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

AND, HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING, AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANNA VANNOZI THE TEMPORARY HOLD ON JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE MAY LAST UP TO 10 DAYS AFTER A PANEL OF EXPERT ADVISERS AT THE CDC DETERMINED THEY NEED MORE TIME TO INVESTIGATE THE LINK TO A RARE, BUT DANGEROUS BLOOD CLOTTING DISORDER.

IT IS STILL UNCLEAR JUST ONE AFFECT THAT DECISION WILL HAVE ON THE WIDESPREAD ROLLOUT.

THE ONE-SHOT VACCINE WAS CONSIDERED KEY TO A METALLIZING HOMEBOUND AND HARD-TO-REACH COMMUNITIES.

THIS, AS THE CEO OF PFIZER SAYS PEOPLE WILL LIKELY NEED A THIRD DOSE, IMPOSTER WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF BEING FULLY VACCINATED.

AND IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THIS WILL BECOME AN ANNUAL EVENT.

ACROSS THE STATE TODAY, MORE THAN 5.7 MILLION TOTAL SHOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS, AND ABOUT 2.3 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA ARE IN THE MIDST OF EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES.

TO SEE IF THAT THIRD SHOT CAN WARD OFF THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS MUTATED VERSIONS OF THE VIRUS.

THE STATE IS ASSUMING VARIANCE ARE THE PREVALENT STRAIN RIGHT NOW WITH ANOTHER 3400 CASES BEING REPORTED TODAY, AND 47 MORE CONFIRMED DEATHS.

BUT, IT IS TOUGH TO KNOW FOR SURE.

VARIANT TESTING IS STILL LIMITED.

TONIGHT, SR.

CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES US INSIDE ONE OF THE FEW LABS IN THE REGION ABLE TO RAPIDLY TEST COVID-19 SAMPLES FOR THE VARIANCE, AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR OUR PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> THE ABILITY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS GOING TO COMPLETELY CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE.

>> Reporter: LISA McCARLEY SHOWED US THE GAME CHANGER AT CONSOLIDATED LABS.

A TESTER OF THE COURSE CORONAVIRUS VARIANCE I CAN YIELD RESULTS WITHIN FOUR HOURS INSTEAD OF SEVERAL DAYS.

IT IS QUICKLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE HEALTH OFFICIALS FEAR NEW CASES CAUSED BY MUTATED COVERED STRANDS COULD BE DRIVING UP HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS, PARTICULARLY, THE INFECTIOUS UK VARIANT, B117.

>> THIS VARIANT IS ASSOCIATED WITH A 50% INCREASE TRANSMISSION, AND LIKELY INCREASED SEVERITY BASED ON HOSPITALIZATIONS AND FATALITY RATES.

>> THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW IS UNDERSTANDING WHAT THESE VARIANTS ARE, AND THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE DOING A VERY SMALL NUMBER OF THESE TESTS TO DETERMINE VARIANCE.

>> Reporter: ATLANTIC CEO SAYS JERSEY WAS ONLY TESTING TWO WAS IN A POSITIVE COVER TEST TO IDENTIFY DIFFERENT STRAINS.

BUT, ATLANTIC FLAP COULD ESSENTIALLY ADD 1000 VARIANT TEST RESULTS A DAY.

RIGHT NOW, IT'S PROCESSING ABOUT 50 POSITIVE COVERT TESTS DAILY FROM WITHIN ATLANTIC 500 HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND DOCTORS OFFICES.

FIRST, SYMBOLS GET VETTED TO THIS MACHINE MADE BY THE SOUTH KOREAN FIRM, CG TO EXTRACT PIECES OF THE VIRUS'S GENETIC MATERIAL.

THAT IS THEN INSERTED INTO A SECOND PROCESS, AND USING A TEST McFARLAND DEVELOPED, THE LAB SEARCHES FOR EVIDENCE OF SPECIFIC COVERED STRANDS TRADE ON THIS GRAPH, THE MUTATION AND 501 Y SHOWS UP IN RED, LIKE A RED FLAG.

>> IS POSITIVE FOR THREE OF THE TARGETS THAT ARE WE ARE TARGETED SPECIFICALLY FOR UK.

>> SO THAT IS POSITIVE FOR A VARIANT QUESTION MY >> CORRECT.

FOR A UK VARIANT.

>> IF YOU ASKED LAB FOR YOUR TEST RESULTS THEY ARE GOING TO TELL YOU BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT CHANGE HER TREATMENT.

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND VACCINE RESEARCH.

>> WILL PROBABLY SEQUENCE ABOUT 80 TO 90% OF OUR POSITIVE NOTIFICATIONS.

THE ABILITY TO KNOW AND, IT ALLOWS US TO ACTUALLY BE A PART OF RESEARCH STUDIES THAT WILL POTENTIALLY DETERMINE WHAT ROLE OF TREATMENT WILL ACTUALLY PLAY, ESPECIALLY IN THINGS LIKE TREATMENT.

>> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DETECT YOU KNOW, THE EMERGENCE OF YOU KNOW, THESE NEW VARIANCE AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.

AND THIS GIVES US A GOOD SENSE OF WHAT PROPORTIONALLY WE ARE SEEING NOT ONLY HERE IN NEW JERSEY, BUT NATIONWIDE.

>> Reporter: WITH TESTING SUMMITTED, JERZY HAS MANAGED TO CONFIRM 1307 COVID VARIANCE.

THE VAST MAJORITY, 1114 ARE THE UK STRAIN AND MOST OF THOSE WERE IN MONMOUTH COUNTY'S PROTESTS DETECTED FAR FEWER OF THE NEW YORK BRAZILIAN, AND SOUTH AFRICAN VARIANCE, BUT ALL NUMBERS ARE SMALL, THEY ARE GROWING RAPIDLY.

MEANWHILE, MODERNA AND PFIZER ARE PREPARING CLINICAL TRIALS OF MODIFIED VACCINES TAILORED TO NEW MUTATIONS.

THESE TESTS CAN HELP INFORM THAT EFFORT.

EXPLAINS HOLY NAMES, DR. ADAM JARRETT.

>> IMMUNITY IS NOT BLACK AND WHITE.

YOU DON'T HAVE IMMUNITY YES, OR NOT HAVE IMMUNITY, NO.

THE VARIANCE MAY BE IMPACTING SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE LESS IMMUNITY.

>> WILL IT HELP SCIENTISTS DETERMINE THE MAGNITUDE OF THESE VARIANTS, AND WHETHER OR NOT SOME OF THESE VACCINES HAVE TO CHANGE?

AND WITH THE VIRUSES?

PROBABLY.

>> ATLANTA, STILL WORKING OUT A WAY TO CHANNEL ITS COVID VARIANCE TEST RESULTS INTO THE STATES DATABASE SO AS HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH, WHICH IS CONDUCTING A SIMILAR PROGRAM USING ITS OWN COVID VARIANT TEST.

NEW JERSEY HEALTH OFFICIALS HOPE TO BOOST COVID VARIANT TESTING BY 5% OF POSITIVE CASES BY THIS WEEK.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FROM TESTING FOR VARIANCE, TO TESTING THE STRENGTH ABOUT THE VACCINE, HOW DO YOU KNOW FOR SURE THE SHOP YOU WERE GIVEN ARE WORKING?

NEWBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER IN PARAMUS IS NOW OFFERING THE FIRST VACCINE IMMUNITY RESPONSE TEST IN THE STATE.

IT CHECKS TO SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIBODIES DEVELOPING PROTECTION FROM THE DIVERSE BIT IT WORKS SIMILAR TO A REGULAR ANTIBODY TEST THAT CAN DETECT STIMULATED BY VACCINES.

RESULTS TAKE THREE HOURS AND PEOPLE SHOULD WAIT AT LEAST 15 DAYS AFTER THEY ARE FULLY IMMUNIZED TO GET TESTED.

IT HAS RECEIVED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FDA, BUT YOU NEED A DOCTORS ORDER TO GET ONE.

AFTER RECENT SPIKES IN GUN VIOLENCE BOTH IN THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY LAID OUT A DOZEN NEW GUN CONTROL MEASURES THAT COMBINES LEGISLATION AND EXECUTIVE ACTIONS SAYING THEY WILL SOLIDIFY NEW JERSEY STANDING AS HAVING THE TOUGHEST RESTRICTIONS IN THE NATION.

AMONG THE PROPOSALS, THE STATE WOULD REQUIRE FIREARM SAFETY TRAINING FOR ANYONE APPLYING FOR A PERMIT.

RAISE THE MINIMUM AGE TO PURCHASE ALL FIREARMS TO 21.

REQUIRE ELECTRONIC RECORD- KEEPING TO TRACE EVERY ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION, AND BAN THE SALES OF ALL 50 CALIBER FIREARMS.

THE GOVERNORS IS ALSO DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT TO REFORM ACTIVE SHOOTER JUST TO MINIMIZE TRAUMA.

HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AND WORK WELL POINTING TO STATISTICS SHOWING CITIES ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE.

HALF OF THE STATES GUN RELATED DEATHS LAST YEAR CAME FROM JUST FIVE CITIES.

AND PROPOSED $10 MILLION FROM THE STATE BUDGET TO INVEST IN GROUP VIOLENCE INTERVENTION.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS A CRIME GUN PROBLEM.

NOT A RESPONSIBLE GUN OWNER PROBLEM.

VIRTUALLY ALL OF THE ACTIONS THAT I HAVE OUTLINED ARE FOCUSED ON THE CRIME GUN PROBLEM.

WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE AN ISSUE OF RACIAL JUSTICE.

ARE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, I NEED NOT TELL YOU HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY THE ONGOING GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC.

THESE ACTIONS TODAY ARE TARGETED AT THESE COMMUNITIES WHO NEED OUR HELP THE MOST.

>> JOINING ME NOW IS SOMEONE WHO HAS FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE WITH THAT.

AQUILLA SHERELL IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STREET TEAM, THE CITY'S COMMUNITY-BASED VIOLENCE REDUCTION INITIATIVE.

>> I WANT TO START FIRST WITH SOMETHING YOU SET UP THE GOVERNORS ABOUT EARLIER TODAY ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

HE SAID IT IS NOT ABOUT THE ABSENCE OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME, BUT ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF SUPPORTING PEOPLE.

WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> WHAT I MEANT BY THAT, IS THAT FAR TOO OFTEN IN THIS COUNTRY, WHEN WE GO AND THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, WE THINK ABOUT CRIME STATS.

AND CRIME STATS SAYS NOTHING ABOUT WHETHER PEOPLE FEEL SAFE OR NOT IN COMMUNITIES.

THIS IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME.

IT'S ALSO THE PRESENCE OF WELL- BEING IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACE.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY THAT ALWAYS HAS THE TOUGHEST GUN LAWS ON THE BOOKS.

WHERE ARE WE MISSING THE MARK QUESTION MARK ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE BACKDROP OF SOME INCIDENTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN STATE THIS WEEK, NOT TO MENTION NATIONALLY.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT ALL THE PIECES THAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED TODAY ARE REALLY POWERFUL PIECES.

THEY ARE IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF OUR COORDINATED PUBLIC SAFETY STRATEGY BUT, WE HAVE NOT.

I DON'T KNOW IF HAVING TO SPEND THE POLITICAL WILL TO INVEST DEEPLY IN COMMUNITY-BASED SOLUTIONS.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW.

OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS, WE'VE HAD SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF DECREASES IN HOMICIDE IN OVERALL VIOLENCE.

AND THIS IS BECAUSE OF OUR COORDINATED STRATEGY IN THE CITY.

THE NEWARK COMMUNITY STREET TEAM PROVIDES A COMPLIMENT OR A STRATEGY TO POLICING.

NOT ALTERNATIVE, A COMPLIMENT OR A STRATEGY.

RIGHT?

WHEN YOU TRAIN RESIDENCE AS PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MEDIATION AND DE-ESCALATION STRATEGIES, AND THEY ARE WORKING TO GET THE PUBLIC HEALTH, THEY CAN STEP IN AND MEDIATE CONFLICTS TO A PEACEFUL OUTCOME BEFORE THE POLICE GET THERE.

RIGHT?

AND SO, THIS IS THE OVERALL STRATEGY, IS THAT WE HAVE TO INVEST IN RESIDENT BASED SOLUTIONS BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE FRONTLINE EXPERIENCING THE HIGHEST IMPACT AND VIOLENCE IN CRIME IN OUR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.

>> SO WHEN YOU'RE SITTING THERE LISTENING TO THE GOVERNOR RUN THROUGH THAT LIST OF EIGHT PROPOSALS, DOES IT HAVE THE RIGHT NOTES?

AND IS IT ENOUGH OF AN INVESTMENT IN TEAMS LIKE YOURS?

>> I THINK THAT HITS THE RIGHT NOTE IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW, THE BILLS.

THEY ARE ALL IMPORTANT, BUT IN TERMS OF INVESTMENT, $10 MILLION IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

BUT, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT 9 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY, AND YOU THINK ABOUT PATTERSON AND JERSEY CITY, AND TRENTON AND CAMDEN, AND YOU KNOW, HILLSIDE AND ELIZABETH, COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED HIGH LEVELS OF VIOLENCE, IT'S A DROP IN THE BUCKET.

RIGHT?

AND SO, YOU HEARD THE CHALLENGE THE GOVERNOR AND THE MAYOR TO MAKE A LARGER INVESTMENT I MIKE, WE NEED $10 BILLION.

RIGHT?

AND I'M NOT BEING FACETIOUS WHEN I SAY THAT.

RIGHT?

WE ARE AT AN INFLECTION POINT IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE PUBLIC EXECUTION OF GEORGE FLOYD SIGNAL TO US THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOULD NEVER AGAIN BE A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT FOR SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> HOW DO YOU ENVISION THIS CHANGING?

AND DOING IT IN A WAY THAT MAKES MEANINGFUL IMPACT IN A MORE CONDENSED PERIOD OF TIME?

>> WHEN WE HEAR ABOUT COMMUNITY- BASED PUBLIC SAFETY MOST OF THE TIME, WE THINK ABOUT INTERRUPT OTHERS OR CRISIS INTERVENTION OR STRAIGHT OUTREACH, BUT WE DO MORE THAN THAT.

WE HAVE A TRAUMA RECOVERY CENTER WILL WE PROVIDE WELLNESS SERVICES TO FOLKS.

WE WATCH THE CITY'S FIRST HOSPITAL FINEST INTERVENTION PROGRAM WE HAVE PROGRAM WORKERS EMBEDDED IN THE TRAUMA HOSPITAL.

WE MEET THEM BEDSIDE, CONSENT THE MENTOR PROGRAM CAN DEVELOP SAFETY PLAN SO WHEN THEY TRANSITION BACK INTO THE COMMITTEE, YOU KNOW, WE ARE ABLE TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE REAL ISSUES, BECAUSE THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF, YOU KNOW THERE'S A PRETTY HIGH-LEVEL THRESHOLD IN TERMS OF ARRESTING PROSECUTION WHEN IT COMES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, SO THEY CAN ALWAYS CATCH THE PERPETRATOR.

AND IT'S OUR JOB TO BE ABLE TO FILL IN THOSE GAPS.

YOU LITERALLY CANNOT HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY WITHOUT THE PUBLIC.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHTS TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND IT'S NOT JUST GUN, BUT THE CONTINUED SCOURGE OF DRUGS ON OUR STREET APPENDING LIVES.

NO SOONER DID COVID-19 HAD PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS BEGAN PUMPING OUT WARNINGS OVER POTENTIAL SPIKES IN DRUG OVERDOSES.

THE CDC DATA SHOWS THOSE FEARS TURNED OUT TO BE TRUE WITH FEWER RESOURCES DEDICATED TO THAT FIGHT AS THE NATION CONTINUES BATTLING THIS PANDEMIC.

LEAH MISHKIN TAKES A DEEPER LOOK AT HOW THE STATE IS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE OPIOID CRISIS , AND WHAT IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE IN TREATMENT AS PUBLIC LIFE BEGINS TO REOPEN.

>> IT IS GOOD NOW BECAUSE SOME OF THE MEETINGS OR START UP A BACKUP, WHICH IS DEFINITELY A GOOD THING, BUT IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE.

>> Reporter: FOR MOST OF THE PANDEMIC, HEATHER DARNELL SAYS SHE WAS IN ACTIVE ADDICTION, SHE WAS LIVING ALONE AT THE TIME AND SAYS THAT THAT ISOLATION, AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH HER NETWORK CAUSED HER TO RELAPSE.

>> SO, I GOT IN AGAIN IN AUGUST OF 2020.

I WENT BACK TO TREATMENT, AND I GOT HONEST WITH MY FAMILY THAT I NEEDED HELP AGAIN, AND AFTER TREATMENT, AND MOVED INTO A SOBER HOUSE AND NOW THAT I'M IN LONG-TERM RECOVERY, I'M ALSO BACK IN SCHOOL TO BECOME CERTIFIED IN THE BODLEIAN EKG AND CARE TECHNICIAN.

>> Reporter: HER BATTLE WITH OPIOIDS STARTED AFTER COLLEGE.

>> DID YOU EVER HAVE A MOMENT DURING THOSE TOUGH TIMES WHERE YOU OVERDOSED?

>> THE FIRST TIME WAS AT MY PARENTS HOUSE IN MY BEDROOM, AND MY YOUNGER SISTER FOUND ME.

LIKE ON THE FLOOR.

SO, THAT WAS LIKE REALLY DRAMATIC FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED.

AND YOU KNOW I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO THEM BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT GOT ME BACK FROM THE OVERDOSE.

>> IS NOT AN ONGOING MEDICATION, IT'S THE SAME, IT'S IN THE SAME TOOLKIT THAT AN EMS WORKER OR POLICE OFFICER WOULD USE TO SAY SOMEBODY WHO IS AN DIABETIC SHOCK OR ANY OTHER LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY.

>> WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS SAY, LET'S PREVENT THESE OVERDOSE DEATHS.

THEY ARE PREVENTABLE.

>> Reporter: FORMER CONGRESSMAN PATRICK KENNEDY FOUNDED THE FORM TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE OPIOID CRISIS.

AND, TO HELP POLICYMAKERS TACKLE THE EPIDEMIC.

PUTTING THE LOCKS OWN IN ALL SOBER HOUSES AND PROVIDING TRAINING, HE'S AS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP.

>> IT'S REALLY SAD BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE EARLY IN RECOVERY OBVIOUSLY ARE MORE VULNERABLE.

BUT, WE KNOW THAT THEY WANT TO GET HELP.

>> AND SO, HOW YOU REACH THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ISOLATED IN THEIR HOMES.

ZACH YOU KNOW, YOU ASK THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION OF ALL.

OVER 80% OF THE LIVES SAVED ARE SAVED BY FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.

>> KENNEDY SAYS ANYONE WITH A LOVED ONE BATTLING AN OPIOID ADDICTION SHOULD ALSO HAVE A LOCKS OWN KIT AT HOME AND GET TRAINING.

>> IF I HAVE MY FAMILY AND PEOPLE AROUND ME KNOW HOW TO DELIVER AN EPIPEN FOR ME, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND HAVING MY FAMILY AND OTHERS BE ABLE TO DELIVER ME THE LOCKS ON IF I EVER HAVE A RELAPSE ON OPIOIDS MYSELF?

AND I AM A PERSON IN RECOVERY FROM OPIOID ADDICTION AND THAT IS WHY IT'S SO PERSONAL TO ME.

>> HE SAYS HE'S BEEN SOBER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS BUT THIS IS A CHRONIC ILLNESS AND HE WANTS TO BE PREPARED SHOULD HE NEED HELP.

>> WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS RECOMMIT OURSELVES TO THE KIND OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE OPIOID CRISIS, JUST LIKE WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE COVID PANDEMIC.

>> ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, APPROXIMATELY 80,000 DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS OCCURRED IN THE UNITED STATES IN 12 MONTHS ENDING IN AUGUST OF 2020.

THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF OVERDOSE DEATHS EVER RECORDED IN A 12 MONTH PERIOD.

IN NEW JERSEY, THE NUMBER ONE IS A 7.5% FROM SEPTEMBER OF 2019 TO SEPTEMBER 2020.

>> I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT REALLY LENDS TO THIS CURRENT CRISIS IS, THERE'S THE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

THERE'S LIKE YOU KNOW, YOU'RE WASTING MONEY REVIVING PEOPLE.

WE READ THINGS THAT SAY THEY ARE LICENSING.

AND SO, THEY REALLY BEGIN TO BELIEVE THOSE THINGS.

>> ONE OF MY GOOD FRIENDS PASSED AWAY IN MARCH OF 2020.

SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE PASSED AWAY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

YOU KNOW LIKE SOME OF MY FRIENDS FROM HOME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL IN MONMOUTH COUNTY THAT I KNOW OF.

IT DEFINITELY HAS TAKEN A HUGE TOLL ON THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE AFTEREFFECTS OF THIS FOR MANY YEARS.

>> I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WE ARE CONSIDERING A $40 MILLION REALLY FAST GET TO ASSIST THE PEOPLE.

THIS CALLS FOR A ONE-TIME STIMULUS CAN EASING FEDERAL CARES ACT MONEY THROUGH EXECUTIVE ACTION.

THEY SAY THIS IS NOT ENOUGH TO HELP THE HALF 1 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS IN THE STATE BUT LAWMAKERS HAVE STALLED FOR A YEAR ON LEGISLATION OFFERING A SIMILAR AMOUNT.

THE ADVOCATES CONTINUE A HUNGER STRIKE CALLING FOR A ONE-TIME STIMULUS AND WEEKLY $600 PAYMENTS ARGUING UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS PAY TAXES AT A LIMIT, BUT HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FEDERAL RELIEF PACKAGES.

TODAY'S JOBS REPORT COULD MEAN THE START OF A HIRING SURGE.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST NUMBERS AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS PLACES.

RHONDA.

>> THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORTED 576,000 NEW FIRST-TIME CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

THAT IS THE LOWEST WEEKLY TOTAL SINCE MARCH OF 2020.

IT SHOWS THE JOB MARKET IS BOUNCING BACK.

IN NEW JERSEY, ABOUT 11,000 CLAIMS WERE FILED IN THE LATEST.

A DROP OF 43% FROM THE PRIOR WEEK.

STATES SAY BUSINESSES IN HIS AREA ARE HIRING.

SO, LAWMAKERS IN THE FIRST LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT HAVE LAUNCHED AN INITIATIVE TO HELP WORKERS CONNECT TO COMPANIES LOOKING FOR THEM.

>> WE HAVE BEEN CONTACTED BY SO MANY INDUSTRIES, PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW.

OUR TOURISM INDUSTRIES.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PEOPLE TO HIRE FOR THE SUMMER SEASON THAT IS COMING UP, AND WITH REALLY MOTHER'S DAY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CANNOT FIND THE NECESSARY AMOUNT OF WORKERS TO HAVE THEM PROPERLY STAFFED.

>> Reporter: THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR COULD BE DOING MORE TO HELP PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND IS CRITICAL OF THE DECISION TO PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

THEY START SAVING JOBS AT NEARLY 20,000 NEW JOBS ADDED TO OUR ECONOMY LAST MONTH.

THE STATE HAS ONLY RECOVERED ABOUT 54% OF ALL THE JOBS LOST IN THE PAST YEAR.

ARE AN IMPORTANT RATE AT 7.7%.

STILL HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

SINCE THE TAX FRONT CHANGED A FEW YEARS BACK IN THE $10,000 LIMIT WAS BASED ON LOCAL AND STATE INCOME TAX DEDUCTION, NEW JERSEY CONGRESSMAN HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO OVERTURN THIS.

TODAY IN WASHINGTON, HE MADE HIS CASE FOR TAX RELIEF.

>> PEOPLE SAID THAT THERE WERE CERTAIN CALF INCOME OWNERS.

THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

THIS IS AFFECTING MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES IN MY DISTRICT.

>> NOW AT LEAST MORE PEOPLE ARE HEARING THE MESSAGE THAT HE HAS NEW ALLIES IN THIS FIGHT.

HE HAS THE PROBATION OF A NEW BIPARTISAN CAUCUS THAT WILL ALLOW HIM TO GET THE LAW CHANGED ONCE AND FOR ALL.

A POTENTIAL COVID-19 TREATMENT HAS BEEN SHELVED.

A TRIAL OF AN EXTRA MENTAL COVID-19 DRY AFTER HELPING HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS.

MOVING FORWARD WITH TESTING ANOTHER DRUG FOR COVID-19 FOR OUTPATIENT USE.

NOW, HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE RECORDS SET ON WALL STREET.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJCU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

WE ARE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATH IN JERSEY CITY AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET.

LEARN MORE AT NJCU.EDU/GAMECHANGER .

>> AND THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

SHE TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT BUSINESS LEADERS ARE DOING TO CONDUCT WORKPLACE BIAS AND INCLUSION IN THE OFFICE.

WATCH ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> AS OF THIS WEEK, MORE THAN 160 SCHOOL DISTRICTS RETURN TO ALL PERSON INSTRUCTION WITH THE BULK OF DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE NOW AT A HYBRID FORMAT THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION., THE PANDEMIC EXPOSED CHRONIC STAFFING SHORTAGES IN OUR SCHOOLS.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS SHORTAGES WERE A PROBLEM LONG BEFORE THE HEALTH CRISIS HIT.

MADE WORSE IN THE YEARS SINCE.

ONE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM DECIDED TO START A NEW INCENTIVE TO RECRUIT SUB AND AS JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, SO FAR IT'S WORKING.

>> EVEN ON THE BEST DAY, YOU HAVE A SHORTAGE OF OVER 100 SUBSTITUTES.

>> Reporter: A SHORTAGE THAT IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IN-PERSON AND REMOTE LEARNING IN WAYNE TOWNSHIP AND DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE THAT HAD TO STAY REMOTE THIS YEAR SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT FIND SUBSTITUTES SAYS PAT WRIGHT.

>> IT HAS DUMBLY HINDERED REOPENING PLANS IN MANY DISTRICTS.

GIVEN THE FACT THAT SOME TEACHERS DECIDED TO TAKE LEAVE FOR VARIOUS MEDICAL REASONS AND ISSUES, ALONG WITH THE FACT THAT THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC, TEACHERS HAVE HAD TO BE QUARANTINED FOR PERIODS OF TIME.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 60 STAFF MEMBERS ARE OUT ON MEDICAL LEAVE THIS YEAR ON TOP OF ANOTHER THE FIVE OR SO AT YOUR RUN-OF-THE-MILL ABSENCE ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

AND SO, REOPENING BECOMES A NUMBERS GAME.

>> OUR ABILITY TO MOVE AHEAD IS TIED TO STAFFING.

IT'S BEEN TIED TO STAFFING ALL YEAR.

WE HAD SHUTDOWNS OF DIFFERENT TIMES OF DIFFERENT SCHOOLS DUE TO SHORTAGES OF TEACHERS.

WE REALLY, WE HAVE STRUGGLED WITH THAT.

IN EVERY BUILDING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: WAYNE IS NOT ALONE.

IT'S AN ISSUE ACROSS THE STATE AND THE NATION.

YOU CANNOT EVEN BLAME COVID FOR THIS DID A REPORT BY THE ADWEEK RESEARCH CENTER LAST YEAR SHOWED ONLY 54% OF 250,000 TEACHER ABSENCES WERE ABLE TO BE FILLED PRE-PANDEMIC.

THAT IS 115,000 VACANT POSITIONS.

NOW, ADD A RAGING VIRUS KEEPING TEACHERS AT HOME.

>> IN DECEMBER WE SAW THIS AS AN ISSUE, AND EVERY DAY, OTHER DISTRICTS WERE EXPERIENCING IT SO WE SAID WE MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT THE MARKET RATE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ABOUT $100 A DAY.

SO WAYNE OFFERED $150 DAY TRYING TO GET A COMPETITIVE EDGE.

WHEN THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH THEY GOT MORE AGGRESSIVE.

>> WE THEN DECIDED TO GO TO THE RATE OF $200 A DAY.

THAT LED TO 80 ADDITIONAL SUBSTITUTES WE WERE ABLE TO HIRE.

SO THAT IS A GAME CHANGER FOR US.

NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.

>> I WOULD ASSUME THAT WAYNE, LIKE MOST DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OPERATE ON A PRETTY LEAN BUDGET, RIGHT.

WHERE'S THE FUNDING COMING FROM TO ALLOW YOU TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS QUESTION MARK WAS NEVER PART OF ANY ORIGINAL BUDGET QUESTION MARK >> WE DO HAVE THE PACKAGE OF FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR THAT IS WHAT IS PAYING FOR ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ENHANCEMENTS THAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW IN ORDER TO KEEP OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM RUNNING.

>> HE SAYS THE MOVE CERTAINLY GIVES WAYNE A GREAT COMPETITIVE EDGE, BUT-- >> AGAIN, IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, AND A CERTAIN RATE, IF I'M A SUBSTITUTE AND I AM IN A REGION OR AREA OF THE STATE, YOU KNOW, IT'S.

OF COURSE YOU'RE GOING TO GO WHERE THE PAY IS THE BEST.

>> SOME DISTRICTS CANNOT AFFORD THAT INCREASE NOW, BUT ADWEEK ACTUALLY SUGGESTED THE STRATEGY A YEAR AGO EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC AS A WAY TO REDUCE THE SHORTAGE NATIONWIDE.

>> IF ENOUGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS RAISE THEIR RATES, THE SUBSTITUTES END UP MAKING MORE MONEY AND THE COMPETITION REMAINS THE SAME.

BUT, YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMEBODY TO GO AROUND, THERE'S ONLY SO MANY SUBSTITUTES WILLING TO WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HOPEFULLY, HOPEFULLY THIS SITUATION WILL EASE SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THAT VACCINE BEING AVAILABLE.

>> AS FOR WHETHER WAYNE WILL KEEP THEM MOVING FORWARD, THE SHORT ANSWER IS IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT.

AS LONG AS IT'S WORKING, IT WILL STAY SAYS NOVAK.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>> TOMORROW MORNING, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ.

HE LOOKS AT POLICE REFORM IN NEW JERSEY.

HOW DOES IT HOLD UP IN LIGHT OF RECENT NATIONAL EVENTS QUESTION MARK FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL AN INDEPENDENT MONITOR FOR THE NEW YORK LEASE DEPARTMENT, PETER HARVEY, JOINTS TO DISCRETION.

AND A PANEL OF REPORTERS BREAK DOWN THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK AND WATCH IT LIVE AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

THAT DOES IT FOR ICE TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> YOUR DIVISION IS A WORLD THAT RUNS ENTIRELY ON GREEN ENERGY.

LOCATED OFF OF THE COAST OF ATLANTIC CITY, OR STUD'S OCEAN WIND PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

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

OR STUD, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE TEAM ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.