National Highways

California has begun the first phase of a wildlife crossing for mountain lions at Joshua Tree National Park. The project aims to give the big cats a safe route across roads that cut through their habitat, reducing vehicle collisions and reconnecting separated populations. It adds to a growing effort in the state to protect wildlife with crossings over and under busy highways.

It is National Coffee Day, and Anchorage-area commuters are being pointed toward coffee promotions before driving the Parks, Seward, Sterling, Glenn and Knik-Goose Bay highways. Outlets are listing deals ranging from free cups to buy-one-get-one offers, with drivers encouraged to check where discounts are available before paying full price on their morning route.

Major retailers and restaurants are expanding rapidly into a town along the Interstate 35 corridor, according to regional reporting from MySA. The influx points to continued commercial and population growth along the busy Austin-San Antonio stretch of the highway, as national chains follow demand from new residents and commuters.

Countries across the Americas are moving forward with plans to build a shared digital health infrastructure, described as a 'digital highway' for the health sector, aimed at connecting care across national borders. The Pan American Health Organization is supporting the initiative, which is intended to improve interoperability of health systems and enable better cross-border care coordination throughout the region.