Ayotte and Warmington on childcare

Good morning, New Hampshire, and welcome to Friday. Today, Maya Mitchell looks at the childcare positions of Gov. Kelly Ayotte and her Democratic challenger, Cinde Warmington. Also, Ethan DeWitt reports on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the New Hampshire school ID case. And, from Stateline’s Anna Claire Vollers, state and city laws lose ground against fast-moving electric bikes and scooters. Thank you for reading, and have a great weekend. — Dana

By Maya Mitchell

With Election Day less than two weeks away, incumbent New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Democratic nominee Cinde Warmington on Thursday pitched childcare providers on why they are the best candidate to improve childcare. During a forum hosted by Early Learning New Hampshire and Save the Children Action Network, candidates were given the opportunity to respond live or by pre-recorded video to questions asked ahead of the event. Warmington attended the meeting and answered questions live. Ayotte did not attend but submitted written responses that were read aloud. More than 90 people from the childcare community attended the virtual event.

By Ethan DeWitt

New Hampshire high school and college students will be barred from using their school identification cards to vote Nov. 3, after the U.S. Supreme Court overruled a New Hampshire federal judge Thursday evening. The court’s ruling, which was unsigned, restores a 2026 New Hampshire law that removed the school ID cards from the list of acceptable documents to prove identity at the polls.

By Anna Claire Vollers

A string of high-profile deaths and injuries involving electric scooters and bikes is spurring states and cities across the country to crack down on them. As technology improves, e-scooters and e-bikes capable of motorcycle-like speeds have become cheaper and more popular. Some models — and the ability to modify them with aftermarket upgrades — are blurring the lines between bicycles, scooters and motor vehicles.