Lake Safety & Policy: Wake-surfing and wakeboarding can generate waves with several times more energy than conventional boats, and in shallow water they may stir up sediment and vegetation—Vermont’s statewide rule limits wake sports to designated zones (500 feet from shore, 20 feet deep, and 50 contiguous acres). Energy & Solar Access: After a $1,200 electric bill, a Massachusetts resident tried “plug-in” balcony solar, paying about $1,500 for a small outlet-connected setup instead of a full rooftop system. Agrivoltaics: Solar panels over cropland are moving from concept to scale, with research suggesting dual-use land can boost productivity when designed for the right crops and conditions. Tech & Society: Meta faces thousands of addiction-related lawsuits after a federal appeals court cleared major cases to proceed, rejecting a broad early shield under Section 230. Vermont Leadership in Energy/Industry: Vermont Gas Systems named Lindsay Kurrle its next president and CEO, bringing years of state economic development and flood recovery leadership. AI in Politics: Bernie Sanders is pushing for a national pause on AI development, arguing for human control and warning about risks as campaigns increasingly spotlight AI and data centers. Conservation Watch: A federal rollback to the Endangered Species Act’s definition of “harm” could loosen protections for habitat—raising questions for Vermont’s vulnerable wildlife. Community & Learning: Eastern Wyoming College’s archaeology field school highlights hands-on STEM training, and Vermont’s Weatherization Assistance Program marked 50 years of helping older homes cut energy costs and improve safety.