Data Centers & AI Backlash: A new national look at data-center policy shows a fast shift from incentives to moratoriums and added costs as critics cite water use, grid strain, land conflicts, and pollution concerns—sentiment that’s showing up in states including Georgia and likely to shape North Carolina’s next moves. Energy & Utilities: NextEra says talks with Virginia and the Carolinas on its $67B Dominion merger are going “well,” while North Carolina leaders continue pushing for enforceable commitments tied to federal data-center pledges. Critical Minerals Supply Chain: Reuters reports the January 2027 deadline to stop buying key minerals from China/Russia/Iran/North Korea is colliding with a U.S. shortage of miners and processors, raising pressure on North Carolina-linked manufacturers and suppliers. Public Health & Food Safety: Fresh & Ready Foods recalled select Charlotte-made spicy breakfast burritos after sausage/undeclared soy concerns; separate FDA/CDC coverage highlights ongoing outbreak monitoring nationwide. Local Business & Services: JAN-PRO of Charlotte released guidance for evaluating commercial cleaning providers, emphasizing written scopes, staff continuity, quality control, and industry-specific know-how. Medical Manufacturing: Pluristyx and Wake Forest Advocate Health announced a standardized, clinical-grade hepatocyte manufacturing workflow aimed at scalable regenerative medicine, with implications for North Carolina’s life-sciences ecosystem.