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

>> HELLO AND WELCOME , I'M JOANNA, IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI COME YESTERDAY THE GOVERNOR NOMINATED MATT PLATKIN TO BE THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL , THIS WAS IN RESPONSE TO THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS DURING GOVERNOR MURPHY'S FIRST GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN, IN A REPORT, THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATION WAS FOUND TO HAVE SERIOUSLY MISHANDLED THE INVESTIGATION, ALTHOUGH PLATKIN WAS NOT ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING.

SOME SAY HE IS THE WRONG CHOICE TO LEAD THE TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY.

BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS MORE.

>> EXPECT SOME CROSSFIRE WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE ASKS FOR CONFIRMATION FROM JUDICIAL MEMBERS, MATT PLATKIN IS DRAGGING POLITICAL BAGGAGE, AFTER SERVING AS THE ADVISOR DURING THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SCANDAL, HE JUSTIFIED THEN HE DIDN'T THINK IT WAS LEGALLY NECESSARY TO TELL THE GOVERNOR ABOUT THE COMPLAINT.

HE WAS NEVER ACCUSED OF WRONGDOING IN THE MATTER BUT DREW SCATHING REBUKES.

>> IT'S A SECOND TERM CHOICE BECAUSE THERE WILL BE TOUGH QUESTIONS, BOTH FOR THE NOMINEE HIMSELF, AND FOR THE GOVERNOR.

IT WILL BRING UP A CHAPTER OF HIS FIRST TERM THAT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE FOR HIM.

>> BRENNAN HERSELF SAID THE NOMINEE IS DEEPLY DISAPPOINTING AND SENDS A TERRIBLE MESSAGE TO SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

NEW JERSEY DESERVES AN AG REPRESENTING THE HIGHEST STANDARDS, WE CAN DO BETTER.

REPUBLICANS WHO COCHAIRED THE SELECT COMMITTEE THAT INVESTIGATED THE CASE NOW SITS ON THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WHO MUST OKAY HIS NOMINATION, AND EXPRESSED SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS ABOUT MATT PLATKIN'S HANDLING OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS THAT WERE NOT RESOLVED.

THOSE OUTSTANDING CONCERNS MUST BE FULLY ADDRESSED DURING THE SENATE CONFIRMATION PROCESS.

>> PLATKIN WILL HAVE TO HAVE SOME GOOD ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS, HE WILL HAVE TO DO THAT, BUT I'M SURE HE WILL BE VERY TIGHT AND PRECISE ON THAT.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ISN'T THE GOVERNOR'S LAWYER BUT THE PEOPLE'S LAWYER.

>> MURRAY TOOK PAINS TO EMPHASIZE THAT PLATKIN WILL PUT POLITICS ASIDE WHEN HE SERVES AS THE HIGHEST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE 35-YEAR-OLD NOMINEE PROMISED -- >> I WILL WAKE UP EVERY DAY TO SERVE ALL 9 MILLION RESIDENTS.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND WE DON'T WANT SOMEBODY THAT NEEDS ON-THE-JOB TRAINING.

>> MIKE DOHERTY ALSO SITS ON THE COMMITTEE AND QUESTIONS HIS CREDENTIALS.

>> MR. PLATKIN HAS NO EXPERIENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OR IN PROSECUTION, SO WE ARE TO BELIEVE THAT HE'S GOING TO JUST HIT THE GROUND RUNNING?

WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT.

>> HE LEFT MURPHY'S FRONT OFFICE AFTER THE SCANDAL, HE WORKED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITH THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL .

>> I HAVE BEEN TRULY IMPRESSED OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF WITH HIM.

HE IS REALLY AN INCREDIBLE LEGAL MIND, AND ONE THAT BELIES HIS AGE IN YEARS.

HIS LEGAL MIND WORKS AS THOUGH IT HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR A LOT LONGER THAN IT HAS AND I KNOW HE WILL SERVE AS WELL.

>> HE COULD HIT A POLITICAL HURDLE IF ANY OF THE FOUR SENATORS OBJECT, SENATOR RON RICE HAS COMMENTED, AND SHE WON'T COMMENT UNTIL SHE REVIEWS ALL OF THE RELEVANT FACTORS.

SENATOR REES NOTING IT'LL RECEIVE FAIR AND THOROUGH REVIEW FROM MY COLLEAGUES ON THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

AS FOR FORMER GOVERNOR, HE WILL ONLY PRAISE THE THREE AG NOMINEES MURPHY DIDN'T PICK, ASSISTANT U.S. ATTORNEY, AND ACTING AG.

>> I THOUGHT ANY OF THOSE THREE WOULD BE GREAT, I HAD MY OWN PREFERENCES, AND IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> PLATKIN NEEDS APPROVAL BY THE FULL SENATE BUT IT'S IN HIS FAVOR.

>> IN ADDITION TO 12 OR 13 SENATORS, AS YOU'VE SEEN, HE'S GOT BLACK CLERGY, LATINO GROUPS, GUN-CONTROL GROUPS, SUPPORT FROM FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SUPREME COURT JUSTICES.

>> WHICH MEANS THE ADMINISTRATION THOROUGHLY LAID THE GROUNDWORK FOR PLATKIN'S NOMINATION.

>> FOR MORE REACTION TO HIS NOMINATION AND WHAT ACTORS HOPE HE WILL ACHIEVE IF CONFIRMED, ON MATTERS LIKE POLICE REFORM AND OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE MATTERS, CHECK OUT TAYLOR JOHN'S ARTICLE.

TENSIONS CONTINUE TO RISE IN EASTERN EUROPE AS RUSSIA GATHERS TROOPS IN THE TENS OF THOUSANDS ALONG THE UKRAINE BORDER.

PRESIDENT BIDEN ORDERED NEARLY 30,000 U.S.

TROOPS TO POLAND, GERMANY AND ROMANIA AS THE U.S.

WALKS A TIGHT ROPE BETWEEN ITS SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE AND TRYING TO DETER A RUSSIAN INVASION TO ITS SMALLER NEIGHBOR.

REPRESENTATIVES VISITED AS A PART OF A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION THAT PLEDGED SUPPORT TO UKRAINE, OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, MICHAEL ERIN GOES ON THE RECORD WITH THE CONGRESSMAN FOR COLORS CONVERSATION ABOUT THE TRIP AND WHETHER A DIPLOMATIC RESOLUTION IS EVEN POSSIBLE.

THIS IS A POSITIVE COVID DIAGNOSIS.

>> WE READ THIS MORNING THAT YOU ARE TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID, HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

>> FEELING JUST FINE, IT'S THE MOST MILD COLD.

EVERYBODY WOULD BE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED IN AMERICA, THAT IS WHAT COVID WOULD BE, IT WOULD BE JUST A MILD COLD.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE OUT THERE, GET YOUR BOOSTER SHOT, AND WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS SO MUCH MORE QUICKLY IF EVERYBODY WERE TO DO THAT.

>> YOU THINK YOU PICKED IT UP ON THE CONGRESSIONAL TRIP TO UKRAINE?

>> ACTUALLY, A BUNCH OF US ON THE TRIP HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.

SO I BLAME PUTIN.

>> TALKING ABOUT PRUDENT, DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO INVADE UKRAINE?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I HOPE NOT, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO DETER HIM FROM MAKING THAT MISTAKE.

WITH A THREAT OF SANCTIONS, WITH THE MOVEMENT OF MILITARY FORCE AND EQUIPMENT TO SHORE UP OUR ALLIES IN EASTERN EUROPE, HELPING THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY.

THE COST OF THIS TO VLADIMIR PUTIN WOULD BE ASTRONOMICAL, AND I WOULD SAY A LITTLE MORE OPTIMISTIC TODAY THAN I WAS A WEEK AGO THAT HE IS SEEING THAT AND LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT.

>> IF HE WERE TO INVADE, DON'T YOU THINK HE WOULD WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE OLYMPICS SO IT'S NOT TO ANTAGONIZE XI JINPING?

>> THEIR EXPECTATION IS IF THIS HAPPENS LATE FEBRUARY, THAT IS A MOMENT OF GREATEST DANGER.

BUT LOOK, WHATEVER IS IN HIS MIND, OUR APPROACH WOULD BE THE SAME AT OUR APPROACH HAS TO BE TO BE PREPARED, TO HELP THE UKRAINIANS PREPARE, TO BRACE FOR IMPACT, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IF VLADIMIR PUTIN DOES MAKE THE MISTAKE OF LAUNCHING THIS INVASION, HE PAYS, RUSSIA PAYS A TERRIBLE PRICE.

>> IN TERMS OF SANCTIONS, NOT IN TERMS OF MILITARY PRICE.

>> IN TERMS OF SANCTIONS, YES, BUT ALSO ONE REASON WE ARE HELPING THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY IS TO PERSUADE VLADIMIR PUTIN AND THE RUSSIANS THAT THEY WOULD ALSO PAY A MILITARY COST.

>> SO YOU THINK THERE IS A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM?

>> YES, I THINK THERE IS A POTENTIAL DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION, HE WILL ONLY TAKE IT IF HE IS CONVINCED THAT THE COST OF AN INVASION OUTWEIGHS ANY BENEFIT THAT HE MADE MAY GAIN.

SO DIPLOMACY IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE THREAT OF SANCTIONS.

>> CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION ABOUT THE UPCOMING ELECTION?

THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE HELPED SOME OF YOUR DEMOCRATS WITH REDRAWING DISTRICTS, JOSH SCOTT HEIMER, YOU GOT A DISTRICT THAT LEANS A LITTLE MORE REPUBLICAN, ARE YOU UPSET ABOUT THAT?

>> HERE'S THE DEAL, IT'S THE ONLY WILDCARD LEFT IN NEW JERSEY.

THIS IS THE RACE THAT IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHICH WAY THE WIND IS BLOWING IN AMERICA IN 2023.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES DIDN'T HELP YOU OUT?

THEY HELPED THE OTHERS OUT.

WHY NOT YOU?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY ANY OF THIS HAPPENED.

ALL I KNOW IS THE SEVENTH DISTRICT HAS THE MOST IMPORTANT RACE IN NEW JERSEY IN 2022, WE ARE GOING TO GET TREMENDOUS ATTENTION FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND EVERY VOTER IS GOING TO KNOW HOW MUCH IMPACT THEIR VOTE IS GOING TO HAVE ON THE DIRECTION THAT THIS COUNTRY IS TAKING.

AND I'M HAPPY WITH THAT.

IT I RAN BECAUSE I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING CONSEQUENTIAL, I DIDN'T WANT TO RUN IN THE SAFE DISTRICT, I WANTED TO RUN IN A DISTRICT WHERE MY VICTORY COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO GET INTO THOUSAND 22.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> MORE WILD WINTER WEATHER TODAY, THE MORNING STARTED WITH TEMPERATURES AROUND THE 50s BUT QUICKLY DROPPED TO FREEZING BY MID DAY.

RAIN CONTINUED THROUGHOUT THE DAY CREATING THE PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR SLIPPERY ROAD CONDITIONS TONIGHT.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN AT LEAST A DOZEN COUNTIES WHERE ICE IS EXPECTED, AVERAGING ABOUT A 10th OF AN INCH.

IN SUSSEX COUNTY, IT COULD BE UP TO 3/10 OF AN INCH OF ICE.

A MARINE WARNING WAS ISSUED EARLIER IN THE DAY ALONG THE COAST WHERE GUSTY WIND AND HIGH WAVES HIT THE SHORE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS ISSUED A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE TRAVEL RESTRICTION ON SEVERAL INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS STARTING AT MIDNIGHT, BASED ON THE FORECAST FOR FREEZING RAIN.

HUNDREDS OF FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED OUT OF NEWARK AND NEARBY AIRPORTS YESTERDAY AND TODAY, AND MANY SCHOOLS CLOSED OR HAD EARLY DISMISSALS TO KEEP PEOPLE OFF THE ICY ROADS LATER IN THE DAY.

THE SKIES SHOULD CLEAR UP ON SATURDAY BUT EXPECT THE FRIGID TEMPERATURES TO REMAIN THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

>>> THE U.S. IS STARING DOWN ANOTHER GRIM MILESTONE IN THIS PANDEMIC, NEARING 900,000 PEOPLE WHO DIED FROM COVID.

IN NEW JERSEY, SOME ENCOURAGING NEWS AS CASES DECLINED FOR ANOTHER DAY DOWN TO 2700 TODAY.

THE STATE IS REPORTING ANOTHER 104 DEATHS.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS 6.6 MILLION NEW JERSEYANS HAVE COMPLETED THEIR PRIMARY SERIES BUT TO THE BOOSTER RATE REMAINS STAGNANT AROUND 2.8 MILLION PEOPLE.

AS CASES DECLINED, SO DOES THE DEMAND FOR TESTING.

CAMDEN COUNTY ANNOUNCED THEY WILL STOP TESTING AT THE COMPLEX ON MONDAYS AND WILL NO LONGER OFFER TESTING ON THURSDAYS AT THE CAMDEN COUNTY HEALTH HELP.

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET A TEST BY APPOINTMENT AT COOPER UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL AND COOPER SPECIALTY CARE.>>> A CRITICAL PART OF THE FOOD CHAIN THAT OFTEN GETS OVERLOOKED, THE ROLE OF FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARIANS, THE DOCTORS THAT MAKE SURE FARM ANIMALS STAY HEALTHY SO DANGEROUS DISEASES DON'T END UP IN OUR FOOD SUPPLY.

IN THE GARDEN STATE, THOSE VETERINARIANS ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY.

THEY ARE STEPPING UP TO MEET THE NEED BUT IT'LL BE A WHILE BEFORE HELP ARRIVES.

>> Reporter: DR.

BUYER IS THE OWNER OF BY YOUR VETERINARIAN SERVICES WHICH CARES FOR LARGE FOOD ANIMALS USUALLY FOUND ON A FORM LIKE HORSES, COWS AND PIGS, FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS HE HAS RUN HIS PRACTICE WITH HIS WIFE OUT OF THIS OFFICE LOCATED ON HIS FARM.

BUT THESE DAYS, HE SO BUSY HE COULD BE FOUND MAKING HOUSE CALLS USING HIS MOBILE OFFICE IN THIS TRUCK.

HE SHOULD BE PREPARING TO RETIRE SOON, BUT INSTEAD, HE SAYS HE CAN'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME HE HAD A FEW DAYS OFF, GIVEN THE FACT THAT HE'S ONE OF ONLY THREE FARM ANIMAL VETERINARIANS IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>> IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER RIGHT NOW, I'M MAYBE DOING FIVE CALLS A DAY.

THE PROBLEM IS GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS DIRE DOWN HERE.

AT THIS POINT, THERE ARE THREE LARGE ANIMAL FOOD VETERINARIANS DOWN HERE, FOR THE MOST PART, BEING ON THE ROAD DOING FOOD ANIMAL WORK, I'M LIKE THE LAST GUY STANDING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE NEED FOR VETERINARIANS IS CRITICAL TO ITS FOOD SUPPLY.

BUT HELP IS ON THE WAY.

ROWAN UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO OPEN THE STATE'S FIRST SCHOOL OF VETERINARIAN MEDICINE IN 2025.

AND THE FOUNDER SAYS HE HOPES IT ATTRACTS AND KEEPS TALON IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>> THAT HAS BEEN THE MAIN DRIVER, TO OFFER LOWER TUITION RATES AND THE ABILITY TO GO TO SCHOOL IN THEIR HOME STATE AND HOPEFULLY STAY HERE TO PRACTICE AFTERWARDS.

>> THE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS WILL BE IN 2029, SO WE HAVE AN EIGHT OR NINE YEAR WINDOW BEFORE WE START SEEING PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THAT.

BUT THE MAJORITY OF THE VETERINARIANS IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW ARE AROUND 70,000, COUNTRYWIDE.

AND ONLY 5% OF THEM ARE FOOD ANIMAL OR LARGE ANIMAL VETS.

>> HIS GREATEST CONCERN WITH THE LACK OF FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARIANS IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ANIMAL DISEASE OUTBREAKS CAN BE HIGH.

>> PART OF OUR JOB AS A LARGE ANIMAL VETERINARIAN IS WE ARE MONITORING FOR HEALTH ISSUES, AND THERE ARE DISEASES KNOWN AS REPORTABLE DISEASES, AND IF WE SUSPECT IT, WE HAVE TO PASS THAT INFORMATION ON IMMEDIATELY TO THE STATE VETERINARIAN OR THE FEDERAL, USDA VETERINARIANS.

SO, THAT IS A PART OF OUR TRAINING BECAUSE AS A FOOD ANIMAL VETERINARIAN, WE ARE TASKED WITH KEEPING THE FOOD SUPPLY SAFE AND ABUNDANT IF POSSIBLE.

>> IT WILL BE 2:00 IN THE MORNING, I WILL CALL HIM, WE HAVE A COLIC IN A HORSE,, HE SAYS HE'S COMING.

>> THE PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF THIS RANCH SAYS SHE RELIES ON HIM FOR THE CARE OF HER 255 RESCUED ANIMALS THAT LIVE ON THE FARM SANCTUARY.

>> THE LACK OF FARM VETS IN THE AREA IS TERRIFYING.

IT REALLY IS.

BECAUSE NEW BOLTON CENTER, AN EMERGENCY HOSPITAL IN PENNSYLVANIA, ABOUT ONE HOUR AWAY, EVEN IF WE SAY TO OURSELVES, WE HAVE NEW BOLTON, IT'S NOT ENOUGH BECAUSE EVEN THEY TURN PEOPLE AWAY AT THE DOOR.

>> SHE HOPES HER FARM SANCTUARY CAN RECRUIT INTERNS DURING THE WINTER AND SUMMER MONTHS.

IN THE MEANTIME, HE STARTED THE EQUINE VETERINARIAN EMERGENCY CO-OP, A GROUP TO HELP PROVIDE ON-CALL EMERGENCIES AMONG THE FEW VETERINARIANS IN THE AREA.

THE HOPE IS THAT THEY CAN ALL LEAN ON EACH OTHER UNTIL HOPEFULLY MORE VETERINARIANS BECOME AVAILABLE IN SOUTH JERSEY.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS USED ROSA PARKS BIRTHDAY TO CALL FOR A BETTER BUS SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTS WHO DEPEND ON MASS TRANSIT.

DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY, THEY ASKED THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS THE BUS RIDERS BILL OF RIGHTS, THAT WOULD MAKE THE SYSTEM SAFER, MORE RELIABLE AND AFFORDABLE.

LIKE GUARANTEEING ADEQUATE BUS SERVICE FOR CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDING CLEAR COMMUNICATION ABOUT ARRIVALS, DEPARTURES AND DELAYS.

PLUS REGULARLY SHARING DATA ABOUT RIDERSHIP AND ON-TIME PERFORMANCE AND DEALING WITH OVERCROWDING ISSUES ON CERTAIN LINES BY EVALUATING AND ADJUSTING BUS ROUTES ONCE A YEAR.

THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION BUT DIDN'T MOVE THROUGH.

IT HAS BEEN REINTRODUCED IN THE NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.>> FOR ME TO BE MANY GENERATIONS IN AND STILL FACING THE SAME ISSUES FROM THE TIME THAT MY ANCESTORS FOUGHT UNTIL NOW, AND IT'S SAD THAT WE EVEN HAVE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT A BILL OF RIGHTS TO MAKE SURE WE GET ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION.

>> ADVOCATES CALLED FOR NJ TRANSIT TO START ROLLING OUT ELECTRIC BUSES TO REPLACE THE AGENCY'S DIESEL VEHICLES, A PILOT TO INTRODUCE THE FIRST ELECTRIC BUS FLEET HAS BEEN DELAYED.

WE ENDED 2021 WITH RECORD- SETTING JOB GROWTH AND THE TREND IS CONTINUING.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE NUMBERS AND ALL THE OTHER TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES OF THE DAY.

>> Reporter: NEW DATA SHOWS JOB GROWTH IN 2021 WAS THE MOST ON RECORD, 6.7 MILLION NEW JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE ECONOMY LAST YEAR AS THE REBOUND FROM PANDEMIC RELATED JOB LOSSES TOOK HOLD.

THE GOVERNMENT'S MONTHLY JOBS REPORT FOUND STRONG HIRING GAINS CONTINUED INTO JANUARY, BUT COMPANIES ADDED ANOTHER 467,000 JOBS.

THERE WAS SOME IMPACT FROM THE LATEST COVID SURGE IN THIS REPORT.

TELEWORK INCREASED BY 15.4% IN JANUARY, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE TO 4% AS SOME PEOPLE STOPPED LOOKING FOR WORK.

AND, MORE PEOPLE REPORTED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO WORK BECAUSE THEIR EMPLOYER WAS CLOSED OR LOST BUSINESS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

TODAY'S NEWS CAME AFTER AN ADP REPORT THAT SHOWED JOB LOSSES, THOSE TWO REPORTS DON'T ALWAYS SYNC UP AND THE JOBS REPORT NUMBERS ARE OFTEN REVISED AND ADJUSTED AS WELL AS THE CASE WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S REPORT TODAY.

NEW JERSEY IS PAYING OFF $2.5 BILLION IN DEBT AND TAXPAYERS WILL SEE THE BENEFIT.

YOU WILL REMEMBER DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE STATE BORROWED $4 BILLION IN DEBT BUT IN THE END, DIDN'T NEED IT BECAUSE TAX REVENUES CAME IN HIGHER THAN EXPECTED.

SO, GOVERNOR MURPHY AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS DECIDED TO SET ASIDE $3.7 BILLION TO PAY OFF SOME EXISTING STATE THAT, AND PART OF THAT MONEY IS BEING USED TO RETIRE THIS DEBT.

FINANCE WRITER EXPLAINS WHAT THIS IS GOING TO MEAN FOR TAXPAYERS.

>> TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO END UP SAVING MORE THAN $600 MILLION OVER THE NEXT DECADE BECAUSE OF THIS COMPONENT OF THE DEBT RELIEF INITIATIVE AND THAT IS BECAUSE DOING IT THIS WAY PREVENTS THOSE LONG-TERM INTEREST COSTS.

ALMOST LIKE PAYING OFF A CAR LOAN EARLY, OR MAYBE REFINANCING A MORTGAGE AT A LOWER INTEREST RATE.

>> THERE COULD BE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS AS THE DEBT RELIEF INITIATIVE ALSO INCLUDES PAY-AS- YOU-GO FINANCING AS OPPOSED TO BORROWING MORE.

YOU CAN READ MORE DETAILS ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

THE AMERICAN DREAM FINANCIAL ISSUES ARE CONTINUING INTO THE NEW YEAR, THE MEGAMALL MADE A $9.3 MILLION DEBT PAYMENT THIS WEEK BUT TO DO SO, IT HAD TO NEARLY DRAIN ITS RESERVE FUND.

ACCORDING TO A FILING LESS THAN $1000 IS LEFT IN THE FUND.

AMERICAN DREAM WILL HAVE TO MAKE ANOTHER DEBT PAYMENT IN AUGUST, BUT A SPOKESWOMAN FOR THE MALL SAYS THEY ARE EXTREMELY PLEASED WITH THE EARLY SUCCESS OF ITS TENANTS BUT SHE WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE DEBT PAYMENT.

THE MALL IS NOT FULLY LEASED.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED ON THIS FRIDAY.

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

>>> MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN TO NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THIS WEEKEND SHE PUTS THE BUSINESS OF SOCIAL MEDIA INTO FOCUS, LOOKING AT HOW DIFFERENT PLATFORMS CAN BOOST REVENUES AND HOW BUSINESSES CAN USE IT DIFFERENTLY.

AT 5:00 P.M. SATURDAYS AND 9:30 A.M. SUNDAYS.

>>> AS WE HONOR THE CONTRIBUTION'S OF BLACK PEOPLE IN AMERICA, TODAY WE BRING YOU THE STORY OF T. THOMAS FORTUNE , WHO WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY AND ROSE TO BECOME ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL JOURNALISTS OF THE 18th AND 19th CENTURY.

AFTER LAUNCHING A SUCCESSFUL NEWSPAPER IN NEW YORK, HE MOVED TO RED BANK NEW JERSEY INTO A HOUSE THAT HAS BEEN PRESERVED AS THE T. THOMAS FORTUNE CULTURAL CENTER.

MELISSA COOPER SHOWS US HOW HIS LEGACY IS PRESERVED INSIDE THE HISTORIC HOME.>> WE HAVE A TYPEWRITER OVER HERE, IT'S NOT HIS TYPEWRITER, HOWEVER, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE TYPE OF TYPEWRITER THAT HE WOULD HAVE USED.

>> Reporter: THIS IS JUST ONE OF MANY HISTORICAL PIECES VISITORS WILL SEE AT THE T. THOMAS FORTUNE CULTURAL CENTER, NAMED AFTER T. THOMAS FORTUNE, A PROMINENT BLACK JOURNALIST IN THE 20th CENTURY WHO WAS BORN INTO SLAVERY.

AFTER YEARS OF ADVOCATING TO GET THE HOME FULLY RESTORED, IT OFFICIALLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC IN 2019.

>> HE OPENED MANY DOORS HERE ON THE WEST SIDE OF RED BANK, THE WEST SIDE WAS PREDOMINANTLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

AND FORTUNE STARTED THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICAL ORGANIZATION KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL AFRO-AMERICAN LEAGUE, IN 1887, SO HE STARTED THAT AND THAT WAS A PRECURSOR TO THE NIAGARA MOVEMENT AND TO THE NAACP.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CULTURAL CENTER SAID NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY KNOW FORTUNE'S NAME AND LEGACY.

>> MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF HIM, ALTHOUGH HIS CONTEMPORARIES WERE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON, WALTER WHITE, JAMES WELDON JOHNSON, ALL THESE PEOPLE'S NAMES WE HAVE HEARD OF, IDA B WELLS, IDA B WELLS CAME AND WORKED OUT OF HIS NEWSPAPER WHEN HER NEWSPAPER WAS BURNED DOWN IN MEMPHIS, SO HE IS A TRAILBLAZER.>> HE IS HAPPY TO KNOW HIS STORY IT IS COMING TO LIGHT IN THE NEW HBO SERIES, THE GILDED AGE.

>> THIS IS A SHOW THAT FOCUSES ON THE AGE, THE GILDED AGE AND ERA AROUND THE 1880S.

AND THE SHOW FOCUSES FOR THE MOST PART ON THIS IDEA ABOUT WEALTH, THE BUILDING OF WEALTH, WHO GETS TO HAVE IT, WHO SAFEGUARDS IT, AND THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF ATTENTION TO THOSE WHO WERE WHITE, WEALTHY MEN AND WOMEN AND IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND THAT MOMENT SPECIFICALLY IN NEW YORK , AND FOR US IT MADE COMPLETE SENSE TO HAVE CHARACTERS WHO REPRESENTED A DIFFERENT WALK OF LIFE.

BUT WHO WERE STILL VERY PROMINENT, AND NEW YORKERS WHO WERE MOVERS AND SHAKERS AND AT THE TIME, THERE REALLY PROBABLY WAS NO MORE FAMOUS PERSON, OR AT LEAST SPECIFICALLY ENGAGED AND WELL KNOWN, AS WAS T. THOMAS FORTUNE .

>> NOT ONLY IS THE SHOW HIGHLIGHTING A PART OF HIS LIFE, IT'S ALSO GIVING VIEWERS A LOOK INTO ANOTHER SIDE OF BLACK HISTORY.

>> THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES ON TELEVISION THAT WE GET TO THINK ABOUT OR SEE, OR INTRODUCED TO A BLACK MIDDLE CLASS IF YOU WILL.

A BLACK ELITE AS THEY MIGHT HAVE CALLED THEMSELVES.

THIS IS A KIND OF NUANCED AND INTERESTING WAY TO THINK ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE IN THE 19th CENTURY.

IT'S NOT THIS SORT OF STEREOTYPICAL GROUP THAT WE MAY HAVE SEEN IN OTHER PLACES.

>> SOMETHING THAT THE T. THOMAS FORTUNE CULTURAL CENTER ALSO WANTS TO SHOW.

>> EVEN THOUGH THIS BUILDING IS DEDICATED TO T. THOMAS FORTUNE, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE THESE OTHERS CONNECTED TO IT?

>> COUNT BASIE WAS THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO WIN A GRAMMY , THIS IS LOCAL HISTORY, BUT COUNT BASIE IS AN INTERNATIONAL FIGURE.

SO YES, WHEN FORTUNE IS HERE, LIVING HERE, COUNT BASIE'S PARENTS ARE LIVING HERE SO THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING HERE AT THIS TIME THAT HAPPENED TO BE THIS VERY PROLIFIC JOURNALIST AND COUNT BASIE.

>> PIECES OF HISTORY PRESERVED RIGHT HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, DON'T FORGET TO CATCH UP ON ALL THE OTHER TOP POLITICAL HEADLINES OF THE WEEK ON THE ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUZ, THIS WEEKEND, YOU CAN CATCH HER ON NJ PBS ON SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:00.

ALSO, TUNE IN FOR CHAT BOX, IT'S ON SATURDAY AT 6:30 P.M. AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 A.M. .

I'M JOANNA, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US, STAY SAFE THIS WEEKEND AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE ON MONDAY.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD, WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER, AND COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.