The data centers cropping up across the country to power Big Tech’s pivot to AI are transforming countless communities with little to no public feedback. But as Michi Trota notes this week, the backlash is growing as communities confront the pollution, noise, rising utility bills, and climate damage these massive facilities bring in tow.
Also this week, Mitchell Zimmerman marvels at the Supreme Court’s willingness to entertain President Trump’s case against birthright citizenship, which as Mitchell (a veteran attorney) explains is plainly spelled out in the Constitution. Michael Chameides talks about the rural public health workers trying to make care available in their communities — and how the GOP’s Medicaid cuts undermine their work. And Farrah Hassen reports on the grim toll of deaths of ICE facilities.
Finally, if you’re still planning your holiday celebrations, Sonali Kolhatkar has a few tips for how to make your holiday season plastic-free (or plastic-light).
New This Week…
The Public Pays the Price for Big Tech’s Data Centers | Michi Trota
The relentless push for data centers is raising our power bills and polluting our communities. It doesn’t have to be this way.
How To Have a Plastic-Free Holiday Season | Sonali Kolhatkar
Our world is awash in plastic and Americans are sick of it. Fortunately, you can have a plastic-free — or plastic-light — holiday season.
Birthright Citizenship Is in the Constitution Plain As Day | Mitchell Zimmerman
It’s intolerable that the Supreme Court should consider reopening an issue it took a Civil War to resolve.
Congress Cut Medicaid. It Could Devastate Rural Hospital Staffing. | Michael Chameides
Federal cuts to health care means health centers will have less funding — and less staffing — while trying to serve more uninsured patients.
ICE Prisons Are Growing Deadlier | Farrah Hassen
Deaths in ICE facilities have reached their highest point in decades as the agency continues to abuse detainees and resist oversight.
In Case You Missed It…
If People Are Going Hungry, Why Can’t We Feed Them? | Sonali Kolhatkar
As Congress slashes SNAP, more states need to step up to fill in the gap.
Police ‘Sweeps’ of Homeless Camps Are Worse Than You Think | Carrieann Smith
As more and more communities criminalize homelessness, I want to share what it’s actually like to have the police take all your earthly belongings.
Trump’s Aggression Toward Venezuela Should Be Setting Off Alarm Bells | Farrah Hassen
It’s looking a lot like the run-up to the Iraq war — only this time, the allegations are even more bogus and easily disproven.
You Need to Understand the Supreme Court’s ‘Shadow Docket’ | Paul Gordon
The court’s MAGA majority has used a bureaucratic workaround to issue unsigned, unjustified rulings that often greenlight unlawful actions.
