Privacy & Public Safety Tech: Mobile, Alabama approved two camera-equipped drones for the Gulf Coast Technology Center, sparking resident backlash over “spying” and comparisons to Flock-style license plate surveillance. Education Funding & Literacy Science: An Arkansas legislative panel advanced a $12.4M, four-year virtual tutoring contract for 750 rural first graders, using “Science of Reading” small-group sessions and a Stanford research team to evaluate results. Health Tech on Campus: Arkansas State University placed 130 opioid rescue kits across campus, each with Narcan nasal spray, a breathing mask, and step-by-step overdose response instructions. Food Manufacturing Jobs: SANY Nutrition Group opened a $30M Jonesboro facility (former Butterball site), aiming for 150+ jobs in three years and scaling protein snack production locally. STEM in the Classroom: A new outdoor classroom opened at Glenn Duffy Elementary in Gravette, adding raised garden beds and an open-air pavilion for hands-on learning. STEM Research & Food Safety: University of Arkansas food safety researchers highlighted work at an International Association for Food Protection conference, focused on preventing the next recall. Local Data Center Power: Clarksville approved a lease for Solaris Resolute LLC to supply electricity for the first phase of a serverfarm data center.