Cascadia today: Seattle needs to ban junk fees + wildfires expand in Cascadia + BC spends millions killing wolves
Thanks again to all who donated in Cascadia Democratic Action's bottled water and N-95 mask drive. Wash Masks mutual aid is coordinating with Latinos en Seattle to ensure masks are getting to people who need them in the Spokane area, and they sent along this message to all who donated. Thank you!
Seattle needs to ban junk rental fees
Hey look! The Seattle Times published an op-ed that Kasey Burton and I wrote urging the Seattle city council to pass a measure banning junk rental fees. The vote is tomorrow, and you can sign up to give public comment during the 2 pm, August 11 council session or email all city council members in support of the junk fee ban at council@seattle.gov.
Wildfires expand across Cascadia
KUOW reports that the Little Giant Fire in the central Cascades has grown to more than 82,000 acres and notes that Washington is experiencing the largest number of acres burned by wildfire since 2021. CBC reports that an 80-year-old woman has died in a wildfire near Summerland, British Columbia, and most of southern BC is under yellow and orange smoke alerts. Oregon Live reports that in Oregon and Idaho, the Big Grass fire has grown to more than 513,000 acres, making it one the the largest wildfires in Oregon history. Meanwhile, OPB reports on how Latino organizations and Spanish-language media are reaching out to communities affected by the destructive wildfires in Spokane that destroyed 850 homes and other buildings. RANGE Media reports that many displaced residents in Spokane are having trouble finding temporary housing as hotels and Airbnbs fill up.
Work begins on new hybrid WA ferry
KUOW reports that construction has begun on the the first new hybrid electric ferry for Washington state's Salish sea fleet. The new ferries are being built Florida rather than Washington state for the first time in 50 years. That's unfortunate, and as the state struggles to find funds for additional climate-friendly transportation, one solution should be obvious: creating a state public bank, which can help create low interest loans for a variety of infrastructure projects, whether affordable housing, transportation, or school construction.
Andrew Engelson
Challenger for legislative seat in south Seattle takes lead
In what's shaping up to be one of the most surprising news stories in Washington's primary election is that former educator and progressive Kelabe Tewolde has taken a lead over Sharon Tomiko Santos, who's been in her seat since 1998, in the race for a state rep seat in the 37th district in south Seattle, Northwest Progressive Institute reports.
In other political news in WA, a judge has tossed out a challenge to wording in the ballot initiative that would repeal the millionaires tax, Washington State Standard reports. Seems Brian Heywood and his wealth pals behind the recall took offense that wording on the ballot accurately described the impact of I-645: “This measure would decrease funding for public K-12 education, higher education (including universities and community colleges), and human services (primarily healthcare).” Sometimes the truth is painful.
Unseen immigrants in Tacoma ICE camp: South Asians
Real Change reports on a hidden population in Tacoma's Northwest Detention Center: immigrants from South Asia, which account for 33% of people in custody at the ICE camp in Tacoma. Many of those detainees are Muslim, Sikh, or from oppressed castes in South Asia, the article notes. In related news, an article at Oregon Capital Chronicle notes that ICE has quietly ramped up kidnappings of immigrants across the US, with 51,000 seizures in July, up from 43,000 in June.
BC spending millions to kill wolves
The Tyee reports that the British Columbia government is spending a lot of money killing wolves in the Kootenay mountains to protect threatened mountain caribou herds, which have dwindled to 50 or 60 individuals. The article notes that the expensive contracts have cost as much at $74,000 to kill a single wolf. BC's approach is dumb – despite spending $1.5 million on wolf and cougar culling, the the government has failed to halt clear cut logging in critical caribou habitat. In response, the Xatśūll and Sylix Okanagan First Nations have urged the province to declare an emergency and stop all logging contracts in critical areas of the Kootenays.
Fringe festival brings 80 performances to Vancouver
The Georgia Straight reports on the upcoming Fringe Festival in Vancouver, which brings more than 80 new, scrappy, and alternative performances of theater, music, improv, and dance to a variety of venues September 10 -20. For more info and tickets visit the Fringe Festival website.
Thanks for reading! --Andy
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