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Decade long deal: Louisiana lawmakers approved a 10-year, $192.6 million no-bid contract with Motorola to upgrade the statewide emergency radio network and provide law enforcement technology, including body cameras, radios and license plate readers. State officials said Motorola was chosen because pilot programs showed it was more affordable than Axon, with the bundled deal expected to save money and extend discounts to local law enforcement agencies. Some Senate Democrats criticized the rushed approval process and lack of public scrutiny, though lawmakers retain the authority to end the contract if future legislatures do not fund it. Louisiana Illuminator has the full story.
$60B AI gamble: SpaceX has completed its $60 billion acquisition of AI coding startup Cursor, a major move by Elon Musk to strengthen its position against AI rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic. Cursor’s technology will help SpaceX develop advanced AI tools, while its team gains access to SpaceX’s massive supply of AI chips and computing power. The deal builds on recent joint AI products, as Musk pushes to make AI a central part of SpaceX’s business and revenue. Bloomberg has the full story.
Tax boost fades: U.S. retail sales fell 0.6% in July, the biggest decline since May 2025, as the boost from tax refunds faded and auto, electronics and online sales weakened. Higher gas prices and inflation are also squeezing household budgets, with consumer prices still rising faster than average wages despite easing slightly in July. Retailers are responding with discounts and promotions as Americans focus on value during the back-to-school shopping season. The Associated Press has the full story.
