>> FUNDING FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS PROVIDED BY NJN INSURANCE GROUP, SERVING NEEDS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, AND VERIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD NEW JERSEY.

♪[ MUSIC ] >> THIS IS NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS WITH BRIANA VANNOZZI.

>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

TONIGHT, NEW JERSEY SWINGS BACK, BITING THE PANDEMIC WITH THE HELP OF JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S ONE- SHOT VACCINE, BEING PUT IN THE ARMS OF UNDERSERVED RESIDENTS ACROSS THE STATE.

JOINING THE RANKS WITH MODERNA AND PFIZER, JUST OVER ONE YEAR SINCE THE NO START OF OUR OUTBREAK AND MORE THAN 2.3 MODERNA AND PFIZER, JUST OVER ONE YEAR SINCE THE NO START OF OUR OUTBREAK AND MORE THAN 2.3 MILLION TOTAL DOSES INTO OUR IMMUNIZATION EFFORT WITH ROUGHLY 788,002ND DOSES ALREADY GIVEN.

BRENDA FLANAGAN WAS ON THE GROUND TODAY AS J&J SHOTS WHEN INTO ARMS AND STATE LEADERS PLACED HIGH HOPES ON THE NEW DRUG.

>> I CANNOT POSSIBLY OVERSTATE HOW MUCH THIS IS A GAME CHANGER IN OUR FIGHT TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND SAVE LIVES.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR MURPHY PRAISED THE J&J COVID-19 -- VACCINE THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE SUPERCOLD REFRIGERATION.

WHILE THIS VERSION IS LESS EFFECTIVE OVERALL, HEALTH OFFICIALS EMPHASIZED THE ... >> IT IS 100% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS IN SEVERE DISEASE.

>> THIS WEAPON ESPECIALLY WILL ALLOW US TO REACH DEEP INTO OUR COMMUNITIES TO BRING THE VACCINE TO RESIDENTS, TO ENSURE ACCESS AND SAVE LIVES IN SOME OF OUR HARDEST HIT AREAS.

>> Reporter: COVID HAS TAKEN A DEADLY TOLL ON PEOPLE OF COLOR, BUT THEY ARE GETTING VACCINATED AT FAR LOWER RATES THAN WHITE RESIDENTS NATIONWIDE.

THE J&J CEO SAID CLINICAL TRIALS AND LIBERALLY INCLUDED SIGNIFICANT MINORITY POPULATIONS, 30% HISPANIC, 13% BLACK.

>> FROM THE VERY BEGINNING WE DESIGNED THIS IN A WAY WITH DIVERSITY AND EQUITY IN MIND.

THESE COMMITTEES HAVE BEEN HIT TOO HARD.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO REACH OUT.

>> Reporter: JERSEY SHIPPED ITS FIRST DOSES TO SENIOR CENTERS, CHURCHES, AND KENNEDY SOUP KITCHENS.

100 WENT TO THE RESCUE MISSION FOR THE HOMELESS.

>> THESE CLIENTS ARE ALWAYS AT THE BOTTOM OF EVERYTHING.

PEOPLE ARE NEVER LOOKING OUT FOR THEM.

MAYBE FOR SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES THEY ARE AT THE HEAD OF THE LINE.

>> I WAS SO GRATEFUL TO GET THE ONE DOSE JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE.

I KNOW EVERYONE IS SAYING IT IS NOT 100%, NOTHING IN LIFE IS.

>> Reporter: SHE BROUGHT HER TODDLER ALONG AND GOT HER SHOT TODAY ALONG WITH OTHER CONGREGANTS WHO LINED UP FOR THE J&J VACCINE.

FOR MANY HERE TRUST IN THEIR PASTOR OVERRODE THE HESITANCY FELT BY MANY AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THIS COMMITTEE.

>> HE ENCOURAGED US.

I PRAYED ABOUT IT AND I THINK I HEARD GOD SAY GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS HESITANT, BUT THEN I FELT LIKE AND MY AGE I NEEDED THE SHOT.

I AM 84.

>> I UNDERSTAND WHY THE AFRICAN- AMERICAN COMMITTEE IS SKEPTICAL, WE HAVE A HISTORY.

THIS PANDEMIC TOOK LIVES, TWO OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS PASSED AWAY.

COVID IS REAL.

>> Reporter: ESSEX COUNTY HAS 2000 DOSES TO DISTRIBUTE.

>> WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS GET OUR URBAN CENTERS TO COME OUT.

THE NUMBERS ARE VERY LOW.

>> Reporter: PASTOR WILSON SCRAMBLED TO SIGN PEOPLE UP FOR TODAY'S CLINIC WHEN ESSEX COUNTY RECENTLY OFFERED IT 250 DOSES.

HE SAYS IT DOES NOT FIX THE LARGER, UNDERLYING PROBLEMS, BUT IS A START.

>> THIS IS NICE.

WE ARE GLAD TO BE DOING IT.

WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT HOSTING, BUT IT IS A SHAME THAT WE HAVE TO BE IN A PANDEMIC-CRISIS SITUATION IN ORDER FOR ATTENTION TO BE PAID TO BLACK AND BROWN COMMITTEES.

I SEE MORE MORE PEOPLE GOING AHEAD AND GETTING THE SHOTS.

>> Reporter: DO YOU THINK THE TRUST LEVEL IS RISING?

>> BY ALL MEANS, WHICH IS REALLY GOOD.

>> Reporter: OUTREACH EFFORTS HAVE BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THERE IS NOW A WAITING LIST FOR VACCINATIONS AT SAINT MATTHEWS.

THE REASON OTHER CLINIC SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 13.

BRENDA FLANAGAN, NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

>>> IT IS TOUGH TO PUT INTO WORDS THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF THE SHEER, AND THERE WERE PLENTY.

INSTEAD, WE TURN TO PHOTOS CAPTURING UNTHINKABLE MOMENTS.

THIS WEEK ON CHAT BOX HOURS TO YOUR CORRESPONDENT SPOKE WITH A PHOTOJOURNALIST AND MULTIMEDIA SPECIALIST IN PART OF THE EARLY EPICENTER OF THE PANDEMIC.

WITH HIS CAMERA HE DOCUMENTED THE HOPE, HEROES, AND OUTBREAK INSIDE THE HOSPITAL WALLS.

HE SHARED THE IMAGES THAT HAD A PROFOUND IMPACT ON HIM, INCLUDING THE LOSS OF ONE OF HOLY NAMES OWN.

>> WHAT IS THE STORY?

>> THAT WAS A HARD DAY FOR EVERYONE.

THAT WAS AN 30 YEAR EMPLOYEE, HE WAS A PATIENT TRANSPORTER.

HE CONTRACTED COVID AND PASSED AWAY IN THE ICU.

THE PHOTO IS OF HIS DIRECTOR.

HE IS TRANSPORTING HIM FROM THE ICU TO THE MORGUE.

EVERYBODY THAT WAS AVAILABLE WAS LINING THE HALLWAY.

THEY WERE CLAPPING FOR HIM TO HONOR HIM.

>> YOU CAN HEAR MORE ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHERS YEAR DOCUMENTING THE PANDEMIC ON CHAT BOX WITH OUR SENIOR CORRESPONDENT SATURDAY AT 6:30 PM AND SUNDAY MORNING AT 10:30 AM ON NJPBS.

CATCH UP ON ALL THE BIG STORIES WITH THE REPORTERS ROUNDTABLE.

>>> WITH A THIRD VACCINE MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE STATE COMES A REMINDER THAT THIS PANDEMIC IS NOT OVER.

ANOTHER 3300 NEW POSITIVE CASES REPORTED TODAY, 35 MORE FATALITIES.

NEARLY 1000 TOTAL LIVES LOST WERE LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS.

NURSING HOME REFORMS AND VACCINATIONS HAVE RECENTLY CUT CASES AND DEATHS DOWN 95% OVER JUST THE LAST TWO MONTHS ACCORDING TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

EVEN AS THE SITUATION IMPROVES, ADVOCATES AND FAMILY MEMBERS SAY THE YEAR OF ISOLATION HAS TAKEN AN IMMENSE TOLL ON THEIR LOVED ONES.

IN-PERSON VISITS MAY BE ON THE HORIZON, NOT SOON ENOUGH.

>> IT HAS BEEN THE WORST YEAR OF MY ENTIRE LIFE, WATCHING MY MOTHER IN SO MUCH PAIN EVERY SINGLE DAY, WITHOUT HER FAMILY.

>> Reporter: HER MOTHER HAS ALZHEIMER'S AND LIVES THAT A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY.

WHEN COVID HIT LIKE ALL FAMILIES IN NEW JERSEY THE LIVINGSTON RESIDENT WAS ONLY ALLOWED TO SEE HER THROUGH A WINDOW.

>> MY MOTHER'S HEART OF HEARING.

IT WAS A REALLY SAD EXPERIENCE.

OVER TIME I JUST WATCHED HER DETERIORATE.

I AM REALLY AFRAID THAT MY MOTHER IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS ISOLATION.

>> Reporter: THE 300 SIZE ON HER FRONT LAWN ARE PEERING ACROSS NEW JERSEY, PLACED BY A GROUP CALLED FAMILY ADVOCATE CARE EXPERIENCE.

>> IT RECOGNIZES PEOPLE WHO EITHER HAVE PASSED AWAY FROM COVID AND OR ISOLATION AS WELL AS THOSE WHO ARE STILL IN LONG- TERM CARE FACILITIES, LIKE MY MOTHER OR JUST ISOLATED.

>> Reporter: THIS RESIDENT FEARS FOR HER 84 YOUR MOTHER LIVING WITH DEMENTIA.

WHEN THE STATE ALLOW IN-PERSON ACTIVISTS SHE SAID IT WAS A STEP FORWARD, BUT THE WEATHER HAS ONCE AGAIN BROUGHT HER BACK TO SQUARE ONE.

>> IT IS TOO COLD TO LAST RESIDENCE TO SIT OUTSIDE.

SHE IS DECLINING EVERYDAY AND HAS GONE FROM A MOBILE PERSON TO SOMEONE WHO NOW JUST USES A WHEELCHAIR.

SHE SPENDS MOST OF HER DAY IN BED.

>> IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR, WE HAVE HAD TWO SHOTS AND NOW WHAT?

>> Reporter: DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT YOUR MOM BACK HOME?

>> ARE BROUGHT INTO MY HOUSE, SHE GOT DELUSIONAL.

PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT OUR TIME IS AN DEMENTIA, IT'S NOT JUST YOU LOSE YOUR MEMORY, YOU LOSE THE ABILITY TO RATIONALIZE.

YOU ARE SHORT-CIRCUITING IN YOUR BRAIN.

SHE THOUGHT THAT I WAS TRYING TO POISON HER WITH HER MEDICATION.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MANY RESIDENTS LIKE YOUR MOTHER WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE TAKEN OUT OF A LONG-TERM FACILITY?

>> CORRECT, IT'S NOT SO EASY.

PEOPLE ALWAYS SAY LET THEM LIVE WITH YOU, IT DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: NEWS ON THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER LAST WEEK THAT INDOOR BUSINESS COULD START SPARKED HOPE.

>> ONCE THEY MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS AND ATTEST TO THEM THEY CAN RESTART INDOOR SOCIALLY DISTANCED VISITATION BY APPOINTMENT.

THIS IS GOOD NEWS.

>> Reporter: 10 COUNTIES HAVE REACHED MODERATE LEVELS FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS, THE BAN ON INDOOR VISITS HAVE BEEN LIFTED, BUT VISITATION HAS NOT RESUMED.

FIRST, FACILITIES NEED TO PROVE THEY ARE COVID FREE.

ANDY IS THE HEAD OF THE HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY, WHICH REPRESENTS THE INDUSTRY.

HE SAYS THE BENCHMARK IS NOT EASY TO MAINTAIN.

>> IF YOU HAVE ONE POSITIVE CASE OR TWO STAFF POSITIVE CASES WITHIN 28 DAYS YOU ARE IN AN OUTBREAK.

>> Reporter: WAS A FACILITY IS OUT OF AN OUTBREAK IS STILL HAS TO HIT A FEW MORE BENCHMARKS, LIKE SUFFICIENT STAFF AND PPE BEFORE VISITATIONS CAN RESUME.

THAT COULD TAKE WEEKS.

IS THAT IS CURRENTLY FOLLOWING FEDERAL GUIDELINES, WHAT HE SAYS IN LIGHT OF HIGH VACCINATION RATES AND NURSING HOMES, HEALTH CASES AND DEATH RATES HAVE DROPPED, HE THINKS GUIDELINES SHOULD BE CHANGED.

>> WITH RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED FROM FAMILY MEMBERS WHO MAY HAVE ALSO BEEN VACCINATED, THAT IS A FACTOR THAT THE CDC DID NOT HAVE WHEN THEY SET THIS VISITATION GUIDANCE.

WE THINK AT SOME POINT SOON THEY REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THAT PERIOD >> MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS I NEED TO GET IN AND SEE HER WHILE SHE STILL REMEMBERS WHO I AM.

>> Reporter: THESE DAUGHTER SAY THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO PROTEST, THEY WANT TO SPREAD AWARENESS AND HOPE.

>>> THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLING OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK INSIDE OUR NURSING HOMES IS THE SUBJECT OF A NEW INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS CRIED FOUL FOR MY SENSEI BEGIN THEIR OWN HEARINGS, DELVING INTO THE STATEWIDE PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND POLICIES USED FOR LONG-TERM CARE CENTERS, SPECIFICALLY A DIRECTOR FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THAT MIRRORED ONE FROM NEW YORK, REQUIRING NURSING HOMES TO NOT TURN AWAY COVID-19 POSITIVE CASES.

LAWMAKERS HER FROM NURSING HOME OPERATORS, CAREGIVERS, BUT DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE AND SO DID DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES, TURNING THIS HEALTH CRISIS INTO A POLITICAL FIGHT.

>> ONE OF THE MOST TROUBLING THINGS IS THE LACK OF CARE AND CONCERN OUR COLLEAGUES.

LEADERS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE CALLED IT A MORAL OBLIGATION TO HAVE HEARINGS.

THERE WERE NEWSPAPER ARTICLES ALL SUMMER ABOUT FAILURE TO ACT.

YET, HERE WE ARE IN MARCH AND APPARENTLY NOBODY CARES ABOUT THIS LOSS OF LIFE.

THAT IS SHAMEFUL.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE GOP STATE SENATOR ON THE VIRTUAL PANEL EARLIER TODAY.

THE JENNA -- SENATOR JOINS US NOW.

A LOT OF POWERFUL TESTIMONY TODAY, BUT ALSO REAL ANGER ABOUT THOSE WHO WERE PRESENT.

>> LOOK, IT IS OUTRAGEOUS THAT MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE, SOME VERY GOOD FRIENDS, DESPITE THAT I HAVE TO CALL THEM AS I SEE THEM.

THEY DO NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY INTEREST IN PURSUING THESE ANSWERS.

THAT IS A SHAME.

WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

IT NEEDS TO BE OUT THERE.

THEY SHOULD BE FILLING SOME HEAT.

TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON THESE FOLKS WHO LOST LOVED ONES NEEDLESSLY TO FREQUENTLY, IT'S A SHAME.

WE SEE IT HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES WHERE RESPONSIBLE FOLKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE COME TOGETHER TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THESE THINGS AND GET THE SURVIVORS THE ANSWERS THEY DESERVE, AND TO GET A LEVEL OF RESPECT FOR THOSE LOST.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE ANSWERS YOU ARE LOOKING FOR 0 IN ON THIS POLICY THAT HAS BEEN ON THE CENTER OF ALL OF THIS, THE COVID-19 POSITIVE PATIENTS ALLOWED TO BE ADMITTED AND NURSING HOMES.

THERE WAS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTOR THIS MORNING, DR. STEPHEN HAHN ARE, YOU SPOKE WITH HIM.

IS IT YOUR IMPRESSION THAT LIVES WOULD'VE BEEN SAVED HAD THAT POLICY NOT BEEN IN PLACE?

>> IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE MINE.

WE KNOW FOR A FACT THAT POLICY COST LIVES.

LET'S NOT MINCE WORDS, NEW JERSEY WITH FIVE OF 50 STATES AND WENT THROUGH THIS EXTENT WITH THIS POLICY.

THAT WAS AFTER THEY KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THAT THE POLICY WAS A DISASTER IN WASHINGTON STATE.

JUST A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE HEALTH COMMISSIONER'S DIRECTIVE, PRETTY MUCH FORCING NURSING HOMES AND LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES TO ACCEPT POTENTIALLY COVID POSITIVE PATIENTS THERE WAS A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT SAID DO NOT DO IT.

OTHER STATES DID NOT DO IT, THEY KEPT PATIENTS SEPARATE AND THEY ARE MUCH BETTER.

>> Reporter: DO YOU EXPECT THAT THE COMMITTEE WILL TRY TO SEEK ACTION FROM ALL OF THIS?

WE ALSO HEARD FROM A LOT OF FAMILIES TODAY, WHO WERE QUITE UPSET AND OUTRAGED.

>> LEGITIMATELY SO.

THE FACT THAT THE POLICY WAS PUT IN PLACE IN THE FIRST PLACE IS ENOUGH TO WARRANT OUTRAGE, BUT THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOW BEING IGNORED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE DEMOCRAT MAJORITY IN THE LEGISLATURE, THEY SHOULD BE EXPONENTIALLY OUTRAGED.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO PUSH.

I AM HOPEFUL THAT MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WILL GREEK -- REGROW SPINES AND MOVE FORWARD WITH A JOINT COMMITTEE WITH SUBPOENA POWER TO FIND OUT THE TRUTH.

>> Reporter: YOU TALK TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION AND THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC IN THE BEGINNING.

THEY WOULD TELL YOU THAT THEY WERE FOLLOWING FEDERAL GUIDELINES.

>> THEY WERE NOT.

THEY CAN MINCE WORDS ALL THEY WANT, BUT WE HAVE DOCUMENTS FROM NUMEROUS HEALTH AGENCIES, NATIONAL HEALTH AGENCIES, CREDIBLE HEALTH AGENCIES, ONE JUST TWO DAYS BEFORE THE NEW JERSEY DIRECTIVE THAT WARNED AGAINST DOING IT.

WE HAVE EXAMPLES OF OTHER STATES THAT WHEN IN FOR DIRECTIONS AND PROTECTED THE RESIDENTS OF THESE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

THAT DOES NOT HOLD WATER BLAMING THE CDC.

IT JUST IS NOT.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THE STATE WAS BATTLING THE PANDEMIC WERE HARD AT WORK AGAINST ANOTHER PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, THE SCOURGE OF OPIOID USE.

IT APPEARS THE EPIDEMIC WAS MADE WORSE BY THE CORONAVIRUS.

IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY 540 LIVES HAVE ALREADY BEEN LOST TO THE SPEC AND OVERDOSES.

THAT IS 100 MORE THAN THE SAME TIME IN 2019.

THE MURPHY ADMINISTRATION IS RELEASING YEAR-END DATA THAT SHOWS JUST OVER 3000 LIVES WERE TAKEN IN 2020, A SLIGHT UPTICK FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

THE STATE IS PLEDGING TO SPEND MILLIONS ARE MORE HARM PREVENTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAMS.

THE GOVERNOR IS ASKING THE LEGISLATION TO MOVE THE BILL PACKAGE THAT WILL, AMONG OTHER THINGS, EXPAND ACCESS TO OPIOID OVERDOSE REVERSAL DRUGS.

>>> IF A LAWMAKER WAS ARRESTED THURSDAY MORNING AND CHARGED WITH THE WY.

STATE SENATOR SANDRA CUNNINGHAM WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER SIDESWIPE TWO PARKED CARS IN JERSEY CITY.

NO ONE WAS INJURED.

THE FORMER GOVERNMENT SAYS HE PICKED CUNNINGHAM UP FROM THE MUNICIPAL COURT AND POLICE STATION AND SUSPECTS THE ACCIDENT WAS A REACTION TO MEDICATION AND NOT ALCOHOL.

IN 2006 CUNNINGHAM PLED GUILTY TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED, THE RESULTS OF A BLOOD ALCOHOL TEST FROM THURSDAY ARE STILL UNKNOWN.

>>> TONIGHT THE LABOR MARKET IS SHOWING SIGNS OF RECOVERY, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF LOST GROUND TO BE MADE UP.

A LOOK AT THE LATEST NUMBERS AND TODAY'S TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> Reporter: HIRING PICKED UP IN A BIG WAY ACCORDING TO THE MONTHLY JOBS REPORT.

379,000 NEW POSITIONS WERE ADDED TO THE ECONOMY, MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED.

MOST OF THE JOBS WERE IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AS RESTAURANTS, BARS AND HOTELS BEGIN TO HIRE BACK WORKERS.

DESPITE MONTHLY GAINS, MILLIONS OF WORKERS REMAIN UNEMPLOYED OR UNDEREMPLOYED.

ECONOMIST EXPECT A FULL RECOVERY IS STILL A WAY AWAY.

THE NATION'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FELL SLIGHTLY TO 6.2%, BUT THE UNINFORMATIVE RATE FOR BLACK AMERICANS ROSE LAST MONTH TO 9.9%.

HELPING TO PUT NEW JERSEY IS BACK TO WORK AS ONE OF THE GOALS OF GOVERNOR MURPHY'S NEWLY NAMED NEW JERSEY COUNCIL ON THE GREEN ECONOMY.

THE GROUP'S TASKS WITH DEVELOPING PLANS TO EXPAND THE ECONOMY AND TRAIN WORKERS.

THE COUNCIL'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WANTS TO ENABLE WORKERS TO TRANSITION INTO NEW, CLEAN ENERGY CAREERS.

>> FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS FOR WHATEVER REASON, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC OR WHO WILL BE TRANSITIONING FROM TRADITIONAL ENERGY JOBS INTO CLEAN ENERGY JOBS, FOR FOLKS WHO HAPPEN UNDEREMPLOYED, WE ARE REALLY WORKING ON WHAT KINDS OF TRAININGS WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT ALL OF THOSE FOLKS WILL HAVE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMY.

>> CONTRACT TALKS ARE JUST GETTING UNDERWAY FOR UNION WORKERS AT NEWARK AIRPORT.

NEGOTIATIONS BEGAN AFTER A TROUBLING YEAR AS THE PANDEMIC GROUNDED MANY FLIGHTS AND LED TO THOUSANDS OF LAYOFFS.

DURING A VIRTUAL RALLY TO MARK THE START OF THE TALKS, WORKERS SAID THEY ARE LOOKING FOR IMPROVED HEALTHCARE BENEFIT AND WORKER SAFETY PROTECTIONS.

THEY POINTED OUT AIRLINES RECEIVED BILLIONS IN COVID RELIEF MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THERE ARE MORE PLACES TO GET VACCINES AS OF TODAY.

CBS HAS ADDED 100 ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS AND WEGMANS IS ALSO OFFERING VACCINES ALTHOUGH APPOINTMENTS UP QUICKLY.

NOW HERE IS A CHECK ON WALL STREET.

THOSE ARE YOUR TOP BUSINESS STORIES.

>> SUPPORT FOR THE BUSINESS REPORT PROVIDED BY J.P. MORGAN CHASE, A PROVIDER OF INVESTMENT BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES FOR CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

COMMERCIAL BANKING, AND ASSET MANAGEMENT.

>>> THIS WEEKEND JOIN RHONDA ON NJ BUSINESS BEAT AS SHE DIGS INTO THE LEGAL MARIJUANA MARKET.

WHEN WILL THE GREEN START MAKING GRAIN?

YOU CAN FIND IT SATURDAYS AT 5 PM AND SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:30 AM.

>>> THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS PANDEMIC WILL LINGER LONG AFTER THE HEALTH CRISIS HAS PASSED.

ONE YEAR INTO OUR FIGHT FOOD PANTRIES AND SOUP KITCHENS ARE STILL IN HIGH DEMAND.

THEY ARE SERVING MORE THAN 8 MILLION MEALS JUST SINCE LAST MARCH WHEN THE CORONAVIRUS BEGAN SPREADING.

THAT IS FOUR TIMES THE NORMAL AMOUNT OF ANY OTHER GIVEN YEAR.

CAN THESE ORGANIZATIONS CONTINUE AT THIS PACE AND KEEP MEETING THE NEEDS?

RAVEN SANTANA HAS THE STORY AS PART OF OUR ONGOING SERIES, HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY.

>> DON'T MAKE ME FALL APART, SALVATION ARMY HELPS PEOPLE SO MUCH.

I THINK THEY SAVE MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: THIS 59-YEAR-OLD COULD BARELY HOLD BACK TEARS AS HE EXPRESSED HOW THANKFUL HE WAS TO HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO DURING THE DEADLY PANDEMIC THAT FORCED MOST BUSINESSES TO CLOSE THEIR ONLY CURBSIDE SERVICE TO THOSE IN NEED.

WHEN LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED THE HOMELESS HAVE NOWHERE TO SHELTER OR FINE FOOD.

>> FOR ME IT WAS IMPORTANT THAT I HAD A PLACE TO HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE WITHOUT GOING TO SPEND MY MONEY.

>> WE HAVE HAD OVER 80,000 NICE AND SHELTERING PROVIDED FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE DIVISIONAL COMMANDER OF THE SALVATION ARMY NEW JERSEY DIVISION AND SAYS SINCE THE OUTBREAK, THE SALVATION ARMY HAS REACHED A HISTORIC NUMBER OF MEALS SERVINGS AS WELL.

>> LAST YEAR WE SERVE JUST UNDER 2 MILLION MEALS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

THIS YEAR DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT NUMBER HAS JUMPED TO OVER 8 MILLION.

SO 450% INCREASE.

>> WE OPEN OUR CENTER AT 9:00, OUR STAFF GETS HERE AT 8:15 AM AND PEOPLE ARE WAITING PERIOD >> Reporter: IN MONTCLAIR LOCAL FOOD BANK STRUGGLED, SO THE SALVATION ARMY DEVELOPED AN ADDITIONAL PANTRY.

>> WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEVELOP A FOOD PANTRY.

THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING WE HAD DONE BEFORE.

THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HANDLE THAT.

WE WENT FROM SERVING 50 MILL THREE TIMES A WEEK AT OUR LUNCH PROGRAM TO SERVING 125 MEALS PER DAY THROUGH BOTH OUR LUNCH PROGRAM AND OUR FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: EVEN WHEN SOME STAFFERS TESTED POSITIVE THEMSELVES, THEY REFUSE TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN.

>> SOME OF US GOT COVID SO WE COULDN'T BE HERE FOR A WHILE.

WHEN WE CAME BACK WE CHANGED A LOT OF THE WAYS THAT WE WERE DOING THINGS.

>> Reporter: PART OF THOSE SAFETY MEASURES INCLUDE USING THIS WINDOW TO CONNECT TO PEOPLE AND RESOURCES.

>> SOMEONE ARRIVES, I WOULD HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND THEN I COULD SPEAK TO THEM THROUGH HERE.

I WOULD ALSO TAKE THEIR PHONE NUMBER.

IF THEY DO HAVE A VEHICLE, IF THEY ARE A FAMILY LOOKING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, THEY CAN GO BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND I SPEAK TO THEM THROUGH THE PHONE RATHER THAN THROUGH A WINDOW LIKE THIS.

SOME OF OUR CLIENTS WHO ARE LOOKING FOR HOUSING, WE CAN GET THEM A PHONE THROUGH ASSURANCE WIRELESS.

IF ANY SUPPLIES WE DO IT TO THE WINDOW AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THIS CASEWORKER SAYS SEEING THE MEAT WAS OVERWHELMING, BUT THEY REPEAT CLIENTS CONTINUE TO STRUGGLE WITH EVEN HARDER.

>> WORD GOT OUT THAT WE WERE DOING FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

FAMILIES WERE JUST SHOWING UP.

I HAD A CLIENT WHO HAS STRUGGLED WITH HOMELESSNESS FOR YEARS.

SEEING HIM OUTSIDE AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ALLOW HIM IN, THAT WAS REALLY HEARTBREAKING FOR ME.

LEAVING HERE AND SEEING HIM OUTSIDE.

>> THE CHALLENGE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE ARE FACING IS PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT USED TO NEEDING HELP ARE IN A POSITION WHERE THEY ARE NEEDING SOMEONE TO STAND ALONGSIDE THEM.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO MAKING SURE THE MOST VULNERABLE CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS, THE SALVATION ARMY IS NOW EVEN HELPING CLIENTS TO RESERVE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I AM RAVEN SANTANA.

>> FUNDING FOR HUNGER IN NEW JERSEY DIVIDED BY THE ROBERT JOHNSON FOUNDATION, WORKING WITH OTHERS TO BUILD A NATURAL COUNSEL OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE EVERYONE IN AMERICA A FAIR OPPORTUNITY FOR HEALTH AND WELL- BEING.

>>> DOING THE MOST GOOD.

OUR LIVES ARE FOREVER CHANGED BY THIS PANDEMIC.

TO HELP COMMEMORATE THE ONE- YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF NEW JERSEY'S FIRST POSITIVE CASE WE ASKED VIEWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND OUR STAFF TO SUBMIT THOSE OF WHAT YOUR WORLD LOOKS LIKE NOW COMPARED TO LIFE BEFORE THE CORONAVIRUS.

DIANE WAS WATCHING HER HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR PLAY BASKETBALL IN PERSON LAST YEAR TO CHEERING FROM THE COUCH, WATCHING A LIVE STREAM.

LIKE SO MANY COUPLES, THIS ONE SHARED THEIR ENGAGEMENT BY CELEBRATING WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BUT TIED THE KNOT IN A MUCH MORE INTIMATE CEREMONY.

OUR STAFF MEMBER, MEGAN, GIVING A NOD TO HOW SO MANY OF US CONNECT NOW.

THE FAMILY TURNED TO FACE TIME WILL BE NICE.

SHARE YOUR BEFORE AND AFTER PHOTOS AND BE SURE TO TAG NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS.

THAT DOES IT FOR US.

HEAD OVER TO NJSPOTLIGHT.COM OR ANY OF OUR SOCIAL CHANNELS TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING OUR REPORTING ALL WEEKEND LONG.

I AM BRIANA VANNOZZI, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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

RWJ BARNABAS HEALTH, LET'S BE HEALTHY TOGETHER.

AND HOLESTEAD, COMMITTED TO THE CREATION OF A SUSTAINABLE CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE FOR NEW JERSEY.

♪ [ MUSIC ]