>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY NJM INSURANCE GROUP SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, HORIZON BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION, THE PSE G FOUNDATION, AND BY THE FEW MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY AND SMART HEAT NJ.

[ MUSIC ] >>> [ MUSIC ] FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

ALL EYES WERE ON THE GOVERNOR TODAY AS HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO RISE AND COVID CASES SURGE.

EVEN THOUGH HE REFERRED TO THE RECENT WAVE AS A TSUNAMI, THERE WAS NO MENTION TO TODAY OF ANY NEW MANDATES OR PREVENTIONS WHICH IS WITH MORE THAN 20,000 NEW CASES FOR SIX DAYS IN A ROW, THE STATE REPORTED 12 ADDITIONAL DEBTS AND MORE THAN 4700 PATIENTS ARE NOW HOSPITALIZED.

THE HIGHEST SINCE MAY 2020.

THEY DIDN'T EXPECT TO SEE THAT UNTIL MID-JANUARY.

OF THOSE HOSPITALIZED, 12 ARE CHILDREN AND 76 ARE CONFIRMED COVID CASES.

AMONG THE NEWEST CASES, FIRST LADY TIMMY MURPHY WHO TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 ON SUNDAY AND AGAIN TODAY, BUT IS ASYMPTOMATIC.

THE GOVERNOR AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY HAVE TESTED NEGATIVE AND HE SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE TO TEST REGULARLY IN THE COMING DAYS.

MEANWHILE, THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO EXTEND SOME OF HIS EMERGENCY POWERS BY ANOTHER 90 DAYS.

THEY EXPIRE ON THE FIRST OF THE YEAR INCLUDED ARE OVERSIGHT OF VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, TESTING, AND A STATEWIDE MASK MANDATE.

AS THE OMICRON VARIANT CONTINUES TO SURGE, THERE IS GOOD NEWS.

THE FDA HAS AUTHORIZED BOOSTERS OF PFIZER'S COVID VACCINE FOR KIDS AGE 12 THE 15 YEARS OLD.

IT STILL NEEDS APPROVAL FROM THE CDC BUT IT COMES AMIDST A RISE IN COVID CASES AS STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL FROM THE HOLIDAY BREAK.

AS WE ENTER YEAR THREE OF THIS PANDEMIC, IT IS FEELING A LOT LIKE YOUR NUMBER ONE.

CASES EXPLODING TO THE PEAK HOSPITALIZATIONS DOUBLING AND FATIGUE REMAINS A CONCERN AS SOME ARE THAT UP AND FRUSTRATED BY THE STRAIN THE VIRUS HAS PUT ON DAILY LIFE.

HEALTHCARE WORKERS INCLUDED.

TODAY, STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER JUDY FOR THE KELLY SAYS SHE ASKED FEMA TO SEND REINFORCEMENTS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS WHO ARE UNABLE TO WORK AFTER TESTING POSITIVE.

THE SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC AND THE NURSES WHO ARE REACHING THE TIPPING POINT.

>> WE ARE OVERWHELMED.

I'M EXTREMELY OVERWHELMED.

THE CASES ARE RISING UP AGAIN.

COVID ALL OVER, IT IS COVID EVERYWHERE.

>> SHE IS IN ICU NURSE AT ST. MARY'S IN PASSAIC, LIKE MANY HEALTHCARE WORKERS, SHE MANAGED TO AVOID A COVID INFECTION DURING PRIOR SURGES BUT AS CASES IN NEW JERSEY SOARED TO MORE THAN 20,000 PER DAY, THE VIRUS FINALLY TAGGED DIANA, SHE SPENT THE PAST FIVE DAYS AND HOME RECOVERING.

>> IT MAKES YOU WANT TO QUIT.

I WANT TO PUT IN MY TWO WEEKS NOTICE.

I CAN'T KEEP DOING THIS.

YOU'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 2 YEARS NOW.

AS PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL, I TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE I TALK TO THEM OFF THE LEDGE.

>> SHE IS A RECOVERY ROOM NURSE AT VIRTUAL MEMORIAL WHERE COVID PATIENTS OCCUPY IT THIRD OF THE HOSPITAL BEDS AND NURSES ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP AS MORE STAFF GETS INFECTED EVEN THOUGH OMICRON IS NOT AS MARYLAND, THE NUMBER OF CASES TOPPED 4700 STATEWIDE.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ARE LIVING IN A PARALLEL UNIVERSE.

I DON'T THINK THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WHAT'S GOING ON INSIDE THE HOSPITALS.

>> THE SCARY THING IS SOME OF THE HEALTHCARE WORKERS CAN'T GET TESTED, AND THEY ARE GETTING EXPOSED.

THEY ARE SICK.

WE HAVE HOSPITALS WITH UP TO ONE THIRD OF STAFF SICK.

WHO IS TAKING CARE OF THE PATIENTS IF THEY ARE OUT SICK?

>> DAILY CASES AMONGST JERSEY HOSPITAL STAFF AT 823 PER DAY ON DECEMBER 30th, THAT'S ALMOST DOUBLE FROM THE WEEK BEFORE SHOWING AN ASTONISHING INFECTION RATE AND A MONTH THAT STARTED 71 CASES PER DAY.

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DATA SHOWS A VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE CASES, MORE THAN 13,000 CAME FROM IMMUNITY SPREAD WHILE MORE THAN 3000 CAUGHT COVID FROM HOSPITAL ACTIVITY.

THEY FIGURED STAFF EATING TOGETHER ON BREAK CAN SHARE MORE THAN A MEAL.

>> I GOT COVID FROM THE HOSPITAL.

I'VE WORKED OVERTIME LIKE CRAZY, I WAS PERFECTLY FINE UNTIL JUST ABOUT LAST WEEK.

AND ALL I'VE DONE IS COME HOME AND GO TO WORK BECAUSE I HAVE WORKED SO MUCH OVERTIME.

>> HOSPITALS REPORT COVID EXPLODING AMONG STAFF FROM 388 CASES AT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, 3 TO 64 AT ST. JOSEPH, 3 TO 59 IN HACKENSACK MERIDIAN AND 122 AT HOLY NAME, THE EPICENTER OF THE FIRST COVID WAVE.

SHE IS THE CHIEF NURSING OFFICER.

>> YOUR WE GO AGAIN, AND IT IS A LOT.

IT'S A LOT OF STRESS AND ANXIETY FOR THE STAFF ESPECIALLY WITH THE OMICRON VARIANT BEING SO CONTAGIOUS.

PEOPLE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING SICK AND BRING IT HOME TO FAMILIES.

>> HOSPITAL STAFF THAT GET SICK AND RECOVER WITH NO SYMPTOMS CAN RETURN TO WORK AFTER FIVE DAYS PER RECENT CDC GUIDELINES WHICH CURRENTLY DON'T REQUIRE A NEGATIVE TEST.

SHE SAYS PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECOVERED FROM COVID CAN TEST POSITIVE FOR WEEKS EVEN THOUGH THEY AREN'T CONTAGIOUS.

>> WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THE CDC CHANGE THE RETURN TO WORK TO FIVE DAYS BECAUSE HAD THIS BEEN THE WEIGHT WAS AT THE BEGINNING WITH 14 DAYS, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE CONVERSATION WE WOULD BE HAVING TODAY.

>> SHE SAYS THE HOSPITAL COULD SWITCH COVID PATIENTS FROM SINGLE ROOMS TO COMMUNITY WARDS WHERE IT IS EASIER TO CARE FOR THEM TO PROTECT WORKERS, THEY ARE RESTRICTING VISITORS.

THE STATES DISCUSSED CRISIS STAFFING CONTINGENCIES WITH HEALTHCARE LEADERS.

>> STAFFING CHALLENGES TO USE A TECHNICAL TERM, BAD.

IT IS BAD IN HOSPITALS AND LONG- TERM CARE.

>> ALL OF THEM ARE PLANNING FOR A 30% DECREASE IN STAFF COMPLEMENT.

THEY ARE REDEPLOYING THE MINISTRY OF INDIVIDUALS TO HELP OUT ON THE FRONT FACING DIRECT PATIENT CARE.

ACTIVITIES.

SO YOU DEVELOP TEAMS OF SPECIALISTS WHO VISIT PATIENTS EVERY DAY AND THEY ARE AROUND EVERY DAY RATHER THAN TEAMS OF PEOPLE HAVING 6 TO 8 PATIENTS, THEY MAY HAVE 15.

>> THE STATE WILL LET EMTS GIVE VACCINATIONS TO FREE UP CLINICAL STAFF FOR HOSPITAL WORK.

DIANA GOES BACK TOMORROW.

AS FOR QUITTING -- >> I WILL WAIT AND SEE.

I WILL GIVE IT UNTIL MARCH OR APRIL.

IF THIS CONTINUES AND IT IS TOO MUCH, I WOULD RATHER DO SOMETHING ELSE.

>>> A FEDERAL TESTING SITE IN EAST ORANGE OFFICIALLY OPENED UP SATURDAY IN RESPONSE TO WHAT GOVERNOR MURPHY IS CALLING A OMICRON TSUNAMI.

IT IS IN RESPONSE TO THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR COVID TESTING.

THE GOVERNOR GOT A SNEAK PEEK ON FRIDAY OF THE NEW COVID TESTING LOCATION WHICH CAN ADMINISTER UP TO 1000 TESTS PER DAY WITH A SHORTER TURNAROUND TIME FOR RESULTS.

THE SITE IS PART OF THE INCREASING COMMUNITY ACCESS THE TESTING FOR SURGE RESPONSE EFFORTS WHICH IS TEAMING UP WITH LOCAL PHARMACIES AND LABS TO PROVIDE FREE TESTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES LIKE EAST ORANGE.

IF YOU NEED A TEST, CORRESPONDENT MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS LINES WERE MANAGEABLE AT THE SITE TODAY.

>> HITTING TESTED FOR COVID HAS BECOME A REGULAR ROUTINE FOR LOUISE COLEMAN AND HIS CHILDREN.

THERE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE NEWEST COVID SITE TO GET TESTED.

>> IS MY FIFTH OR SIXTH TIME DOING THIS.

>> WHILE PERFORMING A NASAL SWAB TEST ISN'T A BIG DEAL FOR DAD, IT IS NOT SO MUCH FUN FOR HIS KIDS.

>> I DON'T LIKE IT.

THEY STICK SOMETHING UP YOUR NOSE.

>> I LIKE IT TOO MUCH BECAUSE SOMETIMES WE GO INTO DEEP.

>> THEY AREN'T SYMPTOMATICALLY BUT AS THE NUMBER OF POSITIVE CASES RISES ACROSS THE JERSEY, HE FEELS IT IS NECESSARY THEY DO THE PART TO HELP CURVE THE SPREAD.

>> I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I STAY SAFE.

>> THE FEDERAL TESTING SITE AT THE EAST ORANGE SENIOR CENTER IS HELPING HUNDREDS OF OTHERS DETERMINE THEIR STATUS ONE SWAB AT A TIME.

IT IS PART OF THE INCREASING COMMUNITY ACCESS THE TESTING FOR COVID-19 SURGE RESPONSE EFFORTS.

SINCE OPENING NEW YEAR'S DAY, THE SITE HAS ADMINISTERED ABOUT 3000 PCR TESTS WITH THE GOAL OF GETTING RESULTS WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS.

>> IT WAS SUCH A DEMAND FOR COVID TESTING AND WE WERE STUNNED TO SEE BECAUSE AFTER EACH HOLIDAY, WE SOUGHT IN 2020 ALSO TOOK AFTER EACH HOLIDAY, WE SEE SURGES.

IN POSITIVE CASES.

AND THERE'S ALWAYS A DEMAND FOR TESTING AFTER BECAUSE WITH THE SURGE COMING START TO SEE INDIVIDUALS BECOMING ILL >> THE DOCTOR IS THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR THE CITY OF EAST ORANGE.

SHE SAYS THE SURGEON CASES LINKED THE OMICRON VARIANT HAS BEEN CREATING AN EVEN HIGHER DEMAND FOR TESTING.

>> WE STARTED TO SEE LONG LINES OF INDIVIDUALS WAITING FOR ALMOST 3 HOURS LONG JUST TO ACCESS A TEST AND IT WAS HAPPENING LOCALLY, BUT IT WAS HAPPENING ALL OF THE STATE AND EVEN IN OTHER STATES AS WELL.

WE WERE FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ALSO OUR STATE GOVERNMENT AND COUNTY.

BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO REALLY FIGURE OUT A WAY TO RELIEVE THE BURDEN ON OUR PRIVATE PRACTITIONERS AND HOSPITALS AND URGENT CARES AND ALSO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF TO THE INDIVIDUALS WHO NEEDED TO ACCESS TESTS.

AND THEY WERE ANXIOUS, BECAUSE MOST WHO ARE TRAVELING OR NEEDED TO ACCESS A TEST NEEDED TO AT LEAST TRY TO IDENTIFY RESULTS IN 24 TO 48 HOURS.

THAT IS THE BASIC PROMISE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THE GOVERNOR TOURED THE SITE ON FRIDAY AHEAD OF THE OFFICIAL OPENING.

>> WITH THE OMICRON TSUNAMI.

MAKING SURE RESIDENTS HAVE INCREASED ACCESS TO COVID TESTING IS NEEDLESS TO SAY IMPERATIVE.

>> TODAY, WITH OVER 20,000 POSITIVE CASES AS WELL AS 12 NEW DEBTS, 4000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED WITH ALMOST 300 ON VENTILATORS.

>> WE HAVE TWO SITUATIONS WE NEED TO DEAL WITH, ONE IS THE AVAILABILITY OF TESTS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF LABS TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND FOR ANALYZING THE TEST.

SO WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE DONE TO TRY TO AVOID HAVING TO STAND ONLINE OR WAIT OUTSIDE URGENT CARE IS TO GET ACCESS TO THE AT HOME ANTIGEN TEST.

THOSE ARE ALSO IN SHORT SUPPLY AND IF YOU TEST POSITIVE ON ONE OF THOSE TESTS, THEY DON'T GO INTO THE STATE DATABASE.

WHATEVER NUMBERS WE ARE SEEING NOW ARE LIKELY EVEN HIGHER, BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO ARE TESTING AND CHOOSING TO STAY HOME AND ISOLATED.

>> WHILE ACCESS CONTINUES TO PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD, HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE PLEADING WITH PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED AND TO WHERE A MASK.

>> I KNOW EVERYONE IS TIRED OF TALKING ABOUT COVID AND EVERYONE WANTS TO GET BACK TO LIFE, BUT WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET BACK TO A CERTAIN SENSE OF WILL SEE IF WE DO THIS TOGETHER.

WE ALL HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER IF WE WILL WRITE THIS PANDEMIC WHICH WE ARE STILL IN 2+ YEARS SINCE THE ONSET.

WE REALLY DO NEED EVERYBODY TO JOIN TOGETHER AND BAND TOGETHER REGARDLESS OF PERSPECTIVES ON ONE THING OR ANOTHER TO FIGHT THE VIRUS.

THE WAIT TIMES ARE ESTIMATED AROUND 30 MINUTES.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, IT IS SCHEDULED TO REMAIN OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 14th BUT IF THE DEMAND FOR TESTING IS STILL HIGH, IT WILL STAY OPEN FOR AS LONG AS NEEDED.

>>> WITH STUDENTS RETURNING TO CLASSROOMS AFTER THE LONG HOLIDAY BREAK, A NUMBER OF DISTRICTS DECIDED TO GO REMOTE WHILE OTHERS ARE STILL GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO REMAIN IN PERSON AS OMICRON CONTINUES TO SURGE.

HOW ARE THESE DECISIONS BEING MADE, AND WILL THIS BE A TEMPORARY SHIFT TO REMOTE, OR COULD IT BE A LONGER HAUL, WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS AND PARENTS?

JOANNA REPORTS ON DIFFERENT OPTIONS FOR LEARNING IN THE NEW YEAR AND HOW TESTING COULD PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN WHETHER OR NOT THE KIDS STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF POSITIVE CASES IN STUDENTS AND STAFF, THE NUMBER OF QUARANTINES , IT BECAME IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO RESUME IN PERSON LEARNING.

>> JERSEY CITY IS ONE OF MAJOR DISTRICTS THAT RETURNED FROM A HOLIDAY BREAK WITH A REMOTE LEARNING MODEL.

THE RECENT COVID EXPULSION AFFECTED HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS, BUT IN THE CITY, IT IS ABOUT THE STAFF.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF TO MAN THE CLASSES TO REALLY PROPERLY SUPERVISE AND INSTRUCT OUR STUDENTS.

>> THEY PLAN TO BE OUT FOR AT LEAST A WEEK.

>> THESE SCHOOLS SHOULD BE OPEN AND CLOSURES ARE STARTING TO BECOME A CATASTROPHE FOR THE STUDENTS.

>> TRICIA SAYS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HIRE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SO STAFFING SHORTAGES ARE THE REASON THE FAMILY HAS TO EXPERIENCE ANOTHER DISRUPTION.

>> WE INCREASE THE PER DIEM RATE FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS, BUT THE REALITY IS THERE IS A STAFFING SHORTAGE.

THERE IS A STAFFING SHORTAGE FOR TEACHERS AND SUBSTITUTES.

>> ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WOULD BE REMOTE FOR TWO WEEKS STARTING TODAY.

>> WE KNOW WHERE THE EMPLOYEES WORK THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND SO MONITORING THE NUMBERS BECOMES EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOT ONLY HOW THE STATE OR THE COUNTY IS DOING, BUT HOW THE CITY IN PARTICULAR IS DOING AND THE DATA POINTS IN REGARDS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN AND OF ITSELF.

>> CURRENT NUMBERS LAST YEAR WOULD'VE MEANT ALL SCHOOLS WERE .

WITHOUT THE GUIDANCE, THERE'S A PATCHWORK OF RESPONSES WITH SOME DISTRICTS VIRTUAL AND SOME SHIFTING TO HALF DAYS AND OTHERS REMAINING OPEN.

MONTCLARE IS OPEN, BUT OFFERED A REMOTE OPTION FOR STUDENTS WHO WANT IT.

JERSEY CITY SAYS MORE PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THAT CHOICE.

>> WE ARE MORE COMFORTABLE SENDING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.

THERE MUST BE AN OPTION OFFERING MORE TO OUR STUDENTS AND THE PARENTS WHO ARE NOT COMFORTABLE SO THEY CAN HAVE THAT OPTION.

>> HE DOESN'T WANT HIS KIDS RETURNING TO THE JERSEY CITY SCHOOL EVEN AFTER THE DISTRICT WAS BACK AT LEAST NOT UNTIL THE WAVE HAS PASSED.

JANET CASTRO IS A HELP OFFICER OVERSEEING SEVERAL HUDSON COUNTY TOWNS AND ONE POSITIVE SHE SAYS IS THE SPREAD ISN'T HAPPENING IN SCHOOLS.

>> THE MAJORITY OF OUTBREAKS WERE DUE TO HOME EXPOSURES AND COMMUNITY EXPOSURES.

>> DO YOU BELIEVE IT STAFFING WEREN'T AN ISSUE, STUDENTS COULD SAFELY BE IN SCHOOL RIGHT NOW?

>> IF THEY ARE ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY SOCIAL DISTANCE AND LIMIT OR RESTRICT THE HIGH RISK ACTIVITIES, THEY COULD IN FACT DO THAT.

>> ONE METHOD THAT'S BEEN TALK ABOUT A LOT IS A TEST TO STAY.

THE GOVERNOR AND HEALTH COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCED NEW GUIDANCE FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAMS BUT STOPPED SHORT OF OFFERING A STATE RUN PROGRAM THAT MANY DISTRICTS SAY THEY NEED TO EFFECTIVELY OPERATE THE MODEL.

NEWARK LAUNCHED ITS OWN MODEL.

>> WE PROVIDE RAPID TEST TO ALL THE STUDENTS IN ANY STAFF MEMBER THAT WOULD LIKE TO GET A RAPID TEST.

IF ANY STUDENT IS CONTACTED, OUR PROCEDURE IS ON THAT DATE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO GET A PCR TESTING WITHIN THE 5 TO 7 DAY WINDOW, THEY ARE TO GET ANOTHER PCR TEST.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS NOT FOLLOWED THE CDC GUIDANCE SURE THE QUARANTINE TIME TO FIVE DAYS FOR STUDENTS OR STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED, BUT A CHANGE MAY BE COMING SOON.

MANY EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE SCRAMBLING TO ADJUST TO THE NEW MOAT PLANS AND MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL.

>>> NEW JERSEY MAY BRAG ABOUT BEING A DIVERSE STATE, BUT THOSE ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE IN TRENTON DO NOT COME CLOSE TO REFLECTING THE STATE'S MOSAIC POPULACE.

OF THE 120 STATE SENATORS AND MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY WHO MAKE UP THE NEWLY ELECTED, 1/29 LEGISLATURE WILL BE SWORN IN NEXT WEEK, 70% OR 84 OF THEM ARE WHITE NON-HISPANIC IN TWO THIRDS OF THEM ARE MALES.

OUR SENIOR WRITER BREAKS IT ALL DOWN.

>> IS IT FAIR TO SAY HISTORICALLY, NEW JERSEY HAS NOT BEEN FRIENDLY TO WOMEN IN STATE OFFICE?

>> YES.

DEFINITELY.

WE HAVE HAD SOME UPS AND DOWNS.

WE HAD AN A PERIOD A COUPLE DECADES AGO AND WE'VE BEEN MORE DOWN LATELY.

SO THIS IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE MORE WOMEN COMING IN TO THIS LEGISLATURE IS CERTAINLY A GOOD THING.

WE HAVE 34% COMPARED WITH MORE THAN HALF THE POPULATION AS WOMEN, SO CERTAINLY THE NUMBER OF LEGISLATURES DOES NOT REFLECT THE POPULATION, BUT THE FACT THAT IT IS MORE THAN ONE THIRD IS BETTER THAN IT'S BEEN.

>> GIVE US AN IDEA OF HOW UNBALANCED THE LEGISLATURE IS.

>> WE HAD THE LAST CENSUS DATA COME IN, AND IT SHOWED THAT NEW JERSEY HAS BECOME MORE DIVERSE, CONTINUES TO BE MORE DIVERSE.

WE'VE GOT ABOUT 52% OF THE POPULATION IS NON-HISPANIC WHITE.

THAT IS, STILL A MAJORITY, BUT IN THE LEGISLATURE, 71% OF LAWMAKERS COMING INTO THE NEW LEGISLATURE ARE WHITE.

THE HISPANIC LATINO POPULATION HAS INCREASED QUITE A BIT.

WENDY 2% ACCORDING TO THE CENSUS.

ONLY 8% OF LEGISLATURES ARE HISPANIC OR LATINO.

IN ABOUT 10% OF POPULATION IS ASIAN AND ONLY ABOUT 5% OF LAWMAKERS ARE ASIAN.

SO THERE ARE SOME PRETTY BIG GAPS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I GUESS WHY AND HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN.

IS IT A MATTER OF NOT ENOUGH WOMEN OR PEOPLE OF COLOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE?

>> SO FOLKS SAY THAT IS NOT THE CASE IN FACT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT TO RUN.

THE PROBLEM HAPPENS MOSTLY THE COUNTY LEVEL WHERE THE COUNTY POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE AN AWFUL LOT OF ALL.

IF YOU GET THE ENDORSEMENT OF YOUR COUNTY POLITICAL PARTY, YOU PRETTY MUCH HAVE ALMOST A GUARANTEE OF WINNING YOUR PRIMARY.

SO THAT IS KIND OF WHERE THE ISSUES START.

AND THEN WHAT FOLKS SAY IS THAT THESE PARTIES NEED TO REALLY DO MORE TO PUSH WOMEN AND LATINOS, ASIANS, OTHER PEOPLE INTO RUNNING.

AND IF YOU RUN, YOU MIGHT WIN, YOU SAW THAT DOWN IN SOUTH JERSEY WHERE WE HAD WOMEN WHEN IN THE ASSEMBLY, TWO WOMEN IN THE THIRD DISTRICT WITH THE DEMOCRATS JUST WERE SHOCKED BY THE LOSSES.

WE HAD TWO WOMEN WHEN IN THE ASSEMBLY IN THE 11th DISTRICT WHERE THESE WERE REPUBLICANS, THEY WERE NOT EXPECTED TO WIN.

SO IF YOU RUN, THEY MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE OF WINNING.

IT IS JUST A CASE OF THE PARTIES GETTING BEHIND THESE CANDIDATES.

>> ONE MORE LASTING, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, IN ADDITION TO GENDER AND RACE, WHAT ROLE DOES AGE PLAY?

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I DIDN'T DO THAT ANALYSIS.

CERTAINLY THE LEGISLATURE IS OLDER THAN THE STATE POPULATION.

THE AVERAGE STATE POPULATION IS 40 WERE 42.

WE'VE GOT AN AWFUL LOT OF LEGISLATORS WHO ARE 60 YEARS OLD OR OLDER.

YOU NEED A LEGISLATURE THAT IS MIXED.

YOU NEED PEOPLE WITH EXPERIENCE, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND, BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE STATE, YOU WANT TO HAVE THIS BROAD RANGE OF FOLKS OF DIFFERENT AGES.

>> ALWAYS GREAT REPORTING, THANK YOU.

>> COVID AND COLD-WEATHER CAUSING CHAOS FOR AIR TRAVELERS.

RECORD NUMBER OF FLIGHTS CANCELED DUE TO STAFF SHORTAGES AND MOTHER NATURE'S WRATH.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS AND ALL THE OTHER TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES OF THE DAY.

>> THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, BUT THE AIRLINE TRAVEL PROBLEMS ARE NOT.

OVER THE PAST 24 HOURS COME ABOUT 170 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED OUT OF NEWARK AIRPORT.

ACROSS THE U.S. AS OF MIDDAY, MORE THAN 2300 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED.

AND ANOTHER 2700 WERE DELAYED.

THIS IS ON TOP OF THE THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS CANCELED OVER BOTH THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S WEEKENDS.

AS WE'VE BEEN REPORTING, AIRLINE STAFF SHORTAGES ARE TO BLAME FOR THE SCHEDULING CHAOS AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS HAVE ALSO BEEN CALLING OUT SICK .

AND NOW THERE'S AN EAST COAST WINTER STORM THAT IS COMPLICATING THINGS FURTHER.

A TRAVEL INDUSTRY ANALYST WITH ATMOSPHERE RESEARCH GROUP POINTS OUT THE STAFFING PROBLEMS ARE HAPPENING EVEN THOUGH AIRLINES HAVE MADE EMPLOYEE VACCINATIONS A PRIORITY.

>> THEY TAKEN STEPS TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF PEOPLE GETTING SICK BY INSISTING OR ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED.

BUT WE KNOW THAT COVID HAS BEEN VERY RANDOM.

SO I THINK WHAT WE WILL TAKE AWAY FROM THIS IS IF WE INTEND TO TRAVEL WHETHER IT IS FOR BUSINESS OR PERSONAL REASONS, DURING A HOLIDAY OR NOT , WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE NOT ONLY A PLAN A, BUT A PLAN B AND POSSIBLY PLAN SAY.

>> WHEN ASKED WHEN THINGS WOULD GET BACK TO NORMAL, HE RESPONDED, THAT IS UP TO OMICRON.

>> RISING CASES LED SOME WALMART STORES IN NEW JERSEY TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE DOWN.

A WALMART IN MANDEL CLOSED SUNDAY FOR DEEP CLEANING.

IT IS EXPECTED TO OPEN TOMORROW .

IT IS THE THIRD STORE TO RECENTLY SHUT DOWN FOR A BRIEF PERIOD OF TIME.

>>> MILLIONS OF FAMILIES LOST PANDEMIC RELATED ASSISTANCE AT THE START OF 2022.

THE EXPANDED CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT EXPIRED AT THE END OF 2021 AFTER CONGRESS FAILED TO RENEW THE PROGRAM.

THE CHILD CARE TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS WHICH RANGE FROM $250- $300 PER MONTH STARTED GOING OUT LAST JULY AND THE FINAL PAYMENT WAS MADE IN DECEMBER.

UNDER THE EXPANDED PROGRAM, MORE FAMILIES WERE ELIGIBLE.

SUPPORTERS OF THE TAX CREDIT SAID THE PAYMENT ALLOWED FAMILIES TO COVER FOOD OR RENT AND KEPT MANY OUT OF POVERTY.

>>> 2021 BROUGHT BIG GAINS ON WALL STREET, THE DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE GAINED 19% ON THE YEAR AND THE S&P 500 AND NASDAQ HAD EVEN STRONGER PERFORMANCES.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW STOCKS CLOSED ON THE FIRST TRADING DAY OF THIS NEW YEAR.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

[ MUSIC ] >>> SOUTH JERSEY WAS SLAMMED WITH SNOW IS THE FIRST MAJOR STORM OF THIS WINTER AND THE YEAR BLEW THROUGH THE REGION.

SOME PARTS OF ATLANTIC AND SOUTHERN OCEAN COUNTIES REPORTED MORE THAN 7 INCHES OF SNOW AS OF THIS AFTERNOON.

TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.

AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE PREDICTED THAT SOME AREAS COULD SEE UP TO 18 INCHES ON THE GROUND ONCE THE STORM WAS OVER.

COASTAL FLOODING IS ALSO A THREAT TO LOW-LYING AREAS.

STATE POLICE RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 100 ACCIDENTS AS OF NOON.

THE STORM ARRIVED AFTER THE STATE SAW TEMPERATURES IN THE HIGH 50s OVER THE NEW YEAR'S WEEKEND.

DAVE ROBINSON, NEW JERSEY STATE CLIMATOLOGIST TOLD NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS MAKING IT MORE LIKELY FOR EXTREME WEATHER PATTERNS TO OCCUR.

>> TEMPERATURES ARE JUST BELOW FREEZING, THAT IS WHERE THE ATMOSPHERE CAN HOLD A LOT OF MOISTURE.

AND IT IS COLD ENOUGH TO BE SNOW.

MAYBE THAT STORM 50 YEARS AGO WOULD'VE BEEN FIVE DEGREES COLDER.

BUT PERHAPS NOT AS MUCH SNOW BECAUSE THERE WASN'T AS MUCH MOISTURE IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

IT IS A PHYSICAL PRINCIPLE, YOU WARM THE AIR, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL OF HOLDING MORE MOISTURE.

SO THIS IDEA OF WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS ONCE THOSE, IT CAN SNOW HARD.

IT IS SOMETHING WE SEEM TO BE SAYING.

>> THAT DOESN'T FOR US TONIGHT, BUT GO OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND CHEST US OUT ON THE SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE UPDATE YOU WITH THE LATEST NEWS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

OUR WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

IN THE OCEAN WHEN PROJECT AND THE SAG COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> AND JM HAS BEEN SERVING POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

JUST WHO ARE NJM SEALED IS?

THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN THAT KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS.

AND THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.

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