Cascadia today: Portland slaps fee on ICE facility + feds seek sensitive data + 8 indie books for the holidays
Journalism is in crisis. The feds have eliminating funding for public broadcasting, traditional news outlets have laid off staff, major outlets have been bought by billionaires with an agenda, and more than ever we need eyes on the ground as the US descends into authoritarianism. Will you help support Cascadia Journal with a subscription of $5 per month? In 2026, we'll be introducing more original news reporting – but we can't do it without your help, thanks!
Portland imposes fee on owner of ICE facility land
OPB reports that the Portland city council imposed fees and sanctions on land owners operating detention facilities – and the only such facility in Portland is the ICE detention center, site of protests by folks in inflatable costumes. Among the fees is a "nuisance" fee that would assess the building owner for the impact of tear gas on residents, police overtime, and other costs. The Portland Mercury has more on the bill, which was carefully crafted to avoid court challenges. Meanwhile, the largest teachers' union in Oregon is training teachers how to protect their students from cruel ICE raids on school property, Oregon Capital Chronicle reports.
Feds sue WA for more sensitive data
The Trump administration, in its effort to scrape whatever sensitive data on Cascadia residents it can find, is suing Washington state to access voter information beyond addresses and years of birth, Washington State Standard reports. WA secretary of state Steve Hobbs rejected the request for drivers license numbers, partial Social Security numbers and other information, citing state law. Meanwhile, Washington state legislators will consider legislation liming license plate readers like those operated by Flock. Texas sheriffs gained access to Spokane county license plate data hoping to charge a woman for getting an abortion. In November, residents critical of Redmond Washington's network of Flock cameras succeeded in getting the Redmond police department to shut them down and consider removing them permanently. Follow DeFlock Redmond on Bluesky here.
OR and WA sue to recover federal homeless service funding
After the Trump administration continued its policies of cruelty by severely cutting federal funds for homeless services, Oregon and Washington are challenging the cuts in federal court, Investigate West reports. PubliCola reports that the lost funding, which is critical in running service-intensive permanent supportive housing, could send thousands more people into homelessness in Seattle and King County.
Fast-tracked gold mine in BC faces opposition
The Narwhal reports that a proposed open-pit gold and silver mine on Tahltan First Nation Territory 300 km northwest of Smithers – fast-tracked by the Canadian government – is being opposed by a coalition of concerned Tahltan activists and environmentalists, who claim it could pollute groundwater sources.
Eight indie books for the holidays
The Tyee reviews eight books from independent book publishers in Canada that are perfect for holiday gift purchases – many from BC authors or publishers. They include an account of blockades against clearcut logging in Clayoquot Sound, a history of Vancouver's notorious Penthouse nightclub, and The Other Shore, a collection of stories by Rebecca Campbell rooted in the forests of the BC coast.
Thanks for reading and supporting Cascadia Journal! --Andrew
