AGP Executive Report

Public Health & Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a nationwide recall of more than half a million bags of Zapp’s and Dirty brand potato chips to its highest risk level over possible Salmonella contamination, with distribution reported in 34 states including Massachusetts but excluding New Hampshire. Local Courts & Public Safety: Portsmouth resident Daniel Jolly returned to a Maine courtroom for a bail review tied to the 1993 Kittery murder of Maxine Bitomski, with prosecutors presenting testimony and photos as a potential trial window is set later this summer. State Politics & Polling: Vermont Gov. Phil Scott’s approval slipped to a four-year low in a new UNH poll, a reminder that even in neighboring states, political momentum can shift quickly. NH Economy & Consumer Watch: AAA reports national gas prices easing for a fifth straight week, with Independence Day travel demand still expected to be high. Community & Philanthropy: Heaven’s Kitchen in Hampstead is racing to meet a $50,000 challenge grant deadline for its summer meal program, with every donation matched dollar-for-dollar through July 4. NH Business Pulse: Fourth of July fireworks sales are booming in New Hampshire, with shoppers spending heavily at local retailers ahead of the holiday.

Medicaid Costs: New Hampshire Democrats are blasting the July 1 start date for Medicaid premium hikes that could hit low- and moderate-income families with bills up to $300 a month, while the Ayotte administration says DHHS is still waiting on final federal guidance before any changes take effect. Student Data Privacy: Prospect Mountain School District in Alton/Barnstead earned a Trusted Learning Environment “Mini Seal” for classroom privacy practices, highlighting growing attention to how schools teach internet safety and protect student data. Northern Rail Trail Fight: The state is suing Andover landowner Leonard Caron after he blocked a mile of the Northern Rail Trail with concrete barriers, seeking an expedited order to reopen the route during the holiday season. Gaming Rebrand: Delaware North is unifying its casinos, digital gaming and loyalty under Ember Entertainment, including Ember Rewards and new sportsbook/social casino branding as it expands online. Seacoast Heat & Crowds: With extreme heat pushing more visitors toward New Hampshire beaches, officials are adding staff and warning about heat exhaustion and stroke, while some nearby Massachusetts beaches remain closed after sewage issues. Aviation Education: The Aviation Museum of N.H. is searching for a new school partner to host its student plane-building program for the 2027-28 school year.

Healthcare Accountability: Connecticut-based Bear Mountain Healthcare agreed to pay $2.75M to settle Massachusetts allegations of chronic understaffing at 11 nursing facilities, tied to neglect, resident harm and Medicaid false claims. Legal Fight Over Access: New Hampshire’s DOJ is suing Andover abutter Leonard Caron over concrete barriers blocking a one-mile stretch of the Northern Rail Trail, seeking an expedited order to reopen it. Manufacturing & Jobs: SIG SAUER launched a “Made in America” film highlighting its New Hampshire production and workforce investments as part of the America 250 spotlight. Housing Development: Joplin Habitat and partners celebrated construction of Agape Apartments, a $1.2M building set aside for veterans, scheduled to finish in October. Politics & Money: A report says Karoline Leavitt’s 2022 campaign still owes creditors $326K+ after excessive donations, with little cash on hand to repay. Local Business & Growth: Planners are advancing downtown storage-unit proposals in New Hampshire, while other filings target new golf-course living plans. Public Health & Safety: Heat and beach crowding are expected to rise in New Hampshire as Massachusetts beach closures follow a Merrimack River sewage spill. Tech & Media: Newspapers of New England joined a civil suit against OpenAI and Microsoft over alleged unauthorized use of copyrighted news content to train AI.

Supreme Court & Immigration: The U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s executive order trying to end birthright citizenship, backing the 14th Amendment’s guarantee for most people born in the U.S. Sports Policy: In a separate ruling, the court upheld state bans on transgender athletes in women’s and girls’ sports, allowing sex-based team rules under Equal Protection and Title IX. Utility M&A: Unitil completed its purchase of Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire and Abenaki Water Co. from the Aquarion Water Authority, adding about 11,000 customers across eight NH communities. Utility Finance: Eversource also closed its $2.4 billion sale of Aquarion Water Company, using proceeds to reduce debt as it refocuses on electric and natural gas. Consumer/Travel Pressure: A new report highlights how rising gas prices and limited transit options are pushing Americans toward riskier travel choices. Local Courts: A jury awarded a Saddleback Mountain Retreat abuse victim $16 million, while assigning the state 25% responsibility. NH Politics/Business Climate: A St. Anselm poll found Trump’s approval and views on the economy are sliding in New Hampshire, with Ayotte still polling as a bright spot for Republicans. Community & Events: The Opechee Garden Club’s July 11 biennial garden tour returns, and Rutland’s Whoopie Pie Festival is set for Sept. 12.

Utility M&A: Unitil says it closed its purchase of Aquarion Water Company of New Hampshire and Abenaki Water from the Aquarion Water Authority, adding about 11,000 customers across eight NH communities and positioning the company for long-term earnings growth. Utility M&A: Eversource, meanwhile, completed its $2.4 billion cash sale of Aquarion Water Company to the Aquarion Water Authority, using proceeds to pay down debt as it refocuses on “pipes and wires.” Energy costs: NH’s average residential electric supply prices are set to rise in August, but differences among providers are expected to stay relatively small in the near term. Weather/health: The Upper Valley is bracing for extreme heat through Friday, with heat index values up to 110 and warnings that some cooling options may be limited over the Fourth of July weekend. Tech/operations: A NH-area manufacturing case study argues that “spindle uptime” alone can mislead shop-floor decisions, pushing firms to track what actually drives profitable output. Policy/privacy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law barring the sale of children’s data under age 13, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Courts/nationwide: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship in a New Hampshire-linked case, rejecting Trump’s attempt to narrow who qualifies.

Cancer Survivorship in the Spotlight: New England’s growing population of cancer survivors is pushing major health systems to expand survivorship programs, aiming to help patients manage long-term physical effects, anxiety, and medical debt after treatment. Workforce Training Push: Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling visited Manchester Community College to highlight the new Workforce Pell Program for trade education, as New Hampshire’s apprenticeships continue to surge. Rural Development Dollars: Franklin Opera House is set to receive $197,215 from the Northern Border Regional Commission for Soldiers Memorial Hall upgrades, part of a broader $8.1M federal package supporting rural NH communities. Justice System Tech Upgrade: New Hampshire police can now receive real-time alerts when they encounter people out on bail, a step toward modernizing a historically paper-based process. Legal Fight Over Harbor Defense: Geno Marconi’s attorney is seeking an Executive Council hearing after alleging the AG’s office and Gov. Kelly Ayotte are blocking his legal defense in the Rye Harbor Lobster Pound lawsuit. Scam Industry Powered by U.S. Tech: A major investigation describes how scammers use American software and AI tools to scale romance and trafficking fraud across dozens of countries. Housing Affordability Pressure: Hassan and Pappas urged Trump to sign a bipartisan housing bill aimed at curbing institutional investors’ single-family buying practices. Court Case Risk for State Finances: A Saddleback Mountain Retreat abuse lawsuit could seek $100M+ from New Hampshire, raising stakes for the state’s settlement funds. Local Business & Community: Winnipesaukee Playhouse’s Paintings for a Purpose art show returns in July, blending local art, theater, and fundraising.

Local Housing Pipeline: Dover says 1,760 new housing units are approved or under construction, including 78 “attainable” apartments at McIntosh West that could start leasing soon. Food Security: Advantage Truck Group’s Haulin’ 4 Hunger expanded fresh meal deliveries to Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County and Families in Transition, dropping 1,040 breakfast bundles. Small Business & Banking: NBT Bank won two 2026 Coalition Greenwich awards for small-business satisfaction in relationship management and cash management. State Politics & Cost Pressure: NHDP and allies renewed attacks on Gov. Kelly Ayotte over rising housing and electricity costs, tying the criticism to broader affordability concerns. Workforce & Consumer Issues: A CloseUp segment with NH’s consumer advocate argues small modular nuclear reactors may not “pencil out” as a cheaper power option for ratepayers. Education & Planning: A Manchester-based entrepreneur is selling GateDrop energy gummies to retailers, with plans to move production to New Hampshire. Public Safety & Health: A New Hampshire nurse pleaded guilty in a VA case involving diverted psychiatric medications. LGBTQ+ Policy: 603 Equality says Ayotte vetoed a third “bathroom bill,” continuing a pattern of failed anti-trans measures.

Housing & Development: Dover approved or has under construction more than 1,760 new units, including 78 “attainable” apartments at McIntosh West that are set to begin leasing soon, as the city balances density with conservation. Local Business & Finance: Machias Savings Bank is expanding in Manchester with a new branch and a digital HELOC push, partnering with Vikar Technologies to streamline home equity lending. Workforce & Health Care: New Hampshire faces a projected shortage of about 1,300 nurses over the next four years, even as community colleges report record nursing graduate numbers. Retirement & Cost Pressures: A new analysis flags Social Security cuts starting in 2032, with New Hampshire among the hardest-hit states, while another report warns retirees in 41 states (including NH) may outlive savings without long-term care planning. Policy & Privacy: Privacy advocates are urging guardrails on police license plate reader use, citing risks of surveillance without clear limits. Community & Economy: Monadnock Food Co-op’s Farm Fund awarded $25,560 to two local farms to boost sustainable production and wholesale capacity.

Workforce & Health Care: New Hampshire is facing a projected shortage of about 1,300 nurses over the next four years, even as community colleges report record nursing graduate numbers—raising the question of whether hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes can retain new staff amid burnout and pay pressure. Local Economy & Labor: A new report points to softer summer hiring in New Hampshire, with Hampton Beach small businesses saying they’re struggling to find enough seasonal workers—right when tourism demand is supposed to peak. Real Estate & Conservation: A Concord land deal will expand protected habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly, with a $575,000 purchase approved by state leaders and supported by federal and private fundraising. Investing & Finance: Spinnaker Trust added Sam Lundquist as a portfolio manager, expanding its investment team and client support. Cannabis Policy: Royalton’s selectboard is weighing whether to put a retail cannabis question to voters, following Vermont’s municipal opt-in model. Community & Food Systems: The Monadnock Food Co-op Farm Fund awarded $25,560 to two local farms to boost production capacity and improve wholesale viability. Public Safety: A two-alarm house fire in Hinsdale caused major heat damage and killed pets; investigators say the cause appears electrical.

Child Care Crunch: A new analysis puts the cost of raising a child in the U.S. over $300,000, with daycare as the biggest driver—an issue that hits New Hampshire hard as workers struggle to earn enough to live locally. Local Conservation Deal: Concord approved a $575,000 land sale to expand habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly, with federal and state funding backing the purchase. Workforce Pressure on Tourism: A New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute report finds low summer hiring is squeezing Hampton Beach businesses, where owners say they’re short on seasonal workers. UNH Labor Talks: Unionized UNH graduate workers and tenure-track faculty brought contract demands to trustees, citing pay as the sticking point. Healthcare Oversight: New Hampshire’s attorney general tapped a retired judge to monitor North Country Healthcare after a review found fiduciary and communications failures. Business & Housing: Employers say the real problem isn’t just taxes—it’s that workers can’t afford to live here, tying workforce shortages to housing costs. NHL Draft (Local Angle): New Hampshire’s Ebuka Okorie made history in the NHL Draft, and the Penguins’ Day 2 picks included the Ruck twins.

NH Economy & Housing: New Hampshire’s housing squeeze is pushing more families toward multigenerational living as prices surge and inventory stays tight, with the median single-family sale price jumping from about $300,000 in 2019 to a record ~$575,000 by May 2026. Healthcare Oversight: NH Attorney General John Formella tapped retired judge David D. King as a governance consultant for North Country Healthcare after a review found fiduciary-duty breaches tied to Weeks Medical Center leadership. Campaign Finance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a law raising the cap on anonymous campaign donations, letting donors stay off candidate reports if they give $200 or less per election cycle. Small Business & Workforce: A new look at NH employers’ hiring struggles highlights a blunt problem: workers can’t take jobs if they can’t afford to live in the state. Banking & Mortgages: Bangor Savings Bank reported issuing $711M in home loans in 2025, rebounding sharply after a steep 2024 drop, while continuing to invest in affordable housing efforts. Public Safety Training: Laconia Fire Department is building a new container-based training center to simulate realistic scenarios for first responders. Energy Prices: Gas prices continue sliding as summer travel ramps up, with AAA reporting lower pump costs. AI & Politics: A national nonprofit launched “AI on the Ballot,” a candidate interview series running through the 2026 midterms.

Campaign Finance: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a bill raising the anonymous political donation cap in New Hampshire to $200 per election cycle, letting small donors stay off candidate reports. Housing & Affordability: With home prices still surging, more Granite State families are looking at multigenerational living as a practical way to stretch budgets. Local Business & Tourism: Hampton Beach’s 2026 season is ramping up with new shops, shows, and events, including fireworks and movie nights timed to the July 4 holiday and the nation’s 250th anniversary. Public Safety Training: Laconia Fire is building a new container-based training center to simulate realistic scenarios for first responders. Workforce & Education: A new report highlights that schools aren’t teaching key life skills, including basic money and measurement tasks. Retirement Security: A national study finds retirees are at risk of outliving savings in most states, with New Hampshire among those with a comparatively larger cushion. Energy & Industry: Liberty Utilities is working on plans to expand natural gas service in the Lakes Region. State Policy & Oversight: Lawmakers introduced legislation to protect federal experimental forests from closure without explicit congressional approval. Sports & Local Pride: Nashua-born Pistons rookie Ebuka Okorie says his NBA path can inspire Nigerians to chase big goals.

Local Business Boost: Rochester’s Jazz Festival is drawing international visitors, with East Avenue restaurants reporting stronger sales from travelers including Sweden and Canada. Press & Accountability: The New Hampshire Bulletin won 16 awards at the NH Press Association, including Journalist of the Year for investigative reporting on the state’s disability care system. Energy & Infrastructure: Energy officials kicked off a nuclear “roadmap” effort in Portsmouth, weighing small modular reactors amid high electricity prices and regulatory hurdles. Consumer Protection: New Hampshire is adding safeguards for crypto ATMs, including a $2,000 daily cap and a 48-hour cancellation/refund window after scam losses. Housing & Health Care: Dartmouth Health is launching a $10M “hospital at home” program for older adults, while Rochester is also seeing Habitat for Humanity homes funded by Service Credit Union’s Impact Foundation. Retirement Warning: A new CareScout study says seniors in 41 states (including NH) may outlive retirement savings, highlighting a projected $109K national gap. Ports & Legal Costs: Former ports director Geno Marconi is suing after the state declined to cover his legal fees in a lobster pound dispute. Trade Pressure: A Manchester coffee shop says tariff-related supply chain costs are still hitting even when specific coffee tariffs are exempt.

Housing Crunch Watch: NH home prices stayed near record highs in 2025-26, with the NH Fiscal Policy Institute estimating the state needs about 90,000 more units to meet demand; inventory remains tight at roughly 1.8 months in 2025, keeping prices elevated. Retirement Math: A new CareScout report says retirees are likely to outlive savings in 41 states, with the average 65-year-old facing a projected $109,000 shortfall—an issue tied to longer lives and rising costs. Commercial Real Estate: SPERRY Commercial Realty Associates closed the $2 million sale of Northwest Crossing (621 Amherst St.) in Nashua, a 2016-built multi-tenant retail property with brands including Arby’s and Sport Clips. Small Business & Trade: SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler visited Seacoast manufacturers, pitching federal help for small firms while acknowledging tariff pressure on companies with international commerce. Healthcare Fraud Crackdown: DOJ charged four people in New Hampshire tied to a $3 billion healthcare fraud and money-laundering operation involving Medicare claims and identity theft. Energy Policy: RGGI rebates continue to flow in NH as the regional carbon cap expands, with money aimed at flood resilience and energy-efficiency upgrades. Tech & Media: 35 regional newspaper publishers sued Microsoft and OpenAI over alleged scraping of paywalled content for AI training.

Energy & Cost Relief: Virginia’s planned RGGI entry could boost rebate pools, with New Hampshire already rebating RGGI money to consumers—aimed at easing electricity affordability as utilities pass through carbon costs. Health Care Fraud Crackdown: The District of New Hampshire and New England Strike Force charged alleged associates tied to a nearly $3 billion health care fraud money-laundering scheme, described as the biggest NH money-laundering case tied to health fraud. Cannabis Policy Fight: Massachusetts cannabis entrepreneurs and health experts launched a “Stop the Repeal” campaign to defeat a ballot measure that would roll back legalized recreational marijuana, arguing it’s funded by out-of-state interests. NH Politics & Ballot Access: Independent Senate candidate Aaron Day sued to get on the ballot and “sink” John Sununu, while GOP primary debate coverage kept Trump’s endorsement front and center. Statehouse Business/Regulation: New Hampshire lawmakers are pushing to override Ayotte’s veto of a bill that would let medical cannabis companies grow in greenhouses. Local Economy & Services: A $1 million Northeast dairy processing modernization grant is opening pre-applications, and Comfort Keepers promoted respite care options in Tilton. Public Safety/Community: Fish and Game fee increases were paused after stakeholder feedback and a governor-directed pullback.

Youth Detention Abuse Settlements: New Hampshire lawmakers agreed to add $20 million to settle claims from people abused at the state-run Youth Development Center, leaving about 1,700 unresolved cases and setting up hearings under new settlement fund administrator retired Judge Gerard Boyle. Public Defender System: A Massachusetts inspector general report calls the public defender system “broken” and urges tighter rules for determining indigency—an issue that could resonate in NH’s justice-policy debates. Housing Supply Push: At a New Hampshire real estate market event, free-market advocates and lawmakers argued for “starter” homes and fewer building barriers, pointing to HB 628 (“One State, One Code”) and third-party home inspection reforms. Affordable Housing Funding: The state Executive Council approved $5.1 million for 563 housing units across 12 municipalities, with most units targeted as affordable. Energy Policy: A Portsmouth conference is weighing next-generation nuclear options, including small modular reactors, as NH maps a longer-term energy direction. Retail Expansion: Whole Foods will open its fifth New Hampshire store in Salem on July 22. Politics & Ethics: Rep. Maggie Goodlander is pushing a bipartisan ban on federal officials’ stock trading and prediction-market bets, with penalties tied to profits. Immigration/Health Care: DOJ announced a healthcare fraud crackdown tied to massive Medicaid schemes, including charges involving defendants in New Hampshire. Local Food Security: Keene will host free weekly meal-kit pickups for children from July 10 through Aug. 7 via the NH Food Bank and Catholic Charities.