“I believe fully that discrimination in and of itself is not a bad thing.” — Rep. Seth King, a Republican from Whitefield via New Hampshire Public Radio.

We have arrived at false spring—the cruelest season.

It’s Mother Nature’s way of saying, “Gotcha!” 

But, I know it’s spring(ish) because the Fisher Cats open their season April 3 against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies. After a tough 2025, they’re back with a refreshed roster and a lot to prove.

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

📰 What we’re reading, news from around the state

🌸 7 exciting spring festivals and events in New Hampshire

📢 Question of the week: What matters more to you: no income tax or lower property taxes?

📅 Top events for your calendar

👉 The University of New Hampshire’s police chief, Steven Lee, admitted to driving under the influence after Portsmouth police saw his SUV swerving and nearly hitting an 18-wheeler in January. Lee said he had been drinking downtown and was heading home. As part of his plea, his license is suspended for nine months, he must pay a $620 fine, and complete an impaired driver program. Lee—who was named UNH’s chief last year—is currently on paid administrative leave while the university conducts an internal investigation. Concord Monitor

👉 Meanwhile on campus … UNH students and faculty walked out over a proposed campus carry bill, gathering outside Thompson Hall to protest legislation that would prevent public colleges in New Hampshire from banning firearms on campus. Supporters say the bill protects gun rights, while critics argue it could make campuses less safe. The New Hampshire

👉 Another campus issue is also moving through the State House: student IDs may no longer count at the ballot box. A bill headed to Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s desk would bar high school and college students from using school ID cards to prove their identity when voting. Supporters say the change prevents potential fraud, while critics worry it could make it harder for college students without driver’s licenses to vote. New Hampshire Bulletin

👉 In other news, a decades-old NH cold case has finally been solved. Nearly 40 years after a man’s skull was found in the woods in Bristol, investigators have identified him as Warren Kuchinsky, born in 1952 and last known to be alive in the mid-1970s. The breakthrough came after the state partnered with the nonprofit DNA Doe Project, which used forensic genetic genealogy and DNA from a surviving relative to confirm his identity. Officials say there’s no evidence of foul play, but the identification gives long-awaited answers to his family. Boston.com

Daiga Ellaby. (Unsplash)

By Sam Cohen

These seven festivals and events in New Hampshire will keep you busy all spring.

Here are all the details…

🌸 Spring Succulent Art Garden Workshop

Concord, April 15, 6-8 p.m.
Cost: $40 per person
Hosted by Holymoly Crafty Corner, this creative workshop lets you paint your own pots and build a succulent art garden. Instructors teach layering of moss and succulents. Snacks are included.

🌸 Community Baby Shower 
Nashua, April 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Hosted by United Way of Greater Nashua, this event supports low-income parents and caregivers. Attendees can pick up essentials from a “baby boutique” and access local resources for caregiving.

🌸 Springfest: A Celebration of Gardens and Baby Animals Portsmouth, May 9-10, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $24 (17+), $12 (3-17), or $60 per family
Strawbery Banke Museum hosts this festival with historic gardens, heritage-breed baby animals, hands-on activities, live demos like honey extraction and sheepdog trials, plus a plant sale and artisan vendors.

🌸 Spring Local Business Fair
Manchester, May 16, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: Free
A community-focused fair highlighting local businesses. Attendees can shop, eat, drink, and support small business owners selling handmade crafts, snacks, and more.

🌸 The Thing In The Spring
Keene, May 15-17
Cost: Prices vary
Hosted by NOVA ARTS, this three-day festival features music, art, food, and merchandise. Highlights include a Ghostface Killah performance, plus multiple musicians and artists across the weekend.

🌸 Mother’s Day Weekend Craft Festival
Hampton Falls, May 9-10
Cost: Free
Hosted by Castleberry Fairs, this festival features locally made items like apparel, jewelry, fiber art, artisan pantry staples, and baked goods—a perfect way to celebrate spring and Mother’s Day.

🌸 Memorial Day Weekend Craft Festival 
Meredith, May 23-25 
Cost: Free
Over 70 juried artisans will sell specialty food, handmade crafts, and fine art. Leashed pets welcome.

A group recently proposed a new income tax plan in New Hampshire called the 3-3 Tax Savings Plan. The idea: implement a 3% education income tax alongside a 3% statewide property tax to lower local property taxes.

The reaction? Swift and loud.

Curious how it could affect you? Try this tool to estimate your potential savings.

So this week’s question is…

What matters more to you: no income tax or lower property taxes?

Here’s what you’re saying…

“Income tax matters to me much more. I’d rather pay more taxes in total than pay a small income tax and a small property tax for several reasons. Once the government gains access to your income, the tax doesn’t tend to stay at the set low percentage but will rise to 4%, 5%, or even 10% in the next ~20 years. An income tax will also increase the filing and bookkeeping burden. An income tax would eliminate the possibility of paying lower total taxes and saving more for retirement by simply living in a smaller home. For those residing abroad, an income tax would also increase total taxation, since foreign countries can’t make tax agreements eliminating double taxation directly with individual U.S. states. And finally, when almost all taxes come from a single source, the total burden of the government is much easier to estimate than it would be to sum the costs individually from a property tax, an income tax, and potential other tax buckets.” — Lasse Pitkäniemi 

“Although I see some benefit in the 3-3 plan, I’m not convinced it’s a good idea. I’m a NH native—born and raised. I’m proud of NH being a state without income or sales tax, but those considerations aside, here is why I overall don’t support the plan: The property tax in NH varies from town to town. But the availability of good schools and municipal services does too. It’s a choice. I like having choices. I moved from Southern NH, where I grew up, to Western NH. I now have significantly fewer municipal services. I also have significantly lower taxes. Having choices is good. If all towns have a flat tax across the board, it not only takes away my choices but also impacts what the towns can offer residents in terms of schools and services. It would also impact property values. There are a lot of “small towns” in NH. The evolution and growth of a town’s ability to offer services goes hand in hand with the amount of taxes collected. If you remove that, I think more towns would struggle to properly grow or sustain their current service levels unless they raise home property values beyond their already high levels just to recoup more money. Meanwhile, a 3% increase in income (annual raises, better positions) could potentially outpace the increase in property values, leading to a faster rise in the amount of tax collected. It would also impact younger people who earn above the homestead exemption but do not yet own a home. The misery index for these kids is already pretty high. I can’t see how this would help.” — Denise C

“I am writing to express my serious concerns regarding the consistent increase in property taxes in our community. Since moving to New Hampshire three and a half years ago, we have seen our tax assessments rise every year. If this trend continues, my husband and I will not be able to afford to live in our home when we enter retirement in three years. At the current rate of increase, the only way for us to remain in our residence would be for me to continue working indefinitely, which is not a sustainable solution.” — Doreen Strouse

💍 2026 Concord Women’s Day Expo
Concord, March 22
Browse vendors offering photography, baked goods, decor, attire, and more. Enjoy cake samples, entertainment, and enter to win prizes.
More info

🌸 Bloom: A Floral Palette
Manchester, March 12–15
An exhibition featuring 18 floral arrangements created by members of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, inspired by artwork from the Currier Museum of Art. 
More info

🏃 Citizens Shamrock Half Marathon, Relay and Shuffle
Manchester, March 14
Half-marathon and relay race through downtown Manchester with a spectator-friendly 13.1-mile course, cheer zones, and relay exchanges near the Wild Rover Irish Pub and Shaskeen Irish Pub. Virtual option available.
More info

🏠 NH State Home Show
Manchester, March 14–15
More than 200 vendors showcase home-related products and services, including building, remodeling, landscaping, kitchens, baths, mortgages, and more.
More info

🏒 Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship
Manchester, March 15
Police officers, firefighters, and first responders face off in a charity hockey game benefiting Dartmouth Health Children’s and the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (CHaD). Kids Zone activities included. More info

🍁 Maple Weekend
Locations vary, March 21–22
Sugarhouses across New Hampshire open to visitors with tours, tastings, demonstrations, and maple-themed products.
More info

🏚 New Hampshire Old House & Barn Expo
Manchester, March 14–15
A biennial event focused on historic building preservation, featuring experts, workshops, and vendors specializing in the repair and care of old homes and barns. 
More info

🍀 Portland St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Bar Crawl
Portland, Maine, March 14

Bar crawl through participating Portland venues featuring drink specials and themed festivities. 
More info

🥧 Shaker Pie Pi Day
Canterbury, March 14
Pie tasting and informal talk on pie in Shaker and American history.
More info

📖 Irish Storytelling from the Big Chair
Jaffrey, March 14
Irish folktales read by Dublin native Diana Griffin, with crafts for children.
More info

☕ Shamrock Fest Irish High Tea
Jaffrey, March 14
Irish tea service featuring soda bread, jams, tea sandwiches, and sweets. 
More info

🎲 Cabin Fever Family Game Day
Pittsfield, March 15
Family-friendly afternoon of board games and snacks with nature-themed games inspired by wildlife, forests, and fungi.
More info

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from Dorothy Scott and Sam Cohen. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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