Southeast

NOAA predicts six to 10 hurricanes and expects that between three and six of those will be classified as major storms in categories three to five.

As summer beckons, it's time for a reporters' roundtable with some of the Bond Buyer's senior staff. Yvette Shields, Karen Pierog, Keeley Webster and Thomas Nocera talk with Chip Barnett about what's hot in their regions and what municipal bond market participants should expect to see in the months ahead. (25 minutes)

Proceeds from the sale of the $406 million of general obligation bonds will fund infrastructure projects including roads, parks and recreational facilities.

The GOP-controlled state legislature adjourned without passing a bill barring government contracts with firms, including banks that underwrite municipal bonds, if they “discriminate” against the firearm industry.

The rating agency said the action reflects significant progress the state has made restoring its financial reserves and liquidity in recent years.

"It is a disturbing trend that elected officials are using their powers to punish companies and municipal governments (and individuals) based on their social views," says Natalie Cohen, founder of The Public Purse.

A pipeline of projects is building as infrastructure dollars begin to flow to states.

John Boyd, principal at The Boyd Company, chats with Chip Barnett about how the COVID-19 pandemic and hybrid work has altered the way companies look at cities and states when they think about locations for their headquarters. (20 minutes)

Elected officials in Republican-dominated states say S&P Global Ratings, by introducing ESG analysis, is politicizing the ratings process or even possibly acting illegally.

Several states have passed, or are considering, legislation to bar local governments from making payments to criminals who hold computer systems hostage.