6/11 Beach hopper, BC fast track, BC social housing, WSF apprenticeship, AI conservation, Trump's nat'l monuments, Oak Bay sculpture, democracy watch

Beach hopper (Sand flea)

Beach hopper Traskorchestia traskiana
The Pacific beach hopper is a species of amphipod from the family Talitridae. It hops around like a flea on wracks of seaweed left stranded by tides on upper levels of beaches. When the seaweed dries out, the beach hoppers retreat into the moist center of the pile or dig into the sand, and hop out if disturbed. They break down organic materials and serving as a food source for various shorebirds and other predators.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Pipeline explosion: Book about Bellingham disaster is in the works / Now is not the time to move backward on pipeline safety

‘Horrific impacts’: as B.C. prepares to fast-track projects, a mining watchdog warns past mistakes could be repeated
Mining regulations and environmental assessments were developed to protect the environment and public health and safety. If projects are allowed to forego those processes, B.C. could set the stage for catastrophic impacts. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

From $2,600 to $775: how social housing is changing lives — and fighting climate change
Can new homes be energy efficient, low emission, climate resilient and affordable? B.C. non-profits show it can be done. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal)

New apprenticeship program boosts Washington State Ferries workforce
Washington State Ferries is aiming to tackle its staffing shortage by building future captains and engineers through a program that teaches every fromm from loading cars to sailing the boat. Dahlia Bazzaz reports. (Seattle Times)

The Potential and Perils of AI for Conservation
AI can help experts sift through datasets that are otherwise unmanageable, but the technology threatens to undermine other ways of knowing. Jim Robbins reports. (bioGraphic)

US Justice Department says Trump can cancel national monuments
Lawyers for President Donald Trump’s administration say he has the authority to abolish national monuments meant to protect historical and archaeological sites across broad landscapes, including two in California created by his predecessor at the request of Native American tribes. (Associated Press)

Sculpture of a man on a toilet sparks conversation in Oak Bay
Fashioned from recycled stainless steel cookware, “Modern Man Does Research” in Causton’s Green has a cigarette in his mouth and is staring at a smartphone. Yeorgios Prontzos reports. (Times Colonist)

Democracy Watch

• California Governor Newsom: Trump is a threat to democracy (AP)
  
• Army restores the names of seven bases that lost their Confederate-linked names under Biden (AP)
  
• US Justice Department says Trump can cancel national monuments (AP)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  234 AM PDT Wed Jun 11 2025    
TODAY  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft  at 9 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W  6 ft at 9 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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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