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
Tenants, landlords react as New York City board raises rent freeze possibility
This year, the Rent Guidelines Board's first vote, called for a 0-2% rent hike for one-year leases, and a 0-4% for two-year leases.
Police release surveillance video after spree of antisemitic graffiti found across Queens
Police have released surveillance video of their suspects, who are wanted for multiple hate crime criminal mischief incidents.
Community demands action after spree of antisemitic graffiti found across Queens
A rally took place Tuesday evening outside a synagogue in Forest Hills that was defaced during the hate-fueled rampage on Monday morning.
ICE raid at hospital in Bushwick sparks questions over NYPD's involvement
An ICE raid at a hospital in Brooklyn has sparked outrage and questions about whether NYPD officers helped ICE agents.
Fire marshals save Astoria residents from fast-moving flames
Their quick response helped all residents to escape without injury, officials said.
Questions persist after Gov. Hochul proposes tax on second homes in NYC worth more than $5M
High-rise condos purchased for tens of millions are routinely assessed for a tiny fraction of their market value, which could complicate Gov. Hochul's hopes to tax the homes of non-residents, worth more than $5 million.
FDNY looking to raise EMS treatment and transportation charges
The FDNY is looking at increasing the fee by 19 percent.
Mayor Mamdani seeking philanthropists to help fund childcare initiative
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is now doing what multi-billionaire former Mayor Michael Bloomberg did more than 20 years ago: urging people with money to donate.
Mayor Mamdani unveils plans for 5 city-run supermarkets, including one in East Harlem
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani is being challenged on his plan to open a city-run grocery store in each borough.
Critics speak out against Mamdani's plan for New York City-run grocery stores
The mayor says the stores are meant to make food more affordable, but bodega owners warn they could hurt private businesses.