🌱 Patch AM: How two Salem lawmakers are reshaping New Hampshire’s kratom crackdown

Good morning Salem! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

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In today's newsletter:

• How two Salem lawmakers are reshaping New Hampshire’s kratom crackdown
• Why Salem’s deputy police chief is heading to lead Belmont

Also on today's calendar: Wonder Grand Opening Week in North Andover - Join Us 5/4-5/7! and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Knock-knock! Who’s there? Irish. Irish who? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Increasingly windy, with a high of 80 and low of 58 degrees.
• Wednesday: Showers around; not as warm, temps: high: 69, low: 55.
• Thursday: Rain, mainly later; breezy, with a high of 66 and low of 43 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

• House working group changes bill to ban some kratom products (unionleader.com) — Two Salem Republican lawmakers are driving a State House plan to ban high-dose synthetic kratom while keeping lower-dose, natural products legal. Their revised bill, now advancing in committee, aims to close loopholes, respond to overdose concerns, and could reach Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s desk later this month.    

• New Police Chief Eager to Get started (belmontvoice.org) — Salem residents may recognize Deputy Chief Shane Smith, who is leaving Salem’s police force after 24 years to become chief in Belmont, Massachusetts, while praising Salem’s use of body cameras. He plans to inventory Belmont’s department, meet staff and community members, and push for accreditation, drawing on experience and tools he found effective in Salem.    

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📸 Around Salem

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Salem

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday May 7

• Wonder Grand Opening Week in North Andover - Join Us 5/4-5/7! →
  435 Winthrop Ave Lawrence, MA 01843,
  5:00 pm

Wednesday May 27

• Graduation Parties - Open House →
  Lanam Club Inc, 260 N Main St, Andover
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Tuesday May 5

• Jewelry Making Workshop →
  Salem High School, 44 Geremonty Dr, Salem
  9:00 am
• Zoning Board of Adjustment →
  Salem, NH Calendar, 33 Geremonty Drive Knightly Meeting Room, Salem
  7:00 pm

Wednesday May 6

• Conservation Commission Meeting →
  Salem, NH Calendar, 33 Geremonty Drive Knightly Meeting Room, Salem
  5:00 pm
• Medicare Basics: How to Choose the Right Plan →
  Salem High School, 44 Geremonty Dr, Salem
  6:00 pm

Friday May 8

• Creative Writing Workshop →
  Salem High School, 44 Geremonty Dr, Salem
  4:00 pm

Tuesday May 12

• Salem Area Women's Club - 100 Years of Service →
  The Salem NH Historical Society, 310 Main St, Salem
  7:00 pm

Wednesday May 20

• Salem High Class of 1976 Awarding Multiple Scholarships →
  6:00 pm

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📣 Salem Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday May 5

• 2026 Teen Spring Job & Opportunity Fair
  Pinkerton Academy Shepard Auditorium, 5 Pinkerton Avenue, Derry
  2:00 pm
• Board of Selectmen - Workshop
  Town of Hudson, 12 School St, Hudson
  6:30 pm

Wednesday May 6

• ConVal Varsity Baseball @ Pelham →
  Pelham High School, 85 Marsh Rd, Pelham
  4:00 pm
• The Taste of Southern NH →
  Castleton Banquet and Conference Center, 58 Enterprise Dr, Windham
  5:30 pm
• Mother’s Day Cookie Decorating Class (5/6/26 – Derry, NH) →
  LaBelle Winery Derry Event Center, 14 NH-111, Derry
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Salem PatchAM possible:

• Kato Plumbing and Heating — (603) 505-9630
  Kato Plumbing and Heating is open for business!
• Custom Bath of Nashua — (978) 621-3501
  To begin your Kitchen or Bath Renovation, visit our Showroom

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• McDonald's posted a job opening for Team Member - Late Night Shifts in Salem. Apply here.
• Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Back of House Team Member in Salem. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salem here.

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🗞 Nearby News

Windham

• Interdimensional UFOs Property Tax Relief More: Windham NH Patch Events (patch.com)
• Jeffrey Bernard, 65 (hopkintonindependent.com)

Derry

• How The Grind Is Redefining Coffee In Derry, New Hampshire (shark1053.com)
• It's a derby day in Derry (unionleader.com)
• Holocaust denialism featured in NH House committee (keenesentinel.com)

Londonderry

• Interdimensional UFOs Property Tax Relief More: Londonderry NH Patch Events (patch.com)

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Ok Salem! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Irish you a happy St. Patrick’s Day! (Thank you Eileen C. for sending it in!)Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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