A positive sign: Home construction in the U.S. climbed in July to the highest level in almost eight years, indicating the industry will pick up in the second half of the year. Residential starts rose 0.2% to a 1.21 million annualized rate—the most since October 2007, a U.S. Commerce Department report showed Tuesday. Data showing builder sentiment at a decade high in August underscores the view that the housing rebound will stay on track even as the Federal Reserve is poised to boost borrowing costs. Ready the full story from Bloomberg.
Bringing it back: Blue Bell Creameries will begin distributing ice cream to select markets Aug. 31. The Texas-based dairy has notified the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and state health officials in Alabama and Texas of its plan to re-enter select markets in those states on a limited basis. The dairy has also confirmed it will re-enter the Louisiana market later this fall, though no date has been set. Bluebell ceased production earlier this year when a listeria outbreak was traced to its products.
Face-off over the coast: The four gubernatorial candidates face off this afternoon in a coastal issues forum. The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is sponsoring the event, which promises to reveal how the state’s next governor plans to deal with the challenges and opportunities connected to coastal land loss. The forum, which will be held at Nicholls State University’s Peltier Auditorium, is free and open to the public. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.; the forum begins at 4 p.m.
