Google’s upcoming tests in its Labs division foreshadow the next wave of AI technology likely to be made available to the masses.
Who should control such sites has long been a burning source of disagreement in the West, where about half the acreage is under federal control and cities that sprawl across open landscapes facefor housing, water and other necessities.
The GOP plan is rekindling the fight and generating strong blowback from Democrats and conservationists. They see the measure as a precedent-setting move that would open the door to sales in other states.“We have grave concerns that this is the camel’s nose under the tent,” said Steve Bloch with the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. “If it can happen in Utah, if it can happen in Nevada, it’s not going to stay here. It’s going to spread.”Some Republicans also signaled opposition, setting up a political clash as the budget process moves forward.
The majority of land in the House provision is in Nevada, including the counties that encompass Reno, Las Vegas and the fast-growing city of Fernley, according to maps released by the measure’s sponsors, Republican Reps. Mark Amodei of Nevada and Celeste Maloy of Utah.Fernley City Manager Benjamin Marchant said the opportunity to buy 12,000 acres (4850 hectares) of federal land at the edge of the community was “good news.” The city size tripled since its incorporation in 2001 and is expected to double again over the next decade, he said.
There is hope to emerge as a technology hub, but Fernley needs space to grow.
“We can’t even talk about projects when it’s federal land,” Marchant said. “We can’t sell what we don’t own, and this is the first step.”. And U.S. shoppers currently rely on a lot of goods made abroad.
Fruits and vegetables, your next phone purchase, a pharmacy order, new clothes, or awho uses auto parts made outside of the U.S. could all be impacted.
Cars rest on a carrier at the BNSF Railway vehicle storage facility at the Port of Richmond on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Richmond, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)Cars rest on a carrier at the BNSF Railway vehicle storage facility at the Port of Richmond on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Richmond, Calif. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)