Governor Chris Sununu announces he will renew the state's mask mandate that was set to expire this week, given the rise in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks. A second mass vaccination effort is planned for this weekend at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. As the House continues its work the state budget, Republican leaders add an amendment that would give the legislature more power over a governor’s emergency orders -- a move criticized by Governor Sununu. And the state Supreme Court weighs in on the school funding issue and considers a case involving the legal rights of those held against their will because of alleged psychiatric concerns.
Air date: March 26, 2021
During today's show we discussed legislation addressing a mental health crisis among children. NAMI-NH encourages anyone needing help or seeking information to contact them at info@naminh.org or 800-242-6264. Mental health professionals urge people suffering from suicidal thoughts to seek help by contacting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is available 24 hours a day at (800) 273-8255.
GUESTS:
- Alli Fam - Health and Equity Reporter for NHPR. Read Alli's reporting on the coronavirus and her recent piece answering some questions about unemployment insurance in N.H. here. For NHPR's up-to-date reporting on the coronavirus, visit here. For vaccine questions, visit here. And dig into COVID-19 data here.
- Todd Bookman - Senior Reporter for NHPR. Read the stories we discussed with him today, including the N.H. Supreme Court case centering on the legal rights of those held against their will because of alleged psychiatric concerns, here.
- Sarah Gibson - Education and Demographics Reporter for NHPR. Read her coverage of COVID & the Classroom and Senate bills addressing amental health crisis among children.
- Kevin Landrigan - State House Bureau Chief for the New Hampshire Union Leader. Read his coverage, including on recent State House debates, here.
Also this week in the news, the state senate unanimously passed a package of election reforms that would give local election officials more time to review returned absentee ballot paperwork/forms/etc. before the polls open and also give voters more opportunity to correct problems with their absentee ballots before it's too late for their vote to count. NHPR's Casey McDermott took an in-depth look at this proposal and related issues.
