Briefs
Former Trump administration official confirmed as assistant commissioner of Environmental Services
Mark Sanborn has been confirmed to take over as assistant commissioner at the Department of Environmental Services, the second-highest ranking environmental regulator position in the state. In a 4-1 vote on Wednesday, the Executive Council approved the governor’s nomination. Cinde Warmington, a Concord Democrat, was the only councilor to vote against the confirmation. Sanborn will […]
State and federal legislation bring opportunities for municipalities to build renewable infrastructure
With New Hampshire poised to receive an influx of federal money, the state’s largest solar company is encouraging cities and towns to spend it on solar. Some towns haven’t applied for American Rescue Plan Act funding because of uncertainty about what kinds of projects are eligible. According to ReVision Energy, a B Corporation (a business […]
Health and Human Services officials questioned about vaccine promotion campaign
When asked by an executive councilor how the state is measuring the effectiveness of its $435,000 vaccine promotion campaign – and how it will evaluate a second $844,000 campaign contract passed Wednesday – a state Department of Health and Human Services spokesman gave a list of numbers. And when asked whether future vaccine promotions would […]
COVID-19 booster shots to roll out starting next month
WASHINGTON – Top U.S. health officials announced a plan Wednesday to begin offering COVID-19 booster shots to Americans starting Sept. 20, with the scheduling of the additional shot to be based on when a person was fully vaccinated. The new round of jabs will be extended to those who received the two-dose vaccine from either […]
State eliminates documentation requirement for gender X marker on licenses, identification cards
Since 2014, the Division of Motor Vehicles has required the signature of a health care provider from anyone making a gender change. Beginning last year that also applied for those choosing X as their gender. But it was never required by law. A Granite State College student has put an end to that practice. Rho […]
Vaccine van launches 17-stop tour of state parks
The state’s mobile vaccine van launched a 17-stop tour of state parks this week and is offering an incentive to anyone who visits and gets vaccinated: a day pass to a state park or historic site. The announcement comes as COVID-19 cases climb to levels not seen since late April; there were 245 new cases […]
Federal money awarded to create new charter schools in the state, expand existing ones
After years of controversy and delay, New Hampshire’s Department of Education has awarded the first tranche of a $46 million effort to double the number of charter schools in the state. On Aug. 11, the department announced the first seven recipients of the federal funding, which was approved by the Trump administration and is meant […]
Council to consider contract to address learning loss among students in nonpublic schools
New Hampshire students in nonpublic schools could soon benefit from federally funded “learning loss” programs to address any setbacks caused by remote instruction. Under a contract appearing before the Executive Council Wednesday, the New Hampshire Department of Education would set aside $1.58 million for in-school instruction and summer-school learning loss programs to help students at […]
Expanded contract sought for marketing firm to promote vaccination
At Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting, the state Department of Health and Human Services will ask to increase its $434,500 contract with a Manchester marketing firm to $1.3 million to continue promoting COVID-19 vaccination through 2022. Under the expanded contract, GYK Antler will still use social media, radio and television spots, and billboards to try to […]
In reversal, state’s NEA chapter supports COVID vaccine requirement for teachers
The New Hampshire chapter of the National Education Association is supporting a vaccine requirement for teachers, reversing an earlier position as cases of the Delta variant of COVID-19 continue to climb. In a statement Friday, NEA New Hampshire said that its board members agree with the national NEA’s decision Thursday to announce support for a […]
New state law requires electronic prescriptions for controlled drugs
New Hampshire has joined nearly 40 other states in addressing its opioid epidemic by requiring electronic prescriptions for controlled drugs with a few exceptions. Pharmacists, however, are not required to prove a requested exception is valid, and there are no penalties for violating the new law – at least not now. Instead, licensing boards will […]
Pair of new laws add to state’s gambling options
This story was updated Aug. 23, 2021 to correct the changes Senate Bill 22 makes to Lucky 7 tickets. New Hampshire is expanding its gambling options under two new state laws signed by Gov. Chris Sununu Tuesday. A third law will transfer background checks for charitable gaming licenses from the state Attorney General’s Office to […]