The New Hampshire Legislature is about halfway through its current session. Thursday was crossover day with both the Senate and House holding floor sessions for final votes on bills originating in their chambers. What are the top issues and bills arising in the State House now?

Immigration and Customs Enforcement sent $122,515 to the town of Carroll this month. The payment follows Carroll’s decision to be part of the Department of Homeland Security's Task Force Model, also known as the 287(g) program.

Their participation means its four full-time police officers are committed to assisting ICE in federal immigration enforcement. They did just that in December when they detained seven people in Twin Mountain for ICE.

• Sammy Sussman, Wired
• Anna Brown, Citizens Count

NH GOP lawmakers send Ayotte a bill that would limit state’s public education obligations

The New Hampshire Supreme Court told lawmakers in July that they were underfunding public education. Republican lawmakers have responded with a bill that would divide school costs between state and local taxpayers.

AI posts, selfies and dank memes: The very online politics of NH’s Joe Sweeney

While plenty of New Hampshire lawmakers maintain busy social media feeds, perhaps no public official better exemplifies the high speed, high volume, digital-ready approach to politics than Deputy House Majority Leader Joe Sweeney.

These NH students are learning a second language – while they’re still mastering their ABCs

Nearly 80 students have opted into Manchester’s language immersion program. Families cite many benefits, from being able to play with Spanish-speaking neighbors to future job opportunities.

NH Supreme Court consider latest appeal by state’s lone death row inmate

The state repealed the use of the death penalty seven years ago, but excluded Michael Addison’s 2008 conviction for murder. His lawyers contend that creates an unequal system of justice.

NH lawmakers approve bill that would make judge’s job evaluations public

First Amendment lawsuit seeks to end Nashua’s policy of requiring name and address during public comment

A new statewide initiative aims to improve communication during labor

Trump administration returns NH’s TRIO money. But the program’s future remains uncertain.

This week the Executive Council approved over $100 million in federal funding to go toward health care access in rural New Hampshire.

The state Attorney General's office is reviewing North Country Healthcare, which operates hospitals in Berlin, Lancaster and Colebrook.

And the New Hampshire Supreme Court ruled this week that the way police obtained cellphone location data without a warrant to track down murder suspect Logan Clegg was unconstitutional. Clegg was convicted and sentenced to at least 100 years in prison for allegedly killing a Concord couple in 2022.

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

Big investment in N.H. rural health secures key approval

Four major components of a plan to spend an initial allocation of $204 million in federal funding were approved Monday by the state’s Executive Council as part of a sweeping initiative to support health care access in rural parts of New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Senate tables bill to freeze hospital CEO pay in certain circumstances

The New Hampshire Senate tabled legislation Thursday that would forbid hospitals located in distressed place-based economies from increasing executive compensation for 18 months if that hospital eliminates more than 10 employees in a single department within a six-month period.

N.H. Supreme Court rejects warrantless cellphone ping that led investigators to Logan Clegg in 2022 double murder

The unanimous decision reopens a core question about the evidence that led to Clegg being convicted and sentenced to at least 100 years in prison

Could prediction markets deflate ‘March Madness’ revenue for NH?

AG says federal judge exceeded her authority in NH vehicle inspection ruling

‘Like the Mariana Trench’: Potholes are bad this year. Here’s why.

With no ICE facility on the horizon, Merrimack gets back to normal

NH Attorney General opposes CHARLIE Act over constitutional concerns

Town meeting season is well underway in New Hampshire, and voters across the state cast their ballots on a number of local issues this week.

Increased polarization and eroding social norms is making is harder to police bad behavior in the New Hampshire House.

And majority of the state has been in a drought this winter. Will the snow melt help? We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

• Josh Rogers, NHPR
• Kate Dario, NHPR

Why it’s so hard to police bad behavior in the NH House

Toxic social media posts, a rude gesture and a lost committee post all point to tension in the 400-seat chamber.

Town elections are hyperlocal. But NH voters have plenty else on their minds.

New Hampshire towns held local elections Tuesday. In addition to municipal budgets, voters had thoughts about Iran, the price of gas, and lots more.

Bill requiring NH voters to consider school tax caps clears House

The plan is the latest effort by Republican leaders to slow growth in local spending. Critics say it will hurt schools by forcing arbitrary cuts.

Eighty percent of New Hampshire is still in a drought. Will the snow melt help?

This was the eighth driest December through February in the state since record keeping began in the late 19th century, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Kamen resigns from FIRST robotics in wake of Epstein files

Nine NH towns reject tax caps as lawmakers push towns to consider them

Voters reject GOP lawmakers’ efforts to take control over who attends their local schools

‘The center of NH political thought’: Free Staters celebrate successes at Liberty Forum

NH House advances bill that would gut refugee program, restrict rentals for undocumented immigrants