Year: 2024

Statue unveiling

The Christa McAuliffe State House Memorial Commission announced that the unveiling of the Christa McAuliffe statue will be held on Monday, Sept. 2, at 10 a.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

In a statement, Gov. Chris Sununu said, “The unveiling of this statue — the first woman to be memorialized on Statehouse grounds — will be a historic moment for the State of New Hampshire. We hope the whole community will come out for this event!”

Gov. Sununu signed Executive Order 2023-02, which established the Christa McAuliffe State House Memorial Commission, on Feb. 14, 2023, according to the press release. Benjamin Victor was selected by the committee to design the memorial. At the age of 26 Victor became the youngest artist ever to have a sculpture placed in the National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol, and he achieved the distinction this year of becoming the only living artist to have four sculptures on display in Statuary Hall, according to the same release.

Updated NHDOT website

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) announced the launch of an electronic permit system for driveway permits, right of way activities (formerly excavation and encroachment permits), special events (formerly parade permits) and Sponsor a Highway permits through the New Hampshire Permit Portal.

This initiative is part of an overarching statewide e-permitting system development effort to enhance customer service for Granite Staters interacting with state departments and agencies, according to the release.

The New Hampshire Permit Portal will replace paper applications for all applicants and started on Wednesday, Aug. 21, although paper applications will continue to be accepted through Monday, Sept. 16, according to the release.

The portal will allow applicants real-time insight on the status of their applications, improved transparency, and improved communication with the department, according to the release.

One feature of the new website is that you can request a business account, versus an individual account, according to the press release. A business account allows multiple users within the business to be connected, allowing all users the ability to view, access and interact with the account’s applications, and business accounts will also allow for self-management of account users through an account administrator; NHDOT is encouraging businesses to sign up for this function on initial registration.

Visit dot.nh.gov/services/permits.

Data Privacy Unit

Attorney General John M. Formella announced the creation of a new Data Privacy Unit (the “Unit”) to be housed within the Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau of the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, with the Unit primarily responsible with enforcing compliance with RSA 507-H, the “New Hampshire Data Privacy Act.”

In a statement, Attorney General Formella said, “Ensuring accountability, transparency, and consumer choice regarding how companies handle and monetize the personal data of their customers is a priority of my office. For too long companies have earned unfathomable profits by harvesting the personal data of its users without providing a meaningful opportunity for consumers to make informed choices about how their data is or is not used. We thank the Governor and Legislature for providing us with these additional resources and we look forward to putting these new enforcement capabilities to work to protect the personal data of New Hampshire consumers.”

The Unit will be tasked with developing a series of FAQs that will assist consumers and businesses in understanding their rights and responsibilities once the Act becomes effective, according to the press release.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2025, “the New Hampshire Data Privacy Act will create a substantial new set of consumer rights for Granite Staters whose personal data is controlled and processed by businesses that engage in trade or commerce in New Hampshire,” according to the release.

New Hampshire consumers will have the right to: confirm whether or not a business is controlling or processing their personal data; correct any inaccuracies in their personal data being processed by businesses; demand the deletion of personal data obtained from or about them; obtain a copy of their personal data being controlled or processed by the business in a portable, and readable format; and opt out of the future processing of their personal data for purposes of targeted advertising, the sale of personal data, or profiling, according to the press release.

The New Hampshire Data Privacy Act provides significant penalties for covered businesses that fail to comply with the consumer rights identified above, and the attorney general has the ability to seek civil penalties of up to $10,000 for each violation of the act. The attorney general can also seek criminal penalties if there is sufficient evidence that a business is purposely failing to comply with the requirements of the Act.

Attorney General Formella is currently accepting applications for an Assistant Attorney General position within the Unit and interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to Chief of Staff Sean Gill at employment@doj.nh.gov.

The 2xtreme Monster Trucks Live Show happens at the Hopkinton State Fair on Thursday, Aug. 29, and Friday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 31, at 11 a.m. It will include two-time Monster Jam world champion Bounty Hunter, queen of monster trucks Scarlet Bandit, and Shark Bite, and will introduce the Roaring Rex Dinosaur Monster Truck. Tickets are $24. Visit hsfair.org/monster-truck.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats begin a six-game home series at Manchester’s Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive) against the Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at 6:35 p.m. Visit milb.com/new-hampshire.

Jazz on the Patio at Nashua’s Spyglass Brewing Co. (306 Innovative Way) features Alex Minasian on piano, Marshall Wood on bass and Les Harris Jr. on drums on Sunday, Sept. 1, from 2 to 5 p.m. Minasian has played at many of the country’s most famous jazz rooms and has shared the stage with the likes of Questlove, Clark Terry and Hugh Masekela.