June 13, 2026 New England News Roundup
Floods and schools
New Hampshire
Flash flooding washes out Route 113 in Madison Flash flooding struck Carroll County today, washing out a section of Route 113 in Madison and closing multiple local roads including Colby Hill Road, Burgdorf Road, High Street, and Old Colony Road. Madison Police are urging residents not to attempt to drive past barricades while state DOT and town officials assess damage. Source: NHPR | https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-06-11/flooding-washes-out-part-of-route-113-in-madison
State invests in digital school maps as security measure New Hampshire is partnering with a New Jersey-based company to install standardized digital maps in public schools statewide, aimed at removing communications hurdles for first responders during emergencies. The initiative is framed as a school safety upgrade. Source: New Hampshire Bulletin | https://newhampshirebulletin.com/2026/06/11/state-invests-in-new-public-school-security-measure-digital-maps/
Legislature passes small business tax relief, sends to Ayotte The New Hampshire House and Senate approved a bill raising the Business Enterprise Tax filing threshold from roughly $297,000 to $400,000 in gross receipts — a move Republicans say will exempt around 4,500 small businesses from paying the tax. The bill also creates a trigger for future automatic rate reductions if state revenues outperform projections. Democrats warned the cuts will shift costs to property taxpayers. The bill now heads to Governor Kelly Ayotte. Sources: NH Journal | https://nhjournal.com/conservatives-celebrate-wins-on-business-tax-cuts-local-tax-caps/ | NHPR | https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2026-06-04/nh-businesses-exempt-tax-business-enterprise-tax-legislature
MAINE
Maine’s Democratic governor primary headed to ranked-choice runoff Tuesday’s five-way Democratic primary for governor produced no majority winner, triggering Maine’s ranked-choice runoff process. As of Wednesday afternoon, former Maine CDC Director Nirav Shah led with about 27% of first-round votes, followed closely by former House Speaker Hannah Pingree (23%), former Senate President Troy Jackson (21%), and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (21%). Angus King III finished a distant fifth and will be eliminated first. Final results are expected next week. Sources: Portland Press Herald | https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/09/extremely-close-maine-democratic-governor-primary-likely-headed-to-ranked-choice-runoff/ | Bangor Daily News | https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/06/10/politics/elections/maine-governor-primary-shenna-bellows-ranked-choice-voting/
IDEXX Laboratories appears to have illegal license plate reader cameras at Maine properties The Portland Press Herald reports that IDEXX Laboratories, the Westbrook-based veterinary diagnostics company, appears to have installed eight automatic license plate reader cameras at properties in Scarborough and Westbrook — a potential violation of Maine state law, which restricts such cameras to government and law enforcement use. Local officials in both communities say they were unaware of the cameras, and IDEXX did not respond to requests for comment. Source: Portland Press Herald | https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/09/idexx-appears-to-have-plate-reading-cameras-at-maine-properties/
Maine Marine Patrol issues 50+ summonses for striped bass violations on Saco River Maine’s Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Carl Wilson issued a public warning this week after Marine Patrol officers wrote more than 50 summonses and 20 warnings in three weeks for striped bass fishing violations on the Saco River. Violations include fishing too close to the fishway, fishing in a closed area above the Main Street bridge, and failing to immediately release fish. Officials say many offenders are repeat violators. Sources: Portland Press Herald | https://www.pressherald.com/2026/06/09/maine-marine-patrol-issues-more-than-50-summonses-to-striped-bass-anglers/ | Bangor Daily News | https://www.bangordailynews.com/2026/06/09/outdoors/fishing/maine-fishing-violations-warning/
VERMONT
UVM Health cuts 142 positions amid $300 million budget pressure The University of Vermont Health Network announced Tuesday it is eliminating 76 positions and restructuring 66 others across its Vermont and New York hospitals and hospice care network, saving an estimated $9.5 million annually. The cuts — affecting nurses, lab techs, and administrative staff — come as the network faces a projected $300 million budget shortfall over three years. Union representatives decried the decision, calling it an attack on healthcare workers. Sources: VTDigger | https://vtdigger.org/2026/06/09/uvm-health-cuts-142-jobs-an-estimated-9-million-in-staff-positions/ | Vermont Public | https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2026-06-09/widespread-layoffs-underway-uvm-health | Seven Days | https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/healthcare/uvm-health-cuts-142-positions-amid-ongoing-restructuring/
Wake sports banned from additional Vermont lakes starting mid-June Vermont is expanding its already nation-leading restrictions on wake boats. Starting in mid-June, wake surfing will be prohibited on Lake Fairlee, Joe’s Pond, Lake Iroquois, Waterbury Reservoir, and several other lakes where it was previously allowed. The state’s Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules voted 5-3 to approve the expanded rules after receiving more than 1,500 public comments and petitions from nearly half of the originally designated wake sports lakes. Sources:Vermont Public | https://www.vermontpublic.org/local-news/2026-06-04/stricter-regulations-coming-wake-boats | VTDigger | https://vtdigger.org/2026/05/31/new-vermont-rules-ban-wake-surfing-on-lake-fairlee/
Smugglers Notch “notch-blocker” fines increase tenfold A new Vermont law takes effect July 1 that dramatically raises fines for oversized vehicles that illegally travel through Smugglers Notch on Route 108 between Cambridge and Stowe. Penalties for operating a prohibited vehicle through the mountain pass jump from $1,000 to $10,000, and fines for causing a blockage rise from $2,000 to $20,000. An average of 8.6 trucks have gotten stuck in the notch each year since 2009. Sources: VTDigger / News & Citizen | https://vtdigger.org/2026/06/07/notch-blocker-fines-to-increase-tenfold/
