A strong Q2 : Lamar Advertising reported strong second-quarter 2026 results, with revenue up 6.5% to $616.7 million and net income up 6.2% to $164.6 million. The company highlighted continued customer demand and strong business momentum. Lamar also delivered improved cash generation, with free cash flow rising 9.8% in the quarter, while maintaining solid liquidity and growth expectations for the remainder of the year.
STEM pipeline grows: Sowela Technical Community College and ExxonMobil expanded their partnership with $225,000 in ExxonMobil Foundation grants supporting STEM education, teacher training and workforce development in southwest Louisiana. The funding helped create a collaborative learning space and supported a STEM camp where 44 educators developed hands-on, project-based lessons focused on real-world topics such as artificial intelligence, carbon capture and algorithms. American Press has the full story.
Still climbing: The average U.S. 30-year fixed mortgage rate climbed for the fifth straight week to 6.69%, its highest level in just over a year, increasing borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers. Higher mortgage rates continue to weigh on housing affordability and have contributed to sluggish home sales, while the average 15-year fixed mortgage rate edged down slightly to 6.01%. Mortgage rates have been driven higher by elevated bond yields and inflation concerns, which were intensified by geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices earlier this year. The Associated Press has the full story.
LaMont Cole
