AGP Executive Report

Courts & Energy: A federal appeals court vacated New Jersey’s water-quality approval for Williams’ $1B Northeast Supply Enhancement gas pipeline to New York, sending the Clean Water Act Section 401 certification back to NJDEP over unresolved monitoring requirements and dredging standards. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested a Bahamian national in Georgia accused of illegally voting in the 2020 election, with the case highlighting a lengthy criminal record. Elections & Politics: New Jersey Republicans are leaning on their first-ever midterm convention as polling shows Democrats energized and GOP chances in key House races, including NJ-7, looking tighter than expected. Public Safety & Civic Life: NJ’s 2027 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists were announced, with top Bergen County schools like Bergen County Academies, Millburn, and Livingston among the biggest contributors. Commemoration: The 25th anniversary of 9/11 continues to drive major remembrance coverage, including tributes tied to New Jersey’s role and leaders reflecting on that day’s lasting impact.

Caldwell Fallout in Trenton: NJ Democrats say they were left “in the dark” as Gov. Mikie Sherrill faced pressure over how she’s handled the Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell investigation, with Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia accusing Sherrill of mishandling and refusing to provide details. AmeriCorps Fight: AG Nick Brown and a coalition of states reached a settlement blocking the Trump administration’s latest attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps, protecting funding through FY 2026-2027. Camden Battery Fire Oversight: Reps. Donald Norcross and Frank Pallone toured EMR in Camden and pushed for federal action on lithium-ion battery fire prevention, reviving the Battery Fire Prevention Act push. Rape Kit Testing Deadline Missed: Kane In Your Corner reports NJ is nearly nine months past the deadline to test backlogged rape kits, and the AG’s office won’t say how many remain untested. Public Health Push: Sherrill highlighted RWJ Barnabas Mobile Pediatric Clinic efforts to boost measles vaccination as cases rise nationally. Courts & Health: A judge dismissed claims against two NFL doctors in a former player’s disability benefits fight. Local Justice: Salem County’s K-9 officer facing animal cruelty charges rejected a plea deal after two dogs died in a hot car. 9/11 Commemoration: Coverage marked the 25th anniversary with new memorial artifacts and reflections, including how the Smithsonian preserves key items from the day.

NJ Politics & Gov: Gov. Mikie Sherrill again refused to confirm or deny whether an outside investigation is underway into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, even as Democrats privately pushed for more transparency and Republicans renewed calls for his resignation. Immigration Enforcement: A coalition of AGs, including Maryland, urged a federal appeals court to keep limits on ICE warrantless arrests, arguing the safeguards Congress set are not optional. Courts & Civil Rights: Michigan AG Dana Nessel joined efforts to block unlawful conditions tied to HUD fair-housing funding, after the Trump administration backed off challenged limits. Public Safety & Rights: The NJ State Commission of Investigation warned deed fraud and seller impersonation are rising and urged tighter identity checks and faster remedies for victims. Housing & Health: A lawsuit alleges Amazon discriminated against pregnant warehouse workers by denying accommodations like bathroom breaks and stools. Environment: Twenty states sued to stop Trump administration rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act, including narrower “harm” rules and weaker protections for newly threatened species. Elections & Voting: A USPS audit found training gaps and ballot-tracking errors that could affect how mail ballots are handled ahead of November.

Lt. Gov. Caldwell Fallout: Gov. Mikie Sherrill broke her silence on the reported internal investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, refusing to confirm details but saying complaints are taken seriously and employees’ rights will be protected as the probe continues. Election Integrity & Voting Access: A new U.S. Postal Service audit found training gaps and ballot-handling problems during this year’s primaries, raising fresh concerns as the Supreme Court weighs mail-voting rules. ICE & Due Process: A Portuguese man shot by ICE agents in Glen Burnie was released after nearly nine months in detention, highlighting ongoing fights over immigration enforcement and accountability. Local Government & Data Centers: Newark council members approved a temporary moratorium on data-center development, citing strain on the grid, water use, and utility costs. Public Safety Spending: Washington Township spent opioid-settlement money on Flock Safety cameras instead of treatment or prevention, according to reporting. Sports Betting & Politics: NJ’s broader election-year backdrop includes national disputes over voting by mail and election threats, while LIV Golf’s Chapter 11 filing keeps New Jersey tied to a high-profile bankruptcy fight.

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell fallout: Assemblywoman Katie Brennan is pushing for a thorough, independent investigation into allegations involving Caldwell, and she’s floating survivor- and whistleblower-protection legislation as the Sherrill administration’s outside review continues. Election integrity in focus: Rep. Jeff Van Drew is taking New Jersey’s voter registration scandal to Washington, calling a Sept. 15 House Judiciary subcommittee hearing over about 6,600 people improperly registered through the Motor Vehicle Commission system, while Gov. Mikie Sherrill has declined to answer GOP questions. Public safety, local news: Brick police charged a man with fleeing at 73 mph near Brick Memorial High School after a prior teen bicycle death near the same area; separately, an NJ Transit bus struck two women in a Hackensack crosswalk, pinning one under the wheel. Courts & policy: A federal judge upheld Sherrill’s order barring ICE from some state-owned spaces, while the Third Circuit kept alive a challenge tied to NJ’s gun-industry liability law. Business & tech: The state’s prediction-market fight is headed toward the Supreme Court, as New Jersey seeks review over Kalshi-style sports wagering oversight. Other notable NJ ties: LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 in New Jersey, with player claims listed in the filing.

LIV Golf Bankruptcy: LIV Golf and related entities filed for Chapter 11 in New Jersey, listing $100M-$500M in assets and $500M-$1B in liabilities, with star players including Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau named among major unsecured creditors as the league pursues a player-owned “LIV 2.0” restructuring. NJ Lt. Gov. Caldwell Probe: Gov. Mikie Sherrill broke her silence on reports that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under internal investigation over alleged inappropriate behavior and possible ethics violations, while Assemblywoman Katie Brennan calls for an independent investigation and survivor/whistleblower protections. Independent Contractor Rules: Senate President Nicholas Scutari asked Sherrill to delay New Jersey’s ABC test independent-contractor regulations until 2027, arguing the rules are too broad and could harm workers and businesses. Gun Law Fight: The Third Circuit allowed a lawsuit challenging New Jersey’s gun industry liability law to continue, keeping pressure on the state’s firearms liability framework. Election Integrity Oversight: Rep. Jeff Van Drew will hold a Sept. 15 hearing on how about 6,600 people who said they were noncitizens ended up on NJ voter rolls, after a reported M.V.C. transmission/software failure. Pregnancy Rights vs. Amazon: Amazon urged a federal court not to rush discovery in New Jersey’s case over alleged delivery-driver competition stifling, while separate litigation continues over pregnancy accommodations. School Transportation: More NJ districts are cutting courtesy busing to close budget gaps, raising safety and access concerns for students who now must walk longer distances.

Midterm Politics (NJ): A key House race is front and center: incumbent Rep. Tom Kean Jr. faces Democrat Rebecca Bennett in NJ-7, with the contest labeled a toss-up as Democrats look for a potential flip. Campaign Messaging: Bennett’s first general-election TV ad leans on her Navy background and vows to reject corporate PAC money. State Government Watch: New Jersey’s Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under investigation over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women, and GOP leaders are calling for his resignation. Immigration & Courts: A federal judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit tied to New Jersey’s immigration enforcement efforts, keeping the focus on how far the federal government can push local cooperation. Election Integrity: The Justice Department charged alleged illegal voting in Pennsylvania, including cases tied to New Jersey. Public Safety: A Lakewood school bus funding cut leaves some students facing longer walks to school. 9/11 Commemoration: Local 9/11 events continue across New Jersey, including Barnegat’s commemoration plans.

Civil Rights & Hate Crime Enforcement: DOJ’s Harmeet Dhillon called antisemitism a “national crisis,” highlighting lawsuits against universities and hate-crime enforcement efforts. Concert Controversy in NJ: Macklemore doubled down after backlash for “Free Palestine” remarks at Ed Sheeran’s MetLife Stadium shows, insisting his criticism of Israel isn’t aimed at Jewish people; Pink amplified the dispute and pro-Israel groups renewed calls to remove him. Immigration & Sanctuary Fight: A federal judge dismissed another DOJ push tied to New Jersey immigration enforcement, adding to Trump-era sanctuary city defeats. NJ Politics Under Scrutiny: Reports say Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under investigation over alleged inappropriate behavior toward women, prompting GOP calls for resignation. Public Housing Numbers: Sussex County public housing households reported $24,209 income in 2025, with rent averaging $529/month. Labor Day Politics: Rep. Rob Menendez used the holiday to spotlight unions and constituent casework. Legal/Policy Flashpoint: A lawsuit targets Chatham School District’s gender policy, arguing parents were not adequately informed. Public Safety: State police academy training in Massachusetts is set to resume in October after a culture review.

Midterms Watch: A Reuters roundup says only about 50 House races are expected to be competitive on Nov. 3, with a handful of districts likely deciding whether Democrats win back the chamber. Immigration & Public Safety: NJ Republicans are seizing on a crash involving an illegal immigrant to attack Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s sanctuary “Trust Directive,” arguing it blocks effective ICE work while progressives push to abolish ICE. Elections & Voter Rolls: The Trump administration is stepping up voter-roll verification, including plans to build a national database using state registration and election-history data. Housing Data: New Jersey public housing in Essex County averaged $20,968 in household income in 2025, with 6,052 units and 83% occupancy. Labor & Organizing: Jersey City’s Labor Day news includes Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s new Office of Worker Power to help non-union workers connect with organizers and report violations. NJ Infrastructure: A look at the Hudson Tunnel Project finds seven of 10 Gateway contracts complete or underway, with major tunneling set to ramp up after 2026. Culture Clash: At MetLife, Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks sparked petitions urging Ed Sheeran’s tour team to remove him from remaining dates.

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell: New Jersey’s No. 2 official is under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior toward women, with the NJ GOP calling for his resignation as Gov. Sherrill’s office keeps details limited. Elections & voting by mail: Nevada AG Aaron Ford won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS mail-ballot requirements that would have forced new federal approvals and tracking steps, a fight that echoes broader pressure on mail voting ahead of November. Public housing: Essex County’s public housing occupancy slipped to 83% in 2025, while Hudson County fell to 95% and Middlesex to 90%, underscoring ongoing vacancy and affordability strain. School policy lawsuit: A wealthy NJ district is sued over claims it let students change names and gender markers on records without telling parents. Culture/politics clash: Macklemore’s “Free Palestine” remarks during Ed Sheeran’s MetLife shows sparked an Israeli-American Council petition to remove him from remaining tour dates. Federal court/ICE: A judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit over ICE activity in New Jersey, limiting federal efforts.

NJ Politics & Courts: New Jersey’s prediction-market fight keeps heating up, with the state pushing the U.S. Supreme Court to settle who can regulate sports betting markets like Kalshi/Polymarket after a circuit split. Election Integrity & Data: DHS is asking DOJ to revisit ERIC’s voter-data practices and election-system concerns, while the broader noncitizen-voting debate continues to drive federal-state legal battles. Public Safety: A head-on crash on Route 206 in Andover Township killed one and injured two as holiday enforcement ramped up in northwest NJ. Law Enforcement & Accountability: Reports say NJ Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under investigation for alleged inappropriate behavior toward women, prompting calls from NJGOP leadership for him to resign. Immigration Enforcement: A federal judge dismissed a DOJ lawsuit aimed at forcing New Jersey to assist ICE operations, adding another turn to the state’s resistance. Gun Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to take up major Second Amendment challenges, including a semiautomatic firearms case that follows a Third Circuit ruling striking down NJ’s magazine ban. Federal Voting Access: A Supreme Court order lets a Trump mail-voting plan move forward only procedurally, not as a final ruling on legality. Other NJ-Adjacent Headlines: A passenger was duct-taped after an American Airlines midair outburst that included alleged racist and homophobic abuse, with the flight diverted to the Baltimore area.

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell Fallout: NJGOP chair Christine Giordano Hanlon is demanding Caldwell resign immediately after reports of an internal investigation into alleged inappropriate conduct with women and possible ethics violations, while Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office says it can’t confirm or deny personnel matters. Courts & Immigration: A federal judge ruled Sherrill’s executive order blocking ICE from using nonpublic state property doesn’t violate the Constitution, dismissing the DOJ lawsuit. Corrections Policy Fight: After assaults on NJ correctional staff hit 964 in FY2025, the corrections officers’ union is pushing lawmakers to loosen solitary confinement limits. Prediction Markets in the Spotlight: New Jersey is pressing its case to the U.S. Supreme Court over Kalshi’s sports prediction market authority, arguing states should be able to regulate. Public Housing Numbers: HUD data shows Essex County public housing rose slightly to 6,052 units in 2025, while Middlesex County fell to 597. Aviation Disruption: Multiple American Airlines flights into the Newark area were diverted after a passenger allegedly launched a racist and homophobic tirade, leading to restraints with zip ties and duct tape.

Immigration & Public Safety: Jackson Township Mayor Jennifer Kuhn blamed New Jersey’s sanctuary policies after an alleged undocumented driver hit a stroller in a grocery parking lot, killing a 9-month-old and injuring others, arguing local police need the ability to coordinate with federal immigration authorities. Elections & Federal Courts: A federal judge dismissed a Trump DOJ lawsuit over ICE activity in New Jersey, while separate reporting highlights a broader push to police noncitizen voting and election fraud. Health Care Policy: A coalition of states, including Maryland, sued to block a Trump administration move to restrict Medicaid funding for gender-affirming care for low-income transgender youth—setting up another legal fight over what states can cover. Gun Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court set Dec. 2 arguments in a major Second Amendment challenge over semiautomatic rifle bans. Energy & Permitting: Researchers expect 2027 to be the “biggest year yet” for state energy siting bills, with many proposals aimed at restricting renewable projects. Local Government & Business: Haddon Heights advanced a path for its first retail liquor license, prequalifying a developer for a Station Avenue restaurant and luxury apartments. Transportation & Crime: Police sought help identifying suspects in Egg Harbor Township, and Newark investigated an intentional car-ramming after a man fled a crash. Education & Community: New Jersey schools prepare for a new bell-to-bell phone ban as Labor Day approaches.

Elections & Courts: AG Nick Brown and a coalition of 25 states won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS from forcing states to redesign mail-ballot envelopes and use a new USPS tracking portal, keeping the changes off the table through the Nov. 3 midterms while the lawsuit proceeds. State Government Watch: Reports say NJ Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under an internal investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior with women and possible ethics violations; GOP leaders are calling for him to step aside. Federal Election Crackdown: DOJ charged five people across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Wisconsin in cases tied to illegal voting and falsifying citizenship status, as the administration pushes election-security enforcement. Public Health & Safety: Two separate recalls of 0.9% saline IV bags in NJ and other states cite contamination concerns (fiberglass/iron oxide), and officials say no patient injuries have been reported. Labor & Costs: NJ state and local workers face a 17% health premium increase for 2027 despite a union deal that waives some contribution hikes. Local Governance: Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s lawsuit over his 2025 arrest outside an ICE detention facility was dismissed, with the court citing federal immunity. Environment: NOAA-based analysis suggests parts of NJ’s barrier islands could be underwater with just 2.5 feet of sea-level rise, raising stakes for coastal planning.

Israel-BDS Funding Fight: The U.S. House passed the GOP-backed Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, cutting off federal money to universities that join boycotts of Israel; 33 Democrats voted yes, sending it to the Senate. Schools & Culture Wars: A New Jersey public-schools cellphone ban is rolling out under the new state law, while a Chathams district faces a lawsuit over allowing students to change name and gender identity at school without notifying parents. Prisons & Public Safety: The corrections officers union is pushing to expand solitary confinement in NJ prisons, arguing current limits make it easier for violent inmates to evade discipline. Elections & Money: Elon Musk’s America PAC is spending about $800,000 in 2026 midterm races, including support for NJ Rep. Tom Kean Jr. Local Law Enforcement: Atlantic County updated its most-wanted list; several fugitives were arrested while others remain at large. Health & Policy: NJ AG Nessel joined a coalition challenging federal limits on transgender youth healthcare reimbursement. Congressman Health: Rep. Tom Kean Jr. says he’s “getting stronger every day” after a depression hospitalization.

Immigration & Courts: China demanded answers after a man died hours after being booked into an ICE facility in Saipan, pushing fresh scrutiny on detention conditions. Election Integrity: Gov. Mikie Sherrill hit back at Trump’s voter-fraud push tied to NJ’s MVC noncitizen registration controversy, arguing for transparency while refusing to hand over voter-roll data. Public Health Costs: NJ panels approved a 17.3% average premium hike for local government worker health plans, while a separate school-worker rate vote deadlocked again. Energy Policy: Sherrill signed a law legalizing plug-in balcony solar panels (up to 1,200W), limiting municipal and landlord roadblocks for renters. Sports Betting Legal Fight: Michigan’s judge ordered Kalshi to stop offering sports prediction contracts in-state, with penalties up to $500,000 a day—another pressure point in the broader state-vs-platform battle. Local Government & Housing: Hoboken’s zoning board approved a six-story mixed-use project, clearing the way for demolition of an auto shop. State Politics & Labor: NJ’s Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell and labor economist Nicol Nicola will headline Manufacturing Day in Freehold. Business & Jobs: Burlington Stores announced plans to relocate its HQ from NJ to Philadelphia, raising questions about what happens to NJ-based employees. Environment & Safety: NJ State Police will increase marine patrols after deadly, alcohol-involved boating incidents on Barnegat Bay.