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
Gov. Hochul announces another 250 National Guard troops deployed to NYC subways
An additional 250 New York National Guard members were deployed in New York City to bolster subway safety.
MTA moves closer to phasing out Metrocards
The transition from Metrocard to 'tap-and-go' moved closer to the finish line on Friday as the MTA made OMNY cards available to their reduced fare riders.
Mayor Eric Adams gives Eyewitness News exclusive look at subway homeless initiative
Mayor Eric Adams took Eyewitness News on an exclusive look at the City's outreach efforts to homeless New Yorkers sleeping in the subway system.
NYPD, law enforcement officials warn corporate executives to be vigilant in aftermath of CEO murder
Other health-related companies are now facing the wrath of hate and violence, which has made the risks to executives undeniable.
New York, New Jersey lawmakers weigh in on President Biden's decision to pardon son Hunter
Republican and Democratic lawmakers in the Tri-State area are weighing in on President Joe Biden's controversial pardon of his son Hunter Biden for his tax evasion and federal gun charges.
Rev. Al Sharpton, Mayor Adams hosts Thanksgiving dinner for families at National Action Network
Mayor Eric Adams joined Sharpton for the yearly tradition for the city's underserved. The event was open to all.
Man charged for allegedly 'strangling' MTA bus driver after a crash in Brooklyn, officials say
The incident happened in Bedford-Stuyvesant after a B26 bus and Legall's car sideswiped one another. Prosecutors say Legall stormed onto the bus, burst through the Plexiglas partition and grabbed the 68-year-old bus driver by the throat.
'The system is broken' Adams addresses criticism of how stabbing spree suspect was on the streets
The question has been, and remains, why was Rivera on the streets, especially with a long criminal history and severe mental health issues?
A train to partially shut down for much-needed repairs in the Rockaways
Eyewitness News got an exclusive tour of the damaged subway tracks in Queens, all these years later.
Mayor Eric Adams urges President-elect Donald Trump to 'fix the border'
New York Mayor Eric Adams says he does not support mass deportations but made clear Tuesday in a press conference, that the immigration system is broken.