Energy & Cost Pressure: Renewed U.S.-Iran fighting is pushing oil prices higher, with major oil firms raking in about $30 million per hour in excess profits—fueling fresh momentum for Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse’s windfall-tax idea. Manufacturing & Supply Chain: APPLIED Adhesives (Westerly) is expanding its East Coast footprint by acquiring Industrial Sales and Distribution Inc., a long-time adhesives and silicone distributor serving aerospace and manufacturing. Local Business & Growth: Rhode Island’s economy may be edging out of recession, with URI economist Leonard Lardaro pointing to improved retail sales and manufacturing hours in the latest monthly read. Clean Energy Policy: Offshore wind faces new legal and political headwinds as states prepare to challenge Trump administration payoffs tied to canceled projects. Seafood Innovation: The NSF Seafood Engine in New England won a $15M award to strengthen fisheries and aquaculture across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Workforce & Jobs: A Boston Fed report finds small businesses drive most net job creation in New England, underscoring their role in local hiring. Community Support: The Rhode Island Energy Foundation announced $250,000 in grants to 15 nonprofits through its Empowering Communities program. Housing & Planning: Narragansett is starting its comprehensive plan update process, with housing and long-range development decisions expected to follow. Water Infrastructure: The bipartisan WRDA 2026 cleared a key Senate committee step, setting up more funding for drinking water, wastewater, flood risk, and ecosystem restoration. Tech & Risk: EY disclosed a data breach tied to a third-party IT service platform used by its tax practice, involving client tax documents. Legal & Public Safety: A federal appeals court struck down New Jersey’s assault-weapons and large-magazine bans—an outcome likely to reverberate in Rhode Island.