We've heard several takes on the downward slide of retail politicking in New Hampshire…now, to other trending topics in the 2012 campaign…joining us with his take on New Hampshire's role in the political process is Bill Curry. He’s a long-time political analyst and NPR commentator who was a close advisor to Bill Clinton during his presidency .  

For those who revel in political swag and campaign catering, the New Hampshire primary is a perfect opportunity to socialize with like-minded supporters and bathe in the glow of national media.  But for many others, politics are a private affair – that is until you receive a pre-recorded via the home phone - usually, right around dinner time.

Bookies take bets on winners and losers. Political junkies follow the news, budgets and campaign strategies to determine the odds. Astrologers follow the candidates destinies as mapped out in the heavens. The Nashua Patch asked astrologer Dorothy Morgan to consult the stars  for clues to the outcome of the New Hamsphire primary.

In their books, Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner use the tools of economics to explore real-world behavior. As boring as that may sound, what they really do is tell stories — about cheating schoolteachers, self-dealing real-estate agents, and crack-selling mama's boys. Those Freakonomics stories — and plenty of new ones — are now coming to the radio, with Dubner as host.

Next week on the Exchange we culminate our Issue Tuesday's series on a Monday as we look at the Republican Presidential candidates and how the topic of how electable they are may play into who the voters choose at the ballot box.  Then on Primary Day, we talk to author Colin Woodard on his new book "American Nation" and explore how  he says, our political differences as Americans are not determined by red states and blue states but 11 distinct cultural North American regions that's histories have formed our true divisions.

"Skating on thin ice" is the way one New Hampshire economist describes the current state of our economy.  New Hampshire is still out performing other states in terms of its unemployment rate and the stability of its housing market, but economic troubles in Europe could mean bad news for the Granite State which relies very much on exports.  Also some worry that if the national economy doesn't gain a lot of momentum, New Hampshire's economy could be compromised.  Today we look at the New Hampshire economy, examine the good news and not so good news and ask whether 2012 may be the turnaround y

You learned a remarkable property of H2O back in High School chemistry. Remember?

Normally, the density of compounds decreases as temperatures increase and molecules spread out. When temperatures fall, density increases as molecules become more tightly packed. Not true for ice – in fact, the exact opposite occurs!

In liquid form, each water molecule’s hydrogen is bonded to 3 other water molecules. In ice form, each molecule’s hydrogen bonded to 4 others. These hydrogen bonds form an open arrangement that is less compact than liquid water.

The primary trail is busy again, with Iowa in the rearview mirror and just days before Granite Staters cast their votes.

NHPR's Josh Rogers shares the latest from the trail with All Things Considered host Brady Carlson, including what Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum are doing as they hope to build on the results of the Iowa caucuses.

New Hampshire's Immigration Story on Prezi

Peruse through the above presentation to learn more about the history of immigration in New Hampshire.

It's interactive, too! Scroll or click within the presentation to zoom, then resume the presentation with the arrow keys. Click on "More" to play automatically or view full screen.

Newt Gingrich took jabs at Republican opponent Mitt Romney today/Thursday while making a campaign stop in the North Country. NHPR’s Chris Jensen reports.

About 100 people showed up for the town hall meeting with Gingrich at the Littleton Opera House.

He talked about the economy, the budget. And what he believes president Obama has done wrong, which Gingrich says is a lot.

And he took a big poke at Mitt Romney, typically seen as the Republican front runner.