Defense Manufacturing Boom: Gov. Morrisey announced Helsing’s $50 million investment in Berkeley County, with a Martinsburg facility set to build the HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone and create at least 60 high-paying jobs. AI for Public Safety: WVU engineers developed an AI satellite system to detect wildfires and coordinate satellite observations as fires spread faster than ground sensors can track. Critical Minerals Push: A West Virginia rare earth processing hub is moving forward to turn coal tailings into strategic minerals, aiming to strengthen U.S. supply chains for defense and advanced manufacturing. Broadband Buildout: The state says ISPs are closing out major broadband projects under the American Rescue Plan and preparing for BEAD, with help navigating federal environmental permitting. Water & Infrastructure Recognition: Beckley Water and its COO won national AWWA honors, including for the Glade Creek Reservoir, as the utility invests nearly $20 million in system upgrades. Agriculture After Fire: WVDA is warning Parkersburg-area farmers to check feed for possible contamination after the Peoples Cartage warehouse fire and cleanup actions. Legal/Policy Watch: A federal judge dismissed a DOJ push for unredacted West Virginia voter registration data, citing legal “factual deficiencies.” Workforce Training: Café Hope received a $10,000 Jacques Pépin Foundation grant to expand paid culinary and life-skills training for young adults. Public Health Alert: CDC reports West Nile virus is starting earlier and spreading wider than in recent years, with no vaccine and limited treatment options beyond prevention.