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
Murphy changes his mind about NJ bear hunt after scary encounters and backlash
Last year was the first in New Jersey without a bear hunt since 2009. With complaints of bear interactions rising, a vote next week could restore it.
Who covers crashes involving car-sharing rentals? NJ may set up rules
Peer-to-peer car sharing – like Airbnb, but for cars – has state lawmakers thinking about the need to establish insurance rules in case of accidents.
NJ election results: How voters decided most-watched races
New Jersey voters returned incumbents to Congress in most of the state's districts in the 2022 election, though the Republican challenger moved ahead in the too-close-to-call 7th District.
As military signing bonuses soar, NJ congressman rips vax mandate
The Coast Guard raised its maximum bonus from $40,000 to $50,000, matching a level the Army, Navy and Air Force started in January.
Election 2022: The House races to watch in New Jersey
Democrats currently hold 10 of the 12 House seats in New Jersey. They're on defense to varying degrees in four that Republicans have targeted to regain.
First monkeypox-related death reported in New Jersey
A North Jersey resident who tested positive for monkeypox in September died last month. Cases have declined significantly, but the virus is still circulating.
Here’s where over $70 million was spent on NJ races for Congress
One district has seen more than $18 million in spending, between its candidates and independent expenditures from outside groups.
NJ election results: 600,000 have already voted — a look at the trends
New Jersey is on pace to have one-fourth of its 2022 voters take part through early voting, either in person or through mail-in ballots.
Polls show Republicans more fired up about midterms in NJ
A Stockton University poll, like recent national surveys, finds the political environment favoring Republicans with Election Day approaching.
Upgrades enacted for NJ unemployment, but you’ll have to wait
Legislation motivated by the frustrating backlog for unemployment benefits during the pandemic was signed into law Thursday by Gov. Phil Murphy.