Legal cannabis sales in NH clear Senate, but will it become law?
House Bill 1633 passed 14-9 after hours of debate that included several amendments being introduced on the floor
Author: Margie Cullen/Portsmouth Herald
NH bars likely to face tougher penalties for overserving: Here’s how new law would work
HB 279 would increase maximum penalties, license suspension for first and second offense of overserving alcohol to visibility intoxicated individuals
2 a.m. last call in NH? At least one Portsmouth bar owner says, ‘I’m all for it’
The streets of Portsmouth could become a lot livelier into the wee hours of the morning if a bill to extend last call for alcohol to 2 a.m. becomes law. However, owners of downtown establishments in Portsmouth have mixed opinions on the possibility.
Retail marijuana bill advances in New Hampshire House
A model for how recreational marijuana would be sold if it is legalized in New Hampshire was approved in the House Finance Committee on April 2, but the conflict over it is far from resolved.
Bill to ban transgender girls from NH girls sports debated by lawmakers
Bills follow in the wake of a bill the House passed to ban gender-affirming care for minors in early January
More news from NHBR:
ADUs, manufactured homes can help with NH housing crisis
Single-family and condominium alternatives, such as manufactured homes and accessory dwellings units (ADUs), could go a long way toward helping ease New Hampshire’s housing crisis. But those options can have some obstacles, according to participants in a forum.
Manchester to end up on the Monopoly board
Efforts are underway in Manchester to fashion a version of the iconic board game "Monopoly" into a Who's Who and What's What of New Hampshire's largest city.
Right-to-know office remains empty after cuts
Nine months after the office that handles disputes over access to public records was vacated, the state has yet to staff it.
Independent contractor rules may be changing
On February 26, 2026, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division released a new notice of proposed rulemaking that would significantly revise the test used under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for determining independent contractor status, marking the third major change to the federal independent contractor rule in less than five years.
Ayotte suggests leasing surplus state land for housing
Gov. Kelly Ayotte suggests leasing surplus state land for residential development to help curb New Hampshire's housing shortage and attract more workers to the state.
NH economist lowers forecast for 2026
A key New Hampshire economist has trimmed down to 2.2% his forecast for the growth in the state's economy this for 2026, citing lackluster consumer confidence and the uncertainty of the U.S. war against Iran.
(Opinion) Sen. Hassan’s plan would put more money in the pockets of working families
POLICY By: Kevin Cavanaugh To be a family who isn’t struggling in today’s economy, a lot has to be going right. You need steady work, an income that stretches far enough, reliable child care — or the flexibility to provide…
Christopher Ellms Jr. confirmed to chair PUC
Christopher Ellms Jr. received a 4-1 vote from the executive council on Wednesday, March 4, to become the next chair of the state’s Public Utilities Commission.
In 2032, Social Security money runs dry
If nothing changes between now and then, the trust fund that finances Social Security payments will run out, triggering a 7% decline in monthly payments in 2032 and dwindling further to 28% from 2033 through 2036.
