AGP Executive Report

Voter Roll Fix in NJ: Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration says it has removed about 5,100 people from New Jersey voter rolls and marked another 1,450 as “rejected” after an MVC software error allegedly let some noncitizens register. Officials say roughly 340 of the affected people later voted, and another 220 voted despite having other records that may show eligibility—now under county review. Election Integrity Backlash: The state’s moves come as President Trump touts a Census Bureau-linked report to revive claims about noncitizen voting, but voting experts warn the analysis is methodologically shaky. Meta in the Spotlight: New Jersey is among states suing Meta over alleged child-safety harms tied to Facebook and Instagram, with a major trial underway and $1.4 trillion sought. Car Insurance Costs: A new national report says premiums are rising again, driven by higher repair costs and accident severity—bad news for drivers in many states, including NJ. Local Food Buzz: Kura Sushi is opening its eighth New Jersey location in Parsippany on Aug. 21.

Youth Safety in Court: A landmark federal trial in Oakland opened with 29 states accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to keep children hooked and to mislead the public about risks to minors, with New Jersey named among the lead states seeking up to about $200 billion in penalties and platform changes. Local Housing & Zoning: Princeton is moving toward a unified zoning overhaul, with a consultant’s diagnostic report expected next month and public milestones later this fall, as the state debates how to expand housing options. Water Costs for Towns: New Jersey’s Highlands Water Protection Act is praised for protecting drinking water, but some Highlands towns say the rules are draining budgets and squeezing school finances. Retirement Savings Expansion: RetireReady NJ is expanding eligibility starting September 2026, bringing more private-sector workers into a state-run automatic retirement savings program. Food Insecurity: A new look at rising child hunger highlights how affordability pressures are hitting families in New Jersey and beyond. Workplace Violence: Striking hospital employees are again sounding alarms about violence on the job, pushing the issue into the spotlight for healthcare workers.

Meta Trial in NJ’s Orbit: A landmark federal case in California opened Tuesday as 29 states—including New Jersey—accuse Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to hook children, misleading families about safety, and improperly collecting kids’ data; prosecutors are seeking up to $200B and major product changes, while Meta denies wrongdoing. Election Transparency: The NJ Election Law Enforcement Commission defended removing decades of campaign finance reports from its website, saying it’s to protect home addresses under Daniel’s Law while staff review and redact records. Fraud Using NJ Filings: Federal prosecutors say eight people pleaded guilty in a scheme that tried to deposit more than $11M in stolen checks using authentic New Jersey business records. Business Growth in NJ: Odunlami Law, an immigration firm, was named to the 2026 Inc. 5000 and expanded into select New Jersey family law matters. Travel/Trade Watch: United plans nonstop Newark–Seoul flights starting Sept. 4, while Mexico weighs tougher trade restrictions on some Chinese imports.

Meta trial in NJ spotlight: A landmark federal case begins Tuesday in Oakland, California, where a coalition of states including New Jersey will argue Facebook and Instagram were engineered to be addictive to children, seeking up to $1.4 trillion in penalties and major app changes. Health coverage gap: New census estimates show young adults in NJ are still falling through the cracks—13.1% of residents ages 21 to 29 were uninsured in 2024, with the highest rates in Passaic (20.3%) and Essex (19.7%). Local business closures: HelloFresh will close its Gloucester County distribution center in Logan Township/Swedesboro by Sept. 30, cutting nearly 400 jobs. Education rankings: U.S. News’ 2026-2027 high school results put New Jersey near the top, with 44% of its high schools in the top quarter nationally. Public safety debate: NJ’s e-bike rules are under renewed scrutiny as advocates warn the patchwork approach may not match the real crash risks. Business recognition: Paramus firm KRS CPAs was named to the 2026 IPA 500 list.

Meta Youth Trial: Meta is set to face a landmark, multi-state lawsuit in California over claims its Facebook and Instagram were designed to be addictive for kids, with New Jersey among the states involved—opening arguments begin Tuesday and could reshape how states pursue tech accountability. NJ Politics & Health Care: A Democratic NJ-7 candidate, Rebecca Bennett, is tied to a “patients first” pitch while her past work includes a private-equity-backed LifePoint Health partnership, raising questions about how campaign messaging matches corporate ties. Courtroom Watch: A massive Two Sigma divorce trial in Newark is asking whether AI-built wealth counts as marital property or belongs to the spouse who created the trading code. Cost of Living Pressure: New data shows Americans added another $21B in credit card debt in Q2, with rates near 21% and delinquencies rising—another reminder that household budgets are still getting squeezed. Local Fraud Snapshot: BBB Scam Tracker data shows multiple NJ cities with scam reports in July, including Jersey City and Newark at the top levels.

Education & Budgets: New Jersey’s new education commissioner, Lily Laux, says her top priorities are district budget stability, boosting early literacy with phonics-based curricula, and improving college readiness—while also looking at shared services to cut costs. Big Tech in NJ courtrooms: New Jersey is one of the states suing Meta over child safety, with a major trial in California seeking sweeping changes and damages that could reach $1.4 trillion. Local politics vs. Amazon: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pushing back on Amazon’s delivery contractor model through a promised Delivery Protection Act, while critics point to City Hall’s own use of outside labor. Air travel strain in the NJ-NY region: Air traffic control staffing shortages are driving flight delays, after a relocation agreement for controllers expired and facilities issued staffing “triggers.” Public defenders go AI: The NJ Office of the Public Defender is rolling out a secure AI platform with Princeton support to speed up legal research and brief drafting. Community & culture: India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations rolled through the tri-state area, including a Guinness World Record flag display in Parsippany and the Queens India Day Parade featuring NYC Mayor Mamdani.

Local Planning & Retail: West Orange’s planning board approved Leon Marketplace, a new two-story supermarket on Main Street, replacing former Walgreens and Americana Diner lots, with 13,934 sq. ft. of retail space, storage-only upstairs, solar panels, rain gardens, and 53 parking spots including EV charging. Public Safety & Fraud: Spotswood logged just one BBB Scam Tracker report in July and tied for 120th among NJ cities; the report described an online purchase scam that ended with a tiny, mismatched package and a dispute that came too late. Food Safety: A Maryland company recalled Walmart Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits over possible listeria contamination; affected stores include NJ, and consumers are told to throw it out or return it for a refund. Community & Culture: India’s 80th Independence Day drew big crowds across the New York tri-state area, including a Guinness World Record in Parsippany, NJ, for the “Largest Flagpole Number” (1,300+ flags forming “250”). Business & Crime: A former real-estate investment executive tied to a $650M investor scheme was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted list, with the bureau offering up to $150,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Immigration Detention: Questions are swirling around ICE’s Delaney Hall in Newark after a third detainee died last month, with ICE only confirming it after release—raising fears more deaths may have gone unreported. Utilities & Health Costs: JCP&L is seeking a major rate increase while Keyport residents push for answers tied to a possible cancer cluster. Housing Finance: New Jersey joined a $15.5M settlement with mortgage servicer Newrez over improperly charging force-placed insurance to borrowers who already had coverage. Consumer Safety: Walmart shoppers should check for a recall of 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits due to possible listeria contamination. Local Economy & Transit: New York Waterway won Monmouth County’s contract to run ferries from Belford again, beating SeaStreak on price and ride frequency. Community & Culture: India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations in the tri-state area culminated in a Guinness world record in Parsippany, with major events also drawing crowds in New York City. Politics & Energy: South Carolina will hold the first 2028 Democratic presidential primary, reshaping the early campaign calendar.

Mortgage Relief: New Jersey joined a $15.5M multistate settlement with Newrez over improperly charging borrowers for force-placed insurance, after regulators found the servicer hit more than 4,200 people nationwide despite active homeowners coverage. Local Public Safety: Cape May approved new beach curfews and restrictions on unaccompanied minors after fights and underage drinking concerns, including a ban on anyone under 18 on the beach after 8 p.m. without an adult. Consumer Fraud Watch: Forked River and Seaside Park each logged one scam report in July, landing them tied around the middle of New Jersey’s BBB Scam Tracker city rankings. Community & Libraries: Hoboken’s Library Director Jennie Pu was reappointed as chair of the Urban Libraries Council’s Advocacy Task Force, with a focus on broadband access, literacy, and protecting intellectual freedom. Transit Update: New York Waterway won Monmouth County’s contract to resume ferry service from Belford, beating SeaStreak on price and ride frequency. Politics & Data Privacy: New York and New Jersey AGs joined a lawsuit challenging a federal push to access personal data from commercial driver records tied to 17 million drivers. Sports & Local Pride: Makenna Jones was named the New Jersey PGA Section PGA WORKS Fellow for the 2026-27 class.

NJ Housing & Immigration: A new report argues illegal immigration is pouring fuel on New Jersey’s housing crisis, citing Pew estimates of about 600,000 unauthorized immigrants in 2023 and noting the state’s already-high rent and home costs. Local Land-Use: Allentown is facing fresh scrutiny after new details surfaced on a second data center proposal tied to 1024 N. Bradford Street, with officials saying zoning rules were tightened ahead of the application. Tech/Markets: Livingston-based CoreWeave, a major AI power customer, is drawing intense “buy or sell” debate after its Q2 results and a reported $104 billion backlog. Public Safety (Aviation): After a deadly Reagan National Airport crash, the NTSB says 51 of 52 safety recommendations remain open, criticizing slow progress on fixes. Health & Consumer Safety: Walmart shoppers in nearly 30 states are affected by a recall of tomato bisque soup kits over possible listeria contamination. Community & Harm Reduction: Toms River launched Ocean County’s first 24/7 harm-reduction vending machine outside a clinic, offering naloxone and other supplies. Sports (NJ): Bayonne Little League is headed to the Little League World Series after winning the Metro Region title.

Harm Reduction in Ocean County: Toms River’s first 24/7 free, anonymous overdose-prevention vending machine is now operating outside Suburban Health Clinic, offering naloxone, syringes, safer smoking kits, wound care supplies and test strips. Local Economy & Jobs: Lionsgate Studios Newark secured a $101M NJEDA/Nuveen Green Capital loan under the Garden State C-PACE program to fund solar power, EV charging and water-saving upgrades as construction wraps next year. Immigration & Accountability: Collingswood restaurant owner Iemad Saifo is released on bond after two weeks in ICE detention at Delaney Hall, where NJ officials are investigating detainee deaths. Election Law in NJ: A Burlington County judge is set to weigh whether a fire commissioner candidate should be removed from the ballot for missing an email on nominating petitions, with a dispute over how strictly New Jersey should enforce technical rules. Tech & Community Pressure: Bayonne bans data centers after months of resident pushback, adding to a broader backlash against AI infrastructure. Workplace & Politics: Seth Hahn is stepping down as Executive Director of the NJ Assembly Majority Office in September.

Academic Freedom Clash: Stockton University removed a Holocaust and Genocide Studies director’s Gaza “genocide” language after a donor complaint, sparking faculty claims of censorship and donor pressure. Local Ballot Fight: A judge will weigh whether Brielle Democrat/independent candidate James Bond can appear on the Nov. 3 ballot after the county clerk rejected his petition under New Jersey’s “sore loser” law. Election Access in NJ-7: Libertarian Rep. candidate Lana Leguía is taking her ballot-access fight to federal court after the NJ Supreme Court twice refused to hear her challenge. Tech & Youth Safety: Meta faces a major trial in California over claims that Instagram and Facebook harmed minors; New Jersey is among the states suing. Public Safety on E-Bikes: New Jersey’s e-bike licensing rules are in the spotlight as other states debate whether parents should be blamed and whether regulations are too broad. Immigration Detention: A third death at Newark’s Delaney Hall detention center has been reported, raising renewed questions about conditions and accountability. State Politics & Privacy: A New Jersey donation tied to Aaron Rodgers has reignited debate over surveillance and personal privacy. Culture & Community: New Jersey joined New York in proclaiming Aug. 15 “India Independence Day.”

Immigration & Civil Rights: New Jersey lawmakers and advocates are pressing for answers after a death at the Delaney Hall ICE detention center in Newark, with Rep. George Latimer describing a “depersonalized” facility and calling for an independent probe. Labor & Privacy: NJ and 20 other states sued the Trump administration to block demands for Social Security numbers and other private data from a commercial driver’s license database, arguing it violates privacy laws and could cost states federal funding. Courts & Zoning: A Pennsylvania court upheld an Oil City zoning enforcement notice against New Jersey businessman Milan Adamovsky over alleged prohibited warehousing use. Energy & Development: NJEDA and Nuveen Green Capital closed a $101M C-PACE loan for Lionsgate Studios Newark, backing solar, EV charging, and efficiency upgrades. Local Watch: Turtle Back Zoo in Essex County approved nearly $9M for a new hoof stock barn to expand zebras and bongos. Politics: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s planned late-August departure is triggering a scramble over who replaces her. Business: Kaplan Fox is investigating possible securities law violations tied to UWM Holdings’ recent results and dividend suspension.

Battleship New Jersey Upgrade: The Camden nonprofit behind the USS New Jersey says it’s launching a $24.25 million, two-year redevelopment that will expand the visitor center, double parking, and add a new event space—aimed at making the 25-year-old site feel like a real “campus.” NJ Politics & Voting: Gov. Mikie Sherrill says she’d back a state voter ID law even as she criticizes Trump’s federal “SAVE America Act,” amid fallout from a reported software error that mistakenly added thousands of noncitizens to NJ voter rolls. Social Media Lawsuit: A major youth-safety case heads to trial with New Jersey among the states suing Meta over claims the company designed Instagram/Facebook to be addictive to children. Local Privacy Fight: Aaron Rodgers is facing backlash after a report alleges he helped fund a Cedar Grove, NJ police surveillance program using “Flock-style” license plate cameras. Courts & Antitrust: The Third Circuit revived an algorithmic price-fixing class action tied to Atlantic City hotels, raising the stakes for companies using shared pricing software. Health Care Investment: RWJBarnabas Health announced nearly $50M in support for Federally Qualified Health Centers across New Jersey to expand access in underserved communities.

Lakers Deal: Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5 billion, a major sports-business shakeup after Mark Walter’s earlier $10B purchase. NJ Courts: The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled under Daniel’s Law that businesses can face actual damages for keeping publishing protected addresses or phone numbers even without proving intent or recklessness. PBM Reform Push: New Jersey lawmakers urged the state to “finish the job” on pharmacy benefit manager reform, arguing PBMs’ power can distort patient choice and costs. Cybersecurity Lessons: Boston’s World Cup hosting showed how cross-city coordination—including New Jersey’s cybersecurity cell—helped prevent major incidents. Healthcare Tech in NJ: Hudson Regional Health performed Hudson County’s first robotic laser cataract surgery using the ALLY system at Secaucus University Hospital. Local Business & Labor: LIUNA sued over more than $2M in unpaid wages tied to Kushner and Namdar projects in Jersey City. Housing/Real Estate: A rare full-floor Hudson River penthouse in Edgewater hit the market for $45,000 a month.

Uber/Lyft Ruling: NJ judges issued a key decision on Uber and Lyft liability, holding an insurer must provide pedestrian PIP benefits even when a Lyft driver was transporting a passenger. Public Safety & Courts: The ruling lands as New Jersey continues tightening how transportation network companies are treated under state insurance rules. Immigration & Detention: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined NJ lawmakers and immigrant families to denounce conditions at ICE’s Delaney Hall detention center in Newark. Politics & Fundraising: Sen. Cory Booker is set to host Utah fundraisers, signaling Democratic momentum heading into the midterms. Local Justice: Prosecutors charged a former Lumberton mayoral candidate and her husband with forging signatures to get her on the Democratic primary ballot. Community & Culture: NJPAC opened applications for its Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, with a Sept. 8 deadline. Tech & Security: Reports say hackers targeted U.S. water facilities in a suspected Iran-linked cyberattack. Business & Labor: A New Jersey antitrust suit targets Amazon over delivery-driver pay.