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.
Author: Rick Green -The Keene Sentinel
Gun manufacturers win limited liability in NH bill
Newington-based Sig Sauer has faced numerous lawsuits over one of its pistols
Citizens Bank plans to close its Keene branch
Citizens Bank plans to shutter its Keene branch on June 18, leaving the bank’s next closest branches in Brattleboro, Henniker and Milford.
Municipal association says cities, towns unfairly blamed for housing problem
Proponents say restrictive municipal zoning policies and anti-development sentiments are driving up the price and driving down the availability of homes
Plans call for 17 new housing units on Keene’s Emerald Street
Former Keene Mayor George Hansel and businessman Jared Goodell are planning to build 17 small apartments on the second floor of the Silk Mill building
City welfare costs skyrocket amid high rents, waning federal aid
Keene’s property taxpayers are footing the bill for skyrocketing welfare costs amid high demand for help, rent hikes and waning federal support
Lawmakers file proposal to repeal ‘divisive-concepts’ law
A federal judge ruled on May 28 that the 2021 statute is unconstitutionally vague and violates free speech guarantees, but the N.H. Attorney General’s Office is appealing
Nonprofit files federal lawsuit against new NH voter ID law
NH Youth Movement filed the suit in U.S. District Court, naming N.H. Secretary of State David Scanlan as the defendant
AG prepares to enforce new law aimed at protecting consumers online privacy
The NH Attorney General’s Office announced Aug. 15 it will hire staff to enforce a law enacted this year that seeks to enhance online privacy protection for consumers.
C&S ups number of stores it would acquire under Kroger-Albertson merger
Keene-based C&S Wholesale Grocers has increased the number of grocery stores it plans to acquire nationwide as part of a proposed merger between The Kroger Co. and Albertson Cos. Inc.
Keene roofing company ordered to pay back wages for visa violations
Contractor ordered to pay over $167k in back wages to 20 foreign workers who didn't receive proper payment for roofing work
Legally required expense records still missing for several current, former NH officials
Reasons current and former legislators offered for the missing records include failure to file, not understanding their legal requirements or forms getting lost in the mail.
House votes down Keene lawmaker’s bid to enshrine abortion rights in state constitution
House voted 193-184 in favor of the proposal, but not majority needed for passage of proposed constitutional amendment
GreenSource Fabrication secures $46.2m federal defense-production grant
A company in Charlestown that manufactures printed circuit boards will receive $46.2 million in federal funds through the U.S. Defense Department, U.S. Sen Jeanne Shaheen announced recently.
Bipartisan support seen for one NH gun safety measure
Republican and Democratic lawmakers may be able to work together to close a loophole in background checks for gun purchases, N.H. Senate President Jeb Bradley said at a news conference Wednesday. House Bill 1711 would authorize the state to report…
Legislation would help NH farmers hit hard by severe weather
Bills proposed in the N.H. Legislature would help farmers recover from millions of dollars in weather-related crop damage incurred this year, and would set aside money for future such problems. State Sen. Donovan Fenton, D-Keene, said Monday the agricultural industry…
Roxbury notches victory before NH Supreme Court
Unanimous NH Supreme Court reversed ruling in case involving plans for a three-lot subdivision along Middletown Road
New state law takes step toward aiding firefighters hit with occupational cancer
Statute eases process for receiving workers’ comp
Sununu vetoes bill targeting interest on overpaid unemployment compensation
If passed, bill would allow state to charge interest to unemployment recipients who intentionally commit fraud
Keene State gets $4.4M contract to help enhance child care statewide
Federally funded program to bolster availability of affordable child care in New Hampshire
New Hampshire lawmakers earmark $40 million to ease state’s housing shortage
Budget contains funds for affordable housing development, municipal infrastructure aid
Bill seeks to close sales loophole for pot-related substance
House Bill 611 aimed at prohibiting sales of Delta-8 products in stores
New Hampshire Paid Family and Medical Leave program signs up 149 employers
‘A lot of businesses are taking a wait-and-see attitude’
No teaching credentials have been lost yet under NH’s ‘divisive-concepts’ law
Only one complaint has been filed in nearly two years of statute
New Hampshire House committee holds first hearing on marijuana legalization bill
Sununu predicts bipartisan measure won't reach his desk
Cryptocurrency trial put spotlight on internet schemes, U.S. attorney says
Keene resident’s conviction shows s ’culture of scamming’ is a ‘pervasive society problem’
Attorneys present closing arguments in Freeman’s federal cryptocurrency trial
Prosecutors allege defendant laundered money for scam artists who conned people online into sending thousands of dollars
Executive Council OKs new round of broadband funding
$65M in federal funds slated to improve the state’s broadband infrastructure
Emergency rental assistance program has helped thousands of Granite Staters
With funding set to expire in 2025, demand for help is on the rise
GOP-backed voting law lands in the laps of courts, clerks
‘We’ll have to make the best of it,’ says one clerk
More news from NHBR:
Remembering 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
Cutting pennies from businesses while gutting NH’s future is bad policy
HB 155 would cut the Business Enterprise Tax by 0.05%. On paper, that sounds “pro-business.” In reality, it’s a distraction that saves most businesses pennies while pulling an estimated $23 million out of an already strained state budget, says small business owner Jesse Lore.
Tough times ahead for many NH families
As 2025 comes to an end, many Granite Staters are feeling the same things. Groceries cost more. Housing costs and property taxes are up. Health care is harder to afford and access.
