>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY 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, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

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

>>> GOOD EVENING.

I AM MICHAEL HILL INFO BREANA VANNOZZI.

AS NEW JERSEY AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY SCRAMBLE TO REPLENISH VACCINE SUPPLY , THERE IS NEWS TONIGHT THAT ANOTHER VERSION OF THE SHOT IS CLOSE TO DISTRIBUTION.

NEW JERSEY-BASED JOHNSON & JOHNSON SAYS IT'S VACCINE IS 66% EFFECTIVE OVERALL AT PREVENTING MODERATE AND SEVERE ILLNESS.

THE ONE SHOT VACCINE HAS BEEN HAILED AS A POTENTIAL GAME CHANGER IN A COUNTRY DESPERATE FOR MORE DOSES.

FOR MORE ON WHAT THIS MEANS, WE TURN TO MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY EPIDEMIOLOGIST STEPHANIE SILVEIRA.

>> Reporter: BREAK THIS DOWN FOR US.

66% EFFECTIVE OVERALL.

WHAT DO THESE RESULTS MEAN?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, I THINK THESE NUMBERS WERE LOWER THAN WE WERE ALL HOPING FOR, ESPECIALLY AFTER SEEING THE MODERNA ADVISOR NUMBERS OF 95%.

THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE TRADE-OFFS WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE BETWEEN HAVING A VACCINE THAT IS ONE DOSE, AND THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE THE DEEP- FREEZE WHICH MEANS WE COULD POSSIBLY GET IT OUT TO A BROADER SPECTRUM OF THE POPULATION QUICKER.

ANY IMMUNITY IS BETTER THAN 0, WHICH IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

IT IS REALLY ABOUT WEIGHING OUT THE POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES OF EACH OF THESE VACCINES.

>> Reporter: WOULD YOU CONSIDER THIS STILL A GOOD RESULT, GIVEN WHAT WE ARE UP AGAINST?

>> PUT INTO CONTEXT, THE FLU VACCINE EACH YEAR IS ROUGHLY 40 TO 60% EFFECTIVE.

THIS IS SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE TYPICAL FLU VACCINE, WHICH WE DO RECOMMEND.

IT IS CERTAINLY NOT A TERRIBLE RESULT.

IT IS IN LINE WITH WHAT WE SEE FOR OTHER VACCINES.

IT IS NOT AS STRONG A RESULT AS ANY OF US WERE HOPING FOR.

THE PRELIMINARY DATA WAS SHOWING ABOUT 85% EFFICACY.

THE FACT THAT THIS IS QUITE A BIT LOWER IS CONCERNING, BUT I THINK THAT, AGAIN, IN THE CONTEXT OF THE BACKLOG AND THE INABILITY FOR MOST PEOPLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE CURRENT MODERNA OR PFIZER VACCINES, THIS MIGHT ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT STRESS.

>> Reporter: HOW EFFECTIVE IS THIS AGAINST THESE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VARIANCE?

DO WE KNOW THIS YET?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T.

SOME PRELIMINARY DATA INDICATE THAT FOR ALL OF THESE VACCINES, THE EFFICACY IS SOMEWHAT LOWER.

THAT IS CONCERNING YOUR JOHNSON & JOHNSON IF WE ARE ALREADY STARTING WITH A VACCINE EFFICACY IN THE 60% RANGE.

THIS TRIAL WAS CONDUCTED ON THREE DIFFERENT CONTINENTS, WHERE SEVERAL DIFFERENT VARIANTS WERE FOUND.

THERE IS SOME EVIDENCE THAT IT MIGHT BE STILL FAIRLY EFFECTIVE .

WHAT I THINK ALL OF THIS IS TELLING US IS THAT FOR, AS THIS VACCINE, AS THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO MUTATE, WE NEED MORE PEOPLE WITH SOME LEVEL OF IMMUNITY TO HELP US.

WE NEED PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO WEAR THEIR MASKS PROPERLY, AVOID CROWDS, AND MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

IF YOU ARE INFECTED OR SUSCEPTIBLE BODIES THERE ARE, THE LESS LIKELY IT IS FOR THIS VIRUS TO CONTINUE TO MUTATE.

>>> WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR THIS VACCINE TO COME TO MARKET?

HOW SOON CAN PEOPLE START RECEIVING THE J&J DOSES?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WHAT I READ IS THAT J&J HAS ABOUT 7 MILLION DOSES READY TO SHIP, AND THEY EXPECT TO HAVE 30 MILLION BY APRIL .

IT WILL HELP, BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO ALLEVIATE THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE, WHERE WE HAVE ABOUT 3 MILLION PEOPLE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE IN NEW JERSEY ALONE.

>> Reporter: THE EPIDEMIOLOGIST AT MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY.

ALWAYS GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

I'M GLAD I COULD HELP.

>>> THE SUPPLY IS ONE PROBLEM, BUT ACTUALLY GETTING THE SHOT IS STILL PROVING TO BE A DIFFICULT MAZE FOR MANY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ACKNOWLEDGING A MAJOR GLITCH TODAY THAT CAUSED DOUBLE BOOKINGS AT THE GLOUCESTER COUNTY MEGA SITE YESTERDAY.

A COMPUTER GLITCH CANCELED AFTERNOON APPOINTMENTS AT THE LAST MINUTE, THEN REOPENED THOSE THOUGHTS TO NEW PATIENTS.

MURPHY SAYS THE STATE WILL WORK ON RESCHEDULING ANY CANCELED APPOINTMENTS, AND WILL WORK WITH THE SOFTWARE VENDOR TO FIX THE ISSUE.

MURPHY AND OTHER STATE LEADERS VISITED ANOTHER MEGA SITE TODAY AT THE MEADOWLANDS, WHERE 800 PEOPLE WERE EXPECTED TO RECEIVE SHOTS.

IT IS ONE OF SIX MEGA SITES THAT MURPHY HOPES IS FLUSH WITH VACCINE SUPPLY IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> WE ARE WORKING EVERY DAY TO MAXIMIZE EVERY DOSE WE ARE GIVEN, AND TO ADMINISTER TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS OUR SUPPLY WILL ALLOW.

IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INCREASES OUR ALLOTMENTS, WE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN IT FOR MORE APPOINTMENTS.

AS WE NOW KNOW WHAT OUR ALLOTMENT WILL LOOK LIKE, AT LEAST 3 WEEKS DOWN THE ROAD, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE MORE LONG- TERM DECISIONS TO IMPROVE OUR PROGRAM.

>>> TODAY THE STATE IS REPORTING MORE THAN 5000 NEW CASES FOR A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 615,000 WITH 83 ADDITIONAL DEATHS, FOR A TOTAL OF MORE THAN 21,300 CONFIRMED AND PROBABLE FATALITIES.

A LITTLE MORE THAN 3100 PEOPLE ARE BEING TREATED IN THE HOSPITAL.

724,000 COVID VACCINES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

610,000 OF THOSE ARE FIRST TO DOSES.

>>> SENIORS ARE AMONG THE MOST VULNERABLE TO THE RAVAGES OF COVID-19, AND THE MAJOR REASON THE STATE OPENED A CALL CENTER TO HELP THEM GET VACCINE APPOINTMENTS.

THERE ARE REPORTS OF OTHERS CONSIDERED WELL-CONNECTED WITH LIMITED EXPOSURE TO VACCINATED AHEAD OF SENIORS.

THAT HAS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT SENIORS BEING SHUT OUT, AND QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS AND WHO IS MONITORING IT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT RANDE FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>>> WE TRIED AND WE TRIED AND WE TRIED.

>> Reporter: SOUTH JERSEY RESIDENCE BOB AND ANITA CALVO, BOTH IN THEIR 80s, SPENT HOURS STRUGGLING TO MAKE UP LIMITS FOR BID VACCINATIONS.

IT IS CRITICAL FOR THE COUPLE.

HE RECENTLY BEAT CANCER AND SHE IS NOW IN CHEMOTHERAPY.

THIS WEEK THEY FINALLY CONNECTED WITH CAMDEN COUNTY'S SIDE, BUT GOT UP LIMITS FOR JUNE AND JULY.

ANITA TOLD THEIR DAUGHTERS.

>> AND THEY GO THAT IS HORRIBLE.

YOU WILL BE DEAD BY THEN.

BECAUSE WE ARE BOTH SEVERELY IMMUNO COMPROMISED.

>> THIS WAS VERY THREATENING, VERY THREATENING.

I WAS A BIT ANGRY, BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE WAS NO SINGLE PERSON TO BLAME.

>> Reporter: MOREOVER, BOB HAD ORIGINALLY MANAGED TO BOOK FEBRUARY 1st APPOINTMENT AT THE MOORESTOWN MEGA SITE THROUGH VIRTUA, BUT THOSE GOT CANCELED AFTER OFFICIALS DISCOVERED SOME PEOPLE BOOKS MULTIPLE APPOINTMENTS.

BOB, A RETIRED PHYSICIAN, SAYS FOLKS CONFRONT TOO MANY OBSTACLES.

>> WE WOULD GET COMMUNICATIONS SAYING IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET.

WELL, THAT AIN'T THE WORD, VERY DIFFICULT.

IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IT HAS BEEN A CLUSTER OF EPIC PROPORTIONS.

>> Reporter: ASSEMBLYWOMAN HOLLY SCHEPISI SAYS HER OFFICE GETS MAYBE 50 CALLS PER DAY FROM FRUSTRATED SENIORS AND OTHER HIGH RISK FOLKS TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE VACCINATION SCHEDULING SYSTEM.

THEY CAN'T GET APPOINTMENTS.

>> THIS IS AMONGST OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

MEANWHILE, YOU HEAR THESE STORIES ABOUT PERFECTLY HEALTHY PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE A FAMILY MEMBER OR ARE POLITICALLY CONNECTED.

WE KEEP REACHING OUT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, SAYING LET US HELP YOU, BUT WHAT IS GOING ON?

AND NOBODY SEEMS TO HAVE A RESPONSE.

>> Reporter: SCHEPISI AND OTHER ADVOCATES WANT ACCOMMODATIONS MADE FOR THOSE WHO GET OVERWHELMED BY THE SYSTEM , NOTING A THIRD OF SENIORS OVER 65 DON'T EVEN USE COMPUTERS ACCORDING TO A RESEARCH ORGANIZATION REPORT.

MANY RELY ON FRIENDS AND FAMILY TO HELP BOOK VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS.

>> THAT IS NOT A CONSUMER FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE, OR ONE THAT SUPPORTS EQUITY.

I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY NEEDS TO HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT.

>>> AARP SAYS THAT ESTATE HOTLINE HAS NOT HELPED BRIDGE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, AT LEAST SO FAR.

CALLERS AND SWAMPS THE HOTLINES 250 AGENTS.

SHE SAYS NEW JERSEY NEEDS TO UPGRADE THE HOTLINE INFRASTRUCTURE AND HIGHER A LOT MORE PEOPLE.

>> VERMONT HAS 350 AT THEIR CALL CENTER, AND BRABANT IS TINY COMPARED TO NEW JERSEY.

THEY HAVE LESS THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE.

>> THE HOTLINE WILL BEGIN HELPING MAKE APPOINTMENTS ON SUNDAY.

I AM NOT SURE ABOUT EXPANDING IT.

I AM NOT SURE YET WHETHER OR NOT WE BELIEVE WE NEED MORE BODIES IN THERE.

IF WE DO WE WILL PUT THEM IN THEIR.

>> Reporter: AS FOR BOB AND ANITA CALVO'S SUMMER APPOINTMENTS, CAMDEN COUNTY SAYS WHEN FRESH VACCINE SUPPLY ARRIVES, IT CONTACTS FOLKS TO COME IN SOONER.

BUT THEY GOT REALLY LIKELY.

THEIR DAUGHTER DISCOVERED YESTERDAY THAT VIRTUA HAD CLEARED TO DUPLICATE BOOKINGS AND NEW ONES WERE AVAILABLE BY PHONE.

BOB SNAGGED ONE FOR FEBRUARY 8th, AND ASKED ABOUT ANITA.

>> SHE SAID, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME IN 15 MINUTES LATER, AND I COULDN'T, NOTHING CAME FROM MY MOUTH.

I JUST BURST INTO TEARS.

>> MY WIFE IS IN TEARS, AND DEER QUESTION ABOUT HADDAD WE FEEL, SO RELIEVED.

>> Reporter: VISITED SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> DON'T TELL NEW JERSEY HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS THEY CANNOT MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME.

THEY CAN, UNDER THE STATES BRIDGE YEAR LAW PEER CUT IS AT WORK?

LEAH MISHKIN SHOWS US AND SHOWS US WHY THE STATE ACTED TO CREATE ONE.

>>> WE HAVE A PRETTY FULL SEASON SINCE WE DID NOT GET LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: LAUREN IS A TWO- SPORT ATHLETE.

BASKETBALL IN THE WINTER, SOFTBALL IN THE SPRING.

>> I AM A LITTLE BIASED TOWARDS BASKETBALL BECAUSE I WANT TO PLAY THAT IN COLLEGE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE STARTED GETTING SCOUTED ENTERING HER JUNIOR YEAR.

>> AND I VISITED THE COLLEGE BEFORE COVID SO I GOT TO SEE IT IN PERSON.

>> Reporter: THE FACT THAT MANY CURRENT JUNIORS AND SENIORS DID NOT HAVE THAT SAME OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC IS ONE OF THE REASONS SENATOR NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG FIVE SPONSORED THE BRIDGE YEAR PILOT PROGRAM, WHICH GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED INTO LAW IN JUNE OF 2020.

>> S.A.T.s WERE SHOT.

THE ABILITY TO TAKE THEIR BOARDS ARE BEING CLOSED.

COLLEGE VISITS WERE BEING CLOSED.

THIS STARTED AS AN EDUCATION COMPONENT, AND THEN IT EXPANDED INTO ALL OF SPRING'S HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS WERE CANCELED.

THAT IS A VERY CRITICAL YEAR FOR JUNIORS FOR THEM TO BE RECOGNIZED ON THE BIGGER STAGE.

>> Reporter: HOW WILL IT WORK?

THE STUDENT WILL OPT INTO THE PROGRAM AS A SENIOR TO DEVELOP AN ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC PLAN.

THEY WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN SPRING SPORTS.

>> IT IS FOR THE CURRENT SENIOR CLASS AND THE CURRENT JUNIOR CLASS.

THEY HAVE TO FULFILL THEIR HIGH SCHOOL REQUIREMENTS AFTER 4 YEARS.

THEY JUST, THEY WILL GRADUATE, THEY JUST WON'T RECEIVE THEIR PHYSICAL DIPLOMA.

>> Reporter: ANY SEMESTER OF THE BRIDGE YEAR, PARTICIPATING STUDENTS MUST TAKE BETWEEN 9 TO 12 CREDITS.

FALL SEMESTER, THEY MAY BE HOST HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS, CREDITS FROM THE COUNTY COLLEGE OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE HOST HIGH SCHOOL IS LOCATED, OR A COMBINATION THEREOF.

IN THE SPRING SEMESTER, PARTICIPATING STUDENTS MUST RECEIVE ALL CREDITS FROM THE COUNTY COLLEGE.

>> THEY THEN CAN APPLY TO A FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE OF THEIR CHOICE.

THEY COULD STAY AT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

>> IT IS GOOD BECAUSE IT WILL HELP SOME KIDS.

>> Reporter: HIGH SCHOOL CONTRACTOR NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG EIGHT SAYS HE HAS CONCERNS FOR BOTH HIGH SCHOOLERS AND BRIDGE YEAR STUDENTS.

>> POTENTIALLY A 19-YEAR-OLD WHO SHOULD BE A COLLEGE FRESHMAN PLAYING AGAINST MAY BE A 16-YEAR-OLD.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE KID WHO TAKES THE BRIDGE YEAR AND COMES BACK, AND MAYBE DOES NOT PLAY.

MAYBE THEY GET BEAT OUT BY AN UNDERCLASSMAN, OR THE BRIDGE YEAR KID WHO COMES BACK, AND THE KID THAT HAS WAITED 2 TO 3 YEARS TO PLAY NOW IS NOT PLAYING BECAUSE THE BRIDGE YEAR KID CAME BACK AND TOOK A SPOT.

>> Reporter: WITH 40 YEARS IN EDUCATION, ANELLO SAYS HE ANTICIPATES ISSUES HAVING TO BE WORKED OUT ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

SO FAR, DEMAND IS NOT HIGH IN HIS DISTRICT.

>> WE HAVE TWO STUDENTS THAT HAVE SHOWN INTEREST AND WE HAVE TWO HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THE SPRING SEASON BUT WE ARE PROBABLY IN THE 450 RANGE.

THAT IS WHY IF IT WORKS FOR THAT ONE OR TWO KIDS, THAT IS GREAT.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO HEAR IT AT 1000 KIDS IN THE STATE.

>> IT'S A COOL OPPORTUNITY FOR KIDS WERE CONSIDERING TAKING A GAP YEAR, OR THEY ARE GOING TO STAY CLOSE TO HOME.

>> Reporter: ANELLO SAID THAT IF THIS PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT IS HOW TO CHANGE THINGS ON THE FLY, A SKILL WE MAY USE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE.

NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS SAY THEY ARE CLOSE TO A COMPROMISE ON MARIJUANA INDUSTRY REFORM BILLS.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HEADSET TODAY AS A DEADLINE FOR LAWMAKERS TO SEND IN LEGISLATION, AFTER NEGOTIATING.

LAWMAKERS HAVE FORMED A NEW FINA BILL, REFORMING UNDER AGE PENALTIES FOR MARIJUANA USE, SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE REQUIRES BEFORE SIGNING OFF.

IF THIS PASSES THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE, IT WOULD BE UP FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN THE CLEANUP BILL, AS WELL AS THE BILLS THAT LEGALIZE AND DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> A HEIGHTENED THREAT ENVIRONMENT FOR APRIL.

THAT IS WHAT THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY HAS WARNED BECAUSE OF THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITAL MAY HAVE EMBOLDENED DOMESTIC EXTREMISTS FUELED BY TRUMP SELECTION FALSEHOODS.

WHAT IS IT MEAN FOR NEW JERSEY?

LET'S FIND OUT FROM JARED MAPLES, WHO DIRECTS THE STATE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND PREPAREDNESS AND JOINS US NOW.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR NEW JERSEY?

ANY SPECIFIC THREATS FROM VIOLENT DOMESTIC EXTREMISTS RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

THE BULLETIN THAT WENT OUT YESTERDAY REALLY WAS WELCOMED HERE IN THE GARDEN STATE.

IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE HAPPY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUT OUT.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE LAST YEAR AS YOU KNOW WELL, AND ISSUED A SUPPLEMENTAL THREAT ASSESSMENT AND IT DOES COMBINE WITH A LOT OF THE NARRATIVES WE SAW.

I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE FROM THIS BULLETIN, AND CERTAINLY WHAT WE HAVE PUT OUT, IS THIS MIX OF IDEOLOGIES AND EXTREMISM THAT HAS COME TOGETHER.

YOU SEE THINGS LIKE THE BOOGALOO MOVEMENT HAVE COMBINED WITH ANTIGOVERNMENT AND ANARCHIST, SOME CALLED ANTIFA MOVEMENT.

IT DOESN'T MAKE A TON OF SENSE ON THE SURFACE, BUT IN THE END, THEY WANT TO CAUSE AND FOMENT CHAOS AND CONCERN WITHIN THE GOVERNMENT , AND QUICKLY OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT AND ANTI-LAW ENFORCEMENT ET CETERA.

YOU SAW THAT HAPPEN IN THE CONVERGENCE ON JANUARY 6, AND SOMETHING THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZED IN RELEASING THAT REPORT.

>> Reporter: HOW CONCERNED SHOULD WE BE, THE CITIZENS OF NEW JERSEY?

>> Reporter: WE HAVE EXTREMISM HERE.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, ABOUT IDENTIFYING THE FACT THAT IT IS PRESENT IN NEW JERSEY.

ONE OF THE REALLY TROUBLING PIECES OF THIS IS THE INSPIRED ATTACKS THAT WE ARE CONCERNED WITH.

TRADITIONALLY, THE HOME GROWN VIOLENT EXTREMISTS, OR HVES, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE SAME EXTREMISM HAPPENING.

WHILE THERE IS NO SIGNIFICANT OR CREDIBLE THREAT TO NEW JERSEY, IT IS AN OVERARCHING THREAD AND SOMETHING WE ARE CONCERNED WITH ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

>> Reporter: WE KNOW DOMESTIC THREATS HERE EXIST BECAUSE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK PART IN THE JANUARY 6 CAPITAL RIOT, SOME OF THEM ARE FROM RIGHT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

THEY HAVE BEEN CHARGED.

DO WE HAVE ANY IDEA YET HOW MANY HAVE BEEN CHARGED?

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO FAR INTO THE SPECIFICS, AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A HANDFUL.

AT LAST COUNT, IT WAS 7 OR 9, PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED THROUGH THE INDICTMENT PROCESS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS PURSUIT OF JUSTICE AS IT RELATES TO JANUARY 6.

WE WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE FACT THAT IT EXISTS AND DO EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO STOP THE VIOLENCE FROM HAPPENING HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: ARE THESE FOLKS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS CAPITAL RIOT FROM NEW JERSEY, ARE THEY WITH IDENTIFIABLE DRUG GROUPS?

DOES THAT MEAN, OKAY, WE HAVE TO PAY EVEN MORE ATTENTION TO THEM?

>> IN SOME CASES, THERE ARE SOME GROUPS THAT WERE PRESENT.

WE KNOW THE NJEHA MAMA WHICH WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SEVERAL TIMES.

THERE WAS A NEW GROUP CALLED THE SONS OF LIBERTY I BELIEVE, OF NEW JERSEY THAT FLEW THEIR FLAG FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE CAPITAL RIOTS ON JANUARY 6.

THERE ARE OTHER GROUPS PRESENT.

I THINK ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONCERNS THAT YOU SEE, ILLUSTRATED IN THE ARRESTS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, IS THE INSPIRATION SIDE.

THEY ARE INSPIRED TO ACT BY CERTAIN IDEOLOGIES, THINGS THEY ARE SEEING ONLINE.

CERTAINLY THE MISINFORMATION AND DISINFORMATION WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

IT BECOMES A REAL CONCERN, JUST LIKE WITH FOREIGN TERROR INSPIRATION, DOMESTIC TERRORISM AND DOMESTIC EXTREMISM INSPIRATION BECOMES A BIG CONCERN OF OURS AT HOMELAND SECURITY.

>> Reporter: WAS IT BECAUSE OF HEIGHTENED AWARENESS?

>> I THINK THAT PLAYED A BIG ROLE.

WE HAVE TO TAKE EVERY ONE OF THOSE THREATS SERIOUSLY.

WHILE THERE WAS NO SPECIFIC OR CREDIBLE THREAT TO NEW JERSEY AS IT RELATES ON THE 17th OR 20th OR THE UPCOMING OF THE 31st OF JANUARY, THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED.

WE DO SEE THE OVERARCHING THREAT AND TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY.

WE PUT THE RESOURCES IN PLACE.

THERE IS MUCH THAT GOES ON BEHIND THE SCENES FROM AN INVESTIGATIVE PERSPECTIVE THAT WE DO THINK WENT A LONG WAY FROM PREVENTING ANY VIOLENCE FROM HAPPENING.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT, AND THE TOTAL EFFORT IS TO KEEP IT PEACEFUL HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: DIRECTOR JARED MAPLES, ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND STAY SAFE WITH YOUR TEAM.

>>> NEW JERSEY LAWMAKERS GIVE A GREEN LIGHT TO A GROUP OF BILLS AIMED AT HELPING BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

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

>> Reporter: STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE APPROVED SEVERAL BILLS DESIGNED TO HELP EASE THE PAIN FOR THOSE BUSINESSES DEALING WITH PANDEMIC RELATED RESTRICTIONS.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS'S CALL COLLEEN O'DAY SAYS ONE BILL CREATED BY THE SENATE WOULD CREATE A $15 MILLION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE MORE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES.

>> LIKE THE SPONSOR SAID, SENATOR SINGLETON, WHAT HE SAID IS THAT IN THE INITIAL MONEY THAT THE EDA HAS GIVEN OUT, ONLY 15% OF THAT WENT TO MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES.

SO THAT IS REALLY A GROUP OF FOLKS WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN VERY MUCH ASSISTANCE.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION ON NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

ANOTHER BILL APPROVED BY THE SENATE WOULD GIVE INCOME TAX CREDITS TO BUSINESS OWNERS WHO MADE COVID RELATED SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT THEIR WORKSPACES, AND LAWMAKERS ALSO APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD NOT TAX THE INCOME FROM PPP LOANS.

NEW JERSEY'S FIRST COMMUNITY SOLAR PROJECT IS NOW COMPLETE.

THE PROJECT IS PART OF A PILOT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THAT UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN ENERGY.

IN ALL, 45 COMMUNITIES SOLAR PROJECTS ARE SAID TO BE BUILT IN NEW JERSEY.

A WALL STREET SELLOFF TODAY IS PARTLY BLAMED ON SOME VOLATILE TRADING IN SHARES OF GAMESTOP, A VIDEOGAME RETAILER.

THAT STOCKS SOARED THIS WEEK AFTER INDIVIDUAL INVESTORS BEGAN BUYING UP SHARES, AND USED THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM REDDIT TO URGE OTHERS TO BUY THE STOCK.

THIS WAS GOING ON, EVEN AS BIG- MONEY WALL STREET INVESTORS WERE BETTING THAT STOCK OF 25 WOULD FALL.

ESSENTIALLY, IT IS A CASE OF INDIVIDUAL TRADERS TRYING TO OUTSMART THE WALL STREET EXPERTS , ACCORDING TO RUTGERS-CAMDEN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR NATHAN FONG.

>> EVEN IF IT DOESN'T TURN OUT TO BE PURELY A DAVID VERSUS GOLIATH STORY IN THE END, I THINK HAVING AT LEAST AN ELEMENT OF THAT IS PART OF THIS STORY IS DEFINITELY APPEALING TO THE TRADERS WHO GOT SUCKED INTO THIS.

>> Reporter: NOW HERE IS A LOOK AT THE CLOSING NUMBERS.

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

>>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER ON NJ BUSINESS BEAT.

A NEW SHOW TAKING A DEEPER LOOK AT THE STORIES, TRENDS, AND INFLUENCERS SHAPING THE SPACE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE.

THIS WEEK, SHE DIGS INTO THE GIG ECONOMY LIKE DOOR DASH, INSTACART AND UBER, TO LEARN WHY IT WORKERS ARE TURNING AWAY FROM TRADITIONAL 9-TO-5 WORK.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 10:00.

♪ >>> THE SECOND SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF DONALD TRUMP BEGINS NEXT MONTH.

HE IS ACCUSED OF INCITING THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITAL.

CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT MICHAEL ARON SAT DOWN WITH A DISTINGUISHED RUTGERS POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, ROSS BAKER, TO TALK ABOUT IMPEACHMENT IN THE POWER STRUGGLE IN THE U.S. SENATE WITH DEMOCRATS NOW IN CONTROL.

>> Reporter: RUTGERS PROFESSOR ROSS BAKER IS ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S LEADING AUTHORITIES ON THE U.S. SENATE.

HE HAS SPENT TIME EMBEDDED IN THE OFFICE OF SENATOR PATRICK LEAHY, WHO IS PRESIDING OVER THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL IN THE SENATE NEXT WEEK.

GETS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WHERE DO THINGS STAND AT THE MOMENT IN TERMS OF TRYING TO IMPEACH DONALD TRUMP A SECOND TIME?

>> GOOD TO TALK TO YOU, MICHAEL.

WELL, I THINK THERE WAS A TEST ABOUT BASED ON AN OBJECTION RATE BY SENATOR PAUL RAND LAST WEEK, IN WHICH IT APPEARED THAT, JUDGING FROM THAT PRELIMINARY VOTE MOTHER THERE WOULD BE INSUFFICIENT REPUBLICAN VOTES TO CONVICT PRESIDENT TRUMP.

17 WOULD BE NEEDED.

I DON'T THINK THEY EVER CAME VERY CLOSE TO 17.

>> Reporter: WHAT SHOULD THE DEMOCRATS DO NOW?

SHOULD THEY GO TO CENSURE, LIKE SENATOR TIM KAINE HAD SUGGESTED?

SHOULD THEY DROP THE WHOLE THING IN THE INTEREST OF REUNIFYING THE COUNTRY AS PRESIDENT BIDEN WANTS?

>> CENSURE HAS NO CONSTITUTIONAL STATURE.

IT IS SIMPLY A DECLARATION THAT HAS NO MEETING.

FRANKLY, THEY OUGHT TO GO AHEAD AND IF HE IS ACQUITTED, HE IS ACQUITTED, AND TRY TO MOVE ON FROM THERE.

IT WOULD BE OBVIOUSLY A REPLAY OF WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR, BUT I JUST DON'T SEE THE VOTES TO CONVICT.

AND I THINK, I AM NOT SURE THEY EVEN HAVE VOTES TO CENSURE, FRANKLY.

>> Reporter: SHOULDN'T THEY JUST DROP IT AND GET TO THE BIDEN AGENDA?

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT, THEY DO.

THEY HAVE A $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL THAT THEY WANT TO PASS.

THEY NEED TO DO THAT.

THERE ARE USUAL PROCEDURES TO DO IT, SOMETHING CALLED BUDGET RECONCILIATION.

THAT WILL CAUSE A LOT OF REPUBLICAN PUSHBACK, SO THEY HAVE EITHER GOT TO FIND SOME WAY TO WORK WITH THE REPUBLICANS ON THAT, OR GO AHEAD WITH THE RECONCILIATION VOTE, AND THEN BASICALLY PASSING THE $1.9 TRILLION WITH DEMOCRATIC VOTES ONLY, IF AND ONLY IF THEY HAVE 50 DEMOCRATS ON THEIR SIDE, PLUS THE VOTE OF VICE PRESIDENTS KAMALA HARRIS.

>> Reporter: RECONCILIATION GIVES THEM AROUND A FILIBUSTER, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF TALK NOW ABOUT THE FILIBUSTER NOW.

REPUBLICANS WANT TO KEEP IT.

DEMOCRATS WANT TO GET RID OF IT.

WHERE IT IS THAT, HOW IS THAT PLAYING OUT?

>> SOME DEMOCRATS WANT TO GET RID OF IT.

SOME ARE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC THAN OTHERS, AND ONE HAS FLATLY SAID HE IS OPPOSED, AND THAT IS FROM WEST VIRGINIA.

AND WITHOUT HIM, THERE WOULD NOT BE THE ABILITY TO MUSTER THE 50 VOTES PLUS THE VICE PRESIDENTS VOTE TO ELIMINATE THE FILIBUSTER.

>> Reporter: IS ANY OF THIS HEADING TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, IF RAND PAUL IS CHALLENGING THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE IMPEACHMENT?

MIGHT THIS END UP IN DONALD TRUMP'S SUPREME COURT?

>> IT MIGHT, BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS STAY THERE VERY LONG.

I DON'T THINK THAT THE SUPREME COURT LIKES TO DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES INVOLVING THE INTERNAL PROCEDURES OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR ROSS BAKER, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US A BIT OF A GUIDEPOST TO WHAT LIES AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL.

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THAT DOES IT FOR THIS WEEK, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG , WHERE WE WILL CONTINUE COVERING THE STORIES AFFECTING THE STATE ALL WEEKEND LONG.

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