From The Newsroom: Seacoastonline - Fosters.com

Matt Gerding and Coty Donohue are 20-something teachers and a married couple. They call Somersworth one of the most welcoming places they've lived. Check out our special project at fosters.com/rainbowcity or seacoastonline.com/rainbowcity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gerri Cannon is a transgender activist who has been elected to the Somersworth School Board and the New Hampshire House. In 2018, she helped advocate successfully for a transgender anti-discrimination bill, which became law in the Granite State. Check out our special project at fosters.com/rainbowcity or seacoastonline.com/rainbowcity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dana Hilliard, mayor of Somersworth and principal of the city's middle school, has a lot to do with creating a welcoming atmosphere in the city. Check out our special project at fosters.com/rainbowcity or seacoastonline.com/rainbowcity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Somersworth Middle School eighth-graders shared their thoughts on whether they think the city they live in is welcoming to the LGBTQ community and also what they think about their principal, Dana Hilliard, being gay. They were all supportive. Check out our special project at fosters.com/rainbowcity or seacoastonline.com/rainbowcity. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chamber Collaborative President and Chief Collaborator Valerie Rochon and Digital Engagement and Events Special Jen Stevens talk about the Collaborative's first Holiday Tasting that will take place Wednesday, Dec. 19. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

State Reps.-elect Lisa Bunker of Exeter, left, and Gerri Cannon of Somersworth will be the first two transgender women to serve in the New Hampshire House. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eighteen-year-old Pablo Orellano arrived in Kittery, Maine this September after fleeing violence and political turmoil in his home country of Nicaragua. He now seeks political asylum. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dover Middle School students recently did Chores for Charity as part of the school's Spirit of Giving theme, donating to the Fire Department's Toys for Tots program. Fifth-grade teacher Jillian Brickley and some of her students describe their efforts.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Lyons, 94, now living in Dover, shares his story of being aboard the US Howorth DD-592, when under fire by Japanese suicide bombers in Okinawa harbor in April 1945. He received a Purple Heart. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., toured Rochester small businesses Tuesday with city Mayor Caroline McCarley, and the two talked about the importance of shopping on Small Business Saturday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rochester Police Chief Paul Toussaint and State Police Col. Christopher Wagner discuss the search for Christopher Thomas, who was wanted by police and was the subject of a 22-hour manhunt that started Sunday night and went into Monday morning. Police said modern technology aboard state police helicopters aided greatly in the search.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cassie Levesque, a 2017 Dover High School graduate, was elected as a Democrat on Tuesday to serve as a state representative for Barrington. On Wednesday, she sat down for an interview to share her reaction, her plans and how she plans to balance serving with being a college student. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congressman-elect Chris Pappas vows to focus on results ahead of politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu expressed confidence for his party after voting in Newfields on Tuesday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

City historian Jenne Holmes chats about the city's first mayor, Franklin Chase. Apparently, his inaugural speech was never entered into the city reports or any other city records. Only when current Mayor Dana Hilliard read the speech at an official city function earlier this year did it officially become part of the city's historical records.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An anonymous buyer is purchasing a property on Applecrest Farm Orchards so 85-year-old Gertrude “Gert” Eaton can stay there, according to her and her family. Here's her reaction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EDGE Editor Jane Murphy interviews Esposito in her Durham home about her new book, her upcoming event at Tuscan Kitchen in Portsmouth on Oct. 25 and her long career as host of 'Ciao Italia,' her PBS cooking show now in its 28th season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Great Bay Philharmonic plays the Music Hall in Portsmouth on Saturday. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gertrude "Gert" Eaton, 85, shares her history of working on Applecrest Farm Orchards in Hampton Falls. She has lived in a house on the farm much of her life but said the farm's owners have told her they want to sell the property and asked her to move. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.