Hybrid-Electric Aviation: Ampaire kicked off hybrid-electric flight demos in Utah under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, flying its Electric EEL from Salt Lake City to Cedar City and setting up future Eco Caravan regional missions. Public Safety & Policy: Utah lawmakers are pushing new tools to fight fraud targeting the elderly, while Congresswoman Celeste Maloy and the Utah Chamber of Commerce discussed legislation aimed at organized retail crime and cross-state tracking. Transit Costs: UTA is proposing a fare increase from $2.50 to $3 in 2027 and other service changes, with a public comment period running Aug. 10 through Sept. 9. Water & Climate: Utah’s wildfire season is breaking records for forested acres burned, and Lake Mead hit a new historical low, underscoring the pressure on the region’s water supplies. Tech & Business: Utah launched a $5 million AI Moonshot Program to fund at least a dozen university-led projects, targeting areas like mental health, environmental intelligence, and frontline healthcare. Legal/Markets: A federal judge ruled Utah can enforce its anti-gambling laws against Kalshi prediction markets, with Kalshi seeking further relief as the fight continues. Local Economy: Bank of Utah’s summer internship program gave Utah State interns hands-on community banking experience, including delivering self-care kits to firefighters. Health Alerts: Foodborne illness outbreaks tied to lettuce and jalapeños continue to spread, with recalls expanding as officials urge consumers to check alerts.