Politics
NH House Passes Bill Easing Zoning for Home Child Care
The New Hampshire House passed HB 1195, removing certain zoning barriers for home-based child care programs and small centers licensed for 30 or fewer children.
Sofia Martinez
Politics & Advocacy Reporter
Sofia Martinez is a junior from Houston, Texas, majoring in Government & Public Policy. A Latina with campaign experience, she brings strong opinions shaped by activism to her coverage of politics, equity, and accountability at Dartmouth and in the Upper Valley. Her writing is persuasive, bold, and focused on justice.
sofia@dartmouthindependent.com
Covers: Politics, Activism, Justice, Campus
Articles by Sofia Martinez (25)
News
Rodolphe 'Rod' James Vallee, 88, Dies in Georgia, Vermont
Rod Vallee, a beloved Franklin County businessman and conservationist who built the Maplefields brand, died peacefully at home on March 12, 2026.
Politics
NH Executive Council Approves $130M Rural Health Contracts
New Hampshire's Executive Council unanimously approved $130 million in contracts for the GO-NORTH rural health initiative after brief transparency concerns.
Politics
GOP Food Aid Cuts Threaten Farm Bill Coalition
House Agriculture Committee passed a farm bill 34-17, but Republican SNAP cuts made outside negotiations threaten the decades-old rural-urban coalition.
Politics
Seabrook's Neighbors Weigh In on New Hampshire Nuclear Plans
As New Hampshire debates advanced nuclear energy, Seacoast residents with decades of experience living near Seabrook Station offer a unique perspective.
Politics
6 US Troops Killed in KC-135 Crash in Iraq During Iran War
Six American service members died when a KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq, raising the US death toll in the Iran war to 13.
Politics
NH Disability System: 25 Deaths, 81 Abuse Cases in Late 2025
New Hampshire's disability care system recorded 25 deaths and 81 abuse, neglect, or exploitation cases in the second half of 2025, state records show.
Politics
Senate Dems Demand Pentagon Probe Into Iran School Strike
46 Senate Democrats are calling on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to investigate a U.S. missile strike that killed 168 people at an Iranian girls' school.
Politics
Living With Long COVID in 2026: Three NH Residents' Stories
Three New Hampshire residents share their struggles navigating year four or five of long COVID, as conditions worsen and federal support becomes uncertain.
News
Loralee Tester: Vermont Land Policy Excludes Rural Communities
Northeast Kingdom Chamber director Loralee Tester argues Vermont's land-use laws condescend to and exclude the rural communities they claim to protect.
Politics
Trump Replaces Kristi Noem With Sen. Mullin as DHS Secretary
President Trump announced Kristi Noem will leave DHS by March 31, nominating Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead the department amid bipartisan criticism.
Politics
School Choice Programs Expand Rapidly Across the US
At least 17 states are expected to have universal school choice programs by 2026-27, but surging demand is straining state budgets and raising funding questions.
Politics
Republicans Use 1996 Law to Roll Back Public Land Protections
Congressional Republicans are using the Congressional Review Act to revoke federal land management plans, a move legal experts warn could trigger sweeping unintended consequences.
Technology
Warm Weather Pattern Brings 60-Degree Temperatures to New Hampshire This Week
New Hampshire residents can expect a significant warm-up this week, with temperatures climbing into the 60s across much of the state, according to meteorological forecasts.
Real-estate
Vermont Families Push for Group Housing for Adults with Disabilities
A growing coalition of Vermont families is advocating for a new housing model that would allow adults with developmental disabilities to live together with professional support, moving beyond the current limited options of staying with parents or entering foster care.
Technology
Dartmouth Secures Top 100 Global Patent Ranking for Third Straight Year
Dartmouth has earned a spot among the top 100 universities worldwide for patents granted in the United States, according to the National Academy of Inventors. The achievement marks the third consecutive year Dartmouth appears in the international ranking and the 10th year overall the university has made the list.
Politics
Advocates Propose 3% Income Tax to Cut Property Taxes, Drawing Bipartisan Opposition
A controversial proposal to institute New Hampshire's first statewide income tax in exchange for dramatically reduced property taxes sparked fierce opposition from both parties Tuesday, though supporters argue the plan would provide relief to struggling homeowners.
Real-estate
Chittenden County Declines to Prosecute 13 ICE Facility Protesters
Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George announced Thursday that her office will not prosecute 13 protesters who were cited for criminal trespass during a February 9 sit-in at a Williston office building housing federal immigration operations.
Technology
NH Secretary of State Calls FBI Election Meeting 'Routine' Amid Federal Legal Battle
New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan described a recent meeting with federal officials about the 2026 midterm elections as routine, despite ongoing tensions between the state and federal government over voter information.
Real-estate
Vermont Lawmakers Advance Bills to Regulate Data Centers Before They Arrive
Vermont lawmakers are moving to establish regulations for large-scale data centers before the facilities arrive in the state, as developers have begun exploring opportunities in the region.
Technology
Vermont Changes Foster Parent Licensing Rules Following Religious Freedom Lawsuits
The Vermont Department for Children and Families has revised its foster parent licensing guidance as part of two legal settlements, removing requirements that prospective parents affirm LGBTQ+ youth gender identities before receiving licenses.
Business
German Laser Technology Company LPKF Sees 25.7% Jump in Short Interest
LPKF Laser & Electronics SE, a German technology company specializing in laser-based solutions, experienced a significant increase in short interest during January, according to trading data.
Local-news
Local Driver Returns to School, Pursues Psychology Degree While Serving Community
Samantha, a Franklin County transportation driver, has transformed her life through education while continuing to serve clients who depend on her for rides to medical appointments and essential errands.
Technology
Dartmouth Trustees Endorse Free Speech Principles, Outline Six Strategic Research Areas
Dartmouth's Board of Trustees formally endorsed the college's policies on institutional restraint and freedom of expression during its January 29-31 meeting in Hanover, while also reviewing plans to s...
Campus
Dartmouth Engineers Create Brain Implant That Regrows Skull
Thayer School researchers develop neural implant that strengthens surrounding skull bone, potentially making brain surgery safer for patients with neurological conditions.