Advanced Wood Heating Grants: Vermont is accepting applications for a $300,000 USDA Forest Service Wood Innovations-funded program that helps municipalities install or upgrade advanced wood heating systems for town buildings, garages, schools, and grange halls. Aerospace & Manufacturing: Beta Technologies’ Vermont-built Alia 250 electric air taxi drew attention in a Burlington-area demo, with the company pitching much lower operating costs than helicopters. Construction Awards: PC Construction’s Shawn Walsh Hockey Center and Harold Alfond Arena renovation at the University of Maine won a third major industry honor, adding a CMAA New England Mark H. Hasso Project of the Year Award to prior recognition. Local Business & Incentives: Lawrence, Mass. approved incentives for Alarm.com’s downtown office redevelopment, including a property tax rebate and industrial revenue bonds for construction materials. Workforce Pipeline: Northwest Career and Technical Center held a Skilled Trades Signing Day with more than 20 students committing to careers in building trades, manufacturing, and other skilled fields. Public Policy & Hiring: A U.S. court struck down the Trump administration’s proposed $100,000 H-1B visa petition tax, a move Vermont’s attorney general says could help employers fill critical roles. Food Safety: A Salmonella outbreak tied to moringa supplements expanded to 119 cases across 36 states, prompting additional FDA recalls. Energy Infrastructure: Avista confirmed talks with a large-load customer planning a major data center drawing 125 MW starting in 2029, with potential expansion to 500 MW. Tech & Cybersecurity: Sen. Rick Scott introduced bills aimed at strengthening cybersecurity oversight for U.S. critical infrastructure and maritime transportation facilities.