The news can be a lot. Here’s some good stuff for a change:

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

📸 Reader photo: The sunset lights up the sky over a rocky mountain stream in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Share YOUR photo!

😊 Happiest states: New Hampshire ranks among the happiest states in the country, according to WalletHub. See where we rank!

📢 Question of the week: Where were you when the towers were struck on Sept. 11, 2001? Sound off!

🌞 The bright side: Mexico has cut its murder rate in half since its 2020 peak

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

(Rich Collins/Thirst Productions)

📸 Shoutout to Rich Collins of Thirst Productions for capturing this gorgeous shot of the Swift River in Albany.

🏞️ Fun fact: The Swift River runs through the White Mountain National Forest and follows the Kancamagus Highway, making it one of the most scenic stretches of Route 112.

📷 Share your pic: Got a New Hampshire photo that deserves a little love? Send it our way for a chance to be featured in an upcoming newsletter.

🍂 Related: Looking for more New Hampshire beauty? Check out this peak fall foliage map.

An aerial view of homes on Lake Winnepesauke, N.H., during peak foliage season. (Jonathan Ng/Unsplash)

Yes, you read that right: New Hampshire is one of the 10 happiest states in America!

The Granite State ranked No. 10 overall in WalletHub’s 2026 analysis. New Hampshire came in No. 8 for work environment, No. 12 for emotional and physical well-being, and No. 14 for community and environment. It also ranked third in the country for safety.

Here’s how the 10 happiest states stacked up:

1. Hawaii 

2. New Jersey 

3. Utah 

4. Idaho 

5. Maryland 

6. Nebraska 

7. Connecticut 

8. Minnesota 

9. California 

10. New Hampshire 

Any surprises? Reply to this email and let us know!

Support local journalism today.

We’re so glad you’re here. Through Sept. 30, we’re raising funds to help the Granite Post keep bringing you the local stories that matter most to New Hampshire.

If you enjoy this newsletter and value the work we do, consider chipping in today. Any amount helps—and we’re grateful for every bit of support.

Thanks, as always, for reading and being part of the Granite Post community.

For those who lived through Sept. 11, 2001, certain details of that day can feel impossible to forget, like where you were, who you were with, how you heard the news, and what happened in the hours that followed.

As we mark 25 years since the attacks, we want to hear your memories. So this week’s question is …

Where were you when the towers were struck on Sept. 11, 2001?

Here’s what you’re saying…

“On 9/11 I was working for Sun Microsystems. I was working in the Nashua office and sitting beside a person who was part of a group of people that worked in the towers. That brought it really close for me. It took a couple of hours for this person to learn that everyone in her group made it out. They were fortunate to work on a low floor. I spent most of the morning watching broadcasts of what was going on. A week or so later, Sun was asking us to round up all unused equipment in our buildings. They sent four semi trucks of equipment to companies that had been in the towers and lost all of their equipment. They did not charge them. It made me proud to be working for Sun.” — Diane Fallier

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

💉 A personalized cancer vaccine cut melanoma recurrence risk by 49% … More than 90% of patients were still alive five years later, and researchers are now testing the approach against other cancers. The Progress Network

🎓 India reaches gender parity in university enrollment …
Women now account for roughly half of university enrollment after overall enrollment grew about 30% over the past decade. DDI

🇲🇽 Mexico has cut its murder rate in half since its 2020 peak …
The decline marks a major shift in a country where cartel violence often dominates international headlines. Bloomberg

💙 Know someone in New Hampshire who’s doing something worth celebrating? Whether it’s a neighbor, volunteer, small business owner, artist, or community leader, we want to hear about it!

Send us their name, what they’re doing, and why it matters to you at info@granitepostnews.com.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from Granite Goodness. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

Granite Post is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.