NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News October 27, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, polls are open for the third day of early voting across New Jersey. And already more than 600 thousand voters have cast their ballot, either early in person or by mail.
 
Plus, we’ll take you to one college where students are proving civic engagement is more than a classroom lesson– working to make sure their peers head to the polls.
 
Also, as the government shutdown drags on with no resolution in sight, we’ll look at the impact on federal workers and food aid.
 
And, fans at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park got an unforgettable surprise this weekend. Bruce Springsteen jumped on stage for an impromptu performance at Little Steven, Stevie Van Zandt’s birthday benefit concert.
 

NJ Spotlight News October 24, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable, where Joanna Gagis has a roundup of the key political stories of the week with the help of a panel of local journalists.

NJ Spotlight News October 23, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, some tragic news at the site of a Gateway Tunnel project in New York today, a worker at the Hudson Yards Concrete Casing suffered a fatal injury. 
 
Plus, in the final weeks of the Gubernatorial race, we’ll tell you why a potential endorsement from a powerful group may give Republican Jack Ciattarelli an edge over Mikie Sherrill come Election Day, but why comments by a campaign advisor are causing controversy.
 
Also, a vital hospital in Newark gets a major upgrade, we’ll bring you the latest. 
 
And, voting has begun in New Jersey’s Gubernatorial race, we’ll get you the latest on the mail-in voting numbers and when you can vote in person.
 
 

NJ Spotlight News October 22, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the latest poll in the race for governor shows Democrat Mikie Sherrill’s lead is shrinking, we look at one of the defining issues for the campaigns, how the candidates would overhaul New Jersey’s school funding
 
Plus, Amazon is facing more legal trouble in New Jersey. Attorney General Matt Platkin is accusing the retail giant of discriminating against pregnant and disabled workers at its warehouses here in the state.
 
Also, can the state really eliminate all traffic deaths in the next 15 years? We hear from a mother fighting for safer streets after losing her son.
 
And, direct cash – no strings attached. A new program for expecting moms is coming to New Jersey, we’ll tell you how it works.

NJ Spotlight News October 21, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver appears in federal court asking a judge to dismiss charges against her stemming from the Delaney Hall incident last spring, we have the latest from the courtroom.
 
Plus, state Republicans are threatening a lawsuit over ballot security just two weeks out from Election Day. Demanding surveillance cameras, access logs, and bipartisan oversight where vote-by-mail ballots are stored.
 
Also, day 21, the government shutdown continues, how long can federal services and programs survive in New Jersey without federal funding?
 
And, the gubernatorial candidates say they have plans to bring more transparency and accountability to the state’s budget process…how their proposals could help taxpayers.
 

NJ Spotlight News October 20, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, thousands gathered across the state this weekend for the second annual No Kings Day protests in more than 50 towns from Montclair to Ocean City. 
 
Plus, as cold and flu season picks up some parents say they’re hitting a wall when it comes to getting their youngest kids vaccinated against COVID-19, we’ll take a closer look at why the shots aren’t readily available.
 
Also, what is New Jersey’s business community looking for in the next Governor? We talk to one of the state’s top business leaders about their list of priorities.
 
And, how did the Montclair school district end up with a nearly $20 million dollar budget hole? And who’s on the hook to fix it? 

NJ Spotlight News October 17, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable with David Cruz, who has a roundup of the top political stories of the week with the help of a panel of local journalists.
 
 

NJ Spotlight News October 16, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, “Terminated” President Trump may be cancelling the $16 billion dollar Gateway Tunnel Project. We talk to Senator Andy Kim about what lawmakers are doing and the impact it’ll have on New Jersey
 
Plus, a new poll on the governor’s race puts Democrat Mikie Sherrill in the lead but shows Republican Jack Ciattarelli has the edge when it comes to voter enthusiasm.
 
Also, in the final weeks of the gubernatorial race, the candidates are picking up key endorsements left and right, so who are Latino organizations backing and what are they doing to get out the vote?
 
And, we take a look at the top Assembly seats up for grabs this November and why there’s national attention on these races. 

NJ Spotlight News October 15, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey’s assault weapons ban is once again under legal scrutiny, we speak one-on-one with Attorney General Matt Platkin about what’s at stake in his battle over gun law protections. 
 
Plus after years of promises, the state today looked to turn the page on its criminal justice history with a groundbreaking on a new women’s correctional facility in Chesterfield.
 
Also, Atlantic City saw a summer tourism boom this year, but can the city keep the momentum going into the fall and beyond?
 
And, gold prices are breaking records, from pawn shops to personal stashes residents are rushing to cash in, so what’s fueling the spike? 

NJ Spotlight News October 14, 2025

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, public safety advocates are celebrating a key legal win in a landmark case against firearms manufacturer Glock. A superior court judge today ruled in favor of allowing a lawsuit against Glock filed by AG Matt Platkin last December to move forward.
 
Plus, a powerful Nor’easter pounds the Jersey coastline, we take a look at the hardest hit areas and cleanup efforts.
 
Also, day 14 of the government shutdown, what if anything, are New Jersey lawmakers doing to break this stalemate?
 
And, as the gubernatorial race enters the final stretch, we look at the candidates stances on policing in response to mental health crises.