>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR NJTV NEWS IS PROVIDED IN PART BY PSE&G, WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES.

AND HORIZON BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, AN INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF BLUECROSS AND BLUESHIELD ASSOCIATION.

THIS IS "NJ SPOTLIGHT" NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THE CDC ANNOUNCED SOME OF THE CLEAREST GUIDELINES FOR REOPENING OUR SCHOOLS, WE ARE SETTING ASIDE ABOUT $1 BILLION IN COVID RELIEF MONEY TO HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE, THE BULK OF IT WILL GO TOWARDS A LEARNING LOSS PLAN TO SUPPORT STUDENTS WHO HAVE STRUGGLED WITH LEARNING AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES UNDER WHAT WOULD'VE BEEN EXTREMELY STRESSFUL TIMES FOR DISTRICTS WILL BE ABLE TO APPLY FOR GRANTS SO THEY CAN ADD THINGS LIKE EXTRA ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING, SUMMER PROGRAMS, AND INTERVENTIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

DISTRICTS TRY TO MAKE DO WITH TEACHING DURING A PANDEMIC.

NO WORD YET FROM THE BINDING ADMINISTRATION AS TO WHETHER IT WILL ACCEPT NEW JERSEY'S APPLICATION AND WAVE THOSE FEDERAL TESTING REQUIREMENTS.

>> WHILE SCHOOLS AND EDUCATORS HAVE DONE TREMENDOUS WORK IN THIS EXTRAORDINARILY STRESSFUL PAST 11 MONTHS TO KEEP OUR KIDS LEARNING, WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS ARE STILL FACING, THEMSELVES, INCREDIBLE STRESS.

GIVING THE NEED TO ENSURE INSTRUCTIONAL TIME IS MAXIMIZED.

THE LEVEL OF STRESS ON THEM, EDUCATORS, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, PARENTS AND FAMILIES ARE MINIMIZED.

WE ARE PUTTING FORWARD THE WAIVER REQUEST.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, THE STATE IS SPLIT EVENLY IN HALF BETWEEN REGIONS REPORTING MODERATE AND HIGH RATES OF ROTAVIRUS CASES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A RISK MODEL SCHOOL LEADERS USED TO DETERMINE WHETHER THEY SHOULD ALLOW IN PERSON LEARNING.

THIS, AS MORE THAN 2600 POSITIVE CASES ARE REPORTED ACROSS THE STATE TODAY AND 64 MORE DEBTS.

EVEN WITH VACCINE DISTRIBUTION RAMPING UP, MASK WEARING IS HERE TO STAY.

IT TURNS OUT ONE MASK MIGHT NOT CUT IT ANYMORE.

TWO IS BETTER THAN ONE.

DOCTOR BHATI ENDORSED IT EARLIER THIS WEEK.

GOVERNOR MURPHY EMERGED FROM VOLUNTARY QUARANTINE SPORTING IT.

NEW RESEARCH FROM THE CDC SHOWS YOU ARE BETTER OFF WEARING TWO MASKS IF YOU'RE SINGLE PHASE COVERING DOESN'T FIT TIGHTLY OR HAVE MULTIPLE LAYERS.

MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS SLAPPING A NEW ONE ON TOP OF THE OLD.

THERE ARE A FEW BASIC RULES TO FOLLOW AND SOUND SCIENCE BEHIND IT.

TO GET THE LATEST, WE GO TO STEPHANIE SILVEIRA WHO SAYS SHE HAS BEEN DOUBLE MASKING FOR MONTHS.

>> DR. SILVEIRA, YOU ARE NOT NEW TO THIS GAME, BUT WHAT KIND OF CONCRETE DATA ARE WE LOOKING AT NOW THAT HAS CHANGED THE DECISION BEING MADE FOR THIS RESEARCH?

>> THERE ARE TWO ASPECTS, ONE IS THERE ARE THESE NEWER VARIANTS THAT HAVE HIGHER RATES OF TRANSMISSIBILITY THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE OTHER ARE THE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN SHOWN PRIMARILY ON MANNEQUINS, NOT ON PEOPLE, THAT WEARING TWO MASKS DECREASES THE POSSIBILITY THAT YOU HAVE RESPIRATORY PARTICLES ESCAPING TO THE FIRST MASK AND SPREADING TO OTHER PEOPLE.

>> IS THAT WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO START DOING THIS PRIOR TO THE CDC COMING OUT PRIOR TO SOME OF THESE STUDIES COMING OUT?

>> THERE HAS BEEN ENOUGH EVIDENCE ON THE EFFICACY OF MASKS, AND A LOT OF IT IS REALLY ABOUT NOT JUST THE NUMBER OF LAYERS, BUT THE FIT.

USUALLY HAVING TWO MASKS MAKES THE FIRST ONE BIT A FIT A BIT BETTER, CLOSER TO YOUR FACE.

SEEING THAT THE VARIANCE WERE STARTING TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD REALLY PROMPTED ME TO START WEARING TWO MASKS BACK IN NOVEMBER.

>> HOW CAN WE TELL IF THE MASK IS FITTING PROPERLY?

ARE THERE TELLTALE SIGNS?

>> FOR THOSE OF US THAT WEAR GLASSES, YES.

ONE OF THE TELLTALE SIGNS IS WHEN WE SPEAK, HOURGLASSES START TO SEE FOG UP.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DEVICES, PEOPLE ARE USING TAPE TO TAPE DOWN THE BRIDGE OF THE NOSE.

IF YOU ARE FEELING AIR, YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE ANY GAPS ON THE SIDE OF THE MASK.

REALLY MAKING SURE THAT IT'S AS TIGHT A FIT AS POSSIBLE, THAT'S THE IDEAL.

THERE'S ALSO JUST, TO NOTE, THAT WITH THE DOUBLE MASKING, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A SURGICAL TYPE OF MASK UNDER A CLOTH MASK.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT TWO CLOTH MASKS REALLY IMPROVE THE AMOUNT OF RESPIRATORY PARTICLES THAT ARE ESCAPING.

>> WHAT IS IT ABOUT THOSE DOUBLE LAYERS?

I HAVE READ THAT, STEPHANIE, THAT IT'S NOT JUST AS SIMPLE AS LET ME PICK ANY TWO OLD MASKS TO DOUBLE UP WITH.

>> IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SIZE OF THE HOLES IN EACH OF THE DIFFERENT MATERIALS.

HAVING TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF MATERIALS THAT CAN TRAP IN THE PARTICLES IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> DOES THAT CHANGE HOW MANY TIMES YOU CAN WEAR THAT MASK?

DO YOU GET A SECOND LIFE OUT OF THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE DOUBLE LAYERED?

>> YOU SHOULD BE REALLY THROWING THE INNER LAYER MASK, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S DISPOSABLE, YOU SHOULD THROW IT AWAY AFTER ONE USE BECAUSE IT'S LIKELY TO BECOME SATURATED WITH YOUR RESPIRATORY PARTICLES.

THE OUTER CLOTH MASK YOU SHOULD BE WASHING EVERY OTHER DAY REGARDLESS, WHICHEVER ONE IS OUTWARD FACING.

YOU SHOULD REALLY CONTINUE THAT PRACTICE.

>> WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE, AS LONG AS THESE VARIANTS ARE AROUND AND THIS VIRUS WILL KEEP MUTATING, IS DOUBLE MASKING A WAY FORWARD NOW?

>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE WAYS FORWARD.

I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP MASKING AND DOUBLE MASKING IN WITH OUR OTHER PREVENTIVE MEASURES.

IF YOU'RE GOING OUT FOR A WALK IN THE PARK, YOU DON'T NEED TO DOUBLE MASK, YOU PROBABLY DON'T EVEN NEED TO SINGLE MASK IF THERE IS NO ONE AROUND.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN AN INDOOR CROWDED ENVIRONMENT, THEN YES, YOU SHOULD BE DOUBLE MASKING.

GROCERY STORE WORKERS FOR EXAMPLE, THIS IS A PRACTICE THEY MIGHT WANT TO CONSIDER.

WE DO NEED TO LAYER ARE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES AND AS SOON AS YOU ARE ELIGIBLE AND CAPABLE, GET YOUR VACCINE.

>> GREAT TO TALK YOU AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> MASK WEARING HAS BEEN PROVEN TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE TRANSMISSION OF THE CORONAVIRUS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE CONSIDERED HIGH RISK LIKE EXPECTANT MOMS WHO ALSO FALL INTO AN UNCERTAIN CATEGORY FOR RECEIVING THE COVID-19 VACCINATION BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T PART OF AN ADDITIONAL CLINICAL TRIALS.

PFIZER IS STARTING A NEW TRIAL, WOMEN OVER THE AGE OF 18 BETWEEN 24 TO 34 WEEKS INTO THE PREGNANCY WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TRIAL.

SO FAR, EXPERTS SAY REGNANT WOMEN WHO HAVE RECEIVED A VACCINE DID NOT SHOW RED FLAGS, BUT THE POTENTIAL RISK TO THE MOTHER AND FETUS ARE UNKNOWN DUE TO THE LACK OF STUDIES.

THE CDC DOES URGE ALL OTHER ELIGIBLE ADULTS TO GET VACCINATED.

THERE WASN'T A BIG BUMP IN OUR VACCINE NUMBERS OVERNIGHT, 1 1/2 MILLION TOTAL, 1.1 MILLION FIRST DOSES AND ROUGHLY 456,002ND SHOTS.

THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT SAYS NEW JERSEY DIDN'T RECEIVE SOME 230,000 EXPECTED DOSES THIS WEEK AS PLANES ACROSS THE COUNTRY REMAINED ROUNDED DUE TO THE SNOW.

THE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT IS WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET SOME OF THOSE DELAYED VACCINE SHIPMENTS AS EARLY AS TOMORROW.

SOME APPOINTMENTS MAY NEED TO BE RESCHEDULED.

HEALTH EXPERTS REMIND US THOSE SHOTS ARE LIFE-SAVING AGAINST THE VIRUS AND WILL PREVENT ANOTHER DEADLY WAVELIKE WE EXPERIENCED THIS SPRING.

THE FULL TOLL IS STILL COMING TO LIGHT INANE IN A GRIM NEW REPORT.

THE PANDEMIC SHAVED A FULL YEAR OFF OF U.S. LIFE EXPECTANCY.

WORSE YET FOR PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> I WAS DISAPPOINTED, BUT I CAN'T SAY I WAS SHOCKED.

WE ARE LOSING 4000 PEOPLE A DAY.

>> Reporter: BOB ATKINS CITED HORRIFIC U.S. DEATH TOLLS AT THE HEIGHT OF COVID SPRINGS SURGE, A NEW CDC REPORT SAYS THE VIRUS FLASHED A YEAR OFF AMERICANS OVERALL LIFE EXPECTANCY, THE BIGGEST LOSS SINCE WORLD WAR II.

HIT HARDEST, BLACK MEN WHOSE LIFE EXPECTANCIES DROPPED THREE WHOLE YEARS.

THE PANDEMIC SIMPLY SHINED A LIGHT ON EXISTING INEQUITIES.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD EXPECT.

'S COMMUNITIES THAT ARE FEELING THE GREATEST BURDEN ARE THE ONES THAT HAVE THE GREATEST AMOUNT OF SUFFERING WHERE MULTIPLE GENERATIONS IN A FAMILY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY IT, WHERE KIDS ARE LOSING THEIR PARENTS.

>> Reporter: THE CDC REPORT SHOWED GLARING DISPARITIES.

ALMOST TWO YEARS FOR HISPANICS.

THE CDC'S BOB ANDERSON SAYS THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GAPS IN LIFE EXPECTANCIES, BUT COVID'S IMPACT HAS BEEN HUGE.

>> THOSE ARE STAGGERING NUMBERS FOR MY PERSPECTIVE.

I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 20 YEARS AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE U.S. HAD BEEN STEADILY IMPROVING OVERALL, AND THE GAP BETWEEN WHITE AND BLACK AMERICANS HAD BEEN GRADUALLY NARROWING.

>> WE WERE MAKING PROGRESS.

WE WENT FROM A SEVEN YEAR GAP TO A FOUR YEAR GAP.

NOW IT IS A SIX YEAR GAP.

THAT'S PRETTY STARK.

>> Reporter: ATKINS CHARGES UNDERSCORES HOW WELL HEALTH -- WEALTH TRANSLATES TO HEALTH.

>> YOU GO A COUPLE OF MILES AND YOU SEE THIS BIG DISCREPANCY IN LIFE EXPECTANCY.

THAT LIFE EXPECTANCY IS ALSO INCLUDED IN THAT, IT'S ALSO THE QUALITY OF LIFE PEOPLE ARE LIVING.

UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS NOT A SURPRISE THAT THERE WAS A DISPARITY IN LIFE EXPECTANCY BY RACE.

>> AFTER IT DISCOUNTED HEALTH FACTORS LIKE CARDIAC DISEASE AND DIABETES FOUND DEEP-ROOTED STRUCTURAL REASONS FOR THE DEADLY IMPACT ON PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> NATIONWIDE, BLACK AMERICANS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY COVID-19 AND WE FOUND SOME EVIDENCE THAT WERE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HOW HEALTH WERE DETERMINED.

>> WE WANT THESE DEATHS TO STOP, AND WE ARE STILL RUNNING AT ABOUT 2500 DEATHS NATIONALLY PER DAY.

>> Reporter: NEW JERSEY NEEDS TO WORK MUCH HARDER AT GETTING SHOTS INTO BROWN AND BLACK ARMS, THEY ARE NOT GETTING 4 TO 5% OF COVID VACCINATIONS.

>> TO GET US OUT OF THIS HOLE WE ARE IN, OBVIOUSLY WE NEED TO GET THE VACCINE OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: UNLESS THAT IMPROVES DRAMATICALLY, HE SAYS, COVID WILL KEEP HITTING THOSE COMMUNITIES HARD.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN.

>>> IS LOOKING LIKE GOVERNOR MURPHY MAY HAVE A MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION BILL TO SIGN AFTER ALL.

IN A LATE AFTERNOON HEARING, THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE CLEARED ON NEW CLEANUP BILL, THE PANEL MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO GET THIS MEASURE OFF THE GROUND THIS WEEK AND CAME CLOSE TO PULLING IT ALL TOGETHER.

THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES BIG CHANGES AND NOW MAKES PENALTIES FOR BOTH UNDERAGE DRINKING AND MARIJUANA USE SUBJECT TO WRITTEN WARNINGS FOR ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

18 TO 21-YEAR-OLDS COULD FACE A $20 FINE.

A THREE-STEP WARNING SYSTEM WOULD BE IN PLACE FOR ANYONE YOUNGER.

MINORS POSSESSING OR DRINKING ALCOHOL WOULD FACE A $250 FINE.

SOURCES SAY THE SENATE HAS ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS THE BILL AND AS CURRENTLY WRITTEN, MURPHY WILL SIGN.

A VOTING SESSION IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY.

>>> IN WHAT HAS BECOME A STRING OF UNEXPECTED RETIREMENTS IN THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

SENATOR CHRIS BROWN IS NOT THINKING REELECTION.

SEEKING REELECTION.

HE SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE SINCE 2011, FIRST AS AN ASSEMBLYMAN, HIS RETIREMENT LEAVES THE SEAT OF VULNERABLE AND LEADING TOWARD A DEMOCRATIC TAKEOVER.

IN A STATEMENT, BROWN SAID IT WAS IN HER HONOR SERVING THE DISTRICT, BUT LIFE GOES BY TOO QUICKLY AND IT'S TIME FOR HIS NEXT CHAPTER.

SO FAR, REPUBLICAN MAYOR DON GUARDIAN IS VYING FOR THE SEAT.

THE DISTRICT -- IS ALSO EXPECTED TO RUN.

BROWN'S RETIREMENT FOLLOWS REPUBLICAN SENATORS TOM KANE AND AND KIP AIKMAN, PRIMARY ELECTIONS ARE STILL MONTHS AWAY.

COMPETITION IS RAMPING UP IN THE GOVERNOR'S RACE AS WELL.

PHIL RIZZO, A POLITICAL NEWCOMER AND PASTOR AT A CONSERVATIVE CHURCH TOSSED HIS HAT IN THE RING AM I HOPING TO CLUTCH THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION.

RIZZO SPENT MOST OF HIS CAREER AS A BUSINESSMAN WORKING IN REAL ESTATE AND CONSTRUCTION AND WOULD BRING A FAR RIGHT ANTIESTABLISHMENT VOICE TO THE RACE.

HOW WILL THAT PLAY IN A BLUE STATE ONLY GROWING BLUER?

HE WENT ON THE RECORD WITH MICHAEL ARON.

>> PASTOR PHIL RIZZO, YOU HAVE DECIDED TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

WHY?

>> GOOD MORNING, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

WE DECIDED THAT WE WERE GOING TO LAUNCH OUR CAMPAIGN BECAUSE WE FEEL THAT NEW JERSEY HAS A UNIQUE SET OF ISSUES AND OUR RESUME OF OVER 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS AND ANOTHER DECADE IN THE MINISTRY OFFERS A UNIQUE RESUME TO FACE THE CHALLENGES AHEAD.

>> WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE AHEAD?

>> WE WOULD NEED TO GET OUR STATE OPEN AGAIN.

WE NEED TO GET OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR BUSINESSES BACK OPEN AND OPERATING IN A SAFE MANNER.

>> DO YOU THINK GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS BEEN TOO RESTRICTIVE?

>> I THINK THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HAS OVERSTEPPED INTO AREAS OF PEOPLE'S LIVES THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE.

I BELIEVE THAT IT IS OVERBEARING AND CERTAINLY BEYOND THE SCOPE OF WHAT GOVERNMENT SHOULD DO.

>> RIGHT NOW, INDOOR DINING CAPACITY IS SET AT 35% BY GOVERNOR MURPHY.

WHAT WOULD IT BE IF YOU WERE GOVERNOR?

>> IF I WAS GOVERNOR, I WOULD HAVE NO RESTRICTIONS FROM THE STATE LEVEL.

I BELIEVE RESTAURANT OWNERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN GENERAL ARE SMART ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO OPEN SAFELY.

FOR SOME IT MAY BE AT 10%.

FOR OTHERS, IT MAY BE A 50%, AND OTHERS WOULD OPERATE AT FULL CAPACITY.

I TRUST NEW JERSEYANS TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND OPERATE AT THEIR OWN COMFORT LEVEL.

>> YOU ARE KNOWN TO BE A TRUMP LOYALIST.

DOES THAT EXTEND SO FAR AS TO BELIEVE THAT DONALD TRUMP ACTUALLY WON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?

>> MY EVOLUTION ON THE PRESIDENT IS INTERESTING.

AS A PASTOR, I HAD NO RECORD TO VOTE ON EXCEPT FOR HIS LIFE RECORD IN 2016 AND I HAVE BEEN OPEN AND HONEST THAT I VOTED THIRD-PARTY IN 2016.

AFTER HIS POLICIES AND HIS APPOINTMENT OF [ INAUDIBLE ] I TURNED AND I HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP EVER SINCE.

IN TODAY'S CULTURE, WE ARE DEMANDED THAT WE DON'T BELIEVE WHAT OUR EYES SEE.

THERE'S PLENTY OF VIDEO AND PLENTY OF EVIDENCE THAT THERE WAS VOTER FRAUD TO THE EXTENT, I GUESS WE WILL NEVER KNOW.

I HAVE SEEN VOTER FRAUD AND I THINK THAT THE NUMBERS ARE A LOT DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE SAW THE CONCLUSION OF WHAT WE SAW.

I THINK THEY WERE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THAT.

>> YOU THINK THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM DONALD TRUMP?

>> I THINK IT WAS VERY POSSIBLE, YES SIR.

>> HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GO UP AGAINST THE PROBABLE CAN REPUBLICAN PRIMARY?

HE'S GOT BACKING IN A NUMBER OF COUNTIES.

YOU COME AT HIM FROM THE FAR RIGHT AND HOPE THAT THERE ARE ENOUGH TRUMPIST'S OUT THERE?

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

>> I BELIEVE APOLOGISTS POLITICS GOT US INTO THIS ILLUSTRATION.

JACK IS A GOOD MAN BUT HE IS A POLITICIAN.

HE'S HELD THE POSITION AS A LEGISLATOR.

HE HAS RUN FOR THIS OFFICE BEFORE UNSUCCESSFULLY.

NEW JERSEY IS FACING A UNIQUE SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

THEY NEED A UNIQUE CANDIDATE WITH NOT ONLY A BUSINESS BACKGROUND, BUT A SERVANT'S HEART TO HELP US HEAL AND MOVE FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PHIL RIZZO.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>> ON TUESDAY, WE WILL GET A GLIMPSE AT THE STATE'S FISCAL BLUEPRINT.

THERE'S PLENTY OF AND OPINIONS ON WHAT IT SHOULD INCLUDE.

>> WITH THE ADDRESS SET FOR NEXT WEEK, THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS IDEAS ON WHAT CAN BE DONE TO GET THE ECONOMY BACK ON TRACK.

THE NEW JERSEY BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION SAYS WITH REVENUES COMING IN A BETTER THAN ANTICIPATED, THERE IS NO NEED TO RAISE TAXES.

SHE SAYS THERE SHOULD BE A FOCUS ON REINVESTING IN NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESSES AND WORKERS.

>> WHERE CAN WE REINVEST IN THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR?

INFRASTRUCTURE MEANS JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, AND STRONG ECONOMY.

SUPPORTING OUR INNOVATION ECOSYSTEM, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

LET'S THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE FOLKS THAT NEED TO BE UPSCALED AND RETOOLED IN A POST COVID WORLD, EVEN IN A COVID WORLD.

>> FEWER NEW JERSEYANS FILED FOR FIRST-TIME JOBLESS CLAIMS.

THIS IS THE LOWEST NUMBER SINCE THE PANDEMIC LED TO BUSINESS SHUTDOWNS.

REMEMBER, SINCE MARCH, MORE THAN 2 MILLION NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE HAD TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

>>> ATLANTIC SHORES OFFSHORE WIND IS PLEDGING TO TRAIN UNION WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY FOR JOBS IN THE WINDY WIND INDUSTRY.

SIX LABOR UNIONS IN THE STATE, ATLANTIC SURE HAS SUBMITTED ITS BID TO BUILD AN OFFSHORE WIND PROJECT IN SOUTH JERSEY.

>>> THERE IS ANOTHER NEW EFFORTS TO GET MUCH NEEDED MONEY INTO THE HANDS OF STRUGGLING MINORITY BUSINESS OWNERS.

THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF NEW JERSEY AND NEW JERSEY COMMUNITY CAPITAL HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO FORM WHAT IS CALLED THE EQUITABLE SMALL BUSINESS INITIATIVE.

THIS INITIATIVE WILL PROVIDE $5 MILLION IN CAPITAL TO BLACK- OWNED BUSINESSES MOST AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC AND EVEN BEFORE COVID-19, BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS OWNERS HISTORICALLY HAVE HAD DIFFICULTIES GETTING ACCESS TO CAPITAL.

BUSINESS OWNERS CAN APPLY FOR FUNDS STARTING IN EARLY APRIL.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

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

>>> THIS WEEKEND, JOIN RHONDA SCHAFFLER FOR NJ BUSINESSWEEK.

WATCH IT ON NJTV SATURDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. AND SATURDAY MORNINGS AT 9:00 A.M. >>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN FOUND -- THERE IS MOUNTING PRESSURE OVER EXACTLY HOW MUCH, THIS WEEK BIDEN CLARIFIED HIS STANCE IN A TOWN HALL SAYING HE WILL SUPPORT CANCELING UP TO $10,000 A PERSON BUT NOT THE 50,000 HIS DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES ARE PUSHING.

WHAT WILL A DEAL MEAN FOR NEW JERSEY'S STUDENTS?

LEAH MISHKIN REPORTS.

>> GRADUATING COLLEGE IS SUPPOSED TO BE EXCITING, READY AND WILLING TO EMBARK ON YOUR DREAM CAREER.

GRADUATING IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC, AND SADDLED WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN STUDENT DEBT.

>> THE JOB SEARCH IS CURRENTLY STILL GOING.

>> Reporter: THE UNSTABLE ECONOMY HAS FORCED RECENT GRADUATE REBECCA TO TAKE A POSITION IN RETAIL WHILE SEARCHING FOR A JOB IN JOURNALING.

THE 22-YEAR-OLD PAID FOR HER ENTIRE COLLEGE TUITION WITH LOANS.

>> I AM AROUND 97,000, AND THEN THROUGH THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY, I THINK I HAVE ABOUT 25,000.

>> THIS IS DUE TO DECADES OF AUDITORY BEHAVIOR BY THE BANKS, AND ALSO REALLY OVERLY COST TUITION LEVELS.

>> THE U.S. STUDENT LOAN DEBT IS ESTIMATED TO BE 137 TRILLION.

BRANDON McCOY SAYS IT'S SOMETHING MANY ARE STILL PAYING OFF YEARS AFTER GRADUATING.

>> PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WHO COSIGN ON THE LOANS HAVE HAD TO HELP OUT AND IN SOME CASES THEY HAD CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN PASS AWAY, AND THEY ARE LEFT WITH THAT RESPONSIBILITY.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN EXTENDED THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

>> I KEEP SAVING AND SAVING AND SAVING, BUT I DOUBT BY OCTOBER I WILL HAVE 97,000 IN MY SAVINGS.

>> Reporter: CHUCK SCHUMER HAVE CALLED ON THE PRESIDENT TO CALL -- NEW JERSEY SENATORS SUPPORT IT AS WELL.

>> THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT INDIVIDUAL STUDENTS, BUT THEIR DEBT, THIS IS ABOUT MAKING AMERICA GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE.

>> NEARLY HALF OF COLLEGE GRADUATES IN NEW JERSEY BORROW MONEY TO PAY FOR SCHOOL.

THE AVERAGE STUDENT LOAN BEING AROUND $35,000 ACCORDING TO SMARTEST DOLLAR.

THE TOTAL IN THE STATE SITS AT 47.8 BILLION.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT HAS A SIGNIFICANT RACIAL EQUITY IMPLICATIONS YOU HAVE A LOT OF MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES WHO GO INTO DEBT TO ACHIEVE EDUCATION BUT COME OUT AND DON'T GET JOBS THAT ARE PAYING A SUFFICIENT WAGE.

THEY CONTINUE TO FLOUNDER.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID HE WAS PREPARED TO WRITE OFF 10,000 DEBT BUT NOT 50.

>> THIS INFORMATION AND RESEARCH SHOWING THAT YOU ARE TO FORGIVE 50,000 DEBT, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK RESIDENTS, THAT WOULD BENEFIT 93% OF THOSE RESIDENTS.

IF YOU WERE TO DO $10,000, IT WOULDN'T EVEN BENEFIT HALF OF THEM.

IF WE ARE GOING TO PURSUE THIS WITH THE GOAL OF ACTUALLY IMPROVING PEOPLE'S LIVES WHO ARE STRUGGLING, WE SHOULD TRY TO IMPROVE AS MANY LIVES AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: ANY AMOUNT OF LOAN FORGIVENESS WOULD HELP REBECCA EUGENE.

I AM LEAH MISHKIN, "NJ SPOTLIGHT" NEWS.

>>> SOME PARTS OF THE STATE WILL HAVE AN EXTRA 12 TOTAL INCHES OF SNOW TO DEAL WITH, THIS LATEST STORM AND FINALLY MOVING OUT LEAVING BEHIND DANGEROUS ICE AND A PILE OF MUSHY, SLUSHY MESS ON OUR SIDEWALKS AND ROADS.

ONE RIGHT SPOT, THE POWER GRID HELD UP.

AS OF MIDDAY, THE STATE WAS REPORTING 66 OUTAGES, A STARK CONTRAST FROM WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TEXAS RIGHT NOW.

THOSE DISRUPTIONS WON'T HAPPEN HERE ACCORDING TO UTILITY EXPERTS WHO SAY NEW JERSEY SPENT THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS BUILDING UP OUR SYSTEMS.

OUR ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT WRITER TOM JOHNSON EXPLAINS WHY NEW JERSEYANS ARE IN A BETTER POSITION.

>> TEXAS IS A POWER GRID ALONE AMONG ITSELF.

IT LACKS THE INTERCONNECTIONS THAT NEW JERSEY HAS WITH OTHER POWER GRIDS THAT ALLOWS NEW JERSEY TO REALLY POWER FOR NEIGHBORING JURISDICTIONS TO PROVIDE SURPLUS POWER WHEN PEAK DEMAND HITS WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENED IN TEXAS WHEN THEY COULDN'T MEET DEMAND.

>> DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT KEEPS THE LIGHT ON IN NEW JERSEY?

HEAD OVER TO NJTVNEWS.ORG.

>>> BEFORE WE LEAVE YOU TONIGHT, IF YOU MISSED ANY OF THE BIG STORIES THIS WEEK, YOU CAN CATCH REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE SATURDAY AT 6:00 P.M. AND SUNDAY AT 10:00 A.M. ON NJTV ALONG WITH CHAT BOX .

THAT DOES IT FOR US THIS WEEK, BUT HEAD OVER TO ANY OF OUR DISPOSAL SOCIAL CHANNELS WHERE WE WILL CONTINUE REPORTING ALL WEEKEND LONG.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US, STAY SAFE AND WARM THIS WEEKEND.

>>> 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.