Virginia Groundwater: State senators Perry and Stuart urged Gov. Spanberger to call a special session after DEQ’s “deeply alarming” groundwater report warned of saltwater intrusion risks and potential declines for the Potomac Aquifer that supplies drinking water for about 4 million Virginians. Offshore Wind Update: Dominion says its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is past 80% complete, but it pushed the completion target to end of 2027 and added about 2% to the budget. Data Center Backlash in Virginia: Virginia’s data-center boom is colliding with residents’ concerns over power costs and groundwater strain, with lawmakers pressing for reviews and even moratoriums while new projects face local fights. Aquatic Weed Control: Halifax County approved a letter to FERC asking Dominion for more funding to better tackle noxious aquatic weeds like hydrilla and Lyngbya in Lake Gaston. Public Health & Air: A major randomized trial found portable HEPA air purifiers in care homes didn’t reduce winter respiratory infections—an important reality check for indoor air claims. Wildlife Safety: Officials were alarmed after two endangered North Atlantic right whales surfaced in a busy Maryland shipping corridor, highlighting collision risks in heavily trafficked lanes. Research on Pollen: Virginia Tech researchers developed a method to track and forecast pollen movement from ground to the atmosphere using fluorescent switchgrass pollen, drones, and modeling.