Data center

With data centers on the rise and an increased need for irrigation for farming, Iowa is seeing a bigger need for ground water, with not enough known about our supply.State Geologist Keith Schilling shares how the state's current groundwater monitoring paces far behind neighboring states, and what we should be doing now to reverse the trend. Linn County Sustainability Director Cara Matteson also joins to talk about how the county is prioritizing groundwater mapping and other water studies. Then, we look back at Christopher Merrill's 25 years as director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

The Linn County Board of Supervisors has approved rezoning that supports NextEra Energy's effort to recommission the Duane Arnold nuclear power plant in Palo. The project still needs approval from multiple state and federal authorities, but county supervisors say the rezoning gives Linn County residents a seat at the table.

State and federal leaders want to grow nuclear energy. Supporters are excited about the job opportunities this could bring, while others are concerned about potential health and environmental effects.

Local leaders are addressing AI’s impact on water, surveillance, transparency and more. A mostly hands-off approach at the federal level means regulating complex AI issues is–so far–evolving in a patchwork of laws.