Archives

Dentists in U.S. Use 34 Tons of Mercury Every Year

By Rebecca Kaufman on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

Reducing mercury pollution is a top priority in the state these days. Recent attention has focused on New Hampshire's biggest polluter, coal burning power plants. But burning the fossil fuel is just one way mercury gets into the environment. It's also found in many products from batteries to thermostats. And if they're not disposed of carefully, harmful mercury can find its way into the environment. New Hampshire Public Radio's Rebecca Kaufman reports on one source the state is hoping to more closely regulate ---the dentist office.

listen: Listen with Windows Media Player

Mental health centers feel funding crunch

By Kerry Grens on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

Many state programs will feel the crunch this year as the legislature struggles to make budgetary ends meet.

The budget proposal as it stands could be 50 to 100 million dollars out of balance.

The department of Health and human services alone faces cuts to dozens of programs.

Some services—like mental health care for people on Medicaid—may have to cut corners, forcing local governments and institutions to take up the slack.

listen: Listen with Windows Media Player

Half of NH Charter Schools Lack State Money

By Amy Quinton on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

The state’s first charter school is in trouble.
Franklin Career Academy opened last year, but still has not received its share of state education money.
Now, the Franklin School Board wants the charter revoked.
But as New Hampshire Public Radio’s Amy Quinton reports,
Franklin Career Academy’s troubles may not be isolated – half the charter schools in the state are waiting for money.

listen: Listen with Windows Media Player

Vietnam: Past and Present

By Liz Bulkley on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

Fourth Uncle in the Mountain is the story of a Vietnamese doctor who lived through the War, and now lives in Vermont. Quang van Nguyen was born in 1950, and raised by a legendary monk. He came of age during the French and American wars and today practices traditional Asian medicine in Vermont. We?ll meet Margie Pivar, who visited Vietnam with Quang, and is the co-author of the book that chronicles his life. On Saturday April 30th, the 30th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, Margie Pivar presents a slideshow of her journey at the Mariposa Museum of World Cultures.

listen: Listen with Windows Media Player

Judging the Judges

By Laura Knoy on Wednesday, April 27, 2005.

The role of judges came into the spotlight recently as the high profile Terry Schiavo story unfolded and with the comments of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on activist judges. We'll look at what it means to be a judge, the politics, pressures and preconceptions that range from the court of law to the court of public opinion. Laura's guests are Jeffrey Smith, Visiting Instructor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College who teaches classes on American politics, Joseph Nadeau, Senior Associate Justice with New Hampshire's Supreme Court who has travelled extensively speaking on the role of judges, and Buzz Scherr, Professor of Law and Director of the Trial Advocacy Program and the Intellectual Property Litigation Program at the Franklin Pierce Law Center.

listen: Listen with Windows Media Player
NPR News