US - NorthEast

Maine community colleges stop requiring COVID-19 vaccine SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's community college system has ended a requirement that on-campus students received the COVID-19 vaccine. The Maine Community College System's board ended the requirement and change is effective immediately, the system said in a Wednesday statement. AP NEWS

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Maine Community College System president David Daigler said high vaccination rates in the state and improved outcomes for people who contract COVID-19 played a role in the decision. Better access to a broader range of preventative and treatment options for COVID-19 also played a role, he said.

Boston establishing 11 wastewater COVID-19 testing sites BOSTON (AP) — Boston is planning to establish 11 wastewater testing sites across the city to help monitor for spikes in the COVID-19 virus. The head of the Boston Public Health Commission said the city is partnering with vendors to create the sites as COVID-19 levels in wastewater across the region have begun rising. AP NEWS

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Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Boston’s public health commissioner, said the city will be sampling water from the sites on a weekly basis. Ojikutu said the testing will also help the city monitor for the appearance of new variants of the disease.

Ex-lawmaker pleads guilty in theft of $1.2M in COVID-19 aid HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A former Connecticut state representative pleaded guilty Tuesday in connection with the theft of more than $1.2 million in federal coronavirus relief funds from the city of West Haven, using some of the money for gambling at a casino, according to prosecutors. AP NEWS

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