Cascadia today: OR holds public meetings when feds fail to + standing up for neglected light rail station + climber Jim Whittaker dies at 97

Good morning! It's Cascadia Journal's birthday! 🎉 One year ago today, I started publishing this email newsletter so readers could find out what's happening in news, politics, environmental issues, and the arts across the Pacific Northwest – in a daily, quick read. In addition, I write weekly essays, feature articles, and feisty commentary on Cascadia's pushback against US fascism. I'm one of the few journalists beating the drum about the need for Oregon and Washington to consider increased autonomy for our bioregion.

It's fun, and it's a lot of work. I couldn't do it with out the support of my generous paid subscribers. If you're up for renewal or thinking about helping Cascadia Journal with a paid subscription, we now have two tiers: Cascadia Journal Raven, just $5 per month, and Cascadia Journal Orca, at $10 per month. Either one helps me out, and with the Orca subscription you'll get free admission to any upcoming special events, plus free access to potential new projects, including a Cascadia Journal podcast (I'm still pondering that one!).

Also, next week I will be traveling by Amtrak Cascades across the bioregion and reporting from Bellingham, Olympia, Portland, and Eugene. Send me a line at andyengelson@pm.me if you'd like to say hi and meet for coffee or a beer.

Thanks for reading!

Another lawsuit challenges WA millionaires tax

KUOW reports that former attorney general Rob McKenna has filed a lawsuit challenging whether Washington's new 1% tax on incomes over $1 million is constitutional. Because: Republicans don't believe in actually funding the things we need here in Cascadia, like education, health care, child care, and the social safety net. Of course, if Democrats in the legislature had any courage they'd be working on a constitutional amendment and legislation reforming WA's tax structure by introducing an income tax and reducing sales taxes. Washington has the second most regressive tax system in the US and it needs to be fixed.

OR holds public meeting on logging after feds fail to

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that the feds have failed to hold any public meetings in Oregon on their plan to open federal roadless areas to mining and logging on up to 2 million acres of land in the state. What did U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas and the Sierra Club do? They held public meetings on their own! This is what it means to assert Cascadia's autonomy. More of this, please.

As Trump burns down the Forest Service, Cascadia should take control of our federal land

Lost in recent news of violence by ICE goons, an apocalyptic war in Iran, and a refusal to make public the Epstein files, the Trump regime last week quietly killed the US Forest Service. As Jim Pattiz wrote in a scathing article at Hatch magazine, Late Tuesday afternoon, with the

Cascadia JournalAndrew Engelson

Standing up for a neglected new light rail station in Seattle

The Urbanist reports that Seattle mayor Katie Wilson and social justice groups are urging the Sound Transit light rail board to move forward on a long-promised infill station at Graham Street – an ethnically diverse neighborhood in Seattle's south end with immense potential for transit-oriented housing development. In related news, the Urbanist reports that several vacant lots near Seattle's Mount Baker station are about to be developed into apartments. In other train-related news, the new Amtrak Cascades trains that will run between Vancouver BC and Eugene are on their way, but won't be in service in time for the World Cup, Washington State Standard reports.

Free humanities classes in Portland's Albina neighborhood

OPB reports that Lewis & Clark College and Albina Vision Trust are teaming up to offer humanities and history classes to students and residents of Portland's Albina neighborhood, the historic heart of the city's Black community. The $1.5 million fund will bring together college students and community members to learn about Portland's diverse history and culture.

Famed climber Jim Whittaker dies at 97

KUOW reports that Port Townsend's Jim Whittaker, who was the first USAmerican to climb Mount Everest in 1963, died this week at the age of 97. In addition to an ascent of K2 in the Himalayas and 100 ascents of Tahoma (Mount Rainier) Whittaker was involved in conservation efforts and progressive politics, serving as the Washington campaign manager for Robert Kennedy's 1968 presidential bid.

"If you're not living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space."– Jim Whittaker

That's all for today. Have a great weekend, and keep loving & fighting! --Andrew