Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

NJ Spotlight News

@njspotlightnews.org

3.2K followers 200 following 420 posts

Issue-driven reporting & events for/about NJ. Online all day & on-air weeknights at 6, 7:30 & 11 p.m. njspotlightnews.org

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Fair Share Housing Center @fairsharehousing.bsky.social · 3h

A small group of wealthy towns tried to overturn New Jersey's landmark affordable housing law — and lost.

Thanks to the law, many more of NJ's municipalities are creating affordable housing than ever before.

Learn more in this informative piece by @njspotlightnews.org's @colleenodea.bsky.social:

Affordable housing process survives NJ court challenge | NJ Spotlight News

Judge dismisses claims by towns looking to avoid state plan for low-cost housing

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 21h

The U.S. Naval Academy is investigating the death of Kyle Philbert James, a 20-year-old midshipman from Whippany. Authorities say James was first reported missing on Oct. 9 after failing to show up for classes.

Naval Academy investigating death of NJ student | Video | NJ Spotlight News

Kyle Philbert James was first reported missing on Oct. 9 after failing to show up for classes

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 1d

From the FIFA World Cup to America’s 250th birthday to the MLB all-star game, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about South Jersey’s tourism economy over the next year.

South Jersey looks to baseball, soccer and more for tourism boost | NJ Spotlight News

After uneven summer season, 2026 could be better, officials say

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 1d

Starting to highlight NJ legi races. If you are in Cape May Co or parts of Atlantic or Cumberland, LD1 is your district. Both Dems responded to our guide. GOP incumbent McClellan & Simonsen didn't. www.njspotlightnews.org/special-repo... Ck all Assembly races in our @njspotlightnews.org voter guide

2025 election guide: LD1 - NJ Spotlight News

NJ Voters Guide: 1st Legislative District New Jersey’s 1st Legislative District is the southernmost in the state. It covers Cape May and parts of Atlantic

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 1d

‼️ Calling all Latino voters in New Jersey ‼️

NJ Spotlight News wants to hear from you! With the gubernatorial election just weeks away, we want to know: Do you plan to vote? Why or why not? What issues matter most to you? Send us a DM!

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 1d

NJ governor’s race: What’s next for mental health response programs?

Next governor will have wide discretion over support for mental health emergency response programs

@njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-g...

NJ governor's race: What's next for mental health response programs? | NJ Spotlight News

Next governor will have wide discretion over support for mental health emergency response programs

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Jen Eckert @jeneckertnj.bsky.social · 5d

@njspotlightnews.org

NJ governor’s race: Ciattarelli, Sherrill’s strategies for the final weeks of campaign | Chat Box

YouTube video by NJ Spotlight News

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 6d

From Jan. 21 through July, ICE agents have arrested 137,944 people, according to data from the Immigration Enforcement Dashboard, an independent research project. Of that national total, 3,201 people were arrested during that period in NJ.

ICE has arrested over 3,000 people in NJ since Trump took office | NJ Spotlight News

New numbers detail impact of Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 7d

“Not a day goes by that I'm not living with the after-effects of that disease,” said Judith Shaw Beatty. “I don't know how children would feel, now, if their parents opted out of vaccines for them and they contracted not just one of the childhood diseases .... but polio.”

Polio survivor speaks out on vaccination debate | NJ Spotlight News

In 1949, polio killed almost 2,500 children nationwide

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 7d

How to watch the final NJ governor debate

Ciattarelli, Sherrill look to debate Wednesday at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

@maddiference.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/how-...

How to watch the final NJ governor debate | NJ Spotlight News

Ciattarelli, Sherrill look to debate Wednesday at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 8d

Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, every school district will be required to include instruction on the history and contributions of Latinos and Hispanics as part of the state’s social studies standards.

New law requires NJ schools to teach Latino, Hispanic history | Video | NJ Spotlight News

A new law signed last week requires the teaching of Hispanic and Latino history in New Jersey public schools, from kindergarten to 12th grade.

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 8d

A new state law enacted earlier this month preserves the same tier of pension benefits NJ teachers were on course to earn prior to a break in service, including teachers taking time away to raise children.
@njspotlightnews.org

NJ teachers get a pension boost | NJ Spotlight News

New law says some breaks away from job won’t cut benefits

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 9d

Thanks, Bobby.

The shutdown is about how much the government spends.

But is also part of a broader fight about health policy.

@njspotlightnews.org

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 9d

Important reporting here from @bhulac.bsky.social on why the federal gov't is shutdown, the fight over healthcare in D.C. and its impact on NJ residents like Theresa Luoni.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/why-...

Why is the government shut down? Partly a fight over healthcare | NJ Spotlight News

Democrats look to get Medicaid increases in talks with Trump, GOP

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 9d

Parents, teachers and mental health professionals continue to raise concerns over cuts to mental health programs in NJ high school with history of student suicides.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-s...

NJ school bucks plan to boost mental health for students | NJ Spotlight News

Parents, teachers are angry over cuts to programs in school with history of student suicides

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 9d

Why is the federal government shut down?
Democrats are negotiating for more Medicaid money and also pushing for Congress to extend tax subsidies for state-run health insurance markets created through the 2010 health law commonly known as Obamacare.
Reporting: @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

Why is the government shut down? Partly a fight over healthcare | NJ Spotlight News

Democrats look to get Medicaid increases in talks with Trump, GOP

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Colleen O'Dea @colleenodea.bsky.social · 12d

One woman at NJ's Edna Mahan women's prison had a fractured eye socket and another had a concussion. Unless the state convinces the appellate division to allow it to fix errors and bring the case again, none of the 14 will have to stand trial.

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 12d

A Superior Court judge dismissed the indictment of the former officers and staff on Thursday, citing delays, errors and “prosecutorial mismanagement” by the state.

Criminal case against NJ corrections officers, staff dismissed | NJ Spotlight News

Judge rejects indictment brought after violent action in women’s prison

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 12d

Every federal shutdown is a bit different.

Here are five things to know about this one...

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/gove...
@njspotlightnews.org

Government shutdown: Who gets paid, what gets cut | NJ Spotlight News

Key ways the federal shutdown impacts people in NJ

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 12d

A Superior Court judge dismissed the indictment of the former officers and staff on Thursday, citing delays, errors and “prosecutorial mismanagement” by the state.

Criminal case against NJ corrections officers, staff dismissed | NJ Spotlight News

Judge rejects indictment brought after violent action in women’s prison

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Jen Eckert @jeneckertnj.bsky.social · 12d

WATCH #JackCiattarelli on #ChatBoxNJPBS #NJGovRace @njspotlightnews.org @davidcruznj.bsky.social

NJ governor’s race: Republican Jack Ciattarelli discusses Mikie Sherrill, Trump and more | Chat Box

YouTube video by NJ Spotlight News

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 12d

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Ben Hulac @bhulac.bsky.social · 13d

NEW: It's day two of the federal shutdown.

The shutdown is expected to cost an estimated $400 million every day.

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/fede...
@njspotlightnews.org

Federal government shuts down again under Trump | NJ Spotlight News

Social programs to stop, workers to be sent home

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 13d

Two NJ public school teachers sued the New Jersey Education Association, alleging it improperly spent $40 million in teachers’ dues on former union president Sean Spiller’s failed gubernatorial campaign.

NJ teachers sue over $40 million campaign boost for union president | NJ Spotlight News

NJEA used member dues to get its president elected governor. He finished fifth

www.njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

John Reitmeyer @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social · 14d

Announced today by NJ's Department of Labor and Workforce Development:
The minimum wage earned by many hourly workers in New Jersey will rise automatically to $15.92, starting on Jan. 1, under the latest cost-of-living adjustment required by the state Constitution.
@njspotlightnews.org

Reposted by NJ Spotlight News

Bobby Brier @bobby-brier.bsky.social · 14d

“Microbetting (and) same-game parlays are the oxygen supply, if you will, of the online gambling industry.” — Dr. Harry Levant

As problem gambling grows, will NJ limit in-game sports betting?

@njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/as-p...

As problem gambling grows, will NJ limit in-game sports betting? | NJ Spotlight News

'Microbetting (and) same-game parlays are the oxygen supply, if you will, of the online gambling industry'

www.njspotlightnews.org

NJ Spotlight News @njspotlightnews.org · 14d

Listen to The Brian Lehrer Show on @wnyc.org TOMORROW, Oct. 2!

Our very own @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social will talk about taxation and the NJ governor's race as part of WNYC's "30 issues in 30 days" series.

More: www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/30-...

The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News

Brian Lehrer leads the conversation about what matters most now in local and national politics, our own communities and our lives.