Story Archives of 'Ayotte Vs Planned Parenthood'

The High Court speak on NH’s Parental Notification Law
Yesterday, the US Supreme Court voted unanimously that it was wrong for a lower court to strike down this abortion law over health exceptions, we’ll get reactions from Granite Staters. Laura's guests are for the first half are Claire Ebel, Executive Director of New Hampshire Civil Liberties Union, Phyllis Woods, Former Republican State Representative from Dover, and Co-sponsor of the House Parental Notification bill and NH Attorney General, Kelly Ayotte.

State of the State Address
Then we'll look back at Governor Lynch’s State of the State address, what was said, what wasn’t and where it goes from here. Governor John Lynch delivered his State of the State Address after a year full of accomplishments and hardships. We'll look back at 2005 and see what lies ahead for New Hampshire in 2006. We’ll discuss the issues Governor Lynch raised, as well as the concerns of some New Hampshire legislators. In the second half, Laura's guests are Tom Fahey, State House Bureau Chief of the New Hampshire Union Leader, Senator Peter Burling, Democrat of Cornish, and Congressman Michael O'Neil, House Majority Leader from Hampton.

This timeline documents key events in the debate over New Hampshire's parental notification laws. A link to related stories and programs from NHPR and National Public Radio are included as well.

As the high court takes up an abortion case for the first time in five years, observers on all sides of the debate, all over the country are watching closely. We’ll look at its importance, ask how the arguments went, and check in with Granite Staters who traveled to DC to observe the hearing. Joining Laura is Julie Donnelly, NHPR's Washington Correspondent, Neil Siegel, Assistant Professor of Law and Political Science at Duke Law School, State Representative Terrie Norelli, and Roger Stenson, Executive Director of the New Hampshire affiliate of Citizens for Life.

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments regarding New Hampshire's abortion parental notification law today. We talk with Helena Silverstein about similar laws on the books in other states and how they could be affected by the outcome of this case. Helena is Associate Professor of Government and Law at Lafayette College.

We also talk with Portsmouth attorney Steve Tober. He's the chairman of the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Federal Judiciary. That title means that he, along with fourteen other attorneys across the nation are responsible for reviewing the qualifications of nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court. We'll talk with him about what exactly the committee does, and what it's like to be the first lawyer from New Hampshire to serve as chair of the committee.

Washington is reeling from the announcement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation from the Supreme Court.

Liberal and conservative groups are bracing for a blistering fight over who will be her successor.

The decision could have an impact here in New Hampshire, as the Supreme Court gets ready to hear a controversial abortion case from the Granite state.

NHPR Correspondent Julie Donnelly reports from Washington