Offshore Wind Uncertainty: Trump-era federal actions are pushing offshore wind developers toward buyouts and lease exits, with North Carolina directly affected as Interior relinquishes a lease tied to Duke Energy and other states watch for follow-on fallout. PFAS Research & Cleanup: New work on how “forever chemicals” move through the Great Lakes food web adds to the pressure for stronger controls, while separate reporting highlights new destruction-focused approaches that aim to break PFAS down rather than just contain it. Local Tech in Public Safety: Forsyth County unveiled a humanoid robot developed with UNCSA’s design innovation center, aiming to support tasks like 3D crime-scene mapping and hostage negotiation. Healthcare Governance: A watchdog group warns that private equity joint ventures with nonprofit healthcare providers could raise risks for patients and care quality, calling for more oversight. Durham Guaranteed Income Pilot: Durham’s ROOTED program is providing monthly support to people leaving incarceration, targeting housing and stability during the first year out. RTP 3.0 Growth Plan: Research Triangle Park approved RTP 3.0 standards, opening the door to more mixed-use development and limited residential options. Plastic Pollution Check: Volunteers found plastic pellet “nurdles” at one site on Lake Brandt near Greensboro, adding to the growing map of pellet contamination. Education & Early Learning: UNC-led “Early Connections” convened partners to reduce gaps in pregnancy-to-early-childhood support, pushing for a smoother path into high-quality early education.