AGP Executive Report

DNC Fight Over FITN: Former Rep. Frank Guinta says New Hampshire’s all-Democratic delegation “should have done far more” to protect the First-in-the-Nation primary after the DNC voted to put South Carolina first for 2028. State Energy Costs: A new report warns New Hampshire ratepayers would pay about $148 million more (roughly 14%) if the state left the regional grid, arguing reforms inside the system are the cheaper path. Public Safety & Health: Vermont begins an Aug. 1 rabies vaccine bait drop that will also cover parts of New Hampshire; meanwhile, the CDC says cyclosporiasis cases keep climbing, with Georgia now reporting fewer than 80 confirmed cases. Local Life: Weirs Community Park Association kicks off an interactive Children’s Story Book Walk Sunday at the Weirs, turning a local lake-themed book into an outdoor trail. Business & Fraud: A New Hampshire GOP figure, Jay Lucas, pleaded guilty in a $50M health-and-wellness investment fraud scheme. Ports Oversight: An outside review cleared New Hampshire’s ports director of harassment claims but recommends more leadership training and added HR presence.

Democratic primary fight: The DNC’s Rules panel is set to keep South Carolina first in the 2028 presidential primary calendar, sidelining New Hampshire again and triggering pushback from Granite State Democrats and local leaders who say the move could drain attention and campaign money from the state. Food assistance pressure: New Hampshire SNAP enrollment fell about 3% from June 2025 to June 2026, and providers say demand is rising as families feel the effects of recent federal restrictions. Vehicle inspection lawsuit: A Wilton woman is suing New Hampshire in federal court to reinstate ended annual vehicle safety and emissions inspections, arguing air quality has worsened since the program stopped. Surveillance debate: Communities are wrestling with Flock Safety’s license plate reader cameras, with residents and civil liberties advocates warning the data collection could enable mass surveillance. Housing data dispute (Maine): Maine’s Greenville approved 89 housing units in state data, but the town says the real number is far lower—highlighting concerns about the accuracy of housing tracking systems. Local business & community: A burrito chain is coming to Hudson, and Comfort Keepers marked a “Day of Joy” event in New London.

Democratic presidential calendar shake-up: The DNC picked South Carolina to lead off the 2028 nominating schedule, leaving Iowa out and sidelining New Hampshire from the early lineup, with Nevada expected next and New Hampshire among the states rounding out the early group. NH legal fight over education funding: A new report revisits how New Hampshire’s education spending changed after the Great Recession and flags risks tied to the state’s Education Freedom Account expansion. NH school risk pools: A year after SchoolCare and other pooled-risk problems hit districts with surprise assessments, some towns have stabilized while legal fights and assessments still linger. NH Snapchat lawsuit: A New Hampshire teen and her mother sued Snap Inc. over alleged leaks of private images from the “My Eyes Only” feature. Food safety in NH: Health officials confirmed cyclosporiasis cases linked to recalled Taylor Farms lettuce served at Cheshire Medical Center, as the multistate outbreak widens. Maine politics with ripple effects: Maine Democrats quickly nominated Troy Jackson for Susan Collins’ Senate seat after Graham Platner withdrew amid allegations.

Democratic Primary Shake-Up: The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee picked South Carolina to lead off the 2028 presidential primary calendar, with Nevada next and New Hampshire among the early states—an outcome that has New Hampshire Democrats and local leaders pushing back after years of fighting for “first in the nation.” Cyber & Youth Safety: A New Hampshire teen and her mother sued Snap Inc., alleging Snapchat’s “My Eyes Only” feature failed to protect private images that later surfaced online. Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled more than 184,000 cans of lentil soup nationwide due to a pull-tab defect that could raise spoilage risk, including in New Hampshire. Public Health Watch: Federal and state officials widened a cyclosporiasis investigation tied to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce, with New Hampshire reporting cases linked to the outbreak. Energy Costs: A Concord Monitor report highlights how rising electricity bills are pushing some Granite Staters toward solar—while fuel and energy assistance programs still lag behind need. Politics Beyond NH: In Maine, Democrats chose Troy Jackson as their U.S. Senate nominee to face Susan Collins, after a chaotic replacement process.

DNC Primary Shake-Up: The Democratic National Committee’s rules panel picked South Carolina to lead the 2028 presidential primary calendar, with Nevada next and New Hampshire among the early states—an outcome that leaves Iowa out and sparks pushback from leaders there. Trade & Tariffs: New Trump tariffs took effect Friday, adding 10% to 12.5% on imports from nearly 60 countries, including Canada and the EU, replacing earlier temporary duties. NH Courts & Education Funding: A new “Distant Dome” look at New Hampshire’s education funding fight highlights how lawmakers and the state’s school-choice expansion complicate long-running adequacy and payment disputes. Public Health Watch: Federal and state health officials widened the cyclosporiasis investigation tied to recalled shredded iceberg lettuce, with New Hampshire reporting cases linked to Taylor Farms lettuce served at a Cheshire Medical Center cafeteria. Food Safety: Amy’s Kitchen recalled about 184,000 cans of lentil soup nationwide due to a pull-tab defect that can raise spoilage risk, including in New Hampshire. Energy Costs: A Concord Monitor report says rising electricity bills are still outpacing help programs, pushing some Granite Staters to pay for solar out of pocket. Local Arts & Downtown: OpenStudios Lawrence is expanding into more vacant storefronts, adding new artists and locations downtown. Privacy Lawsuit: A New Hampshire teen and her mother sued Snap Inc., alleging Snapchat’s “My Eyes Only” feature failed to protect private images.

DNC Primary Shakeup: The DNC chose South Carolina to lead the 2028 Democratic presidential primary calendar, leaving New Hampshire out of the first slot and setting an early order that includes Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Michigan and Virginia. Clean Energy Grants: The Trump administration admitted in court filings it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants based on which states voted for Kamala Harris in 2024. Food Safety in NH: New Hampshire health officials confirmed nine cyclosporiasis cases tied to recalled Taylor Farms lettuce, as the outbreak investigation widened to more states and Taylor Farms said it’s taking added precautions. Local Water Governance: Laconia’s Winni/Winnipesaukee River Basin Program will discuss next steps after Ayotte signed SB 592 to create a director and study commission on a potential local wastewater authority. Politics & NH: A new NHDP statement says the calendar change won’t alter New Hampshire’s primary realities, while an NH opinion argues Republicans shouldn’t blame Democrats for the property tax crisis.

DNC Primary Fight: New Hampshire again got bumped in the 2028 Democratic presidential calendar as the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee chose South Carolina to vote first (Jan. 22), with Nevada (Feb. 1) and New Hampshire (Feb. 8) next—prompting fresh outrage from NH leaders who say state law will keep the Granite State first. State Watchdog Shake-Up: Gov. Kelly Ayotte nominated former Manchester Police Chief Allen Aldenberg as acting New Hampshire child advocate for up to 90 days, as the outgoing child advocate Cassandra Sanchez leaves. Food Safety Fallout: Taylor Farms issued another statement amid the cyclospora outbreak, saying it’s taken added precautions and expanded recalls while health officials continue tracing the source. Health & Community: Loon Preservation Committee hosted plans for winter ice rescue talks, highlighting climate-linked risks to loons. Local Recognition: Bank of New Hampshire honored Laconia student-athlete Samantha Wylie with its Banking on Kindness & Sportsmanship award. Injury Justice: A Middlesex jury awarded $56 million to a Newburyport man seriously hurt in a crash involving an Amazon delivery truck.

Voter Access Fight: A conservative Republican criticizes the federal SAVE Act, saying it backs voter ID and citizenship checks but fails on practical details like no state funding and costly, in-person proof requirements. Grid Costs: A New Hampshire study says leaving the regional ISO-NE electric grid could raise costs for ratepayers by about $148 million, even if it offers more control. Child Care Relief: A new NH tax credit targets childcare facilities that create or expand seats, aiming to ease a reported thousands-seat shortage. Food Safety Watch: Health updates continue around the cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms lettuce, including new reporting that Mexico’s tests were negative for cyclospora in samples. Politics & Trust: New Hampshire Democrats renewed pressure on Senate candidate John Sununu over alleged Epstein-related ties and a disputed Doha denial. Local Business/Jobs: Ledyard Financial Group reported $1.7 million in Q2 net income and a quarterly dividend, citing strong core activity. Sports Betting: NH Lottery says June sports wagering rose 41% to $71.1 million. Community Calendar: Milton-area events include art workshops and a BioBlitz weekend.

Data Centers & Power Costs: President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge is expanding, with 23 GOP governors and nearly 200 utilities/data-center players signing on to argue Big Tech should cover grid upgrades instead of raising household bills. State Politics & Trade: Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cinde Warmington calls new Trump tariffs on Canada a “sales tax” on Granite Staters, warning tourism and cross-border business will take another hit. Food Safety: A nationwide cyclospora scare keeps widening after the Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce recall; officials say some earlier test claims were revised, but consumers are still being told to check recall lists. Consumer Protection: An NH teenager is suing Snapchat over its “My Eyes Only” feature, alleging she was misled into saving explicit photos that were later hacked and shared. Local Housing Rules: Norwich, N.H., adopted interim short-term rental bylaws requiring registration and a $250 fee, giving hosts options to comply or change how they rent. Education Risk Pools: Londonderry’s SchoolCare crisis is easing a year later as districts work through surprise assessments and the state moves to return money after receivership. Gun Safety Endorsement: Giffords PAC is backing Stefany Shaheen in NH-01, highlighting universal background checks and red-flag laws.

Food Safety: Taylor Farms’ iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclosporiasis now covers 27 states, including New Hampshire—FDA updates say thousands have been sickened nationwide, with new states reporting first cases this week. AI & Energy Policy: A growing coalition of 23 Republican governors signed Trump’s ratepayer protection pledge aimed at shielding households from higher utility costs tied to data centers powering AI, as NH weighs the broader debate over AI-driven power demand. Local Business & Community Life: Dover’s Nebi Park is getting a new kayak-and-canoe rental business, Cochecho River Recreation, opening with a grand opening July 25. Public Safety & Accessibility: New Hampshire’s Blue Envelope Program is rolling out statewide to help drivers with autism or trauma/stressor-related disorders communicate during traffic stops. Local Culture: Hampstead’s free Summer Concert Series runs Tuesdays through Sept. 1, and the Seacoast keeps the beach-season calendar packed with Hampton Beach events through September. Education/Schools: Risk pools for school health coverage are stabilizing after deficits, but legal fights over assessments continue.

Food Safety: The CDC says cyclosporiasis linked to recalled iceberg lettuce has now reached 41 states and 4,173 confirmed cases since May 1, with New Hampshire among the states reporting first cases this week; the FDA says a brief “false positive” lab result didn’t clear Taylor Farms and that the recall remains in effect. Public Health Research: UNH leads an $8M NSF effort to understand how ticks and tick-borne diseases are spreading across New Hampshire as warmer winters expand tick habitat. State Budget & Health Care: Concord will keep 16 transitional mental health beds after a state directive was reversed and a private foundation stepped in with $3.75M support. Elections & Politics: A UNH Granite State Poll shows AOC leading early Democratic 2028 primary support in New Hampshire, while CNN reports Democrats are weighing Nevada vs. South Carolina for the first spot on the 2028 primary calendar. Housing & Cost Pressures: SNAP enrollment fell in New Hampshire after federal cuts, and local pantries say demand is rising fast. Local Community: The 82nd North Haverhill Fair puts kids and farm life front and center as volunteers and young exhibitors carry on the tradition.

Food Safety & Health: The cyclospora outbreak tied to Taylor Farms lettuce stayed front-and-center, even as the FDA walked back an earlier positive test result as a “false positive” while insisting the recall remains supported by broader outbreak data; New Hampshire restaurants say they’re not seeing local links but are ready to pivot fast if a vendor recall hits. Education: Gov. Kelly Ayotte highlighted a WalletHub ranking placing New Hampshire schools in the top five nationally, while a state task force is pushing a new way to assess schools that aims to reward improvement instead of box-checking. Healthcare Access: U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan pressed health leaders in Raymond on falling Affordable Care Act enrollment in New Hampshire and the cost pressures she links to federal policy changes. Economy & Industry: A New England NSF “Seafood Engine” effort won an initial $15M to strengthen commercial fishing and aquaculture, with a Portsmouth-based nonprofit leading the collaboration. Local Business/Development: Pitco scrapped plans for a big Concord factory and will focus on existing sites in Bow and Pembroke. Infrastructure: The Everett Turnpike in Bedford reopened after overnight work to install new toll equipment.

Housing Affordability: A Laconia resident says New Hampshire rents don’t pencil out at any level, arguing small landlords often charge near-corporate rates and even “less desirable” units still require roughly $78,000–$88,000 salaries. Local Finance & Housing Access: Meredith Village Savings Bank VP Lauren Young completed the 2025–26 New Hampshire Housing Homeownership Fellows program, focused on policy and affordability. Bank Leadership: Franklin Savings Bank named Joe Todisco its chief retail and customer experience officer. Energy Costs: Starting Aug. 1, Granite Staters could see about a $15 monthly bump as energy supply rates rise, with utilities pointing to market forces tied to the Iran war and winter conditions. Food Safety: A cyclosporiasis-linked iceberg lettuce recall continues to affect products sold in 27 states, including New Hampshire; experts say most store lettuce isn’t part of the recall—check labels and “best if used by” dates. Child Welfare Oversight: Sen. Victoria Sullivan called for removing HHS Commissioner Lori Weaver and Division for Children, Youth and Families director Marie Noonan amid continued turmoil at the Sununu Youth Services Center. Community & Outdoors: Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is inviting the public to a month-long BioBlitz in August using iNaturalist. Business/Community Events: Alton’s Old Home Day parade returns Aug. 8 with a “250 Years Strong” theme.

NOAA/UNH Development: A NOAA ocean-mapping facility at UNH hit a construction milestone, with backers calling it a “transformative” economic boost for Durham and the wider state economy. Education & Accountability: New Hampshire educators are pushing a new way to assess schools, as the state also leans on national rankings that put NH near the top. Energy Costs: Lawmakers and utilities continue to wrestle with how to keep electricity bills down, with debate focused on efficiency versus long-term generation choices. Food Safety/Cyclosporiasis: The cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms lettuce remains under scrutiny even after the FDA walked back one positive lab result as a “false positive,” while NH restaurants say they’re taking precautions and have no known Granite State link. Transportation: The Everett Turnpike in Bedford reopened after crews installed new toll equipment. Health Care: U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan highlighted falling ACA enrollment in NH during a visit with health leaders, tying it to rising strain and costs. Local Culture: A look at the Civic Center’s legacy in Jaffrey spotlights arts and preservation roots. Space Weather: Northern lights may be visible across parts of the northern U.S. this week.

Cyclospora Watch: The FDA walked back an earlier claim that a Taylor Farms lettuce sample tested positive for cyclospora, calling it a false positive, while saying its outbreak investigation and the “overwhelming” recall basis are still intact—New Hampshire health officials report six cases this year with no known link to the national outbreak. Local Food Safety: New Hampshire restaurants say they’re staying ready to pivot if any vendor recalls hit their supply chain, even as the Taylor Farms recall list includes shipments to the state. Business & Industry: Pitco scrapped plans for a big Concord manufacturing facility and will instead focus on its existing sites in Bow and Pembroke. Education: WalletHub ranked New Hampshire schools fourth nationally, a win Gov. Kelly Ayotte highlighted. Energy & Tech: New Hampshire is among states that have signed plug-in balcony solar into law, and a UL 3700-certified microinverter is now available. Community: Meredith Village Savings Bank announced its 2026 James D. Sutherland Memorial Scholarship recipients. Outdoors & Recreation: Weeks State Park’s John W. Weeks Lodge was restored with about $3 million in federal funds, including ADA upgrades.

Food Safety: The FDA says a Cyclospora-positive lettuce result tied to Taylor Farms de Mexico was a false positive, but the broader recall still stands because investigators say epidemiology and traceback point to shredded iceberg lettuce; the recall covers 27 states including New Hampshire, and consumers are told to discard affected products while the source hunt continues. Energy Costs: NHPR reports electricity bills will rise Aug. 1, with the Public Utilities Commission approving supply-rate increases that could add roughly $6 to $18 monthly for many customers, driven by regional gas-market pressures and colder-weather impacts. Medicaid Policy: New Hampshire is preparing Granite Advantage Medicaid “community engagement”/work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, with an early outreach campaign for about 48,000 enrollees who will face 80 hours per month at redetermination. Local Economy & Jobs: A PLC statement says Finch Paper will stop buying low-grade wood after ending its pulp purchase, raising alarms for logging and trucking firms across New Hampshire and the region. Politics/Legal Fight: A body-camera dispute is back in the spotlight in the case of state Rep. Ellen Read, accused in a 107 mph stop; Fox reports the sheriff’s office involved has neither body-worn nor dashboard cameras. Business & Growth: A Business NH Magazine piece highlights NH’s startup momentum and support ecosystem, including the NH SBDC, while noting mixed rankings on how easy it is to start a business.