AGP Executive Report

Health & Food Safety: FDA upgraded the recall of The Coffee Connexion Co.’s Alfredo sauce to the highest risk level, affecting 41 states over possible Salmonella contamination. Health & Food Safety: Clover Hill Dairy expanded its cheese recall after a multi-state listeria investigation, with Maryland reporting one death and multiple infections; NJ consumers are urged to check plant number 24-128. Real Estate & Development: JLL reports New Jersey industrial leasing activity rose to 13.1M sq. ft. in Q1, with big-box demand and Class A strength returning as construction stays low. Retail & Housing: Garden State Plaza is adding 575 luxury apartments in Paramus as mall owners lean into mixed-use to keep foot traffic strong. Workforce Policy: Opinion argues NJ’s credential laws are meant to improve job pathways, pushing for clearer signals for learners, workers, and employers. Business & Growth: Next Level Performance founder Jim Dittman named a 2026 NJBIZ Icon Honoree, highlighting long-running NJ leadership. Sports Tech & Media: Global Game Summit returns July 15 at Prudential Center in Newark, aiming to turn World Cup momentum into long-term soccer, AI, media, and investment opportunities for NJ. Energy & Geopolitics: U.S.-Iran deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz could ease fuel pressure for NJ drivers.

World Cup Logistics in NJ/NY: The first MetLife Stadium match (Brazil vs. Morocco) put the region’s transit plan to the test, with NJ Transit and host shuttles moving tens of thousands, but also sparking gridlock and complaints about confusing closures and ticket-holder-only service. Public Safety & Crowds: Knicks championship celebrations spilled into New York streets at the same time, leading to 63 arrests, multiple stabbings, and a shooting—plus damage to police cars and school buses used for World Cup transport. Data Center Power Fight: Lawmakers are trying to curb AI data center impacts, but most bills are stalled in Congress; Sen. Mark Warner’s proposal would shift electricity and grid upgrade costs away from residential ratepayers. Aviation/Manufacturing Note: Gulfstream marked its 100th G700 delivery and a 100th city-pair speed record, with a record flight from Savannah to Teterboro. Food Safety: Clover Hill Dairy recalled cheese products distributed into NJ after Listeria concerns. Health Trend: “Dirty soda” warnings hit NJ—doctors say these drinks can pack far more sugar than daily limits. Sports Tech: FIFA is using Boston Dynamics “Spot” robot dogs for stadium patrols, with claims they lack facial scanning. Local Culture: LBI Book Swap in Beach Haven was named the nation’s top independent bookstore by USA Today 10Best.

World Cup logistics in NJ: NJ Transit moved 21,271 riders to MetLife for the Brazil–Morocco opener, with fans largely using trains and buses despite fears of post-match crowd crush. State politics & cost-of-living: Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced 770 free World Cup tickets for youth soccer clubs, National Guard families, nurses, young patients, and first responders, while criticizing FIFA for not funding transit impacts. Matchday business at MetLife: Brazil and Morocco played to a 1-1 draw in front of 80,000+ at the New York/New Jersey stadium, with Vinicius Jr. equalizing after Saibari’s opener. Public health warning: A “dirty soda” trend is drawing scrutiny in the U.S., with New Jersey dietitian Erin Palinski-Wade warning these drinks can pack 55–70 grams of sugar per serving. Environmental health: PFAS contamination is rising in the Delaware River Basin and showing up in fish, with researchers saying buildup is outpacing dilution. Local industry note: Chocolate House, founded in 2021 with NJ locations, is opening its first Florida shop in Pensacola.

Road Closures & Bridge Work: NJDOT is shifting traffic for Hanover Avenue Bridge over I-287 in Morris County (6 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, then a new lane pattern through summer 2027) and starting Route 31 lane closures in Clinton, Hunterdon County for final paving June 15-26. More I-295 Disruptions: The Princeton Pike Bridge over I-295 in Lawrence, Mercer County, closes Saturday night (8 p.m.-8 a.m.) with a yearlong detour for the Exit 68B ramp. World Cup Logistics in NJ/NY: Gridlock and transit limits hit NYC around the Brazil-Morocco match at MetLife (6 p.m.), with NJ Transit service at Penn Station reserved for ticketholders and street closures starting by noon. Stadium Experience & Infrastructure: Rutgers turfgrass is being used across World Cup host stadiums, and MetLife is drawing attention for being among the least convenient venues. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA recall expands for Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers in 21+ states due to possible metal contamination. Healthcare Policy: Rutgers nursing leaders marked New Jersey’s move to end joint protocol requirements for many experienced advanced practice nurses. Retail/Restaurants: Pappas Restaurants abruptly closes all company-owned On The Border locations, including the last two NJ spots. Consumer Watch: “Dirty soda” warnings highlight very high sugar loads and health risks.

World Cup logistics in NJ: FIFA’s “clean stadium” rule is forcing major venues to drop sponsor branding for the tournament, renaming places like SoFi Stadium to “Los Angeles Stadium” and MetLife to “New York New Jersey Stadium.” Local fan transport: German players are covering bus costs for 600 fans to reach the Group E match in New Jersey after NJ Transit fare backlash; the round-trip train price was cut to $98 and shuttles to $20. Edison Township transit boost: Edison is launching a $2 shuttle loop on World Cup match days to move people between multiple watch-party stops without hopping cars. Health and consumer angle: A New Jersey dietitian warns “dirty sodas” can pack 55–70 grams of sugar per serving—more like dessert than a drink. Business/tech: CoreWeave, which began as a New Jersey crypto-mining operation, is set to join the Nasdaq-100 on June 22. Policy/legal: The New Jersey Supreme Court will review a municipal attorney’s defamation case testing the state’s anti-SLAPP law.

Water & Construction Recognition: Aqua New Jersey President Natalie Chesko was honored by the New Jersey Alliance for Action at its Salute to Women in Construction, highlighting leadership in water and wastewater infrastructure and safety. Food Safety: Azuma Foods recalled Tako Wasabi seasoned octopus 3-packs in multiple states including New Jersey due to undeclared fish; Rich’s/Farm Rich Pizza Cheese Crunchers were also recalled over possible metal contamination. Agriculture Relief: USDA approved a disaster designation for all 21 New Jersey counties after the April freeze, unlocking low-interest emergency loans for farmers and recovery support. Film & Local Economy: Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” generated about $34M in qualified New Jersey spending, hiring 1,800+ crew across 10 municipalities. Health & Biotech: Otsuka completed its $700M acquisition of Transcend Therapeutics to advance a rapid-acting PTSD treatment candidate. World Cup Logistics (NJ): NJ Transit and shuttle plans are in focus as MetLife hosts the tournament opener and the state prepares for major fan travel, with no general parking at the stadium. Real Estate/Community: Benchmark and National Development acquired an East Brunswick site for an 87-unit assisted living and memory care community slated for 2028.

World Cup Logistics in NJ: NJ Transit officially launched the renamed DoorDash Meadowlands Rail Line, running Secaucus Junction to MetLife Stadium on event days with frequent service and a tight shuttle plan to move tens of thousands of fans. Business Climate: A new regional report puts New Jersey last for the eighth straight year, citing high property and corporate taxes as major cost drivers. Public Safety Tech: New Jersey is pushing license plate reader systems as a faster way to locate suspects and missing victims, paired with strict rules on access and auditing. Healthcare Expansion: Cooper University Health Care plans a $300 million outpatient campus in Gloucester Township, adding specialty services and more than 400 jobs. Film Industry Growth: Unlimited Studios is opening a permanent production home in Long Branch, adding Shore-based capacity as major studios expand across the state. Consumer/Recall Watch: FDA timing details are in focus after a frozen pizza snack recall tied to possible metal contamination reached 21 states. Energy & Cost Pressure: A homeowner’s electric bill story is fueling renewed attention on how AI data centers may be raising utility supply charges. Sports & Local Economy: World Cup matchdays are already reshaping delivery and traffic patterns around the region, with businesses bracing for restrictions.

Heat & Public Safety: Newark activated Code Red through Friday night as temperatures push into dangerous territory, opening five cooling centers and shelters for people experiencing homelessness and urging residents to stay hydrated and use air conditioning. World Cup Infrastructure & Transit: NJ’s World Cup planning continues to ramp up, with FERC approving PJM’s fast-track interconnection for large power projects tied to data-center demand and officials coordinating readiness for major crowd movement around MetLife. Clean Energy Funding: NJEDA approved $79M under RETROFIT NJ for large-scale building decarbonization, including solar, battery storage, and electrification upgrades, with over $54M aimed at overburdened communities. Business & Finance: Columbia Financial and Northfield Bancorp advanced their merger process, setting a July 10, 2026 deadline for Northfield shareholders to elect cash, stock, or a mix. Policy & Consumer Tech: A growing push in state capitals targets “surveillance pricing” that uses AI plus personal data to set individualized prices, with New Jersey among states considering bills. Real Estate Signals: A new ATTOM report finds zombie foreclosures remain a small but persistent share of the foreclosure pipeline, rising in most states.

World Cup logistics in NJ: NJ Transit, NJ DOT, and state police laid out game-day transit and safety plans for the first New Jersey match, including frequent rail service, strict parking rules, and Uber-only rideshare drop-offs at the Meadowlands with an Everbridge public safety app for real-time updates. Crypto crackdown: Delaware and New Jersey advanced bills to ban crypto ATMs as scam complaints rise, citing FBI figures of 13,460 complaints and $388.9M in 2025 losses nationwide. Biopharma job cuts: New data shows May layoffs hit nearly 7,000 workers, with most cuts tied to Takeda and BioNTech, underscoring continued pressure on pharma and biotech operations. Health innovation: A new oral GLP-1 drug study (elecoglipron) reports improved blood sugar control and weight outcomes for people with type 2 diabetes, adding momentum for non-injection options. Community spotlight: A children’s World Cup anthem, “Nueva York es el Mundo,” launched in New Jersey with a youth contest tied to MetLife Stadium final tickets. Local business real estate: Devli Real Estate acquired a 67,000 s/f flex industrial/retail asset at 118 Rte. 17 North, signaling continued investment in NJ mixed-use space.

Federal Contract Fight: New Jersey’s AG William Tong joined a 20-state lawsuit challenging a Trump administration order that adds vague “DEI” restrictions to federal contractor terms, arguing it threatens billions in contracts without clear rules. Food Safety & Consumer Protection: GS Labs reached a multistate COVID test settlement, with restitution and reimbursements for overcharges and delayed results; New Jersey also continues to push consumer enforcement, including Seaside Heights boardwalk inspections under the “Safe Summer Task Force.” World Cup Business in NJ: As FIFA 2026 kicks off, host-city logistics and stadium rules are tightening, while Airbnb reports Latino travelers could drive major group-trip demand across host markets including the New York–New Jersey area. Real Estate & Retail: A Morris County outdoor shopping center with Chuck E. Cheese and an AMC theater sold for about $13.75M, underscoring demand for entertainment-anchored retail. Public Health Watch: A Tulane-led study finds extreme coastal flooding is far more frequent than “100-year” expectations, adding pressure for updated resilience planning. Corporate Moves: Grocery Outlet named a new CFO, signaling continued focus on value-focused growth.

World Cup & Hospitality: North Jersey and the wider region are feeling the hospitality squeeze as restaurants close, including Mr. Pasta (North Arlington, June 20 after 52 years), MEAL (Nutley, May), and Chart House (Weehawken, May 14), while Philly-area bars gear up for late-night match crowds under the new 4 a.m. rules. Food & Farming: An April freeze has wiped out much of New Jersey’s tree-fruit season, with Gov. Sherrill declaring a state of emergency; meanwhile, a Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements has expanded to 119 cases across 36 states. Public Safety & Mobility: Princeton is preparing for its July 19 e-bike law with new licensing, registration, insurance, and helmet requirements. Logistics & Crime: Eight people were indicted for impersonating shipping carriers in a Northeast retail theft ring that allegedly stole nearly $5M in goods, including meat and cheese. Regulatory/Legal: NJ’s UPEPA is in the spotlight after a Dover case over a non-disparagement clause; and AG Nessel secured a preliminary injunction blocking USDA funding conditions. Business & Industry: Sprouts says it’s evaluating further New England expansion; and STRI Group is managing natural grass pitch upgrades for World Cup venues, including New York-New Jersey Stadium.

Boutique Fitness Expansion: Aligned Fitness Holdings bought six Club Pilates studios in central New Jersey, pushing its total to 61 locations and signaling continued growth in the state’s wellness market. EV + Charging Demand: Voltu began producing and delivering its first heavy-duty all-electric pickup trucks, with Riverside Public Utilities as its first U.S. customer and potential for up to 80 trucks over the next few years. World Cup Logistics + NJ Impact: New Jersey will distribute 770 free World Cup tickets for MetLife Stadium matches, including youth soccer, healthcare/pediatric programs, and small-business community tickets. Workforce at Newark Airport: A union says United’s contractor switch at Newark could put nearly 250 workers at risk of losing jobs and benefits starting July 1. Food Safety Alert: Clover Hill Dairy recalled soft ricotta/requeson cheese due to possible Listeria contamination, with distribution including New Jersey. Local EMS Strain: West Milford First Aid Squad faces rising call volume and declining volunteers, highlighting ongoing pressure on volunteer emergency services. Transportation Construction: NJDOT scheduled overnight lane/ramp closures tied to the Direct Connection project in Bellmawr and guiderail work on I-295 in Salem/Gloucester.

Biotech Deal: Johnson & Johnson will acquire Firefly Bio for $1B in cash, aiming to expand its oncology pipeline with Firelink™ degrader antibody conjugates targeting KRAS-driven tumors. AI & Finance Oversight: New Jersey regulators say this year’s investment adviser exam will scrutinize how AI is used in building portfolios and making recommendations. Cyber/Logistics Crime: Eight people were indicted for impersonating shipping companies to steal nearly $5M in goods across Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey, using phishing to hack shipment details. Energy/Policy: A year-round E15 ethanol blend bill cleared the U.S. House but faces an uncertain Senate path, with votes and refinery concerns still in play. Immigration/Workforce: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee; lawmakers welcomed the ruling as a hit to healthcare and education staffing, while the White House plans to appeal. Local Governance & Tech: Hammonton postponed an AI data center public hearing, opting to review Pinelands rules first after council action to hire consultants. Business Recognition: EY named 11 New Jersey companies as regional winners for its 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year awards, advancing them toward national judging.

Camden Cleanup After Fire: Camden suspended EMR’s junkyard license after a 2-alarm fire tied to the company’s scrap operations, following an NJ AG lawsuit alleging repeated fires across years of activity. World Cup Logistics in NJ/NY: The NYNJ Host Committee clarified that some private buses and car services can drop off at American Dream on match days, while other access is restricted and enforced by state police—keeping the “public transportation-first” push front and center. H-1B Visa Fee Blocked: A federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 H-1B application fee as an unlawful tax, a win for employers relying on skilled foreign workers. NJ Nuclear Watch: Rowan University hosts a June 9 conference on expanding New Jersey nuclear power, including potential SMRs at the former Oyster Creek site and a possible fourth Salem reactor. Energy Costs & Grid Resilience: Coverage highlights utilities moving toward more precise, localized forecasting and undergrounding power lines to reduce outage risk from extreme weather. Supply Chain Signal: Global Port Tracker expects U.S.-bound import volumes to rise in June before easing later, as tariffs, fuel costs, and uncertainty shape retailer shipping plans. Public Health Alert: Tick infection rates for Lyme are spiking early in Connecticut, with researchers pointing to winter conditions that boosted tick survival.

Transit Safety: A stabbing at New York’s Penn Station left six people injured and a suspect in custody, just as crowds prepare for major sports events above the hub. Immigration Detention: Protests outside Newark’s Delaney Hall have continued with violence and arrests, while security shifts to Newark police and GEO Group. Middle East Energy & Retaliation: Israel struck an Iranian petrochemical plant in Mahshahr after Trump urged restraint, as Israel-Iran exchanges of fire threaten to widen the conflict. NJ Coastal Resilience: The U.S. Army Corps signed about $35M in contracts to rebuild battered Jersey Shore beaches, including Ocean City, Avalon and Stone Harbor, with sand replenishment underway. Biotech & Business Growth: SK Biopharm opened an innovation space in New Jersey to help U.S. biotech startups expand, and KOTRA is backing the effort. Construction & Housing Standards: Passive House Network named Wythe Windows Co-CEO Darren Macri board president to push higher-performance building practices. Workforce & Capital Access: NJ programs and community lenders highlighted how grants, mentoring, and loans are helping women and minority entrepreneurs scale. Local Culture: Asbury Park’s Pride festival drew large crowds, keeping the region’s LGBTQ+ events front and center.

World Cup & NJ Logistics: FIFA’s 2026 run is putting MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford front and center, with match-day planning and tight security shaping how fans move around the Meadowlands. Public Safety: A mass shooting near England’s World Cup training base in Kansas City left nine wounded, raising security questions as the team prepares to arrive. Middle East Risk: Israel struck Beirut despite a Lebanon truce push; Iran launched missiles at Israel and warned of broader retaliation, with Trump saying he’ll urge Netanyahu to hold back. Food Assistance Court Fight: A federal judge halted USDA enforcement of new SNAP-related conditions challenged by New Jersey and other Democratic-led states. Health & Pharma (NJ): Novo Nordisk said Wegovy pill prescriptions surpassed 3 million in the U.S., with major momentum for obesity treatment. Local Economy/Consumer: A new Goodwill store in South Jersey is drawing Gen Z and deal-seekers as thrift demand rises.