The Middle with Jeremy Hobson

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy talks with David Roberts, author of the Volts newsletter, about the growing backlash against data centers and the political role they’re playing ahead of the midterms.

Data centers are the backbone of the AI boom, and tech companies are racing to build them, both for profit and to keep pace with China. But voters and politicians across party lines are raising concerns. We’ll hear from several Middle listeners as usual!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Data centers are popping up across the country to power the artificial intelligence boom. But as tech companies race to build more of them, communities are asking: At what cost?

From rising electricity bills and water consumption to jobs and economic development, data centers are becoming a hot-button political issue ahead of the midterm elections. And politicians are facing a choice: embrace the investment or push back against growing public opposition.

On this episode of The Middle, Jeremy hears from listeners across the country about how they feel about data centers, and whether the AI boom is worth the trade-offs.

He’s joined by Amy Myers Jaffe, director of the Global Energy, Climate, and Sustainability Lab at NYU, and Washington Post business reporter Evan Halper.

#datacenters #datacentersexplained #datacentersnoise #datacentersinspace #datacentersenvironmentalimpact #datacentersmemphis #datacentersforai #datacentersbusinessinsider #datacenterswater #datacentersvirginia #datacentersintexas #datacentersfordummies #datacentersindiana #datacentersrealestate #datacentersmoreperfectunion #datacentersand #datacentersandwater #datacentersandenergy #datacentersandai #datacentersandwaterusage #datacentersandtheenvironment #datacentersandelectricbills #datacentersandnaturalgas #datacentersandpower #datacentersandclimatechange #datacentersandcancer #datacentersandcloudcomputing #datacentersandcloudservices #datacentersinhyderabad #datacentersingeorgia
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy is joined by Isaac Saul, founder and editor-at-large of Tangle News, to talk about the issues and races shaping the upcoming midterm elections.

Forecasters are predicting a strong year for Democrats, but the outcome could still hinge on a range of issues, from gas prices and the cost of living to immigration, data centers and the war in Iran. Isaac also makes his midterm prediction.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this special episode of The Middle, we're coming to you from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to talk about the biggest issues in the midterm elections and hear from Granite State voters about what's driving their votes this November.

Affordability remains a top concern, but issues like immigration enforcement, foreign policy, artificial intelligence and data centers are also playing a big role in races across the country.

In front of a live audience and in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio, Jeremy is joined by NHPR senior news editor Christina Phillips, Kmele Foster, editor-at-large at Tangle News, and Anna Brown, executive director of the nonprofit Citizens Count.

#newhampshireelections #newhampshireelection #newhampshirepolitics #newhampshirerepublicans #newhampshireelectionsand #newhampshireprimary2026 #newhampshire
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this special field recording episode of The Follow Up, Jeremy is out on the streets of Kansas City with KCUR senior news analyst Brian Ellison to look at the biggest midterm issues on both sides of the state line.

Together, they discuss whether Democrats have a real shot at winning a Senate seat in Kansas for the first time since 1932, Missouri's controversial abortion referendum and the redistricting battle over Kansas City's 5th District - along with other races that could offer a glimpse of what's to come nationally as the midterms approach.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices