Emporia, Kansas cancels public comment on proposed gigawatt AI data center after city leaders receive death threats, moves council to virtual meetings.

The Emporia, Kansas city council announced it will move its meetings online after receiving death threats, also canceling public comment periods for sessions scheduled on August 5 and August 19, 2026. In a Facebook statement, the city said: "In the interest of public safety, the Emporia City Commission meetings scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and Wednesday, August 19, 2026, will be conducted virtually. No public comment period will be provided during either meeting."

The city added: "The City remains committed to conducting the public's business in an open and transparent manner while taking reasonable measures to protect the safety of elected officials, City staff, and members of the public. The City appreciates the public's understanding and cooperation as it implements these temporary measures while ensuring the continuity of City business."

While moving to virtual meetings due to credible threats is understandable, the cancellation of public comment periods sparked criticism. The city instead directed citizens to submit concerns via email and phone, prompting some residents to protest outside the Emporia municipal auditorium.

Lux Claridge, who was arrested at the previous council meeting for clapping in support of opposition to a proposed gigawatt AI data center, questioned the decision. "While I don't doubt that there are credible threats, my big question is on how many there are and from where they are coming," Claridge told 404 Media. "Mayor Smith did mention in yesterday's meeting that the threats don't seem to really be coming from locals but 'it only takes one' to ruin a meeting so they went virtual. I feel like we're being punished for the actions of outsiders."

Claridge added: "I'm not so upset about going virtual, it makes sense, but back it up with examples of these threats. I'm more upset that they opted to close public comment and I don't understand why."

During the meeting, the council voted unanimously to send a petition to ban data centers to judicial review. The council claimed this step was necessary to avoid potential lawsuits from either side, though it did not elaborate on the specific legal concerns. One Texas senator has warned a county in his state that it cannot legally impose a data center ban, suggesting commissioners elsewhere may be adopting a cautious legal posture.