Energy & Utilities: Vermont Public Power Supply Authority (VPPSA) General Manager Ken Nolan was elected president of the Northeast Public Power Association board, bringing decades of public power and regulatory experience to regional leadership. Local Tech & Civic Life: Hinesburg selectboard discussed a potential local option tax for a November ballot, weighing how to fund town priorities beyond property taxes. Education & Infrastructure: After nearly six years tied to PCB contamination, Burlington’s new high school building finally opens, ending a long detour through a renovated downtown Macy’s site. Digital IDs: Apple Wallet is expanding mobile driver’s licenses to more states, with Vermont listed among those exploring digital ID rollouts. AI Policy Watch: A new state-by-state roundup finds 2026 AI legislation shifting toward chatbot controls and public-sector rules, while consequential automated decision rules still lag. Health & Brain Science: UVM researchers report estradiol shapes memory-related brain connectivity in middle-aged women, offering clues for cognitive changes around menopause. Climate & Waste Research: A UVM-led study finds food-waste recycling can slash climate impacts but may create microplastic risks unless separation and packaging improve. Broadband Funding: The FCC is reevaluating the E-Rate program that helps Vermont schools and libraries afford internet access, raising concerns about knock-on cuts. Workforce & Economy: Vermont’s July unemployment rate held steady at 2.6% as the Department of Labor points to reemployment support for recent layoffs.