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.
Mourners pay their last respects to Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - August 10, 2023
Thursday marked the first of three days of memorials for Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who was the state's first Black woman Assembly speaker.
How New Jerseyans can pay their last respects to Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - August 9, 2023
Members of the public will have three chances to say goodbye to Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, who died last week at 71.
New protections for New Jersey’s temporary workers go into effect
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - August 4, 2023
New protections for New Jersey's temp workers go into effect after years of workers decrying what they call exploitative working conditions.
New Jersey initiative pairing cops with mental health experts arrives in Newark
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - August 1, 2023
The program, dubbed Arrive Together, is intended to lessen the use of force during police calls involving people with mental health issues.
Jersey City art museum project is a ‘circus of excess and waste,’ GOP report says
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - August 1, 2023
The museum will end up costing about $200 million, with a state subsidy of $5 million annually in its opening years, the GOP memo says.
N.J. attorney general says man jailed for 2003 murder is innocent
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - July 28, 2023
Dion Miller repeatedly confessed to murdering his neighbor in 2003 in statements authorities now believe were false
New Jersey attorney general fines unregistered staffing agencies $62K
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - July 28, 2023
The fines come months after the New Jersey Monitor reported on 17 staffing agencies that were not registered with the state.
Prison operator waited too long to sue over law barring ICE contracts, state attorneys argue
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - July 28, 2023
The so-called emergency cited by CoreCivic in its bid to stop enforcement of a law barring ICE contracts is "self-created," the state says.
New law aims to bring uniformity to how New Jersey clerks report election results
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - July 27, 2023
Supporters said they believe the changes will bring clarity to the reporting of election results and restore faith in the elections process.
N.J. law regulating temporary staffing industry can go into effect, judge rules
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - July 27, 2023
The law known as the "temporary workers' bill of rights” was signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in February after years of advocacy from immigrant and labor groups.
N.J. board approves building electrification plans over critics’ objections
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - July 26, 2023
The board president denounced people who he says are spreading misinformation about the government banning gas stoves and heaters.
Governor Murphy announces pick for new state health commissioner
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - July 25, 2023
If confirmed, Kaitlan Baston would succeed state Health Commissioner Judy Persichilli, who is stepping down in August after four years on the job.