AGP Executive Report

NH Politics & Economy: With the Sept. 8 primary Tuesday, the AP frames New Hampshire’s marquee U.S. Senate race as a potential control-of-the-Senate swing, pitting GOP former Sens. John Sununu and Scott Brown against Democrats Chris Pappas and Karishma Manzur, while voters also pick nominees for House, governor and other state offices. Labor Day Politics: A Labor Day rally in Concord put affordability and jobs front and center, with attendees saying they feel state and federal leaders aren’t addressing housing and economic anxiety. Local Business Leadership: Peckham Industries names John Peckham interim CEO, aiming for continuity as the family-owned manufacturer transitions leadership. Healthcare & Consumer Impact: A federal food-recall system is under scrutiny after regulators can order recalls but rarely do, leaving gaps when a seed supplier stays silent—an issue with real downstream effects for growers and shoppers. Sports & Local Economy: A Merrimack Anheuser-Busch brewery site is sold to United Therapeutics for $47 million, signaling a major industrial shift and potential job growth. Data Centers & Growth Debate: NH’s data-center expansion conversation keeps heating up as residents and officials weigh broadband, energy, and water demands. Banking: Savings Bank of Walpole appoints Jeffrey Smith vice president and commercial portfolio manager.

Merrimack Deal: United Therapeutics is buying the former Anheuser-Busch brewery site in Merrimack for $47 million, a nearly 300-acre industrial prize that could bring hundreds of jobs and reshape a long-time local tax and wastewater footprint. PFAS Payouts: New Hampshire is set to receive another $7.3 million from 3M tied to forever-chemical drinking-water settlements, adding to more than $43 million already collected for utility cleanup work. Labor Market Watch: A new NH Fiscal Policy Institute study says job growth has improved, but wages still lag inflation and unemployment claims remain a concern. Education Funding: NH still ranks last nationally for state support of public education, with property taxpayers covering a large share of costs. Medicaid Coverage Risk: Nearly 300 people in New Hampshire are expected to lose Medicaid coverage as eligibility shifts, including an 86-year-old Ukrainian woman in a nursing facility. Primary Election Countdown: With Sept. 8 races looming, NH’s competitive U.S. Senate and House Democratic primaries are tightening, while Republicans choose between former senators John Sununu and Scott Brown. Local Business Leadership: Savings Bank of Walpole named Jeffrey Smith vice president and commercial portfolio manager. Tech & Privacy: A lawsuit alleges Concord Housing Authority installed surveillance sensors in rentals, reigniting debate over tenant privacy. Insurance Angle: NH’s auto-insurance model—no mandatory coverage upfront—continues to support affordability rankings.

NH Economy Watch: A new study from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute says the job picture has improved since 2025, with nonfarm employment up 1.1% this year, but wages are still lagging inflation and unemployment claims remain a concern. Health Coverage Impact: Nearly 300 people in New Hampshire are expected to lose Medicaid coverage as eligibility changes under federal law, including an 86-year-old Ukrainian woman now in a nursing facility. Auto Insurance & Consumer Costs: A new Insurance Information Institute affordability ranking highlights how New Hampshire’s “no mandatory auto insurance” rule still results in a relatively cheap market because most drivers voluntarily buy coverage, with penalties hitting after accidents. Election Countdown (NH): With the Sept. 8 primary Tuesday, Democrats and Republicans are lining up for the open U.S. Senate seat, including the Pappas vs. Manzur Democratic contest and the Sununu vs. Brown GOP matchup. Fraud & Financial Crime: A New Hampshire resident was indicted in a federal case alleging he ran an unlicensed hawala operation moving more than $25 million between the U.S. and Yemen. Local Business & Development: In Enfield, a developer is back before the zoning board seeking approval for a wetland-crossing road as he revises a proposed downtown housing project. Scam Signals: BBB Scam Tracker data puts Milan among the higher-report cities in New Hampshire for July, tied for 23rd statewide.

NH Politics & Elections: A Granite State Poll finds New Hampshire voters blame Trump’s tariffs for higher prices and say their finances are worse than a year ago, adding pressure to the GOP in the Senate race. Democratic Senate Debate: In the WMUR Democratic U.S. Senate primary, Karishma Manzur repeatedly tied issues like housing and border security to Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, while Chris Pappas and Karishma Manzur sparred over competing priorities. Business & Finance: A New Hampshire man, Ramzi Al‑Shawafi of Chichester, was indicted for allegedly running an unlicensed hawala moving more than $25 million between the U.S. and Yemen. Energy Costs: A new look at electricity pricing suggests doing laundry during off-peak hours can cut costs, since peak evening demand is typically pricier. Local Development: Enfield developer Adam Grounds returns to zoning to seek permission for a wetland road crossing as he reshapes a proposed housing plan. Housing & Policy: Coos County reports public housing units stayed at 55 in 2025, with occupancy at 96% and average monthly rent around $414.

NH Politics & Campaign Finance: Outside money is pouring into New Hampshire’s 1st District Democratic race, with attacks getting sharper as the primary nears, including “red box” messaging that hands outside groups ready-made attack lines. Housing & Public Assistance: Coos County’s HUD-assisted housing picture stayed steady in 2025, with public housing units unchanged at 55 and occupancy at 96%, while voucher and project-based counts remain the main levers of support. Statehouse Watch: Beacon Hill Roll Call tracked 2026 session attendance through Aug. 28, showing most lawmakers missed no roll calls, while a smaller group missed one or more. Local Government: Moultonborough promoted longtime Lt. Mark Cavic to police chief, aiming for continuity after the retirement of Chief Peter Beede Jr. Business & Economy (Regional): A new Bank of America Institute study finds Americans are moving less than before, with high housing costs helping “lock in” households. Cyber & Privacy: Thomson Reuters disclosed a breach that exposed sensitive court records across multiple jurisdictions, including New Hampshire. Energy Costs: Gas prices are rising again heading into Labor Day, with international oil shocks cited as a key driver.

Data-center politics in Bow: Residents are split as a possible data center follows the shuttered Merrimack Station coal-plant site into the spotlight, with supporters pointing to steadier tax revenue and opponents warning about impacts on the community. NH election money and foreign ties: The New Hampshire GOP is pressing Sen. Chris Pappas to answer questions after reports tied a Beijing-linked businessman to donations to Pappas’ campaign, raising fresh scrutiny of campaign finance and national security. Medicaid eligibility shake-up: Nearly 300 New Hampshire residents are set to lose Medicaid coverage as eligibility rules shift, including an 86-year-old Ukrainian woman—highlighting how policy changes can hit older, vulnerable residents fast. Cybersecurity and court systems: Thomson Reuters disclosed a breach that exposed sensitive court records across multiple jurisdictions, including New Hampshire, renewing concerns about how personal data moves through legal and business platforms. Health-care strain: Coverage continues on hospital capacity pressures, with national reporting tying GOP health-care cuts to closures and longer waits—an issue that resonates locally for Granite State patients and providers. UNH research infrastructure: UNH deployed a cabled ocean observatory near the Isles of Shoals, funded by the Office of Naval Research, expanding real-time coastal monitoring for the Gulf of Maine.

Workers’ Comp: New Hampshire regulators approved an average 2.9% cut to workers’ compensation rates for 2027, the 15th straight year of declining loss costs—aimed at lowering costs for employers while keeping coverage for injured workers. Housing & Privacy: Tenants in Concord’s public housing are suing after the authority installed Minut sensors, arguing the tech went beyond “non-recording” claims by collecting data like air quality, motion, and device signals. Cybersecurity: Thomson Reuters says a cyber incident tied to its C-Track court platform affected systems in New Hampshire and 11 other states plus Canada, raising fresh concerns for local courts and case management. Politics & Business Climate: Elon Musk’s America PAC began spending about $800,000 across competitive House and Senate races, including New Hampshire, as Republicans fight to hold majorities. Corrections & Workforce: UNH and partners are letting incarcerated students in New Hampshire pursue business administration degrees, with expansion planned to additional prisons. Health & Tech: A New Hampshire man received a human kidney after living nearly nine months with a gene-edited pig kidney—an update in xenotransplant research. Energy Costs: Heat pumps are gaining attention as New Hampshire households look to cut cooling bills and manage hotter, more humid summers.

Musk Money in NH Politics: Elon Musk’s America PAC disclosed about $800,000 in early midterm spending, including roughly $91,458 in New Hampshire and major checks in Senate races from Maine to Texas, signaling a push into competitive GOP contests. Housing Privacy Fight: Tenants represented by the ACLU of New Hampshire and NH Legal Assistance sued the Concord Housing Authority, alleging ceiling-mounted “Minut” devices collected detailed in-home data since 2024 and that residents couldn’t opt out. Cybersecurity in Court Systems: The New Hampshire Judicial Branch said its Supreme Court data was accessed in a Thomson Reuters “C-Track” breach earlier this year; officials say they found no indication that sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers was accessed. Retirement & Taxes: New Hampshire’s no-income-tax status is highlighted in a national roundup of how $750,000 in savings plus Social Security can last longer or shorter by state, alongside a separate look at which states tax retirement income. Labor Day Economics: A Granite State Poll reports NH residents are pessimistic about tariffs and recession risk, with most saying costs have risen and expecting higher prices. Local Business & Community: NHPR and the Harris Center launched “Wild at Home,” a new kids’ series focused on backyard nature learning.

Cybersecurity & Courts: Thomson Reuters confirmed a breach tied to its C-Track case management system, with an unauthorized party accessing files months earlier; notices point to sensitive personal data in multiple states including New Hampshire. Housing & Cost Pressure: A new federal ROAD to Housing Act is expected to ease some housing red tape in NH, including changes that could lower manufactured-home costs; meanwhile, NH labor data shows jobs and unemployment improving in 2026, but wages still lag inflation. Data Centers & Politics: Democrats are sharpening attacks on Republicans over data-center tax incentives, while NH’s own housing and affordability debate keeps intersecting with the broader national fight over AI and data-center growth. NH Business Growth: United Therapeutics bought the former Anheuser-Busch site in Merrimack, expanding its Southern NH footprint. Campaign Watch: NH’s Sept. 8 races stay heated, from GOP primary debate clashes to scrutiny of candidates’ residency claims.

Data Privacy in Courts: A third-party vendor breach tied to Thomson Reuters’ C-Track exposed potentially sensitive court data across multiple states, including New Hampshire, with officials saying some case documents are public but other records may include Social Security numbers, medical info, and dates of birth. AI Data Center Push in Bow: New Hampshire lawmakers and officials are calling for a moratorium as filings and local reporting point to a possible up to 350-megawatt data center interconnection in Bow tied to the Merrimack Station site—raising questions about energy availability and electricity prices. Housing Surveillance Lawsuit: Concord Housing and Redevelopment Authority faces a lawsuit alleging its Minut devices in subsidized apartments collect more than safety data, turning homes into a surveillance system. Jobs vs. Wages: A New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute analysis says employment is improving and unemployment is below 3%, but wage growth is lagging inflation, squeezing purchasing power. Primary Politics: In the Democratic fight for the open 1st Congressional District seat, attacks between Stefany Shaheen and Maura Sullivan are getting sharper as the nomination nears. Local Business & Energy: Hannaford is bringing back in-store farm stands with local growers, while Derry celebrated a landfill solar array expected to cut taxpayer electricity costs over 25 years.

NH Politics & Economy: A new “best guess” check on Senate toss-ups says Labor Day has made the chamber race tighter, with Trump’s approval drag complicating GOP odds in key states. Food Safety: Hodo recalled 75,250 packages of Lightly Fried Chili Crisp Tofu across 29 states, including New Hampshire, after ink from printed packaging “may have migrated into the product.” Consumer/Business Risk: Planet Fitness is hit with a securities-fraud class action in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire; investors have until Sept. 14 to seek lead-plaintiff status. Local Infrastructure: NH DES secured a $2M Northern Borders grant to cut Belmont’s Route 140 force main replacement cost, advancing a phased construction plan. Workforce & Growth: Stay Work Play NH launched an NH Interns Program to help young workers see career paths—and life—in the Granite State. Industry Expansion: Swan Hellenic named a new North America sales director for a territory that includes New Hampshire.

Health Access: Northeast Kingdom patients say specialty care still means long drives and long waits, with distance and transportation costs keeping many from getting timely treatment. Housing Costs & AI: Portsmouth renters report landlords using AI pricing tools that can sharply raise renewal rents, raising new questions about algorithm-driven affordability. Workforce & Infrastructure: UNH won a $250,000 federal grant to train highway construction workers, aiming to ease a regional labor shortage that can delay bridges and road projects. Energy & Development: A 2.25-MW solar project on a capped Derry landfill is now online, expected to save taxpayers about $4 million over 25 years. Telecom Expansion: TDS completed its purchase of Granite State Communications’ fiber and voice operations, adding more than 11,000 fiber addresses in New Hampshire. Data Center Watch: Bow is in early talks about a potential large data center, with state leaders debating whether a moratorium is needed amid uncertainty. Consumer Protection: Attorneys general announced a landmark multistate Meta settlement with new child-safety reforms for Instagram and Facebook. Food Safety: A tofu recall spread across 29 states after ink from packaging may have migrated into the product.

Surveillance & Privacy: Gov. Ron DeSantis called Florida’s “out of control” use of license plate readers a push toward a surveillance state, urging lawmakers to set limits as local agencies expand Flock-style cameras. NH Housing & Taxes: Belmont homeowners are pressing for property-tax relief that shifts more burden to the state while protecting schools and municipal services. Workforce & Education Tech: North Light AI and UNH Professional Development launched a new asynchronous AI certificate for K–12 educators focused on judgment, assessment, and responsible classroom decisions. Business Expansion: Renewal by Andersen’s Esler Companies announced long-term partnerships with four major college athletics programs, and Century Garage Door Repair Service said it’s expanded to a single national standard across 26 states plus D.C. Internet Performance: Fidium reported top Ookla Speedtest rankings statewide and across the Lakes Region, citing faster speeds and reliability. Food Safety: FDA updates expanded recalls tied to foreign materials in white rice, including sales in New Hampshire, while cyclospora-linked lettuce concerns keep driving attention to regional food supply. Energy Costs: Gas prices stayed volatile in New Hampshire and the region, with AAA reporting shifting averages amid global supply pressures.

Insurance Expansion: Arbella Insurance Group opened its first New Hampshire commercial lines office in Bedford, aiming to deepen service for independent agents and growing NH business. Energy & Infrastructure: Maine approved a plan to fund a major 100-plus-mile power line from Aroostook County toward Bangor, with ratepayers in five New England states including Massachusetts helping pay—part of a broader shift toward onshore wind as offshore projects stall. Housing Permitting Tech: Cities are increasingly using AI to speed housing approvals by catching incomplete applications earlier, supported by new federal funding for local permitting innovation. Food Safety: Lundberg Family Farms expanded a jasmine white rice recall to a dozen states including New Hampshire due to possible foreign material contamination; no illnesses reported. Privacy & Public Safety Tech: Florida ordered the removal of automated license plate readers on state rights-of-way, citing concerns about surveillance creep and pointing to NH’s faster data deletion approach. Local Business & Consumer Notes: Absolute Floors urged Nashua-area homeowners to book fall flooring installs ahead of the holiday rush. Community & Economy: Cheshire County veterans can get $20 farmers’ market vouchers each weekend in September through a local appreciation program.

NH Politics: Kamala Harris endorsed U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas for New Hampshire Senate, a major boost as polls tighten against Dr. Karishma Manzur. NH Elections: Pappas also dodged a commitment to keep Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader if elected, while separate WMUR appearances turned into a debate over who’s dodging debates. Trade & Energy: A renewed U.S.-Canada trade fight is again squeezing New Hampshire businesses, as energy costs keep climbing and lawmakers argue over how to break utility-driven price pressure. Business Expansion: Caliber Collision is expanding into New England by acquiring Key Collision, adding 10 locations across Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Insurance: Arbella opened a Bedford commercial lines office, its first brick-and-mortar presence in NH. Public Safety Tech: Nashua is weighing a deal for new Axon camera and drone capabilities to strengthen policing coverage. Food Safety: The FDA updated a Lundberg white rice recall affecting New Hampshire and 12 other states, warning of possible foreign material contamination. Local Economy & Housing: New data shows the NH Child Care Scholarship Program is being used more than ever, with spending rising sharply. Consumer Costs: Gas prices remain volatile, with Vermont averaging about $4.21 and the U.S. around $4.01.

Housing & Community Development: NH’s housing pipeline stays active as smaller projects move faster while larger developments stall, with Concord seeing a fresh wave of pitches. Public Safety & Local Economy: A fatal stabbing in downtown Lawrence, Mass. Street area, is under investigation, with police asking witnesses and nearby businesses with cameras to help. Food & Consumer Watch: The FDA expanded a recall of Lundberg Family Farms white jasmine rice (54,648 pounds) over potential foreign material contamination, including distribution into New Hampshire. Energy Costs: GasBuddy reports the lowest Rockingham County premium price at $4.49/gallon (week ending Aug. 22), while NH’s statewide average sits around $5.03. Business & Compliance: The FTC finalized orders against Cox Media Group and two marketing firms, including Nashua-based MindSift, over an “Active Listening” ad product the agency says was actually reselling email lists. Sports & Tourism: Millennium Running acquired the Reach the Beach Relay after unpaid bills forced the 2026 cancellation, aiming for a 2027 return. Healthcare Access: The Brattleboro VA clinic in Vermont will resume normal operations Sept. 1 after repairs, with NH-area VA clinics supporting patients during the closure.