May 26, 2020 – Newark, NJ – NJ Spotlight, affiliate to NJTV News, announced that John P. McAlpin will assume duties as its Managing Editor today, reporting directly to Jamie Kraft, Senior Managing Editor of NJTV News and NJ Spotlight, and John Mooney, NJ Spotlight’s Founding Editor.  An award-winning journalist, McAlpin’s experience includes serving as the Bergen Record’s and USA Today Network’s Trenton Bureau Chief, overseeing teams of reporters to produce impactful state-wide journalism for seven New Jersey daily newspapers and their websites, as well as national stories and digital projects. His roster of recent stories includes a running investigative series on nepotism at a state agency that prompted the firing of nearly three dozen employees.

“We are thrilled to have John McAlpin join the NJ Spotlight team, with his many talents and tremendous experience from a widely-respected career covering New Jersey,” said Mooney. “His high standards for quality journalism match that of our mission, and that which our audience has come to expect from us. John will not only continue to guide our work but grow it going forward.”

“Keeping New Jerseyans informed with the latest news and information has never been more critical,” said Kraft.  “John’s depth of experience in the state and innovative management style will help us take NJ Spotlight’s coverage to the next level across every platform.”

In his new role, McAlpin’s responsibilities will entail editorial oversight of NJ Spotlight’s online and social media components, as well as coordinating joint live coverage, news stories and special events with its affiliate, NJTV News.

McAlpin’s previous experience includes working for The Record, where after years as a senior writer he became the publication’s Trenton Bureau Chief, managing reporters and columnists in New Jersey and Washington D.C. and creating coverage strategy for state and national politics. Prior to that, he was State Capitol Editor for the Associated Press, where he directed the AP’s New Jersey Statehouse coverage of all aspects of state government, politics and major elections. He also wrote for the Burlington Times.

McAlpin received his B.A. in journalism from Rider College. He will be based out of the Agnes Varis NJTV Studio at 2 Gateway Center in Newark.