATE A REASONABLE APPROACH THAT WOULD REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION GOING IN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> CREATING A REGIONAL AGENCY RAISES OBJECTIONS AND FEARS OF MORE GOVERNMENT AND COSTLY RED TAPE.

>> I BELIEVE AND PLANNING BUT NOT CREATING MORE BUREAUCRACY.

>> THE SENATOR SUPPORTS ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT FUNDING SOURCE TO ADDRESS LAKE HEALTH, ESPECIALLY NOW.

>> IT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT, NOT ONLY FOR RECREATION, BUT FOR THE ECONOMIC ENGINE THAT IS CREATED BY THESE LARGE WATER BODIES.

GREENWOOD LAKE AND IF WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF THEM, WE WILL FOR SURE LOSE THEM.

>> BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

IN THE MEANTIME, GO TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS AND CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RAVEN'S ANTENNA.

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

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

.

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

ARE WJ BARNABAS HEALTH,.

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

>> WE WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

ONLINE AT U.S..COM.