AGP Executive Report

Hampton Beach Crackdown: Record heat pulled huge crowds to Hampton Beach Tuesday, and when a sudden downpour hit, fights erupted fast—police responded to 127 calls and made 50 arrests tied to “Hampton Beach Takeover” events and school-skip days, with state troopers clearing Ocean Boulevard in tactical gear after an unlawful assembly. Weather Watch: Cooler, less humid air moves in Thursday, but Memorial Day weekend looks mixed—best odds for Saturday, more showers possible Sunday and Monday, with highs mostly in the 60s. Local Growth Pressure: Manchester and Nashua are rebounding in population since 2020, but housing hasn’t kept pace, raising the risk that growth strains services and the environment. Data Center Rules: A key “by right” data center zoning bill was tabled in the NH House, keeping the debate over how much local control towns should have. Public Safety: A recycling truck backing into a Keene parking lot hit and killed a 78-year-old pedestrian.

Heat & Crowds: Hampton Beach swelled with an estimated 75,000 people as temperatures hit the 90s, and police moved in after fights broke out—clearing Ocean Boulevard with tactical support and declaring unlawful assemblies. Air Quality Warning: New Hampshire DES issued a “code orange” ozone alert for Rockingham County, urging kids, seniors, and people with lung issues to limit outdoor exertion. Weather Turn: Another hot stretch is underway across the region before cooler air and rain arrive later in the week. Public Safety: In Keene, a recycling truck backing into a Chipotle parking lot hit and killed 78-year-old Pamela Savard; investigators say the driver was not charged. Energy Policy: “Balcony solar” bills are advancing across New England, including New Hampshire, as residents look for cheaper, plug-in solar options. Community Resilience: A retiring New Hampshire Charitable Foundation leader says nonprofits are adapting fast after pandemic shocks and unpredictable government cuts.

Heat & Humidity: Tuesday’s record-breaking warmth hit New England hard—Boston topped out at 96° and Portland hit 92°, breaking daily May records—then Wednesday stays muggy with more storm chances. Air Quality Alert: New Hampshire issued a “code orange” ozone alert for Rockingham County, warning kids, older adults, and people with lung or heart issues to limit outdoor exertion as heat and pollution combine. Water Reality Check: A Dartmouth study says rainfall is rising overall, but storms are clustering into heavier bursts—so the same pattern that brings more rain can still leave landscapes drier and groundwater stressed. Public Safety: A 78-year-old woman, Pamela Savard, was killed in Keene after being struck by a recycling truck backing into a Chipotle parking lot; police say the driver isn’t facing charges. Community & Workforce: Stay Work Play New Hampshire launched a statewide internship program aimed at keeping young talent in the state after graduation. Local Spotlight: Plymouth State University held its 155th commencement, honoring about 685 undergrads.

Tick-bite surge: ER visits for tick bites are hitting their highest levels for this time of year since 2017, with CDC-linked spikes across the Northeast and Midwest as warmer weather boosts tick activity and Lyme disease remains the most common tick-borne illness. Air quality alerts: Heat and ground-level ozone are driving air quality warnings across much of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, including New Hampshire, urging people—especially kids, seniors, and those with lung or heart conditions—to limit time outdoors. Heat + storms: New Hampshire is bracing for muggy, potentially record-setting warmth Tuesday into Wednesday, with thunderstorms that could turn strong in some areas. Water worries: A Dartmouth study highlights the cruel tradeoff of climate change—storms are getting more intense and clustered, yet the region can still end up drier and more stressed for groundwater. Local governance: Gilford’s selectboard voted down a timber guardrail upgrade for a new public works garage, choosing cost savings over aesthetics.

PFAS Rule Shake-Up: The EPA says it will loosen limits on four “forever chemicals” and adjust how water systems meet drinking-water standards, while keeping strict limits on PFOA and PFOS and extending some compliance deadlines to 2031. Heat Alert: New Hampshire is bracing for a sweltering Tuesday and muggy Wednesday, with heat advisories and a real chance of thunderstorms that could bring gusty weather. Local Waste Pressure: NEWMOA warns the Northeast could lose major disposal capacity within five years, with about 23% of waste going to landfills that may close soon and more exports rising. Crypto in Municipal Finance: NH’s bitcoin-backed municipal bond plan is still awaiting approval and has a below-investment-grade rating from Moody’s, as officials weigh the risks of using volatile collateral. Ticks on the Rise: Lyme disease and tick-bite ER visits are climbing in the region, with Ohio reporting hundreds of cases so far this year. Community Health: WMUR and the Red Cross set a statewide blood drive for June 5.

Water Funding Push: NEWEA is urging Congress to boost federal dollars for aging drinking-water and wastewater systems and to build a national plan for biosolids and PFAS management, warning New England’s infrastructure needs are exploding while federal support has been shrinking. PFAS Fight in NH: A New Hampshire PFAS bill is drawing alarm after a Senate rewrite removed sludge protections, leaving critics worried residents could carry more risk. Data Center Tension: Across the U.S., opposition to data centers is surging—local moratorium efforts have nearly tenfolded in a year—while NH’s own push-and-pull continues as lawmakers debate how much control towns should have. Heat + Storms: New Hampshire heads into a hotter, more humid week with ozone alerts in nearby states and a best chance for thunderstorms midweek. Ticks on the Rise: ER visits for tick bites are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with Lyme cases climbing as warmer conditions expand tick activity. Local Politics: The NH “bathroom bill” is back for a fourth veto attempt, setting up another showdown with Gov. Kelly Ayotte.

Heat & Storm Setup: New Hampshire is heading into a hot, humid stretch with storm chances returning. Highs are already in the 80s, but Tuesday could push into the low 90s in spots, with thunderstorms possible as humidity ramps up. Tick-Bite Warning: Tick activity is spiking, with Northeast emergency room visits for tick bites at their highest for this time of year since 2017—another reminder to use repellents and do tick checks after outdoor time. Air Service Shakeup: JetBlue is ending all flights at Manchester-Boston Regional Airport on July 8, citing a “capacity crisis” and shifting aircraft to stronger-demand markets. Data Center Fight in NH: A state bill aimed at limiting local data-center regulation was tabled in the House, keeping local control in the spotlight. PFAS Pressure: In Manchester, environmental groups are challenging an EPA wastewater permit over PFAS limits—arguing the agency didn’t fully assess harm to the Merrimack River. Local Climate Action: A Concord faith-based climate justice group won recognition for dozens of outreach and advocacy steps.

Northern Lights Watch: A geomagnetic storm could push aurora farther south than usual this weekend, with New Hampshire in the “faint glow on the northern horizon” zone if skies are clear. Heat Up: After a mild start, New Hampshire is set for summerlike warmth—low 80s today—with another warm stretch building fast, including a shot at near-90-degree readings in the south early next week. Tick Bite Surge: Tick activity is climbing, and ER visits for tick bites are at their highest for this time of year since 2017, with the Northeast seeing the biggest jump—so take precautions before heading outdoors. Local Research Fight: Advocates are pushing back on the U.S. Forest Service’s earlier plan to close Bartlett Experimental Forest, arguing there’s “no substitute” for the research it supports. Data Center Pressure: Across the U.S., efforts to slow or block data centers are rising fast, and New Hampshire’s debate continues as the state weighs how much local control should matter.

Data Center Backlash: A national tracker says local and state efforts to pause or ban data centers have jumped from 8 active in May 2025 to 78 a year later, as Utah and other communities push back on big power and water demands. NH Local Control vs State Preemption: In New Hampshire, Senate Bill 439 was tabled in the House—effectively ending the session fight over a “by right” approach that would limit how much towns can regulate data centers. Climate Justice in Concord: A faith-based climate group won a $1,000 award for 43 actions in a year, including sermons, op-eds, and outreach. PFAS Fight: In Manchester, environmental advocates argued EPA didn’t properly assess PFAS impacts from the wastewater plant permit. Forestry & Nursing Updates: New NH law bars state/county lands from joining timber carbon sequestration deals, and HB 1030 expands LPN scope of practice. Weekend Weather: Warmer, brighter conditions are moving in after fog and damp days.

PFAS Fight: A New Hampshire PFAS bill is back in the spotlight after a Senate rewrite quietly removed all references to sewage sludge, alarming critics who say the protections for farmers and neighbors may have been gutted. Weather Watch: Warmer air is building into New Hampshire this weekend after a cool, damp stretch, with highs pushing toward the 70s and even near 90 by early next week. Data Center Politics: The NH House voted to table a bill that would have limited towns’ ability to regulate data centers, keeping the door open for local zoning fights. Water & Flooding: FEMA is sending $1 million to NHDOT for administrative costs tied to the 2018 seacoast flooding, while a flood warning remains in effect for the Saco River area in Conway. Animal Welfare: West Point Clay County Animal Shelter helped rescue 54 dogs from an overwhelmed owner, highlighting ongoing rural hoarding pressures. Northern Lights: NOAA is flagging a possible G1 aurora show Saturday night, with the best odds in northern states including Maine.

FEMA Money for Flood Admin: FEMA is sending $1 million to NHDOT to cover administrative costs tied to past severe flooding grants after the 2018 nor’easter battered the seacoast. PFAS Fight in Manchester: A federal appeals hearing pitted EPA and city officials against environmental advocates over whether Manchester’s wastewater permit adequately protects the Merrimack River from PFAS “forever chemicals.” Experimental Forest Pressure: Advocates are pushing back on plans affecting NH research forests, arguing there’s “no substitute” for ongoing science; Hubbard Brook’s future is looking steadier while Bartlett remains under review. Local Governance Shake-Up: Meredith residents debated switching from a town manager model toward an administrator structure, with another vote expected later. Statehouse Labor/Pay: A bill aimed at letting employers bypass NH’s two-hour minimum pay requirement failed in the Senate. Weather Watch: Rain is tapering off, but rivers and localized flooding impacts are still in the mix as a warmer weekend moves in.

Data Center Zoning Standoff: The New Hampshire House voted 304-11 to table a bill that would have locked in “by right” zoning for data centers in commercial and industrial areas, after committee debate raised concerns about heat, water use, noise, and whether the state’s power capacity can handle more load. Air Travel Shake-Up: JetBlue is ending service out of Manchester (MHT), with flights continuing only until July 8, leaving the airport with fewer major carriers. Weather Turn: After a cool, rainy Friday with uneven totals, New Hampshire is set for a warmer weekend and a fast climb early next week, with highs pushing toward the 80s and even near 90 by midweek. Northern Lights Watch: NOAA says a G1 solar storm could bring aurora visibility Friday night into Saturday, potentially as far south as New Hampshire if conditions upgrade. Campus Carry Study: The Senate passed a scaled-back campus carry proposal—faculty could carry, students would be studied—while opponents warned it could affect safety and enrollment.

Campus Carry Compromise: The NH Senate passed a revised campus-carry bill that would let faculty carry lethal weapons, while students would be limited to non-lethal options during a required study—Democrats warned it adds guns to classrooms, while Republicans framed it as a step toward student rights. Landfill Oversight: In the same Senate push, lawmakers approved creating a landfill site evaluation committee, but other waste-related proposals were sent for more study, keeping the fight over local control of landfill siting very much alive. PFAS/Biosolids Fight: A separate PFAS bill tied to how sludge is spread on farms is still drawing pushback, with critics saying the latest version doesn’t fix the problem. Weather Watch: Wet weather is sticking around—showers and downpours continue into Thursday night with lingering rain Friday—then a warmer, sunnier weekend moves in. Power Grid Scrutiny: Ratepayer advocates sued over Eversource’s handling of a major transmission project, arguing the company misclassified it to dodge closer review.

Local Funding Decisions: In Jay, residents approved the final $16,500 needed to keep trash and recycling service moving with a new provider, while the Select Board also set 2026–27 sewer rates after public hearings drew big turnout. Home Repair Pressure: A new nationwide homeowner survey finds homeownership is stressful—especially when it comes to paying for repairs—with plumbing and radon among the biggest worries. PFAS Sludge Fight: New Hampshire lawmakers are still wrestling with how to regulate PFAS in farm sludge/biosolids after a bill’s language was scrambled by a Senate “replace-all” amendment, prompting fresh concern that the fix could make the problem worse. Weather Watch: Expect heavy rain bands today into Thursday night, with a drier, warmer weekend after—good news for drought-stressed areas. Aviation/Security Tech: Advanced Kiosks is partnering on a TSA touchless identity verification pilot, with hardware built in Concord.

UNH Labor Talks Drag On: UNH Graduate Employees United and partners held a “People’s State of the University” at the MUB, with contract negotiations now stretching past 18 months and community members pressing for action after earlier walkouts tied to graduate funding. Landfill Siting in the Spotlight: The NH Senate debated five waste bills and sent them to interim study, keeping the big fight alive over whether towns should have the final say in where landfills go. Rain, Then a Break: Needed rain is moving in across New Hampshire and Maine through Friday, with the heaviest push Thursday night into Friday; drought remains, and flood risk is low, though downpours could cause some road ponding. Local Resistance to Foreign Land Purchases: Towns are pushing back against Chinese land buys, raising concerns about ownership near sensitive areas. Skywatch Summer Teasers: A blue micromoon and meteor showers are on the horizon, plus a northern lights alert for parts of the region. PFAS Sludge Bill Turns: A Senate “replace-all” amendment removed sludge references from an NH PFAS-related farm sludge bill, and stakeholders are watching to see what gets restored next.

Karner Blue Butterfly Watch: Wisconsin’s DNR is calling for volunteers to help monitor the endangered Karner blue butterfly starting this July, building on volunteer surveys that have tracked the species since 2018 and feed into the federal recovery plan. Weather & Water: New Hampshire is heading into a damp stretch—light showers today, then heavier rain Thursday that could slow commutes, with frost risk lingering overnight in the North Country. PFAS on Farms: A New Hampshire PFAS sludge bill has hit a procedural snag—an amendment removed sludge references—leaving supporters worried the fix could still “entrench” the problem. Landfills in the Spotlight: A new solid-waste site evaluation committee is moving forward at the State House, aiming to add a structured process and public-health focus as landfill debates continue. Wildlife Management: Vermont and New Hampshire partners are running prescribed burns at Sandbar Wildlife Management Area to restore rare sandplain habitat.