Another NH record for home prices

Good morning, New Hampshire, and welcome to a new week. Today, Ethan DeWitt looks at yet another record-setting month for home prices in New Hampshire. Also, Maya Mitchell reports on what a pair of executive councilors are saying in defense of their decision to vote down a childcare quality contract. And, from William Skipworth, the field in the race for governor gets a little a smaller. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the day. — Dana

By Ethan DeWitt

In Punta Gorda, Fla., a harbor town on the Gulf of Mexico crisscrossed by canals and cycling infrastructure, home values have dropped 8.3% in the past year, according to the Zillow Home Values Index. Home values in Austin, Texas, have fallen by 5% and in Denver, Colo., by 3.4%. Not so in New Hampshire. The Granite State’s housing market surged to new heights in July, reaching a record-breaking median sales price of $580,000 for a single-family home, the New Hampshire Association of Realtors announced.

By Maya Mitchell

Last month, New Hampshire Executive Councilors John Stephen and Joe Kenney published a column in NH Journal explaining their decision to vote down a childcare quality contract in favor of funding the childcare workforce grant. Since then, as new information has clarified the state’s inability to fund the workforce grant, they both said they stand by their decision.

By William Skipworth

Jon Kiper, the independent candidate who had announced a bid for New Hampshire governor, failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for November’s gubernatorial election.