Rabies Preparedness: Vermont will start its annual rabies vaccine bait drop Aug. 1, sending about 915,700 oral vaccine baits across multiple Vermont counties and parts of New Hampshire and New York as rabies cases keep rising. Public Safety & Health Policy: New Hampshire’s vehicle inspection fight is back in federal court, with a Wilton woman and a former emissions-testing contractor suing the state after annual safety/emissions checks ended, arguing air quality has worsened. Energy Costs: A report says New Hampshire ratepayers would face higher costs if the state left the regional grid, estimating about $148 million more (roughly 14%) and warning separation could add hard-to-forecast expenses. Workforce & Childcare: A woman-led rural New Hampshire manufacturer says childcare shortages are limiting hiring and retention, pushing employers to seek policy solutions for affordable, high-quality care. Local Infrastructure: Bedford Toll Plaza is being decommissioned as crews remove equipment for electronic tolling, with demolition expected to take up to 10 weeks. Community Projects: Keene Parks outlined major upgrades, including a phased Robin Hood Park pool renovation to stop daily water loss and longer-term Ashuelot River Park expansion. Food Supply Watch: The national cyclospora outbreak keeps widening, with federal health officials tracking cases linked to contaminated lettuce and recalls affecting multiple states, including New Hampshire. Business/Finance: NBT Bancorp reported stronger Q2 results and an increased cash dividend after its Evans Bancorp acquisition. Tech/AI Infrastructure: Reuters reports the Pentagon says the U.S. drone buildout is still in the hardest early phase, even as rules push for American-made parts.