CONCORD: The members of the U.S. House of Representatives from northern New England are urging the Department of Homeland Security to safely reopen the U.S.-Canadian border, noting that Canadian tourists are vital contributors to the region’s economy. Canadian tourists spent an average of $19 billion in the U.S., with a portion focused in northern New England, the Democrats wrote in the letter dated Thursday to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The letter led, by U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster, D-NH, also was signed by U.S. Reps. Chris Pappas, D-NH, Peter Welch, D-Vt., Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, and Jared Golden, D-Maine.

CONCORD: The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is close to gaining approval to become a direct shipper of alcohol, with the House set to pass legislation that would send the longheld priority to Gov. Chris Sununu’s desk. The bill, which awaits the governor’s signature, would allow the commission to begin partnering with liquor manufacturers and build up on online sales business outside the Granite State. Testifying before a Senate Committee in January, the commission’s chair, Joseph Mollica, said the bill would allow the commission to set up its direct shipment business as early as September 2021.

DALTON: Dalton town meeting voters voted 135-130 to approve a measure to extend temporary emergency zoning for another year. Those in support of the measure said it will help prevent a proposed landfill from being sited next to Forest Lake State Park. The town has had temporary emergency zoning in place since 2019, when Casella Waste Systems first made its plans to develop a new landfill known to the town. There has also become a statewide debate about whether additional environmental protections are necessary to preserve the state’s parks and protect the tourism industry.

MANCHESTER: The New Hampshire Food Bank eliminated shared maintenance fees on June 1, accomplishing a goal that will save New Hampshire’s soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters, family crisis centers and after-school programs a combined $400,000 each year, officials said. The Food Bank has been charging its partner agencies a per-pound fee to cover the cost of warehousing and distributing food.

LAS VEGAS: Gov. Steve Sisolak has signed into law a bill that would make Nevada the first to vote on the 2024 presidential primary contests, bumping Iowa and New Hampshire from their lead-off spots. Both states have signaled they are willing to fight to protect their status, and New Hampshire has a state law requiring its presidential primary to be held at least seven days ahead of any other similar contest.

CONCORD: Conduent Inc. has won a contract from the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid beneficiaries in the state with secure access to their personal health information. Conduent’s web portal is aimed at improving how information is exchanged between payers, providers and patients, along with support for efficient care coordination. DHHS has been a client of Conduent since 2013, and the company currently provides the department with Medicaid claims processing and provider services as well as management of its Medicaid Management Information System.

LACONIA: The Belknap Economic Development Council and three partner regional development corporations will be allocating more than $240,000 to support small business development in the region. Working with the New Hampshire Small Business Development Center, the organization will be able to directly support businesses with accessing technical assistance, business plan development and other resources through a Community Development Block Grant administered by the New Hampshire Community Development Finance Authority is for low- to moderateincome microenterprises. For more details, visit belknapedc.org.

TILTON: Avlite Systems of Tilton has won a $23.5 million contract with the U.S. Air Force to upgrade airfield lighting systems. Under the contract, which was announced by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-NH, Avlite will manufacture and deliver high-mobility airfield lighting systems, which can be rapidly deployed during operations around the world. Each system contains portable solar LED airfield lighting for a 10,000-foot runway.