“I worry about almost a mind-deadening future.” — Londonderry High School junior Lauren Damota on the use of AI in classrooms via the Concord Monitor

🌍 Happy Earth Day! 

Big news:

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

📸 Your view of New Hampshire!

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

🌿 What you need to know about foraging in NH

📢 Question of the week: Should New Hampshire require local police to work with ICE—or should Gov. Ayotte push back to protect them?

🗓 Top events for your calendar

(Courtesy of Mark St. Hilaire)

Shoutout to Mark St. Hilaire for sending this picture. As he shared, “We watched this young bobcat pace and stalk a squirrel by our bird feeder this morning. We took the photo then spooked ’em away.”

Have photos to share? I’d love to see them—pets, landscapes, wildlife, anything goes. Feel free to submit more than one!

🎤 Cher is seeking a conservatorship for her son after NH arrests. She cited concerns about her son Elijah Allman’s ability to manage money and ongoing substance issues. The filing follows multiple arrests in New Hampshire, including alleged break-ins and assault. Court documents claim his finances are being rapidly depleted. WMUR

👉 At the state level, public health—and health care costs—are also drawing attention …

💉A New Hampshire lawmaker is proposing a bill that would require Medicaid to cover GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Supporters say the medications can prevent serious conditions like diabetes and improve long-term health, but state officials warn the expansion could cost tens of millions annually. Concord Monitor

👉 At the same time, a major state infrastructure project just hit a roadblock …

🏗️ The $700M NH prison replacement was put on hold. New Hampshire’s Executive Council halted a key contract tied to replacing the state’s aging men’s prison in Concord. Councilors cited concerns over cost, transparency, and lack of design details, despite widespread agreement that current conditions are deteriorating. The delay could push the already long-discussed project back even further. New Hampshire Public Radio

Wild mushroom foraging is hugely popular in New Hampshire, but it’s best to educate yourself on what’s safe and not safe to harvest. (Stacy Milbouer/Granite Post)

By Stacy Milbouer

Foraging—once an ancient survival skill—is having a major comeback across New Hampshire. From wild mushrooms to seaweed, more residents are heading outdoors in search of edible plants.

🌱 Why it’s trending

→ The pandemic pushed people to reconnect with nature and food sources

→ NH’s landscape—woodlands, wetlands, and coastline—is ideal for foraging

→ Locavore culture and social media have amplified interest

→ More restaurants are featuring foraged ingredients

“Foraging is definitely a rage,” says Russ Cohen, who has been teaching the practice for over 40 years.

If you’re curious about learning more, here are some upcoming events and classes:

🌿 New Hampshire Outdoor Learning Center

Wild Edible & Medicinal Plants of New England (June 6) 

Wild Edible Mushrooms (Sept. 19 & Oct. 10)

🍄 New Hampshire Mushroom Company

Hands-on classes in identification, cooking, and foraging (dates vary)

🚶 Russ Cohen Walks & Talks (Hanover)

Edible plant & mushroom events (July 16 & 18)

🌲 Other Guided Foraging Events

Mushroom walks & seasonal tours

Over the past year, local law enforcement made 51 immigration-related arrests, according to New Hampshire Public Radio, which also published charts showing where those arrests occurred.

At the same time, the ACLU of New Hampshire says 15 police agencies in the state have signed agreements with ICE through the 287(g) program.

That program essentially allows certain local officers to act like federal immigration agents—giving them the authority to identify, detain, and process people for immigration violations, which can ultimately lead to deportation.

It’s also worth noting: New Hampshire is the only state in New England where local police are part of this kind of ICE partnership.

So this week’s question is:

Should New Hampshire require local police to work with ICE—or should Gov. Ayotte push back to protect them?

Here’s what you’re saying:

“The governor should focus on growing the state and not let ICE into any part of the state. Being a puppet for Trump is not what the state needs. ICE is mismanaged and has killed people —it’s time to wind it down. No one is illegal on stolen land!” — Tammi Day

“Our local police departments have more than enough to do to maintain law and order within our municipalities. They work hard to develop and maintain trust of the citizens they work for. There is no reason our police should break that trust by aligning with ICE, who have shown themselves to be less than law abiding, poorly trained, and sent out with conflicting assignments. An agenda many follow seems to combine greed and bravado, not caring what methods they use to they achieve questionable commands. No, our police departments should not be involved in ICE.” — Barbara Spike

“If ICE were chasing CRIMINAL violations of immigration law, I could accept that. But they are pursuing very few criminal prosecutions. Instead they’re enforcing civil violations. So it’s the equivalent of using police to enforce cleanliness rules in restaurants—a waste of taxpayer funds. Also, they’re dumping detainees into what, according to not infrequent reports, are cruel, unhealthy, and dehumanizing processes and facilities. I’m certain that support for participating and paying for that is slim.” — Keenan Pawley

(Google My Maps)

🗺 NEW: Click the map for all your event locations! Do you like this new feature? Hit reply and let me know.

1. 🥾 Hooper Institute Family Earth Day Hike
Walpole, April 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
A guided Earth Day walk exploring early spring wildlife and plants—fun for all ages. Free, registration required
More info

2. 🐠 Earth Day Party
Glen, April 22
An after-hours aquarium event with interactive exhibits, crafts, animal encounters, and conservation activities. Food and drinks available.
More info

3. 🌼 Earth Day Celebration
Dover, April 22, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. & 1-4 p.m.
A full day of crafts, seed planting, scavenger hunts, and sustainability-themed activities for kids and families.
More info

4. 🦜 Talk: “Upper Valley Birds: Past, Present & Future”
White River Junction, April 22, 1-2 p.m.
An illustrated talk by ornithologist Chris Rimmer exploring local bird species, population changes, and conservation efforts.
More info

5. 🐛 Film: “The Extraordinary Caterpillar”
Hanover, April 22, 6-8 p.m.
Watch the documentary followed by a Q&A panel and live demo by The Caterpillar Lab. Ages 5+.
More info

6. 🎶 Nashua Choral Society Spring Concert: “Wings of Sound, Fields of Stars”
Nashua, April 26, 3-4:30 p.m.
An afternoon of choral music celebrating spring with live performances and harmonies.
More info 

7. 🎬 “Lord of the Rings” Marathon
Jaffrey, April 25, 9 a.m.
Extended editions of all three films. Buy a full-day pass or individual tickets.
$20–$100
More info

8. 🌱 Sustainability Fair
Nashua, April 25, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
A free, family-friendly event featuring eco exhibits, food samples, EVs, workshops, and more.
More info

9. 🐑 Brookford Farm Baa Baa Baash
Canterbury, weekends through April  
Spring farm event with baby animals, farm store, and seasonal activities.
Free admission.
More info

10. 📚 Five Colleges Book Sale
Lebanon, April 24-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; April 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Browse more than 40,000 books, plus rare finds, media, puzzles, and more. Proceeds support students from NH and VT.
More info

11 . ♻️ Workshop: “Upcycle a Feed Bag”
White River Junction, April 25, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
A beginner-friendly class on turning feed bags into useful items like tote bags and potting mats. Materials included.
More info

12. 🔧 Community RePair Cafe: Fix It, Don’t Toss It!
Orford, April 25, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Get help repairing household items like clothing, bikes, and small electronics. Includes bike safety checks and refreshments.
More info

13. 🌱 Earth Day Celebration
Nashua, April 25, 12-2 p.m.
Celebrate with giveaways, activities, and appearances from stores like LEGO, Yankee Candle, and LUSH.
More info

14. 🏡 Upper Valley Earth Week Open House
Upper Valley, April 25-26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Visit homes and organizations showcasing sustainable living, from heat pumps to electric vehicles and more.
Locations include Hanover, Lebanon, Woodstock, Norwich, and Hartford
More info

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

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