After 40 years, the high-profile cold case known as the Bear Brook murders has now been solved. But in solving it, investigators have revealed new mysteries. The case has loomed large in the state for decades, baffling investigators, journalists and sleuths on the internet.

And much of New Hampshire is in a drought right now according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor. After a wet spring, the summer has been anything but. That’s led to some communities restricting water use, and farmers struggling to keep crops and animals watered and fed.We discuss these stories on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

Jason Moon, NHPR

Kate Dario, NHPR

A land sale in Nashua earlier this year is now sparking rumors and misinformation online and across the city. A Chinese bottling company purchased an industrial property in January leading to speculation about the deal on social media.

And New Hampshire ranks last in the country in spending on public higher education. At the same time, universities and other education institutions are undergoing funding cuts from both the state and federal governments.

We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

• Kate Dario, NHPR
• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR

Report: NH’s ‘underinvestment’ in its colleges could have big impacts for employers

New Hampshire ranks last in the country in spending on public higher education. That could discourage local students from attending one of the state’s colleges and choosing to make their careers here.

‘Educational futures are on hold’: Adult ed providers still waiting on funding

Congress defunded adult education programs in July then reversed course two weeks later. But that money still has not reached New Hampshire providers who have been unable to hire for the fall semester.

New state law could power cryptomining, data centers in New Hampshire

Wildfire risk high in NH this summer due to dry conditions

As Social Security reaches its 90th anniversary, concerns linger about its future

Dartmouth PhD student drops lawsuit against Trump administration

Concord Police are leading the investigation into a neo-Nazi group's actions in the city last weekend. The Attorney General's Civil Rights Unit is also monitoring as the group's appearance has been condemned by municipal and state political leaders.

Many families are taking interest in New Hampshire’s expanded school choice program as we near the upcoming school year. Fall enrollment has reached the 10,000 cap and nearly 300 students are on a waitlist.

We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

• Steven Porter, Boston Globe
• Will Skipworth, New Hampshire Bulletin

Videos offer new details on neo-Nazi group’s activities, interaction with protesters in Concord

At times, the video shows New Hampshire State Police and the Concord Police Department officers engaging with Blood Tribe members and counter protestors. But mostly, they show the police acting as a buffer between the two groups

Enrollment in NH ‘education freedom account’ program nearly doubles in one year, with universal eligibility

New Hampshire lawmakers expanded the Education Freedom Account program to all families, regardless of income, in June. Fall enrollment has reached the 10,000 student limit.

Dartmouth scientists reeling from Trump’s biomedical research cuts

Since January, the Trump administration has targeted biomedical research in a number of ways.

NH complies with Trump admin request for SNAP recipients’ personal data

Most of this year’s air quality alerts in NH were because of wildfires. That’s likely the new normal.

Witness in trial of NH Supreme Court Justice could include big names in state politics and law

Years before Air Force base fatality, investigators found ‘failure’ in a Sig Sauer gun

A dozen local law enforcement agencies, including state police, have signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the last six months to add some of those federal duties on their beat. Federally, these agreements are part of a push to increase immigration enforcement.

And Gov. Kelly Ayotte's pick for New Hampshire's next education commissioner received broad political support during her confirmation this week. Caitlin Davis said she'd support public education and evaluate the programs established by outgoing Commissioner Frank Edelblut.

We talk about these stories and more on this edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

• Lau Guzmán, NHPR
• Steven Porter, Boston Globe

Ayotte’s pick for NH commissioner says she’d steer clear of politics

Caitlin Davis said she’d support public education, evaluate the programs that outgoing Commissioner Frank Edelblut established, and, unlike Edelblut, keep the agency out of divisive political debates.

Sig Sauer continues to defend safety of P320 following death of airman on U.S. military base

The New Hampshire-based gun manufacturer issued a lengthy statement late Tuesday defending the design and construction of its marquee pistol. The recent death of an airman on a base in Wyoming led the U.S. Air Force to suspend its use for some personnel.

NH Democrat jumps into Manchester mayoral race to challenge Republican incumbent

The race for Manchester mayor is beginning to shape up. Republican Jay Ruais was the only one with his hat in the ring until Democrat Jessica Spillers stepped forward to challenge the incumbent mayor.

NH regulators allow Eversource to raise rates and change ratemaking processes

Consumer advocates say the plan will hurt residential customers and limit transparency.

He bought the local paper to help his hometown. Now, he’s being blamed for its demise.

NH educators, parents work to build trust between schools and families

NH has taken a ‘housing first’ approach to homelessness. A new executive order could change that.

Some Granite Staters are raising concerns about how ICE agents are operating in their communities. The concerns follow apparent detentions of people in Manchester and Portsmouth this month. A video circulating this week shows a man being arrested outside a Manchester courthouse this week, and in Portsmouth, four restaurant workers were detained by ICE agents earlier this month.

A new person will soon be deciding the settlement awards given to alleged victims of abuse at the state’s youth detention facility. Current state settlement administrator John Broderick recently announced he’ll be leaving the job.

We discuss these stories and more on this week’s edition of the New Hampshire News Recap.

Guests:

• Lau Guzmán, NHPR
• Amanda Gokee, Boston Globe

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Apparent ICE officers detain man near Manchester courthouse, community concerned

ICE arrests have tripled in New Hampshire since January, amid an enhanced immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. Monday’s arrest in Manchester is not the first time that someone has been detained near a New Hampshire courthouse.

Portsmouth residents concerned about community trust, worker safety after ICE actions

Several residents attended public meetings this week to voice their concerns about what they described as unidentified law enforcement officers in their community.

YDC fund administrator warns new N.H. law will remove him, amid concerns of fairness

The new legislation prompted the victims of abuse at the Youth Development Center to file a class action lawsuit last week, arguing the state was going back on its word.

Electricity costs in N.H. rising during hot summer months of peak usage

New Hampshire’s largest electricity company is warning residents that energy costs are about to go up during the hot summer months when consumers typically use the most energy to stay cool.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Air Force unit suspends use of Sig Sauer pistol after shooting death of airman

NH is the first state to require doctors to follow patients' wishes on sterilization

How to tell if your favorite NH swimming spot is safe from cyanobacteria

Ayotte picks fights with fellow Republicans carefully, both in Concord and Washington

New report shows Medicaid coverage decreased slightly in New Hampshire in 2024

Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed several Republican-backed bills this week that addressed key priorities for conservatives in her party. That includes a bill that would have rolled back civil rights protections for transgender people in the state and a bill that would have allowed parents to request books be removed from their child’s school.

New Hampshire real estate developer Robynne Alexander admitted in court this week that she had defrauded at least 25 investors of more than $3 million. One of those deals involved 217 acres in Laconia that former Gov. Chris Sununu had chosen to sell her for $21.5 million.

We discuss these stories and more on this week’s edition of the NH News Recap

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Guests:

• Annmarie Timmins, NHPR
• Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin

Top stories from around New Hampshire this week:

Ayotte vetoes Republican-backed public school book ban bill

The Republican-backed bill targeted books, films, and other items that depicted nudity and sexual contact unless the school could show they had "serious" scientific, educational, artistic or political value.

Defying party, Ayotte vetoes school book removal bill, other Republican legislation

Gov. Kelly Ayotte vetoed seven bills Tuesday, many of which were intended to strengthen parental rights, bucking the conservative wing of her party over hotly contested legislation.

More New Hampshire headlines:

Portsmouth residents concerned about community trust, worker safety after ICE actions

Protesters rally in Concord as part of nationwide ‘Good Trouble’ events

Six months into the Trump administration, NH farmers continue navigating federal cuts, grant delays

NH Secretary of State rebuffs Trump administration request for state’s voter roll