>>> HELLO AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M IN FOR BRIANA VANNOZZI.
31,000 NEW CASES HERE IN JERSEY.
THAT MARKS THE EIGHTH DAY IN A ROW THAT OUR STATE SAW OVER 20,000 CASES AS THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS OMICRON VARIANT CONTINUES TO SPREAD AND HAS SHOWN TO BE FATAL AS THE STATE RECORDED 60 NEW DEATHS.
BY NOW MANY OF US KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS TESTED POSITIVE.
BUT THE REQUIRED TIME TO ISOLATE AFTER YOU TEST POSITIVE HAS CHANGED.
THE CDC HAS UPDATED THE TESTING GUIDELINES ONCE AGAIN SAYING PEOPLE CAN USE RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS AROUND DAY FIVE OF THEIR ISOLATION PERIODS IF THEY WANT TO AND HAVE ACCESS TO THEM, BUT STOP SHORT OF REQUIRING THEM.
THE CHANGE COMES AS THE CDC HAS FACED CRITICISM OVER ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO SHORTEN THE ISOLATION PERIOD FOR THOSE WHO TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID FROM TEN DAYS TO FIVE WITHOUT TESTING.
THE NEW ISOLATION UPDATE COMBINED WITH THE LATEST SURGE HAS OFFICES RETHINKING IN-PERSON RETURNS EVEN AS MANY WERE SET TO BRING IN MORE WORKERS THIS WEEK AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.
THOSE HEADING TO WORK COULD FACE DELAYS AS TRANSIT WORKERS REPORT TESTING POSITIVE AND ARE FORCED TO QUARANTINE.
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT BRENDAN FLANAGAN TAKES A LOOK AT HOW STAFFING SHORTAGES DUE TO COVID COULD IMPACT SERVICE.
>> Reporter: FROM BUS DRIVERS TO ENGINEERS, OMICRON SCORED A HARD VIRAL HIT ON NJ TRANSIT STAFF.
THE AGENCY REPORTS 900 EMPLOYEES, 7.5% OF ITS WORKERS, ARE OUT OF ACTION AND COVID QUARANTINE.
WHILE MOST SERVICE DOES ARRIVE AS SCHEDULED, COMMUTERS ARE NOTICING MULTIPLE RIDE CANCELLATIONS DUE TO DRIVER SHORTAGES ESPECIALLY ON BUS ROUTES.
>> YET THE TRANSPORTATION HAS BEEN A LITTLE DIFFERENT LATELY.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF IT?
>> I JUST THINK IT'S A LITTLE SLOW AND THE PANDEMIC IS STOPPING A LOT OF STUFF.
>> Reporter: SO THEY MUST SCRAMBLE TO KEEP UP THE SCHEDULE WHEN THE BUS PULLS A NO SHOW.
>> YES, I HAD TO TAKE UBER A LOT.
IT CALLS FOR A LOT.
LIKE IT DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU'RE GOING.
>> Reporter: IF SOMEONE WHO HAS A TIGHT BUDGET AND IF THEY MISS ONE DAY OF WORK OR IF THEY DON'T HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING EMPLOYER, YES, IT WILL AFFECT THEM.
>> Reporter: THE TRANSIT ADVOCATE WHO HEADS THE IRON BOUND NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL TAKES THE BUS.
SHE COMPLAINS THEY ARE OFTEN CROWDED AND SCHEDULES COULD BE ERRATIC.
>> A LOT OF THE BUSES ARE OVERPACKED.
SO THEY NEED TO PUT MORE BUSES ON THE ROUTES.
YOU COULD HAVE ONE BUS THAT'S FULL, AND YOU COULD WAIT FIVE MINUTES AFTER.
THEN YOU SEE THREE EMPTY BUSES TRAVELING.
>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT A MAJORITY OF BUS RIDERS RELY ON THE BUS TO GET TO WORK, SCHOOL, ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE GROCERY STORES AND DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS.
THESE TRANSIT DEPENDENT RIDERS DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF JUST HOPPING IN A CAR AND GETTING TO WHEREVER THEY NEED TO BE.
>> Reporter: NJ TRANSIT REPORTS THAT OUT OF 12,000 TOTAL EMPLOYEES 900 ARE CURRENTLY IN QUARANTINE, 700 OF THOSE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID.
BUT IT HAS REFUSED TO DIVULGE HOW MANY ARE VACCINATED.
THE AGENCY NOTES BUS SERVICES IS STILL OPERATING AT 94% OF ITS FULL WEEK-DAY SCHEDULE AND RAIL SERVICE AT 97%.
BUT SPOKESMAN JIM SMITH ACKNOWLEDGES THE BURDEN CANCELLATIONS IMPOSED ON TRANSIT RIDERS STATING, "WE'RE CONTINUING TO OPERATE OUR REGULAR WEEKDAY AND WEEKEND SCHEDULES WHILE WORKING TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT TO CUSTOMERS TO THE GREATEST EXTENT POSSIBLE."
HE URGED RIDERS TO DOWNLOAD AND MONITOR NJ TRANSIT'S MOBILE APP, AND CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES.
DESPITE COVID THE SYSTEM IS WORKING FOR MANY RIDERS.
>> I'VE NEVER SEEN ANY BUSES BEING EXTRA LATE OR CONSTANTLY OR CONSISTENTLY LATE, SO IT'S BEEN PRETTY GOOD.
>> Reporter: COVID ALSO SENT SOME CORPORATE SCHEDULES OFF THE RAILS.
COMPANIES LIKE GOLDMAN SACHS IN THE FACE OF THE OMICRON SURGE HAVE ASKED EMPLOYEES TO RETURN WORKING FROM HOME THROUGH AT LEAST JANUARY.
THAT MEANS FEWER TRANSIT CUSTOMERS AGAIN.
THAT'S PROBLEMATIC FOR AN AGENCY THAT'S STILL STRUGGLING TO REGAIN ITS PRE-COVID RIDERSHIP AND WITH NEW JERSEY REPORTING MORE THAN 31,000 COVID CASES TODAY, THE IMPACT COULD LINGER.
>> SOMETIMES WHEN THE COVID CASES GO UP, THERE'S LESS PEOPLE COMMUTING.
WHEN THE COVID CASES GO DOWN, IT TAKES LONGER TO GET TO WORK.
>> I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE STILL NOT WEARING MASKS, WHICH IS VERY IRRESPONSIBLE.
THEY'LL HEAR THE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE TRAIN, PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASK, AND THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING.
>> Reporter: MASKS ARE MANDATED ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BUT NJ TRANSIT IS NOT THE ONLY SYSTEM IMPACTED BY OMICRON.
STAFF SHORTAGES CAUSE DELAYS FOR SOME PATH TRAINS TODAY.
AND IN NEW YORK CITY SERVICES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED ON SOME SUBWAY LINES BECAUSE OF COVID DRIVEN STAFF SHORTAGES.
ON THE ROUTE BACK TO NORMALCY OMICRON HAS SEEN A FORMIDABLE ROADBLOCK.
>>> DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE NEARING A COMPROMISE ON COVID-19 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AT THE NEW JERSEY STATE HOUSE.
ACCORDING TO REPORT FROM POLITICO.
A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS CONFIRMED TO NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS THAT NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING.
CURRENTLY STATE HOUSE RULES REQUIRE ANYONE ENTERING THE BUILDING INCLUDING LAWMAKERS EITHER PROVIDE PROOF OF A COVID-19 VACCINE OR NEGATIVE TEST.
A JUDGE THREW OUT THE STATE'S GOP LEGAL CHALLENGE TO OVERTURN THE POLICY.
SOME REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS REFUSE TO COMPLY WITH THE RULES DURING AN EARLY DECEMBER VOTING SESSION.
THEN MORE THAN TWO WEEKS LATER FORCED ANOTHER VOTING SESSION TO STRETCH 11 HOURS.
THE POTENTIAL DEAL COMES AS STATE HOUSE LEADERSHIP SEEKS TO AVOID ANOTHER TIME CONSUMING PROTEST.
>>> RUTGERS HAS JOINED A GROWING LIST OF SCHOOLS PUTTING NEW COVID-19 PARTICLES IN PLACE AHEAD OF THE SPRING SEMESTER.
THE SCHOOL IS REQUIRING A BOOSTER FOR ALL STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES EXCEPT THOSE WITH A MEDICAL OR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION.
AFTER BEING THE FIRST COLLEGE IN THE NATION TO MANDATE VACCINES.
AND THE SCHOOL IS ALSO PUSHING BACK ITS IN-PERSON START DATE.
CLASSES WILL BEGIN REMOTELY ON THE 18th AND WILL NOT RESUME FULLY IN PERSON UNTIL THE 31st.
MOVE-IN DATES HAVE ALSO BEEN PUSHED BACK.
DINING HALLS WILL ONLY BE SERVING TO-GO MEALS UNTIL THEN.
>> WE SAW THIS EXPLOSION, WE SAW IT COMING, WE SEE WHAT OMICRON IS DOING.
AS A VARIANT, IT MAY NOT BE AS LETHAL AS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE THAT ARE VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, WHICH IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO US.
BUT WHAT WE DO SEE IT DOING IS PUTTING A LOT OF STRESS AND PRESSURE ON A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS.
WE BELIEVE IT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY TO BE ABLE TO BE IN A SAFE COMMUNITY.
>> Reporter: CAMDEN COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL ALSO PROCEED WITH REMOTE LEARNING.
THE SUPERINTENDENT PUT OUT A LETTER BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS BREAK STATING THE MOVE WAS DUE TO THE OMICRON VARIANT AND A SURGE IN CASES.
IN-PERSON LEARNING IS EXPECTED TO RESUME ON JANUARY 18.
THE CITY OF CAMDEN ONE OF THE HARDEST HIT COMMUTES BY THE PANDEMIC HAS DONE ITS BEST TO RAISE ITS TESTING ABILITIES.
OPENING HALF A DOZEN NEW TESTING SITES AROUND THE CITY THIS WEEK.
CAMDEN PARTNERED UP WITH VOLT MEDICAL SERVICES, THE SAME GROUP WORKING WITH THE STATE'S DELIVERED AT-HOME TEST KITS.
MELISSA ROSE COOPER TOOK A CLOSER LOOK AT THE CITY'S EFFORTS, AND TOOK A TOUR OF THE NEW COVID-19 TESTING SITES AT THE CAMDEN COUNTY COMPLEX.
>> I JUST WANT A COVID TEST TO MAKE SURE I'M SAFE.
>> Reporter: SEAN COURTNEY ISN'T FEELING SICK, BUT AFTER RECENT HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS AND SOME TRAVELING, HE'S NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES.
>> WELL, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET AN AT-HOME TEST, AND THERE IS NOTHING AROUND.
>> Reporter: SO LIKE MANY OTHERS IN A SIMILAR JAM, HE'S IN THE PARKING LOT AT THE CAMDEN COUNTY COMPLEX TAKING HIS FREE COVID TEST.
THE SITE OPENING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS MORNING.
IT'S ONE OF SEVERAL NEW TESTING LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTY.
>> THIS IS A SITE THAT IS NOT APPOINTMENT BASED, SO IT'S FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.
>> Reporter: CAMDEN COUNTY SPOKESMAN SAYS PEOPLE WERE LINED UP WELL BEFORE 8:00 THIS MORNING TO GET TESTED.
HE SAYS THE RECENT SURGE IN POSITIVE CASES IS CREATING A GREATER DEMAND FOR RESIDENTS WANTING TO KNOW THEIR STATUS.
>> WE'RE CURRENTLY GETTING ABOUT 5,000 TESTS A WEEK FROM THE STATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE AS THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
AND SO WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO BRING IN AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REPORTING NEARLY 1,500 NEW POSITIVE COVID CASES IN CAMDEN COUNTY TODAY.
AROUND NEW TESTING SITES LIKE THIS ONE ARE MAKING IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO FIND OUT IF THEY HAVE THE VIRUS.
THE STATE IS ALSO PROVIDING FREE PCR SALIVA TESTS THROUGH THE COMPANY'S VOLTS HEALTH, WHICH YOU COULD ORDER THROUGH THE ONLINE COVID PORTAL.
THIS MORNING NEARLY 11,000 AT-HOME TESTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED WITH MORE THAN 40,000 USED.
IT'S ALSO THE SAME TEST ADMINISTERED HERE AT THE COUNTY COMPLEX.
>> THIS IS MY THIRD TEST, BUT I'VE GOTTEN TESTED NOT OFTEN BECAUSE I TRY TO KEEP IT SAFE.
BUT IF I GET AN ALERT OF BEING EXPOSED, THAT'S WHEN I TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND I START FEELING SICK, I TAKE PRECAUTIONS.
>> Reporter: THE WHOLE PROCESS IS PRETTY SIMPLE.
NO ONE EVER HAS TO LEAVE THEIR CARS AND THE GOAL IS TO GET EVERYBODY IN AND OUT PRETTY QUICKLY.
>> YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY FOOD 30 MINUTES PRIOR.
SO WHEN YOU COME HERE YOU'RE GIVEN A TUBE.
THERE'S A SCAN CODE THAT YOU SCAN, IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE VAULT ACCOUNT.
AND THEN ONCE IT WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE APP WILL WALK YOU THROUGH HOW TO DO IT, YOU SPIT INTO THE TUBE.
ONCE YOU'RE DONE, YOU DROP IT INTO A PLASTIC BAG, AND THEN YOU TAKE IT TO HERE AND DROP IT INTO THE SPECIMEN BAG.
THERE'S NO TOUCHING.
WE'RE NOT TOUCHING.
EVERYTHING IS BEING DONE IN THEIR CARS, WINDOWS UP, MASKS ON.
>> Reporter: MICHELLE SIGN LIVES JUST AROUND THE CORNER FROM THE COMPLEX.
SHE HASN'T BEEN FEELING WELL FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS AND ISN'T SURE IF IT'S A COLD, SO SHE'S TAKING A TEST TODAY AND KEEPING HER FINGERS CROSSED IT'S NOT COVID.
>> I HAD IT BEFORE WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT.
THEN I HAD BOTH THE SHOTS AND THE BOOSTER.
SO I'M JUST BEING PRECAUTIOUS.
>> WE DO SUSPECT THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIT OF A DROP OFF COMING UP RELATIVELY SOON.
WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO SEE A DROP OFF IN CASES.
BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S -- THIS IS A VERY FRAGILE PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING HOSPITALIZATIONS INCREASE.
WE ARE SEEING CASES INCREASE.
AND REALLY WE'RE HOPING MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED.
WE'RE HOPING THAT MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR BOOSTER SHOT, AND WE'RE REALLY HOPING THAT -- YOU KNOW, THESE TEST SITES THEY DON'T NEED TO BE HERE FOR MORE THAN A COUPLE MONTHS.
BUT IF THE DEMAND IS STILL THERE WE'LL BE HERE.
>> Reporter: THE CURRENT TURNAROUND FOR RESULTS IS ESTIMATED TO BE WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS.
MOST PEOPLE COMING TO GET TESTED USUALLY DRIVE, BUT WALK-UPS ARE ALSO ACCEPTED.
FOR NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS I'M MELISSA ROSE COOPER.
>>> ABOUT ONE-THIRD OF ALL SCHOOLS IN NEW JERSEY ARE REMOTE RIGHT NOW DUE TO RISING CASES OF CORONAVIRUS STATEWIDE.
THAT MOVE HAS LEFT PARENTS SCRAMBLING TO CHANGE THEIR PLANS AND DIVE BACK INTO A WORLD OF REMOTE LEARNING.
JOANNA GAGUS FOUND ONE PLACE IN JERSEY CITY LEFT TO CHANGE THEIR OWN PLANS EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC, NOW OFFERING PARENTS AND THEIR KIDS A PLACE TO GET SCHOOL WORK DONE AND FIGHT LEARNING LOSS.
>> IT'S BEEN VERY STRESSFUL.
I'M VERY SURPRISED, I THOUGHT WE WERE OVER THIS.
>> IT IS DEVASTATING BECAUSE WITH A 3½ YEAR OLD, IT'S JUST IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK FROM HOME.
>> Reporter: FOR SOME PARENTS SCHOOL CLOSURES THIS WEEK ARE LIKE DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN.
FOR OTHERS IT'S AN ICY PLUNGE INTO THE SEA OF REMOTE SCHOOL ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE FIRST-TIME PARENTS WHO NEED TO WORK.
>> TO HEAR WE HAVE TO GO BACK AGAIN IS LIKE GOING BACK TO A DARK TIME AND FEELS LIKE WE'RE GETTING SUCKED BACK INTO IT A LITTLE BIT.
>> I HAVE TO GO WORK, SO NO ONE IS TAKING CARE OF HER.
I HAD TO FIND SOME PLACE FOR HER, SO THIS IS A GREAT PLACE.
SHE LIKES IT HERE A LOT.
WHEREVER THERE IS ROOM FOR LEARNING OR THE SCHOOL IS OFF, I WILL SEND HER HERE.
>> Reporter: HERE IS GRIT, A FITNESS AND WELLNESS CENTER GEARED FOR KIDS THAT OPENED IN MARCH OF 2020 AND SWIFTLY TOOK ITS OWN PLUNGE INTO THE CHALLENGES OF A SMALL BUSINESS TRYING TO SURVIVE THE COVID WORLD.
IT WAS FORCED TO CLOSE DOWN.
BUT OWNER PAYTON KAY QUICKLY SHIFTED HIS BUSINESS MODEL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF HIS NEIGHBORS IN A NEW WAY.
>> WE'RE OFFERING A SERVICE TO THE PARENTS, PUTTING THEIR KIDS ONLINE FOR THEM, MAKING SURE KIDS GET THEIR HOMEWORK DONE, ALSO MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THE SOCIAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES THEY NEED TO BE HEALTHY AND HAPPY.
>> Reporter: SHIFTING TO CAMP-LIKE PROGRAMS IN THE SUMMER AND AFTER CARE SERVICES THAT STARTED ONCE KIDS WENT BACK TO SCHOOL.
NOW HELPING WITH REMOTE LEARNING A CONCEPT STILL IN LINE WITH THE MISSION OF THE COMPANY THAT ALSO OFFERS TUTORING SERVICES SAYS KAY.
>> OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE KIDS HAPPY AND HEALTHY, RIGHT?
SPRING AND ACTIVE LIFESTYLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
WE'RE ABOUT TEACHING AND GETTING KIDS MOVING, RIGHT?
SO THIS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY OF DOING THAT.
BECAUSE WHEN THEY COME TO US AND WE HELP THEM GET ONLINE, THERE ARE OTHER THINGS DONE WHEN THEY HAVE THEIR TIME OFF AND THEY DO HAVE A LOT OF TIME OFF DURING THESE REMOTE LEARNING.
AND ALSO WE TAKE THEM OUTSIDE.
>> THEY COULD HOLD ABOUT 20 KIDS A DAY HERE FOR REMOTE LEARNING, BUT SO FAR THIS WEEK THEY'VE ONLY HAD ABOUT HALF OF THAT.
PART OF THE REASON SO MANY FAMILIES IN THIS AREA HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID.
>> WHEN THE SCHOOL THREW US OUT WRENCHES WITH THE CLOSURE AT LEAST I KNOW, YOU KNOW, I CAN PICK UP THE PHONE CALL HERE AND USUALLY ADDRESS IT RIGHT AWAY FOR US, THEN I DON'T HAVE TO RUN AROUND CALLING TEN DAYCARES TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PLACE MY SON.
YOU CAN PAY PER DAY, YOU CAN PAY PER WEEK.
>> Reporter: WHEN YOU'RE PAYING FOR THESE DAYS IT DOES ADD TO YOUR MONTHLY BUDGETS THEN?
>> YEAH, OF COURSE, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY A PEACE OF MIND KNOWING HE'S IN A PLACE SAFE WHILE I CAN WORK AND KEEP MY JOB.
>> WITHOUT THEM HERE I WOULD BASICALLY HAVE TO TAKE ANOTHER WEEK OR TWO OFF OF MY JOB AND THAT WOULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON US, ON THE WHOLE FAMILY.
>> Reporter: AN IMPACT THAT COUNTLESS FAMILIES ARE FEELING ACROSS THE STATE RIGHT NOW FINANCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.
BUT FOR THESE KIDS A SMALL SENSE OF NORMALCY AND A WHOLE LOT OF FUN IN AN OTHERWISE UNPREDICTABLE TIME.
IN JERSEY CITY.
>>> JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT VOTER REDISTRICTING HERE IN NEW JERSEY WAS A DONE DEAL, THE SUPREME COURT IS ASKING THE COMMISSION CHAIR JOHN WALLACE JR. TO CHOOSE A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT MAP OVER A REPUBLICAN DRAWN PROPOSAL.
THIS COMES AFTER REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF THE INDEPENDENT COMMISSION FILED A LAWSUIT TO VACATE THE DECISION AND SEND THE MATTER BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
CHIEF JUSTICE STUART RABNER ASKED WALLACE TO PROVIDE HIS EXPLANATION BY NEXT TUESDAY.
THE NEW MAP SHORES UP THREE OF THE STATE'S FOUR POTENTIALLY ENDANGERED HOUSE DEMOCRATS WHILE LIKELY COSTING THEM ONE OF THE TEN SEATS THEY CURRENTLY HOLD.
AND IT PUSHES LONG-TIME REPUBLICAN CHRIS SMITH INTO A DISTRICT HE DOESN'T RESIDE IN.
OUR SENIOR WRITER AND PROJECTS EDITOR COLLEEN O'DAY SAYS IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR ONE POLITICAL PARTY TO CHALLENGE THE OTHER PARTY'S MAP, BUT IT IS UNUSUAL FOR THE COURT TO ASK FOR A MORE DETAILED STATEMENT OF THE REASON.
>> WHILE IT'S SAID BOTH MAPS MET ALL OF THE CRITERIA THAT THEY NEEDED TO, AND SO HE WAS CHOOSING THE DEMOCRATIC MAP JUST BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS HAD WON TEN YEARS AGO.
SO NOW THE COURT IS ASKING FOR SOME MORE REASONING, YOU KNOW, TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT THOSE CRITERIA WERE, HOW THE MAPS MET THE CRITERIA BECAUSE NORMALLY THAT'S THE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, IT'S THOSE CRITERIA THAT A COURT WOULD RULE ON IN SAYING WHETHER OR NOT A MAP IS VALID.
>> FAMILY, ACTIVISTS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS RALLIED IN FRONT OF PATERSON CITY HALL TUESDAY NIGHT TO REMEMBER FELONIOUS MCKNIGHT A 25-YEAR-OLD BLACK MAN WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY PATERSON POLICE LAST WEEK.
MCKNIGHT PULLED A GUN AND FIRED AT OFFICERS AS HE WAS CHASED THROUGH A DARK ALLEY.
BUT MCKNIGHT'S FAMILY AND WITNESSES MAINTAINED HE WAS UNARMED AT THE NIGHT OF THE SHOOTING, DEMANDING MORE ANSWERS.
THE FAMILY IS NOW ASKING THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE INVESTIGATING THE SHOOTING PROVIDE MORE DETAILS INTO WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT DARK ALLEY LEADING UP TO HIS DEATH.
THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING HAVE NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED OR DISCIPLINED, AND IT IS STILL UNCLEAR IF THEY WERE WEARING BODY CAMERAS DESPITE A LAW REQUIRING ALL UNIFORMED POLICE OFFICERS TO WEAR THEM.
>>> IT LOOKS LIKE SOME WORKERS WHO QUIT DURING THE PANDEMIC IS FINDING A NEW LOOK.
ALL THE OTHER TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES ARE ON THE DAY.
>> Reporter: RAVEN, EXPLOSIVE JOB GAINS IN THE LATEST REPORT FROM NEW JERSEY BASED ADP.
PRIVATE COMPANIES ADDED 807,000 NEW JOBS IN DECEMBER, WHICH WAS WELL AHEAD OF EXPECTATIONS.
THAT WAS THE STRONGEST MONTHLY REPORT SINCE LAST MAY.
HIRING WAS ACROSS THE BOARD WITH THE LARGEST GAINS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.
IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER THESE GAINS CAN CONTINUE.
ADP CONTINUED ITS SURVEY OF BUSINESSES IN MID DECEMBER BEFORE THE BIG SPIKE IN COVID CASES DUE TO OMICRON.
>>> A NEW JOB TRAINING INITIATIVE IS GETTING UNDERWAY IN THE STATE TO HELP UPSKILLED STUDENTS AND WORKERS FOR JOBS IN AREAS OF HIGH DEMAND.
THE NJ DIA HAS PARTNERED WITH THE NEW JERSEY COUNCIL OF COLLEGES ON THIS.
DR. AARON FICKNER IS PRESIDENT OF THAT COUNCIL.
>> WE ARE ESTABLISHING TEN CENTERS OF WORK FORCE INNOVATION FOCUSING ON IMPORTANT SUB SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY.
EVERYTHING FROM PATIENT CARE AND HEALTHCARE TO DATA SCIENCE TO LOGISTICS.
FIELDS IN THE ECONOMY THAT WE BELIEVE ARE CHANGING RAPIDLY, AND WE NEED TO BUILD PATHWAYS FOR MORE STUDENTS OF ALL AGES TO GET THE SKILLS THAT ARE NEEDED BY EMPLOYERS.
>> THE NEW PROGRAM IS CALLED NEW JERSEY PATHWAYS TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.
>>> A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE HAS RULED IN FAVOR OF WHOLE TECH IN A DISPUTE WITH A NEW JERSEY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OVER TAX CREDITS.
WHOLE TECH WAS AWARDED $260 MILLION IN TAX CREDITS FOR TEN YEARS FROM MOVING TO CAMDEN, WHICH IS ONE OF THE LARGEST TAX INCENTIVES EVER AWARDED IN NEW JERSEY.
A FEW YEARS LATER THE EDA PUT THE TAX CREDITS ON HOLD AFTER IT WAS DETERMINED WHOLE TECH INITIALLY FAILED TO DISCLOSE ON ITS APPLICATION THAT IT WAS BARRED FROM DOING WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
BUT THE JUDGE CONCLUDED WHOLE TECH WAS NOT IN DEFAULT OF THE AGREEMENT AND ORDERED THE EDA TO PAY THE TAX CREDITS FOR THE 2018 TAX YEAR WHOLE TECH COULD ALSO BE OWED ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS FOR ADDITIONAL YEARS.
THE EDA SAYS IT IS CONSIDERING AN APPEAL.
>>> NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT TODAY'S STOCK MARKET TRADING.
I'M RHONDA SCHAFFLER AND THOSE ARE OUR TOP BUSINESS HEADLINES TODAY.
>>> FREEZING RAIN AND ICE MAKING FOR DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ON THE ROADS ACROSS NEW JERSEY.
STATE POLICE REPORTING HUNDREDS OF CRASHES AND CALLS FOR AID TODAY.
A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THIS MORNING ON ROUTE 80 NEAR THE TURNPIKE.
TRAFFIC IN ELIZABETH BY NEWARK AIRPORT CAME TO A HALT ON ROUTE 1 AND 9 DUE TO A CRASH.
AT LEAST ONE FATAL ACCIDENT TODAY IS BEING REPORTED IN OLDBRIDGE AFTER A CAR COLLIDED WITH A RECYCLING TRUCK.
>>> DRIVERS HAD TO FACE THE THICK AND ICY CONDITIONS ONE DAY AFTER OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE SAW MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW.
THAT'S NOT IT FOR WINTER WEATHER HERE IN NEW JERSEY THIS WEEK, AND IT'S ONLY WEDNESDAY.
MOST OF US COULD SEE UP TO 4 INCHES OF SNOWFALL THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY.
NORTH ATLANTIC WRIGHT WHALES ARE AMONG THE MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES ON THE PLANET.
MORE THAN 150 WHALES ARE LEFT, AND THEY COULD BE FOUND ALONG THE JERSEY SHORE.
AN AREA THEY PASS THROUGH ON THEIR WAY FROM CANADA TO FLORIDA AND BACK EACH YEAR.
BUT THAT MIGRATION BRINGS THE WHALES IN CONTACT WITH ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST THREATS, SPEEDING SHIPS.
WE SPOKE WITH CAROLINE GOOD A MARINE BIOLOGIST ABOUT THE DANGERS THE ENDANGERED WHALES FACE OFF OUR COAST.
CAROLINE, WE KNOW MORE THAN 50 WHALES HAVE BEEN FOUND DEAD OR SERIOUSLY INJURED RIGHT HERE IN THE U.S. AND IN CANADA.
TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.
>> YES, WE HAVE AN ONGOING PROBLEM, A REAL CRISIS WITH THE NORTH ATLANTIC WRIGHT WHALE RIGHT NOW.
THEY ARE BEING KILLED AND SERIOUSLY INJURED ALL THROUGH ENTANGLEMENT AND FISHING GEAR AND VIA COLLISIONS WITH VESSELS IN THE U.S. AND CANADIAN WATERS.
THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL MORTALITY EVENT DECLARED IN 2017 IN THE UNITED STATES, AND THAT EVENT IS ONGOING NOW.
UNFORTUNATELY THE MAJORITY, VAST MAJORITY OF THESE INCIDENTS ARE DUE TO HUMAN INTERACTIONS.
SO THESE ANIMALS ARE NOT FOR THE MOST PART DYING OF NATURAL CAUSES.
THEY ARE DUING DUE TO INJURIES FROM THESE ENTANGLEMENTS.
>> AND WHAT ARE THE MAIN THREATS TO NORTH ATLANTIC WHALES ESPECIALLY HERE IN NEW JERSEY?
>> SURE.
SO IN NEW JERSEY IT'S DEFINITELY A CONCERN.
THE WHALES ARE FOUND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES WATERS IN THE ATLANTIC.
AND ANY TIME OF THE YEAR AND PARTICULARLY BETWEEN THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND MAY.
THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE SEEN.
THERE IS A LOT OF VESSEL TRAFFIC OFF OF NEW JERSEY.
SO THE VESSEL STRIKE IS CERTAINLY A CONCERN IN THE MID-ATLANTIC.
BUT ENTANGLEMENT IS ALSO A PROBLEM.
AND WE SEE POTENTIALLY MORE ENTANGLEMENT OCCURRING OR STARTING I SHOULD SAY IN NEW ENGLAND AND CANADIAN WATERS, BUT YOU COULD ALSO GET ENTANGLED WHALES THAT WILL COME FROM THE ENTANGLEMENT IN OTHER AREAS AND CARRY IT FOR MONTHS, WEEKS ON END AND THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC AND THE SOUTHEAST AS THEY TRAVEL UP AND DOWN THE COAST.
>> AND WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
WHAT DO WE LOSE IF WE LOSE THE WHALES TO EXTINCTION?
>> WELL OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, LARGE WHALES ARE MUCH BELOVED BY THE PUBLIC.
AND WE ARE THE FISHERY SERVICE AND CHARGED WITH THEIR RECOVERY AND HALTING TO CONTINUE TO DECLINE THE SPECIES.
I MEAN RIGHT NOW OUR BEST ESTIMATES INDICATE THERE ARE FEWER THAN 350 INDIVIDUALS ALIVE AND FEWER THAN 100 REPRODUCTIVE FEMALES.
THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION FOR THE SPECIES, ONLY JUST BEGINNING TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE ROLE LARGE WHALES WILL PLAY IN THE ECO SYSTEM AND OUR INDICATIONS THAT THEY ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR MARINE ECO SYSTEMS.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO AN INTENSIVE EVALUATION OF OUR VESSEL STRIKE PROGRAMS TO SEE WHERE CHANGES MAY BE NEEDED, HOW WE CAN ENHANCE THE PROTECTION, AND REDUCE THE CHANCES OF THESE SERIOUS INJURIES AND MORTALITIES.
YOU KNOW IN PARTICULAR RIGHT NOW, WE ARE VERY FOCUSED ON THE VESSEL STRIKE PROBLEM, AND I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
SADLY OFF THE COAST OF NEW JERSEY AND IN JUNE OF 2020 WE HAD A WHALE PATH THAT WAS STRUCK AND KILLED BY THE VESSEL.
THIS WAS ONLY ABOUT SIX MONTHS OLD.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT ONCE RESEARCHERS WOULD HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXAMINE THE CARCASS, THEY FOUND THAT CALF SUFFERED AN EARLIER VESSEL STRIKE WEEKS EARLIER THAN WHEN THEY WERE STARTING TO HEAL.
SO EVEN IN THE SHORT LIFE IT ALREADY HAD TWO VESSEL STRIKES, YOU KNOW, JUST WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF BEING BORN.
>> CAROLINE GOOD, THANK YOU FOR SUCH GOOD INFORMATION.
WISH YOU THE BEST.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, RAVEN.
>>> THAT DOES IT FOR US TONIGHT, BUT TUNE IN TO CHAT BOX WITH SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT DAVID CRUZ THIS WEEK.
HE TALKS WITH DR. SHARIFF ULMAHALL ABOUT THE COVID SURGE, BREAKING DOWN THE OMICRON VARIANT, AND WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE COMING MONTHS.
YOU CAN CATCH IT TOMORROW AT 6:30 P.M. ON THE NJ SPOTLIGHT NEWS YOUTUBE CHANNEL OR FROM WHEREVER YOU STREAM.
I'M RAVEN SANTANA.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.
WE'LL SEE YOU BACK HERE TOMORROW.
>>> COMMITTED TO SUSTAINABILITY, EQUITABLE EMPOWERMENT.
INVESTING IN PARKS, HELPING TOWNS GO GREEN, SUPPORTING CIVIC CENTERS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT THAT STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITY.
>>> AND IN BODY AND IN MIND.
I NEED TO HELP ENSURE THAT HELPS ME GET THE CURE I NEED FOR BOTH THAT HAS MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS I CAN TALK TO WHEN I NEED TO BECAUSE WHEN I FEEL STRONG AND SECURE, SO DO THEY.
THIS IS MY LIFE, AND THIS IS HOW HORIZON BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NEW JERSEY WORKS FOR ME.