Welcome to InDepthNH.org’s roundup of news that matters in New Hampshire, Dec. 8
Croydon School Board Members Appear in Video Promoting School Choice (Valley News)
Croydon — Members of the Croydon School Board on Wednesday appeared in a new video to promote school choice in New Hampshire, offering testimonials about their fight against state officials regarding the board’s payments of private tuition with public money.
Speaker Jasper sees a unified caucus for new session (Union Leader)
House Speaker Shawn Jasper, R-Hudson, sees it as something of a game-changer: starting the next session with a united caucus.
Nashua Rep wants reporters to wear name tags at Statehouse (Nashua Telegraph)
NASHUA – State Rep. Donald LeBrun’s proposal to require members of the press to wear name tags while covering the state Legislature is getting push-back.
Corrections employee accused of taking video of woman, girl (WMUR)
A state Department of Corrections employee appeared in court Wednesday after he was accused of recording video of a woman and a 17-year-old girl.
Sen. Kelly Ayotte delivers farewell remarks (WMUR)
Republican U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire delivered her farewell remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday, thanking the people of her state for giving her the “extraordinary opportunity” to serve them.
Hanover Christmas Pageant Celebrates 100 Years (Valley News)
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Christmas Mystery in Hanover, a beloved annual tradition that brings together the community for a choral performance reenacting the birth of Christ.
North Hampton road closed over fear of possible collapse (WMUR)
NORTH HAMPTON, N.H. —A section of Walnut Avenue in North Hampton will be closed until further notice because officials are worried that a culvert under the road could collapse.
Portsmouth teacher who dressed, danced as Trump put back on leave (Union Leader)
PORTSMOUTH — A Portsmouth High School mathematics teacher who was caught on camera dancing to an obscenity-laced song while wearing a Donald Trump costume on Halloween is in hot water again.
Businesses and community ensure proper funeral for Madison Dana (Berlin Daily Sun)
BERLIN – Local businesses and residents donated money to ensure 2-year-old Madison Rose Dana would have a proper funeral and burial.
Veterans will hear plan to close clinics in Berlin and Colebrook at Monday’s meeting (Berlin Daily Sun)
Mineral Spring Cafe opens its doors for the eighth year (Conway Daily Sun)
CONWAY — The student-run Mineral Spring Cafe is open for business.
How Much Did the Shape of N.H.’s State Senate Districts Shape the Outcome in 2016? (NHPR)
Heading into November, New Hampshire Democrats talked a big game when it came to their hopes for retaking control of the state Senate. But when the Republicans ended up maintaining the same 14-10 margin they’ve held for the past two years, Democrats placed at least part of the blame for their losses on gerrymandered district lines. As it turns out, they might have a point.
Hopkinton selects new full-time fire chief (Concord Monitor)
After months of searching for a replacement, Hopkinton will have a new permanent full-time fire chief by next year. But the person taking the spot is hardly new to the community: Jeff Yale is a lifelong resident of Hopkinton and a 27-year veteran of the Hopkinton Fire Department, according to a press release.
AROUND THE NATION AND WORLD
Why is Softbank investing in the US now? (BBC)
But why is Masayoshi Son, one of Japan’s most eccentric businessmen, investing in Trump’s America at a time when the US is seemingly focusing less on Asia?
Giraffes facing ‘silent extinction’ as population plunges (BBC)
Numbers have gone from around 155,000 in 1985 to 97,000 in 2015 according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
As American Dream Miami mega-mall gains momentum, county awaits deal on traffic plan (Miami Herald)
As the American Dream Miami project gains political momentum, county planners have yet to reach detailed agreements with developers on how to address the flood of cars that would stream into what would be the country’s largest mall.
Trump’s selection of third general for Cabinet fuels concern about military clout (Washington Post)
The president-elect is said to be drawn to generals by their swagger and dazzled by their war stories. Yet his choices are striking given his non-interventionist posture in the presidential campaign and criticism of the Iraq war.
Life expectancy declines in America for the first time since 1993 (Washington Post)
Rising fatalities from heart disease and stroke, diabetes, drug overdoses, accidents and other conditions caused the lower life expectancy, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Union leader criticized in Trump tweet gets threatening calls (Washington Post)
Trump fired back after Chuck Jones, president of the United Steelworkers Local 1999, said he believed the president-elect lied to Carrier workers in Indiana. Jones said his phone started ringing soon after Trump tweeted about him.
Trump Is Said to Intend to Keep Stake in His Business (New York Times)
The president-elect is considering turning over his company to his two adult sons but planning to resist calls to divest, according to several people briefed on the discussions.