As Mitt Romney returned to New Hampshire this week, a lot of people began talking once more about the possibility of him picking U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) as his running mate. It was mentioned on "Meet the Press" on Sunday, and then in numerous other media outlets as the week went on. Even former Gov. John Sununu said recently that Ayotte, a Nashua native, should be ready to travel the country campaigning for Romney now that he has all but secured the Republican presidential nomination. What do you think? Would Ayotte (who will be in New Hampshire this week) be a good vice presidential …

A bill before the New Hampshire Senate would allow teen drivers to take online driver's education courses instead of having to attend driving school in order to get their license. The bill has already passed the House, according to the Associated Press, and is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday before the Senate Transportation Committee. Backers of the bill say online driver education courses are cheaper than driving school. What do you think? Should teens be allowed to take driver's education courses online instead of attending driving school to get their driver's licenses? Vote in our poll…

Majority owners of the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom have told the Portsmouth Herald they've sold 75 percent of their stake in the business to the man credited with revitalizing the city of Lawrence, Mass. The question there is, does that mean big things are in store for the future of one of the country's famous concert venues? Sal Lupoli, of Sal's Pizza fame, has been heralded for ushering in prosperity at the Riverwalk Properties in Lawrence, and it's possible he may bring that vision for improving an existing area to Hampton Beach once the deal for the Casino Ballroom is completed. Hampton…

On Tuesday, we told you about an offer from the state to cover the $2 million match required for a $10 million grant to finish the Hampton Beach revitalization project. That offer came with a stipulation, though: Hampton must accept maintenance responsibility for sidewalks along the west side of Ocean Boulevard between Ashworth and Haverhill avenues. Do you think it would be worth it to agree to do this? Hampton's been unsuccessful in other recent attempts for grant money for the project, although officials and residents have also expressed worry over what assuming sidewalk responsibility …

In anticipation of yet another low attendance at Saturday’s town deliberative session, Hampton selectmen have once again suggested the town explore eliminating it through a government change. Selectmen and residents have raised this idea in the past, and several selectmen made strong statements Monday in opposition to the deliberative session days before voters turn out for the meeting, which is Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Hampton Academy. “I’m of the opinion that these warrant articles should go right to the public as is,” said Selectman Jerry Znoj. “When we’re done with the warrant articles, …

Privacy is a tricky concept in these times of World Wide Webs, Internet Superhighways and e-Everything. Our brains have quickly evolved to expect that all existing information, from Hollywood to Washington, D.C., should be immediately available to us, unfiltered, with more transparency than a roll of Scotch Tape. Enter Facebook, originally created as a way for college kids to communicate. In the past few years it's blown up, becoming the social networking platform of choice for teenagers, business owners, celebrities and even your grandma. Now, Facebook wants you to accept its new Timeline …

[Story originally posted at 12 p.m., Friday, Jan. 27.] North Hampton Parks and Recreation's WinterFest kicks off at 7 p.m. with a comedy show at the Old Salt in Hampton. We know many of you will be out and about enjoying one of the dozens of activities, events, shows, games and more as a part of the two-day celebration, which ends Saturday night with a fireworks show and bonfire in Dearborn Park on Exeter Road, so we want to see what you did! Post your pictures from the event directly to the image gallery above. We've had great luck with callout galleries like this before, so let's shoot for …

Beachgoers should expect to pay a little more to visit the Seacoast's state parks this summer, as the state will increase the per hour rate for all of its metered parking spaces by 25 cents, bringing the total cost to $2 per hour. Official word hasn't yet been formally released by the Department of Resources and Economic Development, although Phil Bryce, the department's director, confirmed after a meeting in Hampton Wednesday night that the change is finalized and the rate increase will go into effect on May 1. The change will affect Hampton Beach, North Beach, North Hampton State Beach and …

Congratulations to Zesto Pizza, who has officially been declared the winner of Hampton-North Hampton Patch's first ever "best of" Patch Poll! Zesto narrowly edged out 180 Restaurant and Bar for the honors of "Best Pizza in Hampton and North Hampton," as decided by Patch readers. The sample size itself was a very small portion of daily Patch readers, which is unfortunate — although we've heard from many individuals that there are a bunch of great places to get a good slice, which they said made it difficult to choose just one. So, as your looking for a good lunch after a day filled with …

Typically, our Patch Polls tackle some tough issues or ask for your opinion about future plans and current events in the area. This time, we've got a poll that'll really hit you in the stomach. That's right — we want to know which pizza joint deserves to be known as the best in Hampton and North Hampton. The following poll features many of the many pizzerias in the towns, and in addition to you voting for your favorite, we'd really love it if you could tell us in the comments exactly why you voted the way you did. Why should other people love the restaurant? What is your favorite kind of …

Congress has proposed several bills during the recent legislative session as part of an effort to scale back government regulation on different aspects of American life, including a new one that will scale back efforts to make school lunches healthier. The Associated Press has reported that Congress is proposing a bill that would push back against efforts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Obama administration to limit french fries and pizza, among other adjustments. Lobbyists for the potato, salt and food preparation industries have told the AP that the government shouldn't tell …

Wednesday night, Republican presidential hopeful Rick Perry forgot the third government agency he wanted to cut while on the national debate stage, igniting the Twitterverse with varying degrees of astonishment and exclamation. Watch a video of the gaffe here, and then tell us in the attached poll whether you think this has the potential to end his campaign. Also be sure to give us your reaction to the sure-to-be-infamous moment, as well as the reasoning behind your vote.

Earlier today, blogger Jennifer Muns broke down some reasons why she feels the logic behind the House's proposal to repeal gay marriage is flawed. What do you think? Should New Hampshire allow gay marriage, or is it right to repeal the legislation? Take the poll above, and let us know the reasoning behind your votes in the comments below.

Less than two years after shifting its town meeting from March to May, the Town of North Hampton is evaluating whether it should again change the month in which the annual decision-making session is held. Town Administrator Steve Fournier said Tuesday he is still evaluating the possibility of shifting both sessions of town meeting back to mid March. He said, though, that a large decision like that would ultimately need to be decided through a town meeting vote. The selectmen could sponsor a warrant article to put this decision on the 2012 town meeting warrant, which means the change, if …

During a Monday night town hall-style event at Judd Gregg Auditorium, located at Nashua Community College, Ron Paul drew a correlation between the recent assassination of radical U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and Nazi Adolf Eichmann, who was tried in Israel and hanged in 1962 for WWII atrocities. Paul first condemned al-Awlaki's killing at a Politics and Eggs breakfast at Saint Anselm College last week. What do you think? Was Paul right to criticize President Obama for ordering al-Awlaki's killing, or did he cross the line? Tell us in the poll below!

After the team's unprecendented collapse this week, Red Sox Manager Terry Francona has reportedly been let go by the team. There have been different reports about Francona wishing to leave, while others, such as this story filed on WMUR.com, claim team owner John Henry decided not to pick up the option on Francona's contract. How do you feel about letting go of Francona, who has managed the team for eight years and lead Boston to two World Series championships? Tell us in the poll below!

Rumors have been circulating about why Selectman Jerry Znoj and Mike Pierce have voted against renewing Town Manager Fred Welch's contract. Recently, residents have felt ignored while voicing support for Welch, stating that the Hampton board should follow the wishes of the people. Pierce said that support, though, isn't "looking at the facts," which is why he said he didn't consider the statements when making his decision -- which he said was based solely on three undisclosed personnel reasons. Do you think selectmen should expand on those issues, if a legal way to do so can be found? Do you …

At the Wednesday, Sept. 14, selectmen's meeting, the board voted 3-1-1 to reduce the Hampton Legal Department budget by $10,000. Selectman Rick Griffin has questioned in several recent meetings why Hampton has two in-house lawyers when no other towns in the area even have one. Residents and town officials have argued it is cheaper and proactive to have a legal department, though, and it is possible a warrant article could be brought to town meeting this spring to decide whether Hampton maintains the department. Griffin has said he supports this step. What do you think? Do you think Hampton …

Today is one of several hot, humid days, so we want to know: what's your favorite way to stay cool? Also, in addition to telling us what you love to do -- show us! E-mail the editor at Kyle.Stucker@Patch.com your pictures of swimming, climbing into a grocery store cooler, or whatever else you're doing today.