Alabama Economic & Business: Alabama’s small-business optimism ticked up in June, with the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rising to 97.4 as owners reported improving sales expectations, even as hiring and high interest rates remain hurdles. Defense & Aerospace: Alabama Commerce is sending five aerospace/AI/defense firms to next week’s Farnborough Airshow, highlighting local capabilities from threat-detection software to aircraft and aerospace components. Workforce & Community Growth: U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt announced a $500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for Red Bay water system upgrades, aimed at boosting capacity for residents and future development. Local Government & Infrastructure: GoNetspeed is moving forward with a multi-million-dollar fiber build in Salem and Beverly, targeting multi-gigabit service for thousands of homes and businesses. Housing & Energy Efficiency: A new federal manufactured-housing law gives the Trump administration a year to set updated energy-efficiency standards, a potential win for Alabama-area households facing high heating and cooling costs. Public Safety Tech: Yalobusha County approved a sheriff’s mobile app to share arrests and alerts, funded through the jail canteen fund and expected online soon. State Policy: Aderholt backed the Sunshine Protection Act to make daylight saving time permanent, while noting north Alabama winter sunrise concerns for students. Banking & Wealth: Regions Bank named Thom Smith as Private Wealth regional executive for Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, expanding its private wealth management push across the Southeast.