NJ Spotlight News
@njspotlightnews.org
Issue-driven reporting & events for/about NJ. Online all day & on-air weeknights at 6, 7:30 & 11 p.m.
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A federal judge this month blocked the Trump admin from dismantling FEMA’s BRIC program, potentially saving millions in grant dollars for NJ storm protection projects.
But when, or if, that money actually comes through is still unclear. @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/will...
But when, or if, that money actually comes through is still unclear. @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/will...
Will NJ towns get disputed federal funds to prep for weather disasters? | NJ Spotlight News
Judge blocks Trump administration from cutting funding but its future remains unclear
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 23, 2025 at 3:18 PM
A federal judge this month blocked the Trump admin from dismantling FEMA’s BRIC program, potentially saving millions in grant dollars for NJ storm protection projects.
But when, or if, that money actually comes through is still unclear. @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/will...
But when, or if, that money actually comes through is still unclear. @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/will...
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“We are really eager to see this bill signed into law, just to know that our state is committed to advancing on this and to not going backward because where we are is unbearable…”- Amber Reed @aapinewjersey.org
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NJ’s police deadly force policy may get mandatory review | NJ Spotlight News
Bill requires regular exam by state AG. Advocates say it’s a ‘step in the right direction’
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 22, 2025 at 5:35 AM
“We are really eager to see this bill signed into law, just to know that our state is committed to advancing on this and to not going backward because where we are is unbearable…”- Amber Reed @aapinewjersey.org
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The last-minute push for more money during the current lame duck session of the Legislature is among the latest examples of the lengthy efforts some nonprofit leaders feel they must take to keep their social support programs open.
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First they cut its funding. Now NJ lawmakers want money for homeless program | NJ Spotlight News
Move is one of several to restore funding to social services cut in budget this year
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:42 AM
The last-minute push for more money during the current lame duck session of the Legislature is among the latest examples of the lengthy efforts some nonprofit leaders feel they must take to keep their social support programs open.
@njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/firs...
@njspotlightnews.org
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In response to global criticism, FIFA announced Tuesday that it would lower some World Cup ticket prices to $60 as part of its new “Supporter Entry Tier” price category.
FIFA World Cup ticket prices leave fans frustrated and priced out | NJ Spotlight News
Dynamic pricing allows ticket prices to fluctuate based on demand
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:22 PM
In response to global criticism, FIFA announced Tuesday that it would lower some World Cup ticket prices to $60 as part of its new “Supporter Entry Tier” price category.
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ICYMI: Two members of our advisory board, Brad Campbell and Chris Daggett, who are former state Department of Environmental Protection commissioners, recently penned some advice for their successor.
Read the guidance they shared via @njspotlightnews.org:
Read the guidance they shared via @njspotlightnews.org:
For NJDEP’s next commissioner, threats and opportunities abound | NJ Spotlight News
"Unprecedented" challenges will greet new commissioner
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:50 PM
ICYMI: Two members of our advisory board, Brad Campbell and Chris Daggett, who are former state Department of Environmental Protection commissioners, recently penned some advice for their successor.
Read the guidance they shared via @njspotlightnews.org:
Read the guidance they shared via @njspotlightnews.org:
Slowly and quietly, Republicans are joining Democrats in pushing back against the president, particularly on foreign affairs and military policy. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/the-...
The Republican Congress pushes back – slowly – on Trump | NJ Spotlight News
Defense bill, with a victory for NJ representatives, is one sign
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 15, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Slowly and quietly, Republicans are joining Democrats in pushing back against the president, particularly on foreign affairs and military policy. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/the-...
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Gov. Murphy spent $22M+ of his own money campaigning for governor.
Was it worth it?
"The honor, the responsibility, the substance of the work, the way the state has, I would argue, has been transformed, measured by a lot of different ways … Worth every penny and then some."
@njspotlightnews.org
Was it worth it?
"The honor, the responsibility, the substance of the work, the way the state has, I would argue, has been transformed, measured by a lot of different ways … Worth every penny and then some."
@njspotlightnews.org
As Murphy sees it, NJ governor has ‘been the position of a lifetime’ | NJ Spotlight News
After eight years and success in education, economic growth, Murphy plans a vacation
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Gov. Murphy spent $22M+ of his own money campaigning for governor.
Was it worth it?
"The honor, the responsibility, the substance of the work, the way the state has, I would argue, has been transformed, measured by a lot of different ways … Worth every penny and then some."
@njspotlightnews.org
Was it worth it?
"The honor, the responsibility, the substance of the work, the way the state has, I would argue, has been transformed, measured by a lot of different ways … Worth every penny and then some."
@njspotlightnews.org
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More NJ public school students could soon be restricted from using smartphones & other devices w/ internet access throughout the school day, an effort by legislators & policy makers to limit classroom distraction & improve mental health
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Cell phone ban for NJ students looms | NJ Spotlight News
Lawmakers press ahead with possible ban. School officials see successes already
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 15, 2025 at 2:18 PM
More NJ public school students could soon be restricted from using smartphones & other devices w/ internet access throughout the school day, an effort by legislators & policy makers to limit classroom distraction & improve mental health
@njspotlightnews.org
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“We did what we said we would do, and in politics, that is not often the case. We campaigned on an agenda that we actually, when we got into office, we actually executed and stayed true to,” Gov. Murphy said during a final sit-down interview with @njspotlightnews.org
Phil Murphy talks COVID-19, affordability, NJ Transit as he readies to leave office | NJ Spotlight News
‘We did what we said we would do, and in politics, that is not often the case’
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 11, 2025 at 3:25 PM
“We did what we said we would do, and in politics, that is not often the case. We campaigned on an agenda that we actually, when we got into office, we actually executed and stayed true to,” Gov. Murphy said during a final sit-down interview with @njspotlightnews.org
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Nice to catch up with Briana Vannozzi and the team at @njspotlightnews.org.
We had a chance to reflect on my Administration’s proudest accomplishments over the past eight years – including our investments in property tax relief, school funding, the pension system, energy, and health care.
We had a chance to reflect on my Administration’s proudest accomplishments over the past eight years – including our investments in property tax relief, school funding, the pension system, energy, and health care.
December 11, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Nice to catch up with Briana Vannozzi and the team at @njspotlightnews.org.
We had a chance to reflect on my Administration’s proudest accomplishments over the past eight years – including our investments in property tax relief, school funding, the pension system, energy, and health care.
We had a chance to reflect on my Administration’s proudest accomplishments over the past eight years – including our investments in property tax relief, school funding, the pension system, energy, and health care.
Since January, almost 100 NJ companies have filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification — or WARN — notices with the state, totaling about 13,000 eliminated jobs.
Could layoffs in NJ preview a recession for 2026? | NJ Spotlight News
New Jersey saw more than 2,300 layoffs last month
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 10, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Since January, almost 100 NJ companies have filed Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification — or WARN — notices with the state, totaling about 13,000 eliminated jobs.
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"You’re seeing the financial services struggling, the public sector struggling to hire,” said Adam Kamins, senior analyst with Moody’s.
“All of that is putting NJ in a precarious spot where it’s not quite in recession yet, but it is dangerously close.”
@bflanagannj.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
“All of that is putting NJ in a precarious spot where it’s not quite in recession yet, but it is dangerously close.”
@bflanagannj.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
Could layoffs in NJ preview a recession for 2026? | NJ Spotlight News
New Jersey saw more than 2,300 layoffs last month
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 10, 2025 at 3:19 PM
"You’re seeing the financial services struggling, the public sector struggling to hire,” said Adam Kamins, senior analyst with Moody’s.
“All of that is putting NJ in a precarious spot where it’s not quite in recession yet, but it is dangerously close.”
@bflanagannj.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
“All of that is putting NJ in a precarious spot where it’s not quite in recession yet, but it is dangerously close.”
@bflanagannj.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
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UPDATE: Sen. Pres. Scutari today announced he's pulling the controversial bill from consideration during this month’s lame-duck legislative session.
“I’ve heard the concerns, and I’m going to listen to them,” he said, adding that he would revisit the proposal next year. More at @njspotlightnews.org
“I’ve heard the concerns, and I’m going to listen to them,” he said, adding that he would revisit the proposal next year. More at @njspotlightnews.org
Tempers flare as senators vote to limit NJ watchdog powers www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/temp...
Tempers flare as senators vote to limit NJ watchdog powers | NJ Spotlight News
A state Senate committee moved a bill to curtail certain watchdog powers, despite high-powered opposition from U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and others.
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 10, 2025 at 1:55 AM
UPDATE: Sen. Pres. Scutari today announced he's pulling the controversial bill from consideration during this month’s lame-duck legislative session.
“I’ve heard the concerns, and I’m going to listen to them,” he said, adding that he would revisit the proposal next year. More at @njspotlightnews.org
“I’ve heard the concerns, and I’m going to listen to them,” he said, adding that he would revisit the proposal next year. More at @njspotlightnews.org
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While property taxes are at a record high in NJ, it's relatively inexpensive to appeal an assessment, and that can lower your bill.
But state lawmakers now want to hike the filing fees for such appeals, which are charged by county tax boards and have been held flat for decades.
@njspotlightnews.org
But state lawmakers now want to hike the filing fees for such appeals, which are charged by county tax boards and have been held flat for decades.
@njspotlightnews.org
NJ wants to charge people more to challenge their property tax assessments | NJ Spotlight News
Lawmakers look to increase filing fees that haven’t changed in decades
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 10, 2025 at 1:39 PM
While property taxes are at a record high in NJ, it's relatively inexpensive to appeal an assessment, and that can lower your bill.
But state lawmakers now want to hike the filing fees for such appeals, which are charged by county tax boards and have been held flat for decades.
@njspotlightnews.org
But state lawmakers now want to hike the filing fees for such appeals, which are charged by county tax boards and have been held flat for decades.
@njspotlightnews.org
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Should judges consider a defendant’s history as a victim of domestic violence?
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December 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Should judges consider a defendant’s history as a victim of domestic violence?
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www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/shou...
Latest for @njspotlightnews.org
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Within hours of a CDC advisory panel’s vote on new guidelines, the state Department of Health issued an executive directive preserving NJ’s requirement that infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of delivery.
NJ bucks new CDC guidance on newborn hepatitis B vaccine | NJ Spotlight News
Medical experts warn rolling back early vaccination could reverse decades of progress
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Within hours of a CDC advisory panel’s vote on new guidelines, the state Department of Health issued an executive directive preserving NJ’s requirement that infants receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of delivery.
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Rising energy costs and the Trump tariffs have added to the affordability concerns of many NJ businesses this year, and that's making it harder to maintain prices paid by consumers, according to the latest edition of a long-running poll of NJ business owners and top executives.
@njspotlightnews.org
@njspotlightnews.org
Energy costs, Trump tariffs rising concerns for NJ businesses | NJ Spotlight News
Nearly all surveyed said energy costs impacted business, according to industry group poll
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Rising energy costs and the Trump tariffs have added to the affordability concerns of many NJ businesses this year, and that's making it harder to maintain prices paid by consumers, according to the latest edition of a long-running poll of NJ business owners and top executives.
@njspotlightnews.org
@njspotlightnews.org
In a statement Monday, Alina Habba said she was stepping down to protect the “stability and integrity” of the office, but said her decision shouldn’t be mistaken for “surrender.”
📷 : AP Photo/Evan Vucci
📷 : AP Photo/Evan Vucci
December 8, 2025 at 8:13 PM
In a statement Monday, Alina Habba said she was stepping down to protect the “stability and integrity” of the office, but said her decision shouldn’t be mistaken for “surrender.”
📷 : AP Photo/Evan Vucci
📷 : AP Photo/Evan Vucci
The average daily population for Delaney Hall reached 807 last month, a sharp uptick from September, when the site held 234 people, according to data from TRAC, a nonpartisan research group.
ICE triples number of people detained in Delaney Hall | NJ Spotlight News
Nearly all don’t have criminal records, research says
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The average daily population for Delaney Hall reached 807 last month, a sharp uptick from September, when the site held 234 people, according to data from TRAC, a nonpartisan research group.
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Three NJ hospitals could soon receive state funding to research the medicinal benefits of psilocybin to treat mental health disorders under a bill that recently cleared an Assembly committee.
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NJ looks to create hallucinogenic mushroom research program | NJ Spotlight News
State would fund three hospitals to study impact on mental health disorders
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Three NJ hospitals could soon receive state funding to research the medicinal benefits of psilocybin to treat mental health disorders under a bill that recently cleared an Assembly committee.
@njspotlightnews.org
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@njspotlightnews.org
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Huge thank you to Joanna Gagis at @njspotlightnews.org for welcoming me to reflect on the past eight years in office and some of our biggest wins!
December 5, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Huge thank you to Joanna Gagis at @njspotlightnews.org for welcoming me to reflect on the past eight years in office and some of our biggest wins!
NJ’s latest standardized test results show slight improvement, but overall student performance remains below pre-pandemic levels. See how your district and schools fared:
NJ released school test scores. See the results for every district | NJ Spotlight News
Browse through our searchable database
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 4, 2025 at 3:41 PM
NJ’s latest standardized test results show slight improvement, but overall student performance remains below pre-pandemic levels. See how your district and schools fared:
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Affordability concerns helped foster the establishment of NJ's independent state comptroller's office.
Today property tax bills average more than $10,000 in NJ, but a state senator who voted to establish this office in 2007 now wants to reduce the comptroller's oversight power.
@njspotlightnews.org
Today property tax bills average more than $10,000 in NJ, but a state senator who voted to establish this office in 2007 now wants to reduce the comptroller's oversight power.
@njspotlightnews.org
How concerns about affordability drove NJ to create the comptroller's office | NJ Spotlight News
Concerns about high property taxes helped foster the office’s creation in 2007
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Affordability concerns helped foster the establishment of NJ's independent state comptroller's office.
Today property tax bills average more than $10,000 in NJ, but a state senator who voted to establish this office in 2007 now wants to reduce the comptroller's oversight power.
@njspotlightnews.org
Today property tax bills average more than $10,000 in NJ, but a state senator who voted to establish this office in 2007 now wants to reduce the comptroller's oversight power.
@njspotlightnews.org
The bitter divide between the Democratic Party’s progressive wing and its entrenched party establishments became a public display on Monday, when U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and state Senate Government Committee chair Jim Beach got into a heated exchange over a bill to limit watchdog powers in New Jersey.
Tempers flare as senators vote to limit NJ watchdog powers | NJ Spotlight News
A state Senate committee moved a bill to curtail certain watchdog powers, despite high-powered opposition from U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and others.
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 3, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The bitter divide between the Democratic Party’s progressive wing and its entrenched party establishments became a public display on Monday, when U.S. Sen. Andy Kim and state Senate Government Committee chair Jim Beach got into a heated exchange over a bill to limit watchdog powers in New Jersey.
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The fate of a plan to create a permanent and dedicated source of funding for a state hotline that helps people experiencing mental health emergencies by taxing phone lines in NJ remains uncertain in the remaining weeks of Gov. Phil Murphy’s tenure.
@bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
@bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
Will NJ tax phone lines to support 988 crisis hotline? | NJ Spotlight News
Advocates press for dedicated funds as calls increase
www.njspotlightnews.org
December 3, 2025 at 1:54 PM
The fate of a plan to create a permanent and dedicated source of funding for a state hotline that helps people experiencing mental health emergencies by taxing phone lines in NJ remains uncertain in the remaining weeks of Gov. Phil Murphy’s tenure.
@bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
@bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org