>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION , TAKING 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, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MICHAEL HILL INFO BREANA VANNOZZI.

TONIGHT, THE STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER IS IN QUARANTINE AFTER A STAFF MEMBER TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

IN A STATEMENT, THEY SAID THE 71-YEAR-OLD COMMISSIONER HAS NO SYMPTOMS, AND HER OFFICE WILL FOLLOW CDC GUIDANCE FOR A THOROUGH CLEANING.

>>> THIS DATE IS REPORTING JUST SHY OF ANOTHER 4000 NEW COVID CASES.

TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES NOW STAND AT MORE THAN 610,000.

ANOTHER 82 CONFIRMED COVID DEBTS RINGS THE TOTAL TO JUST MORE THAN 21,300 CONFIRMED AND PROBABLE FATALITIES.

ALL THE VACCINE ROLLOUT CONTINUES TO MOVE MORE SLOWLY THAN MOST WOULD HOPE FOR, MORE THAN 680,000 DOSES HAVE NOW BEEN ADMINISTERED PEER COUNTRIES OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYANS ARE CLAMORING TO GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19, EVEN TO GET THEIR FIRST DOSE.

LIMITED SUPPLY HAS SPARKED A DEBATE ABOUT USING SECOND DOSES FOR FIRST-TIME SHOTS, AND IT MIGHT BE TOO LATE TO ADMINISTER THE BOOSTER FOR THOSE ALREADY WAITING FOR THEIR SECOND SHOTS.

FOR MANY WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE COVETED FIRST DOSE, ANOTHER HURDLE STILL REMAINS, GETTING AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FINAL BOOSTER SHOT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT LINDA FLANAGAN EXPLAINS.

>>> ONCE YOU GET THAT FIRST DOSE, THEN YOU COME TIME SENSITIVE.

>>> THE CLOCK STARTS TICKING.

>>> YOU ARE ON THE CLOCK AND COMPETING AGAINST EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: GREG LEMLEY GOT AN APPOINTMENT TUESDAY TO NEW JERSEY'S ONLINE VACCINE SCHEDULING SYSTEM FOR HIS FIRST VACCINATION AT MONO TOWNSHIP SENIOR CENTER.

HE GOT IN LINE WITH ABOUT 150 PEOPLE, AND I WHERE HE NEEDED A SECOND DOSE WITHIN 28 DAYS, ASTON ORGANIZER.

>> THESE TELL ME THE PROCEDURE FOR COMING AWAY TODAY WITH MY SECOND APPOINTMENT FOR THE DOSE , FOR THE SECOND SHOT.

AND SHE SAID, YOU WON'T GET THAT HERE.

>> I AM WORRIED I WON'T GET THE SECOND APPOINTMENT.

>> Reporter: BOBBY JEAN GOT HER FIRST SHOT AT MONROE, BUT NO FOLLOW-UP APPOINTMENT.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO TO BELIEVE EMMA BUT I HAVE BEEN ONLINE FIVE TIMES PER DAY TRYING TO SCORE THAT SECOND APPOINTMENT AND HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: IT RAISES THIS QUESTION, DO WE RUN THE RISK OF PEOPLE MISSING THEIR SECOND DOSE?

>> WE DO RUN THAT RISK IF WE DON'T MAKE THIS SYSTEMATIZED IN A WAY THAT, WHEN YOU GET YOUR FIRST DOSE, YOU GET SCHEDULED FOR YOUR SECOND DOSE.

>> Reporter: CLAIRE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS SHOW THAT ONLY ONE DOSE OF COVID VACCINE CUTS THE EFFICIENCY FROM THE USUAL 95% DOWN TO 30 TO 80% FOR MODERNA, AND 30 TO 55% FOR PFIZER.

SHE SAYS HEALTH OFFICIALS NEED TO DO THE MATH.

>> HOW MANY SECOND DOSES ARE STILL NEEDED AND WHERE DO THEY NEED TO GO.

THAT IS WHERE YOU NEED A CENTRAL AGENCY ORGANIZING THIS.

IT CANNOT BE PATCHWORK.

>> PRIORITIZING PEOPLE RIGHT NOW HAVE RECEIVED THE FIRST DOSE TO GET THEIR SECOND DOSE, PREFERABLY WITHIN 21 TO 28 DAYS, BUT 6 WEEKS IF WE HAVE TO, HAS TO BE HOW THE STATE IS THINKING ABOUT THE VACCINATION.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF MOB NEW JERSEY VACCINATION CLINICS FROM THE SIX STATE MEGA SAINTS TO HUNDREDS OF SMALLER SETUPS ORGANIZED BY CITIES, COUNTIES, HOSPITALS, AND MORE.

MANY TO GIVE PEOPLE SECOND APPOINTMENT ON THE SPOT, AND ONLY A HANDFUL HAD PLUGGED INTO THE STATES SCHEDULING SYSTEM BUT WAS DID NOT BOOT UP UNTIL JANUARY 13th.

>> OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT AT THE TIME AN INDIVIDUAL RECEIVES THEIR FIRST DOSE, THEY WILL RECEIVE AN APPOINTMENT AT THAT SAME LOCATION FOR THEIR SECOND DOSE.

THE DEPARTMENT IS WORKING WITH SITES TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAYS SCHEDULING A SECOND DOSE DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU GOT THE FIRST ONE.

IF YOU USED JERSEYS VACCINE SCHEDULING SYSTEM WEBSITE, EXPECT TO GET AN APPOINTMENT BY EMAIL.

IF YOU WENT TO THE GLOUCESTER COUNTY MEGA SITE, IT WILL REACH OUT TO SLOT YOUR SECOND DOSE.

IF YOU WENT DIRECTLY TO A CLINIC FOR YOUR FIRST DOSE, CONTACT THEM TO ARRANGE A SECOND ONE.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE BY THE END OF THIS WEEKEND, CALL NEW JERSEY'S VACCINATION TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AT 855-568-0545, ALTHOUGH THAT GOT SWAMPED WHEN IT OPENED.

BUT THEY URGE PEOPLE TO KEEP AT IT.

>> YOU ABSOLUTELY NEED BOTH DOSES PEER GET IS ALSO POSSIBLE, QUITE FRANKLY, GIVEN THE SOUTH AFRICA STRAIN, THAT WE WILL ALL NEED BOOSTERS IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROTECT AGAINST THAT.

>> Reporter: BOTH EXPECT TO GET EMAILS THIS WEEKEND TO SCHEDULE SECOND DOSES AT THE SENIOR CENTER IN MUNRO.

>> THAT IS GREAT, GREAT TO HEAR.

THANK YOU.

THAT'S GOOD.

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

>>> THE PUSH FOR INS PERSON SCHOOLING GOT A BIG BOOST THIS WEEK WHEN THE CDC SAID SCHOOLS SHOULD REOPEN.

THE CDC SAYS EVIDENCE SHOWS SCANT TRANSMISSION HAS OCCURRED WHEN TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WEAR MASKS AND PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING, BUT HERE IN NEW JERSEY THERE IS PUSHBACK IN SOME DISTRICTS.

JOANNA GAGIS EXPLAINS.

>>> WE HAVE A SCHOOLS, AND SIX OF THEM ARE PRE-K THROUGH GRADE 6.

THOSE SCHOOLS ARE IN 5 DAYS PER WEEK WITH EARLY DISMISSAL.

>> Reporter: CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE HAD A 5 DAY PER WEEK SCHEDULE SINCE THE FALL.

EVERY STUDENT IN THE CLASSROOM FOR HALF A DAY.

ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN HUNDRED 35 STUDENTS AND STAFF TOTAL THAT HAVE TESTED POSITIVE DURING THAT TIME, THE DISTRICT IS BOASTING ONLY ONE CASE OF IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION.

>> THERE ARE A VARIETY OF INCIDENCES WHERE KIDS IN GROUPS EXTERNAL TO THEIR SCHOOL EXPERIENCE ARE INTERACTING WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND TESTING POSITIVE, AND BRINGING THAT TO SCHOOL.

THAT IS CAUSING US HERE AND THERE TO QUARANTINE.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN FOR 2?

RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBERS AND HAS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH A RECENT STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE CDC THAT SHOWED LITTLE EVIDENCE OF SCHOOLS BEING A PLACE WHERE COMMUNITIES BUT IS HAPPENING PEER CAN A RECENT VIEWPOINT PIECE PUBLISHED IN THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THREE CDC RESEARCHERS MADE THE CASE THAT THERE IS A PATH FOR SCHOOLS TO SAFELY REOPEN, SO LONG AS ALL SAFETY MEASURES ARE FOLLOWED.

THINGS LIKE REQUIRING UNIVERSAL FACE MASK USE, INCREASING PHYSICAL DISTANCE BY IDENTIFYING CLASSROOMS AND COMMON AREAS, USING HYBRID ATTENDANCE MODELS WHEN NEEDED, LIMITING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PRODUCTS AND CLOUDING, INCREASING VENTILATION, AND EXPANDING SCREENING TESTING TO RAPIDLY IDENTIFY AND ISOLATE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INFECTED WITH NO SYMPTOMS.

EVEN AS IN SCHOOL TRANSMISSION RATE REMAINS LOW, SOME DISTRICTS ARE PUSHING BACK THE REOPENING DATES, LIKE MIDDLESEX, MONTCLAIR, AND SOUTH ORANGE MAPLEWOOD, THAT HAVE BEEN REMOTE ONLY SINCE LAST MARCH.

IN MONTCLAIR, THE TEACHERS UNION IS ASKING THE DISTRICT HOLD OFF UNTIL ENOUGH TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE BEEN VACCINATED, BUT THAT HAS BEEN A SLOW PROCESS IN NEW JERSEY, WHICH THE GOVERNOR ACKNOWLEDGED THIS WEEK.

>> I HOPE EDUCATOR SOONER THAN LATER.

THAT IS ALL THAT I CAN SAY.

THEY ARE RIGHTFULLY ON TECH.

I CANNOT GIVE YOU A TIMEFRAME.

THERE IS STRESS THROUGHOUT THIS WHOLE EDUCATION PROCESS, AND ALL I CAN SAY IS WE UNDERSTAND IT AND WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN.

WE NEED MORE DOSES.

THE STEPS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TOOK YESTERDAY WAS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: REFERRING TO PRESIDENT BIDEN'S COMMITMENT TO INCREASE NEW JERSEY'S VACCINE DOSES TO 130,000 PER WEEK FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS.

RIDLEY SAYS IT'S AN ISSUE HE IS WATCHING CLOSELY, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT VACCINES ARE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALL OF THE STUDENTS GOING FULL-TIME.

>> MY DISTRICT IS FULLY AWARE THAT I FAVOR GETTING US BACK IN SCHOOLS 5 DAYS PER WEEK FULL- TIME, BUT THAT IS EASY TO SAY BEFORE I ACTUALLY STICK KIDS IN LUNCH ROOMS WHO ARE GOING TO BE CLOSE TO EACH OTHER, AND IT DEPENDS ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE VACCINE, AND IT DEPENDS ON THIS COMMUNITY AND ITS CASES.

>> Reporter: THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL WILL BE MOVING TO 4 DAYS PER WEEK, IT WAS OPPOSED TO BE ON THE THIRD BUT WAS PUSHED BACK BECAUSE OF THE HIGH COVID NUMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S NOT THE ONLY DISTRICT ADJUSTING ITS PLAN.

>> I WANTED TO HIT THE POINT THAT THE HYBRID DISTRICTS ARE NOW UP TO 457.

REMOTE IS NOW 228 .

IN PERSON IS 86, ONE OF WHICH IS LAKEWOOD WHICH HAS COME UP SEVERAL TIMES, AND 40 ARE A COMBINATION.

>> Reporter: ALL EYES ARE ON THE VACCINE ROLLOUT TO SEE HOW THOSE NUMBERS MIGHT CHANGE.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> COVID-19 DRASTICALLY CHANGING THE WAY ONE TRAVELS IN THE TRI-STATE AREA.

NEW NUMBERS OUT TODAY AND THE PORT AUTHORITY PAINTING A CLEARER PICTURE OF THE IMPACT FROM SELF QUARANTINING, AND WORKING FROM HOME.

IN DECEMBER, PASSENGER VOLUME AT THE AREAS AIRPORTS DECREASED BY 75% COMPARED TO A YEAR AGO.

DOWN 66% IN NEWARK LIBERTY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ALONE.

COMMUTING BY THE PATH ALSO DOWN 78.5% YEAR OVER YEAR.

CARS AND BUSES AND TRUCKS USING THE BRIDGES AND TUNNELS DOWN 18.9% COMPARED TO DECEMBER OF 2019.

THE PORT AUTHORITY IS SAYING THESE ARE HISTORIC DECLINES, CAUSING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LOSSES FOR THE AGENCY.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS ORDERED THAT BOXER TO INVESTIGATE VIOLENT ALLEGATIONS AT THE EDNA MAHAN STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN.

HE IS SICKENED BY THE REPORTS OF WOMEN BEING BEATEN.

HE IS STICKING BY HIS CORRECTIONS CORRECTION OR, MARCUS HICKS, WHO HAS PLACED SOME STAFF MEMBERS ON LEAVE.

MURPHY SAYS HE SUPPORTS EVEN MORE ACTION.

SEVERAL LAWMAKERS HAVE CALLED FOR HICKS AND THE WARDEN TO BE PLACED ON LEAVE.

EDNA MAHAN HAS BEEN IN THE HEADLINES THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO DESCRIBE THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF THE INMATES IS AN OPEN SECRET.

>> WE ARE IN A HEIGHTENED THREAT ENVIRONMENT THROUGH APRIL.

THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS WARNING THAT THE JANUARY 6th INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITAL THEY HAVE EMBOLDENED DOMESTIC EXTREMISTS FUELED BY FALSEHOODS THAT TRUMP WON THE ELECTION.

THAT IS AMONG THE ISSUES THE DHS SAYS COULD CAUSE EXTREMISTS TO MOBILIZE TO INCITE OR COMMIT VIOLENCE.

THE DHS BULLETIN DOES NOT CITE SPECIFIC TARGETS OR TIME, NOR ANY SPECIFIC GROUPS.

THE LAST TIME THE FEDERAL AGENCY ISSUED SUCH A BULLETIN WAS A YEAR AGO, WHEN IT WARNED OF POTENTIAL CYBER ATTACKS FROM IRAN.

>>> NEWARK HAS ISSUED A CODE BLUE UNTIL SUNDAY MORNING.

RESIDENCE AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS NEED TO TAKE COVER FROM THE EXTREME COLD.

IT MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE EFFORT UNDERWAY TO COUNT THE HOMELESS TO DETERMINE IF THE STATE IS MAKING ANY PROGRESS ON REDUCING HOMELESSNESS, AND AS VOLUNTEERS ARE DISCOVERING, THE PANDEMIC IS MAKING THE EFFORT MORE DIFFICULT.

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>>> THEY WALK BY YOU LIKE YOUR NOTHING.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR.

RICKY BLUE SAYS LIVING ON THE STREETS.

>> COVID IS TAKING OTHER.

YOU CAN'T BREATHE.

YOU CAN EAT.

WE HAVE TO RUMMAGE THE DUMPSTER TO GET FOOD TO EAT.

IT IS HARD.

I WATCH THE PLACE AND SEE THEM DUMP FOOD OUT.

THEY COULD GIVE IT TO SOMEBODY.

BECKY CAME TO THE ESSEX COUNTY PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT DAY.

IT IS SMALLER THAN LAST YEAR BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, BUT HE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO GET A MEAL A COAT AND BLANKETS AND TOILETRIES AND PPE.

>> WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS.

I HAVE A SON.

I MISS MY FAMILY.

WHEN MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY, WE LOST CONTACT.

>> Reporter: EVERY YEAR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO A POINT IN TIME COUNT TO TAKE A SNAPSHOT OF ONE DAY, TO FIGURE OUT THE NUMBERS NUMBERS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE ONE STEP AWAY.

THIS EVENT IS ONE WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL.

>> WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS WITH REALLY BIG EVENTS, SO WE KNOW THE NUMBERS TO BE A BIT DIFFERENT.

>> WE ARE ALSO GOING TO BE THROUGHOUT THE NEXT 2 WEEKS AFTER SHELTERS AND HOMELESS LOCATIONS IN ORDER TO DUPLICATE THE EFFORT.

>> Reporter: HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT WE ARE IN 2021 WITH ALL OF THESE RESOURCES, WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY GOING TO FIX THE HOMELESS CRISIS, AND YOU STILL SEE PEOPLE SLEEPING ON THE STREETS?

>> IT IS A REALLY BIG SOCIOECONOMIC ISSUE THAT INVOLVES A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN JUST THE HOMELESS SERVICE DELIVERY PEOPLE HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES.

EMPLOYMENT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN AT THE SAME TIME, AND THERE ARE RACIAL INEQUITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.

THE CITY OF NEWARK IS, YOU KNOW , OUR LARGEST POPULATION AND HAPPENS TO BE OUR LARGEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

IF WE NEED TO GET THEM A VOUCHER FOR THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, IT COULD TAKE MONTHS.

IF WE HAVE A MENTAL ILLNESS WE HAD TO GET THEM TO A PARTNER.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL WOODS SAYS BECAUSE OF COVID THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS GIVEN HER MONEY TO VARIOUS AGENCIES, WHICH IN TURN SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS.

>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL HAVE LESS HOMELESS PEOPLE, BECAUSE WE HAVE MORE COVID RELATED SHELTERS.

>> Reporter: SINCE OCTOBER, THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HELP MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE, BOTH HOMELESS AND AT RISK, WITH THE HELP OF LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS.

>> Reporter: WHAT THIS PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US IS THAT WE ARE CAPABLE OF GETTING EVERYONE OFF THE STREETS.

>> GET IN THE HOUSING AND BRING THEM SERVICES WHERE THEY ARE.

THIS IS THE WAY WE END HOMELESSNESS, AND TEMPORARY WILL ONLY BRING PEOPLE BACK TO STEP ONE.

>> THEY HAVE TO DRAG ALL THE CLOTHES AND BAGS FULL OF STUFF, DELIVERY, SLEEPING IN A BLANKET.

BUT THE COLD COMES THROUGH THAT BLANKET AND KILLS YOU.

>> THEY MIGHT INTERACT WITH THE POLICE AND YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

WE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON THE BACKEND AND I DON'T THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE REALLY JUST NEED TO GET THE MONEY TO THE CONSUMER, AND WE WILL HONESTLY SAVE SO MUCH MONEY OVER THE LIFE OF THAT PERSON'S LIFE.

>> THERE BUILDING MORE BUILDINGS DOWNTOWN FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE NOT IN IT, AND THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND THAT SUFFER.

IT'S A MYSTERY TO EVERYBODY IN THE WORLD.

DON'T LEAVE THEM BEHIND BECAUSE THEY ARE SOMEBODY'S MOTHER OR BROTHER OR SISTER OR DADDY.

DON'T LEAVE THEM.

GODDESS COME DOWN HERE AND DO SOMETHING PLEASE.

>> Reporter: ESSEX COUNTY HAS ENTERED A CODE BLUE BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER.

IT MEANS MORE PLACES WILL WELCOME MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS, AND MICHAEL WOODS SAYS THE GOAL NOW IS TO KEEP THEM THERE LONGER.

RICKY BLUE IS HEADING BACK TO HIS NEW SHELTER IN MONTCLAIR.

I'M LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> AND LIKELY COMES AS NO SURPRISE, BUT FINAL NUMBERS SHOW 2020 RAVAGED OUR ECONOMY IN HISTORIC WAYS, UNLIKE ANYTHING WE HAVE SEEN SINCE WORLD WAR II.

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

>> Reporter: IT'S OFFICIAL.

2020 WAS THE WORST YEAR FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY SINCE 1946.

THE ECONOMY CONTRACTED BY 3.5% LAST YEAR AS PANDEMIC RELATED BUSINESS CLOSINGS HAD A WIDE IMPACTS.

WE DID HOWEVER SEE SOME REBOUND IN THE ECONOMY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS OF 2020.

THE JOB MARKET IS STILL STRUGGLING TO BOUNCE BACK.

EACH WEEK, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF WORKERS ACROSS THE U.S. ARE STILL FORCED TO FILE NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS.

HERE IN NEW JERSEY, THERE WAS A SLIGHT DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW CLAIMS FILED IN THE LATEST WEEK.

THANKS IN PART TO A BOOMING STOCK MARKET, NEW JERSEY'S PUBLIC WORKER PENSION FUND HAS SEEN A BIG RETURN ON ITS INVESTMENTS SO FAR THIS YEAR.

OUR JOHN REITMEYER SAYS PRELIMINARY FIGURES FROM THE STATE INVESTMENT COUNSEL SHOW RETURNS ARE RUNNING WELL AHEAD OF THE PENSION SYSTEMS ASSUMED RATE OF RETURN OF 7.3%.

>> THIS IS GOOD NEWS, WHETHER YOU HAVE A PENSION OR YOU WORK FOR THE STATE NOW, OR EVEN IF YOU ARE A TAXPAYER, BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT PENSION BENEFITS ARE FUNDED IN NEW JERSEY.

SO, THE RETURNS, AT THE HALFWAY POINT OF THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR , ARE RUNNING AT ALMOST 15%.

>> Reporter: CAN THE GAINS CONTINUE?

FIND OUT BY READING MORE OF HIS STORY ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS FIGHTING TO OVERTURN THE CAP ON STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTIONS.

THE REPRESENTATIVES WERE ASKING THAT A REPEAL OF THE S.A.L.T.

CAP BE INCLUDED IN THE NEXT COVID-19 RELIEF BILL.

WORK ON THAT BILL COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAS APPROVED NEARLY 8600 NEW PPP LOANS FROM NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES WORTH OVER $916 MILLION.

THAT IS PART OF THE MORE THAN 400,000 LOANS APPROVED NATIONWIDE SINCE THE PPP PROGRAM REOPENED THIS MONTH.

THE SBA SAYS THE AVERAGE LOAN SIZE IS $87,000.

THE BUYERS RETURN TO WALL STREET TODAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.

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

♪ >>> AN ADMISSION AND AN APOLOGY FROM THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONS OLDEST PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATION.

IT SAYS IT WAS WRONG FOR ITS SUPPORT OF RACISM IN PSYCHIATRY, AND EVENTS LAST YEAR HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR CHANGE.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>>> THE CATALYST WAS THE POLICE BRUTALITY AND THE EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC THAT HAVE CLEARLY BEEN DIFFERENTIALLY IMPACTFUL UPON BLACKS, INDIGENOUS POPULATIONS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> Reporter: AFTER MORE THAN 175 YEARS, THE AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION HAS ISSUED A FORMAL APOLOGY IN ITS ROLE FOR PERPETRATING STRUCTURAL RACISM THAT HAS RESULTED IN A HISTORY OF ACTIONS THAT HAS HURT BLACK, INDIGENOUS, AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> ACCEPTING SLAVES AS PAYMENT FOR PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT, THROUGH PERIODS IN WHICH BLACKS WERE HIGHLY DISPROPORTIONATELY UNDERWENT INVOLUNTARY STERILIZATION, OR STERILIZATION WITHOUT INFORMED CONSENT, RIGHT UP THROUGH CURRENT ERAS WHERE WE HAVE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES, APPLIED ON ONE'S RACIAL STATUS.

>> 4% IS THE MOST RECENT NUMBER THAT I HAVE HEARD IS THE NUMBER OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGISTS THAT WE HAVE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: DR. MONIQUE SWIFT IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY CHAPTER OF THE ASSOCIATION OF BLACK PSYCHOLOGIST.

SHE SAYS THE APOLOGY HAS COME A LITTLE TOO LATE FOR THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY THAT SHE SAYS IS NOW STRUGGLING TO TRUST AND FIND TREATMENT FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> I AM TURNING AWAY CLIENTS LITERALLY EVERY DAY, AND THE VAST MAJORITY, 90% OF THE PEOPLE I AM TURNING DOWN ARE A BLACK PERSON LOOKING FOR A BLACK MISSION.

>> I DID NOT HAD A GOOD OR MY INSURANCE OR WHERE TO LOOK.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT MY INSURANCE EVEN COVERED IT.

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID SHE STRUGGLED TO FIND A CLINICIAN OF COLOR TO TREAT HER TO ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION A YEAR AGO.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCES JUNIOR SAYS MANY OF HER WHITE FRIENDS KNEW HOW AND WHERE TO GET HELP, SHE STRUGGLED.

>> STUDENTS IN SCHOOL, IS VERY RIGOROUS AND DIFFICULT, SO A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH THAT STUFF.

THANK GOD MY SCHOOL OFFERS ALL SORTS OF HELP, BUT A LOT OF THEM DON'T, LIKE, REACHOUT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO A REPORT RELEASED IN 2020 BY THE CDC, WHITE ADULTS WERE MORE LIKELY THAN BLACK AND HISPANIC ADULTS TO HAVE RECEIVED ANY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, MEDICATION, COUNSELING, OR THERAPY.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING WITHIN THESE COMMUNITIES NOW, BUT WE ARE ALSO DEALING WITH A LOT OF THE TRANSGENERATIONAL TRAUMAS THAT WE HAVE, AND THIS GOES BACK TO SLAVERY.

>> Reporter: TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT IS IN CHARGE OF A PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

THE POLICY COULD LEAD TO MORE INSTITUTIONS TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR STRUCTURAL RACISM.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY TAKING A LOOK AT THEIR STRUCTURE , AND KIND OF HOW THEY HAVE BEEN PERFORMING OVER THE YEARS, AND WITH THAT INVESTIGATION, YOU UNRAVEL AND START TO NOTICE ALL OF THE STUFF COMING OUT.

>> Reporter: DR. GELLER SAYS THERE ARE NO CHANGES BEING MADE TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, TRAINING, AND A TASK FORCE HAS BEEN FORMED TO EDUCATE MEMBERS ON STRUCTURAL RACISM.

GILLIS AND DR.

SWIFT ARE NOW DEMANDING THAT THOSE INITIATIVES AND PLANS AREN'T JUST SPEAKING POINTS, BUT ACTUAL ACTIONS BEING TAKEN.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> A GREEN LIGHT FROM THE STATE UTILITIES BOARD FOR A BIG PSE&G INVESTMENT TO BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS, A MOVE TO GETTING US TO DRIVE DOWN THE DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT CAUSED BY FOSSIL FUELS.

OUR DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

>> Reporter: THIS SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

>> IT IS.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW.

ONE THING THAT PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS IS THAT IN RECENT YEARS, GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTION OMISSIONS FROM COMMERCIAL TRUCKS HAVE ECLIPSED THE POLLUTANTS FROM POWER PLANTS.

THAT IS WHY IT IS AN EFFORT IN PLACE TO REDUCE EMISSIONS FROM THESE TRUCKS.

THAT IS WHY YESTERDAY THEY ALLOWED PSE&G TO SPEND THIS MONEY OVER THE NEXT 6 YEARS TO ESSENTIALLY BUILD OUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED FOR CHARGING STATIONS AND WHATNOT, TO GET MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

>> Reporter: PSE&G WANTED TO SPEND MORE MONEY THAN THIS, BUT THE STATE SAID NOT SO FAST ON THE REST OF THAT MONEY.

>> EXACTLY.

THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, WHILE AGGRESSIVELY SUPPORTING, THEY ARE UPSET WITH THIS.

IT DOES NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN THEIR MIND.

166 MILLION IS NOT WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY ON THE TABLE, AND THEREFORE IT IS SHORT SHIFT.

THEY SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO AGGRESSIVELY SUPPORT THE USE OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> Reporter: DOES THIS MEAN THE BOARD IS STILL WEIGHING THAT, OR IS IT NOW OFF THE TABLE?

>> AGAIN, THERE IS ROOM FOR THEM TO COME AND LOOK AT THIS AND AMEND IT GOING FORWARD, BUT THAT IS STILL UP IN THE AIR AS TO WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS IS THAT, AS MUCH AS NEW JERSEY WANTS TO MOVE CLOSER TO THAT GREEN SECTOR, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS BEEN APPROVED.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> EXACTLY.

IT'S A MAJOR STEP.

WHILE SOME PEOPLE ARE UPSET THAT IT IS NOT AS MUCH MONEY AS ORIGINALLY THOUGHT OUT, IT IS A STEP TO GET THIS IN PLACE.

AGAIN, IF PEOPLE REALIZE JUST HOW MUCH POLLUTION IS CONTRIBUTING FROM THESE TRUCKS, DELIVERY TRUCKS MY LOOK OUT YOUR WINDOW AND SEE THE AMAZON VANS SPEEDING AROUND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD TEAR CALL OF THAT IS ADDING UP TO POLLUTION, AND THE POLLUTION HAS BEEN CUT FROM THE POWER PLANTS LARGELY BECAUSE OF MARKET FORCES, BUT THIS IS A STEP TO GET TO THOSE AMBITIOUS GOALS SET BY THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION FOR CLEAN ENERGY USE IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROPOSAL TO EXPAND ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATION ACCESS IN TOM JOHNSON'S ARTICLE.

FIND IT ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU THIS EVENING, A REMINDER TO JOIN US ON FRIDAY AT 10:00 A.M. FOR OUR LIVE YOUTUBE SHOW "REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE" WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

HE TALKS TO ASSEMBLYWOMAN HOLLY SHIP EASY ABOUT CHALLENGING THE BOYS CLUB IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS, PLUS A PANEL OF REPORTERS BREAKS DOWN THE MAJOR HEADLINES OF THE WEEK, INCLUDING THE STRUGGLE FOR THE STATES VACCINATION PROGRAM.

THAT IS OUR BROADCAST BEER GUY AM MICHAEL HILL HENEFER BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>>> 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 , AND INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> THE ORSTED VISION IS A WORLD THAT RUNS ENTIRELY ON GREEN ENERGY .

LOCATED OFF THE COAST OF ATLANTIC CITY, ORSTED'S OCEAN WIND PROJECT WILL PROVIDE RENEWABLE, OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY , JOBS, EDUCATIONAL, SUPPLY-CHAIN, AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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