K2-18b
As you have no doubt heard, thanks to the Webb telescope we discovered life on planet K2-18b. It's a big water covered planet orbiting star K2-18, just 38 parsecs away. Although it is too far to see individual inhabitants, we already know that they are mermaids, since the planet is covered with water. You could use one of those AI art programs to create a realistic drawing of one.
No matter what you may have seen in the last Avatar movie, water dwelling creatures are unlikely to be technologically advanced. How would they ever discover fire? Or work with metal? Or get into space if they have to carry a liquid atmosphere?
Still, the news that any life exists on other planets should be a concern for national leaders. This is the issue they need to ask about in the next presidential debate. What contingencies should the government develop in response to this news?
There's a lot to do. Step 1 should be to designate the "take me to your leader" person. That person should be the US President.
Step 2 is to develop a defense plan in case we get invaded.
Step 3 is to develop an invasion plan if we get the chance to invade them.
There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.