AGP Executive Report

9/11 Anniversary Coverage: North Jersey marked the 25th anniversary with ceremonies and moments of silence, including Parsippany’s memorial for seven local victims and tributes across the region. Local Impact & First Responders: Stories from responders and survivors highlight ongoing health struggles tied to Ground Zero exposure and the push for stronger support. Public Health Update: The FDA declared a multi-state Cyclospora outbreak over, with 12,883 confirmed illnesses across 21 states and guidance that recalled iceberg lettuce is off the market. NJ Politics/Government: State Sen. Joseph Cryan praised the dismantling of New Jersey’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, as a long-running case involving former Assemblyman Jason O’Donnell heads toward a possible pre-trial intervention outcome. Business & Community: Ewing’s J&S AutoHaus is sharing real customer luxury-car buying experiences via YouTube Shorts, while New Jersey’s Art of Living Foundation is set to host “An Evening with Gurudev” in New Brunswick.

9/11 Remembrance in NJ: Bergen County held a 25th-anniversary vigil at Overpeck Amphitheater in Ridgefield Park, with first responders, community groups, and officials honoring local ties to Sept. 11. State Payments: New Jersey’s ANCHOR tax relief checks and direct deposits begin Tuesday, Sept. 15—here’s what homeowners and renters need to know before payments move. Food Safety: De Todito potato chips containing pork cracklings imported from Colombia are being recalled in NJ and Utah after USDA FSIS flagged the shipment as ineligible to enter the U.S. Politics & Voting: DHS/ICE HSI announced the arrest of a non-citizen accused of illegally voting in the 2024 general election. Aviation Incident: A Russian passenger on a flight to Newark was restrained after allegedly trying to open a door midair and assaulting crew, leading to an emergency diversion to Maine. Sports (NJ ties): The Giants open the 2026 season at MetLife Stadium vs. the Cowboys, with storylines including Malik Nabers’ return and the Harbaugh era.

ICE & civil liberties: New Jersey Attorney General Jeff Jackson backed a coalition urging a federal appeals court to keep limits on ICE warrantless arrests, arguing officers must follow safeguards. State oversight & politics: Senate and Assembly Republicans Bucco and DiMaio are pushing for a bipartisan legislative probe into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell allegations and the Sherrill administration’s handling, citing transparency concerns. 9/11 remembrance in NJ: Advocates say the “Empty Sky” memorial is still unfinished and needs repairs as the 25th anniversary approaches. Housing & fraud watch: A state watchdog is urging stronger protections against deed fraud, warning scams have grown with more remote real estate deals. Business in NJ: Mindray opened an expanded Mahwah warehouse, adding capacity as it broadens products. Health: Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies America pledged $100M to cut U.S. maternal mortality in half by 2031. Local economy: Clementon Park and Splash World announced it’s closing after 119 years and is seeking a buyer.

Lt. Gov. Caldwell Probe: Gov. Mikie Sherrill is keeping details tight as an outside law firm investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell’s alleged misconduct appears near the end, with Sherrill saying complaints are “taken very seriously.” Local Housing Fight: Gloucester Township’s proposed Freeway Pointe development on the former Freeway Golf Course—743 homes on 154 acres—faces renewed pushback as a zoning board vote was delayed. Courts & Consumer Safety: A New Jersey woman sues a Paramus psychic, alleging she was swindled out of nearly $80,000; and the FDA/USDA-linked recall news hits too, with pork cracklings products recalled over production issues. Business & Health: Bayer won accelerated FDA approval for HYRNUO for HER2-mutated lung cancer, while BetMGM rolled out its 2026-27 football lineup. Sports: Ryder Cup qualifying for 2027 is changing, with the BMW Championship at Liberty National in New Jersey set as a key stop.

Pipeline Ruling: A federal appeals court vacated New Jersey’s water-quality approval for a proposed Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line project, saying the state improperly deferred monitoring and corrective-action requirements. Cold Case Breakthrough: Florida investigators identified David Allen Snyder as the suspect in the 1973 murders of two New Jersey teen sisters, using DNA and genetic genealogy; Snyder died in 2008 without facing trial. Public Safety & Courts: A man found with a knife wound in his chest in Ocean County was charged with killing his wife, after police said the wound was self-inflicted. Health Update: Rutgers coach Steve Pikiell announced he’s being treated for cancer after successful surgery, with associate coach Brandin Knight empowered to run the team. Sports Business: LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 in New Jersey as Saudi funding ends, with major players reportedly owed millions. Tech & Privacy Debate: A national discussion on Flock Safety’s license-plate camera surveillance is heating up as questions grow about monitoring large gatherings. Robocall Fight: NJ and other attorneys general urged the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls. Local Life: Here’s where to pick your own apples in New Jersey this season, with some farm hours still changing.

LIV Golf Bankruptcy: LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 in a New Jersey court, saying it has $100M–$500M in assets and $500M–$1B in liabilities, with big-name players like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau listed among major creditors as the tour plans a 2027 return under a “player-first” ownership model. Immigration Crackdown: The U.S. Department of Labor suspended Cognizant’s (and also Cloudera’s) PERM green-card filings amid a fraud probe, adding pressure to New Jersey’s major tech employer and raising uncertainty for workers waiting on permanent residency. Local Politics: New Jersey lawmakers are demanding answers from Gov. Mikie Sherrill over reports that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under investigation for alleged misconduct toward women and possible ethics violations. Public Health & Food Safety: USDA recalled more than 1,500 pounds of imported pork guanciale products over possible listeria contamination, with distribution tied to New Jersey. Community Spotlight: Rutgers dental students brought “Give Kids a Smile Day” to Franklin Township elementary schools, serving 150 children. Aviation Safety Debate: An Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami is reigniting calls to require runway safety buffers after the FAA stopped short of making them universal.

State Politics: Gov. Mikie Sherrill finally addressed reports of an internal investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, saying any credible misconduct report must be “fully examined and addressed,” without naming him or adding details. Aviation Incident: A New Jersey gun range owner and his employee were identified as the passengers who duct-taped an unruly American Airlines traveler to his seat after a violent, racist and homophobic meltdown—reportedly sparked by a two-hour religious conversation with a rabbi. Public Safety & Health: USDA recalled more than 1,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork products due to possible listeria contamination, including items distributed by companies in Hoboken and Fort Lauderdale. Business & Jobs: Diversified plans to consolidate four NJ locations into a new Newark facility, aiming for full operations by late October. Nuclear Watch: Camden’s Holtec is targeting up to a $10.2B valuation in a U.S. IPO, seeking as much as $900M. Higher Ed: HESAA is urging NJ families to use state college resources and complete the FAFSA ahead of the Sept. 15 deadline. Local Economy: Montvale is welcoming Stack Street Coffee to a large Philips Parkway site, with renovations underway.

Politics & Trade: President Trump escalated his Canada fight by threatening to block Bombardier sales in the U.S. unless the company builds jets in America, drawing pushback from Republican Sen. Jerry Moran and Bombardier’s defense of its U.S. jobs and supply chain that includes New Jersey. Public Safety & Health: The USDA issued a Class I recall for about 1,500 pounds of imported ready-to-eat pork guanciale after possible Listeria contamination, with New Jersey-based Ferrarini USA among the firms involved. Local Economy & Daily Costs: AAA says Labor Day gas prices hit a record high, with South Jersey averaging about $4.24 a gallon. Community & Culture: Macklemore doubled down after backlash for his “Free Palestine” remarks during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows, saying criticism of Israel isn’t criticism of Jewish people. Sports & Entertainment: Lewis Kennedy landed the Nick Massi role after 34 auditions for “Jersey Boys,” and the Cowboys vs. Giants Week 1 opener is set for Sept. 13 at MetLife.

Investigation in Trenton: New Jersey’s lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, is under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior toward women, with Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office bringing in an outside law firm and reports also pointing to possible ethics issues tied to state job offers. Federal court win for immigration policy: A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s lawsuit challenging Gov. Sherrill’s immigration executive order, which limits federal civil immigration enforcement access to certain state-controlled areas without a judicial warrant. Public safety and immigration clash: An illegal immigrant fleeing ICE in North Brunswick crashed into East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen’s wife, sending her to the hospital, reigniting debate over New Jersey’s sanctuary approach and whether it forces higher-risk enforcement. Food safety alert: The USDA issued a recall for about 1,500 pounds of imported Italian ready-to-eat pork guanciale due to possible listeria contamination, including products shipped to multiple states with specific lot and “best if use by” dates. Local life and travel: United Airlines is suspending its Newark-to-Dubai flights for the winter schedule, and a Labor Day travel story highlights gas prices climbing into the holiday.

ICE & Community Safety: Passaic postponed its Mexican Independence Day Parade indefinitely, citing concerns tied to recent ICE arrests and the chilling effect on “Little Mexico” foot traffic and local businesses. Public Housing Watch: Essex County reported public housing occupancy fell to 83% in 2025 (down 1 point from 2024), with 6,052 units total and an average rent of $457. Tour Politics in NJ: Macklemore faced renewed backlash after using Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium stage to call for “Free Palestine” and perform “Hind’s Hall,” prompting an Israeli-American group to petition for him to be removed from the rest of the tour. Air Travel Incident: An American Airlines flight to Newark was disrupted after a passenger allegedly hurled racist and homophobic slurs; he was restrained with duct tape and the flight diverted. Flooding in South Jersey: Video from Glassboro shows floodwaters bursting through glass doors at a Rowan University off-campus home during Aug. 27 storms, damaging multiple bedrooms. Health & Food Safety: USDA recalled imported ready-to-eat pork jowls/guanciale products due to possible Listeria contamination.

Wildlife & Public Safety: Bayonne, NJ underpass netting meant to deter pigeons is drawing outrage from wildlife advocates after birds were found trapped and dead, with rescuers saying they were told they were “tampering” when they tried to free a pigeon. Fire Update (Elizabeth): A woman jumped from a third-floor window to escape a fast-moving three-alarm fire in Elizabeth; she was hospitalized with burns and a broken bone, and at least seven residents were expected to be displaced. Travel & Cost of Living (Labor Day): Gas prices are hitting a Labor Day high nationwide, with the average around $4.14 a gallon, as holiday travel ramps up. Local Crime (South Jersey): A Philadelphia man, Tymair Harris, was sentenced to 52 months for a gunpoint Verizon robbery in Voorhees involving more than $61,000 in electronics. Sports (NJ ties): Jaxson Dart is under spotlight as the Giants look to build on his 2026 rushing success, while several NJ high school athletes are listed on college rosters for the Sept. 6 week. Scams Watch: Sayreville ranked among New Jersey cities with scam reports in July, according to BBB Scam Tracker.

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell Probe: New Jersey’s Democratic lieutenant governor is reportedly under internal investigation over alleged inappropriate behavior toward women and possible ethics issues, with GOP leaders calling for him to resign or step aside while the inquiry proceeds. Elections & Federal Enforcement: A separate report says the Trump administration is pushing a “surge” of voter-fraud investigations in key swing states, raising alarms about election threats this fall. Air Travel Incident: An American Airlines flight from Dallas to Newark was diverted to Baltimore after a disruptive passenger allegedly used racist and homophobic slurs and had to be restrained with duct tape and zip ties. Shore Weekend: Labor Day crowds filled Ocean City’s boardwalk and beach, while Margate families packed the shore for one more weekend before school starts. Local School Transportation: Lakewood students will lose courtesy bus service days before classes begin after the township stopped funding the program. Wildlife Safety Concern: Bird rescuers are urging action after netting at a Bayonne underpass allegedly trapped pigeons and led to deaths. Culture & Community: Princeton’s McCarter Theatre announced upcoming shows, including Julio Torres and the Edmar Castañeda Quartet.

Immigration Court Fight: A federal judge ruled New Jersey can keep blocking federal immigration officers from using state resources for ICE enforcement, rejecting DOJ’s preemption argument. Air Travel Safety: An American Airlines flight to Newark was diverted to Baltimore after a disruptive passenger allegedly used racist and homophobic slurs and assaulted others; witnesses say he was restrained with zip ties and duct tape before police removed him. Local Crime: Police say a man accused of throwing a pocketknife at someone at American Dream mall has been charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses. Election Integrity: A federal case charges a New Jersey woman with illegally voting in a 2024 primary after allegedly certifying she was a U.S. citizen while not. Public Health: FDA-linked recall includes mangoes sold in New Jersey over possible Salmonella contamination. Sports & Community: Hoboken approved a permit system for outdoor amplified sound, including a 10 p.m. cutoff for venues like Pier 13. Business/Industry: Newark craft distillery All Points West plans to relocate out of New Jersey, citing state regulatory hurdles.

Animal Welfare: Associated Humane Societies Newark says 16 small dogs were rescued from a “life of neglect and abandonment,” with many severely matted and needing sedation and urgent medical care before adoption. Public Safety & Courts: A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration’s lawsuit aimed at limiting Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s February order restricting immigration officials’ access to state property without a warrant. State Politics: NJ Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is reportedly under an internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior toward women and possible ethics issues. Education Costs: New Jersey school workers are sounding alarms over a deadlocked 34% health insurance premium hike proposal, warning of a “death spiral” for the program if reforms don’t move. Middle East: US intelligence assessments cited by major outlets say Iran may be weighing escalation after months of war with the US, including renewed strikes and cyber concerns. Local Crime: A disruptive passenger on an American Airlines flight to Newark was restrained with duct tape after the flight diverted to Baltimore. Lottery: Mega Millions climbed to $177M for Sept. 4, with numbers 6-26-34-59-61 and Mega Ball 24.

Employee Ownership Push: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a law expanding NJ support for small businesses converting to employee ownership, directing NJEDA to create an Employee Ownership Transition Program and a revolving loan fund for feasibility, consulting, outreach, and low-interest financing. Prediction Markets Clash: The NFL is urging prediction market platforms to ban “objectionable bets” tied to fan safety, injuries, and officiating, as New Jersey continues its fight to take sports-betting oversight to the Supreme Court. Public Housing Snapshot: HUD data shows several NJ towns with little or no change in 2025 public housing totals, including Alpha (56 units), Sayreville (78), and others reporting shifts of just a unit or two. Local Business/Community: Hackensack Meridian opened a new Freehold health & wellness center, bringing primary care, specialists, imaging, and rehab services into the community. Legal/Consumer: A class action was filed in NJ federal court against Volkswagen over alleged battery defects in 2023-2025 ID.4 vehicles that may catch fire.

College Football (Rutgers/UMass): UMass stunned Rutgers 37-21 in Piscataway, snapping a 16-game losing streak and handing the Scarlet Knights a rough start to the 2026 season. Election Integrity (NJ): A New Jersey voter-roll controversy is reigniting debate over noncitizens allegedly registered and some ballots cast, with critics demanding names and stronger safeguards. Gun Control (Federal): A federal standards agency says there’s no reliable proof that handgun microstamping would work as intended, adding fuel to the national fight over gun rules. Sports (US Open): NJ native Michael Zheng advanced at the U.S. Open, drawing big local crowds during his run. Local Safety (NJ crash): A school bus crash in Monroe Township left 12 children hurt, including nine children, as investigators sort out what happened. Business/Health (NJ biotech): Cohance Lifesciences plans to acquire a controlling stake in NJ-based Aruka Bio, boosting its ADC push with added investment in NJ Bio. Politics (Israel campus bill): The U.S. House advanced a bill targeting universities that boycott Israel, with NJ Rep. Josh Gottheimer among supporters. Arts/History (Hopewell Museum): Hopewell Museum’s historic home restoration is in its third phase, with a December 2026 reopening planned.