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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. Electric Deregulation is coming to New Hampshire. Tonight, we'll find out what today's state supreme court ruling means for ratepayers. And it's called the roadless area conservation rule. President Clinton signed the order last week. We'll look at the impact the ruling will have on the White Mountain National Forest. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Good Evening. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. We begin tonight with a summary of today's news. |
| Deregulation Return to index of stories... |
The state Supreme Court today rejected an attempt by consumer groups to block the deregulation settlement agreement between the state and Public Service Company of New Hampshire. Governor Jeanne Shaheen says the unanimous court decision removes the final obstacle to lower electric rates and market competition for ratepayers. The President for the Campaign for Ratepayers Rights and A spokesman from PSNH joined me by telephone a short while ago. |
| Elderly Neglect Return to index of stories... |
Efforts are underway to establish criminal penalties for caregivers who cause injury to elderly or disabled adults through neglect. State Senator Lou D'Allesandro of Manchester says his proposed legislation is essential to provide safeguards for people unable to look after themselves. At a committee hearing today - a retired police officer recalled encountering an elderly woman who was a victim of neglect and - at the time - searching in vain for a law addressing the issue. |
| Crossbow Hunting Return to index of stories... |
There's debate over whether crossbow hunting should be legal in New Hampshire. Under a proposed bill, the Fish and Game Department would have authority to establish rules allowing crossbows during the regular firearm season for white-tailed deer. Fish and Game officials support the bill. But a spokesman from Granite State Bowhunters says the legislation would introduce a weapon that many sportsmen don't want. He adds the crossbow would make killing easier and that would replace sportsmanship. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Some of the roads around the state were a little tricky for the ride home last night with mixed precipitation. Things are a lot better tonight, but will our good fortune continue? Weather observer Brian Post from the Mount Washington Observatory has a report on conditions there and what we can expect around the state. OUT: cg: TONIGHT NORTH Snow flurries likely low mid to upper teens NW Wind 5-10 mph SOUTH Mostly cloudy/chance of flurries Low near 20 NW WInd 5-10 mph TOMORROW NORTH Cloudy in the am then partly sunny High mid to upper 20's NW Wind 10 mph SOUTH Chance of flurries/then partly sunny High lower 30's NW Wind 10 mph |
| Intro Forestry Plan Return to index of stories... |
Last week, the Clinton Administration's Final Rules for Roadless areas were adopted by the US Forest Service. The rules restrict some activities on National Forest System lands. Some in the timber industry aren't happy with the ruling, while some conservationists are applauding the move. Tonight we're going to explore what the new rules mean for New Hampshire's White Mountain National Forest. |
| Forestry Plan Return to index of stories... |
The "Roadless Areas Conservation Rule" prohibits construction of new roads and logging on inventoried roadless areas within the National Forest System lands. Roadless areas were designated back in the 70's to manage areas for multiple uses like the cutting, sale and removal of timber. Of the 780,000 acres in the White Mountains National Forest of New Hampshire, 241,000 are inventoried as roadless. But, only about 45,000 of those acres are actually affected. Under the new rules, public access to roadless areas will not be restricted, but logging will. About 13% of the 345,000 acres in the White Mountains will be affected by the new rule. The restrictions will decrease the total number of board feet of lumber by two point five million. That's about 1% of the total timber harvest in the state. US Forest Service "Roadless area conservation Rule" - Prohibits new road construction and reconstruction on inventoried roadless areas -Prohibits cutting, sale and removal of timber on inventoried roadless areas except for certain circumstances. Source: USDA graphic Timber Harvesting in the WMNF Planned Harvest 345,000 acres Restricted Lands 45,000 acres Decrease Timber Harvest by 2.5 million board feet |
| Intro discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining me in the studio to talk more about the roadless initative in the White Mountains, is Dick Ober, from the Society for the Protection of NH Forests and David Publicover of the Appachian Mountain Club. |
| Forestry Discussion Return to index of stories... |
ROADLESS AREAS CONSERVATION RULE Dick Ober - Society for the Protection of NH Forests David Publicover - AMC What is a roadless area? Why were these new rules adopted by the US Forest Service? We have been working on our own plan for the White Mountains Forest Plan - what is that and how does this change under the ruling? How will the new rules affect NH's logging industry? Is there a niche group of loggers and sawmills that depend on the timber harvest in the National Forest? Can that be made up elsewhere - private land? Some people think the process should have been done through the local forest planning process. Isn't it frustrating for you to have those decisions about land allocation taken away from you? Do you think the rules can be altered at some point down the road? The new rules don't say anything about Tourism, but is there a need to restrict recreation in the White Mts? What is the next step in the forest plan, where do we go from here? Any predictions as to whether the president elect will reverse this rule when he takes office? |
| Thank guests Return to index of stories... |
Thanks Dick Ober, from the Society for the Protection of NH Forests and David Publicover of the Appachian Mountain Club. |
| forestry bump Return to index of stories... |
cg: New Hampshire's two oldest groups, Society for the Protection of NH Forests and Appalachian Mountain Club led the charge to create the White Mountain National Forest exactly 100 years ago. Their initative began a 10 year process that created the US National Forest System. |
| STOCKS Return to index of stories... |
In Business News tonight. Another bellweather stock posted earnings after the closing bell on wall street today. Intel's fourth quarter earnings report came in a penny ahead of forecast at 38 cents a share. The giant semiconductor maker did however, issue a warning about the softening economy and its possible impact on next quarter's earnings. The dow ended up 127 points. The Nasdaq was down 8. Here's a look at some of the stocks of interest to New Hampshire. Bottomline Tech was up 3 and 3/8. Fisher Scientific was down nearly six. Teradyne was down 3. Verizon Communications was down 1 And Northeast Utilities, parent company of PSNH was down 5/16 on news of today's New Hamsphire State Supreme Court ruling making way for the April 1st deregulation deadline. |
| High Tech Concord Return to index of stories... |
How can the economy and quality of life in Concord be improved? One possibility may be a state of-the-art research and technology park. That's the topic tonight - at a symposium being held by the organzation - The Initiative for a 20-20 Vision for Concord. While the capital city is near major highways and airports, a recent study found Concord lacks many of the components that high-tech companies find attractive. |
| Intro Cordwainers Return to index of stories... |
When was the last time you bought a new pair of shoes? Were they handmade? If they were, chances are you bought them from the Cordwainer Shop. Chip Neal shows us how the family run Deerfield business is still making shoes the old fashioned way. |
| tag Cordwainers Return to index of stories... |
By the way if you're looking to buy a pair of these shoes be prepared to pay $325 to $500. That's what celebrities like Carli Simon, and Sally Jessie Raphael have paid for their Cordwainer shoes. Since we first taped our story, Paul Mathews and Molly Grant have also opened The Cordwainer Gallery in Bedford. |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on tonight's program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.o-r-g. You can see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts and participate in our daily poll. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
Tomorrow on New Hampshire Outlook - State Supreme Court Chief Justice David Brock, along with Justices John Broderick and Sherm Horton feel their legal fees for the impeachment inquiry and trial should be paid by the state. Will that hurt the rebuilding of the public's confidence in the court? We'll talk about that and judicial reform here in New Hampshire. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of New Hampshire Outlook. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, thanks for joining us. Stay tuned for Keeping Up Appearanced. We'll be back tomorrow at 7:30. Good night. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundadtion Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Should the state pay the justices defense fees for the impeachment inquiry and trial ? Would that hurt the rebuilding of public confidence in the court? We'll talk about that and judicial reform. Join us tonight at 7:30 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Intro Asthma Return to index of stories... |
The most common cause of hospitalization and emergency room visits for children in New Hampshire is asthma. Nearly 65,000 adults and children in New Hampshire have asthma. Recently a consortium of New Hampshire managed care companies called Foundation for Healthy Communities developed a common set of guidelines for the treatment of asthma. Chip Neal explains. |
| Asthma Return to index of stories... |
Dr. Mahar - There are probably between 15 & 20 million people in country now with asthma that's about three times what it was back in the 1980's 20 years from now it will rise to about 30 million. So some think it is an epidemic. DOCTOR PETER MAHAR IS THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR CIGNA HEALTHCARE, ONE OF THE MANAGED CARE COMPANIES TRYING TO GET A HANDLE ON THE ASTHMA EPIDEMIC. THEY WANT TO ARM PATIENTS AND DOCTORS WITH UP TO DATE KNOWLEDGE. Mahar VO video animation of bronchial tube - It's an illness where the bronchial tubes are narrowed and we used to think that was due to muscle spasm, that's the old concept, But the idea now is that there is swelling or inflammation and it lasts over a period of time and that you need to treat and prevent the inflammation. Mahar OC - The symptoms are basically shortness of breath with exertion, cough, wheezing. But there are some people who have a tickle in their throat or a cough and that's it, Typically it's shortness of breath and wheezing. There are people who can't work can't go to school. Literally wake up every night short of breath. It has made a major impact on their quality of life. Mahar OC - Many people have grown up with the idea that they should limit their activity with asthma when in fact, when it's well controlled, they should be able to work, they should be able to go to school, they should be able to go to sleep at night. And there are those who can't work can't sleep can't go to school because their asthma is out of control Chip VO instructional video - to help patients control their asthma the Foundation for Healthy Communities has also produced an instructional video. Mahar VO video patients using inhalers and animation of bronchial tube - the treatment has changed because in the old days we thought that it was muscle spasm and they would use medicines that would quickly relax those muscles. And now we know that there is this inflammation or swelling. And that takes time to build up and time to go away. So there are now different kinds of medicines usually inhalers some are called treaters and some are called preventors. Mahar OC - the idea now is that the patient should take charge, Who better than the patient knows their own body knows how they respond to the environmental changes and things like that. Mahar Clearly if you can avoid what sets your asthma off your in the best possible situation.. It could be wood smoke especially in NH. It could be cat dander, dog dander, the work place environment, a whole host of things. BESIDES AVOIDING ENVIRONMENTAL TRIGGERS. PATIENTS NEED TO KNOW HOW TO MONITOR THEIR ASTHMA. Mahar VO shots of patient using peak flow meter and keeping diary - . And we measure that with a simple breathing test called a peak flow Many of the managed care companies do give them to their patients free of charge and they are available commercially at a low cost. They can keep a diary that's an important thing. THE DIARY IS ALSO AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM. Mahar VO shot of diary graph -. You will see it drop before you start to get tight in the chest and wheezy. You need to respond quickly. When something starts to turn for the worst you need to get right on top of it. Mahar OC video of kids playing game together - People should be able to work, play, sleep at night, they should not have a lot of side affects from the medications Mahar VO shot of kids playing -. So ideally they should have a pretty normal life and that is the goal. |
| tag asthma Return to index of stories... |
The Foundation for Healthy Communities is distributing a poster with treatment guidelines and and a copy of their video "Take Control of Your Asthma" to doctors and nurse practioners all across the state. The video and a peak flow meter are also available free to asthma sufferers upon request by calling 1-800-LUNG USA |
| Smith/Ashcroft Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire Senator Bob Smith says John Ashcroft is probably the most qualified nominee ever for the attorney general's job. Smith is urging his colleagues to approve Ashcroft's nomination and to set aside partisan feelings. Smith points to the fact that Senate Republicans voted for President Clinton's nominee for attorney general, Janet Reno, and by that token - Democrats should support President-elect George Bush's nomination of Ashcroft. |