AI & Public Sector: Oregon issued an executive order setting safeguards for state procurement of “frontier” AI models, requiring independent third-party safety review—an approach other states may follow. Health & Safety: Mississippi officials and national experts are warning about kratom after two Ole Miss students’ deaths; police found packaged kratom at both scenes, and health agencies are urging caution with unregulated substances. Drugs & Forensics: A new synthetic opioid, cychlorphine, has been detected in 18 states, including Mississippi, after forensic labs linked it to dozens of deaths in East Tennessee. Space & Coastal Tech: Stennis Space Center named Biloxi native Christine Powell as director, underscoring Mississippi’s role in U.S. space operations. Water & Earth Science: Researchers at the University of Memphis drilled about 400 feet beneath Meeman-Shelby Forest to study faults and how they may steer the Memphis aquifer. Local Tech Governance: Pearl River County is moving ahead with Flock license-plate readers along I-59 while residents raise privacy and data-retention concerns. Education & Workforce: Mississippi State staff members graduated from a national College Business Management Institute, strengthening higher-ed business leadership. Policy & Supply Chains: AG Lynn Fitch joined a multi-state push to protect the U.S. drug supply chain from low-quality Chinese ingredients.