July 25, 2026 New England News Roundup

New Hampshire

• School district insurance crisis still unresolved a year later — A year after dozens of NH school districts and towns got hit with surprise mid-year bills from health insurance risk pools, 65 school districts and 25 municipalities received letters demanding surprise fees, with statewide risk pool SchoolCare facing a $30 million deficit. Districts have covered the gap through tax hikes, layoffs, and hiring freezes, but no systemic fix has emerged.
  Source: New Hampshire Bulletin — https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/07/22/a-year-after-crisis-no-clear-answers-for-school-district-risk-pools/ New Hampshire BulletinNew Hampshire Bulletin
• Gov. Ayotte signs law on portable “plug-in” solar panels — Gov. Kelly Ayotte signed a bill establishing guidelines for portable, socket-compatible solar devices in New Hampshire law. Supporters say the panels make solar power more accessible to renters, though lawmakers flagged added safety considerations.
  Source: New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) — https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-07-08/new-hampshire-states-laws-plug-in-solar New Hampshire Public RadioNew Hampshire Public Radio
• Juvenile assault at Sununu Youth Services Center leads to charges — Criminal charges are being filed against a juvenile after an assault on another youth at the Sununu Youth Services Center, which left the victim hospitalized with serious injuries. The Department of Justice says it’s weighing whether to try the juvenile as an adult.
  Source: The Pulse of NH — https://thepulseofnh.com/nh-news-briefs-7-20-2026/ The Pulse of NHThe Pulse of NH

Maine

• Cyberattack knocks out internet in more than 20 Maine towns — A cyberattack caused a widespread internet outage across more than 20 Maine towns. The affected communities range from Bowdoinham to Rockland to Waldoboro.
  Source: NEWS CENTER Maine, with additional reporting from The Maine Wire — https://www.newscentermaine.com/news Maine News CenterWGAN
• New poll shows Jackson with slight edge over Collins in Senate race — A new poll finds Troy Jackson has a slight edge over Susan Collins in Maine’s closely watched U.S. Senate contest, adding another data point to one of the most competitive Senate races in the country this cycle.
  Source: Portland Press Herald — https://www.pressherald.com/ Portland Press Herald
• Third Powassan virus case of the year confirmed in Lincoln County — An adult in Lincoln County has tested positive for Powassan virus, the third case in Maine this year. Powassan is a rare but serious tick-borne illness, and health officials are using the case to remind Mainers to take tick precautions.
  Source: WABI-TV — https://www.wabi.tv/ WABI

Vermont

• Feds say Vermont “needs intervention” on special education, funding at risk — The U.S. Education Department concluded that Vermont needs intervention in complying with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, a worse status than the state has received in recent years. The state could lose millions in federal funding if it doesn’t correct course.
  Source: VTDigger — https://vtdigger.org/ VTDigger
• Mill closure across the border rattles Vermont’s logging industry — Finch Paper announced it is closing one of its mills in Glens Falls, New York, and Vermont loggers see the mill as a pillar of the logging industry’s supply chain, raising concern about the industry’s future without it.
  Source: VTDigger — https://vtdigger.org/2026/07/22/opinion-enough-with-the-excuses-help-vermonts-loggers/VTDigger
• New vehicle inspection rules aim to cut costs for Vermont drivers — New Vermont laws change vehicle inspections to focus on safety risks, reducing costs for drivers starting August 1, with revised standards for tires, brakes, suspension, and other components meant to keep cars on the road longer without compromising safety.
  Source: Valley News — https://vnews.com/2026/07/21/vermont-vehicle-inspection-changes/ Valley News