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

♪ >>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANA VANNOZZI .

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

I'M MICHAEL HILL, IN FOR BREANA VANNOZZI.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS EXTENDED THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IN NEW JERSEY FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS, FURTHER SIGNALING THE PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPACT ARE NOT GOING AWAY.

WE HAVE NOW PASSED 400,000 COVID RELATED DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND IN NEW JERSEY, THE GOVERNOR SAID WE PASSED WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE THE POST HOLIDAY PEAK IN CASES.

OUR DAILY TOTAL CASES ARE STILL IN THE THOUSANDS.

TODAY, ROUGHLY 3700 NEWLY DIAGNOSED CASES ARE REPORTED IN NEW JERSEY.

OR THAN 572,000 TOTAL, WITH 54 MORE DEATHS FOR A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 20,000 CONFIRMED AND PROBABLE DEPTHS IN THE GARDEN STATE.

HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS REMAIN STABLE, AND JUST MORE THAN 3500 PATIENTS.

>>> STATE OFFICIALS SAY THE PACE OF THE VACCINE ROLLOUT IS STILL SLOWED BY A LACK OF SUPPLY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

MURPHY IS SIGNALING HOPE TODAY THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL MAKE A HUGE AND SWIFT DIFFERENCE, AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT EXPECTS THE NEXT SHIPMENT WILL BE SLIGHTLY LARDY THEN JANUARY'S FIRST SHIPMENT.

MORE THAN 388,000 DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED AS OF TODAY, INCLUDING NEARLY 44,002ND DOSE IS.

NEWS OF NO VACCINES AND FEDERAL RESERVE, COMBINED WITH HIGH DEMAND FOR APPOINTMENTS MAKE BRINGING NEW VACCINES TO MARKET THAT MUCH MORE URGENT.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S ONE DOSE VACCINE IS IN ITS THIRD PHASE OF THE CLINICAL TRIAL WITH SOME 45,000 ENROLLED .

THE REPORTED RESULTS SO FAR, PROMISING.

THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS, GAME CHANGING.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN EXPLAINS WHY.

>>> I WAS EXCITED.

I REALLY FELT THAT YOU WANT TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO HELP MOVE THIS WHOLE PROCESS FORWARD.

>> Reporter: DEBORAH IS ONE OF 45,000 ENROLLED IN JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S ONGOING PHASE THREE CLINICAL COVID VACCINE TRIAL .

SHE GOT THE SINGLE DOSE SHOT IN EARLY DECEMBER, AND STILL DOES NOT KNOW IF SHE IS IMMUNE, BECAUSE IN A SO-CALLED DOUBLE- BLIND STUDY, PARTICIPANTS ARE NOT TOLD WHETHER THEY ARE GETTING THE VACCINE OR A PLACEBO.

>> IF THE VACCINE IS APPROVED, I THINK IT WILL MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO MORE PEOPLE, BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO SCHEDULE A SECOND INOCULATION.

>> AT SOME POINT SOON, THE DATABASE WILL GET LOCKED, AND THEN STATISTICIANS WILL BEGIN TO ANALYZE THE RESULTS.

>> Reporter: DR. JEFF CARSON IS A COLEADER OF THE RUTGERS UNIT IN JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S TRIAL.

>> IT LOOKS VERY PROMISING .

THERE IS GOOD EVIDENCE THAT PARTICIPANTS WERE DEVELOPING A GOOD IMMUNE RESPONSE TO THE VACCINE, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT MATTERS.

WHAT MATTERS IS THAT IT CAN PREVENT COVID.

>> Reporter: PRELIMINARY RESULTS SHOW THAT AFTER A SINGLE VACCINATION, NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES AGAINST COVID-19 WERE DETECTED IN OVER 90% OF PARTICIPANTS AT DAY 29, AND 100% AGED 18 TO 55 YEARS AT A 57.

UNLIKE THE MODERNA ADVISOR VACCINES, JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S DOES NOT REQUIRE ULTRACOLD STORAGE.

THE RUTGERS DEAN'S HAS JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S ONE DOSE VACCINE COULD SPEED UP THE NATIONS VACCINATION RATE.

>> IF WE THINK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF 100 MILLION SHOTS IN 100 DAYS, THAT IS NOT REALLY POSSIBLE IN MY VIEW ON THE TWO VACCINES AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.

WITH THIS VACCINE, IT IS POSSIBLE.

>> THE FACT THAT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE MAY BE ABLE TO BE PRODUCED FAIRLY RAPIDLY AND IN LARGE QUANTITY IS GOOD NEWS.

>> Reporter: THE RUTGERS EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAYS THAT WHILE IT IS TOUGH TO GUESS WHEN WE WOULD START LINING UP FOR THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE HIM OF THE COMPANY IS OPENING FOR FDA EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION BY FEBRUARY.

>> IT LOOKS VERY PROMISING, AND THE WORD ON THE STREET HAS BEEN THAT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THEY MAY BE LOOKING AT THEIR DATA, AND TO PRESENT PRELIMINARY INFORMATION RELATED TO EFFICACY.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, ANOTHER VACCINE FROM ASTRAZENECA HAS ALREADY BEEN OKAYED FOR USE FOR EUROPE AND COULD GAIN U.S. APPROVAL THIS SPRING.

EVEN WITH 4 DIFFERENT VACCINES, JERSEY NEEDS TO MOBILIZE A LOT MORE STAFF, AND PERHAPS ORGANIZE BIG VACCINATION FARES IF IT HOPES TO QUICKLY APPROACH HERD IMMUNITY BY VACCINATING AT LEAST 70% OF THE POPULATION.

>> AT THIS RATE, IF WE DON'T DO THAT, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE THROUGH THIS IN THE SUMMER.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID WE WILL BE IN A BETTER PLACE BY MEMORIAL DAY.

>> IF JOHNSON AND JOHNSON COMES THROUGH, THAT IS A GAME CHANGER.

>> I FEEL I AM DOING MY SMALL PART TO HELP GET MORE VACCINE TO MORE PEOPLE BY PARTICIPATING IN A TRIAL.

>> Reporter: JOHNSON & JOHNSON TRIAL PARTICIPANTS WERE ADVISED THAT IF THEY BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION WITH PFIZER MODERNA VACCINES , THAT THEY COULD BE UNBLINDED AND TOLD WHETHER THEY GOT THE REAL VACCINE OR A PLACEBO.

CARSON HAS URGED THOSE WHO DID GET THE ACTUAL VACCINE TO STICK WITH THAT.

>> THOSE ARE IN THE PLACEBO GROUP, I URGE THEM TO GET A VACCINE.

THE OTHER TWO THAT ARE OUT ARE EXCELLENT VACCINES.

>> Reporter: SO FAR 140 OF THE 840 JOHNSON & JOHNSON PARTICIPANTS ENROLLED THROUGH RUTGERS HAVE BEEN UNBLINDED .

DEBORAH, OVER 65, SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS FRIDAY.

TOMORROW SHE WILL BE UNBLINDED AND DISCOVER WHETHER SHE HAS ALREADY BEEN VACCINATED, OR WHETHER SHE SHOULD KEEP THAT APPOINTMENT.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FEDERAL PRISONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE ON LOCKDOWN AS LAW ENFORCEMENT BRACES FOR POTENTIAL VIOLENCE AHEAD OF TOMORROW'S INAUGURATION.

THE BUREAU OF PRISONS AS A CAUTIONARY LOCKDOWNS DARTED AT MIDNIGHT ON SATURDAY IN LIGHT OF CURRENT EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

NO SPECIFIC THREAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED.

>>> MEANWHILE IN NEW JERSEY, VACCINATIONS AVENUE INMATES AT FORT DIX FEDERAL PRISON BEGAN TODAY.

BEGAN AFTER A RECENT OUTBREAK THAT INFECTED NEARLY 800 INMATES IN BURLINGTON COUNTY.

THE PRISON HAS COME UNDER HEAVY CRITICISM FROM RELATIVES OF INMATES AND MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

NOW THERE IS A CALL FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S INSPECTOR GENERAL TO INVESTIGATE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE HIGH NUMBER OF POSITIVE TESTS AMONG INMATES AND STAFF AT THE FEDERAL PRISON AT FORT DIX HAS DRAWN THE ATTENTION OF ADVOCATES, FAMILY, AND LOVED ONES, AS WELL AS FEDERAL LAWMAKERS, WHO SAY THEY ARE STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER FROM A WEEK AGO.

FOUR MONTHS NOW, THE PRISON HERE HAS HAD THE MOST, OR CLOSE TO THE MOST, POSITIVE CASES IN THE FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM.

AS OF TODAY, THAT NUMBER IS 321 , A NUMBER THAT ATTORNEYS FOR INMATES DISPUTE SINCE IT IS DOWN FROM NEARLY 800 LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AGO.

>> ONE DAY THEY WILL TAKE MAYBE 100 TO 200 POSITIVE INMATES OFF OF THE LIST, WHICH OBVIOUSLY, 200 PEOPLE DID NOT SUDDENLY RECOVER FROM COVID ON THE SAME DATE.

PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO TEST NEGATIVE TO COME OFF OF THE POSITIVE LIST.

>> Reporter: BRIDGES FIANCE KEITH MILES HAS BEEN INSIGHT ON DRUG CHARGES FOR 19 YEARS.

HE HAS ALREADY TESTED POSITIVE TWICE, SHE SAYS, AND A LIST OF UNDERLYING CONDITIONS, INCLUDING ANEMIA AND SICKLE- CELL, TAKES HIM ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO COVID.

>> THEY ARE MOVING THE INMATES ABOUT THE PRESENT, AND IT IS LIKE A CROSS TRANSFER, SO YOU ARE RE-CONTAMINATING PEOPLE BECAUSE YOU ARE MOVING ONE SECTION OF PEOPLE WHO JUST HAD COVID INTO A SECTION WHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE NOT HAD IT.

NOW THEY ARE PICKING IT UP.

>> Reporter: JOINING BRIGID AMONG THE HUNDREDS OF COMMISSIONERS IS BARBARA.

HER CHILDHOOD FRIEND, MICHAEL BARNES, HAS SPENT HIS ENTIRE ADULT LIFE IN PRISON, MOST RECENTLY ON A WEAPONS CHARGE.

HE RECENTLY TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID AFTER SUFFERING FROM PNEUMONIA.

>> ON DECEMBER 18th, THEY FINALLY WERE TESTED IN HIS BUILDING.

184 OUT OF 230 INMATES TESTED POSITIVE.

>> Reporter: SOME INMATES HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINES, ALTHOUGH NONE HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED.

THAT HAS GIVEN CRITICS REASON TO SCOFF AT THE IDEA OF SOMEONE DOING TIME, GETTING A VACCINE, WHEN DEMAND IS SO HIGH ON THE OUTSIDE.

BARBARA AND BRIDGET HAVE HEARD IT ALL.

>> Reporter: WHAT DID THEY NOT SEE?

>> THAT A PERSON IS NOT ONE MISTAKE.

THERE IS CONTEXT TO EVERYONE'S STORY.

THAT PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT.

JUST THIS MORNING, THERE IS A BUNCH OF HATERS ON THERE, DO THE CRIME, DO THE TIME.

I GUESS MAYBE YOU HAVE TO HAVE HAD SOMEONE INVOLVED, A LOVED ONE INVOLVED, TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES.

>> IF HE'S IN A PRISON AND CAN'T GET PROPER TREATMENT, I WOULD NOT CONSIDER THAT SPECIAL TREATMENT.

THIS IS LIFE AND DEATH.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE THAT COULD LOSE THEIR LIVES BEHIND THIS COVID SITUATION.

>> Reporter: THIS FORMER INMATE , WHO ASKED US NOT TO USE HIS NAME, IS AMONG THE LUCKY RECIPIENTS OF A COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

>> I TAKE ISSUE WITH THAT, BECAUSE, YES, WE ARE IN THERE BECAUSE WE COMMITTED A CRIME, BUT WE ARE ALSO UNDER THE DIRECT CARE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I HAD A 6 MONTH SENTENCE, NOT A LIFE SENTENCE.

>> Reporter: WE FINALLY DID GET A STATEMENT FROM THE BUREAU OF PRISONS LATE IN THE DAY, WHO SAID MOST OF THE INFECTED INMATES DON'T HAVE SYMPTOMS, AND THAT THE FACILITY IS FOLLOWING CDC GUIDELINES FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO.

WHEN IT COMES TO ANSWERING QUESTIONS IN PERSON, FORT DIX OFFICIALS REPLIED , WE DECLINE TO ACCOMMODATE AN INTERVIEW.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> MONEY TROUBLES AND MORE COULD LEAD TO SOME CAMDEN CITY SCHOOLS CLOSING THEIR DOORS, AND SENDING STUDENTS AND PARENTS MILES AWAY, AND ACROSS TOWN TO OTHER SCHOOLS.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THE DISTRICT IS FIGHTING TO AVOID THAT, BUT ACKNOWLEDGES CLOSURES MAY BE INEVITABLE.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS ON WHY THE DISTRICT IS LOSING SO MUCH MONEY, AND WHY PARENTS AND ADVOCATES FEEL BLINDSIDED BY THE PLAN.

>>> HOW MANY KIDS NEED TO DIE?

HOW MANY NEED TO GET KIDNAPPED, BEFORE YOU GUYS REALIZE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU HAVE MADE.

>> Reporter: MARIA MONTERO SAYS SHE IS FURIOUS THAT HER STUDENTS COULD BE FORCED TO WATCH MORE THAN 30 MINUTES TO SCHOOL AFTER LEARNING THAT 4 CAMDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS COULD POTENTIALLY CLOSE THIS YEAR.

>> I HAVE THREE, BUT MY DAUGHTER HAS DOWN SYNDROME.

I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO FOREST HILL.

FOREST HILL IS 32 MINUTES FROM HERE.

THEY SAID IT IS THE ONLY PUBLIC SCHOOL, HOW CAN YOU TAKE THE ONLY FAMILY SCHOOL FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND TAKE IT OUT.

>> Reporter: 10 CLOSURES HAVE BEEN MADE OFFICIAL, THE SUPERINTENDENT DID CONFIRM THAT SHRINKING ENROLLMENT AND DWINDLING FUNDING IS REASON THAT THERE WILL BE CLOSURES OF ITALY, BUT THE COMMENTS WERE MADE DURING A VIRTUAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING ON DECEMBER 22nd.

>> THERE ARE TWO SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW BEING CONSIDERED FOR CLOSURE.

NO FINAL DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE YET.

I WANT TO UNDERSCORE THAT.

HOWEVER, THROUGH THIS PROCESS, AND WITH THE DISTRICTS LONG- TERM HEALTH AND THE BALANCE, THERE WILL BE SCHOOLS THAT ARE CLOSED, AND AT LEAST THREE OTHER SCHOOLS WILL BE CONVERTED INTO MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: DURING THE MEETING, SHE STATED THE DECISION TO CLOSE SCHOOLS WERE ALSO BASED ON INCREASED ENROLLMENT IN THE CITY'S CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> THE FACT IS THAT WE HAVE 19 SCHOOL BUILDINGS, APPROXIMATELY 6000 STUDENTS, MORE WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HER PRE-K POPULATION.

DISTRICT FUNDS CONTINUE TO DWINDLE, AS FUNDING GOES OUT PRIMARILY TO CHARTER AND RENAISSANCE STUDENTS.

I HAVE HEARD A FEW PEOPLE OVER THE LAST WEEKS COMMENT ON AN AGREEMENT FROM THE FORMER COMMISSIONER.

THERE WAS NOT A FORMALIZED AGREEMENT.

>> ALL OF THE WORK THAT WAS DONE AND ACT LIKE IT DID NOT EXIST AT ALL AND DO ANYTHING TO MOVE TOWARDS IT, EVEN THOUGH YOU AGREED TO DO IT.

ARE BACK THE PRESIDENT OF THE CANTON EDUCATIONAL ASSOCIATION DR. KEITH BENSON WAS BLINDSIDED BY THE COMMENTS.

HE SAID THAT LAST SPRING THE DISTRICT AND STATE HASHED OUT A 21 PAGE PLAN THAT DID NOT INCLUDE CLOSING SCHOOLS.

HE SAYS THE CLOSURES COULD LEAVE ABOUT 1600 STUDENTS AND HUNDREDS OF STAFF MEMBERS SCRAMBLING TO RELOCATE.

>> TAKE FOR INSTANCE THE SUPERINTENDENCE IDEA OF CLOSING COOPER'S POINT IN NORTH CAMDEN, AND HAVING STUDENTS GO TO VETERANS MEMORIAL FAMILY SCHOOL.

THAT IS NOT TOO .0 MILES, WHICH MAKES HIM INELIGIBLE FOR TRANSPORTATION FROM THE DISTRICT.

THEY HAVE TO WALK 36 MILES PER WEEK THROUGH WEATHER, DANGEROUS COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: IN RESPONSE TO THE PLANS, DR. BENSON LED A PROTEST MAKING THE COMMUTES SOME PARENTS WOULD HAVE TO MAKE MY FOOT IF SCHOOLS WERE TO CLOSE.

>> WHAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND IS NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO A CHARTER SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE 75 PAIRS THAT TOOK PART IN A PROTEST TO KEEP PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPEN NOW FEARS THERE WILL BE NO PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR HER CHILDREN IF CLOSURES CONTINUE.

>> WE ARE TIRED OF HER SCHOOLS BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM US.

WE ARE TIRED OF HAVING NO SAY.

THEY REFUSED TO SPEAK TO ANY PARENT.

>> Reporter: DESPITE REACHING OUT POSSIBLE TIMES FOR A STATEMENT AND INTERVIEW, BOTH IN PERSON AND VIA ZOOM, SHE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE DISTRICT SENT A SEPARATE STATEMENT EMPHASIZING, OUR COMMITMENT IS TO BUILD A LONG- TERM PLAN THAT IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION OFFERED BY EVERY DISTRICT SCHOOLS, AND FIRMLY PLACES THE DISTRICT ON SOLID FINANCIAL FOOTING.

DR. BENSON SAYS AFTER RADIO SILENCE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENCE, HE NOW PLANS TO HEAD TO TRENTON, ALONG WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS, TO FIGHT THE SCHOOL CLOSURES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> MURPHY GIVE SPECIFIC DETAILS ON THE EIGHT COMING TO NEW JERSEY'S STRUGGLING SMALL BUSINESSES THIS YEAR.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS , AND TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: MAIN STREET BUSINESSES MET TODAY TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO GET THROUGH THE NEXT FEW MONTHS OF THIS PANDEMIC.

THE NEW JERSEY DOWNTOWN CONFERENCE KICKED OFF WITH A MESSAGE FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY, WHO SAID MORE HELP IS ON THE WAY.

HE SAID LATER THIS MONTH THE EDA WILL LAUNCH THE SECOND PHASE OF ITS $10 MILLION COVID EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM, WHICH WILL PROVIDE SMALL BUSINESSES WITH LOADS OF UP TO $100,000.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO TALKED UP THE NEW MAIN STREET RECOVERY FINANCE PROGRAM , WHICH IS SET TO PROVIDE MILLIONS IN GRANTS AND LOANS TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

THAT INCENTIVE PROGRAM IS PART OF THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT, WHICH THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY SIGNED INTO LAW.

AHEAD OF PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN'S INAUGURATION, SOUTH JERSEY CONGRESSMAN DONALD NORCROSS SAYS HE IS EXPECTING NEW JERSEY WILL BENEFIT FROM HAVING A NEW ADMINISTRATION IN PLACE, AND THAT MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS WILL FLOW TO THE GARDEN STATE.

WHILE HE DOES NOT SEE IT HAPPENING RIGHT AWAY, NORCROSS BELIEVES CONGRESS WILL REVISIT THE ISSUE OF THE SALT DEDUCTION AMOUNT WHICH REDUCED THE DEDUCTIBILITY OF HIGH PROPERTY TAXES.

>> THERE IS NOT A MEMBER OF NEW JERSEY'S DELEGATION THAT IS NOT IN FAVOR OF S.A.L.T.

BEING RETURNED, THAT STATE AND LOCAL TAX, MAKING SURE WE CAN GET THAT BACK.

THAT IS A DIRECT ATTACK ON THOSE BLUE STATES.

>> Reporter: HE SPOKE AT A VIRTUAL EVENT HOSTED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY.

UNEMPLOYED WORKERS SHOULD GET THEIR FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS AS SOON AS TODAY, AFTER A DELAY.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS THOSE PAYMENTS WERE SUCCESSFULLY PROCESSED OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE DEPARTMENT PUT THROUGH 2 WEEKS WORTH OF PAYMENTS, SO ELIGIBLE PAYMENTS SHOULD RECEIVE $600.

THE STATE IS PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE TO TRY TO WEAN BUSINESSES OFF OF DIESEL TRUCKS.

THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS APPROVED A $15 MILLION PROGRAM THAT WILL ENCOURAGE BUSINESSES TO BUY ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ELECTRIC TRUCKS.

COMPANIES WHO RECEIVE VOUCHERS BETWEEN 25,000 AND $100,000 TO HELP PAY FOR THE PURCHASE OF THOSE TRUCKS.

RIGHT NOW THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE IN NEWARK AND CAMDEN, BUT IT COULD BE EXPANDED TO OTHER COMMUNITIES.

NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER , AND THOSE WERE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> IT IS NATIONALS SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH, AN OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND FAMILIES OF THE DECEPTIONS PREDATORS USED TO TARGET CHILDREN, AND TO SHOW MINORS HOW TO DETECT DANGER AND SEE SAFE.

THE ADVOCATES SAY THE ISSUE IS AS PREVALENT AS EVER, AND HAS BEEN MADE WORSE BY THE PANDEMIC.

LEAH MISHKIN OFFERS TIPS FROM THE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE OF PREVENTION.

>>> WE NEED TO EMPOWER OUR YOUNG PEOPLE TO KNOW WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR.

>> Reporter: MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AGED 11 TO 14 SPENT SO MUCH TIME ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHERE HUMAN TRAFFICKERS ARE LOOKING FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN IN SEARCH OF A FRIEND.

>> THEY WILL START COMMENTING AND LIKING POSTS, AND THEN FROM THE COMMENTING AND LIKING OF THE POST, BEGIN SENDING DIRECT MESSAGES.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY COALITION AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS LAUNCHING A CAMPAIGN THIS MONTH TO ADDRESS ONLINE GROOMING, AND EXPOSE PREDATOR STRATEGIES.

>> THE PREDATOR WILL MIRROR THE LANGUAGE OF THE YOUNG PERSON.

YOUNG PERSON MAY SAY SOMETHING LIKE, MY MOM AND DAD LEFT ME HOME ALONE TODAY, AND THEY ARE FORCING ME TO DO MY HOMEWORK, AND I HATE DOING MY HOMEWORK.

IN RESPONSE, THE PREDATOR WILL SAY, I AM HOME ALONE AS WELL.

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL.

MY MOM AND DAD ARE FORCING ME TO DO MY HOMEWORK AND I HAVE MY HOMEWORK AS WELL, TO THE POINT WHERE THAT YOUNG PERSON FEELS LIKE THIS PERSON UNDERSTANDS ME.

>> THAT IS HOW THEY GET THEM TO LOWER THEIR GUARD DOWN, AND THEN ACTUALLY COME OUT TO MEET THEM.

IN SOME INCIDENCES, THE CHILD WILL BE LIKE, OH MY GOD, WHAT DID I JUST DO, AND HOW THEY FEEL TRAPPED.

SO, ONCE THEY ARE IN THE CAR, OR ONCE THEY ARE THERE, IT IS A LOT HARDER FOR A CHILD TO EXTRICATE THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THE COALITION SAYS SHAME PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN MY KIDS DON'T CALL FOR HELP.

THAT IS WHY THEY SAY REDUCING SHAMAN CONVERSATIONS WITH CHILDREN IS ESSENTIAL.

HE MAYBE THINKING THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN IN MY COMMUNITY, BUT NEW JERSEY RANKS 13th IN THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING CASES, ACCORDING TO POLARIS.

THE FORMER COMMANDER OF THE STATES INTERNET CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN TASK FORCE SAYS THE PANDEMIC IS ONLY HEIGHTENING THE PROBLEM.

>> WE WENT FROM SCREEN TIME OF 3 TO 4 HOURS PER DAY, AND NOW WE ARE AT 10 TO 12 HOURS PER DAY.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS SEEN A 200% INCREASE IN CHILD EXPLOITATION TIPS IN THE LAST YEAR.

IT IS A $33 BILLION INDUSTRY IN THE UNITED STATES ALONE.

>> Reporter: THE COFOUNDER OF RIGHT RESPONSE CONSULTING AND PROSECUTOR MELISSA HOT MEYER SAYS TO MAKE SURE KIDS ONLY TALK TO THEIR FRIEND GROUP ONLINE, AND DON'T ACCEPT ONLINE MONEY FROM PEOPLE THEY DON'T KNOW.

>> THEY LURE THEM IN WITH THE PROMISE OF MONEY OR SOCIAL MEDIA SAME.

WE HAVE HAD CASES WHERE A YOUNG GIRL HAS SENT PICTURES TO SOMEONE SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS BEGINNING A RELATIONSHIP WITH, AND THEN THEY TURNED INTO A TRAFFICKER AND THEY SAID IF YOU DON'T ENGAGE IN SEX WITH THE PERSON IS GOING TO COME TO THE END OF YOUR DRIVEWAY, I WILL SEND THESE PICTURES OUT TO EVERYBODY, TO YOUR OLD SCHOOL AND PARENTS.

SHE WENT DOWN TO THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND SHE WAS JUST A HIGH SCHOOL.

YOU KNOW, LIKE 13 OR 14.

B. MAC WE HAVE DONE OPERATION AFTER OPERATION, ARREST AFTER ARREST, AND IT IS NOT DOING ANYTHING, BECAUSE IT IS NOT IN THE SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE.

IN 2019, HE GOT THE FREDERICK DOUGLASS ACT PASSED ON A NATIONAL LEVEL TO PROVIDE GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS TO INCORPORATE HUMAN TRAFFICKING CURRICULUMS.

>> Reporter: WHEN WILL THAT TRICKLE DOWN TO THE ACTUAL SCHOOLS IN NEW JERSEY?

>> IS AVAILABLE.

THE ONLY THING THAT INHIBITED IT SOMEWHAT IS COVID IN TERMS OF ACTUAL IMPLEMENTATION.

>> Reporter: THE CONGRESSMAN HAS BEEN FIGHTING TO PUT AN END TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES.

>> THE BUYING AND SELLING OF WOMEN AND MEN AND CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: HE GOT A LAW PASSED IN 2000 THAT INVOLVES EVERY PART OF GOVERNMENT AND PROTECTION, PREVENTION, AND PROSECUTION.

>> 20 YEARS TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT.

IT USED TO BE THAT THERE WAS SUCH A THING AS A TEENAGE PROSTITUTE.

IT DOESN'T EXIST.

ANYBODY UNDER THAT AGE OF 18 SUBJECTED TO A COMMERCIAL SEX ACT IS TRAFFICKING BY FEDERAL LAW.

>> Reporter: WHAT ARE SOME WARNING SIGNS FOR PARENTS?

>> YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR BEHAVIORAL CHANGES, TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE BEING SECRETIVE ABOUT THE WEBSITES THEY ARE VISITING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS TO ALSO LOOK TO SEE IF THEY HAVE A CELL PHONE OR ANY OTHER EXPENSIVE ITEMS THAT YOU DID NOT PURCHASE.

MORE WARNING SIGNS THAT COULD HELP MORE CHILDREN.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ODD SCENES ACROSS NEW JERSEY, SYMBOLS OF WEALTH, ROLLING UP TO FOOD PANTRIES.

PEOPLE OF UPSCALE LIFESTYLE STANDING IN LINE WITH FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS, ALL OF THEM THERE TO RECEIVE FOOD TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES WHILE ENTERING THE ECONOMIC AGONY OF COVID-19, AND AGONY ANTICIPATED TO LAST LONGER THAN THE PANDEMIC.

IN OUR ONGOING SERIES HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY, JON HURDLE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

>> Reporter: TAKE YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

THE PANDEMIC NEED FOR FOOD WILL OUTLAST THE PANDEMIC?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THAT IS WHAT I AM HEARING FROM THE LEADERS OF FOOD BANKS, AND FOOD ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE PLANNING FOR A PERSISTENTLY HIGH LEVEL OF FOOD DEMAND IN NEW JERSEY, EVEN IF THE COVID INFECTION RATES BEGIN TO RESEED, AND EVEN IF VACCINES BECOME MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: WHY IS THAT?

>> WELL, BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC DAMAGE THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.

AS WE ALL KNOW, MANY RESTAURANTS, MANY BUSINESSES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, HAVE BEEN FORCED TO CLOSE, AND SOME OF THEM WILL NOT REOPEN.

SO THE CLEAR EXPECTATION AMONGST FOLKS WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DISTRIBUTING FOOD ASSISTANCE, IT IS THAT THE LEVEL OF DEMAND WILL REMAIN HIGH FOR SOME TIME TO COME.

>> Reporter: ARE PARTS OF THE STATE WORSE THAN OTHERS?

>> THE OVERALL INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR 2020 IS ROUGHLY AROUND 40%.

THAT IS WHAT I AM HEARING.

THAT IS COMPARED WITH 2019.

THAT IS WHAT I AM HEARING FROM THE FOOD BANK EXECUTIVES.

OF COURSE, THERE ARE REGIONAL VARIATIONS ON THAT.

I WAS SPEAKING YESTERDAY WAS SOMEBODY FROM CATHOLIC CHARITIES, WHICH RUNS THREE FOOD PANTRIES IN NORTH JERSEY.

AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE DEMAND FOR THEIR SERVICES HAS INCREASED BY MORE THAN FOUR TIMES FROM PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

THEY REACHED A HIGH OF SERVING ABOUT 26,500 PEOPLE JUST AT THOSE THREE PANTRIES IN NOVEMBER.

THAT WAS THE PEAK OF THEIR DEMAND.

>> Reporter: JON HURDLE FOR US THERE, LOOKING AT HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY IN THIS PANDEMIC HERE THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> 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.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG FOR ALL OF OUR REPORTING COVERING THE GARDEN STATE, AND CHECK OUT HER SOCIAL PLATFORMS.

I'M MICHAEL HILL INVITE BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM , THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND HAVE A GREAT AND SAFE NIGHT.

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

PSE&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.

>>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GIVE MY STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE A NJEA MEMBER .