AGP Executive Report

U.S. Senate Watch: A new UNH Survey Center poll finds Chris Pappas leading John Sununu 50% to 42%, a shift from last month but still a statistical tie once undecided/unknown voters are counted, keeping the race a national “toss-up.” State Housing: New Hampshire Housing released a report saying affordability is still the big drag—median single-family prices hit a record $575,000 and only 15% of households can afford that level—while shortages are hurting employers and workforce recruitment. Healthcare & Privacy: A multistate settlement over the Labcorp/AMCA data breach totals $2.3 million, with requirements aimed at stronger vendor management for sensitive medical data. Local Economy: Hooksett’s Handz Bicycles is getting attention for custom frame builds, turning a repair shop into a maker destination. Public Safety: A reminder from the Coast Guard Auxiliary: boating safety and life jacket use matter, with classes running through spring 2027. Politics & Culture: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear visited New Hampshire to push faith-based “lift people up” themes while campaigning with Democrats.

Education & Rankings: Three New Hampshire universities landed on U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best National Universities list, as families increasingly weigh cost and outcomes. PFAS Research: MaineHealth won a $4.5M NIH grant to study how “forever chemicals” affect children’s puberty timing and bone health, aiming to see if risks carry into adulthood. Elections & Voter Access: Sen. Elizabeth Warren reintroduced the Youth Voting Rights Act, arguing young voters face higher barriers like provisional ballot rejections and restrictive ID rules. Midterms Politics: Former Gov. Chris Christie warned Republicans could be “tired of losing” after Nov. 3, potentially reshaping the party’s future. Public Safety & Infrastructure: NHDOT will present Route 111 corridor safety findings after tracking 1,227 crashes over 10 years, including fatalities, and plans a community meeting in Windham. Tech & Privacy: New Hampshire’s stricter rules on license plate readers are being cited as a model as other states move to rein in camera surveillance. Consumer Alerts: Wakefern recalled select Wholesome Pantry applesauce jars after FDA testing found elevated patulin mold toxin. Local Culture: Portsmouth’s Heritage Museum Trail and cemetery tours are set to bring a history-focused Halloween to the Seacoast. Community & Arts: Bristol unveiled the “We Are Newfound” mural at Kelley Park, with residents’ signatures sealed into the artwork.

Historic Preservation Funding: New Hampshire’s “Moose Plate” program opened its 2027 Conservation License Plate grant round for municipalities, counties, state agencies, and nonprofits to protect eligible publicly owned historic resources, with a letter of intent due Oct. 16 and full applications due Nov. 13. Community Arts: Bristol unveiled “We Are Newfound,” an 1,800-square-foot mural at Kelley Park that invites residents to sign beneath a bear silhouette. Music & Culture: The Travelin’ McCourys’ bassist Alan Bartram is set to bring bluegrass expertise back to the Flying Monkey on Oct. 15. Consumer & Health Policy: A UNH graduate employee wage fight hit a two-year mark with a campus protest, while national legal action challenges Medicaid work requirements that could affect New Hampshire medical groups and patients. Local Accountability: Multiple people allege the same New Hampshire contractor took money for unfinished work, leading to civil judgments and state action. Environment & Infrastructure: EPA proposals would let New Hampshire leave the Northeast ozone transport emissions testing zone, while Bow residents packed a meeting opposing a potential hyperscale data center near a former power plant. Internet Expansion: Xfinity says multi-gig symmetrical service is now available in Milton and New Durham. Public Safety & Privacy: Lowell voted to indefinitely suspend Flock Safety license-plate cameras pending a policy review. Food Safety: USDA recalled 167,639 pounds of beef, goat, and pork tied to products made without federal inspection.

NH Politics & Courts: A federal judge in New Hampshire questioned whether ACLU can reuse an existing birthright-citizenship case, hinting a new lawsuit may be needed as Trump’s August executive orders face fresh legal challenges. Local Economy: The Queen City Bridge in Manchester stayed closed indefinitely for a second day after a potential structural crack, raising new worries for nearby businesses. Elections & Messaging: eMedia Monitor says 2026 Senate battleground coverage is driven more by local “horse race” narratives than one national story, with New Hampshire editorial focus heavily on polls. State Tax Policy: New Hampshire voters are set to decide in November whether to cap property tax growth, a rare statewide chance to limit local budget increases. Business & Jobs: Plymouth Rock Assurance named Chris Taylor president and CEO, while Kennebunk Savings promoted Nathan Cadorette to CFO/treasurer. Tech & Consumer Life: Walmart begins rolling out tap-to-pay in Iowa and Illinois. Wildlife Protections: As federal endangered-species rules shift, New Hampshire lawmakers may increasingly shape the fate of state wildlife.

Education & Taxes: Two NH justices rejected efforts to block a November ballot question that would cap the growth of local school district budgets and SAU administration spending—creating a rare statewide chance to curb property tax growth. Politics & Campaigns: Gov. Kelly Ayotte rolled out a 42-member “Manchester for Kelly” coalition, while the city’s former mayor Joyce Craig still awaits an endorsement. Affordability Debate: Local opinion pieces clash over whether state spending increases would actually lower property taxes, with one side arguing affordability means responsible taxpayer spending. First Amendment & Speech: Pete Buttigieg told a New Hampshire audience that freedom of speech is a nonpartisan issue worth defending. Prediction Markets: Chris Christie urged NH lawmakers to crack down on prediction markets, calling them unregulated sports betting. Business & Jobs: GKN Aerospace broke ground on a Charlestown expansion expected to add about 30 jobs. Consumer Watch: NH AGs are pushing residents to check eligibility for compensation tied to alleged generic drug price collusion. Local Culture: Sanbornton and Meredith libraries hosted humanities and wellness programs, from cemetery “sleuthing” to herb-based health tips.

Housing & Growth: A new St. Anselm College survey finds Granite Staters’ support for allowing single-family homes on smaller lots jumped to 74% (up from 59% in 2025), as advocates push changes to zoning rules that currently block most small-lot builds. Politics & 2028: Even with JD Vance leading early 2028 GOP primary polls, Republicans are already positioning for the nomination, with Sen. Rick Scott telling NH audiences the White House is the “best job” and other lawmakers weighing moves. Healthcare Costs: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen is making a last-minute push for the INSULIN Act to cap insulin out-of-pocket costs at $35, aiming to bring relief before her Senate term ends. Local Government: The NH Executive Council held its biweekly meeting in Hanover for the first time since 2014, bringing state officials and Dartmouth together to discuss housing and rural healthcare. Public Services: A Portsmouth letter argues the city is adjusting its workforce housing ordinance after data showed the current set-aside incentive can cost more than it returns. Community & Care: Local coverage explains the difference between home care and home health care, and another piece looks at how long-term care insurance can help families plan in-home support. Elections: Midterm early voting begins in many states, but New Hampshire is listed among those without early voting.

NH Politics & Elections: The Cook Political Report and Inside Elections both moved key races to “toss-up,” including New Hampshire’s Senate contest between Rep. Chris Pappas and former Sen. John Sununu, as national money and the Sununu brand tighten the race. Campaign Watch: NHGOP chairman Scott Maltzie filed an election-law complaint over a Warmington campaign attack ad that allegedly lacked required disclosures. State Courts & Ethics: New Hampshire’s Supreme Court ethics probe deepened after Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned, with newly released records describing an unusual $50,000 payout and raising questions about favoritism. Health Care Policy: A lawsuit challenges new Medicaid work requirements, with New Hampshire medical groups among the plaintiffs arguing the rule blocks coverage for people with serious health conditions. Homelessness & Local Governance: Worcester City Council is set to debate a camping ban proposal tied to a “Disrupting the Cycle” plan, drawing criticism that it would criminalize homelessness. Business & Jobs: Watsco agreed to acquire Concord-based Granite Group, expanding HVAC/plumbing distribution across the Northeast. Community & Culture: Laconia’s Pumpkin Festival announced Bank of New Hampshire as title sponsor, and Laconia Public Library is offering a lead-testing kit for older homes.

Right-to-know transparency: A new look at how NH communities handle public records requests highlights Hopkinton’s approach—residents want details on projects, emails, and finances, and officials say they’re “absolutely entitled” to information without extra friction. Public safety and rescues: A lower-leg injury led to a long Mount Monadnock carry-out, with Mountain Patrol Rangers and multiple local responders bringing a hiker down after an unsuccessful attempt to self-descend. Energy costs: Diesel prices are pushing home heating oil higher, with NH households expected to pay about 31% more this winter—an increase tied to the Iran war and prompting calls to shop around. Politics and money: Democrats privately warn they may be short on cash for the midterms as GOP spending surges, while NH remains in the mix for Senate attention. Tech and power demand: LightPath Technologies promoted a Hudson, N.H. leader to expand imaging systems R&D, while data-center interest keeps raising questions about electricity strain. Local planning: Concord residents weighed in on the city’s 2050 master plan, with housing and attracting young people topping the list.

Energy Costs & Consumer Protection: New Hampshire’s home heating oil bill is expected to jump more than usual this winter, with the average household projected to pay about 31% more (around $2,300), as diesel prices climb and Iran-related pressures ripple through New England; the state’s consumer protection and antitrust bureau also urged shoppers to compare propane providers as new heating-company pricing transparency laws roll out. Charitable Gaming: Poker Stars is coming to New Hampshire as charitable gaming grows, with the $60,000 Legends of Poker tournament at Lilac Club Casino benefiting Thriving Roots Childcare and the Seacoast Educational Endowment of Dover. Local Planning: Concord residents weighed in on the city’s 2050 master plan at an open house, with housing, transportation, parks, and support for the unhoused driving the discussion. Politics & Messaging: GOP Senate candidate Rick Scott told reporters in Concord that New Hampshire is the GOP’s best shot for a 2026 Senate pickup, while other coverage highlights how some NH Republicans are trying to keep Trump at arm’s length even as they court his base. Tech & Power Debate: A push for a moratorium on new data centers is framed as a way to protect New Hampshire’s energy grid and quality of life, amid concerns that “innovation hubs” could drive up electricity demand and costs. Health & Innovation: A Nashua student’s $1,800 brain-reading system aims to turn brain activity into speech without surgery, and a separate NH-focused segment features candidates in the 1st District answering voters on issues like housing and healthcare.

1st District race: In WMUR’s “Conversation with the Candidate,” Republican Anthony DiLorenzo and Democrat Stefany Shaheen traded views on immigration, housing costs, energy, Social Security, and childcare ahead of the November general election. Healthcare funding: Shaheen argued Medicare for All is the path to affordable care and said defense spending could be redirected to health. Supreme Court transparency: A report on NH Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald’s resignation raises questions about reduced public transparency after the Judicial Conduct Committee resolved the matter by stipulation. Election security fight: The NAACP sued to block the Trump administration from sending federal agents to polling places, alleging intimidation tied to the Voting Rights Act. Local courts & childcare: Dover’s Kid’s Culture is appealing a license revocation tied to withheld surveillance video from a 2025 investigation. Invasive species watch: Spotted lanternfly sightings continue after the first Salem detection, with the state urging reporting and monitoring. Tech & speech: Nashua student Ameya Kharade’s $1,800 brain-reading system aims to turn brain activity into speech without surgery.

Judicial Accountability in Concord: Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned after a Judicial Conduct Committee complaint, but the process is now less transparent because the case ended via stipulation rather than a public hearing. Election Security Fight: The NAACP sued to block the Trump administration from sending federal agents to polling places, arguing it violates the Voting Rights Act by intimidating voters. State Politics Watch: A new push to block a $2.8B Israel bomb sale is led by Democrats on foreign affairs committees, with NH Sen. Jeanne Shaheen withholding consent. Invasive Species Alert: A spotted lanternfly was captured in Salem and another was found in Derry; officials say there’s no evidence of an established population yet. Local Governance & Water: Alton leaders are exploring legal action over the Wentworth Pond drawdown tied to the Alton Power Dam, citing environmental and well-water concerns. Health Coverage: A lawsuit challenges a federal Medicaid rule that narrows protections for medically frail enrollees. Community & Culture: Dartmouth acquired a rare medieval Magna Carta manuscript, and Moultonborough’s library plans a live-music screening of “The Scarlet Letter” for Banned Books Week.

Election Security Fight: The NAACP sued ICE, DHS, DOJ and the FBI to stop federal agents from being deployed to November polling places, arguing it violates the Voting Rights Act by intimidating voters. Health Care Coverage: New Hampshire Medical Society and other groups joined a lawsuit challenging a federal Medicaid rule that narrows “medical frailty” protections and could strip coverage from people with serious conditions. Local Courts & Kids: A Dover daycare is appealing a state license revocation after officials said it failed to turn over requested surveillance video during a 2025 investigation. Environment & Water: Alton officials are exploring legal action over the Wentworth Pond/Alton Power Dam drawdown, citing environmental, economic and well-water concerns. Community & Culture: Dartmouth acquired a rare medieval Magna Carta manuscript; Moultonborough Library will screen the 1926 silent film “The Scarlet Letter” with live music. Housing Market: A Lakes Region housing report finds more inventory and fewer bidding frenzies, but prices and demand remain strong.

Medicaid & Social Security Clash: NH Democrats are pressing the case that former Gov. John Sununu’s record includes Medicare cuts and Social Security privatization efforts, arguing more reductions could be coming. State Politics & Ethics: Strafford County Commissioner Sean Leavitt quit his reelection bid after a residency probe; Robert Drew will replace him on the ballot. AI & Power Demands: NH Senate Republicans say they’ll pursue a moratorium on AI data centers, citing electricity, water, noise, and infrastructure strain as Bow and East Concord proposals draw fire. Consumer Relief: New Hampshire consumers are set to receive more than $786,000 from a multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance over loans customers couldn’t afford. Courts & Governance: New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned after a Judicial Conduct Committee investigation, with reporting highlighting aggressive efforts to limit the probe. Higher Ed & Campus Dialogue: Dartmouth’s Middle East and Jewish Studies departments are using a new “Difficult Conversations” course to help students navigate Israel-Gaza debates. Public Safety Tech: ICE is considering buying Boston Dynamics Spot robot dogs, drawing protests in Burlington.

Health Care Costs: The Trump administration says it will refund about $500 per person in Obamacare “overcharges” tied to federal exchange “user fees,” including New Hampshire residents among roughly 1 million people in 30 states. Consumer Protection: Attorneys general, including South Carolina’s Alan Wilson and New Hampshire’s Cori Mills/Griffin (per coverage), announced a $694 million multistate settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, with cash and debt relief plus new rules aimed at risky loan practices and dealer add-ons. Politics (NH): With the Sept. 9 primary certified, New Hampshire’s general-election matchups are set, including a key U.S. Senate contest between Rep. Chris Pappas and former Sen. John Sununu, and the state’s broader ballot is shaping up as Republicans try to keep Trump at arm’s length. Education & AI: In Manchester, educators pushed back on AI use in classrooms, saying it’s getting harder to detect and pushing schools toward more old-school assessments. Workplace Spotlight: Turner Group in Concord was named No. 17 on Business NH Magazine’s “Best Companies to Work For” list.

Surveillance & privacy: A New Hampshire privacy-rights push is gaining steam after a roundtable on Flock cameras, with state Rep. Michael Granger saying he’ll file a bill to ban Flock cameras and tighten highway surveillance rules. Governor’s race: Gov. Kelly Ayotte picked up endorsements from six law enforcement groups, including the state troopers association and police unions, as she leans on public-safety support. Consumer costs: Granite Staters are feeling the pinch from high diesel prices, with grocers warning higher fuel costs can flow into meat and dairy prices. Data center fight: Ayotte and allies are pressing for immediate action after new “micro” data center concerns, arguing water and power impacts are anything but small. Housing evidence: A new NH Housing report finds affordable housing development shows no measurable effect on nearby home values. Elections & money: A Trump-linked super PAC booked about $10 million in New Hampshire ads to help elect John E. Sununu. Health care politics: Trump announced $500 ACA “refunds” for nearly 1 million people in federal-exchange states, including New Hampshire. Predatory lending: NH AG John Formella joined a $694 million multistate settlement with Credit Acceptance over loans consumers couldn’t afford, including cash/debt relief and new consumer protections.

Data Center Fight: East Concord residents are pushing back on a proposed “micro data center” at 52 Locke Road, with a planning board public hearing set for Oct. 21 after neighbors warned the scale doesn’t change the impacts. Public Safety & Privacy: Portsmouth police say they won’t use fixed license plate reader cameras, and note a prior vehicle-mounted unit is inactive, amid broader concerns about surveillance. Healthcare Cost Pressure: New Hampshire ACA marketplace enrollment fell by about 4.8K after enhanced premium tax credits expired, leaving many paying far more for coverage. State Economy & Jobs: Gov. Kelly Ayotte welcomed Vicor’s planned expansion in Merrimack, adding advanced manufacturing capacity and more high-skill jobs. Housing & PFAS: A Chester housing plan hit a PFAS roadblock, forcing a rescheduled planning board hearing as environmental review documents catch up. Big Tech Accountability: NH is set to receive up to $224M from a Meta settlement over youth harms on Instagram/Facebook, pending court approval. Defense Tech: BAE Systems launched its compact Shadow EW electronic-warfare family, with software-defined functions built for smaller airborne platforms. Politics & Midterms: National coverage highlights Republicans struggling in deep-red Senate territory as midterm ads clash over rural healthcare and broader economic pressure.