By Jake Goldstein-Street | Reporter
Nine whales were reported to be entangled in fishing equipment last year in Washington waters, according to a new report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Reports nationwide are up over 50% from 2024, with the vast majority coming from four Pacific coastal states: California, Alaska, Hawaii and Washington.
Also in today’s edition…
• A ballot measure to make English the official language in Idaho.
• Trump administration aims to fast-track oil exploration.
• And, election betting is booming as states aim to regulate.
News tips, feedback, questions? Email us: [email protected]
Washington state is home to the only team federally authorized to lead a full response to whale entanglement in the Pacific Northwest. (Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries/Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program)
By Aspen Ford
Responding to whale entanglements is a dangerous and highly skilled job. Olympia is home to the only team in the Pacific Northwest federally authorized to lead whale entanglement responses.
“The whales never know that we’re helping,” said Jenn Tackaberry, co-director of the Cascadia Research Collective's response team. “If you think about it, the whales are having one of the worst days of their life.”
By Kyle Pfannenstiel
In this year’s general election on Nov. 3, Idaho voters will decide on whether to enshrine in the state’s constitution that English is the state’s official language. Almost 20 years ago, state lawmakers there passed a law to make English the state’s official language. That law, which is still on the books, requires English to be used as “the sole language of government.” But it lists many exceptions to its requirement that government documents be in English, such as for law enforcement or for “public health and safety needs,” to ensure public schools can teach students who are learning English and to ensure colleges and so universities can “pursue educational purposes.”
By Yereth Rosen
Seismic surveys, well drilling, ice road construction and other wintertime oil exploration activities on federal lands on the western North Slope will no longer be subject to case-by-case environmental evaluation, under a new rule from the Trump administration.
By Jonathan Shorman
On the two leading prediction market sites, Kalshi and Polymarket, individuals can put money down on the outcome of a wide array of races and related questions, like whether Kansas or Nebraska’s U.S. Senate races will have a larger margin of victory. That includes which party will control Congress following the midterm elections. On Friday morning, the Democratic Party had a 90% chance of winning the U.S. House on Polymarket.
These prediction markets have emerged as a flashpoint in state and federal relations, as a host of states struggle with the Trump administration over who has authority to regulate the platforms and whether state laws restricting gambling apply to them. While much of the fight centers on the future of sports betting, a growing number of state officials fear the sites are opening the door to a new era of gambling on elections — a practice many states have long prohibited.
ICYMI
Allegations of racial bias swirl around embattled state agency | by Jake Goldstein-Street
COMMENTARY: Washington congressional race blankets Oregon airwaves | by Randy Stapilus
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