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
In 9 days, COVID-19 killed more NJ residents than the flu does in a year
Over the last decade, flu caused an average 1,285 deaths a year in New Jersey. More than that were announced from COVID-19 in the last nine days.
What to do for health coverage if you’ve lost your job in NJ
Loss of a job and health coverage is a life-changing event allowing for special enrollment in the marketplace. NJ FamilyCare could also be an option.
Lottery jackpots to shrink as sales slump due to coronavirus
Mega Millions and Powerball won't start at $40 million, as they had been doing, and won't grow by $5 million to $10 million between each drawing.
For NJ Transit, traffic plunge a chance to speed up safety system
NJ Transit has struggled to meet a federal year-end deadline to install positive train control. Now it doesn't have to leave field testing to late-night runs.
Virtual local government meetings may outlive pandemic in NJ
In-person meetings of local government will return, but the online streaming and remote participation may stick even after the novel coronavirus subsides.
Stay home how long? NJ ‘up against it’ at least until May 20, report says
Center for American Progress says a long, definite time frame would be "much easier in terms of psychology." Murphy says for now it's "until further notice."
Politics without rallies, fundraising when people are broke
In an age where a pandemic has made it virtually impossible for political candidates to campaign the way they normally would, they’re left to do so virtually.
NJ starts to consider process for (eventually) reopening economy
State senator says Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver should be in charge of economic planning. Gov. Phil Murphy says a "skunkworks" team is being assembled.
Plunging gasoline sales could mean NJ gas-tax hike this fall
New Jersey's gas tax rises each year as sales decline, to ensure the state a steady level of revenue. The stay-at-home order has made gasoline sales shrivel.
NJ’s advice for the jobless, such as: Say you’re looking for work
One in 12 workers in New Jersey filed for unemployment in a two-week span. State urges patience as the system to file for benefits can't keep up.