AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Local Zoning: A Pennsylvania developer is suing Andover Township in Sussex County to overturn a May ban on data centers, arguing the township reversed course after public outcry. Energy & Reliability Oversight: New Jersey regulators opened two investigations into JCP&L—one tied to long-running reliability standards and another focused on the utility’s response to July 4 outages—asking customers to share their experiences. Household Finances: New Census Bureau data show NJ households are among the wealthiest, with high net worth but also high debt, largely tied to home equity. Mobility & Safety: NJ’s new e-bike law is drawing complaints from advocates who say it’s hardest on low-speed riders and families needing accessible options. Food & Consumer Health: Consumer Reports found arsenic in popular rice brands, renewing scrutiny on heavy metals in everyday staples. Biopharma & Pets: Merck will present new HIV pipeline data at AIDS 2026, while Zoetis launched Lenivia, a long-acting osteoarthritis pain treatment for dogs, in Canada and the EU. Aviation & Travel: American Airlines resumed direct Philly–Budapest flights, and Southwest Florida airports are seeing new ultra-low-cost routes. Global Trade/Defense: The U.S. approved a nearly $2B arms sale to Saudi Arabia, with a New Jersey contractor named. World Cup Business Angle: NJ is set to host the final amid wildfire-smoke health alerts affecting the region, and FIFA turf “souvenirs” are fueling debate over whether the state should share in proceeds.

Energy & Grid Policy: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed measures to shape New Jersey’s next power buildout, including a process for advanced nuclear procurement and new electricity-rate rules for large-load customers aimed at protecting ratepayers while keeping reliability on track. Data Centers & Costs: Hochul’s one-year New York data center pause is fueling broader debate across the region as developers and AI firms brace for possible state-level moratoriums and tighter rules tied to power and water impacts. Antitrust & Hollywood: Twelve states sued to block Paramount’s proposed Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would crush competition and raise costs; the fight adds pressure as other legal challenges (including from writers) continue. Consumer Tech & Privacy: New Jersey is among states receiving money from a multistate 23andMe settlement tied to the 2023 genetic data breach, with limited recoveries coming from the bankruptcy estate. Workplace Safety: A New Jersey bill would create job-protected heat rules—cold water, shade, staffing limits, and shift limits—after reporting highlighted the lack of state workplace heat protections. Local Business & Growth: Applegreen named Andy Malik president of its U.S. operations as the travel plaza and fuel marketer expands. Courts & Liability: An Illinois appeals court upheld a $45M talc asbestos verdict that included an unprecedented $30M “reduced lifespan” component, a development that could influence future claims. Public Safety & Crime: Trenton gang leader Charles M. Willis was sentenced to life without parole for murder, racketeering and related violence. Infrastructure: The Gateway project’s Hudson Tunnel work approved an $88M change order to remove about 500 rotting wooden piles from tunnel-boring paths. Health & Community: Rutgers’ Center for Adult Autism Services marked its fifth year, spotlighting the “autism services cliff” and the role of donors and advocacy in bridging the gap.

Fair Housing Crackdown: Housing Rights Initiative filed multiple complaints with the NJ Division of Civil Rights accusing Greystar—the nation’s largest apartment owner—of systematically refusing Section 8 vouchers, including in New Jersey, after undercover tester calls. Antitrust/Media: Thirteen state attorneys general, including New Jersey, sued to block Paramount Skydance’s proposed $110B Warner Bros. Discovery merger, arguing it would unlawfully reduce competition after DOJ cleared the deal. Data Center Policy: New York’s data-center moratorium is fueling a broader debate on AI infrastructure and energy costs, with industry pushing back as states weigh similar limits. Corporate/Finance: Riker Danzig launched a dedicated Appellate Law Strategies group, formalizing its appellate work. Auto Recall: Subaru recalled 541,000 vehicles over an incorrect weight-rating label, with owners to receive corrected labels. Business Rankings: Time and U.S. News named dozens of New Jersey companies and employers to their “best” lists, led by Merck ranking No. 9 overall in Time’s America’s Best Companies. Local Business & Culture: Montclair’s The Montclair Pod is credited with driving community debate around the town’s school budget deficit, showing how hyperlocal media can shape local business and policy conversations.

Daylight Saving Overhaul: The U.S. House passed the Sunshine Protection Act 308-117 to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide, sending the measure to the Senate; Hawaii and most of Arizona would stay on year-round standard time. Northern NJ Industrial Real Estate: NAI James E. Hanson reports Northern New Jersey industrial demand remains resilient, with Class-A rents leveling off and vacancy at 7.1% as large users and 3PLs keep chasing well-located space. Healthcare Fraud: Prosecutors say six people are tied to a $20.7M Medicare/Medicaid scheme using medically unnecessary prescriptions; five have pleaded guilty. Antitrust in Media: A 12-state coalition is suing to block Paramount’s Warner Bros. Discovery takeover, and Los Angeles County is weighing joining—raising the stakes for Hollywood consolidation. Data Center Pressure: New York is the first state to pause new hyperscale data centers for up to a year while it builds a regulatory framework—an issue that’s increasingly resonating in NJ. Local Business & Jobs: Attalon plans a new $30M Bucks County laser-weapons HQ with 100+ hires, expanding its manufacturing footprint. World Cup Economy/Local Culture: ViewerCon lands at NJPAC July 18, tapping TV/film fandom as MetLife hosts the final.

Antitrust & Media: California and 11 other states, including New Jersey, filed suit to block Paramount’s $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery deal, arguing it would “extinguish competition” and raise prices for theaters, cable and consumers; the states also sought a temporary pause while the case plays out. Tech & Infrastructure: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was named technology and innovation partner for JFK’s New Terminal One, tasked with building the terminal’s digital backbone, including passenger processing, AI-enabled IT operations and cybersecurity, as part of the Port Authority’s $19 billion JFK overhaul. Energy & Reliability: JCP&L told customers storm damage was “comparable to what we see in hurricanes,” after July 4 weekend outages tied to severe storms and extreme heat left hundreds of thousands without power. Banking: Unity Bancorp reported $14.5 million in Q2 net income, citing net interest margin strength and balanced loan and deposit growth. Biotech Manufacturing: Cellares and Sonoma Biotherapeutics will automate manufacturing of Sonoma’s Phase I autologous CAR-Treg therapy for rheumatoid arthritis at Cellares’ Bridgewater smart factory. Consumer & Health: A packaged pounded yam product sold in multiple states, including New Jersey, was recalled over an undeclared milk allergen.

Paramount-Warner Antitrust Fight: California and 11 other Democratic-led states, including New Jersey, sued to block Paramount Skydance’s roughly $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing it would “extinguish competition,” raise prices, and reduce content and jobs; the coalition is asking the companies to pause the deal while the case plays out. Legal Escalation: California hired Milbank to boost its antitrust firepower as the fight moves toward court. NJ Energy Policy: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the Power NJ Act to kick-start nuclear procurement, requiring federal financing and state approval before projects proceed and adding ratepayer safeguards. Meta Youth-Addiction Case: Four states including New Jersey calculated potential penalties up to $1.4 trillion in a child addiction lawsuit against Meta, according to a court filing. First Amendment Clash (NJ): A New Jersey judge is accused of censoring news coverage tied to a high school lockdown, raising press-freedom concerns. Sports & Consumer Watch: FIFA added more World Cup final tickets at MetLife Stadium, while an FBI warning highlighted World Cup ticket scams hitting fans. Real Estate Finance: Greystone arranged a $38.75 million refinance for Skylar Lofts in Jersey City.

Meta Youth Lawsuit: California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking up to $1.4 trillion from Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children, with the figure tied to state law and youth user counts. Immigration & Safety: A Pennsylvania trooper death case is fueling renewed scrutiny of commercial-driver licensing for noncitizens, after authorities charged an undocumented truck driver in a crash that killed the officer. NJ Budget: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the $60.7 billion FY2027 budget, with debate continuing over affordability, employer costs and fiscal discipline, even as supporters point to record property tax relief and full pension funding. Local Governance: The NJ Supreme Court limited the Council on Local Mandates, ruling it couldn’t void a DWI surcharge meant to fund police video equipment. Business & Growth: Wayfair is expanding its brick-and-mortar footprint, including a planned Princeton, N.J. store in 2027. Healthcare & Pharma: The FDA picked seven companies for a PreCheck Pilot to speed feedback on new U.S. drug manufacturing sites. Fragrance Tech: Osmo opened an AI-powered fragrance headquarters and production site in Elizabeth, aiming to scale jobs by early 2027.

Data Privacy Enforcement Uncertainty: New Jersey’s new consumer data law is creating confusion as the AG’s office signals case-by-case enforcement while the Division of Consumer Affairs says data brokers won’t have to register until April 2027—leaving political campaign compliance in limbo. AI & Tech M&A: Element Solutions, a Fort Lauderdale-based chemicals firm, announced a $14.5B cash-and-stock deal for New Jersey’s Solstice Advanced Materials, betting on AI-driven electronics materials demand. AI Regulation & Infrastructure: The AI data-center boom is colliding with state power-cost concerns, with New Jersey among states pushing rules aimed at protecting ratepayers as Congress debates broader AI data center limits. Autonomous Vehicles in NJ: Uber is lobbying to lock its “hybrid” robotaxi approach into law, while NJ faces renewed pressure to regulate or potentially block Tesla robotaxis. Energy & Fishing Policy: Trump is calling for reopening Georges Bank fishing grounds off the Vineyard coast, a move that could reshape jobs and operations for East Coast scallopers, including in New Jersey. Food Safety: A parasitic “explosive diarrhea” outbreak is prompting some restaurants to adjust menus and raising new caution for diners. Local Business Leadership: Jersey City named Ruby Choi as business administrator, tasked with stabilizing a roughly $255M structural deficit while executing budget and reform plans. Solar Deal: Argo Infrastructure Partners acquired an operating C&I solar portfolio from NuGen Capital Management, including eight sites across Massachusetts and New Jersey.

Meta Youth Safety Lawsuit: California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are part of a push that could total up to $1.4 trillion in penalties against Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children, with the figure calculated in a court filing. Energy & Grid Policy: A coalition of states is weighing how to respond to rising power demand from AI data centers, while debate continues over PJM’s regional grid governance and whether the system can move fast enough. PFAS Firefighting Foam: New Jersey is accelerating efforts to collect and destroy PFAS-laced firefighting foam, with fire departments swapping out AFFF that’s linked to cancer risks for firefighters. AI in Campaigning: Political text messaging is getting a boost from AI “bots” that can hold conversations with voters and tailor messaging based on what they say. Consumer Tech for Aging in Place: Families are increasingly using smart TV and remote-care tools to help older relatives stay independent longer, turning caregiving into a subscription-style tech service. Weather & Local Impact: Severe thunderstorms hit the Delaware Valley, knocking out power and damaging buildings, including in the Philadelphia area.

Meta Youth Safety Lawsuit: California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey are seeking up to $1.4 trillion in penalties from Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children, with an August trial set in Oakland; Meta calls the figure unprecedented and unsupported. Crypto Fraud Case: Federal prosecutors are set to drop charges against alleged BitClub Network mastermind Matthew Goettsche, after a DOJ reversal ordered dismissal with prejudice. NJ Consumer/Health: A parasitic “explosive diarrhea” outbreak tied to acyclosporiasis is prompting restaurants to respond as diners weigh safety steps when eating out. EV Market Shock: Polestar’s U.S. exit is raising concerns for owners and dealers about service, parts and resale values after a federal denial tied to connected-vehicle rules. Corporate/Healthcare R&D: Novo Nordisk presented new phase 3 long-term safety and efficacy data for denecimig (Mim8) in hemophilia A at ISTH. Local Business/Policy: NJ signed a law aimed at improving fire safety in scrap metal businesses.

Meta Lawsuit: Four states including New Jersey are seeking up to $1.4 trillion in penalties against Meta over claims Facebook and Instagram were designed to addict children, a figure disclosed in Meta’s court filing as more than 40 states join the broader fight. Gas Prices Politics: Trump’s “Freedom Fuel” push is rolling out cheaper stations across the Philly region and into New Jersey, but the operator and fuel supply chain remain murky, raising ethics questions about White House involvement. Crypto Enforcement Shift: The DOJ is reportedly moving to dismiss its criminal case against BitClub founder Matthew Goettsche tied to $722 million in alleged fraud, following a policy shift away from “regulation by prosecution.” Food Assistance Costs: Federal SNAP changes starting in fall 2027 could force states to fund part of benefits based on payment error rates, with analyses warning of billions in added state costs. AI & Marketing: New Jersey digital agency Synaryverse says it’s integrating AI across marketing, development and creative services to help businesses move from experiments to results. Local Business/Real Estate: A Montclair Tudor Revival once owned by aviation pioneer Walter S. Marvin is listed for $3.995 million, highlighting continued demand for high-end NJ properties.

Gas Prices & Politics: U.S. pump prices ticked up again to about $3.88 a gallon as renewed U.S.-Iran fighting lifted crude and tightened supplies, keeping energy costs a major political pressure point for President Trump. Freedom Fuel Scrutiny: Trump-promoted “Freedom Fuel Network” stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey advertised regular gas at $3.47, but questions remain about who’s behind the chain and how it’s able to cut prices. Cannabis Crackdown: Morris County raided and shut down smoke shops in Boonton, Montville, Randolph and Roxbury tied to sales of illegal “marijuana lite” and intoxicating hemp products, with the investigation starting in April. Nuclear IPO Watch: Camden-based Holtec Nuclear filed for a U.S. IPO as investor interest grows around nuclear power tied to rising AI-driven electricity demand. Local Business & Legal: Burlington County is starting a two-week South Avenue repaving project in Mount Holly, while a Pennsylvania warehouse owner sued BroadRange Logistics over alleged tenant-improvement fraud. Mega Millions: The jackpot climbed to $604 million for Friday’s drawing, with a $266.3 million cash option.

Gun Law Challenge: Gun-rights advocates urged federal judges to strike down New Jersey’s “sensitive places” gun ban, arguing recent SCOTUS rulings in Hawaii and Texas undercut the state’s approach. Financial Crime: The former Epoch Times CFO pleaded guilty in Manhattan federal court to a $67M money laundering conspiracy tied to fraud proceeds. Securities Litigation: Investors were notified to contact counsel as class actions were filed in New Jersey federal court over alleged securities fraud at ADMA Biologics (channel stuffing) and Embecta (insulin pen needle claims). Housing & Real Estate: Realtor.com data showed June inventory rising in New Jersey, with a median listing price of $575,000 and more price reductions. Workplace Safety & Climate: A push for heat protections gained momentum as World Cup-style water breaks highlighted the risk to roughly 700,000 NJ outdoor workers. Education & Civil Rights: DOJ reached a settlement with Jersey City schools to end alleged race and national-origin discrimination in admissions at Dr. Ronald E. McNair Academic High School. Healthcare Costs: New Jersey’s proposed premium hikes could hit about 400,000 public sector employees next year. Energy & Consumer Watch: Trump-backed “Freedom Fuel” discount stations expanded into southern New Jersey, though questions remain about who runs them and how long prices stay low.

Retail Pressure: With shoppers cutting back, grocery stores are racing to cut prices as food costs stay elevated and gas prices remain a drag on budgets. Civil Rights & Schools: The U.S. DOJ reached a settlement to end race and national origin discrimination in admissions at a Jersey City college prep school, adding to the administration’s broader crackdown on DEI practices. E-Commerce to Real Estate: Wayfair is betting on a comeback by expanding into large physical showrooms, including a planned Princeton, N.J., store in 2027. Tech, Ads & Retail: Meta is rolling out AI-powered room visualization that lets brands place catalog products into shoppers’ spaces, with new variants coming for advertisers. Public Safety & Policy: New Jersey’s e-bike law heads into its July 19 rollout, requiring licensing/registration and raising questions about whether it addresses crash causes. Local Finance: Jersey City faces a major budget crunch, with officials weighing property tax hikes after a large operating shortfall. Energy & Environment: Environmental groups are challenging NJ regulators’ approval of a major interstate natural gas pipeline expansion in federal appeals court. Construction & Jobs: Work continues on the Hudson River ground stabilization tied to the Gateway rail tunnel. Higher Ed: Rutgers’ board approved a $6.2B budget with a 3% tuition increase.

Meta Youth Safety Lawsuit: Four states, including New Jersey, are seeking penalties totaling about $1.4 trillion from Meta over claims Instagram and Facebook were engineered to be addictive for teens, with an Aug. 18 trial set in Oakland. Consumer Protection & Fraud: New Jersey Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced a $45 million multistate settlement with Block over deceptive Cash App practices, including misleading users about fraud protections. Housing Affordability: A new NAHB report says federal, state and local regulations add about $131,734 to the cost of a new home, worsening affordability pressures. Energy & Data Centers: Gov. Sherrill signed major AI data center legislation aimed at protecting ratepayers as electricity costs rise. Weather & Infrastructure: Heat and storms disrupted transport in New Jersey, including boats trapped by a Shark River Inlet rail bridge closure due to metal expansion. Education Policy: The U.S. Education Department is moving to reshape or end Equity Assistance Centers nationwide, including considering shifting services to the Justice Department. Retail & Local Business: A prepaid funeral investigation highlights NJ consumers losing money when funds weren’t properly protected, underscoring compliance risks for small providers.

Scrap Recycling Court Fight: Camden Superior Court Judge Stephen Polansky ordered EMR’s scrap metal recycling plant can reopen after a late-May fire, but only if the company follows a list of safety precautions after the city rejected a settlement. Social Media Legal Push: Boston joined the fast-growing nationwide wave of lawsuits targeting Meta, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube over alleged addictive design harms to children, feeding into a multidistrict litigation track that could reach bellwether trials. Energy & Consumer Watch: The White House highlighted the first “Freedom Fuel” station—$3.47 gas in the Philly area—while questions remain about who runs the network and how the discounts are funded. Public Safety/Policy: New Jersey AG Liz Murrill and other attorneys general urged the FCC to tighten rules that block scammers from using legitimate phone numbers, as robocalls and texts keep draining consumers. Real Estate Finance: Affinius provided a $188 million refinancing loan for District 15Fifteen in Parsippany, underscoring continued lending appetite in mixed-use New Jersey projects. Power Costs & Data Centers: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed new laws aimed at lowering electric bills and requiring data center developers to help pay for grid upgrades, as NJ grapples with AI-driven demand growth. Business Expansion: Big Air USA opened its first New Jersey location in Pennsville, bringing a 30,000-square-foot indoor adventure park to the state. Corporate Leadership: Jones Road Beauty CEO Cody Plofker is exiting after 18 months, signaling a leadership change at the New Jersey-founded beauty brand.