Politics
NH rejects pardon hearing request in case linked to death penalty repeal
By HOLLY RAMER
CONCORD, N.H. — The Executive Council rejected a request for a pardon hearing Wednesday in a murder case that helped drive the successful push to repeal New Hampshire’s death penalty.The five-member panel voted unanimously without debate to deny the...
Former Marine to challenge Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren
By STEVE LeBLANC
BOSTON — Republican John Deaton, a former U.S. Marine and cryptocurrency attorney, announced Monday that he is challenging Democratic U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren as she runs for her third term in office.Deaton, who was born in Detroit and recently...
On the Trail: Border crisis front-and-center in race to succeed Sununu
By PAUL STEINHAUSER
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu got what he asked for from state lawmakers on Friday, who approved funding for New Hampshire troops to help secure America’s southern border with Mexico.The governor formally requested $850,000 to send up to 15 National...
Testimony says bill could increase homelessness
By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI
Brandon Lemay choked up when he talked about housing instability in New Hampshire. Looking at his own lease that ends in February, his rent will go up by $1,000 a month.Housing is already hard to come by statewide, he said. Vacancy rates are low,...
Sununu seeks to send NH National Guard troops to Texas
By JOSH ROGERS
Gov. Chris Sununu wants to send soldiers from the New Hampshire National Guard to Eagle Pass, Texas, to aid with immigration enforcement efforts at the nation’s southern border.The move comes amid ongoing tension between Texas and the federal...
Congressional votes for the week of Feb. 2 to 8
Targeted News Service
Here’s a look at how area members of Congress voted over the previous week.In addition to roll call votes this week, the House also passed these bills by voice vote: the Supporting the Health of Aquatic systems through Research Knowledge and Enhanced...
NH rent control bill killed in committee
By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI
To solve the state’s housing shortage, the solution to Rep. David Preece, a Manchester Democrat, is to provide incentives in zoning codes to spur development. Rep. Tim Cahill, a Raymond Republican, has an alternate approach and wants to bring down...
On The Trail: How will a third party affect likely Biden-Trump rematch?
By PAUL STEINHAUSER
While President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump faced political setbacks this past week, when it comes to their campaigns locking up the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, both hit the jackpot in Las Vegas.Three days after...
NH House rejects broad expansion of school choice program but OKs income cap increase
By HOLLY RAMER
CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire House defeated two bills that would have significantly expanded the state’s popular school choice program while giving preliminary approval to a third that would further raise the income cap associated with the...
Alcohol labeling bill creates divide
By ETHAN DEWITT
Aaron Share’s dog Blue has graced the cans – and premises – of To Share Brewing Company in Manchester for years. The black and white pit bull is the mascot of one of the brewery’s longest running labels: “Hugs and Belly Rubs.” Cans for the oatmeal...
NH Senate votes to move state primary from September to June
By HOLLY RAMER
CONCORD, N.H. — Both the New Hampshire House and Senate agree that the short window between the primary and general election for state and local offices should be widened, but they have different dates in mind.In contrast to its first-in-the-nation...
Medical assistance in dying bill draws large turnout
By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN
People in wheelchairs, others relying on crutches, some facing terminal illness and some caregivers packed a hearing Wednesday for a bill that would allow medically assisted dying in New Hampshire.While most of the attendees expressed support for...
Bill aims to prevent more ‘horrifying’ treatment of children in state placement
By ANNMARIE TIMMINS
Details of what the Office of the Child Advocate called “horrifying” abuse and neglect of two New Hampshire boys placed by the state in a Tennessee youth facility are behind legislation that would require the state to substantially increase its...
Video monitoring to protect NH’s historic covered bridges sees bipartisan support
By HADLEY BARNDOLLAR
After the 1862 Slate Covered Bridge fell victim to arson, Swanzey voters funded the construction of a reproduction in 2001 – one that looked just like it. Today, a sign above its entrance reads, “$5 fine for riding or driving over this bridge faster...
GOP bill would bar LGBTQ relationships from sex ed
By ETHAN DEWITT
New Hampshire lawmakers are considering new guidelines for public school sex education that would bar teachers from discussing LGBTQ sexual relationships – and require all parents to opt into the instruction before students receive it.House Bill 1185...
AG: Biden robocall during NH primary came from Texas company
By DAVID BROOKS
The robocalls that imitated President Joe Biden telling people not to bother voting in New Hampshire’s presidential primary were generated by a Texas-based public relations firm called Life Corporation “and an individual named Walter Monk,” according...
On the Trail: Did NH primary show retail politics is dead?
By PAUL STEINHAUSER
Another New Hampshire presidential primary is in the books, and some political prognosticators are quick to proclaim that the Granite State’s storied first-in-the-nation primary and cherished candidate-to-voter retail-style campaigning are both on...
NH House refuses to either further restrict or protect abortion rights
By HOLLY RAMER
CONCORD, N.H. — The Republican-led but closely divided New Hampshire House rejected three abortion bills Thursday, refusing to either further restrict or protect reproductive rights.Current state law prohibits abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy...
How write-in votes broke down in the 2024 NH primary
President Joe Biden won this year’s New Hampshire Democratic primary thanks to more than 79,000 thousand write-in votes, according to the latest count from the New Hampshire Secretary of State. But he wasn’t the only write-in candidate.The second most...
Lawmakers will again take up bills expanding, tightening gun laws
By ANNMARIE TIMMINS
Of the nearly dozen gun bills lawmakers will soon take up, one is particularly noteworthy because it’s backed by unlikely allies: mental health advocates and a pair of House members who’ve long been at opposite ends of firearm legislation.House Bill...
