Solar + Jobs: Cypress Creek Energy and Google broke ground on the Steel River Energy Center in Mississippi County, a $3.5B solar-plus-storage project expected to reach 2.5 GW of solar and 2.9 GWh of batteries by 2029, with up to 1,400 construction jobs per phase and major Arkansas steel sourcing. Data Center Policy: A Pulaski County Quorum Court debate over a data center moratorium took another turn as JP Diane Curry proposed an alternative that would exempt the planned $6B AVAIO project, keeping local oversight in flux. Inflation Watch: U.S. consumer prices fell 0.4% in June, with core prices flat, offering some relief even as oil prices react to renewed Iran tensions. Consumer + Food Safety: Florida issued its first subpoena in a probe into potassium bromate in General Mills flour products, targeting records across the state supply chain. State Economy: Arkansas closed FY2026 with a $655M general revenue surplus, driven by strong income tax and sales tax collections. Health + Compliance: Baptist Health formally took over Magnolia Regional Medical Center, marking a major rural hospital ownership shift. Agriculture: Benton County hay harvest looks strong after weather-driven production, pushing more testing and buyer options—without guaranteeing bargain prices. Workforce + Skills: SkillsUSA recognized Arkansas-area career and technical education students with national Skill Point Certificates, signaling readiness for skilled jobs.