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
Noticed all the new warehouses everywhere? NJ is doing something about it
The State Planning Commission has modified and adopted guidance for siting warehouse development. But it's up to towns to decide whether to rely on it.
Expensive winter ahead: Natural gas rates going up in NJ
The Board of Public Utilities said world events drove the cost increase as they approved rate increases that take effect Oct. 1.
Mental health staff at parity in NJ schools, which isn’t all good
Access for white students has improved and is now basically even. But a report says that due to poverty, parity shouldn't be the goal.
These 27 NJ districts awarded state aid for full-day preschool
Preschool aid from the state to local school districts is now approaching $1 billion to 236 districts in total.
NJ prison officer allegedly took bribes for espresso & cold cuts
A corrections officer is accused of accepting monthly bribe payments from an inmate in exchange for smuggling contraband into Northern State Prison.
Cruel summer: Temps topped 90 degrees in NJ prisons without AC
Nearly one-third of New Jersey's state inmates live in prison housing without air conditioning. Around 3,000 correctional officers work in those units.
What to do if you were charged sales tax for tax-free school supplies in NJ
The state Treasury Department says if going back to the seller doesn't work, you can file a claim with the state to get your money back.
NJ Election 2022: What to expect as Roe backlash meets ‘red wave’
The political climate shifted since the Supreme Court overturned abortion rights, complicating the GOP's bid to flip up to four House seats in New Jersey.
Updated COVID boosters will be available around NJ within days
The state has received Pfizer and Moderna bivalent booster doses and is delivering them to more than 800 vaccine providers.
NJ readies for battle with NY over work-from-home income taxes
New York continued to tax New Jersey residents who worked from home during the pandemic for New York-based employers as if they were in their offices.
One year after Ida, added recovery funds slow to flow in NJ
Additional federal recovery funds were greenlighted by the federal government in May, but those programs are still months away from being in place.
NJ answer to school shootings: Make digital maps of all schools
The state will spend $6.5 million in federal funds to digitize school building blueprints for first responders who may need to react quickly to emergencies.