Good morning, Nashua.

Granite United Way is collecting new and like-new coats this month at dozens of drop-off sites — including locations in Manchester — to help those facing cold weather, with local agencies and school districts assisting the effort.

President Nichole Martin Reimer and board member Bob Coates noted that rising calls to 211 show growing need for winter support.

Mayra Gillis—motivated by her own experience with epilepsy—creates and donates sensory kits to local police and first responders to help people in crisis.

Her kits include items like teddy bears, fleece blankets, and communication cards to assist during emergencies.

The witches of Newfound Lake appeared from the fog while paddle boarding as part of an annual Halloween tradition — two friends also placed carved pumpkins on their heads during a hike on Belknap Range.

Fortin Gage Flower Shop handed out over 500 bouquets in downtown Nashua as part of the Petal It Forward program to spread good vibes.

A new study from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute shows that living costs in the state have risen faster than earnings over the past 10 years, with a family of four now having $17,000 less surplus—mortgage costs have doubled and health care deductibles have increased 323% since 2005.

To save money fast, finance columnist Jessica Roy advises Nashua residents to call providers and negotiate bills for cellphones, credit cards, and utilities to lower costs + secure access to hardship programs when needed.

She stressed that doing research beforehand and being clear about alternatives can lead to better offers as prices continue to rise.

As the federal shutdown continues, New Hampshire officials secured extra funding to keep the WIC program running for families until Nov 7 — Gov. Ayotte said backup plans for SNAP support will be provided soon.

The Nashua Regional Planning Commission is holding its final household hazardous waste collection event of the season on November 8 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at Nashua Park and Ride on Crown Street—residents from Amherst, Brookline, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Merrimack, Milford, Mont Vernon, Nashua, Pelham and Windham are invited. A $20 fee per vehicle applies for up to 10 gallons of liquids or 20 pounds of solids—businesses must call NRPC to register.

Manchester is on track to record its lowest year-end opioid overdose total with 304 cases so far in 2025—a 23% drop from last year with one fatal overdose.

Nashua is also showing a downward trend with 122 overdoses reported so far, including 13 last month that resulted in two deaths.

Medicare open enrollment in New Hampshire will begin in just over a week as Anthem, Martin’s Point and Aetna drop Medicare Advantage plans, reducing choices from 38 in 2025 to 19 in 2026 — a change that affects more than 350,000 local beneficiaries who need to review their coverage.

Health care advocates in New Hampshire warned that if ACA tax credits are not continued, some Granite Staters could lose coverage due to high premiums and may cut back on essentials—over 70,000 people currently rely on these credits.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the credits will expire Dec. 31 and the issue will be addressed once the government shutdown is resolved.

Southern New Hampshire Health offers Immediate Care with walk-in and virtual appointments for non-life-threatening conditions at five locations.

Patients of all ages receive treatment for minor illnesses and injuries and providers share updates with primary doctors—making timely care more accessible.

Several former Fisher Cats players are now with the Blue Jays as the team advances to the World Series—Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, who played in Manchester years ago, help drive the postseason push while rookie Trey Yesavage has also made an impact.

Their shared history in New Hampshire highlights the local roots that contributed to their success.

Halloween Clay Workshop

6:30-8:30 p.m. — Spyglass Brewing Company — $81.88 — Get spooky while sculpting seasonal clay creations in a hands-on pottery workshop.

The Poop Museum

2 PM — Nashua Public Library — Free entry — Enjoy an interactive and amusing exploration of surprising science around poop.

360 All Stars Performance

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Nashua Center for the Arts — Tickets available for purchase — Experience a thrilling performance that fuses acrobatics with street culture.

Bowers & Wilkins Abbey Road Experience Tour

11 PM – 1 AM — Best Buy Nashua — Free entry — Celebrate 45 years of sound with demos and exclusive audio experiences.

Liquid Therapy Comedy Night

9:30-10:00 p.m. — Liquid Therapy Brewery & Grill — Ticket required — Enjoy a night of laughs with comics from Headliners Comics in a historic setting.