U.S. Navy & Maine Industry: Bath Iron Works in Maine christened the future USS William Charette (DDG 130), a Flight III Arleigh Burke destroyer aimed at boosting air and missile defense, as the Navy continues expanding the next-generation surface fleet. Federal Science Funding: The Senate is moving to temporarily block a White House rule that would let political appointees steer or reject federal research grants, with Susan Collins (R-Maine) calling out risks to rural communities and biomedical research. Public Health & Food Safety: FDA-linked egg recalls are expanding after Salmonella illnesses across 17 states, including antibiotic-resistant cases—another reminder to check carton codes and dates. Vector-Borne Risk: New research suggests outdoor lighting can keep West Nile mosquitoes active longer by delaying winter dormancy, with implications for how communities manage nighttime illumination. Maine Lobster Legal Fight: Maine’s lobster industry lawsuit against the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation is drawing First Amendment concerns in federal appeals, tied to the aquarium’s red listing of Maine lobster. Local STEM & Conservation: Oregon State researchers unveiled a low-cost AI camera approach to monitor bumblebees without lethal traps, potentially improving pollinator conservation planning. Health Access in Rural America: A rural hospital closure under the Rural Emergency Hospital model is raising fresh alarms about whether the funding lifeline is enough.