I have an unusual ask: Who’s comfortable getting in front of a camera? 🎥

We’re looking for readers to submit short videos sharing why they’re voting this year. Your video could be featured on our social media pages or right here in this newsletter. Plus, you could win a $25 Visa gift card!

🎥 Here’s everything you need to know and how to participate.

Here’s a little more good news for your morning:

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

🗳️ Your midterm election cheat sheet: What should you do if you run into problems at the polls?

🎃 Reader photo: Oh my gourd! Share your photo!

🏨 Newsweek: NH nursing homes among America’s best. See them all.

📢 Question of the week: Do political signs influence your vote? Why or why not? Tell us your thoughts

🌞 The bright side, including: Laconia tests social district model to energize downtown dining and retail.

💪 Nominate a local hero, and we’ll feature them in this newsletter. Tell us your hero!

By Lily Jackson

What happens if you’re not on the voter rolls? Can you still vote if you’re in line when the polls close? And what should you do if you run into problems at the polls? With Election Day just around the corner, here’s what every New Hampshire voter should know about registration deadlines, voter ID requirements, and their rights on Nov. 3.

(Courtesy Greg Donahue)

Shoutout to Greg Donahue of Bow for snapping this photo of an absolutely enormous pumpkin at Gould Farm! It’s safe to say this giant gourd would need a little more than your average carving kit to turn it into a jack-o’-lantern.

Fun fact: Giant pumpkins can gain 30 to 50 pounds a day during their peak growing season under ideal conditions. Some of the world’s largest pumpkins have tipped the scales at more than 2,700 pounds. That’s a whole lot of pumpkin pie!

Share your photo: Have a New Hampshire photo worth showing off? Send us your favorite shots for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

Related: Mark your calendar for these magical winter festivals in New Hampshire

Riverside Rest Home resident Harold (Bubba) Souther spends time with Willow and activities director Kristina Lapointe at the Dover facility Oct. 14, 2026. (USA Today Network)

Several New Hampshire nursing homes have earned spots on Newsweek’s list of America’s best nursing homes for 2027. 

Newsweek evaluated 14,693 nursing homes nationwide, ranking 1,325 of the best based on performance data, recommendations from medical professionals, accreditations, and satisfaction ratings. The rankings used federal data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, along with survey responses from nurses, physicians, nursing home administrators, and other health care professionals.

Here’s which Granite State spots made the cut:

🏨 Riverside Rest Home in Dover

🏨 St Francis Rehabilitation Nursing Center in Laconia

🏨 Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland

🏨 Hillsborough County Nursing Home in Goffstown

🏨 Rockingham County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Brentwood

Political signs are popping up on lawns, along roadsides, and at busy intersections across New Hampshire as Election Day approaches.

So this week’s question is:

Do political signs influence your vote? Why or why not?

Here’s what you’re saying…

“Yes, if they don’t INCLUDE their party affiliation and I remember their name on Election Day, they DO NOT get my vote.” — Gary Armstrong

The following briefs featuring good news around the world are presented in partnership with Andy DeMeo of Granite Goodness. Subscribe today.

💵 Connecticut’s minimum wage set to rise to $17.48 on Jan. 1, 2027.

The state’s automatic wage adjustment law, which ties annual increases to economic growth, will raise the minimum wage by 54 cents based on a 3.2% increase in the employment cost index. (State of Connecticut)

🍹 Laconia tests social district model to energize downtown dining and retail.

The state’s first outdoor drinking zone allows customers to carry beverages from participating bars and restaurants across downtown blocks. (NHPR)

⚡ Maine launches $43M heat pump water heater rebate program to cut energy costs.

Instant rebates over $1,000 through Efficiency Maine will help households install efficient water heaters that could reduce electric bills by up to $650 annually. (Maine.gov)