Michael Symons

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.

NJ court affirms: You don’t have to be driving to be busted for DWI

New Jersey courts have ruled on the drunk-driving topic many times before but continue to receive appeals.

Audit finds NJ city overpaying for health benefits, sick leave

An insurance broker didn't correctly calculate the savings from joining the state's health plan. The comptroller says there's a built-in conflict.

NJ sex offender’s defense: I can’t be guilty because I’m gay

A state appeals court has denied a bid to overturn a guilty plea from someone who says he couldn't have done the crime because of his sexuality.

How they voted: NJ Assembly approves new limits on carrying guns

After narrow approval in the Assembly, the legislation now awaits two additional votes in the Senate.

Vote Restores NJ Bear Hunt, Sets Its December 2022 Start Date

Dozens of opponents turned out at the meeting of the Fish and Game Council, which voted unanimously to restore the annual hunt.

Election 2022: At Least Five NJ Counties Looking for Poll Workers

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.