Quantum Breakthrough: Chinese physicist Pan Jianwei became the first Chinese winner of the UNESCO-Russia Mendeleev International Prize for work on large-scale secure quantum communications and scalable quantum computing, building on the Micius satellite. Biotech Legacy: Mary-Dell Chilton, who led the team that created the first genetically modified plant in 1982, died at 87 in Carrboro, N.C. Food Allergy Push: Advocates want alpha-gal recognized as the 10th major U.S. food allergen, citing rising cases tied to lone star ticks. Local Energy Fight: A dispute over an AI data center in rural Edgecombe County is driving a proposed 24-month moratorium, as residents weigh power and water impacts against jobs and tax revenue. Election Admin Watch: North Carolina’s elections board is setting up a review after federal SAVE data flagged 1,599 potential non-U.S. citizens on voter rolls. Public Safety Tech: Guilford County is moving toward a $13.3M, 10-year body camera and license-plate reader program that also includes AI assistant licenses. Health Alert: Cyclospora outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell has prompted federal warnings and supplier removals. Shark Tracking: OCEARCH detected the nearly 1,700-pound great white “Contender” near North Carolina’s Outer Banks as it heads north for summer migration. Climate Research: North Carolina researchers report airborne microplastics could warm the atmosphere, with pigmented particles potentially adding a coal-plant-scale warming effect.