8/15 Hawthorn, Montana climate change suit, marine heat wave, Skagit fire, bird flu, rockfish, SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ, local theater

Common hawthorn [Ben Legler]

Common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna
Common hawthorn, also called English, one-seed or single-seed hawthorn, is an introduced tree that has naturalized in the Pacific Northwest. This small tree spreads readily by seed into woodlands and open fields, often creating a dense, thorny thicket. (King County)

Judge sides with youth in Montana climate change trial, finds two laws unconstitutional
Judge says failure to consider emissions, climate impacts violates state constitution. Blair Miller reports. (Washington State Standard)

Pacific marine heat wave has arrived in B.C. waters. Here's what it means for ocean life
Over recent weeks, surface temperatures in the warm water mass have clocked in at up to five degrees higher than usual, prompting the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to classify the heat wave as "extreme," the highest level of classification. Marine heat waves can cause extreme weather, fuel rising sea levels, and contribute to faster-melting ice caps — all while threatening marine life. Michelle Ghoussoub reports. (CBC)

Sourdough Fire consumes another 1,000 acres, cuts dam power to Seattle
The Sourdough Fire in the North Cascades grew more than 1,000 acres over the weekend. The growing fire forced Seattle City Light to disconnect the Ross and Diablo dams from the power grid that serves customers in the Seattle area Saturday night. A third Skagit River power source 4 miles downstream, the 99-year-old Gorge Dam, continues to provide hydropower to Seattle. John Ryan reports.(KUOW)

Bird flu outbreak stokes fears for Washington’s wild birds
A new strain of avian flu has killed dozens of birds on a small Puget Sound island. Cases have turned up elsewhere as well. Officials are trying to better understand the disease’s spread.  Laurel Demkovich reports. (Washington State Standard)

Bad catch: the fish that’s threatened even if you release it
Scientists are concerned rules to protect bottom-dwelling rockfish aren’t always followed, leaving these long-living homebodies at risk of further declines. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Indigenous name for new school sign of reconciliation
The name, SĆIȺNEW̱ SṮEȽIṮḴEȽ, means “salmon children” in English and reflects important aspects of Sc’ianew culture. It is pronounced “schee-ay-nuh ska-leetk-luth.” Jeff Bell reports. (Times Colonist)

Pandemic’s passed but local theaters are (cautiously) optimistic
Post-COVID theater attendance lags but new alignments and venues promise a brighter future. Matt Benoit reports. (Salish Current)

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Now, your tug weather--
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  249 AM PDT Tue Aug 15 2023   TODAY  Light wind becoming SW to 10 kt in the afternoon. Wind  waves 1 to 3 ft. NW swell 6 ft at 11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 15 kt becoming to 10 kt after midnight.  Wind waves 1 to 3 ft. W swell 7 ft at 9 seconds.

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