AGP Executive Report

Veto Showdown in Concord: Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s veto pen is set for a fast, high-stakes override push on Aug. 19, with the House taking up 22 vetoed bills and the Senate nine—ranging from marijuana and student-related measures to farmers’ issues and a transportation plan fight. Housing & affordability in NH: A Lebanon project called “The Muse” is moving toward construction after years of delays, aiming to deliver 80 units of affordable apartments with income limits tied to the Grafton County area median. Local business & enforcement: A home contractor, Ricky Southers, was convicted of theft and Consumer Protection Act violations tied to more than $60,000 meant for a home improvement job. Food insecurity hits kids: A Feeding America study finds child food insecurity in New Hampshire rose to 38,430 children in 2026, with one in six kids facing hunger. Energy & infrastructure: NH’s road and highway construction pipeline is under the spotlight as state leaders discuss what’s next for projects across the Granite State. National economy pressure: A Financial Times poll says most U.S. voters feel worse off under Trump, citing inflation outpacing wages.

Affordable Housing: Lebanon’s long-stalled “The Muse” project is finally moving ahead, with plans for an 80-unit affordable complex (The Muse) after years of funding and site setbacks, aiming to serve households earning 30% to 80% of area median income. Clean Energy Tech: Engineers are testing stimulated geologic hydrogen—using high-voltage pulses to fracture iron-rich rock and generate hydrogen on demand—an approach that could reshape how clean hydrogen is produced. Local Business & Consumer Protection: New Hampshire AG officials say a home contractor, Ricky Southers, was convicted of theft and Consumer Protection Act violations tied to more than $60,000 meant for a home improvement job. Health Care Costs: Medicare Advantage is tightening again as insurers exit plans in multiple markets; KFF data flags New Hampshire among states where many seniors face terminated coverage. Politics & NH’s Role: The DNC approved a 2028 presidential primary calendar that keeps New Hampshire in the early mix (Feb. 8) but removes Iowa and shifts the lead-off to South Carolina (Jan. 22). Energy Prices Watch: GasBuddy reports show premium and diesel prices easing in parts of New Hampshire in the week ending Aug. 8, with county-level “lowest price” points tracked by drivers.

Democratic Presidential Calendar: The DNC approved a 2028 primary schedule that puts South Carolina first (Jan. 22), followed by Nevada (Feb. 1), New Hampshire (Feb. 8), New Mexico (Feb. 15), Michigan (Feb. 22) and Virginia (Feb. 29), shifting influence away from Iowa and reshaping early strategy around Black and Latino voters and union members. NH Consumer & Courts: A Manchester home contractor, Ricky Southers, was convicted of theft and Consumer Protection Act violations tied to more than $60,000 meant for a home improvement project, with injunction-related cases still pending. Food Security in NH: A Feeding America study finds child food insecurity in New Hampshire rose to 38,430 in 2026 (up from 36,160), with overall food insecurity at 11.2% of residents and an estimated $115.1 million needed to meet needs. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest premium gas in Rockingham County hit $4.20 for the week ending Aug. 8, while statewide premium averaged $5.04; diesel averaged $5.38 in Carroll County. Local Business/Industry: Americold is closing its Plainville frozen-food warehouse planned for Stop & Shop distribution, with the property set for sale.

Housing & Development: New Hampshire’s housing market keeps smashing records, with the July median price for single-family homes hitting $580,000 and inventory still tight at just under 3,000 listings. Manufactured Housing: A Utah-based developer is pitching a nearly 200-unit mobile home park in Kennebunk, with 192 manufactured homes and seven single-family houses—raising affordability and environmental/road-access questions. Public Health: The cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to recalled lettuce continues to widen, with the CDC citing 13,895 lab-confirmed cases across 47 states and new FDA/CDC work tied to Taylor Farms’ Mexico supply chain. Local Schools: Newfound Area teachers say their contracts were invalidated after a state review tied to tax-cap approval rules, leaving staffing uncertainty as the district scrambles. Community & Business Support: AmeriHealth hosted a back-to-school event in Manchester with backpacks, supplies, and haircut vouchers for kids. Energy & Infrastructure: New Hampshire’s high-speed internet buildout is effectively complete, reaching 99% access statewide. Politics & Money: A DNC move to build a Southern States Resource Hub signals how Democrats are preparing for the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.

Food Safety & Public Health: The FDA and CDC have begun onsite inspections and sampling at Taylor Farms’ Mexico facility as the cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to recalled iceberg lettuce keeps widening, with 13,895 lab-confirmed cases reported across 47 states and New Hampshire among the affected. Environmental Compliance: Old Dutch Mustard Co. agreed to a consent decree to implement a comprehensive water pollution compliance program after federal allegations it knowingly discharged acidic pollutants into a Souhegan River tributary near its Greenville facility. Energy & Infrastructure: Appledore Island’s Shoals Marine Laboratory is showcasing a renewable-energy microgrid off the grid, offering a practical look at what a greener power future could mean for New Hampshire. Housing & Cost of Living: New Hampshire home prices hit another record in July, with a median single-family price reported at $580,000, underscoring the ongoing shortage of starter homes. Business & Capital Access: The NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs is reminding eligible small businesses and nonprofits in Carroll, Coos, Rockingham and Strafford counties to apply by Aug. 24 for low-interest SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans tied to May 2025 weather-related losses. Crime & Fraud: A federal jury convicted a Georgia man of laundering more than $2.7 million stolen from seniors in online romance scams, including a Concord woman among victims. Workforce & Economy: Inflation in New England jumped to a 4.3% annual rate in spring, while other indicators like wages, unemployment and housing starts remain comparatively strong. Sports & Local Economy: DraftKings is promoting NFL preseason prediction-market signups with a $150 bonus after a $5 trade, reflecting how betting platforms keep pushing into mainstream consumer spending.

Solar & Housing Policy: A new New Hampshire law starting in 2027 will let homeowners and renters install plug-in “balcony” solar panels, but experts warn buyers to do their homework on safety and home fit. Food Safety & Public Health: The FDA says the cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce now hits 17 states, adding Maine and Massachusetts; New Hampshire is among the earlier additions. Local Business & Retail Expansion: Costco is seeking Newington approval for a Seacoast Landing store with a fuel station, tire center and 820 parking spaces, targeting a November 2027 opening. Corporate Dealmaking: C&S Wholesale Grocers plans to become majority owner of Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie, with a transition in leadership ahead of an early-2027 close. Real Estate & Development: Rochester’s Waterstone Properties broke ground on Cedar Landing at the Ridge, a $400 million mixed-use expansion; in Somersworth, BOD Holdings and Tidemark celebrated completion of The Overlook, a 135-unit apartment complex. Environment & Enforcement: Old Dutch Mustard reached an agreement to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations tied to pollution of the Souhegan River. Sports Business: Marcus & Millichap arranged the $3.9 million sale of 470 Pine St. in Manchester, a fully occupied 56,000 s/f multi-tenant building. PFAS Cleanup: 374Water and Arcadis received a DoD Success Memo for PFAS destruction services, supporting production pathways for AirSCWO. Workforce & Community: Service Credit Union and the Boys & Girls Club are distributing thousands of school-supply backpacks after the Pack a Pack drive.

Regional Water Governance: Meredith’s selectboard backed a shift of the Winnipesaukee River Basin wastewater program from NH DES to a regional wastewater authority run by member communities, after concerns about management and about $1 million in “wasteful spending.” Clean Water Enforcement: Old Dutch Mustard Co. agreed to a consent decree and will implement a real-time water pollution compliance program after its owner was sentenced for knowingly contaminating the Souhegan River, resolving a Clean Water Act civil case. Banking & Lending: MutualOne Bank hired Jeffrey Morse, a former Main Street Bank commercial lending leader, as senior vice president and chief lending officer. Health Policy & Politics: NH Democrats renewed attacks on U.S. Senate candidates John Sununu and Scott Brown over Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, arguing their records threaten care for seniors and the middle class. Housing Pressure: Granite State leaders demanded transparency from former Gov. Kelly Ayotte about her Blackstone investments amid worsening NH housing costs. Public Health Watch: A jalapeño-linked salmonella outbreak continues to drive recalls, including prepared foods at Whole Foods, with 345 reported illnesses across 27 states. Tech/Healthcare Research: Dartmouth is testing a generative-AI chatbot designed to act as a therapy companion, aiming to support clinical mental health treatment.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded its salmonella recall tied to jalapeños, pulling multiple salsa and prepared items sold at major retailers including Walmart, Target and Trader Joe’s across 26 states. Cybersecurity & Utilities: Salem, N.H., approved a $30,000 state grant to harden water-system cybersecurity after an audit and growing concern about attacks on community water infrastructure. Health Insurance Accountability: New Hampshire regulators fined Anthem Health Plans $520,000 over hundreds of violations tied to provider credentialing, directory accuracy and mental health parity—issues that can affect whether care is billed as in-network. Local Government Staffing: Derry is working to fill more than 20 job openings, including assistant fire chief and building inspector roles, as the town navigates retirements and vacancies. Legal Fight Over Citizenship: Civil rights groups asked a federal court to keep protections for birthright citizenship in place while challenging President Trump’s renewed executive order. State Politics & Infrastructure: Lawmakers are weighing whether to override Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s veto of a 10-year transportation plan, including a dispute over toll increases. Housing & Cost of Living: New Hampshire home prices hit another record high, with the median single-family price reported at $580,000 amid tight supply. Business & Education Oversight: Bipartisan state senators requested an independent performance audit of the University System of New Hampshire amid rising costs and falling enrollment. National Watch: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced she will step down at month’s end, leaving a key communications role ahead of the midterms.

UNH Cost-Cutting Scrutiny: A bipartisan Senate push asks for an independent performance audit of the University System of New Hampshire, targeting staffing and the proposed UNH consolidation as enrollment falls and costs rise. Electricity Rates Pressure: New Hampshire utilities are raising power bills after federal and regional grid changes, with critics warning a possible ISO New England separation could drive costs even higher. School Vouchers Backlash: A new look at NH’s Education Freedom Account program argues the state’s voucher pitch shifted from “targeted” help to a broader entitlement that drains property-tax dollars. Healthcare Staffing Concerns: Unionized nurses at Concord Hospital’s Franklin and Laconia campuses say patient safety is being strained by staffing ratios and uneven resources. Food Safety Fallout: A major jalapeño recall tied to Salmonella has expanded to hundreds sickened, hitting retailers including Trader Joe’s, Walmart, Target and more. White House Comms Shakeup: Karoline Leavitt is stepping down as press secretary at month’s end, with New Hampshire native politics-watchers already eyeing who could replace her. Commercial Real Estate: A Colliers report says NH’s office market is tightening slightly while industrial demand shows “measured resilience.”

School Finance Leadership: Mountain Views Supervisory District named Mary Henry its new director of finance and operations, bringing 30+ years of budgeting, compliance, grants, and HR experience to replace retiring Jim Fenn. Corporate & Jobs: Power Home Remodeling co-CEOs Asher Raphael and Corey Schiller landed on Glassdoor’s 2026 Best CEO list, ranking No. 14 based on employee reviews. AI & Trust: A new report shows “human-written” medical research service Research Gold used AI to generate content and even fabricated its listed PhD team, raising fresh alarms for buyers and regulators. Civil Rights & Policy: Civil rights groups asked a New Hampshire federal court to keep birthright-citizenship protections intact after Trump issued another executive order challenging them. Consumer/Travel: Delta and other airlines are adding new nonstop routes from Fort Myers and Punta Gorda, expanding options for New Hampshire travelers. Local Governance: Laconia city leaders and volunteers attended public records law training after councilors faced criticism over improper appointment communications. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded jalapeño-related salmonella recalls tied to a multi-state outbreak. Housing & Markets: New Hampshire home prices hit another record high near $580K as inventory stays tight. Elections to Watch: A Senate-control roundup flags New Hampshire as a competitive seat Democrats must defend.

Housing & Real Estate: New Hampshire home prices hit a new record, with the July median single-family price rising to $580,000, while the number of homes for sale climbed to the highest level since the pandemic—still not enough to cool prices. Consumer & Public Safety: BBB Scam Tracker data show scam reports remain widespread nationwide, with New Hampshire not singled out but the broader trend underscoring ongoing fraud risk. Food Safety & Retail: Taylor Farms and its related brands expanded a jalapeño recall tied to a multistate salmonella outbreak, pulling products sold at major retailers including Trader Joe’s, Walmart and Target. Healthcare Access: A new NH study finds childhood food insecurity rose for a third straight year, reaching 15.5% of children in 2024, adding pressure on families and the state’s food system. State Policy & Oversight: New Hampshire regulators approved York Hospital’s plan to join MaineHealth, clearing the way for integration expected to close Oct. 1. Business & Economy: UNH introduced Ryan Colton as its new athletic director, with a focus on fundraising and revenue strategy. Tech & Privacy: A report warns many states are drafting AI chatbot age-verification laws that could create compliance chaos without meaningfully protecting children.

Food Safety & Consumer Impact: Taylor Farms expanded its jalapeño-linked Salmonella recall into more prepared foods sold at major retailers, with FDA updates covering products distributed across 26 states including New Hampshire and a “Best If Used By” date through Aug. 16. Housing Affordability: New Hampshire home prices hit a record $580,000 median in July as supply stays tight, with realtors pointing to recent state zoning changes but warning more work is needed to cool costs. State Budget & Regulation: The NH Insurance Department reported $189.2 million in FY2026 General Fund revenue, plus millions recovered for consumers through its Consumer Services Unit. Workforce & Education Access: UNH’s College of Professional Studies launched new 90-credit, three-year applied bachelor’s options aimed at cutting tuition costs and getting students to careers faster. Public Health Policy Debate: Federal and state leaders are pushing AI as a rural healthcare fix, but rural residents and advocates question whether the tech will actually improve access and outcomes. Community & Local Business: Hampton Beach’s Children’s Festival returns Aug. 17–21 with free family events, supported by local sponsors and the chamber. Lottery & Small Business: A Gilmanton Corner Store sold a $1.35 million scratch-ticket winner, netting the store a $13,500 commission.

Food Safety & Recalls: Taylor Farms is recalling jalapeño-containing dips, salsas and guacamole after a Salmonella outbreak tied to Mexican-grown peppers sickened hundreds across 27 states, with products sold at major retailers including Target, Walmart, Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods in New Hampshire and neighboring states. Housing & Home Costs: New Hampshire home prices hit another record in July, with the median single-family home price rising to $580,000 as supply remains tight and affordability pressure continues. Local Infrastructure: Lebanon is seeking $15.3 million to expand its landfill “phase 3,” aiming to extend capacity by 19 years while the state reviews the proposal. Banking Leadership: Bangor Savings Bank named Yolanda “Lannie” Moffatt as its next president and CEO, continuing a planned succession at the Northern New England mutual. Public Policy & Elections: Sen. Jeanne Shaheen pressed the Trump administration over plans to deploy election monitors in New Hampshire, warning against partisan interference with election administration. Education Funding: The state Department of Education projects fewer students will qualify for free and reduced-price lunch next year as federal SNAP-related rules tighten enrollment.

Food Safety & Recalls: Taylor Farms is recalling multiple jalapeño-based prepared foods after Salmonella concerns tied to jalapeños from Coast Citrus Distributors in Mexico, with products sold at retailers including Hannaford, Walmart, Target, Kroger and others; the company says it’s not aware of illnesses linked to the new recall. Workforce Policy: The U.S. Department of Labor set 2026-2027 H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rates, with changes driven by updated wage data—an issue that can ripple into New Hampshire farm labor costs. Local Housing: Strafford County commissioners are exploring using county-owned land in Dover to partner on affordable housing, aiming to overcome barriers for working residents. NH Economy Watch: New Hampshire’s jobless rate rose for a third straight month, signaling continued labor-market pressure. Housing Market: New Hampshire home prices hit a record in July, bucking a national cooling trend as inventory improves but the market still isn’t balanced. Business & Tech: Insygna launched a free public “Agent Report Card” to help companies test AI agents and score security before granting access to systems. Legal/Investing: A Planet Fitness securities class action notice was filed in the District of New Hampshire after the company’s stock fell about 31%. Community & Business: Rochester Harvest Market returns with local vendors and farm demos, including Nerdy Turnip Farm, plus veterans vouchers. Education/Scholarships: The Muscular Dystrophy Association named 2026 college scholarship recipients, including a UNH student.

Food Safety: The FDA detailed Taylor Farms’ Cyclospora-linked lettuce recall as covering 236,192 cases of iceberg and shredded lettuce, with Walmart’s Marketside and major chains like Subway and Yum! Brands named among recipients. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Lebanon, N.H. is seeking DES approval to expand its landfill “phase 3,” a $15.3 million project that would extend the facility’s life by 19 years. State Policy & Permitting: New Hampshire State Parks denied a permit for the Ragnar Road Reach the Beach relay after unpaid bills from last year, putting the Sept. 18 event in doubt and threatening a late-summer tourism boost. Business & Finance: Baker Newman Noyes announced multiple senior promotions across its Manchester and Portsmouth offices, including leadership moves in tax and assurance. Energy & Regional Trade: Premier Tim Houston is set to attend the NEG-ECP meeting focused on New England–eastern Canada economic cooperation and resilience amid tariff pressures. Tech & Consumer Trends: A new survey finds more consumers are turning to AI tools for financial advice, challenging banks’ push for “personalized” guidance. Public Safety: A severe thunderstorm warning hit parts of New Hampshire, including Lebanon, with expectations of damaging winds and hail.

Food Safety & Recall Watch: A new FDA report adds detail to Taylor Farms’ July lettuce recall, naming “potential Cyclospora contamination” and listing specific brands and retailers affected, including Walmart’s Marketside and Subway, plus distributors like Sysco. Public Health: The Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has surged to 15 states, with more than 25,000 confirmed/probable cases reported nationwide and thousands still awaiting test results. Local Land Use & Costs: Lebanon is seeking $15.3 million to extend its landfill life by 19 years, aiming to secure NH DES approval and finish construction by mid-to-late 2028. Municipal Leadership: Canaan’s Selectboard is bringing Police Chief Ryan Porter into a two-year transition plan as he begins training to become town administrator. State Parks & Permitting: NH State Parks denied a permit for the Ragnar Road Reach the Beach relay after unpaid bills from last year, putting the Sept. 18 event in doubt. Energy & Policy: EPA gave NH a thumbs-up for ending the vehicle inspection mandate, a potential cost and compliance shift for drivers and businesses. Finance & Advice: A new survey finds many consumers are turning to AI for financial guidance, challenging banks’ “personalized advice” pitch. Politics: Trump’s endorsement of Portsmouth businessman Anthony DiLorenzo in NH’s 1st District GOP primary raises pressure on rivals ahead of the Sept. 8 vote.