Workforce & Economy: Alabama’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate ticked up to 3.4% in July (from 3.2% in June) while labor force participation fell to 56.9%, with unemployment also higher year-over-year. Construction & Manufacturing Pay: The state report notes both construction and manufacturing hit record highs for weekly wages (construction at $1,432.21). Industrial Growth: RTF Project Services plans a new $2.2 million operational facility at Bay Minette Industrial Park, targeting about 140 jobs as it expands instrumentation and controls and electrical work. Defense & Manufacturing: Hanwha Group is investing $299 million into U.S. defense subsidiaries to expand its land and naval production footprint after landing Army artillery-related work. Energy Costs: GasBuddy price checks show Wilcox County regular at $3.89 (week ending Aug. 15) and Bullock County diesel at $5.19, while Alabama averages eased slightly statewide. Local Projects: Mobile’s Brookley by the Bay gets a $9 million GOMESA-backed push toward Phase 1 construction. Workforce Pipeline: Alabama’s Academy of Craft Training is nearing 1,000 students across four campuses, with hundreds moving into construction jobs after internships and contractor interviews. Consumer Safety: FDA upgraded Publix frozen blueberry recall to its highest risk level over E. coli concerns. Fraud Watch: Grant, Ala., tied for ninth in the state for July BBB scam reports with five.