Southwest

Record-breaking hot temperatures in the Southwest this summer likely had economic consequences and could focus the municipal bond market on heat-related credit risks and infrastructure needs.

The state's strong reserves contributed to brighter rating outlooks from Moody's Investors Service and, earlier this year, S&P Global Ratings.

Surpassing $150 million in total investments, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, Arizona and Georgia have joined Florida, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties and Miami Beach in supporting Israel financially in the wake of the deadly terror attacks by Hamas.

The $500 million of revenue bonds to initially finance a $5 billion controversial expansion program were priced amid a turbulent market.

The city plans to sell as much as $295 million of general obligation and revenue bonds in two deals next month.

The top five bond financings have an average dollar volume of more than $1.2 billion.

Royden Durham and Tony Tanner, portfolio managers at the Aquila group of funds, talk with Chip Barnett about what's special about Kentucky and Arizona -- what's the same and what's different -- within their municipal bond markets. (18 minutes)

As the program inches through the federal appropriation process, Texas lawmakers have allocated state funds and created a five-county district with taxing power.

John Whitmire said one of his main priorities as mayor would be repairing and upgrading a decrepit, leaky water-distribution network.

Revenue for the state's fiscal 2024-25 biennium that began Sept. 1 is projected to exceed the enacted budget by nearly $18.3 billion.