Endangered whales continue to get caught in commercial fishing gear off the West Coast. There were 28 confirmed cases of whales entangled in fishing gear off the coasts of Oregon, Washington and California in 2022. Most of those were endangered humpback or gray whales. Since 2014, entanglements counted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been above average. Scientists say the whales have altered their migration patterns closer to shore in search of food. That’s put them more often in the range of fishing operations. NOAA has been encouraging the use of new fishing gear that can minimize the use of ropes and greatly reduce the risk of entanglement. (Tracy Loew/Salem Statesman Journal)
Legislation bolstering the right to refuse dangerous work in Oregon is moving forward after key stakeholders struck a compromise, though a final deal hinges on future negotiations. Federal and state laws already allow employees to turn down hazardous duties under certain conditions, but labor advocates complain the rules are too complex to be practicable. Changes to labor law under Senate Bill 907 would clarify the process for rejecting tasks believed to threaten life and limb without exposing the employee to retaliation. Employees would be required to try reporting these fears to their bosses, who’d have an opportunity to respond to the objections. If the concerns weren’t alleviated with...
Qatar’s International Media Office rejects Israeli media claims that its Gaza aid reached Hamas, calling the reports “categorically false.” Qatar’s International Media Office (IMO) has rejected re...