AGP Executive Report

Attorney General Probe—Delaney Hall: New Jersey AG Jennifer Davenport launched a civil rights investigation into Newark’s Delaney Hall ICE detention center after three detainee deaths in under a year and reports of medical neglect, food shortages, and inhumane conditions, with subpoenas sent to GEO Group. Fatal Police Shooting—Millville: Davenport also confirmed an ongoing state-required investigation into a fatal police-involved shooting in Millville on Aug. 6, identifying the decedent as Shaun Murphy, 47, and saying an officer discharged a weapon during a domestic disturbance call. War Powers Fight—Iran: Senate Democrats led by John Hickenlooper introduced a resolution to end unauthorized U.S. military involvement against Iran, with New Jersey’s Andy Kim among the co-sponsors. Election Integrity—Court Clash: The Trump Justice Department continues losing in court over demands for states’ unredacted voter rolls, even as judges question what could distinguish the latest case. State Politics—Hillsborough Taxes: A Hillsborough property-tax controversy is getting a more constructive response at Township Committee, with residents pushing for transparency and clearer reassessment explanations. Consumer Policy—Surveillance Pricing: A New Jersey law banning “surveillance pricing” is part of a broader national debate over dynamic and personalized pricing tactics. Cannabis Retail—Next Buyers: A look at how cannabis retail needs to evolve for first-time, wellness-focused customers rather than serving only the converted.

ICE Detention Oversight: New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport launched a civil rights investigation into the privately run Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark after another detainee death, issuing investigative subpoenas to GEO Group and focusing on whether staff actions or inaction violated detainees’ rights, amid allegations of poor conditions and denied medical care. Police-Involved Shooting: NJ AG identified the officer and victim in a fatal Millville shooting tied to a reported domestic disturbance; Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Sgt. John Borelli is named as the shooter, and the case remains under investigation. Election Administration Fallout: NJ reported adding 8,473 voters in July, while both Democrats and Republicans lost registrations as the state begins purging noncitizens after a Motor Vehicles Commission software glitch controversy. Voter Roll Legal Fight: The NJ Supreme Court declined to hear a Libertarian candidate’s appeal, keeping her off the ballot in NJ-7 after petition-signature challenges. Consumer/Privacy Policy: NJ’s new broad data broker law took effect immediately, adding strict limits on selling sensitive personal data and imposing registration and fee requirements on data brokers. Energy & Environment: A federal judge approved NJ’s $3B PFAS settlements involving 3M and DuPont, resolving contamination claims. Tech/Crime: The CBI busted an international tech-support and crypto extortion racket with four arrests in Punjab and Delhi, including a suspected leader tied to fake call centers.

Immigration & Courts: A judge’s latest ruling keeps federal pressure on deportations and TPS rollbacks in check, as DHS seeks to revoke green cards for two Dominican nationals tied to a deadly Connecticut home invasion. Public Safety & Policing: Dunellen police used an officer in a ghillie “tree” suit to crack down on distracted driving, citing 74 drivers during a targeted enforcement push. State Government & Privacy: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed New Jersey’s ban on “surveillance pricing,” outlawing location and browsing-based price discrimination and pausing electronic shelf labels for a year. Elections & Ballot Access: A New Jersey appellate panel ruled petition signatures don’t have to match voter-registration handwriting style, a decision that could affect how clerks validate signatures statewide. Housing & Energy Permitting: A new push highlights how NJ’s permitting delays are blocking housing and clean-energy projects, driving up costs. Economy & Labor: New Jersey sued Amazon over its delivery partner model, alleging anticompetitive control over wages and unionization. Local Environment: Fair Lawn ordered 70% native plantings on borough land to fight invasive species. Business Watch: North Jersey’s priciest July home sales ranged up to an $8.1M Montclair estate and a $7M Englewood sale.

Delaney Hall Closure Fight: U.S. Sen. Cory Booker and NJ House Democrats renewed pressure on DHS/ICE after a third death tied to the Newark detention center, with Booker pushing a Delaney Hall Closure Act and lawmakers demanding full access, inspection reports, and details on medical care. Transgender Student Guidance Clash: A conservative legal group urged NJ AG Jen Davenport to repeal state Department of Education Policy 5756 on parental notification for students seeking to change gender, warning of federal probes or lawsuits. Voter Rolls Controversy: NJ’s voter system issues and noncitizen registration claims kept heating up, with House committees seeking records on how noncitizens landed on rolls. Public Safety & Health: NJ Supreme Court ruled a worker injured in a company vehicle can’t automatically get the full general liability limit under the state’s underinsured motorist coverage rules; separate coverage highlighted rising e-bike injuries nationwide, with experts warning data may be undercounted. Cybersecurity: Reports of cyberattacks on NJ water systems and broader U.S. water infrastructure raised alarms about weak protections. Local Politics: Union County Democrats will pick a new clerk nominee Aug. 18 between Tahirah “Tai” Cooper and Patricia Perkins Auguste. Gun Rights Watch: The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear challenges to semiautomatic rifle bans, a case that could affect multiple states.

Defense & Industry: The CBO says Trump-class battleships—15 nuclear-powered ships with lasers and railguns—could cost about $275B to build, with the first ship pegged at $23.4B. Homeland Security/Immigration: A Canadian woman who slapped a teen over “Trump” and “ICE” clothing on the Jersey Shore has been ordered deported after pleading guilty to simple assault. Public Safety & Health: PFAS litigation keeps expanding, with a proposed EPA settlement facing pushback while separate cases pursue remedies for contaminated communities. Cybersecurity: ABC News reports suspected Iran-linked cyberattacks hitting water and wastewater utilities across at least a dozen states, including NJ, with operators shifting to safer manual operations. Environment & Courts: A NESE pipeline legal fight continues as opponents argue NJDEP fast-tracked permits that could harm Raritan Bay’s public health and marine life. NJ Politics: Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s Mission to Deliver PAC launches with first endorsements backing 13 veteran Democrats in competitive House and Senate races. Local Economy/Business: A GOP NJ lawmaker backs a MOVE Act proposal to let Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac buy “portable” mortgages to reduce the lock-in effect for homeowners.

Cybersecurity & Utilities: New Jersey confirmed cyberattacks on two municipal water systems; operators switched to manual controls, no drinking-water disruption was reported, and systems are now secured while investigations continue with federal partners. Local Government & Courts: A federal judge tossed Cherry Hill schools’ lawsuit aimed at stopping a journalist’s public-records requests, rejecting claims the filings were harassment. Open Records & Accountability: The ruling keeps Shore Investigates’ OPRA requests moving, after the district sought to bar requests for a year and shut down its online portal. Health Policy: Rep. Brendan Boyle demanded answers after federal cuts hit Philadelphia-area medical research grants, including work at Penn and CHOP. Elections & Misinformation: A voter-roll “purge” story in Pennsylvania is being challenged as misinformation tied to routine maintenance that moves voters to inactive status without removing them. State Politics & Litigation: Monroe Township asked to dismiss a $300 million lawsuit challenging its data center ban, arguing zoning changes are lawful. Public Safety & Crime: A South Jersey man pleaded guilty to stalking a Philly TV personality, while another case highlights a long prison term after a plea in a child sexual abuse material case.

Immigration & Local Response: Jersey City Mayor James Solomon says he received reports of ICE activity and is training city staff not to cooperate, while Metuchen leaders urge help for a family affected by a Delaney Hall detention. Immigration Detention Oversight: Relatives of a Salvadoran man who died at Newark’s Delaney Hall are demanding an independent investigation, alleging medical neglect and delayed access to medications. SNAP & Privacy: More than 20 states and D.C. sued to block federal sharing of personal data tied to low-income benefits, as SNAP error rates remain high and could trigger major state cost-sharing bills. NJ Consumer Protection: A New Jersey appellate ruling upheld class certification against a Bergen County auto dealer over alleged unitemized documentary fees. NJ Tech/Prices Law: Connecticut, Maryland, and New Jersey are moving to curb “surveillance pricing,” using personal data to set individualized prices. Tariffs & NJ in the Fight: New Jersey is among 25 states suing to stop Trump’s latest tariffs, arguing they’re an illegal workaround after the Supreme Court struck down similar levies. Transit Affordability: A coalition is pushing NJ Transit for a “Fair Fares” reduced fare program for riders at or below the federal poverty level. Climate & Energy: Aternium’s hydrogen and heavy-water push continues to expand, with Delaware and broader regional energy investment in focus.

Gun Rights in Court: The Third Circuit put New Jersey’s “assault weapons” ban on hold, expanding the ruling beyond AR-15-style rifles and treating standard-capacity magazines as protected—setting up a possible Supreme Court fight. Election Integrity & Voting Access: The U.S. DOJ is pushing the Supreme Court to greenlight Trump’s mail voting order, pointing to New Jersey’s voter registration software glitch that improperly added about 6,600 noncitizens. Immigration Detention Oversight: The death of Salvadoran detainee Edwin Lopez-Cornejo at Newark’s Delaney Hall has reignited scrutiny of ICE medical care and conditions, with family alleging negligence and demanding an independent probe. State Courts & Local Land Use: The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that local zoning must prioritize compliance with zoning plans before weighing a project’s public benefits when considering variances. Public Safety & Cannabis Enforcement: East Orange shut down eight illegal smoke shops, seized 225 pounds of marijuana, and arrested multiple people in a coordinated crackdown. Local Politics: A judge moved up the hearing on Willingboro Councilman Nat Anderson’s removal, potentially keeping his special-election timeline alive.

ICE Detention Oversight: A 41-year-old Salvadoran man, Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, died after a medical emergency at Newark’s Delaney Hall, renewing protests and calls from Gov. Mikie Sherrill and others to investigate conditions and close the privately run facility. Tariff Legal Fight: New York and a coalition of 25 states—including New Jersey—filed suit to block Trump’s latest forced-labor tariffs on 60 trading partners, arguing the move revives a tariff regime courts already struck down and seeks refunds. Justice Department Confirmation: A Senate panel is expected to advance acting AG Todd Blanche’s nomination after GOP holdouts reached a deal, with New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew weighing in amid voter-roll controversy concerns. NJ Consumer Rules: New Jersey’s “Skip the Stuff” law took effect, requiring takeout customers to request single-use plastic utensils, straws, and condiments rather than receiving them automatically. State Courts: The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled insurance brokers can face liability under the Consumer Fraud Act, rejecting an exemption argument. Community & Health: A New Brunswick law firm announced a free Project Backpack giveaway for 1,000 students, while Rutgers researchers reported plant-based diets don’t significantly hurt recreational athletes’ endurance or strength.

ICE/Delaney Hall Crisis: New Jersey leaders and ICE confirmed another death at Newark’s Delaney Hall, this time 41-year-old Edwin Jovanny López Cornejo, as officials demand answers about medical care and oversight at the privately run facility. Election Integrity Fight: House Republicans escalated their push for NJ records after Sherrill acknowledged thousands of noncitizens were improperly added to voter rolls, while lawmakers also demanded details tied to voter registration systems and contractors. Tariffs in Court: A coalition of 25 states—including New Jersey—sued the Trump administration over new Section 301 tariffs, arguing they’re a “pretext” to recreate duties the Supreme Court struck down. Housing for Veterans: Gov. Sherrill announced a statewide housing system under the Bringing Veterans Home initiative, saying NJ now has enough capacity to keep veterans from experiencing homelessness. Consumer/Privacy Legal Battles: NJ AG Jennifer Davenport joined a lawsuit challenging Trump administration moves to expand access to sensitive data for TANF recipients, adding to a broader wave of state challenges over federal privacy and benefits rules. Energy/Environment: A Rutgers scientist explained why the Jersey Shore keeps changing—sand, water clarity, and temperatures shift with storms, currents, and tides.

Iran Diplomacy: President Trump says fresh US-Iran talks will begin Monday afternoon after he called off a planned “massive attack,” citing requests from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies and declining to set any deadline for a deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear threat. Free Press Clash in New Brunswick: A New Jersey outlet is asking the state appeals court to lift a judge’s order censoring its reporting of a May 8 school lockdown, arguing the prior restraint violates the First Amendment. Voter ID Push in Trenton: NJ Republicans say Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s comments backing voter ID could revive stalled legislation, amid renewed controversy over noncitizens registered to vote through the Motor Vehicle Commission. Local Governance: A judge’s delay in Willingboro’s case over a jailed councilman means voters may miss the chance to replace him this year. Public Safety: Flash flood warnings hit parts of NYC and northern NJ as heavy rain and thunderstorms threaten localized flooding. Business & Health: CareCloud says hackers accessed data tied to 345,000 patients; separate pharma deal chatter includes AstraZeneca and Curium/Lantheus merger reports.

Middle East Diplomacy: President Trump says U.S.-Iran talks will begin Monday afternoon, after he called off a planned “biggest attack since World War II” and pointed to Gulf allies urging more time for diplomacy, with the Strait of Hormuz reopening and Iran’s nuclear program at the center. Local Law Enforcement: Dunellen police used an officer disguised as a “shrub” to crack down on distracted driving, issuing 74 cellphone citations in a six-hour operation. Public Safety & Labor: Montclair approved a five-year police contract with retroactive raises to January 2025, plus stipends and a paid Juneteenth holiday. Immigration & Courts: A New Jersey case highlights ICE custody at Fort Dix for a man facing deportation for a third illegal reentry after a fatal crash killed a Marine. State Policy: New Jersey’s “Skip the Stuff” takeout law took effect Aug. 1, requiring utensils and condiments to be requested instead of automatically included. Cybersecurity: NJ-based CareCloud disclosed a breach affecting about 345,000 people, involving medical and financial data.

Noncitizen voting fight: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill says a Motor Vehicle Commission “software error” mistakenly put about 6,600 noncitizens on the voter rolls, with nearly 400 later casting ballots, and the state is now removing those registrations while shifting blame between the vendor and state officials. Federal immigration pressure: The ACLU filed 54 claims against ICE across 17 states, including a New Jersey allegation that agents threw a woman to the ground during an enforcement encounter. Voter-rolls legal showdown: A Democracy Docket report says DOJ is applying a “double standard” in its push for unredacted voter rolls, and notes NJ has beaten DOJ in court on the issue. ICE authority debate: A letter urges Sen. Cory Booker to resist efforts to expand ICE power via CORCA. Local government & scams: Morris County warned residents about a jury-duty phone scam using spoofed sheriff numbers and fake warrants. Policy change in NJ: New Jersey’s “Skip the Stuff” plastic utensil-by-request law takes effect, changing how restaurants hand out cutlery.

Skip the Stuff Law: New Jersey’s plastic utensils-by-request rule is now in effect, meaning takeout and delivery orders won’t automatically include items like utensils, napkins, straws, or condiment packets unless customers ask—prompting mixed reactions from diners and restaurants. Election Integrity Fight: A federal judge dismissed DOJ’s push to force Illinois to turn over voter-roll data, underscoring limits on federal demands for state election records—an issue that has been central to Trump-era election disputes. NJ ICE Accountability: The ACLU says it filed 54 administrative claims nationwide over alleged injuries tied to ICE actions, including a New Jersey claim involving alleged force against a nurse at the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark. NJ Courts & Consumer Rules: Separate from the voter-roll fight, New Jersey’s consumer and privacy enforcement continues to expand, including coverage of new state rules affecting data and pricing practices. Local Public Safety: Dunellen police used a “sniper-style” ghillie suit to catch distracted drivers on phones, issuing 74 citations in six hours. Culture & Community: The week also included national attention to New Jersey-linked stories, from “The Sopranos” actor Vincent Pastore’s death to local community events.

Voter Fraud Case: Federal authorities charged four non-citizens in New Jersey tied to illegal voting in federal elections and false statements during naturalization, after a DHS/HSI investigation. Election Integrity Fight: The Trump administration took another hit in court, losing a bid to force Illinois to hand over unredacted voter registration data—its 19th straight courtroom defeat in similar efforts. NJ Voting Fallout: Sen. Cory Booker argued New Jersey’s noncitizen voter-roll mistake doesn’t justify the SAVE America Act, saying the issue was a clerical software error. Public Safety: New Jersey counties are missing the state’s 15-minute EMS response goal—Warren County averaged 22 minutes and Sussex 20, based on recent state data. New Jersey Law Update: The “Skip the Stuff” plastic-utensils-by-request law takes effect Aug. 1, changing how restaurants provide takeout items. Healthcare: NJ joined a multistate lawsuit challenging a federal Affordable Care Act rule that could raise costs and reduce coverage. FIFA Turmoil (National Angle): FIFA scrapped a plan to sell World Cup profits to private investors after backlash, with pressure rising on Infantino.

Voter-Rolls Fight: A federal judge dismissed the DOJ’s bid to seize Illinois’s unredacted voter database, extending the administration’s “brutal” streak of court losses after a similar New Jersey setback. Immigration & Enforcement: DHS/ICE actions in New Jersey included charges tied to illegal voting, while a man fleeing ICE was hit by a vehicle in Point Pleasant Beach. Health Care Lawsuits: NJ and other states sued to block a federal rule that would expand catastrophic plans and raise costs while undermining ACA protections. Antitrust in Hollywood: States and Paramount Skydance spar over when an antitrust trial should start—states want April 2027, Paramount wants November. NJ Environment/Consumer Rules: A new “skip the stuff” enforcement begins Aug. 1, requiring plastic utensils and condiments to be provided only by request. Public Safety: Two Barnegat Bay waterway crashes injured two people, with chopper transports reported. Local Watch: Cranford police seek help after more than 150 box turtles were illegally dumped into a river.