One proposal (Senate Bill 627) would generate more than $53 million per year in estimated revenue for turnpike projects by essentially doubling what certain cars pay on the state’s toll roads.

The cash fare for Hampton’s main toll booth on Interstate 95, for example, would jump from $2 to $4 for cars and pickup trucks. The toll wouldn’t increase at all for motorists who use New Hampshire’s E-ZPass transponders.

“Surrounding states already have the same in-state discount structure in place,” Democratic Representative Martin Jack of Nashua wrote on behalf of a House committee that unanimously recommended the bill.

A potential hitch: Governor Kelly Ayotte. She’s expressed opposition to the whole toll-hiking idea, and proven she’s not afraid to use her veto pen.

Another proposal (Senate Bill 464) would add a few words to the state’s Civil Rights Act. Instead of addressing conduct that is merely “motivated by” a legally protected characteristic, the proposed revision would address conduct that is “substantially motivated by hostility towards the victim’s” protected characteristic (such as their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, or disability).

The prime sponsor, Republican Senator Daryl Abbas, an attorney, testified the change was small and aligned with the law’s intent. But the attorney who oversees the Civil Rights Unit at the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Sean Locke, testified in opposition, saying the proposal could reduce protections, especially since the meaning of “substantially” is somewhat vague.

The House is also weighing a proposed amendment that would add a few more words than Abbas’s version, potentially narrowing the Civil Rights Act’s applicability a bit further.

A third proposal up for a vote on Thursday (Senate Bill 101) would make every K-12 public school in New Hampshire an “open enrollment” school. That way, students could freely choose to transfer to a district other than the one where they live.

The proposed policy is controversial, partly because of how schools are funded. Districts rely mostly on local property taxes to cover their costs, as the state government chips in relatively little, and property tax rates vary widely from one community to the next. That generates concern about who will foot the bill when a student transfers.

In light of those concerns, Republicans are offering a compromise amendment to SB 101 that would require the state to provide more money per pupil that a district receives via open enrollment, as the New Hampshire Bulletin reported. Democrats are offering their own amendment to establish a study commission on this topic, rather than adopt the proposed policy now.

Lawmakers have until May 14 to take action on the bills that came from the other chamber, though they have until June 4 to iron out any discrepancies.

Amanda Gokee of the Globe staff contributed to this report.

This story appears in Globe NH | Morning Report, a free email newsletter focused on New Hampshire, including great coverage from the Boston Globe and links to interesting articles elsewhere. Sign up here.

Steven Porter can be reached at steven.porter@globe.com. Follow him @reporterporter.

New Jersey bird lovers, now’s your time to track hummingbirds as they begin their spring return to New Jersey, with an interactive migration map offering a clear look at when the tiny birds are expected to arrive across the state as they head north from their wintering grounds.

With spring 2026 hummingbird migration season under way, the migration map tracks reported hummingbird sitings nationwide, giving New Jersey residents a real-time look at how the birds’ northward journey is unfolding as spring temperatures warm and food sources become available. The birds are already heading into New Jersey, though not North Jersey as much, but you can keep a close eye on the map to track the hummingbirds’ arrival in the state.

When hummingbirds arrive in New Jersey

The migration map shows early spring hummingbird sightings approaching the state — with the first ruby-throated hummingbirds typically appearing here in mid-April, followed by more frequent reports through early May as spring temperatures warm.

According to the Farmers’ Almanac, hummingbirds generally return to New Jersey in mid- to late-April, though North Jersey and New York City start seeing the tiny birds closer to early- to mid-May.

While weather and local conditions greatly impact hummingbirds’ return, most NJ residents see the fast-flapping birds come to their feeders and yards through early May — when sightings really ramp up.

Should you put out hummingbird feeders yet?

Yes — late April is still a good time to put out hummingbird feeders in New Jersey, especially as sightings increase across the state and more birds arrive from the south.

Putting feeders up now can help support early arrivals and won’t interfere with natural feeding habits. Use a simple nectar mix of four parts water to one-part white sugar, and avoid red dye, according to the National Garden Bureau.

Here’s a full story on hummingbird food tips and what flowers to plant to attract hummingbirds to your garden.

What hummingbirds look like in New Jersey

Most hummingbirds spotted in New Jersey are the ruby‑throated hummingbird, a tiny bird — about three inches long — with shimmering green backs. Look for fast wing beats (up to 80 beats per second) and rapid hovering as they sip nectar at tubular flowers and feeders.

Adult males have a distinctive ruby-red throat that flashes in the sunlight, while females lack the red coloring and appear more muted, with pale gray or white underparts.

How to use the hummingbird migration map

The migration map tracks reported hummingbird sightings as birds move north during spring, offering a snapshot of how close they are to New Jersey.

As sightings begin clustering just south of the state, it’s a strong signal that hummingbirds are arriving or will soon — making the map a useful tool to check throughout late April.

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based news reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network’s Mid-Atlantic Connect Team. She covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.

76 dogs, 15 cats and kittens, and two Flemish rabbits were removed from a residence in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, after officials said they were found living in deplorable conditions.

Pennsylvania SPCA shared that their law enforcement team had responded to a home on High Ride Road in Columbia, after receiving a tip from concerned citizens.

When officers arrived at the property, officials said they detected a foul odor coming from the outside of the residence, which grew stronger as they approached the front door and the garage connected to the home.

Through a window of the residence, officials said officers saw several dogs in distress, including a black Newfoundland-type dog with heavily matted fur, a Shih Tzu-type dog with matting throughout the body, several shepherd-type dogs, and a Chihuahua with significant hair loss.

Officers also found piles of excrement and pools of liquid throughout the interior of the residence.

A fenced-in porch area was coated with feces, and multiple dogs were also seen in crates in the garage, living in feces-laden conditions, officials shared. Those dogs included a mother German Shepherd and her puppies were found crammed into a crate.

Pennsylvania SPCA

Pennsylvania SPCA

After executing a search warrant, officials said officers were able to confirm the severity of the animal’s conditions and they began removing the animals.

Among the animals removed, officials said many were covered in fecal matter and suffered from extreme matting, fur staining, hair loss on the face and body, and scabbing. Some animals were even found living in hutches, while others were confined to crates zip-tied shut.

After all 93 animals were removed from the property, officials said they were turned over to the Pennsylvania SPCA and are now undergoing forensic medical examinations.

Pennsylvania SPCA

Pennsylvania SPCA

Pennsylvania SPCA

Pennsylvania SPCA

Officials said more information about their conditions and potential charges will be provided following those examinations. The charges could include knowingly, recklessly, or intentionally ill-treating an animal, failure to provide access to clean and sanitary shelter and lack of veterinary care.

“The conditions these animals were forced to endure were truly heartbreaking,” said Nicole Wilson, Director of Animal Law Enforcement and Shelter Operations at the Pennsylvania SPCA. “Ninety-three animals living in filth, without clean water, adequate shelter, or basic care – this is why our team works around the clock to respond to these calls. We are grateful to the Good Samaritan who spoke up, the officers from West Hempfield Township and Lancaster County Sheriff Deputies who were committed to the safe removal of all animals and we are committed to ensuring each of these animals receives the care they deserve.”

Anyone with information about this case, or other cases involving animal cruelty, is urged to call the Pennsylvania SPCA’s Cruelty Hotline at (866) 601-SPCA. Tips can also be left anonymously.