8/21/2026

ASHLAND - Keeping data centers out of the Ashland area was the focus of a forum last week in Ashland. The Daily Press reports speakers discussed ways communities can oppose large facilities used for cloud storage and artificial intelligence. Organizers highlighted public pressure, environmental reviews and local zoning. State Rep. Angela Stroud called for statewide regulations to protect communities from large tech companies. Community organizer Mary Dougherty urged Ashland and Bayfield counties to consider moratoriums and stronger zoning rules, saying residents should not bear the costs of data center development.

8/21/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Data centers have increasingly become an issue in the race for Wisconsin’s next governor, with Democrat David Crowley and Republican Tom Tiffany outlining their plans to crackdown on the quickly growing industry.  This week, Tiffany released a TV ad this week calling his Democratic opponent “Data Center David Crowley.” A July Marquette Law School poll reveals nearly 75% of Wisconsinites say the costs of data centers outweigh the benefits.  In the 2023-24 state budget, Wisconsin passed a tax exemption aimed at attracting data centers to the state. 

8/21/2026

N. WISCONSIN - Health officials are warning against eating certain alfalfa sprouts linked to a rare outbreak involving multiple bacteria. Officials report 18 people in Wisconsin have fallen ill with E. coli or salmonella. The sprouts, produced by Everything Sprouts, are sold under the Calco and Everything Sprouts brands. Officials are working to identify the contamination source.