AGP Executive Report

Elections & Voting Rights: State Sen. Michael Testa Jr. is pushing lawmakers to return from recess to pass New Jersey’s voter ID bill (S-68) after Gov. Mikie Sherrill publicly endorsed the idea, following reports that the MVC improperly registered about 6,600 noncitizens to vote and around 400 cast ballots. Environment & Consumer Life: New Jersey’s “Skip the Stuff” law took effect Aug. 1, requiring diners to request single-use items like utensils and condiment packets instead of getting them automatically—sparking online backlash. Politics & Public Safety: Testa also called for “common-sense safeguards” at the polls, while the broader debate over election rules continues to heat up. Business & Atlantic City: Ilitch Gaming completed its acquisition of the remaining 50% stake in Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, expanding its ownership and investment plans. Health & Pharma: Attorney General William Tong announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic-drug price-fixing and reduced competition. Sports & Community: New Jersey’s Major League Pickleball team capped its regular season with a win in Orlando, bringing more attention to the state’s growing pickleball scene.

Middle East Diplomacy: President Donald Trump says U.S.-Iran talks will begin Monday, but he won’t set a deadline for a deal—after earlier threats to escalate and then back off, as the Strait of Hormuz remains volatile and Iran signals progress with Oman. Shoreline Summer Eats: A Jersey Shore guide highlights Point Pleasant’s Point Lobster Company as a must-do stop before summer slips away, with a waterfront lobster roll pitch aimed at NJ diners. Packaging Shift: Paper-based “bubble wrap” is making its way into hardware stores, promising similar protection but with a recycling-friendly end goal instead of landfill microplastics. Local Labor: Montclair’s Township Council approved a five-year police contract with retroactive raises dating to January 2025, plus stipends and a new paid Juneteenth holiday. Health Tech Breach: New Jersey-based CareCloud disclosed a breach affecting about 345,000 people, involving medical and financial data stored on AWS. Arts & Community: Bergen County Players earned 15 Perry Award nominations, including eight for “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” and Ocean County Library hosts a virtual Lucy Foley event in Toms River.

Wayne Affordable Housing Breakthrough: Semeraro & Fahrney won site plan approval for Wayne’s first redevelopment project—an 113-unit affordable housing community—clearing a major step in the township’s long-term housing plan. ACLU vs. ICE in NJ: The ACLU and affiliates filed 54 administrative claims across 17 states, including New Jersey, alleging ICE misconduct such as excessive force and unlawful detentions; one NJ claim accuses agents of assaulting a nurse at Delaney Hall. MetLife Stadium Pop Culture: BTS returned to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford for a full Arirang World Tour stop, delivering a high-energy, visually heavy show that drew major local buzz. Atlantic County Landfill Fire: Crews responded to a trash fire at the ACUA Atlantic County Landfill in Egg Harbor Township, with officials asking residents to stay clear as smoke reports came in. FIFA World Cup Aftershocks: Commentary and coverage continued to swirl around FIFA’s leadership and plans, with global soccer groups pushing back against Infantino-era moves. Local Politics & Housing/Community: A separate Wayne housing win and broader community-focused items kept the spotlight on NJ’s development and civic priorities.

Voter Roll Fight in NJ: Gov. Mikie Sherrill says 6,600 noncitizens were mistakenly added to New Jersey’s voter rolls, with nearly 400 voting between June 2023 and June 2024, and her administration is steering some of those people toward taxpayer-funded legal help—while Sherrill blames the IDEMIA software vendor and the MVC’s slow fix. Federal Court Pushback: In a separate case, a judge dismissed the DOJ’s effort to force Illinois to hand over sensitive voter-roll data, saying the federal government can’t compel states to release it. ICE Accountability Drive: An ACLU push is tied to 54 tort claims against federal agents, including allegations of abuse at an ICE detention center in New Jersey. Public Safety Weather: Northern NJ faces another flash flood watch after back-to-back storms left roads and drainage systems struggling. Local Culture & Sports: The Little League Softball World Series opened in Greenville, and the Mets marked the 1986 World Series reunion at Citi Field. Entertainment: Vincent Pastore, “Big Pussy” from The Sopranos, died at 80.

NJ “Skip the Stuff” Law: Starting Aug. 1, New Jersey restaurants must give single-use plastic utensils, napkins, and condiment packets only if customers request them—so diners at chains like Texas Roadhouse and Olive Garden will have to opt in. FIFA Fallout: Pressure kept rising on Gianni Infantino’s World Cup private-investor plan as UEFA said it lost confidence and vowed a full review after the scheme was abandoned. Local Health & Safety: State data shows 9 NJ counties exceed the 15-minute recommended EMS response time, with Warren County worst at 22 minutes. Culture & Community: William Paterson University marks 25 years of Latin American and Latinx Studies with expanded fall course offerings. Food Scene: Razza in Jersey City was named the No. 3 pizzeria in the U.S. by 50 Top Pizza USA 2026. Sports/Entertainment: Justin Bieber’s World Cup halftime performance helped fuel a major comeback, with multiple tracks rebounding on Billboard charts. Climate/Health Watch: A tick surge tied to warmer winters and land-use changes is driving more bites and higher ER visits nationwide.

World Cup Fallout: FIFA is scrapping its plan to sell stakes in the 2026 World Cup to private investors after backlash from UEFA, CONCACAF, and Infantino’s own inner circle, including a senior adviser resignation tied to the “bad deal for football” criticism. NJ Immigration & Voting: DHS is pressing states, including New Jersey, to help identify and remove alleged noncitizens from voter rolls, while NJ officials dispute the premise and keep pushing back. Health Care: DOJ announced the first healthcare-sector declination under its new corporate enforcement policy, while NJ courts also rejected mass tort status for debt buyer lawsuits. Consumer Safety: The FDA upgraded a cold brew recall in New Jersey to Class II over potential botulism risk. Local News: A Jersey City fire displaced families and injured firefighters; and River Horse Brewing in Ewing says its tasting room and events will close after Thanksgiving as production moves out of state.

Noncitizen Voting Fight: New Jersey’s voter-roll controversy keeps escalating as Gov. Mikie Sherrill faces fresh scrutiny over a Motor Vehicle Commission software error that registered about 6,600 noncitizens after they answered “no” to being U.S. citizens, with roughly 400 ballots cast before the issue was caught. Privacy & Tech: State Sen. Michael Testa Jr. is pushing legislation to add privacy safeguards for Flock and other automated license plate readers while keeping them available for law enforcement. Local Housing vs Data Centers: Montvale residents and advocates are urging the mayor to drop a hyperscale data center from an affordable housing settlement, warning it could raise utility costs and add environmental burdens. Arts & Culture: Netflix is developing a new reality series, “The Leftovers,” produced by Jersey Shore’s SallyAnn Salsano, filmed across New Jersey. Roadside Crackdown: Dunellen police used an officer disguised as a shrub to issue 74 distracted-driving citations in six hours. Business & Growth: Hovione’s expanded East Windsor pharma facility is set for a ribbon-cutting this fall, with plans to boost U.S. spray-drying capacity and cut its carbon footprint.

NJ Courts & Injuries: The New Jersey Supreme Court backed Walmart in a snowy parking-lot slip-and-fall suit, saying the case didn’t meet the high bar for unusual circumstances. Legal Fees: A federal judge cut about $1.5M from attorneys’ fees sought after a $20M Hayward Holdings settlement, finding the request lacked enough support. World Cup Fight Hits NJ: European soccer leaders agreed to boycott FIFA events over Gianni Infantino’s plan to sell stakes to private equity, with CONCACAF also rejecting the proposal. Ballot & Voter Rolls: A federal judge blocked DOJ efforts to get New Jersey’s unredacted voter registration records, keeping sensitive personal data withheld while the broader dispute continues. Public Safety: A federal indictment alleges some NJ eye-surgery patients were given duplicative or unnecessary tests, tied to alleged kickbacks. Community & Culture: NECANN returns to Atlantic City for Sept. 18-19, spotlighting cannabis brands and business education. Economy Mood: A Rutgers-Eagleton/SSRS poll finds most NJ residents share national gloom about the economy, while feeling better about their own finances and jobs.

PFAS Fight in Court: Gov. Josh Stein, AG Jeff Jackson, and DEQ Sec. Reid Wilson urged the EPA to scrap a proposed PFAS settlement with Chemours, calling it a “backroom” deal that would do almost nothing for North Carolina’s contaminated air and water. EV Policy Watch: A new Q2 2026 report finds 32 states (plus DC) took EV and charging actions, with New Jersey among the most active—yet utilities and lawmakers are also pulling back on some EV programs. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Flock Safety cameras are facing growing pushback nationwide, with cities canceling contracts and residents damaging equipment over privacy and surveillance concerns. NJ Health & Care: A Dupixent lawsuit filed in federal court in New Jersey alleges the drug failed to warn about cancer risk after a patient developed mycosis fungoides. Local Growth: GoNetspeed announced a $3.5M expansion of its 100% fiber network to Old Bridge, targeting up to 6 Gbps for more than 2,500 homes and businesses. Senior Support Spotlight: Comfort Keepers promoted dementia and Alzheimer’s caregiving options across New Jersey communities, emphasizing in-home help and respite for families.

Terror Conviction: A federal jury convicted New Jersey resident Hadi Matar of terrorism-related charges for the 2022 Salman Rushdie stabbing, finding he tried to provide material support to Hezbollah and carried out transnational terrorism tied to an Iranian fatwa. World Cup Fallout: FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings involving Argentina after post-final clashes and the “Falklands are Argentine” banner, adding to a widening Falklands-related dispute. Prison Rights Fight: A New Jersey inmate sued after the state switched prison digital tablets to a new provider, arguing officials are forcing him to surrender purchased devices and content. Voting Records Clash: A federal judge dismissed Trump’s bid to compel New Jersey’s unredacted voter files, ruling the DOJ can’t force the state to hand over sensitive records. Local Health Concern: Elizabeth residents complained of a months-long foul odor traced to a nearby wastewater treatment facility. Business & Jobs: Johnson & Johnson announced a collaboration and option deal with Sail Biomedicines to advance in vivo CAR-T therapies. Weather: Heavy rain across the Northeast triggered flooding, rescues, and major travel disruptions, including cancellations at Newark-area airports.

Flooding & Storm Impacts: Heavy rain has triggered flash-flood warnings in eastern New York, with dangerous conditions spreading toward New England and millions under flood watches. Fair Pricing in NJ: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Fair Price Protection Act, making New Jersey the first state to curb surveillance-based grocery pricing that targets shoppers with personalized markups. Voter Roll Fallout: New Jersey continues to face fallout from a DMV software error that mistakenly registered thousands of noncitizens; the state says it won’t hand over voter data to the DOJ, while lawmakers and critics argue over what comes next. Public Safety & Health: Attorney General Letitia James and other AGs are pushing the FCC to strengthen “Know Your Customer” rules to crack down on illegal robocalls. Business & Jobs: CCM appointed Kevin Daly as its first chief commercial officer to expand intermodal partnerships and improve equipment availability. Courts & Pharma: A judge in New Jersey let parts of a Novo Nordisk CagriSema lawsuit move forward after the company tried to dismiss the case. Talc Litigation: Johnson & Johnson agreed to a proposed $5.5 billion settlement to resolve remaining talc ovarian-cancer claims.

FIFA Money Fight: FIFA is set to create FIFA Forward Enterprise and sell minority stakes in the men’s World Cup to private investors, valuing the venture around $29bn—sparking backlash over governance and who really benefits. NJ Voting Fallout: Gov. Mikie Sherrill says New Jersey has started removing thousands of people mistakenly registered after an MVC software error, while DOJ pushes for full voter-roll data; Sherrill says the Trump request has “no legal basis.” Robocall Crackdown: NJ AGs are urging the FCC to tighten “Know Your Customer” rules to stop illegal robocalls and scams. Local Health & Safety: A nursing home appeal failed after a jury verdict tied negligent “icebox” conditions to a hypothermia death. Consumer Watch: Lidl recalled cookies sold in multiple states, including NJ, because ingredient and allergen info wasn’t listed in English and undeclared allergens were found. Business & Jobs: FirstEnergy reported solid Q2 results and reaffirmed guidance as data-center demand keeps climbing.

NJ Politics & Voting Integrity: New Jersey’s voter-roll controversy keeps escalating as lawmakers and courts press for answers over thousands of noncitizens tied to registration and jury summonses, with fresh scrutiny on who knew what and when. Consumer Protection: Gov. Sherrill signed New Jersey’s Fair Price Protection Act, aiming to curb “surveillance pricing” that lets stores charge different prices based on personal data. Public Safety & Weather: New Jersey and the region brace for more severe storms and flash-flood risk, with flooding and travel disruptions already hitting the Northeast. Health & Recalls: A NJ-linked recall warns consumers about a botulism risk tied to Brooklyn Roasting Company pasteurized cold brew concentrate. Business & Local Economy: New Jersey American Water completed its acquisition of Gordon’s Corner Water Company, adding thousands of customer connections in Monmouth County. Community & Culture: Bergen County hosts a Japanese Food Festival at Overpeck Park on Aug. 1, bringing street food, taiko drumming, and Bon Odori dancing. Sports & Entertainment: A tragic Florida incident involving a 20-year-old NJ woman vacationing at historic ruins is drawing national attention, including ties to RHONJ.

Talc Litigation: Johnson & Johnson agreed to a landmark $5.5 billion settlement to resolve tens of thousands of ovarian cancer claims tied to baby powder and other talc products, including cases consolidated in federal court in New Jersey; the deal hinges on 95% claimant approval and follows a judge’s skepticism about plaintiffs proving “specific causation.” Public Health: A new federal analysis finds the U.S. death rate hit a historic low in 2025, with New Jersey leading the Northeast in declines, crediting long-running health-care expansion and attention to major killers like overdoses, gun violence, and traffic deaths. Tech & Finance: Elon Musk’s X rolled out X Money banking to all U.S. Premium and Premium+ subscribers, using New Jersey-based Cross River Bank and offering FDIC-insured deposits plus bill pay and transfers inside the app. Consumer Tech Disruption: T-Mobile suffered a nationwide outage that pushed many users into SOS mode, disrupting travel and communications. Local Community & Sports: Every Kick Counts returns Aug. 7 in Wall to support NJYS TOPSoccer, expanding an inclusive FootGolf-style fundraiser that raised about $10,000 in its first year. Military/Local: Picatinny Arsenal held a change-of-command ceremony as Lt. Col. John A. Meier took over as garrison commander.

NJ Politics & Voting Integrity: New Jersey’s noncitizen voter-roll mess is back in the spotlight as Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration faces fresh scrutiny over how thousands of people were improperly added and what comes next to prevent repeats. Consumer Protection (Surveillance Pricing): The state is moving to block “surveillance pricing” in groceries, aiming to stop retailers from charging different prices based on customer data. Health & Seniors: Local families in North Bergen and Nutley are looking for practical in-home dementia support, with providers emphasizing supervision, daily routines, and safety so seniors can stay at home. Healthcare Business: Tower Health is starting an affiliation with Jefferson Health, promising more specialty access without a merger. Legal/Policy: A coalition of states, including Virginia AG Jay Jones, is suing over Trump administration conditions tied to counterterrorism and emergency funding that would require sensitive voter data sharing. Local Development: Bayonne Sen. Angela McKnight praised a proposed NJ Transit transit-oriented development near the 34th Street station, including low- and moderate-income housing. Tech/Tax Ops: QX Accounting Services and K1x announced an integration to automate K-1 processing for 1040 workflows. Public Safety/Environment: A rabid beaver scare is raising questions about rabies risk after attacks reported across the region.

Noncitizen-voter fallout: New Jersey’s “serious software error” that mistakenly registered about 6,600 noncitizens has turned into a national fight, with Gov. Mikie Sherrill saying fewer than 400 voted and Democrats urging corrections while GOP leaders call it “bigger than” the disclosed number. Consumer protection win: Gov. Sherrill signed the Fair Price Protection Act banning “surveillance pricing” in grocery stores, letting shoppers sue and targeting price changes based on personal data. Public safety and health: A man was charged after a 2-year-old overdosed on cocaine while under his care at a Jersey Shore Airbnb in Wildwood; the child was treated with Narcan. Community spotlight: Rutgers-Newark marked 80 years of impact in Newark and Essex County, highlighting partnerships on crime, housing, health, AI and entrepreneurship. Local business: Sayreville’s new Bass Pro Shop is set to open this fall as the biggest single-story store in the country, with a 70,000-gallon aquarium. Sports: The 76ers moved to add LeBron James’ Lakers teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope after his buyout, while Philadelphia also cleared cap steps tied to the LeBron signing. Opinion: A new take argues online safety should protect digital communities without one-size-fits-all rules.