NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News February 28, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Trenton police and city leaders unveil new policies to improve public safety in response to a scathing DOJ investigation; Newark Mayor Ras Baraka joins Briana Vannozzi to discuss his response to ICE expanding its footprint in its city; The community in Haddon Township bands together to support a mother and father suddenly detained by ICE at their restaurant; Local leaders warn of impending cuts to Medicaid despite assurances from Republicans that Medicaid benefits will remain untouched in budget cuts; A Ukrainian refugee receives life-changing treatment after fleeing to New Jersey.

NJ Spotlight News February 27, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Federal immigration agents are expanding their footprint in New Jersey with imminent plans to reopen a 1000-bed detention center at Delaney Hall in Newark; The Murphy Administration releases its school funding allocation with a goal of limiting volatility for districts when planning their budgets; Dr. Meg Fisher, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, talks to Briana Vannozzi about the three measles cases reported in New Jersey and the spread of measles around the country; Governor Murphy wants to launch an OB-GYN incentive program to lure doctors and medical professionals away from states that are banning abortion and limiting women's health rights; The new US Agriculture Secretary details the federal plan to stop the spread of avian flu as local farmers work to protect their birds; Energy experts meet at Rowan University to talk about new ways the state can meet the needs of the future as uncertainty around clean energy efforts grows at the federal level.

NJ Spotlight News February 26, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: All three GOP congressmen from New Jersey join their Republican colleagues in voting to pass a controversial budget with massive spending cuts; A judge tosses the indictments against South Jersey power broker George Norcross and his co-defendants; NJ Transit and Amtrak mark a milestone as crews lift the third and final arch into place on top of the Portal North bridge; The business community reacts to the Governor's record-setting spending plan; State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio joins Briana Vannozzi to discuss how the uncertainty around cuts in Washington could impact budget negotiations in New Jersey; Two federal workers discuss the abrupt firing process by the Trump administration and warn about talented minds leaving a generation of research behind in the United States; Former Rutgers star Eric LeGrand hosts state lawmakers to convince them to support the home health care industry.

NJ Spotlight News February 25, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Governor Murphy delivers his FINAL budget address, pledging to combat the rising cost of living in his record setting 58-billion-dollar state budget; Also, $28 billion in Property Tax relief, $36 million for free pre-k and more money to modernize Mass Transit; Plus, ALL ABOARD…it’s full steam ahead as the Hoboken PATH station reopens ON TIME after a 25-day closure for commuters; AND…Raking in the millions in midtown…The MTA touting the tolls already collected since congestion pricing rolled out.

NJ Spotlight News February 24, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Reports over the weekend that the largest military base here in the state is on the Trump Administration’s short list to house undocumented immigrants; Plus, Congressman Josh Gottheimer makes an unannounced trip to Qatar to help negotiate the release of the last American hostage held by Hamas, Tenafly’s Edan Alexander; Also, a preview of what is expected from Governor Murphy’s final Budget address tomorrow, will there be any relief for your wallet? And, three years since the first Russian bombs were dropped on Ukraine, New Jersey’s Ukrainian community reacts to all that has been lost and the life they have been forced to create here….

NJ Spotlight News February 21, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…$1 Billion in federal funding for New Jersey schools COULD BE in jeopardy unless districts adhere to the new Trump Administration DEI policies; Plus, rolling out a new program to improve encounters between people with autism and the police; Also, New Jersey is one step closer to protecting workers from extreme heat… but a tense debate in Trenton means the fight is far from over; And, a radical way to address opioid overdoses here in the state…. by opening what’s known as safe-consumption centers.

NJ Spotlight News February 20, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Just days before the Governor is expected to deliver his 2026 budget address protestors rally outside the statehouse trying to fight against ANY potential budget cuts; Plus, President Trump is declaring congestion pricing DEAD but according to Governor Hochul the cameras are STILL ON and tolls are still being collected in midtown Manhattan;  Also, the latest Trump administration firings are hitting closer to home… staffers from the WTC - 911 health program are feeling the pain; And, the party line is officially gone as state legislators debate the primary election ballot re-design. 

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