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

>>> WHILE AMERICA IS LEADING THE WORLD, BUT IT IS NOT A RACE WE WANT TO WIN, THE U.S. HAS SIGNIFICANTLY RATES OF COVID DEBTS AND ANY OTHER NATION ACCORDING TO THE "NEW YORK TIMES".

THE DEATH RATE DURING THIS LAST WAVE HAS FAR SUPPRESSED SURPASSED ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

THE KEY REASON IS THE LOWER VACCINATION RATES IN THE U.S.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY FOR THE COVID ACCOUNT KEEPS INCREASING WITH MORE THAN 3500 NEW CASES REPORTED TODAY AND MORE THAN 100 NEW DEATHS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY ADMITTING, THIS IS NO LONGER A PANDEMIC, BUT RATHER AN END DIMMICK.

COVID IS HERE TO STAY, SO IT IS TIME TO LIVE WITH IT.

90% OF NEW JERSEYANS HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST THEIR FIRST SHOT, HE SAYS, HE BELIEVES MASKS WILL COME OFF STUDENTS SOMETIME DURING THIS NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

BUT NEWARK'S MAYOR IS NOT LETTING UP ON HIS RESTRICTIONS, ISSUING A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT GOES INTO EFFECT TODAY, EXTENDING MANDATES IN THE STATE'S LARGEST CITY FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS.

WITHOUT A STATEWIDE MANDATE OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO TRY AND REACH THOSE STILL UNVACCINATED AND THOSE ELIGIBLE FOR A BOOSTER WHO STILL HAVE NOT GOTTEN ONE.

MASS VACCINATION SITES ARE REOPENED, BUT WHO IS ACTUALLY SHOWING UP AND ARE THE SITES STILL AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH?

BRENDA FLANAGAN VISITED ONE OF THOSE MEGA SITES AND TRACKED DOWN ONE ON WHEELS.

>> IT IS EASY FOR ME BECAUSE I LIVE HERE IN THIS TOWN.

>> SHE LIVES IN HARRISON, WHERE A STEADY STREAM OF PEOPLE FILED THROUGH THE MOBILE POP-UP CLINIC, ORGANIZED BY JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND LOCAL OFFICIALS.

SOME 80 TO 100 FOLKS HERE, MOST SEEKING BOOSTERS SINCE IT OPENED .

>> WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME HERE?

>> BECAUSE IT IS VERY CLOSE TO MY HOUSE AND CONVENIENT FOR US.

>> WE OFFERED IT AND HAVE BEEN GETTING PRETTY GOOD RESULTS.

PEOPLE HERE TAKE IT SERIOUSLY.

>> FOR MY FIRST TWO SHOTS I WENT TO A MEGA SITE, THE CONVENIENCE OF THE EASIER THAN GOING TO A MEGA SITE.

I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT AN HOUR OR AN HOUR NAP.

>> NEW JERSEY WAS ONLY OPENED FIVE SHOPS TO MAKE GETTING A SHOT MORE ACCESSIBLE.

ATTENDANCE AT THE PARAMUS LOCATION YESTERDAY WAS SPARSE, AT LEAST COMPARED TO THE INITIAL MEGA SITES WHERE FOLKS LINED UP SOMETIME FOR HOURS.

>> WE WANT TO MINIMIZE BARRIERS, TO TAKE AWAY ANY BARRIERS AS POSSIBLE FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO EITHER GET BOOSTERS, OR FOR THOSE THAT NEED TO GET PRIMARY DOSES, CHILDREN INCLUDED .

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ACCESS TO VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: BUT IT SEEMS THE MACRO SOMETIMES COULD BE GETTING OUTPERFORMED BY THE MICRO, LIKE THE SMALLER POP OF SPIRITS >> WE KNOW WE ARE MAKING AN IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY.

NOT EVERYONE HAS TRANSPORTATION.

NOT EVERYONE HAS SOMEBODY TO TAKE THEM TO THE MEGA SITE.

AN TEAM LEADER VALENCIA SAYS, THE STATE'S LENNOX AND THREE VACCINATION BUSES OFTEN TRAVELED TO COMMUNITIES AT RISK, LIKE JERSEY'S NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN RAMAPO, WE HAVE BEEN IN BRIDGETON, AND WE ARE OPENING TO COME TO.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S COLECO CASELOADS HAVE BEEN TRENDING DOWNWARD, THE POSITIVITY RATE IS 20% OF COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE DROPPED BELOW 2000.

90% OF ELIGIBLE ADULTS HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE COVID SHOT.

76% ARE FULLY VACCINATED, BUT ONLY ABOUT HALF HAVE GOTTEN TO.

POLLS SHOW VACCINE HESITANT FOLKS REMAIN DEEPLY DUG IN, DESPITE APPEALS OF HOW TO MOVE THEM.

>> I THINK IT WILL LIKELY HAPPEN THE MOMENT THAT THE FDA TAKES AWAY THE EMERGENCY APPROVAL AND GIVE THE FULL APPROVAL.

WE HAD A BUMP IN THE NUMBER OF THOSE THAT GOT VACCINATED AS OMICRON BEGAN TO SURGE BECAUSE FEAR IS ACTUALLY A MOTIVATOR FOR PEOPLE.

>> WE SAW LAST WINTER HOW THE NUMBERS COULD QUICKLY TURN BACK AROUND AND WE DO NOT WANT TO TEST THAT THEORY WITH OMICRON.

WE HAVE TO REMAIN ON A VIGILANT FOOTING.

WE KNOW WE ARE SAVING LIVES BY POUNDING AWAY, EVEN IF WE ARE GRINDING AWAY ON GETTING MORE PEOPLE BOOSTED.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO LOCAL CLINICS LIKE THIS ONE, THE STATE ALSO WORKS WITH CHURCHES TO ORGANIZE BE GRATEFUL FOR SHOT EVENT, THEY USUALLY GET A GOOD TURNOUT.

>> WE ARE BRINGING THE VACCINE TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE, DURING WEEKENDS, EVENING HOURS, TO MAKE IT AS CONVENIENT AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO GET BOOSTED.

WE HAVE HAD SUCCESSFUL POP-UP CLINICS IN PLACES LIKE THE CHERRY HILL MALL SCHOOLS, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, AND SENIOR HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAYS, THEY HAVE HELPED MORE THAN 700 EVENTS FOR KIDS AGES 5 TO 17 OFFICIALS HOPE TO SEE THE FDA CLEAR PFIZER'S VACCINE FOR YOUNGEST CHILDREN, 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS.

>> THE PLUS SIDE IS, IF WE GET THE LESS THAN 5 AUTHORIZATION FROM THE FDA IN THE NEXT MONTH, THESE SITES WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARENTS TO TAKE THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN TO GET VACCINATED AND MAY BE USED AT A HIGHER CAPACITY.

>> NEW JERSEY COULD SEE ANOTHER SURGE IN VACCINATIONS, EVEN AT THE MEGA SITES.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> TEACHER SHORTAGES HAVE LEFT ANY SCRAMBLING TO KEEP THEIR CLASSROOMS AND KEEP DOORS OPEN.

BILL RECENTLY SIGNED INTO LAW ALLOWS DISTRICTS TO BRING IN RETIRED TEACHERS WITHOUT IMPACTING THEIR PENSIONS.

SOME DISTRICTS ARE TAKING SOME MORE UNCONVENTIONAL APPROACHES TO KEEP THEIR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

REAGAN SANTANA SPOKE WITH SOME SOUTH JERSEY TOWNS THAT ARE GETTING CREATIVE DURING THIS EDUCATIONAL CRISIS SPIRITS >> WE HAVE ABOUT 1100 EMPLOYEES AND WE WOULD HAVE ABOUT 235, 240 EMPLOYEES ABSENT, ABOUT 25% .

THEN, WE WOULD HAVE ABOUT 135 TEACHERS AT OUR HIGHEST RATE.

>> MILLVILLE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS, RIGHT BEFORE WINTER BREAK , HIS DISTRICT, LIKE SO MANY OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE, WAS STRUGGLING WITH STAFF SHORTAGES.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, HE SAYS THE DISTRICT ONLY HAD ABOUT 25 SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS TO RELY ON TO FILL THE VOID.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A STAFF MEMBER THAT MIGHT BE QUARANTINED, IT IS NOT ONE DAY, IT IS FIVE DAYS, AND ONE-TIME 10 INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS.

WE HAD KIDS SITTING AT LONG PERIODS OF TIME FOR CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN THE AUDITORIUM OR THE GYMNASIUM.

IT WAS NOT GOOD FOR KIDS.

WE HAD TO COME UP WITH A BETTER SOLUTION.

WOOD THAT IS WHY TROMBONE SAYS HE DECIDED TO HAVE THREE SCHOOLS HAVE EARLY DISMISSAL FOR THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS.

>> WE ARE CHANGING THE TEACHER SCHEDULED TO HAVE THE LAUNCH AT THE END OF THE DAY SO WE CAN COVER CLASSES DURING THE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME WITH KIDS.

NOW, WE HAVE FOUR 63 MINUTE PERIODS, ACTUALLY ONE IS 68 BECAUSE IT IS A HOMEROOM.

NOW, WE ARE GUARANTEEING THAT OUR KIDS WILL BE IN FRONT OF AN ADULT, RECEIVING DIRECT INSTRUCTION.

>> Reporter:'S ISSUES ARE ECHOED TWO COUNTIES AWAY BY SUPERINTENDENT KATRINA McCOMBS.

SHE SAYS, SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC, STUDENTS IN HER DISTRICT WERE FORCED TO LEARN REMOTELY 75% OF THE TIME DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGES AND COVID EXPOSURES.

>> WE HAD APPROXIMATELY, AT ANY GIVEN TIME, PROXIMALLY 20% OF OUR TEACHING STAFF THAT WAS NOT ABLE TO WORK IN-PERSON.

WE HAD TO SHIFT TO REMOTE LEARNING.

ALSO, WE HAD 28 TEACHER VACANCIES.

>> Reporter: DURING A THE 24th MEETING, A RESOLUTION WAS PASSED TO SPONSOR A SELECTED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES WITH SEPARATE WORK VISAS.

THE UNORTHODOX SOLUTION COULD BE ANOTHER WAY TO FILL VACANCIES LONG TERM.

>> DO WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL ALL OF OUR EFFORTS ARE EXHAUSTED TO TRY SOMETHING OUT OF THE BOX?

I DON'T THINK WE DO.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT COMMUNITIES THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS, I COULD SAY AS A BOARD MEMBER, I SEE THAT COMMUNITIES LIKE ESL, BILINGUAL TEACHERS IN SPANISH, WE ALSO HAVE A HUGE CAMBODIAN COMMUNITY HERE IN CAMDEN.

WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT, THIS IS SOMETHING I BELIEVE WE ARE INTRODUCING IN THIS DISTRICT, BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD WORK ACROSS OUR STATE.

>> PRESIDENT OF THE NJEA SAYS IN AN EFFORT TO RESOLVE STAFFING ISSUES, HE BELIEVES THERE IS A NUMBER OF OTHER STEPS THAT COULD BE TAKEN TO RESOLVE TALENT.

>> THERE ARE EVEN DISTRICTS RAISING THAT SO PAY, SAYING, LET'S TRY AND COMPETE WITH THE DISTRICT NEXT TO US, COUPLE OF TOWNS WAY TO GET PEOPLE IN.

WE NOTED BEFORE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT SIGNED THAT LAW, ALLOWING RETIREES TO COME BACK, WE ARE ALSO TALKING A POTENTIAL SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WHO MAY BE OLDER, MORE CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH PIECES SURROUNDING COVID SAYING, I AM NOT GOING TO GO BACK INTO A SETTING I AM EXPOSING MYSELF IN.

EVEN SOMETHING WE ARE DOING INHERENTLY MAY NOT BE ATTRACTING THE USUAL GROUPS THAT WOULD COME IN AND DO THE SELBY AND THAT EXAMPLE.

EVEN THEN, GOING MORE BROADLY, THAT COMPENSATION, THE PAY EDUCATORS HAVE SEEN HAS NOT KEPT PACE WITH INFLATION WHEN YOU'RE CONSTANTLY SEEING TAXES ON BENEFITS.

STUDENTS IN COLLEGE COMING OUT, LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF STUDENT DEBT YOU HAVE.

>> AN UNDERWRITER OF "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" AND A MEMBER OF NJ PBS.

HE SAYS, WHILE THERE IS NO TIMEFRAME AS TO WHEN CAMDEN SCHOOLS COULD BEGIN SPONSORING TEACHERS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES, SHE HOPES CITY SOONER THAN LATER.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS".

>>> 15 OF THE LOWEST RANKS NEW JERSEY HOMES ARE COSTING THE STATE MORE THAN $100 MILLION A YEAR, EVEN THOUGH THEY TO BE SERIOUS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES YEAR AFTER YEAR.

THE FINDINGS COME FROM THE STATE COMPTROLLER THAT ACTS AS A WATCHDOG FOR THE STATE'S MEDICAID PROGRAM.

IT REPORTS 14 OF THOSE ONE-STOP FACILITIES ARE OPERATED FOR PROFIT AND HAVE ALL BEEN REPEATEDLY RANKED AT THE BOTTOM OF QUALITY CARE STANDARDS BY THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES.

ONE LOCATION IS THE WOODLAND BEHAVIORAL AND NURSING CENTER, FORMERLY ACUTE AND REHAB TOO.

THE SIDE OF A MASSIVE COVID OUTBREAK IN THE SPRING OF 2020, WHERE BODIES WERE FOUND STORED IN MAKESHIFT MORGUES.

IT TOOK HIM $44 MILLION FOR MEDICAID BETWEEN 2017 AND 2019.

ACTING STATE COMPTROLLER, KEVIN WALSH, SAYS, THE STATION LIMIT PUBLIC FUNDING FOR THESE NURSING HOMES UNTIL THEY IMPROVE CARE FOR NEARLY 2000 RESIDENTS.

AS NEW JERSEY SCHOOL STANDARDS HAVE INCREASED IN RECENT YEARS, SO TOO SHOULD ITS FUNDING.

THAT IS THE TAKEAWAY OF A NEW REPORT RELEASED BY JERSEY POLICY PROSPECTIVE TODAY THAT SAYS, THE STATUS FAILED TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO MEET ITS OWN RISING EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY NOT FULLY FUNDING THE SFRA, OR THE SCHOOL FUNDING REFORM ACT OF 2008.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE IN URBAN DISTRICTS WHERE STUDENTS ARE LIVING IN POVERTY.

WHEN THE SPINNING GAP IS AS HIGH AS $20,000 PER STUDENT, ACCORDING TO REPORTS.

IT OUTLINES WHERE THE STATE NEEDS TO RECALIBRATE FUNDING TO MEET THOSE HIGHER STANDINGS AND KEEP ITS SCHOOLS COMPETITIVE.

>>> TUNE IN TO CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ.

I WILL BE ANCHORING THIS WEEKEND WILL TALK TO BRUCE BAKER FROM NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THIS REPORT AND WHERE THE MONEY SHOULD GO.

THAT IS TOMORROW AT 6:00 P.M. ON THE "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" YOUTUBE CHANNEL , OR WHATEVER YOU STREAM.

>>> I KNEW BILL COULD CARTEL GOVERNOR PHILIP MURPHY'S EMERGENCY POWERS PUT BACK DECLAN O SCANLON, AND HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR HAS SIGNED ON AS A SPONSOR.

WHAT EXACTLY WILL IT DO THAT IS IT LIKELY TO MOVE THROUGH THE LEGISLATOR?

JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT IT IS SENATOR OH OH SCANLON.

HE RECENTLY INTRODUCED A BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT GOVERNMENT POWERS.

EXPLAIN THE BILL AND WHY YOU BROUGHT IT FORWARD NOW.

>> WHAT THE BILL DOES IS BALANCE AN IMBALANCE IN POWER THAT WAS ATTENDED BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, A BALANCE OF FOUNDERS POLICY THAT EXIST IN 49 OTHER STATES.

NEW JERSEY IS IN AN OUTLIER WHEN IT COMES TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES AS INTENDED BY OUR FOUNDING FATHERS.

WE ARE OUT OF WHACK IN NEW JERSEY AND WE NEED TO GET BACK INTO WHACK.

WE HAVE SOME OVER AND OVER AGAIN THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION, WHILE IT MET MUCH OF ITS EFFORTS HAVE WELL-INTENTIONED, HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH SCIENCE, THE DATA, AND COULD BENEFIT FROM THE INPUT OF A LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, AND DELIBERATIVE INPUTS.

THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL DOCUMENT .

THIS IS A VERY GOOD POLICY DOCUMENTS AT A REASONABLE POLICY DOCUMENTS.

WE ARE NOT INTENDING TO BEAT THE GOVERNMENT UP HERE.

THIS IS ABOUT THE BALANCE OF POWER, NOT ABOUT GOVERNOR MURPHY .

>> EXPLAIN WHAT THE LIMITS WOULD BE ON THE GOVERNOR'S ABILITY TO BE PASSED EMERGENCY ORDERS ON DECLARATIONS.

>> THE INITIAL PERIOD IS 60 DAYS.

THE LEGISLATOR WOULD HAVE TO TAKE ACTION AND PERMIT A GOVERNOR'S REQUEST OF EXTENSION AND EVERY 30 DAYS AFTER THAT.

WE MAKE IT VERY EASY FOR THE LEGISLATOR TO ACT.

THEY ARE WORSE TO COME TO TRENTON AGAIN, THAT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT.

THEY CAN DO IT REMOTELY.

THERE HAS TO BE INPUT.

THERE HAS TO BE BUY-IN FROM THE LEGISLATOR.

IT IS VERY SOUND POLICY.

>> THERE IS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AS OF RIGHT NOW FOR THE BILL.

SENATOR POWELL HAS SIGNED ON AS A SPONSOR.

TELL ME ABOUT THOSE DISCUSSIONS AND EVILLY THERE WILL BE MORE DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT?

>> I AM HOME.

THERE IS REAL INTEREST ON THE PART OF MANY OTHER DEMOCRAT LEGISLATORS.

THERE IS REAL ANGER AND FRUSTRATION, BY THE WAY, THAT PEOPLE ARE RELAYING TO ME FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

THEY ARE ANGERED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS KIND OF KICKED THE LEGISLATOR TO THE SIDE.

THROUGHOUT, THERE HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE RISK WANTS FROM THE LEGISLATOR.

I AM HOPEFUL THOSE FOLKS WILL HAVE A LINE, LIKE THE SENATOR HAS, TO STEP UP AND SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, AND RESPECT REALLY DO SO.

AGAIN, I WOULD EXPECT US TO WORK WITH ADMINISTRATION ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO MOVE FORWARD IN A DELIBERATIVE WAY.

I AM HOPING WE WILL HAVE MORE SIGN ON.

I AM HAPPY HE HAD THE GUTS TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL HAVE THE SUPPORT OF NEW SENATE PRESIDENT X KOTHARI MARKS >> I BELIEVE WE WILL GET FAIR CONSIDERATION FROM HIM.

HIS REMARKS TO DATE PUBLICLY HAVE INDICATED THERE IS A WILLINGNESS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

HE HAS SAID THINGS, WHETHER THE GOVERNOR TRIES TO RE-UP THIS STATE OF EMERGENCY WITH OUR PLUMMETING NUMBERS, IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO DO.

THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS, MASKS AND SCHOOLS, EVEN SOCIAL DISTANCING WITH KIDS STILL SITTING ON THE FLOOR IN PLACES, THESE THINGS NEED TO STOP OR BE LEFT IN THE HANDS OF LOCAL SCHOOL OFFICIALS.

THERE IS A DOWNSIDE TO THESE POLICIES WITH OUR CHILDREN.

I BELIEVE WE WILL GET CONSIDERATION.

>> THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SENATOR.

WE WILL BE JOINED TOMORROW BY SENATOR POWELL TO SHARE HIS VIEWS ON THE BILL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, SENATOR.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATIVE MAP WILL BE REDRAWN WITHOUT THE INPUT OF SWEENEY.

THE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE TUESDAY REJECTED SWEENEY'S ATTEMPT TO BE PLACED BACK ON THE PROPORTION COMMITTEE THAT REDRAWS THE MAP AT THE HE WAS WITHDRAWN LAST WEEK.

HIS REPLACEMENT IS LONGTIME POLITICAL OPERATIVE, LAURA MATOS.

>>> MEANWHILE, IN A PUBLIC REDISTRICTING HEARING TODAY, FORMER STATE JUDGE, THE LIKELY TIEBREAKER VOTE ON THE COMMISSION, NO THAT TWO MAP PROPOSAL, ONE DRAWN BY DEMOCRATS AND THE OTHER BY REPUBLICANS, WILL BE RELEASED FOR PUBLIC COMMENT FEBRUARY 7th.

AT THE SAME HEARING, THE NONPARTISAN GROUP, FAIR DISTRICT NEW JERSEY, PRESENTED THEIR OWN PROPOSAL, WHICH WOULD BOOST THE NUMBER OF MINORITY MAJORITY DISTRICTS IN THE STATE.

>>> ALLEGATIONS OF SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE NFL, FORMER MIAMI DOLPHINS HEAD COACH BRIAN FLORES, WHO IS BLACK IS BRINGING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE LEAGUE AFTER, ACCORDING TO HIM, HE PARTICIPATED IN WHAT HE CALLS A SHAM INTERVIEW PROCESS FOR THE POSITION OF HEAD COACH OF THE NEW YORK GIANTS.

UNDER THE RONNEY RULE, TEENS ARE CONSIDERED REQUIRED TO CONSIDER A CERTAIN NUMBER OF MINORITY CANDIDATES FOR HEAD- COACHING POSITIONS.

HE SAYS, THE ROADS BECAME APPARENT AFTER HE RECEIVED BACK AND GOT CONGRATULATORY TEXT FROM BILL BELICHICK, CONGRATULATING HIM ON EARNING THE POSITION BEFORE HIS FINAL- ROUND INTERVIEW.

TURNS OUT, THE TEXT WAS MEANT FOR THE WHITE MAN THE GIANTS THE HIGHER.

SEVERAL OF THE COACHES ARE SIGNING ON TO THE SUIT, ALTHOUGH THEIR NAMES ARE NOT YET PUBLIC.

>>> IS A MICRON WAVE HAS NOT JUST BROUGHT A LOSS OF LIFE, IT HAS BROUGHT A LOSS OF LIFE VISITS TOO.

RHONDA SCHEFFER HAS THE DETAILS AND THE OTHER HEADLIGHTS OF THE DAY.

>>> OMICRON IS DISRUPTING WHAT HAS BEEN A ROBUST JOB MARKET.

NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP REPORTING, THE U.S. ECONOMY LOST 301,000 JOBS IN JANUARY.

IT IS THE FIRST REPORT SHOWING JOB LOSSES IN MORE THAN A YEAR.

ECONOMISTS THOUGHT, THERE WOULD BE 200,000 NEW JOBS ADDED TO THE ECONOMY, SO THIS WAS A SHOCKER.

CHIEF ECONOMIST AT PNC FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP THINKS IT IS A BLIP AND SAAS FOR IS TO BLAME.

>> I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE OFF THE JOB EITHER BECAUSE THEY ARE SICK OR QUARANTINING.

MAYBE THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF FAMILY MEMBERS.

WE HAVE SEEN SCHOOLS RETURN TO VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION, CHILDCARE CENTERS CLOSED.

ALL OF THOSE FACTORS LED TO THE DROP IN EMPLOYMENT IN JANUARY, BUT I EXPECT WE WILL SEE EMPLOYMENT REBOUND AT THE OMICRON VARIANT FAITH AND PEOPLE RETURNED TO WORK.

>> WE WILL GET ANOTHER REPORT THIS FRIDAY ON THE JOB MARKET.

>>> BUSINESS IS LOOKING TO PROVIDE THEIR WORKERS WITH NEW SKILLS BENEFIT FROM JOB TRAINING GRANTS FROM THE STATE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IS MAKING $2 MILLION IN GRANTS AVAILABLE THROUGH A PROGRAM CALLED, OF SKILL.

THE FUNDS WILL BE REWARDED TO EMPLOYERS ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS TO REIMBURSE UP TO 50% OF THE COST OF RETRAINING CURRENT LINE EMPLOYEES.

COMPANIES, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND FAITH-BASED GROUPS CAN APPLY FOR GRANTS OF UP TO $100,000.

>>> THERE IS NO LET ON TO NEW JERSEY'S WAREHOUSE BOOM AT ONE OF THE LATEST PROPOSALS BEING CONSIDERED IS IN MERCER COUNTY.

A PRIVATE DEVELOPER WANTS TO BUILD NINE WAREHOUSES, COVERING A TOTAL OF 5 1/2 SQUARE IN WINTER.

THE MAYOR SAYS IT WOULD RAISE ABOUT $14 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE TOWNSHIP, BUT OPPONENTS ARGUE THAT FIGURE IS TOO OPTIMISTIC.

THE WAREHOUSE PROPOSAL IS THE RESULT OF A COURT SETTLEMENT WITH THE COMMUNITY AFTER A ZONING LAWSUIT.

TO LEARN MORE, READ JON HURDLE'S COLUMN ON NJTVONLINE.ORG .

>>> THREE DISTRIBUTORS OF OPIOID HAVE REACHED A SETTLEMENT WITH HUNDREDS OF NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES TO RESOLVE CLAIMS THAT THE COMPANY'S FIELD AN OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

WATER IS REPORTING J&J WILL PAY OVER $150 MILLION OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

J&J SAYS, HE DID NOT ADMIT WRONGDOING IN THAT SETTLEMENT.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON TODAY'S WALL STREET TRADING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY ROWING UNIVERSITY, EDUCATING NEW JERSEY LEADERS, PARTNERING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, TRANSFORMING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

>>> A NEW HOUSING CENTER IN NEWARK OPENED THIS WEEKEND PROVIDED SO MUCH MORE THAN SHELTER.

THE MINISTRY PATHWAYS TO HOUSING CENTER OFFERS COMMUNITY MEMBERS A RANGE OF SERVICES FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELING TO BEHAVIOR HEALTH SERVICES AND THERE ARE AMENITIES ON SITE LIKE WASHERS AND DRYERS FOR ALL OF THOSE NEWARK RESIDENTS WITHOUT A PERMANENT ADDRESS.

MELISSA COOPER REPORTS AS A PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, CHASING THE DREAM, FOCUSING ON POVERTY, JUSTICE, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: NEWARK MAYOR ATTENDING THE RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE MINISTRY PATHWAYS HOUSING CENTER.

THE 24,000 SQUARE FOOT STATE-OF- THE-ART FACILITY WILL SERVE AS A SHELTER FOR RESIDENTS WHO DON'T HAVE A PERMANENT ADDRESS.

>> AS I TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY, HOMELESSNESS IS VERY DIFFICULT AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I WAS JUST AT THE U.S. CONFERENCE OF MAYORS AND THEIR SERIES OF PANELS TALKING ABOUT RESIDENCES WITHOUT ADDRESSES ALL OVER THE NATION.

YOU CAN SEE TENTS IN D.C., SAN FRANCISCO, L.A. , BLOCKS AND BLOCKS OF TENTS IN FACT IN L.A.

IN MANY PLACES.

AND I KNOW AROUND THE COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING WITH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IN THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD HOW TO DEAL WITH HOMELESSNESS, ALMOST AN OXYMORON THAT WE STILL HAVE TO FIGURE THAT OUT.

IN NEWARK, WE ARE TRYING TO BE AS CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE AS POSSIBLE TO CHALLENGE THESE ISSUES THAT ARE DIFFICULT ONES AND HAVE BEEN PLAGUING US FOR DECADES.

AN >> THE SHELTER HOUSES 166 BEDS, 84 FOR MEN, 44 FOR WOMEN AND 24 DESIGNATED AS CODE BLUE, GIVEN TO THOSE WHO NEED IT DURING EXTREME LOW TEMPERATURES.

17 BEDS WILL ALSO BE SPREAD THROUGHOUT SEVEN SWEETS, FIVE OF WHICH WILL BE USED TO KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER, THE OTHER TWO SPECIFICALLY FOR ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PURPOSES.

>> SHELTER WILL NOT REQUIRE STATE IDENTIFICATION FOR INITIAL ADMISSION.

WE DO NOT REQUIRE SOBRIETY UPON ENTRY, AND WE WILL NOT SCREEN OUT DIFFERENTLY ABLED INDIVIDUALS.

>> Reporter: THE FACILITY ALSO OFFERS A CENTER FOR RESIDENTS NOT READY TO COMMIT TO SHELTER.

GUESS WE'LL BE ABLE TO COME TO MINISTRY PATHWAYS AND HAVE ACCESS TO BATHROOMS, WASHERS AND DRYERS, AND TVS.

A FULL COMMERCIAL KITCHEN IS ON SITE SO RESIDENTS CAN PREPARE MEALS.

>> I AM SO GRATEFUL TO GOD I HAVE NEVER HAD TO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS.

I DON'T HAVE FIRSTHAND KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE SIDEWALK OR FIGURE OUT WHERE MY NEXT MEAL WILL COME FROM, OR HAVE TO SNUGGLE UP WITH MY PERSONAL TREASURES, AND IN SOME CASES MY IDENTIFICATION TO ABORT STREET ABUSE AND THEFT.

WHAT I DO HAVE IS A KEEN UNDERSTANDING THAT THOSE THINGS ARE ABNORMAL IN A SOCIETY LIKE AMERICA AND THE ANXIETY, FEAR, PAIN, AND TRAUMA THAT EVOLVES FROM LIVING IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES TO NOT JUST DISSIPATE UPON ENTRY INTO SHELTER.

AN THE CITY IS TAKING IT A STEP FURTHER, PARTNERING UP WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF NORTH TO PROVIDE ONE SIDE COUNSELING, BEHAVIOR HEALTH, AND SOCIAL SERVICES TO RESIDENTS.

>> I KNOW THIS NEW FACILITY WILL TRANSFORM MANY PEOPLE HERE TODAY AND MOST IMPORTANT WITH THE SERVICE PEOPLE WE SEE HERE TO INDIVIDUALS TO BE ABLE TO FIND STABILITY, GOING BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE, GETTING THEIR HEALTHCARE AND COUNSELING THEY NEED AND FACING THEIR FUTURE WITH HOPE AND DIGNITY.

>> Reporter: MINISTRY PATHWAYS IS JUST ONE OF THE CITY'S LATEST EFFORTS TO END HOMELESSNESS.

LAST YEAR, THE VILLAGE STARTED PROVIDING EMERGENCY SHELTER, CONVERTING SHIPPING CONTAINERS INTO COMPLETE LIVING SPACES.

IT IS AN INITIATIVE OFFICIALS SAY IS A TOP PRIORITY WITH PLANS TO BUILD TWO MORE SITES IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> BECAUSE, IT IS SIMPLY ABSURD FOR OUR FELLOW NEIGHBORS TO HAVE TO SLEEP ON SIDEWALKS.

>>> FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS" I AM ALYSSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL PLATFORMS .

WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE LATEST NEWS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

>>> I AM JOANNA GAGIS, WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

>>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR CHASING YOUR DREAM IS PROVIDED BY JPB FOUNDATION WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE PETER J. PETERSON FUND.

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS, OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS, THE PSEG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT , INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN.

SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITY.

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