The EPA has proposed eliminating a federal rule that requires states to notify the public and accept comments before issuing air pollution permits for data centers and other industrial facilities. States would still be allowed to hold public comment periods voluntarily, but would no longer be required to do so as a condition of granting permits. The proposal comes amid growing local opposition to the rapid construction of AI-driven data centers nationwide.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-03
New polling shows roughly 75% of Americans, including many Republican voters, oppose having data centers built near their communities, comparing the intensity of that opposition to resistance against Social Security cuts. Despite this, President Trump is intensifying his support for data center growth just before the midterm elections, and some GOP officials have dismissed the backlash as an orchestrated psyop rather than genuine grassroots concern.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-03
A group of technology CEOs joined Trump administration officials in urging G-20 nations to favor light-touch, pro-innovation policies for artificial intelligence rather than strict regulatory frameworks. They argued that heavy-handed rules risk stifling an industry they believe could drive major economic expansion and medical breakthroughs.
wsj.com
· 2026-09-02
House Democrats are preparing oversight plans for 2026, including using appropriations power to pressure Trump aides and family members to comply with subpoenas if they retake the majority. Targets reportedly include funding for Trump's West Wing renovations and a proposed triumphal arch in Washington. Rep. Jamie Raskin said Congress controls the purse strings for federal buildings and can block further alterations to the White House.
wired.com
· 2026-09-02
The Trump administration filed a court brief supporting OpenAI in its ongoing copyright dispute with publishers over AI training data. Officials argued that restricting AI firms' access to content for training purposes could pose national security risks.
wsj.com
· 2026-09-02
Apple has begun labeling Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' on Apple Maps for users in the United States, following a Trump executive order that already led Google to make a similar change. The lake retains its original name in Canada and shows both names elsewhere, with the rollout still inconsistent between Apple's desktop and mobile versions.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-01
Apple has updated Apple Maps to display Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' for users located in the United States, following an executive order Trump signed on August 27. Canadian users will still see 'Lake Ontario,' while people outside both countries will see both names listed. Google made the same change last week, citing its policy of following official U.S. government naming databases.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-01
Apple has updated its Maps app to display Lake Ontario as 'Lake America' for users in the United States, following a renaming order from President Trump. The change mirrors a similar update Google made earlier to its own mapping service.
wsj.com
· 2026-09-01
A federal whistleblower has told Sen. Richard Blumenthal that the U.S. Postal Service's new online portal for tracking mail ballots has serious flaws that could jeopardize voting access ahead of the midterms. The disclosure also alleges USPS is continuing to build out the system in defiance of court rulings blocking parts of a Trump executive order aimed at tightening mail-voting rules. USPS says the portal, meant to let election officials share lists of mail-ballot recipients, has been developed in compliance with court orders and will soon be offered for voluntary use.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-09-01
The Trump administration is pushing G20 countries to endorse a framework called the 'Carolina Principles,' which would discourage strict government regulation of artificial intelligence. The push aims to align global AI policy with a laissez-faire approach favored by U.S. tech companies.
gizmodo.com
· 2026-09-01
A divided Supreme Court, in a 5-4 order, allowed construction to continue on President Trump's planned $400 million White House ballroom while legal challenges to the project move through lower courts. The majority found the National Trust for Historic Preservation likely lacked standing to sue, citing government claims the project addresses security concerns, while Chief Justice Roberts led a dissent arguing the project is likely unlawful without congressional approval.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-01
President Trump shared two AI-generated clips on Truth Social depicting explosions on Kharg Island, Iran's key oil export hub, without disclosing that the footage was fabricated. A US official later confirmed no such attack had occurred, even as real US strikes hit Iran's Larak Island the same night, prompting an Iranian missile response against American bases in Jordan. Vice President JD Vance defended the posts, saying Trump was 'sending a message' to Iran.
futurism.com
· 2026-09-01
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