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

>>> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BREANA VANNOZZI .

>>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

RELIEF IS ON THE WAY FOR THE GROWING NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED RESIDENTS IN OUR STATE HERE TONIGHT, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SAYS THE $300 SUPPLEMENTAL UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS WILL BEGIN GOING OUT EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WE HAVE MORE ON THAT IN OUR BUSINESS REPORT.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE STATE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE RELATE OF THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE PROGRAM.

IN THE 24 HOURS SINCE THE PREREGISTRATION WEBSITE WENT LIVE, MORE THAN 450,000 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS SIGNED UP TO GET VACCINATED.

STARTING TOMORROW, POLICE AND FIREFIGHTERS WILL BE NEXT IN LINE TO RECEIVE THEIR FIRST DOSE OF IMMUNIZATION.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS NEARLY 138,000 VACCINATIONS HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED STATEWIDE.

OF THAT NUMBER, A LITTLE MORE THAN 2000 RESIDENTS HAVE HAD BOTH DOSES.

THAT AMOUNT IS LIKELY UNDERREPORTED.

TODAY, THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED ANOTHER 5000 NEW POSITIVE TEST RESULTS.

IT MEANS MORE THAN ONE MAC IN EVERY 20 NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS HAVE NOW TESTED POSITIVE.

104 MORE LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST.

MORE THAN 3700 PATIENTS REMAINED HOSPITALIZED DUE TO COMPLICATIONS OF THE VIRUS.

>>> STATE HEALTH LEADERS SAY IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO KNOW IF WE WILL GET THE ANTICIPATED SPIKE OF INFECTIONS FROM HOLIDAY PARTIES, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT YET OUTSIDE OF THE 14 DAY INCUBATION PERIOD FOR THE NEW YEAR'S EVE GATHERINGS, BUT DAILIES CASE COUNTS AND FATALITY TOTALS SHOW NUMBERS ARE UP, AND IT IS LIKELY THAT HOSPITALIZATIONS WILL LAG.

STILL, THE STATES FORMER EPIDEMIOLOGIST SAYS HE IS ENCOURAGED BY A FLATTENING IN THE CURVE THAT BEGAN LATE SEPTEMBER.

SOME LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS HAVE TAKEN MATTERS INTO THEIR OWN HANDS TO STAVE OFF A POST HOLIDAY RUSH.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDA FLANAGAN REPORTS.

>> BEING IN CALIFORNIA IS PRETTY SCARY.

1 AND A PEOPLE HAVE IT.

>> Reporter: SAM EAGERLY GOT IN LINE FOR THE TESTING IN HOBOKEN AFTER THAT HOLIDAY TRIP TO CALIFORNIA WERE SOME HOSPITALS SWAMPED BY THE SUDDEN SURGE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND SOME ORDERED MEDICS TO RATION OXIDANT TREATMENTS.

>> I WAS EXPOSED TO SOMEONE WHO HAD IT 9 DAYS AGO, AND I DON'T HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS.

IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO GET A TEST IN CALIFORNIA.

THEY MADE US WAIT FOR 3 DAYS BEFORE YOU CAN GET IN.

>> HERE IT IS A PRETTY QUICK LINE.

IT MAKES IT MORE ACCESSIBLE.

>> Reporter: EMILY IS QUARANTINING AFTER TRAVELING FOR WORK TO CALIFORNIA, AND JOINED ABOUT A DOZEN HOBOKEN RESIDENTS AND WORKERS COME A PART OF A POST HOLIDAY SPIKE OF PEOPLE SEEKING TESTS.

MANY SPOKE OF MEETING WITH FAMILY OR A NEIGHBOR, IN DIANA'S CASE.

>> THIS PERSON TOLD ME THAT SHE TESTED POSITIVE FOR ANTIBODIES AND WANTED ME TO BE AWARE.

>> Reporter: YOU DID NOT GET A CALL FROM A CONTACT TRACER?

>> MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME.

I WOULD HATE TO INFECT SOMEBODY ELSE AND NOT KNOW IT.

>> IT IS HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS, SOCIAL GATHERINGS, AND TRAVEL.

THOSE ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS THAT WE SEE.

>> Reporter: LEO PELLEGRINI SAYS THAT HOBOKEN ADDED TWO MORE TEST SITE PROVIDERS IN NOVEMBER, AND EXPANDED TESTING HOURS THROUGH AT LEAST JANUARY TO HANDLE THE EXPECTED POST HOLIDAY RUSH.

THEY ANTICIPATE MAKING 12,000 TEST APPOINTMENTS THIS MONTH.

LAUREN EDMONDS RUNS THE IB TEST SITE.

>> TYPICALLY WE TEST AROUND 100 50 PER DAY.

I AM SPENDING TODAY TO BE CLOSER TO 250.

>> Reporter: HOBOKEN COUNCILMAN SAYS IT IS A REPEAT OF THANKSGIVING BEHAVIOR.

>> IS MUCH AS WE CAN SAY WE WANT TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE MEETING WITH OTHERS OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD, THE REALITY IS THIS PANDEMIC HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR, AND WE KNEW THAT PEOPLE, THEY REALLY NEEDED TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE.

KNOWING THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THERE WOULD BE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF TESTING AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY TO WAIT 5 TO 7 DAYS BEFORE GETTING TESTED TO MAKE SURE YOU GET A VALID TEST RESULT.

ANYONE WHO HAS SYMPTOMS IS URGED TO GET TESTED RIGHT AWAY.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU HAD A NEGATIVE RESULT, IT IS POSSIBLE YOU GOT TESTED TOO SOON.

IF YOU HAD JUST WAITED AND GOTTEN TESTED THE DAY AFTER, YOU COULD COME UP AS POSITIVE.

>> Reporter: HOBOKEN REPORTS ONLY ABOUT 20 TO 30% OF FOLKS DON'T COOPERATE WITH CONTACT TRACING, BUT STATEWIDE IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

GOVERNOR MURPHY HAS CLAIMED UP TO 78% OF PEOPLE CALLED REFUSE TO PROVIDE CONTACT.

MORE THAN 50% DON'T WORK WITH WESTFIELD REGIONAL HEALTH OFFICER MEGAN.

>> IT IS DIFFICULT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND WE DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO REALLY HELP PEOPLE, RIGHT?

LET THEM KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED.

A LOT OF TIMES, THERE IS NO RETURN CALL.

A LOT OF TIMES IT IS REALLY HARD TO GET INFORMATION.

I ALSO THINK A LOT OF THE EXPOSURES, SOME INDIVIDUALS DON'T KNOW BECAUSE THERE IS A TWO-WEEK INCUBATION.. >> Reporter: REMEMBERING ALL YOUR CONTACTS EVERY TWO WEEKS CAN BE TOUGH, MAKING IT HARDER TO TRACK THE VIRUS.

I'M BRENDA FLANAGAN OH, MY NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> 3 WEEKS AFTER GETTING THEIR FIRST DOSE OF PFIZER'S CORONAVIRUS VACCINE, HEALTHCARE WORKERS AT ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN NEW BRUNSWICK ROLLED UP THEIR SLEEVES AGAIN ABOUT COMPLETING THEIR IMMUNIZATION WITH A SECOND SHOT.

MANY OF THE WORKERS WERE THE FIRST TO RESPOND WHEN THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM ASKED FOR VOLUNTEERS TO GET INOCULATED.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR OUR WJ NEW BRUNSWICK SAID THE VACCINATION PROCESS WILL LIKELY TAKE THE HOSPITAL SEVERAL MONTHS.

>>> FORT DIX CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN BURLINGTON COUNTY IS ONCE AGAIN FACING A NIGHTMARE SCENARIO.

JUST WEEKS AFTER GETTING CONTROL OF WHAT WAS NAMED THE WORST PRISON CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN THE NATION OF THE FACILITIES 2700 INMATES, NEARLY 600 HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

ATTORNEYS FOR THE BUREAU OF PRISONS SAY THE PROPER STEPS ARE TAKEN BEING TAKEN TO PREVENT FURTHER SPREAD, BUT FAMILIES OF THOSE INSIDE PAINT A MUCH DIFFERENT PICTURE.

SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ REPORTS.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE JERSEY BEGAN RELEASING INMATES FROM STATE PRISON LATE LAST YEAR TO EASE THE THREAT OF THE CORONAVIRUS, SOME FAMILIES OF INMATES AT FORT DIX WERE HOPING THAT THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS MIGHT FOLLOW SUIT.

>> I THINK THEY ARE LOOKING FOR EVERY POSSIBLE REASON TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM BEING RELEASED INTO HOME CONFINEMENT, AND THAT IS CRIMINAL.

>> Reporter: WITH 571 OF THE NEARLY 2700 INMATES AT THE FACILITY POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, FORT DIX HAS THE MOST CASES IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM BY FAR.

NICOLE BARNES, WHOSE FIANCE IS COVID POSITIVE AND SUFFERING FROM A RESPIRATORY INFECTION, SAYS HE'S AND THAT NUMBER IS A LOWBALL.

>> WE ARE AT 571 CASES NOW, SO THEY SAY, RIGHT?

BUT BECAUSE I HAVE, YOU KNOW, THIS NETWORK OF FAMILY MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, I AM ABLE TO, OR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TALLY UP TO CLOSE TO 700 CASES, AND THAT IS JUST FROM THE FEW UNITS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET INFORMATION FROM.

>> Reporter: SHE WENT A FACEBOOK PAGE FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WERE MEMBERS EXCHANGE INFORMATION AND MESSAGES.

SHE SAYS THIS VIDEO, SHOT BY INMATES, SHOWS A BUS DROPPING OFF TRANSFERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

MARISSA KINGMAN'S FIRM HAS BEEN FILING COMPASSIONATE RELEASE APPLICATIONS FOR THE PAST 6 MONTHS, WITH ONLY OCCASIONAL SUCCESS FEAR SHE SAYS REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE FEDERAL GOP SAYS, INMATES ARE STILL BEING TRANSFERRED TO THE SOUTH JERSEY FACILITY.

>> THE COURT DID NOT ANTICIPATE OR INTEND TO IMPOSE A DEATH SENTENCE ON A PERSON THAT COMMITTED A NONVIOLENT OFFENSE.

THAT IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE FACING.

>> Reporter: THE BOP WHICH DECLINED OUR REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW INSISTED THAT CASES AT FORT DIX ARE MILD AND THAT THEY ARE AHEAD OF THE CURVE WHEN IT COMES TO FIGHTING THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

THE BUREAU OF PRISONS HAS TAKEN SWIFT AND EFFECTIVE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19, AND HAS EMERGED AS A CORRECTIONAL LEADER IN THE PANDEMIC.

A STATEMENT FROM THE BOP TODAY SAYS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO EVALUATE OUR MITIGATION STRATEGIES, AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED.

MEGAN'S HUSBAND IS ALSO A COVID- 19 POSITIVE INMATE SUFFERING FROM A RESPIRATORY INFECTION AND OTHER COMORBIDITIES.

SHE SAYS THE BOP HAS SHOWN A CALLOUS INDIFFERENCE TO THE SITUATION.

>> SOMETIMES WE GET A RESPONSE, AND IT IS TYPICALLY, I THINK, A BLANKET STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY SOMEBODY THAT IS GIVEN TO EVERYONE ELSE.

IT IS NOT PERSONALIZED, BECAUSE TO THEM MY HUSBAND IS A NUMBER.

I GET THAT.

I THINK THAT HAVING THE SAME BLANKET STATEMENT GIVEN OVER AND OVER SHOWS THAT THERE IS NO REAL EFFORT BEING PUT INTO RECTIFYING THE SITUATION.

I THINK THAT IS THE PART THAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST.

>> Reporter: THE BOP HAS BEGUN A VACCINATION PROGRAM FOR FACILITY STAFF ONLY, THOUGH NOT YET AT FORT DIX.

NO WORD ON WHEN INMATES THERE, WHO CANNOT GO HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY, WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

I AM DAVID CRUZ, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> AS INFECTION RATES CONTINUE TO DECLINE JUST 77 SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE WELCOMED SCHOOLS AND STAFF BACK FOR IN PERSON LEARNING THIS WEEK.

DISTRICTS ARE OVERWHELMINGLY CHOOSING TO KEEP INSTRUCTION FULLY REMOTE FOLLOWING THE HOLIDAYS.

THAT HAS PARENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT.

IN ONE DISTRICT, PARENTS FILING A FEDERAL LAWSUIT TO REOPEN SCHOOLS, WHILE IN ANOTHER, THE TEACHERS UNION IS BACKING A MOVEMENT REQUIRING EVERY STUDENT TO TEST NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19 BEFORE THEY RETURN TO CLASS.

JOANNA GAGIS HAS THE STORY.

>>> I GET EMOTIONAL THINKING ABOUT IT , EVERY TIME.

IT IS NOT JUST MY SON, IT IS EVERY STUDENT.

THE PARENTS WANT THEM BACK IN SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: SHE IS A MOM OF THREE WHOSE OLDEST SON IS IN SECOND GRADE.

THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE LAST MARCH, DESPITE OUTCRY, EVEN PROTEST, FROM PARENTS.

SHE GOT CHOKED UP THINKING ABOUT THE QUESTION LUCAS KEEPS ASKING HER.

>> WHY AM I STRUGGLING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO A COMPUTER?

MY SON HAS A 504.

HE HAS SENSORY ISSUES THAT HE NEEDS ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ADHD.

HE CANNOT LEARN THROUGH A COMPUTER.

HE IS NOT UNIQUE.

THERE ARE MANY STUDENTS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: TOGETHER WITH A GROUP OF PARENT ADVOCATES, THEY HAVE FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT AGAINST THE DISTRICT.

>> THIS LAWSUIT IS ASKING FOR THREE THINGS.

OPEN OUR SCHOOLS IMMEDIATELY, NOT WAIT FOR AN ARBITRARY DATE.

OPEN THEM FOR FIVE PARTIAL DAYS.

LOOK AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN NEW JERSEY THAT HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT AND HAVE BEEN DOING WELL.

THE THIRD THING IS TO MAKE SURE OUR SUPERINTENDENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO CLOSE ARBITRARILY AGAIN.

>> Reporter: SCOTCH PLAINS IS SCHEDULED TO REOPEN ON JANUARY 19th, BUT PARENTS ARE CONCERNED THAT DATE WILL BE PUSHED BACK LIKE THE MANY OTHER REOPENING DATES THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN SINCE SEPTEMBER.

THERE IS A SIMILAR SITUATION IN NEWARK, WHERE SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN CLOSED SINCE MARCH, BUT ARE SET TO REOPEN ON JANUARY 25th.

THE SUPERINTENDENT IS CONSIDERING WHETHER TO KEEP THEM CLOSED DUE TO THE HIGH COVID POSITIVE NUMBERS.

ONE KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE DISTRICTS, THE MAJORITY OF PARENTS IN NEWARK WANT THEIR STUDENTS REMOTE.

>> WHEN I MADE THE DECISION TO MOVE TO REMOTE INSTRUCTION FROM NOVEMBER TO JANUARY, THE INFORMATION THAT I HAD AT THAT TIME WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE TODAY.

THE NUMBERS TODAY, AS WE SHARED, ARE HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY WERE AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: EVENT WHEN NEWARK SCHOOLS REOPEN, THE TEACHERS UNION IS CALLING FOR ALL STUDENTS TO BE TESTED FOR COVID BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING.

>> I THINK EVERYONE WOULD BE A LOT LESS ANXIOUS IF THEY HAD A SENSE OF MOBILE, EVERYONE IN THIS BUILDING, FOR THE MOMENT, HAS TESTED NEGATIVE.

>> Reporter: THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT STUDENTS UP TO THIRD GRADE ARE NOT LIKELY SPREADERS OF COVID.

>> WE ARE NOT ASKING THAT PRE-K TO THIRD GRADE BE TESTED, BUT MIDDLE SCHOOL AND UP MOST DEFINITELY.

WE SEE THEIR BEHAVIORS AND NO THROUGH REPORTING THAT CERTAIN PARENTS HAVE, YOU KNOW, LIED TO GET THE KIDS BACK INTO THESE BUILDINGS, AND A FLIGHT ABOUT TEST RESULTS.

THAT IS WHY WE WOULD NOT TAKE ANYONE'S WORD FOR IT.

WE WANT TO SEE A NEGATIVE RESULT DOCUMENTED.

>> Reporter: WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE TESTING ON A MOVE FORWARD BASIS?

YOU COULD GET A SNAPSHOT OF WHERE A STUDENT IS AT THIS VERY MOMENT, BUT IT DOES NOT KEEP YOU SAFE UNTIL JUNE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TESTING WOULD BE REQUIRED, AS FOR ADULTS, EVERY TWO WEEKS.

WITH THE AMOUNT OF TESTING I SEE AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTY, I WOULD BE FINE THE TESTING ONCE A WEEK.

I WOULD BE FINE WITH TESTING BEING DONE IN THE SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU ON BOARD FOR STUDENTS TO BE REQUIRED TO BE TESTED?

>> THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES.

THE ULTIMATE REALITY IS THAT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

FINDING, IN PARTICULAR, BECOMES AN ISSUE IN REGARDS TO MAKING THAT A REALITY FOR EVERY SINGLE STUDENT.

>> Reporter: TESTING FOR EVERY STUDENT COULD BE COSTLY, SO THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT.

WILDENSTEIN SAID SHE WOULD BE OPEN TO MANDATORY COVID TESTING IF IT MEANS THE KIDS ARE BACK IN THE BUILDING.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS , I'M JOANNA GAGIS.

>>> AFTER THREE DECADES OF BEING RUN BY THE STATE, PATTERSON IS REGAINING LOCAL CONTROL OF ITS SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTING TODAY TO RESTORE THE CITY SCHOOL BOARD'S RIGHTS, MEANING PARENTS AND ADVOCATES WILL NOW HAVE A SAY IN HOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM OPERATES.

IT IS A MAJOR MILESTONE AFTER 2 YEARS OF INTENSE TRANSITION PERIOD, MEETING ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY FROM STATE MONITORS.

TRENTON INTERVENED WITH THE STRUGGLING DISTRICT BACK IN 1991 , AMID ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION, NEPOTISM, AND FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT.

>>> CHAOS ON CAPITOL HILL TONIGHT.

THE U.S. CAPITAL IS ON LOCKDOWN AS THOUSANDS OF PRO-TRUMP PROTESTERS SWARMED BUILDINGS IN THE COMPLEX AND CLASHED WITH POLICE HALTING THE JOINT SESSION TO CERTIFIED THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VOTE WON BY JOE BIDEN.

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS PROVIDED GAS MASKS AS THEY EVACUATED THE BUILDING.

POLICE USED PEPPER SPRAY AS THEY TORE DOWN BARRICADES, PUSHING THEIR WAY THROUGH, AND THEY SHOW CAPITAL SECURITY WITH GUNS DRAWN.

REPORTS OF AT LEAST ONE WOMAN ON THE GROUNDS SHOT IN THE CHEST.

VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARD IS BEING CALLED IN WITH 200 STATE POLICE.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA'S MAYOR, MURIEL BOWSER, ISSUING A 6:00 P.M.

CURFEW.

IT ALL STARTED AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSED HIS SUPPORTERS WITH BASELESS CLAIMS OF ELECTION FRAUD.

TONIGHT, NEW JERSEY'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION SENDING TWEETS AND MESSAGES TO RELAY THEIR SAFETY.

DAVID CRUZ SPOKE WITH CONGRESSMAN LBO SEARS BY PHONE FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. >> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN.

>> HOW'S IT GOING?

>> Reporter: I'M DOING OKAY.

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> THIS IS THE CRAZIEST THING.

I WAS ON THE FLOOR, LISTENING TO THE ARGUMENT.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU HEAR ALL OF THIS NOISE AND THEY RUSH PELOSI OUT OF THEIR, AND JIM CLYBURN.

THEY STARTED LOCKING THE DOORS.

AND YOU KNOW, IT WAS PRETTY SCARY, AND THEY STARTED BANGING ON THE DOORS, THESE PEOPLE.

THEY HAD A COUPLE OF POLICE, GUNS AT THE DOOR.

THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD USE GAS , AND TAKE OFF THE GAS MASKS.

IF YOU NEED TO GET ON THE FLOOR.

I AM LIKE OH MAN WHAT DID I GET MYSELF INTO.

>> Reporter: AND ALL OF YOUR DAYS, I KNOW THAT YOU GO BACK TO THAT CASTRO REGIME.

AND ALL OF YOUR DAYS WOULD YOU EVER THINK THAT YOU WOULD SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING IN THE CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES?

>> THIS IS THE MOST DISGUSTING THING I HAVE SEEN YOU CANNOT HAVE THIS CHAOS.

THIS IS THE GREATEST DEMOCRACY IN THE WORLD .

AMERICA IS A BEACON OF FREEDOM , AN EXAMPLE OF DEMOCRACY.

TO HAVE A PRESIDENT ENTICE PEOPLE, TELLING THEM WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE CAPITAL, I WILL LEAD YOU TO THE CAPITAL, IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE.

HE SHOULD BE PUT IN JAIL.

HE IS LUCKY NOBODY GOT KILLED SO FAR.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT TWEETED OUT THAT HE WANTED, HE ASKED PEOPLE TO STAY CALM, BUT A LITTLE TOO LATE, RIGHT?

>> HE SHOULD'VE HAD THE NATIONAL GUARD THERE IMMEDIATELY .

HE WANTED THIS CHAOS.

THIS PRESIDENT WANTED THIS CHAOS.

THIS IS HOW HE WANTED TO FINISH .

HE WANTS TO DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT WAS BUILT IN THIS COUNTRY FOR OVER 200 YEARS.

BECAUSE HE LOST, HE GOT HIS BUTT KICKED.

HE IS A DISGRACE.

>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD HAPPEN NOW?

I MEAN, YOU -- >> WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND FINISH.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE A VOTE TO PUT JOE BIDEN IN OFFICE.

3rd YOU THINK THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN?

YOU THINK YOU CAN DO IT TODAY?

>> WE HAVE TO DO IT.

I WILL STAY HERE ALL NIGHT IF I HAVE TO.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A CONSTITUTION.

WE HAVE INSTITUTIONS THAT PROTECT US.

THIS PRESIDENT HAS TRIED TO DESTROY EVERY SINGLE THING THAT WE HAVE BUILT OVER ALL THOSE THOSE YEARS.

THANK GOD OUR INSTITUTIONS HELD.

THE COURTS HELD.

THE MILITARY HELD.

>> Reporter: DOESN'T GIVE YOU ANY SENSE OF PESSIMISM OR OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE, AS WE APPROACH A CHANGE OF ADMINISTRATION?

DO YOU THINK THAT WILL CALM THIS?

>> WHAT I HOPE IS THAT PEOPLE IN AMERICA ARE WATCHING WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE, AND REFLECT ON WHERE THIS GUY HAS TAKEN THIS COUNTRY IN 4 YEARS.

>>> FINALLY, UNEMPLOYED RESIDENTS CAN START CHECKING THEIR MAILBOXES OR BANK ACCOUNTS.

RHONDA SCHAFFLER HAS DETAILS ON THE RELIEF AHEAD, AND TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS NEWS.

>> Reporter: SOME MUCH WELCOME RELIEF FROM HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UNEMPLOYED WORKERS IN NEW JERSEY.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT SAYS THOSE RESIDENTS WILL BEGIN RECEIVING THEIR $300 IN SUPPLEMENTAL FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS EARLY NEXT WEEK.

THIS MONEY IS THE RESULT OF THE EXPANDED C.A.R.E.S.

ACT THAT WAS SIGNED INTO LAW LATE LAST YEAR.

THE STATE SAYS IT WILL BEGIN PROCESSING THE PAYMENTS OVER THE WEEKEND, AND CLAIMANTS SHOULD SEE THE MONEY NEXT TUESDAY.

THE C.A.R.E.S.

ACT PAYMENT IS IN ADDITION TO STATE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.

>>> WE ARE STARTING THE YEAR OFF WITH SOME DISCOURAGING NEWS ON JOBS IS THE ACADEMIC CONTINUES TO IMPACT EMPLOYMENT.

NEW JERSEY-BASED ADP REPORTS THAT U.S. COMPANIES SLASHED POSITIONS IN DECEMBER.

123,000 JOBS WERE ELIMINATED, MARKING THE FIRST MONTH OF EMPLOYMENT DECLINE SINCE LAST APRIL.

MOST OF THE JOB CUTS CAME AT LARGE COMPANIES.

THE REPORT CAUGHT ECONOMISTS BY SURPRISE.

THEY WERE EXPECTING TO SEE GAINS.

WE WILL SEE WHAT THE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT RELEASES ITS MONTHLY JOB REPORT WHICH HAPPENS ON FRIDAY.

THE ONGOING PANDEMIC WILL ALSO CREATE SOME CHALLENGES WHEN GOVERNOR MURPHY AND STATE LAWMAKERS BEGIN WORK ON A NEW STATE BUDGET IN A FEW WEEKS.

THE REVENUE OUTLOOK IS UNCERTAIN.

WHILE THE STATE RECENTLY BORROWED $4 BILLION, THAT WAS TO PLUG LAST YEAR'S BUDGET GAP.

>> IT WAS JUST A ONE-TIME SOURCE THAT WILL HAVE TO BE BACKFILLED IN SOME OTHER WAY, OR THERE WILL HAVE TO BE CUTS THAT CORRESPOND WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT WAS USED FROM THE BORROWING TO BALANCE THE CURRENT BUDGET.

THAT IS A BIG TASK RIGHT THERE.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF THAT, THE STATE IS DUE TO MAKE A BIG PENSION CONTRIBUTION NEXT YEAR.

FIND OUT MORE BY READING JOHN'S STORY ON NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.ORG.

NEW JERSEY IS JOINING EIGHT OTHER STATES IN A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

IT CHALLENGES A NEW FEDERAL RULE THAT THE STATES SAY WOULD LIMIT THEIR EFFORTS TO PROTECT AGAINST PREDATORY LENDING.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE TRADING DAY ON WALL STREET.

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

♪ >>> WORKPLACE COMPLAINTS BEGAN FLOODING INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IMMEDIATELY AFTER GOVERNOR MURPHY MANDATED NEW CORONAVIRUS SAFETY RULES FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EMPLOYERS.

IN JUST WEEKS, THE NUMBERS SPIKED TO 2000 REPORTS OF ALLEGED WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS, BUT ONLY A FRACTION HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND RESOLVED.

MICHAEL HILL HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: THIS PHOTO OF CLEANING WIPES REPRESENTS EVIDENCE THAT A NEW JERSEY EMPLOYER IS COMPLYING WITH COVID-19 CLEANING PROTOCOLS, DESPITE A COMPLAINT TO THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

THIS ONE IS IN RESPONSE TO A COMPLAINT THAT AN EMPLOYER FAILED TO PROVIDE HAND SANITIZER.

THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT HAS SCORES OF PICTURES SHOWING NEW JERSEY EMPLOYERS PROVING THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH STATE COVID- 19 PROTOCOLS, AND NOT VIOLATING PANDEMIC RULES OF PROTECTION AND PREVENTION.

THE DEAL HAS RECEIVED 2000 COMPLAINTS SINCE THE EXECUTIVE ORDER 192 TOOK EFFECT IN EARLY NOVEMBER.

IT MANDATES ALL EMPLOYERS, BUSINESS, NONPROFIT, EDUCATION, GOVERNMENT, TO PROTECT FROM COVID EVERYONE WHO COMES IN PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THEIR OPERATION.

>> WE ARE VERY PROUD IN NEW JERSEY TO BE ON THE FOREFRONT OF PROTECTING WORKERS ACROSS THE STATE.

COVID MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN USUAL.

WE ARE PROUD THAT WE ARE ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO PUT IN COVID STANDARDS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING WORKERS.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE ORDER PROVIDES A WAY TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT ONLINE WITH THIS FORM, FOUND ON THE STATE LABOR DEPARTMENT WEBSITE.

MOST COMPLAINTS FOCUS ON LACK OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, OR FACE COVERINGS, OR PRE-SCREENINGS OF EMPLOYEES ENTERING A BUILDING, OR PROPER SANITIZING, OR SANITIZER.

>> ALL OF THESE COMPLAINTS HAVE LED TO FULL COMPLIANCE.

EVERY IN BUSINESS WE HAVE INVESTIGATED OR REACHED OUT TO HAS QUICKLY COME INTO COMPLIANCE.

>> Reporter: OF THE 2000 COMPLAINTS FILED, 1100 WERE INVESTIGATED AND RESOLVED.

510 OR UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR 260 ARE PENDING, AND 250 NON- COVID RELATED AND REFERRED TO OTHER AGENCIES.

>> Reporter: HAS THIS DATE IN ANY OF THESE INSTANCES HAD TO FORCE A BUSINESS, GO IN FORCEFULLY AND SAY YOU MUST DO THIS?

>> NOT AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD AND LUCKY, BUT AGAIN, UNSURPRISED.

NEW JERSEY BUSINESSES HAVE STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE.

>> Reporter: THAT HAS ONE LAWYER WHO AGREES WITH THE SAFETY PROTOCOLS AND REPRESENTS EMPLOYERS WONDERING ABOUT THE NECESSITY OF THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER.

>> I THINK IT IS WELL- INTENTIONED.

WHETHER THERE WAS A NECESSITY FOR THE SPECIAL WHISTLEBLOWER PROVISIONS AT THE STATE LEVEL IS PROBABLY DEBATABLE.

>> Reporter: FOR SERIOUS AND EGREGIOUS VIOLATIONS, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER CALLS FOR A $1000 FINE, AND 6 MONTHS IN JAIL.

>> THEY ARE ON THE OUTLYING EDGE OF WHATEVER IS NECESSARY.

NOTHING LIKE THAT I FORESEE HAPPENING IN OUR TIME MAMA BUT IN THE END, IF YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYER WHO EVERY DAY IS PUTTING THEIR EMPLOYEES AT RISK , AND RISKING THEIR LIFE AND HEALTH AND SAFETY, WE MUST HAVE ALL TOOLS AVAILABLE TO US TO BRING THEM INTO COMPLIANCE.

I DON'T PERCEIVE HER HAVING TO USE THEM.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL HILL, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS .

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT A REMINDER TO JOIN US ON THURSDAY AT 6:30 P.M. FOR OUR LIVE YOUTUBE SHOW CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ.

THIS WEEK , HE SPEAKS WITH THE NEW JERSEY HEALTH COMMISSIONER ABOUT THE SECOND WAVE OF COVID- 19 AND THE VACCINE ROLLOUT.

SEND YOUR QUESTIONS AHEAD OF TIME TO CHAT BOX AT NJSPOTLIGHTNEWS.ORG, OR ASK THEM LIVE DURING THE STREAM.

I'M BREANA VANNOZZI.

FOR THE ENTIRE NEWS TEAM, THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH.

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

>>> DAY AFTER DAY, WE RELY ON ELECTRICITY FOR ALL OF THE ORDINARY THINGS IN OUR LIVES, AND FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY.

>> MOM.

>> HEY, SWEETIE.

HOW ARE YOU?

TELL ME ABOUT THE GAME.

>> I SCORED TWO GOALS.

>> AT PSE&G, OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU NOW IS MORE POWERFUL THAN EVER.