As Gov. Mikie Sherrill prepares to introduce her first spending plan next week, the Legislature has yet to pass a bill that would add a 40-cent fee to each New Jersey telephone bill to fund the state’s 988 Suicide & Crisis hotline. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/as-s...

The legislation moving this year's gubernatorial budget message to March 10 has now been approved by both full houses of the NJ Legislature. @njspotlightnews.org

“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.” @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/rest...

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. @njspotlightnews.org

Wow what a night in NJ CD 11. Malinowski not ready to concede, but the progressive Mejia has the lead. It could take a while for a final decision

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

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. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/02/trum...

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 has revised its license requirements for outpatient treatment, writing new rules to allow for integrated outpatient care, a move hailed as landmark reform after NJ officials & health advocates had been trying to do so for years. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/nj-r...

Honored to have worked the past few years with @bflanagannj.bsky.social — today was her last day before a well deserved retirement. What a career, we’ll miss you! youtu.be/HyY2dJAGTo8?...

“We are counting on the Sherrill admin. & the Leg. to do the right thing & reintroduce the $45 million, move it swiftly & ensure opioid settlement funds are used as intended. Lives depend on getting this right.” — Elizabeth Burke Beaty @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/sher...

Gov. Murphy’s final State of the State address is set to begin at 3 pm EST. Stay with @njspotlightnews.org as we continue to cover the speech live and with additional coverage throughout the week.

As lame duck comes to an end, NJ's majority Democratic lawmakers approve spending millions on World Cup marketing and pet projects, as well as new tax breaks for the operators of the Prudential Center in Newark. @njspotlightnews.org

“It shouldn’t be a scary thing (for children to get vaccines) and you shouldn’t feel bad for doing everything you can to protect your child.” — Jill Moghadam, mother and educator, of Marlton @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/01/nj-h...

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-...