You’re not imagining it. Everything really is getting more expensive. From groceries and housing to electricity and everyday essentials, the cost of living keeps climbing.

Here’s a closer look at the prices:

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

📸 Reader photo: Fall colors are making a splash as kayakers paddle through a peaceful pond surrounded by autumn foliage. Send us your photo!

📰 What we’re reading, including: How dangerous are NH’s cyanobacteria blooms? Researchers are trying to find out

✊ No Kings Day: Rallies and events in NH

🗳️ Your midterm election cheat sheet: Are you sure you’re registered to vote? Check your status.

📢 Question of the week: Where do you actually get information about candidates before voting? Share your take!

🗓 Top events: See what’s happening around New Hampshire.

(Courtesy of Nancy Halloran)

📸 Shoutout to Nancy Halloran for capturing this stunning reflection of fall foliage on the water, with kayakers enjoying the autumn scenery.

📷 Share your photo: Have a favorite New Hampshire photo? Send it our way for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🔗 Related: Portsmouth named a top New England town for fall foliage. Here’s why.

🏠 Following high-profile death, New Hampshire domestic violence report calls for changes …

The report highlights opportunities to strengthen protections for victims and improve the response to domestic violence. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

🦠 Scientists are trying to figure out just how dangerous New Hampshire’s cyanobacteria blooms really are …

Not all cyanobacteria are toxic, and researchers say current testing methods don’t always distinguish between harmful and harmless varieties. (New Hampshire Bulletin)

🚒 Nottingham will pay its former fire chief $37,500 to settle a defamation lawsuit …

Former Fire Chief Jaye Vilchock claimed two firefighters falsely accused him of using a racial slur, leading to his firing in 2023. An independent investigation also found widespread management problems within the department, and a judge previously ruled the town had sufficient grounds to terminate him. The settlement allows Nottingham to deny wrongdoing. (InDepthNH)

(Colin Booth/Granite Post)

By Lily Jackson

No Kings organizers are expanding beyond protests, planning more than 1,500 early voting activations across the country on Oct. 17.

Here’s where they’re happening in New Hampshire:

✊ North Country and Lakes Region

Wolfeboro: Noon, Pickering Corner Junction — No Kings: Vote Early Wolfeboro Area Peaceful Protests

Alton: 10 a.m., Homestead Place — No Kings Protest hosted by Alton & Barnstead Dems

Plymouth: 1 p.m., Plymouth Town Common — No Kings Pro-democracy: Your Vote is Your Voice!

✊ Upper Valley and Concord area

Orford: 10 a.m., Samuel Morey Memorial Bridge — No Kings: Vote!

Concord: Noon, New Hampshire State House — No Kings: Vote Early

New London: Noon — No Kings: Every Vote Counts

✊ Monadnock Region

Rindge: 10:30 a.m. — No Kings: And Vote!

Peterborough: 1 p.m., Routes 101 and 202 intersection — No Kings: Vote Early

Keene: 3 p.m., Redfern Pedestrian Bridge — No Kings: Vote Early

✊ Southern New Hampshire

Nashua: 10 a.m., Monument Park — No Kings: WE VOTE

Windham: 10 a.m. — No Kings Rally

Pelham: 10 a.m., Main Street Traffic Circle — No Kings Rally

✊ Seacoast

Exeter: 10 a.m., Exeter Town Hall — No Kings: Vote Early

Dover: 1 p.m., Week’s Crossing — No Kings: Just Voters

Election season means political ads, mailers, texts, yard signs and social media posts everywhere. But when it’s actually time to decide who gets your vote, we want to know:

Where do you actually get information about candidates before voting?

Here’s what you’re saying:

“I follow news reports that are trustworthy. I listen to what candidates have to say, and I watch how they interact in the community at large. For example, Jon Stone in Sullivan County, a republican candidate, has a history as a felon that is well known. Yet he has a chance to win in the upcoming Nov 3 election. Why doesn’t that criminal record count against him? Are people not paying attention? That is just one example. At the higher level, the current governor of NH doesn’t vote in favor of legislation that is important for the greater good of most NH residents. So I will vote for Warmington. People need to watch what the candidates are doing, what do they stand for, and what is their record.” — Cynthia Boland

🎬 New Hampshire Film Festival
Portsmouth, Oct. 15-18
Watch more than 100 independent films from around the world during four days of screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panels, workshops, and special events. The festival features documentaries, narrative films, shorts, and selections that previously premiered at Cannes, Sundance, Venice, and Tribeca.
More info

🍁 Leaf Peeper’s Craft Fair
North Conway, Oct. 17-18
Browse more than 135 exhibitors selling handmade arts and crafts, enjoy live music, food, and demonstrations, and bring along your leashed pets. 
More info

🎨 Great New England Fall Craft & Artisan Show

Milford, Oct. 17-18
Shop handmade goods from 174 New England artisans and specialty food makers at the Hampshire Dome. The two-day indoor show features jewelry, home decor, artwork, specialty foods, live music, food trucks, and a $100 door prize. 
More info

🌱 Seed Saving of Native Plants
Auburn, Oct. 17
Learn how to collect, process, and store seeds from native plants to support local wildlife and backyard biodiversity. Led by UNH Extension Master Gardeners.
More info

🥧 St. Thomas’ Harvest Fair
Dover, Oct. 17
Browse handmade crafts, homemade pies, jams, and desserts at this annual church fair, a Dover tradition since the 1940s. The event also features a cookie walk, children’s activities, and a sit-down luncheon. 
More info

🍎 Apple Cider Festival
Etna, Oct. 17 
Help press fresh apples into cider at the Etna Library’s Reading Garden, where children can participate in making their own cups of cider. The family-friendly celebration also features homemade baked goods and fall-themed activities throughout the garden. 
More info

🎃 Keene Pumpkin Festival
Keene, Oct. 17
Celebrate fall in downtown Keene at the annual Keene Pumpkin Festival, a community tradition centered around pumpkins and seasonal festivities.
More info

📸 Digitizing Your Artwork
Dover, Oct. 18
Learn how to turn paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other artwork into high-quality digital files for portfolios, websites, printing, and archiving. The hands-on workshop at The Aplomb Project includes access to professional scanning equipment, cameras, and photography lighting. Bring your own artwork, a smartphone, and a USB drive. 
More info

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

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