The Exchange (NHPR)

Construction groups are urging state lawmakers to override Governor Kelly Ayat's veto of a 10-year highway plan, which they argue is essential for safe transportation of people and goods across New Hampshire. The veto was based on concerns about increased tolls for vehicles without a New Hampshire easy pass, which could deter tourism. Historically, highway bills have received bipartisan support, making this veto particularly notable.

Old Dutch Mustard has been ordered to implement a water pollution monitoring system following the sentencing of owner Charles Santich for violating the Clean Water Act. Santich was sentenced to 18 months in prison for secretly discharging wastewater into the Souhegan River and must also pay a civil penalty of $50,000 in addition to a previous $1.5 million penalty.

Three Republican candidates for New Hampshire's first congressional district debated in Brentwood, showing agreement on immigration and military support. They discussed economic challenges, emphasizing the need for infrastructure investment and attracting a younger workforce to the state.

Advocates in New Hampshire are supporting the federal government's 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which aims to modernize housing regulations and incentivize affordable housing development. The bill includes provisions for rental assistance and streamlined environmental reviews.

Three Republican candidates for New Hampshire's first congressional district debated in Brentwood, focusing on issues like deportation efforts by ICE and support for military actions in Iran. Candidates emphasized the need for infrastructure investment and attracting a younger workforce to address the state's aging demographic.

New Hampshire housing advocates are optimistic about the recent federal housing bill, which aims to reduce costs for manufactured home construction. The legislation allows homes to be placed directly on permanent foundations, potentially aiding first-time buyers and those looking to downsize.

The largest state employees union in New Hampshire, SEIU 1984, has endorsed candidates in both party primaries for the second congressional district. Union President Rich Gullough emphasized the importance of supporting pro-union candidates, highlighting Democrat Maggie Goodlander's labor-focused agenda and Republican Victor Orlando's background as a former union member.

New Hampshire advocates are optimistic about the federal government's 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which is expected to provide developers with more flexibility to build affordable housing. The legislation aims to modernize housing regulations and includes measures to preserve rental assistance and streamline environmental reviews.

A bipartisan group of lawmakers in New Hampshire has requested a performance audit of the state's college system amid plans to consolidate leadership. The proposed merger would combine the roles of the chancellor and the University of New Hampshire president into a single position, prompting concerns about staffing and governance.

The Coalition for Open Democracy is suing New Hampshire over a new law that removed school-issued photo IDs from the list of acceptable voter identification. The group argues that the law unfairly targets young voters and violates the Constitution, as it was enacted without evidence of voter fraud.

The New Hampshire Insurance Department has imposed a $420,000 fine on Anthem Health Plans and Matthew Thornton Health Plan for over 100 violations related to health insurance administration. These violations included failing to process claims and appeals within the legally required timeframe, with a previous fine issued to the same companies last October.

The Coalition for Open Democracy is suing New Hampshire over a new law that removed school-issued photo IDs as acceptable forms of identification for voting. The group argues that the law unfairly targets young voters and lacks evidence of voter fraud, raising concerns about its impact on upcoming elections.

Public health experts are warning that a mass outbreak of intestinal illness caused by the cyclospora parasite is putting pressure on local health departments. The source of the outbreak remains unclear, but it is likely linked to commonly consumed healthy foods like fresh vegetables, complicating efforts for those trying to maintain a healthy diet.

The New Hampshire ACLU is intensifying its legal battle against President Trump's recent executive order that limits birthright citizenship. This order states that a child's citizenship will not be recognized if one parent is classified as an 'alien enemy' or works for a foreign government. ACLU attorney Sang Job Kim argues that the order is unconstitutional and has filed a motion to halt its enforcement.

New Hampshire Democrats are using the 91st anniversary of Social Security to caution voters about potential cuts if a Republican is elected to the U.S. Senate. They are focusing on the records of GOP candidates John E. Sununu and Scott Brown, highlighting past actions that could threaten entitlement programs. Sununu's previous support for privatizing Social Security is a key point in their campaign.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Cindy Warmington has released a video defending her past lobbying work for Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin. She claims her efforts were aimed at ensuring patient access to necessary healthcare, but acknowledges she was unaware of the company's fraudulent activities at the time. This issue has been a contentious point in her political campaigns, with opponents using it against her.

New Hampshire is set to experience two significant celestial events: a partial solar eclipse and the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. Residents are advised to use eclipse glasses for safe viewing of the solar eclipse, which begins in the afternoon, and can expect to see meteors later in the evening. The weather is predicted to be mostly clear, providing good visibility for both events.

Amanda Genu has narrowly won Vermont's Democratic primary for governor, defeating political outsider Janu, who advocated for progressive policy changes. Genu will now face incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott in the upcoming November election, who previously secured over 70% of the vote in the 2024 general election.

The New Hampshire State Health Department reported 79 cases of illness caused by the cyclospora parasite, with over half linked to contaminated lettuce from Cheshire Medical Center. Taylor Farms has issued a nationwide recall of iceberg lettuce products in response to the outbreak, which has also resulted in three hospitalizations.

Some Hannaford deli products have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination linked to jalapenos from Coast Citrus Distributors. This recall adds to the growing concerns over food safety in the region.