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

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

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

>>> GOOD EVENING.

INC. YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

UNDER BLUE SKIES AND A NEAR EMPTY NATIONAL MALL , JOSEPH HAYDN WAS SWORN IN TODAY AS THE NATION'S 46th PRESIDENT.

HE TAKES THE REINS OF POWER DURING A HISTORIC MOMENT OF CRISIS AND CHALLENGE THEM AT ONE OF THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL INAUGURATIONS OF THIS LIFETIME.

EXACTLY 2 WEEKS AGO, INSURRECTIONIST INCITED BY HIS PREDECESSOR ATTEMPTING TO STOP DEMOCRACY.

DURING HIS FIRST SPEECH IN OFFICE, BIDEN VOWED TO BE A PRESIDENT FOR ALL AMERICANS, AND CALLED ON THE NATION TO END ITS UNCIVIL WAR BY DECLARING DEMOCRACY HAS PREVAILED, URGING A DEEPLY DIVIDED COUNTRY TO UNITE AROUND BEATING THIS PANDEMIC.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>>> I JOSEPH ROBINETTE BIDEN JUNIOR DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR -- >> Reporter: TODAY ON THE STEPS OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING, STORMED TWO WEEKS AGO, AND NOW GUARDED BY MORE THAN 25,000 TROOPS, JOE BIDEN TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE, CHALLENGING THE NATION TO FIND UNITY IN THE MIDST OF THE CHAOS.

>> I KNOW SPEAKING OF UNITY CAN SOUND TO SOME GOOD FOOLISH FANTASY THESE DAYS.

AND OTHER FORCES THAT DIVIDE US ARE DEEP, AND THEY ARE REAL.

BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT NEW.

OUR HISTORY HAS BEEN A CONSTANT STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE AMERICAN IDEAL, THAT WE ARE ALL ARE CREATED EQUAL, AND THE HARSH , UGLY REALITY THAT RACISM, NATIVISM, FEAR, DEMONIZATION, HAVE LONG TORN US APART.

FOR WITHOUT UNITY, THERE IS NO PEACE.

ONLY BITTERNESS AND FURY.

NO PROGRESS.

ONLY EXHAUSTING OUTRAGE.

NO NATION, ONLY A STATE OF CHAOS.

>> Reporter: INAUGURATIONS CAN INSPIRE HOPE, BUT OPTIMISM IS IN SHORT SUPPLY IN THE COUNTRY.

WHILE THE NATION IS OFFICIALLY PASSED TRUMP, TRIBALISM IS VERY MUCH ALIVE.

>> GOODBYE.

WE LOVE YOU.

WE WILL BE BACK IN SOME FORM.

MAC DONALD TRUMP LEFT WASHINGTON THIS MORNING, DEFIANT AS EVER, REFUSING TO ATTEND HIS SUCCESSORS INAUGURATION, AND FACING ANOTHER IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, LEAVING WASHINGTON DIMINISHED, AND A COUNTRY MORE DIVIDED THAN AT ANY TIME SINCE THE CIVIL WAR.

>> SOMETHING HAS BEEN ACTIVATED.

A LOT OF ANTIDEMOCRATIC IDEAS HAVE BEEN ACTIVATED, AND BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE ACCEPTABLE IN PUBLIC, BECAUSE NOT JUST DONALD TRUMP, BUT THOSE WHO HAVE SUPPORTED HIM HIM A AND THE QUESTION OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS AND FEW YEARS IS TO WHAT EXTENT WILL THAT KIND OF IDEA THAT YOU CAN JUST SIMPLY LIE ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS, UNDERMINE FAITH IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES, VOTE WITH THE SEPARATION OF POWERS AND OTHER THINGS, AND GET AWAY WITHOUT THE REPUBLIC CRUMBLING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF ALL OF THAT.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE YET TO SEE.

>> Reporter: NORMAN MARKOWITZ COMPARED TRUMPS EXCITEMENTS AND INSURRECTIONS TO THEIR RISE OF -ISM IN 20th CENTURY GERMANY.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT THAT TRUMP AND HIS ENABLERS BE PUNISHED FOR THE UNPRECEDENTED ATTACK ON THE FEDERAL CAPITAL, WHICH WAS, IN THE TRADITION OF THE BEAR HOLD PUSH OF THE 1923.

THIS WAS AN ATTEMPT TO IN ATTEMPT PREVENT JOE BIDEN FROM BECOMING PRESIDENT, AND CREATE A SITUATION THROUGH TERRORISTIC VIOLENCE, WHERE TRUMP WOULD IN EFFECT CONTINUE TO BE PRESIDENT AND ESTABLISH A DICTATORSHIP.

IF THEY HAD BEEN SUCCESSFUL, THAT IS WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE POMP AND CEREMONY, IT WAS TIME TO GET TO WORK.

FOR BIDEN, IT WAS A DAY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS, 15 IN ALL, INCLUDING A REVERSAL OF THE TRAVEL BAN FROM MUSLIM COUNTRIES, REJOINING THE PARIS CLIMATE ACCORD, AND STOPPING FUNDING FOR THE SOUTHERN BORDER WALL, ALL REBUKES OF POLICIES EXECUTED BY HIS PREDECESSOR FROM A NEW LEADER CALLING FOR A NEW DAY.

>> POLITICS DOES NOT HAVE TO BE A RAGING FIRE, DESTROYING EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH.

EVERY DISAGREEMENT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE CAUSE FOR A TOTAL WAR.

AND WE MUST REJECT THE CULTURE THAT WHICH FACTS THEMSELVES ARE MANIPULATED AND EVEN MNUFACTURED.

>> Reporter: SO THE BIDEN ERA BEGINS IN A COUNTRY HOPEFUL, YET ANXIOUS, QUIETER, BUT NOT YET CALM.

UNCERTAIN OF WHAT IS NEXT, BUT FORTUNATE TO STILL BE STANDING.

I AM DAVID CRUZ , NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> DURING HIS FINAL HOURS AS PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP ISSUED MORE THAN 140 PARDONS AND COMMUTATIONS.

THE LAST MINUTE ACTS OF CLEMENCY WERE EXPECTED, AND LARGELY WENT TO PROMINENT ALLIES AND OTHER PUBLIC FIGURES .

AMONG THEM, TRUMPS 2016 CAMPAIGN CHIEF AND FORMER WHITE HOUSE SENIOR ADVISOR STEVE BANNON MAMA ALONG WITH A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WITH TIES TO NEW JERSEY INCLUDING SALOMON MELGEN , FOUND GUILTY OF DEFRAUDING MEDICARE DURING A CORRUPTION TRIAL INVOLVING SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ, GEORGE GILMORE, THE LONGTIME OCEAN COUNTY REPUBLICAN POLITICAL BOSS, AND KEN KURSON , A CONFIDENT OF JARED KUSHNER AND ONE-TIME STATE ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE.

TRUMP ALSO PARTED LOW-LEVEL CONVICTED DRUG OFFENDERS AND GRANTED CLEMENCY LESS FREQUENTLY THAN ANY OTHER PRESIDENT IN MODERN HISTORY.

RESIDENT OBAMA IN CONTRAST USED THE FEDERAL PARDON FARMER FREELY FREELY THAN ANY OTHER CHIEF EXECUTIVE ON HIS FINAL DAY IN OFFICE.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY SIGNED A FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

JOB NUMBER ONE, OVERHAULING THE COUNTRIES COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAM.

JOE BIDEN HAS ALREADY RELEASED HIS AGENDA FOR BEEFING UP THE ROLLOUT AND FEDERAL RESPONSE, BUT THE REAL DETAILS WILL BE UNVEILED IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

THE PRESIDENT WILL HAVE SOME HELP FROM A FORMER JERSEY OFFICIAL.

HEALTHCARE REPORTER LILO STANTON IS WITH US NOW TO TALK ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT UNDER A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT HITTING THE GROUND RUNNING TODAY.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HIS VERY FIRST ITEMS OF ACTION?

>> RIGHT, SO HE HAS MADE, YOU KNOW, THROUGHOUT HIS CAMPAIGN, AT LEAST APART SINCE COVID, HE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS HAPPENS TO BE JOB NUMBER ONE, TACKLING THIS PANDEMIC.

HE GAVE A SPEECH TALKING ABOUT THE TWIN PANDEMICS OF THE CORONAVIRUS AND, OF COURSE, THE ECONOMIC FALLOUT THAT HAS RESULTED, AND HOW YOU CANNOT ADDRESS THE SECOND ONE UNTIL YOU ADDRESS THE FIRST.

SO, HE HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT, NOT SURPRISINGLY, VACCINES.

ORIGINALLY THERE WAS A PLEDGE TO DO 100 MILLION VACCINES IN 100 DAYS.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME DISCUSSION OVER WHETHER THAT MEANS 50 MILLION PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED OR NOT.

MORE RECENTLY, THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON SETTING UP 100 MILLION, I'M SORRY, 100 VACCINE SITES THAT ARE FEDERALLY OPERATED, DONE BY THE NATIONAL GUARD OR FEDERAL OFFICIALS, WHICH OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE A HUGE HELP.

IF YOU THINK THERE ARE AT LEAST ONE OR TWO IN EVERY STATE, THAT IS HUGE, WITH THAT KIND OF CAPACITY, THAT COULD BE A BIG THING FOR A STATE LIKE NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: WE ALSO KNOW THAT J AND J'S NEW VACCINE COULD HELP CARRY THAT PLAN OUT.

HOW WILL A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PLAY INTO NEW JERSEY TO HELP NEW JERSEY IN SECURING VACCINES AND TESTING SITES?

>> YOU HAVE TO EXPECT THAT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A PRIORITY FOR GOVERNOR MURPHY WHEN HE IS DOWN THERE, HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS, HOPEFULLY IN A SOCIALLY DISTANT MANNER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, ABOUT HOW NEW JERSEY CAN USE SOME HELP.

HE SAID ALL ALONG WE NEED MORE RESOURCES.

OF COURSE, THEN THERE IS ALSO THE FORMER DHS COMMISSIONER CAROL JOHNSON, WHO HAS BEEN TAPPED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO RUN THE TESTING PART OF ITS COVID RESPONSE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T FORGET ABOUT TESTING.

YOU STILL HAVE TO KNOW WHERE YOU ARE IN THIS PANDEMIC TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND.

THAT IS A KEY PART, AND THAT HAS TO BE GOOD NEWS FOR NEW JERSEY ON SOME LEVEL.

>> Reporter: A LOT OF WORK AHEAD, AND WE WILL BE CHECKING IN AS WE GO.

THANK YOU AS ALWAYS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AHEAD OF THE INAUGURATION, A NATIONAL MOMENT OF UNITY AND REMEMBRANCE WAS HELD TUESDAY NIGHT AT THE NATIONAL MALL, HONORING THE MORE THAN 400,000 AMERICANS WHO HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19 COMPLICATIONS.

SMALLER CEREMONIES WERE HELD HERE ACROSS THE STATE.

AND CRANFORD IN JERSEY CITY, RESIDENTS PAUSED TO LIGHT CANDLES OR TURN ON PORCH LIGHTS , MEMORIALIZING THOSE WE HAVE LOST BEER GUY OF THOSE 400,000, ANOTHER 122 CONFIRMED DEATHS WERE REPORTED TODAY ACROSS THE STATE.

MORE THAN 20,000 TOTAL FATALITIES, WITH ROUGHLY 3500 NEW CONFIRMED POSITIVE TEST, AND MORE THAN 576,000 TOTAL CASES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS SAID HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT SECURING A LARGER SUPPLY OF VACCINE DOSES UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.

AS OF THIS MORNING, THE STATE ADMINISTERED OR THAN 420,000 TOTAL VACCINES, JUST SHY OF 50,000 RESIDENTS HAVE RECEIVED THE SECOND DOSE.

CHOKEPOINTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION PROCESS ARE PARTLY TO BLAME FOR A ROLLOUT THAT IS SLOWER FOR MOST RESIDENTS AND STATE LEADERS, BUT SYSTEMS TO REGISTER FOR APPOINTMENTS ALSO LAG.

MANY RESIDENTS REPORT SPENDING HOURS ONLINE AND CALLING PHARMACIES.

ONE OF THE STATES HARDEST HIT CITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC APPEARS TO HAVE IT FIGURED OUT.

MICHAEL HILL HAS THE STORY FROM PATTERSON.

>> Reporter: LEON LIGHT-UP BEFORE SUNRISE FOR MODERNA'S COVID-19 VACCINE.

HE IS MISSING A CEREMONY THAT THE VIRUS CAUSED.

>> MY SISTER AND HER HUSBAND HAVE THEIR FUNERALS GOING ON AS WE SPEAK.

>> Reporter: HE INSISTED HE WOULD DO WHAT IT TAKES TO AVOID THE SAME FATE.

>> I WANTED.

I NEED THIS SHOT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A CHANCE TO TAKE THEY SAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF IT.

BUT I AM NOT AFRAID OF IT.

I AM AFRAID IF I DON'T GET IT WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THE DOORS HERE OPENED JUST AFTER 9:00.

FOLKS STARTED SHOWING UP AS EARLY AS 4:00 IN THE MORNING EMMA IN SUBFREEZING TEMPERATURES.

UNLIKE MOST SITES, THERE WAS NO APPOINTMENT NEEDED HERE TODAY EMMA AND YOU DID NOT HAVE TO BE A PATTERSON RESIDENT.

EAGER TO PROTECT THEMSELVES, HUNDREDS OF MASK WEARERS MEETING NEW ELIGIBILITY RULES CAME FROM ACROSS NEW JERSEY TO PATTERSON'S INTERNATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL TO GET VACCINATED.

>> I THOUGHT WITH THAT.

I WASN'T GOING TO GET IT, AND THEN I JUST FIGURED, JUST DO IT.

YOU KNOW, YEAH, BECAUSE I WANT TO START TO TRAVEL AGAIN AND I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT TRAVELING.

YOU STILL HAVE TO BE SAFE.

>> Reporter: A 70-YEAR-OLD RETIRED FIREFIGHTER JOHN PORTER OF LITTLE FERRY WAS AMONG THE NON-PATTERSON WALK-INS.

>> I THINK IT'S AMAZING.

YOU KNOW, EVERYONE SHOULD BE DOING THIS.

WE HAVE TO MOVE ALONG WITH THIS.

>> Reporter: WE ARE ACCOMMODATING NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS, BUT THERE ARE NO BOUNDARIES WHEN IT COMES TO THIS PANDEMIC.

>> IT IS GOOD BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE, ELDERLY PEOPLE, THEY JUST CAN'T GET APPOINTMENTS.

>> EVERYBODY CAN GET THE VACCINE RIGHT AWAY.

>> I REALIZED UNDER THE CURRENT CONDITIONS, THAT IF WE DO AN APPOINTMENT SYSTEM, WE WILL BE MORE EXCLUSIVE THAN INCLUSIVE.

YOU ARE WITNESSING HEALTH EQUITY IN MOTION HERE TODAY IN PATTERSON.

>> EVERYBODY HAS A TEMPERATURES CHECKS, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: PATTERSON HEALTH OFFICIALS AND THE MAYOR SAY THEY COULD OFFER MORE HEALTH EQUITY IF THEY HAD MORE VACCINES.

THEY BEGGED THE JUST SWORN IN BY DISSENTERS ADMINISTRATION FOR HELP.

>> WE SUPPORT YOUR EFFORT AND BOLD VISION TO VACCINATE 100 MILLION AMERICANS IN 100 DAYS, AND WE SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT USING THE DEFENSE PRODUCTION ACT TO ACCELERATE THAT SAME DISTRIBUTION, BUT WE NEED YOU TO SUPPORT US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE VACCINE, BECAUSE IT WAS WINSTON CHURCHILL WHO SAID, PRIOR TO AMERICANS ENTERING WORLD WAR II, "GIVE US THE TOOLS AND WE WILL FINISH THE JOB."

WE PARAPHRASE THE PRIME MINISTER BY SAYING MIKE GIVE US A VACCINE AND WE WILL FINISH THE JOB.

>> Reporter: PATTERSON WILL VACCINATE WALK-INS AGAIN ON THURSDAY, BUT ON FRIDAY IT IS FOR PATTERSON RESIDENTS ONLY, AND WHAT THE MAYOR SEES AS A RACE AGAINST TIME.

>> THIS IS A GLOBAL CRISIS.

THIS IS A HUMANITARIAN EFFORT, AND THIS IS A LIFE OR DEATH MATTER.

>> Reporter: IN PATTERSON, MICHAEL HILL, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> OF THE ROUGHLY 420,000 VACCINES GIVEN SO FAR, MORE THAN 34,000 WERE DOLED OUT IN ESSEX COUNTY.

IT IS THE SECOND HIGHEST OUT OF ANY OTHER IN THE STATE, ALL MANY LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS STRUGGLE TO ROLLOUT THEIR PROBLEM.

ESSEX HAS BENEFITED FROM A BIT AMBITIOUS PLAN, AND THE STRONG POLITICAL TIES OF ITS TOP EXECUTIVE, VACCINATING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE PER DAY WHILE RESIDENTS ELSEWHERE THAT ALL FRUSTRATIONS AND DELAYS IN SECURING APPOINTMENTS.

REASON SANTANA HAS THE STORY.

>>> I WANT TO HAVE A MANHATTAN AND GO TO A CASINO.

MAC 96-YEAR-OLD DENA LAFOND ALREADY HAS BIG PLANS ONCE SHE IS FULLY PROTECTED FROM COVID.

THE SOUTH ORANGE RESIDENT IS CONFIDENT SHE WILL HAVE THAT DRINK SOON BECAUSE SHE HAS RECEIVED HER FIRST ROUND OF THE MODERNA VACCINE, ALONG WITH OTHER EAGER ESSEX COUNTY RESIDENCE.

>> THIS IS LIKE FINDING GOLD.

ALL OF US ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE THIS.

>> THE NAME OF THE VACCINE YOU ARE RECEIVING TODAY IS MODERNA.

>> Reporter: THE ENTIRE PROCESS TAKES ABOUT 25 MINUTES AND SIGNS AND VOLUNTEERS HELP PEOPLE NAVIGATE THEIR WAY THROUGH THIS ABANDONED SEARS TURNED VACCINATION SITE.

>> ISSUE READY NUMBER EIGHT?

YOU CAN GO DOWN, LAST ONE ON THE RIGHT, NUMBER EIGHT.

>> DON'T LOOK.

>> I'M NOT LOOKING.

>> IT HAS BEEN, IT HAS BEEN LOCKED DOWN FATIGUE, AND WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN, YOU CAN'T HUG THEM.

IT MEANS A LOT AND I AM THRILLED.

>> Reporter: ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE SAYS HE IS ALSO THRILLED ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT HAS ENABLED STANCES OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE COUNTY TO RECEIVE A VACCINE.

>> WE HAD BE FIRST AND WE HAD A BE PREPARED BECAUSE WE HAD NO CHOICE.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF INFECTIONS HERE, OVER 55,000, 10% OF ALL OF WHAT NEW JERSEY IS.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DEATHS, OVER 2200.

>> Reporter: IT IS 14 DAYS, THEY WERE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 18,000 VACCINES, AT FIVE DIFFERENT SITES, INCLUDING AT THIS ONE HERE IN LIVINGSTON.

>> THE FIVE SITES ARE THE ONE YOU ARE IN NOW, SEARS AND LIVINGSTON, AND THEN WE HAVE KMART IN WEST ORANGE.

IN WEST CO. WELL WE HAVE OUR VOCATIONAL SCHOOL THERE, WHICH WE JUST BUILT AND IT IS WORKING OUT VERY WELL.

THEN WE HAVE ESSEX COUNTY COLLEGE, AND THEN WE HAVE OUR OTHER VOCATIONAL SCHOOL, THE DONALD PAYNE SCHOOL.

>> STRAIGHTFORWARD PROCESS.

THESE ARE THE VOLUNTEERS FOR TODAY.

>> Reporter: HEALTH OFFICER GAVE ME A TOUR OF THE VACCINATION SITE, WHICH SHE CALLS IN A WASTE FACILITY.

ANY LEFTOVER DOSES ARE GIVEN TO ONE OF THE NEARLY 50 VOLUNTEERS WERE TRANSFERRED TO LOCAL FACILITIES FOR UNIFORMED OFFICERS AND MEDICAL STAFF.

THE SITES HAVE OPERATED SMOOTHLY DURING THE FIRST ROUND, BUT THE NEXT BIG CHALLENGE IS SCHEDULING BECAUSE THE VACCINE IS ADMINISTERED INTO ROUNDS 28 DAYS APART.

>> THE BIGGEST STRUGGLE HERE THAT THE COUNTIES MAY BE WONDERING, OR HAVING QUESTIONS WITH, IS HOW TO LOGISTICALLY REGISTER INDIVIDUALS FOR TWO APPOINTMENTS, AND HOW TO MAKE SURE THESE PEOPLE ARE COMING BACK, RIGHT, AND THE NOTIFICATION PROCESS.

SO, OUR PROCESS IN EACH OF THE SITES IS EXACTLY THE SAME.

PREREGISTRATION, REGISTRATION, INOCULATION, CHARTING, AND MEDICAL MONITORING.

>> Reporter: SITE SUPERVISOR BREANNE BURNS SAYS SHE UNDERSIGNED'S WAY IS ADMINISTERED INTO FRUSTRATION FOR SOME, BUT SHE ASKED THAT YOU HAVE PATIENTS IF YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE MAKING AN APPOINTMENT.

>> WE CAN FIND YOU WITHIN OUR SYSTEM AND WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESSES OF HOW WE CAN GET YOU IN THERE.

TRY TO BE AS PATIENT AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO GET EVERYBODY VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: ANYBODY 18 OR OLDER WHO LIVES AND WORKS IN ESSEX COUNTY CAN RECEIVE THE VACCINE FREE OF CHARGE BY REGISTERING ONLINE.

HAVE ADDED ADDITIONAL CALLING CENTERS TO HELP ASSIST THOSE WHO MAY HAVE TROUBLE REGISTERING IN THE HOPES OF REACHING THE COUNTY'S GOAL OF VACCINATING 2000 PEOPLE PER DAY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> A STRONG START FOR THE LATEST READ OF COVID RELIEF FUNDING FOR BUSINESSES.

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

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF PPP LOANS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE ALREADY BEEN PROCESSED IN THE FIRST WEEK OF THE RENEWED SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM.

LAST WEEK, THE SBA WAS ONLY LOOKING AT LOANS FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS THAT WORK WITH UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

THE SBA DISTRICT DIRECTOR IN NEW JERSEY SAYS IT LOOKS LIKE MANY GARDEN STATE BUSINESSES APPLIED.

>> JUST TALKING TO LENDERS AND OTHER ENGAGED FOLKS, IT REALLY SEEMS A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE PUT IN FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF PPP.

SO, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AS YOU KNOW, IT WAS REALLY TARGETED TOWARDS SMALLER MINORITY AND DISADVANTAGED BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: ON THE JERSEY STATS ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE, THE SBA SAYS IT HAS PROCESSED ABOUT 60,000 LOANS NATIONALLY.

THE PPP PROGRAM IS NOW OPEN TO ANY PARTICIPATING LENDER.

PLANS BY COMCAST TO IMPOSE A DATA CAP ON INTERNET USERS IN NEW JERSEY HAS SOME STATE LAWMAKERS FIRED UP.

COMCAST IS SETTING A CAP OF 1.2 TERABYTES, AND OF CUSTOMERS EXCEED THAT, THEY WOULD BE CHARGED HIGHER FEES.

THE STATE SENATORS TROY SINGLETON AND ASSEMBLY MEMBERS, KURT CONAWAY AND CAROL MURPHY, HAVE ASKED COMCAST TO RECONSIDER, SAYING THE PLAN IS ILL-TIMED, AND INSENSITIVE, ESPECIALLY WITH SO MUCH REMOTE WORKING AND SCHOOLING GOING ON.

BILLIONAIRE INVESTOR CARL ICAHN HAS NIXED PLANS FOR AN AUCTION HOUSE TO SOLICIT BIDS TO BLOWUP THE FORMER TRUMP PLAZA CASINO IN ATLANTIC CITY, WHICH HE OWNS.

ICAHN SENT BUTNER'S AUCTION HOUSE A CEASE-AND-DESIST ORDER, SAYING THE PLANNED DEMOLITION WOULD BE A PUBLIC SPECTACLE, AND A POTENTIAL SAFETY RISK.

THEY HAD BEEN SEEKING THE BID SENSE A FUNDRAISER FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB BEFORE OF ATLANTIC CITY, BUT INSTEAD, ICAHN SAYS HE WILL MAKE A DONATION TO THAT GROUP.

A NEW DEMOLITION DATE FOR THE TRUMP PLAZA, WHICH WAS ONCE OWNED BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS SAID TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER THIS WEEK.

HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

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

♪ ♪ >>> 3 WEEKS INTO THE NEW YEAR, AND LAWMAKERS REMAINED DEADLOCKED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE OVER FINAL RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LEGISLATION.

THE CHIEF DISAGREEMENT REST WITH PENALTIES FOR UNDERAGE USE .

NOW TO LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE INTRODUCING A SOLUTION, A BILL REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO TEACH STUDENTS ABOUT THE RISKS OF USING THE LEGALIZE DRUG.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: IT IS MORE THAN 2 NONSENSE VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY CHOSE TO LEGALIZE THE RECREATIONAL USE OF MARIJUANA, AND IN THOSE 2 MONTHS, LEGISLATORS HAVE FAILED TO GET THE INDUSTRY OFF THE GROUND.

>> IS A LONGTIME EDUCATOR, I WASN'T CRAZY ABOUT THE IDEA, BUT I UNDERSTAND ECONOMICALLY.

>> Reporter: THE MAIN STICKING POINT FOR ERIC SIMONSON AND MANY OTHERS REMAINS THE SAME.

THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

>> Reporter: DO YOU FEAR THAT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE CIGARETTES MAY HAPPEN WITH THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT IS WHY THE ASSEMBLY MAN SPONSORED A BILL HEADING TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE IN BOTH HOUSES TO STRENGTHEN CURRENT HEALTH EDUCATION FOR THIRD THROUGH 12th GRADE.

THE BILL WOULD UPDATE THE LEARNING STANDARDS TO INCLUDE THE EFFECTS OF THC, A PSYCHO IF SO SINCE IN MARIJUANA THAT PRODUCES THE HIGH ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING MARIJUANA, AND WHICH CAN ALSO LEAD TO CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DEPRESSION, AND THE RISKS OF DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF CANNABIS OR MARIJUANA PRODUCTS.

>> NOW THAT THE STIGMA HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM MARIJUANA, AND IT WILL BE OBVIOUSLY MORE PREVALENT IN HOMES THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE KNOW THE DANGERS OF THE THC.

>> A BUNCH OF LEGISLATORS OF NEW IDEAS ON THIS ISSUE.

PHENOMENAL, RIGHT?

CANNABIS POLICY IS A WHOLE NEW WORLD IN TERMS OF WHERE WE GO.

WE NEED TO GET A LOT.

WE NEED TO GET THE STATUTE CREATED.

WE ARE IN THIS CONSTITUTIONAL TORMENT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR HAS TWO BILLS ON HIS DESK ON THE CONIZATION AND LEGALIZATION THAT HE BELIEVES HAS UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES FOR KIDS AND TEENS, ESPECIALLY MINORITIES AND THOSE IN UNDERSERVED AREAS.

THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE YET TO BE SIDE.

>> WE DON'T WANT ANYMORE KIDS, PARTICULARLY KIDS OF COLOR, GETTING TANGLED UP IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THAT IS THE LAST THING WE NEED.

SECONDLY, NOBODY HAS EVER, INCLUDING YOURS TRULY EMMA SPOKE ABOUT LEGALIZING MARIJUANA , RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA, FOR KIDS.

WE HAVE HAD CONSTRUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT BACK AND FORTH.

WE JUST HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO RESPECT BOTH OF THOSE PRINCIPLES.

AGAIN, I REMAIN OPTIMISTIC.

>> e-CIGARETTES ARE A DIFFERENT BACK.

NICOTINE IS A HIGHLY ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE, AND IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY UNREGULATED ON SO MANY LEVELS.

CANNABIS IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

CANNABIS HAS BEEN OVERREGULATED FOR GENERATIONS.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN EVERY JURISDICTION THAT CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HAS OCCURRED IS THAT GENIUS HAS GONE DOWN.

WE DON'T HAVE TO REINVENT THIS WHEEL.

>> Reporter: L CARUSO IS A LAWYER AND CANNABIS REFORM ACTIVIST.

>> THERE ARE SOME PROMINENT OPPONENTS OF LEGALIZATION I CONTINUE TO HOLD OUT, AND THAT IS ONE OF THE AND PENITENCE IS GETTING THE CLEANUP BUILT ON.

>> Reporter: THE STATES HAVE TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO DEFINE ANY PARAMETERS THAT WILL BUILD THE NEW INDUSTRY BEFORE ANY BUSINESS APPLICATIONS ON THE RECREATIONAL SIDE CAN BEGIN.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> FOR MORE ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S IMPACT ON NEW JERSEY, CATCH "CHATBOX" WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ , TOMORROW NIGHT LIVE AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

HE SPEAKS WITH DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR EDDIE GLO JUNIOR, CHAIR OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES AT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY, ABOUT THE WORK AHEAD FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN TO REPAIR A DIVIDED NATION.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME TO CHATBOX@NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , OR JUST ASK THEM LIVE DURING THE SHOW.

I AM BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM , THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US ON THIS HISTORIC DAY.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> DAY AFTER DAY, WE RELY ON ELECTRICITY FOR ALL OF THE ORDINARY THINGS IN OUR LIVES.

AND FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY.

>> MOM.

>> A SWEETIE, HOW ARE YOU?

TELL ME ABOUT THE GAME.

>> I SCORED TWO GOALS.

B. MAC THAT'S MY BOY.

>> AND PSE&G, OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU NOW IS MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER.

>>> I'M KAYLA AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR.

TO TEACH.

TO PROTECT HER.

AND TO TAKE CARE OF ME, TO.

I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE THAT IS THE SAME, THAT MAKES THINGS EASIER FOR MY SCHEDULE.

SO I CAN FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS.

THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

AND HIM.

AND HER.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS TO DO IT FROM ANYWHERE.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24/7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELE-META-, OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO LOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH A RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH MEDICAL GROUP PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST , EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION, AND SO IF WE.

DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH , LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

>>> ♪