Bright lights floating or flying in the night sky above New Jersey have captivated residents for nearly a month. Now the sightings, which many observers believe to be drones, have spread throughout the region.

Officials sound alarm over reports of the strange sights—seen over New Jersey, New York, Maryland and Pennsylvania—with one asking for a “limited state of emergency.”

Hundreds of drone sightings that began in mid-November over New Jersey have residents paying more attention to the night sky as lawmakers demand answers from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security. Though its not known who is controlling the ...