Defense & Jobs: Raytheon won a $745M contract to build and maintain SM-3 Block IIA missile interceptors, with production in Tucson and Huntsville, and the company is expanding Alabama capacity. Local Economy: Gov. Kay Ivey announced 2A USA will invest $32M in Auburn, creating 50 jobs in aluminum die-casting and machining for heavy trucks. State Tech Push: Alabama Community College System is partnering with the Alabama Fiber Network and rural co-ops to connect all 24 community/technical colleges to high-speed fiber by end of 2027, plus public Wi-Fi and digital literacy. Politics & Voting: Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones held a Montgomery town hall focused on affordability, healthcare, and AI data centers ahead of the November midterms. Courts & Civil Rights: DOJ expanded its fraud case against the Southern Poverty Law Center, charging former SPLC intelligence director Heidi Beirich over alleged secret informant payments tied to extremist groups. Public Safety & Health: Alabama reported more than 100 cyclosporiasis cases, while officials and an Auburn lettuce farmer urged buying local produce; separately, a “flesh-eating bacteria” concern tied to Gulf Coast Vibrio vulnificus is drawing attention. Community Watch: Shelby County man Fenn Church is fighting Alabama Power over property easements, saying the utility wants 24/7 access through his land. Business & Culture: Rock N’ Roll Sushi is opening in Hardin Valley, and a new Yemeni-influenced restaurant, Zad Mediterranean Cuisine, opened in Hoover.