Food Safety: The FDA linked 98 Salmonella illnesses across 17 states to a Texas egg recall tied to Midwest Poultry Services, with nearly 20 million eggs pulled from stores; shoppers are urged to check carton codes and dates. Environment & Public Health: A Texas study found microplastics in nearly every North Texas waterway tested, including the Trinity River and White Rock Lake, pushing for action as contamination becomes “nearly invisible.” Energy & Grid Reliability: Austin Energy is exploring a partnership to install home batteries that can back up residents during outages while also helping manage peak demand. Power & Data Centers: New reporting warns Texas-area grids are nearing tipping points as extreme weather and data center load strain transmission systems. Higher Ed Budget: Texas higher education agencies are preparing for possible 3% spending cuts, with scholarship and grant programs potentially needing extra protection. Business & Tech: VeraBank named Preston Bradham as Senior VP and Head of AI to lead practical AI adoption across banking operations. Aviation: Delta will cancel three JFK routes, including nonstop Houston service, shifting more New York flying to LaGuardia. Sports (Local Interest): Houston marked “John T. Toomey Day” for the 98-year-old barbecue founder, with a city proclamation and community celebration.