New Hampshire News & Current Events| Public News Service

Civic knowledge is drastically low, with just 56% of Americans able to identify the three branches of government and nearly 20% unable to identify any, according to the Annenberg Public Policy Center. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, September 18, 2023

Bipartisan Agreement on Need for Greater Civics Education

Gov. Chris Sununu aims to inspire a revival of civics education nationwide as surveys show Americans lack a solid understanding of just how our …

U.S. medical costs associated with tick-borne diseases are substantial, with Lyme disease alone resulting in anywhere between $712 million and $1.3 billion in annual treatment costs, according to John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Multi-State Effort Begins to Study Dramatic Tick Increase in New England

Scientists in rural New England are working to better monitor and manage tick populations as climate change helps fuel their dramatic increase…

New Hampshire is currently short more than 23,500 housing units. State housing officials estimate nearly 90,000 additional units will be needed between 2020 and 2040 as the population grows. (Adobe Stock)

Affordable Housing Crisis in NH Alters Voter Support for Legislative Action

The affordable housing crisis in New Hampshire is widespread and a new survey found a majority of voters support legislative action to fix it…

The voter-turnout rate for young voters in the 2022 midterm election reached 27%, the second-highest youth turnout rate for a midterm election in the past 30 years, behind only the historic 2018 turnout of 31%. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Young People Face Greater Barriers to Voting as Turnout Increases

As youth voter turnout increases, so do the barriers these voters face to participate in elections. Republican-led legislatures - including in New …

Studies show elder abuse or neglect can lead to early death, cause harm to physical and psychological health, destroy social and family ties, and lead to devastating financial loss. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH Increases Elder Abuse Prevention Efforts as Older Population Grows

New Hampshire officials in charge of investigating elder abuse are ramping up staff and education efforts to better protect the state's growing elderl…

Effort Grows to Prevent 'Deepfakes' in NH Campaign Ads

As the 2024 presidential hopefuls ramp up their campaigns in New Hampshire, federal officials are considering new rules on so-called "deepfakes" in …

A living wage for a worker in a family with two working adults and one child in New Hampshire is greater than $17 per hour, according to the Economic Policy Institute's Family Budget Calculator. <br />(Adobe Stock)

'Raise the Wage Act' Offers Hope for NH Minimum Wage Earners

New legislation aims to raise the federal minimum wage for the first time since 2008. The "Raise the Wage Act" would gradually increase the minimum …

The five New Hampshire school districts with buildings that have not had major construction since before 1970 are in districts with below-average property values, according to the New Hampshire School Funding Fairness Project. (Adobe Stock)

NH Public-School Building-Aid Requests Outweigh State Funds

20% of New Hampshire public-school students attend classes in buildings that have not been updated in the past 35 years, according to a new report…

Roughly 190 species of birds breed in New Hampshire. Of these, roughly 80 are decreasing, especially those migrating the longest distances, or feeding on insects in flight, including sparrows, according to the Audubon Society. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New England Avian Experts Monitor Impact of Wildfire Smoke

Avian experts in New England say billions of birds have been affected by recent wildfires in Canada's boreal forest and the resulting plumes of smoke…

The story, Tell Me How You Breathe, examines the intersection of eco-activism, social justice and public health, according to the Loom Ensemble. (Loom)

New England-Based Dance Ensemble Explores Impact of Climate Change

Smoke from Canadian wildfires this summer has permeated not only New England's air, but the performing arts. The Loom Ensemble - an …

No Labels will try to reach the 41% of Americans who, in a 2022 Gallup poll, identified as independent, as well as other Americans it says are dissatisfied with a presidential rematch of 2020. (Adobe Stock)

'No Labels' NH Event to Focus on Bipartisanship

The national political spotlight falls on New Hampshire tonight as the controversial group No Labels holds its first major public event in Manchester…

Fall asters (New England asters) and goldenrods are considered two of the most important fall flowers for honey bees and bumble bees, providing some of the last fresh food they will eat before the winter freeze. (Adobe Stock)

Honey Bee Colonies Remain “Relatively Stable” Despite Multiple Threats

Parasites and extreme weather led to the loss of nearly half of America's managed honey bee colonies over the past year, according to a new survey…

Studies show people experiencing outdoor activities reported higher well-being scores and improved mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

'Outdoor Renaissance' Leads to Changes in New England’s National Forests

Researchers with the University of New Hampshire say the dramatic increase in visitors to New England's national forests during the COVID-19 pandemic …

More than 8.3 million U.S. homes and businesses lack access to high-speed broadband, according to the FCC. (Adobe Stock)

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Boosts Rural NH Broadband

An infusion of federal aid is expected to greatly expand access to broadband, or high speed internet service, across rural New Hampshire. Nearly $200…

Four million Americans turn age 18 every year, but fewer than half of them vote, according to The Civics Center. (Adobe Stock)

NH Voting-Rights Advocates Push for Online Registration

Lawmakers in New Hampshire are considering a bill to create an online "election information portal" to help ease some of the burdens on voters and pol…

A new report ranks New Hampshire 4th nationwide in economic well-being but child advocates say the ranking doesn't consider that the state's cost of living is 20% above the national average, putting even more children and families at risk of living in poverty. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of Available Child Care Impacts NH Economy, Families

New Hampshire ranks first in the nation on measures of child well-being, according to a new report. The 2023 Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E…

Guns to Gardens volunteers in New Hampshire are working against what are considered among the weakest gun laws in the country. State law does not require background checks on all gun sales, or limit access to firearms by people in crisis. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

NH Joins Growing 'Guns to Gardens' Movement

Community volunteers in New Hampshire are turning unwanted firearms into garden tools as part of a nationwide effort to reduce gun violence. Under …

Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species, including mussels, barnacles and sea anemones, which settle on reefs and provide food for many other species. Crabs and fish also hide from predators within reef crevices. (Adobe Stock)

Oyster Reef Restoration Benefits Farmers, Coastal Communities

By Lynn Fantom for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

A 2022 report from the New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging found that transportation and safe affordable housing have been top concerns for older residents in the state. (Adobe Stock)

NH Ranks Second in Nation for Senior Healthy Living

New Hampshire ranks second in the nation for healthy senior living, according to a new report. United Healthcare's 2023 Senior Report measures the …

28% of LGBTQ youth say they've experienced homelessness or housing instability at some point in their lives while 14% of LGBTQ youth report being kicked out of their home or abandoned, according to the Trevor Project. (Adobe Stock)

NH House Rejects Controversial 'Parental Bill of Rights'

Advocates for the LGBTQ community are celebrating following New Hampshire's rejection of a so-called "parental bill of rights." Two Republicans cros…

The share of U.S. voters who cast ballots early, by mail or a combination of both in 2022 remained high for a midterm election with nearly a third (31.8%) casting their ballot by mail. That's up 8.6% from 2018 but down 11.2% from 2020.(Adobe Stock)

Voter Registration Rates Highest in 20 Years

Voter registration rates in the U.S. hit a record high in last year's midterm elections, according to the latest census data. Registration rates …

A solar-plus-storage system costs $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the battery size and other factors, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, but just adding a battery to a solar system will cost anywhere from $12,000 to $22,000. (Adobe Stock)

NH Battery-Storage Program Lowers Energy Costs, Emissions

By Sarah Shemkus for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

The total number of full-time statehouse reporters in the U.S. has fallen from 904 in 2014 to 850 in 2022, while the number of reporters covering statehouses less than full time has risen from 688 to 911, according to the Pew Research Center. (Adobe Stock)

Student Reporters Fill Gaps When Full-Time Reporters Disappear

Student reporters are stepping up to fill gaps in news coverage as the number of full-time statehouse reporters continues to decline. State …

A new report found the nation's child population count fell from 74.2 million in 2010 to 73.1 million in 2020. During the same time frame, 27 states including New Hampshire saw their total child count fall. (Adobe Stock)

Report: NH Sees Significant Decline Child Population

New Hampshire experienced one of the country's greatest percentage declines in child population over the past decade, according to a new report…

Advocates for regional food economies say bringing locally produced dairy products to local schools not only improves food security for students, but reduces food waste and contributes to a more sustainable food system for New Hampshire. (Adobe Photo Stock)

Grants Help NH Farmers Keep Dairy Products Local

Dairy farmers and processors in New Hampshire are eligible for grants to help improve their operations, as part of a growing movement to keep locally …

Granite Staters younger than age 40 make up 26% of the state population but only 2% of state legislators, while Granite Staters age 76 and older are 11% of the population but 32% of state legislators, according to 603 Forward. (Adobe Stock)

NH Organization Invests in Young Candidates Seeking Local Elected Offices

Young people interested in running for local office in New Hampshire are learning the ins and outs of organizing a successful campaign with the help o…

Voters in the Governor Wentworth Regional School District recently passed a pro-book warrant resolution, Article 39, which prohibits spending town funds on the banning of books or other content from the Wolfeboro Public Library. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Public Education Backers Celebrate NH Local Election Wins

Public education advocates in New Hampshire say the results of recent school board elections showed families overwhelmingly support their public schoo…

Research shows providing information to consumers about the beneficial impact alternative syrups have in diversifying forests and building climate resiliency motivated consumers to pay as much as a $1.10 more per 12-ounce bottle. (Adobe Stock)

NH Researchers Study Alternative Syrups to Build Forest Climate Resiliency

New England is well known for its maple syrup production but new research shows alternative tree syrups could also benefit both the economy and overal…

Forest fragmentation and the creation of new forest

UNH Researchers Study Impact of Fragmented Forests from Above

Researchers with the University of New Hampshire are taking to the skies to study the state's increasingly fragmented forests. Urban and …

More than one in ten transgender people in the U.S. have been evicted from their homes because of their gender identity contributing to higher rates of food insufficiency among this population. (Adobe Stock)

Study Finds High Food Insufficiency Rates Among LGBTQ+ New Englanders

A new study from the University of New Hampshire found New England's LGBTQ+ residents experience higher rates of food insufficiency, the measure of …

At least 124 bills have been introduced nationwide this year targeting LGBTQ rights in schools and educational settings, freedom of speech and expression, and access to medically necessary health care for transgender people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. (Adobe Stock)

Educators: NH 'Parental Bill of Rights' Endangers Students, Penalizes Teachers

Educators in New Hampshire say a proposed "parental bill of rights" before lawmakers discriminates against LGBTQ students. The legislation requires …

The average in-state college tuition in New Hampshire was $19,457 for the 2021-2022 academic year. That's $4,327 higher than the U.S. average and ranks New Hampshire as the 9th most expensive state to attend college, according to CollegeCalc. (Adobe Stock)

NH Higher Ed Funding Still Lags Behind Rest of U.S.

Education advocates are applauding Governor Chris Sununu's proposed state budget increase for higher education but funding levels still remain some of…

Members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies rally at the Capitol in Concord in opposition to a slate of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, which they say aim to criminalize members of their community.(603 Equality)

Community Members Rally Against Anti-LGBTQ+ Bills in NH

LGBTQ+ advocates rallied at the New Hampshire Statehouse this week in protest of a slate of bills which they say aim to demonize members of their comm…

More than 230,000 residents of New Hampshire, or roughly one in five adults, are diagnosed with a disability ranging from serious mobility issues to vision impairment. (Adobe Stock)

Disability Community Celebrates Life of Advocate Judy Heumann

The disability community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest advocates. Judy Heumann, often called the "mother of the disability rights …

While New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has previously questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, he has said a transition to renewable energy is a

NH Climate Activists Applaud 'Community Power' Movement

More Granite Staters are expected to get their electricity from renewable energy sources this spring, as so-called "community power" programs …

The United Nations estimates that close to 6 million people have been internally displaced in Ukraine while nearly 8 million Ukrainian refugees have fled to neighboring countries and across Europe since the war began in February 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Peace Activists Mark One-Year Anniversary of War in Ukraine

As people around the world mark the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, some peace activists are finding the conflict is not so …

The New Hampshire Peoples' Budget Coalition is calling on lawmakers to fully invest in public education and reverse investments in the state's Education Freedom Accounts, which the coalition says drains much-needed funding from public schools and downshifts costs to property taxpayers. (Adobe Stock)

Broad Coalition Urges NH Lawmakers to 'Show Love' in State Budget

A broad coalition of New Hampshire faith and community leaders is calling on state lawmakers to create a budget which serves the people. The New …

New England is getting hotter faster than the rest of the country, according to the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and it could affect food webs available to the cold water-thriving Arctic char. (Adobe Stock)

UNH Researchers Track Arctic Charr’s Climate-Change Resilience

Researchers are studying the feeding habits of Arctic charr to help predict how various fish populations could adapt to a warming climate. Arctic …

Advocates for gun safety are pressing lawmakers in New Hampshire to follow the lead of other New England states with stricter gun safety laws. In New Hampshire, an average of five children and teens die by guns every year. (Granite State Progress)

NH Advocates Press Lawmakers on Gun Violence-Prevention Bills

Advocates for safe gun laws in the Granite State gave several hours of public testimony Wednesday, regarding a package of firearms-related bills …

At least 36 states have moved to restrict education regarding bias, racism, and the contributions of specific racial or ethnic groups to U.S. history, while 17 states have worked to expand that education. (Adobe Stock)

NH 'Divisive Concepts' Law Stifles Lessons During Black History Month

The state's "divisive concepts" law is preventing educators from holding rational discussions about race relations in America, New Hampshire civil …

Farm Action will lobby lawmakers to ensure the 2023 Farm Bill requires recipients of federal subsidized insurance programs, which largely benefit farms growing corn, soybeans, sugar and wheat, to instead commit to conservation and regenerative land practices. (Adobe Stock)

Farmers Prioritize Food, Not Feed, in 2023 Farm Bill

A large farmer-led coalition is organizing to ensure the 2023 Farm Bill prioritizes the needs of smaller, sustainable farms over large agribusiness …

94% of New Hampshire's more than 1,300 senior farmers do not have a young (under 45) farm operator working with them suggesting an uncertain future of many of these operations, according to American Farmland Trust. (Adobe Photo)

Granite State’s Small Farmers Reap Benefits from USDA Census

New Hampshire's small farmers are encouraged to complete the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture census to ensure they have a voice in federal …

The U.S. District Court of New Hampshire recently ruled in favor of allowing a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of New Hampshire and teachers' unions against the

NH Businesses, Public School Backers: Repeal 'Divisive Concepts' Law

Advocates for public education in New Hampshire are asking state lawmakers to repeal what's known as the "divisive concepts" law, which educators say …

Almost 98 of every 100,000 African Americans have died from COVID-19, a mortality rate one-third higher than for Latinos, and more than double the COVID death rate among whites. (Adobe Stock)

NAACP Workshops Aim to Teach Medical Self-Advocacy

A series of online health workshops from the NAACP of Manchester aims to address health disparities in communities of color, and also help people …

Raising the minimum wage to at least $15 an hour for all workers, including<br />tipped workers, would reduce the poverty level in New Hampshire to 2%, a 75% reduction in the state poverty level, according to One Fair Wage. (Adobe Stock)

NH Minimum Wage Called 'Out of Step' with Rest of New England, U.S.

Despite minimum-wage increases throughout New England in the new year, New Hampshire continues to match the federal rate of $7.25 an hour, forcing …

Medicaid home- and community-based services in New Hampshire were a smaller portion of all Medicaid long-term services and supports expenditures than nationally, totaling 47.2% in 2019, which was also lower than all other New England states. (Adobe Stock)

Creating a System of Healthy Aging in the Granite State

An alliance of health and consumer advocacy groups in the Granite State is working to create a coordinated system of long-term care for healthy aging…

cyberbullying victims said the incidents affected their friendships, while 13% said it affected their physical health. (Adobe Stock)">

UNH Center Works to Prevent Online Violence Against Children

The University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center has teamed up with the World Health Organization to help parents learn the b…

The 2021 New Hampshire Climate Assessment showed since 1901, temperatures statewide have increased by an average of 3 degrees Fahrenheit with fall and winter warming the fastest, leading to a significant decrease in New Hampshire's deep snow coverings. (Adobe Stock)

NH Sierra Club Works to Build “Climate Democracy”

The New Hampshire Sierra Club is working to increase community activism and environmental stewardship through monthly "climate democracy" gatherings…

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