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
Record streak for New Jersey job growth snapped in October
Though the private sector added jobs, a loss in local government employment means New Jersey lost jobs overall for the first time in nearly two years.
Time runs out for NJ food banks now covered by plastic bag ban
The Nov. 4 deadline for food banks to stop distributing plastic bags wasn't extended, but the state suggests that enforcement start with 90-day warnings.
The 10 school districts in NJ with biggest loss of students
Around two-thirds of school districts in New Jersey are going through enrollment declines. See which are down most and check your district here.
Murphy plan to solve NJ school mental health debate: Fund both
The state will proceed with its switch to a new model for a school-linked mental health program – but for one year, keep funding the existing one, too.
NJ seeing a problem with more kids getting diet and muscle pills
Lawmakers and advocates say the change is needed to address an increase in body image issues leading to eating disorders.
Are your cops biased or corrupt? NJ to expand public reports on discipline
Police departments in New Jersey will have to disclose more information about serious misconduct by their officers starting in 2023.
NJ proposal to ban subscriptions for features already built into cars
Some car makers are dealers have been promoting subscriptions to activate features such as heated seats. Legislation seeks to end that practice.
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.
NJ concealed-carry gun bill rewritten to gain key endorsements
With changes to ensure that retired officers aren't affected, police unions now back the proposed legislation.
NJ gets millions of dollars from Google in settlement over ‘misleading conduct’
All told, Google will pay $391.5 million to 40 states in what is the largest-ever multistate privacy settlement with state attorneys general.