water policy

Some Kansans are spooked by data centers as the likelihood of the state hosting more big tech facilities is rising. They’re worried about potential harmful impacts to the environment and just being heard during preliminary public meetings. One positive to all the hullabaloo? Heightened civic engagement early in local proceedings.

A new UT Austin report estimates data centers could account for up to 9% of Texas water use by 2040.

Texans from Waco to Harlingen are raising concerns over how much energy and water data centers are poised to use. Local officials, some enticed by a tax boon, say they have little power to stop the rush.

The extra $25 million for the Kansas Water Plan would come from the State General Fund.

The outcomes could determine what roles state officials and local governments will play in securing quality water supplies for future generations.

Kansas lawmakers are back in session in Topeka. The governor wants them to address the state's ongoing water problems. But will they? Commentator Rex Buchanan has more on the state's long-running water problems - problems that many are now calling a crisis.

But local and state officials say without more help from the feds, the project to bring safe drinking water to southeastern Colorado will be halted again

Budget director and administration secretary Adam Proffitt presented the spending blueprint virtually at the joint meeting of the Senate and House budget committees.

With AI's rising popularity, Texas has seen tech companies invest millions into data centers. But experts warn the state is not capable of regulating the AI wave.

While most proposed amendments on this year's ballot focused on taxes, voters also showed strong support for investing in Texas' network of technical colleges and dementia and Alzheimer's research.