Cascadia today: Court blocks challenge to millionaires tax + marking Red Dress Day in BC + a free art studio in Seattle
Today is Give BIG, a day to support your favorite nonprofits and news sites. Though Cascadia Journal isn't a nonprofit, I couldn't do this without the generous support of my paid subscribers. To all of you who donate monthly or annually – thank you! You make this feisty newsletter of news, culture and environmental reporting from across Cascadia possible.
Do you appreciate Cascadia Journal's reporting on the ways the Pacific Northwest is pushing back against US fascism? If you have the means, please consider a paid subscription of just $5 per month. Each subscription helps me produce original reporting and opinionated notes on Cascadia's fight to build a more resilient and autonomous bioregion. And to those who already subscribe, thank you! --Andrew
Court rules against challenge to WA millionaires tax
The Washington supreme court ruled that a referendum challenging Washington's new tax on incomes above $1 million can't move forward, Washington State Standard reports. The tax bill had a "necessity clause" that prevented a referendum vote. Opponents led by right-wing rich guy Brian Heywood can still try an initiative, but that requires more signatures. The tax is essential to investing in stuff we actually need here in Cascadia. Things like free school lunches, expanded preschool, and free mental health counseling – which Seattle mayor Katie Wilson announced last week in a bold proposal. More of this, please.
Red dress day a reminder of missing and murdered
Today is Red Dress Day across British Columbia – a day to draw attention to the hundreds of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people in the province. The rate of homicide among those people are six times the rate for other Canadians, CBC reports. Amnesty International has a detailed website on the issue of MMIWG and a list of events today across British Columbia.
Portland company supplies tech to Israeli military
The Portland Mercury reports on a campaign by activists to pressure the city of Portland to cut any ties and offer no tax breaks to Sightline Intelligence, a Portland-based company that reportedly supplies AI-supported video technology to Israel. The company (not to be confused with Sightline Institute, a great Cascadia-based think tank that promotes environmental sustainability) has shipped technology to Israeli drone companies whose products target people in the war in Gaza.
Cruise ships add stop in Astoria to their routes
OPB reports that mega cruise ships are now making stops in Astoria, Oregon at the mouth of the Columbia River. The massive ships pay a brief port call on their transfer journeys from the winter Mexico cruise season to the summer Alaska season. These huge cruises, as I've reported, are a huge disaster for the climate and Cascadia's environment. Plus, you might die of hantavirus on one.
Andrew Engelson
Stillaguamish tribe buys land and floods it
KNKX has a detailed report on how the Stillaguamish tribe of northern Puget Sound are buying up farmland in the Stillaguamish river delta and allowing it to flood – in order to increase habitat for spawning Chinook salmon. Chinook, which are critical to Stillaguamish life and culture, have been in on the brink of extinction in recent years.
A free community art studio in Seattle
Real Change reports on the WHY Studio, a free space for people to create arts and crafts in the city's industrial Georgetown neighborhood. It's a cool project where anyone can use the art supplies, recording equipment, and be among other creative humans every Wednesday from 5 to 9 pm at 6555 5th Ave S. Follow them on Instagram here.
Do you appreciate Cascadia Journal's reporting on the ways the Pacific Northwest is pushing back against US fascism? If you have the means, please consider a paid subscription of just $5 per month. Each subscription helps me produce original reporting and opinionated notes on Cascadia's fight to build a more resilient and autonomous bioregion. And to those who already subscribe, thank you! --Andrew
