The Exchange

Governor Sununu makes it official, he's running for a third term - ending speculation that he would challenge Senator Jeanne Shaheen. After nearly a decade of debate, the Northern Pass project presents oral arguments in its appeal to the state Supreme Court. And it took a second try to live free and fly - the red-tailed hawk is one step closer to being the N.H. state mascot. GUESTS: Anna Brown - Director of Research and Analysis at Citizens Count. Garry Rayno - author of Distant Dome, a

On Thursday, May 16th, The Exchange talks to three members of the New Hampshire transgender community who have participated in " Ask A Trans Person Anything " panels held around the state. It has been one year since New Hampshire passed a law that protects against discrimination based on gender identity , and there is more conversation nationally and in New Hampshire around transgender issues.

With a background in both the sciences and literature, Jon Peede has been chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities for about a year. He'll be in New Hampshire next week, discussing the importance of the humanities in rural America, building cultural infrastructure through NEH grants. He'll be in New Hampshire next week for several New Hampshire Humanities events. And he'll be giving the commencement address at Manchester Community College on the evening of May 22.

N.H. Department of Transportation Commissioner Victoria Sheehan oversees 4,603 miles of road in New Hampshire. The funding to preserve roads and bridges comes from federal grants, toll and gas tax revenue. But beyond maintenance, the Department of Transportation has some dreams, as outlined in the Ten Year Plan , including extending the life of New Hampshire's bridges and completeing the expansion of Interstate 93. We talk to Commissioner Sheehan about the status of popular infrastructure

A new study of societal polarization identifies seven distinct political groups, most of whom would like to find common ground, but are turned off by the extremes on the right and left. The report suggests ways to reach these dis-engaged Americans, to the benefit of our civic life.

Andrew Yang is running for President on $1,000 a month: his central campaign policy is the concept of Universal Basic Income, which he is calling a “Freedom Dividend,” a monthly stipend from the federal government for each American, ages 18 to 64.

Every ten years, states redefine the boundaries that determine congressional and legislative seats, as well as local offices. This year, a bill in New Hampshire aims to reduce gerrymandering, the practice of configuring lines to gain partisan advantage. We look at this proposal, and our current political maps , and conversations around gerrymandering nationally.

After several years of abundant natural foods, such as acorns, berries or apples, bears in New Hampshire are emerging from dens this spring skinny, hungry, and forced to forage farther afield for food. We look at the impact of the recent scarcity of food, and the likelihood that it might increase human-bear interactions. Bear rehabilitator Ben Kilham of the Kilham Bear Center in Lyme, N.H., says he has taken in over 70 orphaned cubs, an unprecedented number. And we discuss the incredible journey

We talk with the mayors of Franklin, Keene, and Rochester about their jobs, and the issues facing their communities, including education, housing, the opioid crisis, and infrastructure. We also discuss projects they hope will enhance their local and regional economies.

Space scientists are still celebrating the first picture ever of a black hole. The image was taken by ten telescopes on four continents working in concert to create an image many thought they would never see. NASA is evaluating the threat of asteroids coming close to earth in the near future, and seeking solutions to help deflecting them. And NASA reveals details for a moon-base with a broader goal of going to Mars.