NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News January 9, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…STRIKE AVERTED… Longshoremen and shipping companies reach a deal to stave off a work stoppage just days before the deadline that could have crippled the economy; Plus, COMMUTERS SOUND OFF  about the impact congestion pricing is having on their daily rail ride; Also, creating LGBTQ+ LIAISONS … to build trust between our cities, law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community; And, REMEMBERING JIMMY CARTER… the former president is laid to rest… as  a nation and residents of south jersey reflect on his legacy.

NJ Spotlight News January 8, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…The CONGESTION PRICING WAR wages on… Governor Murphy speaking out for the first time calling the midtown toll “outrageous” and vowing to fight on; Plus, a critical immigration vote in the U.S house this week, and two New Jersey members… also running for Governor…. were a NO show; Also, PORT STRIKE Number 2? All eyes on the shipping docks to see if workers will walk once again; And, HOUSING THE HOMELESS… the city of Newark offering 200 public housing units to those in search of temporary shelter. 

NJ Spotlight News January 7, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…CODE BLUE…The winter blast continues to impact the state, bringing frigid temperatures, hazardous wind conditions and over 7 inches of snow reported in some areas; Plus, with congestion pricing now 3 days in, data tracking shows commuting time declines, as Bergen County officials look for expanding public transit services; Also, the City of Camden is celebrating a reduction in crime rates and quality of life improvements. What’s next for a city that was once considered the most dangerous in America? And, ENDING HOMELESSNESS…the country and the state witnessing an increase in homelessness…what’s behind the surge in the search for shelter? 
 

NJ Spotlight News January 6, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…A STATE OF EMERGENCY…for parts of the state as a winter storm rolls in packing a punch of snow and wind; Plus, IT’S TIME TO PAY UP… if you are entering midtown Manhattan …New Jersey loses its battle over congestion pricing; Also, today marks four years since the January 6th capitol attack where New Jersey native and Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick was killed. Will President-elect Trump pardon the attackers when he takes office? And, BIRD FLU FEARS are growing with nearly 60 confirmed cases across the country, health officials in New Jersey offer guidance to help you stay safe. 

NJ Spotlight News January 3, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News .… CANCER WARNING.… The new year brings new calls from the U.S. Surgeon General urging that all alcohol labels come with cancer risk warnings; Also, CONGESTION PRICE COUNTDOWN …. With 2 days to go before you will be hit with a midtown toll …. New Jersey lawmakers make a last-ditch effort to block the fee; Plus, CHANGING OF THE GUARD.… The 119th Congress will have several new faces representing the Garden State; And a RED FOX RESCUE.… One man’s mission to trap and treat injured foxes here in the state. 

NJ Spotlight News January 2, 2025

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…SENTENCING DELAY DENIED … a federal judge rejects disgraced former Senator Bob Menendez’s request for a new sentencing date…but his fight for a new trial lives on; Plus, Manhattan congestion pricing is set to start Sunday… but a new court ruling has given New Jersey opponents hope they can still block the midtown toll; Also, the state looking to some lawmakers want to reform the Pension program, in an effort to lure younger teachers to avoid a shortage; And, ringing in the New Year with a raise… minimum wage in New Jersey  is now just over FIFTEEN DOLLARS per hour.

NJ Spotlight News January 1, 2025

Happy New Year …. welcome to a special edition of NJ Spotlight News. This past year NJSN lost a dear friend, a colleague, and a beloved respected journalist Michael Aron.  He was dubbed the Dean of the State House press corps and covered every major political story of our state dating back to the days of Gov. Brendan Byrne. Michael was a dogged reporter who had a phrase about covering our state, "New Jersey never lets you down." While politics was the core of his career, one story that spanned a decade of it was that of then 19-year-old Quincy Spruell. Spruell was charged in 1985 with killing Leonard Thompson, an East Orange drug dealer. It took years of reporting, but Michael uncovered his wrongful conviction and Quincy walked out of Northern State Prison in Newark a free man after serving more than 24 years of a 30-year jail term for murder. Last night if you tuned in you saw the first half of Michael’s documentary that aired in 1996 entitled "A Call for Justice” – This is part two, it starts off just after the state supreme court turned down Quincy’s appeal for a new trial base on new evidence. And then a chat with Quincy Spruell. 

NJ Spotlight News December 31, 2024

Tonight, a special edition of NJ Spotlight News. As 2024 comes to a close, NJSN reflects on what it has been able to achieve in bringing important stories to you-- but also what it lost. Including a dear friend, and colleague, the consummate Newsman Michael Aron. He was dubbed the Dean of the State House press corps and covered every major political story of the state dating back to the days of Governor Brendan Byrne. But Michael was a dogged reporter even outside the state house… and one story he covered for more than a decade could in fact be is legacy. It certainly is if you ask Quincy Spruell.  At 19 years-old, Spruell was charged with murder. For the killing of Leonard Thompson, an East Orange drug dealer. The details of his story struck a chord with Michael Aron... after years of his reporting along with the help of a former NJ Attorney General and the Rutgers Law Clinic... they proved his innocence. Uncovering a frightening story of mistakes... and misconduct that led to Spruell's wrongful conviction. Michael was there when Spruell walked out of Northern State Prison in Newark a free man...after serving nearly 25 years of a 30-year-prison sentence. Michael’s reporting was turned into a documentary that aired in 1996 called “A Call for Justice” –Tonight, Part one and then a conversation with Quincy Spruell. 

NJ Spotlight News December 30, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Remembering Jimmy Carter… The former President a champion for peace and humanitarian work, the impact of his legacy felt right here in the garden state; Plus, are the streets of Newark any safer? Murders are down, but violent crime is seeing an uptick; Also, despite the growing flood risk along New Jersey’s shore, a multi-billion-dollar flood prevention plan is scaled way back; And, THE PARTY IS OVER for Party City, but workers say the end came too soon. They’re filing a class action lawsuit saying their termination violates state law.  
 

NJ Spotlight News December 27, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…AWAITING SENTENCING…A judge is set to decide next month what the punishment for Bob Menendez’s corruption conviction will be, but the disgraced former Senator is seeking another delay; Plus, Paterson leaders consider a controversial ordinance to crack down on homeless people sleeping in public; Also, a new law aims to protect young athletes from tragedy on the playing field; And, trotting to the finish… one final weekend of racing in Freehold signaling  the decline of harness racing in New Jersey.