>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBER OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND CREATED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM, STAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

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

I'M RAVEN SANTANA, IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

AS THE UNOFFICIAL KICK-OFF TO THE SUMMER STARTS AND PEOPLE ARE READY TO RETURN TO NORMALCY, COVID CASES REMAIN STEADY.

TODAY JERSEY REPORTING JUST OVER 1,800 NEW CASES AND ONE NEW DEATH.

BUT CASE COUNTS ARE EXPECTED TO GET WORSE BEFORE THEY GET BETTER.

ACCORDING TO PREDICTIVE MODELS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AS WE HEAD FURTHER INTO THE SUMMER, UNDER A WORSE CASE SCENARIO, WE COULD SEE MORE THAN 7,000 CASES AROUND MID-JUNE AND NEARLY 2,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER SURGE IN MID-JULY THAT COULD HIT NEARLY 8,000 CASES.

BUT GOOD NEWS IS ON THE WAY.

A LABORATORY IN NORTH JERSEY IS NOW THE HUB WHERE NEW COVID-19 TREATMENTS WILL BE DEVELOPED.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS THE STATE SAW A SURGE OF HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE SUBVARIANTS THIS SPRING.

THE METROPOLITAN ANTIVIRAL DRUG SLERLTER PROGRAM IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SCIENTISTS AND DRUG MAKERS AIMED AT CREATING DRUGS THAT CAN BE TAKEN BY MOUTH WHILE YOUR SYMPTOMS ARE STILL MILD.

TELD GOLDBERG REPORTS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY LEADERS HAVE SKY HIGH HOPES FOR A $65 MILLION PROGRAM THAT COULD CREATE NEW DRUGS TO FIGHT COVID.

>> WE ANNOUNCE THIS NEW COLLABORATION THAT WILL CELEBRATE DRUG DEVELOPMENT RIGHT HERE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY.

IF THAT DOESN'T EXCITE YOU, YOU'RE DEAD.

OR ON YOUR WAY.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS THE METROPOLITAN ANTIVIRAL DRUG ACCELERATOR.

IT'S A FEDERALLY-FUNDED COLLABORATION BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS IN NORTH JERSEY AND NEW YORK.

RESEARCHERS WILL TRY TO CREATE MORE MEDICATION FOR THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS AND WHATEVER OTHER VIRUSES MIGHT SPREAD IN THE FUTURE.

>> A MILLION AMERICANS HAVE DIED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, SO TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO ACCELERATE ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT AND WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT IN A WAY THAT BRINGS ALL THE DIFFERENT PLAYERS TOGETHER, WORKING TOGETHER, IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

>> BRINGING THE ACADEMIC WORLD TOGETHER WITH INDUSTRY AT THE EARLY STAGE OF DRUG DEVELOPMENT, DRUG DISCOVERY IS REALLY THE WAY GOING TO MAKE IMPORTANT, YOU KNOW, DEVELOP IMPORTANT COUNTERMEASURES AND SOLUTIONS FOR UNMET MEDICAL NEEDS.

>> Reporter: SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ THINKS THIS PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IS A GREAT WAY TO SHARE INFORMATION.

>> TOO OFTEN WE DO OUR RESEARCH IN SILOS.

SO YOU KNOW, THE ACADEMIC RESEARCHER ISN'T SPEAKING TO THE NOOULGS ISN'T SPEAKING TO THE DRUG COMPANY.

HERE THE HORIZONTAL HOLISTIC APPROACH MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE AT THE END OF THE DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY'S WORKING TOGETHER TOWARDS A COMMON GOAL AND THAT CAN ACCELERATE THE SUCCESSES AND THE DISCOVERIES AT A MUCH FASTER PACE.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR IS OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS RESEARCH CAN CREATE MORE DRUGS LIKE PAXLOVID, A TABLET THAT YOU TAKE WHILE YOU HAVE COVID AND HELPS MANAGE YOUR SYMPTOMS.

>> TO CONTROL PANDEMICS, WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FOR HIV IS THAT WE NEED THESE --WE NEED SAFE, EFFECTIVE DRUG THAT IS CAN BE USED IN THE OUTPATIENT SETTING.

AND WHEN YOU DO THAT, YOU CAN HELP CONTROL THESE PANDEMICS.

AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> IT'S ONLY REALLY RECENTLY THAT WE EVEN HAVE AN EFFECTIVE THERAPEUTIC AGAINST COVID.

AND WE'RE SEEING, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY THIS PANDEMIC BUT THE POTENTIAL FOR OTHER PANDEMICS AND THE WAY TO AVOID THOSE PANDEMICS IS REALLY TO HAVE THESE DISCOVERIES, IF YOU WILL, ON THE SHELF, READY TO GO, BECAUSE MANY OF THEM COULD BE EASILY ADAPTABLE, AS WE SAW DURING COVID.

>> Reporter: LEADERS SAY IT MEANS TWO THINGS FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR NEW JERSEY-BASED RESEARCHERS TO MAKE THEIR MARK, AND IT'S A REWARD FOR PRIOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

>> IT'S A COMPETITIVE BRAND.

SO I THINK IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT'S GOING ON HERE IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR ABILITIES TO ULTIMATELY DRIVE EVEN GREATER SUCCESSES IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THE PREVENTIVE EFFORTS ON COVID.

THIS BRINGS NEW JERSEY BACK AS A MAJOR PLAYER NATIONALLY WHEN IT COMES TO INNOVATION, WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE, WHEN IT COMES TO DRUG DEVELOPMENT.

THIS NATIONAL GRANT THAT COMES IN AT THIS SIZE AND THIS MAGNITUDE SAYS THAT THE DISCOVERY THAT IS HAPPEN IN THE LAB MAKE IT OUT INTO THE MARKETPLACE.

IT CREATES COMPANIES IN NEW JERSEY, JOBS IN NEW JERSEY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NEW JERSEY.

>> I'M ABSOLUTELY OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ANTIVIRAL DRUG THAT IS CAN BE USED IN THE OUTPATIENT SETTING, BROADLY AVAILABLE, CHEAP, EFFECTIVE.

>> Reporter: THE GRANT WILL FUND THEM FOR THREE YEARS, IF THE CONSORTIUM HITS MILESTONES AND PRODUCES DRUGS, THE GRANT COULD LAST FOR FIVE YEARS.

IN NUTLEY, I'M TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FUNERAL SERVICES BEGAN FOR VICTIMS OF LAST WEEK'S SCHOOL SHOOTING IN UVALDE, TEXAS, AS THE U.S.

STRUGGLES TO PASS MEANINGFUL GUN LEGISLATION.

GATHERINGS WERE HELD FOR TWO 10-YEAR-OLDS WHO WERE KILLED WHEN A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE WITH AN AR-STYLE RIFLE IN THEIR FOURTH GRADE CLASSROOM LAST TUESDAY.

FUNERALS FOR 11 OTHER CHILDREN AND ONE OF THEIR TEACHERS, IRMA GARCIA, ARE ALSO PLANNED FOR THIS WEEK.

MEANWHILE IN WASHINGTON, SENATE LEADERS ARE NOW PROMISING TALKS ON NEW GUN LEGISLATION IN THE FACE OF PARTISAN DIVIDE AND GRIDLOCK.

A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF TEN SENATORS MET OVER ZOOM TODAY TO DISCUSS A FRAMEWORK FOR NEGOTIATIONS BEFORE CONGRESS RETURNS FROM ITS HOLIDAY RECESS ON MONDAY.

THE LACK OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE HAS PROMPTED NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS AND SIX OTHER MAYORS FROM NEW YORK STATE TO WORK ON LOCAL LEGISLATION TO STOP MASS SHOOTINGS.

THE SEVEN OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED A FOUR-YEAR, COORDINATED EFFORT TO TACKLE GUN-RELATED CRIME THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

AND NORTH OF THE BORDER, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU ANNOUNCED NEW LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE OWNERS OF MILITARY-STYLE ASSAULT WEAPONS TO TURN OVER THEIR GUNS TO A GOVERNMENT BUY BACK PROGRAM.

IF PASSED, THE NEW LAW WOULD ALSO BAN THE SALE OF HANDGUNS IN CANADA.

>>> OUT OF STOCK.

IT'S WHAT PARENTS ACROSS THE NATION AND HERE IN NEW JERSEY CONTINUE TO HEAR AS THEY STRUGGLE TO FIND BABY FORMULA.

AS THE SHORTAGE WORSENS, THE FUTURE STILL REMAINS BLEAK AS THE FDA HAS SAID IT COULD TAKE NEARLY TWO MONTHS FOR SHELVES ON THE FULL WITH BABY FORMULA AGAIN.

THE SHORTAGE UNFORTUNATELY COMES AS GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE, MAKING IT HARD FINANCIALLY FOR THOSE SCOURING THE STATE TO FIND AND GET FORMULAS.

IN THE MEANTIME, PARENTS ARE TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS, AND NOW LOOKING TO EACH OTHER FOR HELP.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN MORE THAN A MONTH SINCE A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF BABY FORMULA HAS LEFT PARENTS STRUGGLING TO FEED THEIR BABIES.

>> MY SON IS ON A COMPLETE HYPERALLERGENIC FORMULA.

HE CAN'T TOLERATE POWDER FORM L.A.

HE CAN'T TOLERATE ANY TYPE OF FORMULA THAT HAS A MILK BASE TO IT.

>> Reporter: STEPHANIE ESPOSITO SAYS SHE EVEN EXPANDED HER SEARCH TO OTHER STATES, BUT FINDING THE FORMULA HER 8-MONTH-OLD NEEDS HAS BEEN ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

>> AND WE'VE TRIED OTHER FORMULAS THAT ARE AMINO ACID-BADS, AND HE DID TERRIBLE ON IT.

SO WE'RE VERY LIMITED ON WHAT WE CAN USE.

>> Reporter: SO ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO, ESPOSITO DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SHE STARTED THE FORMULA FINDER AND TRADE GROUP ON FACEBOOK.

TO DATE, OVER 4,000 PEOPLE HAVE JOINED.

>> ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS YOU GO TO STORES AND YOU TAKE A PICTURE OF THE FORMULA SECTION, AND YOU POST IT.

YOU SAY WHAT STORE YOU'RE AT, THE TIME, AND YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY IS IN THE AREA AND THEY SEE WHAT THEY NEED, THEY CAN GO GET IT.

IF PEOPLE HAVE SAMPLES OF FORMULA THAT THEY DON'T NEED, THEY CAN POST IT ON THERE AND POST WHERE YOU'RE FROM, AND BEAM CAN COME PICK IT UP.

IF YOU HAVE FORMULA YOU WANT TO TRADE, YOU CAN TRADE AS WELL.

BUT THERE'S --I DON'T ALLOW ANY SELLING.

>> Reporter: THESE GRASSROOTS GROUPS HAVE PROVEN TO BE A MAY YOUR HELP FOR HUNDREDS OF NEW JERSEY MOMS.

JESSICA WAS INSPIRED TO CREATE A SIMILAR GROWN UP CALLED THE BERGEN COUNTY FORMULA EXCHANGE.

>> IT TAKE AS VILLAGE RIGHT NOW TO RAISE ALL OF THESE CHILDREN.

SO I'M JUST HAPPY THAT WE'RE AN I BELIEVE TO GET THESE BABIES SOMETHING TO EAT AND THEY DON'T NEED TO BE HOSPITALIZED OR GOD FORBID ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS TWO YOUNG CHILDREN.

SHE WAS ABLE TO TRANSITION HER 1-YEAR-OLD TO WHOLE MILK, BUT HER ALMOST 4-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER IS DEPENDENT ON FORMULA SINCE BREAST FEEDING ISN'T AN OPTION.

>> I WAS DRIVING TO MUNCY, NEW YORK.

I WAS DRIVING ALMOST TWO, THREE HOURS AWAY JUST TO FIND FORMULA ONLY TO GET THERE AND THEN THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE SHELVES BECAUSE THEIR WEBSITE WASN'T BEING UPDATED ACCURATELY.

>> Reporter: NOW OVER 900 BABIES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET THE FORMULA THEY NEED THANKS TO HER GROUP.

A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF AS THE SHORTAGE HAS DRASTICALLY WORSENED.

ACCORDING TO BLOOMBERG NEWS, OUT-OF-STOCK RATES JUMPED 45% FROM THE WEEK BEFORE.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE SHORTAGE RATE CLIMBED TO 75%.

>> IT'S A LOT OF STRESS.

IT'S A LOT OF --THERE'S THE FINANCIAL STRESS AS WELL AS THE JUST STRESS OF WHAT AM I GOING TO FEED MY BABY.

WHEN WE DO FIND CANS, THEY HAVE BEEN MARKED UP, NOT BY A TERRIBLE AMOUNT, BUT THE STUFF WE HAVE BOUGHT, WE HAVE SEEN IT MUCH HIGHER THAN WHAT WE PAID FOR IT.

WE WENT FROM PAYING ABOUT $220 FOR FOUR CANS OF THE SPECIALIZED FORMULA TO PAYING CLOSE TO $300.

YOU KNOW, IT'S USUALLY $45 A CAN AND WE'RE SEEING $67, $68 A CAN, WHICH IS A BIG INCREASE WHEN IT'S SPECIALIZED AND YOU CAN'T FIND IT EVERYWHERE.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO FEED THE BABIES, SO THEY NEED TO BE EDGE KATDED ON HOW WE CAN HELP THEM IN THE MEAN TIME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE FORMULA.

>> Reporter: PEDIATRICIAN DR. HARPREET KAUR SAYS TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS INCLUDE STARTING BABIES ON MILK IF THEY'RE CLOSE TO 11 MONTHS OLD, AND INTRODUCING THEM TO SOLID FOOD AT 4 TO 6 MONTHS.

PARENTS SHOULD NEVER TRY TO MAKE FORMULA AT HOME OR DILUTE IT.

>> IF YOU'RE DILUTING THE FORMULA, YOU'RE ACTUALLY NOT GIVING THE NUTRIENT THAT IS YOUR BABY NEEDS.

SO YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY HELPING THE BABY TO GROW, WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS.

THE OTHER SIDE EFFECT FOR THAT IS WHEN YOU'RE TARGETING THE FORMULA, BECAUSE THE BABIES CANNOT CONTAIN THAT WATER THAT YOU'RE GIVING, THE BABIES CAN HAVE ISSUES WITH SEIZURES.

>> Reporter: FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S PRIMARY IS ONE WEEK AWAY, TUESDAY JUNE 7th, AND IT'LL BE THE FIRST TIME IN STATE HISTORY THAT EARLY VOTING IS AN OPTION FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS.

EARLY VOTING STARTS JUNE 3rd AND ENDS JUNE 5th.

THE CHANGE COMES AFTER THE PANDEMIC ALTER THE WAY PEOPLE CHOSE TO VOTE FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS.

COVID-19 ALSO LEFT POLLING LOCATIONS STRUGGLING TO RETAIN AND HIRE STAFF.

NOW THAT MASK MANDATES HAVE BEEN LIFTED AND JERSEY IS SOMEWHAT RETURNING TO NORMALCY, THE STATE HAS IMPLEMENTED INCENTIVES IN THE FORM OF PAY INCREASES FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO HELP AT POLLING LOCATIONS.

FOR MORE ON THAT AND ALL DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN CAST YOUR BALLOT, I'M JOINED BY SECRETARY OF STATE TAHESHA WAY.

SECRETARY, LET'S FIRST START OFF BY GOING OVER THE THREE MAIN WAYS PEOPLE CAN VOTE AHEAD OF THE PRIMARY.

>> SURE.

GREAT THING ABOUT NEW JERSEY IS THAT THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO VOTE.

YOU CAN VOTE NO EXCUSE, VOTE BY MAIL, AND IT'S THE UNDERSTANDING THAT ALREADY 211,000 NEW JERSEY VOTERS HAVE RETURNED THEIR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS.

YOU CAN ACTUALLY VOTE IN PERSON EARLY VOTING FOR THE PRIMARY.

THIS STARTS ON FRIDAY, JUNE THE 3rd.

AND THEN THE THIRD WAY IS IN PERSON ON ELECTION DAY, JUNE 7th.

>> SO SECRETARY, WE KNOW TURNOUT FOR NONPRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS GENERALLY TEND TO BE LOWER, BUT WHAT IS IT NOW?

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TURNOUT TO BE?

YOU KIND OF TOUCHED ON THAT A LITTLE.

>> SURE.

WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, 200, ABOUT THE ESTIMATED 211,000 FOLK WHO HAVE ALREADY VOTED BY MAIL.

AGAIN, THE BEAUTY OF NEW JERSEY'S ELECTION PROCESS IS THAT WE'VE OPENED UP THE ACCESS TO ELIGIBLE VOTERS.

SO THERE ARE THE OPTIONS IN PLACE TO ENSURE THAT VOTERS CAN PARTICIPATE IN SAFE AND SECURE ELECTIONS HERE IN THE STATE.

>> AND DO YOU EXPECT TURNOUT TO BE HIGHER THIS PRIMARY?

>> WELL, RAVEN, THE HOPE IS THAT VOTERS DO, YOU KNOW, FULLY PARTICIPATE IN ALL OF THE ELECTIONS, NOT ONLY FOR PRIMARIES BUT, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL BOARD RACES, FIRE DISTRICT RACES, AND OF COURSE, IN THE GENERAL.

SO MY TEAM AND I ARE MAKING CERTAIN THAT OUR NJ VOTES CAMPAIGN IS FULLY ENGAGING AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON THE DIFFERENT METHODS AND MEANS TO VOTE.

>> NOW I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF POLL WORKERS, SO LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW BAD IS IT AND WHAT ARE THE INCENTIVES THAT ARE NOW IN PLACE TO HOPEFULLY RECRUIT MORE PEOPLE?

>> YES.

THERE'S ALWAYS A NEED FOR A FULL BANK OF POLL WORKERS, AND THE NEEDS VARY BY COUNTY.

FOLKS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO SEE DEMOCRACY IN ACTION AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY CAN EARN EXTRA MONEY DOING SO.

SO YOU CAN MAKE ABOUT $21.43 PER HOUR, AND THE EARLY IN-PERSON VOTING PERIOD, AND $300 ON ELECTION DAY, JUNE 7th.

>> AND IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLEGE AND HIGH SCHOOL KIDS AS WELL?

>> SURE, IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE WHO, YOU KNOW, WANT TO EARN SOME EXTRA MONEY AND AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S A GOOD THING.

SO YES, WHAT THEY CAN DO IS CONTACT THEIR LOCAL ELECTION BOARD OR THEY CAN GO TO POLLWORKER.NJ.GOV FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP.

>> WELL, SECRETARY TAHESHA WAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUCH GREAT INFORMATION.

AND I'M HOPING THAT YOU'LL SEE AN INFLUX OF PEOPLE WANTING TO HELP OUT AT THE POLLS, AS WELL AS CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

>> SURE.

JUST NEW JERSEY, REMEMBER THAT IN-PERSON EARLY VOTING IS JUNE 3rd THROUGH THE 5th.

AND OF COURSE, PRIMARY ELECTION DAY IS ON JUNE THE 7th.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, SECRETARY, I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, RAVEN.

>>> WITH INFLATION RATES STILL SKYROCKETING, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS MEETING WITH TOP ECONOMIC LEADERS TO FIND SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR WALLET.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS MORE ON THE PRESIDENT'S MEETING, PLUS TONIGHT'S BUSINESS HEADLINES.

RHONDA?

>> RAVEN, WITH INFLATION NEAR 40-YEAR HIGHS, PRESIDENT BIDEN MET WITH TOP ECONOMIC OFFICIALS, INCLUDING FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL, TO DISCUSS WHAT CAN BE DONE TO BRING PRICES DOWN FASTER.

THE PRESIDENT IS PROPOSING FIXING SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND LOWERING THE DEFICIT AS WAYS TO IMPROVE INFLATION.

AT A WHITE HOUSE PRESS BRIEFING EARLIER TODAY, THE PRESIDENT'S ECONOMIC ADVISOR SAID MR. BIDEN IS PUTTING HIS FAITH IN THE FED'S ABILITY TO TAME INFLATION WITHOUT HARMING THE ECONOMY, WHICH HE SAID REMAINS STRONG.

>> WHAT WE ARE VERY CONFIDENT IN IS WE CAN APPROACH THIS CHALLENGE AND WE CAN FOCUS OUR EFFORTS ON BRINGING INFLATION DOWN WITHOUT HAVING TO SACRIFICE ALL OF THE ECONOMIC GAINS THAT WE'VE MADE BECAUSE OF THE UNIQUE POSITION OF STRENGTH THAT WE ARE IN.

>> MEANTIME, GAS PRICES ALREADY AT OR NEAR RECORD HIGHS, COULD RESUME THEIR CLIMB NOW THAT U.S. OIL PRICES ARE TRADING AT THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE EARLY MARCH.

IT CAME AS THE EUROPEAN UNION AGREED IN PRINCIPLE TO BAN NEARLY ALL OF ITS OIL IMPORTS FROM RUR YA.

IT'S NOT EASY TO GET A BUSINESS OFF THE GROUND, BUT ONE STATE PROGRAM HELPS TO BACKSTOP EARLY STAGE TECHNOLOGY AND LIGHT SCIENCE COMPANIES AS THEY GROW.

NEW JERSEY'S NET OPERATING LOSS PROGRAM ALLOWS THOSE COMPANIES TO TURN THEIR LOSSES INTO CAPITAL.

THE CEO OF THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, TIM SULLIVAN, CALLS IT A LIFELINE FOR THOSE START-UPS.

HE EXPLAINS HOW IT WORKS.

>> A LOT OF COMPANIES, NOT BECAUSE THEY'VE DONE ANYTHING WRONG BUT BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DEVELOPED PRODUCTS, SO THEY HAVE OPERATING LOSSES.

THEY CAN SELL THOSE TO COMPANY THAT IS HAVE TAX LIABILITIES.

THEY CAN ESSENTIALLY TURN THEIR LOSS INTO CASH.

THE ACQUIRING COMPANIES GET A DISCOUNT ON THEIR TAXES.

>> Reporter: COMPANIES CAN APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM THROUGH THE END OF JUNE.

LAST YEAR THE AVERAGE AWARD FOR COMPANIES APPROVED THROUGH THE PROGRAM WAS $1.82 MILLION.

ATLANTIC CITY HAS RECEIVED MILLIONS IN STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS FOR SEVERAL PROJECTS, INCLUDING MONEY TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES AS WELL AS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION.

THE CITY RECEIVES $6 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ITS BOARDWALK, BUT WORK ON THAT WON'T BEGIN UNTIL AFTER THE SUMMER SEASON.

LAST WEEK I MENTIONED THAT HOME PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE IN NEW JERSEY, AND THAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE U.S.

ACCORDING TO THE HOME PRICE INDEX, WHICH CAME OUT EARLIER TODAY, U.S. HOME PRICES ROSE MORE THAN 20% IN MARCH.

MARCH'S READING MARKED THE HIGHEST PRICE CHANGE IN MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF DATA.

>>> HERE NOW IS A LOOK AT HOW WALL STREET FARED AFTER THE LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

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

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

EVENT DETAILS, INCLUDING PERFORMANCE SCHEDULES AND LOCATION, ARE ONLINE AT RIVERVIEWJAZZ.ORG.

>>> MIKIE SHERRILL WAS FIRST ELECTED IN THE 2018 NEW JERSEY BLUE WAVE BACKLASH TO THE ELECTION OF DONALD TRUMP, BUT SHE WON REELECTION TWO YEARS AGO BY A SEVEN-POINT MARGIN.

SHERRILL MAY HAVE TO FIGHT TO KEEP HER SPOT AS THERE ARE NOW FIVE REPUBLICANS VYING IN THE JUNE 7th PRIMARY TO UNSEAT THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT IN THE 11th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT COME NOVEMBER.

AND THEY RANGE FROM A RELATIVELY MODERATE MORRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER TO AN AMERICA FIRST, ULTRA MAGA, TRUMP REPUBLICAN.

SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR COLLEEN O'DEA JOINS ME TO BREAK DOWN THE CANDIDATES AND THE RACE.

SO COLLEEN, LET'S GO OVER WHO THESE CANDIDATES ARE.

>> YES, SO THERE ARE FIVE REPUBLICANS RUNNING.

YOU'VE GOT TAYFUN SELEN.

HE IS A MORRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

HE'S ALSO WITH THE LINCOLN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES.

IT'S THE ORGANIZATION THAT RUNS SOME TECHNICAL SCHOOLS.

HE HAS GOTTEN THE NOMINATION FROM THE MORRIS AND ESSEX COUNTY REPUBLICANS, AND THAT'S REALLY THE LARGEST PART OF THE DISTRICT, SO IT WOULD SEEM THAT HE'S KIND OF GOT AN INCH HERE.

YOU'VE GOT PAUL DEGROOT.

HE IS IS A FORMER DEPUTY PASSAIC COUNTY PROSECUTOR.

HE'S GOTTEN THE PASSAIC COUNTY REPUBLICAN NOMINATION, AND SO YOU KNOW, HE WOULD SEEM TO HAVE AN ADVANTAGE IN THAT COUNTY.

BUT IT'S A MUCH SMALLER PORTION OF THE ENTIRE DISTRICT.

HE'S A PRACTICING LAWYER NOW SINCE RETIRING LAST YEAR.

YOU'VE GOT TOBY ANDERSON.

HE IS A --HE RUNS A HOME HEALTHCARE, A SMALL BUSINESS HOME HEALTHCARE BUSINESS.

AND HE DOESN'T LIVE IN THE DISTRICT NOW.

HE'S HOPING TO MOVE IN.

AND THEN YOU'VE GOT A COUPLE OTHER CANDIDATES.

RUTH McANDREW, A HOSPICE NURSE.

AND ALEXANDER HALTER.

AND HE IS A SPORTS PRODUCER AT A SPORTS TV CHANNEL.

SO YOU'VE GOT FIVE CANDIDATES, BUT REALLY THE ONES WHO WE'RE LOOKING AT ARE THE ONES WITH THE MOST MONEY WHO ARE SELEN AND DEGROOT.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND WHAT'S REALLY INTERESTING IS THEY RANGE FROM MODERATE TO AN AMERICA FIRST, ULTRA MAGA, TRUMP REPUBLICAN, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, THEY SURELY DO.

I MEAN, I THINK YOU WOULD SAY THAT SELEN IS PROBABLY THE MOST MODERATE, ALTHOUGH, YOU KNOW, HE'S GOT SOME --HE CERTAINLY IS A CONSERVATIVE, BUT HE'S THE MOST MODERATE OF THE CONSERVATIVES.

HE DEFINITELY HAS CONSERVATIVE VIEWS ON ISSUES.

AND THEN SURE, AT THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM, YOU KNOW, THERE WAS A DEBATE BY THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ONLINE, AND THREE CANDIDATES, IT WAS ANDERSON, McANDREW, AND HALTER, WERE ON, AND THEY WERE KIND OF TRIPPING OVER ONE ANOTHER TO BE THE MORE, YOU KNOW, THE MOST CONSERVATIVE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION AND THE BORDER WALL, WHICH YOU KNOW, THIS IS NEW JERSEY, WE'RE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, FAR FROM IT.

BUT THERE WAS CERTAINLY A LOT OF INTEREST THERE, YOU KNOW, SAYING LET'S REBUILD THE WALL.

WE'VE GOT TO FUND I.C.E.

WE'VE GOT TO FUND THE BORDER PATROL.

YES, AND HALTER DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS AN ULTRA MAGA, AMERICA FIRST, TRUMP REPUBLICAN.

>> I MEAN, COLLEEN, HOW DOES LAST YEAR'S REDISTRICTING PLAY INTO THE CANDIDATE'S ODDS?

>> IT WOULD CERTAINLY SEEM TO HELP SELEN BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THE DISTRICT HAS SHIFTED IN TERMS OF THE MORRIS AND ESSEX COUNTY BEING THE LARGEST PORTIONS OF IT.

IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION, YOU KNOW, THIS IS MIKIE SHERRILL'S DISTRICT, AND SHE IS A MODERATE DEMOCRAT.

SHE WON FOUR YEARS AGO BACK WHEN THIS WAS REALLY A VERY, VERY REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.

AND THE REPUBLICANS LIVING IN THE DISTRICT TEND MORE TO BE WHAT YOU CALL SOCIAL MODERATES AND MAYBE FISCAL CONSERVATIVES.

SO THEY WEREN'T HAPPY WITH A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT DONALD TRUMP STOOD FOR.

AND I'M NOT SURE THEY'LL BE VERY HAPPY WITH SOME OF THE CONSERVATIVE PUSHES, YOU KNOW, THINGS ABOUT CRITICAL RACE THEORY, WHICH WE KNOW IS NOT BEING TAUGHT IN ELEMENTARY OR MIDDLE OR HIGH SCHOOLS AT LEAST, YOU KNOW, TALK ABOUT IMMIGRATION.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THOSE ARE ISSUE THAT IS ARE GOING TO REALLY WORK FOR THE REPUBLICANS IN NOVEMBER.

SO I WOULD THINK THAT IT'S GOING TO BE AN UPHILL CLIMB BECAUSE THE DISTRICT BECAME MORE DEMOCRATIC AS A RESULT OF REDISTRICTING.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG SHOT FOR SOME OF THESE CANDIDATES, BUT I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

COLLEEN O'DEA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME, PER USUAL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, RAVEN.

>> AND MAKE SURE YOU JOIN US TUESDAY, JUNE 7th FOR OUR LIVE NJ DECIDES 2022 PRIMARY NIGHT COVERAGE.

WE'LL HAVE ALL THE FINAL VOTES PLUS POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND LIVE REPORTS FROM THE KEY CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY RACES WE'RE WATCHING.

THAT'S 10:00 P.M.

RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS AND STREAMING ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS EVENING.

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

I'M RAVEN SANTANA, FOR THE ENTIRE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT, AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA, AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN MJEA MEMBER.