Archive

Advancing Data Center Construction East convenes over 1,200 industry professionals in Atlanta this December to discuss challenges including power availability, permitting, workforce development and project delivery for AI-ready data center infrastructure.

datacenterknowledge · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyAlabama Political Reporter · Jackson Co. (AL), AL

Bisnow · Florida

Headline onlyWREG.com · Shelby Co., TN

State Rep. Phillip Rigsby outlined three conditions he believes data centers should meet to operate in Alabama: local community approval, self-sufficiency without burdening ratepayers, and no tax abatements.

1819 News · Madison Co., AL

On November 3rd, voters in nine states will elect 14 officials to state public utility commissions as higher energy bills and data center issues gain prominence. Georgia's PSC is most likely to shift party control, with Democrats seeking majority power, while races in Louisiana, Nebraska, and Arizona could also see competitive contests.

MultiState · Georgia

A Texas-based property rights group launched the Buildout America campaign to defend Ohio landowners' rights to develop their property, including for data centers, as dozens of communities move to block such projects through moratoriums and bans.

Hoodline · Georgia · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution · Georgia

Some Southaven homeowners near SpaceXAI's power plant say the company's buyout offers fall below their homes' market value. One resident reported receiving a $185,000 offer for a house he valued at $225,000, and said he was informed that selling would disqualify him from a proposed class-action lawsuit over noise from the facility.

DeSoto County News · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyMoneyWise.com · Mississippi

Gubernatorial candidates discussed data center policy at a Tennessee Press Association forum, with Democratic nominee Jerri Green, Independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston, and Republican Marsha Blackburn proposing varying approaches to regulating data centers. Rutherford County recommended a 12-month moratorium on data center development in October.

MTSU Sidelines · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge in Mississippi rejected xAI and MZX Tech's motion to dismiss an NAACP Clean Air Act lawsuit challenging gas turbines at a power plant serving the Colossus AI data center, finding the turbines are not exempt "mobile sources" and plaintiffs have legal standing to sue.

iTMunch · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge denied xAI's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the NAACP alleging the company operates turbines without proper permits and violates the Clean Air Act at its Memphis data center campus. The judge ruled the power plant providing electricity to the data center is not mobile and therefore subject to permitting requirements.

Engadget · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWKRN News 2 · Tennessee

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Tennessee · also at Knoxville News Sentinel

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Tennessee

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyBenzinga · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit by the NAACP against xAI can proceed, rejecting the company's arguments that combustion turbines at its Colossus data center near Memphis are exempt from air permits. The NAACP alleges xAI operated at least 35 combustion turbines without proper preconstruction or operating permits.

NewsBytes · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyalabamas42.com · Alabama

Lake County commissioners voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on large-scale data center development through June 2027 while exploring regulatory options. Public hearings on the proposed ordinance are scheduled for November 17 and December 1.

Mid Florida Newspapers · Florida

Wisconsin's artificial intelligence data center industry has expanded rapidly over the past year, bringing billions in investment while sparking debates over energy use, water consumption and farmland preservation. Several major projects have emerged across the state, though some proposals have been halted following community opposition.

The Lakeland Mirror · Polk Co., FL

DeSoto County planners recommended denying a rezoning request for a proposed 238-acre data center citing unanswered questions about the project's power, water, and wastewater needs. County commissioners must still decide whether to advance the 3-F Ranch proposal, which would allow up to 1.8 million square feet of buildings.

The Cool Down · Florida

Data centers have emerged as a prominent midterm issue, with Ohio—home to over 200 data centers—drawing particular attention. Voters in 10 states face 41 ballot measures on rezoning, amending, or banning data centers, with 21 measures across 18 Ohio communities brought by local activists concerned about environmental and lifestyle impacts.

WKRC · Florida

Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds called for permitting reform to reduce housing costs and set education goals including math, reading and writing mastery for graduates. He opposes Medicaid expansion, supports school choice policies, and said he would focus on nuclear power and natural gas for affordable energy while studying environmental concerns like dam removal.

FOX 13 Tampa Bay · Florida

Electricity prices have emerged as a major political issue in U.S. midterms as residential power bills nationwide have risen more than 10% since 2024, with even sharper increases in battleground states like Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. Politicians are backing utility reforms including rate freezes and reduced guaranteed returns, while utilities plan record capital spending and rate increase requests.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser · Georgia

Google is exploring demand-response programs to manage its AI data center power consumption, which surged 37% in 2025. The company has secured approximately 1 gigawatt of demand-response capacity through utility agreements to shift or reduce machine-learning workloads during peak demand periods.

Crypto Briefing · Louisiana

American Press · Richland Parish, LA

Elon Musk announced that two data centers called "Gun Range" and "Spam" are under construction in the Mid-South region and will be operational by November and December, respectively, each housing hundreds of thousands of computer chips.

Action News 5 · Mississippi

A federal judge denied the Trump Justice Department's motion to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the NAACP against xAI under the Clean Air Act, allowing claims to proceed regarding 27 unpermitted turbines near Southaven, Mississippi that allegedly emit over 1,700 tons of nitrogen oxide annually.

Startup Fortune · DeSoto Co., MS

A federal judge denied xAI's motion to dismiss the NAACP's Clean Air Act lawsuit over gas turbines powering the company's Colossus 2 data center in Southaven, rejecting two of the company's main legal defenses and allowing the case to proceed. The NAACP's request for a preliminary injunction to halt turbine operations pending proper permitting remains pending.

DeSoto County News · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyThe Times of India · Mississippi

A federal judge allowed the NAACP's lawsuit against xAI to proceed, ruling the case has legal standing. The suit alleges xAI operated at least 35 combustion turbines at its Memphis-area data center without proper air permits, violating the Clean Air Act.

NewsBytes · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge denied xAI's motion to dismiss an NAACP lawsuit alleging the company operated gas turbines at its Memphis-area Colossus data center without required air permits, violating the Clean Air Act. The judge ruled plaintiffs have statutory standing and the turbines are not exempt mobile sources.

TechCrunch · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge in Mississippi rejected SpaceXAI's motion to dismiss an NAACP lawsuit alleging the company operated gas-fired turbines at its Memphis-area data centers without required air permits, violating the Clean Air Act. The judge found the plaintiffs have legal standing to sue and the turbines do not qualify as exempt mobile sources.

CNBC · Shelby Co., TN

A U.S. District Court in Mississippi denied xAI's motion to dismiss a Clean Air Act lawsuit filed by the NAACP, which alleges the company operates an unpermitted power plant supporting its Colossus 2 data center. The court rejected arguments that citizen suits were unconstitutional and that gas turbines were exempt from permitting requirements.

Earthjustice · Shelby Co., TN

1819 News

lockportjournal.com

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

Democrat Phillip Ensler and Republican John Wahl debated in Huntsville Wednesday, clashing over taxes, data centers, education and residency requirements. Both backed removing the 2% state sales tax on groceries, though they differed on lottery expansion, school vouchers and data center regulation.

Decatur Daily · Madison Co., AL

A judge dismissed a shell company from a lawsuit over a Birmingham data center construction project Wednesday, finding it couldn't be held legally responsible for zoning decisions or construction nuisances. The judge also dismissed three of eight counts against the remaining defendants while keeping residents' primary challenges to the project's permits alive for trial in March.

WBHM · Jefferson Co., AL

Kansas City's City Council will vote Nov. 12 on whether to approve approximately $20 million in tax breaks and $572.5 million in bond authorization for The Constant Company, an AI data center operator in the Northland, a proposal opposed by a local watchdog group citing minimal job creation.

Hoodline · Florida

Headline onlyFox News · Florida

Headline onlyFox News · Florida

Miami-Dade County approved over $3.6 million in incentives for a 75,000-square-foot data center identified as "Project Apollo" in December 2024 without publicly naming the company behind it until after reporting by NBC6. The project, eventually identified as being developed by California-based Metrobloks, involves a $150 million capital investment and is projected for completion in 2026.

The Cool Down · Miami-Dade Co., FL · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyThe Daily Tribune News · Georgia

Georgia-based DC Blox plans to build a data center campus at a former Ford plant site on the eastside, with a proposed $15 million community investment plan contingent on tax incentive approval at the Nov. 2 City-County Council meeting.

Mirror Indy · Georgia

Stan Connally, Southern Company's chief operating officer, will become Georgia Power's new chairman, president and CEO starting Jan. 1, replacing Kim Greene, who moves to lead Southern Company Operations overseeing the company's grid, power plants and infrastructure.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution · Georgia

Two shipments of data center equipment totaling $23 million were stolen this summer after thieves rammed escort vehicles in separate incidents, with cargo bound for Georgia and Texas. The thefts are part of a broader national trend targeting high-value server hardware and components, with U.S. data center freight losses exceeding $100 million.

The Cool Down · Georgia

West Virginia has implemented a certification program to streamline approvals for major data center projects, attracting investments from companies including Nscale and Starwood Digital Ventures, though the state's approach has faced some local opposition.

Crypto Briefing · Louisiana

Governor Jeff Landry and Louisiana Economic Development announced new requirements for data center companies seeking tax breaks, including commitments to prevent increased ratepayer costs, strengthen grid reliability, and invest in local workforces. The exemption program will now be invitation-only for companies making significant long-term commitments to the state.

WBRZ · Louisiana

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced new stipulations for data center tax breaks, including requirements that companies demonstrate commitment to preventing rate increases, strengthening grid reliability, protecting natural resources, and investing in local workforces. Critics argue the framework lacks specific details on job requirements and funding levels needed to qualify for the invitation-only exemption program.

WBRZ · Louisiana · also at WBRZ

Louisiana's administration announced new requirements Thursday for data center developers seeking the state's sales tax exemption, including detailed attestations covering workforce investment, grid reliability, and community contributions. The state will rename data centers "digital factories," and companies must invest at least $200 million between July 2024 and July 2029 while creating at least 50 permanent jobs.

96.5 KPEL · Louisiana

SpaceX is offering to buy 418 homes in Colonial Hills near its Southaven data center, but only to sellers who agree not to join a class-action lawsuit over noise pollution from gas turbines. The mayor said acquired properties would house SpaceX and xAI staff.

NewsBytes · DeSoto Co., MS

Musk's artificial intelligence company is purchasing homes in Southaven, Mississippi, through a subsidiary after residents complained about noise from its nearby power plant and gas turbines. Some purchase offers require homeowners to relinquish legal claims against the company, with property records confirming five neighborhood sales since October 9.

Baller Alert · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyBigGo Finance · Mississippi

Entergy Arkansas filed a request with state regulators to build two battery storage systems costing $550.6 million combined to support Google's expanding West Memphis data center. The 250-megawatt Driver BESS and 100-megawatt Jones Mill BESS are expected to be operational by June 2028.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Shelby Co., TN

Louisiana's governor has rebranded data centers as "digital factories" to address growing public opposition over their water and power consumption, similar to concerns that prompted Texas to issue a moratorium on such facilities. The state also announced a "Ratepayer and Community Protection Framework" requiring companies seeking tax exemptions to make commitments in workforce investment and grid improvements, though specific performance benchmarks remain unclear.

NOLA.com · Sumner Co., TN

Civil rights groups sued Elon Musk's Memphis xAI data centers alleging violations of the Clean Air Act due to emissions from 57 gas turbines. A federal judge ruled the EPA may intervene in the case but cannot unilaterally dismiss it, rejecting the Trump administration's attempt to terminate the litigation.

Above the Law · Shelby Co., TN

Voters across the country will decide data center-related ballot measures in 2026, as rapid expansion of the facilities has become a political flashpoint. Neighbors in Loudoun County, Virginia, where over 200 data centers operate, report noise and air pollution concerns, while officials weigh economic benefits against voter backlash.

wvtm

Alphabet's stock fell nearly 13% this week, erasing $482 billion in market value in what the company says is its steepest one-day percentage decline since 2004, amid investor concerns about returns from artificial intelligence investments and a $9 billion free cash flow deficit from increased data center spending.

WBMA

State Rep. Phillip Ensler, a Democrat, and former Republican Party Chairman John Wahl debated data centers and utility rates in Alabama's first major-party statewide debate since 2010. Ensler proposed a moratorium on new data center construction, citing resident concerns about transparency and rising electricity prices, while Wahl called data centers "a necessary evil" that must be implemented responsibly.

Inside Climate News · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama

Former Mobile City Council member William Carroll was arrested Wednesday on two counts of second-degree making terrorist threats after allegedly making inappropriate and threatening comments toward employees at a Hooters on Oct. 14. According to authorities, Carroll told employees he rapes little girls and kills people, causing one employee to fear for her safety.

WBRC · Mobile Co., AL

Minnesota has about a dozen proposed mega-scale data centers, with only Meta's Rosemount facility under construction. State rules require large electricity customers like data centers to pay all attributable utility costs and repealed exemptions on their electricity use effective 2025.

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder · Lowndes Co., AL

Gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones discussed rising costs and community concerns during a radio interview, addressing issues including utility rates, grocery taxes, minimum wage, healthcare access, and economic development. Jones advocated for reviewing electricity rates, eliminating the state grocery tax, expanding Medicaid, and questioned whether data center expansion would provide adequate long-term employment.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Alabama

Headline onlyAL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Data center development in Alabama has generated billions in private investment and created jobs in communities including Huntsville, Jackson County, and Montgomery, with benefits extending to infrastructure improvements, tax revenue for schools, and skilled employment opportunities. The article argues data centers represent economic opportunity similar to previous automotive and aerospace industry investments in the state.

Alabama Political Reporter · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyMarketplace.org · Alabama

Democratic lieutenant governor nominee Phillip Ensler and Republican nominee John Wahl debated education, affordability and data centers Wednesday night in Huntsville, likely the only debate among state office candidates this election cycle. The candidates disagreed on expanding Medicaid, the CHOOSE Act voucher program, and whether the governor and lieutenant governor should run as a ticket.

Alabama Reflector · Madison Co., AL

Republican gubernatorial nominee Tommy Tuberville released a policy plan addressing data centers, tax reduction, education expansion and government audits, though implementing many proposals may face fiscal constraints and require legislative approval in a state where the governor has limited power relative to the Legislature.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

Two major Alabama gubernatorial candidates—Democrat Doug Jones and Republican Tommy Tuberville—are debating data centers ahead of next week's election, with Jones questioning Tuberville's stock dealings in Alibaba while Tuberville defends the projects. According to the Cleanview website, Alabama has thirteen data centers operating and fifteen more planned, though concerns about water usage and utility rates persist despite recent legislation requiring large facilities to sign energy contracts with state regulators.

APR | Alabama Public Radio · Tuscaloosa Co., AL · also at APR | Alabama Public Radio

Tampa City Council directed staff to stop processing new AI data center applications, advancing a proposal that could reshape how the city regulates the industry. The council has not yet adopted a formal moratorium ordinance and will consider a resolution at its Nov. 5 meeting, with public hearings scheduled for December and January.

Hoodline · Hillsborough Co., FL

Headline onlyNews4JAX · Duval Co., FL · also at Jacksonville Daily Record

Democratic candidate Victor Arias, running in Florida's U.S. District 19, supports a data center moratorium to allow public education on their impacts. Arias emphasized priorities including unity, economic relief, environmental protection, and Social Security in his campaign interview.

Gulf Coast News and Weather · Florida

Tampa City Council approved a motion to halt new artificial intelligence data center applications and develop a temporary moratorium on such facilities. The proposal, introduced by Chair Alan Clendenin, directs staff to prepare regulations and schedule public hearings in December and January.

Florida Politics · Hillsborough Co., FL

Data center companies are requesting massive amounts of electricity from Jacksonville's JEA utility, with one September 2024 inquiry seeking 1,248 megawatts—more power than current infrastructure can support. JEA officials cite supply chain constraints and the need for dedicated substations as obstacles to meeting these demands.

News4JAX · Duval Co., FL

DeSoto County commissioners deadlocked 2-2 on October 27-28, 2026, rejecting rezoning applications for an 825-acre data center campus near Arcadia proposed by DCIP Group. The failed votes prevent the expansion of an already-approved 34.22-acre site, though future revised proposals remain possible.

Construction Review · DeSoto Co. (FL), FL

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Headline onlywtol.com · Florida

Headline onlyWTOL · Florida

Southeast Georgia cities are receiving data center development inquiries following OpenAI's announced $20 billion Effingham County project. Communities across Bulloch, Bryan, Effingham and Liberty counties are implementing moratoriums and developing ordinances to regulate data center development, with concerns about water infrastructure and power grid vulnerability.

Statesboro Herald · Effingham Co., GA

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce held an invitation-only meeting Oct. 20 in Statesboro with southeast Georgia leaders to discuss data center development readiness as part of its Georgia Digital Infrastructure Alliance launched in July. The Chamber is offering communities resources and a Data Center Ready Community Designation program to help them prepare for digital infrastructure projects responsibly.

Statesboro Herald · Effingham Co., GA

Georgia voters will decide two Public Service Commission seats on November 3, 2026, in a race that could reshape how the state handles data center expansion. The election outcome may determine whether Democrats gain their first three-member majority on the five-member board in three decades, with control potentially affecting electricity rates and grid expansion decisions amid a data center pipeline involving more than 100 operational facilities and 119 additional planned projects.

Hoodline · Fulton Co., GA

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mike Collins spoke at a Leesburg campaign event, discussing diesel prices affecting farmers and advocating for local control over data center approvals. Collins also outlined plans to lower costs of living through tax reductions, deregulation, and energy independence.

WALB.com · Georgia

Midterm election results could reshape federal data center regulation, with a Democratic sweep potentially spurring legislation on grid costs and environmental reporting, while gubernatorial races in Texas, Georgia, and Ohio carry particular significance for data center development. Local opposition may relocate rather than halt projects, especially when facilities provide local benefits or self-supply power.

Oxford Economics · Georgia

The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is assisting communities in evaluating their readiness for data center development through its Data Center Ready Community Designation program, which considers factors like available industrial land and transmission capacity to ensure responsible growth.

Coastal Courier · Georgia

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia

Jefferson County has approved a technology zoning ordinance that includes regulations for data centers, joining other CSRA counties in establishing such rules. County commissioners cited economic concerns including workforce decline and rising taxes, though some citizens opposed the measure citing agricultural character and insufficient neighbor protections.

WRDW · Georgia

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced Thursday he will rebrand data centers as "digital factories" and attach new requirements to a sales tax exemption for the facilities, including partnerships with universities and community commitments, as voter sentiment turns against AI data center development.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Richland Parish, LA

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced new requirements for data centers seeking state tax breaks, rebranding the facilities as "digital factories." Companies must now demonstrate commitments to preventing rate increases, strengthening grid reliability, protecting natural resources and investing in local workforces to qualify for the Data Center Sales and Use Tax Exemption program.

WBRZ · Louisiana

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry announced new conditions for a data center tax break and said the state will refer to data centers as "digital factories" as voter sentiment turns against AI buildouts. The economic development agency said data center companies must meet criteria including establishing university partnerships and making long-term community commitments to receive the sales tax exemption.

NOLA.com · Richland Parish, LA

A Louisiana TV station investigated President Trump's claim that residents near Meta's Hyperion data center received $10,000 checks and found no evidence supporting it. Two local residents and the state's economic development agency confirmed no such payments were made, though teachers in the school district received $50,000 bonuses from increased tax revenue.

Reality Tea · Richland Parish, LA · also at AOL.com, Yahoo, Crave Online

Headline onlyLouisiana First News · Louisiana · also at WKRN News 2

Mississippi's state auditor has opened an investigation into Walls following allegations, though the inquiry's subject and any connection to a contentious rezoning dispute remain unclear. The investigation coincides with residents' opposition to a rezoning request for over 1,000 acres of farmland that could potentially accommodate a data center.

Hoodline · Mississippi

xAI is offering to purchase homes in a Mississippi neighborhood near its data centers, with a contractual requirement that sellers agree not to join a lawsuit over noise from gas turbines powering the facility. The company has reportedly targeted 418 homes in Colonial Hills, with residents complaining of persistent, disruptive noise from the power plant.

The American Bazaar · DeSoto Co., MS

NewsOne · DeSoto Co., MS

TVA no longer actively recruits data centers, as companies now voluntarily locate to the region. The utility placed data centers into a new higher rate class in August with approximately 10% higher fees and added special charges to protect other customers from their substantial power demands.

Chattanooga Times Free Press · Tennessee

Headline onlyBlack Agenda Report · Shelby Co., TN · also at Black Agenda Report

The NAACP and Young, Gifted & Green launched "Climate on Your Ballot," an election dashboard tracking 1,727 data centers nationwide, allowing residents to find candidates' positions on environmental issues like data center development, electricity costs, and water usage ahead of November elections.

Mother Jones · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWHNT.com · also at WDHN, Alabama's 42, Alabama's 42

State Senator Sam Givhan served as closing attorney for the city of Huntsville in five property sales totaling roughly 455 acres to Meta Platforms between 2018 and 2022, according to court records. Givhan has since publicly opposed further data center developments in the Tennessee Valley.

Alabama Political Reporter · Madison Co., AL

Helix Electric, a non-union San Diego contractor, broke ground on a $45.3 million fabrication campus in Hollywood, Alabama after evaluating sites in Tennessee and Georgia. The facility will manufacture electrical components and create 160 jobs in its first phase.

Yellowhammer News · Jackson Co. (AL), AL

A lawsuit proceeded against Lowndes County Commission over allegations it violated the Open Meetings Act by approving a data center project outside the official agenda. The hearing was continued to December 2 to allow both sides additional time to prepare evidence and expert witnesses.

WSFA · Lowndes Co., AL

Lake County commissioners extended the county's data center moratorium through June 2027, temporarily pausing development while officials develop local regulations. The extension carries the moratorium beyond the next legislative session in Tallahassee and reflects majority commission support for the temporary pause rather than a permanent ban.

WFTV · Leon Co., FL

Martin County commissioners voted 4-0 to approve a temporary moratorium on large-scale AI data centers, citing resident concerns about a proposed facility's proximity to homes and schools and the need for further study of environmental effects. The one-year ban will not apply to a pending request submitted before an earlier vote.

1290 WJNO · Florida · also at WIOD, Real Radio 92.1, BIG 105.9

Florida voters across party lines express growing concerns about data centers, citing noise, higher utility bills, and resource consumption. The issue has become central to multiple state races, with candidates debating local control and transparency around the estimated 170 data centers operating in the state.

WSVN · Florida

DeSoto County commissioners deadlocked 2-2 on rezoning nearly 238 acres for an artificial intelligence data center near Arcadia, killing that portion of the proposal. A second hearing on an additional 553 acres is scheduled for Wednesday.

WINK News · DeSoto Co. (FL), FL

Two Democratic candidates for Georgia's Public Service Commission have pledged to hold Georgia Power more accountable and ensure data centers' costs aren't passed to residential customers, potentially reshaping the state's regulatory approach to the data center industry's rapid expansion.

Bisnow · Georgia

Southeast Georgia cities and counties are implementing data center moratoriums and developing stricter ordinances to manage growth anticipated after OpenAI's announced 1,400-acre Effingham County campus, citing concerns about water infrastructure and power grid vulnerability in a region previously considered unsuitable for such facilities.

Bryan County News · Effingham Co., GA

Headline only13WMAZ · Georgia

Headline only13WMAZ · Georgia

Savannah is seeking public input on proposed zoning regulations for data centers, which would define the land use and establish development standards addressing location, proximity to sensitive areas, and management of noise, water and electricity. The city aims to present the ordinance to City Council with adoption recommended for January 2027.

WJCL · Chatham Co., GA

Oracle announced it will provide access to Google's custom TPUs, becoming the first hyperscaler to offer the chips outside Google Cloud Platform. The company is also partnering with specialized chip makers like Cerebras and SambaNova, and storage providers like Vast Data and WEKA, to offer customers greater flexibility as AI compute demand exceeds current supply.

DCD · Georgia

Georgia is developing 120 data center projects planned or under construction, with major proposals including OpenAI's Project Camellia near Rincon at 3,210 megawatts and the Bridgeport campus near Moreland at 1,500 megawatts. Metro Atlanta dominates activity, with Fulton County leading at 74 existing facilities and proposed projects.

mainstreetnews.com · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution · Georgia

A proposed 542-acre data center campus near Eatonton in Putnam County would include up to 11 buildings consuming 520 megawatts of power, with a $3.5 billion estimated value and 2031 anticipated completion. The project faces a county moratorium on data center permits extended through November 2026 and requires local zoning approvals.

Construction Review · Georgia

Columbia County chair candidates Cambrey Wood and Alison Couch discussed data centers, traffic and growth at a library forum. Both prioritized public safety funding and slower residential growth, though they differed on data center development and approaches to managing county expansion.

WRDW · Columbia Co. (GA), GA

President Trump claimed residents near a Louisiana data center received $10,000 checks, but a New Orleans TV station found no evidence of such payments. Louisiana's economic development agency and local residents were unaware of any checks, though the state did provide $50,000 teacher bonuses funded by construction-related sales tax revenue.

The Daily Beast · Louisiana

Two Shreveport officials—City Council member James Green and Caddo Parish Commissioner John Atkins—are competing in a Nov. 3 election for the Louisiana Public Service Commission's 5th District seat, which oversees utility regulation across 24 parishes and serves as home to major data center developments including Meta's $50 billion facility and Amazon's $16 billion investment.

The Hayride · Caddo Parish, LA · also at AOL.com, Yahoo, The Center Square

President Trump claimed Louisiana residents near a data center each received $10,000 checks, but Louisiana Economic Development and residents told WWL-TV in New Orleans no such payments were made. Wagner noted bonuses of up to $50,000 were paid to local teachers from sales tax revenue, not residents.

Raw Story · Louisiana

Public service commissions in Louisiana and Georgia will hold midterm elections for seats that could determine data center development policy. Democrats winning control of these commissions for the first time in decades could impose stricter oversight of data center projects and their energy infrastructure requirements.

The American Prospect · Louisiana

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White confirmed his office has begun investigating the Town of Walls, though specific details about the probe and what prompted it remain unclear.

Daily Memphian · Mississippi

Mississippi State Auditor Shad White's office opened an investigation into the town of Walls amid contentious local debate over rezoning and a potential data center development. Few details have been released, and no findings of wrongdoing have been made.

DeSoto County News · Mississippi

SpaceX AI subsidiary MZX Tech LLC faces potential penalties up to $6.1 million from Mississippi regulators over alleged construction permit violations at three data center facilities, with the company reportedly cooperating on a possible settlement. The state also alleges the company constructed gas turbines without required environmental permits at its Southaven facility.

TechRadar · Mississippi

Headline onlyMississippi Today · Hinds Co., MS

xAI subsidiary MZX is offering to purchase homes in Southaven, Mississippi, requiring owners to waive potential legal claims related to lawsuits over the company's data center and power plant facility before the sale can close.

UA.NEWS · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyForbes · Mississippi

xAI is offering to purchase hundreds of homes near its Southaven, Mississippi data center, requiring buyers to sign release agreements that prevent them from pursuing damages in a pending class action lawsuit over plant noise allegations.

Crypto Briefing · DeSoto Co., MS

A subsidiary of Elon Musk's xAI is offering to purchase homes in Southaven, Mississippi, on the condition that residents release claims related to a lawsuit against the company's nearby data center and power plant. The offer reportedly affects around 418 homes, with some renters already being displaced after landlords agreed to sell.

The Verge · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyTraders Union · Mississippi

Real estate agents in Southaven, Mississippi, representing Elon Musk's xAI have offered to purchase homes with a condition that owners not join a lawsuit against the company over noise from its nearby power plant and datacenters. A realtor stated the company targets purchasing 418 homes in the Colonial Hills neighborhood, with 18 homeowners already agreeing to sell.

The Guardian · DeSoto Co., MS

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga held a panel with data center experts to discuss development and impacts on communities. Panelists explained how data centers operate and their energy consumption, with TVA official Jared Mitchum noting that most TVA-served data centers are crypto mining facilities, while Jackson County official Nathan Lee highlighted positive economic effects from Google's data center in his county.

Local 3 News · Hamilton Co., TN

The NAACP sued xAI in 2025, alleging the company violated the Clean Air Act by building a methane gas plant near its South Memphis data center in a predominantly Black area already experiencing air pollution from industrial facilities. The lawsuit remains ongoing as communities nationwide challenge data center projects affecting vulnerable residents.

Yale Climate Connections · Shelby Co., TN

Three candidates—Democrat Jerri Green and independents David Hatley and Lauren Pinkston—discussed affordability, rural healthcare, education funding and data centers at a gubernatorial forum hosted by Middle Tennessee State University and the Tennessee Press Association. Republican frontrunner Sen. Marsha Blackburn declined to participate, instead hosting a simultaneous campaign rally.

Nashville Banner · Tennessee

Headline onlyThe Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Tennessee

Three of four major Tennessee gubernatorial candidates answered questions at a forum one week before the 2026 election on topics including school vouchers, data centers, and toll lanes. Republican nominee U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn declined to participate, continuing a pattern of GOP candidates avoiding debates in the state.

Tennessee Lookout · Tennessee

Oregon's Department of Transportation has placed at least 20 fiber-optic permit applications on hold following Gov. Tina Kotek's September directive pausing data center approvals on state lands, as officials determine whether the broadband projects have connections to data centers.

The Corvallis Advocate

Headline onlyWWLTV.com

Headline onlyThe Newark Advocate · also at Lexington Herald Leader

Helix Electric broke ground Tuesday on a $45.3 million advanced fabrication campus in Jackson County's Hollywood area, expected to create 160 jobs in its first phase manufacturing prefabricated electrical components. The California-based company cited proximity to the Kevin Dukes Career and Innovation Academy's workforce training programs as a factor in selecting the location.

Alabama Political Reporter

Headline onlywtsp.com

The Trinity Town Council postponed a rezoning decision Monday on 184.12 acres after more than 50 residents voiced concerns about potential industrial development, including a possible data center, near their neighborhoods. The council tabled the ordinances until Nov. 9 to research possible restrictions on future development.

Decatur Daily

Decatur Daily

Headline onlyWJBF · also at Yahoo, Yahoo

Headline onlyWSAV-TV

Headline onlyFOX 5 Atlanta · also at FOX 5 Atlanta

QTS Datacenter Project Marvel in Bessemer is expected to take five to seven years to complete and generate over $1 billion in tax revenue over 20 years, according to company estimates. The project is not receiving local, county, or state incentives and could support approximately 5,000 construction jobs at peak activity.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL · also at WBMA

Irondale is developing an ordinance to regulate data centers as a precaution, according to Mayor James D. Stewart Jr., who emphasized the city is not actively recruiting such facilities. The proposed regulations address power and water usage, noise protections, and require developers to present plans to council before adoption, with a vote scheduled for December 15.

WBRC · Alabama

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

Trinity's Town Council delayed a vote Monday on a proposal to rezone nearly 184 acres for light and heavy industrial use after more than 50 residents spoke against the plan, citing concerns about impacts to nearby neighborhoods. The council will revisit the rezoning request at its November 9 meeting.

WAFF · Alabama

Martin County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on large-scale data center applications to allow time for environmental studies and development of future regulations. The decision comes as an applicant seeks approval for the Florida Gateway Project, a 100-megawatt data center on Kanner Highway.

WPBF · Florida

R Street Institute · Florida

The Venice City Council adopted a 12-month moratorium on large-scale data center applications and permits, effective immediately, to allow staff time to review impacts on utilities, water supply and environmental concerns including wetlands and coastal ecosystems. The moratorium covers comprehensive plan amendments, rezoning, conditional uses and related applications.

ABC7 WWSB · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Yahoo, Miami Herald

Martin County commissioners voted unanimously to temporarily halt new applications for large data centers in unincorporated areas for one year, giving officials time to develop regulations addressing concerns about electricity consumption and environmental impacts.

WPEC · Florida · also at WPEC

A University of North Florida poll found 61 percent of likely Florida voters prioritize environmental protection over economic growth. The finding is shaping Florida's U.S. Senate race between Republican incumbent Ashley Moody and Democrat Angie Nixon, with disputes over data centers, power bills and hurricane recovery emerging as key issues.

Inside Climate News · Florida · also at WUSF

Martin County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on data center development Tuesday, the second reading of the measure. The pause allows county leaders to evaluate future data center projects, though a pending hyperscale data center application submitted before the moratorium is exempt.

WPTV · Florida

With one week until Florida's gubernatorial election, Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly remain in a surprisingly competitive race despite Republicans' 1.5 million voter registration advantage. The candidates have failed to arrange debates despite mutual agreement in August, with Donalds criticizing Jolly for avoiding the stage and Jolly questioning the point of debating what he calls a "liar."

The Miami Times · Florida

Headline onlyFOX One · Miami-Dade Co., FL

DeSoto County commissioners will vote Tuesday on a rezoning proposal for a 238-acre data center with up to 1.8 million square feet of buildings. The planning commission recommended denial in October, citing insufficient details and concerns from neighbors about water and power usage, noise, and compatibility with county growth plans.

WINK News · Florida

Nassau County released a draft report on data center regulations as residents at a public workshop urged stricter oversight, with some calling for an outright ban. County officials acknowledged concerns about water use and power demand while a county attorney cautioned that a complete ban could face legal challenges.

News4JAX · Florida

Democratic gubernatorial nominees in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Texas have called for data center moratoriums ahead of November elections, while some Republican candidates in those states and others have proposed pauses or conditional restrictions. Industry groups oppose moratoriums, arguing they signal states are closed for business.

BizPac Review · Florida

Georgia Power faces surging demand from data centers, which the utility says its contracts and regulatory oversight protect customers from funding. The company evaluates whether developers can cover infrastructure costs and considers community receptiveness before entering agreements.

WABE · Georgia

A Georgia resident arrested for criminal trespass after speaking at a Brantley County commission meeting in July faces court Wednesday to contest charges she says are politically motivated. Tomanek was removed from the meeting for refusing to sit down during her five-minute public comment about data center development and used profanities, according to officials.

WABE · Georgia

Eatonton 379, LLC filed a Development of Regional Impact application for a data center project featuring up to 11 buildings totaling 3.5 million square feet with 520MW capacity on a 542-acre greenfield site in Putnam County near Eatonton.

Data Center Dynamics · Georgia

OpenAI has applied for a federal permit to fill 72 acres of wetlands for a data center facility in Effingham County, Texas, prompting environmental concerns about potential flooding and ecosystem damage. The Army Corps of Engineers will decide on the permit application, which is open for public comment until November 4.

DCD · Effingham Co., GA · also at Data Center Dynamics

Organized criminals have increasingly targeted shipments of server equipment bound for data centers, including a June theft of $13 million in gear destined for Georgia's Fayetteville region. Thieves use deception tactics like forged documentation to intercept trailers in transit, exploiting a security gap between fortified facilities and vulnerable highway routes.

news.lavx.hu · Fayette Co., GA

Thieves are stealing shipments of AI data center equipment in transit, with reported losses exceeding $100 million since June 2026, according to NBC reporting. Investigators say some thefts involve deliberately ramming escort vehicles and manipulating GPS trackers to access high-value server components.

Futurism · Fayette Co., GA

Headline onlyWWLTV.com · Louisiana · also at WWLTV.com, NewsBreak: Local News & Alerts

Headline onlyWWLTV.com · Louisiana

Nondisclosure agreements used in Louisiana economic development negotiations have become a campaign issue ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections, with Democrat Jamie Davis opposing them in his U.S. Senate race against Republican Julia Letlow, who signed an NDA with Meta before purchasing the company's stock.

WWNO · Orleans Parish, LA

Ascension Parish officials approved a 90-day moratorium on data center development, delaying a council vote on proposed regulations. The moratorium allows officials time to finalize guidelines before the ordinance returns for consideration in January, as residents voice concerns about environmental and quality-of-life impacts.

The Advocate · Louisiana · also at The Advocate

The Reveille, LSU's student newspaper · Louisiana

Headline onlyKTVE – myarklamiss.com – Your ArkLaMiss News Source · Richland Parish, LA · also at KTVE – myarklamiss.com – Your ArkLaMiss News Source, KTVE – myarklamiss.com – Your ArkLaMiss News Source

Mississippi environmental regulators are seeking approximately $6.1 million in penalties from MZX Tech, SpaceXAI's parent company, for allegedly disturbing land at three Southaven sites without obtaining required stormwater permits. The company is cooperating with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and discussing settlement through an agreed order.

DeSoto County News · DeSoto Co., MS

Tougaloo College students and alumni held a community training event to address data center development in Mississippi, framing it as a civil rights issue affecting marginalized communities. Speakers raised concerns about environmental risks, air pollution, and the siting of hyperscale data centers in majority-Black areas already facing economic disadvantage and infrastructure challenges.

the mississippi independent · Hinds Co., MS

The Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative unveiled evaluation tools to help river communities assess data center proposals, addressing concerns about water use, utility impacts, costs and economic benefits as AI infrastructure investment accelerates across the Midwest and South.

Finance & Commerce · Mississippi

The NAACP and Young, Gifted & Green launched "Climate on Your Ballot," an election dashboard tracking 1,727 data centers nationwide to help residents find candidates' positions on environmental issues affecting their communities. The tool allows users to explore data centers near their homes and request answers from candidates about concerns including electricity costs, water usage, and pollution risks.

Capital B News · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo

The Shelby County Board of Commissioners deferred voting on two data center-related ordinances Monday, following Memphis City Council's passage of a 135-day pause on new data center approvals. Commissioners cited a need for additional time to gather community and expert feedback on proposals addressing resource costs and a potential moratorium.

Memphis Flyer · Shelby Co., TN

The NAACP launched an electoral tracker dashboard allowing voters to examine nearly 2,800 data center projects nationwide and view candidate responses on environmental impacts. The tool helps voters in 17 states assess candidates' stances on data center development and related environmental issues affecting their communities.

Word In Black · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis city council held a public listening session on proposed data center regulations, with most speakers supporting new rules while others urged higher community benefit payments. Council members said requiring increased payments would need state-level action to avoid legal challenges.

Action News 5 · Tennessee

Walker County's data center study committee completed its review of a draft ordinance on October 22, recommending restrictions including prohibitions in historic districts and wetlands, mandatory decommissioning bonds, generator testing limits, and requirements for closed-loop cooling systems and industrial park locations.

Local 3 News

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

Headline onlyWKRG

Headline onlywtsp.com

Headline onlyWBRC · also at WBRC

All three candidates in Arkansas's U.S. Senate race support giving local residents a vote on data center construction. They diverge on AI regulation: Democrat Hallie Shoffner backs a federal oversight agency, Republican Tom Cotton opposes "big government bureaucracy," and Libertarian Jeff Wadlin supports monitoring with industry oversight.

Arkansas Advocate

Headline onlywtsp.com

River Falls City Council will not approve any data center proposals until the city updates its ordinances, an approach council member Sean Downing termed a "silent moratorium." The decision came after residents packed a city council meeting to oppose a potential hyperscale AI data center over environmental and quality-of-life concerns.

www.riverfallsjournal.com

Northern Virginia residents and midterm candidates are opposing new AI data centers in their communities, citing environmental concerns. Loudoun County, already hosting over 250 data centers, is working to monitor their environmental impact while lawmakers propose pollution restrictions.

WKMG

Headline onlyThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL

Democratic gubernatorial nominees in Florida, Georgia, Ohio and Texas have called for data center moratoriums ahead of the November election, while some Republican candidates in those states and others have proposed their own pauses. Industry groups and energy advocates argue moratoriums send a negative message to businesses, while some Democratic nominees in Minnesota and Wisconsin have stopped short of supporting one.

The Daily Caller · Florida

Miami-Dade County approved incentives in December 2024 for "Project Apollo," a 75,000-square-foot data center in District 12 expected to create 27 jobs and generate nearly $6 million in property tax revenue over 10 years. The project's developer, California-based Metrobloks, was not initially identified in county records, and nearby residents said they received no notice of the planned facility.

NBC 6 South Florida · Miami-Dade Co., FL

Gadget Review · Florida · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyNaples Daily News · Florida · also at Naples Daily News

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA

Trump has shifted his messaging on data centers at campaign rallies, instead focusing on personal physical descriptions of political figures. At recent rallies, he has promoted localized compensation models for data centers while spending significant time discussing the physiques of various politicians and public figures, a pattern that has overshadowed his policy pitch to voters concerned about rising utility costs.

Roll Call · Georgia

Meta's decision to build a major data center in rural Richland Parish has dramatically increased land prices and sparked lawsuits from sellers who allege they were underinformed about the project. Land previously worth thousands of dollars per acre now commands $40,000 or more, prompting some sellers to invoke Louisiana's unique "lesion beyond moiety" law to rescind their sales.

The Shreveport-Bossier City Advocate · Richland Parish, LA · also at NOLA.com

Americans frustrated by rising prices are casting midterm ballots with expectations that Congress can provide relief, though most inflation drivers—including global oil prices, presidential tariff policies, and artificial intelligence investments—remain largely outside lawmakers' control. A Democratic congressional majority would face significant obstacles in reversing Trump administration economic policies without presidential cooperation.

NBC 15 WPMI · Mississippi

ABC 6 interviewed Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy about property taxes, income tax, Medicaid fraud, and data centers. Ramaswamy pledged to slash property taxes immediately by resetting them to pre-pandemic levels and said he would begin phasing out the income tax through measures like eliminating capital gains tax in 2027.

WSYX · Mississippi

Dictionary.com named "maxxing," internet slang for maximizing or optimizing something, its 2026 Word of the Year, citing the term's expansion across conversations about self-improvement, AI, fitness and daily life. Other shortlisted words included "affordability," "data center," "odyssey" and "unc."

WOAI · Mississippi

Headline onlySt. Cloud Times · Mississippi · also at New Orleans CityBusiness

Tennessee gubernatorial candidates have competing proposals for managing the state's roughly 60 operational data centers and 15-20 proposed facilities. While Independent candidates call for moratoriums and Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn emphasizes local community decision-making with ratepayer protections, Democratic candidate Jerri Green sponsors a Memphis moratorium until regulations catch up with the technology.

WSMV · Tennessee

Headline onlyWREG.com · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council approved a 135-day moratorium on data center development after an 18-month proposal failed, disappointing residents and advocates who say the shortened pause inadequately protects predominantly Black neighborhoods from environmental hazards associated with AI expansion.

Word In Black · Shelby Co., TN · also at America's Black Holocaust Museum

Headline onlyRealtor.com · Shelby Co., TN

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

Headline onlyWKNO FM · Shelby Co., TN

Residents gathered outside Memphis City Hall on October 20th to demand a pause on data center development. The city council passed a 135-day moratorium on data center development and a resolution calling for the removal of ICE and the National Guard from Memphis.

Memphis Flyer · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyEBONY Magazine · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal

Headline onlyWWLTV.com · also at WWLTV.com

Headline onlyWREG.com

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

Headline onlyAL.com · Madison Co., AL

Three central Alabama restaurants—Locanda Rosato, Austin Whereabouts in Bessemer, and Little Betty Steak Bar in Mountain Brook—have been recognized by the Michelin Guide, which announced the additions Wednesday. Locanda Rosato, which opened nine months ago, specializes in slow-cooked preparations.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyFlorida Politics · Florida

A Talbot County judge voided a zoning amendment adopted July 6, 2026, that would have permitted data centers and hyperscale data centers in agricultural and forestry districts, finding the county failed to follow required procedures including proper notice and public hearings.

Now Georgia · Georgia

AI data center tenants are demanding over $5 million in daily penalties for late power and facility delivery, up from approximately $1 million earlier this year, as only 50-60% of scheduled U.S. data-center capacity is expected to come online as planned due to power constraints, permitting issues, equipment shortages, and construction delays.

Crypto Briefing · Louisiana

Google cleared 250,000 trees for a data center construction project in Finland, prompting Finnish authorities to halt the project pending environmental assessments and raising questions about the company's compliance with local environmental laws.

Crypto Briefing · Louisiana

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

JoCo Report · Dallas Co., AL

Irondale is developing a zoning ordinance to regulate potential data center operations despite no current proposals, establishing a conditional-use approval process requiring City Council review before any such development could proceed. The proposal addresses community concerns while the city pursues broader economic development goals.

WBMA · Alabama · also at WBMA

A Cherokee County man was arrested at his home after an internet crimes investigation revealed active Georgia warrants for child sex crimes. He faces seven counts of possession with intent to disseminate child sexual abuse material in Alabama, with additional charges possible.

WBRC · Cherokee Co. (GA), GA

Silk Cloud, a Georgia-based cloud company, plans to deploy Nvidia Blackwell Ultra GPUs through HPE systems at its data centers, targeting a 2027 launch pending permits. Separately, UK-based Fuse Energy announced its "Fuse Compute" offering, with 128 Nvidia GPUs coming online in December 2026.

Data Center Dynamics · Georgia

Data centers have become a central issue in Georgia's midterm elections, with candidates across statewide races facing scrutiny over their financial stakes in projects. Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms criticized Republican nominee Rick Jackson for his investment in a Texas data center, while state Sen. Brian Strickland withdrew a proposed $1.2 billion data center project on his family's farmland after launching his bid for state attorney general.

Griffin Daily News · Fulton Co., GA

Fox News · Louisiana

SpaceXAI faces up to $6.1 million in civil penalties from Mississippi's Department of Environmental Quality for constructing data centers without proper stormwater permits. The company also faces a lawsuit from the NAACP alleging it violated federal law by operating a gas-fired power plant in Southaven, Mississippi without required permits.

Data Center Dynamics · Mississippi

Headline onlyChattanooga Times Free Press · Hamilton Co., TN

A 25-year-old Spring Garden man was arrested after Cherokee County investigators identified him as a suspect in a child sexual abuse material investigation. Jacob Wheeler faces seven counts of possession with intent to disseminate child sexual abuse material, and investigators say additional charges may be filed.

WBMA

The International Atomic Energy Agency head said nuclear power use could more than triple by 2060, driven by electrification, artificial intelligence data centers, and demand for reliable carbon-free energy. Currently, over 400 reactors in more than 30 countries produce 10% of global electricity, with more than 60 new reactors under construction.

wvtm

A lawsuit filed Sunday claims the Lowndes County Commission violated the Alabama Open Meetings Act when it approved Project Red Clay, a 2,200-acre data center that would be Alabama's largest, and authorized a $1.15 billion tax break for the facility.

Black Belt News Network · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyGovTech · Jefferson Co., AL

Alabama's Public Service Commission approved new data center rules requiring unredacted contracts to be submitted to state agencies for 90-day review, with redacted versions released publicly. Critics argue the rules lack sufficient transparency, as key cost and rate-impact information remains confidential, and a "deemed approval" provision could allow contracts to pass without public commission votes.

Inside Climate News · Alabama

The Lowndes County Commission approved a 20-year, $1.1 billion tax abatement for Project Red Clay, an 800-acre data center near a historic civil rights landmark, despite opposition from predominantly Black residents concerned about environmental impacts and lack of community input.

Word In Black · Dallas Co., AL

Irondale's Planning and Zoning Commission voted Thursday to recommend a data center ordinance to the City Council, which will likely vote in December. The proposed rules would define data center types and set requirements for cooling systems, noise limits under 50 decibels, and residential setbacks.

WBMA · Alabama

Dothan Eagle · Alabama

Governor-elect Tommy Tuberville outlined his first-day agenda, including an audit of state agencies with public results and prioritizing Interstate 65 widening. He also pledged to end data-center tax breaks, ensuring no families or small businesses pay more due to data centers.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Be Pro Be Proud's 10th Anniversary Tour visited the Alabama National Fair on its closing day, offering Montgomery-area students and families hands-on exploration of skilled trades careers through a mobile tractor-trailer equipped with virtual reality simulators and interactive stations covering welding, HVAC, electrical work, heavy equipment and advanced manufacturing.

Alabama Political Reporter · Montgomery Co., AL

Alabama Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones campaigned in Eufaula, emphasizing rural concerns including affordable farming markets, expanded Medicaid for health care, and a one-year data center moratorium to establish guardrails and eliminate tax abatements before further development.

WTVM.com · Alabama

Trinity residents are opposing a proposal to rezone nearly 184 acres for industrial development, citing concerns about potential chemical plants, noise and pollution. Property owners seek general and heavy industrial zoning but revised the plan to move heavy industrial use farther from homes and add a 50-foot buffer after community pushback.

WAFF · Alabama

Headline onlyNBC 6 South Florida · Miami-Dade Co., FL · also at NBC 6 South Florida

Palm Beach County commissioners voted against hiring a $225,000 consulting firm to advise on data center impacts including noise, electricity use and water consumption. The decision came after residents criticized the proposal, with some commissioners suggesting a resident task force as an alternative.

WIOD · Florida · also at NewsRadio WFLA

Florida PSC staff recommended denying Duke Energy's data center proposal, citing concerns that it would shift costs to residential and small business customers rather than ensuring data centers bear their own service costs as required by state law. The Office of Public Counsel also opposed the proposal, while competitor Tampa Electric filed a compliant large load tariff proposal.

Food & Water Watch · Leon Co., FL

Several states have addressed data center regulation differently. South Dakota prohibited state regulation of local data center authority, while Virginia requires impact studies submitted to localities. West Virginia limited local authority by prohibiting localities from regulating data centers, prompting unsuccessful pushback from local leaders.

MultiState · Florida

AssetBuilt is inviting data center developers, manufacturers and investors to review industrial properties and equipment opportunities in Florida, Georgia, California and Ohio, including a multi-building campus in Florida, a manufacturing complex in Georgia, an industrial property in Central Los Angeles, and stamping press equipment and facility leasing in Ohio.

The Manila Times · Florida · also at GlobeNewswire

Headline onlyCoStar · Floyd Co., GA

Georgia Power is expanding the state's electrical grid to accommodate anticipated hyperscale data centers, but customers worry about cost increases if the industry falters. The Georgia Public Service Commission, whose five elected members regulate utility rates, will play a crucial role in determining whether ratepayers bear infrastructure costs for data centers.

Georgia Public Broadcasting · Georgia

Georgia Public Service Commission Commissioner Peter Hubbard discusses managing the state's rapid electricity demand growth driven by data center development, emphasizing the need for rigorous utility oversight to ensure large users pay their fair share of infrastructure costs and residential customers are protected from disproportionate rate increases.

TD World · Georgia

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia

TerraWatt proposes converting a 381-acre former steel mill in Alton, Illinois into a gigawatt-scale data center developed in 200MW blocks. The project, contingent on city approval and rezoning, would begin demolition in 2027 with potential full operation by 2031.

DCD · Madison Co. (MS), MS

Montgomery County commissioners approved new zoning rules restricting data center size and noise levels, though some residents argued for stricter limits or an outright ban. An attorney noted that moratoriums could face legal challenges, as Tennessee law generally protects property rights.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Tennessee

Shelby County commissioners advanced a proposed data center ordinance Wednesday that would regulate facilities in unincorporated areas, following Memphis City Council's passage of similar regulations Tuesday. The county proposal, which passed committee 11-0, aims to implement environmental requirements like water conservation and phased carbon-based energy phase-out.

Tri-State Defender · Shelby Co., TN

Surveyed Tennessee voters cited surveillance and artificial intelligence as major election concerns this fall. Opposition to automated license plate readers and planned data centers has become a significant political issue, with candidates across partisan lines taking varied stances on regulation and deployment.

Chattanooga Times Free Press · Davidson Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Davidson Co., TN

Headline onlyState Affairs Pro · Tennessee

Cass County Sheriff Jesse Jahner says he is monitoring artificial intelligence data center town hall meetings to understand the projects and ensure public safety, noting the office remains neutral on the developments while prepared to respond to any disruptions.

The Mighty 790 KFGO · Shelby Co., TN

Sen. Jon Husted calls for ending the Iran war "on America's terms" and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. He promotes affordability measures including a bill requiring data centers to pay for their own power and infrastructure, which the House passed but the Senate rejected.

NBC 15 WPMI

Headline onlyAL.com

Headline onlyWAFF

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com

Headline onlyWBRC 6 News · Jefferson Co., AL

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville released a governing agenda proposing to eliminate tax breaks for data centers in Alabama, requiring them to pay full costs for infrastructure and allowing local communities to decide whether projects proceed. Revenue from data center taxation would support career technical education, law enforcement, and family tax cuts.

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

QTS provided permits to ABC 33/40's I-Team after Bessemer Mayor Louise Alexander requested the company halt construction at its planned data center development. The permits include a construction stormwater general permit and a mass-grading permit issued by the City of Bessemer's Inspection Services Department, which QTS says authorize ongoing work at the site.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

An exclusive poll of 500 likely Alabama voters conducted in October found that inflation and cost of living is the top issue at 37.3%, with pocketbook concerns comprising 45% of voter priorities. President Trump's favorability in the state has softened to 49.8% compared to his 2024 support levels, while Republican Barry Moore leads Democrat Everett Wess 49.8% to 35.0% in the Senate race.

WBRC 6 News · Alabama · also at WBRC 6 News, WBRC

A medical call to a Scottsboro residence for a hand injury led police to spot marijuana in plain view, prompting a search warrant that revealed methamphetamine, controlled substance medications, and drug paraphernalia. Three people were arrested on drug charges.

WAFF · Jackson Co. (AL), AL

Meta's Huntsville data center has attracted over 300 full-time employees and hundreds of construction workers, with the company committing to match all power usage with renewable energy and restore water usage to local watersheds by 2030. The nearly complete expansion will bring the facility's footprint to 3.5 million square feet, exceeding $1.5 billion in combined investment since groundbreaking in 2018.

256 Today · Madison Co., AL

Tech companies including Google, Meta, Amazon and Microsoft are increasing financial commitments to host communities and reducing use of non-disclosure agreements as they face growing public opposition to data center construction amid midterm election pressures.

Black Belt News Network · Lowndes Co., AL · also at myMotherLode.com, Sun Sentinel, Broadband Breakfast

Bessemer sent a cease letter to halt construction of a planned data center as the company behind it approaches homeowners about purchasing properties, with some residents reporting sales deadlines. Despite the letter, construction has continued, and the city has scheduled a meeting with QTS, the data center company, for Friday.

Hoodline · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyAxios · Madison Co., AL

Meta opened its Huntsville data center for tours, where company officials stated the facility matches its electricity use with renewable energy and receives power through the Tennessee Valley Authority. The company declined to disclose specific electricity and water usage figures for the facility.

WAFF · Madison Co., AL · also at WAFF

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

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL

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

A 43-year-old Georgia woman died when her vehicle ran off Interstate 459 near Bessemer, hit a tree and caught fire Wednesday night. Bessemer Police are investigating the crash.

WBRC 6 News · Jefferson Co., AL

Duke Energy Florida has completed the Bailey Mill Solar Center near Monticello in Jefferson County, featuring 163,000 solar panels expected to generate enough electricity at peak production to power approximately 15,000 homes and save customers an estimated $250 million in fuel costs over the site's service lifetime.

TD World · Florida

Headline onlyState Affairs Pro · Florida

Voters in Orlando's Parramore community discussed healthcare costs, property taxes, Amendment 3 and data center placement ahead of the 2026 midterm election. Residents debated whether Amendment 3, which would eliminate property taxes on primary homes, would provide relief or force government service cuts.

Spectrum News 13 · Orange Co. (FL), FL

A conservative media founder says Florida has provided a welcoming model for data centers under Gov. Ron DeSantis, which could benefit rural communities. Data centers have become a campaign issue in Florida's gubernatorial race between Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly.

Florida Politics · Florida

Erika Donalds campaigned in Palm Beach Shores, stating that her husband Byron Donalds would continue DeSantis policies if elected governor. She outlined conditions for supporting artificial-intelligence data centers, including protections against rising electricity rates and environmental damage, while emphasizing local control over siting decisions.

Hoodline · Florida

Microsoft filed a Development of Regional Impact application for ATL80, a three-building data center campus spanning 349 acres in Floyd County near Rome. The $360 million project is estimated to provide 150 jobs and $35 million in annual local tax revenue upon completion by 2032.

Data Center Dynamics · Floyd Co., GA

Headline onlyFarm Progress · Georgia

An economic report shows Meta's data center project has generated significant economic growth across northeast Louisiana, with 10 parishes seeing sales tax increases of 5% or more since 2024, while analysts project Monroe will add approximately 4,200 jobs over the next two years.

KNOE · Richland Parish, LA

Venture Global is expanding power capacity at its LNG export terminals in Cameron and Plaquemines parishes through agreements with energy technology companies, potentially enabling adjacent data centers. Cameron Parish officials said they learned of the plans only through public announcement, raising concerns about communication with the company.

KPLC 7 News · Louisiana

Energy advocates filed a court appeal challenging Louisiana's Public Service Commission decision to allow Meta to conceal information about its data center project near Monroe and Rayville. The appeal seeks to force Meta to disclose details about investment, job creation, and electricity demands before the Commission approves Entergy's proposed seven additional gas plants for the facility.

The Lens · Louisiana

A political commentator warned Memphis City Council members that rejecting a proposed one-year data center moratorium could damage their political careers, citing public concerns about health and environmental impacts and noting bipartisan opposition to such projects.

The Cool Down · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyFox News · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Tennessean · Shelby Co., TN · also at The Tennessean, The Tennessean

The Memphis City Council approved a data center ordinance with a 135-day pause on new applications, rejecting a proposed 18-month moratorium during an Oct. 20 meeting. The ordinance requires investments in closed-loop water cooling and progressive renewable energy use for data centers.

Tri-State Defender · Shelby Co., TN

SpaceX is offering employees a 20% pay increase for six-week assignments at its Memphis-area data centers, with additional bonuses tied to program success. The company is expanding its Colossus 1 and 2 data centers in Tennessee and Mississippi to meet customer demand for computing capacity.

Quartz · Shelby Co., TN

The Memphis City Council approved developing land-use standards for data centers and enacted a 135-day moratorium on new facilities, but voted down a proposal for an indefinite moratorium during a lengthy meeting this week.

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

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

State Representative Justin J. Pearson, running for U.S. Congress in Tennessee's newly redrawn District Nine, is campaigning across rural counties by emphasizing opposition to data centers and economic inequality. Following redistricting that transformed the district from majority-Black to majority-white, a recent poll shows Pearson trailing Republican candidate Brent Taylor by only four points.

The New Yorker · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

The Shelby County Commission considered two data center ordinances Wednesday: one proposing conservation requirements for existing facilities and another proposing a temporary moratorium not exceeding 12 months, a day after Memphis City Council passed a 135-day moratorium.

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

Headline onlyWREG.com · Shelby Co., TN

The Memphis City Council passed a 135-day data center moratorium, but community members say the ordinance lacks a required community input provision that organizers had requested for two years. Mayor Paul Young's accompanying executive order mandates three community meetings as part of a 90-day study.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN

timesdaily.com

Headline onlyWBRC 6 News

Headline onlyWAFF · also at WTVY

Headline onlyLowndes Signal · also at Lowndes Signal

Headline onlyWHNT.com

Headline only13WMAZ · also at 13WMAZ

Decatur Daily · also at rocketcitynow.com

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

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL

QTS is continuing data center construction near Rock Mountain Lake under city-issued permits, rejecting Bessemer's request to pause work. The newly elected mayor's administration is reviewing the project's approval process while QTS disputes concerns about expansion and says home purchases near the site are voluntary.

wvtm · Jefferson Co., AL

QTS requested to postpone a scheduled October 23 meeting with Bessemer's mayor, stating it wants better understanding of discussion topics beforehand. The company also clarified it has no plans to expand the data center campus and said property purchases near the site are voluntary offers to residents.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL · also at WBMA

Headline onlyAL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

Nucor Corporation is investing $60 million to expand its Decatur manufacturing facility, which will increase utility pole production and create 60 jobs. The expansion adds laydown and galvanizing inspection space to the company's Towers & Structures production facility.

Alabama Political Reporter · Morgan Co., AL

A lawsuit filed Sunday alleges the Lowndes County Commission violated Alabama's Open Meetings Act when it approved a 2,200-acre hyperscale data center and $1.15 billion tax abatement last week. At a Tuesday special meeting, commissioners approved minutes from the prior vote in a 3-2 decision, with two commissioners and residents objecting to the process.

Alabama Reflector · Lowndes Co., AL · also at News From The States, rocketcitynow.com, Black Belt News Network

Birmingham and Nebius data center developers filed to dismiss a lawsuit by neighboring homeowners, arguing the residents should have challenged the project's zoning through administrative appeals before suing. The defendants also contend concerns about noise and heat are speculative since the facility isn't operating yet.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyAlabama's 42 · Alabama · also at alabamas42.com

Two county residents are suing the Lowndes County Commission over its approval of a data center project, alleging the commission violated the Open Meetings Act and failed to follow proper procedures for a Chapter 9-B Abatement. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt further commission action on the project pending a court determination of the approval's legality.

WAKA 8 · Alabama

Parallax Holdings announced plans for a $325 million data center in South Florida, though the exact location remains undisclosed. The facility is expected to generate tax revenue and create construction and permanent technical jobs, with additional details on the site and timeline coming in the following weeks.

Hoodline · Florida

Florida State University is building a statewide data repository mandated by the 2025 Tristin Murphy Act to consolidate behavioral health information from five state agencies. The secure system aims to help policymakers and researchers assess treatment outcomes and identify gaps in mental health and substance use services across Florida.

Mirage News · Florida

Palm Beach County planning officials approved a site plan modification on October 7, 2026, allowing Project Tango to expand its data center space from 206,000 square feet to nearly 700,000 square feet on a 202.67-acre parcel near State Road 80, operating within pre-existing master plan entitlements after commissioners rejected a larger expansion proposal in July.

The Boca Raton Tribune · Florida

Florida executed William Reaves, 77, by lethal injection Tuesday for the 1986 shooting death of an Indian River County deputy. The execution marks Florida's 18th this year and eighth of a prisoner over 70 under Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Decatur Daily · Florida

Palm Beach County zoning staff approved a plan Oct. 7 that nearly triples data center space on property associated with Project Tango, from 206,000 to just under 700,000 square feet, without a new commission vote or public hearing, less than three months after commissioners rejected a larger expansion.

WPTV · Florida

Georgia Senate colleagues Greg Dolezal and Josh McLaurin debated the lieutenant governor race in Atlanta, clashing over property taxes, corporate tax incentives for data centers, criminal justice legislation and education funding. The candidates agreed local communities should have input on data center developments but diverged on state tax credits and various judicial measures.

FOX 5 Atlanta · Fulton Co., GA

District 5 candidates Sheila Edwards and Josh Tolbert debated electric rate increases, data center power demands and nuclear costs during an Atlanta Press Club forum. Edwards, a Democrat, advocated renewable energy expansion while Tolbert, a Republican engineer, argued technical expertise is needed on the Public Service Commission.

FOX 5 Atlanta · Fulton Co., GA

Gwinnett Daily Post · Georgia

Headline onlyThe Augusta Chronicle · Columbia Co. (GA), GA

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Effingham Co., GA

Applied Digital will pay Boyce $4 million under a community benefit agreement for its Delta Forge 1 AI data center project, exceeding the town's annual revenue of approximately $3 million. The company will also make separate payments starting at $27.4 million annually over 25 years instead of traditional property taxes.

New Orleans CityBusiness · Rapides Parish, LA

The town of Boyce, Louisiana will receive a $4 million one-time payment from Applied Digital, which is building a $3.6 billion AI data center nearby. The payment, announced Oct. 14, exceeds the town's entire annual revenue and is intended to support infrastructure improvements and community projects.

The Center Square · Rapides Parish, LA · also at The Black Chronicle, The Hayride, The Black Chronicle

State Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Republican candidate for Louisiana's Public Service Commission District 1 seat, has received over $137,000 in campaign contributions from people and groups connected to utilities the commission regulates, including $28,000 from Entergy. While not illegal, the donations have drawn scrutiny as the commission oversees major utility decisions including AI data center power infrastructure projects.

Louisiana Illuminator · Orleans Parish, LA

Two advocacy groups are challenging a Louisiana utility regulator's decision to block public access to Meta's records on electricity demand and economic benefits related to an Entergy Louisiana proposal.

The Black Chronicle · Louisiana

Neighbors of SpaceXAI operations in Southaven aired complaints about noise, property buyout offers, and lack of transparency at a data center roundtable attended by state and federal officials. The meeting addressed concerns as data centers expand across the Memphis metro area and Southaven approved another SpaceXAI facility.

DeSoto County News · DeSoto Co., MS

Daily Memphian · DeSoto Co., MS

The Black Chronicle · Shelby Co., TN · also at The Center Square, The Center Square, Yahoo

Data centers have become a contentious midterm election issue as candidates across both parties scramble to address voter concerns about the technology. The debate spans from city councils voting down proposals to gubernatorial candidates offering varying solutions, from local control measures to requiring companies to provide free electricity to residents.

NBC 15 WPMI · Tennessee · also at WBMA, KOKI FOX 23, WPMI Local 15 News

President Trump called for data centers to fund their own electricity and pay dividends to local communities, reversing his previous support for the facilities as opposition grows over concerns about rising electric bills and water consumption. Memphis City Council voted against a temporary moratorium on data centers Tuesday despite resident objections.

Spectrum News · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWREG.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo, WREG.com

Headline onlyWVLT · Shelby Co., TN · also at Action News 5, wbbjtv.com, WSMV

Headline onlyBreakingthenews.net · Shelby Co., TN

Entergy Arkansas plans approximately $600 million in power infrastructure upgrades for Google's West Memphis data center, fully funded by Google. The project includes battery storage, solar power, and transmission lines, with upgrades expected by 2028, pending regulatory approval.

kjnbtv.com · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge rejected the Trump administration's argument that the Environmental Protection Agency can unilaterally dismiss citizen lawsuits under the Clean Air Act, allowing the NAACP's pollution lawsuit against Elon Musk's SpaceXAI data center in Memphis to proceed.

Ars Technica · Shelby Co., TN

SpaceX is offering employees a 20% pay increase to temporarily relocate to Memphis, Tennessee, or Southaven, Mississippi for six weeks to help build its data centers. The company said AI revenue from leasing compute capacity had reached over $7 billion, nearly half of quarterly revenue.

Business Insider · Shelby Co., TN

The Memphis City Council approved a 135-day data center development pause Tuesday night after narrowly failing to pass an 18-month moratorium. Residents have opposed expansion of xAI's facilities, citing respiratory health concerns and environmental hazards in nearby neighborhoods.

Mother Jones · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council rejected an 18-month data center moratorium on Tuesday, instead voting for a 135-day pause on new applications to coincide with a mayor-commissioned 90-day review of digital infrastructure impacts. The council deadlocked 6-6 on the longer moratorium before approving the shorter alternative.

Data Center Dynamics · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyFox News · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWREG.com · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council rejected an 18-month data center moratorium in a 6-6 vote Tuesday, instead passing a substitute 135-day pause with regulations. Community members criticized the council for not allowing public input on the substitute ordinance before voting.

Memphis Flyer · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis Light, Gas and Water's board unanimously approved three-year rate increases starting in 2027, including 12% annual hikes for residential water customers and 11% annual increases for gas customers. The board also created a new water rate class for data centers at 30% annually.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

The Trump administration has revoked more than 300,000 U.S. visas since returning to office, accelerating an immigration crackdown. Nigeria confirmed an Ebola case in Abuja, joining Kenya with nine confirmed cases and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with over 9,000 cases. Memphis leaders deadlocked 6-6 on rejecting an 18-month moratorium on new data center development amid concerns over artificial intelligence industry expansion.

Newsweek · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis city leaders rejected a one-year data center moratorium but approved a shorter development pause, according to a vote during a heated council meeting.

Social News XYZ · Shelby Co., TN · also at CBS News, Modern Ghana, Modern Ghana

Memphis City Council approved a 135-day pause on data center permitting on Oct. 20 after rejecting a longer moratorium proposal on a 6-6 vote. The temporary freeze allows officials time to review the industry's effects on neighborhoods and infrastructure, while Mayor Paul Young ordered a separate 90-day study of potential regulatory measures.

TheEnergyMag · Shelby Co., TN

Entergy Arkansas will supply 440 MW of solar power from a Big Island facility to Google's West Memphis data center expansion under a 20-year contract. Google will fund the power purchase agreement and approximately $600 million in infrastructure investments, with Entergy projecting customer savings of at least $500 million through 2048.

Solarbytes · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyLocal 3 News · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council passed a 135-day data center permitting pause Tuesday, disappointing activists who sought a 12-to-18 month moratorium. Community leaders said the ordinance lacks sufficient protections and was presented to the public only 45 minutes before the vote.

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

Headline onlyLocal 3 News · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis city council rejected a one-year data center moratorium Tuesday in favor of a 135-day construction halt, drawing sharp criticism from residents and activists opposed to facilities developed by SpaceXAI in the region.

CBS News · Shelby Co., TN

The Memphis City Council rejected a proposal for an indefinite moratorium on data centers.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlywww.fox10tv.com · Tennessee

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal · Shelby Co., TN

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

Entergy filed a heavily redacted amended application Monday with Arkansas regulators for Google's West Memphis data center expansion, which includes two new battery storage facilities and increased power demand. The utility asked state regulators to waive previous transparency requirements, with details on Google's rate structure, construction contributions, and termination fees kept secret at Google's request.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Shelby Co., TN

A Memphis city council proposal to impose a moratorium on data centers failed after the vote tied 6-6, with council members then attempting to vote on separate development code updates before the disrupted meeting was adjourned.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

A proposed data center moratorium failed to pass the Memphis City Council in a 6-6 tie vote. The tied vote prompted disruption in the packed chambers, leading security to clear the room as the council adjourned.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

A Memphis City Council vote on a proposed data center moratorium ended in a 6-6 tie, failing to pass. The council attempted to vote on a separate proposal to update data center development codes, but the meeting was disrupted by an angry crowd and adjourned.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyFOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWREG.com

Headline onlyWREG.com

Headline onlyWREG.com · also at WREG.com

Data centers are emerging as a major political issue in US midterm elections, with approximately 3,000 facilities currently operating and concerns growing as their numbers are expected to potentially double in coming years.

Dothan Eagle

Dothan Eagle

Headline onlyWDHN · also at WHNT.com

President Trump proposes that AI companies generate their own electricity and pay financial dividends to communities hosting data centers to address opposition. Republicans are also advancing competing proposals, including plans for free electricity to nearby residents.

WBMA · also at WPMI Local 15 News

Headline onlyFOX 5 Atlanta · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyWHNT.com

Headline onlyWKRN News 2

Nucor Towers & Structures will invest $60 million to expand its Decatur facility, adding production capacity and creating 60 jobs within three years as demand for electrical infrastructure grows. Construction begins in late November with completion targeted for December 2028.

Decatur Daily

Michigan City's Common Council advanced a proposal to pause new data center developments, but protesters opposed the exemption allowing Google's already-under-construction project to proceed. A councilman noted millions in fees have been paid; amendments are possible at the next reading.

WSBT

Headline onlyWAFB

Lowndes County commissioners approved minutes from a previous meeting that advanced the proposed Project Red Clay data center, prompting resident protests and a lawsuit to stop construction scheduled to begin early next year. The data center project is expected to generate $124 million annually in taxes, with over half directed to public schools.

WSFA · Lowndes Co., AL · also at WSFA, WSFA, WBAY

Headline onlyWSFA · Lowndes Co., AL · also at KKTV, WSMV, WDBJ7

Bessemer Mayor Louise Alexander issued a cease letter to data center developer QTS on Monday, though site clearing work continued despite the order. Residents from the nearby Rock Mountain Lake community expressed concerns about the project's impact on their area during a city council meeting.

WVTM Channel 13 · Jefferson Co., AL

Stream U.S. Data Centers remains committed to its proposed $19.46 billion data center project at a Western New York facility despite a state moratorium on large-scale data center development. The company made minor site plan adjustments to comply with wetland regulations but did not relocate buildings or reduce square footage, according to project representatives.

The Batavian · Alabama

Former U.S. Senator and U.S. Attorney Doug Jones, a gubernatorial candidate, discussed major state issues including data centers, affordability, crime, health care, education and prisons in a WVTM 13 interview. Jones proposed a one-year moratorium on hyperscale data center construction, suspending the gas tax, eliminating the grocery tax, expanding Medicaid, and reforming the prison system.

wvtm · Alabama

Republicans lead most Alabama statewide races ahead of the November 3rd general election, but GOP officials warn that complacency and low Republican turnout could narrow margins, particularly in the gubernatorial race where Tommy Tuberville holds a significant lead over Doug Jones.

Tuscaloosa Thread · Alabama

Bessemer Mayor Louise Alexander has requested a halt to the QTS data center development in Rock Mountain Lakes until city officials meet with developers. Alexander sent a cease-and-desist letter Monday, citing the need for city permits, and says the city received only a nondisclosure agreement from QTS, not a formal contract.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyAL.com · Lowndes Co., AL

Bessemer's newly sworn-in mayor says the city sent a cease letter to halt construction activity at a planned data center development, as nearby homeowners report being approached about selling their properties. The city is consulting with its attorney and has scheduled a meeting with developers for later in the week.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL · also at WBMA, WBMA

Fairfield residents protested a proposed $150 million Patmos data center at the former Walmart site, citing concerns about water and power consumption and lack of transparent information. The city council tabled a vote on the C-PACE financing program and plans to hold a work session and town hall on the issue.

Hoodline · Jefferson Co., AL

Louise Alexander won Bessemer's mayoral election and was sworn in Oct. 5, defeating 16-year incumbent Kenneth Gulley partly due to voter opposition to Project Marvel, a $14.5 billion data center that would consume 90 times more electricity than the city. Alexander has ordered a review of all data center contracts and replaced the city attorney who signed a non-disclosure agreement with the developers.

Word In Black · Jefferson Co., AL

Alabama's four tuition-free specialty public high schools have opened applications for the 2027-28 academic year, offering specialized academic programs and residential opportunities to students from all 67 counties. The schools include ASMS in Mobile, ASCTE in Huntsville, and ASHS in Demopolis.

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

Yellowhammer News · Lowndes Co., AL

Residents protested a proposed Patmos data center outside Fairfield City Hall, demanding transparency about the project and a potential $150 million C-PACE financing arrangement. Mayor Herman Carnes disputed claims the city would bear debt responsibility, stating C-PACE is a separate financing tool available to eligible businesses.

wvtm · Alabama

Republican Lt. Governor nominee John Wahl is calling for greater transparency and local control over major data center projects after Lowndes County approved a 20-year tax abatement for Project Red Clay on a 3-2 vote, with residents unable to speak before the decision.

Yellowhammer News · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

Headline onlyCBS News · Jefferson Co., AL

Fairfield city leaders discussed adopting C-PACE, a financing tool allowing businesses to seek private funding for building upgrades like LED lighting and HVAC systems. The council tabled the issue, while protesters urged transparency regarding a proposed Patmos data center project in a former Walmart building.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Fairfield residents protested outside City Hall over a proposed Patmos data center and a potential $150 million C-PACE financing arrangement, demanding transparency about the project's status and financial details. Mayor Herman Carnes stated C-PACE is a separate financing tool for eligible businesses and not city debt, while residents called for released documents and public meetings before decisions are made.

wvtm · Alabama

Headline onlyWBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Parallax Holdings founder Robert Kato announced a data center development in South Florida representing a $325 million investment that will create construction jobs and permanent technical positions while generating tax revenue for local services.

Voice of Alexandria · Florida · also at The Batesville Daily Guard, Corsicana Daily Sun, New Castle News

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

Leon County, Florida has approved an 18-month moratorium on new data center construction to allow officials to study how the facilities' electricity consumption would affect local power capacity and household utility costs.

The Cool Down · Florida · also at Yahoo

Simply Wall Street · Florida

Martin County, Florida commissioners are considering a one-year moratorium on new large-scale data center applications in unincorporated areas to study potential impacts on power, water, and infrastructure. The proposal, which passed its first reading unanimously on Oct. 13, will face a final vote at a public hearing on Oct. 27.

The Cool Down · Florida · also at Yahoo

St. Petersburg's planning director determined that the city's existing zoning code already prohibits standalone data centers, including large AI-related facilities, as neither permitted principal uses nor special exceptions. The interpretation comes as Pinellas County communities assess how data center growth could strain electricity demand, water supplies, and available land.

The Cool Down · Florida · also at Yahoo

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

Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Atlanta mayor, is campaigning on affordability with proposals including tax relief on insurance and groceries, affordable housing, universal pre-K, and Medicaid expansion. She is also calling for a pause on new data centers in Georgia.

WTOC · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyUtility Dive - Latest News · Georgia

Georgia is currently building more data center capacity than Virginia, with 2,882 megawatts under construction compared to Northern Virginia's 2,420 megawatts, according to a CBRE report. The shift reflects factors including tax incentives, land and power costs, and fiber connectivity in the Southeast.

WVTF · Georgia

More than 14,000 Coweta County, Georgia residents signed a petition seeking to overturn county commissioners' approval of Project Sail, a nine-building data center campus, and ban future data centers through a rarely-used Georgia constitutional home rule provision that could trigger a special election if certified.

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

Georgia Tech and Emory announced a joint $1.1 billion investment in AI infrastructure, with Georgia Tech committing $575 million and Emory $600 million. The universities aim to establish Atlanta as a premier destination for AI talent and innovation, with Georgia Tech focusing on computing and workforce development while Emory emphasizes healthcare and applications across multiple disciplines.

SaportaReport · Fulton Co., GA

Louisiana is experiencing unprecedented economic growth as four major AI data center projects—Meta, Amazon, Delta Forge 1, and Hut 8—are simultaneously under construction, representing over $81.6 billion in investment. Early indicators show triple-digit percentage increases in sales tax revenue for some municipalities, with approximately 7,000 permanent jobs expected statewide once operational.

10/12 Industry Report · Louisiana

A Southaven roundtable discussed concerns about data center expansion in the region, including noise complaints, property acquisition pressure, and lack of transparency around developer agreements. District Attorney Scott Colom proposed a temporary pause on construction until companies meet requirements including paying utility costs and making agreements public.

Action News 5 · DeSoto Co., MS · also at Action News 5

Headline onlyWREG.com · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyTradingView · Mississippi

Headline onlyWREG.com · DeSoto Co., MS

A Mississippi judge rejected the Trump administration's attempt to dismiss a federal environmental lawsuit against Elon Musk's xAI, allowing litigation over natural gas turbines powering an AI data center in Southaven to proceed. The NAACP alleges xAI operated gas-fired electricity generation without required environmental permits.

Coinpaper · Mississippi

The EPA was permitted to intervene in an NAACP air pollution lawsuit against xAI's diesel generators at a data center project, but a federal judge rejected the EPA's request to dismiss the case entirely, ruling the Clean Air Act doesn't allow such unilateral dismissal.

Bloomberg Law News · Mississippi

A federal judge ruled that the Justice Department cannot dismiss a citizen lawsuit filed by the NAACP against xAI's Mississippi data center for alleged Clean Air Act violations, though the DOJ will be allowed to intervene in the case.

notus.org · Mississippi · also at NOTUS

Headline onlyTradingView · Mississippi

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

Memphis City Council is voting Tuesday on a proposed yearlong moratorium on new data centers and facility expansions, following an October meeting that erupted into protests and a fight in City Hall's lobby. The measure, sponsored by Council Member JB Smiley Jr., would allow time to develop safety regulations while preserving existing legal operations.

Newsweek · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWREG.com · Shelby Co., TN

MLGW commissioners will vote Wednesday on proposed rate increases for water and gas starting in 2027, with residential water rates rising 12%, commercial-industrial rates 20%, and data centers 30%, creating a new customer class for the latter.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

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

Modern Ghana · Shelby Co., TN · also at Modern Ghana

Headline onlyWVLT · Shelby Co., TN · also at WSMV, wbbjtv.com, Action News 5

Two Memphis state legislators seeking Tennessee's District 9 congressional seat differ on environmental policy. Republican nominee Brent Taylor sponsored bills removing wetland regulations and allowing data centers to operate private power plants without state oversight, while Democratic nominee Justin J. Pearson supports a data center moratorium and stronger environmental protections.

WPLN News · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis residents, led by Alexis Humphreys, are organizing against a hyper-scale data center in their Boxtown neighborhood, citing air and water pollution from gas turbines and related health problems. Following community opposition, Memphis City Council is considering a moratorium on new data center activity.

United Church of Christ · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge temporarily blocked a Memphis council chair from banning six people from upcoming meetings after they disrupted an Oct. 6 vote on an AI data center moratorium, ruling the bans violated free speech protections and were inconsistently enforced.

Action News 5 · Tennessee

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

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

Headline onlyFOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council will vote today on a proposed 12-month moratorium on new data centers, two weeks after the previous meeting was disrupted by protesters and cleared by police. Enhanced security measures, including restricted entry, bag checks, and limited attendance, have been implemented for the meeting.

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

Google and Entergy Arkansas announced a $600 million infrastructure partnership to support a West Memphis data center expansion, including battery storage systems, solar procurement, and transmission upgrades expected to deliver at least $500 million in customer savings over 20 years beginning in 2028.

Construction Review · Shelby Co., TN

Google has expanded its partnership with Entergy Arkansas to fund renewable energy projects and grid upgrades supporting a planned 600MW data center in West Memphis. The deal includes a 440MW solar Power Purchase Agreement, battery storage facilities totaling 1.4GWh by 2028, and substation expansions, with Google covering all associated costs.

Data Center Dynamics · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis city council rejected an 18-month moratorium on new data center development in a 6-6 tie vote Tuesday, disappointing residents and activists who have protested pollution from gas-powered turbines installed by SpaceXAI to power artificial intelligence operations in the area.

CNN · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis leaders will vote Tuesday on a moratorium that would temporarily pause new data center construction and expansion for up to a year while establishing regulations. The vote follows an October meeting where over 100 residents gathered to oppose the measure, resulting in disruptions, police involvement, and a physical altercation.

CNN · Shelby Co., TN · also at KDRV, KESQ

The Montgomery County Commission approved new regulations for data centers and power plants on Monday, establishing permitting requirements in industrial zones. The measure includes a 500-foot setback requirement where data center properties adjoin residential areas.

Main Street Media of Tennessee · Montgomery Co. (TN), TN

Data center industry workers defend the sector as essential to technology services, but even pro-industry commenters acknowledge risks from rapid expansion without proper planning, citing Tennessee's xAI facility as an example where utility capacity proved insufficient for demand.

The Cool Down · Tennessee

Hundreds of people lined up outside an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union office in Memphis seeking data center jobs, with electricians traveling from across the country for the high-paying positions.

Action News 5 · Tennessee

Volusia County unanimously approved a ban on large data centers consuming 50 megawatts or more of power in unincorporated areas, citing concerns about strain on power grids, water supplies, and potential sinkhole risks from aquifer depletion.

WESH

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

Headline onlyWKRN News 2

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

Grassroots opposition to a proposed hyperscale data center in Talladega County gained momentum at a third community meeting Monday at Union Springs Missionary Baptist Church. One speaker voiced general support for data centers in the county, though she appeared unfamiliar with the specific facility under discussion.

The Anniston Star

Headline onlyThe Tennessean

Orange County's two mayoral candidates, Chris Messina and Tiffany Moore Russell, expressed reservations about large AI data centers proposed for the county, citing concerns about water usage, power demands, and environmental impacts. Moore Russell supports a moratorium to study the issue, while Messina specifically opposes hyperscale data centers in Florida due to water-related risks.

WKMG

Headline onlyWAFB

Headline onlyWBRC

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama

A 63-year-old man serving a life sentence at William Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer was found unresponsive in his cell Saturday evening and pronounced dead at 7:13 p.m. The coroner found no evidence of trauma or foul play; the cause of death is pending laboratory studies.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlySuaraGarut.ID · Florida

Rep. Byron Donalds, a gubernatorial candidate in Florida, has faced scrutiny over financial ties to data centers and AI industries, including stock holdings up to $390,000 in tech companies and income from X Corp., while simultaneously advocating against data center moratoriums and serving on a subcommittee influencing AI policy.

SSBCrack · Miami-Dade Co., FL

At an Orlando news conference, Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly criticized GOP opponent U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds over his support for data centers, promising a one-year moratorium and claiming Donalds has changed his position and received millions in donations from data center interests. Donalds has offered conditional support for data centers, citing concerns that restrictions signal to businesses that the state is not investment-friendly.

Orlando Sentinel · Orange Co. (FL), FL · also at The Derrick

With two weeks until Florida's gubernatorial election, Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly are campaigning across the state, both addressing voter concerns about hyperscale artificial intelligence data centers. Jolly pledged a one-year moratorium on the facilities, while Donalds noted state law requires local government approval; however, Donalds has received over $4.1 million from tech, energy and utility company donors.

WESH · Orange Co. (FL), FL

Headline onlyFlorida Politics · Florida

Broward County may adopt a yearlong moratorium on large-scale data centers, allowing the county to evaluate impacts on infrastructure, utilities and the environment and develop land development regulations for such facilities, according to a commission meeting agenda.

Sun Sentinel · Florida

Headline onlyThe Palm Beach Post · Florida · also at Tallahassee Democrat

Headline onlyGovTech · Florida

Several Florida cities and counties have proposed or implemented moratoriums on data center expansion, citing concerns about utility costs and water conservation. Meanwhile, business leaders warn that restricting data center growth could harm economic expansion, while supporters of development argue it would create jobs in rural areas.

Florida Daily · Miami-Dade Co., FL

Broward County commissioners are scheduled to consider a proposal Tuesday that would direct county attorneys to draft an ordinance establishing a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers in unincorporated areas, citing concerns about infrastructure and utility impacts.

Florida Daily · Florida

A helicopter conducting mosquito control spraying in Florida struck an unlit radio tower in Myakka City on October 15, killing pilot Isaac Moore, a 25-year veteran with over 10,000 flight hours. No ground injuries occurred; the FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.

Data Center Dynamics · Florida

Central Florida voters strongly oppose data center development, with a University of North Florida poll showing 68% disapproval, prompting state and local candidates to take positions on the issue during the governor's race and local contests. Republican Byron Donalds supports conditional state regulation while Democrat David Jolly opposes data centers and proposes a one-year moratorium.

Orlando Sentinel · Florida · also at Tampa Bay Times

Headline onlyLaw360 · Georgia

Shadowbox Studios has proposed converting its planned 22-stage sound stage expansion in south DeKalb County into a data center with up to 651 megawatts of capacity, but the project faces a county data center moratorium extended through March 2027 and a proposed size cap that would effectively block it.

FanBolt · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Jeff and Beverly Morris, who retired to rural Georgia in 2016, say a Meta data center built less than 400 yards from their home has contaminated their well water, caused appliance corrosion, and created light pollution. The couple has filed a lawsuit against Meta and others, with congressional supporters pushing for stronger regulations on data center construction near residential areas.

The New Republic · Fulton Co., GA

Citizens for Rural Coweta filed a home rule petition Friday seeking a referendum on data centers in the county. The group submitted more than 14,800 signatures to reverse previous rezoning and ban data centers and cryptocurrency mining throughout Coweta County.

CBS News · Coweta Co., GA

Carrier Connect Data Solutions signed a five-year lease covering the entire 4MW capacity of its recently acquired Alpharetta, Georgia data center facility, representing approximately CA$88.9 million in potential revenue with operations beginning November 2026. The agreement is the first phase of a previously announced 25MW customer commitment, though the customer's identity remains undisclosed.

Data Center Dynamics · Fulton Co., GA

Democratic Senate candidates are emphasizing data center regulation in midterm campaigns, framing the issue around voter concerns about rising energy costs and affordability. Recent polling shows growing public concern about data centers' effects on electricity bills, environment, and local quality of life.

Roll Call · Georgia · also at Havasu News

Headline onlyStreetInsider · Georgia

Headline onlywww.marketscreener.com · Fulton Co., GA

Carrier Connect Data Solutions signed a five-year agreement for full 4MW capacity at its Alpharetta, Georgia data center, with initial 3MW billings of approximately CAD $17.8M annually beginning November 2026, potentially reaching CAD $23.7M annually at full capacity.

TradingView · Fulton Co., GA

Digital Realty Trust encountered white phosphorus during construction of a $3 billion data center on a former Georgia military base. The hazardous material was found in five drums at the site, prompting work stoppage and a bomb squad inspection, though the company stated the discovery was less than could have been encountered across the full area.

Benzinga · Georgia

Data centers have become a central campaign issue in Georgia's November midterm elections, with gubernatorial nominees Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms clashing over their respective ties to data center projects. State Sen. Brian Strickland, a Republican candidate for attorney general, had a financial stake in a proposed $1.2 billion data center on his family's farmland, though he says the project is now inactive due to family concerns about noise and quality of life.

Georgia Recorder · Georgia

TradingView · Georgia

Two advocacy groups filed a court appeal asking Louisiana regulators to reinstate a subpoena requiring Meta to produce records on electricity demand and economic benefits for its expanding data center in Richland Parish, which Entergy Louisiana says requires over $14 billion in power infrastructure. The groups contend regulators failed to explain their decision to overturn a judge's order requiring Meta's document production.

American Press · E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA

A video podcast titled "Louisiana's Next Energy Frontiers" will air Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., featuring energy executives and economic development leaders discussing how artificial intelligence data centers, SpaceX operations, advanced nuclear power and lithium production are reshaping Louisiana's industrial landscape and energy infrastructure needs.

10/12 Industry Report · Louisiana

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

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

Entergy Arkansas and Google announced a second phase of their West Memphis data center partnership, which will add approximately $600 million in infrastructure investments including battery storage systems and solar power agreements, with Google funding the full cost and generating $500 million in customer savings over 20 years beginning in 2028.

AOL.com · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyArkansas Business · Shelby Co., TN

Entergy Arkansas announced a second phase of its partnership with Google to support the company's $4 billion data center project in West Memphis. The utility will invest in grid infrastructure, with Google covering all costs and contributing $2.1 billion in net benefits to Entergy's 738,000 customers over 20 years, pending Arkansas Public Service Commission approval.

Talk Business & Politics · Shelby Co., TN

Independent Tennessee gubernatorial candidate David Hatley held a rally in Memphis on Monday, Oct. 19, where he advocated for a statewide data center moratorium and opposed the Memphis-Shelby County Schools takeover and Memphis Safe Task Force. Approximately 150 attendees gathered at the event.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

5C Data Centers is converting a former Fred's distribution center in Memphis into an AI computing facility, planning to expand power capacity from 20 MW to 84 MW using fuel cell technology. The $575 million fourth-phase project will feature NVIDIA GB200 and GB300 NVL72 systems with liquid cooling and high-bandwidth networking.

Data Center Frontier · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyThe Root · Shelby Co., TN

Dothan Eagle

Democratic candidate Stephanie Burgess, an attorney running in Georgia's 164th State House District, emphasizes transparency and accountability as central issues, citing concerns about Flock cameras and data center development. She pledges to prioritize voters' positions on major development projects if elected.

WTOC · Georgia

Digital Realty purchased a 97-acre former Army dump near Atlanta containing hazardous waste and military ordnance to build a $3 billion data center complex; workers discovered combustible white phosphorus in December 2025 that required bomb squad inspection and removal, with construction continuing despite concerns from nearby residents about health and safety risks.

Hunterbrook · Fulton Co., GA

At least 47 major U.S. data center projects have been delayed, scrapped, or blocked in 2026, with only about 35% of the planned pipeline deemed credible by Bernstein. Grid connection issues, permitting challenges, equipment shortages, and local opposition are driving the slowdown.

Crypto Briefing · Louisiana

Caddo Parish Commissioner John Adkins and Shreveport City Councilman Rev. James Green debated data center expansion, nuclear energy, and utility rates during a televised Louisiana Public Service Commission District 5 forum. Green called for pausing new data center projects in North Louisiana, while Adkins supported them with careful management to protect ratepayers.

klax-tv.com · Caddo Parish, LA · also at KTBS 3, cnhinews.com

Louisiana Delta Community College offers a four-week Data Center Technician program preparing students for jobs at Meta's new data center in Richland Parish. The inaugural class of 11 students all received job offers, with the program now producing about 24 graduates monthly, with entry-level positions starting around $24-$28 per hour.

Business Insider · Ouachita Parish, LA

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

An Arkansas mother who obtained public records about a West Memphis data center solar project shared them with newspapers, after which a utility sued her, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, one of its reporter, and the Arkansas Times, claiming the documents were trade secrets and seeking to suppress their publication.

The Cool Down · Shelby Co., TN · also at Yahoo

Residents across multiple states are opposing data center construction ahead of November elections, citing concerns about water and electricity consumption, air pollution, and lack of transparency. Opposition spans both political parties, with 61% of adults opposing such facilities in their neighborhoods, according to a recent survey.

EL PAÍS English · Shelby Co., TN

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

Republican Sen. Arthur Orr and Democratic challenger John Dickey debate data center and Flock camera regulations ahead of the Nov. 3 election for Alabama Senate District 3. Both candidates support stronger local government control over data centers, while disagreeing on implementation; Orr favors local decision-making while Dickey prefers multi-level government involvement and a statewide moratorium.

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

Etna Wood Sherrod, 94, of Athens, Alabama, died October 14, 2026. A former educator and golf course owner, she was an accomplished bowler, Red Cross volunteer, and literacy advocate who is survived by six children and multiple grandchildren.

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

Hut 8 is developing a Louisiana data center called River Bend with 245 megawatts of initial capacity under a 15-year lease with Fluidstack valued at $7 billion, with Google backing lease payments and operations expected to begin in 2027.

TOKENPOST · Louisiana

Headline onlyAL.com · also at AL.com

The U.S. is attempting to reopen three shuttered nuclear plants to address rising electricity demand, including power needs from large-scale data centers.

timesdaily.com

The Lowndes County Commission approved development agreements Tuesday for Project Red Clay, a hyperscale data center near U.S. 80 and Alabama 21 to be developed by Houston-based Cloverleaf Infrastructure. The project has faced resident opposition over noise, environmental concerns, and lack of transparency regarding future operations.

Black Belt News Network · Lowndes Co., AL · also at Black Belt News Network

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

FirmFarm's Anniston construction involves interior renovations for AI infrastructure company TensorWave and an Alabama Power substation outside the existing data center, according to Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston. The work does not constitute a data center expansion under the city's 12-month moratorium.

The Anniston Star · Alabama

Alabama Arise announced seven legislative priorities for 2027, including eliminating the state grocery tax, raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, and expanding county authority over data center developments. The organization's nearly 500 members voted on an agenda addressing health equity, hunger relief, tax reform and worker power.

Gadsden Messenger · Alabama

Alabama Political Reporter · Jefferson Co., AL

The Lowndes County Commission approved a 20-year tax abatement worth over $1.1 billion for Project Red Clay, a proposed 800-acre data center on farmland in Burkville. The decision drew opposition from residents and organizations including the NAACP, who criticized the lack of public notice and transparency, and expressed concerns about environmental impacts and the county's existing sanitation crisis.

Data Center Archives • Alabama Political Reporter · Lowndes Co., AL

Gov. Kay Ivey signed HB 475, expanding the Alabama Public Service Commission from three to seven members and banning formal rate hearings on residential energy prices until 2029. Democratic nominees James Gordon and Sheila McNeil said they would work to negotiate competitive rates, while McNeil filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law's constitutionality.

Alabama Reflector · Alabama

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

The Lowndes County Commission approved development agreements for Project Red Clay, a proposed data center, despite months of opposition from residents and the group Protect Lowndes County. The project with Cloverleaf Infrastructure is projected to generate $124 million annually in taxes and $70 million yearly for county schools, though opponents raised concerns about population decline, inadequate community input, and substantial tax abatements.

WSFA · Lowndes Co., AL

Democrats held a press conference at Rep. Byron Donalds' Cape Coral office to criticize his acceptance of campaign contributions from energy and construction companies linked to data center projects, citing environmental concerns and potential impacts on electricity costs and water quality in Florida.

Fort Myers Beach Talk · Florida · also at Cape Coral Breeze

Headline onlyWINK News · Florida

The Florida Democratic Party held a press conference in Cape Coral where candidates for state and national office opposed data center development, citing concerns about funding ties between developers and elected officials. Republican Rep. Byron Donalds argued local governments should decide data center locations with state safeguards ensuring utilities costs and water permits are managed responsibly.

WINK News · Florida

Headline onlyFOX 13 Tampa Bay · Florida

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

Artificial intelligence, Flock surveillance cameras, and data centers dominated debates across Georgia's statewide races on October 12-13, with candidates disagreeing on regulation, public records access, and whether tech companies should pay full infrastructure costs.

Atlanta Community Press Collective · Fulton Co., GA

Carrier Connect Data Solutions has leased a 4MW data center in Alpharetta, Georgia, through its subsidiary Purecolo, expanding the company's total capacity under management to 11.7MW under a 15.5-year contract with two five-year renewal options.

DCD · Fulton Co., GA

Liberty County commissioners approved a 120-day moratorium on data center permits and applications Thursday, allowing officials time to review and amend current ordinances to address potential impacts of such developments.

Coastal Courier · Georgia

Georgia is projected to lose $1.4 billion in state and local tax revenue in fiscal year 2027 from a high-tech data center equipment exemption, with an estimated $295 million to $320 million potentially going to K-12 schools. The University of Georgia estimates 70% of data centers would have been built without the tax break.

Good Jobs First · Georgia

Shadowbox Studios, the Atlanta film company behind "Cocaine Bear" and Marvel's "Loki," sued DeKalb County for $30 million after county officials blocked its plan to convert a 166-acre soundstage site into a data center, despite prior written assurances that the project was permitted.

Hoodline · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jamie Davis has proposed a moratorium on new data centers and wants AI companies held liable for dangerous technologies, while Republican U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow supports a balanced approach to AI development that protects the public without imposing unnecessary regulations on businesses. The candidates' contrasting stances reflect a national debate over AI regulation ahead of midterm elections.

NOLA.com · Orleans Parish, LA

A live map from Data Center Index shows several massive data center projects under construction across the United States, with the largest being an 8-gigawatt facility in Ohio, followed by projects in Texas, Louisiana and Utah. The scale of these AI-focused developments far exceeds typical pre-AI data centers, which previously topped out around 100 megawatts.

Newsweek · Louisiana

Facing lawsuits from residents over noise and pollution, SpaceXAI is offering to purchase homes near its data center operations in Southaven, Mississippi. Some homeowners have accepted the buyouts while others rejected offers or remain undecided, though renters report being excluded from the program.

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal · DeSoto Co., MS

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

Grant County is planning a second data center on 2,000 acres near Redfield, along with a natural gas power plant, according to County Judge Randy Pruitt, though details remain limited due to nondisclosure agreements signed by key officials involved in the project.

Arkansas Times · Shelby Co., TN

Tennessee state Rep. Justin Pearson filed suit after city council removed him, his family, and others from a meeting and banned them for two months following a protest over delays to a data center moratorium vote. Pearson and five co-plaintiffs argue the ban violates their First Amendment rights.

Mother Jones · Shelby Co., TN

Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks held a town hall Thursday to explain a temporary moratorium on new data center developments in unincorporated areas. The Greater Memphis Chamber opposes the measure, arguing it will harm Memphis's competitive position in digital infrastructure growth.

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

Shelby County Commissioner Henri Brooks held a community meeting to discuss a potential moratorium on data centers, focusing on regulations and protections for unincorporated county areas. Brooks said she supports data centers that comply with established rules and emphasized the importance of including public input in decisions about facility locations.

FOX13 Memphis · Tennessee

The U.S. Department of Energy is providing up to $4.4 billion in loans to restart three shuttered nuclear plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Iowa to generate 2.25 gigawatts of electricity, with two facilities securing contracts with major technology companies to power data centers.

wvtm

Dothan Eagle

Headline onlyWDHN · also at WKRG, Decatur Daily, WHNT.com

The Lowndes County Commission voted 3-2 to approve an AI data center deal that includes a 50-50 tax abatement. The project is expected to generate $2.8 billion over 20 years and create 50-225 permanent jobs, though nearby residents have campaigned against it, citing concerns about industrial development in their rural area.

WAKA 8 · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama · also at Yahoo

Headline onlykalkine.ca · Alabama

Yellowhammer News · Alabama

The Lowndes County Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve a 20-year tax abatement for Project Red Clay, an 800-acre hyperscale data center, without public notice or comment despite prior calls for transparency. The $2.4 billion tax break has drawn criticism from advocacy groups citing environmental concerns and the county's existing sanitation crisis.

NAACP · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

The Lowndes County Commission approved a $1.15 billion, 20-year tax break for a planned data center Tuesday morning, moving up the vote from its scheduled October 20 date. Residents and environmental advocates criticized the decision, citing lack of transparency and concerns about infrastructure strain and population loss.

Alabama Reflector · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyalabamas42.com · Jefferson Co., AL · also at Yahoo

The U.S. Department of Defense is seeking a Design-Build Contractor to construct a 700,000-square-foot command and control facility for U.S. Space Command at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, with an estimated cost of approximately $4 billion and a delivery deadline of December 2031.

Data Center Dynamics · Alabama

Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds suggested that Florida data centers use reclaimed water from treatment plants to cool servers instead of consuming fresh water. Donalds has also filed legislation requiring data centers to use alternative sources for power and water.

Florida Politics · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Rep. Byron Donalds, a gubernatorial candidate in Florida, owns up to $390,000 in stocks connected to data center companies including Microsoft and Amazon, according to his August congressional disclosure report, while simultaneously campaigning as pro-data center development. His wife, Erika Donalds, earned income from X Corp. and has publicly supported AI implementation in schools.

Mother Jones · Miami-Dade Co., FL

The Lake County Commission delayed a vote on data center regulations and debated extending a temporary moratorium on such development. Commissioners deferred advertising for a public hearing on a draft ordinance and requested staff draft a 90-day moratorium extension, citing concerns about water consumption and electricity demands.

Mid Florida Newspapers · Florida

Headline onlyAxios · Florida

Headline onlyWJBF · Georgia · also at AOL.com, Yahoo, WJBF

Headline onlyDetroit Free Press · Georgia · also at azcentral.com and The Arizona Republic

Georgia Southern University's Institute for Vibrant and Engaged Communities will host three October public forums to help Bulloch County and Statesboro residents deliberate on data center policies. The forums use a deliberative model to examine three possible approaches and their trade-offs, with results to be shared with local officials.

Grice Connect · Georgia · also at Grice Connect

Democrat Sheila Edwards and Republican Josh Tolbert are competing in the general election to fill a Georgia Public Service Commission District 5 seat. The commissioners regulate how much Georgians pay for electricity and natural gas, with the race appearing statewide despite the district being in northwest Georgia.

Georgia Recorder · Georgia

Georgia school districts will forgo approximately $300 million in sales tax revenue this year due to tax breaks given to data center companies like OpenAI and Microsoft, according to an analysis by Good Jobs First. Losses vary significantly by district, ranging from $3.6 million in Newton County to $35.5 million in Gwinnett County.

The 74 · Fulton Co., GA · also at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Southern University will host a free public forum series to help Statesboro and Bulloch County residents discuss data center development in their community. Participants will receive a discussion guide, and forum themes will be shared with local officials and the public.

WSAV-TV · Georgia

A Good Jobs First report finds that Georgia's data center tax breaks could cost the state and local governments nearly $3 billion in fiscal year 2027, including $1.4 billion from a sales tax exemption for high-technology equipment that could otherwise fund school meals and transportation.

Good Jobs First · Georgia

Congressional lawmakers are questioning whether Meta's reported $6.6 billion in federal research tax credits from 2023-2025 appropriately covers expenses for constructing and operating AI data centers. Meta argues AI-optimized data centers require extensive testing and experimentation that qualifies for the credits, but senators contend such construction subsidies exceed the credits' intended purpose.

Engineering News-Record · Richland Parish, LA

Baton Rouge Business Report · E. Baton Rouge Parish, LA

Earthjustice filed an appeal challenging a Louisiana regulatory agency's decision to allow Meta to withhold information about its North Louisiana data center project, seeking disclosure of investment, job creation, and electricity demand data that an administrative judge had ruled must be provided.

The Equation - Union of Concerned Scientists · Louisiana

New Orleans city planners urged the City Council to extend a data center construction ban for six additional months and recommended a 1,000-foot buffer between any future data centers and residential areas. The Planning Commission rejected staff recommendations for an outright ban but voted 5-2 to oppose zoning changes that would permit data centers, citing concerns about water and electricity infrastructure strain.

NOLA.com · Orleans Parish, LA

New Orleans city planners urged the City Council to extend a six-month ban on data center construction and proposed a 1,000-foot buffer between any future data centers and residential areas. The Planning Commission voted against staff recommendations for outright prohibition, citing lack of a legal majority.

NOLA.com · Orleans Parish, LA

Headline onlyNortheast Mississippi Daily Journal · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyMississippi Today · DeSoto Co., MS

Advocacy groups are challenging a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval of the "Mississippi Crossing" natural gas pipeline project, arguing it is unnecessary and inflates forecasted energy demand tied to data center growth. The 208-mile pipeline extension, approved by FERC, has prompted 141 condemnation cases against Mississippi property owners who oppose the project.

HottyToddy.com · Mississippi

Memphis City Council delayed voting on a data center moratorium until October 20 after residents packed a meeting opposing new construction. While some Washington officials blamed Chinese bot accounts for anti-data-center sentiment, researchers found those accounts reached almost no one, with local grassroots opposition—driven by concerns about power bills and neighborhood impacts—canceling at least $260 billion in projects this year.

Quartz · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council voted 7-5 to postpone a decision on a proposed one-year moratorium on new data center construction, with another vote scheduled for October 20. The delay prompted heated confrontations at the meeting between council members and residents concerned about pollution from data center operations in predominantly Black neighborhoods.

Word In Black · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Democratic state Representative Justin J. Pearson is running for Congress in Tennessee's 9th District against Republican Brent Taylor, opposing xAI's Colossus data centers being built near Memphis, citing concerns about energy demands and community impact.

Democracy Now! · Shelby Co., TN

State Rep. Justin Pearson and local organizers will hold a press conference Thursday regarding a lawsuit challenging their ban from the next two Memphis City Council meetings, which stemmed from disruptions at an October 6 meeting over a data center moratorium vote.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN

As Tennessee communities impose restrictions on data center development citing electricity demands, water consumption, and facility size, a PostDigital CEO says the industry must rethink its approach and work with communities to address concerns rather than simply pursue larger projects.

WZTV · Davidson Co., TN

Headline onlyET Datacenters · Shelby Co., TN · also at ET Datacenters

Millington has approved a six-month moratorium on data center and related computing facility development applications, effective immediately through April 12. Shelby County and Memphis are separately considering their own data center moratoriums.

Action News 5 · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWREG.com

Headline onlyPark Hills Daily Journal

Headline onlyWREG.com · also at WREG.com

Headline onlyWSFA

Headline onlyGovTech · Lowndes Co., AL

Headline onlyWBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Dothan Eagle · Alabama

The Lowndes County Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday to approve a 20-year tax abatement and development agreement for Project Red Clay, an Nvidia-backed data center planned on over 1,000 acres in Burkville. Commissioners voted against holding the scheduled October 20 public meeting on the proposal before approving it.

Yellowhammer News · Lowndes Co., AL

The Lowndes County Commission approved development agreements Tuesday for Project Red Clay, a hyperscale data center near U.S. 80 and Alabama 21 developed by Houston-based Cloverleaf Infrastructure. The 2,200-acre project is expected to generate $2.85 billion in local tax revenue over 20 years and includes a 20-year tax abatement, though residents have raised concerns about noise, environmental impact, and lack of transparency regarding the facility's eventual operator.

Alabama Daily News · Lowndes Co., AL · also at Black Belt News Network

Digi Power X secured $200 million in debt financing syndicated by Goldman Sachs to develop a 40MW data center in Columbiana, Alabama, with phases scheduled for completion by end of 2026 and Q1 2027. Cloud provider Cerebras signed on for the full capacity in May.

DCD · Alabama

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama

Parents at Bessemer City Middle School are calling for removal of a school resource officer after alleging he touched students inappropriately during searches for a cellphone Monday. The Bessemer City School System and Police Department are investigating; the officer has been removed from school pending the investigation's outcome.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

President Trump claimed at a Tennessee rally that his administration "completely reformed" the TVA while citing incorrect figures for former CEO pay; the highest-paid TVA CEO made around $10.5 million, not the $12.5 million Trump stated.

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

Headline onlyTechnology Org · Florida

OpenAI appointed Uday Ruddarraju, formerly of Elon Musk's xAI, to oversee its compute and infrastructure operations. Sachin Katti, who previously led infrastructure including a $30 billion Georgia data center project, is departing the role but remaining as an adviser.

The Next Web · Georgia

Walker County has received no inquiries from prospective data center developers, according to the county's director of Communications and Community Development. A committee is reviewing potential development restrictions as the county's moratorium on such facilities approaches expiration in February 2027.

The Rome News-Tribune · Georgia

Three public forums are scheduled in October to discuss whether data centers should be located in Bulloch County and Statesboro, with sessions set for Saturday, October 22, and October 27 at various locations. The forums, using the National Issues Forums model, will help residents deliberate the contentious issue through small moderated groups examining different approaches and their trade-offs.

Statesboro Herald · Georgia

A development of regional impact application has been filed for the Nixon Technology Center, a proposed 3.34 million square foot data center campus on 388 acres in Richmond County near Augusta. The project is set to come online in 2028 or 2029.

DCD · Richmond Co., GA

Georgia's Public Service Commission races ahead of November elections have focused on data center regulation, particularly regarding how utilities price electricity for facilities like the planned OpenAI data center in Effingham County. Candidates differ on whether data center costs should shift to residential ratepayers and whether companies should bear full infrastructure expenses.

Statesboro Herald · Georgia

Livingston Parish President Randy Delatte met with NextEra Energy representatives exploring a battery storage facility in the parish. The proposed 500-megawatt project has sparked speculation about a potential data center, though no project has been finalized and the company is exploring multiple statewide sites.

WAFB · Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May disclosed that Meta's planned Richland Parish data center will require 4,500 megawatts of nearly constant electricity—nearly four times New Orleans' peak demand—with Meta's agreement requiring the company to cover infrastructure costs.

10/12 Industry Report · Richland Parish, LA

The Louisiana Tax Commission approved a motion establishing average economic lives for data center equipment and infrastructure, marking progress toward statewide property tax valuation guidelines. The motion, approved Sept. 23, creates three equipment categories with different economic lives and recognizes data centers as a new property category beginning in 2027.

Bloomberg Tax · Louisiana · also at Bloomberg Tax

A poll of 501 Mississippi likely voters released by House Speaker Jason White shows nearly 48 percent oppose continued state recruitment of data centers, while 72 percent support restoring the ballot initiative voters lost in 2021.

the mississippi independent · Mississippi

Millington's Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved a six-month moratorium on new data center applications Monday, effective immediately through April 12, 2027. The restriction halts acceptance of applications for non-grid power generation, accessory computing, and industrial-scale facilities.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

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

Nashville Metro Council approved new zoning regulations for data centers in July, creating five classifications based on size and electrical load, with the largest category prohibited countywide. The regulations require separation distances ranging from 100 feet for small facilities to half a mile for large facilities from sensitive uses like residences, schools, and parks, along with requirements for closed-loop cooling systems, noise monitoring, and renewable energy systems.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Davidson Co., TN · also at News Channel 5 Nashville

Chattanooga Times Free Press

Headline onlyLowndes Signal · also at Lowndes Signal

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

Headline onlyAL.com · also at AL.com

The Allentown Planning Commission approved a 75-megawatt data center plan from Quantm LLC, which must still receive final approval from City Council. Residents opposed the project, citing concerns about electricity costs, environmental impacts, and noise pollution.

Food & Water Watch

Walker County's data center study committee met October 8 to advance draft regulations, supporting closed-loop cooling systems, requiring permanent building construction instead of shipping containers, mandating downward-directed lighting limited to 3,000 Kelvin, and setting noise limits at 65 decibels with acoustic testing requirements.

Local 3 News

Headline onlyAL.com

timesdaily.com

The Lowndes County Commission approved a deal with Cloverleaf Infrastructure for Project Red Clay, a proposed data center in Burkeville that faced community opposition. The project is projected to generate $149 million annually in taxes and create 225 permanent jobs, with construction potentially beginning in early 2027.

WSFA · Lowndes Co., AL · also at WSFA

Digi Power X secured a commitment letter for US$200 million in debt financing from a major lending institution to support development of its 40 MW AI data center in Alabama. The financing, syndicated by Goldman Sachs, is expected to close within 90 days and will help complete the Alabama project while preserving corporate liquidity.

Proactive financial news · Alabama

Headline onlymarketscreener.com · Alabama

Headline onlyDealroom · Alabama

Headline onlyStreetInsider · Alabama · also at Investing.com UK, Investing.com

Digi Power X received a $200 million debt financing commitment from a major lender, syndicated by Goldman Sachs, to support completion of its 40 MW Alabama AI data center. The financing is expected to close within 90 days, subject to definitive documentation and lender diligence completion.

Stock Titan · Alabama

Digi Power X announced a $200 million debt financing commitment syndicated by Goldman Sachs to support completion of its 40 MW AI data center in Alabama, with closing expected within 90 days. The company is also expanding its AI token factory infrastructure through its NeoCloudz platform and converting New York sites to reduce noise and water consumption.

TradingView · Alabama · also at ACCESS Newswire

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Doug Jones outlined his data center platform at a Fort Deposit town hall, proposing a one-year moratorium on new construction, public disclosure of development agreements, and elimination of tax incentives. Jones also advocated for ethics law changes to prevent local officials from financially benefiting from data center projects.

Alabama Reflector · Lowndes Co., AL

Leon County Commissioners officially adopted an 18-month moratorium on Tuesday that pauses the review and approval of applications for new data centers and other large-load customer facilities. The commission determined the extended timeline would allow time to better understand potential impacts of data centers in the county.

WCTV · Florida · also at WCTV

Venice City Council unanimously passed the first reading of a data center development moratorium that would last 12 months if enacted. The council will hold a second reading and final vote on October 27.

ABC7 WWSB · Florida

Headline onlyTallahassee Democrat · Leon Co., FL

Two Florida utility commissioners attended a July retreat at a luxury West Palm Beach hotel where the industry covered their lodging and travel costs. Ethics experts and officials questioned whether the all-expenses-paid event violated state ethics laws, though the Public Service Commission said the commissioners' attendance complied with regulations.

AOL.com · Florida

Modern Ghana · Florida · also at Modern Ghana

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida

Martin County commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to advance a one-year moratorium on data centers while county leaders evaluate how to manage future facility development. A second vote is scheduled for Oct. 27, and a pending application submitted Monday would not be subject to the moratorium.

WPTV · Florida

Headline onlyThe Business Journals · Florida

A data center developer is threatening to sue Hood County if commissioners reject his Comanche Circle project near Dinosaur Valley State Park. The county's commissioner court will hear the request at a public hearing Oct. 13, following Gov. Abbott's directive requiring data center audits and a grassroots group's pledge to challenge any approval.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram · Florida

Headline only11Alive.com · Fulton Co., GA

Headline onlyThe Augusta Chronicle · Georgia

Headline onlySavannah Morning News · Chatham Co., GA

Local Georgia Democrats held a press event Monday opposing data center development, with state Sen. Harold Jones and party officials criticizing Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson's investments in data center projects. Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms supports a statewide moratorium on data centers to study their potential impacts before developing regulations.

The Augusta Press · Georgia

Georgia Public Service Commission candidates debated energy policy and data centers Monday, with Democratic candidates advocating for solar expansion and data center accountability, while Republican candidate Tolbert proposed a mixed energy approach balancing affordability and reliability without increasing residential costs.

The Center Square · Fulton Co., GA · also at The Center Square

Meta's data center under construction in Richland Parish is estimated to consume roughly four times the peak electricity usage recorded by Entergy New Orleans customers in June 2022. Opponents argue the project strains the energy grid and water supply, while Entergy states the company will pay its full share of infrastructure costs under a 20-year agreement.

FOX 8 Local First · Richland Parish, LA · also at WAFB, fox8live.com, KNOE

A subsidiary of bitcoin mining company Hut 8 donated $25,000 to Gov. Jeff Landry's political action committee in June, months before the company's $10 billion River Bend data center groundbreaking in West Feliciana Parish. Hut 8 stated the contribution was separate from project negotiations.

WWNO · Orleans Parish, LA

Three candidates are competing for a Louisiana Public Service Commission seat covering southeastern Louisiana, with data centers and utility rates as central campaign issues. The race includes Republican state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, no-party candidate Chris Justin, and Democrat Connie Norris, who are all pledging to lower utility rates and address concerns about Magnolia Water and Meta's data center expansion.

NOLA.com · Orleans Parish, LA

A poll of 501 Mississippi likely voters by Cygnal, commissioned by House Speaker Jason White, shows majorities support school choice programs (50.1%), eliminating property taxes on homestead property (56.6%), and restoring the ballot initiative process (72%), while plurality oppose further recruitment of data centers to the state (47.9%).

Magnolia Tribune · Mississippi

Headline onlyMississippi Today · Mississippi

Daily Memphian · Mississippi

Shelby County commissioners approved a data center moratorium on first reading Monday, mirroring a city proposal but extending it to unincorporated county areas. The measure, sponsored by Commissioner Henri Brooks, aims to protect farmland and greenspace, though some commissioners questioned its necessity given no current data centers exist in unincorporated areas.

FOX13 Memphis · Tennessee

Tennessee's 9th Congressional District race between Republican state Sen. Brent Taylor and Democratic state Rep. Justin Pearson centers on energy prices, data centers, and crime. Taylor supports gas tax suspension and data center cost reforms requiring owners to fund infrastructure upgrades, while Pearson opposes both and supports a data center moratorium and has criticized the Memphis Safe Task Force's policing tactics.

themercury.com · Shelby Co., TN · also at The Audubon County Advocate Journal, Iosco County News Herald, KPVI

Headline onlyThe Commercial Appeal · Tennessee · also at Yahoo

Headline onlyWREG.com · Shelby Co., TN

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

Headline onlyWKRN News 2 · Davidson Co., TN

Shelby County commissioners advanced a proposed temporary moratorium on data centers in unincorporated areas in a 5-4 vote Monday, with supporters saying regulations should be established before development occurs. The measure requires two more readings; Memphis City Council will vote on its own data center moratorium October 20.

Action News 5 · Tennessee · also at Action News 5

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlyWSFA

Headline onlyLowndes Signal · also at Lowndes Signal

Headline onlyWSFA · also at WSFA

Headline onlyLowndes Signal · also at Lowndes Signal

Headline onlyLowndes Signal

Boulder City residents successfully opposed an AI data center on private land, but developers obtained approval from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for the Townsite project on adjacent federal property. The approval has become a contentious issue in Nevada's gubernatorial race, with Democratic candidate Aaron Ford opposing data centers on public lands and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo supporting them if they have community backing.

wvtm

Headline onlywtsp.com

Stacey Abrams campaigned for Doug Jones at an Alabama gubernatorial rally, warning that data centers would "take over Alabama" if Republican Tommy Tuberville were elected. Tuberville's campaign has pledged to eliminate tax breaks for data centers and require them to pay maximum property tax rates.

1819 News · Madison Co., AL

Data centers Archives - Yellowhammer News · Alabama

Doug Jones held a rally in Huntsville as he campaigns for Alabama governor, discussing Medicaid expansion for rural areas and stronger regulations on data centers including limits on tax incentives. The event occurred 23 days before the Nov. 3 midterm election.

WAFF · Madison Co., AL · also at WBAY, fox10tv.com, WLBT

The Virginian-Pilot · Florida

A data center developer has sued Indiantown officials, claiming they are illegally blocking its $25 million project on over 600 acres. The suit alleges the newly elected village council is improperly stalling development and that Sunshine Law violations occurred during recent personnel changes.

WPEC · Florida

Headline onlyTreasure Coast News · Florida · also at Miami Herald

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly is calling for a pause on AI data center development in Florida until potential impacts on water, public health, and communities are studied. The episode also addresses Jolly's stance on Amendment 3 and property-tax relief provisions.

News4JAX · Duval Co., FL

The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners will discuss a proposed ordinance adding data center definitions and classifications to the county's zoning code at its Oct. 13 meeting. The measure would define data centers, establish size tiers, and require classification based on energy use, water consumption, noise and backup power.

decaturish.com · DeKalb Co. (GA), GA

Georgia Sens. Greg Dolezal and Josh McLaurin debated Monday over tax policies and data center development, with Dolezal proposing to eliminate property taxes and McLaurin arguing such cuts would devastate local government budgets and essential services.

The Center Square · Fulton Co., GA

Georgia voters will cast ballots in two statewide Public Service Commission races on November 3, with decisions affecting utility rates and energy infrastructure. The four candidates include incumbent Hubbard, former commissioner Johnson, engineer Tolbert, and advocate Edwards, who differ on data center costs and clean energy expansion.

FOX 5 Atlanta · Georgia

A five-building data center campus totaling 250,000 square feet per building is proposed for Metter in Candler County, Georgia, with construction phased through 2033. The project includes closed-loop cooling systems and two electrical substations, with the developer's identity remaining confidential and local officials rejecting a moratorium to support the development.

Construction Review · Georgia

Republican governor candidate Rick Jackson campaigned in Columbia County, outlining his data center policy requiring community approval, strict EPA standards, and economic benefits for residents. Meanwhile, State Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones held an Augusta event supporting Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms' proposed data center moratorium.

WRDW · Columbia Co. (GA), GA

A developer has filed an application to build a five-building data center campus on 470 acres near Metter-Candler Airport in Candler County, with construction planned over 5-7 years. The project would include up to 250,000 square-foot buildings and require rezoning the land to planned unit development status.

DCD · Fulton Co., GA

The Entergy Louisiana CEO unintentionally disclosed that a Meta data center in Richland Parish requires 4,500 megawatts of peak power—approximately four times New Orleans' peak demand. The utility and Meta had sought to keep the figure confidential, citing potential business harm, ahead of a Public Service Commission vote on constructing ten new gas plants.

Red River Radio · Orleans Parish, LA

Ampirical Solutions, LLC is expanding its headquarters and adding 175 high-wage technical jobs as its engineering and grid-services partnership with Entergy Louisiana grows to meet increased demand from aging infrastructure, electrification, renewable integration and data-center development across the state.

Entergy · Louisiana

An RV park owner in northeast Louisiana converted inherited land into housing for construction workers on Meta's $27 billion Hyperion data center project in Richland Parish. Private companies are investing heavily in data center construction, with spending reaching roughly $85 billion annually as of August, representing 73% growth year-over-year.

Woodall's Campground Magazine · Richland Parish, LA

Meta's Hyperion data center construction in Louisiana has spurred economic growth in Richland Parish, with local entrepreneurs launching new businesses to serve construction workers. Sales tax revenue increased from $21 million in 2024 to $39 million in 2025, with projections reaching $92 million by end of 2026.

KuCoin · Louisiana

Meta's massive data center project in rural Louisiana has spurred economic growth in Richland Parish, with existing businesses expanding and new ventures opening to serve thousands of construction workers. The parish's annual sales tax revenue jumped from $21 million in 2024 to $39 million in 2025, with projections to reach $92 million by the end of 2026.

Business Insider · Louisiana

A $6 billion AVAIO Digital data center project in Brandon has generated concerns after showing minimal construction progress one year following its September 2024 groundbreaking. Mississippi officials provided tax exemptions and infrastructure incentives under the "Mississippi Advantage" program, though the developer claims the facility will be operational by August 2027.

Construction Review · Mississippi

Athletic apparel brand ALO is opening a national fulfillment and distribution center in Southaven, representing a nearly $176 million investment and more than 400 new jobs for DeSoto County. The company, which began operations in August, plans to fill positions by 2027 and will occupy up to 1.2 million square feet in an existing building.

DeSoto County News · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyWKRN News 2 · Davidson Co., TN

Early voting in Tennessee begins Wednesday for the November general election, featuring statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate, along with congressional districts and three constitutional amendments on the ballot.

The Center Square · Tennessee · also at AOL.com

Memphis City Council postponed a vote on a proposed 12-month data center moratorium for the second time, with over 100 residents protesting at the meeting. The council voted 7-5 to delay the decision, with a new vote expected October 20.

Data Center Dynamics · Shelby Co., TN

Serverfarm completed the structural work on the first building of its new data center campus in Clarksville, Arkansas, which will offer 108MW of capacity across 300,000 square feet. The full campus is planned to comprise four buildings totaling 1.2 million square feet and 432MW of capacity.

DCD · Montgomery Co. (TN), TN

Headline onlyWREG.com

Iran's government deemed the U.S. response to a war-ending proposal inadequate and threatened attacks on regional data centers and cables should hostilities resume, according to a senior Iranian official.

Decatur Daily

Georgia Tech's Energy Policy and Innovation Center is tracking legislation filed for the January General Assembly session addressing data center issues, including bills proposing moratoriums on new facilities, repealing or limiting tax exemptions for data center equipment, and requiring disclosure of resource use and cost allocation to data center operators.

Savannah Business Journal · Georgia

Headline only11Alive.com · Georgia

Rural Pennsylvania communities and state officials have halted or delayed several data center projects, including NorthPoint Development's Project Hazelnut, amid intensified local opposition. The backlash reflects broader discontent with data center expansions and may influence legislative actions in other states.

Crypto Briefing · Louisiana

NorthPoint Development's $165 million Pennsylvania data center project has faced intensified community opposition, becoming a focal point in broader debates across multiple states about how to expand infrastructure for artificial intelligence facilities.

TOKENPOST · Louisiana

Headline onlyPlanetizen · Mississippi

The Shelby County Commission will hold a first vote on a data center moratorium, as the Memphis City Council concurrently considers a similar proposal.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

5C Group filed a $575 million permit Oct. 6 to expand its Memphis data center, planning to increase power capacity from 20 kWh to 84 kWh within six months using fuel cell technology without drawing from the local utility grid.

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

"Saturday Night Live" parodied Kevin O'Leary's proposed data center in Box Elder County during a "Weekend Update" segment, with actor James Austin Johnson portraying O'Leary and joking about water usage and pollution impacts. O'Leary responded positively to the sketch, calling it well-done.

NBC 15 WPMI · also at KUTV

Headline onlywtsp.com

Ukraine's military conducted a third drone strike against Russian technology company Yandex's data centers in four days, with Sunday's attack disabling a facility in Vladimir and causing service outages across Russia and neighboring countries. President Zelenskyy said Ukraine would halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow stops attacking Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

WKMG

Utility crews across North Alabama continue cleanup efforts following Hurricane Isaias, with power restoration underway in multiple counties. Emergency management directors reported relatively minor storm impacts in the region, though some customers remained without power Saturday afternoon.

WAFF · Jackson Co. (AL), AL

Jefferson County Sheriff's deputies seized nearly 60 pounds of methamphetamine during a traffic stop in Bessemer on Oct. 5. Donnarius Thomas, 37, was arrested and charged with two counts of drug trafficking and second degree possession of marijuana.

WBRC · Jefferson Co., AL

Rosenblatt Securities initiated a Buy rating on Nebius with a $304 price target based on AI training and inference demand. The company faces a legal challenge to its planned Birmingham data center, and investors are monitoring whether recently acquired technology will deliver promised improvements in GPU utilization and operational efficiency.

AD HOC NEWS · Jefferson Co., AL

Alabama Arise has identified ending state sales tax on groceries and giving counties authority over data center issues among its top legislative priorities for 2027.

timesdaily.com · Alabama

Headline onlyNBC 6 South Florida · Florida

The Rome News-Tribune · Fulton Co., GA

Entergy Mississippi warned Amazon Web Services of potential data center disconnections in the Jackson area during peak electricity demand due to grid capacity constraints, prompting AWS to modify its power systems for automatic backup generation switching.

Crypto Briefing · Hinds Co., MS

Entergy Mississippi warned Amazon Web Services that Jackson-area data centers may face disconnections during peak electricity demand periods. AWS modified its power systems to enable automatic backup generation switching in response to grid-capacity constraints.

TOKENPOST · Hinds Co., MS

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Dothan Eagle

Defendants in a Birmingham data-center lawsuit have agreed to provide sales documents regarding three property transactions in one hour that increased the land's value by $66 million, a judge brokered Wednesday. The consolidated lawsuit involves residents, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, data-center developer Nebius, and the city of Birmingham.

WBHM · Jefferson Co., AL

Alabama Arise, a statewide nonprofit coalition, announced seven 2027 legislative priorities including eliminating state grocery sales tax, empowering counties to regulate data centers, and closing the healthcare coverage gap for low-income adults. The group, representing nearly 500 members, also seeks increased minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, and SNAP funding protections.

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

Paul Wayne Allen of Decatur, Alabama, died October 4, 2026. A Celebration of Life will be held October 11, 2026, at Roselawn Funeral Home following visitation.

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

Southern Company offers a higher current dividend yield at 3.53% compared to NextEra Energy's 3.23%, but NextEra has planned dividend increases of 6% to 10% annually through 2028 backed by management guidance for 8%+ earnings growth through 2032, while Southern's raises have averaged about 2.7% annually since 2023.

24/7 Wall St. · Florida

Alpharetta's planning commission approved a proposal Oct. 1 for the Royal 400 Data Center to expand by 60,000 square feet and add a Georgia Power substation. The city council will vote on final approval Oct. 26.

Appen Media · Georgia

Grand Junction City Council unanimously voted to hold a public hearing October 21 on a proposed one-year moratorium that would halt data center development applications. The draft ordinance would prohibit city acceptance and processing of data center proposals while officials research zoning code adjustments.

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel · Walton Co., GA

Two candidates are running for Georgia Public Service Commission chair in District 3. Incumbent Peter Hubbard, who has 16 years of energy industry experience developing solar and battery storage projects, is focusing his campaign on lowering utility bills and increasing clean energy. Challenger Fitz Johnson, a former PSC member and U.S. Army veteran, is emphasizing keeping energy affordable through reliable energy sources and opposing federal regulations he says increase utility costs.

Grady Newsource · Georgia

Economist Dr. Loren Scott told Northwest Louisiana business leaders that the region is positioned for economic growth driven by data center investments, industrial expansion, energy development and research initiatives. Scott highlighted Amazon's planned $18 billion investment in three data center campuses expected to create approximately 750 direct jobs, along with opportunities from the Cyber Research Park, Port of Caddo-Bossier and Haynesville Shale development.

Bossier Press-Tribune · Louisiana

Data center construction is driving a significant share of U.S. economic growth, with private companies building data centers at a pace of roughly $85 billion annually in August, 73% more than a year earlier. However, this spending depends on companies continuing to increase AI investments annually, and a slowdown would leave construction workers without jobs, burden households with unused power infrastructure, and saddle banks with losses on data center financing.

Quartz · Richland Parish, LA

US utilities are considering disconnecting data centers during peak electricity demand to protect grid stability amid rising power consumption from artificial intelligence, with companies like Entergy informing Amazon that Mississippi facilities could face service interruptions.

Crypto Briefing · Mississippi

Organizations linked to Elon Musk donated more than $3 million to the Southaven Police Department between December and February while SpaceXAI sought approval for a data center in the city. The donations are part of a broader pattern of Musk-affiliated companies and nonprofits donating to public agencies in locations important to SpaceXAI's business dealings.

Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis Mayor Paul Young signed an executive order establishing a 90-day study to develop data center regulations addressing land use, infrastructure, air quality, water resources, and noise. The study group will submit recommendations to the city and present findings publicly, with at least three community education sessions required.

Memphis Flyer · Shelby Co., TN

The Shelby County Commission is considering a 12-month data center moratorium for unincorporated areas, mirroring a proposal under review by Memphis City Council. The measure was sent back to committee without recommendation as commissioners remain divided on whether a moratorium would allow time to develop regulations or discourage outside business investment.

Tri-State Defender · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council unanimously approved new zoning standards for data centers on its first reading Thursday, part of efforts to regulate the facilities currently unrestricted by city ordinance. Four additional discussions are scheduled this month before the three-vote process concludes, with a separate 12-month moratorium proposal set for final vote October 20.

Tri-State Defender · Shelby Co., TN

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

Headline onlyFox News · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis Mayor Paul Young issued an executive order Friday establishing a 90-day working group to develop guidelines for data centers operating in the city.

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

Mayor Paul Young announced an executive order establishing a 90-day study on guardrails for xAI data centers, following public criticism and City Council tensions. Young emphasized the study would not replace ongoing moratorium discussions.

Action News 5 · Tennessee

Michael Roberson, formerly a lead commissioning engineer at xAI, has joined OpenAI's infrastructure team as a commissioning program manager. He previously spent a year at xAI overseeing data center commissioning and worked at Fluidstack before his move to OpenAI.

Data Center Dynamics · Shelby Co., TN

Hundreds of Memphis residents protested Tuesday when the City Council delayed a vote on a one-year data center moratorium while new regulations are developed. The moratorium is backed by community members concerned about industrial-size data centers.

WKNO FM · Shelby Co., TN

A proposed data center next to Nashville Zoo is heading to the Board of Zoning Appeals to determine whether older or newer zoning rules apply to the project. The zoo, backed by a petition with over 600,000 signatures, argues the development violates new regulations requiring at least a half-mile separation from the zoo.

WZTV · Davidson Co., TN · also at WZTV, WZTV, WZTV

Lake County's Planning and Zoning Board recommended an ordinance requiring data centers to obtain conditional use permits, drawing mixed reactions from residents who either support the proposal or call for an outright ban citing concerns about noise, power demand and heat. The measure will go before county commissioners on October 13, with a final decision expected in November.

WKMG

Headline onlyAL.com

Headline onlywtsp.com

Headline onlyWREG.com

Alabama Arise's 2027 legislative priorities include eliminating the state sales tax on groceries, supporting a $15-an-hour minimum wage, and expanding county powers to regulate data center projects. Nearly 500 members voted on the seven priorities, which reflect concerns expressed by Alabamians across the state.

Alabama Political Reporter · Alabama

The Alabama Public Service Commission unanimously approved a procedure allowing automatic approval of Alabama Power's large load data center contracts if the commission does not vote within 90 days of submission.

timesdaily.com · Alabama

Decatur Daily · Morgan Co., AL

During a one-on-one interview in San Antonio, Trump said a Republican victory in November is necessary to protect the economy and preserve his administration's policies, while criticizing Democratic immigration approaches and citing stock market gains as evidence of economic success.

WOAI · Jefferson Co., AL

Manatee County commissioners unanimously approved a one-year moratorium on new data center projects to allow time for studying potential effects on energy, water, infrastructure and communities. The move follows North Port's approval of an 18-month data center moratorium.

ABC7 WWSB · Florida

Headline onlyNBC 6 South Florida · Florida

Manatee County Commissioners unanimously approved a 12-month moratorium on new data center applications while the county determines whether permanent regulations should allow such facilities. The move blocks development while commissioners consider potential policy changes addressing water consumption, power demands, environmental impacts and facility locations.

Florida Politics · Florida

Headline onlyPensions & Investments · Florida

Three Duval County Democrats held a news conference near the St. Johns River criticizing Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds' approach to AI data centers, arguing that facilities near waterways could harm the environment. The Democrats pointed to campaign contributions from data center developers as evidence of industry influence on Donalds' position.

Hoodline · Duval Co., FL

Headline onlyForbes · Florida

Florida utilities are preparing to build power infrastructure for data centers, with questions about cost responsibility if customers leave. The state law requires large data center customers to pay their own way, but implementation varies: Tampa Electric included a 20-year exit fee, Florida Power and Light's fee covers only partial costs, Duke Energy Florida awaits regulatory approval, and city-owned utilities like Orlando Utilities Commission are not covered by the law.

Orlando Sentinel · Florida

Voters in seven states will decide on 34 data center-related ballot measures this November as artificial intelligence infrastructure becomes a political issue. A Fox News poll found 71% of voters opposed building AI data centers locally, though 52% supported remote locations, with partisan divides emerging over AI policy.

930 WFMD Free Talk · Florida

Pembroke is using a 180-day moratorium on data center development to review city ordinances and establish land-use regulations for such projects. The review will consider impacts on water, wastewater, electricity, noise, lighting, public safety and infrastructure.

WTOC · Georgia

Georgia Power will keep Plant Scherer, the Western Hemisphere's largest coal-burning facility near Juliette, operational indefinitely after previously planning to retire it in 2028. The decision reverses course citing growth in electric transportation, solar manufacturing, and data centers, despite years of health concerns from nearby residents alleging contamination from coal ash in groundwater.

Atlanta News First · Fulton Co., GA

Two Public Service Commission races on Georgia's November ballot will determine utility rate regulation and who bears infrastructure costs for data center development. Black voters are expected to play a decisive role in the elections that could shift the regulatory body's balance between Democrats and Republicans.

Capital B News - Atlanta · Fulton Co., GA

Meta is investing $50 billion to expand its Richland Parish facility to nearly 10 million square feet with 5 gigawatts of IT capacity, making it the largest in Meta's global fleet and among the largest digital factories ever built. The facility will house Hyperion, Meta's largest AI training cluster.

Louisiana Economic Development - LED (.gov) · Richland Parish, LA

Headline onlyWWLTV.com · Orleans Parish, LA · also at WWLTV.com

U.S. lawmakers introduced bipartisan legislation to impose additional costs and restrictions on data centers while expediting energy infrastructure development to meet artificial intelligence demand. The proposal aims to address environmental and energy concerns associated with data centers.

Crypto Briefing · Louisiana

Entergy Louisiana and Meta's opponents disputed plans for seven new gas-fired power plants and related infrastructure to support a massive data center expansion at a Public Service Commission hearing. The utility disclosed Meta would consume 4,500 megawatts of power, while critics warned ratepayers could face costs if Meta leaves after its 20-year contract.

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

Entergy Mississippi has warned AWS that its data centers could face disconnection during peak electricity demand periods, citing grid capacity concerns as the company expands its regional presence with multiple projects potentially valued at $25 billion.

Crypto Briefing · Mississippi

Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite defended MZX Tech LLC's voluntary home buyout offers to residents near its data center and power plant, characterizing the company as a good corporate citizen. Musselwhite disputed media reports claiming residents were being forced to sell, noting the buyouts are voluntary and the company has complied with all noise regulations while taking steps to mitigate turbine noise.

DeSoto Times-Tribune · DeSoto Co., MS

Headline onlyThe Information · Mississippi

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Memphis City Council passed first reading of a data center regulation ordinance on Thursday following a work session. The city issued ban notices to at least one community activist, preventing her attendance at upcoming council meetings scheduled to continue discussing data center proposals.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

The City Council passed a tentative zoning ordinance for data centers that combines multiple proposals from council members and requires two additional full Council votes before final approval.

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

A data center pause ordinance combining proposals from multiple council members cleared an initial vote and faces two additional City Council votes before final approval.

Daily Memphian · Shelby Co., TN

DC BLOX, an Atlanta-based company, is filing an amended complaint after a federal judge dismissed its lawsuit challenging Nashville's data center regulations and moratorium that blocked its proposed project near the Nashville Zoo. The company claims Metro officials violated its constitutional rights by refusing to process permits and seeks declaratory judgment and $23 million in compensation for property purchased.

The Center Square · Davidson Co., TN · also at AOL.com, The Black Chronicle, Yahoo

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

A federal judge dismissed data center developer DC Blox's lawsuit against Metro Nashville, which had challenged the city's zoning regulations and moratorium on new data center approvals for a site near the Nashville Zoo. The judge gave DC Blox 21 days to amend some dismissed claims.

Chattanooga Times Free Press · Davidson Co., TN

Memphis City Council members delayed a vote on a proposed one-year data center moratorium, prompting protesters to disrupt the meeting over concerns about local energy demands and noise.

Fox Business · Shelby Co., TN

SpaceX is slowing construction of its data centers and prioritizing reliability over speed after outages disrupted Grok and paying customers at Memphis facilities. The company replaced xAI-led management with engineers from its rocket and Starlink divisions and added backup power systems and redundant cooling measures.

Gadget Review · Shelby Co., TN

Organizers from Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Arizona share strategies for resisting data centers, including rapid community activation, social media outreach, coalition-building, and strategic messaging focused on local impacts like water consumption and pollution.

Shareable · Tennessee

A majority of council members voted Tuesday to postpone the final vote on a data center moratorium, causing an abrupt meeting end. The Shelby County Health Department issued a Code Orange Ozone Forecast for the region due to unhealthy ozone levels affecting sensitive groups.

FOX13 Memphis · Shelby Co., TN

The Memphis City Council will resume Thursday after Tuesday's meeting was disrupted by shouting and fighting over data center ordinances. A moratorium vote on new data centers and expansions is scheduled for October 20.

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

Nashvillians across the political spectrum organized opposition to data center development in Davidson County following a summer proposal near the Nashville Zoo, resulting in Metro Council passing strict regulations on such facilities.

Nashville Scene · Davidson Co., TN

Memphis City Council postponed a vote on a proposed yearlong data center moratorium until Oct. 20 after voting 7-5 to defer the decision on Oct. 6, which sparked protests that disrupted the meeting and led to a lobby fight with no reported injuries or detentions.

TheEnergyMag · Shelby Co., TN · also at TheEnergyMag

A federal judge dismissed all nine claims in DC BLOX's lawsuit against Metro Nashville over a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo, but allowed the company 21 days to amend three of the claims. The judge found DC BLOX failed to adequately state viable legal claims and ruled that state courts are better positioned to handle questions of Tennessee law.

News Channel 5 Nashville · Davidson Co., TN

A federal judge dismissed DC BLOX's lawsuit against Metro Nashville over a proposed data center near the Nashville Zoo, but allowed the company 21 days to refile clarified claims. The judge did not rule on whether the city properly applied its data-center moratorium or whether the project can ultimately proceed.

WZTV · Davidson Co., TN

Headline onlylocalmemphis.com · Shelby Co., TN

A defeated candidate for state legislature has dropped her election interference case against Jefferson County Probate Judge Yashiba Blanchard, who also serves as the county's chief elections official. The candidate had alleged impropriety at polling places in Birmingham and Midfield during the race won by incumbent Patrick Sellers.

AL.com

Headline onlyThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Headline onlyAL.com · Jefferson Co., AL

A court hearing over subpoenas in lawsuits challenging a Birmingham data center project resulted in no immediate decisions, with the judge directing parties to negotiate what information will be disclosed. The plaintiffs seek testimony from officials at Regions Bank, Alabama Power, U.S. Steel and others, while defendants' attorneys contested the subpoenas.

WVTM Channel 13 · Jefferson Co., AL

Attorneys challenging Birmingham's proposed data center and defendants reached a partial agreement Wednesday to turn over executed settlement documents and purchase agreements related to property transactions, while disputes continue over subpoenas to other entities including Iron City Premier Realty.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Mobile and Baldwin County officials urged residents Wednesday to prepare for Tropical Storm Isaias, warning of storm surge, flooding and hazardous conditions expected late Friday. Officials recommended residents complete preparations and consider voluntary evacuations, with Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey declaring a state of emergency for 40 counties.

AL.com · Mobile Co., AL

Mayor Randall Woodfin responded to a discovery dispute in a lawsuit over a proposed Nebius data center, stating his wife Kendra Woodfin and her company Iron City Premier Realty had no involvement in the property purchase or sale. Woodfin said he plans legal action to protect his wife's reputation.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyAL.com · Alabama · also at AL.com

A 20-year-old Fort Payne man and a 17-year-old have been arrested in connection with a Sept. 28 McDonald's shooting in Birmingham that killed Isaiah Hosanna and injured another man. Ernesto Gama Pablo faces capital murder, attempted murder and firearm charges.

WBRC 6 News · Jefferson Co., AL

Alabama is closely monitoring weather ahead of Saturday's football game between No. 6 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia, with no plans to alter the contest despite potential hurricane conditions forecast for central Alabama. Data center developers are optioning land around rural Alabama communities lacking zoning, with industry investment in the state surpassing $63 billion.

Yellowhammer News · Madison Co., AL

Headline onlyrocketcitynow.com · Alabama · also at Chattanooga Times Free Press, Alabama Reflector

Republican Lieutenant Governor nominee John Wahl says Alabama will eventually phase out its state income tax to remain competitive with other GOP states. West Virginia is using revenue from hyperscale data center projects to fund income tax elimination, a model Alabama could follow.

Data centers Archives - Yellowhammer News · Alabama

The Alabama Public Service Commission unanimously approved a new procedure Tuesday for evaluating Alabama Power's large load data center contracts, including automatic approval if the commission fails to vote within 90 days of submission. The procedure establishes reporting requirements for Alabama Power and includes specific criteria data centers must meet to demonstrate public interest benefits.

Alabama Daily News · Alabama

The Alabama Public Service Commission voted Tuesday to maintain an automatic approval process for Alabama Power's data center electricity contracts if the commission fails to vote within 90 days, extending the previous review period from 10 days. Energy Alabama and the Alabama Attorney General's Office had called for public votes on such contracts.

1819 News · Alabama

The Alabama Public Service Commission approved stricter data center rules requiring more transparency and public votes on projects, but included a provision allowing automatic approval if the commission fails to vote within 90 days. The rules require Alabama Power to disclose data center company names, locations, and maximum electricity usage.

Inside Climate News · Alabama

The Brookwood City Council voted Tuesday to support the Tuscaloosa County Economic Development Authority's agreement with Applied Digital for a $3.2 billion AI data center project expected to bring thousands of construction jobs and over 100 permanent positions. The Alabama Public Service Commission will vote on a related power agreement within weeks.

WBRC · Tuscaloosa Co., AL

Defendants in a Birmingham data center lawsuit have challenged subpoenas directed at law firm Bradley Arant Boult Cummings and Alabama Power Company, arguing the requests exceed court-authorized discovery and may seek attorney-client privileged materials ahead of a March 2027 trial.

WBMA · Jefferson Co., AL

Headline onlyRTO Insider · Alabama

Democratic officials in Jacksonville criticized Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds over his stance on data centers, noting he received millions from developers while arguing he'd allow unchecked construction. Donalds countered that local governments, not the state, would decide whether data centers develop in their communities, while his Democratic opponent David Jolly proposed a one-year moratorium on such projects.

Action News Jax · Florida

Jacksonville city leaders discussed how a hyperscale data center could impact the city's power and water infrastructure during a public forum. JEA said it has received 50 inquiries about data centers but currently lacks capacity to serve one, which typically requires at least 50 megawatts of power.

News4JAX · Duval Co., FL

Duval County leaders convened Wednesday to discuss whether to pause data center development and establish local regulations. The utility JEA reported six existing small-scale data centers in its service area and at least 50 recent development requests, but said it lacks capacity for hyper-scale facilities requiring 50+ megawatts.

Action News Jax · Florida

Headline onlyNews4JAX · Duval Co., FL

JEA has received inquiries about large data centers but confirms none are currently under evaluation. The utility lacks capacity to serve a hyperscale facility and is developing a rate class for customers requiring 50 megawatts or more, with work continuing into 2027.

News4JAX · Duval Co., FL

Headline onlySierra Club · Florida