Maritime Workforce: MARAD named 16 new 2026 Centers of Excellence for domestic maritime training, expanding the network to 48 institutions and about 58,000 trainees a year. Highway Work in Alabama: ALDOT will resurface a 2.53-mile stretch of I-20/59 near Tuscaloosa with nighttime lane closures limited to avoid peak travel and UA home games. Shipbuilding Deal Watch: Austal’s U.S. unit is drawing fresh interest as Florida’s Wildcat Infrastructure submits a higher non-binding bid, setting up a potential bidding war versus Hanwha. Robocall Crackdown: Alabama AG Jeff Jackson and other state leaders are pushing the FCC to tighten “Know Your Upstream Provider” rules to stop illegal robocalls from reaching consumers. TVA Data Center Rates: TVA will roll out a new rate structure starting Oct. 1, including a 10% increase for data centers and an upfront capacity charge aimed at protecting household electric bills. Forestry & Land Management: Alabama Forestry Commission launched a new online burn permit system for certified prescribed burn managers, adding weather and restriction alerts. UAB Trauma Care Research: A UAB-led study suggests pediatric trauma teams may need higher blood-pressure triggers than current reference values to spot dangerous circulatory instability sooner. Local Government Budgeting: Clarke County approved a $17.66M FY2027 budget, including a 3% merit raise and funding for law enforcement, economic development, and courthouse energy savings. Golf Facility Investment: Alabama’s Golf House Alabama plans a $30M public golf complex and Alabama Golf Hall of Fame on an ~80-acre campus, with phase one set to break ground in November.