Investigative Report:
Power in the Dark is a six-part investigative project that explores the benefits and consequences of the status that Virginia has developed over the past 30 years as the data center capital of the world.
The stories examine how Big Tech’s seemingly unconstrained march into rural parts of the state has encountered stiff resistance from residents who worry about AI data centers’ insatiable appetites for more land, more electricity and more water.
Power in the Dark tackles a topic of public concern by focusing on residents who live near proposed data centers, the public officials who’ve given their approval, often in secret, and the huge amounts of tech industry money flowing from the state level to local Boards of Supervisors, the final arbiters of what gets built and what doesn’t.
Jay Lewis is no longer serving as the Walkers Creek supervisor after he did not take an oath of office following his re-election. His vacancy forced a re-vote on funding for a proposed recreation center, putting the project in limbo.
Residents in the city say the divide between members of The Church of Latter-day Saints and non-members continues to influence the community three decades after leaders of the church acquired Southern Virginia University. Residents say relations have improved in some areas but persist in many others.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that he authorized direct negotiations with Lebanon, while Israeli attacks continued.
Wayne Handley, the city’s interim city manager, says two sworn officer positions will be taken away due to the merging of Parry McCluer Middle School into Parry McCluer High School. A vacant patrol officer position also will remain unfilled. Dave Clements, the city’s interim police chief, says he does not expect any impact on response times.
The $1 million project in downtown Lexington is almost complete. The improvements, funded by outside donations, involved moving the Veterans Memorial, replacing grass with brick, and adding terraces and trees. Business owners hope the facelift will help increase foot traffic downtown.
The city has approved funding for four applicants to the Homeowner Helper Program. The recipients’ houses require fixes ranging from a fresh coat of paint to a new foundation.
Rockbridge CAN is working to reach those in more isolated parts of the county, areas where many residents live alone. The organization brings free, sit-down meals to communities with limited access to fresh food.
In recent years, Virginia has updated its guidelines regarding testing requirements for special education students in an effort to make schools more inclusive. Local schools are also moving toward having more special education students in general education classrooms.