Students expected to benefit from cell phone ban @govmurphy.bsky.social plans to sign the legislation into law this morning at Ramsey High School in Bergen County. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/stud...

Is NJ’s school ethics law being weaponized to silence critics? Few in the public are aware of how broadly written this code is, and why school board members have good reason to fear its use. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/is-n...

“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 @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/nj-p...

Prepping our @NJSpotlightNews voter guide for NJ CD11 special primary. Got a question you think we should ask the candidates?

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...

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 www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/cell...

“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

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

Should judges consider a defendant’s history as a victim of domestic violence? Latest for @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/shou...

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 www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/12/nj-l...

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

Latest story with @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

Amid a surge in NJ housing costs - and the homeless population - housing advocates praise a top Democrat's push to give towns the power to create trust funds and housing plans to help address and prevent homelessness in their communities, reports @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org.

As shootings decline, NJ violence prevention groups get funding cut ‘Street teams’ forced to lay off workers, reduce programs @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/as-s...

You can watch the full interview here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuiP...

Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill discussed her pending cabinet nominees, freezing utility bills and how she will approach her first state budget during a wide-ranging interview with @njspotlightnews.org held during the New Jersey State League of Municipalities convention in Atlantic City.

Several months after a surprise, late-June budget diversion, state lawmakers are now aiming to restore $45 million to the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Fund through a bill that passed a key Senate committee on Thursday, reports @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org.

Sherrill agenda faces challenges on homelessness, mental health and more Growing pressures on housing and health care add to ‘affordability’ issues @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/sher...

The loss of federal food benefits will mean greater food insecurity and bring increased risks of depression, anxiety and stress, all of which could cause an uptick in emergency room visits statewide, healthcare experts say. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/for-...

As homelessness rises, NJ offers ‘critical’ lifeline for those in recovery At the Rescue Mission of Trenton, the six-week New Direction program provides a variety of resources to help participants maintain sobriety & stability. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/as-h...

982K have voted early in NJ as of end of 10/30. Dems have a 235K margin now but there are 181K unaffiliated/3rd party. @njspotlightnews.org update: www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e...

Here’s how Trump funding cuts are keeping homeless people from their benefits By limiting a key training program, people will have more difficulty accessing federal disability benefits, advocates say @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/here...

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...

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-...

Thanks, Bobby. The shutdown is about how much the government spends. But is also part of a broader fight about health policy. @njspotlightnews.org

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-...

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...

Every federal shutdown is a bit different. Here are five things to know about this one... www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/gove... @njspotlightnews.org

Thank you to @wnyc.org for having me on @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social this morning to talk in-depth about our favorite topic . . . NJ taxes! I'm proud to work with and support outlets that foster these types of discussions about the issues people care about. @njspotlightnews.org

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-...

“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...

After lawmakers were unable to reach agreement, the U.S. government lurched into a shutdown early Wednesday, a threshold that triggers federal agencies and departments to send staff home and forces employees considered “essential” to work without pay. @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

National organization forced to return gambling addiction hotline to NJ Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ resumed operating 1-800-GAMBLER hotline on Monday @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nati...

As a federal government shutdown nears, @njspotlightnews.org is there covering the latest developments. This dispatch from @bhulac.bsky.social details the services and programs that would be affected by a shutdown.

Where was mental health support in fatal NJ police shooting, advocates ask New Brunswick tragedy prompts calls for community-based programs to respond to emergencies @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/why-...

Happening Now: Rallies continue here in New Brunswick outside the municipal court building for Deborah Terrell, a 68-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed in the city while she was experiencing a mental health crisis in early August. @njspotlightnews.org

“The evidence underscores that microbetting can accelerate the path to problem gambling, especially among vulnerable populations such as youth and those with existing vulnerabilities." -Luis Del Orbe, CCGNJ w/ @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/new-...

“The (state) legislative body actually has to do something about this." — Professor Jason Williams, Montclair State University Body-cam recordings show fatal New Brunswick police shooting @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

NJ urged to demolish 'antiquated and inhumane' prison buildings: "Hundreds of people are living in the prison’s West Compound in cells small enough that they can extend their arms and touch both side-walls and the ceiling." Via @colleenodea.bsky.social www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

Students at one of the largest high school districts in New Jersey are beginning the school year without long-standing mental health services amid deep concern and outrage from school staff, parents and former students. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-h...

A rally for Deborah Terrell, a 68-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed during a mental health crisis in New Brunswick earlier this month, is currently taking place outside the municipal court building in the city before a city council meeting. @njspotlightnews.org

The latest reports from Wall Street on NJ’s creditworthiness underscore how state government has changed its fiscal course since coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. But they also show where state policymakers have more work to do if they want to put NJ among the states with the best bond ratings.

Trump’s ‘cruel and costly’ homeless policy slammed NJ advocates among outraged as Washington police dismantled homeless encampments @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/new-...

Who sponsored resolution #1388, a controversial budget language change that sent $45M from NJ's opioid settlement funds to four hospitals? It's still a mystery, reports @lilohstainton.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org, and a key Democratic is now looking to claw it back.

New NJ budget details quietly added to a dedicated page on the legislative website late Friday appeared to be keeping some key info hidden from public view. This includes sponsorship of controversial budget language allocating $45M in opioid settlement funds to four hospitals. @njspotlightnews.org

ICYMI: Hostility to housing programs is not the answer to homelessness, advocates say Housing-first solutions under attack from Trump administration, local governments @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/hous...

Since 2018, Report for America corps members have written 100,000 stories. The future of local journalism is here, and it’s powered by our corps members and newsroom partners. Read more in our 2025 Impact Report: reportforamerica.org/impact-report-2025 #LocalNews #LocalJournalism #RFAImpact2025

NJ nonprofits step in after 988 LGBTQ+ option is canceled “We all do better when we can engage with people who share our lived experience. That has always been the case with the LGBTQ+ community especially.” — Beatrice Simpkins @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/nj-n...

The number of people who are homeless in NJ is the highest in over a decade, according to the state’s latest annual point-in-time count. This sharp rise comes just as state and federal aid and support programs are being slashed. Important reporting by @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org