Industry leaders to gather: The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host the inaugural Gulf Coast Energy Forum Oct. 20-21 at the Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans. The event will bring together energy executives, policymakers, investors and business leaders to discuss energy security, infrastructure, innovation, investment and economic growth across the Gulf Coast. Key topics will include LNG and natural gas, emerging technologies, supply chain resilience, workforce development and the future of energy jobs. 10/12 Industry Report has the full story.
Gulf Coast on alert: Hurricane Isaias continued strengthening Thursday and is expected to reach the northern Gulf Coast Friday night as a strong Category 2 hurricane. Eastern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi remained under watches, with Isaias forecast to make landfall in Alabama or the Florida Panhandle. Louisiana officials closed Elmer’s Island Wildlife Refuge at noon Thursday as a precaution ahead of the storm. The Center Square has the full story.
Highest since 2023: U.S. mortgage rates rose for a seventh consecutive week, with the average 30-year fixed rate reaching 7.4%, its highest level since November 2023, further straining an already weak housing market. Affordability is near its worst level since the global financial crisis as elevated home prices, mortgage rates, property taxes and insurance costs push monthly payments higher. With buyers seeking ways to reduce costs, adjustable-rate mortgages accounted for 12.2% of rate locks in early October, the highest share in four years. Bloomberg has the full story.
