Moose Plate Day

Gov. Chris Sununu and the Executive Council celebrated the 25th anniversary of New Hampshire’s Conservation and Heritage Number Plate program by proclaiming June 14 as “Moose Plate Day.” According to a press release, the Moose Plate program has raised over $30 million through plate sales, providing crucial support for conservation, heritage and preservation initiatives across the state. All funds generated from Moose Plate sales are directly allocated to designated programs in five state agencies. To learn more about the program, visit mooseplate.com.

Lobster industry

The United States Court of Appeals recently ruled in favor of New England’s lobster industry, determining that the federal government had gone too far in imposing restrictive regulations, according to a press release. Gov. Chris Sununu expressed his satisfaction and support for the industry’s victory, stating, “I’m thrilled that the D.C. Circuit Court ruled in favor of New England’s lobstermen after New Hampshire supported their lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service. We were not going to sit and watch as the federal government choked the lobster industry to death with draconian and arbitrary regulation. New Hampshire backs its fishermen, and today’s victory helps keep them in business.”

Charitable funds

New Hampshire Group (NHG), the owner of four charitable gambling facilities in New Hampshire, has surpassed $3 million in charitable donations to 164 local nonprofit organizations in the first five months of 2023, according to a press release. The facilities operated by NHG, including Filotimo Casino & DraftKings Sportsbooks in Manchester and Dover, Wonder Casino in Keene, and Lebanon Poker Room & Casino, have played a pivotal role in generating these donations, the release said. NHG is owned and operated by Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E).

Help for Vets

Harbor Care’s Veterans FIRST program will host the second annual Summit to End Veteran Homelessness on June 28 at The Simon Center at New England College in Henniker. With a nearly 30 percent increase in veteran homelessness this year, the summit aims to bring together local, state and federal stakeholders to assess the current state of veteran homelessness, discuss available resources, address barriers to success, and explore efforts to combat veteran suicide. Participants include organizations like Easterseals Veterans Inc., Manchester VA, NH Housing Finance Authority, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Harbor Care, the largest nonprofit service provider for veterans in New Hampshire, seeks to replicate its success in ending veteran homelessness in greater Nashua statewide through their Veterans FIRST program.

Health data

Dartmouth Health, based in Lebanon, has launched a new initiative aimed at improving the collection of patient demographic and health-related information. According to a press release, the project, titled “We Ask Because We Care,” is part of Dartmouth Health’s commitment to providing the best possible care to its patients. In the first phase of the nine-month project, patients are being asked about their preferred language for discussing health care at the time of their appointment check-in. Patients also have the option to update this information through the myDH online patient portal. Interpreter services will be provided at no cost for patients who prefer discussing their health care in a language other than English. As the project progresses, additional questions and options regarding patient information, such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, will be incorporated, the release said. Patients are not obligated to share this information but doing so enables Dartmouth Health to better understand their needs and offer services and programs to their communities.

Air traffic staff

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen has introduced legislation aimed at addressing air traffic controller staffing issues and increasing transparency in the hiring process. According to a press release, the legislation would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to collaborate with the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) to establish staffing targets for air traffic controllers. These targets would be included in the annual Controller Workforce Plan, providing transparency and helping the FAA respond to workforce needs at airports across the country. The FAA has warned of potential delays this summer due to staffing shortages, and Sen. Shaheen’s bill aims to address this issue by improving hiring and training processes and providing accurate information to Congress about staffing needs.

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation has begun nighttime road work on Route 125 from Pinkham Road in Lee to Century Pines Road in Barrington. Road work will take place from approximately 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Friday, until around Friday, Aug. 18, weather permitting. Alternating one-way traffic will be implemented. This project is part of a larger pavement resurfacing initiative on two sections of Route 125 in Lee, Barrington and Plaistow, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 29.

A group of individuals, described as neo-Nazi extremists, targeted attendees of a community story hour at Teatotaller Cafe in Concord on June 18, displaying hateful behavior while wearing masks to intimidate and threaten marginalized groups, according to a press release. Sen. Becky Whitley (D-Hopkinton), Assistant Democratic Leader, expressed her firm stance in a press release: “Let me be clear — hate and white supremacy has no place here in New Hampshire,” Whitley stated.

The NH Liquor Commission hosted a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday, June 20, for the newly constructed NH Liquor & Wine Outlet in Derry. The 8,000-square-foot outlet, at 19 Manchester Road, offers a selection of over 2,600 wines and spirits. This outlet is part of NHLC’s efforts to revamp and expand its network, with over 40 locations renovated, relocated or constructed since 2012, according to a press release.