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 Preshow Return to index of stories... |
Next on New Hampshire Outlook. The two-thousand two election may seem far away but the races are already heating up. New Hampshire prepares to stockpile the nuclear pill. We'll find out why. And poetry collides with the world of theater in The Bone Ring. |
| Headlines Return to index of stories... |
Welcome to New Hampshire Outlook. I'm Allison McNair. |
| Nuke pills Return to index of stories... |
A few months ago, New Hampshire said no to stockpiling potassium iodide - the drug that can protect they thyroid gland against some of the effects of radiation exposure. But now the state is asking the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for enough of the drug to take care of all residents living within the 10-mile Emergency Planning Zones around Seabrook Station and Vermont Yankee. The drug is already being stocked at the Shop And Save market in Hampton. The Office of Emergency Management is asking the federal government for more. OEM Director Don Bliss told us why. |
| nuke phoner Return to index of stories... |
Back in October, as Massachusetts lawmakers were moving a bill through their Legislature that would supply this medication, often referred to by its chemical designation KI, to all residents living in the shadow of a nuclear plant, New Hampshire Office of Emergency Management spokesman James Van Dongen restated his agency's policy. "The New Hampshire policy is that KI should be and is available to anyone who, on their own initiative, wants it," Van Dongen said. "It can be purchased online, and one pharmacy, the Shop 'n Save pharmacy in Hampton, approached the state with a request to stock it." The state sees potassium iodide as a "supplemental protective action," Van Dongen said at the time. The primary focus of the state's planned response to a radioactive release is evacuation or shelter. "KI just protects one gland," Van Dongen said. "The state is concentrating on mechanisms that protect the whole body." What the OEM spokesman was referring to is that KI blocks the uptake of radioactive iodine, one of the many radioactive materials released in a nuclear accident, by the thyroid gland. While cancers of the thyroid are one of the most common ailments noted in the aftermath of the Chernobyl accidents in the Ukraine in 1986, it is only one of the maladies suffered by those who were exposed to high doses of radiation in that event. New Hampshire stockpiles the drug for emergency workers and those who could not be moved out of a contaminated area, Van Dongen said. However, he said in October that it would be an administrative nightmare to try to distribute the drug to everyone living near a nuclear power plant in the event of a release. "The people who were most adamant about not distributing KI were the emergency personnel in the communities surrounding Seabrook," the OEM spokesman said. "They thought it could slow evacuation." Shaheen's press secretary, Pamela Walsh, said evacuation remains the primary focus of the state's policy in the event of a nuclear accident or a terrorist attack involving nuclear material, but if people want access to KI, "this will give it to them," she said. The details of how the drug will be distributed have yet to be worked out, Walsh said. The state hopes to present a distribution plan to the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 90 days. Jenn Hicks, executive director of the Seacoast Anti-Pollution League, which has been in the forefront of the fight to get KI for Seacoast residents, said that at the very least, KI should be stockpiled in local schools and at the centers local residents will be evacuated to in the event of a nuclear emergency. "We also need to talk about education," Hicks said. "The only form of education there is now is the calendar that is sent to every resident living in the Evacuation Planning Zone. Education, right now, is criminally poor." |
| Tag phoner Return to index of stories... |
The Office of Emergency Management is working with Health and Human Services to finalize a predistribution plan to submit to Federal Officeof Emergency Management. |
| Campaign 2002 Return to index of stories... |
Although the election is months away, the race for Governor Shaheen's corner office is starting to take shape. The issue of school funding and the state budget shortfall topped the agenda at a Democratic Forum in Manchester earlier this week. Gubernatorial hopefuls Mark Fernald and Jim Normand talked to a crowd of about 40 Manchester Democrats. Normad is a former Manchester Executive Councilor. He says he takes a less liberal approach than the other democratic candidates when it comes to funding education. He wants to create an invention task force to promote development of technology and produce new revenue for the state. He also says he'll seek more federal money to ease the tax burden. Fernald, a second term state senator, wants to lower the statewide property tax. He believes the logical answer to the budget shortfall is an income tax. Senator Beverly Hollingworth, who declined to participate in the forum, has said the state must look beyond property and business taxes to fund education but has not fully endorsed the idea of an income tax. |
| Intro Hubbard Return to index of stories... |
Many voters might consider the two-thousand-two election far away. But not the people who are running office. Several competitive and, in some cases, crowded contests have already begun to take shape here in New Hampshire. For analysis of some of the races to watch this year, I recently spoke with U-N-H Political Science Professor Clark Hubbard. |
| HUBBARD BUMP Return to index of stories... |
NH Votes 2002: Candidate Websites\Sununu: www.house.gov/sununu Shaheen: www.state.nh.us/governor Smith: www.senate.gov/~Smith Clark: www.clarkforcongress.com Bass: www.house.gov/bass Benson: www.whybenson.com |
| Dropout Rate Return to index of stories... |
New Hampshire High Schools lost one out of every 20 students because they dropped out last year. The state Department of Education defines dropouts as pupils who completed the 1999-2000 school year, but did not return to school in September 2000, or who left school during the 2000-2001 school year. By that measure, close to 28-hundred pupils dropped out, or more than five percent of the high school population. With 82 dropouts, Franklin High School had the highest rate, 16 percent. Hopkinton and Pittsburg had no dropouts for the year. |
| Business Outlook Return to index of stories... |
Wall Street couldn't snap a four-session losing streak. Mixed retail sales figures for January have investors worried that solid growth may yet be months away. Stocks closed lower for a fifth consecutive day. |
| Wall Street Stocks Return to index of stories... |
The Dow spent much of the session in positive territory. But the gains didn't hold and the blue chip index fell 28 points. The Nasdaq suffered a 30 point loss. And the S and P 500 lost three points. Dow Jones\9625.44\-27.95\NYSE\557.49\-0.32\AMEX\821.87\-5.15\Nasdaq\1782.11\-30.60\S&P 500\1080.17\-3.34\ |
| NH Stocks Return to index of stories... |
Here's a look at stocks of interest to New Hampshire investors. Chubb gained two dollars and 29 cents a share, Fisher Scientific was up a dollar 24 cents. Oxford Health rose a dollar 86, Timberland dropped three dollars and 71 cents, and Tyco stock ended the day up two dollars and 18 cents a share. |
| Tyco Return to index of stories... |
And on Thursday, Tycom - a subsidiary of Tyco International - announced it will cut 1000 jobs worldwide. The result - 470 New Hampshire workers no longer have jobs. The company says it needs to cut costs in the face of increased competition. TyCom is laying off 120 employees in Exeter and 350 in Newington. TyCom makes undersea fiber-optic cables. |
| Troubled Mills Return to index of stories... |
Regular unemployment benefits end this weekend for the first group of pulp and paper mill workers who were laid off last summer. But they are eligible for new, extended benefits. The same is true for another round of workers who reach the end of their 26 week benefit period next weekend. There is some good news - a federal bankruptcy judge in Deleware has given the go-ahead to a potential buyer so it can provide funds to maintain the mills for future operation. Governor Shaheen says the agreement is cause for real optimism. |
| Intro Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
On this day in 1978 coastal New England experienced the worst winter storm on record. The blizzard of 78 dumped over 27- inches of snow at Boston. And nearly 50 inches in northeastern Rhode Island. A lot calmer on this day.we checked in with Katie Koster to see what's in store for us weatherwise. |
| Mt. Washington Return to index of stories... |
Mount Washington Observatory\Thursday On The Summit\Mostly cloudy freezing fog\High: 17\Peak gust: W 47mph\Visibility: 50 miles 150 feet Overnight\North\Variable cloudiness \Chance of flurries\Lows: 15 to 20 \Winds: Light NW 5 to 10 Overnight\Central and South\Mostly clear\Lows: 18 to 23\Winds: SW 5 to 10\ Friday\North\Partly sunny\Highs: 30 to 35\Winds: NW 5 to 15\ Friday\Central and South\Mostly sunny\Highs: Mid to upper 30s\Winds: NW 5 to 15 \ |
| Into Hall's Bone Ring Return to index of stories... |
This weekend the world of poetry collides with the world of theater as former New Hampshire poet lauriate Donald Hall talks about his free verse play "The Bone Ring." The play is based on his boyhood memories of his grandparents and the family farm. Producer Chip Neal takes us to the Wilmot farm and also gives us a sneak preview of the play. |
| Bone Ring Return to index of stories... |
PRECIS: New Hampshire poet Donald Hall is well known for his poems and short stories. He's also a playwright whose work The Bone Ring is being performed at the Annicchiarico Theatre in Concord. We sit down with the former State Poet Laureate at his Wilmot family farm which is the setting for the play. We talk about his inspiration for this play and what it took to convert it from a memoire into a stage production. For a sneak preview we visit the Annicchiarico Theater during dress rehearsal and speak with the director of the play, don Boxwell. |
| Tag Bone Ring Return to index of stories... |
The Bone Ring will be running in Concord this weekend on Friday and Saturday at 8 PM and on Sunday at 2 PM. |
| Intro Calendar Return to index of stories... |
In addition to the opening of Donald Hall's play there are plenty of other offerings in the realm of art, theatre and dance. Here is a selection in this week's Arts Calendar. |
| Arts Calendar Return to index of stories... |
EXHIBIT\Art Faculty \Keene\through March 3\603-358-2720 MUSIC\A Capella groups\Hanover\February 8\603-646-2422 MUSIC\Samite of Uganda\Claremont\February 8\603-542-0064 MUSIC\Love Songs\Epping\February 8 - 10\603-679-2781 LECTURE\Loretta LaRoche\Concord\February 9\603-225-1111 DANCE\PSC Dance Premiere\Plymouth\February 9\603-535-2787 MUSIC\Mozart and Strauss\Nashua\February 10\603-595-9156 |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| 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 |
| Airport Security Return to index of stories... |
The New Hampshire National Guard will finish service at the Manchester Airport on March 10th. Airport Director Kevin Dillon says there will be other security measures in place. The airport plans on opening a fourth screening station to speed passengers through security. And it's also waiting for word from the federal government on getting screening equipment for all checked baggage. And Dillon says - airport employees will be fingerprinted and undergo criminal background checks by the end of the year. |
| Key: arts Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:2/7/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 5:51 minutes In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included an interview with former New Hampshire poet lauriate Donald Hall. Hall talks about his free verse play "The Bone Ring." The play is based on his boyhood memories of his grandparents and the family farm. Our cameras were also given a sneak preview of the play. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Chip Neal NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Donald Hall\Poet - Author Don Boxwell\Director |
| Key: politics Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time:2/7/02 / 2200 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 11 minutes In addition to a summary of the day's top New Hampshire stories, this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a discussion with UNH political science professor Clark Hubbard. Hubbard gave his analysis of some of the political races to watch this year. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: U-N-H Political Science Professor Clark Hubbard. |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Poetry in motion with former poet laureate Donald Hall. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| website Return to index of stories... |
For information on our program, and links to our guests and interviews, visit our web site at nhptv.org. You can also see and hear streaming video of our broadcasts. If you've got a story idea or comment on our program you can call us at 800-639-2721. |
| Friday daytime Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A look at the week's tops stories from a Senate run for Jeanne Shaheen to the Enron Crisis. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| WEB PROMO-fri Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A look at the week's tops stories from a Senate run for Jeanne Shaheen to the Enron Crisis. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| tonight Friday Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A look at the week's tops stories from a Senate run for Jeanne Shaheen to the Enron Crisis. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - A look at the week's tops stories from a Senate run for Jeanne Shaheen to the Enron Crisis. |
| weekend Monday Return to index of stories... |
Monday on New Hampshire Outlook. A unique force behind the State's labor pool. The story of MMH Ventures Monday at 10pm only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| AMTRAK Return to index of stories... |
Plan to break up Amtrak heads to Congress By LAURENCE ARNOLD Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON — A congressionally appointed panel says Amtrak is irreversibly flawed and should be broken up to give the free market an opportunity to improve the nation’s passenger train system. But former Massachusetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis said the report should be rejected. Amtrak, created to relieve freight railways of the burden of carrying passengers, should be replaced at least in part by private operators working under franchise, the Amtrak Reform Council says. The council’s report, going to Congress on Thursday, says Amtrak should be relieved of policy-making duties and landownership. After a transition period, private operators would be allowed to compete for contracts to run specific routes. If enacted, the change would be dramatic. Amtrak, formed in 1971, is the nation’s sole provider of intercity passenger train travel. "The council believes that passenger rail service will never achieve its potential as provided and managed by Amtrak," the report says. The Associated Press obtained a copy of its executive summary on Wednesday. The next step is up to Congress, due to vote this year on whether to authorize Amtrak’s continued existence. The House Transportation Committee has scheduled a Feb. 14 hearing on the report. White House budget director Mitchell Daniels said this week the Bush administration plans to study the council’s plan before deciding on a course for Amtrak and passenger rail. The plan faces a hostile reception from Amtrak supporters on and off Capitol Hill. "I think this report should be rejected out of hand," said Amtrak chairman Dukakis, former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate. He called decentralization "a prescription for bureaucratic paralysis." Dukakis said the real issue is money. Amtrak says it has a $5.8 billion backlog in work needed on its trains, tracks, rail yards and stations. The Transportation Department’s inspector general, Kenneth Mead, reported last month that Amtrak needs at least $1 billion a year to stave off deterioration of its assets, most of which are in the Northeast. Last week, Amtrak said it will cancel long-distance routes unless it receives $1.2 billion in the 2003 budget year, which begins in October. President Bush has proposed $521 million for Amtrak, the same amount as the last three years. In its report, the reform council endorses "adequate and secure sources of funding for intercity passenger rail service" but specifies no amount. Under the council’s plan, a new subsidiary of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. — Amtrak’s official name — would conduct train operations, ultimately franchising out some or all routes through competitive bidding. Another subsidiary would own, operate and maintain the tracks, property and stations now under Amtrak’s control. "The council believes that, as is the case throughout our free-market economy, competition would drive down costs and improve service quality and customer satisfaction," the executive summary says. The council voted 8-1 on Jan. 11 to approve the basic outlines of the plan and will vote Thursday on the final product. Congress created the council as part of an overhaul that gave Amtrak until Dec. 2, 2002, to begin operating without government subsidies. The council voted 6-5 in November that Amtrak will not achieve that goal, a finding that gave the panel 90 days to come up with a restructuring plan. Amtrak President George Warrington said the council’s November vote cost Amtrak $52 million because it forced some pending business deals to fall apart. The rail labor division of the AFL-CIO’s transportation trades department failed last week to persuade a federal judge to block release of the council’s report. ——— On the Net: Amtrak Reform Council: http:/www.amtrakreformcouncil.gov Amtrak: http:/www.amtrak.com |
| Monday daytime Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A unique force behind the State's labor pool. The story of MMH Ventures tonight at 10pm only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Monday web Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. A unique force behind the State's labor pool. The story of MMH Ventures at 10pm only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| tag Dems Return to index of stories... |
Democratic Senator Beverly Hollingworth, who is planning to run for Governor, says she wont be attending candidate forums until the end of the lawmaking session in May. |