NJ Spotlight News with Briana Vannozzi

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 ta...

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. 

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 Congre...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, Governor Mikie Sherrill is scaling back a controversial Turnpike expansion plan, her administration has recommended that the New Jersey Turnpike Authority Board move forward with a complete rebuild of the bridge, but with two lanes on each, the same number of lanes that exist now.   Also, the race to replace retiring Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman heats up in the...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, a federal judge ruled against the Trump Administration in favor of New York’s congestion pricing.   Plus, as the Trump administration continues to strike Iran, some members of Congress are trying to reign in the President’s war powers.   Also, tough choices need to be made to balance the state budget, will those decisions impact New Jersey’s business community?   And,...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey is responding after President Trump, together with Israeli leaders, carried out major combat operations in Iran this weekend.   Also, the state’s facing a $3 billion dollar deficit, we talk with the Republican Budget Officer who’s been warning of this for years.   Plus, the Emergency Department at Heights Hospital is set to close in Jersey City. Local leade...

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

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, three children were hospitalized after a major car crash in Newark yesterday morning. The crash was the result of a car chase where ICE agents were pursuing a van that they had tried to pull over before the driver tried to escape.   Plus,  Congressman Rob Menendez is one of several federal lawmakers looking for ways to fight President Trump’s immigration policies, he’...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey’s stance on ICE is facing blowback from the Trump Administration. This week - the Department of Justice sued the state and Governor Mikie Sherrill over her recent executive order that bars the federal government from using state property for any ICE actions.    Plus, Sen. Andy Kim joins us for his take on President Trump’s State of the Union address AND ICE...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the story of the day is the blizzard that blanketed the state with snow. We hear from Governor Mikie Sherrill on the state’s response to the storm.   Plus, lawmakers have a snow day today, but that’s not why it can sometimes take years to pass a bill.    And, New Jersey is facing a nursing shortage, we’ll talk with the head of the state’s nursing association about wha...

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

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, an ongoing debate over an immigration detention facility in Roxbury has been creating confusion among state and local leaders.   Plus, the funding has been restored, but has work started back up at the Gateway Tunnel project? We’ll talk to the head of the Gateway Development Commission.   Also, we get the latest from the State House on a series of bills aimed at prote...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, the Gateway Development Commission announced that it’s received the full $205 million dollars from the federal government for the Gateway Tunnel project, and work is expected to restart as early as next week.    Plus, we talk with Assemblyman Ravi Bhalla about his controversial bills responding to recent ICE actions in New Jersey.   Also, service disruptions continue...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, NJ Transit commutes were expected to be slower this morning because Amtrak has begun shifting service from the old Portal North Bridge to the new one.   Plus, as the funding starts flowing for the Gateway Tunnel project, President Trump calls the project a “boondoggle” and promises to once again withhold it.   Also, we get the latest from Washington over the partial g...

Tonight we're bring you a special edition of NJ Spotlight News, where our digital series "Painting Community" showcases the impact of murals in Jersey City. 

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable with Joanna Gagis, 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, taking a close look at the local impact of the Gateway Tunnel Project's sudden work stoppage. Plus, the state's long-promised Stay NJ incentive program for seniors has finally started sending checks to eligible residents. Also, hockey star Elle Hartje of the New York Sirens discusses the growth of women's hockey. And, electric bills are expected to stay relatively fla...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, an ICE agent fires a gun during an incident in Roxbury, as local pushback builds against federal immigration enforcement actions in the Garden State. Plus, immigration advocates urge Governor Mikie Sherrill and state lawmakers to take up immigrant protection bills that were vetoed by former Governor Phil Murphy. Also, NJ Transit chief Kris Kolluri apologizes for mass...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, progressive Analilia Mejia secures a stunning win over former Rep. Tom Malinowski in the Democratic primary for the race to fill Gov. Mikie Sherrill's former Congressional seat. Mejia will square off against Republican Joe Hathaway, who joined the show to discuss the upcoming special election. Plus, federal funding for the Gateway tunnel project remains frozen despite...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey notches an early win in its fight with the Trump administration over billions in funding for the Gateway Tunnel Project. Plus, the Democratic primary in the race for New Jersey's 11th Congressional District seat is still too close to call, as progressive Analilia Mejia clings to a lead that could become a historic win. Also, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, we’re bringing you a special NJ Spotlight News edition of Reporters Roundtable, where Senior Correspondent Joanna Gagis gives  a roundup of the top political stories of the week with the help of a panel of local journalists.

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, Senator Andy Kim sits down for a one-on-one conversation about the latest policy fights in Washington, D.C. and what they mean for New Jersey. Plus, breaking down the crowded Democratic primary in the special election to replace Mikie Sherrill in Congress. Also, Jersey City's new mayor raises alarms about a $250 million budget shortfall. And, this weekend's big game p...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, New Jersey and New York file to sue the federal government over frozen Gateway funds, we’ll talk to the Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport about the lawsuit.   Plus, President Trump signed the spending bills and ended the partial government shutdown on Tuesday, but the fight to reform DHS isn’t over.   And, with dozens of candidates running for Congress, we’ll...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, a new development in the Gateway Tunnel funding controversy, the Gateway Development Commission filed a lawsuit today against the federal government for freezing the Hudson Tunnel project funds.   Plus, we talk with Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour about her city’s response to this weekend’s ICE raids.   Also, New Jersey state Senator Joe Vitale is calling for a full and c...

Tonight on NJ Spotlight News, federal immigration enforcement over the weekend in Jersey City draws heavy criticism. Plus, the federal government is now in a partial shutdown due to a partisan fight over funding the Department of Homeland Security. Also, Lakewood leaders push back against a proposed state takeover of the town's schools. And, a coalition of wealthy towns asks the U.S. Supreme Court...