6/5 Rocket, EPA rules rollback, Puget Sound butterfly, polluted river, flying old boats, Elk Lake algae, WA gas car ban, public lands sale, Crater Lake, democracy watch

Rocket/Arugula

 

Rocket/Arugula
Eruca is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, which includes the leaf vegetable known as arugula or rocket. The number of species is disputed, with some authorities only accepting a single species, while others accept up to five species. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Nonprofits, municipalities regroup after AmeriCorps setbacks / America will miss AmeriCorps

Pollution rules targeted by EPA are projected to save billions of dollars and thousands of lives
When the head of the Environmental Protection Agency announced a wide-ranging rollback of environmental regulations, he said it would put a “dagger through the heart of climate-change religion” and introduce a “Golden Age” for the American economy. What Lee Zeldin didn’t mention: how ending the rules could have devastating consequences to human health. Seth Borenstein, M.K. Wildeman, Melina Walling, Joshua A. Bickel, and Matthew Daly report. (Associated Press)

On a wing and a prairie: Puget Sound butterfly avoids extinction with human help
Western Washington is known for its towering evergreen trees, but it is also home to shortgrass prairies, a favored habitat for butterflies. As butterfly populations nationwide decline rapidly, these rare checkerspots appear to be making a comeback in some grassy corners of the Puget Sound region. And 20 years of intensive human effort has likely helped them rebound. John Ryan reports. (KUOW)

One of the most polluted waterways in the US is in WA. Here’s where
The Surfrider Foundation tested more than 600 sites across the nation, with 80% of samples yielding “at least one high bacteria result that exceeded state health standards,” according to the report. One urban waterway in Tacoma landed on Surfrider’s list of 2024 Beach Bacteria Hot Spots: Thea Foss. It had a 64% rate of unhealthy levels of bacteria detected. Hannah Poukish and Genevieve Belmaker report. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Helicopters are flying old boats over Budd Inlet this week. Here’s why
The Department of Natural Resources is conducting operations this week to collect derelict, abandoned boats from regional waterways and remove them to a holding area in Olympia. Genevieve Belmaker reports. (Olympian)

Toxic algae bloom at Elk Lake worse despite oxygenation
The situation has yet to improve nearly two years after the installation of an oxygenation system that was supposed to make the popular swimming spot safe. Hannah Link reports. (Times Colonist)

Did Congress just revoke WA’s gas car ban?
As goes California, so goes Washington. At least in the realm of vehicle-emissions standards. That’s why Congress’ move to revoke a waiver for California under the federal Clean Air Act last month also jerked back Washington’s ability to mandate the sale of electric and hybrid cars by next decade. Conrad Swanson reports. (Seattle Times)

Long-thwarted efforts to sell public lands see new life under Trump
Public outcry was swift and forceful after a U.S. House committee last month hastily approved an amendment directing the federal government to sell off more than half a million acres of public land. A few days later, lawmakers advanced the larger bill — a sweeping list of President Donald Trump’s priorities — but stripped the federal lands provision. Yet leaders on both sides of the issue say the battle over selling off federal lands is likely just heating up. Alex Brown, Clark Corbin and Kyle Dunphey report. (Stateline)

As support for national parks craters, Crater Lake’s former leader says he had to walk away
Last week, the supervisor for Crater Lake National Park resigned, just five months after taking the job. Kevin Heatley said he could no longer be party to the dismantling of the federal government, and he expressed concern for the mental health of workers who are working long hours to keep the park operating. Courtney Sherwood reports. (OPB)

Democracy Watch

• Trump moves to block US entry for Harvard-bound foreigners (AP)
  
• Trump announces travel ban and restrictions on 19 countries set to go into effect Monday (AP)
  
• Trump escalates attack on Columbia by threatening its accreditation (NY Times)
  
• Trump’s birthright citizenship order lands in Seattle appeals court (Washington State Standard)
  

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  300 AM PDT Thu Jun 5 2025    
TODAY  NW wind around 5 kt, rising to 10 to 15 kt this  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 10 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? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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6/4 Star daisy, BC pipes, vessel slow-down, smoke and sand, public broadcasting, democracy watch

Star Daisy

Star Daisy Melampodium paludosum
Star (or Butter) Daisy is a summer annual in the Aster family. It is a hardy plant, maturing to 2 feet high and a foot wide. The plant is native to Mexico and Brazil. Genus name comes from the Greek melam meaning black and pous meaning foot for its black stalks. The species name means spreading or growing in a straggling manner. (North Carolina Extension)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Demolition possible for beloved ‘Bellingham Rock’

Eby says he won't be changing mind on another B.C. pipeline, rebuffing Ford
B.C. Premier David Eby says his job is to protect the interests of British Columbia by bringing forward "shovel-ready" projects. Eby says in response to Ford's remarks on Monday that the publicly owned TMX pipeline is already running through B.C., and the province doesn't support lifting the ban on oil tankers off British Columbia's northern coast. Wolfgang Depner reports. (Canadian Press)

Shipping vessels agree to slow down in B.C. waterways to protect whales
The Vancouver Port Authority says numerous shipping companies have agreed to slow down until November to protect the endangered whale species swimming in the nearby waterways. Kier Junos has the details. Kier Junos reports. (City News Everywhere)  

Eastern U.S. Is Shrouded in Smoke From Canadian Wildfires and Saharan Dust
Smoke from Canadian wildfires and desert dust from the Sahara are creating unhealthy air quality from New York City to Miami. Nazaneen Ghaffar and Amy Graff report. (NY Times)

Trump asks Congress to wipe out funding for public broadcasting
President Trump took yet another step Tuesday to place NPR and PBS at the center of his broader clash with major cultural institutions, formally asking Congress to take back the $1.1 billion it has set aside for all public broadcasters for the next two years. David Folkenflik and Deirdre Walsh report. (NPR)

Democracy Watch

• Elon Musk calls Trump's tax break bill a 'disgusting abomination' (AP)
  
• Pete Hegseth orders Harvey Milk's name scrubbed from US Navy ship (AP)
  
• Trump administration revokes guidance to hospitals on emergency abortions (AP)
  
• White House asks Congress to rescind $9.4B in approved spending (AP)
  
• Trump doubles tariffs on steel and aluminum (Washington State Standard)
  

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
TODAY  SE wind around 5 kt, backing to E late this morning,  backing to N early this afternoon, becoming NW 10 to 15 kt late.  Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds and W 4 ft at  12 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming SW around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 8 seconds and W  5 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? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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6/3 Sunflower, AK drilling and mining, Bitter Crab Syndrome, Gorge Waterway cleanup, Arnold speaks, democracy watch

Sunflower

Sunflower Helianthus annuus
The common sunflower is a species of large annual forb of the daisy family Asteraceae. The common sunflower is harvested for its edible oily seeds, which are often eaten as a snack food. They are also used in the production of cooking oil, as food for livestock, as bird food, and as a plantings in domestic gardens for aesthetics. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Lynden art center to prioritize inclusivity

Trump Administration to Open Alaska Wilderness to Drilling and Mining
The Interior Department plans to repeal Biden-era protections across the state’s ecologically sensitive North Slope. Lisa Friedman reports. (NY Times)

Alaska man sentenced to one year in prison over illegal transport of crab to Washington
The longtime commercial fisher pleaded guilty to leading an out-of-state delivery of Southeast Alaska crab, much of which was infested with Bitter Crab Syndrome. Yereth Rosen reports. (Alaska Beacon) 

Four organizations remove 240 kilograms of debris from Victoria waters
A team of Transport Canada, Surfrider Vancouver Island, Black Ball Ferry Line and Prince of Whales removed 241.3 kilograms – or 532 pounds – of debris from the Gorge Waterway in an effort to protect and preserve the health of the region's marine environments. (Peninsula News Review)

Schwarzenegger tells environmentalists to 'stop whining' and get to work
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a message for environmentalists who despair at the the approach of President Donald Trump’s administration: “Stop whining and get to work.” (Associated Press)

Democracy Watch

• Homeland Security’s list of 'sanctuary cities' pulled down after sheriffs object (Washington State Standard)
  
• Silence on E. Coli outbreak highlights how Trump team’s changes undermine food safety (KFF Health News)
  
• Trump and Allies Sell Domestic Policy Bill With Falsehoods (NY Times)
  
• More white South Africans arrive in the US under a new refugee program (AP)
  

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  227 AM PDT Tue Jun 3 2025    
TODAY  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft  at 9 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 ft at 9 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? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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6/2 Lunaria, Duwamish flooding, USGS salmon, Canada glaciers, BC ostriches, tide pooling, seahorse smuggling, artichoke agave, democracy watch

Lunaria

Lunaria (Money plant)
Lunaria is a genus of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae. It is native to Europe and has been introduced to North America and elsewhere. The Latin name Lunaria means "moon-like" and refers to the plants' decorative seedpods. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Fast-forward forest: Miyawaki mini-forest planted at Barkley

Will flooding force Seattle’s South Park residents to leave?
[The] flood, on Dec. 27, 2022, highlighted how bad things can get in an urban neighborhood on the front lines of climate change. In a city of bluffs and hills, there is perhaps no other place more vulnerable. South Park is low-lying and filled in with homes, businesses and heavy industry. After decades of industrial pollution, discriminatory mortgage-lending practices, known as redlining, and disinvestment, flooding is only the latest injustice Seattle’s largest riverfront community has had to bear. Amanda Zhou reports. (Seattle Times)

Loss of USGS program could hamper salmon research critical for Puget Sound
About 1,200 scientists work in the biological arm of the United States Geological Survey, known as the Ecosystems Mission Area. President Trump’s budget would likely eliminate their work nationwide, if passed as proposed. That includes some work that is crucial to saving salmon in Puget Sound. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Most of Western Canada's glaciers 'doomed' to disappear, researchers find
Climate change has locked in at least 75% of glacier loss in Western Canada and U.S., raising concerns for downstream environments, electricity generation and the wider economy. Stefan Labbé reports. (Timers Colonist)

How the fate of a herd of ostriches on a small B.C. farm caught the attention of the Trump administration
From cull order to convoy to Kennedy Jr., Universal Ostrich farm refuses to give up its birds. Andrew Kurjata reports. (CBC)

Tide Pooling 101: What to know and where to go around Puget Sound
Seattle's warmer months are a magical time, and there's even more magic to be seen if you head to the beach. Lauren Allain reports. (KOMO)

Smuggling seahorses a $29 million global industry, say UBC researchers
A UBC study found that nearly five million dried seahorses, used in traditional Chinese medicine, were seized at airports or in sea cargo. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

Rare 20-year-old plant is blooming for the first and last time at Point Defiance
The Point Defiance Zoo's botanical garden's Agave parryi var. truncata, also referred to as an artichoke agave, has been in the garden's care for more than 17 years and is blooming for the first and only time over the next few weeks. Constanza Montemayor reports. (Tacoma News Tribune)

Democracy Watch

• Trump says he's withdrawing the nomination of Musk associate Jared Isaacman to lead NASA (AP)
  
• Trump Amplifies Another Outlandish Conspiracy Theory: Biden Is a Robotic Clone (NY Times)
  
• From TACO to FAFO, investors love parodies of Trump acronyms (Reuters)
  

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  202 AM PDT Mon Jun 2 2025    
TODAY  W wind around 5 kt, veering to N late this morning, then  becoming NW 10 to 15 kt this afternoon. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave  Detail: W 6 ft at 9 seconds.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 4 to 6 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 9 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? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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5/30 Sechelt Rapids, oil companies sued, Lost Lagoon, beneficial fire, quake and sea rise, waterfront park, Boeing's DEI, watershed motion, Arctic ice, democracy watch, week in review

Sechelt Rapids

 Sechelt Rapids
Skookumchuck Narrows is a 4 mile long passageway, the only link between the inner Inlets, Sechelt, Narrows and Salmon with the open ocean. Glaciology created a unique situation here. Bottom shallowing and an island plug serve to restrict water moving between the Inlets and the ocean. Water speeds up to compensate for the restriction, and the result is North America’s fastest tidal currents, the Sechelt Rapids. (Sunshine Coast Tours)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Community Transitions paves the way to independence, adulthood

Oil Companies Are Sued Over Death of Woman in 2021 Heat Wave
Experts said it is the first wrongful death case targeting fossil fuel companies over their role in global warming. David Gelles reports. (NY Times)

Vancouver's Lost Lagoon is covered in a thick layer of algae. What's being done about it?
The algae blooms on Lost Lagoon — the park's the largest body of water — can lead to low oxygen levels and fish mortality. Tiffany Crawford reports. (Vancouver Sun)

In a world on fire, making the case for burning more
As bigger and hotter wildfires become part of the fabric of life on earth, some wildfire experts argue we need to find a way to get more ‘beneficial fire’ on the landscape. Matt Simmons writes. (The Narwhal)

Double threat of Cascadia earthquake and sea-level rise could change Pacific Northwest coast forever
While the U.S. East Coast is expected to see roughly 11-16 inches of sea level rise by 2050 under a high-emission scenario, our coast will see closer to 3-7 inches. Now scientists working in Oregon are adding a new wrinkle to these presumptions, showing the risks could be far greater. Jes Burns reports. (OPB)

Seattle's new Waterfront Park set for summer debut
It has been a transformational six years on Seattle’s waterfront. In 2019, runners and walkers took part in a race, which ended on the Alaskan Way Viaduct. Joy Shigaki, the CEO of Friends of Waterfront Park says the event happened just a few months before the viaduct was torn down. On Saturday, the Meet Me at Waterfront Park 5k takes place, kicking off the 20 acre park’s first full summer open to the public. Emil Moffatt reports. (KNKX)

Boeing puts another DEI effort on ice, cites ‘shifting environment’ in US
Boeing is scaling back some workplace diversity programs to “ensure compliance with the law,” the company’s latest action to more closely align itself with the White House’s campaign against the diversity, equity and inclusion movement. Boeing told employees last week it was pausing events and suspending funding for two internal programs — diversity councils and business resource groups, or BRGs — “in light of the dynamically shifting environment in the United States.” Lauren Rosenblatt reports. (Seattle Times)

Lens of Time: A Watershed in Motion
Where does our water come from, how do the variations in its flow affect the ecosystems it feeds, and how can timelapse photography help land managers understand and protect this valuable resource? Produced by Katie Garrett. (bioGraphic)

Dispatches from the Last Ice Area
The Arctic is losing ice—fast. To better predict the future, scientists headed to the North’s last bastion of multiyear sea ice. Alice Sun reports. (bioGraphic)

Democracy Watch

• Supreme Court lets Trump end legal protections for over 500,000 immigrants from 4 countries (AP)
  
• Trump suffered 'mental anguish' from disputed CBS News interview with Harris, lawyer says (AP)
  
• Trump makes 'sanctuary jurisdictions' list public to increase pressure (AP)
  
• Trump Nominates a Former Far-Right Podcast Host to Head an Ethics Watchdog (NY Times)
  
• Judge extends order blocking Trump ban on foreign students at Harvard (AP)
  
• Judge says White House wrongly ended humanitarian parole (AP)
  
• Federal court temporarily reinstates Trump's tariffs on dozens of countries (Politico)
  

Salish Sea News Week in Review 5/30/25: Aloha Sun Ra, Columbia R, snowpack, Brian Heywood, Burrard Inlet dredging, grizzly reintroduction, fast-track project bill, tourism 'green fee,' George Floyd 5th.

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your weekend tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  219 AM PDT Fri May 30 2025    
TODAY  E wind around 5 kt, backing to W late. Seas 3 to 4 ft.  Wave Detail: W 4 ft at 11 seconds. 
TONIGHT  W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 4 ft  at 11 seconds.  
SAT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, rising to 15 to 20 kt in the  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 6 seconds and  W 5 ft at 10 seconds. Rain, mainly in the morning.  
SAT NIGHT  W wind 15 to 20 kt, becoming NW 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 5 to 8 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 7 seconds and W  8 ft at 9 seconds.  
SUN  NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 7 ft at  10 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? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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5/29 Nakwakto Rapids, BC fast-track bill passes, Elwah logging, Trump's logging, Utah railroad, Ocean Week, democracy watch

Nakwakto Rapids

Nakwakto Rapids
Slingsby Channel is a strait on the north side of Bramham Island in the Queen Charlotte Strait region of the Central Coast of British Columbia. It is one of only two entrances to Seymour Inlet and the associated maze of waterways inland, which lie to the northeast of Bramham. The other entrance is Schooner Channel, formerly Schooner Passage, on the east side of that island. Through the Slingsby Channel flows the world's strongest current, the Nakwakto Rapids, that has been measured at speeds up to 18.4 miles per hour. The current is so fast at times, that people have tied a rope to Turret Rock, which is located right in the middle of the rapids, and then water-skied. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Uncertainty around sale of once-proposed shredder site

B.C. NDP government narrowly passes controversial bills to fast-track projects
Bills received major pushback from First Nations and business groups alike; Speaker cast tiebreaking vote. Katie DeRosa reports. (CBC)

Court denies request to halt logging in Elwah Watershed
The Clallam County Superior Court denied environmentalists' request for an administrative stay on two local Department of Natural Resources parcels, although it granted a motion to compel information from the state agency. If the stay had been granted, it would have barred logging-related activities for 90 days on the parcel names Parched and Tree Well. Emma Maple reports. (Peninsula Daily News)

Saw, Baby, Saw? Trump’s Emergency Threat to our Forests
Pruning regulation and felling trees on the scale that the Trump orders contemplate won’t be a slam-dunk. The path to more logging runs through a tangled thicket of laws and regulations. Dan Chasan writes. (Post Alley)

Supreme Court backs Utah oil railroad expansion
The Supreme Court on Thursday backed a multibillion-dollar oil railroad expansion in Utah, endorsing a limited interpretation of a key environmental law. The 8-0 decision comes after an appeal to the high court from backers of the project, which is aimed at quadrupling oil production in the remote area of sandstone and sagebrush. Supporters said restricting the scope of environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act would speed development. Lindsay Whitehurst reports. (Associated Press)

From the Salish Sea to the stage, Ocean Week Victoria returns
From June 1 to 8, interactive programming aimed at ocean education and conservation will take over Greater Victoria. Tony Trozzo reports. (Saanich News)


Democracy Watch

• Federal trade court blocks Trump's sweeping 'Liberation Day' tariffs (AP)
  
• Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration (AP)
  
• HHS presses health care providers, hospitals to curb gender-affirming treatments for kids (Washington State Standard)
  
• Trump administration cancels plans to develop a bird flu vaccine  (NPR)
  
• These historians oversee unbiased accounts of U.S. foreign policy. Trump fired them all. (Washington Post)
  
• 16 States Sue Trump Over $1.4 Billion in National Science Foundation Cuts (NY Times)
  

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  219 AM PDT Thu May 29 2025    
TODAY  W wind 10 to 15 kt. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft  at 5 seconds and W 5 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of rain early  this morning.  
TONIGHT  W wind 10 to 15 kt, easing to around 5 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 5 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? Email msato(at)salishseacom.com. Your email information is never shared and you can unsubscribe at any time.



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5/28 Deception Pass, NW hydro, very low tides, Burrard Inlet dredging, early learning cuts, BC mining, Hawaii 'green fee,' penguin cooling, democracy watch

Deception Pass

Deception Pass
Deception Pass is a strait separating Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island, in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Washington. It connects Skagit Bay, part of Puget Sound, with the Strait of Juan de Fuca. A pair of bridges known collectively as Deception Pass Bridge cross Deception Pass. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: New Whatcom County jail could face decreased funding  / Nonprofit cinema to open second location this summer

Hydropower generation in the Northwest expected to rise in 2025
Hydropower in the region is expected to increase about 17% compared to last year, a welcome boost to growing energy demand, but will still be below the 10-year average, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Alex Baumhardt reports. (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Marine life to be exposed during very low tide this week
Low tides will range between -3.4 feet to -4.1 feet, with the lowest occurring at 12:21 p.m. Wednesday, May 28. Just for reference, last year’s low tide event in June dipped down to around -3.4 feet at its lowest, so this year will be about a half foot lower and noticeably lower. Adam Claibon reports. (KING)

Planning to dredge the Burrard Inlet to maximize oil shipments is underway
UBC ocean pollution researcher and Tsleil-Waututh Nation concerned about environmental impact. Santana Dreaver reports. (CBC)

Federal and state cuts threaten Washington early learning programs
The first months of the Trump administration have brought layoffs, closures and confusion to free preschool programs, compounded by state funding woes. Laurel Demkovich reports. (CascadePBS)

Eby Announces First Nations Mining Partnerships in BC’s Northwest
British Columbia Premier David Eby signalled the intention to attract as much as $30 billion in mining investment to the northwest of the province by working in partnership with First Nations. Andrew MacLeod reports. (The Tyee)

Hawaiʻi Makes History As First State To Charge Tourists To Save Environment
A Hawaiʻi vacation will cost you more in the near future thanks to a new “green fee” that the governor signed into law today. Marcel Honoré reports. (Honolulu Civil Beat)

How Penguin Poop Helps Antarctica Keep its Cool
Ammonia wafting from penguin guano contributes to cloud formation. Matt Simon reports. (Grist/bioGraphic)

Democracy Watch
Musk criticizes Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' a fracture in a key relationship (AP)
Trump Pardoned Tax Cheat After Mother Attended $1 Million Dinner (NY Times)
Trump set to pardon reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley (AP)
Trump Asks Supreme Court to Let Him Send Migrants to South Sudan (NY Times)
US pauses scheduling visa interviews for foreign students (AP)
Bureau of Land Management ousts official who reportedly resisted DOGE (Washington Post)
Documents Show E.P.A. Wants to Erase Greenhouse Gas Limits on Power Plants (NY Times)
RFK Jr. ends COVID vaccine recommendation for healthy children, pregnant people (Washington State Standard)

Have you read the Salish Current? 
Independent, fact based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties. Community supported, free from ads. Read the latest weekly newsletter here.

Here's your tug weather—
West Entrance U.S. Waters Strait Of Juan De Fuca-  225 AM PDT Wed May 28 2025    
TODAY  SE wind around 5 kt, becoming W 10 to 15 kt this  afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 3 seconds and  W 4 ft at 10 seconds.  TONIGHT  NW wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming E 5 to 10 kt after  midnight. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 3 seconds and W  4 ft at 11 seconds. Rain 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.



savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate



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