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Best known for her portrayals of the complex, intertwined history of Native and White Americans, a heritage the author herself shares, Louise Erdrich came to The Music Hall in Portsmouth to talk about her new book “The Plague of Doves” and take questions from the audience and Exchange host Laura Knoy. Today we bring you part of that performance.

On May 14th. 1948, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion publicly pronounced the new nation of Israel. The country has had a history of tremendous success but also conflict, border disputes and war. We’ll talk with a roundtable of Israeli-born Granite Staters, hear their stories of their home country, get their comments on the sixty year journey of Israel and their thoughts on the state of the state of Israel today.

Guests

• Ruth Harris, music teacher living in Hollis who was born in Palestine and then lived in Richon Letzion after Israel’s independence; she moved to Amsterdam and then to the United States in 1973
• Moshe Shpindler, resident of Nashua and owner of Caesario’s Pizza in Manchester. He was also born in Richon Letzion in 1950 and lived there until he moved to the United States in 1983
• Amalia Flaisher, graphic designer living in Litchfield; Amalia was born in Romania but moved to Ashkelon and later to Netanya in Israel before moving to the US ten years ago

We'll also hear from

• Isaiah Artsy, computer consultant living in Nashua; he was born in Poland, emigrated to Israel in 1957 and then to the US in 1982, and has spent the last week with family in Israel for the anniversary celebrations

It's been a tough few years for northern New Hampshire, leading many to look for new keys to economic vitality. A new prison’s already there; a new biomass plant is right around the corner. But other plans, like high-tech corporations, arts houses and more tourism, could be years away for a region many say needs a boost now. We’ll look at the state of the North Country’s economy and what could come next.

Guests

• Peter Riviere, executive director of the Coos Economic Development Corporation
• Charles Jordan, editor of the Colebrook Chronicle

We'll also hear from

• Charles Bass, former Congressman and Senior Advisor to the CEO of Laidlaw Energy Group, which has acquired part of the former Fraser Paper Mill in Berlin to construct a new biomass-energy power plant
• Pat Corso, President and CEO of the Mount Washington Resort
• Katie Paine, president and CEO of K.D. Paine and Partners, a market research company based in Berlin

Governor Lynch’s latest plan to address the state’s budget shortfall would involve raising taxes on cigarettes, reducing the state discount to wine retailers, and introducing a brand new tax on charity poker games. We’ll unpack the economics of so-called “sin taxes” and explore what these increases could mean for consumers, businesses and the state budget.

Guests

• Brian Gottlob , Principal at PoliEcon Research
• Charlie Arlinghaus , President of the Josiah Bartlett Center for Public Policy
• Dan Eaton, Democratic State Representative from Stoddard and longtime member of the House Finance Committee

We'll also hear from

• John Lynch , Governor of New Hampshire
• John Ganos, owner of Tobacco Haven in Brookline

Each month The Socrates Cafe explores a different philosophical question, both on the air and on the web. This month we look at the question "Should race matter?" Is being the majority race still an advantage, or not? Do people of one race get special treatment or attention? If so, is that needed or right? Be part of the conversation.

Guest

• Chris Phillips, author of several books on philosophy including “Socrates in Love”, “Socrates Café: A Fresh Taste of Philosophy” and “Six Questions of Socrates: A Modern-Day Journey of Discovery through World Philosophy”. Chris Phillips also leads “Socrates Cafes” across the country which engages groups by using the methods of the ancient Greek philosopher.