The idiotic, dangerous right wing insurrection against the people and government of the United States in rural Oregon appears to be almost over. The Oregonian
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Offering asides, recommended links, blogworthy quotations, and more, In Brief is the Northwest Progressive Institute's microblog of world, national, and local politics.
The idiotic, dangerous right wing insurrection against the people and government of the United States in rural Oregon appears to be almost over. The Oregonian
LaunchThe Detroit Free Press reports: “The FBI is now investigating the contamination of Flint’s drinking water, a man-made public health catastrophe, which has left an unknown number of Flint children and other residents poisoned by lead and resulted in state and federal emergency declarations.”
LaunchU.S. Highway 101 has become impassable through the town of Harbor, Oregon, because the road has disappeared into a giant sinkhole. Drivers will have to detour around for some time to come while ODOT figures out a fix for the highway. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation).
LaunchOne Oregon militant dead, several others taken into custody by police after traffic stop Several of the ringleaders of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge occupation
Launch“According to newly released emails concerns over the water were dismissed by officials who blamed mayor for exploiting public panic,” The Guardian reports.
LaunchThe Christian Science Monitor explains why people are getting sick (and dying) from drinking the tap water in Flint, Michigan. The problems started after the City of Flint, at the behest of the Republican-controlled state government, switched its source of drinking water in an attempt to cut costs.
LaunchThe New York Times explores why so many of America’s automobile dealers seem reluctant to sell electric cars to the traveling public. One big reason: Electric cars have fewer complex parts than cars with internal combustion engines, which means they need less service and maintenance over their lifespans.
LaunchGreat news from Sound Transit: The tunnel boring machine known as “Brenda” bored through the wall of Sound Transit’s future University District light rail station
LaunchWe’re all in this together — that’s what it says to me. I’m more in love with Seattle than ever. — Professional photographer Anthony Posey
LaunchAwful: People are getting shot by toddlers on a weekly basis this year The Washington Post’s Christopher Ingraham has come to an incredibly disturbing conclusion
LaunchPlanned Parenthood of the Great Northwest’s facility in Pullman, Washington (the home of Washington State University) was severely damaged by fire earlier today. Fire investigators have now concluded the blaze was deliberately set, no doubt by right wing militant extremists who want to destroy the organization.
LaunchCWA zings Verizon for putting profits ahead of its promises to workers and customers The Communications Workers of America are once again taking Verizon to
LaunchThe Flooding of America The New Republic offers a chronology of major floods in America going back to the publication’s founding, complete with stories from
LaunchThe housecleaning of the King County Sheriff’s Department continues: King County Sheriff John Urquhart has fired a sergeant who, according to an internal investigation, falsely
LaunchPresident Barack Obama has responded to Governor Jay Inslee’s request for federal assistance and put his signature to an order authorizing federal resources to help
LaunchPresident Barack Obama’s staff have briefed him on the dangerous wildfires burning throughout the western United States, including in Washington, the White House says. From
LaunchWhen fire chief called for help, and no one was left “It was a costly and deeply personal battle waged on home turf, with two
LaunchThe sad thing is, I can tell you absolutely that immediately following the next big earthquake, after these old buildings fall down, there will be
LaunchThe New Yorker takes notice of earthquake science that suggests the Pacific Northwest could be in grave danger The words Cascadia Subduction Zone may be
LaunchOpen letter to Jeff Bezos: Seattle transit could use Amazon’s help Seattle Transit Riders union leader Katie Wilson urges Amazon’s chief executive to step up
LaunchFrom Sound Transit: “A light rail train makes a test run from Capitol Hill Station to the University of Washington Station as part of the first phase of train testing for the University Link light rail extension from downtown Seattle to the University of Washington. The 3.1-mile underground extension opens in early 2016, ahead of schedule and $150 million under budget.”
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