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♪ >>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS THE SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE NEW YEAR HAS GOTTEN OFF TO A ROUGH START WITH THE OMICRON VARIATE DRIVING CASES OF THE VIRUS TO RECORD LEVELS.

THE U.S. REPORTED MORE THAN 1 MILLION COVID CASES ON MONDAY AND IN JERSEY THERE IS MORE THAN 25,000 REPORTED TODAY, MARKING A FULL WEEK OF CASE IS ABOUT 20,000.

THE SURGE HAS SENT HEALTHCARE WORKERS SCRAMBLING AS HOSPITALIZATIONS TOP 5000 TODAY AND ARE EXPECTED TO PEAK AT BETWEEN 6000 AND 9000 IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT BIDEN RENEWED HIS CALLS FOR AMERICANS TO GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED WHILE ALSO URGING SCHOOL LEADERS TO KEEP THE CLASSROOMS OPEN.

DURING THE PRESS CONFERENCE, HE PROMISED IMPROVEMENTS ON COMING TO TESTING AND REDUCING LONG LINES AND WAITS.

HIS REMARKS AS THE CDC RECOMMENDED THOSE WHO RECEIVED THE PFIZER VACCINE GET A BOOSTER DOSE FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND SHOT INSTEAD OF THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED SIX MONTHS.

BUT WITH OMICRON SPREADING AND CASING RISING, SOME PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT A FOURTH DOSE.

IN OCTOBER, THE CDC AUTHORIZED A FOURTH DOSE SIX-MONTH AFTER FIRST DOSE FOR THOSE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

A REPORT ON WHETHER THE OMICRON WAVE MEANS THAT FOURTH SHOTS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE EARLIER.

>> I AM SCARED, PARTICULARLY WHEN I SEE SOMEBODY'S ACTIVITY IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

>> Reporter: THAT IS BECAUSE HE IS A COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT MAKES THEM VULNERABLE TO COVID , WITH THE VIRUS SPREADING EXPLOSIVELY, JERZY REPORTED MORE THAN 25,000 CASES TODAY, HE IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT A RECENT CONCERN TO SOMEONE WHO JUST TESTED POSITIVE, EVEN THOUGH HE HAS GOTTEN THE THREE RECOMMENDED DOSES OF COVID VACCINE .

THE MORRIS COUNTY RESIDENT WANTS A FOURTH SHOT.

>> JUST FOR PEACE OF MIND.

I HAVE A HOME HEALTHCARE PERSON WHO NOTIFIED ME ON SATURDAY THAT SHE TESTED POSITIVE.

SO, A FOURTH SHOT TO ME WHAT IS SURE THAT I HAD AS MUCH PROTECTION AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE CDC SAID PEOPLE WHO ARE MODERATELY AND SEVERELY IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MAY RECEIVE A TOTAL OF FOUR VACCINE DOSES BUT CAUTION THEY MUST WAIT UNTIL SIX MONTHS OR LATER AFTER THE THIRD DOSE, STARTING IN FEBRUARY.

THE OBJECTS.

>> WHY DO I HAVE TO WAIT TWO MONTHS?

>> IF I HAD A MAGIC WAND, I WOULD OFTEN WRITE IT NOW.

FOR PEOPLE IN THE HIGH RISK GROUPS.

BECAUSE THE INFECTION IS SURGERY.

>> Reporter: DR. MARTIN BLASER SAYS ISRAELI FOURTH SHOTS WERE GIVEN OUT LAST WEEK, A MEDICAL CENTER NEAR TEL AVIV STUDIED 150 OF THOSE HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND TODAY ANNOUNCED THE ADDITIONAL SHOT GENERATED A FIVEFOLD BOOST IN COVID ANTIBODIES .

IT DID REPORT SOME TEMPORARY ADVERSE REACTIONS LIKE A SORE ARM OR LOW FEVER.

ISRAEL IS OFFERING A FOURTH SHOT TO ALL PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 60.

>> JUST LIKE FOR ANY MEDICATION, WHAT IS THE BENEFIT AND WHAT IS THE RISK?

IF YOU HAVE A RAPIDLY ACCELERATING EPIDEMIC, THERE IS MORE BENEFIT.

VACCINES INCREASE OUR COMMUNITY TO COVID .

AND, THE MORE VACCINES, THE MORE IMMUNITY WE HAVE.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE MORE DATA BEFORE WE AUTHORIZE IT FOR EMERGENCY USE.

BUT, RIGHT NOW, I WANT TO SEE WAY MORE UPTICKS OF THIRD SHOTS.

THAT IS MY PRIORITY.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A SINGLE BOOSTED PERSON IN OUR ICU DURING THE OMICRON SURGE.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL'S DOCTORS SAY THAT OUT OF 115 CURRENT PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID , 33% ARE FULLY VACCINATED BUT NOT BOOSTED, JUST 7% ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

BOOSTERS WORK, HE SAYS, AND THEY ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER WITH NEW JERSEY COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS STATEWIDE TOPPING 5000.

>> YOU ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER WHETHER FOUR SHOTS ARE SUSTAINABLE.

WE DO NOT HAVE 50% OF THE POPULATION WHO HAVE GOTTEN THERE BOOSTER.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE FOURTH DOSE BY LESS BEING LESS THAN HONEST AND VACCINATION SITES AS PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS UNDERSTAND BUT ADVISE -- >> THE KEY IS SPEAKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR, DO NOT GO ROGUE, DO NOT GO INTO THE PHARMACY AND PRETEND THAT THAT YOU ARE JUST GETTING VACCINATED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> Reporter: THIS DOCTOR SAYS HER IMMUNOCOMPROMISED FATHER GOT A FOURTH SHOT AFTER CONSULTING WITH HIS DOCTOR BECAUSE THREE DOSES HAVE PRODUCED ZERO ANTIBODIES.

>> THEY DID NOT SEE ANY, SO THEY GAVE HIM AN ADDITIONAL DOSE AND HE HAS TONS.

THIS IS VERY MUCH NOT AN INDIVIDUAL MEDICINE MOMENT IN TIME.

NOW, I DO THINK THAT, AS WE SEE THE DATA, WE COULD SEE A SHIFT IN THE RECOMMENDATION SUCH AS WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IN ISRAEL.

>> Reporter: THAT COULD TAKE A WILD AS DR. ANTHONY FAUCI IS STILL BANKING ON THE CURRENT BOOSTER.

>> WE WILL TAKE IT ONE STEP AT A TIME AND GET THE DATA FROM THE THIRD BOOSTER AND MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THE SCIENTIFIC DATA.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR.

>>> AS THE OMICRON VARIATE SURGES, SCHOOLS CONTINUE TO BE DISRUPTED.

AS OF LAST NIGHT, MORE THAN 800 SCHOOLS REPORTED BEING CLOSED BECAUSE OF COVID RELATED CONCERNS , THAT IS 30% OF THE MORE THAN 2000 SCHOOLS THE STATE'S EDUCATION DEPARTMENT IS MODERATING.

WHILE THE DECISION TO SWITCH TO REMOTE OR VIRTUAL LEARNING IS AN ATTEMPT TO TRY TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS AMONG CHILDREN, STAFFING SHORTAGES, TESTING, AND RECORD CASE NUMBERS REMAIN CHALLENGED FOR SCHOOLS TO STAY IN PERSON OUR EDUCATION WRITER JOHN MOONEY BREAKS DOWN WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEW YEAR.

THIS IS FEELING VERY FAMILIAR.

A LOT OF US THOUGHT WE WERE PAST THE REMOTE LEARNING AND HERE WE ARE AGAIN.

HOW ARE DISTRICTS DEALING AND TRYING TO NAVIGATE THE ISSUE OF TESTING STAFF AND STUDENTS IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE AND IN SCHOOL?

>> IT IS A REAL QUESTION OF WHETHER THEY ARE DEALING WITH IT.

IT IS A HUGE CHALLENGE AND WAS A HUGE CHALLENGE IN THE FALL WHEN WE WERE NOT SEEING THE NUMBERS WE ARE NOW.

IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

AS YOU MENTIONED, WE HAVE RETURNED TO SCHOOL IN 2022 AT A CRAZY TIME.

FOR EDUCATORS, FOR STUDENTS, FOR FAMILIES ALL AROUND.

I SPOKE TO A SUPERINTENDENT EARLIER TODAY AND HE CALLED IT THE WILD WEST BECAUSE DISTRICTS ARE DOING DIFFERENT THINGS.

SOME ARE CALLING FOR THE STATE TO PROVIDE MORE GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO DO.

AS SOON AS YOU SEE MANDATES, THERE IS BACKLASH TO THAT.

IT HAS BEEN AS CHALLENGING OF A START TO THE NEW YEAR AS I HAVE EVER HAD IN COVERING SCHOOLS AND I HAVE A COVERING SCHOOLS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID THAT HE HAS NO DESIRE TO RETURN TO REMOTE LEARNING BUT HAS GIVEN DISTRICTS THE OPTION TO DO SO.

AND NEARLY 1/3 OF SCHOOLS ARE CURRENTLY REMOTE.

ARE WE GOING TO SEE MORE DISTRICTS GOING THIS ROUTE?

>> YES.

I THINK, IN THE SHORT TERM, I THINK WE WILL SEE MORE.

EVEN DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOT CLOSED TO IN-PERSON LEARNING, THOSE WHO WERE DOING A MIXTURE, VIRTUALLY EVERYONE IS DOING SOME KIND OF MIXTURE BECAUSE SOME KIDS AND STAFF ARE BEING QUARANTINED.

THE SAME SUPERINTENDENT I SPOKE WITH EARLIER, ONE FIFTH OF HIS STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE BEING QUARANTINED IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER.

THEY ARE DOING A HYBRID VERSION AND TEACHING STUDENTS ONLINE AND IN PERSON AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FOR KIDS, THAT IS A DIFFERENT WAY OF TEACHING THAT TEACHERS HAVE HAD TO BE TRAINED ON.

I THINK LAST YEAR WAS A DECENT TEST RUN AND WILL WE LEARN FROM THAT AND IMPROVE ON IT?

LAST YEAR, MOST OF US AGREED IT DID NOT GO TERRIBLY WELL.

>> ANOTHER IMPORTANT QUESTION, WHAT ROLE DO STAFF SHORTAGES PLAY?

>> A HUGE ONE, THAT IS A BIGGER CHALLENGE THAN ANYTHING, SO MANY ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS AND CUSTODIANS ARE PLAYING MULTIPLE ROLES TO FILL IN THE SPACES.

ONE IN FIVE CLASSROOMS NEED A SUB NOW AND THERE ARE NO SUBSTITUTES.

IT IS EXCRUCIATINGLY CHALLENGING.

IT WILL CONTINUE FOR A FEW WEEKS IF NOT MONTHS AHEAD.

>> WE KNOW REMOTE LEARNING IS NOT IDEAL.

IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING CHALLENGE FOR FAMILIES AND TEACHERS.

WHAT IS DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND?

>> THEY ARE A LITTLE BIT BETTER AT IT, FOR SURE.

WHAT THEY ARE NOT QUITE PREPARED FOR IS, AND IT VARIES FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL, THE REAL MENTAL HEALTH AND LEARNING LOSS CHALLENGE.

KIDS AND TEACHERS ARE JUST BURNT ON THIS.

THERE IS A LOT OF ISSUES THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT IN SCHOOLS THAT ARE EXPONENTIALLY GREATER THAN THEY USED TO BE IN TERMS OF MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS AND STAFF.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, A LOT OF TOUGH REALITY TO DEAL WITH BUT WE WILL HAVE TO SIT TIGHT AND SEE HOW WE GET THROUGH THIS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: IT IS NO SECRET THAT SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND AND KEEP EDUCATIONAL STAFF BECAUSE OF A SEARCH IN COVID-19 INFECTIONS .

THAT IS WHY LAWMAKERS WANT TO CALL ON RETIRED TEACHERS TO REENTER THE PROFESSION TO HELP WITH COVID DISRUPTIONS .

A PANEL ADVANCED THE MEASURE THIS WEEK THAT WOULD ALLOW RETIRED TEACHERS AND SOME PROFESSIONAL EDUCATIONAL STAFF TO TEMPORARILY RETURN TO WORK WITHOUT IMPACTING THE STATUS OF THEIR PENSIONS.

THE BILL WOULD MAKE RETURNING TEACHERS ELIGIBLE FOR A ONE- YEAR CONTRACT WHICH CAN BE RENEWED FOR ONE ADDITIONAL YEAR.

TO BE ELIGIBLE, MEMBERS OF THE TEACHERS PENSION AND ANNUITY FUND MUST BE RETIRED FOR AT LEAST 180 DAYS AS THE MEASURE SIMILAR TO A BILL GOVERNOR MURPHY SITE ALLOWING RETIRED SCHOOL NURSES TO RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE WITHOUT IMPACTING THEIR PENSION ELIGIBILITY.

AMID RISING INFECTIONS IN SURGERY HOSPITALS, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS CALLING ON THE LEGISLATURE TO EXTEND A NUMBER OF PANDEMIC RELATED EMERGENCY POWERS FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS.

MOST OF THE EMERGENCY POWERS ENDED THIS SUMMER BUT OTHERS WERE EXTENDED, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO IMPOSE STATEWIDE RESTRICTIONS AND MASK MANDATES.

NOW, THOSE POWERS ARE SET TO EXPIRE IF LAWMAKERS DO NOT ACT BEFORE THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEXT TUESDAY.

BUT, AS OUR SENIOR POLITICAL RESPONDENT CORRESPONDS, REPUBLICANS ARE ALREADY PUSHING BACK.

>> THIS OMICRON TSUNAMI HAS CHANGED THE GAME.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY RETURNED FROM HOLIDAY TO FIND THE STATE OF THE COVID FIGHT JUST AS HE LEFT IT, IF NOT WORSE.

CASES ARE UP AND HOSPITALIZATIONS, LIKEWISE, CHILDREN GETTING VACCINATED AND ON MONDAY THE GOVERNMENT WAS USING POINTED LANGUAGE.

>> WE CANNOT SUMMARILY GIVE UP THE FIGHT.

WE NEED TO REMAIN ON A WAR FOOTING TO MAKE SURE WE GET RESOURCES TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

AND WHEN THEY NEED TO BE THERE.

>> Reporter: JANUARY OF 2022 IS STARTING TO SOUND LIKE MARK OF 2020 WHEN THE GOVERNOR ISSUED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY AND ISSUED EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON EVERYTHING FROM MASKING TO VACCINATING.

THE LOCKDOWN WAS NOT FAR BEHIND.

THE BACKLASH HAD EVEN DEMOCRATS PULLING FOR RESTRAINT.

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY SAYS ONE THIRD OF THE STATE'S SMALL BUSINESSES DIED IN THE PROCESS.

BY JUNE OF 2021, THE VIRUS SEEMED TO BE ON THE RUN AND EMERGENCY ORDERS STOPPED.

THE GOVERNOR'S EXTRA AUTHORITY WAS SENT TO END LAST WEEK.

>> ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 1st, I FORMALLY NOTIFIED LEADERSHIP OF THE SENATE IN EXTENDING FOR ADDITIONAL 90 DAYS OUR ADMINISTRATION'S EMERGENCY POWERS RELATED TO VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AND ADMINISTRATION, TESTING, AND ENSURING ADHERENCE TO CDC GUIDANCE, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO MASKING AND VULNERABLE SETTINGS INCLUDING SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE CENTERS WHERE WE KNOW THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THE INCOMING SENATE MINORITY LEADER WAS AGAINST THE BILL IN JUNE THAT REQUIRE LEGISLATIVE APPROVAL FOR ANY FUTURE EMERGENCY POWERS.

>> I IMAGINE THAT, IF YOU THOUGHT IT WAS OVER REACHING MEN, YOU THINK IT IS OVER REACHING OUT?

>> I DO THINK IT IS OVER REACHING BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOT TAKE THINGS AS ONE LUMP SUM, AS IT LOOKS LIKE THEY WANT TO DO.

THERE ARE SOME ASPECTS THAT ARE A GOOD IDEA.

FIRST OF ALL, DOES IT NEED TO BE 90 DAYS?

I AM GLAD THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TO COME TO THE LEGISLATURE AND HOPEFULLY NEGOTIATE SOME THINGS.

BUT THE 90 DAY ISSUE QUITE FRANKLY DOES NOT NEED TO BE 90 DAYS.

WE ORIGINALLY SET 14 DAYS AND WE CAN DO THINGS QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS ARE NOT SURE THE GOVERNOR HAS LEARNED HIS LESSON AND ARE GIVING HIM 90 DAYS TO ISSUE EXECUTIVE ORDERS, SAYING THAT COULD BE THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN TO THE ECONOMY OF THE STATE WITH NO EVIDENCE THAT OMICRON WILL HAVE THE SAME IMPACT AS DELTA.

>> SICKNESS WILL NOT GO AWAY.

WE WILL HAVE COLDS AND THE FLU, DIFFERENT THINGS, AND I REALLY DO THINK THAT LOCKDOWNS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING ANYMORE.

WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL BE NEXT.

WE HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH THESE THINGS.

>> Reporter: THE ISSUES WERE RELEASED BY BOTH HOUSES THAT SUGGESTED NOT AN AUTOMATIC YES.

THE SPEAKER IS ENGAGED IN DISCUSSIONS WITH SENATE LEADERSHIP IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE STEPS.

THAT IS A STATEMENT FROM THE SPEAKER, AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE WAS MORE CIRCUMSPECT.

"WE RECEIVED THE REQUEST AND IT IS UNDER REVIEW" SAID A SPOKESPERSON FOR SENATOR SWEENEY.

>> SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MURPHY WANTS TO DO, I AM OKAY WITH.

THE ISSUE I HAVE IS, HOW IS THE LEGISLATURE NOT GOING TO HAVE A HEARING ON THIS ISSUE?

>> Reporter: A RHETORICAL QUESTION THAT POINTS TO JUST HOW MUCH REPUBLICANS WANT THE GOVERNOR AND YOU TO KNOW THAT, WHEN IT COMES TO THE OMICRON AND ANY FUTURE VARIANTS , THE GOVERNOR OWNED THE RESPONSE.

>>> PEOPLE WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD WILL NOW BE A STEP CLOSER TO HAVING A FAIR CHANCE AT A HOUSING IN NEW JERSEY UNDER A NEW BILL SIGNED INTO LAW THIS YEAR.

THE FAIR CHANCE IN HOUSING ACT WILL STOP LANDLORDS FROM RUNNING A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK ON AN APPLICANT UNTIL A CONDITIONAL OFFER OF HOUSING HAS BEEN MADE.

ONLY AFTER APPROVING AN APPLICANT AND MAKING A CONDITIONAL OFFER WILL A LANDLORD BE ABLE TO ASK ABOUT THE APPLICANT'S CRIMINAL HISTORY OR CONDUCT A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK.

THE ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYS IT WOULD INCREASE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS AND REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT HOUSING WILL LEAD TO MORE CRIME.

>>> A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE WALKED OFF THE JOB AS 21 CAME TO A CLOSE AS A PART OF WHAT VINELAND BUSINESS ANALYST ARE CALLING THE GREAT REGISTRATION.

WE HAVE THAT AND MORE BUSINESS HEADLINES WITH RHONDA.

>> Reporter: OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, WE LEARN ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE LABOR MARKET HEADING INTO THE NEW YEAR.

BUSINESSES ARE EXPECTED TO REPORT THEY HAVE CREATED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JOBS, WHILE WORKERS CONTINUE TO LEAVE THEIR JOBS IN DROVES.

TODAY, U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORT SHOWS 4.5 MILLION WORKERS WALKED OFF THE JOB IN NOVEMBER, THAT IS A NEW RECORD FOR THE SO-CALLED GREAT RESIGNATION.

THE INDUSTRIES WITH THE BIGGEST LOSS OF EMPLOYEES ARE RESTAURANTS AND HEALTHCARE.

MEANTIME, BOTH NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP AND U.S. GOVERNMENT ARE EXPECTED THIS WEEK TO REPORT HEALTHY LEVELS OF JOB CREATION IN DECEMBER.

WE CONTINUE TO SEE FAR MORE OPEN JOBS THAN THERE ARE BODIES TO FILL THEM.

>>> NEW WORK AREA BUSINESS LEADERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT STAFFING ISSUES CONTINUING INTO THIS YEAR.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND COO OF THE NEWARK REGIONAL BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP.

>> WORKFORCES ARE THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE, OBVIOUSLY, GREATER CONCERNS THEN IN DECEMBER FOR PEOPLE OUT WITH COVID .

AND A QUESTION ABOUT RETURNING TO THE OFFICE, WHEN WOULD BE THE TIME WHEN PEOPLE COULD START RETURNING TO THE OFFICE?

>> Reporter: AS BUSINESS LEADERS GRAPPLE WITH THAT, THEY EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT 2022 AND EXPECT ANOTHER BIG PROBLEM, SUPPLY CHAIN BOTTLENECKS WILL START TO EASE THIS YEAR.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY IS SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT ON A LIST OF 50 COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS FOOD DESERTS.

NEW JERSEY HAS COMMITTED A TOTAL OF $240 MILLION IN FUNDING OVER THE NEXT SIX YEARS IN TAX CREDITS, LOANS, AND GRANTS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS IN NEEDY COMMUNITIES.

FOR INSTANCE, FUNDING COULD BE PROVIDED TO BUILD NEW GROCERY STORES.

THIS LIST OF 50 COMMUNITIES IN NEED INCLUDES PARTS OF NEWARK AND CAMDEN AND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES.

>>> THE EDA WANT INPUT BEFORE THE GREEN FUND IS LAUNCHED, THE FUND WOULD PROVIDE FINANCING FOR PROJECTS DESIGNED TO REDUCE EMISSIONS AND ACCELERATE CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.

>>> LET'S LOOK AT WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

THOSE ARE OUR TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> SOUTH JERSEY DIGGING OUT AFTER HEAVY SNOWFALL SLAMMED OCEAN, ATLANTIC, AND CAPE MAY COUNTIES, AND IN WILDWOOD FLAKES FLEW OVER THE BOARDWALK AS PEOPLE GRABBED THEIR SLEDS.

IN THE OCEAN OFF CAPE MAY, SOME SURFERS STILL RODE WAVES.

IN OCEAN CITY, THEY SAW THE MOST SNOW WITH 14 INCHES, AND HARBOR TOWNSHIP CAME IN SECOND WITH 13.5.

BUT THE WEATHER IS NOT ALL FUN AS MANY MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES ARE ISSUING CODE BLUE FOR DROPPING TEMPERATURES, OPENING SHELTERS, AND URGING PEOPLE TO DRESS WARMLY AND BE CAREFUL.

MORE SNOW FORECAST ON FRIDAY WITH MOST OF US EXPECTED TO SEE BETWEEN 1 AND 3 INCHES BUT THE NORTHWEST PART COULD SEE UP TO 6 INCHES.

>>> NEW JERSEY HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, AND BUSINESSES WHO HAVE PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA HAVE UNTIL TOMORROW TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE WHICH CAN INCLUDE MONEY FOR HOME REPAIRS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND OTHER PROPERTY LOSS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE AS SO FAR FEMA AND THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION HAVE APPROVED MORE THAN $442 MILLION COMBINED IN RECOVERY LOANS AND GRANTS FOR NEW JERSEY VICTIMS.

BUT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IS NOT ENOUGH TO HELP SOME RESIDENTS REBUILD AND GET BACK IN THEIR HOMES.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE, NEARLY 500 PEOPLE DISPLACED BY THE STORM ARE STILL LIVING IN HOTELS.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER REPORTS ON THE LONG ROAD STILL AHEAD.

>> IT WAS REALLY TOUGH FOR ME TO LOSE MY HOME.

>> Reporter: TEARS DOWN HER FACE AS SHE REMEMBERS LOSING IT ALL AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA HIT HER HOME.

>> I SWAM FROM MY FIRST FLOOR APARTMENT ON NORTH FIRST AVENUE TO THE SECOND FLOOR OF MY BUILDING.

I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT MY PETS, MYSELF, I HAVE THIS PROSTHETIC RUNNING LEG.

I HAVE TO GET THIS GUY AND THE PROSTHETIC LEG THAT I'M WEARING.

BESIDES THAT, NOTHING ELSE.

>> Reporter: FOUR MONTHS LATER, SHE IS RENTING A ROOM NEARBY BUT STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

SHE IS ONE OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY TURNING TO FEMA FOR HELP AS AS OF TODAY THE FEDERAL AGENCY HAS APPROVED ALMOST $214 MILLION IN IDA DISASTER RELIEF.

>> THEY CAN USE THE MONEY FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE COME HOME REPAIRS, PERSONAL PROPERTY LOSSES, AND OTHER SERIOUS DISASTER RELATED NEEDS NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE.

IT IS NOT NEEDED TO BE REPAID.

>> Reporter: BUT TIME IS RUNNING OUT AS THOSE WHO NEED ASSISTANCE RELATED ITEMS MUST APPLY BY TOMORROW.

BUT SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION BY THE DEADLINE IS NOT THE PROBLEM FOR SULLIVAN WHO SAYS SHE CONFIRMED FEMA HAS BEEN SENDING HER PAYMENT SINCE OCTOBER BUT SHE JUST HAS NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING.

>> THEY SAID THEY WERE SENT TO THE DANVILLE POST OFFICE.

EXCEPT IT WAS UNDERWATER.

UNTIL NOVEMBER.

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE MY CHECKS ARE.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE BEEN TO THE HILLSBORO POST OFFICE, OTHER POST OFFICE LOCATIONS, THEY GIVE ME PHONE NUMBERS TO CALL AND CALL BUT IT IS A LOOP THAT GOES BACK TO FEMA.

>> IT WAS A FULL-TIME JOB OF TRYING TO GET ANYONE FROM FEMA TO HELP US.

>> Reporter: SHE IS FRUSTRATED WITH TRYING TO GET DISASTER RELIEF AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA DEVASTATED HER HOME IN BASKING RIDGE WHERE SHE LIVES WITH HER TWO CHILDREN.

HAMILTON HAS RECEIVED FUNDS BUT SAYS IT IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH.

>> THE TOTAL COST TO HAVE OUR HOME, BETWEEN THE WATER MITIGATION, THE WALLS, PLUMBING, ELECTRICAL WORK BECAUSE THE WATER WENT INTO THE SOCKETS, WAS $39,897, THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE ANY FURNITURE.

FEMA CAME AND PROVIDED ME WITH $11,700.

I HAVE NOT HAD ANY CONTACT WITH ANYONE EXCEPT A WOMAN NAMED MEGAN, I BELIEVE, IN WASHINGTON, D.C. WHO LEFT ME A MESSAGE THAT SAID THEY WOULD TRY TO GET ME A NEW INSPECTOR.

I NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM A NEW INSPECTOR.

THEY JUST SENT ME AN EMAIL THAT SAID THAT WE LOOK AT YOUR CASE AGAIN AND THIS IS HOW MUCH WE THINK YOU DESERVE.

>> FEMA IS A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE BUT NOT THE ENTIRE PIECE, TAKES THE COMMUNITY, STATE, NONPROFITS, LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES, WORKING US HAND- IN-HAND TO WORK ON RECOVERY.

ANY MONEY A SURVIVOR RECEIVES FROM FEMA IS USUALLY ONLY SUPPLEMENTAL, NOT ENOUGH TO MAKE IT WHOLE.

THE AVERAGE IS $5000 TO $8000, IF YOU LOST EVERYTHING, THAT WILL NOT REBUILD YOUR HOME.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER RESOURCES THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WHICH DOES NOT REQUIRE IDA SURVIVORS TO OWN A BUSINESS TO GET A SMALL INTEREST LOAN.

TO DATE, THEY HAVE APPROVED ROUGHLY 4800 LOANS FOR A TOTAL OF ALMOST $229 MILLION.

>> AS A SINGLE MOTHER OF A CHILD IN COLLEGE, THE LAST THING I NEED TO DO IS TAKE OUT AN SBA LOAN TO PAY FOR MY MORTGAGE BECAUSE I AM A TEACHER IN TOWN AND I CAN BARELY PAY MY MORTGAGE DOING MY THING.

TO TAKE OUT A LOAN TO FIX MY HOUSE, I CANNOT DO IT.

>> Reporter: FEMA WANTS TO HELP PEOPLE GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND THEIR STAFF DOES THE BEST TO HELP ALL CONCERNS ARE ADDRESSED, THEY SAY, IF A SURVIVOR HAS NOT RECEIVED A PAYMENT, THEY SHOULD CALL THE FEMA HELP DESK AND REQUEST A STOP PAYMENT.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT BUT GO OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG WHERE WE KEEP YOU UPDATED ON THE LOCAL NEWS THAT IS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL BE BACK HERE TOMORROW.

FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> HAVE SOME WATER.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

I BECAME AN ESL A TEACHER TO GIVE STUDENTS WHAT I WANTED WHEN I CAME TO THIS COUNTRY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE OF KNOWING AND BEING AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA AND I AM PROUD TO BE AN MJE MEMBER.