The cherry blossom, or sakura, is the flower of trees in Prunus subgenus Cerasus. Sakura usually refers to flowers of ornamental cherry trees, such as cultivars of Prunus serrulata, not trees grown for their fruit (although these also have blossoms). Cherry blossoms have been described as having a vanilla-like smell, which is mainly attributed to coumarin. (Wikipedia)
Today's top story in Salish Current: Counties worry about long-term funding under state’s public defense mandate
EPA flags microplastics, pharmaceuticals as contaminants in drinking water
Responding to public health concerns about microplastics and pharmaceuticals in the nation's drinking water, the Trump administration for the first time has placed them on a draft list of contaminants maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency. Will Stone reports. (NPR)
An ‘awful’ year for reconciliation as B.C. moves to change historic Indigenous Rights law
First Nations rejected the B.C. government’s plan to permanently change the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Now, Premier David Eby is proposing to suspend parts of it instead. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal)
B.C. Court of Appeal overturns B.C. Supreme Court ruling on Nootka Island title
A three-judge panel says the B.C. Supreme Court made three legal errors when limiting the Nuchatlaht Nation's claim over a 201 square kilometre portion of the island, finding the nation had met the test for "sufficient occupation" when the British Crown asserted sovereignty. Darryl Greer reports. (Canadian Press)
Washington State Ferries terminates contract for streamlining reservations
Ferry stakeholders feel the pain as nearly $3 million in public spending may come up empty. Toby Cooper reports. (Salish Current/Washington State Standard)
A Deadly Fungal Invader Is Threatening BC’s Bats
But a probiotic developed in the province might be able to save them if the government moves quickly. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)
Trump wants to log old growth. These two brothers are out to stop him
After years spent promoting public lands, Will and Jim Pattiz are trying to save them. Chuck Thompson reports. (Columbia Insight)
Welcome the Whales
Come celebrate the return of the “Sounders,” a group of gray whales who divert from their northern migration along the Washington coast each spring to spend a few weeks feeding on the ghost shrimp that occur along Whidbey shorelines. Parade and festival brought to you by Orca Network and the Langley Chamber of Commerce, April 10-12. Information.
Democracy Watch
Responding to public health concerns about microplastics and pharmaceuticals in the nation's drinking water, the Trump administration for the first time has placed them on a draft list of contaminants maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency. Will Stone reports. (NPR)
An ‘awful’ year for reconciliation as B.C. moves to change historic Indigenous Rights law
First Nations rejected the B.C. government’s plan to permanently change the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Now, Premier David Eby is proposing to suspend parts of it instead. Shannon Waters reports. (The Narwhal)
B.C. Court of Appeal overturns B.C. Supreme Court ruling on Nootka Island title
A three-judge panel says the B.C. Supreme Court made three legal errors when limiting the Nuchatlaht Nation's claim over a 201 square kilometre portion of the island, finding the nation had met the test for "sufficient occupation" when the British Crown asserted sovereignty. Darryl Greer reports. (Canadian Press)
Washington State Ferries terminates contract for streamlining reservations
Ferry stakeholders feel the pain as nearly $3 million in public spending may come up empty. Toby Cooper reports. (Salish Current/Washington State Standard)
A Deadly Fungal Invader Is Threatening BC’s Bats
But a probiotic developed in the province might be able to save them if the government moves quickly. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)
Trump wants to log old growth. These two brothers are out to stop him
After years spent promoting public lands, Will and Jim Pattiz are trying to save them. Chuck Thompson reports. (Columbia Insight)
Welcome the Whales
Come celebrate the return of the “Sounders,” a group of gray whales who divert from their northern migration along the Washington coast each spring to spend a few weeks feeding on the ghost shrimp that occur along Whidbey shorelines. Parade and festival brought to you by Orca Network and the Langley Chamber of Commerce, April 10-12. Information.
Democracy Watch
Salish Sea News Week in Review, April 3, 2026:
Cellphone Day, pink salmon, Arctic ice, El Niño, "God Squad,"Trump's
war, Tacoma trash, terminal expansion, Amazon's pollution, ship
pollution.
Have you read the Salish Current?
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fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties.
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Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 230 AM PDT Fri Apr 3 2026
TODAY SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of showers early this morning, then showers likely late this morning and early afternoon. A chance of showers late.
TONIGHT SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT NE wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT NIGHT N wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to NE after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.
SUN E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds.
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca- 230 AM PDT Fri Apr 3 2026
TODAY SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds. A chance of showers early this morning, then showers likely late this morning and early afternoon. A chance of showers late.
TONIGHT SE wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT NE wind around 5 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 9 seconds.
SAT NIGHT N wind 5 to 10 kt, veering to NE after midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 10 seconds.
SUN E wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 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?
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