Space & Defense: The U.S. Navy tested a robotic system off Virginia’s coast that can capture, refuel, and release an unmanned vessel at sea—transferring 400 gallons across about 100 connection cycles—aimed at keeping uncrewed platforms deployed longer. AI Infrastructure & Power: Virginia lawmakers and regulators are pressing on NextEra’s proposed Dominion takeover, with House Speaker Don Scott warning the State Corporation Commission must focus on actions that protect clean-energy goals, affordability, jobs, and Richmond’s role as a co-headquarters. Data Centers, Community Backlash: In Spotsylvania County, residents are organizing against a planned 633-acre data center campus at Belvedere Plantation, while a Pennsylvania farmer rejected a roughly $15.7M offer for an AI data center and instead accepted a conservation easement. Robotics in the Data Center: Meta is trialing dual-armed robots to swap network cables inside server racks, signaling more automation for physical maintenance work. STEM Discovery: Scientists described a “new” frog species in Ecuador after re-checking century-old museum specimens—Pristimantis milpe—showing how taxonomy can still change with better review. Education Outcomes: New local six-year degree completion figures highlight gaps and gains across Virginia cities and schools, including Harrisonburg’s 82.2% rate for Asian students and Norfolk’s lower pooled rate for Asian students. Policy & Privacy: Flock license-plate camera fights keep spreading, with more communities ending or suspending programs amid surveillance concerns.