Hey, NJ

The Jersey Shore and boardwalks | Hey, NJ

Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking safety at the Jersey Shore.
Ever wonder if those boardwalk games are rigged? Has anyone actually won that giant prize? Correspondent Raven Santana joins hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin to talk about what state inspectors are doing to protect you from unfair games and incorrect scales at the fudge shop. We also talk curfews, backpack bans and what Shore towns are doing to keep people safe this summer. 
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Watch: "Making sure NJ's boardwalk games play fair"
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.  
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations.  
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News.   
Sign up for our daily newsletter.

The NJ tax deal and the state budget

Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about the state budget.
 
Want to know what NJ taxes are going up? Or where your tax dollars are going? Good luck.
 
Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer. They discuss how, once again, New Jersey lawmakers have raced up against a budget deadline and conducted nearly all of the negotiations for major deals behind closed doors and in meetings where it isn’t always easy for the public to stay involved. 
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.  
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations.  
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News.   
Sign up for our daily newsletter.

Why your NJ electric bill is so high

Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about rising electricity bills. 
 
Why’s your bill so high? It’s complicated... really complicated. Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin dive into why electricity bills are rising in New Jersey. They explain the state's complex power grid, transmission system and energy auctions. How are AI data centers playing a part in why you’re paying more? What are lawmakers doing to help cut costs? And don’t forget the politics and blame game.
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Read more: “NJ scrambles to curb energy costs”  
Watch: "NJ lawmakers target energy-hungry AI data centers"
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.  
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations.  
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News.   
Sign up for our daily newsletter.

New addiction treatment app modernizes methadone protocol in NJ

Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about new technology in the fight against opioid-use disorder. 
 
Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin, joined by health care writer Lilo H. Stainton, discuss a new treatment option for residents using methadone for opioid use disorder. We'll dive into the small change in state regulations that allowed people in addiction treatment to use an app, developed by Sonara Health, designed to free patients from the time-consuming daily routine of getting their methadone treatment.
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Read more:
https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/06/methadone-online-treatment-innovation-game-changer-for-patients/
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.  
 
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations.  
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News.   
Sign up for our daily newsletter.

NJ primary election 2025: What voters need to know

Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about the primary election. 
 
Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin break down everything NJ voters need to know ahead of June 10, including the differences between partisan and nonpartisan elections, voting eligibility and the various methods to cast a ballot. They also discuss NJ's historically low voter turnout for primaries and why NJ's closed primary may be a contributing factor. 
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.  
 
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations.  
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News.   
Sign up for our daily newsletter.

Taxes, taxes, taxes!

Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about taxes. 
 
Gov. Phil Murphy's budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 included more than $1 billion in tax hikes to bridge the gap between revenues and projected spending. Hosts John P. McAlpin and Maddi Ference discuss the complexities of New Jersey's tax system and the implications of Gov. Murphy's potential tax changes. With just a few weeks to enact a budget, are lawmakers likely to go with Murphy's tax plan, especially with all 80 seats in the Assembly up for grabs in November?
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Read more: “Murphy wants a new tax on phone lines to fund 988 crisis hotline”  
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.  
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations.  
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News.   
Sign up for our daily newsletter.

From strikes to fare hikes: Examining NJ Transit's finances

Hey, NJ! This week, we’re talking NJ Transit.
The NJ Transit strike is settled and rail service is back up and running. But the financial outlook for New Jersey’s largest bus and rail system is still down. Fares are going up... again. Why? Hosts John P. McAlpin and Maddi Ference tell you what the NJ Transit strike shows about how shaky the agency is.
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Read more: “NJ Transit strike: The agency's dire financial footing”  
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org.  
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations.  
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News.   
Sign up for our daily newsletter.

Breaking down NJ budget hearings on climate change, NJ Transit and college aid

Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about the state budget. 
It may sound boring, but it's not. Hosts John P. McAlpin and Maddi Ference recap some of the highlights from recent legislative committee hearings in Trenton.  
What does that mean? Climate change. Wildfires. NJ Transit fare increases. It's MVC fees and community colleges. Cuts to tuition aid. The gas tax.
Join us for the real-life, community impact beyond the tax dollars. 
See? Not boring.
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Links to specific departmental budget hearings:
Department of Environmental Protection
Higher Educational Services
Department of Transportation, NJ Transit, Motor Vehicle Commission
Read: "Can New Jersey’s budget process be bettered?"
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org. 
 
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations. 
 
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 
 
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits/  
 
Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/newsletters/ 

The last of NJ’s COVID-19 bail out. What happened?

New Jersey is spending millions on hospitals, schools and stormwater projects. Money is going to childcare services and maternal health programs. Towns are getting money. Food pantries. Community theaters. But, where’s it coming from? NJ’s share of the federal American Rescue Plan Act.
What’s that have to do with COVID-19? Read more here.
On today's episode, we'll explain how we tracked the final push to spend what had been more than $6 billion in COVID-19 bailout money and discuss how the state could have lost what money it had left.
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We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org. 
 
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations. 
 
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 
 
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits/  
 
Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/newsletters/ 

Introducing "Hey, NJ," a new podcast from NJ Spotlight News

Hey, NJ is a podcast for New Jerseyans who want to know things. In this weekly podcast, we’ll focus on three keys: affordability, accessibility and accountability.  
 
We’ll talk property taxes, NJ politics and just what's happening in NJ... since there's no shortage of headlines.   
 
We want to hear from you! What stories should we be covering? What questions should we be asking? Let us know! Send an email to underthedome@njspotlightnews.org. 
 
Hey, NJ is part of NJ Spotlight News’ “Under the Dome” project. This in-depth, ongoing reporting project focuses on NJ’s state government, its governor, its lawmakers and its extensive administrative operations. 
 
“Under the Dome” is made possible [in part] by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 
 
This program is made possible by viewers like you. Please support NJ Spotlight News: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/member-benefits/  
 
Sign up for our daily newsletter: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/newsletters/