Housing & Ethics: A Globe Spotlight investigation says Massachusetts state housing grants were tied to shoddy renovations and fake invoices, with subcontractors denying the work and an executive allegedly failing to disclose a personal connection to the developers. Public Health: Vermont became the first state to ban paraquat, a weed killer linked by advocates to Parkinson’s disease, even as some farmers warn about profit pressure and the EPA reviews the safety question. Rhode Island Education: Newport Public Schools Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain wrapped her final monthly meeting ahead of retirement, touching on budget timing, a rejected loan request, and leadership transition to interim Superintendent Peter Sanchioni. Local Politics: Warren’s candidate filings picked up after an initially slow start, setting up races including a bid for the RI House District 67 seat. AI & Business: Brown researcher Louis Castricato’s Overworld is pivoting from chatbots toward “world models” aimed at real-time physical environments. RI Environment & Waste: A Rhode Island recycling explainer breaks down why rules differ and how the Johnston facility sorts what residents can actually recycle. Maritime Manufacturing: REGENT completed its Seaglider Manufacturing Facility in North Kingstown, positioning the site as a global production hub and citing hundreds of jobs. Tech Regulation Watch: The CFTC’s prediction-markets fight continues, with Kentucky sued and Rhode Island listed among states targeted in the broader crackdown.