New Hampshire News & Current Events| Public News Service

Nationally, one in four young people who age out of the foster system experience homelessness within four years. (motortion/Adobe Stock)

Monday, November 29, 2021

Groups: Don't Leave Young People Behind in Homeless Services

CONCORD, N.H. -- As National Youth Homelessness Awareness Month comes to a close, groups will continue working to identify barriers for young people …

If passed, nearly 24,000 New Hampshire residents would save hundreds of dollars on average per year in healthcare costs, according to White House estimates. (Adobe Stock)

Potential Savings for NH Seniors in Build Back Better Healthcare Reforms

CONCORD, N.H. -- The $1.7 trillion Build Back Better Act heads to the U.S. Senate after passing the House last week. The bill attempts to lower …

A single person in New Hampshire can make up to $37,696 and still be eligible to receive fuel assistance for home heating. (rh2010/Adobe Stock)

As Winter Moves In, Granite Staters Urged to Apply for Fuel Assistance

CONCORD, N.H. -- As cold weather moves in, Granite Staters are being urged to apply for fuel assistance, if they think they might need some help …

More than 40% of parents said they would take their kids to the first available place to get their vaccines, according to a survey by Seacoast and Strafford County Public Health Networks. (tilialucida/Adobe Stock)

Groups Work to Get Word Out About Vaccine Rollout for Younger Kids

CONCORD, N.H. -- With children ages 5-11 now approved to receive the Pfizer vaccine, groups in New Hampshire are working to get accurate information …

New Hampshire towns such as Alstead have faced increased flooding in recent years. (epa.gov)

Granite Staters Stress Urgency of Federal Climate Action for NH

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire officials are among those heading to the annual international climate summit, and they are urging the U.S. to make …

Veteran service organizations can assist military veterans with their claims to, among other benefits, access VA health-care services. (Adobe Stock)

Resource Navigator Helps NH Veterans Access VA Health Benefits

CONCORD, N.H. -- More than 113,000 military veterans live in New Hampshire, but fewer than a quarter of them have enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) …

Some consumer groups say stainless-steel cookware is safer than nonstick pans, some of which can contain toxic PFAS chemicals. (auremar/Adobe Stock)

Merrimack Residents: Stop the Source of PFAS "Forever Chemicals"

MERRIMACK, N.H. -- This week, both Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are taking action to combat a class of so-called "forever …

According to data from the Department of Justice, an estimated 33% of rapes are committed by a current or former partner. (Adobe Stock)

Renewal of Federal Legislation Urged to Protect Domestic-Violence Survivors

CONCORD, N.H. -- Advocates for ending domestic violence urged Congress to renew the Violence Against Women Act and other federal legislation …

New Hampshire's Lebanon School District, facing pressure to do away with its school resource officer position, has decided to keep it for now while an outside firm studies equity and race issues in the city's schools. (Michael Ireland/Adobe Stock)

Report: Fund Counselors, Mental-Health Support, Not Police in Schools

CONCORD, N.H. -- With the new school year in full swing, a new report from The Sentencing Project outlines key steps New Hampshire and other states …

Clean-energy advocates said offshore wind will be a crucial lever for renewable energy in New England. (chungking/Adobe Stock)

Businesses, Environmentalists Say Climate Action Urgent as Infrastructure

CONCORD, N.H. -- Business leaders are urging Congress to take action to curb climate change by supporting the Biden administration's Build Back …

In an AARP poll, 70% of respondents said finding solutions to lower drug prices this year is very important. (Satjawat/Adobe Stock)

Groups Seek Medicare Negotiations, Cap on Out-of-Pocket Drug Costs

CONCORD, N.H. -- Prescription drugs in the U.S. cost more than 2.5 times more than those in other countries, and groups such as AARP are urging …

September is National Recovery Month, established more than 30 years ago. (xpix/Adobe Stock)

NH Groups to Rally to Raise Awareness About Paths to Recovery

MANCHESTER, N.H. - September is National Recovery Month, and New Hampshire groups are working to raise awareness about the many paths to recovery …

According to a letter from academics and scientists urging global climate action, air pollution caused by climate change was responsible for one in five deaths worldwide in 2018. (Craig/Adobe Stock)<br /> — According to a letter from academics and scientists urging global climate action, air pollution caused by climate change was responsible for one in five deaths worldwide in 2018. (Craig/Adobe Stock)

NH Professors Join Call for UN Fossil-Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Three New Hampshire professors are among those who've signed a letter urging the United Nations General Assembly to adopt what's …

Most recent FBI data shows at least 7,759 hate crimes and 10,532 related offenses. (JP Photography/Adobe Stock)

Group: Hate Crimes Often Go Unreported in Muslim American Communities

CONCORD, N.H. -- As the nation marks the 20-year anniversary of the Sep. 11 attacks, groups said stopping hate crimes and bigotry toward Muslim …

New Hampshire joins Arizona, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia with its passage of a school voucher program in the state budget. (Andy Dean/Adobe Stock)

NH Voucher Program Could Cost Much More than Expected

CONCORD, N.H. -- Public-school advocates are raising concerns New Hampshire's school-voucher program, which diverts state budget funds from public …

New Hampshire is the 15th state where people who are unemployed have filed lawsuits urging their state agencies to re-engage with the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program. (Maridav/Adobe Stock)

Groups Urge NH Agency to Pay Out Pandemic Unemployment Assistance

CONCORD, N.H. -- A court hearing this week will determine whether thousands of Granite Staters can access some federal unemployment benefits that Gov…

More than 80% of respondents to a recent national poll think police-involved shootings should be investigated by a separate and independent authority. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)<br /> — More than 80% of respondents to a recent national poll think police-involved shootings should be investigated by a separate and independent authority. (AndriiKoval/Adobe Stock)

Three NH Police-Reform Bills Signed into Law

CONCORD, N.H. -- Three police-reform bills signed into law this week are expected to increase police transparency and accountability in New Hampshire…

New Hampshire's overall population has increased by 4.7% since 2010, and that might change the makeup of some of the state's districts. (Enrico Della Pietra/Adobe Stock)

NH Groups: Communities of Interest Key for Redistricting

CONCORD, N.H. - Community groups in New Hampshire are urging lawmakers to take community input into account as they draw new voting district maps…

AARP and more than 80 other organizations have endorsed the Credit for Caring Act. (Ocskay Bence/Adobe Stock)

NH Groups: Family Caregivers Could Benefit from Credit for Caring Act

CONCORD, N.H. - More than 48 million people nationwide become unpaid caregivers for an adult family member or friend each year, and new survey data …

Use of telehealth has risen sharply as a result of the pandemic, and advocates for increasing access to mental-health services say making the changes permanent would benefit many. (Adobe Stock)

Social Workers Highlight Importance of Telehealth Coverage

CONCORD, N.H. -- The pandemic has revealed the benefits of telemedicine, but advocates are concerned some New Hampshire residents may not be able to …

Normanton Farms is joining one of the Agrarian Trust's 13 Commons across 12 different states. (Normanton Farms)

NH Agrarian Commons Adds More Land Along Merrimack

LITCHFIELD, N.H. -- A 63-acre parcel of land along the Merrimack River is becoming part of the New Hampshire Agrarian Commons. The property, known as …

In a new poll, 64% of New Hampshire voters said they think capital gains should be taxed at the same rate as income from wages; 56% support increasing the corporate tax rate to 28%. (Vitalii Vodolazskyi/Adobe Stock)

Poll: Granite Staters Support Taxing Wealthy, Corporations

CONCORD, N.H. - New polling finds many New Hampshire voters think it's important that wealthy individuals and corporations pay what's described as …

The White House says its plan to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices could yield over a half- trillion dollars in federal savings over 10 years. (Olivier Le Moal/Adobe Stock)

NH Groups Urge Healthcare Improvements on Medicare, Medicaid Anniversary

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire advocates for affordable healthcare access want Congress to lower prescription costs by allowing Medicare to negotiate …

87% of New Hampshire kids are set to benefit from the expanded Child Tax Credit. (Adobe Stock)

Child Tax Credit Could Bring Thousands of NH Kids Out of Poverty

MANCHESTER, N.H. - Parents are now receiving fully refundable monthly 2021 Advance Child Tax Credit payments, and advocates for children and families …

Most rental assistance in New Hampshire is used for rent and mortgage payments, with some going towards utilities, home heating, Internet and other expenses. (Joe/Adobe Stock)

Legal Aid: Know Your Rights as CDC's Eviction Moratorium Ends

CONCORD, N.H. -- Legal aid groups urged residents to know their rights to a fair court process as tenants, and to apply for rental assistance if …

A recent report recommends New Hampshire strengthen standards for learning about federalism, elections, political parties, and comparative government in high school civics. (Shane/Adobe Stock)

Report: NH Needs Major Improvements in U.S. History, Civics Standards

CONCORD, N.H. -- Civics and history education are lacking in New Hampshire, according to a new report. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute rated every …

The New Hampshire General Court retained several bills in the legislative session that opponents say would restrict access to voting. (alexandra/Adobe Stock)

Groups Work to Maintain Voting Access After NH Court Rejects Restrictive Law

CONCORD, N.H. -- Good-government groups in New Hampshire are keeping an eye on several bills expected to come back next legislative session, arguing …

Veterans across the aisle point out that one thing they have in common is their oath to serve the Constitution and the nation. (seanlockephotography/Adobe Stock)

Veterans Oppose Attacks on Democratic Principles, Urge Honoring the Oath

CONCORD, N.H. -- Veterans across the aisle are concerned about what they see as recent attacks on democracy by far-right organizations. Some groups…

More than 50% of the New Hampshire population has been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. (Adobe Stock)

Unvaccinated in NH? Get 'One-on-One' Time with Healthcare Providers

CONCORD, N.H. - Health experts and advocates for older Americans are encouraging unvaccinated New Hampshire residents to have one-on-one …

The state budget to be voted on today includes a 24-week abortion ban that would criminalize providers of abortions past that period with up to seven years of prison time. (Granite State Progress)

Groups Rally Against State Budget, Urge Lawmakers to Put Granite Staters First

CONCORD, N.H. - New Hampshire lawmakers are zeroing in on this year's nearly 175 page state budget, but advocates for working families say policy …

In 2019, 24% of New Hampshire children lived in households with high housing-cost burdens, down from 39% in 2010. (zilvergolf/Adobe Stock)

NH Ranks High in Child Well-Being, But Pandemic May Disrupt Gains

CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire ranks in the top 10 for overall child wellbeing, but advocates for children and families say that doesn't diminish the …

Dr. Nick Perencevich was among those at the State House this week who were speaking out against the 24-week abortion ban in the state budget. (Granite State Progress)

Groups Urge Sununu to Rethink Budget's 24-Week Abortion Ban

CONCORD, N.H. -- Reproductive-health advocates are calling on Gov. Chris Sununu to meet with them about the ban on abortions after 24 weeks, which is …

A new Gallup survey shows more than 60% of Americans say they know "a little bit" or "nothing at all" about Juneteenth, the date that celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. (DoDEA.edu)

Juneteenth Declared National Holiday, Amidst Progress, Upheaval

CONCORD, NH -- Juneteenth National Independence Day is now an official holiday, after President Joe Biden signed a bill Thursday, approved by both …

Narcan, which is available at pharmacy chains in New Hampshire without a prescription, can be used to treat opioid overdoses in emergency situations. (Flickr)

Emergency Responders Urge Continued Focus on Opioid Crisis in NH

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- Some New Hampshire cities saw more drug overdoses in May than they have since before the pandemic, and advocates are urging …

The New Hampshire measure that bans abortion after 24 weeks is among hundreds of state laws restricting access to abortions that has been pushed through Legislatures this year. (vivalapenler/Adobe Stock)

Reproductive-Health Advocates Push Back Against Abortion Ban

CONCORD, N.H. - Lawmakers in Congress are reintroducing the Women's Health Protection Act, which would protect against abortion bans and other …

Nearly two-thirds of counties in the U.S. don't have access to a single psychiatrist, and there are even fewer who specialize in working with children. (Adobe Stock)

Experts Share Ways to Help NH Kids Dealing with Trauma

CONCORD, N.H. -- Experts said the pandemic has taken a toll on children's mental health in the Granite State, from social isolation and school …

Bumblebees can die or be rendered sterile by systemic pesticides present in flower pollen. (PANNA)

Gardeners, Nurseries Urged to Protect Bees

CONCORD, N.H. - This spring, pollinator gardens are gaining popularity - but some well-meaning gardeners may not realize they could be harming the …

Nationwide, one-third of all Pell Grant recipients attend community colleges. (Wikimedia Commons)

No-Cost Community College Course for NH High School Grads

CONCORD, N.H. - Community colleges have helped drive economic recovery in past times of hardship, and this year's New Hampshire high school graduates …

Residents of Dover turned out on Saturday for a John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act rally at Henry Law Park. (Brian Beihl/Open Democracy)

NH Youth Groups Urge Senate to End Filibuster, Pass For The People Act

DOVER, N.H. -- New Hampshire voting-rights advocates joined a national call to action on Saturday to promote the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement …

New Hampshire's teachers, like those around the country, have adapted their methods and taken on more responsibilities to continue teaching during the pandemic. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

This Teacher Appreciation Week, Fewer NH Teachers to Thank

CONCORD, N.H. - It's Teacher Appreciation Week, but educators and teachers unions say New Hampshire is facing a teacher shortage. Fewer people are …

The New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a budget with an amendment banning teaching about systemic racism and unconscious bias. (terovesalainen/Adobe Stock)

Groups Oppose Ban in Teaching Nation's History of Systemic Racism

CONCORD, N.H. -- Sponsors of a bill to ban teaching or training about systemic racism, unconscious bias and other so-called "divisive concepts" held …

The Merrimack River watershed runs from the White Mountains down to the ocean in Newburyport, Mass. (jonbilous/Adobe Stock)

NH Conservationists Work to Protect Merrimack River Watershed

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The U.S. Forest Service is partnering with a group of agencies and nonprofits to conserve water quality and forest health in the …

In New Hampshire, vaccine appointments can be found online at vaccines.nh.gov, or by calling 211. (Alfredo Hern�ndez/Adobe Stock)

Groups Work to Educate NH Residents about Vaccine Access

DOVER, N.H. - All New Hampshire residents age 16 and older are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and groups are working to get the word out about …

The New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence urges people needing support around issues of sexual violence to go to nhcadsv.org or call 866-644-3574 to be directed to the nearest crisis center. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Work to Build Safe Online Spaces This Sexual Assault Awareness Month

CONCORD, N.H. -- Nearly one in five women in the U.S. have experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime, and advocates want survivors to know …

There are more than 70,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the United States, up from an all-time low of 417 in 1963. (Rex Wholster/Adobe Stock)

Bald Eagle Populations Quadruple After Brink of Extinction

CONCORD, N.H. -- Bald eagle populations have quadrupled in the last decade, after nearing the brink of extinction. A new report from the U.S…

Research shows that when those who rely on retirement benefits are involved in managing retirement systems, investments tend to have higher returns. (STOATPHOTO/Adobe Stock)

Solutions to Rising Retirement Costs Could Involve Public Employees, Retirees

CONCORD, N.H. -- Cities and towns are struggling to keep up with increases in the amounts they're tasked with contributing to the state retirement …

More than 3,700 hate crimes against members of the Asian American or Pacific Islander community were reported between March 2020 and late February 2021. (wachiwit/Adobe Stock)

Concord Residents Join Nationwide Rallies to Stop Anti-Asian Hate

CONCORD, N.H. -- Concord was one of many cities around the country to hold rallies this weekend, to honor the eight victims of last week's shootings …

Gov. Chris Sununu's budget proposal has a total cost of $6.83 billion for fiscal year 2022. (Timothy Chrysostom/Granite State Progress)

Grassroots NH Groups Demand Investments in Vulnerable Communities

CONCORD, N.H. - A coalition of grassroots groups is urging lawmakers to invest in issues that affect New Hampshire's most vulnerable communities…

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Public News Service (podcast)"
	"Hey Google, play the Public News Service podcast"
	"Alexa, play Public News Service podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the 2021 Talks podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the 2021 Talks podcast"
	"Alexa, play 2000 21 Talks podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

Audio Activation
	"Siri, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Hey Google, play the Yonder Report podcast"
	"Alexa, play the Yonder Report podcast" or "Alexa, what's my news flash?" once you set it up in the Alexa app

PNS Daily Newscast - November 30, 2021

2021Talks - November 30, 2021

The Yonder Report - November 25, 2021

New Hampshire