6/18 Chickweed, ocean mining, guns kill kids, democracy watch

News and Weather encourages all to celebrate Juneteenth. See you on Friday.

Chickweed

Chickweed Stellaria Media
Chickweed is an annual, broadleaf weed that can easily be spotted in lawns due to its tiny white flowers. These flowers are star-shaped and delicate, and they can be found across a bed of oval-shaped leaves that appear from early spring to late fall. The stems of chickweed are thin and often have a single line of fine hairs. Stems frequently get tangled around other plants in gardens, and you can expect this weed to create a matted nightmare if it is allowed to spread across your yard.

Today's top story in Salish Current: Local energy capture system exceeds code, leads state

A Canadian company is first in line as Trump vows to fast-track deep-sea mining
The bottom of the ocean is rich with minerals — as well as life forms scientists haven’t even named yet. Vancouver-based The Metals Company is asking for American permission to mine in international waters. Elyse Hauser reports. (The Narwhal)

Guns kill more U.S. children than other causes. State policies can help, study finds
More American children and teens die from firearms than any other cause, but there are more deaths — and wider racial disparities — in states with more permissive gun policies, according to a new study. Nada Hassanein reports. (Stateline) 

Democracy Watch

• Federal Judge Deems Trump Administration’s Termination of NIH Grants Illegal (ProPublica)
  
• Judge says government can't limit passport sex markers for many transgender, nonbinary people (AP)
  
• House Policy Bill Would Add $3.4 Trillion to Debt, Swamping Economic Gains (NY Times)
  
• Rural & Native stations would bear the brunt of public media cuts  (High Country News)
  

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Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  233 AM PDT Wed Jun 18 2025    
TODAY  W wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming NW 10 to 15 kt late. Seas  around 3 ft. A chance of showers.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail:  W 3 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of showers 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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