Medical Devices & Design: Pacto Medical’s Burlington-made Slimshot compact prefilled syringe platform won a Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2026 and a prototype will be displayed at the Red Dot Design Museum in Singapore. Hospitality & Local Economy: Otherland Hotel, a newly opened 20-room nature-forward boutique retreat in Newfane, is now operating after a full renovation of the former Riverbend Motel. Skilled Trades & Ski Industry: Mount Snow lift mechanic Josh Storino was selected for the Rise Up Challenge, a national competition spotlighting emerging lift maintenance talent. Workforce & Immigration: ICE detained five people during a traffic stop in Londonderry; Migrant Justice says the incident may involve construction workers heading to jobs, and a community meeting is planned. Energy & Costs: AAA reports the national gas average fell three cents to $4.06 as crude prices ease. Environment & Waste: Regulators won’t require Casella to test PFAS emissions at its Coventry landfill pilot, drawing fresh concern from advocates. Public Safety: A lithium e-bike battery explosion in a Winooski condo displaced 12 residents and sent two tenants to UVM Medical Center. Local Business & Food Systems: Sweet Lucy’s Bakeshop in Bernardston highlights farm-to-fork sourcing as local agriculture helps drive its menu. Banking Leadership: Essex Bank named Lynn Giroux as its next president and CEO, completing its succession plan.