N.J. Burkett
He has reported on everything from war and diplomacy to crime and politics; from aviation disasters to natural disasters, race relations and police misconduct.
On September 11, 2001, after the two jets struck the World Trade Center, N.J. and his photographer narrowly escaped the subsequent collapse of the South Tower. Their work was later seen on television news broadcasts across the nation and around the world and is on permanent exhibit at the Newseum in Washington, DC.
N.J. spent nearly three months covering the war in Iraq in 2003, and the military build-up that preceded it. He covered the terrorist bombings in Madrid (2004) and London (2005), as well as the war between Israel and Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon (2006), the Israeli-Hamas War in Gaza (2009-10) as well as three Israeli national elections and the death of Palestinian leader, Yasir Arafat (2004). N.J. witnessed the historic Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip (2005) and chronicled the Palestinian popular uprising, known as the Intifadeh, in a series of overseas assignments from 2000-2004.
He was the only local New York television news correspondent to report from Japan after the historic 9.0 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident in 2011, and the first among his colleagues to report from Haiti after the earthquake there, in 2010.
In New York, N.J. has been one of WABC-TV's lead reporters for many of the region's biggest stories, from Superstorm Sandy to the crash of TWA Flight 800, the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School and landmark police misconduct trials. When a growing number of homeless New Yorkers complained that the city's municipal shelters were unsafe, N.J. went undercover for several weeks in the winter of 2001, disguised as a homeless man. He and an undercover photographer slept in New York's most notorious men's shelter.
N. J.'s work has been honored with several of the most prestigious awards in American television news. He is a two-time winner of the coveted Edward R. Murrow Award from the Radio Television Digital News Association (formerly the RTNDA) and a four-time Emmy Award winner, including the Emmy for Outstanding On-Camera Achievement in 2003 and 2007. N.J. has received fifteen Emmy Nominations.
He shared the George Foster Peabody Award and the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award with his colleagues at ABC News for his reporting on the September 11th terrorist attacks. In 2008, he was presented with the Allen B. DuMont Broadcaster of the Year Award by Montclair State University for his "significant contributions to the field of broadcasting."
N.J. is the First Vice Chairman of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and a former Trustee and past President of the Academy's flagship chapter in New York.
His full name is Newton Jones Burkett. Before joining WABC-TV, N. J. was a correspondent for WFSB-TV, the CBS station in Hartford, CT., from 1986-1989. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and a Master's in International Affairs, both from Columbia University.
N.J's Stories
Mayor Eric Adams criticizes challenger Andrew Cuomo, reaffirms he's running as a democrat
Adams wants New Yorkers to know that he is running for re-election despite the fact that he's skipped every candidate forum in the race.
COVID nursing home deaths follow former Gov. Cuomo as he campaigns to be New York City mayor
A handful of mayoral candidates are teaming up this weekend to go after challenger Andrew Cuomo, specifically criticizing the former New York governor over his handling of nursing homes during the COVID pandemic.
Trump administration extends deadline for New York City to end congestion pricing
The Department of Transportation has extended its deadline for New York City to end congestion pricing.
Mayor Eric Adams vows to start re-election campaign 'very soon'
On Tuesday, Mayor Adams insisted that he is running for re-election, even though it may not look like it.
Eric Adams, Andrew Cuomo focus on crime as race for New York City mayor heats up
As the New York City race for mayor heats up, one of the biggest issues among candidates is crime - despite statistics that show crime in the city is trending lower.
Candidates hit their stride in the race for New York City mayor
The race for New York City mayor is beginning to heat up, with Council Speaker Adrienne Adams officially throwing her hat in the ring, and some of the other candidates making policy announcements on their campaign trail.
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams considers mayoral candidacy: 'The stakes are too high'
The council speaker says New York is under attack and that Mayor Eric Adams is unwilling or unable to protect the city.
Candidates speak out as Cuomo's possible run looms large over NYC mayor's race
In the race to become New York City's next mayor, all eyes are on the potential candidacy of former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.
President Trump, Gov. Hochul negotiate fate of congestion pricing program
President Trump and New York Governor Kathy Hochul are negotiating the fate of the congestion pricing tolling program
MTA asking state lawmakers for $33B in funding in addition to congestion tolls 1 month into plan
The MTA says early data indicates the congestion pricing system is working and traffic into Midtown is down, but the agency says the revenue still won't be enough to fund their ambitious construction plan.