Seattle’s Data Center WAR, UW Admissions Fight & Parental Rights Showdown

Washington is at the center of several major battles over technology, college admissions and parental rights. Meta’s massive Idaho data center highlights the growing fight over AI, jobs, electricity and water — as communities across Washington consider data center moratoriums. The University of Washington is facing a federal lawsuit alleging race played a role in the rejection of a highly accomplished Asian student. UW denies having race-based admissions policies. And a Washington father is suing the Lake Washington School District over his effort to opt his son out of LGBTQ-related curriculum, raising questions about parental rights, religious freedom and what schools must disclose to parents. Three disputes. Three very different flashpoints. And all three could have implications far beyond Washington state.