AGP Executive Report

Kids Count Watch: A new Annie E. Casey Foundation report says child well-being worsened in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with education taking the biggest hit and mental health still a major concern. Local Sports & Pride: St. Thomas Aquinas’ Alex Molda capped a big week with NHIAA tennis titles, including a doubles championship with his brother. World Cup in the Region: Boston’s World Cup buzz is building—from Scotland fans packing downtown spots to a New Hampshire–linked Boston police officer going viral for soccer skills. Community Culture: A Mascoma Valley graduate credits theater with pushing him past his comfort zone and boosting both confidence and academics. Politics With Personal Attacks: In the NH governor race, Cinde Warmington’s campaign is being met with repeated “opioid lobbyist” accusations, and her team is pushing back on the backstory. Skincare Trend Check: GHK-Cu, a copper peptide now popular in anti-aging circles, is getting attention—but experts note there’s nuance about what it can realistically do. Career & Training Upgrade: Winnisquam Career Center in Tilton completed an $11.2 million renovation to expand hands-on career and technical programs. Manchester Schools Budget Strain: Manchester’s school board says the FY27 budget leaves more than $12 million short, setting up tough cuts and fewer classroom replacements. Health & Longevity Angle: A look at why some rural communities see long life spans points to low stress and strong social connection.

State Politics & Policy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed 18 bills into law, while vetoing three others, including one that would have expanded marijuana cultivation and another that would have limited employer notice rules tied to labor investigations. Education & Workforce: Winnisquam Career Center in Tilton wrapped up an $11.2 million renovation, expanding hands-on career and technical programs for students from eight sending schools. Local Schools: Manchester school leaders warn the FY27 budget leaves a $12M+ gap, meaning fewer classroom teachers and more “stop-start” funding impacts. Health & Aging: A new report highlights worsening child well-being in many states, while separate NH coverage notes therapeutic cannabis participation is rising among older adults. Community & Culture: A Eucharistic pilgrimage is making stops across the region, including Plymouth and Boston-area sites, as NH residents also look ahead to summer events and local traditions. Lifestyle & Outdoors: Firefly stories spotlight the hidden diversity of glow-worms and other species found across New Hampshire and nearby states. Sports: St. Thomas Aquinas’ Alex Molda completed a tennis “triple crown” run, winning team, singles, and doubles titles.

Heat & Health: Heat advisories are up across New England, including New Hampshire, with humidity pushing conditions into the upper 90s—officials warn to limit outdoor exertion and stay hydrated. Local Grants & Growth: Sixteen New Hampshire projects in seven rural counties are sharing more than $8.1 million in Northern Border Regional Commission grants, targeting housing, childcare, workforce development, and infrastructure. Childcare Access: A new report says childcare affordability and supply depend heavily on state investment; New Hampshire is flagged for not adding much beyond required minimum funding. Education & Well-Being: The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count shows child well-being deteriorated in 29 states from 2021 to 2025, with education declines and ongoing mental health strain. Culture & Community: The New Hampshire Preservation Alliance honored the Easterseals Military and Veterans Campus at Daniel Webster Farm with a Preservation Achievement Award. Sports & Pride: UMFK celebrated nursing graduates at a pinning ceremony, while New Hampshire’s pro baseball scene continues to spotlight local talent.

Preservation & Community Pride: Franklin-area groups PROCON and Easterseals NH won a 2026 New Hampshire Preservation Achievement Award for restoring the historic Easterseals Military and Veterans Campus at Daniel Webster Farm—bringing old buildings back to life with solar and accessibility. Education & Local Culture: E.O. Smith High School held its graduation at UConn’s Jorgensen Center, marking the end of the Class of 2026 with student speeches and next-step plans. Books, Rights & School Policy: A silent “read-in” outside the governor’s office pushed back on a bill critics say could lead to book bans through parent complaints. Public Safety & Weather: Heavy rain hit parts of New Hampshire with flash-flood warnings, road closures, and Madison Elementary affected. Juneteenth in NH: A guide highlights 2026 Juneteenth events across the Granite State celebrating Black history and community. Arts & Pride: Pride month coverage spotlights bisexual characters in romance books, plus a Brookline family’s World Cup sticker tradition. Sports & Summer Spotlight: UNH’s 4-H program manager search and local youth events round out a week of community-focused lifestyle news.

Education & Community: NH Humanities’ “Big Watch” is coming to Pease Public Library in Plymouth, pairing Ken Burns’ “The American Revolution” with local discussion on how service and community spirit evolved from 1776 to today. Youth & Learning Jobs: UNH is hiring a full-time 4-H program manager for Merrimack County to grow volunteer-led youth programs and life-skill development. School & Safety: Oyster River school unions are pushing back on proposed superintendent policies affecting second jobs, dress rules, and supervision. Local Culture & Events: Plaistow’s free summer concert series returns Wednesdays through Aug. 12, with bands ranging from Timberlane Community Jazz Band to a Linda Ronstadt tribute. Sports Spotlight: Bishop Guertin’s Will Adams is ranked New England’s No. 1 running back for the class of 2029, while Pinkerton dominated Meet of Champions with record-setting performances. Civic Debate: Dozens of Granite Staters rallied at the State House against SB 434, arguing it could broaden censorship beyond books to speakers and performances. Immigration Enforcement: ICE Boston arrested a Mexican national in New Hampshire after release from a local jail, citing domestic violence convictions. Outdoors & Wildlife: Glenn Cove Wildlife Management Area in Greenland held a ribbon cutting for improvements supporting public recreation, research, and visiting scientists.

Child Well-Being Spotlight: New Hampshire stays No. 1 for child well-being in the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2026 KIDS COUNT, scoring 838—while Vermont and Massachusetts trail behind. Youth Mental Health Warning: A separate report flags New Hampshire as the worst for youth depression, with 22% of teens (12–17) reporting a major depressive episode. Immigration & Students: Irish J1 students in the U.S. say Trump-era social media checks at entry are raising nerves, even as some see the program as a “rite of passage.” Local Arts & Community: The Winnipesaukee Playhouse brings “Come From Away” to Meredith, pairing big Broadway emotion with a New Hampshire connection. Literary Events: New Hampshire native Dave Dodge promotes his new Hannah Duston historical novel with book signings. Education & Policy: The NH Legislature’s education reforms largely stalled, with lawmakers rejecting new public school mandates and failing to expand education options. Public Safety: An 18-year-old is charged in the Thornton shooting death of his sister, with an autopsy scheduled as the investigation continues. Giving Back: Franklin Savings Bank donates $1,000 to CASA of New Hampshire to support volunteer advocates for abused and neglected children. Weekend Life: Libraries and community calendars are packed—Moultonborough’s America250 programming and NH Lakes’ lake-advocacy award to Rep. John MacDonald are among the highlights.

Child Well-Being Spotlight: New Hampshire again takes the top spot in the KIDS COUNT Data Book for child well-being, marking a fourth straight year at No. 1, with improvements tied to fewer families in poverty and more kids with health insurance. Community Support for Local News: NH Gives spotlights why local journalism matters—connecting residents to the schools, housing, health care, arts, and environmental work happening right in their towns. Immigration & World Cup Concerns: Immigrants’ rights groups in New Hampshire and the Northeast issue a travel advisory ahead of the World Cup, warning visitors about ICE presence and screening at ports of entry. Education & Literacy Push: State Rep. Kristin Noble raises concerns about New Hampshire teacher preparation and urges alignment with scientifically based reading instruction. Outdoor & Wildlife: Vermont conservation groups and state partners work to protect forest corridors as climate change shifts habitats and species movement. Sports & School Pride: UNH men’s soccer adds graduate midfielder Miguel Soto Gonzalez, while Winnacunnet selects students to represent NH at a national Youth AI Festival. Local Life: A Taiwanese fugitive is detained by ICE in New Hampshire, and NH Fish and Game schedules a public hearing on updating hunter education rules, including a new online bowhunter-only course.

Legal Rights & Safety: A Gilford couple is suing police in federal court, alleging officers violated constitutional rights during an underage drinking investigation—claims include unlawful entry, excessive force, and false arrest. Education & Youth: New Hampshire tops the latest Kids Count study for child well-being, with gains in economic stability and on-time graduation, even as education progress nationally remains uneven. Local Politics: Windham-3’s Aug. 11 primary is set with five candidates vying for two seats, including incumbents Leslie Goldman and Michelle Bos-Lun. Community & Culture: Smithsonian’s “Spark! Places of Innovation” is coming to Rockingham Free Public Library in Bellows Falls for a six-week run, spotlighting rural creativity and invention. Sports & School Spirit: Concord sophomore Thomas Saysaw set a state record in the triple jump at the Meet of Champions. Public Life: Belmont Public Library kicks off June programs and its summer reading launch. Health & Work: A new national assessment finds rare achievement rebound among young students, adding nuance to the broader “reading recession” debate. Business & Growth: PC Construction’s Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Alfond Arena renovation earned a third major industry award.

Local Tragedy: Thornton police say 18-year-old Logan Anderson has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of his 21-year-old sister, Leah Anderson, a Plymouth State University student; she was found with a head wound on Mad River Road and died after being taken to a hospital. Community & Culture: Christ Episcopal Church in Portsmouth broke ground on a “rare and hopeful” redevelopment of its 3.5-acre land, adding workforce housing, an early childhood education center, and space for HAVEN’s transitional housing and support services. Sports for a Cause: Dover powerlifter Jacob Constas is set to represent Team New Hampshire at the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, aiming for a 1,000-pound combined lift total. Education & Opportunity: New Hampshire is among 27 states opting into a new federal school scholarship tax credit program, letting donors claim up to $1,700 in federal credits. STEM & Research: NOAA launched CIFARM, an aquaculture research and markets initiative hosted by UNH, partnering with multiple universities to boost sustainable American seafood. Arts & Summer Fun: The Fryeburg Fair announced a Dreamland Amusement ride bracelet special—$17.76 between July 1 and July 4.

Local Giving Push: NH Gives kicks off Tuesday, with organizers urging Granite Staters to support housing, education, health, arts, and youth programs—and to back local journalism as the glue that helps communities make better decisions. Education & Family Costs: A new NH Fiscal Policy Institute analysis says child care prices kept climbing in 2025 while providers declined, with center care for infants and 4-year-olds nearing $30,000 a year. Policy & Meals for Students: Supporters of HB 1574 say it closes a gap for students with disabilities by extending free/reduced meal eligibility past age 21 while they’re still in school. Community & Culture: A Peterborough architecture spotlight revisits Mary Cheney Schofield’s lasting downtown legacy. Sports Spotlight: Ryan Day is set to join the New Hampshire athletics Hall of Fame in 2026. Public Safety: A Plymouth State student, Leah Anderson, died after a shooting in Thornton; her brother was arrested. Immigration & Travel: New England immigrant advocates issued a World Cup travel advisory warning visitors about possible device and social media scrutiny at ports of entry.

Voter Confidence in Focus: A Community Conversations event at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture pushed back on election distrust, with local leaders stressing New Hampshire’s voting process hasn’t changed even as national doubts spread. Youth Sports & Community Giving: The Make-A-Wish Twin State All-Star Hockey Classic returns June 27 at UVM’s Gutterson Field House, pairing top Vermont and New Hampshire high school seniors while raising funds for wishes. Local Culture & Arts: The Lowell Folk Festival (July 24–26) added more global traditional artists, including performers from Tuva, Peru, New Hampshire, Louisiana, India, Sicily, Haiti, Mexico, and Massachusetts—keeping downtown Lowell a living showcase of music and dance. Film & Storytelling in Keene: Jennifer Paone is spotlighted for mission-driven, human-centered filmmaking through her Keene studio, The Production House. Outdoor Life & NH Wildlife: New Hampshire researchers are exploring whether forest logging practices could change how moose encounter winter ticks—part of the fight against declining moose health. Tech Attitudes in NH: A UNH Granite State Poll finds more residents worry about AI’s impact, even as more people use it at work.

NH Politics & Housing: New Hampshire House Speaker Sherman Packard says the session’s housing push—built around worker affordability and a dedicated housing committee—was a major focus as lawmakers wrapped up. Education & Open Enrollment: Rahm Emanuel argues education reform is overdue and says both parties share blame for the decline, with open enrollment still a live flashpoint. Local Law Enforcement & Immigration: Weare and Hillsboro police departments joined ICE’s 287(g) “task force” contracts, expanding local involvement in immigration enforcement. Community Health & Kids: A national KIDS COUNT update highlights child well-being pressures, including rising uninsured rates and weaker early education access. Culture & Sports: Amherst Town Band leaders return for the 40th anniversary, while New Hampshire Fisher Cats games keep drawing local attention. Youth Wellness: Rhode Island teens can get free summer gym access via Planet Fitness’ High School Summer Pass. Sports Spotlight: High school-to-college athlete commitments and local sports roundups keep the spotlight on Granite State student achievement.

Immigration Enforcement in NH: Weare and Hillsboro police departments have joined ICE 287(g) “task force” contracts, letting local officers carry out immigration arrests and detainers while working their normal duties. Local Food & Community: A new approach aims to close New Hampshire’s local food gap, moving from farm production to freezer-ready supply. Public Health Watch: A CDC-linked salmonella outbreak tied to backyard chicken flocks has spread across many states, with New Hampshire among those reporting cases. Workforce & Defense Manufacturing: About 200 people gathered in Nashua for a Northeast National Security Conference focused on advanced manufacturing beyond traditional weapons. Nature & Wonder: A local outdoors piece breaks down the hidden diversity of fireflies, including glow-worms and species that don’t even produce light. Sports & School Spirit: Con-Val’s Ross Stephens and Pinkerton’s relay team set state records at the Meet of Champions, while Exeter coordinated traffic planning for graduation and NHRA events. Obituaries: The week also included tributes to community members like Frank Fahey and Robert Comeau.

Local Education & Community: High Mowing School in Wilton is apologizing after a yearbook printed students’ faces edited onto allegedly inappropriate “ancient statue” images, with plans to remove pages or reprint the book. Youth Sports: Con-Val’s Ross Stephens came from behind to set a new state record in the 400 (47.67) at the NHIAA Meet of Champions, while Pinkerton’s 4x400 relay also set a new state mark and Winnacunnet’s Ryan Jamison won the 300 hurdles in a photo finish (38.47). Graduation & Traffic Planning: Exeter High School’s Class of 2026 graduation and the NHRA New England Nationals at New England Dragway drew heavy crowds within two miles, prompting NH DOT traffic alerts and a Route 101 Exit 8 closure with detours. Childcare Policy: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 608 to let retired grandparents access the NH Child Care Scholarship Program by removing the work requirement for kinship caregivers at federal retirement age. Health & Lifestyle: The American Academy of Pediatrics issued updated guidance saying recess is essential—not a reward or punishment—warning schools not to withhold it for academic or disciplinary reasons.

Local Sports & Community: The NHIAA Meet of Champions is set for Saturday at Oyster River High School in Durham, bringing the state’s top track athletes together. Inclusion & Pride: Episcopalians are preparing to mark 50 years since a landmark resolution on LGBT inclusion, while Exeter’s Best Buddies Friendship Walk returns June 13 to celebrate friendships and support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Health & Kids: The American Academy of Pediatrics says recess is essential—not a reward—and warns schools not to withhold it for discipline or academics. Substance Use Care: Dartmouth Hitchcock plans to use $900,000 in federal funds to expand inpatient substance use treatment inside its birthing pavilion, with redesigned rooms meant to feel welcoming and safe. Politics & Culture: Rahm Emanuel is biking across New Hampshire as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, pitching education reform and using the slower pace to meet voters. Civic Life: South Burlington’s planning commission is discussing early land-use rules for data centers as the debate heats up. Arts & Summer Life: Adult music camp culture gets a spotlight, with New England Adult Music Camp drawing longtime campers back for new instruments and new friendships.

Lifestyle & Community: New England Adult Music Camp’s adult band program is bringing back that “youthful camaraderie” feeling, with campers returning decades later to rehearse, reconnect, and learn new instruments. Local Culture & Learning: Laconia Public Library kicks off June programming with a new exhibit on illustrator Erling Saevarsson and a June 11 talk on the Common Loon. Education Spotlight: Traip Academy in Kittery announced its Class of 2026 top students, with valedictorian Lucy Fullerton set for Bowdoin. Health & Families: Dartmouth Hitchcock plans to use $900,000 in federal funds to expand inpatient substance-use treatment inside its birthing pavilion, aiming for safer withdrawal care and staff training. Civic Life: A new report warns Social Security checks could shrink by about $500 per month for retirees in New Hampshire and other states if Congress doesn’t act. Politics & Rights: A June 6 protest push targets Citizens Bank over financing tied to ICE detention operations, with events planned across New Hampshire. Sports (NH ties): The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are among the teams featuring former local high school standouts in Sunday, June 7 matchups.