John Grappone, the second-generation owner of the Grappone automobile-dealership empire and a longtime Concord philanthropist, has died at the age of 92. Grappone died shortly after 1 this morning at the Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association Hospice House, several weeks after he suffered a bad fall, according to his granddaughter, Gina Grappone. John Grappone was a lifelong… 0

Gov. John Lynch delivered his fourth and final state of the state address this morning. Here's the full text of his speech: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Senate President, Madam Chief Justice and members of the judiciary, honorable members of the Executive Council, House and Senate, and my fellow citizens of New Hampshire: First, let me thank our great first lady, Dr. Susan Lynch. For eight… 0

Gov. John Lynch will deliver his final state of the state address this morning at 11 a.m. Here's some background:Lynch plans to step down when his term expires at the end of the year, so this will be his fourth and final state of the state address. You can read the full text of his past addresses (and other significant speeches) here.The speech will be preceded by a ceremony… 0

All eyes will be on Gov. John Lynch this morning as he delivers his final state of the state address, but his speech is just one part of a busy day at the State House. Here are some of the more interesting bills scheduled for hearings today: 0

The State House might be the hottest ticket in town tomorrow. Lawmakers gathering for Gov. John Lynch's final State of the State address at 11 a.m. in Representatives Hall will be serenaded by the nationally renowned Dartmouth Aires. In November, the college singing group came in second on NBC's "The Sing-Off." The Aires are scheduled tomorrow to perform the national… 0

A Belmont family found their home on fire early today when their dog barked to alert them to the blaze, according to fire officials. No one was injured in the fire, which took place at about 12:30 a.m. at 133 Middle Route, according to a Belmont Fire Department release. There were no working smoke detectors in the home, Lt. Greg Bavis said. “They were alerted by their German… 0

Gov. John Lynch has vetoed a bill that would have created a new type of high-interest loan, saying the legislation "hurts our families, communities and economy." Here's the text of Lynch's veto message:"SB 160 creates a new small loan product in New Hampshire - an installment loan - and overturns the interest rate cap for payday lenders. These new installment… 1

Rep. Neal Kurk argued before the House Finance Committee this morning that women in New Hampshire should not be given additional public money for children born while they are on welfare. The bill would save the state about $34,000 a year. The mothers receive an additional $72.50 a month for a new… 17

Guns, welfare and the veracity of President Obama's birth certificate are among the many topics lawmakers will ponder today. Here's a little background on some of the bills our State House team is tracking: WELFARE The House Finance Committee will review a bill that would limit financial assistance to mothers who have additional children while on welfare. The AP reports… 0

The state Senate voted 23-1 this morning to prohibit private energy projects like Northern Pass from using eminent domain unless the energy produced is deemed needed by regional power regulators. Sen. Jim Rausch, a Derry Republican, cast the lone no vote, saying he believes state law and a 2006 constitutional amendment… 1

This morning, the New Hampshire Senate will consider measures to bar private energy developments from using eminent domain. The proposals are in reaction to the Northern Pass, a private energy project between HydroQuebec in Canada, Northeast Utilities and Public Service of New Hampshire, that would bring hydropower from Canada to New England. The details are complex, so here are… 0

President Obama won't deliver the State of the Union address for another four hours, but  much has already been written about what he'll say and what it will mean for the country, for Congress and for the 2012 presidential campaign. We've spent the day looking for interesting insights into the SOTU.… 1

A house fire in Andover this morning killed two people and injured a third, according to fire officials. When firefighters arrived at the home on Meadowlark Lane around 2:30 a.m., the fire had already "advanced too far" to save the home or its occupants, said Deputy State Fire Marshal Robert Farley. A husband… 0

The meeting scheduled for East Concord residents to discuss future proposals for the Eastman School building has been canceled. A date has not been chosen for rescheduling it yet. To review an earlier presentation of possible uses for the site, check out this story from last week's school board meeting. 0