The latest on NH's drought status

Good morning, New Hampshire, and welcome to Wednesday. Today, Molly Rains reports on where New Hampshire stands when it comes to drought conditions. Also, William Skipworth takes a look at the race between Republican Anthony DiLorenzo and Democrat Stefany Shaheen in the 1st Congressional District. And William also writes about the resignation of embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald. Thank you for reading, and for supporting our work. — Dana

By Molly Rains

It’s been more than a year since all of New Hampshire was completely drought-free, and despite some spring and summer rain, drought has returned to a central swath of the state as fall approaches. Meanwhile, in some parts of the southeast and Seacoast, it never went away. That’s despite last winter’s snowfall totals, which were close to typical by historical standards, scientists said. Yet that snow contained less water, reducing its mitigating effect on the drought. It’s an example of how stretches of more “normal” conditions are not always enough to overcome impacts from increasingly extreme weather — a pattern that tracks with scientists’ understanding of how climate change manifests in New Hampshire, according to State Climatologist Mary Stampone.

By William Skipworth

After winning their respective primary elections last week, Republican Anthony DiLorenzo and Democrat Stefany Shaheen will face off in November’s general election to see who will represent New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District. Both candidates call Portsmouth home and both present themselves as centrist options within their parties. The race promises to be closely watched by party leaders around the nation.

By William Skipworth

Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald resigned from his position on the New Hampshire Supreme Court Tuesday, the governor’s office announced, amid allegations of judicial misconduct and an unexplained medical leave.