AGP Executive Report

Meta Settlement Talks: Six days before a federal trial over online child safety, Meta’s top lawyer, C.J. Mahoney, met with attorneys general in Nashville to broker a massive deal—up to $19B—plus new teen-safety rules, with payments tied to states joining and other social media companies settling. Election Mail Fight: A federal judge temporarily blocked a new USPS mail-voting rule that would have forced states into federal approval and a new portal, saying compliance before November was “practically impossible.” Public Health Alert: North Carolina warned people who visited a mobile petting zoo in the state—where baby goats tested positive for rabies—to contact local health departments for possible prevention. Local Community: Jersey City held a candlelight vigil for victims missing after Nepal flash flooding and landslides, with local leaders attending and residents praying for answers. Consumer Safety: Two companies recalled 0.9% sodium chloride IV bags after particulate contamination concerns, including zinc oxide and possible fiberglass. Business/Legal: A lawsuit claims a Freedom Fuel gas network sold nearly $4M in unpaid-for gasoline, tied to a New Jersey-linked company. School Rights Lawsuit: Moms for Liberty sued a Chathams school district alleging “secret gender transitions” policies violate parents’ rights.

To-Go Cocktails Go Permanent in NJ: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a new law letting New Jersey bars and restaurants keep selling mixed cocktails in sealed containers for off-premises consumption, ending the temporary COVID-era rules. Gas Prices Watch: AAA puts New Jersey regular gas at about $4.05 a gallon, slightly under the national average, as oil markets react to tanker attacks near the Strait of Hormuz. Immigration Courtroom Win: A federal appeals court again rejected the Trump administration’s mandatory detention plan, including a Third Circuit ruling that said immigrants must have access to bond hearings. ICE Crackdown Data: New reporting says ICE arrests hit record levels this summer, with New Jersey among states seeing big jumps. Local Fraud Tracker: BBB Scam Tracker lists 132 NJ cities tied for 120th in July scam reports, with Blairstown among them. Air Travel for NJ: United plans a new nonstop Newark-to-Azores route starting June 9, 2027. Community & Culture: South Jersey Jazz Society announced Jazz@ThePoint in Somers Point for Oct. 15–17, themed “Red, White & Louis.”

Retail & Community: Target is rolling out its Beauty Studio experience to 24 New Jersey stores next month, with an “immersive” setup and 1,600 products across 90 brands. Politics & Voting: U.S. Sen. Cory Booker blasted Trump’s deportation push as “stupid” and “shameful,” while Republican challenger Justin Murphy backed Trump’s effort to tighten mail-in voting, citing chain-of-custody concerns and voter-roll errors. Public Safety & Crime: A New Jersey man was arrested in Queens after authorities say they found 580 pounds of cocaine worth about $10 million in a storage-unit operation tied to an interstate trafficking network. Local Government & Corruption: Prospect Park councilman Anand U. Shah pleaded guilty to racketeering and money laundering tied to an illegal gambling operation connected to the Lucchese crime family. State Law & Economy: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a bill making cocktails to-go permanent in New Jersey. Health & Research: Rutgers announced the 2026 Rutgers Innovation Awards winners, including an AI drone concept for disaster rescue and first-aid delivery. Sports Betting Legal Fight: A federal appeals court ruled Nevada can regulate Kalshi’s sports prediction contracts, setting up a potential Supreme Court showdown that also affects New Jersey’s ongoing prediction-market battles. Business & Infrastructure: PSE&G highlighted major electric and gas upgrades ahead of hurricane season, including new substations and faster restoration efforts.

Data Center Accountability: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a law requiring data centers over 100MW to report energy and water use to the Board of Public Utilities, with semiannual filings covering power consumption, cooling vs. IT loads, peak daily water use, water sources, and backup power. Public Health & Safety: Baxter issued a voluntary nationwide recall of two lots of 0.9% sodium chloride injection after potential fiberglass contamination was detected, raising concerns for patients receiving IV fluids and dialysis priming. Social Media & Kids: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1B in a landmark child-safety settlement with 47 states and DC, with promised changes to Instagram and Facebook aimed at reducing teen harms. Local Crime Alert: Prospect Park police warned residents after a Facebook Marketplace robbery, urging people to use station parking lots and Safe Trade Exchange Zones. Community Events: Sussex County’s Board of Agriculture will hold its annual Chicken BBQ fundraiser Sept. 19 at the fairgrounds, supporting scholarships and 4-H programs. Business/Jobs: Kean University alumna Julienne Cherry credits her Kean MPA for her work as CEO of the United Way of Greater Union County, running a one-stop shop for basic needs and job help.

Data Centers Accountability: Gov. Sherrill signed a new law requiring data centers to report water and energy use to state regulators every six months, aiming to stop developers from operating “in the shadows” and to give New Jerseyans a clearer picture of local impacts. Election Integrity Fight: The RNC escalated its dispute with New Jersey election officials over voter-roll records tied to noncitizens, issuing notices demanding documents by Sept. 15 or facing legal action. Cybersecurity & Water Safety: CISA warned that more than 100 U.S. water systems were targeted in July, with attacks aimed at internet-exposed control devices—New Jersey was among the states hit. Storm Cleanup in South Jersey: A Thursday storm battered Mullica Hill, knocking down trees and power lines and triggering flooding and outages. Local Infrastructure: Phillipsburg’s Black Bridge repairs are progressing after a long summer closure, with state officials working to keep work moving. Pop Culture & Community: Seton Hall launched a Peace Corps Prep program, and Happy Day Farm in Manalapan is turning its Dolly Parton corn maze into a tribute opening Sept. 19.

Jersey City Budget Crunch: Jersey City lawmakers approved an $886.4M budget and a 15% property tax hike, with residents facing about a $51-a-month increase as the city tries to close a $255M deficit. Meta Teen Safety Fallout: Meta agreed to pay up to $17B (and as much as $18B in some reports) to states over claims it made Facebook and Instagram addictive for kids, including default daily limits and overnight curfews plus stronger parental controls. Freedom Fuel Scrutiny: Six South Jersey “Freedom Fuel” stations promoted by the White House racked up nearly $430,000 in DEP fines tied to underground tank and delivery violations dating back to 2023. Reproductive Healthcare Lawsuit: Washington and other states sued to block new Title X funding conditions that would force providers to drop nondiscrimination protections and discourage contraception. Big Tech, Big Money: The U.S. Justice Department opened a review into an H-1B recruiting ad after allegations of national-origin discrimination. Sports Betting Update: BetMGM rolled out football-season upgrades aimed at faster live betting and a revamped rewards hub.

Rutgers Probe: A Rutgers University dean, Joshua Kohut, was arrested and charged with invasion of privacy after prosecutors alleged he used a cellphone to secretly record “upskirt” videos, with devices reportedly found during a search of his home. Big Tech Accountability: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion to 29 states, including New Jersey, and to tighten Facebook/Instagram teen rules—two-hour daily limits and overnight blocks—after claims the platforms were built to be addictive and harmed children. NJ Politics & Families: U.S. Sen. Cory Booker stopped in Trenton to push generational change in Senate Democratic leadership, tying the trip to maternal-mortality work and local community visits. Elections Fight: Democratic-led states, including New Jersey, renewed lawsuits challenging USPS mail-voting rules after a Supreme Court procedural win for the Trump administration. Local Impact: A study cited by Gov. Hochul says the 2026 FIFA World Cup generated $3.5 billion across New York and New Jersey, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions in tax revenue. Environment Watch: A flood watch is in effect for parts of the region, warning of flash flooding risk from heavy rain.

Meta Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $16.68B and overhaul Facebook and Instagram after states alleged the platforms were engineered to addict children, misled families about safety, and mishandled kids’ personal data; the deal also includes nationwide teen safeguards like daily time limits and overnight blocks. New Jersey Impact: In the multistate case, New Jersey is set to receive at least $525M (with higher totals possible), with reforms aimed at reducing harmful teen use. Child-Safety Reforms: The settlement is framed as the biggest Big Tech payout outside tobacco-era deals, with money earmarked for youth mental health and related programs, while Meta denies wrongdoing. Local Growth Watch: Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace announced plans to expand into Moorestown, NJ (plus King of Prussia, PA) with a late-2027 opening. Community & Environment: A letter to the editor highlights opposition to new housing development in Little Egg Harbor/Tuckerton over flooding, infrastructure, and ecosystem concerns. Public Safety: A masked suspect tied to a Philadelphia harassment spree was arrested in Las Vegas and faces extradition to Pennsylvania.

Meta Teen-Safety Trial: Instagram boss Adam Mosseri testified that few teens used the “Take a Break” feature before it became a default for teen accounts in late 2024, as New Jersey and other states press Meta over claims its platforms were designed to hook young users. State Privacy Fight: NJ AG Matt Nessel and allies won a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from demanding sensitive CDL driver data from AAMVA and threatening funding cuts. Immigration Enforcement Clash: The Justice Department sued an Ohio municipal court over a rule limiting where federal agents can make immigration arrests near courthouses. NJ Politics/Legal: A federal judge weighed a Libertarian candidate’s spot on the ballot in the pivotal NJ-7 race, questioning why the state stopped enforcing a petition-circulator residency requirement. Cost of Living: A SmartAsset study says a single adult needs about $113,776 to live comfortably in New Jersey. Local Community: The Nest opens in Englewood as a “third space” for parents, blending work and childcare in one spot.

Social Media Trial: Instagram boss Adam Mosseri is set to testify Tuesday in a landmark case accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to addict children, with New Jersey among the states seeking up to $200 billion in penalties. Politics & Ethics: President Trump disclosed more than 1,000 new stock trades in June, keeping the spotlight on his investing pace as midterms near. Newark Air Travel: United Airlines will add 10 international routes in 2027, with eight departing from Newark Liberty, including new service to Luxembourg, multiple French cities, and several Italian destinations. Local Public Safety: Ocean County kicked off “Ocean Goes Purple,” a monthlong overdose awareness push starting Aug. 31 in Toms River. Tech & Outages: Amazon-owned Blink Security users reported connectivity problems, with outage trackers flagging issues. Business & Growth: H.I.G. Capital announced a strategic investment in HBK, backing expanded services across accounting, tax, consulting, tech, and wealth management. NJ Community: Avon Public Library marks its 110th anniversary next month, tracing its Carnegie-funded roots. Scams Watch: Kendall Park ranked among NJ cities with BBB scam reports in July, with online purchase scams topping the list.

Voter Roll Fallout: New Jersey removed about 5,100 registrations after an MVC software error improperly registered roughly 6,600 people who said they were not U.S. citizens, triggering an investigation and fresh GOP scrutiny. Surveillance Backlash: Flock license-plate cameras are drawing vandalism in towns like Westfield, with critics warning the systems can build large vehicle-tracking databases and police access rules need tighter limits. Courts & Care: An NJ appellate court upheld a nearly $1 million nursing-home-related judgment against a senior care network, rejecting claims a facility wasn’t operating as a nursing home. Public Safety: Services for a Newark teen killed in a hit-and-run are set for Tuesday, following the arrest and charges against the driver. Health & Recalls: Food-safety concerns are flaring nationwide, including a Salmonella outbreak tied to imported jalapeños that has sickened hundreds across many states, including New Jersey. Politics: The voter-registration gaffe is fueling a widening feud between Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Republicans. Community & Culture: Sound of Harvest 2026 returns with cross-cultural concerts at Rutgers and Montclair State.

Voter Roll Fallout: New Jersey officials removed 5,100 registered voters from state rolls and sent 1,650 more for review after Gov. Mikie Sherrill said thousands of noncitizens may have been mistakenly registered through an MVC-related software error. Workforce & Economy: JPMorgan filed a new WARN notice for 63 job cuts in Jersey City, bringing 2026 total reductions there to 541. Consumer Tech Watch: The FTC proposed rules targeting “personalized pricing,” warning companies must clearly disclose how they use personal data to set prices. Healthcare & Grants: The Wyatt Foundation and Conceive Fertility Foundation launched a Fall 2026 IVF grant program offering $15,000 awards to five families. Higher Ed & Nursing: Thomas Edison State University held a pinning ceremony for 46 new nurses from its accelerated BSN program. Business Growth: Newark Alliance named Solomon Steplight its new CEO starting Sept. 8. Energy Outlook: A new forecast projects the offshore wind market could reach $189.7B by 2035.

Kids’ Food Push: Two New Jersey startups, Millburn’s cadootz and Jersey City’s Nomie, are rolling out school-friendly snacks and shelf-stable organic meals aimed at picky eaters as the school year ramps up. Heart Care Tech: NJ hospitals are pouring millions into advanced cardiac care, using AI imaging and remote monitoring to catch problems earlier and plan procedures more precisely. Restaurant Incident: A Weehawken woman says a birthday dessert at Blu On The Hudson carried a cruel message about her wheelchair, prompting an apology from the restaurant. Public Safety Case: A fugitive accused of sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl in NJ was extradited from Mexico to face charges. Amazon Drones in South Jersey: Amazon says it plans to start drone deliveries from its West Deptford facility this fall. Dog Food Recalls: Fromm recalled wet dog food over possible metal contamination, and Oma’s Pride also issued a recall tied to illness reports. Local Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker ranked multiple NJ cities among the state’s highest scam-report totals for July. Arts & Community: Oratorio Society of New Jersey announced its 2026-27 season and is seeking singers for major performances including Mendelssohn’s “Elijah.” Entertainment Loss: Bunny Levine, a “Gilmore Girls” actress and former NJ librarian, died at 97.

Asbury Park Redevelopment: The NJ Economic Development Authority approved up to $75M in tax credits for the $130M restoration of the Asbury Park Convention Hall complex, aiming to reopen the oceanfront venue as a year-round performing arts hub after structural safety closures. Public Safety: A stolen car crash in Mays Landing (Hamilton Township) killed two people and led to charges against four others; investigators say the stolen vehicle caused the head-on collision. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure: Reports say Iran-linked hackers shut down a UK power plant for four days, while the timing overlaps with attacks on US water systems—raising fresh concerns about critical infrastructure defenses. Local Fraud Watch: Jersey City led the state in July with 11 BBB Scam Tracker reports, tied for first with Newark, as online purchase scams drove the biggest losses. Community & Culture: Bunny Levine, a New Jersey-born actress and former Teaneck librarian, died at 97; a memorial service is planned in Clifton. Mental Health Access: Thriveworks launched in-person psychiatry in Paramus, expanding Bergen County access to evaluations and medication management.

Cybersecurity: Iran-linked hackers reportedly shut down a British power plant for four days, raising fresh alarms about attacks on critical infrastructure even though the wider grid wasn’t affected. Arts & Culture: Bunny Levine, the New Jersey-born character actress known for “Gilmore Girls” and “La La Land,” died at 97. Wildlife: Officials confiscated a Burmese python near the Coney Island boardwalk, warning the species can threaten people and native wildlife. Film/TV Industry: “Marty Supreme” and “One Battle After Another” won top Location Managers Guild International honors, with “Marty Supreme” filming across New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. Local Community: Paterson unveiled a public art exhibition spotlighting immigrant labor and stories tied to places including Ecuador, Palestine, Syria, Senegal and the American South. Politics/Policy: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a “shield law” expanding protections for people seeking reproductive and transgender care. Immigration: A federal judge blocked a Trump policy that suspended visa processing from 75 countries, saying it exceeded legal authority.

Meta Child-Safety Trial: New Jersey is among states suing Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to hook kids, with a landmark federal case now underway and allegations centered on addictive features and hidden internal research. Local Government & Tech: Jersey City Council voted to ban data centers as the primary use of industrial property, arguing they bring pollution and strain electricity and water while residents shoulder the costs. Sports Business: The New Jersey Devils are gearing up for 2026-27 with a new GM, roster shakeups, and Nico Hischier’s big commitment to stay. Fraud Watch: Monmouth Junction landed on a Better Business Bureau scam list for July, tied with other NJ cities for low but nonzero reported losses. Innovation in NJ: A Princeton startup, Princeton Critical Minerals, is scaling brine-based lithium production—aiming to support the growing demand tied to AI and energy storage. Crime & Courts: A New Jersey man accused in a $7.5M elder fraud scheme was nabbed at an airport during an escape attempt.