Retirement Math: A new CareScout report says Americans at 65 face an average $109,000 retirement shortfall, with many likely to outlive savings in 41 states—Minnesota is among the “financial edge” states. Climate & Health Watch: The Twin Cities are in a brief cool-down before a heatwave builds into the 90s next week, with an alert issued for Monday. Plastics Policy Fight: California’s anti–single-use plastics law is drawing backlash and a lawsuit by 17 states, as critics point to low recycling rates and shifting costs. Invasive Species in Minnesota Waters: UMD researchers report the “bloody red shrimp” has established in Lake Superior, raising food-web concerns even as scientists hope impacts stay limited. Wildlife & Data: Wisconsin DNR estimates show a slight wolf population decline to 1,162 wolves in 321 packs, using road surveys and GPS-collared animals. STEM in Action: Minnesota students win big in a story-mapping science fair using ArcGIS online, including wolf research from the Fond du Lac Reservation. AI in Government Oversight: HHS is using ChatGPT in Medicaid audit enforcement, prompting concerns about transparency and how fast funding could be frozen. Local Tech/Health Workforce: Minnesota’s NPDBD program pairs engineering and MBA students with a Twin Cities medical device client to design a new sterile-processing tool.