Archives

According to the latest federal statistics, New Hampshire has the lowest rate in New England of people behind bars or under parole or probation. But among the people under any form of correctional supervision, New Hampshire puts the highest percentage in jail or prison.

In Maine, non-violent offenders are spending less time behind bars, as jail administrators around the state take advantage of diversion programs now required by laws passed in the last legislative session.

From Maine Public Radio, Jeanne Baron reports.

The Democratic National Convention wrapped up last night in Boston. The much-hyped event was four days of endless cheering, political signage and party unity; all culminating last night with John Kerry's speech officially accepting his party's nomination for president. With the fanfare over and the election still 95 days away, we'll recap the high and not-so-high points of the DNC, ask what was accomplished and where John Kerry and the Democratic Party goes from here. Laura's guests are Guy MacMillin, Editorial page editor for The Keene Sentinel; Linda Fowler, Professor of Government at Dartmouth College; Kathleen Sullivan, Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic Party; Jayne Millerick, Chairman of the New Hampshire State Republican Committee. Bob Baines, Mayor of Manchester and New Hampshire Delegate and TBA.

This week we're airing stump speeches by candidates for Governor. Tonight we hear from Democratic hopeful John Lynch of Hopkinton. Lynch spoke last week at a candidates' forum hosted by the New Hampshire Farm bureau and the New Hampshire Timberland owners association.

Over sixty Granite State lakes and rivers have been invaded by milfoil. It clogs our lakes, chokes our plant and wildlife and makes swimming and boating nearly impossible. We�ll look at some new approaches to eradicate this tough exotic plant and look to ways to prevent further outbreaks from happening in the future. Laura's guests are Joel Harrington, Environmental Policy Director for The New Hampshire Lakes Association. Jody Connor, Director of the Limnology Center for The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services. Lionel Chute, Administrator for The Natural Heritage Bureau for the Division of Forests and Lands and a member of the New Hampshire Invasive Species Committee. Pat Tarpey, Lake Point Person of the Lake Host Program for The Lake Winnipesaukee Watershed Association and Ed Neister, Chairman of the Suncook Lake Association Milfoil Control Committee, his committee along with D.E.S has almost completely eradicated Milfoil from Lower Suncook Lake in Barnstead, New Hampshire.

We begin today's show with a check of the Democratic National Convention on its final day with Ricia McMahon, Vice President of Americans for Campaign Finance Reform and two time DNC delegate.

Six inmates at the New Hampshire State Prison filed a lawsuit against the State for not providing adequate mental health services. Specifically, the suit charges that the State has failed to live up to a series of court settlements dating back to 1990.

NHPR's Rakhee Vemulapalli reports