Manmade nests help grow loon population
MEREDITH — More than 50 years ago, Granite Staters saw fewer loons swimming on their lakes. With no system in place to monitor the species, the dramatic decline of New Hampshire's beloved bird was not accurately documented.
When the Loon Preservation Committee was founded in 1975, there were only 74 territorial pairs of common loons in the state. Thanks to aggressive conservation efforts, in 2022, a census counted 345 pairs. One solution to combat population decline is manmade floating raft nests, which provide a safe, effective way to help loons hatch their eggs.
The first nest on Lake Winnisquam began its use in 1989, and has provided a safe space for loons ever since.
New pod design could be temporary shelter solution
For the third year in a row, Kenzo Morris slept outside for three days in December to raise money for the soup kitchen where he volunteers. After suffering hypothermia during an early snow in December 2023, Morris created a new method of shelter this year, with hopes to stay warmer and pilot a new way to keep unhoused people warm during winter temperatures.
Are Canadian tourists missing from this year's Motorcycle Week?
LACONIA — Anyone who felt this year’s Laconia Motorcycle Week is quieter than others is not alone. After talking with local business leaders and from his own experience, the event's Executive Director Charlie St. Clair said he's seen fewer motorcyclists, especially from Canada.
“There’s between 75% to 80% less Canadians for Motorcycle Week this year,” he said.
With recent tariffs on Canadian goods and comments from President Donald Trump about making Canada the 51st state, St. Clair thinks those both contribute to the discrepancy.
Not all birds fly south for the winter: Newfound Lake Region Association hosts conservation education programs
BRISTOL — Snow covered trees, filled with birds, line the dirt road up to the Slim Baker Foundation hiking area. From the road, downy woodpeckers can be seen chipping at a tree trunk. Cedar waxwings rest on branches and blue jays call out to their heart’s content. When the temperatures drop in the winter, one might expect birds to leave, but Mirka Zapletal, education and outreach manager for Newfound Lake Region Association, aims to prove otherwise.
“There's this idea that everything migrates, and it all shuts down,” Zapletal said. “I think it's really helpful to remember that, no, there are lots and lots of birds that are hanging out and doing their thing, as well as other animals.”
Education takes center stage in first year of New Hampshire’s data privacy law
Nearly a year after New Hampshire’s comprehensive data privacy law took effect, the state’s new enforcement unit has received 27 consumer complaints — a sign of early awareness of the new law.
However, officials say much more work is needed to educate consumers and businesses about the new protections and obligations.
As weather patterns change, bird watching in New Hampshire looks different
With the arrival of spring comes the return of migratory birds. Of New Hampshire's birds, 85% migrate. Some fly only to the southern part of the state, while others travel as far as South America.
But the kinds of birds that can be seen in the Granite State are changing. The 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report, released by the U.S. Committee of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative in March, showed evidence of continued bird population decline. Continued warming of the climate has also affected migration routes, and habitat loss continues to threaten bird populations.
State audit doesn't change Laconia Ward 2 primary polling results
CONCORD — Results reported from Laconia Ward 2 in the state Primary Election remain unchanged following an audit by the Secretary of State's Office. The audit found few discrepancies, which were related to faint ballot markings and write-in votes.
The voting machine from Laconia Ward 2 was one of 10 around the state to be selected for a random audit, conducted Thursday morning at the New Hampshire State Archives building. This comes after the state Senate voted in May 2023 to put a 2022 bill requiring audits in four towns and cities into SB 489, requiring the Secretary of State's Office to conduct at least eight audits in every Primary and General election.
Belmont High senior brings lacrosse back to campus
BELMONT — Seven years later, the high school's junior varsity lacrosse team has been revived, after dissolving in 2018. Senior Brenden Schofield, 17, led the initiative to bring the team back. He played youth lacrosse in middle school in Laconia, then during the COVID-19 pandemic was not able to play in high school. It wasn’t until this year that Schofield felt motivated to do something, hoping to have some fun during his last year of high school.
“I was literally working with two of my buddies, and I was like, 'I kind of want to play lacrosse again,'” Schofield said. “And they're like, ‘If you start a team, we'll be on it.’”
Citizen scientists critical in monitoring water quality
FRANKLIN — Three volunteers for the Upper Merrimack Watershed Association crossed the Central Street Bridge over the Pemigewasset River, looking out over the foggy horizon. At 7 a.m. on Aug. 27, Mike Hamilton, environmental engineer for Watts Water Technologies, threw a small bucket over the bridge into the river, and pulled it up, filled with a water sample to test E. coli in the river.
Hamilton then dropped off the sample at the Franklin Wastewater Treatment Plant, where it’ll be brought to the Public Health Laboratories in Concord. Samples from 11 test sites were analyzed, and the data released at the end of that week, distributed through the watershed association newsletter. Hamilton spoke about why it’s important he help collect this data.
“I live right over here. My dogs swim in this river, so it's a big part of the community, and just another way to give back,” he said.
After already saying no to keno, N.H. municipalities have to do it again
A new law is compelling some New Hampshire communities to consider once again asking voters to decide whether to prohibit bars, restaurants and grocery stores from offering Keno 603, a lottery-like gambling game, to patrons.
While the communities have voted multiple times to bar Keno 603 since its inception in New Hampshire, a new state “opt-out” law automatically authorizes it in all cities and towns — unless a community’s voters decide not to allow it. If there’s no vote by 2027, Keno 603 will automatically be authorized in a community.
Ernie's Turtle returns to Bolduc Park after over a decade
GILFORD — It’s been roughly 15 years since Bob Bolduc had seen the snapping turtle which resides in a pond at Bolduc Park. But on June 7, a turtle was seen making the trek across the golf course, then Gilford Avenue to lay her eggs in the sand.
“We hadn't seen the turtle, and then one of my workers said, ‘Hey, there's a huge turtle out here,’” Bob said. “Oh my god, it's her, and she's headed for the road.”
Generations-old family farm grows with addition of store
SANBORNTON — Swain Farm has been in Laura Garcia's family for four generations, but has never had a store until now.
Garcia opened the store in May, which she runs with her husband Joe. The store sells the farm's fresh beef and maple syrup, as well as products from other local farms and businesses.
“I feel like it was never really what it could be. When we came here, we wanted to utilize it in the best way we could,” Laura said. “That's why we built the shelves. We got more products in. We started advertising.”