New Hampshire
ARMI board says it plans to review Kamen’s ties to Epstein
The board of directors for ARMI, the government-funded Manchester research project led by inventor Dean Kamen, is meeting to discuss its next steps in the wake of newly released documents showing Kamen’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
This comes as revelations last week about Kamen’s relationship with Epstein prompted FIRST, the youth-based robotics organization he founded decades ago, to hire an outside law firm to review his conduct while he takes a leave of absence.
Kamen hasn’t been accused of criminal wrongdoing related to his interactions with Epstein, which include phone calls, emails and shared travel in the years after Epstein was convicted of sex crimes against minors in 2008.
On Monday, Blake Moret, who serves on ARMI’s board of directors, confirmed in an email to NHPR that the board “is convening to discuss the current situation,” but provided no other information. Kamen serves as both the executive director and board chairman of ARMI.
Read more: ‘Thank you for . . . an incredible visit’: New docs show Kamen spent time on Epstein’s island
Stefany Shaheen, a Democratic candidate for United States Congress in New Hampshire who has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars as a consultant for ARMI in recent years, said Monday that ARMI’s board of directors “needs to address this matter independently.” A campaign spokesperson said Shaheen ended her work for ARMI in January, though she remains listed on the group’s website as its chief strategy officer.
In addition to his formal titles, Kamen has served as the public face and loudest booster at the Advanced Regenerative Manufacturing Institute, or ARMI, the government-funded research project based in Manchester that is attempting to kickstart medical breakthroughs in tissue and organ science. Since 2016, Kamen has helped secure hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government for ARMI’s work. He also essentially serves as ARMI’s landlord across multiple buildings he owns in the city’s millyard, collecting millions of dollars in rent from the project over the past several years.
Kamen has not responded to several requests for comment from NHPR in recent days. But in a statement provided to WMUR over the weekend, Kamen said that he has “no knowledge of any of the horrific crimes of Jeffrey Epstein or his associates other than what I have learned from news reports. In addition to crossing paths at various conferences and events, Jeffrey Epstein reached out to me to become involved in my projects to bring clean water and distributed power to developing countries by offering resources and introductions to the leaders of those countries.”
Kamen’s statement continued: “After initial meetings, it became apparent that his only interest was self-promotion and I avoided further meetings. Given what is known now, I of course regret even those limited interactions. I will defer all further comment on this topic until the conclusion of the independent review.”
In addition to his nonprofit work, Kamen is also on the board of directors of Beta Technologies, a Vermont-based publicly traded company that designs electric aircraft. NHPR reached out to the company on Monday about Kamen’s continued role at the firm, but did not receive a response.
Kamen is also listed as a member of the board of trustees for the X Prize Foundation, a group that uses prizes to spur innovation in a range of fields. The foundation did not respond to a request for comment.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
U.S. Postal Service could run out of money within a year
All Aboard the 67, San Francisco’s Most Delayed Bus | KQED
We don’t know why Dallas elected Amber Givens for DA either
Firefight at NW Miami-Dade warehouse enters 2nd day: ‘It burned it all up’
Poor Clares’ monastery a case study in why Boston is short on housing – The Boston Globe
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
DOJ continues Biden autopen probe despite former president unlikely to face charges
Fact check: Did French border guards mock influencers returning from Dubai amid Iran war?
Iran’s fight for survival / The widening war / Trump’s nebulous goals : Sources & Methods
Map: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Louisiana
Paxton vows he’s ‘staying in this race’ even if Trump backs Cornyn in Texas GOP clash
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Massachusetts3 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Maryland5 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida5 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Oregon7 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling