AGP Executive Report

Catholic Abuse Claims: Gov. Dan McKee signed bills creating a “revival window” so victims of childhood sexual abuse can pursue previously expired civil claims against institutions and supervisors, extending the statute of limitations to 35 years after a victim’s 18th birthday. Rural Health Funding: CMS approved New Hampshire’s GO-NORTH spending plan, unlocking about $205 million annually from the Rural Health Transformation Program through 2030 to speed rural care improvements. Water Woes: Severe drought is driving restrictions in parts of New Hampshire, including Exeter’s Level 4 limits, as the state’s dry conditions persist. Outdoor Economy: Leaders gathered for Granite Outdoor Industry Day, highlighting the $4.2 billion outdoor recreation sector and pushing for better coordination across tourism, retail, manufacturing, and guiding. Local Government & Land Use: A ribbon cutting celebrated improvements at Glenn Cove Wildlife Management Area in Greenland, expanding public access and research space tied to Great Bay stewardship. Politics & Schools: An ACLU-NH “Read-in” drew attention to SB 434, which would expand what schools can restrict for minors, as Gov. Kelly Ayotte faces pressure on a potential signature. Courts: The New Hampshire Supreme Court overturned Adam Montgomery’s murder conviction in the death of his daughter, while keeping other felony convictions in place.

Maine politics with NH stakes: Former U.S. Sen. John E. Sununu filed to run again for U.S. Senate and attacked Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas while also weighing in on Maine’s Graham Platner, setting up a high-profile contrast fight that could spill into New Hampshire’s political conversation. Child well-being spotlight: New Hampshire topped the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 Kids Count Data Book for the fourth straight year, scoring highest overall as the report tracks economic, education, health, and family/community indicators. Public safety and health tech: U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan says Spotify removed tens of thousands of phony opioid-promoting podcasts after her investigation, raising fresh questions about how fast platforms act and whether they alert law enforcement. Local community support: Franklin Savings Bank donated $1,000 to CASA of New Hampshire to help recruit and train volunteer advocates for children in abuse or neglect cases. Campaign trail next gen: UNH Class of 2026 graduate Matthew Brooks filed to run as a Republican for NH House District 9, pitching a younger voice for Sandown voters. Weekend in NH: Portsmouth’s Market Square Day and 10K race returns Saturday, with downtown vendor booths and a full music lineup.

Maine Politics: Graham Platner cruised to the Democratic Senate nomination in Maine, but Democrats are still weighing how his controversies could affect the general election. NH Housing: New Hampshire’s single-family median home price is inching toward $600,000, with May’s record at $579,900 and buyers increasingly priced out. Energy Policy: Nuclear power is still driving Concord’s legislative fight, with multiple bills now headed to Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s desk as lawmakers try to find workable compromises. Local Schools: Pittsfield won’t hire a new superintendent; instead it will pay Concord $260,000 for administrative services, a rare model that could spread as budgets tighten. Public Safety & Courts: A class-action lawsuit challenges Westchester County’s massive license-plate surveillance network as unconstitutional. Business & Jobs: Gov. Ayotte celebrated Analogic’s move to Salem, bringing 500 jobs to New Hampshire. Youth Mental Health: A new report ranks NH high on child well-being but worst for youth depression, with 22% of teens reporting a major depressive episode. Copyright: ASCAP sued four radio groups, alleging they kept playing music after licenses were terminated for nonpayment. Immigration & World Cup: Northeast advocates issued a travel advisory warning World Cup visitors about ICE presence and device screening concerns.

Child Well-Being: New Hampshire again tops the KIDS COUNT rankings, scoring 838/1,000 as child well-being declines in many states since 2019. Maine Politics: Graham Platner won Maine’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary and will face Sen. Susan Collins in November, setting up a high-stakes race amid controversy. Local Courts: A Gilford couple sued Gilford police and the town in federal court, alleging constitutional rights violations during an underage drinking investigation that led to arrests later dropped. Housing & Planning: Lawrence city commissioners deferred a decision on selling a downtown parking lot for senior affordable housing, citing unanswered questions about the deal. Seafood & Research: The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is joining a new NOAA-funded aquaculture consortium to strengthen the U.S. seafood supply. Banking Watch: NH community banks are bracing for lending uncertainty as interest rates swing faster than in decades. Business Growth: Analogic opened a new global headquarters in Salem, bringing about 500 jobs.

Maine Politics: National attention stays on embattled Democrat Senate nominee Graham Platner, with analysts saying how big his win is in Tuesday’s primary could shape whether party leaders try to replace him before the general election. Statehouse Power: The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee released a redistricting target list that includes New Hampshire, arguing control of state legislatures now matters for future map fights. Nonprofits & Community: Gov. Kelly Ayotte kicked off New Hampshire Gives, urging residents to support local nonprofits as the campaign runs for 24 hours and has raised about $22 million over the past decade. Energy & Permitting: A look at New Hampshire solar rules highlights how stormwater and “impervious cover” treatment can add unexpected costs for businesses, even when panel runoff is presumed to meet standards. Public Safety: Federal prosecutors indicted 26 alleged Trinitarios gang members tied to five murders and 19 attempted murders, including alleged links to trafficking involving New Hampshire and Maine. Child Welfare: A new report keeps New Hampshire near the top on child well-being, but critics point to serious abuse allegations at the Sununu Youth Services Center.

Maine Politics: Maine Democrats head to the polls Tuesday in a high-stakes Senate primary that could shape control of the U.S. House, with four left-leaning candidates chasing Rep. Jared Golden’s seat and facing a tough general-election path in a district rated “Likely R.” NH Politics & Elections: U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas filed for New Hampshire’s open Senate seat, dodging direct questions about whether he’ll campaign with Maine candidate Graham Platner amid fitness-to-serve concerns. Presidential Buzz in NH: Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel is drawing attention with a rural New Hampshire bike tour and town halls, fueling speculation about a 2028 White House run. Health & Daily Life: Concord is ranked the 4th worst U.S. city for allergies, with pollen levels staying above 10+ for days. Community & Giving: NH Gives begins Tuesday, with a record number of nonprofits registered and local groups hoping to close funding gaps. Local Business & Tourism: Lakes Region leaders met with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen to discuss gas prices and a summer tourism rebound. Public Safety/Local: A Plymouth State student was found shot in Thornton, and NH first responders are getting support for training and retiree mental health retreats.

NH Politics & Elections: Rahm Emanuel wrapped up a 113-mile bike tour across New Hampshire with town halls, keeping 2028 presidential speculation in the spotlight. Voting Rules: The NH Secretary of State clarified that a federal court ruling on HB 1569 restores affidavits only for proof of citizenship, while other parts of the law still affect eligibility verification. Child Well-Being & Schools: New Hampshire again topped national child well-being rankings, but education scores remain a weak spot, with reading and math proficiency concerns highlighted in recent reporting. Child Care Costs: A new NH Fiscal Policy Institute analysis says child care prices kept rising in 2025 as the number of licensed providers shrank, pushing costs toward about $30,000 a year for infant and 4-year-old center care. Outdoor Economy: A Granite Outdoor Alliance report argues NH’s outdoor economy is strong, but coordination across industry, workforce, and policy needs to catch up. Community Giving: Gov. Kelly Ayotte kicked off NH Gives, a 24-hour statewide fundraising push starting June 9, with hundreds of nonprofits participating. Business & Jobs: Town Fair Tire announced a new St. Albans, Vt. store opening this summer, part of broader regional retail expansion.

State Politics: NH House Speaker Sherman Packard highlighted the session’s local tax cap vote as lawmakers wrap up, while Rahm Emanuel pushed education reform and blamed both parties for the decline. NH Elections: A fresh face is set to file for NH House District 9—UNH Class of 2026 graduate Matthew Brooks—aiming to bring a younger voice to Concord-area politics. Governor Race Noise: The Cinde Warmington campaign keeps getting hit with “opioid lobbyist” attacks, and the back-and-forth shows no sign of cooling. Environment & Wildlife: UNH researchers are testing whether changes in forest logging could help moose survive the winter tick onslaught that’s been tied to long-term declines. Tech & Public Opinion: A Granite State Poll finds NH residents increasingly use AI at work, even as pessimism about AI’s overall impact remains high. Immigration Enforcement: Weare and Hillsboro police departments joined ICE 287(g) task force contracts, expanding local involvement in immigration arrests and detentions. Business & Economy: Gas prices are still pinching household budgets in New Hampshire, with analysts warning it could also squeeze state revenue. Weather: A pleasant start to the week is underway, with storm chances returning later.

Immigration Enforcement: Weare and Hillsboro police departments in New Hampshire have joined ICE’s 287(g) “task force” contracts, letting local officers arrest and interrogate people for immigration violations while receiving federal funding. State Politics: Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas is laying out his case for a Senate run, pitching checks-and-balances and a fairer economy as he seeks the nomination to succeed Jeanne Shaheen. Campaign Trail: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is campaigning in Iowa with Democrat Rob Sand as 2028 chatter grows, underscoring his expanding national role. Cost of Living: Gas prices are rising again, with New Hampshire’s average regular unleaded price cited at about $4.485 per gallon, adding pressure to already-stretched household budgets. Public Safety & Health: A salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chicken flocks has spread across many states, with New Hampshire among those reporting cases. Local Business/Community: Granite State Market Match is back, doubling SNAP/EBT value at participating NH farmers markets and offering 50% off at select farm stands and CSAs.

Local Food Gap: A new push aims to help close New Hampshire’s local food shortfall, where only 4.6% of spending goes to in-state vegetables and agriculture lags behind neighbors—Seacoast Eat Local points to weaker processing and distribution infrastructure. Childcare Access: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 608, letting retired grandparents access the NH Child Care Scholarship Program by removing a work requirement for kinship caregivers at federal retirement age. AI Backlash at the Polls: A Granite State Poll finds nearly two-thirds of Granite Staters expect AI to hurt the U.S. over the next decade, even as some residents are already using it. Data Center Fight in Nottingham: After a proposal sparked a 25,000-signature petition, Nottingham’s planning board is holding a special meeting to hash out next steps as residents raise concerns about water, noise, and power costs. N.H. Ski Season: Ski NH reports 2.28 million skier and snowboard visits in 2025/26, the fourth-best season in 20 years, with tubing also near record levels. Public Health Watch: A CDC-linked salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chicken flocks has reached multiple states including New Hampshire. Nonprofit Watchdog: The New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism is recruiting for leadership and development roles to expand statewide coverage.

Statehouse Wrap: New Hampshire lawmakers finished the last full voting session of the term, pushing through key compromise bills after a flurry of final votes. Gov. Ayotte Signs: Ayotte signed SB 608, letting retired grandparents access the NH Child Care Scholarship Program by removing the work requirement for eligible kinship caregivers. AI Mood Check: A new Granite State Poll finds nearly two-thirds of Granite Staters expect AI to hurt the U.S. economy and society, even as some residents already use it. Local Data Center Fight: In Nottingham, backlash to a proposed data center is still driving public scrutiny, with a special planning board meeting set to revisit the issue. Weather: Strong storms are expected Saturday afternoon into the evening, with scattered showers and possible severe thunder. Food Access: Granite State Market Match is back, doubling SNAP/EBT value at participating farmers markets and offering 50% off at farm stands and CSAs. Social Security Warning: A new report says benefits could be cut by about $500 a month by 2032, with NH among the states most affected.

Maine Senate Drama: Democrats are bracing for fallout from fresh reporting on U.S. Senate candidate Graham Platner, with new allegations adding to earlier controversies and raising fears about party unity ahead of the must-win race against Susan Collins. Social Security Crunch: A new analysis warns Social Security retirement checks could drop about $500 a month on average by 2032 if Congress doesn’t act, with New Hampshire listed among states facing larger impacts. NH Politics: Gov. Kelly Ayotte filed for reelection, but her staff shut down questions from reporters at the filing event, fueling scrutiny over how she’ll handle Trump-era politics. Local Safety: A small plane crashed in southern New Hampshire near Jaffrey Airfield; the pilot was the only person aboard. Community & Culture: Laconia Public Library announced June programs, including a loon presentation and an art exhibit. Rights & Speech: A local gym t-shirt controversy is sparking debate over whether “politics-free” rules can be enforced without a clear, consistent policy.

Maine Politics: Democrats are bracing for a rough June 9 primary as U.S. Senate nominee Graham Platner’s campaign absorbs fresh allegations about his past relationships, adding to earlier reports about sexting and a Nazi-like tattoo—an issue Democrats fear could hurt their bid to unseat Sen. Susan Collins. N.H. Elections: Gov. Kelly Ayotte filed for reelection and immediately attacked opponent Cinde Warmington as an “opioid lobbyist” and a threat to New Hampshire’s freedom and taxes, while Warmington says Ayotte’s approval ratings are historically low. Education & Voting: New Hampshire lawmakers wrapped up major session votes, including a deal that would expand open enrollment but still faces opposition and uncertainty, while an NH voting law was struck down by a federal judge as an unnecessary burden on voter registration. Cost of Living: A new analysis warns Social Security could trigger automatic benefit cuts by 2032, averaging about $500 a month, and a separate map shows New Hampshire electricity prices rising sharply year over year. Health & Safety: Nebraska’s early experience with stricter Medicaid work rules shows enrollment dropping to zero, raising concerns other states could see similar coverage losses. Local Notes: Unitil awarded STEM scholarships to six students across New England, including a Concord student.

AI & Jobs: Microsoft says 33.4% of working-age Massachusetts residents use generative AI tools, with Hampshire County (home to the Five College Consortium) leading at 45.1%, tied to local professional, technical, and young adult workforces. NH Politics: Gov. Kelly Ayotte filed for reelection, framing the race as keeping New Hampshire from “becoming Massachusetts,” while Democrats counter with Cinde Warmington’s bid focused on housing, taxes, and electricity costs. Statehouse Tax Relief: The House and Senate passed changes to New Hampshire’s Business Enterprise Tax—raising the filing threshold to $400,000 and boosting nursing home Medicaid provider rates—while a proposed automatic rate-cut trigger was rejected. Gun & Education Clash: Ayotte’s allies and opponents sparred over conservative gun and school proposals; both measures were defeated in the Legislature without a veto. Wildlife & Forests: New Hampshire is moving ahead with a study on whether forest logging practices could change moose exposure to winter ticks, as researchers link the parasite surge to long-term moose declines. Social Security Warning: A new analysis warns Social Security could trigger an automatic cut in 2032, averaging about $500 less per month for many retirees nationwide. Weather: After a warm stretch, New Hampshire is watching for stronger storms Saturday.

World Cup Travel Advisory: New England immigrant advocacy groups issued a warning for 2026 FIFA World Cup visitors, citing risks like detention or deportation, device and social media checks at ports of entry, and possible racial profiling. Social Security Crunch: A new analysis says Social Security could trigger an automatic 24% benefit cut in 2032, averaging about $500 a month nationwide—New Hampshire projected around $553. NH Politics/Justice Funding: Senate Republicans and Democrats sparred over the “anti-weaponization” slush fund; an effort to fully block it failed 50-49, with key GOP senators crossing lines before the fight continues. Local Governance/Data Centers: Nottingham residents packed a planning board meeting opposing data centers; the board is moving toward a temporary moratorium while drafting longer zoning changes. Public Safety—Beach “Takeover” Prep: Hull police increased staffing ahead of a possible Nantasket Beach teen gathering, promising zero tolerance for alcohol, disorderly conduct, and parking violations. NH Crime: Police arrested a Portsmouth man in connection with a 1993 Maine grandmother murder, using new DNA testing. Community & Culture: Concord-area celebrations included Keach Park lights finally turning on after a decade of advocacy, plus a busy slate of library and theater events.

Gun bill showdown: New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella urged lawmakers to kill a sweeping GOP firearms bill that would strip local governments of independent gun regulation, warning of “dire implications” for public safety and gun owners’ rights. Wildlife & forests: Researchers are moving ahead on a study asking whether changes in how New Hampshire forests are logged could reduce the winter tick load that’s weakening moose and driving long-term declines. Local business: Benny’s Fresh Eats and Market opened June 1 at the Weirs traffic circle, offering deli-style subs and sandwiches plus delivery—including alcohol and tobacco. State politics: Scott Brown formally filed for the U.S. Senate race, pitching himself as a “scrapper” and “independent” alternative to GOP frontrunner John Sununu. Federal courts & press: A lawsuit challenges Pentagon actions targeting Stars and Stripes, arguing they violate First Amendment protections. Health policy: A new analysis warns Social Security could cut benefits by about $500 per month in 2032 if lawmakers don’t act, with New Hampshire among the hardest-hit states. Military training: A large NH National Guard exercise will take over the former Loring Air Force Base in Limestone for six days starting Sunday.