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
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.
NJ again hits COVID vaccine target – for real this time, sort of
CDC data shows that as of July 4, just over 4.7 million New Jersey adults had been fully vaccinated. However, that's still doesn't reach 70%.
Kean to become New Jersey’s first urban research university
Research funding at Kean has already tripled since 2017, and money and opportunities may increase under designation unanimously approved by Legislature.
New NJ law: Landlords can’t ask applicants about criminal records
Gov. Phil Murphy signs the bill into law at a Paterson church as part of marking the first observation of Juneteenth as a state and federal holiday.
To help summer economy, NJ may let teens work 50 hours a week
State lawmakers have an idea for easing the labor crunch: Let 16- and 17-year-olds work overtime this summer.
NJ programs may start helping cover costs of medical marijuana
PAAD, Senior Gold, Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund and Victims of Crime Compensation Office would cover or share costs for patients' cannabis.
NJ municipalities push for more say over local marijuana rules
Cities and towns have been blocking dispensaries, some awaiting final rules from the state. They also want power to set stricter regulations than the state.
Regulators consider how potent to allow marijuana edibles in NJ
Except for one research scientist, a parade of advocates urged the state to allow high-potency edibles and concentrates to be sold at New Jersey dispensaries.
NJ COVID cases plunge over holiday weekend, lowest since last summer
Just 170 new COVID-19 cases were reported Tuesday, which likely reflects both the receding pandemic and the typical decline in testing over holiday weekends.
Plan advancing to expand NJ move-over law to cyclists and others
Drivers would have move over, ensure 4 feet of space or slow down to 25 mph under a safe-passing bill moving through the Legislature.
As NJ health emergency ends, some Murphy powers extend to Jan. 1
Legislation due for approval Thursday in the Assembly would extend life of some executive orders, including masking and distancing rules, through December.
Rules released for new COVID aid – now NJ needs its $6.4B plan
Guidance from the Treasury Departments gives states and local governments wide but not unlimted discretion on how the funds will be spent.