Colleen O'Dea - Journalist Profile | Connect with top journalists

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Biography

Colleen O’Dea is an award-winning, long-time journalist based in New Jersey. She started her career at The Record of Hackensack, worked in United Press International's Trenton bureau and then spent most of her career at the Daily Record of Morris County. O’Dea left the paper in February 2011 and joined NJ Spotlight later that year. She is currently a data and general assignment reporter with the online news site focused on state issues and analysis. In addition to freelance writing, O'Dea has done public relations work for a non-profit organization and worked on several projects undertaken by Rutgers University's Office of Continuing Professional Education. O'Dea served as the New Jersey reporter for the Center for Public Integrity’s first State Integrity Investigation and has won numerous state and national journalism awards.

Content

Total articles 1553

• Available on paid plans

  What NJ school performance reports reveal

  By Colleen O'Dea Verified, Hannah Gross

  Apr. 17, 2025

• Available on paid plans

  NJ’s judicial vacancies creep up again

  By Colleen O'Dea Verified

  Apr. 11, 2025

• Available on paid plans

  Rep. Tom Kean holds short phone meeting with constituents

  By Colleen O'Dea Verified

  Mar. 28, 2025

As seen in

Company Info

NJ Spotlight News

NJ Spotlight News is a public affairs news organization based in New Jersey, focusing on in-depth journalism about critical state issues. It was formed in 2019 through the merger of NJTV News and NJ Spotlight, creating a hybrid digital-broadcast entity that combines investigative reporting with daily television newscasts. The organization publishes investigative and analytical articles on topics such as education, healthcare, environment, and politics. It produces a daily half-hour television newscast distributed through NJ PBS and online platforms. Additionally, NJ Spotlight News hosts forums and discussions on policy issues affecting New Jersey. As a member-supported nonprofit under WNET, it relies on grants, donations, and institutional partnerships to operate while maintaining editorial independence.