AGP Executive Report

JetBlue Exit Hits Manchester-Boston: JetBlue will end all service at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) on July 8, citing “underperforming routes” and broader “capacity crisis” pressures, with affected passengers facing rebooking or refunds. Education Funding Pressure: In Manchester and other districts, leaders are warning that enrollment declines plus budget caps are colliding with rising costs, leaving proposed 2027 budgets still short of what districts say they need. Childcare Tax Credit Moves Forward: The New Hampshire Senate approved a House-passed bill creating a tax credit for businesses that add licensed childcare seats—aimed at expanding capacity. Mental Health Coverage Stalls: A House vote sent a wraparound mental health insurance bill to interim study, a setback for Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s push. Data Center Fight Continues: A push to limit local regulation of data centers was tabled in the House, keeping the debate over who controls development—and the impacts on power and water—front and center.

Childcare Tax Credit Clears the NH Senate: New Hampshire lawmakers approved a House-passed bill creating a Child Day Care Creation Tax Credit, letting businesses claim a profits/enterprise tax credit for adding or expanding licensed childcare capacity by at least 12 seats—aimed at boosting supply as families struggle to find care. Local Governance & Legal Costs: A town council controversy is bubbling over claims that individual councilors contacted town attorneys on their own authority, driving up legal bills and raising questions about charter and state-law compliance. Housing Affordability Crunch: A new NAHB analysis finds 65% of U.S. households are priced out of newly built homes; in New Hampshire, 83.4% can’t afford a median-priced new home. Data Center Backlash Spreads: Across the U.S., efforts to slow or stop data centers are surging, with moratorium and ban activity nearly tenfold over the past year—fuelled by AI-driven power and cooling demands. NH School Budget Pressure: A look at NH districts shows enrollment declines colliding with rising costs and tight tax caps, leaving only one proposed Manchester budget under the 3% limit.

Mental Health Coverage Stalled: New Hampshire House lawmakers voted to send a wraparound mental health insurance bill to interim study, dealing a late-session blow to Gov. Kelly Ayotte and leaving insurers’ pushback to win another round. Data Center Fight Escalates: Across the U.S., local bans and moratoriums are multiplying fast—nearly tenfold in a year—fueling a growing pushback against the power-and-water demands of the data center boom; in NH, a bill aimed at limiting local regulation was tabled in the House, effectively sidelining it for the session. Local Health Spending Watch: Dover Medicaid claims for medicine services and procedures jumped to $1.56M in 2024 (+20%), while Nashua pathology and lab billing rose 11.1% to $802,802—small numbers that still show where care dollars are flowing. FDA Checks, No Action: FDA inspections in Merrimack and Hillsborough counties found companies in line with rules, with “no action indicated” results. Business & Community Notes: A faith-based climate justice group in Concord won a regional award for dozens of actions over the past year.

FDA Oversight: In Hillsborough County, only Hershey Creamery Company was inspected in April and got a “No Action Indicated” result—no operational changes required. Healthcare Spending Watch: Dover Medicaid billed $1.56M for medicine services in 2024 (+20%), while Nashua logged $802,802 for pathology and lab services (+11.1%), underscoring how local care demand shifts public dollars. AI + Power Debate: A new pushback against AI datacenters is framing the fight as an electricity-cost issue, with critics warning retail rate hikes could land on everyday customers. Higher Ed Demographics: Catholic colleges are preparing for the “demographic cliff,” trying to keep rural and shrinking applicant pools from turning into enrollment shortfalls. Public Safety Tech: NH officials warn emergency-services providers about a “service license update” email scam that tries to install remote access tools. Weather: Warmer air is building for the weekend, with many spots warming into the 70s and near 90-degree highs possible early next week.

Gun Policy Fight: New Hampshire Senate Republicans passed an amended HB 1793 on a party-line vote, guaranteeing university faculty the right to carry firearms in classrooms while kicking any arming of students to a summer study committee—despite pushback from university leadership and campus police chiefs. Mental Health Budget Battle: Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s push for SB 498 (wraparound intensive behavioral health for kids) hit a wall in the House, but the Senate later kept it alive by attaching it to an unrelated measure, setting up a conference committee fight. Energy & Data Centers: Ayotte is still pressing against making data centers easier to build, warning electricity costs could spike as New England’s capacity is limited. Public Safety Accountability: Berlin police released a 65-page internal review into the Marisol Fuentes murder, calling failures to follow up on a prior warning a “glaring failure” and leading to at least one firing. Local Business & Growth: Keene moved ahead on a $26M downtown project with bids coming in lower than expected, aiming to avoid raising the tax rate.

Minimum-Wage Loophole Blocked: A bill that would have let New Hampshire employers dodge the state’s two-hour minimum pay rule died in the Senate after a 12–9 vote, despite House approval—leaving workers protected under the existing law. Air Travel Shock: JetBlue is ending service at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport this summer, with the last flight set for July 8, citing a capacity crunch and underperforming routes. Health Care Fight: The House rejected a mental-health funding proposal for kids that critics called a backdoor insurer assessment, though the Senate is still moving its own version. Public Safety: One person died in a Marlborough crash involving a school bus; 13 students were evaluated and were reported safe. Local Business & Growth: Dover’s former Liberty Mutual campus is being redeveloped into a mixed-use “Village at River’s Edge,” with apartments under construction and new retail/medical space in the works. Opioid Money: New Hampshire is set to receive $27M from the opioid settlement.

Campus Guns Rewrite: New Hampshire’s Senate moved the campus-carry debate forward—but in a narrower form. The amended bill would let faculty carry firearms on public college campuses, while students would be limited to non-lethal options during a required study. The Senate passed it 14-8 on party lines, after House Republicans earlier pushed a broader student-carry version. Child Mental Health Insurance: In the House, a wraparound mental-health coverage bill for kids (FAST Forward) didn’t clear the chamber; lawmakers sent it to interim study, leaving families and taxpayers still waiting on how private insurers will share the cost. Public Safety Crackdown: U.S. Attorney Erin Creegan announced charges tied to a Mohawk reservation-based gun smuggling ring, accused of funneling dozens of guns into violent crimes across the border. Flood Memory, Risk Planning: A week of coverage marks 20 years since the Mother’s Day Flood, highlighting how NH has tried to reduce future storm damage since 2006. Business & Travel: Burlington will host the NESHCo healthcare communications conference May 27-29, bringing regional visitors and business to the area.

Motorcycle Week Buzz: Progressive Laconia Motorcycle Week is back for its 103rd year, June 13–21, with the Peter Makris Memorial Ride kicking things off and multiple themed rides running through the week. Burger Bragging Rights: Five Guys crowned its 2026 World Champion in a high-stakes crew competition, awarding a $100,000 tax-free prize. Gas Tax Fight: With gas prices still a political sore spot, the idea of suspending the federal gas tax is back in the spotlight—but it would require Congress and could disrupt highway funding. Mental Health Showdown: New Hampshire House lawmakers again punted a wraparound mental health bill to interim study, delaying Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s push. Local Government Dollars: Jay approved final trash collection funding and set 2026–27 sewer rates, while holding the line on sewer costs. Childcare Insurance Fix: The House advanced a self-insurance framework for childcare providers, aiming to lower liability costs. Digital Exploitation: Police say online child exploitation is spreading faster than they can keep up, as investigators continue major cases. Ticketing Competition: A New Hampshire-linked startup, The Ticketing Co., is positioning itself as an independent alternative in a crowded market after major industry antitrust fallout.

County Budget Pressure: Grafton County is proposing a $60.5 million FY27 budget, up 5%, with the biggest drivers being higher nursing home costs (more residents, staffing gaps, pricier overnight coverage) and a larger Department of Corrections population. Public Safety Hoax: Littleton police say there are no suspects yet in a Friday “swatting” hoax that triggered a major response after reports of shots on Main Street—police say there’s no threat to the public. Education Alarm: Researchers warn of a “learning recession” as NH students’ test scores lag further behind a decade ago, with reading still not bouncing back even as math improves. Health Policy Fight: A mental health and Medicaid debate is heating up, including pushback over work requirements and concerns that changes could put 31,000 NH seniors and disabled residents at risk. Environment & Farming: A neonicotinoid pesticide hearing is back in focus, with lawmakers and advocates pressing the Pesticide Control Board to act as lake-quality concerns mount. Higher Ed Labor: UNH graduate contract talks are now in their 18th month, with a “People’s State of the University” event spotlighting budget cuts and stalled negotiations.

Animal Shelters vs. State Law: New Hampshire Humane Society says a proposed House bill would force major changes—or an end—to municipal shelter contracts, calling it government overreach that shelters are preparing to resist. Politics & Power: Two court rulings are reshaping the House redistricting fight, leaving Democrats facing a steeper climb as Republicans gain breathing room. Housing Pressure: The market remains brutally tight, with inventory far below what’s needed for normal affordability—keeping many buyers priced out. Public Safety Push: The state is backing a statewide hands-only CPR training push ahead of National EMS Week, aiming to get 1,000 residents trained. Fraud & Retail Security: Federal prosecutors allege Apple gift cards funded a major warehouse fraud hub in N.H., and a separate Planet Fitness dispute is drawing national attention after a member claims she was banned after reporting a man in the women’s locker room. Local Business Moves: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust promoted multiple officers, and Apex Eyecare is expanding in Belmont.

Housing Crunch: New Hampshire’s supply problem is still the story—only about 2,000 homes are listed statewide, with the median single-family price around $560,000 in April, leaving buyers squeezed and prices unlikely to drop fast. Workplace & Compliance: The EEOC has sued Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast over claims of sex discrimination tied to a company trip that allegedly excluded male employees while giving women paid time and perks. Legal Fight Over Mobility: Twenty-five states backed New Hampshire in the fight over ending mandatory vehicle inspections, arguing the lawsuit is a “rent-seeking” attempt to overturn a state decision. Energy Costs Politics: President Trump is pushing a pause on the federal gas tax to blunt Iran-war fuel spikes, but it still needs Congress. Local Development: Lawrence, Kansas Riverfront talks are moving—commissioners approved a settlement that could give the city control of the Riverfront building in 2027. DEI Scrutiny: The EEOC case is a reminder that “good intentions” won’t protect programs if access looks unequal.

Gas Tax Showdown: President Trump says he’ll move to suspend the federal gasoline tax to blunt Iran-war driven pump pain, but Congress has to approve it—so the relief pitch is already running into GOP debt-and-deficit pushback. Iran War Costs: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told lawmakers the ceasefire with Iran is still holding while the price tag keeps climbing, with new scrutiny on the administration’s $1.5 trillion Pentagon request and missile-defense estimates. NH Vehicle Inspections Fight: Twenty-five states filed a brief backing New Hampshire in its legal battle over ending vehicle inspections, after a judge said an earlier lawsuit was filed too soon; NH drivers are not required to get inspected while the case plays out. Housing Momentum in NH: Greenville advanced a 28-unit housing plan with planning board approval and new infrastructure work underway. Local Business & Community: Gibson Sotheby’s bought a Portsmouth brokerage, while NH animal-shelter advocates are warning of major contract changes tied to a new bill. Energy & Research: Hubbard Brook’s experimental forest stays open after pushback over a federal Forest Service reorganization.

Gas Tax Showdown: President Trump says he’ll move to suspend the federal gasoline tax to blunt Iran-war-driven pump pain, but Congress has to sign off—so the pitch is already running into early Capitol Hill headwinds. Taiwan Arms Pressure: A bipartisan group of senators is urging Trump to formally advance a long-delayed $14B Taiwan weapons package ahead of his summit with China’s Xi, warning Taiwan support can’t become a bargaining chip. NH Antisemitism Watch: The ADL reports New Hampshire antisemitic incidents fell about 36% in 2025 from 2024, but they’re still about double the pre–Oct. 7 level. Workforce & Health Costs: A new survey finds GLP-1 weight-loss coverage is expensive—67% of employers cover it now, but fewer expect to keep doing so in 2027. Local Business Notes: Eastern Bank promoted Yongmei Chen to lead its Community Development Lending Group; Castle in the Clouds named a new director of buildings and grounds; and a Citizens Bank award went to Café S.O.U.L.

Health Care Pressure: Rural hospitals and clinics are still getting squeezed as federal Medicaid cuts land harder than the new Rural Health Transformation Fund can soften the blow. Workforce & Wages: A new look at New Hampshire’s economy says the state may look “strong” on unemployment, but fewer jobs were added in 2025 and job openings for every unemployed worker have fallen—while families feel wage strain. Policy Fight in Concord: Lawmakers are debating whether insurers must cover wraparound mental health services for children, with Gov. Kelly Ayotte calling a House delay “stalling.” Forest Research: Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest will stay open, while Bartlett’s closure plans are under USDA review. Tourism Watch: Research finds Canadians’ visits to U.S. metro areas are down sharply—hitting New Hampshire among other states. Local Business & Growth: A Portsmouth-based fee-only firm opened its first New England office, and FDA inspection activity in Hillsborough County jumped in Q1.

In the past 12 hours, New Hampshire-focused coverage centered on state policy and health-care administration. The New Hampshire Executive Council tabled a $1.2 million extension related to the Granite Steps for Quality childcare program, while also rejecting additional funding for the Pyramid Model Consortium—an exchange that followed pointed questioning by Councilor John Stephen about why a childcare workforce grant program was not funded. In parallel, hospitals sued Anthem over the insurer’s policy penalizing facilities for using out-of-network radiologists and other physicians, arguing the change is unlawful and will add financial stress to hospitals.

Political and business items also dominated the most recent reporting. Coverage included shifting expectations for the 2026 U.S. Senate balance of power, with prediction markets moving toward higher Republican odds, and a New Hampshire-related endorsement story in the U.S. Senate race: the Armenian National Committee of America endorsed Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH). On the business side, New Hampshire-based Planet Fitness reported a sharp stock slump after cutting its revenue outlook, and there was additional attention to federal and state funding mechanics—such as a study on how states manage volatile federal dollars and a separate report card on living donor protections for kidney transplants.

Several other developments in the last 12 hours touched on regulation and local economic planning. A bill would forbid New Hampshire towns from enacting regulations specific to data centers, while other coverage highlighted how Portsmouth residents are weighing higher electricity rates against the option to “opt up” to greener power through the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. There was also reporting on a major UNH project in Durham—The Edge—described as a mixed-use, research and residential community with a NOAA mapping center expected to be operational by November 2027.

Looking back over the prior days, the childcare funding and health-care themes show continuity: the Granite Steps for Quality contract and the broader childcare workforce debate have been recurring topics, and the Anthem out-of-network penalty dispute appears as part of a wider multi-state rollout. Data-center regulation also has clear momentum across the region, with earlier reporting noting Maine’s move toward a data center moratorium and New Hampshire lawmakers considering how much local control towns should have. However, the most recent 12-hour window contains comparatively less “hard” New Hampshire economic data than the older material—so the current picture is more about policy decisions and institutional disputes than about new statewide economic indicators.

In the past 12 hours, coverage in New Hampshire has been dominated by consumer and public-safety issues, alongside ongoing political fights over health care and local governance. One major alert involves a fake court scam circulating nationwide that has prompted some New Hampshire residents to show up at Hillsborough County Circuit Court after receiving realistic-looking texts and calls directing them to pay fines via a QR code or appear for a hearing. Separately, the state’s policy debate over children’s mental health coverage intensified after Gov. Kelly Ayotte accused Anthem of delay tactics; the House Commerce Committee voted to send SB 498 to study rather than advance it, and Ayotte called the decision “appalling,” while Anthem said it remains committed to access to behavioral health care.

Several other “watch and respond” items also appeared in the last day. Lawmakers advanced a bill aimed at licensing and regulating massage parlors to help law enforcement investigate suspected illicit activity, after officials said the lack of state regulation makes it harder to enter and verify licenses. There was also local infrastructure disruption coverage: Dover warned that overnight water service interruptions and pressure fluctuations are expected May 7 as crews replace a water main on Central Avenue. Meanwhile, the Executive Council approved $12 million in overtime funding for the Department of Corrections, citing a high worker vacancy rate and rising overtime costs.

Economic and workforce reporting added a different lens on the state’s near-term outlook. An analysis argued that NH’s economy remains relatively strong by traditional indicators (including low unemployment), but that workers are losing ground—with fewer jobs added in 2025, fewer job openings relative to unemployed people, and mixed sector performance. Another business-focused piece highlighted the role of immigrant labor in construction, noting immigrants’ record-high share of the construction workforce in 2024 and their concentration in key trades tied to home building.

Finally, the last 12 hours also included cultural, civic, and community-focused coverage that underscores how local issues are playing out in public life. Articles covered everything from antisemitism and Holocaust denial concerns in New Hampshire civic settings to community disputes and public-facing governance tensions (including a Concord councilor barred from participating in a city manager evaluation). Older material in the 3–7 day window reinforces continuity on several themes—especially housing affordability pressures, labor-market strain, and state-level policy debates—though the most concrete, time-sensitive developments are concentrated in the most recent 12 hours.