Labor Day & retail hours: Most major stores are open Monday, Sept. 7, with many closing early (e.g., Aldi 6 p.m., Sam’s Club 6 p.m.); USPS is closed and some chains like Costco are shut—worth checking local hours before you go. Southwest Florida trail win: Bonita Springs voters approved acquiring the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, converting an inactive corridor into a multi-use walking and biking route that aims to boost safety, connect communities, and support nearby businesses. Local housing boost: Gainesville is set to receive a $25M HUD CHOICE Neighborhoods grant to redevelop aging public housing into energy-efficient, mixed-income communities and revitalize the East University Avenue corridor. STEM pipeline contract: ARCTOS won up to a $60M Air Force Research Laboratory STEM outreach contract to expand internships, apprenticeships, and mentoring tied to Wright-Patterson’s Next-Gen Innovators program. Small-business finance warning: A Colorado investigation highlights how merchant cash advances and “fast business funding” deals can hit owners with big fees and few protections, including a case involving a “Goldman Fund” pitch with no Goldman Sachs link. Hemp uncertainty: A federal continuing resolution delays most upcoming hemp restrictions, giving Florida retailers selling THC hemp products a short-term reprieve while the policy fight continues. Workforce pressure from AI: A report argues AI is already reducing entry-level job opportunities for young adults, pushing schools to focus more on critical judgment and career readiness than just teaching tools.