Did you know the cost of assisted living in New Hampshire is enough to make your eyes water? It’s not much better anywhere else in New England. More on that below.

Here’s some news to start your morning with:

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

📰 What we’re reading, including: The spotted lanternfly has been detected in the state for the first time, but it’s not a good thing.

📢 We asked, you answered: What’s something about New Hampshire that outsiders just don’t understand? Read all the responses!

🔍 Question of the week: Should New Hampshire make voting easier—or are the current rules fine? Share your take.

🤑 Sticker shock: How much does assisted living cost in New Hampshire?

🦞 On the Seacoast, Portsmouth’s new commercial fish pier is officially open …

The rebuilt pier is up and running, with new infrastructure aimed at supporting New Hampshire’s commercial fishing industry. Two hoists are already being used to move catches from boats to trucks, while a third needs upgrades. The state’s commercial fishing industry is valued at about $75 million annually. New Hampshire Public Radio

🪰 But there’s a new unwanted arrival in New Hampshire …

The spotted lanternfly has been detected in the state for the first time, with officials confirming a small number of the invasive insects in Salem. There’s no evidence yet that a population has become established, but the pest can threaten vineyards, nurseries, and other plants. Concord Monitor

⚛️ And as electric bills remain painfully high, New Hampshire is looking to nuclear power …

Gov. Kelly Ayotte has directed the state Department of Energy to develop a roadmap for expanding nuclear generation in New Hampshire. Supporters say nuclear could help meet growing regional electricity demand, but utility experts and the state’s consumer advocate have questioned whether new plants would actually lower bills for Granite Staters. New Hampshire Bulletin

This week, we asked readers: What’s something about New Hampshire that outsiders just don’t understand?

Here’s what they had to say…

“The fact that NH is still a lot of open area, a lot of farms, a lot of woods. On my street, if you go 3/4 of a mile in one direction, you’re in the city, with restaurants, stores, banks, etc., but 1 1/2 miles in the other direction, there are working farms, including a sheep farm. Some of our terms and habits would probably be a little strange, and as mentioned, if you’re not in the city you might have a well and septic tank instead of city services. Every time we go to the beach, my mother looks at the passing landscape and comments that people from NJ would be shocked to see all the wooded areas. Town meetings would probably be a bit foreign to some people as well.” — David Masters 

“Flatlanders just don’t understand that if you move to a rural environment you don’t get city conveniences. For example, if you live next to the pig farm that supplies your pork; you’re going to smell and hear farm smells and noises. Also, they don’t comprehend things that have been in place for hundreds of years, like water rights to a spring on your neighbor’s property.” — JoAnn Carlson

New Hampshire was crowned the most difficult state to vote in in 2022 and it’s only gotten more difficult since.

The state doesn’t offer early voting, and absentee voting is limited to people who meet certain requirements. Absentee ballots must also be returned by mail or in person, and new rules have added a witness requirement.

Also, students can no longer use student IDs as identification to vote.

So this week’s question is…

Should New Hampshire make voting easier—or are the current rules fine?

By Stacker

The cost of assisted living in New Hampshire might shock you.

The national average cost of assisted living is $5,830 per month, but what families actually pay depends on location, apartment size, and care needs. Some communities charge one all-inclusive monthly rate, while others use tiered or a la carte pricing that adjusts as needs change. 

New Hampshire is one of the most expensive states for assisted living in the nation. 

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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