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.

Cancel bear hunt due to COVID, opponents urge Murphy

Bear hunt proponents and opponents are both seeking legal remedies to expand or end this year's hunt. Foes have a new wrinkle: Shut it down due to COVID.

NJ may screen students for depression – but will help follow?

Some education groups and parents ask: What good is a depression screening if schools and the overall mental health system lack the resources to help?

Reopen schools or keep them virtual? Poll finds NJ unsure

FDU finds 46% say schools should reopen with appropriate protective measures, 42% support online learning until a COVID-19 treatment or vaccine is available.

NJ school buildings to reopen in September, with major changes

It seems unrealistic for most schools to have all students in attendance and meet social distancing rules. Hybrid approach with some virtual learning likely.

Room and board refunds: NJ colleges start announcing plans

Schools are at different points in the process of compensating displaced students for the room and board they couldn’t use when coronavirus closed campuses.

NJ’s high property taxes keep rising — average is now $8,953

New Jersey’s average residential property tax bill grew at the fastest rate in three years in 2019, 2.1%, reaching $8,953.

Should New Jersey Add Lots More Places to Buy Alcohol?

An Assembly panel begins a series of hearings into whether to expand alcohol sales in New Jersey – at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and more.

Ban on Sales of Baby Walkers in New Jersey Takes First Steps

Pediatricians back a sales ban, despite a big drop in accidents requiring emergency rooms visits. New Jersey would be the first to do it, if the bill passes.

NJ May Let Terminally Ill Patients to End Their Lives

Lawmakers again consider allowing terminally ill patients to obtain a lethal prescription from their doctors that they could use to end their life.

First Impact of NJ Minimum Wage Hike Is Local Government Workers

If the hike in the minimum wage is going to affect property taxes, one of the first places it could show up is in the school budgets approved this spring.

School Textbooks Might Need NJ’s Diversity Stamp of Approval

The Legislature might require New Jersey school districts to buy textbooks from state-approved vendors whose books accurately reflect the diversity of society.

Budget Impasse Leads to NJ Government Shutdown – Here’s What’s Open & Closed

Gov. Chris Christie has directed nonessential state services to be shut down because New Jersey’s new fiscal year began Saturday without an approved budget.