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

RJW BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TODAY AND ORSTED COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

THE STATE IS REPORTING NEW MILESTONES IN THE COVID ROLLOUT.

200,000 HAVE RECEIVED A SHOT SO FAR.

LEADING THE EFFORT, THE SECOND OF SIX VACCINE MEGASITES IS FULLY OPERATING.

THIS IS AT ROWAN COLLEGE.

IT IS A MASTER FACILITY THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE 300 VACCINE DISTRIBUTION SITES WHEN IT IS WILDLY AVAILABLE.

THE NUMBER OF NEW POSITIVE TESTS HIT ABOVE 5,000.

MORE THAN 530,000 TOTAL.

BUT THOSE NUMBERS ARE LIKELY UNDER REPORTED AND SURGE HIGHER IF YOU INCLUDE POSITIVE ANTIGEN OR RAPID TESTS.

51 MORE LIVES WERE LOST AND NEARLY 20,000 TOTAL FATALITIES SINCE THE START OF THE OUTBREAK.

DATA SHOWS THE STATE LAGS BEHIND OTHERS IN THE COUNTRY WITH OUR PACE OF IMMUNIZATIONS.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> I HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO MULTIPLE PEOPLE WHILE ON THE JOB THAT WERE CONFIRMED COVID.

>> Reporter: A GRATEFUL HACKENSACK POLICE OFFICER JOINED A HANDFUL OF FIRST RESPONDERS THAT GOT THE VACCINATION TODAY.

THEY ARE GETTING FIRST AND SECOND DOSES TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND TODAY STARTED INOCULATING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTERS, THE ONLY GROUPS BESIDES LONG TERM CARE RESIDENTS PERMITTED TO GET THE VACCINE UNDER JERSEY RULES.

>> I WANTED TO DO IT TO PROTECT MY FAMILY.

I DON'T WANT TO BRING THIS HOME.

>> THIS IS AN ADDED ASSET THAT WE CAN HAVE.

>> TREMENDOUS DEMAND.

IF I COULD TELL YOU HOW MANY TEXT MESSAGES AND CALLS I GOT OVER THE WEEKEND ABOUT HOW TO GET VACCINATED -- >> Reporter: SO FAR JERSEY GAVE 214,500 DOSES OF THE VACCINE BUT THAT IS ABOUT 33% OF THE VACCINE ON HAND COMPARED TO 35% NATIONWIDE.

THEY OPENED A MEGASITE IN GLOUCESTER TODAY, ONE OF SIX CAPABLE OF GIVING 2,000 SHOTS A DAY BUT THEY ARE GETTING HALF THAT MUCH VACCINE.

MANY NEW JERSEY OFFICIALS BLAME THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FOR HOARDING SUPPLIES.

>> IT'S A SHAME WE DON'T HAVE THE VACCINES.

EVERYDAY WE LOSE AND PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED AND DIE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT READY DOWN THERE.

>> THAT IS MY CONCERN RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE LAGGING.

>> Reporter: RUTGERS SCHOOL OF HEALTH SAYS JERSEY IS NOT VACCINATING PEOPLE FAST ENOUGH COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

HE BLAMED THE PHASED IN APPROACH THAT LET'S CERTAIN GROUPS GET THE SHOTS.

>> I WOULD LIKE THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO EXPAND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATION.

WE CLEARLY HAVE STOCK HERE.

WE CLEARLY HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING HERE AND THOSE OF US WHO ARE WILLING TO BE VACCINATED CAN'T CONTINUE TO WAIT IN LINE FOR THOSE IN 1-A WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT IT, RIGHT, BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY GO AND TAKE THE VACCINES.

>> Reporter: THIS MAKESHIFT CLINIC GIVES 425 VACCINATIONS A DAY, PFIZER AND MODERNA.

IT'S OPEN FROM 8:00 TO 4:30.

NEW YORK CITY IS RUNNING SOME CLINICS 24-7 IN AN EFFORT TO RAMP UP THE VACCINATION RATE.

>> JUST EXPANDING THE HOURS IN THE ABSENCE OF MORE SUPPLY DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAGICALLY GET YOU THERE.

THIS WAS MENTIONED A FEW MINUTES AGO BY JUDY.

WE DON'T WANT TO GO INTO A NO APPOINTMENTS MIND-SET WHICH WE ARE SEEING THE PRICE THAT IS PAID IN FLORIDA WHERE PEOPLE ARE LITERALLY CAMPING OUT ALL NIGHT IN THE COLD WAITING, WAITING, WAITING, GETTING THERE AND SUPPLIES RUNNING OUT.

>> Reporter: STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WILLING TO MAKE ANY LEFTOVER VACCINE ONCE IT'S DEFASTED TO AVOID WAITING VACCINE.

>> I ADVISED ALL THE SITES TO CALL PEOPLE BACK IN TO GET DOSES IF THEY SHOW UP AND THEY ARE NOT WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE CATEGORY.

WE DO NOT WANT ANY WASTED.

BUT, YOU KNOW, INEVITABLY THERE WILL BE SOME.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW JERSEY PRESENT REGISTERED TO TAKE THE VACCINE.

IT DOESN'T REQUIRE PROOF OF ELGIBILITY.

>> WE ARE TRUSTING THE INTEGRITY OF ALL OF YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN THIS REGARD AND NOT, QUOTE UNQUOTE, JUMP THE LINE.

WE KNOW EVERYONE IS ANXIOUS, BUT WE ARE WORKING -- WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR PATIENCE AS WE AWAIT A LARGER SUPPLY OF THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: SOME HAVE TRIED TO JUMP THE LINE NOTABLY IN HACKENSACK WHERE THE SIGN UP PORTAL LET INELIGIBLE PEOPLE MAKE APPOINTMENTS.

THAT HAS BEEN FIXED WITH A DIGITAL FILTER.

>> THE LAST CHECK IN THE BOX IS WHEN FOLKS COME FOR THEIR VACCINES THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE APPROPRIATE CREDENTIALS TO GET THROUGH THE REGISTRATION PROCESS.

>> Reporter: UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE THAT MAKE APPOINTMENTS WILL FIND THEY HAVE BEEN CANCELED.

IN HACKENSACK, BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> DAILY INFECTIONS APPEAR TO BE LEVELING OFF BUT THE STATE HIT ANOTHER RECORD HIGH.

MORE THAN 6400 CASES IN A SINGLE DAY.

AN APPARENT SPIKE FOLLOWING THE HOLIDAYS JUST AS HEALTH OFFICIALS WARNED.

GOVERNOR MURPHY SAID WE WILL LIKELY FEEL THE IMPACT OF THE GATHERINGS AND PARTIES FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

OF THE SPIKE HAS PUSHED THE CORONAVIRUS TO THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE STATE.

FOR MORE INSIGHT WE ARE JOINED BY STEPHANIE SILVERA.

GREAT TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

WE ARE NOW BEYOND THE TWO-WEEK INCUBATION PERIOD FROM THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY.

WE ARE STILL HEADING TO THAT INCUBATION PERIOD FROM NEW YEAR'S.

WHAT ARE WE SEEING?

WE HAD TWO DAYS OF NEW RECORDS WITHIN A WEEK'S SPAN?

>> I THINK WHAT IS INTERESTING, WE HAVE A TWO-WEEK SPAN.

AFTER THANKSGIVING, OUR NUMBERS PEAKED AT A HIGH OF ABOUT 5,000 NEW CASES PER DAY.

WE WENT BACK DOWN TO JUST UNDER 4,000.

NOW WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS THE NUMBERS IN ABOUT THE 6500.

WE HAD AN ALMOST DOUBLING OF OUR SEVEN DAY DAILY AVERAGES.

AND, LIKE YOU SAID, WE GOT PAST THE TWO-DAY WINDOW FOR CHRISTMAS BUT WE HAVE THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY.

IT'S ENTIRELY POSSIBLE THAT THOSE NUMBERS WILL INCREASE.

>> ARE YOU PREDICTING THAT OR WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK AS YOU WATCH THE TREND LINE?

>> I SUSPECT THE TREND LINES MIGHT GO UP SOMEWHAT.

I DON'T THINK WE WILL SEE IT GO UP AS MUCH AS WE DID FROM CHRISTMAS.

I THINK PEOPLE DID SEEM TO STAY HOME MORE FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE BUT THE CONCERN IS THAT ONCE THOSE NUMBERS ARE UP AND PEOPLE GO BACK TO WORK AND ARE INTERACTING, THAT WE CAN MAINTAIN THOSE NUMBERS TO A CERTAIN EXTENT.

>> WE KNOW, OF COURSE, THAT TESTING IS -- A LOT OF TROUBLE GETTING A TEST.

IF YOU NEED ONE THE WAIT TIMES ARE LONG.

AND WE DO HAVE THIS STRAIN CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE U.S. NO KNOWN CASES OF THE UK VARIANT HERE IN NEW JERSEY.

BUT WE KNOW IT'S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.

I MEAN, THIS STRAIN.

>> RIGHT.

WHAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE, I KNOW IT'S MORE CONTAGIOUS BUT NOT NECESSARILY MORE DEADLY.

THE ISSUE IS THAT IT IS JUST AS DEADLY AS THE CURRENT VARIANT THAT WE ARE SEEING.

IF OUR NUMBERS INCREASE IN TERMS OF OVERALL CASES, THAT WILL TRANSLATE INTO MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND MORE DEATHS UNFORTUNATELY.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, WE ARE SEEING HOSPITALIZATIONS STAY SOMEWHAT STEADY BUT THE RATE OF SPREAD WE ARE NOTING IS UP ACTUALLY QUITE A BIT FROM THE LAST MONTH OR SO.

>> RIGHT.

WE ARE SEEING THAT.

THE RATE OF TRANSMISSION TENDS TO LAG THAT NUMBER A BIT BEHIND THE CASES.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING.

THE RATES OF TRANSMISSIONS ARE GOING UP.

YOU MENTIONED TESTING.

THE POSITIVE TESTS HAVE GONE UP.

IN SUSSEX OVER 22% RIGHT NOW.

>> LET ME ASK YOU QUICKLY ABOUT THE MILESTONE THAT WE HIT.

COVID FATALITIES SURPASSING THE OTHER KNOWN NUMBER ONE KILLERS IN THE STATE, CANCER AND HEART DISEASE, SOMETHING THAT I THINK MOST MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS NEVER EXPECTED TO SEE IF THEIR LIFETIME.

>> NO, WE WOULDN'T.

RIGHT NOW OUR DAILY DEATH RATES ARE IN THE AREA OF ABOUT 2400 FOR COVID.

OUR DAILY DEATH RATES FOR HEART DISEASE AVERAGES AROUND 1700.

1600 FOR CANCER.

SO, WE ARE SEEING AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE THAT IS REALLY HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON DEATH RATES IN THIS COUNTRY AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE UNFORTUNATELY DYING.

I THINK THAT THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THIS COULD GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.

>> A GOOD REMINDER OF COURSE, TO KEEP WEARING THE MASKS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>>> THE ACTIVE COVID-19 OUTBREAK AT FCI FT. DIX IS UP TO 789 INMATES AND 23 STAFF.

THAT IS UP MORE THAN 200 CASES SINCE WE REPORTED ON THE SITUATION LAST WEEK.

NOW IT INCLUDES NEARLY 30% OF THE LOW SECURITY FACILITIES TOTAL INMATE POPULATION OF 2700.

THEY WOULDN'T COMMENT ON THE OUTBREAK BUT THEY HAVE MAINTAINED THAT THE MAJORITY OF POSITIVE INMATES ARE ASYMPTOMATIC AND HEALTHY.

FAMILY MEMBERS AND ATTORNEYS FOR INMATES AT THE PRISON DISPUTES THE CLAIMS SAYING PRISONERS EXPERIENCED SERIOUS SYMPTOMS.

IT IS NOT AMONG THE FEDERAL FACILITIES THAT GAVE VACCINATIONS DESPITE HAVING THE LARGEST OUTBREAK OF ANY PRISON IN THE COUNTRY.

RIGHT NOW IT IS BEING RESERVED FOR PRISON STAFF ONLY.

>>> CONGRESSWOMAN BONNIE WATSON HAS TESTED POSITIVE WHILE BEING EXPOSED IN LOCK DOWN DURING LAST WEEK'S DEADLY RIOT BY PRO TRUMP EXTREMISTS AT THE CAPITOL NEW JERSEY'S NATIONAL GUARDIOLA EMPLOYED 500 SOLDIERS AND AIRMEN PROVIDING SECURITY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

THE CITIZEN SOLDIERS WILL REMAIN IN THE CITY UNTIL THE INAUGURATION OF PRESIDENT-ELECT JOE BIDEN.

THE DOMESTIC TERROR ATTACKS SPURRING HOUSE DEMOCRATS INTO ACTION, TODAY FORMALLY INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO IMPEACH PRESIDENT TRUMP CHARGING HIM WITH INRAIMENT OF INSURRECTION.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS THE VOTES TO ACT ON THE SOLE ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT FOR DONALD J TRUMP.

>> YOU WILL NEVER TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY WITH WEAKNESS.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW STRENGTH AND YOU HAVE TO BE STRONG.

>> Reporter: AN IMPEACHABLE PERFORMS FOR GOVERNOR CHRISTIE.

>> IF I THINK IT'S IMPEACHABLE, THAT'S WHAT I WOULD DO.

I'M NOT IN THERE.

YOU WANT MY OPINION.

IF INCITING FOR INSURRECTION ISN'T, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS.

>> Reporter: FRANK MALONE IS AMONG THE VOTES TO IMPEACH TRUMP A SECOND TIME.

>> THERE IS ALWAYS A NOTION THAT SOMEHOW, YOU KNOW, TRUMP IS GOING TO CHANGE OR THAT, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT AS BAD AS IT APPEARS TO BE, BUT I THINK THIS WAS THE LAST STRAW.

PEOPLE UNDERSTAND NOW THAT HE REALLY WAS BEHIND THIS EFFORT TO STOP THE CERTIFICATION OF THE PRESIDENCY.

AND, YOU KNOW, THAT MEANS THAT HE REALLY DOESN'T BELIEVE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

PERHAPS HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME KIND OF DICTATORSHIP REPLACE IT.

AND I DON'T THINK ANY OF US REALLY THOUGHT THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN LAST WEDNESDAY.

THEY FIGURED IT WOULD BE A PEACEFUL MARCH, MARCH AROUND THE CAPITOL.

BUT HE CLEARLY INCITED THEM TO DO MORE.

>> I FIND IT OFFENSIVE.

HE NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE.

>> BEFORE VOTING OR IMPEACHMENT THIS WEEK, MANY DEMOCRATS PREFERRED THE VICE PRESIDENT INVOKE THE 25th AMENDMENT.

>> RESOLUTION CALLING ON MICHAEL R. PENCE TO CONVENE AND MOBILIZE THE PRINCIPLE OFFICERS TO ACTIVATE SECTION 4 OF THE 25th AMENDMET TO DECLARE PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP INCAPABLE OF EXECUTING THE DUTIES OF HIS OFFICE AND EXERCISE POWERS AS ACTING PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: BUT DEMOCRATS HAVE THEIR DOUBTS THE VICE PRESIDENT WILL ACT AS HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI REVEALED ON 60 MINUTES.

THE VP DID NOT TAKE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP'S CALL URGING HIM TO INVOKE THE 25th.

WE WERE KEPT ON THE LINE FOR 25 MINUTES.

WE ARE WAITING FOR HIM TO RETURN THE CALL.

>> IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE VICE PRESIDENT PENCE WILL TAKE THAT ROUTE.

THAT LEAVES IMPEACHMENT.

IN TERMS OF WHAT A PUBLIC OFFICIAL CAN DO, THAT IS WRONG IN THEIR PUBLIC CAPACITY, THIS IS AS BAD AS IT GETS.

>> Reporter: IF THE HOUSE I AM PEACHES TRUMP, THE SENATE WOULD HOLD A TRIAL, EVEN AFTER TRUMP LEFT OFFICE.

IF CONVICTED, THAT CONVICTION WOULD BARTRUM' FROM EVER HOLDING FEDERAL OFFICE AGAIN.

SUPPOSE THE SENATE LACKS THE TWO THIRDS MAJORITY AGAIN AND AGAIN ACCUWEATHER FORECAST QUITS THE 45th PRESIDENT AND HE IS NEVER REALLY HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR INCITING A MOB TO ATTACK AN EQUAL BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT?

>> IT WOULD BE A TERRIBLE MESSAGE.

THERE IS A -- AFTER A CATASTROPHIC EVENT, YOU SAY LET'S GO BACK TO NORMAL AND PUT IT TOGETHER.

BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THIS HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

THERE WERE CLEAR SIGNS THAT IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BEFORE IT DID.

SO, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO TAKE SOME KIND OF ACTION OR MULTIPLE ACTIONS AS A GOVERNMENT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THIS WAS NOT A PEACEFUL PROTEST.

THIS WAS NOT A FIRST AMENDMENT ACTIVITY.

THIS WAS AN ARMED INSURRECTION.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL HILL, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>> YOU CAN EXPECT GOVERNOR MURPHY TO MAKE MENTION OF THE FALLOUT IN WASHINGTON AS HE DELIVERS AN UNPRECEDENTED STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TUESDAY PRERECORDED AND DELIVERED VIRTUALLY, BEING GIVEN DURING ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING TIMES FOR THIS STATE AND OUR NATION.

HE WILL TOUT A NUMBER OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM THE FIRST TERM BUT ONE POLICY ITEM IS UNFINISHED A DEAL TO DECRIMINALIZE AND LEGALIZE ADULT USE MARIJUANA FELL APART LATE FRIDAY, A KEY PIECE OF HIS ORIGINAL ELECTION PLATFORM AS MURPHY GEARS UP TO CAMPAIGN FOR ANOTHER.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ HAS MORE DETAILS TONIGHT.

>> Reporter: THIS WON'T BE THE USUAL STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

NONE OF THE POMP AND CEREMONY OF YEARS PAST.

MISSING WILL BE THE WALK DOWN THE HALL THAT WE HAD THE CHALLENGE OF HARANGUING GOVERNORS WITH QUESTIONS THAT THEY MOST OFTEN IGNORE.

NO GLAD HANDLING WITH LAWMAKERS AND NO APPLAUSE.

THE SPEECH IS ALREADY DONE.

IT WAS RECORDED YESTERDAY AT THE WAR MEMORIAL WITH NO AUDIENCE AND WILL BE STREAMED ON THE GOVERNOR'S SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

>> MAYBE THIS IS A MORE APPROPRIATE SETTING FOR THE MOMENT.

THIS IS A ROUGH, ROUGH 2020.

SHEILA GIVES THE GOVERNOR CREDIT FOR LEADERSHIP.

>> WE HAD A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNINTERESTED IN RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC.

IT TOOK STRONG STATE LEADERSHIP TO GET US THROUGH THAT YEAR AND I THINK THAT HE SHOULD RIGHTFULLY TAKE A VICTORY LAP FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN EXPECTED IT FROM THE SPEECH WHICH ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS SAY WILL NOT FEATURE NEW INITIATIVES.

IT WILL BE A SHORT SPEECH, ABOUT A HALF HOUR, AND WILL HIGHLIGHT WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WHERE WE HAVE TO GO.

MURPHY CAN COUNT VICTORIES WITH THE MILLIONAIRES TAX, TAX INCENTIVE PROGRAMS, JUMP STARTING AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY ECONOMY AND EVEN GETTING CANNABIS BILLS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, ALTHOUGH THE DEVIL HAS TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN THE DETAILS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LAW THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS.

>> CAN YOU TAKE THE BIG TICKET ITEMS AND DRILL DOWN AND GET THEM DONE IN A WAY THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE'S LIVES?

THE DMV LINES THAT ARE TOO LONG, THE VACCINES WE HAVE TO GET OUT, THE NEW JERSEY TRANSIT PROBLEM.

CAN YOU SPEND THE YEAR USING THE TOOLS THAT YOU HAVE DEVELOPED SO THAT IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF NEW JERSEYANS.

>> THE PANDEMIC IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HIGHS AND THE LOWS OF THE PAST YEAR.

IT'S AN UNAVOIDABLE TRUTH THAT THE STATE'S ECONOMY TOOK A BODY BLOW AND STILL TRYING TO CATCH ITS BREATH.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE SAY SUPPORTERS.

THE STATE IS OPERATING WITH A SURPLUS ALBEIT FROM BORROWED MONEY AND POISED TO DO WELL IN A POST PANDEMIC WORLD WHENEVER THAT IS.

IN THE END THIS ADDRESS AND THE BUDGET ADDRESS WILL BE THE OPENING PARAGRAPH OF THE SCRIPT AND MURPHY HAS THE ADVANTAGE.

>> HE HAS BEEN BLESSED BECAUSE IN THIS CRISIS HE HAS GOTTEN A LOT OF TV TIME.

I DON'T THINK HE HAS DONE ANYTHING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE ARE THE NUMBER ONE EXIT STATE IN THE COUNTRY.

THE PROBLEM IS GETTING THROUGH THE POLITICAL CLOUDS TO THE FAILURES OF THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION, THAT WON'T BE EASY BASED ON WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON, AT LEAST NOW.

MAYBE THREE, FOUR MONTHS FROM NOW IT WILL CHANGE.

>> Reporter: IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT EVENTS IN THE NATION'S CAPITAL, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN UPLIFTING TO EXPERIENCE THE GENERAL THAT SURROUNDS THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS BUT NO SURPRISE THAT THE PANDEMIC WON'T LET US HAVE THAT THIS YEAR.

I'M DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> OUR TEAM WILL PROVIDE LIVE COVERAGE AND ANALYSIS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S VIRTUAL 2021 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AT 1:00 P.M.

TOMORROW JANUARY 12th ON NJTV AND ACROSS OUR DIGITAL PLATFORMS.

SUBSCRIBE ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL FOR REMINDERS AND ALERTS.

>>> LET'S NOT SUGARCOAT WHAT THE BUSINESS OWNERS FACE TODAY.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AIRED THEIR GRIEVANCES WITH COVID RELATED RESTRICTIONS AT AN EVENT BILLED AS THE "STATE OF NJ BUSINESS."

WITH REVENUES PLUMMETING, SMALL- BUSINESS OWNERS SAID THEY'VE HAD TO DIP INTO PERSONAL SAVINGS TO KEEP THEIR COMPANIES GOING.

BABB ZUCKER SAYS SOME BUSINESSES FEAR THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO HANG ON MUCH LONGER.

>> MAIN STREET IS SUFFERING.

OUR DOWN TOWNS ARE SUFFERING.

THE GRANTS AND LOANS THAT ARE COMING OUT THROUGH THE NEW NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT COULDN'T COME OUT SOON ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: SPEAKERS AT THE NJBAI FORUM SAID INITIAL TO MORE FINANCIAL HELP THEY SHOULD EXTENT THE PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS BUSINESSES TO BUY PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AT A DISCOUNT.

OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS SAID THEY SHOULD BE GIVEN PRIORITY FOR COVID-19 VACCINES.

NEW BRUNSWICK-BASED JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS ON TRACK TO SEEK APPROVAL FOR ITS ONE-DOSE COVID- 19 VACCINE EARLY NEXT MONTH.

THE VACCINE IS CURRENTLY IN LATE-STAGE TRIALS, WITH IMPORTANT SAFETY DATA COMING BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON HAS SET A GOAL OF PROVIDING 1 BILLION DOSES THIS YEAR.

THE COMPANY BELIEVES IT WILL BE EASIER TO TRANSPORT AND DISTRIBUTE ITS COVID-19 VACCINE CANDIDATE BECAUSE IT WON'T NEED TO BE SHIPPED AT SPECIAL TEMPERATURES.

THE FALLOUT FROM LAST WEEK'S RIOT IN WASHINGTON CONTINUES TO REVERBERATE THROUGH CORPORATE AMERICA.

A GROWING LIST OF BIG BUSINESSES SAY THEY ARE PAUSING THEIR POLITICAL DONATIONS.

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM PARLER WENT OFFLINE AFTER AMAZON SAID IT WOULD NO LONGER SERVE AS ITS WEB HOST BECAUSE POSTS ON THE PARLER SITE ENCOURAGED VIOLENCE.

ANOTHER PLATFORM, TWITTER HAS PERMANENTLY SUSPENDED PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S ACCOUNT.

AND THE PGA OF AMERICA IS CUTTING TIES WITH THE PRESIDENT; IT HAS DECIDED NOT TO HOLD NEXT YEAR'S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP AT TRUMP'S BEDMINSTER GOLF COURSE.

NOW A CHECK ON THE WALL STREET TRADING DAY.

I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>>> BIG CHANGES FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS.

TODAY GOVERNOR MURPHY ANNOUNCING THE STATE WILL WAVE THE EXIT EXAM REQUIRED TO PASS BEFORE GRADUATING.

TEACHERS WON'T BE EVALUATED BASED ON STUDENTS' PERFORMANCE.

SOME IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THEIR TEACHING CERTIFICATE CAN REMAIN IN THE CLASSROOM FOR EXTENDED PERIODS.

IT'S ALL PART OF ACKNOWLEDGING OUR CURRENT SITUATION WHILE REMAINING FLEXIBLE.

FOR WHAT IS INSIDE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, WE ARE JOINED BY JOHN MOONEY.

I GUESS THE GOVERNOR IS MAKING GOOD ON HIS WORD THAT THIS WOULD BE AN UNUSUAL SCHOOL YEAR?

>> YEAH.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT ACTUALLY FOLKS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR FOR A LONG TIME, EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

HE IS SORT OF PUTTING THEM ASIDE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE A LOT OF PLANNING GOES INTO THIS WORK, ESPECIALLY AROUND STATE TESTING AND THE USE OF THAT AS A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT.

SO, THESE ARE SOME THINGS -- SOME OF THE EASIER THINGS HE HAS TO DECIDE.

THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW FOR THE NEXT FIVE MONTHS AND THEY ARE REALLY -- IF HE IS GIVING THE STATE OF THE STATE TOMORROW, TODAY WAS A BIT OF THE STATE OF THE SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE IN FLUX RIGHT NOW.

>> YEAH, HOW MUCH WEIGHT DO THESE TWO ITEMS HOLD, JOHN.

IF I'M A PARENT, SHOULD I BE WORRIED THAT MY STUDENT WILL NO LONGER HAVE TO TAKE THIS TEST AND THEIR PERFORMANCE WON'T BE INCLUDED IN THE EDUCATOR'S REVIEWS?

>> AT THE MOMENT THIS IS A ONE YEAR -- A BIT OF A PAUSE IN THE SYSTEM.

THERE ARE LOTS OF QUESTIONS.

IT CAME UP TODAY, WHETHER THERE WOULD BE ANY TESTS IN THE SPRING.

RIGHT NOW THE PLAN IS TO HAVE STATE TESTING BUT A NEW ADMINISTRATION IS COMING IN IN WASHINGTON WHICH IS WHAT DICTATES THAT STATE TESTING.

SO, THERE IS QUESTIONS WHETHER THERE WILL BE ANY TESTING AT ALL.

SO, THERE MAY BE SOME WORRIES THAT THERE IS NOT A LOT OF ACCOUNTABILITY AROUND STUDENT PERFORMANCE RIGHT NOW, AT LEAST ON A STATEWIDE BASIS.

AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS, AS YOU MENTIONED, SUCH AN UNUSUAL YEAR.

WHAT WE RETURN TO IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR MAY BE MORE OF AN INDICATION OF THE LONG-TERM.

>> IN 30 SECONDS OR SO, THERE WAS ANOTHER ITEM IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT COULD HELP FILL THE POSITIONS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> THAT IS A BIG WORRY.

A LOT OF TEACHERS, THERE IS TALK THAT THERE WILL BE A RISE IF NOT A SURGE IN RETIREMENTS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

ANYTHING TO EASE THE PIPELINE AT THE OTHER END TO GET PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOM, THAT WAS THE INTENTION THERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOOD TO TALK TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU, BRIANA.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT.

HEAD TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG AND OUR SOCIAL CHALLENGES TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING.

I'M BRIANA VANNOZZI.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US AND WE WILL SEE YOU TOMORROW AT 1:00 P.M. FOR THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> NJM INSURANCE GROUP SERVING THE INSURANCE NEEDS OF RESIDENCES AND BUSINESSES FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

PG&E, WE MAKE THINGS WORK FOR COMMUNITIES.

AND VERIZON BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY, INDEPENDENT LICENSEE OF THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE ASSOCIATION.

>>> NJM INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SERVING NEW JERSEY POLICYHOLDERS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS.

BUT JUST WHO ARE NJM'S POLICYHOLDERS?

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

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

NJM, WE GOT NEW JERSEY COVERED.

>>> IF YOU NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR, RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH HAS TWO EASY WAYS.

YOU CAN SEE AN URGENT CARE PROVIDER 24-7 ON ANY DEVICE WITH OUR TELEMED APP OR JUST OUR WEBSITE TO BOOK WITH A PROVIDER OR SPECIALIST, EVEN AS A NEW PATIENT.

YOU HAVE TAKEN EVERY PRECAUTION AND SO HAVE WE.

DON'T DELAY YOUR CARE ANY LONGER.

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.