House Bill 751 could change education as we know it.

The Republican-backed bill would create a statewide open enrollment system requiring public schools to accept out-of-district students if they have space, with tuition money following the child. Supporters say it gives families more choice and keeps public dollars in public schools. But the New Hampshire School Administrators Association warns it could override local control and strain school budgets, especially in less wealthy towns.

What do you think of open enrollment? Hit reply and let us know!

👉 Read the full story: School leaders oppose open enrollment measure

Here’s what else we’re covering today:

🚨 ER wait times are shorter in NH, according to a study

📢 Question of the week: Is it really time to move on from the Epstein files?

🌞 The bright side: Your local good news roundup

💪 Nominate a local hero, and we’ll feature them in this newsletter

P.S. It’s the (Lunar) new year—spread knowledge, not clutter. This newsletter is free and easy to share.

(Camilo Jimenez/Unsplash)

By USA Today via Reuters Connect 

If you’ve ever sat in an emergency room staring at the clock, you know every minute feels longer than it is.

According to a new analysis from Becker’s Hospital Review, New Hampshire ranks among the states with shorter emergency room wait times compared to much of New England.

While no one wants to spend over two hours waiting for care, New Hampshire’s average is significantly shorter than our southern neighbors—nearly an hour and a half faster than Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

Of course, actual wait times can vary widely depending on the hospital, time of day, and severity of cases. But regionally, the Granite State is faring better than most of New England when it comes to time spent in the ER.

On Feb. 11, Attorney General Pam Bondi testified on Capitol Hill about the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein files. Rather than answer many of the questions directly, Bondi deflected and fired personalized criticisms at the Democratic senators questioning her, echoing President Donald Trump’s call on Feb. 3 to “move on” from the matter.

Trump is mentioned more than 38,000 times across documents released by the Justice Department on Jan. 30. Many of the files are heavily redacted—victims’ names are visible, while alleged perpetrators’ identities are blacked out.

So this week’s question is…

Is it really time to move on from the Epstein files?

Here’s what you’re saying…

“I agree with most of the comments posted regarding moving on from the Epstein files. Of course we should not move on until justice has been served. Not sure if we’ll ever get to the truth when so many pages are redacted. I wonder who they’re protecting?” — Linda Williams

“Nope, not a chance. Those involved must be held accountable for their atrocious offenses. I am hoping the European leaders will disclose the lot of them! The victims deserve restitution and abusers deserve sentencing.” — Margaret Prolman

“I hope the men in those files are held accountable! These people are criminals and should be prosecuted. I’m pretty cynical at this stage of life. It seems like if you’re wealthy and white in America you can get away with anything.” — Debra Cinnamon Whalen 

Granite Goodness Live is coming to 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Feb. 20 for a night celebrating New Hampshire’s fast-growing podcast scene.

Host Andy DeMeo will bring together some of the Granite State’s most thoughtful independent creators for two live, 40-minute conversations (with a short intermission), exploring how local podcasts are shaping dialogue around policy, art, business, creativity, and community. The evening opens with a performance by indie-folk favorite Sneaky Miles.

Guests include voices behind NH Uncharted, Creative Guts, Seacoast Stories, New Hampshire Has Issues, One Quick Thing, and Telltalks Northeast—podcasts that break down policy, spotlight artists and entrepreneurs, spark civic engagement, and connect communities across New Hampshire and beyond.

Buy tickets here.

The following briefs are presented in partnership with Granite Goodness. Subscribe today.

🏔️ 230 acres conserved atop NH’s Mount Kearsarge for future generations

NH’s Forest Society has permanently protected 230 acres of high-elevation forest at Mount Kearsarge, securing some of the last private inholdings within the state forest. The conservation strengthens a 9,500-acre protected corridor and prevents future private development on the summit. — Society for the Protection of NH Forests

📈 Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont break 5% growth in Q4 2025

Connecticut’s economy grew 5.6% in the third quarter of 2025, one of the fastest rates in the nation, with New Hampshire (5.5%) and Vermont (5%) also posting strong gains. Rhode Island (4.4%), Maine (3.8%), and Massachusetts (3.3%) all saw continued growth, showing broad economic momentum across New England. — Westfair Online

🧠 Dartmouth engineers create implant that helps skull regrow naturally

Dartmouth researchers have developed a neural implant that encourages the skull to regrow around it, allowing safer, longer-term access to the brain without metal plates or repeat surgeries. The breakthrough could improve treatments for conditions like Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and brain injuries. — Dartmouth College

💙 Know someone in New Hampshire who’s doing something worth celebrating? Whether it’s a neighbor, volunteer, small business owner, artist, or community leader, we want to hear about it! Send us their name, what they’re doing, and why it matters to you at info@granitepostnews.com.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Katy Savage with stories from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect and Granite Goodness. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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