5/23 Pacific yew, Bill 15, tailpipe emissions, elasmosaur, nuke power, low tides, Big Mama, democracy watch, week in review

Pacific yew

Yews
Taxus is a genus of coniferous trees or shrubs known as yews in the family Taxaceae. The Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), native to the Pacific Northwest of North America, and the Canada yew (Taxus canadensis) of Eastern and Central North America were the initial sources of paclitaxel or Taxol, a chemotherapeutic drug used in breast and lung cancer treatment and, more recently, in the production of the Taxus drug eluting stent by Boston Scientific.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Oso-like landslide preventable for Concrete logging project, experts say

‘Kill the Bill.’ BC Faces Mounting Pressure Against Bill 15
The province is facing a wall of opposition from First Nations and municipalities over legislation meant to fast-track development. Amanda Follett Hosgood reports. (The Tyee)

U.S. Senate vote to nix California tailpipe emissions standard blocks 17 other states
The U.S. Senate voted early Thursday to prevent California from enforcing regulations on tailpipe emission from new cars and trucks, upending state regulations for the nearly 40% of Americans whose states follow California standards. The House has already passed an identical measure, meaning the Senate vote sends the resolution to President Donald Trump’s desk. Jacob Fischler reports. (Washington State Standard)

Extinct marine reptile species named for Courtenay man
The previously unnamed species of elasmosaur is being called Traskasaura sandrae in honour of Mike Trask, who in 1988 discovered fossils in the Puntledge River. Roxanne Egan-Elliott reports. (Times Colonist)

NW’s only nuclear power plant to undergo $700M upgrade
One of largest electricity producers in Washington state will get a $700 million upgrade that would eventually power about 125,000 more homes.. Plans are in place at the Columbia Generating Station in Eastern Washington to boost electrical output by 162 megawatts within six years by replacing and upgrading reactor equipment, including turbines, heat exchangers and the generator.  Anette Cary reports. (Tri-City Herald)

Puget Sound to see low tides next week
Low tides will range between -3.4 feet to -4.1 feet, with the lowest occurring at 12:21 p.m. Wednesday, May 28. Adam Claibon reports. (KING)

Big Mama's back! Famous humpback whale returns to Washington waters with new calf
The calf was seen traveling alongside its mother, BCY0324, a.k.a. "Big Mama," who is celebrated for her significant role in the recovery of local humpback populations. (KOMO)

Democracy Watch
Trump administration bars Harvard from enrolling foreign students (AP)
Harvard sues over ban on foreign student enrollment (AP)
Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Arresting International Students or Revoking Visas (NY Times)
Court order blocks Trump from eliminating U.S. Education Department (Washington State Standard)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/23/25: Turtle Day, Green R salmon, Trump's rules, Billy Proctor, WA litter, microplastics, logging protest, wildfire season, Fraser pinks.

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  239 AM PDT Fri May 23 2025    
TODAY  NW wind around 5 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt this  afternoon. Seas building to 2 or 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8  seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft. Wave Detail:  W 2 ft at 8 seconds.  
SAT  NW wind around 5 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 9 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SW around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds.  
SUN  E wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to N in the afternoon. Seas  3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of showers  in the afternoon.  
SUN NIGHT  NW wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of  showers in the evening, then showers likely after midnight.  
MON  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  11 seconds. A chance of showers in the morning.

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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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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