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

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

MORE INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT NJREALTOR.COM, AND BY THE BSA G FOUNDATION.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, WITH LANA FOR NOSY.

>> AT EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

BREAKING NEWS, THE MARKETS TUMBLED ONCE AGAIN TODAY, THE DOW DOWN 500 AT ONE POINT, ENDING THE DAY MORE THAN 250 POINTS DOWN.

THE MARKET REACTION TO THE CURRENT BANKING CRISIS.

BANK STOCKS AROUND THE WORLD TOOK A GLOBAL BEATING AS CREDIT SWEEPS CHAIRS AND SLID TO A NEW RECORD LOW AS ITS LARGEST INVESTOR SAID IT WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE BANK WITH MORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

EFFORTS EARLIER IN THE WEEK BY REGULATORS AND FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES TO EASE FEARS SPARKS BY LAST WEEK'S COLLAPSE AFTER SILICON VALLEY BANKS COLLAPSE, HAD BROUGHT THE BRIEF STABILITY TO THE MARKETS, BUT NOT TODAY.

THE ISSUES ARE NOW SPARKING A LARGER FEAR AND RE-EXAMINATION OF THE BANKING SYSTEMS AMONG INVESTORS HERE IN JERSEY AND OUR NATIONS CAPITAL.

CAUSING SENATORS MENENDEZ AND BOOKER TO JOIN US SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN IN INTRODUCING A BILL THAT WOULD REPEAL THE 2018 TRUMP ROLLBACK OF THE CRITICAL DODGE PROTECTIONS.

OUR RHONDA SCHAFFLER JOINS ME TO DISCUSS WHAT THIS ALL MEANS FOR INVESTORS IN THE STATE.

RHONDA, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A FEELING OF CONCERN SWIRLING AROUND THE BANKING SECTOR.

MARKETS TUMBLING TODAY.

BUT, IS THERE ANY ACTUAL EVIDENCE THAT FURTHER WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS ARE ON THE HORIZON?

>> WELL, THAT IS THE INHERENT FEAR THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON HERE, THAT THERE WILL BE MORE BANKS WITH PROBLEMS.

AND IN FACT TODAY, ANOTHER BANK, FIRST REPUBLIC BANK, WHO HAS DOWNGRADED BY SOME RATINGS AGENCIES OVER SOME CONCERNS WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL BANK.

YOU ARE HEARING DIFFERENT THINGS FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE, IN TERMS OF HOW WIDESPREAD A PROBLEM MIGHT BE, IF AT ALL.

THERE IS ALSO CONCERNS THAT LENDING REQUIREMENTS WILL GET STRICTER, THAT WILL IMPACT BANKS, BOTTOM LINE.

AND ALSO, THEIR ABILITY TO LEND.

>> WHAT ARE FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES DOING TO CONTAIN THE FALLOUT?

>> WE DID SEE THE FEDERAL RESERVE, TREASURY, AND FDIC MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT AND OFFER AN EMERGENCY LENDING FACILITY FOR CERTAIN BANKS.

IF SO, THAT SEEMED TO HELP EARLY ON, AND WE KNOW THAT HERE IN NEW JERSEY -- ESPECIALLY FOR TECH INVESTORS THAT WERE IMPACTED BY TO HELP STARTUPS AND ENTREPRENEURS.

SO, STEPS ARE UNDERWAY, AND IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, FEDERAL OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO INVESTIGATE AND SEE IF OTHER STEPS ARE NEEDED.

>> RHONDA, AS PEOPLE WATCH THIS, WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE ANY PANIC.

SO, MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, FOR SO MANY VIEWERS WATCHING, HOW SHOULD THE AVERAGE NEW JERSEY AND BE FEELING ABOUT THEIR INVESTMENTS AND BANK ACCOUNTS?

>> BANK ACCOUNTS ARE INSURED UP TO $250,000.

SO, FOR MOST PEOPLE, THEY SHOULD FEEL PRETTY COMFORTABLE ABOUT THEIR OWN BANK ACCOUNTS AND THE FACT THAT THEY ARE BACKED BY THE GOVERNMENT.

NOT ALL INVESTMENTS ARE INSURED BY THE GOVERNMENT, IF YOU INVEST IN STOCKS, FOR INSTANCE, THERE IS NO INSURANCE FOR THAT.

BUT CLEARLY, IF YOU ARE AN AVERAGE PERSON WITH THE AVERAGE AMOUNT SITTING IN A BANK ACCOUNT, YOU SHOULD NOT BE WORRYING.

>> WILL THERE BE ANY FURTHER IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY?

>> WELL, THAT IS KIND OF A SECONDARY WORRY THAT IS GOING ON HERE AT THE SAME TIME.

IF BANKS START TO PULL BACK ON THEIR LENDING, THAT DOES IMPACT THE ECONOMY.

AND TODAY, GOLDMAN SACHS ACTUALLY THOUGHT THE ECONOMIC GROWTH WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT LESS ROBUST.

SO, THERE IS CONCERNS THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN.

IT IS SOMETHING GOVERNOR MURPHY SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER THIS WEEK.

SO, SOMETHING THAT ALSO BEARS WATCHING.

>> RHONDA, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SHARE, OR YOU REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT THEY SEE HAPPENING AND UNFOLDING?

>> WELL, I WILL SAY FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT REMEMBER THE FINANCIAL CRISIS IN 2008, IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

THERE IS MORE REGULATIONS IN PLACE.

THERE IS NOW, PERHAPS, GOING TO BE EVEN DEEPER REGULATIONS, DEPENDING ON HOW THINGS GO WITH DISCUSSIONS IN WASHINGTON.

IF SO, IT IS EASY TO THINK BACK TO THAT TIME AND SAY, IS THIS THE EXACT SAME?

IT IS NOT, IT IS DIFFERENT.

BUT, ANYTIME THERE IS DISRUPTIONS IN THE BANKING SECTOR, IT IS CAUSE FOR SOME CONCERN AND THE HOPE IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ON TOP OF IT AND MAKES SURE THAT THINGS ARE BACK STOCKED, IF NEED BE.

>> SO, SOME CONCERN, BUT NOT PANIC.

THANK YOU, RHONDA.

>> THANKS, RAVEN.

>>> SUPPORT BY THE BUSINESS PROVIDED BY LOCAL 102, PROBABLY SERVING YOUR JERSEYS BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PASS, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> ALL EYES ARE ON TEXAS, WHERE A TRUMP APPOINTED JUDGE TODAY.

MORE THAN FOUR HOURS OF ARGUMENTS OVER A LAWSUIT SEEKING TO TAKE THE ABORTION PILL, MIFEPRISTONE, OFF THE MARKET.

A RULING COULD BAR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS FROM PRESCRIBING THE DRUG, EVEN IN STATES WHERE ABORTION IS LEGAL.

THE LAWSUIT BY ANTIABORTION GROUPS AIMS TO OVERTURN THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION'S MORE THAN TWO DECADE OLD APPROVAL OF THE ABORTION PILL.

MIFEPRISTONE IS PART OF A TWO DRUG REGIMEN THAT HAS BEEN THE STANDARD FOR MEDICATION ABORTION, AND IS USED IN MORE THAN HALF ABORTIONS IN THE U.S.

TYPICALLY, THE FDA'S DRUGS HAS GONE UNCHALLENGED.

BUT, MORE THAN A DOZEN STATES NOW HAVE LAWS RESTRICTING ABORTION, PROBABLY.

THE PILL, SPECIFICALLY, FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S SUPREME COURT DECISION, OVERTURNING ROE V WADE.

THE TEXAS JUDGE SAYS HE WILL RULE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED LATE YESTERDAY A HANDFUL OF STEPS TO TACKLE GUN CONTROL UNDER A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE DURING A TRIP TO MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA, THE SITE OF A MASS SHOOTING IN JANUARY, WHERE A GUNMAN KILLED 11 PEOPLE DURING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION FESTIVITIES AT A DANCE STUDIO.

THE ORDER SEEKS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF BACKGROUND CHECKS CONDUCTED DURING GUN SALES, AND REQUIRING UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT GARNERED PRAISE FROM A NUMBER OF LEGISLATORS AND GOVERNORS NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SHOWING HIS SUPPORT SAYING, "I AM ESPECIALLY PROUD TO SEE THE PRESIDENT MOVED TO USE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BUYING POWER TO PROMOTE GUN SAFETY PRINCIPLES.

I MADE NEW JERSEY THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO DO THIS AT THE STATE LEVEL, AND I WELCOME THIS STEP BY THE PRESIDENT TO MAKE IT PART OF OUR NATIONAL GUN SAFETY DIALOGUE."

THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE IS CHIEF OFFICER OF THE COUNTY'S EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

JUST THE FIVE LARGEST COUNTIES HERE IN THE STATE HAVE A COUNTY EXEC, ATLANTIC, BERGEN, IS SUSSEX, AND MERCER.

THE STATE CONSTITUTION MANDATES COUNTY VOTERS ELECT THESE POWERFUL FIGUREHEADS.

BUT, AS LONGTIME EXECS IN HUDSON AND MERCER ARE RETIRING, SOME ARE QUESTIONING IF THEIR SUCCESSORS HAVE BEEN ALL BUT BUTTONED UP.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ, REPORTS.

>> YOU STOP SOMEONE IN A COFFEE SHOP OR ON THE TRAIN, WHO IS YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER?

WHO IS YOUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE?

NINE OUT OF 10 PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU.

>> Reporter: ELAINA LYTLE, A LONGSHOT COUNTY EXECUTIVE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PRIMARY CANDIDATE IN HUDSON COUNTY, KNOWS THAT SHE HAS TO ANSWER TWO BIG QUESTIONS.

NUMBER ONE, WHO ARE YOU?

AND NUMBER TWO, WHAT IS A CATCHY EXECUTIVE?

THE SECOND ONE IS THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE IS KIND OF LIKE THE MAYOR OF YORK COUNTY, AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THEY USED TO BE CALLED FREEHOLDERS, ARE KIND OF LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL.

THERE ARE FIVE COUNTY EXECUTIVES IN NEW JERSEY.

HUDSON, BERGEN, ESSEX, MERCER, AND ATLANTIC.

MAN, YOU GET A LOT OF CONTROL OVER JOBS AND A BIG BUDGET, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THESE ARE BIG OFFICES.

THESE ARE BIG GOVERNMENTS.

IN OUR FIVE LARGEST COUNTIES, YES, THERE IS A BIG WORKFORCE IN EACH OF THOSE FIVE COUNTIES.

AND THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THAT WORKFORCE.

>> Reporter: FOR SAM BENSON, SERVING IN MERCER COUNTY SINCE 2011, THE PROSPECT OF MOVING FROM THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH TO THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH IN THE COUNTY WHERE HE ONCE SERVED AS A FREEHOLDER IS A NATURAL PROGRESSION.

>> YOU REALLY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A HANDS-ON ABILITY TO MAKE A REALLY BIG DIFFERENCE MERCER COUNTY IS ABOUT 375,000 PEOPLE, AND IT IS JUST AN AMAZING PLACE.

SO, WE HAVE THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME REAL GOOD AND THAT IS WHY I GOT INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY BUDGET IN MERCER IS AROUND $350 MILLION.

IN HUDSON, WERE DEMOCRAT CRAIG GUY, THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE CURRENT COUNTY EXEC, IS RUNNING AS THE PARTY'S CHOICE, IT IS OVER $600 MILLION.

THAT IS REAL MONEY, FOR PARKS, AND ROADS, AND UTILITIES, AND OTHER SERVICES.

IN MERCER COUNTY, WHERE DEMOCRATS DOMINATE, WHO WINS THE PRIMARY GENERALLY WINS THE GENERAL.

BUT, WHEN BENSON'S NOMINATION CAME AFTER AN OPEN PARTY CONVENTION, GUY'S NOMINATION IS A MORE INSIDE GAME, WHERE STRONG MAYORS LIKE BRIAN STACK OF UNION CITY, IN PHILIP OF JERSEY CITY, AT THE PARTY CHAIRPERSON HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON WHO GETS THE PARTY LINE, AND IT'S ESTIMATED 30 POINT ADVANTAGE.

>> I THINK THE ISSUE OF THE LINE GETS CLOUDED, SOMETIMES.

BUT, LET'S FACE IT, THESE MAYORS GET ELECTED.

THEY DON'T SHOW UP AND GET APPOINTED, AND THEN START DESIGNATING THEIR FRIENDS AS POTENTIAL CANDIDATES.

>> Reporter: BUT, WHY NOT HAVE A CONVENTION, LIKE THEY DO IN MERCER?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, MERCER HAS THEIR PROCESS, HUDSON HAS THEIRS.

YOU KNOW, AGAIN, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MERCER.

BUT, I ALSO KNOW THAT HUDSON'S POLICY IN REGARDS TO THE LINE, I BELIEVE, IS A SOUND POLICY.

>> THE CHAIRS AND THE MAYOR, TRADITIONALLY, IN HUDSON COUNTY MAKE DECISIONS BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.

SO, YOU END UP WITH A ROOM OF 15 DUDES, STEREOTYPICAL, SMOKE-FILLED BACK ROOM MAKING THE DECISIONS ABOUT WHO GETS THE PARTY LINE.

>> WHETHER IT IS THE COUNTY CHAIRMAN WHO IS DECIDING CONTROL, WHO IS MAKING HIS DECISION FOR HIMSELF OR HERSELF, THEN THAT IS WHERE IT GETS RIPE FOR ABUSE AND RIPE FOR CRITICISM, BECAUSE IT IS NOT A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

>> Reporter: IN VERY BLUE HUDSON, THOUGH, GUY SAYS PARTY VOTERS ARE GETTING EXACTLY WHAT THEY SAY THEY WANT, EVEN IF THERE HASN'T BEEN A FORMAL HEADCOUNT.

>> I CONSIDER MYSELF A DEMOCRAT WITH PROGRESSIVE VALUES, YOU KNOW?

I AM A JOE BIDEN DEMOCRAT.

>> Reporter: WHETHER THOSE TWO ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE IS A WHOLE OTHER CONVERSATION FOR DEMOCRATS.

THE KIND OF THING THAT MIGHT HAPPEN AT A PARTY CONVENTION, OR AT A CANDIDATES DEBATE.

NEITHER OF WHICH HAPPENED, OR WILL HAPPEN THIS YEAR, OR THERE.

AND THAT MEANS, AS ALWAYS IN THE END, IT IS UP TO YOU TO DECIDE.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> CHECK OUT CHAT BOX TOMORROW NIGHT WITH DAVID CRUZ, WHERE HE TALKS WITH SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AHEAD FOR THIS SENATE, INCLUDING THE RECENT BANK FAILURES, THE LOOMING DEBT CEILING VOTE, AND THE POTENTIAL AND IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY.

WATCH THAT AT THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL AT 6:30 P.M. OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

>>> BROKEN HANDRAILS AND FLY AS INFESTATIONS ARE AMONG THE HORROR STATE OFFICIALS FOUND AT A CHERRY HILL NURSING HOME IN LATE 2021.

A YEAR LATER AND AID WAS ACCUSED OF KICKING A RESIDENT TO LAY ON THE FLOOR.

THE HOME, SOBER HEALTHCARE CENTER, IS OWNED BY AN LLC WITH A DOZEN OFFICERS, INCLUDING BENJAMIN MANDA.

HE IS A LONG ISLAND NEW YORK MAN WHO OWNS AT LEAST 130 NURSING HOMES NATIONWIDE, AND IS BEING SUED BY NEW YORK STATE FOR FRAUD, ABUSE, AND NEGLECT.

HE IS ALSO CONNECTED WITH AT LEAST TWO NEW JERSEY FACILITIES, INCLUDING HOMESTEAD REHABILITATION IN SUSSEX COUNTY, WHICH HAS DRAWN MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS.

IS THE STATE EQUIPPED TO INVESTIGATE AND REGULATE THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY?

OUR HEALTHCARE REPORTER, LILO STAYTON, HAS BEEN DIGGING INTO THAT, AND JOINS ME NOW.

LILO, THESE SITUATIONS YOU ARE REPORTING ON ARE JUST HORRIFIC, WHEN I READ THEM.

YOU KNOW, EVERYONE JUST TURNING A BLIND EYE?

IS IT STAFF SHORTAGES?

WHO IN THE STATE IS POLICING THESE HOMES?

LIKE, I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

>> Reporter: I HAVE TO SAY, I ACTUALLY FEEL FOR THE REGULATORS.

I THINK THEY MUST BE FEELING SOME SORT OF PTSD AFTER SEEING THIS.

AND I FEEL FOR THE STAFF BECAUSE YOU CANNOT WORK IN THAT KIND OF CONDITION OR SEE THAT DAY AFTER DAY AND FEEL OKAY ABOUT IT.

I MEAN, THERE ARE DEFINITELY STAFFING SHORTAGES, THERE ARE A LOT OF CHALLENGES FOR THE INDUSTRY.

BUT, THERE ARE PEOPLE WATCHING AND I THINK THAT THE STATE REPORTS EXIST, THE STATE IS DOING INSPECTIONS.

THE QUESTION IS, IS IT ENOUGH?

IS IT ENOUGH TO CATCH PEOPLE BEFORE THERE IS A PROBLEM?

OR, IS IT JUST FINDING IT AFTER-THE-FACT?

>> RIGHT, ABSOLUTELY.

AND WHAT TYPES OF STAFF CHALLENGES ARE THESE FACILITIES EXPERIENCING?

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT STAFF ISSUES, IN GENERAL?

>> Reporter: WELL, THIS HAS BEEN THE COMPLAINT.

AS WE KNOW, IT IS A COMPLAINT FOR EVERY INDUSTRY, RIGHT?

WHETHER YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT RETAIL OR, YOU KNOW, TRUCKING, THERE'S ALL KINDS OF INDUSTRIES THAT ARE FACING CHALLENGES.

HEALTHCARE HAS A HUGE PROBLEM.

NURSING HOMES ARE AMONG THE WORST IN THAT GROUP.

SO, IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

BUT, YOU KNOW, ON THE OTHER HAND, PEOPLE SAY IF THEY WERE ONLY PAYING PEOPLE MORE, YOU WOULD GET PEOPLE APPLYING FOR THESE JOBS.

YOU KNOW, YOU STILL NEED TRAINING, YOU STILL NEED LICENSING, SO IT IS NOT AN IMMEDIATE FIX.

BUT, WAGES ARE AN ISSUE.

>> BUT, HERE'S THE THING.

WE KNOW THAT SOMEONE HAS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, AND WE KNOW THAT BENJAMIN MANDA AND ASSOCIATES HAVE BEEN CITED MULTIPLE TIMES FOR SERIOUS DEFICIENCY.

SO, HOW ARE THESE FACILITIES IS STILL OPEN?

>> Reporter: WELL, I THINK ONE ANSWER IS, THE QUESTION IS, HOW BAD ARE THINGS, AND WHERE DO PEOPLE GO?

I MEAN, PEOPLE CONSTANTLY SAY TO ME, YOU KNOW, IT IS HARD FOR THE STATE TO CLOSE SAW AT WOODLAND UP IN SUSSEX COUNTY.

>> RIGHT.

>> Reporter: YOU KNOW, WHERE DO YOU PUT 300 PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS HEALTH NEEDS, IN A TIME WHEN THERE ARE SHORTAGES ALL AROUND?

BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO MR. MENDEL'S CASE, HAS FILED CHARGES AGAINST HIM.

SO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THE COURT IS NECESSARY, I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT IS WORKING IN NEW YORK, THAT PROCESS IS PLAYING OUT IN COURT NOW.

>> VERY UNFORTUNATE.

HOPEFULLY, WE WILL SEE LEGISLATION THAT CAN PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THIS.

LILO STAYTON, AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR REPORTING.

KEEP US UPDATED ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> FOR MORE ON THE STATE OF NURSING HOMES HERE IN JERSEY, CHECK OUT HEALTH WRITER, LILO STAYTON'S REPORTING, AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> ALL WORK, NO PAY, THAT IS THE REALITY FOR MANY LATINAS IN NEW JERSEY.

A NEW REPORT FINDS THE STATE RANKS 49th ON PAY EQUITY FOR LATINAS, WHO MAKE, ON AVERAGE, $.45 FOR EVERY DOLLAR A NON-HISPANIC, WHITE MAN EARNS.

AND EVEN THOUGH LATINOS MAKE UP NEARLY 10% OF THE OVERALL WORK HORSE HERE IN THE STATE, MANY ARE STRUGGLING WITH LOW WAGES, A LACK OF ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AND CHILDCARE, AND VIRTUALLY NO TIME OR MONEY TO DO ANYTHING OTHER THAN WORK AND CARE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER EXPLAINS WHY THAT IS, AND WHAT LIFE IS LIKE FOR SOME OF NEW JERSEY'S LOWEST PAID WORKERS.

>> NOT LEARNING, HAVING TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE, IT WAS TAUGHT IN SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: A MAJOR CHALLENGE FOR LORENZI APPARATUS FACED AFTER MOVING TO NEW JERSEY FROM MEXICO AT 6 YEARS OLD.

SHE EVENTUALLY LEARNED ENGLISH, GRADUATED FROM SCHOOL, AND IS NOW A MOM HERSELF.

AFTER BEING OUT OF A JOB FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, SHE IS READY TO GET OBSTACLE.

>> TRYING TO FIND THE RIGHT JOB THAT HAS A GOOD HOUR, SO I DON'T HAVE TO BE AWAY FROM MY KIDS AND CAN BE THERE FOR THEM.

BECAUSE TWO OF THEM GO TO SCHOOL.

SO, I HAVE TO MANAGE MYSELF TO BE THERE AND, I DON'T KNOW.

IT WILL BE A LOT.

>> Reporter: IT IS JUST ONE MAJOR HURDLE IMPACTING MANY LATINAS ACROSS THE GARDEN STATES, IN THEIR SEARCH FOR GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT.

ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT FROM THE RUTGERS CENTER FOR WOMEN IN WORK, LATINAS HERE FACE ONE OF THE HIGHEST WAGE GAPS IN THE COUNTRY.

NEW JERSEY RANKING 49th OUT OF ALL 50 STATES.

>> NEW JERSEY IS A LEADER IN A LOT OF THINGS, RIGHT?

AND FOLKS REALLY THINK THAT WE ARE SUCH A PROGRESSIVE STATE, WE HAVE ALL OF THESE WONDERFUL THINGS HAPPENING.

BUT, TWO THINGS CAN BE TRUE AT ONCE.

>> Reporter: LINDA RIVERA IS THE LEAD AUTHOR OF THE REPORTS.

SHE SAYS THAT ALTHOUGH LATINOS MAKE UP ABOUT 9% OF SOME OF THE STATES MOST ESSENTIAL AND FRONT-LINE JOBS, MANY ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY, ONLY MAKING ABOUT $27,000-$30,000 A YEAR.

THAT IS ABOUT $.45 FOR EVERY DOLLAR A NON-HISPANIC, WHITE MAN EARNS.

BUT, RIVERA SAYS THAT THE DISPARITIES ARE WORSE FOR LATINO IMMIGRANTS.

>> ALSO, A LOT OF THE WOMEN DID FACE SOME DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES AND TALKED TO US ABOUT THAT.

A LOT OF THEM TALKED ABOUT ENGLISH PROFICIENCY BEING A BARRIER.

ACCESS TO CHILDCARE WAS A REALLY LARGE BARRIER.

AND THE ONE THING THAT DID SURPRISE US, WAS TRANSPORTATION WAS ALSO A BARRIER THAT WAS CITED.

SO, WE SEE THAT THESE WOMEN ARE CLUSTERED IN LOW-WAGE SECTORS, THUS CREATING THE CONDITIONS TO MAKE THE PAY GAP THAT MUCH BIGGER.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHY RIVERA SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE HISPANIC WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER.

EMPLOYEES AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE HAVE, FOR YEARS, BEEN GIVEN LATINAS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, WE COULD HAVE A HISPANIC WOMAN WHO COMES HERE BECAUSE YOU WANT HELP FINDING A JOB, BUT THEN WHEN WE YOU ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED AND WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING, IT MIGHT BE THAT THEY ARE ALSO FACING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, OR THEY ARE FACING HOUSE INSECURITY.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT BE FACING.

BUT, THE PROGRAM REALLY HELPS THEM TO, LIKE I SAID, BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT.

SO, WE HELP THEM, LET'S SAY THEY WANT TO FIND A JOB, THEY WANT TO START A CAREER, THEY NEED HELP JUST BUILDING A RESUME, TAKING ESL CLASSES --WHICH IS ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASS.

>> Reporter: SERVICES PEREZ IS THANKFUL ARE AVAILABLE.

>> THANKS TO THIS ORGANIZATION, I AM IN SCHOOL TO BE A DENTAL ASSISTANT, WHICH I'M SO GLAD, BECAUSE I AM GOING TO FINISH IN MAY, AND HOPEFULLY I GET TO FIND A JOB IN A DENTAL ASSISTANT COURSE.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY EXPANDING FUNDING TO PROVIDE MORE ACCESS TO RESOURCES LIKE THE ONES OFFERED IN THE CENTER, COULD BE A GOOD START TO CLOSING THE PAY GAP AND A CLOSER STEP TO GIVING LATINAS THE ACUITY THEY DESERVE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> FEDERAL REGULATORS TOOK A MAJOR STEP ON TUESDAY TOWARD KEEPING TOXIC FROM THE CHEMICALS OUT OF THE DRINKING WATER.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS PROPOSED A DRINKING WATER STANDARD OF JUST FOUR PARTS PER TRILLION FOR THE CHEMICALS PFOA AND PFOS, THE CURRENT LOWEST LEVELS THAT TECHNOLOGY CAN MEASURE.

THE COMPOUNDS ARE PART OF A LARGER FAMILY OF CHEMICALS KNOWN AS PFAS, WHICH HAVE BEEN USED FOR A WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR DECADES.

MOUNTING RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THESE CHEMICALS TO BE LINKED TO CANCER AND OTHER HEALTH RISKS.

THE EPA HAS ALSO PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOR FOUR OTHER LESS COMMON PFAS, INCLUDING PFNA, WHICH HAS BEEN FIND OUT HIGH LEVELS, IN GLOUCESTER COUNTY.

NEW JERSEY ALREADY HAS ESTATE DRINKING WATER STANDARDS IN EFFECT FOR THE CHEMICALS, BUT THE EPA PROPOSAL IS STRICTER AND WILL TAKE PRECEDENCE IF APPROVED.

FOR MORE ABOUT THE WORK TO GET PFAS OUT OF NEW JOHN HURDLE'S REPORTING AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> A FAMOUS COOKIE FACTORY IS ABOUT TO CRUMBLE.

THE NABISCO PLANT IN FREMONT IS NOW SLATED FOR IMPLOSION ON APRIL 15th AFTER CLOSING ITS DOORS ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS RESIDENCE IN GLEN ROCK ARE RAISING CONCERNS OVER THE SAFETY OF THE DEMOLITION.

TED GOLDBERG SPOKE WITH PRESIDENT OF THE IRIS PARK NEIGHBORHOOD WHO LIVED IN THE SHADOW OF THE TOWER, AND ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER THE PLAN IS SAFE.

>> Reporter: OVER 60 YEARS TOWERING OVER FAIRMONT, THE FORMER NABISCO PLANT HAS EXACTLY ONE MONTH LEFT.

DEMOLITION CREWS ARE TEARING APART THIS BUILDING, BEFORE AN IMPLOSION CRUSHES THE REST OF THIS FAMOUS COOKIE FACTORY.

>> I REMEMBER GOING THERE FOR SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, A BIG PART OF GROWING UP HERE WAS THAT FRESH SNOW, OF FRESH BAKED COOKIES.

>> YOU HAD THAT SWEET SMELL OF BAKING COOKIES HERE, A LITTLE BIT OF AN ATTRACTION.

IT IS MISSED, BUT WHATEVER.

NOW, >> Reporter: JOHN MULHOLLAND LIDS ON IRISH CIRCLE, THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CLOSEST TO THE PLANT.

LIKE MANY OF THE FOLKS WHO LIVE HERE, HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT MIGHT GET KICKED UP IN THE AIR DURING THE IMPLOSION.

>> EVERYBODY VERBALLY SAID, YES, EVERYBODY IS FINE, THERE IS NO IS BEST IS, THERE IS NO THIS, THERE IS NO THAT.

THIS BUILDING IS ENORMOUS, IT WAS BUILT IN 1958, AND IT IS LOADED WITH ASBESTOS.

WHY ANYBODY SAID THAT THERE ISN'T, IS, YOU KNOW, FOOLISH.

SHAME ON YOU.

>> Reporter: MULHOLLAND SAYS THERE WAS A MEETING IN JANUARY WHERE A CONTRACTOR TOLD RESIDENTS THAT THERE WAS NO ASBESTOS IN THAT BUILDING.

>> WE WENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, WE WENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ON OUR OWN, BECAUSE WE WEREN'T GETTING ANSWERS AND WE DID OUR OWN INVESTIGATION AND WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS ASBESTOS, AND WE STILL UNSURE ABOUT HOW IT IS BEING MONITORED.

>> THEY CONTRACT OUT TO AN ASBESTOS SPECIALIST TO REMOVE IT.

IT IS NOT THE DEVELOPERS DOING IT, THEMSELVES.

AND AS THE TO FILE REPORTS WITH OUR BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND WITH THE STATE.

AND WHAT OUR DEPARTMENT WILL DO, TOO, AS THEY WILL GO TO THE FACILITY AND TO CHECKUPS.

>> Reporter: KURT PELUSO WAS THE MAYOR OF FAIRMONT.

HE SAYS GREEK DEVELOPMENT, WHICH OWNS THE PROPERTY WHERE THE PLANT IS, FOLLOWED STATE LAW AND HIRED A COMPANY TO REMEDIATE THE ASBESTOS.

GREEK DEVELOPMENT DIDN'T SUBMIT RAW DATA, BUT THEY GAVE A REPORT STATING, UNDER PENALTY OF LAW, THAT THE BUILDING IS FREE OF ASBESTOS.

IN RESPONSE TO THIS STORY, THEY TELL US THE ASBESTOS WAS PROPERLY DISPOSED OF, WITH ALL PROPER DOCUMENTATION.

CARUSO UNDERSTANDS WHY PEOPLE IN GLEN ROCK ARE UPSET, BUT SAYS THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION HAS PROVIDED PLENTY OF INFORMATION.

>> THEY WEREN'T WATCHING OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS, READING UP ON OUR MINUTES.

SO, WE KIND OF ASSISTED THEM AND PROVIDED A LOT MORE INFORMATION.

WE GAVE THEM A FACT SHEET THAT IS ON THEIR WEBSITE, WHICH IS ALSO ON OURS, WHICH IS GENERALLY, CONSTANTLY UPDATED BASED ON WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> Reporter: SHUMAN JANE ALSO BIDS ON IRISH CIRCLE.

HE SAYS THAT DATA ISN'T ENOUGH, AND HE HAS ALREADY SEEN DAMAGE TO HIS HOME BECAUSE OF THE DEMOLITION.

>> WE HAVE SEEN THE CRACKS IN THE FLOOR, IN THE WALLS.

NOT JUST MY HOUSE, THAT IS NEXT TO HERE, MANY HOUSES IN THIS COMPLEX YOU ARE FACING THIS ISSUE.

>> Reporter: JANE'S HOUSE IS PRACTICALLY NEXT TO THE PLANT.

HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS AFTER THE IMPLOSION HAPPENS.

>> IF THIS CONTINUES, THE AIR QUALITY AFTER THE IMPLOSION, IT WILL BE SAFE.

>> IS GOING TO BE SOMEWHAT DANGEROUS.

NO ONE IS GOING TO BE ALLOWED TO BE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF THAT.

>> Reporter: FOR HOW LONG?

>> YOU KNOW, THEY ARE SAYING AN HOUR.

BUT TO ME, THAT SOUNDS A LITTLE FOOLISH.

>> SOME WILL ASKED TO EVACUATE, SOME WILL BE ASKED TO HUNKER DOWN.

WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE WILL BE GOING, OR WHERE WE WILL BE OUT.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS ONLY HAVE A MONTH TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT COULD AFFECT THEIR HOMES AND THEIR HEALTH.

IN GLEN ROCK, 10 GOLDBERG.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SOME SAD NEWS TONIGHT, FORMER STATE SENATOR RON RICE HAS PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 77.

RICE, WHO WAS A LONGTIME CIVIL RIGHTS ICON AND A WELL-KNOWN NEWARK DEMOCRAT SERVED AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT FOR 40 YEARS, INCLUDING 36 IN THE SENATE.

RICE, A FORMER U.S. MARINE, IS ONE OF THE STATES LONGEST-SERVING LEGISLATORS, BEFORE RESIGNING FROM HIS POSITION, TWO YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF HIS WIFE, SHIRLEY, IN AUGUST OF 2020.

HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS TWO CHILDREN.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT YOU CAN NOW LISTEN TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS ANYTIME, VIA PODCAST WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD IT AND CHECK US OUT.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS, ALONG WITH NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, TO KEEP UP WITH ALL OF THE LATEST NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

FOR THE ENTIRE, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT, AND WE WILL SEE >> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

R WJ BARNABAS HEALTH --LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND HORSE THAT -- COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE, CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> I AM McMANUS.

2023 PRESIDENT OF NEW JERSEY REALTORS.

WHETHER IT IS HELPING A FAMILY FIND THEIR PERFECT HOME OR SECURING A SPACE FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, NEW JERSEY REALTORS HAS BEEN HELPING OUR CLIENTS ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY.

NO MATTER WHAT YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS ARE, THERE IS A REALTOR FOR YOU.

FIND YOUR REALTOR AT NJ.REAL ESTATE/FIND.