Agricultural Research Funding: UMaine is applying for up to $30 million to modernize agricultural research infrastructure, aiming to help rural farms with practical work like potato resistance testing and pest/disease research. Public Health & Data Systems: Maine DHHS is also set to invest $30M to upgrade electronic medical record systems, with a focus on better serving rural communities. Marine Conservation: A Vermont scientist is featured for decades of work on critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, using long-running photo catalogs to guide management. Climate & Space Science: NASA says a total solar eclipse will cross Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Spain, parts of Portugal and the Atlantic, with a partial view possible across much of the U.S.; the Perseids peak the night after. Food Security Metrics: A report warns that Trump’s cancellation of a long-running U.S. food security survey could make it harder to track hunger trends after SNAP changes. Workforce & Training: Northern Maine Community College’s Practical Nursing program ranked No. 3 in Maine for 2026, highlighting simulation-rich training. Right Whale + Ocean Life: The right whale story ties into broader Gulf of Maine habitat pressures like warming, entanglements, and vessel strikes. Community Grants: LifeFlight of Maine and two Waldo County nonprofits received Bangor Savings Bank Foundation grants, including $25,000 for LifeFlight.