COVID Public Health: Federal funding cuts could slash the CDC’s National Wastewater Surveillance System from about $125M to $25M, just as a new COVID “cicada” variant spreads across the U.S., raising alarms about losing an early-warning tool. Veterinary Health: “Bobcat fever” (cytauxzoonosis) is expanding with Lone Star ticks, and vets urge steady flea-and-tick prevention and keeping cats indoors. Offshore Wind Legal Fight: New York and six other states, including Maine, sued the Trump administration over a TotalEnergies buyout that canceled offshore wind leases and redirected money toward fossil fuels. Rural Doctors & Immigration: U.S. Sen. Susan Collins pressed DHS on how a $100,000 H-1B fee burdens rural hospitals trying to recruit overseas specialists. Maine Health & Aging: MaineHealth’s Rockport practice welcomed a new orthopedics/sports medicine nurse practitioner; meanwhile, local nursing-home CMS updates show Cummings Health Care Facility (3 stars) and Coastal Manor (3 stars) performing above the state average, while Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center (1 star) lagged. Alzheimer’s Testing: A Bangor report highlights debate over expanding blood-based Alzheimer’s biomarker testing, with a geriatrician urging caution about who should be tested. Local Science/Environment: Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition won an environmental education award for programs including raising salmon from eggs to fingerlings and releasing them into local streams. Maine Governance/Research: UNE sued Biddeford over a moratorium blocking a marine research pier project that had already been approved.