House committee defunds relief program for mothers and children, spares SNAP incentives

By REBECA PEREIRA

The New Hampshire legislature cut funding for a hunger relief initiative to help lower-income families buy fresh produce at farmers markets before the program ever took root.

Open houses set to discuss Hopkinton-Everett, Franklin Falls and Blackwater Dam recreation areas

By DAVID BROOKS

Three dams in the Concord region that have created large recreational areas – Franklin Falls Dam, Blackwater River in Webster and Hopkinton-Everett Lakes – will be the subject of open houses in April as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers starts the process of revising its master plans.

Cat claws, magic mushrooms and ‘New Hampshire opossums’: Here’s how the Legislature’s quirkiest bills are shaping up

By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY

From a ban on cat declawing to designating the state’s official marsupial, New Hampshire lawmakers thought outside the box when filing legislation this year.

Zach Emerson, a cross-country innovator leaving a lasting impact on Hopkinton

By ALEXANDER RAPP

With a clear view of the Hopkinton Fairgrounds from his front window when he first moved to the town, Zach Emerson had an idea for a perfect use of the area when it wasn’t being utilized.

New Hampshire law enforcement to step up traffic enforcement on Route 106

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Starting Sunday, drivers on Route 106 will notice increased law enforcement as the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety steps up efforts to crack down on unsafe driving and reduce crashes.

Loudon Country Store to reopen with larger menu and some Indian food

By DAVID BROOKS

The Loudon Country Store is returning to life and the new owner says it will be the same as before, but with a bit of a south-Asian twist.

Andru Volinsky takes aim at fellow Democrats in new book chronicling the school funding fight

By JEREMY MARGOLIS

In the locker room of the Concord YMCA some thirty-five years ago, a member of Andru Volinksy’s running group approached him with a proposition: How would he like to join a trial team being assembled to sue the state of New Hampshire?

Police: Cache of drugs, gun seized in search

Concord police said they seized a cache of drugs during a search of a Joffre Street address following a tip from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police about illegal drugs being shipped through the mail.

End of life options bill shelved for the remainder of legislative session

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

The end-of-life options bill will remain off the table for the rest of this legislative session after a failed attempt on Thursday to bring it back for discussion.

‘Open up some doors’: Concord urged to make itself more attractive to developers

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

After a push to reimagine the way the city regulates development was quietly abandoned, the City of Concord will pursue changes to some zoning rules in the coming months to the relief of local business leaders.

‘Like my child had died’: For parents trying to help their kids, New Hampshire’s mental health system forces a hard decision

By MICHAELA TOWFIGHI

The top stair was Nicole Sheaff’s bed for months.

Pittsfield schools facing major shortfall caused by longstanding financial mismanagement

By JEREMY MARGOLIS

The Pittsfield School District is facing a shortfall of roughly $1 million due to longstanding financial mismanagement, according to interim superintendent Lori Lane.

Concord Hospital leaders assure mayor they're committed to Laconia campus

By GABRIEL PERRY

Councilors at their meeting on Monday night heard from Mayor Andrew Hosmer that his meeting with leaders at Concord Hospital went well, and included assurances they’re sticking around Laconia long-term.

Legislators advance ban on sexual content in schools, plus 5 GOP-led bills on transgender issues

By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY

House lawmakers passed what’s effectively a statewide ban on sexual content in K-12 schools on Thursday, which would also create a complaint and appeals process for parents to challenge books they feel are inappropriate.

Republicans move forward with three different plans to expand EFAs

By JEREMY MARGOLIS

Republican politicians are pushing forward three different plans for expanding New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account program.

Arts Alley in Concord on schedule for summer openings

By DAVID BROOKS

Downtown Concord has been watching the construction work on what will be Arts Alley for months, but not everything is visible from the sidewalk. Not by a long shot.

Turning down school resource officer and adding maintenance spending, Concord School Board approves $111.5 million budget

By CATHERINE McLAUGHLIN

Narrowly turning down the addition of a School Resource Officer at the middle school while increasing facility maintenance spending, the Concord Board of Education unanimously approved a roughly 2.75% budget increase for 2025-2026, bringing its general fund spending to $111.5 million.

As Ayotte’s COGE digs deeper, here’s where they’re looking to save state money and time

By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY

Selling state-owned properties, streamlining equipment purchases and outsourcing government services prevailed as some of the leading ideas among a group of New Hampshire business leaders as they spit-balled ideas to curb state spending.

Back to drawing board for Franklin opera house

By DANIEL SARCH

Acting City Manager Scott Clarenbach brought new information to a Franklin city council workshop Monday about the cost of renovations to Soldiers Memorial Hall, the building which houses City Hall and the Franklin Opera House.

Mother of son killed by drunk driver joins Governor’s task force for safer roads

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

Beth Shaw spent years pushing for tougher penalties on drunk drivers after a repeat offender killed her son in Bow in 2018.