🗺️ NEW HAMPSHIRE
1. Director of Youth Detention Center Resigns Amid Abuse Scandal The director of the Sununu Youth Services Center, Joshua Nye, resigned following multiple investigations into allegations of abuse at the facility. Gov. Kelly Ayotte announced the resignation after an Executive Council meeting. A legislative committee had called for his “immediate” replacement, citing sweeping failures including allegations of improper restraints, an extended lockdown, and injuries to staff and children. New Hampshire Public Radio + 2
2. Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest Saved; Bartlett Still Under Review After months of uncertainty, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest in the White Mountains will officially remain open amid the U.S. Forest Service’s nationwide reorganization, according to Gov. Kelly Ayotte. The Forest Service had previously announced plans to close over 50 of its 77 research facilities, including Bartlett Experimental Forest. The USDA will now reevaluate those plans for Bartlett. New Hampshire Public RadioNew Hampshire Public Radio
3. School Choice “Open Enrollment” Pilot Revived at Legislature After a setback earlier in the session — when 21 House Republicans joined Democrats to defeat a Senate-passed bill — school choice advocates are pushing a scaled-back open enrollment pilot program as the legislature nears the end of its 2026 session. Gov. Kelly Ayotte has expressed “some concerns” about universal open enrollment and has not clearly endorsed or opposed any final version. New Hampshire BulletinNew Hampshire Bulletin
🗺️ MAINE
1. Firefighter Killed in Explosion at Robbins Lumber Mill One firefighter was killed and at least 10 people were injured in a fire and explosion at Robbins Lumber in Searsmont, a well-known mill in the Maine lumber industry, drawing a massive response from first responders across the Midcoast region. The firefighter was identified as Andrew Cross, 27, a member of the Morrill Fire Department. He was found dead at the scene. Portland Press HeraldNewscenter Maine
2. Cities and Towns Form Patchwork of Data Center Moratoriums After Governor’s Veto After Gov. Janet Mills vetoed a statewide temporary ban on data centers, several cities and towns — including Sanford — responded by introducing their own emergency moratoriums. Brunswick is also among several Maine municipalities now considering such measures. At least four towns have proposed moratoriums to give themselves time to refine local regulations. Portland Press HeraldPortland Press Herald
3. Maine Republican Gubernatorial Debate Held with Notable Absences The 2026 Republican gubernatorial primary debate opened with two notable absences, as two candidates did not appear for the CBS 13-moderated event. The Maine Wire
🗺️ VERMONT
1. UVM Faces $12 Million Budget Deficit Amid Enrollment Cliff The University of Vermont announced a $12 million structural budget deficit driven by a projected drop in enrollment. UVM expects a 15% decline in freshman undergraduates and a 7% decrease across all undergraduate levels this coming fall. UVM President Marlene Tromp called the drop “tremendously significant, not just for our university, but for our state,” and cited the Trump administration’s policies toward international students as compounding the challenge. VTDiggerVTDigger
- 🔗 VTDigger | Valley News
2. Vermont Routinely Takes Foster Kids’ Money — A Bill Could End That A bill headed to Gov. Phil Scott would stop Vermont’s Department for Children and Families from intercepting federal benefits belonging to foster children and using those funds to reimburse itself for care costs. Scott’s press secretary said the bill made “important changes to support some of Vermont’s most vulnerable youth,” but the governor had not yet made a final decision about whether to sign it. Vermont PublicVermont Public
3. Vermont Legislature Rolls Back Controversial Land Use Law Act 181 In a rare show of unanimity, the Vermont House voted to scrap the most controversial provisions of Act 181 after a surge of opposition from rural communities who felt the state’s housing and land use overhaul had gone too far. VTDigger
