Senators reached a deal Thursday to avoid a government shutdown. The deal funds most of the government, and also gives Republicans and Democrats time to negotiate on future funding for the Department of Homeland Security. At the center of the negotiations is the federal immigration crackdown across the country and criticisms of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, who shot and killed a U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis last weekend.We hear how New Hampshire’s congressional delegation is responding to the immigration crackdown around the country. In New Hampshire, Gov. Kelly Ayotte said this week she's reached out to the White House and the Department of Homeland Security, saying the town of Merrimack should have a say on ICE's alleged proposal to establish a detention facility there.And a federal judge blocked New Hampshire from ending annual mandatory auto inspections, which were supposed to permanently end starting in February.We discuss these stories on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Josh Rogers, NHPRMara Hoplamazian, NHPRTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:Ayotte tells Trump, DHS that Merrimack should weigh in on potential ICE facilityIn Merrimack, the Washington Post reported an internal ICE document calls for converting an industrial building into a so-called “processing site,” which could hold up to 1,500 detainees before shipping them to larger warehouses with 5,000 to 10,000 beds.Republicans scramble to limit NH's car inspection mandate as judge keeps it in place for nowTop Republicans in the New Hampshire State House say they are working on multiple fronts to thwart the federal injunction that's now blocking the state from ending mandatory auto inspections at the end of the month.NHPR Presents: Safe to DrinkA New Hampshire town finds out its water has been contaminated by a chemical. The most basic question — whether the water is safe to drink — doesn’t have a clear answer. Nobody seems to know much about this so-called forever chemical, which is weird because . . . this has all happened before.More New Hampshire headlines:‘Your voice does matter': Concord High students organize walkout to protest ICETrump administration scrubs info on NH woman who escaped slaveryLondonderry announces plans to expand public water access nearly a decade after contamination discovery‘I touch the future. I teach.’: A science teacher’s quest to honor Christa McAuliffeAyotte taps Superior Court judge, Daniel Will, to join NH's highest court

Reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Manchester schools spread across social media and within local communities this week. The Manchester School District says it has not received any substantiated reports of ICE activity, but would continue to monitor the situation.And earlier in January, federal officials dropped the number of vaccines recommended for children. Now it's up to the state as to whether it will adopt those same recommendations. At the same time, New Hampshire lawmakers are considering proposals to eliminate some or all vaccination requirements for children.We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Lau Guzmán, NHPRAmanda Gokee, Boston GlobeTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:How to find shelter and stay safe as NH braces for extreme coldTemperatures in some parts of New Hampshire may stay in double digits below zero on Saturday and Sunday, according to the National Weather Service. State officials are urging people to stay indoors as much as possible, and have an emergency plan in place.‘They don’t know the damage they’ve caused me’: NH family navigated ICE detentionImmigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested more than 270,000 people nationwide since President Trump took office a year ago. For one Manchester family, an arrest by ICE has meant the loss of a husband, father, and caretaker.No confirmed reports of ICE activity at Manchester schoolsSchool officials in Manchester received reports of potential ICE activity in the city on Wednesday and Thursday.NH considers eliminating childhood vaccine requirementsAt the same time, health care providers warn of confusion from federal changes to vaccine requirements for children.More New Hampshire headlines:Bill to require NH voters to decide on local tax caps gets a hearing – and lots of criticismJudge rules the Trump administration illegally defunded academic support for nearly 1,200 NH studentsJudge expected to rule quickly on fate of NH motor vehicle inspectionsNH GOP has a new leader – again – after RNC rules against previous election

Protests have erupted in Minneapolis and across the country this week in opposition to tactics used by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE. How active is the federal agency here in New Hampshire?State lawmakers repealed the death penalty in New Hampshire in 2019. Now some lawmakers are looking to bring it back.We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Josh Rogers, NHPRSteven Porter, Boston GlobeTop headlines from around New Hampshire this week:Bills to restore death penalty in NH are debated, as capital punishment on rise nationallyLawmakers repealed the state's death penalty law in 2019, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte says she'd like to bring it back. Meanwhile, several states have expensed their use of capital punishment in recent years.13th police force in NH signs ICE cooperation agreement: ‘We just want to lend a hand’The agreements allow local officers to interrogate people suspected of being present in the country illegally and arrest those accused of violating immigration laws.Goodlander says she’s under investigation over ‘illegal orders’ videoThe video, posted on social media in November, featured Goodlander and five other congressional Democrats, all with military or intelligence backgrounds, urging U.S. military members to not follow illegal orders.NH lawmakers consider proposals to tax second homes and rental housesBackers say the proposals aim to address housing shortages, but critics say they could do more harm than good.More New Hampshire headlines:Annual car inspections are ending in NH, but police will keep watchNH legislators propose bills to add transparency to immigration efforts in stateNH bishop urged clergy to meet the political moment, and ‘make sure they have their wills written’Whiplash for NH mental health providers as Trump admin cut then restored grants

Two New Hampshire courts have told the Legislature that it needs to increase the amount of money the state spends per public school student. But in the first meeting of the legislative session this week, lawmakers voted against doing so.And the Trump administration has frozen child care funding in several states amid allegations of fraud in Minnesota, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte told child care providers this week funding hasn’t paused here in New Hampshire.We discuss these stories on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Annmarie Timmins, NHPREthan DeWitt, New Hampshire BulletinTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:Legislature declines court orders to increase school spending, at least for nowThe state Supreme Court ruled in July that the state must spend more on public education to meet its constitutional obligation to provide New Hampshire students an "adequate" education. A lower court ruled in August that the state must also increase spending on special education.Objecting to ConVal decision, House Republicans vote down school funding billHouse Republicans have questioned both the conclusions reached by the court about school funding adequacy and the court’s very authority to instruct the Legislature to spend more.Ayotte and state officials say NH’s federal child care funding is secureGov. Kelly Ayotte reassured New Hampshire child care providers and families this week that the federal money that helps cover child care costs for nearly 5,000 children in the state has not been frozen by the Trump administration, contrary to reporting by national media outlets.More New Hampshire headlines:'I can't just sit by': Protestors gather in Merrimack to oppose potential ICE facilityReturning to the scene of the Challenger explosion, with a NH journalist who was thereNH House approves bill ending use of student IDs for votingNH child vaccine recommendations remain unchanged, despite new CDC guidance

It's been a busy year in politics with Donald Trump's return to the White House bringing sweeping federal funding cuts and an aggressive anti-immigration agenda to New Hampshire. The state also saw the start of Kelly Ayotte's first term as governor.As we near the end of 2025, we're recapping the some of the year's top headlines.Guests:Josh Rogers, NHPRAnnmarie Timmins, NHPRLau Guzmán, NHPR

Parts of New Hampshire have been under extreme drought conditions this year. This summer was the driest on record in the state, and that's led to more than 200 households with dry wells. What's the state doing in response?And state lawmakers won't officially head back to Concord until next month, but Gov. Kelly Ayotte and leaders in both parties are starting to lay out their priorities.We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Josh Rogers, NHPRMolly Rains, New Hampshire BulletinTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:Ayotte’s COGE committee issues government efficiency recommendationsThe ideas include ending work-from-home policies for state employees and reorganizing the Health and Humans Services Department.As emergency dry well assistance is reinstated, NH’s drinking water future still unclearMore than 200 wells went dry in New Hampshire during this year’s drought. As climatologists expect those conditions to continue, what does that mean for the reliability of drinking water in the state?Legislation aims to keep NH groundwater water out of plastic bottlesA new bill would prevent the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services from issuing new permits for groundwater extraction and bottling vessels that contain any plastic.More New Hampshire headlines:NH housing market remained tight in November, with slight improvements in supplyEmissions testing company sues NH over plans to get rid of annual vehicle inspectionsConfused about health insurance plans? There’s help for NH residents.Anheuser-Busch to shutter Merrimack brewery and offer relocation stipends to workers

The Disability Rights Center in New Hampshire is investigating the state’s disability care system following reporting from the New Hampshire Bulletin, which revealed allegations of systemic abuse and neglect.Congressional Republicans made some significant changes to Medicaid this year, but they need states like New Hampshire to figure out a system for implementing those changes.We discuss these stories and more on this week’s edition of the NH News Recap.Guests:William Skipworth, New Hampshire BulletinKate Dario, NHPRTop headlines from around New Hampshire this week:Disability Rights Center launches investigation into New Hampshire’s disability care systemThe Bulletin’s reporting uncovered systemic abuse and neglect, sometimes fatal, within the state’s intellectual and developmental disability care system.NH Republicans seek to implement Medicaid changes as Democrats work to reverse themLawmakers in both Concord and Washington, D.C., spent much of 2025 debating cuts and changes to Medicaid, the nation’s public health care program for low-income people and those with disabilities. Now, state lawmakers are preparing to debate how to implement the changes in 2026.How is NH’s drought impacting Christmas trees?New Hampshire’s long-running drought has hurt many local seasonal traditions, from whitewater rafting in the summer to leaf-peeping in the fall. But how, now as the holidays approach, are local Christmas trees affected?More New Hampshire headlines:NH needs to find $5 million to cover overruns from design mistake at new psych hospitalFormer White Mountains trail director to plead guilty to fraud chargesFlakes out: NH sees first major snowfall of the season

The Trump administration has dismantled the U.S. Department of Education and its special education offices. What effect could this have on programs for children here in New Hampshire?And New Hampshire's education system is facing budgetary challenges at every level. How are these schools working to bridge gaps in funding?We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Annmarie Timmins, NHPREthan DeWitt, New Hampshire BulletinTop headlines from around New Hampshire this week:Goodlander stands by video urging service members to refuse ‘illegal orders’President Donald Trump responded to the video in a series of online posts on Thursday, calling that message, quote, “seditious behavior, punishable by death."NH Supreme Court considers state’s liability in Youth Detention Center abuse caseDavid Meehan was awarded $38 million by a jury for abuse he endured at the state’s former juvenile jail. The trial judge reduced it to $475,000, citing state law that caps the state’s civil liability. The court’s ruling in Meehan’s appeal could have implications for hundreds of survivors with similar lawsuits.Senators move forward on Claremont loan funding plan, with strings attachedThe Senate Education Committee approved new caveats to proposed legislation to allow struggling school districts access to a revolving loan fund. Among them is a provision allowing all parents in the district to obtain education freedom accounts even if otherwise not eligible.Parents tell Hassan special education is a ‘lifeline’ as federal protections remain at riskSpecial education protections under IDEA remain uncertain after mass layoffs by the Trump administration at the U.S. Department of Education, despite staff reinstatement through January.More New Hampshire headlines:NH State lawmaker arrested on allegation he posted ‘revenge porn’Shutdown vote revealed a big rift among NH Democrats, but it’s not the only oneWhere to give or find help in New Hampshire this ThanksgivingNH is axing vehicle inspections. To do so, it must withdraw from an agreement to limit pollution.

Congress voted this week to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. New Hampshire’s Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan helped negotiate the deal with Republicans. Representatives Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander voted against the measure in the House, dividing the state's all-Democratic congressional delegation.And an investigation by the New Hampshire Bulletin into a series of tragedies has exposed a pattern of abuse and neglect in the state's intellectual and developmental disability care system.We discuss these stories on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Josh Rogers, NHPRWilliam Skipworth, New Hampshire BulletinTop headlines from around New Hampshire this week:As U.S. House moves to end federal shutdown, NH's Pappas and Goodlander vote noThe narrowly divided House of Representatives voted Wednesday to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, with New Hampshire Representatives Chris Pappas and Maggie Goodlander joining all but six Democrats to oppose the stop-gap spending plan to fund the federal government through the end of January.Shaheen and Hassan defend the shutdown deal dividing their partyThe proposal, which failed to guarantee an extension of the expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits Democrats have prioritized, is dividing their party.NH residents, advocates breathe sighs of relief after SNAP benefits go outThe November payments came a week late, after being paused during the ongoing government shutdown and following federal court orders last week to fully distribute food assistance.A series of tragedies exposes patterns of abuse and neglect in New Hampshire’s disability systemWhile every story of abuse and neglect within New Hampshire’s intellectual and developmental disability care network is unique in the harm caused, collectively they point to the state’s systemic failures in oversight and accountability.More New Hampshire headlines:In North Conway, seniors and families share concerns about future of their health insuranceNashua program aims to address air traffic controller shortage amid nationwide flight disruptionsAyotte honors Veterans Day with speech and executive order prioritizing veteran hiring‘The stress is tangible.’ Demand remains high at NH food pantries amid shutdown

The New Hampshire Department of Justice is reviewing a series of personnel maneuvers that allowed a top state court employee to collect nearly $50,000 in employment benefits following a layoff that lasted just 48 hours.And New Hampshire voters made their way to the polls in municipal elections this week. Several incumbent mayors were reelected. We talk through the results and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Todd Bookman, NHPRJosh Rogers, NHPRTop headlines from around New Hampshire this week:Voters reelect incumbent mayors across New Hampshire in municipal electionsSitting mayors in Manchester, Concord, Portsmouth, Keene and elsewhere were returned to office in Tuesday's elections.NH Attorney General launches ‘preliminary review’ of payout to top Judicial Branch stafferState prosecutors sent letters to a range of officials — including Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald — instructing them not to destroy any records related to a $50,000 payout.‘Love brings you home’: A 100-year-old family secret and the NH librarian refusing to bury itWhen Erin Moulton learned what really happened to her great-aunt, she couldn't ignore the echoes of today's fights over reproductive rights.State secures additional funding to feed women and children in need of assistanceThe federal funding should support recipients of WIC through the Thanksgiving holiday.More New Hampshire headlines:Kidney cancer rates are higher in Merrimack. Scientists say more research is warranted.Lebanon ‘very reluctantly’ repeals welcoming ordinance to comply with new state lawsSeacoast businesses offer support for shipyard workers as missed paychecks pile upAir Force details cover-up in shooting that spurred Sig Sauer investigation