Your Weekly Recap: 10-12- 2026

[upbeat music] So Zach, it wouldn't be a week of podcasting if we didn't talk about XAI, but Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite is pushing back against Memphis news reports suggesting that residents near XAI's power generation facility are being forced out of their homes.

XAI has offered to voluntary purchase homes near its Stanton Road facility following complaints about loud noises and vibrations caused by natural gas turbines.

Controversy has comes as residents have filed a class action lawsuit claiming noise levels sometimes exceed 70 decibels and disrupt their sleep and everyday activities.

Mayor Musselwhite had shared that homeowners are not required to sell their properties, however, some renters could be forced to move if their landlords decided to accept that offer.

Homeowners who accept a buyout must also agree to waive their right to pursue legal claims against the company.

Musselwhite defended this requirement as a reasonable business precaution.

The mayor said he has encouraged XAI to offer homeowners more than market value since many affected properties are in older neighborhoods where residents could struggle to afford replacement homes.

Musselwhite acknowledged the noise problem but said XAI remains in compliance with applicable regulations as it already spent millions of dollars on noise reduction efforts.

Those efforts include constructing three sound-reducing berms and replacing temporary turbines with quieter permanent equipment according to him.

Southaven officials say they will continue monitoring noise levels and working with XAI to address residents' concerns.

Musselwhite ended his remarks by criticizing local media outlets, accusing them of exaggerating the situation and creating unnecessary concern amongst residents.

[upbeat music] So Zach, it wouldn't be a week of podcasting if we didn't talk about XAI, but Southaven Mayor Darren Musselwhite is pushing back against Memphis news reports suggesting that residents near XAI's power generation facility are being forced out of their homes.

XAI has offered to voluntary purchase homes near its Stanton Road facility following complaints about loud noises and vibrations caused by natural gas turbines.

Controversy has comes as residents have filed a class action lawsuit claiming noise levels sometimes exceed 70 decibels and disrupt their sleep and everyday activities.

Mayor Musselwhite had shared that homeowners are not required to sell their properties, however, some renters could be forced to move if their landlords decided to accept that offer.

Homeowners who accept a buyout must also agree to waive their right to pursue legal claims against the company.

Musselwhite defended this requirement as a reasonable business precaution.

The mayor said he has encouraged XAI to offer homeowners more than market value since many affected properties are in older neighborhoods where residents could struggle to afford replacement homes.

Musselwhite acknowledged the noise problem but said XAI remains in compliance with applicable regulations as it already spent millions of dollars on noise reduction efforts.

Those efforts include constructing three sound-reducing berms and replacing temporary turbines with quieter permanent equipment according to him.

Southaven officials say they will continue monitoring noise levels and working with XAI to address residents' concerns.

Musselwhite ended his remarks by criticizing local media outlets, accusing them of exaggerating the situation and creating unnecessary concern amongst residents.