Author

Sophie Nieto-Muñoz, a New Jersey native and former Trenton statehouse reporter for NJ.com, shined a spotlight on the state’s crumbling unemployment system and won several awards for investigative reporting from the New Jersey Press Association. She was a finalist for the Livingston Award for Young Journalists for her report on PetSmart's grooming practices, which was also recognized by the New York Press Club. Sophie speaks Spanish and is proud to connect to the Latinx community through her reporting.
In Clark, voters reelect incumbents who supported $400k payout to cover up racism scandal
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 9, 2022
Clark voters on Tuesday reelected four Republican allies of Mayor Sal Bonaccorso, who was caught on recordings making racist comments.
Republican Tom Kean Jr. leads Rep. Tom Malinowski in closely watched House race
By: Dana DiFilippo and Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 9, 2022
Former state Sen. Tom Kean Jr. enjoyed a lead over Rep. Tom Malinowski as of early Wednesday morning.
Lawmakers advance bill to require state documents to be translated into 15 languages
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 8, 2022
Over 150 languages are spoken across New Jersey households, but state agencies are usually only required to provide documents in English.
Clark mayor’s racist comments caused a furor. Can Dems use them to win in GOP stronghold?
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 7, 2022
Allies of Republican Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso — who used racist language in recordings leaked to the media in March — face voters on Tuesday.
Murphy signs law aimed at speeding up unemployment payouts
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 4, 2022
The bipartisan measure will make administrative changes to how unemployment insurance is paid out by expediting reviews of unemployment applications
Democrats denounce race-baiting campaign mailers as ‘hateful and divisive’
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 3, 2022
The campaign ad is a remnant of our country’s oppressive, segregated past, one lawmaker said.
Menendez probe provides last-minute surprise in sleepy House race in 8th District
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - October 28, 2022
Political experts say it's going to take more than reports of a scandal involving his father to shake up Rob Menendez's campaign for a House seat.
Ten years after Sandy, Hoboken offers lessons in storm resilience
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - October 28, 2022
The massive Rebuild by Design project will help Hoboken address the kind of catastrophic flooding it saw after Sandy, city officials say.
New and final deadline for applicants to New Jersey’s immigrant worker fund
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - October 26, 2022
Applicants to the Excluded New Jerseyans Fund now have until Nov. 30 to submit necessary paperwork to the state.
Public universities could face more audits for misspending under new bill
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - October 20, 2022
Sen. Declan O'Scanlon said recent headlines on Rutgers' spending inspired the legislation, which would allow state officials to appoint a special auditor to investigate claims of abusing public funds at state colleges and universities.
Deadline for N.J. voter registration is Tuesday
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - October 18, 2022
There were more than 6.4 million registered voters in New Jersey as of Oct. 1, with Democrats holding a roughly 1 million voter advantage over Republicans.
Brewery owners, restaurants spar over how to fix N.J.’s licensing rules
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - October 14, 2022
Breweries exploded in popularity in the last decade, but owners say New Jersey's strict regulations keep the industry from flourishing.