2/13 Sanddab, Sgamma nominated, deep-sea life, BC flu, Puyallup vandals, first 100 days

 

Pacific sanddab

Pacific sanddab Citharichthys sordidus
The Pacific sanddab, also known as the soft flounder, mottle sanddab, or megrim, is a fish species in the order Pleuronectiformes, or flatfish. It is by far the most common sanddab, and it shares its habitat with the longfin sanddab and the speckled sanddab. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: What happens to a school that refuses to obey the Trump ban on transgender athletes?

Trump nominates oil and gas advocate to lead agency that manages federal land concentrated in the West
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Colorado-based oil industry trade group Western Energy Alliance, was named Bureau of Land Management director, a position with wide influence over lands used for energy production, grazing, recreation and other purposes. An MIT graduate, Sgamma has been a leading voice for the fossil fuel industry, calling for fewer drilling restrictions on public lands that produce about 10% of U.S. oil and gas. Matthew Brown and Matthew Daly report. (Associated Press)

The Three-Way Race to Exploit Deep-Sea Life
The genetic bounty of the deep sea is being patented by a handful of multinationals. Rebekah White reports. (bioGraphic)

Flu activity in B.C. peaking as COVID-19, respiratory virus decline
British Columbia is seeing "peaking influenza activity" even as other respiratory illnesses such as RSV and COVID-19 are in decline, and health officials are reminding people to get vaccinated. (Canadian Press)

Vandals take chainsaws to 200-year-old trees in Puyallup along popular trail, WDFW says
Vandals in recent months used chainsaws to damage trees near the trail at the Puyallup Fish Hatchery, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police posted on social media. WDFW said many of the trees are between 50 and 200 years old. Isabela Lund reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

The First 100 Days
Trump upends US policy on Ukraine and says he and Putin have agreed to begin talks on ending the war (Associated Press)
State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks (NY Times)
Elon Musk calls for US to 'delete entire agencies' (Associated Press)
Trump nominates oil and gas advocate to lead agency that manages federal land concentrated in the West (OPB)

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  204 AM PST Thu Feb 13 2025   SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING    
TODAY  E wind 20 to 30 kt, easing to 15 to 25 kt late. Seas 5  to 8 ft. Wave Detail: E 5 ft at 5 seconds and W 4 ft at 15  seconds.  
TONIGHT  E wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: E 4 ft at 5 seconds and W  6 ft at 15 seconds. A chance of rain and snow.

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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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