Education & Skills: Massachusetts launched a Work-Based Learning co-op initiative, funding three universities with $20,000 each to build paid co-op partnerships starting fall 2026, aiming to strengthen the workforce pipeline. Rural Health & Funding: UNC Health will run a ROOTS Hub for a 14-county North Carolina region, overseeing a $39M competitive award process shaped by community listening sessions. Civil Society Under Pressure: Ahead of Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections, a joint NGO statement warns of escalating intimidation and criminal cases targeting independent journalists. Human Rights & Conflict Risk: Human Rights Watch urged the US Congress to block Turkey-to-Ukraine transfers of tens of thousands of cluster munitions, citing civilian harm risks. Community-Led Aid: A Medina outreach center fundraiser seeks to reopen a long-running free clothing and household assistance hub. Water & Climate Resilience: Saha Global expanded small earth dams in Ghana’s North East Gonja to improve year-round water access for 14+ farming communities. Local Fundraising & Nonprofit Life: Friends of New River Gorge Park’s Friend Fest and multiple community events highlight how nonprofits keep local programs running through public support. Philanthropy Spotlight: MacKenzie Scott’s medical debt work helped erase over $40B since 2020, turning discounted debt purchases into relief nationwide.