Union Leader

DENVER-New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley took personal responsibility for a story that appeared in this morning's Union Leader.

The article quotes Buckley has saying that a recent Democratic commission, formed to change the primary system, would not affect the New Hampshire primary, but state Sen. Lou D'Allesandro (D-Manchester) said in the same article that there is a "50-50" percent that the Granite State would not retain the first-in-the-nation primary.

The Union Leader has endorsed Jennifer Horn (R-Nashua) in the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary.

"Horn, a former newspaper columnist and radio talk show host, understands the issues of the day very well. And she comes down on the right side of them, too," the editorial board wrote. "We found her views to be well-reasoned and articulate. She understands the need to reduce spending and shrink the size of government, and not just around the edges. She is a strong advocate of tackling the runaway entitlement spending that leads to high taxes and slowed economic growth."

New Hampshire's largest newspaper has endorsed former Health and Human Services Commissioner John Stephen (R-Manchester) in the 1st Congressional District Republican primary.

The Union Leader cited Stephen's fiscal record for the reason behind their endorsement.

The Business Industry Association (BIA) will be presenting two candidate forums in September to discuss small business issues

One forum will feature U.S. Sen. John Sununu (R-Waterville Valley) and former Gov. Jeanne Shaheen (D-Madbury) and the other will have Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton) and state Sen. Joe Kenney (R-Wakefield).

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told The Union Leader that he has to closely examine the possibility of opening Seabrook Unit 2. The unit is a part of the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant located on the New Hampshire Seacoast but the unit has never been opened.

"I've been told, and I'm not an expert on it, but I've been told that that may have some viability," MCain told The Union Leader's John DiStaso. "But I'd like to look at it some more."

WMUR'S Close-Up focused on Manchester potentially increasing parking fees and "air quality action days."

The Union Leader's Scott Brooks and Manchester's parking manager Brandy Sullivan discussed the impact of changing the Queen City's parking fee structure. Sullivan said she would be reaching out to businesses to explain the potential changes and over the long-term the changes would have a positive impact on the city. Brooks explained that there was almost no discussion among the Aldermen and said "I think there's going to be some grumbling at first, but there's a lot of components so it's confusing."

According to The Union Leader, a Portsmouth District Court has set Gary Dodds bail at $25,000 for personal recognizance and $10,000 cash.

Dodds, who was convicted earlier this year of staging his own disappearance in an attempt to promote his 2006 congressional bid, was charged this morning with simple assault and bail violations stemming from an altercation with his wife, last Thursday. A hearing will be held tomorrow to determine whether or not to revoke Dodds' bail.

Gary Dodds wife is seeking a divorce, The Union Leader is reporting. The divorce papers were filed on June 20 but have been kept sealed by the Portsmouth District Court.

The report comes after Dodds was arrested for assaulting a female last Thursday. Foster's Daily Democrat reported that the female was Dodds wife, Cindy. In May Dodds was arrested in Florida for assaulting his wife.

The historic Merrimack Restaurant has officially closed its doors.

Almost every presidential candidate has visited the famed Manchester eatery since the early 1980s.

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley has endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Buckley will make the announcement in an editorial in tomorrow's Union Leader.