WSDA celebrates 50 years of protecting the Evergreen State from spongy moth.
LINK SOURCE: https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/blog-posts?article=38320
Each summer, dozens of temporarily employed but always committed people swell the ranks of the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Pest Program as seasonal trappers. For five decades, these dedicated trappers and a handful of permanent staff have come together to continue the long-held record of preventing spongy moth* – one of the worst invasive pests ever introduced into the United States - from establishing in Washington State.
Keeping spongy mothtwo men by on a residential lawn near a sign that says "Yes! Spray here first" from establishing in Washington is really about one thing: saving our trees. Depending on the type of moth, spongy moths can eat from 300-500 types of trees and shrubs – including the towering evergreens for which our state is known.
Spongy moth is permanently established in over 20 eastern states. When those states experience outbreaks of this destructive moth, the results are devastating. Entire forests are stripped of their leaves. With repeated years of this defoliation, the trees can be killed. In 2016-2017, New England saw millions of trees killed from heavy caterpillar feeding. The damage was so widespread that a third of the state of Rhode Island was defoliated – damage so extensive NASA satellites could record it.
Given the moth’s well-known track record of having substantial negative impacts on trees in neighborhoods, parks, and forests, the WSDA began trapping for the pest and caught the first moth in 1974. It wasn’t until five years later that the department conducted its first eradication. Since then, WSDA has trapped spongy moths nearly every year – catching as many as 1300 moths in 1983, though most years see fewer than 100 moths caught.
spongy moth news article Skagit Valley Herald July 5, 2002Keeping this aggressive invasive pest at bay for 50 years is a big deal. To celebrate, we’ll be sharing about spongy moth and our program’s work all year long! Stay tuned to our social media channels for more about spongy moth, or visit agr.wa.gov/moths to learn more now.
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
ERADICATION PROPOSED FOR INVASIVE SPONGY MOTH
2,313 ACRES IN THURSTON, SKAGIT COUNTIES
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is proposing to treat two sites for the invasive spongy moth (Lymantria dispar). The largest site – totaling 1,393 acres – is in the Steamboat Island Rd area of Thurston County. Another site totaling 920 acres is proposed near Concrete in Skagit County./WSDA
AG Ferguson: Providence must provide $157.8 million in refunds and debt relief for unlawful medical charges to low-income Washingtonians.
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that Providence, one of the nation’s largest health care systems, must forgive more than $137 million in medical debt and refund more than $20 million to patients the company billed for services despite knowing they likely qualified for free or reduced-cost health care. The $157.8 million resolution will provide full refunds, plus interest, and debt forgiveness for 99,446 individuals. It is the largest resolution of its kind in the country./WAAG
AG Ferguson: PR firm will pay Washington state $7.9 million for helping Purdue aggressively and deceptively market opioids.
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today public relations firm Publicis Health will pay Washington state more than $7.9 million for its role in fueling the opioid epidemic. The Washington Attorney General’s Office has recovered more than $1.2 billion and counting that must be used to combat the fentanyl and opioid crisis in Washington as a result of legal actions against entities that helped fuel the epidemic./WAAG
Commerce awards over $85 million to expand electric vehicle charging across Washington state.
OLYMPIA, WA – Governor Jay Inslee joined Washington State Department of Commerce Director Mike Fong today to announce over $85 million in grants that will fund nearly 5,000 new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in communities throughout the state. All of the funds are going to nonprofits, electric utilities, tribes and public agencies, and half of the grants will install chargers in communities most at risk of negative health effects caused by fossil fuel pollution./WA COMMERCE DEPT.
July drought declaration still in effect
And not going anywhere anytime soon.
Overall, it’s been a warm wet winter. Despite an early January cold snap, the water supply outlook for much of the state can be characterized by two words “below normal,” according to a group of experts who recently gathered for the first Water Supply Availability Committee Meeting of 2024./DOE
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
Senator Murray Statement on President Biden’s Executive Order on Settler Violence in West Bank
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Executive Order President Biden signed today allowing the U.S. to impose new sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violent attacks against Palestinians. With the signing of the Executive Order, sanctions immediately went into effect on four West Bank settlers who have committed violence against Palestinians./ FROM PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 2/1/24
Senator Murray Speaks on Senate Floor About Her Longtime Fight to Make Summer Nutrition Benefits Permanent—Summer EBT Program She Delivered Takes Effect This Year
507,000 children in Washington state will benefit from permanent summer grocery benefits program based on Murray’s original legislation; Murray led the fight for over a decade to make Summer EBT a permanent reality to end child summer hunger./FROM PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 2/1/24
3) WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
WORLD:
Accelerating Implementation of 2030 Agenda, Closing Digital Divide Focus, as Economic and Social Council Closes its Coordination Segment./ UN PRESS RELEASE
Security Council’s 1970 Committee Approves Delisting of One Individual from Travel Ban Measure
On 31 January 2024, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1970 (2011) concerning Libya decided that the following individual is no longer subject to the travel ban measure imposed pursuant to paragraph 15 of resolution 1970 (2011). The individual continues to be subject to the asset freeze measure pursuant to the relevant resolutions./UN PRESS RELEASE
Humanitarian Response in Gaza ‘Completely Dependent’ on Palestine Refugee Agency, Relief Chief Tells Security Council, Urging Countries to Restore Funding
Speakers Also Urge Compliance with International Court of Justice Order that Israel Take Steps to Prevent Genocidal Acts, Ensure Aid Delivery/UN PRESS RELEASE
Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on the Three-Year Anniversary of the Military Coup in Burma/USUN
Secretary Antony J. Blinken And Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi Before Their Meeting/US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Austin: Americans Have a Right to Know if Leaders' Health Challenges May Affect Their Duties/ DOD
Former CIA Officer Joshua Adam Shulte Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Espionage and Child Pornography Charges./DOJ
U.S. Department of Education Announces More Than 3.1 Million FAFSA Forms Successfully Submitted and an Update to Student Aid Index Calculation./ DEPT. of EDUCATION
Joint Statement by United States Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas and European Union Commissioner for Internal Market Breton./ DHS
Interior Department Announces Nearly $5 Million from President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda to Clean Up Legacy Pollution in Missouri
Historic funding to plug orphaned oil and gas wells will address environmental and safety hazards, create good-paying jobs in communities across Missouri/ DEPT. of Interior
BUSINESS:
Farmers, Ranchers Now Can Make USDA Farm Loan Payments Online.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 29, 2024 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that most farm loan borrowers will be able to make payments to their direct loans online through the Pay My Loan feature on farmers.gov in early February. Pay My Loan is part of a broader effort by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) to streamline its processes, especially for producers who may have limited time during the planting or harvest seasons to visit a local FSA office; modernize and improve customer service; provide additional customer self-service tools; and expand credit access to assist more producers./ USDA
Statement Regarding the Termination of Amazon’s Proposed Acquisition of iRobot.
In response to the announcement that Amazon and iRobot have terminated their $1.4 billion merger agreement, Federal Trade Commission Associate Director for Merger Analysis Nathan Soderstrom issued the following statement:
“We are pleased that Amazon and iRobot have abandoned their proposed transaction. The Commission’s probe focused on Amazon’s ability and incentive to favor its own products and disfavor rivals’, and associated effects on innovation, entry barriers, and consumer privacy. The Commission’s investigation revealed significant concerns about the transaction’s potential competitive effects. The FTC will not hesitate to take action in enforcing the antitrust laws to ensure that competition remains robust. I would like to thank the Northeast Regional Office, which handled the investigation, and the entire FTC team, for their work on this matter.”
The lead staff attorneys on this matter were Jonathan Platt and Geralyn Trujillo in the Northeast Region.
The Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect and educate consumers. You can learn more about consumer topics and report scams, fraud, and bad business practices online at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Follow the FTC on social media, read our blogs and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources./FTC
ICYMI: ACTING SECRETARY SU TRAVELS TO PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH CAROLINA; SPOTLIGHTS BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION INVESTMENTS IN GOOD JOBS, WORKFORCE TRAINING, SUPPORT FOR UNIONS
WASHINGTON – This week, Acting Secretary Su traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Columbia, South Carolina, to highlight how the Biden-Harris administration’s pro-worker agenda is making a positive impact in communities across the country./DEPT. of LABOR
New Jersey Man Sentenced for Multimillion-Dollar Mass-Mailing Fraud Schemes.
A New Jersey man was sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York to 72 months in prison and two years of supervised release for committing two separate mail fraud schemes in which he stole more than $50 million from victims throughout the United States by sending letters falsely telling them that they were entitled to receive a large sum of money in exchange for payment of a small fee./DOJ
Justice Department Announces Terrorism and Sanctions-Evasion Charges and Seizures Linked to Illicit, Billion-Dollar Global Oil Trafficking Network That Finances Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Its Malign Activities./DOJ
4) ON FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: Generative AI: Inslee executive order prepares Washington for opportunities, challenges.
On Tuesday, Gov. Jay Inslee signed an executive order to develop guidelines for how the state adopts generative artificial intelligence into its own systems to ensure its ethical and transparent use.
Under Inslee’s order, WaTech, the agency operating the state’s technology and information security services, will work with the governor’s cabinet agencies to submit a report identifying potential generative AI initiatives that could be implemented in state operations. The plan would develop initial guidelines for how the government may procure, use and monitor the use of generative AI.
“This executive order lays out a year-long process for agencies working together to assess the feasibility, benefits and challenges of integrating this technology into agency operations and services,” Inslee said. “It’s our duty to the public to be thorough and thoughtful in how we adopt these powerful new tools.”
People and businesses are adopting generative artificial intelligence — digital algorithms used to create new content — at a dizzying rate. This new technology’s explosive popularity is seen in the enjoyment consumers get out of chatbots like ChatGPT and photorealistic image creators like DALL-E 2.
The generative AI market is worth nearly $45 billion, according to Statista Market Insights, fueling further interest from investors who see the technology’s promise.
Nick Stowe, the state’s chief technology officer, said generative AI could also hold opportunities for language translation, code generation and contract management in state agencies. It can provide simple efficiencies like automating tedious tasks or lead to groundbreaking discoveries through research assistance.
But trailblazing technologies present unknowns, and those can include risks and unintended consequences. Some AI models still have significant quality limitations, raise privacy and security concerns, and have been shown to reinforce social biases.
Others aren’t used for their intended purposes, such as an imagemaker co-opted to harm or ruin someone’s reputation with “deepfakes,” or a mental health chatbot hijacked to give inappropriate responses to people in need. Others report unexpectedly dark, inappropriate or aggressive interactions with chatbots that affected their mental health.
Whatever the peril or promise of generative AI, we are just scratching the surface in how we understand this new technology. In response, more national and state governments are stepping up to put guidelines in place to support innovation while also looking at guardrails that address security, privacy and other growing concerns among the public as this technology expands.
“We’ve seen how AI is already revolutionizing several industries in good ways — like more efficiency, reduced costs and greater accuracy in some fields,” said Katy Ruckle, the state’s chief privacy officer in the Office of Privacy and Data Protection. “Our goal is to help the state continue using generative AI in ways that help the public while putting up guardrails around uses that present a lot of risk.”
To provide a fair, ethical and equitable use of generative AI, the order enlists the state Office of Equity to create and oversee an accountability framework that will support these efforts.
By the end of this year, agencies will have guidelines to analyze the impact adopting generative AI may have on vulnerable communities. The state’s process will evaluate equitable outcomes in the deployment and implementation of “high-risk” use cases.
“High-risk” generative AI refers to technology that could impact a person’s health and safety or fundamental rights. Examples include biometric identification, critical infrastructure, employment, health care, law enforcement, and the administration of democratic processes.
The governor’s executive order will also assess the impact of this technology on the state workforce, develop strategies to mitigate those impacts, and support programs that train workers in the skills they need to successfully use these technologies.
Looking beyond government, the order also requires the state Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to create opportunities and partnerships with research institutes at the state and federal level develop more innovations in generative AI that can be applied to education.
Inslee’s executive order is closely aligned with California’s, empowering agencies to be proactive in how they approach AI regulation and putting a strong emphasis on equity. With this order, Washington becomes the 10th state with a governor to issue an executive order around AI.
“With today’s action, Washington state is moving to the fore of policy work on this crucial 21st Century challenge,” Inslee said. “The work we do around generative AI over the coming year will be yet another example of how the Evergreen State is also the Ever Forward State.”
IN FOCUS: WDFW approves seven days of coastal razor clam digs starting Feb. 6; additional tentative digs planned for February and March.
OLYMPIA – Razor clam diggers can look forward to more digging on coastal beaches beginning Feb. 6, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) coastal shellfish managers confirmed today.
“This next tide series will provide us with some daylight digging days since the first few low tides occur before or just after sunset,” said Bryce Blumenthal, a WDFW coastal shellfish biologist. “That will be followed by the lowest tides of the month, so there should be plenty of opportunity to get clams on the table for the Super Bowl.”
Not all coastal beaches are open for every dig, so diggers are encouraged to make sure their intended destination is open before heading out. Optimal digging occurs between one and two hours before the listed time of low tide.
The following digs during afternoon and evening low tides (12 p.m. to midnight only) will proceed as scheduled, after marine toxin results from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) showed razor clams are safe to eat:
Feb. 6, Tuesday, 3:52 p.m.; 0.0 feet; Mocrocks
Feb. 7, Wednesday, 4:41 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 8, Thursday, 5:26 p.m.; -1.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 9, Friday, 6:09 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 10, Saturday, 6:49 p.m.; -1.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 11, Sunday, 7:29 p.m.; -1.0 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 12, Monday, 8:08 p.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Copalis
Tentative dates during evening (noon to midnight only) low tides in February:
Feb. 21, Wednesday, 4:56 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 22, Thursday, 5:33 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
Feb. 23, Friday, 6:05 p.m.; 0.1 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 24, Saturday, 6:34 p.m.; 0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Feb. 25, Sunday, 7:02 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
Tentative dates during evening (noon to midnight only) low tides in March:
March 7, Thursday, 4:15 p.m.; -0.5 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 8, Friday, 5:00 p.m.; -0.8 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 9, Saturday, 5:42 p.m.; -0.9 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 10, Sunday, 7:22 p.m.; -0.7 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 11, Monday, 8:00 p.m.; -0.2 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Tentative dates during morning/early afternoon (4 a.m. to 4 p.m. only) low tides from March 12-17:
March 12, Tuesday, 8:33 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 13, Wednesday, 9:21 a.m.; -0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 14, Thursday, 10:12 a.m.; -0.3 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 15, Friday, 11:08 a.m.; 0.1 feet; Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
March 16, Saturday, 12:10 p.m.; 0.5 feet; Copalis (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
March 17, Sunday, 1:23 p.m.; 0.9 feet; Mocrocks (Ocean Shores Razor Clam Festival)
Tentative dates during morning (midnight to noon only) low tides in March:
March 26, Tuesday, 7:54 a.m.; 0.7 feet; Copalis
March 27, Wednesday, 8:26 a.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Mocrocks
March 28, Thursday, 9:01 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
March 29, Friday, 9:39 a.m.; 0.3 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 30, Saturday, 10:23 p.m.; 0.4 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
March 31, Sunday, 11:16 a.m.; 0.6 feet; Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Mocrocks
The DOH requires test samples for marine toxins, and domoic acid levels must fall under the guideline level before a beach can open for digging. Domoic acid, a natural toxin produced by certain types of marine algae, can be harmful or fatal if consumed in sufficient quantities. Final approval usually occurs about a week or less – sometimes two to three days – before the start of each digging series. More information about domoic acid, as well as current levels at ocean beaches, can be found on the WDFW’s domoic acid webpage
On all open beaches, the daily limit is 15 clams per person. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container, and all diggers must keep the first 15 clams they dig, regardless of size or condition, to prevent waste.
All diggers 15 or older must have an applicable fishing license to harvest razor clams on any beach. Licenses can be purchased from WDFW’s licensing website, and from hundreds of license vendors around the state. WDFW recommends buying your license before visiting coastal beach communities. Additional razor clam information is available on the WDFW razor clam webpage.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife works to preserve, protect, and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
CLALLAM COUNTY MEETINGS
Clallam County Work Session for 2/5/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02052024-1060
Clallam County Commission meeting for 2/6/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_02062024-1059
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 2/6/24
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/14137/02062024-CC-Packet
OMC BOARD MEETING FOR 2/7/24
City of Sequim Council meeting for 2/8/24
https://www.sequimwa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/2986
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 2/5/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/be65caf3-2449-469f-a94d-a29d3430ce05
PORT TOWNSEND CITY COUNCIL BUSINESS MEETING AGENDA FOR
2/5/24
https://cityofpt.granicus.com/GeneratedAgendaViewer.php?view_id=4&event_id=3551
Special Port of Port Townsend meeting for 2/7/24
https://portofpt.com/wp-content/uploads/2024-02-07-CommMtg-Special-Meeting-Agenda.pdf
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: Psalm 59:16 (New International Version)
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Weekly Bible Lesson: Heaven and Hadean Habitations
The question is often asked, “Where do I go after I die?” Many believe if God is pleased with them that they go directly to Heaven. Some believe they will go to purgatory (not found in the Bible) if they were wicked and from there either to Hell or Heaven depending on whether enough prayers and alms were offered on their behalf. --TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/heaven-and-hadean-habitations
Free bible studies (WBS)
https://www.worldbibleschool.org/
Learn English using the bible as text (WEI)
http://www.worldenglishinstitute.org/
(Join us in worship every Sunday starting at 10:30AM Church of Christ)
1233 E Front St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
The Chosen: About the life of Christ
https://watch.angelstudios.com/thechosen
THIS WEEK'S VIDEOS:
FIRST LOOK at the trucker convoy headed to the border.
The Take Our Border Back trucker convoy is heading to the southern border and the Blaze Originals documentary team is embedded to bring exclusive reporting. Glenn's head writer and researcher Jason Buttrill calls into the radio program with the first of these updates. "This is not a Jan. 6 crowd as of now," he tells Glenn as the convoy prepares to head from Louisiana to Texas. "It's more MLK vibes."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCHdwdMrbs8
Sunday Worship - 1/28/2023-Four Lakes C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diI1fuajAp4
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
The Port Angeles Globe is a weekly Publication, every Saturday-- Publisher, Peter Ripley
