AGP Executive Report

NH Politics & Elections: Cook Political Report moved New Hampshire’s Senate race from toss-up to lean Democrat, with three Senate contests shifting toward Democrats four weeks out. Healthcare Policy: In the NH-01 debate, Democrat Stefany Shaheen doubled down on Medicare for All and rejected the idea that competition works in health care. Voter Focus: A new AARP New Hampshire–NH Institute of Politics poll finds voters 50-plus are highly motivated and nearly even in the Senate race, with affordability and health costs driving decisions. Election Integrity: The Trump administration blocked OSCE election monitoring for the midterms, adding to concerns about free-and-fair elections. Legal/AG Action: NH Attorney General McCuskey joined a coalition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let 9/11 victims access frozen Taliban funds to satisfy judgments. Energy & Infrastructure: NH announced a $1M program to expand a spotty EV charger network, targeting tourism locations with grants covering up to 80% of costs. Local Business & Economy: A Londonderry firefighter was recovering after a flashover during a home fire response; and in Portsmouth, Gilley’s burgers remain a century-old draw as NH’s food scene keeps rolling. Environment & Tourism: Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance says water clarity is declining and nutrient markers are rising, urging investment and partnerships to address runoff, septic, and salt. Sports/Local Economy: A New Hampshire charter catch of a 1,116-pound bluefin tuna set a state record.

AI in healthcare: New Hampshire cleared the way for an AI system to act as a licensed medical provider for mild acne, with built-in referrals to human dermatologists when cases fall outside the narrow scope. Water affordability: A new national study finds U.S. water bills rose 62% from 2015 to 2025—faster than inflation, groceries, and incomes—flagging steep increases in places including New Hampshire. Heating costs: With oil prices high, NH residents are bracing for another tough winter as heating assistance demand rises and the maximum aid amount still lags need. Local public safety: A Londonderry firefighter survived a flashover during a home fire, with officials pointing to improved protective gear after limited injuries. Politics & money: Reporting highlights how Republicans’ ad spending and super PAC cash may not be translating into wins as midterms approach, while separate coverage notes AI-generated political ads are spreading and often not disclosed. Workforce & benefits: Medicare planning sessions are set at the Claremont Senior Center to help residents navigate 2027 enrollment options. Business/brand: Plymouth Rock Assurance rolled out new “Keep Calm and Rock On” commercials featuring Owl and Bear.

AI & Power Infrastructure: Vicor’s AI-focused power systems are drawing fresh investor attention as its backlog climbs and management targets big 2026 revenue growth, raising the question of whether it can scale before rivals catch up. NH Housing & Cost Pressures: WalletHub data says New Hampshire mortgage rates jumped about a full point in mid-2026, worsening affordability as delinquency and new debt also rise. Property Taxes: In the Nov. 3 vote on a local property tax cap, John Sununu says he’ll vote yes, while Chris Pappas and Cinde Warmington won’t say how they’ll vote. SNAP & Food Security: SNAP benefits rise slightly with inflation adjustments, but new federal rules add work and documentation requirements that could squeeze New Hampshire’s food assistance system. NH Politics: A Rasmussen poll shows Democrat Chris Pappas leading Sununu by five points in the open Senate seat race. Energy Grid: Dartmouth and Eversource are moving ahead with dynamic line rating to boost transmission capacity without new lines, supported by federal funding. Workplace Safety: A 67-year-old construction worker died after a steamroller incident in Bedford; OSHA and police are investigating. Business Climate: NH closed its fiscal first quarter nearly $75 million ahead of projections, driven by strong September business tax collections. Deals & Moves: Leidos completed its security screening joint venture with Analogic, keeping a 41.5% stake. Health Policy: Trump’s ACA refund checks—$500 each—are rolling out to nearly 1 million enrollees, with a letter tied to the administration’s healthcare record.

NH Economy & Jobs: The U.S. added 29,000 jobs in September, but the report was still weak as unemployment ticked up to 4.2% and earnings lagged inflation. Workforce Inclusion: A new nTIDE report from UNH and Kessler Foundation found employment among Americans with disabilities hit an all-time high, with the employment-to-population ratio rising to 40.3%. Cost of Living: A new survey says 62% of households are cutting back on meat, seafood, or dairy as grocery prices rise. Local Business & Community: A Rockingham County solar project turned into a costly dispute after tree-clearing workers cut 30+ trees on the wrong property; the case settled for $100,000. Politics & NH Spotlight: Pete Buttigieg returned to New Hampshire to rally Democrats and warn the Senate race is competitive, while Sen. Raphael Warnock is set to campaign with Chris Pappas. Health & Caregiving: A New Hampshire story highlights how dementia caregiving is reshaping families’ lives, with tens of thousands of caregivers in the state. Media & Local Ties: Former NH press secretary Karoline Leavitt is joining Fox News as an on-air contributor starting Nov. 1.

NH Politics & Campaigns: Pete Buttigieg returned to New Hampshire to rally Democrats and warn voters the Senate race isn’t a lock, tying GOP messaging to rising costs. Statehouse & Housing: A new report and local polling are fueling attacks on John Sununu’s record as Granite Staters say home prices and everyday expenses are outpacing incomes. Upper Valley Education: Strawberry Blossom Montessori in New London opened last month with a personalized tuition model for ages 1–6, giving families a new option while aiming for equity. Infrastructure: Hudson closed a westbound lane on the Veterans Memorial Bridge after inspectors found a crack in a steel support girder; repairs are being planned with NH DOT. Public Health: An alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to a single seed lot has grown to 76 illnesses across 16 states, including New Hampshire. Legal/Climate: A U.S. Supreme Court case on whether local governments can sue oil companies over climate change spotlights contingency-fee law firms driving the litigation. Local Business Pulse: Deerfield Fair vendors reported strong crowds and busy sales over the weekend.

NH Politics & Cost of Living: A UNH-linked push and a new housing report are fueling criticism of John Sununu’s Senate bid, with opponents pointing to rising home prices and a UNH survey where 78% of residents say their cost of living increased in the past year. Campaign Trail: Pete Buttigieg is barnstorming New Hampshire and other states to boost Democrats in the final weeks before the Nov. 3 midterms. State Infrastructure: A crack found in a steel support girder has closed one westbound lane on the Veterans Memorial Bridge between Hudson and Nashua, with about $100,000 set aside for emergency repairs while engineers and DOT plan next steps. Public Safety & Courts: Three New Hampshire men pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally poaching bobcats and exporting pelts to Canada under the Lacey Act, with sentencing set for January. Healthcare & Consumer Costs: New ACA marketplace enrollment fell 4.9% in 2026 as premiums rose 19.7%, pushing more shoppers toward cheaper plan tiers. Higher Ed Independence: A group of former university leaders is urging respect for higher education’s independence, rejecting pressure tied to the Education Department’s “National Call to Action.” Gambling Oversight: As New Hampshire’s charitable gaming system faces calls for more oversight, watchdogs argue casinos can place charities on calendars without meaningful vetting or proof the money is used as intended.

Bridge Repair Disruption: A crack found in a steel support girder led Hudson to close one westbound lane on the Veterans Memorial Bridge between Hudson and Nashua while engineers and the state DOT plan repairs. Healthcare & Policy: Dartmouth Health faced fresh scrutiny after workforce cuts, with critics focusing on how the changes were communicated and handled. Election Watch (NH Senate): Polling suggests Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas still leads John Sununu in the competitive NH Senate race, even as Sununu gains momentum and the race remains a toss-up. Campaign & Voter Pressure: Pete Buttigieg drew a large Rochester crowd urging Democrats to turn out, framing New Hampshire as a close contest that can’t be taken for granted. Legal/Business Risk: A lawsuit could delay Hampton liquor store redevelopment projects after the liquor commission’s approvals and bidding process drew challenges. Healthcare Pricing: The AHA and NH Hospital Association filed an amicus brief backing Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in its fight against Eli Lilly’s 340B claims data policy, arguing it could raise burdens and threaten patient access to discounts. Insurance Costs: ACA marketplace plan selections fell 4.9% as premiums rose 19.7%, signaling tighter choices for shoppers heading into 2026. Local Economy & Community: A mock fire drill is planned at the Moultonborough transfer station to test emergency response, including battery fire scenarios.

Wealth & Cash Snapshot: SmartAsset analysis ranks New Hampshire among the wealthiest states by median household net worth ($412,600) and also places it high for liquid savings, with residents holding about $22,000 in median deposit balances. Housing Costs & Poverty Link: A Pew study finds housing expenses drive a large share of poverty in several states, including New Hampshire, where poverty is 16% higher than it would be with average housing costs. NH Gambling Oversight: As New Hampshire’s charitable gaming system grows, watchdogs and some lawmakers are pushing for more oversight of how casinos vet and track charity payouts. Wildlife Crime Case: Three men pleaded guilty in federal court in New Hampshire to poaching and exporting more than 40 bobcats for trade, violating state hunting laws and the federal Lacey Act. Healthcare Policy Fight: The New Hampshire Hospital Association and AHA filed an amicus brief backing Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in its challenge to Eli Lilly’s 340B claims data policy. Midterms in NH: Pete Buttigieg rallied Democrats in Rochester, framing New Hampshire as a competitive Senate battleground. Local Business/Community: MVSB named winners of its annual community photo contest for the 2027 calendar, highlighting the Lakes Region’s local talent.

Higher-Ed Affordability: The University System of New Hampshire launched The New Hampshire Promise, offering free tuition at eligible state colleges for NH residents from families earning up to $100,000, aiming to expand access for first-time students. Housing & Cost Pressures: Mortgage rates jumped to a three-year high, with the 30-year fixed rate rising to 7.28%, squeezing budgets even as home prices soften. Student Debt Watch: A new ranking highlights where federal student loan balances are heaviest by state, underscoring how repayment burdens vary widely across the country. Medicaid Shake-Up: Roughly 15,000 documented immigrants across New England are set to lose full Medicaid coverage in the latest federal purge, with NH among the affected states. NH Business & Industry: Casella says it will close its Bethlehem landfill subsidiary North Country Environmental Services a year early, raising questions about where waste will go next. Workplace Legal Battle: A federal judge kept a transgender discrimination case alive against NH manufacturer Turbocam, rejecting dismissal of the core Title VII claim. Energy Policy: New Hampshire and New England governors are aligning more closely on nuclear strategy, with officials saying no single state can pull it off alone.

Higher-education affordability: The University System of New Hampshire launched the New Hampshire Promise, offering free tuition for eligible incoming first-year students (and certain community-college transfers) starting fall 2027 at UNH Durham, UNH Manchester, UNH College of Professional Studies Online, Keene State, and Plymouth State—though families still pay for housing, meals, books and fees. Data-center power-cost fight: Sen. Jon Husted’s Ratepayer Protection Act to shield consumers from data-center electricity costs failed in the U.S. Senate, falling short of the 60-vote threshold despite House passage and support from several Democrats including New Hampshire’s Maggie Hassan. PFAS accountability: New Hampshire joined a broader push against DuPont and related entities over “forever chemical” contamination, as attorneys general seek to block asset-shuffling schemes and hold companies responsible for cleanup costs. Generic-drug price fixing: A coalition of state attorneys general, including New Hampshire’s AG in related coverage, asked courts to approve a $400 million settlement with Sandoz over alleged conspiracies to inflate generic drug prices and limit competition. Local business & tourism: Leaf-peeping season is already boosting White Mountains demand, with some towns seeing capacity spikes and lodging bookings picking up—while Canadian tourism to New Hampshire remains below past peaks. Campaign trail: Pete Buttigieg is set to campaign with New Hampshire Democrats, while John Sununu fielded voter questions on energy and housing costs ahead of the Senate race.

Energy Policy & Grid Costs: The U.S. Senate left Washington without resolving major issues, including a data-center electricity cost fight as Democrats blocked the Ratepayer Protection Act, arguing it wouldn’t force real relief for ratepayers. Nuclear in New England: Regional energy experts say New England is entering a “nuclear transition,” with small modular reactors, microreactors and fusion joining the mix as ISO New England forecasts rising electricity demand. Education & Tax Credits: Federal guidance is out for the new K-12 scholarship tax credit program launching Jan. 1, with most states expected to let families use funds for private school, homeschooling and tutoring. Whales & Fisheries: NOAA reports whale entanglements stayed slightly above average last year, including multiple cases off New Hampshire and Maine, as regulators and fishing groups continue to clash over protections. Tourism Watch: New Hampshire is forecasting a strong fall season—3.9 million visitors and $2 billion in spending—driven by foliage and local experiences. Online Casino: New Hampshire’s SB 104 advanced after a narrow Senate vote, moving toward Finance Committee review and potential scholarship funding tied to iGaming profits. Business Community: NH Business Review will recognize 15 leaders at its Oct. 8 Business Excellence Awards. Workforce Pressure: A call from the NH Veterans Home Residential Council urges higher wages for dietary and recreation staff to reach a living wage target.

Health Care & Consumer Relief: The Trump administration has started mailing $500 Affordable Care Act “refund” checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including New Hampshire, tied to claims of overcharged federal exchange user fees; recipients who used the federal marketplace and weren’t getting subsidies are the focus, with payments going out by check or direct deposit. Energy & Data Centers: The U.S. Senate failed to advance the Ratepayer Protection Act, a GOP-backed effort to keep households and small businesses from absorbing grid upgrade costs driven by large data centers—falling 3 votes short of the 60 needed, despite support from Sens. Maggie Hassan (NH) and others. NH Housing Policy: The New Hampshire Forum says a 3-day civic assembly produced broad agreement on housing fixes, including expanding water/sewer and transit, boosting manufactured homes, and other supply and sustainability steps—now the question is whether lawmakers can turn that consensus into legislation. Business & Tech Regulation: A new explainer takes aim at Flock license-plate cameras, arguing the devices do more than simple plate reads and raising privacy and surveillance concerns as states debate oversight. Workforce & Health Care Coverage: A federal judge rejected Turbocam’s religious-freedom defenses in a transgender employee insurance coverage lawsuit, sending key claims to a jury. Politics & Business Climate: The Business and Industry Association’s legislative rankings highlight shifting Concord politics, with Democrats voting more in line with BIA priorities on issues like childcare, housing, energy costs and taxation.

Politics & Campaign Finance: Democrats say President Trump is using $20M in Homeland Security funds to pay for TV ads that feature him ahead of the midterms, with the money routed through a Customs and Border Protection budget line for “commemorative events,” drawing criticism as “propaganda” and prompting bipartisan scrutiny. Data Privacy & Health Care: Michigan AG Nessel announced a $2.3M multistate settlement with Labcorp over the 2019 breach tied to its debt collector AMCA, which potentially exposed sensitive data tied to more than 27.5M people nationwide. Housing Affordability (NH): A New Hampshire Housing report finds a widening gap between what homes cost and what people earn, showing that in cities like Lebanon, Portsmouth, Nashua and Dover, the hourly wage needed for median rent far exceeds the statewide median wage. Poverty & Housing (Regional): Pew analysis links high housing costs to higher poverty rates, with New Hampshire among the states where poverty is notably elevated by above-average housing expenses. NH Business Growth: Onshore Technologies opened a new Salem, N.H. manufacturing facility to expand domestic production for space, aerospace, robotics, defense and other quality-critical industries. Clinical Research Expansion: FOMAT added its first North Carolina endocrinology-focused site, while also highlighting its existing footprint that includes New Hampshire. Gaming Policy (NH): New Hampshire’s online casino bill SB 104 advanced after a narrow Senate vote, moving to the Finance Committee.

Vehicle Policy Watch: EPA chief Lee Zeldin says the federal review to end New Hampshire’s vehicle inspection mandate is still on track, with the agency reviewing about 400 public comments and aiming to finish work by year-end. Energy & Competition: Attorney General William Tong co-led a coalition urging FERC to reject the NextEra-Dominion merger, arguing it would boost market power and raise costs for New England ratepayers; the deal would include Seabrook Station. Electric Grid Investment: Eversource and Dartmouth Engineering won a DOE SPARK award for the DREAM initiative, using grid-enhancing tech like dynamic line rating across about 4,000 miles to improve reliability and manage capacity. Community Power Accountability: A new report card on New Hampshire’s Community Power Coalition tracks performance across procurement, structure, and transparency, after early cost promises unraveled for many customers. Healthcare Access: Dartmouth Health announced a $20 million gift-backed at-home primary and palliative care program for rural New Hampshire and Vermont, plus a Family Caregiver Institute. Consumer Protection: Granite VNA launched a community-wide push to raise $2 million for Hospice House renovations and endowment support. Local Business & Growth: Chipotle is opening in Durham near UNH, adding to its rapid regional expansion. Legal/Health Risk: Keene and Londonderry are suing major chemical makers over PFAS exposure claims tied to firefighting turnout gear. Politics & Disclosures: Democrats are challenging NH-01 GOP nominee Anthony DiLorenzo over alleged gaps in personal financial disclosures.

Energy & Cost of Living: Republicans at the 2026 New Hampshire Energy Summit argued that expanding natural gas pipeline capacity is key to lowering regional utility bills, pointing to New England’s reliance on pricier LNG. Regulation & Environment: A vendor challenge to the EPA plan allowing New Hampshire to end mandatory vehicle inspections is headed to court, with filings disputing the state’s emissions modeling. Local Economy Planning: Hampshire’s new combined authority is beginning work on a regional economic growth plan focused on housing, skills, transport and investment, with a multi-year funding pipeline. Business & Finance: Bank of New Hampshire added Tate Miller as an AVP for commercial lending, emphasizing support for local businesses in the Lakes Region. Enforcement: Pike Industries agreed to a $100,000 settlement with New Hampshire over hazardous waste management violations at its Portsmouth facility. Public Services & Health: The state’s disability system is facing proposed reforms after a review committee’s recommendations following past reporting on abuse and neglect. Politics & Rhetoric: Portsmouth Rep. Ned Raynolds rejected calls to resign after a profanity-laced message to the House majority leader, framing it as an “invitation” rather than violence.

Energy & Politics: Republicans are leaning on “lower energy prices” messaging for November, arguing New Hampshire needs more natural gas pipeline capacity to reduce reliance on costly LNG imports, while Democrats tie rising fuel costs to the Iran conflict. Local Economy & Housing: New Hampshire Housing says the median home price is about $575,000 and rents about $2,011, with affordability still strained despite slower rent growth. Business & Finance: Bank of New Hampshire adds Tate Miller to its commercial lending team, while a multistate Labcorp data-breach settlement lands with new vendor-security requirements and payments. Regulation & Risk: Pike Industries faces a $100,000 fine over hazardous waste management violations in Portsmouth. Public Safety & Tech: Manchester police used more than two dozen surveillance cameras to arrest a suspect in a racist graffiti case. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy reports diesel at $5.59 in Rockingham County for the week ending Sept. 19. National Business Climate: Private equity and corporate landlords are increasingly blamed for housing costs in the midterm campaign. Tech & Privacy: Lawsuits are targeting businesses in New Hampshire and elsewhere over website tracking technologies, using wiretap-style statutes.