News

New Hampshire has signed on to two amicus briefs to the United States Supreme Court defending the right for same-sex couples to marry.

The briefs encourage the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and California’s Proposition 8.

“Because encouraging strong marriages for loving couples strengthens families and communities. We are urging the Supreme Court to strike down these discriminatory measures because all New Hampshire married couples should receive fair and equal treatment from the federal government,” said Governor Maggie Hassan.

Several health advocacy groups object to legislation that would allow health insurance plans for small businesses to charge smokers higher premiums.

Michael Rollo with the American Cancer Society told members of the House Commerce Committee on Thursday that the bill could double health insurance premiums for many tobacco users.

Compiled by Tova Cohen of Franconia.

The newsletter typically announces events in the next week. The calendar shows you events in the coming months.

LENTEN MUSIC SERIES, LITTLETON

The Public Utilities Commission is asking an electricity supplier that was suspended from selling power in the New England grid to explain why it shouldn’t be subject to penalties in New Hampshire.

The PUC wants Power New England and Resident Power to account for a number of possible violations.

Resident Power is an aggregator that gathers up electricity customers and delivers them to a supplier. Power New England actually supplies electricity. Gus Fromuth is part owner of Power New England, and his son Bart is Managing Director of Resident Power. 

New Hampshire has the fourth-lowest percentage of young people in jail.

That’s according to a study released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The study released Wednesday uses Census data and finds that nationwide, incarceration of people under 21 years old reached a 35-year low in 2010.

In New Hampshire, the rate of incarceration dropped 37 percent from 1995 to 2010.

With across-the-board spending cuts known as the sequester set to go into effect Friday, hundreds of the state’s low-income families and children could lose access to federal programs.

The federal Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program would be cut by roughly 5 percent through sequestration.

Ellen Fineberg of the Children's Alliance of New Hampshire says that would mean 1,100 low-income mothers and young children in the Granite State would lose access to the program.

The owners of the closed Balsams Grand Resort in Dixville Notch are playing beat the clock to get an important part of the financing they need to renovate and reopen the resort.

New Hampshire is producing young programmers and designers looking to start their own video game business. And the trick is getting them to stay in the state…

New Hampshire lawmakers are considering legislation that would lift a ban on a state-based health care exchange.

A law passed last year by the Republican-led Legislature bars New Hampshire from implementing its own state-based health care exchange.

Representative Edward Butler of Harts Location is the prime sponsor of a bill to lift that ban.

At a House committee hearing on the bill Tuesday, Butler says it does not advocate for a state-based exchange.

If a series of automatic cuts known as the sequester go into effect at the end of this week, the New Hampshire National Guard will be one of many local agencies impacted.

Major Greg Heilshorn says if the sequester happens, roughly 450 National Guard employees will be furloughed beginning in late April.

For the employees, it would mean the loss of one day a week, or 20 percent of their pay, through September.

“From an economic point of view, you’re looking at a potential impact of about $4 million in lost wages.”

With much of the state under yet another heavy snow warning tomorrow, road conditions could quickly get dicey.  But if predictions hold, travelers at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport shouldn’t have much trouble flying out. 

Airport Assistant Director Tom Malafronte  says the Manchester airport hasn’t shut down because of snow for 23 years.  And for this forecasted wintery mix, he says most flights should go out.

A bill requiring New Hampshire health care workers undergo random drug testing went before a House committee on Tuesday.

The bill comes after a former Exeter Hospital medical technician was accused of infecting more than 30 patients with Hepatitis C. Officials say David Kwiatkowski injected himself and then reused the needles.

Opponents of the bill say going after other innocent employees is not the answer.

Gary Cahoon operates Friendship Manor, a retirement home in New Ipswich.

As the New Hampshire House prepares to vote on a plan to increase the gas tax by 15 cents, the bill’s lead sponsor is working to undo the damage of an email he sent top Democrats where he called the gas tax increase “a gift that keeps on giving.”