31. Newswire Update: An Opalite Market, and Super Bowl Predictions
Fri Feb 06 2026
In this episode of Lumber Slingers, Chelsea and Trent kick things off with a little pop-culture fun before diving into what’s happening across the lumber and housing markets.
The conversation covers several major industry updates, including the official close of the Rainier–PotlatchDeltic merger, leadership transitions at Romack, and a production realignment announcement from Roseburg Forest Products that impacts operations in Oregon. While some of the news brings optimism around modernization and long-term strategy, the hosts also take time to acknowledge the real human impact of workforce reductions and encourage industry support where possible.
On the market side, Trent breaks down the latest lumber pricing trends, mortgage rate stability, and a dip in mortgage applications, discussing how extreme winter weather across much of the U.S. may be temporarily distorting housing demand. Chelsea adds regional insight from the Pacific Northwest, where strong real estate activity suggests pent-up demand could surface as weather conditions improve.
The episode also highlights positive momentum elsewhere, including 84 Lumber’s new California store opening, signaling continued investment and confidence in key markets.
To wrap things up, the conversation shifts from lumber to the Super Bowl, complete with snack plans, team loyalties, playful rivalry, and a friendly swag bet on the game’s outcome.
A mix of industry insight, real-world context, and lighthearted banter, this episode is classic Lumber Slingers.
Questions / Comments? Email us at lumberslingers@gmail.com
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In this episode of Lumber Slingers, Chelsea and Trent kick things off with a little pop-culture fun before diving into what’s happening across the lumber and housing markets. The conversation covers several major industry updates, including the official close of the Rainier–PotlatchDeltic merger, leadership transitions at Romack, and a production realignment announcement from Roseburg Forest Products that impacts operations in Oregon. While some of the news brings optimism around modernization and long-term strategy, the hosts also take time to acknowledge the real human impact of workforce reductions and encourage industry support where possible. On the market side, Trent breaks down the latest lumber pricing trends, mortgage rate stability, and a dip in mortgage applications, discussing how extreme winter weather across much of the U.S. may be temporarily distorting housing demand. Chelsea adds regional insight from the Pacific Northwest, where strong real estate activity suggests pent-up demand could surface as weather conditions improve. The episode also highlights positive momentum elsewhere, including 84 Lumber’s new California store opening, signaling continued investment and confidence in key markets. To wrap things up, the conversation shifts from lumber to the Super Bowl, complete with snack plans, team loyalties, playful rivalry, and a friendly swag bet on the game’s outcome. A mix of industry insight, real-world context, and lighthearted banter, this episode is classic Lumber Slingers. Questions / Comments? Email us at lumberslingers@gmail.com