Have home prices bottomed? While low housing inventory stimies sales, bidding wars prop up prices
While sales of previously occupied U.S. homes fell again last month, the national median home sales price rose to $406,700, marking its first annual increase since January, the National Association of Realtors said Tuesday.
Buzzworthy: Honeybee health blooming at federal facilities across the country
While judges, lawyers and support staff at the federal courthouse in Concord, New Hampshire, keep the American justice system buzzing, thousands of humble honeybees on the buildingโs roof are playing their part in a more important task: feeding the world.
New Hampshire history marker for communist draws GOP anger
Republican officials in New Hampshire are objecting to a historical marker dedicated to labor activist who championed womenโs rights and was a founder of the American Civil Liberties Union, but who also led the Communist Party and was sent to prison.
Report: World demand for gasoline may never recover
The world's once-insatiable demand for gasoline is unlikely to recover to pre-pandemic levels, according to a report Wednesday, March 17, 2021 from the International Energy Agency. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)NEW YORK โ The world's once-insatiable demand for gasoline is unlikely to recover to pre-pandemic levels, according to a report Wednesday from the International Energy Agency. Oil demand, meanwhile, is expected to continue rising as developing countries with growing populations use more of the fuel. But it is not expected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2023, according to the Paris-based intergovernmental agency. Gasoline demand is unlikely to fully return because increased demand in the developing world will be offset by consumers shifting to electric vehicles, manufacturers improving fuel efficiency and businesses increasing telework while decreasing travel, the report said.
Race into NASCAR's championship round begins at Kansas
Elliott won the race. The path to the championship finale begins Sunday at Kansas Speedway, the first of three races in the title-setting third round. It's a fairly straightforward series with ensuing stops at Texas Motor Speedway, like Kansas a 1.5-mile intermediate oval, then half-mile Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR's shortest and oldest active track. Hamlin has won NASCAR's last two visits to Kansas, a turnaround after several so-so races. โIf you fast-forward to Kansas and Texas, itโs a mile-and-a-half, so everything is just pointing in our direction right now,โ he said.
Elliott wins at Roval as champ Busch bounced from playoffs
Chase Elliott won on the hybrid road course-oval at Charlotte Motor Speedway, where Busch and three others were trimmed from title contention. Elliott, meanwhile, won for the second consecutive year at โThe Rovalโ and third time this season. โBest way to get into the next round is to win,โ Elliott said. Bowman battled anxiety through the race as he worried Kyle Busch would win and bump him from the playoffs. When Busch didn't pit, Bowman nervously asked his Hendrick Motorsports team if he was about to be eliminated.
NASCAR champion Busch tries to stave off elimination
Busch doesn't need to win on the โRovalโ to advance, but there's only five races remaining for him to improve his season. The Sunday forecast calls for an 80% chance for rain and the road course portion of the Roval permits NASCAR to race in wet conditions. The Cup drivers have never before used rain tires in competition. NASCAR stopped the Xfinity Series race for about 40 minutes Saturday so its track dryers could push water off the racing surface. "What is the drainage like at that racetrack through the infield road course?
DiBenedetto keeps ride as Cindric promotion to Cup delayed
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome, File)Team Penske found a one-year solution for Matt DiBenedetto while building a long-term plan to move Austin Cindric to the Cup Series. Cindric, currently competing in the Xfinity Series for Penske, will take over the seat in 2022. Cindric will compete in both Xfinity Series next season as well as select Cup races. Cindric, meanwhile, was the Xfinity Series regular season champion and is currently racing for the championship. "Another season of experience in the Xfinity Series will be beneficial and Iโm looking forward to competing in some Cup Series races in 2021 to prepare for a full season in 2022.โ
First lady promotes Trump's approach to opioid crisis in NH
Mrs. Trump, who has focused many of her public efforts on health issues such as the nationโs opioid crisis, tweeted earlier in the day that the appearance was a nod to Recovery Month. Trump lost the state to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton by fewer than 3,000 votes in 2016. โBe Best encourages the creation of a safer, healthier and more hopeful world for our children,โ Mrs. Trump said. 'โMelania Trump also delivered 20 fleece โBe Bestโ blankets to the hospitalโs special case nursery. The first lady also made a stop at the Manchester Fire Department Central Station, where she and the president visited in 2018.
Chase Elliott ends week of misery with overdue Cup victory
Chase Elliott does a burnout after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Thursday, May 28, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)CONCORD, N.C. NASCAR's grueling return to racing finally ended with a Cup victory for Chase Elliott. The event, postponed Wednesday night, was the fourth Cup race since the series resumed racing May 17. Man this is a tough week, we've had some tough losses," Elliott said from the frontstretch. Elliott reeled in Kevin Harvick with 27 laps remaining and closed out the victory. Elliott's victory was the first for a Chevrolet driver in NASCAR's return to Cup racing.
NASCAR Cup race in Charlotte pushed back day because of rain
A man walks through the infield as rain falls before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway Wednesday, May 27, 2020, in Concord, N.C. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)CONCORD, N.C. Rain washed out the Cup Series race Wednesday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway a slight break for NASCAR teams taxed by a grueling return to racing. The race was rescheduled for Thursday night at 7 p.m., which in turn forced NASCAR to move the Xfinity Series race scheduled for Saturday at Bristol Motor Speedway. The Xfinity Series race will instead be run Monday night, a day after the Cup Series. The second consecutive Wednesday night race would have been the fourth for the elite Cup Series since May 17. The starting order for the second Cup race at Charlotte this week was set based on the finishing order of the Coca-Cola 600 but with an inversion.
Elliott ends Busch's win streak, collects $100,000 bounty
Marcus Lemonis, the CEO of Gander RV & Outdoors, which sponsors the Truck Series, agreed to match Harvicks pledge, bringing the total to $100,000 for pandemic relief. Elliott rubbed a little salt in the wound after the race, borrowing Buschs celebratory bow after the race. That is all.It was the first Truck Series race since Feb. 21 when Busch won at Las Vegas. Elliott, John Hunter Nemechek and Brennan Poole were the three full-time Cup drivers eligible to collect the $100,000 bounty. He followed up a fourth-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday by winning the Xfinity Series race on Monday in overtime after passing Austin Cindric on the final lap.
Hamlin crew members suspended 4 races over tungsten drop
The tungsten is required to meet minimum weight requirements on the car and the NASCAR rule book states if it is separated at any point it is an automatic four-race suspension for the crew chief, car chief and engineer. Chris Gabehart, the crew chief, was suspended along with car chief Brandon Griffeth and engineer Scott Simmons. Sam McAulay will be the crew chief, while Eric Phillips will be car chief and Scott Eldridge the engineer. NASCAR's next four races are at Charlotte, Bristol, Atlanta and Martinsville between Wednesday night and June 10, when the suspension ends. Hamlin won not only the season-opening Daytona 500 but also won last Wednesday night at Darlington Raceway.
No fans, no problem: Some Coca-Cola 600 fans turn out anyway
The only people to see the race were those working it and those who live in the turn one condominiums at the track. But there were 33 motorhomes on his properties, with race fans traveling from as far away as New York, Texas and Maine. Like many around the country, Little has taken a financial hit due to fans being shut out of sports, but the third-generation owner of the campground said, honestly, I feel just terrible for the race fans." The Coca-Cola 600 promotional signs that normally adorn from the front of restaurants during race week were non-existent. Usually we would be packed out with NASCAR fans," said Mindy Segovia, the general manager of Iron Thunder Saloon, about a mile from the track.
NASCAR all alone on motorsports biggest day of racing
The most celebrated day in motorsports has been whittled down to the third course, 600 miles around Charlotte Motor Speedway in NASCAR's longest race of the year. What began as the World 600 in 1959 became the nightcap to a spectacular day of automobile racing treasured annually by fans. It means NASCAR is alone in the spotlight Sunday night, just as NASCAR has been for the last week. Were right there and James is doing an awesome job.BUSCH VS. ELLIOTTChase Elliott flipped Busch the bird after Busch wrecked Elliott racing for the win Wednesday night. Busch went on to finish second in a 1-2 with Hamlin for Joe Gibbs Racing; Elliott was 38th.
New Hampshire mail carrier delivers heartwarming notes to graduating students on his route
CONCORD, N.H. A mail carrier from New Hampshire found a unique way to honor graduating students along his route. Josh Crowell is delivering congratulatory handwritten notes to Class of 2020 students -- who are unable to celebrate graduation with traditional ceremonies and parties due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. MORE: Coronavirus in Michigan: Heres where we stand as of SundayCrowell says his daughter graduated high school in 2018, so he knows commencements are an important rite of passage. As he saw graduation signs along his work route, he wanted to congratulate the students who cant walk across a stage this year. Crowell delivers Dunkin Donuts gift cards along with the notes, which he signs, Your mailman, Josh.
Virus restrictions fuel anti-government 'boogaloo' movement
But experts warn that the anti-government boogaloo movement has attracted a dangerous element of far-right extremists. The signature look for the โboogalooโ anti-government movement is designed to get attention. In March, a Missouri man with ties to neo-Nazis was shot and killed when FBI agents tried to arrest him. While the anti-lockdown protests have provided the spotlight on the โboogalooโ movement, a police shooting in Maryland has galvanized its supporters. Harts, 27, says โboogalooโ started as a funny meme but has evolved into a deeper symbol for the โliberty movement."
'Old school' technique helps expert ID remains from 1969
Morris, 30, of Barre, Vermont, had been shot at least six times in the head. โWhen youโre looking at a finger thatโs been in the ground since 1969, the epidermal layer of skin is gone. When I did it myself, I knew what I was looking at.โThe attorney general's Cold Case Unit had been trying to identify the remains for years. They told investigators Morris had been released from the Vermont State Prison on May 9, 1969, and spent time in Boston the following month and in Glastonbury, Connecticut, that July. โIt definitely gave our Cold Case Unit at the attorney generalโs office help in their investigation and hopefully solving this someday.โThe Cold Case Unit was created in 2009.
Sanders says he'll enact national drinking water standards
CONCORD, NH โ Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that he would enact federal drinking water standards for a group of toxic chemicals that have caused widespread contamination in New Hampshire and other states. Sanders, a Vermont senator, said instead of spending millions on lawsuits to gut clean water rules, such companies should be paying to clean up contamination. He said as president, he will create national clean water standards for PFAS and other chemicals in an effort to guarantee clean drinking water โas a human right.โโCorporate greed is threatening one of the most basic necessities of life: clean water,โ he said in a statement. โNot only will we support state efforts to enforce stronger clean water laws, we are going to create federal clean water standards that force these companies to clean up their mess.โMore than 700 homes in New Hampshire whose drinking water was contaminated by PFAS have been connected to new water, and the state estimates that more than 100,000 other people eventually could be affected. 3M Co., based in St. Paul, Minnesota, said in a statement Tuesday that it โsupports appropriate science-based regulations of PFASโ and therefore backs โconsideration of an enforceable, science-based national drinking water standard" for the toxic chemicals.
Joe Walsh files to challenge Trump in New Hampshire
Republican presidential candidate former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., files to have his name listed on the New Hampshire primary ballot, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, in Concord, N.H. At left is New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner and at right is his wife Helene Walsh. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)Former Illinois congressman Joe Walsh has filed for the New Hampshire presidential primary, officially giving President Donald Trump two major Republican primary challengers in the early voting state. Hes become a vocal critic of the president, saying Trump is unfit for the office. Bill Weld has also filed to challenge Trump in the New Hampshire primary. Both Walsh and Weld have struggled so far to have largescale fundraising success.
Warren files for NH primary, scorns billionaires
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks with supporters after filing to have her name listed on the New Hampshire primary ballot, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)Elizabeth Warren has once again scorned big moneys influence in politics as she signed up for New Hampshire's presidential primary. The Massachusetts senator said Wednesday, "We really shouldn't have elections that are about billionaires calling all the shots, whether they're reaching in their pockets to fund their own elections or whether they're counting on getting other people to run.Warrens comments came as billionaire Michael Bloomberg considers making a late run for the Democratic presidential nomination. Billionaire businessman Tom Steyer is also competing with Warren in the primary. Warren is among the last of the 2020 Democrats to file for the New Hampshire primary. Candidates have until Friday to file.
Bill Weld files to challenge Trump in New Hampshire primary
Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. William Weld, right, hands paperwork to Secretary of State Bill Gardner as he files to have his name listed on the New Hampshire primary ballot, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)Republican Bill Weld has filed for the New Hampshire presidential primary and is now the first major GOP challenger to officially challenge President Donald Trump in the state. The filing by the former Massachusetts governor came on the same day as the House began public impeachment hearings of Trump in Washington. Weld says if Trump were to be reelected, I think that would be a tragedy for the country.Mark Sanford, the former South Carolina governor and congressman, dropped out of the Republican primary race on Tuesday, leaving Weld and former Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh as the remaining major Trump primary challengers. Walsh is scheduled to file for the first-in-the-nation presidential primary Thursday.
Christa McAuliffe to be honored with silver dollar
(CNN) - The United States Mint is to memorialize Christa McAuliffe, the teacher and astronaut who died in the Challenger disaster in 1986, with a commemorative silver dollar coin. The Christa McAuliffe Commemorative Coin Act of 2019 was passed by Congress, and the bill will go to the President to be signed into law. The act calls for the Department of Treasury to "issue not more than 350,000 $1 silver coins in commemoration of Christa McAuliffe." If the President signs the act, the coins will be minted in 2021 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the tragedy. FIRST uses robotic competitions to encourage children to pursue opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.