search: fix 'awaiting data' fallback + valid featured slugs - #688

Node.js 20 is deprecated. The following actions target Node.js 20 but are being forced to run on Node.js 24: actions/checkout@v4, actions/setup-node@v4, pnpm/action-setup@v4. For more information see: https://github.blog/changelog/2025-09-19-deprecation-of-node-20-on-github-actions-runners/

'RingWindow' is defined but never used

'freshnessOf' is defined but never used

'SECONDS_PER_MINUTE' is defined but never used

'SECONDS_PER_HOUR' is defined but never used