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>>> AND HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY , AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

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

>>> A GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

TONIGHT, MORE CALLS TO REMOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM OFFICE IN THE WAKE OF A VIOLENT PHYSICAL ATTACK ON OUR CAPITAL.

THE INSURRECTION WILL BE REMEMBERED AS ONE OF THE DARKEST DAYS IN AMERICAN HISTORY .

4 PEOPLE ARE DEAD.

ONE WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED BY POLICE AS SHE TRIED TO BREAK INTO THE BUILDING.

A MOB OF PRO-TRUMP EXTREMISTS DONE BY THE SITTING PRESIDENTS FALSE CLAIMS OF VOTER FRAUD, PUSHING THROUGH BARRICADES, STORMING THE CAPITAL COMPLEX, AND INSIDE, MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ON LOCKDOWN, CROUCHED UNDER CHAIRS AND DESKS, HANDED GAS MASKS BEFORE FLEEING FOR THEIR SAFETY.

THE RIOTERS TEMPORARILY PARALYZED WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A STANDARD EVENT, TALLYING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTES OF A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION.

CONGRESS TO GET BACK TO WORK IN THE HOURS JUST BEFORE DAWN, CONFIRMING PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN'S VICTORY.

THE STATE'S SENIOR U.S.

SENATOR WAS IN SITUS OF RIOTS WERE UNFOLDING.

SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ JOINS ME NOW.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

YOU WERE AMONG THE FIRST IN NEW JERSEY'S DELEGATION YESTERDAY TO PUT OUT A TWEET THAT YOU AND YOUR STAFF WERE SAFE.

WHERE WERE YOU AT IN THAT MOMENT, THAT YOU ARE WRITING THOSE WORDS?

WHAT WERE YOU WITNESSING?

>> WE HAD EVACUATED THE SENATE CHAMBER.

THE SECRET SERVICE HAD COME IN TO WHISK THE VICE PRESIDENT AWAY, WHO ACTS AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE IN THAT CAPACITY.

THAT WAS A MOMENT IN WHICH THE REST OF US LEFT AS WELL TO A SECURED LOCATION.

WHAT WE SAW, WHAT WE COULD HEAR WAS A MOB, THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, IN THE CAPITAL BUILDING, TRYING TO SEDITIOUS LATE UNDERMINE THE GOVERNMENT BY TRYING TO STOP THE RIGHTFUL ROLE AND CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO COUNT THE ELECTORAL VOTES THAT WERE CAST IN LAST NOVEMBER'S ELECTIONS.

>> Reporter: DOES THIS INSIGHT OR NEED TO INSIGHT, INVOKE THE 25th AMENDMENT AS SOME OF YOUR OTHER COLLEAGUES ARE CALLING FOR, TO WREST POWER FROM THIS PRESIDENT?

>> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT, YOU KNOW, HAS BEEN CALLED FOR, FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT TO INVOKE WITH MEMBERS OF THE CABINET.

HE NEEDS A MAJORITY OF THE CABINET MEMBERS TO DO SO.

I SEE THAT SECRETARY CHAO IS TALKING ABOUT RESIGNING AS THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY IN PROTEST.

I THINK THEY WOULD ALL BETTER SERVE THE NATION IF IN FACT THEY REMOVED PRESIDENT TRUMP, AND PUT IN VICE PRESIDENT PENCE IN THIS INTERIM PERIOD, UNTIL THE 20th WHEN PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN WILL TAKE OFFICE.

I AM FEARFUL THAT IF PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS WILLING TO DO WHAT HE DID YESTERDAY, WHICH IS INSIGHT THIS MOB, THAT OVER THE NEXT 15 OR 14 DAYS, OF WHAT THE PRESIDENT IS CAPABLE OF.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS A SCENE THAT WE HAVE SEEN PLAY OUT IN OTHER COUNTRIES, NOT OUR OWN.

WATCHING THIS ON OUR OWN SOIL, HOW DOES THIS UNDERMINE OUR CREDIBILITY AS A NATION, AS A DEMOCRACY, WITH SOME OF THOSE FOREIGN NATIONS AND ADVERSARIES?

>> IT IS GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT.

PRESIDENT PUTIN OF RUSSIA AND PRESIDENT XI OF CHINA , THEY WERE REJOICING IN THE TURBULENCE AND THE CHAOS THAT TOOK PLACE AT THE CAPITAL YESTERDAY.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT.

THIS IS WHAT WE SEE IN BELARUS AND VENEZUELA.

THIS IS NOT WHAT WE SEE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

WHEN I CHALLENGE LEADERS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD AS TO WHETHER THEY COME TO VISIT HERE, OR WHETHER I TRAVEL ABROAD IN MY ROLE AS A SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, IT IS GOING TO BE A LOT HARDER.

I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO SAY TO ME.

YOU HAD A PRESIDENT WHO ACTUALLY INCITED A MOB AND DID NOT WANT TO ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION.

WHY MUST I?

MY ANSWER WILL BE, HOWEVER BECAUSE OUR DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS ARE STRONG ENOUGH, RESILIENT ENOUGH, THAT IT WAS THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, NOT THE CHOICE OF A TYRANT, THAT ULTIMATELY PREVAILED.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

STAY SAFE AND BE WELL.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> IT WAS A STAGGERING SEEN ON THE GROUND, AND ILLEGAL TAKEOVER OF AN ESSENTIAL FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT.

TONIGHT, THE STATE IS AUTHORIZING THAT UP LIMIT OF 500 MEMBERS FROM THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD TO ASSIST WITH THE AFTERMATH ON CAPITOL HILL.

AIDED AND ABETTED BY A SITTING U.S. PRESIDENT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HAS REACTION TONIGHT FROM JERSEY'S DELEGATION.

>> THIS WAS NOT A PROTEST.

IT WAS AND ASKED OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM SPURRED ON BY THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF AND HIS MINIONS.

BUT OUR DEMOCRACY PROVED MORE RESILIENT THAN A DERANGED CONSPIRACY THEORY.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY JOINT CRITICS AND VARIOUS CONDEMNATION OF DONALD TRUMP THE DAY AFTER HIS SUPPORTERS, EGGED ON BY A PRESIDENT WHO REFUSED TO ACCEPT THAT HE LOST THE ELECTION, STORMED THE CAPITAL IN A DEADLY INSURRECTION THAT SENT MEMBERS OF CONGRESS RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES TO LOCKED ROOMS.

>> WE STAYED THERE.

WE COULD HEAR THE BEDLAM.

WE COULD HEAR THE HOLLERING.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSWOMAN BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN SPOKE WITH US BY PHONE TODAY.

>> I HAD A LOT OF ANGER BECAUSE I THOUGHT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WAS A TRAITOR AND INCITED A INSURRECTION AGAINST HIS OWN GOVERNMENT.

HE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: OVERWHELMED CAPITAL POLICE SEEMED UNPREPARED TO CONFRONT THE MOBS ATTACKED, RECALLING THE COPS IN RIOT GEAR DURING BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS.

WATSON COLEMAN SAVAGED YESTERDAY'S POLICE RESPONSE.

>> WHERE THE HECK WERE THEY YESTERDAY?

THE PEOPLE WHO BREACHED OUR CAPITAL WERE NEITHER BLACK NOR BROWN, AND THEY RETREATED WITH A LEVEL OF RESPECT THAT THEY DIDN'T DESERVE, BECAUSE THEY, UNLIKE BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS, INTENDED TO DO HARM.

>> Reporter: THE ASSAULT ULTIMATELY FAILED, AND THE HOUSE AND SENATE BOTH RECONVENED HOURS LATER, VOTING OVERWHELMINGLY TO REJECT REPUBLICAN CHALLENGES TO ELECTION RESULTS.

SENATOR CORY BOOKER COMPARED THE RIOT TO THE CAPITAL SIEGE DURING THE WAR OF 1812.

>> THEY BOTH WERE WAVING FLAGS TO A SOUL SOVEREIGN.

ONE WAS A MONARCH IN ENGLAND, AND THE OTHER ONE, A SINGLE PERSON NAMED DONALD TRUMP.

THIS TIME, WE BROUGHT THIS HECK UPON OURSELVES.

>> Reporter: ONLY ONE MEMBER OF JERSEY'S DELEGATION VOTED TO SUPPORT OVERTURNING ARIZONA'S ELECTORAL VOTES, DEMOCRAT TURNED REPUBLICAN JEFF ANDREW WHO PLEDGED HIS UNDYING SUPPORT TO THE PRESIDENT, AND POINTEDLY LEFT TRUMP OUT OF HIS REACTION TO THE ATTACK.

>> WHAT DO I THINK THIS HAPPENED?

I THINK IN THIS NATION, SOMETIMES SOME PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED WITH IT THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY SHOULD BEHAVE.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR DOUG STEINHARDT ALSO NEVER MENTIONED TRUMP, NOTING THE VIOLENCE UNFOLDING IN WASHINGTON, D.C. MUST STOP.

WE MUST SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT RIGHT NOW.

COME TOGETHER AND CALL FOR LAW AND ORDER AND PEACEFUL PROTEST.

BUT FORMER GOVERNOR CHRISTIE RALLIED AGAINST THE PRESIDENT FOR INCITING A RIOT.

>> HE ENCOURAGED THEM TO MERGE UP TO CAPITOL HILL.

THAT IS SOMETHING NO PRESIDENT SHOULD EVER DO.

I AM JUST ABSOLUTELY SECOND.

>> Reporter: AND UNREPENTANT TRUMP IN TWEETS REFUSED TO CONDEMN THE INSURRECTION, PROMPTING TWITTER TO FREEZE HIS ACCOUNT FOR 12 HOURS.

FACEBOOK TODAY BAND TRUMP FOR 2 WEEKS, AND OUTRAGE, THAT THEY CALL TO PERMANENTLY BAR THE PRESIDENT, TWEETING, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

TRUMP IS INCITING VIOLENCE AND SPREADING DANGEROUS MISINFORMATION THAT IS UNDERMINING OUR DEMOCRACY AND WAY OF LIFE.

>> HE IS CERTAINLY A THREAT TO INSIGHT THIS KIND OF VIOLENCE AGAIN.

I THINK EVERYBODY HAS TO JUST RECOGNIZE THAT.

HOW DO YOU STOP IT?

>> Reporter: THEY SAY CONGRESS COULD IMPEACH TRUMP, OR THE VICE PRESIDENT AND A MAJORITY OF THE CABINET OR CONGRESS COULD INVOKE THE 25th AMENDMENT.

>> I DON'T THINK THE 25th AMENDMENT IS NECESSARILY REALISTIC.

CERTAINLY WITH SEND A VERY POWERFUL MESSAGE TO THE PRESIDENT, EFFECTIVELY A VOTE OF NO-CONFIDENCE FROM HIS PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, OFFICIALS ARE FOCUSED ON RESTORING ORDER.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ORDERED 74 NEW JERSEY STATE TROOPERS TO HELP SECURE THE CAPITAL BUILDING LAST NIGHT, AND WILL SOON DEPLOY 500 NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARDSMEN TO ENSURE A PEACEFUL TRANSITION THROUGH THE INAUGURATION JANUARY 20th.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IN A STATEMENT LATE WEDNESDAY, TRUMP DID CONCEDE TO A PEACEFUL POSITION OF POWER, BUT REFUSED TO GIVE UP HIS FALSE CLAIMS OF THE STOLEN ELECTION.

THERE ARE MANY QUESTIONS AS A NATION TRIES TO TURN THE PAGE FROM THIS ATTACK, LIKE HOW AN INSURGENT MOB WAS ABLE TO BREACH CAPITAL POLICE, AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN IN THE FINAL DAYS OF THIS PRESIDENCY.

FOR THAT, WE TURN TO RUTGERS UNIVERSITY DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AND AMERICAN GOVERNMENT EXPERT ROSS BAKER.

>> Reporter: ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO HAVE YOU ON THE SHOW.

I THINK ALL OF US CAN SAY IT WAS TOUGH TO WATCH.

THE IMAGES YESTERDAY, AND UNBELIEVABLE THAT THIS WAS OUR OWN U.S. CAPITAL.

DOES THE BLAME REST SQUARELY AT THE FEET OF PRESIDENT TRUMP?

OR DO HIS COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY ALSO HOLD SOME OF THAT BURDEN?

>> I THINK THE PREDOMINANT BURDEN RESTS ON THE PRESIDENT.

HE WAS THE ONE WHO REALLY SET THE STAGE FOR THIS INVASION OF THE CAPITAL.

HE OFFERED WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, WEEKS BEFORE.

THIS WAS ACTUALLY QUITE WELL- ORGANIZED.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ARE REALLY ONLOOKERS.

HE WAS THE PERSON WHO ORCHESTRATED IT AND INSPIRED IT , AND HE WAS THE PERSON THAT SENT THEM ON THEIR MISSION.

>> Reporter: WHAT HAPPENS FROM HERE?

CONGRESS WENT BACK AND FINISHED THEIR JOB IN THE HOURS JUST BEFORE DAWN, BUT I THINK THERE ARE JUST SO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AS WE SIT HERE TODAY.

>> THERE REALLY ARE.

THERE ARE ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS LEFT IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TERM, BUT HE WILL BE LURKING IN THE BACKGROUND OF AMERICAN POLITICS FOR THE INDEFINITE FUTURE.

HIS FOLLOWERS HAVE BEEN MOBILIZED, AND ARE NOT EASILY DEMOBILIZED.

I THINK THAT IT IS GOING TO BE A VERY DIFFICULT TIME AHEAD FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN, AND HIS ADMINISTRATION, BECAUSE HE IS GOING TO HAVE TRUMP CONSTANTLY ON THE SIDELINES SNIPING AT HIM , AND ENCOURAGING HIS FOLLOWERS.

LOOK, THERE WERE ATTACKS ON 40 GOVERNOR'S MANSIONS YESTERDAY, INCLUDING BREACHING THE GATES ON THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION IN OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON, AND THREATENING GOVERNOR INSLEE.

THIS IS WELL BEYOND WASHINGTON.

THIS IS A VERY VERY DANGEROUS NATIONAL MOVEMENT THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS UNBLEACHED.

>> Reporter: WOULD THIS HAVE PLAYED OUT DIFFERENTLY HAD THIS BEEN BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS, PEOPLE OF COLOR?

>> I THINK THAT ARGUMENT HAS BEEN MADE, AND I FIND IT VERY PERSUASIVE.

I THINK UNTIL I AM PROVEN WRONG, I THINK THAT REALLY IS ONE OF THE MOST UNFORTUNATE ASPECTS OF THIS PARTICULAR EVENT , THE DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF WHITE AND PEOPLE OF COLOR WHO ARE DEMONSTRATING.

>> Reporter: ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOUR INSIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> THE STATES MASSIVE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE PROGRAM CONTINUES TO ROLL OUT.

TODAY, POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS BECAME ELIGIBLE TO GET THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE IMMUNIZATION JUERGEN PATTERSON, FIRST RESPONDERS ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES, CONSIDERED TO BE AMONG THE MOST AT RISK FOR HIGH EXPOSURE.

THE OUTBREAK STRAINING PERSONNEL AND CAUSING QUARANTINES OF FIREHOUSES AND PRECINCTS THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

TODAY OMA HEALTH LEADERS ARE REPORTING A NEW SINGLE DAY RECORD WITH MORE THAN 6300 POSITIVE TEST RESULTS, PUSHING BEYOND HALF 1 MILLION TOTAL POSITIVE CASES, WITH ANOTHER 123 LIVES LOST, MORE THAN 19,600 TOTAL FATALITIES.

HOSPITALIZATIONS DECLINED SLIGHTLY TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE NEW YEAR.

NOW THAT HEALTHCARE WORKERS, NURSING HOME RESIDENTS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS ARE BEING INOCULATED, THE STATE IS WELL INTO THE FIRST PHASE OF THE VACCINE PROGRAM.

DOSES ARE EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS EARLY AS THIS SPRING.

THE STATE IS PREPARING TO OPEN THE FIRST OF SIX VACCINE MEGA SITES TOMORROW, BUT THERE IS STILL A NUMBER OF HURDLES, WORKING OUT THE KINKS OF A NEW ONLINE PORTAL TO PREREGISTER, AND SECURING ENOUGH QUALIFIED MEDICAL CLINICIANS TO DOLE THEM OUT.

MICHAEL HILL HAS THE STORY.

>>> IF YOU HAVE A FEVER, YOU ARE NOT GETTING VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: I WALK THROUGH CAMDEN COUNTY'S FIRST VACCINATION CENTER.

>> RIGHT HERE IS WHERE THEY WILL SCHEDULE THEIR SECOND DOSE.

>> Reporter: A CENTER WHICH PLANS TO VACCINATE 700 PEOPLE, SIX DAYS A WEEK.

>> WE WANT YOU TO FEEL LIKE A HERO WHEN YOU COME HERE, LIKE YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER IS ALMOST READY TO GO.

IT'S MISSING A KEY PIECE.

>> ALL WE NEED IS VACCINE.

>> Reporter: WAS THE COUNTY GETS VACCINES, IT WILL SET UP A REGISTRATION PORTAL, AND THEN THOSE REGISTERING THE SAME WAY ESTATE DOES, AND IF IT'S NOT THEIR TIME, THEY WILL GET A RESPONSE LIKE THIS.

APPOINTMENTS TO SCHEDULE YOUR VISIT ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE, BUT WE HAVE SUCCESSFULLY RECEIVED YOUR REGISTRATION.

AFTER THE COUNTY RECEIVES VACCINES, IT STILL NEEDS PEOPLE TO ADMINISTER THEM, A PROBLEM PLAGUING MANY SITES AROUND THE STATE.

RIGHT NOW, CAMDEN COUNTY IS HIRING 15 NURSES AT $50 PER HOUR TO DO BATTLE AGAINST THE DEADLY VIRUS, RECOGNIZING TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE TO GET VACCINES.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU EXPECT TO GET THEM?

>> WE DON'T KNOW.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE.

IT IS A SHAME BECAUSE A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS SIMPLY NOT SUPPLIED ENOUGH VACCINE TO THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

WE ARE ALL FIGHTING TO GET WHAT VACCINE IS HERE.

IT IS MUCH LIKE THE BEGINNING OF THIS CRISIS OMA WHEN THERE WAS A SHORTAGE OF PPE AND WE WERE FIGHTING TO GET THE SAME PPE.

NOW WE ARE ALL STRUGGLING TO GET THE VACCINE.

IT IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING WAS BILLED AS OPERATION WARP SPEED BY THE PRESIDENT, AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING CLOSE TO WARP SPEED.

>> Reporter: WHEN LAWMAKER SENDS ONLY 30% OF THE STATES VACCINE ALLOTMENTS HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

HE FAULTS THE VACCINE ROLL OUT SHORTCOMINGS, NOT ON THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, BUT THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION.

>> WE HAVE ONE SHOT TO GET THIS RIGHT AND WE NEED TO GET IT RIGHT.

SO, THE PROBLEMS ARE SEVERAL FOLD.

IT SEEMS AS IF THERE WAS A LACK OF PLANNING AND PREPARATION.

THERE WAS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BY THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH PUT OUT JUST YESTERDAY OR TODAY, GIVING PERMISSION FOR PARAMEDICS AND OTHER PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO QUALIFY TO HELP GIVE VACCINATIONS.

WHY IS THAT JUST GOING OUT NOW?

THAT SHOULD'VE GONE OUT 6 WEEKS AGO.

PEOPLE NEEDED TO GET TRAINING AND THEY COULD'VE DONE IT.

>> Reporter: A DIFFERENT VIEW FROM THE 14,000 MEMBER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES WHO SAY THE ROLL OUT HAS A LOT OF MOVING PARTS BEFORE AN INJECTION CAN HAPPEN.

FOR INSTANCE, HERE AT NEWBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER.

>> I HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERING THE VACCINE AT NEWBRIDGE MEDICAL CENTER, AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU, IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF PUTTING THE VACCINE IN SOMEBODY'S ARM.

FOR EVERY SHOT THAT GOES, IT TAKES A VILLAGE FOR IT TO GET THERE.

YOU KNOW, IT STARTS WITH A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY, A LOT OF TECH SUPPORT, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE PEOPLE REGISTERED, TO BE ABLE TO BE SCREENED WHETHER THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

>> MOST OF THE SYSTEMS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED IN OUR HOSPITALS AND OUR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES SEEM TO BE PRETTY EFFICIENT, AND, YOU KNOW , WE HAVE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ON HAND.

WE HAVE EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT ON HAND.

WE HAVE FOLLOW-UP, AND THESE ARE SCHEDULED DOSES SO THAT NONE OF THEM ARE LOST.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 450,000 NEW JERSEYANS HAVE SIGNED UP TO GET VACCINATED SINCE THE STATE LAUNCHED THE PORTAL ON TUESDAY.

MICHAEL HILL, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE GOVERNOR SIGNED A LONG- AWAITED TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM INTO LAW.

WILL IT HELP THE STATE REBOUND FROM THIS COVID A COMEDY?

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE DETAILS IN TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR MURPHY SIGNED A BILL DESIGNED TO HELP NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESSES AND KICKSTART THE STATE'S ECONOMIC RECOVERY .

KNOWN AS THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT, THE BILL PROVIDES AID TO SMALL BUSINESSES, AND ALSO RESTORES A TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR COMPANIES.

>> WE BUILT THIS PROGRAM ON THE TWIN PILLARS OF TRANSPARENCY AND FAIRNESS, TO FUEL THE CREATION OF GOOD PAYING FUTURE FOCUS JOBS, AND ENSURE SENSIBLE SPENDING CAPS AND STRONG SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT TAXPAYER AND COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A LOT IN THIS NEW LAW.

FUNDING FOR ENTREPRENEURS, INCENTIVES FOR REDEVELOPMENT AND RESTORATION OF HISTORIC BUILDINGS, AND SUPPORT FOR BUILDING GROCERY STORES WHERE THERE ARE NOW FOOD DESERTS.

BOTH THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAY THEY SUPPORT THE NEW LAW.

THE NEW JOBS THE GOVERNOR WORSE TALKING ABOUT ARE SORELY NEEDED.

WE LEARNED TODAY ANOTHER 21,000 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAD TO FILE NEW UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS IN THE LATEST WEEK.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS SUPPLEMENTAL FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS WILL START TO BE PAID OUT NEXT WEEK, BUT NOT EVERYONE WILL RECEIVE THE EXTRA $300 RIGHT AWAY.

FOR THOSE WHO EXHAUSTED THEIR FEDERAL BENEFITS ON OR AFTER DECEMBER 26th, THERE WILL BE A TEMPORARY LAPSE IN PAYMENTS.

CLAIMANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN THEY CAN RESUME CERTIFYING FOR THE BENEFITS.

YOU MIGHT NOT GET YOUR NEW STIMULUS PAYMENT AS FAST AS YOU WERE HOPING.

THE IRS HAS ISSUED SOME NEW GUIDANCE ABOUT THAT, SAYING IF YOU FILE YOUR TAXES WITH A TAX PREPARER, YOUR PAYMENT COULD BE DELAYED.

THE IRS SAYS SOME PEOPLE WON'T SEE THE MONEY UNTIL THEY FILE THEIR TAX RETURNS FOR 2020.

>>> FINALLY THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY VOCAL ABOUT WHAT UNFOLDED IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL YESTERDAY.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MANUFACTURERS, WHICH REPRESENTS 14,000 COMPANIES, CALLED THE STORMING OF THE CAPITAL A DISGUSTING EPISODE.

THE GROUP STATED THAT THE OUTGOING PRESIDENT INCITED THE VIOLENCE AND CALLED ON VICE PRESIDENT PENCE TO SERIOUSLY CONSIDER INVOKING THE 25th AMENDMENT TO REMOVE PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM OFFICE.

THE BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE, A GROUP OF 200 PROMINENT CEOs, ISSUED A STATEMENT YESTERDAY SAYING, THE COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER.

NOW HERE IS THE CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

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

>>> AND AN APOLOGY FILLED HEARING YESTERDAY, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION OFFICIALLY RELINQUISHED CONTROL OF PATTERSON'S PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, GIVING THE REINS BACK TO THE CITY'S LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION, AFTER THREE DECADES OF STATE CONTROL.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND PATTERSON OFFICIALS CELEBRATED THE LONG-SOUGHT INDEPENDENCE, EVEN AS BOARD MEMBERS ACKNOWLEDGED THE STATE FAILED IN ITS EFFORTS TO TURN THE DISTRICT AROUND.

TO WHAT IS AHEAD?

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS.

>>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, PLEASE SAY I.

>> Reporter: THREE DECADES AFTER THE STATE TOOK CONTROL OF THE PATTERSON SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO RETURN CONTROL TO LOCAL OFFICIALS.

>> IT WAS LIKE INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT YESTERDAY, AND THERE ARE 29,000 STUDENTS, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN GENERATIONS OF STUDENTS THAT WENT TO SCHOOL UNDER STATE CONTROL.

SYNOVIAL FLUID WE CAN BREATHE A SIGH OF RELIEF AND MAKE DECISIONS FASTER, AND ARGUABLY BETTER BECAUSE THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THE CITY, NOT PEOPLE IN TRAINING.

>> Reporter: EILEEN SHAVER SAYS WHILE CONVINCING THE BOARD TO RETURN LOCAL CONTROL WASN'T EASY, IT WAS POSSIBLE AFTER SHOWING IMPROVEMENT IN SEVERAL AREAS, INCLUDING GOVERNANCE AND BUDGETING.

>> FINALLY, WE REALLY DID WELL.

24 OF THE CATEGORIES WERE FOR, WHICH IS THE BEST YOU CAN GET, AND SEVERAL WERE THREE, MEETING THE EXPECTATION.

>> Reporter: THE SHIFT IN POWER WILL NOW ALLOW THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD TO HAVE A VOICE FOR STUDENTS THAT THEY KNOW BEST.

>> DURING THAT 30 YEARS, WE HAD NINE DIFFERENT SUPERINTENDENTS.

THEY CAME FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

MOST OF THEM OUT-OF-STATE.

SO, YOU KNOW, IN ADDITION TO THAT, OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR STAKEHOLDERS, THE PARENTS, DID NOT HAVE A VOICE ABOUT THE EDUCATION OF THE CHILDREN.

IT WAS RUN BY THE STATE NOW.

THE FOLKS THAT KNOW OUR STUDENTS THE BEST, WHICH IS THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND THE PARENTS, NOW HAVE A VOICE.

>> WHAT REALLY CHANGED IS THE REMOVAL OF THE VETO POWER.

THIS IS WHAT YOUR BUDGET IS, THIS IS WHAT OUR BUDGET IS.

IT IS NOT PENDING APPROVAL BY THE SUPERINTENDENCE OR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER.

THE DECISION-MAKING IS NOT LOCAL.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PATTERSON EDUCATION FUND SAYS THE FIGHT FOR ADEQUATE FUNDING TO SUPPORT LOCAL CONTROL IS FAR FROM OVER.

>> WHILE WE CELEBRATED IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WE STILL NEED TO BE ADVOCATING FOR ADEQUATE RESOURCES FROM THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.

THERE IS A SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA THAT HAS NOT BEEN FUNDED IN YEARS.

OUR CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TOWARD THAT, BUT IT IS STILL A SLOW PROCESS, AND WE ARE STILL $300 MILLION BEHIND WHERE WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HAD WE BEEN FUNDED.

ADEQUATELY FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS.

>> THERE ARE TWO WAYS YOU CAN SPEND MONEY.

YOU CAN MAKE AN INVESTMENT IN OUR STUDENTS EDUCATION, A QUALITY EDUCATION, OR YOU CAN PAY $61,000 FOR A PENAL SYSTEM THAT WILL INCARCERATE THEM FOR A LARGE PART OF THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: FORMER STUDENT, TEACHER, AND CITY COUNCILMEMBER SAYS IN ADDITION TO STUDENTS RECEIVING A QUALITY EDUCATION UNDER LOCAL CONTROL, HE SAYS THE CITY NEEDS TO UPDATE SOME 17 SCHOOLS THAT ARE MORE THAN 100 YEARS OLD, AND ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF A MAKEOVER.

>> THE FACILITIES ARE UNFIT, SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE DURING THIS PROGRESSIVE ADMINISTRATION OF PHIL MURPHY THAT OUR KIDS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PUT IN A POSITION THAT THEY HAVE THE BEST LABS AND GYMNASIUMS, THAT THEIR CLASSROOMS HAVE ADEQUATE HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING WHEN THE WEATHER CALLS FOR IT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND MORE PRESSURE TO NOT MAKE MISTAKES, THE DIFFERENCE UNDER LOCAL CONTROL IS THAT PATTERSON NOW HAS THE ABILITY AND LEVERAGE TO CORRECT THOSE MISTAKES THEMSELVES.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I AM OR EVEN SANTANA.

♪ >>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT BE SURE TO CATCH CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ LIVE ON YOUTUBE AT 6:30 P.M., OR WATCH IT BACK ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS NEWS CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE.

IT'S A PACKED CHANNEL WITH MORE FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ON THE ATTACK ON OUR DEMOCRACY, AND THE STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER ON THE COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT.

THEN GET A FULL ROUND UP ON THE NEWS THIS WEEK WITH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE FRIDAY MORNING AT 10:00 A.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>>> 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 LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> THE ORSTED VISION IS A WORLD THAT RELIES 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 OMA AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE GARDEN STATE.

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

>>> I'M MOUSE, AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR, TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME, IN BODY AND IN MIND.

I NEED A HEALTH INSURER THAT HELPS ME GET THE CARE I NEED FOR BOTH.

THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THAT I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO, BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO TODAY.

THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

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