CEREMONY KICKS OFF 2024 TRAPPING SEASON
OLYMPIA – Seasonal trappers are starting to disperse throughout the state to set traps as part of the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s (WSDA) annual hunt for invasive species.
This marks the start of the 50th year that WSDA has monitored for and successfully kept spongy moth – a highly invasive pest that has devastated forests in the Eastern United States – from establishing in Washington. WSDA first detected spongy moth in 1974 and conducted the first spongy moth eradication in 1979. While WSDA trapped as many as 1315 moths in 1983, the trapping and eradication project has been so successful over the decades that since 1995 there have only been two years that the department trapped more than 100 moths.
To celebrate this success, WSDA will hold a “Golden Trap Ceremony” on Tuesday, May 28 at 12:15 p.m. in Olympia. The event will be held near the Sunken Garden on the state capitol grounds. Tracy Shirek, who has been a seasonal trapping supervisor with the WSDA Spongy Moth Program for nearly 30 years, will have the honor of hanging a golden trap to mark the start of the trapping season.
“We get new introductions of spongy moth into Washington every year,” Sven Spichiger, WSDA Pest Program Manager, said. “Keeping this destructive moth from establishing here for so long is a testament to the commitment the public, state and federal officials, and our staff have to protect Washington’s natural resources.”
Spongy moth is just one of 130 pests that WSDA’s Pest Program monitors for every year. In addition to the invasive moths, other major pests WSDA will be looking for this year include Japanese beetles, apple maggots, grape and stone fruit pests, and wood-boring insects. Trapping for the northern giant hornet will also begin later this summer.
WSDA’s traps are labeled for easy identification. If you find a trap, do not disturb it. Traps are placed in systematic grids to ensure proper pest detection. If a trap has fallen or needs to be moved, please note the number written on the trap and contact the WSDA Pest Program at pest@agr.wa.gov or 1-800-443-6684.
ref. https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/news-and-media-relations/news-releases?article=39039
IN OTHER STATE NEWS HEADLINES:
AG Ferguson, feds seek breakup of Ticketmaster, Live Nation ticket monopoly.
SEATTLE — Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today he is partnering with the U.S. Department of Justice and a bipartisan group of 29 other attorneys general in an antitrust lawsuit aimed at breaking up Live Nation and Ticketmaster’s monopoly over the live entertainment industry./WAAG
Federal judge dismisses John Stockton, Kennedy Jr. lawsuit against AG Ferguson.
SPOKANE — A federal judge agreed with Attorney General Bob Ferguson today, dismissing a lawsuit filed by former basketball player John Stockton, two doctors accused of spreading COVID-19 misinformation and an organization founded by presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr./WAAG
Collaborating for cleaner water: The next step for the Spokane River.
In 2004, the State of Washington listed the Spokane River as impaired for toxics because it was contaminated with chemicals called polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs. This listing made it clear that improving the water quality of the Spokane River was essential./DOE
New rulemaking effort aims to keep toxics out of cosmetics.
Goal is to reduce inhalation and skin contact with carcinogenic chemicals
OLYMPIA –
Makeup, cosmetics and other personal care products can sometimes contain toxic chemicals. Since these products are used on skin, hair or sometimes teeth, those toxics pose a special concern for protecting people’s health. In 2023, the Washington Legislature passed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (TFCA) to reduce these exposures, and now the Washington Department of Ecology is taking action to identify and restrict the use of chemicals that can release toxic formaldehyde./DOE
Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington June 8-9
OLYMPIA – For one weekend, anglers across the state can fish for many species without a license. This year, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) annual Free Fishing Weekend event will take place June 8-9, 2024./WDFW
2) NEWS FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION:
KILMER ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $18 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR CULVERT RESTORATION ACROSS WASHINGTON’S SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded $18.4 million in new federal funding to four fish passage restoration projects in Washington’s Sixth District. This funding, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act, aims to restore aquatic access to healthy habitats through the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal program and the Restoring Priority Tribal Fish Passage through Barrier Removal program. These grants are part of nearly $75 million in funding for Washington state projects – including $39.4 million for Tribes – to help remove fish barriers, improve fish passages, and protect critical habitats./press release issued 5/23/24
KILMER ANNOUNCES HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN TRIBAL HOUSING ACROSS WASHINGTON’S SIXTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
TACOMA, WA – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded a total of more than $21.5 million in federal funds through the Indian Housing Block Grant Program to Tribes in Washington’s Sixth Congressional District to support Tribal housing projects. These funds may be used for affordable housing activities, including new housing construction, rehabilitation, housing services, and more./ Press release issued 5/22/24
Cantwell Introduces Bill to Boost AI Education
Bill would create student scholarships, fellowships for professional development, AI guidance for K-12 teachers & new AI education hubs at community colleges/ from press release issued 5/23/24
Cantwell Introduces Bill to Boost AI Education
Bill would create student scholarships, fellowships for professional development, AI guidance for K-12 teachers & new AI education hubs at community colleges
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a senior member of the Commerce Committee, today introduced the bipartisan NSF AI Education Act of 2024 to expand scholarship and professional development opportunities to study artificial intelligence and quantum with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF)./ press release issued 5/23/24
Senators Murray, Tillis Introduce New Bipartisan Bill to Ensure All Purple Heart Recipients Can Transfer Benefits to Dependents
Legislation led by Murray—daughter of a Purple Heart veteran—was inspired by a Washington state veteran who wrote into Murray’s office about a loophole in the law denying GI bill benefit transferability to certain Purple Heart veterans/press release issued 5/23/24
Senator Murray Chairs Hearing on Department of Energy’s Budget, Underscores: We Cannot Cut Investments Without Ceding Ground./ press release issued 5/22/24
3) WORLD< NATION< BUSINESS
Security Council Calls for Strengthening Africa’s Role in Addressing Global Security, Development Challenges, Adopting Presidential Statement ahead of Day-long Debate
The Security Council today unanimously adopted a presidential statement aimed at strengthening the role of African countries in addressing global security and development challenges, as speakers debated the intricate and complex dynamics between peace and development in those States and across their continent./UN PRESS RELEASE
General Assembly Adopts Resolution on Srebrenica Genocide, Designating International Day of Reflection, Commemoration
Many Decry ‘Politicized’ Nature of Text, Note Action May Exacerbate Tensions
The General Assembly today adopted a resolution on the Srebrenica genocide, designating 11 July as the “International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica”, to be observed annually, amid a flurry of abstentions and votes against the measure, including from Serbia, which decried the “highly politicized” nature of the resolution./UN PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Peacekeepers ‘Embody Humanity’s Highest Ideal — Peace’, Says Secretary-General in Message for International Day/UN PRESS RELEASE
Explanation of Vote Following the Adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel/ USUN
Opening Remarks Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on the FY25 Department of State Budget Request/US STATE DEPT.
NATION:
Statement from President Joe Biden on $7.7 Billion in Student Debt Cancellation for 160,000 Borrowers/WH
More Than 1 Million Pounds of Aid Moved Into Gaza Via DOD's Temporary Pier.
U.S. forces have facilitated the transfer of more than 1 million pounds of humanitarian assistance into Gaza via the Defense Department's Joint Logistics, Over-the-Shore pier, a senior military official said today./DOD
Doctor Convicted of Nearly $2M Medicare and Medicaid Fraud Scheme.
A federal jury convicted a Nevada doctor yesterday for his role in defrauding Medicare and Medicaid of nearly $2 million./DOJ
CDC warns of Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard poultry flocks/CDC
HUD Finalizes Deal to Promote Energy Efficiency Climate Resilience and Housing Affordability for California Families as Part of President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda
Transaction funded by Inflation Reduction Act enhances green features and climate resilience measures for renovation of affordable rental housing in Glendale, California./HUD
BUSINESS:
Biden-Harris Administration Invests in Domestic Fertilizer Projects to Strengthen American Farms and Businesses./ USDA
Remarks by Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen Ahead of Roundtable with CEOs of German Banks in Frankfurt, Germany/US TREASURY
Former Venezuelan Military Official Sentenced for Money Laundering and Bribery Scheme/DOJ
Some Thoughts on r*: Why Did It Fall and Will It Rise?
Governor Christopher J. Waller/the FED
Department of Treasury, IRS and Department of Energy announce opening date for the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit new allocation round/IRS
IN FOCUS & LOCAL MEETINGS
IN FOCUS: WA Tribes to Receive $39.4 Million to Remove Fish Barriers, Restore Salmon Habitat
Funding will pay to remove culverts that block salmon from habitat in Clallam, Thurston, Kitsap, Mason, Skagit, Snohomish, Yakima, and Cowlitz counties.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) announced that the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced $39.4 million in funding for nine projects in the State of Washington to remove fish passage barriers like small dams and culverts, open salmon and steelhead migration routes, and allow more salmon to return to their natural spawning grounds. These funds come from the NOAA Fish Passage through Barrier Removal grant program, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
"Habitat restoration works, and these projects will help boost the salmon and steelhead runs our tribes and our regional economy depend on,” said Sen. Cantwell. “These grants will make lasting and meaningful improvements to habitat, including for Puget Sound Chinook stocks that orcas need to thrive. Removing fish barriers will also boost endangered Upper Columbia River Chinook and threatened Upper Columbia steelhead.”
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Sen. Cantwell secured $2.855 billion in the BIL for programs that could fund salmon and ecosystem restoration, representing the single largest investment in salmon recovery in history. This also includes her $1 billion National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program, the first federal program devoted entirely to culverts removal to improve fish passage.
All nine projects in Washington state will be led by or completed in partnership with tribes. Together, these projects will help recover habitats for endangered migratory fish and support the sustainability of commercial, recreational, and tribal fisheries. Nationally, NOAA awarded $240 million for 46 passage projects, and 40% of the recommended projects were led or supported by tribes. Today’s announcement builds on the $166 million awarded in 2022 in the first round of funding. There will be one more round of NOAA fish passage barrier removal projects to come under the BIL.
The following organizations in Washington state will receive funding for fish passage projects:
North Puget Sound:
Tulalip Tribes – $9.2 million:
Funding will help the Tulalip Tribes to remove multiple fish passage barriers at priority streams in the Stillaguamish and Snohomish Basins. These barrier removals will allow threatened Puget Sound Chinook and steelhead, as well as Puget Sound coho, to access significant habitat that also benefits Southern resident orcas.
Sen. Cantwell wrote a letter of support for this project in January 2024.
Skagit River System Cooperative – $3.3 million
Funding will help the Skagit River System Cooperative remove or replace seven culverts that block fish passage in the Skagit and Samish watersheds and asses the feasibility of one additional fish passage project. This project will support tribal capacity to develop and engage in fish passage projects and provide a hands-on opportunity for tribal members and youth to participate in habitat restoration.
South Puget Sound:
Squaxin Island Tribe – $6.4 million:
Funding will help the Squaxin Island Tribe remove the 5th Avenue Dam across the mouth of the Deschutes River which at one time created Capitol Lake. Removing the dam and restoring the estuary will help recover habitat for threatened Puget Sound Chinook. The project will also support tribal capacity to expand their barrier removal efforts and engage in salmon recovery planning in South Puget Sound.
Nisqually Indian Tribe – $5.8 million:
Funding will allow the Nisqually Indian Tribe to remove and replace a culvert that is completely blocking fish passage on Brighton Creek, a tributary of the Nisqually River. The new channel-spanning culvert will allow threatened Puget Sound steelhead and Chinook salmon to reach high-quality habitat. The new channel-spanning culvert project will include a wildlife crossing and help reduce flood risks and provide opportunities for further native plant restoration in the area.
Olympic Peninsula:
Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe – $2.2 million:
Funding will allow the Port Gable S’Klallam Tribe to improve juvenile steelhead passage at the floating Hood Canal Bridge. The Tribe will develop a plan to address near-term solutions and evaluate the possibility of eventually replacing the bridge.
Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe – $1.4 million:
Funding will help remove one of the last remaining fish passage barriers in the Ennis Creek watershed by replacing a culvert under a city road in Port Angeles with a bridge. The new bridge will benefit threatened Puget Sound steelhead, bull trout, and Chinook salmon. The bridge will reduce road maintenance costs and risks of road failure and flooding.
Central WA:
Yakama Nation – $3.1 million:
Funding will replace a barrier comprised of three culverts with a bridge to address the last remaining fish passage barrier on Brush Creek in the Klickitat Watershed. This project will support threatened Mid-Columbia River steelhead as well as additional migratory species. Funding will also help the Yakama Nation increase capacity by supporting new staff positions focused on fish passage efforts in the Yakima and Klickitat watersheds.
Yakama Nation – $3 million in the first year, up to $6.1 million total over three years:
Funding will allow the Yakama Nation to relocate a portion of a state highway to improve fish passage, reduce roadway flooding, and reconnect habitat for salmon and steelhead. This section of Route 207 currently restricts migratory fish access to half of the floodplain. This project will reconnect 13 acres of floodplain habitat in a highly important area for the spawning and rearing of endangered Upper Columbia spring-run Chinook and threatened Upper Columbia steelhead.
Southwest WA:
Cowlitz Indian Tribe – $1.9 million:
Funding will allow the Cowlitz Indian Tribe to remove the last remaining fish passage barrier and an abandoned railroad crossing on Ostrander Creek, a tributary of the lower Cowlitz River. This project will benefit multiple species of steelhead and salmon and help reduce the risk of downstream flooding.
CLALLAM MEETINGS:
Clallam County Commission meeting for 5/28/24
https://www.clallamcountywa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_05282024-1197
City of Port Angeles Council meeting for 5/28/24
https://www.cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/14897/05282024-Work-Session-CFP
City of Sequim Council meeting for 5/28/24
https://sequimwa.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=165
City of Forks Council meeting for 5/28/24
https://forkswashington.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Agenda-20240528.pdf
Port of Port Angeles Commission meeting for 5/28/24
https://portofpa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Comm-Pkt-5-28-24.pdf
School Board Forum.
Meeting
May 28, 2024 - PASD Community Forum
Category
Location/Time
Subject
Port Angeles High School - 304 Park Ave -Cafeteria - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Type: Information
JEFFERSON COUNTY MEETINGS:
Jefferson County Commission meeting for 5/28/24
https://media.avcaptureall.cloud/meeting/43ba839e-26f2-4684-b9e0-5b3a8f55182e
Weekly devotional
BIBLE VERSE: James 1:19 (New International Version)
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
Weekly Bible Lesson:
Jesus Is Joined to Salvation - Part 1
We have already seen that God has joined Himself to this universe, that God is the creator of all things. We have seen that God has joined Himself to the Bible, that God is the author of this book, and the evidences are overwhelming to show that this is the case. And, we have seen that God has joined Himself to Jesus, that God and Jesus are one. In John 10:30, Jesus said that He and the Father are one; they are one in nature, one in purpose, one in doctrine. No man can come to God except through Jesus Christ.--TFTW
https://truthfortheworld.org/jesus-is-joined-to-salvation-part-1
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 WEEKS VIDEOS
How Tulsi Gabbard Went from Bernie Sanders Supporter to Possible Trump VP.
How did former Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard go from endorsing Bernie Sanders to allegedly being on Donald Trump’s vice-presidential shortlist? Tulsi, who recently released her newest book, "For Love of Country," joins Glenn to explain what all changed. She addresses the rumors about whether she’s talked to Trump about being VP and whether she’d join his administration as Secretary of Defense. Plus, she lays out the 2 most critical questions that voters should be asking when choosing between Trump and Biden in the election.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeWFpjioa90
Sunday Worship Service 05/19/2024 FOUR LAKES C. of C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PksI07rJUSE
NIGHT OWL COMICS
https://pjrnightowlcomics.blogspot.com/
