Festus resident Mary Hedger leads a vocal group of citizens opposed to a data center at a Festus City Council meetng on Monday, June 8, 2026. The council voted down resolutions that would have triggered recall elections against four city officials.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
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FESTUS 鈥 The City Council has narrowly voted to shut down four citizen resolutions that would have triggered recall elections against the mayor and three other council members, all proponents of a controversial $6 billion data center proposal on the city鈥檚 outskirts.
Festus mayor Sam Richards listens to residents speaking at a City Council meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026. Council members subsequently voted not to honor a citizen-led recall effort against the mayor and three council members.
Festus Mayor Sam Richards listens as resident Gabe Cotton denounces the mayor's role in approving a proposed data center. Cotton spoke at City Council meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026.
Festus resident Dee Politte displays a sign of opposition to a proposed data center on Monday, June 8, 2026, at a City Council meeting.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
鈥淵ou鈥檙e gonna do what some lawyer says over the people that elected you,鈥 says Festus resident Gabe Cotton, right, to Festus city council member Allen McCarthy on Monday, June 8, 2026, following a city council meeting at City Hall. Council members voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of the mayor and three sitting members that had voted to approve a data center to which Cotton is opposed.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
鈥淵ou lied to me, Allen,鈥 says Festus resident Mary Hedger, left, as Councilman Allen McCarthy leaves a meeting Monday, June 8, 2026, at City Hall. Council members voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of the mayor and three sitting council members who voted to approve a data center that Hedger opposes.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Rain Dixon, left, and Luke Adams demonstrate outside Festus City Hall on Monday, June 8, 2026, during city council meeting at City Hall where members voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of the mayor and three sitting members that had voted to approve a proposed data center within city limits.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
Festus city council member Dave Boyer listens as residents denounce members鈥 role in approving a proposed data center on Monday, June 8, 2026, at a city council meeting at City Hall. Council members subsequently voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of Boyer, the mayor and two sitting members that had voted to approve the measure.
Christian Gooden, Post-Dispatch
How much water does a data center use? Why do they use water? Reporting by Bryce Gray answers these questions. Video by Jenna Jones.
Neighbors and a flooding expert warn that plans call for construction in Deer Creek's floodway 鈥 part of the waterway set aside for the creek'…
Festus resident Mary Hedger leads a vocal group of citizens opposed to a data center at a Festus City Council meetng on Monday, June 8, 2026. The council voted down resolutions that would have triggered recall elections against four city officials.
Festus mayor Sam Richards listens to residents speaking at a City Council meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026. Council members subsequently voted not to honor a citizen-led recall effort against the mayor and three council members.
Festus Mayor Sam Richards listens as resident Gabe Cotton denounces the mayor's role in approving a proposed data center. Cotton spoke at City Council meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e gonna do what some lawyer says over the people that elected you,鈥 says Festus resident Gabe Cotton, right, to Festus city council member Allen McCarthy on Monday, June 8, 2026, following a city council meeting at City Hall. Council members voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of the mayor and three sitting members that had voted to approve a data center to which Cotton is opposed.
鈥淵ou lied to me, Allen,鈥 says Festus resident Mary Hedger, left, as Councilman Allen McCarthy leaves a meeting Monday, June 8, 2026, at City Hall. Council members voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of the mayor and three sitting council members who voted to approve a data center that Hedger opposes.
Rain Dixon, left, and Luke Adams demonstrate outside Festus City Hall on Monday, June 8, 2026, during city council meeting at City Hall where members voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of the mayor and three sitting members that had voted to approve a proposed data center within city limits.
Festus city council member Dave Boyer listens as residents denounce members鈥 role in approving a proposed data center on Monday, June 8, 2026, at a city council meeting at City Hall. Council members subsequently voted not to honor a citizen-lead recall of Boyer, the mayor and two sitting members that had voted to approve the measure.
