AGP Executive Report

Voter Roll Shake-Up: New Jersey officials deleted 5,100 registered voters from the state rolls and sent 1,650 more for review after Gov. Mikie Sherrill tied the problem to a Motor Vehicle Commission registration glitch involving thousands of noncitizens. Local Elections: Six NJ school districts will hold Sept. 15 special elections on major spending questions—Cedar Grove, Cinnaminson, Deerfield, Moorestown, Roselle and Morris—after the voter-roll error surfaced. Public Safety & Courts: A Sayreville knife-wielding suspect was shot by police and is under investigation by prosecutors. Health & Community: Thomas Edison State University held a nursing pinning ceremony for 46 accelerated BSN students. Workforce: NJ’s Department of Labor awarded $9M to expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Business & Tech: Newark Alliance named Solomon Steplight its new CEO starting Sept. 8. State Policy Watch: NJDOT dropped a controversial Route 35 traffic reconfiguration idea after heavy public pushback.

Kids’ Food Market: Millburn’s cadootz and Jersey City’s Nomie are rolling out kid-focused, healthier snack and meal options at Target, aiming to make school lunches easier for parents and more appealing to picky eaters. Heart Care Tech: New Jersey hospitals are leaning harder on AI and remote cardiac monitoring, including tools that can flag dangerous blockages ahead of procedures and help catch silent atrial fibrillation earlier. Public Safety—Beach Needles: Manasquan Beach in Monmouth County briefly shut to swimmers after 60+ syringes washed ashore; officials swept the southern end and reopened after monitoring. Crime/Justice: A Sayreville man with a knife was shot by an officer; the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating. Elder Fraud: An Indian national living in New Jersey was arrested in Canada tied to an alleged $7.5 million cash-and-gold scam targeting elderly victims. Road Tragedy (Mays Landing): Two people died after a stolen car caused a head-on crash near Mays Landing, and officials identified the victims. State Money—ANCHOR: Payments under New Jersey’s ANCHOR program begin Sept. 15, with Sept. 15 also the deadline to update banking info for direct deposit. Weather: A small 1.1-magnitude earthquake was detected in Morris County.

Asbury Park Redevelopment: The NJ Economic Development Authority approved up to $75M in tax credits to help restore the Asbury Park Convention Hall complex, aiming to reopen it as a year-round performing arts hub after years of structural-safety closures. Shoreline Safety: Sea Isle City officials and scientists are investigating nearly 30 dead juvenile sharks found along beaches, with early theories including low-tide stranding or fishing-net discard. Crash Investigation: Two people were killed in a head-on crash in Mays Landing involving a stolen vehicle; the NJ Attorney General is investigating and multiple people face charges. Weather Watch: A brief tornado was confirmed near Estell Manor, and the region remains on alert for heavy rain and flooding risk. Local Courts: Paramus filed its response to a police officer’s lawsuit alleging promotions were rigged, asking the court to dismiss his claims. Public Safety/Health: A Franklin Township rider died after a Route 27 crash; police say the vehicle was an electric motorcycle, not a pedal-assisted e-bike. Community & Culture: A fall NJ Film Festival at Rutgers will host two free workshops open to all experience levels.

Fatal Crash in Mays Landing: Two adults were killed in a head-on collision Saturday morning after a stolen G-Wagon veered into oncoming traffic at Route 50 and Third Street; one adult and three juveniles in the stolen vehicle were charged, and the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office and NJ Attorney General are investigating. Public Safety & Health: Manasquan waters were closed to swimmers after 60 syringes washed ashore, with officials rechecking after two high-tide cycles; a small 1.1 quake was also recorded near Chester, Morris County. Local Politics: A Lakewood busing cost fight is heating up after families say non-mandated transportation costs jumped sharply, with a Trenton-area editorial blaming state budget cuts tied to election outcomes. Community & Culture: Actress Bunny Levine, a New Jersey-born librarian-turned performer known for “Gilmore Girls” and “Shameless,” died at 97. Education Debate: Howell Township schools face parent backlash after banning metal and glass water bottles for safety reasons.

Little League World Series: Bridgewater is trying to avoid elimination Saturday when it plays Hamilton (Ohio) at 3 p.m. on ESPN after a 2-1 walk-off loss to Bayonne (NJ) on Wednesday. Local Deals: ShopRite’s 75-year anniversary sale still has a $25 off $75 coupon available through Saturday via the ShopRite app, with a super sale ending the same day. Serious Crime: A former Vineland man, Christopher Singletary, was sentenced to 30 years for sexually assaulting children and producing child sexual abuse material. Fatal Crash: A head-on crash in Hamilton Township (Mays Landing) killed people Saturday morning on Route 50, with details still limited as investigators respond. Fraud Case: A 21-year-old man accused in a $7.5 million elderly fraud scheme was detained at Toronto Pearson after fleeing the U.S. and booking a flight to Doha. Data Centers: Jersey City Council voted to ban data centers as the primary use of industrial property, joining other NJ towns pushing back on the facilities.

Fraud Crackdown: An Indian man living in Jersey City, Jay Sunilbharthi Goswami, 21, was arrested in Canada and charged as a “money mule” in a multi-million-dollar scam targeting elderly victims, with alleged wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy counts that carry up to 20 years. Privacy Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from getting a database with sensitive personal data for more than 17 million commercial drivers, pausing a Homeland Security subpoena while the case plays out. NJ Health Care Protections: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed new state law expanding protections for reproductive and gender-affirming care, including shielding providers from out-of-state investigations. Local Crime & Courts: A New Jersey school volunteer must repay nearly $100K after stealing from two PTOs, while other legal disputes continue to move through the courts. Community & Families: Vineland Public Schools will provide free breakfast and lunch to every student every school day this year, using federal Community Eligibility Provision funding. Sports (NJ in the spotlight): Bayonne’s Little League team beat host East Side in the World Series, keeping the New Jersey champions alive in the U.S. bracket.

World Cup Fallout: FIFA handed Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes a 10-match ban and a $90,000 fine for his role in the post-final brawl with Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey; Nahuel Molina got seven matches and $90,000, while Thiago Almada and coach Roberto Ayala were also suspended and fined. Legal Fight in NJ Cannabis: A federal court ruled New Jersey’s cannabis “labor peace agreement” requirement is preempted by the NLRA, setting up a potential Third Circuit showdown. Health Care Costs Clash: Business groups sued to block a new NJ law requiring large employers on Medicaid to pay annual state fees, arguing federal law preempts the measure and raises privacy concerns. Severe Weather Watch: Tornado damage was confirmed on Long Island, and the broader Northeast cleanup continued after storms and flooding. Local Water Infrastructure: North Bergen officials celebrated completion of a $60M CSO tank meant to reduce sewage overflow impacts. Community Remembrance: The NJ Ancient Order of Hibernians set Sept. 26 as its Day of Remembrance for 9 members lost on 9/11.

Meta Child-Safety Trial: A New Jersey teen who sued Meta, Google and Snap over alleged addictive design dropped her claims, saying she wants to get her life back, while Meta continues to fight similar cases in court. Northeast Storms: Heavy rain and damaging winds hit the region, including a possible tornado on Long Island that tore up a beach club and flooded roads, with power outages reported in parts of Delaware. NJ Voter Roll Probe: DHS/ICE said an investigation led to voter-fraud charges against a Chinese national accused of impersonating another person to register and vote in Massachusetts. Energy Savings: East Windsor launched a community solar program offering eligible households up to 21% off electric bills with no rooftop panels required. Local Culture: Hackensack’s The Facticerie spotlights a rare factice collection, preserving oversized perfume-bottle replicas as living history. Sports (NJ): Bridgewater’s Little League team kept its run going after a historic first LLWS game, with the next matchup set for Friday.

Antitrust & Food Prices: Canada’s Competition Bureau is asking a tribunal to block B&G Foods’ Green Giant sale to Nortera, warning the deal could mean higher prices, fewer choices, and less competition in a concentrated market. Immigration & Public Safety: A boat operator who capsized in New York Harbor—killing a woman and her 5-month-old—was arrested by ICE and authorities plan to seek deportation; he’s facing federal criminal charges tied to the Aug. 8 crash. Courts & Local Impact: The NJ Supreme Court ruled the Boys & Girls Club of America can’t be sued in New Jersey for sex-abuse claims because it isn’t subject to personal jurisdiction here. Consumer Fraud Watch: Toms River tied for 7th statewide in July BBB scam reports with six incidents, while Trenton logged 10. Health: A NJ park, Round Valley Reservoir, ranked among the nation’s top tick-borne illness hotspots; meanwhile a jalapeño-linked Salmonella outbreak has grown to 431 illnesses across 32 states, including new NJ cases. Meta Trial: In a landmark child-safety case, a former Meta engineer testified Meta used a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach for kids under 13. Weather: Storms are triggering flood watches across the I-95 corridor, including much of New Jersey.

Meta Trial in Oakland: A former Meta engineering director, Arturo Béjar, told jurors the company used a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach for kids under 13, prioritizing profits and time-on-platform over safety as states including New Jersey pursue major damages. Local Courts & Safety: A lawsuit says a New Jersey doctor, Ritesh Kalra, sexually abused former patients and allegedly used prescription control as coercion. Little League Spotlight (NJ): Bayonne’s 12-year-olds opened the Little League World Series with a 2-1 walk-off win over Bridgewater, setting up a Friday matchup. Health & Research: Princeton-area and biotech news: REZILIENT3 Phase 3 lung cancer trial results were selected for an IASLC 2026 World Conference presentation. Weather Watch: Forecasters warn Thursday storms could bring heavy rain and possible severe weather, including an isolated tornado risk, into parts of southern New Jersey. Consumer/Community: Stay NJ checks are rolling out as the third quarterly payment for eligible homeowners.

Meta Child-Safety Trial: New Jersey is among states suing Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to hook children, with parents and advocates gathering outside the Oakland courthouse as the landmark case begins. Local Politics: In West Orange, mayoral candidate Joyce Rudin is using an AI-generated, whiteboard-style campaign ad to argue for downtown revitalization, including more off-street parking and a roundabout, as she tries to unseat first-term Mayor Susan McCartney. Housing & Environment: Jersey City’s Redevelopment Agency voted to move forward with an anti-displacement study and environmental remediation tied to the Morris Canal redevelopment area. Workforce Pipeline: A skilled trades program in Edison celebrated 35 students completing the Carpenters Apprentice Ready Program, expanding pathways into union apprenticeships. Energy Policy: The NJ Board of Public Utilities released a straw proposal for Phase 2 of the Garden State Energy Storage Program, outlining about 150 MW of statewide distributed storage and options for behind-the-meter home batteries. Business Aviation: Infinity Aviation Group is expanding at Trenton-Mercer Airport by acquiring FlightServ’s FBO, adding hangar and ramp capacity and new passenger amenities.

Meta Trial (NJ in the mix): A landmark federal case in Oakland kicked off with 29 states accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to keep children hooked and mislead the public about safety, with New Jersey among the lead states seeking major penalties and platform changes. Corrections Corruption: A former NJ correctional officer pleaded guilty to taking bribes to smuggle contraband into Newark’s Northern State Prison, with sentencing set for Oct. 5. Energy & Data Centers: PJM proposed a new reliability plan that would require huge electricity users like data centers to bring their own power or face curtailment during peak shortages. Storm Accountability: Sussex County’s Byram Township is pushing for a role in JCP&L’s BPU performance review after repeated Independence Day weekend outages. Public Safety/Health: NJ authorities warned scammers are targeting job seekers after more than 1 million layoffs nationwide. Community & Culture: Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Manasquan beach volleyball tournament returns for its 20th year. Other NJ Notes: Empty Sky’s 9/11 memorial in Jersey City remains incomplete, and a wedding ring lost on NJ Transit was finally recovered.

Youth Online Safety Trial: A landmark federal case targeting Meta’s Facebook and Instagram for allegedly addicting children and mishandling kids’ data is underway in Oakland, with New Jersey among the states seeking penalties that could reach $1.4 trillion and possible changes to how the platforms operate. Local Courts & Policy: New Jersey’s judicial privacy law is under heavy scrutiny after a state Supreme Court ruling signaled it may be doomed, raising fresh questions about how damages claims work. Meadowlands Taxes: Towns in the Meadowlands region say American Dream still owes about $25 million in unpaid taxes, with a settlement expected next month. Energy & Solar Growth: Dimension Energy secured $857 million to expand distributed solar, including 29 projects totaling 149 MW across New Jersey and other states. Sports & Schools: High Point Regional’s Ella Poalillo was stripped of her 2026 state wrestling title over an eligibility violation, while Vernon schools approved a $70 million capital project financing without a referendum. Business & Community: Montclair introduced a redevelopment plan for its Claremont Avenue municipal complex as a step toward relocating township offices.

Meta Trial in NJ Spotlight: New Jersey is one of four states taking Meta to court in Oakland, seeking up to $1.4 trillion and major changes to Facebook and Instagram over claims the company designed “addictive” features that harmed children’s mental health and allegedly collected data from kids under 13 without consent. Local Accountability: The case is part of a broader push by state attorneys general, with New Jersey co-leading the investigation since 2021. Education Watch: U.S. News ranked New Jersey among the top states for high-performing schools, with 44% of its high schools placing in the top quarter nationally in the 2026-2027 Best High Schools list. Public Safety Debate: Franklin Township residents are pushing back on the use of Flock automated license plate readers, arguing overreach while officials say the cameras help solve serious crimes. Health & Consumer Alerts: Clara Maass Medical Center earned American College of Surgeons cancer accreditation, while Walmart recalled tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states including New Jersey over possible listeria contamination.

Tour News: The Jonas Brothers are extending their “Burning Up Tour All Over Again” with a 45-city run that ends Dec. 21 in Newark, New Jersey, with tickets starting Friday via Ticketmaster and Spotify Reserved presales beginning Tuesday. Public Safety & Environment: Nearly 30 juvenile sharks washed up dead on a New Jersey beach in Sea Isle City, with experts saying the most likely causes are stranding after tidal changes or accidental catch-and-discard by fishermen. Energy & Data Centers: PJM is asking FERC for a conditional reliability framework for big new electricity users like data centers, meaning some demand could be curtailed if new capacity isn’t ready. Local Families: Bridgewater Little League is fundraising for its World Series trip, with a GoFundMe pushing toward a $45,000 goal after nearly $27,000 raised. Business/Legal: A New Jersey-linked Meta child-safety trial is set in California, with New Jersey listed among the states seeking major damages and platform changes.

India Day in NJ: Parsippany marked India’s 80th Independence Day and the U.S. 250th with a Guinness World Record for the “Largest Flagpole Number” at Veterans Memorial Park, part of a wider tri-state celebration that included events in Queens and appearances by New York City’s Indian-origin mayor Zohran Mamdani. Disney Honors: The Jonas Brothers were inducted as Disney Legends at D23, with NJ native Anne Hathaway and other major entertainment figures also honored. NJ Politics in Court: Libertarian Lana Leguía’s attorney cured a federal filing lapse in her bid to return to the NJ-7 ballot; a judge will weigh emergency relief as the AG faces a deadline. Meta Trial Impacting NJ: States including New Jersey head to trial this week in California over claims Meta designed platforms to harm children’s mental health. Public Defense Tech: New Jersey public defenders are rolling out a secure AI platform with Princeton and state partners to speed up legal brief research. Health & Safety: Howell Township schools banned metal and glass water bottles for the 2026-27 year. Local Crime: Two people were killed in a shooting in Millville, according to prosecutors. Sports: Raiders signed NJ native Noah Brown; Vikings’ Jamal Adams is expected to miss the 2026 season after a knee injury.