PFAS “Forever Chemicals” in Focus: New reporting reiterates how per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances show up across everyday products and persist in people and the environment, with studies linking exposure to cancer risk, immune and thyroid problems, and developmental effects. Housing Crunch Meets Empty Homes: A new national analysis finds about 1 in 10 U.S. homes sit vacant for long stretches, with Vermont among the highest-vacancy states—an unused pool that could help ease affordability pressure. ACA Costs Climb Again: Marketplace insurers are proposing a median 14% premium increase for 2027, driven by subsidy expiration and rising healthcare costs—Vermont is included among states seeing double-digit hikes. Vermont Energy Policy Tension: Gov. Phil Scott vetoed a renewable energy bill that would have reshaped how “electricity generating facilities” are defined for permitting, drawing pushback from the renewable sector. Wildfire Preparedness Update: A new Vermont law automatically assigns forest fire warden duties to fire chiefs, and some volunteer chiefs are resisting the added workload. PFAS Risk in Local Planning: A Vermont school district’s move toward artificial turf is raising PFAS concerns, since turf has been linked to “forever chemicals” and residents worry about drinking-water impacts. Tech & Skills in Vermont Schools: The Governor’s Institutes of Vermont Entrepreneurship Institute highlighted student-built wearable tech aimed at helping with public speaking anxiety. Public Health Alerts: Vermont health and environmental officials are sharing guidance on checking lakes for cyanobacteria blooms and preventing tickborne illness.