NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

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.  

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.

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.

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.  

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? 

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.    

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. 

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? 

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. 

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

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, new numbers are giving insight into the impact of President Trump’s immigration agenda. Since taking office, through July Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested more than 3 thousand people in New Jersey.   Plus, final showdown, Gubernatorial candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Mikie Sherrill clash in their last official debate before the election, we recap what they said on the issues and the jabs at each other’s records.   Also, how the verdict in the historic Delbarton sex abuse trial may change the course for similar cases, we hear from a former student survivor.   And, is the federal shutdown affecting your air travel? We look at the impact the government impasse is having on air traffic control, safety and staffing.

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the jury has reached a verdict in the landmark Delbarton sex abuse trial.   Plus, the gubernatorial candidates face off tonight in their final debate of the campaign and each is promising to tackle the state’s affordability problem, we take a closer look at their plans and what they mean for you.    Also, a first-of-its-kind event where students from across New Jersey are removing the stigma around mental health challenges.   And, a Rutgers University history professor who’s written multiple books about antifa says he’s moving out of the country. After receiving multiple death threats, including to his home.

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, today marks 2 years since the October 7th attacks by Hamas on Israel.   Plus, just a month to go in the closely watched gubernatorial race, we look at how nominees Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli are fairing with voters.   Also, a long-time coming, construction begins on overhauling Newark Airport’s AirTrain system, but when will it be completed?   And, “reckless," that’s what some parents and educators are calling cuts to mental health programs in a school district with a painful history of students dying by suicide, we’ll get the latest.

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.   

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.   

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.  

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. 

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.

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.

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.