You survived the week. Your reward? More news:

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

📰 What we’re reading, including: Rye’s great barn swallow battle finally has an answer.

📢 We asked, you answered: Where were you when the towers were struck on Sept. 11, 2001? Read all the responses.

🔍 Question of the week: If you could make one change to New Hampshire’s property tax system, what would it be? Share your take.

🥾 4 top trails for colorful fall hiking in New Hampshire: Find your next fall hike.

🐦 Rye’s great barn swallow battle has an answer …

Barn swallows will remain barred from the historic Goss Farm barn after voters approved two seemingly conflicting measures—one declaring the barn wildlife-free and another protecting birds on town-owned land. Town officials determined both can stand, with the wildlife-free designation taking precedence at the barn. Portsmouth Herald

🌧️ Elsewhere, New Hampshire’s drought is making a comeback …

More than half of the state was experiencing moderate drought in early September, while another 41% was abnormally dry. Scientists say last winter’s snowfall was near normal, but it contained less water than usual, leaving groundwater without as much of a recharge. New Hampshire Bulletin

🗳️ And looking ahead to November …

 A judge cleared the way for a statewide school tax cap question to appear on New Hampshire ballots, dismissing a lawsuit that argued the wording was misleading and confusing. The proposal would limit growth in local school property taxes and cap SAU central office spending at 6% of district appropriations. WMUR

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This week, we asked readers: Where were you when the towers were struck on Sept. 11, 2001? 

Here’s what they had to say…

“I was in New Hampshire on my way to a psychology class which was promptly cancelled when I arrived.” — Jane Duggan

“I was working in downtown Manhattan on Sept. 11, eight blocks from the towers. It was the most horrific day of my life, with images I can’t forget. Nearly everyone I know lost someone, or knew someone who lost someone that day. One of my work colleagues perished in the North Tower when it collapsed. Ironically, he was only there for a meeting—his office was in Midtown. I remember returning to my office a few days later to secure my laptop and some papers (we all evacuated after the South Tower was struck) and was struck by the silence in downtown Manhattan. For the next several months I recall two things—all the smoke that persisted and the number of barges in the Hudson River carrying debris. It was a difficult time but it also demonstrated the strength and resiliency of New Yorkers.” — Paul Schaffer

“I was at work when the planes struck the World Trade Towers. I remember someone said the Towers were hit by a plane and America is under attack. At the time I remember saying they can bring us to our knees but watch out when we get up because the fist will come up with us. I was working at the call center, which was the call center for passports. The government closed early that day and we were all sent home. I remember getting home and turning on the TV. I was talking to a friend of mine and said it looks like those towers are going to fall over. They were both leaning pretty bad. Then we also heard about the Pentagon being hit and then Flight 93 going into the ground. All around it was a very very sad day.” — Debbie Manning

New Hampshire has no sales or income tax but it has one of the highest property tax rates in the country.

So this week’s question is:

If you could make one change to New Hampshire’s property tax system, what would it be?

By Sam Cohen

🍂 Black Cap — North Conway
A family-friendly hike through Green Hills Preserve with a wide, natural path, wildlife, and scenic foliage views leading to the summit.

🍂 Artist’s Bluff — Franconia
A short, popular hike with dramatic cliffside views and sweeping fall foliage.

🍂 Table Rock — Colebrook/Dixville Notch
A moderate hike through colorful birch and maple forest to a cliff ledge overlooking Lake Gloriette and The Balsams.

🍂 Arethusa Falls and Frankenstein Cliff Loop — Hart’s Location
A challenging hike featuring waterfalls, fall foliage, wildlife, and sweeping cliffside overlooks.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from Sam Cohen and USA Today via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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