>>> FUNDING PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOL RATE FOR EVERY CHILD.

OUR WJ PART IS HEALTH.

THIS IS HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, 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 VANNOZZI.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> NEW JERSEY'S COVID CASES CONTINUE TO FALL FROM THE HIGHER LEVELS WE SAW EARLIER THIS FALL.

TODAY, THE STATE REPORTED ABOUT 4500 NEW CONFIRMED POSITIVE CASES, ALONG WITH 151 ADDITIONAL DEBTS.

THE STATE'S SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE FOR NEW POSITIVE TEST IS DOWN 47% FROM A WEEK AGO.

>>> NEWS TODAY FROM VACCINE MAKER PFIZER, THE COMPANY AND ITS PARTNER, BIONTECH, HAVE BECOME A CLINICAL TRIAL FOR A VACCINE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE OMICRON VARIANT.

WILL RESEARCH SHOWS THE BOOSTERS AVAILABLE NOW PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL OF PROTECTION AGAINST THE VARIANT, PFIZER SAYS THEY RECOGNIZE THE NEED TO BE PREPARED IF THE PROTECTION WANES OVER TIME AND TO POTENTIALLY HELP ADDRESS OMICRON IN NEW VARIANTS IN THE FUTURE.

VACCINE AND OTHER MANDATES CONTINUE TO FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES.

A NEW YORK STATE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE STOPPED THE MASK MANDATE, ALTHOUGH THE NEW YORK JUDGE GOVERNOR IS PLANNING AN APPEAL.

AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CORRECTIONAL POLICE OFFICERS IS SEEKING TO DELAY THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING THAT WORKERS AT HEALTHCARE FACILITIES AND OTHER CONGREGANTS SETTINGS BE UP TO DATE ON THE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS, INCLUDING A BOOSTER DOSE.

MEANWHILE, THOSE WHO STAFF HEALTHCARE AND OTHER FACILITIES ARE SAYING THE MANDATE WILL JUST MAKE THEIR STAFFING PROBLEMS WORSE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> THEY PUSH YOU AGAINST THE WALL TO SHOOT TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: DO YOU KNOW SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE GOING TO WALK?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: AMY REEVES IS WORD.

SHE MANAGES THE DAY PROGRAM FOR SOME 30 SPECIAL NEEDS CLIENTS AND SAYS STAFF WHO HAVE RESISTED GETTING COVID SHOTS ARE NOW THREATENING TO QUIT OVER GOVERNOR MURPHY'S RECENT VACCINATION AND BOOSTER MANDATE .

SHE CAN'T SAY NO.

>> I AM STILL MANDATED TO GET THE BOOSTER.

I WASN'T PLANNING ON GETTING IT.

I HAVE NO CHOICE.

I HAVE FOUR KIDS.

I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GET IT UNLESS I WANT TO LOSE MY JOB.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT THE MANDATE DRAWS PEOPLE AWAY, THE CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY ARE GOING TO START TO CHANGE.

SHE OVERSEES GROUP HOMES.

LIKE MANY SERVICE AGENCIES THAT HAVE STRUGGLED WITH STAFFING SHORTAGES DURING THE PANDEMIC, SHE FEARS THAT AN EMPLOYEE EXIT IS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S FEBRUARY 16 DEADLINE APPROACHES.

SHE WANTS MORE TIME TO COPE WITH THE FALLOUT.

>> HAVING GRIEVING ROOM, TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION ONE-ON-ONE WITH ALL EMPLOYEES WHO ARE HESITANT, AND TO START TO BUILD A PIPELINE TO GET PEOPLE IN THE DOOR SO THAT WE CAN BRACE OURSELVES FOR WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE , THAT WOULD MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

>> Referee: THEY PROGRAMS ARE CLOSING THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

A RECENT SURVEY OF HER ASSOCIATION MEMBERS SHOWS A LOOMING CRISIS.

ALMOST HALF OF 65 AGENCIES PROVIDING SPECIAL NEEDS DAYCARE AND HOUSING REPORTS THAT VACANCY RATES APPROACHING 30%.

HER ASSOCIATION JUST STICK GOVERNOR MURPHY A LETTER ASKING HIM TO RESEND THE ORDER, SO AS NOT TO FURTHER ABRUPT THE SYSTEM.

IF THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE, PLEASE DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF 21, ALLOWING AGENCIES TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN STAFF.

ABOUT 11,000 NEW JERSEY SPECIAL- NEEDS STATIONS RELY ON THESE.

IF A CLOSE, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

ARE THEY STAY-AT-HOME?

>> THEIR FAMILY HAS TO MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT.

>> WE KNOW, SADLY, HISTORY OF THIS PANDEMIC, THAT THE INFECTION RUNS WILD IN THESE PLACES.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS WHAT HE CALLS, A REASONABLE MURRAY TO GET STAFF UP TO SPEED AND NOTED THAT THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD PRESIDENT BY IN SIMILAR ACT FOR HEALTHCARE EMPLOYEES.

THE OMICRON SEARCH HAS SICKENED MANY HEALTHCARE WORKERS, PLACING FURTHER STRESS ON STAFF.

OPPOSITION TO THE MANDATE IS SPREADING.

>> IT'S JUST NOT FAIR.

IT'S COMPLETELY NOT FAIR.

WE HAVE CHOICES.

AND NOW YOU ARE TAKING ANOTHER ONE AWAY.

>> Reporter: NEWLY ELECTED ASSEMBLY WOMAN BETHANN McCARTHY WORKS AS A PAID EMT.

SHE SAYS HER OFFICE HAS BEEN ANTEDATED.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO QUIT, OR THEY ARE GOING TO BE FIRED.

THIS IS THEIR LIVELIHOOD.

THEY HAVE GOTTEN INTO THIS TO HELP PEOPLE.

IT WAS A CALLING.

BELIEVE ME, IT IS A CALLING.

>> WE BELIEVE VERY DEEPLY IN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

>> Reporter: THIS ATTORNEY IS GOING TO BAT FOR UNION LOCALS ACROSS THE STATE.

NEW JERSEY'S APPELLATE DIVISION HAVE AGREED TO HEAR ARGUMENTS ON WHETHER TO STAY THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER AND ON ITS LEGALITY.

THE NARROW SUPREME COURT REALLY ONLY COVERED HEALTH CARE AND RELATED FIELDS AND DIDN'T INVOLVE BOOSTERS.

>> WE THINK HE IS OVERSTEPPING HIS BOUNDS IN REGARD TO WHAT HE IS TRYING TO ACHIEVE.

LET'S FACE IT, WE ARE TWO YEARS INTO HIS PANDEMIC.

THERE'S NOT MUCH OUT THERE THAT IS GOING TO BE CHANGING THEIR MINDS.

>> Reporter: HE WARNS, MANY OFFICERS WILL RETIRE OR QUIT.

AMY REEVES UNDERSTANDS.

>> LAST YEAR, THE SAME PEOPLE EVERYONE WAS SAYING OUR HEROES ARE THE SAME PEOPLE ABOUT TO LOSE THEIR JOBS.

>> Reporter: I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> IT WAS BACK TO CLASS FOR THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY STUDENTS AFTER A POSTHOLIDAY SEARCH IN COVID CASES FORCED MANY DISTRICTS TO TEMPORARILY SWITCH TO REMOTE LEARNING.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AS OF MONDAY, JUST 28 DISTRICTS WERE PROVIDING REMOTE INSTRUCTION.

ALL OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS HAD RESUMED IN-PERSON CLASSES.

AS JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE RETURN TO IN-PERSON LEARNING AS COVID NUMBERS DROP, ALTHOUGH THEY NOW HAVE TO ADJUST TO THE LATEST CDC GUIDANCE ON QUARANTINES SHOULD A STUDENT OR STAFF MEMBER BECOME ILL WITH COVID.

>> THE TWO-WEEK TIME PERIOD, IN OUR VIEW, KNOWING THAT WE WENT FROM HUNDREDS BEFORE WINTER BREAK TO THOUSANDS OF STAFF MEMBERS AFTER CHRISTMAS AND AFTER NEW YEAR'S.

>> Reporter: TODAY, JUST 54 STAFF ARE COVID POSITIVE, WHICH MEANS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ARE BACK TO TEACHING STUDENTS IN PERSON AFTER BEING REMOTE THE FIRST TWO WEEKS IN JANUARY.

PATTERSON ALSO STARTED THE REMOTE AND EXTENDED THERE'S THROUGH LAST WEEK.

>> UP UNTIL AROUND THE SECOND WEEK IN DECEMBER, WE WERE AVERAGING ANYWHERE FROM 35 TO 40 PATIENTS A WEEK.

THE SECOND WEEK OF DECEMBER, WE SAW THAT NUMBER DOUBLE.

AND THEN THE WEEK BEFORE THE BREAK, THINGS REALLY GOT BAD.

AND SO WE DECIDED TO FOUR MORE DAYS AND BE ABLE TO COME BACK IN VERY GOOD SHAPE YESTERDAY.

I WENT AROUND TO SOME OF THE SCHOOLS.

I TALKED WITH THE STAFF.

I TALKED WITH STUDENTS.

EVERYONE WAS HAPPY TO BE BACK.

>> THE SIGNATURES ARE FINALLY COMING DOWN AROUND THE STATE.

AT THEIR PEAK, DISTRICTS WERE GRAPPLING WITH THE NUMBERS COMING DOWN WEEKLY AND DAILY.

ONE KEY CHANGE SHORTENED QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION PERIODS FOR EXPOSED ARE COVID POSITIVE PEOPLE TO JUST FIVE DAYS.

>> WE AS A GROUP, FEEL THAT THAT WAS A VERY TRUNCATED, SURPRISING MOVE, TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF DAYS OF ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE, GIVEN THAT WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THIS OMICRON SURGE.

THAT CLEARLY IMPACTS CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE NEW GUIDANCE HAS LEFT SCHOOL NURSES SCRATCHING THEIR HEADS.

>> PART OF THIS REALLY FELT THAT IT WAS A RESPONSE TO INDUSTRY, A RESPONSE TO THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY, SAY INCOME WE ARE DROWNING HERE.

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE.

WE CAN'T HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE QUARANTINING AND ISOLATING.

AND CLEARLY, IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS A RESPONSE TO THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

WITH THE AIRLINE CEOs MET PRIVATELY, NOT SO PRIVATELY, WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF, YOU KNOW, THE CDC -- >> Reporter: SHE SAID THE SHORTENED QUARANTINE TIME FOR MAKING IT EVEN HARDER FOR SCHOOL NURSES TO CONTACT TRACE THE EXPOSURES BEFORE THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NUMBER OF AT-HOME TEST BEING TAKEN.

>> I WAS HESITANT WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THE CHANGE, SHORTENING THE QUARANTINE PERIOD BECAUSE WE WERE AT SUCH A BAD PLACE WITH OMICRON.

BUT I CAN NOW SEE WHY THEY MADE THE DECISION.

IT CERTAINLY HELPS WITH STAFFING AND JUST GETTING STUDENTS BACK INTO SCHOOL.

BUT YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES EXACTLY.

AND THAT MEANS, SYMPTOM-FREE, NEGATIVE TEST, WEARING A MASK THAT IS TIGHT FITTED.

>> Reporter: BUT WHILE MUCH OF THE NEW GUIDANCE HAS RELAXED SCHOOL RESEARCHERS, ONE CHANGE ADDS IMITATIONS INTO WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE SHORT TIME AWAY FROM SCHOOL, AND IT IS BASED ON VACCINATION STATUS.

>> THEY ARE NOT USING FULLY VACCINATED ANYMORE.

THEY ARE SAYING PRIMARY SERIES COMPLETED, WHICH IS THE B TWO mRNA VACCINES OR THE J&J VACCINE.

THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UP-TO- DATE, THOSE ARE THE EXACT TERMS, UP-TO-DATE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE ALSO HAD A BOOSTER.

>> Reporter: DO YOU HAVE A PLAN TO ADAPT OR REJECT THAT GUIDANCE?

A STUDENT HAS TO BE QUARANTINED HOW MANY OF HER DAYS IT IS NOW, FIVE DAYS I GUESS?

>> IF THEY ARE NOT BOOSTED.

>> ANY STUDENT WHO HAS BOTH OF THEIR PFIZER OR BOTH OF THEIR MADONNA OR SINGLE JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS HOW WE DEFINE THAT THEY ARE, IN FACT, VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THAT ALL DISTRICTS HAVE, OR PLAN TO ADOPT THE CHANGE.

PATTERSON IS STILL CONSIDERING IT, AND WILL MAKE THE DECISION NEXT WEEK.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> JUST OUT SAFE IS YOUR DRINKING WATER?

2021 WAS THE FIRST YEAR THE WATER SYSTEMS IN NEW JERSEY WERE REQUIRED TO TEST FOR HIGH LEVELS OF PFOA AND PFOS, TWO COMPOUNDS AMONG THOUSANDS IN A TOXIC FAMILY CALLED PFAS, OR FOREVER CHEMICALS.

THE EXTENSIVE CONTAMINATION FROM THOSE CHEMICALS AND GARDEN STATE DRINKING WATER.

THE RESULTS?

MORE THAN 30 WATER SYSTEMS SERVING MORE THAN 500,000 PEOPLE IN 13 COUNTIES HAVE REPORTED VIOLATIONS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON THE SCOPE OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW IT MAY BE SOLVED.

>> WHEN YOU READ SOMETHING LIKE THIS, AND IT IS SET UP TO NOW, IT IS ALARMING.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR DESCRIBING RESIDENCE' REACTION AFTER FINDING OUT THE DRINKING WATER CONTAINED HIGH LEVELS OF TOXIC CHEMICALS KNOWN AS PFOS.

MAILERS ARE SENT HOME CONCERNING THE LEVEL OF PFOS IN THE WELL NUMBER 19.

EXCEEDING THE STATE LIMIT.

>> THE ENGINEERING FIRM EXPLAINED IT THE BEST.

20 OLYMPIC -SIZED SWIMMING POOLS , ONE DROP.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

BUT IT IS A STATE REGULATION WE NEED TO ABIDE BY.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO FIX THE WELL FOR THIS IS.

>> Reporter: PFOS, ALONG WITH RELATED CHEMICALS, PFOA IN PFNA, ARE PART OF A FAMILY OF MAN-MADE PRODUCT CALLED PFAS.

THEY ARE IN THE PACKAGING AND FIREFIGHTING PHONE.

THEY ARE ALSO POPPING UP IN DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

THERE IS A LINK TO SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES LIKE CANCER.

>> NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE PFOS ISSUE BUT WE HAVE SCIENTISTS WHOSE ENTIRE JOB IS TO LOOK FOR A PROBLEM, AND WHEN WE FIND IT, MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING OUR RESIDENTS FROM IT.

>> Reporter: THE EP COMMISSIONER , ACKNOWLEDGING THE STATE IN REFERENCE TO MAKE SURE PFOS LEVELS ARE SAFE.

NO STANDARDS FOR PFOA AND PFOS WERE PUT IN PLACE IN 2020.

STANDARDS WERE CREATED IN 2018.

WERE SYSTEMS BASED VIOLATION OF THE QUARTERLY AVERAGES FOR ANY OF THE CHEMICALS ARE TOO HIGH FOR A YEAR.

TO DATE, 34 COMMUNITY DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE VIOLATION.

THEY ARE LOCATED IN 13 TO THE STATES' 21 COUNTIES, AFFECTING NEARLY 550,000 PEOPLE.

MIDDLESEX WATER, WHICH SERVES MULTIPLE TOWNS IN MIDDLESEX COUNTY, TOPPING THE LIST, WITH OVER 230,000 RESIDENTS AFFECTED.

>> AT THOSE LEVELS EXCEED THE STANDARD THAT WE HAVE SENT TO PROTECT HUMAN HEALTH, THEN THE WATER SYSTEMS MUST INSTITUTE TECHNOLOGY OR SWITCH WATER SOURCES TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC IS NOT BEING DELIVERED WATER THAT IS LADEN WITH PFOS CHEMICALS AT AN UNACCEPTABLE AMOUNT, BOTH OF WHICH HAVE A COST.

THE COST OF THE WATER SYSTEMS IN THE RESIDENCE OF NEW JERSEY SHOULD NOT PAY, BECAUSE THE COST OF SHORING WHAT HAS BEFALLEN HER WATER SHOULD BE BORNE BY THOSE WHO CAUSED IT.

>> >> Reporter: TAKING AN ADVERSARY STEPS TO MEET THE COMPLIANCE STANDARDS COULD TAKE SOME TIME.

>> SOME OF THE KEY FACTORS ARE GOING TO BE LAB CAPABILITY, WHETHER THERE IS ENOUGH LABS TO DO THE TESTING.

VERY EXPENSIVE TESTING EQUIPMENT, VERY SPECIALIZED.

I THINK THE DT HAS TO LOOK AT THAT INCREASE LAB CAPABILITY.

WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING INTO LOOKING INTO DRINKING WATER.

WE ARE GOING TO START LOOKING AT SOURCE WATER.

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT PFOS IN WASTEWATER AND AIR POLLUTION.

THE TEST WATER REQUIREMENTS, THEY ARE GOING TO START INCREASING.

A LOT OF TESTING REQUIREMENTS IN ORDER TO MEET THE STANDARDS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE LABS THAT ARE CAPABLE OF TESTING FOR THIS.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS THEY ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THE LEVEL OF THE 16 MEETS STATE GUIDELINES.

THE WORK COULD TAKE 18 MONTHS TO COMPLETE DUE TO DELAYS GETTING THE PARTS NEEDED BECAUSE OF COVID.

RESIDENTS ARE BEING ADVISED TO USE A HOME FILTER SYSTEM IN THE MEANTIME, BEFORE DRINKING WATER FROM THE TAP.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS," I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> NEW JERSEY GETS ANOTHER INJECTION OF FEDERAL FUNDING TO FIX ITS AGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE PRESIDENT IN TRILLION DOLLAR PLAY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ENJOYED U.S.

SENATORS BOB AND IT IS AND CORY BOOKER ALONG WITH BILL PASCRELL TO ANNOUNCE PLANS TO UPGRADE THE BRIDGE OVER THE HACKENSACK RIVER.

AS SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS, TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT CAME WITH SOME PARTISAN POLITICS.

>> Reporter: THINGS LIKE THIS ARE TAKING PLACE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

DEMOCRATS SEE THE ON REPUBLICAN STEADY ON THE SIDES OF BRIDGES TRUMPING THE VICTORY OF PRESIDENT BIDEN IN TRILLION DOLLAR INTERCEPTOR AND SHOPVAC, WHICH PROVIDED FUNDS TO MAKE THIS PROJECT, REPLACING THE BRIDGE OVER THE HACKENSACK, A REALITY.

>> OUR PREVIOUS PRESIDENT TALK A LOT ABOUT INTERCEPTOR, BUT HE NEVER DELIVERED.

AS I HAVE SAID IN THE PAST, PRESIDENT TRUMP CARED MORE ABOUT BUILDING WALLS THAN STURDIER BRIDGES.

IT TOOK A DEMOCRATIC RESIDENT IT A DEMOCRATIC HOUSE AND SENATE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> YOU BETTER WRITE ABOUT IT AND TALK ABOUT IT.

WE GO TO OPEN UP A BRIDGE OR START WORKING ON A MAJOR ROAD, AND THE REPUBLICANS SHOW UP.

THEY HAD THE -- I AM GOING TO BE POLITICAL TODAY.

HA HA.

THEY SHOW UP AT THE EVENT.

TO CUT THE RIBBON OR TURNOVER THE DIRT.

NOT ONE OF THEM VOTED FOR THIS.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS HERE TODAY, THE BRIDGE IN QUESTION BUILT A CENTURY AGO, HIS ESTATE'S TOP PRIORITY ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS, WHICH WILL TAKE A COUPLE OF YEARS TO DESIGN AND BE READY TO CROSS AND FIVE YEARS, MADE POSSIBLE BY A $1.5 BILLION IN FUSION OF FEDERAL MONEY.

>> THAT WAS BEHIND ME IS IN THE WORST CONDITION OF ANY CONDITION IN THE STATE.

WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.

IN EAST TO BE REPLACED SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

AND BECAUSE OF THE EFFORTS OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, WE HAVE FIVE YEARS TO GET THIS PROJECT UP AND IN.

>> Reporter: NJDOT COMMISSIONER, DIANE GUTIERREZ- SCACCETTI, ADDED THAT THE BRIDGE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE A LIGHT RAIL COMPONENT, BUILT INTO THE DESIGN OF THE NEW BRIDGE, IN THE HOPES THAT SEEMS LIKE THIS, FANS STRANDED ON PLATFORMS AFTER SHOWS AT THE MEADOWLANDS, WHATEVER BE REPEATED.

>> THERE IS A MISNOMER THAT IN TRANSPORTATION, WE ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN BETTER AND BETTER ROADS.

WE ARE INTERESTED IN A TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM THAT SERVES EVERYONE.

WE HAVE A VISION THAT SAYS YOU CAN COME FROM BOSTON OR WASHINGTON, TAKE A NICE TRAINRIDE, AND HOP ON A MONORAIL -TYPE SYSTEM THAT MAY ALLOW YOU TO TRAVEL ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITHOUT BEING IN YOUR CAR.

>> WHILE THE MONEY TO REBUILD THE BRIDGES ASSURED, THE LIGHT RAIL PLAN WOULD BE, AS THEY SAY IN THE TRAIN BUSINESS, DOWN THE LINE.

WHEN CONGRESS GETS TOGETHER AGAIN TO VOTE ON ANOTHER BIG BIPARTISAN TRANSFORMATIONAL BILL , WHATEVER THAT IS.

I AM DAVID CRUZ , "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> A-DELAYED LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE RACIALLY- SEGREGATED MAKEUP OF NEW JERSEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS ABOUT TO MOVE FORWARD.

A STATE SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE HAS SCHEDULED ORAL ARGUMENT IN THE CASE FOR EARLY MARCH AFTER THE PLAINTIFF FILED THEIR FINAL BRIEF LAST WEEK.

THEY ARE CHALLENGING WHAT THEY SAY IS THE STATE'S DEFENSE OF RACIAL IMBALANCES IN NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS.

OUR EDUCATIONAL WRITER, JOHN MOONEY, JOINTLY WITH HIS REPORTING.

JOHN, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS AT THE HEART OF THIS CASE?

WHAT IS THE ARGUMENT BEING MADE BY THE PLAINTIFF?

>> IT STARTS WITH OUR STATE CONSTITUTION, WHICH BANS SEGREGATED SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT DATES BACK TO THE 1940s.

IT'S BEEN A LONG-RUNNING ISSUE THAT DESPITE THAT, THERE HAVE BEEN CERTAINLY POCKETS OF SEGREGATION, IF NOT WIDESPREAD SEGREGATION, IN NEW JERSEY FOR DECADES.

EVENTUALLY, I THINK IN 2018, THE LATINO ACTION NETWORK, AS WELL AS OTHER GROUPS, BANDED TOGETHER TO FILE THIS LAWSUIT AGAINST NEW JERSEY.

WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY, AND OUR NUMBERS BEAR IT OUT, WHERE A LOT OF BLACK AND NEW LATINO KIDS ARE GOING TO SCHOOLS THAT ARE PREDOMINANTLY BLACK AND LATINO.

THE THING FOR WHITE STUDENTS.

THE ARGUMENT IS THAT SEGREGATION IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO BE TEACHING, SEGREGATED SCHOOLS IS NOT A GOOD WAY TO BE TEACHING STUDENTS.

THEY ARE GOING TO COURT FOR IT.

>> Reporter: WHAT DOES THE STATE SAY ABOUT SCHOOL DIVERSITY?

>> WELL, I MEAN, IT DEPENDS ON THE ADMINISTRATION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY CERTAINLY HAS DECRIED THE FACT THAT NEW JERSEY HAS THESE NUMBERS.

I THINK WE ARE ARGUABLY, IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU DO THE MATH, BUT THE SIXTH MOST SEGREGATED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY.

THE TOUGH PART IS, WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT IT?

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT IT?

RIGHT NOW, WE ARE IN COURT TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO DO IT.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE NOW, WITH ARGUMENTS COMING UP IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO, ABOUT A MONTH AND A WEEK.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU.

WHAT'S BEEN DONE IN THE PAST TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE RACIAL BALANCE AT LEAST MOVE THE NEEDLE A LITTLE BIT.

>> WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN NEW JERSEY SINCE BROWN VERSUS BOARD OF EDUCATION ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WHAT'S HAPPENED IN NEW JERSEY IS SORT OF DISTRICT BY DISTRICT.

MORRIS TOWNSHIP, MONTCLAIR , YOU KNOW , INGLEWOOD , PLAINFIELD IS A BIG CASE IN NEW JERSEY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES.

THE PUSH HAS BEEN TO TAKE IT DISTRICT BY DISTRICT.

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO DEAL WITH IT MORE ON A THAT'S GOING TO BE THE ISSUE STATEWIDE LEVEL.FOR THE COURT TO DECIDE.

>> Reporter: WHAT TO OTHER ADVOCATES SAY ABOUT THIS APPROACH AS YOU LOOK AT THINGS AT THE STATEWIDE LEVEL?

>> WHAT IS VERY INTERESTING , NEW JERSEY ALREADY HAS A VERY STRONG SCHOOL EQUITY RULING HISTORY.

THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOME DEBATE ON HOW MUCH RACE AND SEGREGATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN PART OF THAT CASE.

WHAT THAT DID WAS IT GAINED A LOT OF FUNDING, A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SUPPORT, FOR BEEN DISTRICTS, WHICH ARE LARGELY DISTRICTS OF COLOR.

I WOULDN'T SAY THEY ARE COMPETING AGAINST EACH OTHER, BUT THEY ARE SOMEWHERE ON PARALLEL TRACKS.

>> Reporter: WE ALWAYS HEAR THIS NARRATIVE.

KEVIN MURPHY HAS THAT WE HAVE THE BEST SCHOOLS IN THE COUNTRY, THAT OUR EDUCATION IS ABOVE OTHER STATES.

IS THAT TRUE?

CAN THAT BE TRUE IF WE ARE SEEING DISCRIMINATION?

>> YOU RAISE A VERY GOOD POINT.

ON AVERAGE, WE SPEND MORE THAN OTHER STATES, IN SOME CASES , BY FAR.

OUR PERFORMANCE IS VERY STRONG.

BUT THERE ARE WIDE GAPS.

CERTAINLY, SEGREGATION PLAYS A ROLE ON THAT.

>> Reporter: JOHN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

I KNOW YOU WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT CLOSELY FOR US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IN TONIGHT'S SPOTLIGHT ON THIS IS, NEW JERSEY HAS APPROVED THE FIRST COMPANY TO TAKE BETS ON COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMES, OR E-SPORTS.

THE DIVISION OF GAMING ENFORCEMENT GRANTED APPROVAL TO E-SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, WHICH IS GETTING READY TO LAUNCH THE BEDDING PLATFORM WITHIN DAYS.

THE COMPANY WILL BE EVALUATED WITH VALLEY'S ATLANTIC CITY CASINO LICENSE, BUT IT WILL ONLY TAKE BETS ON E-SPORTS.

CUSTOMERS ON THE E-SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM WILL BE ABLE TO BETTER MOTHER PEOPLE PLAYING GAMES, INCLUDING CALL OF DUTY AND LEAGUE OF LEGENDS.

E-SPORTS IS POPULAR WITH YOUNGER PEOPLE, AND THOSE INVOLVED SAY IS GOT HUGE GROWTH POTENTIAL.

THE CEO OF E-SPORTS CENTER, WHICH HAS AN OFFICE IN HOBOKEN, SAYS BETTING ON E-SPORTS IS EXPECTED TO REACH $205 BILLION IN JUST FIVE YEARS.

WHILE E-SPORTS IS THE FIRST COMPANY THE STATE APPROVED TO TAKE BETS, NEW JERSEY REGULATORS HAVE GIVEN APPROVAL IN THE PAST FOR INDIVIDUAL E-SPORTS EVENTS OR TOURNAMENTS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT TODAY'S CLOSING NUMBERS FROM WALL STREET.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, AND CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL PLATFORMS, WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH A VERY LATEST NEWS THAT IS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE TONIGHT, AND WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

AND BY THE PSEG FOUNDATION.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL TEACHER TO GET 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 AN NJEA MEMBER.