New Jersey is a weird place for media. We’re squeezed between the massive skyscrapers of Manhattan and the rowdy sports bars of Philly, which means our "local" news often ends up being about a subway delay in Queens or a parade on Broad Street. That’s exactly why New Jersey News 12 became such a staple. It’s the one place where the 9 p.m. headline isn't about the Empire State Building—it's about the pothole on the Garden State Parkway that just blew out three tires.
People often assume local news is dying. Honestly? In Jersey, it’s just changing shape. While major networks are trimming budgets and closing suburban bureaus, News 12 New Jersey remains the primary "hyperlocal" lifeline for the Garden State. But there’s a lot people get wrong about how it operates, who’s actually behind the desk, and why it matters more now that other outlets—like NJ PBS—are facing a total shutdown in 2026.
The Reality of Hyperlocal Coverage
Most folks think "local news" means anything in the Tri-State area. If you live in Edison, you don't really care about a water main break in Yonkers. New Jersey News 12 exists because Jersey residents have a bit of a chip on their shoulder about being ignored by the "big" stations.
It’s owned by Altice USA, which means for a long time, it was the "Optimum" news channel. If you had Verizon Fios or satellite, you were basically out of luck. That’s changed. Now, between streaming apps and partnerships with services like NewsON, you’ve got way more ways to watch. But the core mission is still the same: reporting on the stuff the New York City anchors can’t even find on a map.
Take the current situation in Morristown. While national outlets are focused on big-picture immigration policy, News 12 has been on the ground following the aftermath of an ICE raid outside a local laundromat. They aren’t just talking about "policy"—they're interviewing neighbors who are scared to go to work. That’s the difference.
The Faces You Know (And a Few New Ones)
You've probably seen Tony Caputo standing on a windy corner somewhere. He’s been with the station since 1998. Think about that. He’s covered everything from Y2K fears to the mess of Superstorm Sandy.
Then there’s Syma Chowdhry, who leads the morning team. She’s a Jersey girl through and through, a Temple grad who grew up in Toms River. When she’s talking about the Shore, she actually knows which boardwalk she’s on.
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- Walt Kane: The "Kane In Your Corner" guy. His investigations have actually changed laws in this state.
- Eric Landskroner: He handles the political heavy lifting on Power & Politics.
- Della Crews: A veteran who has been a steady presence since 2000.
It’s this longevity that builds trust. In a world where news anchors hop from city to city every two years to climb the career ladder, these folks actually live in the towns they’re reporting on.
Why the "Death of Local News" is a Myth (Mostly)
You might have heard that NJ PBS is set to cease operations in June 2026. That’s a massive blow to the state's media ecosystem. When public funding gets slashed, the burden of keeping the public informed falls on private hyperlocal outlets.
New Jersey News 12 isn't just about car crashes and house fires. It’s about the Paul Caneiro murder trial, which has been gripping Monmouth County. It’s about the 17-year-old girl in Edison whose life was cut short last week—a story that News 12 has followed with a level of community detail that a national broadcast simply wouldn't have the airtime for.
The station also serves as a weirdly essential weather service. Jersey weather is temperamental. We get "bitter blasts" of Arctic air one day and a random 60-degree afternoon the next. Dave Curren and Mike Rizzo aren't just reading a prompter; they’re telling you exactly when the snow is going to hit the Oranges versus when it’ll reach Cape May.
The Logistics: How to Actually Watch
This is where the confusion usually starts. People ask, "Do I need cable?" Sorta.
If you have Optimum or Spectrum, you’re golden. It’s right there on the dial. If you’re a cord-cutter, you’ve got to be a bit more tactical. The News 12 app is the easiest way to catch the live stream, but they’ve also expanded onto platforms like Roku and Amazon Fire TV through the "News 12 New York" digital network.
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- News 12+: This is the 24-hour traffic and weather sub-channel. It’s a godsend when the Lincoln Tunnel is backed up (which is always).
- Digital OTT: They launched a 24/7 digital network in late 2020 that aggregates the best stories from across the Tri-State area.
- Social Media: Honestly, their YouTube and Facebook feeds are often faster for breaking news like the recent Verizon outages or the Macy’s store closures in NJ.
Investigating the Investigators
We can't talk about News 12 without mentioning Kane In Your Corner. Investigative journalism is expensive and time-consuming. Most local stations have replaced it with "lifestyle" segments about the best cupcake shops.
Walt Kane and his team still do the grit. They’ve tackled everything from racial profiling allegations in Clark to the confusion surrounding New Jersey's new public works contractor laws enacted this month. These aren't just "feel-good" stories. They’re "hold-someone-accountable" stories.
Recent Major Stories
Recently, the station has been heavily covering the trial of Paul Caneiro, accused of killing his own brother and family. The level of detail—four days of testimony from first responders and forensic experts—is something you only get when a newsroom is dedicated to one specific region.
They're also tracking the World Cup 2026 impact. With matches coming to Jersey, News 12 has been calling out Airbnb hosts who are already hiking prices to insane levels. It's the kind of "pocketbook" reporting that actually helps people plan their lives.
What Most People Miss
The biggest misconception? That local news is just "small-time."
In 2025, News 12 Networks took home 29 Emmy Awards. That’s more than some national cable giants. They aren't just "the cable news guys." They are a legitimate journalistic powerhouse that just happens to care about your local school board meeting.
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They also provide a platform for state leaders. The Ask Governor Murphy show is one of the few places where Jersey residents can actually get a direct answer (or at least a direct attempt at one) from the man in charge. With Murphy’s term winding down and residents giving him mixed grades in recent polls, that transparency is vital.
Actionable Steps for New Jersey Residents
If you want to stay informed without the "doom-scrolling" of national news, you've got to curate your local feed. National news makes you feel helpless. Local news makes you feel prepared.
- Download the App: Set your "home" region to New Jersey to get push alerts that actually matter to your zip code.
- Check the "Garden Guide": If you're into local lifestyle, their segments on master gardeners and "Jersey Proud" student-athletes are a nice break from the heavy stuff.
- Use the Traffic Map: Before you head to the Newark Pompton Turnpike—which just got $9 million in safety funding for 38 intersections—check their real-time updates.
- Follow the Reporters: Journalists like Tara Rosenblum and Jim Murdoch often post behind-the-scenes updates on X (formerly Twitter) that don't always make the final broadcast.
The media landscape in New Jersey is getting thinner. With NJ PBS on the way out, local voices are becoming rarer. Supporting or even just watching New Jersey News 12 ensures that when something happens in your backyard, there’s actually someone there with a camera to document it.
New Jersey isn't just a suburb of New York or Philly. It's its own beast. And it deserves a news cycle that treats it that way.
Stay on top of the latest local developments by checking the News 12 New Jersey digital "Power & Politics" section for updates on state-wide policy changes, or tune into the morning broadcast for the most accurate "Moodcast" before your commute.