NOAA Modernization: NOAA awarded a $99.6M contract to upgrade the Henry B. Bigelow, a key East Coast fisheries research vessel, with a 14-month overhaul starting after the 2027 season. Accessibility Tech in Bangor: Bangor will deploy small sidewalk-mapping robots to assess 150 miles of curb ramps and crosswalks for ADA compliance, with data delivered in a GIS-ready format. Fisheries Management: The New England Fishery Management Council split Atlantic cod management into four regions, each with its own annual catch limits starting in 2026. Supreme Court & Sports: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld state bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports, while Maine officials say the ruling won’t change Maine’s policy. Local Governance: Machiasport voters approved school and municipal budgets despite tax concerns; Somerset County kept the Lake Moxie Road speed limit after an MDOT study. Made in Maine STEM: UMaine rising senior earned a Goldwater Scholarship for biomedical research; UMaine researchers found how woodcock defend nests and UMaine Extension continues pasture-walk programming. Energy Policy: New Jersey passed plug-in solar rules that expand access for renters and apartment dwellers, following Maine’s earlier approach. Workforce Education: Metallica’s All Within My Hands expanded its Metallica Scholars Initiative to over 90 schools with $3.3M+ in grants.