New Hampshire
NH schools are currently required to provide period products. New bill looks to end that
Period products like tampons and pads are not a luxury, advocacy groups say
One in four people in the U.S. who need menstrual products today struggle to afford them. And more than 20 states still tax period products.
Ariana Triggs and Callie Carmichael, USA TODAY
In 2019, Rochester teen Caroline Dillon spearheaded the passage of a law to mandate New Hampshire schools provide free feminine hygiene products such as pads and tampons to help students without access and to fight the stigma around periods.
But this year, some Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to remove this requirement, saying it goes against the state constitution.
HB 415 sponsor, state Rep. Katy Peternel, R-Wolfeboro, said to the House Education Policy and Administration committee on Wednesday that while she doesn’t “have an issue” with supplying free menstrual products in restrooms, requiring schools to bear the costs of supplying the products is an “unfunded mandate.”
Why are menstrual products mandated in NH schools?
Current New Hampshire law requires all New Hampshire middle and high schools to provide free feminine hygiene products in dispensers in their female and gender neutral bathrooms.
Dillon, who was a senior at Spaulding High School at the time, brought a mock version of the bill to then state Sen. Martha Hennessey, D-Hanover after learning about “period poverty” in school. The term refers to when girls and women miss things like work or learning time because they can’t afford feminine hygiene products.
Dillon said that she knew girls at her school who would stay home or raise their risk of infection by using socks or newspapers if they didn’t have access to period products when on their cycle.
“To think about my classmates being in need and not having the access to something so basic is just awful,” Dillon told Seacoastonline at the time. “I couldn’t really let that go.”
Dillon also wanted to end the stigma and taboo associated with period products. She believed they should be treated like toilet paper, which is already provided to students for another essential bodily function.
“SB 142 will help ensure young women in New Hampshire public schools will have the freedom to learn without disruption — and free of shame or fear of stigma,” former NH Gov. Chris Sununu said when he signed the bill into law.
Why do legislators want to remove this requirement?
Opponents of the law in 2019 said that it would be an unfunded mandated and could burden taxpayers in already cash-strapped school districts.
Peternel and the other Republican sponsors have a similar argument this time around, saying this law goes against the state constitution’s prohibition on mandating “new, expanded or modified programs or responsibilities to any political subdivision” unless fully funded by the state.
Under the law, schools bear the cost of supplying menstrual hygiene products. School districts can also seek grants to meet this obligation.
Rep. Jess Edwards, R-Auburn, another sponsor of the bill, said that the requirement is “offensive” and unnecessary and that schools will continue to provide products without it.
Over 1,700 oppose removing requirement
On Wednesday, all speakers besides the two sponsors opposed the bill. On the New Hampshire legislature’s website, over 1,700 people signed on in opposition to HB 415. In contrast, 23 signed on in support.
At the hearing, seventh-grader Abigail Banner said that not having menstrual products in her private school requires her to make a plan whenever she is on her cycle. She described one time where she had to use toilet paper because she did not have enough time to go back to her locker to retrieve a pad.
“I could ask my friends for help, but since there’s so much taboo and shame when it comes to talking about periods openly, it would require, well, an entire well thought out plan to not get caught by a suspicious teacher,” she said.
Michael Apfelberg, the president of United Way of Nashua, pushed back against the concern about it being an unfunded mandate, saying he thinks the funding involved is minimal and that it’s worth it for the benefits of improved health and wellness for students, minimized stigma, and raised class attendance.
As of December 2024, 28 states have legislation providing free access to menstrual products in schools.
New Hampshire
Tiger Woods arrested on suspicion of DUI, authorities say
JUPITER ISLAND — Tiger Woods showed signs of impairment Friday at the scene of a car crash in which he struck another vehicle and rolled his Land Rover, authorities said.
Woods was arrested on suspicion of DUI. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said Woods was not injured.
The crash occurred just after 2 p.m. not far from where Woods lives on Jupiter Island.
Woods’ manager at Excel Sports did not immediately respond to a text message seeking information.
This was at least the third time Woods has been involved in a car crash, most recently in February 2021 when his SUV ran off a coastal road in Los Angeles at a high rate of speed, leading to multiple leg and ankle injuries. Woods said later doctors considered amputation.
Woods has played 11 tournaments since that 2021 crash, not finishing closer than within 16 shots of the winner the four times he finished 72 holes.
He also was arrested on a DUI charge in 2017 when south Florida police found him asleep behind the wheel of his car that was parked awkwardly with damage to the driver’s side. Woods said he had taken a bad mix of painkillers. He later pleaded guilty to reckless driving.
Woods won his fifth Masters, and 15th major, in 2019. He has 82 wins on the PGA Tour, tied for the all-time record with Sam Snead.
Woods, 50, had been working his way back to golf from a seventh back surgery in September. He had not decided whether he could play in the Masters on April 9-12.
His last official tournament was the British Open in 2024. Woods ruptured his Achilles tendon in March 2025 and that kept him off the course all season even before the back surgery. He managed to play in his indoor TGL golf league on Tuesday night.
He has kept deeply involved in PGA Tour affairs as chairman of the Future Competition Committee that is restructuring the model of the tour.
Woods also faced a soft deadline at the end of the month to decide whether to become U.S. Ryder Cup captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland. Woods was offered the job for the last Ryder Cup and did not turn it down until June. The PGA of America wants a decision much sooner this time.
Copyright 2026 NPR
New Hampshire
Hillary Clinton to return to New Hampshire | Fox News Video
Hillary Clinton is set to return to New Hampshire for a Democratic Party fundraiser while a progressive leader criticizes the party for being ‘tone-deaf’ by inviting her.
Hillary Clinton is returning to New Hampshire next month to headline the state’s Democratic Party’s annual spring fundraising dinner. A progressive leader criticizes the party as ‘tone-deaf’ for inviting Clinton, stating she’s ‘yesterday’s news.’ Fox News contributor Joe Concha weighs in on Clinton’s perceived comeback tour and discusses President Trump’s recent remarks about John F. Kennedy Jr.’s political ambitions.
New Hampshire
NH lawmakers approve bill that would make judges’ job evaluations public
A bill that would add elements to judicial performance evaluations for all state judges and make those evaluation reports public, cleared the New Hampshire House along party lines Thursday.
The bill’s backers, including Rep. Bob Lynn of Windham, former Chief Justice of New Hampshire Supreme Court, promoted the new requirements as a way to “invigorate” judicial performance, and said fully disclosing the reports is crucial.
“I have to emphasize this provision in the bill as well as the other provisions of the bill were adopted in consultation with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” Lynn said
Under the bill, which was written with input from Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald, all judges – including part-time judges and retired judges who sometimes hear cases – would undergo evaluation at least every three years. Evaluations would include courtroom observations and analyses of how efficiently they process cases. Right now, judicial performance reviews remain confidential unless a judge receives two consecutive subpar evaluations.
The proposal comes at a time of tension between the judicial branch and lawmakers, spurred by recent court rulings finding the state isn’t meeting school funding obligations, and by judicial branch spending and management practices.
Democrats who criticized the new judicial evaluation bill say it goes too far and that the legislature should resist the urge to meddle in court operations.
“Many of us have been frustrated by recent activities coming out of the judicial branch – this is probably a bipartisan sentiment,” said Rep. Mark Paige of Exeter. “But to the extent that this bill appeals as a means to scratch your judicial frustration itch, consider other available remedies.”
Democrats also argued that making judicial reviews public could pose safety risks in an era of increased political violence including against judges.
“Publication would do real harm, inviting harassment of judges as violent threats against U.S judges have surged 327 percent since last year,” said Rep. Catherine Rombeau of Bedford, citing research from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.
But Republicans disputed such arguments, and said public reviews are also one of the few tools lawmakers have to make sure judges are performing their duties effectively.
“Judges are appointed once and serve until the age of 70,” said Rep. Ken Weyler of Kingston.
“All employees, including judges, benefit from constructive evaluation.”
-
Detroit, MI1 week agoDrummer Brian Pastoria, longtime Detroit music advocate, dies at 68
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago‘Youth’ Twitter review: Ken Karunaas impresses audiences; Suraj Venjaramoodu adds charm; music wins praise | – The Times of India
-
Sports7 days agoIOC addresses execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi
-
New Mexico6 days agoClovis shooting leaves one dead, four injured
-
Business1 week agoDisney’s new CEO says his focus is on storytelling and creativity
-
Technology6 days agoYouTube job scam text: How to spot it fast
-
Tennessee5 days agoTennessee Police Investigating Alleged Assault Involving ‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson
-
Texas1 week agoHow to buy Houston vs. Texas A&M 2026 March Madness tickets