Inflation Cools, AI Infrastructure Faces Scrutiny, and Leadership Changes Make Headlines
June inflation eased, New York pauses new AI data centers, Ford names a government affairs chief, Michigan Medicine sees a leadership change, and investigators trace a foodborne outbreak.
Falling Gas Prices Led to Inflation Cooling in June
With new rounds of bombing resurrecting the war in Iran, gas prices have started inching upward.
But they fell enough in June to bring about a cooling of the U.S. inflation rate.
According to statistics released Tuesday by the Labor Department, the consumer price index rose 3.5% in the 12 months ending in June. That’s down from 4.2% in May, which had marked the fastest pace in three years. Read Full Article
New York First to Impose Data Center Moratorium
Data centers are becoming a hot-button issue, springing up around the country.
But not in New York, at least not for the next year.
New York became the first U.S. state on Tuesday to halt construction of large new data centers. Reuters reported the state has placed a one-year moratorium on their construction amid worries that the facilities driving the artificial-intelligence boom are raising power costs, straining water supplies and burdening local communities. Read Full Article
Ford Appoints Matt VanKuiken Chief Government Affairs Officer
Ford Motor Company announced Matt VanKuiken has been named Chief Government Affairs Officer, effective Aug. 3.
VanKuiken joins Ford from BlackRock, where he served as director of Federal Government Affairs. Before joining BlackRock, VanKuiken spent 15 years in the U.S. Senate, including eight years as chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Read Full Article
Michigan Medicine Chief Miller Leaving for Vanderbilt
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – University of Michigan President Domenico Grasso announced that David C. Miller — a urological surgeon and a nationally recognized expert in urological oncology, quality improvement and health services research — has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Vanderbilt Health and Dean of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, effective Jan. 1, 2027. Read Full Article
Potential Source Identified for Cyclosporiasis Outbreak
Officials believe they know the source of a parasitic illness that has affected thousands of people in the United States.
Citing two individuals familiar with the case, The Washington Post reported that investigators have identified shredded iceberg lettuce supplied to Taco Bell restaurants by Taylor Farms as a potential source of the contamination. Read Full Article