Author

Nikita Biryukov

Nikita Biryukov

Nikita Biryukov most recently covered state government and politics for the New Jersey Globe. His tenure there included revelatory stories on marijuana legalization, voting reform and Rep. Jeff Van Drew's decamp to the Republican Party. Earlier, he worked as a freelancer for The Home News Tribune and The Press of Atlantic City.

Lawmakers postpone vote on bill tweaking plastic bag ban

By: - November 22, 2022

Some lawmakers want changes to the ban to reflect complaints that food delivery companies are inundating customers with reusable bags.

Ex-aide to N.J. Senate president pleads guilty to tax evasion, fraud charges

By: - November 21, 2022

Prosecutors said Tony Teixeira and an associate, Sean Caddle, conspired to overbill political campaigns and other groups and then split the overpayments between each other.

Lawmakers launch push for grief education in schools

By: - November 21, 2022

Union County senators' bill would require schools to educate students in eighth through 12th grades about grief symptoms and coping skills.

State commission probes law on bicycle DWIs

By: - November 18, 2022

Competing precedent makes it unclear whether drunk bicycling is against the law, with electrified pedaled vehicles causing more confusion.

Lawmakers in early talks on OPRA reform

By: - November 17, 2022

Legislators have begun exploring changes to the Open Public Records Act in a bid to limit commercial requests and cut municipal costs.

Six months after chief justice’s dire warning, court vacancies loom large

By: - November 16, 2022

Lawmakers and Gov. Phil Murphy have reduced the crippling number of judicial vacancies only by six since May, a rate of one per month.

Sweeping gun bill clears Assembly committee for fourth time

By: - November 15, 2022

Another wave of amendments changed restrictions that could have seen heavy penalties for those carrying knives, mace in parks and schools.

Mercer County counts continue after scanner snafu

By: - November 11, 2022

By Friday afternoon, election officials had tallied ballots cast on Election Day, but thousands of mail and provisional ballots remained.

Lawmakers eye another expansion of new tax rebate program

By: - November 11, 2022

Bill backed by Assembly speaker would allow renters who live in buildings that do not pay traditional property taxes to claim ANCHOR tax credits

GOP losses prompt soul-searching among N.J. Republicans

By: and - November 10, 2022

Republicans had predicted a red wave in Tuesday's midterm elections. But while there were victories, it wasn't the rout they imagined.

Republican Tom Kean Jr. wins House race against Rep. Tom Malinowski

By: - November 9, 2022

The two-term incumbent conceded Wednesday morning after it became clear Election Day tallies left him without a path to reelection.

Incumbents win two special legislative elections

By: - November 9, 2022

State Sen. Renee Burgess and Assemblyman Alex Sauickie handily fought off challengers in their special legislative elections Tuesday.