Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of July 6.

Let's get started with project updates:

• Rutherford County, Tenn., officials are considering building an estimated $375 million jail and sheriff's office complex in Murfreesboro to address overcrowding.
• The Massachusetts Trial Court and Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance has selected the site and development team for the new Roderick L. Ireland Regional Justice Center in downtown Springfield.
• Tarrant County, Texas unveiled its renovated Sheriff's Office training facility last month after a three-year, $25 million upgrade project.
• Scott County, Mo., opened its new Justice Center in Benton late last month, adding more than 14,000 square feet to the judicial building.
• Botetourt County, Va., marked a construction milestone on the new $37 million Circuit Courthouse with a topping-off ceremony last month.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

• Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida's $117.6 billion budget while vetoing funds tied to a proposed new 600-bed prison hospital in Gilchrist County and correctional staff raises.
• California's recently approved 2026-2027 budget includes $2.7 billion over 5 years for 14 judicial branch projects and $350.9 million for new courthouses.

Next in people news:

• Richard Comerford has been appointed as Secretary of the Florida Department of Corrections, succeeding Ricky Dixon, who retired on June 30.
• DeSoto Parish, La., Sheriff Jayson Richardson was elected President of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association Executive Board.

And now for this week's construction reports:

• Sarasota County, Fla., is seeking proposals from both architecture and CMAR firms for design and construction of a new multi-level addition to the downtown Sarasota Correctional Campus, with architectural submittals due July 27 and CMAR submittals due July 30.
• Collin County, Texas has issued an RFQ to architecture and engineering firms to design a new single-story juvenile detention building, with submittals due July 30.

And finishing up with events:

• The Correctional Leaders Association's 2026 Western Region Meeting will take place in Cle Elum, Wash., from July 13–16.
• The National Commission on Correctional Health Care will hold its 2026 Correctional Mental Health Conference in Austin, Texas, from July 18–20.
• The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives will commemorate its 50th annual training conference in Dallas, from July 24–28.

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