Election & Voting Access: Rhode Island election officials say the Sept. 9 primary is “highly scrutinized” and secure, with nearly 10,000 voters requesting mail ballots; mail-in applications are due Aug. 19 and early voting runs Aug. 20 through Sept. 8. Courts & Cannabis: A federal judge lifted a block on Rhode Island’s cannabis retail licensing process, clearing the way for a fresh application round after the residency rules were struck down and the state’s law was updated. Statehouse & Education: Gov. Dan McKee and Education Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green announced a fourth straight year of declining chronic absenteeism, recovering about 4.4 million instructional hours statewide. Workforce Policy: Rhode Island opened applications for approved providers to participate in the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program for short-term training. Politics & Appointments: McKee’s Supreme Court pick of Judge Luis Matos over former House Speaker Joe Shekarchi is framed as a revolving-door optics fight with major implications for Shekarchi’s political future. Local Government & Public Safety: Providence is adding a rescue unit and replacing aging ambulances as EMS demand remains heavy. Privacy & Surveillance: Nationally, Flock Safety’s license-plate reader contracts are being canceled or not renewed amid privacy and data-governance concerns. Health & Rights: HHS referred hospitals and other providers to federal investigators over youth gender care billing codes, while a separate federal case in Providence keeps a DEI-related grant enforcement order on hold. Community & Culture: McKee ceremonially signed legislation creating a Dominican heritage charity license plate.