Welcome to Weekly Connections! Here is your summary of key updates from the justice industry for the week of Dec. 29.

Let's get into it with Project Updates:

1. In Ector County, Texas, plans for a new $200 million courthouse are moving forward after county commissioners approved a preliminary design, with completion expected by the end of 2029.
2. Officials in Cheatham County, Tenn., held an open house to mark the completion of phase I of the Cheatham County Jail Renovation and expansion project. Phase II is expected to be complete next summer.
3. A new women's detention and work release center, built in a renovated former Dollar General store in Fayette County, Ind., is now complete and will open early next year.
4. The new Greene County Justice Center in upstate New York is back on track for completion by March of next year.

Moving on to legislation and funding:

1. A new supplemental budget proposal from Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson would provide almost $12 million in additional funding to improve staffing and security at two juvenile rehabilitation facilities.
2. Miami County, Ohio commissioners have requested for a bond measure to fund the construction of a new county jail to be included on the May election ballot.
3. Officials in Belknap County, N.H., are considering including funds for a new jail study in the county's budget, with a new facility estimated at $50 million.

Next in people news:

1. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has appointed Eric Strauss as director of the Montana Department of Corrections. He will assume the role on Jan. 6.

Moving on to construction reports:

1. The city of Berkeley, Calif., is soliciting bids for jail automation upgrades at the city's public safety building, with bids due Jan. 8.
2. The Kentucky Division of Engineering and Contract Administration is seeking contractors for the Fayette Regional Juvenile Detention Center retrofit project, with bids due Jan. 27.
3. The Ada County Sheriff's Office in Oklahoma has issued an RFI to qualified vendors for a door control and security integration project at the Ada County Jail facility, with responses due Jan. 29.

And wrapping up with Events:

1. This is the last week for justice architects to submit their firm's information for inclusion in Correctional News' 2026 Justice Architecture List, with a deadline of Jan. 2.
2. The American Correctional Association's winter conference will take place Feb. 5–8 in Long Beach, Calif.

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