>>> FUNDING FOR "NJ SPORTLIGHT NEWS" PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND THE OCEAN WINGS PROJECT, AND P SAG, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW, LONG-TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

ANOTHER RECORD DAY OF COVID CASES FOR JERSEY.

WE'LL HAVE THOSE NUMBERS IN A FEW MINUTES, BUT FIRST, COVID IMPACTS THE FINAL LEGISLATIVE VOTING SESSION.

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER CRAIG COUGHLAN TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, THOSE RESULTS COMING FROM A TEST COUGHLAN TOOK TO COMPLY WITH UPDATED ASSEMBLY COVID-19 GUIDELINES, WHICH WERE RELEASED FRIDAY.

THE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER IS SAID TO BE EXPERIENCING VERY MILD THE COLD-LIKE SYMPTOMS.

WEATHER SEATED IN TRENTON OR CALLING IN FROM HOME, LAWMAKERS WENT TO WORK TODAY, WITH VOTES ON HUNDREDS OF BILLS, TOUCHING ON A RANGE OF ISSUES FROM SUICIDE PREVENTION TO SCHOOLS, AND EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE OPIOID CRISIS, TO A POSSIBLE BAN ON BE KILLING PESTICIDES, AND NEW RULES FOR SELLING FOOD MADE AT HOME.

TWO TOPICS, ABORTION RIGHTS AND A POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS DOMINATED THE DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

JOANNA GAGIS JOINS US FROM THE STATE HOUSE WITH MORE.

>> IT WAS A SIGNIFICANT DAY TO BE HERE IN THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS, WATCHING SEVERAL MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN THEIR LAST VOTING SESSION EVER.

IT WAS ALSO THE LAST DAY TO DECIDE ON A FEW KEY BILLS, ONE THAT WOULD EXTEND THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS, WHICH BY EXTENSION WOULD EXTEND THE MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS, AND THE HOTLY CONTESTED REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM ACT THAT WOULD CODIFY ABORTION INTO LAW IN NEW JERSEY.

THAT ONE BROUGHT A LENGTHY DEBATE IN BOTH HOUSES.

>> WE MUST GIVE THOSE BABIES A CHANCE FOR LIFE, WE MUST GIVE THOSE BABIES A CHANCE FOR LIFE.

SO PLEASE, I ASK YOU TO VOTE NO.

>> THIS IS A LANDMARK, SIMPLE, AND CRUCIAL PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO CODIFY CASE LAW, TO PROTECT THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE FOR ALL NEW JERSEYANS.

THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT HAS EXPLICITLY RECOGNIZED THE RIGHT TO ABORTION UNDER OUR STATE CONSTITUTION.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS PROVIDE EVERY NEW JERSEY IN WITH A CLEAR AFFIRMATION OF THE RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.

>> I'M A BIT OF A UNICORN ON THIS TOPIC.

I HAPPEN TO BE A PRO-CHOICE REPUBLICAN WOMAN, BUT I HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONCERNS, NOT ONLY ABOUT THE LACK OF PROCESS IN MOVING THIS FORWARD IN THIS MANNER, BUT POTENTIALLY THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROVISIONS IN THIS BILL.

IF WE FIND, A YEAR OR TWO FROM NOW, THAT NEW JERSEY HAS HAD AN UPTICK IN HUMAN TRAFFICKERS, PEOPLE WHO EXPLOIT YOUNG GIRLS, UTILIZING OUR STATE AS A HAVEN FOR HAVING ABORTIONS PERFORMED WITH NO REPERCUSSIONS, THAT MAY BE SOMETHING THAT WE, AS THIS BODY, WANT TO GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT.

>> I'M GOING TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH THE COMMENTS OF MY COLLEAGUE, SENATOR SHIPP EASY, BECAUSE SHE'S RIGHT.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT, THROUGH NO FAULT OF THE LEGISLATURE, BECAUSE OF SOME OF HOW THE BACK CHANNEL CONVERSATIONS WAS HANDLED, IT'S SHABBILY DONE.

BUT BECAUSE WE ARE FORCED HERE TODAY, BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE GRAVITATED AND WRAPPED AROUND OUR COUNTRY, TO CODIFY SOMETHING THAT THE COURTS HAVE ALREADY ESTABLISHED THAT INHERITED EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US WE KNOW, THE DETERMINATION TO CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WITH OUR OWN BODIES.

>> THE BILL DID PASS BOTH HOUSES ALONG PARTY LINES, AND THERE IS A MAJOR POWER SHIFT HAPPENING IN THE SENATE TODAY.

SENATE PRESIDENT STEVE SWEENEY WILL LEAVE THE SENATE FOR THE LAST TIME.

TOMORROW THE BATON PASSES TO SENATOR NIX BUT SORRY.

ALSO LEAVING OUR SENATORS TOM KEAN JUNIOR, DON EDDIE AGO, CHRISTOPHER KIT BATEMAN AND LORETTA WEINBERG LEFT ON FRIDAY.

ASSEMBLYWOMAN VALERIE VENIRE HUDDLE PARTICIPATED IN HER LAST VOTE REMOTELY.

AS FOR ASCENDING THE GOVERNOR'S POWERS, HE MADE A FINAL PLEA TO THE LEGISLATURE TODAY.

>> I THINK IF YOU HAD ASKED ME SIX WEEKS AGO, DID I HAVE SOME HOPE THAT ON JANUARY 11th AT MIDNIGHT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SHIFT TO A DIFFERENT REALITY?

I DID HAVE THAT HOPE, AND I STILL --PLEASE GOD WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THAT POINT SOONER THAN LATER, BUT WE WILL NOT AND CANNOT GET THERE, AND I SAY UNEQUIVOCALLY, WE WILL NOT GET THERE IN THE NEAR TERM.

BUT AGAIN, IT BRINGS ME NO JOY TO SAY THAT.

>> THE VOTING SESSION EXTENDED BEYOND OUR DEADLINE, SO IT'S STILL UNCLEAR WHETHER THE LEGISLATURE WILL EXTEND THE GOVERNOR'S EMERGENCY POWERS FOR ANOTHER 90 DAYS OR WHETHER THEY'LL SHORTEN IT TO 45, OR LET THEM EXPIRE COMPLETELY.

IF THE LAST SESSION IS ANY INDICATION, VOTING COULD CONTINUE HERE WELL INTO THE EVENING.

IN TRENTON, I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

BACK TO YOU, RAVEN.

>> THANKS, JOANNA.

JOIN US TOMORROW FOR OUR SPECIAL LIVE COVERAGE OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, ANCHORED BY SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID COOTS PLUS ANALYSIS FROM OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM.

THAT IS TUESDAY AT 5:00 P.M. LIVE RIGHT HERE ON NJ PBS AND STREAMING ON ALL OF OUR PLATFORMS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

>>> STARTING TODAY, YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION TO ENTER MOST PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS IN NEWARK.

THE MANDATE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST FOR A CITY IN NEW JERSEY, AND IT MIRRORS A REQUIREMENT THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE IN NEW YORK CITY SINCE AUGUST.

PROOF OF VACCINATION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR CUSTOMERS FIVE YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER TO ENTER CERTAIN FACILITIES, INCLUDING RESTAURANTS, BARS, NIGHTCLUBS, INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS, AND GYMS.

AS OF TODAY, VISITORS MUST SHOW PROOF OF AT LEAST ONE DOSE AT TWO DOSES WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY STARTING IN THREE WEEKS.

MASKS ARE ALSO STILL REQUIRED INDOORS AT ALL TIMES, FOR ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF TWO.

MAYOR BARAKA SAYS THE CITY WILL CONSIDER THE IMPACT AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE ORDER AFTER 30 DAYS.

IN A FACEBOOK LIVE POST ON FRIDAY, HE PUSHED BACK AGAINST CRITICS OF THE MOVE.

>> DON'T LISTEN TO BOLSER, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY AND IN THIS CITY HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE VACCINATION SHOT AND WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO ANY OF THE PLACES THEY WENT TO BEFORE, WHEN THIS MANDATE STARTS.

>> NEW JERSEY ECLIPSE IS 20,000 CORONAVIRUS CASES FOR THE 13th DAY IN A ROW.

TODAY THE STATE IS REPORTING OVER 21,000 NEW CASES AND 29 NEW DEATHS FUELED BY THE OMICRON VARIANT.

THE STRAIN CAUSES SPIKING CASES NATIONWIDE.

PFIZER ANNOUNCES ITS OMICRON VACCINE WILL BE READY BY MARCH.

THE COMPANY IS ALREADY MANUFACTURING DOSES.

THE COMPANY'S CEO SAYS THE VACCINE WILL ALSO TARGET OTHER VARIANTS THAT ARE CIRCULATING, THIS AS THE FDA SHORTENS THE TIME BETWEEN A MODERNA SECOND DOSE AND THE BOOSTER TO FIVE MONTHS.

THAT IS THE SAME TIMELINE AS THE PFIZER BOOSTER.

IN NEW JERSEY, OF THE ALMOST 6.5 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED, ABOUT 2.4 MILLION HAVE RECEIVED THE BOOSTER.

BUT WILL THE BOOSTER BE ENOUGH TO GET US THROUGH THIS WAVE OF THE NEW CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN SPOKE WITH MEDICAL EXPERTS ABOUT GETTING OVER THE PEAK.

>> WE ARE NOT OUT OF THE WOODS YET WITH THIS VARIANT.

IT LOOKS LIKE NUMBERS MAY BE STARTING TO PLATEAU AND HOPEFULLY TURN AND DECREASE.

BUT WE ARE STILL AT A 36% POSITIVE TEST RATE.

SO WE'VE GOT A FEW MORE WEEKS TO REALLY GET THROUGH THIS SURGE.

>> Reporter: EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SILVEIRA SAYS JERSEY IS STILL BUILDING TOWARDS A COVID PEAK, WITH THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS OMICRON VARIANT NOW RAMPANT.

LAD ANALYSIS HAS FINALLY CAUGHT UP TO REALITY, SHOWING MORE THAN 76% OF SAMPLES SEQUENCED HERE BETWEEN DECEMBER 19th AND CHRISTMAS DAY WERE OMICRON.

OVER THESE NEXT FEW WEEKS, RUTGERS DEAN PERRY HAL KITA SAYS WE SHOULD EXPECT -- >> INCREASED CASES, INCREASED STRESS ON THE ECONOMY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO BE SHOWING UP FOR WORK IF THEY ARE FEELING SICK.

NOT AS MANY DEBTS, AND UNFORTUNATELY, BASED ON THE LATEST DATA I'VE JUST READ, NOT AN INCREASE IN VACCINATION.

>> THE ENCOURAGING SIGN IS THAT WE SEEM TO BE DISCHARGING A LOT OF PEOPLE FESTER, AND WE HOPE THAT THAT TREND CONTINUES, AND WE HOPE WE PEAK SOON.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE'S CURRENTLY GOT 150 COVID PATIENTS.

DATA SHOW HOSPITAL BEDS STATEWIDE AREN'T FILLING AS FAST AS IN LATE DECEMBER, WHEN THE RATE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS SPIKED MORE THAN 91% FROM CHRISTMAS DAY TO JUST AFTER NEW YEAR'S DAY.

THAT SLOWED TO AN 18% INCREASE OVER THE PAST WEEK, BUT THAT STILL LEFT MORE THAN 6000 HOSPITALIZED IN NEW JERSEY LAST NIGHT, NUMBERS NOT SEEN SINCE THE FIRST DEADLY WAVE.

THE STATE'S HEALTH COMMISSIONER LOWERED JERSEY'S FORECAST TO A PEAK OF 8000 HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID BY LATE JANUARY INTO FEBRUARY.

>> WE DO BELIEVE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE HIGH LEVELS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AGAIN, IT'S A PREDICTION BASED ON ASSUMPTIONS.

WE ARE WATCHING IT REALLY CLOSELY THIS WEEK BECAUSE THE LAST TWO DAYS WE'VE SEEN A SLIGHT DOWNTURN IN THE NUMBER OF NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS VERSUS THE DISCHARGES, AND THAT'S THE FIRST TIME WE'VE SEEN THAT IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

SO IT MAY CHANGE.

>> Reporter: COMMISSIONER JUDY PURSER KELLY REPORTED TWO NEW JERSEY CHILDREN HAVE RECENTLY DIED OF COVID, AND THAT OVER 90% OF KIDS WHO WERE HOSPITALIZED HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SINGLE COVID SHUT.

IT'S THE SAME FOR ADULTS, GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS.

>> THE UNVACCINATED ARE STILL THE ONES TESTING POSITIVE BY A RATE OF MORE THAN 2 TO 1.

THE UNVACCINATED ARE STILL THE ONES OVERWHELMINGLY GOING TO THE HOSPITAL AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THE HOSPITALIZATIONS IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE SERVICE IS A COVID RELATED ONE.

THE UNVACCINATED WOULD STILL ACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 92% OF THE WEEK'S TOTAL HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY REPORTED 168,000 NEW JERSEYANS GOT COVID BOOSTERS LAST WEEK, BUT IT TAKES ABOUT SEVEN DAYS FOR BOOSTERS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE.

>> ON AVERAGE I THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE, PROBABLY BY EARLY FEBRUARY TO LATE FEBRUARY, THAT WILL BE THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR SURGE.

>> Reporter: SILVEIRA SAYS WHEN THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION FALLS BELOW ONE, MEANING THE VIRUS IS NO LONGER SPREADING, PEOPLE WILL SLOWLY MOVE INTO A NEW NORMAL.

MANY WILL STILL WEAR MASKS INDOORS.

ARGUMENTS OVER MASKING WILL PERSIST.

>> I PARTIALLY BLAMED THE CDC FOR THIS, BECAUSE AGAIN, CHANGING THE RULES OF WHAT KIND OF MASK WE HAVE TO WEAR, I THINK PEOPLE ARE JUST EXHAUSTED FROM THIS MASK, CLOTH MASK, NOT CLOTH MASK, WE NEED A MASK, WE DON'T NEED A MASK.

THE MESSAGE HAS BEEN SO INCONSISTENT.

>> Reporter: EXPECT TO SEE MORE BOOSTERS, PROBABLY ANNUAL COVID SHOTS AND YEARLY PEAKS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AS WE LEARN TO LIVE WITH THIS VIRUS.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NEWSMACK.

>>> AS CASES CONTINUE TO SPIKE, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE ARE SWITCHING TO VIRTUAL LEARNING.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AS OF LAST THURSDAY, 934 SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED FOR COVID RELATED REASONS.

OUT OF MORE THAN 2000 PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THESE CLOSURES ARE ALL VOLUNTARY, AS GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS THERE WILL BE NO STATEWIDE VIRTUAL LEARNING MANDATES.

STAFF SHORTAGES INCREASE DUE TO CASES COUPLED WITH PARENTS FRUSTRATED FOR THEIR CHILDREN FALLING BEHIND ONE MORE YEAR, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE MAJORITY OF SCHOOLS TO KEEP THEIR CLASSROOMS OPEN.

HOW ARE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MANAGING?

WE HEADED TO CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL TO SEE HOW IT'S GOING.

>> IT REALLY FEELS LIKE CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL HAS GOT -- >> Reporter: QUINN BOWE CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL EXCITED TO BE IN PERSON AGAIN AT CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL.

LIKE HER PEERS, SHE SPENT THE MAJORITY OF LAST YEAR LEARNING REMOTELY BECAUSE OF COVID, A PERIOD SHE SAYS MADE HER FEEL ISOLATED AT TIMES.

BUT NOW, THINGS ARE MUCH BETTER.

>> THE FULL SCHOOL COMMUNITY, CLUBS ARE BACK IN SESSION, WORKERS COMING BACK, AND IT JUST FEELS REALLY GREAT TO BE BACK WITH ALL MY FRIENDS AND MY TEACHERS.

THIS IS SUCH A SUPPORTIVE GROUP HERE, ESPECIALLY THE ADMINISTRATION IS SUPER SUPPORTIVE.

THEY'RE CONSTANTLY INFORMING US ABOUT WHERE WE ARE WITH CASES AND WHAT SORT OF NEW PROTOCOLS THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE OVER.

SO IT'S BEEN A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO JUST ENJOY SENIOR YEAR AGAIN.

>> Reporter: REASONS LIKE THESE ARE WHY CHATHAM SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL AZUSA SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> CLEARLY WHEN STUDENTS ARE REMOTE, THEY'RE MORE ISOLATED.

THEY'RE NOT INTERACTING WITH EACH OTHER IN THE SAME WAY.

THEY'RE NOT AS ENGAGED OR INVOLVED SOCIALLY WITH THEIR CLASSMATES OR TEACHERS.

SO WE KNOW DEFINITIVELY THAT IT IS BETTER FOR STUDENTS TO BE IN SCHOOL, IN PERSON, THAN IT IS FOR THEM TO BE AT HOME.

>> Reporter: THE DECISION TO CONTINUE IN PERSON LEARNING AND CHATHAM COMES AS 45% OF SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE ARE OPERATING REMOTELY AS A RESULT OF THE SURGE IN COVID CASES.

THE CHATHAM DISTRICT ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM ITS OWN SPIKE.

AS OF TODAY, CHATHAM HIGH SCHOOL REPORTED 191 COVID CASES AMONG ITS STUDENTS AND STAFF, BACKUP FROM 112 CASES REPORTED FROM NOVEMBER 20th THROUGH DECEMBER 17th.

OTHER SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT ALSO SEEN THEIR NUMBERS UP, LEADING TO MAJOR STAFFING SHORTAGES, BUT STILL HE DOESN'T THINK SWITCHING TO REMOTE LEARNING IS THE ANSWER.

>> WE THINK IT'S SAFER FOR KIDS TO BE IN SCHOOL, FIRST OFF.

WHEN THEY'RE NOT IN SCHOOL, IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY'RE SAFER.

THEY MAY BE BETTER SHIELDED FROM COVID, DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN THEY ARE SAFER OVERALL.

STUDENTS ARE GETTING TOGETHER ANYWAY OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, IT SOMEWHAT DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF SHUTTERING THE SCHOOLS.

SO WE ARE DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO KEEP THEM SAFE.

WE ARE TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPACE IN ALL OUR CLASSROOMS.

WE TRY TO MAINTAIN SPACE WHEN WE ARE NOT IN CLASSROOMS.

WE TRY TO EAT OUTSIDE WHEN IT'S NOT FRIGID COLD LIKE IT IS TODAY.

SO WE JUST DO THE BEST WE CAN AND TRY TO FOLLOW ALL THE GUIDANCE AND GUIDELINES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

>> IF I WAS EATING LUNCH IN THE CAFETERIA I COULD SEE MYSELF BEING NERVOUS ABOUT IT.

HAVING THE OPTION TO LEAVE AND GET FRESH AIR HAS BEEN HELPFUL.

>> THE BEST PART IS YOU SEE EVERYONE AND ALSO I REALLY LIKE BEING ABLE TO TAKE TESTS BACK IN PERSON AND WRITE OUT TEST RATHER THAN DOING THEM ONLINE.

>> VIRTUAL LEARNING, THE KIDS DON'T STAY ON TASK TO VIRTUAL LEARNING.

>> Reporter: CHERYL RUSSO IS THE PRINCIPAL OF LAFAYETTE SCHOOL.

SHE AGREES BEING IN THE CLASSROOM IS WHAT IS BEST FOR STUDENTS.

>> THEY COME IN EVERY DAY EXCITED.

THEY'RE JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE.

THE MORE WE CAN STAY OPEN, THE BETTER, BECAUSE THEY'RE HAPPY TO BE HERE.

AND WHEN THEY'RE PLAYING TOGETHER, THAT'S ALL WE WANT.

THEY'RE DOING A GOOD JOB IN CLASS, TOO, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE STILL LINED UP IN ROWS AND IT'S NOT THE WAY WE ARE USED TO TEACHING AND COLLABORATION.

I THINK WE ARE PULLING IT OFF AND THE KIDS ARE DOING GREAT.

THE TEACHERS HAVE BEEN SAVVY IN THEIR THINKING AND JUST KIND OF ROLLING WITH EVERYTHING THAT KEEPS HAPPENING.

LIKE YEAH, I'M PRETTY PROUD OF THEM ALL.

>> I DEFINITELY PREFER BEING BACK IN THE CLASSROOM.

I THINK IS NORMAL AS IT COULD GET WOULD BE GREAT BUT RIGHT NOW THINGS ARE GOING AS WELL AS THEY CAN.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO COVID TESTING REQUIREMENT FOR CHATHAM STUDENTS AND STAFF WHO ARE VACCINATED.

ANY ONE WHO ISN'T VACCINATED MUST TAKE A TEST WEEKLY.

STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO MAKE SURE THERE IS COVERAGE TO REPLACE ANY STAFFING SHORTAGES IF THE TIME COMES WHEN THAT'S NO LONGER POSSIBLE.

A SWITCH TO REMOTE LEARNING WILL BE CONSIDERED.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> WE ARE EXPECTING NEWS THIS WEEK ON THE GROWING RATE OF INFLATION.

WILL WE SEE ANY STOP TO RISING PRICES?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS AND ALL THE OTHER TOP NEWS HEADLINES OF THE DAY.

RHONDA?

>> RAVEN, WE'VE BEEN HEARING FROM COMPANIES GETTING SQUEEZED FROM THE HIGHER PRICES, AND OF COURSE, THAT'S IMPACTING YOU AND ME, TOO.

WE ARE PLAYING MORE FOR EVERYTHING FROM FOOD TO GASOLINE.

THIS WEEK WE LEARNED THE LATEST TREND ON INFLATION INCLUDING WHETHER ECONOMISTS THINK ANY RELIEF IS INSIGHT THIS YEAR.

TOMORROW, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL WILL TESTIFY AT A NOMINATION HEARING BEFORE A SENATE PANEL AND HIS HANDLING OF INFLATION IS A TOPIC LIKELY TO BE ADDRESSED.

WORRIES ABOUT INFLATION ALSO UNNERVED WALL STREET TODAY.

>>> ONE OF THE LATEST EFFORTS TO PROMOTE INNOVATION IN NEW JERSEY IS HAPPENING AT KANE UNIVERSITY, WHERE A NEW CENTER OF WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT, INNOVATION, AND SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WAS RECENTLY LAUNCHED.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THERE WILL BE A FOCUS ON LEARNING HOW TO MAKE SMALL BUSINESSES MORE RESILIENT IN CHALLENGING TIMES.

ACCORDING TO KANE UNIVERSITY'S BARBARA GEORGE JOHNSON.

>> WE EXPECT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF THIS PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SYSTEM SET UP TO ANALYZE AND HELP BUSINESSES IDENTIFY WHERE THEIR WEAKNESSES ARE AND ALSO HOW TO IDENTIFY THEIR STRENGTH AND TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SYSTEMS AROUND THAT.

>> Reporter: KANE WAS ONE OF JUST 25 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NATIONWIDE THAT WAS SELECTED FOR A $1 MILLION FIVE-YEAR COMPETITIVE GRANT TO CREATE THE CENTER, WHICH WOULD ALSO INCLUDE FOCUS ON WORKPLACE TRAINING.

>>> STRUGGLING RESTAURANT IN NORTH JERSEY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR HELP.

RESTAURANTS THAT USE GOOBER EATS FOR DELIVERY SERVICES ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS UNDER A PROGRAM SPONSORED BY GOOBER AND VISA.

THE COMPANIES ARE GIVING OUT $1 MILLION UNDER THEIR GRANTS FOR GROWTH PROGRAM, WHICH IS GEARED TOWARD SMALL BUSINESSES IN 10 CITIES.

NORTH JERSEY IS BEING CONSIDERED AS PART OF THE NEW YORK METRO AREA FOR THESE AWARDS.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE A WEEK FROM TODAY.

>>> THE NFL FOOTBALL SEASON WINDING DOWN FOR THE GIANTS AND JETS, WITH A LAWSUIT.

MEDIA REPORTS SAY A NEW YORK RESIDENT HAS FILED A $6 BILLION SUIT AGAINST BOTH TEAMS, SAYING IF THEY CALL THEMSELVES NEW YORK TEAMS, THEY SHOULD MOVE BACK TO AND PLAY IN NEW YORK.

THE GIANTS SAY THE SUIT HAS NO MERIT.

THE JETS DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY COMMENT.

>>> ROUGH TRADING DAY ON WALL STREET.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE MARKET ENDED THE SESSION.

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

>>> THE STATE SUPREME COURT ISSUED A DECISION TODAY THAT COULD SHORTEN PRISON TIME FOR INMATES WHO ARE GIVEN LENGTHY SENTENCES AS JUVENILES.

THE COURT RULED THAT AFTER SERVING 20 YEARS, AND INMATE WHO IS INCARCERATED AS A JUVENILE CAN PETITION THE COURT FOR RELIEF.

JUDGES WILL THEN REVIEW THEIR PETITION BASED ON WHETHER THE OFFENDER HAS MATURED OR REFORMED, AND THEN CAN DECIDE TO SHORTEN THE SENTENCE OR REAFFIRM IT.

NEW JERSEY DOES NOT OFFICIALLY PERMIT JUDGES TO SENTENCE JUVENILES TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE, BUT REFORM ADVOCATES ARGUE DECADE-LONG PUNISHMENTS FOR YOUTH OFFENDERS ARE DE FACTO LIFE SENTENCES.

THREE JUSTICES DISSENTED AND SAID THE LEGISLATURE, NOT THE COURTS, SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REFORM.

>>> THE INFLUX OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS AND SURPLUS MONEY IN THE STATE'S BUDGET THIS YEAR HAS SOME LAWMAKERS REQUESTING A SHARE OF THE POT FOR THEIR PET PROJECTS TO MAKE CONSTITUENTS HAPPY.

WHILE THE STATE BUDGET MUST BE RATIFIED BY JULIE FIRST, LAST MINUTE SPENDING BY LEGISLATORS TO THE BUDGET FOR THE 2018-2022 FISCAL YEARS SHOWS THE REGIONAL DISPARITY IN THE PROCESS.

MANY TIMES, THE ITEMS ARE ADDED WITH LITTLE TO NO PUBLIC SCRUTINY, AND OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, MORE THAN $1 BILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON THESE LAST-MINUTE ITEMS.

SO HOW HAVE THEY DECIDED WHO GETS WHAT?

OUR SENIOR WRITER AND PROJECT EDITOR COLLEEN O'DEA INVESTIGATES IN A SPECIAL DIGITAL PIECE.

>> SO COLLEEN, HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT HERE?

>> IN THE CURRENT BUDGET IT'S $740 MILLION.

THAT INCLUDES $450 MILLION THAT --IN FEDERAL COVID RELIEF MONEY THAT WENT TO THREE HOSPITALS.

OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WHICH IS WHAT WE LOOKED AT, IT'S ALMOST $1.2 BILLION.

SO IT RAKES OUT TO ABOUT $240 MILLION ON AVERAGE A YEAR.

>> IS TRANSPARENCY THE BIGGEST ISSUE HERE?

>> IT'S CERTAINLY A BIG ISSUE.

THE BUDGET COMES OUT IN FEBRUARY.

THE GOVERNOR MAKES HIS PROPOSAL.

LEGISLATORS THEN SPEND MONTHS GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET.

THEY HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, SO THERE ARE LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AND TO COMMENT.

BUT THESE PROJECTS ARE ALWAYS PUTTING THE BUDGET AT THE VERY LAST MINUTE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THIS YEAR THE BUDGET BILL, WITH THESE PROJECTS IN IT, WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE UNTIL 11 MINUTES BEFORE THE BUDGET COMMITTEES ACTED ON THE BILL.

LEGISLATORS SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE TIME TO EVEN SEE WHAT WAS IN THE BUDGET, NEVERMIND FOR THE PUBLIC TO LOOK AT IT.

AND ULTIMATELY, THESE ARE ALL POSTED ONLINE, BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENS UNTIL WAY AFTER THE BUDGET HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

SOMETIMES MONTHS AFTER.

>> IT SEEMS LIKE THE KEY HERE TO RECEIVING MONEY IS BEING CONNECTED.

>> YEAH, AND THAT'S WHAT CRITICS SAY IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM.

THERE ARE LOTS AND LOTS OF NEEDS OUT THERE, AND NO ONE IS SAYING THAT THE PROJECTS THAT GET MONEY PERHAPS ARE NOT WORTHWHILE, BUT THE POINT IS THAT THERE ARE OTHER PROJECTS THAT NEVER GET A CHANCE, CAUSE THERE IS NOT A LEGISLATOR WHO IS PROMOTING THEM.

THERE'S LOTS OF MONEY THAT HAS GONE TO CAMDEN.

$30 MILLION, FOR INSTANCE, FOR DEMOLISHING BUILDINGS.

THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF BLIGHT, THEY'RE TRYING TO REBUILD THE CITY.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY NECESSARY.

BUT ARE THERE OTHER CITIES OUT THERE --NEWARK, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS I'M SURE, SOME AREAS.

THERE ARE OTHER PLACES.

THERE ARE COLLEGES OUT THERE THAT GET MONEY EVERY YEAR PUT INTO THE BUDGET, THAT JUST SOME STATE COLLEGES, NOT ALL OF THEM, AGAIN, BECAUSE THEY HAVE KIND OF A SPONSOR THERE.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS, $.95 OF EVERY DOLLAR OF THESE PROJECTS HAS BEEN PUT IN THE BUDGET WENT TO DEMOCRATIC AREAS.

ONLY FIVE CENTS TO REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS AND THERE WERE NINE DISTRICTS, NINE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS THAT GOT NO MONEY.

OF THOSE, EIGHT WERE REPRESENTED BY REPUBLICANS.

REPUBLICANS ARE OUT OF POWER, SO THEY DON'T HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THE PURSE STRINGS.

IT'S REALLY MONEY THAT GOES TO PREDOMINANTLY DEMOCRATIC- CONTROLLED AREAS.

>> HEARING THAT, IS THERE ANY ACCOUNTABILITY FOR LEGISLATORS ON THIS?

>> LEGISLATORS HAVE TO FILL OUT A FORM.

IT'S A RESOLUTION.

AND ON THAT FORM THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE FULL DETAILS AS WELL AS WHETHER THEY MIGHT HAVE ANY POTENTIAL CONFLICT, BECAUSE THEY'RE EMPLOYED BY THE PERSON GETTING MONEY, OR THE ORGANIZATION GETTING MONEY, OR THEY HAVE A RELATIVE THAT'S EMPLOYED.

WHEN WE LOOKED AT THESE, WE FOUND THAT MANY OF THESE FORMS ARE NOT FILLED OUT COMPLETELY OR PROPERLY.

>> COLLEEN O'DEA, EXCELLENT REPORTING, AS USUAL.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU, RAVEN.

>> FOR MORE OF COLLEEN'S PET PROJECTS AND PUBLIC CASH SERIES, CHECK OUT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH THE VERY LATEST NEWS THAT IS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

THE PSE G FOUNDATION AND THE FEW MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

>> AND JM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE AND JM'S POLICY OWNERS?

THEY'RE THE SOCIAL SERVICE AND NONPROFIT PIONEERS WHO LEND A HELPING HAND.

SCIENCE AND TECH KNOWLEDGE HE INNOVATORS.

THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PROVIDE OUR SKILLED LABOR AND OUR HOMEGROWN CHAMPIONS, THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

AND JM, WE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.