AGP Executive Report

World Cup, NJ spotlight: Brazil survived a wild Round of 32 comeback, with Casemiro equalizing and Gabriel Martinelli scoring in stoppage time to send the five-time champions into the last 16. Knockout schedule: Tuesday’s Round of 32 has Ivory Coast vs. Norway in Dallas, then France vs. Sweden at MetLife in East Rutherford, with Mexico vs. Ecuador later in Mexico City. Local sports & community: Hackensack police are urging parents to talk about e-bikes after a crash sent two teens to the hospital; the new e-bike rules take effect July 19. South Jersey history: Camden’s Benjamin Cooper Inn has soft-opened as the American Revolution Museum of Southern New Jersey, a $4.6 million project. State policy watch: A tentative budget deal keeps Rowan’s vet school funded “to keep the lights on,” while lawmakers head toward the June 30 budget vote. Public safety/heat: Jersey Shore towns brace for triple-digit heat and a holiday crowd surge.

Medicaid Fight in Trenton: New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport and 23 other states sued the Trump administration to block new Medicaid work rules that could kick as many as 300,000 residents off coverage, arguing “medically frail” people face extra hoops to keep life-saving care. Gateway Tunnel Ruling: A judge voided the DOT freeze on New York–New Jersey Gateway Tunnel funds, saying the Trump administration’s cancellation of federally obligated grants was unlawful. Auto Theft Crackdown: State police announced charges against 63 people tied to a luxury car theft and trafficking ring that allegedly stole more than 90 vehicles worth about $8 million, including shipping cars from Irvington to West Africa. College Sports Bill: A bipartisan Senate committee advanced a bill to set national standards for college athlete pay, clearing a major hurdle but still facing opposition and a tight path to passage. World Cup in NJ: Brazil reached the Round of 16 after Gabriel Martinelli’s late stoppage-time winner over Japan; the next match is set for New Jersey’s New Jersey/New York venue on Sunday. Radio Shake-Up: Townsquare Media will adjust New Jersey radio schedules July 13, including Dennis Malloy reuniting with Judi Franco on New Jersey 101.5. Heat Alert: An excessive heat watch covers New Jersey as July 4 week ramps up, with air-quality warnings and storm risks for holiday plans.

World Cup Knockouts (NJ): Brazil opens the Round of 32 Monday vs. Japan, with Germany taking on Paraguay and the Netherlands facing Morocco—plus a projected bracket that puts Brazil vs. Norway at MetLife in East Rutherford. Local Sports & Entertainment (NJ): WWE RAW lands in Atlantic City tonight, with Roman Reigns set to return. Trenton/Statehouse Watch: NJ budget committees advanced the 2027 state budget late Sunday, with a $60.7B plan now headed toward final votes and Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s signature. Jersey City Finances: Jersey City is set to receive $120M in state aid to help close a major budget deficit and pay down prior debts. Airport Expansion Fight: Teterboro’s stalled expansion plan is back under federal and state review, drawing fresh wetlands concerns. Housing & Business: A Hunterdon County auction will sell five residential building lots, while new North Jersey businesses include fresh dining and therapy openings. Health & Access (NJ): Merck struck an agreement to expand access to its once-daily HIV treatment through New Jersey-linked ADAP partners.

World Cup in New Jersey: France takes on Sweden in the Round of 32 Tuesday night at New Jersey venues, with France rolling in after winning all three group matches and Sweden advancing after a strong run that included a win over Tunisia and a draw with Japan. England’s next step: England’s Harry Kane broke the all-time World Cup scoring record in a 2-0 win over Panama, setting up a Round of 32 clash with DR Congo. Heat safety: A heat dome is pushing North Jersey into dangerous “feels like” conditions through the July 4 holiday, with officials urging limits on outdoor time and extra hydration. Trenton-area governance: Lawmakers unveiled a revised $60.74B New Jersey budget with a bigger projected surplus and hundreds of targeted spending additions. Community help: A Saddle Brook charity is collecting leftover food from World Cup watch parties and delivering it to families across northern and central New Jersey. Local courts & justice: A Newark code official pleaded guilty to conspiracy in a bribery scheme tied to keeping a store open after an $800 bribe demand.

World Cup at MetLife Stadium: England finished Group L on top with a 2-0 win over Panama, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scoring in the second half. Record Watch: Kane became England’s all-time World Cup leading scorer with 11 goals, overtaking Gary Lineker. Knockout Schedule (NJ): The Round of 32 is set, including France vs. Sweden at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 30, and England’s next match vs. DR Congo on Wednesday, July 1 (Atlanta). Injury Concern for England: Coach Thomas Tuchel admitted worries about the right-back situation after Reece James’ hamstring problem and Jarell Quansah limping off vs. Panama. Local Angle: The match drew a peak TV audience of 13.76 million viewers in the UK, and fans turned the MetLife concourse into a singalong before kickoff. Aviation Safety (Newark): A United Airlines plane nearly hit a drone during landing at Newark Airport; the FAA is investigating.

World Cup at MetLife: England finished top of Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama in East Rutherford, New Jersey, as Jude Bellingham scored and set up Harry Kane. Record Watch: Kane’s header was his 11th World Cup goal, making him England’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament, surpassing Gary Lineker. Knockout Picture: The result sends England to the round of 32 in Atlanta against a best third-place team, while Croatia’s 2-1 win over Ghana in Philadelphia secured second place and eliminated Scotland’s hopes. Local Impact: A Carlstadt restaurant near MetLife says World Cup match-day traffic gridlock alerts have cut business by about 60%. Public Health: The FDA recalled more than 11,000 bottles of a blood pressure medication (chlorthalidone) after it failed dissolution specifications, with distribution tied to East Brunswick, New Jersey. NHL Draft (NJ angle): The 2026 NHL draft wrapped up, with New Jersey Devils selecting Quinn McKenzie in the seventh round.

World Cup (NJ): France’s Ousmane Dembélé exploded for a first-half hat trick as the defending champs beat Norway 4-1, finishing Group I with nine points and setting up a Round of 32 clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. World Cup (NJ): England can clinch Group L top spot Saturday night at MetLife when it plays Panama; England is guaranteed a Round of 32 berth even with a draw, but a win would secure first place. Local Public Safety: The body of a 20-year-old swimmer missing since May 18 while boogie boarding in Ocean City was found in Sea Isle City, with police saying the family has been notified and asked for privacy. Sports (NJ): The NHL offseason is in full swing, and the New Jersey Devils traded Simon Nemec to Calgary for future first-round picks. Weather: Rain and thunderstorms are expected to affect Pennsylvania and New Jersey Saturday, with some storms capable of damaging wind gusts.

World Cup in NJ: France locked up Group I with a 4-1 win over Norway in Boston as Ousmane Dembélé ripped off a first-half hat trick, then added a late goal from Désiré Doué; Norway rested Erling Haaland. France now heads to the Round of 32 in New Jersey next Tuesday. NHL Draft: The 2026 NHL Draft kicked off in Buffalo with the Toronto Maple Leafs taking Penn State playmaker Gavin McKenna No. 1; the New Jersey Devils are slotted at No. 12 in the first round. Local safety/justice: A Cranford hit-and-run suspect accused of killing two teen girls while they rode an e-bike will be tried as an adult. Food safety: A New Jersey Grubhub lawsuit claims dentures were found embedded in a Jersey Mike’s sandwich delivered via Grubhub. Civil rights/anti-hate: Princeton experts told a New Jersey panel that framing Judaism and Zionism together can fuel antisemitism, as the ADL reports 24,500 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. since 2023. Climate leadership: Rutgers-trained scientist John Krasting was named New Jersey state climatologist, succeeding David Robinson.

World Cup in New Jersey: Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 at MetLife Stadium and earned a spot in the knockout stage, with President Daniel Noboa declaring a nationwide holiday after the comeback win. England injury watch: Ahead of Saturday’s Group L match vs. Panama at MetLife, Declan Rice and Reece James missed training with calf and hamstring issues, leaving coach Thomas Tuchel to make late calls. USMNT path set: Even after a loss to Türkiye, the U.S. topped Group D and is set for the Round of 32 on Wednesday, July 1 at 8 p.m. ET at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. Local governance & schools: Jersey City parent activist Jessica Taube became the first candidate to declare for the nonpartisan BOE race. Public safety: The FDA classified a recall of 684,248 bags of Zapps and Dirty chips as Class I due to possible Salmonella contamination, including sales in New Jersey. Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Hawaii’s limits on carrying guns on private property, with potential implications for other states.

World Cup at MetLife Stadium: Ecuador stunned Germany 2-1 in Group E, coming back after Leroy Sané’s early strike to book a knockout spot as one of the best third-place teams, while Germany’s rotation talk didn’t save its campaign. Record crowds: FIFA says the 2026 World Cup has already topped the all-time attendance mark, with 3.6 million fans through the first two weeks and Thursday’s matches setting new daily and overall records. Local sports & community: The U.S. and New Jersey/New York host region kept the momentum going with youth soccer guests and fan access tied to World Cup ticket programs. Public safety: Morris County authorities say they found a “massive trove” of explosives and firearms in a Denville home lab, arresting Joseph Rizos. Courts & policy: New Jersey’s courts clarified facial recognition discovery rules, and a federal judge dismissed most of a Trump sanctuary-policy lawsuit against four cities. Health & business: Otsuka reported positive Phase 3b results for centanafadine XR in adults with ADHD and comorbid anxiety, and Zoetis set an Aug. 6 webcast for its Q2 2026 results. NHL moves: The Detroit Red Wings traded prospect Amadeus Lombardi to the New Jersey Devils for a fourth-round pick.

World Cup Midpoint in NJ: The 2026 FIFA World Cup is past its halfway mark with 54 of 104 matches done, and the knockout race is heating up across New Jersey and the region. U.S. Next Match: Team USA closes group play Thursday, June 25, vs. Turkey in Los Angeles (FOX), with Christian Pulisic listed with a calf injury to watch. Local Sports Logistics: MetLife Stadium is swapping in natural grass for World Cup games, but players say it’s coming out again when the NFL season returns. South Jersey Fan Fest: SoccerFest26 kicks off on the Camden waterfront June 15-27 with free watch parties, food, live music, and family activities. Crime Crackdown: Eight people pleaded guilty in a New Jersey racketeering case tied to offshore betting and underground poker run under the Lucchese crime family. Road & Health Alerts: A diesel spill followed a five-car crash on I-95 express lanes in Leonia, and Princeton health officials are urging tick-bite precautions as “red meat allergy” cases continue. Tech & Jobs: The NJ AI Hub marks its first anniversary with statewide expansion into libraries and community colleges.

World Cup (New Jersey): Haiti scored its first 2026 World Cup goals—twice against Morocco—but still remains eliminated, while Panama’s run is nearly over after a 1-0 loss to Croatia; the knockout picture is tightening as the round of 32 approaches at MetLife Stadium and beyond. Air Travel (Newark): An Air Canada flight from Newark to Halifax diverted to Boston after the captain became “incapacitated” midair; the first officer took over and the 61 passengers landed safely. Local Politics (Jersey City): Jersey City Mayor James Solomon postponed a proposed 20% property tax increase, saying he’s looking at cutting services instead of raising taxes right away. Sports (NHL): After major draft-week trades, the revised first-round order includes the New Jersey Devils at No. 11. Business & Retail (NJ): Bed Bath & Beyond is returning with 22 co-branded locations, including a new store in Paramus. Community & Culture: Union Arts Center and American Theater Group launch a three-night play reading series spotlighting New Jersey playwrights July 6-8 in Union.

World Cup at MetLife: FIFA says President Donald Trump will attend the July 19 final at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium and co-present the trophy with Gianni Infantino. England in limbo: England played Ghana to a 0-0 draw in Group L, with Harry Kane missing a late chance; the next match is against Panama on June 27 at MetLife. Local sports business: The New Jersey Devils traded Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for draft picks and prospect Etienne Morin. FCC vs NJ radio interference: The FCC reversed a New York translator move after finding New Jersey broadcaster Press Communications wasn’t given a fair chance to support its interference claim. Health research in Piscataway: Rutgers launched a Women’s Brain Health Initiative studying how pregnancy, postpartum, menopause and other hormone shifts affect the brain. Crime: A Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to a $1.5M headstone scam that targeted grieving NJ and PA families. Public safety: Ocean City recovered the body of a swimmer missing since May 18, found in Sea Isle City.

E-bike rules kick in statewide: The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission will start appointments June 26 for e-bike licensing and registration under a new January 2026 law, with step-by-step guidance posted on its website. World Cup in New Jersey: England and Ghana played to a 0-0 draw in Group L at Foxborough, leaving England frustrated despite dominating possession and outshooting Ghana 19-1; the match also kept the knockout race tight. Devils shake up roster: The New Jersey Devils traded Simon Nemec and Maxim Tsyplakov to the Calgary Flames for draft picks and prospect Etienne Morin, a major move as free agency approaches July 1. Health alert for NJ patients: Breckenridge Pharmaceuticals recalled certain duloxetine delayed-release capsules nationwide due to elevated cancer-linked impurity levels. Local business + jobs: Netflix marked a construction milestone at its Fort Monmouth studio campus in Eatontown/Oceanport, installing the final structural beam on stages 3 and 4 as the project ramps up.

World Cup at MetLife: Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Senegal 3-2 to reach the Round of 32, then celebrated with the viral “Viking Row” in East Rutherford. World Cup in Philly: Kylian Mbappé powered France to a 3-0 win over Iraq after a two-hour thunderstorm delay. NJ Budget Watch: New Jersey leaders reportedly struck a $60.7 billion budget deal, keeping spending at a record high; Stay NJ gets an extra $100 million, but some seniors may see tighter eligibility. Immigration Detention: Advocates say the hunger strike at ICE’s Delaney Hall in Newark has ended, while DHS disputes it happened. Local Crime: Prosecutors allege mob hitman-turned-Englishtown councilman John Alite returned to extortion and loansharking. Business & Jobs: Provident Bank named Adriano Duarte EVP and CFO; Marotta Controls won a Lockheed Martin small business performance award. Tech/Consumer: Xfinity is bringing a “Minions & Monsters” pop-up to 23 NJ stores through July 5.

World Cup Weather Disruptions (NJ/Philly): France-Iraq in Philadelphia hit the tournament’s first major weather delay after lightning and heavy storms forced a halftime pause, with fans told to shelter and the clock reset after strikes; Local Sports Spotlight (NJ): Norway and Senegal played in East Rutherford at MetLife Stadium as rain lingered, with brief fan clear-outs reported; Round-of-32 Stakes (NJ audience): With the World Cup expanded to 48 teams, the Round of 32 is now a true knockout setup, and Team USA’s next opponent depends on group results; Local Crime/Justice (NJ): Englishtown councilman John Alite—an ex-mob enforcer—was arrested again on extortion and loansharking charges; Public Health (Somerset): A rabid raccoon in Far Hills prompted a warning and quarantine guidance for exposed, vaccinated dogs; Courts/Policy (NJ): A third-party litigation funding disclosure bill advanced in the state legislature with amendments aimed at increasing transparency.