Education & Workforce: Missouri S&T is one of the schools tapped in a new $100 million federal push to grow the critical-minerals pipeline, aiming to double mining and minerals graduates nationwide in two years. Community & Identity: Kansas City’s Plaza “816 Day” launch sparked fast backlash online for not crediting the originator of the citywide tradition, turning a festival into a debate over cultural ownership. Public Health & Policy: A new CDC director, Erica Schwartz, was confirmed as the first Black woman to lead the agency, with abortion-surveillance questions still hanging over the role. Sports & Culture: A Missouri native, Sophie Cunningham, is back in the spotlight after trans-athlete comments reignited debate around women’s sports and Title IX. Local Governance & Safety: Missouri schools are starting to receive money from legalized sports betting, while Missouri ballot talk for November includes major measures tied to abortion and taxes. Arts & History: A Lincoln scholar is set to speak in Illinois about how the Declaration shaped the 16th president—an example of how local history events keep national stories alive. Tech & Lifestyle: A Springfield-area app, ClearDepth, is designed to help boaters and swimmers spot underwater hazards using community reports. Marine Outreach: Midland donated radios to the Dolphin Research Center to support rescue and education work in the Florida Keys.