2/16 Crocus, climate fight, Columbia R salmon, WA Fish & Wildlife Commission, democracy watch

Crocus

Crocus
Crocus are low growing plants, whose flower stems remain underground, that bear relatively large white, yellow, orange or purple flowers and then become dormant after flowering. Many are cultivated for their flowers, appearing in autumn, winter, or spring. The flowers close at night and in overcast weather conditions. 

Today's top story in Salish Current:  Taking action, staying engaged

As U.S. abandons climate fight, Washington state feels the heat to do more
Washington state’s push for a rapid switch to electric vehicles is in jeopardy— with its ultimate fate likely to be decided in the courts. A Trump administration move Thursday to axe the centerpiece of federal climate policy jeopardizes state-level efforts to control pollution from motor vehicles as well. John Ryan reports. (KUOW) 

Trump budget maintains many Columbia River salmon, environment programs — despite dramatic proposed cuts
Columbia River salmon recovery programs fared better in the 2026 federal budget than tribes, advocates, bureaucrats and biologists feared. President Donald Trump had made major cuts to the programs in 2025. But those cuts brought together a wide-ranging group of powerful interests around the Columbia River Basin to ask Congress to fund programs such as hatcheries, habitat restoration and sea lion killing. Henry Brannon reports. (The Columbian) 

WA Fish and Wildlife saga deepens with claims of collusion
A previously undisclosed memo suggests two current commissioners were coordinating with a conservation group. Those named deny the allegations and say the document is defamatory and riddled with falsehoods. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard) 

Democracy Watch

• Trump tells soldiers to vote GOP in campaign-style rally at Fort Bragg (Washington Post) 

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Here's your tug weather—  
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  210 AM PST Sun Feb 15 2026    
MON  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft  in the afternoon. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 11 seconds. Rain.  
MON NIGHT  S wind 5 to 10 kt, backing to SE after midnight.  Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at 12 seconds. Rain and snow  likely.

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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)salish-current.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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