PolitiFact is reporting that the debate over artificial intelligence data centers has become one of the most contentious issues of the midterm election cycle, as residents in communities including Salem, Oregon, push back against proposed projects.
It said Salem officials met privately for more than a year with Verrus, a California-based data center technology and development company, under a nondisclosure agreement signed by the city manager in March 2025. PolitiFact said residents packed a July council meeting to voice opposition after learning of the project, with one calling the NDA a "definitive blow to our trust." It said Salem council member Vanessa Nordyke did not learn of the agreement until that month. Verrus submitted a land use application in late July, according to PolitiFact.
PolitiFact said it previously explained what data centers are and how they operate, and is now examining who decides whether a data center can open, why some cities sign nondisclosure agreements and why others are pausing projects already underway.
Separately, PolitiFact is reporting that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's 2022 comments about the Uvalde school shooting are drawing renewed scrutiny as he campaigns for the U.S. Senate against Democratic Rep. James Talarico.
It said Paxton, asked on a podcast five days after the shooting how he would comfort grieving families, said, "Look, there's always a plan. I believe God always has a plan. Life is short no matter what it is." PolitiFact said the audio is not newly uncovered and received wide coverage in 2022, including criticism that the remarks were tone deaf. It said Paxton also called the shooting senseless and said it seemingly had no purpose, and encouraged people not to lose faith in God's purpose.
PolitiFact said Talarico's campaign and gun control advocate Shannon Watts have characterized the comments as Paxton calling the shooting part of a plan by God.