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BusinessData

Census says business applications rose 0.5% in September

The September Business Formation Statistics show 534,947 seasonally adjusted U.S. business applications, but the release does not show trade-level changes for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, cleaning, landscaping, or auto repair.

October 14, 2026 · 2 min read
SafetyBrief

FEMA raises aid approvals for July 27 Wisconsin storms and tornadoes

FEMA’s DR-4949-WI page now lists $12,581.28 in approved Individual Assistance and nine approved applications. Individual Assistance remains designated for Forest, Outagamie, Vilas and Winnebago counties, and Public Assistance is authorized for Vilas and Winnebago counties.

October 8, 2026 · 2 min read
BusinessBrief

FEMA posts Oklahoma disaster declaration page for July 4 storm

DR-4950-OK covers an Oklahoma severe storm and straight-line winds incident dated July 4, 2026, with a declaration date of Oct. 7. The supplied FEMA page does not verify designated counties or approved assistance categories.

October 8, 2026 · 1 min read
BusinessBriefing

EIA winter outlook splits household energy costs by fuel

EIA projects lower November-through-March average expenditures for homes using natural gas or propane as the primary heating fuel and higher expenditures for homes using electricity or heating oil. Weather, region and home characteristics limit how broadly contractors can apply the averages.

October 7, 2026 · 2 min read
BusinessBrief

Natural gas benchmark fell this summer despite record July heat

EIA says Henry Hub averaged $2.93/MMBtu from June through August, 6% below last summer. For HVAC shops, the useful takeaway is narrow: the wholesale benchmark moved lower, but the record does not say what customers will pay on local gas bills this winter.

September 25, 2026 · 2 min read
RulesBrief

North Carolina drought map keeps watering-risk pressure on landscapers

The Sept. 10 U.S. Drought Monitor shows 60.85% of North Carolina in drought, 19.00% in severe-or-worse drought and an estimated 5,720,266 people in drought areas, but the supplied evidence does not establish any local outdoor watering restrictions.

September 12, 2026 · 2 min read
RulesBriefing

Washington sets new insurer claims-handling rules for auto damage claims

Starting Oct. 18, 2026, Washington collision shops should see new insurer response and communication standards on estimates, supplements, photo inspections, storage and towing explanations, and total losses. The rule regulates insurers, not shops directly.

September 11, 2026 · 2 min read
BusinessData

Census: U.S. business applications fell 7.8% in August

The August drop is a national, seasonally adjusted topline. Census data supplied for the release does not show whether startup pressure changed in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, cleaning, landscaping, or auto repair markets.

September 11, 2026 · 2 min read
Safetyverified news brief

FEMA DR-4933-IN page lists $146.57M Indiana IHP aid, $149K Public Assistance and seven DRC listings

FEMA’s current supplied page for Indiana severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding lists the incident period as Aug. 11-24, 2026, the declaration date as Aug. 25, 2026, $146,568,593.14 in Individuals & Households Program dollars approved and 34,691 Individual Assistance applications approved. The current supplied FEMA text also lists $137,353.93 in Emergency Work Categories A-B dollars obligated, $12,129.00 in Permanent Work Categories C-G dollars obligated, $149,482.93 in Total Public Assistance Grants Dollars Obligated, seven Disaster Recovery Center listings across Pike, Madison, La Porte, Hamilton, Cass and Putnam counties, and a last-updated date of Oct. 16, 2026.

August 28, 2026 · 2 min read