A small Missouri town just sent a message that’s now echoing across the country. In Festus, Missouri — a community of roughly 12,700 people — the city council voted 6-2 on March 30, 2026 to approve a $6 billion AI data center development on 360 acres of land just north of Highway 67. Residents said the vote happened with minimal public notice, alleged closed-door meetings with the developer, and ignored hundreds of citizens who packed the high school gym that same night demanding the council reject the project. Days later, every pro-data center council member who appeared on the April ballot lost their seat. One eight-year incumbent was defeated by more than 40 percentage points. Voter turnout surged 129 percent compared to the previous April election. Four new council members swept in on platforms of transparency and opposition to the project. Residents have also filed a lawsuit alleging illegal rezoning and violations of open-meetings laws, and a recall petition is now targeting the mayor and remaining council members. Newly elected Ward 3 representative Dan Moore said it plainly: “People are awake now, and we’re not going to let this continue anymore.” The story has been picked up by Politico, NPR, and national outlets as a sign of growing resistance to AI infrastructure being decided without community consent. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” When leaders stop listening to the people they serve, the people find a way to be heard. Do you think communities should have the final vote on projects like this? #justice #accountability #usa
Children Protected, Predators Stopped
June 16, 2026
