AGP Executive Report

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.

UNH Leadership: David Hobbs, a former Hampton police chief, starts as University of New Hampshire police chief today, overseeing campus safety across Durham, Manchester and Concord. Cybersecurity & Water: A New Hampshire official warned Portsmouth about rising cyberattacks targeting public water systems, urging utilities to be ready to switch to manual operations; NHDES is offering grants and training. AI Governance in Business: Insygna, a Merrimack-based platform for managing AI agents, joined the Open Secure AI Alliance as a general member, pitching “agent accountability” controls for non-technical teams. Local Economy & Growth: Ani’s Bagel Café is set to open Oct. 11 in Wells, Maine, expanding from Exeter and creating 15+ jobs. Public Safety Infrastructure: Manchester’s Queen City Bridge reopened after a multi-day closure for structural inspection; a lane on the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Hudson remains closed after a cracked girder was found. Consumer Stress: New Hampshire credit card and auto loan delinquency is rising, with severe credit card delinquency near Great Recession-era levels. Elections & Outside Money: A wave of outside spending is flooding NH voters’ mailboxes and screens as the Senate race tightens. Storm Impacts: A nor’easter continued to batter the Northeast with flooding and outages, including in parts of New Hampshire.

Nor’easter Disrupts New England: A powerful nor’easter battered the Northeast for a second day, bringing coastal flooding and knocking out power to tens of thousands of homes across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and beyond, with officials warning more flooding could hit at late high tide. NH Infrastructure Watch: Manchester’s Queen City Bridge reopened after nearly four days of closure for structural inspection, while Hudson’s Veterans Memorial Bridge remains partly closed after a cracked girder was found. Gas Prices Roundup: Fuel costs stayed mixed across the Granite State: Sullivan County’s cheapest premium hit $5.09, Grafton County’s lowest regular was $4.09, and statewide averages for regular rose week over week. NH Politics & Business Tone: In the NH01 race, Anthony DiLorenzo leaned into a “working-class vs. political pedigree” message in a podcast interview, targeting Stefany Shaheen’s family ties. Solar Savings for Renters: New Hampshire’s plug-in solar law takes effect in January, aiming to cut electricity bills for homeowners and renters with lower upfront costs than rooftop systems. Tech Jobs Shift to AI: A new report highlights how fading coding-boom hiring is pushing computer science grads toward AI skills and smaller businesses that need help applying AI.

AI Jobs Shift: As the coding boom fades, New Hampshire-area computer science grads are pivoting toward AI skills, with smaller firms increasingly hiring for help applying AI rather than building it from scratch. Energy Costs: Plug-in solar power is now legal in New Hampshire, with a new law taking effect in January that could cut electricity bills by about $15-$50 a month using safer, UL-compliant equipment. Tourism Watch: Leaf-peeping season is expected to bring about 3% more visitors to New Hampshire, with forecasts of 3.9 million trips and $2 billion in spending, though Canadian demand remains a key risk amid trade tensions. Local Tech & Privacy: In Lowell, Massachusetts, the city council voted to indefinitely suspend Flock license-plate camera use while reviewing data practices—part of a broader pushback that NH regulators have already been tackling for years. Cybersecurity/Healthcare: Maryland joined a multistate $2.3 million settlement with Labcorp tied to a 2019 data breach affecting millions nationwide, including hundreds of thousands of patients. Storm Disruptions: A nor’easter battered the Northeast with flooding and power outages, canceling flights and events and keeping high winds and heavy rain in the forecast. Election Climate: National Republicans are pouring money into Senate races as Trump’s low approval and cost-of-living worries make GOP defense harder heading into midterms.

Senate map shifts: Democrats’ chances of flipping the U.S. Senate are rising as Trump’s unpopularity and voter frustration with the economy grow, with Cook Political Report calling control “a true coin flip” and listing races moving toward Democrats including Georgia, Iowa, Texas, Kansas and South Carolina. NH policy model: As backlash to license plate camera tech spreads, New Hampshire’s long-standing restrictions are being cited as a template for other states considering limits on automated license plate readers. Data centers & local control: A New Hampshire-focused debate continues over whether data center growth should face tighter, locally accountable rules given electricity and water strain and high community impact. Storm risk hits region: A powerful nor’easter brought flooding and power outages across the Northeast, with officials warning residents to stay away from inundated areas. Hawaii hurricane prep: Hurricane Nolo threatened life-threatening flooding and extreme surf as Hawaii braced for heavy rain and dangerous winds. Local business safety: Manchester police arrested a 20-year-old tied to white supremacist graffiti vandalism at a downtown coffee shop. Energy at the pump: GasBuddy reports show New Hampshire premium and diesel prices fluctuating in the week ending Sept. 19, with a low premium of $3.99 in Carroll County and diesel lows also reported by county. Workforce & education: Saint Anselm College is expanding its free-tuition program to students from Maine and Vermont, aiming to broaden access to private higher education.

Local Business & Safety: Manchester police arrested 20-year-old Tyler Inman of Allenstown for vandalizing The Moka Pot with swastikas and “White Power” graffiti, smashing windows in an incident that drew community support. NH Politics & Economy: In a Lakes Region stop, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas heard from Lakes Region business owners that rising costs and fewer Canadian visitors are squeezing sales, with one winery citing diesel prices, tariffs, and higher shipping costs. State Budget Watch: New Hampshire tax collections are running ahead of forecast in September, with the state already taking in $373 million by Sept. 24—an “September surprise” that could shape late-year spending debates. Workforce & Quality of Life: A new Remote index ranks New Hampshire 21st for work-life balance, with Maine leading the nation and the lowest scores concentrated in the South. Tech & Infrastructure: BAE Systems launched “Shadow EW” compact electronic warfare systems aimed at small aircraft and uncrewed platforms, positioning for faster, lower-cost integration. Community Development: Laconia’s council will hold a hearing on using InvestNH funds to rewrite zoning and map tools, alongside safety and fire grant requests. Public Health: A new synthetic opioid, cychlorphine, has been detected in 18 states, including New Hampshire, according to a Nashville forensic lab update.

State Taxes Watch: New Hampshire’s September collections are running ahead of forecast, with the state already pulling in $373 million by Sept. 24—30.8% above plan—fueling talk of a “September surprise” for 2026 budgets. Seacoast Storm Prep: A nor’easter is expected to bring rain and winds to the Seacoast weekend, with officials warning of minor coastal flooding and downed limbs. Lakes Region Business Pressure: U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas heard from Lakes Region owners that rising costs and fewer Canadian visitors are hurting sales, with one winery citing higher shipping and diesel prices plus tariffs. Affordable Housing Funding: North Lawrence apartments, Holcom housing, and a school redevelopment are among this year’s applicants for $700K in local Affordable Housing Trust Fund money. Public Safety Tech & Privacy: New Hampshire’s license plate reader rules are being cited as a model as other states move to restrict the cameras, while some lawmakers want tighter limits. Cybersecurity for Utilities: Experts urge water utilities to focus on basic cybersecurity as criminals increasingly buy access to industrial systems. Data Breach Settlements: Attorney General Ford announced a $2.3 million multistate Labcorp settlement tied to a patient data breach. Local Law Enforcement: Manchester police arrested a 20-year-old in connection with swastikas and “White Power” graffiti at a coffee shop. Banking Name Change: Merchants & Marine Bank will rebrand its subsidiary as TownBridge Bank effective Sept. 28, without changing ownership.

NH Business Growth & Jobs: Coffey Modica, a tech-forward defense litigation firm, marked its 5th anniversary and landed on the 2026 Inc. 5000 list for fastest-growing private companies. Housing & Cost Pressures: A NH housing webinar argues higher density is the best lever to make projects financially feasible as land, road, and build costs keep climbing. Energy Costs: A Manchester office-building column warns that asking only “what’s the rate?” misses bigger savings opportunities as Eversource delivery charges and regional winter gas pressures squeeze NOI. Life Sciences Talent: NH Life Sciences says the state’s life sciences boom is outpacing education pipelines, creating a “talent alignment” problem rather than a talent shortage. Government Tech: The NH Judicial Branch is moving contract management to Microsoft 365-native CLM 365, replacing a legacy SharePoint process. Consumer & Health: NH’s AG-linked generic-drug restitution push continues in other states, while class-action firms are probing data-breach claims tied to Health Access Network. Local Business & Community: Visit Manchester names Jessica Martin as its inaugural executive director, and Exeter Bowling Lanes celebrated 80 years as a community “living room.” Weather & Risk: Hurricane Nolo threatens Hawaii with potentially catastrophic flooding as storms churn across the region.

Gas Prices Watch: Rockingham County’s cheapest premium gas hit $4.49 at one station for the week ending Sept. 19, while premium averaged $5.31 statewide; Coos County’s lowest regular price was $4.09 and midgrade averaged $4.93, underscoring how quickly fuel costs swing. Politics & Business Climate: A new UNH Survey Center poll finds Trump’s approval at a record low in New Hampshire (32% approve), with majorities also disapproving of the Iran war—setting a tense backdrop for NH’s close federal races. NH Housing Crunch: New Hampshire Housing’s 2026 report says the median single-family home price is a record $575,000 and only 15% of households can afford it, linking housing shortages to workforce and economic growth. Ports & Maritime Leadership: Richard Hartley resigned as director of New Hampshire’s ports and harbors, leaving the Pease Development Authority to name an interim or permanent successor. Healthcare & Workforce: Tenovi, a Portsmouth-based connected health company, was named 2026 Company of the Year by the Connected Health & Safety Association. Public Safety: Police are seeking the operator of a Newport spa after a human trafficking investigation, with potential charges tied to prostitution. Tech & Privacy: A Maryland company pushing ALPR privacy reforms says cameras are deployed from Florida to New Hampshire, as regulators and communities press for clearer standards.

NH Higher Education: U.S. News ranked three New Hampshire universities among the nation’s best in its 2027 Best National Universities list, underscoring continued demand for measurable college outcomes. Gas Prices: Rockingham County hit its lowest regular gas price of $4.04 for the week ending Sept. 19, with the county average at $4.33 and the state average at $4.32. Consumer & Fraud: The SBA suspended more than 96,000 Illinois borrowers tied to suspected pandemic loan fraud, a reminder of how aggressive enforcement is reshaping repayment risk. Elections & Markets: New prediction-market odds suggest Democrats are strengthening their grip on Congress, while NH’s political conversation stays tightly linked to inflation and campaign spending. AI & Public Safety: Hampton police charged a man under NH’s deepfake law after an alleged AI deepfake harassment campaign. Local Business: Hampton Beach businesses reported a weaker summer driven by inflation, higher gas prices, and shorter stays. Tech Regulation: New Hampshire is pushing a moratorium on large AI data centers, aiming to protect electricity and water resources. Crypto ATMs: A new NH law adds protections for crypto ATM users starting Dec. 16, including transaction limits and refund rules. Food Safety: Wakefern recalled select Wholesome Pantry organic applesauce jars after elevated patulin levels were found.

Consumer & health policy: The EPA is taking public comment through Sept. 25 on proposals that would let New Hampshire leave the Northeast ozone air-pollution zone and drop its vehicle emissions inspection program—an outcome tied to both actions being finalized. Local business & infrastructure: Comcast/Xfinity says nearly 4,700 Milton and New Durham homes and businesses now have multi-gig, symmetrical internet, part of broader Strafford County network expansion. Legal risk for contractors: A Manchester-area contractor, Antonio Silva, faces multiple civil suits alleging unpaid work and other misconduct, including a judge’s $180,000 judgment for unfinished renovations and additional awards. Public safety & environment: Keene and Londonderry filed a class action over PFAS in firefighter turnout gear, seeking reimbursement for replacement costs. Economy & elections: A new poll says Trump’s approval in New Hampshire hit a new low, while a Cook Political Report update moved the U.S. Senate race to a “true toss up,” with New Hampshire still in play. Food & compliance: USDA recalled 167,639 pounds of beef, goat and pork products distributed nationwide due to false inspection marks.

Banking & Community: Camden National Bank shut down for the afternoon to let 560+ employees volunteer with 62 nonprofits across Maine and New Hampshire, a hands-on push aimed at local needs. Local Business Impact: Manchester’s Queen City Bridge remains closed indefinitely after a potential structural crack, raising fresh worries for nearby shops and foot traffic. Workforce & Growth: Kennebunk Savings promoted Nathan Cadorette to CFO and treasurer, expanding leadership over finance strategy and long-term planning. Retail Payments: Walmart is rolling out Tap to Pay in Iowa and Illinois starting Sept. 24, adding faster contactless checkout options (cards, phones, wearables, and some contactless EBT). NH Tax Policy: NH voters will decide this fall whether to cap local school district budget growth and SAU administration spending—creating a statewide path to cap property tax growth for the first time. Industry & Jobs: GKN Aerospace broke ground on a 57,000-square-foot expansion in North Charlestown, targeting about 30 new jobs. Food Safety: Wakefern recalled Wholesome Pantry organic unsweetened apple sauce after elevated patulin levels were found.

Aerospace & jobs: GKN Aerospace broke ground on a 57,000-square-foot expansion at its North Charlestown plant, adding a “new production cell” for high-performance vanes and blades and about 30 jobs as demand rises. Telecom modernization: A regional telecom provider asked the FCC to approve switching legacy phone systems to internet protocol networks in Maine and New Hampshire. Generic drug payouts (NH): New Hampshire’s attorney general urged residents to check eligibility for compensation tied to a multistate antitrust settlement over inflated generic drug prices; claims are time-limited and depend on whether you bought listed drugs between 2009 and 2019. Home heating costs: WMUR reporting says New Hampshire households could pay about 31% more for home-heating oil this winter, driven by higher diesel prices. PFAS firefighting gear lawsuit: Keene and Londonderry filed a class action over PFAS-containing turnout gear, seeking reimbursement for replacement costs. Local business: Belmont’s guitar maker builds and repairs custom instruments, highlighting small-manufacturing demand beyond big brands. Consumer culture: Dunkin and L.L.Bean launched a limited fall merch collaboration, plus a mobile “boot” tour and free coffee promos. Sports & travel: Waterville Valley pushed “family affordable skiing” with pass deals that include extra child passes.