Judge rules in data center lawsuit

A Jackson County judge has ruled in favor of the City of Independence concerning the proposed Nebius AI data center project. The ruling effectively blocks a lawsuit that sought to put tax incentives for the data center to a public vote. Opponents had been working to get the issue on the ballot after city leaders previously approved the incentives for Nebius' data center in Eastern Independence. The judge's decision thwarts these efforts, ensuring the approval of the tax incentives will not be subject to a public ballot initiative.