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.
New Jersey gun bill narrowly clears Assembly after aggressive debate
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 21, 2022
The bill would create an extensive list of places where carrying a weapon would be banned, including beaches, bars, zoos, and sports stadiums.
Residents sound off on how to use cannabis social equity fees
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 18, 2022
From funding baby bonds to a guaranteed basic income in the state, advocates had many ideas for how to spend cannabis social equity fees.
Temp workers’ bill of rights expected to face senators again Monday
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 18, 2022
The state Senate is set to vote on a temp workers' bill of rights Monday - the fourth time it'll go before that chamber for a vote.
Name changes in N.J. now confidential, in support of transgender community
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 17, 2022
Gov. Murphy ordered name changes in N.J. exempt from public records, in line with recent court decisions and in support of transgender rights.
N.J. bear hunt likely returning despite pleas from animal activists
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 16, 2022
The New Jersey Fish and Game Council unanimously approved reinstating the controversial bear hunt after human-bear interactions spiked.
Google to pay N.J. $17M for misleading consumers on tracking services
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 14, 2022
The tech company agreed to pay out $391.5 million to 40 states, a record privacy settlement, after a four-year investigation.
Environmentalists push back on return of N.J.’s bear hunt
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 14, 2022
One year after declaring there would be no bear hunt, Gov. Phil Murphy intends to revive it after a jump in reports of human-bear encounters.
Watchdog finds fault with how state troopers are trained
By: Sophie Nieto-Munoz - November 11, 2022
The report says some State Police training violates aspects of a 1999 consent decree that left the State Police under federal oversight for a decade over complaints of racial profiling.
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.