Cascadia today: One Spokane fire suspected as arson + OR lawmakers propose data center ban + creepy WA ballot measure wants to inspect girls' genitals
Suspect arrested for arson in Spokane wildfire
As wildfires continue to burn uncontained in and around Spokane, the AP reports that a 37-year-old man in custody on suspicion of first-degree arson for the Old Trail Fire, one of the largest of a complex of fires that have burned more than 700 homes. KUOW reports that at more than a dozen people are unaccounted for in and around Spokane. Washington State Standard reports that more than 10,000 acres have burned and "tens of thousands" of homes and other buildings in and around Spokane remain under threat.
Wildfires continue to also burn across Oregon, where more than 2 million acres have burned and the state is on pace for the most destructive fire season in its history. Elected officials in Washington have sent a letter to Donald Trump urging him to direct FEMA disaster relief to the state. Last week the Trump regime denied two FEMA wildfire disaster requests in Oregon, making the situation crystal clear: If the feds continue to deny funds for what we need in Cascadia – compounded by the fact that $51 billion in taxes never return to our region – it's time for Oregon and Washington to leave the union.
Andrew Engelson
How to help
RANGE Media has a comprehensive guide to resources for people affected by fires in Spokane as well as places to send help. The City of Spokane has launched a wildfire relief fund. In addition, the Innovia Foundation, which supports community efforts in northern Idaho and Eastern Washington, is coordinating a wildfire response fund. Second Harvest in Spokane is ramping up food and supply distribution, you can help by making an online donation to Second Harvest here. In Oregon, the Federation of Labor has an excellent guide to resources for those affected as well as multiple organization you can donate to in order to help.
And if you need a low-cost air purifier, the EPA has good guide to building a low-cost air filter with a box fan, duct tape, and a furnace air filter that can be assembled in 10 minutes.
OR lawmakers propose a data center moratorium
Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that a group of Democratic legislators in Oregon have announced they'll be pushing a bill next year that would put a three-year moratorium on new data centers in the state. At least 15 states in the US have already placed limits on the energy and water-sucking centers. The Washington legislature failed to deal with the issue in the previous session and will no doubt be debating another bill next year. In related news, a fossil gas-powered electric plant in central Washington that would have powered new data centers will not move forward, KUOW reports.
WA trans sports bill demands inspection of girls' genitals
National outrage continues to grow over a proposed Washington measure on the ballot in the fall that would require all girls from kindergarten through high school to have their genitals examined if they want to play sports – ostensibly to prevent trans girls from competing in school sports. This sick, hateful measure backed by wealthy pervert Brian Heywood is an abomination, and needs to be defeated (in addition to Heywood's attempt to repeal the millionaires' tax). The issue of trans athletes in sports continues to roil the WNBA, as a group fans of the Portland Fire demanded the team speak out against Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham (otherwise known as MAGA Barbie) for transphobic remarks. At least the Seattle Storm gets it:
Two south Seattle festivals celebrate vibrant culture
The South Seattle Emerald reports on two festivals happening on Aug 8 in south Seattle that celebrate the diverse, vibrant cultures of the south end: the South Park Summer Party (SOPASUPA) and the Duwamish River Festival. Both events were canceled last year because of ICE activity, but are moving forward this year to foreground Latino and Indigenous communities in one of Seattle's most diverse neighborhoods.
Thanks for reading Keep loving and keep fighting. --Andy
