MONTCLAIR - A justice-driven reporter by nature, citizen activist Ivette Mendez went from newspaper newsrooms to camera phones but never lost the pulse of New Jersey's streets and the men and women who walk them and drive them.

A people's insider, she has worked in many capacities throughout her storied career in politics and government and the news trade.

Born in Puerto Rico, raised in Plainfield, a reporter for the Paterson News and reporter and columnist for the Star-Ledger, Mendez worked as communications director for Governor Jon Corzine and would go on to work on successful campaigns in Perth Amboy and statewide as political director for 1199SEIU. Significantly, she helped Wilda Diaz become mayor of Perth Amboy in the 2008 election when Diaz improbably toppled incumbent Mayor Joe Vas.

These days, the ever-cool Mendez - early champion of the earpiece phone - teaches yoga to stay centered, and continues her work as a reporter, now on the New Jersey ICE beat, committed to bringing attention to the unjust arrest by masked and armed federal agents of New Jersey workers.

She sat down for coffee this morning with InsiderNJ to discuss ICE, the news media, President Donald Trump, Governor Mikie Sherrill, and the upcoming Nov. 3rd elections.

Listen to the InsiderNJ Podcast with Ivette Mendez HERE: