>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION.

MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY IS VOLUNTARILY QUARANTINING TONIGHT AFTER LEARNING A MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS.

MURPHY TESTED NEGATIVE EARLIER TODAY, BUT IS CANCELING ALL INTERESTING EVENTS ANYWAY, INCLUDING TODAY'S ROUTINE COVID BRIEFING, TYPICALLY HELD AT THE MEMORIAL IN TRENTON WITH CABINET AND PRESS MEMBERS.

IT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME THE GOVERNOR HAS TAKEN HIMSELF OFF OF THE FIELD TO USE THE MURPHY METAPHOR.

IN OCTOBER, HE ABRUPTLY LEFT A CONFERENCE AFTER LEARNING A MEMBER OF HIS INNER STAFF TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

WHILE A NUMBER OF STATE OFFICIALS HAVE STARTED GETTING VACCINATED, THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT.

MORE THAN 1 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED STATEWIDE, INCLUDING MORE THAN 260 THOUSAND SECOND DOSES.

THE STATE WILL NEED A STEADY PUMP AND SUPPLY TO MAKE REAL INROADS HERE.

CVS AND RITE AID WILL START GETTING THEIR VACCINE SHIPMENTS TOMORROW, ADDING TO THE STATE SUPPLY.

ABOUT 28,000 TOTAL.

BUT, IT'S UNCLEAR IF AN INCREASE WILL CHANGE VACCINE PRIORITY LIST.

JUST ACROSS THE RIVER IN NEW YORK, RESTAURANT WORKERS AMONG THOSE CONSIDERED AT HIGH RISK FOR EXPOSURE ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR A SHOT.

BUT NOT HERE, NOT YET.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IS ONLY A CERTAIN LEVEL OF PROTECTION YOU CAN GIVE YOURSELF WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH MOVING OVER 1000 PEOPLE EVERYDAY COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> SHE WORKS AS A BARTENDER AND SERVER AT NEWARK AIRPORT'S TERMINAL C. ROUGHLY 266,000 OTHER JERSEYS RESTAURANT STAFFERS RATED 1B FOR PRIORITY FOR STAFFING.

SHE IS FEELING VERY VULNERABLE AMONGST HER CUSTOMERS.

>> I TALK TO PEOPLE EVERYDAY.

DIFFERENT SITUATIONS WITHOUT WEARING A MASK.

VERY, VERY DIFFERENT.

I THINK THAT IS A STRUGGLE FOR ALL FOOD SERVICE WORKERS NOW.

IN NEW YORK CITY, THE FOOD SERVICE WORKERS, THEY HAVE IN THE GOVERNOR.

THEY GAVE THEM LIKE, WE ARE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING CONSIDERED PRIORITY FOR THIS VACCINE.

>> SHE SAYS SEVEN COWORKERS OUT OF 30 ARE CURRENTLY OUT ON COVID QUARANTINE, AND SHE'S WORRIED BECAUSE SHE'S GOT TWO DAUGHTERS, A HUSBAND OR ELDERLY PARENTS AT HOME.

>> I DON'T HAVE AN OPTION FOR THE VACCINE BECAUSE I'M NOT ESSENTIAL.

IT'S VERY HARD TO SWALLOW.

>> JEANNIE POLASKI WORKS AT A BRISK PACE CHECKING ON CUSTOMERS AND TOPPING OFF CUPS OF COFFEE AT THE TIMES SQUARE DINER FOR FOLKS OF COURSE REMOVING THEIR MASKS TO CHOW DOWN, EVEN WITH INDOOR CAPACITY CAPPED AT 35%, SHE IS CONCERNED.

>> THERE'S BEEN PEOPLE AROUND ME COUGHING SOMETIMES IN YOUR LIKE OH, I WAS AHEAD THE VACCINATION SO I COULD BE SAFE.

WHAT IF THEY HAVE IT?

YOU KNOW >> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT OF THE RESTAURANT.

SO, IF WE COULD GET TO HERD IMMUNITY, IF WE COULD VACCINATE OUR EMPLOYEES.

THE MORE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE VACCINATED, THE LAST RISK OF TRANSMITTING.

>> IT'S ABOUT CONCERN.

ONE STUDY FOUND LINE COOKS IN CALIFORNIA WERE AT A HIGHER RISK OF DYING FROM COVID THAN HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

REPORTS SHOWED A 39% INCREASE IN EXCESS COVID DEATHS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, INCLUDING COOKS, BAKERS, CHEFS, AND BARTENDERS OVER AN EIGHT MONTH PERIOD LAST YEAR.

IT CONCLUDES VACCINATION PROGRAMS PRIORITIZING WORKERS IN SECTORS SUCH AS FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ARE LIKELY TO HAVE DISPROPORTIONATELY LARGE BENEFITS FOR REDUCING COVID-19 MORTALITY.

>> IT MAKES INCENSE.

SO, THESE FOLKS OUGHT TO BE ON OUR HIGH PRIORITY LIST.

AS THEY ARE IN NEW YORK.

SO, THIS IS NOT A CRAZY IDEA.

>> BECAUSE MORE THAN 40,000 NEW JERSEY RESTAURANT INDUSTRY WORKERS ARE UNVACCINATED, AND ALSO UNDOCUMENTED, MANY NEED TO WORK, REGARDLESS OF RISK >> FEEDING MY FAMILY TODAY, AND RISKING ILLNESS TOMORROW IS SOMETHING THAT'S A VERY REAL DECISION FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE RELIEF THAT THEY'VE SERVED IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THESE WORKERS TO BE VACCINATED.

>> WHEN YOU PLACE AN ORDER FOR A VACCINE AND YOU HEAR SORRY, WE ARE OUT OF THAT RIGHT NOW, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S A MATTER OF WHERE PEOPLE ARE IN THE CATEGORIES, IT'S JUST A MATTER OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VACCINE.

>> BUT INDUSTRY ADVOCATES SAY VACCINATED STAFF COULD HELP RESCUE AND INDUSTRY DECIMATED BY COVERT RESTRICTIONS.

ADVOCATES ESTIMATE NEARLY 40% OF NEW JERSEY RESTAURANT CLOSE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

WE KNOW THAT CONSUMERS WILL BE MORE COMFORTABLE GOING BACK INTO A RESTAURANT WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THEIR SERVERS AND KITCHEN STAFF HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

>> PLUS, BIDEN'S INITIATIVE TO ROLLOUT MORE VACCINES AND EVERYONE TO TAKE THE VACCINE SO THAT WE CAN GET ENOUGH PEOPLE IMMUNIZED.

THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE ARE GOING TO GET BACK TO FULL CAPACITY EVERYWHERE.

>> I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> AND THAT CHALLENGE OF REACHING EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY IN RELUCTANT COMMUNITIES CANNOT BE OVERSTATED.

SELLING INFECTION RATES JUST WON'T BE ENOUGH TO GET BACK TO NORMAL LIFE, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS.

ROUGHLY 3700 NEW CASES TODAY, AND 88 MORE DEATHS.

EARLIER, BEFORE THE GOVERNMENT WITH A POSITIVE CASE THAN HIS FAMILY, HE VISITED A JERSEY CITY COMMUNITY CENTER, PUTTING SHOTS IN THE ARMS OF WILLING RESIDENTS, SAYING IT IS ONE OF THE WAYS THE STATE IS AGGRESSIVELY DISTRIBUTED VACCINE IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

BUT, WHEN NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS SPOKE WITH LEADERS IN THOSE BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBOR HAS , MANY SAY THE STATE IS LACKING SPECIFIC PLANS, FAR FROM WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

LEAH MICHIGAN HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THIS SUMMER, COMMUNITY LEADER, FELICIA SIMMONS LED THE CHARGE ON THE GEORGE FLOYD RALLY IN ASBURY PARK.

THIS WINTER, SHE'S TAKEN ON A NEW MISSION.

TO HELP THE BLACK COMMUNITY GET ACCESS TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT.

A NEW PERSON PASSING AWAY THIS MORNING.

>> ACCORDING TO TODAY'S DATA FOR THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ONLY 3% OF THE VACCINES ADMINISTERED SO FAR IN THE STATE HAVE GONE TO BLACK RESIDENTS, AND JUST 5% TO HISPANIC, LATIN NEXT RESIDENCE.

>> IN NEW JERSEY, THERE TO HAVE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM COVID-19 THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN, BLACK MEN, AND WOMEN ARE TWO TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE FROM COVID-19 IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THIS WEEK, GOVERNMENT BEHELD THE PANEL TO TALK ABOUT VACCINE SAFETY AND ACCESS IN NEW JERSEY'S BLACK COMMUNITY.

PANELIST, DR. DAVID KOONCE IS FROM HACKENSACK, MERIDIAN HILL.

WHICH INCORPORATES MINORITY COMMUNITIES IN MODERNA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE STUDIES.

>> WE CAN REALLY SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THESE VACCINES HAVE BEEN TESTED IN INDIVIDUALS WHO LOOK LIKE THE POPULATION.

THEY ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE.

>> DR. KOONCE SAYS UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES REMAIN AN ISSUE.

DR. KOONCE SAYS MUCH UNDERSTAND HISTORIC MISTRUST WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY WHILE EDUCATING AND VACCINATING MORE PEOPLE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

>> WE ARE NOW DEALING WITH ACCESS.

WE KNOW THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE FRONT- LINE WORKERS, SO THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME ACCESS TO TAKING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY TO GO TO A MEGA SITE.

THEY MAY NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

>> I HAPPEN TO HAVE DONE A SURVEY OF MY CONGREGATION, AND ASK THE QUESTION, IF WE GOT THE VACCINE HERE AT ST. MATTHEW, WOULD YOU TAKE IT?

AND 85% OF THE CONGREGATION SAID THEY WOULD.

>> THE GOVERNOR, ALONGSIDE HIS ADMINISTRATION LAID OUT A PLAN TO TURN HOUSES OF WORSHIP INTO VACCINATION SIDES STARTING A MATTER OF DAYS.

>> I THINK SATURDAY WILL BE OUR FIRST POP-UP AT A CHURCH IN FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED 10 HIGHLY VULNERABLE CITIES BY LOOKING AT PERCENT OF POVERTY, PERCENT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION.

SUCH A VULNERABILITY INDEX.

AFTER THE POP UP AND FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, WE WILL BE MOVING ONTO PATTERSON.

WE WILL BRING OUT THE COMMUNITY CORPS OF INDIVIDUALS, WE WILL GO INTO A MORE MARBLE CITY, AND EDUCATE.

ANSWER QUESTIONS REGISTER.

>> I NEED TO KNOW, WE NEED SPECIFICS.

HOW MANY SHOTS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN MY COMMUNITY.

WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING OF?

BECAUSE IF I'M GOING TO TELL YOU NOW, YOU HAVE A TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT COME INTO MY CITY THAT ARE NOT FOR MY CITY, THEY WON'T OPEN THE DOOR FOR YOU.

>> FELICIA SIMMONS SAYS SHE WANTS TO KNOW THE NAMES OF ALL TENANCIES IDENTIFIED FOR SCIENCE.

>> EVEN THOUGH I AM A PERSON OF FAITH.

I KNOW THERE'S ACCESS TO PEOPLE THAT I HAVE THAT THE CHURCH DOES NOT HAVE.

IT'S HAVING EVERY VOICE AT THE TABLE.

>> SHE WANTS TO BE AT THE TABLE TO MAKE SURE HER COMMUNITY IS TAKEN CARE OF.

I AM LEAH MICHIGAN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

STEARIC DAY TWO OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL HELPS MANAGERS HAVE UP TO 16 HOURS SPREAD OVER TWO DAYS TO MAKE THEIR CASE THAT TRUMP WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR INCITING THE DEADLY JANUARY 6th RIOTS OF THE CAPITAL.

TODAY, THESE THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S OWN WORDS, NEW EVIDENCE, AND VIDEO CLIPS FROM CAPITAL INSURRECTION AS TO CLAIM THEY WERE MOTIVATED BY TROMSO SPEECH.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUISE, IS FOLLOWING THE TRIAL AND HAS A REPORT TONIGHT.

>> YOU CAN SEE A LOT OF THIS DURING THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.

THE VIOLENT UPRISING AT THE CAPITAL.

THE HOUSE MANAGERS, PROSECUTORS SAY IT WAS INCITED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

THE TRIAL MAY LOOK A LITTLE LIKE YOUR STANDARD CORE PROCEEDING, BUT IT'S NOT.

THIS IS A JURY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE.

YESTERDAY'S VOTE TO PROCEED WITH THE TRIAL WAS ANY INDICATION THE VERDICT IS ALREADY DETERMINED.

>> ANY TWO THIRDS OF THE SENATE TO CONVICT, AND GIVEN THAT 44 SENATORS VOTED YESTERDAY, THEY SHOULD NOT EVEN HAVE THE TRIAL.

OBVIOUSLY, A CONVICTION SEEMS REMOTE.

>> A FORMER STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS THE TRIAL IS NO MERE POLITICAL EXERCISE.

HE SAYS GETTING THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 6th, AND ALL OF THAT THAT LED UP TO IT COMMITTED INTO THE NATIONS HISTORICAL RECORD IS A BIGGER GOAL.

>> I THINK THE IMPORTANCE OF LAYING A FIRM AND POWERFUL RECORD, BEFORE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE CAN'T BE OVERSTATED.

I THINK THAT'S REALLY THE BURDEN ON THE HOUSE MANAGERS.

PEOPLE NEED TO SEE IF THERE'S A CONNECTION AND IF THERE IS EXCITEMENT, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO SEE THAT.

IT NEEDS TO BE LAID THERE FOR THEM SO THEY CAN MAKE UP YOUR OWN ONES.

>> AND IF THERE REMICADE RAMIFICATIONS FROM THE HISTORY PROFESSOR, ANDREW SHANKMAN, THAT JUST OUT OF THE PROCESS.

>> I THINK AT THE SAME TIME, THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THIS BECAUSE OF THE NATION'S BUSINESS IS SO PRESSING.

PART OF THE NATION'S BUSINESS IS BEING ABLE TO ELECT PEOPLE WHO RESPONSIBLY TRY TO CONDUCT IT.

AND, THAT HAS A LOT TO DO WITH WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6 AND WAS ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AND WHAT ONE PARTY HAD MUCH MORE TO DO WITH MAKING PASTA WILL.

SO I THINK THEY ARE KIND OF WRAPPED UP TOGETHER.

>> TODAY BEGINS THE TRIAL PROPER.

EACH SIDE WILL HAVE UP TO 16 HOURS OVER TWO DAYS TO PRESENT THEIR CASES.

THEY WILL BE OFF ON SATURDAY TO OBSERVE THE SABBATH, BUT BACK AT IT ON SUNDAY.

THEN, SENATORS WILL HAVE UP TO FOUR HOURS EACH TO ASK QUESTIONS OF EITHER SIDE FOLLOWED BY UP TO FOUR HOURS FOR CLOSING ARGUMENTS THAT SENATORS DELIBERATE AND VOTE.

AS THE TRIAL BEGIN IN EARNEST TODAY, HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS CONTINUE TO HAMMER HOME THEIR CASE WITH THE EVENTS OF JANUARY 6, AND ONE INSPIRATION, AND ONE MAJOR DIRECTOR.

>> BEFORE CONGRESS, I PROSECUTED VIOLENT CRIMES IN CALIFORNIA AND ALAMEDA COUNTY DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

WHEN YOU INVESTIGATE AND PROSECUTE VIOLENT CRIMES, YOU HAVE TO DISTINGUISH WITH JUST A HEAT OF PASSION CRIME?

OR WAS IT SOME MORE DELIBERATE?

PLANNED?

PREMEDITATED.

THE EVIDENCE HERE ON THIS COUNT IS OVERWHELMING.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CONDUCT, LEADING UP TO JANUARY 6th WAS DELIBERATE, PLANNED, AND PREMEDITATED.

THIS WAS NOT ONE SPEECH, NOT ONE TWEET.

IT WAS DOZENS, IN RAPID SUCCESSION WITH THE SPECIFIC DETAILS.

HE WAS ACTING AS PART OF THE HOST COMMITTEE.

>> MEANWHILE, JUST WEST OF THE BUILDING AT 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, THE NEW BOSS WAS SET TO BE IGNORING THE TRIAL.

THERE IS A LOT TO DO, PANDEMIC, ECONOMIC STIMULUS, IMMIGRATION, ETC.

IN THE SENSE THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CAN'T BEGIN UNTIL THE BOOK IS CLOSED ON THE PREVIOUS ONE.

>> I AM DAVID CRUISE, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> OFT LUDE DUTY JOBS, AND HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN UNUSED SICK TIME PAYOUTS, THOSE ARE JUST SOME OF THE FINANCIAL PERKS THE STATES POLICE DEPARTMENTS ONE TO EXTENT TO THEIR OFFICES THROUGH A UNION CONTRACT.

AN ANALYSIS BY THE ASBURY PARK PROCESS.

THEY SIFTED THROUGH HUNDREDS OF THESE CONTRACTS AND FOUND THAT DESPITE REFORMS, LOOPHOLES, AND CAUSES CAN STILL YIELD BIG PLANS FOR OFFICERS, AND EVEN BIGGER FINANCIAL BURDENS ON THOSE TOWNS.

PRESS REPORTER ANDREW FORD WAS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION.

HE IS WITH US NOW.

>> ANDREW, SO BACK IN 2010, PART OF THEN GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE'S PLAN TO TURN TRENTON UPSIDE DOWN WITH THIS LAW, TO CAP THESE MASSIVE PAYOUTS.

LAWMAKERS PASSED IT, SO WHY IS IT STILL HAPPENING?

>> SO, THE LAW PASSED IN 2010, ONLY APPLIED TO NEW HIRES.

SO, EVERYBODY AT THAT TIME WAS STILL ENTITLED TO ALL OF THIS.

>> WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THESE WORKERS AS YOU SAY WHO WERE SORT OF GRANDFATHERED IN, WHAT KIND OF FINANCIAL BURDEN IS THAT PUTTING ON TOWNS?

AND WHICH SHOULD NOTE, IT IS LEGAL.

IT IS IN THE CONTRACT.

>> IT IS.

YES.

IN THE CONTRACT.

IT'S ILLEGAL UNDER CHRISTIE'S LAW.

THESE OFFICERS YOU KNOW, WERE ON THE BOOKS BEFORE THAT WAS PASSED.

AND, IT IS STRIKING TO ME THAT EVEN A DECADE AFTER WHAT WAS PASSED, WE SAW THIS LIABILITY ARISING.

WE GATHERED A BUNCH OF BUDGET DOCUMENTS.

THE TOWNS ARE REQUIRED TO REPORT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY OWE TO THEIR EMPLOYEES FOR UNUSED TIME OFF.

TIME OFF ON THE BOOKS.

AND, WE ADDED THIS ACROSS TO MORE THAN $400 MILLION FROM POLICE OFFICERS ALONE.

IT WAS STRIKING TO ME THAT BETWEEN 2015 AND 2019, THAT NUMBER GREW.

>> WHEN HE LOOKED THROUGH, I BELIEVE IT WAS 245 POLICE UNION CONTRACTS, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE PERKS THAT YOU DISCOVERED?

>> WE FOUND ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE PORTION WITH SALARIES, BENEFITS, THINGS LIKE THE ABILITY TO SELL BACK SICK DAYS.

AXIS II EXTRA DUTY JOBS.

TECHNICALLY ON-DUTY, BUT IT'S BEEN PAID BY A PRIVATE ENTITY.

LIKE, A UTILITY COMPANY THAT HIRES OFFICERS TO MONITOR TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION TYPE.

WE FOUND VERSIONS WERE OFFICERS WERE GUARANTEED FOUR HOURS WORTH OF PAY, NO MATTER HOW LONG THE JOB TOOK, THEY GET PAID FOR FOUR HOURS EVEN THOUGH IT'S A TWO HOUR JOB.

LITTLE THINGS, LIKE GIFT CARDS FOR PERFECT ATTENDANCE.

AND, ONE TIME, RETIRING OFFICERS GAVE GOLDEN BADGES 14 KARAT GOLD FILLED BADGES, AND ONE RECENTLY RETIRED ACTING CHIEF TOOK IT A STEP FURTHER AND HE RECEIVED A 14 KARAT SOLID GOLD BADGE WITH $47,000.

>> I KNOW YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE ADMINISTRATORS.

WHAT IS STOPPING THESE TOWNS FROM GETTING OUT OF THESE CONTRACTS AND CAUSES, AND RENEGOTIATING?

>> IT'S A TRICKY LANDSCAPE FOR THEM.

ONE, BENEFITS ARE ON THE BOOKS.

IT'S VERY HARD TO UNDO THEM, AND WE HAVE, IT'S ONE STRIKING EXAMPLE WHERE THEY TRIED TO WALK BACK A BENEFIT.

IT WAS EVEN IN THE CONTRACT.

THEY HAD A TRADITIONAL OFFER.

THREE MONTHS PAY DUE TO RETIRING OFFICERS.

AT SOME POINT, THE TOWN DECIDED THAT THEY US CANNOT AFFORD THAT.

THEY TRIED TO GET AWAY WITH IT, AND THE LOCAL POLICE UNION SUCCESSFULLY GOT THEM TOO, THEY WERE ORDERED TO PAY UP.

THEY HAD TO CONTINUE PAYING THIS SEVERANCE PAYMENT, THIS RETIREMENT PAYMENT, BECAUSE THERE WAS A PROVISION IN THE CONTRACT THAT SAID THAT THEY HAD TO MAINTAIN PAST PRACTICES.

THEY HAVE TRADITIONALLY OFFERED TO THEIR OFFICERS.

>> YEAH, THAT ONE WAS CERTAINLY IN THE HEADLINES WILL NOT HAPPEN.

ANDREW FORD, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

GREAT REPORTING.

GREAT TO TALK TO.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THOSE RULE OF THE PHARMACIES HAVE TAKEN TO A NEW PUBLIC HEALTH LEVEL DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

SOON TO BE PUTTING SHOTS OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN ARMS, AND ADDING MORE ON-SITE MEDICAL CARE.

SO, WHY ARE THEY STILL SELLING TOBACCO, AND OTHER HARMFUL PRODUCTS?

THE STATE LEGISLATOR THIS WEEK STARTED TACKLING THAT QUESTION WITH THE SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE VOTING TO BAN THE SALE OF CIGARETTES TO TOBACCO AND VAPING PRODUCTS.

FOR SUPERMARKETS, DEPARTMENT STORES, AND BIG-BOX RETAILERS WITH PHARMACIES THINK WALMART OR TARGET.

CVS TOOK THE LEAP EIGHT YEARS AGO, BUT SO FAR, NO OTHER CHAINS HAVE FOLLOWED.

THEIR STRONG OPPOSITION FROM THE NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF CHANGE FROM THE DRUGSTORES WHICH SAYS THE BILL PICKS AND CHOOSES WHICH RETAILERS GET TO SELL LEGAL PRODUCTS.

THOSE PHARMACIES, WHICH WOULD FACE FINES FOR THE SALES IF IT COMES ALONG.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY IS TAKING A PAGE OUT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S BOOK, EXTENDING SOME GRACE ON THOSE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS.

WANDA SCHEFFLER HAS THOSE DETAILS AND THE TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>> BUSINESSES ARE GETTING A TAX BREAK.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION HAS DECIDED THAT PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM LOANS WILL BE TAX-EXEMPT AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR THE 2020 TAX YEAR.

THE STATE IS ESSENTIALLY FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS ALSO NOT TAXING PPP LOAN PROCEEDS.

MEANTIME, ANOTHER 10,000 NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES HAD THEIR PPP LOANS APPROVED IN THE PAST WEEK, ACCORDING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

ONE BUSINESS SEGMENT IN NEW JERSEY THAT CONTINUES TO FACE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES IS THE HOSPITAL INDUSTRY.

NOW, IT MAY SEEM COUNTERINTUITIVE THAT HOSPITALS ARE FACING FINANCIAL CHALLENGES DURING A PANDEMIC, BUT THERE'S BEEN A STEEP DROP IN NONCOVERED RELATED SERVICES LIKE ELECTIVE SURGERIES.

A NEW REPORT FROM THE NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THE END OF SEPTEMBER, 41% OF THE STATES HOSPITALS WERE OPERATING IN THE RED DUE TO DECLINING REVENUES, AND HIGHER COVERT RELATED EXPENSES.

A DEVELOPMENT DEAL IS GOING TO BE NEW JOBS FOR RESIDENTS.

UPS PLANS MILITARY OCEAN TERMINAL SITE.

MAYOR JIMMY DAVIS SAYS THAT NEW FACILITIES EXPECTED TO CREATE 1000 JOBS.

>> IT'S LIKE THEY'RE CLOSING THIS FACILITY.

THIS IS A BRAND-NEW FACILITY, AND IT'S ALL NEW JOBS.

TALKING ABOUT AGAIN, YOU KNOW, INTERNATIONAL COMPANY THAT THEY ARE GOOD PAYING JOBS.

PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN THAT.

>> THE 880,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITIES ARE EXPECTED TO BE UP AND RUNNING NEXT YEAR.

FOR MANY OF US, SNOW ON THE GROUND HAS A STREAMING OF SUMMER AT THE SHORE, AND IT'S THIS YEAR, IF ANYTHING LIKE LAST YEAR, IT'S GOING TO BE CROWDED.

IN 2020, SO MANY PEOPLE WENT TO THE STORE THAT SALES OF EACH BATCH IS SKYROCKETED.

LAST SUMMER, 27 NEW JERSEY BEACH TOWNS COLLECTED MORE MONEY FROM BAD SALES IN THE PRIOR YEAR, ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS BY NJ ADVANCED MEDIA.

LONGBRANCH SAW THE BIGGEST INCREASES IN BEACH TOWN REVENUES.

NOW, HERE IS A LOOK AT THE DAY AT WALL STREET.

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

>> THIS WEEK, THE CDC IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE UPDATED GUIDELINES ON JUST HOW, AND WHEN TO REOPEN SCHOOLS.

IT WILL BE MORE OF A ROADMAP, THEN A MANDATE WITH EACH DISTRICT FACING ITS OWN UNIQUE SET OF PROBLEMS.

THE MURPHY MINISTRATION HAS BEEN WALKING A POLITICAL TIGHTROPE THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC.

BEING CAREFUL NOT TO ASSERT TOO MUCH GUIDANCE, AND LEAVING MOST DECISION-MAKING UP TO LOCAL LEADERS.

ON TUESDAY, MANY OF THOSE IN CHARGE SAID THAT THEY HAVE HAD ENOUGH.

ARGUING, IT IS TIME FOR THE STATE TO JUMP IN AS A STUDENT LEARNING SUFFERS.

EDUCATION WRITER AND FOUNDING EDITOR, JOHN MOONEY IS HERE WITH MOORE.

>> JOHN, WE GOT HUNDREDS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

SO, A PATCHWORK OF DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IS NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT THEY BROUGHT TO TRENTON?

>> I THINK IT IS CERTAINLY PART OF THE TENSIONS BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

AS WELL AS THE LEGISLATOR, AND I THINK THE HEARING THIS WEEK GAVE STAKEHOLDERS OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS SEVERAL SUPERINTENDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH THE STATE.

SO, THE STRUGGLES THEY'VE HAD TO GO THROUGH TO TRY TO FIGURE THIS OUT, AND GOING FORWARD.

THAT'S THE, THE MEETING WAS ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS STUDENT LEARNING, AT LEAST FOR A LOT OF KIDS.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES.

I THINK THEIR FIRST ASK IS THE RESOURCES FOR THE FUNDING TO DO THE PROGRAMS.

I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS THINK IT'S NECESSARY.

ALSO, THE GUIDANCE IT GIVES THEM COVERAGE TO DO SO.

YOU KNOW, THEY'VE BEEN LEFT ON THEIR OWN.

>> YEAH.

I GUESS THEY WANT TO BE STEERED IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION.

WHAT ABOUT, JUST STUDENT PERFORMANCE?

WE KNOW THAT AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR, THEY START GEARING UP FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING, WHAT DO THEY TELL YOU THERE?

>> WELL, THAT IS A BIG SOURCE OF TENSION.

A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS AT LEAST HAVE SPOKEN OUT AND VIRTUALLY ALL OF THEM HAVE SPOKEN OUT SAYING THAT THE STATE SHOULD TRY TO GET IT STANDARDIZED TESTING SUSPENDED FOR A SECOND YEAR.

IT WAS LAST YEAR WHEN ALL OF THE SCHOOLS WERE SHUT.

THEY ARE HOPING IT WILL BE AGAIN THIS YEAR, AT LEAST THEY SAID SO.

THE DIFFICULTY TO THAT IS THAT IT'S A STATE REQUIREMENT AND RIGHT NOW, THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT REALLY GIVEN A DEFINITIVE LINE ON THAT.

AND SO, STATE IS SAYING THEY CANNOT SEEK A WAIVER UNTIL THE ADMINISTRATION INVITES THEM.

THERE IS A QUESTION WHETHER THAT INVITATION IS EVEN OUT THERE.

SO THAT, THINGS HAVE BEEN IN LIMBO RIGHT NOW.

THIS TESTING STARTS IN ABOUT A MONTH.

SO, THERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ANSWERED PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> THERE IS SO MUCH TO TACKLE.

AND THIS WAS AN ISSUE WHEN WE WERE ONLY MONTHS INTO THE PANDEMIC.

NOW, WE ARE ABOUT TO HIT A YEAR.

WHAT ARE THESE STUDENTS GOING TO MISS OUT ON, OR NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE UP BECAUSE OF THIS PAST YEAR?

>> IT DEPENDS ON THE KIDS, OBVIOUSLY.

SOME KIDS HAVE PROBABLY THRIVED IN THIS SETTING, SO NOT EVERY KID HAS BEEN FACING THIS, BUT CERTAINLY, IT HAS NOT BEEN OPTIMAL FOR A LOT OF KIDS.

SO, THERE IS JUST SOME STANDARD LEARNING AND READING SKILLS, ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLY AGES THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT KIDS WITH SOCIAL NEEDS, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME SIGNIFICANT LOSSES THAT CAN HAPPEN.

SO, THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, FOR SURE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

GOOD TO TALK WITH YOU.

THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, BREE.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

A REMINDER TO CATCH CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CROW'S LIVE ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

HE WILL LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC ON WOMAN .

SOME QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME TO CHAT BOX ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS OR NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND ASKED THEM LIVE ON THE STRAIN.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FROM THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>> NGM 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.

>> THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME.

IN BODY, AND IN MIND.

I AM THE INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

IT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO.

BECAUSE, WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.

THIS IS MY LIFE.

AND, THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.