I'm the Statehouse bureau chief for New Jersey 101.5, covering the governor, Legislature and state politics, and had previously covered the Statehouse for Gannett newspapers for more than 15 years. I'm a lifelong New Jerseyan -- raised in Bergen, living in Hunterdon, Rutgers graduate. I'm co-author of the 2012 biography 'Chris Christie: The Inside Story of His Rise to Power.' I am not the Iron Chef with a similar name though sometimes get tweets meant for him, especially around Thanksgiving. Believe me, you don't want my cooking tips.
Michael Symons
Expensive Winter Ahead: Natural Gas Rates Going Up in NJ
The Board of Public Utilities said world events drove the cost increase as they approved rate increases that take effect Oct. 1.
Cruel Summer: Temps Topped 90 degrees in NJ Prisons Without AC
Nearly one-third of New Jersey's state inmates live in prison housing without air conditioning. Around 3,000 correctional officers work in those units.
NJ readies for battle with NY over work-from-home income taxes
New York continued to tax New Jersey residents who worked from home during the pandemic for New York-based employers as if they were in their offices.
Population boom: The fastest growing cities and towns in NJ
Census Bureau estimates for mid-2021 show the towns with the biggest growth were mostly in South Jersey, and particularly in Ocean County.
Wawa Pays NJ $2.5M to Settle Credit Card Data Breach
Hackers got access to credit card data for as many as 34 million transactions in six states and D.C. in 2019, both in Wawa stores and at its fuel pumps.
New NJ Law Ends Arrest, Ticket Quota Data when Evaluating Cops
Ticket and arrest quotas were already barred in New Jersey, though such data could still be used as part of a performance evaluation – but not anymore.
All New Jersey counties now covered by CDC mask recommendation
Warren County was the last to be added to the list. Five counties in the state are now rated as having high levels of COVID transmission.
Murphy says NJ schools can’t reopen safely without mask mandate
Gov. Phil Murphy says masks will be required in all schools in New Jersey because of the “recent and rampant spread” of the coronavirus delta variant.
NJ colleges prepare to prevent ‘lost generation’ of students
Higher education leaders prepare for increased demand for remedial courses and mental health services as students return to campus behind due to pandemic.
GOP Senator Questions Use Of COVID Aid For State Police Salaries
Attorney General Gurbir Grewal says the use of CARES Act money to pay for State Police salaries and overhead complies with federal guidelines.
NJ property taxes went up again in 2020 — but not in these 55 towns
Last year saw the the highest increase in the statewide tax levy in a decade,
As water bills grow, NJ urged to consider fund to help residents
Water, sewer and wastewater upgrades are likely to be costly, not to mention other climate change resiliency measures to address rising seas and floods.