Ledger Live with Brian Donohue. Every 17 years, a brood of periodical cicadas emerges from the ground in north and central New Jersey, swarming backyards, parks and forests, creating a near biblical scene and an unholy racket. Meanwhile, scientists are increasingly pondering the possibility that insects could be a key protein source for the world's exploding population. With cicadas swarming, Donohue sets out to gather enough for a meal in an Edison Township backyard and cook them up in the Star-Ledger kitchen with the help of reporter Vicki Hyman.
Splinters & Sand: Rebuilding our memories. Rebuilding the Jersey Shore
2014 New York Emmy Award nominee in the category, “Writer: Program.”
"Splinters & Sand: Rebuilding our memories. Rebuilding the Jersey Shore." A Ledger Live Special Report - In a tour of the Hurricane Sandy ravaged Jersey Shore in the weeks after the storm, longtime reporter and shore resident, Brian Donohue, explores the emotional attachment people have to the Jersey Shore and what makes it so broad and deep. In conversations with boardwalk business owners, homeowners and visits to emotionally significant shore spots from his own life, he looks for clues as to how the shore might be rebuilt after the storm. Donohue makes the case that the emotional and cultural value is a powerful and legitimate factor that needs to be considered as the shore is rebuilt. "Splinters & Sand" is an extended mini-documentary length episode of the Ledger Live video webcast. (Video by Brian Donohue and Bumper DeJesus)
The original "Splinters & Sand" followed by an epilogue aired on NJTV on May 2, 2013. The documentary also played on the large screen at the Victoria Theater at the New Jersey Performing Arts center during the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy as part of a multimedia remembrance of the devastation.
Ledger Live: An animated history of beach badges
Ledger Live for May 23, 2012 - Ledger Live with Brian Donohue - On today's show, animated characters Jersey Jerry and Jersey Gina head to the shore where Jerry's run-in with the beach patrol prompts a chat on New Jersey's convoluted beach badge laws.
Video: Rutgers serves the grease trucks a fat problem
Ledger Live for Tuesday, November 15th, 2011. Ledger Live with host Brian Donohue: With a recent university probe questioning whether Rutgers' long-standing food truck arrangement is legal or fair, host Brian Donohue takes to College Ave on a Friday night (umm Saturday morning) to talk to Rutgers students, current and alumni. Under a new proposal, officials of Rutgers University would require the "grease trucks" to leave campus overnight, put the coveted spaces in the lot up for public bid, raise the rent and require the trucks to collect and remove their own grease.
Snowballs in Hell Tour
Ledger Live for July 22, 2011 - Ledger Live with Brian Donohue. Snowballs saved from the 2010 New Jersey blizzard are summoned to their calling - on this week of weeks - during a record heatwave pushing temperatures over a hundred degrees throughout the state. We hit Newark Bear Stadium, Governor Chris Christie's office, and the Jersey shore's Martell's Tiki Bar in Point Pleasant.
What's that smell? Investigating New Jersey odors
The 'doughnut' phenomenon of Chester Borough and Chester Township
Ledger Live for Tuesday April 26th, 2011 - Ledger Live with Brian Donohue. On today's show: On this edition of New Jersey Towns that Shouldn't Exist, we take a look at the "doughnut town" or the town within a town, Chester Borough and Chester Township.
Ledger Live animates NJ's pension mess
"The Jersey Sting" authors visit the dirty heart of Solomon Dwek's double cross
Valentine's Day card animations
Towns that Shouldn't Exist: East Newark
Ledger Live for Monday December 6th, 2010 - Ledger Live with Brian Donohue. On today's show: Towns that Shouldn't Exist - The viewers spoke and we listened. First on our tour is East Newark.
Ledger Live highlight reel
Scenes from Ledger Live episodes with host Brian Donohue. Technical producer Bumper DeJesus and managing producer Seth Siditsky.
Source: YouTube
Battle of the Boardwalks
It's an age-old controversy between North and South (Jersey that is) and each side's love of their own Jersey Shore: Which boardwalk is better - Seaside Heights or Wildwood? Host Brian Donohue and guest host Pete Genovese of the Munchmobile make their cases.
New Jersey: Should I Stay or Should I Go?
New Jersey accents: beyond caw-fee and hoagies
New Jersey's shared sacrifice: pump your own gas
If it will save N.J. money, will Jerseyans agree to pump their own gas?
N.J. teen drivers seeing red at license plate sticker law
Will the new N.J. teen driver decal law actually stick?