🍺 Anheuser-Busch to close Merrimack brewery in 2026

Anheuser-Busch’s brewery in Merrimack has been part of the community for nearly 50 years. But the company says that the well-known facility will close in early 2026.

The Merrimack facility isn’t alone. Anheuser-Busch also plans to shut down its breweries in Fairfield, California, and Newark, New Jersey.

The company says about 475 employees across the three locations, including 124 in New Hampshire, will be offered jobs at other Anheuser-Busch facilities, along with relocation packages. Workers who choose not to move will be offered severance.

“We will be shifting production from these three facilities to our other US facilities and these changes will enable us to invest even more in our remaining operations and in our portfolio of growing, industry-leading brands,” Anheuser-Busch said, according to NJ.com.

➡️ Read the story from WMUR: Anheuser-Busch closing its facility in Merrimack next year

Here’s what else we’re covering today:

❓ I tried to help my struggling neighbor by giving her kids hand-me-downs, but they never wear them. Did I do something wrong? Grace, our advice columnist, tackles the question.

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Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s efficiency commission is pitching big changes to New Hampshire government, but it reads more like a conservative wish list than a neutral review. They’re talking about consolidating school districts, cutting public staff, and holding down state worker pay—all under the banner of “efficiency.”

In practice, these moves would shrink safety nets, weaken local control of schools, and make government less transparent.

Colin Booth has the full story.

Snow-covered Cannon Mountain on Friday, Dec. 6. (Courtesy of Marc Lacroix)

Marc Lacroix sent this photo after hiking up a snow-covered Cannon Mountain on Friday, Dec. 6. Thanks for sharing, Marc!

Do you have photos to share? Send them to us by replying to this email or by hitting the button below, and we might feature them in this newsletter.

👉 NH inventor Dean Kamen responds after appearing in newly released Epstein photo

“Kamen, the inventor of the Segway, who is spearheading advanced biotech manufacturing in Manchester, is seen in one of the 19 photos released Friday by Democrats on the committee.” — WMUR

“New Hampshire’s first Picklr pickleball club is set to open on Route 1 in March, offering a 25,000‑square‑foot indoor facility with nine courts for one of the nation’s fastest‑growing sports.” — Portsmouth Herald 

👉 UNH head football coach Rick Santos resigns

“Rick Santos, who guided the University of New Hampshire football team to three NCAA FCS Playoff appearances in four seasons as head coach at his alma mater, has been named the new head football coach at the University of Pennsylvania. Santos will be formally introduced as coach the Ivy League school Dec. 16 in a press conference.” — Portsmouth Herald 

The year is coming to an end, and in 2026, several new laws will take effect—including an expansion of New Hampshire’s school voucher program and the end of annual car inspections.

So, this week’s question is…

What should New Hampshire legislators focus on in 2026?

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Welcome to our weekly advice column, courtesy of Grace: She’s the big sister who shares her own mistakes so you can avoid making them, the coworker who builds you up to ask for the raise you deserve, and the friend who is always happy to listen.

We all need someone like Grace in our corner. Submit your own questions here.

Dear Grace,

My neighbor seems to be struggling. She has a bunch of kids and her yard is a mess. I noticed that one of her boys was always wearing the same outfit, so I got together some hand-me-downs from my kids and brought them to her. She thanked me when I dropped them off, but I saw that her boys weren’t wearing any of the clothes I gave them. They’re still running around in the same outfits. I thought I was being helpful. Were they not good enough for her? What’s going on?

— Confused in Clark County

Dear Confused,

I can understand why you’re, well, Confused. You went out of your way to offer support to a struggling neighbor, and now you’re not sure if you have the impact you hoped for. There is a quote I’ve seen on social media lately that says “Everyone wants a village, but no one wants to be a villager.” I think this means that we all want a supportive community, but we don’t always have the bravery, compassion, and patience to step up and support others. You clearly have what it takes to be a “villager” and you should be proud of that.

Here are some of my suggestions for how to move forward with your neighbor and how to support other folks in your “village” in the future…

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from Colin Booth and Galvanize Together. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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