Hey, NJ

NJ Spotlight News
  • 5.0 (3)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    Purchased prestige: Is your kid's Blue Ribbon school what you think it is? | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about "Blue Ribbon" awards.    A recent NJ Spotlight News investigation found that more than a dozen New Jersey schools paid thousands for private “Blue Ribbon” awards resembling the federal academic honor. Critics call the practice deceptive and potentially illegal, especially after a Newark charter school received the designation despite weak academic performance and ongoing operational concerns.   Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by urban education writer Julie O'Connor to discuss her reporting, the state's response and the implications for parents and communities.   Read more: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/05/nj-tax-dollars-spent-on-blue-ribbon-school-awards-that-critics-call-deceptive/    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.

    21 min

  2. MAY 6

    What we know about sports betting, microbetting and mental health | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about the mental health impacts of online sports betting.   Last week, Texas Tech University quarterback Brendan Sorsby announced he would take a leave of absence and enter a treatment program for his gambling addiction. The news prompted hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin to revisit some recent reporting on the mental health impacts of sports betting, specifically "microbetting."   This episode explores how online sports betting has evolved since it was legalized in 2018, New Jersey's "vested interest" in people placing bets and what lawmakers are doing to protect consumers.    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.

    19 min

  3. APR 28

    Where’s Tom Kean Jr. — and what’s going on with NJ’s missing congressman? | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we’re talking about the mysterious absence of Rep. Tom Kean Jr. from Congress. Kean, who represents New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, has not voted on the House floor since March 5. Kean's chief of staff explained that he was "addressing a personal health matter." But after Kean was absent from a reception in the Capitol for Gov. Mikie Sherrill last week, members of New Jersey's delegation said their calls and texts to Kean went unanswered. Kean on Monday thanked his supporters but offered no additional details in a social media post on his official campaign accounts. Kean’s statement said he would return to Congress shortly. Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by Washington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac to discuss what we know, the implications for Congress and the debate around transparency and accountability in public office. Read more: https://www.njspotlightnews.org/2026/04/radio-silence-concerns-grow-about-congressmans-health-during-lengthy-absence/ 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.

    25 min

  4. APR 16

    World Cup 2026: With less than 100 days, is New Jersey ready? | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by NorthJersey.com reporters Katie Sobko and Colleen Wilson, who have been following this story since NY/NJ was awarded the final match of the tournament in 2023. From looming transportation challenges to economic concerns, lessons learned during the 2014 Super Bowl to security plans, is New Jersey ready to host the world's most-watched sporting event? ----------  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.

    31 min

  5. APR 13

    What’s going on with the war in Iran? | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about the war in Iran. The Trump administration launched a war. Now, over a month into an expansive war in the Middle East, where is Congress? Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by NJ Spotlight's Washington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac to discuss secret congressional briefings, upcoming federal budget hearings, war power votes and more. ----------  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.

    30 min

  6. APR 6

    Decoding New Jersey's $60.7B budget: Politics, property taxes and the 'deficit' | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we’re talking about – what else this time of year – NJ’s budget. Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin are joined by NJ Spotlight’s budget and finance writer John Reitmeyer to discuss the always-challenging political process behind budget negotiations. They discuss the popular – and costly – property tax relief programs including Stay NJ, Anchor and more. They also tackle a big, and recurring question: If New Jersey’s budget is balanced, why are people always talking about a budget deficit? ----------  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.

    34 min

  7. 08/04/2025

    Trump's Medicaid bomb: Breaking down changes and impact in NJ | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about Medicaid cuts.   Seismic changes are coming to Medicaid after President Donald Trump signed legislation that he named the "Big Beautiful Bill." Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin discuss what those changes mean in New Jersey, specifically for the thousands of legal immigrants who will lose coverage come fall 2026. They also discuss what work requirements actually do and the billions of dollars at stake. ----------  Read more: "Thousands of legal immigrants in NJ could be thrown off Medicaid" ----------  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.

    22 min

  8. 07/28/2025

    What's behind Trump's massive ICE expansion in NJ? | Hey, NJ

    Hey, NJ! This week, we're talking about ICE's footprint in NJ.  Earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told lawmakers that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst would be used to hold immigrant detainees. Hosts Maddi Ference and John P. McAlpin, joined by Washington correspondent Benjamin J. Hulac, discuss the significant expansion of ICE's operations in New Jersey, and what implications the plan for the joint base could have for immigration enforcement in the region. ----------  Read more: "NJ to get largest immigrant detention site on East Coast?" ----------  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.

    33 min
See All (20)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    NJ Spotlight News
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Public Media NJ, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Hey, NJ

You Might Also Like