The 'Bridgegate trial' has begun for former Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority. And Chris Christie's name has been coming up a lot in federal court in Newark.

On the very first day, prosecutors came out and said the governor knew about the politically motivated lane closures leading to the George Washington Bridge while they were happening.

We kick off season two of the Christie Tracker Podcast: The Bridgegate Trial with WNYC's Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein, who are witnessing every minute of the trial unfold. They join host David Furst for analysis, behind the scenes stories from the trial and the latest on how this all might affect Chris Christie's involvement in the 2016 election.

Andrea says one of the reasons why the Bridgegate saga continues to be fascinating is because 'it's Hamlet meets American Hustle.'

WNYC Studios is the producer of other leading podcasts including Freakonomics Radio, Radiolab, Here's The Thing with Alec Baldwin, Death Sex & Money and many more.

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We've been on hiatus for a while.

But summer break is over. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band wrapped up their tour. Beach season is done. And we got kicked out of the rental in Manasquan.

Oh, and the Bridgegate trial is finally underway for former Governor Christie staffer, Bridget Anne Kelly and Bill Baroni, the former Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority.

So it was time to reemerge.

We're re-launching with a new season of podcasts starting this Wednesday, September 21st. And we'll be joined once again by WNYC's award-winning team of Matt Katz and Andrea Bernstein. Download a new show every week for analysis, behind the scenes stories from the trial and the latest on how it all might affect Chris Christie's involvement in the 2016 election. 

From Bridgegate to the Chairman’s Flight... and from the scuttling of the ARC Hudson River tunnel project to the precarious finances of state’s depleted transportation trust fund, the Christie administration has been defined by controversy related to travel and transportation. 

This week, it was revealed that New Jersey taxpayers have shelled out nearly $1.8 million for his Executive Protection Unit when Governor Christie goes out of state.

NJPR’s Matt Katz joins host David Furst to discuss what he calls the governor’s Achilles heel. “Travel and Christie’s personal political ambitions have always been intertwined.” Matt takes us way back to the time before he was U.S. Attorney for New Jersey to show how travel-related issues dogged Christie throughout his career.

We’re also joined by reporter, Ginger Gibson. She covered Christie’s personal use of state police helicopters for the Star-Ledger during his first term.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker and Matt’s new book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

Depending on who you were talking to, it was either the most shocking thing the governor has ever done or not surprising at all. But certainly everyone was talking about it.

Chris Christie’s endorsement of Donald Trump sent the political world reeling and had New Jersey residents wondering when they might ever see their governor again. Just over two weeks after suspending his own presidential bid, the governor was back out on the campaign trail – this time working for his buddy, Donald.

NJPR’s Matt Katz joins us to try to make sense of the situation. He tells host David Furst that even “some members of his inner circle were shocked by this.”

We also speak with Jennifer Rubin who writes the conservative Right Turn blog for the Washington Post. In the past, she has been an admirer of the governor. But after the Trump endorsement, she unleashed a series of tweets and columns that, uh, did not hold back – as headlines like “Chris Christie is Now Ruined” made perfectly clear.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker and Matt’s new book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

With Governor Christie out of the presidential race and his budget speech out of the way, the Christie Tracker Podcast is shifting to a bi-weekly schedule.

But we've left you with a mashup of Christie-speak from the campaign trail. (See if you can guess which three-letter phrase seemed to pop up more than any other during his TV, town hall and debate appearances.)

And join us here next Wednesday, March 2nd. We'll be back with New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz and all the latest Christie news.

Until then, you can always re-read Matt's book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption or check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

It was the first sight most New Jerseyans had of Chris Christie since he dropped out of the presidential race. The governor was back behind a podium, addressing a joint session of the state legislature.

Never one to do anything on a small scale, his annual budget speech provided the perfect vehicle for his return to Jersey politics, full time.

For once, Christie had no hybrid title. No "Presidential Candidate" or even "RGA Chairman" to preface his actual job: governor.

And this time, his speech wasn't aimed over the heads of New Jersey residents at a potential national audience of Republican primary voters.

But what did he say? NJPR's Matt Katz says it was "Pensions 2.0." Matt joins host David Furst for analysis and shares his thoughts on Christie's return to Jersey.

Plus:

Michael Aron, Chief Political Correspondent for NJTV offers a unique perspective on Christie's resiliency. Aron has known Chris Christie since his days as U.S. Attorney. And he has interviewed every NJ governor since Tom Kean.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie delivers his FY 2017 budget address, 2-16-16.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker and Matt’s new book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

Chris Christie has suspended his campaign for the White House. In a statement he said, "I leave the race without an ounce of regret."

This week, we look back on his quest to become the next president. And NJPR's Matt Katz explains what went wrong for the Gov in New Hampshire.

Christie spent more than 70 days campaigning in the Granite State. He held 76 town hall events there. But in the end, he could only muster a 6th place finish - last among the three remaining governors in the race.

Plus:

New Jersey Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto joins host David Furst to imagine what working with a returning Governor Christie might be like.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie addresses supporters in New Hampshire, Feb. 9, 2016.

 Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker and Matt’s new book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

After months of campaigning, primary season just got real.

And real ugly for Team Christie.

Iowa dealt a major blow to the guy hoping to be the top governor coming out of the caucuses. Instead, he came in 10th overall - and dead last in the governors sweepstakes, behind Bush, Kasich and, yes, Huckabee.

Senior Editor for Politics & Policy for WNYC News, Andrea Bernstein and New Jersey Public Radio’s Matt Katz join us to pick up the pieces of the Christie campaign and see if it can be put back together again in time for voting in New Hampshire. As Christie unleashes a torrent of Town Halls on the Granite State, Andrea tells host David Furst the campaign's response to Iowa has been, "Move along, there's nothing to see here."

Also:

Wall Street Journal reporter, Aruna Viswanatha joins us to talk about hedge fund billionaire Steve Cohen. This past weekend we learned he gave $4 million dollars to America Leads, the super PAC supporting Governor Christie.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks at the Iowa State Fair, Aug. 22, 2015.

Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker and Matt’s new book, American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

First, Governor Christie says he’s not coming back to New Jersey. Then, he arrives in time for the winter storm and says he was planning to all along – if the situation demanded his presence. He leaves after less than 40 hours and rushes back to New Hampshire for more campaigning (and a Patriots game). After the storm, he says there’s “no residual flooding damage.”

“I don’t know what you expect me to do? You want me to go down there with a mop?”

Then, facing criticism, he returns to Jersey and clarifies.

It all seemed so… indecisive.

NJPR’s Matt Katz joins host David Furst to talk about the governor’s case of winter storm whiplash.

Matt’s new book is American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption.

We're also joined by Josh Rogers, Senior Political Reporter for New Hampshire Public Radio, with the latest on Christie's standing in the state.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, press briefing on snow storm preparedness in Newark, NJ, Jan 22, 2016

 Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.

Wait no more, Gov.

American Governor: Chris Christie’s Bridge to Redemption is officially on the shelves this week.

Back when he inked a deal to write a book about New Jersey’s popular governor, Matt Katz didn't know – and therefore nobody knew –  the word Bridgegate.

Now, over two years later, Christie is running for president in an entirely changed political landscape. American Governor tells the story of the Governor’s rise, fall and attempted comeback.

This week, New Jersey Public Radio's Matt Katz joins host David Furst to talk about the book, and what it’s like covering the man he calls the “most compelling politician in America today.”

American Governor manages to reveal new details about the governor’s life – no small feat considering its subject’s famously open emotions and expansive storytelling. On the podcast, Matt shares stories about Christie’s marital difficulties and the “fight closet” he uses with Mary Pat.

But yeah, five years on the beat have taken their toll.

He dreams about Christie now.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie meets with Matt Katz and reporters for annual, off-the-record summer drinks at the Jersey Shore in 2014.

 Check out the WNYC Data News App: The Christie Tracker.