Utility Heat Safety: Rocky Mount residents are questioning why power disconnections are continuing during record-setting July heat, after community members linked outages to three deaths following disconnections. Energy Costs & Environment: Duke Energy’s latest residential rate hike plan is still under scrutiny at the North Carolina Utilities Commission, with environmental groups arguing even the reduced settlement path is too high for families. Flood Risk in the Mountains: A flood watch remains in effect for Ashe County through Thursday morning, with “excessive rainfall” possible and runoff that could push rivers and creeks over banks. Nature-Based Flood Help: New research highlights why landowners aren’t signing up for conservation incentive programs meant to reduce flood impacts, pointing to confusing paperwork, unclear requirements, and slow or inconsistent support. Wildlife & Public Lands: The National Park Service is removing downed trees near the Blue Ridge Parkway after Helene, but conservationists are asking it to pause over concerns about aerial spraying and heavy machinery. Local STEM & Water: Appalachian State’s Summer Ventures program is giving high schoolers hands-on aquatic ecology fieldwork in Western North Carolina. Health Equity Grant: Cape Fear Valley Health received a $1.6 million Duke Endowment grant to expand maternal and infant health screening and referrals across NC.