News
Construction begins on Quechee fire station expansion
By CHRISTINA DOLAN
HARTFORD — Construction began last month on a $1.3 million project to add living and office space to Hartford Fire Department’s Station No. 2 in Quechee.
Amid public outcry, Edelblut pledges state support for rising NH special education costs
By ANNMARIE TIMMINS
Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut says he is now working with lawmakers to cover nearly $16 million unanticipated special education costs. Two months ago, Edelblut told school leaders they would be shouldering that expense.
Transcripts in Hantz Marconi legal case show key witnesses doubted she broke law
By TODD BOOKMAN
New Hampshire Supreme Court Justice Anna Barbara Hantz Marconi’s legal team is again asking a judge to dismiss her criminal case, this time pointing to newly obtained transcripts that appear to show several key witnesses — including former Gov. Chris Sununu — didn’t believe she requested any favors.
Publisher’s Note: Valley News price increase
Effective Monday, February 3, the home delivery price of the Valley News will increase. Most subscriptions will rise by $0.50 per week. Even with this adjustment, the six-day home delivery price will remain at least 40% less than the weekly newsstand price. This change is necessary due to inflationary pressures impacting all areas of our operation.
Tom Salmon, governor behind ‘the biggest political upset in Vermont history,’ dies at 92
By KEVIN O’CONNOR
When Vermont Democrats lacked a gubernatorial candidate the afternoon of the primary deadline in August 1972, Rockingham lawyer Tom Salmon, in the most last-minute of Hail Mary passes, threw his hat in the ring.
Twin Pines program makes single-family homeownership possible for some
By EMMA ROTH-WELLS
WOODSTOCK — Some of Twin Pines Housing projects include dozens of affordable apartments, but another model seeks to make single-family homes affordable, one house at a time.
Vermont’s top court upholds firing of state police sergeant for misconduct, sexual harassment
By ALAN J. KEAYS
The Vermont Supreme Court has upheld a decision to terminate a state police sergeant for misconduct, including sexually harassing female troopers.
Ayotte turns to familiar names to lead her new government efficiency commission
By JOSH ROGERS
Hours after being sworn into office Thursday, Gov. Kelly Ayotte issued her first Executive Order, creating a new 15-member Commission on Government Efficiency.
New Hampshire’s state budget crunch has been years in the making. Now come the cuts.
By ETHAN DEWITT
The signs that New Hampshire’s business tax revenues might be faltering first emerged in late 2023. Now, they’re unmistakable.
Supreme Court rules state went too far in applying Civil Rights Act against white supremacists
By ETHAN DEWITT
The New Hampshire Supreme Court held that a local white supremacist group, NSC-13, did not violate the state’s Civil Rights Act when it displayed a banner reading “KEEP NEW ENGLAND WHITE” from an overpass.
Board OKs first phase of construction at Newbury teaching farm
By CLARE SHANAHAN
NEWBURY, Vt. — The town Development Review Board has approved the first phase of construction at a sustainable teaching farm proposed by a Puerto-Rico-based nonprofit.
PowerSchool data breach affects three Upper Valley school districts
By CHRISTINA DOLAN
NEWPORT — The personal information of students and staff in at least three school districts in the Upper Valley has been compromised by a nationwide cyberattack on a company that provides database software to K-12 schools.
Mascoma school district to hold public hearing on budget
By LIZ SAUCHELLI
WEST CANAAN — Mascoma Valley residents will have a chance to weigh in on a proposed 1.2% school district budget increase during a public hearing at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium at Mascoma Valley Regional High School.
C&S Wholesale Grocers to lay off workers in Brattleboro, Vt.
By KLARA BAUTERS
The Vermont Department of Labor has received notice that C&S Wholesale Grocers is planning layoffs in Brattleboro starting in March.
Robin Lunge, a Vermont health policy reform architect, to step down from Green Mountain Care Board
By KRISTEN FOUNTAIN
A central figure in Vermont health care reform efforts plans to leave the center of the fray this spring.
No illegal immigration activity reported by NH border patrols over past six months
By JACKIE HARRIS
A new report on the state’s Northern Border Alliance shows law enforcement reported no incidents related to illegal immigration at the New Hampshire-Canadian border in the past 6 months.
Committee leadership in the Vermont Senate sees major overhaul
By PAUL HEINTZ
Nine of the Vermont Senate’s 11 standing committees will have new leaders this biennium and three will be helmed by Republicans, Lt. Gov. John Rodgers announced from the Senate floor Thursday afternoon.
Proposed Claremont school budget up 7%, even with cuts to pre-K
By PATRICK O’GRADY
CLAREMONT — The School Board is proposing a 2025-26 budget with an increase of nearly 7% from the current budget.
Nonprofit pitches new Lebanon site for planned rehab center
By CLARE SHANAHAN
LEBANON — An Upper Valley nonprofit is renewing its efforts to build a residential substance use treatment center for mothers and their children in a new location near Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, though it may still have a long way to go.
NH lawmakers will again try to expand school meal programs, as food insecurity grows
By OLIVIA RICHARDSON
There’s another push at the New Hampshire State House this year to make sure kids aren’t hungry while they’re learning — and it’s coming as advocates say families across the state are under extra strain due to inflation and rising cost of living expenses.
