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North Dakota Legislature Prepares for Special Session to Address Kratom, Museum Funding, and Nondisclosure Agreements

North Dakota Legislature Prepares for Special Session to Address Kratom, Museum Funding, and Nondisclosure Agreements

North Dakota lawmakers are convening for a second special session this year in Bismarck to tackle several pressing issues. Governor Kelly Armstrong specifically called the session to address kratom and its synthetic derivatives, which he has linked to overdoses and deaths. The agenda also includes resolving a funding shortfall for the 70,000-square-foot, $78 million Military Gallery addition to the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum. Additionally, lawmakers will consider a roughly 10-month moratorium on nondisclosure agreements between industrial project developers and government officials, a concern raised by critics of data center projects. The special session is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, with public testimony available as early as Tuesday.
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Nevada Lawmakers Propose Bill to Scale Back Data Center Tax Breaks Amidst Resource Concerns

Nevada Lawmakers Propose Bill to Scale Back Data Center Tax Breaks Amidst Resource Concerns

Nevada Lawmakers Propose Bill to Scale Back Data Center Tax Breaks Amidst Resource Concerns
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Senator Kevin Cramer Warns of President Trump's Declining Support in Rural America Due to Economic Policies

Senator Kevin Cramer Warns of President Trump's Declining Support in Rural America Due to Economic Policies

Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota) has expressed significant concern regarding President Trump's standing in rural and agricultural regions of the United States. According to Cramer, President Trump is facing 'serious trouble in farm country' due to the adverse effects of his administration's policies. These issues include disruptions to fertilizer supply chains caused by conflict with Iran, leading to higher prices, and trade disputes with Canada. Specifically, President Trump's push to allow 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free imported beef has alienated many farm and ranching communities. Additionally, tariffs imposed on Canada have negatively impacted North Dakota's largest export market. These economic pressures are contributing to what some are calling a 'second farm crisis' or 'Farmageddon,' with American farmers experiencing their worst financial period since the 1980s. The American Farm Bureau Federation projects substantial losses for farmers in 2026 and 2027.
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Senator Hoeven Advances $75 Million for North Dakota Infrastructure Projects

Senator Hoeven Advances $75 Million for North Dakota Infrastructure Projects

Senator John Hoeven recently engaged in discussions with Katherine Fox, Acting Regional Administrator for FEMA Region 8, to advance nearly $75 million in infrastructure projects across North Dakota. These projects are set to benefit communities including Bismarck, Lincoln, Washburn, and Fessenden. A significant focus of these efforts is the South Bismarck Flood Control Project, which aims to enhance flood protection for local residents and businesses. In 2023, the City of Bismarck was awarded $50 million through FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program for this initiative, with $7.3 million already allocated for Phase 1 preconstruction. The city plans to seek approval for the remaining $42.7 million for Phase 2 construction later this fall, with construction anticipated to begin in 2027. Additionally, the University of Mary is seeking $9.1 million in FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant funding to upgrade its wastewater system. Other BRIC-funded projects include a $7....
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Alabama Gubernatorial Candidates Present Detailed Plans for Data Center Development

Alabama Gubernatorial Candidates Present Detailed Plans for Data Center Development

Alabama's gubernatorial race is seeing a focus on substantive policy discussions, particularly regarding data center development, with both Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville and Democratic candidate Doug Jones presenting detailed plans. Senator Tuberville, a sitting U.S. Senator and gubernatorial candidate, has outlined a four-point plan for data centers. This plan includes proposals to eliminate tax abatements for data centers that generate significant revenue but create few jobs, and to establish a fund where data center companies contribute to offset potential costs to citizens. Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate and former U.S. Senator, has previously advocated for a one-year moratorium on data center construction to allow for the implementation of new protocols. While Tuberville believes a moratorium could hinder Alabama's technological competitiveness, both candidates are engaging in serious discussions about the economic implications and regulatory frameworks for data centers in the state.
Arizona Republic Arizona Republic
Attorney General Kris Mayes calls for halt to new Arizona data centers

Attorney General Kris Mayes calls for halt to new Arizona data centers

Attorney General Kris Mayes is asking the state Legislature and the governor to consider a temporary ban on data center development.
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President Trump's Data Center Stance Creates Republican Political Challenge Amid Voter Opposition

President Trump's Data Center Stance Creates Republican Political Challenge Amid Voter Opposition

President Trump's continued advocacy for data centers, essential for artificial intelligence, is generating a political dilemma for Republicans. This stance is increasingly at odds with American voters, over 70% of whom oppose data centers being built near their homes, according to recent polling. President Trump has publicly stated that communities should embrace data centers for economic success, lower taxes, and job creation, dismissing concerns from opponents. This strong backing of the industry and his combative remarks towards those who oppose data centers are creating political headwinds for Republican candidates in upcoming midterm elections. The issue has transcended traditional partisan lines, with backlash emerging from both Democrats and Republicans, and across generational and urban-rural divides. This bipartisan opposition is forcing politicians to reevaluate their positions on data center development.
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GOP Rep. Rich McCormick Advocates Against Tax Breaks for New Data Centers

GOP Rep. Rich McCormick Advocates Against Tax Breaks for New Data Centers

GOP Rep. Rich McCormick Advocates Against Tax Breaks for New Data Centers
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Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Implements Stricter Scrutiny for Data Center Projects

Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro Implements Stricter Scrutiny for Data Center Projects

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed Executive Order 2026-05 on August 18, 2026, imposing new restrictions on the state's review of permits for data center projects. While not a complete moratorium, the order introduces requirements designed to slow development and increase local official influence. Key provisions include making all data center projects ineligible for the PA Permit Fast Track Program, prohibiting state agencies from entering into nondisclosure agreements related to these projects, and mandating the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to create a public map of all known data center projects. Crucially, the order prevents state permits from being issued until developers demonstrate compliance with local plans and secure all municipal approvals, effectively enhancing local power over these developments. The order also establishes a two-tiered review system, favoring developers who adhere to the Governor’s Responsible Infrastructure Development (GRID) standards, which incl...
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Elvis Presley's Last Car Finds New Home in Minot, North Dakota

Elvis Presley's Last Car Finds New Home in Minot, North Dakota

Elvis Presley's Last Car Finds New Home in Minot, North Dakota
USA Today USA Today
Majority of Americans oppose Trump's 'Lake America' move, poll finds

Majority of Americans oppose Trump's 'Lake America' move, poll finds

A majority of Americans oppose President Donald Trump’s move to rename Lake Ontario as 'Lake America,' according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
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Senator John Hoeven Participates in North Dakota Soil Health Summit, Emphasizing Grasslands and Ranching Communities

Senator John Hoeven Participates in North Dakota Soil Health Summit, Emphasizing Grasslands and Ranching Communities

Senator John Hoeven, a Republican from North Dakota, recently participated in the Advancing Soil Health for a Healthy America Summit held at Jerry Doan's ranch in North Dakota. The event focused on the numerous benefits of healthy grasslands for wildlife, soil, water, and rural communities, as well as the ranchers who manage these landscapes. Senator Hoeven, alongside Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak and various conservation leaders, including Marshall Johnson from Audubon, spoke about the critical importance of North Dakota's grasslands and its ranching communities. The summit served as a platform to bring together stakeholders dedicated to the preservation and health of these vital natural resources and agricultural practices.