AGP Executive Report

NHL Contract Shock: Cale Makar’s record-setting extension with the Colorado Avalanche (about $20.8M AAV) is already reshaping how the rest of the league thinks about star deals. Local Health Access: A Paramus dental practice is pointing to New Jersey data showing uneven adult dental visit rates and more deferred care across counties. Pediatrics Expansion: Tribeca Pediatrics is opening a new Glen Rock office on Sept. 15, with an open house and a Sept. 23 info session. Music & Pop Culture: Diddy’s Fort Dix release date has moved up again to Feb. 5, 2028. Summer Safety: Jellyfish are clogging the Rockaway shoreline, with swimmers reporting stings. Punk/Alt Music: The CBGB Festival returns to Brooklyn Sept. 26 with Morrissey, Patti Smith, Interpol, Sex Pistols and more—plus a cannabis tie-in. Community & Arts: Table to Table’s 2026 Chefs Gala honors Kwame Onwuachi on Oct. 15 at The Rockleigh. Sports Betting Fight: New Jersey is pushing its prediction-markets dispute toward the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing states should regulate sports contracts.

NHL Streaming Deal: Prime Video becomes the exclusive local streaming home for six NHL teams (including the New Jersey Devils via MSG Networks), starting 2026-27—good news for fans who want one place to follow their club. Giants Training Camp Buzz: New York Giants newcomer Isaiah Likely says Malik Nabers is an “alpha receiver,” praising how defenses change when he’s on the field. Local Sports Spotlight: TCNJ field hockey is ranked No. 2 in NJAC preseason polling, setting up a big season behind rival Rowan. Arts in NJ: Creative OPERAtions and 3BR Distillery bring a “distilled” version of Bizet’s Carmen to Keyport on Sept. 18. Community & Culture: Oyster Social at the Farm on Main spotlights NJ/Delaware oyster growers with a fundraising focus on the seafood industry. Tech/Media: ESPN New York marks its 25th anniversary with a Kay and Don La Greca reunion special. Sports Business: Walker & Dunlop arranged $390M construction financing for Park Tower in Jersey City’s Journal Square.

Times Square Stabbing: Bank of America VP Erin Piacenti, 32, of Chester, NJ, was killed in Monday’s random Times Square knife attack; police say suspect Pamela Cisneros, 49, was shot dead after threatening people with two knives. Reality TV Buzz: ABC has revealed the full 2026 “Dancing with the Stars” cast and pro pairings, with the Season 35 premiere set for Sept. 15. Fashion Week Spotlight (NJ): Keis To Joi is heading into Fashion Week with dual showcases—Hamptons events Sept. 18–19 and a Montclair presentation Sept. 19—before its first anniversary. Local Arts & Community: Newark’s Bridging Thee Gap Foundation teamed up with a Haitian SDA church for a back-to-school day, handing out supplies, haircuts, and support for families. Tech/Internet Expansion: GoNetspeed is bringing 100% fiber to Carteret with an $8M investment, targeting connections by next summer. Music/Pop Culture: Evan Zodl’s origami skills continue to go viral after releasing his instructional book, “Origami Made EZ.”

Crime & Safety: Newark police are searching for men who allegedly impersonated FBI agents during a home invasion robbery on Mott Avenue, taking $7,500 from a safe and credit cards before fleeing in a Camry. Tragedy in NYC with NJ ties: Erin Piacenti, a 32-year-old New Jersey native and Bank of America vice president, was killed in a Times Square stabbing; police say the attacker, Pamela Cisneros, was shot and killed. Hockey (NJ): The New Jersey Devils acquired forward Luke Evangelista from Nashville for 2028 draft picks, adding another option for their forward group. Music & Entertainment: WBGO and Newark’s NJPAC are deepening their partnership, including plans for a new studio complex and public-access performance space. Arts & Community: Cape Fear Regional Theatre kicks off its season with “Bright Star,” a bluegrass musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. Food Recall: Walmart shoppers in NJ and nearby states are being told to return or discard recalled mangos due to possible salmonella contamination.

Sports & Pop Culture: Lionel Messi officially retired from international football after 21 years with Argentina, ending with 125 goals and another World Cup final run that ended in New Jersey. Tech & Youth Safety: Meta agreed to major changes to Facebook and Instagram as part of a landmark teen social media settlement, including daily time limits and nighttime restrictions. Local Arts & Community: The Remembering Our Fallen traveling memorial is coming to Morris County at County College of Morris (Sept. 25–27), honoring service members lost since 9/11. Music & Live Entertainment: NBC renewed “American Ninja Warrior” for Seasons 19 and 20, with a “Summer of Champions” theme tied to the 2028 Olympics and a New Jersey native winning Season 18. NJ Business/Industry: A new entertainment and logistics firm bought a large Staten Island warehouse through an NJ brokerage team, signaling more regional growth. Health & Wellness: A Bausch + Lomb survey finds many peri- and menopausal women don’t recognize dry eye as a symptom. Food Safety: Mangoes sold at select Walmart stores are recalled in NJ and other states due to possible Salmonella contamination.

International Sports: Lionel Messi officially retired from Argentina’s national team, calling it a painful but “right time” decision after 21 years, 207 caps, and 125 goals—ending with a World Cup final loss to Spain in East Rutherford, New Jersey. NJ Arts Education: Paper Mill Playhouse landed a $150K Disney grant to expand its Disney Musicals in Schools program across New Jersey elementary public schools, with 17-week residencies and student performances on the Paper Mill stage. Local Entertainment & Dining: Lodi’s Brick House is revamping its lounge into a full-on sports hangout with more TVs, vintage sports memorabilia, and a Wall of Fame. Pageantry: Miss America and Miss America’s Teen contestants in West Palm Beach signed the “map of America” in the arrival ceremony, with Quality of Life Scholarship finalists unveiled. Cosmetic Trend: As weight-loss drugs reshape bodies, more men in the region are turning to cosmetic clinics to address sagging skin and other changes.

Health & Reality Check: RHONJ alum Caroline Manzo says doctors found fatty liver, low B vitamins, vitamin D deficiency, and a “critical” toxin level after extensive bloodwork—prompting a major “beast mode” health reset. Sports Spotlight (NJ): Seton Hall women’s volleyball opened its 2026 campaign with a 3-0 sweep at the Seton Hall Classic, starting the season 3-0 for the first time since 2012. Pickleball Pride (NJ): The New Jersey 5 captured the Major League Pickleball season-ending title with a two-game sweep of St. Louis, and Anna Leigh Waters earned her first championship. Local Culture: A new plant-based supper club brand, Green Genius, marks its third anniversary with “Garden Before Grace” in Kearny on Oct. 24, featuring live music and an autumn menu. Shore Season Fun: The Jersey Shore’s ultimate Halloween bucket list is out, with haunted trails and corn maze picks for fall 2026. On the Ground (Safety): An employee shuttle bus crashed into a concrete barrier at Newark Liberty Airport, injuring 13 people.

Music & Live Shows: Sebastian Bach made his Twisted Sister debut at Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, delivering “We’re Not Gonna Take It” in a 17-song set—plus more late-year dates are now confirmed. Sports (NJ): Ridgewood native Scottie Scheffler won the Tour Championship and passed Tiger Woods on the PGA Tour earnings list, while the Giants’ roster shuffle continues with Braxton Berrios cut “for now.” Tennis (US Open): As the U.S. Open kicks off in Queens, ticket prices and prize money keep climbing, and Kalshi is reportedly landing an exclusive US Open prediction-market partnership amid ongoing legal fights. Public Safety (Trenton): Two people were killed and eight injured in a mass shooting at an unauthorized Trenton block party; officials say the city will push earlier identification and better coordination for large gatherings. Legal/Consumer: A NJ family is suing Franklin Sports after a defective badminton racket allegedly failed and killed 6-year-old Lucy Morgan in Maine. Health & Touring: Kehlani rescheduled two East Coast shows after hospitalization for severe pain and difficulty swallowing, including a Camden date moved to Sept. 5. Arts & Community (NJ): The Count Basie Center marked Basie’s birthday with a New Jersey Black Heritage Trail marker and street renaming in Red Bank.

Violence in Trenton: A mass shooting in Trenton left 2 people dead and 9 injured early Sunday, with police still investigating what led up to the attack. Local Crime & Gambling: Prospect Park councilman Anand Shah was permanently barred from office after pleading guilty in an illegal gambling ring tied to the Lucchese crime family, admitting he pocketed about $900,084 and used proceeds to fund his campaign. Sports & Soccer Buzz: Lionel Messi powered Inter Miami’s 7-1 win over Montreal with four goals, while Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes called his 10-match FIFA ban “excessive” after a World Cup final altercation in East Rutherford. Tech/Travel in the Region: JFK Terminal 6 selected Sittig Technologies’ PAXGuide to automate multilingual passenger announcements across every gate. Entertainment Pick: Netflix’s “The Whisper Man” is getting attention for its slow-burn serial-killer mystery set in small-town New Jersey. Health/Science: Bayer shared early Phase III REVEAL study results on an investigational PET tracer for diagnosing cardiac amyloidosis, presented at ESC 2026.

Presidents Cup (NJ ties): President Donald Trump accepted an invitation to serve as honorary chairman of the 2026 Presidents Cup at Chicago’s Medinah Country Club (Sept. 24-27). He previously held the same role at the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National in Jersey City, and PGA Tour says his presence continues the event’s tradition of bringing leaders together through golf. Local sports buzz: Maria Bello, 59, was spotted on the set of “Grown Ups 3” in Keansburg, NJ, reprising her “Coyote Ugly” role as fans celebrate the 26-year anniversary of the bar-owner classic. NJ entertainment & culture: A new book bank nonprofit, BookSmiles, is expanding into a 14,000-square-foot Cherry Hill space after distributing 5 million books, aiming to boost kids’ access through upcycled children’s book trades. Tech & policy with an arts-adjacent angle: New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed a law requiring data centers to report water and energy use, as towns continue debating new facilities. Pop culture note: Twisted Sister’s reunion show with Sebastian Bach on lead vocals hit Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ, with a 17-song set.

Local Crime & Politics: Prospect Park councilman Anand U. Shah, 44, pleaded guilty to racketeering, money laundering, and official misconduct tied to an illegal Lucchese-linked gambling operation, admitting he ran sportsbook/poker roles and funneled proceeds into his campaign; prosecutors will recommend 10 years and he’s barred from public office, with sentencing set for Dec. 4. Music & Community: Red Bank marked the Count Basie Center for the Arts’ centennial with poetry, a renamed Monmouth Street (“Basie Center Way”), a Black Heritage Trail marker, and a closing set by the legendary Count Basie Orchestra. Film/TV Spotlight (NJ): Netflix’s “The Whisper Man” was filmed across multiple NJ towns and counties, using locations including Westfield’s Wilson School (credited as “Rose Terrace Elementary School”). Sports Betting & NJ Interest: Prediction-market operator Kalshi faces renewed scrutiny after a Ninth Circuit ruling backing Nevada’s authority to regulate its sports contracts, a decision that could push the dispute toward the Supreme Court. Pop Culture: BTS’ “ARIRANG” world tour reportedly topped $433M in revenue, doubling the group’s own record.

Local Arts & Music: West Orange’s OSPAC Jazz Festival returns Sept. 19 with a lineup spanning WBGO host Monifa Brown’s curated set plus Montclair State and NJPAC TD Jazz For Teens, with tickets $11.20–$21.40. Community Events: Leonia’s 27th Annual Oktoberfest hits Sept. 26 at Wood Park with live music, beer, dancing, food trucks, and proceeds supporting local snack programs and Haiti neonatal equipment. Performing Arts: Morris Choral Society is auditioning new singers for its “Home for the Holidays Goes to the Movies” concerts in December (Morristown and Morris Plains). Sports & Entertainment: A Wu-Tang Clan ticket giveaway is tied to the Staten Island FerryHawks “Salute to Shaolin” game, with winners getting tickets to the Holmdel, NJ show. Sports Betting Legal Fight: A federal appeals court ruling keeps Nevada able to regulate Kalshi sports prediction contracts, deepening a split that could reach the U.S. Supreme Court—relevant to NJ’s own ongoing prediction-market battles. Public Safety/Local Life: Wildwood residents worry as coyotes move closer to homes; officials warn against feeding and say fines could apply.

High School Sports: NFHS reports 2025-26 participation hit an all-time record at 8.42M athletes, with girls’ flag football and wrestling driving the fifth straight year of growth. Meta & Youth Safety: Gov. Hochul weighed in on New York’s view of the landmark Meta settlement, while the broader deal would cap teen Facebook/Instagram use at two hours daily and restrict overnight access. Reproductive Healthcare Fight: Maine joined a multistate lawsuit challenging new Title X funding conditions, with NJ among the states pushing back against the rules. Music & Local Culture: Russo Music in Asbury Park/area spotlighted how the legendary guitar shop keeps growing while staying rooted in NJ’s music scene. Entertainment & Film: Netflix’s “The Whisper Man” gets a closer look as a De Niro/Adam Scott-led thriller. Sports Pop Culture: Jon Bon Jovi’s New Jersey Lottery scratch-offs are coming statewide this October. Health & Community: Knock Out Opioid Abuse Day spotlights opioid safety for older New Jerseyans. Space Watch: Aurora forecasts suggest the northern lights could be visible farther south than usual tonight.

Teen Tech Crackdown: Meta agreed to a landmark multistate settlement over alleged child-safety failures, with states including New Jersey set to receive hundreds of millions and new limits aimed at reducing addictive features on Facebook and Instagram. Local Arts & Entertainment: Starz’s “Power” universe expands with “Power: Origins,” filming completed in New Jersey and New York, bringing back “Acapulco” star Camila Perez as Young Angie. Sports Betting & Preseason Buzz: Giants slot receiver Calvin Austin III’s ACL tear reshapes Week 3 preseason storylines, while prediction markets and promo codes are heating up for Jets/Giants matchups. NJ Pop Culture Moment: A New Jersey farm’s Dolly Parton-themed corn maze, planned months ago, is now a heartfelt tribute following Parton’s death. Community & Culture: Seton Hall Law welcomed the Class of 2029 at orientation, spotlighting the rule of law and Newark’s legal community. Human Interest: A New Jersey restaurant apologized after a wheelchair-bound diner received a birthday dessert message that read “Happy Birthday Wheelchair.”

Teen Social Media Reckoning: Meta agreed to pay up to $18B in a landmark settlement with states over alleged child addiction harms, while also rolling out new default protections for Facebook and Instagram users under 18—like a two-hour daily limit, nighttime access blocks, and reduced teen “like” visibility—ending a major federal trial in Oakland but leaving other lawsuits in play. New Jersey Spotlight: NJ Attorney General Nessel announced a landmark Meta settlement, with New Jersey expected to receive at least $525M as part of the broader multistate deal. Weekend Arts & Community: Central Jersey’s Aug. 28–30 lineup includes the free 51st New Jersey Folk Festival in South Brunswick and Howell Living History Farm’s long-running fiddle contest in Hopewell Township. Comedy Night in Newark: NJPAC will host rising comic Justin Silva on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Victoria Theater. Sports Star of the Week: Teaneck’s Yakira Weinberg is named Sportstar of the Week for her championship basketball runs with Yavneh Redhawks and Camp Nesher.

Meta Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $18B and overhaul Facebook/Instagram teen use under a multistate deal that includes New Jersey, with daily time limits, nighttime blocks, “protective pauses,” and stronger parental controls aimed at curbing alleged addictive harm. NJ Transit x Music: NJ TRANSIT is temporarily renaming the North Jersey Coast Line “Bleachers Coast Line” for Bleachers’ “Shadow of the City” festival at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Local Arts Spotlight: Tanya Weddemire Gallery debuts at The Armory Show 2026 with artists O’Neil Scott and Austin Uzor exploring immigration, displacement, and identity. Entertainment Update: Kehlani cancels two tour stops (including Camden, NJ) after hospitalization, with dates resuming Aug. 29 in Richmond. Sports & Culture: FIFA World Cup 2026 is credited with $3.5B in economic impact across New York and New Jersey. Weather Watch: Flood Watch is in effect for parts of the region Thursday afternoon through late Thursday night, with heavy rain possible.