Autonomous retail: 365 Retail Markets and Evergreen Refreshments opened a checkout-free “Just Walk Out” store at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, letting students and staff shop and leave without lines or traditional checkout. Public health: A Washington State University-led study in rural Tanzania found community-run rabies vaccination campaigns protected more dogs year-round than outside teams doing annual drives—an approach researchers say could help eliminate human rabies. Civil rights leadership: Seattle University School of Law promoted Melissa Lee and Jessica Levin to new top roles at its Center for Civil Rights and Critical Justice, expanding training for the next generation of civil rights attorneys. Workplace autonomy: A standing-room-only session at the American College of Surgeons tackled surgeon unionization and professional autonomy, with leaders saying the ACS can’t become a union but can still support clinicians. Local education workforce: Grays Harbor College’s Riverview Education Center in Raymond won approval for a new Nursing Assistant Certified skills lab, adding hands-on training closer to home. Tech and travel: Seattle-based Nimbus Aerospace tested a hybrid-electric aircraft prototype in Oregon and is targeting full-scale flights in 2028. Sports culture: The PWHL announced its expanded season schedule, with Seattle Torrent set to open against Vancouver Goldeneyes on Dec. 5. Food and lifestyle: A new analysis ranks America’s best cities for work, with Seattle landing in the lower half—useful for anyone planning a move for lifestyle and career.