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 May Spend $2M on NAACP National Convention in Atlantic City
The NAACP is holding its national conference in Atlantic City this summer and the state might spend $2 million to help make that happen.
How Murphy Squares Being Catholic With Signing NJ Abortion Law
Abortion is now legal under state law in New Jersey, not just through court rulings.
Hopeful Signs that Omicron COVID Surge in NJ May Be Easing
COVID-related hospitalizations as of Wednesday night totaled 5,933 – down 155 from one day earlier. The total hadn’t dropped from a day earlier since Dec. 16.
Biden Administration to Lease 480,000 Acres off NJ 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 Leaders, New Lawmakers as NJ Legislature Begins New Session
The positions of Senate president, Senate majority leader and Senate and Assembly minority leader each change hands for the first time in 10 years or more.
Murphy Again Declares COVID Public Health Emergency in NJ
With his pandemic powers and directives set to expire at day's end, Gov. Phil Murphy renewed them by again declaring a public health emergency in the state.
Lawmakers Let Murphy’s Pandemic Orders Lapse Over Mask Issue
A scheduled vote to extend many of Gov. Phil Murphy's pandemic orders was canceled after he said he'll continue a school mask mandate that's not in the bill.
NJ Legislature Passes Abortion Bill, Murphy Will Sign This Week
“This is a landmark, simple and crucial piece of legislation to codify case law to protect the fundamental right to reproductive choice for all New Jerseyans,” said Sen. Linda Greenstein, D-Middlesex.
NJ Legislature to Vote on Abortion Bill that Leaves Few Happy
Among the 170 bills that could be voted on Monday in the final meeting of the two-year legislative session is a compromise bill on abortion rights that has both sides of the issue unhappy.
New Assembly Access Rule: Negative Test, Regardless of Vax Status
The change could defuse a third round in the battle over the vaccine-or-test rule that roiled the Assembly in December.