Workforce Tech in Georgia: Vera, an Atlanta-area workforce intelligence startup, is pitching a shift from annual 360 reviews to continuous, data-driven performance insight. Crypto Derivatives: Kalshi’s CFTC-regulated crypto perpetual futures hit a record $17.98M daily open interest. AI + Privacy Backlash (Flock): Atlanta-based Flock Safety faces mounting scrutiny as cities and sheriffs cancel or review contracts; residents in Memphis and elsewhere raise concerns about automated license plate tracking. Local Policy on Data Centers: Atlanta City Council members propose tighter data-center rules, including water caps and ending tax breaks, after community complaints about environmental impacts. Aerospace Workforce Funding: NASA selected Georgia Tech-linked efforts and other states for aerospace workforce hubs; Georgia coverage also highlights workforce pipeline initiatives. Education + AI Literacy: Schools are moving from bans to classroom testing so students learn where chatbots fail. Health Watch: CDC data shows a summer COVID uptick, with Georgia cited as part of the early spread pattern. Research & Learning: Georgia Southern students study how Spanish shows up across local communities, turning classroom work into real-world research.