NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News July 3, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: The defense rests in the trial of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez; Candidates to replace the late Congressman Donald Payne, Jr. take part in a forum ahead of the special primary to replace him; Port Authority leaders expect record holiday travel with 5.5 million people expected to use PANYNJ's roads, bridges and airports; In part two of her report on addiction and pregnancy, Joanna Gagis looks at the local addiction recovery specialists who are making a difference for the vulnerable population; NJ Advance Media sports columnist Steve Politi talks to Joanna Gagis about the plethora of New Jersey athletes expected to make an impact at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

NJ Spotlight News July 2, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Controversy surrounding the gubernatorial campaign of radio host Bill Spadea as his opponents claim he's gaining unfair financial benefits through the air time of his radio show; Survivors of Hurricane Ida are close to relief as legislators send a mortgage forbearance bill to the governor's desk; Yoris Veldhoven, CEO of Atlantic Shores, talks to Raven Santana after his company's NJ wind project receives federal approval; In part one of a two-part report, Joanna Gagis explores the stigma around addiction during pregnancy and why women struggle to get the help they need; Ted Goldberg joins biologists and experts on a boat tour to learn how the DEP uses recycled seafood shells from local restaurants to improve the quality of oyster reefs in the Mullica River.

NJ Spotlight News July 1, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: The Supreme Court rules former President Trump and future presidents are immune from prosecution for official acts, but not immune for acts that weren't part of their official duties; The defense starts its case in the trial of Senator Bob Menendez, calling the senator's older sister and his wife's younger sister to the stand; Former federal prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni talks to Raven Santana about the defense's strategy in the trial of Senator Bob Menendez; State leaders pull funding for the controversial Centre Pompidou project in Jersey City; Atlantic City's Boardwalk Improvement Group unveils preventative measures put in place to stop homeless individuals from taking shelter underneath the boardwalk; NJ Transit fares increase by 15% starting today.

NJ Spotlight News June 28, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Concerns raised about President Biden's campaign hopes after a lackluster debate performance as former President Trump is criticized for making many false statements; The prosecution in the trial of Sen. Bob Menendez calls its final witness - a financial forensic analyst for the FBI; David Cruz talks to Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin about the record-setting budget deal after lawmakers manage to vote on the package; The Supreme Court hands down two major decisions, including ending what's known as the Chevron Doctrine; NJ transit riders vent their frustrations as the agency is set to raise fares next week.

NJ Spotlight News June 27, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer breaks down the budget bill after it passed through Senate and Assembly committees late Wednesday night; Prosecutors in the trial of Sen. Bob Menendez focus on the gold bars and his alleged lack of reporting of financial disclosures; Gov. Murphy holds a briefing with the heads of Amtrak and NJ Transit to try and get the agencies on the same page in order to prevent future transit disruptions; Washington correspondent Ben Hulac explains what leverage New Jersey lawmakers have to pressure Amtrak to fix issues that have caused recent rail failures; Physician's assistant Ryan Kirker explains how the new LGBTQ Health Care Center that opened in Collingswood this month has been a lifeline for the community.

NJ Spotlight News June 26, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …Plea deals and the age of money and more details emerging in the trial of U.S. Senator Bob Menendez, that shows no sign of ending anytime soon; As that trial plays out…another trial begins in Russia today for Jersey Native and reporter Evan Gershkovich, who’s charged with espionage; Plus, a MESSI  Commute…the Copa America  kicked off at MetLife Stadium on the heels of nightmare NJ Transit disruptions, so can they handle the FIFA World Cup in 2026? And, HELPING HANDS…A new state-of-the-art facility in Paramus is meeting the needs of adults with disabilities… who often have nowhere to go. 
 

NJ Spotlight News June 25, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Prosecutors in the trial of Sen. Bob Menendez question Sarah Arkin, a staffer on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, about the Senator's secret meetings with members of the Egyptian government; Transit workers join the calls for NJ Transit to provide more reliable service and for legislators to dedicate funding to the agency; NJ Spotlight News budget & finance writer John Reitmeyer discusses the formal spending plan expected to be released tomorrow and voted on Friday as lawmakers stare down a budget deadline; NJ PBS debuts Vegan Pop Eats - a new show that explains where some of your food originates and the process that brings those farm fresh foods right to your table.

NJ Spotlight June 24, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …The trial of U.S. senior senator Bob Menendez continues. The defense trying to poke holes in the evidence of a quid pro quo as prosecutors start to wrap up their case; Plus, two years after the stunning reversal of Roe vs Wade, New Jersey lawmakers push new bills to safeguard reproductive rights in the Garden State; Also, DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS; Residents say conditions have only WORSENED after the Camden Housing Authority promised to improve their  horrific housing;   And, AI in our schools …as the state rolls out resources to help districts deliver Artificial Intelligence programs, new questions emerge about their safety and reliability 
 
 

NJ Spotlight News June 21, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …A nightmare week for NJ Transit riders…six out of nine RUSH HOUR MELTDOWNS…delays and service suspensions leaving commuters stranded and  fuming; Plus, DEFINING ANTISEMITISM… legislators advance a controversial measure to adopt a state definition of antisemitism after more emotional testimony; Also, BUDGET COUNTDOWN…with about a week to go before a government shutdown, still NO budget bill to vote on; And, a GAMING CRACKDOWN …a task force is created by the Governor as fears of a gambling epidemic is on the rise …. 
 
 
 

NJ Spotlight News June 20, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Prosecutors in the trial of Sen. Bob Menendez lay out a meticulous timeline of events, including trips he took to Egypt, dinners in the U.S. with Egyptian officials and gifts of watches and gold bars; Senior Political Correspondent David Cruz talks to gubernatorial candidate and NJEA President Sean Spiller about his campaign and questions surrounding his union's endorsement; NJ Spotlight News mental health reporter Bobby Brier talks to Raven Santana about why there are spikes in crime during the summer months; President Biden unveils a program that gives undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens a pathway to citizenship; Raven Santana talks to St. Joseph's University Medical Center Chief of Adolescent Medicine Dr. Jennifer Chuang about the U.S. Surgeon General's proposal to require warning labels on social media platforms detailing the impacts on young people's lives.