Energy & Jobs: Kemmerer is seeing a major shift as TerraPower’s Natrium small-scale nuclear plant (backed by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett) moves toward power in about four years, with $2B in taxpayer assistance and a coal-town workforce question hanging over the project. Water Politics: Colorado River cut plans are being reassessed every two years under a new federal 10-year framework, with San Diego’s supply looking safer for now while Tempe says only ~6% of its water is Colorado River-dependent. Wyoming Environment & Land Use: The U.S. Forest Service is taking public comments through Aug. 28 on a proposed rare earth open-pit mine near Mato Tipila (Bear Lodge), raising concerns about sacred-site impacts and possible radioactive or hazardous byproducts. Public Health: Panhandle Public Health District in Nebraska adopted local rules to run public swimming pool inspections after state authority shifted to local governments. Wyoming Civic Life: AARP Wyoming named Ann Clement as state director, bringing 25+ years of nonprofit and policy experience from leading Wyoming 211. Wyoming Courts & Records: A report says Interior staffers under Doug Burgum are shredding documents and using disappearing Signal messages, raising Federal Records Act concerns. Local Notes: Gas prices updates show Wyoming’s statewide regular average at $4.10 (week ending Aug. 1), with the lowest reported in Niobrara County at $4.19.