>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS IS PROVIDED BY AN JM AUDIO.

SERVING THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MANY YEARS.

AND BY THE -- ASSOCIATION.

AND SMART LEAD NJ.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> HELLO.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE 10th DAY IN A ROW THAT NEW JERSEY SAW MORE THAN 20,000 NEW CASES OF COVID- 19.

AND REPORTED 63 NEW DADS HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE HIGH THAT DOCTORS KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING TO THE HOSPITAL FOR OTHER ILLNESSES AND END UP TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

CAUSING THE NUMBER TO RISE.

A HIGH NUMBER OF THOSE BEING HOSPITALIZED ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 OR WHO HAVE TESTED PART POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

STAFFING SHORTAGES REMAIN A THREAT TO MANY FACILITIES, FORCING THEM TO EXTENSIONS AND HALT ELECTIVE SURGERY SURGERIES.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS ASSURED STAFF THAT HELP IS ON THE WAY.

ANNOUNCING THAT MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY NATIONAL GUARD WILL BE DEPLOYED TO MORE THAN A DOZEN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE.

AS NEW JERSEY SAW MORE THAN -- HOSPITALIZATIONS TODAY, OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THAT WE COULD BE TURNING THE CORNER.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE CITO AT HOLY NAME CAUTIOUSLY SHARED SOME GOOD NEWS ABOUT A STATEWIDE SEARCH OF OMICRON CASES.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE TRENDING DOWN.

IT WAS ONCE THE EPICENTER OF THE FIRST AND DEADLIEST COVID- 19 WAVE.

FEWER STAFF ARE OUT WITH COVID- 19 AND THE LOCAL POSITIVITY RATES DECLINED ALMOST 10 POINTS.

SHE SAYS IT IS THE SAME PATTERN OMICRON SENT OVERSEAS.

>> WE ARE STARTING TO SEE WHAT AFRICA SAW.

WE SAW A HUGE SPIKE IN THE WE HAD A LOT OF PATIENTS IN THE ER AND IN BEDS.

AND HIS PATIENTS ARE NOW BEING DISCHARGED, WE ARE NOT SEEING AS MANY COME IN.

>> Reporter: COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS AT HOLY CROSS HAVE JUST DROPPED FROM 94 DOWN TO 75.

THEY HAD TOLD OFFICE NURSES BEFORE TO HELP BEDSIDE BUT NOT ANYMORE, AS COVID-19 CASES PLUNGED BY 35%.

>> WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE POSITION TO CANCEL ELECTIVE SURGERIES OR OTHER PROCEDURES BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SUFFICIENT STAFF TO MAN OUR BEDS.

>> THE HOSPITALIZATIONS THAT ARE MARKED AS COVID-19, A LARGE CHUNK OF THEM, THEY ARE DIAGNOSED JUST BECAUSE WE TEST EVERYBODY THAT NEEDS A BED.

AND THAT IS THE DYNAMIC WE ARE SEEING NOW.

>>> ONE DOCTOR SAYS HE IS SEEING A TREND THAT IS STATEWIDE.

IN EARLY DECEMBER, TWO THIRDS OF COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS WERE SPECIFICALLY FOR COVID-19.

THE REST CAME IN FOR OTHER REASONS LIKE CHEST PAINS BUT THEN TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

COMPARE THAT TO TODAY.

5600 COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS AND JUST OVER HALF WERE ADMITTED.

THE REST WERE PATIENTS WITH OTHER ILLNESSES THAT TESTED POSITIVE.

>> WE MIGHT BE AT THIS PHASE WHERE WE ARE STARTING TO SHIFT TO COVID-19 BEING MORE ENDEMIC.

IT SHOWS THAT WE ARE GROWING AND WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO THOUGH.

>> THE PROJECTIONS LOOK PRETTY DIRE OVER THE COMING WEEKS AND WE ARE PLANNING FOR THE WORST.

CREATING SPACE AND MAKING SURE WE ARE SHORING UP STAFFING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

IT IS WOEFULLY SHORT.

SO WE ARE PREPARING AS BEST AS WE CAN.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR HAS NOT FORGOTTEN WHEN TROOPS HELPED OVERWHELMED STAFF DURING THE FIRST WAVE.

MODELS PREDICT UP TO 9000 HOSPITALIZATIONS AT THE PEAK LATER THIS MONTH AND NEW JERSEY HOSPITALS STILL WANT THE FEDERAL STRIKE TEAMS REQUESTED THIS WEEK BY THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER AS THEY PREP FOR A POSSIBLE 30% STAFF REDUCTION DUE TO COVID-19.

OTHER HOSPITALS ARE USING CONTINGENCY PROTOCOLS AND STRETCHING WORK SHIFTS.

SUMMER CHANGING SURGERY SCHEDULES.

>>> WE OURS SCHEDULING MINIMAL OR NO RISK PROCEDURES.

SOME HOSPITALS ARE RESCHEDULING AND OTHERS ARE PLANNING TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: OMICRON IS EXPLODING AT LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES WHERE MORE THAN THREE OR FOUR HAVE REPORTED AN OUTBREAK.

150 NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS WILL DEPLOY ON MONDAY TO ASSIST WITH MEALS, BATHS AND COVID-19 SCREENINGS.

MEANWHILE NEW JERSEY PEDIATRICIANS REPORT A DISTURBING RISE IN COVID-19 CASES.

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE ONES BEING ADMITTED ARE UNVACCINATED.

SO I THINK THAT'S OMICRON IS NOT CREATING AS SERIOUS OF ISSUES BUT, KIDS ARE STILL SUSCEPTIBLE.

SO THEY ARE STILL COMING IN.

>> SHE IS ALSO SEEING MORE CASES OF MISC, A SEVERE CARDIAC ISSUE IN CHILDREN.

BUT STILL, IT APPEARS THAT OMICRON COULD BE SLOWING DOWN.

YET WE STILL HAVE A ROUGH RIDE AHEAD.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN WITH NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ACCESS TO THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER OF THE STATE HOUSE WILL REQUIRE PROOF OF A COVID-19 RAPID TEST.

THIS BEGINS ON THE LAST VOTING DAY OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND IS A COMPROMISE BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS THAT COMES WEEKS AFTER A VACCINE OR TEST MANDATE TO ENTER INTO THE CHAMBERS WAS MET WITH PROTEST BY A NUMBER OF CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS.

A RAPID TESTING SITE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

>>> A GROUP OF FAMILIES ARE ASKING A FEDERAL JUDGE TO ORDER NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS TO RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING IN ORDER TO BEST SERVE SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.

THE REQUEST IS THE LATEST IN LAWSUITS FILED BY A MIKE ADVOCACY GROUP.

ATTORNEYS FOR THE FAMILIES ARGUE THAT THE LOSS OF IN-PERSON SCHOOLING IS A VIOLATION OF THE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 237,000 SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS IN NEW JERSEY AND THOUSANDS OF THOSE IN MULTIPLE DISTRICTS WHO HAVE RECENTLY RETURNED TO REMOTE LEARNING.

REMOTE LEARNING.

% NEARLY 1/3 OF PUBLIC AND CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN OPERATING REMOTELY THIS WEEK BUT THAT MEANS THE VAST MAJORITY OF SCHOOLS ARE TRYING TO MAKE IN-PERSON CLASSES WORK.

EVEN WITH MOUNTING STAFF SHORTAGES.

SO, HOW ARE THEY TRYING TO MAKE IT WORK?

AND IS IT JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SCHOOLS ARE REMOTE AGAIN?

>> IT IS INDISPUTABLE AT THIS POINT THAT STUDENTS NEED TO BE IN SCHOOL.

IT IS LITERALLY AND TRULY A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL SAYS HIS SCHOOLS WILL STAY OPEN AS LONG AS HE CAN STAFF THEM BUT THE DISTRICT HAS A VACCINATION PERCENTAGE IN THE 90s.

THE WEEKLY AVERAGE JUMPED FROM 15 PER WEEK TO 500 SINCE DECEMBER 15.

EVEN STILL HE SAYS CLOSURES AT THIS POINT ARE USELESS.

>> I AM SITTING IN MY BASEMENT BECAUSE WE HAVE A SNOW DAY AND I AM NOT UNDER ANY IMPRESSION THAT OUR STUDENT IN CHATHAM WILL NOT GET TOGETHER TODAY.

IF THEY ARE INTERACTING, IT MAKES LITTLE OR NO SENSE TO CLOSE SCHOOLS GIVEN THE TREMENDOUS NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES THAT COME WITH NOT HAVING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL.

>>> THEY ARE OFFERING REMOTE OPTIONS.

>>> BETWEEN DECEMBER 28 AND JANUARY 2 WE HAD OVER 300 STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE AND ALMOST 200 STAFF MEMBERS.

SO THAT IS 500 PEOPLE THAT ARE QUARANTINED JUST FOR TESTING POSITIVE.

NEVERMIND THE FOLKS THAT ARE WAITING FOR A TEST, THEY ARE SYMPTOMATIC OR OTHERWISE.

>>> AND ENDS UP BEING NASH.

LAUREN ANDERSON IS AN EXPECTANT MOM WITH A FOUR-YEAR-OLD AND A STUDENT IN PRE-K. SHE WISHES HER SCHOOL WOULD OFFER REMOTE INSTRUCTION.

>> SHE WILL BE STARTING KINDERGARTEN IN THE FALL.

WE WANT HER TO GET TO KNOW KIDS THAT WILL BE IN SCHOOL WITH HER BUT WE ARE SCARED.

WE DON'T WANT HER TO GET SICK AND I DON'T WANT TO GET SICK BEING PREGNANT.

>>> NOW GUIDANCE HAS COME FROM THE STATE THOUGH EVEN THOUGH THE ENTIRE STATE IS NOW IN THE RED WITH HIGH LEVELS OF COVID- 19.

>>> ONE OF MY SUPERINTENDENT COLLEAGUES SAYS, EVERYBODY IS LORD OF THE FLIES.

PEOPLE ARE MAKING UP THEIR OWN RULES.

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A METRIC.

PEOPLE COME TO BOARD MEETINGS AND THEY ARE ANGRY AND THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS BECOME A LIGHTNING ROD.

>>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DID ISSUED NEW GUIDANCE ON DECEMBER 30 THAT LIMITS EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES TO VACCINATED STUDENTS ONLY AND REQUIRES WEEKLY TESTING.

HE SAID IT WAS RUSHED AND IT PUT SUPERINTENDENTS IN JEOPARDY.

>> WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER SPORTS SEASON.

IF WE PUT OUT A MANDATE, IT WOULD TAKE WEEKS TO GET IT DONE AND BY THE TIME YOU GET ALL OF THE KIDS VACCINATED THE SEASON WILL BE OVER.

>> THAT COULD VIOLATE SOME IEP EASE AND OTHER MANDATES WHICH COULD RESULT IN --.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO REQUIRE VACCINATIONS FOR ATHLETES.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO TEST SO MANY STUDENTS TWICE PER WEEK.

>> THEY WANT UPDATED GUIDANCE ACROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE IT NO LONGER WORKS FOR A VERY IT'S LIKE OMICRON.

>> THAT ENTAILS ISOLATION AND CONTACT TRACING AND QUARANTINE.

AND SOME OF THAT IS JUST NOT COMPATIBLE WITH KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN, GIVEN WHAT OMICRON IS DOING.

>> IT MAY NOT BE AS DEADLY BUT IT HAS A CRUSHING WEIGHT ON THE SCHOOLS.

>>> THE NEW JERSEY SENATE MAJORITY LEADER WEINBERG ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR THAT SHE WOULD BE RETIRING FROM STATE POLITICS AFTER 30 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE GARDEN STATE.

SHE IS EXPECTED TO RESIGN TODAY AND THAT COMES A FEW DAYS AHEAD OF HER SCHEDULED PARTING TO TAKE A POSITION ON THE BOARD OF HORIZON BLUE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD NEW JERSEY.

THE OUTGOING SENATE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY THAT HE APPOINTED WEINBERG TO THE POSITION SAYING SHE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL LAWMAKERS IN THE STATE.

ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE CHAMPION IS ASSEMBLYWOMAN VALERIE HUDDLE.

SHE MADE A PLAY TO REPLACE WEINBERG BUT LOST TO GORDON JOHNSON IN THE PRIMARY.

NOW THE 16 YEAR VETERAN IS REFLECTING ON HER YEARS OF SERVICE AND HER FINAL DAYS IN OFFICE WITH OUR CHIEF POLITICAL POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, ORSTED.

>> THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

YOU SPENT 16 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATION AND YOU HAVE FOUR DAYS LEFT AS AN ASSEMBLYWOMAN.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT THAT?

>> WELL, IT HAS BEEN QUITE AN EXPERIENCE AND I HAVE BEEN HUMBLED TO SERVE IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE FOR THE LAST 16 YEARS.

STILL A COUPLE MORE DAYS, AS YOU SAY AND WE HAVE A HOST OF BILLS THAT WE WILL BE VOTING ON ON MONDAY.

AND I AM A SPONSOR OF A FEW OF THEM SO I AM HAPPY THAT AS I LEAVE ON MONDAY I WILL GET A FEW MORE SIGNATURE BILLS UNDER MY BELT.

>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO NEXT?

>> YOU KNOW, MICHAEL, I WANT TO STAY INVOLVED IN PUBLIC SERVICE IN SOME CAPACITY.

PEOPLE TELL ME, YOU DON'T NECESSARILY NEED A TITLE TO DO WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE LAST DECADE OR SO.

AND THAT IS TO HELP SENIORS, HELP CHILDREN AND CONTINUE TO FIGHT WHAT I BELIEVE IS JUSTICE FOR MANY OF THE PEOPLE.

THAT ARE MOST VULNERABLE IN MY COMMUNITY.

THAT INCLUDES THE SENIORS THAT I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED WITH OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE HAVE DONE SOME TERRIFIC THINGS WITH LONG-TERM CARE.

I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE AGAIN IN PUBLIC SERVICE, WITH OR WITHOUT A TITLE AT THIS POINT.

>> COULD USE THE RUNNING FOR THE LEGISLATURE AGAIN?

>> YOU KNOW, THE OLD CLICHC NOTHING IS EVER OFF THE TABLE.

I WILL TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME.

I ALWAYS SAID THAT THE BILLS THAT I HAVE GOTTEN SIGNED INTO LAW, UNDER THREE GOVERNORS, I CAN LEAVE FEELING GOOD ABOUT MYSELF BECAUSE I THINK AND I KNOW THAT I MADE A DIFFERENCE.

BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE CONTINUED TO SAY, YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH AND I SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE LEGACY THAT I LEAVE BEHIND.

>> WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE AND WHAT WILL YOU MISS THE LEAST?

>> I THINK I WILL MISS MOST THE ACTUAL POLICY AND LEGISLATION TRYING TO GET PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW.

WHAT I WILL MISS LEAST IS THE DIVISIVENESS THAT HAS REALLY, I THINK, EXACERBATED IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO.

WHETHER THAT IS DUE TO THE CHALLENGES THAT EVERYONE IS FACING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHETHER IT IS DUE TO THE, I GUESS, THE FALLOUT FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

WHATEVER THAT FRICTION IS, I WILL NOT MISS.

WHAT I HAVE DONE IN EVERY PIECE OF MY LEGISLATIVE CAREER IS TO TRY TO REACH OUT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE INCLUDING CREATING A BIPARTISAN WOMEN'S CAUCUS.

I ALWAYS FEEL THAT WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON AND THAT WE CAN GET THINGS DONE WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER.

>> HOW ABOUT THE RIDE?

WILL YOU MISS THAT?

>> I WILL NOT MISS THE TRAFFIC BUT I WILL MISS THE SILENCE IN THE CAR GOING DOWN AND CONTEMPLATING ON WHAT THE SESSION WOULD HOLD AND COMING BACK AND FEELING GOOD ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED.

I GOT USED TO WITH.

>> YOU MADE YOUR MARK IN THE AREA OF HUMAN SERVICES AND WE WISH YOU WELL.

>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL.

>>> AND JOIN US TUESDAY FOR OUR SPECIAL LIVE COVERAGE OF THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

ANCHORED BY OUR SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

AND ANALYSIS FROM OUR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM.

THAT IS TUESDAY AT 5:00 P.M. LIVE HERE ON NJ PBS AND STREAMING ON ALL OF OUR PLATFORMS, THE NJ SPOTLIGHT YOUTUBE CHANNEL, TWITTER AND FACEBOOK.

>>> PROTESTERS OUTSIDE OF THE CEREMONY WERE URGED URGING MURPHY TO STOP CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW GAS POWER PLANT.

IT IS MEANT TO KEEP OPERATIONS RUNNING DURING FUTURE POWER OUTAGES.

BUT COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS HAVE SAID IT IS WRONG TO BUILD ANOTHER POWERPLANT IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT ALREADY HAS THREE.

OPPONENTS HAVE URGED PBSE TO FIND A CLEAN ENERGY ALTERNATIVE BUT THEY SAY THAT IS IMPRACTICAL.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS CONSIDERING WHETHER OR NOT TO GRANT A CRITICAL AIR PERMIT.

THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON THE WORK WITH THE UTILITIES BOARD MEETING NEXT WEEK.

>>> THE CONTROVERSIAL WORK PLACE VACCINE MANDATE HAS SEEN RACIAL DISPARITIES.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS ALL OF THE DETAILS AND THE OTHER TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES.

>>> RAVEN, THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HEARD ARGUMENTS TODAY IN A CASE CHALLENGING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WORK PLACE VACCINE AND DATES INCLUDING, ONE THAT REQUIRES COVID-19 VACCINES OR TESTING AT COMPANIES WITH 100 OR MORE EMPLOYEES.

ARGUING IN FAVOR OF THE MANDATES, THE U.S.

SOLICITOR GENERAL WROTE THAT THEY WERE NEEDED TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS.

THOSE CHALLENGING THE MANDATE, INCLUDING BUSINESSES AND REPUBLICAN-LED STATES ARGUE THAT THE MANDATES EXCEED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY.

AS ARGUMENTS GOT UNDERWAY, MEMBERS OF THE CONSERVATIVE MAJORITY EXPRESSED SKEPTICISM FOR THE WORKPLACE RULES.

>>> THE U.S. UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL TO 3.9% IN DECEMBER.

ACCORDING TO NEW FEDERAL DATA RELEASED TODAY.

THE OVERALL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS DROPPING BUT THERE IS A STARK DIFFERENCE WHEN IT COMES TO THE RACE OF A WORKER.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR WHITE WORKERS WAS 3.2% FOR BLACK WORKERS, THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ROSE TO 7.1%.

IT ALSO SHOWED THAT HIRING SLOWED IN DECEMBER IN CONTRAST TO A MORE ROSY OUTLOOK RELEASED BY NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP.

WORKER WAGES HAVE RISEN OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS THAT IS NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE RATE OF INFLATION.

>>> ONE BUSINESS LEADER SAYS THAT THE STATE SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO HELP COMPANIES DESPERATE TO HIRE WORKERS.

TOM BRACKEN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE STATE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS THAT THEY SHOULD CONSIDER SWEETENING THE RETURN AND EARN PROGRAM.

NEWLY HIRED WORKERS GET A BONUS OF A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS THROUGH THAT.

>> WE HAVE A $500 RETURN AND EARN BONUS BEING PAID THROUGH THE GOVERNMENT THAT THE GOVERNOR PUT IN PLACE A FEW MONTHS AGO.

THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE GETTING A LOT OF TRACTION BUT AROUND THE COUNTRY, AND THOUSAND DOLLARS SEEMS TO BE THE KEY.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE A RETURN AND EARN BONUS OF $1000.

>> Reporter: HE IS A MEMBER OF THE NJ PBS BOARD.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE TODAY'S TOP IS THIS HEADLINES.

>>> MAKE SURE YOU TURN INTO NJ BUSINESS BEAT WITH RHONDA SCHAFFLER THIS WEEKEND.

IT SHE FOCUSES ON THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND TALKS TO INDUSTRY LEADERS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GOALS AND CONCERNS IN THE NEW YEAR.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. AND SUNDAYS AT 9:30 AM.

>>> ANOTHER DAY OF WINTER WEATHER IN NEW JERSEY.

UP TO SIX INCHES FALLING OVERNIGHT LIKE ON THIS FARM.

THE SNOW MADE FOR A DANGEROUS DRIVE FOR SOME.

THESE WERE THE CONDITIONS ON ROUTE 539.

FOR OTHERS, A FUN DAY.

LIKE FOR THIS DOG ENJOYING A RUN IN THE SNOW.

STUDENTS FROM MORE THAN 300 DISTRICTS GOT A SNOW DAY AS WELL.

MAKING FOR AN UNPLANNED THREE- DAY WEEKEND.

GOVERNOR MURPHY DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY AHEAD OF THE STORM WITH CRUISE WORKING SINCE THE FIRST FLAKES FELL.

>>> THE FRIGID TEMPERATURE AND SNOW HAS MANY CITIES AND COUNTIES DECLARING CODE BLUE.

SHELTERS TYPICALLY FILL UP DURING THE WINTER MONTHS BUT THERE IS NOW LIMITED CAPACITY AND SOME SHELTERS ARE UNABLE TO SERVE AS WARMING CENTERS.

PLUS THEY ARE FACING THE SAME STAFF SHORTAGES AS EVERY INDUSTRY.

MELISSA ROSE COOPER IS REPORTING ON HOW SHELTERS ARE STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO PEOPLE SAFELY.

>> I JUST CAME HERE TO GET THE MEAL.

AND THE WHOLE THING WITH COVID- 19, IT HITS US HARD.

>>> THIS IS JUST AN.

LIKE OTHER NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS, THOSE LIVING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT.

HE HAS BEEN COMING TO EVEN HIS VILLAGE TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT.

BUT WITH THE RISE OF COVID-19 CASES, GETTING THE FREE MEAL COMES WITH CHALLENGES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS.

>> IT WAS NICE WHEN WE GET TO GO BACK INSIDE AND SIT INSIDE AND GET WARM AND ENJOY THE MEAL INDOORS.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

AND NOW THAT WE HAVE TO BE BACK OUT HERE, IT IS INCONVENIENT.

>> Reporter: BUT IT IS A CHANGE THAT WAS MADE TO KEEP STAFF AND CLIENTS SAFE.

>> COVID IS HAVING A DISASTROUS IMPACT ON OUR ORGANIZATION.

WE ARE SEEING A NUMBER OF POSITIVE TEST RESULTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE CEO SAYS THEY HAVE HAD TO REDUCE SERVICES AS A RESULT.

>> THEY ARE NOT ALLOWING FACE- TO-FACE CONTACT AND WE ARE NOT ADMITTING ANYBODY NEW AT THIS TIME.

SO, AS PEOPLE LEAVE OUR PROGRAMS , THAT MEANS THAT WE ARE DECLINING IN CENSUS AND WE ARE NOT BRINGING IN NEW PEOPLE.

PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION ISSUES ARE NOT GETTING THE SERVICES THAT THEY REQUIRE ON A FACE-TO-FACE BASIS.

THOSE THAT ARE IN SHELTERS OR WANT TO GET OFF THE STREETS, WE CANNOT ACCEPT PEOPLE.

SO ONE PATTERSON ISSUES A CODE BLUE, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO BRING IN PEOPLE THAT OTHERWISE NEED THOSE SERVICES SO PEOPLE HAVE TO FIND OTHER LOCATIONS.

>> Reporter: WITH THE EVICTION MORATORIUM BEING LIFTED, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COULD BE FORCED OUT INTO THE STREET.

ESPECIALLY AS SHELTERS ARE ALREADY AT CAPACITY.

BUT THE STAFF AND RESCUE MISSION OF TRENTON IS HOPING THEY WILL NOT HAVE THAT.

CEO BARRY YOUNG SAYS THEY HAVE NOT HAD TO TURN ANYONE AWAY SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

>> WE HAVE RECONFIGURED SPACES SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE SOCIAL DISTANCING.

REMOVED BEDS AROUND AND WE PURCHASED ALEXA GLASS.

WE PURCHASED A THREE-QUARTER INCH PLEXIGLAS EVERY BED HAS A BARRIER ATTACHED TO IT THEY HAVE A BUILT IN BARRIER BETWEEN THE BEDS WHICH HAS BEEN A REALLY NICE FEATURE.

THAT ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO SERVE AS MANY AS WE CAN.

>> IT JOSEPH'S HOUSE IS ALSO IMPLEMENTING MEASURES.

IT ACCOMMODATES UP TO 75 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 10 SPOTS FOR THOSE STUCK IN THE COLD.

THE ORGANIZATION TESTS EVERYONE FOR COVID-19 TWICE PER WEEK.

>> WE MAY TEST YOU ONE NIGHT AND THEN 48 HOURS LATER WE FIND OUT YOU WERE POSITIVE.

SO YOU ARE WALKING AROUND FOR TWO THESE POSITIVE.

IT IS NOT A PERFECT SYSTEM BUT IT HELPS QUARANTINE AND TAKES PEOPLE OUT OF THE CONGREGANT SETTING.

WITH THE CONTINUED TESTING AND CONVINCING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED, LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY, WE HOPE TO GET BEYOND THIS.

>> SHELTERS SAY THEY ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE HOMELESS DESPITE CHALLENGES.

IF BASS IS NOT AVAILABLE, STAFF WILL WORK WITH CITIES AND OTHER LOCAL PARTNERS IN THE HOPES THAT NO ONE HAS TO SPEND THE NIGHT OUT IN THE COLD.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> CHRISTMAS TREES NO LONGER NEEDED IN THE LIVING ROOMS OF HOMES AROUND NEW JERSEY CAN SERVE A NEW PURPOSE.

THE BASIS OF NEW DUNES STATE PARK.

THEY ARE COLLECTING CHRISTMAS TREES AS PART OF RESTORATION WORK.

THE PROGRAM HAS PROVEN POPULAR IN RECENT YEARS.

IN 2020 THEY SET A GOAL OF COLLECTING 200 TREES AND ENDED UP WITH 2000.

ISLAND BEACH IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR NEW JERSEY STATE PARKS AND HEALTHY DUNES ARE CRITICAL TO PROTECTING THE AREA DURING STORMS.

THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

IF YOU MISS ANY OF THE BIG POLITICAL HEADLINES THIS WEEK, TURN INTO REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE WITH THAT DAVID CRUZ, SATURDAYS AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAYS AT 10:00 A.M. YOU CAN ALSO WATCH DAVID ON CHAT BOX.

WATCH IT ON NJ PBS SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS.

I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

THANK YOU, FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>>> 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 WIND PROJECT.

BY ORSTED.

AND 52, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A NEW LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT I AM STILL HERE.

>> WE GET TO CELEBRATE OUR FIRST ANNIVERSARY.

>> THEY GAVE ME NEW LIFE.

>> NOW BE NOBODY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING OLDER WITH MY WIFE.

>> WE HAVE LIVING DONOR PROGRAMS AND WORLD RENOWNED CARE AT TWO RENOWNED HOSPITALS.

>> THEY GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK.

IT'S AMAZING.

>>> RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.