NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News October 6, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, as debates over vaccines continue to divide the country, we hear from one group watching the rise in vaccine skepticism with growing concern: polio survivors.
Then, the latest on where the fight stands between the state and towns looking to overturn new affordable housing rules.
And, Hispanic and Latino history is coming to New Jersey classrooms starting next year. What will be in the lesson plans?

NJ Spotlight News October 3, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special edition of Reporters Roundtable with David Cruz, where he’ll have a roundup of the week’s top political headlines and stories with a panel of local journalists. 

NJ Spotlight News October 2, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, a 17-year old driver is facing murder charges in the hit-and-run deaths of two teenage girls who were riding their e-bikes home Monday night in Cranford.
 
Plus, it's day two of the federal government shutdown and it's already having an impact on healthcare here in New Jersey.
 
Also, the fate of one Jersey City hospital hangs in the balance, we look at what’s being done to save it.
 
And, it may sound like a lost cause these days, civility in politics, but we’ll tell you how bipartisan lawmakers are bringing this message to college campuses across the state. 
 

NJ Spotlight News October 1, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the Trump administration is freezing billions of dollars in funding for the Gateway Tunnel Project.
 
Plus, the federal government is officially shutdown and the blame game between Democrats and Republicans rages on, we talk to Senator Andy Kim about whether a breakthrough is in sight.
 
Also, Republican Gubernatorial nominee Jack Ciattarelli weighs in on his Democratic opponent Mikie Sherrill’s military records release.
 
And, Ciattarelli and Sherrill’s running mates squared off in their first and only debate of the campaign- we’ll take a look at the top issues they covered. 
 

NJ Spotlight News September 30, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, Attorney General Matt Platkin is once again leading a lawsuit against the Trump administration. This time over cuts to federal homeland security funding.
 
Plus, with the clock winding down- we’ll tell you what lawmakers are doing to avert a federal government shutdown and the potential impact on New Jersey. 
 
Also, advocates call for the state to divest from a company developing an immigration tracking software program - how does it work and why is it sparking surveillance concerns.
 
And, calls are growing for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Mikie Sherrill to release her Naval records, will the controversy sway voters’ minds as they begin casting ballots in the November election. 

NJ Spotlight News September 29, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, fresh off a rebrand and takeover Heights University Hospital in Jersey City says the system is on the brink of suspending non-essential services. 
 
Plus, with the governor’s race tightening, Black male voters have emerged as a key bloc to win the election. So what are Democrats and Republicans doing to get their support?
 
Also, we get the latest on why certain hospitals have stopped gender affirming care for patients under 19.
 
And, we visit a newly opened high school in Newark billing itself as a launchpad for future architects and designers.
 

NJ Spotlight News September 26, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special edition of Reporters Roundtable with David Cruz, where he’ll have a roundup of the week’s top political headlines and stories with a panel of local journalists. 

NJ Spotlight News September 25, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, two state Senators here in New Jersey, Republican Jon Bramnick and Democrat Joe Cryan, decided to launch a College Civility Tour in response to recent events of political violence. 
 
Plus, from the latest polls to the top issues, we get you caught up on the latest in the Gubernatorial race.
 
Also, what are lawmakers in D.C. doing to prevent a possible government shutdown? We hear from U.S. Senator Andy Kim. 
 
And, celebrating one of our own, rocker Jon Bon Jovi is honored for his impact on the arts.

NJ Spotlight News September 24, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, a key political pivot in the race for New Jersey’s Governor. The state Fraternal Order of Police is endorsing Republican Jack Ciattarelli over his Democratic opponent Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill.
 
Plus, confusion and concern over the Trump administration linking Tylenol use during pregnancy to autism. What do state health officials, advocates, and parents have to say?
 
Also, the cost of special education is skyrocketing in the state, we look at what schools and lawmakers are doing to fund services.
 
And, will more cell phone bans be coming to the classroom? We have the latest details on a statewide recommendation.

NJ Spotlight News September 23, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the Trump administration says there’s a link between taking Tylenol during pregnancy and autism, but what does the science say? We hear from one of the nation’s leading autism experts.
 
Plus, a look at the state of Newark schools five years after regaining local control, what’s improved and what’s falling short?
 
Also, how a global trade war is hitting small communities, we look at the strain on New Jersey’s “Little India.” 
 
And, a note about our programming. For the past 14 years, this station has been managed and operated by WNET, Channel 13 in New York. The station itself is licensed by the State of New Jersey, and today WNET announced:
"Regrettably, we were not able to reach an agreement with the New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority to continue beyond June 2026."
Until that time, NJ PBS, and this newscast, will remain on the air. After June 2026, this program will continue to be produced and will air on Thirteen, its digital platforms, and will be made available to other outlets interested in carrying it. We’re not going away.