News
Casella withdraws wetlands permit application, plans to resubmit next year
Casella Waste Systems sent a letter to residents of Dalton late last week informing them that it would be withdrawing a wetlands permit application related to its proposed landfill near Forest Lake. The company plans to resubmit the application in 2022. The landfill plan has divided the town of Dalton, and some opponents of the […]
Sununu letter supports Department of Energy’s stance on energy efficiency programs
In a letter to Department of Energy Commissioner Jared Chicoine on Tuesday, Gov. Chris Sununu praised the department for raising concerns about the state’s energy efficiency plan. On Friday, the Department of Energy asked the Public Utilities Commission to either clarify or reconsider a contentious November decision cutting funding for state energy efficiency programs. The […]
As another push for marijuana legalization begins, efforts in Maine and Vermont offer lessons
The bills have bipartisan support. Their sponsors include left-leaning Democrats and libertarian Republicans. One has been advanced by a Republican chairman of an influential committee; another by the House Democratic leader himself. But as New Hampshire lawmakers put forward the latest round of marijuana legalization bills for next year’s session, the outcomes appear all but […]
Teachers, parents file lawsuit over ‘divisive concepts’ law
Three teachers and two parents are suing the state of New Hampshire over a law limiting certain teachings in public schools, in an action coordinated by the American Federation of Teachers. In a 52-page filing to the U.S. District Court of New Hampshire in Concord Monday, the New Hampshire affiliate of the teachers union argued […]
Department of Energy joins those asking PUC to reconsider energy efficiency decision
The N.H. Department of Energy asked the Public Utilities Commission to either clarify or reconsider a contentious November decision cutting funding for state energy efficiency programs. The request was filed by Department of Energy attorney Brian Buckley on Friday, the same day that all of the state’s utilities, along with environmental, clean energy, and ratepayer […]
‘We got eaten alive’: Christmas trees in short supply
In 2020, Mike Ahern’s Christmas tree farm in Plymouth sold 50 percent more trees than normal, which Ahern chalked up to the pandemic: With more people spending time at home, many found their way to the farm for the first time. He was sure things would return to normal this year, but so far that […]
State’s utilities join with advocates to request reconsideration of PUC energy efficiency order
A broad coalition formally requested on Friday that the Public Utilities Commission reconsider its recent decision to cut funding for state energy efficiency programs over the next two years and that the decision – which they said would cause irreparable harm – be suspended in the meantime. All of the state’s electric and gas utilities, […]
Superior Court creates faster process for hospital health care workers to be excused from jury duty
As COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to reach record levels, the state’s Superior Court has announced a new, faster process for hospital health care workers to request excusal from jury duty. Court spokeswoman Susan Warner said the court is doing so at the request of the state Department of Health and Human Services. To qualify, the worker […]
Amid another COVID surge, the state’s schools brace for the challenging winter ahead
The post-Thanksgiving COVID-19 surge is more than theoretical in Bow. On Tuesday, 20 children in the elementary school were home from school after testing positive for COVID-19 or reporting a family member in their home who did, Superintendent Dean Cascadden announced to parents. In the middle and high schools, the numbers were 14 and 15, […]
State board approves final education freedom account rules
The New Hampshire State Board of Education approved formal rules for the state’s education freedom accounts program Thursday, completing the latest stage in a program that has seen higher than expected interest. The new regulations – if fully approved by lawmakers in the coming months – will provide clarity to the voucher-like program. Currently, the […]
Kansas’ Bob Dole remembered at U.S. Capitol ceremony for public service, sense of humor
WASHINGTON – Former U.S. Sen. Robert J. Dole arrived at the U.S. Capitol for the final time on Thursday, for a Rotunda ceremony in which former colleagues and congressional leaders from both parties honored the life and career of the late Kansas political icon. President Joe Biden and others remembered Dole – who died Sunday […]
Contract approval doesn’t guarantee more beds for kids in psychiatric crisis
On paper, the state’s new contract with Brattleboro Retreat in Vermont has the potential to expand in-patient services for children in psychiatric crisis two ways: It provides up to 10 more beds and, unlike the state’s arrangement with Hampstead Hospital, this one does not exclude certain children, such as those whose behavior has led to […]