Episodes
May 8, 2025
May 8, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News… HELICOPTER CRASH … A new preliminary NTSB report shows what led to the fatal crash of a tourist chopper in Jersey City that killed 6 people last month; Plus, SEEKING JUSTICE … the family of Andrew Washington continue pleading for someone to be held accountable in the 2023 police shooting of their loved one. Also, political analysts break down our conversation with the GOP gubernatorial candidates from last night… is there a clearer frontrunner? And, we profile each of the Democratic candidates ahead of Monday night’s conversation, first up Congress members Josh Gottheimer and Mikie Sherrill…
May 7, 2025
May 7, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…TAKING ON TRUMP, Attorney General Matt Platkin earns a small victory against the President … just one from his long list of federal lawsuits restoring roughly $1 billion in aid for schools nationwide; Plus, NJ DECIDES 2025, our conversation with the Republican Gubernatorial candidates, moderated by WNYC Radio’s morning host Michael Hill & Senior political correspondent David Cruz; Also, county clerks respond to interim US Attorney Alina Habba’s “Election Integrity Task Force” targeting voter fraud; Also, it’s REAL ID DAY, the first day that travellers will need a real ID or passport to fly domestically….this on day NINE of chaos at Newark airport due to flight delays and cancellations.
May 6, 2025
May 6, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News… As engineer contract negotiations stall…NJ Transit officials go on offense warning of severe service disruptions ahead of a possible May 16th strike… Plus, day eight of flight delays and cancellations leaving passengers frustrated and stranded at Newark Airport … Also, a predawn rally outside Delaney Hall …. Mayor Ras Baraka and immigration advocates protest ICE’s “unlawful” detention of immigrants at the Newark facility; And, NJ DECIDES 2025, we’re profiling each of the Republican candidates ahead of Wednesday night’s GOP Gubernatorial Conversation. Tonight, longtime radio personality Bill Spadea.
May 5, 2025
May 5, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News ... ICE confirms Delaney Hall is officially open to process and detain arrested immigrants, despite legal challenges from Newark’s Mayor… Plus, more flight cancellations and delays at Newark Airport, staffing shortages causing major airlines to cut back on flights; Also, UNDER THE DOME, transportation leaders in the hot seat in Trenton pushing for more funding as NJ Transit faces a looming engineer strike; And, NJ DECIDES 2025, we’re profiling each of the Republican candidates ahead of Wednesday night’s GOP Gubernatorial Conversation. Tonight, former assemblyman Jack Cittarelli.
May 2, 2025
May 2, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News … MORE TRUMP FUNDING CUTS… New Jersey’s Attorney General Matt Platkin joins a multi-state coalition pushing back against the Trump administration’s cuts to Title X grants; Plus, CASHING IN…a legal scam that left nursing home residents starving while lining the pockets of its owners; Also, NJ DECIDES 2025, we’re profiling each of the Republican candidates ahead of next week’s GOP Gubernatorial Conversation . Today, a look at Senator Jon Bramnick; And, LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION… New Jersey celebrates the growth of its film and TV industry at the inaugural NJ Film Expo… setting the stage to become the Hollywood of the East.
May 1, 2025
May 1, 2025
26 min
Tonight on NJ Spotlight News … Creating an ELECTION INTEGRITY TASK FORCE … the interim US Attorney is looking to carry out President Trump’s plan to overhaul the nation’s election system; Plus, MAY DAY PROTESTS, workers around the world unite to protest the President’s policies; Also, the battle of where to house ice detainees here in the state plays out in a courtroom in Philadelphia; And, the Trump Trade War with Canada is causing Tourism to take a hit along the jersey Shore.
Apr 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News… BRACING FOR another SUMMER OF HELL … with just 2 weeks left until a possible engineer rail strike, NJ Transit is planning for the worst case scenario; Plus, TARIFF WALKBACK … President Trump signs an executive order providing some tariff relief to automakers; Also, the head of the DEP makes HIS case to avoid state level funding cuts warning it could have dire consequences; And with autism diagnosis on the rise in the state, advocates weigh in on Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Autism research initiative.
Apr 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Congestion in the skies … staff shortages and mechanical failures cause up to 3 hour delays for commuters at the Newark Airport; Plus, the police officers involved in the 2023 fatal shooting of Andrew Washington in Jersey City will NOT be criminally charged for his death; Also, the Democratic Primary race for NJ Governor HEATS UP with Mayor Ras Baraka taking aim at party-backed candidate Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill; AND SPENDING SPREE… this year’s gubernatorial primary race is shaping up to break campaign finance records.
Apr 28, 2025
Apr 28, 2025
26 min
Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News … COMMUTER NIGHTMARE … after months of closures due to underground sinkholes, repairs to interstate 80 are delayed once again; Plus, over 15,000 acres of Ocean County was burned by the Jones Road fire this past week, but state officials warn wildfire season is far from over; Also, NJ Transit executives & Locomotive engineers are back at the negotiating table as a potential strike is looming; And NJ DECIDES 2025 … with just a few weeks before the Gubernatorial primary, a new poll finds Jack Ciattarelli is leading the Republican pack but the Democratic side is a tossup because a majority of voters still don’t know the candidates.
Apr 25, 2025
Apr 25, 2025
26 min
Tonight...a special edition of NJ Spotlight News …All this week NJ PBS has devoted its programming to stories from the shore. It was a weeklong celebration of Jersey’s most iconic destinations…From the beautiful seaside communities under threat from environmental challenges to the bustling boardwalks that have shaped generations …we're bringing it to a close tonight with an encore presentation of a documentary we produced called Paradox: Rising Waters and Mounting Costs. The Jersey shore's sunny beaches and shallow surf have attracted families for generations; calming, scenic bays have drawn residents for even longer. Today the Shore is an economic powerhouse and cultural icon of the Garden State. But as climate change raises sea levels and fuels more dangerous storms, the costs of keeping the shore open for business are becoming more expensive. High tides regularly flood neighborhood streets...an increasingly costly nuisance for locals. And memories of Superstorm Sandy serve as reminders of the potential damages a worst-case scenario can cause. Now, it's up to local, state, and federal leaders to figure out the best ways to protect the Shore.
NJ PBS, New Jersey’s public television network, brings quality arts, education and public affairs programming to all 21 counties in New Jersey and its tri-state neighbors.
The network’s flagship weeknight newscast, NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi, provides multiplatform reporting from across the Garden State.