NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News February 19, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Breaking News…the approval for New York’s controversial CONGESTION PRICING plan has been pulled by the Trump Administration…drivers entering midtown Manhattan are still PAYING  but the saga could be heading BACK to court; Plus, the Governor today proposing three million dollars  to ban cell phone use in schools; Also, as threats of cuts to Medicaid leave patients in limbo … what could they mean to the healthcare industry here in the state? And, the governor race is heating up with some candidates jockeying for county party backing while others are saying…“no thanks.” 

NJ Spotlight New February 18, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Protests erupt here in Trenton and across the country on President’s Day… some calling the current President a ‘tyrant King’ –  as Democratic Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman weighs in on all federal firings; Plus, ATTENTION PASSENGERS…The $31 million Hoboken PATH renovation is on track and is expected to complete ON SCHEDULE; Also, local immigrant rights advocates gather at the statehouse, urging lawmakers to enshrine protections for their communities as ICE crackdown continue; And HUNGER IN NJ… Rutgers University looks to address food insecurity and some ‘Basic Needs’ of its students. 
 

NJ Decides 2025: A Conversation with Gubernatorial Candidates

 A special edition of NJ Spotlight News on this President’s Day. Senior Correspondent Joanna Gagis sat  down with several of the gubernatorial candidates –running to replace Governor Murphy. NJSN partnered with the Rutgers Institute for Health and the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters to bring you this conversation focused on environmental issues in the state, and how they intersect with public health.  We invited all the major candidates to participate, but many had scheduling conflicts … who did participate? Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill , State Senator Jon Bramnick, NJEA President Sean Spiller, also a member of the NJ PBS Community Advisory Board and Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. Here is a portion of that hour long chat…For the FULL conversation head to NJ Spotlight News YouTube Channel

NJ Spotlight News February 14, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…A SURGE IN FLU CASES! Emergency rooms and doctors' offices are treating the highest number of patients seen in the state in 15 years; Plus, JUVENILE JUSTICE…there are growing concerns with the state criminal justice system on how they hand out punishments for youth offenders; Also, there is NO PLAN B for commuters ...NJ transit may be on the verge of losing federal funds, how will they fix all the transit troubles without them? And LOVE IS IN THE AIR on this Valentine's Day… municipalities around the state offering FREE marriages to anyone who wants to say, “I DO.” 

NJ Spotlight News February 13, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Electricity RATES ARE RISING…so you may want to think twice this summer before cranking up your AC; Plus, the First Lady Tammy Murphy has a new goal! Get the state in shape for World Cup mania! Also, with wildfire season around the corner, state firefighting officials meeting today to find new strategies to control the burn; And is the price of eggs giving you “shell” shock? The bird flu is driving up costs for consumers. 

NJ Spotlight News February 12, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News...Winter roars back, again! An overnight storm leaves most of New Jersey coated in snow but don't put your shovels away there’s more to com; Plus, a transgender swimmer who sparked controversy by breaking local records reacts to the President Trump’s Executive Order saying “NO MEN” in women’s sports; Also, state efforts to support black owned businesses after the Trump Administrations dismantling of diversity, equity and inclusion programs; And, memories of the TITANIC come to the shores of Jersey City… as a new exhibit displays artifacts from history’s most famous shipwreck. 

NJ Spotlight News February 11, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Representative Andy Kim is calling the President’s agenda “reckless” and desperate democrats are even threatening to let the government shutdown; Plus, New Jersey’ comptroller is taking action against the owner of several nursing homes in North Jersey by cutting State Medicaid funding; Also, PREVENTING AVIAN FLU… Hackensack Meridian Health is stepping up its mutation testing to prevent any potential outbreaks here in the state; And, student  success…finally some school districts are seeing post pandemic improvements inside their classrooms,
 
 

NJ Spotlight News February 10, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill scores an early win by securing the endorsement of Hunterdon County Democrats; Attorney General Matt Platkin joins 21 other attorneys general to sue the Trump Administration over funding cuts for biomedical research; Passaic Mayor Hector Lora talks to Raven Santana about increased ICE enforcement in New Jersey and his message to immigrants in his community; Two challengers enter the highly contested race for Congressional District 7; New Jersey sets a goal of zero traffic deaths by 2040; After nine attempts, lawmakers pass a bill out of committee that would put the onus of handling plastic waste on the companies that produce it.

NJ Spotlight News February 7, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…FLU CASES SURGE….New Jersey is experiencing a “very high” rate of the flu… cases nearly doubling this season; Plus, PROGRESS IN PATERSON …new statistics showing complaints against its police force are down significantly; Also, with the litany of executive orders by the President, how are New Jersey republicans reacting? And ICE FEARS… social media posts about fake immigration crackdowns are scaring off customers for one local restaurant owner. 

NJ Spotlight News February 6, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…A grand jury investigation into alleged church sex abuse was blocked by a SECRET COURT RULING…now there is a legal fight headed straight to the state supreme court; Plus, Congressman Frank Pallone is launching investigations into some of President Trump’s executive orders; Also, the annual CHAMBER TRAIN is back on the rails….Packed with New Jersey’s political elites rubbing elbows and heading for the Nation’s Capital; And, SPACE TALK…a group of Toms River students get an out of this world lesson, chatting with astronauts on the international space station; And, SPACE TALK…a group of Toms River students get an out of this world lesson by chatting with astronauts on the international space station.