Data centers that run artificial‑intelligence programs are getting a lot of attention for the electricity and water they use. In 2023, U. S. facilities drew about 176 terawatt‑hours—roughly 4½ percent of the country’s total power. That sounds huge, but when you compare it to other big polluters, the
Virginia’s growing data‑center industry is stirring both excitement and concern across the state. Supporters argue that these massive facilities bring in substantial tax revenue and create jobs, helping to keep Virginia competitive in a tech‑driven world. Critics point out the hefty energy demands a
Data centers are huge, usually between half a million and several million square feet – the size of eight to forty football fields. They look plain, with no windows and thick concrete walls that keep out intruders. Inside, thousands of racks hold special processors called GPUs or TPUs. Each rack use
Virginia Beach’s school board is rethinking how young students use computers in class. A new plan would stop pre-K through first graders from using school laptops during lessons next year. Second graders couldn’t take their devices home except in special cases, though they’d still use them at school
Virginia is becoming the world’s hub for data centers, with a concentration so dense that it consumes enough electricity to light almost 900, 000 homes. These facilities promise hefty tax income for counties and a boost to the local workforce, yet they also raise serious questions about energy use a
Virginia recently took another step forward in improving care for mothers and infants with a set of new laws signed in April. These laws expand on last year’s "Momnibus" package, which was the first major effort to tackle long-standing issues in maternal and infant health across the state. While the
Virginia Beach just got a new spot that’s all about helping small businesses and artists shine. A pair of business owners, who know the struggle of finding the right workspace, decided to fix that problem themselves. They opened a place called The Void, a blank canvas-style studio where creatives ca
Virginia is caught in a legal tug-of-war over who controls the state’s political map. Last week, voters approved a new congressional district plan drawn by Democrats, which could flip four GOP-held House seats in November. But a county judge quickly blocked the results, calling the referendum illega
Data centers need reliable power for AI tasks like training models. To meet this demand, companies are pairing fast-responding batteries with slower natural gas generators. This combo helps fill sudden energy gaps that gas plants can't handle alone. Batteries discharge power quickly, protect gas tur
Virginia lawmakers face tough choices as they look for ways to balance the state budget. One proposal under review would limit Medicaid dental coverage for adults—a move that might seem like quick savings but could actually cost more in the long run. Research shows that when states cut dental benefi
