A proposed data center at the former Wisconsin Rapids paper mill site is moving to the Common Council after the city’s Plan Commission unanimously recommended denying its conditional use permit.
WISN 12’s Political Director Matt Smith described the Sept. 16 public hearing as the latest flashpoint in a debate over jobs, development and the long-term impact of large data centers.
Then the conversation also touches on the major fight over White House press access after President Donald Trump’s administration barred CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House. The three outlets filed suit alleging First and Fifth Amendment violations, while ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox joined CNN in suspending the shared television pool coverage of presidential events.
Matt explains how the White House press pool works, why the dispute matters to journalists and what it’s like covering politicians when access itself becomes part of the story.
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