PFAS Research Push: The NSF awarded $7.9M to create Vermont’s PFAS Environmental Research Network, bringing together Bennington College, Landmark College, Middlebury, UVM, and state partners to track “forever chemicals” in groundwater and soil. Consumer Chemical Watch: EPA released a draft risk review of 1,2-dichloropropane, flagging potential unreasonable risk to workers and some consumers, including through imported products. Household Safety Recall: Clorox Puerto Rico recalled 6.3M Mistolin bottles (and related Lestoil products) in Puerto Rico and the USVI over possible Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination, with higher risk called out for immunocompromised travelers. Pricing Pressure: Analysts say iPhone 18 could reflect “AI inflation,” with some models expected to cost about $100 more as memory-chip demand from AI data centers tightens supplies. Trade-Tariff Fallout: Canada’s counter-tariffs could raise costs not just for goods but for the semi-trailers hauling them, with Ocean Trailer racing to import $45M in US-built trailers before tariffs hit. Data Privacy: New breach investigations include Berkeley Research Group, HumanEdge, Gale Credit Union, and YouLend, with notices pointing to exposure of sensitive personal and financial data. Back-to-School Spending Split: The Atlanta Fed’s Beige Book says affluent consumers keep spending on luxury, while others lean on credit and value shopping. Class-Action Flood: Investor-rights suits were filed or urged across multiple consumer-facing names, including Planet Fitness and Papa John’s, plus several tech and retail-related companies.