The Alliance for American Manufacturing just dropped its 12th Made in America Holiday Gift Guide, which features a fresh lineup of US-made finds from every state.

Here are the New Hampshire businesses featured:

• Burgeon Outdoor — Located in the White Mountains. It makes outdoor gear, sewn with US-sourced materials and a focus on sustainability.

• Badger Balm — A family-owned body care company making natural lip balms, oils, hair care, and more.

P.S. I’m partnering up with Andy DeMeo, founder of Granite Goodness and New England Good News, to highlight uplifting stories and progress across the state every Thursday. Read up on DeMeo and scroll below for some Granite Goodness!

“I voted!” stickers. (New Hampshire Secretary of State’s Office)

As we mentioned in a recent issue, New Hampshire has announced the six winning designs in the 2025 “I Voted” sticker contest. The annual tradition that lets young Granite Staters help shape this small but beloved piece of Election Day.

We asked readers to share their favorites, and the responses came flooding in. My pick? Evelyn Meyer’s bald eagle. The shades give the bird a little swagger, and honestly, they make voting look pretty cool, too.

Here are some of your responses:

“It is so hard to choose a favorite as they are all wonderful and so creative. I am partial to covered bridges, so I’d say Bianca’s is my favorite. But Nirali’s depiction of NH on the top of the mountain is really sweet too. Congratulations to all the contest winners!” — Terry S.

“Sadie Winter gets my vote. To all the children, great job!” — Judi 

“I vote for the bear.” — Cyndie Wilson

“I vote for the Eagle with specs—she’s watching!” — Pamela LaCroix 

Which is your favorite? Reply and let me know!

The 2028 presidential race may feel far off, but early polls are already taking shape.

A new University of New Hampshire poll shows former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg leading the Democratic field with 19% support, followed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (15%) and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (14%). Former Vice President and 2024 nominee Kamala Harris trails at 11%. On the Republican side, Vice President JD Vance holds a strong lead at 51%, with Nikki Haley (9%) and Tulsi Gabbard (8%) rounding out the top contenders.

So this week’s question is…

If you had to vote today, who would you pick for president
in 2028? And why?

Here’s what you’re saying…

“Pete Buttigieg. He’s intelligent and has integrity.” — Wendy Sisson 

“Bernie Sanders.” — Sean Kerwin

“J.D. Vance.” — Scott Black

Local news is changing fast, but our commitment to covering New Hampshire the way it deserves hasn’t wavered.

We’re trying to raise $1,800 by Dec. 16 to keep telling the stories that matter—about the decisions, debates, and people shaping our state. Every dollar from readers like you makes this possible.

If you can chip in, thank you. Seriously—it means the world to us.

The following briefs are presented in partnership with Granite Goodness. Subscribe today to Granite Goodness.

💧 Portsmouth moves to protect drinking water with $1.47M Easement

Portsmouth will acquire a conservation easement on 44.6 acres near the Bellamy Reservoir, the city’s largest drinking water source, to prevent development and protect water quality from runoff contamination. Backed by state and federal grants totaling $1.48 million, the project could come at no cost to the city and has strong support from local leaders, clean water advocates, and the community. — Portsmouth Herald

🦌 SELT conserves 28-acre Brentwood property for wildlife and farming

SELT has completed the conservation of the 28-acre Fuller property in Brentwood, ensuring its protection for wildlife connectivity and future farming. Funded by the Town of Brentwood, SELT donors, and grants, the easement includes an option to purchase at agricultural value to keep the land actively farmed. — SELT

🐟 UNH-grown trout helps feed thousands through gather partnership

The University of New Hampshire has donated nearly 60 pounds of smoked steelhead trout to Gather, a Seacoast food pantry serving over 10,000 residents monthly. Raised in UNH’s AquaFort—a self-contained aquaculture system cultivating fish, mussels, and kelp—the locally grown trout is both high-quality and sustainable. — UNH Today

Like many here, I’ve felt the squeeze of rising costs despite earning what would technically be considered a “middle-class” income. Reading Dana Wormald’s piece on the federal poverty line in the New Hampshire Bulletin really hit home.

A family of four living on $32,150 a year is supposed to be considered at the poverty line—but in our state, that number is nearly laughable when you look at rent, child care, health care, and just the basics of daily life.

The typical household in New Hampshire earns $100,000. That seems like a lot, but families actually need to be making $157,500 at minimum, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute.

Otherwise, one unexpected bill, one medical expense, or one car repair, and suddenly things fall apart. 

As Wormald points out, other expenses not accounted for in the poverty line math, like smartphones and internet access, are no longer luxuries—they’re essential for working, learning, and participating in society.

The truth is, the federal poverty line hasn’t kept up with reality. 

What are your thoughts on this?

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with content from USA Today via Reuters Connect and Granite Goodness. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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