Surveillance & Privacy: Cumberland and Foster are among Rhode Island towns wrestling with Flock Safety license-plate cameras after resident pushback and a false-arrest case raised questions about what the systems capture and how data is shared; Foster tabled a move to remove its cameras pending a company appearance, while Cumberland’s debate continues as lawmakers seek tighter safeguards. Utility Regulation: Attorney General Peter Neronha urged the Public Utilities Commission to reject Rhode Island Energy’s request to lift its profit margin to 10.75% in a major rate case that could raise typical bills. Education Policy: Cumberland Schools adopted a stricter phone policy, banning students from carrying personal devices during the school day and limiting searches to administrators. Banking Deal: Santander received Federal Reserve approval to acquire Webster Financial, with a planned close around Aug. 20. Casino Earnings: Bally’s reported a Q2 loss of $146.1 million on $792.2 million in revenue. Workforce Funding: Rhode Island is accepting applications from training providers for the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program. Health & Cost Pressures: Coverage highlights how Medicaid income caps can force disabled workers to lose home-care support that enables employment. Local Business & Community: The Rhode Island Foundation awarded $290,000 in grants to Newport County nonprofits. Consumer/Market Watch: A Reuters look at SEC 13F filings finds institutions slightly cooled bets in semiconductors, AI infrastructure and megacap tech.