Across Wisconsin, data centers, surveillance and AI are taking over — literally and in politics. 

But in one corner of the state, it's a 190-mile power line that everyone cares about and nobody wants.

We open though with a sharp look at how politicians are walking a tightrope on data center developments due to campaign cash — calling out Republican Derek Van Orden for publicly defending "super intelligence" in social media comment sections, while contrasting his stances with leaders like Rebecca Cooke pushing for a moratorium.

That set the stage for this massive 765-kilovolt MariBell transmission line proposal across southwest Wisconsin, that threatens farmland, private property and the Driftless Region — even as electricity use in the state has barely budged in two decades.

Residents are united in opposing the project. But will that be enough?

While politicians across the aisle claim to oppose the build, Democrats like David Crowley and Cooke are the ones actually equipped to protect local communities. 

Because local ordinances can't legally block the project, the decision comes down to the state Public Service Commission, and Republicans take campaign cash from out-of-state tech billionaires. Crowley is looking to empower local towns and appoint utility regulators who stand up to energy developers rather than rubber-stamping their demands.