Author

Ethan DeWitt is the New Hampshire Bulletin’s education reporter. Previously, he worked as the New Hampshire State House reporter for the Concord Monitor, covering the state, the Legislature, and the New Hampshire presidential primary. A Westmoreland native, Ethan started his career as the politics and health care reporter at the Keene Sentinel.
AG issues cease-and-desist letter against NH Democrats for erroneous absentee ballot mailers
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 23, 2022
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella ordered the New Hampshire Democratic Party to stop issuing mailers that his office said contain false information about absentee voting and could disenfranchise voters. In a cease-and-desist order sent to the party Friday, the Attorney General’s Office said the party had sent mailings to voters that contained invalid return […]
During Banned Books Week, a school district wrestles with how to allow book challenges
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 23, 2022
Milford High School students didn’t just recognize Banned Books Week: They painted a tribute in their hallway. Directly in front of the school’s library this week is an art installation with 11 lockers painted to resemble the spines of 11 commonly challenged books, from “The Catcher in the Rye” to “Maus,” the graphic novel about […]
State to dedicate $5 million to help temporary shelters this winter
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 20, 2022
New Hampshire is setting aside $5 million in federal COVID relief funds to help support emergency homeless shelters in the winter, as the number of homeless residents has climbed recently. The new program, approved by the Executive Council and Joint Legislative Fiscal Committee earlier this month, will provide financial assistance to temporary shelters set up […]
After oral arguments, four things to watch in lawsuit against ‘banned concepts’ law
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 20, 2022
Lawyers for state teachers unions and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire faced off against the Attorney General’s Office last week over a new law banning certain concepts from being taught in New Hampshire schools. The law, known by many as the “divisive concepts” law after an earlier title, bars New Hampshire educators […]
As Republicans pivot to general election, Sununu makes plea: Stick to the economy
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 16, 2022
It was the bear hug that buried the hatchet. Moments after Gen. Don Bolduc’s speech urging unity among Republicans he leapt off the stage and beelined to a surprised Gov. Chris Sununu who engulfed him in an embrace, just weeks after the two had descended to name calling. Thursday morning’s Republican Unity Breakfast saw rivals […]
Education Freedom Accounts double after one year; most recipients outside public school
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 15, 2022
Participation in New Hampshire’s education freedom account (EFA) program has doubled in the year since it launched, the state Department of Education said Friday, far exceeding the department’s initial estimates. As of September, there are 3,025 students participating at the start of the program’s second academic year, according to the department. At the program’s launch […]
Q&A: Dante Scala on New Hampshire’s ‘triple MAGA’ primary night
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 14, 2022
Early Wednesday morning, the last of the Republican congressional primaries was called, with Bob Burns beating George Hansel to be the Republican nominee facing Rep. Annie Kuster in the 2nd Congressional District. Burns joins Karoline Leavitt, who beat out Matt Mowers to take on Rep. Chris Pappas in the 1st District, and Don Bolduc, who […]
Oral arguments in New Hampshire’s ‘divisive concepts’ lawsuit set for Wednesday
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 13, 2022
A lawsuit against the state’s “divisive concepts law” will come before oral argument in federal court Wednesday, allowing lawyers for teachers unions and the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire to square off against the Department of Justice. The court hearing, set for 1 p.m. at the U.S. District Court in Concord, will allow […]
Department of Justice issues new guidance on state firearms law, seeking to clear the record
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 12, 2022
A new state law curbing some enforcement of firearms law has drawn intense interest. This month, the Department of Justice is seeking to assuage concerns. School officials can still report potential shooters on campus, Attorney General John Formella wrote this month. State Police officers can still confiscate weapons from alleged domestic abusers. A new federal […]
As Sununu endorses Morse for U.S. Senate, analysts ask: Will it matter?
By: Ethan DeWitt and Annmarie Timmins - September 9, 2022
This story was updated on Sept. 9 at 7:26 a.m. to add a response from Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc’s political director, Jimmy Thompson and on Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. to correct Steve Duprey’s length of time as chair of the state Republican party. Gov. Chris Sununu endorsed Senate President Chuck Morse for U.S. Senate […]
House Speaker Packard rebuffs calls for majority leader to resign over use of racial slur
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 2, 2022
Republican House Speaker Sherman Packard said he would not be asking House Majority Leader Jason Osborne to resign after a 2011 post resurfaced showing Osborne using a racial slur, arguing that Osborne had sufficiently apologized and should not be punished for the past. In a statement Thursday, first given to WMUR, Packard said: “I know […]
As a new school year begins, teacher hiring remains a challenge
By: Ethan DeWitt - September 2, 2022
As summer ends, Moultonborough is entering into what Superintendent Patrick Andrew calls a personal first. The district is starting the school year without a full roster of teachers in its classrooms. After months of efforts to attract candidates, the district is still short a chemistry teacher and a physics teacher. Until further notice the district […]