Welcome to InDepthNH.org’s roundup of news that matters in New Hampshire for Jan. 8
Walking disaster (Seacoastonline)
The number of pedestrians and cyclists struck by Seacoast drivers is on the rise and local police say in most cases it’s not the driver’s fault.
Maine to convert to electronic-based court records (Seacoastonline)
YORK, Maine – The decision by Maine to convert its paper-based court system to an electronic one will facilitate a dramatic change for those involved in the courts and their lawyers.
In Elm City, hope despite seven opioid deaths (Keene Sentinel)
Another person in Keene died from opioids in recent months — the seventh of 2016 — in the midst of a drug epidemic that’s taken a tragic toll on the the city, New Hampshire and many parts of the U.S.
Northern Pass Inspires New Legislation Seeking To Empower Towns (Caledonian Record)
Municipalities Would Have Ultimate SayOver Transmission Lines In A Community
D-H Hospital Hit With 1% Medicare Penalty (Valley News)
Lebanon — Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital will be penalized by having its Medicare reimbursements cut by 1 percent during the current fiscal year under a program that aims to reduce injuries and illnesses acquired in hospitals.
Overseer: N.H. Still Lags on Mental Health (Valley News)
Lebanon — An official overseeing a legal settlement that requires New Hampshire to expand community mental health services and find new homes for residents of a state-operated home for seniors with severe mental illness or developmental disabilities has threatened to seek help from a judge if the state fails to make faster headway.
Hassan ceremonially sworn in as senator at the NH Institute of Politics in Manchester (NH1)
MANCHESTER (AP) — U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan is being sworn-in again, this time closer to home.
PHOTOS: I-93 shut down near Exit 4 for accident involving multiple vehicles (NH1)
UPDATE: An employee for the NH DOT reports that the road has been reopened as per a state police report from Saturday afternoon.
Nashua Police, Attorney General investigate suspicious death (WMUR)
Body found on Kinsley Street
Paw patrol; Westminster Dog Show will feature local judge (Nashua Telegraph)
MERRIMACK – After a lifelong career working with dogs, Merrimack resident Mark Threlfall will join the 141st annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s judges panel.
Hassan-Ayotte Senate battle broke state, national records for campaign cash (Union Leader)
Hassan outraised Ayotte, $70 million to $56.9 million.
Real ID driver’s licenses rolled out in New Hampshire (Laconia Daily Sun)
When the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles began offering driver’s licenses that are compliant with the federal Real ID act on Tuesday, Jan. 3, response was muted.
COLUMNS
Jim Kenyon: The Trouble With Dartmouth (Valley News)
As a die-hard sports enthusiast, I probably should be more gung-ho about Dartmouth’s effort to build a massive indoor practice facility near Thompson Arena.
Make 2017 A Fearless Year With Plenty of Time To Snuggle (InDepthNH.org)
Big Dog sees me gladly climb in to bed and knows that the opportunity for a snuggle has presented itself.
Your Sunday Mike Marland Fix (InDepthNH.org)
InDepthNH.org is raising money to adopt Mike Marland cartoons. Buy a tax-deductible ad or click the Donate button and write Mike Marland in the message line of your donation. Call 603-738-5635 for more information. Help find us a right-leaning cartoonist, too.
AROUND THE NATION AND WORLD
Israel’s ambassador sorry over ‘take down’ Sir Alan Duncan comment (BBC)
Israel’s ambassador to the UK has apologised after a senior member of his staff was secretly filmed saying he wanted to “take down” Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan.
Ethics office warns that Trump, GOP are rushing Cabinet confirmations (Washington Post)
The director of the Office of Government Ethics said that plans to confirm President-elect Trump’s top Cabinet choices before background checks are complete are unprecedented and have overwhelmed government investigators responsible for the reviews.
Donald Trump Jr. backs the ‘Hearing Protection Act,’ an effort to ease restrictions on gun silencers (Washington Post)
The president-elect’s son — who is joining gunmakers to tout legislation easing restrictions — says silencers would protect shooters’ ears. Critics fear the devices could aid criminals.
Pro-Trump Californians hope his victory can fuel a GOP revival in the Golden State (LA Times)
It’s a tall order. Republican voter registration is at a historic low in the state, and no Republican has been elected statewide in more than a decade.
Marist High School welcomes back students disciplined over alleged racially charged texts (Chicago Tribune)
Some senior girls disciplined by Marist High School in November after racially charged text messages they allegedly sent were made public on social media returned to the school in Mount Greenwood on Friday, Marist officials and students confirmed.
Compiled by InDepthNH.org, a nonprofit investigative news outlet published online by the New Hampshire Center for Public Interest Journalism 603-738-5635