-NJ’s public worker pension fund appears poised to continue a multiyear winning streak. -The fund’s FY2026 investment returns totaled 14%, through the end of May, doubling the assumed rate of return. @njspotlightnews.org

New Jersey pension fund on track to continue winning streak | NJ Spotlight News

Investments may double the targeted rate of return for 2026, defying worries about war in Iran and easing taxpayer pressure

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Armed with detailed records, a Newark mother spoke to NJ Spotlight News to expose what she describes as a systemic blind spot: the high risk of abuse that nonverbal children face from classmates and adults alike in classrooms that lack video surveillance.

A mother’s fight to protect her autistic son from abuse - NJ Spotlight News

He couldn't speak to tell her what happened at school. Now he's safe -- and she's demanding answers.

njspotlightnews.org

NEWS: The Department of Justice is investigating New Jersey over an elections voter glitch. “This is a real oversight issue," said a New Jersey Republican. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/07/fede... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ

Federal investigators launch probe in NJ voter registration errors | NJ Spotlight News

House members say they plan hearings into system that allowed thousands of noncitizens to register, even if they opted out

njspotlightnews.org

The last year has been difficult, but I'm also proud of my @njspotlightnews.org colleagues. -Under difficult circumstances, we've grown our following to 72K YouTube subscribers & 17K Instagram followers -We also launched an award-winning podcast -And we're still sending out our AM and PM newsletters

PBS Slashes Budget by 21% After Federal Funding Cuts

The nonprofit will receive less revenue from its members, which are under pressure to make up for shortfalls of their own.

nytimes.com

The Department of Justice opened an investigation into the voting system problem that registered more than 6,000 noncitizens to vote in New Jersey, according to Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd).

New Jersey’s congressional delegation split on a bill to make daylight savings time permanent, which faces an uncertain future in the Senate.

Roughly 80 cyclospora cases have been reported in New Jersey. That is not enough to be considered an outbreak, health officials say, though they are calling for consumer precautions.

The Supreme Court’s rejection of President Trump’s attempt to end birthright citizenship set off a fresh wave of attempts to restrict voting, with a particular focus on vote-by-mail efforts.

Trump voting losses in court shield New Jersey elections — for now | NJ Spotlight News

Weeks before midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, president is renewing push to exclude ballots

njspotlightnews.org

Earlier this week, we wrote about a 900-pound time capsule that won't see daylight until 2276. New Jersey's congressional delegation already picked the state's official contribution, but we're curious: If you could include one more New Jersey item, what would it be?

Every state, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia each submitted mementos for the capsule. New Jersey’s submission: an inscribed stainless steel plate.

No to Taylor Ham, Bruce ticket. NJ adds 'inspiration' to time capsule | NJ Spotlight News

Every state, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia submitted mementos for a memory trove to be opened in 2276

njspotlightnews.org

Spending is up, but the structural budget gap is a bit smaller compared to this time last year. Don't overlook full pension funding, but COLAs remain suspended, and this year policymakers went backward on last-minute add-ons transparency. @njspotlightnews.org www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA-O...

Breaking down New Jersey's $60.7 billion budget

YouTube video by NJ Spotlight News

youtube.com

Gov. Sherrill signs into law "affordability budget" that calls for record $60.7B spending in FY2027, and a separate appropriations measure that spends another $360M. Budget surplus takes another big hit, will drop to about $6B by June 30, 2027. @njspotlightnews.org

NJ lawmakers rush to get $61 billion in spending signed into law | NJ Spotlight News

Republicans ask: Where is the transparency that governor had promised on millions of dollars in 'Christmas tree' items?

njspotlightnews.org

“I was given the diagnosis of depression,” Rep. Tom Kean said Tuesday. “It is physical, it is emotional, and until you experience it yourself, it is difficult to fully understand how powerful this illness can be.”

Kean discloses depression treatment as reason for his absence | NJ Spotlight News

'It is physical, it is emotional,' Republican congressman says in first appearance on the House floor in four months

njspotlightnews.org

-For those keeping score, about $61B in new state spending is up for consideration today in Trenton ($60.74B FY2027 appropriations + $360M FY2026 supplemental) -Budget surplus drops from $7.66B to $6.05B at close of FY2027 to help finance expenditures outpacing collections @njspotlightnews.org

Amid budget gap, Democrats advance $360M in new spending | NJ Spotlight News

'This isn't normal. This isn't right,' Republican lawmaker says of dash to move a 358-page budget bill on day it was introduced

njspotlightnews.org

NEW: A bipartisan housing bill was about to become federal law. Then Donald Trump got involved. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/bipa... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #housing🏡🏠

Bipartisan housing effort in limbo after Trump sinks popular bill | NJ Spotlight News

President insists that Congress must give him voter-restriction legislation that Senate and House are unlikely to pass

njspotlightnews.org

NEWS: Congress scrapped all earmarks last year, a move that cost New Jersey more than $200 million. Now, earmarks are back, and New Jersey is poised to reap the benefits. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/afte... @njspotlightnews.org #NJ #Congress

After a year without, more than $250 million in earmarks for NJ | NJ Spotlight News

From military aircraft control tower design to 'not real sexy' recycling bins for Camden, lawmakers in Congress hail federal funding

njspotlightnews.org

Gov. Sherrill and top NJ legislative leaders say they have a deal that ensures a full pension payment and expanded child tax credit will make it into the final budget for the next fiscal year. But full details of their behind-the-scenes agreement were not disclosed. @njspotlightnews.org

Agreement reached on $60.7 billion NJ budget for next fiscal year | NJ Spotlight News

Sherrill, legislative leaders announce full pension payment, expanded child tax credit, cut in deficit ahead of July 1 deadline

njspotlightnews.org

-NJ's pension fund has shed its stake in a private company operating an ICE facility in Newark -Some lawmakers are pushing to force the pension fund to ditch an investment in another ICE contractor amid hardline immigration crackdown @njspotlightnews.org

NJ pension ditches stake in Geo Group, operator of Delaney Hall | NJ Spotlight News

Palantir Technologies, whose AI is useful to immigration agents, remains in portfolio as critics insist on divestment

njspotlightnews.org

The Trump administration bought a Morris County warehouse for $130 million dollars -- double the market value. They wanted to make it an ICE detention center. Now, they are backpedalling... www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/trum... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJ

Trump administration looks to back off Roxbury detention center | NJ Spotlight News

ICE warehouse planned for Morris County among several to be sold or transferred, report says

njspotlightnews.org

-NJ's state government needs a new budget by July 1 -Lawmakers have yet to introduce the spending bill that needs to pass both houses and get the governor's signature by the deadline -Without a budget, state govt shuts down in the middle of an international soccer tournament @njspotlightnews.org

Days before NJ budget deadline, major spending details unclear | NJ Spotlight News

Even Murphy, a Democrat, wanted more scrutiny of lawmakers' last-minute requests, and a Republican bill would increase transparency

njspotlightnews.org

The ICE site in Roxbury, New Jersey, is on this list, according to the NYT. The U.S. government -- in other words, the public -- paid nearly double the market rate for that site in Morris County. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/03/prev... @njspotlightnews.org #ICE #NJ

‘Prevent public contact’: ICE deportation network comes into focus | NJ Spotlight News

Immigration enforcement expanding in Jersey and elsewhere on East Coast, adding holding sites, guards with guns

njspotlightnews.org

Hamed Aleaziz@haleaziz.bsky.social · 2mo ago

SCOOP: ICE is planning to offload seven warehouses purchased for more than $700 million by either giving them to other federal agencies or selling them outright, according to documents obtained by The New York Times. www.nytimes.com/2026/06/18/u...

NEWS: New Jersey's missing congressman may soon be missing no more. BUT...we still have no idea why Tom Kean Jr. has been out for more than 3 months. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/kean... @njspotlightnews.org

Kean returning to Congress on June 30 after treatment for illnessNJ Spotlight News

Republican congressman from New Jersey's 7th District, running for reelection, will talk about nature of his absence, spokesman says

njspotlightnews.org

Gov. Sherrill and lawmakers are working hard to finalize the New Jersey FY2027 budget by June 30. As budget negotiations enter their final stages, Fund grantee @njspotlightnews.org breaks down key issues to watch as the budget process unfolds. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/what...

What to watch for as Sherrill, lawmakers negotiate NJ budget deal | NJ Spotlight News

The latest revenue estimates are higher than before. Upcoming is how that will influence lawmakers' additions, property-tax relief and more

njspotlightnews.org

-Gov. Sherrill’s proposed state budget flat funds NJ’s 988 suicide prevention hotline at a time when demand is rising. -Some lawmakers say the system needs more funding and they still want to establish a tax on phone lines to bring in dedicated, additional revenue for NJ's 988. @njspotlightnews.org

Will NJ’s 988 crisis hotline get more state funding, dedicated tax? | NJ Spotlight News

Mental health service could broaden with bigger budget infusion, though governor is mindful of affordability

njspotlightnews.org

An immigrant detention site in New Jersey has become a Republican tool. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/repu... @njspotlightnews.org #DelaneyHall #Newark #ICE

Republicans use Delaney Hall protests as Exhibit A for ICE funding | NJ Spotlight News

'These men and women are running out of money,' U.S. senator says as he presses for $70 billion for immigration forces

njspotlightnews.org

NEW: To push their hardline immigration bill, national Republicans are looking to New Jersey. Just not in the way you might think. www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/repu... @njspotlightnews.org

Republicans use Delaney Hall protests as Exhibit A for ICE funding | NJ Spotlight News

'These men and women are running out of money,' U.S. senator says as he presses for $70 billion for immigration forces

njspotlightnews.org

NEW: If you're missing from Congress, can you still give a speech in the House chamber? Weirdly, yes. Sort of... www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/06/the-... @njspotlightnews.org #Kean #NewJersey

The missing Rep. Tom Kean Jr. finally speaks … sort of | NJ Spotlight News

The Republican congressman hasn't been seen in months -- though his office has found multiple ways to puff up his public 'presence'

njspotlightnews.org

Rebecca Bennett won New Jersey’s most expensive primary race Tuesday, becoming the Democratic nominee to face Republican Tom Kean Jr. who has not been seen in months in an election that could determine control of the House of Representatives.

Polls close in primary to determine New Jersey's House candidates | NJ Spotlight News

Kean's 7th District race grabs national interest as Republicans seek to maintain control of Congress, and 12th District drew a dozen Democrats

njspotlightnews.org

-NJ farmers face some of the highest operating costs in the nation, including property taxes and labor. Now fuel and fertilizer prices are way up due to President Trump's war in Iran, adding to the financial strain. @njspotlightnews.org

Cost of fuel, fertilizer leaves NJ farmers facing 'financial strain' | NJ Spotlight News

On top of rising costs, farmers have had to contend with volatile spring temperatures that resulted in widespread damage to crops

njspotlightnews.org

It's primary day in New Jersey, and two races have drawn particular interest: the 7th District, where four Democrats are vying to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. and District 12, where 12 Democrats and 1 Republican are looking to succeed Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman.

NJ primary today: One U.S. Senate seat, all 12 in House top ballot | NJ Spotlight News

Last chance to vote in person or to make sure mail-in forms are dropped in a box or postmarked before deadline

njspotlightnews.org