NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News February 21, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka kicks off his run for the governor's office; Culture wars erupt at the board of education meeting in Old Bridge after a pro-parental rights group brings an outspoken North Carolina pastor to preach their views; Imani Corbett, the inaugural president of Seton Hall's first NAACP chapter joins NJ Spotlight News to discuss the goals for the newly formed group; Congressman Frank Pallone and FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel urge Congress to continue funding the Affordable Connectivity Program to prevent hundreds of thousands of New Jerseyans from losing access to low cost or free internet; State leaders join representatives from offshore wind companies to discuss the future of the industry.

NJ Spotlight News February 20, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Newark Mayor Ras BARAKA  tosses his hat into the ring for New Jersey governor making a surprising announcement; Plus, U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Murphy TAKES HER STAND, now a staunch critic of a proposed gas-powered plant and challenging her husband's wavering  support of the plan; Also, a Hoboken Councilman hits the streets making deliveries, calling for increased E-BIKE SAFETY REGULATIONS; And, THE CHANGE PROJECT, our new digital series that shines a spotlight on the state’s social and economic challenges.
 

NJ Spotlight News February 19, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Representative Andy Kim and First Lady Tammy Murphy square off in their first debate ahead of the Democratic primaries in June; Republican strategist Chris Russell joins NJ Spotlight News to discuss the debate and how Republicans plan to counter the early momentum from Democrats; Paterson's mayor joins with local leaders to push President Biden to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; NJ Spotlight News contributor Andrew Lewis joins the show to discuss the growing population of bald eagles in NJ and future conservation efforts; A new Rutgers-Eagleton poll finds the state is divided when it comes to the governor's electric vehicle mandate; NJ Spotlight News producer Harrison Malkin talks to Raven Santana about his new travel and culture podcast: Off Exit.

NJ Spotlight News February 16, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…KEEPING HOPE ALIVE residents in the borough of Tenafly gather every Friday to remind the world 20-year-old Edan Alexander is still being held by Hamas; Plus, LIGHTING UP …a compromise in the Casino Smoking Ban, a new proposal that keeps smokers rolling the dice in Atlantic City; Also, NEGOTIATING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES, if New Jersey wants a seat at the table to keep your drug prices down, just ASK the Governor; And, SOUNDING THE ALARM …a desperate call to remedy a nationwide shortage of primary care doctors.  
 

NJ Spotlight News February 15, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Governor Murphy announces the state will use $95 million in settlement money from the opioid industry to expand recovery services and support people battling addiction; Palestinian-Americans in New Jersey whose loved ones are in Gaza make a desperate plea to elected officials to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas; Workers at Anheuser-Busch in Newark stage a "practice picket" outside the brewery as they negotiate a new contract with the company; One south Jersey lawmaker introduces a bill to suspend tolls for drivers who are forced to use the Atlantic City Expressway when Route 40 is flooded; Bergen County joins an ongoing lawsuit against New York's congestion pricing plan; NJ Spotlight News budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer discusses the latest revenue report, which showed tax collections were down in the past six months.

NJ Spotlight News February 14, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…New details emerge in embattled U.S. Senator Bob Menendez’s federal bribery case…allegations of a  $35 thousand diamond engagement ring, pushing a COVID-19 testing lab… and talk of a “double 0 7” phone, his team is now invoking the “swift defense.” Plus, the state’s parole system is under scrutiny after a new report says its ‘FLAWED’ & ‘BROKEN.’ Also, major changes in store if you test positive for COVID-19… quarantine days may soon be over; And, a huge sigh of relief in Atlantic City …  the doors WILL  remain open at its harm reduction and needle exchange center, after a three year battle.   
 
 

NJ Spotlight News February 13, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…A Nor’easter dumps up to 12 inches of snow in some parts of the state…. This FIERCE WINTER BLAST  causing dangerous driving, transit delays, and school closings; Plus, DIRE STRAITS .... Three Carepoint Hudson County hospitals face financial woes forcing the state to request disaster plans; Also, two recent suicides at the New Jersey State prison renew concerns over the use of prolonged periods of solitary confinement; And, MISSING MENENDEZ … immigration advocates speak out…concerned about a  LATINO VOICE  if the embattled U.S. senator steps down or loses his seat.
 
 

NJ Spotlight News February `12, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Congressman Andy KIM TRUMPS Tammy MURPHY in a convention vote in HER own county, cementing an early lead, despite Murphy’s holding most of the party line; Plus, an ILLEGAL NIGHTCLUB CRACKDOWN in Paterson,  a new task force to target gun violence and improve public safety; Also, in Trenton, lawmakers renew their fight to reform the state’s affordable housing program once and for all; And, businesses in the state are under scrutiny for DENYING SERVICE to those with service animals.
 
 

NJ Spotlight News February 9, 2024

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Analysts are expected big bets on the big game, with a record 68 million adults expected to place a wager on Sunday's game; Sue Altman, the presumptive Democratic nominee in Congressional District 7, sits down with Briana Vannozzi to discuss her progressive past and the race against incumbent Representative Tom Kean, Jr.; Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz introduces a bill package aimed at reversing the effects of learning loss and improving early literacy; Residents and advocates share their concerns about offshore wind projects at an open house in Toms River; Briana Vannozzi sits down with Katie Sobko from The Bergen Record to discuss how much it will cost New Jersey to host FIFA World Cup matches and the final as well as the economic impact expected to come from the international event.

NJ Spotlight News February 8, 2024

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Can New Jersey KEEP UP WITH THE WORLD CUP? Transit experts question the readiness of the state’s infrastructure in preparation for this Global event; Plus, NJ DECIDES 2024…the race is on… from the competitive congressional campaigns to a contentious Senate race, we’re breaking it all down; Also, PAID FAMILY LEAVE takes center stage in Trenton today … as lawmakers try once again to revise the state’s law, despite push back from the business community; And, calling any and all potential EMT’s …. Monmouth County launches an emergency medical service operation to combat the ongoing shortage.