Tensions between Gov. Kelly Ayotte and members of the state’s Executive Council boiled over this week, as the council tabled more than 20 state contracts to protest what they say is a withholding of information by the governor.And the Claremont School District continues to grapple with $5 million budget deficit. Republicans in Concord debated this week over how much the state should step in to help out.We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Rick Green, Keene SentinelEthan DeWitt, New Hampshire BulletinTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:Executive councilors hold up millions of dollars in contracts to protest AyotteCouncilors on Wednesday accused Gov. Ayotte’s departments of withholding documents from the contract packets. In protest, Republicans voted to table a wide range of contracts, seeking to disrupt Ayotte administration priorities until agencies agree to provide the information.Claremont School District budget woes prompt GOP calls for more state oversightAs the Claremont School District reels from a $5 million budget deficit, reducing staff, shutting schools, and fighting to get through the school year, Republicans in Concord are split over how much they should help out.NH bill would prohibit masked police officers during ICE raidsThe legislation is one of several Democratic proposals aimed at bringing greater public accountability to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 287(g) program, under which ICE partners with state and local law enforcement in New Hampshire.More New Hampshire headlines:‘Wholly insufficient’: AG’s report finds Berlin police had 48 hours notice to prevent domestic violence homicideState’s chosen developer for Laconia site, Robynne Alexander, will spend 2.5 years in prison for wire fraudFather of Harmony Montgomery appeals his murder conviction to Supreme Court citing ‘prejudice’ in trialPortsmouth Naval Shipyard workers and others seek food, fuel aid during shutdown

New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi has been found guilty of misusing her position. She pleaded no contest Tuesday to the allegation that she tried to improperly influence former Gov. Chris Sununu, but she’ll also be able to return to her seat on the state Supreme Court.And this year the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that the amount the state currently pays per student to public schools is not enough — not by thousands of dollars per student. The court didn’t say how the state should fix its funding problem or give a timeline for when that should happen. But some state lawmakers say they have ideas on how to solve the issue. One such idea includes increasing property taxes.We discuss these stories and more on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Todd Bookman, NHPREthan DeWitt, New Hampshire BulletinTop headlines from around New Hampshire this week:Hantz Marconi cleared to return to the bench, capping whirlwind week for convicted justiceThis week began for Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi with the announcement that she intended to enter into a plea deal on allegations she used her stature to try to score political favor on behalf of her husband. By Thursday, she learned that she would regain her law license and have her seat on the state’s highest court reinstated.Attorney General review of Chinese land purchase in Nashua finds no wrongdoingA review by the New Hampshire Department of Justice into the controversial purchase of an industrial property in Nashua by a China-based beverage company with alleged ties to the Communist Party has cleared a state employee who helped facilitate the transaction of any wrongdoing.After Supreme Court school funding decision, Republican floats fix: increasing property taxesIn the months since the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled that the state is underfunding its public schools, lawmakers have been divided over how to respond. Now, one Republican says he has a possible answer: increase — and redistribute — statewide property taxes.Amid sagging revenues, New Hampshire Republicans to push for lowering business enterprise taxNew Hampshire’s two business tax rates have dropped steadily over the last decade, descending from 2015 to 2023 under a series of cuts brought by Republicans. Now, House lawmakers are seeking to make one more reduction to one of those two taxes.More New Hampshire headlines:Investigators found evidence of potential crimes by NH prison staff. They decided not to prosecute.Federal court upholds block in birthright citizenship lawsuit; may go to Supreme CourtACLU of NH is challenging the state’s loitering lawNew England’s last coal plant has stopped operating, according to its owners

There are over 9,000 federal employees working here in New Hampshire, and a number of services and programs that could be disrupted under this federal government shutdown.At the heart of the shutdown is a fight over health policy. Democrats are seeking to continue health insurance subsidies established through the Affordable Care Act. Republicans say there’s time to negotiate on those subsidies later. In New Hampshire, marketplace experts are preparing people to expect higher health care premiums whether or not subsidies through the Affordable Care Act are extended.We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Amanda Gokee, Boston GlobeOlivia Richardson, NHPRTop headlines from around New Hampshire this week:How will the federal shutdown affect New Hampshire? Here’s what we know so far.A lingering shutdown could carry hardship for people who depend on federal assistance programs including the Head Start and food aid programs.Insurance subsidies a key issues in Washington, as NH navigators warn of increased costsFunding cuts have led organizations who help people find health insurance to cut staff and limit services, as premiums are expected to go up.School districts look at savings and hiring freezes to cover a $30 million health billSchoolCare, a nonprofit insurer, sent invoices to 65 school districts and about 25 other public employers or insurers Wednesday to cover a $30 million shortfall. It cited an unanticipated spike in health care claims and pharmacy costs.More New Hampshire headlines:Taylor Caswell, who oversaw billions in COVID relief air for NH, to resignMedicare Advantage coverage in New Hampshire will shrink for 2026Documents show heavy state involvement in Chinese land purchase in NashuaFederal energy funding cancellations hits two projects in New Hampshire

The U.S. Department of Justice is suing New Hampshire and five other states for access to confidential voting records. Months ago the DOJ asked New Hampshire for the data and Secretary of State David Scanlan denied the request.And the Trump administration abruptly ended funding for two programs that are helping over 5,000 New Hampshire students pursue college and careers.We discuss these stories and more on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Todd Bookman, NHPRKate Dario, NHPRAnnmarie Timmins, NHPRTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:Trump administration sues New Hampshire over access to voter dataThe suit seeks sensitive voter information including partial social security numbers. The Secretary of State has said New Hampshire law prohibits sharing such information.What we know so far about the shooting at Sky Meadow Country ClubThe 23-year-old man accused of opening fire inside a Nashua country club Saturday night, killing one person and injuring others, made his first court appearance Monday.As NH presses, Trump administration hasn’t budged on restoring programs for 5,200 NH studentsThe U.S. Department of Education said the college and career preparation advising is “not in the best interest of the federal government.” It would not say why.More New Hampshire headlines:2025 was NH’s driest summer ever recordedNH doctors say Trump's claims about autism and Tylenol use in pregnancy don't match scienceRegulators will reconsider controversial Eversource decision that raised feesRockingham County Jail could house ICE detainees: 'It's a service to the country'

The murder of right-wing political commentator Charlie Kirk has sent shockwaves across the country. Here in New Hampshire, his assassination is leading to a crack down from conservatives on what they perceive as left-wing ideology in public schools.We follow the local response to Kirk's murder on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Annmarie Timmins, NHPRSteven Porter, Boston GlobeTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:At campus vigil honoring Kirk, UNH conservatives say they’re eager to speak upThe event, organized by a Republican lawmaker who is also a UNH student, offered a gathering place for students who said they felt out of place on a liberal campus.New Hampshire Republicans target schools, teachers – in Charlie Kirk’s nameNew Hampshire Republicans are backing a bill that would limit how teachers could discuss the Constitution, LGBTQ+ issues, and the legal system. They named it the "Charlie Act" for slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Pease leadership says hands are tied over ICE flights; activists accuse agency of ‘complicity’The Pease Development Authority released a memorandum Tuesday outlining the legal reasons for why it believes it must allow ICE to continue operating deportation-related flights out of Portsmouth International Airport.More New Hampshire headlines:‘Emboldened and aggressive,’ top NH Republicans urge action in wake of Kirk killingNH Supreme Court to hear case of only person on death row in New EnglandRefresher Course: What is the Supreme Court’s ‘shadow docket’?Gould confirmed to seat on NH Supreme Court; Formella approved for another term

After 40 years, the high-profile cold case known as the Bear Brook murders has now been solved. But in solving it, investigators have revealed new mysteries. The case has loomed large in the state for decades, baffling investigators, journalists and sleuths on the internet.

And much of New Hampshire is in a drought right now according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor. After a wet spring, the summer has been anything but. That’s led to some communities restricting water use, and farmers struggling to keep crops and animals watered and fed.We discuss these stories on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

Jason Moon, NHPR

Kate Dario, NHPR

The Claremont School Board has authorized a bank loan that will cover some daily expenses as the district faces a $1 to $5 million deficit. Meanwhile another New Hampshire town, Pittsfield, is also facing a budget shortfall of over a million dollarsAnd a federal judge temporarily blocked a state law that would cut funding for schools that pursue diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. The decision pushes off a deadline the Department of Education set for when schools need to report if they’ve had any contracts or policies involving DEI.We discuss these stories and more on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Jeremy Margolis, Concord MonitorSruthi Gopalakrishnan, Concord MonitorTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:Amid Claremont crisis, Pittsfield school district works to dig out of its own million dollar holePittsfield’s deficit, discovered early this year, is roughly $1.8 million and potentially bigger by percentage than Claremont’s. But as dire questions swirl in Claremont about whether schools will even remain open over the coming weeks, Pittsfield’s schools begin the year on less precarious footing.Federal judge temporarily blocks enforcement of New Hampshire’s DEI law for majority of districtsA federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the state of New Hampshire from penalizing school districts that fail to comply with the state’s new ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.Berlin murder to be first case reviewed by state’s domestic violence committeeThe committee’s role is to identify gaps in system responses and services, as well as key points for intervention, that—if addressed—could strengthen both the systemic and community response to domestic violence in New Hampshire.New Hampshire homes still expensive even as market begins to coolNew Hampshire’s housing market is slowly showing signs of cooling after years of being dominated by sellers, but even with the slowdown, record-high prices continue to put the dream of homeownership out of reach for many.More New Hampshire headlines:Whooping cough cases up in New Hampshire this yearJohn E. Sununu says he's considering another U.S. Senate runReport finds NH Army Nat'l Guard recruiter coerced young members into sexLawyers for NH Supreme Court justice facing charges wants AG removed from case, or be forced to testifyLabor Day protest in Concord fills downtown streets, State House lawn

New Hampshire is among the states targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice seeking information about its voting system. That includes the state’s voter registration list. New Hampshire election officials have refused to hand over that information to the federal government, and now they are rejecting yet another request from the feds.As the Trump administration is weighing whether to deploy National Guard troops to additional American cities, Republican governors around the country are mobilizing troops at the president's request. What has Gov. Kelly Ayotte said about sending soldiers from New Hampshire?And a federal judge is weighing whether to block a new state law that would cut funding for schools that pursue diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.Guests:Todd Bookman, NHPRAmanda Gokee, Boston GlobeTop stories from around New Hampshire this week:Trump administration and NH officials continue fight over access to state’s voter dataIn June, the federal government demanded that New Hampshire turn over sensitive voter files. State officials ignored a deadline, and on Thursday again denied the request.Ayotte says she would ‘evaluate’ NH Nat’l Guard deployment to cities, but no request has comeAs the Trump administration weighs sending National Guard soldiers to cities beyond Washington, D.C., Ayotte said troops from New Hampshire remain focused on preparing for other deployments.Federal judge in NH weighs the state’s new anti-DEI lawThe same judge blocked the Trump administration’s efforts to defund schools over diversity, equity and inclusion.Ayotte taps Bryan Gould, a lawyer with Republican Party ties, for state Supreme CourtAyotte also said she will re-nominate John Formella to serve as New Hampshire attorney general.More New Hampshire headlines:‘How did this happen?’ Uncertainty continues amid Claremont’s school funding crisisTariffs, labor costs and USDA changes are top of mind for New Hampshire farmersMassachusetts is emerging as a haven for trans youth seeking care as restrictions reach deeper in New EnglandAir Force review flags 191 Sig Sauer guns in need of repairs, clears remainder for use