11/5 Black rockfish, BNSF trespass, native food expo, Snake R dams, LNG Canada bribe, marmot control, democracy watch

 

Editor's note: Salish Sea News and Weather is free to read because it's my voluntary contribution to the community good. Our other publication, Salish Current, is a nonprofit, local news publication that's also free to read but pays its editors and freelancers. Once a year I ask the readers of News and Weather to join with the readers of Salish Current to make a recurring monthly donation or a one-time donation to support local news that is free for all to read. Now, more than ever, local news in these troubled times is important. Please donate. Thank you. Mike

 

Black Rockfish [Chad King]

Black Rockfish Sebastes melanops
Black Rockfish range from Amchitka Island (in the Aleutian Islands) and Kodiak Island, Alaska, to northern Baja, California. They have been found at water depths up to 366 m (1,200 ft), but are most commonly found in waters shallower than 73 m (240 ft). This species is known to form large schools in and around rocks and kelp. Black Rockfish can grow up to 69 cm (27.6 in) in length, and 6 kg (13.3 lbs) in weight. Maximum age is at least 56 years old. (WDFW)

Today's top story in Salish Current: The ratfish: a fish with forehead teeth

WA tribe settles lawsuit over oil-train trespass 
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community said Tuesday it had reached an agreement with BNSF Railway, putting an end to a lawsuit over the railway’s trespass over tribal land. In June 2024 a Seattle judge ordered BNSF Railway to pay the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community nearly $400 million in profits from trespassing on the reservation. BNSF appealed. The tribe and BNSF participated in confidential mediation overseen by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and reached a confidential resolution. Isabella Breda reports. (Seattle Times) 

‘Native Grown and Gathered Food Expo’ launches inaugural, and potentially last, gathering
Native food producers and procurers came together for the first Indigenous foods expo in Seattle this October to connect and help build Indigenous food ways economically, but a one-year run may be all that’s in store as federal funding cuts strip monies available for future gatherings. Lyric Aquino reports. (Underscore News) 

Dam it All: The Intractable Knots in the Snake River
Thanks to Donald Trump's intervention, we have here a bi-partisan template for Trump’s approach to the legal system: break the law, lose your case, get reamed out by a judge, then carry on with business as usual. Dan Chasan writes. (Post Alley) 

Don’t complain, get paid: Kitimat resident offered thousands from LNG Canada
A leaked contract reveals LNG Canada offered to pay at least one Kitimat resident to temporarily “relocate” if they agreed not to raise concerns or to sue if operations damaged their property. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal) 

When Marmots Haunt Your Cemetery, What to Do?
From coyote urine to deer birth control, Merritt and other BC towns are forsaking wildlife culls for other fixes. Tyler Olsen reports. (The Tyee) 

Democracy Watch

• Government shutdown becomes the longest on record as fallout spreads nationwide (AP) 
• California voters approve new US House map to boost Democrats in 2026 (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-  111 PM PST Tue Nov 4 2025    
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON    
WED  SE wind 25 to 30 kt, easing to 20 to 25 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 6 to 9 ft, subsiding to 5 to 7 ft in the  afternoon. Wave Detail: E 8 ft at 7 seconds, SW 3 ft at  11 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. Rain.  
WED NIGHT  S wind 20 to 25 kt with gusts up to 35 kt. Seas 5 to  7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 5 seconds, SW 4 ft at 11 seconds  and W 3 ft at 13 seconds. Showers in the evening, then 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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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11/4 Maples, superfood, polluted Chinook, planting trees, Site C overruns, democracy watch

 

Editor's note: Salish Sea News and Weather is free to read because it's my voluntary contribution to the community good. Our other publication, Salish Current, is a nonprofit, local news publication that's also free to read but pays its editors and freelancers. Once a year I ask the readers of News and Weather to join with the readers of Salish Current to make a recurring monthly donation or a one-time donation to support local news that is free for all to read. More than ever, local news in these troubled times is important. Please donate. Thank you. Mike

Maples [Connie Gallant]

Maple trees in fall
Reader Connie Gallant writes: "The contrast of the beautiful maple yellow leaves and our Olympic Mountains on a cool autumn day lifts our spirits at a time when all of us must stay positive and resolute. Mother Nature is awesome."

Today's top story in Salish Current: Poetry enters everyday spaces with festival

Tiny birds, and their tiny superfood, could decline due to ‘irreversible’ effects of Vancouver port expansion
The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion at Canada’s busiest cargo port could be fast-tracked by the federal government. It’s a major stop for 3.5 million western sandpipers to eat and recharge while travelling the entire Pacific. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal) 

Young Chinook salmon in Puget Sound near urban waterways found containing ‘forever chemicals’ 
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) says that young Chinook salmon have been found with a mix of chemicals ranging from pesticides, antibiotics, and PFAS, known as forever chemicals, among others. A study led by WDFW’s Toxics Biological Observation System (TBiOS) unit and researchers from the University of Washington discovered various “contaminants of emerging concern” in waterways around the Sound. (KIRO) 

Liberals scrapping 2 billion trees target as part of budget
The Liberal government is dropping its goal to plant two billion trees by 2031 as part of Tuesday's budget, according to sources familiar with the matter. The government currently has contracts that they intend to fulfil to plant one billion trees, one source said. Darren Major reports. (CBC) 

B.C. Hydro says it should have been more proactive as Site C costs ballooned to $16B 
B.C. Hydro blames the huge overrun on the pandemic, as well as a failure to budget for low-probability risks. (Canadian Press) 

Democracy Watch

• Report: Donors to Trump’s White House ballroom have $279B in federal contracts (Washington Post) 
• Federal judge rules Trump Guard deployment to Portland likely unlawful (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-  246 PM PST Mon Nov 3 2025    
GALE WARNING IN EFFECT THROUGH  WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON    

TUE  SE wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming E 20 to 25 kt with gusts up  to 35 kt in the afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 6 ft at  6 seconds and W 5 ft at 12 seconds. Rain in the afternoon.  
TUE NIGHT  E wind 25 to 30 kt with gusts up to 45 kt. Seas 5 to  8 ft, building to 9 to 10 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: E 9 ft  at 7 seconds and W 3 ft at 13 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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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11/3 Kestrel, J64 dead, NW forest policy, marmot protection, the blob, diesel fleet, deer contraception, Widgeon Marsh Park, democracy watch

 

American Kestrel [Michael JD]

American Kestrel Falco sparverius
North America’s littlest falcon, the American Kestrel packs a predator’s fierce intensity into its small body. It's one of the most colorful of all raptors. Hunting for insects and other small prey in open territory, kestrels perch on wires or poles, or hover facing into the wind, flapping and adjusting their long tails to stay in place. (All About Birds)

Today's top story in Salish Current: The housecat: PNW’s quiet killer 

Newest J-Pod orca calf missing, presumed dead
A calf born into the endangered southern resident killer whales group in September is presumed dead. The Center for Whale Research said its latest observation of J-Pod on Oct. 23 did not find J64 when it encountered the entire pod, including the calf’s mother, J42, in Swanson Channel off Mayne Island. Darron Kloster reports. (Times Colonist) 

Forest Service restarts effort to change decades-old Pacific Northwest forest policy 
The U.S. Forest Service is going back to the drawing board with an update to the Northwest Forest Plan, a set of policies that broadly dictates where logging can occur on 25 million acres of forests in Oregon, Washington and northwest California. It came out of the timber wars of the 1980s and ‘90s. April Ehrlich reports. (OPB) 

Federal protection sought for Olympic Peninsula marmots
The nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in May 2004 to protect the housecat-sized rodent, known for its loud whistle, under the Endangered Species Act. The agency is required to issue an initial determination on such petitions within 90 days. Within one year, it is required to make a final determination whether the species warrants federal protection. The environmental advocates sued the wildlife service and its parent agency, the U.S. Department of the Interior, on Thursday for missing both deadlines. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

The blob is back in the Northern Pacific Ocean
Climate scientists say the marine heat wave could be altering the jet stream, potentially leading to a wetter than normal winter in the Pacific Northwest. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun) 

Settlement money fuels $25M grant to modernize Washington’s diesel fleets
A new $25 million ‘Rails, Keels and Wheels’ grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology will help replace diesel-powered fleet vehicles with electric ones to lower diesel pollution across the state. Lauren Paterson reports. (NW Public Broadcasting) 

Contraception for Oak Bay deer led to drop in numbers
Positive numbers were seen in the trial use of contraceptives to control Oak Bay’s deer population, including a close to 50 per cent reduction in the municipality’s adult-deer population density within four years of fertility-control measures. There was also a reduction of close to 60 per cent in the number of fawns after the first year contraceptive injections were used, the Urban Wildlife Sustainability Society said. Jeff Bell reports. (Times Colonist) 

Metro Vancouver opens Widgeon Marsh Regional Park 33 years after acquiring land
More than three decades after it acquired the land, the Metro Vancouver Regional District allowed public access to Widgeon Marsh Regional Park for the first time on Saturday. The park is located around 20 kilometres northeast of Coquitlam's city centre, and the majority of its land was acquired by Metro Vancouver in 1992, via a partnership with Ducks Unlimited and the Nature Trust of B.C. Akshay Kulkarni reports. (CBC) 

Democracy Watch

• FDA restricts use of kids’ fluoride supplements citing emerging health risks (AP) 
• Trump administration must restart SNAP benefits by Wednesday, judge rules (Washington State Standard) 
• Federal judge rules Trump can’t require citizenship proof on the federal voting form (AP) 
• Federal government shutdown threatens to delay home heating aid for low-income families (AP) 
• Pentagon rolls out new policy targeting transgender troops (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-  255 PM PST Sun Nov 2 2025    
MON  E wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at  5 seconds and W 8 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of rain.  MON NIGHT  E wind around 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E  4 ft at 5 seconds and W 7 ft at 13 seconds. A chance of 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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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10/31 Deadman Island, big rain, saving trees, toxic lights, democracy watch, week in review

 

Deadman Island [Amy Nelson, Salish Current]

Deadman Island (Happy Hallowe'en!)
Deadman Island is one of the San Juan Islands in San Juan County. The uninhabited, rocky island has a land area of 3.5 acres (1.4 hectares). It is part of the Geese Islets, a collection of rocky islands and reefs near the southwest shore of Lopez Island. Deadman Island is an oystercatcher nesting site and is also a seal haulout. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: PNW researchers seek comprehensive dogfish data 

Atmospheric river to soak Puget Sound Friday evening, drench trick-or-treaters 
By mid to late morning, breezes at the coast and northern waters will start to rise as rain begins across the north coast and far western part of the Strait. This line of heavier rainfall will move southeast slowly through the afternoon, and by 3–4 p.m., it will be raining — heavily in spots — across the northern waters and northwest interior, north and west of Everett, as well as the Strait and the coast. (KIRO) 

Wash. says it will save 77,000 acres from logging. Enviros question the details
Don’t applaud yet. Critics say the big plan amounts to “smoke and mirrors” and is “misleading” Nick Engelfried reports. (Columbia Insight) 

$185M verdict for toxic lights in WA school upheld by state’s high court 
The Washington Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for a record-setting payout to three teachers who developed brain damage and other illnesses after being exposed to toxic PCBs at a Monroe school. In the 6-3 ruling, justices reinstated a $185 million jury award, likely the largest product liability verdict ever upheld in Washington state history. A lower court had sided with Monsanto, the manufacturer of the now-banned chemicals. Lulu Ramadan reports. (Seattle Times) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump says he wants to resume nuclear testing. Here's what that would mean (NPR) 
• Trump sets 7,500 annual limit for refugees entering US. It’ll be mostly white South Africans (AP) 
• Pentagon readying thousands of Guard ‘reaction forces’ as U.S. mission widens (Washington Post) 
• Hegseth orders the military to detail dozens of attorneys to the Justice Department, AP learns (AP) 

 Salish Sea News Week in Review 10/31/25: Lemur Friday, shore-power nixed, chum return, humpback killed, AK gas pipe, Klamath R salmon, new WA bees, Helion, North Coast line. 

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-  902 PM PDT Thu Oct 30 2025    
FRI  SE wind 15 to 20 kt with gusts up to 40 kt. Seas 5 to  7 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 4 seconds and W 7 ft at 14 seconds.  Rain.  
FRI NIGHT  S wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft, building to 6 to  9 ft after midnight. Wave Detail: SE 2 ft at 7 seconds and W 9 ft  at 16 seconds. Rain.  
SAT  S wind 15 to 20 kt, veering to W in the afternoon. Seas  7 to 10 ft. Wave Detail: SE 4 ft at 5 seconds and W 10 ft at  16 seconds. Rain.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 6 to 9 ft. Wave Detail: W  9 ft at 15 seconds. Rain likely in the evening, then showers  after midnight.  
SUN  SW wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: W 8 ft at 14 seconds.  Showers likely, mainly 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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Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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10/30 Ghost shrimp, Helion, North Coast line, BC snap election, pipeline penalty, democracy watch

 

Bay ghost shrimp [Dave Cowles]

Bay ghost shrimp Neotrypaea californiensis
With their pale, fragile bodies, the ghost shrimps look almost otherworldly. But these little specters – more closely related to crabs than to true shrimp – are real-life ecosystem engineers, creating deep burrows by digging with their legs and claws. The bay ghost shrimp is important in the diet of gray whales, which dig large “feeding pits” for them in the intertidal mud of North and Central Puget Sound, especially in Whidbey Basin, Saratoga Passage, and Possession Sound. (WA Department of Ecology)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Indigenous teachers help keep ancestors’ language alive

Helion gives behind-the-scenes tour of secretive 60-foot fusion prototype as it races to deployment
Helion Energy is trying to replicate the physics that fuel the sun and the stars — hence the celestial naming theme — to provide nearly limitless power on earth through fusion reactions. Lisa Stiffler reports. (GeekWire) 

‘Who is going to pay?’: Climate and energy experts question B.C. government’s plans to electrify heavy industry
From building the North Coast transmission line to reducing electrification costs for industry, the B.C. government is planning big changes to energy policy with Bill 31. Experts have big questions. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal) 

Eby Threatens Snap Election over North Coast Transmission Line
Premier David Eby says that if a key bill aimed at speeding construction of the North Coast Transmission Line fails to pass in the legislature, he’s willing to call an early election. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee) 

Judge says Greenpeace must pay $345 million in pipeline lawsuit, cutting jury amount nearly in half
A North Dakota judge has ordered Greenpeace to pay damages of $345 million, reducing an earlier jury award after it found the environmental group and related entities liable for defamation and other claims in connection with protests of an oil pipeline nearly a decade ago. Jack Dura reports. (Associated Press) 

Democracy Watch

• JD Vance calls for reduction in legal immigration at Turning Point event (AP) 
• 2 U.S. prosecutors suspended after describing Jan. 6 attack as carried out by ‘mob’ (Washington Post)
• Feds sent Guard to Portland ICE facility Oct. 4 despite judge's order (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-  247 PM PDT Wed Oct 29 2025    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING    
THU  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 3 ft  at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 11 seconds. THU NIGHT  SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E  3 ft at 4 seconds and W 6 ft at 14 seconds. 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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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10/29 Pumpkin, AK gas pipe, Indigenous Rights, Klamath R dam removal, saving sequoias, new bees, Gig Harbor dock, earthworm, democracy watch

Pumpkin

Pumpkin
Pumpkins, like other squash, originated in northeastern Mexico and southern United States. The oldest evidence were pumpkin fragments dated between 7,000 and 5,500 BC found in Mexico. Pumpkin fruits are a type of botanical berry known as a pepo. Pumpkins are widely grown for commercial use and as food, aesthetics, and recreational purposes. Pumpkin pie, for instance, is a traditional part of Thanksgiving meals in Canada and the United States, and pumpkins are frequently carved as jack-o'-lanterns for decoration around Halloween. In 2019, China accounted for 37% of the world's production of pumpkins. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: WWU budget cuts threaten student advising

Tokyo Gas signs preliminary agreement with trans-Alaska gas pipeline developer

Tokyo Gas, the largest gas company in Japan, has signed a letter of intent signifying that it would buy up to 1 million tons of liquefied natural gas per year from the proposed trans-Alaska natural gas pipeline. The development moves the project closer to a financial finish line that would allow the borrowing needed to build the project. (Washington State Standard) 

Does recognition of Indigenous Rights threaten access to nature and recreation in B.C.? 
Outdoor recreation groups worry recognition of Indigenous Rights could limit their access to nature — and so does the resource industry. Cameron Fenton reports. (The Narwhal) 

Klamath River temperatures changed dramatically after dam removal. That’s helping salmon swim farther upstream 
It’s been a little more than a year since four dams on the Klamath River came down — the biggest river restoration project in U.S. history. Water temperatures below the former dam sites are more natural. Dissolved oxygen — what fish and other creatures need to breathe — has stabilized. Toxic cyanobacteria, which often clogged the dam reservoirs during the late summer, have nearly disappeared. Yes Burns reports. (OPB) 

Tacoma mobile-home park residents saved 59 sequoias. Now they hope to buy park By 
In August, residents of the Ohana Estates at 8211 E. McKinley Ave. in Tacoma learned that 59 giant sequoias might be cut down. The incident prompted them to mobilize. By January, the neighbors plan to start a co-op to buy the community from their landlord, thus ensuring their housing stays affordable and the trees remain cared for. Becca Most reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

8 new Washington bee species identified
The unexpected finds in Chelan County have important implications for biodiversity and knowledge about expanding ranges. Kiyomi Taguchi reports. (UW News/Columbia Insight) 

Major project in Pierce County stalled due to federal government shutdown
The city of Gig Harbor wants to build a new commercial fishing dock next year, but holdups in the review process for permits during the federal government shutdown could further delay the project, which has already been in the works for a decade. Julia Park reports. (Tacoma News Tribune) 

The not-so-humble earthworm
Ask any extension program or gardening blogger, and they will probably assure you that worms are good for soil health. Check online, and there are literally hundreds of offers of garden worms for sale. How important are earthworms, and do you need to buy them? Russel Barsh writes. (Islands' Weekly) 

Democracy Watch

• US launches strikes on 4 alleged drug-running boats in the eastern Pacific, killing 14 (AP) 
• SNAP runs out of money Nov. 1. States are now figuring out how to feed millions of people (NPR) 
• Trump Officials in Charge of Food Aid Leave Their Posts (NY Times) 
• Democratic AGs, governors sue Trump over SNAP benefits as shutdown hits day 28. (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-  839 PM PDT Tue Oct 28 2025    
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING    
WED  SW wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 9 to 13 ft. Wave Detail: W 13 ft at 15 seconds.  Showers likely, mainly in the morning.  
WED NIGHT  W wind around 5 kt, veering to E after midnight.  Seas 7 to 10 ft, subsiding to 5 to 8 ft after midnight. Wave  Detail: W 10 ft at 13 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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10/28 Sandpiper, chum return, dead humpback, Uncle Sam billboard, wildfire funding, democracy watch

 

Least Sandpiper

Least Sandpiper Calidris minutilla
The smallest of the sandpipers or “peeps”, the least sandpiper is just 6 inches from beak to tail tip. This little guy is similar to several other sandpipers and stints, however it’s short, slightly curved bill and light colored legs set it apart from the others. It can be seen during migration in the spring and late summer singly or in small groups hunting for small worms, snails and crustaceans above the water’s edge. They pick up prey from the surface as well as probe just under the surface of the sand. They winter from Puget Sound south along the west coast into South America. (Puget Sound Estuarium) 

Today's top story in Salish Current: Students lead in celebrations of Hispanic heritage 

Experts expect the recent arrival of chum salmon to bring orcas back to Puget Sound
Chum salmon are on the run into Puget Sound, and our southern resident killer whales may not be far behind...While the orcas prefer Chinook salmon, they appear more than willing to settle for chum when those fish are in abundance — as they were this time last year when a record number of chum began showing up in Central/South Puget Sound. This year’s chum run is expected to be substantial — perhaps not quite as large as last year’s — and all of this contributes to an interesting and ongoing story about the travels of these endangered orcas. Christopher Dunagan reports. (Puget Sound Institute) 

'Very sad and tragic': Humpback whale found dead off Keats Island, B.C. 
A four-year-old humpback whale has washed up dead near Keats Island in Howe Sound, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) is investigating to determine the cause of death. The whale was found dead in the same area where a humpback whale was struck by a whale-watching vessel on Oct. 23. A statement from whale-watching company Prince of Whales said that based on timing and location, it believes this could be the whale involved in Thursday's incident. Alanna Kelly reports. (CBC) 

Uncle Sam billboard on I-5 goes from right-wing zingers to a statement of Native rights
This week's message: “Native Land” and on the line below “#chehalis.” Jeff Warnke, director of government and public relations for the tribe, said he has been shocked at how much discussion he’s seen around what he considers a statement of fact. Stephen Howie reports. (KUOW) 

Climate dollars eyed to backfill WA wildfire funding 
Washington’s lands commissioner and a leading Democratic House lawmaker indicated that they want to tap revenue from the state’s cap-and-trade program for at least some of the $60 million for firefighting. The maneuver would mean turning to a steady-flowing stream of cash at a time when the state’s operating budget is squeezed. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Merkley demands cost estimate for Trump’s National Guard deployments (OregonLive) 

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-  801 PM PDT Mon Oct 27 2025    

SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 2 AM PDT TUESDAY THROUGH  TUESDAY MORNING  

GALE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM TUESDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE  TUESDAY NIGHT    

TUE  E wind 20 to 25 kt, becoming SE 25 to 35 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: E 7 ft at 6 seconds and W  5 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  

TUE NIGHT  S wind 25 to 30 kt, veering to SW after midnight.  Seas 5 to 8 ft, subsiding to 4 to 6 ft after midnight. Wave  Detail: SE 7 ft at 6 seconds and W 3 ft at 10 seconds. Showers in  the evening, then 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)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told