News 12 Talks New Jersey

Jared Maples, director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security, talks about what families can do to prepare for the possibility of coronavirus cases in their communities. He also discussed the terrorism threat level increase. Patrick Murray, of Monmouth University Polling Institute, talks about the results of Super Tuesday and what’s next in the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. Assembly Budget Committee members Nancy Munoz and Carol Murphy discuss Gov. Phil Murphy’s budget proposals and the process ahead.

On this week's Power & Politics podcast, a discussion about the governor's budget address between Brandon McCoy of the progressive NJ Policy Perspective and Alan Steinberg, former regional director of the EPA under Republican President George W. Bush. Plus, political analyst Steve Adubato talks to host Alex Zdan about Gov. Phil Murphy's proposals to lower property taxes.   And Krista Jenkins, of Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll, reviews the latest poll numbers for Gov. Phil Murphy and President Donald Trump.

Former Attorney General Chris Porrino, who served during Republican Gov. Chris Christie's administration, talks about the status of bail reform in New Jersey, which was launched under his watch. He also talks about the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against the state of New Jersey and the handling of the Roger Stone sentencing. Monsy Alvarado, immigration reporter for The Record, talks about the nuts and bolts of the DOJ lawsuit against the state. Janna Chernetz, deputy director of Tri-State Transportation Campaign, provides a status report on NJ Transit’s progress, problems and her appointment to NJ Transit’s Board of Directors.

In late December 2019, an investigation by Kelly Heyboer and Susan Livio of NJ Advance Media exposed a toxic culture and rampant sexual harassment in New Jersey politics. Their report resulted in the creation of a working group led by the state's top female legislator, Sen. Loretta Weinberg, who will be holding public and private listening sessions across the state. Alex Zdan interview Kelly Heyboer on New Jersey Power & Politics about the investigation.   

Alex Zdan reviews the Iowa caucus chaos and previews the New Hampshire primary with Patrick Murray of Monmouth University Polling Institute. Professor Eugene Mazo discusses the impeachment trial and the potential impact of President Donald Trump's acquittal. Plus, Kelly Heyboer of NJ Advance Media discusses her #MeToo investigation into New Jersey politics and the ripple effect it is having.

This week we take a look at President Trump's rally in Wildwood this week in support of Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who recently switched parties from Democrat to Republican. Host Alex Zdan talks to state Sen. Mike Testa. He is the co-chair of the president's re-election campaign in New Jersey. And this week, Gov. Phil Murphy announced his plan to bring about what he calls "a complete transformation" of the state's energy policy: more clean energy to fight climate change. Jeff Tittel from the New Jersey chapter of the Sierra Club, and Ray Cantor, vice president of government affairs at the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, discuss what they like and dislike about the governor's energy master plan.

The impeachment trial of President Trump began, and New Jersey’s junior senator, Democrat Cory Booker, gives us his perspective on the proceedings so far. And constitutional law scholar Eugene Mazo, visiting associate professor at Rutgers Law School in Newark, provides some history and information about the impeachment process.  

Dana Delany tells News 12 New Jersey's John Bathke about her role in the world-premiere play “Goodnight Nobody” at Princeton’s McCarter Theatre. They also discuss her roles on television including “China Beach” and "Desperate Housewives” and her family's history with the famed “Delany flush.”

John sits down with Joey McIntyre of New Kids On The Block. He’s appearing in the Shakespeare comedy “Twelfth Night” at Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey. They discuss tackling Shakespeare, the breakup and reunion of New Kids On The Block and McIntyre’s upcoming role in the musical “The Wanderer.”

Senate President Steve Sweeney talks about the millionaire’s tax, the vaccine bill, the new report on corporate subsidy programs and more. Host Alex Zdan also talks in depth about the vaccine bill, the controversial 11th hour amendment and its failure in the Legislature earlier this week with Republican Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Democratic Assemblyman Jamel Holley.

Sen. Bob Menendez talks about the conflict with Iran and what may have happened to the Ukrainian jetliner that crashed this week. Host Alex Zdan also talks to Patricia Teffenhart of the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault about the next steps to change the toxic culture that permits sexual harassment in New Jersey politics. Plus Melanie Walter from the Division of Local Government Services talks about saving taxpayers money by sharing services among municipalities.

Assemblywoman Angela McKnight represents District 31 in Jersey City. The district includes the neighborhood where Detective Joseph Seals and three other people were murdered in what authorities are calling a domestic terror attack with a hate-crime slant. Assemblywoman McKnight also discusses her legislation to prevent discrimination based on hairstyle, plus her proposal to once again teach cursive in New Jersey schools. Rutgers law professor and constitutional law scholar Carlos Gonzalez discusses the House Judiciary Committee’s approval of two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. And environmental reporter Scott Fallon of The Record reviews the Murphy administration’s climate report card, plus the proposal to ban plastic bags.

Coach Greg Schiano is coming back to Rutgers football. Host Alex Zdan and NJ Advance Media political reporter Brent Johnson discuss his return. Democratic Assemblyman Jamel Holley is sponsoring a bill to turn pot legalization over to the voters. He supports a constitutional amendment to put the question on the ballot. He also gives his perspective on drivers licenses for all. And NJ Working Families State Director Sue Altman talks about her expulsion from the tax incentives hearing.  

Rep. Frank Pallone says that for him, there's no question President Trump abused his power and endangered national security. He talks with host Alex Zdan about the impeachment inquiry, plus the dangers of vaping. Patrick Murray of Monmouth University Polling Institute talks about the new Democratic candidates joining the race for President, and at the state level – the latest on the divisions within New Jersey's Democratic Party. And New Jersey Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson wants to get the word out to all food-insecure New Jerseyans that there is help for you and your families.

This special holiday consumer alert shares shopping tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday and looks at how TV technology is ever-changing and how to decide what tech is right for you. We also examine how to stay ahead of varying health insurance rates for the new year, as well as how to keep yourself aware of car recalls and how to handle the car companies in case of any problems through the recall repair process.

We review the dramatic events in Trenton this week when Sue Altman from NJ Working Families was dragged away from a Senate hearing on tax incentives, in which South Jersey power broker George Norcross was about to deliver testimony. Matt Friedman was there and reviews events with host Alex Zdan.  Plus, Sen. Bob Menendez discusses the impeachment inquiry, Facebook election security and the medical & recreational marijuana business.  And state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. talks about his run for Congress in District 7, and what he thinks about the impeachment inquiry.

Comedian and author Maysoon Zayid traveled an unlikely path to become a standup comic. She tells John Bathke how she triumphed over cerebral palsy to build a career on stage.

Actress Laura Benanti discusses her impression of first lady Melania Trump on 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' and is joined by her mother, Linda Benanti, as the two tell John Bathke about performing together in their concert, “The Story Goes On.”

The New Jersey Legislature is in a lame duck session, voting on bills such as vaping regulation and driver’s licenses for all. In the meantime, a challenge to the state Democratic Committee chair highlights the intra-party battle between Gov. Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney. Brigid Harrison, of Montclair State University, and Charlie Stile, columnist for The Record, analyze the politics. Plus, an update on the controversy over nondisclosure agreements in the Murphy campaign. Sen. Loretta Weinberg and Assemblywoman Nancy Munoz discuss the latest with host Alex Zdan.

Walt Kane sits down with Melissa Companick of the Better Business Bureau to discuss the awareness and prevention of one of the fastest growing scams in the country - text/SMS phishing or "smishing" scams.   We all are aware of emails that appear to be spam and that we should delete without opening, but most of us are conditioned to look and immediately respond to text messages - and thats what the scammers are banking on.   Walt also address a new scam that seeks potential cord cutters and claims to offer you better deals on your cable or satellite TV. Be wary of these deals that are definitely too good to be true.