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

Calif., Ore., Wash., Nev., Colo., Minn., Vt., Del., Md., Va., Ill. and N.M. have already passed legislation that requires fees on phone lines — and, in some states, voice-over-internet lines, too — to fund the 988 hotline within each state, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

The New Jersey attorney general’s office will continue to run the Paterson Police Department after the state Supreme Court unanimously rejected arguments from city leaders that the state takeover was illegal.

No room in #NJ's $58 billion+ budget for this proven program that saves lives and improves communities. But @camdencoalition.bsky.social is now looking for other funds to sustain #housingfirst. Via @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/zero...

Housing program for homeless people loses all state funding The Camden Coalition’s housing-first service gets zero in state budget @njspotlightnews.org With reporting from @lilohstainton.bsky.social www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/zero...

No charges for police officer who killed Fort Lee woman “We need tangible changes, measured in lives preserved, not lives mourned.” — Dr. Jason Williams, Montclair State University @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/no-c...

Budget diversion of opioid settlement funds outrages advocates Protesters stage ‘die-in’ over $45M appropriation for four hospitals @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/07/budg...

Harm reduction advocates protested at the Senate voting session moments ago over a proposal in the upcoming state budget that would divert $45 million in opioid settlement funds to 4 hospitals without identifying what these funds would be used for. @njspotlightnews.org

The "last week in June" portion of NJ's budget process is playing out as we speak and, boy, has it ruffled some feathers... ... so why not talk about it on "Hey, NJ?" @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social joins the pod this week to talk all about the circus leading up to July 1. LMK if you have questions!

Trump funding cuts deplete violence intervention programs Community-based violence intervention programs are a key component in reducing and preventing gun violence across the state, advocates, academics and state officials say. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/trum...

Trump admin cuts 988 suicide prevention support for LGBTQ+ youth Crisis hotline ordered to stop specialized support to callers starting next month @njspotlightnews.org “This decision is both cruel & calculated." — Dr. Perry Halkitis @rutgerssph.bsky.social www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/trum...

Lawsuit possible after Toms River rejects church plan for homeless shelter “We’re not surprised that the vote went this way, but we are very disappointed nonetheless." — The Rev. Lisa Hoffman, Christ Episcopal Church @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/toms...

More 988 intervention for young people with suicidal thoughts? Trained hotline operators in NJ could soon be allowed to make follow-up calls without parents’ permission @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/nj-m...

Despite spending more than $40 million in teachers’ dues, the NJEA president landed a fifth-place finish in the race to become the Democratic nominee for governor. Supporters said record-high spending was worth it since Spiller’s campaign elevated issues important to teachers @njspotlightnews.org

NJ, it's election day! Polls open til 8. Get yr VBM postmarked today or put in drop box by 8 & be counted. 481K voted early! Unaffiliated, you CAN vote - choose a party that best reflects yr views. Switch back post-election. It's EZ. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/nj-p...

NEWS: Facing huge funding cuts, a vital program for HIV/AIDS relief is in serious jeopardy. One New Jersey congressman is trying to protect it. But he's also been an obstacle to the program in recent years. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/for-... @njspotlightnews.org

NJ: If affordability, housing and democracy haven't convinced you to vote, how about abortion and gun control, which we have heard comparatively little about this year. Here's where all the candidates stand on the issues from @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/nj-p...