The Exchange

2nd Congressional District candidates Anne McLane Kuster (D) and Steve Negron (R) meet before a live audience at New Hampshire Public Radio's studio in Concord. Hosted by Laura Knoy and NHPR investigative and data reporter Casey McDermott.

As summer rolls to a close, we look at the health of our lakes, and the shoreland that bounds them. What are the biggest risks facing our lake waters, and are we doing enough to protect our shores?

The debate season is well underway, and in the first congressional district, the two candidates are staking out their differences - but both agree, the historic nature of their race is no big deal. More than two dozen sites at the Saint Gobain plant are under scrutiny for contamination. And the bear-human conflicts continues this fall, with Fish & Game making the decision to shoot two bear cubs in Manchester.

AirBnb, an online service that allows homeowners to rent their homes out to short-term visitors, has taken off in the last few years, and has helped foster a new way of travel and lodging. We look at how AirBnb and other rental services impact our housing market, rental prices, and neighborhoods, tourism, and other lodging options.

Mt. Washington is an icon in New Hampshire, and "The White Mountain" author Dan Szczesny spent 365 days there as a hiker, cook, weather observer and journalist. We discover the hidden culture and characters who populate the mountain's rugged landscape and take up the challenge of the extreme weather. Szczesny seeks to understand the outsized mystique of "the rockpile" and its role in our passion for exploration and discovery.

The investigation into the Massachussetts gas explosions is ongoing. But opponents of this energy source are energized, and supporters are on the defense. We look at what the Bay State disaster says about existing regional infrastructure, and how it might affect current pipeline proposals.

1st Congressional District candidates Chris Pappas (D) and Eddie Edwards (R) meet before a live audience at New Hampshire Public Radio's Concord studio. Edwards is a former police chief and Navy veteran, Pappas is an executive councilor and restaurant owner. The forum covers issues ranging from health care and the opioid crisis, to the economy and guns. Hosted by Laura Knoy and NHPR political reporter Lauren Chooljian.

During an infamous 13-day stretch in October 1962, Americans faced the prospect of imminent nuclear war with the Soviet Union. We talk with "Above & Beyond" co-author Michael Tougias about the pilots of the U.S. U-2 spy program and how President John F. Kennedy used the intelligence gained from the U-2 spy program to negotiate with the Soviet Union.

NHPR's president Betsy Gardella announces her retirement at the end of the year following an investigation into management issues; we talk with NHPR reporter Todd Bookman about how he reported on this story for the station. U.S. Senator Jeff Flake, who has been at the center of the Brett Kavanaugh controversy, visits the Granite State. Concord's downtown is looking spiffy lately -- we learn about the ongoing redevelopment process. And Concord's Christa McAuliffe will be the subject of a feature

October 1, 2018, marked the 60th anniversary of NASA. It’s formation was prompted in part by the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, the world’s first satellite, on Oct. 4, in 1957. And while we're still discussing whether Pluto should be a planet or not, an extreme dwarf planet dubbed “Goblin” has been discovered lurking beyond Pluto’s orbit. We find out about the upcoming planetary encounter, Ultima Thule. And we check in on SpaceX's first paying customer to the Moon.