MIKE CATALINI

State government reporter

Catalini covers government, elections and news primarily in New Jersey for The Associated Press. He focuses on accountability and how policy affects people.

Virginia House of Delegates, Del.-elect, Nicole Cole, left, speaks with constituent Kaitlyn Sapp at a convenience store Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, in Fredericksburg, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Voters in Virginia and New Jersey send a message: It’s Trump’s economy now

The economy and rising prices were high on the minds of voters on Election Day, and those concerns contributed to a Democratic sweep of statewide offices in Virginia and New Jersey.

Packages of imported Italian pasta sit on shelves Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

Aficionados fret as Trump moves to make pasta great again

The U.S. Commerce Department has launched an antidumping review targeting Italian pasta, claiming it’s sold below market prices.

Coach John Beam during football practice at Skyline High School in Oakland, Calif., on Oct. 5, 2000. (Kendra Luck/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

College football coach John Beam from ‘Last Chance U’ has died after being shot

Police in Oakland, California, say Laney College football coach John Beam, known from Netflix’s “Last Chance U,” has died after being shot on campus.

Congresswoman Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., speaks to the press after Newark mayor Ras Baraka was arrested while protesting at Delaney Hall ICE detention prison, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)

Judge denies New Jersey Rep. McIver’s request to dismiss Trump administration charges

A federal judge has denied Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver’s motions to toss out a federal prosecution against her stemming from a visit to an immigration detention center this year.

People wait in line durning an emergency food distribution at The Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Mitzvah Food Program in Philadelphia, Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments

The Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown.

New Jersey governor-elect Mikie Sherrill attends a photo opportunity in the governor's office in Trenton, N.J., Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Sherrill says she has a mandate as New Jersey’s next governor and will focus on affordability

Mikie Sherrill says she believes she has a mandate as New Jersey’s governor-elect to fulfill campaign promises of making the state more affordable.

Supporters at New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill's election night party cheer as early results are seen in East Brunswick, N.J., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Democrat Mikie Sherrill elected governor of New Jersey, defeating opponent who aligned with Trump

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill has been elected governor of New Jersey. Her victory over Republican Jack Ciattarelli shores up Democratic control of a state that has been reliably blue in presidential and Senate contests but had shown signs of shifting rightward in recent years.

New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli speaks during a campaign rally on Saturday, Nov 1, 2025, in Westfield, N.J. (AP Photo/Olga Fedorova)

Republicans seek to tap into Trump energy on eve of Election Day in New Jersey, Virginia

New Jersey Republicans are trying to ride the coattails of President Donald Trump’s 2024 electoral momentum.

Former President Barack Obama endorses New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mikie Sherrill at a campaign rally, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis)

Obama blasts Trump ahead of Election Day in Virginia and New Jersey

Former President Barack Obama is urging voters to use Tuesday’s elections in Virginia and New Jersey to rebuke President Donald Trump and candidates loyal to him.

Republican gubernatorial candidate and current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears resides over the Virginia Senate during a special legislative session, Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, Richmond, Va. (Mike Kropf/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)

Debate over energy costs fuels clear divide in New Jersey and Virginia governor’s races

Climbing monthly electricity bills, a growing stressor on U.S. families as demand surges for energy, have emerged as a significant issue in the nation’s only two elections for governor this year and as a test on the political parties’ messages for next year’s midterms.

Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., demands the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest while protesting outside of Delaney Hall ICE detention facility, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)

Judge says DHS social media posts in Rep. McIver prosecution are ‘prejudicial’ and should be removed

A federal judge overseeing the Trump administration’s prosecution of U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver on charges she assaulted and impeded immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center told the government to remove social media posts he called “prejudicial” to the congresswoman.

Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025. (Pool File via AP, file)

Appellate judges question moves to keep Alina Habba in place as top New Jersey prosecutor

Federal appeals court judges questioned the Trump administration’s maneuvers to keep the president’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, in place as New Jersey’s top federal prosecutor.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli speaks during the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race with Democrat Mikie Sherrill, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

GOP’s immigration pitch to New Jersey Latinos aims for some distance from Trump in governor’s race

Jack Ciattarelli has been endorsed by Donald Trump in next month’s New Jersey governor’s election and is a strong supporter of the Republican president and his agenda.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill participates in the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race with Republican Jack Ciattarelli, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Obama, aiming to boost Democrats in New Jersey and Virginia, endorses Sherrill and Spanberger

Barack Obama has endorsed Democratic candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger for governor in New Jersey and Virginia.

Republican Jack Ciattarelli, left, and Democrat Mikie Sherrill participate in the final debate in the New Jersey governor's race, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in New Brunswick, N.J. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Mikie Sherrill and Jack Ciattarelli clash over Trump, shutdown in final New Jersey governor’s debate

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli have repeatedly clashed during their second and final debate in the closely watched race for New Jersey governor.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger speaks to a crowd on the first day of early voting in Henrico County, Va., Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Mike Kropf /Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP)

Democrats in governors races see political opportunity amid government shutdown

Democrats say fallout from the Trump administration’s aggressive tactics on the government shutdown could give them a welcome boost in the only two governors’ races on the ballot this year.

A protester is sprayed by a Department of Homeland Security officer outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Portland braces for federal troops as protests escalate and a conservative influencer is arrested

Five years after protests roiled Portland, Oregon, the city known for civil disobedience is again at the center of a political maelstrom as it braces for the arrival of federal troops promised by President Donald Trump.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

Democrats wary support may be sliding among typically loyal voters in New Jersey governor’s race

New Jersey’s contest for governor is seeing some groups that traditionally support Democrats, like union and Black leaders, raising concerns about prospects in November.

Democrat Mikie Sherrill responds to questions during the first general election gubernatorial debate with Republican opponent Jack Ciattarelli, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)

Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey pushes back after GOP questions her service record

The Democratic candidate for governor of New Jersey in this year’s high-stakes race is defending her Navy service amid questions surrounding a cheating scandal during her time at the Naval Academy, and pushing back against the Trump administration’s release of her mostly unredacted military records.

Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli, left, shake hands with Democratic candidate for governor Mikie Sherrill, right, and before debate Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Lawrenceville, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Candidates clash over Trump, costs and political divisions in New Jersey governor’s debate

Democrat Mikie Sherrill and Republican Jack Ciattarelli are facing off for the opening debate in New Jersey’s high-stakes governor’s race.

A vehicle marked with messages written on its windows in tribute to Turning Point USA CEO and co-founder Charlie Kirk and carrying an American flag, drive past at Utah Valley University, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Orem, Utah. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Political leaders confront security concerns — and fear — after Kirk’s assassination

Some political leaders are canceling public appearances after Charlie Kirk’s killing. Others are relying on a large police presence to keep them safe.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin announces he and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison are suing Glock gun manufacturer to get them to stop selling guns that can be modified with a switch to turn into a machine gun like weapon, Dec. 12, 2024, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Mike Catalini, File)

Appeals court upholds New Jersey’s ban on carrying firearms in sensitive places

A federal appeals court has upheld a New Jersey law that barred carrying firearms in so-called sensitive places like schools and public gatherings.

Republican Winsome Earle-Sears greets voters at her military-themed rally at Saucy’s Sit-Down Bar.B.Q in Hopewell, Va., on Aug. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Olivia Diaz)

Democrats, GOP test their playbooks as Trump looms over elections in Virginia and New Jersey

Democrats and Republicans are testing dueling playbooks in fall elections that will decide the leadership of Virginia and New Jersey — and perhaps a new direction for the parties heading into next year’s midterms.

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, center, leaves the Putnam County Jail, Friday, Aug. 22, 2025, in Cookeville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, free for now from jail, could be deported to Uganda. Here’s what to know

The Trump administration plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he declined a plea deal involving deportation to Costa Rica.

FILE — Alina Habba, President Donald Trump's pick to be the interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, arrives to speak with reporters outside the White House, March 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Judge says former Trump lawyer Alina Habba has been unlawfully serving as US attorney in New Jersey

A judge has ruled that President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Alina Habba, has been unlawfully serving as the the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey. U.S.

In a Tuesday, March 11, 2008 photo, Christian evangelical leader and founder of "Focus on the Family", James Dobson, listens to President Bush, not pictured, address the National Religious Broadcasters 2008 Convention at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, file)

James Dobson, Focus on the Family founder and key leader on the Christian right, dies at 89

James Dobson, a child psychologist who founded the conservative ministry Focus on the Family and was a politically influential campaigner against abortion and LGBTQ+ rights, has died at age 89.

The Department of Justice seal is seen during a news conference at the DOJ office in Washington, May 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)

20 states and DC sue DOJ to stop immigration requirements on victim funds

A coalition of attorneys general from 20 states and Washington, D.C., is asking a federal judge to stop the U.S.

California man rescued after being trapped for 2 days behind waterfall

California police rescued a man trapped for two days behind a waterfall. Ryan Wardwell, 46, was rappelling down the Seven Teacups waterfalls when the force of the water pushed him off his climbing lines.

Sgt. Quornelius Radford, a suspect in the shooting of five soldiers at Fort Stewart, is escorted by military police into a booking room at the Liberty County Jail in Hinesville, Ga., Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Lewis M. Levine)

Fort Stewart Army sergeant in custody after he shot 5 soldiers, officials say

An Army sergeant has been accused of shooting five soldiers at Fort Stewart. Officials say Wednesday that other troops tackled 28-year-old Sgt.

Vehicles are seen being taken by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in Lake County, Tennessee on July 30, 2025, near the area where four family member were found dead. (WHBQ via AP)

Man accused in Tennessee family’s killings captured, but motive and why he spared a baby unknown

Police say the man facing charges that he killed the parents, grandmother and uncle of an infant found left in a western Tennessee yard last week has been arrested.

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