A land sale in Nashua earlier this year is now sparking rumors and misinformation online and across the city. A Chinese bottling company purchased an industrial property in January leading to speculation about the deal on social media.

And New Hampshire ranks last in the country in spending on public higher education. At the same time, universities and other education institutions are undergoing 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.

• Kate Dario, NHPR
• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR

Report: NH’s ‘underinvestment’ in its colleges could have big impacts for employers

New Hampshire ranks last in the country in spending on public higher education. That could discourage local students from attending one of the state’s colleges and choosing to make their careers here.

‘Educational futures are on hold’: Adult ed providers still waiting on funding

Congress defunded adult education programs in July then reversed course two weeks later. But that money still has not reached New Hampshire providers who have been unable to hire for the fall semester.

New state law could power cryptomining, data centers in New Hampshire

Wildfire risk high in NH this summer due to dry conditions

As Social Security reaches its 90th anniversary, concerns linger about its future

Dartmouth PhD student drops lawsuit against Trump administration

Concord Police are leading the investigation into a neo-Nazi group's actions in the city last weekend. The Attorney General's Civil Rights Unit is also monitoring as the group's appearance has been condemned by municipal and state political leaders.

Many families are taking interest in New Hampshire’s expanded school choice program as we near the upcoming school year. Fall enrollment has reached the 10,000 cap and nearly 300 students are on a waitlist.

We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

• Steven Porter, Boston Globe
• Will Skipworth, New Hampshire Bulletin

Videos offer new details on neo-Nazi group’s activities, interaction with protesters in Concord

At times, the video shows New Hampshire State Police and the Concord Police Department officers engaging with Blood Tribe members and counter protestors. But mostly, they show the police acting as a buffer between the two groups

Enrollment in NH ‘education freedom account’ program nearly doubles in one year, with universal eligibility

New Hampshire lawmakers expanded the Education Freedom Account program to all families, regardless of income, in June. Fall enrollment has reached the 10,000 student limit.

Dartmouth scientists reeling from Trump’s biomedical research cuts

Since January, the Trump administration has targeted biomedical research in a number of ways.

NH complies with Trump admin request for SNAP recipients’ personal data

Most of this year’s air quality alerts in NH were because of wildfires. That’s likely the new normal.

Witness in trial of NH Supreme Court Justice could include big names in state politics and law

Years before Air Force base fatality, investigators found ‘failure’ in a Sig Sauer gun

A dozen local law enforcement agencies, including state police, have signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the last six months to add some of those federal duties on their beat. Federally, these agreements are part of a push to increase immigration enforcement.

And Gov. Kelly Ayotte's pick for New Hampshire's next education commissioner received broad political support during her confirmation this week. Caitlin Davis said she'd support public education and evaluate the programs established by outgoing Commissioner Frank Edelblut.

We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

• Lau Guzmán, NHPR
• Steven Porter, Boston Globe

Ayotte’s pick for NH commissioner says she’d steer clear of politics

Caitlin Davis said she’d support public education, evaluate the programs that outgoing Commissioner Frank Edelblut established, and, unlike Edelblut, keep the agency out of divisive political debates.

Sig Sauer continues to defend safety of P320 following death of airman on U.S. military base

The New Hampshire-based gun manufacturer issued a lengthy statement late Tuesday defending the design and construction of its marquee pistol. The recent death of an airman on a base in Wyoming led the U.S. Air Force to suspend its use for some personnel.

NH Democrat jumps into Manchester mayoral race to challenge Republican incumbent

The race for Manchester mayor is beginning to shape up. Republican Jay Ruais was the only one with his hat in the ring until Democrat Jessica Spillers stepped forward to challenge the incumbent mayor.

NH regulators allow Eversource to raise rates and change ratemaking processes

Consumer advocates say the plan will hurt residential customers and limit transparency.

He bought the local paper to help his hometown. Now, he’s being blamed for its demise.

NH educators, parents work to build trust between schools and families

NH has taken a ‘housing first’ approach to homelessness. A new executive order could change that.

Some Granite Staters are raising concerns about how ICE agents are operating in their communities. The concerns follow apparent detentions of people in Manchester and Portsmouth this month. A video circulating this week shows a man being arrested outside a Manchester courthouse this week, and in Portsmouth, four restaurant workers were detained by ICE agents earlier this month.

A new person will soon be deciding the settlement awards given to alleged victims of abuse at the state’s youth detention facility. Current state settlement administrator John Broderick recently announced he’ll be leaving the job.

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:

Apparent ICE officers detain man near Manchester courthouse, community concerned

ICE arrests have tripled in New Hampshire since January, amid an enhanced immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Monday’s arrest in Manchester is not the first time that someone has been detained near a New Hampshire courthouse.

Portsmouth residents concerned about community trust, worker safety after ICE actions

Several residents attended public meetings this week to voice their concerns about what they described as unidentified law enforcement officers in their community.

YDC fund administrator warns new N.H. law will remove him, amid concerns of fairness

The new legislation prompted the victims of abuse at the Youth Development Center to file a class action lawsuit last week, arguing the state was going back on its word.

Electricity costs in N.H. rising during hot summer months of peak usage

New Hampshire’s largest electricity company is warning residents that energy costs are about to go up during the hot summer months when consumers typically use the most energy to stay cool.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Air Force unit suspends use of Sig Sauer pistol after shooting death of airman

NH is the first state to require doctors to follow patients' wishes on sterilization

How to tell if your favorite NH swimming spot is safe from cyanobacteria

Ayotte picks fights with fellow Republicans carefully, both in Concord and Washington

New report shows Medicaid coverage decreased slightly in New Hampshire in 2024

Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed several Republican-backed bills this week that addressed key priorities for conservatives in her party. That includes a bill that would have rolled back civil rights protections for transgender people in the state and a bill that would have allowed parents to request books be removed from their child’s school.

New Hampshire real estate developer Robynne Alexander admitted in court this week that she had defrauded at least 25 investors of more than $3 million. One of those deals involved 217 acres in Laconia that former Gov. Chris Sununu had chosen to sell her for $21.5 million.

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

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Guests:

• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR
• Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Ayotte vetoes Republican-backed public school book ban bill

The Republican-backed bill targeted books, films, and other items that depicted nudity and sexual contact unless the school could show they had "serious" scientific, educational, artistic or political value.

Defying party, Ayotte vetoes school book removal bill, other Republican legislation

Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed seven bills Tuesday, many of which were intended to strengthen parental rights, bucking the conservative wing of her party over hotly contested legislation.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Portsmouth residents concerned about community trust, worker safety after ICE actions

Protesters rally in Concord as part of nationwide ‘Good Trouble’ events

Six months into the Trump administration, NH farmers continue navigating federal cuts, grant delays

NH Secretary of State rebuffs Trump administration request for state’s voter roll

A federal judge in Concord has blocked President Trump’s executive order restricting birthright citizenship nationwide. And funding cuts on the federal and state levels continue to threaten social programs. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Olivia Richardson, NHPR
• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

New Hampshire judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order nationwide

A federal judge halted the government from enforcing the order denying citizenship to babies born to undocumented immigrants and people with temporary status.

Access to NH Medicaid coverage is changing. Here’s what you need to know.

New premiums and an effort to add work requirements are among the major changes coming to New Hampshire’s Medicaid program.

In Trump vs. Planned Parenthood, New England states brace for cuts

President Trump’s massive tax bill included a provision targeting Planned Parenthood that would stop the health care provider from receiving Medicaid funding for at least one year.

More New Hampshire headlines:

A new school year will bring cell phone bans, new classes and new education costs

Ayotte vetoes bill that would allow for partisan school board elections in NH

NH resident arrested for Jan 6. Riot moves forward with pardon denial request

New Hampshire’s congressional delegation condemns U.S. budget bill

State lawmakers voted to pass a two year spending plan for the state on Thursday. They worked right up to the deadline to pass the budget after Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Republican State House leaders reached a deal to avoid a veto from the governor.

We discuss what’s in the budget — and what got cut — and more top headlines on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe
• Josh Rogers, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Working until deadline, lawmakers and Ayotte reach deal to pass state budget

The deal that Gov. Kelly Ayotte and Republican State House leaders reached on the final day of the legislative session means New Hampshire will have a state budget in place July 1.

NH lawmakers spike plan for mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl possession

Gov. Kelly Ayotte has prioritized toughening state drug laws. But a compromise plan that would do just that was tabled by the state Senate — effectively scuttling its chances for the year.

‘Our livelihood is in danger’: Lake Winnipesaukee has a bacteria problem, and locals are worried

For some, the high levels served as a wake-up call about water quality issues threatening New Hampshire’s largest lake, a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike and home to summer camps that families have attended for generations.

N.H. lawmakers send bills banning gender-affirming care, surgeries for minors to Governor Kelly Ayotte

If the governor signs either bill into law, New Hampshire would be the first New England state to enact such a ban.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Shaheen: ‘I'm pleased that we were involved in setting back Iran's nuclear program’

‘We’re not Nazi Germany': Protestors call on Ayotte to veto book ban bill

‘We’ll start from scratch again’: Changes to NH’s landfill rules will have to wait till next session

Scott Brown says he's running for U.S. Senate for 'a better America'

House and Senate negotiators completed work on a new state spending plan for the full legislature to vote on next week. As soon as they were done, Gov. Kelly Ayotte said she couldn't support it, and would veto the proposal.

As we near the end of the current legislative session, we have an update from the State House with NHPR's senior political reporter Josh Rogers.

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Republican negotiators agree on a state budget, but Ayotte promises a veto

House and Senate leaders scrambled Thursday to reach a final deal, adding polices to shore up support for their plan before key votes next week.

State House negotiators reach deal on mandatory minimums for some drug crimes in NH

Gov. Kelly Ayotte has prioritized stiffening criminal penalties for fentanyl. This deal would also reduce them for personal use of psilocybin.

Teachers, parents raise concerns of a literacy crisis in the Berlin school district

Roughly 70% of elementary school students in Berlin aren’t reading at their grade level. Some teachers are saying that’s because of how those students are taught to read.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Photos: On the Seacoast, Junteenth is a day of celebration and protest

Advocates challenge permit for Manchester’s wastewater system, citing PFAS concerns

NH students speak on the effects of school budget cuts

Bike Week 2025: Fewer Canadians, but still lots of leather and motorcycles

As the New Hampshire Legislature approaches the end of this year's session, first-term Gov. Kelly Ayotte can point to political success on a number of issues, including parental rights, immigration enforcement and school choice.

The state Supreme Court has ruled that New Hampshire’s long-standing practice of using a statewide property tax to pay for education is largely legal. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR
• Josh Rogers, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Ayotte signs bills to eliminate school voucher income cap and codify parental rights

Both polices have been longstanding goals for New Hampshire conservatives.

NH Supreme Court’s decision upholding statewide education tax draws mixed reactions

Justice James Bassett dissented, saying the tax scheme is unconstitutional because it is not uniform across communities.

More New Hampshire headlines:

State tourism agency takes down Pride Month promo post following Republican pushback

What’s the connection between hotter, warmer summers in NH and climate change?

To protect against ticks, scientists say we need to get better at tracking them

Winter weather helped drive up business at NH ski slopes

The state Senate passed its two year spending plan Thursday. The nearly $16 billion budget reverses several deep spending cuts made by the New Hampshire House, restoring some funds for Medicaid and the state’s public university system.

The Senate also voted to expand New Hampshire's school voucher program and ban state and local governments from having DEI policies.

We dive into the Senate’s budget on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Steven Porter, Boston Globe
• Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin

Top headlines from around New Hampshire this week:

After ‘tough choices’ on spending, N.H. Senate approves budget with notable cuts

While this version restores much of the spending the House had cut, it still calls for the elimination of about 60 positions in the Department of Corrections, a 10.5reduction in funding to the university system, and many other trims.

The New Hampshire Senate is set to vote on a budget. Here’s what’s in it.

Senate President Sharon Carson praised the final budget, stressing that it came amid a difficult economic reality for the state.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Pro-Palestine Dartmouth protesters stage hunger strike

Canadian bookings at NH State Park campgrounds show big slide, as boycott persists

Republicans want to put the governor in charge of choosing YDC fund administrator

Manchester protesters urge boycott of Avelo Airlines over deportation flights