New Hampshire
- NH housing market showing signs of stabilizing (NHPR): New Hampshire’s housing market is showing early signs of stabilizing, with the median sales price for a single-family home reaching $530,000 in March 2026 (the smallest annual increase since May 2023) while homes are staying on the market longer (44 days vs. 32 days last year), though demand still outpaces supply. Link: https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-04-08/housing-market-cooling-nh-real-estate-data
- Dog electrocuted behind Portsmouth High School (NHPR): A dog named Frankie was electrocuted behind Portsmouth High School on February 28 while being walked by its owner, who later pleaded with the City Council on April 6 to address the safety issue in honor of her pet. Link: https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-04-08/dog-electrocuted-portsmouth-school-prompts-plea-to-city
- Franklin teachers get raises but salaries lag neighbors (Concord Monitor): Franklin teachers received 8.5% to 13% salary increases for the 2026-2027 school year under a new contract, but entry-level pay remains below neighboring districts and high turnover persists. Link: https://www.concordmonitor.com/2026/04/08/franklin-teachers-salary-disparity/
- Manchester Hanover Street parking removal advances (Union Leader): Plans to remove about 25 on-street parking spots on Manchester’s Hanover Street are moving forward as part of a $1.8 million project to widen sidewalks and improve pedestrian access in downtown. Link: https://www.unionleader.com/news/local/manchester/plans-to-remove-parking-on-manchester-s-hanover-street-move-forward/article_ca5e3ffc-6c23-48ab-b88f-17387f275885.html
Maine
- Portland schools consider giving up central office (Portland Press Herald): Portland Public Schools is considering closing its central office on Cumberland Avenue amid declining enrollment and a $4 million state funding cut, which could save $250,000, with the building eyed as a possible new family shelter. Link: https://www.pressherald.com/2026/04/08/portland-school-district-considers-giving-up-central-office-building/
- Bangor bus riders frustrated by cuts and upcoming fare hike (Bangor Daily News): Bangor’s Community Connector bus service has cut routes and Saturday service due to driver shortages, leading to rider frustration over longer waits and limited hours ahead of a fare increase to $2 next year. Link: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/04/08/bangor/bangor-health/bangor-bus-service-cuts-joam40zk0w/
- Arrest made in 2017 Portland murder of Tom Yamada (NewsCenterMaine): Portland police arrested 42-year-old Stephen Versluis Jr. on April 8 in the 2017 murder of Sunao “Tom” Yamada, following a nearly nine-year investigation by multiple agencies. Link: https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/portland/tom-yamada-murder-arrest-portland-maine-stephen-versluis-jr-junior/97-99caf909-dd1d-444e-8814-ba340a9432a6
- 10-unit affordable housing proposed for Skowhegan (Centralmaine.com): Community Housing of Maine proposes demolishing two vacant homes on Waterville Road in Skowhegan to build a three-story, 10-unit affordable apartment complex, with construction starting this fall and units available in about two years. Link: https://www.centralmaine.com/2026/04/09/affordable-housing-developer-proposes-10-unit-project-in-skowhegan/
Vermont
- Burlington man sentenced in 2022 restaurant stabbing (VTDigger): Burlington man Von Simmonds was sentenced to at least 17½ years in prison for the second-degree murder of 23-year-old Abubakar Sharrif during a fight at Piesanos restaurant on Main Street in December 2022. Link: https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/08/burlington-man-sentenced-to-at-least-17½-years-in-prison-for-deadly-stabbing-in-restaurant/
- Franklin County sheriff won’t seek reelection (Vermont Public): Franklin County Sheriff John Grismore announced he will not seek a second term, citing challenges during his tenure including a 2022 assault charge that led to mistrials, dismissal, and revocation of his law enforcement credentials. Link: https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2026-04-06/franklin-county-sheriff-wont-seek-reelection
- Primary care funding concerns in state budget (VTDigger): Vermont’s House-approved budget increases funding for primary care provider scholarships and loan repayment but eliminates a $500,000 annual allocation for early-career pipeline programs, which advocates say is insufficient to expand the rural workforce. Link: https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/08/if-vermont-is-going-to-scale-up-primary-care-health-advocates-say-this-one-funding-priority-is-crucial/
••Lawmakers visit state prison but press excluded (VTDigger): Vermont House Corrections and Institutions Committee lawmakers visited the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans, but the press was not allowed due to security and privacy concerns, sparking calls for greater transparency. Link: https://vtdigger.org/2026/04/08/lawmakers-visited-a-state-prison-but-press-wasnt-welcome/
