Offshore Wind Workforce: Nunez Community College sent students and instructors to Rhode Island and Massachusetts offshore wind farms (South Fork and Revolution) via a National Wildlife Federation boat tour grant, then plans to fold what they learn into its Wind Energy Technology curriculum. Blue Economy Research: URI marked a milestone at its Narragansett Bay Campus with the ribbon-cutting for the new Ocean Robotics Laboratory, including an underwater test tank and a remotely operated vehicle demo. Public Health & Wildlife: A new report highlights a sharp New England tick surge, with Rhode Island and southern Massachusetts seeing black-legged tick ratios jump and Lyme risk rising—“ticks are winning.” Water Watch: South County towns are tightening irrigation rules as drought conditions worsen, with groundwater and stream flows declining and officials urging conservation. Coastal Development: Rhode Island regulators approved phase two work for Pawtucket’s Tidewater Landing, including riverwalk paths, stormwater upgrades, and planning for a future pedestrian bridge. Local Recycling & Waste: Rhode Island’s mattress recycling efforts are expanding after a successful first year, building on broader waste-reduction momentum. State Policy: Rhode Island became the first state to require staffing ratios for grocery self-checkout, aiming to protect jobs and improve accessibility.