9/5 Spider-Man, air quality, Snake R dams, orcas and salmon, Initiative 2066, hydrogen, megaberg A23A, Kitsap feeding ban, earthquake history, bird migration, democracy watch, week in review

 Spider-Man

Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 in the Silver Age of Comic Books. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Everson’s ‘First Amendment auditors’ never found 

A look at air quality around Puget Sound as wildfires burn across WA
Wildfire smoke is blanketing our region with haze, as fires continue to burn across Washington, Oregon and Canada. But for most of us in the region, air quality experts say our air quality is okay right now. “Right now, we’ve got a lot of smoke high up from nearby fires,” said Phil Swartzendruber, an air quality scientist with Puget Sound Clean Air. “Down below, we have fairly clean air that is coming in off the ocean, coming from the Sound.” Madeline Ottilie reports. (KIRO) 

Federal bill could ban breaching Lower Snake River dams
For years, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-WA, has argued the Lower Snake River dams make up an important energy source for the Northwest, and that they can coexist with salmon. He’s introduced a bill on the issue, which is now making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, called the “Defending our Dams Act,” calls to ban the use of federal money to breach the four dams. It also would ban federal funds from being used to study on the benefits the dams provide, including energy and barging. Courtney Flatt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

In the Salish Sea, tensions surrounding killer whales and salmon are about more than just fishing
In the waters of the Salish Sea, endangered southern resident killer whales and the struggling Chinook salmon they depend on are at the center of one of Canada's most visible conservation conflicts. Lauren Eckert reports. (Phys.org) 

WA Supreme Court will decide if natural gas measure passed by voters is legal 
The fate of a voter-approved measure to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps will be decided by the state Supreme Court. Chief Justice Debra Stephens signed an order Wednesday to have Washington’s high court directly review a lower court ruling invalidating Initiative 2066 that passed last November. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Another hydrogen developer exits regional clean energy project
A billion-dollar, taxpayer-funded enterprise to kickstart a clean hydrogen industry in the Pacific Northwest took another hit due to energy companies getting cold feet. Portland General Electric and its partner Mitsubishi Power have quietly shelved a planned hydrogen production, storage and hydrogen-fueled generation complex near Boardman, Oregon. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Most enduring and biggest iceberg breaks apart, with more splintering to come in its death spiral
The shrinking megaberg, known as A23A, is unlikely to survive through the end of November and may face a sudden and spectacular collapse like an avalanche of ice at sea. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press) 

A year after NK raccoon incident, Kitsap considers policy to ban feeding wildlife
The Kitsap Public Health Board is considering an update to its three-decade-old rodent control policy that would prohibit feeding wildlife in Kitsap County. Conor Wilson reports. (Kitsap Sun) 

Discovering Seattle's earthquake history through underwater forests
In his essay "Dead Trees Tell No Lies," David B. Williams describes how geologists can read the growth rings of trees for evidence of what happened thousands of years ago. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX) 

Where Art Thou, Little Songbird?
Collaboration and technology are helping scientists solve migratory mysteries. Kylie Mohr reports. (bioGraphic) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump will seek 'Department of War' rebrand for Pentagon (AP) 
• A look at false claims made by RFK Jr. during a Senate hearing on MAHA (AP) 
• Trump administration investigates Medicaid spending on immigrants in Democratic states (AP) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/5/25: Food Bank Friday, wildfire retardants, masks and pole journey, port wind projects, Trump climate report, Smoketember, WA older forest plan, Trans Mountain pipe. 

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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  219 AM PDT Fri Sep 5 2025    
TODAY  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW this afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds.  
SAT  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft  at 6 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of showers.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  2 ft at 5 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of showers.  
SUN  W wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft  at 11 seconds. A chance of showers.

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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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