>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 NEEDS AND BY THE PS AG FOUNDATION.

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

>> GOOD EVENING.

AS WE MOVE INTO THE SECOND MONTH OF RUSSIA'S WAR IN UKRAINE , THERE IS GROWING CONCERN THAT RUSSIA IS SUCCEEDING IN CAPTURING THE PORT CITY OF MARIUPOL AND THEY COULD BE INTENDING TO SPLIT THE NATION IN HALF, SIMILAR TO NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA, FOCUSING MILITARY EFFORTS ON THE EASTERN PART OF UKRAINE.

FIGHTING CONTINUED THROUGH KYIV OVER THE WEEKEND BUT SO FAR THE ARMY HAS DEMONSTRATED A STRONG COUNTEROFFENSIVE TO ANY RUSSIAN ADVANCES.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY INDICATED THIS MORNING HE IS READY FOR PEACE TALKS AND WOULD AGREE TO NEUTRALITY, THOUGH HE WILL NOT CONCEDE ANY TERRITORY TO UKRAINE.

>>> AND PRESIDENT BIDEN MADE AN UNSCRIPTED REMARK AT THE END OF HIS SPEECH ON SATURDAY THAT VLADIMIR PUTIN, "CANNOT REMAIN IN POWER."

HE EXPLAINED TODAY THE COMMENT WAS A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE DIRECTED TO THE RUSSIAN PEOPLE AND NOT AN INDICATION THE U.S. IS ADVOCATING FOR OR PLANNING FOR A REGIME CHANGE IN RUSSIA.

THEY WILL USE PART OF THIS AS THEIR PROPAGANDA MACHINE, INSISTING THE U.S. IS TRYING TO DESTROY RUSSIA.

ON THE LATEST ON THE U.S.

RESPONSE TO THE WAR -- >> TOO MANY UKRAINIANS HAVE EITHER LOST THEIR LIVES BY INDISCRIMINATE ARMIES BY THE BUTCHER OF MOSCOW AND MILLIONS HAVE FLED.

THIS IS A CATASTROPHE MADE TOTALLY BY VLADIMIR PUTIN AND WHETHER HE TRIES TO SPLIT THE COUNTRY OR NOT, I BELIEVE HE HAS COMMITTED WAR CRIMES.

RUSSIA IS ACTUALLY VIOLATING A YOUR SECURITY COUNCIL VIOLATION THAT SAID NOT PERMITTING HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS OR USING THE DENIAL OF FOOD FOR STARVATION PURPOSES AS A TOOL OF WAR IS A WAR CRIME.

THE PRESIDENT SAID TO HERSELF THIS PERSON IS COMMITTING WAR CRIMES.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT HE MEANT BY HE CANNOT STAY IN POWER.

IT IS NOT A REGIME CHANGE CALL.

>> QUALITY CHILDCARE REMAINS A STRUGGLE FOR FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY AND IT'S ONLY GOTTEN WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TODAY SENATOR MENENDEZ HELD A LISTENING SESSION WITH PARENTS, PROVIDERS, AND ADVOCATES TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE, LIKE WHY CHILDCARE CENTERS HAVE STRUGGLED TO KEEP THEIR WORKERS AND WIFE HUNDREDS OF CENTERS HAVE CLOSED THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.

MENENDEZ WILL HELP CENTERS HIRE AND RETAIN WORKERS AND TO MAKE IT AFFORDABLE FOR WORKING AND MIDDLE-CLASS FAMILIES.

REPORTING FROM ZADIE'S EARLY CHILDCARE CENTER.

>> AS TAXPAYERS, WE DO EXPECT AND HOPE THE GOVERNMENT IDENTIFIES AND UNDERSTANDS THAT .

YOU KNOW, AS A MOTHER AND WIFE AND BUSINESS OWNER, I DON'T WANT TO QUIT MY JOB.

>> Reporter: AS IF BEING A MOM IS AND HARD ENOUGH, FINDING AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE IS EVEN HARDER.

SHE HAS A BABY ON THE WAY AND A 3-YEAR-OLD IN EAST ORANGE.

A CHILDCARE CENTER THAT BARELY SURVIVED THE PANDEMIC AFTER SEEING 92 IN THE STATE CLOSE.

GROWTH IS ONE OF THREE MOMS WHO JOINED SENATOR BOB MENENDEZ TO ADVOCATE FOR LOWERING STATE COST FOR CHILD CARE.

MENENDEZ SPONSORING A BILL WHICH WILL INJURE ANY FAMILY MAKING UNDER $213,000 WILL PAY NO MORE THAN 7% ON THEIR CHILDCARE, WHICH WOULD SAVE A TYPICAL FAMILY IN NEW JERSEY AS MUCH AS $27,000 IN EXPENSES.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE IS A GREATER NEED.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY.

THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR STAFF.

THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR THAT.

THAT IS WHY WE BELIEVE THAT HAVING CHILDCARE COSTS FOR FAMILIES IS A WAY TO CREATE MORE CHILDCARE OPPORTUNITY AND TO FREE UP PARENTS.

>> MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS.

IF WE CAN'T AFFORD ADVOCATE, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH YOUR JOB, RIGHT?

>> CAN I AFFORD CHILDCARE AND CAN I AFFORD TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL?

>> OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES, COSTS HAVE DOUBLED WHILE WAGES HAVE FLATTENED, WHICH MEANS RIGHT NOW THE AVERAGE WORKING FAMILY IS SPENDING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 15 TO 35% OF THEIR PAYCHECK FOR CO-CHILDCARE.

>> Reporter: WHILE SUBSIDIES LIKE GRANT FROM NEW JERSEY OR TAX CREDITS FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN HAVE HELPED, ADVOCATES SAY IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH.

>> IT APPEARS THESE EFFORTS, EVEN WITH A HUGE INFUSION OF FEDERAL DOLLARS, IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THE LONG- STANDING ISSUES.

FOR PROGRAMS TO TALK ABOUT BARELY MEETING THE $13 MINIMUM WAGE.

>> WHAT YOU HAVE IS TUITION CAN BE EQUATED WITH THE COST OF A MORTGAGE.

YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN MAYBE SAVING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION TO PAY FOR EDUCATION NOW.

THE CHOICE BETWEEN SCALING BACK ON GROCERIES OR GOING OUT TO ENJOY A FAMILY DAY AT THE MOVIES, ALL OF THESE CHOICES, THE PARENTS ARE HAVING TO MAKE SIMPLY BECAUSE THE COST OF CHILDCARE IS TOO HIGH.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONE OF NINE EMPTY CLASSROOMS IN THE BUILDING AND THAT'S NOT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ENOUGH ENROLLMENT.

THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS NOT ENOUGH STAFF.

>> OUR PROFIT MARGINS ARE IN THE NEGATIVE RANGE.

CHILDCARE WORKERS BELONG TO ONE OF THE ONLY WORKFORCES WHERE THE WORKER CANNOT AFFORD THE SAME SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.

WITHOUT LEAVING THE INDUSTRY OR RECEIVING TUITION ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE.

THEY GENERALLY HAVE NO RETIREMENT OR MEDICAL BENEFITS, ARE MORE THAN TWICE AS LIKELY AS THE AVERAGE AMERICAN TO RELY ON SOCIAL SERVICES TO MEET THEIR MOST BASIC NEEDS.

IT IS NO WONDER OUR APPLICANT POOL IS NONEXISTENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN BIG BOX STORES LIKE COSTCO AND TARGET ARE PAYING UPWARDS OF $25 AN HOUR WHILE OFFERING BENEFITS SUCH AS MEDICAL, DENTAL, RETIREMENT, AND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> Reporter: SENATOR MENENDEZ SAYS HE WILL MAKE SURE ANY BILL INCLUDES THE CHALLENGES AND STRUGGLES DISCUSSED BY MOMS TODAY.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA .

>>> A SECOND BOOSTER SHOT COULD BE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE 50 YEARS AND OLDER.

ONE BOOSTER IS FADING.

MANY PEOPLE WITH WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEMS OR VACCINE ALLERGIES ARE STILL UNABLE TO GET THEIR FIRST DOSE AND A TREATMENT CAN PROTECT THEM IN PLACE OF THE VACCINE IS SITTING ON SHELVES LARGELY UNUSED, ACCORDING TO A RECENT REPORT IN THE NEW YORK TIMES.

THE TREATMENT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO PREVENT INFECTION FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AND IS MEANT TO BE GIVEN BEFORE A COVID INFECTION, WHICH MANY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ARE STILL UNAWARE OF.

THE NUMBER OF COVID CASES IN NEW JERSEY HAS HELD STEADY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS.

617 NEW CASES WERE REPORTED.

ONLY ONE NEW DEBT.

ARE THESE NUMBERS A SIGN THAT COVID IS RECEDING OR ARE LESS PEOPLE TESTING THESE DAYS?

IT IS A QUESTION HEALTHCARE EXPERTS ARE TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON AS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL NO LONGER PAY FOR COVID TESTING STARTING TOMORROW.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN HEADED TO A TESTING LOCATION TODAY TO SEE WHO IS STILL TURNING OUT.

>> I'M HERE TO GET A TEST BECAUSE I'M NOT FEELING WELL.

>> Reporter: ELIZABETH DROVE RIGHT UP TO THE COVID TEST SITE.

NO WAITING.

SHE GOT A NOSE SWAB THROUGH THE CAR WINDOW.

SHE OPTED FOR THIS MORE RELIABLE PCR TEST INSTEAD OF USING A HOME TEST KIT.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT FEELING WELL, YOU NEED THE STANDARD PCR TEST.

THAT IS THE BEST TEST OUT THERE.

IF YOU HAVE IT AVAILABLE TO YOU, WHY NOT GET THE BEST TEST YOU CAN GET?

>> Reporter: SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE WORRIED ABOUT ACTUALLY HAVING COVID.

WITH CASELOADS PLUNGING, TESTING VOLUMES TAKING TWO, IT IS DOWN HERE BY 50% FROM 19 TO 10,000 IN THE LAST MONTH.

CUSTOMERS EACH LISTED A DIFFERENT REASON FOR GETTING TESTED AND PRAISED THE DRIVE THROUGH FOR OFFERING A QUICK AND EASY SOLUTION.

>> I AM TRAVELING SO I NEED A COVID TEST BEFORE I ARRIVED TO MY DESTINATION TO PROVE I'M NEGATIVE.

>> I AM A FIRST RESPONDERS I'M AROUND SICK PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

I LIKE TO GET TESTED BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> Reporter: BACK IN DECEMBER, CARS LINED UP FROM HERE TO THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY.

POLICE HAD TO DIRECT TRAFFIC AS THOUSANDS LINED UP FOR COVID TESTS.

>> WE HAVE A STEEP DECLINE OF PEOPLE LOOKING FOR TESTING.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THAT HAPPENING?

>> A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO TESTS MORE READILY THAN THEY USE TO.

>> Reporter: FOLKS CAN BUY CHEAP AT HOME TEST KITS, EVEN ORDER THEM FOR FREE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT THEY ARE NOT AS ACCURATE AND RESULTS DON'T GET REPORTED TO PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE DRAWBACKS I'M DOING AN AT-HOME TEST.

WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION AND YOU HAVE A SEARCH.

>> Reporter: THIS COULD LEAVE OFFICIALS OPEN TO GETTING BLINDSIDED BY A COVID SURGE.

THERE IS ANOTHER WAY TO MONITOR THE VIRUS'S MOVEMENT THROUGH THE COMMUNITY, BY TESTING SEWAGE.

WE DO THIS IN BERGEN COUNTY AND NEW YORK.

>> THE ONES WE TEST FOR ARE THE RNA FRAGMENTS FROM THE VIRUS.

THEN WE TEST THE CONCENTRATION AND BASED ON THAT, WE CAN SEE IS THIS INCREASING?

IS IT A STEADY INCREASE?

IS IT A BUMP WHERE SOME PEOPLE HAVE HAD IT AND NOW IT'S GONE AWAY?

>> Reporter: FOR EXAMPLE, RECENT TESTS SHOWED NO REAL CHANGES.

OMICRON STILL CAUSING 60% OF CASES WHILE BA.2 IS CAUSING 25%.

IN EDGEWATER, THE CONCENTRATION OF VIRUS AND SEWAGE IS TRENDING SLIGHTLY UP RESEARCHERS SAY.

IT IS WELL BELOW WINTER'S OMICRON SEARCH.

>> THERE IS A HIGH RATE OF INFECTION A FEW WEEKS AGO.

TWO OR THREE WEEKS AGO.

THAT, WE CAN SEE QUITE CLEARLY.

>> Reporter: IT IS A CANARY IN A COAL MINE.

MEANWHILE IN CAMDEN COUNTY, WHICH SET A RECORD FOR 1805 POSITIVE ON JANUARY 8th, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TESTING POSITIVE PLUMMETED OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS TO SINGLE DIGITS.

4 OF 8 SITES WERE CLOSED.

HEALTH OFFICIALS PUSHING FOLKS TO GET VACCINATED NOW, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT'S RUNNING OUT OF MONEY TO PAY FOR COVID TESTING AND SHOTS.

CAMDEN IS EXPLORING STATE AID AND GRANTS.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THE PUBLIC IN THE COUNTY DO NOT HAVE REQUIRED INSURANCE.

IF POSSIBLE, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO COUGH UP THIS FUNDING, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION STATED WITHOUT NEW FUNDING FROM CONGRESS IT WILL STOP REIMBURSING PROVIDERS FOR COVID TESTS STARTING TOMORROW AND FOR VACCINATIONS IN APRIL.

THE VIRUS IS STILL HERE, BUT WITH FEWER TEST RESULTS, IT WILL BE HARDER TO SEE.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN , NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> WHILE THE STATE TRIES TO KEEP UP WITH THE CHANGING REALITIES OF COVID, UNIVERSITIES TRYING TO KEEP PACE WITH THE PUBLIC'S FEELINGS ON IT.

A POLL WAS RELEASED GIVING A SENSE OF WHERE THE PUBLIC LIES ON ISSUES LIKE COVID SAFETY RESTRICTIONS, VACCINE MANDATES, AND LONG-TERM RESPONSES TO THE PANDEMIC.

JOINING ME NOW TO DISCUSS WHAT THE POLL REVEALS ABOUT PUBLIC PERCEPTION IS DIRECTOR PATRICK MURRAY.

WE ARE SEEING A SHIFT IN THE PUBLIC SUPPORT OF COVID RESTRICTIONS, LIKE MASKING.

TELL US WHAT YOUR RECENT POLL SHOWS.

>> YES.

NATIONALLY WE ARE SEEING A DROP FROM LAST MONTH WHEN ABOUT HALF OF THE PUBLIC SUPPORTED MASKING GUIDELINES, SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES, UP FROM 60% IN THE FALL.

THAT IS UP TO A THIRD.

A THIRD OF THE PUBLIC SUPPORTS THIS.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES AND WORKPLACES, THAT NUMBER HASN'T SHIFTED.

IT'S 43%, WHICH IS WHERE IT WAS BACK IN JANUARY.

I THINK WE HAVE A MIXED REVIEW OF THINGS WE ARE SEEING IN THE POLL WITH A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC, OVER TWO-THIRDS, SUPPORTING THE CDC RELAXING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MASKING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THERE IS A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FOR MAINTAINING VACCINE MANDATES.

WE STILL HAVE TO FOCUS ON THAT BUT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN UP ON GETTING THE BASIC VACCINE RATE UP ANYMORE BECAUSE THERE CONTINUE TO BE HOLDOUTS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU SEEING IN TERMS OF CALLS FOR CONSISTENCY WHEN IT COMES TO THE GUIDANCE?

>> WELL, THIS IS INTERESTING BECAUSE LAST MONTH -- OR BACK IN JANUARY, WE MADE HEADLINES WHEN WE SAID IT'S TIME TO MOVE ON WITH LIFE AND, YOU KNOW, EXCEPT THAT COVID IS HERE TO STAY.

OUR HYPOTHESIS BACK THEN WAS THIS WAS BECAUSE PEOPLE WANTED CONSISTENCY.

THEY EITHER WANTED NO REGULATIONS OR CONSISTENT REGULATIONS.

ABOUT HALF THE PUBLIC STILL WANT TO ADJUST REGULATIONS AS NEW VARIANTS POP UP.

GETTING ON WITH LIFE MEANS ACCEPTING THE UNCERTAINTY FROM PEOPLE THAT COVID WILL CONTINUE TO POSE CHALLENGES IN THE FUTURE AND WE WILL HAVE TO ADAPT TO THOSE CHALLENGES AS THEY ARISE.

>> A LOT OF WHAT DROVE PEOPLE'S EARLY ACCEPTANCE OF THE GUIDANCE WAS FEAR, RIGHT?

FEAR OF THEMSELVES GETTING SICK, THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS GETTING SICK.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF THE PUBLIC'S FEAR OF COVID?

>> IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE 23% SAY THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT A FAMILY MEMBER GETTING COVID.

WE HAVE BEEN ASKING THAT QUESTION SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, OVER TWO YEARS NOW.

THAT IS AN ALL TIME LOW.

IT MENTIONS THE LOW WE SAW LAST SUMMER.

WE HAVE THIS LEVEL OF INFECTIONS.

IT COMES AT THE SAME TIME THAT INFECTIONS ARE GOING UP.

HALF THE PUBLIC HAVE REPORTED THEY, THEMSELVES, HAVE HAD COVID.

PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTING THAT.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET IT.

HOPEFULLY WITH THE VACCINES, IT'S SOMETHING WE CAN GET THROUGH FAIRLY QUICKLY WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS -- HEALTH PROBLEMS.

THE INFECTION RATE IS GOING UP.

>> IF THERE IS ONE THING WE KNOW, THIS IS A VERY FLUID AND CHANGING SITUATION, SOMETHING YOUR POLL REFLECTS.

YES?

>> YES, I THINK SO.

WE THOUGHT PEOPLE WANTED MORE CONSISTENCY HERE, BUT I THINK LOOKING AT COVID AS BEING ENDEMIC, WE HAVE A SPLIT PUBLIC BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO SAY WE STILL NEED TO BE NIMBLE.

WE STILL NEED TO ADDRESS ISSUES AS THEY ARISE.

AND ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE PEOPLE WHO SAY WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG.

LET'S JUST FORGET ABOUT IT AND GET ON WITH LIFE.

>> PATRICK MURRAY, THANKS FOR THE PERSPECTIVE AS ALWAYS.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>>> GOVERNOR MURRAY SIGNED A BILL TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

THE NEW LAW WILL EXTEND THE MORATORIUM ON UTILITY SHUT OFF FOR RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY BEGUN THE APPLICATION FOR COVID RELAY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, OR DCA, AND HAVING YET BEEN APPROVED.

THEY WILL HAVE 60 DAYS TO COMPLETE THEIR APPLICATIONS.

DCA WILL HAVE 90 DAYS TO APPROVE OR DENY IT.

850,000 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE A COMBINED TOTAL OF $700 MILLION ON THEIR GAS AND ELECTRIC BILLS.

ADVOCATES SAY MANY DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE STATE AID THAT CAN HELP THEM PAY THEIR UTILITY BILLS AFTER SUFFERING FINANCIAL LOSSES BROUGHT ON BY COVID.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN UNVEILED HIS FEDERAL BUDGET TODAY AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS TALK OF TAX HIKES FOR THE WEALTHY.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS PLUS THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES OF THE DAY.

HOW MUCH IS IN THERE?

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN PUT TOGETHER A $5.8 TRILLION FEDERAL BUDGET TODAY THAT RAISES TAXES ON THE WEALTHY AND INCREASES SPENDING FOR DEFENSE AND DOMESTIC PROGRAMS.

ON THE DOMESTIC FRONT, THE PRESIDENT PROPOSES MORE FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MANUFACTURING INVESTMENTS, AND ANTI-GUN VIOLENCE PROGRAMS INCLUDING MONEY FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO HIRE MORE POLICE OFFICERS.

THE BUDGET INCREASES DEFENSE SPENDING AND ALLOCATES FUNDS SPECIFICALLY TO COUNTER RUSSIA'S WAR AGAINST UKRAINE.

TAXES WOULD INCREASE FOR HOUSEHOLDS WORTH MORE THAN $100 MILLION.

THE TOP INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX RATE WOULD INCREASE TO 39.6% FROM 37%.

THE PRESIDENT ALSO WANTS TO INCREASE THE CORPORATE TAX RATE.

IT IS UP TO CONGRESS TO DEBATE THE PROPOSAL.

>>> IN NEW JERSEY, THE STATE SENATE WILL HOLD A HEARING TOMORROW ON GOVERNOR MURPHY'S PROPOSED BUDGET.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS OBTAINED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE BUDGET THROUGH A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST .

OUR JOHN REITMEYER LOOKED INTO ONE-SHOT REVENUE SOURCES FOR SPENDING.

THE DOCUMENTS HE OBTAINED INDICATES $2.5 BILLION IN REVENUE WOULD CONTINUE TO COME FROM NONRECURRING SOURCES.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY LAID OUT A GOAL WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE OF GETTING A HOLD OF NEW JERSEY'S PROBLEMS WITH RELYING TOO HEAVILY ON ONE.

THE NEW BUDGET WOULD ADD 5% OF SPENDING.

A BIG CHUNK OF THAT IS THE SPEND NOW SURPLUS.

YOU KNOW, THAT IS A LITTLE IMPROVEMENT FROM THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT NOT QUITE WHERE MURPHY SAID MURPHY SHOULD BE PRE-PANDEMIC.

>> FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS, CHECK OUT JON'S STORY ON NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> THE BAN ON PLASTIC BAGS GOES INTO EFFECT IN EARLY MAY BUT FOOD BANKS WON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT RIGHT AWAY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS SIGNED A BILL GIVING THEM A SIX-MONTH EXTENSION TO COMPLY WITH THE BAN ON SINGLE-USE BAGS.

THE STATE IS DIRECTED TO USE $600,000 TO PROVIDE CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS WITH 500,000 FREE REUSABLE CARRYOUT BAGS.

>>> TRANTER MERCER AIRPORT HAS BEEN GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT BY THE FAA TO EXPAND.

THE DECISION COMES AFTER SOME WORRIES OF INCREASED NOISE IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS NEAR THE AIRPORT.

>>> HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

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

MEMBERSHIP AND EVENT INFORMATION ONLINE AND THE IR L TOGETHER FIND.

ESSEX COUNTY AND BRANCH BROOK PARK ALLIANCE, A HEALTH AND WELLNESS FESTIVAL COMING TO ESSEX COUNTY APRIL 2nd AND THIRD.

DETAILS ONLINE.

>>> THE ST. PETER'S UNIVERSITY PEACOCKS SHOCKED THE WORLD WHEN THEY DEFEATED PURDUE TO REACH THE ELITE EIGHT ROUND OF THE NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT BECOMING THE FIRST 15 SEAT TO EVER MAKE IT THAT FAR, BUT THE CINDERELLA RUN ENDED ON SUNDAY WITH A HEARTBREAKING LOSS TO THE MIGHTY NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS.

TED GOLDBERG HAD A FRONT ROW SEAT OF THE ACTION AND REPORTS ON WHAT IT WAS LIKE WATCHING THE PEACOCKS MAKE HISTORY IN PHILLY THIS WEEKEND AND ON THEIR LASTING LEGACY.

>> Reporter: HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE ST. PETER'S STUNNING RUN IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT?

>> PANDEMONIUM.

EXHILARATING.

ELECTRIFYING.

EXCITING.

>> Reporter: EILEEN CAN THINK OF A FEW WORDS.

SHE HAS WORKED AT ST. PETER'S SINCE 1967 AND WAS PART OF THE MASSIVE FLOCK OF PEACOCKS IN PHILADELPHIA SUNDAY.

CHEERING ON THE DARLINGS OF THIS YEAR'S BIG DANCE.

>> LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE.

>> Reporter: WHAT YOU ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS WHY I LIKE GOING TO THEIR GAMES.

THEY PLAYED 40 MINUTES.

IT IS SKIN TO SKIN DEFENSE.

THEY ARE HONEST KIDS.

THEY PLAYED THEIR HEARTS OUT.

ONCE A PEACOCK, ALWAYS A PEACOCK.

ST. PETER'S RUN IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT IS BRINGING GLORY TO THE UNIVERSITY'S OTHER TEAMS, SAYS ALUM CATHERINE.

>> ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS I WENT THERE AND I PLAYED FOR THEM.

I'M REALLY PROUD ABOUT IT.

I'VE HAD RANDOM PEOPLE WATCHING THE GAMES AND REACHING OUT AND CONGRATULATING US, SAYING HOW PROUD THEY ARE OF THE PROGRAM.

IT'S EXCITING TO BE HERE TODAY.

>> Reporter: AND PRAYS FOR THOSE IN THE POOL.

>> I DON'T EVEN PLAY BASKETBALL , BUT I HAVE PEOPLE CONGRATULATING ME LIKE I DID SOMETHING.

IT IS AWESOME.

EVERY DAY I HAVE A NEW PERSON ASK ME THAT.

THEY ARE LIKE, YO, CONGRATS.

>> Reporter: DESPITE TRASH TALK FROM NORTH CAROLINA FANS, FANS OF THE JERSEY CITY JENNA WITS SCHOOL HAD FAITH THAT AFTER SHOCKING PURDUE FRIDAY NIGHT, A FOURTH STRAIGHT UPSET WAS POSSIBLE.

>> THEY CAN DO IT.

>> WE BEAT KENTUCKY.

WE BEAT PURDUE.

WE WILL BEAT UNC TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: FANS PILED INTO THE WELLS FARGO CENTER AND CHEERED ON THEIR PEACOCKS FOR WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE THE LAST TIME THIS SEASON.

>> THE CINDERELLA STORY OF THE WHOLE TOURNAMENT.

THEY PLAYED SO WELL.

YOU CAN'T BUY A BUCKET.

IT'S VERY TOUGH.

>> FOR ALL OF THE COMPETITORS WHO EXPECTED US TO WIN THE GAME, I DIDN'T GO OUR WAY.

THE COACH TOLD US TO KEEP OUR HEADS HIGH.

WHAT WE DID IS SOMETHING NO ONE HAS EVER DONE BEFORE.

WE WILL WALK OUT OF HERE WITH OUR HEADS HELD HIGH.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE A GOOD REASON TO FEEL THAT WAY.

>> WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, BABY!

>> Reporter: THE FIRST 15 SEAT TO REACH THE ELITE EIGHT, BECOMING A FEEL-GOOD STORY FOR ALL.

>> I AM SO PROUD OF THEM.

THEY HAVE WORKED HARD.

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE UNDERDOGS.

IT'S NICE TO SEE THAT PEOPLE KNOW WHO WE ARE NOW.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO SAY THEY ARE HERE TO PLAY THE GAME?

THEY DON'T HAVE BIG NAME RECOGNITION.

>> OUT OF ALL OF THE YEARS I'VE GONE TO THE GAMES, I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE COULD HAVE MADE IT SO FAR.

>> THEY SHOCKED THE WORLD.

YOU'VE GOT GUYS THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THINGS THAT THEY CAN TELL THEIR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS.

IT IS A STORY WITHIN A STORY.

I AM SUPER PROUD OF THESE GUYS.

>> Reporter: THE BIG QUESTION FACING ST. PETER'S BASKETBALL, WHO LEADS THIS TEAM NEXT YEAR IF THE PEACOCKS CAN'T HOLD ON TO HOLLOWAY?

HE HAS BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS AND THERE IS NO DOUBT A LARGER PROGRAM MIGHT SWOOP IN AND TRY TO POACH HIM.

MAYBE SETON HALL?

THAT IS A PROGRAM LOOKING FOR A HEAD COACH RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS ALSO HOLLOWAY'S ALMA MATER.

REGARDLESS OF HOW THIS SHAKES OUT, HOLLOWAY WILL BE REMEMBERED AT ST. PETER'S FOR LEADING THE PEACOCKS' MAGICAL RUN TO THE ELITE EIGHT.

IN PHILADELPHIA, TED GOLDBERG, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> THAT WILL DO IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT HEAD OVER TO NJTVNEWS.ORG AND CHECK US OUT ON SOCIAL PLATFORMS WHERE WE WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED ON ALL OF THE NEWS IMPACTING THE GARDEN STATE.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT .

WE WILL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.

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

RWJBARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND ORSTED, COMMITTED TO A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS, BUT TRUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING, BUSINESS LEADERS, THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS, ANDY CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE OUR STATE A GREAT PLACE TO CALL HOME.

NJM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

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

>> THAT IS ME AND MY DAUGHTER.

WE WENT TO CELEBRATE OUR ANNIVERSARY.

>> WITH A KIDNEY, I FOUND NEW STRENGTH.

I AM EXPLORING EVERYWHERE AND FINDING NEW PLACES.

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

THAT'S POSSIBLE NOW.

>> TRANSFORMING LIVES THROUGH KIDNEY TREATMENTS, DONOR PROGRAMS, AND TWO PREMIER HOSPITALS.

>> I AM GETTING MY NORMAL LIFE