Jonathan Lynch

As the storm that lashed the Midwest powers east, New Hampshire's cities and towns prepare to deal with the clean up.

Wet and heavy are the watchwords for this weekend's storm, which promises to dump up to a foot of the white stuff on New Hampshire.

Bill Boynton of the NH DOT says the state is preparing accordingly:

Mayor Gatsas unveiled his budget for fiscal year 2014, which raises taxes and allots more funding to schools.

Gatsas' budget pushes for the maximum amount of new revenue allowed under the city's tax cap. That's just more than a two-percent increase.

The bulk of new revenue would go towards bolstering the city's school system, which has experienced layoffs and overcrowding in recent years.

Gatsas was optimistic that the budget could be hammered out before the city's June deadline, but acknowledged it would be a difficult process:

The House Committee on Public Works and Highways held a hearing on a bill that would increase the state's gas tax and vehicle registration fees.

The bill would raise 800 million dollars over eight years in new revenue by increasing the state's gas tax by 12 cents over three years and tacking on five dollars to vehicle registration fees.

Representative David Campbell, the bill's primary sponsor, urged lawmakers to pass the legislation, arguing that New Hampshire's transportation infrastructure is in a state of crisis:

Governor-elect Maggie Hassan made her first post-election appearance  in downtown Manchester.

Despite the cold weather and late-night election results, Hassan supporters gathered at the Red Arrow Diner in Manchester Wednesday afternoon to congratulate the governor-elect on her victory.

Hassan says she looks forward to governing in the tradition set forth by Governor Lynch, and that she’s eager to work with those across the aisle to improve the state’s schools and economy:

Democrats seized at least two Executive seats last night, breaking Republican control over the council.

Chris Pappas defeated Bob Burns in a highly publicized Manchester-area race. The two men vied for Ray Wieczorek's seat after the Republican announced he would not seek re-election.

In his first bid for political office, Democrat Colin Van Ostern handily defeated incumbent Michael Tierney in District 2.

Young and old voters were out today at the polls.  As part of a digital reporting class in UNH's Journalism Program, students caught up with some of those voters.  Here's a little of what they heard.

Students who contributed to this report: Mairead Dunphy, MaryGrace Kelleher, Oliver Thomas, Shannon Reville, Lily O'Gara, Shelby Lefebvre and Merhawi Wells-Bogues.

Jonathan Lynch produced the audio postcard.

A fleet of monstrous blue trucks arrived in Manchester late Wednesday afternoon.

PSNH president Gary Long and Northeast Utilities CEO Tom May were on hand to greet the Hydro Quebec crews.

To see reinforcements come around the corner with these blue trucks is very rewarding

75 two-man crews are slated to be in New Hampshire by Thursday morning, with some crews driving as long as 12 hours to help restore power.

Daniel Dumais is Director of Distribution at Hydro Quebec and was here for the ice storm in 2008.

Governor John Lynch toured the damage to New Hampshire in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. When the governor arrived at the Bedford Operations Center late Tuesday afternoon, he learned that most of the damage in the area had already been cleaned up.

Bedford's municipal buildings and traffic lights were spared any serious damage, though around 2,000 PSNH customers are still without power. Crews from as far as Texas are helping restore service there.

Businesses in Manchester faced the question of whether or not to close up shop as Sandy continued to pummel the Granite State.

Candidates for governor, Maggie Hassan and Ovide Lamontagne, met in Manchester to debate business and economic development in the Granite State.

A key part of the debate centered on improving infrastructure. Both Ovide Lamontagne and Maggie Hassan agree that the state needs to improve its infrastructure and complete the widening of I-93. But they clashed over how to fund it.

Lamontagne ruled out tax increases, instead suggesting the use of federal government-backed bonds. He criticized Hassan for not doing the same:

The New Hampshire Police Association hosted a town hall meeting for gubernatorial candidates Maggie Hassan and Ovide Lamontagne in Manchester Sunday.

Hassan and Lamontagne weighed in on the death penalty, decriminalization of marijuana, and right-to-work legislation at the law enforcement forum.

When asked to identify the largest threat to the state's public safety, Hassan identified prescription drug abuse as a key threat. Lamontagne expressed concern over cyber attacks:

Law enforcement officials confirmed the death of 19-year-old Lizzi Marriott, the missing UNH student, and have charged a Dover man with her murder.

At a press conference outside of Dover's police station, Assistant Attorney General James Vara confirmed Lizzi Marriott’s death, but said that officials were still trying to locate her body.

Vara also announced that a suspect has been taken into custody. 29-year-old Seth Mazzaglia of Dover, New Hampshire, has been charged with second degree murder.

District 4 Executive Council candidates Chris Pappas and Bob Burns met in debate Wednesday. They are vying to replace outgoing councilor Ray Weiczorek.

Gubernatorial candidates Ovide Lamontagne and Maggie Hassan met at New England College on Thursday for their fourth debate in as many days.