Cascadia today: Region prepares for drought + Amazon pays $20 million for pollution + farm workers deserve unions

Low snowpack means drought for Cascadia

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that Oregon is preparing for extreme drought conditions this summer after a record low snowfall in the Cascades this past winter. Washington, even though it got a late boost of snow in March, is also facing drought conditions, with less runoff in creeks and rivers for threatened salmon species. It could also mean dry conditions in Cascadia's forests, and the increased threat of wildfires. The Narwhal looks at how First Nations in British Columbia are meeting to share cultural fire knowledge and reintroduce the practice of managed burns to help fix a century of harmful wildfire suppression.

An autonomous, independent Cascadia could focus its attention on addressing the impacts of climate change in our bioregion:

Cascadia will do what the US won’t: Tackle climate change

The Trump administration loves to create a phony crisis. No, the Tren de Aragua gang isn’t taking over the US. There’s no “energy emergency” that demands more oil drilling. And peaceful protesters challenging the genocide in Gaza aren’t an existential threat to the nation. Sign up for the free Cascadia

Cascadia JournalAndrew Engelson

Amazon pays $20 million for data center pollution in OR

Oregon Capital Chronicle reports that Amazon has agreed to a $20 million settlement for poisoning drinking water in northeast Oregon near several of its massive data centers. The water was laden with nitrates – which is already a problem from fertilizer on massive corporate farms, and Amazon's use of the water to cool its servers intensified the pollution. Sadly, in the last legislative session, Oregon governor Tina Kotek vetoed parts of a bill that would have put limits on data centers, which are straining the state's energy grid.

Cascadia's farm workers deserve to unionize

At the Stranger, Edgar Frank argues that Washington needs to finally pass a bill allowing farm workers to unionize and collectively bargain – they've been exempted from Washington labor laws for decades. In related news, Street Roots looks at the long history of farm worker activism in Oregon, and how the movement was built at great risk by a group of dedicated organizers.

Gray whale spotted in Wilapa river dies

A gray whale seen swimming 20 miles upstream from the Pacific in the Wilapa river of southwest Washington has died, OPB reports. The whale caused a social media sensation, but researchers say it's not uncommon whales to swim into freshwater when they're sick or disabled. Gray whales are dying at higher rates than normal along Cascadia's coast, KING-5 reports, with populations declining by 50%.

First chinook hatch in Klamath in a century

OPB reports that wildlife biologists have found the first naturally hatched chinook salmon in the Upper Klamath river since dams were removed on the Klamath several years ago. American Rivers has a great look at how the Klamath river ecosystem has improved after dam removal was completed in 2024.

Seattle's Egyptian theater screens Latin punk film fest

Seattle's historic Egyptian theater cinema, which closed its doors over a year ago, will host a festival featuring films about Latin America's punk scene, the Stranger reports. The movie hall, owned by Seattle Central College, is still in limbo after Seattle Independent Film Festival pulled out of the venue in 2025. SIFF has been struggling lately and has tried to spur interest in its Uptown and Downtown cinemas, by offering discounted $7 tickets on Tuesdays. Support your local cinemas!

Thanks for reading. Keep loving and keep fighting! --Andrew