NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

NJ Spotlight News March 18, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, electricity rates in New Jersey spiked 17% in New Jersey last year. For the average household, that’s an increase of about $260 a year.
 
Plus, from the front lines to the home front, what’s being done to assist veterans struggling with homelessness in New Jersey.
 
Also, we talk with a disability rights advocate calling for better protections of wheelchairs and scooters - that all too often break during air travel.
 
And, Lucy the Elephant is getting a makeover. The 144- year-old South Jersey attraction has been a staple in the Margate community, drawing families and tourists for generations, and has received the federal funding needed to make critical repairs. 

NJ Spotlight News March 17, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, a New Jersey woman has been released from ICE custody - after spending a year in a Texas detention center.
 
Plus, the contract is up for the Elizabeth Detention Center - we’ll get you the latest on the renewal process.
 
Also, the fight rages over who should control the land at Liberty State Park. We talk to one Senator fighting to preserve it.
 
And, could your beach house have to be raised even higher? We’ll look at the controversy over the new REAL rules governing flood prone areas. 

NJ Spotlight News March 16, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, Heights University Hospital in Jersey City has officially shut its doors – despite last-ditch efforts from the community to keep it open. The embattled hospital  shuttered on Saturday, closing its emergency department  - for real this time.
 
Plus, is your commute back on track? We talk to the head of NJ Transit now that the new Portal North Bridge is officially open and operating.
 
Also, how much aid is your school district getting? Senate Education Chair Vin Gopal joins us to talk about school funding and calls for reform. 
 
And, while the state grapples with the formula, some property taxes in New Jersey are hitting record highs, but it might depend on where you live. We’ll break down the numbers.

NJ Spotlight News March 13, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable – where we'll have a roundup of the top political stories of the week with the help of a panel of local journalists. 

NJ Spotlight News March 12, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, another win for the Gateway Tunnel project after an Appeals court sided with New Jersey and New York, rejecting the Trump Administration’s request to once again halt payments for the Hudson River tunnel.
 
Plus, as the war in Iran continues, costs are rising here at home. We’ll look at what’s happening overseas and the global impact it’s having.
 
Also, Governor Sherrill announced a record spending plan for the state - driven in part by cuts from the federal government.
 
And, school districts got their allocations today, according to the school funding formula. We’ll look at who gained, and who lost. 

NJ Spotlight News March 11, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, Governor Mikie Sherrill joins us here in the studio fresh off her first budget address. We’ll talk about her plan to put the state on the right fiscal track.
 
Plus, travel has gotten a lot trickier these days, whether you’re taking to the roads, the rails or the skies. Gas prices are soaring as the war between the U.S. and Iran continues to expand across the Middle East.
 
Also, we get reaction from business and community leaders on what the Governor’s proposed.
 
And, we keep hearing about it - the school funding formula - what is it, how is it calculated, and how should it be reformed? We’ll break it all down.
 

NJ Spotlight News March 10, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we're bringing you coverage and analysis of Governor Mikie Sherrill's first Budget Address from the Statehouse in Trenton. 

NJ Spotlight News March 9, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, as the war in Iran continues, unrest is hitting home. Two suspects are under arrest after an IED was thrown near New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home on Saturday.
 
Also, we get reaction from a University president whose family lives in Iran. 
 
Plus, what will Governor Sherrill cut? We’ll look at her options as she prepares her first Budget Address.
 
And, we talk with state Senate Republican leader Anthony Bucco about his party’s proposals to balance the budget. 
 

NJ Spotlight News March 6, 2026

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

NJ Spotlight News March 5, 2026

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, colleges across the state are feeling the pinch. Rutgers University’s Athletic Department hit a $78 million dollar shortfall in fiscal year 2025.
 
Plus, Congressional and Senate races are heating up  - we talk with Alex Zdan the Republican candidate who’s vying for U.S. Senator Cory Booker’s seat and Jersey City’s Mussab Ali who’s running to replace Democratic Congressman Rob Menendez in the June primary.
 
And, school districts across the state are strapped for cash - will there be any relief in Gov. Sherrill’s upcoming budget?