AGP Executive Report

Disaster Aid: Gov. Mikie Sherrill is seeking FEMA assistance for Monmouth, Atlantic and Cape May counties after September’s nor’easter caused more than $26 million in preliminary damage. Consumer Protection: New Jersey joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging shoppers were charged more at checkout than advertised prices. Devils: Connor Hellebuyck stopped 16 of 17 shots in his New Jersey debut as the Devils beat Dallas 5-1 for their fourth straight win. Elizabeth Shooting: One person was killed and four injured in a shooting at a vigil, according to reports. Political Safety: A new law lets New Jersey candidates use campaign funds for security guards and surveillance equipment. Paulsboro Homicide: A judge ordered a mother held without bail after prosecutors alleged she and her husband beat their 9-year-old daughter before her death.

Elizabeth Shooting: At least seven people were shot and one person was reported dead in a mass shooting in Elizabeth; police are investigating. Storm Recovery: Gov. Mikie Sherrill requested federal disaster aid for Monmouth, Atlantic and Cape May counties after a September nor’easter caused nearly $27 million in verified damage. Consumer Protection: New Jersey joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging shoppers were repeatedly charged more at checkout than advertised. The company disputes the allegations. Election Oversight: House Republicans subpoenaed New Jersey’s acting secretary of state for records tied to roughly 6,600 noncitizens mistakenly registered to vote, according to the committee. Devils: Goalie Connor Hellebuyck is set to make his New Jersey debut Tuesday night in Dallas, four days after his trade from Winnipeg. Road Safety: A Lakehurst man received nine years in prison for the fatal 2025 DWI crash that killed a road worker in a Toms River construction zone.

Elizabeth Shooting: Authorities are investigating a shooting that left at least seven people wounded; local reports say one person died and six others were injured. Election Watch: Early voting is underway in New Jersey, where Democrats have opened a widening lead in ballot returns. In the 11th Congressional District, Rep. Analilia Mejia and Republican challenger Joe Hathaway clashed over Trump, bipartisanship and Israel in a debate. Consumer Protection: New Jersey joined the FTC and 19 other states in suing Dollar General, alleging customers were routinely charged more at checkout than advertised prices. State Courts: A federal judge in Trenton refused to block Eli Lilly from running ads comparing its obesity and diabetes drugs with Novo Nordisk’s while Novo’s lawsuit proceeds. Property Tax Relief: New Jersey residents have until Nov. 2 to apply for property-tax relief, with free assistance available. Local Development: Hopewell’s planning board approved a 108,000-square-foot warehouse on Route 31.

Elections: Democrats have cast more than 260,000 additional early ballots than Republicans in New Jersey, widening their lead over this point last year, according to an analysis of voting data. Consumer Protection: New Jersey joined the FTC and 19 states in suing Dollar General, alleging the chain repeatedly charged customers more at checkout than its advertised prices. Borrower Rules: Newark Assemblyman Chigozie Onyema introduced a bill to license buy-now-pay-later lenders, cap fees and interest, and require clearer loan disclosures. Cranford Case: An 18-year-old pleaded not guilty to murder in the deaths of two 17-year-old girls struck while riding an e-bike; the next hearing is set for Dec. 14. Property Tax Relief: Residents have until Nov. 2 to apply for ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ benefits. Free filing help is scheduled in Trenton on Oct. 29 and 31. Devils: Newly acquired goalie Connor Hellebuyck joined his first team practice and said he’s ready to play, with a season debut possible during New Jersey’s road trip.

Higher Education: New Jersey’s $125 million supercomputer initiative aims to double universities’ computing capacity and boost their most advanced capabilities tenfold. Data Centers: South Brunswick residents are challenging plans for diesel backup generators at a proposed data center, saying they learned of the project only after state permitting began. Public Safety: Two women were killed and another person seriously injured in a Garden State Parkway crash in Toms River. Election 2026: Democrats outpaced Republicans by more than two to one on New Jersey’s first day of early voting. Devils: New Jersey acquired star goalie Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg in a blockbuster trade, sending Dawson Mercer and other assets to the Jets.

Early Voting: Democrats cast 57% of New Jersey’s 84,091 in-person ballots on the first day, more than twice the Republican total; party registration does not show how voters voted. In Hudson County, a machine glitch left Spanish-language ballots without the Democratic column. Trenton Hockey: The Ironhawks opened their home season with a 4-1 win over Adirondack before more than 7,000 fans, bringing pro hockey back to Trenton after 13 years. Public Safety: Two women were killed and another person seriously hurt in a Garden State Parkway crash in Ocean County. A separate apartment fire in Toms River left one woman dead and displaced five residents. Energy Costs: A New Jersey lawmaker is pushing a first-in-the-nation plug-in solar bill that would offer rebates of up to $1,000, as rising utility bills strain household budgets. Child Care: Parents told Trenton lawmakers that New Jersey’s child-care costs can rival a mortgage. Devils: New Jersey beat Los Angeles 3-1 as the team welcomed goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a blockbuster trade.

Devils: New Jersey acquired three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg in a blockbuster trade. He’s eager to play, while the Devils beat the Kings 3-1 for their third straight win. Election 2026: Early voting is underway, but a glitch in Hudson County left Spanish-language ballots without the Democratic Column B, raising concerns about access to the vote. Child Care Costs: Parents told Trenton lawmakers that New Jersey child care bills rival a mortgage, adding pressure for state action. Public Safety: A woman died and five people were displaced in a Toms River apartment fire. In West Deptford, police are investigating after two cats were shot and badly injured. Amusement Park Safety: Six Flags Great Adventure’s Nitro is among the coasters slated for seat belts after a fatal fall at a Georgia park.

Election Watch: Early voting began Saturday in New Jersey. Sen. Andy Kim and fellow Democrats are seeking assurances that federal agents won’t interfere at polling places, while Gov. Mikie Sherrill called a House subpoena for voter-registration records “political theater.” In Hunterdon County, a judge let a voter fix a mail ballot missing its inner envelope. Public Safety: A woman died in a Toms River apartment fire Friday night. Investigators say careless smoking caused the blaze; five other residents needed temporary help. Devils: New Jersey landed star goalie Connor Hellebuyck in a blockbuster trade with Winnipeg, sending several players and draft picks to the Jets. Ferry Service: Monmouth County gave NY Waterway 30 days to address service problems.

Devils’ Blockbuster: New Jersey acquired three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg, sending the Jets Dawson Mercer, goalie Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, a prospect and two draft picks. The move addresses the Devils’ biggest need and raises expectations for a playoff run. Election Watch: Early voting begins across New Jersey today. Democrats account for 65.5% of mail ballots returned so far, though party registration does not show how people voted. State courts are preparing for possible election disputes. Pemberton Meeting: Mayor Matthew Bianchini apologized after video showed him charging toward a resident and shouting threats at a heated council meeting. Trenton Remembers: Jim Morford, a longtime lobbyist who represented education, business and grocery interests in the State House, has died at 91. School Segregation Case: New Jersey’s long-running challenge over school segregation is back before an appeals court, where judges will consider whether the state’s education system violates constitutional protections.

Devils’ Blockbuster: New Jersey landed three-time Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg, sending the Jets four players and two draft picks in a major boost to the team’s goaltending. Property Tax Relief: Eligible seniors and residents with disabilities have until Nov. 2 to apply for ANCHOR, Senior Freeze and Stay NJ relief through one state application. Election Dispute: State Sen. Joe Pennacchio says the Sherrill administration has delayed his request for records on noncitizens who may have voted; House Republicans have also subpoenaed the governor over an alleged voter-registration error. Pemberton Meeting: Mayor Matthew Bianchini apologized after video showed him charging toward a resident and threatening him during a heated council meeting; the resident is calling for his resignation. Linden Refinery: Phillips 66 locked out 385 workers after they rejected a contract with proposed concessions.

Health Care: Hackensack Meridian and Hunterdon Health signed a merger deal backed by $230 million in investment pledges. It still needs regulatory approval, and patients should see no immediate changes. Election Rules: A New Jersey bill restricting federal officers and military personnel near polling places cleared an Assembly panel, but Senate leaders pulled it from Thursday’s vote, leaving its future uncertain before Election Day. Medicaid: State officials warn federal cuts could cost New Jersey $3.7 billion a year; a proposed stabilization fund aims to protect coverage as up to 330,000 NJ FamilyCare members face losing it by 2030. Schools: New Jersey’s long-running school segregation case is back before an appeals court, with judges weighing whether enrollment data can establish a constitutional violation. Local Government: Video shows Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini charging at a resident during a heated public meeting before others restrained him. Devils: New Jersey beat Anaheim 4-1 in Newark for its second straight win, while the Ducks’ losing streak reached five.

Voter-Roll Dispute: House Republicans subpoenaed New Jersey’s acting secretary of state over registrations of about 6,000 noncitizens. State officials say fewer than 400 noncitizens voted and none affected an election. Election 2026: A Stockton University poll puts President Trump’s New Jersey approval at 31%, with 55% of voters preferring Democrats to control Congress, versus 31% for Republicans. Hamilton Politics: Mayor Jeff Martin says he won’t seek a third term in 2027, setting up a contest to succeed him in the state’s ninth-largest municipality. Health Costs: New Jersey’s individual-market insurance rates are set to jump nearly 36% in 2027, adding pressure on households. George Washington Bridge: A retired NYPD detective faces a murder charge in the road-rage shooting death of a father of two that closed the bridge’s upper lanes.

Jersey Shore: After a nor’easter battered the coast, Gov. Mikie Sherrill requested emergency federal aid to repair beaches and address erosion. Bridge Shooting: A retired NYPD detective faces a murder charge in the fatal shooting of an off-duty Con Edison worker on the George Washington Bridge; investigators are examining a possible road-rage dispute. Election Scrutiny: House Republicans subpoenaed New Jersey officials for records on noncitizen voter registrations, a probe centered on claims about the state’s voter rolls. Consumer Costs: State regulators say they recovered more than $10.5 million for GEICO customers who were improperly charged. Public Safety: Nearly 370 bears were killed during the first phase of New Jersey’s bear hunt, as the state’s wildlife policy remains a contentious issue. Innovation: Sherrill launched a $125 million supercomputer initiative, while Rutgers was selected to lead a state-backed center studying social media’s effects on young people.

Bridge Shooting: A driver from Valley Cottage, New York, was fatally shot on the George Washington Bridge during Tuesday’s rush hour. No arrests have been made. Coastal Recovery: New Jersey is seeking emergency federal aid to repair beaches battered by the nor’easter, which also brought flooding and strong winds to the Shore. Worker Rights: More than 400 Newark HelloFresh workers allege abuse, denied bathroom breaks and threats of deportation in a lawsuit against the company and staffing agencies; a judge is set to review an amended complaint Oct. 23. Insurance Refunds: State regulators say GEICO must return more than $10.5 million to over 15,000 New Jersey customers and pay a $1.2 million penalty over improper charges and other violations. Wildlife: Nearly 370 bears were killed during the first phase of New Jersey’s state-sanctioned hunt, with Sussex County recording the most. Youth Online Safety: Rutgers will host a new state research center studying social media’s effects on children and potential protections.

Trade Fight: New Jersey food importer Gellert Global Group sued the Trump administration over 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, saying cheese duties alone could cost the family business about $40 million a year. School Oversight: Fairfield’s Al-Ghazaly High School disclosed it had 313 students in a building approved for 90 and is seeking permission to expand capacity to 400. Research & Innovation: Gov. Mikie Sherrill launched a $125 million supercomputer initiative, while Rutgers was selected to lead a new center studying social media’s effects on young people. Health Care: Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health signed a merger agreement backed by a planned $230 million investment. Coastal Concerns: A nor’easter is bringing high surf and coastal flooding, as Jersey Shore communities seek stronger protection from erosion. Devils: New Jersey edged Colorado 4-3 in Newark, with Declan Chisholm’s second-period power-play goal proving decisive and Jake Allen making 31 saves.

Coastal Weather: An offshore nor’easter is bringing dangerous surf, rip currents and coastal-flooding concerns to New Jersey beaches. Health Care: Hackensack Meridian Health and Hunterdon Health have signed a merger agreement that includes a $230 million investment in facilities and technology; the deal needs regulatory approval. Innovation: Gov. Mikie Sherrill launched a $125 million-plus public-private partnership to build a shared state supercomputer for research, education and business. Rutgers will also lead a new $500,000 center studying social media’s effects on young people. Public Safety: An Assembly committee advanced a bill barring police from relying solely on facial-recognition matches to support arrest warrants. Midterms: New Jersey’s closely watched House races are drawing renewed attention as forecasters shift Van Drew’s race toward Democrats and early mail voting favors Democrats in several key districts.