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.

Democrats in the New Jersey congressional delegation opposed the legislation, saying Congress should take up legislation to lower health care costs, the central argument Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill made during the shutdown. The state’s three Republicans voted for the legislation.

A key decision about the state gas tax is pending in Trenton. That means NJ motorists should know soon whether the state’s per-gallon gas tax must be increased at the start of 2026 to help maintain billions in planned spending on transportation infrastructure. @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...

As we honor all those who have served this Veterans Day, an NJ-based program has counted 1 million connections with veterans, service members and their families.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman announced she will retire from Congress when her term ends in 2027. “I made a commitment years ago to always lead the charge on behalf of those I represent, and I believe I have fulfilled that commitment to the very best of my abilities,” she said. 📷: AP Photo/Evan Vucci

Late last week, the Murphy administration issued a permit for a gas pipeline project to cut through Raritan Bay. It was the final government approval needed for the project to proceed, but environmental groups are going to court to block construction.

With economic concerns still running high nearly a year into another Trump presidency, Democrats in NJ focused heavily on affordability issues in the run up to Nov. 4. How did it work out? Democrats made gains, up and down the ballot. @njspotlightnews.org

It was great chatting with @wnyc.org Weekend Edition host David Furst about the NJ election results and the big challenges facing governor-elect Mikie Sherrill. And check out @njspotlightnews.org today for our continuing coverage.

“We are relieved to share that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November are now fully funded. SNAP households across New Jersey should see those benefits reflected on their EBT cards,” Department of Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman said in a statement.

I wrote about this project recently, after it got approval from federal agencies. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nort... @njspotlightnews.org

Friday news dump coming out of New Jersey and New York... Both states approved a new fossil gas pipeline. The company behind it (Williams) just confirmed ---> investor.williams.com/news-release... @njspotlightnews.org

If she steps down too early, Sherrill could miss key votes in Congress where one vote can make the difference between a bill passing or not. But if she stays in Congress too close to her swearing-in, Sherrill would limit her time to prepare for the governorship.

It's definitely worth taking a new look at this smart @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org story today now that NJ will soon have a congressional vacancy to fill.

What’s the prize for pulling off her huge victory? How about pressure to deliver on affordability promises while managing a state budget gap and funding cuts coming down from the federal government. These and other big issues are on the to-do list for Gov-elect Mikie Sherrill. @njspotlightnews.org

Democrat Mikie Sherrill won the race to become New Jersey governor in one of the most expensive campaigns in state history conducted in the shadow of the Trump presidency and decided by voters overwhelmingly concerned about affordability concerns. @colleenodea.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

New Jersey, Mikie Sherrill is your next governor, according to the Associated Press, calling the race at 9:24 p.m. For ongoing analysis and results, including NJ’s 80 Assembly races, head to NJSpotlightNews.org

The AP has now called the NJ governor's race -- Democrat Mikie Sherrill will be the state's 57th governor. @njspotlightnews.org

We're live! Watch now: www.youtube.com/live/ZH2TU-t...

Track away NJ. You can hit refresh as often as you want!

Polls are officially closed in one of the most expensive campaigns in NJ history. Stay with NJ Spotlight News for live results and analysis!

Polls close at 8 p.m. in New Jersey. Join us at 10 p.m. for live coverage of the governor's race, major Assembly races and other local elections.. We'll hear in-studio analysis from the @njspotlightnews.org team and political analysts, plus on-location reports from candidate headquarters.

Final early voting #s in NJ: 1.36M total. 300K more Dems than GOP (a target Dems were trying to reach). Will it make a difference? @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e...

It's not just the race for governor on the ballot, NJ. Many voters can also vote for mayor, city council and their local school boards. School boards have a big impact on how local schools are governed and how taxpayer money is spent. @njspotlightnews.org

Calling it “an attempt to suppress the vote” @mikiesherrill.bsky.social reacts to bomb threats at polling places in NJ. @njspotlightnews.org

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-...

Today is Election Day! Polls are open until 8 p.m. in New Jersey. If you want to learn more about the candidates, aren't sure where to vote, or want to follow along for live results, check out our elections page @njspotlightnews.org

Updates @njspotlightnews.org

If you know the issue or issues you care about, you have all the resources you need to get informed before you cast a vote. And after you vote, join @njspotlightnews.org Tuesday at 10 p.m. for complete coverage of all the results, as well as deep dives on the issues that driving them.

Gov. Murphy on Monday ordered the state’s national guard to support food banks after federal food assistance ran out this weekend for more than 800,000 residents.

To all the last-minute voters (and family members, you know who you are) asking me, who should I vote for? I'll never tell you who to vote for, but I'll always encourage you to make an informed decision. Get all the info you need from @njspotlightnews.org at www.njspotlightnews.org/nj-decides-2...

Early voting update, includes final in-person: 1.33M total, 600K more than 2021. Dems 675K, GOP 386K, Unaff/other 273K. 290K more Dems than GOP. Dems had been looking for 250K-300K more as firewall. Won't know if it's enough til tomorrow @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e...

Out of the ashes of ARC came Gateway. But now this long-planned new rail tunnel that is considered crucial to the region's economic future has also come under threat of being canceled. @bhulac.bsky.social and I look at current events in the context of some 30 yrs of planning. @njspotlightnews.org

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...

The Barack Obama rally in NJ energized an SRO Dem crowd in Newark on Sat. Former prez had harsh words for current admin. www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/obam... @njspotlightnews.org

NJ early voting numbers keep rising. Now near 1.2M. Approaching 1/2M more than in last gov elect in 2021. 267K more Dems voting that GOP. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e... Today is last day to vote early in person, VBMs can be postmarked or put in drop box up to 8 pm Tues

Full story: www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/11/obam...

Former President Barack Obama attended a get-out-the-vote rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate and U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th) at Essex County Community College. 📷 : @colleenodea.bsky.social

Almost 1.08M have voted early in NJ. That's 350K more than in total in 2021. 246K more Dems than GOP have voted this year so far. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e...

As data center projects surge, can NJ keep up? www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/as-d...

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...

As you get ready to vote, do you -Want to know where the candidates stand on the issues, including taxes, housing and school funding? -Want an election resource where issues are the focus instead of nonsense horse race stories? Check out @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/nj-decides-2...

NJ voters: @njspotlightnews.org elections page includes all our detailed issues reporting -- taxes, housing, school funding, criminal justice, abortion, gun control, vaccines and voting (I may have missed some). Please be an informed voter www.njspotlightnews.org/nj-decides-2...

Approaching 1 million early votes in NJ. More Dems have voted. But increase in GOP voting early compared to 2021 much higher than for Dems. @njspotlightnews.org www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e...

In NJ, the largest portion of the typical homeowner's property-tax bill funds the budget of their local K-12 schools. Down ballot this year, voters will decide who wins key school board seats in districts throughout NJ, reports @hannah-gross.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org @njspotlightnews.org.

More people have already voted early in NJ than in the last governor's election 4 years ago. More than half were Democrats. @njspotlightnews.org updating daily www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-e...

With full state employer pension contributions now being made on an annual basis, pension fund managers have been able to take full advantage of favorable market conditions that have lifted investment returns in recent years, including during the fiscal year that ended June 30. @njspotlightnews.org

A new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll reveals how traditional beliefs about gender roles are playing a major role in shaping support in New Jersey’s gubernatorial race.

Don't forget about Assembly races in NJ. Only a handful of districts are considered competitive? Which ones? @NJSpotlightNews.org 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...