Berkshire Hathaway: Greg Abel is finally putting Berkshire’s massive cash pile to work, investing about $10B in Alphabet and accelerating buybacks (about $4.5B in Q2, plus more in July) as profit beat expectations and cash fell to $365.5B. Nebraska Policy: The Unicameral is moving bills that touch day-to-day business and services, including LB721 (intergenerational care facility grant eligibility), LB921 (worker notification and staffing agency rules), and LB1172 (dispatchable electricity requirements). Food Safety & Supply Chains: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce has expanded to 15 states, with more than 25,000 cases reported, while a separate jalapeño-linked Salmonella outbreak has spread across 27 states—both raising pressure on retailers and distributors. Energy & Costs: Nebraska fuel prices show pockets of relief (E85 and diesel lows reported in multiple counties), but statewide averages remain sensitive to global oil and refinery disruptions. Local Business Impact: Severe storms in Omaha forced cancellations and delays for major events, including an Offutt air show and MAHA Music Festival. Defense Minerals: Lockheed Martin signed a scandium supply MOU with NioCorp tied to Nebraska’s Elk Creek project, as the U.S. pushes a more integrated critical-minerals-to-defense strategy.