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

WJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

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

>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI.

IT IS A 1 MILLION DOSE MILESTONE, ROUGHLY 7 WEEKS AFTER THE FIRST CORONAS VACCINE ARRIVED IN NEW JERSEY.

STATELY TO SAY WE PUT MORE THAN 1 MILLION SHOTS IN ARMS.

ROUGHLY 800,000 RESIDENTS HAVE GONE AT LEAST ONE DOSE ABOUT A QUARTER MILLION ARE FULLY IMMUNIZED.

BUT, THE GOVERNOR TODAY ACKNOWLEDGED THE OBVIOUS, WHERE WE ARE FAR SHORT FROM WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

THAT'S MORE THAN 4 1/2 MILLION ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS INOCULATED BY THE END OF JUNE.

THE STATE IS PICKING UP THE PACE, THE BULK OF THOSE SHOTS, ABOUT 500,000 HAPPENED AND JUST ABOUT THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

IT'S A SMALL VICTORY IN THE FIGHT.

>> I CANNOT SIT HERE AND TELL YOU EXACTLY ON WHAT DATE, EXACTLY WHAT CHANGES, BUT YOU GET, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST START TO IMAGINE 1 MILLION SHOTS GETS TO 2 MILLION, 3 MILLION.

THIS THING STARTS TO RACK UP AND YOU COMBINE THAT WITH EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CURBS CRESTING AND STARTING TO COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT, WARMER WEATHER AT WHICH DOES NOT FEEL LIKE US TODAY, BUT AT SOME POINT, IT'S GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

WITH OUR QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW THAT IT MONDAY TO TUESDAY.

IT IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING POSITIVE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO OUR ABILITY TO GET BACK ON OUR FEET AND GET BACK TO SOME SENSE OF NORMALCY.

SOONER OR LATER.

>> THE BATTLE IS NOW TWOFOLD.

GETTING THE VACCINE SUPPLY AND GETTING OUT BEFORE ONE OF THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS COVID VARIANCE TAKES HOLD IN THE STATE.

DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR A STRAIN FIRST DETECTED IN THE UK TO SPREAD ACROSS NEW JERSEY.

ANOTHER CONFIRMED CASE WAS REPORTED THIS WEEKEND IN THE NORTH WARD OF TRENTON.

IF YOU'RE KEEPING SCORE, THAT'S 31 TOTAL CASES OF THE VARIANCE FOUND IN 11 DIFFERENT COUNTIES.

ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, JUST THREE OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TROUBLE HISTORY, MEANING EVERYONE ELSE COTTAGE THROUGH COMMUNITY SPREAD.

WITH NEW JERSEY'S JOHNSON & JOHNSON FILING FOR EMERGENCY APPROVAL LATE LAST WEEK, A THIRD BIBLE VACCINE OPTION COULD HIT THE MARKET SOON, BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY CONTENDER.

RAVEN SANTANA GIVES US AN UPDATE ON THE REALITY OF MULTIPLE MORE VACCINES COMING ONLINE WITHIN MONTHS.

>> HOW WOULD WE CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT THE VACCINE WAS SAFE UNLESS WE WERE WILLING TO TAKE IT OURSELVES.

>> INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERT, MARTIN GLASER, LIKE MANY OF THE MEDICAL INDUSTRY HAS URGED THE PUBLIC TO TRUST THE CODE VACCINE.

SO, HE BACKED UP HIS WORDS WITH ACTION AND ROLLING HIMSELF AND HIS WIFE IN THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID VACCINE TRIAL.

>> NIGHT AFTER I GOT THE VACCINE, AFTER I GOT MY SHOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, I WOKE UP AND I WAS A LITTLE SWEATY, AND I THOUGHT WOW, I WONDER IF I REALLY GOT THE VACCINE.

YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I ASKED TO BE UNBLINDED.

>> RUTGERS WAS THE LARGEST CLINICAL TRIAL SITE FOR THE COMPANY VACCINE.

J&J APPLIED FOR EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FROM THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION LAST WEEK.

>> THERE WERE MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE WHO GOT IT.

AND THE SIDE EFFECTS, THERE WERE MINIMAL NUMBERS OF SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS.

>> THE SITE BASED AT WRECKERS MEDICAL SCHOOL ENROLLED 840 PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT JERSEY.

IF APPROVED BY THE FDA, DR. JEFFREY CARSON PROVOST OF RUTGERS BIOMEDICAL HEALTH SCIENCES SAYS MILLIONS MORE CAN BE VACCINATED BY JUNE.

>> J&J HAS THE ABILITY TO PRODUCE LARGE VOLUMES OF THIS VACCINE.

THEY TELL US THAT BY JUNE, THEY WOULD HAVE ABOUT 100 MILLION DOSES AVAILABLE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND AROUND THE WORLD.

>> J&J GOING BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.

I THINK FEBRUARY 26.

THAT IS THE RIGHT DATE.

I BELIEVE THEY BELIEVE THEY CAN PUT DOSES ON THE STREETS IF THEY GET APPROVAL.

THAT'S OBVIOUSLY IN MARCH.

>> PRELIMINARY DATA SHOWS THAT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE WAS FOUND TO BE 66% EFFECTIVE OVERALL.

THAT SEEMS A LITTLE DISAPPOINTING WHEN COMPARED TO PFIZER AND MODERNA, WHICH WERE BOTH MORE THAN 90% EFFECTIVE.

>> IN FACT, WHAT YOU ARE PROBABLY SEEING WITH THE VACCINE, WHICH SEEMS LIKE IT LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A LOWER EFFICACY, MAYBE JUST DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE VARIANCE A PART OF THE POPULATION POLL NOW, RIGHT?

IF YOU REDO THE PFIZER TESTING, THEY WOULD GET THE SAME RATES.

>> THE SINGLE-DOSE VACCINE IS 85% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING SEVERE ILLNESS AND 100% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATH.

DR. PERRY STRESSES THERE ARE ADDED BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE.

>> BUT IT ALSO DOES NOT REQUIRE THE VERY COLD TEMPERATURES FOR THE TRANSPORTATION.

RIGHT?

AND FOR THE STORAGE.

AS A RESULT OF THAT, SITES THAT DON'T HAVE THESE VERY ELABORATE, YOU KNOW, STRUCTURES AND EQUIPMENT WILL BE ABLE TO STORE THE VACCINE.

>> AND THERE ARE TWO OTHER VACCINES CLOSE BEHIND.

ASTRAZENECA AND NOVAVAX.

NOVAVAX COULD ADD ANOTHER 110 MILLION OF ITS TWO DOSE VACCINE TO THE PIPELINE BY THE SUMMER.

BUT THE DOCTOR SAYS HE IS CONFIDENT THAT ASTRAZENECA IS THE NEXT BIG THING, DESPITE SOME SETBACKS FIGHTING A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS STRAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA.

>> AFTER DANSON AND JENSEN, THE NEXT ONE THAT I THINK IS ON THE HORIZON FOR US IS THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE.

THIS IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE, BECAUSE THE DATA ABOUT ASTRAZENECA ARE CONFUSING, AND MUDDLED IN SOME WAYS.

IT'S NOT GOING AS WELL FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN STRANDS, BUT THEN TODAY, I READ THAT IT MAY WORK AS WELL FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN STRAIN.

I WANT YOUR VIEWERS, NOT TO PANIC WHEN THEY HEAR THESE LITTLE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST HERE AND THERE WITH THE VACCINES.

>> EXPERTS SAY THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THE BEST VACCINE IS THE FIRST ONE YOU CAN GET.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL THREE DO A GOOD JOB OF PROTECTING FROM THE VIRUS, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT AFTER YOUR FINAL DOSE, IT DOES TAKE HER BODY A FEW WEEKS TO BUILD UP IMMUNITY, WHICH IS WHY IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU CONTINUE TO WEAR YOUR MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS, I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>>> THE VACCINE IS JUST PART OF THE EQUATION.

YOU HAVE TO KEEP UP THOSE PRECAUTIONS UNTIL THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION GETS BOTH DOSES.

HOWEVER LONG THAT TAKES.

UNTIL THEN, THE DOWNWARD CURVE OF NEW POSITIVE CASES IS ENCOURAGING.

TODAY, THE STATE REPORTED ON THE 25 DEBTS AND JUST OVER 2200 NEW POSITIVE TEST.

IF THAT NUMBER SOUNDS LOW, THERE WAS AN ELECTRONIC LAB REPORTING ISSUE OVER THE WEEKEND THAT CAUSED A BACKLOG.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAYS TOMORROW NUMBERS SHOULD REFLECT THE DIFFERENCE.

THERE'S ALSO STILL A BACKLOG IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO GET A VACCINE APPOINTMENT.

MORE LOCATIONS ARE COMING ONLINE LATER THIS WEEK, BUT HEALTH EXPERTS WHAT YOU SHOULD BE PREPARED FOR EACH DOSE.

BOTH VACCINES BRING THE POSSIBILITY OF SIDE EFFECTS, WITH DOSE NUMBER TWO LIKELY TO PACK A BIGGER PUNCH.

A SENIOR CORRESPONDENT, BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS THAT THAT IS JUST A SIGN IT IS WORKING.

>> I WAS PRETTY SICK THAT NIGHT.

>> THE DOCTORS LEG FELT WORSE AFTER THE SECOND DOSE OF THE MODERNA VACCINE.

SHE SAYS MANY CALLINGS ALSO FELT OR MORE INTENSE REACTIONS TO THEIR FOLLOW-UP SHOTS, THEY ACTUALLY LEFT WORK EARLY AFTER GETTING VACCINATED THE SECOND TIME.

>> I 1:00, HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY, WE WERE ALL OUT THE DOOR.

THAT NIGHT, BETWEEN EIGHT AND 10:00, I HAD CHILLS AND SHAKES, AND MY ARM WAS SO SWOLLEN AND RED.

AND THEN, I KNEW IT WAS WORKING, BECAUSE WE ARE EXPECTING AN ANTIBODY RESPONSE.

YOU KNOW, THE MESSENGER.

>> SHE SAID SHE FELT EXTREME FATIGUE FOLLOWING THE DOSE AND HER REACTIONS LASTED ABOUT 36 HOURS.

BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME FOR EVERYBODY.

HER HUSBAND, NOTHING.

>> BOTH DOSES, FINE.

BUT NOT A WHIMPER.

>> NO HEADACHES, NO FEVERS, NO CHILLS.

JUST FATIGUE.

>> FOR HACKENSACK MERIDIAN, IT WAS ALSO NO BIG DEAL.

SHE SAYS DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVE A RANGE OF REACTIONS TO THE SECOND SHOT OF BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNITY VACCINES.

BUT, THE FDA REPORTED MODERNA'S CLINICAL TRIAL SHOWED REACTIONS WERE MORE FREQUENT AFTER THOSE TWO THEN DOSE ONE, AND INCLUDED MORE REPORTS OF HEADACHE, MUSCLE ACHES, JOINT PAIN, CHILLS, AND FEVER.

SYMPTOMS COULD ALSO LAST LONGER, A COUPLE DAYS, BUT ARE GENERALLY LESS FREQUENT IN ADULTS 65 AND OLDER AS COMPARED TO YOUNGER PARTICIPANTS.

WHY?

>> THE YOUNGER YOU ARE, THE MORE IMMUNE RESPONSE YOUR BODY PRODUCES.

AND SO, YOUNGER PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING THAT SECOND DOSE ARE ACTUALLY MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A SEVERE, IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE AND HAVE THESE FEVER, CHILLS, FLULIKE COVID LIKE SYMPTOMS.

>> MEANWHILE, A BRITISH SURVEY ALSO FOUND MORE PEOPLE REPORTED SOME EXTREME REACTIONS TO SECOND DOSES OF THE PFIZER'S VACCINE, BUT THE SHEER INTENSITY AFTER DOSE TWO ASSIGNED THE VACCINES HOLDING OF YOUR BODY'S DEFENSES IS AWAKENED BY THE DISEASE, STILL COMES OUT AS A PRIZE TO MANY.

HOLY NAMES, EXPLAINS AFTER YOUR FIRST SHOT, YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM ALREADY RECOGNIZES THE ENEMY.

DOSE TWO DEFINITELY KICKS IT UP A NOTCH.

>> DOES NOT MEAN YOU'RE HAVING COVERED, RIGHT?

THE VACCINE DOES NOT CONTAIN THE COVID VIRUS.

WE WILL NOT GIVE YOU COVID.

WHAT IT WILL DO IS INDUCE IN IMMUNE RESPONSE, WE CALL THAT REACTIVE GENESIS.

THE VACCINE IS PRIMING THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN THE BODY SAYS HEY, TIME FOR WORK.

WE ARE GOING TO PRODUCE ANTIBODIES.

>> AS PEOPLE FILE THROUGH THE VACCINATION LINES TO GET THEIR SHOTS, THEY MAY NOT GET ABSORBED THAT HEADS UP ABOUT SECOND DOSE REACTIONS.

BUT, DOCTORS ADVISE PEOPLE TO PLAN AHEAD WHEN THEY GET A DATE FOR DOSE TWO.

>> EXPECT TO HAVE SOME SIDE EFFECTS, TRY TO DO IT ON A FRIDAY SO YOU HAVE THE WEEKEND TO RECOVER.

TRY TO GET THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK WHEN YOUR SECOND DOSE IS HAPPENING.

CONSIDER TAKING THE NEXT DAY OFF.

IT'S NOT UNEXPECTED TO HAVE A REPOST IMMUNE RESPONSE.

MAKE SURE I GOT MY SECOND SHOT A WEEK AND I WAS OFF.

SATURDAY I SPENT MOST OF THE DAY IN BED.

>> HE SAYS YOU CAN TAKE TYLENOL OR IBUPROFEN.

FOR FRONTLINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS WITHOUT THE OPTION TO TAKE DAYS OFF IS TOUGH.

BUT, HE SAYS IT'S WORTH IT.

>> YOU DON'T WANT COVID.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

AND, WE WANT THE VACCINATIONS AND TAKE VACCINATIONS AND PAY IT FORWARD BECAUSE IT CREATES THAT HERD IMMUNITY.

>> HERD IMMUNITY MEANS A SHOT AT SOMETHING CLOSE TO.

I AM BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> FOR THOSE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT RECENT WINTER SEASONS UNDERPERFORMING, YOU GOT WHAT YOU WISHED FOR, IT MORE INCHES OF SNOW BLANKETED THE STATE SUNDAY, PILING ON TOP OF THE 2 FEET LEFT BEHIND FROM LAST WEEK'S STORM, AND THAT IS JUST THE START.

METEOROLOGIST SAY IT WILL BE A BUSY WEEK OF WEATHER, SO IF YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PULL OUT YOUR SHOVEL YESTERDAY, YOU'LL GET YOUR CHANCE.

PUNGENT TEMPERATURES ARE CAUSING ICING CONDITIONS, SETTING THE STAGE FOR ANOTHER SNOWFALL ON TUESDAY.

2 TO 4 INCHES EXPECTED TO NEW JERSEY.

THAT WILL TAPER AS YOU MOVE SOUTH WITH LESS THAN AN INCH FOR THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE STATE.

THAT WILL BE MORE OF A WINTRY MIX WITH RAIN INVOLVED.

THEN, FORECASTERS ARE WATCHING, YES.

A SECOND STORM FOR THE WEEK STARTING IN THE OVERNIGHT HOURS, EARLY THURSDAY, LASTING THROUGH MUCH OF THE DAY INTO FRIDAY.

IT IS STILL A LITTLE TOO EARLY FOR SNOW AMOUNTS OR EXACT TIMING TO BE CALLED, JUST KNOW IT WILL BE COLD.

>> LET'S HOPE IT WARMS UP.

SCHOOL AND FIRE DISTRICT ELECTIONS ROLL AROUND APRIL 20th, WHEN YOU WILL BE ABLE TO HEAD TO THE POLLS IN PERSON.

THE GOVERNOR, MAKING THAT ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY, ADDING YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO REQUEST A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT FOR ANY REASON.

IN PERSON POLLS WILL ALSO BE OPEN FOR NONPARTISAN ELECTIONS MAY 11th.

NO DECISION YET ON THE JUNE PRIMARY, BUT IT'S LOOKING OPTIMISTIC.

IT STILL FEELS LIKE WE JUST ENDED THIS LAST GENERAL ELECTION, BUT JERSEY POLITICS, AS YOU KNOW, WAITS FOR NO ONE.

CAMPAIGNS ARE IN FULL SWING.

A NUMBER OF LAWMAKERS JUMPING FOR RARELY OPEN SEATS IN THE STATE SENATE, LEFT VACANT BY GOP LEGISLATORS TOM KANE, AND NOT TO MENTION DEMOCRATIC SENATOR WEINBERG.

HE MEETS THE MAKEUP OF THE STATEHOUSE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE IN WAYS NOT SEEN FOR YEARS.

HERE IS SR.

CORRESPONDENT, DAVID CRUZ.

>> ALONG WITH CRANBERRIES AND GREENHOUSE GASES, POLITICS IS ONE OF NEW JERSEY'S MOST ABUNDANT EXPORTS.

IN 2021, IT PROMISES TO PRODUCE THE CROP OF POLITICAL INTRIGUE.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER 30 YEARS, I WILL NOT BE RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

>> SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, LORETTA WEINBERG ANNOUNCING IN JANUARY THAT SHE WILL RETIRE AFTER HER CURRENT TERM EXPIRES.

VACATING THE MOST POWERFUL LEGISLATIVE POSITION CURRENTLY HELD BY A FEMALE LEGISLATOR.

THEN, EARLIER THIS MONTH, SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER, TOM KANE JR.

ANNOUNCED THAT HE TOO WOULD NOT SEEK REELECTION.

LEAVING A LEADERSHIP VACUUM IN THE MINORITY PARTY AT A CRUCIAL TIME.

>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW REPUBLICAN LEADER IN THE ASSEMBLY AND IN THE SENATE AT THE SAME TIME.

SO, ONCE WE GET PAST THIS ELECTION SEASON, WE MAY SEE AN ENTIRE CHANGE IN THE TENOR THAT WE SEE FROM REPUBLICANS LEGISLATOR.

>> IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO TELL WHERE REPUBLICAN ASSEMBLYWOMAN HOLLY SHIP EASY IS ON THE TRUMP, NO-TRUMP SPECTRUM, BUT SHE IS CONSIDERED A MODERATE IN HER PARTY, AND IS CHALLENGING FELLOW 39th DISTRICT LEGISLATOR A STRONG CONSERVATIVE, FOR HIS SEAT.

>> YOU HAVE A VERY PASSIONATE CROWD OF PEOPLE WHO MAY HAVE OTHERWISE NOT HAVE BEEN POLITICALLY ACTIVE IN THE PAST, WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A HOME, AND IF WE DO OUR JOBS PROPERLY, AND IF WE CAN SHOW THAT WE ARE THE ONES FIGHTING FOR THEM, NOT ACTIVELY DOING SO, WE BRING THEM INTO OUR HOME.

>> CURRENT ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER WILL RUN FOR THE SENATE SEAT VACATED BY TOM KANE JR..

IN HIS MIND, IN NEW JERSEY'S REPUBLICANS, UNSPOKEN.

>> I WOULD ACTUALLY SAY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, I NEED TO BE LESS GLAMOROUS.

AND AS YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE WHO SAID I WAS NOT TRUMP ENOUGH, RIGHT?

I WOULD DOUBT BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CAPITAL THAT THERE IS, THAT MANY PEOPLE WHO THINK YOU'RE NOT TRUMP ENOUGH.

>> REDISTRICTING AND DONALD TRUMP HELPED TO TURN THE ELECTRIC IN THE 16th LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT BLEW ENOUGH THAT REPUBLICAN KIT BATEMAN, A MODERATE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO BOW OUT.

DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLYMAN WILL RUN FOR THAT SEAT.

DEMOCRATS ARE PROMISING A SPIRITED SPRING.

THE BATTLE TO SUCCEED SENATOR WEINBERG WILL PICK HER ASSEMBLY MEETS.

GORDON JOHNSON AND VALERIE HUDDLE AGAINST ONE ANOTHER.

>> HOW DIFFICULT HAS IT BEEN TO TRANSITION INTO THAT MODE?

>> IT'S NOT DIFFICULT FOR ME AT ALL, BECAUSE IT'S A PART OF POLITICS.

IT'S A PART OF OUR PROCESS AREAS >> NO SIMILAR LOVE APPEARS LOST BETWEEN POTENTIAL BALLOT RIVALS INCUMBENT AND HIS 20th DISTRICT ASSEMBLY PARTNER, JAMAL HOLLY.

IT'S NOT EASY TO CHALLENGE INCUMBENT.

NEW JERSEY'S POLITICAL PARTIES HAVE TIGHT CONTROLS OVER BALLOT POSITIONING.

THEY HOLD CONVENTIONS IN MARCH, AND AWARD THE PARTY LINE TO THE WINNER.

THE LOSER USUALLY DECIDES NOT TO RUN.

OR GETS CRUSHED TRYING.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S IMPOSSIBLE AT ALL.

WE SEE IT ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, THE COUNTY LEVEL INDIVIDUALS, AND HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

>> THAT'S THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.

THE TRUTH IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE POWER OF THE PARTY LINE, MOST OF THESE RACES MAY NOT EVEN MAKE IT TO A PRIMARY.

NOW, A GROUP OF FORMER CANDIDATES JOINED BY NEW JERSEY'S WORKING FAMILIES ALLIANCE IS GOING TO COURT TO TRY TO BREAK THE PARTY HOLD ON BALLOT POSITIONING, AND BY EXTENSION, THE LEGISLATOR.

>> IT WAS THE PEOPLE IN THE COLLECTIVE OFFICE.

IT WAS THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY PARTY CHAIRS.

THAT'S IT HAS THE POWER, THAT'S WHO CONTROLS OUR PEOPLE.

>> FORMER ATLANTIC CITY MAYOR SAYS HE WILL PUT HIS NAME UP FOR AN ASSEMBLY SEAT THIS SEASON.

FORMER CONGRESSMAN SAYS HE HAS OFFERED HIMSELF AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE STATE SENATE IN THE 16th DISTRICT.

TWO NAMES THAT HEARKEN BACK TO THE DAYS BEFORE THE GOP HAD TO SO SERIOUSLY PONDER ITS PLACE IN NEW JERSEY POLITICS.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> WELL, TODAY WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE DEADLINE FOR NEGOTIATIONS ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA, BUT THE DISCUSSION AND THE DRAMA CONTINUES.

ON FRIDAY, THE LEGISLATOR AGREED TO GIVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE MORE TIME TO NEGOTIATE THE DETAILS, EXTENDING THE DEADLINE FOR A SIGNATURE OR VETO ON THE BILLS, DESPITE THE LANDSIDE PUBLIC APPROVAL FOR RECREATION USE LAWMAKERS AND GOVERNOR MURPHY COULD NOT SEEM TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE FOR DEALING WITH UNDERAGE USERS.

SO FAR, TWO CLEANUP BILLS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED BUT THE GOVERNOR IS NOT ON BOARD WITH PENALTIES IN INNOVATION SURROUNDING MINORS.

A CALM IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 18th, THE DEADLINE NEEDS TO BE BY THE FOLLOWING WEEK, THE 23rd SO THE GOVERNOR CAN PROPOSE HIS STATE BUDGET.

>>> A LATE SATURDAY NIGHT EMAIL DELIVERS GOOD NEWS FOR JOBLESS RESIDENTS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS AN UPDATE ON THAT SNAG IN THE UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM ON TONIGHT TAUGHT BUSINESS.

RHONDA, WHAT DO YOU HAVE?

>> THOUSANDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS WHO SAW THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EXPIRED WILL FINALLY GET THERE EXTENDED BENEFITS.

THE STATE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT REPROGRAMMED ITS SYSTEMS FASTER THAN ANTICIPATED AND CLAIM IT CAN RESUME CERTIFYING FOR BENEFITS DURING THE REGULAR SCHEDULE.

NO DOUBT THIS COMES AS A HUGE RELIEF FOR THE 75,000 WORKERS WHOSE BENEFITS LOST.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY WILL BE MADE WHOLE FOR ANY MISSED PAYMENT.

THESE EXTENDED BENEFITS WILL RUN THROUGH MID-MARCH, UNLESS CONGRESS DECIDES TO CONTINUE THEM FURTHER.

GOVERNOR MURPHY TODAY IS PUSHING FOR BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

THAT IS PART OF HIS PLAN TO HELP NEW JERSEY'S ECONOMY RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC.

THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE IS OFFERING LOW INTEREST LOANS OF UP TO $5 MILLION TO HELP COVER BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT COST.

THAT IS ON TOP OF NEWLY APPROVED TAX INCENTIVES DEVELOPERS CAN ALSO USE.

>> WE NOW HAVE A ROBUST, STATEWIDE REMEDIATION AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT WILL BE ABLE TO DO MUCH MORE GOOD IN MANY MORE COMMUNITIES.

>> THE GOVERNOR SPOKE IN HAMILTON TOWNSHIP WHICH IS A REFURBISHED TEXTILE MILL.

THE NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY HAS PUT A $10 MILLION SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM ON HOLD PREREGISTRATION WAS SUPPOSED TO BEGIN THIS WEEK, BUT THE STATE DECIDED TO DELAY IT, SINCE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE NOW ABLE TO APPLY FOR ANOTHER ROUND OF FEDERAL PPP LOANS.

RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AND I WJ BARNABAS HEALTH HAVE TAKEN ANOTHER BIG STEP IN THEIR GROWING ALLIANCE.

THEY HAVE SIGNED AND INTEGRATED PRACTICE AGREEMENTS THAT PUT OUR WJ BARNABAS IN CHARGE OF CLINICAL CARE AT CENTRAL JERSEY HEALTHCARE PRACTICES ASSOCIATED WITH RECORDS.

LILO STAINTON SAYS THE AGREEMENT HAS THREE GOALS.

>> OTHER RESEARCH, BETTER CLINICAL CARE, AND BETTER MEDICAL EDUCATION.

AS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THERE IS ALSO A COMMITMENT TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR RESEARCH.

FINALLY, SUPER BOWL LV WAS ONE FOR THE RECORD BOOKS, AT LEAST OFF OF THE FIELD.

LOOKS LIKE THE BIG WINNER OF THE MATCHUP WAS NEW JERSEY'S SPORTS BOOKS, ACCORDING TO DUSTIN GALLAGHER.

>> WE WERE PROJECTING AROUND 75 MILLION WHEN THE OFFICIAL NUMBERS, COULD BE HIGHER OR LOWER, BUT IT WILL BE THE MOST EVER BET ON THE SUPER BOWL ONLINE IN NEW JERSEY FOR SURE.

>> THE STOCK MARKET HASN'T SETTING SOME RECORDS AS OF LATE.

HERE'S A LOOK AT TODAY'S NUMBERS.

I AM RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP ILLNESS STORIES.

>>> AFTER CALLS WERE CHANGED AND A YEAR OF UNREST, A BIG SHIFT IS COMING TO ONE OF THE STATES LARGEST POLICE FORCES.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, A BLACK WOMAN WILL TAKE OVER THE JERSEY CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OVERSEE ALL OF THE ROUGHLY 1000 SWORN IN OFFICERS.

MOODY IS BEING TAPPED TO TAKE OVER OPERATIONS FOLLOWING CHIEF MIKE KELLY'S RETIREMENT.

SHE IS MAKING HISTORY FOR OTHER REASONS.

MOODY IS THE FIRST CIVILIAN TO HOLD THE JOB.

>> AFTER THREE YEARS, WE GOT SOME THINGS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING THAT CONTINUE.

>> Reporter: DURING HIS RETIREMENT SPEECH, JERSEY CITY'S POLICE CHIEF, MIKE KELLY PASSED THE BATON TO HIS SUCCESSOR, TAWANA MOODY.

THE FIRST CIVILIAN AND FIRST WOMAN TO LEAVE THE POLICE FORCE.

MOODY HAS BEEN POLICE DIRECTOR FOR THREE YEARS, BUT HER ROLE WILL NOW EXPAND TO OVERSEE ALL OPERATIONS OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> I AM VERY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM TO SUCCEED BETTER, BECAUSE I THINK THEY DO A GREAT JOB AS IT IS, BUT TO ALSO BE ABLE TO FILTER, AND GIVE THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS THE OFFICES WHAT THEY NEED.

SO MORE SO LIKE BRIDGE A GAP.

>> JAMES O'SHEA SAYS THIS IS A MOVE THAT MAYOR STEVE PHILIP HAS BEEN PLANNING FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND MOODY WAS THE PERFECT PERSON FOR THE JOB HAVING WORKED HER WAY UP OVER 16 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT.

>> STRUCTURALLY, WE FELT IN THIS STATE, IN THE COUNTRY, POLICING HAS BECOME A LITTLE TOO INSOLENT.

THERE HAS NOT BEEN ENOUGH OUTSIDE INFLUENCE COMING BECAUSE POLICE OFFICERS RISE THROUGH THE RANKS.

SHE UNIQUELY HAD A FOOT IN BOTH COMMUNITIES.

THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE AND TRUST OF BOTH.

>> MOODY SAYS LISTENING IS KEY TO BUILDING THAT TRUST, SO SHE STARTED BY HEARING THE CONCERNS OF HER OFFICERS WHO ASKED FOR NEW CARS, NEW UNIFORMS TO BE SENT OUT IN PAIRS INSTEAD OF SOLO.

BUT, SHE'S ALSO IMPLEMENTED NEW PROCEDURES LIKE BODY CAMERAS FOR EVERY OFFICER, AND A NEW DISCIPLINE MATRIX THAT OUTLINES CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.

>> SO WITH THE DIP THIS DISCIPLINE MATRIX COMING, I'M EXCITED BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE MY GUYS NOW WILL KNOW, OKAY, PROBABLY SHOULD NOT DO THAT OR PROBABLY SHOULD NOT DO THIS.

AND IT'S NOT A TRAP, IT'S TO MAKE THEM BETTER, BUT IT'S ALSO TO ENSURE FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT THIS IS WHAT IS IN PLACE.

>> TRAINING IS ANOTHER MAJOR FOCUS LIKE DE-ESCALATION AND PROPER USE OF FORCE TRAINING THAT SHE SAYS THERE CANNOT BE ENOUGH OF.

>> WE ARE DEFINITELY SEEING CHOKEHOLDS ARE FORBIDDEN HERE IN THE CITY OF JERSEY.

SO, WHAT WE DO IS PUT A LOT IN TRAINING OUT THERE TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THAT THEY MIGHT NOT THINK IS A CHOKEHOLD.

THIS, RIGHT HERE COMES REALLY CLOSE TO ME.

>> TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY CONCERN, SHE'S INSTALLING CAMERAS ON STREET CORNERS AS BACKUP TO CITIZEN ALLEGATIONS, AND SHE IS SENDING OFFICERS TO PLACES LIKE SENIOR CITIZEN HOMES TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

PAMELA JOHNSON, HEAD OF THE JERSEY CITY ANTI-FILERS COALITION IS NOT EXACTLY OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY, BUT SHE IS HAPPY TO SEE MOODY, AN ORDAINED MINISTER WHO GREW UP IN THE GREENVILLE SECTION OF JERSEY CITY, IN THIS ROLE.

>> SHE'S A CIVILIAN.

SO, SHE BRINGS FORTH THE CIVILIAN COMMUNITY COMPONENT THAT HELPS HER TO KEEP UP WITH RESPECT AND NOT NECESSARILY BEING STOPPED OR, YOU KNOW, BEING SPOKEN TO ABOUT.

SO, I FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU BRING THAT ASPECT, WHEN YOU BRING A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MOREL.

>> AS A CIVILIAN, MOODY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO POLICE INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS OR A WRONGDOING BY OFFICERS HANDLED.

THOSE LEAVE THOSE CLOSE TO CIVILIANS.

AN ORDINANCE MEANT TO CREATE A REVIEW BOARD WHICH JOHNSON SAYS WILL SUPPORT MOODY.

>> FOR WHAT SHE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO IN THE AFTERMATH OF HAVING INTERNAL AFFAIRS WHO ARE ALREADY POLICING AND INVESTIGATING THE POLICE OFFICERS ACCUSED OF MISCONDUCT.

THAT IS ALSO WHERE WE NEED A CIVILIAN.

IN THIS CASE, CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARD TO OVERSEE THAT KIND OF INVESTIGATION.

>> MOODY SAYS THAT SHE SUPPORTS HAVING A REVIEW BOARD.

THE CITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO VOTE ON IT LATER THIS MONTH.

I AM JOANNA GAGIS, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNEL SO YOU CAN CONTINUING FOLLOWING ALL REPORTING.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

>> AND JM INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING THE 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.

>> AND JM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT, JUST WHO ARE THE POLICYHOLDERS?

THEY ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO KEEP THE GARDEN STATE GROWING.

BUSINESS LEADERS.

THE CARETAKERS OF OUR HISTORIC LANDMARKS.

AND, THE CUSTODIANS OF OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.

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

AND JM, WE'VE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.