Happy New Year …. welcome to a special edition of NJ Spotlight News. This past year NJSN lost a dear friend, a colleague, and a beloved respected journalist Michael Aron. He was dubbed the Dean of the State House press corps and covered every major political story of our state dating back to the days of Gov. Brendan Byrne. Michael was a dogged repo…

Tonight, a special edition of NJ Spotlight News. As 2024 comes to a close, NJSN reflects on what it has been able to achieve in bringing important stories to you-- but also what it lost. Including a dear friend, and colleague, the consummate Newsman Michael Aron. He was dubbed the Dean of the State House press corps and covered every major politica…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…Remembering Jimmy Carter… The former President a champion for peace and humanitarian work, the impact of his legacy felt right here in the garden state; Plus, are the streets of Newark any safer? Murders are down, but violent crime is seeing an uptick; Also, despite the growing flood risk along New Jersey’s shore, a mu…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…AWAITING SENTENCING…A judge is set to decide next month what the punishment for Bob Menendez’s corruption conviction will be, but the disgraced former Senator is seeking another delay; Plus, Paterson leaders consider a controversial ordinance to crack down on homeless people sleeping in public; Also, a new law aims to …

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News...MOVING FORWARD…Congestion pricing is still a GO as a federal judge rejects efforts to block the new toll entering midtown Manhattan; Plus, STEPPING DOWN… The state's top federal prosecutor announces his resignation; Also, WAREHOUSE BATTLE…Residents are raising their voices in opposition to a newly approved Freehold T…

A Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate. Tonight, a special edition of NJ Spotlight News. We're looking back at some of the unique stories we reported over the past year. Stories of organizations, communities, neighborhoods --even small groups of students who are making a difference in so many people's lives.…

Tonight, a special edition of NJ Spotlight News on this Christmas Eve. NJSN looks back at many of the extraordinary people we met over the year. People who- in their own unique way- are making change. Finding ways to help others make a difference in their own lives and others.NJ Spotlight News

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: President Biden commutes the death sentence of 37 of the 40 inmates on federal death row; New Jersey American Water releases new details about the leak that is causing an odor and foul taste in drinking water; The Port Authority expects about 14 million people to use its roads and airports this holiday week; Social Jus…

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News…Check your delivery status - Your Amazon holiday packages may be delayed… as thousands of workers hit the streets to strike; Plus, reaction to the court handing the Paterson Police Department back to the city after a state takeover; Also, DRONE DRAMA…amidst a looming government shutdown…Our Washington DC correspondent b…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News ... The FIGHT FOR CONTROL of the Paterson Police Department…a panel of judges orders the state to return control back to the city; Plus, public officials offer explanations for the drone sightings, but public concern hasn’t lessened…is it just hysteria? Also, DEPORTATION FEARS …DACA recipients are lining up to get thei…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…After a judge last week rejected former U.S. Senator Bob Menendez's request for a new trial, the prosecution admits EVEN MORE errors in evidence submitted to jurors; Plus, MYSTERY IN THE SKIES…elected officials are now offering up plans to combat the drone hysteria; Also, MIXED REVIEWS… A Monmouth University poll revea…

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: Drone sightings continued throughout the weekend, expanding outside of New Jersey to other states along the east coast; Lawmakers move a bill out of committee to change the style and appearance of New Jersey's ballot; Governor Murphy announces pardons and issues clemency based on recommendations from the new Clemency A…

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News: The FBI and Office of Homeland Security seek to calm the public as questions remain about drone sightings in the skies over New Jersey; Advocates explain what could happen to South Jersey Extended Care after a scathing state report uncovered a "massive and long-running" Medicaid scam; Senior writer & projects editor Co…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…“One of the worst nursing homes in New Jersey” …those words from the state’s comptroller after releasing a damning report revealing a massive Medicaid scam at the expense of patients' lives; Plus, more drone sightings in New Jersey skies… and elected officials are demanding answers. The former Chief of the FBI Counter-…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…It’s not a bird or a plane, but residents swear it's a drone. More mysterious drone sightings across the state, prompting Congress to now demand answers; Plus, a massive decline in traffic stops on the state’s roads after a scathing report targets the state police for racial profiling; Also, PLASTIC WASTE, state lawmak…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…TRIAL DATE SET… Nadine Menendez gets a January court date for the next chapter of her disgraced husband’s sweeping corruption scandal; Plus, the FALL OF ASSAD is being felt here in New Jersey’s as the local Syrian community rejoices the toppling their homeland’s dictator; Also, the DRONE MYSTERY continues in North Jers…

Tonight, on NJ Spotlight News…It’s official… New Jersey’s newest Senator Andy Kim is sworn-in…. Stepping into the vacated seat of the convicted former senior senator Bob Menendez; Plus, NO MORE BOOK BANNING…the Governor signing a long awaited bill protecting librarians and the books they stock; Also, Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora on defense… as the d…

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…

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-…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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, …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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 …

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…