Author

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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Dana DiFilippo and Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - 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: Nikita Biryukov - November 9, 2022
State Sen. Renee Burgess and Assemblyman Alex Sauickie handily fought off challengers in their special legislative elections Tuesday.