FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT 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 WIND PROJECT.

BY ORSTED.

AND PSEG.

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

FROM NJ PBS.

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VENOZI.

>> AS THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON THE FUTURE OF ABORTION HANGS IN THE BALANCE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE, GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY TODAY SIGNED A BILL ENSHRINING THE RIGHT TO ABORTION INTO STATE LAW IN NEW JERSEY.

THE FREEDOM OF REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE ACT PROTECTS THE RIGHTS OF INDIVIDUALS TO ACCESS CONTRACEPTION, TERMINATE A PREGNANCY AND TO CARRY A PREGNANCY TO TERM.

WHILE THE BILL FACED OPPOSITION FROM REPUBLICANS, SOME ADVOCATES SAY IT DONE GO FAR ENOUGH TO EXPAND ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>>> THESE ARE NOW THE LAW OF THE LAND.

>> SUPPORTERS CHEERED AS GOVERNOR MURPHY WAVED THE NEW STATUTE COT CODIFYING LEGAL ABORTION AS A PROTECTED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT IN NEW JERSEY.

INDEPENDENT OF STATE COURT RULINGS.

A CRITICAL PROTECTION, WITH THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT SEEMINGLY POISED TO RESTRICT ABORTION RIGHTS .

>> THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT IS PREPARING TO TAKE A WRECKING BALL TO ITS OWN PRECEDENT ROE V. WADE.

AND THAT WOULD ALSO DEMOLISH OUR CASE LAW BASED FOUNDATION HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

NEITHER I NOR THOSE WITH ME TODAY CAN LET THAT HAPPEN.

>> THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE URGENT MOMENT FOR OUR MOVEMENT AND RIGHT NOW, WE NEED LEADERS TO STEP UP AND UNAPOLOGETICALLY DEFEND REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

>> PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S ALEXIS JACKSON NOTED SOME 26 STATES HAVE PREPARED BILLS TO BAN OR RESTRICT ABORTION.

A SMALL KNOT OF PROTESTERS STOOD ON THE SIDE AND THROUGHOUT THE NEWS CONFERENCE SHOUTED THEIR OPPOSITION.

>> BABY'S LIVES MATTER.

>> WE'RE HERE SPEAKING FOR THE BABIES.

UNBORN BABIES.

TO GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO LIVE.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY AS A PRACTICING ROMAN CATHOLIC SAID HE TOO HAD REFLECTED ON THE ISSUE.

>> MY OWN JOURNEY IN EVOLUTION ON THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN EASY.

AND IS ONE THAT THROUGH GREAT REFLECTION HAS LANDED ON ULTIMATE RESPECT AND TRUST FOR OTHERS.

RESPECT ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH LIMITED MEANS FOR WHOM RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE HAS THE MOST DEVASTATING EFFECT.

AND TRUST THAT EACH OF US IS OUR OWN BEST JUDGE AND ADVISER.

>> THE GOVERNOR TODAY ALSO SIGNED THE COMPANION BILL WHICH EXPANDS PRESCRIPTION BIRTH CONTROL COVERAGE REQUIRED UNDER PRIVATE INSURANCE AND MEDICAID FROM A SIX MONTH SUPPLY TO TWELVE MONTHS.

A MEASURE THAT LAWMAKERS PASSED EASILY.

BUT AS IT MADE ITS WAY THROUGH NEW JERSEY'S LEGISLATURE, THE ABORTION PROPOSAL PROMPTED INTENSE DEBATE AND FURIOUS PROTESTS ON BOTH SIDES.

PRIME SPONSOR AND FORMER STATE SENATOR, LORETTA WINEBURG READ ALOUD THE LANGUAGE THAT EMERGED FROM HOURS OF NEGOTIATION.

>> INDIVIDUALS HAVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS CONCERNING REPRODUCTION, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION, THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE A PREGNANCY, AND THE RIGHT TO CARRY A PREGNANCY TO TERM WITHOUT GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE OR FEAR OF PROSECUTION.

[ CHEERING AND APPLAUSE ].

>> THIS LAW IS A STRIPPED DOWN VERSION OF WHAT SUPPORTERS ORIGINALLY WANTED.

TO GET IT TO THE LEGISLATURE, THEY MODIFIED A MANDATE REQUIRING HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO PAY FOR ABORTIONS.

THAT ISSUE WILL NOW BE REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND INSURANCE.

>> A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT SHOULDN'T DEPEND ON THE SIZE OF YOUR WALLET.

>> THE ACLU, WHILE APPLAUDING THE MEASURE SAYS THIS LAW WILL STILL LEAVE SOME PEOPLE BEHIND AND REQUIRES REGULATORY FIXES TO IMPROVE ACCESS AND EQUITY.

>> BECAUSE THERE ARE GOING TO BE TONS OF PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY THAT STILL REMAIN UNABLE TO ACCESS ABORTION BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD IT EITHER BECAUSE THEY'RE UNINSURED OR BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD THE COPAY.

>> THESE AND OTHER ISSUES REMOVED FOR EXPEDIENCY FROM THE ABORTION RIGHTS BILL, LIKE ALLOWING MEDICAL PROVIDERS BESIDES DOCTORS TO PERFORM ABORTIONS WILL CERTAINLY COME UP AGAIN FOR DEBATE.

AND THE NEW SENATE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED HE WELCOMES THOSE DISCUSSIONS.

>> YOU KNOW WHERE I STAND ON THIS ISSUE.

IF YOU NEED ME, I'LL BE THERE.

>> BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT NEW JERSEY IS ONE OF SIX STATES WHERE MILITARY MEDICAL PERSONNEL WILL DEPLOY TO ASSIST HARD HIT HOSPITALS.

23 MEDICAL WORKERS ARE HEADED TO UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEWARK AMIDE HIGH COVID PATIENT COUNTS AND STAFF SHORTAGES.

EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, ARMY RESERVISTS DEPLOYED THERE TO ASSIST STAFF AS THE HOSPITAL FACED THE INITIAL WAVE OF THE VIRUS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS WHICH HAVE BEEN RISING OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS DROPPED OVER NIGHT TO UNDER 6000.

BUT THOSE NUMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO PEAK AT 8000 WITHIN A FEW WEEKS.

THE STATE REPORTED MORE THAN 20,000 CASES AND 117 NEW DEATHS.

TO ADDRESS THE NATIONWIDE SURGE IN CASES, BIDEN ALSO SAID NEXT WEEK THE ADMINISTRATION WILL ANNOUNCE A PLAN TO MAKE HIGH QUALITY MASKS AVAILABLE FOR FREE.

AND IS ORDERING ANOTHER 500 MILLION TESTS THAT AMERICANS CAN GET SHIPPED TO THEIR HOMES.

ADDING UP TO A BILLION TOTAL.

A WEBSITE TO ORDER THE TESTS IS EXPECTED TO ROLL OUT NEXT WEEK.

NEWARK IS AWAITING FOR THE PRESIDENT'S HELP.

BUT TAKING MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS.

JOINING SEVERAL CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING NEW YORK CITY AND REQUIRING PROOF OF VACCINATION TO ENTER MOST PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS.

THE MAYOR SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IN DECEMBER, AND THE REQUIREMENT WENT INTO EFFECT THIS WEEK.

THE MANDATE IS BELIEVED TO BE THE FIRST FOR A MUNICIPALITY IN NEW JERSEY.

THIS COMES AFTER THE MAYOR REINSTATED AN INDOOR MASK MANDATE IN ALL PUBLIC FACILITIES AMIDE THE SURGE OF COVID-19 CASES.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER SPOKE WITH LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS TO SEE HOW THE COMMUNITY IS REACTING.

CUSTOMERS LINING UP IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SHOW PROOF THEY'RE VACCINATED BEFORE ENJOYING THEIR MORNING CUP OF JOE.

>> I THINK EVERYWHERE SHOULD HAVE SOME TYPE OF VACCINE.

PROOF OF VACCINATION.

THEN YOU KNOW YOU'RE AROUND OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE, YOU KNOW, GOTTEN THEIR SHOTS.

AND YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH IT'S STILL NOT AN IRON WALL DEFENSE, YOU FEEL SAFER KNOWING OTHER PEOPLE ARE VACCINATED.

>> IT'S PART OF A NEW CITY WIDEMAN DATE THAT WENT INTO EFFECT MONDAY.

IT REQUIRES PEOPLE FIVE AND OVER TO GET AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE IN ORDER TO ENTER MOST PUBLIC ESTABLISHMENTS, LIKE GYMS, MOVIE THEATERS, AND RESTAURANTS.

AND THREE WEEKS FROM NOW, YOU'LL NEED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED IN ORDER TO ENTER THOSE BUSINESSES.

SO FAR IT HASN'T BEEN TOO BAD.

ADAM OWNS BLACK SWAN ESPRESSO.

HE THINKS THE MANDATE IS A GOOD IDEA AND DOESN'T EXPECT A LOT OF PEOPLE WILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

>> JUST LIKE WHEN THEY FIRST STARTED THE MASK MANDATES.

I THINK PEOPLE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE ISSUES WITH THAT.

BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE ANYONE HAD A PROBLEM KEEPING THEIR MASK ON WHEN COMING INTO THE ESTABLISHMENT.

SAME FOR THIS FOR DINING IN AND SITTING IN.

>> ONE OF HIS CUSTOMERS WHO OWNS A BUSINESS NEARBY AGREES.

>> IT KEEPS EVERYONE SAFE.

IT KEEPS THE BUSINESS RUNNING.

AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER IN DOWNTOWN NEWARK, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOU KNOW THE LOCAL ECONOMY YOU KNOW AFLOAT, RUNNING, AND EVERYBODY SAFE.

I APPRECIATE AND RESPECT IT.

>> NOT ALL BUSINESSES FEEL THE SAME.

A RESTAURANT OWNER FROM THE IRON GROUND WHO DIDN'T WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED TOLD US WHILE NEWARK RESIDENTS MAY FOLLOW THE RULE, PEOPLE FROM ORE CITIES WHO TRAVEL TO NEWARK WILL EITHER GIVE BUSINESSES A HARD TIME OR CHOOSE TO GO ELSEWHERE, LEADING TO LOST REVENUE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST UNFAIR TO THEM.

COVID HAS BEEN UNFAIR TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.

>> NEWARK MAYOR IS STANDING BY THE DECISION TO ENFORCE THE PROOF OF VACCINATION MANDATE.

ESPECIALLY AS THE CITY SEE AS HIGH NUMBER OF COVID CASES.

AS OF JANUARY 12th, THERE WERE 656 NEW CASES.

BRINGING THE TOTAL IN THE CITY TO OVER 71,000.

>> SO THE DECISIONS I MAKE ARE NOT BASED ON WHETHER SOMEBODY IS GOING TO HAVE ONE LUXURY OVER ANOTHER.

IT'S BASED ON WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SLOW THIS THING DOWN SO MISERY IS NOT SPREAD ALL OVER THE CITY.

AND YOU KNOW, ULTIMATELY, I THINK YOU KNOW, WHILE IT'S NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION FOR BUSINESSES AT ALL, I THINK IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THEM.

I THINK IT'S BETTER THAN US SHUTTING IT DOWN.

THEY EXPERIENCED BEING SHUT DOWN.

THEY KNOW HOW IT FEELS, WHAT IT MEANS.

I THINK THIS GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO AT LEAST STAY OPEN AND DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

86% OF PEOPLE IN NEWARK HAD ONE SHOT.

AND 90% OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY HAVE ONE SHOT.

ALL THE FOLKS ARE ELIGIBLE TO COME TO THE BUSINESSES.

YOU KNOW, NOW.

SO I THINK THEY HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY STILL TO THRIVE.

>> PROOF OF VACCINATION MANDATES ARE ALL READY IN PLACE IN A NUMBER OF OTHER CITIES.

INCLUDING JUST OVER THE BRIDGE IN NEW YORK.

BUT IN NEARBY JERSEY CITY, THE MAYOR SAYS HE THINKS IT'S BETTER TO FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING VACCINATED AND TESTED.

>> SINCE THE PANDEMIC, JERSEY CITY HAS BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT OF TESTING OF VACCINATION POLICIES.

OF TAKING KIND OF RESPONSIBLE RESTRICTIONS.

AT THIS STAGE OF THE PANDEMIC, TWO YEARS INTO IT, WE'RE TOTALLY IN A DIFFERENT PHASE WITH REGARDS TO WHAT PEOPLE KNOW, WHAT WE'RE AWARE OF.

HOW PEOPLE INTERACT WITH IT.

AND THE ONE GUIDING FACTOR THAT WE'VE LEARNED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS IS THAT A PATCH WORK OF LAWS, MUNICIPALITY BY MUNICIPALITY, THAT IT'S ENTIRELY DIFFERENT, DOESN'T HELP ANYBODY.

WHEN YOU COMPARE OUR STATISTICS TO THE MUNICIPALITIES WITH THE QUOTE UNQUOTE RESTRICTIONS, WE'RE VERY MUCH THE SAME AS THEY ARE.

SO FROM MY STANDPOINT, WE WANT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOVERNOR.

WE WANT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE STATE.

AND WE WANT TO HAVE ONE UNIFORM POLICY THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEY CAN FOLLOW.

>> RIGHT NOW THE PROOF OF VACCINATION MANDATE IN NEWARK WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH FEBRUARY 1st.

THE CITY WILL THEN REVEUP IT AND DECIDE WHETHER IT SHOULD CONTINUE BASED ON ITS PROGRESS.

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

NEW SCHOOL QUARANTINE GUIDELINES CAME OUT LATE YESTERDAY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CUTTING RECOMMENDED ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE PERIODS FOR STUDENTS AND SCHOOL STAFF TO FIVE DAYS FROM TEN.

HEALTH OFFICIALS RECOMMENDED ISOLATION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK OR WHO HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AND QUARANTINES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED.

THE CHANGE FOLLOWS THE CDC RECOMMENDING SHORTER QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION TIMES EARLIER THIS MONTH, ALTERING THE GUIDELINES TO WHEN A PERSON IS MOST CONTAGIOUS.

FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER FIVE DAYS OF MASKING.

THIS NEWS COMES AS THE PATTERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT EXTENDS REMOTE LEARNING PLANS BY ANOTHER WEEK.

STUDENTS IN THE STATE'S THIRD LARGEST DISTRICT WILL NOW RETURN TO CLASS IN PERSON ON THE 24th.

ABOUT 1/4 OF ALL SCHOOLS IN THE STATE ARE REMOTE THERE WEEK.

WITH PARENTS AND OTHER DISTRICTS LIKE EDISON CALLING FOR THEIR SCHOOLS TO OFFER VIRTUAL LEARNING FOR STUDENTS.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS HAS DECLARED ITS FIRST EVER NATIONAL BLOOD CRISIS.

WARNING IF DONATIONS DON'T INCREASE SOON, LIFE SAVING BLOOD MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED A DECLINE IN DONOR TURN OUT, THE CANCELLATION OF BLOOD DRIVES AND STAFFING CHALLENGES.

THE HISTORIC SHORTAGE IS THE WORST IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

AND DOCTORS ARE NOW FORCED TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS ON WHO SHOULD GET BLOOD AND WHO NEEDS TO WAIT.

JOANNA REPORTS.

>> WE HAVE A 10% DECLINE IN THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DONATING BLOOD OVER ALL THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

BUT RIGHT NOW, THIS CRISIS IS THE WORST THAT WE'VE SEEN IN A DECADE.

>> THE LACK OF BLOOD SUPPLY CREATING THIS CRISIS MEANS THAT PARENTS WHO DEPEND ON LIFE SAVING BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THEM.

PATIENTS LIKE RUTH ANNE BURNS WHO WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AB AGGRESSIVE BLOOD CANCER.

>> I WAS GOING THREE TIMES IN A WEEK.

FOR PLATELET ORES A BLOOD TRANSFUSION.

AND FINALLY, THE BLOOD SHORTAGE HIT REALLY HARD, PROBABLY IN THE FALL.

AND IT WAS TAKING MORE THAN A DAY OR TWO TO GET MY BLOOD.

>> MAKING THINGS HARDER FOR BURNS, HER BLOOD TYPE IS A NEGATIVE.

>> WHICH LESS THAN 6% OF THE POPULATION IN OUR COUNTRY IS A NEGATIVE.

SO IT MADE IT EVEN HARDER FOR ME TO GET THE BLOOD.

HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AROUND THE STATE ARE OPERATING AT HALF TO EVEN A QUARTER OF THE SUPPLY THEY'RE USED TO.

AND IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THE RED CROSS HAS SEEN A DROP EVEN LOWER.

>> WE'VE HAD LESS THAN A ONE DAY SUPPLY OF BLOOD ON THE SHELVES.

AND IDEALLY WE'D LIKE TO HAVE A FIVE-DAY SUPPLY.

>> THE SITUATION IS REALLY QUITE DIRE.

BLOOD BANKS IN HOSPITALS, OPERATIONALLY ARE USED TO HAVING A CERTAIN MINIMUM INVENTORY.

AND BASED ON THAT INVENTORY, THEY ARE ABLE TO PLAN EVERYTHING FROM SURGERIES TO THE UNKNOWN.

>> THE UNKNOWN BEING ACCIDENTS THAT COULD HAPPEN TO ANY OF US AT ANY TIME.

>> NOT JUST AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS OR A DISASTER SITUATION, BUT SOMEBODY WHO STARTS TO BLEED WHEN THEY'RE IN THE OR.

OR SOMEBODY THAT COMES IN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM WITH AN INTERNAL BLEED AND NEEDS TO BE IMMEDIATELY TAKEN TO THE OR.

SO IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS PRODUCT AVAILABLE FOR THEM, ROUTINE PROCEDURES AND ROUTINE TRANSFUSIONS ARE BEING DELAYED.

>> LEAVING PHYSICIANS TO MAKE EXCRUCIATING DECISIONS ABOUT WHO GETS CARE AND WHO DOESN'T.

WHEN BURNS FOUND HERSELF WITHOUT THE NEEDED BLOOD SUPPLY, SHE DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION.

>> I REACHED OUT TO MY NETWORK AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND ASKED THEM FOR HELP AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION.

AND I WAS ABLE TO GET ABOUT 13 PEOPLE TO DONATE BLOOD.

AND THAT WAS AMAZING.

AND TO ME, EACH ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE HEROES BECAUSE IF I DIDN'T GET THAT BLOOD, MY PLATELETS WERE SO LOW, AND MY WHITE COUNT WAS SO LOW THAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN REAL TROUBLE.

>> TODAY THIS GROUP OF HEROES ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES TO HELP.

EACH ONE POTENTIALLY SAVING UP TO THREE LIVES.

>> I HEARD ABOUT THE DONATION CRISIS WITH THE BLOOD BANKS AND EVERYTHING.

SO I WAS LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT, IF I CAN GET AN APPOINTMENT TODAY, IT'D BE PERFECT.

>> I'M A REGULAR BLOOD DONOR.

I STARTED ACTUALLY WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

BECAUSE IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE, I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING HELPFUL.

>> I GAVE A DONATION TODAY.

IT'S WHERE YOU ACTUALLY GIVE TWO UNITS OF BLOOD.

>> WE'RE TAKING ALL THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WE NEED TO TO MAKE SURE DONORS AND STAFF ARE SAFE.

BLOOD CAN'T BE MANUFACTURED.

IT CAN ONLY COME FROM DONATIONS FROM VOLUNTEERS.

SO WE APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO COMES OUT.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE AMERICAN PUBLIC WILL COME OUT AND BE VERY GENEROUS.

>> A FUN FACT, JUST BY SHOWING UP TO DONATE BLOOD, YOU'LL BE REGISTERED TO WIN TWO SUPER BOWL TICKETS.

YOU CAN GO TO REDCROSSBLOOD.ORG.

OR THROUGH THE RED CROSS BLOOD APP TO SEE WHAT HOSPITAL YOUR BLOOD WENT TO.

>>> NEW FOOTAGE RELATED TO A FATAL POLICE SHOOTING IN PATTERSON RELEASED YESTERDAY BY THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

PATTERSON POLICE ALLEGEDLY SHOT AND KILLED THELONIUS MCKNIGHT.

A 25-YEAR-OLD BLACK MAN ON DECEMBER 29th.

SINCE THEN HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALONG WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE DEMANDED ANSWERS FROM AUTHORITIES ON WHAT HAPPENED.

STATE INVESTIGATORS SAY AT LEAST TWO GUNS WERE FIRED DURING THE INCIDENT.

AND A HANDGUN WAS RECOVERED NEAR MCKNIGHT'S BODY.

BUT MCKNIGHT'S FAMILY HAS SAID THEY DON'T BELIEVE HE WAS ARMED THAT NIGHT.

THE NEWLY RELEASED VIDEOS WHICH INCLUDE FOOTAGE FROM A POLICE BODY CAMERA, SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS AND A VIDEO POSTED TO FACEBOOK DO NOT SHOW THE SHOOT ITSELF.

JUST THE MOMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER.

THE ONLY FOOTAGE FROM A POLICE BODY CAMERA IS FROM AN OFFICER WHO ARRIVED AFTER THE SHOOTING TO ASSIST WITH FIRST AID.

MORE THAN 60% OF POLICE OFFICERS IN PATTERSON DO NOT WEAR BODY CAMERAS ACCORDING TO NORTH JERSEY.COM.

DESPITE A LAW REQUIRING THAT ALL UNIFORMED OFFICERS IN THE STATE DO SO.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RENT RELIEF IS ON THE WAY FOR THOSE WHO ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEAT DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

RHONDA SHAFLER HAS THE DETAILS AND ALL THE OTHER TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES OF THE DAY, RHONDA?

>> RAVEN, RELIEF IS ON THE WAY FOR MORE NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS STRUGGLING TO PAY THE RENT.

THE STATE HAS RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL $42.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR RENT RELIEF.

AND THOSE FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO HOUSEHOLDS ON THE WAITING LIST FOR STATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

MEANTIME, THE STATE IS URGING TENANTS AT RISK OF EVICTION TO FILL OUT THE EVICTION PROTECTION, SELF-CERTIFICATION FORM OFFERED BY THE STATE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS SAYS TO DATE, IT'S DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN $500 MILLION IN EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO MORE THAN 58,000 HOUSEHOLDS.

>> MORE THAN 2000 STUDENT LOAN BORROWERS IN NEW JERSEY WILL RECEIVE FUNDS FROM A SETTLEMENT BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE STUDENT LOAN PROCESSING COMPANY NAVIAN WHICH USED TO BE CALLED SALLY MAE.

NEW JERSEY WAS ONE OF 39 STATES THAT SUED THE COMPANY FOR DECEPTIVE PRACTICES INCLUDING MISLEADING BORROWERS ABOUT PAST DUE AMOUNTS AND NOT WORKING OUT PAYMENT PLANS THAT BENEFITED THE BORROWER.

THEY'VE AGREED TO PAY MILLIONS IN RESTITUTION TO BORROWERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN NEW JERSEY AND ELSEWHERE, THOSE BORROWERS WILL RECEIVE ABOUT $260.

NAVIAN WHICH DID NOT ADMIT WRONG DOING AS PART OF THE SETTLEMENT, IS ALSO REQUIRED TO CANCEL $1.7 BILLION IN PRIVATE STUDENT LOAN DEBTS.

>> MORE PEOPLE THAN EXPECTED FILED NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS IN THE LATEST WEEK.

AND ECONOMISTS ARE BLAMING THE RECENT SURGE IN COVID CASES.

THE ECONOMISTS SAY THE UPTICK IN CASES LED TO LAYOFFS BUT THEY EXPECT THAT'S ONLY TEMPORARY.

GET READY FOR A POTENTIALLY FRUSTRATING TAX SEASON.

THE IRS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT IT TOO HAS STAFFING SHORTAGES AND IT'S FACED WITH A BACKLOG OF RETURNS FROM LAST YEAR.

ANDREA DIAZ OF SKC AND CO'S CPA EXPLAINS HOW THAT MAY AFFECT YOU.

>> PROCESSING TIMES MAY TAKE LONGER.

IT MAY TAKE LONGER TO RECEIVE REFUNDS AND NOTIFICATIONS REGARDING YOUR TAX RETURNS.

WE SHOULD HANG TIGHT.

KNOW THIS IS COMING.

KNOW THAT WE HAVE SOME DELAYS.

>> THE IRS IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO FILE THEIR RETURNS ELECTRONICALLY, YOU CAN START TO DO THAT AS OF THE 24th OF THIS MONTH.

AND THIS YEAR, THE TAX FILING DEADLINE IS EXTENDED TO APRIL 18th.

HERE'S A LOOK NOW AT HOW THE STOCK MARKET CLOSED TODAY.

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

AND MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN TO NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THIS WEEKEND RHONDA FOCUSES ON YOUR PERSONAL FINANCE.

FROM GROWING YOUR SAVINGS, TO MANAGING DEBT, AND PLANNING FOR YOUR RETIREMENT.

CHECK IT OUT ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YouTube CHANNEL SATURDAYS AT 10:00 A.M. >>> A CONTROVERSIAL PLAN TO BUILD A NEW NATURAL GAS POWER PLANT IN NEWARK IS ON PAUSE AFTER HEAVY OPPOSITION FROM COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS.

THE PASAIC VALLEY SEWAGE COMMISSION WHICH PROCESSES HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF WASTE WATER EACH DAY FROM DOZEN OF NORTH JERSEY CITIES AND TOWNS HAS BEEN MOVING TO BUILD THE POWER PLANT AS A SOURCE OF EMERGENCY POWER FOR ITS FACILITY.

OPPONENT HAVES URGED THE UTILITY TO FIND ANOTHER SOURCE OF BACK UP POWER RATHER THAN ADD ANOTHER SOURCE OF POLLUTION TO A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ALL READY HAS PLENTY.

THE PVS SEABOARD HAD BEEN SCHEDULED TO VOTE TODAY ON APPROVING A CONTRACT TO BEGIN WORK ON THE PROJECT.

BUT THAT WAS POSTPONED AT THE REQUEST OF GOVERNOR MURPHY.

A SPOKESWOMAN FOR MURPHY SAID THE PAUSE WILL ALLOW THE PROJECT TO UNDER GO A MORE THOROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE REVIEW AND ROBUST PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROCESS ENSURING THAT THE VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY ARE HEARD.

MORE THAN 1.3 MILLION NEW JERSEYIANS LIVE IN SO-CALLED FOOD DESERTS.

PLACES WHERE REGULAR ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD IS HINDERED BY THE ABSENCE OF SUPER MARKETS, POOR PUBLIC TRANSIT, LOW INTERNET USE, AND HIGH POVERTY RATES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A NEW ANALYSIS BY THE STATE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

THE AGENCY ISSUED THE STATE'S FIRST RANKING OF 50 COMMUNITIES.

THAT IT SAYS HAVE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES TO FOOD SUPPLY FOR ITS RESIDENTS.

OUR CONTRIBUTING WRITER, JOHN, JOINS ME TO EXPLAIN WHY HEALTHY CHOICES ARE HARD TO FIND IN SOME PARTS OF THE STATE AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

SO JOHN, WHAT COMMUNITIES ARE MOST DEPRIVED BY LACK OF SUPER MARKETS ?

>> WELL, ACCORDING TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, THEY'VE JUST PUBLISHED A RANKING OF 50 OF THE MOST DEPRIVED SO-CALLED FOOD DESERTS IN THE STATE.

AND THE WORST AFFECTED ONES ARE PARTS OF CAMDEN, ALSO ATLANTIC CITY, PARTS OF NEWARK, AND PATTERSON.

>> WOW.

AND WHAT FACTORS IS THAT RANKING BASED ON?

>> WELL, THE TRADITIONAL DEFINITION OF A FOOD DESERT IS SIMPLY A PLACE WITHOUT A SUPER MARKET.

WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TROUBLE GETTING A FULL RANGE OF HEALTHY FOOD.

BUT NOW, THE EDA HAS PRODUCED A MUCH BROADER DEFINITION THAT INCLUDES A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER FACTORS THAT LIMIT PEOPLE'S ACCESS TO PROPER FOOD.

AND THOSE INCLUDE THE LOCAL POVERTY RATE, INTERNET ACCESS, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> YOU MENTION ANOTHER FACTOR IS FOOD SWAMPS.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT FOOD SWAMPS ARE?

AND WHY THEY PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE RANKING?

>> WELL, A FOOD SWAMP IS AN AREA WHERE THERE MAY BE PLENTY OF ACCESS TO FAST FOOD OR CONVENIENCE STORES OR PLACES THAT DO NOT SUPPLY FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES AND OTHER KINDS OF HEALTHY FOOD.

AND SO OF COURSE THEY -- THE EXISTENCE OF THESE -- OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS DETRACT FROM THE GOALS THAT THE EDA HAS HERE OF ENSURING THAT EVERYBODY HAS -- EVERYBODY HAS GOOD, LOCAL ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.

THOSE ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO THE EDA'S DEFINITION OF A SO-CALLED FOOD SWAMP.

>> YOU KNOW, IN YOUR REPORTING, YOU MENTION IMPEDIMENTS FOR SOME SNAP RECIPIENTS.

CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE MORE ON THAT ISSUE?

>> SOME RETAILER DOS NOT ACCEPT ONLINE ORDERS FOR -- FROM SNAP RECIPIENTS.

AND SO ONE OF THE FOCUSES OF THIS CURRENT CAMPAIGN IS TO PERSUADE -- IS TO PERSUADE FOOD RETAILERS WHO SUPPLY FOLKS WHO ARE IN RECEIPT OF SNAP COUPONS TO ACCEPT THOSE -- TO ACCEPT ONLINE ORDERS.

AND OF COURSE THAT WILL RECOGNIZE THIS MASSIVE SHIFT IN CONSUMER BEHAVIOR THAT WE'VE SEEN TOWARDS ONLINE SHOPPING.

>> AND WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST TAKE AWAY FROM THIS RANKING?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S SIMPLY THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE AFFECTED BY THIS.

ACCORDING TO THE EDA, 1.32 MILLION NEW JERSEYIANS LIVE IN THESE SO-CALLED FOOD DESERTS.

AND THAT EXACERBATES THE EXISTING PROBLEMS WITH FOOD INSECURITY.

WHICH HAVE BEEN WORSENED BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> JOHN HURDLE, EXCELLENT REPORTING ON BREAKING DOWN FOOD DESERTS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME, THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

YOU CAN CATCH UP ON THE WEEK'S TOP POLITICAL HEADLINES TOMORROW MORNING ON REPORTER'S ROUND TABLE WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK, DAVID TALKS WITH ASSEMBLYWOMAN, SHAVANDO SUMTER ABOUT THE STATE OF STATE AND THE TOP PRIORITIES OF THE NEW JERSEY LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS AND THIS NEW LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THAT'S TOMORROW AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YouTube CHANNEL OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

MJM INSURANCE GROUP.

SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

THE PSG FOUNDATION, AND SMART HEAT NJ.

FUNDING FOR HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION.

WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATIONAL CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL BEING.

>> THE OCEAN WIND PROJECT.

BY ORSTED AND PSEG.

WHO PROVIDE RENEWABLE OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY.

JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

OCEAN WIND.

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