AGP Executive Report

Heat & Power Disruptions: Soaring temperatures are driving outages across New Hampshire’s Lakes Region and beyond, leaving thousands without electricity for air conditioners and forcing some businesses to close or scramble to keep food cold. Public Safety: A 68-year-old hiker died after a medical emergency on Mount Major in Alton; officials say he called 911 but stopped communicating before rescuers arrived. State Police Loss: New Hampshire State Police announced the death of Sgt. Brian J. Ross, a 19-year veteran from Greenland, with a walk-through planned for July 6. Infrastructure Update: NHDOT will hold a July 16 informational meeting in Bristol on preserving the Route 104 bridge over the Pemigewasset River, including deck and waterproofing work. America 250 Local Flavor: The Laconia Public Library is lighting up for the 250th with red-and-blue streaks and stars, plus 13 colony flags including New Hampshire. History Moment: A volunteer archivist in the UK says he found a “vanishingly rare” 1776 Declaration printing tied to Exeter, New Hampshire.

Extreme Heat in NH: Heat and humidity are set to keep pushing dangerous conditions through the weekend, with heat index values topping 105 in some areas and warnings extended into Friday and beyond. Local Weather Watch: WMUR reports a mostly sunny Friday with isolated storm chances later, plus a reminder to keep drinking water and stay cool. Roadside Sign Dispute: NHDOT removed “no parking” signs along Ocean Boulevard in Rye after town officials said the ordinance stayed in effect but enforcement was suspended where signs came down. Public Safety Review: New Hampshire’s attorney general cleared Manchester police in the December Turenne shooting after officers believed a flashlight was a gun. Animal Cruelty Case: A Bedford man was arrested at SRQ International Airport in Florida on felony animal cruelty charges after allegedly holding a small dog off the ground by a choker leash. Community Support: Heaven’s Kitchen in Hampstead is seeking donations to match a $50,000 challenge grant for its summer meal program before July 4.

Traffic & Safety: A 3-vehicle crash on Nashua’s Everett Turnpike killed a 69-year-old Hooksett woman and sent a Massachusetts driver and several children to the hospital; investigators say she allegedly failed to slow for stopped traffic. Elections & Courts: A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration’s bid to force New Hampshire to hand over sensitive voter database information, saying the request didn’t show a compelling need and that the state’s records can’t be easily shared. Public Health & Summer Weather: An extreme heat warning is in effect across most of New Hampshire through Friday evening, with highs near 100 and “feels like” temps around 105–110, plus a chance of strong thunderstorms. Local Access & Legal Fight: The state is suing to reopen a blocked section of the Northern Rail Trail in Andover, alleging an abutter illegally blocked access. Business & Industry: SIG SAUER promoted a “Made in America” film highlighting its New Hampshire manufacturing and workforce investments. Sports: Brewster Whitecaps kept rolling with a 5-3 win over Wareham for their fourth straight victory.

Housing & affordability: A bipartisan federal housing package aimed at boosting supply and blocking private equity from buying single-family homes is being held up by President Trump, with New Hampshire’s Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Sen. Maggie Hassan calling it a major step toward lower costs. Courts & safety: A Merrimack County jury awarded $16 million to Kristy Gesse, finding NH DHHS negligent in failing to protect her from abuse at a group home; the state’s share is set at $4 million, with an appeal planned. Extreme heat & beaches: New Hampshire officials say Hampton and Seabrook beaches will stay open after testing found low bacteria following a Massachusetts sewage spill, while an extreme heat warning continues through Friday night. Local public life: Manchester police are seeking a hit-and-run driver after a crash with an e-bike left a rider seriously injured. Sports & community: Two Trail Smoke Eaters alumni—goalie Teagan Kendrick and forward Judah Makway—earned NHL development camp invitations. Culture: Kenny Chesney’s new album “Silver Sands Marina” spotlights a real New Hampshire marina, with a video shot on Lake Winnipesaukee.

U.S. Supreme Court: The court struck down President Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship, ruling that the 14th Amendment guarantees citizenship for nearly everyone born in the U.S., a decision that also keeps New Hampshire’s related legal fight moving. Transgender sports in NH: A federal judge temporarily allowed a transgender New Hampshire girl to play soccer while families challenge the state’s girls’ sports ban; the Supreme Court’s later ruling on transgender athlete bans won’t end the NH lawsuit. Extreme heat & public health: New Hampshire is bracing for dangerous heat, with officials urging residents to prepare for heat illness and cooling options; neighboring states also issued pet-safety warnings as temperatures climb. Tick-borne illness watch: Rhode Island reported a Powassan virus case, underscoring the region’s ongoing tick-bite risk. NH community calendar (America 250): Laconia and Plymouth are hosting Declaration of Independence readings and other July 4 events, while Squam Lakes is set for Loon Day on July 13. Local government & services: Tilton was named a Purple Heart Community, and Laconia’s business administrator Diane Clary announced retirement.

U.S. Supreme Court: In a 6-3 ruling tied to a New Hampshire case, the court struck down President Trump’s attempt to limit birthright citizenship, reaffirming that most children born on U.S. soil are citizens under the 14th Amendment. Transgender sports: The same day, the court upheld state bans on transgender girls and women in school athletics, a decision that leaves New Hampshire’s own girls’ sports law in line with the ruling. Voting access fight: A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s bid to force New Hampshire to hand over detailed voter rolls, rejecting the request for broad access to sensitive voter data. NH politics & policy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law banning the sale of children’s online personal data to third parties, taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. Public safety: An extreme heat watch is in effect for New Hampshire Wednesday through Friday, with cooling centers opening in parts of the Upper Valley. Local crime: Police arrested a man in Massachusetts accused of shooting a woman outside a Manchester house party.

Extreme Heat Watch: New Hampshire is bracing for dangerous heat and humidity midweek, with an extreme heat watch posted Wednesday afternoon through Friday evening and highs possibly near 100 degrees in spots, plus scattered strong storms. Northern Lights: A geomagnetic storm could make auroras visible tonight into Tuesday in parts of the northern U.S., with New Hampshire listed among states that may catch a glimpse. Medicaid Work Rules: CMS issued an interim final rule on Medicaid work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, including a tighter medical frailty exemption tied to community engagement. Voter Rolls Lawsuit: A federal judge dismissed DOJ’s bid to force New Hampshire to turn over voter registration information, backing the state’s privacy protections. Public Safety Tech: New Hampshire launched a bail notification system so police get alerts when they encounter someone out on bail. Local Funding: Franklin Opera House received $197,215 from the Northern Border Regional Commission for Soldiers Memorial Hall upgrades, including ADA access and new audio/visual systems. Courts & Accountability: A jury trial continues over claims the state failed to protect a teen in a Saddleback Mountain Retreat abuse case, with lawyers seeking major damages. Skilled Trades Push: Acting labor secretary Keith Sonderling visited Manchester Community College as the Workforce Pell Program expands aid for trade certificate programs. Sports: The New Hampshire River Cats host Reading for a six-game series after Braydon Tucker faced the Curve twice; Vermont swept the Twin State Baseball Classic over NH.

Heat & Safety: An extreme heat watch is in effect for New Hampshire and parts of New England ahead of the Fourth, with heat index values possibly topping 110 and officials urging hydration, A/C use, and checks on neighbors and pets. Sewage Spill Watch: State officials are assessing whether New Hampshire beaches could be affected after a major sewer line break in Haverhill, Mass., sent millions of gallons into the Merrimack River. LGBTQ+ Rights: Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed a third anti-trans “bathroom bill,” and advocates say the repeated attacks keep targeting transgender Granite Staters. Local Land-Use Fight: A 74-year dispute in Barrington over a Camp Fireside boat launch is headed to a state appeal, with the town arguing for public access and the camp citing property rights and safety. Courts & Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on birthright citizenship, a case tied to New Hampshire and likely to shape what immigrants and their children can claim. Outdoors: A Quebec City hiker survived serious injuries after a 50-foot fall on Mount Washington’s Huntington Ravine Trail, rescued by helicopter. Health Care: New Hampshire’s maternal mental health report card improved to a C, matching the national grade after Medicaid postpartum coverage expanded. Sports: Salem’s Caroline Harvey and Nashua’s Ebuka Okorie were both selected in pro drafts, putting New Hampshire athletes on the national stage.

Academic Freedom: A new argument urges the AAU to sanction member universities when academic freedom is violated, warning the group risks irrelevance amid modern attacks. Public Health: Powassan virus cases are rising as tick season expands; experts say deer ticks can transmit the virus quickly, and severe cases can involve neurological illness. Privacy & Policing: Privacy advocates push for stronger guardrails on police license plate reader systems after reports of misuse and data access by outside agencies. Politics: Susan Collins’ STOCK Act “no teeth” criticism grows as both parties target weak enforcement and loopholes around lawmakers’ trading. NH Safety & Travel: Officials warn of major traffic delays after a coach bus fire on I-95 in Hampton; everyone evacuated safely. Weather & Outdoors: Heavy rains are worsening erosion on steep NH trails, while a heat wave is expected to crank up ahead of the Fourth. Sports & Local Pride: UNH defenseman Parker Von Richter was drafted by the Penguins, and Dartmouth’s Cooper Cleaves went to the Canadiens.

Traffic & Safety: A fully involved coach bus fire shut down I-95 north in Hampton just north of the Towle Farm Road bridge. All occupants exited, but motorists should expect significant delays and use caution. Heat Watch: New Hampshire is heading into a hotter stretch for the July 4 holiday, with forecasts pointing to dangerous heat and humidity later in the week—plan outdoor time for cooler hours. Local Conservation: Concord approved a land deal to expand protected habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly, with Fish and Game taking over nearly seven acres after a $575,000 sale. Health Workforce: A NH business segment flags a projected shortage of about 1,300 nurses over the next four years, even as community colleges graduate record numbers. Childcare Costs: Another NH focus story highlights how low pay is driving turnover among childcare workers, squeezing access for families. Road Crash: A Tamworth man died after a motorcycle crossed into oncoming traffic on Route 16 in Albany; the other driver had minor injuries.

NHL Draft: The 2026 NHL Draft is complete, and Pittsburgh’s Day 2 haul included a pair of Ruck brothers—Markus (Round 2, pick 39) joining Liam—and other notable selections as teams handed out value across 224 picks. Local Sports: In the Twin State, Vermont beat New Hampshire 2-1 in girls field hockey in overtime, while the boys’ game went New Hampshire’s way 1-0. Public Safety: New Hampshire State Police said a woman fell from the back of a motorcycle on Route 112 in Easton, suffered a head injury, and was taken to a local hospital; the road was closed about an hour. Community & Culture: Manchester True Collaborative hosted a Pride parade and festival with a “strong as granite” theme, drawing people statewide to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Workforce & Economy: A new report says low summer hiring is hitting Hampton Beach small businesses hard, with owners reporting fewer seasonal applicants than usual.

Statehouse & Elections: NH House Majority Leader Jason Osborne announced his run for Speaker, aiming to grow the GOP majority. Healthcare Oversight: NH Attorney General John Formella tapped retired judge David D. King to monitor North Country Healthcare after an AG review found breaches tied to Weeks Medical Center leadership. Conservation & Wildlife: Concord approved a Karner blue butterfly habitat land transfer to NH Fish and Game after a $575,000 sale. Boating Safety: Gov. Kelly Ayotte kicked off boating season with a Lake Winnipesaukee safety push, stressing life jackets and vessel checks. America 250: NH Historical Society promoted a July “603 History Hunt” scavenger app challenge tied to Revolutionary War sites. Local Public Safety: Laconia charged a 20-year-old in a domestic dispute involving a loaded handgun; no injuries reported. Sports (NH ties): Toronto placed Jesus Sanchez on the IL and called up NH prospect Sean Keys. Business/Community: Laconia hosted its “Best of the Lakes Region” awards with record turnout.

NBA Draft & Local Pride: Nashua-born Ebuka Okorie was picked 17th by the Oklahoma City Thunder and traded to the Detroit Pistons, hoping to inspire Nigerian players. Blue Jays Watch: Toronto is expected to promote power-hitting prospect Sean Keys, who has 21 homers across the minors, as the team tries to snap a skid. Weather & Driving Safety: A dense fog advisory runs through Saturday, with showers and thunderstorms possible tonight and patchy fog likely overnight. Politics (NH Senate): Rep. Chris Pappas says he’s ready to take on the GOP’s likely nominees, framing New Hampshire as a “purple” state with lots of independents. Federal Forests: Maggie Goodlander and Chris Pappas introduced a bill to block the closure of U.S. Forest Service research facilities, including New Hampshire’s experimental forests. Community & Culture: The Capital Wing of the Commemorative Air Force will bring a rare WWII TBM Avenger to Concord Municipal Airport July 7-8 for America 250. Sports Fundraiser: The annual East vs. West high school football game at Saint Anselm College raised over $280,000 for the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.

NBA Draft (NH ties): Stanford guard Ebuka Okorie, raised in Nashua, was selected 17th overall by the Thunder and quickly dealt to the Pistons, highlighting another strong week for players of Nigerian origin. Public Safety (NH): The NH attorney general’s office says police shot a man in Landaff after an altercation; the man was taken to a local hospital and the AG is investigating. Environment (NH beaches): Officials are monitoring a 60,000-gallon sewage spill in the Merrimack River after a Haverhill, Mass. accident, with beach water samples expected soon. Weather & drought: Forecasters warn of isolated late-day storms, while the latest drought update shows slight improvement in NH after recent rain. State policy & scams: New protections are set for NH crypto ATMs, including a $2,000 daily cap and a 48-hour cancellation/refund window for victims. Housing & recovery: Dismas Home is expanding recovery services to Rochester, adding 28 beds and aiming for a home in every NH county. Energy: State energy officials kicked off talks in Portsmouth on a roadmap to boost nuclear power options in New Hampshire.

Housing Crunch: A new NH Fiscal Policy Institute report says the state still needs about 90,000 more homes, with the median single-family price at $525,000 (Feb. 2026) and inventory stuck around 1.8 months—so prices may cool, but supply remains the real bottleneck. Public Safety: The NH AG’s office is investigating a Landaff police shooting after officers wounded a man reported to be walking in traffic; he was airlifted to Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Health & Fraud: Federal prosecutors charged four people in a $3 billion healthcare fraud and money-laundering scheme tied to Russian criminal networks, including alleged identity theft and bogus Medicare claims. Local Economy/Business: SPERRY Commercial Realty Associates closed a $2 million sale of Northwest Crossing on Route 101A in Nashua. Sports & Community: Bishop Guertin named former Merrimack native Tim Schaller as a boys hockey assistant; and Bishop Brady catcher Ava Archambault was named Division III softball player of the year. Weather: Forecasts call for strong thunderstorms Friday, with damaging wind gusts and heavy rain possible.

State Politics: Gov. Kelly Ayotte keeps using her veto pen, rejecting 15 bills this year and signaling more to come as lawmakers push through summer. Public Safety: A mobile home fire in Woodstock killed an adult man and sent an adult woman to a Boston hospital with life-threatening injuries; investigators say the case is active and not considered suspicious. Justice & Courts: The NH Supreme Court is back in the spotlight in the Adam Montgomery case, as the state asks for reconsideration after the court reversed his second-degree murder conviction. Health & Addiction: U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan re-introduced a $65 billion federal opioid response plan aimed at treatment, housing, and naloxone coverage. Community & Recovery: Dismas Home NH opened a second Rochester location to expand its 15-month recovery program for women leaving the justice system. Local Life: A new bike share program launched in Nashua, and a Tilton-area provider highlighted respite care options for caregivers. Culture & Local Color: A Milford burger spot, Papa Joe’s Humble Kitchen, landed on a national “best burgers” list.