AGP Executive Report

Meta Trial in NJ’s Backyard: New Jersey is one of four states taking Meta to federal court in Oakland over claims its Instagram and Facebook were designed to hook kids, with plaintiffs seeking damages that could reach $1.4 trillion and forcing changes to how the apps operate. Energy & Data Centers: PJM asked FERC for a conditional reliability plan for big new electricity users like data centers—allowing them to come online before enough capacity exists, with the uncovered demand potentially subject to curtailment. AI Power Push: Sunrun and Voltus say they’re teaming up to bring home-battery capacity into AI hyperscaler “bring your own capacity” programs, raising questions about how much is actually deliverable. Local Politics: Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin named longtime aide Daniel Harris as executive director of the Assembly Majority Office, with Stephan Lally promoted to deputy executive director. Community & Health: Hackensack Meridian JFK University Medical Center Foundation announced its Sept. 14 golf outing to fund an expansion of cardiology services.

Meta Trial Over Kids’ Safety: States including New Jersey are set to take Meta to trial in California over claims the company designed Facebook and Instagram to hook children, seeking massive damages and sweeping changes. AI in Courtrooms: The NJ Office of the Public Defender is rolling out a secure AI platform with Princeton to speed up legal research and brief drafting, aiming to free attorneys for clients. NJ Business Watch: NJBIZ’s Top 100 privately owned firms spotlights Stillwell-Hansen’s jump to No. 1 after 119% revenue growth, with other major movers reshaping the state’s corporate landscape. Public Health Recall: Shilpa Medicare is recalling more than 27,000 vials of a chemotherapy drug distributed in the U.S., including via New Jersey-based Amneal Pharmaceuticals, after discoloration complaints. Sports Betting Fight: Novig is suing Wisconsin’s attorney general over whether sports prediction markets should be treated as federal derivatives or state gambling. Community Spotlight: Jersey City held its 66th annual Puerto Rican Day Parade, drawing officials and thousands celebrating culture and pride. Local Culture & Pride: Indian-American groups in New Jersey marked India’s 80th Independence Day with Guinness record efforts, including a “largest flagpole number” event.

FBI Manhunt Update: Gregory Henderson Jr., added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list Aug. 11, was arrested a day later, accused of drug trafficking, money laundering and dogfighting ties to the Sinaloa Cartel. Food Safety: Kettle Cuisine LLC recalled Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at Walmart after a possible listeria contamination risk; no illnesses reported, but NJ shoppers are urged to throw it out or return it for a refund. Local Business: Raising Cane’s opens its 10th NJ location Monday in Linden, hiring about 110 workers and planning giveaways and donations to local schools and the Boys & Girls Club. Kids Online Safety Lawsuit: Meta faces a major multistate trial Tuesday over claims its Instagram/Facebook features are addictive and harmful to children’s mental health, with New Jersey among the states seeking nearly $200B. Disaster Aid Fight: Rep. Frank Pallone is pushing for an investigation into FEMA’s denial of blizzard relief after Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s request was rejected. Surveillance Pushback: A Princeton resident is urging limits on Flock Safety cameras, arguing public safety tech is expanding into a broader tracking network.

Social Media Lawsuits: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of fueling social media addiction harms to minors, rejecting arguments that Section 230 blocks the cases. NJ Consumer Protection: Newrez reached a $15.5M multistate settlement over force-placed insurance charges, and regulators also flagged a Walmart recall of 3,240 Marketside tomato bisque soup kits in 29 states including New Jersey due to possible listeria. FBI Most Wanted (NJ Ties): A Filipino real estate figure tied to a $650M Ponzi scheme that allegedly ensnared about 2,000 investors, including hundreds in New Jersey, was added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters list. Community & Culture: India’s 80th Independence Day celebrations lit up the tri-state, including a Guinness World Record in Parsippany and flag-hoisting events across the region. Local Arts: Hoboken Public Library director Jennie Pu was reappointed to lead a national advocacy task force for urban libraries. Sports (NJ): The Jets got a bright preseason moment with Braelon Allen’s return touchdown after an 11-month layoff.

Social Media Lawsuits: A federal appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of fueling social media addiction harms to young users, rejecting a bid to stop the cases under Section 230. NJ Scam Tracker: Seaside Park and Bergenfield each logged just one BBB Scam Tracker report in July, tying for 120th among 251 NJ cities—while Jersey City and Newark led the state with 11 reports each. SEC Boiler-Room Case: The SEC says a Long Island–New Jersey “boiler room” sold shares in private tech firms like SpaceX and Anduril, allegedly charging retirees and retail investors massive hidden fees—over $74 million raised. AI Power in Vineland: Nebius’ endorsement of Bloom Energy’s fuel-cell switch for a Vineland AI data center helped lift BE stock after community and permitting concerns. Privacy Tool for Drivers: “Have I Been Flocked” lets NJ drivers check whether their plate was searched in Flock camera audit logs, with organizers warning the dataset can be incomplete. Sports & Culture: Rutgers field hockey adds national-champion and Northern Ireland players; and the Count Basie Center marks its centennial with a Basie Orchestra weekend in Red Bank.

Social Media Lawsuits: A U.S. appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of fueling social media addiction harms to young users, rejecting attempts to stop the cases under Section 230. Immigration & Voting Fraud: ICE says a Colombian man who falsely claimed U.S. citizenship for more than 20 years used a stolen identity to get a passport, a Florida driver’s license, and register to vote, leading to a three-year federal prison sentence. Food Safety: Walmart shoppers in New Jersey and 28 other states are being told to stop using recalled Marketside tomato bisque soup kits after possible Listeria contamination; no illnesses have been confirmed. Housing Pressure: A new report argues illegal immigration is worsening New Jersey’s housing crunch, citing Pew estimates of hundreds of thousands of unauthorized residents statewide. Local Courts/Politics: Federal investigators subpoenaed records tied to Philadelphia lobbyist William Dunbar, a close adviser to Mayor Cherelle Parker, as part of a broader probe. Community Watch: Residents at a New Jersey condo complex filed discrimination complaints over a pool schedule that splits swim time by gender.

Social Media Lawsuits: A federal appeals court cleared the way for thousands of lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of fueling social media addiction harms to young users, rejecting arguments that Section 230 blocks the cases from moving forward. Food Safety: The FDA flagged a Walmart soup kit recall—Marketside Tomato Bisque sold in 29 states, including New Jersey—over possible Listeria contamination, with a use-by date of Aug. 22 still ahead. Immigration Detention Oversight: Questions are growing after three ICE detainee deaths at New Jersey’s Delaney Hall, with critics pointing to alleged medical neglect and delays in care. Local Government & Roads: Burlington County says resurfacing work on a 0.6-mile stretch of Ridge Road (CR-643) starts Aug. 17, with northbound detours during about a week of milling and overlay. Business & Rutgers: Rutgers named Christine E. Beswick associate dean for administration at the School of Communication and Information, effective Sept. 8. Sports & Entertainment: Taemin’s 2026–27 U.S. tour lands at Newark’s Prudential Center on Oct. 23, and NFL preseason Week 1 kicks off Friday with Jets-Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium.

Meta Youth Addiction Lawsuit: A federal appeals court cleared the way for more than 3,000 lawsuits accusing Meta and TikTok of designing addictive social media for minors, rejecting their bid to stop the cases under Section 230. Keyport Landfill Fears: Keyport residents heard more testing results showing no link between contamination at a former landfill and nearby human consumption, though DEP surface-water results are still due in September. E-Bike Safety Push: After a spike in child injuries and deaths, New Jersey’s rules require riders to be at least 15 with a license and registration, as parents and advocates debate whether blame and patchwork laws miss the bigger safety picture. Scam Prevention for Seniors: West Orange seniors got targeted help on scams, fraud, and identity theft through a local financial education program. Food Recalls: Lidl recalled a Vitasia wok spice mix in multiple states, including New Jersey, after Salmonella showed up in company testing; no illnesses reported. Big Fraud Case: The FBI added New Jersey resident Rey E. Grabato II to its Most Wanted list over a $650M Ponzi scheme. Election Court Fight: Libertarian candidate Lana Leguía is taking her NJ-7 ballot fight to federal court after state court setbacks. India Day in NJ/NY: New Jersey and New York officially proclaimed Aug. 15 as “India Independence Day,” ahead of India’s 80th anniversary.

Meta Trial in NJ/Region: A major federal youth-safety case is moving forward as jury selection begins in California, with New Jersey among states accusing Meta of designing Facebook and Instagram to keep kids hooked—potential penalties cited at up to $1.4 trillion. Immigration Crackdown: Deportation orders surged in June across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, with NJ courts issuing 3,446 removal/voluntary departure orders—the highest since at least 1997. ICE Deaths in NJ: A third migrant has died at a New Jersey ICE detention center, raising fresh scrutiny of medical care at Delaney Hall. Local Courts/Politics: House Republicans asked IDEMIA for records tied to New Jersey’s voter registration software error that improperly registered thousands of noncitizens. Business & Power Costs: New Jersey residents are being warned that hyperscale AI data centers could push up Peco bills as electricity demand ramps. Community & Jobs: New Jersey American Water’s “Water UP!” program is back in Camden, training the next wave of water-industry workers. Sports/Entertainment: Netflix is launching a new reality series set in Arizona, while Diddy was reportedly moved out of solitary at Fort Dix in New Jersey.

India Independence Day Proclamations: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul have proclaimed Aug. 15 “India Independence Day,” with the Indian Consulate in New York thanking both leaders as Indian-American communities gear up for Swatantrata Diwas celebrations. ICE Detention Fallout: DHS confirmed the death of a third detainee at Newark’s Delaney Hall after a medical emergency, adding fresh fuel to lawmakers’ calls for accountability and changes to the facility. Voter ID Clash in Trenton: Sherrill says she’d back a state voter ID law even as she criticizes Trump’s federal “SAVE America Act,” amid scrutiny over a software error that registered thousands of noncitizens. Power Bills Watch: JCP&L is seeking an electric rate hike of about 8.5%, projecting roughly $14 more per month, with critics warning customers can’t absorb more costs. Consumer Safety Alerts: Lidl US recalled Vitasia Asian Style Wok Spice Mix over possible Salmonella contamination, while a separate hair mousse recall warns of an explosion risk in certain Schwarzkopf Osis Grip cans sold in NJ. Courts & Competition: The Third Circuit revived an algorithmic price-fixing case tied to Atlantic City hotels, and NJ AG Davenport sued Amazon over alleged antitrust harm to delivery drivers’ wages. Sports Business: Josh Kushner and Bob Iger agreed to buy the Los Angeles Lakers for a record $12.5B, a deal that’s already reshaping the NBA ownership landscape.

Utility Bills Watch: JCP&L filed for a $253M base rate increase, with residential bills projected to rise about 8.8% and impacts delayed until January 2028. Courtroom & Privacy: New Jersey Supreme Court ruled there’s no required mental state for damages under the state’s judicial privacy law, answering a question tied to a federal challenge. Social Media Crackdown: Meta faces a major youth-safety trial in California, with New Jersey among the states seeking sweeping changes and penalties tied to claims of addictive design and improper children’s data use. Voter Rolls Probe: House Judiciary Republicans demanded IDEMIA records over New Jersey’s voter registration software dispute involving about 6,600 noncitizens. Camden Waterfront Upgrade: Battleship New Jersey announced a $24.25M redevelopment, including a new visitor center, marina parking, and shipboard improvements. Local Culture: Ringwood Manor brought 250 years of history to life with a timeline reenactment spanning multiple eras.

ICE Deaths & Family Notification: A New Jersey father, Edwin López Cornejo, died in ICE custody after his family says they weren’t told in time; lawmakers are pushing the “Families Deserve to Know Act” to require faster emergency-contact notification of detainee deaths and serious illness. Election Integrity: A federal judge blocked a Trump order that could let the U.S. Postal Service refuse to carry some New Jersey vote-by-mail ballots, keeping the state’s current system in place for November. Kids’ Online Safety: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed three bills tightening privacy and engagement rules for minors on social media and creating a Social Media Research Center. Energy Costs: New Jersey residents may see higher electric bills as utilities seek rate hikes tied to grid and demand pressures, including data centers and AI. Local Crime & Courts: A grand jury declined criminal charges in a Jersey City police shooting death of Teshawn Rogers. Business & Tech: Roseland-based CoreWeave surged after beating earnings and raising guidance on AI computing demand. Sports Betting Watch: HISA is investigating unusual betting tied to five horses from Fair Hill Training Facility, including multiple wins at Monmouth Park.

New Jersey Politics & Voting: Sussex County commissioners passed an election-integrity resolution after Gov. Mikie Sherrill disclosed a software error that improperly registered about 6,600 noncitizens to vote at MVC locations, demanding a full, independent, transparent investigation. Public Safety & Courts: New Jersey’s AG filed a first-of-its-kind antitrust case against Amazon, arguing the company used its control over delivery contractors to suppress driver pay and worsen working conditions. Housing Relief: NJ Treasury opened online applications for the ANCHOR property-tax relief program for renters and homeowners, with prior applicants auto-filed. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure: NJIT’s Center for Natural Resources is using flood data and modeling through its REACH program to help towns target real flood-mitigation fixes. Business & Jobs: GoNetspeed began $43 million fiber construction in Rahway, Clark, Linden, and Woodbridge, aiming to connect first customers this winter. Local Economy: A Franklin Township municipal CFO was charged with theft by deception tied to an alleged double-billing scheme. Sports (NJ): Giants coach John Harbaugh complained about rough practice conditions during their facility renovation, including temporary locker and weight-room setups.

Ocean City Development Fight: Community groups sued to block Ocean City’s June vote designating Gillian’s Wonderland Pier as “in need of rehabilitation,” a move tied to a proposed seven-story, 242-room hotel plan. Courts & Voting Rights: A judge encouraged 29 new U.S. citizens to register to vote during a naturalization ceremony in the Great Smoky Mountains. Public Safety & Justice: A New Jersey man, Manuel Hernandez, was charged after an allegedly unlicensed, overcrowded boat capsized in New York Harbor, killing a mother and her 5-month-old baby. ICE Detention Scrutiny: A surge in lawsuits is straining courts as challenges continue over ICE detention tactics. NJ Civil Rights Probe: New Jersey opened a civil rights investigation into conditions at the Delaney Hall detention center after detainee deaths. Cybersecurity: Cape May County municipalities Woodbine and Cape May reported municipal water systems were hacked in late July, with investigations underway. Local Politics: New Jersey’s “new voting age” law lets 17-year-olds vote in June primaries if they turn 18 by November. Entertainment & Culture: A real Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza is set to open in 2027 in East Rutherford, bringing the fictional horror brand to New Jersey.

Bristol Myers Squibb Expansion: New Jersey-based Bristol Myers Squibb says it will pour about $2.3 billion into a new Houston manufacturing campus, creating nearly 500 jobs, as part of a broader push to expand U.S. drug production. Gun Safety Fight: New Jersey Attorney General Matt/Letitia James co-led a multistate effort urging the Trump administration’s ATF to abandon sweeping rollbacks of federal gun safety rules. Montclair Schools & AI: Montclair’s school district is weighing new policies after a community survey flagged growing concern about classroom tech and AI use. PFAS Settlement Win: Federal court approval clears the way for major PFAS settlements involving 3M and DuPont-related companies, with billions in recovery aimed at long-term cleanup in New Jersey. Jewelry Heist in Woodbridge: Masked robbers hit 9Lakha Jewellers in Woodbridge in a one-minute, sledgehammer smash-and-grab worth about $1 million, police say. Local Consumer Fraud Watch: BBB Scam Tracker data shows Englewood logged a scam report in June, placing it among the state’s higher-ranked cities for reported scams. Sports Betting Promo: Fanatics is pushing a New Jersey-eligible NFL preseason offer with promo code NYPOST26. Entertainment: American Dream in New Jersey is set to host a real “Five Nights at Freddy’s” Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza location in 2027.

AI & Cybersecurity for NJ Businesses: A NJBIZ panel urged companies to build an AI strategy before adopting tools, stressing cybersecurity, legal/data privacy risks, and pairing AI governance with employee training. Meta Trial Hits NJ: New Jersey is among four states suing Meta over alleged harms to children from Instagram and Facebook, with a major federal trial set to begin in Oakland and seek sweeping restrictions and massive penalties. Utility Accountability: NJ regulators voted to restart an enforcement case that could fine JCP&L up to $44.1M after July storm outages, alleging repeated failures to meet reliability standards. Local Community Pushback: Residents in Vineland packed a meeting to challenge a proposed massive data center, citing noise, vibrations, air quality, and water use concerns. Politics & Security in Bedminster: NORAD scrambled F-16s to intercept aircraft that violated temporary flight restrictions over Trump’s Bedminster golf club. Culture & Community: Lawnside marked its 100th incorporation anniversary, celebrating its role as the Northeast’s first Black self-governing municipality. Entertainment in NJ: American Dream in Bergen County announced a permanent Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza immersive restaurant opening in 2027. Sports Business Buzz: LIV Golf New York wrapped at Bedminster, with Joaquin Niemann winning and Jon Rahm taking a third straight season title.