9/18 America at 250, river otter, Ts'ele7álhse, natural gas initiative, BC land zoning, AI poll, democracy watch, week in review.

"America at 250" features eminent historian and Western Washington University scholar Johann Neem and journalist Ron Judd discussing the search for a common narrative to describe what our county means to us. The event is a fundraiser supporting Salish Current, and features live and silent auctions of fine art from local artists curated by artist Chris Moench and a paddle-raising led by guest auctioneer Frank Catalano. Appetizers and no-host bar are available. Wednesday, Oct. 7, Hotel Leo, Bellingham. Early reservations encouraged. salishcurrent.rsvp@gmail.com

 

River otter [Keith Nelson]

River otter Lontra canadensis
Although seldom seen, river otters are relatively common throughout Washington in ponds, lakes, rivers, sloughs, estuaries, bays, and in open waters along the coast. In colder locations, otters frequent areas that remain ice-free in winter—rapids, the outflows of lakes, and waterfalls. River otters can be found in fresh, brackish, or salt water, and can travel overland for considerable distances. River otters are sometimes mistaken for their much larger seagoing cousin, the sea otter. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Governor’s response to WDFW investigation sows more discord

New orca calf officially has a name
A killer whale calf designated as J63 officially has a name. The Samish Indian Nation chose the name Ts'ele7álhse, which means "the heart of the Salish Sea" in Coast Salish. (KIRO) 

WA high court tosses natural gas measure approved by voters
Justices, in a 6-3 decision, found Initiative 2066 unconstitutional because it dealt with multiple unrelated subjects. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

How Much Plastic Does it Take to Kill a Seabird?
For the first time, researchers uncover how eating plastic trash may impact seabirds at the population level. Greg Noone reports. (bioGraphic) 

Will BC’s Land Zoning Plan Protect More Forests?
New pilot sites will help determine whether restored areas are logged again, government ministers say. Ben Parfitt reports. (The Tyee) 

Americans are increasingly concerned about the environmental consequences of AI
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) finds that 53% of Americans are extremely or very concerned about the environmental impacts of AI, up from 41% who said the same in 2025. Younger adults ages 18-29 have become particularly concerned, increasing from 38% last year to 60% today and moving from levels similar to other age groups to the highest level of concern. (Associated Press/NORC) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump calls possible Canada-EU move a hostile act after escalating trade war (Canadian Press) 
• Postal Service chief says work stopped on computer system key to Trump effort to limit mail voting (AP)
• WA governor takes stand against initiative repealing ‘parents bill of rights’(KNKX) 

 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/18/26: America at 250, Bamboo Friday, WA coal plant, tire burning, breeding spotted owls, greenhouse gas limits, wolf ESA. toxic tires, ESA 'take,' paper mill pollution, bringing back bluebirds. 

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-  138 AM PDT Fri Sep 18 2026    
TODAY  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 8 seconds.  
TONIGHT  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: NW  3 ft at 8 seconds.  
SAT  W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft in the morning, then around 2 ft or less. Wave  Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft or less, then  around 3 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds.  
SUN  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 9 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/17 Sea urchin, orca!, ESA 'take,' BC bluebirds, PT paper mill fined, Skagit energy storage, BC Hydro reporting, Sim,ilk estuary, restoration grants, crashes and spills, Byron Sher, democracy watch.

Green sea urchin [Ask Nature]

 
Sea urchin
The red sea urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) and the green sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) occur in large numbers throughout the Strait of Juan de Fuca, Admiralty Inlet, and the San Juan Islands but are also found in the inland waters of Puget Sound. Sea urchins graze actively on seaweed using sharp jaw parts (found in a structure called Aristotle's lantern) to chew up kelp, a favorite food source. (Swinomish Fisheries)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Bellingham’s Salish Landing Park moves closer to completion

Breathtaking
An orca peeks above the water on Monday afternoon at the Port Angeles Boat Haven in front of spectators from a yacht. The Orca Network identified the orca as Biggs T109A4 Garrett. Jay Cline reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Trump administration moves to gut a core endangered species protection 
In what would be a seismic shift, the Trump administration is quietly moving to strip a core protection of the Endangered Species Act. At the center of the change is what it means to “take” an endangered animal, something that has long been prohibited under the act. Under a new interpretation of the law’s language outlined in the memo, the accidental killing or injury of an animal would no longer be considered illegal; only actions specifically intending to target an animal would. The change would be transformative because, in the United States, the killing of endangered animals almost always happens incidentally, in the course of economic activity. Catrin Einhorn reports. (NY Times) 

Bluebirds Went Extinct on Vancouver Island. Now They’re Back
Seventy landowners and many other volunteers have helped return their gentle, chortling song to the Cowichan Valley. Sarah Cox reports. (The Tyee) 

WA fines Port Townsend paper mill for chemical spill, poor maintenance 
Washington’s Department of Ecology fined the Port Townsend Paper Company $734,000 this week for a series of spills, including two that poured out thousands of gallons of highly alkaline black liquor. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times) 

Bayview Ridge energy storage facility fight returns to Skagit County
The fight over a building permit issued for a battery energy storage facility on Bayview Ridge west of Burlington is once again in the hands of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. On July 29, Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Olson ruled that the Skagit County Board of Commissioners did not properly enter facts and findings in its denial of Stewards of Skagit’s appeal, and did not explain its reasoning. The court reversed the board’s decision and remanded the matter back to the board for the appeal. On Aug. 28, Stewards of Skagit filed an appeal with the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. A hearing is tentatively scheduled for Dec. 14, the county confirmed. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

BC Hydro just scaled back its clean electricity reporting
BC Hydro has to supply 100% clean energy by 2030. As the province stares down a supply crunch, the utility just made it harder for the public to track its progress. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

NOAA awards $4.2 million for Similk estuary project
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is awarding $4.2 million to the Skagit River System Cooperative, which is a natural resource consortium of the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. The grant will fund the restoration of the Similk Bay estuary and pocket marsh just west of the Swinomish reservation. Emma Fletcher-Frazer reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Nooksack Indian Tribe, Whatcom Land Trust awarded $778K to restore salmon habitat
The Nooksack Indian Tribe and Whatcom Land Trust were awarded a total of $778,482 in grants for projects to restore salmon habitat. In all, 75 grants totaling $21.5 million were awarded to projects in 27 counties, according to a Wednesday, Sept. 16 news release from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office. (CDN) https://www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/sep/16/nooksack-indian-tribe-whatcom-land-trust-awarded-778k-to-restore-salmon-habitat/

Truck Crashes and Fuel Spills Are Endangering BC’s Wild Sheep
A ‘very poor’ recent recovery effort highlights the need for improvements, locals and advocates say. Josh Kozelj reports. (The Tyee) 

Byron Sher, an uncomfortable politician who left an indelible mark on California’s environment, dies at 98
Byron Sher, a Stanford law professor turned California legislator who wrote some of the state’s most far-reaching environmental laws, died Saturday. He was 98. Dan Morain reports. (LA Times) 

Democracy Watch

• Federal judge blocks Trump administration from limiting stay of international students (KUOW) 
• Group aims to ‘DeFlock’ Everett with citizen-led initiatives (Everett Herald) 

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-  200 PM PDT Wed Sep 16 2026    
THU  E wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at  8 seconds.  
THU NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 8 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/16 Killdeer, BC toxic runoff grants, Farmland Legacy Program, WDFW commission ills, Hispanic Heritage Month, democracy watch.

 

Killdeer [Brad Imhoff]

Killdeer Charadrius vociferus
Killdeer are graceful plovers common to lawns, golf courses, athletic fields, and parking lots. These tawny birds run across the ground in spurts, stopping with a jolt every so often to check their progress, or to see if they’ve startled up any insect prey. Their voice, a far-carrying, excited kill-deer, is a common sound even after dark, often given in flight as the bird circles overhead on slender wings. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  New poetry collection speaks to ‘Women, Madness, Whiteness’

2 UBC researchers awarded $1M each to study toxic tire particles, microbial ocean life
University of British Columbia researchers Patrick Keeling and Rachel Scholes have been granted $1 million each for projects that study microscopic ocean organisms and toxic road run-off. Marissa Birnie reports. (Canadian Press) 

Farmland Legacy Program adds 219 acres of protected land
Skagit County has protected 219 acres of agricultural land southeast of Samish Island owned by Jerry Nelson and Jenny Nelson of Double N Potatoes through the county's Farmland Legacy Program. Cameron Martinez reports. (Skagit Valley Herald) 

Governor’s response to WDFW investigation sows more discord
Hunters’ demands for spring bear kills led to dubious reprimand, tarnished reputations, say commissioners. K.C. Mehaffey reports. (Columbia Insight)  Gov. Ferguson orders investigation of WDFW commissioners following hunting group’s petition, leaked letters An out-of-state group angry over the end of spring bear hunts says the commission is guilty of “politicking” and “backroom dealing” (Columbia Insight) 

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins with celebrations across the US
Celebrations across the U.S. are expected in observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, showcasing the vast diversity and culture of Latinos. Marked each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the month is an opportunity for many in the U.S. to learn about or be reminded of the contributions of Hispanic people. The nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority, over 70 million ethnically Hispanic residents make up one-fifth of the total U.S. population. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• US Supreme Court blocks Trump rule limiting mail voting, sides with Dem states (Washington State Standard) 
• Trump’s push to restrict mail ballots has failed. Other efforts to reshape the midterms are ongoing (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-  143 PM PDT Tue Sep 15 2026    
WED  E wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 7 seconds.  
WED NIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.

---


"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/15 Sweetgum, power plant gas, wolf ESA, legacy forest harvest, public school funding, Salish Sea walk, democracy watch.

 

Sweetgum [John M. Hagstrom]

Sweetgum Liquidambar Styraciflua
The American sweetgum — with its star-shaped leaves, neatly compact crown, interesting fruit, and twigs with unique corky growths called wings — is an attractive shade tree. It has become a prized specimen in parks, campuses, and large yards across the country. The glossy green leaves turn beautiful shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple in the autumn. (Arbor Day Foundation)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Get to know a Ferndale art haven and 2 artists it celebrates

EPA eliminates rule that limits planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants 
The Environmental Protection Agency said Monday it is repealing rules that limit planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from power plants fueled by coal and natural gas and announced it is taking a separate but related step to prevent future administrations from regulating climate pollution from power plants. Matthew Daly reports. (Associated Press) 

Trump gives feds 90 days to consider removing endangered species protections for wolves
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sept. 4 giving the U.S. secretary of interior 90 days to decide whether to remove Endangered Species Act protections for gray wolves and Mexican wolves in the United States. The Supporting America’s Ranchers executive order calls for Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum to decide within 90 days whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves have met their recovery criteria and to begin the process of delisting or downlisting them. Clark Corbin reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Reykdal objects to Clallam County timber harvest
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal was the only member of the six-person Board of Natural Resources to vote against a Clallam County timber sale on Sept. 1, objecting to the harvest of what he called a legacy forest. The Fishhook sale on 240 acres of state forest transfer land near Sequim is scheduled to move forward in October. It was the only sale Reykdal voted against. Paula Hunt reports. (Peninsula Daily News) 

Reykdal seeks $2B infusion for WA public schools in next budget
The state schools chief says Washington is backsliding on its commitment to provide ample funding for basic education for its 1 million students. Jerry Cornfield and Aspen Ford report. (Washington State Standard) 

‘Walk to Protect and Restore the Salish Sea’ brings awareness and healing to islands
Friends, advocates and Indigenous elders from across the country and Canada gathered on San Juan Island from Sept. 3-7 for a four-day prayer walk that organizers describe as equal parts ceremony, protest and homecoming. “Walk to Protect and Restore the Salish Sea” wove together spiritual renewal, a reckoning with colonial history and a campaign to stop oil tanker traffic before what many here call the point of no return. Darrell Dirk reports. (Islands Sounder) 

Democracy Watch

• WA Supreme Court race heats up over alleged ‘partisan’ attack  (Seattle Times) 
• As Supreme Court Weighs Trump Mail Ballot Plan, Another Judge Blocks It (NY Times) 
• Donald Trump Jr.'s wedding celebration was partially funded by Russian oligarch, the couple confirms (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-  209 PM PDT Mon Sep 14 2026    

TUE  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 8 seconds. Patchy fog in the afternoon.  

TUE NIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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9/14 America at 250, Douglas squirrel, Centralia coal plant, geothermal plans, bull elk, burning tires, BC spotted owls, woolly dog pelt, McClatchy layoffs, democracy watch.

 

"America at 250" features eminent historian and Western Washington University scholar Johann Neem and journalist Ron Judd discussing the search for a common narrative to describe what our county means to us. The event is a fundraiser supporting Salish Current, and features live and silent auctions of fine art from local artists curated by artist Chris Moench and a paddle-raising led by guest auctioneer Frank Catalano. Appetizers and no-host bar are available. Wednesday, Oct. 7, Hotel Leo, Bellingham. Early reservations encouraged. salishcurrent.rsvp@gmail.com

Douglas squirrel 

Douglas squirrel Tamiasciurus douglasii
The Douglas squirrel is a pine squirrel found in western North America, from the Pacific Northwest (including the northwestern coastal states of the United States as well as the southwestern coast of British Columbia) to central California, with an isolated subspecies in northern Baja California.  John Muir described the Douglas squirrel as "by far the most interesting and influential of the California Sciuridæ". (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Guided by faith: Finnish founder keeps Lynden’s musical heart beating

For 4th time, Trump administration orders Centralia coal plant to remain open
The U.S. Department of Energy on Friday issued its fourth emergency order requiring Washington’s only coal-burning power plant to stay open for another 90 days. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

East Coast energy company announces geothermal plans for Oregon, Washington Weyerhaeuser lands
Hexagon Energy says it has reached an agreement to eventually develop as much as 3 gigawatts of geothermal power. Courtney Sherwood reports. (OPB) 

‘Adrenaline pumping.’ It’s the time of year for bull elk to bugle in the PNW 
It’s bugling elk season in Pierce County! It’s just regular elk, but this time of year, the bulls (males) transform into haunting ultra-soprano performance artists. Ultra-soprano because their bugle (calls) fly far beyond human capability. Gavin Feek reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

Seattle cement plant blocked from burning more tires
Regulators have stopped a Seattle cement plant's push to burn more tires for fuel. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Hope remains for owl species despite no known wild population left in B.C., conservationist says
B.C. facility breeding northern spotted owls in captivity in hopes of returning species to wild. Amber Moniz reports. (CBC) 

The only known woolly dog pelt has returned to Canada. It's a 'powerful moment' for Indigenous communities
For thousands of years, woolly dogs played an integral role in the lives of Salish and Makah peoples, who bred them and used their silky fur for weaving. But the beloved animals were driven to extinction under colonialism in the late 1800s. The only known woolly dog pelt has been in storage in a U.S. museum for 160 years. But now, it's back in Coast Salish territory, on loan at the University of British Columbia's Museum of Anthropology (MOA) in Vancouver. Sheena Goodyear reports. (CBC) 

McClatchy layoffs hit local WA newspapers
McClatchy, the media company that owns 30 newspapers nationwide, slashed jobs at dozens of publications on Thursday, including four in Washington and one in Idaho. McClatchy laid off a third of its unionized employees across its newspapers in Washington and Idaho — 10 at The Idaho Statesman and seven in total at The News-Tribune in Tacoma, The Olympian, The Bellingham Herald and The Tri-City Herald. Alexis Weisend reports. (Seattle Times) 

Democracy Watch

• Alien Terrorist Removal Court deports legal US resident to Afghanistan in first-ever case (NPR) 
• Amid uncertainty about mail-in ballots, WA leaders say they’re ready for what comes next (Washington State Standard) 
• Contractor Blames Its Own Repairs, Not Vandals, for Reflecting Pool Failure (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-  211 PM PDT Sun Sep 13 2026    

MON  SW wind around 5 kt, veering to NW in the afternoon. Seas  around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds.  
MON NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 8 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

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9/11 Surf scoter, river levels, hot August, Olympia salmon, Stewart BC port, democracy watch, week in review.

 

Surf Scoter [All About Birds]

Surf Scoter Melanitta perspicillata
The black-and-white patches on the heads of male Surf Scoters prompted this sea duck’s nickname “old skunkhead,” although the big, sloping orange bill is at least as distinctive. In winter, look for these dark-bodied ducks (and the browner females) near to shore, defying ocean waves with a quick dive just before they break. They breed in far northern Canada and Alaska, where the boreal forest gives way to open tundra. (All About Birds) 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Skagit News Workers settle for deal

River levels highly variable across Vancouver Island as salmon spawn approaches
Normal or high river levels seen in west and north, lower than normal levels in south and east. Maryse Zeidler reports. (CBC) 

This summer was hot. August shattered global heat records
Scientists say that August was the hottest month ever recorded globally. In the U.S., summer temperatures also shattered heat records. Ava Berger reports. (NPR) 

Salmon return to Olympia, causing traffic downtown. Here’s where to see them 
The seasonal return of salmon has hit Olympia, bringing crowds of people to the downtown Fifth Avenue Bridge. The extra traffic has prompted police to remind people to be careful on the busy road. Ty Vinson reports. (The Olympian) 

Nisg̱a'a, Tahltan Nations mark official opening of Stewart, B.C., port as expansion plans take shape
Deep-sea terminal majority Indigenous-owned, handles about 300,000 tonnes of mineral concentrate a year. Catherine Garrett reports. (CBC) 

Democracy Watch

• Appeals court hands Trump a loss on mail voting as Supreme Court considers his executive order (AP) 

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/11/25: Robert's Bank,Fraser sockeye run, WA wildfires, Vancouver sewage treatment, saving ESA.,coho killer.

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-  136 PM PDT Thu Sep 10 2026    
FRI  SE wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft  at 9 seconds.  
FRI NIGHT  NW wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W  4 ft at 10 seconds.  
SAT  E wind around 5 kt, backing to NW around 5 kt in the  afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 10 seconds. A  chance of rain in the afternoon.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W  3 ft at 9 seconds. A chance of rain in the evening.  
SUN  SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 9 seconds.

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"Salish Sea News & Weather" is compiled as a community service by Mike Sato.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

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9/10 Crane fly, ESA suit, dead Chinook, CANXPORT, coho killer, A-I wildfire cameras, democracy watch.

Crane fly

  Crane flies 
Crane flies are known as mosquito hawks or "skeeter-eaters", though they do not actually prey on adult mosquitos or other insects.They are also sometimes called "daddy longlegs", a name which is also used for arachnids. The larvae of crane flies are known commonly as leatherjackets. Crane flies first appeared during the Middle Triassic, around 245 million years ago, making them one of the oldest known groups of flies, and are found worldwide. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Commentary: Understanding and respect to pave the path forward

WA sues to prevent federal changes that would undercut Endangered Species Act
Washington state is challenging federal changes that would clear the way for more oil drilling and mining in habitats where endangered species live and slash other protections. Sarah Mizes-Tan reports. (KNKX/KUOW) 

Federally protected Chinook salmon among dead fish under I-90 light rail 
The investigations now underway below I-90 focus on how underwater anode cables, which carry a low-level electrical current, could have killed fish — and how many of which species perished. Isabella Breda and Mike Lindblom report. (Seattle Times) 

Trade war pushes Canada to Pacific exports. What does it mean for WA? 
Some 200 decision-makers from across the Canadian shipping, commodity and energy industries traveled to this remote corner of British Columbia for the Aug. 27 grand opening of Prince Rupert’s CANXPORT, a new facility that moves bulk products from railcars into containers for export on cargo ships. Gregory Scruggs reports. (Seattle Times) 

Inside the search for a mysterious salmon killer
For years, scientists and First Nations couldn’t explain the rash of coho deaths that followed heavy rain. Now it’s been traced back to car tires — and they’re racing to keep highly toxic chemicals out of the water. Julie Chadwick reports.(The Narwhal) 

AI-powered cameras provide 'eyes' and 'nose' to detect Island wildfires
The cameras from North Vancouver company SenseNet are installed on a mountain near Nanaimo and on Sidney Island. Hannah Link reports. (Times Colonist) 

Democracy Watch

• Canada 'will NEVER be the 51st state. Sorry!': B.C. premier unveils new border welcome signs (CBC) 
• Trump doesn’t have the power to limit mail-in voting, lawmakers tell US Supreme Court (Washington State Standard) 

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-  147 PM PDT Wed Sep 9 2026    
THU  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt in the afternoon.  Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 9 seconds.  
THU NIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to S after midnight. Seas  4 to 6 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.  To subscribe? Questions? Email msato(at)salish-current.org. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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