Salish Sea News and Weather

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

9/10 Liverwort, WA pinks, Yakima Tieton canal, pollen, democracy watch

Liverwort

Liverwort
Liverworts are a group of non-vascular land plants forming the division Marchantiophyta. They may also be referred to as hepatics. Like mosses and hornworts, they have a gametophyte-dominant life cycle, in which cells of the plant carry only a single set of genetic information. (Wikipedia) The liverworts Pleurozia and Colura also have curious leafy pouches that look uncannily like miniature carnivorous pitcher plants. These liverwort pitchers are tiny, featuring an opening and a lid that moves inwards on a hinge, but then closes tight. (The Guardian)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Fostering the tradition of contra dancing

WA pink salmon populations surge in some Puget Sound areas, stagnant in others
The Puget Sound region is anticipating a substantial increase in pink salmon returns for 2025, with forecasts predicting a total of 7.76 million fish. This figure represents a 70% rise from the 10-year cycle average and is expected to be the third-largest return on record. However, some populations, like the Chinook salmon stocks, are expected to limit some salmon fisheries in the upcoming season. Ramsey Pfeffinger reports. (Fox13)

On the brink of a devastating canal collapse, a GOP district waits for Trump’s help
After fire burned nearly all of the Yakima Tieton canal’s 12-mile route a team has documented more than 2,000 leaks spurting and gurgling from the concrete. Joshua Partlow reports. (Washington Post)

Banking on Pollen
When seed saving doesn’t work, pollen may be the answer to preserving botanical heritage. Adrienne Mason reports. (bioGraphic)

Democracy Watch

Home Depot stores, long a hub for day laborers, now draw immigration agents out on raids (AP)
Top US immigration chief defends rule targeting 'anti-American' views (AP)
National Park employees flagged material deemed 'disparaging' to Americans (AP)
Federal judge blocks Trump from firing Fed Governor Lisa Cook, for now (NPR)

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- 221 AM PDT Wed Sep 10 2025
TODAY W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt late. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. Areas of dense fog early this morning.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after midnight. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds and W 2 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.  

savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

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Tuesday, September 9, 2025

9/9 Bladderwort, warming seas, Mount Polley mine, inspector training, polluter spill response, fish farm ban, salmon restored, water for salmon, democracy watch

Bladderwort [USDA Forest Service]

Bladderwort Utricularia
The bladderworts is a genus of carnivorous plants consisting of approximately 233 species. They occur in fresh water and wet soil as terrestrial or aquatic species across every continent except Antarctica. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: What proposed rollback of Roadless Rule means here

Warming seas threaten key phytoplankton species that fuels the food web, study finds
For decades, scientists believed Prochlorococcus, the smallest and most abundant phytoplankton on Earth, would thrive in a warmer world. But new research suggests the microscopic bacterium, which forms the foundation of the marine food web and helps regulate the planet’s climate, will decline sharply as seas heat up. Annika Hammerschlag reports. (Associated Press)

B.C.’s Mount Polley mine is poised to expand, over First Nation’s objections
B.C. has greenlit Mount Polley mine expansion, which could extend operations until 2033. Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood reports. (The Narwhal)

Who’s keeping an eye on B.C.’s oil and gas boom? Fewer people than you might think
Internal documents show inspectors lack training to manage long-term contamination, raising questions about oversight across the province. Matt Simmons reports. (The Narwhal)

Tainted waters: Polluter-led spill response under fire after fish-farm diesel leak
Testing of potentially contaminated sites was delayed by over six weeks, raising questions about B.C.'s ability to handle a major oil spill. Stefan Labbé reports. (BIV)

Island-based hereditary chief calls for cancellation of open-net fish farm ban
A hereditary chief with the Ahousaht Nation is calling on the federal government to cancel its plan to ban open-net fish farms along the B.C. coast. hasheukumiss, a hereditary chief who is president of Ahousaht's economic development organization, said his nation benefits from having fish farms in their waters. Kathryn Marlow reports. (CBC)

Salmon found again in Saanich’s Gabo Creek after restoration
Close to 270 young coho were counted this year in Gabo Creek, compared to none last year. Jeff Bell reports. (Times Colonist)

B.C. orders forage farmers to stop using water to protect endangered chinook salmon
The order applies to 490 users in the Salmon River and Bessette Creek watersheds, including farmers who grow grass, alfalfa and corn. Wolfgang Depner reports. (Canadian Press)

Democracy Watch

DHS launches immigration crackdowns in Chicago, Boston (NPR)
Supreme Court lifts restrictions on LA immigration stops (AP)
Chief Justice Roberts lets Trump remove FTC member for now (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- 209 AM PDT Tue Sep 9 2025
TODAY Light and variable winds, becoming NW 5 to 10 kt this afternoon. Seas around 2 ft or less, then around 3 ft this afternoon. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after midnight. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 7 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Monday, September 8, 2025

9/8 Beach sandwort, Roadless Rule rollback, WA wildfires, quake, icebreaker port, Musqueam appeal, wildlife trade, democracy watch

Beach sandwort [Sound Water Stewards]

Beach sandwort Honkenya peploides
Beach sandwort forms low mounds about 10 in (25cm) high on the backshores of sandy beaches. It has small inconspicuous white or greenish white flowers that bloom May to September. This plant belongs to the pink family. It is native in the Pacific Northwest and its range extends from northern Oregon to Alaska, out the Aleutian chain, and along the Arctic shoreline to Greenland and Iceland. Honkenya peploides is also known as sea purslane. (Sound Water Stewards)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Surge of mountain lion sightings not unusual

What proposed rollback of Roadless Rule means here
The Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest is among areas where existing protection from road-building would be rolled back under a Trump administration proposal. Jacob O'Donnell reports. (Salish Current)

14 Washington state wildfires contribute to smoky conditions, poor air quality
A total of 14 fires are still burning across the state. The largest include the 10,000-acre Bear Gulch fire, near Lake Cushman in the Olympic National Forest, the 10,000-acre Lower Sugarloaf Fire east of Lake Wenatchee, a 13,000-acre fire known as the Rattlesnake Fire near the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, and the 14,000-acre Crown Creek Fire along the upper Columbia River, east of the Colville National Forest. The Perry Fire, in the North Cascades, west of Ross Lake, has forced the closure of several areas, trails and camps. Tom Brock reports. (KIRO)

Earthquake measuring 4.8 recorded north of Vancouver Island
A 4.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the B.C. coast between Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island on Sunday morning. No damage was recorded, and no one reported feeling the quake. Hannah Link report. (Times Colonist)

Coast Guard issues contract for major icebreaker port expansion in Seattle
The U.S. Coast Guard announced Tuesday that it has awarded a $137 million contract for the first phase of a project intended to allow its Seattle base to host two new heavy icebreakers. The contract, awarded to The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company, covers dredging of the Coast Guard’s Slip 36 and construction of two ship berths capable of hosting the new icebreakers, formally known as Polar Security Cutters. James Brooks reports. (Washington State Standard)

Musqueam to appeal Cowichan Tribes ruling on Aboriginal title
The Musqueam Indian Band is the latest government to announce its plans to appeal the recent B.C. Supreme Court decision that found another First Nation government holds Aboriginal title for land and fishing rights in an area of Metro Vancouver. The ruling last month granted the Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title over a portion of almost 7½ square kilometres of land they claimed in Richmond, B.C., as well as fishing rights along a stretch of the south arm of the Fraser River. Brenna Owen reports. (Canadian Press)

Triaging the Global Wildlife Trade
Can we take a more systematic approach to protecting endangered species from international trade? Marina Wang reports. (bioGraphic)

Democracy Watch

Trump threatens Chicago with apocalyptic force (AP)
Republicans in Congress eager for Trump to use the military on US soil (AP)
White House’s review of Smithsonian content could reach into classrooms nationwide (AP)
"We've never seen this before": Trump's drug war looks like a real war (Axios)

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- 237 AM PDT Mon Sep 8 2025
TODAY NW wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt late. Seas around 2 ft or less. A slight chance of showers.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 2 ft or less. Wave Detail: NW 2 ft at 5 seconds.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Friday, September 5, 2025

9/5 Spider-Man, air quality, Snake R dams, orcas and salmon, Initiative 2066, hydrogen, megaberg A23A, Kitsap feeding ban, earthquake history, bird migration, democracy watch, week in review

Spider-Man

Spider-Man
Spider-Man is a superhero in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer-editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, he first appeared in the anthology comic book Amazing Fantasy #15 in the Silver Age of Comic Books. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Everson’s ‘First Amendment auditors’ never found

A look at air quality around Puget Sound as wildfires burn across WA
Wildfire smoke is blanketing our region with haze, as fires continue to burn across Washington, Oregon and Canada. But for most of us in the region, air quality experts say our air quality is okay right now. “Right now, we’ve got a lot of smoke high up from nearby fires,” said Phil Swartzendruber, an air quality scientist with Puget Sound Clean Air. “Down below, we have fairly clean air that is coming in off the ocean, coming from the Sound.” Madeline Ottilie reports. (KIRO)

Federal bill could ban breaching Lower Snake River dams
For years, U.S. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-WA, has argued the Lower Snake River dams make up an important energy source for the Northwest, and that they can coexist with salmon. He’s introduced a bill on the issue, which is now making its way through the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, called the “Defending our Dams Act,” calls to ban the use of federal money to breach the four dams. It also would ban federal funds from being used to study on the benefits the dams provide, including energy and barging. Courtney Flatt reports. (NW Public Broadcasting)

In the Salish Sea, tensions surrounding killer whales and salmon are about more than just fishing
In the waters of the Salish Sea, endangered southern resident killer whales and the struggling Chinook salmon they depend on are at the center of one of Canada's most visible conservation conflicts. Lauren Eckert reports. (Phys.org)

WA Supreme Court will decide if natural gas measure passed by voters is legal
The fate of a voter-approved measure to slow Washington’s shift from natural gas toward technology like electric heat pumps will be decided by the state Supreme Court. Chief Justice Debra Stephens signed an order Wednesday to have Washington’s high court directly review a lower court ruling invalidating Initiative 2066 that passed last November. Jerry Cornfield reports. (Washington State Standard)

Another hydrogen developer exits regional clean energy project
A billion-dollar, taxpayer-funded enterprise to kickstart a clean hydrogen industry in the Pacific Northwest took another hit due to energy companies getting cold feet. Portland General Electric and its partner Mitsubishi Power have quietly shelved a planned hydrogen production, storage and hydrogen-fueled generation complex near Boardman, Oregon. Tom Banse reports. (Washington State Standard)

Most enduring and biggest iceberg breaks apart, with more splintering to come in its death spiral
The shrinking megaberg, known as A23A, is unlikely to survive through the end of November and may face a sudden and spectacular collapse like an avalanche of ice at sea. Seth Borenstein reports. (Associated Press)

A year after NK raccoon incident, Kitsap considers policy to ban feeding wildlife
The Kitsap Public Health Board is considering an update to its three-decade-old rodent control policy that would prohibit feeding wildlife in Kitsap County. Conor Wilson reports. (Kitsap Sun)

Discovering Seattle's earthquake history through underwater forests
In his essay "Dead Trees Tell No Lies," David B. Williams describes how geologists can read the growth rings of trees for evidence of what happened thousands of years ago. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

Where Art Thou, Little Songbird?
Collaboration and technology are helping scientists solve migratory mysteries. Kylie Mohr reports. (bioGraphic)

Democracy Watch

Trump will seek 'Department of War' rebrand for Pentagon (AP)
A look at false claims made by RFK Jr. during a Senate hearing on MAHA (AP)
Trump administration investigates Medicaid spending on immigrants in Democratic states (AP)

Salish Sea News Week in Review 9/5/25: Food Bank Friday, wildfire retardants, masks and pole journey, port wind projects, Trump climate report, Smoketember, WA older forest plan, Trans Mountain pipe.

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 Sep 5 2025
TODAY W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW this afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after midnight. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds.
SAT NW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of showers.
SAT NIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. A chance of showers.
SUN W wind around 5 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 11 seconds. A chance of showers.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Thursday, September 4, 2025

9/4 Spider plant, wildfire smoke, WA forest plan, Lauren Oakes, ocean oxygen, Trans Mountain expansion, BC watersheds, Pacific green turtles, democracy watch

Spider plant

Spider plant Chlorophytum comosum
Chlorophytum comosum, usually called spider plant or common spider plant due to its spider-like look, also known as spider ivy, airplane plant, ribbon plant, and hen and chickens, is a species of evergreen perennial flowering plant of the family Asparagaceae. (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Local counties brace for new public defense standards

Shroud of wildfire smoke set to worsen in B.C. over coming days
British Columbians are being told to prepare themselves for the worsening of a dense shroud of wildfire smoke that has descended over the province, with health experts saying the dangerous impacts of the pollution might not be immediately apparent. Chuck Chiang reports. (Canadian Press) Also: Smoketember Is Rolling In. Here’s How to Protect Yourself There is no safe level of exposure to wildfire smoke. Michelle Gamage reports. (The Tyee)

WA plan to conserve 77,000 acres of older forests draws fire
Washington loggers, school leaders and conservation activists on Wednesday decried the state lands commissioner’s proposal to set aside 77,000 acres of older forests while opening 29,000 acres back up for logging. Some said the plan, announced by Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove last week, didn’t do enough to protect the state’s older forests, while others said it would lead to layoffs, business closures and delay of critical school construction projects. Emily Fitzgerald reports. (Washington State Standard)

Science writer Lauren Oakes explores the effectiveness of tree planting efforts
A new book – "Treekeepers: The Race for a Forested Future" by Montana-based science writer Lauren Oakes – delves deep into that question. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

B.C. oceans facing 'alarming' oxygen depletion, new study warns
Stretches of ocean off British Columbia’s coast are increasingly being starved of oxygen — an emerging threat that, if left unchecked, could have devastating impacts on the region’s marine life and fisheries, a new study says. The research, recently published in the Journal Global Biochemical Cycles, focused on Queen Charlotte Sound, Pacific Canada’s largest sea sitting over a continental shelf. Stefan Labbé reports. (BIV)

Why Trans Mountain wants to expand when the oil pipeline isn't even full
A little more than one year after completing construction of the Trans Mountain expansion oil pipeline, the Crown corporation is pursuing two different methods to increase how much oil can be exported. The pipeline is operating at about 80%, while tankers are only 70% full. Kyle Bakx reports. (CBC)

B.C.’s long-promised watershed security strategy is done. It’s just not public
The B.C. government greenlit a watershed security strategy it co-developed with First Nations more than a year ago, according to an internal government document obtained by The Narwhal. But the province has failed to release the strategy despite repeated calls from First Nations partners to do so. Ainslie Cruickshank reports. (The Narwhal)

Go North, Young Turtle
As eastern Pacific green sea turtles were being slaughtered in much of their range, an intrepid group of turtles pushed north into uncharted waters. Adam Skolnick reports. (bioGraphic)

Democracy Watch

President Trump floats deploying National Guard troops to New Orleans (NPR)
Judge warns of 'national police force' in ruling Trump broke the law sending Guard to LA (Washington State Standard)
Trump administration illegally froze billions in Harvard funds, judge rules (NPR)
Federal officials to restore health and science data after lawsuit settlement (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- 234 AM PDT Thu Sep 4 2025
TODAY W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt late. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 7 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. Patchy dense fog this morning.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt, easing to around 5 kt after midnight. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

9/3 Spider crab, BC heat and smoke, Trump's climate report, holistic forest management, Green Cove bridge, BC composter, democracy watch

Japanese spider crab

Japanese spider crab Macrocheira kaempferi
The Japanese giant spider crab is a species of marine crab and is the largest crab found in the waters around Japan. At around 3.75 meters, it has the largest leg-span of any arthropod. The Japanese name for this species is taka-ashi-gani, literally translating to "tall-legged crab". (Wikipedia)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Local voices: poetry and film in North Sound Film Festival / North Haven tiny home village officially opens

More heat and smoke in the forecast for B.C. as temperature records tumble
Heat warnings issued for North Coast, Fraser Canyon, part of Boundary region, North and South Thompson regions. (Canadian Press)

Scientists Denounce Trump Administration’s Climate Report
More than 85 American and international scientists have condemned a Trump administration report that calls the threat of climate change overblown, saying the analysis is riddled with errors, misrepresentations and cherry-picked data to fit the president’s political agenda. Lisa Friedman and Sachi Kitajima Mulkey report. (NY Times)

Vashon Island author argues for more holistic forest management approach
Ecological forestry is an approach to resource management that is gaining momentum in the Northwest. Unlike industrial forestry, it doesn’t primarily focus on maximizing returns for investors. Instead, it looks to provide benefits for multiple stakeholders and manages for long-term sustainability. Bellamy Pailthorp reports. (KNKX)

New Green Cove bridge opens passage for cars and fish
U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland joined Thurston County officials last week to celebrate the opening of a new bridge on Country Club Road over Green Cove Creek in unincorporated Thurston County. (Olympian)

B.C. composter with polluting history shuttered amid financial woes
A polluting B.C. organics company with outstanding environmental violations has shuttered its doors amid a court-ordered receivership against the company, its affiliates and its owner. Fraser Valley Renewables owner Matthew Malkin, and affiliate companies Fraser Valley Agri Waste, Huntingdon Agricultural, and an associated numbered company, are in receivership following a court order citing debts in excess of $16 million owed to the Bank of Nova Scotia. Jon Hernandez reports. (CBC)

Democracy Watch

Trump cannot use Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan gang members, court rules (AP)
Trump administration blocks groups from voter registration at naturalization events (NPR)
Federal Appeals Court Reinstates an F.T.C. Commissioner Fired by Trump (NY Times)
Grand jurors refuse to indict 2 accused of threatening Trump (AP)
Trump says he's set to order federal intervention in Chicago and Baltimore (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- 220 AM PDT Wed Sep 3 2025
TODAY W wind around 5 kt, rising to 5 to 10 kt this afternoon. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 6 seconds and W 2 ft at 12 seconds. Patchy dense fog this morning.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 5 seconds and W 2 ft at 11 seconds.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

9/2 Giant house spider, BC wildfires, ICE raid, fire retardants, Capitol Lake, AmeriCorps funding, Sim'oogit Laay' totem pole, Way of Masks and Totem Pole Journey, port wind projects, democracy watch

Giant House Spider

Giant House Spider Eratigena atrica
Found indoors primarily, the giant house spider is one of the most common spiders here in Washington State. These spiders can grow to be up to four inches long, and people frequently find them in garages and basements. While they may look spooky, these spiders are quite harmless and can be beneficial. They help control household pests like carpet beetles, keeping the population of other insects, like roaches, mosquitoes, and other bugs down. You’ll often see these spiders emerging towards the end of the summer when they are fully grown. (Purcor)

Today's top story in Salish Current: Could one conversation change how you see this place?

B.C. Wildfires: Number of fires jumps from 68 to 140 in 5 days due to lightning, heat
The B.C. Wildfire Service says there were nearly 4,400 lightning strikes recorded across B.C. on Friday and Saturday. (Canadian Press)

Firefighters question leaders’ role in Washington immigration raid
Wildfire veterans believe top officials on the fire sent their crews into an ambush. Alex Brown reports. (Stateline) Also: Homeland Security denies firefighters were arrested at Bear Gulch Simone Carter reports. (Olympian)

Wildfire retardants help stop fires — but also impact ecosystems
In the rush to put out wildfires, hundreds of millions of litres of fire retardant are dropped on forests across North America. New research shows the effects they can have on water and ecosystems — especially when accidents happen. Drew Anderson reports. (The Narwhal)

Department of Ecology takes the lead on Capitol Lake estuary restoration
Responsibility for the enormous project to return Capitol Lake to an estuary has been transferred to the Department of Ecology. The Washington State Legislature included the decision in the budget passed earlier this year, and Ecology officially took over July 1. Ty Vinson reports. (Olympian)

Washington secures AmeriCorps funding from Trump administration
After a protracted legal battle with President Donald Trump’s administration, AmeriCorps service and volunteer programs in Washington have been made financially whole again. The federal government agreed Thursday to release more than $184 million for AmeriCorps service programs around the country, restoring more than $21 million in total funding for Washington in fiscal years 2024 and 2025, according to state Attorney General Nick Brown’s office. Greg Kim reports. (Seattle Times)

The Sim'oogit Laay' totem pole is returning home after almost 80 years at a UBC museum
Family members of the House of Laay' are anticipating the return of their totem pole after it was removed from Nisga'a territory in northwestern B.C. almost 80 years ago. The pole officially leaves the Museum of Anthropology in Vancouver on Sept. 18. Santana Dreaver reports. (CBC)

Way of Masks and Totem Pole Journey
Se'Si'Le, House of Tears Carvers and partnering NGOs present "Way of the Masks and Totem Pole Journey" events Sept.6-20 to narrate the interrelatedness of Treaty rights and inherent rights, Indigenous ways of knowing nature and environmental justice, healthy rivers and salmon habitat, spiritual and ecological balance, and ancient forests and climate resilience. Sept. 6, Bellingham; Sept. 8, Olympia, are Washington events. Information.

Trump administration cancels $679 million for offshore wind projects at ports
The Trump administration is cancelling $679 million in federal funding for ports to support the country's offshore wind industry, the latest move in President Trump's ongoing campaign against wind power. Lauren Sommer reports. (NPR) Also: WA survivors of Minidoka reckon with uneasy victory in Trump order Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks reports. (Seattle Times)

Democracy Watch

Appeals court upholds ruling rejecting sweeping Trump tariffs (Washington State Standard)
Judge Blocks Pillar of Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign (NY Times)
Judge bars US from sending Guatemalan kids back, for now (AP)
US labor force lost 1.2M immigrants, preliminary data shows (AP)
Trump Administration Weighs Having Military Lawyers Work as Immigration Judges (NY Times)
Trump is cutting 500-plus jobs at Voice of America and its parent agency despite legal challenges (AP)
In Trump’s Federal Work Force Cuts, Black Women Are Among the Hardest Hit (NY Times)
Hundreds in Seattle march against Trump, in support of workers (Seattle Times) /
Trump says he’s awarding former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani the Presidential Medal of Freedom (AP)
Trump’s use of National Guard during Los Angeles immigration protests is illegal, a judge rules (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- 244 AM PDT Tue Sep 2 2025
TODAY W wind around 5 kt, veering to NW late. Seas around 2 ft or less. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 8 seconds.
TONIGHT W wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas around 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds and W 2 ft at 8 seconds.

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savesalishsea@bluesky.social

Salish Sea News: Communicate, Educate, Advocate

  Salish Sea Communications: Truth Well Told 