Workforce & Safety Net: A new U.S. Government Accountability Office analysis finds grocery and convenience retail employ large numbers of working adults who still rely on Medicaid and SNAP—highlighting how low wages keep families tethered to public support in states including Maine and Rhode Island. Housing & Jobs: Quonset Development Corp. and Moran Properties plan 140 workforce housing units at Quonset Business Park, aiming to ease recruitment and retention problems tied to Rhode Island’s housing shortage. Local Development: Pawtucket celebrated the ribbon-cutting of Dexter Street Commons, a $55 million mixed-use project with 150 all-electric apartments near transit, including middle-income units. Public Safety Tech: Flock Safety has lost or declined to renew dozens of municipal license plate reader contracts nationwide as privacy and data governance concerns mount. Health & Public Policy: Rhode Island is part of a multistate lawsuit challenging federal rules that require mortgage lenders to pay interest on escrow accounts—arguing it short-changes homeowners. RI Research & Industry: Partridge Snow & Hahn launched Phenix Capitol Group LLC to expand government relations and regulatory strategy across Rhode Island. Community & Education: Providence Place and partners will hand out 300+ backpacks with school supplies at a back-to-school giveaway. Environment & Water: A Rhode Island water-systems engineering connection backs research using AI to help reduce lead exposure risks.