The Exchange

We discuss what happens as the medication generation grows up. Journalist and author, Kaitlin Bell Barnett joins us to talk about her new book, Dosed, which describes the experiences of young adults who spent childhood taking psychiatric meds, such as Prozac. Barnett explores the questions many in this generation are now asking: who am i really, after all these years on medication and what might be the long-term effects of these drugs? 

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The controversial mining method known as hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking", has led to a boom in production of cheap natural gas by getting at what was previously inaccessible pockets of gas contained in shale. Energy companies see it as way to reduce America’s dependence on oil and lower our energy bills, but concerns over environmental safety have others saying we need to slow down and study the issue. We cover all sides of fracking and its potential impacts here in New England. 

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Recently, several communities have voted to ban bottled water in their towns,  citing concerns over plastic waste and environmental impact.  But a backlash is also emerging from those who say singling out water is silly,  given the many other sources of packaging that are just as harmful and that these efforts are “all wet”.

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Today, we get the latest on what's happening at the Statehouse!  All year, the focus has been on the House, but now it’s the Senate’s turn in the spotlight. Recently its been considering hundreds of bills passed by the House earlier this year, and Senators have cast a skeptical eye on many of them, from proposals to do away with gun permits, to restricting abortion, even bills related to fiscal matters.  We’ll find out what’s changed hands, and how Statehouse politics may affect the elections this fall.  

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By some estimates, U.S. college debt has hit a staggering one trillion dollars.  And New Hampshire students are first in the nation when it comes to the average debt burden. Some blame colleges and universities for hiking tuition. Others blame states for steep funding cuts.  Meanwhile, many say our entire higher education system needs a serious financial overhaul.

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As a nation, we’ve yet to resolve how to approach those who are here undocumented; whether to deport them, or give them a path to legalization. These questions have also come up many times recently in the granite state. Today, we look at the role of the "illegal" immigrant in the immigration debate.

Guests:

Andrew Renzullo: Republican Representative from Hillsborough who has taken a strong stance against illegal immigration and endorsed local police involvement in immigration enforcement.

Proposed legislation would create a new verification system in order to avoid fraud. Another bill would reduce the amount of time someone could receive assistance. But advocates for the poor say the State already does a good job of preventing fraud and these proposals would hurt people already in dire need. 

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Sarah Mattson: Policy Director for New Hampshire Legal Assistance

Education consultant Fred Bramante has long asked the question, ‘What if you could remove time and space pressures from the process of teaching?' It's an idea that has caught on in certain circles and would eliminate the confines of classrooms, school periods and calendar years, replacing them with a personalized competency-based approach. But not everyone is on board. 

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