A childcare change in the works?

Good morning, New Hampshire, and welcome to Friday. Today, Maya Mitchell reports on a potential Trump administration rule change that could carry significant consequences for childcare providers in New Hampshire. Also, Molly Rains looks at where things stand for the state when it comes to mosquito-borne illnesses. And, from William Skipworth, Dartmouth Health lays off 124, saying the health system is trying to ensure that it is “well-positioned for the future.” Thank you for reading, and enjoy the day. — Dana

By Maya Mitchell

Earlier this month, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration is drafting a plan to pay stay-at-home parents using funds currently aimed at helping working parents with childcare costs. While the rule change has not been proposed yet, New Hampshire childcare providers and family advocates worry about its impact.

By Molly Rains

There’s a word that might seem apt for describing how the 2026 New Hampshire mosquito season has played out thus far, but you won’t hear it from Manchester Deputy Public Health Director Phil Alexakos. “I’m not going to use the word that starts with a ‘Q,’ because we don’t do that in public health,” he joked in a phone call on Tuesday. “But it’s been a less-than-active season.” (The taboo word? “Quiet.”) As of Sept. 10, there had been no detections this year of Eastern equine encephalitis virus, or EEE, in New Hampshire mosquitos, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. Detections of West Nile virus and Jamestown Canyon virus were lower than they had been in the past five years, a department spokesperson said.

By William Skipworth

Dartmouth Health, the hospital system that operates eight hospitals and clinics throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, announced this week that 124 employees have been laid off and 303 openings canceled, for a total of 427 positions terminated.