ST. PAUL — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will be in New Hampshire this weekend on behalf of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.

A Walz adviser says the governor will appear at organizing kickoffs and smaller-scale rallies in New Hampshire on Sunday, Aug. 4. He is no stranger in New Hampshire. He was in the Granite State for a Democratic fundraiser earlier this year.

Harris has picked up on Walz’s choice of the word “weird” to describe the Donald Trump-JD Vance GOP ticket. And speculation continues to mount over whether Harris will ask Walz to join the Democratic ticket as her vice presidential running mate.

Walz has been a frequent guest on national news programs in recent days. And former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appears to be Walz fan. A source familiar with the California Democrat’s thinking told The Hill she “is always especially fond of former House colleagues” when asked about Harris’ running mate, a nod to Walz.

In public remarks Thursday after an unrelated press conference, Walz didn’t acknowledge being in the final mix. But he said it’s been surreal being part of a shortlist of candidates considered. He avoided questions about whether Harris’ campaign is vetting him for the post or requesting an interview.

“I’m not interviewing for anything, I’m just am who I am and put it out there,” Walz said. “I think that’s a decision that needs to be made by the vice president, and she will make it [based] on what she sees.”

Walz, a two-term governor and former six-term congressman, is said to be among a group of Democratic governors, including Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, in the running. Harris’ campaign is also considering U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona.

Harris is expected to announce her pick for vice president in the next few days.

MPR News political reporter Dana Ferguson contributed to this report.

Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill Friday that bans certain products with intentionally added PFAS from sale in the state starting in 2027 and creates strict liability for PFAS polluters.

He vetoed another measure that would have created liability for PFAS facilities, citing its “broad” definition and the fact that its standard for chemical concentrations that would trigger regulatory action contradicted the other bill he signed. The standard of the vetoed bill was significantly stricter.

PFAS – or or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are linked to a number of health problems, including some cancers, weakened immune systems, high cholesterol, development issues, and more. They are commonly used in industrial and consumer products for their stain- and water-resistant properties.

Sen. Denise Ricciardi, a Bedford Republican who worked on the liability portion of the signed measure, House Bill 1649, called it a “landmark bill” that was “long, long overdue.”

The bill creates a right to civil action for certain PFAS contamination. It also holds facilities “strictly liable” to the state “for containment, cleanup, restoration, or other remediation related to the release or threatened release of hazardous waste or hazardous material in accordance with applicable law and departmental rules.”

Rep. Karen Ebel, a New London Democrat who was the prime sponsor, said she was “ecstatic” for this moment of progress for the state.

“This is a huge step forward for the people of New Hampshire,” she said. “Our state has been burdened so much by PFAS contamination, especially in the southern part of the state. And there really isn’t any way … to effectively tackle the problem if we don’t stop using these dangerous forever chemicals in our products.”

The law bans a number of products with intentionally added PFAS but does not include those with accidental contamination that may happen during the production or shipping processes. The ban will include:

• Carpets or rugs;
• Cosmetics;
• Textile treatments, such as those that add PFAS for stain- or water-resistant properties;
• Feminine hygiene products, such as tampons and pads;
• Food packaging and containers, such as plates, bowls, and bags;
• Products for children under 12, such as high chairs, playmats, and strollers;
• Upholstered furniture; and
• Textile furnishings, such as draperies, bedding, and towels.

The ban exempts medical devices, adult mattresses, personal computers, wireless phones, and some other electronics. It also allows products with at least 85 percent recycled content, the resale of products made before the ban, and replacement parts for products manufactured before 2027.

The bill includes an appropriation of $250,000 to the Department of Environmental Services for “expenses associated with the PFAS restrictions on consumer products.”

The vetoed bill, House Bill 1415, would have held liable PFAS facilities that release such chemicals into the groundwater or surface water in total combined concentrations of 100 parts per trillion or greater. The standard created by the signed bill was much less strict, at 10,000 parts per trillion. 

“This contrary language makes it extremely difficult to administer both and enforce them appropriately,” Sununu wrote. 

He added: “It is extremely important to hold appropriate parties accountable for their actions, but this legislation misses the mark.”

The sponsor of that bill, Rep. Nancy Murphy, a Merrimack Democrat, said she was glad the PFAS products bill was signed, calling it a “good first step,” though one that “greatly needs to be improved.”

On the veto, she said she was “very disappointed” but “not at all surprised.” “Legislation that is less protective of the environment and public health leaves NH citizen taxpayers holding the bag,” she said.

“We don’t have lobbyists at the State House protecting our best interests,” she said. “… That’s our job as state reps, and it’s unfortunate when paid lobbyists for polluters are heard, their voices are heard above that of actual constituents and the people that the government is supposed to be working for.”

The British Virgin Islands may be nearly 2,000 miles from New Hampshire, but John Lynch knew the trip to Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands was worth the trip. The Granite State’s former governor, who served from 2005 to 2013, is selling his stunning island home, “Bella Beach Villa at Oil Nut Bay,” for $15,900,000.

The Wall Street Journal, which broke the story on July 17th, reported that Lynch and his wife, retired pediatrician Dr. Susan Lynch, listed their home because they want to travel. “I have mixed feelings about selling, but we don’t use it as much as we could,” Lynch told the Journal.

Measuring 6,000 square feet, the six-bed, 6.5-bath mansion, which is being sold furnished, is the picture of tropical luxury. Tucked on about a half acre on a cul-de-sac, the home is surrounded by lush foliage and meticulous landscaping, all with a prime location on the oceanfront.

Boasting a Balinese influence, the home features a single-level floor plan. Upon entrance from the long wooden walkway, you’ll find a welcoming kitchen with a breakfast bar and a dining space that measures 328 square feet in all. Under beautiful vaulted wood ceilings, it opens directly into the great room, which measures 547 square feet. It offers the ultimate gathering space with a fun nautical theme and a wall of doors that open to the patio overlooking the infinity pool.

The single-level living is a great feature, particularly when one has one children, said Roz Colthart, real estate director of Oil Nut Bay, who has the listing. “They’ve got their children, and they’ve got their grandchildren. They’ve got little toddlers in the family.”

The right wing of the home features the primary bedroom suite, which measures 343 square feet. It also embraces the same indoor/outdoor aesthetic as the rest of the home, boasting easy access to a patio of its own through sliding glass doors and a spacious stone outdoor shower. The 243-square-foot en-suite bath is expansive and provides access to a pair of walk-in closets.

This side of the home features three other suites — all are accessible from the outside and have outdoor showers.

The opposite wing of the home is similar to the right, boasting a second primary suite and another bedroom suite. However, this side also features an additional kitchen, a laundry room, a 161-square-foot fitness room, a garage, and a 158-square-foot storage space.

As you’d expect, the stunning view is one of the most coveted aspects of the home. Colthart said the view includes a look at Richard Branson’s Necker Island in the distance, as well as Eustatia Island, which belongs to Larry Page, one of the founders of Google.

“It is kind of referred to as the ‘billionaires’ playground.’ In property it’s location, location, location,” Colthart said. “I honestly think that locations for tropical homes do not get better than this.”

And talk about unique views: There are flamingos in the salt pond just off the property.

“You get that burst of pink when you walk by,” Colthart said.

Or ride by. The home comes with two golf carts, The Boston Globe reported on Wednesday.

See inside the home: