Nuclear Fuel & Waste: The U.S. Department of Energy picked Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Idaho as the first potential hosts for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses—big plans that could include fuel-cycle work, waste disposal, advanced reactors, and even co-located data centers. Ocean Mapping: The U.S. Navy awarded six firms a $40M contract to use long-endurance unmanned vessels to map Pacific and Indian Ocean seabeds for NAVOCEANO. Battery Recycling Breakthrough: Sandia National Laboratories unveiled BatterUP, using microwave irradiation plus ion exchange to upcycle spent lithium-ion battery cathodes faster than traditional recycling routes. Public Health in Louisiana: Louisiana’s cyclosporiasis situation is getting more attention as the LDH launches a dashboard while cases climb; separate coverage also flags a broader Cyclospora outbreak tied to food like iceberg lettuce. Immigration & Researcher Detained: A Johns Hopkins researcher with valid work authorization was detained by ICE after an airport arrest, with reports saying she’s being held in rural Louisiana—raising alarms for academics and advocates. Heat Safety: LSU AgCenter and local farmers share practical steps to protect livestock during extreme Louisiana heat stress. Tech & Privacy: Louisiana’s new consumer privacy law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, adding requirements around sensitive data and consumer rights. Campus Design: Tulane named architect John Dwyer director of its Small Center for Collaborative Design, focusing on equitable, sustainable housing and community-led planning.