Maine & Health: A Portland surgical patient without insurance “searched the globe for a deal,” highlighting how hard it is to plan care when coverage is missing. Public Health & Climate: NOAA data suggests the Gulf of Maine had a temporary cooling through much of 2025, offering a brief reprieve for kelp and other habitats while long-term instability remains. Marine Science: A UMaine shark researcher says real-time tracking and tagging can guide conservation and even public safety, as shark sightings and migration patterns keep shifting. Energy & Transportation: MaineDOT is preparing its first hybrid-engine ferry, expected to cut fuel use by about a quarter on the Rockland–Vinalhaven route. Tech & Data Centers: A Maine advisory council is pushing for protections as federal rules could let data-center construction start before local air-permit review. Environment & Safety: A town-level tick model finds Franklin County communities all in “high potential” for tick encounters, with no truly low-risk area. Local STEM/Community: CardSight AI added printed-language detection for Pokémon, One Piece, and Magic scans, aiming to reduce mix-ups in global card markets. Education Policy: A Senate panel advanced a bill to reverse dismantling of the U.S. Education Department’s structure, keeping key programs under the department.