New Hampshire's Business News for March 15

A look at today's top business headlines including: Community Health Options to be monitored, PSU wants to unionize, Tuscan Village passes first phase of planning, NH Dept of Corrections overtime has doubled and the state of drug overdoses so far in 2016

Community Health Options to be monitored  The Maine Bureau of Insurance announced Monday it will monitor and post financial updates monthly for Community Health Options, which covers 12,730 people in New Hampshire and still is selling group plans here. – NH UNION LEADER

Plymouth State University tenure-track faculty wants to unionize  In the latest step of a trend of college faculty seeking to unionize, tenure-track faculty at Plymouth State University are seeking to form a collective bargaining chapter with the American Association of University Professors. – CONCORD MONITOR

NH Senate subcommittee says agritourism bill should pass  A legislative committee voted last week that a bill that would redefine agritourism and incorporate it directly into the state definition should move on to the full Senate with a recommendation that it passes with amendments. – THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

Salem board OKs first phase of Tuscan Village  The Salem Planning Board has given approved the first phase of a multipart plan to redevelop a portion of the former Rockingham Park racetrack property and create a bustling, vibrant town center. – LAWRENCE EAGLE-TRIBUNE

Public records show overtime at NH Department of Corrections skyrocketing  While the state’s total overtime budget has grown steadily each year since 2009, overtime spending by the Department of Corrections has skyrocketed. Over the last five years the department’s overtime costs have more than doubled, from $3.3 million in 2009 to more than $8.1 million in 2014. – CONCORD MONITOR

Portsmouth officials approve $75m wastewater treatment bond Portsmouth officials have approved authorizing a $75 million bond toward an $83 million plan to upgrade the existing Peirce Island wastewater plant. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Former Derry elementary school razed to make way for housing  The Highland Avenue landscape has changed after one longstanding structure is gone. – LAWRENCE EAGLE-TRIBUNE

Ridge shopping center on track for spring opening  Driving on Route 11 near Walmart, it is hard not to notice the progress happening at the Ridge Marketplace. – FOSTER’S DAILY DEMOCRAT

House to take break from Wednesday session  The NH House won’t be meeting this week, following two marathon session days last week, when lawmakers tackled everything from Medicaid expansion to banning the practice of bestiality. But the lack of a session doesn’t mean lawmakers won’t be hard at work. – CONCORD MONITOR

Health and wellness tips for your HR department  Employers who embrace worksite wellness are likely to reap the benefits of better morale and higher profits. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW

NH medical examiner: At least 10 drug overdoses in 2016, 86 cases pending  At least five men and five women have died of drug overdoses in New Hampshire so far in 2016, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Narcan in Manchester schools clears committee  School officials in Manchester approved a request last night from city health officials to make Narcan — the overdose-reversing drug — available at all Queen City schools. – NH UNION LEADER

NH House committee hears needle exchange bill  New Hampshire would join the rest of New England in making it easier for addicts to exchange dirty needles for clean ones under a bill being heard by a House committee. – NH PUBLIC RADIO

Baker signs Mass. opioid law  Prescription painkillers will be limited to a week-long supply under landmark legislation signed into law yesterday by Gov. Charlie Baker, who vowed to keep pushing for tougher restrictions to reduce the number of opioid-related deaths. – NEWBURYPORT DAILY NEWS

Stefany Shaheen won't run for governor; Marchand may join race  Former Portsmouth City Councilor Stefany Shaheen has decided she will not run for governor, and former Mayor Steve Marchand is "strongly considering" running for the state's top office. – PORTSMOUTH HERALD

Shutdown of Madison mill is Maine’s fifth in two years  More than 200 people will lose their jobs as foreign competition and a drop in demand take a toll on the state's paper industry. – PORTLAND PRESS HERALD

Mashpee tribe speeds up timetable for Taunton casino opening  The tribe now says the gaming facility could open next year, bolstering its case to Massachusetts regulators. – THE BOSTON GLOBE

Which social media fits you? Before you budget your next campaign, consider where your message would have the biggest impact. – NH BUSINESS REVIEW