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Fatal derailment of Amtrak Cascades train south of Tacoma
The Seattle Times and Associated Press are reporting that at least 6 people were killed and 77 injured in this morning’s derailment of an Amtrak Cascades train south of Tacoma. The train between Seattle and Portland was on the first day of a new route through Tacoma meant to take 20 minutes off travel time. Reports indicate the train was traveling at 81 miles per hour at the time it derailed. We’re continuing to follow live updated reports on the tragic accident at KIRO 7 News.
Port Angeles fish farm loses license, must close immediately
A fish farm run by Cooke Aquaculture in Port Angeles, WA has lost its license and must close immediately, the Seattle Times reports. Washington Department of Natural Resources ordered the closure due to numerous violations. The pens, which contains some 700,000 fish, are owned by the same company that operates a farm near Cyprus Island that accidentally released more than 100,000 non-native fish this summer. Two Republican legislators will introduce a bill banning fish farms in Washington marine waters in the upcoming session.
BC premier on child care, difficult Site C dam decision
The Tyee interviews BC premier John Horgan about the year in politics, and acknowledges going forward with the controversial $11 billion Site C dam left many “profoundly disappointed.” But he’s optimistic the coalition with the Green Party will hold and that the NDP can move forward on campaign promises such as $10-day childcare.
Getting to know Muslims at churches in small WA towns
Crosscut reports on a project to bring together Muslims and Christians at churches in small towns across the Northwest. Aneelah Afzali wears a hijab and has a Harvard Law degree, while Rev. Terry Kyllo is a Lutheran Minister. Afzali notes that the tour in communities that voted for Trump can be transforming. One churchgoer afterwards told her, “You have made me reevaluate the news sources that I listen to.”
A guide to the best books by Vancouver authors
Charlie Smith at the Georgia Straight picks highlights of fiction, non-fiction, and biography by Vancouver authors. Some great last-minute gift ideas here, including David Chariandy’s second novel, Brother, Travis Lupick’s Fighting for Space, an account of Vancouver’s safe injection site, and David Suzuki’s latest book on fighting the climate crisis.
Finding true peace during the holiday season
At the South Seattle Emerald, you can read Georgia McDade’s poem “Real Peace,” a meditation on how social justice provides true peace of mind:
“…Real peace means no war, of course.
But real peace demands so much more
than no war.
Though no war is an excellent
beginning…” That’s all for today from the great Northwest. –Andrew Engelson Photo credits: Amtrak Cascades by Loco Steve CC BY 3.0, cover of Brother courtesy of McClelland & Stewart.