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
Sweeney: Four Atlantic City casinos could close without tax help
Bills advanced in the Senate that would reduce the casino's yearly payments in lieu of property taxes and add a $3 nightly surcharge on stays in casino hotels.
Tolls on NJ Turnpike, Garden State Parkway rising 3% in January
When tolls were hiked significantly last year, the vote also authorized annual increases to account for inflation and pay for construction plans.
Murphy edges ahead in too-close-to-call NJ governor’s race
Additional votes tallied overnight and Wednesday morning show Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy ahead of Republican Jack Ciattarelli by nearly 7,200 votes, 0.3%.
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.
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.
FEMA adds four NJ counties to Ida major disaster declaration
Essex, Hudson, Mercer and Union counties were added to the declaration that already included Bergen, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Passaic and Somerset.
All New Jersey counties now covered by CDC mask recommendation
Warren County was the last to be added to the list. Five counties in the state are now rated as having high levels of COVID transmission.
NJ teachers brace for more COVID trauma as pandemic lengthens
Among the inequities aggravated by the pandemic are the differences in school systems.
First COVID vaccines climb in NJ; pace up 42% from a month ago
More than 141,000 state residents got first COVID vaccines between July 20 and Aug. 2, according to CDC data.
Labor shortage about to get worse, as students return to college
The return of college students to campus is an annual rite of passage marking the end of summer – but will add to the current challenge for employers.