The Exchange

Public health workers and others around New Hampshire are working to improve access to vaccines for groups that can face additional barriers, including low-income households, those without transportation, the homebound, and immigrant and refugee populations. We explore what has been working, including mobile-health clinics and more community outreach workers, and where more help is needed. Air date: March 2, 2021

As we begin the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Hampshire, scientists continue to learn more about the virus, and the race to vaccinate people as quickly as possible continues. We talk Monday about the new mask recommendations from the CDC, vaccine development and efficacy, and how to safely transition to in-person learning, work, and life.

During a two-day session held in a sprawling indoor sports complex with chairs arranged to allow for social distance, the Republican-led New Hampshire House passed bills expanding the state's Stand Your Ground law, banning some abortions, and allowing patients licensed for therapeutic cannabis to grow their own plants. The House also voted to refund fines issued to businesses that violated COVID-19 orders, prompting a rebuke from some Democrats and from Governor Sununu who suggested in a

The state is set to begin distributing millions of dollars in additional aid for tenants who are struggling to pay housing costs because of COVID-19. As the state finalizes new guidelines for what the assistance can be used for, and how people can apply, we check in on what we've learned from the previous housing assistance package. What have we learned about that program, and how will this shape the next year? This program begins March 15, and details about the program are available through the

For the second show in our three-part series about the mental health impacts of the past year, called Taking A Toll , we focus in children. As kids struggle through remote learning and isolation, many are feeling lonely and anxious. We discuss solutions and resources to help. Air date: Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021.

Advocates say now is the time to pursue lasting solutions for youth homelessness, a growing problem that may soon become unmanageable. That's according to Erin Kelly, Director of Homeless Youth and Young Adult Services for Waypoint, a private, nonprofit agency. A major study, Kelly says, estimates 14,000 to 15,000 young people are likely to experience some form of homelessness or housing instability in New Hampshire this year. Contributing factors include addiction, mental illness, and

A number of New Hampshire towns is looking at community power as a way to provide energy that could lower costs for residents, help tailor their energy mix, and provide room for innovation. We explore how community power came about, how it would work, and the challenge to it in this year’s legislative session. Airdate: Monday, February 22, 2021

How the N.H. Legislature will conduct its business continues to be a point of contention for lawmakers, after Democrats filed a lawsuit to allow legislators with serious health issues to attend next week’s house session remotely. We also discuss how the “covid effect” is impacting school budget funding, and the latest spike in cases on university campuses across the state. Air date: Friday, February 19, 2021.

Mutations in viruses occur continually and though many don't result in changes in disease severity or immune response, COVID-19 has mutated in some ways that concern scientists. These variants apparently originated in the United Kingdom, Brazil, and South Africa, though recently scientists have found evidence of about seven variants in the U.S. How and where are these variants developing -- and how well is the U.S. tracking them compared with other countries? How do current vaccines hold up

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, racial injustice protests, and political uncertainy, many Americans are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, and lonely. Meanwhile, many of us are grappling with financial pressure while balancing work from home with all of our other responsibilities. We begin a new three-part series, called Taking A Toll , about the mental health impacts of the past year. We discuss solutions and resources to help you make it through this difficult time. Air date: Wednesday,