Cascadia today: Alberta votes no on separation + WA governor has approved no clemency requests + wildfire smoke hurts vineyards

Good morning! You're likely here because you're looking for news and commentary you can't find in legacy or corporate-owned media. I round up news from across the Cascadia bioregion and write feisty opinion pieces about the movement for autonomy in the Pacific Northwest because no one else is doing that. If you like this newsletter, please consider supporting it with a $50 or $100 annual subscription during my fall subscription drive. I'm still short of my goal of thirty new paid members, so now is the time to join a very special group – those who financially back news from across the bioregion. Thanks! --Andy

Alberta rejects independence referendum

The Guardian reports that Alberta has voted down a referendum that would have started a process toward independence for the province from Canada. 76% of voters supported remaining in Canada, with 24% in favor of secession. Though Alberta isn't part of the Cascadia bioregion, the right-wing, MAGA-style separatist movement could have serious implications for secession efforts here in the Pacific Northwest if it ever succeeds. Canada and prime minister Mark Carney have dodged the issue for now, but with the separatist PQI winning in Quebec earlier this month, it's likely the French-speaking province will run a referendum after the 2028 US election.

So, Cascadia. We need to talk about Alberta.

So how does a progressive movement for Cascadia independence respond to the Alberta separatist movement, which has put a non-binding secession measure up for a vote on Oct 19?

Cascadia JournalAndrew Engelson

How COPE regained power in Vancouver

The Tyee looks at how Vancouver's longtime socialist-leaning party, Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) won four seats on the city council and stands to be a powerful player in city politics alongside newly elected mayor Pete Fry and his Green party. COPE has been around since 1968, and its solid base of support helped it knock on 10,000 doors across the city. On the horizon, look for an increased vacancy tax and less cop-centered approaches to public safety. Also, revival of a social housing plan that ABC rejected.

Vote yes on participatory budgeting in PDX

Willamette Week looks at the only ballot measure Portland voters will weigh in on this election, one that would set up a participatory budgeting process that would allow residents to directly decide on how to spend about 2% of the city's budget. All six current city councilors in the progressive "Peacock" caucus support the measure. Vote yes on measure 26-267 for more direct, participatory democracy.

WA governor hasn't approved any clemency requests

Investigate West looks into a serious failing in Washington governor Bob Ferguson's administration: though the state clemency board has recommended 15 incarcerated people be granted early release for good behavior and adequate time served, the governor has approved no clemency requests since taking office. This is an injustice and a cynical step by a centrist committed to never taking political risks, even if it's the right thing to do.

In other criminal justice news, the Urbanist reports that Washington's public defender system could be in a deep crisis if the longtime Washington Appellate Project has to close its doors due to a dispute with the state over caseload standards. And the Stranger reports on how Seattle's public defenders are holding back support for a new therapeutic court proposal pushed by city attorney Erica Evans that would increase punishments for repeat offenders.

Ash beetle could kill 100,000 Portland trees

Willamette Week looks at the arrival of the emerald ash borer beetle in Portland, a destructive pest that has been deadly efficient at killing ash trees in North America. That's bad news for the 100,000 ash trees in Portland, which make up 4% of the city's tree canopy. There's no known cure or treatment for ash borer infestation.

How wildfire is affecting Washington wine production

CHUM News has a great, detailed feature about how wildfires – and especially wildfire smoke – are negatively affecting Washington's $10 billion wine industry. Especially problematic is persistent smoke, which can ruin the taste of wine grapes (as well as hops).

Thanks for reading. Keep loving and keep fighting. Please help me out during my fall subscription drive by considering buying a paid membership of $5 or $10 per month. Thanks! --Andy