Did you know you can actually dine in an igloo in New Hampshire? A few local spots have set up cozy, living-room–style igloos—heated, tucked under the stars, and perfect for a winter night out without ever feeling the chill.

Have you tried one? Reply to this email and let us know!

Here’s what else we’re covering today:

🗣️ Records tie Merrimack ICE project to Ayotte donor

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

❄️ 7 unique outdoor dining experiences in NH

📢 Question of the week: Is it really time to move on from the Epstein files?

🔠 Crossword: Questions every adult should know the answers to

P.S. One email worth keeping. Forward this email to a friend who likes being in the know.

Records show that the Merrimack warehouse, which the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been eyeing as a potential detention-style facility, is tied to the Trammell Crow real estate network and, through that, to billionaire GOP donor Harlan Crow, who’s also backed New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte.

The property at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway has been described in state documents as a 43-acre site for “holding and processing” people, with possible tents, guard shacks, and renovations. Ownership records point to a Dallas-based LLC affiliated with Trammell Crow, the company Crow’s family built, and tie the project to Crow’s political and national influence.

Colin Booth has the full story.

👉 NH lawmakers consider shield law, repealing buffer zones, other abortion bills

“Several bills moved through the State House last week that addressed abortion access and legal protection, as lawmakers again considered a repeal of patient buffer zones outside of abortion facilities, and whether to protect New Hampshire abortion providers from out-of-state legal action. New Hampshire is the only state in New England that lacks such shield laws.” — New Hampshire Public Radio

👉 Gavin Newsom to visit Portsmouth as he considers presidential run

“California Gov. Gavin Newsom is coming to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on March 5, The Music Hall announced on Feb. 12.” — USA Today via Reuters Connect

👉 We asked, you answered: Should New Hampshire keep its first-in-the-nation primary status?

“This week, we asked readers: Should New Hampshire keep its first-in-the-nation primary status? Here’s what they had to say.” — Granite Post

👉 Watch: NH Gov. Ayotte brutally heckled

“New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte was brutally heckled during her State of the State speech on Thursday over her administration’s role in advancing an ICE human detention center in Merrimack.” — Granite Post

(Sijmen van Hooff/Unsplash)

Rooftop at The Envio — Portsmouth
Private heated igloos sit atop this downtown Portsmouth rooftop, offering panoramic views of the Piscataqua River and city skyline. Each transparent dome includes heaters and blankets.

Averill House Vineyard — Brookline
This family-run vineyard hosts private heated igloo wine tastings overlooking snow-covered vines. Guests can enjoy handcrafted New England wines, mulled wine, and charcuterie boards in a cozy winter setting.

Waterhouse Restaurant — Peterborough
Riverfront igloos seat up to eight guests and offer a heated, intimate dining experience right along the water. 

L Street Tavern — Hampton
This tavern sets up seasonal igloos for private dining with friends. Expect a casual, social atmosphere, paired with pub fare and winter drinks, in a heated dome.

Woodstock Inn Brewery — North Woodstock
Each igloo offers a private space to enjoy house-brewed beers and hearty pub-style food after a day outdoors.

Surfside Burger Bar — Hampton Beach
Stay warm inside a heated dome while enjoying burgers, cocktails, and ocean views—a rare combo during New Hampshire’s colder months.

(Plus one unique non-igloo option:)

Winter Lunch at Castle in the Clouds — Moultonborough (Lakes Region)
Guests dine inside the restored Carriage House, where original horse stalls have been transformed into a unique indoor event and dining space.

On Feb. 11, Attorney General Pam Bondi testified on Capitol Hill about the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files. Rather than answer many of the questions directly, Bondi deflected and fired personalized criticisms at the Democratic senators questioning her, echoing President Donald Trump’s call on Feb. 3 to “move on” from the matter.

Trump is mentioned more than 38,000 times across documents released by the Justice Department on Jan. 30. Many of the files are heavily redacted—victims’ names are visible, while alleged perpetrators’ identities are blacked out.

So this week’s question is…

Is it really time to move on from the Epstein files?

Here’s what you’re saying…

“Not until the pedophiles are arrested and convicted!” — David Masters

“Time to ratchet it up.” — Debbie Chase

“Honestly, I think that is it an inappropriate question. It should not be a question at all. Moving on endorses rape and abuse of women and children without question. And moving on endorses lack of accountability of the perpetrators and the powers that be who are covering this up. How would you feel if it were your wife, sister, daughter, or mother who had been subjected to this. This is a matter of law enforcement and defines every person in this country. Would you ask your sister wife, daughter, or mother just to move on?” — Marci Smoger

“At this point I think the Trump administration is using the Epstein files as a distraction from other issues, such as ICE’s illegal and abusive actions and the possibility of a new nuclear arms race. I would like to see public testimony with cameras from individuals like the Clintons about the Epstein crimes.” — JoAnn Carlson

“Oh hell no. We’re not moving on from this, until the pederasts and rapists who populate the file are punished. It’s so obvious at this point that Trump is protecting himself and his rich cronies from prosecution and public humiliation. More importantly, this might be the only issue that wakes some MAGA’s from their Trump-induced stupor enough to vote for democracy instead of fascism in 2026. Well, a guy can dream, right?” — Bob Weiner 

“Absolutely not! It’s time to start throwing pedophiles in jail. Every single one of them. Maybe keep them all in the Merrimack “immigration processing” facility Ayotte is planning until they can be tried for their crimes.” — Jenny Power

Think you’ve got what it takes to crack this crossword? Tell us how long it takes you to finish it by emailing us at info@granitepostnews.com! This week’s topic? Questions every adult should know.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from USA Today via Reuters Connect and Colin Booth. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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