SUMMARY: A report by the Jack Kemp Foundation warns that average American energy bills could rise by 25% to 70% over the next decade due to soaring energy demands driven by AI, hyperscale data centers, and advanced manufacturing. The surge is straining the U.S. power grid, leading to significant price increases in capacity markets. Dominion Energy disputes these findings, predicting only a 2.5% annual increase in Virginia. The report argues for policy changes, including charging data centers more for energy and halting subsidies for their construction to alleviate the burden on consumers. Recommendations also include implementing minimum take clauses for utility contracts.

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SUMMARY: Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr announced his candidacy for the 2026 Republican gubernatorial nomination. In a post on his X page, Carr emphasized his commitment to building on the legacies of former governors Brian Kemp, Nathan Deal, and Sonny Perdue by focusing on job creation, community safety, and defending constitutional freedoms. With Kemp term-limited, Carr, who has been attorney general since 2016 and previously served in economic development and as chief of staff to Senator Johnny Isakson, enters a race that includes at least one other candidate, Democrat Olu Brown, who announced his campaign in August.

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SUMMARY: Jose Ibarra, 26, was convicted on all charges, including murder and kidnapping, for the death of 22-year-old nursing student Lakan Riley. He will serve life in prison without parole. The trial featured strong technological evidence creating a detailed timeline of events leading up to Riley’s death, which significantly influenced the case’s outcome. This included data from cameras and Riley’s smartwatch, tracking her movements and heart rate. Legal experts believe this case could set a precedent for future trials, prompting tech companies to reevaluate their policies regarding data used in investigations. Coverage on community reactions is ongoing.

Experts say this case could set a precedent for how digital evidence is used in courtrooms moving forward.

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