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
More than 480,000 acres off NJ to be leased for wind power
New Jersey and New York plan to work together on a regional cluster for developing a supply chain for America's offshore wind industry.
New Jersey Population is Shrinking, Census Bureau Estimates
New Census Bureau estimates say the population of New Jersey is down nearly 22,000 since the 2020 Census and the nation's growth is lowest in history.
Teachers might get removed from NJ public worker residency rule
With staffing shortages challenging schools, a bill moving in the Senate would remove teachers from a 2011 law requiring public workers to live in the state.
Former NJ trooper who stalked female motorist gets year in prison
After letting the woman go with a warning after a motor vehicle stop, Michael Patterson followed her to make a second unwarranted stop, then followed her home.
Despite Raising Pay, Majority of NJ Businesses Say Hiring Difficult in New Survey
The 63rd annual business outlook survey by the NJBIA finds more businesses plan to expand hiring in 2022 than did in 2021.
For English-language learners, pandemic made bad situation worse
A report built off interviews with English-as-a-second-language teachers finds the pandemic took a particular toll on immigrant students learning English.
Bill would fine NJ stores for calling out-of-state produce local
Only New Jersey-grown items would qualify as local under a bill advancing in the Senate that would levy $100 to $200 fines for out-of-state imposters.
Why gas prices didn’t drop with NJ gas tax – and now are rising
Gas stations had to clear out inventory bought at the old tax rate and don't get refunds on it. Now higher crude oil and wholesale prices will negate any drop.
Voters’ view of Murphy on COVID: Good job, despite some mistakes
Over half of voters assign blame for nursing home deaths and small business woes to the governor, but over 60% say he's handled pandemic well in Monmouth Poll.
PHOTOS: These 54 men from NJ were killed in Afghanistan’s 20-year war
At least 54 military service members who were from New Jersey or had past ties to the state died in operations related to the war in Afghanistan.
Over 63% of NJ towns block marijuana businesses, at least for now
An unofficial count shows 360 municipalities have opted out of legal marijuana industry and 90 have opted in. But new state rules could sway the reluctant.
Another $923M in federal COVID funds coming to NJ schools
Federal aid to New Jersey schools through the three pandemic recovery laws approved by Congress now exceeds $4 billion.