Jackie Harris

2 weeks ago | nhpr.org | Rick Ganley |Jackie Harris

New Hampshire’s top corrections official resigned this week without explanation ending a more than two decade career with the department. Commissioner Helen Hanks oversaw the Department of Corrections for eight years until this week. Tensions had been brewing between Hanks and top New Hampshire Republicans. And the number of Canadians visiting the U.S. declined in recent months and state officials are expecting a drop in tourists from our northern neighbors this summer.

1 month ago | nhpr.org | Jackie Harris |Rick Ganley

Advocates for crime victims are celebrating a new state Supreme Court ruling that makes it harder for defendants to access their accuser's mental health treatment history. The court handed down its decision after a man charged with sexually assaulting a minor tried to get ahold of his accuser’s mental health records in court. The accuser’s counseling center informed her that the defense requested her records without her permission and she objected.

1 month ago | nhpr.org | Jackie Harris |Rick Ganley

Lawmakers are crafting the state’s budget for the next two years, and one area facing a shortfall is the settlement fund for alleged victims of abuse at the state’s Youth Development Center. How does that settlement process work, and what would happen if lawmakers don’t fund it? We hear from the settlement fund’s administrator, former New Hampshire Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick.

1 month ago | nhpr.org | Jackie Harris |Rick Ganley

The man overseeing New Hampshire’s settlement fund for people abused at the Youth Development Center says the state has an obligation to compensate those who suffered while in state custody. Former State Supreme Court Chief Justice John Broderick was appointed to oversee the settlement fund when it was set up in 2022. Since then, he has been meeting personally with victims to help structure financial settlements as an alternative to civil lawsuits.

2 months ago | nhpr.org | Jackie Harris |Rick Ganley

Congressman Chris Pappas announced this week he’s running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. Shaheen announced last month that she won’t be seeking election. The New Hampshire House Finance Committee voted this week to make steep cuts to government spending in its proposed state budget for the next two years. And the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has tapped Mark Sanborn to be the next Regional Administrator for New England.