Henry Brannan
@henrybrannan.bsky.social
I cover the Columbia River — plus how it shapes our ecology, economy and lives — for The Columbian, The Daily News and WA’s state-funded Murrow News Fellowship.
Past: Report for America, @PBSNews.org, @StreetRoots.bsky.social.
henry.brannan@columbian.com
Past: Report for America, @PBSNews.org, @StreetRoots.bsky.social.
henry.brannan@columbian.com
Pinned
Henry Brannan
@henrybrannan.bsky.social
· Nov 24
Can Pacific lamprey numbers be restored in the Columbia River Basin? Yakama Nation biologists think so
WOODLAND — Biologist Dave’y Lumley paced the shallow water at the mouth of the Lewis River on an overcast morning late last month. With each step, she carefully scanned the water in front of her, hold
www.columbian.com
25 yrs ago, Pacific Lamprey pops were on the brink of local extinction across the Columbia Basin.
But now, after huge successes around central WA, the Yakama Nation’s recovery project has expanded to SW WA. I spent the day w/ them for the 2nd part of this series:
www.columbian.com/news/2024/oc...
But now, after huge successes around central WA, the Yakama Nation’s recovery project has expanded to SW WA. I spent the day w/ them for the 2nd part of this series:
www.columbian.com/news/2024/oc...
New: Global ag giant Nutrien is looking to build a $500m-$1b Longview fertilizer export plant in 2027, company officials told TDN.
The decision had been seen as a test between the U.S. and Canada of who could offer more to woo investment.
tdn.com/news/local/b...
The decision had been seen as a test between the U.S. and Canada of who could offer more to woo investment.
tdn.com/news/local/b...
Ag giant eyes long-abandoned Longview port Berth 4
Port officials aim to finalize a lease in early 2026 for the $500 million to $1 billion project.
tdn.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
New: Global ag giant Nutrien is looking to build a $500m-$1b Longview fertilizer export plant in 2027, company officials told TDN.
The decision had been seen as a test between the U.S. and Canada of who could offer more to woo investment.
tdn.com/news/local/b...
The decision had been seen as a test between the U.S. and Canada of who could offer more to woo investment.
tdn.com/news/local/b...
This is truly mind boggling... Amazon is the US' 2nd biggest employer and aims to have robots running 75% of its operations. What will happen to the people they employed? What will happen to the US economy as its consumer spending backbone takes this hit?
Amazon's vast and rapid automation goals would result in robots filling hundreds of thousands of jobs within a decade.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/t...
November 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
This is truly mind boggling... Amazon is the US' 2nd biggest employer and aims to have robots running 75% of its operations. What will happen to the people they employed? What will happen to the US economy as its consumer spending backbone takes this hit?
New: Skamania County has tied its previous search and rescue record with more than 2 months left in 2025.
The costly rescues have compounded the county's fiscal crisis and pushed the sheriff to try to fine "reckless or negligent" recreationists who call for rescue.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
The costly rescues have compounded the county's fiscal crisis and pushed the sheriff to try to fine "reckless or negligent" recreationists who call for rescue.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
Skamania County eyes penalties as it ties rescues record of 67 so far this year
Skamania County is on pace to set a new record for search and rescues this year. The 67 rescues conducted so far in 2025 already tie the previous record.
www.columbian.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:26 PM
New: Skamania County has tied its previous search and rescue record with more than 2 months left in 2025.
The costly rescues have compounded the county's fiscal crisis and pushed the sheriff to try to fine "reckless or negligent" recreationists who call for rescue.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
The costly rescues have compounded the county's fiscal crisis and pushed the sheriff to try to fine "reckless or negligent" recreationists who call for rescue.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
The $31b Columbia River shipping industry is feeling the impacts of President Donald Trump’s effort to remake the U.S. economy to be less reliant on imports.
The effects have been mixed for SW WA — leaving uneasiness in the place of the outright fear.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
The effects have been mixed for SW WA — leaving uneasiness in the place of the outright fear.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
SW WA shipping industry feels impacts of Trump’s effort to remake U.S. economy
The $31 billion Columbia River shipping industry is feeling the impacts of President Donald Trump’s effort to remake the U.S. economy to be less reliant on imports.
www.columbian.com
October 21, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The $31b Columbia River shipping industry is feeling the impacts of President Donald Trump’s effort to remake the U.S. economy to be less reliant on imports.
The effects have been mixed for SW WA — leaving uneasiness in the place of the outright fear.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
The effects have been mixed for SW WA — leaving uneasiness in the place of the outright fear.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
New: How do the fish health advisories that inform anglers of the dangers lurking in their catch start?
With a small team of state researchers, and some 911 calls reporting aliens on the water, as it turns out:
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
With a small team of state researchers, and some 911 calls reporting aliens on the water, as it turns out:
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
Ecology researchers work to update Columbia River fish advisories — but face new challenges in climate change
STEVENSON — The harvest moon’s reflection danced through the churning wake of Jakub Bednarek’s 16-foot aluminum jet boat on a recent night along the Columbia River.
www.columbian.com
October 14, 2025 at 10:14 PM
New: How do the fish health advisories that inform anglers of the dangers lurking in their catch start?
With a small team of state researchers, and some 911 calls reporting aliens on the water, as it turns out:
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
With a small team of state researchers, and some 911 calls reporting aliens on the water, as it turns out:
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
1/2 "Never before has so much money been spent so rapidly on a technology that, for all its potential, remains largely unproven as an avenue for profit-making. The recent wave of deals and partnerships involving the two are escalating concerns that an increasingly..
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
OpenAI, Nvidia Fuel $1 Trillion AI Market With Web of Circular Deals
A wave of deals and partnerships are escalating concerns that the trillion-dollar AI boom is being propped up by interconnected business transactions.
www.bloomberg.com
October 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM
1/2 "Never before has so much money been spent so rapidly on a technology that, for all its potential, remains largely unproven as an avenue for profit-making. The recent wave of deals and partnerships involving the two are escalating concerns that an increasingly..
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
New: A ban on commercial huckleberry harvest in Gifford Pinchot this year was a success for conservation and Native nations' treaty-reserved rights.
But with the ban set to expire before next harvest, will the Forest Service continue it?
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
But with the ban set to expire before next harvest, will the Forest Service continue it?
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
Huckleberry harvest thrives after ban — a win for conservation and Native rights in Gifford Pinchot
The first huckleberry season since the U.S. Forest Service banned commercial harvesting in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest was a resounding success for conservation of the berries, as well as Nati
www.columbian.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:18 PM
New: A ban on commercial huckleberry harvest in Gifford Pinchot this year was a success for conservation and Native nations' treaty-reserved rights.
But with the ban set to expire before next harvest, will the Forest Service continue it?
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
But with the ban set to expire before next harvest, will the Forest Service continue it?
www.columbian.com/news/2025/oc...
New: Killing sea lions has become an increasingly popular solution to salmon extinction as agreements fall apart & Trump guts funding.
The 2020 permit allowing the killings generated 22k+ comments, only ~200 in favor. That same permit received 1 comment this month.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
The 2020 permit allowing the killings generated 22k+ comments, only ~200 in favor. That same permit received 1 comment this month.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
Feds greenlight killing more sea lions to protect endangered salmon as controversy fades
The federal permit that allows Northwest states and some Native nations to trap and kill salmon-eating sea lions in the Columbia River was reapproved late last week.
www.columbian.com
September 15, 2025 at 11:41 PM
New: Killing sea lions has become an increasingly popular solution to salmon extinction as agreements fall apart & Trump guts funding.
The 2020 permit allowing the killings generated 22k+ comments, only ~200 in favor. That same permit received 1 comment this month.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
The 2020 permit allowing the killings generated 22k+ comments, only ~200 in favor. That same permit received 1 comment this month.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
New: Last year I covered a 1.1-mile swim across the Columbia, and the characters that made it a cherished tradition.
Along the way, I accidentally promised some of them that I'd join this year... last weekend, after a year of training, I did.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
Along the way, I accidentally promised some of them that I'd join this year... last weekend, after a year of training, I did.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
Dispatches from the field: Columbian’s Columbia River reporter takes a dip into subject matter
CASCADE LOCKS, Ore. — As I stood on the edge of a sternwheeler about a mile out into the Columbia River last weekend, I might have started to question why I thought it would be a good idea to swim acr
www.columbian.com
September 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
New: Last year I covered a 1.1-mile swim across the Columbia, and the characters that made it a cherished tradition.
Along the way, I accidentally promised some of them that I'd join this year... last weekend, after a year of training, I did.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
Along the way, I accidentally promised some of them that I'd join this year... last weekend, after a year of training, I did.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/se...
New: A look at the political tightrope walk that keeps federal $ flowing into the Columbia River shipping system.
The $ is key in keeping the system globally competitive at a time when intl businesses are rethinking trade relationships w/ the US amid growing costs.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
The $ is key in keeping the system globally competitive at a time when intl businesses are rethinking trade relationships w/ the US amid growing costs.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
Southwest WA ports and shipping advocates dodge politics to bring home federal dollars
Ryan Hart was at Portland International Airport last month waiting to board a flight for Washington, D.C., when he saw Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez.
www.columbian.com
August 7, 2025 at 9:47 PM
New: A look at the political tightrope walk that keeps federal $ flowing into the Columbia River shipping system.
The $ is key in keeping the system globally competitive at a time when intl businesses are rethinking trade relationships w/ the US amid growing costs.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
The $ is key in keeping the system globally competitive at a time when intl businesses are rethinking trade relationships w/ the US amid growing costs.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
Reposted by Henry Brannan
The bird flu virus that has beset dairy farms since early last year may be spreading through the air in so-called milking parlors and through contaminated wastewater
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/h...
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/h...
Bird Flu May Be Airborne on Dairy Farms, Scientists Report
www.nytimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 10:02 PM
The bird flu virus that has beset dairy farms since early last year may be spreading through the air in so-called milking parlors and through contaminated wastewater
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/h...
(Gift link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/h...
New: Emergency response and tsunami modeling officials said this week's 8.8 quake off Russia's Pacific coast is a warning to the PNW about its own looming megaquakes — and the need for the region to prepare.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
‘Wake-up call’: Officials say giant Pacific earthquake serves as warning for local megaquakes, tsunamis
Daniel Eungard gets a handful of tsunami alerts each month because of his job running the tsunami hazards program for the Washington Geological Survey. Most of them are nothing.
www.columbian.com
August 4, 2025 at 12:48 AM
New: Emergency response and tsunami modeling officials said this week's 8.8 quake off Russia's Pacific coast is a warning to the PNW about its own looming megaquakes — and the need for the region to prepare.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
www.columbian.com/news/2025/au...
Reposted by Henry Brannan
SCOOP: The manifests for three legally contested deportation flights to El Salvador contain the names of dozens of people who have not been acknowledged in any way by the US government. Immigration experts following the case say they don't know where these people are
www.404media.co/flight-manif...
www.404media.co/flight-manif...
Flight Manifests Reveal Dozens of Previously Unknown People on Three Deportation Flights to El Salvador
Hacked data obtained by 404 Media reveals dozens more people on deportation flights to El Salvador who are unaccounted for. “We have not heard from these people’s families, so I think perhaps even the...
www.404media.co
July 17, 2025 at 3:55 PM
SCOOP: The manifests for three legally contested deportation flights to El Salvador contain the names of dozens of people who have not been acknowledged in any way by the US government. Immigration experts following the case say they don't know where these people are
www.404media.co/flight-manif...
www.404media.co/flight-manif...
New: Environmental group Save Our Wild Salmon released its first Columbia River Hot Water Report of the year Wednesday.
It comes as water temperatures throughout the basin this year have *already* surpassed the key 68-degree threshold for salmon survival.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
It comes as water temperatures throughout the basin this year have *already* surpassed the key 68-degree threshold for salmon survival.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Columbia Basin’s salmon are in hot water, literally, says report from Save Our Wild Salmon
Environmental group Save Our Wild Salmon released its first Columbia River Hot Water Report of the year Wednesday, as water temperatures throughout the basin this year have already surpassed the key 6
www.columbian.com
July 11, 2025 at 6:31 PM
New: Environmental group Save Our Wild Salmon released its first Columbia River Hot Water Report of the year Wednesday.
It comes as water temperatures throughout the basin this year have *already* surpassed the key 68-degree threshold for salmon survival.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
It comes as water temperatures throughout the basin this year have *already* surpassed the key 68-degree threshold for salmon survival.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Seattle Times sharing the jetty story:
Columbia River jetty rehab almost done after 6 years, 32,000 boulders
Columbia River jetty rehab almost done after 6 years, 32,000 boulders
The Columbia River jetty allows more than $31 billion in goods to pass the river’s perilous mouth.
www.seattletimes.com
July 11, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Seattle Times sharing the jetty story:
After 6 yrs, 32k boulders and $172M, the Army Corps' rebuild of the Columbia River South Jetty is almost done.
The barrier allows ships carrying $31B in goods a year to pass the dangerous estuary where 2,000,000 gallons of water crash into the Pacific every second.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
The barrier allows ships carrying $31B in goods a year to pass the dangerous estuary where 2,000,000 gallons of water crash into the Pacific every second.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
After six years, 32,000 boulders and $172M, the Columbia River jetty rehab is almost done
CLATSOP SPIT — For most of the past two years, Jesse Allen has worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week operating a crane to move sedan-sized boulders miles out into the mouth of the Columbia River.
www.columbian.com
July 3, 2025 at 8:32 PM
After 6 yrs, 32k boulders and $172M, the Army Corps' rebuild of the Columbia River South Jetty is almost done.
The barrier allows ships carrying $31B in goods a year to pass the dangerous estuary where 2,000,000 gallons of water crash into the Pacific every second.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
The barrier allows ships carrying $31B in goods a year to pass the dangerous estuary where 2,000,000 gallons of water crash into the Pacific every second.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Mississippi River shippers got a 6 day tour of Columbia River shipping system last week. The tour stretched from Cape Disappointment to Lewiston, ID.
It was aimed at building a united voice to advocate for US grain shippers' interests.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
It was aimed at building a united voice to advocate for US grain shippers' interests.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Mississippi River shippers get weeklong tour of Columbia River shipping system
KALAMA — A group of Mississippi River shipping industry figures were treated to a tour of the Columbia-Snake river grain export system last week by the Washington Association of Wheat Growers alongsid
www.columbian.com
June 30, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Mississippi River shippers got a 6 day tour of Columbia River shipping system last week. The tour stretched from Cape Disappointment to Lewiston, ID.
It was aimed at building a united voice to advocate for US grain shippers' interests.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
It was aimed at building a united voice to advocate for US grain shippers' interests.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
New: SW Washington steel importers are hurting after President Trump doubled import taxes to 50% earlier this month.
Local importers and ports say the move will lead to higher consumer costs and layoffs in associated industries. Projections back that up.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Local importers and ports say the move will lead to higher consumer costs and layoffs in associated industries. Projections back that up.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Southwest Washington steel importers hurting after Trump doubled import tax to 50 percent
Southwest Washington steel importers are feeling the pain from a Trump administration move earlier this month to double the import taxes they pay to 50 percent.
www.columbian.com
June 30, 2025 at 7:50 PM
New: SW Washington steel importers are hurting after President Trump doubled import taxes to 50% earlier this month.
Local importers and ports say the move will lead to higher consumer costs and layoffs in associated industries. Projections back that up.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Local importers and ports say the move will lead to higher consumer costs and layoffs in associated industries. Projections back that up.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Reposted by Henry Brannan
If the GOP reconciliation bill passes, ICE gets through FY2029:
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
June 28, 2025 at 10:07 PM
If the GOP reconciliation bill passes, ICE gets through FY2029:
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
- $45 billion for detention, on top of the current annual budget of $3.4 billion
- $14.4 billion for transportation and removal, on top of the current annual budget of $750 million
- $8 billion for hiring/retention
- Billions more.
Reposted by Henry Brannan
New from 404 Media: ICE is using a new facial recognition app to identify people, leaked emails show. Point camera at person, reveal their identity. It uses the CBP system that records peoples' faces as they enter or exit the U.S. Now, turned inwards to be used by ICE www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
ICE Is Using a New Facial Recognition App to Identify People, Leaked Emails Show
The new tool, called Mobile Fortify, uses the CBP system which ordinarily takes photos of people when they enter or exit the U.S., according to internal ICE emails viewed by 404 Media. Now ICE is usin...
www.404media.co
June 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
New from 404 Media: ICE is using a new facial recognition app to identify people, leaked emails show. Point camera at person, reveal their identity. It uses the CBP system that records peoples' faces as they enter or exit the U.S. Now, turned inwards to be used by ICE www.404media.co/ice-is-using...
Once logging and fishing-dependent Cathlamet has reinvented itself as a leisure and recreation-hub. But can the rising tide raise all boats?
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Once logging and fishing-dependent Cathlamet reinvents itself as a leisure and recreation-hub
CATHLAMET — After the fall of both logging and commercial fishing in Wahkiakum County, Cathlamet has reinvented itself as a hub for monied retirees, outdoors enthusiasts and remote workers.
www.columbian.com
June 24, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Once logging and fishing-dependent Cathlamet has reinvented itself as a leisure and recreation-hub. But can the rising tide raise all boats?
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
NEW: President Trump today pulled out of a $1 billion Biden-era plan to restore salmon populations across the Columbia River Basin.
The move is likely to restart a decadeslong legal battle over the harm the hydropower system inflicts upon endangered fish.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
The move is likely to restart a decadeslong legal battle over the harm the hydropower system inflicts upon endangered fish.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Trump pulls out of $1 billion Biden-brokered Columbia River salmon restoration plan
The Trump administration on Thursday pulled out of a $1 billion Biden-era plan to restore salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River Basin more than a century after overfishing and dams be
www.columbian.com
June 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM
NEW: President Trump today pulled out of a $1 billion Biden-era plan to restore salmon populations across the Columbia River Basin.
The move is likely to restart a decadeslong legal battle over the harm the hydropower system inflicts upon endangered fish.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
The move is likely to restart a decadeslong legal battle over the harm the hydropower system inflicts upon endangered fish.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Reposted by Henry Brannan
Earth will warm 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels in just two years, new data shows. Irreversible tipping points — like the melting of Arctic ice sheets or the collapse of coral reefs — are closer at hand than previously believed.
Earth is likely to cross a key climate threshold in two years
A new World Meteorological Organization report spells the end of the world’s most famous climate goal.
www.washingtonpost.com
June 4, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Earth will warm 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels in just two years, new data shows. Irreversible tipping points — like the melting of Arctic ice sheets or the collapse of coral reefs — are closer at hand than previously believed.
A leaked Trump administration budget proposal completely scraps a key Columbia River salmon recovery program as the president works to slash NOAA's funding.
The program has invested $115 million across 342 projects currently underway within the basin.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
The program has invested $115 million across 342 projects currently underway within the basin.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
www.columbian.com
June 2, 2025 at 9:26 PM
A leaked Trump administration budget proposal completely scraps a key Columbia River salmon recovery program as the president works to slash NOAA's funding.
The program has invested $115 million across 342 projects currently underway within the basin.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
The program has invested $115 million across 342 projects currently underway within the basin.
www.columbian.com/news/2025/ju...
Reposted by Henry Brannan
The Trump administration is canceling a nearly $600-million contract to the drugmaker Moderna that was intended to develop a shot for humans against bird flu.
U.S. Cancels Contract With Moderna to Develop Bird Flu Vaccine
www.nytimes.com
May 29, 2025 at 5:41 PM
The Trump administration is canceling a nearly $600-million contract to the drugmaker Moderna that was intended to develop a shot for humans against bird flu.