SMB Confidence Watch: NFIB’s May Small Business Optimism Index slipped to 95.3 while uncertainty jumped, keeping owners cautious on inflation, taxes, labor costs, and interest rates. Federal Contracting Shake-Up: The U.S. proposes major changes to the SBA’s 8(a) “social disadvantage” approach, with officials saying it won’t affect Alaska Native “entity-owned” firms—still a big deal for minority-owned contractors. Cost Pressure Spotlight: California’s gas tax is set to rise to 63.4 cents per gallon on July 1, renewing affordability fights that hit small operators who rely on cars and deliveries. SME Digital Push (Nigeria): NITDA and TikTok launched Digital Commerce Labs to train Nigerian SMEs to sell online and reach bigger markets. Local Business Stress (Nigeria): Cross River entrepreneurs are protesting alleged multiple, overlapping taxes that they say are strangling MSMEs. Growth via Financing (Nigeria): Access Bank rolled out “Access Auto Fest,” offering up to 90% vehicle financing with fast digital approvals. Community & Commerce: Juneteenth events in Salt Lake City spotlight Black entrepreneurship with a Black Business Expo and vendor marketplace. Business Survival Reality: A look at private clubs’ high fees shows how “premium” models are booming even as affordability strains budgets. Workforce/Jobs Risk (LA): A Paramount-Warner merger report flags thousands of potential job losses tied to duplicated corporate functions. Support for Startups: New Mexico’s NM FAST is accepting applications for a free space-sector SBIR/STTR accelerator cohort. Small Business Closure: Michigan’s Barrel + Beam brewery announced it’s closing after rising costs and a tough economic environment.