Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of September 8th.

We'll get it going with project updates:

• Construction on the Macomb County Jail in Michigan is on time and under budget at the halfway mark, with the $229 million project expected to be complete in early 2027.
• A new $111 million, 170,000 square foot courthouse is officially open in Elkhart County, Indiana.
• Tazewell County, Illinois broke ground on its new $44 million Justice Center annex, which is expected to be complete in late 2026.
• Officials in Mono County, California held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new $30.5 million Mono County Jail, expected to be complete in the fall of 2027.
• The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice held a grand opening ceremony for the new 30-bed Monarch Youth Center in Lincoln.

Moving over to legislation and funding:

• Sarasota County, Florida commissioners are now considering a $401 million plan to build an eight-story addition to the current jail instead of a new criminal justice complex.
• Monroe County, Indiana commissioners chose to move forward with the design development phase of a new $225 million county jail and justice center, though full funding still needs to be secured.
• While Shelby County, Tennessee considers a new $1 billion jail, a review from the Prison Policy Initiative argues that a new facility will not solve most of the problems plaguing the current jail.

Heading over to People News:

• South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has announced that Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko will resign from her position, effective Oct. 20.
• Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed Matt Walsh to serve as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice.

Moving over to construction reports:

• Halifax County, North Carolina officials have issued an RFQ for construction manager at risk firms for the new Halifax County Detention Center, with bids due September 26th.
• The Jessamine County Judge's Office in Kentucky is seeking trade subcontractors for the construction of the new $28 million Jessamine County Judicial Center, with bids due October 15th.

And finishing it off with events for the week:

• The Correctional Leaders Association Northwest Regional Meeting kicks off from September 8th through the 11th in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire.
• The American College of Correctional Physicians 2025 National Education Conference will take place September 18th through the 20th in Providence, Rhode Island.
• The Association of Women Executives in Corrections will hold its 29th annual training institute from September 26th through the 28th in San Antonio.

For more details or to access the links mentioned, check out our podcast show notes at correctionalnews.com/podcast.