Explore

Natrona County Residents Discuss Impact of Data Center Boom

Natrona County Residents Discuss Impact of Data Center Boom

Natrona County Residents Discuss Impact of Data Center Boom

Governor Henry McMaster Receives Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award, Emphasizes Interconnected Prosperity

Governor Henry McMaster Receives Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award, Emphasizes Interconnected Prosperity

Governor Henry McMaster was honored with a Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award by Conservation Voters of South Carolina. This recognition highlights his administration's substantial commitment to conservation efforts, including securing over $318 million for conservation initiatives in the past three years and contributing to the protection of more than 229,000 acres. The 2026 state budget further allocated over $65 million for land conservation. During the awards luncheon, Governor McMaster articulated his perspective on prosperity, stating that jobs, education, and the environment are mutually dependent components essential for South Carolina's overall well-being. While the environmental advocacy group has previously critiqued some of McMaster's policies, particularly concerning energy, this award acknowledges the significant strides made under his leadership in preserving the state's natural resources. This approach challenges the common public debate framework that often positions economic developme...

South Carolina Pauses Apartment Tax Exemption Amid Local Government Budget Impacts

South Carolina Pauses Apartment Tax Exemption Amid Local Government Budget Impacts

South Carolina has paused a tax exemption program for apartment complexes that has reportedly caused significant financial strain on local governments and school districts. The exemption, intended for affordable housing, allows complexes where 75% of units are deemed affordable for low-income individuals to avoid property taxes. However, the definition of 'low-income' under federal guidelines has led to situations where individuals earning up to $66,000 in affluent counties like Charleston can qualify, allowing rents close to market rates to be considered 'affordable.' This has resulted in substantial revenue losses for municipalities, with officials in places like Cayce, Port Royal, and Rock Hill reporting unexpected budget shortfalls. For instance, an apartment complex in Charleston that paid nearly $600,000 in property tax in 2025 is now tax-exempt, despite some units being listed at over $1,500 per month for qualifying residents.

Illinois Racing Board Denies Bankrupt Hawthorne Race Course's 2027 Racing Application Amidst Data Center Controversy

Illinois Racing Board Denies Bankrupt Hawthorne Race Course's 2027 Racing Application Amidst Data Center Controversy

Illinois Racing Board Denies Bankrupt Hawthorne Race Course's 2027 Racing Application Amidst Data Center Controversy

Trump decries Democrats as 'communists,' even as he looks to impress China's communist leader

Trump decries Democrats as 'communists,' even as he looks to impress China's communist leader

President Donald Trump says that communism is the greatest threat the U.S. has ever faced

Taylor's four TDs rally Mississippi St. from 16-0 down to 41-34 win at South Carolina in SEC opener

Taylor's four TDs rally Mississippi St. from 16-0 down to 41-34 win at South Carolina in SEC opener

Kamario Taylor threw for 251 yards and four touchdowns as Mississippi State rallied from 16-0 down to open Southeastern Conference play with a 41-34 victory at South Carolina

Judge Delays Decision on Spartanburg Data Center Construction Amid Legal Challenges

Judge Delays Decision on Spartanburg Data Center Construction Amid Legal Challenges

A state circuit court judge in South Carolina has postponed a decision regarding the completion of construction for the proposed $3 billion Valara data center in Spartanburg. The central issue revolves around whether the Valara project is classified as a major or minor development. This classification is critical because it determines whether decisions can be made by county planning staff or if public hearings through the County Planning Commission are required. If deemed a minor development, county staff could proceed with review processes; if major, public hearings would be mandatory. Construction on the Valara site has already commenced and is continuing while the court deliberates. Last month, the state Public Service Commission dismissed a legal challenge by the Southern Environmental Law Center, which had argued that the site constituted a power plant. Additionally, other lawsuits are currently seeking to halt the project's construction entirely. The Valara project is distinct from the stalled Lighth...

Peru, Maine Voters to Consider Datacenter Moratorium After Governor Mills' Veto

Peru, Maine Voters to Consider Datacenter Moratorium After Governor Mills' Veto

Voters in Peru, Maine, are set to decide on a 180-day moratorium on datacenter construction in November. This local initiative comes despite the absence of any current plans for a datacenter in the town, according to Cleanview, a website that tracks datacenter projects. The proposed moratorium aims to provide the Select Board and Planning Board with sufficient time to assess the potential impacts of data processing facilities on local resources, including water usage, electrical grid capacity, noise levels, and environmental and governmental resources. The town's Select Board approved the moratorium for the ballot. This local action follows a statewide attempt earlier this year to implement a datacenter moratorium in Maine, which was ultimately vetoed by Governor Janet Mills in April. The Peru moratorium, if approved, would immediately halt not only new datacenter construction but also the processing of any related building applications or permits, with an exception for routine upgrades to existing telecom...

On This Day: Northern Resistance Challenged the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

On This Day: Northern Resistance Challenged the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850

The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, while intended to solidify federal power in returning escaped enslaved people, instead ignited a firestorm of legal...

Senators Hassan and Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Federal Addiction Grant Applications

Senators Hassan and Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Federal Addiction Grant Applications

U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Tim Scott (R-SC) have introduced the Addiction Grants Modernization Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at simplifying the process for organizations combating the addiction crisis to secure federal funding. The proposed bill seeks to establish an interactive website where organizations can easily find and apply for addiction-related federal grants. Additionally, it would create a centralized application form that can be utilized for multiple grants with similar objectives. This initiative is designed to reduce the administrative burden on community-based organizations, allowing them to dedicate more resources and time to preventing substance use, providing treatment, and supporting recovery efforts. The legislation builds on Senator Hassan's previous work in addressing the fentanyl crisis and expanding access to evidence-based addiction treatment, including her role in the passage of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act and the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) A...

Charlotte Hornets Partner with DAZN for Exclusive Direct-to-Consumer Streaming in the Carolinas

Charlotte Hornets Partner with DAZN for Exclusive Direct-to-Consumer Streaming in the Carolinas

Charlotte Hornets Partner with DAZN for Exclusive Direct-to-Consumer Streaming in the Carolinas

Senator Maggie Hassan Introduces Bill to Streamline Federal Addiction Grant Funding

Senator Maggie Hassan Introduces Bill to Streamline Federal Addiction Grant Funding

U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, in collaboration with Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, has introduced the Addiction Grants Modernization Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to create a centralized website and application process for substance abuse recovery organizations seeking federal grants. The goal is to simplify and streamline the current system, which involves numerous applications across various federal government departments. By reducing bureaucratic hurdles, the bill intends to allow these organizations to dedicate more time and resources to their primary mission of combating drug addiction and supporting individuals in recovery. Senator Hassan emphasized that this initiative is crucial for New Hampshire, which has seen a decrease in overdose deaths, and for ensuring that local leaders and advocates have easier access to necessary funding.