A new year means some new laws to keep an eye on. Here’s what’s taking effect in 2026—and what you should know:

✅ Buying sex penalties: A new law increases penalties for buying sex to a more serious misdemeanor with a $500 fine, with proceeds funding anti–human trafficking efforts and victim support.

✅ Ambulance billing: A new law aims to prevent surprise ambulance bills by regulating how much insurance companies pay ambulance providers while protecting consumers.

✅ Vehicle inspections: New Hampshire will eliminate the requirement for annual vehicle inspections beginning Jan. 31.

✅ Anti-sanctuary city laws: Two new laws (SB 62 and HB 511) ban “sanctuary city” policies in New Hampshire by requiring greater cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, including honoring ICE detainers and allowing short-term holds after state charges are resolved.

✅ Parental medical leave expansion: A new law expands New Hampshire parents’ ability to take time off for childbirth-related medical appointments, postpartum care, and infant exams. Beginning Jan. 1, employees at businesses with 20 or more workers can take up to 25 hours of unpaid leave during the first year after a child’s birth or adoption, with the option to use accrued paid leave or vacation time.

Here’s what else we’re covering today:

🥕 Locally owned organic markets in New Hampshire

📢 Question of the week: What does the country need in the new year?

👀 A look back at the five-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack

🎮 Granite Gaming is back to streaming on Thursday this week

🔠 Put your new year knowledge to the test in our crossword

P.S. Start the year informed. Know someone who’d love this newsletter? Send it their way.

Concord Market. (Stacy Milbouer)

By Stacy Rounds

🥕 A Market
A Manchester staple for more than 50 years, A Market is the go-to spot for organic produce, grass-fed meats, bulk goods, prepared foods, and wellness products—all in one locally owned shop.
📍 125 Loring St., Manchester

🥕 Farm & Flower Market
Think farmers market vibes, year-round. This locally owned indoor market focuses on fresh produce, flowers, local dairy, baked goods, and small-batch foods from New Hampshire producers.
📍 15 Webster St., Manchester

🥕 Templeton Family Organics
Just outside the city, this family-run farm specializes in pasture-raised meats, eggs, honey, maple syrup, and seasonal veggies—raised humanely and sold directly to customers.
📍 176 Kennedy Hill Road, Goffstown

A new year always brings that familiar feeling: a clean slate, a chance to reset, and an opportunity to leave a few things behind. Some changes are big and intentional, others are small but meaningful—but all of them shape how we move forward together.

As we head into a new year, what value do you think the country needs more of right now? It could be…

✔️ Health care that’s easier to understand and actually affordable

✔️ Housing that doesn’t require two incomes and a miracle

✔️ More accountability for those in power, fewer consequences for regular people

✔️ Safer communities without constant fear or outrage cycles

✔️ A break from everything being a culture war

Five years ago, on Jan. 6, 2021, a violent mob stormed the US Capitol as Congress was certifying that Joe Biden won the election. For 187 minutes—from the end of President Donald Trump’s rally until he finally told rioters to go home—there was no public intervention from the president. That three-hour timeframe has become a key symbol of the events and questions of responsibility that day.

How are you reflecting on that—if at all—today? Hit reply and share your thoughts.

Colin and Angelique are taking a break on Tuesday and returning to their regular streaming schedule on Thursday.

If you start to miss them, you can always watch a snippet of a recent episode here.

🗓️ When do they normally stream? Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon.

📍Where can I watch? Twitch.tv/granitegamingnh

Think you’ve got what it takes to crack this crossword? Tell us how long it takes you to finish it by emailing us at info@granitepostnews.com! This week’s topic? New year trivia around the world.

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Email advertise@couriernewsroom.com for more information.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with a story from Stacy Rounds. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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