Listen to the NJ PBS flagship weeknight newscast anytime, anywhere. NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi airs weekdays at 630 PM EST on NJ PBS and in this feed. The only daily Jersey-centric podcast in the state. In-depth reporting covering all the news, issues, and stories uniquely relevant to the residents of the Garden State.
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Banning cellphone use in the classroom … State lawmakers move a bill to restrict phone use by kids while school is in session; Plus, Congressman Frank Pallone’s new push to ban cancer-causing red dye number 3 from food; Also, workers head back to court in their fight for smoke-free casinos…will the push for casino prof…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Time is running out to apply for the ANCHOR property tax relief program, with hundreds of dollars available to homeowners and renters; New Jersey interim Senator George Helmy joins Briana Vannozzi to discuss his whirlwind Washington tenure and the transition to Senator-elect Andy Kim; Jersey City officials tout record-…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…A Call to restrict cellphone usage IN SCHOOLS across the country… as mental health concerns for children continue to grow; Plus, gubernatorial hopefuls gather to pitch their economic plans to the business leaders of the state; Also, a growing push by New Jersey doctors and politicians for EXPANDING ACCESS to groundbrea…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…SEX TRAFFICKING CHARGES …. the state’s attorney general leveling human trafficking charges against seven defendants for operating two sex rings in Essex and Cumberland Counties; Plus, LABOR FIGHT… Senator-Elect Andy Kim is jumping into the ring to help negotiate a contract for a group of North Jersey Nurses; Also, with…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…KEEPING HOPE ALIVE … Hamas releases a propaganda video depicting Tenafly native Edan Alexander pleading for his release … The first signs of life in more than a year since taken hostage; Plus, former United States senator Bob Menendez is looking to get his corruption conviction tossed; Also, the impact of the TRUMP TAR…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Several NJ counties issue Code Blue alerts with temperatures expected to dip below freezing; Rutgers announces a 20-person presidential search committee to find the replacement for outgoing school president Jonathan Holloway; Eileen Kean from the National Federation of Independent Businesses explains why small business…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: The US helps negotiate a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon; Former US Senator Bob Menendez wants his corruption conviction tossed out and the right to a new trial after prosecutors admitted to giving jurors evidence that was supposed to be redacted; AAA expects a record number of New Jerseyans tr…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Tightening the purse strings in Trenton… Governor Murphy freezing pay raises and halting hiring as state government faces a budget crunch; Plus, a major milestone to rebuild the 114 year old Portal North Bridge…a crucial component of the Gateway Tunnel Project; Also, President - elect Trump threatening to dismantle the…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Special Counsel Jack Smith drops the federal cases president-elect Donald Trump; Governor Murphy signs a bill allowing businesses to permanently offer outdoor dining; Social justice advocates demand change in Trenton after a scathing report about civil rights violations by its police department; Immigration groups brac…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…From extreme drought in the southern part of the state to extreme cold in the north…some areas getting as much as a foot of snow; Plus, Trenton community leaders react to the scathing report finding a pattern of abuse by it’s own police department; Also, millions are expected to travel this holiday week …but many are g…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News...A PATTERN OF ABUSE … The Trenton Police Department is under fire after a damning report detailing repeated civil rights violations and use of excessive force; Plus, as cases of WALKING PNEUMONIA continue to spike among children here in the state, What symptoms should you be looking for? Also, PRISON REFORM…in an effo…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Do you have sick kids at home and not know why? … state officials are warning that cases of WALKING PNEUMONIA are on the rise here in New Jersey; Plus, Governor Murphy is touting progress made by NJ Transit and Amtrak after the “summer of hell” on the rails … but many big solutions will still need funding from the inco…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: The NJ Forest Fire Service provides updates on two wildfires burning in the southern half of the state; Interim Senator George Helmy, the only Arab-American serving in the US Senate, issues a plea for Palestinians in Gaza on the Senate floor; The New Jersey Turnpike Authority approves another 3% increase for tolls on t…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…If you drive into Midtown Manhattan, get ready to pay the price, congestion pricing is now one step closer; Plus, NOW THERE ARE TEN…Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill officially tosses her hat into a very crowded race for Governor; Also, keeping our streets safe for pedestrians….families and advocates gather to push for legi…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Major progress for fire crews battling the Jennings Creek wildfire as officials report it is now 90% contained on the New Jersey side; Dockworkers reportedly walk away from the bargaining table, setting up a potential longshoremen's strike in January; PATH fares and Port Authority tolls could increase by 25 cents if a …
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Republicans secure control of the House of Representatives, giving the GOP a full control of each branch of government; New York Governor Kathy Hochul announces she is reviving the controversial congestion pricing plan; State lawmakers meet to discuss how to improve the rider experience on NJ Transit; NJ DEP commission…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Attorney General Matt Platkin sues two NJ gun stores for allegedly selling ammunition without checking IDs or permits; Firefighters slowly begin to get a handle on the Jennings Creek Wildfire burning on the New Jersey-New York border; State officials elevate a drought watch to a drought warning and ask residents to con…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Firefighters provide new details on a growing wildfire burning in both New Jersey and New York; A new poll finds most New Jerseyans aren't familiar with the candidates who have entered the race for governor in 2025; New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin talks to Briana Vannozzi about his vow to thwart President-elec…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Authorities make an arrest in connection with the Shotgun Fire in Jackson Township as several wildfires continue to burn throughout the state; Attorney General Matt Platkin and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka join protestors rallying against President-Elect Trump's immigration policies; Analysts break down what President-Elect…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: A federal judge strikes down a Biden administration program that allowed undocumented immigrants who are spouses of U.S. citizens obtain a green card without leaving the country; New wildfires pop up across New Jersey as meteorologists see signs of potential drought relief coming as soon as this weekend; Young Republic…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…multiple wildfires are burning in South Jersey … fueled by a lack of rain forcing parts of 5 counties to be put under a EXTREME DROUGHT warning; Plus, did an UNCONSCIOUS BIAS toward Kamala Harris play a part in Donald Trump’s victory? OR was it a surge in the Hispanic vote that put Trump over the top? And, in Newark …a…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …An election of historic proportion…a red wave sweeps across the country propelling Donald Trump to a second term as President; Plus, that same red wave showed up on the shores of New Jersey; Also, the changing face of the women from New Jersey now heading to Congress; And, will all those summer TRANSIT TROUBLES go awa…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: A final look at early voting numbers one day out from the 2024 election; CarePoint Health declares bankruptcy after months of turmoil for the hospital system; Poll directors Ashley Koning and Patrick Murray join Briana Vannozzi to discuss final polling trends ahead of the election; NJ Spotlight News mental health write…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: A new Rutgers-Eagleton poll details rising fears about political violence surrounding the 2024 election; 11 of the state's 21 counties are experiencing severe drought conditions as new wildfires ignite and cause evacuations; Suburban women from New Jersey travel to the swing state of Pennsylvania for a Get Out The Vote…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…With 5 days to go before the election more than a million New Jerseyans have already cast a ballot and there’s still plenty of time to vote and in- person early voting runs through Sunday; Plus, HURRICANE IDA RELIEF…Governor Murphy signs a long-awaited bill that’ll give survivors much needed mortgage assistance; Also, …
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…With SIX DAYS TO GO…Democrat Andy Kim has a sizable lead in the latest poll over Republican Curtis Bashaw in the race for US Senate… as lawmakers in Trenton debate on what a new ballot could look like; Plus, pouring millions into New Jersey ports, the Biden administration is looking to make our freight line more climat…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…MULTIPLE SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGES…two corrections officers are arrested for abusing a juvenile girl in a correctional facility in Bordentown; Plus, election day is ONE WEEK AWAY… and New Jersey is home to one of the most closely watched congressional swing districts in the country… we’re breaking down all the election sp…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…SEVERE DROUGHT… weeks without rain here in the state, creating dry conditions ripe to spawn wildfires; Plus, Reproductive Rights are front and center in this last week of the Presidential campaign and here on the floor of the state house … legislators expanding access for women; Also, New Jersey has two black republica…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…ANCHOR FRAUD … Some taxpayers say their property tax relief money was clawed back from the state… we’ll tell you why a new check could be heading your way; Plus, The East Orange Superintendent is in the HOT SEAT after cutting dozens of staff positions over the discovery of a severe budget deficit. Dr Christopher Irving…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Millions have already cast a ballot across the country … Early in-person voting is set to start in New Jersey on Saturday, as the state steps up election security at the polls; Plus, after a “summer of hell” for commuters, New Jersey’s congressional delegation tours the state’s busiest rail lines to see what improvemen…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…With less than two weeks until election day and millions of votes already cast, a new Monmouth University poll shows the race for the White House closer than ever; Plus, light rail commuters demand stricter safety measures after the recent River Line crash, as lawmakers call for a full investigation; Also, poor living …
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: A new "point in time" homeless count reveals a 24% increase in persons experiencing homelessness in New Jersey; Senior Correspondent Brenda Flanagan examines the growing gender gap and how it is impacting voting in the upcoming election; A religious nonprofit group in New Jersey is taking the Attorney General to court …
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Mass teacher layoffs in East Orange might mean good news for Paterson, that’s struggling with a teacher shortage; Plus, unusually warm temperatures and dry conditions are raising wildfire and drought warnings across the Garden State; Also, crime’s been front and center on the campaign trail… here in New Jersey, a new l…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Governor Murphy signs a new law setting harsher punishments for home invasions and burglaries; The National Weather Service warns of wildfire conditions as the state issues a drought watch; School layoff plans rock East Orange as the district grapples with a major budget crunch; Terminally-ill patients from out-of-stat…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News...The Hamas leader responsible for planning the October seventh deadly terror attack on Israel has been killed; Plus, AIRPORT FACELIFT…The Port Authority unveils a major “Vision Plan” to rebuild much of Newark Liberty…but at what cost? Also, will the recent hurricanes in critical swing states dampen voter turnout in No…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…New details emerge following the fatal River Line light rail crash. The train operator killed was a mother of three, the family now filing a wrongful death lawsuit; Plus, political parties in the state weighing in after our conversation with U.S. Senate candidates Andy Kim and Curtis Bashaw … Did either candidate chang…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…DEADLINE DAY…we are three weeks out from the election and if you plan to vote, today is the last day to register; Plus, the always controversial BLACK BEAR HUNT is underway…close to a hundred have been harvested here in New Jersey in the first day alone; Also, FACE TO FACE ..the two candidates looking to replace former…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…At least one killed and more than a dozen injured after a fallen tree causes a deadly morning crash on NJ Transit’ light rail; Plus, in the wake of Hurricane Milton’s destruction, the New Jersey Red Cross deploys volunteers to lend a HELPING HAND; Also, the battle heats up for the 7th congressional district - GOP incum…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Secret documents reveal TikTok was aware of but completely ignored safety concerns for teenagers; NJ Transit finally names a customer service advocate to help improve the commute of New Jersey riders; The NAACP demands the resignation of the NJ State Police Superintendent after scathing reports revealed misconduct amon…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Attention TD Bank Customers. Your bank is facing billions of dollars in penalties for alleged drug cartel money laundering; Plus, twelve more towns join a lawsuit fighting back against a new AFFORDABLE HOUSING law, as we look for housing solutions in our digital series The Change Project; Also, searching for solutions,…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Meteorologists and government agencies combat misinformation and disinformation as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida; Advocates push lawmakers to pass a bill that will offer more protections for undocumented immigrants in New Jersey; Princeton researchers build a neuron-by-neuron roadmap of the brain of a fruit f…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …Taking on TikTok… New Jersey sues the social media giant claiming it is “deceptive," and "unconscionable” AND impacting youth mental health; Plus, exploring "TOXIC RADICALISM"....an investigation into the deep reaches of far-right extremism in New Jersey politics; Also, FOUR WEEKS TO GO until Election day ….It’s the h…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …The strike is suspended … longshoremen in Newark are back to work and ports up and down the coast are open after a tentative deal is struck; Plus, firefighters in L.B.I are trying to bring relief to flood ravaged towns in North Carolina; Also, a deeper dive into the federal consent decree the state is entering to bett…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Nearly a month after the death of New Jersey’s NHL star Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, their family is pushing to block the public release of records and footage of the fatal crash; Plus, DAY THREE of the port strike…a big sticking point in negotiations is workers being replaced by automation; Also, we’re digging dee…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News; DAY TWO of the Port worker’s strike up and down the coast…. leading to fears of crippling supply chains and economic chaos for businesses in New Jersey; Plus, a POLITICAL GAME OF CHESS, what will the United States next move be after Iran launches over a hundred missiles on Israel? Also, FACE OFF, New Jersey reacts to …
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …The strike is ON… longshoremen at Port Newark and ports along the East and Gulf Coast walked out at midnight ratcheting up pressure for pay raises and job protections; Plus, TOXIC FREE, celebrating the clean-up of a South Jersey Superfund site once labeled America’s most toxic landfill; Also, Governor Murphy goes BACK…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News …As of midnight tonight….the port strike is ON….Longshoreman in Newark and up and down the coast prepare to walk off the job; Plus, the next pick for New Jersey’s highest court gets the stamp of approval in Trenton; Also, one Sandy survivor’s efforts to bring food to those ravaged by Hurricane Helene; And, creating sus…
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Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News ...The state is accusing a major hospital system in South Jersey of discriminating against pregnant patients; Plus, Mayor Eric Adams is the FIRST sitting New York mayor to be indicted for corruption ... Unfortunately, that's NOT the case here in New Jersey; Also, FREE NALOXONE, the opioid overdose saving measure can no…
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Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: New York City Mayor Eric Adams is indicted on federal charges of wire fraud, bribery, conspiracy and solicitation of unlawful campaign contributions; The Senate Judiciary Committee advances the nomination of former acting state Attorney General John Jay Hoffman to serve on the State Supreme Court; Rutgers Associate Pro…
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