AGP Executive Report

EPA & Air Quality: The EPA is taking public comment until Sept. 25 on proposals that would let New Hampshire leave the Northeast ozone pollution zone and drop its vehicle emissions inspection program—only if both actions are finalized as proposed. UNH Labor: Graduate employees at UNH rallied after two years of wage negotiations without a contract, calling out low pay and campus spending priorities. NH Politics & Elections: A new poll finds Trump approval at a new low in New Hampshire and most residents say the Iran conflict is going poorly, while national coverage flags New Hampshire as a Senate battleground. Road Safety: A chain-reaction crash on I-293 in Manchester sent a box truck into the Merrimack River; six vehicles were involved and a minor passenger was seriously injured. Local Governance: Bow residents packed a selectboard meeting to oppose a proposed hyperscale data center at a former power plant site. Health & Community: North Star Health opened three new pharmacies in New Hampshire and Vermont as independent closures continue. Public Safety & Rights: The Libertarian Party of New Hampshire faced national backlash after social media posts called for “assassination” of elected Democrats.

Liquor Enforcement: The NH Liquor Commission penalized Portsmouth’s Legends for overserving a Dover man who later died in a May 2025 crash, suspending its license for 15 days starting Oct. 1 and adding a $5,000 fine. Public Safety: Police reported a man dead and a woman critically wounded after a shooting inside a Newport, NH home, with identities withheld pending family notification. Water Quality & PFAS: NH’s congressional delegation urged the Air Force for a clear timeline to pay for PFAS cleanup at two Portsmouth wells. Elections & Taxes: Courts cleared the way for a November ballot question that would cap local school district spending growth, creating NH’s first statewide chance to cap property tax growth. Infrastructure: Two NH bridges face closures after inspections, including Manchester’s Queen City Bridge and Hudson’s Veterans Memorial Bridge. Environment: A nor’easter is threatening the East Coast with damaging winds and coastal flooding, while early fall color is starting to show across western New England. Education & Campus: Provosts are increasingly using AI, but most still lack a centralized AI strategy. Local Notes: A Concord man returned an overdue 1894 magazine after a fine freeze helped him avoid a steep late fee.

Telecom & Infrastructure: A regional telecom provider asked the FCC to approve switching legacy phone systems to internet protocol networks across Maine and New Hampshire. Jobs & Economy: New Hampshire’s labor market shows early recovery, but wages lag inflation and small businesses are driving most hiring gains. Courts & Ethics: The NH Supreme Court adjusted its oral-argument calendar after a defense attorney raised concerns about whether justices are tied to an ongoing ethics probe. Consumer Watch: Granite Staters may be eligible for compensation tied to a multi-state settlement over allegedly inflated generic drug prices; claims hinge on purchases made between 2009 and 2019. Public Safety: A Nashua man wanted in an NH arson case was arrested after a multiagency search in Tyngsborough, Mass. Community & Culture: SNHU released its summer dean’s list, adding local students to academic honors. Weather: A nor’easter is expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds to New England late this week, with NH impacts possible Friday into Saturday.

Long-Term Care & Insurance: Comfort Keepers says Wolfeboro families planning in-home care should review their long-term care policies early, especially what paperwork is needed for home-based benefits. Drug Prosecution: A New Hampshire federal jury convicted an alleged fentanyl “runner,” Andri Pimental Arias, after a four-day trial tied to more than 400 grams of fentanyl. Public Safety: Nashua police are seeking Derrick Couture, 39, in connection with an arson fire that badly damaged a Barnsdale Road home; investigators believe he may be dangerous and may have traveled to Tyngsboro. Mental Health Funding: New Hampshire is set to receive more than $2 million to expand behavioral health crisis support, including support for the 988 lifeline. Housing Policy: A St. Anselm survey finds big jumps in support for allowing single-family homes on smaller lots, a potential boost for small-lot zoning reform. State Government: The NH Executive Council met in Hanover for the first time since 2014, with Dartmouth leaders briefing officials on housing and rural healthcare. Health Care Costs: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is pushing a last-minute INSULIN Act push to cap insulin out-of-pocket costs at $35. Elections: Early voting rules vary widely; New Hampshire is listed among states without early voting.

NH Courts & Ethics: New Hampshire’s Supreme Court chief justice resignation is tied to a behind-the-scenes ethics probe, with newly released records describing favoritism and a rare $50,000 payout involving a top aide. Higher Education Access: Sen. Maggie Hassan pushed the “RISE Act” at SNHU, aiming to streamline disability documentation so students with IEPs and past accommodations can get support more consistently. Disaster Funding: FEMA is sending more than $1.4 million to New Hampshire for two mitigation efforts, including $1.2 million for Hampton’s coastal storm water infiltration project. Public Safety: A Keene man accused of assault and linked to a days-long manhunt remains jailed after an arraignment, with police describing multiple chases and vehicle thefts before his arrest. Veterans Housing: The VA awarded over $18 million across Vermont and New Hampshire to help community groups keep veterans housed and supported. Consumer Protection: A multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance Corporation totals $694 million nationwide, with New Hampshire included among states seeking relief for predatory auto lending. Health & Coverage: Medical groups and patients sued over Medicaid work requirements, arguing new rules improperly block coverage for vulnerable people, including New Hampshire providers. Local Housing: Lebanon opened an affordable housing lottery to the general public, but officials say price points remain a major hurdle for municipal workers and teachers. Weather/Travel: Technical problems triggered widespread flight delays across Vermont and northern New York, with impacts felt in New Hampshire too. Community & Services: Laconia Public Library is offering a lead testing kit for check-out to help residents assess older homes for possible lead paint.

NH Politics & Elections: Democrats are eyeing a House flip, with an analysis pointing to specific vulnerable districts like Manchester Ward 12, Goffstown, Londonderry, Sunapee, and Bedford—each decided by under 0.5% in 2024. Campaign Finance: National Democrats are privately warning they’re short on cash for the midterms, while GOP spending is set to outpace them in late-cycle ad reservations. Courts & Transparency: In a Supreme Court controversy, confidential records were briefly unsealed in cases tied to Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald and the Dianne Martin employment scandal—then resealed hours later. Public Safety & Privacy: Florida’s move to turn off Flock license-plate cameras could offer a regulatory model for New Hampshire, where lawmakers are watching how data retention and access rules play out. Housing & Cost of Living: A new NH Housing-commissioned study finds affordable housing development shows no measurable drag on nearby property values. Jobs & Economy: New Hampshire’s labor market shows partial recovery, but wages still lag inflation and workers face ongoing challenges despite unemployment dipping below 3% earlier in 2026. Energy Costs: Home heating oil is projected to jump more than usual this winter, with diesel prices and broader pressures tied to the Iran war. Tech & Power Demand: Hyperscale data center interest is growing in the region, with developers exploring massive electricity needs that could strain grids. Community Notes: United Way partners are running coat drives and digital literacy workshops, while Granite United Way and others collect warm coats through Oct. 23.

NH Politics & Elections: Republicans on the NH ballot keep Trump at arm’s length even as he pulls them close, with a post-primary “Unity Breakfast” in Concord largely avoiding Trump talk as polling tightens. Congressional Races: In WMUR’s “Conversation with the Candidate,” Anthony DiLorenzo and Stefany Shaheen field questions on immigration, housing costs, healthcare, and energy—Shaheen arguing Medicare for All and renewable incentives can ease costs for New Hampshire families. Local Governance: Concord residents weighed in on the city’s 2050 master plan, with housing, transportation, parks, and support for the unhoused driving the discussion. Municipal Updates: Hudson’s town clerk reported voter-registration and licensing changes ahead of fall elections, while Hudson voters cast 3,817 ballots in the Sept. 8 state primary. STEM & Schools: Alvirne High School and Hudson Memorial School received NH DOE robotics grants to expand hands-on STEM participation. Public Health: NH’s mosquito season is “less-than-active,” with lower virus detections than recent years, but officials still urge precautions. Community & Innovation: Nashua teen Ameya Kharade is building a low-cost brain-to-speech system aimed at helping people who can’t speak. Weather: Damp, cool Sunday gives way to a drier Monday, with fall-like temperatures and more active storm potential later in the week.

Congressional race: Anthony DiLorenzo and Stefany Shaheen will face off in New Hampshire’s 1st District after winning their primaries, setting up a centrist-leaning matchup for the November election. Higher education: UNH says it awarded a record $40 million in aid to its incoming class, boosting average awards to more than $16,000 and reaching 96% of enrolled students. Local courts & child care: A Dover daycare, Kid’s Culture, is appealing the state’s revocation of its licenses after officials said it withheld requested surveillance video from a 2025 investigation. State politics & accountability: A major look at the resignation of NH Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald highlights how the Judicial Conduct Committee handled its investigation and confidentiality. Weather: Rain and cooler temperatures move in Sunday, with highs in the 50s, then sunshine and 60s returning early next week. Community & culture: A NH ukulele group raised money for music therapy for sick children nationwide, and an Oxbow High senior won a national GEAR UP student leadership award.

Public Health: California health officials warned a person with measles may have spread the virus after traveling by train from Chicago to Los Angeles, then moving through multiple counties—New Hampshire travelers are urged to check vaccination status. Weather & Environment: A beneficial rain system is expected to move into New Hampshire by midday Sunday, with steadier totals in southern NH, while a large algae bloom along the Gulf of Maine is being monitored for possible impacts on shellfish and finfish. Healthcare Policy: KFF analysis says ACA Marketplace enrollment in New Hampshire dropped 8% after expiring tax credits, with 4,868 fewer residents enrolled. Politics & Voting Rights: The NAACP sued to block federal agents from polling places in November, arguing it violates the Voting Rights Act through intimidation. Higher Education: UNH set a record for financial aid for its incoming class, awarding $40 million. Sports: SNHU rallied to beat American International 2-1 in its NE10 opener; Harvard beat New Hampshire 31-7 in the season opener.

Election Security: U.S. intelligence says Russia is running covert online disinformation aimed at sowing division ahead of November midterms, though officials say there’s no sign it targets voting machines. Public Records Fight: Londonderry is headed to court after a reporter sued over alleged Right-to-Know violations tied to a concluded internal investigation. Police Staffing: Plainfield’s police chief is stepping down, warning New Hampshire’s physical-testing rules make recruiting harder. Local Government & Courts: Belmont voters will decide in March 2027 whether to approve demolition of an old Main Street bank building after a petition forced it onto the warrant. Community Safety: Meredith police and town leaders warn residents about scam emails spoofing the permitting office to steal banking info. Cold Case Progress: New Hampshire’s Cold Case Unit says increased funding has helped solve several decades-old cases while it continues investigating 128 statewide. Weather: Saturday looks mostly sunny, with Sunday bringing scattered showers and steadier rain, especially in southern NH.

AI at Dartmouth: Dartmouth will host “AI at 70: What Must Remain Human?” Oct. 29-31 in Hanover, putting the ethics and governance of AI front and center. Politics & elections: New polling keeps the Senate fight tight, with New Hampshire moved to toss-up as Democrats and Republicans battle for control with weeks to go. NH courts: A judge rejected Pamela Smart’s latest bid for a new trial, keeping her 1991 conviction intact. Public health: A study links tick-bite alpha-gal syndrome to higher odds of allergic reactions during blood transfusions, prompting practice changes at Dartmouth Health. Environment: Drought is returning in parts of NH, and tick-borne disease concerns are rising again. Housing & money: NH consumers are set to receive more than $786,000 from a multistate Credit Acceptance settlement over predatory auto lending. Local governance: Strafford County Commissioner Sean Leavitt withdrew from reelection amid a residency probe. Sports: Week 3 high school football is underway with Seacoast rivalries and a full slate of NH games.

NH Supreme Court Shake-Up: Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned after an ethics probe tied to a $50,000 sick/vacation payout, setting up a search for a replacement. Election Watch (NH): With the Senate race now rated a toss-up, New Hampshire is in the mix for control of Congress, and the state’s ballot also includes a high-stakes U.S. House contest in the 1st District. Campaign Money & Messaging: Reports say a Trump-backed Super PAC is spending heavily in New Hampshire, while GOP candidates at the state’s Unity Breakfast tried to keep distance from Trump amid low approval. Education & Courts: A judge cleared the way for a school tax cap question to appear on NH ballots, while another case continues to challenge how the state funds schools. Public Health: Mosquito activity is lower than recent years, but officials still urge precautions as West Nile and other viruses remain a concern. Childcare Policy: The Trump administration is drafting a plan that could let stay-at-home parents access federal childcare funds, worrying NH providers and advocates. Sports & Community: SNHU named local students to its summer President’s List, and NH’s fall sports scene kicks into gear with high school and college action.

School Budget Fight: New Hampshire’s Supreme Court shut down an emergency bid to block the November school budget cap question, and a lower-court judge previously cleared the ballot measure—setting up voters to decide whether school property tax growth is limited to inflation plus new construction and whether SAU central-office spending is capped at 6%. Consumer Protection: Acting and other state attorneys general announced a $694 million multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, aimed at predatory lending practices and dealer “packing” of unwanted add-ons. Public Records & Transparency: A Granite State News Collaborative/MuckRock/Concord Monitor test found right-to-know access is inconsistent and often obstructed across NH towns and school districts. Local Justice: Manchester police released surveillance images tied to racist graffiti and vandalism at a coffee shop, with the DOJ civil rights unit involved. Housing Demand: A Saint Anselm College poll found strong support for expanding starter homes, including zoning changes to allow smaller-lot single-family development. Courts: A judge rejected Pamela Smart’s latest attempt to overturn her conviction in the 1990 murder case.

Housing & Environment: Chester’s Village at Buxton Farm plan for 34 small homes is delayed again after PFAS contamination was found at the site, pushing a Sept. 9 hearing to Sept. 30 while the town and developer finish environmental review. Public Health & Tech: A new study finds 1 in 5 youth are using AI chatbots for mental health advice, and Granite State clinicians worry it can miss nuance and steer kids the wrong way. Elections & Voting Access: New Hampshire election officials are preserving 2024 ballots and records after DOJ litigation-hold notices, and a separate explainer lays out who can vote absentee in NH and how to request a ballot. Courts & Accountability: A judge cleared the way for a school tax cap question to appear on NH ballots, rejecting bids to block the vote. Local Government & Safety: Portsmouth council voted to declare emergency lanes indefinitely, and a separate city decision is tied to pole-camera changes. Community & Education: SNHU announced local students on its summer President’s and Dean’s lists, while a Granite State Fair school bus demolition derby will feature sponsor murals before the buses are smashed.

NH Courts & Voting: A federal appeals court rejected New Hampshire’s bid to quickly dismiss the DOJ’s voter data lawsuit, setting up DOJ to argue for access to unredacted state voter rolls. State Politics: New Hampshire lawmakers are again debating taxes on high-income earners and luxury goods, with one proposal to create an income tax for the wealthy drawing pushback. Judicial Ethics: Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she’s “extremely disappointed” after former NH Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned following a Judicial Conduct Committee finding tied to a $50,000 payout. Public Safety: Manchester police are investigating a hate crime after a coffee shop was vandalized with “white power” graffiti and swastikas. Health & Community: The VA awarded New Hampshire more than $10 million in grants to combat veteran homelessness starting Oct. 1. Local Government/Climate: Hooksett has started work on a solar project on a former landfill, expected to generate power in 2027. Crime: Cher’s son Elijah Blue Allman was indicted in New Hampshire on a felony criminal mischief charge tied to a March break-in. Outdoors: A 61-year-old hiker was rescued on Mt. Washington after dislocating his shoulder.

NH Supreme Court: Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned after admitting Code of Judicial Conduct violations tied to the controversial handling of aide Dianne Martin and a $50K payment, ending a Judicial Conduct Committee probe. U.S. Senate race: The Cook Political Report moved New Hampshire’s race to replace Jeanne Shaheen toward a toss-up as polling tightens between John Sununu and Chris Pappas, with national GOP spending gaining momentum. State politics: Pappas voted “present” on a House impeachment motion targeting President Trump over immigration-related deaths, drawing fresh criticism. Courts & childcare: Kid’s Culture Childcare in Dover is headed back to court after license revocations were upheld over a failure to provide video to investigators. Economy & jobs: Dartmouth Health announced layoffs—124 positions eliminated and 303 open jobs canceled. Seacoast real estate: Hampton logged an August record for $1M+ single-family sales, including a $5.01M waterfront home. Environment: Drought is returning to central NH as it expands again this fall. Public safety: NH Fish and Game added two new K-9 teams for conservation work and search-and-rescue.