1. **State the problem:** Evaluate the expression $$8 \div (-4) \times (-6)^2 + 7$$. 2. **Recall order of operations:** Use PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (left to right), Addition and Subtraction). 3. **Calculate the exponent:** $$(-6)^2 = (-6) \times (-6) = 36$$. 4. **Rewrite the expression:** $$8 \div (-4) \times 36 + 7$$. 5. **Perform division and multiplication from left to right:** First, $$8 \div (-4) = \cancel{8 \div (-4)} = -2$$. Then multiply: $$-2 \times 36 = -72$$. 6. **Add the last term:** $$-72 + 7 = -65$$. **Final answer:** $$-65$$.