>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE COMPANY, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS AND BY PSEG FOUNDATION.

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

>> HELLO AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THERE ARE MORE POSITIVE SIGNS TODAY THAT THE OMICRON SURGEON NEW JERSEY MAY BE WANING.

FOR THE FIFTH DAY IN A ROW THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19 HAS DROPPED HERE IN THE STATE AND THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION HAS GONE DOWN AS WELL TO JUST ABOVE ONE INDICATING THE RATE OF SPREAD HAS DECREASED.

TODAY ABOUT 8200 CASES AND 32 MORE DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED.

POSITIVE CASES HAVE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF MORE THAN 33,000 JUST TWO WEEKS AGO.

BUT HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY EXPECT THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 FOR REALITIES WILL INCREASE IN THE COMING WEEKS EVEN IF CASE AND HOSPITAL RATES DECREASE SINCE DEATHS OFTEN LAG BEHIND.

IN THE MEANTIME IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, THE CDC UPDATED ITS MASK GUIDANCE RECOMMENDING THAT PEOPLE WEAR PROPERLY FITTED N95 OR KN95 MASKS SAYING THEY OFFER THE MOST PROTECTION.

>>> DAYS AFTER THE U.S. SUPREME COURT LOCKED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION VACCINE OR TEST MANDATE FOR LARGE COMPANIES, IT IS NOW UP TO INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYERS IN NEW JERSEY TO DECIDE WHAT TYPES OF COVID-19 PROTECTIONS ARE PUT IN PLACE FOR THEIR WORKERS.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS ON THE REACTION TO RULING FROM NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

>> WE THINK IS THE RIGHT OUTCOME, THIS IS SOMETHING WE ADVOCATED FOR.

>> BUSINESS LEADERS SHARE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING THAT STRUCK DOWN PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S COVID-19 VACCINE OR TEST MANDATES FOR COMPANIES EMPLOYING MORE THAN 100 WORKERS.

SHE SAID BOSSES FEARED FEDERAL VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS FALLING ON TOP OF THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

>> WITH A MANDATE LIKE THIS AND A HIRING CRISIS LIKE WE HAVE HERE IN NEW JERSEY, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THIS TYPE OF MANDATE WOULD HAVE CAUSED MORE AND MORE CHALLENGES.

>> Reporter: COULD'VE IMPACTED MORE THAN 4800 NEW JERSEY WORKSITES EMPLOYING MILLIONS OF WORKERS AND 80 MILLION EMPLOYERS NATIONWIDE.

THAT'S ONE REASON THE HIGH COURT CALLED THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS A BLUNT INSTRUMENT, OVERLY BROAD WITH NO DISTINCTION BASED ON TYPE OF INDUSTRY OR RELATIVE RISK LEVELS.

THE ALTERNATIVE TEST MANDATES ALSO LOOKED EXPENSIVE AND CONFUSING.

>> THERE ARE COSTS, CHALLENGES ON WHAT TYPE OF TESTING AND DO YOU DO TESTING IN THE WORKPLACE, DO YOU BRING A NURSE INTO DO THE TESTING?

DO WE ALLOW PEOPLE TO DO HOME TESTS?

>> ONE SURVEY SHOWED 84% OF NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES LAST FALL HAD NO COVID-19 MANDATE AND 46% OF EMPLOYERS DON'T BELIEVE IN THEM ANYWAY.

ABOUT 18% DO BELIEVE IN COVID- 19 SHOTS BUT WORRY ABOUT EMPLOYEE BACKLASH, THE HIGH COURT REALLY LEFT EMPLOYERS HANGING TO DECIDE THE ISSUE ON THEIR OWN SAYS ANALYST JOHN SARNO.

>> MANY OF THEM QUIETLY SAID, IF THE OSHA MANDATE WAS UPHELD WE COULD AT LEAST TELL OUR EMPLOYEES THAT THEY ARE MAKING US DO THIS, AND SO SHIFT SOME OF THE BLAME, SOME OF THE FRUSTRATION.

BUT THEY ARE BACK TO SQUARE ONE.

>> Reporter: WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE EMPLOYERS?

THE HIGH COURT IN A SEPARATE CASE DID UPHOLD VACCINATION MANDATES FOR HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS AND GOVERNOR MURPHY ORDERED FOR DAYCARE AND EDUCATORS ALSO.

ONE LABOR LAW EXPERT WARNED BOSSES NOT TO TAKE THE COURTS RULING AS PERMISSION TO A DOOR ALL THE COVID-19 RULES.

>> FOR INSTANCE EMPLOYERS DECIDE WE DON'T NEED MASKS ANYMORE OR SOCIAL DISTANCING IS UNNECESSARY.

EMPLOYERS THAT ARE TOO FAST AND LOOSE, SO TO SPEAK, OR TOO LIBERAL WITH RESPECT TO THEIR IMPLEMENTATION OF COVID-19 RELATED REQUIREMENTS , PROCEED AT THEIR PERIL IN SOME RESPECTS.

>> Reporter: SOME LARGE EMPLOYERS LIKE UNITED AIRLINE HAVE ARTIE MANDATE VACCINES .

A NATIONAL POLL REPORTED ABOUT 34 PERCENT OF EMPLOYERS WHO DO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS MORE THAN 70% SAW NO IMPACT ON THEIR WORKFORCE.

ABOUT A QUARTER EXPERIENCE A SLIGHT RISE IN TURNOVER IN JUST 4% SAW SIGNIFICANT TURNOVER RATE BUT THAT WAS BEFORE OMICRON.

UNITED AIRLINES ANNOUNCED THAT ONE POINT A THIRD OF ITS NEW WORK WORKFORCE CALLED OUT SICK AS CASES EXPLODED IN NEW JERSEY.

HOWEVER A SPOKES PERSON NOTED NOT ONE OTHER VACCINATED WORKERS ENDED UP HOSPITALIZED.

BUT THIS CAN BE A HANDFUL OF LEADERS, ARCH COMPANIES OUT THERE, THEY WILL TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION AND IMPLEMENT POLICY TO REQUIRE VACCINATION AND OTHERS WILL FOLLOW.

BUT BRENDA, NOT EVERY COMPANY WILL DO THAT AND THERE WILL BE COMPANIES WHERE THIS DISEASE CONTINUES TO SPREAD EVERY SINGLE DAY AS PEOPLE GO TO WORK.

>> Reporter: OMICRON ISN'T DONE WITH US YET.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS THAT SWITCH TEMPORARILY TO REMOTE LEARNING AMID THE SEARCH OF THOSE LEDET COVID-19 CASES ARE PLANNING TO REOPEN FOR IN PERSON INSTRUCTION TOMORROW INCLUDING THOSE IN NEWARK, JERSEY CITY AND TRENTON.

MEANWHILE EDISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE REMAINED OPEN OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS BUT SOME PARENTS THERE ARE NOW CALLING FOR A HYBRID OPTION.

ALLOWING SOME STUDENTS TO TEMPORARILY LEARN REMOTELY AMID HEALTH CONCERNS FOR THE PANDEMIC THAT CONTINUE.

JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS.

>> WHAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR IS A TEMPORARY OPTION SO LIFE CAN BE SAFE.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL PARENTS ARE PLEADING TO ALLOW STUDENTS A VIRTUAL OPTION WHILE THIS WAVE OF OMICRON SWEEPS THE REGION.

>> AT LEAST WHEN THE CASES ARE PASSED PEAK, NUMBER OF DEATHS ARE INCREASING AND KIDS ARE NOT BEING SAFE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HER FAMILY LOST A FRIEND TO COVID- 19 JUST TWO WEEKS AGO.

>> ONE OF MY FRIENDS, WHO WAS IN HIS 50s, HE HAS TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE IN MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

SO TO SAY IT IS VERY MILD, NO, IT MAY BE MILD FOR YOU BUT IT COULD AFFECT SOMEONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: SHE BELIEVES OPTION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE WITH FAMILIES WITH MEDICALLY FRAGILE MEMBERS EVEN IF NOT THE STUDENTS THEMSELVES.

BUT ONE DOESN'T WANT TO SEE VIRTUAL OPTIONS LIKE THE ONES OFFERED PREVIOUSLY.

>> I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM OFFERING A VIRTUAL OPTION.

MY PROBLEM IS EXPECTING THE TEACHERS TO TEACH BOTH TO VIRTUAL STUDENTS THAN IN PERSON STUDENTS.

I THINK IT DOES A DISSERVICE TO THE TEACHER AND A DISSERVICE TO BOTH SETS OF STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: WOULD YOU BE FRUSTRATED IF THE DISTRICT DID ALLOW A REMOTE OPTION FOR A COUPLE WEEKS?

>> I WOULD BE FRUSTRATED IF THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE ONLINE RESOURCES THAT DIDN'T AFFECT THE IN PERSON STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: SHOULD LIKE TO SEE TEACHERS DEDICATED SPECIFICALLY TO THE REMOTE STUDENTS BUT THE ENTIRE STATE IS FACING A TEACHER SHORTAGE SO THAT IS NOT A LIKELY OPTION.

BUT HE SAYS HE WOULD BE OKAY WITH THE ONE-SIDED VIRTUAL OPTION FOR THE STUDENTS HE IS ADVOCATING FOR.

>> EVEN IF YOU ALLOW THE KIDS TO WATCH THE CLASSROOM FOR WEEK, THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH.

BECAUSE THEY KEEP THEIR PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS SAFE.

>> STUDENTS ARE ALREADY BEHIND ACADEMICALLY AND THEN FOR THREE WEEKS NO LONGER INTERACTING WITH THE TEACHER THAT COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS.

>> IT'S A TRADE OFF, FOR SOMEBODY THAT HAD CHEMO MORE THAN ONCE.

I EMPATHIZE WITH THEM.

SAVING A LIFE IS MORE IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: SUFFERED TO SELECT THE DISTRICT HAS TO OFFER ANY OPTIONS.

>> WE NEED TO BE IN PERSON.

REMOTE INSTRUCTION THAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE LAST 18 MONTHS WAS INADEQUATE TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GOVERNOR'S DIRECTIVE AND THE STATE LAW.

WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OFFER A HYBRID OPTION.

WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO OFFER PARENTS THE OPTION TO EITHER BE IN SCHOOL, >> SEVERAL DISTRICTS IN NEW JERSEY HAVE OFFERED A HYBRID OPTION.

>> RIGHT NOW, OTHER SCHOOLS, MANY STATES, MANY COUNTIES ALL HAVE GONE HIGHBRED WHY ONLY EDISON IS NOT DOING THAT?

>> Reporter: FOR NOW THE ONLY WAY FOR STUDENTS TO STAY HOME IS TO SAY THEY BEEN EXPOSED TO COVID-19 WHICH GIVES HIM 10 DAYS OF VIRTUAL LEARNING WITHOUT INTERACTION WITH THEIR TEACHER.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> NEW JERSEY HAS DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN $500 MILLION IN FEDERAL EMERGENCY RENTAL PRINT AND ASSISTANCE OF THOUSANDS IN THE STATE OF STRUGGLING HOMEOWNERS HAVEN'T GOT THE SAME HELP EVEN THOUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SET ASIDE $10 BILLION IN A HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND AS PART OF A RELIEF PACKAGE FOR STATES.

BUT NEARLY 10 MONTHS LATER, VERY FEW STATES TO SET UP AN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR THE PROGRAM, NOR HAVE THEY HANDED OUT ANY CHECKS TO FAMILIES IN NEED.

I SPOKE WITH ASHLEY A REPORTER AT THE BERGEN RECORD , TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS BEHIND THE DELAY IN NEW JERSEY AND WHO IS BEING HURT BY IT?

>> WHAT IS A HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE FUND SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR?

>> UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN THEY PUT ASIDE ABOUT $10 BILLION FOR ALL THE STATES.

PEOPLE WERE IMPACTED BY COVID- 19 AND HELP FAMILIES PAY FOR MORTGAGE, INTEREST PAYMENTS, PROPERTY TAX IS AND UTILITY PAYMENTS.

>> Reporter: WHY IS THIS FUND NOT LAUNCHED IN NEW JERSEY AND ELSEWHERE?

WHAT HAS BEEN BEHIND A SLOW PROCESS OF GETTING IT GOING?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

THE MONEY WAS PUT INTO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN LAST YEAR, I KEPT CHECKING WITH THE AGENCY IN NEW JERSEY, HOUSING AND MORTGAGE, THEY HAD TO SUBMIT A PLAN TO THE U.S. TREASURY, THEY DID THAT BACK IN AUGUST.

SO I KEPT CHECKING, WAITING FOR APPROVAL.

SO NOW WE HAVE THE APPROVAL AS OF JANUARY 11 AND IT IS A LITTLE UNCLEAR WHY IT IS NOT UP YET?

THEY POSTED INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOLKS, DOCUMENTS THEY SHOULD PUT TOGETHER.

THEY SAID IN THE FIRST QUARTER WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEE THE APPLICATION SOON WHILE OTHER STATES LIKE NEW YORK, FOR INSTANCE, LAUNCH THE APPLICATION JANUARY 3 AND YOU SEE A COUPLE OF OTHERS AS WELL.

NEW JERSEY SAYING WE'RE WAITING FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE WILL SEE WHEN THAT COMES ONLINE.

>> ASHLEY, YOUR REPORTING HAS FOUND PEOPLE THAT REALLY NEED ACCESS TELL ME ABOUT SOME OF THE STORIES YOU'VE HEARD?

>> THIS ONE MAN, DAVID ALSTON, HE'S IN US UNIQUE SITUATION BECAUSE HE OWNS HIS HOME HOW RIGHT BUT IS BEHIND ON HIS PROPERTY TAXES.

SO NEW JERSEY AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUT IN FEDERAL PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LATE ON MORTGAGE AGREEMENTS SO THERE'S A GENTLEMEN'S AGREEMENT , ENTITLED TO FORBEARANCE IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE HUNDRED 50 OR SO BANKS, FEDERALLY BACKED MORTGAGE, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE YOU WERE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT OFF OR REDUCE PAYMENTS AT THE END BUT HE DID NOT THE PROBLEM.

HE HAS PROPERTY TAXES THAT ARE COMING DUE AND YOU CAN STILL HAVE YOUR HOME FORECLOSED ON EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT MAKING THESE PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS.

YOU HAVE AN INVESTOR BIDDING ON A TAX LIEN AND WITHIN A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME YOU COULD LOSE YOUR HOME SO HE IS BECOME VERY NERVOUS ABOUT THAT, THIS OF THE FAMILY HOME THAT IS BEEN IN THE FAMILY SINCE THE 70s.

THIS FUND WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL FOR HIM.

>> HOW WOULD FUNDS BE HANDLED DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT WE SAW WITH THE FEDERAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

THAT MONEY HAS GONE OUT AND MORE MONEY, IN FACT, IS ON THE WAY.

>> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF, THIS ONE FUND HASN'T LAUNCHED YET.

SO NEW JERSEY IS WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, A DIFFERENT AGENCY HAS BEEN HANDLING RENTAL ASSISTANCE WHICH OF PASSED OUT MORE THAN HALF $1 BILLION THROUGH STATE FUNDS AND FEDERAL FUNDS.

WE DON'T HAVE A STATE FUND FOR HOMEOWNER ASSISTANCE EITHER.

HE JUST REALLY SEE A LOT OF MONEY AND ATTENTION POURED INTO HELPING RENTERS AND LANDLORDS WITH THOSE ISSUES WHILE DIFFICULTIES WITH THEIR MORTGAGE AND PROPERTY TAXES, PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

>> ASHLEY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY AND SHARING YOUR REPORTING ON THIS.

APPRECIATED.

>>> IN TONIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS, SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM IN THIS NEW YEAR.

FOR INSTANCE, CARS ARE STILL IN HIGH DEMAND BUT NEW AND USED CAR DEALERS TELL US THEY CAN'T GET ENOUGH VEHICLES ON THEIR LOTS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER TOOK A LOOK AT WHAT'S BEHIND THE SHORTAGE AND WHEN DEALERS AND CUSTOMERS MAY SEE RELIEF?

>> I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 40 YEARS, THIS IS THE WORSE IT IS EVER BEEN.

>> Reporter: ERIC OWNS HIS CAR LOT, BEFORE THE PANDEMIC IT WAS NORMAL TO HAVE ABOUT 60 CARS ON THE LOT BUT NOW, SOMETIMES THERE MAY ONLY BE A FEW.

>> IS NOTHING AROUND, MANUFACTURING WAS SHUT DOWN SO THERE'S NO PARTS AND YOU CAN GET THE STUFF YOU NEED.

IF YOU HAVE CARS YOU HAVE TO KEEP TO THE PRICE BECAUSE ONCE YOU SELL IT YOU HAVE TO PAY MORE TO REPLACE IT.

NOW CONSUMERS HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO PAY, WE DON'T GET THEM FOR FREE.

>> Reporter: A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT BEING FELT BY DEALERSHIPS AND BUYERS ALL ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

CAR MANUFACTURERS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ADEQUATELY PRODUCE PARTS NEEDED IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

THERE'S BEEN A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW VEHICLES, FORCING CONSUMERS TO LOOK FOR USED ONES INSTEAD.

BUT THE SUPPLY JUST ISN'T THERE.

>> THE CAR BUSINESS IS A GLOBAL BUSINESS, YOU NEED 100% OF THE PARTS TO FINISH CONSTRUCTION.

YOU MAY BE WAITING MONTHS TO GET THE FINAL 10% OF THE PARTS YOU NEED.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY COALITION OF AUTOMOTIVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JIM APPLETON SAYS, IN THE PAST BUYERS COULD EXPECT TO PAY LESS MONEY FOR CARS BECAUSE THE SUPPLY WAS HIGH NOW THAT THOSE FACTORS IN REVERSE, IF A CAR IS AVAILABLE THEY ARE ARE USUALLY NOT MUCH ROOM FOR MOVEMENT IN A PRICE.

A NEW GOVERNMENT REPORT RELEASED LAST WEEK FOUND USED CAR PRICES SURGING UP 30% IN 2021 WHILE THE COST OF THE NEW CAR WENT UP 11% IN THE SAME TIME.

>> DEALERS ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN TO HELP CUSTOMERS FIND THE VEHICLES THAT THEY NEED.

IT IS NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION FOR A DEALER TO HAVE TO TELL A CUSTOMER THAT THE COLOR OF THE TRIM PACKAGE THAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR JUST ISN'T AVAILABLE FOR THEM OR WON'T BE AVAILABLE FOR MONTHS.

THAT IS ALWAYS A DIFFICULT CONVERSATION.

>> Reporter: CHUCK FIGHTING HIMSELF HAVING ISSUES WITH HIS LONGTIME CUSTOMERS, WE VISITED THE DEALERSHIP OVER THE SUMMER WHEN THEY WERE EXPERIENCING LOW STOCK.

MONTHS LATER AND THE SITUATION HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

>> BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WE WOULD PROBABLY SELL 60 OR 70 PER MONTH, NOW WE ARE SELLING 20 TO 25.

WITH CERTAIN VEHICLES WE HAVE A LOT OF, SO WE SWITCH PEOPLE FROM A VEHICLE THAT THEY REALLY WANT AND IS JUST SETTLING FOR WHAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: NORMALLY THE SLOT WOULD HAVE OVER HUNDRED TRUCKS ON IT BUT BECAUSE OF THIS SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW THERE'S ONLY ABOUT 30.

THE DEMAND ONLY CONTINUES TO GET WORSE.

>> LAST YEAR NOVEMBER THAT'S WHATEVER BUT IT'S SPEND MONEY FOR THE YEAR, WE WERE TURNING PEOPLE AWAY CONSTANTLY.

THEY HAD MONEY TO SPEND.

WE DO A LOT OF FLEET SO THESE GUYS COME OVER HERE, THEY DON'T WANT ONE, THEY WANT FIVE OR 10 AND WE CAN SUPPLY THEM.

WE CAN'T SUPPLY IT SO IT IS AGGRAVATING.

IT IS FRUSTRATING TO US.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS EXPECT SHORTAGE ISSUES WILL CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST THE FIRST TWO QUARTERS OF THIS YEAR.

THEIR HOPEFUL THINGS WILL IN PERU SIGNIFICANTLY BY 2023.

IN THE MEANTIME, IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A CAR EXPERTS RECOMMEND REACHING OUT TO DEALERS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THEY CAN BEGIN LOOKING FOR ONE FOR YOU.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, BE PATIENT AS THE PROCESS COULD TAKE SOME TIME.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS LOST POWER AFTER A WINTER STORM BROUGHT SNOW, RAIN, GUSTY WINDS TO THE STATE.

NEARLY 6000 RESIDENTS WERE WITHOUT POWER AT THE PEAK OF THE OUTAGES.

AS OF MIDAFTERNOON, JCP NL AND PSEG HAVE RESTORED POWER TO MOST OF THEIR CUSTOMERS ALTHOUGH SEVERAL HUNDRED WERE IN THE DARK NORTHERN NEW JERSEY COMMUNITIES WITH FAR LESS IN THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE STATE, SOME FLOODING WAS REPORTED IN COMMUNITIES NEAR THE SHORE.

>>> THE CAUSE OF A MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL FIRE IN PASSAIC REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION TONIGHT .

THE FIRE ERUPTED FRIDAY NIGHT THREATENING A CHEMICAL PLANT WITH LARGE AMOUNTS OF CHLORINE.

PROMPTING A REGIONWIDE RESPONSE AND EVACUATION.

MORE THAN 200 FIREFIGHTERS FROM FOUR COUNTIES BATTLED THE FIRE ALONG THE PASSAIC RIVER AND A STRUCTURE NEIGHBORING QUALCO, A COMPANY THAT MAKES POOL SUPPLIES.

RESIDENTS IN PASSAIC AND NEARBY COMMUNITIES WERE URGED TO STAY INDOORS AND KEEP THEIR WINDOWS CLOSED DUE TO AIR QUALITY CONCERNS.

FIREFIGHTERS PREVENTED THE FLAMES FROM REACHING THE MAIN PART OF THE QUALCO FACTORY , WERE REPORTEDLY 3 MILLION POUNDS OF CHLORINE ARE KEPT ON AN AVERAGE DAY.

THE FIRE GOT SO CLOSE TO QUALCO'S MAIN FACTORY FLOOR THAT THE FACILITIES WINDOWS MELTED, ACCORDING TO PASSAIC MAYOR, HECTOR LORA.

>> HAD IT REACH THE MAIN CHEMICAL PLANT, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT A MASS EVACUATION OF THE AREA.

ARE LOOSE AS RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE TO THE BUYER IS HER VILLAGE HOUSING AUTHORITY COMPLEX WITH OVER 900 FAMILIES, WE TALK ABOUT THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT WOULD'VE HAD TO BE EVACUATED FROM THE AREA.

OBVIOUSLY THE IMPACT OR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON RESIDENTS IN SEVERAL COUNTIES.

>> Reporter: ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICIALS ARE STILL MONITORING AIR QUALITY NEAR THE SITE AS CLEAN UP OF THE FIRE MOVES FORWARD BUT THEY HAVE DEEMED THE AIR SAFE.

BOTH THE MAYOR AND GOVERNOR MURPHY EXPRESSED GRATITUDE TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST I GIVE OUR PROFUSE THANKS TO EVERY SINGLE FIREFIGHTER WHO ARRIVED ON THE SCENE TO ASSIST IN BATTLING THE BLAZE AND IN CONTAINING IT THIS COULD'VE BEEN A LOT MORE WORSE IF IT HAD NOT BEEN CONTAINED.

WE KNOW ONE FIREFIGHTER WAS INJURED IN MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHERS REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION.

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT EVERYONE APPEARS TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION.

>>> COMMUNITIES AROUND THE STATE ARE HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR THROUGH A DAY OF ACTION AND SERVICE INCLUDING GOVERNOR MURPHY AND THE FIRST LADY WHO TOOK PART IN A FOOD DRIVE IN PATTERSON.

ADVOCATES ACROSS THE STATE HAVE TURNED DR. KINGS METHODS OF EQUALITY AND JUSTICE INTO CALLS FOR REFORM ESPECIALLY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THESE EFFORTS.

SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ SPOKE WITH RYAN HAYGOOD, THE INSTITUTE'S PRESIDENT AND CEO ABOUT THE GROUP'S GOALS FOR 2022.

>> Reporter: RYAN, I FEEL LIKE WITH EVERY YEAR THAT PASSES, THE IMAGE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING , I DON'T KNOW IF POLISHED IS THE RIGHT WORD BUT SMOOTHED OUT.

IT IS MORE I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH AND LESS SPEECH AT RIVERSIDE CHURCH, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

>> I DO DAVID, I DO.

I THINK THAT IS WHY TODAY IS SO IMPORTANT.

THE URGING OF DR. KING'S FAMILY, WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO MAKE SURE THAT TODAY IS NOT A DAY OF SYMBOLISM OR OF HOLLOW ACTS BUT TODAY IS A DAY OF ACTION.

TO YOUR POINT, DAVID, LOVE THE FOCUS ON ACTION BECAUSE THAT IS WHO DR. KING WAS.

HE WASN'T SOMEWHAT WHO JUST DREAMT ABOUT FREEDOM HE WAS SOMEONE WHO LED AN INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT AND IN THE FIGHT FOR IT HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR IT.

IF WE ARE TO HONOR HIM AS THE PERSON HE WAS, WE ARE TO PUSH OURSELVES TO UNCOMFORTABLE SPACES IN THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR FREEDOM TODAY.

>> I WANT TO GET A COUPLE JERSEY QUESTIONS IN HERE.

>> OVER 90% OF BLACK VOTERS AND CLOSE TO THAT OF LATINO VOTERS CAME OUT FOR THIS GOVERNOR TWICE AND SUMMER FEELING LIKE THEIR SOCIAL JUSTICE AGENDA, AND PARTICULARLY HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE BACK BURNER.

YOU GET THAT SENSE?

>> I THINK WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM DR. KING IS NO MATTER WHO IS IN OFFICE, PROGRESSIVE MINDED OR CONSERVATIVE, IT IS ON US THE VOTERS TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE AND MAKE THEM DO THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO.

TO YOUR POINT, BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY THEY FACE SOME OF THE STARKEST RACIAL WEALTH GAP, RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK TO DO TO HOLD GOVERNOR MURPHY IN THE ATTIRED NEW JERSEY LEGISLATURE ACCOUNTABLE FOR DOING THOSE KINDS OF THINGS THAT REPAIR THE HARMFUL STRUCTURE OF RACISM INCLUDING CLOSING THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP, DEALING WITH RACIAL JUSTICE AND POLICE REFORM, COLUMN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND RESPONDING TO COVID-19 AND EXPANDING OUR DEMOCRACY RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE GOING TO BE NOT BACK BURNER?

>> I AM OPTIMISTIC THE PEOPLE OF NEW JERSEY OF CONSCIENCE AND OF GOODWILL, PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY WHO ARE ACTIVE IN PUSHING THE ISSUES FORWARD WON'T ALLOW THEM, DAVID, TO BE BACK BURNER ISSUES.

THAT'S WHAT DR. KING'S LEGACY, HIS LIFE AND HIS WORK REQUIRES US TO DO.

NOT JUST THE DAY BUT EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: IN THE 15 SECONDS THAT I HAVE, I IMAGINE DR. KING ALIVE TODAY IN HIS PRIME, WOULD WE SEE HIM ON TICK-TOCK AND INSTAGRAM, HE WAS VERY THOUGHTFUL NOT, REALLY MADE FOR 15 SECOND SOUNDBITES.

>> AS YOU KNOW DR. KING CAME TO NEW JERSEY EIGHT DAYS BEFORE HIS ASSASSINATION.

HE CAME HERE TO BUILD SUPPORT FOR THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN AT TODAY NEW JERSEY HAS ONE OF THE STARKEST RACHEL WEALTH GAPS IN THE COUNTRY AND SPEAKS TO THE WORK THAT IS REQUIRED OF ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE OF CONSCIENCE TO DO IN THIS MOMENT.

>> Reporter: RYAN HAYGOOD PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE.

THANK YOU AND GET SEE YOU.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON OUR SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE KEEP YOU UP DATED WITH THE VERY LATEST NEWS THAT IS IMPACTING OUR GARDEN STATE.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

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

>>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM INSURANCE COMPANY POLICYHOLDERS?

MEN AND WOMEN TO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING, BUSINESS LEADERS, CARETAKERS TO OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS IN THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM INSURANCE COMPANY, WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>> WE ARE TRANSFORMING LICE OR INNOVATIVE KIDNEY TREATMENTS, LIVING DONOR PROGRAMS AND WORLD- RENOWNED CARE TO NEW JERSEY PREMIER HOSPITALS.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.