Defense Manufacturing: General Atomics is expanding in Shannon, Mississippi, investing $87 million for a new 200,000-square-foot facility to build advanced weapons systems, with operations targeted for 2028 and 125 jobs expected. AI Infrastructure & Power Reliability: SpaceX is overhauling xAI data center infrastructure after reliability problems in Tennessee and Mississippi led to outages and disrupted AI training, underscoring how backup power and cooling are becoming make-or-break for major AI customers. Rural Tech Push Meets Local Resistance: A rural data center boom is hitting a wall of local opposition, with residents raising concerns about noise, environmental impacts, and utility costs even as developers promise jobs and tax revenue. Mississippi Research & Wildlife: Researchers documented the first-ever manatee mating in Mississippi waters, recorded near the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, suggesting the state’s coastal habitat may be more than a seasonal stop. Education & Workforce Pipeline: Mississippi State welcomed a new cohort to the Mississippi Excellence in Teaching Program, including scholarship recipients with tuition support, a technology stipend, and funded study experiences tied to teaching in Mississippi. Water & Energy Planning: A new study says retrofitting existing U.S. dams could unlock 15.2 terawatt-hours of electricity annually, pointing to a lower-cost path to more clean power.