Winter weather prediction delays completion of new I-89 bridge

WEST LEBANON — Predicted winter weather this week will extend and delay ramp closures related to the completion of construction work on the I-89 Southbound bridge over the Connecticut River between White River Junction and West Lebanon.

Their New Hampshire child care center closed with little notice. Three weeks later, they opened their own.

By ANNMARIETIMMINS

The crying from the infant room inside this Somersworth, N.H., child care center made clear: Nap time was over. A teacher rocked one boy in her arms. A parent wiped the nose of another child. Kathleen Collins, the center’s director, cradled 4-month old Harper and walked until her wails stopped.

After a year of looking, White River Junction couple finds new home

By EMMA ROTH-WELLS

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Bob Stange expected to be spending Monday morning in a courtroom, fighting his landlord for the right to stay in his apartment.

Charlestown man gets prison time for violent break-in

NEWPORT — A 41-year-old Charlestown man who was behaving violently when he broke into a Newport home last year pleaded guilty and received an extended prison sentence due to already being out on bail while he was charged with a previous crime.

Republicans advance bills to create book removal process in public schools

By ETHAN DEWITT

If a New Hampshire parent wants to remove a book from their school district for being too obscene, the process depends on their district.

NH troopers, police to ramp up enforcement against distracted driving

By TODD BOOKMAN

State police say they’re cracking down against distracted driving, including increased patrols.

Thetford students head to Burlington make their nonprofit pitch

By MARION UMPLEBY

THETFORD — On Thursday, April 3, a team of three Thetford Academy students will travel to the University of Vermont to make a pitch for their nonprofit designed to help neurodivergent young people transition to life after high school.

As part of sweeping cuts, House budget writers vote to abolish nearly 200 positions from N.H. Department of Corrections

By CHARLOTTE MATHERLY

New Hampshire’s prison system is on the verge of losing funding for nearly 200 positions after the House Finance Committee endorsed reducing the Department of Corrections’ spending by 10%.

Woodsville bank announces merger with Bar Harbor

By JOHN LIPPMAN

WOODSVILLE — After 138 years as an independent bank — and the oldest in the Upper Valley — Woodsville Guaranty Savings Bank is merging with a Maine bank that in recent years has made a push into New Hampshire and Vermont.

Women make up half of NH’s population. You wouldn’t know it by looking at the Legislature.

By CLAIRE SULLIVAN

Women hold top spots in New Hampshire politics, including the governorship and three-quarters of the congressional delegation. In the Legislature, though, they remain significantly underrepresented.

Sunapee appoints new part-time fire chief

By CHRISTINA DOLAN

SUNAPEE — The town has appointed a new fire chief, the Fire Department announced on social media Sunday evening.

Three arrested in connection with vandalism of Satanic Temple holiday display

By SRUTHI GOPALAKRISHNAN

The Concord Police Department charged three individuals with the vandalism of the Satanic Temple’s holiday display in front of the New Hampshire State House this winter.

Phil Scott extends motel stays for families and ‘medically vulnerable’ individuals

By CARLY BERLIN

Gov. Phil Scott took executive action on Friday to extend motel voucher stays for unhoused families with children and certain people with acute medical needs through June 30. 

Vermont House approves 2026 budget with eye toward more federal cuts

By SHAUN ROBINSON

MONTPELIER — The Vermont House on Friday passed its version of the state budget for the 2026 fiscal year, including a proposal that would let top lawmakers access more state dollars to plug feared future losses in federal funding. The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration and then would go before Gov. Phil Scott.

House and Senate education reform plans diverge as Gov. Phil Scott demands swift action

By ETHAN WEINSTEIN

The Vermont House and Senate have constructed diverging versions of education reform proposals in recent weeks, setting up a clash between the two chambers.

NH Republicans move forward with three different plans to expand EFAs

By JEREMY MARGOLIS

Republican politicians are pushing forward three different plans for expanding New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account program.

Trump and HHS claw back $80 million in federal public health funding from New Hampshire

By WILLIAM SKIPWORTH

The federal government, under President Donald Trump, announced Tuesday it was revoking $11.4 billion of unspent, leftover, post-pandemic COVID-19 relief funding from state and local governments, $80 million of which is coming from New Hampshire.

Fires destroy two Upper Valley homes

By CHRISTINA DOLAN

GRAFTON — Two Upper Valley homes were destroyed by recent fires, leaving three people injured, including one with severe burns.

Crews work to restore power, clear trees following weekend storm

By CLARE SHANAHAN

BARNARD — Homes and businesses across the Upper Valley were still without power Monday after a weekend ice storm took down trees and power lines.

Andru Volinsky takes aim at fellow Democrats in new book chronicling the school funding fight

By JEREMY MARGOLIS

In the locker room of the Concord YMCA some 35 years ago, a member of Andru Volinksy’s running group approached him with a proposition: How would he like to join a trial team being assembled to sue the state of New Hampshire?