Here’s some news to know this morning:

Here’s what’s inside today’s newsletter:

📰 What we’re reading, including: Lawmakers hand Ayotte defeats on vetoes.

📢 We asked, you answered: Have you considered leaving New Hampshire? Why do you choose to stay? Read all the responses.

🔍 Question of the week: What’s something about New Hampshire that outsiders just don’t understand? Share your take.

🏺 603 Unfiltered: Nobody can explain this mysterious NH artifact.

💉 New Hampshire is sticking with its current childhood vaccine schedule …

The state health department says it will continue following recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other medical groups, including use of the combined measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. That comes after President Trump signed an executive order calling for the MMR vaccine to be split into three shots. A Dartmouth Health doctor said the order isn’t legally binding and that spacing out vaccines could leave children vulnerable to infection. New Hampshire Public Radio

🏛️ Over at the State House, lawmakers handed Gov. Kelly Ayotte a series of defeats …

The House and Senate overrode seven of Ayotte’s vetoes, clearing the way for higher tolls and state park fees for some out-of-state visitors, expanded greenhouse cultivation for medical cannabis, and a new path to retrial for people who discover evidence of their innocence after the state’s three-year deadline. Most of Ayotte’s 31 vetoes survived. New Hampshire Bulletin

🧸 And for New Hampshire childcare providers, improving quality is proving costly and complicated …

Providers participating in the state’s Granite Steps for Quality program say its requirements can be confusing, difficult to meet, and expensive. Some say incentive payments don’t cover the staff time, training, and administrative work required—problems made worse after funding for some coaching ended this summer. New Hampshire Bulletin

This week, we asked readers: Have you considered leaving New Hampshire? Why do you choose to stay?

Here’s what they had to say…

“Moved here in 1973 when I was 11, been here since then, except for my time in the Marines. If I ever did move, it would likely be because of the winter weather. The only places I’d consider going would be Maryland or Delaware. Family obligations—taking care of my elderly mother—keeps me here for now. After that, definitely selling this money pit of a house, but I might stay in the area. I like this town.”— David Masters

“Aside from five years spent overseas in two different countries, I have lived in NH my entire life (I will turn 58 this fall). I have visited—and in many cases, spent significant time in—almost all 49 remaining states (all except KS, ND, AK, OK, and MO) and have traveled to over 20 other countries. I have never found anywhere else that I love more than New Hampshire. It’s green. It has both mountains and the ocean. Lakes, four seasons, an easy drive to Boston and New York, and no income or sales tax. Yes, we have high property taxes. We also have great schools and a fantastic quality of life. The state has changed a lot over the years and not all of it has been good, but I could never imagine living anywhere else, except, maybe Canada.” — D Veau

“Never seriously considered leaving NH, but if I did I would try to go to the high country in New Mexico. It’s beautiful and reminiscent of NH.” — JoAnn Carlson

“Born here. Lived here for my whole life of 72 years, so far. Raised my kids here. So, no, not ever leaving. I’m stuck here like a barnacle. And I love it.” — Denise Clark

“We just moved to Charlestown from Ohio 4 years ago. Having previously lived in Vernon, VT in the ’80s, I had a pretty good idea of what I was in for. Not so much the way NH gouges everyone because of no taxes. It’s incredibly expensive to live here. The GOP/governor in this state is trying its best to copy the corruption and ideals in Washington, to my dismay. The political climate in Ohio is extremely corrupt in more ways than one, and NH would have to go a long way to match Ohio, another positive point. Enough about politics. This is a far better place to live compared to Ohio, most importantly the people, the beauty, and even the political climate! It’s all gooder! (yes, I spelled it that way)” — Mike Blackledge, Charlestown

My colleague Stacy Milbouer recently broke down some Granite State myths and stereotypes.

So I thought now would be a great time to ask…

What’s something about New Hampshire that outsiders just don’t understand?

By Katy Savage

New Hampshire has a mysterious artifact that nobody has been able to explain for more than 150 years.

In 1872, workers digging near Lake Winnipesaukee unexpectedly found the strange egg-shaped carved stone.

It has a human face. It also features what looks like an ear of corn, along with arrows, circles, and other geometric symbols. And running straight through the middle is a perfectly drilled hole.

But…what is it?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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