AGP Executive Report

Health & Weight Loss: A new BMJ meta-analysis finds that when people stop GLP-1 meds, weight often rebounds about four times faster than with behavioral programs, with many returning to baseline years sooner—fueling interest in strategies to prevent regain. Elder Care in NH: CMS data spotlights Dover Center for Health & Rehabilitation as Strafford County’s second-largest nursing home (Q1 2026) and Saint Ann Rehabilitation and Nursing Center earning a five-star CMS rating in the same quarter. Social Security Worry: A budget watchdog warns insolvency could trigger an immediate 24% cut, averaging over $500/month lost for retirees in multiple states, including New Hampshire. Local Politics: Three Republicans filed for NH-01, pitching résumés and “lower taxes, smaller government” over Trump talk. Community & Culture: Wolfeboro Friends of Music brings a Michael Bublé tribute show (“Shades of Bublé”) on June 13, and Plymouth’s Flying Monkey screens Chaplin’s “The Kid” with live music June 11. Sports & Youth: NH high school and pro-affiliate spotlights include local athletes in upcoming June 5 games and a Granite Minds, Connected Hearts event uniting school districts for family support.

New Hampshire policy wrap: After a frantic spring of negotiations, lawmakers are heading into final votes with dozens of bills still alive—plus a major look at open enrollment and school budget compromises, including lawmakers saying a key plan was squashed before broader talks could finish. State House economics: Negotiators also landed a deal that could raise out-of-staters’ state park fees starting July 2027 and adjust business tax rules via a higher threshold for who pays. Education & community: Winnisquam Regional High is being recognized for its Second Chance Breakfast program, boosting student engagement and participation. Culture & lifestyle: A NH-born marine science leader, Shelley Edmundson, was elected chair of the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission, reflecting the state’s ongoing love of coastal life and stewardship. Reality TV buzz: “Love Island USA” kicked off its eighth season on Peacock, with new bombshells and early drama. Business & travel: Seasalt is closing its four US stores, including a Portsmouth location, while keeping wholesale plans intact.

Immigration & Students: New England College in New Hampshire could lose up to 2,000 international graduate students if DHS doesn’t approve a new Doctorate in Business Administration by July 1, with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen pressing Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin over the delay. Public Health: NH DHHS is urging Granite Staters to protect themselves from tick and mosquito bites as tick season ramps up and mosquitoes carry illnesses like Lyme, EEE, and West Nile. Local Safety & Courts: A Concord man was charged with domestic violence, stalking, and protective order violations after an incident at a city garage where police said he was within 300 feet of the protected woman. Aging Care Watch: CMS data shows Langdon Place of Dover (for-profit) earned a 4-star overall rating in early 2026, above the state average, while Colonial Poplin Nursing Home in Fremont also posted a 5-star overall rating with no fines reported. Community & Culture: Newfound Regional High School students shared how the YMCA Youth and Government program teaches real-world civic debate using the NH Capitol. Education & Leadership: Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro is searching for a new director after Julie Perrin resigned less than a month into the job.

EV Insurance Costs: New data shows insuring an EV costs about 42% more than a gas car, though the gap shrinks for newer models as repair and tech costs change. Immigration & Public Safety: ICE arrested a convicted violent offender from Vietnam in Manchester, and another wrong-way crash suspect was detained by ICE after a Route 1 incident. Childcare Crunch: A new NHFPI report says Granite State families are paying more for childcare while quality options shrink, squeezing budgets for working parents. Campus Life & Guns: NH lawmakers’ campus carry fight is a reminder of how contentious bills can stall even in a single-party Legislature. Health Watch: HHS rolled out a major federal push to prevent and treat Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses, with New Hampshire highlighted. Local Living & Housing: Lebanon’s modular homes project is back on the table with a revised plan aimed at bringing costs under $400,000. Community Safety Training: Manchester students at Parkside Junior High completed hands-only CPR training as part of an Executive Council challenge. Waste & Recycling: NH’s new disposal surcharge and organics ban are reshaping local waste policy, with grants planned for recycling and organics reduction. Gambling Landscape: New Hampshire’s charitable gaming boom continues, with major facilities expanding across the state.

Community Scholarships: The Hancock Woman’s Club shared stories from three adult-women scholarship recipients pursuing an MBA at UNH, a Physical Therapy Assistant program at River Valley Community College, and a quality/patient-safety master’s at SNHU. Nature & Citizen Science: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is gearing up for three butterfly programs, including field training (June 11), weekly monarch monitoring (starting June 29), and the first-ever Squam Lakes Butterfly Count (July 8). Local Education Milestone: Lakes Region Community College held its 57th commencement, celebrating 121 graduates, including students earning Early Childhood Education credits through Early College. Health & Wellness Event: The Seacoast Parkinson’s Wellness Expo returns June 13 in Portsmouth, spotlighting exercise, social connection, and hands-on therapy demos. Sports Spotlight: New Hampshire Fisher Cats players tied to local-area high school pipelines are among the former standouts set to play Wednesday, June 3. Food & Lifestyle: A Belmont gluten-free bakery story highlights how one couple’s celiac diagnosis helped turn baking into a community mission.

Pride & Community: Boston’s Pride Night with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus and Alex Newell is set for June 5, plus multiple LGBTQ+ events and flag-raising moments across the region. Student Journalism: SNO Sites named 84 student publications as Distinguished Sites for 2025-2026, spotlighting strong digital storytelling and ongoing coverage. Local Graduation Buzz: WMUR is collecting Class of 2026 Senior Shoutouts, while Somersworth and Exeter High Schools released top-10 graduate lists. Sports & School Spirit: Mascoma’s track teams hit historic results at the D-III meet, and the NHIAA spring playoff pairings are out. Outdoor & Safety: New Hampshire Fish and Game coordinated a rescue of an injured hiker on the Old Bridle Path in Franconia, with transport to Littleton Regional Hospital. Higher Ed Leadership: Roger Williams University welcomed Dr. Brian G. Williams as interim president. Campus & Career Dreams: A Dublin teen landed an Air Force Academy acceptance, with basic training planned soon.

Education & Career Pathways: A new look at student “capstone” engineering highlights how some New Hampshire-area colleges are pushing beyond internships and study abroad—students are even building real electric race cars. Arts & Identity: Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu’s “Camo” series is getting fresh attention for its bold portraits of African women and its mix of proverbs, fashion, and self-definition. Politics & Voting Access: A federal judge struck down key parts of New Hampshire’s proof-of-citizenship voting law, triggering reaction from state election officials and renewed debate inside the Democratic Party. Local Schools & Costs: Meal prices are set to rise in at least one district as food and vendor costs squeeze budgets, with administrators warning deficits are still possible. Community & Civic Learning: Girl Scouts in New Hampshire were recognized for civic projects tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Sports Spotlight: Track headlines feature Exeter’s Lexi Paterna and Bedford’s Mikita Barry trading top finishes at the NHIAA Division I outdoor championships. Tech & Business: A Peterborough-based firm says AI is helping, but Git adoption on IBM i is mainly driven by practical modernization needs.

Education & Community Pride: Stevens High School musicians and singers racked up state and regional accolades, with multiple top placements and all-state recognition. Civic Youth Spotlight: The Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains were honored by the secretary of state for Civics In Action: 50 Students 50 Stars, highlighting local projects from election posters to community service. Health Policy: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched a federal Lyme disease and tick-control initiative in New Hampshire, pairing research, diagnostics, and patient access efforts. School Food Costs: Londonderry outlined next-year meal price increases tied to rising food and vendor costs, including a projected deficit. Public Safety: A police shooting in Milton led to school closures, with the AG’s office investigating. Local Governance: NH lawmakers reached a committee deal on the local property tax cap, putting voter questions on the ballot. Culture & Lifestyle: A New Hampshire business profile spotlights the aerospace and defense sector’s growth and workforce needs. Big Moment in the Sky: A meteor explosion over Massachusetts and southeast New Hampshire triggered a loud boom reported across the region.

Domestic Violence Funding Crunch: A DOJ pause on $150 million for survivor services is leaving some groups unable to staff hotlines overnight and on weekends, with delays rippling into layoffs and reduced support. Public Health—Lyme Fight: HHS announced new New Hampshire-focused initiatives to cut Lyme and tick-borne illness, including a pilot program targeting ticks on wildlife plus innovation and care-access efforts. Education & Access: Former NH Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut was named to the Children’s Scholarship Fund board, tied to the Education Freedom Account program. Local Culture & Community: Laconia became the first NH city to launch a social district, aiming to boost downtown life and business during the summer. Arts & Music Fundraiser: Giuseppe’s Pizzeria in Meredith hosts its 27th annual JTG Music Memorial Extravaganza on May 31 to support local music scholarships. Sports Spotlight: UConn’s Jackson Marshall, a Pinkerton alum, was named Big East Player of the Year after a breakout season.

School Choice Fight in the Northeast Kingdom: East Burke School and other small private schools are pushing back on proposed statewide rules tied to public tuition dollars, arguing accreditation and special-education requirements could threaten survival. Voting Rights in Focus: A federal judge struck down New Hampshire’s 2024 anti-voter law requiring proof of citizenship for first-time voters, blocking it for future elections. Lyme Disease Push: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited Concord to announce new federal LymeX funding for prevention, awareness, and treatment research. Childcare Support Update: Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed SB 608, expanding childcare scholarship access for retired kinship caregivers. Local School Safety Tech: Manchester school leaders moved forward with grant-funded security camera upgrades at city schools. Community & Culture: Laconia’s new social district is rolling out downtown, while Giuseppe’s Pizzeria in Meredith hosts its 27th annual Music Memorial Extravaganza on May 31. Outdoors & Lifestyle: The NH Butterfly Monitoring Network is inviting volunteers for July counts, and a Lakes Region land market roundup points to strong demand and premium pricing.

Childcare Workforce: A bill that removes the requirement for NH DHHS to fully fund a $15M childcare workforce grant is now law, taking effect July 1. New Openings: Six new NH restaurants opened in April 2026, including expansions and a pizza move into Derry’s Clam Haven. Local Schools & Students: Epping High School named its Class of 2026 Latin honors students, while Portsmouth High School released its top 10 graduates. Tech & Safety: Investigators say facial recognition helped identify a New Hampshire man accused in an attack on a Harvard student. Community & Infrastructure: Jay Select Board approved nearly $500,000 for trash collection and summer paving contracts. Immigration Courts: A federal judge ordered release of an ICE detainee from Uganda, citing due process violations. Culture & Learning: An NH educator is teaching Indigenous history as American history ahead of the 250th anniversary. Food & Lifestyle: A roundup spotlights new NH sandwich and dining culture, plus a separate feature on Marlow’s Revolutionary-era 250th celebration.

School & Youth Spotlight: Londonderry High School senior Kelsey Sweet was named NH High School Journalist of the Year, while a “Beats for Good” competition is opening voting for teen musicians across Vermont and nearby states. Community & Culture: Flatwater Tales returns to Oak Ridge June 5-6 for its 10th anniversary, and the Loon Preservation Committee’s Live Loon Cam is streaming nesting activity in NH’s Lakes Region. Health & Care: Lamprey Health Care celebrates leadership changes that helped it rebound after COVID-era strain, and Sweetser plans to add another Child ACT team to support kids with mental health needs. Public Safety: A deer crashed through a glass window at a Lebanon elementary school, and in Milton, police shootings are under investigation after a man was injured; schools briefly closed near the scene. Local Living & Learning: Bangor School Committee voted to adopt a “School Within a School” model for Fairmount students after asbestos forced relocation, and negotiators reached a deal on NH’s local tax cap vote for cities and towns. Lifestyle & Giving: A West Bridgewater fundraiser will help build a White Mountains vacation retreat for families facing pediatric cancer, and Meredith Village Savings Bank backed adult education in Tamworth as a premier sponsor.

Men’s Health & Community Events: St. Tammany Health System’s Lakeshore Urology is stepping in as presenting sponsor for the “Man Up!” men’s health event, a free June 4 Northshore gathering focused on education, prevention, and screening. Local Education & Safety: Milton police shooting investigations have led to Milton Elementary and Nute Middle-High closing, with the NH Attorney General’s office saying a man barricaded in a car was injured during an officer interaction. School Life Disruptions: In West Lebanon, Mount Lebanon Elementary went into lockdown after a deer broke through a ground-level window and wandered halls before being safely removed. Student Spotlight: Londonderry senior Kelsey Sweet was named New Hampshire High School Journalist of the Year, highlighting standout youth media work. Teaching Excellence: Three NH educators are finalists for the 2027 Teacher of the Year, including a math teacher at Pinkerton Academy, a French teacher at Pembroke Academy, and a Latin teacher at Rundlett Middle/Concord High. Culture & Storytelling: Flatwater Tales returns to Oak Ridge June 5-6 for its 10th anniversary, with performances spanning humor, music, and American storytelling. Sports & Local Pride: Eight Seacoast football seniors were honored at the Joe Yukica Scholar/Athlete Awards, including Exeter, Winnacunnet, Dover, and St. Thomas Aquinas standouts. Youth & Work Migration: A NH Fiscal Policy Institute analysis finds young working-age adults are moving in, but high housing, childcare, and healthcare costs may make it hard to stay. Arts & Reading: Londonderry’s Leach Library is hosting a fantasy book discussion on “The Spellshop,” plus drop-in tech help and other community programs.

Public Safety: A man was injured in a police shooting in Milton after a standoff in his car; Elm Street and nearby school areas saw closures and officials coordinated possible cancellations at Milton Elementary and Nute Middle/High. Community & Culture: Essex Junction’s Team Mālia keeps dragon boat racing alive on Lake Champlain, building a supportive crew culture that draws paddlers from New Hampshire to Quebec. Local Lifestyle: A Hollis teen is kayaking 36 miles along Dominica’s coast to raise money for music and literacy programs. Outdoors & Health: With more hikers hitting trails, rescues are rising; a new study highlights how many people underestimate what they need—water, navigation, and emergency gear. Arts & Identity: A new Afro Fusion Lounge and Restaurant opens in Manchester, aiming to bring culturally rich food and community connections. Education & Access: New Hampshire’s Low and Moderate Income Homeowners property tax relief program is seeing low participation, with the 2025 relief application deadline approaching June 30. Civic Life: A deer crashed through a window at Mount Lebanon Elementary in Lebanon, and Fish and Game helped remove it safely. Arts & History: “Portraits of a Revolution” at the Monadnock Center for History and Culture explores what revolutionary-era portraits reveal about early American values.

LGBTQ+ Community: North Country Pride is bringing back its Pride parade and festival to Littleton on June 27, building on years of Pride events like Dine with Pride and a Pride Ride. Sports & Youth: Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation’s Elodie Olsen captured the U18 women’s overall national title after a strong downhill at Cannon Mountain—an achievement that’s been years in the making. Housing & Cost of Living: New Hampshire’s Low and Moderate Income Homeowners Property Tax Relief program is seeing very low participation—only about 5,300 approved claims in 2024—with a June 30 deadline for 2025 relief. Education: A new report finds NH students are in the middle for academic growth in math and reading, with math slightly up and reading slightly down since 2022, still below pre-pandemic levels. Local Life & Safety: Repairs are complete after a major water main break in Gorham near Dublin Street; officials warn residents may see air or discoloration and should run faucets briefly. Arts & Culture: UNE’s art exhibit “Another Shore: Migration in Our Time” opens June 5 at the University of New England Art Gallery in Biddeford, exploring modern migration through sculpture and writing. Food & Fun: A nostalgic spaghetti spot is set to move into the former Eastern Standard space in Kenmore Square, sparking debate about what Boston dining should be.

Education Watch: A new national study finds many NH students are still losing ground in reading and math, even as Dover rebounds—one in three districts nationwide dropped a full grade level since 2015. School Leadership: Revere Public Schools named two new administrators—Michelle Vail as assistant principal at Lincoln School and Stefano “Steve” Chinosi as deputy principal and chief academic officer at Revere High. Workforce & Trades: CEDRR and partners launched “Workforce In Motion” with an equipment rodeo to connect NH and regional middle/high schoolers to skilled-trades careers. Local Government: Pulaski County passed a one-year data-center permitting ban, with an amendment that keeps one project moving. Community & Health: Granite VNA is hosting “Memory, Mix & Mingle” in Meredith for people living with cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Sports Notes: Thursday’s slate includes multiple former Oklahoma City, Northwest Mississippi, and Midland (SC) high school standouts competing, plus NH playoff bracket releases ramping up.