Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Dec. 22.

Let's get into it with project updates:

1. A new youth correctional facility will be built in Fitchburg, Wis., after $130 million in funding was awarded. Construction is expected to start next September.
2. The Macon-Bibb County Commission in Georgia signed a contract with Warren Associates Inc. to begin pre-construction work for an upgrade project at the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center, which is expected to cost between $28.5 million and $31 million.
3. The ribbon was cut last week at the new $24.7 million Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court facility in Staunton, Va.
4. Commissioners in Liberty County, Texas entered into an agreement with DRG Architects to design a new county jail, estimated to cost about $100 million.
5. The Corpus Christi City Council approved a $4.85 million contract with South Texas Building Partners to construct a new city detention center, with construction starting in January.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

1. New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new prison bill into law last week aimed at improving safety, security and accountability within the state's correctional system.
2. Last week, the U.S. Congress approved the Safer Skies Act, which authorizes law enforcement and correctional officers to address the threat of unauthorized drones.
3. Two lawmakers in Arizona have called on the state to allot $1.5 million to fund the newly created Independent Correctional Oversight Office.

Next in People News:

1. HDR recently announced the appointment of Brian Endler as Justice Principal and Renee Schoop as Business Development Director for its architecture practice in Pittsburgh.
2. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has nominated Tia Marcel Moretti to be the Director of the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health.

In Construction Reports:

1. The joint venture of J.E. Dunn Construction Company and Henry Carlson Construction is soliciting proposals for early trade partners for the new $650 million South Dakota Men's Correctional Facility, with submissions due Jan. 2.
2. The Kentucky Division of Engineering and Contract Administration has issued an RFP for security fence additions at the Kentucky State Penitentiary, with bids due Jan. 27.
3. The Florida Office of the State Courts Administrator is seeking architectural and engineering firms to assess and recommend security upgrades at the 5th District Court of Appeal building, with submittals due Feb. 11.

Finishing it off with Events:

1. This is the final week to nominate projects for Correctional News' 2026 Projects to Watch list, with submissions due by Dec. 29.
2. Looking ahead, the American Correctional Association's winter conference will be held Feb. 5–10 in Long Beach, Calif.

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