The Exchange

Earlier this month, the mayors of the state’s thirteen cities appealed to the governor for help addressing homelessness. We speak with Mayor Joyce Craig of Manchester about what’s needed. Coos County is now seeing the highest rate of community transmission of COVID-19 in the state, with over 400 new cases per 100,000 residents. We hear from Berlin Mayor Paul Grenier. Plus, who is supposed to pay for PFAS cleanup costs around the former Pease Air Force Base? And we remember the Mount Washington Observatory’s famous cat, Marty.  

In the second episode of our two-part check-in on public education, we talk with New Hampshire teachers about how this school year has been going for them as they manage a variety of learning models and try to stay safe. 

This discussion follows an interview with Commissioner Frank Edelblut on Tuesday, November 10th.

Air date: Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020. 

For Veterans Day, we revisit our 2016 conversation with New Hampshire author Paul Levy about his book called Finding Phil: Lost in War and Silence. Levy describes his search to uncover the life, and death, of an uncle he never knew, who died in World War II. 

Air date: Nov. 11, 2020 (this show originally aired on Sept. 28, 2016)

GUEST:

Commissioner Frank Edelblut will answer your questions and talk with us about the ways the Department of Education is providing support for K-12 students, teachers, and staff across New Hampshire, and how the pandemic is impacting enrollment and resources. Send your questions to exchange@nhpr.org. 

Air date: Tuesday, November 10, 2020

After days of suspense awaiting results from Pennsylvania, a key battleground state with 20 electoral votes, the Associated Press and major news networks declared Democratic nominee Joe Biden the winner in the 2020 presidential race on Saturday, Nov. 7. Biden has widened his electoral college lead since his victory in Pennsylvania. President Trump has so far refused to concede, asserting without evidence that the election was stolen. In a statement this weekend, Trump declared the election "far from over," promising more legal action. Several battleground states are headed for recounts.  Meanwhile, President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris have established a transition team and four major policy areas the incoming administration plans to prioritize.

For an explainer on how The Associated Press calls elections, visit here. 

For an explainer on how recounts work in various states, visit here.

With Republicans winning majorities across state government and Governor Sununu resoundingly winning a third term, how might this affect legislative and gubernatorial priorities? Meanwhile, the picture was very different on the federal level, with Democratic incumbents holding onto their seats in Congress and the U.S. Senate and former Vice President Joe Biden winning New Hampshire's four electoral college votes with some ease. Also, we check in on the voting process itself and any lessons learned for future elections in the Granite State.

Airdate: Nov. 6, 2020

No matter how the Presidential race eventually turns out, it’s clear we’re a nation divided. We explore some philosophical questions about what that means for our future as a country and as individuals. How do we stay vigilant to misinformation in times of uncertainty, and how do we maintain trust in institutions that don't reflect our values? And given distrust in those whose politics we reject, how can we work on the nation's biggest challenges? 

Airdate: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020

We're well into the second day of an extremely close presidential election, following record turnout in New Hampshire and across the U.S. For may people, this election season has felt more emotional and higher stakes than elections past.

So we want to know: How are you feeling today? How have you been talking with family and friends about the election results so far, and the news that continues to roll in? What is most important to you right now?

We review results of the top state races and find out how the voting process itself went – with record absentee voting here and around the country. And we ask what we still don't know -- and when we might find out.

Who is voting, or not voting, in 2020? We discuss how the New Hampshire electorate has changed since previous elections, examine increased participation among younger voters, and explore how civic involvement is evolving across demographic groups. 

Air date: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020, 9-10 a.m. 

 Twice in the past twenty years, the Presidential candidate who won more votes still lost the election. We discuss how the electoral college came about and how it works. We also delve into its problematic past and how it could be replaced.  But the Electoral College is not without its defenders, who feel it protects small states and reflects the wisdom of the founders. What do you think and why? 

Airdate: Monday, Nov. 2, 2020

With only four days to go until Election Day, we discuss poll watchers and other voting issues. Then, we dig into why advocates in New Hampshire are rethinking the role of county attorney and how the Black Lives Matter movement is working to translate momentum into policy change. We also have our final installment of our Down-ballot series. 

Air date: Friday, Oct. 30, 2020. 

The 2020 election finds the U.S. at a crossroads with the two presidential candidates miles apart on combating climate change. As part of NHPR’s By Degrees climate reporting initiative, we look at the prospects for carbon reduction in each candidate's approach. Closer to home, we examine how the plans offered up by New Hampshire gubernatorial candidates differ. How important is climate change as an issue for New Hampshire voters?

Airdate: Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020

The state is seeing a significant increase in daily new infections reported - the most since mid-May, and the third-most since the pandemic began.

With that rising case load, and the upcoming holidays and cold weather, we talk with our state epidemiologists about how to keep yourself safe while moving indoors, traveling, and building "pandemic pods" with those outside your household. 

Click here to read all of NHPR's coronavirus coverage. 

Air date: Wednesday, October 28, 2020. 

Heading into the final week before the election, we talk with political reporters and analysts about some of the major themes of this political season, including the pandemic response and what looks like a record level of civic engagement based on early voting counts.  And we want to hear from you -- decided and undecided voters.  What are your top issues as you consider this year's candidates for Congress, the Presidency, and Governor?

Air date: Tues., Oct. 27, 2020

As coronavirus cases increase in states across the country, New Hampshire has also seen an alarming surge in cases. We examine what may be contributing to this surge, including smaller gatherings that lead to community-wide spread, and we get an update on how schools are coping with Covid-19 positive cases.  Nursing homes, which have borne the brunt of this pandemic, have also been experiencing a resurgence of outbreaks; we talk with InDepthNH.org about their recent series on the challenges facing nursing homes in this state. And we get an update on voting-related issues, with the election just about a week away. 

Air date: Friday, Oct. 23, 2020

The U.S. Postal Service is dealing with an unprecedented number of mail-in ballots this year, amidst political turmoil about absentee voting and the COVID-19 pandemic. Some are worried about the USPS's ability to process all of the ballots by Election Day given some staff shortages, and there are also concerns about the health and safety of postal workers. National reporters join us to clarify some of the inaccuracies they've heard about the USPS and discuss what they're covering. 

Air date: Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. 

  The issue of health insurance dominated the presidential primary, before the pandemic took over headlines. Now the Affordable Care Act and health insurance are back in the news, with the Supreme Court in focus. We talk with health policy reporters about the upcoming Supreme Court cases and the impact of the election on health insurance.

Air date: Wednesday, October 21, 2020.

Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican seeking his third term, and challenger Dan Feltes, a Democratic state senator, debated live on NHPR's The Exchange on Tuesday.

The candidates clashed repeatedly over policy differences as they discussed the state's response to the coronavirus pandemic, New Hampshire's economic recovery, heath care, race and policing, and myriad issues the two have sparred over during Sununu's tenure as governor.

Election officials say that as of Oct. 13, more than 78,000 general election absentee ballots had already been returned by voters; that's more absentee ballots than were counted in total during the 2016 general election. And plenty of people are still planning to vote in person. We talk with election officials to find out how they are keeping up and what they are anticipating as Election Day, Nov. 3, approaches. We want you to be a part of the conversation, too. Let's hear your questions and comments around the voting process and your experiences so far. Email exchange@nhpr.org to participate or call in during the show: 1-800-892-6477.

Airdate: Monday, Oct. 19, 2020

As positive COVID cases are on the rise in New Hampshire, we discuss why that is and how to protect ourselves as we head into the colder winter months. Also, NHPR's reporters will update us on local voting issues and our recent live debates. We also chat about how COVID will impact Halloween festivities this year. Plus, our latest installment in our series Down Ballot. 

Air date: Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. 

U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Republican nominee Corky Messner debated live on NHPR on Thursday.

The Senate candidates have sparred in recent weeks over health care, coronavirus relief spending, and political experience.

Related: 5 Takeaways from NHPR's U.S. Senate debate

U.S. Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, a Democrat running for a fifth term in the 2nd Congressional District, once again faces a challenge from Republican nominee Steve Negron. Tune in for a debate live on NHPR at 9 a.m. Tuesday as the candidates discuss the pandemic, economics, health insurance, and systemic racism and inequality. 

Air date: Tuesday, October 13, 2020.