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Attorney general seeks $5 million in federal money for victim services
This story was updated Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. to clarify which victim services are supported with federal funding. The effects of COVID-19’s social isolation, health problems, and job loss continue to drive increases in calls to domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines, emergency shelters, and child abuse referrals, according to the Department […]
Community centers can now apply for federal pandemic aid to make improvements
The state is making more federal pandemic aid available to communities, this time $20 million for improvements to community centers. Applications will close April 21. Centers can receive up to $1 million but must provide matching funds.The eligibility requirements are broad. Centers must be owned by a municipality or nonprofit, and offer services that benefit […]
ACLU-NH adds judge to lawsuit over state’s handling of involuntary hospitalizations
The state responded in a few ways after the state Supreme Court found it was unconstitutionally delaying court hearings for the people it held for involuntary mental health hospitalization. One of the most significant changes – quicker access to the court – continues to violate patients’ rights because hearings are done by telephone, not in-person […]
Pay hikes, school funding, licensing reform highlight Sununu budget address
This story was updated Feb. 15, 2023 at 9:50 a.m. to correct the professions that are regulated by the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Gov. Chris Sununu has big plans for the state’s $330 million surplus and what he predicts will be ongoing strong tax revenue. He gave lawmakers a budget Tuesday that would […]
Governor signs bill to slow closure and replacement of Sununu Center
This story and headline were updated Feb. 14, 2023, at 3 p.m. to include the state Senate vote, and at 5:25 p.m. to note that Gov. Chris Sununu signed the bill. Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill Tuesday to slow the process of closing and replacing the Sununu Youth Services Center until the state chooses […]
Buying show tickets? Be careful where you shop.
A woman arrived at the Palace Theater box office in Manchester recently with an online receipt for four tickets to “Newsies,” a kids show with no seat over $15. The box office couldn’t find tickets under her name because she had unknowingly bought them from a third-party site she believed was the Palace’s. The woman […]
Some NH police chiefs say it’s time to get rid of officer physical fitness requirements
Enough law enforcement officers are failing to pass the required fitness test for sit-ups, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run that some police chiefs are backing a bill that would do away with the fitness requirement. That includes Hinsdale Police Chief Charles Rataj, who told the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee this week that […]
In ‘extremely frustrating’ vote, House committee derails Senate’s Sununu Center plans
It was deja vu Thursday for child advocates who’ve watched with frustration as lawmakers have repeatedly failed to close and replace the 144-bed Sununu Youth Services Center with a facility that emphasizes therapy over detention. The Senate bill that was supposed to fast-track the closure and replacement of the center hit a major hurdle Thursday […]
Future of Cannon Mountain tramway is uncertain and pricey
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, state tourism leaders, and Gov. Chris Sununu are backing a bill that would put $25 million into replacing the state’s 42-year-old Cannon Mountain aerial tramway. Tourism leaders want another tram, while Sununu wants lawmakers to consider a much smaller gondola. What no one could tell the Senate Finance Committee Tuesday […]
With 72,500 at risk of losing Medicaid, DHHS moves from friendly to urgent ‘contact us’ letters
The federal government’s announcement that it’s ending several COVID-19 protections should be of particular interest to the approximately 72,500 Granite Staters who will lose their Medicaid coverage if they don’t get in touch with the Department of Health and Human Services – and soon. The expiration of those federal protections also ends the “continuous enrollment” […]
Bill would end school-day clinics for all vaccines
Public schools would not be allowed to offer vaccination clinics during the school day under a bill before the House Education Committee Tuesday. Clinics, such as those for the flu vaccine, could be held outside of school hours only and would require a parent to attend with their child. Rep. Jim Kofalt, a Wilton Republican, […]
Points of progress, grim statistics shape child advocate’s annual report
In its recently released 2022 annual report, the Office of the Child Advocate, charged with monitoring the state’s care for at-risk children and youth, begins with the positives. Staff helped a young adult who had aged out of care get money for college and COVID-19 assistance. They succeeded in getting a child who had been […]