Author

Dana DiFilippo comes to the New Jersey Monitor from WHYY, Philadelphia’s NPR station, and the Philadelphia Daily News, a paper known for exposing corruption and holding public officials accountable. Prior to that, she worked at newspapers in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and suburban Philadelphia and has freelanced for various local and national magazines, newspapers and websites. She lives in Central Jersey with her husband, a photojournalist, and their two children.
Lawmakers pass bill to make ‘sextortion’ a crime
By: Dana DiFilippo - February 3, 2023
Using sexual images to extort victims could soon become a crime in N.J., after the Senate passed a bill to criminalize “sextortion.”
Bill to protect temporary workers narrowly passes in Senate
By: Dana DiFilippo - February 2, 2023
Nearly 130,000 temporary workers scored a long-fought victory when legislators narrowly passed a bill to create workplace protections.
Bill to expand restraining orders could clog courts, critics warn
By: Dana DiFilippo - February 1, 2023
A bill pushed by Sen. Jon Bramnick would allow judges to issue more restraining orders in cases of stalking and harassment.
President Biden announces $292M in federal funding for Hudson tunnel project
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 31, 2023
President Biden announced a $292M grant to fund an early phase of the Hudson tunnel project to speed service on the U.S.'s busiest rail corridor.
Firearm fans score another victory in fight to block N.J.’s new gun ban
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 30, 2023
A federal judge Monday expanded where people can carry guns in N.J. in the ongoing bid to block a new state ban on guns in sensitive places.
Utilities derail vote on bill to aid low-income residents behind on water bills
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 27, 2023
Utilities, opposed to a program to help struggling families pay water bills, stalled a vote on a bill that would force more buy-in.
New loss for gunmaker in fight against state probe of its marketing practices
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 26, 2023
Another judge upheld an order for Smith & Wesson to comply with a state subpoena seeking records about the gunmaker’s marketing practices.
Senate president aims to speed up drivers’ record checks for attorneys, other professionals
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 26, 2023
Authorities would have to allow professionals like attorneys to check drivers' records online under a bill intended to speed up such checks.
High court sets standards for release of sex assault victims’ mental health records
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 23, 2023
Defense attorneys seeking a sex assault victim's mental health history must prove its relevance to access records, under a new ruling.
Police training firm seeks court review of ‘government overreach,’ stalling state probe
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 20, 2023
Street Cop Training is asking for a NJ Supreme Court review in its fight against a watchdog's subpoena for documents regarding a controversial conference in Atlantic City.
Bill would boost minimum amount low-income families get for food assistance
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 20, 2023
Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin wants to expand the monthly minimum SNAP food assistance benefit from $50 to $95
Debate grows over offshore wind, as whale deaths mount
By: Dana DiFilippo - January 17, 2023
With seven dead whales washing up on N.J. shores, environmentalists disagree on whether offshore wind is to blame. There's no evidence it is.