Housing & Cost of Living: Existing home sales jumped 3.2% in May to the fastest pace since December, with prices hitting an all-time high for May as affordability improves slightly despite still-high mortgage rates. Energy & Fuel Prices: H5N1 bird flu detections in poultry flocks across 12 states are expected to keep pressuring egg and poultry prices into summer, while local gas-price reports show wide variation by county and fuel type. Grid Reliability: Ameren Missouri is seeking public input on an $881 million transmission upgrade expected to add about 25 cents per month for residential customers to improve reliability. Weather & Safety: Severe storms and extreme heat are moving through the Upper Midwest and into eastern South Dakota, with heat advisories and tornado/wind/hail threats. Local Transportation: Maryville, Missouri is weighing tighter rules and education for e-bikes and e-scooters after near-collisions, especially involving minors. Agriculture & Competition: The FTC has launched a major investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration after farmers warned of squeezed margins and higher grocery costs. Culture & Community: A Midwestern LGBTQ community calendar in Cincinnati is expanding the city’s queer event scene, building a “Cincy Gay Agenda” for locals. Sports & Crime: Karmelo Anthony was sentenced to 35 years for a track-meet stabbing in Texas, while college baseball fans are gearing up for the College World Series in Omaha.