>>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS FOLLOWED BY NJ AND INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

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

♪ FROM NJ PBS, THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANNA VANNOZZI.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

A REALITY CHECK FROM STATE HEALTH LEADERS, WHO EARLIER, MONDAY, UNVEILED PREDICTIVE MODELS SHOWING THE SURGE OF COVID-19 INFECTIONS HITTING THE STATE.

THIS SCENARIO KEEPS US AT A MODERATE CASE.

CASES WILL PEAK IN MID APRIL.

THAT MEANS WE WILL SEE 5500 NEW CASES AND NEW CASES IN THE HOSPITAL.

IF WE DON'T KEEP UP WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASKING, A DIRE SCENARIO COULD PLAY OUT.

THERE ARE 3600 HOSPITALIZATIONS.

WE WON'T REACH LEVELS SCENE, LAST SPRING, WE ARE ALREADY IN ANOTHER WAVE OF THE VIRUS.

TODAY, REPORTING 4500 NEW POSITIVE TESTS AND 44 LIVES LOST, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE ICU ARE RISING.

ALL THE MORE REASON TO THROW SUPPORT BEHIND A FEDERALLY BACKED VACCINATION SITE IN NEWARK.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GAME CHANGER IN THE RACE TO GET SHOTS IN ARMS.

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> IT IS ORGANIZED.

EVERYTHING IS ORGANIZED.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL AND HIS WIFE SAY THEY DIDN'T WAIT LONG IN THE LINE THAT WOUND AROUND THE NEW FETID -- FEMA VACCINATION SITE.

IT MOVED BRISKLY AS PEOPLE ARRIVED FOR TIGHTLY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY AND GOT DIRECTED BY DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL THROUGH A MAZE OF VACCINATION STATIONS SET UP INSIDE THE CAVERNOUS REC CENTER.

THEY PROUDLY FLASHED THEIR PFIZER VACCINATION CARDS.

>> I HAVE FRIENDS WHO DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE SHOT.

THAT IS THEIR PREROGATIVE, AS LONG AS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL KEEP ME SAFE, HEALTHY -- WHAT CAN PROTECT ME AND MY FAMILY MYSELF -- I'M FOR IT.

>> IT'S A PRETTY GOOD MIX OF PEOPLE.

I THINK IT IS REACHING THE TARGET MARKET.

>> Reporter: FEMA'S HEAVIEST VACCINATION ARTILLERY AND THEIR AIM IS PUTTING VACCINATIONS IN ARMS IN NEWARK, WHERE ONLY 67% OF RESIDENTS ARE VACCINATED.

>> IT WAS VERY FAST!

YEAH.

I WAS IN, BEFORE I KNEW IT, I WAS DONE.

>> THE APPOINTMENT WAS SENT BY THE STATE COVID VACCINE REGISTRATION.

IT WAS GREAT.

I THOUGHT WAS -- THE LINE WAS A LITTLE INTIMIDATING, IT IS MOVING QUICKLY.

THEY ARE EFFICIENT.

>> YOU ARE ALL SET.

>> GOVERNOR MURPHY TOURED THE SITE OFFERING PRAISE AND CONGRATULATIONS, CALLING IT A GAME CHANGER THAT WILL HELP NEWARK AND ALL OF NEW JERSEY.

>> WE DIDN'T RESTRICT THE GEOGRAPHY.

WITH THESE EFFORTS, WE ARE MAKING A BIG PUSH INTO THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST OPERATION WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

SOME MEGA SITES, SOME COUNTIES IN NEWARK ARE BIG, BUT THIS THING IS THE GORILLA.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO GET AT LEAST 1000 PEOPLE A DAY IN THERE.

WE WANT TO AT LEAST HAVE THAT NUMBER AND MOVE UP FROM THERE.

>> Reporter: THE NEW YORK MAYOR SAYS HALF THE PEOPLE IN THE CITY DON'T DRIVE, AND MOST PEOPLE PREFER LOCALIZED NEIGHBOR AND CHURCH VACCINATION CLINICS.

>> YOU JUST HAVE TO WORK EXTRA HARD, [ INDISCERNIBLE ] WE GOT TO GET THEM TO THIS SITE.

THE BEST THING FOR US IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE IMMEDIATE ACCESS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE ARE IN THE THIRD WAVE IN NEW JERSEY.

>> Reporter: THEY WARN THAT ADMISSIONS ARE CLIMBING UP 28% STATEWIDE OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS WITH A PEEK EXPECTED IN MAY.

>> ALL WE HAVE TO SEE IS AN ADDITIONAL THREE OR FOUR PERCENT INCREASE, WE WILL BREAK THE WAVE AT THE UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.

AGAIN, THIS IS CONCERNING THE CONTEXT THAT NOT ENOUGH NEW YORKERS BEING VACCINATED -- SO THIS FEMA SITE CANNOT COME SOON ENOUGH.

>> WE EXPECT TO BE HERE A MINIMUM OF SIX WEEKS.

IT COULD BE A LOT LONGER.

AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO KEEP THE PEOPLE IN THE AREA VACCINATED -- >> HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEYANS ARE GOING TO BE ELIGIBLE APRIL 5th.

THAT IS WHEN FOLKS AGE 55 AND OLDER ARE GOING TO BE ON BOARD.

IN NEWARK, I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THEY ARE EXPECTING A BOOST IN THE VACCINE A SHIPMENT, INCLUDING MORE OF THE ONE AND DONE SHOTS, WHICH ARE BEING USED IN THE SO-CALLED HARD-TO- REACH AREAS.

ACROSS THE STATE, MORE THAN 4.2 MILLION VACCINES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED WITH MORE THAN ONE HALF MILLION RESIDENTS NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

THERE IS NEWS, TONIGHT, ABOUT THE SHOTS PARENTS WILL WANT TO HEAR.

PFIZER AND BIONTECH ANNOUNCED THAT THE COVID-19 VACCINE WAS 100% EFFECTIVE IN A STUDY OF 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS.

THE SHOT WAS WELL TOLERATED IN THE GROUP AND SHOWED A STRONGER IMMUNE RESPONSE IN THEIR SYSTEMS.

THE COMPANY IS PLANNING TO SUBMIT THE DATA TO THE FPA -- FDA IN COMING WEEKS.

THEY ARE SEEKING AUTHORIZATION FOR THE YOUNGER POPULATION.

WE ASKED AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR PUTTING AN END TO THIS PANDEMIC.

>> DR. SOLERA, ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS, HERE?

THIS IS PRETTY BIG NEWS WHEN IT COMES TO OUR KIDS AND PARENTS, ESPECIALLY.

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS POTENTIALLY BIG, GOOD NEWS, ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS WHO HAVE BEEN HESITANT ABOUT SENDING THEIR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL.

AS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT ACADEMIC YEAR STARTING IN THE FALL, KNOWING WE SHOULD HAVE A LARGER POPULATION OF ADULTS HAVING THE VACCINE, AND WE COULD START VACCINATING THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN GETTING SCHOOLS REOPENED.

>> WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT HOW IT WORKS IN THIS PARTICULAR POPULATION?

>> SO THEY HAVE NOT RESTORED A LOT OF THE DATA.

FROM THE PRESS RELEASE, THERE WERE OVER 200,000 CHILDREN AGED 2 TO 15 INCLUDED IN THE STUDY.

OF THOSE, ONLY 18 DEVELOPED THE VIRUS.

-- THEY TESTED POSITIVE.

THEY WERE ALL IN THE PLACEBO GROUP, MEANING OF ALL THE TRIALS WE HAVE SEEN IN THIS AGE GROUP, THIS IS THE HIGHEST EFFICACY WE HAVE SEEN YET, 100% EFFICACY.

>> YOU KNOW, WE UNDERSTAND THAT KIDS HAVE A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM, ESPECIALLY THIS AGE GROUP.

WHY THE PUSH TO GET THEM VACCINATED?

WE KNOW IT DOESN'T AFFECT THEM THE SAME WAY IT DOES ADULTS.

>> THEY TEND NOT TO SHOW SYMPTOMS IN THE SAME WAY.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT ASYMPTOMATIC SPREAD AND THE ABILITY, PARTICULARLY, OF CHILDREN UNDER 12 AND ABOVE TO TRANSMIT THE VIRUS, THEY ARE GOING TO BE COME AN IMPORTANT PART IN CONTROLLING THE SPREAD.

>> WHAT DO WE KNOW SO FAR ABOUT THE PARTICIPANTS, THE BACKGROUNDS?

WHERE DO THEY GET PULLED FROM?

>> SO THAT IS ONE OF THE PIECES THAT IS STILL MISSING.

THEY HAVEN'T RELEASED THAT INFORMATION YET.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW, AND WHAT I THINK WILL BE IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND, WE KNOW THESE ARE ALL AGE 12 TO 15, BUT WERE THERE A LARGER PROPORTION THAT WERE 12 AND 13 VERSUS 15-YEAR- OLD RANGE?

WE DON'T KNOW HOW DIVERSE THE SAMPLE SIZE WAS.

WE REALLY JUST DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE DEMOGRAPHICS.

I THINK THAT WILL BECOME INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> DO YOU ANTICIPATE THERE BEING PUSHED BACK OR QUESTIONS LIKE WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CURRENT ELIGIBLE POPULATION ABOUT GETTING VACCINATED?

>> WE ARE ALREADY SEEING THAT.

I WENT ON TO PULL SOME OF THE DATA TO UNDERSTAND THIS BETTER.

YOU CAN SEE FROM COMMON SECTIONS THAT THERE IS CONCERN ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR CHILDREN, WITH THE IMPACT WILL BE IN 10 OR 15 YEARS.

THESE TRIALS WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THESE CHILDREN FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS.

I SUSPECT THAT WILL GO MUCH LONGER.

THIS IS A PHASE THREE TRIAL.

PHASE FOUR TRIALS ARE CLOSED MARKET.

THAT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN ANY NEW DRUG OR VACCINE -- I THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED.

I THINK THERE IS HEALTHY CONCERN, BUT I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE REAL AND PRESENT DANGER AROUND CORONAVIRUS THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> IS THERE A CHANCE IF THE STUDIES PAN OUT THAT KIDS COULD BE GETTING VACCINATED BY THE FALL?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE ON THE TIMELINE TO DO THAT.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS, PFIZER IS LOOKING TO ADD THIS WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH TO RELEASE THEIR DATA TO THE FDA.

ONCE THE FDA DOES THEIR EVALUATION, WE MAY BE LOOKING AT STARTING TO VACCINATE THIS AGE RANGE I LATE AUGUST.

>> STEPHANIE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT, TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> BETWEEN NEWS OF THE ADOLESCENT TRIAL AND THE INCREASED ROLLOUT OF SHOTS, HEALTH LEADERS ARE GROWING MORE AND MORE CONFIDENT OUR KIDS WILL BE BACK IN THEIR CLASSROOMS THIS FALL.

THEY'RE CLARIFYING A BOLD STATEMENT MADE LAST WEEK BY GOVERNOR MURPHY TAKING ALL VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTIONS OFF THE TABLE COME SEPTEMBER.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS SINCE WALKED BACK THAT IDEA, LEAVING REMOTE OPTIONS FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT.

THE ROAD TO GET BACK TO IN PERSON LEARNING WILL LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT FOR EACH DISTRICT.

HOW QUICKLY CAN THEY GET THERE?

>> WE IMPROVED ENOUGH TO INVITE EVERYONE BACK.

THAT WAS A BIG STEP FOR US.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS THE VERY FIRST.

FAST FORWARD TO MARCH 26th.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S SUPERINTENDENT SAYS 70% OF STUDENTS WERE BACK TO A FULL TIME IN PERSON SCHEDULE LAST WEEK.

WHILE THE OTHER 30% OPTED TO STAY VIRTUAL.

BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US THINGS CAN CHANGE IN AN INSTANT.

>> TAKING A STEP BACKWARDS IS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING.

>> Reporter: ON FRIDAY, HE MADE THE CALL TO SHUT DOWN THE BUILDING AND RETURN TO AN ALL VIRTUAL MODEL BECAUSE OF A COVERT OUTBREAK.

>> HOW ABOUT THOSE NOTES?

DID YOU FINISH THOSE?

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED, THIS YEAR.

>> WE HAVE SIGNIFICANT STUDENT POSITIVES, SIGNIFICANT STAFF POSITIVES, SIGNIFICANT FAMILY POSITIVES, AND SIGNIFICANT QUARANTINES.

>> JUST THIS MONTH, HE HAD 15 STAFF MEMBERS TEST POSITIVE.

HE THINKS THE STATE SHOULD HAVE MADE TEACHERS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE SOONER BECAUSE THAT WOULD HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.

>> TO SEE HOW TEACHERS TOOK THE BALL AND RAN WITH IT IN TERMS OF ALL THE SUDDEN BEING THRUST INTO VIRTUAL TEACHING -- MY STAFF IS QUITE AMAZED.

>> THIS IS ONE SNAPSHOT OF WHERE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE, TODAY.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, 535 SCHOOLS ARE HYBRID.

148 ARE FULL TIME, IN PERSON, 85% ARE ALL REMOTE, AND 43 HAVE A MIX IN THE DISTRICT.

GOVERNOR PHIL MURPHY ANNOUNCED IN A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, THE INCONSISTENCY WILL CHANGE.

WHEN ASKED IF PARENTS WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO DO VIRTUAL LEARNING COMPANY -- COME SEPTEMBER, HE REPLIED -- >> WE ARE EXPECTING MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, EVERY DISTRICT.

OBVIOUSLY, IF THE WORLD GOES SIDEWAYS, WE HAVE TO REVISIT THAT.

AS OF THIS SITTING, THE ANSWER IS NO.

>> Reporter: HE FURTHER CLARIFIED SAYING TEACHERS AND STUDENTS WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS WOULD HAVE THE OPTION TO STAY IN THE VIRTUAL MODEL.

HAVING THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS -- IS IT EVEN FEASIBLE?

THE NEW JERSEY ASSOCIATION SECRETARY-TREASURER HOPES THE ANSWER IS YES.

IT SAYS, THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS FROM VACCINATION RATES TO SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS THAT ALSO NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

>> WHETHER THAT IS BETTER VENTILATION SYSTEMS, NEW BUILDINGS, ADDING THINGS IN THERE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE AND CLEAN, WE HAVE THE RIGHT STAFFING IN THOSE SCHOOLS -- >> THE KIDS SHOULD BE BACK IN SCHOOL THE WAY WE ARE DOING IT RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE ALL THE STUDENTS WHO ARE IN PERSON, AND WE HAVE THE OPTION FOR THEM TO BE REMOTE AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS FOR THE MOUNT OLIVE SCHOOL DISTRICT -- STUDENTS HAVE ALL BEEN BACK TOGETHER FULL TIME SINCE LAST WEEK.

40% HAVE OPTED TO REMAIN VIRTUAL.

>> WHAT WE LEARNED OVER THE LAST YEAR IS THAT THE MITIGATION STRATEGIES WORK.

MASKING, SOCIAL DISTANCING -- CONTACT TRACING IS FANTASTIC.

ON TOP OF THAT, WE HAVE ON-SITE TESTING AS WELL.

>> I, MYSELF, HAVE HESITATED PUTTING FORTH PREDICTIONS THAT MAY NOT COME TRUE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THE GOVERNOR SAID THAT.

I UNDERSTAND THAT MIGHT BE IN HIS HEART.

I DON'T AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT.

I'M VERY HOPEFUL IT IS RIGHT.

BUT GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WHO KNOWS?

>> RIGHT NOW, HIS CONCERN LIKE OTHER DISTRICTS IS GETTING CONCERN SAFETY AFTER SPRING BREAK.

BUT THE GOVERNORS MANDATE, COME SEPTEMBER, IT'S SIX LONG MONTHS AWAY.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> SOME OF THOSE NEEDS FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING COULD BE ADDRESSED IN THE $2 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BLUEPRINT.

IS BEING COMPLETED -- COMPARED TO PLANS NOT SEEN SINCE THE NEW DEAL.

THE PROPOSAL UNVEILED, TODAY, THEY WOULD SCALE UP AREAS OF INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDING ROADS AND BRIDGES.

AT SOME LIKELY PROPONENTS ARE RAISING QUESTIONS ON HOW THEY WILL GET PAID, AND WHAT IS IN IT FOR JERSEY.

>> WE HAVE 6786 STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT BRIDGES IN NEW JERSEY.

>> THE BRIDGES NEED HELP.

THE ROADS NEED HELP.

YOU KNOW, THE WATER TREATMENTS, THE ELECTRICAL GRID NEEDS HELP.

>> WE WILL IMPLORE YOU WITH A LAUNDRY LIST OF MALADIES PLAGUING OUR HOUSE, BUT ON THE DAY WHEN DEMOCRATS WERE MAKING THEMSELVES VERY AVAILABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW INFRA STRUCTURE PLAN, THE MESSAGE WAS CLEAR.

HELP IS ON THE WAY.

115 BILLION FOR ROADS AND BRIDGES, 85 BILLION FOR PUBLIC TRANSIT, 80 BILLION FOR AMTRAK IN THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR, 25 BILLION FOR AIRPORTS.

BUT WAIT, AS THEY SAY, THERE IS MORE.

213 BILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING, 100 BILLION FOR BROADBAND, AND 45 BILLION TO REMEDIATE LED PIPELINES.

HE CALLED THE BIDEN PLAN HISTORIC, COMPARING IT TO EISENHOWER AND FDR, AND ITS SIZE AND IMPACT.

>> WE WILL GET A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE NORTHEAST CORRIDOR.

IT'S A MAJOR PRIORITY.

THAT IS DEALING WITH WHAT HAS BEEN KILLING OUR STATE AT THAT TIME, THE BACKUPS GETTING IT TO NEW YORK CITY -- TUNNELS OF THE HUDSON, MORE RELIABLE, HIGHER SPEED RAIL -- >> Reporter: AND GATEWAY, THE TUNNEL PROJECT THAT IS SO CLOSE TO THE REGION, FUNDED, AND NOW ON THE FAST TRACK TO GETTING STARTED.

>> IT MEANS PROVIDING GOOD PAYING JOBS.

IT'S A GREAT BOOST FOR OUR ECONOMY.

THE TUNNEL PROJECT, ITSELF, SHOULD CREATE AROUND 72,000 JOBS FOR THIS AREA, WHICH IS TREMENDOUS.

WE NEED THAT ESPECIALLY AFTER THE YEAR WE HAVE JUST HAD AND ALL THIS UNPREDICTABLE TIMING.

>> Reporter: SOMEONE HAS TO PAY FOR THIS.

REPUBLICANS ARE GEARING UP FOR A ROUND OF DEFICIT HUGS SQUAWKING AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROPOSED TAX HIKES THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO PAY FOR THE PLAN.

MEMBERS OF THE JERSEY DELEGATION SAY THEY DO WANT TO HEAR FROM GOP COLLEAGUES, BUT CAN PASS A LOT OF THIS PLAN THROUGH CONGRESS WITHOUT THEM.

>> I HOPE WE GET REPUBLICANS TO VOTE FOR IT.

IN THE LAST ADMINISTRATION, WE HAD INFRA STRUCTURE WEEK EVERY WEEK, AND WE NEVER GOT ANYTHING DONE.

>> THEY WILL BE THE FIRST ONES TO HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THAT DISTRICT, AND SAY, LOOK, THIS IS WHAT WE GOT.

>> THE WHITE HOUSE SAID THEY ARE FLEXIBLE.

IT TAKES WORK.

I ROLLED UP MY SLEEVES AND SAID, I'M READY TO GO TO WORK.

IT IS LITERALLY TOO IMPORTANT FOR JERSEY, FOR MY CONSTITUENTS, FOR EVERYONE NOT TO GET THIS DONE.

>> Reporter: MAYBE GIVE NEW JERSEY SOME BREATHING ROOM TO RETHINK HOW WE ENVISION GETTING AROUND THE GARDEN STATE BY MASS TRANSIT.

>> WE NEED TO EXPAND THE CONCEPT AND DEFINITION OF WHAT PUBLIC TRANSIT IS.

YOU KNOW?

RIGHT NOW, IT IS LIGHT RAIL, COMMUTER RAIL, BUSES TO GET PEOPLE TO WORK MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

IT IS A STRUCTURED PEAK, OFF- PEAK -- THE SERVICE IS DIMINISHED ON SATURDAYS, AND OFTEN TIMES NONEXISTENT ON SUNDAYS.

I THINK THIS IS THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY AND REPURCHASING TRANSIT TO SUIT OUR LIFE, NOT JUST THE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY WORK.

>> Reporter: THE SELLING OF THE PLAN AND THE DEBATE BEGINS, TODAY, WITH ARGUMENTS OVER THE DETAILS LOOMING.

I'M DAVID CRUZ.

NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> ACCORDING TO A NEW STOCKTON UNIVERSITY POLL, ONE OF THE ONLY BIDEN POLICIES STATE DEMOCRATS AND THE PUBLICANS APPEAR TO AGREE ON IS THE NEED FOR MORE STIMULUS MONEY.

IN A SURVEY, BOTH MAJOR PARTIES AGREED THAT THE STIMULUS CHECKS WEREN'T ENOUGH.

SMALL BUSINESSES NEED MORE RELIEF.

THE POLL ALSO FINDS A PARTISAN DIVIDE ON THE MINISTRATION.

DEMOCRATS WHO MAKE UP THE LARGEST VOTING BLOC IN THE STATE OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED THE PRESIDENT AT 91% WHILE FEWER REPUBLICANS DID 12%, THERE.

THE POLARIZATION THAT DEFINED THE 2020 ELECTION SEEMS TO BE CONTINUING, 99% OF DEMOCRATS ONLY FELT SOMEWHAT OR VERY CONFIDENT THAT BIDEN COULD EASE THE PANDEMIC.

47% OF REPUBLICANS AGREE.

>>> AS WE OFTEN DO, WE LOOK, TONIGHT, AT A NEW ADP JOBS REPORT FOR A LITTLE INSIGHT ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY.

RHONDA IS HERE WITH THE NUMBERS AND THE TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: PRIVATE BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HIRED MORE THAN 500,000 WORKERS IN MARCH.

IT WAS THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN SIX MONTHS.

NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP SAYS THERE WAS A HUGE JUMP IN HOSPITALITY JOBS AS BUSINESSES WERE REOPENING AND HIRING BACK WORKERS.

ANY YEAR THAT HAS BEEN DEVASTATING FOR SO MANY RETAILERS, PERHAPS IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE AMERICAN DREAM MALL WOULD FALL, HARD.

THE MALLS DEVELOPER HAS DEFAULTED ON ITS LOAN AFTER A CASH CRISIS, ACCORDING TO A REPORT IN THE FINANCIAL TIMES.

THEY SAY THAT THE LOAN IS BEING RESTRUCTURED, AND THE LENDERS WILL TAKE A BIG STAKE IN OTHER MALL PROPERTIES THAT 555 PUT UP AS COLLATERAL.

AMERICAN DREAM HAS NOT COMMENTED ON THIS REPORT.

THE MALL, OF COURSE, WAS SHUT DOWN DURING THE LOCKDOWN, LAST YEAR, BUT DID REOPEN LAST FALL.

THERE ARE PLANS FOR NEW ATTRACTIONS COMING THIS SPRING.

>>> THE NETHERLANDS CHAMBER HELD A VIRTUAL MARE SUMMIT, HIGHLIGHTING THE INNOVATIVE WAYS THAT COMMUNITIES ARE ASSISTING SMALL BUSINESSES.

JERSEY CITY MAYOR, STEPHEN PHILIP, POINTED TO HIS CITIES VACCINATION DRIVE, THIS WEEK, WHICH FOCUSED ON ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

BUT MAYOR PHILLIPS SAYS, BOTTOM LINE, SMALL BUSINESSES NEED MORE FINANCIAL HELP.

WITHOUT THAT, MORE WILL END UP CLOSING.

>> THE REALITY IS, WHILE YOU AND I MAY FEEL LIKE WE ARE CLOSER TO THE END OF THE PANDEMIC WITH THE VACCINES, THE TYPE OF HURT THAT THESE BUSINESSES HAVE EXPERIENCED OVER THE LAST YEAR LEADS TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THEY STILL HAVE A LONG, LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE THEY ARE CERTAIN THEY WILL SURVIVE.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR SAYS HE IS CONSIDERING GIVING ANOTHER ROUND OF GRANTS TO BUSINESSES ONCE JERSEY CITY RECEIVES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM THE LATEST COVID RELIEF PACKAGE.

>>> IN THE MEANTIME, BUSINESSES HAVE MORE TIME TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL PPP LOANS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS SIGNED A LAW EXTENDING THE PROGRAM FOR AN ADDITIONAL TWO MONTHS.

BUSINESSES HAVE UNTIL MAY 31st TO APPLY FOR A LOAN.

HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET TRADING FOR TODAY.

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

>>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY NJ USE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, A GAME CHANGING FORCE OFFERING PROGRAMS LIKE FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY, OR BUSINESS ANALYTICS AND DATA SCIENCE.

THREE STEPS AWAY FROM THE EXCHANGE PLACE PATHWAY IN NEW JERSEY, AND MINUTES FROM WALL STREET, LEARN MORE AT NJ SEE YOU.EDU/GAME CHANGER.

>>> FINALLY, TONIGHT, THERE HAS BEEN NO SHORTAGE OF HELPING HANDS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

QUIET DO-GOODERS ARE SERVING THEIR NEIGHBORS.

ONE WOMAN SAW A DESPERATE NEED TO FIGHT THE GROWING HUNGER PROBLEM IN HER COMMUNITY, SO SHE TURNED TO AN UNLIKELY PLACE, THE BACK OF A CLOSET IN THE OLD CRIPPLED UP WEDDING GOWN, YOU GET ANOTHER CHANCE TO DANCE, AND FEED A FAMILY.

JOANNA REPORTS AS PART OF THE ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

>> NOT ONLY ARE YOU GETTING SPACE BACK IN YOUR CLOSET, BUT YOUR DRESS GETS TO BE WORN AGAIN , AND YOU ARE HELPING A GREAT CAUSE.

>> Reporter: YOUR WEDDING DRESS, THAT IS, FOR ALL OF YOU BRIDES WHO THINK STORING IT IN A BOX IN THE ATTIC IS THE BEST PLAN, WELL, WE HAVE ANOTHER IDEA.

>> WE ARE SELLING DONATED WEDDING GOWNS TO RAISE MONEY FOR HUNGER.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS INSPIRED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN SHE WATCHED THE COVID SHUTDOWN SPIRAL PEOPLE INTO POVERTY.

SHE GATHERED LIKE-MINDED FRIENDS AND COLLECTED USED WEDDING DRESSES AND SELL THEM FOR ABOUT $700 ON AVERAGE, A MAJOR DISCOUNT FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE DRESS OF THEIR DREAMS.

>> WE WANT TO DO POP UP SALES IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER.

WE WANT TO OPEN A RETAIL SHOP THIS FALL.

OUR GOAL FOR THE LONG-TERM END OF 2022, WE HOPE TO HAVE DONATED $100,000 TO HUNGER RELIEF.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE PARTNERING WITH THE HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION, TABLE TO TABLE.

>> THIS IS A NON-RESCUE FOOD ORGANIZATION.

WE HAVE SEVEN TRUCKS ON THE ROAD EVERY DAY PICKING UP FOOD THAT WOULD BE WASTED IN GROCERY STORES, CATERING FACILITIES, MEAL KIT COMPANIES, AND IT IS FOOD THAT IS PERFECTLY GOOD TO EAT, BUT THEY CAN NO LONGER SELL, A BRUISED BANANA -- A BRUISED APPLE.

>> Reporter: THEY DELIVERED MEALS ACROSS FOUR COUNTIES.

IT WAS 10 MILLION MEALS MORE THAN THEIR GOAL FOR 2020.

THE INCREASE WAS BORN OUT OF THE DEVASTATION OF COVID, WRINGING OUT FAMILIES WHO NEVER DEALT WITH HUNGER BEFORE.

>> A WOMAN SAID TO US A FEW WEEKS AGO, MY HUSBAND LOST HIS BUSINESS.

I STILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FEED MY CHILDREN, YOU KNOW, AND FEED THE FAMILY.

AND THAT WAS SOMETHING, I THINK, WE NEVER EXPECT TO SEE.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS WE PAIRED WITH TABLE FOR TABLE, WE FELT THAT THEIR ETHOS REALLY LINED UP WITH OURS.

WHAT THEY DO IS TAKE NONPERISHABLE FOODS, BUT THEY ALSO CONNECT WITH RESTAURANTS AND PLACES THAT HAVE PERISHABLE FOODS TO GET THOSE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY WHILE THEY ARE STILL FRESH AND EDIBLE.

SO, IT REALLY TIED INTO THE REUSING DRESSES TO MAKE SURE THINGS DIDN'T GO TO WASTE.

>> EVERY DOLLAR OF THEIRS CAN PROVIDE AT LEAST THREE MEALS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED.

>> SO ONE PERSON'S DONATION CAN PROVIDE MULTIPLE MONTHS OF FOOD TO A FAMILY OF FIVE.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE COLLECTED 180 DRESSES, BRIDESMAID, MOTHER OF THE BRIDE, AND FLOWER GIRL DRESSES.

THEY ARE COVERING NORTH AND CENTRAL JERSEY.

>> HONESTLY, IT HAS MULTIPLIED SO QUICKLY.

IT HAS ALMOST BEEN OVERWHELMING AND SO EXCITING.

>> Reporter: THEY EXPECT TO HAVE A RETAIL STORE OPEN BY SEPTEMBER.

FOR NOW, ANY BRIDE WHO WANTS TO DONATE OR PURCHASE A USED DRESS, CAN FIND THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA OR ON THEIR WEBSITE, LACE FOR LOVE.ORG.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> FUNDING FOR HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATURAL CULTURE OF HEALTH THAT PROVIDES EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR AND JUST OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

>>> A REMINDER BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU, TO JOIN US FOR THE NJ SPOTLIGHT ROUNDTABLE TOMORROW AT 4:00 P.M., TAKING A DEEPER LOOK AT MATERNAL HEALTH IN OUR STATE.

BLACK MOTHERS MIGHT BE TWICE AS LIKELY AS WHITE MOTHERS TO DIE FROM PREGNANCY -RELATED COMPLICATIONS.

THEIR BABIES FACE EQUALLY GRAVE DISPARITIES.

THE FIRST LADY WILL DELIVER OPENING MARKS, LAYING OUT HER NURTURER NJ INITIATIVE, FOLLOWED BY A PANEL DISCUSSION.

HEAD OVER TO OUR WEBSITE TO REGISTER.

WHILE YOU ARE THERE, YOU CAN FOLLOW OUR LATEST REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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

RW J BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY, TOGETHER.

AND WERE STEAD, CREATING A LONG- TERM, SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

>>> I AM MILES.

AND THIS IS WHAT I WORK FOR, TO BE MY BEST FOR THEM, AND FOR ME, IN BODY, AND IN MIND.

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AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.

♪