>>> FUNDING IS PROVIDED BY NJN INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, AND BY THE PSCG FOUNDATION >>> THIS IS "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> HELLO.

I'M REAGAN SANTANA.

>>> IT WAS A MESSAGE OF UNITY LAST NIGHT AS PRESIDENT BIDEN DELIVERED HIS FIRST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

BOTH INSIDE THE U.S. CAPITAL AND ACROSS THE GLOBE, A BIPARTISAN SHOW OF SOLIDARITY FOR UKRAINE AND FOR BIDEN CONDEMNING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN, VOWING THAT PUTIN WILL PAY A PRICE FOR INVADING UKRAINE.

BUT MORE STRIKING WAS THE FULL CHAMBER'S STANDING OVATIONS AND UNIFIED FRONT FOR BIDEN'S ACTIONS, INCLUDING STRONG SACHSES IN CLOSING OFF AIRSPACE TO ALL RUSSIAN FLIGHTS.

IT'S WORKING WITH COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TO RELEASE MILLIONS OF BARRELS OF OIL.

BIDEN SAYING PUTIN BADLY MISCALCULATED INVADING UKRAINE, AND FREEDOM WILL ALWAYS TRIUMPH OVER TYRANNY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY.

WHEN THE HISTORY OF THIS ERA IS WRITTEN, PUTIN'S ROLE IN UKRAINE WILL HAVE LEFT RUSSIA WEAKER AND THE REST OF THE WORLD STRONGER >> BIDEN ALSO HAILING THE HEROISM OF THE UKRAINIAN RESISTANCE, AS RUSSIAN CONTINUES TO POUND MAJOR CENTERS IN UKRAINE, INCLUDING THE CAPITAL KYIV.

THE UN CONFIRMING MORE THAN 500 CIVILIAN CASUALTIES, INCLUDING MORE THAN 100 DEAD, THOUGH THE TRUE TOLL IS LIKELY HIGHER.

UKRAINE IS ACCUSING RUSSIA OF COMMITTING WAR CRIMES, AND THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT HAS ANNOUNCED IT IS LAUNCHING AN INVESTIGATION.

THE UN ESTIMATES MORE THAN 800,000 PEOPLE HAVE FLED UKRAINE IN THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS OF THIS CONFLICT.

THE FIGHTING CONTINUES EVEN AS A SECOND ROUND OF TALKS COULD BEGIN TODAY.

THE UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT IS NOW ASKING FOR MORE INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE AS A 40-MILE RAWING CONVOY OF TANKS CONTINUES TO MARCH TOWARDS KYIV.

IN RESPONSE TO THE INVASION OF UKRAINE, STATE LAWMAKERS HERE IN NEW JERSEY ARE MOVING QUICKLY TO CUT FINANCIAL TIES WITH RUSSIA, THIS WEEK INTRODUCING LEGISLATION THAT WOULD DIE VEST THE WORKER PENSION FUND FROM ANY COMPANY WITH DIRECT LINKS TO THE RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT.

THE U.S. AND EUROPE CONTINUE TO TIGHTEN SANCTIONS TO PUT FINANCIAL PRESSURE ON THE KREMLIN.

JOHN RITEMEYER JOINS ME TO DISCUSS MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PROPOSED BAN.

JOHN, THIS ACTUALLY SEEMS TO BRING JERSEY'S POLITICAL PARTIES TOGETHER, AS THERE SEEMS TO BE TOTAL AGREEMENT ON THIS BILL.

SO IS A PROPOSED BAN THE NEW JERSEY VERSION OF THE TIMES OF SANCTIONS WE'RE SEEING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND COULD THIS APPLY SOME PAIN ON RUSSIA?

>> HEY.

NICE TO BE WITH YOU TODAY.

YES, IN MANY WAYS, YOU COULD LOOK AT THIS AS SORT OF A NEW JERSEY VERSION OF THE BROADER SANCTIONS THAT WE'RE SEEING APPLIED AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, AND REALLY ACROSS THE GLOBE IN RESPONSE TO RUSSIA STARTING THIS WAR, AND SO I THINK THAT WE'VE SEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS JOIN TOGETHER IN SUPPORT OF THESE TYPES OF RESPONSES, AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S COMING AT A TIME WHEN THE POLITICAL PARTIES ARE USUALLY DIVIDED, AND FOR SURE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHILE THIS MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME IMPACT ON ITS OWN AS, SAY, WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES, CERTAINLY IT'S JOINING INTO THIS THE EFFECT OF EVERY A LITTLE BIT, APPLIES ECONOMIC PRESSURE ON RUSSIA, AND HOPEFULLY MAKES THAT COUNTRY THINK TWICE, AT LEAST IN THE EYES OF THOSE WHO ARE BACKING THIS, THINK TWICE ABOUT STARTING UP THESE MILITARY CONFLICTS.

AND IN SOME WAYS, BY EXTENSION, WITH LAWMAKERS, IT BRINGS IN -- IT'S SOMETHING NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS ARE PARTICIPATING IN WHEN LAWMAKERS ARE ACTING ON THEIR BEHALF.

>> YEAH.

I TEND TO WONDER WHAT KIND OF IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE IF ALL 50 STATES DID THAT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO MAYBE VLADIMIR PUTIN IS NOT SITTING THERE AND SAYING, "NEW JERSEY IS GOING TO GO AHEAD AND DO SANCTIONS, THEN I'LL STOP THE INVASION."

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WHEN NEW JERSEY IS JOINING IN WITH THIS REAL GROUNDSWELL OF RESPONSE, YOU KNOW, ACROSS THE GLOBE -- AND WE HAVE SEEN THESE TYPES OF THINGS IN THE PAST, WHEN YOU THINK OF THE SANCTIONS IN RESPONSE TO APARTHEID AND HOW THAT HAD AN EFFECT.

>> IN ADDITION THAT MEASURE, WE KNOW THERE'S ANOTHER BILL THAT WOULD ADD RUSSIA AND ALLY BELARUS TO A LIST OF BLACKBALLED COUNTRIES.

COULD YOU TALK ABOUT THE LIST AND THE EFFECT ADDING RUSSIA WILL HAVE?

>> YES.

IT'S ALL A PART OF THIS SAME PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

IT HAS MULTIPLE COMPONENTS, AND THERE'S ACTUALLY A RESOLUTION THAT WENT THROUGH THE ASSEMBLY EARLIER THIS WEEK THAT SORT OF SYMBOLICALLY EXPRESSED CONDEMNATION OF THIS INVASION.

BUT IN NEW JERSEY, WE HAVE LAWS ON THE BOOK THAT BAN CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS OR INVESTMENTS FROM O OCCURRING INVOLVING THE PUBLIC PENSION FUND.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS IRAN.

NEW JERSEY YEARS AGO, IN RESPONSE TO THAT COUNTRY'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS, DECIDED TO BAN ANY PUBLIC WORKER PENSION, TIES TO IRANIAN OWNED BUSINESSES OR GOVERNMENT AFFILIATED BUSINESSES IN RESPONSE TO GREG CONCERNS ABOUT THE NUCLEAR PROGRAM THAT WAS STARTED.

SO IN THE PAST, THE PENSION FUND HAS ALSO RAISED CONCERNS EVEN ABOUT -- IN ONE CASE, THERE WERE TIES TO A COMPANY THAT CONDUCTED LENDING IN A PREDATORY WAY.

THE INVESTMENT WAS EVENTUALLY STRIPPED AWAY, AND WORKER MENTION FUNDS WERE NO LONGER TIED UP IN THAT COMPANY.

THESE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT COME UP FROM TIME TO TIME IN NEW JERSEY, WHERE LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNORS DECIDE THE PENSION FUNDS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES THAT ARE DEEMED TO BE UNIMPORTANT.

>> JOHN, THANK YOU FOR BREAKING THIS ALL DOWN FOR ME, AND I APPRECIATE YOU JOINING ME.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>>> COVID ALSO TAKING CENTER STAGE AT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS LAST NIGHT, WHERE A ROOMFUL OF MASKLESS POLITICIANS WAS A VISUAL CUE WE ARE SHIFTING TO LEARNING TO LIVE WITH COVID.

THE PRESIDENT SAYING COVID-19 NO LONGER NEEDS TO CONTROL OUR LIVES.

HE LAID OUT A NEW PLAN, A PROGRAM AIMED AT EXPANDING ACCESS TO PILLS AT NO COST.

HE SAID THE NEW PLAN WOULD PREPARE US FOR NEW VARIANTS AND PREVENT FUTURE CANALS.

HIS SPEECH COMES AS DEATHS HAVE SURPASSED 19,000.

SINCE THEN REFORMS HAVE BEEN PASSED TO IMPROVE SAFETY FOR RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

SOME FACILITIES CONTINUE TO PROVIDE MORE CARE.

NOW THE WHITE HOUSE IS STEPPING UP CALLS FOR MORE REFORMS TO PUNISH BAD ACTORS AND IMPROVE CONDITIONS FOR VULNERABLE RESIDENTS.

AS ADVOCATES HERE IN NEW JERSEY CALL FOR ACTION.

AS COVID NUMBERS HOVER AROUND A THOUSAND CASES, WE ARE MARKING THE SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF COVID-19 IN NEW JERSEY BY FOCUSING ON HOW THE DISEASE HAS CHANGED OUR LIVES AND WHAT LIFE LOOKS LIKE.

HOW ARE WE NOW LIVING WITH COVID?

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> I CAME OUT OF THE NURSING HOME, AND I WEPT IN THE PARKING LOT.

>> Reporter: GWEN TOURED WOODLAND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND NURSING CENTER LAST MONTH AFTER READING DISTURBING REPORTS FROM FEDERAL INSPECTORS THAT CONDITIONS THERE THREATENED THE LIVES AND SAFETY OF ITS 450 RESIDENTS.

IT'S BEEN CALLED ONE OF THE CONSISTENTLY WORST NURSING HOMES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> I WOULD DESCRIBE THE CONDITIONS THAT I SAW ON THAT FIRST VISIT -- AND I WENT BACK A SECOND TIME -- AS INHUMAN.

>> WOODLAND WAS FORMALLY CALLED OVER SEPERPUTE, WHERE INVESTIGATORS FOUND BODIES STACKED IN A MORGUE IN 2020.

THE FACILITY PAID A $220,000 FINE THEN, BUT NOW FEDERAL REGULATORS ARE THREATENING TO CUT OFF MEDICAID AND MEDICARE FUNDING, BASICALLY SHUT THE PLACE DOWN IF WOODLAND DOESN'T FIX SEVERE VIOLATIONS BY TOMORROW, MARCH 3rd.

ORLOWSKY HEADS DISABILITY RIGHTS NEW JERSEY, AND HAS THE LEGAL RIGHT TO INSPECT PREMISES.

>> THE SMELL IMMEDIATELY STRUCK ME.

IT SMELLED LIKE URINE AND FECES.

THE THIRD FLOOR WAS POPULATED BY RESIDENTS WHO APPEARED TO HAVE SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, MAYBE ALSO SOME INDIVIDUALS WITH DUAL DIAGNOSES, WITH INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT TAL DISABILITYS.

PEOPLE ARE SCREAMING.

TELEVISIONS ARE BLARING.

CALL BELLS ARE GOING OFF, CONSTANTLY BEING UNANSWERED.

>> Reporter: ORLOWSKY SAID WOODLAND PREVENTS ITSELF AS A BEHAVIORAL UNIT, BUT SAID THERE IS NO SUCH THING UNDER LICENSING REGULATIONS, AND NOBODY HERE RECEIVES PSYCHIATRIC THERAPY.

SHE SAID A SECOND VISIT SHOWED MOPPED FLOORS AND CLEANED SHEETS, BUT CALLED THOSE COSMETIC FIXES.

SHE IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE THIRD-FLOOR RESIDENTS.

>> THAT SORT OF ESSENCE OF WHO'S WRONG THERE IS THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SPECIFIC NEEDS BASED UPON THEIR DISABILITIES ARE BEING WAREHOUSED THERE IN A WAY THAT IS VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW, I HAVE NO DOUBT, AND ALSO JUST SHOULD CONCERN THE MORAL CONSCIOUS OF NEW JERSEYANS.

IT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO MENTAL WELLNESS FOR THE SOULS THAT ARE LIVING THERE, AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT I MET THERE SAID THEY FEEL LIKE PRISONERS.

>> LARRY BREWER SAID WOODLAND'S CHRONICALLY UNDERSTAFFED AND POORLY MANAGED.

COVID RAN RAMPANT AMONG STAVES AND RESIDENTS DURING THE OMICRON PEAK.

SHE SAID THE BEST PLAN NOW IS TO REMOVE SOME RESIDENTS OUT.

THAT'S HAPPENING, BUT DESPITE FEDERAL CLYDES, IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS.

>> THERE IS NO WAY YOU CAN SHUT OFF THE FUNDING AND CLOSE THE PLACE DOWN.

PEOPLE ARE BEING ASSESSED NOW POTENTIALLY FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PLACEMENTS, WHERE THEY WILL GET THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AND SUPPORT THEY NEED AND THAT THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT GETTING AT WOODLANDS.

>> NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS ALSO WORKING WITH BREWER'S OFFICE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN BEING SERVICES, AND WOODLAND, AND TODAY STATE IT'S STILL SEEKING A SPECIAL MONITOR, ACTIVELY EXPLORING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CANDIDATES TO BE APPOINTED AS A MONITOR TO ENSURE THE APPOINTED ENTITY HAS THE SKILL SET TO EFFECTIVELY AND INDEPENDENTLY MONITOR THE FACILITY.

WOODLAND DIDN'T RESPOND TO OUR REQUESTS FOR COMMENT.

BREWER, MEANWHILE, APPLAUDS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S STATE OF THE UNION COMMENT ABOUT IMPROVING NURSING HOME CARE.

>> AS WALL STREET TAKES OVER MORE NURSING HOMES, QUALITYth THOSE HOMES HAS GONE DOWN, AND COSTS HAVE GONE UP.

THAT ENDS ON MY WATCH.

MEDICARE IS GOING TO SET HIGHER STANDARDS FOR NURSING HOMES, AND MAKE SURE LOVED ONES GET THE CARE THEY DESERVE AND EXPECT.

>> THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, A NUMBER OF PRIVATELY OWNED LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES THAT, IN NEW JERSEY -- AND WOODLANDS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE -- THAT THEIR BUSINESS MODEL IS TO PACK IN A LOT OF MEDICAID PEOPLE AND TO PROVIDE VIRTUALLY NO SERVICES FOR THEM.

>> THE WHITE HOUSE WANTS NURSING HOMES TO ADOPT NEW MINIMUM STAFFING RATIOS, MORE FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY, AND TOUGHER SAFETY AND INSPECTION REGULATIONS.

AFTER COVID BORING THROUGH NEW JERSEY NURSING HOMES CAUSING MORE THAN 8,000 DEATHS, AND EXPOSING A DIRE LONG-TERM CARE CRISIS, THE STATE PASSED LEGISLATION ADDRESSING MANY OF THOSE ISSUES.

BUT MEDICAID'S CURRENT REIMBURSEMENT RATE IS $216 PER PERSON PER DAY.

AN INDUSTRY REP, ANDY AARONSON SAID THAT CONTINUES TO PUT SOME NURSING HOMES AT A DISADVANTAGE.

>> WITHIN HIGH-OCCUPANCY BUILDINGS, THEY ARE FUNDED AT A LOW LEVEL.

THEY'RE PAID AT A LOW LEVEL.

THEY STRUGGLE FOR RESOURCES.

THEN THEY GET FINED AND PENALIZED.

>> WOODLAND IS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE INDUSTRY.

THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR AN UPDATE ON WOODLAND AS WE WENT TO BROADCAST.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN, NY SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FOR MORE OF OUR LIVING WITH COVID REPORTING, HEAD TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG.

WE LOOK AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE SPREAD OF DISINFORMATION, WHILE COLLEEN O'DAY CONSTRUCTED TIME LINE RECAPPING THE LAST TWO YEARS OF COVID HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

>>> VACCINATED HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE GETTING AN EXTENSION TO COMPLY WITH THE STATE MANDATE.

GOVERNOR MURPHY ISSUING A NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER GIVING HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND OTHER WORKERS IN HIGH-RISK SETTINGS MORE TIME TO BE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

HEALTH CARE WORKERS NOW HAVE UNTIL APRIL 11th TO GET THEIR BOOSTERS.

THE ORIGINAL DEADLINE WAS THIS PAST MONDAY, BUT THE STATE'S HOSPITAL, LONG-TERM CARE INDUSTRIES LOBBIED FOR THE GOVERNOR FOR MORE WORKERS AS THOUSANDS OF WORKERS REMAIN UNVACCINATED.

WORKERS IN OTHER SETTINGS, INCLUDING THE STATE'S PRISONS, NOW HAVE UNTIL MAY 11th TO GET UP TO DATE ON THEIR COVID VACCINATIONS.

>>> HIGH-FROM FILE CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY BENJAMIN CRUMP AND OTHERS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE BRIDGEWATER POLICE DEPARTMENT, DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR A BLACK TEEN WHO WAS HANDCUFFED AND NOT ONE, BUT TWO POLICE OFFICERS PLACED THEIR HANDS ON THE BOY'S BODY DURING A FIGHT AT THE MALL.

THAT VIDEO SHOWS A BLACK TEEN BEING TACKLED AND ARRESTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT WHILE AN OLD WHITE TEEN INVOLVED IN THE ALTERCATION WAS ALLOWED TO SIT ON A COUCH.

THE RALLY COMES AS THE STATE ASSEMBLY PASSED A BILL MONDAY THAT WOULD REQUIRE CULTURAL DIVERSITY AND BIAS TRAINING FOR ALL POLICE OFFICERS DURING BASIC TRAINING.

BUT WILL IT BE ENOUGH?

SOON YOUR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> THIS ONE WASN'T MUCH.

ONLY A FEW PUNCHES BEFORE POLICE RESPONDED, AND BY NOW, YOU KNOW THE REST OF THAT STORY.

THINKER SEEN-YEAR-OLD, THE BLACK TEENAGER IS CUFFED WHILE FRANCO, A LIGHTER-SKINNED LATINO TEEN IS ALLOWED TO SIT UNRESTRAINED.

IT MIGHT HAVE AGAIN BY LIKE HUNDREDS OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS SAVE FOR THE PRESENCE OF A CELL PHONE CAMERA, WHICH CAPTURED A SCENE ALL TOO FAMILIAR FOR YOUNG BLACK MEN, SAID BEN CRUMP, THE ATTORNEY WHO'S REPRESENTED GEORGE FLOYD, BRIANNA TAYLOR, AND MANY OTHER VICTIMS OF POLICE MISCONDUCT.

>> THE POLICE, IN A SPLIT SECOND, SAW A WHITE KID ON TOP OF A WHITE KID, HAVING AN ALTERCATION, AND MADE A DETERMINATION THAT THE WHITE KID WAS PRESUMED INNOCENT AND THE BLACK KID WAS PRESUMED GUILTY.

>> I SHOULD CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY I WASN'T HURT OR KILLED BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE PROM TO PROTECT US.

>> WOW.

>> THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE TODAY, TO CHANGE THAT, AND NOT BE LUCKY TO NOT BE, LIKE, TREATED LIKE ANIMALS.

>> BUT ALL DID NOT GO ACCORDING TO PLAN FOR ORGANIZERS, WHOSE LIST OF INVITED GUESTS INCLUDED PROMINENT BLACK FIGURES FROM AROUND THE STATE, LIKE LARRY HAM M AND CHARLES BOYER, UNINVITED SPEAKERS INTERRUPTED THE EVENT BEFORE IT COULD GET STARTED.

>> WHY DO THEY SPEAK FOR US?

THEY DON'T SPEAK FOR ME.

>> Reporter: CRUMP AND THE NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK, INTERLOPERS, PROFITING FROM THE PLIGHT OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY FOR THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL.

>> YOU ARE NOT OUR LEADERS.

THEY DON'T LEAD NOBODY.

THEY'RE HERE TO MAKE MONEY.

ALL OF THEM ARE MILLIONAIRES.

THEY DON'T STAY IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

I DON'T THINK NONE OF Y'ALL CAN SAY I GOT BEAT UP BY THE POLICE.

THIS ISN'T A SOCIAL GATHERING, BECAUSE THESE SITUATIONS HAVE BEEN -- THEY CREATE DISCORD.

SURELY ANY OF THESE FACES THAT WOULD BE HERE IN BRIDGEWATER TOWNSHIP, WHERE 5% OF THE BLACK PEOPLE HERE ARE GETTING PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE.

WHERE ARE YOU GUYS GOING TO BE WHEN THEY GOT TO FIGHT THE TOWN BY ITSELF?

>> IF ALL THIS ENERGY COULD BE PULLED TOGETHER, WE COULD BE MUCH MORE EFFECTIVE.

WHEN I WAS A YOUNG ORGANIZER, I SPENT A LOT OF TIME SHOOTING FIRE AT PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE HAD ACCESS IN POWER.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU SIT DOWN WITH FOLKS AND WE WORK TOGETHER, WE COULD REALLY GET THINGS DONE.

>> THE SCHOOL CLOSED FOR REFORM, LIKE SENSITIVITY TRAINING FOR COPS, AND THE INCLUSION OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS ARE INCLUDED IN BILLS THAT SHAVONDA SUMTER, WHO CHAIRS THE LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS, SAYS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, AN EFFORT SHE SAYS TO HELP CHANGE THE CULTURE IN MANY LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

>> WHEN THEY COME UPON US, WHEN THEY SEE OUR YOUNG BLACK MEN AND WOMEN, THAT THERE IS NOT A REACTION OF FEAR, BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A TRUE ENGAGEMENT THAT ALLOWS FOR EVERYONE TO GO HOME SAFELY, AND TO NOT EXPERIENCE TRAUMA FROM THE VERY ENTITIES THAT WE PUT IN PLACE TO PROVIDE SAFETY.

>> IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LONG TIME, RIGHT, FOR -- >> WE'VE BEEN WORKING AT THIS, DAVID, 400 YEARS AND COUNTING.

>> IRONICALLY ENOUGH, THERE'S BEEN A SOCIAL WORKER ON THE FORCE IN BRIDGEWATER SINCE SEPTEMBER.

THE TOWNSHIP ANNOUNCED THE ROUND-TABLE CONVERSATION WITH POLITICAL LEADERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND POLICE FOR THURSDAY.

IF TODAY'S ANY INDICATION, THE MEETING COULD PROVE TO BE TENSE.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS."

>>> WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION ON OUR ECONOMY?

THE FED CHAIR SAID IT MIGHT BE TOO SOON TO SHARE.

RHONDA SHAFFORD JOINS US WITH COMMENTS AND BUSINESS STORIES.

>> WE KNOW RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE HAS DISRUPTED ENERGY IN OTHER MARKETS, BUT HOW WILL IT IMPACT THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE?

THE CHAIR OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE, JEROME POWELL TODAY SAID THE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE INVASION AND THE SANCTIONS THAT FOLLOWED ARE HIGHLY UNCERTAIN.

POWELL MADE THE STATEMENT DURING HIS CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY ON THE ECONOMY TODAY.

BEFORE THE INVASION OCCURRED, THE FED HAD PLANNED A SERIES OF INTEREST RATE HIKES THIS YEAR TO HELP CONTAIN INFLATION.

FOR NOW, POWELL SAID THE FED WILL PROCEED CAREFULLY ALONG THE LINES OF THAT PLAN.

AN EXPECTED INTEREST RATE INCREASE LATER THIS MONTH WILL BE THE FIRST SINCE 2018, AND COMES AT A TIME OF STRONG JOB GROWTH ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THIS IS STRONG, HIGH INFLATION, AND IT -- IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET ON TOP OF IT.

WORKERS ARE STILL GOING TO BE GETTING GOOD JOBS AND PAY INCREASES FOR SOME TIME.

SO THE ECONOMY'S STRONG, AND THAT MEANS THE ECONOMY CAN TAKE THE RATE INCREASES THAT WE'RE GOING GOING TO BE MAKING.

>> HIRING REMAINS STRONG IN FEBRUARY, ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY JOBS REPORT OUT BY NEW JERSEY BASED ADP.

THE COMPANY'S PROCESSING SAID 400,000 JOBS WERE ADDED TO THE ECONOMY LAST MONTH, WHICH WAS HIGHER THAN EXPECTED.

ADP ALSO DRAMATICALLY REVISED ITS JANUARY NUMBERS TO A GAIN OF MORE THAN 509,000 JOBS.

IT INITIALLY REPORTED A LOSS OF 301,000.

>>> THE NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL TODAY VOTED TO SUSPEND THE LICENSES OF LOCAL GAS STATIONS AND CONVENIENCE STORES IN RESPONSE TO RUSSIA'S INVASION.

WHILE THE RESOLUTION WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY, NOT EVERYONE SUPPORTS IT.

THE HEAD OF THE NEW JERSEY GASOLINE AND CONVENIENCE STORE ASSOCIATION CALLED THE MOVE POLITICAL THEATER, SAYING IT ONLY HURTS THE LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS AND THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>>> RESTAURANTS ARE STILL HURTING, AND THEY WANT MORE HELP FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT WAS THE MESSAGE DELIVERED TO THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY FROM THE INDEPENDENT RESTAURANT COALITION.

IN A LETTER, THE GROUP SAID IT WANTS THE GOVERNMENT TO REVIVE THE RESTAURANT REVITALIZATION FUND IN ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT TO STRUGGLING RESTAURANTS.

>>> AND FINALLY, MOVIES HAS UPGRADED NEW JERSEY'S GENERAL OBLIGATION DEBT TO A HIGHER CREDIT RATING WITH A STABLE OUTLOOK.

NOW, HERE'S A CHECK ON HOW THE STOCK MARKET ENDED TODAY'S TRADING DAY.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY LILY UNIVERSITY, EDUCATING NEW JERSEY LEADERS, PARTNERING WITH NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES, TRANSFORMING NEW JERSEY'S FUTURE.

>>> SPRING IS AROUND THE CORNER.

THAT MEANS THE PEAK OF NEW JERSEY'S WILDFIRE SEASON IS, TOO.

WILDFIRES POSE A THREAT TO WILDLIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE STATE, ESPECIALLY IN THE BARONS, AND CLIMATE CHANGE IS MAKING FIRE MORE UNPREDICTABLE HERE AND DANGEROUS AROUND THE WORLD.

ONE TOOL FOREST MANAGERS HAVE TO LESSEN THE RISK IS TO FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE, USING WINTER OPERATIONS CALLED PRESCRIBED BURNS.

MELISSA COOPER TAKES US TO BASS RIVER STATE FOREST TO SEE THE WORK UP CLOSE.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> NO, YOUR EYES AREN'T PLAYING TRICKS ON YOU.

THESE FLAMES ARE BEING SET INTENTIONALLY ALONG THIS WOODED AREA OF BASS RIVER STATE FOREST, NOT TO CAUSE HARM, BUT TO PREVENT A POSSIBLY HAZARDOUS AND DEADLY SITUATION FROM HAPPENING.

>> WE ARE READYING OURSELVES FOR WHAT WE ENVISION WILL BE AN ACTIVE FOREST FIRE SEASON.

WE'VE HAD A PRETTY DRY RUN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, AND IT CONCERNS ME FROM BOTH THE PERSPECTIVE OF FOREST FIRE RISK AND FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF GROUND-WATER SUPPLIES.

>> SO IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP NEW JERSEYANS SAFE, FIRE OFFICIALS ARE PERFORMING THIS PRACTICE, KNOWN AS PRESCRIBED BURN.

>> WE'RE DELIBERATELY SETTING THESE FIRES IN A VERY CONTROLLED AND MEASURED WAY TODAY AND THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AHEAD OF TRY AND WINDY CONDITIONS WHERE WILDFIRES ARE MORE PRONE.

THAT ALLOWS US TO SLOW DOWN THOSE BIG FIRES WHEN AND IF THEY DO OCCUR.

A FIRE MOVING FROM THE WESTERN PART OF THE FOREST HERE, COMING INTO THIS BLOCK THAT'S BEING A PRESCRIBED BURN WILL INHERENTLY SLOW DOWN.

>> IF A WILDFIRE GETS TOO HIGH, THE WIND CAN QUICKLY SPREAD THE FLAMES, PUTTING RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY NEARBY AT RISK.

IT'S GROWING THREAT.

AN INTERNATIONAL REPORT LAST WEEK SAID CLIMATE CHANGE IS ALREADY INCREASING THE RISK OF UNCONTROLLABLE WILDFIRES WORLDWIDE.

>> OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE AWARE THAT NEW JERSEY IS THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED STATE IN THE UNION.

I THINK IT'S OVER 9 MILLION PEOPLE CURRENTLY, AND WE'RE ALL AWARE THAT MOST OF THE POPULATIONS DO RESIDE AROUND THE NEW YORK AND THE PHILADELPHIA METROPOLITAN AREAS.

HOWEVER, OVER THE RECENT DECADES, THERE HAS BEEN A MIGRATION OF PEOPLE FROM THOSE AREAS TO THESE COMMUNITIES CLOSER TO THE COAST, AND ALONG THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY, AND KIND OF MOVING SOUTH.

>> THE TARGET GOAL FOR PRESCRIBED BURNING IS ABOUT 20 TO 25,000 ACRES A YEAR DURING A FIVE- TO SEVEN-YEAR ROTATION THAT OFFICIALS SAY IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE.

>> IT IS HIGHLY INDEPENDENT UPON THE WEATHER, BECAUSE IF WE DENT HAVE THE RIGHT CONDITIONS WHERE WE CAN KEEP THE FIRE CONTROLLED AND ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVE THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, WHICH IS FUEL CONSUMPTION -- IN OTHER WORDS, IF THERE'S FROST ON THE GROUND OR TOO WET, THESE FUELS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, THESE LEAVES AND PINE NEEDLES, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BURN.

AND WHAT HAPPENS, VERY QUICKLY HERE, IN ANOTHER TWO WEEKS, THREE WEEKS, OR EVEN POSSIBLY THIS WEEK, CONDITIONS COULD CHANGE, AND WE'LL HAVE TO SHIFT FROM A PREVENTION TECHNIQUE, SUCH AS OUR PRESCRIBED BURNING, TO A WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION AND RESPONSE TECHNIQUE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT WILDFIRE HAPPENING IN PLACES LIKE CALIFORNIA, AND EVEN THOUGH NEW JERSEY ISN'T ON THE SAME LEVEL, YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO SEE HOW MUCH IT HAPPENS HERE.

>> THE RISK IS THERE REGARDLESS IN PART BECAUSE OF OUR DEVELOPMENT PATTERN.

>> STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION COMMISSIONER SHAWN LAZARETTE SAYING THERE ARE OVER 900 WILDFIRES IN THE GARDEN STATE LAST YEAR THAT SCORCHED NEARLY 2,000 ACRES.

>> THAT SORT OF VISUAL WE HAVE COLLECTED FROM PEOPLE'S RING DOORBELLS, RIGHT?

THAT IS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE, AND WE DON'T HAVE IN NEW JERSEY A HISTORY, SADLY, OF MAKING DEVELOPMENT AND LAND USE DECISIONS WITH THE REALLY LONG TERM IN MIND.

>> Reporter: FIREFIGHTERS SAY THEY'LL CONTINUE BURNS IN AREAS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.

RESIDENTS CAN ALSO HELP BY STACKING FIREWOOD AWAY FROM HOMES AND MAKING SURE GUTTERS ARE CLEAN, SO IF A WILDFIRE DOES HAPPEN, FLAMES CAN'T SPREAD.

FOR "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS," I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

MAKE SURE YOU TUNE IN TOMORROW NIGHT FOR "CHAT BOX" WITH DAVID CRUZ.

AS WE APPROACH THE SECOND-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF NEW JERSEY'S FIRST CONFIRMED COVID CASE.

DAVID LOOKS AT WHAT WE'VE LEARNED AND WHERE WE STAND.

THAT'S TOMORROW NIGHT AT 6:30 ON "NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS," YOUTUBE CHANNEL, OR WHEREVER YOU STREAM.

>>> THANKS FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT, AND WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>>> OUR FUTURE RELIES ON MORE THAN CLEAN ENERGY.

OUR FUTURE RELIES ON EMPOWERED COMMUNITIES THAT HELP WITH THE SAFETY OF OUR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORS, OF OUR SCHOOLS AND STREETS.

THE PSCG FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITY, AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT, INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORK-FORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.