N.H. News Recap

State advisory panels on policing and diversity initiatives are no more after former Gov. Chris Sununu rescinded over a hundred executive orders before he left office.

And a state lawmaker is apologizing after making derogatory comments about victims of abuse at the state’s youth detention facility. Republican Rep. Ken Weyler said victims may have brought abuse on themselves and didn’t deserve settlement payments from the state to compensate them.

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

Guests:

• Steven Porter, Boston Globe
• Paul Cuno-Booth, NHPR

Top Stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Advisory panels on diversity and policing eliminated during N.H. gubernatorial transition

Shortly before he left office, Gov. Chris Sununu rescinded 145 executive orders at once, including some signed by his predecessors and many he had issued himself.

N.H. state lawmaker apologizes for ‘insensitive’ comments about abuse victims

A state lawmaker facing criticism from both sides of the political aisle for derogatory comments he made about victims of physical and sexual abuse in state-run youth detention facilities apologized Wednesday in a statement released by the New Hampshire House.

No further police investigation is needed into crackdown on pro-Palestinian protest, says UNH president

University of New Hampshire President Elizabeth S. Chilton has rejected calls for a further police investigation into the crackdown on pro-Palestinian protesters last year that resulted in a dozen arrests on UNH’s Durham campus.

What to know about bird flu in New Hampshire: From backyard flocks to waterfowl

New Hampshire health officials say they are continuing to monitor for bird flu activity, as the disease spreads across the country and in nearby states, including Massachusetts. Here’s what you need to know about the risk levels — for humans and animals — in New Hampshire.

More New Hampshire headlines:

• NH '50501' protestors speak out against Trump, Musk
• NH House backs 'anti-sanctuary' bill in near-unanimous vote
• Several climate bills stall out in the New Hampshire House
• How one Mass. therapist is helping a lot of her immigrant clients cope with this political moment

New Hampshire schools and hospitals are figuring out how they’ll respond if immigration enforcement comes to their grounds. This comes after the Trump administration lifted protections on schools and other areas from immigration operations, including arrests.

And a Trump administration directive that would freeze federal grants and assistance was rescinded this week. We hear about New Hampshire nonprofits who would have been affected by the order.

Guests:

• Olivia Richardson, NHPR
• Paul Cuno-Booth, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

How New Hampshire schools are preparing to respond if ICE shows up at their door

Some schools have told staff to contact the superintendent if ICE or other law enforcement officials arrive with a judicial warrant.

NH Medical Society speaks out against policy allowing ICE arrests at hospitals

The New Hampshire Medical Society is speaking out against the Trump administration’s decision to allow immigration arrests at hospitals, saying it could deter patients from seeking care.

Trump’s attempted funding freeze creates a day of ‘anxiety and chaos’ for NH nonprofits

The pace of changes around the funding freeze order created confusion and anxiety for many New Hampshire nonprofits, which rely on federal funds to provide addiction treatment and recovery programs and a vast array of other social services.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH Republican legislators support more local cooperation with ICE

In first full session, GOP-led state Senate moves fast on Ayotte's priorities

NH refugees reeling from Trump order: 'It's impossible for them to find that hope they used to have'

Trump used his first week to make big energy moves. How will those affect NH?

A New Hampshire nonprofit is one of three organizations suing President Donald Trump and other government agencies over efforts to end birthright citizenship. The ACLU of New Hampshire, as well as the groups affiliates in Massachusetts and Maine, are representing the plaintiffs.

And the cost of public education in New Hampshire is rising, even as student enrollment continues to decline. We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Lau Guzmán, NHPR
• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

NH ACLU, local Indonesian community sue over Trump effort to end birthright citizenship

The organizations argue that the Trump administration’s move to end birthright citizenship for the children of some immigrants is unconstitutional.

NH faith leaders support immigrants, host vigil at ICE building in Manchester

As the Trump administration begins to carry out promises to tighten immigration enforcement, some New Hampshire faith communities are trying to show their support for immigrants.

Why is public education so expensive in New Hampshire?

The cost to educate public school students in New Hampshire is rising, even while enrollment continues to decline.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH Medical Society speaks out against policy allowing ICE arrests at hospitals

NH’s all Democratic delegation joins GOP to pass Laken Riley Act

Ayotte announces state hiring freeze, citing budget deficit

NH warming shelters face challenges at temperatures fall and demand grows

New Hampshire legislators are considering immigration enforcement as the incoming Trump administration promises to carry out a mass deportation of immigrants when he’s in office. How could these state proposals affect New Hampshire’s labor force?

And Granite Staters rallied outside the State House earlier this week, calling on lawmakers to fund special education programs.

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

Guests:

• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR
• Lau Guzmán, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Amid public outcry, Edelblut pledges state support for rising special education costs

Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut says he is now working with lawmakers to cover nearly $16 million unanticipated special education costs. Two months ago, Edelblut told school leaders they would be shouldering that expense.

Judge says state committed 'gross negligence' in Sanborn casino fraud case

A state superior court judge has disqualified a state prosecutor and financial expert from the Attorney General's office’s fraud case against Concord Casino Andy Sanborn, after finding the office committed “gross negligence” during its investigation.

NH legislators address national debate around immigration, mass deportations

Some New Hampshire Republican legislators are aiming to add new rules focused on immigrants and immigration enforcement, particularly for undocumented residents.

NH foster kids don't keep their Social Security benefits. That may change.

A new report says it is legal for New Hampshire use Social Security payments for foster kids' daily care, but not in their best interest.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH Chief Justice refutes Hantz Marconi's account of key meeting with Sununu

With a ban looming, NH TikTok creators look for backup plans

Rye Harbor restaurant sues over alleged mistreatment and illegal tax on sales

Gov. Kelly Ayotte officially took office this week and gave her first inaugural address. She touched on many different issues in her speech – from the state budget, to education and housing. We discuss her message to Granite Staters.

And state officials have approved the acquisition of Catholic Medical Center by HCA Healthcare. We hear what this means for the state of the healthcare industry in New Hampshire.

Guests:

• Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin
• Paul Cuno-Booth, NHPR

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

In inaugural address, Ayotte warns of budget cuts, talks up EFAs, sanctuary city ban

Gov. Kelly Ayotte delivered an inaugural address Thursday that sought to carve out what the state should do during her term, including reducing state government.

Republicans return to Concord in firm control – and facing steep budget challenges

The GOP’s stronger hand in the State House this year coincides with some significant financial challenges.

Respiratory illnesses are on the rise in New Hampshire

Health experts say vaccination is the "best line of defense," along with other precautions.

In NH, some advocates welcome Surgeon General's call for cancer warnings on alcohol

The U.S. Surgeon General’s call for cancer warnings on alcohol is being welcomed by some substance-misuse prevention advocates in New Hampshire.

More New Hampshire headlines:

NH lawmakers will again try to expand school meal programs, as food insecurity grows

PDA announces Geno Marconi’s retirement. Marconi says that’s not true.

Facing theft charges, Sanborn makes first trip to court

How N.H. catapulted an unknown Jimmy Carter to the White House

Voters turned out in record breaking numbers in New Hampshire's general elections this November. Students across the country and here in New Hampshire took to college campuses this spring to protest Israel's war in Gaza. Communities across the state continue to recover from multiple flooding events.

We look back on these top stories and more from 2024 in this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Josh Rogers, NHPR
• Olivia Richardson, NHPR
• Mara Hoplamazian, NHPR

The Republican-controlled New Hampshire Legislature picked its leaders this week. And House representatives voted this week to create a new committee dedicated to the state's housing crisis.

Lawyers for state Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi asked a lower court judge this week to toss out her corruption case.

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

Guests:

• Steven Porter, Boston Globe
• Michaela Towfighi, Concord Monitor

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Governor’s appearance at closed door meeting sheds new light on his role in Marconi case

Gov. Sununu and members of the Pease Development Authority board met in private with the Attorney General shortly before Geno Marconi was placed on administrative leave. Criminal charges for him — and his wife, Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi — followed.

Republican Sherman Packard wins third term as NH House Speaker

Packard told lawmakers they will face a tough two years, particularly when it comes to the state budget.

Councilors hit pause on Dartmouth Health takeover of psychiatric hospital for kids

The deal is backed by Gov. Chris Sununu and state health officials, but questions emerged about oversight of Hampstead Hospital.

One thing lawmakers can agree on? New Hampshire’s in a housing crisis.

Advocates and many lawmakers hoped 2024 would be the year of housing in the Legislature… as there were a record number of bills introduced on the issue, but most failed. They are hoping this next session could be different.

One year ago this Sunday, Bradley Haas, a security guard at New Hampshire Hospital, was killed when a former patient walked into the lobby and opened fire. Moments later, a state trooper shot and killed the gunman, John Madore.

The tragedy prompted calls to reform New Hampshire's gun laws and security measures at public buildings. In this edition of the NH News Recap, we look at where those efforts stand now.

Guests:

• Paul Cuno-Booth, NHPR
• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR

Top stories stories from around New Hampshire this week:

NH gun reform failed after hospital shooting. Advocates will try again in 2025.

A push to add mental health records to the federal background check system fell short this year in the Legislature.

Security improvements remain a work in progress, one year after NH Hospital shooting

New Hampshire has completed some upgraded safety measures at the state hospital, but officials are only just beginning to take on most of the other recommendations, including a professional safety assessment of all state facilities.

More New Hampshire headlines:

New Manchester coalition tackles rising demand for adult English classes

Four people plead guilty to damaging NH building owned by Israeli defense contractor

Recent Republican gains in Manchester reflect party's statewide wins

Judge gives NH more time to end ER boarding of psychiatric patients