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

PSE AND G, WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES, 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 BREANNA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS CALLING IT A GAME CHANGER, NEW JERSEY'S OWN JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS ASKING THE FDA FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION OF THE WORLD'S FIRST SINGLE DOSE COVID- 19 VACCINATION.

A ONE AND DONE SHOP THAT COULD HELP CLEAR MAJOR HURDLES IN THE PROGRAMS ROLLOUT.

AND BOOST A SUPPLY THAT IS IN HIGH DEMAND, WITH STATES COMPETING FOR SHIPMENTS.

THAT REMAINS THE PROBLEM HERE AT HOME, WHERE HEALTH LEADERS SAY WE ARE NEARING A MILESTONE, 1 MILLION SHOTS IN ARMS.

JUST OVER 925,000 GIVEN OUT AS OF MIDMORNING, IN ABOUT A MONTHS TIME, THE STATES FULLY IMMUNIZED 180,000 RESIDENTS, BUT IT NEEDS ROUGHLY 4 1/2 MILLION ELIGIBLE ADULTS REMAIN.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS EXPECTING A SHIPMENT OF ABOUT 250,000 DOSES NEXT WEEK, THAT IS ALMOST DOUBLE THE USUAL ALLOTMENT.

TODAY, MURPHY SAID HE IS STILL AGAINST A PRACTICE WE ARE SEEING PICK UP STEAM ELSEWHERE, SPREADING OUT THOSE SECOND DOSE IS TO PUMP MORE FIRST ROUND SHOTS IN AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.

ONCE APPROVED, J AND J COULD START SENDING OUT VACCINES WITHIN FOUR WEEKS.

WITHOUT THE NEED FOR THAT ULTRA COLD STORAGE, PROMISING 100 MILLION DOSES TO THE NATION, BY THE END OF JUNE.

JUST AS INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS WARNED AGAINST DANGEROUS NEW VIRUS VARIANCE, THAT COULD TAKE HOLD IN THE U.S. BEFORE THOSE DOSES ARE SHIPPED.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE, DOCTOR MARTIN BLASER, TELLS US THE TIMING OF THIS VACCINE IS CRITICAL.

HE JOINS US NOW.

DOCTOR BLASER, HOW BADLY DO WE NEED A THIRD VACCINE IN THE MIX RIGHT NOW?

>> WE NEED ALL THE VACCINES WE CAN GET.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MORE THAN 300 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES, AND SO FAR, I THINK ABOUT 27 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

SO THAT IS LESS THAN 1/10 OF THE COUNTRY.

IT TAKES TIME TO PRODUCE VACCINES, AND THE TWO VACCINES THAT ARE NOW APPROVED, THE PFIZER AND MOTOROLA, THEIR PRODUCTION CAPACITY IS KIND OF MOVING UP SLOWLY.

SO, DOING VACCINATIONS IS KIND OF A RACE AGAINST TIME.

AND WE NEED MORE REINFORCEMENT TO THE RACE.

>> THAT SUPPLY AND DEMAND SEEMS TO BE THE ISSUE THAT PLAGUES US WITH THIS ROLLOUT, WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE THESE VACCINES FROM J AND J ACTUALLY HIT THE MARKET AND CLEAR THIS?

>> WHILE THE CUFF -- WELL, THE FIRST THING IS THAT THEY JUST SUBMITTED THEIR APPLICATION TO THE FDA LAST NIGHT.

THE FDA HAS TO WORK ON IT, AND YOU KNOW, I HOPE THEY ARE GOING TO APPROVE IT.

IT IS NOT A DONE DEAL UNTIL IT IS DONE, BUT THE CHANCES ARE THEY ARE GOING TO APPROVE IT, AND IF THEY APPROVE IT, IT IS PROBABLY ABOUT TWO OR THREE WEEKS FROM NOW.

NOW, I AM HOPEFUL THAT IN THE MEANTIME, JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS PRODUCING A LOT OF VACCINE JUST TO GET READY FOR THAT APPROVAL, AND THE IDEA IS THAT ONCE THEY ARE APPROVED, THEY CAN START ROLLING OUT MILLIONS OF DOSES, STARTING IN MARCH.

THEY HAVE PROMISED THE U.S. GOVERNMENT 100 MILLION DOSES.

BY THE END OF JUNE.

I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO, MY GUESS IS BASED ON THEIR TREMENDOUS STRENGTH, THAT THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE THAT, BUT IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THOSE DOSES CAME IN APRIL OR MAY.

>> THE SOONER THE BETTER OF COURSE, ESPECIALLY AS WE LOOK AT THESE VARIANTS, THERE ARE SOME REPORTS, DOCTOR BLASER, THAT THEY ONE OR TWO OF THESE VERY SERIOUS VARIANCE, COULD BECOME DOMINANT BY THIS SPRING.

I MEAN KIND OF COINCIDING WITH THAT TIMELINE.

>> YES, THESE ARE MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN THE EARLIER VERSION OF THE VIRUS, SO THAT, SO THEY ARE SPREADING, THEY BECOME DOMINANT IN BRITAIN, IT IS PROJECTED THAT THEY WILL BECOME DOMINANT HERE IN MARCH.

BASED ON THEIR INCREASED RATE OF SPREAD.

ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE J & J VACCINE IS THAT IT WAS TESTED IN SOUTH AFRICA, SO THE VACCINES , SO FAR, EVERYTHING SUGGESTS THAT THE VACCINES ARE GOING TO WORK JUST FINE AGAINST THE VARIANTS.

BUT, THEY ARE SPREADING FASTER THAN THE OLD STREAM.

>> WE DO HAVE TO NOTE, THE EFFICACY IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE MATERNAL AND PFIZER VACCINE.

>> YEAH, IT IS A LITTLE BIT OF APPLES AND ORANGES, BECAUSE THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINE WERE TESTED IN THE SUMMER, WHEN CONDITIONS WERE A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

THERE WASN'T AS MUCH VIRUS SPREADING.

THOSE TRIALS HAD LESS THAN 200 PEOPLE, J & J RELEASED RESULTS ON 450 PEOPLE WHO BECAME INFECTED, SO THE TIME PERIOD IS BEING TESTED IN A MORE DIVERSE POPULATION, INCLUDING THE VARIANTS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND IN BRAZIL.

AND THERE IS JUST ONE TRANSMISSION.

>> OAKLEY, DOCTOR MARTIN BLASER, ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THIS COMES AS ROTAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS EASE, NO RULES -- NEW RULES ON CURFEWS AT BUSINESSES BEGINNING TODAY.

THE GOVERNOR ADDED A FRIDAY BONUS THIS MORNING, SIGNING A LAW THAT WILL ALLOW RESTAURANTS AND BARS TO WIDEN THEIR OUTDOOR DINING FOOTPRINT, THROUGH NOVEMBER 2022.

MURPHY RECENTLY VETOED A SIMILAR BILL, GETTING RESTAURANTS THAT PERMISSION INDEFINITELY.

THE NUMBER OF NEW POSITIVE CASES INCREASED SLIGHTLY TODAY, ANOTHER 3700 CONFERENCE TESTS, OR THAN 637,000 TOTAL, WITH 93 MORE DEATHS, AND NEARLY 22,000 TOTAL FATALITIES, HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN STEADY.

EVEN WITH THE PROGRESS, A LOT HAS BEEN MADE OF LOOSENING THESE RESTRICTIONS AND HOW IT COINCIDES WITH A SUPER BOWL WEEKEND.

HEALTH EXPERTS ARE WARNING AGAINST BIG PARTIES, WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILIES, FEARFUL IT COULD BECOME A SUPER SPREADER EVENT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA, REPORTS.

>> WHEN THE GIANTS WON THE SUPER BOWL, IT WAS INSANE.

INSANE.

COULDN'T EVEN WALK IN THIS PLACE.

>> Reporter: OWNER, RICKY, DOESN'T EXPECT JAMPACKED CROWDS THIS SUNDAY AT HIS FAMILY SPORTS BAR, THE NEW PARK TAVERN, AN ICON FOR 80 YEARS.

THE BAR WILL STRICTLY ENFORCE COVID-19 RULES, EVEN ON GAME DAY.

>> THEY HAVE TO SIT AT THE TABLE, THEY CAN'T RUN AROUND AND JUMP UP AND DOWN.

THAT IS WHAT THEY USED TO DO.

YOU HAVE TO STAY IN YOUR SEAT.

YOU GET UP AND YOU WEAR YOUR MASK.

>> Reporter: THE REGULARS HERE STAND DIVIDED OVER WHETHER THEY WILL COME OVER FOR THE BIG GAME.

>> NO.

BECAUSE THE PLACE IS TOO CROWDED.

I AM AT HOME WITH MY FAMILY FOR THE SUPER BOWL.

>> POSSIBLY UNTIL HALFTIME MAYBE.

WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THE CROWD IS LIKE, IF THERE IS ENOUGH ROOM, TO EVEN SIT.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN CELEBRATE, BUT LET'S DO IT SAFELY.

>> TRY TO DO IT IN SMALL CROWDS, FOR PEOPLE, NO MORE THAN 60 >> Reporter: HEALTH EXPERTS LIKE DOCTOR JUDITH LIGHTFOOT FEAR THAT WITH VACCINES IN SHORT SUPPLY IN HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANCE, NOW CIRCULATING, THIS SUPER BOWL COULD EASILY BECOME A SUPER SPREADER EVENT.

>> THIS IS THE POTENTIAL WE GET, IN WHICH WE CAN SEE THIS HAPPENING, THAT WE MAY SEE A THIRD WAVE OF SPREAD, WHICH IS QUITE CONCERNING.

I AM AWARE THAT NEW JERSEY HOSPITAL SYSTEMS HAVE SEEN A 20% DECLINE, AND HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS FOR THIS.

BUT, WE COULD ALSO GO BACK IN THE RIVERS, WHICH NONE OF US WANT TO SEE.

>> WHICHEVER TEAM YOU ARE ROOTING FOR AND WHICHEVER COMMERCIAL IS YOUR FAVORITE, PLEASE WATCH THE SUPER BOWL SAFELY.

GATHERING ONLY VIRTUALLY, OR WITH THE PEOPLE YOU LIVE WITH.

>> Reporter: THAT, FROM THE BIDEN COVID-19 RESPONSE TEAM, GOVERNOR MURPHY HOWEVER BOOSTED INDOOR CAPACITY TO 35% AT BARS AND RESTAURANTS AND REMOVED THE 10 PM CURFEW, JUST IN TIME FOR SUPER BOWL WEEKEND .

TODAY, MURPHY DENIED THE TWO ARE CONNECTED.

>> WHAT WE HAVE DONE ON INDOOR CAPACITIES HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SUPER BOWL.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE VARIANTS, WE MIGHT'VE MADE THE MOVE EARLIER AND OR GONE TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF CAPACITY.

MY CONCERN IS NOT A RESTAURANT OR BAR ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY PLAY BALL, IT IS A HOUSE PARTY THAT WE CANNOT, PAT CALLAHAN OR HIS COLLEAGUES LOCALLY OR AROUND THE STATE CAN'T ENFORCE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU DO GO OUT, PARTY AND WATCH THE GAME, HEALTH EXPERTS ADVISE YOU NEED TO WEAR PROPER PROTECTIVE GEAR.

>> THE ONLY WAY TO REDUCE YOUR RISK, IS TO KEEP MASKS ON THE ENTIRE TIME.

WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE LESS WILLING TO DO THAT, IF YOU ARE TRYING TO EAT AND DRINK, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: AND IF YOUR TEAMS WIDE RECEIVERS RUSHING FOR A TOUCHDOWN REMEMBER.

>> YELLING, SHOUTING, SINGING.

ANY OF THESE THINGS THAT CAUSE YOU TO FORCEFULLY EXHALE, SPREAD YOUR RESPIRATORY.

-- DROPLETS EVEN FURTHER, SO ALL YOU NEED IS ONE PERSON WHO IS POSITIVE, AND YOU CAN POTENTIALLY HAVE INFECTED AN ENTIRE GROUP, WITHIN THAT RESIDENCE, OR WITHIN THAT PART.

'S >> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE TO CELEBRATING.

DOUBLE YOUR MASK.

>>> A RECENT SURVEY ASKED PEOPLE IF THEY WOULD ATTEND A SUPER BOWL PARTY THIS YEAR, AND A WHOPPING 64% SAID NO.

BUT, 25% SAID YES.

>> MY KNEE-JERK REACTION AT THE 25%, I WAS SURPRISED.

THAT WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.

MAYBE THIS WAS SOMETHING THEY COULD LOOK FORWARD TO.

NOT REALIZING THAT THE DAY BEFORE, WHEN THEY TRY TO CALL ALL OF THEIR FRIENDS OR RELATIVES, TO SAY WE ARE GETTING TOGETHER, AND EVERYBODY IS GOING TO SAY NO.

>> Reporter: WITH THE PANDEMIC SUPER BOWL, EXPERTS SAY WE WON'T KNOW THE GAME'S REAL OUTCOME IN COVID-19 CASES FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE WEEKS.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IF YOU DO GET TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS MIGHT NOT MIND IF YOU SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT GETTING A VACCINE.

ESPECIALLY AMONG GROUPS WITH HIGH LEVELS OF SKEPTICISM.

ARE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN HAMMERED BY THE CORONAVIRUS, MOSTLY AS A RESULT OF RACIAL INEQUITIES IN THE SYSTEM.

FOR MANY, IT IS GOING TO TAKE MORE THAN CLEVER ADS AND LEADERS IN SUITS TO CONVINCE THEM TO GET A VACCINE.

MICHAEL HILL REPORTS ON THE WORK OF A SINGLE FOOT SOLDIER, ONE WOMAN HOPING TO CHANGE ONE MIND AT A TIME.

>> Reporter: SHE IS GETTING HER SECOND DOSE OF THE MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE.

SHE IS A 25-YEAR-OLD PHYSICAL THERAPIST.

>> I SEE ABOUT 15 TO 18 PATIENTS A DAY.

I COME IN CONTACT WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE.

SO, JUST TO PROTECT MYSELF AND TO PROTECT THEM, I DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE A GOOD DECISION TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: SINCE HER FIRST DOSE IN JANUARY, SHE HAS PERSUADED HER PARENTS WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT THIS WOULD BE A REALLY GOOD DECISION FOR THEM TO MAKE, THEY KIND OF USED ME AS LIKE A GUINEA PIG, I TOOK THE VACCINE, THEY WAITED LIKE 24 TO 48 HOURS BEFORE DECIDING TO SCHEDULE THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: SHE'S PERSUADED TO GIRLFRIENDS.

>> AFTER THE CONVERSATION, THEY WENT AND SCHEDULED AND TOOK THEIR FIRST DOSE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON A BROTHER AND COUSIN WHO IS HARDER SALES.

>> BLACK PEOPLE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO BE DISTRUSTFUL OF HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

>> WHAT SHE IS DOING CAN BE CONSIDERED RETAIL ENGAGEMENT, THAT IS TALKING TO THE PEOPLE SHE KNOWS, THE PEOPLE SHE IS RELATED TO, AND SOMETIMES MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, THAT MAY BE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO GET PEOPLE TO TURN AROUND AND OVERCOME THE HESITANCY AND THE HISTORY THAT IS CAUSING THEM TO SAY, NO TO THE VACCINE.

>> I THINK THAT STRATEGY IS ACTUALLY EVEN MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THOSE WHO GO ON TV AND DO IT.

IT IS SOMETHING, SOMEONE I ACTUALLY KNOW.

MY PERSONAL OPINION IS EVERY SINGLE PERSON WHO IS WILLING TO GET THE VACCINE SHOULD BECOME THEN A VACCINE AMBASSADOR.

>> Reporter: VICE CHANCELLOR, DOCTOR DENISE ROGERS SAYS SHE FAVORS SMALL INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATIONS AND TAKING THE VACCINES TO COMMUNITIES, THE VIRUS HAS HIT THE HARDEST, THAT IS WHAT ESSEX COUNTY HAS DONE BY PUTTING TWO OF ITS FIVE VACCINATION SITES IN NEWARK.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT WAYS.

WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN PROVIDE SOME MORE TRANSPORTATION IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

HOW WE CAN MAYBE DEVELOP A MOBILE VACCINATION SITES TO ACTUALLY GO INTO SOME OF THE COMMUNITIES.

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS VACCINE.

>> Reporter: THE BIG GOAL IS VACCINATING 80% OF THE POPULATION, TO RETURN IMMUNITY, AND TO DEVELOP PROTECTION FROM THE MUTATING VIRUS.

>> SOME OF THESE VARIANTS, COULD VERY WELL BE MUCH MORE DANGEROUS, MUCH MORE VIRULENT, MANY MORE PEOPLE COULD DIE, BECAUSE THE MORE VARIANTS WE HAVE, SOME OF THEM WILL NOT BE IMPACTED BY THE VACCINE.

WE ARE A LITTLE BIT IN A RACE AGAINST TIME, TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR POPULATION, QUICKLY ENOUGH, TO PREVENT THE RAPID SPREAD OF EVEN MORE DEADLY VARIANTS WHICH COULD DEVELOP.

THEY HAVEN'T DEVELOPED YET BUT IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE THAT COULD HAPPEN.

>> THAT IS HER GUIDING PHILOSOPHY.

>> I THINK IT IS MY RULE, NOT JUST AS A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BUT AS A BLACK WOMAN.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL HILL, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THERE ARE STILL TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE STUCK IN UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM LIMBO, WITH THE STATE, THE WEEKS ARE TAKING BY, WHILE THEIR BANK ACCOUNT IS DRAINED.

THIS TIME WAITING FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO SEND OUT CHECKS FROM THAT NEW 11 WEEK FEDERAL BENEFIT EXTENSION, THE TIMING OF THE STIMULUS BILL THROUGH A WRENCH IN THE SYSTEM, LEAVING DESPERATE RESIDENCE WITH NO MONEY, AND NO ANSWERS.

CLAY, REPORTS.

>> YOU ARE CALLING THE CABLE COMPANY, YOUR CELL PHONE COMPANY, YOUR CAR INSURANCE, YOUR LANDLORD.

>> Reporter: HILLS KEEP PILING UP FOR PATRICK, A FORMER ATLANTIC CITY CASINO RESTAURANT WAITER, WHO HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR WORK SINCE MARCH.

>> I WORKED THIS SUMMER, PART- TIME.

BUT THAT WAS A THREE-MONTH DEAL.

I HAVE ACTUALLY GONE TO THE POINT WHERE I AM ACTUALLY APPLYING TO CASINOS IN SYRACUSE NEW YORK.

>> Reporter: HIS STAY ON EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS RAN OUT THE LAST WEEK OF DECEMBER.

>> IT WAS THE MAX THAT YOU ARE ALLOWED TO CLAIM UNDER THE STATE.

SO, THEN TRUMP SIGNED FOR AN 11 WEEK EXTENSION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAD TOLD EVERYONE THAT IT WOULD TAKE A FEW WEEKS FOR THE EXTENSION TO KICK IN, WELL, IT HAS BEEN OVER A MONTH LATER, THAT EXTENSION HAS NOT KICKED IN.

IF IT WASN'T FOR SOME VERY CLOSE FRIENDS, I WOULD BE IN DIRE STRAITS RIGHT NOW.

AND YOU CAN ONLY BORROW SO MUCH MONEY.

>> Reporter: HE IS ONE OF 75,000 PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY, STILL WAITING TO GET THERE ON EMPLOYMENT CHECKS, FROM THE STATE.

>> WHEN YOU ACTUALLY DO GET A HOLD OF SOMEONE, THEY SAY YES, WE ARE GOING TO PUT YOUR NAME THROUGH, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CLAIM NEXT WEEK.

THAT IS FINE, THE NEXT WEEK COMES ALONG, STILL CAN'T CLAIM.

CALLBACKS, WELL, IT IS GOING TO BE A FEW MORE WEEKS.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE HASN'T HEARD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

TODAY, LABOR COMMISSIONER, ROBERT, TRY TO PROVIDE ANSWERS FOR HIM AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED THE STIMULUS AT THE LAST MOMENT, NOT GETTING STIFF ENOUGH TIME TO PROGRAM THEIR SYSTEMS FOR THE 11 WEEK EXPANSION FOR ALL CLAIMANTS.

WITHOUT DELAY.

ABOUT 5% OF NEW JERSEY CLAIMANTS, OVER 75,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING A LAPSE IN THE BENEFITS.

BUT WE NOW EXPECT THIS GROUP, TO BE UP AND RUNNING BY A WEEK FROM TODAY, FEBRUARY 12.

THEY WILL GO ON CERTIFIED, WE WILL DO IT FOR ALL OF THE BACK WEEKS.

SO ON THE 13th OR THE 12th, MOST LIKELY THE MONEY WILL BE IN THEIR ACCOUNTS BASED ON THEIR BANK, ON THAT MONDAY OR TUESDAY.

THEY WILL RECEIVE THE $300 SUPPLEMENT ON TOP OF THAT.

>> MOST OTHER STATES LIKE NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT FOR EXAMPLE, REACHED OUT TO GOOGLE AND PLAYED -- PAID GOOGLE AND GOOGLE HAD IT DONE IN 2 TO 3 DAYS.

IT IS GETTING LIKE RIDICULOUS NOW AT THIS POINT.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK FOR OTHER STATES AND WHAT THEIR SYSTEMS ARE, BUT AGAIN, I KNOW FOR A FACT, WE HAD A CALL YESTERDAY WITH THE COMMISSIONERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, NOT EVERYONE WAS ON.

I COUNTED AT LEAST 10 OR 11 OTHER STATES THAT HAVE NOT GOTTEN THIS PART OF THE PROCESS DONE.

>> Reporter: FORMER JEWELRY STORE ASSISTANT MANAGER, KRISTIN, SAYS SHE HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO WORK BECAUSE SHE HAS SEVERE ASTHMA AND IS TOO MUCH OF A RISK WITH THE PANDEMIC.

SHE, IS ALSO WAITING FOR AN APPOINTMENT MONEY.

>> MY MOM HAS BEEN HELPING ME A LOT.

I AM WAITING FIRST FOR FOOD STEPS IN THE MAIL.

SHE CAN HELP US ANYMORE AND I DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ELSE THAT CAN HELP ME, AND THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO.

I MEAN IT HAS BEEN SIX WEEKS NOW.

>> Reporter: THE RESIDENT RUNS A FACEBOOK GROUP, CALLED UNEMPLOYMENT PANDEMIC GROUP FOR WE THE PEOPLE.

WITH MORE THAN 13,000 MEMBERS, SHE SAYS IT MAY ONLY BE 5% OF THE STATE, WAITING TO GET PAID.

EVERY ONE OF THOSE 75,000 PEOPLE, HAVE A STORY.

THE PEOPLE POSTING OUR SINGLE FATHERS, SINGLE MOTHERS, PEOPLE IN NEED OF MEDICAL CARE, ALL IN SERIOUS NEED OF IMMEDIATE CASH.

WRITING, EVERY WEEK, I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW I AM GOING TO GET A LITTLE FOOD FOR MY SON.

DEALING WITH THE EMOTIONAL AND FINANCIAL STRESS OF THIS IS UNBEARABLE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN KEEP THINGS TOGETHER.

>> THE STORIES WE ARE GETTING FROM PEOPLE, WE WANT TO CRY WITH THEM.

>> THERE ARE 17 NEW PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: SENATOR ROBERT HAS BEEN CALLING ON GOVERNOR MURPHY TO MAKE THIS ISSUE A TOP PRIORITY.

HE SAYS 11 WEEKS IS THE SHORT TERM FIX, HIS OTHER CONCERN, WHAT IS THE LONG TERM FIX FOR THE STATE?

>>> IF YOU WERE LOOKING FOR A SIGN OF RECOVERY IN THIS MONTH'S JOBS REPORT, IT IS TOUGH TO FIND, ROD IS HERE WITH THE NUMBERS AND MORE FROM TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

HEY, RHONDA.

>>> THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS HEADING LOWER, IN JANUARY, THE NATIONAL JOBLESS RATE DROPPED TO 6.3%.

UNLIKE DATA WE SAW FROM NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP EARLIER THIS WEEK, THIS NEW REPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOWED SOFTER MONTHLY JOB GROWTH, WITH JUST 49,000 AND OF COURSE MANY BUSINESSES ARE STILL CUTTING POSITIONS, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, HOTELS, AND RETAIL.

NOW, THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY IS BRACING FOR MORE JOB LOSSES, AND THE LAST FEW DAYS, BOTH UNITED AND AMERICAN HAVE INDICATED THOUSANDS OF THEIR WORKERS MAY BE FURLOUGHED WITHOUT ADDITIONAL FEDERAL AID.

SOME 600 WORKERS AT A NABISCO PLANT COULD BE LOSING THEIR JOBS IN A FEW MONTHS, MAYOR KIRK, SAYS HE HAS BEEN INFORMED BY NABISCO'S PARENT COMPANY, THAT THE PLANT WILL CLOSE IN AUGUST OR SEPTEMBER.

THE MAYOR SAYS HE TRIED TO PERSUADE NABISCO TO STATE, BUT THE COMPANY IS CONSOLIDATING SEVERAL OF ITS EAST COAST FACILITIES.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION'S CLEAN ENERGY ROADMAP IS EARNING SOME RECOGNITION.

AS OUR TOM JOHNSON REPORTS, NEW JERSEY WAS RANKED HIGHLY INTO REPORTS, THAT EXAMINED STATE EFFORTS TO SHIFT TOWARDS ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES.

>> IT SEEMS THAT THE LAW THAT WAS PASSED BACK IN JANUARY 2019, HAS DONE A LOT TO JUMPSTART NEW JERSEY TO TRANSITION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, THERE ARE ALSO EFFORTS NOW TO BUILD OUT INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT ELECTRIC VEHICLES, YOU CAN LEARN MORE ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> FINALLY, THERE ARE PREDICTIONS THAT MORE LEGAL BETS WILL BE PLACED ON THIS SUPER BOWL, THAN EVER BEFORE.

PLAY USA PREDICTS MORE THAN $500 MILLION WILL BE WAGERED IN ONLINE AND RETAIL SPORTS BOOKS.

THERE ARE NOW 20 STATES OFFERING SOME SORT OF LEGAL SPORTS BETTING INCLUDING OF COURSE, HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT THE TRADING DAY ON WALL STREET.

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

>>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA FOR NJ BUSINESS, A LOOK AT HOW EMPLOYEES ARE SLOWLY RETURNING TO THE OFFICE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN NOW, AND IN A POST-TRAN07 WORLD, SOME COMPANIES SAY THEY ARE PLANNING TO STAY REMOTE PERMANENTLY.

NJ BUSINESS PREMIERS THIS WEEKEND ON NJTV SATURDAY AT 5:00 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 9:30 AM.

BY THE WAY, YOU CAN CATCH ALL OF OUR SHOWS AT ANY TIME, ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

>>> IT IS A HARD KNOW FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP'S LAWYERS, OVER A SURPRISE REQUEST THURSDAY FROM HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS.

ASKING TRUMP TO TESTIFY IN NEXT WEEK'S SENATE TRIAL.

AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE FORMER PRESIDENT ON THE RECORD, ABOUT HIS ROLE IN THE VIOLENT RIOTS AT THE CAPITAL LAST MONTH.

NOW, THE QUESTION REMAINS OVER WHETHER DEMOCRATS WILL USE SUBPOENA POWERS TO GET TESTIMONY.

OUR CHIEF POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, MICHAEL, PUT THAT QUESTION AND MORE, TO FORMER NEW JERSEY ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, ELLIE HONING.

>> ELLIE, HOW CLEAR IS IT THAT DONALD TRUMP INCITED A RIOT ON JANUARY 6?

>> I THINK IF WE ARE JUST TALKING COMMON SENSE HERE, IT IS VERY CLEAR.

I MEAN ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK, NOT JUST AT WHAT HE SAID TO THE CROWD ON JANUARY 6, WHICH I THINK WAS INSIGHTFUL ENOUGH, NOT IN THE WAY OF INSIGHTFUL MEANING HAVING INSIGHT, BUT WAS LIKELY TO INCITE THAT RIOT, ENOUGH, BUT ALSO LOOK AT WHAT LED UP TO JANUARY 6.

THIS WAS NOT JUST A ONE DAY OR ONE RALLY EVER.

THIS WAS THE END RESULT, I BELIEVE IN ARGUABLY, INEVITABLE RESULT OF THE PRESIDENT'S EFFORTS TO STEAL THE ELECTION, TO PUT OUT THIS FALSE NARRATIVE OF ELECTION FRAUD, GOING BACK REALLY TO ELECTION DAY ITSELF.

AND THE VIDEOS THAT WE HAVE SEEN OF THOSE PEOPLE SHOWS THAT HIS WORDS DIRECTLY INSPIRED THEM, AS HE IS SPEAKING, THEY ARE SAYING FIGHT FOR TRUMP, STORMED THE CAPITAL.

>> YOU IMAGINE WE ARE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THAT VIDEO DURING THE TRIAL?

>> I DO.

I THINK THE HEART OF THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS CASE IS GOING TO BE THOSE VIDEOS, TO REMIND US, I THINK THEY WANT TO MAKE A VISCERAL APPEAL, AND HIT THE AUDIENCE, THE AMERICAN PUBLIC IN THE GUT.

REMIND US WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY.

WHAT DID IT LOOK LIKE INSIDE THE CAPITAL?

THEY WILL SHOW US THE CHAOS, THE VIOLENCE, THE DESTRUCTION, AND I THINK THEY WILL USE THE WRITER'S OWN WORDS TO MAKE EXACTLY THAT LINK, THAT THESE ACTIONS WERE THE DIRECT OUTCOME OF DONALD TRUMP'S RHETORIC.

>> THEY HAD INVITED DONALD TRUMP TO TESTIFY, HIS LEGAL TEAM QUICKLY REJECTED THAT, CAN THEY SUBPOENA HIM?

>> SO, THEY CAN TRY.

HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS, IF THEY WANT TO SUBPOENA HIM, IT HAS TO GO THROUGH THE SENATE, WHICH IS A SEPARATE ENTITY.

NOW, THE SENATE OF COURSE IS DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED, 50-50, BUT IF EVEN ONE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR SAYS NO I AM NOT ON BOARD WITH THIS, THEN THE SUBPOENA WILL NOT ISSUE AND WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD CHRISTIANS FROM DELAWARE SENATOR, AND OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPRESSED HESITATION AT A MINIMUM ABOUT ISSUING A SUBPOENA TO DONALD TRUMP.

>> THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING THAT THIS SECOND IMPEACHMENT OF A FORMER PRESIDENT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, THE DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING SOMEBODY HAS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, WHICH SIDE HAS THE STRONGER CASE?

>> SO, WE DON'T KNOW FOR SURE LEGALLY, WHETHER THIS IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT TO TRY A FORMER ATTORNEY, EXCUSE ME, A FORMER OFFICIAL.

HOWEVER, I THINK THE DEMOCRATS HAVE THE FAR BETTER OF THE ARGUMENT HERE.

FIRST OF ALL, THERE IS PRECEDENT, IN 1876, THE SENATE TRIED IN IMPEACHMENT CASE ON AN OFFICIAL WHO HAD RESIGNED MONTHS BEFORE, NOT A PRESIDENT BUT A SECRETARY OF WAR, ALSO IF YOU LOOK AT THE TUITION LOGICALLY, THERE CAN'T BE WHAT THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS CALL A JANUARY EXCEPTION, MEANING THERE STILL HAS TO BE CONSEQUENCES FOR BAD CONDUCT, FOR DISLOYAL CONDUCT, EVEN IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THE PRESIDENCY.

IMAGINE IF A PRESIDENT, YOU DON'T DO MUCH IMAGINING, IF THE PRESIDENT TRIED TO DISRUPT THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

WHEN WOULD THAT HAPPEN IN THE FINAL DAYS IN OFFICE?

EITHER HE SUCCEEDS, IN WHICH CASE HE BECOMES SORT OF PRESIDENT FOR LIFE, AND DISRUPTS OUR ENTIRE DEMOCRACY, OR HE FAILS, THERE HAS TO BE CONSEQUENCES, IF YOU FAIL.

IT CAN'T JUST BE WELL, HE TRIED TO DO IT ON JANUARY 6 OR 13th AND THE CLOCK RAN OUT, SO NOTHING WE CAN DO.

>> FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR, ELLIE HONING, THANKS SO MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, MICHAEL.

>>> >>> IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK, YOU CAN CATCH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH DAVID CRUISE SATURDAY AT 6:00 PM AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 AM ON NJTV.

THAT AND CHAT BOX AIRS SATURDAY AT 6:30 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 AM.

>>> ONE FINAL NOTE, BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, AFTER NEARLY 7 YEARS WITH NJTV, OUR DEAR FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE, MICHAEL HILL, IS READY TO WRITE HIS NEXT CHAPTER.

IN A FEW WEEKS, MICHAEL WILL BECOME THE NEW VOICE OF WNYC PUBLIC RADIO'S SHOW, MORNING EDITION.

STILL A PART OF OUR PUBLIC BROADCASTING FAMILY.

MICHAEL IS A TRUE NEWS MAN, A CONSTANT AND PROFESSIONAL, AND A MASTER AT HIS CRAFT.

WE WILL MISS HIM HERE WITH THE TEAM, BUT WE WILL BE LISTENING AND READING HIM ON FROM JUST ACROSS THE RIVER.

WE ALL WISH HIM THE BEST OF LUCK!

I AM BREANNA, FOR MICHAEL HILL, AND THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE YOU MONDAY!

>>> AND JM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES, FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

TSE AND G, WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES.

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

>> HAVE SOME WATER.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF, I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY TWO DENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE.

THE CHANCE TO BE KNOWN AND BE AN AMERICAN.

I'M PROUD TO BE A NJEA MEMBER.