Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of August 4th.

We'll start with project updates:

• In Lubbock, Texas, construction is underway on a new 50-bed maximum security psychiatric hospital, funded by a $121 million allocation from the Texas legislature and scheduled for completion in 2027.
• Hausmann Construction, the firm selected to build Nebraska's new state prison, is suing Woodbury County, Iowa, over $5.7 million in unpaid work on the Sioux City jail.
• After a $5.8 million budget shortfall, Oklahoma County is now considering a phased approach to its jail construction, focusing first on a new intake center.
• In California, correctional leaders are preparing a nearly $20 million remodel of the Warren E. Thornton Youth Center in Sacramento to add a behavioral health and crisis stabilization unit. The project is currently seeking construction bids.

Moving over to legislation and funding:

• Geary County, Kansas, is considering a detention feasibility study to assess long-term jail needs, following strong revenue reports.
• The Texas Department of Criminal Justice projects 18,000 new air-conditioned beds as a result of recent state funding, the first step in a plan to cool all units by 2032.
• In Connecticut, the state is replacing strip searches with body scanners in some prisons as part of a pilot program.

In hiring and people announcements:

• NaphCare has appointed longtime CFO Connie Young as its new President.
• Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has appointed Michael Tessean as the new director of the Oregon Youth Authority, effective August 18th.
• Pennsylvania DOC Secretary Laurel Harry was recently appointed the new treasurer for the Correctional Leaders Association, effective August 15th.

Moving over to construction reports:

• In Weld County, Colorado, commissioners have approved the site for a new $490 million judicial and administrative complex, set for completion in 2029.
• In Mount Gilead, Ohio, bids are now open for Morrow County's $5.8 million correctional facility and Sheriff's office expansion, with sealed bids due September 3rd.
• The Jackson County Sheriff's Office in Marianna, Florida, is soliciting CMAR proposals for its new $19 million Sheriff's Office facility, with proposals due August 27th.

In finishing off with events for the week:

• The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE) will host its 49th annual training conference in Hollywood, Florida, from August 8th through the 12th.
• The National Institute for Jail Operations (NIJO) will host JailCon25 Central from August 12th to the 14th in Kansas.
• The National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) will host its virtual Correctional Mental Health Care Conference on August 6th and 7th.

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