The Exchange

The Exchange presents a special broadcast of Writers on a New England Stage with Rebecca Carroll. Carroll is an a ward-winning author, podcast host and Black culture critic.

This program originally aired on Jan. 27, 2021 The performance of inaugural poet Amanda Gorman during last week's swearing in ceremony of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris was a call for unity - for, as Gorman put it, "bridges" not "blades." We talk with a panel of poets about that moment, about why certain poems stay with us, about why the art of poetry matters - and how it is evolving.

We discuss Governor Sununu's 2021 Budget Address. We also explore how the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going in New Hampshire, including the state's new method for scheduling appointments for second doses. And, we chat with Granite Stater Chris Viaud about competing on Top Chef. Air date: Friday, Feb. 12, 2021.

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday voted, mainly along party lines, that former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial is constitutional . Now senators must determine whether Trump committed high crimes and misdemeanors by inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection. Impeachment managers have since begun laying out their case by highlighting the former president's language during a rally on Jan. 6 and his frequent unfounded claims of widespread election fraud, and linking that with the violence that erupted at

There are any number of reasons for deciding to eat less meat. We explore the ramifications of different food choices and learn more about our food systems. We get help figuring out how to devise healthy plant-based meals, including nutrition for children and athletes, as well as how to address specific concerns if you're considering a vegan diet. This is a By Degrees program, part of NHPR's climate reporting initiative. We're collecting recipes and recipe links from listeners and staff; scroll

A tale of three cities. We talk with the mayors of Manchester, Rochester, and Keene about their communities during pandemic times. Some challenges have been new, due to this unprecedented health crisis. Others, such as homelessness and a scarcity of affordable housing, are long-standing but receiving new attention. We’ll hear the mayors’ perspectives on these and other matters, including how they have been coming together to alert state officials about their concerns. Air date: Feb. 9, 2021

What can a graveyard tell you about civics, race, history, and memory? And how do gravesites of Black Americans in New Hampshire help us deepen our state's, and nation's, history? Check out Past Lives, Present Learning , a project from Civics 101 and the Black Heritage Trail, which explores some of these historic locations in New Hampshire. Air date: Monday, February 8, 2021.

Gov. Chris Sununu is vowing to jettison a problematic sign-up website for scheduling for second dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments. The state reports that 110,000 N.H. residents have gotten the first vaccine shot, but many are struggling with a federal website to register for the second vaccination. Sununu says the state is working to create their own registration system. House Bill 20 aims to set-up a school choice program that some are calling the most sweeping such legislation in the

We ask Democratic U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan on Wednesday about preparations for the Senate impeachment trial of former President Trump, as well as the federal response to the pandemic, and whether compromise is in store for coronavirus relief and other issues such as climate change. Hassan serves on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; and the Finance Committee in the U.S. Senate. This week, Hassan was also named a

New snow is causing outdoor recreation companies to cheer, and with outdoor sports considered a relatively safe way to recreate during the pandemic, N.H.'s outdoor economy is surging. In fact, N.H. has a newly established Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development that aims to support the state's outdoor economy. We discuss how the state plans to help businesses capitalize on the interest in getting outdoors and the ramifications for infrastructure, affordable housing, and conservation of