NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News July 12, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …VERDICT WATCH … the case against Senator Bob Menendez is now in the hands of the Jury… the stakes for embattled senior senator and the state could not be higher; Plus, did President Biden’s performance at the NATO Summit persuade democrats on the hill to stick by him? Also, fallout in Princeton days after a surprise ICE operation rounded up and interrogated immigrants; And urgent calls for more money to make communities more resilient to climate change… as seas rise, and storms intensify.

NJ Spotlight News July 11, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …After two months of testimony, did the prosecution prove beyond a reasonable doubt the senior senator was the ringleader in a bribery and corruption scheme; Plus, a CITY ON EDGE as ICE agents rounded up immigrants in Princeton, leaving city leaders furious; Also,  MIXED MESSAGES surrounding the push to put electric vehicles on the road…the state NOW “pulling the plug” on a key incentive and enforcing a new fee; And, OPERATION ICE WATER...workers in Paterson head out and hand out water to help its most vulnerable populations to try and beat the heat.
 

NJ Spotlight News July 10, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: The defense team for U.S. Senator Bob Menendez wraps up its closing arguments in his federal bribery trial; Rep. Mikie Sherrill joins a small but vocal group of Democratic lawmakers calling for President Biden to step out of the 2024 presidential race; Newark's police union claims the city's Office of Violence Prevention and Trauma Recovery are interfering with crime scenes and obstructing law enforcement officers; Jersey City Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Steve Fulop joins other lawmakers and protestors to rally against a proposed $10.7 billion turnpike expansion project; Richard Wesley, chair of the Selection Committee for the Newark Black Film Festival, joins Joanna Gagis to discuss the festival's history and impact on its 50th anniversary.

NJ Spotlight News July 9, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: The defense team for U.S. Senator Bob Menendez begins its closing arguments; Democratic political powerbroker George Norcross makes his first appearance in court on charges he led a racketeering scheme in connection with waterfront properties in Camden; NJ State Climatologist Dave Robinson discusses the latest heat wave in New Jersey and a new climate report released by Rutgers University; Advocates push for Governor Murphy to sign a bill on his desk that would restrict hemp sales and regulate them under the Cannabis Regulatory Commission; NJ Spotlight News social justice reporter Taylor Jung discusses her reporting on harm reduction centers in New Jersey as part of our multimedia series: The Change Project.

NJ Spotlight News July 8, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Closing arguments begin in the trial of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez; New Jersey political analysts weigh in on the concerns surrounding President Biden's reelection campaign; Epidemiologist Stephanie Silvera joins the show to discuss the rise in COVID cases and the new variants; Legislators introduce a bill to cap public college tuition increases at 2% as Rutgers announces a 4% tuition hike for next year; Several NJ school districts implement policies to restrict phone use on school grounds to limit learning distractions and improve student mental health.

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.