News
Sununu signs ‘immunization freedom’ bill into law
This story was updated June 26 at 8:30 p.m. to clarify that the state can continue mandating immunizations but has not added the COVID-19 vaccination to its required immunizations. With less than 50 percent of the country fully vaccinated, California and New York City announced Monday that all public workers will be required to get […]
Statute of limitations for PFAS-related harm doubles to six years
A bill was signed into law Friday creating a statute of limitations of six years for damages caused by exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, also commonly called PFAS. Previously, those impacted by the toxic chemicals had only three years to pursue legal action after they learned of harm from PFAS. The chemicals are known […]
Under new law, displaying a firearm no longer constitutes reckless conduct
This story was updated July 27 at 3:30 p.m. to clarify New Hampshire’s minimum age requirements for the state’s concealed carry law. New Hampshire residents and visitors will no longer face reckless conduct charges for displaying a firearm, after Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill Friday creating a new exception. House Bill 195 amends the […]
Despite the rain, drought concerns linger: ‘We’re not out of the woods yet’
In July came the rain. Heavy, unrelenting rain fell for nearly three weeks – with some parts of the state getting inundated by over 7 inches of it. For some it was a relief after the unusually dry spring, for others the rain brought annoyance or concern due to flooding that hit parts of southern […]
New Hampshire Electric Co-op plans to more than double broadband coverage
The New Hampshire Electric Cooperative announced Thursday that it will be building fiber optic broadband connections to reach 1,500 of its members in Sandwich and Acworth. The cooperative anticipates that these connections will start providing high-speed internet service for homes and businesses in early 2022. The cooperative’s subsidiary, New Hampshire Broadband, will undertake the expansion […]
As end to federal eviction moratorium approaches, relief applications pile up
With the federal moratorium on evictions ending July 31, there are more than 3,000 rental relief applications pending and about $175 million still available to tenants who need help with utilities, heat, rent, internet, and other housing bills, according to the program’s website. Marta Hurgin, a lawyer with 603 Legal Aid, said her office is […]
Here’s what you need to know about the monthly child tax credit payments
Big changes to the child tax credit, especially new monthly payments for each child, have made child care bills, rent, and car repairs easier to cover. But they’ve also triggered questions among parents and even fears that the government will try to recoup the money, as the state did with some unemployment benefits. “A lot […]
Officials report 22 current hospitalizations, three deaths this week related to COVID-19
Over 99 percent of COVID-19 deaths in a several-state study over the last six months were unvaccinated people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which reported the number while urging more people to get vaccinated. In New Hampshire, that data is not being closely tracked for deaths or hospitalizations, Gov. Chris Sununu […]
State officials urge administration to open Canadian border
New Hampshire officials are calling on the Biden administration to change course on the decision, announced Wednesday, to extend the closure of the Canadian border another month. Canada has announced that its border will be opening to vaccinated Americans as of Aug. 9. But in the United States, the Department of Homeland Security announced that […]
Public employers also receive guidance on ‘divisive concepts’ from Attorney General’s Office
This story was updated July 22, 2021 at 3 p.m. with information from the state Attorney General’s Office. In addition to guidance for school officials, the state Attorney General’s Office has also released advice for public employers on upholding the state’s new “divisive concepts” law during trainings. The public employer guidance says the new law […]
U.S. House passes PFAS bill regulating ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Wednesday passed bipartisan legislation that would regulate toxic chemicals found in drinking water, as well as designate two types of those toxic chemicals as hazardous substances that would spark federal cleanup standards. The bill, H.R. 2467, also known as the PFAS Action Act of 2021, passed 241-183, with 23 Republicans […]
Taxation, open spaces, and the great divide over current use
When Rusty Keith looked at the numbers, it seemed wrong. Then serving as a selectman in Lyme, Keith was taken aback to see that the poorest residents were subsidizing the taxes of the wealthiest landowners in the rural western New Hampshire town. Because of a tax policy called current use, it was completely legal. “They […]