Multiple roads in northern New Hampshire were washed out by torrential downpours on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. We hear more from residents about the impact of the storm.

And how are local Democrats responding to concerns following President Joe Biden’s first debate performance? We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Mara Hoplamazian, NHPR
• Josh Rogers, NHPR

Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Flooding sweeps through northern NH following overnight storms

Parts of Coos and Grafton counties are still recovering after Wednesday night’s thunderstorms that flooded many main roads, including Route 135.

How Biden’s shaky debate is sitting with NH Democrats

New Hampshire Democrats are thinking about President Joe Biden and his future leading the country, following his shaky performance during his first 2024 debate with former President Donald Trump.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH teacher facing scrutiny for helping student get an abortion drops lawsuit against state

Truck driver involved in Randolph collision gets maximum license suspension

As a NH group plans an Abenaki cultural center, First Nation leaders have questions

Controversial Nashua asphalt plant called off, for now, after company drops lawsuit

Sununu vetoes bill addressing drivers licenses for immigrants

Health officials ID measles case in New Hampshire resident

This week marked two years since the Supreme Court removed federal protections for abortion. How is the issue of abortion access shaping messaging from Republicans and Democrats in New Hampshire ahead of the upcoming election?

After years of debate and disagreement, a new bail reform bill is heading to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. And NHPR’s Document team has a new investigative podcast out now. It’s called “The Youth Development Center.” We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Josh Rogers, NHPR
• Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin
• Jason Moon, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Two years after federal abortion protections removed, the issue remains front and center

Both political parties in New Hampshire are trying to leverage the issue this election year. Each held events on the issue this week.

Documents detail U.S. soldiers shot by their own Sig Sauer guns; military says no reason for concern

On military bases from Virginia to the Middle East, pistols made by NH-based Sig Sauer have unintentionally fired, seriously wounding soldiers in some instances.

Lawyers debate YDC abuse verdict; millions in taxpayer money at stake

The fate of a disputed $38 million verdict is still unclear as parties on both sides of the landmark lawsuit over abuse at NH’s juvenile jail remain at an impasse.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Attorney for hate group tells justices that government ‘selectively enforcing’ civil rights law

NH Electric Co-op resignations spotlight alleged culture of sexism and bullying

‘They recognize us’: A herd of miniature donkeys is bringing NH comfort and joy

Tens of millions of dollars are at stake as Gov. Sununu and the state's hospitals battle over a key source of health care funding — the Medicaid enhancement tax.

And New Hampshire saw its first heat wave of the summer this week. What's causing these extreme temperatures? We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Paul Cuno-Booth, NHPR
• Rob Carolan, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Celebrating Juneteenth across NH, ‘rooted in African American culture’

People gathered across the state this week to enjoy food, perform and listen to live music, and celebrate Black history and culture during Juneteenth festivities.

Riverbend Community Mental Health to end adult outpatient counseling, citing finances

Riverbend Counseling Associates is slated to close in August. Other services won’t be affected.

New daily heat record set atop Mount Washington

As a heat wave with temperatures in the 90s rolled through the area this week, a daily record for June 19 was broken atop Mount Washington.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH lawmakers up max payouts to alleged victims of abuse at YDC

NH outlaws child marriage, raising the legal age to 18

Digital archive chronicles centuries of Black history in southwestern New Hampshire

In a new novel, ‘All the World Beside,’ two men fall in love in Puritan New England

According to an analysis from the Concord Monitor, New Hampshire municipalities seized the property of Granite Staters who were behind on property taxes during the pandemic, despite an emergency order by Gov. Chris Sununu that suspended such seizures.

And how best to introduce yourself to voters? It’s a question any candidate seeking public office faces. And for the Democrats now running in New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District, it’s being answered through competing claims of rootedness in the state they're seeking to represent.

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

Guests:

• Michaela Towfighi, Concord Monitor
• Josh Rogers, NHPR

Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Despite governor’s order, hundreds of properties seized for unpaid taxes during pandemic

At the start of the pandemic, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu wanted to make sure no one lost their home. He ordered municipalities to stop taking ownership of homes for unpaid taxes. Most obeyed; others didn’t.

Taken for taxes and ‘waiting to die’: A N.H. homeowner struggles to keep his home

While John Jones recovered from a stroke at home with his partner by his side, the Franklin City Council voted to seize his double-wide manufactured home valued at $49,600 – and nine others in the community – for a fraction of their worth.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Why are NH’s white pines turning orange? Signs point to last year’s wet spring

Former NH state rep expected to plead guilty to wrongful voting

‘A bit of a roller coaster’: NH ski industry looks back on challenging winter season

Sununu asks federal government to declare April nor’easter a major disaster

Pamela Smart, serving life, accepts responsibility for her husband's 1990 killing for the first time

State lawmakers are considering a group of bills that would create new requirements for people looking to register to vote. If they become law, New Hampshire would be among the strictest states in the country when it comes to voter registration.

New Hampshire saw a significant increase in food insecurity between 2021 and 2022. That’s according to a new report from Feeding America, a national anti-hunger nonprofit. And after a tough year in 2023, New Hampshire farmers are more optimistic about this growing season.

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

Guests:

• Todd Bookman, NHPR
• Kate Dario, NHPR

Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Major NH voting law change nears finish line despite objections

A pair of proposals backed by Republicans would end the system of sworn affidavits for new voters. Opponents say the change will disenfranchise qualified residents from voting.

'It's looking like a much better year than last': NH farmers optimistic about 2024 season

After extreme weather events caused significant losses for many farmers in 2023, some are hopeful they can rebound this summer.

Arrested Dartmouth seniors permitted to participate in college’s graduation this weekend

Underclassmen and faculty who were arrested in May during a pro-Palestinian protest are still barred from parts of campus.

More New Hampshire headlines:

• State lawmaker with checkered past faces new criminal charges in line with old beliefs
• ‘Baby step’ bill toward oversight of NH addiction treatment system fails
• New rules for NH education standards hit a roadblock
• Browntail moth caterpillars found in NH for first time in 75 years

Gov. Chris Sununu’s office recently celebrated some data that, according to them, showed that New Hampshire’s electricity prices are low compared to other states, thanks to state energy policies. But the numbers raised eyebrows among some reporters.

And a federal judge ruled this week that a law restricting how New Hampshire schools teach about racism and sexism is unconstitutional. The ACLU and state teachers union sued over this law, and this is the first court ruling to strike down a law of this kind in the nation.

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

Guests:

• Sarah Gibson, NHPR
• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe

Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

NH officials mulling next steps after federal court says new teaching restrictions are unconstitutional

New Hampshire is one of at least 25 states that passed laws in recent years restricting certain K-12 lessons or books addressing racism and other forms of oppression. This week's court ruling is the first where such a law has been declared unconstitutional.

Funny math garbles N.H. governor’s take on electricity rates

Gov. Sununu’s office distributed data May 22 purportedly showing New Hampshire’s approach to energy policy on his watch has benefited the state by keeping electricity prices relatively low.

Move over filet mignon, meet the man who wants to make ostrich meat a staple

A self-described “city boy” created an ostrich farm in rural New Hampshire. He believes it will be a winning business that can help the environment and people’s health.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Food insecurity in NH saw big jump from 2021 to 2022, according to new report

NH House rejects Senate marijuana legalization plan

Trucker involved in deadly crash found negligent as he seeks return of driver’s license

As it considers a merger, Catholic Medical Center faces questions about religious identity and abortion

Several bills that would restrict the rights of trans people in public spaces, school sports, and other areas are now headed to Gov. Chris Sununu for his consideration. And North Country communities are still rebuilding after intense rainfall in December caused some of the worst flooding the region has experienced.

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

Guests:

• Paul Cuno-Booth, NHPR
• Mara Hoplamazian, NHPR
• Julia Furukawa, NHPR

Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Advocates urge Sununu to veto bills restricting trans rights

LGBTQ rights groups are urging Gov. Chris Sununu to veto a set of bills that would limit the rights of transgender Granite Staters, particularly trans youth.

NH missed a court deadline to end ER boarding. But it's making some progress.

For the past year, New Hampshire has been staring down a deadline for ending a persistent problem: patients languishing in emergency rooms for days or weeks, due to a lack of inpatient mental health care.

Half a year after floods, three North Country residents are still wading through recovery

It’s been almost half a year since heavy rainfall and snowmelt on a record-warm December day sent water cascading through New Hampshire's North Country. The storm cut people off from emergency services, washed out roads and bridges, and wrecked homes.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Political operative linked to AI Biden robocalls facing charges in NH, FCC fines

Under a new NH voting law, the right to a secret ballot is no longer guaranteed

Dartmouth faculty censure President Beilock for ‘pattern’ of calling police on protesters

Sununu, hospitals fight over proposed changes to state Medicaid payments

The New Hampshire Senate passed a number of bills on Thursday, including one that would legalize marijuana for recreational use. New Hampshire remains the only state in New England that has yet to legalize recreational cannabis.

And a series of forums this week focusing on childhood wellbeing in New Hampshire offered a preview of what’s to come in the race for governor this fall. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin
• Josh Rogers, NHPR
• Julia Furukawa, NHPR

Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Bills limiting transgender rights, boosting parental rights head to Sununu’s desk

One bill would ban trans girls from competing on girls sports teams in public schools. Another bill would allow parents to opt their children out of any lessons on gender and sexuality.

How the candidates for NH governor say they’ll address issues affecting children

NHPR’s senior political reporter Josh Rogers spoke with All Things Considered host Julia Furukawa about how the candidates are positioning themselves on issues affecting children.

NH Senate backs stricter proof of eligibility rules for new voters

The Republican measure would require new registrants to show a passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers instead of signing an affidavit.

More New Hampshire headlines:

• Dartmouth takes over psychiatric treatment for children at Hampstead Hospital
• NYT Modern Love essayist navigates her grief with support from Wapole writing group
• Beilock’s leadership divides Dartmouth students; ‘no confidence’ narrowly passes
• Refresher Course: The history of protests in the U.S.

A jury found that the state enabled child abuse at a former youth detention center. The jurors awarded a New Hampshire man $38 million dollars in the landmark lawsuit. Now they are speaking out after the state announced it would cap that award amount.

Dozens of New Hampshire college students were arrested last week at pro-Palestinian protests at Dartmouth College. Among them were two student journalists who were covering the event. Will the college drop the charges?

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

Guests:

• Jason Moon, NHPR
• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe

Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Judge won’t reconvene jury after disputed verdict in NH YDC abuse case

The judge who oversaw a landmark trial over abuse at New Hampshire's youth detention center won't reconvene the jury but says he will consider other options to address the disputed $38 million verdict.

Facing national scrutiny, Dartmouth agrees student journalists ‘should not have been arrested’

Dartmouth President Sian Beilock’s statement came after an organization that rates universities on free speech wrote to the college this week, asking the charges be dismissed.

For nine Indigenous protesters at Dartmouth, arrest carries an extra consequence: No powwow

As a condition of their bail, the students are not allowed to enter the college’s central Green where the annual powwow will be held.

More New Hampshire headlines:

• Judge adds another 56 years, minimum, to Adam Montgomery’s time in prison
• ‘This is a challenging time for higher education:’ UNH names Elizabeth Chilton as its new president
• How the removal of a Durham historical marker sparked debate about who gets to write history
• Trucker acquitted in deadly crash asks for license back, but state says he contributed to accident

Students across the country are protesting Israel’s war in Gaza, and many colleges are bringing in police to respond to demonstrations. In New Hampshire, police arrested over 100 people on Wednesday at Palestinian solidarity protests on the Dartmouth College and UNH campuses.

We discuss how students and school officials are responding to the arrests in this edition the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Olivia Richardson, NHPR
• Steven Porter, Boston Globe

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Students, faculty react after tense night on college campuses in NH

Members of the Dartmouth faculty are voicing concerns about the college's response to Wednesday evening’s pro-Palestinian rallies that resulted in the arrest of 89 people on the Hanover campus.

Leaders at Dartmouth and UNH defend police response to pro-Palestinian encampments

The colleges’ presidents said free speech is protected but argue the protestors on Wednesday did not follow campus guidelines for peaceful protest.

Police break up Palestinian solidarity protests, arrest dozens at Dartmouth, UNH

The move comes six months after Dartmouth College administrators arrested two students for an earlier Palestinian solidarity protest, and as students across the country mount similar demonstrations, many of which have also been met with strong police response.

More New Hampshire headlines:

• DNC restores NH's delegates after a nominating event unknown to many Democrats
• Jury to take up landmark case on state’s role in alleged child abuse at NH detention center
• NH Senate President Jeb Bradley to retire after a 32-year career in politics