AGP Executive Report

U.S. Senate primary fallout: Sen. Ed Markey cruised to victory over Rep. Seth Moulton in Massachusetts, setting up a general-election matchup with GOP challenger John Deaton—another reminder of how age-and-ideology fights are shaping Democratic contests. NH election stakes: In New Hampshire’s Sept. 8 primaries, the spotlight stays on the U.S. Senate race as Chris Pappas faces left-flank pressure from Karishma Manzur, while Republicans argue over debate access after John Sununu declined a WMUR GOP Senate debate. Voting rights in court: New Hampshire asked a federal appeals court to quickly dismiss DOJ’s bid for unredacted voter rolls, arguing the request is weak and privacy-sensitive. School tax cap fight: Democrats went to court to block a new GOP-backed law requiring local school property tax cap questions on ballots in 2026 and 2028. First Amendment on the local beat: Constitutional scholar Meg Mott is set to speak at the Moultonborough Public Library on free speech and hate-speech limits. Public safety & health: NH announced a youth-focused fentanyl prevention campaign for International Overdose Awareness Day, and Laconia marked the 10th overdose awareness vigil at Rotary Park. Local government/infra: NH DES secured a $2M grant to help Belmont reduce costs for a major sewer force main replacement. Transparency award: InDepthNH.org journalist Damien Fisher is set to receive the New England First Amendment Coalition’s FOI award.

Brown University shooting review: Providence’s independent PERF review says the city’s response to the Dec. 13 Brown University attack was “mostly positive,” with strong response time and transport, but flags communication gaps as an area to improve. Surveillance and privacy: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis escalated criticism of license plate reader use, calling it “out of control” and warning against a surveillance state—an argument that echoes broader fights over camera tech. NH disability system: A Bulletin records request reports 21 abuse cases in New Hampshire’s state-run disability care system in the first half of 2026, alongside 30 deaths, including some listed as “unknown.” NH politics, GOP primary: WMUR’s NH-02 debate between Lily Tang Williams and Victor Orlando stayed mostly civil but included a disputed claim about Orlando’s 2024 support for Nikki Haley. Federal immigration enforcement: A new Trump DHS push aims to expand detention capacity by reopening prisons, with ICE funding and detention limits driving the policy. Drug pricing push: Trump announced additional pharmaceutical deals to lower prescription drug costs, while Democrats press for public details. Other: A Planet Fitness investor class action notice hit markets, and NH farmers markets saw sales lift after the cyclospora outbreak.

NH House Speaker Race: A departing House leader backs Jason Osborne for speaker, arguing the job is about building committees, setting the calendar, and keeping a working majority together. Down-Ballot Focus: Historian Heather Cox Richardson will join State Rep. Bobbi Boudman for an online conversation on why state and local elections shape schools, taxes, voting rights, and communities. NH-02 GOP Primary: In the Granite State Debate, candidates Lily Tang Williams and Victor Orlando kept their focus on issues ahead of the Sept. 8 primary, including a fresh controversy tied to an “illegal orders” video. U.S. Senate—Pappas Crosscurrents: Chris Pappas’ campaign is getting pulled between establishment Democrats and left-leaning challengers, with attention on his ties to AIPAC and the shifting endorsement landscape. Education Ballot Fight: Two parents sued to block a school budget cap question from reaching the November ballot, arguing the measure is unclear and effectively a back-door referendum. Surveillance Tech Pushback: A national debate over automated license plate readers continues, with New Hampshire cited as a model for rapid data deletion unless tied to an arrest or case. Portsmouth Airport Crash: Police say a 17-year-old fleeing an attempted stop crashed through a Portsmouth airport fence and struck a parked aircraft; the airfield stayed open. Local Politics—Peterborough Write-In: Amanda Allen launches a write-in bid against Jonah Wheeler in the Democratic primary over his positions on sex-separation policies.

U.S. Senate Watch (NH): Former VP Kamala Harris endorsed Rep. Chris Pappas for New Hampshire’s U.S. Senate race, a major boost as his lead over Dr. Karishma Manzur appears to be shrinking in recent polling. NH Politics & Campaigns: A CNN interview found Pappas unwilling to commit to backing Chuck Schumer as Senate Democratic leader if elected, signaling a “new voices” pitch while he tries to hold off a tougher-than-expected primary. Statehouse/Policy: New data shows the NH Child Care Scholarship Program is being used more than ever, with average participation rising sharply and the state spending over $12 million more than the prior year. Local Governance: Nashua is weighing a major police tech upgrade, including drone capabilities, as it considers a five-year contract for body-worn and related camera systems. Civic Life: UNH’s new semester kicked off with move-in week and a “Wildcat Welcome” for first-year students. National Political Climate: Republicans are warning of “historic losses” in the midterms, with a polling aggregate showing the GOP trailing in multiple battleground Senate races, including New Hampshire.

Brown University mass shooting review: An external review of Brown’s Dec. 2025 attack says it’s “highly unlikely” the shooting could have been prevented, while pointing to staffing and security gaps the school can fix going forward. NH Senate politics: A new UNH poll has Chris Pappas trailing John Sununu, and Pappas is warning Democrats not to take New Hampshire for granted. Campaign sparring: The Sununu-Brown WMUR debate fight is now the story, with Brown accusing Sununu of dodging a primary debate and Sununu defending his schedule. DOJ/FBI controversy: A DOJ report says FBI personnel took “minimal corrective action” after a leaked “radical traditionalist” Catholic memo, with firings already underway. Portsmouth airport breach: A 17-year-old fleeing police allegedly crashed through the Portsmouth International Airport fence, hitting an unoccupied plane and a tractor; he faces multiple charges and is set for arraignment Sept. 9. Meta settlement ripple: New Hampshire is set to receive up to $224M from a landmark Meta child-safety settlement, adding pressure on how state leaders spend the money. Gas prices: Premium gas hit a low around $4.49 in Rockingham County, while the statewide average sits just over $5. Social Security cliff: Coverage highlights the trust fund’s depletion risk by late 2032, raising new urgency for lawmakers.

Portsmouth Airport Incident: New Hampshire State Police say a 17-year-old from Rochester drove a Mustang through a fence at Portsmouth International Airport (Pease) and struck an unoccupied, parked plane; the suspect was detained and faces charges including DWI and reckless driving, with an arraignment set for Sept. 9. NASCAR & NH Spillover: 23XI Racing says Riley Herbst will miss the Daytona Coke Zero Sugar 400 due to “lingering effects” from his New Hampshire crash; Harrison Burton will replace him. Chase Field Set: Ryan Preece won the Daytona regular-season finale in overtime to clinch the final Cup playoff spot, while Bubba Wallace and Austin Cindric also locked in. Local Politics & Costs: A Hampton commentary argues the town’s push to charge businesses for trash removal is “absurd,” warning it would shift costs onto small businesses without delivering real taxpayer savings. Medicaid Dollars in Berlin: HHS Medicaid spending data shows Berlin providers billed $1,929 for “Temporary Codes” services in 2024, up 10% from 2023, highlighting how local billing patterns track resource distribution.

Airport Incident: New Hampshire State Police say a suspect drove through a fence at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease and struck an unoccupied plane on the tarmac, after attempting to elude troopers; the driver was detained and officials are still sorting out where the pursuit began and whether any flights were affected. Immigration & Courts: ICE detained Avishay Alon—described by ICE as a transgender former Israeli intelligence tech specialist—after a judge ordered New Hampshire to justify the apprehension, adding another twist to a case that has moved from state custody fights to federal immigration custody. NASCAR in NH Spotlight: Riley Herbst will miss the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona because of “lingering effects” from a hard crash at New Hampshire Motor Speedway; 23XI Racing is replacing him with Harrison Burton, who will start from the rear. Housing Pipeline: Concord’s housing construction is still moving in fits and starts, but a new wave of smaller projects has cleared local boards, helped by recent state and city rules easing parking and allowing more residential development in commercial areas. State Services: Easterseals NH reversed course and will keep adult day programs open in Manchester and Rochester after financial pressure and advocacy pushed the organization to continue services.

Trade & Diplomacy: As Trump escalates a trade war with Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney says the U.S. “signature is written in pencil,” while commentary argues Trump is eroding trust at home and abroad. Federal Courts & Rights: The First Circuit reversed a judge in Bow’s “XX” wristband dispute, saying schools can’t pick a side of a public debate and that officials didn’t show the protest caused a material disruption. NH Housing & Local Permitting: Claremont approved 27 affordable apartments in a historic mill, with the project hinging on financing and an adaptive reuse plan. State & Regional Energy: Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is convening New England governors for a summit on advanced nuclear and fusion to help lower electric bills, with Seabrook and Millstone in the mix. Elder Care: Easterseals NH reversed course and will keep adult day programs open in Manchester and Rochester after talks with Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s administration. Public Safety Tech: A week of debate continues over license-plate surveillance and Flock cameras, with NH cities facing privacy and data-retention questions. National Security: A new critique targets U.S. accountability over an Iranian school strike, arguing the Pentagon is stalling. Sports (NH readers’ odds & ends): Daytona’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 is set for Saturday night on NBC, with playoff spots still in play.

Sununu Youth Services Center Incident: DHHS says an incident at the Sununu Youth Services Center sent a state trooper to the hospital after staff and two troopers responded to vandalism and threats of violence; one trooper was bitten and hit in the head, and a juvenile was also taken to the hospital as a precaution. Trade War Fallout in NH GOP Senate Race: Scott Brown and John E. Sununu both criticized Trump’s Canada trade war, with Sununu calling it pointless and urging Congress to rein in tariff power. Flock Cameras in NH: A look at how Flock Safety’s license-plate readers and cameras are used, and why privacy concerns are pushing local debate—Portsmouth council action is being discussed. NH Senate Fundraising Fight: A fundraising memo highlights an “enthusiasm gap” in the State Senate races, with Democrats outraising GOP incumbents in the latest reports while GOP PACs dispute how the numbers are being compared. Meta Settlement Reaches NH: A major multistate Meta child-safety settlement is reported as including New Hampshire, with money tied to teen protection requirements for Instagram and Facebook. Food Safety Alert (NH-Linked): The CDC reports cyclosporiasis linked to recalled lettuce has expanded to more states, while USDA issued a Class I recall of frozen buffalo chicken shipped to food service locations in NH. Campaign/Politics Culture: Elon Musk’s America PAC is running digital ads in New Hampshire as midterm attention intensifies. Local Conservation History: A new book preserves New Hampshire game warden Carl B. Akerley’s conservation dispatches, offering a firsthand look at decades of wildlife and public safety work.

Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested transgender Israeli tech worker Allison Alon (Avishay) in Concord, NH, after kidnapping-related charges, setting up a possible deportation fight. Courts & Speech Rights: A federal appeals ruling remanded a Bow School District case after parents were punished for wearing “XX” wristbands in protest of a transgender athlete, finding likely viewpoint discrimination. Women’s Sports Politics: NH Senate hopeful Scott Brown praised Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham for challenging transgender athletes in women’s sports, keeping the issue front-and-center in the Granite State. Public Safety & Law Enforcement: The DEA opened a new New England lab in Londonderry to support drug investigations, while a Swanzey man pleaded guilty for failing to register online identifiers under federal sex-offender rules. Energy & Nuclear Debate: New Hampshire’s executive branch is building a nuclear expansion “playbook,” with debate growing over whether it can deliver promised benefits. Health Watch: FDA upgraded the cyclospora-linked lettuce recall to Class 1 and added states, bringing the outbreak to 20. Meta Settlement Spillover: Rhode Island’s proposed Meta settlement includes automatic teen protections on Instagram/Facebook, with NH expected to receive funds from the broader deal. Campaign & Polling: UNH polling shows Helena Foulkes widening her lead over Gov. Dan McKee in Rhode Island’s Democratic primary. Politics on the Road: Politico reports Trump Cabinet barnstorming is drawing tough questions, including in New Hampshire over gasoline prices. Law & Order in the Headlines: Police say a Dalton man stole a rescue truck from firefighters responding to his own burning home.

Adult Day Services Reversal: Easterseals NH abruptly reversed course and will keep adult day programs open in Manchester and Rochester, plus some in-home services, after Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s administration and Executive Councilor John Stephen held talks with the nonprofit—an about-face after the group earlier said it would close due to funding. NH Senate Primary Watch: A new UNH Survey Center poll shows Democratic Senate nominee Chris Pappas leading socialist challenger Karishma Manzur, but with Manzur’s support rising enough to narrow the gap; prediction markets also keep Pappas as the favorite. Meta Child-Safety Settlement: The multistate Meta deal is driving major payouts and new Instagram/Facebook child-safety rules, with reporting tying NH’s expected share to the broader national settlement. ICE Transfer in Concord: A man held at the Concord men’s prison was transferred to ICE custody after parole board approval, raising questions about how detainers are carried out. Granite State Polling: The latest Granite State Poll finds Ayotte’s approval up and housing still top concern, while taxes are also rising as a priority. Public Safety Tech Debate: License-plate reader surveillance is again in the spotlight as officials argue over limits and oversight. Local Government Disruption: Merrimack County services were limited after a network security incident, including paper-only requirements for some Register of Deeds filings. Animal Cruelty Case: A Portsmouth man became the first person convicted under NH’s newer turtle-cruelty law and was fined $620.

Meta Settlement Watch: New Hampshire is set to receive up to $224.3 million from a landmark multistate Meta child-safety deal, with sweeping new requirements for Instagram and Facebook aimed at reducing addictive features and protecting minors. Voting Rights & Courts: A guide to the status of mail-in voting follows fresh federal court moves affecting Trump’s mail ballot restrictions; New Hampshire election officials say the Sept. 8 primary won’t be impacted, but the legal fight is still moving. ACLU vs. State Police: The ACLU of New Hampshire sued the State Police over alleged delays in producing records tied to the state’s ICE 287(g) agreement. Primary Politics: New Hampshire’s Senate and House primaries are tightening, with UNH polling showing Chris Pappas’ lead over Karishma Manzur shrinking and Democrats’ internal dynamics increasingly driving the race. Local School Tax Cap: Seacoast cities are asking whether a new state law requiring a school property tax cap ballot question applies to them. Housing Pressure: A Seacoast housing affordability series spotlights how persistent rent and home-price strain is forcing frequent moves and squeezing working residents. Energy & Infrastructure: The state’s energy leadership continues to push nuclear as a key path forward, while Pease airport’s fixed-base operator is weighing upgrades to its jet center and fuel farm.

Meta Settlement in NH: Gov. Kelly Ayotte and AG John Formella announced New Hampshire will receive up to $224 million from a multistate Meta child-safety deal, with guaranteed funding and new limits on teen use of Facebook and Instagram plus parent controls. Mental Health Focus: Advocates say the money should expand early screening and access to care, after surveys show teens report online bullying and stress tied to social media. NH Primary Numbers: A new UNH poll finds Chris Pappas’ lead over Karishma Manzur in the Democratic Senate primary has narrowed to 47%-34%. 2nd District Debate Push: Republican Lily Tang Williams is calling for more general-election debates against Rep. Maggie Goodlander. Election Law Fight: A coalition of attorneys general challenged USPS rules that could restrict mail-based voting nationwide. ACLU vs NH State Police: The ACLU of New Hampshire sued State Police over alleged “black box” secrecy in ICE-related records. GOP Primary Drama: WMUR debate fallout continues as Granite Staters criticize John E. Sununu for skipping the GOP primary debate. Local Courts: A Keene man, Dylan Reynolds, was sentenced to 50 years for kidnapping and sexual assault. Policy & Tech: DeSantis warned against “surveillance state” uses of Flock AI cameras, pointing to NH-style limits as a model.

Big Tech Child-Safety Settlements: A multistate deal has Meta agreeing to pay up to about $17.1 billion and roll out sweeping protections for kids on Instagram and Facebook, including age-assurance steps, default teen time limits, nighttime blocks, and limits on school-day notifications. NH Politics & Elections: In the NH-01 Democratic primary, Sen. Maggie Hassan endorsed Stefany Shaheen, tying her support to healthcare and public health fights; the Sept. 8 vote is now less than two weeks away. Campaign Trail (Statehouse): Laconia’s Paul Rossi is seeking a Statehouse seat on an education reform and workforce platform, while Dana Silcock is running in Belmont’s District 4 emphasizing local voice and affordability. Courts & Voting Rules: A federal judge temporarily blocked Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, adding to the broader national fight over election access and documentation. Public Health Research: Dartmouth-led research highlights a new transfusion-related alpha-gal syndrome risk for type O patients receiving B or AB blood products. Local Community Spotlight: Rep. Maggie Goodlander visited the River Center in Peterborough to highlight family resource services and federal funding needs.

Election 2026: New Hampshire’s top election official, Sec. of State David Scanlan, said his office is monitoring a U.S. Supreme Court mail-in ballot ruling and related litigation, but wouldn’t say yet how it could affect absentee voting for the Sept. 8 primary. Voting Integrity: A federal judge temporarily blocked Ohio’s new proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, setting up an immediate appeal as Trump pushes broader proof-of-citizenship changes. Congressional Politics (NH-01): Progressive Heath Howard suspended his campaign for New Hampshire’s 1st District and backed Carleigh Beriont, narrowing the Democratic field ahead of the Sept. 8 primary. State Politics: The NH legislature overrode Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s veto of the 10-year transportation plan, moving forward toll changes tied to E-ZPass starting Jan. 1, 2027. Education & School Choice: A new Education Freedom Account dashboard shows 13,570 students eligible for grants, with 1,070 on a waitlist. Environment/Local Impact: Portsmouth officially opened a renovated commercial fishing pier funded with pandemic-era stimulus and state port money. Public Safety: A New Hampshire man was arrested after allegedly stealing a rescue truck responding to a home fire in Dalton, then crashing and damaging property. Gun Rights: The NRA’s scorecard gave high marks to Gov. Kelly Ayotte and U.S. Senate candidate John E. Sununu, while Scott Brown received an “F.”

Immigration & Courts: The Trump administration says it will revoke B-1/B-2 non-immigrant visas for people who applied for or are seeking asylum, with estimates cited that up to 200,000 could be affected—another escalation in the administration’s immigration crackdown. NH Elections: GOP U.S. Senate frontrunner John Sununu is skipping the WMUR GOP primary debate, arguing he’s already done multiple debates and joint appearances; the move keeps attention on the NHJournal debate schedule and the primary’s final stretch. 1st District Democratic Primary: Progressive candidate Carleigh Beriont’s momentum continues after Heath Howard suspended his campaign and backed Beriont, narrowing the crowded field in the NH-01 race where healthcare messaging is driving competition. Education Policy: Manchester’s school board voted 12-2 to update its transgender athlete policy to match 2024 state law and recent Supreme Court rulings, setting up another flashpoint for local districts. Public Safety: A woman accused of leading an I-89 police pursuit and standoff was held without bail after state police said she refused to exit her car. Health & Research: Dartmouth Health researchers identified a transfusion-related alpha-gal risk, suggesting some patients—especially type O—may react to plasma/platelets from type B or AB donors. Local Politics & Community: In Laconia, friends and colleagues mourn Charlie St. Clair, longtime executive director of Motorcycle Week, who died after a motorcycle accident.