>>> 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.

♪ >>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANA VANNOZZI.

>>> A GOOD EVENING.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

CALL IT A SIGN OF GOOD FAITH.

TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THE STATE COULD TAKE MORE STEPS TO OPEN, IF HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE DROPPING.

STATEWIDE, THE NUMBER OF COVID- 19 PATIENT IS NOW DOWN FOR THE 14th STRAIGHT DAY.

BUT GIVEN THE THREAT OF NEW VARIANTS, MURPHY IS NOT COMMITTING TO HARD DATES OR SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS TO BE LIFTED.

AND DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP, MURPHY SAYS THE INDOOR MASK MANDATE IS HERE TO STAY FOR A LONG WHILE.

THIS IS HE EXTENDED THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY FOR THE 12th TIME SINCE THIS PANDEMIC BEGAN.

ROUGHLY 3700 NEW POSITIVE CASES TODAY.

ANOTHER 92 LIVES LOST.

THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE STATES SIX VACCINE MEGA CITED A NEW MILESTONE.

MORE THAN 13,000 DOSES GIVEN IN A SINGLE DAY.

OVERALL NEARLY 1.5 MILLION SHOTS HAVE BEEN PUT IN ARMS.

OR THAN 412,000 RESIDENTS ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED WITH OF THEIR SECOND SHOT.

IF YOU DID MANAGED TO SECURE A COVETED APPOINTMENT FOR TOMORROW , CHECK TO MAKE SURE THE LOCATION WILL BE OPEN.

TO MEGA SITES IN BURLINGTON AND MORRIS COUNTY WILL BE CLOSED THANKS TO ANOTHER SNOWSTORM ON THE WAY.

>>> WINTER WEATHER HAS DELAYED VACCINE SHIPMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

JUST ANOTHER HURDLE IN THIS MASSIVE ROLLOUT.

KEY PARTS OF IT HINGING ON NEW JERSEY'S OWN JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE COMING ONLINE.

EMERGENCY USE COULD BE LESS THAN 10 DAYS AWAY, BUT NEW INFORMATION SHARED THIS WEEK BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUTS MUCH LOWER EXPECTATIONS ON THE NUMBER OF J&J DOSES WE SHOULD EXPECT THAT FIRST.

EVEN AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROMISES 600 MILLION DOSES OF ALL APPROVED VACCINES TO BE AVAILABLE BY JULY.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: HIGH HOPES FOR FASTER DELIVERY OF J&J SINGLE DISC VACCINE GOT KNOCKED DOWN A COUPLE OF NOTCHES TODAY AFTER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS CONFIRMED THE COMPANY WILL INITIALLY PRODUCE JUST A FEW MILLION DOSES RIGHT AFTER FEDERAL EMERGENCY APPROVAL.

THAT UNEXPECTED KINK IN J&J'S PIPELINE COULD IMPACT BOTH NATIONAL AND NEW JERSEY PLANS TO STEP UP WIDESPREAD PUBLIC VACCINATIONS , AND THE STATE IS NOW UNSURE OF HOW MANY DOSES TO EXPECT.

>> WE HAVE NOT BEEN COUNTING OUR DOSES FROM THE J&J VACCINE, BECAUSE WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE TIME THAT THERE IS LIKELY TO BE AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

THEY ARE MEETING NEXT WEEK AROUND THAT TIME.

J&J WILL ACTUALLY COME OUT AND TELL US THAT THE GOVERNMENT HOW MANY DOSES WILL BE AVAILABLE, AND WHEN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT SAID WHEN THEY WILL START TO SHIP.

>> WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COMPANY TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN, ASSUMING THEY ARE APPROVED BY THE FDA, TO BRING FORWARD AS MANY OF THOSE DOSES AS POSSIBLE INTO THE EARLIER MONTHS.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE J&J HAS A HICCUP ON PRODUCTION.

>> Reporter: DR. MARTIN PLACER SAYS TRENT 23 PACKS ENOUGH INDUSTRIAL MUSCLE TO ULTIMATELY DELIVER THE PROMISED DOSES, 100 MILLION BY THE END OF JUNE, BUT -- >> THEY ARE PLANNING TO PRODUCE, JUST NOT QUITE AT THE SCALE EVERYONE WAS HOPING FOR.

EVERY HICCUP COSTS US, AND ULTIMATELY WILL COST LIVES.

>> Reporter: IT CERTAINLY THROWS A WRENCH IN PUBLIC HEALTH TIMELINES.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI HAD EXPECTED TO OPEN UP VACCINE ELIGIBILITY TO EVERYBODY WHO WANTED A SHOT BY THE END OF APRIL.

>> THAT WAS PREDICATED ON J&J , THAT PRODUCT HAVING CONSIDERABLY MORE DOSES THAN NOW WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE.

THAT TIMELINE WILL PROBABLY BE PROLONGED, MAYBE INTO MID-TO- LATE MAY, AND EARLY JUNE.

>> Reporter: J&J APPLIED FOR AN EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FDA FOR HIS COVID VACCINE ON FEBRUARY 4 , AND TODAY IN A STATEMENT SAID THAT THE COMPANY INTENDS TO DISTRIBUTE VACCINE TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE AUTHORIZATION, AND EXPECTS TO SUPPLY 100 MILLION DOSES TO THE U.S.

IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2021.

BUT 23 DID NOT OFFER ANY HARD DISTRIBUTION DATES.

DELAYS COULD SLOW UP THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATIONS PLAN TO USE THE J&J VACCINE FOR INOCULATING HARD-TO-REACH POPULATIONS.

JUST LAST WEEK, THEY ANNOUNCED GREAT EXPECTATIONS BASED ON J&J'S OFFICIAL OF ISRAEL ORIGINAL ESTIMATE.

>> 23 HOPES TO PROVIDE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH 100 MILLION DOSES BY APRIL.

THE J AND J VACCINE IS ONLY ONE SHOT AND DOES NOT REQUIRE ULTRACOLD STORAGE.

THE VACCINE WILL TRAVEL BETTER, AND IN FACT, IT WILL TRAVEL SO WELL, IT WOULD BE EASIER TO DEPLOY THE VACCINE CLOSER TO WHERE INDIVIDUALS LIVE.

>> Reporter: DR. ANTHONY FAUCI FIGURES IT COULD TAKE UNTIL THE END OF SUMMER OR EARLY FALL TO GET EVERYONE VACCINATED, BUT TO DO THAT, DR. BLASER SAYS THE U.S. WILL HAVE TO PICK UP THE PACE WELL BEYOND THE CURRENT RATE OF BETWEEN 1.5 TO 1.7 MILLION SHOTS PER DAY.

>> WILL OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE ARE GETTING BACK UNAIDED EVERY DAY, SO THAT IS GREAT.

ON THE OTHER HAND, WE ARE A COUNTRY OF 330 MILLION PEOPLE, SO THAT IS 1 MILLION A DAY, 330, THAT IS ALMOST A YEAR.

>> Reporter: IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 3 MILLION SHOTS PER DAY TO HIT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S TARGET, AND HAVING TO WAIT LONGER TO DEPLOY J&J'S 100 MILLION DOSES ONLY MAKES THAT A TOUGHER TASK.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> ANOTHER TOUGH TASK, PASSING A CLEANUP BILL FOR RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.

GIVEN ONCE THE DETAILS ARE HAMMERED OUT, CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES SAY THERE ARE STILL A NUMBER OF LAWS ON THE BOOKS IN NEED OF REFORM.

FOR STARTERS, MANDATORY AN IMAM SENTENCING.

MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, A COMMISSION FOUND REQUIRING A PERSON TO SERVE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME BEFORE PAROLE ELIGIBILITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MASSIVE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN OUR STATE PRISONS COME OUT WHERE THE INCARCERATION RATES FOR BLACKS IS 12 TIMES HIGHER THAN FOR WHITES.

BUT ANOTHER LAST-MINUTE ADD-ON IN A SENATE COMMITTEE HAS STALLED THE BILLED FOUR MONTHS.

NOW LAWMAKERS MIGHT BE READY TO BREAK THAT IMPASSE.

COLLEEN IS FOLLOWING THE STORY.

YOU WERE LISTENING IN AS LAWMAKERS MET THIS WEEK.

WHERE DO WE STAND WITH THIS?

>> Reporter: THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE IS THE BODY THAT CLEARED THE BILL YESTERDAY , 7-0.

THAT IS THE FIRST STEP IN THE SENATE FOR THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

THERE WAS A PRIOR BILL THAT HAD MADE IT THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY, AND THEN WAS AMENDED IN THE SENATE.

THAT ONE IS AT A STANDSTILL.

WE ARE KIND OF STARTING FROM SCRATCH AGAIN.

>> WHAT IS CAUSING THE HOLDUP?

>> Reporter: WELL, WHAT HAPPENED IS THE COMMISSION, IN HIS REPORT IN NOVEMBER 2019, HAD RECOMMENDED THE END OF MANDATORY MINIMUM SENTENCES FOR DRUG CRIMES, AND NONVIOLENT CRIMES, PROPERTY CRIMES.

WHAT ONE SENATOR ADDED TO THAT BILL, AND AMENDING IT, WAS MAKING THERE BE NO MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT CHARGES, AND THAT REALLY RUBBED A LOT OF LEGISLATORS THE WRONG WAY.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID HE ALSO DOES NOT SUPPORT.

>> THIS WAS SENATOR NICK SACCO, WHO HAD A PERSONAL INTEREST IN THAT?

>> Reporter: THERE CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE.

HIS GIRLFRIEND SON IS FACING SOME MISCONDUCT CHARGES IN NORTH BERGEN, WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE WHERE NICK SACCO IS THE MAYOR.

SO, THAT REALLY HELD IT UP, BUT THE BILL THAT WAS PASSED YESTERDAY ACTUALLY NOW COVERS ALL NONVIOLENT CRIMES, AND IT DOES INCLUDE MISCONDUCT.

SO, IT IS REALLY UNCLEAR, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE FUTURE OF THIS IS.

>> WHAT ARE SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES SAYING ABOUT IT?

ARE THEY HAPPY WITH WHERE THIS BILL IS HEADING?

>> Reporter: THEY ARE REALLY SAYING AT THIS POINT, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S AN IMPERFECT BILL, IT'S AN IMPERFECT BILL.

LET'S DEAL WITH IT, BUT WE HAVE TO GET THIS THROUGH, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MUCH RACIAL DISPARITY WITHIN THE PRISON SYSTEM, AND THERE HAS BEEN JUST TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO BE HELD IN PRISON ON, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THEM AT LEAST, SOME FAIRLY MINOR DRUG CHARGES, BECAUSE PERHAPS THEY WERE CAUGHT WITHIN 1000 FEET OF A SCHOOL.

THAT WAS A DRUG'S FREE SCHOOL ZONE LAW THAT WAS IN PLACE BACK IN THE 1980s PEER AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE TO SERVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME WITHOUT PAROLE UNDER THE MANDATORY MINIMUM, SO THEY SAY WE JUST HAVE TO GET RID OF THESE.

>> Reporter: COLLEEN O'DEA FOR US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THOSE OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT CHARGES CARRY A 5 YEAR MINIMUM SENTENCE, BUT IT COULD BE A LOT MORE FOR A HANDFUL OF NORTH JERSEY POLITICIANS INDICTED THIS WEEK BY A STATE GRAND JURY, STEMMING FROM BRIBERY CHARGES IN 2019 THAT READ A LOT LIKE A SCENE FROM THE SOPRANOS.

THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF CASH STUFFED IN PAPER BAGS, EVEN A COFFEE CUP, BRIBES MASKED AS CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, FOUR PROMISES OF NO-BID CONTRACTS AND OTHER FAVORS.

THE DEFENDANTS INCLUDE FORMER JERSEY CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION PRESIDENT DON THOMAS, X ASSEMBLYMAN JASON O'DONNELL, FORMER MORRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SARAH, AND X MOUNT ARLINGTON COUNCILMAN JOHN WENDERS.

THE GRAND JURY INDICTED ALL FOUR ON SECOND DEGREE BRIBERY CHARGES.

TO FACE OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT AND OTHER CHARGES.

ACCORDING TO ATTORNEY GENERAL, IT IS OLD-SCHOOL POLITICAL CORRUPTION AT ITS WORST.

>>> THERE'S ANOTHER STORY LINE THAT SEEMS TO BE PLAYING ON REPEAT THAT IS MORE SNOW.

ANOTHER WINTER STORM IS EXPECTED TO HIT THE STATE THURSDAY, INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON.

IS GOING TO BE THE STUFF THAT IS TOUGH TO SHOVEL.

WET, HEAVY SNOW ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

FORECASTERS PREDICT ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO 9 INCHES.

MSE MISSES LIKELY TO FALL AT THE SHORE, AND POTENTIAL FOR DANGEROUS ICE IN MOST COUNTIES.

SOME OF IT HAS ALREADY STARTED THANKS TO THE THAW OUT MUCH OF THE STATE EXPERIENCED YESTERDAY.

WHEN WILL IT START?

RUTGERS MEDIA LARGEST STEVE DECKARD IS HERE WITH THE LATEST.

I FEEL LIKE WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF YOU THIS WINTER.

IF I LIVE IN NORTH JERSEY, AM I GOING TO SEE THE SNOW WHEN I WAKE UP TOMORROW MORNING?

>> Reporter: YOU WILL START TO SEE THE SNOWFLAKES FLYING RIGHT AROUND SUNRISE AND THEN PICKING UP WITHIN A FEW HOURS AFTER SUNRISE FISHER.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR MODEL SHOWING YOU AS FAR AS WHERE THE STORM IS TRACKING AND WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE HIGHEST AMOUNTS?

>> Reporter: THE STORM IS TRACKING IN JUST THE RIGHT PLACE TO YET AGAIN PUT CENTRAL AND NORTH PARTS OF THE STATE UNDER THE GUN FOR THE MOST SNOW.

WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT LOOKING LIKE ANYTHING LIKE THAT DORM FROM A FEW WEEKS AGO, WHERE SOME PLACES HAD 30 INCHES OR MORE.

IT IS MORE A BROAD 5 TO 9 INCHES ACROSS CENTRAL AND NORTHERN PARTS OF THE STATE.

BUT EVEN ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CAPE MAY AND, SOME SNOW WILL BE SEEN TOMORROW.

>> ARE THOSE TOTALS PRETTY CONSISTENT?

THE 49 INCHES, WITH WHAT YOU ALL WERE EXPECTING AND ANTICIPATING FOR THIS?

>> Reporter: CERTAINLY THERE HAVE BEEN SOME ENTRANCE TOWARDS A COOLER SYSTEM.

LOWER TEMPERATURES, MEANING LESS CHANCE OF RAIN GETTING INTO A LOT OF THE STATE.

IF IT RAINS DOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY, IT SHOULD CHANGE TO RAIN EVENTUALLY, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THEY WILL BE GETTING LESS SNOW DOWN THERE.

BUT AREAS IN CENTRAL AND NORTH JERSEY, CERTAINLY THERE COULD BE SOME SLEET AND MIX PRECIPITATION, BUT PLAIN OLD LIQUID, AND LOOKS LIKE IT IS GOING TO BE TOO COLD FOR AREAS NORTH OF 195 TO GET ANYTHING LIQUID LIKE THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ICE AND WHAT THIS IS GOING TO MEAN FOR DRIVING CONDITIONS.

IF WE NEED TO BE OUT ON THE ROAD TOMORROW FOR WORK, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE?

>> Reporter: CERTAINLY ANY UNTREATED SURFACES WILL BE PRETTY TREACHEROUS TOMORROW.

WE HAVE HAD A COLD DAY TODAY, AND CALL TONIGHT.

ONCE IT HITS THE GROUND, IT IS GOING TO STICK IMMEDIATELY.

ANY SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN WILL BE STICKING AND ACCUMULATING ICE.

IT REALLY ALL DEPENDS ON HOW QUICKLY FOLKS CAN GET THE MAIN ROADS PLOWED AND SALTED.

ONCE THE DAYTIME COMES, BECAUSE THIS WILL BE AT THE TIME OF EVENT, EVEN WHEN IT IS CLOUDY, SOME SUNLIGHT IS GETTING THROUGH, AND IT SHOULD KEEP THE TREATED SURFACES IN DECENT SHAPE, BUT THAT IS THE KEY.

AS LONG AS THEY ARE TREATED WELL, THEY SHOULD BE OKAY.

>> ARE WE GOING TO SEE THESE THICK, SORT OF, 1 INCH OR MORE PER HOUR PRECIPITATION LIKE WE DID WITH THE LAST BIG STORM, WHERE YOU LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW AND YOU COULDN'T SEE ACROSS THE STREET TO YOUR NEIGHBOR?

>> Reporter: IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WILL BE A FEW TIMES WHERE IT COULD BE COMING DOWN THAT HEAVY, ESPECIALLY AROUND NOON.

>> I AM ALMOST NERVOUS TO ASK, BUT IS THIS THE LAST OF IT?

>> Reporter: IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE HAVE ANY BIG STORMS IN THE DISTANCE, BUT WINTER IS NOT OVER HERE GUY WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE MORE SNOW LATER ON FISHER.

>> TO SEE YOU.

TAKE CARE.

>>> UROLOGISTS LIKE STEVE DECKARD SAY THESE STORMS ARE JUST CHEWING UP OUR SHORELINES, SWALLOWING DUNES, LEAVING THE DESTRUCTION OF COASTAL FLOODING IN ITS PATH.

THAT EROSION MEANS SHORE TOWNS ARE AT THE MERCY OF EVERY TIED, SCRABBLING TO MAKE REPAIRS BEFORE SUMMER.

AS JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, IT'S A PROBLEM THAT PLAGUE US WITH FEW WHO AGREE ON A LONG-TERM FIX.

>>> A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, WE HAD A VERY SLOW-MOVING NOR'EASTER THAT HAD HIGH TIDES THAT LASTED OVER SEVERAL DAYS.

>> Reporter: AND THOSE HIGH TIDES SAYS DAVID ROSENBLATT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT EROSION OF THE BEACHES IN COASTAL AREAS LIKE LONG BEACH ISLAND, ATLANTIC CITY, THEY HAD, AND NORTH WILDWOOD.

MANY HAD SCARFED DUNES.

>> CARPING MEANS CUTTING AND AT BASICALLY A RIGHT ANGLE TO THE BEACH OR TO THE DUNE.

SO THAT IS WHY IN PLACES LIKE THEY HEAD, YOU WILL SEE A DROP OFF FROM THE TOP OF THE DUNE, DOWN TO THE BEACH BERM.

THERE IT IS ABOUT 10 TO 15 FEET.

>> Reporter: TO RESTORE THE BEACHES, THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS STRETCHES OF SAND FROM THE OCEAN FLOOR AND PUMPED IT BACK ONTO THE FLOOR.

MOST BEACHES ARE DESIGNED TO BE ON A 3 TO 4 YEAR CYCLE OF REPLENISHMENT, BUT -- >> WE HAVE STORMS LIKE THIS, WE WILL HAVE TO COME BACK A LITTLE MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THE CYCLE WOULD DEMAND.

>> IS DREDGING A LONG-TERM SOLUTION?

IT IS A CYCLE, AND AS A SEA LEVEL RISES, IS THAT STILL THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT THE SHORE?

>> WE ARE PROTECTING A VERY VALUABLE INDUSTRY, OUR TOURISM INDUSTRY.

THE SHORE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.

PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE BEACHES IN NEW JERSEY, BUT IT WILL BECOME MORE DIFFICULT AS A SEA LEVEL RISES, AND THE COASTAL STORMS INTENSIFY.

WE WILL HAVE TO PUT MORE SAND ON THE BEACHES.

WILL HAVE TO DO IT MORE FREQUENTLY.

WILL HAVE TO BUILD THE BEACHES OUT A LITTLE FURTHER, BUT WE WILL BE DOING BEACH REPLENISHMENT INTO THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS MISTAKES AS ENVIRONMENTALIST JEFF TITTLE.

>> WE KEEP SHOVELING SAND AGAINST THE TIDE.

WHEN HURRICANE SANDY HIT, NEW JERSEY LOST MORE THAN $2 BILLION WORTH OF SAND THAT JUST GOT WASHED INTO THE PACER OUT TO SEA.

WE REALLY NEED TO COME UP WITH A BETTER APPROACH TO REPLENISHING OUR BEACHES.

>> Reporter: ONE THAT DOES NOT COMPROMISE OCEAN LIFE.

>> WE END UP GOING OUT TO AREAS CALLED AMOUNTS WHERE BARRIER ISLANDS USED TO BE AND THEY ARE IMPORTANT FOR FISHERIES.

IT IS WHERE FISH BREED AND THERE IS A LOT OF PLANT LIFE AND KELP AND OTHER THINGS, AND WE SCOURED THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN THERE AND PUMPING IT ONTO THE BEACH, KILLING THE FISHERIES AND THE FISH ALONG THE WAY.

>> Reporter: AND HE SAYS DREDGING CHANGES THE SHAPE OF THE OCEAN FLOOR.

>> THE ANGLE OF DISSENT BECOMES STEEPER, OF 4 TO 5% SO BECOMES AN 89% SLOPE, AND THAT DOES TWO THINGS.

IT CAUSES THE BEACH TO A ROAD FASTER, AND IT CAUSES RIPTIDE'S.

>> Reporter: ROSENBLATT DISAGREES.

>> WHEN WE DO DREDGING OFFSHORE, THE DREDGING OCCURS 2 TO 3 MILES OUT MOST OFTEN, SO WHAT IS HAPPENING OUT THERE IS NOT RELATED TO WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE BEACH ITSELF.

>> Reporter: IS THERE ANYTHING NEW THAT IS BEING TRIED THAT HASN'T BEEN TRIED BEFORE?

>> THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS BEEN CONDUCTING TWO STUDIES TRYING TO DETERMINE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO TO PREVENT THE FLOODING THAT WE SEE DURING STORMS LIKE THIS NOR'EASTER, AND BIGGER STORMS LIKE SANDY.

>> Reporter: THE STUDY IS EXAMINING AREAS LIKE THE HARBOR AND TRIBUTARIES BETWEEN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK, AND THE BACK BAY, THE WATER BEHIND THE BARRIER ISLANDS.

CONSIDERING SOLUTIONS LIKE -- B. MAC LARGE FLOODGATES ACROSS INLETS.

THESE ARE MAJOR CIVIL WORKS PROJECTS.

THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.

WHEN I SAY VERY EXPENSIVE, I MEAN BILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: HIS DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET?

$25 MILLION.

BUT BOTH ROSENBLATT AND TITTLE BELIEVE THAT STRENGTHENING DUNES USING THINGS LIKE OLD CHRISTMAS TREES IS A CRITICAL STEP TO MINIMIZE EROSION.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN APPEARS TO BE PICKING UP WHERE HIS OLD BOSS LEFT OFF, CLEARING THE WAY FOR SOME LONG STALLED TRANSPORTATION PLANS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS IN TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>> Reporter: FROM NORTH TO SOUTH JERSEY, SOME KEY TRANSIT PROJECTS ARE MOVING FORWARD.

LET'S START WITH THE BIG ONE, AND THAT IS THE GATEWAY PROJECT, AND A ROADBLOCK HOLDING UP WORK HAS BEEN LIFTED NOW THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL ALLOW STATE GOVERNMENTS TO USE FEDERAL LOANS TO PAY THEIR SHARE OF THE 13 BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT.

THAT REVERSES A POLICY THAT WAS SET BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION .

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS NEW JERSEY CAN MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME AND GET THE PROGRAM AND THE THOUSANDS OF JOBS THAT WILL PRODUCE BACK ON TRACK.

MEANTIME IN SOUTH JERSEY, THE GOVERNOR TODAY ANNOUNCED A PROPOSED $250 MILLION REVAMP OF THE OUTDATED WALTER READ TRANSPORTATION CENTER.

>> THIS TRANSIT CENTER OPENED IN MAY OF 1989.

CAMDEN HAS CHANGED A LOT OVER THE PAST 32 YEARS, AND MUCH OF IT FOR THE BETTER.

LET'S GIVE THIS CITY A TRANSIT CENTER THAT MIRRORS ITS EXCITING FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THE GOAL IS TO UPDATE AND ENLARGE THE CENTER TO BETTER SERVE COMMUTERS.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO FORM WHAT IS BEING CALLED THE NEW JERSEY COUNCIL ON THE GREEN ECONOMY, WHICH WILL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

BUSINESS LEADERS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS WILL HAVE THEIR SAY IN THE PROCESS.

ANTHONY RIZZO OF THE COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY IS OPTIMISTIC.

>> I THINK AS LONG AS THERE IS A DELIBERATIVE PROCESS, WHERE EVERYONE HAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE, AND THERE IS SCIENCE IN FACT, AND LEAVE THE POLITICS OUT OF IT, LEAVE THE PERCEPTIONS OUT OF IT, I THINK YOU CAN STRIKE THAT BALANCE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND ALSO PROTECT OUR ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE COUNCILS BIG GOALS IS TO CREATE SOME MUCH-NEEDED NEW JOBS.

STATE TAX COLLECTIONS GOT A BOOST FROM HOLIDAY SHOPPING.

THE JANUARY REVENUE NUMBERS RELEASED BY THE STATE SHOW THAT SALES TAX COLLECTIONS ROSE 5% IN DECEMBER.

YEAR-TO-DATE SALES TAX REVENUE IS RUNNING AHEAD OF PROJECTIONS, BUT INCOME AND CORPORATE BUSINESS TAX COLLECTION SO FAR THIS FISCAL YEAR ARE BELOW LAST YEAR'S NUMBERS.

SMALL BUSINESSES CAN ONCE AGAIN GET HELP PAYING FOR THEIR PPE.

BUSINESSES WITH 100 OR FEWER EMPLOYEES ARE ABLE TO APPLY TO THE EDA PPE PROGRAM, WHICH OFFERS DISCOUNTS OF NEARLY 70%.

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

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

>>> IN ATLANTIC CITY, THE END OF AN ERA.

3000 STICKS OF DYNAMITE, 39 STORIES, MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF HISTORY.

THE TRUMP PLAZA CAME TUMBLING DOWN SHORTLY AFTER 9:00 A.M.

THIS MORNING, NOTHING BUT A BILLOWING CLOUD OF SMOKE AND DEBRIS AFT IN ITS PLACE.

THE FORMER HOTEL AND CASINO HAS BEEN VACANT SINCE IT CLOSED IN 2014, ONE OF FOUR CASINOS THAT SHUDDERED AT THE TIME, VICTIMS OF AN OVERSATURATED MARKET.

SOME REPORTED BIDDING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO GET A FRONT ROW SEAT TO THE ACTION TODAY.

OTHERS BUNDLED UP AND WATCHED FROM THE BEACH.

DOZENS OF CARS LINED UP IN BADER FIELD.

IT ALL TOOK JUST 20 SECONDS TO BRING DOWN WHAT WAS ONCE THE CROWN JEWEL OF THE FORMER PRESIDENTS CASINO EMPIRE, AND COMES LESS THAN A WEEK SINCE TRUMP WAS ACQUITTED OF INCITING A DEADLY RIOT AT THE CAPITAL.

>>> THE FALLOUT FROM THE NATION'S FIRST-EVER SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF THE PRESIDENT CONTINUES, WITH DEMOCRATS PEDDLING THE IDEAS THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS IN CHAOS MY FRACTURED BEYOND REPAIR.

MANY MEMBERS OF THE GOP ARGUE THE SITUATION IS QUITE THE OPPOSITE.

WITHOUT A FORMER REALITY STAR TURNED LEADER GRABBING ALL OF THE HEADLINES, IT MIGHT JUST CLEAR THE WAY FOR THEIR AGENDA.

DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: A MORE FITTING SYMBOL WOULD BE HARD TO FIND.

DONALD TRUMP'S OLD AC CASINO LIKE HIS PRESIDENCY MY CRUMBLING BEFORE AND EAGER NEW JERSEY AUDIENCE.

BUT DOES THAT MEAN THAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT, DEFEATED AT THE POLLS, AND NOW TWICE IMPEACHED, WILL LOSE HIS GRIP ON REPUBLICAN POLITICS?

THE ANSWER TO THAT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK.

>> I THINK ONCE TRUMP GOES AWAY, THEY ARE GOING TO START FIGHTING EACH OTHER, RIGHT?

I THINK THE LEADERSHIP IS RECOGNIZING THAT, SO AS LONG AS THEY CAN MAKE DONALD TRUMP THE LIGHTNING ROD, THEY CAN KEEP THE PARTY TOGETHER TO SOME EXTENT.

>> Reporter: MIKE DOHERTY HAS BEEN A LONGTIME TRUMP SUPPORTER, AND STILL EXTOLLED HIS VIRTUES AS A COMMANDER IN CHIEF.

BUT HE SAYS THE FORMER PRESIDENT NEVER HAD A TIGHT GRIP ON NEW JERSEY REPUBLICANS AS HE HAS HAD WITH REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> HERE IT IS ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING, MURPHY'S HANDLING OF THE CORONAVIRUS, PROPERTY TAXES , REOPENING SMALL BUSINESSES.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL TO A LARGE EXTENT.

PORT MARK THOSE ARE REALLY STATE ISSUES AND IN AN ELECTION YEAR, DID WE MENTION THAT 2021 IS A BIG ELECTION IN NEW JERSEY?

VOTERS WILL BE LESS FOCUSED ON TRUMP TWEETS AND MORE FOCUSED ON PHIL MURPHY MISHAPS.

AT LEAST THAT IS WHAT PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL CANDIDATE JACK CHIARELLI SAYS/HOPES.

>> HERE IS WHAT I FIND.

PEOPLE ARE FOCUSING ON NEW JERSEY.

PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW HOW JACK CHIARELLI VERSUS JOE MURPHY IS GOING TO IMPROVE THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, THEIR ROTTEN LIFE.

HOW WE ARE GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THEY ARE UP AGAINST EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TRUMP AND CHIARELLI HAVE BEEN COMPLICATED.

HE ONCE CALLED TRUMP A CHARLATAN , AND BAD FOR THE PARTY.

HE PIVOTED AWAY FROM THAT POSITION AFTER TRUMP GOT ELECTED PRESIDENT, AND WILL NOW HAVE TO WALK THAT FINE LINE BETWEEN THE MORE MODERATE JERSEY STYLE REPUBLICANISM, AND THE MORE STRIDENT TRUMP IS IN.

>> I KNOW PHIL MURPHY ONCE THE SELECTION TO BE ALL ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

THEY KEEP REFERRING TO JACK CHEDDAR REALLY IS A TRUMP CHRISTIAN REPUBLICAN AND BY THE TIME THE 10 MONTHS IS OVER, PEOPLE WILL KNOW THAT AND I AM CONFIDENT IN THE OUTCOME OF THIS ELECTION.

>> Reporter: MURRAY SAYS TRUMP'S SWAY OVER THE PARTY, AS EVIDENCED BY RECENT CENTERS OF GOP LAWMAKERS THAT VOTED TO IMPEACH HIM, REMAINS.

>> IF YOU DIDN'T NEED ANY MORE EVIDENCE OF THE PAST 5 YEARS, THE CENTERS THAT ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, VOTING THEIR CONSCIENCE, IS ALL THE EVIDENCE I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD NEED AT THIS POINT TO KNOW THAT TRUMP IS REALLY TAKING OVER THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> Reporter: MURRAY AGREES THAT VOTERS IN NEW JERSEY WILL BE THINKING OF THE STATE ISSUES FIRST WHEN GOING TO THE POLLS IN NOVEMBER.

>> THE VOTERS FIRST LOOK AT THE PERSON WHO IS IN OFFICE AND SAY I'M A DID THEY DESERVE ANOTHER 4 YEARS.

IF THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THE OPPONENT IS, ALLIED WITH TRUMP OR NOT.

WHAT YOU HAVE TO THAN HOPE FOR, IF YOU ARE JACK, IS THAT THAT KIND OF TRUMP PHENOMENON, THE TRUMP IMAGE, DOESN'T HANG OVER THE TOP OF HIM AND THE GOVERNOR TORI RACE.

>> Reporter: TRUMPS INFLUENCE HERE WOULD'VE BEEN AN INTERESTING QUESTION TO HAVE DEBATED DURING A REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, BUT THE TRUMP STYLE REPUBLICANS DROPPED OUT OF THE RACE BEFORE IT COULD BE RAISED.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> WITH MORE THAN 2 MILLION UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FILED SINCE THE START OF THIS PANDEMIC, THERE ARE PLENTY OF PROBLEMS AND QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED.

ROB LUCERO ANGELO GETS IN THE HOT SEAT WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ ON CHAT BOX THURSDAY EVENING AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

GET YOUR QUESTIONS IN EARLY.

EMAIL THEM TO CHAT BOX AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG .

DON'T MISS IT.

IN THE MEANTIME, HEAD OVER TO OUR WEBSITE, NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI .

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

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, TAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GRADE FOR EVERY CHILD.

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

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