Wildfire Smoke Health Watch: The National Weather Service has air quality alerts across 17 states, including Vermont, as Canadian wildfire smoke pushes south; some areas hit “hazardous,” and officials urge people to limit outdoor activity or stay indoors with windows closed. Data Centers vs. Policy: Trump calls data centers “cash cows” and urges New York to reverse its new moratorium, while local opposition continues elsewhere, including a rejected Palm Beach expansion. Vermont Libraries Summer STEM: The Vermont Department of Libraries is sending small grants to 148 public libraries for summer programs for kids and teens, with many events tied to STEM and learning. CDC Vaccine Confirmation Fight: In a Senate hearing, CDC nominee Erica Schwartz said she’ll never compromise on science but dodged direct answers on whether she’d challenge vaccine-related messaging tied to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. UVM Extension Compost Course: UVM Extension opens registration for a six-week hybrid “From Food Scraps to Soil” backyard composting course with online sessions and in-person workshops. 23andMe Data Breach Settlements: Multiple states, including Vermont’s neighbors, announced multistate settlements tied to the 2023 genetic data breach, with limited recovery from bankruptcy funds. Healthcare Leadership in Central Vermont: UVM Health Central Vermont Medical Center named Marc Kosak as its next president and COO, starting July 20. Workforce Pipeline Event: Workforce in Motion will bring hands-on career exploration to the Champlain Valley Expo on Sept. 29, followed by a community career fair. Brattleboro Birth Center Uncertainty: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital faces pressure as community members rally to keep its birth center open amid financial strain. Vermont Data Privacy Law: Vermont’s new Data Privacy and Online Surveillance Act (effective Jan. 1, 2028) lays out consumer protections and requirements for data processing.