Who is Karoline Leavitt the new White House press secretary?
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is the youngest to ever hold the position at 27.
Before making history as the youngest ever White House press secretary, New Hampshire native Karoline Leavitt got her start in politics here in the Granite State.
Leavitt made her debut in the press briefing room Tuesday, marking her first White House news conference as the public face of President Donald Trump’s administration.
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“I can assure you that you’ll be hearing from both him and me as much as possible,” the 27-year-old said during the briefing.
Trump tapped Leavitt for the post soon after his reelection in November 2024, saying in a press release at the time that she is “smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator.”
Where is Karoline Leavitt from? Her NH ties
Karoline Leavitt grew up in Atkinson, New Hampshire, she told Seacoastonline in November.
Leavitt went to Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Massachusetts, before attending Saint Anselm College in Manchester. While at Saint Anselm, she grew interested in politics and gained experience in the news media industry.
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“I just took advantage of every opportunity I could and started the St. Anselm College Broadcasting Club, I worked part-time at WMUR-TV, and I volunteered on a couple of campaigns, and then realized that this is, you know, what I wanted to do with the rest of my career,” she told Seacoastonline in November.
After college, Leavitt moved to Hampton. She still lives on the Seacoast with her husband and son.
Karoline Leavitt’s career history
Karoline Leavitt graduated from Saint Anselm College with a degree in communications and politics in 2019. After that, she worked as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany during Trump’s first presidential term.
After her first stint at the White House, Leavitt worked as a spokesperson for Rep. Elise Stefanik, a close Trump ally.
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In 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire’s First Congressional District. She won the primary but lost to incumbent Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas.
Leavitt returned to work for Trump in 2024, serving as national press secretary for his presidential campaign.
What does the White House press secretary do?
The White House press secretary serves as the spokesperson and public face of the presidential administration. Historically, they hold daily briefings for the press corps.
Karoline Leavitt became the youngest person to hold the role at age 27 when she was sworn-in earlier this month.
Before that, the youngest ever press secretary was Ronald Ziegler, who took the position at the age of 29 in 1969 under Richard Nixon’s administration.
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Leavitt held her first press briefing Tuesday, during which she said that she plans to hold briefings frequently. She also said that the Trump administration would be available to all media outlets as well as “new media voices who produce related content” such as “independent journalists, podcasters, social media influencers and content creators.”
Contributing: Saman Shafiq and Margie Cullen, USA TODAY Network
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.
At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.
A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.
Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.
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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.
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