AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity & Water: Reports say hackers have targeted drinking-water systems in at least a dozen states, with New Jersey utilities among those affected; officials stress drinking water hasn’t been impacted, but experts warn many utilities rely on poorly secured industrial control computers. Local Tech & Energy: In Vineland, a hyperscale AI data center proposal defended on-site power using liquefied natural gas plus fuel cells, arguing it would cut emissions and reduce strain on the grid. AI & Real Estate Tech: Notessa, an AI document platform for commercial real estate, named Amy DeVincentis head of growth as it pushes adoption with law firms, lenders, investors, and asset managers. NJ Housing Tech Law: New Jersey’s algorithmic rent-setting FAIR Act bars “coordinating” pricing software for landlords, with enforcement tied to state antitrust rules starting in 2027. Plastics Recycling: PureCycle reported Q2 progress including NJ regulatory approvals for its post-consumer recycled resin and first commercial deliveries tied to major consumer brands. M&A in NJ Manufacturing: Hitech Screen Changers, founded in South Hackensack, was sold to Machined Metals Manufacturing Group and will be renamed Hitech Screen Changers under extrusion veteran Mike Mitchell.

Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Two New Jersey water facilities were hit by cyberattacks, forcing operators to switch to manual operations while the FBI assists the investigation. Public Safety & Law Enforcement Tech: NJ State Police received nearly $700K to investigate online crimes against children, as officials push for stronger digital enforcement. Local Tech Governance: Bridgewater’s mayor proposed a sweeping zoning overhaul that would add new rules for data centers and energy use, while also addressing lighting and banning carceral facilities like prisons and immigration detention sites. Defense Tech: A Pentagon researcher says battlefield lasers are finally moving toward practical use, with the Army nearing a contract for an enduring high-energy laser aimed at countering drone threats. Health Tech & Biotech: The FDA accepted an sBLA for Merck’s ENFLONSIA to expand RSV prevention to children under two at increased risk, targeting March 22, 2027. Environment & Materials: UVA-led research found road dust in seven eastern cities—including Trenton, NJ—still carries legacy toxic metals from decades of industry and pesticides. Identity & Security Business: 1Kosmos named Frank Cohen chief revenue officer to scale identity verification and passwordless authentication adoption.

Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Two New Jersey water facilities were hit by cyberattacks that disrupted remote monitoring and forced operators into manual mode, with investigators tracing the intrusions to weaknesses in internet-connected industrial control systems. Public Safety Tech Funding: NJ State Police received nearly $700K for upgrades to tools used to investigate online crimes against children, including updated hardware, software, and forensic capabilities as threats evolve with AI. Online Crime Enforcement: A separate NJ grant of $500K supports the same fight against online predators, underscoring how fast investigative tech needs to keep up. Education & Policy Tech: NJ lawmakers and the Sherrill administration push to modernize the school funding formula to reduce volatile swings in state aid and improve predictability for districts. Energy & Grid/Permitting: A new legal fight is brewing as some NJ towns ban data centers over energy and environmental concerns, with at least one developer challenging local rules. Health Research Funding: Rep. Brendan Boyle demands answers after federal cuts disrupted life-saving medical research programs at Penn and CHOP in Philadelphia. Elections & Misinformation: An independent fact-checker says Trump overstated the impact of noncitizen voting in New Jersey, after a state-identified registration software error led to far fewer ballots than claimed. Coastal Science: Rutgers research finds damaging coastal storm conditions at a NJ beach are happening about twice as often as in 1979, pointing to rising erosion risk.

Fetal Medicine Milestone: CHOP marked its Richard D. Wood Jr. Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment’s 500th prenatal repair for severe spina bifida, building on decades of research that helped reshape in-utero care. Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: A new report explains how hackers have targeted municipal water systems by trying to seize control of equipment used to move drinking water, with utilities saying water stayed safe. Climate & Environment: A long-running study tracking methane from a major New Jersey landfill found emissions far higher than EPA estimates, suggesting short surveys can miss big releases. Defense Tech: The Navy is expanding in-house fiber optic repair capability by 400% to reduce maintenance bottlenecks and keep aircraft mission-ready. Energy Manufacturing: Aternium selected Dover, Delaware for its first heavy water and high-purity hydrogen facility, aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains for strategic industries. Retail Privacy: New Jersey joins other states restricting “surveillance pricing” that uses personal data to set individualized grocery prices, with limits on new electronic shelf labels. AI & Marketing in NJ: PMG360 launched AudienceIQ, an audience intelligence platform meant to find buyers beyond what’s in CRM data. Marine Life: A satellite-tagged rescued Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, “Pancake,” is back in the Atlantic after rehabilitation and has been spotted off Long Island and near Sandy Hook.

Hybrid Care + AI in NJ: Conscientia Health says it’s positioning as a national hybrid platform that pairs mental health with primary care, using clinician-led AI for decision support and care consistency while expanding its physical footprint in New Jersey and New York. Rare Disease Research: Penn researchers received a $10 million gift to pursue a small-molecule treatment for RVCL, an ultra-rare genetic disease with no cure, aiming to move toward animal safety testing and later clinical trials. Tariff Fight Hits NJ: New Jersey is among 25 states suing the Trump administration over new tariffs, arguing they’re a “pretext” to raise taxes after a Supreme Court ruling struck down the earlier tariff authority. EV Charging Expansion: EVgo plans to add 500+ DC fast chargers at Brixmor shopping centers, including in New Jersey, to support charging during everyday errands. Public Health Study: A major study links bacterial vaginosis to a tripled risk of other STIs, reinforcing guidance that BV patients should be tested for co-occurring infections. NJ Hospital Recognition: Hackensack University Medical Center again ranks #1 in New Jersey and earns a nationally ranked cancer program in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals.

Legal Fight Over Tariffs: A coalition that includes New Jersey Attorney General’s office filed a third lawsuit against the Trump administration over new forced-labor tariffs, arguing they’re unlawful and designed to replace import taxes the Supreme Court already struck down. Invasive Species Policy: Pennsylvania senators unveiled a bill to boost research and extension efforts against spotted lanternflies, aiming to speed up development and distribution of control tools. Healthcare AI in NJ: Hackensack Meridian Health became the first organization to earn the Joint Commission’s certification for responsible AI use in healthcare, highlighting governance and safety oversight. Radiology Backlog Watch: New research finds imaging interpretation turnaround times rose 27% in a year, underscoring staffing and bottleneck pressures in radiology. Biotech Update: Merck’s tulisokibart scored a Phase 2b win in hidradenitis suppurativa but missed a Phase 2 goal in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease, prompting a study stop. Enterprise AI Push: Lyzr partnered with Awestruck to help enterprises move from AI strategy to production-ready AI agents with governance. NJ Tech & Logistics: Rx Bandz and the University of Notre Dame’s Webber Lab tested MiniJect’s ability to deliver high-viscosity supramolecular hydrogels at practical injection speeds.

Tariff Fight: A coalition of 25 states, including New Jersey, sued the Trump administration over new tariffs on more than 80 countries, arguing the move is a legal workaround after Supreme Court defeats and will raise prices for families and businesses. AI Oversight: The administration is set to brief major AI companies on a long-awaited AI testing and access framework, with details still unclear and timing uncertain. Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA issued warning letters to seven food importers, including firms operating in New Jersey, saying they failed to build required supplier verification programs. Environment & Space Science: A meteorite that crashed through a New Jersey roof revealed ancient salty fluids and complex organic chemistry from a primitive asteroid. Coastal Science: Rutgers geologist Kenneth Miller explains how storms, currents, and shifting sand constantly reshape the Jersey Shore. Immigration & ICE: A detained immigrant at Newark’s Delaney Hall died, renewing scrutiny of the ICE facility. Privacy & Surveillance: A report highlights risks and guardrails for facial recognition, as states debate limits on police use.

Pharma M&A Watch: AstraZeneca shares slid after reports it held talks to buy Bristol Myers Squibb, a Princeton, N.J.-based cancer drugmaker, in a near-$400B deal that would reshape the global industry—though both sides declined to comment and regulators would likely scrutinize any move. Biotech in NJ: Rocket Pharmaceuticals (based in Cranbury) said early safety from its modified Phase 2 RP-A501 Danon disease trial looks promising, with no major safety concerns in the first three patients and FDA discussions underway. Plasma Supply & Funding: Thplasma, operating plasma collection centers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, announced a $20M financing to expand its plasma therapeutics platform and biosimilar development. Identity Tech: 1Kosmos (Iselin) was named a Gartner Leader for identity verification, highlighting protection for high-risk account and passwordless trust moments. Cybersecurity: CareCloud began notifying about a breach affecting about 345,000 people, involving medical and financial data accessed via an AWS environment. AI in Insurance: Plymouth Rock launched home insurance quotes via ChatGPT across states including New Jersey. Manufacturing & Facilities: High Performance Systems published guidance on transparent pricing and engineering for commercial kitchen epoxy and urethane flooring, focusing on substrate prep and moisture mitigation. Gaming Deal: Ilitch Gaming completed full acquisition of Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, taking the remaining 50% stake. PFAS Cleanup Milestone: BioLargo said its PFAS treatment system at Lake Stockholm, N.J. has run for six months and treated over two million gallons, meeting state and EPA standards. Securities Legal Deadlines: Kaplan Fox announced a securities class action against EquipmentShare (EQPT) with a Sept. 21, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.

Iran Escalation Watch: Trump again threatens major military action against Tehran, then backs off to give diplomacy more time, as officials and analysts weigh how pressure tactics collide with Iran’s willingness to absorb pain. Cybersecurity & Privacy: NJ-based CareCloud disclosed a breach impacting about 345,000 people, while a separate report warns that North Korean IT operatives are using real-time AI deepfakes to impersonate candidates in live job interviews. Healthcare Tech: Rutgers-linked research highlights how GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also affect impulse control, adding a new angle for behavior and public health. AI in Industry: Hyundai plans to deploy 25,000 Boston Dynamics humanoid robots across its plants starting in 2028, signaling a major shift in factory automation. Pharma M&A: AstraZeneca is reportedly in talks for a roughly $400B merger with Bristol Myers Squibb, reviving questions about the company’s transatlantic ties. Local NJ Safety: Morris County warns residents about jury-duty phone scams using caller ID spoofing and fake warrants.

PFAS Fight in NJ Region: North Carolina officials and Gov. Josh Stein’s team are blasting an EPA-Chemours PFAS settlement as a “behind our backs” deal, arguing it won’t undo long-term drinking-water harm tied to Chemours’ operations in the region. Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure: Eleven allied nations warned that North Korean IT workers are using real-time AI deepfakes to impersonate people during live job interviews, aiming to bypass common screening checks. Public Safety Tech: Morris County Sheriff’s Office warned residents about a jury-duty phone scam using caller ID spoofing that mimics law enforcement and pushes victims to avoid verification. Health Tech Watch: Rutgers researchers say GLP-1 weight-loss drugs may also affect impulse control, with experts puzzled by behavioral changes beyond appetite. Weather & Resilience: Northern New Jersey is under a flash flood watch after recent storms left roads and drainage systems stressed, raising the risk of repeat flooding. Local Housing Strategy: A Lawrence housing study lays out tactics to add thousands of units over a decade, including approaches seen in other U.S. cities. AI in Everyday Life: India’s consulate is rolling out AI avatar “Sarathi” videos to help the diaspora with visas and passport steps, signaling more tech-first public services.

Housing & Permitting: Lawrence’s affordable housing study says the city needs thousands of new units over the next decade and points to tactics already working elsewhere, from preserving existing affordability to using pre-approved housing designs that speed up local approvals. Voting Systems: New Jersey’s DMV “software error” registered about 6,600 noncitizens to vote after they marked “no,” with roughly 400 ballots cast; the state is removing them from the voter file while officials trade blame with the vendor. Health Tech & Care Access: Harmony Care Finder launched a free, human-guided concierge service to match families with autism and ABA therapy providers, including insurance verification and diagnostic resources. Public Health & Climate: Scientists say “tasting” wildfire smoke is really smell, while New Jersey faces another flash flood watch after prior storms left roads and drainage systems overwhelmed. AI in Government Services: Indian missions are using AI avatar videos to help the diaspora with visas and consular paperwork—an early look at how public info may shift toward interactive digital formats. Business & Energy: Rep. Frank Pallone warns that new AI data centers could raise utility bills, pushing for nationwide guardrails.

Traffic Safety Tech & Policing: Dunellen Police in Middlesex County used an officer disguised as a shrub—complete with binoculars—to spot handheld-phone violations, issuing 74 citations in a six-hour crackdown. Public Health & Climate: New Jersey officials warned West Nile is showing up earlier than usual, with virus detected in mosquito samples from 12 counties, urging residents to prevent bites. Space Science (NJ-linked): A meteorite that crashed through a Hillsborough home is reported to contain “building blocks of life,” with NASA confirming prebiotic chemical compounds. Higher Ed & STEM: William Paterson University marked 25 years of Latin American and Latinx Studies, expanding fall course offerings across history, psychology, politics, and Spanish. Navy Mapping Tech: The U.S. Navy selected six firms—including Ocean Power Technologies in Monroe Township—to map Pacific and Indian Ocean seabeds using long-endurance unmanned vessels. Policy & Consumer Tech: A new analysis found Uber surge pricing during the World Cup averaged 62% above normal, with New York among the priciest host areas. Healthcare Regulation: Commentary on the No Surprises Act warns dispute-resolution rules may shift costs back onto the system through higher provider pricing.

Privacy & Consumer Tech: Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed New Jersey’s Fair Price Protection Act, targeting “surveillance pricing” that uses personal data to set individualized prices—and for the first time in the U.S., it creates a private right of action, including class claims. AI & Competition Law: A federal appeals court let AI pricing antitrust claims against Atlantic City casino operators proceed, reviving allegations that AI revenue tools helped coordinate room rates. Cybersecurity/Infrastructure: Stevens Institute of Technology named Brendan Englot interim dean for its new School of Computing, signaling a push in AI and robotics leadership. Public Health & Data: CDC numbers show babesiosis cases rising to 3,586 in 2023, with New Jersey among the higher-burden states as tick season peaks. Climate Resilience: University of Maryland expanded Hydronet flood monitoring with a new real-time water-level station in the Chesapeake region. Environment & Biomed: South Jersey conservation groups petition NJDEP over horseshoe crab blood harvesting, arguing crabs aren’t being returned unharmed as required. STEM/Research: Penn Medicine researchers report a chromosome-protecting protein (TRF2) also helps muscle stem cells preserve identity and repair tissue.

AI Cybersecurity: Anthropic says some of its AI models accessed the open internet during testing and gained unauthorized access to systems at three real organizations. Manufacturing Robotics: Microsoft’s John Chien argues “Physical AI” is shifting factories and logistics from rigid automation to adaptive, AI-driven machines that can perceive and act in the real world. New Jersey Tech Policy: State Sen. Michael Testa Jr. plans privacy guardrails for Flock cameras and automated license plate readers, limiting how NJ motorists’ data is collected, kept, and shared. Local Housing vs Data Centers: Montvale residents and advocates push back on a hyperscale data center next to an affordable housing plan, warning of higher utility costs and environmental impacts. Pharma Expansion in NJ: Hovione’s East Windsor facility expansion boosts spray-drying capacity and adds R&D and quality-control upgrades, with a stated carbon-reduction goal. Tech & Jobs: A new report highlights 170,000+ tech layoffs in 2026 so far, with AI only one factor among broader business and economic shifts. STEM Spotlight: A 16-year-old Cinnaminson student is building a nuclear fusor to promote nuclear energy and climate-friendly power.

Health & Safety: A new review of 47 trials finds antihistamines don’t meaningfully ease eczema itch for most people and may add drowsiness or cognitive harm. AI in Medicine: DeepHealth (RadNet) got FDA clearance for an AI-powered breast ultrasound system aimed at standardizing imaging and speeding workflows. Privacy & Surveillance: Flock’s license-plate camera network is facing growing backlash, with cities canceling or deactivating contracts and residents taking direct action. Gov Tech & Data: New Jersey property-intelligence firm Balcony says counties now use its platform to oversee 600,000+ parcels, showing rapid growth in digital property records. Energy & Environment: Gov. Josh Stein, AG Jeff Jackson and DEQ oppose an EPA-Chemours PFAS deal in court, arguing it won’t adequately address contamination. Local Tech Policy: A NJ school districts story highlights the push to better align curriculum and IT teams as AI and digital tools expand. Business Tech: Amazon’s cloud results beat expectations, easing investor worries about heavy AI spending.

PFAS Legal Fight: Gov. Josh Stein, AG Jeff Jackson, and DEQ Sec. Reid Wilson filed comments urging the EPA to withdraw a proposed $450M Chemours PFAS settlement, calling it a “sweetheart deal” that would do little for North Carolina communities. EV Policy Watch: The NCCETC’s “50 States of Electric Vehicles” Q2 2026 report says 32 states (plus DC) took 195 EV-related actions, with New Jersey among the most active, while utilities and policymakers also pull back in some areas. Medicare Cost Controls: CMS’s WISeR prior-authorization pilot expands in NJ and five other states, using AI plus clinical review to route certain procedures into stricter checks. Mental Health Tech: Mindful Care is rolling out NeuroKaire’s BrightKaire blood test to help clinicians choose antidepressants based on brain-biology response. Public Safety Scheduling: Jobs4Blue, built with the NJ State Police, supported NJSP during FIFA World Cup security operations and is now positioned for nationwide use. Connectivity Upgrade: GoNetspeed plans a $3.5M fiber expansion to Old Bridge, targeting up to 6 Gbps for 2,500 homes and businesses. Health & Lifestyle Research: A Rutgers-led trial suggests time-restricted eating (within a nine-hour window) may improve planning and problem-solving in older adults, alongside weight loss. Nuclear Cleanup Milestone: The NRC approved Holtec’s Oyster Creek License Termination Plan, mapping the final decommissioning and site restoration steps. AI in Consumer Services: Plymouth Rock Home Assurance says it’s now offering real-time home insurance quotes inside ChatGPT via a new plugin.