Will you be able to see Friday’s planetary alignment in western Washington?

You may recall that we had six planets in the sky at one time during the evenings in late January, but this time we will have all seven planets.

Excerpt from KING-5 TV News, NBC Seattle:

The next few nights we’re going to see a parade of planets just after sunset. All seven of the other planets will be in the sky for a short time after sunset. You may recall that we had six planets in the sky at one time during the evenings in late January, but this time we will have all seven planets.

From the Earth’s perspective, the other planets are all on the same side of the sun and are visible shortly after sunset. However, seeing all seven planets may be a challenge, three of the planets may be lost in the glare of the sun from below the horizon.

Find a place with a clear view of the western horizon and where you can see the sky to the south and southeast. If you hope to see the dimmer planets you will need a small telescope or strong binoculars, but don’t try to use them until the sun is totally set and the sky starts to darken.

Click here to read the full story.

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+ Wired: Something Unexpected Is Spewing Stars Into the Milky Way – Fast-moving stars in the Milky Way indicate there could be a supermassive black hole in the neighboring Large Magellanic Cloud—something that has never been detected in a smaller galaxy.

+BBC: Seven planets to be visible in night sky for last time until 2040

Skywatchers are in for a treat this week as seven planets – Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Venus, Neptune, Mercury, and Saturn will all be briefly visible in the evening sky.

This phenomenon, known as a ‘planetary parade’ is a rare sight, and it will be the last time seven planets can be seen simultaneously so well until 2040.

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Four of the planets – Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, and Mars – will be visible to the naked eye. Saturn will be harder to see because it will be low in the horizon. You will need a telescope to spot the other two planets – Uranus and Neptune.

Elected Officials Town Hall: Engaging with Your Representatives

Excerpt from the City of Yelm on Facebook:

Join us for an informative and engaging Elected Officials Town Hall, where community members will have the opportunity to hear directly from their representatives at the local, state, and federal levels. This event provides a platform for residents to ask questions, share concerns, and gain insight into key issues affecting our community.

Elected officials will share current initiatives, legislative priorities, and upcoming projects while addressing topics that matter most to constituents. This town hall serves as a vital forum for civic engagement, fostering transparency and collaboration between government leaders and the public.

Date: Thursday, March 20, 2025

Location: Yelm Community Center

Time: 6:30-8 pm

This event is free and open to the public. Community participation is encouraged, and attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance.

Don’t miss this chance to connect with your elected officials and be part of the conversation shaping our future!

Consumers are planning a one-day economic blackout on Feb. 28. Here’s what to know.

Excerpt from USA Today:

Consumers are preparing for a 24-hour economic blackout on Friday, one of several boycotts planned by groups of consumers or activists to protest what they call corporate greed, companies that have rolled back their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and President Donald Trump’s efforts to eliminate federal DEI programs since taking office.

On Friday, those groups are encouraging consumers to not spend any money anywhere for one day. If they have spend, they are encouraged to buy from a local business. 

Why do organizers seek a spending boycott?

The organizer of the boycott goes by TheOneCalledJai on Instagram, but his real name is John Schwarz. He told USA TODAY he started the “bold” idea because the time was right and people are frustrated with what he calls corporate greed and other frustrations.  

The one-day action has since been expanded by The People’s Union, the organization Schwarz started. It includes boycotts of various companies and retailers during different time periods including Amazon (March 7-14), Nestle (March 21-28), Walmart (April 7-14) and a second broader one-day economic blackout on April 18.

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Consumers are boycotting major retailers

Here’s what they plan for ‘blackout’ on Feb. 28

The movement encourages Latino Americans to shop only for essentials and to be thoughtful about where to buy with a focus on supporting “Latino American, Black American and Allied American Businesses that are supportive to this movement.”

The Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network also have held a few “buy-cotts” to bring supporters to Costco to spend money in support of the company’s board of directors, which voted down an effort to drop DEI initiatives.

The National Action Network also said in a news release that it would lead “a strategic boycott in the next 90 days of two companies that have dropped their DEI commitments amid public pressure.” No details have been released.

Click here to read the full story.

• Editor’s note: Elon Musk’s Dept. of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been anything but efficient.
• DOGE has done nothing to boost efficiency, rather created chaos in axing the workforce.
• “Pain” is being felt around the country with the uncertainty causing less spending in local businesses. Yelm is now feeling the blow-back, too.

DOGE has been called out for errors and over-statement of savings when little existed

+ Truthout: Staffers Resign En Masse From DOGE, Refusing to Help Musk “Dismantle” Services “We will not lend our expertise to carry out or legitimize DOGE’s actions,” the staffers wrote.

+ The Wrap via yahoo!: 21 DOGE Staffers Resign as They Refuse to ‘Dismantle Critical Public Services’

+ The New York Times: DOGE Quietly Deletes the 5 Biggest Spending Cuts It Celebrated Last Week – The cuts, highlighted on an earlier version of the “wall of receipts” posted by Elon Musk’s team, contained mistakes that vastly inflated the amount of money saved.

+ NBC News via CNBC: Dozens of DOGE ‘receipts’ saved no money and killed contracts meant to boost efficiency

+ MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow [Feb. 25, 2025]: Busted: DOGE humiliated by brutal fact-checking, walks back bogus savings claims – Elon Musk’s DOGE team removed key items from its “wall of receipts” after journalists fact-checked their boasts of billions in savings from cuts to federal programs and exposed sloppy errors and outright falsehoods.

+ The Washington Post: DOGE to cancel government contracts that help veterans, records show

+ The Seattle Times: VA pauses billions in cuts lauded by Musk as lawmakers and veterans decry loss of critical care

+ MSNBC via MSN: DOGE cuts are rattling GOP lawmakers as angry constituents flood town halls

+ Rolling Stone: GOP Leaders Advise Lawmakers to Simply Stop Hosting Town Halls: Report

+ CNBC: House Republicans hit the brakes on town halls after blowback over Trump’s cuts

+ MSNBC: ‘Anxiety is showing up in the markets.’ Wall Street getting antsy about Trump economy

+ CNBC: Federal job cuts disrupt a stable retirement picture for many workers, including Black Americans

+ CNBC: Weekly jobless claims jump to 242,000, more than expected in latest sign of economic softening

+ YouTube: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD.) lays out in brutal detail on-the-record to Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) how Musk has no oversight from Congress

WA lawmakers consider bills to boost state’s recycling rate: ‘There’s opportunity to do more’

HB 1017, sponsored by state Rep. Jake Fey, a Tacoma Democrat, was heard Saturday in the House Appropriations Committee.

Excerpt from The News Tribune (Tacoma) via The Chronicle (Centralia):

Truckloads of materials — aluminum cans, cardboard, old newspaper — are carted into Pioneer Recycling Services’ facility in Tacoma. These items are sorted with the help of workers and machines, then compacted into bales.

The facility operates like a well-oiled machine. But confusion abounds among state residents about what can and can’t be recycled.

Rick Vahl, government affairs manager for the waste-management company Waste Connections, met with McClatchy for a tour of the Tacoma-based facility on a gloomy morning in January. The day before, Vahl had testified in support of a bill aimed at clearing up that confusion and increasing recycling rates.

Washingtonians inherently understand that they should try to repurpose as many materials as possible, he said: “We take ownership in our environment and where we live, so recycling fits right in that fold.”

But Vahl wants to see more education about which items are recycle-friendly.

“Quite frankly, it’s easy to put (recyclable material) in a bin at your house and be thankful that it’s gone when you get home at the end of the day — whether it’s school or work, it’s gone,” Vahl said. “But where did it go?”

On Feb. 11, House Bill 1071 was unanimously passed out of the lower chamber’s Environment and Energy Committee. It was then heard Feb. 22 in the House Appropriations Committee.

The bill would require producers of certain plastic packaging and paper products to report to and register with the state Department of Ecology concerning the distribution and sale of such products. The department would also be required to conduct a recycling-system needs assessment.

In addition, the agency would publish and update two statewide lists of what is suitable for drop-off and curbside collections.

The curbside list would include items such as newspaper, magazines, tin, aluminum, corrugated cardboard, and HDPE and PETE plastic containers. The drop-off collection list would feature flexible plastic and glass.

“This is going jurisdiction by jurisdiction, company by company, anybody that’s involved in the recycling process, getting it all in one place to understand that baseline information,” Vahl said. “We’ve looked at different solutions, but this needs assessment will help us understand the problem.”

State Rep. Jake Fey, a Tacoma Democrat, is HB 1071’s prime sponsor. The bill would help spell out what investments are needed to reach higher recycling rates while taking into account the state’s varied geography.

“We’re one of the highest states now, close to 50%, in recycling compared to other states in the country,” Fey told McClatchy. “But we want to do more, right? There’s opportunity to do more.”

In 2021, roughly 49% of waste generated in Washington wound up being recovered via recycling, composting or other beneficial uses, according to the Department of Ecology.

Fey’s bill would direct the Ecology to create an advisory committee with duties such as “the formation of a task force to make recommendations on misleading recyclability claims.” The proposed law would take effect 90 days after the legislative session adjourns.

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HB 1607 was scheduled for a public hearing on Monday afternoon in the House Appropriations Committee.

Click here to read the full story.

© 2025 The News Tribune (Tacoma, Wash.). Visit www.TheNewsTribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The pillars of a free democracy crumbling in front of us as in 1930s Germany

New York Times reporter Peter Baker says Trump handling press like Soviet Kremlin

• Editor’s note: White House Press Pool now under Trump’s control
• “[Peter] Baker and his wife, Susan Glasser, were bureau chiefs in Moscow for four years chronicling the rise of Vladimir Putin, the rollback of Russian democracy, the Second Chechen War, and the Beslan school hostage crisis, quoting Wikipedia.

+ The News York Times reporter Peter Baker: In Trump’s Alternate Reality, Lies and Distortions Drive Change – Condoms for Gaza? Ukraine started the war with Russia? The president’s manipulations of the truth lay the groundwork for radical change.

+ Truthout: Trump Administration Seizes Control Over White House Press Pool in Chilling Move – “In a free country, leaders must not be able to choose their own press corps,” the White House press group said.

+ Rear Clear Politics: NYT’s Peter Baker: “We Don’t Really Have A Very Convincing Answer” As To Why Trump Is Attracted To Putin, He Loves Strongmen

+ MSNBC: Trump’s ‘lies and distortions’ meant to drive policy changes: NYT reporter

+ The Hill: NYT reporter says Trump handling press like Soviet Kremlin

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Trump goes after law firm representing former Special Counsel Jack Smith

+ Huff Post: Trump Takes Action Against Law Firm Representing Jack Smith [Ed. note: Trump weaponizes the U. S. Attorney General and other agencies to

+ UPI: Trump targets law firm connected to ex-special counsel Jack Smith with executive order

+ Fox News: Trump strips security clearances from law firm tied to Jack Smith cases – The memo orders the government to review and terminate the engagement of the firm to the ‘maximum extent permitted by law,’ following news of its ties to Smith

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Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos pivots opinion section away from traditional broad focus

+ The Washington Post: Post owner Bezos announces shift in opinions section; Shipley to leave – In an email and social media post, Jeff Bezos outlined dramatic changes to The Washington Post’s opinions section and announced that opinions editor David Shipley has resigned.

+ Huff Post via yahoo!: Jeff Bezos Overhauls Washington Post Editorial Pages, Opinion Editor Exits

+ PBS: Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos says opinion pages will defend free market and personal liberties

+ Huff Post: ‘Fearful Of Trump’: Marty Baron Blasts ‘Craven’ Jeff Bezos After Washington Post Shift

+ CNBC: Musk praises Bezos’ new rules for Washington Post opinion pages as top editor resigns

+ Raw Story: Washington Post opinion chief quits as Bezos makes new editorial demands

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Are judges next?

+ Fox News: ‘Punishment to the nation’: Georgia GOP Rep. Andrew Clyde on drafting articles of impeachment against federal judges blocking Trump agenda. Rep. Andrew Clyde spoke about working on articles of impeachment against judge John McConnell, who is overseeing one of Trump’s federal suits & how he hopes Congress will join his efforts in honing in on judges blocking Trump’s agenda in the courts

+ Joyce Vance, former U.S. Attorney for the Northern Alabama district: When They Come for the Judges – Calling for judges to be impeached just because you don’t like their decisions is nothing short of anti-constitutional.

Experience nature like never before with RailCycle Mt. Rainier.

Excerpt from Rail Cycle Mt. Rainier:

RailCycle Mt. Rainier is an exciting new way to explore the foothills of Mt. Rainier. Pedal along a historic logging railroad, enjoying forest and mountain views on our custom-designed four-seat RailCycles. Our RailCycles are easy to pedal, departing from Eatonville, on the road to Mt. Rainier National Park, RailCycle riders travel 1.5 miles to a scenic turnaround spot for a 35-minute layover, before the return trip.

RailCycle Mt. Rainier is a family-friendly pedal-powered rail bike excursion that offers a unique way to experience the Pacific Northwest’s rich history of logging and railroading while experiencing stunning views of lush pastures and forestland.

Learn More

Yelm Dollars for Scholars 30th Annual Auction just ahead

From Dollars For Scholars:

Yelm Dollars for Scholars Online Auction opens at 5 p.m. February 28th, register NOW to get notices. The online auction will be open until 8 p.m. March 7th. We have some great online auction items such as outings and experiences, overnight get-aways, sports packages, gift certificates and much more!

Get your ticket to attend the Live Auction and Dinner on March 8th before it’s sold out! Don’t miss the excitement of our world renowned auctioneer Danny Schorno and master ofceremonies J.W. Foster. We have some exciting live auction items this year such as a ride-along with Sheriff Sanders, weekend get-aways, game play for the Yelm High School football team and a judges position at the Nisqually Valley BBQ rally plus much more!

Sneak peek of the Auction is available February 24th. Visit our auction site HERE!

This is your last chance to be a sponsor! Contact us at yelmdollarsforscholars@gmail.com if you are interested!

Purchase Tickets

Event Information

30th Annual Dinner and Auction

When?

Saturday, Mar 8, 2025, 05:00 PM

Where?

Lake Lawrence Community Club, Topaz Drive Southeast, Yelm, WA, USA

First wildfire protection plan in Thurston County coming in 2025

Excerpt from The JOLT News:

Driven by rising wildfire concerns, Thurston County is launching its first-ever protection plan under the leadership of Thurston Conservation District (TCD). 

The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) is slated for completion this year. It will establish a coordinated strategy to reduce wildfire risks across South Thurston County, with potential expansion northward. 

The TCD is expected to work with state, federal and local partners to develop the plan, described as a “collaborative process” to reshape how the region anticipates, mitigates and responds to wildfires over the next decade. 

What the CWPP addresses

The CWPP will serve as a blueprint for wildfire resilience and interagency collaboration to pinpoint fire risks and execute mitigation strategies. 

The plan will zero in on high-risk zones, including telecommunications towers, schools, neighborhoods with fragile evacuation routes, and other vulnerable infrastructure. 

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Public engagement 

As stated by the TCD, community participation is central to the CWPP’s development. Multiple opportunities are available for residents to weigh in on fire preparedness strategies and voice local concerns. 

An upcoming community engagement meeting is scheduled on Wednesday, March 5, at Littlerock Fire Station, 10828 Littlerock Road SW in Olympia.

The session is open to the public and will feature discussions on wildfire defense strategies, family-friendly activities and refreshments. 

Further opportunities for stakeholder involvement are scheduled throughout 2025: 

• Tuesday, March 25 – Stakeholder Meeting #3 
• April – Stakeholder Meeting #4 
• May/June 2025 – Community Engagement Meeting 

Residents are encouraged to RSVP for the March 5 session by emailing Jae Townsend at jtownsend@thurstoncd.com. 

Thurston County to add new voting precincts in response to growing population

Excerpt from The JOLT News:

The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is set to increase the county’s voting precincts to 294 from 287 in response to sustained population growth and municipal annexations.  

The adjustments are outlined in the 2025 Precinct Maintenance Plan, which was detailed during the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) work session on Wednesday, Feb. 12. 

According to the officials, the proposed changes will affect approximately 5,235 registered voters. The changes are expected to be finalized after a public hearing on Tuesday, April 15. 

Under the proposed plan, county officials say seven precincts will be divided in compliance with the state-mandated 1,500-voter limit per precinct. 

The increasing number of voters in many areas, particularly Lacey and Yelm, has necessitated the division of multiple precincts to secure a more balanced electoral system. 

“This is an exercise that we do every year because of city annexations, but mainly because Thurston County is growing so much,” Auditor Mary Hall said. 

She added, “Currently, we have 287 precincts, but by the time we make these changes, we’re going to gain seven and a couple due to annexations.” 

Seven precincts will be split, with some areas creating entirely new voting districts. The changes aim to maintain the 1,500-voter cap, while improving the efficiency of election administration. 

The affected precincts include: 

• Forest will be split along 25th Avenue SE, creating Forest North (784 voters) and Forest South (623 voters). 
• McIntosh, which spans six jurisdictional divisions, will be reorganized into McIntosh East (756 voters) and McIntosh West (692 voters). 
• Sunwood Lakes, Beaver Creek, Lacey 24, Yelm 3 and Yelm 4 will also be divided to better distribute voter populations. 

Click here to read the full story.