New Hampshire’s top corrections official resigned this week without explanation ending a more than two decade career with the department. Commissioner Helen Hanks oversaw the Department of Corrections for eight years until this week. Tensions had been brewing between Hanks and top New Hampshire Republicans.

And the number of Canadians visiting the U.S. declined in recent months and state officials are expecting a drop in tourists from our northern neighbors this summer. Parts of New Hampshire rely on tourist spending in the summertime. We discuss how a drop in Canadian tourists could affect local municipalities on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Charlotte Matherly, Concord Monitor
• Josh Rogers, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Helen Hanks resigns as Department of Corrections commissioner

Head of police standards approved as interim leader of NH Corrections

By all appearances, Canadians are leery of coming to NH

Amid U.S.-Canada tensions, NH expects drop in cross-border summer tourists

New director of state aging commission fights to keep her agency alive

More New Hampshire headlines:

How a growing cohort of Black women are redefining doula care across New England

Emily started puberty blockers during a raging state and national debate

Senate budget writers move to nix New Hampshire’s arts council

Report finds no problems with management of state's YDC victim settlement fund

Judge rules Conway pastry painting can stay; town's argument crumbles

Gov. Kelly Ayotte recently signed a law making New Hampshire the first state to authorize its treasury to purchase Bitcoin. What’s driving efforts here to make the state more attractive for cryptocurrency businesses?

And top House Republicans have accused New Hampshire’s public universities and colleges of admitting undocumented individuals as students at the exclusion of legal New Hampshire residents. But the most recent enrollment numbers show a total of three students — out of 22,000 —would be considered undocumented or part of the federal DACA program.

Guests:

• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR
• Josh Rogers, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Numbers don’t bear out lawmakers’ claims of vast undocumented student population on NH campuses

Top State House Republicans have accused public campuses of “harboring an unknown number” of undocumented students. In fact, there are three enrolled.

Bitcoin booster push to make New Hampshire ‘the granite cradle of crypto’

Top Republicans see cryptocurrency as an opportunity to transform New Hampshire’s economy. The momentum is driven in part by libertarian-minded lawmakers and activists connected to the Free State Project.

Testing reveals DNA evidence in alleged wrongful conviction in New Hampshire murder case

Jason Carroll has spent more than 30 years in prison claiming innocence in the murder of Sharon Johnson. Now, he could be one step closer to proving it.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Should NH students learn gun safety in school? A Republican lawmaker says yes.

Hanover voters encourage town officials to avoid contract with ICE

Faith, celebrations and community provide hope for NH Ukrainians

In Manchester, a funeral for an infant no one knew

The state could lose over $80 million in federal grant money for health programs, and funding for university research is also on the chopping block as the Trump administration continues to make cuts.

Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Republican lawmakers continue to be at odds over the next state budget as they work to resolve a shortfall. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe
• Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin
• 
  

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Senate sets budget revenue targets below Ayotte’s, frustrating governor

In February, Ayotte presented an optimistic portrait of the state's economy and revenue forecasts. In April, the House took a less rosy approach. This week, the Senate recommended a middle ground.

Federal funds were the lifeblood of US scientific discovery. Where will the money come from now?

So far, officials say at least $2 million in research funding has been cut, and an additional $8 million grant has been identified as vulnerable.

Once dissed by DOGE, NH company now partnering with Musk on modernization project

Portsmouth-based Iron Mountain secured a $142 million contact with the U.S. Treasury less than three months after Elon Musk targeted the company’s operations as antiquated.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH Supreme Court strengthens protections for crime victims’ mental health records

Sununu to join venture capital firm run by former classmate

Proposed cuts to colleges, Medicaid draw crowd to NH State House

Want to start a garden in NH this spring? It’s not too late.

Lawmakers are crafting the state’s budget for the next two years, and one area facing a shortfall is the settlement fund for alleged victims of abuse at the state’s Youth Development Center.

How does that settlement process work, and what would happen if lawmakers don’t fund it? We hear from the settlement fund’s administrator, former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick.

We also speak with NHPR’s Annmarie Timmins about some of the politics surrounding the fund during the budget process. She also discusses how a federal judge in Concord temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s restriction on DEI in schools.

We discuss these stories on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Justice John Broderick, YDC settlement fund administrator
• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR Youth and Education Reporter

Top headlines from around New Hampshire this week:

‘Hanging on a rope’: Victims wait as lawmakers debate the future of the YDC fund.

Nearly 800 people with claims pending before the state’s Youth Development Center settlement fund. With the fund down to about $13 million, lawmakers who enthusiastically established it three years ago appear to be backing away over concerns about how victims’ lawyers are being paid.

New Hampshire federal judge partially blocks Trump administration DEI ban

A New Hampshire federal judge partially blocked a Trump administration directive forbidding diversity, equity and inclusion programming in schools that receive federal funding.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Judge grants preliminary injunction amid ‘constantly shifting ground’ for Dartmouth student

Most charges against protesters arrested at Dartmouth, UNH last spring have been dropped

Facing 30% budget cut, state university leaders say raising tuition is not an option

NH universities remain vigilant amid immigration records changes

New Hampshire lawmakers have proposed significant spending cuts as the state faces a shortfall in the next budget. Among those cuts, is a proposal to eliminate the Office of the Child Advocate, an independent watchdog agency that oversees the state’s treatment of at-risk youth.

House budget writers have also proposed moving around funds originally meant for helping people living with opioid addiction. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• William Skipworth, New Hampshire Bulletin
• Paul Cuno-Booth, NHPR

Top headlines from around New Hampshire this week:

Money set aside to help NH’s opioid crisis could be steered elsewhere in the state budget

The money at issue comes from legal settlements with companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis.

As Senate takes up budget, state rep intensifies attacks on New Hampshire’s child advocate

What was initially pitched as purely a cost-cutting measure has morphed into attacks on the New Hampshire Office of the Child Advocate.

In Manchester, those treating substance use disorder fear the repercussions of Medicaid cuts

Nearly 10,000 people in New Hampshire receive medication treatment for opioid use disorder through Medicaid.

More New Hampshire headlines:

New Hampshire Catholics mourn Pope Francis

At Dartmouth, some focus on building ‘networks of care’ as risks to campus activists mount

Federal judge hears arguments over NH’s proof of citizenship voting law

Merrimack Station is exempt from new air pollution rules, as it moves toward closing in 2028

Kelly Ayotte is approaching her 100-day mark as New Hampshire governor. What kind of a start has she made to her first term?

A New England real estate attorney and U.S. citizen says he and his wife are pursuing legal action after they were detained at the Vermont-Canadian border without explanation. Bachir Atallah says he was handcuffed and then held by Customs and Border Patrol for several hours last weekend. Bachir and his sister Celine Atallah joined NHPR's Rick Ganley to talk about his experience. Celine is an immigration attorney here in New England.

Guests:

• Josh Rogers, NHPR
• Bachir Atallah, New England real estate attorney
• Celine Atallah, New England immigration attorney

Top headlines from around New Hampshire this week:

Republican leaders seek to ‘put a leash’ on towns and cities amid local control debate

The concept of local control — that political decision making is best when it's closest to the people — may be gospel in NH politics. But that same idea is also increasingly under threat in the State House these days.

Judge presses Trump administration to define DEI programs it seeks to ban

The National Education Association and its New Hampshire chapter are suing the U.S. Department of Education to stop its ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

From stuffed animals to steel: How Trump’s tariffs are weighting on NH businesses

A toy importer is delaying a new warehouse in Keene, while a steel fabricator in Greenfield worries other projects could dry up if Trump’s tariffs stifle economic growth.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Parts of White Mountain National Forest included in move aimed at increasing timber harvest

Hospitals sue state over New Hampshire’s Medicaid tax

Bassett to retire from NH Supreme Court, opening a seat for Ayotte to fill

Displaced Ukrainians in NH are uncertain about the future of their protected status

The New Hampshire House passed its version of the state budget this week that includes deep spending cuts and eliminates state jobs. The spending plan will now go to the Senate for review.

Students at universities across the country, and here in New Hampshire, have lost their immigration status abruptly in the last week, affecting their ability to work and conduct research. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Josh Rogers, NHPR
• Lau Guzmán, NHPR
• 
  

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

NH House passes budget plan that includes deep spending cuts, eliminates state jobs

The House’s budget now goes to the state Senate, which will spend weeks reviewing — and likely rewriting — the spending proposal.

Federal court issues order allowing Dartmouth Ph.D. student from China to continue research

A federal judge in New Hampshire said Wednesday she would block the Trump administration’s apparent revocation of the individual's F-1 student immigration status.

Still no answers about mistaken DHS email sent to Ukrainian evacuees in NH

Most Ukrainians who received the email weren’t expecting any changes to their immigration status.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH Chief Justice announces hiring freeze, warns of layoffs across branch if budget passes

School funding, and lots more, still on the table at midpoint of NH Legislature’s year

NH Republicans pursue more restrictions on trans rights, building on recent bans

Casella subsidiary sues NH over Dalton landfill denial

Congressman Chris Pappas announced this week he’s running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Shaheen announced last month that she won’t be seeking election.

The New Hampshire House Finance Committee voted this week to make steep cuts to government spending in its proposed state budget for the next two years.

And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tapped Mark Sanborn to be the next Regional Administrator for New England. Sanborn will be in charge of advancing the Trump administration’s environmental agenda across New England states and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Rick Ganley speaks with him about his goals in his new position.

Guests:

• Josh Rogers, NHPR
• Mark Sanborn, EPA Regional Administrator for New England
• 
  

Top headlines from around New Hampshire this week:

Pappas promises to bring 'fight' to Trump in Senate campaign kickoff

Pappas’ decision to run for Senate is an obvious next step for the four-term congressman, and something he signaled was all but inevitable from the moment Shaheen announced she would not be seeking reelection next year.

NH Republicans add DEI limits to House budget proposal, as Democrats cry foul

The New Hampshire House’s Finance Committee voted Tuesday to cut roughly $300 million from Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s proposed state spending plan in a series of sweeping financial moves.

Former New Hampshire regulator tapped to lead New England’s EPA office

Mark Sanborn, who served as assistant commissioner of New Hampshire’s Department of Environmental Services between 2021 and 2023, has worked in several federal and state government positions.

More New Hampshire headlines:

As NH Republicans aim to ban DEI, disability advocates and others sound the alarm

Judge praises NH’s progress cutting down wait times for inpatient mental health care

Planned Parenthood says Trump officials froze family planning funding in NH, Maine

As the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, or DODGE, has made sweeping cuts to federal spending, members of New Hampshire’s Commission on Government Efficiency, or COGE, are beginning their work — though the panel says it’s taking a different approach than its federal counterpart.

New Hampshire libraries and arts organizations are bracing for possible funding cuts from both the state and federal governments. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Olivia Richardson, NHPR
• Charlotte Matherly, Concord Monitor

Top headlines from around New Hampshire this week:

NH lawmakers back off plan to defund state library but propose other funding cuts

A wave of art organizations and libraries are rallying public support for continued funding amid potential state and federal cuts.

Food pantries across NH brace for shortfalls after federal budget cuts

Pantries are considering adjustments to where they source their food and income.

As Ayotte’s COGE digs deeper, here’s where they’re looking to save state money and time

The members of Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s Commission on Government Efficiency, tasked with evaluating state government and making recommendations on how to save money and streamline operations, were more detailed in their reports at their second public meeting this week.

His job is to settle fights over government transparency. Some say there’s room for improvement.

The state's right-to-know ombudsman position was created in 2022. Now, it could be in limbo.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Family planning program for low-income Granite Staters could be on the budget chopping block

Ayotte signs bail overhaul, giving judges more discretion to detain defendant's pretrial

In Manchester, an urgent call to address NH’s rising youth homelessness

What’s it like to work on Mount Washington with the world’s most extreme weather?

Local immigration lawyers are raising concerns after two people with legal status were recently detained at Boston Logan Airport after traveling internationally. In one of those cases, a person was deported despite having a visa allowing her to work in the US. We hear how one New Hampshire immigration lawyer is advising clients to prepare if they have international travel plans.

And the number of ICE detainees at Strafford County Jail has increased since January as the Trump administration commits to mass deportations. We talk with a reporter who visited the jail and followed a program that assists people facing deportation.

We discuss these stories and more on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Lau Guzmán, NHPR
• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Immigration lawyers concerned about scrutiny, civil rights for green card and visa holders

Two recent cases of people with legal status being detained or deported after arriving at Boston Logan Airport following international travel are raising concerns for immigration lawyers about enforcement at the airport.

Dartmouth urges travel precautions for immigrant, international students

School officials advised students to carry identification and immigration status documents, for international and domestic travel.

More NH law enforcement agencies agree to participate in federal immigration efforts

A growing number of New Hampshire law enforcement agencies have been approved to join a federal program that deputizes local officers to carry out federal immigration enforcement, including serving warrants and detaining people suspected of being in the country illegally.

‘You are not alone’: Inside jail, volunteers work to save ICE detainees from deportation

Volunteers with the New Hampshire Immigrant Visitation Program help with paperwork, the court process, or finding an attorney.

Amphibious migration underway in N.H., a sure sign of spring

Hundreds of wood frogs and spring peepers embark on their annual migration to the vernal pools where they mate and lay their eggs.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH schools advised to roll back transgender protections to comply with Trump mandates

House bill sparks controversy over Abenaki identity and NH Native American Commission

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard exempted from hiring freeze by the Pentagon

Insurers warn of increased premiums if NH vaccine program is gutted