Food Inflation Watch: A slower, stickier grocery price surge is building nationwide as bad weather, tariffs, and a shrinking cattle herd squeeze supply—hitting household budgets harder than gas and likely lingering into 2027. Nebraska Ag Tech Policy: Nebraska’s LB 525 now sets state rules for collecting and using agricultural data, aiming to protect farm and ranch privacy while enabling tech-driven production. Cancer Care Upgrade: Nebraska Medicine is rolling out a proton beam treatment device at the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, described as a major step toward more precise care for kids and patients across the region. Nuclear Energy Milestone: The U.S. Energy Department says a small advanced microreactor reached criticality at Idaho National Lab, a milestone that could speed electricity generation timelines. Health Data Privacy Fight: HHS is seeking access to identifiable medical records from state systems in an effort tied to vaccine-autism research, drawing sharp privacy and legal concerns—Nebraska’s CyncHealth is named as a major CDC-funded participant. STEM in the Heartland: Grand Island’s EPIC Discovery Center finally opens after seven years, offering hands-on STEAM learning for kids up to age 18. Research Participation (Cats): Darwin’s Ark is recruiting more cat owners nationwide for a genetics and behavior study, with Nebraska listed among underrepresented states.