NH’s ‘tough on crime’ approach has led to explosive growth of prison system
Bid to expand access to parole was killed by lawmakers but will be back
Author: Jenny Whidden-Granite State News Collaborative
NH teachers fear ‘Freedom from Discrimination’ law worsens decline in social studies education
Subject ‘has been marginalized to an unbelievable degree’ in state’s classrooms
Legislature considers ‘high stakes’ bills related to discrimination law
Opposing sides seek to repeal or expand controversial measure passed last year
Governor’s diversity council starts with a ‘clean slate’
Five new members join panel in first meeting since June resignations
Governor’s diversity council to meet three months after slew of resignations
After 10 members quit over ‘divisive concepts’ law, names of new members remain unknown
Granite Staters await guidance on ‘divisive concepts’ law
‘There’s no clarity here other than it’s scaring people’
What’s in the NH law calling race conversations into question?
As the state budget moved through the legislature this year, New Hampshire had its eyes on a provision commonly referred to as the ‘divisive concepts’ legislation. The language has been a point of widespread controversy, but now that it’s law,…
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Legislative committee signs off on NH housing program repeal
Legislature also wrestles with the Business and Enterprise Tax, which has a direct effect on state revenues, and as it looks at how Meals and Rental Tax revenue is distributed and whether there should be an additional “Pillow Tax” on rentals
Legislative committee votes to repeal NH 'Housing Champions'
A state-run program that encourages communities to add much needed housing in New Hampshire, already defunded in the current budget, is on the precipice of disappearing altogether. The House Committee on Housing voted 10-8 on Jan. 20 to repeal the so-called Housing Champions program administered by the NH Department of Business and Economic Affairs.
Remembering Manchester's Bob Baines
Bob Baines, the former mayor of Manchester, past principal of Manchester High School West and current Manchester School Board member, died in Boston on Jan. 23 due to complications following heart surgery.
Nongfu Spring down to a trickle
It’s been a year since a Chinese water and beverage bottling company purchased commercial property in Nashua. Not much more is known now than it was then about the company’s intentions for the 337,391-square-foot building on 23 acres at 80 Northwest Blvd., purchased Jan. 31, 2025 for $67 million by a subsidiary of Nongfu Spring, a giant Chinese bottled water and beverage company.
Preparing for NH’s parental medical leave law
Now that 2026 is underway, New Hampshire employers should turn their attention to the state’s new Parental Medical Leave law (PML). Effective January 1, 2026, most employers with 20 or more employees are required to provide unpaid leave to allow employees to attend childbirth-related medical appointments, postpartum care and pediatric visits during a child’s first year.
NH rural health care faces challenges despite new grant
The federal government will give with one hand and take with another when it comes to New Hampshire’s rural health care system in 2026.
Amid volatility, local economies can provide a model of stability
As we begin 2026, we face another set of choices about how to forge a future that enables us to navigate the continuing instability and volatility in our civic and economic lives.
Legislative preview: Some housing bills would repeal last year’s advances
During the 2025 legislative session, housing advocates hailed new laws that seek to improve the housing supply in New Hampshire. Included among the legislation was the ability for homeowners to construct detached accessory dwellings units on their property, something local…
Darken the Pease Authority
A state report suggests transitioning functions to other state agencies
