News
Pa. legislature wrestles with how to handle data center developments
1+ hour, 26+ min ago (1046+ words) Public opinion on data center developments appears to be souring in some parts of the commonwealth as dozens of companies submit applications to build in suburban and rural communities. But state legislators in Harrisburg have largely resisted any comprehensive regulation,…...
Rally attendees criticize Gov. Shapiro for being "incredibly cozy" with data center industry
1+ week, 1+ day ago (1160+ words) Emily Scolnick/Pennsylvania Capital-Star Many signs at the rally targeted Gov. Josh Shapiro specifically, calling on him to limit data center growth in the commonwealth. Over the course of an hourlong rally calling for a data center moratorium in Pennsylvania,…...
Pa. bills would tie data center tax break to transparency, sustainability
2+ week, 1+ hour ago (947+ words) Data centers in Umatilla and Morrow Counties dot the landscape along the Columbia River Gorge on May 18, 2026. (Phot by Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle via Penn Capital Star) Data center developers would be required to pledge transparency in Pennsylvania communities…...
More cities are pressing pause on data centers as local backlash grows
1+ mon, 2+ day ago (375+ words) Hearing backlash from residents, cities and counties across the country in recent weeks have blocked planned data centers amid concerns over rising electricity prices and environmental harms. The local actions come as state lawmakers also are looking to limit or…...
Data center battles started in the states; now it's Congress under siege
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (1543+ words) WASHINGTON " Higher electric rates? Massive data centers looming over neighborhoods? Ugly political fights over what to do about them? The future of data centers and their huge appetite for electricity is quickly escalating as a political flashpoint from coast to…...
In a remote German village, mail is delivered by boat during warmer months
2+ mon, 2+ day ago (471+ words) On Wednesday, the 55-year-old German postal worker stood at the back of her boat again, using one long oar to row, steer and navigate her boat through the shallow waters. "The start of the season is always special for me,…...
Pa. labor law may become sticking point between state and feds; $711 M for broadband at stake
3+ mon, 2+ week ago (1578+ words) Amanda Berg/For Spotlight PA A cell tower in rural Pennsylvania is pictured. HARRISBURG " A federal official last month added a new wrinkle to Pennsylvania's plan to use more than $700 million to expand high-speed internet access across the commonwealth. Speaking…...
Social media addiction's surprising challenger? Anti-doomscrolling influencers
5+ mon, 1+ week ago (840+ words) It's simple to accidentally become entranced by an endless loop of videos on Instagram or Tik Tok. But sometimes, that mindless scroll is interrupted by a reminder that what you thought was a 10-minute break spent on your phone was…...
Broadband expansion on hold as feds miss self-imposed deadline to review Pa. s spending plan
5+ mon, 1+ week ago (533+ words) HARRISBURG " Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand broadband access in Pennsylvania is still on hold, after federal officials failed to meet their self-imposed early December deadline to review the commonwealth's plan for spending the money. Without federal approval, Pennsylvania…...
Spend quality time with loved ones, not a screen, over the holidays
6+ mon, 1+ week ago (992+ words) The Christmas holiday season is a time to step back from the busy pace of modern life and connect with our nearest and dearest instead of screens, apps and chatbots. Here are some suggestions on how to unplug from the…...