Cascadia today: Confusion over National Guard deployment + spill shuts pipeline + buy Cascadian for the holidays
Good morning! Thanks again to all my paid supporters – you help make this feisty newsletter about Pacific Northwest possible. If you're not yet a paid member, it only costs the price of an oatmilk latte once a month: 5 bucks. Every subscription helps! --Andrew
Confusion reigns on Oregon National Guard deployment
According to reporting from Oregon Capital Chronicle, governor Tina Kotek had been given verbal assurance that the feds were ending mobilization of 200 members of Oregon's National Guard in Portland. But this morning Kotek corrected that statement after hearing a different message from the guard's command – that 100 troops were still mobilized. The Trump administration is in a legal fight in federal court to try to invade Portland to intimidate crowds of people in inflatable animal suits peacefully protesting at the Portland ICE facility. In addition to the confusing information about the status of the troops, OPB reports that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday that Trump can keep the troops federalized but cannot deploy them until it makes a final ruling.
Spill shuts down pipeline serving OR & WA
KUOW reports that a jet fuel spill in Everett, Washington shut down a major underground pipeline serving fuel to airports in Seattle, Portland and other cities in Cascadia. In related news, a train derailed near Kamloops Lake in British Columbia two weeks ago, causing a spill. Time to stop building new pipelines: find out more at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Moscow Idaho rejects White Christian Nationalists
RANGE Media reports that Moscow, the northeast Idaho town that's become notorious as home to pastor Doug Wilson, whose queerphobic Christ Church preaches for a theocratic America and has been embraced by Trump administration – actually has a strong majority of residents who oppose Wilson and his views. In the past two municipal elections, Moscow residents have rejected candidates affiliated with the church. In addition, Spokane elected a solidly progressive city council in November.
BC farmers have dreams of saffron
CBC has a great feature about a group of farmers in Abbotsford, British Columbia that's working to establish itself as Cascadia's center for growing and producing saffron – the world's most expensive spice. The floods of 2021 set the operation back, but it's moving forward with the meticulous process of growing and hand-plucking the delicate threads from saffron flowers, which can sell for $50 per gram.
Buy locally for the holidays
The Stranger has a great holiday gift guide to 15 ways to support Cascadia's local economy rather than handing over your hard-earned cash to companies owned by billionaires. The list includes literary-themed perfumes, membership to independent cinemas, and classes at local art schools. Or, if you want to give the gift of trucker hats, stickers, or hoodies emblazoned with the Cascadia flag, check out Cascadia Department of Bioregion's online store.
Thanks for reading! – Andrew
