On this special edition of the New Hampshire Journal podcast, the news just broke that U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen will not seek a fourth term, the third swing-state Senate Democrat to decide to bail before 2026.

What does that mean for New Hampshire? We ask veteran GOP strategist Jim Merrill for his insights into the Granite State's 2026 election cycle without Shaheen at the top of the ticket.

What does it mean for D.C. Democrats and their hopes of winning back control of the upper chamber? Dave Weigel of Semafor reports from Washington on reactions at the national level.

This special edition of the podcast is made possible by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Want to support independent journalism in New Hampshire? Click here!

An article quoting Sam Evans-Brown of Clean Energy NH led to a tweet by host Michael Graham which led to a minor kerfuffle which resulted in a terrific conversation about New Hampshire, EVs, and the real numbers on energy in New England.

Another tweet, from Democratic operative Lucas Meyer, claims New Hampshire Republicans are plotting an "income tax." (Spoiler alert: No.)

Plenty of green energy policy and rank punditry in this edition of the NHJournal podcast, made possible by Dr. Bruce Houghton at Perfect Smiles of Nashua and (as the saying goes) "people like you."

Jamie Reed describes herself as a "queer woman who's politically to the left of Bernie Sanders." For years, she worked at The Washington University Transgender Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital -- until she became a whistleblower.

What Reed saw violates the "first, do no harm" tenets of health care. "Instead, we are permanently harming the vulnerable patients in our care," she says.

Reed is now executive director of the LGBT Courage Coalition. She's heading to New Hampshire to testify on behalf of legislation banning puberty blockers and permanent sex change surgeries for children. She talks to NHJournal about the latest medical research on the gender issue, and she answers a question that has even stumped a U.S. Supreme Court nominee:

"What is a woman?"

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Want to support NHJournal? Please click here to "subscribe" for $4.99/month and help us continue to provide independent journalism in the Granite State.

Just hours after delivering her budget address to the New Hampshire legislature, Gov. Kelly Ayotte talks to NHJournal about the details -- including her actual position on expanding Education Freedom Accounts, and her rebuttal to Democrats' claims of 'downshifting.'

The new GOP governor also addresses her commitment to passing bail reform, why her budget contains actual cuts, not just "slowed spending," and what the heck happened with the GOP's Right-To-Work crash-and-burn minutes after her address.

PLUS -- The Wile E. Coyote Democratic Caucus rides again!

Hosted by Michael Graham, Managing Editor of NHJournal.

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Click here to support the independent journalism at NHJournal.com.

Trump storms back into Washington, D.C. and Granite State Republicans are pumped!

While they were forced watch from ballrooms or meeting rooms, New Hampshire who went to Washington for the inauguration were delighted by what they heard from the president.

What were his best moments? What should Granite Staters take away from Trump's inaugural address? We asked NHGOP state chair Chris Ager and longtime NH Trump ally, Rep. Fred Doucette (R-Salem).

Plus: Why NH Democrats should not cry for Joe Biden's loss, but for their own.

Hosted by NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

Want to support NHJournal's independent journalism? Click here!

In her first podcast interview as New Hampshire's governor, Republican Kelly Ayotte talks about the budget challenges facing the Granite State, her determination to get a sanctuary city ban passed through the legislature, and why her "Don't MASS Up NH" motto continues to resonate.

Plus: NHJournal Managing Editor Michael Graham reveals the secret behind the news site's recent spate of scoops. You won't believe it!

Sponsored by Perfect Smiles of New Hampshire.

Want to support NHJournal's independent political reporting? Click here!

Kelly Ayotte makes her first appearance on the NHJournal podcast as Gov.-elect. She talks about her vision for New Hampshire, the key message from her campaign, and her take on how her response to federal immigration enforcement is going to be very different from Massachusetts.

And Drew Cline with the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy talks about a new study showing the massive cost ratepayers face from progressive "green energy" policies enacted by New England states.

The podcast sponsored by Perfect Smiles of Nashua.

To support NHJournal, click here.

Who were the biggest winners and losers on Election Day 2024 in New Hampshire? When NHJournal published its list, the reaction was so intense we decided to invite some of the smartest observers of Granite State politics to add their own winners and losers: Greg Moore with Americans for Prosperity and Drew Cline, president of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy.

If you want to add your own winner or loser to the list, post it on twitter and tag @NewHampJournal, or email news@insidesources.com.

This podcast is made possible by Bruce and Stefany Houghton at Perfect Smiles of Nashua.