New Hampshire News & Current Events| Public News Service

More than 90,000 people in New Hampshire live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals, according to NAMI New Hampshire. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

NH backs 988 mental health hotline with local resources

Two years since activation of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, a new report found New Hampshire could improve resources for the mental health …

In 2015, the Supreme Court extended marriage equality to all 50 states in Obergefell v. Hodges. Almost all same-sex couples surveyed reported the decision affected their lives. More than 60% of couples were married post-Obergefell even though their relationships started before 2015. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Report: Marriage equality strengthened families but many worry for future

Twenty years after the first state permitted marriage equality, a majority of same-sex married couples said it had a profound positive effect on …

New Hampshire House Republicans have advanced Bill 1569, which would require, for the first time, a birth certificate, passport or other proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in New Hampshire. The bill would also eliminate any exceptions to the state's voter ID law on Election Day. (Adobe Stock)

False claims of noncitizen voters spur federal, NH legislation

House Republicans are backing legislation to require proof of citizenship to register to vote in a federal election. Despite a lack of evidence…

More than 40 U.S. colleges and universities now obtain 100% or more of their electricity from renewable energy sources while at least 76 schools get at least 50% of their energy from renewables, according to the Public Interest Network. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Dartmouth decarbonization plan preps students for climate-related future

Officials at Dartmouth College say a massive campus decarbonization project will serve as a real-world classroom for students interested in sustainabi…

Fewer than 30% of New Hampshire eighth-graders were proficient in math between 2019 and 2022. Studies show the lag will reduce lifetime earnings by 1.6% for 48million pandemic-era students, for a total of $900 billion in lost income. (Adobe Stock)

NH leads in child well-being but chronic absence rates lower test scores

New Hampshire ranks first in the nation for overall child well-being but trauma and pandemic-related learning loss continue to impact students…

The uninsured rate for New Hampshire residents age 65 and older fell 22% - from 6.3% to 4.9% of the population - between 2019 and 2022. But a lack of providers and high-speed internet access has kept many rural seniors from accessing basic care, according to a new report. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH senior health ranks high, community health workers may improve it

A new report ranked New Hampshire as the fourth-healthiest state in the nation for seniors but a lack of home health workers and high-speed internet a…

In 2023, the number of bills nationwide targeting transgender and non-binary people tripled over the previous year, with more than 500 bills introduced. Nearly 90 of those bills were signed into law, with many targeting transgender youth in sports and schools.(Adobe Stock)

NH parents, educators urge veto of anti-LGBTQ+ bills

The New Hampshire Senate has advanced a series of bills, which opponents say will roll back protections for LGBTQ+ people. The measures ban …

In 1996, Congress passed a law prohibiting noncitizens from voting in federal elections, although some municipalities allow noncitizens to vote in local elections, including school board races. (Adobe Stock) <br />

NH veterans, service members say proposed voter ID law betrays their sacrifice

Veterans and service members in New Hampshire said legislation to create one of the nation's strictest voter ID laws would be a betrayal of their sacr…

New Hampshire lacks many of the fundamental gun safety laws enforced in other New England states, including extreme risk protection orders or requirements for concealed-carry permits or background checks on gun buyers. (Adobe Stock)

After NH Hospital shooting, bipartisan bill aims to prevent repeat tragedy

The New Hampshire Senate will vote this week on a bipartisan gun violence prevention bill prompted by last year's deadly shooting at New Hampshire Hos…

University of New Hampshire scientists are researching how the addition of plant-based essential oils called Agolin in cow feed can improve overall milk quality and production while decreasing a cow's emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. (UNH)

NH scientists: Plant-based oils in cow feed cut climate-altering methane emissions

New research from the University of New Hampshire could help dairy farmers increase profits while reducing their effect on the climate. Scientists …

The New Hampshire Senate has voted to table a bill which would have rolled back some of the protections that outlaw discrimination against transgender people in public spaces but advanced two other bills which advocates say target LGBTQ+ students. (Adobe Stock)

NH businesses, educators: anti-LGBTQ bills hurting kids, economy

Some New Hampshire businesses and educators say legislation targeting LGBTQ+ students is harming both kids and the state's economy as it faces a criti…

A 2022 poll found just 41% of Americans said they feel safe at voting sites, while 23% of Gen Z voters said they are too nervous or afraid to vote. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

NH lags behind other states in restricting firearms at polling sites

Concerns about potential voter intimidation have spurred several states to consider banning firearms at polling sites but so far, New Hampshire is …

A typical New Hampshire child care worker earned roughly $32,500 in 2023 while the federal poverty guideline for a family of four last year was $30,000, according to the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Burnout, low wages leave NH child care centers short staffed

A persistent child care worker shortage across New Hampshire is leaving families with few options. The state is currently short more than 7,000 …

The New Hampshire Space Grant and the University of New Hampshire have distributed 33,000 pairs of eclipse glasses to students, teachers, firefighters and police in anticipation of today's total solar eclipse. (Adobe Stock)

Northern NH offers prime viewing of 'life-changing' total solar eclipse

All of New England will experience some form of today's total solar eclipse but northern New Hampshire will offer prime viewing. The sky will darken …

The 460 megawatt Merrimack Station's particulate matter emissions allegedly exceeded EPA limits by 70% in February 2023. A successful smoke stack retest has not been completed since, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environment Services. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH groups celebrate planned closure of New England’s last coal plant

Environmental activists in New Hampshire are celebrating the planned closure of New England's last coal-fired power plant. Granite Shore Power said …

As of 2020, roughly 29 million eligible voters did not have a non-expired driver's license and more than 7 million lacked any other form of non-expired, government-issued photo identification, according to the nonpartisan group VoteRiders. (Adobe Stock)

NH House passes strict voter ID bill allowing registration challenges

The New Hampshire House passed a bill to eliminate any exceptions to the state's voter ID law and requires documented proof of citizenship in order to…

An estimated 58,000 family caregivers bear some of the burden of Alzheimer's disease in New Hampshire, providing roughly 84 million hours of unpaid care, according to the Alzheimer's Association of New Hampshire. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH healthcare worker shortage leaves Alzheimer’s patients few options

A health care workforce shortage in New Hampshire is leaving Alzheimer's patients and their families with few options for treatment. Patients facing …

The starting salary of a new teacher in New Hampshire is $40,478, much less than the $56,727 average annual cost of living in the state, according to a state legislative committee examining teacher recruitment incentives. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH lawmakers push for uncertified teachers in classrooms

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering legislation to allow part-time, uncertified teachers in the classroom. The bill would eliminate New …

The USDA's Agricultural Census helps track New Hampshire's iconic maple and honey farms. An average of 160,000 gallons of maple syrup is produced each year in the Granite State while area beekeepers raise bees for honey and to provide important crop-pollination services for other farmers. (Adobe Stock)

Ag census reveals major boost in New England farm-production value

New agricultural census data show a significant increase in production value for New England farms over the past five years. There are nearly 31,000 …

More than 700 New Hampshire childcare providers remained in operation in 2022 with a capacity to serve more than 44,500 children but staffing vacancies are on the rise. (Adobe Stock)

NH 'Kids on Campus' program boosts retention, offers hands-on learning

You might say "every day is 'bring your child to college day'" at New Hampshire's Manchester Community College. On-campus childcare programs are …

Backers of an updated climate-change curriculum in New Hampshire said it should include how the crisis impacts the state today, including shortened winters and ski seasons, water quality, local agriculture and sea level rise. (Adobe Stock). <br /><br /><br />

NH youth spearhead resolution to improve students’ climate change education

New Hampshire lawmakers are requesting state education officials improve students' understanding of the climate crisis and better prepare them for a g…

A University of New Hampshire study showed annual rainfall, which has increased more than eight inches since 1901, is expected to increase another 7% to 9% by the middle of the century. Scientists say most of this increase will arrive in heavy precipitation events, increasing the risk of flooding and significantly affecting agriculture. (Adobe Stock)

Farm relief funds in NH would counter climate change-related crop damage

Two proposed relief funds for New Hampshire farmers aim to recover losses from climate change-related weather events. Years of droughts were …

At least 20 states have approved a version of a complete ban on transgender athletes playing on K-12 and collegiate sports teams. (Adobe Stock)

NH House reaffirms support for transgender 'bathroom bill'

New Hampshire lawmakers have voted to advance a so-called "bathroom bill," which opponents said will allow anti-LGBTQ discrimination. House Bill 396 …

Studies find traditional school voucher programs incentivize private schools to raise tuition, using the new taxpayer dollars as a public subsidy. (Adobe Stock)

Despite lack of data, NH lawmakers push expanded private-school vouchers

New Hampshire's program to subsidize private education with public tax dollars is rapidly expanding, but opponents believe a lack of data on student …

Around 30% of election workers nationwide say they have personally been abused, harassed or threatened because of their job as a local election official, according to a survey from the Brennan Center for Justice. (Adobe Stock)

Ahead of NH primary, bill aims to protect election workers from harassment

Lawmakers in New Hampshire are considering legislation to better protect election workers from harassment and intimidation. The Justice Department …

On average, the lowest-income 20% of taxpayers face a state and local tax rate nearly 60% higher than the top 1% of households, according to Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH tax system requires more from low, middle-income families

New Hampshire has the 18th most regressive state and local tax system in the country, according to a new report. The Institute on Taxation and …

Vaccination rates among U.S. kindergartners for routine childhood shots have not returned to pre-pandemic levels with just 93% of students meeting vaccination requirements, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

Vaccine rates drop as health misinformation spreads via social media

Public health experts say the rapid spread of health misinformation online is contributing to a dangerous decline in vaccination rates. Surveys show …

Secession is not just an idea for the states. Rural counties in blue states, including California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Illinois, have taken steps to redraw state lines. (Adobe Stock)

Secession bill returns to NH legislature with focus on national debt

New Hampshire lawmakers will consider a proposal aimed at peacefully breaking away from the United States. A similar measure failed in 2022…

Studies show that structural barriers, such as registration restrictions and limitations to ballot access, keep less healthy people away from the polls. As it becomes more difficult for sick people to vote, the electorate becomes more distorted to favor healthier voters. (Adobe Stock)

NH health care system impacted by barriers to voting

Voting is not only good for democracy - it's also good for your health, according to one of the nation's largest medical associations. The American …

Southern New Hampshire University provided students with emergency grants during the pandemic ranging from $300-$2,000 to cover various basic needs, including health care, mental health services, housing, food and child care. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

Pandemic-era aid helped cover students’ basic needs, kept them enrolled

College students receiving extra aid to help pay for food, housing or transportation are more likely to stay in school, according to new research…

More than 2.5 billion users log into Google Play's online store on Android each month. The company also commands 90% of the search engine market. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br />

States’ attorneys general settle antitrust lawsuit with Google

Android phone users in New Hampshire could receive some of a $700 million antitrust lawsuit settlement with Google. States' attorneys general …

Supporters of New Hampshire's possible enrollment in the Electronic Registration Information Center said it will reduce the workload for poll workers, who already face additional tasks in 2024 due to President Joe Biden's primary ballot write-in campaign. (Adobe Stock)

NH voters support joining national voter-roll maintenance program

A new poll found significant bipartisan support among New Hampshire voters for the state to be part of the national voter roll maintenance program kno…

Since the Oct. 7 Hamas-led attack on Israel, more than 16,000 Palestinians have been killed, with more than 40% of them children. Nearly 2 million people have been displaced from their homes, according to the American Friends Service Committee. (Adobe Stock)

NH activists pressure congressional delegation on Gaza ceasefire

Community members will hold a silent vigil outside the Dover office of Rep. Chris Pappas, D-N.H., today in recognition of the people killed in the …

Gun safety advocates in New Hampshire are taking unique approaches to reducing the number of guns in their communities, including a Guns to Garden program, which recently accepted more than two dozen unwanted weapons, including an AR-15, and transformed them into tools and jewelry. (Adobe Stock)

NH gun-safety advocates advise services, bipartisan laws after deadly shootings

Gun-safety advocates in New Hampshire are urging Gov. Chris Sununu to back policies proven to reduce gun violence following a series of deadly …

There have been more than 400 overdose deaths each year in New Hampshire for the past eight years, leading many grandparents to take on the role of full-time caregiver to their grandchildren. The majority of the deaths involved fentanyl. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Opioid crisis prompts NH grandparents to 'step up' for their families

As the opioid crisis continues, more New Hampshire grandparents are seeking financial help to raise their grandchildren. Already struggling with the …

Across the 44 states that funded a preschool program in 2021-2022, only 32% of 4-year-olds and 6% of 3-year-olds were enrolled, which is still 8% below a pre-pandemic enrollment high, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research. (Adobe Stock)

Lack of state-funded preschool leaves NH children lagging behind peers

Education experts say children in New Hampshire are at risk of falling behind their peers in other states with well-funded preschool programs…

University of New Hampshire students and community members gathered last week to protest the Israeli war in Gaza and demand the Biden Administration call for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties. (Ahsan)

NH college students call for ceasefire as support for Dems erodes

Students at the University of New Hampshire are joining college students nationwide in demanding the Biden Administration call for an immediate Israel…

Each polling place must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the New Hampshire building code, ensuring accessible parking spaces and building entrances as well as tabletop voting screens, which allow a voter to sit at a table and mark a ballot. (Adobe Stock)

NH voters with disabilities encouraged to make a voting plan

Advocates for people with disabilities in New Hampshire are encouraging them to make a voting plan ahead of tomorrow's election, by locating the …

A write-in effort for a presidential primary ballot in New Hampshire is not without precedent. President Lyndon Johnson won the New Hampshire primary in 1968 as a write-in candidate, although he surprised the nation and dropped out of the race 19 days later. (Adobe Stock)

NH Democrats begin Biden primary write-in campaign

Some New Hampshire Democrats have begun a write-in campaign for President Joe Biden since his name will no longer appear on the state's 2024 president…

In PragerU's 2023 biennial report, the company states that young people are being indoctrinated by

Right-leaning PragerU takes root in NH public schools

Educators in New Hampshire say the state's approval of a financial literacy course by conservative nonprofit PragerU spells trouble for public schools…

Less than half of U.S. adults could name all three branches of government in a 2022 survey conducted by the Annenberg Public Policy Center. (Adobe Stock)<br /><br />

NH builds students’ civics knowledge through real-world campaigns

Presidential candidates in New Hampshire may get the most attention but in fifth grade classrooms throughout the state, students are preparing to …

New Hampshire has the fourth-highest rate of breast cancer in the United States, yet more women are surviving breast cancer today than ever. (Adobe Stock)

Younger women in NH learn about risks for breast cancer

Health advocates in New Hampshire want to ensure younger women know the potential risk factors for breast cancer, the second most commoncancer among …

Landfills in the U.S. receive more than ten million tons of leaves and yard waste each year, producing underground methane, a potent greenhouse gas, which is then released into the air as landfill piles are bulldozed to make room for more waste. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Leave free or die: More NH homes put down the rake

New Hampshire yards will soon be covered in fallen leaves, but a new survey finds a growing number of people are willing to leave them lie to improve …

Some of the warning signs of suicide include increased use of drugs or alcohol, talking about wanting to die or talking about being a burden to others. Concerned family and friends are advised to seek help by calling the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the New Hampshire Rapid Response hotline at 1-833-710-6477.(Adobe Stock)

Annual walk builds support, awareness of suicide prevention

New Hampshire's largest mental health awareness event takes place this weekend and organizers said it is a chance to remind lawmakers mental health ca…

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)

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 …

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