New Hampshire News Roundup: DNC Pushes State Down 2028 Primary Calendar, $100K Powerball Ticket Still Unclaimed and More

Published Aug 16, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent New Hampshire news: the Democratic National Committee voted to adopt a 2028 presidential primary calendar that puts South Carolina first and pushes New Hampshire down, a winning $100,000 Powerball ticket sold at a Circle K remains unclaimed after nearly a year, a hiker died after a medical emergency on the Hale Brook Trail in Bethlehem, a New Hampshire man was charged after 14 callers reported a car topping 100 mph on a Maine highway, and a former House speaker’s nonprofit collected more than $274,000 from casinos. Elsewhere, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dropping 1.1 million rabies vaccine baits over Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.

DNC adopts 2028 primary calendar with South Carolina first; New Hampshire pushed down

The Democratic National Committee voted this weekend to establish a new presidential nominating calendar for 2028 that moves racially diverse states such as South Carolina to the front, with New Hampshire pushed further down the order. WMUR reports New Hampshire is still expected to hold the first primary in 2028 despite the vote, because state law requires the first-in-the-nation primary. (WCVB, WMUR, Politico, The Boston Globe, WCAX, Aug. 15-16, 2026)

Winning $100,000 Powerball ticket unclaimed for nearly a year

A winning $100,000 Powerball ticket sold at a Circle K in New Hampshire has gone unclaimed for nearly one year, and lottery officials are urging players to check their tickets as time runs out to claim the prize. (WMUR, Yahoo News, Aug. 14-15, 2026)

Hiker dies after medical emergency on Hale Brook Trail

A man collapsed while hiking the Hale Brook Trail in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, and died after suffering a medical emergency, according to New Hampshire officials. (Boston.com, Aug. 15, 2026)

NH man charged after 14 callers report car topping 100 mph on Maine highway

A New Hampshire man was charged after 14 callers reported a car traveling at more than 100 mph on a Maine highway, according to authorities. (Bangor Daily News, Aug. 16, 2026)

Former House speaker’s nonprofit collected $274,000 from casinos

A former New Hampshire House speaker and retired lobbyist took in more than $274,000 in charitable gaming proceeds over the past seven years for an inactive nonprofit with no sign of charitable work, a Concord Monitor investigation found. (Concord Monitor, The Caledonian-Record, Aug. 16, 2026)

For more on the Granite State, see the New Hampshire guide.