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Bobby Brier

@bobby-brier.bsky.social

Multimedia mental health reporter @njspotlightnews.org Alum @reportforamerica.bsky.social

132 Followers  |  187 Following  |  63 Posts  |  Joined: 21.01.2025  |  1.6789

Latest posts by bobby-brier.bsky.social on Bluesky

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How to watch the final NJ governor debate | NJ Spotlight News Ciattarelli, Sherrill look to debate Wednesday at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

How to watch the final NJ governor debate

Ciattarelli, Sherrill look to debate Wednesday at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

@maddiference.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/how-...

08.10.2025 16:23 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thanks, Bobby.

The shutdown is about how much the government spends.

But is also part of a broader fight about health policy.

@njspotlightnews.org

06.10.2025 15:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Why is the government shut down? Partly a fight over healthcare | NJ Spotlight News Democrats look to get Medicaid increases in talks with Trump, GOP

Important reporting here from @bhulac.bsky.social on why the federal gov't is shutdown, the fight over healthcare in D.C. and its impact on NJ residents like Theresa Luoni.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/why-...

06.10.2025 15:40 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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NJ school bucks plan to boost mental health for students | NJ Spotlight News Parents, teachers are angry over cuts to programs in school with history of student suicides

Parents, teachers and mental health professionals continue to raise concerns over cuts to mental health programs in NJ high school with history of student suicides.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/nj-s...

06.10.2025 14:26 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Government shutdown: Who gets paid, what gets cut | NJ Spotlight News Key ways the federal shutdown impacts people in NJ

Every federal shutdown is a bit different.

Here are five things to know about this one...

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/gove...
@njspotlightnews.org

03.10.2025 15:57 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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30 Issues in 30 Days: Taxation in New Jersey | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC John Reitmeyer,Β budget and finance writer at NJ Spotlight News, talks about taxation in New Jersey and where the candidates stand on property taxes and more.

Thank you to @wnyc.org for having me on @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social this morning to talk in-depth about our favorite topic . . . NJ taxes!
I'm proud to work with and support outlets that foster these types of discussions about the issues people care about.
@njspotlightnews.org

02.10.2025 21:43 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News Brian Lehrer leads the conversation about what matters most now in local and national politics, our own communities and our lives.

Listen to The Brian Lehrer Show on @wnyc.org TOMORROW, Oct. 2!

Our very own @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social will talk about taxation and the NJ governor's race as part of WNYC's "30 issues in 30 days" series.

More: www.wnyc.org/shows/bl/30-...

01.10.2025 15:56 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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As problem gambling grows, will NJ limit in-game sports betting? | NJ Spotlight News 'Microbetting (and) same-game parlays are the oxygen supply, if you will, of the online gambling industry'

β€œMicrobetting (and) same-game parlays are the oxygen supply, if you will, of the online gambling industry.” β€” Dr. Harry Levant

As problem gambling grows, will NJ limit in-game sports betting?

@njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/10/as-p...

01.10.2025 16:31 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Federal government shuts down again under Trump | NJ Spotlight News Social programs to stop, workers to be sent home

After lawmakers were unable to reach agreement, the U.S. government lurched into a shutdown early Wednesday, a threshold that triggers federal agencies and departments to send staff home and forces employees considered β€œessential” to work without pay. @bhulac.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

01.10.2025 14:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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National organization forced to return gambling addiction hotline to NJ | NJ Spotlight News Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ resumed operating 1-800-GAMBLER hotline on Monday

National organization forced to return gambling addiction hotline to NJ

Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ resumed operating 1-800-GAMBLER hotline on Monday

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nati...

30.09.2025 13:19 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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With no updates and no deal, government shutdown gets closer | NJ Spotlight News Advocates warn shutdown will mean harm for many

As a federal government shutdown nears, @njspotlightnews.org is there covering the latest developments.
This dispatch from @bhulac.bsky.social details the services and programs that would be affected by a shutdown.

30.09.2025 12:31 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Advocates: Why no mental health help at fatal shooting by police? | NJ Spotlight News Advocates express outrage over no mental health support present for woman fatally shot by New Brunswick police.

Where was mental health support in fatal NJ police shooting, advocates ask

New Brunswick tragedy prompts calls for community-based programs to respond to emergencies

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/why-...

10.09.2025 05:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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@njspotlightnews.org

06.09.2025 18:26 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Earlier this week, the state general’s office released police body-camera footage of the incident, along with 911 audio recordings:

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

06.09.2025 17:47 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Happening Now: Rallies continue here in New Brunswick outside the municipal court building for Deborah Terrell, a 68-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed in the city while she was experiencing a mental health crisis in early August.

@njspotlightnews.org

06.09.2025 17:47 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Increasing scrutiny of microbetting in online sports betting | NJ Spotlight News One New Jersey lawmaker is proposing that the state ban sportsbooks from offering microbetting in the state.

β€œThe evidence underscores that microbetting can accelerate the path to problem gambling, especially among vulnerable populations such as youth and those with existing vulnerabilities." -Luis Del Orbe, CCGNJ

w/ @johnreitmeyer.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org
www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/new-...

04.09.2025 13:02 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

β€œThe (state) legislative body actually has to do something about this." β€” Professor Jason Williams, Montclair State University

Body-cam recordings show fatal New Brunswick police shooting

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

04.09.2025 12:56 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Oldest parts of NJ state prison unfit, report says | NJ Spotlight News A new report from prison watchdog urges demolition and replacement of parts of New Jersey State Prison, the oldest operating prison in the nation.

NJ urged to demolish 'antiquated and inhumane' prison buildings: "Hundreds of people are living in the prison’s West Compound in cells small enough that they can extend their arms and touch both side-walls and the ceiling." Via @colleenodea.bsky.social www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-p...

03.09.2025 15:37 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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School board drops student mental health service | NJ Spotlight News Hunterdon Central Regional High School, one of the largest high school districts in NJ, begins new school year without long-standing mental health services.

Students at one of the largest high school districts in New Jersey are beginning the school year without long-standing mental health services amid deep concern and outrage from school staff, parents and former students.

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/09/nj-h...

02.09.2025 13:45 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

*Shot and killed by a New Brunswick police officer.

20.08.2025 21:19 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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A rally for Deborah Terrell, a 68-year-old Black woman who was shot and killed during a mental health crisis in New Brunswick earlier this month, is currently taking place outside the municipal court building in the city before a city council meeting. @njspotlightnews.org

20.08.2025 21:14 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0
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What’s the real deal with NJ’s credit rating? | NJ Spotlight News Wall Street analysts point to where state needs work. Politicians tell their story

The latest reports from Wall Street on NJ’s creditworthiness underscore how state government has changed its fiscal course since coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.
But they also show where state policymakers have more work to do if they want to put NJ among the states with the best bond ratings.

20.08.2025 12:40 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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NJ advocates decry Trump’s homeless policy | NJ Spotlight News Advocates say Trump’s pledge to remove homeless people from Washington is a β€œcruel and costly” response to a long-standing societal issue.

Trump’s β€˜cruel and costly’ homeless policy slammed

NJ advocates among outraged as Washington police dismantled homeless encampments

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/new-...

18.08.2025 13:37 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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NJ lawmaker looks to claw back opioid settlement funding | NJ Spotlight News Budget funding was taken away from grassroots addiction treatment, diverted to four hospitals as part of a last-minute backroom budget deal.

Who sponsored resolution #1388, a controversial budget language change that sent $45M from NJ's opioid settlement funds to four hospitals?
It's still a mystery, reports @lilohstainton.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org, and a key Democratic is now looking to claw it back.

13.08.2025 12:38 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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NJ Budget: Details revealed of last-minute add-ons | NJ Spotlight News Until late last week, the sponsors of the added spending had not been publicly disclosed by majority Democratic legislative leaders.

New NJ budget details quietly added to a dedicated page on the legislative website late Friday appeared to be keeping some key info hidden from public view.
This includes sponsorship of controversial budget language allocating $45M in opioid settlement funds to four hospitals.
@njspotlightnews.org

12.08.2025 14:08 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1
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Attacking housing programs helps no one, advocates say | NJ Spotlight News Housing programs serving vulnerable people are losing support from state and federal governments as U.S. homeless population continues to rise.

ICYMI: Hostility to housing programs is not the answer to homelessness, advocates say

Housing-first solutions under attack from Trump administration, local governments

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/hous...

12.08.2025 13:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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Since 2018, Report for America corps members have written 100,000 stories. The future of local journalism is here, and it’s powered by our corps members and newsroom partners.

Read more in our 2025 Impact Report: reportforamerica.org/impact-report-2025

#LocalNews #LocalJournalism #RFAImpact2025

05.08.2025 14:34 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

@gardenstateequality.org

05.08.2025 13:34 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
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NJ nonprofits try to fill LGBTQ+ gap in 988 emergency service | NJ Spotlight News The Trump administration ended services for LGBTQ+ youth who call the national 988 suicide prevention hotline.

NJ nonprofits step in after 988 LGBTQ+ option is canceled

β€œWe all do better when we can engage with people who share our lived experience. That has always been the case with the LGBTQ+ community especially.” β€” Beatrice Simpkins

@njspotlightnews.org

www.njspotlightnews.org/2025/08/nj-n...

05.08.2025 13:32 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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NJ’s homeless numbers show big increase | NJ Spotlight News The homeless population in NJ is the largest in more than a decade, according to the latest annual point-in-time count.

The number of people who are homeless in NJ is the highest in over a decade, according to the state’s latest annual point-in-time count.
This sharp rise comes just as state and federal aid and support programs are being slashed.
Important reporting by @bobby-brier.bsky.social @njspotlightnews.org

30.07.2025 13:05 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

@bobby-brier is following 20 prominent accounts