Keeping tabs on the greenheads

Good morning, New Hampshire, and welcome to a new week. Today, Molly Rains looks at how the work of an amateur insect data collector is helping beachgoers avoid one of the more annoying aspects of the season: greenhead horseflies. Also, William Skipworth checks in with state election officials about their reactions to the Trump administration’s decision to send monitors to Nashua and Manchester. And, from Stateline’s Kelcie Moseley-Morris, how the increase in wildfire pollution is affecting pregnant women and babies. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the day. — Dana

By Molly Rains

A unique kind of beast emerges from the marshlands of the East Coast each July. New England beachgoers know them well: With bulging, Kelly green eyes, and mouthparts that slice into their targets’ skin like scissors, greenhead horseflies can’t be ignored. But with enough data, they can, perhaps, be avoided — at least, that’s what web developer turned volunteer insect data collector Greggory Hogan hopes.

By William Skipworth

New Hampshire election officials say they’re unconcerned after the Trump administration announced it will send election monitors to watch September’s primaries in Manchester and Nashua — a longstanding practice that has drawn partisan suspicion amid the president’s recent actions on elections.

By Kelcie Moseley-Morris

A new study examining pollution levels across a 16-year span found that while general pollution levels from sources such as cars and industry have significantly declined, recent increases in wildfire smoke air pollution have offset those gains and could be contributing to negative outcomes for pregnant women and babies such as low birth weight and preterm births.