Mississippi Energy & Industry: Siemens Energy broke ground on a $300 million Rankin County facility (“The Horizon”) to build high-voltage switchgear, adding 300 advanced manufacturing jobs and partnering with Pearl public schools and Hinds Community College for workforce training. Weather Tech: ULM landed a record $4.21M Army contract to expand weather and water monitoring across the Lower Mississippi River Basin, installing 50 new stations to improve flood and drought forecasting. AI + Environment in Mississippi: The NAACP sued Elon Musk/xAI over alleged Clean Air Act violations tied to methane-gas turbines powering a Southaven data center, claiming thousands of tons of nitrogen oxides and other pollutants without proper permits. Cybersecurity Workforce: A new MSSP Alert Ranking Survey highlights retention pressures for security providers, arguing that training, career paths, and reducing repetitive work matter as much as pay. Local Conservation: A nonprofit sued the federal government over delayed “critical habitat” protections for the Pearl River map turtle, warning habitat loss from dams and diversions could worsen the species’ decline. Education & Research Links: Mississippi State signed an MOU with Universidad ORT Uruguay to expand research and faculty/student exchange, including new study abroad options. Public Safety & Health Access: A Delta-area story underscores how rural hospital closures can turn emergencies into tragedies, with one family describing a fatal delay after a nearby hospital shut down. STEM in Schools: Mississippi AI Institute for Teachers founder Marc Watkins says educators are struggling with AI adoption pressures and unclear guidance on how to use tools responsibly. Community Science: Mississippi State’s Karyn Brown was named a PRSA Fellow, recognizing long-term leadership in communications.