>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

NEW JERSEY REALTORS, FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO ONLINE, NJ REALTOR.COM.

FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> I AM Briana Vannozzi.

THE POLICE COMMUNITY TENSION IN PATTERSON IS ESCALATING.

THE 31-YEAR-OLD VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SPECIALIST, SHOT AND KILLED LAST WEEK, PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR REFORM.

A PROTEST WAS LED THROUGH THE CITY, RALLYING IN FRONT OF A RESTAURANT OWNED BY ONE OF THE OFFICERS INVOLVED, ENDING AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS.

THEY ARE DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF BODY CAM FOOTAGE FROM THE MARCH 3rd INCIDENT.

LATE TODAY, ONE OF THE STATE'S LEADING SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS OFFICIALLY REQUESTED THE FEDERAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO INTERVENE AND ESCALATE.

>> Reporter: THE SOUND FROM THE STREET IS LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE.

THEY DO NOT RECOGNIZE US AS HUMAN BEINGS.

AS THEIR BROTHER, AS THEIR SISTER.

>> YOU BETTER APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT THIS COMMITTEE WANTS JUSTICE, NOT REVENGE.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE SEEKING JUSTICE.

IF THEY DO NOT GET JUSTICE, THEY WILL SEEK REVENGE.

>> Reporter: ANGER IS GROWING IN PATTERSON.

THE TONE IS GROWING IN INTENSITY.

DEMONSTRATORS NOTED THE LEVEL OF CONCERN OVER THE SHOOTING THAT WOUNDED A STATE TROOPER IN THE CITY, THE DAY BEFORE THE NAJEE SEABROOKS STANDOFF , PROMPTING A LOCAL CONGRESSWOMAN TO TWEET THAT HE WAS RUSHING HOME OUT OF CONCERN FOR HIS FAMILY.

THAT INCLUDED A VISIT TO PATERSON FROM THE STATE 'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, IRONICALLY ON THE SAME DAY THAT NAJEE SEABROOKS WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

>> THESE TROOPERS REPRESENT THE ABSOLUTE BEST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS INCREASINGLY TROUBLED, SAFE , INCLUDING THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS, WHOSE CHAIR, ASSEMBLY MEMBER SHAVONDA SUMTER, REPRESENTS PATERSON.

MICHAEL JACKSON IS A CRITIC OF THE CITY'S ADMINISTRATION.

HE SUGGESTS THAT MORE INTEREST IS GIVEN TO MAINTAINING STATUS QUO.

>> VALUABLE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE BODY, THEY CAN MAINTAIN THEIR POSTURE WITHOUT EVOKING CHANGE.

THAT IS MY PERSONAL FEELING ON MY PEOPLE ARE NOT DOING MORE.

>> Reporter: THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE SENT A LETTER TODAY TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, CALLING FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION INTO PATERSON PD.

THEY SAID, WOULD IT BE REGARDLESS OF ANYONE SAYING SOMETHING OR NOT SEEING SOMETHING PUBLICLY, THE INTERVENTIONISTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND TO HELP ON THAT DAY.

>> I THINK IT IS A VERY DISTURBING SITUATION.

ON ONE HAND, MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR VIOLENT INTERVENTION.

BUT LOCAL PATERSON CITIZENS, THEY RELEGATED THEM TO ALMOST BEING SECOND-CLASS PARTNERS.

>> Reporter: WE DID NOT HEAR BACK FROM ASSEMBLY MEMBER SHAVONDA SUMTER , LEAVING THE MAYOR OF THE LOAN ELECTED OFFICIAL ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

AND THAT WAS REPEATED AND HIS ANSWER HAS REMAINED THE SAME.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL NEEDS TO RELEASE ANY BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE REQUESTS.

AND I HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT WHERE THAT STANDS.

BUT AGAIN, THAT IS WHERE WE STAND.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAID HE HAS NOT GOTTEN AN ANSWER.

AND COLLEAGUES WERE NOT ALLOWED TO LEND ASSISTANCE ON THAT DAY.

MEANWHILE, FUNERAL SERVICES FOR NAJEE SEABROOKS ARE SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> DESPITE PLEASE TO MAKE INFORMATION MORE TRANSPARENT FOR THE PUBLIC, IT IS HARD TO TRACK.

AN ANALYSIS BY NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS FINDS THAT NAJEE SEABROOKS IS THE LATEST OF EIGHT DEATHS BY PATERSON PD SINCE 2018, THAT IS MORE THAN ANY MUNICIPALITY IN NEW JERSEY.

ACROSS THE STATE, POLICE FIRED WEAPONS IN MORE THAN ONE DOZEN INCIDENTS, WHERE PEOPLE DIED.

THERE WAS NO SINGLE PLACE WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN FIND ALL THAT DATA.

OUR SENIOR WRITER COLLEEN O'DAY HAS BEEN DIGGING INTO THE ISSUE AND SHE JOINS ME NOW.

YOU KNOW THE NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHERE POLICE FIRED A WEAPON.

REALLY, WE HAVE NO IDEA, DESPITE EVERYTHING THE STATE DID AND WHY IS THAT?

>> Reporter: I THINK WHEN THEY CREATED THE DATABASE, THEY WERE NOT THINKING IN THAT RESPECT.

SO, IF YOU WERE TO GO TO THE DATABASE, AND YOU WERE LOOKING FOR THE GAPS DUE TO POLICE SHOOTINGS, YOU CANNOT BUY THAT.

DEATH IS NOT AN INJURY.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF INJURIES.

AND A GUNSHOT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN LOOK IN THAT, IT DOES NOT DISTINGUISH BETWEEN GUNSHOTS AND THE PEOPLE VERSUS ANIMALS.

THERE WERE A LOT AIMED AT ANIMALS IN THE LAST 2.5 YEARS.

I GUESS THAT THE DATA IS UP THERE, THE OTHER THING THAT KIND OF HAMMERED US, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE PUTS OUT INFORMATION EVERY TIME IT DOES INVESTIGATE ONE OF THESE, IN THE FORM OF A PRESS RELEASE, THE SEARCH FUNCTION ON THE FIGHT SITE DOES NOT LET YOU SEARCH BEYOND 2022 IN AN EASY FASHION AND OF COURSE, WE TRY TO GET THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO GIVE US AN EXACT NUMBER, AND THEY DID NOT RESPOND.

>> OF COURSE, AS YOU FOUND, A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF THESE INCIDENTS ARE HAPPENING OR HAVE HAPPEN IN PATERSON.

WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THIS INFORMATION WITH THE WAY IT IS BEING DISSEMINATED?

>> IF YOU WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING OR THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, UNLESS THE INFORMATION IS READILY AVAILABLE, IT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK AT.

I THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SIX FATAL SHOOTINGS IN PATERSON, THERE WAS ANOTHER ONE IN WHICH A MAN WAS INJURED AND CANNOT WALK BECAUSE THERE IS A BULLET LODGED IN HIS BACK.

IN THAT INCIDENT, THE MAN WAS ARMED.

AND HE WAS FLEEING AND THE OFFICER SHOT HIM IN THE BACK.

IN THOSE OTHER INSTANCES, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE PATERSON , A SHOOTING BY THE PATERSON POLICE, ONE BY THE STATE COUNTY, ONE BY THE U.S. MARSHALL .

IT IS THE THIRD- LARGEST CITY AND I THINK, THAT IS SOMETHING TO NOTE.

>> DOESN'T SPEAK TO PERHAPS WHAT ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU AND OTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN COVERING THIS, THAT THERE IS JUST A LARGER PROBLEM WITH POLICING OR DOES THAT PROBLEM, MAYBE AS THE DATA SUGGESTS PLAY MORE IN CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS?

>> Reporter: THERE IS A PROGRAM WHERE POLICE ARE NOW BEING PAIRED WITH MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCATES OR MENTAL PROFESSIONALS AND THAT, BY ALL ACCOUNTS, SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN WORKING IN MANY PLACES.

BUT IT IS STILL ONLY A PILOT.

THE MAYOR OF PATERSON SAID THEY ARE PARTNERING WITH ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL AND THAT HAS NOT REALLY STARTED.

IT IS JUST IN THE PLANNING PHASES.

I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, HOW IS THIS ALL GOING TO SHAKE OUT?

>> THERE WAS ANOTHER POLICE- INVOLVED SHOOTING IN BEDFORD TOWNSHIP, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAID THEY WILL INVESTIGATE.

COLLEEN O'DAY FOR US, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> THE STATE IS CHIPPING AWAY AT THE UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES.

A SHORTAGE THAT HAS CAUSED THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE STATE TO TAKE ACTION LAST MONTH, SUSPENDING CERTAIN TRIALS IN ABOUT HALF A DOZEN COUNTIES.

LAWMAKERS WERE IN TRENTON, ADDING SIX MORE NOMINEES TO THE COURT.

SENIOR CORRESPONDED JOANNA GAGIS REPORTS THAT THEY NEED TO FILL IT SWIFT.

>> ONE MOMENT, I CONSIDERED TO BE THE PINNACLE OF MY CAREER.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE DAY IN THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE WHERE SIX NOMINEES WERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED.

>> I WILL USE MY PERSONAL, LEGAL, AND MUNICIPAL EXPERIENCE TO SERVE WITH GRACE, TOLERANCE, RESPECT, AND FAIRNESS.

>> MY COURTROOM WILL ALWAYS BE A PLACE WHERE LITIGANTS OF EVERY KIND WILL BE SAFE.

>> Reporter: IS A SNAIL'S PACE THAT HAS LEFT THE JUDICIAL COURT SYSTEM OF NEW JERSEY IN SHAMBLES.

LASTLY, A PAUSE WAS ANNOUNCED ON ALL CIVIL TRIALS, EFFECTING SIX COUNTIES.

SOMERSET, CUMBERLAND, WARREN, GLOUCESTER, AND SALEM.

DOMESTIC ABUSE, CUSTODY, AND PERSONAL ABUSE INJURY TRIALS ARE ON HOLD AND PEOPLE'S LIVES ARE HANGING IN THE BALANCE.

>> I HAVE HAD CLIENTS EVICTED BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GET THE JUDGE TO HOLD A TRIAL TO FIX THE SITUATION.

I HAVE HAD PARENTS INVOLVED IN A CUSTODY DISPUTE AND THE CHILD IS SO STRESSED OUT BECAUSE WE COULD NOT GET BEFORE A JUDGE.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 67 SUPERIOR COURT VACANCIES AT 25 IS THE MAXIMUM THAT THEY CAN HANDLE WHILE STILL WORKING THAT >> FROM START TO FINISH, I USED TO CARRY THE PROCESS OF A DIVORCE AND IT MIGHT TAKE ABOUT A YEAR.

I CANNOT GIVE PEOPLE A DEFINITIVE ANSWER NOW.

MY GUESS WOULD BE THREE YEARS, BY THE TIME THIS IS ALL SAID AND DONE.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THE NOMINEES ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN.

EVEN WHEN THOSE NOMINEES ARE PUT FORWARD NEXT WEEK, IT IS GOING TO BRING THE TOTAL WAITING FOR SENATE CONFIRMATION TO 29.

THAT IS JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET, REALLY, OF VACANCIES IN THE STATE.

>> IT IS NICE THAT THEY ARE PUTTING SIX THROUGH TODAY.

BUT WHEN YOU KNOW THERE ARE 23 IN THE PIPELINE, SIX IS REALLY AN UNFORTUNATE NUMBER.

>> EVEN IF ALL 29 NOMINEES ARE CONFIRMED, THERE ARE 23 RETIREMENTS COMING AT THE END OF THE JUDICIAL TERM.

THE GOVERNOR GAVE OUT ADVICE REGARDING THE RUTGERS STALEMATE.

>> GET INTO THE ROOM, WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.

LOCK THE DOOR.

LOSE THE KEY.

AND SOLVE THIS CATASTROPHIC SITUATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT NOW, FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> WHEN THE CHIEF JUSTICE SHUTS DOWN A BUSINESS, THAT IS AN INCENTIVE TO MOVE JUDGES AND SOMETIMES POLITICIANS, REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT, NEED SOME INCENTIVE.

>> Reporter: THEY DO BELIEVE THEY WILL BE MOVING THE NEEDLE AND SOME NOMINEES BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH FOR THOSE WAITING ON YOUR DAY IN COURT NOW.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR UTILITY BILL HAVE TWO DAYS LEFT TO APPLY FOR HELP.

THAT IS WHEN THE ANNUAL WINTER TERMINATION PROGRAM ENDS.

IT PREVENTS YOUR WATER OR HEAT FROM BEING SHUT OFF DURING COLD WINTER MONTHS, EVEN IF YOU OWE ON YOUR BILLS.

THERE IS PLENTY OF ASSISTANCE AND MONEY OUT THERE TO HELP CUSTOMERS WHO FELL BEHIND.

THE PROBLEM IS, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT.

SR.

CORRESPONDENT HAS THE STORY.

>> THERE WILL BE SHUT OFF TO COME IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

SOME THOUGHTS OH WATER AND THE MORATORIUM ON SHUTOFFS WILL END THIS WEDNESDAY.

THE WINTER TERMINATION PROGRAM PREVENTED ELECTRIC, GAS, AND WATER UTILITIES FROM CUTTING OFF SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, THAT HAS HELPED THOUSANDS TO MAKE ENDS MEET FOR MONTHS.

>> VOTES ON LOW, FIXED, AND MODERATE INCOMES ARE REALLY STRUGGLING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT BILLS TO PAY.

BUY GROCERIES OR PAY THE ELECTRIC BILL.

>> Reporter: IS NOW IT IS TIME TO PAY UP OR SIGN UP FOR AN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THE BEST WAY TO AVOID SERVICE SHUT UP -- >> YOUR WATER UTILITY, YOUR ELECTRIC UTILITY, YOUR GAS UTILITY.

THEY ARE WILLING TO HELP.

THEY ARE WILLING TO SET UP A PAYMENT PLAN.

THEY ARE WILLING TO STEER YOU IN THE DIRECTION WHERE YOU CAN GET ASSISTANCE, IF YOU QUALIFY.

>> THE GOOD NEWS IS, IF YOU APPLY FOR A PROGRAM WHEN YOU'RE APPLICATION IS ENDING, THEY WILL NOT TERMINATE YOUR SERVICE.

IN THE EVENT THAT YOU NEED HELP, YOU NEED TO REACH OUT NOW.

>> Reporter: JERSEY CUSTOMERS ARE ESTIMATED 20 A COMBINED $44 MILLION, MORE THAN 120 DAYS OVERDUE, ADVOCATE LARRY LEVINE SAYS THERE IS FEDERAL MONEY AVAILABLE BUT -- >> IT IS FIRST,, FIRST-SERVED.

IT IS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY.

YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR IT.

CALL 211.

>> Reporter: AN ESTIMATED 144,000 NEW JERSEY WATER CUSTOMERS CAN QUALIFY FOR UP TO $5000 EACH IN GRANTS FROM THE FEDERAL LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS HAS STRUGGLED TO AWARD THIS MONEY, ABOUT $20 MILLION.

IT EXPECTS THE FED TO CLAW BACK UNUSED FUNDS.

THE MEMBERS COMPRISE ALMOST HALF OF THE STATE'S WATER, BUT -- >> WE HAVE ONLY HAD OUR CUSTOMERS ACCESS A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN $1 MILLION OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THE DEA IS PLANNING A MASSIVE OUTREACH SAYS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SHEILA OLIVER.

>> IT WAS JUST TWO WEEKS AGO THAT THE UTILITY COMPANIES GAVE US THOSE LISTINGS.

SO WE HAVE LISTINGS OF ABOUT 16,000 CUSTOMERS IN NEW JERSEY WHO DO HAVE BILLS.

WE ARE SENDING CORRESPONDENCE TO THOSE CUSTOMERS AS WELL AS CALLING THEM ON THE PHONE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF SMALLER UTILITIES DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM, CUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS OFF FROM FEDERAL RESCUE DOLLARS.

A BILL WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE HOUSE WOULD PROHIBIT WATER COMPANIES THAT DO NOT PARTICIPATE FROM SHUTTING OFF SERVICE, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THE COLLAPSE OF THE CALIFORNIA-BASED SILICONE VALLEY BANK REVERBERATED THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY WHERE HUNDREDS OF COMPANIES ARE AFFECTED.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST DETAILS, PLUS OUR OTHER TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

RHONDA, WHAT DID GOVERNOR MURPHY, A FORMER BANKING EXECUTIVE HIMSELF, HAVE TO SAY THIS TODAY?

>> Reporter: A WARNING FROM GOVERNOR MURPHY ON THE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC FALLOUT FROM THE COLLAPSE OF SILICON VALLEY BANK.

THIS, AS THE STATE STEPPED UP TO OFFER FINANCIAL HELP TO BUSINESSES WHO HAD ACCOUNTS AT THAT BANK AS WELL AS THE FAILURE OF THE NEW YORK-BASED SIGNATURE BANK.

HE BELIEVES THAT THE FINANCIAL SECTOR DISRUPTION COULD IMPACT THE FUTURE OF THE ECONOMY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY I THINK THIS INCREASES THE CHANCE THAT THE NATION, WE ARE NO EXCEPTION, WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS, WE WILL HAVE A TOUGHER ECONOMY.

STAY TUNED.

I AM HOPING FOR THE BEST AND WE ARE GOING TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST.

>> LATE YESTERDAY, THE STATE ANNOUNCED A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THOSE NEW JERSEY-BASED COMPANIES IMPACTED BY THE COLLAPSE OF THE BANK.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY LAUNCHED THE ANGEL MATCH PROGRAM, WHICH HELPS EARLY STAGE COMPANIES WITH FUNDING.

THEY WILL LAUNCH ANOTHER PROGRAM TO SUPPORT ENTREPRENEURS ON WEDNESDAY AND THEY MAY SCHEDULE A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING THIS WEEK TO CONSIDER PROVIDING AFFECTED COMPANIES WITH LOANS.

TIM SULLIVAN BELONGS BELIEVES THAT MORE THAN 100 NEW JERSEY COMPANIES ARE IMPACTED.

>> THIS IS MORE LIKE TECH STARTUPS, HEALTHCARE, THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF COMPANIES IMPACTED HERE.

WE KNOW THAT THERE WAS REAL PAIN UP THERE.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEANTIME, PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY, DETAILING HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TOOK A SERIES OF STEPS TO PROTECT THE BANKING SYSTEM, INCLUDING ENSURING THAT ALL DEPOSITORS AT THE FEDERAL WERE ABLE TO ACCESS THAT MONEY TODAY.

AND THE FEDERAL RESERVE UNLEASHED A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PREVENT A WAVE OF BANK RUNS.

>> AMERICANS CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THE BANKING SYSTEM IS SAFE AND THAT THE DEPOSITS WILL BE THERE WHEN YOU NEED THEM.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE WILL ASK CONGRESS TO STRENGTHEN BANKING REGULATIONS, WHICH GO BACK UNDER THE PRIOR ORGANIZATION.

GOVERNOR MURPHY, A FORMER GOLDMAN SACHS INVESTMENT BANKER JOINED A HOST OF WALL STREET ANIMAL ANALYSTS WHO BELIEVE THAT THE FEDERAL RESERVE WILL PAUSE RAISING INTEREST RATES FOR NOW.

ON WALL STREET, INVESTORS SOLD SHARES AT REGIONAL BANKS TODAY.

HERE IS A LOOK AT HOW THE OVERALL MARKETS CLOSED.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER, THOSE ARE YOUR TOP STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT, PROVIDED BY THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY, WORKING FOR ECONOMIC PROSPERITY BY UNITED BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FOR 150 YEARS.

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION IS ONLINE AT CHAMBERS.N.P.J.COM.

>>> A MAJOR MUSIC AND CULTURAL FESTIVAL IS COMING TO NEW JERSEY.

IT WILL KICK OFF THE SUMMER TOURISM SYSTEM AND HOPEFULLY GIVE IT A LITTLE BOOST.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY, ANNOUNCING THE FIRST-EVER NORTH TO SHORT SUMMER FESTIVAL.

IT IS A MONTH-LONG STATEWIDE EVENT THAT WILL FEATURE ABOUT 100 EVENTS IN THREE CITIES, NEWARK, ASBURY PARK, AND JUNE 4th TO 11th, BEFORE IT MOVES UP THE STATEMENT GOVERNOR MURPHY, TAPPING MJ PACK TO PRODUCE THE EVENT.

HE SAID IT IS A WAY TO SHOWCASE TALENT AND DIVERSITY BUT ALSO LOOKING TO RIVAL AUSTIN'S BIG SXSW MUSIC FESTIVAL.

HEADLINERS INCLUDE DEMI LOVATO, GAVIN DEGRAW, COMEDIAN BILL BURR, AND STEPHEN COLBERT.

THEY HAVE ALSO SIGNED ON.

THERE WILL BE FILM SCREENINGS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH LEADERS IN BUSINESS, TECHNOLOGY, AND CLEAN ENERGY.

A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

>> NEW JERSEY IS RECLAIMING OUR HERITAGE AS THE WORLD'S CENTER OF INNOVATION.

WE ARE IN A STATE THAT ATTRACTS AND GROWS TOP-NOTCH TALENT.

IT IS FAR PAST TIME THAT WE SHINE A LIGHT ON EVERYTHING THAT SETS OUR STATE APART.

OUR DIVERSITY, OUR CREATIVITY, AND OUR UNMISTAKABLE NEW JERSEY ENERGY.

>> FINALLY, TONIGHT, JERSEY IS GIVING MARCH MADNESS FANS REASON NOT TO COUNT OUT AN UNDERDOG.

THE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM IS HEADING TO THE BIG DANCE.

IT IS AN UNLIKELY AND REMARKABLE STORY LINE FOR THE TEAM THAT HAD JUST A TOUGH SEASON.

BUT IT MARKS THE SEVENTH TIME FPU HAS QUALIFIED FOR THE NCAA MEN TOURNAMENT.

IT IS NOT THE ONLY CAME FROM THE GARDEN STATE TO CLINCH A SPOT.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 40 YEARS, THE MONMOUTH UNIVERSITY WOMEN BASKETBALL TEAM WILL ALSO PUT ON THEIR DANCING SHOES, KNOCKING OFF THE TOP-SEATED, GET THIS, THOMPSON UNIVERSITY, CLEARING THE WAY FOR A MARCH MADNESS RUN, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY'S MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TEAMS ALSO PUNCHED THEIR TICKET TO THE TOURNAMENT.

LAST YEAR, ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY DID NOT MAKE IT.

NEITHER DID SETON HALL OR RUTGERS.

NOW, THEY HAVE THEIR SHOT AND TED GOLDBERG CAUGHT UP WITH THEM AND THEY SAID THEY ARE READY TO TAKE IT.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY HAS TWO CINDERELLA TEAMS HOPING TO DANCE THEIR WAY INTO THE FINAL FOUR.

PRINCETON WON THE IVY LEAGUE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT AND THEY WILL FACE ARIZONA IN THE ROUND OF 64 ON THURSDAY.

AND FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON SECURED A SPOT TO TAKE ON TEXAS SOUTHERN ON WEDNESDAY, WITH THE WINTER WINTER PLAYING TOP- SEATED PURDUE.

THIS IS A NICE SURPRISE FOR A PROGRAM THAT WON JUST FOUR GAMES LAST YEAR.

>> ANY YEAR WHERE YOU ARE EXPECTED NOT TO BE VERY GOOD IS FUN.

>> ANDERSON IS IN TODAY'S FIRST YEAR COACHING THE BURGUNDY AND BLUE.

COMING OVER FROM ST. THOMAS AQUINAS IN UPSTATE NEW YORK.

HE BROUGHT OVER SOME OF HIS OLD PLAYERS WHO WERE NOT EXACTLY EXPECTING TO DANCE THIS YEAR.

>> IT WAS MORE OF, YOU KNOW, JUST TRYING TO GET THE PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING THE FIRST TWO YEARS, AND MAYBE DOWN THE LINE, MAYBE IN THE FIRST YEAR, NOBODY THOUGHT WE COULD GET HERE.

>> PROBABLY, YOU ARE THINKING TWO OR THREE YEAR REBUILDING PROCESS.

MAYBE WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE A MIDDLE OF THE PACK TEAM, MAKING THE NCAA TOURNAMENT WAS NOT REALLY PROBABLY A REALISTIC GOAL.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

DANIEL RODRIGUEZ SAYS THE NEW COACH BROUGHT A NEW OUTLOOK.

>> HE CAME IN AND BROUGHT A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

WE PLAY HARD EVERY DAY.

THAT IS HOW WE PLAY AND PRACTICE, EVERY DAY, VERY DISCIPLINED AND DEMANDING.

>> THE COACH KNOWS THAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO THIS FOR A REASON.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE NIGHTS ARE READY TO DANCE, THEY HAVE HEARD FROM CRITICS WHO DO NOT THINK THEY HAVE EARNED THE SHOT.

THEY CLINCHED THE SPOT BY REACHING THE CONFERENCE.

MERRIMACK IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE BIG DANCE BECAUSE THEY TRANSFERRED FROM DIVISION II TO DIVISION I, THEY WERE OUT DUE TO THE NCAA RULE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW YOU CAN'T GO.

BUT WE WORKED HARD FOR IT.

WE WORKED HARD.

>> JUST AS HARD AS EVERYBODY ELSE, AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME WAY FOR ST. FRANCIS IF THEY HAD BEATEN US.

>> MERRIMACK COULD NOT GO, LET'S GET OURSELVES IN A POSITION TO GO.

WE THINK OF OURSELVES AS ONE HECK OF A TEAM.

WE ARE MOVING ON.

>> Reporter: THE KNIGHTS NEED TO GET FACE-TO-FACE WITH PURDUE , SO MOVING THROUGH THE TOURNAMENT WOULD BE A SURPRISE.

IT WOULD NOT BE THE MOST UNEXPECTED RUN THAT A NEW JERSEY SCHOOL HAS HAD ST. PETER'S SHOCKED THE WORLD LAST YEAR BY MAKING IT TO THE ELITE EIGHT.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON FOLLOWS SUIT?

>> OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT TO DO THE SAME THING.

WHY NOT?

>> Reporter: BEFORE ST. PETER'S WENT ON ITS MIRACLE RUN, THE PEACOCKS HAD NEVER WON A TOURNAMENT IN SCHOOL HISTORY.

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON HAS.

THEY WON IN THE DANCE JUST FOUR YEARS AGO.

AS FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF A NEW JERSEY SCHOOL GOING ON A NEW CINDERELLA RUN TWO YEARS IN A ROW, WHY NOT?

>>> THAT IS GOING TO DO IT FOR US TONIGHT.

BUT YOU CAN NOW LISTEN TO MJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS VIA PODCAST, WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

MAKE SURE YOU DOWN LOAD AND CHECK US OUT.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, AND FOLLOW US ON OUR WEBSITE TO KEEP UP WITH NEWS ON THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI .

ON BEHALF OF THE ENTIRE MJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS TEAM, HAVE A GREAT TIME.

WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN TOMORROW.

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

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> NJ INSURANCE GROUP HAS BEEN PART OF THE COMMUNITY FOR A CENTURY.

WE SUPPORT ARTS AND CULTURE- RELATED AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE TO UP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE COMMUNITY AND CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF SAFE DRIVERS.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF NEW JERSEY.

MJ M, WE HAVE NEW JERSEY COVERED.