Michael Symons

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.

NJ local officials, unions rally for last-gasp bid to head off tax hike

They want the state to provide $350 million toward grants to offset the impact of higher health care premiums. They promise $100 million in recurring savings.

Learning loss toll in NJ: Test scores show a 7-year setback

The percentage of students with passing scores on the NJSLA was down by nearly 9% on English and around 10% on math, data issued Wednesday shows.

States move to ban TikTok – could New Jersey join them?

Maryland, South Dakota and South Carolina decided the security threat posed by TikTok relative to China's government is too great to allow use of the app.

Bill would make NJ first with bike helmet mandate for adults

Legislation introduced this week would expand the bicycling helmet law to people over age 17 in New Jersey.

Does NJ have too much standardized testing in its schools?

A legislative committee questions if New Jersey requires too many state standardized tests and takes too long to announce results.

NJ judges allow bear hunt to continue — but is the fight really over?

The state Department of Environmental Protection said the bear hunting season will start at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

How bad are car thefts in New Jersey? The real numbers for 2022

An Assembly committee advanced a four-bill package aimed at car thefts Monday. The big spike in that crime began to subside in August, state data indicates.

Who drives electric cars? The places in NJ with the most EVs

And all counties in New Jersey, ranked by their share of electric vehicles - which now account for more than 1 of every 100 cars in the state.

Marijuana bars: NJ proposes rules for public consumption areas

In addition to opportunities for businesses, the consumption areas provide an outlet for people such as renters who might not be able to use cannabis at home.

The richest and poorest counties in New Jersey, ranked

Federal data shows every county enjoyed income gains in 2021 to varying degrees, with one up 10% but some only about half that.

Audit finds NJ city overpaying for health benefits, sick leave

An insurance broker didn't correctly calculate the savings from joining the state's health plan. The comptroller says there's a built-in conflict.

NJ court affirms: You don’t have to be driving to be busted for DWI

New Jersey courts have ruled on the drunk-driving topic many times before but continue to receive appeals.