Cascadia today: Who is Katie Wilson? + First Nations slam pipeline proposal + good luck Seattle Mariners! ⚾

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A profile of mayoral candidate Katie Wilson

The Stranger has a detailed interview with Seattle mayoral candidate Katie Wilson, who's the child of academics and has had a varied career in everything from construction to activism. As founder and general secretary of the Transit Riders Union, Wilson succeeded in passing minimum wage bills in south King County, advocating against bus route closures, and passed legislation increasing renters' rights. Speaking of victories, a loud and quick campaign by transit riders pushed the city of Seattle to backpedal on a plan to eliminate a bus lane on Capitol Hill, the Urbanist reports.

When we fight, we win.

Alberta premier wants to build oil pipeline to BC

Alberta premier Danielle Smith announced this week that her government supports building another oil pipeline from the tar sands in her province to the northwest coast of British Columbia, CBC reports. BC premier David Eby quickly opposed the proposal, criticizing it for being "entirely taxpayer-funded, has no private sector proponent, is not a real project, and is incredibly alarming to British Columbians, including First Nations along the coast." First Nations in BC quickly condemned the project:

"Any proposal to ram a new oil pipeline through to B.C.'s North Coast is a direct assault on the inherent and constitutionally protected title and rights of the First Nations who steward these lands and waters," – Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs

In related news, the Narwhal reports on how the new, noisy LNG export facility at Kitimat, on the northwest coast of British Columbia, is causing sleeplessness nights, air pollution, and potentially increased risk of asthma.

Cleanup of highly toxic waste at Hanford may start soon

KUOW reports on how the long-delayed and extremely costly plan to glassify toxic waste at the Hanford nuclear site in central Washington may finally get underway soon. The project will turn 56 million gallons of highly radioactive sludge into log-shaped glass ingots, which will then be buried 45 feet below ground. The project is expected to take at least 40 years to complete.

Seattle Mariners to face Detroit Tigers in playoffs

KUOW interviews Seattle Mariners manager Dan Wilson about the team's stellar season and the stand-out playing by catcher Cal Raleigh, who hit 60 home runs this season. Cascadia's sole major league baseball team has only been to the playoffs one other time in the past twenty years, so this is a big deal. And nice to see former players Edgar Martinez and Ichiro Suzuki serving as coaches to the team. Best of luck this weekend against the Detroit Tigers!

--Andrew Engelson