NJ Spotlight News
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Issue-driven reporting & events for/about NJ. Online all day & on-air weeknights at 6, 7:30 & 11 p.m.
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The Trump administration fails in its attempt to block last week's order freeing up federal funding for the Gateway tunnel project.
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Statement from Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport on Gateway Order .
February 12, 2026 at 11:15 PM
The Trump administration fails in its attempt to block last week's order freeing up federal funding for the Gateway tunnel project.
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Analilia Mejia beat a dozen other Democrats on the special primary ballot and establishment Democrats had seen the race as a contest between former Rep. Tom Malinowski and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, who finished fourth.
Progressive Democrat Analilia Mejia wins special CD-11 primary | NJ Spotlight News
No guarantee other Democrats won’t run for a full two-year term
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 11, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Analilia Mejia beat a dozen other Democrats on the special primary ballot and establishment Democrats had seen the race as a contest between former Rep. Tom Malinowski and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill, who finished fourth.
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Getting a hearing in the Senate on Monday was legislation that would return diverted money to the state Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund. An earlier attempt to do that stalled in NJ's majority Democratic Legislature at the end of last year.
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Restore addiction funding, NJ lawmakers urged | NJ Spotlight News
Lawmakers diverted $45 million from lawsuit settlement fund to hospitals
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February 10, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Getting a hearing in the Senate on Monday was legislation that would return diverted money to the state Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund. An earlier attempt to do that stalled in NJ's majority Democratic Legislature at the end of last year.
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“My life has been profoundly impacted by the opioid crisis,” said Rocky Schwartz of Hunterdon County. “I can’t even count how many funerals I have attended.”
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Restore addiction funding, NJ lawmakers urged | NJ Spotlight News
Lawmakers diverted $45 million from lawsuit settlement fund to hospitals
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:29 PM
“My life has been profoundly impacted by the opioid crisis,” said Rocky Schwartz of Hunterdon County. “I can’t even count how many funerals I have attended.”
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More than $250M for NJ earmarks is coming after Congress passes a series of new spending bills, reports @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
At least $250 million coming from Congress for NJ local projects NJ Spotlight News
Flood mitigation, drinking water, police and fire needs all on list as Republicans and Democrats alike score earmarks
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 1:06 PM
More than $250M for NJ earmarks is coming after Congress passes a series of new spending bills, reports @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
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The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee hearing here in Trenton is set to begin shortly. On the agenda today are two bills addressing the 988 system of care and millions of dollars in opioid funding. Story to come soon.
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February 9, 2026 at 3:12 PM
The Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee hearing here in Trenton is set to begin shortly. On the agenda today are two bills addressing the 988 system of care and millions of dollars in opioid funding. Story to come soon.
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“As the court correctly recognized, the Trump Administration’s attempts to freeze funding for the Gateway Tunnel project are plainly illegal, and they would cause grave harm to New Jersey and New York,” said Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey’s acting attorney general.
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Average NJ property-tax bill hit another record high last year | NJ Spotlight News
Data shows average property tax bill increased $475 from prior year
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February 7, 2026 at 2:11 AM
“As the court correctly recognized, the Trump Administration’s attempts to freeze funding for the Gateway Tunnel project are plainly illegal, and they would cause grave harm to New Jersey and New York,” said Jennifer Davenport, New Jersey’s acting attorney general.
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-New Jersey’s average property tax bill increased once again last year, rising to $10,570, setting another record high.
-$36.1 billion was raised from New Jersey property owners last year to support spending by local school districts and municipal and county governments.
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-$36.1 billion was raised from New Jersey property owners last year to support spending by local school districts and municipal and county governments.
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Average NJ property-tax bill hit another record high last year | NJ Spotlight News
Data shows average property tax bill increased $475 from prior year
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:19 PM
-New Jersey’s average property tax bill increased once again last year, rising to $10,570, setting another record high.
-$36.1 billion was raised from New Jersey property owners last year to support spending by local school districts and municipal and county governments.
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-$36.1 billion was raised from New Jersey property owners last year to support spending by local school districts and municipal and county governments.
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For more on where things stand in special NJ CD 11 primary, from @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/poll...
www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/poll...
No winner yet in NJ District 11 special primary election | NJ Spotlight News
As of Thursday night, progressive activist Analilia Mejia led former Rep. Tom Malinowski by less than 1%
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 6:00 AM
For more on where things stand in special NJ CD 11 primary, from @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/poll...
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If we stop the Hudson Tunnel Project this week, it'll take months (or even years) to reverse the stop. That will add millions of dollars to the project costs.
Tom Wright explains to @njspotlightnews.org the issues with stopping, the additional costs, and the urgency of the Hudson Tunnel Project ⬇️
Tom Wright explains to @njspotlightnews.org the issues with stopping, the additional costs, and the urgency of the Hudson Tunnel Project ⬇️
February 5, 2026 at 5:58 PM
If we stop the Hudson Tunnel Project this week, it'll take months (or even years) to reverse the stop. That will add millions of dollars to the project costs.
Tom Wright explains to @njspotlightnews.org the issues with stopping, the additional costs, and the urgency of the Hudson Tunnel Project ⬇️
Tom Wright explains to @njspotlightnews.org the issues with stopping, the additional costs, and the urgency of the Hudson Tunnel Project ⬇️
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NJ acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Gov. Mikie Sherrill discuss the lawsuit NJ has filed against the Trump administration over Gateway funding during a news conference at Newark Penn Station.
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February 4, 2026 at 6:41 PM
NJ acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and Gov. Mikie Sherrill discuss the lawsuit NJ has filed against the Trump administration over Gateway funding during a news conference at Newark Penn Station.
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“I do not feel this makes our community safe — quite the opposite,” Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour said of the federal ICE agents’ presence in Hudson County. “The level of anxiety and fear that now is in our community as a result of these actions is deeply upsetting for me.”
NJ Spotlight News Mayor says Hoboken working to soothe residents spooked by ICE
In a mile-square city, some students fear walking to school alone, while others are avoiding community events
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:38 PM
“I do not feel this makes our community safe — quite the opposite,” Hoboken Mayor Emily Jabbour said of the federal ICE agents’ presence in Hudson County. “The level of anxiety and fear that now is in our community as a result of these actions is deeply upsetting for me.”
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The funding worries come as prolonged record-breaking cold grips parts of the United States . . . In Toms River, an elderly homeless woman last month was found dead in her snow-covered car.
Reporting by @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
Reporting by @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
Trump proposal imperils $8 million for New Jerseyans' rental aid | NJ Spotlight News
Social-service groups say they're turning to the state -- and tapping credit lines -- to help prevent disaster for almost 900 households
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:24 PM
The funding worries come as prolonged record-breaking cold grips parts of the United States . . . In Toms River, an elderly homeless woman last month was found dead in her snow-covered car.
Reporting by @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
Reporting by @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
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Residents of nearly 900 New Jersey households are at risk of homelessness as President Donald Trump’s proposed policy changes sow uncertainty about millions of dollars in annual federal rental assistance.
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Trump proposal imperils $8 million for New Jerseyans' rental aid | NJ Spotlight News
Social-service groups say they're turning to the state -- and tapping credit lines -- to help prevent disaster for almost 900 households
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Residents of nearly 900 New Jersey households are at risk of homelessness as President Donald Trump’s proposed policy changes sow uncertainty about millions of dollars in annual federal rental assistance.
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“Time is not on our side and any delay is going to dramatically add to the cost of doing this project and, by the way, everybody knows we need to build this new tunnel.” said Tom Wright, president and CEO of the Regional Plan Association.
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Gateway commission sues Trump administration over frozen funds
YouTube video by NJ Spotlight News
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February 4, 2026 at 2:59 PM
“Time is not on our side and any delay is going to dramatically add to the cost of doing this project and, by the way, everybody knows we need to build this new tunnel.” said Tom Wright, president and CEO of the Regional Plan Association.
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“Any of the laws and the rights of the people in our state, if they’re violated by law enforcement, regardless of if it’s state, federal or county, you name it, [that] is something that we would want to make sure that we’re taking seriously,” acting NJ AG Jennifer Davenport said
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Sherrill's picks for AG, treasurer clear first Senate hurdle | NJ Spotlight News
Trumps immigration actions, NJ structural deficit top questions from committee members
www.njspotlightnews.org
February 3, 2026 at 7:32 PM
“Any of the laws and the rights of the people in our state, if they’re violated by law enforcement, regardless of if it’s state, federal or county, you name it, [that] is something that we would want to make sure that we’re taking seriously,” acting NJ AG Jennifer Davenport said
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As mounting economic pressures push more people into homelessness, volunteers and outreach workers traversed NJ this week for the state’s annual count of the homeless.
NJ homelessness is on a five-year upswing, according to Monarch Housing Associates, and advocates expect another increase in 2026.
NJ homelessness is on a five-year upswing, according to Monarch Housing Associates, and advocates expect another increase in 2026.
January 30, 2026 at 3:47 PM
As mounting economic pressures push more people into homelessness, volunteers and outreach workers traversed NJ this week for the state’s annual count of the homeless.
NJ homelessness is on a five-year upswing, according to Monarch Housing Associates, and advocates expect another increase in 2026.
NJ homelessness is on a five-year upswing, according to Monarch Housing Associates, and advocates expect another increase in 2026.
In his administration’s final hours, Gov. Murphy issued a wave of pardons and commutations that prompted bipartisan backlash from lawmakers and prosecutors. Now a fellow Democrat, Sen. Vin Gopal, wants a “legitimate process” to limit such power.
Gopal blasts Murphy’s final-hour pardons, calls for clemency limits
Breaks came for those with political connections and a Monmouth County mother convicted of killing her two young children
www.njspotlightnews.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:17 PM
In his administration’s final hours, Gov. Murphy issued a wave of pardons and commutations that prompted bipartisan backlash from lawmakers and prosecutors. Now a fellow Democrat, Sen. Vin Gopal, wants a “legitimate process” to limit such power.
Polls are open for six days of early in-person voting in the special primary election in the 11th District. The primary will determine which Democrat and Republican will face off, along with any independents who file, on April 16 to fill the vacant seat previously held by Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
NJ Spotlight News Early in-person voting starts for Sherrill's 11th District replacement
Primary election to narrow the field of candidates who want to serve in Congress for a little more than eight months
www.njspotlightnews.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Polls are open for six days of early in-person voting in the special primary election in the 11th District. The primary will determine which Democrat and Republican will face off, along with any independents who file, on April 16 to fill the vacant seat previously held by Gov. Mikie Sherrill.
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"I think what I was calling for and I still call for and will call for is the recognition of the dignity of human beings, no matter what their legal status may be."
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One of the country’s highest-ranking Catholic leaders, and a top ally of Pope Leo, is sharply criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, calling ICE a “lawless organization." https://to.pbs.org/3LRVzZd
U.S. cardinal urges defunding of ICE: 'We need to see what's happening in front of us'
One of the country’s highest-ranking Catholic leaders, and a top ally of Pope Leo, is sharply criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, calling ICE a “lawless organization." Card...
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January 29, 2026 at 2:41 PM
"I think what I was calling for and I still call for and will call for is the recognition of the dignity of human beings, no matter what their legal status may be."
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Candidates and independent committees backing them have spent some $7.1 million in their bid to fill the 11th Congressional District seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill when she was elected New Jersey governor in November.
NJ Spotlight News Race for Sherrill’s congressional seat fuels $6.5 million in spending
Outside groups' cash exceeds that from the 14 candidates -- all Democrats, save for one Republican -- whose names appear on the ballot
www.njspotlightnews.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Candidates and independent committees backing them have spent some $7.1 million in their bid to fill the 11th Congressional District seat vacated by Mikie Sherrill when she was elected New Jersey governor in November.
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“Will you contact your congressional representatives . . . Will you ask them, for the love of God and the love of human beings, which can’t be separated, to vote against renewing funding for such a lawless organization?”
-- Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark
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-- Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark
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Defund ICE? Why that’s almost impossible | NJ Spotlight News
Trump anti-immigration agenda includes massive funding, protections
www.njspotlightnews.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:05 PM
“Will you contact your congressional representatives . . . Will you ask them, for the love of God and the love of human beings, which can’t be separated, to vote against renewing funding for such a lawless organization?”
-- Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark
@bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
-- Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark
@bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
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Protestors want Congress to "defund" ICE.
But is that even possible?
www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/defu...
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But is that even possible?
www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/defu...
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Defund ICE? Why that’s almost impossible | NJ Spotlight News
Trump anti-immigration agenda includes massive funding, protections
www.njspotlightnews.org
January 28, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Protestors want Congress to "defund" ICE.
But is that even possible?
www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/defu...
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But is that even possible?
www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/defu...
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As the Trump administration refuses to disburse funding for an economically vital rail tunnel under the Hudson River between New Jersey with Manhattan, construction will come to a halt, putting up to 1,000 jobs at-risk in the near-term.
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Gateway tunnel construction to stop as Trump withholds funds | NJ Spotlight News
Officials said nearly 1,000 jobs are at risk in the near-term
www.njspotlightnews.org
January 28, 2026 at 1:15 PM
As the Trump administration refuses to disburse funding for an economically vital rail tunnel under the Hudson River between New Jersey with Manhattan, construction will come to a halt, putting up to 1,000 jobs at-risk in the near-term.
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Congress will soon approve new funding for a railroad project critical to New Jersey. But a possible government shutdown stands in the way.
Trump 'terminated' Gateway project. Congress just gave it a $700 million boost | NJ Spotlight News
Congress adds funding for tunnel project, World Cup and more in massive spending bill
www.njspotlightnews.org
January 27, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Congress will soon approve new funding for a railroad project critical to New Jersey. But a possible government shutdown stands in the way.