Independence Elects New Leaders, AI Data Center Faces Scrutiny

0:00It's April 14th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Kansas News today. Local news powered by AI. Kevin King, an independent, just got elected as the next mayor of Independence Missouri, beating out the competition in a race fueled by backlash. Against the massive AI data center, voters also pick newcomers, Jackie Dorman, and Cody Ackinson for City Council seats, flipping out two members who backed huge tax breaks for the project. The data center comes from Nebius, a Dutch AI company, and it'll be twice the size of Arrowhead Stadium, breaking ground later this year. City leaders approved $6 billion in tax incentives last month, including 90 to 98% off property and construction taxes, with schools getting about $650 million in payments over 20 years instead. Residents turned out in force, many first-timers in local politics worried about hits to their quality of life, environmental damage, and unknown. Held the risks from living so close. The group stopped. The AI data center rallied thousands

1:04through meetings and a Facebook page with over 117,000 members, pushing, door-to-door campaigns and rides to the polls. King supported the data center overall, but slammed the council for poor communication and not negotiating a better deal. He even backed a petition for. A public vote on the breaks. Dorman, the sharpest critic, called for more resident input, especially for folks on Blire Road near the site, while Ackinson wants accountability on. Green promises and using some revenue for animal services. With these new leaders stepping in, opponents see it as a mandate to keep pressure on the project, demanding transparency and respect for community. Voices as construction looms.