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.

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.

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.

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.

NJ sex offender’s defense: I can’t be guilty because I’m gay

A state appeals court has denied a bid to overturn a guilty plea from someone who says he couldn't have done the crime because of his sexuality.

How they voted: NJ Assembly approves new limits on carrying guns

After narrow approval in the Assembly, the legislation now awaits two additional votes in the Senate.

Is RU football a waste of money? A call to investigate spending by NJ colleges

After a report about huge bills for DoorDash deliveries for the Rutgers football team, a bill seeks an office that would focus on higher education spending.

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.

Wawa Pays NJ $2.5M to Settle Credit Card Data Breach

Hackers got access to credit card data for as many as 34 million transactions in six states and D.C. in 2019, both in Wawa stores and at its fuel pumps.

Two more NJ towns add mental health screeners to police response

On two shifts a week, cops in Elizabeth and Linden will be joined by mental health screeners in responding to 911 calls for behavioral health crises.

For first time in 10 weeks, new COVID cases increasing in NJ

With Tuesday's update from the state, New Jersey’s 7-day average of new lab-detected COVID infections was 20% higher than it has been a week earlier.

Former NJ trooper who stalked female motorist gets year in prison

After letting the woman go with a warning after a motor vehicle stop, Michael Patterson followed her to make a second unwarranted stop, then followed her home.

Despite Raising Pay, Majority of NJ Businesses Say Hiring Difficult in New Survey

The 63rd annual business outlook survey by the NJBIA finds more businesses plan to expand hiring in 2022 than did in 2021.