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
Is NJ growing or shrinking? Your town’s newest population numbers
More than half of New Jersey's municipalities are thought to have experienced population declines in the first 15 months since the 2020 Census.
How NJ wants to make it easier for teens to get working papers
With a workforce shortage continuing and summer here, lawmakers may let teens work longer days and weeks and simplify the process for getting working papers.
Gas tax talks start this summer, with NJ needing TTF plan by 2024
The eight-year Transportation Trust Fund financing plan was approved in 2016 so is already almost three-fourths completed.
NJ graduation rate dips in 2021; check out all high schools here
The graduation rate for New Jersey high schools dipped from 2020 to 2021 to 90.6%. A second calculation required by the federal government shows it as 88.5%.
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy tests positive for COVID-19
Gov. Phil Murphy's office announced he tested positive for COVID-19 and will isolate for five days.
Lawmakers look to extend NJ outdoor dining rules at least to 2024
When indoor dining at restaurants closed at the start of the pandemic, outdoor dining became an option and lifeline. The law enabling it expires in November.
NJ might stop suspending driver’s licenses over unpaid parking tickets
People would no longer risk having their driver’s licenses suspended for failure to pay parking tickets, though their car registrations could be.
So long, snow days? Senate panel OKs remote school for weather
Online school days are now allowed only due to pandemic-related reasons, but a Senate committee endorsed a bill allowing them for weather and other emergencies.
Average NJ property tax bill near $9,300 – Check your town here
Property taxes in New Jersey climbed by nearly 2% again last year, restrained by the cap but still amounting to a $583 million tax hike.
Hopeful signs that omicron COVID surge in NJ may be easing
The 7-day average in lab-reported cases has dropped 12% from its Monday peak. Hospitalizations also dropped in Thursday's report.