AGP Executive Report

U.S. Senate Filing Frenzy: Rep. Chris Pappas officially filed to run for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat, drawing a big crowd at the Secretary of State’s office and sidestepping direct questions about whether he’ll campaign alongside Maine Democrat Graham Platner amid allegations and controversy. Statehouse Tax & Housing Push: As the legislative session wrapped, House Republicans touted wins on taxes and housing, including the Small Business Relief Act and a bill putting property tax caps to statewide ballots. NH Gives Momentum: Gov. Kelly Ayotte kicked off NH Gives, with a record 701 nonprofits registered for the June 9-10 online giving drive as groups brace for federal funding cuts. Local Leadership & Community Life: The Village at White River Junction named Danielle Nickerson executive director, Franklin Savings Bank signed on as a legacy sponsor for the Belknap Mill Museum, and tourism leaders met with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to discuss summer travel pressures and optimism. Energy & Infrastructure Debate: Commentary and reporting highlighted rising energy costs and the push-pull over emissions rules, grid capacity, and new power projects.

Ski Season Boost: New Hampshire logged its busiest ski season in 15 years, with 2.28 million visits in 2025-26 after a cold, snowy December-to-February. NOAA & Aquaculture: NOAA announced a new UNH-hosted institute, CIFARM, aimed at expanding aquaculture research and markets. Energy Debate: Two opinion pieces argue over offshore wind’s role in lowering power costs and the strain on local infrastructure as demand rises. Elections Clarity: The NH Secretary of State says a federal ruling restores citizenship affidavits only for voters using affidavits for proof of citizenship. Voter Confidence Talk: A Community Conversations event in Peterborough pushed back on election distrust, stressing NH voting is run with integrity. Workforce & Housing: A report finds summer hiring growth is slowing in NH, while another story highlights how data centers are fueling public backlash over electricity and local impacts. Community & Culture: Windsor VT co-valedictorians credited family and teachers; NH arts and festival coverage included Lowell Folk Festival additions and local culture picks.

Immigration Enforcement Expands in NH: Weare and Hillsboro police departments have joined ICE’s 287(g) “task force” contracts, letting local officers arrest and interrogate people for immigration warrants or suspected violations, with federal funding tied to the work. State Politics & Housing: NH House Speaker Sherman Packard says the session’s housing push—built around a dedicated housing committee—aimed to tackle the worker and affordability crunch. Education Reform Spotlight: Rahm Emanuel urged education changes and blamed both parties for the decline, while discussing NH outreach. Campaign Pressure in the U.S. Senate Race: Graham Platner drew fresh scrutiny after new reports about his past treatment of women, even as he held a supportive Portland town hall ahead of the Democratic primary. Energy Costs Hit Households: AAA reports gas prices are up across New England, including New Hampshire, adding pressure to already strained budgets. Local Economy & Industry: Ski New Hampshire says the 2025/26 season delivered 2.28 million skier/snowboard visits and strong tubing numbers.

Immigration Enforcement: Weare and Hillsboro police departments joined ICE’s 287(g) “task force” contracts, letting local officers arrest and interrogate people for immigration violations while receiving federal funding. Politics: Rep. Chris Pappas laid out his case for New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate run, framing it as restoring checks and balances and making sure everyone can participate fairly. Gubernatorial Race: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins pressed for a debate with front-runner Byron Donalds, arguing the GOP leader must “show up” as time runs short. Cost of Living: AAA data shows New Hampshire gas averaging about $4.485 per gallon, with higher prices tied to Middle East tensions and the risk of further disruption. Economy & Jobs: A USA TODAY tally finds fewer mass layoff notices in May as the labor market stays “precariously stable,” even with ongoing WARN filings. Local Food Access: Granite State Market Match is back, doubling SNAP/EBT value at participating farmers markets, farm stands, and CSAs. Education/School Culture: High Mowing School in Wilton apologized after a yearbook printed students’ faces edited onto “inappropriate” images of ancient statues, with pages to be removed or the book reprinted. Public Safety/Weather: Severe storms are forecast to target parts of the Northeast and Maine this weekend, with damaging winds the main threat.

Catholic Charities Oversight: CMS data show NH Catholic Charities, Inc. owned Mount Carmel Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Q1 2026, with a four-star overall rating and no fines—highlighting how nonprofit ownership ties to care quality. Local Governance: Benson Park in [town name not provided] is updating park rules after residents and the advisory committee said noise and recreation trends have outpaced the deed’s “quiet” and low-impact recreation limits. State Policy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 608, letting retired grandparents access the NH Child Care Scholarship Program by removing the work requirement for kinship caregivers at federal retirement age. Community & Environment: Nottingham’s data center fight continues as the planning board schedules a special meeting after a proposal sparked backlash over water, power costs, and noise. Food Access: Granite State Market Match is back, doubling SNAP/EBT value at participating NH farmers markets and offering 50% off at farm stands and CSAs. Weather & Safety: Severe storms are forecast to hit parts of the Northeast and New England this weekend, with damaging winds the main threat. Transportation: C&J Bus Lines expands late-night service between Seacoast NH and Boston starting June 25, adding more departures from Logan and South Station. Public Life: High Mowing School in Wilton apologized after a yearbook printed students’ faces edited onto “inappropriate” images, with plans to remove pages or reprint. Economy Watch: New federal job data and fewer layoff notices in May point to a still-stable labor market, even as some companies keep cutting.

Childcare Access: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 608, letting retired grandparents access the NH Child Care Scholarship Program by removing the work requirement for kinship caregivers at federal retirement age. Local Land-Use Fight: Nottingham residents kept up pressure on a proposed data center, with the town planning another special meeting after the developer withdrew the application amid backlash over water, power costs, and noise. Courts & Emissions Testing: Gordon-Darby is back in court trying to force New Hampshire to maintain the vehicle emissions testing contract, arguing federal law compels it—while opponents point to limits on federal power over state programs. Transportation: C&J Bus Lines is adding late-night Thursday-through-Saturday service between Seacoast NH and Boston, plus a 24-hour Portsmouth parking shuttle starting June 25. Social Security Warning: A new report says Social Security checks could drop by about $500 a month by 2032, with New Hampshire among the states most affected. Community & Environment: Enfield’s old train depot is set to become a community gathering space, and York Harbor installed fishing line recycling bins to protect wildlife. Politics on the Move: Democrat Karishma Manzur filed for NH U.S. Senate, pitching herself as an anti-corruption alternative.

U.S. Senate filing: Democrat Karishma Manzur officially entered New Hampshire’s Senate race, calling her rivals “corrupt” and centering her campaign on immigration and due process. State politics: Gov. Kelly Ayotte filed for reelection, but her staff shut down questions about whether she’d defend Donald Trump as she runs again. Land conservation: New Hampshire could buy the 146,000-acre Connecticut Lakes Headwaters parcel after a private sale—state has a right of first refusal and would need a 10% deposit, with major tradeoffs for towns and ongoing stewardship costs. Voting rights: A federal judge permanently blocked New Hampshire’s anti-voting law, saying it unjustifiably burdens the right to vote; the state says it will appeal. Cost of living: A new report warns Social Security retirees could lose about $500 per month by 2032, with New Hampshire among the states most affected. Public safety & courts: Jury selection is set for January in a triple motorcycle homicide case involving a Goffstown man facing multiple felony charges. Community: Laconia Public Library announced June programs, including a NH icon talk on loons and a rotating art exhibit.

Manufactured Housing Watch: U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan is pressing for answers as New Hampshire’s 1983 “opportunity to purchase” law—meant to let residents buy their manufactured home communities—faces a new wave of for-profit acquisitions that could mean rent pressure for seniors and low-income families. Education & Voting: Lawmakers struck a deal on open enrollment that would let up to 500 students attend public schools outside their district, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte says she won’t sign it as-is, while an editorial argues NH’s anti-voting law struck down by a federal judge was a solution chasing a problem. State Politics: Ayotte filed for reelection and attacked opponent Cinde Warmington as tied to Massachusetts-style policies and opioid lobbying; Warmington fired back with claims about Ayotte’s low approval. Cost of Living: The NH Lottery reports scratch-ticket sales down as inflation pinches budgets, and a new map shows New Hampshire’s residential electricity prices rising sharply year over year. Public Safety: Police arrested a Portsmouth man in a 1993 Kittery homicide case, decades after the victim was found dead. Tech & Work: A study finds many New Hampshire workers are turning down promotions, and J.D. Power says auto insurance shoppers are collecting record numbers of quotes online. Community: Winnacunnet and Marshwood released top students for the Class of 2026, and Unitil awarded STEM scholarships to New England seniors.

Gubernatorial Race Kicks Off: Gov. Kelly Ayotte filed for re-election, leaning hard on her “Don’t MASS up NH” pitch and arguing she’s delivered on public safety, bail reform, and first-responder benefits—while Democrat Cinde Warmington filed her own bid and accused Ayotte of driving up property taxes, electricity costs, and failing to tackle housing. Education & Federal Policy: The U.S. Department of Education backed down on a contested “Dear Colleague” directive aimed at restricting DEI efforts, after a court ruling permanently invalidated it. State Budget & Schools: Lawmakers approved a statewide school spending cap for voters to decide in upcoming elections, while an expanded open enrollment plan died in the final stretch. Public Safety & Courts: A 1993 Maine homicide case moved forward as a Portsmouth man was charged and arrested in New Hampshire, awaiting extradition. Workforce & Food Access: ApprenticeshipNH launched a one-year prep cook registered apprenticeship with Manchester Community College and the NH Food Bank, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. Community & Culture: NH Gives returns June 9-10 with a record 701 nonprofits set to participate.

Cold-Case Breakthrough: Maine State Police arrested 59-year-old Daniel Jolly of Portsmouth, NH, charging him with the 1993 murder of 73-year-old Maxine Bitomski in Kittery—after a 33-year investigation and DNA advances; Jolly is held in Rockingham County pending extradition, and authorities haven’t released the cause of death. Cybersecurity: Eversource says phishing and social engineering tied to two employee accounts exposed personal information for 3,049 customers across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, though it says service wasn’t affected and critical systems weren’t involved. Public Health & Safety: A tick-focused prevention guide urges Granite Staters to cut yard habitat (mowing, leaf litter removal, trimming), treat pets, and keep monitoring to reduce Lyme risk. Housing & Growth: A Greater Boston Chamber report pushes Massachusetts to speed construction with policy changes—citing New Hampshire as a competitor state issuing more permits per capita. Environment/Water: New Hampshire received another $4.68M from PFAS “forever chemicals” settlements, with towns including Derry, Londonderry, and Windham eligible for cleanup grants. Community Spotlight: Keach Park in Concord finally got its long-awaited lights after a decade of advocacy.

U.S. Senate & Congress (NH): Three Republicans—Melissa Bailey, Brian Cole, and Anthony DiLorenzo—filed for NH-01, pitching resumes and “affordability” over Trump talk as the filing period begins. State Politics: Gov. Kelly Ayotte says the open enrollment bill still needs “a lot of thought” after broad negative feedback, and points to other session wins like tougher DUI testing rules. Healthcare (NH): CMS data shows mixed nursing-home performance in Strafford and Hillsborough counties, including a five-star Saint Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Strafford and a Hillsboro House facility with a 4-star rating but $97,730 in fines in Q1 2026. Local Business & Community: Flamingos Coffee Bar teases a third New Hampshire location in Dover, while Lakes Region caterer Abundantly Yours marks its third anniversary. Military & Public Safety: A large NH National Guard exercise will take over the former Loring Air Force Base next week. National Policy Impact: New analysis warns Social Security could trigger benefit cuts averaging over $500 a month in many states if lawmakers don’t act. Culture: Selah Dessert Theater announces its 2026-27 lineup, and Plymouth’s Flying Monkey will screen Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid” with live music.

Social Security: A new CRFB analysis warns that if Congress doesn’t fix Social Security’s funding shortfall, benefits could be cut about 24% in 2032, averaging roughly $500 less per month—with New Hampshire among the states projected to see some of the biggest losses. Statehouse Wrap-Up: New Hampshire lawmakers are heading into final votes after conference negotiations, including a compromise that would raise out-of-staters’ state park fees starting in 2027 and adjust business tax thresholds in HB 155. Fish & Game: The NH Fish and Game Department is canceling June 3 and June 10 public hearings and pausing fee and Fis 400 rulemaking until later, focusing meanwhile on re-adopting expiring rules. Local Business: Stewart’s Shops is planning a larger convenience store at a West Lebanon gas station site, with a proposal headed to the Planning Board. Environment & Energy: New England states are challenging a federal settlement that canceled an offshore wind lease, arguing the deal was unlawful.

College Sports Regulation: A bipartisan Senate bill aims to rein in the messy revenue-sharing deals between colleges and student athletes, but experts doubt Congress can pass a full overhaul before year’s end. Foreign Policy: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told lawmakers Iran sanctions relief would be conditional on Tehran giving up its nuclear program, rejecting any swap tied to reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Local Government & Facilities: Lawrence city commissioners approved a $2.1 million purchase of the former Journal-World printing plant to serve as a City Hall annex, with major renovations expected later. Public Health: New Hampshire DHHS urged residents to protect themselves from tick and mosquito bites as tick season ramps up and mosquito-borne risks continue through summer. Elections & Voting Access: A local op-ed urged Granite Staters to check voter status regularly as NH’s rules and ID/document requirements tighten. Nursing Home Watch: CMS data highlighted mixed results across NH nursing homes, including a 1-star rating for Jaffrey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center and higher ratings for Langdon Place of Dover and Colonial Poplin Nursing Home. Civic Education: Newfound Regional High School students praised the YMCA Youth and Government program for teaching how New Hampshire’s government works firsthand.

Gas Prices & Politics: New Hampshire residents overwhelmingly blame President Trump for higher gas costs, according to a UNH Survey Center poll, as pump prices rise and consumer confidence dips. Lyme & Ticks: HHS rolled out a major federal Lyme disease and tick-borne illness push, including a New England-focused effort to reduce tick populations before they spread disease. PFAS & Water Safety: “Forever chemicals” remain widespread in drinking water and everyday products; Dartmouth researchers say nearly everyone has PFAS in their blood, while reporting highlights practical ways to cut exposure. Housing & Local Growth: Portsmouth faces fresh calls to reassess its direction and development priorities, with critics pointing to affordability gaps and strain on city services. Waste & Recycling: NH’s new disposal surcharge brought in more than $1.2M in Q1, and the state is steering funds toward staffing and future organics and recycling projects. Business & Community: A new vacation rental brand (First Chair Destinations) is expanding into New Hampshire, while Unitil employees delivered handmade spring cards to nursing home residents across NH and neighboring states. Public Health: The Red Cross is urging scheduled blood donations ahead of a summer surge in injuries. Energy Grid Oversight: New England states urged FERC to reform how utilities review “asset condition” transmission projects, spotlighting Eversource’s NH-related work.

Meteor Update: NASA says the loud “double boom” over New England was a meteor about 5 feet wide, breaking up high in the sky and likely dropping fragments into Cape Cod Bay. State Politics: Maine Gov. Janet Mills says she’s still on the U.S. Senate ballot even after suspending her campaign, keeping uncertainty in the Democratic primary as scrutiny swirls around opponent Graham Platner. Public Health & Trust: NH congressional candidate Stefany Shaheen pushes back on RFK Jr.’s comments about public trust while he’s in the state on Lyme disease. Local Life & Learning: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is rolling out butterfly citizen-science programs, and Lakes Region Community College held its 57th commencement for 121 graduates. Community & Safety: A gated bridge plan means bikers and pedestrians won’t get a safe Connecticut River crossing for at least three more years. Business & Economy: UNH polling finds Granite Staters are worried about gas prices and blame Trump.

Meteor Mystery Solved: NASA says the loud double boom across New England Saturday came from a natural bolide that broke up with energy estimated at about 300 tons of TNT, entering the atmosphere near the NH–Mass. border around 2:06 p.m. and likely landing in Cape Cod Bay. Local Impact: Reports ranged from shaking homes to videos from the sky, with the American Meteor Society logging dozens of sightings from Delaware to Montreal. Road Safety: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a distracted-driving bill raising fines and adding license suspensions for repeat hand-held device violations; it takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. Community & Growth: Meredith Village Savings Bank promoted Jami Bourdeau to assistant vice president in Wolfeboro/Melvin Village. Civic Life: Hancock residents are worried about a proposed 150-foot communications tower near the village center. Education & Youth: Dublin teen Gavin Niemela won acceptance to the Air Force Academy. Business/Professions: New England’s five state CPA societies merged into the New England Society of CPAs. Health & Aging: A UNH-funded robot caregiver is helping an aging couple stay at home, hinting at what’s next for home care.