>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW JERSEY EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, MAKING PUBLIC SCHOOLS GREAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

RWJ BARNABUS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

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

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE STATE IS COSIGNING NEW GUIDANCE FROM CDC ALLOWING MORE SCHOOLS TO OPEN FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING AND NEW JERSEY WILL LET K THROUGH 12 DISTRICTS LOWER SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES FROM 6 FEET TO JUST THREE IN MOST CLASSROOMS THE GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID THE RULES APPLY IF MASKING AND FREQUENT HANDWASHING TO BE MAINTAINED BY STUDENTS AND STAFF AND ONCE AGAIN PUSHING FOR ALL SCHOOLS TO START MOVING FORWARD WITH RAMPING UP IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION, ADDING COME FALL UNLESS OUR PANDEMIC SITUATION WORSENS, STUDENTS WILL BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

NO MORE VIRTUAL LEARNING.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS FOUNDING EDITOR AND EDUCATION WRITER JOHN MODIE IS HERE TO WALK THROUGH THE GUIDELINES AND HOW THEY VARY FOR DIFFERENT GRADES.

JOHN, DO THE RULES APPLY TO ALL GRADES IN ALL SITUATIONS?

>> YEAH, YOU ALWAYS NEED AN ENGINEERING DEGREE TO WORK THROUGH IT ALL.

I THINK IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IT WOULD APPLY IN TERMS OF THE DISTANCING, THE 3 FEET AND PRETTY MUCH ANY CASE.

THE HIGH SCHOOLS IN REGIONS THAT ARE DEEMED AS HIGH RISK WOULD STILL NEED TO REMAIN AT SIX FEET AND THAT'S MOST OF THE STATE NOW.

THERE ARE ONLY SEVEN COUNTIES THAT ARE NOT HIGH RISK AND THE NUMBER HAS CONSISTENTLY SHRUNK OVER THE LAST MONTH.

SO IT IS CERTAINLY LOOKS LIKE MOST HIGH SCHOOLS IN THE STATE WOULD NOT NECESSARILY FALL UNDER THIS.

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE TODAY THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER SAID TRANSMISSION IN OUR SCHOOLS IS ACTUALLY LOOKING PRETTY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE SEE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

IT IS LOW AND DOES NOT POSE A BIG RISK.

THEY FEEL PRETTY COMFORTABLE WITH THIS.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE NUMBERS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE TRANSMISSION INSIDE THE SCHOOLS, BUT IT IS STILL IN THE COMMUNITIES AND CERTAINLY STILL AMONG STAFF.

THE NUMBERS THE STATE HAS PUT OUT ABOUT ACTUAL TRANSMISSIONS IN THE SCHOOLS ONLY TELL PART OF THE STORY.

YOU ARE STILL DEALING WITH OBVIOUSLY FOLKS WHO ARE VERY NERVOUS ABOUT TRANSMISSION AND THOSE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN RISING AT LEAST IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

AND SO, I THINK THIS HELPS.

THESE ARE NOT ORDERS.

THESE ARE GUIDELINES.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THEIR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS STILL MAKE THE CALL.

WE'RE NOT ALL OF A SUDDEN GOING TO SEE A LOT OF SCHOOLS OPENING UP OR TAKING STUDENTS BACK, BUT IT CERTAINLY HELPS THAT THE STATE IS PROVIDING SOME GUIDANCE A LEAST AROUND THE CLASSROOM.

SOME THINGS THAT AREN'T REALLY EXPLICIT AND I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS ARE REALLY AND DOESN'T TALK ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ON BUSES AND DOESN'T REALLY GET INTO MUCH DETAIL ABOUT CAFETERIAS AND HOW THOSE WOULD WORK AND OBVIOUSLY MASKING IS MORE COMPLICATED AND EVEN THE DISTANCING RULES, THEY DIFFER SOMEWHAT FROM THE CDCS.

THE CDC IS A LITTLE LOOSER IN TERMS OF WHETHER SCHOOLS CAN REOPEN IN SO-CALLED HIGH RISK ZONES WITH THE LESSER DISTANCING.

THE STATE IS STILL STICKING TO ITS MATRIX ON THAT.

SO THIS DOESN'T SETTLE ALL THINGS, BUT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE BEEN CLAMORING FOR SOME GUIDANCE SINCE LAST SUMMER WHEN THE LAST MAJOR GUIDANCE CAME OUT AND THIS SHOULD AT LEAST HELP THEM GO BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITIES AND EXPLAIN WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

>> IT'S A GOOD POINT, AND WHAT ARE YOU HEARING SO FAR?

IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY, BUT WHAT ARE UNIONS AND EDUCATORS SAYING?

>> THE UNION WAS MY FIRST CALL WITH THE TEACHERS UNION AND WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

THEY WEREN'T ALL THAT HIGH ON THE CDC'S GUIDANCE LAST FRIDAY.

I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING NEW AND THEY GO, OUR STANCE STAYS THE SAME WITH THIS.

SO THERE IS SOME RELUCTANCE.

THEY REALLY WANT A LITTLE BIT MORE ASSURANCE FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

BUT I SENSE THAT SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET KIDS BACK IN.

IF THIS HELPS AND THAT, I THINK YOU WILL SEE SOME MORE OF THAT CERTAINLY IS THE WEATHER IMPROVES AND THE LIKE.

BUT WE WILL SEE.

IT'S LIFESTYLE PREDICTING AND THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A ROLLER COASTER, SO WE WILL SEE.

>> JOHN MODIE, GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

THANK SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THE ADMINISTRATION SAID TODAY MORE THAN 34,000 EDUCATORS HAVE BEEN VACCINATED THROUGH THE FEDERAL RETAIL PARTNERSHIP AND ACROSS THE STATE MORE THAN 3.6 MILLION SHOTS BUT IN ARMS AND 1.3 MILLION PEOPLE ARE NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

STATE HEALTH LEADERS EXPECTING THE FIRST BIG BOOST IN VACCINE SHIPMENTS STARTING NEXT WEEK OF NEARLY 500,000 AND AN EXPECTED SURPRISE OF J&J DOSES INCLUDED.

WITH MORE PEOPLE IMMUNIZE, EMPLOYERS FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT ASKING WORKERS TO RETURN TO THE OFFICE AND IN SOME CASES REQUIRING THE VACCINATION RECORD TO DO SO.

TURNS OUT THE REQUEST IS LEGAL.

OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT LINDA FLANAGAN REPORTS IT'S HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE ON THE FENCE OVER GETTING VACCINATED COULD FIND THE BOSS PUSHING THEM TO GET IN LINE FOR SHOTS WITH FULL SUPPORT FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THE ADVISORY SAYS EMPLOYERS CAN REQUIRE PROOF OF VACCINATION BEFORE STAFF RETURNS IN PERSON TO THE WORKPLACE DESPITE PERSONAL POLITICS.

>> JUST NOT BELIEVING IN THE EFFICACY OF VACCINES OR FOR THAT MATTER BEING SCARED OF NEEDLES OR THINKING IT IS ALL A HOAX, NONE OF THAT WOULD BE PROTECTED.

>> Reporter: EMPLOYMENT LAW EXPERT SHARON MEDDLING SAID THE ADVISORY PROVIDES EXEMPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO CAN'T TAKE A BACK SEAT AND THOSE WHO HAVE SINCERE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS PRECLUDE VACCINATIONS AND PREGNANT OR BREAST-FEEDING PEOPLE WHOSE DOCTORS ADVISE AGAINST COVID SHOTS.

EMPLOYERS HAVE TO KEEP MEDICAL INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL AND MUST TRY TO PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS LIKE PPE FOR MORE TIME TO WORK FROM HOME.

IF THAT IS TOO DIFFICULT OR EXPENSIVE, WORKERS CAN BE TERMINATED AND EXEMPTIONS CAN BE TRICKY.

>> YOU CAN'T EXEMPT YOURSELF FROM ONE VACCINE VERSUS THE OTHER.

>> Reporter: AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST NO EMPLOYERS CAN REQUEST OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS AS PROOF.

>> YOU ARE EITHER MORALLY OR RELIGIOUSLY OPPOSED TO VACCINES, ALL OF THEM, OR NONE OF THEM.

YOU DON'T GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE.

I THINK PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN THE FLU SHOT IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO ARE IT'S GOING TO BE ABLE TO OPT OUT OF A COVID VACCINE IF IT BECOMES MANDATED.

>> JUST BECAUSE WE CAN MANDATE THINGS DOESN'T MEAN IT'S THE RIGHT BUSINESS CASE TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: THIS BUSINESS LEADER WAS FIELDING PHONE CALLS FROM WORRIED BOSSES.

>> A QUESTIONS ARE COMING THROUGH THE ROOF BECAUSE IT'S VERY DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW TO MANAGE THE MINEFIELDS OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS.

WHAT CAN YOU MANDE AND WHAT SHOULD YOU MANDATE?

WHEN YOU WANT TO TALK THE LAST I ACROSS THE T ASK YOUR BOSS IF THEY'RE OKAY WITH THAT.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ENOUGH PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: ONE HEALTHCARE WORKER WHO WANTS TO REMAIN ANONYMOUS BELIEVE WOMEN IN A SMALLER OFFICE RISK A LOT LISTING POSSIBLE PREGNANCY AS A VACCINATION EXEMPTION.

>> I THINK I WOULD BE EXTERMINATED AGAINST PROFESSIONALLY AND NOT CONSIDERED FOR PROMOTIONS.

HE WOULD DEFINITELY FREAK OUT ABOUT ME HAVING TO TAKE TIME OFF.

>> AS AN EMPLOYER IF YOU MANDATE THE VACCINE WITH THE END RESULT BEING IF SOMEONE REFUSES TO GET VACCINATED THEY GET TERMINATED, YOU NEED TO THINK LONG AND HARD IF YOU ARE READY TO DO THAT, BECAUSE OTHERWISE YOU MIGHT HAVE TURNOVER PROBLEMS, YOU MAY LOSE HIGH-PERFORMING EMPLOYEES.

>> Reporter: MANY BUSINESSES ARE URGING WORKERS TO TAKE THE SHOT AND GIVING THEM TIME OFF TO DO IT, ALTHOUGH VACCINE SUPPLY AND APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE A PROBLEM.

EVENTUALLY HEALTH EXPERTS THINK SOME FIELDS WILL ULTIMATELY REQUIRE VACCINATIONS.

>> PEOPLE WORKING IN HEALTHCARE AND CLINICAL SETTINGS AND POSSIBLY PEOPLE IN SCHOOL SETTINGS, THAT SAID, THE BIG ISSUE SO FAR AS WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE WILL BE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT MANDATE BEFORE THERE IS FULL FDA APPROVAL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS FULL GOVERNMENT APPROVAL COULD COUNTER VACCINE HESITANCY THAT PERSISTS UNDER THE CURRENT EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DESPITE THE UPTICK IN VACCINATIONS THE STATE LEADS THE NATION IN THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, WITH THE NUMBER OF NEW INFECTIONS RISING AND TODAY ANOTHER 3200 POSITIVE CASES REPORTED AND 28 MORE LIVES LOST.

STILL, HEALTH LEADERS INSIST SHOTS IN ARMS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

HOSPITALIZATIONS REMAIN ABOVE 2000 TODAY AND THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS IN THE ICU OR ON A VENTILATOR IS STEADILY DROPPING .

ALL SIGNS ACCORDING TO HEALTH EXPERTS THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO GET A VACCINE ARE LIKELY BEING PROTECTED.

BUT THE STATE'S APPROACH TO THE ROLLOUT WAS DIFFERENT THAN THE NEIGHBORS.

NEW YORK OPEN VACCINE ELIGIBILITY TO EVERYONE AGED 50 AND OVER AND IN CONNECTICUT VIRTUALLY EVERY RESIDENT, ANYONE 16 OR OLDER CAN GET A SHOT BY APRIL 5th.

MEANWHILE THE THRESHOLD HERE REMAINS AT AGE 65 WITH A FOCUS ON ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND THOSE WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS.

IS IT THE MOST EFFECTIVE METHOD?

DR. JUDITH LIGHTFOOT, CHIEF OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE AT THE SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE SAID IT WAS BUT NOW IT'S TIME FOR NEW JERSEY TO OPEN UP.

DR. LIGHTFOOT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WANT TO ASK ABOUT OUR STATE AND EVERY STATE HAVING A PATCHWORK SYSTEM OF VACCINE AVAILABILITY.

OUR NEIGHBORS IN NEW YORK AND CONNECTICUT HAVE OPENED UP A LOT MORE THAN WE HAVE.

IS THAT HINDERING US IN OUR ROLLOUT?

>> YES, I SAW THE AGE GROUPS WERE LOWER IN CERTAIN STATES.

BUT IN A WAY, WHEN NEW JERSEY ROLLED OUT OVER THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND IT WAS BENEATH THE AGE OF 64 WITH SPECIAL CONDITIONS, IT COVERED A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS.

HERE AT THE SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE AND OUR TASK FORCE, WE MADE NOT ONLY FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS BUT ALSO FOR THEIR CAREGIVERS AND NO ONE WAS TURNED AWAY WHO MET THE CRITERIA.

I WOULD LIKE TO ULTIMATELY SEE THE VACCINE FOR EVERYONE, AND AS LONG AS IT IS SAFE IN THAT AGE GROUP OR THAT PARTICULAR AGE GROUP AND CONDITION THAT YOU CAN GET THE VACCINE 24/7 AND THAT'S WHAT I PERSONALLY AS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE PHYSICIAN WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE WE KNOW WHAT OUR NEIGHBORS DO MATTERS AND ESPECIALLY HOW EASY IT IS TO TRAVEL BETWEEN STATES SURROUNDING US, SO IS IT BETTER THEN TO PRIORITIZE THESE VULNERABLE GROUPS TO OPEN IT UP MORE WIDELY OR DOES IT JUST CREATE MORE OF A LOGJAM?

>> YOU TALK ABOUT TRAVEL, AND I THINK THE MESSAGING HAS TO BE CLEAR.

I THINK WE HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH ON THE MESSAGING NOT SO MUCH FROM THE STATE BUT FROM OTHER OFFICIALS ABOUT WHAT IS SAFE IN SMALL GROUPS AND HOW YOU CAN CONVENE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS IN YOUR BUBBLE, AND I DON'T WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE TO INDIVIDUALS THAT BECAUSE YOU ARE VACCINATED AND MAYBE IF YOU ARE IN A GROUP OR NOT THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE.

I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THAT MESSAGE.

>> DR. LIGHTFOOT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE NEW JERSEY EXPAND AGE BRACKETS CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE?

>> I THINK WE HAVE.

BECAUSE EVEN WITH THOSE GROUPS, THAT'S WHAT I SAID, ORIGINALLY IT WAS 65 AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS WERE PRIORITIZED.

65 AND OLDER AND THE ELDERLY BECAUSE THEY WERE FILLING UP HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES AND WENT THROUGH THAT.

AND IT WAS THOSE 65 AND PRESSURE FOR THOSE LESS THAN 65 WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

AND THE MOST BASIC HEALTH CONDITIONS WERE ON THERE.

THEY COVER JUST ABOUT EVERYONE FROM ASTHMA TO HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE TO IMMUNOCOMPROMISED HOSTS AND YOU COULD GET SOMEONE IN EACH OF THOSE CATEGORIES NO MATTER WHAT AGE THEY WERE UNLESS THEY WERE MINORS.

SO I THINK THOSE WHO NEED A VACCINE CAN GET A VACCINE IN TERMS OF AGE GROUPS, BUT CAN EVERYONE WHETHER THEY HAVE A CERTAIN AGE OR NOT HAVE A COMORBIDITY, CAN THEY SAY I AM 23 AND I WANT THE VACCINE, CAN I GET A TOMORROW BECAUSE THEY FALL IN 1C.

THEY SHOULD BE ELIGIBLE AND NOT THAT I'M BEING CONTROVERSIAL BUT I BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE VACCINE, BUT AS THE DEMAND HAS BEEN BECAUSE -- NOT THE DEMAND, THE PRIORITIZATION HAS BEEN FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN AT GREATEST RISK INITIALLY.

BUT NOW THAT OUR SUPPLY IS INCREASING, LET'S OPEN IT UP.

>> DR. JUDITH LIGHTFOOT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE MEDICAL REPORT PROVIDED BY HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD ASSOCIATION.

>>> IT'S BEEN OVER A WEEK SINCE THE GUNMAN KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE AT THREE SPAS IN THE METRO ATLANTA AREA AND SIX OF THE VICTIMS WERE FEMALES OF ASIAN DESCENT.

MASS SHOOTING CULMINATED A YEAR THAT SAW SHARP RISES IN ANTI-ASIAN ATTACKS AND ESCALATED APPEARS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND HOW GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE GRAPPLING WITH HOW TO COMBAT HATE CRIMES INCLUDING HOW THEY GET REPORTED AND PROBABLY SHARED WITH THE PUBLIC.

RAVEN SANTANA REPORTS AS PART OF OUR ONGOING EXPLORING HATE SERIES ON ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM AND EXTREMISM.

>> JOKES ABOUT OUR FOOD.

JOKES ABOUT OUR ACCENTS.

JOKES ABOUT OUR EYES.

THOSE ARE NOT JUST JOKES AND ARE MUCH MORE HURTFUL THAN A COMMENT YOU MIGHT MAKE AND FORGET ABOUT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE TAUNTS OF VERBAL ABUSE THAT THE 16- YEAR-OLD EXPERIENCED BECAUSE OF HER KOREAN DISSENT, HOWEVER THE HIGH SCHOOL SOPHOMORE SAID SHE BECAME THE TARGET OF ANTI-ASIAN HATE LAST MONTH IN TIMES SQUARE WHILE ON A TRIP WITH MEMBERS OF THE KOREAN-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY YOUTH COUNCIL.

>> A MIDDLE-AGED UNMASKED WHITE WOMAN TOLD US GET AWAY FROM ME AND STAY FAR AWAY WHILE WAVING HER HANDS SHOOING US AWAY.

I WAS IN SHOCK AND NOT SURE IF THE SITUATION COULD GET VIOLENT OR ESCALATE IF I STAND UP FOR MYSELF.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE NEW JERSEY OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN STATE POLICE, AND 2020 THERE WAS 82% RISE IN ANTI-ASIAN INCIDENTS.

THE DATA WAS PRESENTED BY GOVERNOR MURPHY, LAWMAKERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AND A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON BIAS IN HATE CRIMES.

>> WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO WORKING ALONGSIDE THE AAPI COMMUNITIES TO COMBAT AND DEFEAT THE VIRUS OF HATE AND JUST AS MUCH AS WE ARE COMMITTED TO DEFEATING THE VIRUS THAT THE OF THE HATE.

>> Reporter: THE FACEBOOK LIVE EVENT COMES A WEEK AFTER A SHOOTING IN ATLANTA LEFT SIX DEAD, ESCALATING PEERS IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MORE HATE CRIMES.

>> MOST RECENTLY MY CHILD CAME HOME ONE DAY FROM SCHOOL AND TOLD ME THAT ANOTHER CHILD KEPT YELLING AT HIM AND REPEATEDLY TAUNTING HIM SAYING, CHINESE BOY, CHINESE BOY!

MY 5-YEAR-OLD HAD NO IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON.

HOW DO WE SUSTAIN THIS AND MAKE SURE WE ENGAGE AND FOLLOW THROUGH EVEN WHEN WE'RE NOT IN THIS PERIOD OF HEIGHTENED NATIONAL TENSION?

>> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO RAISE AWARENESS, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ANNOUNCED HIS OFFICE WOULD PUBLISH THIS JUST EXMORE FREQUENTLY.

>> THE DATA WE PUT OUT TODAY, WE REPORTED OUT EVERY MONTH BECAUSE IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE TO WAIT A YEAR TO LOOK AT THE 2020 NUMBERS.

MOVING FORWARD, APRIL ON WE WILL REPORT IT ON A MONTHLY BASIS, SO WE CAN BETTER RESPOND AS A COMMUNITY AND BETTER RESPOND AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REALLY DO ALL WE CAN TO REDOUBLE OUR EFFORTS TO PUSH BACK THIS RISE IN HATE AND INTOLERANCE WE SEE.

>> THERE IS AND THAT UNDERSTANDING YET OF HOW DO YOU REPORT A CRIME IN A WAY THAT YOU FEEL THAT THE OUTCOME IS WORTH THE TROUBLE?

>> Reporter: HE IS CO-FOUNDER OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN ADVOCACY GROUP JERSEY PROMISE.

HE SAYS WHILE JERSEY HAS STRONG HATE CRIME BILLS ON THE BOOKS IT'S PROSECUTION THAT IS TRICKY.

>> I HEAR FROM PROSECUTORS IT'S HARD TO ENFORCE IT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO PROVE INTENT.

I THINK ONE STRUGGLE ABOUT THE M ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IS WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CRIMINALIZATION OR PUNISHMENT?

THIS IS WHERE IF IT IS A TEENAGER WHO PERPETRATES THIS ATTACK, I THINK THAT IS VIEWED DIFFERENTLY THAT FROM AN ADULT.

BUT IT SHOULD ALSO BE THOUGHTFULLY DONE SO WE ARE NOT OVER CRIMINALIZING.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE KEY TO PREVENTING HATE CRIMES IS NOT NECESSARILY MORE LAWS BUT INSTEAD BETTER PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE CULTURAL NEED OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

I'M RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> AFTER FACING CRITICISM FROM THE NAACP AND ADVOCACY GROUPS, GOVERNOR MURPHY IS REPLACING A MEMBER OF THE PANEL REGULATING THE STATES NEW CANNABIS INDUSTRY.

CHARLES PARKER, STAFFER FOR CORY BOOKER IS TAPPED TO COMPLETE THE FIVE-MEMBER COMMISSION AND WILL REPLACE WILLIAM WALLACE, A DIRECTOR WITH UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION.

THE COMMISSION MAKE-UP CAME UNDER ATTACK FOR FAILING TO INCLUDE SOMEONE FROM AN ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES AGAINST MINORITY INEQUALITY AND A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY MOST THIS TO PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY DRUG ARRESTS.

BLACK MEN.

>>> A DECISION ON HOW THE STATE SET YOUR POWER GRID PRICES COULD COST UTILITY CUSTOMERS MILLIONS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS AND TONIGHT'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SEE A HUGE SPIKE IN THEIR UTILITY BILLS.

A NEW STUDY FINDS IT'S POSSIBLE IF REGULATORS DON'T MAKE SOME CHANGES.

ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS PREPARED FOR THE BOARD OF PUBLIC UTILITIES, PRICES COULD SPIKE BY UP TO $300 MILLION A YEAR.

THE STUDY LOOKED AT THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF A NEW PRICING RULE USED BY THE NATION'S LARGEST POWER GRID, PJM INTERCONNECTION.

NEW JERSEY AND OTHER STATES BUY RESERVE POWER FROM PJM WHICH IS POWER NEEDED A PEAK DEMAND TIMES.

SO NOW THAT THE STUDY RESULTS ARE IN, NEW JERSEY IS REVIEWING WHAT ACTION TO TAKE.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE BY READING MY COLLEAGUE TOM JOHNSON'S REPORT ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

>>> TOP ECONOMIC OFFICIALS WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION PROVIDE CONGRESS WITH AN UPDATE ON WHERE THE ECONOMY STANDS AND TREASURY SECRETARY JANET YELLEN AND JEROME POWELL TESTIFIED BEFORE A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS ASSURING LAWMAKERS THE ECONOMY IS ON TRACK TO BOUNCE BACK FROM THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THEY SAID WERE COVERING ALL THE LOST JOBS WILL TAKE LONGER.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ALSO QUESTIONED POWELL AND YELLEN ON OTHER TOPICS AND JOSH GOTTHEIMER ASKED THE TREASURY SECRETARY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF RESTORING THE S.A.L.T.

AND YELLEN SAID THE ADMINISTRATION IS OPEN TO EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED, AND I WOULD WORK WITH YOU TO TRY AND ENSURE THE IN EQUITIES THIS CAUSED ARE REMEDIED IN A FAIR AND RESPONSIBLE WAY, AS YOU MENTIONED THERE IS BIPARTISAN PROPOSAL TO REPEAL THE CAP.

>> THE CAP LIMITS STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTIONS TO $10,000 WHICH HAS LED TO HIGHER FEDERAL TAX BILLS FOR THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS.

>>> STATE LEGISLATURE MEETS WITH A FULL DOCKET OF BILLS INCLUDING ONE TO ADDRESS AGE DISCRIMINATION.

THE ASSEMBLY WILL CONSIDER LEGISLATION THAT BROADENS OUT PROTECTIONS FOR OLDER WORKERS IN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

MEANTIME THE ASSEMBLY IS ALSO SET TO CONSIDER A BILL THAT WOULD GUARANTEE WAGE INCREASES FOR CERTAIN WORKERS AT NEWARK LIBERTY AIRPORT.

>>> FINALLY, A LOT OF BUSINESSES WRESTLING WITH HOW TO ADDRESS ZOOM FATIGUE AMONG EMPLOYEES.

THE BANKING GIANT CITIGROUP PUT A NEW POLICY IN PLACE CALLING FOR ZOOM-FREE FRIDAYS.

FROM NOW ON INTERNAL COMPANY MEETINGS ON FRIDAYS WILL ONLY BE ON THE PHONE.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE TRADING ACTION ON WALL STREET TODAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY IBEW LOCAL 102, PROBABLY SERVING NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY SINCE 1900.

LOCAL 102, LIGHTING THE PATH AND LEADING THE WAY.

>>> SOMETIMES A LITTLE INCENTIVE GOES A LONG WAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TALK TO RESIDENTS WHO FEEL HESITANT ABOUT GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND THE CEO OF THE JEWISH NATIONAL FUND LEADS A CREATIVE CAMPAIGN TO GET A SHOT AND HIS ORGANIZATION WILL PLANT A TREE IN ISRAEL IN YOUR HONOR.

NO MATTER YOUR RELIGION OR BACKGROUND.

AS LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS, THE PROGRAM HELPS PLANT DEEP ROOTS IN COMMUNITIES, SYMBOLIZING HOPE FOR NEW LIFE.

>> I HAVE A LOT OF MILES.

>> Reporter: 84-YEAR-OLD PHYLLIS SOLOMON HAS THREE CHILDREN, FIVE GRANDCHILDREN AND TWO GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN.

>> THEY ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, TAMPA, FLORIDA, AND ISRAEL.

AND AUSTRALIA.

>> Reporter: SHE COULDN'T FLY DURING THE PANDEMIC SO THEY ZOOMED SHE SAYS AND SOMEHOW MANAGED.

AFTER GETTING HER COVID-19 VACCINE SHE FELT -- >> LIBERATION!

I AM LEAVING APRIL 6th FOR TAMPA, FLORIDA FOR A GREAT GRANT CHILDS SECOND BIRTHDAY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THE SHOT DIDN'T JUST GIVE HER THE ABILITY TO FEEL MORE SAFE, BUT SHE HELPED THE ENVIRONMENT AT THE SAME TIME.

>> IT'S ALMOST LIKE BUY ONE AND GET ONE.

>> Reporter: JEWISH NATIONAL FUND USA CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RUSSELL ROBINSON SAYS THE NEW CAMPAIGN ALLOWS ANYONE WHO RECEIVES A COVID-19 VACCINE AND REGISTERS ON THEIR SITE WILL HAVE A TREE PLANTED IN THEIR NAME IN ISRAEL FOR FREE.

>> JUST IN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS THAT IS WHEN WE STARTED THE CAMPAIGN AND ALREADY AT 1700 PLUS PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME ONLINE.

>> Reporter: JEWISH NATIONAL FUND IS PLANTED MORE THAN 260 MILLION TREES IN ISRAEL SINCE FOUNDING IN 1901.

>> MAKING ISRAEL THE ONLY COUNTRY THAT ENDED THE 20th CENTURY WITH MORE TREES THEN BEGAN.

>> Reporter: THE MISSION IS TO SUPPORT THE LAND OF PEOPLE.

>> TREES ARE A SYMBOL OF LIFE AND THIS IS A MOMENT THAT WHERE THE VACCINE IS A SYMBOL OF LIFE.

>> TO RECOGNIZE MY HAVING THE COVID VACCINE BY PLANTING A TREE IN ISRAEL IS A WIN/WIN.

>> Reporter: PHYLLIS TRAVELED TO ISRAEL A LOT WITH THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

>> WE HAVE OUR BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND MEET WITH THE RESIDENTS OF VARIOUS AREAS AND HELP TO SUPPORT AND MAINTAIN AND BUILD.

RUSSELL ROBINSON SAID HE USED TO GO TO ISRAEL EVERY MONTH BEFORE THE PANDEMIC BUT HAS NOT BEEN BACK SINCE LAST MARCH.

HE ALREADY HAS HIS FLIGHT BOOKED AT THE END OF PASSOVER.

>> I GOT THE VACCINE AND I HAVE MY TREE SO I HAVE MY LITTLE CARD IN MY TREE CERTIFICATE.

WHATEVER THEY WILL TAKE AT THE AIRPORT.

>> Reporter: BILL LISS PLANS TO FLY OCTOBER FOR THE CONFERENCE BUT ONLY AFTER SHE SEES HER FAMILY FIRST.

>> GRANNY AND GREAT GRANNY KEEPS RUNNING AND VISITING THEM, SO I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SKIES TO OPEN AND TO REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE.

>> Reporter: AS SHE PUTS IT, SHE IS ANXIOUS AND RARING TO GO.

I'M LEAH MISHKIN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT DON'T FORGET TO CATCH CHAT BOX WITH DAVID CRUZ LIVE THURSDAY NIGHT AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

HE TALKS WITH A DOCTOR WHO IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL ABOUT ALL THE MIXED SIGNALS ON REOPENING AND HOW WE MAKE SENSE OF IT.

SEND QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME TO CHATBOX@NJTVNEWS.ORG OR ASK THEM LIVE ON THE STREAM.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND MAKE SURE YOU TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS SO YOU NEVER MISS A SHOW.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE NEWS TEAM, THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT WEEK .

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

MAJOR FUNDING FOR EXPLORING HATE HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE SYLVIA A AND SIMON B PORTER PROGRAMMING ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI-SEMITISM.

THE PETER G PETERSON AND JOAN GANZ COONEY FUND AND PATTY ASQUITH KANNER.

>> IN UNCERTAIN TIMES YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS YOUR BACK AND THAT'S WHY AT HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WE MAKE SURE OUR HEALTH PLANS HAVE ALL THE BENEFITS YOU NEED.

MORE WAYS TO GET CARE VIRTUALLY, MORE SUPPORT FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH TOO.

MORE TOOLS ON YOUR PHONE.

ALL IN A RANGE OF HEALTH PLAN SO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY CAN FIND JUST WHAT YOU NEED.

AND WE CAN HELP.

BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HAS THEIR BACK, NOT JUST IN UNCERTAIN TIMES BUT ALL THE TIME.