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Childersburg is considering a data center development on the site of a former World War II-era explosives plant that also produced heavy water for the Manhattan Project. The contaminated 1,600-acre industrial park has remained largely vacant for over 70 years, though a developer is currently conducting environmental assessments on the property.

AL.com · Alabama

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has proposed allowing communities to decide on data centers, extending an Alabama Power rate freeze, and placing facilities in the highest property tax bracket. However, the plan lacks mechanisms to enforce infrastructure payments and requires a constitutional amendment to grant local governments decision-making power—a process that could take years.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

A permit application indicates Applied Digital Corporation, a Dallas-based company, plans to build a 2-million-square-foot data center in Brookwood on Industrial Parkway. Brookwood Mayor Joe Barger confirmed the proposed development is an AI data center but said no project has been signed yet.

WBRC · Alabama

Data center projects in central Alabama involve multiple stages from land acquisition through construction, with jurisdictions like Chelsea and Homewood implementing moratoria while officials evaluate impacts. Developers typically identify sites with power access and infrastructure before seeking rezoning, annexation, permits and other approvals that provide opportunities for public input on concerns including water use, noise and traffic.

WBMA · Alabama

Central Florida real estate experts discussed whether large AI data centers could affect property values. While one study found homes adjacent to data centers might see negative impacts, a Realtor.com analysis of 43 U.S. zip codes found home prices trended similarly with or without local data centers, though experts cautioned that longer-term impacts remain unclear.

Spectrum News 13 · Florida

The West Virginia Department of Commerce certified two data center projects for Mason County: the Nscale Monarch Campus in Point Pleasant, which would include a biomass and carbon-capture facility, and "Project Tamarack" by Florida-based Starwood Digital Ventures, representing a $12 billion investment located 20 miles north of the Monarch Campus.

West Virginia Watch · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

The Escambia County Commission will consider scheduling public hearings to vote on a 12-month moratorium on data centers with anticipated monthly peak loads of at least 10 megawatts but less than 50 megawatts, following prior anti-data center actions by the county.

NorthEscambia.com · Florida

Atlanta has more data center capacity under construction than any other U.S. primary market, with 2,882 megawatts in development compared to its current 1,803 megawatts, according to a CBRE research report. Georgia's appeal stems from its business environment, tax incentives, workforce and lower operating costs, though project approvals and power delivery remain challenges.

WSB-TV · Fulton Co., GA

A Caddo Parish zoning official suggested alternatives to restrict data centers through ordinances and nuisance laws rather than zoning, citing that a master plan needed for expanded zoning authority would take years while data centers are already arriving.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Caddo Parish, LA

A man was arrested in Hawkins County, Tennessee, after cell tower vandalism caused network outages early Sunday. The suspect was taken into custody by afternoon; authorities recovered items connected to the thefts and vandalism during the arrest.

Data Center Dynamics · Tennessee

Kentucky has yet to see a hyperscale data center open, but Gallatin, Tennessee's Meta facility offers insights into potential impacts. Residents near the 900-acre campus report concerns about water usage, low humming sounds, dust during construction, and property value effects, while city officials highlight revenue and infrastructure improvements.

WKU Public Radio · Sumner Co., TN

Headline onlyWZTV · Sumner Co., TN · also at WZTV

Headline onlyWSAV-TV

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WSFA, KOLO | 8 News Now

Headline onlyWBRC

Bessemer City Schools closed Abrams Pre-K Center after mold was discovered, relocating students to their previously assigned schools. Superintendent Michael Turner has declined multiple interview requests and has not publicly addressed discrepancies in the district's timeline regarding when mold concerns were first reported.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

State Sen. Sam Givhan says residents of his Huntsville district overwhelmingly oppose new data center construction in the Tennessee Valley. Several Alabama cities have enacted moratoriums on data centers, and Givhan plans to introduce legislation eliminating tax incentives for such projects in the state.

yellowhammernews.com · Madison Co., AL

Morgan County commissioners imposed a one-year moratorium on data centers after residents opposed a bitcoin mining operation, but lack enforcement power since state lawmakers, not counties, hold regulatory authority over unincorporated areas. Only three of Alabama's 67 counties have land-use authority, and county officials adopted a resolution opposing industry-specific zoning while calling for comprehensive growth strategies.

AL.com · Alabama

Headline onlyMontgomery Advertiser · Montgomery Co., AL · also at The Tuscaloosa News

Tampa Bay Times · Hillsborough Co., FL

Amazon has filed applications with the FCC for three ground stations with six antennas each in Florida, Minnesota, and Texas to support its planned 3,232-satellite broadband constellation. The company previously announced plans to install over 300 ground stations to expand downstream capacity.

Data Center Dynamics · Florida

The Georgia Public Service Commission will hold an administrative session and public forum in Savannah on Sept. 15, where residents can address the regulatory body about utilities and concerns. The meeting runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Chatham County Administrative Building, with participants limited to three-minute comments.

Statesboro Herald · Chatham Co., GA

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia

Google backstopped $3.2 billion in lease obligations for TeraWulf's AI data center campus in New York, acquiring a 14% stake while keeping the debt off its own books. The arrangement mirrors Meta's $27 billion Blue Owl-financed data center campus in Louisiana, part of a broader pattern moving over $1.6 trillion in AI infrastructure debt into financial footnotes rather than balance sheets.

Startup Fortune · Louisiana

Trump continues promoting AI data center development as essential for U.S. competitiveness with China, but Republican candidates are adopting tougher positions as voter concerns grow over electricity costs, water consumption and land use ahead of midterm elections. Washington insider Armstrong Williams said technology companies should bear infrastructure costs and be transparent about impacts, while candidates ignoring local opposition face political risk.

WBMA · also at WBMA, KTXS, KATV

Headline onlyazcentral.com and The Arizona Republic

Birmingham Township supervisors will hold a public hearing Sept. 8 on a proposed ordinance that would allow data centers in two commercial zoning districts under conditional-use approval, subject to restrictions on noise, water consumption, power generation, setbacks, and emergency planning.

MyChesCo · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyWinter Haven News Chief · Polk Co., FL · also at Lakeland Ledger

North Port held an informational workshop on data centers featuring speakers from the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority and the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance. Dozens of residents attended, with most opposing data centers and some voicing concerns about water usage, energy consumption and environmental impacts.

yoursun.com · Florida

Walker County's data center regulatory committee held its first meeting while a moratorium remains in place. Over 40 attendees discussed potential regulations including water cooling systems, utility rates, sound monitoring, and increased setbacks between commercial and residential properties.

Chattanooga Times Free Press · Walker Co. (GA), GA

Statista · Georgia

Headline onlyFOX 5 Atlanta · Georgia

Holy Tacos, opened in Rayville, Louisiana in April 2025, attributes approximately 40% of its monthly business to Meta's nearby AI data center construction, including catering orders to man camps that range from $4,000 to $7,000. The restaurant's owners say the data center has revitalized the declining community, though construction has brought dust and noise to nearby Holly Ridge.

Business Insider · Richland Parish, LA

West Memphis Utilities clarified that its customers will not face bill increases due to Google's data center project, as Google bears financial responsibility for the utility infrastructure required to serve the facility.

jonesborosun.com · Shelby Co., TN

Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville raised $829,000 in August for Alabama's gubernatorial race, while Democrat Doug Jones brought in $803,000. Tuberville entered September with $9.51 million cash on hand compared to Jones' $2.53 million.

Decatur Daily · Alabama

Both major parties are spending over $45 million on campaign ads since January criticizing data centers for excessive tax breaks and rising electricity costs. A June poll found 77% of Americans concerned about data centers raising power bills, making it a bipartisan campaign issue in competitive gubernatorial and Senate races.

NPR · Florida

Orange County commissioners are considering a temporary moratorium on new artificial intelligence data center applications while officials study potential environmental and resource impacts. Vice Mayor Kelly Martinez Semrad proposed the pause, citing concerns about water and electricity consumption, noting that modern AI data centers can use as much power as 100,000 homes and consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily.

WKMG · Florida · also at WKMG

Headline onlyChattanooga Times Free Press · Paulding Co., GA

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock called for a statewide moratorium on data center construction after visiting OpenAI's proposed 3.2-gigawatt facility in Effingham County, citing residents' concerns about utility costs, water consumption, and pollution. Warnock cited lack of transparency in negotiations between communities and data center corporations.

wrganews.com · Effingham Co., GA

Walker County's new Data Center Development Standards Study Committee is developing regulations for data center expansion, addressing power, water, setbacks, and tax incentives. The county currently has no ordinances specifically regulating data centers in unincorporated areas.

The Rome News-Tribune · Walker Co. (GA), GA

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt endorsed President Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge for data centers, which requires companies to protect consumers from price increases and lower electricity costs. Britt said local communities should decide data center placement case-by-case and opposed both a national ban and widespread facility placement.

1819 News

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones challenged Republican opponent Tommy Tuberville to divest from investments in artificial intelligence and data centers and back stronger state ethics laws.

timesdaily.com

An investigative report alleges a left-wing activist network behind "No Kings" protests is leading opposition campaigns against AI data centers and Flock cameras nationwide, with organizers seeking to turn local grievances into national movements. The report names groups including CodePink and describes alleged ties to Shanghai-based businessman Neville Roy Singham.

WBMA

Headline onlyWBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Three people—one man from Montgomery and two women from Huntsville—were arrested following a traffic stop near William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer on Thursday. A K-9 alerted during the probable-cause stop, leading officers to discover a taped package in the vehicle; the suspects were taken to Jefferson County Jail.

WBRC 6 News · Montgomery Co., AL

Headline onlyGovTech · Morgan Co., AL

In August, 40 food establishments in Jefferson County, Alabama scored below 85 on health inspections and failed to meet compliance standards. Violations included improper food temperatures, unsanitized equipment, pest contamination, and expired certifications; several reinspected locations achieved passing scores.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville has shifted his public stance on data center development, now calling for communities to have veto power and higher taxes on the facilities, while previously advocating for rapid expansion. A statewide poll showed 70% of Alabamians want data centers regulated or opposed.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Alabama

Headline onlyLowndes Signal · Alabama · also at lowndessignal.com

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones questioned Republican opponent U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville's stock trading and investments in the AI data center industry, citing over 250 trades in AI and data center companies worth between $5.2 million and $14 million during Tuberville's first five years in the Senate. Jones called for ethics reforms and proposed Tuberville divest from data center-related holdings if elected governor.

Alabama Political Reporter · Montgomery Co., AL

Decatur has adopted regulations requiring data center developers to obtain special exemption permits and conduct studies on water consumption, power usage, fire protection, noise, hazardous materials and waste. The city council approved the ordinance to proactively regulate potential smaller facilities, though no developers currently propose projects there.

AL.com · Morgan Co., AL · also at AL.com

Sen. Katie Britt called for Congress to enact President Trump's Ratepayer Protection Pledge for data centers into law, while opposing national moratoriums but supporting local authority to reject such projects. Britt and other Republicans are navigating political pressure as data center opposition grows, with some GOP candidates increasingly opposing the projects ahead of midterm elections.

Yahoo · Alabama

Sen. Katie Britt said Congress should codify President Trump's voluntary Ratepayer Protection Pledge for data centers into law, while supporting local authority to reject projects. Britt backs bipartisan efforts to manage data center infrastructure demands and opposes national moratoriums but advocates for community choice on development.

Semafor · Alabama

Headline onlyWKRG · Mobile Co., AL

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly released an advertisement labeling Republican opponent Byron Donalds as a "data center darling," claiming he would expand such facilities in Florida. Donalds has received over $4.1 million from tech and energy companies and a $5 million Super PAC commitment, though his campaign says these contributions won't influence his decisions.

WESH · Florida

Telxius is building a carrier-neutral cable landing station and Edge data center in Cancún, Mexico to serve as the landing point for the Tikal submarine cable connecting Puerto Barrios, Guatemala, with Boca Raton, Florida, scheduled to launch in the first half of 2027.

DCD · Florida

HostDime's CEO says the company will open its seven-story data center in Eatonville by October, with final inspections scheduled for late September. The project, which was supposed to open in June 2024, has faced repeated delays since the company purchased the property in 2016.

Orlando Sentinel · Orange Co. (FL), FL

Rising diesel costs concern Iowa voters, while Michigan residents worry about potential electric rate increases from data centers, Alaska faces soaring fuel prices, and Florida deals with the nation's highest home insurance premiums—distinct affordability issues shaping competitive Senate races.

The Washington Post · Florida · also at The Detroit News

orlandosentinel.com · Florida

Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds campaigned at Born & Bread Bakehouse in Lakeland, meeting with supporters for over an hour. He faces Democratic nominee David Jolly and NPA candidate Frank Russo in the November general election.

Lakeland Gazette · Polk Co., FL

Data center developers are increasingly targeting rural southeast Georgia, including Effingham County where OpenAI is planning a project, attracted by regional infrastructure, cheaper land, and tax incentives from state and local governments.

WRDW · Effingham Co., GA

Haralson County signed a $45 million land deal for over 1,600 acres with Georgia-Tallapoosa LLC that could become a data center, sparking resident opposition to preserve the county's rural character. The city of Tallapoosa annexed the property, but city council approval is required before development proceeds.

FOX 5 Atlanta · Georgia

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter said OpenAI plans to build a massive data center in the state, which he said would bring jobs and economic growth, though left-wing groups oppose it. Carter discussed GOP strategy ahead of midterm elections and President Trump's scheduled convention speech.

Fox Business · Georgia

The Alabama News Wire · Newton Co., GA · also at wkrg.com, WHNT.com

Data center developers are increasingly targeting rural southeast Georgia, attracted by regional infrastructure, cheaper land, and tax incentives. A Georgia Southern University official noted potential economic benefits but warned of environmental concerns including pollution, heat, energy consumption, and noise from cooling systems.

WTOC · Effingham Co., GA · also at WTOC, WTOC

Louisiana Delta Community College is training residents for entry-level data center jobs at Meta's Richland Parish facility through two four-week programs that cost $3,698 each. More than 100 students have graduated since January, with all finding employment; entry-level fiber technicians earn $18-$24 hourly.

WWNO · Richland Parish, LA

Extreme heat this week pushed electricity demand on TVA's system to a record for the year, surpassing levels from January's ice storm. TVA officials say they expect no power shortages or load curtailment as high temperatures continue through the holiday weekend.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Tennessee

Headline onlyKATV · Shelby Co., TN · also at KATV, KATV, KATV

Gadget Review · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo

Starlink's 50% discount on its Residential Plan in Memphis, offered in response to community protests over a nearby data center project, has attracted over 2,000 new customers. SpaceX agreed to replace 69 unpermitted portable gas turbines powering the Southaven facility with 41 permitted permanent turbines by July 2027.

driveteslacanada.ca · Shelby Co., TN

Gadget Review · Shelby Co., TN

An outage at a Memphis data center disrupted Grok and other AI services on Thursday for several hours. The failure affected Grok on the X platform and mobile apps, and also impacted partner platforms including Anthropic's Claude models and OpenAI services, though the specific cause remains undisclosed.

dev.ua · Shelby Co., TN

Tom's Hardware · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlytech-insider.org · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlythv11.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo

A new Beacon Center of Tennessee poll shows Republican Marsha Blackburn leading Democrat Jerri Green 55% to 34% in the gubernatorial race. The same poll found President Trump's approval rating underwater in Tennessee at 48% approve, 51% disapprove—the first time since Beacon began polling in 2023.

newschannel9.com · Tennessee

Headline onlyWAFF · also at wtvy.com, WBRC

timesdaily.com

Headline onlymynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL · also at WBMA, KATU, WBMA

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones called for a moratorium on new data center proposals in Alabama and stricter stock-trading restrictions for state officials. Jones criticized current state Senator Tommy Tuberville's investments in Chinese artificial intelligence and data center companies while serving in Congress.

Spectrum News · Alabama · also at spectrumlocalnews.com

wvua23.com · Alabama

Nebius spokesperson Leah Davis defended the company's controversial Birmingham data center project in the Oxmoor Valley neighborhood, stating the facility will operate responsibly and won't burden residents with noise, utilities, or other environmental costs. The project faces multiple lawsuits claiming violations of zoning laws.

WBHM · Jefferson Co., AL

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones challenged Republican Tommy Tuberville to divest from AI and data center investments and support stronger state ethics laws, pointing to Tuberville's federal disclosures showing over 250 stock trades in related companies. Jones proposed banning statewide officials from buying and selling stocks while in office and ending nondisclosure agreements on data center deals.

Alabama Daily News · Jefferson Co., AL · also at blackbeltnewsnetwork.com, Decatur Daily

AL.com · Alabama

Alton Rayburn Smith, 86, of Moulton died September 1 at his residence. A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 5 at Parkway Funeral Home Chapel, with visitation Friday evening. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Barbara, two daughters, and two granddaughters.

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

State leaders addressed questions about data center water and power usage at a Talladega County meeting Wednesday, noting safeguards exist against rate increases. Some residents oppose a proposed data center in the area, while lawmakers plan to visit Georgia facilities and said communities should decide locally whether to pursue such projects.

WBRC · Alabama · also at WBRC

A North Port workshop examined the potential power and water consumption of a proposed AI data center. Panelists from the Peace River Manasota Water Supply Authority and Florida Power & Light discussed infrastructure impacts, while some residents expressed concerns about local water availability.

mysuncoast.com · Florida

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

Okaloosa County commissioners rejected banning data centers, instead directing staff to develop regulatory standards for the facilities, including conditional-use approval requirements, within 60 days.

WEAR-TV · Florida

Multiple recent polls show majorities of Floridians oppose building data centers in their areas, with opposition ranging from 49% to 79% depending on how surveys phrase the question, according to PolitiFact's analysis of University of North Florida, James Madison Institute, and Change Research polling data.

wlrn.org · Florida

Headline onlyAxios · Florida · also at Yahoo

Florida Politics · Florida

The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council is targeting data centers and maritime industries in its three-year strategy, with research from peer markets and workforce development plans underway. The EDC reported 2,280 jobs and over $275 million in capital investment in fiscal 2025, with major commitments from Philip Morris International and defense contractor Orion Edge.

tbbwmag.com · Hillsborough Co., FL

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds said he supports local control over AI data center approvals in Florida, vowing to protect communities from rising utility costs and water impacts. His position contrasts with Democratic opponent David Jolly, who proposed an immediate moratorium on all such centers.

Floridian Press · Florida

Georgia Public Broadcasting · Georgia

Headline onlyLocal 3 News · Walker Co. (GA), GA

Shadowbox Studios is appealing DeKalb County's denial of its proposed 155-acre data center project, claiming the county promised in writing it could build there. The county disputes this, citing an ongoing moratorium on new data center applications; a zoning board hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

decaturish.com · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Augusta will hold a final public meeting tonight on proposed data center regulations requiring facilities to maintain at least 500 feet from residential areas, meet noise limits, and use closed-loop cooling systems. The ordinance would not apply to an already-planned QTS data center near a residential neighborhood, prompting nearby homeowners' concerns.

WRDW · Richmond Co., GA

Atlanta's mayor's office is developing a comprehensive data center strategy with findings due by October 30, 2026, to examine how growth in the sector could affect the city's infrastructure, communities, utilities, workforce and tax base. The strategy will analyze water and energy demands, appropriate locations, potential community impacts, economic opportunities and how other cities manage data center development.

ATL Direct · Fulton Co., GA

A lawsuit filed by three Effingham County residents challenges the county commission's zoning approval for OpenAI's planned hyperscale data center, alleging officials skipped a required public hearing before allowing data centers on industrial-zoned land without conditions.

thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA

Three Effingham County residents filed a lawsuit challenging a zoning ordinance they allege violated Georgia law and county ordinances by being adopted without required public hearings, claiming the process enabled approval of a 1,400-acre data center project. The plaintiffs contend county commissioners weakened the Planning Board's authority and made zoning changes during closed meetings without public notification.

The Georgia Virtue · Effingham Co., GA

Democrats and Republicans in Georgia differ on data center policy ahead of upcoming elections. Sen. Raphael Warnock supports a statewide moratorium with exceptions, while Gov. Brian Kemp and other Republicans favor empowering local communities to decide on data center development individually.

tippinsights · Georgia

Georgia taxpayers are projected to spend $2.4 billion this year in tax breaks subsidizing data center construction, according to a commentary. The author argues the subsidies are unnecessary given the AI industry's expected $2.5 trillion in global private investment and notes polling shows majorities of Americans and Georgia voters oppose data centers in their communities.

Now Georgia · Georgia

Georgia taxpayers will spend an estimated $2.4 billion in tax breaks this year to subsidize data center construction, according to an opinion piece criticizing the subsidies as unnecessary given strong private investment in artificial intelligence and public opposition to such facilities in communities.

Georgia Recorder · Georgia · also at Cobb Courier

A Georgia Public Service Commissioner said Effingham County residents will not see higher electricity bills from OpenAI's proposed $20 billion data center, as OpenAI will cover all costs for the facility's power and grid upgrades under an agreement approved by state regulators.

WJCL · Effingham Co., GA

Georgia ranks third nationally for planned data center development, driven by competition for artificial intelligence computing power that national security experts describe as critical geopolitical currency. A Georgia Southern University professor warns that rapid AI infrastructure expansion brings cybersecurity risks and resource sustainability concerns.

WTOC · Georgia

CleanSpark surpassed 30 EH/s of operational hashrate after acquiring two Mississippi data center facilities that added 75 MW of operational power capacity. The company reached the milestone ahead of schedule, strengthening its position among public Bitcoin miners.

TradingView · Mississippi

Headline onlyThe Clarion-Ledger · Mississippi

Technology companies are increasing climate commitments but not quickly enough to offset rising energy consumption from artificial intelligence expansion, according to a report by the U.N.'s International Telecommunication Union and the World Benchmarking Alliance monitoring 200 major tech firms.

The Japan Times · DeSoto Co., MS

The Tennessee Valley is well-positioned to become an economic hub for artificial intelligence data centers, which are driving massive infrastructure spending and creating blue-collar jobs in construction trades, manufacturing, and rail transport. The region's abundant electricity supply through TVA, combined with strategic incentives and community benefit agreements, could attract major hyperscale facilities and reindustrialize the area.

timesfreepress.com · Tennessee

SpaceX's AI division apologized for a Grok outage caused by an outage at its Memphis compute center and said all systems have been restored. The incident was part of a widespread outage affecting multiple AI platforms including ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, with peak reports exceeding 36,000 on Downdetector.

PCMag · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge denied Entergy Arkansas' request to block news organizations from publishing financial records about Google's West Memphis data center, citing First Amendment concerns about prior restraint. The underlying lawsuit over trade secrets remains pending in federal court.

KVOM 101.7 · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Davidson Co., TN

A federal judge denied Entergy Arkansas' request to block the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times from publishing details about a data center agreement with Google subsidiary Altitude Capital LLC. The Democrat-Gazette had published documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showing Google will pay Entergy $526 million for a solar facility supporting the project.

The Arkadelphian · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWKRN News 2

Headline onlyWHNT.com

Democrats plan to campaign against a tax provision in President Trump's "big beautiful bill" that they say allows data centers to be built in opportunity zones, areas designated to help underdeveloped communities. Republicans dispute the characterization, arguing the zones permit diverse development types, not just data centers.

WBMA · also at nebraska.tv, KBAK, KVAL

Vermont Conservation Voters launched a campaign called "Don't Data Center Vermont" to raise awareness about potential environmental and community impacts of large-scale data centers. The effort comes after Governor Phil Scott vetoed H.727, legislation that would have established protections before such facilities could be built in the state.

Waterbury Roundabout

The EPA proposes eliminating a federal requirement that states notify the public and seek comment before issuing air pollution permits for data centers and other industrial facilities. Critics argue the plan could prevent communities from learning about or opposing proposed facilities, while EPA officials say it grants states flexibility in permitting processes for minor pollution sources.

wvtm

Brookwood Mayor Joe Barger defended proposed data centers at a town hall Tuesday, saying research and conversations with other communities resolved his initial concerns. Dozens of residents questioned the three projects, citing worries about proximity to Brookwood Middle School, water usage, noise and power bills, with a council vote scheduled for September 15.

Tuscaloosa Thread

WBMA

The EPA has proposed eliminating a federal requirement that states notify the public and seek comment before issuing air pollution permits for data centers and other industrial facilities. Environmental groups argue the plan could allow states to approve projects without public input or community awareness.

WKMG · also at WHNT.com, WKRG, Orlando Sentinel

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WSFA

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WSFA

WVUA 23

Headline only11Alive.com

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones called for a one-year moratorium on data center development and attacked Republican opponent Tommy Tuberville for holding significant investments in AI and data center companies, including Chinese firm Alibaba. Jones also demanded stronger state ethics laws and an end to secretive data center deals.

BirminghamWatch · Jefferson Co., AL

Legal experts disagree on whether Alabama cities can ban data centers. While a Birmingham official cited federal zoning law prohibiting outright bans, a Samford University law professor said states and their delegated local governments can restrict uses to protect public health and safety. However, developers could sue under the Fifth Amendment's takings clause, and municipalities might use indirect restrictions like zoning distance requirements instead.

WBHM · Jefferson Co., AL

Doug Jones, a Democratic candidate for Alabama governor, criticized Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville over stock trades in companies tied to artificial intelligence and data centers, and proposed a one-year moratorium on data centers with stricter regulations and transparency measures. Tuberville's campaign did not directly address the criticism but outlined his plan requiring data centers to cover full energy and water costs and be taxed at the highest property tax rate.

WVTM · Alabama

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones called for Alabama ethics reforms and alleged that Republican opponent U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville supports data center development due to personal investments in technology companies listed in his financial disclosures. Tuberville's campaign stated a broker manages his investments, while Jones proposed requiring state officials to fully disclose finances and ban stock trading.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

Headline onlyThe Tuscaloosa News · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Doug Jones, Alabama's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, called Wednesday for stricter ethics laws and financial disclosure requirements, criticizing U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's stock holdings in tech companies tied to data centers. Jones said elected officials voting on data center matters should publicly disclose their financial interests beforehand.

AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Birmingham's city council passed zoning changes requiring data centers to follow different rules based on size. Hyperscale facilities—larger than 200,000 square feet or using more than 30 megawatts of electricity—must use closed-loop cooling systems, maintain setbacks from residential areas, screen equipment from view, and cannot rely on fossil fuel generators for regular power.

WBHM · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyThe Tuscaloosa News · Tuscaloosa Co., AL · also at Dothan Eagle

Headline onlyThe Tuscaloosa News · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Brookwood Mayor Joe Barger confirmed during a city council meeting that a proposed development is an AI data center, though no project has been signed yet. The proposal faced opposition from dozens of neighbors citing environmental, power and water concerns, while city officials emphasized potential economic benefits including tax revenue and jobs.

WBRC 6 News · Alabama

Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville proposed giving Alabama communities power to reject data centers and placing them in the state's highest property tax bracket, reversing his earlier support. The plan, detailed in an opinion column, would require data centers to cover full infrastructure costs, though implementation details remain unclear and could require constitutional amendments.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama · also at rocketcitynow.com

Alabama county commissioners passed a resolution opposing legislative authority to regulate data centers, with the commissioners' association stating they don't want the Legislature singling out specific industries for county regulation.

timesdaily.com · Alabama

Brookwood residents expressed environmental and noise concerns Tuesday about a potential data center project by Applied Digital, which owns hundreds of acres in the area. Mayor Joe Barger said no official deal exists and noted a permit application went to Alabama, not the city.

abc3340.com · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Fort Payne's city council unanimously voted to classify data centers and battery energy storage systems as conditional uses in manufacturing and warehouse zones, requiring Board of Zoning Adjustments review, City Council approval, and a public hearing before any proposal could proceed.

WAFF · Alabama · also at WAFF

Florida's gubernatorial candidates are divided over data center development. Republican Byron Donalds supports the facilities with environmental safeguards, while Democrat David Jolly advocates for a one-year moratorium to study potential impacts on water, health and economics.

Tampa Bay 28 · Florida

Florida Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly said 70-80% of Floridians oppose artificial intelligence data center construction and pledged a one-year moratorium if elected. A July University of North Florida poll found 68% of those surveyed opposed building data centers in their areas.

PolitiFact · Florida

Law.com · Florida

Headline onlySURFER Magazine · Florida

Headline onlyThe Florida Times-Union · Florida

Headline onlysierraclub.org · Florida

Forest Park approved a 90-day moratorium on data center applications to revise zoning laws that currently permit such facilities by right. The city plans to establish definitions, location guidelines, residential buffers, and accountability provisions for data centers.

WSB-TV · Fulton Co., GA

Leesburg city council tabled a proposed draft ordinance governing light industrial uses, including data centers, postponing a decision for 180 days to allow time for research and public meetings. The mayor said the city currently has no data center applications or available parcels, and wants to avoid costly litigation while balancing community concerns about environmental impacts with potential economic investment.

WALB · Georgia

AJC.com · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyAJC.com · Fulton Co., GA

Four families in Mansfield, Georgia sued Meta and county development officials, alleging the Meta Stanton Springs Data Center has contaminated their well water, damaged properties and reduced home values since construction began in 2018. The families claim the data center, which spans two campuses across three counties, has caused silt and sediment contamination affecting their shared aquifer system.

USA Today · Georgia

Pennsylvania's data center sales tax exemption will cost $188.4 million in fiscal year 2026-27, 113% more than the $88.6 million originally projected when the program took effect in 2022. Projections show costs ballooning to $517.2 million by fiscal year 2030-31, a 1,158% increase over six years.

Good Jobs First · Georgia

A 14-year-old Georgia girl was beaten with a golf club during a fight near a bus stop, resulting in head injuries requiring staples. A 36-year-old mother and her two teenage daughters face aggravated assault charges in connection with the incident.

WSFA · Georgia

Democratic Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard says he secured an additional $7.50 in promised monthly bill rate reductions from Georgia Power as part of an OpenAI data center deal, while fellow Democratic candidate Sheila Edwards advocates for studying data center regulations statewide before implementation.

Flagpole · Georgia

Shadowbox Studios filed a lawsuit in August challenging DeKalb County's construction moratorium, which the studio says violates its prior approval to build a data center. The company has spent $30 million on the project and will appeal the zoning board's denial on September 9.

Atlanta News First · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA · also at atlantanewsfirst.com, Atlanta News First

A Louisiana company linked to real estate firm Trammell Crow purchased nearly 1,000 acres at Lewis & Clark Ranch in West Richland for $263.7 million in July, potentially setting the stage for the region's first data center complex, though the city has not yet received a development application.

Tri-City Herald · Caddo Parish, LA

One Nuclear Energy executed a binding letter of intent to develop Project Cayman, a 2.88-GW gas-fired power plant and 700-MW battery storage system alongside a data center complex in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, near the RiverPlex MegaPark industrial site.

POWER Magazine · Louisiana

Meta's $50 billion data center project in Richland Parish has dramatically changed life for police jurors and local officials, who now field constant inquiries about housing, investment opportunities, and infrastructure while managing increased traffic and learning to allocate new tax revenue for parish improvements.

American Press · Richland Parish, LA

Social media rumors claim a data center is coming to Livingston Parish with signed nondisclosure agreements, but Parish President Randy Delatte says he hasn't signed an NDA and no project has been announced. A 691-acre commercial tract in Walker is being marketed for potential data center development, though a broker currently lacks a client.

The Advocate · Richland Parish, LA

Some Louisiana Democrats who voted for a 2024 data center tax break that helped attract Meta, Amazon, and Anthropic say they regret the vote or would have scrutinized it more carefully. The law, which passed nearly unanimously, created an unlimited sales tax rebate for qualifying data centers investing at least $200 million.

thecentersquare.com · E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA

SpaceX confirmed plans for a $100 billion Starship rocket complex in southern Louisiana designed to expand launch capacity and support AI-enabled satellite technology. The company simultaneously restructured its AI data center division leadership following operational difficulties, while preparing for Starship's potential first orbital launch attempt in September.

AD HOC NEWS · Louisiana

washingtonpost.com · Richland Parish, LA

The Southaven Board of Aldermen approved design plans for a roughly 660,000 square-foot data storage facility at 8425 Tulane Road, which the city obtained through a land swap with SpaceXAI affiliate MZX Tech LLC. The agreement included 69 acres along Swinnea Road and $40 million for new city facilities.

Yahoo · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · DeSoto Co., MS

The Southaven Board of Aldermen approved SpaceXAI's plan to convert the city's former 51-acre training facility into a 660,000-square-foot data center, marking the company's fifth such facility in the Memphis and north Mississippi area. Some aldermen expressed concern about the company completing previously promised projects before starting new ones.

actionnews5.com · DeSoto Co., MS · also at wlbt.com, Action News 5, wdam.com

Southaven's Board of Aldermen approved a site plan for a 660,000 square-foot data center by MZX Tech, a SpaceXAI subsidiary, on Tulane Road after approving zoning changes and removing a middle parcel line to create one industrial lot. One alderman voted against the project, citing concerns about the company completing noise-reduction commitments from its existing natural gas turbine operations.

DeSoto Times-Tribune · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyWREG.com · DeSoto Co., MS · also at wreg.com, WREG.com, WJTV

SpaceXAI will build a 660,000 square foot data center in Southaven on Tulane Road, its fifth facility in the Mid-South region. The company acquired the land from the city in exchange for constructing a new police and fire training facility on Swinnea Road.

FOX13 Memphis · DeSoto Co., MS

Daily Memphian · DeSoto Co., MS

Entergy sued the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times after they published confidential details about the utility's Google data center agreements, allegedly obtained through a public records request. A federal judge denied Entergy's request for a restraining order against the publications.

KATV · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyKARK · Shelby Co., TN · also at FOX16.com

uk.pcmag.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at PCMag, PCMag Australia

A federal judge denied Entergy Arkansas's request to block news organizations from reporting on a data center agreement near West Memphis, saying the utility claimed the disclosure would cause grave harm to its trade secrets. The court will schedule a preliminary injunction hearing after parties confer.

K8 News | Jonesboro, Arkansas · Shelby Co., TN

Entergy Arkansas seeks to remove news articles disclosing terms of its deal with Google to power a West Memphis data center campus. Leaked documents show Google will pay $526 million for a solar farm, with ratepayers funding the remaining two-thirds of the $1.6 billion project through approximately $6 monthly rate increases.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN · also at Action News 5

Entergy Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block publication of financial details related to Google's West Memphis data center project, alleging confidential information was mistakenly released by the Arkansas Public Service Commission. The dispute centers on whether the material qualifies as legally protected trade secrets under the Defend Trade Secrets Act, with U.S. District Judge Lee Rudofsky hearing arguments but not immediately ruling.

KVOM 101.7 · Shelby Co., TN

SpaceX reshuffled its data-center leadership after engineering concerns and reliability problems emerged at facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi, as the company races to expand AI infrastructure ahead of a September 30 capacity deadline tied to Google's $920 million-monthly compute deal. Some facilities operated for months without backup cooling and power systems, and construction delays and equipment shortages have contributed to service disruptions.

Benzinga · Tennessee

Entergy Arkansas sued to block publication of financial records related to Google's West Memphis data center, including details on the $1.6 billion Arkansas Cypress Solar and Battery project in Jefferson County. The company alleges confidential trade secrets were mistakenly released by the Arkansas Public Service Commission and seeks court restrictions on further disclosure, raising First Amendment concerns.

Deltaplex News · Shelby Co., TN

Documents obtained through a public records request revealed Google will pay Entergy Arkansas $526 million toward construction of a solar and battery facility to power its West Memphis data center. After the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published details of the agreement, Entergy filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the newspaper and Arkansas Times from disclosing the information, claiming it contained confidential business details.

Oklahoma Energy Today · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyKARK · Shelby Co., TN · also at FOX16.com, Yahoo

City council members presented data center guideline proposals as a moratorium advanced to second reading. Council member Philip Spinosa offered a five-point framework addressing environmental compliance, infrastructure costs, water security, community protection, and job creation, while Council member Jeff Warren proposed restrictions on water-intensive cooling systems and public disclosure requirements.

Memphis Flyer · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge denied Entergy Arkansas's request to halt use of documents about a West Memphis data center agreement that were released under the Freedom of Information Act. The utility had sought to prevent disclosure of materials it claimed contained trade secrets, but the court ruled against the temporary restraining order sought against the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Times, and recipients of the FOIA request.

WREG.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at WREG.com

dailymemphian.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian, Daily Memphian

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge is considering whether to block the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times from publishing details of a data center agreement between Entergy Arkansas and a Google subsidiary, with the judge expressing both concern for Entergy's case and significant First Amendment concerns.

Arkansas Advocate · Shelby Co., TN · also at KTLO

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyAction News 5 · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWBRC

Headline only11Alive.com

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com

al.com

Headline onlycommercialappeal.com

Headline onlycommercialappeal.com · also at yahoo.com

Headline onlyazcentral.com and The Arizona Republic · also at The Tuscaloosa News

Headline onlyThe Newark Advocate

Headline onlyWVUA 23

Headline onlyWBRC

Somerville homeowners opposing a proposed 50-megawatt bitcoin mining center plan to visit a smaller Russellville facility operated by Synergy South to assess potential impacts. The Russellville site uses no more than 12 megawatts and is located on a busy street near a highway, unlike the proposed Somerville facility on rarely-used Union Road.

WAFF · Alabama

Headline onlycbs42.com · Alabama

Brookwood Mayor Joe Barger addressed resident concerns about proposed data centers along Industrial Parkway at a community meeting, emphasizing the importance of responsible growth and potential tax revenue, while some residents called for more transparency and slower deliberation before a scheduled Sept. 15 city council vote on rezoning.

cbs42.com · Alabama

Pennsylvania Democrat Senator John Fetterman joined President Trump in defending data centers Monday, arguing the U.S. must maintain AI supremacy over China despite American public opposition to the facilities' potential financial and environmental impacts.

mynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL · also at 13wham.com, WBMA

Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Tommy Tuberville, competing to be Alabama's next governor, unveiled contrasting data center plans Tuesday. Jones proposed a one-year moratorium on data centers to protect communities, while Tuberville argued data centers should pay full taxes and cover energy costs.

1819 News · Alabama

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, pledged Monday that data centers would pay full taxes and cover all costs of resources if elected governor, reversing his earlier support for industry incentives. He outlined a four-point plan opposing new tax abatements and calling for companies to supply their own power.

AL.com · Alabama

Headline onlycbs42.com · Alabama · also at Yahoo

Applied Digital Corporation, a company with ties to a proposed large-scale development near Brookwood, contributed $25,000 to Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville's campaign in August, according to Alabama campaign finance records. The contribution comes as Tuberville has publicly promoted data-center development in Alabama.

WBMA · Alabama · also at mynbc15.com

President Trump endorsed data center development across America, citing economic benefits, while Vice President Vance attributed opposition concerns to utility costs. A Brookwood town hall tonight will address three suspected local data center projects, with critics citing water impact, noise, and limited job creation concerns.

tuscaloosathread.com · Alabama

Decatur has adopted an ordinance requiring data center developers to obtain special exception permits and undergo public hearings, with projects restricted to industrial zones. Applicants must submit detailed project overviews and comprehensive health and safety studies addressing water consumption, power grid strain, noise pollution, fire protection, and hazardous waste management.

WAFF · Morgan Co., AL

Harpersville adopted a six-month moratorium on data center development in August and held the first of planned informational sessions to study potential economic and infrastructure impacts before developers approach the town.

abc3340.com · Jefferson Co., AL · also at abc3340.com

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

Senator Katie Britt called for public accountability in data center development while defending artificial intelligence technology as economically necessary. Britt supports the Ratepayer Protection Pledge signed by roughly 200 entities to prevent shifting AI data center power costs to consumers, though environmental groups have questioned its enforceability.

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

Headline onlyMshale · Alabama

Alabama's attorney general said the state is working to ensure data center construction doesn't raise consumer energy and water costs, as several cities have implemented moratoriums. The state's Public Service Commission is reviewing how to approve power contracts between providers and data centers to protect consumers.

Yellowhammer News · Jefferson Co., AL

Foley, Alabama's fastest-growing city, will hold a public hearing Tuesday on a proposed six-month moratorium on data centers, aiming to study potential impacts and develop tailored regulations before any projects materialize in the city. Unlike most Alabama communities that imposed moratoriums after developer proposals, Foley's is preemptive with no pending applications or discussions.

AL.com · Alabama · also at Yahoo, AL.com

Harpersville held its first of six planned information sessions Monday to educate residents about potential data center development, though no company has approached the city. The city council approved a six-month pause on data center projects in August to study economic and infrastructure impacts before considering future regulations.

WVTM · Alabama

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama passed a resolution opposing special zoning power for a single industry, as pushback against data centers grows across the state with communities expressing concerns over electricity costs and land use. County officials note that most Alabama counties lack legal authority to regulate development in unincorporated areas.

WAFF · Alabama · also at WAFF, WAFF, WAFF

Headline onlyMeta Store · Montgomery Co., AL

A proposed data center project in North Port would include seven buildings totaling roughly 896,000 square feet on a 112-acre site near Yorkshire Street and Oleander Drive. The plans, released after a confidentiality agreement expired, show the project would connect to city water infrastructure, treat wastewater on-site, and impact an estimated 4.64 acres of wetlands.

winknews.com · Florida

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds argues that artificial intelligence data centers are essential to Florida's dominance in the commercial space industry, citing their role in enabling rocket reusability. Donalds faces opposition from Democrat David Jolly, who is calling for a moratorium on the facilities.

Florida Politics · Florida · also at The Miami Times, The Miami Times

Headline onlyThe Hill · Florida · also at The Hill, WKRG

Eatonville's town council will consider increasing daily fines to $500 for the HostDime AI Data Center project if key site commitments aren't met, with the facility now expected to open in the third quarter of 2026. The proposed amendment would also make the final certificate of occupancy contingent on meeting requirements including sound dampening and water resource compliance.

WKMG · Florida

The Florida Department of Transportation is revoking permits for all license plate readers on state roads within 30 days, citing misuse and surveillance concerns. Data centers have become a contentious political issue in Florida, with gubernatorial candidates and state officials taking differing stances on their development.

Spectrum Bay News 9 · Florida

A Georgia fugitive was captured Tuesday after jumping into Weiss Lake while deputies attempted to serve an out-of-state warrant at an Alabama campground. Eric Carl Virta was found hiding in a swampy area over an hour later and taken into custody without incident.

WBMA · Georgia

The federal government has subpoenaed Georgia's Secretary of State's Office for 13 voter files as part of a Department of Homeland Security immigration investigation. A former Covington police officer has been arrested and charged with misusing Flock license plate readers for non-law enforcement purposes.

Georgia Public Broadcasting · Effingham Co., GA

Effingham County's planned OpenAI data center will require 30,000 gallons of water daily for workplace uses, with an estimated 25 million gallons needed for initial cooling system fill. Indirect water consumption at power plants supplying electricity to the facility could reach 11 million to 22 million gallons daily, though experts question whether dry cooling technology will function effectively in the region's hot, humid climate.

thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA

Black residents in metro Atlanta communities including South Fulton and DeKalb County are mobilizing voters against data center expansion, citing concerns about increased utility costs and environmental burdens. The issue has emerged as a bipartisan concern ahead of state elections, with political candidates across party lines facing pressure to address data center development.

Capital B News - Atlanta · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Fulton Co., GA

Sen. Raphael Warnock announced support for a statewide data center moratorium in Georgia after visiting an OpenAI project site in Effingham County, while Gov. Brian Kemp prefers empowering local communities to decide on data center development. The disagreement reflects broader policy debates among Georgia politicians ahead of upcoming elections.

Daily Signal · Georgia

Sen. Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data center construction and a more transparent application process, citing concerns about corporate impact on residents after visiting a proposed OpenAI data center site in Savannah.

Spectrum News · Chatham Co., GA

White County officials will review county codes and zoning procedures related to data centers within 30 days following resident concerns, though no applications or planned data center projects currently exist in the county, according to Board of Commissioners Chairman Travis Turner.

Now Georgia · Georgia

DDC Solutions' modular rack containment units will cool high-density GPU infrastructure at Duos Edge AI's Columbus, Georgia data center. The sealed containment system provides thermal management and hardware protection at the rack level without requiring facility-wide reconstruction.

Investing News Network · Georgia

Senator Raphael Warnock called Monday for a moratorium on data center construction in Georgia, citing concerns about utility costs, pollution, and lack of transparency. His statement comes amid community opposition to Project Ruby, a $5 billion proposed hyperscale data center in Columbus's Upatoi neighborhood.

Now Georgia · Georgia

Savannah's city council unanimously approved a 155-day moratorium on large-load data centers exceeding 10 megawatts and warehouse conversions over 200,000 square feet, joining approximately 40 other Georgia municipalities. The pause will allow staff to assess the facilities' demands on the city's water and energy resources.

The Georgia Sun · Chatham Co., GA

Shadowbox Studios will petition DeKalb County's Zoning Board of Appeals on Sept. 9 to reverse a denial of its data center proposal on 155 acres, citing three written county confirmations from 2023-2025 that data centers were permitted on the property and claiming it has spent nearly $37 million in reliance on those assurances.

decaturish.com · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Headline onlyFOX 5 Atlanta · Georgia · also at FOX 5 Atlanta, FOX 5 Atlanta

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA

Headline onlyAJC.com · Newton Co., GA

Shadowbox Studios, a movie production facility in southwest DeKalb County, is proposing a data center on part of its property despite the county's ongoing moratorium on such development. The studio's CEO told neighbors at an August 27 meeting that the project would generate $133 million in recurring local tax revenue and create 275 permanent jobs, while community opponents expressed concerns about industrial pollution and air quality in the area.

WABE · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Headline onlyLouisiana First News · Louisiana

Headline onlyFox News · Louisiana · also at Yahoo, Fox News

ONE Nuclear signed an agreement to build a 2.88-gigawatt natural gas-fired power plant with battery storage and data center campus in Louisiana between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, located near SpaceX's planned Starbase project. The facility will initially use natural gas generation before transitioning to nuclear power when small modular reactor technology becomes available.

thecentersquare.com · Orleans Parish, LA

Headline onlyShreveport Times · Caddo Parish, LA

Headline onlyShreveport Times · Caddo Parish, LA · also at Houma Today, theadvertiser.com

One Nuclear signed a binding letter of intent to develop a 2.88GW natural gas plant and 700MW battery storage system colocated with a data center in southern Louisiana near RiverPlex MegaPark between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Community outreach meetings are planned from September through December 2026.

Data Center Dynamics · E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA

Caddo Parish commissioners voted 4-6 against advancing a resolution that would have requested the parish zoning commission consider a limited data center moratorium in the area surrounding Shreveport. Commissioner John-Paul Young introduced the measure as a narrower approach after a broader parish-wide moratorium effort failed earlier this month.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Caddo Parish, LA

Headline onlyLaw360 · DeSoto Co., MS

The Memphis City Council unanimously voted Tuesday for a data center development moratorium ordinance during its second reading. The vote coincided with 901 Day and drew activists who have advocated for data center regulation, citing environmental justice concerns in affected neighborhoods.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN · also at Action News 5, Action News 5, actionnews5.com

The Memphis City Council moved forward Tuesday on a proposed data center moratorium that would block new building permits and site plans for data centers in the city. Some council members proposed alternative regulatory frameworks instead, while others used procedural tactics to delay the vote on the ordinance's second of three necessary readings.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian, Daily Memphian

MLGW leadership indicated during a Memphis City Council committee meeting that additional data center developments may be forthcoming, with two previously approved expansions—one by 5C and another by CTC/Colossus/xAI—expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Two additional projects requesting a combined 350 megawatts are in preliminary stages and unlikely to advance before early 2027, pending TVA approval and infrastructure studies.

Yahoo · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlycommercialappeal.com · Shelby Co., TN

Google will contribute $526 million toward a 600-megawatt solar and battery storage project in Jefferson County, Arkansas, with an additional $190 million designated for transmission upgrades to support its West Memphis data center. The Arkansas Cypress project, estimated to cost $1.602 billion total, is expected to begin operating by the end of 2028.

KVOM 101.7 · Shelby Co., TN · also at Deltaplex News

Two companies plan to build significant data centers in Memphis, according to the city's utilities CEO, though the projects are months away from beginning.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

Inadvertently disclosed documents obtained through a public records request show Google will pay approximately one-third of the costs for a 600-megawatt solar facility in Jefferson County, contradicting Entergy Arkansas' assertions that Google will bear full infrastructure expenses for its data centers. Entergy has threatened legal action against multiple parties to prevent further disclosure of the documents.

Arkansas Times · Shelby Co., TN

Entergy Arkansas filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday seeking to block the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and Arkansas Times from publishing details about its agreement with Google regarding data centers in West Memphis, claiming the confidential documents were disclosed in error.

arkansasonline.com · Shelby Co., TN

SpaceX replaced several data-center team leaders with executives from rocket and Starlink operations following civil-engineering and reliability problems at facilities in Tennessee and Mississippi, where some sites operated without backup cooling and power for months.

TradingView · Tennessee · also at Stocktwits, TradingView

Memphis Light, Gas & Water operates 16 data centers ranging from under 1 megawatt to 150 MW and says no residential rates have changed due to data centers. Two expansions are planned by year-end, with two additional facilities requesting 350 MW total expected online after January.

wreg.com · Shelby Co., TN

thenerdstash.com · Tennessee

A data center owned by SpaceX in Mississippi is generating complaints from nearby residents over noise levels measured at 70 decibels and concerns about air and water quality. The facility is part of a cluster of four data centers around Memphis collectively valued at approximately $20 billion, with critics citing increased pollution from gas turbines and heavy water consumption averaging 1 million gallons daily.

WBHM · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyAxios · Tennessee

The EPA is considering eliminating federal requirements that give communities advance notice and opportunity to comment on air pollution permits for data centers, potentially removing a key tool residents have used to oppose projects in their areas.

Word In Black · Shelby Co., TN

Google is investing $526 million in the Cypress Solar facility, a 600-megawatt solar field with battery storage in Jefferson County, Arkansas, to power its West Memphis data center. The facility will begin service in February 2027, with demand gradually increasing to 600 megawatts by October 2029.

Construction Review · Shelby Co., TN

A new data center being developed on Getwell Road in Shelby County is proceeding without tax incentives, unlike most companies that typically seek tax abatements through the local economic development agency.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

Google will pay Entergy Arkansas $526 million toward construction of Cypress Solar, a 600-megawatt solar and 350-megawatt battery facility in Jefferson County that will supply power to Google's West Memphis data center. Google will also pay $190 million for required transmission system upgrades.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WSFA, WAFF

Headline onlyPark Hills Daily Journal

The Michigan City Council will consider a proposed moratorium on future data-center development during a Tuesday meeting, while Google continues construction on its data center in the city.

WSBT

President Trump's support for artificial intelligence data center construction is creating political difficulties for Republicans ahead of midterm elections, as polls show over 70% of Americans oppose building data centers near their homes. The issue has generated bipartisan backlash across competitive races, with some Republican candidates distancing themselves from the industry despite the president's advocacy.

WBMA · also at katu.com, National News Desk, WEAR-TV

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez suggested placing a data center at Mar-a-Lago in response to Trump's comments promoting data centers as beneficial for communities. Trump had criticized communities rejecting data centers, while Palm Beach County commissioners recently voted against developing another AI data center near the Mar-a-Lago area.

WBMA · also at mynbc15.com, WBMA

Dothan Eagle

Headline onlycbs4local.com · also at KFOX, KFOX

A $93 million Prichard data center project faces uncertainty after the city council moved to invalidate its building permit and refund $224,000 in application fees, citing improper procedure. The permit's validity under the city's six-month data center moratorium, approved days after the July 30 permit issuance, remains a legal question with significant budget implications.

mynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL

Doug Jones' gubernatorial campaign emphasizes unity and moving past divisive issues like immigration, schools, and taxes, but critics argue voters deserve specific answers about his policy positions rather than appeals to stop fighting.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

More than a dozen data centers are proposed or under construction across Alabama, driven by growth in generative AI. Proponents cite job creation and tax revenue, while opponents raise concerns about environmental impacts, water and energy consumption, noise pollution, and whether benefits are equitably distributed across communities.

WBHM · Jefferson Co., AL

Data centers are becoming controversial developments in communities due to their large electricity and water consumption and land use, though they produce fewer permanent jobs than traditional manufacturing. The editorial argues that while communities should scrutinize proposed facilities regarding infrastructure costs and environmental impacts, they should also weigh potential economic opportunities and the national importance of computing capacity.

tuscaloosathread.com · Alabama

Headline onlycbs42.com · Alabama · also at Yahoo

A 33-year-old Bessemer man died Friday night in a single-vehicle crash on Birmingport Road in Mulga. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is investigating the cause.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt advocates for a balanced approach to data center development, saying communities should assess whether tax revenue and economic benefits offset concerns about power consumption and environmental impacts. Britt emphasizes the need for American dominance in AI while allowing communities to decide what works best for them.

1819 News · Montgomery Co., AL

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said the state aims to balance welcoming data centers with protecting consumers from rising energy and water costs, emphasizing transparency from energy providers and ensuring economic development doesn't burden ratepayers.

1819 News · Alabama

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

Willow Lakes LLC has submitted a rezoning application to Fort Pierce to convert 174 acres in western St. Lucie County near Interstate 95 into a light industrial data center, with the remaining 26 acres planned for commercial retail uses.

WPTV · Florida

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly released an ad contrasting his proposed data center moratorium with Republican opponent Byron Donalds' support for the facilities, which Jolly links to campaign donations from the industry. University of North Florida polling shows 68% of Florida voters oppose data centers in their area.

Florida Politics · Florida · also at The Miami Times, The Miami Times

North Port commissioners advanced an 18-month pause on data center projects early Tuesday morning after a lengthy public meeting where hundreds opposed a proposed 900,000-square-foot facility, citing concerns about impacts to water, air, and land.

WINK News · Florida

beachgrit.com · Florida

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody says local governments should decide whether to allow data centers in their communities, a campaign issue that has generated significant controversy. Moody stated that data center companies must make their case to residents and address concerns about costs, environmental impact, and health effects.

Florida Politics · Florida

The owner of a 200-acre Fort Pierce property has abandoned plans for a surf park community and instead seeks rezoning to develop a data center on 174 acres and commercial space on the remaining land. Financing difficulties and electrical transmission lines crossing the property prompted the shift away from the previously planned residential surf community.

NewsRadio WFLA · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Treasure Coast News

North Port commissioners will consider Monday an 18-month moratorium on new data centers and large-load facilities, including a retroactive provision that could affect a pending application submitted in July. The city aims to study potential impacts on electricity, water, and infrastructure before determining future regulations.

Spectrum Bay News 9 · Florida · also at Spectrum Noticias

The North Port City Commission is considering a moratorium on data center development after a developer proposed an approximately 896,000-square-foot data center in the Yorkshire area. Some residents have expressed concerns about environmental impacts and the project's scale, while commissioners will vote on the proposed moratorium August 31st.

ABC7 WWSB · Florida

Dougherty County commissioners extended the county's data center moratorium for an additional 180 days, with commissioners debating the specificity of language distinguishing large-scale from small-scale facilities. Residents have requested new ordinances addressing noise, proximity to homes, and water usage.

WALB · Georgia · also at WALB

Savannah City Council unanimously imposed a 155-day moratorium Thursday on large data centers exceeding 10 megawatts and warehouse conversions over 200,000 square feet to assess the facilities' demands on the city's water and energy resources.

thecurrentga.org · Chatham Co., GA

The Black Chronicle · Effingham Co., GA · also at The Center Square, The Center Square

Georgia's data center boom is expected to create legal opportunities across multiple practice areas as the industry faces growing resistance, according to legal experts. Law firms are also seeing increased demand for services related to AI, privacy, and traditional labor matters as capital spending on infrastructure projects continues.

Law.com · Georgia

Savannah's city council unanimously approved a 155-day moratorium on large-load data centers exceeding 10 megawatts and warehouse conversions over 200,000 square feet, joining about 40 other Georgia municipalities. The pause allows officials to assess infrastructure demands on water and energy resources as interest from data center companies increases.

Georgia Public Broadcasting · Chatham Co., GA

A writer argues that data centers should be built on repurposed industrial sites, closed retail properties, and abandoned factories rather than on rural land in Georgia, citing examples like Chicago's Lakeside Technology Center and a former aluminum plant in New York that were successfully converted.

TheCitizen.com · Coweta Co., GA

Columbia County, Georgia's Economic Development Authority approved a $17 billion Google data center project expected to generate $40 million annually in property taxes. County voters will decide in November whether to dedicate the project's revenue to reduce residents' property taxes, which currently comprise roughly 40 percent of the county's general-fund revenue.

townhall.com · Georgia

Augusta leaders have extended a pause on data center development to gather public input on a proposed ordinance that would require 500-foot buffers from residential areas, impose 65-decibel noise limits, mandate closed-loop cooling systems, and ban private wells. Public meetings are scheduled for Monday and Thursday, with online feedback also available.

WRDW · Richmond Co., GA · also at wrdw.com

Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock visited Effingham County to meet with residents concerned about OpenAI's proposed 3.2-gigawatt data center and called for a statewide moratorium on data center construction unless developers implement safeguards addressing utility bills, transparency, and pollution.

AllOnGeorgia · Effingham Co., GA

Sen. Warnock is calling for a Georgia moratorium on data center projects unless companies commit to environmental and economic protections including limits on noise, light, and water usage. Three Catholic families are suing the Georgia Promise Scholarship Program, claiming its rules violate religious freedom. About 200 Cobb County teachers who walked out of their superintendent's July back-to-school speech face potential sanctions.

97.5 Glory FM · Effingham Co., GA

OpenAI finalized a contract with Georgia Power for a 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County that promises typical residential customers at least $15 monthly in rate reductions between 2029-2031. The Georgia Public Service Commission received an extended review period after public and commissioner scrutiny prompted additional customer protections in the agreement.

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer · Effingham Co., GA

Georgia Power has agreed to shield typical customers from data center costs under a new deal with state regulators, including a promise to increase rate offsets to at least $15 monthly by 2029 if data centers close or depart the state. Environmental advocates support the agreement but seek greater contract transparency and changes to the regulatory review process.

Savannah Business Journal · Georgia

Headline onlygovtech.com · Richland Parish, LA

Advanced nuclear energy firm ONE Nuclear has secured a Louisiana site for Project Cayman, a power complex combining a 2.88 GW gas plant, 2.88 gigawatt-hour battery storage system, and co-located data center campus. The project will support industrial and technology development in the region near SpaceX's Starbase expansion and a planned Hyundai steel mill.

Interesting Engineering · Louisiana

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Louisiana

Yellowhammer News · E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA

ONE Nuclear Energy has executed a binding letter of intent to develop Project Cayman, a 2.88 GW natural gas plant with battery storage and a co-located data center campus in Louisiana near RiverPlex MegaPark and SpaceX's infrastructure expansion.

Business Wire · Louisiana · also at Yahoo! Finance Canada

Meta announced plans for a $50 billion data center in northeast Louisiana's Richland Parish in late 2024, dramatically transforming the rural farming community and its local government leaders. The project has increased the parish's population by roughly 8,000 workers daily, doubled 2025 sales tax revenue to over $20 million, and prompted officials to hire engineers and adopt new permitting procedures.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

Headline onlyKTBS 3 · Louisiana

SpaceXAI has disconnected 11 temporary turbines at its Southaven data center and agreed with Mississippi's environmental agency to remove all 69 turbines by next July, after which a permanent 1.2 GW power plant will provide power. The move follows lawsuits from residents over noise and from the NAACP over environmental concerns.

supertalk.fm · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlywreg.com · DeSoto Co., MS

Clarksdale, Mississippi has rezoned 648 acres to potentially attract a data center that could generate millions in tax revenue and create hundreds of jobs, but residents are challenging the project over concerns about water strain, pollution, and environmental impact on a predominantly Black community already experiencing poverty and limited economic growth.

Capital B News · Mississippi · also at Capital B News

Mississippi Entergy customers are avoiding a nearly $5 monthly bill increase this month due to revenue from Amazon's data center operations, the utility announced. Under Entergy's Fair Share Plus program, large data center customers pay full grid connection costs while providing tax revenue, jobs, and community benefits to offset costs for existing customers.

Daily Energy Insider · Mississippi · also at Daily Energy Insider

The Wilson County Data Center Advisory Committee received a first draft zoning ordinance for potential data centers, written by Planning Services Director Christopher Lawless. The committee will review and possibly revise the draft before resubmitting it for county commission consideration.

Main Street Media of Tennessee · Sumner Co., TN

5C Data Centers, a Quebec-based artificial intelligence infrastructure provider, purchased the former Fred's Inc. corporate headquarters building in Memphis for $25 million to develop an artificial intelligence data center on the 1.1 million-square-foot property.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian

Residents near Elon Musk's xAI data center campus on the Memphis-Mississippi border report 24/7 noise pollution from roughly 60 to 70 gas turbines that operate continuously, with low-frequency sounds penetrating homes and causing sleep disruption and health concerns. The company plans to expand operations and install permanent turbines, while dozens of similar data center projects using gas generation are planned across the nation.

WPLN News · Shelby Co., TN · also at WKU Public Radio, WEKU, lpm.org

Headline only11Alive.com

President Trump said communities opposing data centers risk becoming "backwards and poor," while Vice President Vance suggested opposition stems from concerns about electricity costs and argued companies should generate their own power rather than drawing from the grid.

WBRC · also at WTVY, WWNY, WSFA

Headline only11Alive.com

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com

President Trump criticized communities opposing AI data center construction, arguing they would miss economic benefits like lower taxes and jobs. A Fox News poll found 70% of Americans oppose building data centers in their neighborhoods, citing environmental concerns as the primary reason.

Newsradio WFLA Orlando

Headline onlyWRDW

X Global Government Affairs identified a bot farm of approximately 200,000 accounts, with about 200 posting content designed to manipulate debate over American AI and data center development, according to the platform's investigation into suspected Chinese inauthentic influence operations.

Alabama Daily News

President Trump said Monday that communities opposing AI data centers risk economic decline, while a Fox News survey found 70 percent of respondents opposed construction of data centers in their areas, citing environmental and financial concerns including water consumption.

WKRG · also at WHNT.com, WKRG

Headline onlywtsp.com

Headline onlyWHNT.com

Alabama county commissioners unanimously opposed gaining industry-specific authority to regulate data centers, instead calling for comprehensive land use powers. The Association of County Commissions of Alabama cited constitutional and administrative concerns about singling out one industry for regulation.

Alabama Daily News · Alabama · also at Decatur Daily

BirminghamWatch · Jefferson Co., AL

Georgia Power's Public Service Commission approved a contract with OpenAI's Project Camila for 3.1 gigawatts of power, with officials describing it as featuring historic strictness. The binding agreement ensures residential customers save $15 monthly and requires OpenAI to cover grid installation costs, while Georgia Power will manage power delivery to prevent outages in surrounding areas.

WTOC · Georgia · also at WTOC, WTOC

Georgia Power and OpenAI received approval for a 3.2-gigawatt data center campus in Effingham County, with OpenAI funding all necessary infrastructure costs and committing to demand-response flexibility. The project is projected to generate approximately $950 million in annual savings for residential customers beginning in 2029, while OpenAI pledges $80 million in community benefits.

The South Shore Press · Effingham Co., GA

Approximately 100 Effingham County residents attended a Saturday work session to press county commissioners about OpenAI's proposed Project Camellia data center, raising concerns about noise, water, utilities, emergency services and environmental impacts. Commissioners acknowledged transparency issues and discussed potential changes including possible moratoriums on future data centers and conditional-use requirements.

Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA

Democratic Senate nominee Roy Cooper is shifting his campaign stance on data centers, now advocating they pay for their own power and build independent energy sources to address rising electricity costs for consumers, a departure from his earlier support for data center growth as North Carolina governor.

Fox News · Mississippi · also at 930 WFMD Free Talk, kotaradio.com

SpaceXAI's Colossus data center complex near Memphis, Tennessee, operates portable gas turbines that produce toxic emissions including formaldehyde and nitrogen oxide while drawing millions of gallons of water daily from local utilities.

WhoWhatWhy · Shelby Co., TN

Alabama's attorney general is urging state utility regulators to strengthen consumer protections during the state's data center expansion, arguing that Alabama Power customers deserve greater public participation in reviewing electricity contracts to ensure data centers pay their fair share of infrastructure costs.

stl.news · Alabama

Alabama's attorney general is proposing electric rate reforms for artificial intelligence data centers amid massive energy demand growth. The state received $117.1 million from a Meta settlement addressing teen social media safety concerns.

Fox Business · Alabama

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds said he will respect local government decisions to ban data centers if elected, while pledging to share detailed information about the facilities with Floridians. Multiple Florida counties and cities have already enacted data center bans or moratoriums.

Florida Politics · Florida · also at The Miami Times, The Miami Times

North Port released a new online resource about data centers as the city commission considers a moratorium on their development. The city is reviewing a proposed 896,000-square-foot data center and mixed-use project in the northeastern Yorkshire area, with the commission scheduled to vote on a moratorium ordinance in September.

ABC7 WWSB · Florida

Highlands County is analyzing its zoning regulations to determine how to limit or restrict data center construction following a state law signed in May that allows counties to regulate such projects. County Attorney Sherry Sutphen will present findings in September on potential regulation changes and whether a moratorium is necessary.

Mid Florida Newspapers · Florida

About 70 people attended an Effingham County Commission workshop to air concerns about a proposed $20 billion OpenAI data center in Rincon, with commissioners agreeing to investigate issues including noise pollution, electromagnetic radiation, and battery fire hazards residents raised.

thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA

Sen. Raphael Warnock proposed a statewide data center moratorium while speaking at the site of a planned OpenAI facility in Effingham County, saying exemptions should only apply to projects meeting specific standards on utility rates, pollution and transparency.

The Post-Searchlight · Effingham Co., GA

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA

Headline onlyWSAV-TV · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyLowndes Signal · also at Lowndes Signal

Alabama Power filed three data center contracts with regulators this year but redacted key terms including contract length, minimum billing requirements, and pricing, despite claiming such protections exist for ratepayers. The utility's proposed rate schedule specifies no minimum term or bill percentage, contrasting with its public statements about protecting other customers from cost shifts.

Energy and Policy Institute · Alabama

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Nine Jefferson County food establishments failed compliance inspections between Aug. 13 and Aug. 25, with violations including improper food temperatures, mold, pests, and missing safety procedures. Golden Corral in Hoover recorded the lowest score of 71.

WBRC · Alabama

Carrier Global Corp. is considering Alabama, Fort Worth and Virginia for a new $434 million manufacturing plant that would produce data center cooling systems and create nearly 500 jobs. A final site selection is expected in the third quarter of 2026.

Yellowhammer News · Jefferson Co., AL

About 30 Tuscaloosa County residents attended a forum to discuss concerns about Flock surveillance cameras and data centers, with organizers noting privacy vulnerabilities and limited public information about approximately 100 cameras in the county. At least 12 data centers are proposed or under construction in Alabama, with attendees raising concerns about environmental impacts and potential government overreach.

AL.com · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones said expanding Medicaid would be his first act as governor, during an appearance on Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear's podcast. Alabama is among 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, which would extend eligibility to individuals earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

A Joint Interim Study Commission found that Alabama's local court fees vary significantly by county, ranging from zero to $182 added to a $244 statewide filing fee for standard circuit civil cases. The commission recommended creating a complete public inventory of all local court costs and gradually moving toward a more uniform system while preserving funding counties currently depend on.

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

Applied Digital Corporation, a Dallas-based data center company tied to a potential Tuscaloosa County project, donated $25,000 to U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville's campaign for governor on Aug. 7. Tuberville has promoted data center development in Alabama for its potential tax revenue and job creation benefits.

AL.com · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

State lawmakers in Marshall County addressed constituent concerns Thursday about data center tax breaks and potential negative impacts. Officials said guardrails are needed while acknowledging data centers' rapid growth and noting that TVA oversight complicates state regulation of the facilities.

1819 News · Alabama

A community forum in Tuscaloosa addressed concerns about Flock license plate cameras and data centers, with residents questioning data usage and camera placement. Organizers plan to present community questions to local leaders, and state lawmakers may consider new Flock camera regulations in the 2027 session.

WBRC · Tuscaloosa Co., AL · also at WBRC

Headline onlyFOX 13 Tampa Bay · Florida

The Black Chronicle · Florida · also at The Center Square, The Apopka Voice, The Apopka Voice

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Headline onlyTallahassee Democrat · Leon Co., FL

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Orange Co. (FL), FL

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Treasure Coast News

Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly and running mate Gwen Graham proposed a one-year statewide moratorium on hyperscale AI data center construction during a Panama City visit, citing concerns about strain on water supplies, aquifers, noise pollution, and public health risks.

WJHG · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock called Friday for a moratorium on data center construction in Georgia, citing concerns about secrecy surrounding a proposed $20 billion OpenAI facility in Effingham County and lack of federal regulation of the artificial intelligence industry. Warnock's proposal would allow construction to proceed if developers met specific guarantees including no increases to residents' water and electrical bills, prevention of pollution, and bans on nondisclosure agreements.

thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA

Headline only11Alive.com · Georgia · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyWSB-TV · Georgia · also at WSB-TV, WSB-TV

Senator Raphael Warnock visited OpenAI's proposed 3.2-gigawatt data center site in Effingham County, Georgia and called for a statewide moratorium on data center construction. The moratorium would only be lifted for specific projects that meet safeguards regarding utility bills, transparency, and pollution.

U.S. Senate (.gov) · Effingham Co., GA

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock met with Effingham County residents Friday to discuss concerns about the proposed Camellia Data Center, calling for a moratorium on data center projects unless they guarantee no increases in water or electric bills for residents.

WJCL · Effingham Co., GA

Sen. Raphael Warnock called for a statewide moratorium on new data centers in Georgia after regulators approved OpenAI's 3.2 gigawatt facility in Effingham County, citing concerns about community exclusion from decisions and potential impacts including rate increases and pollution.

CBS News · Effingham Co., GA

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock is calling for a statewide moratorium on data centers following an OpenAI project announcement in Effingham County that has drawn opposition from local residents. State regulators recently approved a Georgia Power contract to supply 3,200 megawatts of electricity to the facility.

WABE · Effingham Co., GA · also at Georgia Recorder, Griffin Daily News, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Georgia Power's contract with OpenAI for supplying 3,200 megawatts of electricity to a 1,400-acre Effingham County data center was approved by the Public Service Commission, while the final Development of Regional Impact report identifying environmental concerns and mitigation recommendations was released Wednesday.

Statesboro Herald · Effingham Co., GA

Sen. Raphael Warnock called for a moratorium on data centers during a visit to Effingham County, Georgia, stating that OpenAI's project proceeded without community input. Warnock outlined conditions for lifting the moratorium, including no increases to water or electric bills and no pollution from the development.

WTOC · Effingham Co., GA

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock visited the proposed site of OpenAI's $20 billion Project Camellia in Effingham County and called for a moratorium on data center development until residents have meaningful input and developers guarantee protections against utility rate increases, pollution, and non-transparent dealings. Warnock criticized the lack of public hearings before the project's announcement and said the 1,400-acre campus requiring 3.2 gigawatts of electricity should not proceed without community voice.

Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA

Georgia Power's power contract to serve OpenAI's $20 billion Effingham County data center has received Georgia Public Service Commission approval. The agreement includes about 3,200 megawatts of new electricity demand and protections for other customers if the large-load contract ends early; Georgia Power projects the contract will be part of a portfolio generating approximately $950 million in annual savings beginning in 2029.

WJCL · Effingham Co., GA

Headline onlyWABE · Georgia

Georgia Power has received regulatory approval for an electricity supply agreement with OpenAI covering a planned project in Effingham County, Georgia, adding approximately 3,200 megawatts of new electricity demand. Under the agreement, OpenAI will cover infrastructure costs for its project and make up to 1,000 megawatts of its demand flexible, while Georgia Power projects approximately $950 million in annual customer savings beginning in 2029.

cnhinews.com · Effingham Co., GA · also at TradingView

Georgia Power's 25-year contract with OpenAI for a data-center campus in Effingham County was approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission in August 2026 and projects approximately $950 million in annual residential savings beginning in 2029. Some PSC commissioners have raised concerns that broader system-wide grid costs may not be fully captured in the contract's confidential terms.

Gadget Review · Effingham Co., GA

Record construction in North America's data center market during the first half of 2026 still failed to reduce capacity constraints, with vacancy falling to 1.4% despite a 24.8% increase in construction to 7,481.1 MW. Over 80% of capacity under construction has been preleased, leaving less than 1,500 MW available—roughly six months of supply—as AI demand outpaces infrastructure delivery.

Data Center Frontier · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Georgia

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

Headline onlyWSAV-TV · Chatham Co., GA

Savannah City Council approved a 155-day moratorium on large-scale data centers Thursday, pausing new development within city limits while officials study impacts including noise, water usage and power grid demands. The temporary ban provides time to draft regulatory policy before year's end.

WTOC · Chatham Co., GA

Headline onlyState Affairs · Chatham Co., GA · also at State Affairs

Georgia Power's contract with OpenAI to build a 3.2 gigawatt data center in Effingham County was approved by Public Service Commission staff without a direct commission vote, prompting environmental groups to call for greater transparency and commissioner involvement in future contract decisions.

CleanTechnica · Effingham Co., GA

Louisiana is experiencing economic development including SpaceX's announced $100 billion commercial spaceport in Vermilion Parish, Meta's data center expansion in Richland Parish, and Applied Digital's data center project in Rapides Parish. Two microcap stocks with Louisiana exposure are Catalyst Bancorp, a regional bank, and Expion Energy, a lithium battery manufacturer that recently acquired oil and gas assets in Eastern Louisiana.

TradingView · Richland Parish, LA

Nashville Electric Service has adopted a Ratepayer Protection Pledge to ensure large-load data center projects pay their fair share and don't increase bills for existing customers. Projects exceeding five megawatts undergo joint review by TVA and NES, and the utility will implement a data center-specific rate over the next two years.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Davidson Co., TN

Fisk University faculty released a report outlining academic benefits of a proposed data center on campus, part of the university's $1 billion "Quantum Leap" initiative. The facility would provide students internships and employment opportunities in artificial intelligence, data science and cybersecurity, though the project continues facing opposition from students, alumni and community members.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Davidson Co., TN

Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville received a $25,000 campaign contribution from Applied Digital Corporation, a Dallas-based technology company that owns 1,300 acres in Brookwood and is involved in data center development. Tuberville has been a vocal supporter of data center projects, describing them as a "gold mine" for tax revenue, while his Democratic opponent Doug Jones has called for a one-year moratorium on new data center construction in Alabama.

Tuscaloosa Thread

Rep. Jim Costa introduced H.R. 5227, a bipartisan bill that would require the Secretary of Energy to study how artificial intelligence and data center expansion affects energy supplies, water resources and utility costs, particularly in rural communities.

thebusinessjournal.com

Alabama Political Reporter

Elkhart's city council unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data centers and battery energy storage facilities within city limits, with members citing a need for additional research. The action follows interest from data center companies, including one proposing a $120 million investment in a former facility.

WSBT

Mayor Carletta Davis outlined a spending increase of 22 percent funded through new fees and taxes, including a proposed gas tax and higher municipal fees. The city council will review the nearly $21.88 million budget proposal, which prioritizes police officer salary increases and a temporary contract with Mobile County Sheriff's Office.

fox10tv.com · Mobile Co., AL

A Jefferson County Circuit Court has scheduled a non-jury trial for March 8, 2027, in a lawsuit challenging a proposed Birmingham data center. The court's scheduling order sets deadlines for expert witness disclosure, discovery completion, and summary judgment motions leading up to trial.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Foley city leaders are considering a six-month moratorium on data center and similar high-demand facility applications to allow time to review municipal ordinances addressing zoning, environmental protection, noise and water use before any proposals are submitted.

WEAR-TV · Alabama

Foley leaders are considering a six-month moratorium on data center and cryptocurrency-mining facility applications to allow time for the city to review its zoning and environmental ordinances before any proposals are submitted. Mayor Ralph Hellmich said the city wants to ensure adequate protections regarding noise and water use.

mynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL

ABC of Alabama held the Powering Tomorrow Data Center Summit to address misconceptions about data centers, including claims that they burden ratepayers with power costs. Google's Jackson County expansion covers 100% of its power use and infrastructure costs, while modern data centers use closed-loop cooling systems that recycle water.

1819 News · Alabama

Jerry Carl, the GOP nominee in Alabama's first congressional district race, said data centers could become obsolete within seven to 10 years due to emerging microchip-based data storage technology that he believes will revolutionize the industry.

1819 News · Mobile Co., AL

A Bessemer election official said a poll worker from one precinct sealed a thumb drive containing voting machine data in an official box, delaying county certification until a court order led to its retrieval. Election results reported were accurate despite the confusion, though council incumbent Cleo King narrowly missed winning outright and will enter a runoff.

AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

West Alabama will celebrate reaching one million books distributed through Dolly Parton's Imagination Library at an October 3 event at the Tuscaloosa Public Library. Over 8,700 children in nine West Alabama counties are enrolled in the program, which has delivered more than 5.4 million books statewide since 2004.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Alabama

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Bessemer City High School graduates from 2027 to 2030 will be eligible for minimum $10,000 scholarships to Miles College, Lawson State Community College, or Stillman College, funded by QTS, a data center operator planning a $14.5 billion facility in the area. The company committed $8 million to the scholarship program and additional workforce development initiatives.

Alabama Daily News · Jefferson Co., AL

An opinion piece argues that data centers benefit Alabama economically and address public concerns about utility costs and water use. The author contends Google's Jackson County expansion covers 100% of its power costs, modern facilities use closed-loop cooling systems, and construction projects create jobs while providing infrastructure improvements to host communities.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

The Alabama Attorney General's Office urged Public Service Commission members to vote publicly on large load contracts for data centers, arguing that a 1996 delegation of approval authority to staff lacks legal authorization and that the subjective standards involved require elected or appointed officials to decide.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama · also at Yahoo, News From The States

VOICES for Alabama's Children is launching an online dashboard Tuesday to provide real-time access to childhood well-being data, replacing its annual research book and allowing county-by-county comparisons across 73 indicators including mental health, education, and economic security.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

An Alabama woman won a $20,000 judgment against a Church's Chicken location in Midfield after suffering second-degree burns from an excessively hot chicken pot pie purchased in January 2020.

WBRC · Alabama · also at WTVY

Headline onlyWKRG · Mobile Co., AL

Anniston adopted a resolution Aug. 18 establishing a temporary 12-month moratorium on data center permitting, development, and licensing within city limits. The Planning Commission will study related issues and present recommendations to the city council within six months.

WBRC · Alabama

The Trump administration declared a national emergency over the power grid, signing an executive order to prohibit foreign-made power equipment from countries considered national security threats. The action cites growing electricity demands from artificial intelligence and data centers, and concerns that foreign actors could exploit vulnerabilities in already-installed equipment.

mynbc15.com · Miami-Dade Co., FL · also at mynbc15.com

Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly supports an Escambia County data center moratorium and says Republican Byron Donalds is out of step with voters by supporting the facilities. Jolly plans to issue a statewide moratorium on data centers on his first day in office, citing environmental and community concerns.

Florida Politics · Florida

The Palm Beach County Commission unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale AI data centers, defined as facilities with anticipated monthly peak loads of 50 megawatts or more. The county plans to develop new regulations during the moratorium period, with a final vote scheduled for September 24th.

1290 WJNO · Florida · also at NewsRadio WFLA, WIOD, Real Radio 92.1

Taylor County commissioners are considering a temporary moratorium on data center development while establishing regulations for such facilities, following an Aug. 25 workshop where residents and experts debated potential economic benefits against concerns about water consumption, electricity demand, and quality-of-life impacts. County officials confirmed no data center project is currently proposed for the county.

wtwcfox · Florida

Headline onlyUtility Dive · Florida

Palm Beach County commissioners unanimously approved language for a proposed one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers, with a final vote scheduled for Sept. 24. The ban would allow county staff time to develop standards and requirements for such facilities.

WPEC · Florida · also at Sun Sentinel, cw34.com

Tallahassee's City Commission voted 3-2 Wednesday to reject a proposed ordinance that would explicitly ban artificial intelligence data centers within city limits. City officials stated that existing land development code already prevents AI data centers from locating in Tallahassee without affirmative Commission action.

wtwcfox · Leon Co., FL

Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly campaigned in Pensacola, highlighting an affordability plan that addresses property insurance costs, expanding Medicaid and healthcare access, increasing school funding and teacher pay, and proposing a statewide moratorium on AI data centers.

WEAR-TV · Florida

Headline onlyRTO Insider · Georgia

Georgia Power agreed to shield residential and small business customers from costs if data centers close or relocate, and increased promised rate offsets to $15 monthly by 2029. The utility also committed to releasing summaries of its OpenAI contract and future data center agreements, though critics say more transparency and public oversight are needed.

WABE · Chatham Co., GA

The Savannah City Council unanimously imposed a temporary freeze on large-scale data center developments using 10 or more megawatts of electricity or warehouses exceeding 200,000 square feet. The council plans to revisit the moratorium at its second January meeting to assess impacts on water capacity, neighborhoods, job growth, and long-term economic effects.

WJCL · Chatham Co., GA

Georgia Power's electricity contract with OpenAI for a 1,400-acre Effingham County data center was approved by state regulators, and a development impact report was released. The county board will next review the project's preliminary site plan, with commissioners expected to act on Sept. 14.

Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA

The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a contract for Georgia Power to supply approximately 3,200 megawatts of power to OpenAI's Project Camellia data center in Effingham County, which will be built in phases from 2028 to 2032. The project is expected to generate $950 million in annual revenue, allowing Georgia Power to reduce residential customer bills by $180 annually starting in 2029.

WSB-TV · Effingham Co., GA · also at WSB-TV, Yahoo

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

The Georgia Public Service Commission staff approved a contract between Georgia Power and OpenAI for electricity to power a 3.2 gigawatt data center in Effingham County. The agreement includes protections for residential and business ratepayers, preventing them from bearing costs if large-load customers terminate contracts early.

thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson has directed multiple county departments to conduct a comprehensive review of data centers' potential impacts on infrastructure, water systems, public safety, and the environment as part of an extended moratorium on new data center applications through March 2027.

decaturish.com · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Headline only11Alive.com · Georgia

Georgia Power received regulatory clearance to supply up to 3,200 megawatts of electricity to OpenAI's data center in Effingham County from 2028 through 2032. The utility projects residential customers could save approximately $180 annually beginning in 2029 from revenue generated by this and other large customers.

CBS News · Effingham Co., GA

The Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power's contract to supply energy for an OpenAI data center in Effingham County. Georgia Power says the project will be funded by OpenAI, include safeguards protecting customers from costs, and lower statewide rates by approximately $200 annually.

WSAV-TV · Effingham Co., GA · also at WSAV-TV

The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a contract between Georgia Power and OpenAI for a massive data center in Effingham County. The utility projects the deal will generate $950 million in annual revenue, resulting in $180 annual savings for residential customers beginning in 2029.

WSB-TV · Effingham Co., GA

Headline onlyMarcellus Drilling News · Georgia

Georgia Tech experts addressed community questions about AI data centers at an Aug. 26 session in Effingham County, covering electricity consumption, water usage, cooling systems and community concerns like noise and lighting related to the proposed $20 billion OpenAI campus project.

Effingham Herald · Effingham Co., GA

Georgia Power's agreement with OpenAI to build a massive data center near Savannah has won Public Service Commission approval and is projected to save the average residential customer about $15 monthly starting in 2029, with the utility citing additional revenue from large customers offsetting costs.

95.5 WSB · Chatham Co., GA

Georgia Power has received regulatory approval to build 3.2 gigawatts of new generation capacity to supply OpenAI's planned data center in Effingham County, with OpenAI covering infrastructure costs. Energy delivery is expected to begin between 2028 and 2032.

Data Center Dynamics · Effingham Co., GA

Headline onlyWSAV-TV · Chatham Co., GA · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

97.5 Glory FM · Georgia

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Effingham Co., GA

State regulators approved Georgia Power's contract to serve a 3,200-megawatt OpenAI project in Effingham County. The agreement is expected to generate $950 million in annual system savings beginning in 2029, with typical residential customers projected to save about $180 per year.

WTOC · Effingham Co., GA

Headline onlyWSAV-TV · Effingham Co., GA · also at Yahoo, Yahoo, WJBF

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is launching a messaging campaign to highlight jobs and tax revenue from data centers while countering concerns about their environmental and utility impacts. The effort comes as a University of Pennsylvania survey found 61% of Americans opposed new data center construction in their area.

Statesboro Herald · Georgia

Georgia Public Service Commission staff has cleared Georgia Power's electricity contract for OpenAI's planned data center in Effingham County, determining the agreement shields residential customers and small businesses from related costs. The decision allows the contract to move forward as a key regulatory step for the $20 billion project.

WJCL · Effingham Co., GA

Louisiana regulators voted to keep Meta's job creation and electricity usage figures confidential for its data center project in Richland Parish, rejecting a judge's recommendation for disclosure. The decision drew criticism from Democratic Commissioner Davante Lewis, who argued the secrecy prevents low-income and Black communities from verifying promised economic benefits.

Capital B News · Richland Parish, LA · also at Yahoo, thelensnola.org

While politicians nationwide increasingly oppose data centers, Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry actively courts them, rejecting a moratorium approach and offering tax breaks and fast-tracked approvals. Political scientists warn that Louisiana officials may reverse course if national backlash reaches the state, with signs of emerging voter unease beginning to appear at town halls and regulatory meetings.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

A data center developer in Louisiana negotiated a $3.6 billion project using nondisclosure agreements that shielded details from residents, sparking opposition and complaints about lack of transparency. The practice of using NDAs for data center projects is common nationwide, though some states have introduced bills to ban them and nearby parishes have completed similar projects without such restrictions.

NPR · Rapides Parish, LA · also at NPR

Entergy Mississippi customers will save nearly $5 monthly on their bills due to revenue generated by Amazon's data center, which pays its own grid costs and contributes community benefits under Entergy's Fair Share Plus initiative.

Pluang · Mississippi

Entergy Mississippi customers will see nearly $5 eliminated from monthly bills thanks to revenue from Amazon's data center facility. Under the company's Fair Share Plus pledge, data centers pay full grid connection costs plus additional community benefits, with similar projects in Arkansas and Louisiana expected to begin generating customer benefits in early 2027.

TradingView · Mississippi · also at PR Newswire, Bossier Press-Tribune, STLtoday.com

Entergy reports that revenue from Amazon's hyperscale facility in Mississippi has offset grid costs and helped eliminate a nearly $5 monthly residential bill increase under the utility's Fair Share Plus program, which requires large data center customers to pay their own interconnection and usage costs while providing additional community benefits.

Stock Titan · Mississippi

The Mississippi Public Service Commission approved an Entergy Mississippi rate plan that prevents a $4.87 monthly customer increase this summer by utilizing revenues from data centers like Amazon's. The utility projects over $2 billion in customer savings over two decades and filed for an additional rate reduction effective October.

Entergy · Mississippi

Amazon Web Services challenged Madison County's valuation of its Canton data centers, seeking assessments of $69 million per building instead of the county assessor's $292 million valuation. If Amazon succeeds, the county could lose $5 million to $6 million in annual tax revenue from the facilities.

tippahnews.com · Madison Co. (MS), MS

An $11.3 billion industrial campus announced for Bradley County, Tennessee includes an 850-acre development with a biomass and natural gas power plant capable of generating up to 1,500 megawatts. Though the project mentions potential data center development, no data center company has committed to building on the site, though discussions are ongoing.

The Center Square · Tennessee

A Tennessee woman was arrested following a high-speed chase on Highway 280 that ended in a crash after she struck a utility pole. Patricia Grant faces charges including drug trafficking, attempting to elude police, and possession of drug paraphernalia after fentanyl was found in her vehicle.

WBRC · Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a 10 percent rate increase for existing data centers over three years, effective October 1, to prevent its 10 million residential customers from subsidizing data center power demands. The utility says the increase ensures data centers cover their own service costs through power charges and upfront commitment fees based on expected usage.

AL.com · Tennessee · also at Yahoo, AL.com

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a separate rate class for data centers, effective Oct. 1, with costs phased in over three years. The change aims to prevent data center costs from being passed to residential and other customers as the industry's electricity demand grows across the region.

256 Today · Shelby Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a 10 percent electricity rate increase for data centers, effective October 1 and phased in over three fiscal years. The new rate structure applies to both existing and new facilities across TVA's seven-state service territory, including North Alabama.

Alabama Political Reporter · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Davidson Co., TN

Nashville Electric Service signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge to shield existing customers from costs tied to grid expansion and generation projects serving large-scale industrial and technology developments. The utility also announced advanced planning frameworks for data centers, a new monthly public reporting system tracking operational metrics, and appointed attorney Robert "Jaz" Boon to its board.

The Tennessee Tribune · Davidson Co., TN

Project River, a proposed $11.3 billion industrial energy campus on 850 acres in Bradley County, would generate up to 1,500 MW of electricity from natural gas and biomass to potentially power a data center or other heavy industry, creating up to 2,600 jobs. Some residents have expressed concerns about lack of transparency and environmental impacts, while developers say the self-powered facility would differ from traditional data centers by not drawing from the electrical grid.

Local 3 News

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WSFA, WAFF

The Elkhart City Council will hold a special meeting Thursday for a final vote on a proposed data center moratorium that would pause such projects until the moratorium ends or December 31, 2027. The meeting will include a presentation, public comment and council discussion.

WSBT

timesdaily.com

Headline onlyWSFA · also at WAFF, WTVY

Headline onlyWKRG · also at WDHN, WHNT.com, WKRG

Headline onlyWBRC

Headline onlyFOX 5 Atlanta

Data centers have emerged as a major campaign issue for both Democratic and Republican candidates ahead of 2026 midterm elections, with national polling showing about three in five Americans oppose local data centers across party lines.

WBRC · also at localnewslive.com, WAFF, WSFA

Bessemer's complete municipal election results are delayed a week after a thumb drive containing data from one precinct was locked in the wrong box, requiring a court order to retrieve it, the Jefferson County Registrar said. Results from 11 of 12 precincts have been posted, with several races remaining competitive.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyGovTech · Alabama

Headline onlyYellowhammer News · Alabama

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a new rate structure separating data centers from traditional manufacturing customers, aiming to prevent households and businesses from subsidizing costs associated with growing artificial intelligence facility electricity demand across North Alabama and its service territory.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Alabama's Senate Bill 270, effective October 1st, requires hyperscale data centers using 150 megawatts or more to pay all infrastructure costs and demonstrate positive benefits to other customers. Alabama Power is urging the Public Service Commission to narrowly interpret the law's enforcement, while the state attorney general and watchdog groups seek broader public-interest protections.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Bessemer's mayor faces a runoff after receiving 45% of votes Tuesday, challenged by former legislator Louise Alexander who garnered 41%. The election centered on backlash to a $14.5 billion data center project, with three of five city council members who voted for rezoning facing runoffs or defeats.

AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Bessemer municipal election results were delayed Tuesday due to an IT issue, with results expected Wednesday. Incumbent Mayor Kenneth Gulley faces a runoff—his first in 16 years—against challenger Louise Alexander, amid controversy over the Project Marvel data center development.

WVTM · Jefferson Co., AL

Alabama's Public Service Commission is considering changes to how it regulates electricity rates for data centers. Attorney General Steve Marshall and other parties have requested broader reforms to the rate-setting process, including public participation and formal hearings, while Alabama Power and industry groups urge the commission to narrowly implement a new state law requiring data centers to cover their infrastructure costs.

AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Brookwood residents will have an opportunity to discuss a proposed 2 million square foot data center at a City Council meeting scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at G.G. Hardin Center.

Dothan Eagle · Montgomery Co., AL · also at The Tuscaloosa News

An IT issue delayed the release of Bessemer's municipal election results from Tuesday night until Wednesday. The city clerk did not immediately clarify whether the problem affected vote tabulation or only the ability to report results.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Bessemer election results remained unavailable hours after polls closed Tuesday, with city officials citing IT department unavailability and locked city hall doors. Only absentee voting results listing 313 ballots were posted, leaving candidates and press to gather their own tallies to determine runoff races for mayor, city council, and school board positions.

AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Martin County commissioners directed staff to develop a one-year moratorium proposal on large-scale data centers following public opposition, though a vote date hasn't been scheduled. A state law prohibits utilities from charging residential and business customers for data center power usage.

1290 WJNO · Florida

At a Marion County citizens workshop, an attorney claimed a local landowner is in talks with an AI data center company, though the county commission said it is not currently reviewing an active data center application. A board workshop on potential data center regulations is scheduled for September 21.

352today · Florida

Tampa Bay Times · Leon Co., FL

Duke Energy stock closed at $50.33 on August 25, 2026, as the utility advances nuclear generation options in the Carolinas, faces a regulatory pause on 2026 solar procurement in North Carolina, and prepares to serve data-center demand in Florida under a new state law while managing rate-increase concerns in Ohio.

Ad-hoc-news.de · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Duke Energy Florida submitted the first utility proposal under a new state law designed to prevent data center costs from shifting to regular electric customers. The Public Service Commission heard arguments on whether Duke's plan adequately protects ratepayers, with some commissioners expressing concerns about compliance with Senate Bill 484's requirements.

Miami Herald · Florida · also at Creative Loafing Tampa

Headline onlyFast Company · Florida

Headline onlyWPEC · Florida · also at WPEC

Lowndes County commissioners approved a 60-day moratorium on data center permit applications in unincorporated areas Tuesday night, allowing time to establish permanent development guidelines. No data center projects have been approved or are planned in the county.

WCTV · Florida · also at WCTV

Duke Energy submitted the first major proposal under Florida's new Senate Bill 484, which requires utilities to ensure data centers bear their own full service costs without shifting expenses to regular ratepayers. The Public Service Commission heard testimony on Duke's plan, though commissioners expressed concerns about whether it complies with the law's requirements.

The Florida Trib · Florida

OpenAI announced plans Wednesday to build a data center in Effingham County's Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub near Rincon, representing a $20 billion private capital investment expected to create 400 long-term jobs and increase the local tax base. Georgia Power will provide electric service, with OpenAI covering infrastructure costs and committing to demand response flexibility to support grid stability.

WJBF · Effingham Co., GA

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia · also at The Rome News-Tribune

Columnist Jonah Goldberg argues that concerns about AI data centers spreading across the country constitute a moral panic, comparing it to past episodes like the Dungeons and Dragons hysteria. While acknowledging some legitimate issues with data centers, he contends that exaggerated claims about their dangers distract from reasonable policy discussions about their actual impacts.

News-Herald · Georgia

Rum Group has signed a $13.7 billion capacity lease agreement with an unnamed U.S. cloud customer for GPU services at its under-development data center in Maysville, Georgia, with the six-year contract structured in three tranches and including warrants for up to 50.81 million shares.

Data Center Dynamics · Georgia

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

Headline onlyThe Atlanta Voice · Fulton Co., GA · also at The Atlanta Voice

Savannah Mayor Van Johnson is pushing for a 155-day moratorium on large-scale data center developments to allow time for the city to draft policy and assess potential impacts. City Council will hold a public hearing and consider the ordinance Thursday.

WTOC · Chatham Co., GA

Data centers, essential to cloud computing and digital services for decades, are now facing increased scrutiny due to artificial intelligence's extraordinary computing demands. States and communities are responding differently, with some recruiting projects for economic growth while others impose moratoriums, citing concerns about electricity consumption, water usage and local infrastructure impacts.

Area Development · Louisiana

Utah Public Radio · Rapides Parish, LA

Amazon held an open house Aug. 25 in Shreveport to discuss its $18 billion northwest Louisiana data center project, addressing community concerns about environmental impacts. The company committed to investing up to $400 million in water infrastructure and coordinating with SWEPCO to fund energy upgrades without passing costs to existing ratepayers.

New Orleans CityBusiness · Caddo Parish, LA

Headline onlyShreveport Times · Caddo Parish, LA

Headline onlyWSFA · Caddo Parish, LA

Headline onlyShreveport Times · Caddo Parish, LA

SpaceX's planned $100 billion Louisiana spaceport will support launches of satellites and AI computing infrastructure designed for orbit, with the company partnering with Nvidia to deploy AI-capable satellites starting in late 2027. The facility in Vermilion Parish is expected to create 3,000 jobs and begin construction early next year, with first launches targeted for 2029.

Technical.ly · Louisiana

A March 2026 Gallup poll found 71% of Americans oppose constructing AI data centers in their areas, citing concerns about land use, electricity consumption, and water requirements. Texas Governor Greg Abbott paused new data center construction, while Louisiana has few regulations and offers substantial tax incentives to corporations.

Teche Today · Louisiana

A Mississippi family says development of data centers associated with Elon Musk has made their multi-generational farmland unusable due to noise from a nearby power plant and air quality concerns, with residents organizing opposition and legal challenges underway.

The Cool Down · DeSoto Co., MS · also at Yahoo

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts is seeking a vendor for enterprise colocation services at two geographically diverse data centers currently operated through Digital Realty in California and Csquare in Virginia, with the existing third-party contract expiring in July 2029.

DCD · Mississippi

Wright Brothers Construction is proposing a $11.3 billion industrial campus on roughly 850 acres in Bradley County that would generate its own power and avoid municipal water use, though the specific end-user remains uncertain. The project could include a data center, advanced manufacturing, or semiconductor manufacturing, with developers estimating up to 2,600 direct and indirect jobs if ultimately built as proposed.

WTVC · Tennessee

Headline onlyThe Real Deal · Davidson Co., TN

Yellowhammer News · Davidson Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority unanimously approved a roughly 10% electricity rate increase for data centers, effective October 1 in phases over three years. The rate structure aims to ensure data center customers pay for infrastructure costs without burdening residential and other customers.

Alabama Daily News · Shelby Co., TN

The Wright family plans Project River, an $11.3 billion Bradley County industrial campus featuring on-site gas and biomass power plants designed to revive the region's timber industry while potentially attracting a data center operator. The project would create approximately 2,600 jobs and process 5 million tons of timber annually once fully operational.

Chattanooga Times Free Press · Tennessee

Headline onlyWBRC · also at WAFF, WSFA, WTVY

The U.S. Army announced plans to install nuclear microreactors at five military bases across New York, Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas, with five companies selected to receive up to $2.2 billion over five years to build and operate the reactors as part of the "Janus Program."

WTVY

Headline onlyWSAV-TV

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

West Virginia plans to direct half of tax revenue from new data center projects toward reducing and eventually eliminating its personal income tax, positioning the state to capitalize on the artificial intelligence industry's expansion and competition for computing infrastructure investment.

WBMA

timesdaily.com · also at timesdaily.com

Headline onlyLocal 3 News

Headline onlywtsp.com

Headline onlyWAFF

Headline onlyWSFA

Headline onlyWKRG · also at Source ONE News, WKRG, WDHN

Headline onlyWSFA · also at WAFF

Headline onlyWBRC

Democratic candidates in St. Joseph County are calling for an outright ban on hyperscale data centers, while Republican council members have proposed a temporary moratorium on new projects. The data center development issue is becoming a campaign issue ahead of county council elections.

WSBT

The Davidson County Board of Commissioners deadlocked 3-3 on a proposed six-month moratorium on new data center development during an Aug. 24 vote, preventing the measure's adoption. The pause was intended to allow officials time to study potential impacts on water, electricity, the environment and surrounding communities before considering zoning ordinance amendments.

davidsonlocal.com

Headline onlycbs42.com · Alabama · also at Yahoo

State Rep. Danny Garrett says Alabama lawmakers will likely seek a "middle ground" on data centers during the 2027 legislative session, rejecting both unrestricted development and complete rejection of the infrastructure. Garrett cited concerns about where artificial intelligence data is stored while also noting the importance of protecting property rights.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

QTS, the developer behind Bessemer's proposed Project Marvel data center campus, will fund at least $10,000 scholarships for every Bessemer City High graduate starting with the class of 2027 to attend Miles College, Lawson State Community College or Stillman College. The Bessemer Built Scholarship will also provide workforce training and additional four-year tuition scholarships through 2030.

Yellowhammer News · Jefferson Co., AL

Bessemer voters will decide Tuesday whether to reshape city and school leadership, with all seven City Council seats, the mayor's office, and all seven School Board seats on the ballot. The election occurs amid debate over the proposed Project Marvel data center development and the state's intervention in Bessemer City Schools.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Bessemer voters are selecting a new mayor, city council members, and school board representatives today. The elections occur amid ongoing controversy over a proposed $14.5 billion data center and tensions within the city's school system.

AL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Lowndes County, Alabama passed a resolution Monday to adopt planning and zoning policies, a move prompted by resident opposition to a proposed $1.5 billion data center project. Currently lacking zoning authority, the county must have its legal department review the resolution and seek state legislative approval before implementing zoning districts.

AL.com · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyAlabama Political Reporter · Alabama

Helena's City Council held the first reading of an amendment to its development moratorium that would allow two previously-approved projects—an Ace Hardware with convenience store and gas pumps near Highway 58, and a Valvoline oil-change facility—to proceed. The council also plans to separate data centers from the existing moratorium and create a standalone data center moratorium with more detailed restrictions.

WBMA · Alabama

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Doug Jones challenged Republican Tommy Tuberville to debate across Alabama during a town hall, later narrowing his challenge to a single debate on data centers. Jones said he has publicly challenged Tuberville multiple times and his campaign has accepted debate invitations from several organizations.

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama · also at Alabama Political Reporter, Alabama Political Reporter, Alabama Political Reporter

Alabama Democratic Party Chair Bobby Singleton will speak at Andrew Sneed's "Hear Every Voice" town hall Wednesday, August 26, in Decatur. U.S. Representative Dale Strong declined an invitation to participate in the event, which will be moderated by former state Representative Mike Ball.

Alabama Political Reporter · Morgan Co., AL

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama unanimously approved a resolution calling for a comprehensive review of county planning and zoning authority in unincorporated areas, citing concerns about data center regulation and the need for broader land-use solutions rather than industry-specific approaches.

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

The University of Alabama System trustees unanimously approved new rules requiring all tenured professors across its three campuses to undergo performance reviews every five years and prohibiting faculty senates from speaking on behalf of their universities. The changes align with Alabama's new tenure law taking effect October 1, though the system was not required to implement them early.

Yellowhammer News · Jefferson Co., AL

At least 150 Lowndes County residents gathered at a commission meeting to demand transparency about Project Red Clay, a planned 800-acre data center requesting 1,500 megawatts of energy capacity. The resident-organized group Protect Lowndes County submitted a petition signed by about 350 people seeking project documentation, infrastructure impact disclosure, and public information access.

Alabama Reflector · Lowndes Co., AL · also at Yahoo, rocketcitynow.com

A forum on data centers and surveillance technology will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Aug. 27 at Grace Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Tuscaloosa.

Dothan Eagle · Tuscaloosa Co., AL · also at The Tuscaloosa News

Lowndes County residents packed a Monday courthouse meeting to oppose the proposed Project Red Clay data center, citing concerns about water use, noise, farmland and property values. Opponents organized under Protect Lowndes County are seeking more transparency, with the Southern Environmental Law Center filing public records requests about the project's details and negotiations.

WSFA · Lowndes Co., AL · also at WSFA

Lowndes County residents opposed to the proposed Project Red Clay data center voiced concerns at a commission meeting Monday, citing potential impacts on water supplies, agriculture, and quality of life. A county commissioner said the proposal is outside the commission's authority due to lack of planning and zoning laws.

WAKA 8 · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyWSFA · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyRTO Insider · Alabama

Taylor County commissioners held a data center workshop Tuesday to gather information on the industry's potential impacts before deciding whether to impose a moratorium or ban, with no action taken at the meeting.

WCTV · Florida

The Florida Public Service Commission held hearings on Duke Energy's plan to increase residential electricity bills to fund data center energy demand, testing the state's SB484 law intended to protect ratepayers from data center development costs. Consumer advocates oppose the proposal, arguing it would unfairly burden residential and small business customers.

Food & Water Watch · Leon Co., FL

Public sentiment has shifted sharply against data centers as voters express concerns about resource consumption and job losses, forcing Republican candidates across multiple states to reverse earlier support for the facilities despite President Trump's continued backing of the industry.

Time Magazine · Florida

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Miami-Dade Co., FL

Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds selected former state Sen. Bryan Avila as his running mate, citing Avila's authorship of Florida's SB 484 data center law that requires large-scale facilities to cover their own utility costs rather than shifting expenses to ratepayers.

Tech Times · Miami-Dade Co., FL

Palm Beach County commissioners will review a proposed year-long moratorium on large-scale data center developments during a first reading Thursday, following the rejection of Project Tango last month. The moratorium would allow officials time to establish regulations for artificial intelligence data centers, which differ significantly from traditional server facilities.

Sun Sentinel · Florida · also at WPEC, WPEC

Florida utility regulators will hear arguments Tuesday on whether Duke Energy's data center tariff adequately protects residential customers from bearing costs associated with serving large energy-intensive facilities. Consumer advocates argue the proposal fails to ensure data centers pay their full share of infrastructure costs.

WUSF · Florida

Headline onlyLakeland Ledger · Polk Co., FL

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

Marion County residents expressed divided opinions at a workshop about potential data center development, with supporters highlighting economic opportunities while environmentalists warned of impacts to water resources and quality of life. Newly elected commissioners attended but declined to comment, citing Florida's Sunshine Law.

WCJB · Florida

Georgia hosts more than 14,300 technology companies and 165,000 employees across six innovation sectors including artificial intelligence, health tech, data centers, cybersecurity, software development, and fintech. The state has become a national leader in these industries, attracting major investments such as Amazon's $11 billion commitment and positioning itself as a hub for technological advancement.

Atlanta Magazine · Georgia

Georgia Power and OpenAI are expected to finalize a deal Wednesday to provide electricity for a 3.2-gigawatt data center in Effingham County, pending Georgia Public Service Commission approval under a rule requiring 30-day advance notice of data center contracts exceeding 100 megawatts.

thecurrentga.org · Effingham Co., GA

Headline onlyWSAV-TV · Chatham Co., GA · also at Yahoo

Byron officials presented an updated data center ordinance Monday proposing setback distances, noise limits not exceeding 75 decibels, and water usage standards, though dozens of residents opposed the proposal and expressed concerns about insufficient research and community input before a planned September 14 council vote.

WGXA · Georgia

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia · also at The Rome News-Tribune, The Rome News-Tribune

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA

Headline onlyAJC.com · Chatham Co., GA

Headline onlyAJC.com · Georgia

Headline onlyThe Augusta Chronicle · Richmond Co., GA

The New Orleans City Planning Commission delayed its vote on data center regulations to October following public opposition, with a neighborhood group arguing insufficient community input occurred. The commission's draft recommendations would allow small and medium data centers in certain areas while requiring reviews by utility companies and maintaining distance from residential properties.

NOLA.com · Orleans Parish, LA · also at NOLA.com

Headline onlyWGNO · Orleans Parish, LA

SpaceX plans to build a $100 billion launch facility called Starbase in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, on a former Exxon property to support thousands of annual launches. The facility will serve as the main launch site for Starship and is expected to generate 3,000 direct jobs and 8,100 indirect jobs over the next decade.

CNBC · Louisiana

Expion Energy, formerly Expion360, acquired a Louisiana oil and gas prospect for approximately $3.425 million, including 3,000 net acres of leases and mineral rights covering 13,000 acres. The company, with new CEO Kevin Sellers, plans to target natural gas demand from AI data centers and Gulf Coast LNG exports.

Pulse 2.0 · Louisiana

Louisiana has attracted $160 billion in new capital investment over the past two and a half years, with over $81.6 billion from four major AI data centers including Meta's $50 billion Richland Parish project. However, data centers face opposition across the political spectrum due to concerns about elevated electricity bills, water depletion, pollution, and community changes, along with questions about the secrecy surrounding tax incentives worth potentially billions.

American Press · Louisiana

Headline onlyKTBS 3 · Caddo Parish, LA

Headline onlyMississippi Today · Mississippi

A Mississippi family's multigenerational property near Southaven is being displaced by noise from a power plant supporting Elon Musk's SpaceXAI data centers. The plant's noise and air pollution concerns have sparked resident backlash, including a petition with over 1,400 signatures and a lawsuit by the NAACP alleging harmful pollutant emissions.

CBS News · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyCBS News · DeSoto Co., MS

local21news.com · Davidson Co., TN · also at WJAC

Memphis City Council members are considering a one-year moratorium on new data center construction after learning about Elon Musk's SpaceXAI fourth data center project after it was publicly announced. The pause would allow the city to develop regulations addressing environmental impact, noise pollution, and infrastructure strain before approving additional facilities.

Word In Black · Shelby Co., TN

Loudon City Council voted 3-2 Monday to pause new data center zoning for 12 months with an optional extension. The pause follows concerns about data centers' limited economic benefits, excessive electricity use, and noise complaints affecting nearby residents.

WVLT · Tennessee

The Gallatin Planning Commission has recommended the City Council approve a 12-month moratorium on new data centers, citing neighbor concerns about noise and utility impacts and the lack of existing regulations or restrictions on such facilities beyond zoning requirements.

WZTV · Sumner Co., TN

Headline onlyWKRN News 2 · Davidson Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors approved a new wholesale rate structure for data centers, designed to protect residential and manufacturing customers from costs related to growing data center demand in the region.

timesdaily.com · Tennessee

Headline onlyWKRN News 2 · Davidson Co., TN · also at Yahoo, WKRN News 2, AOL.com

Headline onlywtsp.com

Headline onlywtsp.com · also at NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts

Headline onlyWHNT.com

Headline onlyWAFF

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WAFF, WTVY

A proposed data center on over 400 acres in Westover has progressed through multiple zoning approvals since discussions began in May 2024, with the property rezoned to Employment Center-Industrial in February 2025 and purchased by Swift Willow Property in June 2025 for $6.5 million. The City Council recently approved a six-month moratorium on data centers while officials evaluate potential regulations.

WBMA

The Association of County Commissions of Alabama unanimously approved a resolution calling for comprehensive review of county authority over land use in unincorporated areas, amid debate over data center construction and county regulatory power.

1819 News · Alabama

Billboards opposing Project Red Clay, a proposed hyperscale data center in Lowndes County, have been placed along major highways by Protect Lowndes County, a residents group calling for greater transparency about the development by Houston and Seattle-based Cloverleaf Infrastructure.

Yellowhammer News · Lowndes Co., AL

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez held a listening session in Genesee County on the second day of her tour opposing data centers, hearing from residents concerned about a $19.46 billion Stream U.S. Data Centers proposal for the STAMP site in Alabama. Speakers raised environmental, health, and economic concerns, while Gonzalez discussed the Responsible Data Center Development Act, which would establish a moratorium on new data center permits and require facilities to pay full infrastructure costs.

The Batavian · Alabama

Headline onlyAxios · Alabama

Alabama is developing at least 24 data center projects across 12 counties, with investments reportedly exceeding $63 billion when including proposed and under-construction sites. At least 12 facilities are operating, five are under construction, and seven are planned, though many have not disclosed their power and water usage requirements.

AL.com · Alabama

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama

Headline onlyMontgomery Advertiser · Alabama · also at The Tuscaloosa News

Headline onlyGadsden Times · Etowah Co., AL · also at Montgomery Advertiser, The Tuscaloosa News

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds drew criticism after stating that data centers are critical to Florida's future and suggesting the state could build up to four of them on pristine land. Opponents expressed concerns about noise, water usage, and environmental impacts.

The Nerd Stash · Florida

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

Tampa Bay Times · Hillsborough Co., FL · also at Yahoo, Miami Herald

Headline onlyAxios · Florida

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is launching a messaging campaign promoting data centers as economic drivers while countering concerns about their environmental and utility impacts. The effort comes as a University of Pennsylvania survey found 61% of Americans opposed new data center construction in their areas this summer.

The Newnan Times-Herald · Georgia · also at Marietta Daily Journal, mainstreetnews.com, Rough Draft Atlanta

DeKalb County commissioners unanimously rejected a $1.6 billion data center proposal for 95 acres in Ellenwood after months of resident opposition citing water, electricity and property-value concerns. The county lacks a data center zoning category, and a moratorium on new data center applications remains in effect through March 2027.

decaturish.com · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Effingham County officials promoted the proposed 1,400-acre data center project as potentially providing six mills of combined property tax relief beginning in 2026, with additional homestead tax elimination possible if voters approve a referendum in November.

The Georgia Virtue · Effingham Co., GA

Byron's mayor and city council will hold a public forum Monday at 6 p.m. at the Byron Municipal Complex to discuss a proposed data center ordinance that includes rules for potential facilities in the area.

WGXA · Georgia

RUM Group Inc., the company behind Truth Social, signed a $13.7 billion artificial intelligence infrastructure deal with an undisclosed customer to build and operate a data center in Maysville, Georgia. The company acknowledged in an SEC filing it currently lacks the financing to fund the project's requirements.

bizpacreview.com · Georgia

Headline onlyThe Atlanta Voice · Fulton Co., GA

Amazon is expanding its northwest Louisiana data center investment from $12 billion to $18 billion, adding a third campus in Shreveport expected to create up to 750 full-time jobs and support roughly 2,500 additional positions. Questions about how the state allocates data center infrastructure costs remain unresolved despite the company's pledge to fund its own project infrastructure in full.

Environment+Energy Leader · Caddo Parish, LA · also at Environment+Energy Leader

Entergy's proposed multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment tied to Meta's data center has raised concerns among Louisiana residents already facing high electricity costs and an unreliable power grid. The letter urges state leaders to prioritize affordability and reliability for everyday ratepayers before approving expansions benefiting large corporations.

NOLA.com · Louisiana

A social media post by State Rep. Justin J. Pearson raised questions about electricity usage by data centers in Shelby County, noting that large data centers use power from the same grid serving Memphis families. FOX13 previously reported on XAI's utility consumption, which exceeded $22,000 daily in July 2025.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board approved modifications to its wholesale rate structure and endorsed its Integrated Resource Plan to manage growing electricity demand, particularly from data centers, while protecting residential and manufacturing customers from subsidizing those expenses. The plan identifies a need for 11 to 32 gigawatts of additional generation capacity by 2040 to maintain reliability and affordability.

the Electrical Distributor magazine · Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board approved modifications to its wholesale rate structure designed to prevent residential and manufacturing customers from subsidizing data center growth in the region. The Board also approved a long-term resource plan indicating the Valley will need 11 to 32 gigawatts of additional generation capacity by 2040.

the Electrical Distributor magazine · Tennessee

The TVA Board unanimously approved a new rate structure for data centers effective October 1, 2026, phased over three fiscal years. Data centers will face approximately 10% higher rates than standard industrial customers plus surcharges for loads exceeding 5 megawatts, aimed at protecting residential ratepayers across TVA's seven-state territory.

The McKenzie Banner · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis Mayor Paul Young praised a Tennessee Valley Authority decision that increases electricity rates for data centers above residential rates, which previously paid the lowest industrial rate. The TVA also approved a plan to provide power to a SpaceX subsidiary's Memphis facilities.

WREG.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at WREG.com

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Tennessee · also at The Leaf Chronicle | Clarksville, TN

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors approved a new rate class for data centers on Aug. 20, requiring them to pay higher electricity rates starting Oct. 1. Memphis leaders including Mayor Paul Young and MLGW CEO Doug McGowen support the increase.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN · also at Daily Memphian

Headline onlyWKRN News 2

Data center opposition has escalated from local communities to Congress, with lawmakers from both parties citing constituent concerns about energy bills and environmental impacts as they introduce restrictive legislation ahead of elections.

WBMA · also at fox23.com, National Desk, KGAN

Dothan Eagle

Madison County joined four other Arkansas counties in passing a three-year moratorium on data center projects last week. Meanwhile, Fayetteville imposed additional restrictions requiring developers to submit more documentation and use battery storage instead of generators for backup power.

Arkansas Advocate

Westover residents attended a town hall to express concerns about a proposed data center on over 450 acres near U.S. 280. The city council approved a six-month moratorium on data centers to evaluate the industry, though some residents said the pause won't change their opposition to the project.

WKRG · Alabama · also at WKRG

Republican gubernatorial candidate Tommy Tuberville supports data center expansion in Alabama, while Democrat Doug Jones has proposed a possible moratorium and regulations. The op-ed argues data centers threaten jobs through artificial intelligence development, citing widespread use of AI to replace workers in journalism, creative fields, and other industries.

AL.com · Alabama

Volusia County leaders are pursuing a permanent ban on large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas rather than a temporary moratorium. The proposed ordinance must go through planning commission review and two public hearings before the County Council makes a final decision.

Spectrum News 13 · Florida

Rep. Rich McCormick of Georgia argued that construction moratoriums on data centers would be dangerous for U.S. competitiveness against China, saying infrastructure permitting processes need to accelerate alongside AI advancement. Data center electricity consumption is projected to grow from current 5.9% of U.S. power to 20% by 2035.

Crypto Briefing · Georgia

Three large solar projects totaling at least 1,500 acres each have submitted applications in south Georgia counties, with completion expected by late 2028 or 2029. An Athens-Clarke County tag office employee was arrested on forgery, identity fraud and false statement charges related to her work. Cherokee County extended its data center moratorium six months to allow time for developing regulations.

97.5 Glory FM · Georgia

Headline onlyChattanooga Times Free Press · Hamilton Co., TN

Ames Construction is exhibiting at the 2026 Southern Company Technical Conference Tradeshow in Birmingham, Alabama, to showcase its civil and industrial construction capabilities for power, energy, and data center projects. Company representatives will be available at Booth 820 to discuss potential projects and construction requirements.

Construction Owners · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlymynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL

State Sen. Sam Givhan expressed skepticism about a statewide data center moratorium, suggesting local legislation could address concerns instead. Givhan said he hasn't sensed legislative energy for a moratorium and noted the legislature won't convene until February.

1819 News · Madison Co., AL

Dallas-based Applied Digital Corporation is proposing a data center on nearly 1,300 acres in Brookwood, outside Tuscaloosa, after receiving a state environmental permit. Residents are organizing legal opposition and raising funds to fight the project, citing concerns about water consumption, noise, and lack of transparency from city officials.

AL.com · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

A North Port, Florida residents group held a meeting attracting over 160 attendees to organize community input on proposed data centers before City Commission discussions scheduled for August 31. Organizers plan additional sessions to educate residents about potential impacts on electricity demand, water use, and utility costs.

Yahoo · Florida

QTS Data Centers announced a $28.75 million community investment agreement with Blakely and Early County, Georgia for a planned data center development. The company committed to $7.5 million in annual payments for three years beginning December 2026, with ongoing payments of $4.5 million to $12.5 million per operational building annually.

Construction Owners · Georgia

Meta is constructing a $50 billion data center called Hyperion in Louisiana's Richland Parish that will span over 3,000 acres. The project has generated mixed reactions from Loyola students and faculty, with some welcoming promised job opportunities and community investments, while others express environmental concerns about water consumption and pollution despite Meta's proposed closed-circuit cooling system.

loyolamaroon.com · Richland Parish, LA

The Tennessee Valley Authority's board unanimously approved a 10% rate increase for data center customers effective October 2026, phased over three fiscal years. New or expanding data centers requiring over 5 megawatts must pay an additional capacity charge of $1.5 million per megawatt.

AL.com · Shelby Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a rate change for data centers, increasing their electricity costs by about 10% and adding charges for loads exceeding 5 megawatts, though the utility provided limited public explanation of potential impacts on regional utility customers.

WPLN News · Tennessee · also at WKMS

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors introduced new rate changes for data centers designed to prevent subsidies, address rising consumer costs, and ensure companies pay fair rates.

The Paducah Sun · Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority modified its rate structure to prevent data center subsidies and ensure companies pay fair rates, citing consumer concerns about rising utility bills. The new framework includes a data center class rate matching national averages and upfront infrastructure charges for large loads.

WPSD Local 6 · Tennessee

Yellowhammer News · Madison Co., AL

A third national data center developer, Provident Data Centers, owns more than 500 acres in Brookwood through an affiliate company, public records show. This represents the third such developer identified in the corridor, along with Applied Digital and Youngwoo & Associates.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Yellowhammer News · Mobile Co., AL

Headline onlyWHNT.com · Alabama

Developers presented plans for a proposed 124-acre data center project in Westover at a town hall Thursday, projecting 500 to 1,000 construction jobs and 200 permanent positions. The city council approved a six-month moratorium on data centers this week, covering the proposed project.

WBRC · Alabama

Headline onlyState Affairs · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Tampa Bay Times · Hillsborough Co., FL · also at Yahoo, AOL.com

Headline onlyNaples Daily News · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Yahoo

Citizen Action New York held a protest in Binghamton against data centers, citing environmental concerns and health effects on nearby residents. The protesters said Gov. Hochul's one-year moratorium on data centers using 50 megawatts or more does not prevent smaller facilities from being built with similar impacts.

WBNG · Georgia · also at WBNG

The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners will consider a proposed moratorium on data centers during its regular session Tuesday. If approved, the interim moratorium would remain in place while the county develops a data center ordinance for future consideration.

WCTV · Georgia

The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners will consider a temporary moratorium on data center development in unincorporated areas at their meeting Tuesday, Aug. 25. The proposed pause would allow the county to develop comprehensive regulations governing future data center projects.

WALB · Lowndes Co. (GA), GA · also at WALB

Candler County Administrator Bryan Aasheim said the Board of Commissioners has not been approached about a potential data center, has not signed related agreements, and has received no rezoning requests for such a project. Any future commercial development would require zoning compliance, public notices, and open hearings.

WJCL · Georgia

The Legal Defense Fund and Atlanta community groups urged the City Council to reject a proposed data center in the historically Black West End neighborhood, arguing it would concentrate industrial development in a Black community while reducing affordable housing and claiming it may violate fair housing and civil rights laws.

Legal Defense Fund · Fulton Co., GA

A temporary data center power plant in Covington, Georgia began operating with generators before state regulators approved required air permits, prompting a stop-work order and legal challenges from environmental groups and residents in this predominantly Black community.

Word In Black · Georgia · also at New York Amsterdam News

Lowndes County commissioners will consider a temporary moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas during an August 25, 2026 meeting, allowing time to develop a comprehensive data center ordinance.

Valdosta Today · Georgia

Headline onlyFOX 5 Atlanta · Fulton Co., GA

Louisiana is experiencing its largest industrial boom in history, with over $150 billion in corporate investment secured and roughly 16,000 new jobs created in recent years, though some projects face local opposition over environmental and resource consumption concerns.

96.5 KPEL · Louisiana

Meta's Louisiana data center expansion requires an estimated 8 million miles of optical fiber to support its 5-gigawatt capacity, as industry shifts from copper to fiber due to copper's speed limitations. Fiber suppliers including Corning, which secured a $6 billion deal with Meta, are experiencing revenue growth from the surge in demand for AI infrastructure components.

Pluang · Louisiana

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

Amazon Web Services is investing an additional $6 billion in northwest Louisiana data centers, bringing its total planned regional investment to $18 billion and adding a third campus at Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport to support cloud computing and artificial intelligence workloads.

w.media · Caddo Parish, LA

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a new wholesale rate structure effective October 1 to prevent residential and manufacturing customers from subsidizing growing costs associated with data centers and major power users, with data center bills increasing approximately 10% over three fiscal years.

WKDZ · Tennessee · also at WPKY

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Davidson Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority voted to establish a new rate structure for data centers, with an average 10 percent increase above current rates for facilities using more than 5 megawatts of power. The board also updated policies for new power requirements above 100 megawatts to improve system reliability.

Nashville Scene · Davidson Co., TN

The TVA Board of Directors approved modifications to its wholesale rate structure to keep residential rates low while ensuring data centers don't cause residential and manufacturing customers to subsidize their expenses. The board also adopted a long-term resource plan requiring 11 to 32 gigawatts of additional generation capacity by 2040 and approved a budget allocating over $13 billion through fiscal 2029 for reliability and capacity expansion.

TD World · Tennessee

Headline onlyWTVA · Tennessee

Headline onlyWJHL · Tennessee · also at WJHL

Tennessee Valley Authority imposed approximately 10 percent higher power rates on data centers and will charge new developments about $1.5 million per megawatt in upfront capacity commitment fees. The utility removed data centers from its manufacturing service rate class to protect residential customers while meeting growing electricity demand across its service region.

Data Center Dynamics · Tennessee

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved its 2026 Integrated Resource Plan, which includes a rate class for large data center customers and calls for increased gas power plant construction while reducing renewable energy investments in the region.

CleanTechnica · Tennessee

Gregg Township supervisors approved a temporary moratorium on new data center applications Thursday, allowing time to finalize a curative amendment to the township's zoning ordinance.

Marietta Daily Journal · also at NorthcentralPA.com

Data centers have shifted from a political asset to a campaign liability ahead of November's midterm elections, as public opposition to the massive facilities surges over concerns about electricity costs, water consumption and land use. Politicians in both parties are responding to voter backlash, with some candidates reversing previous support for data center development or proposing new restrictions.

WBMA · also at mynbc15.com, KOKH, WBFF

Michigan Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers announced support Thursday for a one-year moratorium on data center construction, citing public concerns about the facilities' environmental and economic impacts. His Democratic opponent Abdul El-Sayed has advocated for strict federal guidelines rather than a full ban.

WBMA · also at kmph.com

timesdaily.com

Headline onlyWBMA · also at local21news.com, The National News Desk

Headline onlyThe Tennessean

Headline onlyShelby County Reporter

Headline onlyDecatur Daily

timesdaily.com

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WAFF, WSFA

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com

Headline onlyWBRC

Headline onlyWBRC

Westover is hosting a town hall Thursday night to discuss a proposed data center along Highway 280. Residents from Westover and neighboring Harpersville have raised concerns about potential air pollution, noise, water contamination, and the facility's water usage, while city leaders note it could generate tax revenue for municipal services and schools.

WBRC · Alabama

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt advocates for local control over data center development in Alabama, rejecting both unlimited expansion and statewide moratoriums while emphasizing protection for utility customers from infrastructure costs.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Yellowhammer News · Montgomery Co., AL

Headline onlymynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL

U.S. Sen. Katie Britt advocates a "nuanced approach" to Alabama data centers, emphasizing local decision-making while balancing national security needs in artificial intelligence competition against individual community interests. Britt supports the Ratepayer Protection Pledge and a bipartisan bill promoting water recycling at data centers.

Alabama Daily News · Alabama

Alabama's data center industry has surged to more than $63 billion in total investment across proposed, under-construction and operating facilities, driven by favorable business conditions and infrastructure. However, residents across the state are increasingly protesting the developments at public meetings and filing lawsuits, citing concerns about water usage, electricity consumption and environmental impacts.

AL.com · Alabama

A Brookwood councilman said Tuesday that Mayor Joe Barger's non-disclosure agreement, signed when joining the industrial development board years ago, relates to general confidentiality requirements and not specifically to a data center project under consideration in the city.

WBRC · Alabama

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL · also at Yahoo, Yahoo

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL

Harpersville's town council approved a six-month moratorium on data centers to study their economic and infrastructure impacts. The town will host informational sessions starting Aug. 31 to examine data center operations and types.

WBRC 6 News · Alabama

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlymynbc15.com · Mobile Co., AL · also at WBMA, fox23.com, National Desk

Southern Alliance for Clean Energy · Florida

Headline onlyState Affairs · Florida

Tampa Bay Times · Hillsborough Co., FL · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyTallahassee Democrat · Leon Co., FL · also at AOL.com

Headline onlyFOX 5 Atlanta · Fulton Co., GA · also at FOX 5 Atlanta

Headline only11Alive.com · Georgia

Georgia is expanding its power grid across Southeast Georgia, including natural gas plants and transmission lines, to support data center development like OpenAI's Project Camellia, which could consume enough electricity to power over 2 million homes. Environmental advocates and residents have raised concerns about air pollution, grid reliability, and ratepayer costs during public hearings on the proposed McIntosh power plant expansion.

Statesboro Herald · Effingham Co., GA

Cherokee County commissioners unanimously extended their data center moratorium by 180 days on Tuesday, more than doubling the initial 30-day pause implemented in July. The extension aims to allow county staff time to research and develop specific regulations for data center development.

WSB-TV · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyLocal 3 News · Walker Co. (GA), GA

Georgia is rapidly expanding its power grid to support a boom in data centers, including OpenAI's Project Camellia in Effingham County, which could require 3.2 gigawatts of power. The expansion involves natural gas plant upgrades and new transmission infrastructure, but residents and environmental advocates worry about air pollution, grid strain, and costs borne by ratepayers if projects don't materialize.

Coastal Courier · Effingham Co., GA

Two public meetings on Project Camellia, a proposed $20 billion data center campus in Rincon, are scheduled for Aug. 26 and 29 in Effingham County. The Aug. 26 information sessions hosted by the Chamber of Commerce will feature Georgia Tech faculty and local officials, while the Aug. 29 county board work session will address infrastructure concerns and community impacts.

Bryan County News · Effingham Co., GA

Headline onlyInvesting.com · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlymarketscreener.com · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyInvesting.com · Fulton Co., GA

QumulusAI announced a seven-year colocation agreement for up to 3.75 MW of data center capacity in metropolitan Atlanta, with a right of first offer for up to 7 MW of additional capacity. The contracted capacity is expected to support up to 2,048 NVIDIA Blackwell B300-class GPUs and be ready for service in Q4 2026.

Business Wire · Fulton Co., GA · also at 01net, Caledonian Record

Investment firm I Squared Capital launched data center company Saragon, backed by up to $1 billion in committed capital and seeded with ten facilities across nine U.S. markets acquired from Cogent. The portfolio spans approximately 53MW of power capacity and 259,000 square feet of colocation space, targeting AI inference, content delivery, and hybrid-cloud workloads.

DCD · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyState Affairs · Louisiana · also at State Affairs

AWS is investing $6 billion in a new data center campus in Louisiana, bringing the company's total planned investment in the state to $18 billion across three campuses as part of Amazon's broader $220 billion capital spending plan focused on AI infrastructure.

crn.com · Louisiana

Major technology companies including Meta, Amazon, and others are investing over $100 billion in Louisiana data centers. These facilities power services used statewide by hospitals, banks, businesses, and individual consumers relying on cloud computing infrastructure.

Pelican Institute · Louisiana

The Public Service Commission voted along party lines to block a judge's order requiring Meta to disclose details about its planned Richland Parish data center, including investment levels, job creation numbers, and electricity usage, after local advocacy groups sought the information.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

The Tennessee Valley Authority's Board approved a new wholesale rate class for data centers on August 20, 2026, designed to recover incremental capacity costs from large data center loads rather than spreading them across general ratepayers. The rate, effective October 1, 2026, includes a Capacity Commitment Charge for new or expanding data center loads above 5 megawatts, with an expected average billing impact of approximately 10% phased in over three fiscal years.

Unite.AI · Shelby Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board approved a new rate structure moving data centers to their own rate class, resulting in an approximately 10% rate increase phased over three years. The agency said the move protects household ratepayers and will require new data centers to pay upfront capacity-commitment charges for grid upgrades.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board approved new power rates targeting data centers to support artificial intelligence development while maintaining costs for households and businesses. TVA officials say the existing rate structure did not adequately account for data centers' operational costs, and the new rates—about 10 percent higher—align with federal protections against raising utility bills for residents and businesses.

WKRN News 2 · Tennessee · also at WKRN News 2

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal · Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority is proposing a new electricity rate for data centers effective October 1, 2026, with an average 10% billing increase phased over three fiscal years. The rate aims to prevent data center costs from shifting to other customers by requiring companies to cover energy, infrastructure upgrades, and capacity commitments.

WTVC · Tennessee · also at WCYB, WCYB

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Shelby Co., TN

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a new wholesale power rate for data centers effective October 1, 2026, estimated to increase their billing by roughly 10% over three fiscal years. The rate change is designed to ensure data centers cover the full cost of electricity and infrastructure they require.

Local 3 News · Tennessee · also at WCLE Mix 104.1

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a new higher wholesale electricity rate for data centers effective October 1, 2026, estimated to increase billing by roughly 10% over three fiscal years, ensuring data centers cover the full cost of power and infrastructure they require.

Local 3 News · Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority Board approved its 2027 budget and Integrated Resource Plan while creating new rate structures to address growing data center demand. The changes aim to ensure data centers cover their full infrastructure costs and protect residential and manufacturing customers from subsidizing those expenses.

WPSD Local 6 · Tennessee

Headline onlyKnoxville News Sentinel · Knox Co., TN

The TVA board of directors approved a new data center rate class during its quarterly business meeting, which includes fees to connect to the electric grid. A TVA spokesperson stated the utility wants to provide sufficient power for all Tennessee Valley residents while prioritizing people's needs.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

TVA's board approved its 2026 Integrated Resource Plan featuring increased methane gas capacity projections and plans to operate aging coal plants through 2039, along with a new rate class for data centers. Environmental groups expressed concerns that the utility plans to meet data center-driven electricity demand primarily through fossil fuel expansion rather than renewable energy.

Appalachian Voices · Tennessee

The Tennessee Valley Authority approved a new rate structure that will increase power costs for data centers by approximately 10% over three years, effective Oct. 1, while keeping rates unchanged for residential and other business customers. The utility also approved SpaceXAI as a directly served customer under the new data center rate.

Chattanooga Times Free Press · Tennessee · also at Decatur Daily

SpaceX's artificial intelligence division has requested that TVA provide direct electricity supply to its Colossus II campus, which is located between Memphis and Southaven.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyState Affairs · Tennessee · also at State Affairs

Fisk University released a white paper detailing how a proposed 100,000-square-foot data center on its campus would benefit students and faculty through research opportunities, internships and access to high-performance computing while addressing environmental and community concerns about the project.

The Tennessee Tribune · Tennessee

Memphis Mayor Paul Young said state troopers plan to remain in the city, helping reduce crime by allowing police to deploy officers in other areas. Young also discussed establishing guardrails for data centers operating in Memphis, including community benefits, full tax payments, and emissions controls.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyKnoxville News Sentinel · Knox Co., TN

WPSD Local 6 · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal

Headline onlyLowndes Signal · also at Lowndes Signal

Headline onlyWBRC

Headline onlystandard-journal.com

Headline onlyLocal 3 News

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyWREG.com · also at WREG.com, Yahoo

Headline onlyWREG.com

Headline onlyWBRC

Headline onlyThe Newark Advocate

A 50-megawatt cryptocurrency mining data center proposed for Somerville, Alabama exploited a state constitutional loophole that prevents unincorporated counties from enforcing zoning laws. Morgan County and the town each passed moratoriums, but lack legal authority to block the project, prompting the town to explore zoning adoption.

TechRadar · Alabama · also at Yahoo

Gubernatorial Democratic candidate Doug Jones met with voters in Dadeville to discuss his positions on rural healthcare, data centers, infrastructure and employment ahead of November's state election.

TPI Media Group · Alabama · also at TPI Media Group

A payroll employee in Jackson County, Alabama, faces 39 theft counts for allegedly skimming money from workers' checks over time, including more than $15,000 from one employee. The suspect was taken into custody with a bail hearing scheduled.

WSFA · Jackson Co. (AL), AL

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville attended a ribbon cutting Tuesday for Auburn University's new $30 million Applied Research Institute laboratory in Huntsville, designed to accelerate defense and space technology development including advanced manufacturing, rapid prototyping and radiation-effects testing for space electronics.

256 Today · Madison Co., AL

Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones and Congressional candidate Shomari Figures addressed voters at Troy University regarding Alabama's data center industry and Democratic prospects in the state. Jones is seeking a rematch against Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, while Figures faces Republican state Representative Rhett Marques for Alabama's newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District.

wsfa.com · Alabama · also at wsfa.com, WTVY

Former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones and Congressional candidate Shomari Figures addressed data center regulation and Democratic competitiveness at a Troy University forum, with Jones emphasizing local regulatory control and Figures noting the district's Democratic performance in recent statewide elections.

WTVY · Alabama

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

A Gallup poll found over 70% of Americans oppose AI data centers near their homes due to noise, resource consumption, and other impacts. The article argues Alabama should strengthen state regulations on water usage and siting while giving local communities authority to approve or reject data center projects.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

A new analysis found that proposed data center developments across Alabama would collectively consume more electricity than all homes in the state combined, raising questions about whether residential customers will face higher power bills. The state Public Service Commission is implementing a new law requiring it to consider whether data center contracts are in the public interest, but experts say meaningful consumer protections depend on how strictly regulators enforce the requirements.

Inside Climate News · Alabama · also at Route Fifty, WBHM

Hartselle football, entering its third season under head coach Bert Newton, must replace nearly 30 seniors and key offensive coordinator Will Lang. The Tigers will compete in Class 5A, Region 7 after moving from Class 6A.

Decatur Daily · Colbert Co., AL

Westover, Alabama unanimously approved a six-month moratorium on data center development after residents expressed concerns about environmental and health impacts. The decision follows failed negotiations with a developer over a proposed 450-acre site.

WBRC · Alabama

An $8 million scholarship program funded by QTS for the planned Bessemer data center will benefit only students graduating from Bessemer City High School between 2027 and 2030, excluding nearby residents whose children attend Jefferson County Schools despite living closest to the development site.

wvtm13.com · Jefferson Co., AL

New attorneys for suspended Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard asked a court Tuesday to delay her trial by four months, citing the complexity of a 120-page complaint with over 70 witnesses. The Judicial Inquiry Commission charged Blanchard with seven ethics violations including delaying commitment hearings and improperly removing attorneys as conservators.

WBRC · Alabama

Republican Byron Donalds proposes transparency tools and regulatory reforms to lower Florida's high property insurance premiums, while Democrat David Jolly advocates removing natural disaster coverage from private markets and having the state assume those costs. On education, Donalds supports school choice and career planning, while Jolly opposes voucher school policies and proposes raising teacher pay by 30 percent.

miamiherald.com · Florida

OpenAI's planned Effingham County data center requiring 3.2 gigawatts of power is spurring Georgia Power to expand the state's power grid, including adding a natural gas unit at the McIntosh Combined Cycle Facility and building 1,000 miles of new transmission lines. Environmental advocates and residents raised concerns at public hearings about air quality, costs to ratepayers, and grid reliability impacts.

Bryan County News · Effingham Co., GA

Headline only11alive.com · Fulton Co., GA

OpenAI plans to build a $20 billion data center campus called Project Camellia in Georgia's Effingham County, requiring 3.2 gigawatts of power from 2028 through 2032, prompting environmental groups to seek stronger protections for electricity customers and greater transparency on power contracts.

CarbonCredits.com · Effingham Co., GA

Flexential secured an $800 million credit facility, upsized 60 percent from its initial $500 million target, to expand data center capacity across the US. The facility will support more than 130MW in new capacity through projects in Atlanta, Portland, Denver and other markets.

DCD · Fulton Co., GA

Qcells' Georgia solar panel factory, which began expanding to full in-house production in June, faces uncertainty from shifting U.S. policy between Biden's tax credit incentives and Trump's tariffs and import restrictions on polysilicon and foreign competitors. Industry experts say domestic solar manufacturing remains economically viable despite policy volatility, though short-term costs and timelines remain uncertain for manufacturers and developers.

Canary Media · Georgia

Federal regulators are considering eliminating the public notice requirement for air permits, which environmental advocates warn could prevent Georgia residents from learning about data centers and other facilities before construction begins. The EPA says the proposal would allow states to decide their own public participation processes rather than eliminate it entirely.

WSB-TV · Georgia

Louisiana's Public Service Commission is overseeing infrastructure projects including 10 new gas plants to power Meta's data centers in Richland Parish. An investigation found an Entergy executive ghostwrote motions filed by commissioners supporting the projects. Louisiana's surgeon general, Dr. Evelyn Griffin, is aligning with the Make America Healthy Again movement and has questioned vaccine safety while advocating for wellness and disease prevention.

WRKF · Louisiana · also at WRKF

Louisiana tax officials are debating depreciation schedules for data center equipment to determine property tax values, with assessors and industry representatives working toward consensus on how quickly different components should lose taxable value for local governments.

WGNO · Louisiana · also at WNTZ-TV FOX 48, KTALnews.com, KTALnews.com

Amazon increased its Louisiana data center investment commitment from $12 billion to approximately $18 billion, building a third campus in Shreveport to secure electricity access ahead of regional grid constraints. The company is self-funding electrical infrastructure upgrades and water systems to avoid regulatory delays while deploying custom chips designed to reduce compute costs.

TradingPedia · Louisiana

Parish Attorney Donna Frazier told Caddo Parish commissioners that a data center moratorium cannot be enacted through a resolution because resolutions lack the force of law under the parish charter. She said the parish must establish a Master Plan and zoning ordinances to legally regulate data center development.

Yahoo · Louisiana

AWS is expanding its Louisiana data center investment to $18 billion across three campuses, with a new $6 billion Shreveport facility expected to create about 210 permanent jobs and 2,250 construction positions once operational.

Data Center Dynamics · Caddo Parish, LA

Amazon is investing an additional $6 billion in northwest Louisiana data center development, bringing its total planned investment to $18 billion. The expansion includes a third campus at Resilient Technology Park in Shreveport and is expected to create 210 direct jobs, with state estimates projecting 499 indirect jobs in the region.

WBRZ · Caddo Parish, LA

Amazon announced an additional $6 billion investment in Louisiana data centers, bringing its total planned commitment to $18 billion across three campuses in northwest Louisiana. The expansion is projected to create 210 direct jobs and 499 indirect jobs, with Amazon coordinating with local utilities to fund required infrastructure improvements.

96.5 KPEL · Caddo Parish, LA

The Madison County Board of Supervisors rejected Amazon's appeal to reduce the valuation of its Canton data centers, upholding the tax assessor's $292 million per-building estimate instead of Amazon's proposed $69 million figure. The decision preserves approximately $5.8 million in expected annual tax revenue for the county.

Mississippi Free Press · Madison Co. (MS), MS

Headline onlyWATE 6 On Your Side · Tennessee · also at WATE 6 On Your Side, yahoo.com, WATE 6 On Your Side

Headline onlyWBIR · Shelby Co., TN

Gov. Bill Lee and his cabinet visited Fisk University for a meeting and tour, presenting the president with a certificate of appreciation. The visit occurs amid ongoing controversy over Fisk's proposed 70,000-square-foot data center as part of its "Quantum Leap" campus redevelopment plan, which has drawn opposition from alumni, students, residents and a state representative citing environmental and resource concerns.

The Tennessee Tribune · Davidson Co., TN

Headline onlyPOLITICO Pro · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis' City Council advanced an ordinance Tuesday that would pause approvals of new data centers while officials review zoning requirements, though it would not affect xAI's existing facilities. The measure was proposed after a council member learned through social media that the company was building a fourth data center.

E&E News by POLITICO · Shelby Co., TN · also at E&E News by POLITICO

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council advanced a first reading of a proposed moratorium on future data center construction. The city currently operates 12 data centers, including two large XAI campuses.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN