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
NJ early voting starts Saturday; a map and list of every location
Nine days of early voting are being held in New Jersey for the first time, from Oct. 23 to Oct. 31. There are between three and 10 sites in each county.
NJ awards new medical marijuana licenses, mostly for growers
Half of the 14 new licenses for medical marijuana went to businesses in Central Jersey. Four of 14 would grow and sell at dispensaries. Ten are cultivators.
Candidates for governor debate and dodge NJ budget questions
The second and final gubernatorial debate was held Tuesday. Early voting starts Oct. 23, and Election Day is Nov. 2.
Union says Rutgers pay-equity offers still shortchange faculty
Rutgers University offered around $1.2 million in salary increases to settle around 100 pay-equity complaints. Union says a new system wasn't followed.
Older NJ residents say Medicare should bargain with drug makers
An FDU Poll commissioned by AARP finds nearly 90% of residents over 50 support a proposal to let Medicare negotiate for lower prescription prices.
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.
Lt. gov. debate features civil clashes on guns, MVC and more
Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver and Republican challenger Diane Allen debated at Rider University, disagreeing often but at a lower volume than the gubernatorial debate.
Nearly 7 weeks of unhealthy air days in New Jersey in 2020
New Jerseyans endured fewer days with elevated levels of air pollution last year but still experienced more than six weeks of unhealthy air, says a new report.
Home-baked goods businesses are finally legal in New Jersey
New Jersey becomes the last state to allow "cottage food" businesses to be run from residents' home kitchens. Permit applications available soon.
One week to comment on $16B plan to keep floods from NJ back bays
Public comment on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers draft plan ends Oct. 12. Construction wouldn't start until at least 2030, take 15 years or more.