Josh Rogers

Thousands of state lawmakers are expected to return to their capitols in 2021 for a new legislative session. But the pandemic and political divisions are making that harder than ever.

Delaying session or meeting remotely aren't options that have necessarily appealed to Republican state lawmakers who, for the most part, aren't shy about gathering in large numbers in 2021.

New Hampshire Republicans elected Rep. Dick Hinch as speaker of the House after the GOP took control of the chamber in November. Hinch's death, now known to be of COVID-19, was announced Wednesday.

The New Hampshire primary isn't until February 2020 but for locals, the pace of campaigning is already frenetic as voters assess the huge field of Democratic candidates.

Rep. Robert Fisher has been linked to an online alias that posted comments such as "every woman wants to be attractive enough to be raped."

Until the current fight over a similar federal regulation, the New Hampshire law requiring contraceptive coverage was on the books for more than a decade without controversy. Now Republicans in the state Legislature are trying to carve out a religious exemption.

Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire has been nominated by President Obama to serve as commerce secretary. The state's governor says he will appoint Republican Bonnie Newman to fill Gregg's seat, should he be confirmed.

In part two of All Things Considered's look at abortion today, we look at a New Hampshire abortion notification law case before the Supreme Court and public opinion. Then, we take a broader look at other abortion-related cases that might come before the high court in the future.