Small Business Tech & Growth: 98 Buck Social rebranded as Engage365, positioning itself as a full-service marketing and tech partner for more than 20,000 businesses nationwide. Manufacturing Support: The SBA awarded $50M to 11 organizations under its Empower to Grow program to train and advise small manufacturers. Disaster Relief for SMBs: FEMA and the SBA will assess July storm damage in Minnesota’s Mower County, and Illinois’ Wayne County tornado victims can now apply for SBA disaster loans via a new outreach center. Hiring Pulse: ADP says private-sector job growth in July slowed to a “choppy” pace, with pay rising faster for job-changers—watching for tighter labor conditions. Cyber & Fraud Risk: A federal indictment alleges a phishing scheme that hit travel agencies, causing about $14M in losses—another reminder to harden small-business accounts. Trade Pressure: 25 states sued over Trump’s latest forced-labor tariffs, arguing they’re illegal and will raise costs for families and businesses. Local Business Impact: Wisconsin’s SNAP/FoodShare rule changes could force small stores to stock more varieties and perishables, raising operating costs. Regulatory Headwinds (THC): Texas banned several low-dose THC hemp products, while Minnesota’s low-dose THC industry got a brief reprieve via a Klobuchar-backed delay proposal. AI in the Real Economy: Purdue-linked PaveX won an NSF SBIR grant to automate road-condition assessments, aiming to help public works plan repairs sooner and cheaper. E-commerce Competition: Shopify’s upbeat forecast tied to AI tools sent shares up, signaling continued momentum for SMB-focused online selling.