Cascadia today: Portland slashes transit service + bye-bye National Guard + Cascadia theaters rebound
Good morning! Here's your daily roundup of news from across the Pacific Northwest. If you appreciate this scrappy little newsletter about Cascadia and our pushback against US fascism, consider supporting Cascadia Journal with a subscription of $5 per month. Thanks! --Andrew
Portland-area transit plans to slash service
The greater Portland-area transit service TriMet announced it will eliminate 15 routes, trim 20 more, and stop a light rail line halfway on its existing route to deal with a $300 million budget deficit, Willamette Week reports. This is a disaster for Portland. Meanwhile, Oregon's state transportation budget faces a ballot challenge, the bloated I-5 freeway replacement over the Columbia still doesn't have a cost estimate and transportation officials blew $270 million on consultants on that project.
Meanwhile, Washington governor Bob Ferguson's $3 billion transportation budget is mostly aimed at rebuilding climate-killing freeways.
It's time for Oregon and Washington to get serious about real transportation alternatives. Not everyone can drive. We're facing a climate crisis. Do your jobs, Kotek & Ferguson.
Cascadia rejects US anti-vax changes
Washington State Standard reports that Washington state will ignore new childhood vaccine recommendations from the feds that removed seven vaccinations from those required. Washington will continue to recommend 15 vaccinations and join in following evidence-based recommendations from the Western States Health Alliance and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Oregon will also join the WSHA in retaining the 15 vaccination recommendations.
Cascadia needs to continue to assert autonomy from the US, a rogue state that cares nothing about the health and safety of its people. Help us work for an independent bioregion by signing up for alerts from Cascadia Democratic Action:
National guard troops demobilized in OR, CA
OPB reports that National Guard troops Donald Trump mobilized to deploy in Oregon, California and Illinois will be demobilized and return home. The illegal deployment, a brazen attempt to assert federal military authority over state sovereignty, was found to be illegal by US district court judge Karin Immergut.
Cascadia will continue to file lawsuits and return to the streets in peaceful demonstration to resist Trump's authoritarian takeover.
Free health services for Vancouver sex workers
The Tyee looks at the nonprofit SWAN, which provides women's sexual health services, including free STI testing, to sex workers in the Vancouver area. The trans-inclusive service also serves immigrants – and the organization's medical professionals travel to areas where sex workers are. SWAN is pushing to decriminalize sex work in Canada, which could improve the health and human rights of those who do sex work.
Theaters slowly rebound from pandemic lows
KNKX looks at the health of Seattle's live theaters, which are seeing improved ticket sales, even though subscriptions are at levels of about half of what they were pre-pandemic. In related news, Oregon Arts Watch offers a preview of Oregon theater productions coming in 2026.
Be sure to support live music, museums, and the arts by buying tickets! --Andrew
