A new book tells the stories of 49 Granite Staters who have fought in over 200 years of war - soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen. They are Medal of Honor recipients, and men who were the namesakes of Army forts, airfields, and Navy destroyers. We talk with the author of “Men of Granite” to hear the stories behind these New Hampshire men who served their country and made significant contributions.

Guest

• Bill McGee, author of “Men of Granite: True Stories of New Hampshire’s Fighting Men”

For decades, millions of college bound students have relied on government or private loans to afford higher education. But lately some private lenders are scaling back: they’re in enough trouble with today’s unstable credit markets and can't spend additional capital on students. We’ll look at how we got here, what Granite Staters are doing to cope, and the current debate over student loans in Congress.

Guests

• Paul Basken, Senior Federal Government Reporter for the Chronicle of Higher Education
• Tara Payne, director of the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation

We'll also hear from

• Jerry Little, President of the New Hampshire Bankers Association
• Ken Ferreira, Executive Director of Student Financial Services at Franklin Pierce and President of the New Hampshire Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

We’re living in challenging times. Global warming and fuel shortages call for new ways to meet our energy needs. Major bridge collapses and earthquakes prompt us to rethink how we construct cities. Terminal illnesses and other injuries drive the search for effective treatment.

Some answers are arriving from laboratories and universities. But solutions are also being dreamed up in garages and the basement next door. For the second year in a row, Popular Science is recognizing ten creative new inventions in its June 2008 issue.

A zero-emission one-wheeled motorcycle, a steam engine for cars, a transmitter that detects lost miners using a motion sensor, and more. To find out about these inventors and the devices that could change our lives, we spoke with Mike Haney, executive editor of Popular Science.

Read the full list of Popular Science's 2008 Invention Awards winners

(Photo of Harry Schoell and his steam engine by John B. Carnett)

Despite the decline in real estate prices, many moderate income Granite Staters still can’t afford a home, especially close to work. A new bill that just passed the legislature will make it easier for developers to get workforce housing projects approved, but some town planners worry the measure could tie their hands too tightly. We’ll look at workforce housing, how the bill may affect the real estate market and why some are worried.

Guests

• David Boutin, Republican state representative from Hooksett and cofounder/chairman of the Public Policy Alliance for Housing
• Kenn Ortmann, director of the Department of Planning and Development for the City of Rochester

We'll also hear from

• Dick Anagnost, chairman of the Workforce Opportunity Council and President and CEO of Anagnost Companies
• Robbie "Andrew" Robertson, Vice Chair of the Board of Selectmen in Deerfield.

The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavilers in the seventh game was perhaps the biggest sporting event of the weekend.

But in Nashua this weekend, an enthusiastic crowd turned out for what appears to be another growing sporting event.

But this one’s for Gerbils.

The Hippo's Brian Early has the story.