1/16 Chuckanut Formation, fed funding, clean energy backlog, climate-pollution fund, Centralia coal plant, wastewater testing, Way of Whales, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Chuckanut Formation [Dan Coe]

Chuckanut Formation
The Chuckanut Formation is made of many alternating layers of siltstone, sandstone, and conglomerate. These sediments started to pile up near Bellingham around 40 to 50 million years ago. Rivers carried sand and mud on a long journey down from the Rocky Mountains and along rushing streams to a broad river plain not far from Washington’s ancient seashore. Subduction along the North American plate margin later folded the rocks, like the bunched up wrinkles in a rug shoved across the living room floor. The Chuckanut Formation is renowned for its large fossil palm fronds and abundant plant debris. The ancient riverine muck also hosts the footprints of large vertebrates. (WDNR) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Council member proposes Nooksack adjudication settlement

Congress rejects Trump cuts, funds major WA projects
Congress passed a bipartisan funding package Thursday for energy and water projects, scientific research, weather programs and more, rejecting most of President Donald Trump’s deepest requested cuts and securing billions of dollars for Washington state. The three-bill package includes $5 billion specific to Washington state, including $3.2 billion for Hanford, a Central Washington nuclear cleanup site, and $190 million for construction at Howard A. Hanson Dam, a project supporting fish passage and flood risk reduction along the Green River near Seattle that the Trump administration shirked in its funding proposals. Anumita Kaur reports. (Settle Times) 

Report finds $149 billion backlog of clean energy projects in WA
The report, cheekily named “Build SHIIT Now,” says more than 250 projects, 580,000 jobs, and 24 gigawatts are at risk in Washington state due to bureaucratic delays. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)  

Future of Washington state’s climate-pollution fund up in the air
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson'd proposed budget would redirect $569 million from the state’s quarterly auctions of pollution permits away from the environmental spending those funds have been dedicated to since the auctions began in 2023. That half-billion-plus dollars would be used to shield state refunds of sales taxes for lower-income taxpayers from the budget axe. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Fight over Centralia coal plant heats up as WA challenges feds 
The Washington state attorney general’s office and environmental advocates filed separate administrative appeals Wednesday, challenging a U.S. Department of Energy emergency order that required the state’s last coal plant to continue being available for operations. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Time) 

CDC studies show value of nationwide wastewater disease surveillance, as potential funding cut looms
The findings add to evidence that wastewater testing is a valuable weapon in tracking disease, including COVID-19, polio, mpox and bird flu. But the national wastewater surveillance system, run by CDC since 2020, is newly at risk, under a Trump administration budget plan would slash its funding from about $125 million a year to about $25 million. Devi Shastri reports. (Associated Press) 

Way of Whales 2026
Join in for speakers all things cetacean and salmon at Orca Network's Ways of Whales 2026 celebration Jan, 24, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Coupeville High School or online. Registration. 

Democracy Watch

• Confusion erupts in mental health and substance abuse programs as HHS cuts, then reinstates grants (AP)
• Defense Department says military newspaper Stars and Stripes must eliminate ‘woke distractions’(AP)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 1/16/26: Prohibition, fish sounds, offshore wind farms, green jet fuel, tire chemical, mortality cost, energy grants block, RCMP sued, hot year. 

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Here's your weekend tug weather— 

West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  215 AM PST Fri Jan 16 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM PST THIS AFTERNOON    
TODAY  E wind 15 to 25 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt late. Seas 3  to 5 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds and W 3 ft at 12  seconds.  
TONIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 3 ft at 11 seconds.  
SAT  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at  4 seconds and W 3 ft at 12 seconds. 
SAT NIGHT  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: E  2 ft at 3 seconds and W 3 ft at 14 seconds.  
SUN  E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 2 ft at  4 seconds and W 3 ft at 14 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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1/15 Snowdrop, hot year, expensive climate, insurance woes, democracy watch.

 

Snowdrop

Snowdrop Gallantus
The first bulbs to bloom here in Western Washington are typically snowdrops often emerging in January but coming into their full bloom in late February. Whether planted in clumps or a massive drift, snowdrops are a sure sign that spring is on the horizon. Snowdrops are always white with green or yellow markings, the double-flowered varieties are particularly charming. (WSU Master Gardener)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Heartbreak, rage and shame as community mourns death of Renee Good, protests ICE

2025 among world's three hottest years on record, WMO says 
Last year was among the planet's three warmest on record, the World Meteorological Organization said on Wednesday, as EU scientists also confirmed average temperatures have now exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming for the longest since records began. Kate Abnett reports. (Reuters) 

Sooner-than-expected climate impacts could cost the world trillions
The impacts of climate change are occurring sooner than expected, but governments and businesses continue to underestimate the risks, which could add up to trillions of dollars in economic losses by 2050. A report by climate scientists and financial experts has warned that the world may have seriously underestimated the rate of warming and faces “planetary insolvency”, where global warming begins to severely damage both the environment and economic growth. Alec Kuhn reports. (New Scientist) 

Insured losses from wildfire, storms and floods hit record high globally
Record insured losses from wildfires, storms and floods hit $98 billion globally last year, with L.A. County's January wildfires the costliest disaster of 2025. Climate change is driving these secondary perils to become more severe and frequent, according to Munich Re's analysis of rising global temperatures. Stephan Kohl reports. (LA Times) 

Democracy Watch

• US suspends immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance (AP) 
• New RFK Jr. pick for vaccine panel: ‘I was not anti-vaccine. I am now.’ (Washington Post) 

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Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  211 PM PST Wed Jan 14 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH  THURSDAY EVENING    
THU  E wind 15 to 20 kt, with frequent gusts to 25 kt. Seas 4  to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft at 4 seconds and W 5 ft at 13  seconds.  
THU NIGHT  E wind 15 to 20 kt, with frequent gusts to 25 kt.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 5 seconds and W 4 ft at 12  seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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1/14 Wren, tire chemical ban, Columbia R plan. WA road damage, BC tanker ban, RCMP sued, democracy watchl

 

Pacific Wren [Mason Maron]

Pacific WrenTroglodytes pacificus
themselves. One researcher deemed them a “pinnacle of song complexity.” This tinkling, bubbly songster is more often heard than seen within the dark understory of old-growth evergreen forests where they live. When Pacific Wrens sing they hold their tail upright and their entire body shakes with sound. They move like mice through the forest understory, hopping along logs and upturned roots. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Decision pending on Ferndale Terminal environmental review

Washington lawmakers to decide whether to ban a tire chemical shown to be toxic to salmon
A new bill introduced to the Washington Legislature, now in session, would require tire manufacturers to reformulate the rubber in their tires to remove a chemical responsible for killing large numbers of coho salmon and other fish. If approved, the legislation would give tire manufacturers nine years to find a suitable replacement for the compound 6PPD, a chemical additive used to extend the life of nearly every tire on the market today. The chemical readily combines with ozone to form 6PPD-quinone, a compound shown to be extremely toxic to coho with varying toxic effects on other salmon and trout species. Chris Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute) 

Trump kiboshed salmon recovery deal. Can this plan fill the gap?
The Northwest Power and Conservation Council has released the latest draft plan for its 40-year-old Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program. The council says its proposed actions will result in cooler water temperatures, elevated spill levels in spring and summer, reductions in ramping and daily flow fluctuations and reduced predation. Kendra Chamberlain reports. (Columbia Insight)

Road damage from WA flooding to cost at least $40M
Last month’s heavy flooding inflicted at least $40 million to $50 million of damage on Washington’s highways, state transportation officials estimated to lawmakers Monday. The state Department of Transportation has responded to dozens of locations due to flooding, officials told lawmakers. The state has signed 16 contracts for emergency repairs. A few more are still to come. Jake Goldstein-Street reports.(Washington State Standard) 

Coastal First Nations call on Carney to defend B.C. tanker ban in pipeline talks
Relations between Ottawa and Coastal First Nations soured late last year over an agreement with Alberta that opened the door to a pipeline to B.C.'s coast and a potential suspension of the coastal tanker ban moratorium. Wolfgang Depner reports. (Canadian Press)

The Narwhal Is Suing the RCMP. Stakes Are High for Journalism
The judge’s ruling could reinforce the right of journalists to report from inside police ‘exclusion zones.’ Tyler Olsen reports.(The Tyee)

Democracy Watch

• Justice Department prosecutors resign amid turmoil over Minnesota ICE shooting investigation (AP) 
• Trump repeats false claims when discussing Greenland’s security in the Arctic (AP) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  211 PM PST Tue Jan 13 2026    
WED  W wind around 5 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  15 seconds. Patchy dense fog.  
WED NIGHT  N wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 14 seconds. Widespread  dense fog in the evening. Patchy dense fog after midnight.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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1/13 Sorcerer's dorid, laurel, WA lege, tire chemicals kill, air pollution, offshore wind farm, clean energy grants, PBS New Weekend.

 

Sorcerer's Dorid

Sorcerer's Dorid Polycera atra
Sorcerer's dorid is a species of sea slug, a nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Polyceridae. Polycera atra feeds on the bryozoan Bugula.

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Challenges from weather, economy, policy beset farmers

English laurel. A reader points out that Cherry laurel featured in yesterday's flora spotlight is also known as English laurel and has invaded Ravenna Ravine in Seattle. Alas, the English have also given us English ivy. What else? 

2026 Washington state legislative session begins
With the banging of gavels, the Washington state Legislature opened its sprint of a 60-day session Monday in Olympia. The proceedings were more ceremony than substance, as the state’s 98 representatives and 49 senators began their work. (Washington State Standard) 

Study finds juvenile coho salmon at risk from deadly tire chemical
When it was first identified in 2020, the deadly tire chemical 6PPD-quinone (6PPDQ) was seen mostly as a threat to adult coho salmon. Fish returning in the fall were found disoriented and gasping shortly after entering creeks that had even trace amounts of the chemical. In some cases, as many as 90 percent of those fish died before they could spawn, a problem that continues to threaten some local populations with extinction. Jeff Rice reports. (Puget Sound Institute) 

E.P.A. to Stop Considering Lives Saved When Setting Rules on Air Pollution
In a reversal, the agency plans to calculate only the cost to industry when setting pollution limits, and not the monetary value of saving human lives, documents show. Maxine Joselow reports. (NY Times) 

Offshore wind developer prevails in court as Trump says the US ‘will not approve any windmills’
A federal judge ruled Monday that work on a major offshore wind farm for Rhode Island and Connecticut can resume, handing the industry at least a temporary victory as President Donald Trump seeks to shut it down. Jennifer McDermott reports. (Associated Press) 

Court says Trump admin illegally blocked billions in clean energy grants to Democratic states 
A federal judge ruled Monday that the Trump administration acted illegally when it canceled $7.6 billion in clean energy grants for projects in states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press) 

PBS weekend newscasts shut down due to funding cuts, replaced by single-topic programs 
“PBS News Weekend,” the companion to the weekday “NewsHour” program, has signed off, eliminated due to federal funding cuts to public broadcasting. David Bauer reports. (Associated Press) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  316 PM PST Mon Jan 12 2026    
TUE  E wind around 5 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at  13 seconds. Patchy fog in the morning. TUE NIGHT  E wind around 5 kt, veering to SW around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 12 seconds. A  chance of rain after midnight.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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1/12 Cherry laurel, plastic bags, fish sounds, offshore wind farms, radon, statues vandalized, democracy watch.

 

Cherry laurel  

Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus
Cherry laurel is naturalized in Washington, British Columbia, Oregon, and California. It is most common west of the Cascades in Washington. Very fast-growing and tolerant of a wide range of conditions, cherry laurel is a strong competitor and thrives in our climate. Because it is spread by birds to remote areas, it has the potential to be a serious threat to native forest land in the Puget Sound region. Cherry laurel is also poisonous to eat. Cherry laurel is designated as a weed of concern in King County and is on the Monitor List of the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board. This means control is not required, but is recommended, and new plantings are discouraged. (King County) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  A migrant's journey: Whatcom READS ‘Solito’ for 2026

A new push to ban plastic bags could be in store for Washington
Thicker bags have proliferated in the wake of the statewide ban on thin plastic bags took effect in 2021. Now, some cities are asking lawmakers to close a loophole. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX) 

Knock, knock, who's there? UVic biologists identify unique sounds of 8 fish species
The researchers used an underwater microphone to eavesdrop on rockfish and other species near the ­community of Bamfield in Barkley Sound, on the southwest coast of ­Vancouver Island. They developed a machine learning model that examined the unique characteristics of the fish noises, and were able to differentiate between different species — including those that are closely related — with high accuracy. Marissa Birnie reports.(Canadian Press)  

Billions at Stake in the Ocean as Trump Throttles Offshore Wind Farms
The Trump administration has repeatedly ordered work to stop on offshore wind farms along the East Coast, pushing at least two projects to the brink of collapse. Maxine Joselow and Brad Plumer report.(NY Times) 

Homeowners Left on Their Own to Deal with Deadly Gas
When the city of Oliver tested 83 homes for radon exposure last October, 57 per cent of the houses exceeded Health Canada’s safety guidelines. That’s seven times the provincial average. B.C.’s Interior has Canada’s highest levels of radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that kills an estimated 3,200 Canadians annually. But unlike homeowners in Saskatchewan or Manitoba, where provincially funded relief exists, Interior residents must pay out of pocket. Gemma Boothroyd reports. (The Tyee) 

Washington state pumps more tax dollars toward green jet fuel
Officials hope a new state-funded “accelerator” can tackle off-putting prices and other barriers to adoption of the fuel, which can reduce air travel emissions by 50-80%. Tom Banse reports.(Washington State Standard) 

Statues from Nisqually Tribe vandalized at entrance to new state park
Nisqually Tribe member William Frank III said on social media that the welcome figure near the entrance of Nisqually State Park were vandalized on New Year’s Eve. Photos show the figures were knocked over from their standing positions, causing damage to the lower half and feet of all four statues. Ty Vinson reports. (Olympian) 

Democracy Watch

• 'Enough is enough.' WA congresswoman pushes to impeach Kristi Noem (KUOW) 
• ICE searched WA driver’s license data into November, report finds (Washington State Standard) 
• Federal judge blocks Trump election order, siding with Oregon, Washington (Washington State Standard) 
• Reference to Trump’s impeachments is removed from the display of his Smithsonian photo portrait (AP) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—  
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  230 AM PST Sun Jan 11 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY MORNING THROUGH  MONDAY AFTERNOON    
MON  S wind 20 to 25 kt, easing to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 8 to 11 ft, subsiding to 6 to 9 ft in the  afternoon. Wave Detail: S 4 ft at 5 seconds and W 11 ft at  15 seconds. Rain. Patchy fog.  
MON NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W 8 ft at 14 seconds.  Rain. Patchy fog.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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1/9 Helleborus, young enviros, Edmonds water, killer whale survey, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Helleborus

Helleborus
Here in the Pacific Northwest the blooming of Hellebores is a favorite late winter reminder that spring is right around the corner. The genus of Helleborus is comprised of 15 different species and belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). Hellebores are perennial and largely evergreen. Their flowers provide color and interest in the shade garden when other plants are dormant. In addition, their leaf structure is interesting enough to make them a foundation of the shade garden year-round, even when their flowers are spent. Hellebores are also deer resistant and somewhat drought tolerant. (Portland Nursery)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  What the Growler Environment Impact Statement means off-Whidbey

Where are all the young environmentalists?
Political forces of today are different than those faced by activists even 10 years ago. To respond to them, environmental groups that appeal to younger people are adopting new tactics. Youth participation in environmental causes may appear to be less robust than in the past—cynicism about the authoritarian behavior of the federal government might be affecting that—but in many ways it has simply transformed. Erica Browne Grivas reports. (Columbia Insight) 

Edmonds adopts Critical Areas Ordinance with new aquifer area restrictions
After months of back and forth, the city council approved updates that proponents say better protect the town’s drinking water.  Eliza Aronson reports. (Everett Herald) 

First Joint NOAA Killer Whale Survey Examines Endangered Southern Residents’ Shift to Coast
NOAA’s Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and NOAA Fisheries combined forces in a September survey of endangered Southern Resident killer whales. The survey employed new technologies to study the whales’ summertime shift to Washington coastal waters. (NOAA) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump Lays Out a Vision of Power Restrained Only by ‘My Own Morality’ (NY Times) 
• House passes bill to extend health care subsidies in defiance of GOP leaders (AP) 
• Senate Advances Measure to Curb Trump’s Use of Force in Venezuela (NY Times) 

 Salish Sea News Week in Review 1/9/26: Apricots, December floods, nuke ventures, zero-emission trucks, glacier collapse, drift logs, NEPA, WA climate report.  

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your weekend tug weather— 
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  216 PM PST Thu Jan 8 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON     

FRI  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft  at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain in the  morning.  
FRI NIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: SE  2 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 13 seconds.  
SAT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft  at 5 seconds and W 9 ft at 15 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 4 seconds and W  8 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.  
SUN  SE wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 6 to 9 ft in the  afternoon. Wave Detail: SE 3 ft at 6 seconds and W 9 ft at  17 seconds. Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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1/8 Sea urchin, NEPA, WA climate report, Alberta oil pipe, krill fishery, wood biomass, AI weather map, democracy watch,

 

Purple sea urchin [Kurt L. Onthank/Wikimedia Commons]

Purple sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus 
Purple sea urchins are easy to spot — their deep purple bodies can be seen dotting the lower intertidal zone (to about 160 meters) from Canada to Mexico. They like the rocky coast for its wave action, where they can “breathe” the plentiful oxygen in the water with their tube feet, but occasionally they make it into the calmer waters of Puget Sound, as well. (Dept. of Ecology)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bellingham staffer asked ChatGPT to ‘exclude’ vendor from city contract

White House completes plan to curb bedrock environmental law
The Trump administration has finalized a plan to roll back regulations implementing a landmark environmental law that the White House says needlessly delays federal approvals for energy and infrastructure projects. The action Wednesday by the White House Council on Environmental Quality rescinds regulations related to the National Environmental Policy Act, which requires federal agencies to consider a project’s possible environmental impacts before it is approved. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press) 

WA Dept. of Commerce corrects climate report data after error vastly overstates emission cuts
Washington’s Department of Commerce has corrected a major error in its greenhouse gas emissions reporting, saying a “data entry error” vastly inflated the climate benefits of several state-funded rebate programs. The department originally reported that 7.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced. The actual amount is around 78,000. Jake Johns reports. (KING) 

Alberta government launches website to host information about proposed oil pipeline
Government targets July 1 to have application ready for federal major projects office Lauren Krugel reports. (Canadian Press) 

Vancouver Island First Nations criticize DFO for lack of consultation on krill fishery opening
First Nations on northern Vancouver Island are criticizing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for a lack of consultation prior to opening commercial krill fishing in what they say are "fragile coast inlet waters." Hereditary Chief T̕łaḵwagila David Mungo Knox of the Fort Rupert First Nation, also known as the Kwakiutl First Nation, says he wants DFO to discuss fisheries management with coastal First Nations before allowing commercial fishing. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC) 

Wood biomass project in Wash. put on hold
The UK-based Drax Group said last month it’s pausing plans for the facility as part of a wider slowdown in capacity expansion caused by weak demand for its wood pellets. The Drax plant would be built in Longview, Wash., where it would process up to 450,000 metric tons of wood annually, turning Pacific Northwest trees into pellets for export to overseas power plants. Nick Engelfried reports. (Columbia Insight) 

‘Whata Bod’: An AI-generated NWS map invented fake towns in Idaho
Amid a big agency push to use AI models in weather prediction, an AI-generated forecast graphic with errors was pulled from NWS sites. Ruby Mellen reports. (Washington Post) 

Democracy Watch

• Buy Greenland? Take It? Why? An Old Pact Already Gives Trump a Free Hand. (NY Times) 
• Trump proposes massive increase in 2027 defense spending to $1.5T, citing ‘dangerous times (AP) 
• Texas A&M, Under New Curriculum Limits, Warns Professor Not to Teach Plato (NY Times) 

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—  
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  208 PM PST Wed Jan 7 2026    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH FRIDAY MORNING    
THU  W wind 15 to 20 kt, easing to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: W 10 ft at 14 seconds.  Showers in the morning, then rain likely in the afternoon.  
THU NIGHT  SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 8 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: W  8 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato. It is included as a daily feature in the Salish Current newsletter. Click here to subscribe. Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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