About Ann Treacy

Librarian who follows rural broadband in MN and good uses of new technology (blandinonbroadband.org), hosts a radio show on MN music (mostlyminnesota.com), supports people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota (elimstrongtowershelters.org) and helps with social justice issues through Women’s March MN.

Practical look at Minnesota Government Data Practices Act in the Age of AI

The League of Minnesota Cities has compiled helpful information for local governments looking at responsibility with AI…

As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become more common, Minnesota cities are exploring how these technologies can improve efficiency, customer service, and daily operations. From drafting meeting minutes more quickly to generating city-branded graphics and designs, AI offers clear benefits.

For local governments, however, these opportunities come with important legal obligations, particularly under the Minnesotan Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA). Understanding how the MGDPA applies to AI use is essential for cities seeking to leverage new technologies while maintaining public trust and compliance.

The article addresses the following topics:

  • Government data defined
  • Is AI data public or nonpublic?
  • Entering data into AI tools
  • Impact on data requests
  • Practical considerations

Even if you aren’t with a local government agency or office, I think the practical advice helps under the implications of using AI yourself.

Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Pine Island data center discussion for local businesses (Goodhue County)

KTTC reports

 A restraining order has halted construction on Google’s proposed data center in Pine Island, but supporters of the project are continuing to make their case to the business community.

The Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce hosted an information session Wednesday for several dozen business leaders from across the region. The event, located at the Mayo Civic Center, featured a panel of representatives from Ryan Companies, Google, Xcel Energy, and the Pine Island City Council. They answered questions from the chamber and audience about the project, known as Project Skyway.

Sounds like it was business-focused…

The session covered economic, energy, and environmental questions surrounding the project. The city has said the development would direct millions of dollars toward the community and local schools.

With no representation from another view…

However, for a project that has faced significant community pushback, Dokken noted the session lacked an opposing voice.

The Post Bulletin also described the meeting…

Thursday’s info session sponsored by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce was billed as an opportunity to set the record straight on the highly contentious issue of data centers.

And it brought together a rare assemblage of representatives from Google, Xcel Energy, the Pine Island government and Ryan Companies all in the same public space. All are major players are in the data center project in Pine Island.

The project is currently on hold after a Goodhue County District judge issued a temporary restraining order halting construction. The lawsuit was brought by the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy, a nonprofit that is seeking a stronger environmental review of the project.

During the hour-long discussion, panelists highlighted how the “spread of misinformation” has made it difficult to keep the community informed about the project. Open houses have helped get the word out, but their impact hasn’t always been lasting.

Project developers held two public open houses during an eight-month approval process, and feedback from those sessions was used to adjust planning documents, said Jared Olson, vice president of site design for Ryan Companies, the developer behind the Project Skyway data center project.

Here are some earlier stories on the project:

Notes: Technology Advisory Council (TAC) Full Council Meeting (July 10) MN DCYF

Today I attended the online-based Technology Advisory Council (TAC) Full Council Meeting. The TAC is a permanent body to advise Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) and executive branch agencies on strategic information technology initiatives and service delivery. Meetings are open to the public. I have taken notes on the presentation only.

They heard from DCYF Integration Layer – Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). They are working on modernizing technology with a goal to adapt a whole family approach. They want to give staff more time to spend with the families.

Notes/Video/Slides from Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)

Technology Advisory Council – Full Council Meeting:

  • Date: Friday, August 14, 2026
  • Time: 8:30 – 11 a.m. CDT
  • Location: Virtual Meeting – email tac.mnit@state.mn.us for information on how to join the meeting.

From the chat:

  • Here’s a link to the Chapter Law for the Human Services Modernization Fund, Council, and Commission: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2026/0/Session+Law/Chapter/120/
  • Here’s a link to the Chapter Law for the Human Services Modernization Fund, Council, and Commission: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/2026/0/Session+Law/Chapter/120/
  • Technology should be leveraged to allow enrollees to report changes electronically with a no wrong door approach. Clients are expected to know all their different workers/teams and call on the phone, often with long hold times, to report changes. Audits have shown clients do try to report changes, but often the changes only get entered into one system/program.
    Answer: yes
  • To me, it seems that the “Policy Engine” would be the hardest thing to design. But the use case is so common that surely tons of work has been done on this topic across the country.
    Answer: We have learned from legacy system and what has happened in other states. We look at state and federal parameters. Policy support is key.
  • Is this pilot connected to the SNAP benefits project?
    Answer: They will
  • Any specific way to volunteer/register for some of these different projects?
    Answer: not an immediate opportunity but good idea
  • Is there an advisory committee that could be used to provide input/volunteer?  Mtgs to attend
    Answer: not yet
  • Not just keyboard only. Workers must memorize thousands of secret codes. Update the STAT MEMI
    But in the defense of green screen, it does work well for quick keyboard entry instead of a mouse….
    https://cms1files.revize.com/assocofminnesotacos/publications/MnCountiesMagazineWINTER2025.pdf?t=202601221049170&t=202601221049170
  • A challenge will be getting good data
  • How is the search from the Chief Data Officer?
    We are creating a new position. Usually comes through the Governor’s Budget, which isn’t helpful this year. The legislature provided MNIT with some one-time funding.
  • Do you need new legislation to get the position?
    We need a budget order and one-time funding will likely not work.
  • Home site for accessing previous Technology Advisory Council (TAC)/Blue Ribbon Council on IT (BRC-IT) reports, along with other information about the council including upcoming meetings, current appointed membership, etc. https://mn.gov/mnit/about-mnit/committees/tac.jsp

Orbital seeks FCC Approval for 100,000 data center satellites

Broadband Breakfast reports...

Orbital, a five-month-old startup based in Los Angeles, has asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to deploy up to 100,000 data center satellites.

The application submitted June 24 outlines plans for a constellation that would deliver approximately 10 gigawatts of compute, roughly enough to meet the average electricity demand of about 8 to 10 million U.S. homes, without drawing on terrestrial electricity, land, or water.

Minneapolis officials host conversation on data centers and zoning – includes video (Hennepin County)

Minneapolis Times reports

As Minneapolis moves toward a permanent zoning framework for data centers, City Council Members Elizabeth Shaffer and Michael Rainville convened a downtown community conversation aimed at separating large-scale fears from the smaller urban projects now being discussed for the city’s core.

Amid a looming municipal budget crisis and a rapidly shifting commercial real estate market, Minneapolis city leaders and industry experts gathered Thursday night to map out the future of urban data center development.

The “Community Conversation,” co-hosted by City Council Members Elizabeth Shaffer (Ward 7) and Michael Rainville (Ward 3) at the Public Service Building, arrived at a critical legislative juncture. Earlier that afternoon, the City Council passed a temporary moratorium on data center developments in a razor-thin vote. The pause is intended to give officials time to establish a permanent zoning framework, a process set to include 60 days of public engagement this summer with a final ordinance target date in mid-November 2026.

Carlton County Board will consider data center moratorium

The Carlton Pine Journal reports

The board will weigh a moratorium to pause data center construction for one year at the urging of grassroots organizers.

At the urging of grassroots organizers, the Cloquet County Board of Commissioners will consider a one-year moratorium on data center construction within the county.

On Tuesday, organizers with the Carlton County Land Stewards, which formed in opposition to Enbridge’s Line 3 project, filled the Carlton County Transportation Building to argue for the moratorium. The board subsequently voted to advance the proposed interim ordinance for further consideration at its July 14 meeting. The ordinance would pause data center construction — and authorize a study on whether additional regulation within the county would be required.

“There has not been a proposal yet for a data center in our county, but I believe it is in the county’s best interest to restrict the expansion and establishment of data centers for the development of property for a data center while the study is ongoing,” Commissioner Sue Zmyslony said at the workshop meeting.

The board will likely hold a public hearing on the moratorium in August, Berg said.

You can learn more about the Carlton County Board of Commissioners meetings online.

Rolls-Royce invests $24M in Mankato expansion in bid to profit from data center boom (Blue Earth)

The MN Star Tribune reports

As opposition to data centers swells across the state, this southern Minnesota city is getting a boost from the race to build them.

Rolls-Royce has invested $24 million to expand the Mankato factory where it builds generators used in data centers, hospitals and airports.

The expansion includes a 250,000‑square‑foot logistics center at its main plant in Mankato just north of Highway 14 and the promise of 100 new jobs. The company is investing $4.5 million at another site in Mankato that also produces generators.

The expansion by Rolls-Royce, a British manufacturer and military contractor that separated from the similarly named luxury car brand in 1973, is part of a bid to profit from the rise of the data center industry, which is hungry for electricity and relies on generators as backstops during power outages.

Companies across Minnesota are capitalizing on the rapid growth in data centers, even as many cities and counties are hitting the brakes on their development in the state. Mankato is considering its own moratorium on data centers at a City Council meeting Monday.

Eagan faces lawsuit over data center moratorium (Dakota County)

Fox 9 reports

A legal battle is taking shape in Eagan after the city’s decision to pause new data center development sparked a lawsuit and raised questions about local authorities over electricity regulation.

The article gives some history of the issue…

What we know:

In February, Eagan became the first city in Minnesota to pass a moratorium on data centers, giving itself a year to study the potential impacts of these facilities.

Eagan Capital, a data center owner, is now suing the city, arguing that Eagan does not have the authority to regulate electricity. The company points out that the moratorium makes exceptions for data centers that use less electricity.

According to the lawsuit, there are at least four data centers in Eagan, some of which date to the 1980s.

The data center owner is seeking $50,000 in damages from the city.

The other side:

The city did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Big picture view:

Several other Minnesota communities have also enacted temporary bans on data centers. After Eagan’s move, cities like Minneapolis and Carver, as well as Wright County and Inver Grove Heights, put similar moratoriums in place. In Inver Grove Heights, a developer has threatened to sue the city over its temporary ban.

Here are some earlier stories on the project:

Lawsuit alleges Mayo Clinic cuts corners with AI

MPR News reports

As medical behemoth Mayo Clinic continues to lead the way in incorporating artificial intelligence into clinical settings, a new lawsuit alleges that staff at the world-renowned hospital system had been skirting AI compliance rules and masking concerning error rates.

The civil action comes from former Mayo Clinic research director and AI compliance lead Traci Tamiko Eto, who sued her employer this week in federal court, saying she was retaliated against and fired after she blew the whistle on how the hospital’s rush to incorporate AI into their operations put patient care and privacy at risk.

Artur Davis, Eto’s attorney and a partner with the national law firm HKM Employment Attorneys LLC, told MPR News that this is a significant case, especially since it concerns the intimate and confidential patient data hospitals like Mayo Clinic have in their possession.

“If [people] care about the notion that AI has to be handled in a responsible manner, with integrity, and there have to be rules and guidelines, this is a case that should matter to you,” Davis said.

Davis said Mayo Clinic has 21 days to respond to the legal filing.

Mayo Clinic told MPR News Wednesday it is committed to the responsible development and deployment of AI and that privacy, security, transparency and compliance are embedded in its processes.

Elk River City Council denies data center application and considers moratorium (Sherburne)

Data Center Dynamics reports

Officials in Elk River, Minnesota, have denied a zoning application for a proposed data center project and are considering a year-long moratorium on new developments.

Swervo Development Corp. affiliate Elk River Capital was proposing to convert an existing 60,000-square-foot (5,575 sqm) industrial building at 19178 Industrial Blvd NW into a 33MW data center.

However, the Elk River City Council this week voted against an ordinance amendment that would have allowed for the project in the city’s “light industrial” zone. As reported by CBS, the council still needs to vote on a conditional use permit for the project, but the council has indicated it will likely deny the permit.

More about future plans…

This week’s meeting also saw the council ask city staff to draft a one-year moratorium on new data centers for consideration at an upcoming meeting.

More about similar projects…

Elsewhere in Minnesota, Swervo has partnered with Eagan Capital to convert a former Unisys data center in Eagan into a colocation facility. A local moratorium in the Dakota County city, however, is blocking expansion plans. Swervo affiliate Eagan Capital is filing a lawsuit to lift the moratorium.

Here are some earlier stories on the project:

Winona resident speaks out on impact of losing ReConnect funding in their area

A letter to the Editor at the Winona Post gives a glimpse of what happens on the front lines when funding gets cut…

Living in rural Winona County is great. The people are great. The scenery is great. The internet, however, is not so great. Because my home sits in a valley setting, connectivity is spotty, and my family has long relied on expensive and poorly performing satellite internet. I was excited when I learned of a plan that would bring broadband internet to my rural home as part of the ReConnect project proposed by MiEnergy. Early this year, I met with their consultant to discuss the details of connecting the service. Then, in early March, I received a letter from MiEnergy informing me that the ReConnect broadband expansion had been canceled.

According to MiEnergy, the project had received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture in 2023 and then sat idle for nearly three years awaiting environmental clearance from both USDA Rural Development and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office. During that time, costs rose and bids expired, which ultimately resulted in the project’s collapse. Rural communities in southeastern Minnesota were depending on this investment, and we have now been left behind due to inaction that I believe was avoidable.

Benton Institute for Broadband and Society posts primer on Starlink

Benton Institute for Broadband and Society posted a nice primer on Starlink…

Starlink is all over the broadband news lately. The SpaceX-owned broadband provider has come a long way since it first launched 60 satellites in May 2019. Today, SpaceX has more than 10,000 satellites in orbit and has received regulatory approval to grow the fleet to 15,000. The company reports over 9 million direct subscribers globally (2.7 million in the U. S. alone), a number experts think is poised to grow exponentially in the coming years. In a recent SEC filing, Starlink claimed it can reach 3.3 billion potential users now.

The article goes on to address the following topics:

  • How Starlink Works
  • Advantages of Starlink
  • Disadvantages of Starlink
  • The Questions Facing Policymakers
  • Where We’re Going

Congressperson introduces Broadband Infrastructure Extension Act to extend ARPA deadline

Rep. McDowell’s (NC-06) website reports

Yesterday, June 29th, Congressman Addison McDowell (NC-06) introduced the Broadband Infrastructure Extension Act. This legislation would extend expenditure deadlines for certain broadband infrastructure projects funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The legislation provides states and local communities additional time to complete broadband projects already underway, helping ensure rural communities are not forced to abandon critical infrastructure investments because of federal deadlines.

This would be good news for folks with outstanding projects.

EVENT July 15: Book Talk: Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy

An event of possible interest from the NDIA online chat

Book Talk: Digital Equity Ecosystems: How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy

July 15, 2026 from 1:00 PM– 2:00 PM ET

Virtual (Zoom)

Join The Metropolitan New York Library Council for a lunchtime chat with Colin Rhinesmith, author of Digital Equity Ecosystems:How Community Coalitions Reduce Inequality and Strengthen Democracy. Colin, an associate professor and director of the Digital Equity Action Research (DEAR) Lab in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, will join us to talk about how community coalitions—in which libraries can play an essential role—serve as vital infrastructure to tackle digital inequality and strengthen democracy.

Find more information, including a link to register, here.

Bluepeak Reaches 500,000-Passing Milestone Across Six States – including MN

An update from Bluepeak

Bluepeak, a leading provider of high-speed fiber internet serving communities across Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Texas, and Wyoming, today announced a landmark achievement: the company has now passed 500,000 homes and businesses within its fiber-powered network. The milestone reflects hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure investment and underscores Bluepeak’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in underserved and rural communities across the region.
“Reaching 500,000 homes passed is more than a number – it’s a testament to the communities that have welcomed us and the teams that have built this network from the ground up,” said Rich Fish, CEO of Bluepeak. “This milestone represents real investment in real places: locally rooted and built for the long term. Every passing is a family or business that now has a choice for reliable, high-speed internet – and that’s exactly why we do this work.”
Hundreds of Millions in Privately Funded Investment Since launching new fiber expansion in 2021, Bluepeak has invested hundreds of millions of dollars across its six-state footprint to build a modern, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network capable of delivering residential speeds up to 5 Gig and business speeds up to 10 Gig. The company’s growth has been driven by a long-term belief in the communities it serves.
As its footprint has expanded, so too has Bluepeak’s workforce, made up of individuals who both live and work in the markets the company serves. “Our employees are building this network for their own neighborhoods, and they take tremendous pride in playing a direct role in its impact,” added Fish.
Bluepeak’s fiber infrastructure is built with advanced FTTH technology, ensuring low latency, enhanced reliability, and the scalability to meet rising digital demands – from streaming and remote work to online learning, telehealth, and business growth. The network also supports whole-home WiFi powered by eero, providing households with strong, consistent coverage and additional security features through eero Secure and eero Plus. Additionally, Bluepeak TV provides customers with even more entertainment options. As an all-in-one TV experience, Bluepeak TV provides access to live TV and streaming services in one place.
Impact Beyond Connectivity Bluepeak’s investment extends far beyond fiber infrastructure. Across every market it serves, the company actively engages with local organizations, sponsors community events, and builds lasting partnerships that reflect its commitment to the communities’ growth and well-being.
Wyoming: Bluepeak is woven into Wyoming’s signature events – from Cheyenne Frontier Days to Taste of Laradise; to Longmire Days, the Sheridan WYO Rodeo and Cowboy Joe Club golf tournaments. The
company also funds scholarships through the National Western Scholarship Trust’s annual awards to students in agriculture, rural medicine, and veterinary science.
Oklahoma: Bluepeak is proud to partner with Oklahoma State University Athletics and support the Altus Posse Scholarship program. The company also sponsors venues across the state including Heart of Oklahoma, Crownline Arena, Kiddie Park, the Chisholm Trail Expo Center, and the Stride Bank Center. Bluepeak further invests in local communities by supporting rodeos and fairs, donating equipment to first responders, and funding high school athletic programs and booster clubs. In 2026, Bluepeak will join Route 66’s 100th anniversary celebrations in Yukon, Elk City, and Clinton.
South Dakota: In Rapid City and Sioux Falls, Bluepeak partners with Monument Health Foundation, and the Sanford Children’s Hospital Child Life program. The company also sponsors community staples including CMN Radiothons, Storybook Island, Canaries Baseball, Sioux Falls Marathon and the President’s Bowl.
North Dakota: Bluepeak is a proud partner of University of North Dakota Athletics. In addition, the company sponsors the Sertoma 4th of July, Downtown Street Fair, Holly Dazzle Christmas Carolers and one of the region’s most popular annual events – the Potato Bowl French Fry Feed Kid Zone and Scholarship program.
Minnesota: Across their southwest Minnesota markets including Marshall, Luverne, Pipestone and Worthington, Bluepeak sponsors the Red Baron Expo Center, Marshall and Worthington hockey programs, local county fairs, and community traditions that reflect the region’s strong agricultural roots.
Texas: In Denison, Bluepeak sponsors many of the city events including the Police Gala, Easter Egg Hunt, Bandits Bluegrass & BBQ, Music on Main, 4th of July celebration and Denison on Ice. Bluepeak also supports the Katy Depot Days, Arts Council and the high school athletics and after prom event.
Residents and businesses can visit mybluepeak.com to check service availability, sign up for updates, and learn more about Bluepeak’s expansion. Follow Bluepeak on the social media platforms of LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for ongoing news and updates.
About Bluepeak Bluepeak is a new kind of internet and TV provider bringing fast, reliable, affordable internet to places that have needed better options for too long. The company has roots serving Great Plains and Midwest communities going back more than 30 years.
As the need for internet in the region has evolved, so has Bluepeak, upgrading and expanding service to markets in Oklahoma, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming, North Dakota and Texas with the newest cutting-edge technology. These expansion efforts include multi-million-dollar infrastructure projects, community involvement, and growth through local hires.
Bluepeak is earning the trust of customers and businesses through simple, affordable offerings, responsive, reliable customer service, and transparent pricing. The company’s unique approach to delivering internet service has earned Bluepeak accolades for customer satisfaction, network performance, workplace culture, and meaningful community partnerships.
For more information, visit Bluepeak.
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