AGP Executive Report

9/11 Commemoration: New York marked the 25th anniversary at the World Trade Center with a five-hour ceremony of silence and name readings, plus a new moment honoring people who later died from toxic dust exposure; Vice President JD Vance and Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended, alongside former presidents Biden, Obama, Bush and Clinton, while Trump held a separate Pentagon memorial. Local Politics: The NYC Council is weighing a bill to make it easier to revoke city-issued press passes from people who misuse them, including high-profile “fangirl” credential controversies tied to Luigi Mangione. Fashion & Culture: New York Fashion Week kept its art-school vibe going, from Calvin Klein’s minimalist “discipline of removal” to SS27 runway roundups, while Moncler celebrated the opening of its Fifth Avenue flagship with a star-studded guest list. Rochester Arts: Performing artists in Rochester are pushing for a local chapter of a performers’ union after venue closures and major changes threaten jobs. Education & Tech: NYC and LA are moving to restrict generative AI in schools, with NYC adding AI literacy modules for older students. Sports: The Yankees beat the Mets 6-4 in the Bronx in a game framed by 9/11 remembrance, and Buffalo opens Week 1 vs Houston.

9/11 Commemoration: New York marked the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks with a packed Ground Zero ceremony that included a new seventh moment of silence for victims who later died from illnesses tied to the toxic dust. Local Politics: A four-second video of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani smiling while victim names were read—alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez—sparked backlash and debate over whether it was inappropriate laughter or context-missing footage. Firefighters & Community: FDNY losses remained central to the week’s tributes, including events honoring fallen firefighters and a new bronze sculpture unveiling in Midtown by retired FDNY firefighter Dennis Burke. Tribute in the Sky: The city and beyond kept the remembrance visible with “Tribute in Light” blue illumination and drone shows recreating the Twin Towers. Public Safety: In Staten Island, a masked stranger allegedly raped a woman delivering a package after striking her with a gun; she’s listed in stable condition and police released a sketch. Albany Watch: Business groups discussed possible liability reform in Albany as lawmakers return in January.

9/11 Anniversary (25 years): New York marked Patriot Day with a major drone tribute over New York Harbor, using 2,977 illuminated drones—one for each person killed in the 2001 attacks—to recreate the Twin Towers at full scale, with the project developed alongside 9/11 community members, survivors, and first responders. Local Remembrance Plans: The National 9/11 Memorial ceremony in Lower Manhattan begins at 8:30 a.m. ET with multiple moments of silence, including a new pause honoring people who died from 9/11-related illnesses. Public Safety: New York State Police reported issuing 11,201 tickets during the Labor Day weekend enforcement campaign, including 253 DWI arrests and investigations into 632 crashes. Upstate Update: Buffalo is rolling out ParkMobile to replace Buffalo Roam, but drivers will face higher per-transaction platform fees as the change expands. Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court declined to pause New York’s ban on religious exemptions for school vaccines for an unvaccinated kindergarten child while the case proceeds.

9/11 Commemoration Push: The NYC Council approved renaming 26 avenues and public spaces for 9/11 victims and urged a statewide 9/11 school curriculum, while the city keeps expanding its interactive memorial map. Education Tech Overhaul: NYC schools opened under the free 2-K rollout plus new limits on AI and screens for younger grades, with parents and students weighing what “less screen time” will look like in class. Housing & Zoning Fight: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s housing board nominee John Mangin was confirmed to chair the Board of Standards and Appeals, despite backlash over his “wealthy homeowner cartels” remarks and the charter changes that reshaped review. Albany Infrastructure: NYSDOT broke ground on a $150.5M Central Testing Laboratory in Albany to replace decades-old materials-testing operations, targeting completion in 2029. Workplace Safety Debate: Albany is bracing for a potential fight over New York’s scaffold law as lawmakers consider responsibility-based limits on injury liability. Business & Courts: Queens pizzeria brothers pleaded guilty to bribing former NYC Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich. National News With NY Ties: Amazon faces a new pregnancy discrimination class action in federal court while a separate New York state complaint remains unresolved.

9/11 Remembrance: New York’s 25th anniversary tributes ramped up with a new 9/11 Memorial & Museum moment of silence for those who later died from related illnesses, while 2,977 drones lit up New York Harbor to recreate the Twin Towers in a public, free display. City Hall & Schools: Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul launched NYC’s free 2-K program, and the school year begins with a one-year AI moratorium for students in 2K through eighth grade plus tighter screen-time rules. Public Safety: New York State Police reported 11,201 tickets over the Labor Day weekend crackdown, including 253 DWI arrests. Courts & Education: Success Academy sued New York State after its U.S. News ranking drop, arguing state changes to AP data sharing hurt schools. Tech & Business: Areté Partners named Colin Adams to lead its New York office, and Manifold Security added former Facebook/Uber/Cloudflare CSO Joe Sullivan to its board. Sports: The Mets outslugged the Marlins 15-14 to complete a sweep.

9/11 Anniversary & Community: New York marked 25 years since Sept. 11 with fresh focus on how Muslim and Sikh residents say Islamophobia and stigma reshaped daily life after the attacks, while AP reporters and NYC firefighters shared firsthand memories and ongoing remembrance. Public Safety & Accountability: City prosecutors moved to invalidate about 2,000 construction safety credentials tied to alleged training fraud, and two men pleaded guilty in a bribery case involving former NYC Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich. Elections & Courts: New York’s attorney general responded to the U.S. Supreme Court over a Trump mail-voting dispute, arguing USPS changes could force tight deadlines and major operational shifts. Education Access: Thousands of NYC students with disabilities may start the school year without bus service, with families facing rideshare voucher gaps and added burdens. Sports: The Yankees placed Jazz Chisholm Jr. on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right thumb; World Team Tennis announced Frances Tiafoe and Jessica Pegula will team up for New York Empire Racquet Club. Business & Culture: Ralph Lauren kicked off New York Fashion Week with a fur-free runway, while VGW agreed to pay New York $8 million over alleged illegal sweepstakes casino operations.

US Open Marathon: Ben Shelton stunned defending champ Carlos Alcaraz in the latest-finished US Open match in history, ending at 3:33 a.m., and will face Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals; Local Crime: A man accused of stabbing two people near NYC synagogues was indicted on hate-crime charges; Public Safety: NYPD says a Tesla crash in Midtown killed a passenger and left the driver in custody; Education: A new push targets a professional learning gap in math support for paraprofessionals and educators working with multilingual learners; Local Food: A new Oceanside vegan deli, Secret Vegan Kitchen, is opening next to the LIRR; Business & Tech: Quantum BioPharma says the FDA cleared a phase 2 trial for its MS treatment candidate, while WeShop named Chidi Achara as Chief Product Officer.

9/11 Accountability: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani released 170,000 pages of Ground Zero air-quality records, saying officials knew toxic conditions after the attacks and downplayed health risks; the files cite asbestos findings and raise fresh scrutiny of how the city handled public safety. Local Emergency Management: A look at how NYC Emergency Management evolved after 9/11, including the charter agency status and the role of “eyes and ears” monitoring across the five boroughs. High Holidays Security: New York State will boost police presence at synagogues and Jewish institutions for the High Holidays, pairing patrols with $70M in grants for nonprofits facing hate-crime threats. UN Spotlight: Israel’s U.N. envoy says Netanyahu will make a quick trip to speak at the UN after Mamdani urged his arrest. Sports—Yankees: Aaron Judge returned from a fractured rib against the Rockies, with the Yankees planning a careful ramp-up. Tennis: Frances Tiafoe rallied from two sets down to reach the U.S. Open semifinals. Trade & Tariffs: Canada’s retaliatory tariffs are set to hit New York businesses and consumers, while Trump ordered Canadian products removed from U.S. government contract lists. Workplace Rights: A new lawsuit accuses Amazon of failing to accommodate pregnant workers, citing prior EEOC and state actions.

9/11 Records Release: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to order the release of more than 170,000 pages of World Trade Center air-quality documents Tuesday, after boxes of records were found last year; the first batch includes notes showing officials discussed how to avoid using the word “risk” to preserve “public confidence,” with more disclosures planned through a yearlong process. Local Politics & Schools: The same week’s coverage keeps spotlighting Mamdani’s push to reshape city policy, including AI restrictions in schools and a new “Office of Worker Power” aimed at organizing workers. Tech & Security (Rochester/NYC): DSS, Inc. launched DSS Robotics in Rochester to bring AI-powered automation to enterprise operations, while Mars Security announced a faster path from threat intel to deployable detection rules. Sports (NYC): The Yankees activated Aaron Judge from the injured list, and the Giants extended backup QB Jameis Winston, “let’s eat some W’s.” US Open (NYC): Alexander Zverev cruised into US Open quarterfinals with a straight-sets win over Luciano Darderi.

US Open Drama: Zheng Qinwen stunned Iga Swiatek after trailing 0-5, winning 7-5, 6-3 to reach the women’s quarterfinals, while Elena Rybakina powered past Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-4 and is one win from No. 1. Yankees Update: Aaron Judge was reinstated from the 60-day injured list with a broken right rib, as New York prepares to open a home series vs. the Rockies. Giants Shakeup: The Giants released veteran WR Darius Slayton, the team’s longest-tenured player, clearing cap space ahead of Week 1 vs. Dallas. Local Safety: Three people were shot and three stabbed in Brooklyn around the West Indian Day/J’Ouvert celebrations, including one man in critical condition. Hate-Crime Funding: Gov. Kathy Hochul says New York will distribute $70 million to nonprofits vulnerable to hate crimes. Upstate Watch: Oswego County school districts start classes today, with AAA urging drivers to slow down near schools.

US Open Quarterfinals: Aryna Sabalenka rolled past Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to keep her three-peat hopes alive, while Jessica Pegula advanced in straight sets and Carlos Alcaraz set up a quarterfinal with Ben Shelton after beating Tommy Paul. Local Culture & Community: J’Ouvert kicked off New York Carnival Parade festivities in Brooklyn before sunrise, drawing Haitian and Caribbean revelers and visitors. Labor Day Basics: The first Labor Day celebration was held in New York City in 1882, and this year most government offices, courts, schools, and banks are closed. Public Safety & Environment: DEC reminded residents to follow New York firewood rules to slow invasive pests and tree-killing diseases. Tech & Policy: New York lawmakers urged frontier A.I. labs to sign binding safety agreements “before speed,” as schools continue restricting student AI use. Upstate Watch: Rochester City Council is set to hear an appeal over Silver Lake Dam changes.

US Open Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the quarterfinals at Flushing Meadows, beating Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4, while Iva Jovic edged longtime friend Alexandra Eala 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 in a tense third-round match. MLB (NYC): The Mets rallied past the Giants 4-2 as Bo Bichette’s go-ahead three-run homer capped a late surge. Local Education Data: New York State Education Department enrollment reports show shifting student demographics across NYC schools, including drops in Black enrollment at Red Hook Neighborhood School and changes in Hispanic enrollment at multiple Brooklyn-area campuses. City Hall & 9/11: Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 9/11 executive-order signing drew backlash after the ceremonial pen was reportedly passed to a former lawyer tied to an al-Qaeda case. Policy Watch (Schools): Wimbledon says it won’t allow an influencer influx like the US Open, including confiscating items such as ring lights that could disrupt matches. Business/Travel: United CEO Scott Kirby says he wants to expand at JFK, including a potential return via a JetBlue partnership, and is bracing for AI’s impact on airlines.

US Open & Local Sports: Alex Eala drew a huge Filipino crowd at Arthur Ashe before falling to Iva Jovic in a three-set thriller, while Coco Gauff kept her US Open run alive and other Americans advanced in the women’s draw. 9/11 Commemoration: The 9/11 Memorial and Museum in Manhattan unveiled a new exhibit, “In Their Honor: 25 Years of 9/11 Inspired Service,” as the city marks the 25th anniversary. Tech & Schools: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a one-year ban on generative AI in public elementary and middle schools, affecting about 600,000 students, with limited use allowed for high school. Wall Street: Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway continued building its New York Times stake, adding shares for a second straight quarter. Public Safety & Community: Brooklyn’s West Indian Day Parade returns Monday with enhanced NYPD security and an earlier end time to curb violence. Business & Travel: Delta will cut four domestic routes from New York and Las Vegas this winter, including LGA–Tulsa and JFK–Milwaukee.

9/11 Memorial Honors: NYC renamed a street for NYPD Officer John William Perry, killed when the north tower collapsed, cementing his legacy of service. School Safety Crisis: Parents say it’s “too little, too late” as NYC moves students out of a contaminated basement classroom at PS 372’s annex near the Gowanus Canal after ventilation efforts failed. US Open Tennis: Coco Gauff advances at Flushing Meadows; Serena and Venus Williams nearly pull off a comeback but fall in doubles; Zheng Qinwen stuns Madison Keys with a late surge. Local Sports & Community: Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester hosts its first Honoring Haudenosaunee Relationships Day, blending culture and animal stewardship. Public Safety: A Trinidadian man pleads guilty in federal court to sex trafficking and admits kidnapping six additional women. Energy Watch: US natural gas futures rise on warmer-than-usual weather boosting cooling demand. AI Policy: Anthropic’s IPO timing reportedly shifts, while NYC continues rolling out AI limits in schools.

AI in Schools: NYC is imposing a one-year moratorium on student-facing AI tools for preschool through eighth grade, with limits on classroom screen time and exceptions for some assistive tech and teacher planning. Subway Heat Plan: New York is exploring a thermal energy network that would capture heat from subway stations and route it to nearby municipal buildings for winter heating. US Open Spotlight: Serena and Venus Williams nearly pulled off a historic comeback in doubles, but lost a thriller to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Local Sports: The Mets’ bullpen has looked better after midseason roster changes, and the Yankees have promoted a young pitcher prospect. Buffalo Bills: Buffalo set its 53-man roster as the team gears up for the new season. Public Safety: A Rochester man was sentenced to 46 months after a police chase ended with a crash into a restaurant. Housing & Migration: Zillow says New York renters are increasingly searching for Philly rentals—and vice versa. Culture: Gagosian opens Deana Lawson’s debut solo show in New York, exploring surveillance and control.

AI in NYC Schools: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels rolled out a moratorium on generative AI for students through eighth grade, paired with tighter screen-time rules for the 2026-27 year, while high schoolers get AI literacy modules twice a year. Public Safety: The NYPD reported hate crimes jumped 15.8% year over year, with anti-Jewish incidents still making up more than half of confirmed cases so far in 2026. Weather Watch (Western NY): NWS Buffalo confirmed multiple tornadoes from Wednesday’s storms, including a tornado in Olcott and others in Medina and Alexander. Upstate Courts & Justice: An Albany man was sentenced to 92 months in federal prison for fentanyl distribution. Rochester Education: Rochester Memorial School Committee chair Kate Duggan joined a Massachusetts Education Policy Fellowship to deepen her policy work for rural schools. Culture & Community: The New York Kurdish Film Festival returns for its 10th edition in Manhattan, celebrating a decade of Kurdish cinema.