{"id":25414,"date":"2026-01-31T07:00:26","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T12:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/?p=25414"},"modified":"2026-01-29T18:56:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T23:56:12","slug":"january-31-2026-new-england-news-round-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/?p=25414","title":{"rendered":"January 31, 2026 New England News Round Up"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>New Hampshire<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Judge Throws Wrench in Inspection Repeal, NHGOP Hits the Gas<\/b> A federal judge may have thrown up a roadblock, and Democrats have filed legislation to repeal it, but State House Republicans are hitting the gas on their proposal to end vehicle safety inspections in New Hampshire. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/nhjournal.com\/judge-throws-wrench-in-inspection-repeal-nhgop-hits-the-gas\/\">https:\/\/nhjournal.com\/judge-throws-wrench-in-inspection-repeal-nhgop-hits-the-gas\/<\/a> Source: NH Journal<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>How can a New Hampshire country store survive in today\u2019s economy?<\/b> Before big box stores, country stores were the main place to get groceries or a cup of coffee for miles, but now the country store model faces a number of economic challenges. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhpr.org\/nh-news\/2026-01-28\/how-can-a-new-hampshire-country-store-survive-in-todays-economy\">https:\/\/www.nhpr.org\/nh-news\/2026-01-28\/how-can-a-new-hampshire-country-store-survive-in-todays-economy<\/a> Source: NHPR<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Ayotte taps Superior Court judge, Daniel Will, to join NH&#8217;s highest court<\/b> Ayotte has nominated Superior Court judge Daniel Will to serve on New Hampshire&#8217;s highest court. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhpr.org\/nh-news\/2026-01-27\/nh-new-hampshire-supreme-court-justice-ayotte-daniel-will-nomination\">https:\/\/www.nhpr.org\/nh-news\/2026-01-27\/nh-new-hampshire-supreme-court-justice-ayotte-daniel-will-nomination<\/a> Source: NHPR<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Report Shows NH Building Homes at Fastest Pace in Nearly Two Decades<\/b> One year after Gov. Kelly Ayotte made housing affordability a top priority of her administration, new state data shows New Hampshire is building homes at the fastest pace it has in nearly two decades. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/nhjournal.com\/report-shows-nh-building-homes-at-fastest-pace-in-nearly-two-decades\/\">https:\/\/nhjournal.com\/report-shows-nh-building-homes-at-fastest-pace-in-nearly-two-decades\/<\/a> Source: NH Journal<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Maine<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Frozen Pipes, Heaters Spark Accidental Structure Fire in Norway, Fire Marshal Says<\/b> The Maine Fire Marshal\u2019s Office says a structure fire on Everett Drive in Norway was accidentally sparked during an effort to thaw frozen pipes using a combination of heaters and electrical heat. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themainewire.com\/2026\/01\/frozen-pipes-heaters-spark-accidental-structure-fire-in-norway-fire-marshal-says\/\">https:\/\/www.themainewire.com\/2026\/01\/frozen-pipes-heaters-spark-accidental-structure-fire-in-norway-fire-marshal-says\/<\/a> Source: The Maine Wire<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Susan Collins says enhanced ICE operations in Maine have ended<\/b> In an early morning statement, Maine\u2019s senior senator said the decision came after several conversations with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2026\/01\/29\/susan-collins-says-advanced-ice-operations-in-maine-have-ended\/\">https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2026\/01\/29\/susan-collins-says-advanced-ice-operations-in-maine-have-ended\/<\/a> Source: Portland Press Herald<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Nine Protesters Arrested for Criminal Trespass Outside Susan Collins\u2019 Portland Office<\/b> The Portland Police Department arrested nine protesters outside of Sen. Susan Collins\u2019 office after they refused to leave a staged \u201cpray-in\u201d event meant to protest the senator\u2019s support for ICE funding. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.themainewire.com\/2026\/01\/nine-protesters-arrested-for-criminal-trespass-outside-susan-collins-portland-office\/\">https:\/\/www.themainewire.com\/2026\/01\/nine-protesters-arrested-for-criminal-trespass-outside-susan-collins-portland-office\/<\/a> Source: The Maine Wire<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>As ICE keeps people home, leaders in Maine brace for evictions<\/b> As ICE operations keep people home, city leaders in Maine are preparing for potential evictions. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2026\/01\/28\/as-ice-keeps-people-home-city-leaders-in-maine-brace-for-evictions\/\">https:\/\/www.pressherald.com\/2026\/01\/28\/as-ice-keeps-people-home-city-leaders-in-maine-brace-for-evictions\/<\/a> Source: Portland Press Herald<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Vermont<\/b><b><\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer denies sexual misconduct charges, says he won\u2019t resign<\/b> Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer denies charges of sexual misconduct, including allegations of stalking two women after they cut off contact, and states he will not resign. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2026\/01\/28\/windsor-county-sheriff-ryan-palmer-denies-sexual-misconduct-charges-says-he-wont-resign\/\">https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2026\/01\/28\/windsor-county-sheriff-ryan-palmer-denies-sexual-misconduct-charges-says-he-wont-resign\/<\/a> Source: VTDigger<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Winter weather compounds Vermont\u2019s shortage of blood donations<\/b> Winter weather has worsened Vermont&#8217;s blood donation shortage, with Rutland Regional Medical Center already experiencing reduced blood delivery while other hospitals anticipate impacts. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2026\/01\/28\/winter-weather-compounds-vermonts-shortage-of-blood-donations\/\">https:\/\/vtdigger.org\/2026\/01\/28\/winter-weather-compounds-vermonts-shortage-of-blood-donations\/<\/a> Source: VTDigger<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>\u2018Disaster response\u2019: The extraordinary efforts to prevent homeless Vermonters from freezing to death<\/b> Efforts are underway to prevent homeless Vermonters from freezing to death amid cold weather. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vermontpublic.org\/local-news\/2026-01-27\/disaster-response-the-extraordinary-efforts-to-prevent-homeless-vermonters-from-freezing-to-death\">https:\/\/www.vermontpublic.org\/local-news\/2026-01-27\/disaster-response-the-extraordinary-efforts-to-prevent-homeless-vermonters-from-freezing-to-death<\/a> Source: Vermont Public<\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-width: normal; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variant-emoji: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;\"><b>Facing &#8216;precarious&#8217; future, Vermont State Ethics Commission seeks financial lifeline from lawmakers<\/b> The Vermont State Ethics Commission is seeking financial support from lawmakers due to its precarious future. Link: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vermontpublic.org\/local-news\/2026-01-28\/facing-precarious-future-ethics-commission-seeks-financial-lifeline-lawmakers\">https:\/\/www.vermontpublic.org\/local-news\/2026-01-28\/facing-precarious-future-ethics-commission-seeks-financial-lifeline-lawmakers<\/a> Source: Vermont Public<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Hampshire Judge Throws Wrench in Inspection Repeal, NHGOP Hits the Gas A federal judge may have thrown up a roadblock, and Democrats have filed legislation to repeal it, but State House Republicans are hitting the gas on their proposal to end vehicle safety inspections in New Hampshire. Link: https:\/\/nhjournal.com\/judge-throws-wrench-in-inspection-repeal-nhgop-hits-the-gas\/ Source: NH Journal How can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":25415,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[214],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-25414","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-england-news"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/New-England-News-1.jpeg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25414"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25414\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25416,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25414\/revisions\/25416"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nhtalkradio.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}