The xAI Files
An ongoing investigation into the xAI data centers in Memphis and Southaven, and the agencies that were supposed to be watching them.
34 pieces
xAI’s Tesla Megapacks sit over the aquifer. Shelby County never planned for them.
The xAI files Every essay in this series is pinned to a question on the board at rachelandthecity.com/the-xai-files. UPDATE, October 19th: A small correction. The plan’s table of contents lists five hazards, but only four are written up - flooding, severe weather, extreme heat and cold, and earthquake. The disease section is listed but never…
The Latest on the Data Center Moratorium
Twelve months, no new data center permits. The council's own attorney named two ways the pause could end early, and nobody will sign the survey going around.
News update: the Justice Department asks for a written ruling by September 10
The government asked the judge to put her no in writing by September 10 so it can appeal. The NAACP can win this round and still end up waiting.
xAI is hiring for positions that should have been filled already
The xAI files Every essay in this series is pinned to a question on the board at rachelandthecity.com/the-xai-files. Independent outlets have covered the Megapacks as hardware and the turbine issues - but I have not found anyone that has written about the battery safety, fire-oversight gap - except me. I’ll circle back soon and explain…
Elon Musk is just Elon Musking - who is actually in charge of stopping him?
The xAI files · the introduction Every essay in this series is pinned to a question on the board at rachelandthecity.com/the-xai-files. And for my next trick… Introducing my new daily series - THE XAI FILES… Some of you may remember that while I was running for Congress, I started digging into xAI. Then I went…
Let’s Talk About xAI and Data Center Pollution
The real story that no one wants to talk about!
How xAI could actually help its neighbors
The xAI files Every essay in this series is pinned to a question on the board at rachelandthecity.com/the-xai-files. First published on rachelfortn.com on 6 July 2026, during the campaign for Tennessee’s 5th District. Moved here with the text as it was. The world’s largest supercomputer sits in Memphis’ backyard. While at least 32,000 Memphis homes…
What is the mitigation plan for xAI battery parks?
The xAI files Every essay in this series is pinned to a question on the board at rachelandthecity.com/the-xai-files. First published on rachelfortn.com on 2 July 2026, during the campaign for Tennessee’s 5th District. Moved here with the text as it was. Let’s talk about disaster mitigation, because that is an important part of a representative’s…
xAI’s turbines are poisoning Boxtown’s air - and the Trump DOJ just moved to kill the lawsuit
The xAI files Every essay in this series is pinned to a question on the board at rachelandthecity.com/the-xai-files. First published on rachelfortn.com on 19 June 2026, during the campaign for Tennessee’s 5th District. Moved here with the text as it was. Imagine being a slave - and not being told you were free until two…
Forcing data centers to come clean before they break ground
The xAI files Every essay in this series is pinned to a question on the board at rachelandthecity.com/the-xai-files. First published on rachelfortn.com on 13 June 2026, during the campaign for Tennessee’s 5th District. Moved here with the text as it was. There’s a bill in Congress that would make it harder to pull off what…