The Bulletin week in review

Good morning, New Hampshire. As you rest up on this August Sunday, here’s a look back at the past week of Bulletin coverage and commentary. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the rest of the weekend. — Dana

By Molly Rains

With the prospect of an electrically independent New Hampshire unlikely, officials must consider how the state could find a less lonely path toward achieving its energy goals. A Republican-backed bill passed in 2025 initially called for the state to explore leaving New England’s regional electric system, something supporters hoped would lower bills for ratepayers in New Hampshire. But the ensuing report, released in July, did not support that hypothesis. Ultimately, it concluded, sharing the grid is a net benefit for New Hampshire ratepayers — and leaving would, in fact, raise costs. What New Hampshire might do in lieu of withdrawing, the consultants wrote, is push for change within the forest of regulatory structures that oversee electric markets in New Hampshire and New England at large. Here’s a look at what changes might be possible.

By Ethan DeWitt

A Department of Education survey of 1,399 New Hampshire teachers and administrators serving grades six to 12 has found that the state’s bell-to-bell school cellphone ban is working, and that educators are broadly satisfied. Three-quarters of teachers said in spring they have seen cellphone use in classrooms either “rarely” or “never” since the ban. “Our effort to get cellphones out of the classroom is paying off, and I’m highly encouraged by the progress schools are reporting,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte said in a statement. Manchester officials agree. Superintendent Jennifer Chmiel says the district is “pleased” with the results. “Teachers and administrators have reported students engaging more in the classroom and with each other during the school day,” she said. But others say the ban is not a silver bullet.

By Maya Mitchell

After more than a year of debate, New Hampshire childcare providers received a direct answer this week on childcare workforce grant funding. In a series of letters exchanged between federal officials, state officials, and an advocacy group, it has been determined that federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, dollars cannot be used to fund the childcare workforce grant and that Child Care and Development Fund dollars cannot be used either.