New Hampshire Public Radio

ISO-NE: Natural Gas Remains King In New England Even As Wind & Solar Climb

New England used more wind and solar power than ever last year, but fossil fuels still make up half the electricity generated in the region. In new data , power grid operator ISO-New England says 49% of electricity generated in New England last year was from natural gas. Less than 1% was from coal or oil. Natural gas use has roughly plateaued in the region in the past few years. It peaked in 2015. Nuclear and hydropower use has remained more or less steady for decades. Nuclear covered 30% of...

Avalanche Awareness in Mt. Washington's Backcountry

When Ice Castles Attraction Melts, Where Does Water Go? Neighbor Alleges Straight Into Her Basement

UNH President: Layoffs Inevitable But Not Immediate

By Sarah Gibson • 9 minutes ago

Staff and faculty at the University of New Hampshire are bracing for layoffs after a letter this week from UNH President Jim Dean about plans to cut costs.

The decision comes in light of a report earlier this month from a consulting firm aimed at helping the university improve its finances. After comparing UNH’s finances to peer institutions, the Huron Consulting Group told the school it could save $10 million to $20 million annually with cuts to facilities, administrative research, and tech and library departments.

N.H. Lawmakers Again Push To Change Redistricting Rules

By Casey McDermott • 2 hours ago

Supporters of redistricting reform in New Hampshire are making another push to put political map-making in the hands of an independent commission rather than lawmakers.

A similar proposal earned widespread bipartisan support last year, but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Chris Sununu.

Lawmakers Hear Reaction to Child Advocate Report on Restraint and Seclusion

By Jason Moon • 2 hours ago

Lawmakers heard reaction on Tuesday to a recent report from the Office of Child Advocate that found widespread use of restraints and seclusion on children in behavioral health facilities in New Hampshire.

The report released earlier this month found that restraints and seclusion, while declining overall, remain widespread in New Hampshire, with more than 20,000 incidents reported between 2014 and 2018.

State Monitoring Two Possible Cases of Coronavirus in N.H.

By Jason Moon • 2 hours ago

State health officials are monitoring two potential cases of coronavirus in New Hampshire.

The individuals developed respiratory symptoms after recent travel to Wuhan, China. They are in isolation and are undergoing testing, according to the state health department.

Listen

Listening...

4:27

NHPR's Peter Biello talks to state epidemiologist Benjamin Chan about how New Hampshire is preparing for the possible arrival of the coronavirus.

Note: This story has been updated.

Local Groups Sort Through Implications Of Supreme Court 'Public Charge' Ruling

By Daniela Allee • 2 hours ago

Local groups who work with immigrants in New Hampshire say they are trying to understand the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision allowing the Trump administration’s so-called public charge rule to take effect.

The rule would allow officials to deny green cards to immigrants who are likely to need public assistance. It broadened the criteria to include “noncash benefits providing for basic needs such as housing or food” used in any 12 months in a 26-month period.

State Seeks Feedback on Plans for Youth Psychiatric Facility

By Sarah Gibson • 4 hours ago

The state is seeking feedback from parents and community partners on its tentative plan to open a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for youth in a recently closed wing of the Sununu Youth Services Center.

Forest Service Seeking Public Input on WMNF Timber Harvest Plans

By Annie Ropeik • 6 hours ago

The Forest Service welcomes public input at a meeting tonight on some upcoming logging and trail work near Waterville Valley.

Federal officials are planning a round of activities for the southeastern edge of the White Mountain National Forest.

Saco District Ranger Jim Innes says the parcel hasn't seen this kind of attention since the 1990s.

Biden Gets Local N.H. Assist As He Makes Appeal To The Middle

By Josh Rogers • 7 hours ago

A core argument of Joe Biden’s presidential campaign is that he's the most electable Democrat in the field. As Primary Day nears, Biden’s campaign is working to target the sorts of voters — older, moderate Democrats and independents — that he’ll need to fare well in New Hampshire and beyond.

When Ice Castles Attraction Melts, Where Does Water Go? Neighbor Alleges Straight Into Her Basement

By Todd Bookman • 11 hours ago

The seasonal attraction called Ice Castles allows visitors to explore a landscape straight out of the movie Frozen. Open for just a few months on a former farm in the White Mountain town of North Woodstock, N.H., the massive ice installations draw adults and kids alike to a world of sub-zero architecture.

But last spring, as the temperatures rose, a neighbor’s basement looked more like the set of Waterworld, prompting a lawsuit against Ice Castles for allegedly failing to control the runoff from its property.

Trump Defense Team Wraps Up Arguments, Setting Stage For Senators' Questions

By Bobby Allyn • 12 hours ago

Updated at 3:32 p.m. ET

President Trump's defense team completed its arguments Tuesday against his removal from office in the Senate impeachment trial.

"I think we've made our case," White House counsel Pat Cipollone said. "All you need in this case is the Constitution and your common sense."

He said the two articles of impeachment passed last month by the House of Representatives — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — "fall far short of any constitutional standard and they are dangerous," a word he repeated several times in final remarks.