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>>> FROM NJPBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI BRIANA IT WAS ONE YEAR AGO TODAY THE GOVERNOR JOINED OUR NEIGHBORS TEMPORARILY CLOSING DOWN GYMS, CASINOS.

ABOUT 1/3 OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES DID NOT REOPEN.

NOT TO MENTION IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR OVER ALL PUBLIC HEALTH SITUATION, ACROSS THE STATE TODAY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS REPORTING ROUGHLY 3,100 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND 41 MORE CONFIRMED DEATHS.

IT APPEARS THAT AND MORE SHOTS IN ARMS ARE BOTH ADDING TO PUBLIC CONFIDENCE WITH A GROWING PUSH TO GET BACK TO NORMAL AND SHAKE OFF A YEAR IN LOCK DOWN.

ONE KEY INDICATOR, U.S. AIR TRAVEL IS RISING TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

SOME EXPERTS SAY EXPANDING TOURISM AND TRAVEL IS CRITICAL TO OUR RESTART.

BUT IS IT SAFE?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> WE'VE BEEN LOCKED UP FOR SO LONG.

AND SOMETHING FOR THE KID JUST TO DO.

YOU KNOW.

>> SO YOU'RE JUST TAKING A FUN TRIP.

>> YEAH.

>> HANNAH COPELAND HOPPED A PLANE TO FLORIDA.

AND SHE HAD COMPANY.

>> I AM HEADED TO CHARLOTTE NORTH CAROLINA.

AND YES I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE.

THIS IS MY THIRD TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S VERY SAFE.

>> I HAVE SOME BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE OF AND FAMILY TO SEE SO I'LL DO BOTH.

>> THAT'S A NICE COMBINATION.

>> YES IT IS, AND I GOT MY VACCINE THE TWO DOSES TWO WEEKS AGO SO I'M FREE TO GO.

>> I THINK PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT AND NOW THAT THEY'RE GETTING VACCINATED THEY'RE SAYING, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, IT'S SAFE, I'M GOING.

>> Reporter: HILANE BECKER OF COHEN SAYS CERTAIN SECTORS OF THE MARKET ARE STARTING TO TAKE OFF.

>> I THINK DOMESTIC LEISURE IS VERY CLOSE TO PREPANDEMIC LEVELS.

AS LONG AS THERE'S SOMETHING TO DO WHERE THEY'RE GOING AND AS LONG AS THEY'RE SAFE DOING IT THEY WILL GO.

THAT'S WHAT WE SEE HAPPENING.

WE FEEL DOMESTIC TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE VERY T BIG THIS SUMMER.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES GOT THREE SEPARATE TRENCHES OF AIRPORT SUPPORT NOW THEY'RE ADDING FLIGHTS.

PEOPLE ARE HEADING TO MEXICO AND THE CARIBBEAN BUT OTHER INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS REMAIN LOW.

AIR TRAVEL IS STILL OFF 73% FROM PRECOVID LEVELS AND THE PORT AUTHORITY NEWARK REGIONAL AIRPORT.

EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE GOT OUT OF DODGE LAST WEEKEND, LAGGING NUMBERS NATIONWIDE ALMOST 1.4 MILLION PASSED THROUGH SECURITY CHECKS FRIDAY DOWN FROM ABOUT 1.8 MILLION LAST YEAR.

AND 2-1/2 MILLION IN 2019.

BUT WITH BOOKINGS STARTING TO CLIMB, THE CDC IS URGING CAUTION.

>> THIS PAST FRIDAY, WE SAW MORE TRAVELERS PASS THROUGH OUR AIRPORTS OVER 1.3 MILLION.

THIS IS THE MOST TRAVELERS THAT WE'VE HAD IN A SINGLE DAY SINCE LAST MARCH BEFORE THE W.H.O.

DECLARED THE WORLD PANDEMIC.

WE'VE SEEN SPRING BREAKERS MASKLESS, I'M BLEEDING WITH YOU FOR THE SAKE OF THE NATION'S HEALTH.

THESE SHOULD BE WARNING SIGNS FOR ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: COVID VARIANTS CONTINUE TO CIRCULATE.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN AND BRAZIL VARIANTS POSE THE BIGGEST RISK EVEN FOR TRAVELERS WHO HAVE GOTTEN VACCINATED.

>> THE VACCINES PFIZER AND MODERNA ARE FAR LESS EFFECTIVE AT HAVING THESE NEUTRALIZING EFFECTS ON THOSE VARIANTS.

THESE VARIANTS ARE SHOWING UP WE KNOW THEY'RE IN 23 COUNTRIES AND 18 STATES INCLUDING STATES PEOPLE SEEM TO BE LESS LIKELY TO BE TRAVELING TO.

CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, TEXAS, WASHINGTON STATE AND HONESTLY MOST OF THE EAST COAST.

SO EVEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND FULLY VACCINATED STILL NEED TO BE REALLY CAREFUL.

>> Reporter: SOME NEWARK AIRPORT EMPLOYEES GOT THEIR VACCINES TODAY .

WORKERS CLEANED WITH FOG AN ENTHUSIASTIC TAMMY WOMACK IS TAKING HER GRANDCHILDREN TO DISNEY.

>> THE PANDEMIC IS GETTING BETTER SO WE FIGURED WE WOULD TRAVEL.

I FEEL VERY EXCITED RIGHT NOW, VERY EXCITED.

>> I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> KIDS ARE BEING LOOKED AT AS PART OF THE EFFORT TO WIDEN DRUG VACCINATION.

DRUG MAKER MODERNA SAYS IT HAS BEGUN STUDYING THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE IN CHILDREN.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE SAFETY AND IMMUNE RESPONSE IN THE YOUNGER POPULATION.

SO FAR THE BULK OF TESTING AND IMMUNIZING HAS FOCUSED ON ADULTS.

MORE THAN 3 MILLION VACCINE DOSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

THAT'S ABOUT 1 MILLION SHOTS ADMINISTERED WITHIN THE PAST WEEK.

THE NEW PEDIATRIC SHOT IS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE IMMUNITY.

PFIZER IS CLEARED FOR THOSE 16 AND UP.

>>> WELL TODAY IT WAS THE CITY OF NEWARK'S TURN ROLLING UP THE SLEEVES OF TEACHERS AND STAFF TO GET THEIR SHOTS.

IT'S ALL PART OF A PLAN TO REOPEN NEWARK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND RETURN TO CLASS BY APRIL 12th.

THESE TEACHERS ARE THE FIRST IN THE DISTRICT TO GET VACCINATED THROUGH THE CITY.

NURSES FROM THE SCHOOLS AND SUPPORT STAFF FROM THE CITY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELLNESS ADMINISTERED THE VACCINES WITH A GOAL OF GIVING 480 SHOTS A DAY FROM NOW THROUGH SATURDAY ACCORDING TO THE DISTRICT.

HELPING IN A CITY WIDE EFFORT TO IMMUNIZE PUBLIC-PRIVATE CHARTER AND PAROCHIAL DISTRICTS STATEWIDE.

>> THAT'S GOING MAKE OUR KID SAFER.

MAKE THE PEOPLE SAFER AS THEY ENTER THE SCHOOL BUILDING.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

AND I THINK YOU KNOW A LOT OF OUR FAMILY AND PARENTS WANT TO GET BACK TO SCHOOL.

THEY WANT TO GET THEIR KID IN SCHOOL BUT THEY WANT TO DO IT SAFELY AND THIS IS GIVING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

SO I'M GLAD THAT THIS DAY IS HAPPENING.

COULDN'T HAPPEN FAST ENOUGH.

>>> A YEAR AFTER COVID-19 PUT THE WORLD ON PAUSE AND SHUT DOWN MANY OF OUR INDUSTRIES, SOME KEY SECTORS ARE STILL PLAYING CATCH UP.

DESPITE USING TECHNOLOGY TO KEEP NEW JERSEY'S CORE PROCEEDINGS ROLLING, CERTAIN CASES REMAIN STALLED.

NOTABLY THOSE INVOLVING IN PERSON CRIMINAL JURY TRIALS.

IT'S THE KIND OF WORK THAT CAN'T BE DONE VIRTUALLY ACCORDING TO COURT OFFICIALS.

AS LEAH MICHIGAN REPORTS THE LONGER IT TAKES TO GET UP AND RUNNING THE LONGER DEFTS SIT IN JAIL WAITING FOR THEIR, DEFENDANTS SIT IN JAIL WAITING FOR THEIR TRIAL.

>> THE WORLD CHANGED A YEAR AGO.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM NOT IMMUNE FROM THE VIRUS.

WHILE MORE THAN 156,000 HEARINGS HAVE BEEN DONE VIRTUALLY, IT WAS NEVER AN OPTION FOR CRIMINAL TRIALS.

ACTING ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR JUDGE GLEN GRANT SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL FRAME WORK.

>> CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPAL SAYS THAT IF AN INDIVIDUAL IS FACED WITH A CRIMINAL CHARGE, HE OR SHE SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAR BEFORE A JURY.

AND ACTUALLY SEE THE JURORS IN PERSON, ACTUALLY SEE THE WITNESS IN PERSON.

AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

>> THE ISSUE, MASSIVE DELAYS.

EVEN THOUGH THE COURTS OPENED BACK UP IN THE FALL WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASKS FOR CRIMINAL TRIALS, WHEN THE SECOND SURGE HIT, JUDGE GRANT SAYS THEY WERE ONCE AGAIN SUSPENDED AND THAT'S WHERE WE CURRENTLY ARE RIGHT NOW.

AT THE END OF 2020, MORE THAN 5,000 DEFENDANTS WERE STILL WAITING IN JAIL.

ACCORDING TO NEW JERSEY COURTS.

>> WHAT END WILL END UP HAPPENING IS THE BACKLOG OF CRIMINAL CASES WILL PUSH OFF CIVIL CASES.

>> Reporter: LITIGATOR ERIC LEVINE DEALS WITH CIVIL CASES.

>> THERE'S STILL NOT ENOUGH MANPOWER TO GET THE CASES MOVING ANY TIME SOON.

>> WE'VE HAD THIS BEFORE IN 2008 WHEN THE ECONOMIC CRISIS COST AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER.

I FEEL CONFIDENT WE'LL BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.

>> FOR SOMEONE WAITING FOR THEIR CASE TO BE HEARD, WHAT ARE WE TALKING?

WEEKS, MONTHS, YEARS?

>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO FACILITATE THOSE CASES TO HAPPEN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THERE IS ONE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE, WE HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY NUMBER OF JUDICIAL VACANCIES THAT FURTHER COMPLICATE THIS ISSUE.

BUT WHAT WE'RE ALSO RECOGNIZING IS, ONLY 2% OF THOSE CASES PROCEED TO TRIAL.

98% OF THEM PROCEED BUT SETTLEMENT OR PLEA.

>> ON TOP OF DELAYS, RUTGERS LAW PROFESSOR SAYS THERE'S CONCERN ABOUT THE MODEL FROM JURY SELECTION.

>> THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS TAKES PLACE REMOTELY.

AND REALLY THE ONLY JURORS WHO HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET CAN REALLY PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

SO THERE WAS A CONCERN THAT THE JURORS WOULD NOT REPRESENT THE CROSS SECTION OF THE COMMUNITY.

THE SUPREME COURT HAS SAID, YOU MAY RAISE THIS AGAIN, IF YOU'RE CONVICTED AFTERWARD.

SO THE SUPREME COURT HAS NOT REALLY HAD THE LAST WORD GIVEN ITS FIND WORD.

>> Reporter: TO CONCERNS FROM JURORS HEARING CASES FROM HOME.

>> THE COURT HAS INVESTED QUITE A AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BUY A LOT OF TABLETS THAT THEY CAN, WITH INTERNET ACCESS ACTIVATED.

AND LEND THEM TO JURORS DURING THEIR SERVICE.

BUT WE'VE ALL, DURING THIS LAST YEAR, WE'VE HAD ALL SITUATIONS IN WHICH SERVICE GETS INTERRUPTED, YOU'RE KNOCKED OUT, YOU LOSE THE SIGNAL.

AND THAT CAN OBVIOUSLY BE VERY, VERY CONCERNING IN THE MIDOF A TRIAL.

>> WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE SCREEN IT'S TOUGH FOR ME TO TELL IF THEY'RE PLAY PAYING ATTENTION.

>> THIS WILL CAUSE PEOPLE TO CHOOSE PRIVATE ARBITRATION AS A WAY TO EXPA , EXPEDITE THE TIME LINE.

I'M LEAH MICHIGAN.

>> PART OF THAT MASSIVE $1.9 TRILLION STIMULUS PACKAGE SIGNED INTO LAW BY PRESIDENT BIDEN GIVES THE CASH BOOST TO ELIGIBLE PARENTS.

THOSE UNDER A CERTAIN INCOME THRESHOLD WILL GET WHAT EQUATES TO A CHILD CREDIT.

BUT WILL THAT HELP CHILD POVERTY.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE WELL TAKEN CARE OF AS BEST AS I CAN.

>> Reporter: NAOMI DANELL SAYS FEEDING HER THREE GROWS BOYS HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT EASY DURING A PANDEMIC.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'M WORKING HARDER AT WORK AND MAKING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT, TRYING TO JUGGLE EVERYTHING BUT EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, THE COST OF FOOD HAS GONE UP IN MY HOUSEHOLD.

THE COST OF HEATING HAS GONE UP.

THE COST OF INTERNET HAS GONE UP.

THE COST OF LIGHTS HAS GONE UP.

BUT MY SALARY OR INCOME HAS BEEN THE SAME.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY THE SINGLE MOM SAYS SHE'S COUNTING ON FINANCIAL RELIEF THROUGH A NEW CHILD TAX CREDIT PART OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S COVID RELIEF PACKAGE.

UNDER THE PRESSURE SHE WOULD BE PROVIDED A MONTHLY ALLOWANCE FOR EACH OF HER THREE CHILDREN.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO USE THAT MONEY TO PAY BILLS AND TO SEND THEM TO CAMP FOR THE SUMMER.

>> UNDER THE NEW LAW THAT WAS SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT LAST WEEK, A SINGLE PARENT EARNING UP TO $75,000 OR A MARRIED COUPLE THAT MAKES UP TO $150,000 QUALIFIES FOR THE FULL CREDIT.

THE CREDIT STARTS TO PHASE OUT FOR HIGHER EARNERS.

PARENTS WOULD GET $3,600 FOR CHILD UNDER 6 OR $3,000 PER CHILD AGE 17 AND UNDER.

THAT'S UP FROM $2,000 PER CHILD IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

>> LET'S SAY YOU HAVE A SINGLE PARENT WITH TWO KID AGES 5 AND 8 AND THIS HOUSEHOLD MAKES LET'S SAY, $12,500 A YEAR.

SO IN THE OLD SYSTEM, THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT $2,800 AND THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED IT AS PART OF THEIR USUAL TAX REBATE CHECK WHEN THEY FILE THE TAXES.

UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM THEY WOULD HAVE GOTTEN $1,200 PER KID.

IN THE NEW SYSTEM THEY GET $3,600 FOR A CHILD UNDER AGE FIVE.

$3,000 FOR A CHILD AGE 8.

AND THAT'S BUMPED UP TO $6,600.

AND IDEALLY THAT WILL BE PHASED OUT OVER A COURSE OF A YEAR IN MONTHLY PAYMENTS.

>> PETER CHEN SAYS UNLIKE THE PREVIOUS TAX CREDIT WHICH GAVE MONEY AS A PERCENTAGE OF INCOME EARNED THIS EARNED CREDIT WILL BE A SET AMOUNT.

>> THE MAJORITY OF THE TAX BENEFITS FOR THE CHILD TAX CREDIT WENT TO WEALTHIER FAMILIES.

WELL AS LOW INCOME FAMILIES WERE LEFT OUT OR RECEIVED A SMALLER VERSION OF THE TAX CREDIT.

SO THIS SWITCH MAKES IT RIGHT SIDE UP.

>> THE LARGER CREDITS ARE ONLY IN PLACE FOR THIS YEAR UNDER THE CURRENT RELIEF BILL.

THE CREDITS ARE A FORM OF WELFARE SINCE PARENTS DON'T NEED AN INCOME TO QUALIFY AND THAT COULD DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM WORKING.

BUT THEY'RE PUSHING TO MAKE THE CREDIT PERMANENT.

>> WE KNOW THE CHECKS FOR PARENTS WITH CHILDREN COULD HELP, THE WAY WE WORKED THIS OUT GETTING THE MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THE POCKETS OF POOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN COULD HELP TO ALLEVIATE 45% OF CHILDHOOD POVERTY.

>> CHEN SAYS AN ESTIMATED 90% OF CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT FROM THE TAX CREDIT THAT'S SET TO GO INTO EFFECT IN JULY.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>> THE JOCKEYING FOR A PIECE OF THE STATE BUDGET CONTINUES, WHO WILL GET ONE?

RHONDA SHAFFLER HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF THE SENATE BUDGET COMMITTEE SPENT THE DAY LISTENING TO MORE TESTIMONY ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

SEVERAL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS LOBBIED FOR MORE CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENTS AND MONEY FOR OTHER PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT.

THERE WERE ALSO REQUESTS MADE FOR FULLY FUNDING NJ TRANSIT.

FROM THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS, THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION URGED LAWMAKERS TO CONSIDER WHAT IT CALLS PROGROWTH INVESTMENTS.

THE NJBIA CHRISTOPHER EBELVOIT SAYS THAT INCLUDE RAMPING UP WORK FORCE TRAINING.

>> HOW TO DO IT EXACTLY IS AS YOU ASK IS THE TOUGH PART.

IF WE CAN FOCUS MORE ON OUR COUNTY COLLEGES.

OUR COUNTY COLLEGES ARE INSTITUTIONS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

I THINK THERE'S A CAMPUS WITHIN 20, 30 MINUTES OF EVERY SINGLE NEW JERISAN AND THEY DO AN INCREDIBLE JOB.

IT SAYS IT'S TRAINED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSIANS.

>>> THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT ROSE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS ACCORDING TO THE DATA MARKET.

THE JOBLESS RATE WAS7.9%.

ONLY 900 NEW JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY IN JANUARY.

STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL GRAYWALL IS DISAPPOINT WITH THE BANKRUPTCY PLAN FILED BY PURDUE PHARMA SAYS IT FALLS SHORT OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY THAT SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES DESERVE.

THE SACKLER FAMILY THAT OWN IT IS COMPANY WOULD CONTRIBUTE $4 MILLION OF THEIR OWN MONEY.

NEW JERSEY IS AMONG NEARLY 2 DOZEN OTHER STATES SAYING THE BANKRUPTCY PLAN IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

GRAYWALL SAYS THE PLAN SHOULD BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE MORE MONEY FOR THE STATES.

>>> NOW HERE'S A CHECK ON THE TRADING DAY ON WALL STREET.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT BROUGHT TO YOU BY LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH, LEADING THE WAY.

>>> RESEARCHERS WHO CLOSELY FOLLOW HOME GROWN EXTREMISM ARE INCREASINGLY PAINTING AN ALARMING PICTURE.

THE WARNING SIGNS AND THREATS ARE HIDDEN RIGHT IN PLAIN SIGHT ON THE INTERNET.

THAT SAME SIGHT LED TO PUT TOGETHER A TEAM THAT COULD TRACK HOW THE INTERNET BECAME A BREEDING GROUND FOR HATE GROUPS.

THE NETWORK CONTAGION RESEARCH GROUP IS DOING WORK OF IDENTIFYING ONLINE EXTREMISM AND IS TURNING THEIR FOCUS TO FACEBOOK AND GOOGLE WHO'S ALGORITHMS TO TRACK YOUR MOVEMENTS ARE GETTING INTO THE WRONG HANDS.

WE ASKED THE DIRECTOR AND COFOUNDER JOEL FINKELSTEIN HOW HE CONDUCTS HIS WORK ON EXPLORING HATE OUR ONGOING SERIES ON ANTISEMITISM AND EXTREMISM.

>> I FIND IT INTERESTING HOW YOUR PATH LED TO THIS ROLE.

WHAT LED YOU TO BELIEVE IT WAS SOCIAL MEDIA TO LEAN TOWARD SOME OF THESE IDEALOLOGISTS YOU WERE TRACKING.

>> WHEN WE WOULD SEE THE TRENDS WE SAW THAT'S WHERE OUR PRESIDENT WOULD COME FROM.

WHETHER IT WAS BREXIT OR MASSIVE IMPACT ON DEMOCRACY COMING FROM ANALITICA THEY WERE REALITY IN SOCIAL MEDIA BEFORE THEY WERE REALITY IN THE WORLD WORLD.

>> IN FACT, YOUR WORK LED TO A REPORT I BELIEVE IT WAS OVER THE SUMMER THAT WARNED OF SOME VIOLENT ATTACKS LIKE THE ONE IN JANUARY ON OUR CAPITOL.

THERE WERE EARLY WARNING SIGNS AS YOU SAID.

>> THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT.

I MEAN WHEN WE SAW THESE GROUPS LIKE QUINON BECOMING MORE POPULAR.

THE GROWTH OF MILITARY BADGES AND LANGUAGE.

THEY WERE DOUBLING IN GROWTH IN THE MONTH.

THAT THEY WERE CODING SIGNALS.

THOSE WOULD BE THE SIGNALS THEY WOULD CHANT IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL BUILDING.

WE WARNED THIS WAS A REVOLUTIONARY THREAT.

WE SPOKE TO CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES.

THE FACT THAT WE CAN SEE THESE THINGS COMING, AND THAT WE CAN ATTACK THESE EMERGING THREATS IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH.

WE NEED TO HAVE INSTITUTIONS IN PLACE THAT CAN ACTUALLY BE PRACTICED AND TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THESE INSIGHTS.

>>> I'M ASKING YOU TO HYPOTHESIZE HERE BUT WHY DO YOU THINK TECH COMPANIES, LAWMAKERS THOSE IN POSITION OF POWER DIDN'T HEED THOSE WARNINGS SO CLEARLY LAID OUT BY PLACES LIKE YOUR INSTITUTION.

>> IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE, IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE A MEME A FROG CAN CAUSE A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TO DIE.

OR THAT SOME SORT OF LIKE SLOGAN IS GOING TO OVERCOME OUR DEMOCRACY.

IT'S REALLY HARD TO IMAGINE THIS.

BUT THIS IS ACTUALLY NOT THE FIRST TIME IT'S HAPPENED.

SO FUNDAMENTALLY, WHAT'S NEEDED IS A NEW MODE OF LITERACY.

WE NEED TO BECOME MORE FLUENT ON WHAT THESE THINGS MEAN AND HOW THEY'RE IMPACTING US.

BECAUSE IF WE CAN'T TELL HOW THEY'RE CONTROLLED WE HAVE NO CHANCE OF CONTROLLING OURSELVES.

>> WHERE'S THE LINE BETWEEN PEOPLE SAYING THIS IS FREE SPEECH, I CAN GO TO THESE PLATFORMS AND EXPRESS MY BELIEFS AND MY THOUGHTS AND IT TIPPING OVER TO THE OTHER SIDE OF INCITING VIOLENCE.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION BRIANA.

I THINK THAT WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS QUESTION WE NEED TO LOOK AT WITH THIS MEDIEVAL COMMUNICATION WE HAVE CODED LANGUAGE THESE TYPE OF APOCALYPTIC IDEAS.

WHEN SOMEONE WOULD HAVE A LOCAL KKK RALLY THAT'S NOT ABOUT HATE SOMETIMES IT'S ABOUT HAVING COFFEE WITH YOUR PEERS.

NOW YOU HAVE A KKK RALLY HAPPENING 24/7 WITH HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CHANTING THIS DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

SOMEBODY LEAVES AND ACTS ON SOMEBODY'S CRAZY FANTASIES AND GOES OUT AND MURDERS A JEW OR KILLS A PERSON OF COLOR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THEY'RE DEFINITELY RELATED, WE KNOW THEY ARE.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL BE PULLING THE TRIGGER.

>> JOEL FINKELSTEIN GREAT TO CATCH UP WITH YOU AND LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR WORK.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOU BRIANA.

>> AND MORE ON HOW TO SPOT CLUES FOR HOME GROWN TERRORISM AND VIOLENCE.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR EXPLORING HATE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY, THE SILVIAA.

TO FIGHT ANTI SEMITISM.

THE COONEY FUND AND PATTY ASQUIT GANER.

>> A RARE WILDFIRE IN OCEAN COUNTY THAT DESTROYED HOMES, BUILDINGS AND ABOUT 170 ACRES OF LAND IS NOW FULLY CONTAINED ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPs FOREST FIRE SERVICE, THE FIRE WAS FIRST REPORTED IN LAKEWOOD TOWNSHIP ON SUNDAY AND THE CAUSE REMAINS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

IT WAS FUELED BY HIGH WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY AS IT RIPPED THROUGH THE AREA ONE FIREFIGHTER WAS HOSPITALIZED AND IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.

ABOUT 100 RESIDENTS WERE FORCED TO EVACUATE AS MORE THAN 2 DOZEN HOMES AND AT LEAST TWO COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN LAKEWOOD SUFFERED DAMAGE.

AUTHORITIES ARE CALLING THE FIRE QUOTE CONTAINED.

SAYING EVERYONE THOUGH IT'S CONTAINED FIREFIGHTERS WILL CONTINUE MONITORING HOT SPOTS.

>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT.

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS KHAPBLT.

THIS WEEK, SIL IS VIA OLIVER SITS DOWN TO TALK ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE, THE VACCINE ROLL OUT AND A WHOLE LOT MORE.

IN THE MEANTIME HEAD OVER TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.COM OR ANY OF OUR DIGITAL PLATFORMS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR ALL OF OUR TV CREW THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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

BY RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND COMMITTED TO A LONG TERM SUSTAINABILITY CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>> LOOK AT THESE KIDS, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

I SEE MYSELF.

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

THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, TO DREAM, TO ACHIEVE, A CHANCE TO BELONG AND TO BE AN AMERICAN.

MY NAME IS JULIA DORIANI AND I'M PROUD TO BE AN NJAE MEMBER.

>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, OUR BARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAY TO DO IT FROM ANY WHERE.

YOU CAN SEE A PROVIDER ON OUR APP OR USE OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK A VIRTUAL VISIT WITH OUR RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH PROVIDER EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.