AGP Executive Report

Utility Costs & Federal Oversight: A federal audit says Atlantic City Electric overbilled transmission charges to New Jersey households, ordering a refund report while the utility works out potential customer impacts. Offshore Wind Jobs Fight: Labor unions, environmentalists and politicians rallied at the Jersey Shore urging voters to elect Democrats to revive offshore wind, blaming the Trump administration and Rep. Jeff Van Drew for stalled projects and higher rates. NJ Politics Under Scrutiny: New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under investigation, with reporting saying the probe led by former AG Chris Porrino is near its end—renewing pressure on Gov. Mikie Sherrill for clearer action. Immigration & Family Harm: A New Jersey case highlights the fallout of ICE failures, as a six-year-old girl was kidnapped and sexually assaulted, fueling renewed calls for accountability. Local Justice: A Medford woman was sentenced to prison for $535,000 in PPP fraud tied to a childcare business. Business & Community: SafeBridge Insurance opened a bilingual quoting desk in Jersey City to help new trucking carriers clear insurance paperwork faster.

Offshore Wind Jobs Fight: Unions, environmentalists and NJ Democrats are urging voters to flip House seats held by Republicans like Rep. Jeff Van Drew, arguing Trump and Van Drew helped kill offshore wind projects and “good union jobs.” 9/11 Fallout in NJ Politics: A viral 25th-anniversary Ground Zero moment involving NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sparked backlash, with Giuliani also weighing in on what he said to Mamdani during the ceremony. LIV Golf Chapter 11 in NJ: A federal judge authorized LIV Golf to pull $14 million in debtor-in-possession financing to keep operations running while it restructures after filing for bankruptcy. Public Safety & Crime: NJ immigration and public-safety debate intensified after a statement from Van Drew following an alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a six-year-old girl. Local Business Watch: Westwood’s Il Vero, tied to Teresa and Gia Giudice, is inching toward opening with no official date yet.

Local Culture & Youth Sports: The Philadelphia Union Foundation launched “Exit 6,” a Chester-themed clothing line (tees, hats, bags) named for the I-95 exit locals use, with proceeds supporting programs like iAM Project, Chester Soccer, HeadFirst, and Safe Spaces. Tech & Water Conservation: Marlton teen Neha Blunt built “Water Saver,” a web tool to help households track and cut water use; her campaign says it’s reached over a million people and saved an estimated 20 million gallons. AI Oversight in Trenton: Rep. Josh Gottheimer says the national AI panic is spilling into everyday questions, pushing his push for more rules of the road. Health in Primary Care: A New Jersey urologic oncologist argues PSA screening should happen through shared decision-making in primary care, balancing benefits and false positives. Politics & Protest Watch: Trump’s Dublin visit blends meetings with a trip to his Doonbeg golf club, drawing planned demonstrations and road disruptions. 9/11 Remembrance: Communities across the region marked the 25th anniversary with ceremonies and memorials, including local first-responder tributes.

9/11 Anniversary in NJ: New Jersey residents marked the 25th anniversary with ceremonies and personal stories, including a Middletown memorial honoring 37 local victims and a New Jersey widow pressing for accountability tied to alleged Saudi links. Public Safety: A deadly wrong-way crash shut Route 1 south in Trenton during the morning commute, killing one and sending three others to the hospital. Transit Reliability: A new Garden State Initiative report says NJ Transit’s reliability problems aren’t driven by Amtrak disruptions, pointing instead to state-controlled maintenance and aging equipment. Local Business & Food Access: Newark opened ward-based community grocery stores offering about 30% below wholesale prices, with discounts aimed at easing household costs. Tech & Law: A New Jersey-based law firm is already marketing “Cybercab” accident claims as Tesla’s driverless taxis expand, raising fresh questions about liability in autonomous crashes. Politics & Representation: Coverage also highlights how proposed 2030 census changes could shift states’ funding and political power.

9/11 Commemoration: President Trump is set to speak at the Pentagon’s 25th anniversary ceremony for the Sept. 11 attacks, while Vice President JD Vance represents the administration at Ground Zero; the Ground Zero program adds a new seventh moment of silence this year, including one for the thousands who later died from illnesses tied to toxic dust. Flight 93 Legacy: A St. John’s alum, Tom Burnett, is remembered for helping bring down United Airlines Flight 93; his nephew, Devin O’Brien, later rushed toward danger during the 2025 Annunciation Church shooting in Minneapolis. Courtroom Justice for Families: Saudi Arabia is facing a U.S. appeals hearing tied to 9/11 lawsuits, with plaintiffs arguing a full trial could expose alleged terrorist support networks. New Jersey Business Watch: A report says a developer has bought the remaining acres of the Atlantic City Race Course property, with Amazon already tied to part of the site. Trade & Jobs: Clarion Events promoted Lauren Ocoma to Senior Vice President for events and brand strategy for FDIC International’s Fire & Rescue group.

9/11 Commemoration in NJ: Midas held its biggest Project Spark car-donation event in North Bergen, teaming up nine franchisees to give refurbished vehicles to 11 recipients with ties to Sept. 11, as the state and nation mark the 25th anniversary. Statehouse Tech Rules: Assembly Minority Whip Brian Bergen is pushing a bill to force NJ lawmakers to lock up phone-like devices during sessions, quorum calls, votes, and committee meetings—mirroring the state’s school cellphone restrictions. Consumer Safety Online Dating: NJ’s attorney general and Division of Consumer Affairs reached a settlement with Match Group, requiring changes and a $650,000 payment over alleged failures to disclose criminal background screening practices to NJ users. Labor & Self-Driving: SEIU 32BJ rallied at the State Capitol for rideshare drivers, backing legislation aimed at protecting workers as autonomous-vehicle proposals advance. Finance & Banking: Valley National Bank launched Valley Foundry, a tech platform aimed at accelerating adoption of AI, cybersecurity, and data analytics across its footprint. Markets: Ocean Power Technologies announced a 1-for-30 reverse stock split to boost its share price and improve marketability. Business/Banking Deal Trend: A report says community banks are increasingly buying insurance agencies after years of divestitures.

ICE Warrantless Arrest Fight: New Jersey’s AG joins a 21-state push to keep limits on when ICE can make warrantless arrests, arguing the Trump-era approach erodes public trust and public safety. Endangered Species Act Lawsuits: States including New Jersey are suing the Trump administration over rules that weaken the Endangered Species Act, challenging changes to what counts as “harm” and protections for newly threatened species. NJ Lt. Gov. Caldwell Probe: Gov. Sherrill faced fresh questions as reporting says an outside law firm is nearing the end of its investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell amid allegations involving misconduct and ethics concerns. LIV Golf Bankruptcy in NJ: LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 in New Jersey, estimating liabilities up to $1B and leaving players and creditors—some owed millions—watching for a restructure or legal fallout. Federal Privacy Gap: A new report says federal judges’ home addresses remain easy to find online despite privacy protections, with New Jersey’s earlier “Daniel’s Law” cited as more effective. Gun Rights Challenge: A New Jersey firearms licensing rule that critics say lets officials block permits based on “offensive remarks” is headed toward higher-court review. Business Briefs: BetMGM rolled out its 2026-27 football season promotions in Jersey City, highlighting “Legendary Thursdays” and product upgrades.

Robocall Crackdown: New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport is pushing the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules so phone companies vet the sources of calls more aggressively, after Americans lost nearly $2 billion to scam robocalls and texts last year. Immigration Enforcement Limits: NJ Attorney General Aaron Ford joined a coalition urging a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling requiring ICE to follow legal safeguards when making warrantless civil arrests. Endangered Species Fight: NJ joined other Democratic-led states in suing the Trump administration over rollbacks to Endangered Species Act protections, arguing the changes weaken habitat safeguards. LIV Golf Bankruptcy in NJ: LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 in New Jersey, putting its court process and major player payouts in the spotlight as creditors—many of them top golfers—seek answers. Housing Rights: A New Jersey tenant eviction case spotlights how the state’s “familial status” protections currently hinge on children under 18, raising calls to broaden protections amid the housing crunch. Local Business & Community: South Jersey roofing contractor Grand View Roofing & Exteriors joined multiple local chambers, signaling continued investment in regional ties. Happiness Rankings: WalletHub again put New Jersey near the top, ranking it No. 2 among the happiest states.

Statehouse Watch: Gov. Mikie Sherrill is facing fresh pressure over Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, as reports say an investigation into alleged misconduct and ethics concerns has been underway for months—while critics demand more transparency from the administration. Bankruptcy in NJ: LIV Golf has filed for Chapter 11 protection in New Jersey, listing $500 million to $1 billion in liabilities and $100 million to $500 million in assets, with top players including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau among major unsecured creditors; the league says it’s aiming for a player-first ownership model and a return to competition in 2027. Local Economy: Burlington is moving its headquarters from New Jersey to Philadelphia, a shift tied to a major Pennsylvania development project and expected to bring thousands of jobs over the next several years. Business & Health: RadNet, which operates imaging centers across NJ, announced upcoming investor and public health events, including a free prostate cancer webinar. Policy & Jobs: Sherrill signed legislation expanding employee ownership support through the NJEDA, adding tools like feasibility study reimbursements and a revolving loan fund for conversions.

LIV Golf Bankruptcy: LIV Golf has filed for Chapter 11 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of New Jersey, listing $100M–$500M in assets and $500M–$1B in liabilities, as Saudi funding ends and the league seeks a “LIV 2.0” plan with majority player ownership backed by BC Partners. State Politics: Gov. Mikie Sherrill broke her silence on a reported internal investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, offering few details while demanding higher standards across her administration. Election Integrity Probe: Rep. Jeff Van Drew will hold a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing on Sept. 15 into about 6,600 people who identified as noncitizens ending up on New Jersey voter rolls, with the state citing a software failure. 9/11 Accountability: New records renew scrutiny of NYC officials’ post-9/11 air-quality assurances, as New Jersey’s own Empty Sky memorial remains unfinished ahead of the 25th anniversary. Local Education: Saddle River Day School opened a new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, adding STEM and business-focused spaces for the new school year.

Politics & Power in Trenton: The New Jersey Working Families Party is recruiting and training progressive candidates for the 2027 Legislature, aiming to challenge the “county line” era after a 2024 federal judge ruling. Campaign Pressure: Data centers are emerging as a major midterm issue, with dozens of NJ towns restricting or banning them as voters question energy use, water use, and quality-of-life impacts. Local Government Watch: Gov. Mikie Sherrill has opened an internal investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell over alleged inappropriate behavior with women and possible ethics violations. Business & Jobs: Trump’s threat to block Bombardier aircraft sales in the U.S. triggered pushback, including from a Kansas Republican senator citing Bombardier’s U.S. footprint that includes New Jersey. Culture Clash at MetLife: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks during Ed Sheeran’s NJ shows sparked petitions and backlash, with the rapper insisting his message isn’t anti-Jewish. Remembering 9/11: Coverage continues on how 25 years later the attacks still echo in New York’s morgue, hospital, and courthouse.

Data Center Lawsuits: Residents in Wisconsin and Mississippi are suing Microsoft and xAI over alleged low-frequency noise, vibration, and other harms from data centers, with plaintiffs arguing standard dBA monitors may miss the sound. Scam Alerts: New Jersey cities including Colonia, Phillipsburg, and others tied for 120th in July BBB Scam Tracker reports, each with a single listed scam and small reported losses like $40.98 in Colonia. Israel-Gaza Backlash at MetLife: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks and “Hind’s Hall” at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife shows sparked petitions from the Israeli-American Council calling for his removal from remaining tour dates, plus celebrity amplification from Pink and renewed debate over politics at concerts. NJ Politics & Accountability: Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under outside investigation over alleged inappropriate behavior toward women. Education Policy Fight: Chatham School District faces a lawsuit over its gender identity and name-change policy, alleging parents weren’t properly informed. Transportation Push: Port Authority and CALSTART unveiled a $45M incentive plan to expand zero-emission drayage trucks and charging hubs. Road Safety/Tech: A Tesla crash in Buena Vista Township killed an 82-year-old driver; investigators say Tesla data indicates driver-assist was engaged.

Labor Day & worker power: New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani used the holiday to announce an Office of Worker Power, aimed at helping non-union workers connect with organizers and report labor-law violations. NJ politics & culture: At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, opening-act rapper Macklemore sparked a backlash after “Free Palestine” remarks and performing “Hind’s Hall,” prompting an Israeli-American group to petition Ed Sheeran to remove him from remaining tour dates. Trump in NJ spotlight: White House aide Natalie Harp drew fresh scrutiny after appearing with Donald Trump over the Labor Day weekend at his Bedminster golf club, with observers pointing to visible bruising on her ankles. Local public safety & community impact: Passaic postponed its Mexican Independence Day Parade indefinitely, citing ICE-related concerns and a recent surge in arrests that residents say is hurting “Little Mexico” businesses. Fraud watch: BBB Scam Tracker ranked Emerson among NJ cities with scam reports in July, underscoring ongoing consumer-loss concerns.

Elections & Voting Access: Nevada AG Aaron Ford won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS from imposing new federal requirements on vote-by-mail systems, a fight led by multiple states ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. NJ Public Safety & Crime: A head-on crash on Route 206 in Andover Township killed one and injured two as law enforcement stepped up Labor Day enforcement in northwest New Jersey. Fraud Watch (BBB): Emerson ranked among 132 NJ cities tied for 120th in July scam reports, with one report logged and about $49.97 in losses; Union City also tied for 120th with one report. Politics & NJ Leadership: Calls are growing for Gov. Sherrill to address allegations facing Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, including claims of inappropriate behavior and possible ethics issues. Culture & Controversy at MetLife: The Israeli-American Council is pushing to remove Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s tour after his onstage “Free Palestine” remarks at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Local Notes: The Grover Cleveland Presidential Library in Caldwell is expanding public hours starting Sept. 6.

Touring Clash in NJ: The Israeli-American Council launched a petition urging Ed Sheeran to drop Macklemore from the rest of his Loop Tour after Macklemore used his MetLife Stadium opening set to call for “Free Palestine” and project Gaza-related messages. Politics & Power in NJ: President Trump spent the Labor Day weekend in New Jersey, golfing at Bedminster with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, as online chatter swirled about Trump’s changing hair and about aide Natalie Harp’s role after she was photographed carrying a large duffel bag at Morristown. Election Integrity Fight: DHS asked DOJ to revisit ERIC’s voter-data practices and election-system concerns, including motor-vehicle data access and barcode/QR voting tech. Local Real Estate: Lou Dobbs’ 283-acre Sussex County estate, Hickory Hollow Farm, is listed for $6 million, with development potential and an 11-acre pond. Education & Health: A student-loan forgiveness case highlights federal payment-count changes tied to coding errors, while NJ’s school health costs and teacher premium hikes remain in focus.

NJ Politics: Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration confirmed an investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell over alleged inappropriate behavior and possible ethics violations, a major early test for her “clean shop” agenda. Prediction Markets Clash: New Jersey is pushing its case to the U.S. Supreme Court to keep states able to regulate sports prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket, as regulators and industry groups fight over who gets to set the rules. Consumer Safety: A voluntary mango recall in NJ and nearby states warns of possible Salmonella contamination tied to Martina mangoes sold at select Walmart locations. Local Fraud Watch: Rahway logged five scam reports in July, tying for 10th in NJ for scam reports, with online purchase schemes driving most losses. Business & Industry: Newark craft distiller All Points West says NJ regulations are pushing it to relocate its spirits operation out of New Jersey to Kingston, New York. Defense/Tech: Marotta Controls won work on the U.S. Navy’s next-gen Next Generation Jammer–Low Band, supplying parts tied to airborne electronic warfare power systems.