NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News March 6, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we're bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable, with a roundup of the top political stories of the week with the help of a panel of local journalists. 

NJ Spotlight News March 5, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, colleges across the state are feeling the pinch. Rutgers University’s Athletic Department hit a $78 million dollar shortfall in fiscal year 2025.
 
Plus, Congressional and Senate races are heating up  - we talk with Alex Zdan the Republican candidate who’s vying for U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s seat and Jersey City’s Mussab Ali who’s running to replace Democratic Congressman Rob Menendez in the June primary.
 
And, school districts across the state are strapped for cash - will there be any relief in Gov. Sherrill’s upcoming budget? 

NJ Spotlight News March 4, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, Governor Mikie Sherrill is scaling back a controversial Turnpike expansion plan, her administration has recommended that the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board move forward with a complete rebuild of the bridge, but with two lanes on each, the same number of lanes that exist now.
 
Also, the race to replace retiring Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman heats up in the 12th District- we talk with Democratic candidate Sue Altman.
 
Plus, proposed reforms in the SAVE America Act could impact federal elections here in New Jersey.
 
And, a new report looks at abortion access in the state since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

NJ Spotlight News March 3, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, a federal judge ruled against the Trump Administration in favor of New York’s congestion pricing.
 
Plus, as the Trump administration continues to strike Iran, some members of Congress are trying to reign in the President’s war powers.
 
Also, tough choices need to be made to balance the state budget, will those decisions impact New Jersey’s business community?
 
And, there’s a new plan to fund the 988 Suicide and Crisis hotline - but will it pass the legislature?

NJ Spotlight News, March 2, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey is responding after President Trump, together with Israeli leaders, carried out major combat operations in Iran this weekend.
 
Also, the state’s facing a $3 billion dollar deficit, we talk with the Republican Budget Officer who’s been warning of this for years.
 
Plus, the Emergency Department at Heights Hospital is set to close in Jersey City. Local leaders says it’s a critical service for the community. 
 
And, is your school district using proven methods to teach reading? Many aren't. We’ll discuss why.

NJ Spotlight News February 27, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable – where I’ll have a roundup of the top political stories of the week with the help of a panel of local journalists.
 

NJ Spotlight News February 26, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, three children were hospitalized after a major car crash in Newark yesterday morning. The crash was the result of a car chase where ICE agents were pursuing a van that they had tried to pull over before the driver tried to escape.
 
Plus,  Congressman Rob Menendez is one of several federal lawmakers looking for ways to fight President Trump’s immigration policies, he’ll share how.
 
Also, Republican state Senator Jon Bramnick holds nothing back on HIS take on the state’s budget crisis and more.
 
And, some foster kids in the state are facing a housing crisis, taking their situation from bad to worse,
some foster kids in the state are facing a housing crisis… taking their situation from bad to worse, we’ll take a look. 

NJ Spotlight News February 25, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey’s stance on ICE is facing blowback from the Trump Administration. This week - the Department of Justice sued the state and Governor Mikie Sherrill over her recent executive order that bars the federal government from using state property for any ICE actions. 
 
Plus, Sen. Andy Kim joins us for his take on President Trump’s State of the Union address AND ICE’s expansion into New Jersey.
 
Also, Roxbury residents and advocates speak out about the warehouse that ICE purchased to convert into detention center - we’ll hear from them. 
 
And, e-books are in high demand, but hear what local libraries are saying about the true cost of digital books, the numbers may surprise you.

NJ Spotlight News February 23, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the story of the day is the blizzard that blanketed the state with snow. We hear from Governor Mikie Sherrill on the state’s response to the storm.
 
Plus, lawmakers have a snow day today, but that’s not why it can sometimes take years to pass a bill. 
 
And, New Jersey is facing a nursing shortage, we’ll talk with the head of the state’s nursing association about what can be done.
 

NJ Spotlight News February 20, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable with Joanna Gagis, where we have a roundup of the top political stories of the week with the help of a panel of local journalists.