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.
Striking Rutgers educators say they are fighting for ‘basic needs’
By: Dana DiFilippo - April 10, 2023
The work stoppage at N.J.s largest university — the first in Rutgers' 257-year history — comes just weeks before final exams and graduation.
A fight against floppy discs evolves into a prison rights crusade
By: Dana DiFilippo - April 5, 2023
A man incarcerated in Trenton is asking courts to strike down state correctional officials' ban on flash drives and computers in prison.
Report dings N.J. for no long-range plan on funding repairs at low-income schools
By: Dana DiFilippo - April 1, 2023
More than 50 schools statewide need more than $5 billion in repairs, but the state can't get more specific than that, a new report found.
Legislators move to shield public officials’ home addresses from public
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 30, 2023
Keeping public officials' addresses secret is meant to protect them from attacks, but one critic charged it "eliminates transparency."
Budget plan includes wage hike for incarcerated people working prison jobs
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 30, 2023
People incarcerated in New Jersey would get a "modest increase" for the prison jobs they work, under the governor's budget plan.
Election watchdog chief dodges discipline for emails deemed discriminatory
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 28, 2023
Jeff Brindle, head of the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, will not be disciplined for sending controversial work emails.
Legislators propose $3M program to treat law enforcement officers in mental crisis
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 28, 2023
Law enforcement officers face unique stressors, say three lawmakers who want to spend $3 million on mental health services for them.
Bills aimed at trucker safety advance, over outcry from trucking industry
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 23, 2023
Industry lobbyists warned lawmakers that bills hiking fines and requiring GPS could reduce their efficiency and burden truckers financially.
Truckers must stay right or pay big, under bill Assembly panel to mull Thursday
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 22, 2023
A new bill would double fines for drivers of trucks weighing five tons or more who illegally use the passing lane of New Jersey highways.
What hazardous materials travel on trains around New Jersey? It’s a secret.
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 22, 2023
Authorities hide the rail routes hazardous materials travel, citing security concerns. The East Palestine disaster should change that, critics say.
Judge dismisses complaint accusing ferry operator of illegal Hudson River dumping
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 21, 2023
The Port Imperial Ferry Corporation was accused of routinely illegally dumping raw sewage and polluted bilge water into the Hudson River.
Advocates urge lawmakers to mandate minimum nurse staffing at hospitals
By: Dana DiFilippo - March 21, 2023
As a longstanding nurse shortage worsens, advocates implored legislators to pass a bill that would require minimum patient-to-nurse ratios.