Wildfire Response Upgrade: Six years after the Holiday Farm Fire, Oregon officials say they’re leaning harder on faster detection and an aggressive goal of putting fires out at 10 acres or less. Public Safety Tech + Privacy: Umatilla is using Flock automatic license plate readers to curb shootings, reporting 28–30% fewer gun-violence incidents, while residents debate privacy and future data use. Healthcare Labor Pressure: Oregon Nurses Association and other Rogue Valley clinicians plan to meet Salem lawmakers over Asante concerns, including safe-staffing violations, closures, and anti-union spending. Conservation Staffing Cuts: A new report says U.S. Fish and Wildlife staffing is down about 3,600 nationwide, with Oregon down 40% since 2024, raising alarms for species protection capacity. Earthquake Readiness: Nevada is moving toward ShakeAlert earthquake early warning with new congressional funding for the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and USGS planning. Renewables in Oregon: PacWave South, Oregon State’s grid-connected wave test site off Newport, has opened—aimed at speeding development of wave energy devices. Science/Health Breakthrough: Early research suggests psilocybin could prevent chemotherapy-related nerve damage, with human trials slated to begin soon. Wildlife Watch: Downtown Portland’s crow roost is back, with counts expected to climb above 20,000 by winter.