Wisconsin companies are doing big business in data centers even though none of the hyperscale facilities are yet operating in the state. But the long-term impact remains unclear.
Tom Kertscher / Wisconsin Watch
Tom Kertscher joined Wisconsin Watch as a full-time reporter in October 2024. He started as a fact checker in January 2023 and contributes to our collaboration with the The Gigafact Project to fight misinformation online. Kertscher is a former longtime newspaper reporter, including at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He is a contributing writer for Milwaukee Magazine and sports freelancer for The Associated Press.
Posted inCommunity, Economic Development
At least four Wisconsin communities signed secrecy deals for billion-dollar data centers
Massive data center proposals are often developed in secret. Wisconsin has now joined several states with legislative proposals to make the process more transparent.
Posted inCommunity, Economic Development
As energy-hungry data centers loom, Wisconsin ratepayers owe $1 billion on shuttered power plants
Obsolete power plants continue to cost ratepayers. Now, the push to generate unprecedented amounts of electricity for data centers risks creating another $1 billion in “stranded assets.”
Posted inCommunity, Government
Former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes is running for governor. Here are 7 related claims we checked … and the facts
During his run for U.S. Senate in 2022, Wisconsin Watch checked claims about the Democrat’s position on defunding the police, immigration and abortion.
Posted inCommunity, Fact briefs
Here are 8 claims related to health care and immigration … and the facts
Two of the biggest political issues of the year are immigration and health care. Here’s a look at some recent fact checks of claims related to those topics.
Posted inCommunity, Health and Wellness
Wisconsin, once a leader in childhood vaccinations, now a leader in vaccine skepticism
Personal conviction waivers have increased by four times over the past 30 years.