The Energy News Digest for April 27, 2026

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

NWPPA’s Simple Tips to Sharpen Your Writing

Interested in improving your everyday English skills and becoming a better writer at the office? Learn 17 effective writing principles to help you create workplace documents during Simple Tips to Sharpen Your Writing, June 15-16 in Vancouver, Washington. Early-bird rates end this Friday, May 1.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

EIA Expects U.S. Hydropower Generation to Increase by 5% in 2026 (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/eia-expects-us-hydropower-generation-increase-5-2026

Oregon’s Massive Snow Drought Likely to Become a Bleak Summer (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oregon-s-massive-snow-drought-likely-to-become-a-bleak-summer/ar-AA21kx0Z

Grant, Douglas, & Chelan PUDs Consider Collaboration on Geothermal Energy (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA - Paywall Advisory)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/apr/25/grant-douglas-and-chelan-puds-consider-collaboration-on-geothermal-energy/

California Is Ground Zero for the Growing Battery Backlash (Bloomberg News – Via Silicon Valley)

https://www.siliconvalley.com/2026/04/23/california-is-ground-zero-for-the-growing-battery-backlash/amp/

Biologists Forecast a Reduced Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/27/biologists-forecast-a-reduced-alaska-commercial-salmon-harvest/

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      EIA Expects U.S. Hydropower Generation to Increase by 5% in 2026

2.      Hydropower Expected to Bounce Back from the West’s Snow Drought

3.      House Passes “Build More Hydro Act,” Sends to President

4.      Kootenai Electric Cooperative Planning to Build Energy Facility in Rathdrum

5.      Northwest Natural Seeks Nearly 20% Gas Rate Hike in Southwest Washington

6.      The Role of Natural Gas & Washington’s Energy Future

7.      TerraPower Breaks Ground on a Rarity: A Nuclear Reactor, Wyoming’s First

8.      Small Modular Reactors & Microreactors Under Development in the United States

9.      Average U.S. Electricity Prices Rose 9% Year Over Year in February: EIA

10.   Electricity Monthly Update – February Retail Rates/Prices & Consumption

11.   Grant, Douglas, & Chelan PUDs Consider Collaboration on Geothermal Energy

12.   California Is Ground Zero for the Growing Battery Backlash

13.   WA State: Snoqualmie Neighbors Rally Against Battery Storage Facility as Permit Application Looms

14.   California: Planning Commission OKs New Solar Project for SE Kern County

15.   Hosting Solar Can Be a Lifeline for Farmers. Overcoming Local Opposition Is Tough

16.   California’s Water Crisis Could Turn Farmland into Massive Solar Field

17.   Biologists Forecast a Reduced Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest

18.   Pikeminnow Reward Fishery Returns May 1

19.   Salmon Exposed to Cocaine Swim Almost Twice as Far as Those Without, Study Shows

20.   Oregon’s Massive Snow Drought Likely to Become a Bleak Summer

21.   Why This State Is Betting on Cloud-Seeding Drones to Solve Its Water Problem

22.   Artificial Intelligence Data Center with a Different Mission Being Considered in Tri-Cities

23.   Pennsylvania: Residents Furious as Their Picturesque Small Town Is Set to Be ‘Ruined’ by Sprawling Data Centers

24.   Newspapers Face Tight Supply as Mills Cut Newsprint Production

25.   The Threat of Light Pollution Puts the World’s Darkest Skies in the Atacama Desert at Risk

26.   State Senator MacEwen Demands Special Session to Tackle Washington’s ‘Energy Affordability Crisis’

27.   Association Reaction: Petition for Rulemaking to Add Dams and Reservoirs as Reporting Entities under the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Regulation

28.   Interactive Map Shows How Vulnerable Your PNW Neighborhood Is to Disaster

29.   Oregon Work Zone Crashes Hit Five-Year High in 2024

30.   Guest Essay: Alaska’s Energy Challenges Require a National Response

31.   Guest Essay: La Plata Electric CEO – Why Western Utilities Are Moving Toward Regional Markets

32.   Washington Natural Gas Bills Going Up, and the CCA Is to Blame

33.   Guest Essay: Oregon Has a Clear Roadmap to a More Affordable, Reliable Energy Future. Will We Take It?

Word of the Day

Modus Operandi \MOE-dus opp-er-RAND-ee\ Noun – A method of procedure; especially a distinct pattern or method of operation that indicates or suggests the work of a single criminal in more than one crime.

“No, gentlemen, we are not dealing with a crazed criminal here,” purred Detective Poirot as he absentmindedly stroked his mustache. “What we have here is a person who is so fixed in their modus operandi that they would not change their ways even if confronted with the most secure lock box in the world.” “Non, mon ami, your lunches have not been stolen by a wayward squirrel, crazed dog, or even a trained capuchin monkey…they have been stolen by only one person….your copy repairman: Rick!” (Insert surprised gasp here)

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      EIA Expects U.S. Hydropower Generation to Increase by 5% in 2026 (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/eia-expects-us-hydropower-generation-increase-5-2026

2.      Hydropower Expected to Bounce Back from the West’s Snow Drought (Renewable Energy World)

https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/hydro-power/hydropower-expected-to-bounce-back-from-the-wests-snow-drought/

3.      House Passes “Build More Hydro Act,” Sends to President (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/house-passes-build-more-hydro-act-sends-president

4.      Kootenai Electric Cooperative Planning to Build Energy Facility in Rathdrum (KREM-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.krem.com/article/news/local/kootenai-county/rathdrum-energy-facility-kootenai-electric-cooperative/293-3f678d83-82ec-42cf-aa86-6cb3e99dd3ab

5.      Northwest Natural Seeks Nearly 20% Gas Rate Hike in Southwest Washington (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/northwest-natural-seeks-nearly-20-gas-rate-hike-in-southwest-washington/ar-AA21vKNc

6.      The Role of Natural Gas & Washington’s Energy Future (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/24/the-role-of-natural-gas-and-washingtons-energy-future/

7.      TerraPower Breaks Ground on a Rarity: A Nuclear Reactor, Wyoming’s First (WyoFile)

https://wyofile.com/terrapower-breaks-ground-on-a-rarity-a-nuclear-reactor-wyomings-first/

8.      Small Modular Reactors & Microreactors Under Development in the United States (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=67584

9.      Average U.S. Electricity Prices Rose 9% Year Over Year in February: EIA (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/electricity-retail-prices-february-eia-affordability/818425/

10.   Electricity Monthly Update – February Retail Rates/Prices & Consumption (U.S. Energy Information Administration)

https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/update/end-use.php

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

11.   Grant, Douglas, & Chelan PUDs Consider Collaboration on Geothermal Energy (Columbia Basin Herald, Moses Lake, WA - Paywall Advisory)

https://columbiabasinherald.com/news/2026/apr/25/grant-douglas-and-chelan-puds-consider-collaboration-on-geothermal-energy/

12.   California Is Ground Zero for the Growing Battery Backlash (Bloomberg News – Via Silicon Valley)

https://www.siliconvalley.com/2026/04/23/california-is-ground-zero-for-the-growing-battery-backlash/amp/

13.   WA State: Snoqualmie Neighbors Rally Against Battery Storage Facility as Permit Application Looms (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/snoqualmie-neighbors-rally-battery-storage-facility-permit-application-looms/281-764212d0-cca7-45c2-8caa-0794c7ae8389

14.   California: Planning Commission OKs New Solar Project for SE Kern County (KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA)

https://www.kget.com/kern-energy/planning-commission-oks-new-solar-project-for-se-kern-county/

15.   Hosting Solar Can Be a Lifeline for Farmers. Overcoming Local Opposition Is Tough (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/solar-energy-farmland-utility-local-opposition-acaf7bba0006013c4ea7170fb0d67cf6

16.   California’s Water Crisis Could Turn Farmland into Massive Solar Field (USA Today – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/energy/articles/california-water-crisis-could-turn-130140936.html

Fish & Wildlife

17.   Biologists Forecast a Reduced Alaska Commercial Salmon Harvest (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/27/biologists-forecast-a-reduced-alaska-commercial-salmon-harvest/

18.   Pikeminnow Reward Fishery Returns May 1 (KPQ Radio, Wenatchee, WA)

https://kpq.com/get-paid-fishing-pikeminnow-wa/

19.   Salmon Exposed to Cocaine Swim Almost Twice as Far as Those Without, Study Shows (CBS News)

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/salmon-cocaine-swim-farther-study/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

20.   Oregon’s Massive Snow Drought Likely to Become a Bleak Summer (The Oregonian, Portland, OR – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/oregon-s-massive-snow-drought-likely-to-become-a-bleak-summer/ar-AA21kx0Z

21.   Why This State Is Betting on Cloud-Seeding Drones to Solve Its Water Problem (Washington Post – Via MSN)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/why-this-state-is-betting-on-cloud-seeding-drones-to-solve-its-water-problem/ar-AA21OBwb

HAL’s Internet Café

22.   Artificial Intelligence Data Center with a Different Mission Being Considered in Tri-Cities (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/ai-data-center-different-mission-181718051.html

23.   Pennsylvania: Residents Furious as Their Picturesque Small Town Is Set to Be ‘Ruined’ by Sprawling Data Centers (MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/residents-furious-as-their-picturesque-small-town-is-set-to-be-ruined-by-sprawling-data-centers/ar-AA21MkD8

Public Relations, Marketing & Media

24.   Newspapers Face Tight Supply as Mills Cut Newsprint Production (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA – Paywall Advisory)

https://www.yakimaherald.com/opinion/free_press/newspapers-face-tight-supply-as-mills-cut-newsprint-production/article_c3479d6f-b9d4-5d64-9052-f7fc1ec8cfc3.amp.html

Barrel O’ Green Potpourri – Seething Stew of Science

25.   The Threat of Light Pollution Puts the World’s Darkest Skies in the Atacama Desert at Risk (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/news/world/the-threat-of-light-pollution-puts-the-world-s-a22226529

Politics, Governance, and Management

26.   State Senator MacEwen Demands Special Session to Tackle Washington’s ‘Energy Affordability Crisis’ (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

https://seattlered.com/politics/macewen-demands-energy-special-session/4118163

27.   Association Reaction: Petition for Rulemaking to Add Dams and Reservoirs as Reporting Entities under the Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Regulation (Links to PDF File)

https://misc-doc.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/gov-rel/2026/2026-04-14+Public+Power+Letter+to+CARB+on+Reservoir+Reporting_Final.pdf

Other Things to Know About Today

28.   Interactive Map Shows How Vulnerable Your PNW Neighborhood Is to Disaster (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

https://www.koin.com/news/interactive-map-vulnerable-oregon-wasington-pnw-disaster/

29.   Oregon Work Zone Crashes Hit Five-Year High in 2024 (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/26/oregon-work-zone-crashes/

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

30.   Guest Essay: Alaska’s Energy Challenges Require a National Response (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/alaska-energy-challenges-microgrid-storage-nppa/816358/

31.   Guest Essay: La Plata Electric CEO – Why Western Utilities Are Moving Toward Regional Markets (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/western-utilities-regional-markets-spp-la-plata/816353/

32.   Washington Natural Gas Bills Going Up, and the CCA Is to Blame (The Center Square)

https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_294cdbae-74a7-4e70-a6cb-ed2ce66df5c2.html

33.   Guest Essay: Oregon Has a Clear Roadmap to a More Affordable, Reliable Energy Future. Will We Take It? (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2026/04/15/oregon-has-a-clear-roadmap-to-a-more-affordable-reliable-energy-future-will-we-take-it/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Baby Born on Delta Flight from Atlanta to Portland, Oregon

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/baby-born-delta-flight-atlanta-124757235.html

Farmers in Vermont Expected a Sheep to Have Twins. She Ended Up Having Rare Sextuplets

https://www.kcra.com/article/vermont-sheep-sextuplets-clover-bee-farm/71138714

Women take the lead in whiskey as more female drinkers and distillers change the industry

https://apnews.com/article/whiskey-women-us-815aefddb25882c1f07613da972b13fa

Raffle Winner Thrilled to Claim a $1 Million Picasso with a $117 Ticket

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/france-raffle-offers-1m-picasso-101036794.html

Song of the Day

Mighty Mo Rodgers - Picasso Blue

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkPcNCnQU70

Links & Paywall Advisory

Links in The Energy News Digest are for current stories. Media organizations frequently update their websites, which can cause broken links.

Although I choose stories that are accessible without paying a subscription, individual experiences may vary. Media attribution includes information about possible paywall restrictions. Regularly clearing your browser’s history and cookies may help you access certain paywall sites.

The Energy News Digest for April 13, 2026

Programming Note

After today’s issue, The Energy News Digest will be taking a break. It will return tanned, rested, and relaxed on April 27

The Northwest Public Power Association sponsors The Energy News Digest. 

The News Digest on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly known as Twitter) will bring breaking news throughout the week.

Subscribe to The Energy News Digest.

Joel Myer, Communicator Emeritus, edits the Energy News Digest.

Save on Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp

New to public power, onboarding staff, or interested in learning more about the industry? Then Flipping the Switch: A Public Power Boot Camp is for you! The next boot camp will be June 1-4 in Eugene, Oregon. Register by April 17 to get the early-bird rate.

Hotshots – Today’s Top Five Stories

EIA Sees Electricity Consumption Continuing to Grow Through 2050 at a Rate of 0.9% to 1.6% (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/eia-sees-electricity-consumption-continuing-grow-through-2050-rate-09-16

California Utility Bills Are 20% Higher Due to Wildfires (Bloomberg News – Via the Insurance Journal)

https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2026/04/13/865378.htm

Oregon’s Snowpack Just Broke a Terrifying Record, & the Consequences Could Be Devastating This Summer (The Oregonian, OR – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/oregon-snowpack-just-broke-terrifying-220237711.html

Commercial Salmon Fishing to Open in California for the First Time Since 2022 as Population Rebounds (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/commercial-salmon-fishing-to-open-in-california-a22202623

Overnight Offshore Earthquake Swarm Poses No Danger to Pacific Northwest, Expert Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/weather/earthquakes/overnight-offshore-earthquake-swarm-poses-no-danger-to-pacific-northwest-expert-says/281-f4749ec8-aeb4-4e54-9700-0428518088dc

News Highlights (See Stories Below)

1.      EIA Sees Electricity Consumption Continuing to Grow Through 2050 at a Rate of 0.9% to 1.6%

2.      California Utility Bills Are 20% Higher Due to Wildfires

3.      More Households Face Gas, Electricity Shutoffs Despite New

4.      Analysis Finds U.S. Electricity Costs Stable, Household Burden Near Historic Low

5.      Fire Survivors Call for Audits of Edison's Wildfire Prevention Spending

6.      Terra-Gen to Pay $5.6M To Settle California ISO Market Manipulation Charges

7.      Amid ‘Nuclear Renaissance,’ Idaho Worries About Job Demands Coming to the Intermountain West

8.      Power Providers Make Moves That Are Reshaping Colorado’s Electric Utilities Landscape

9.      New California Law Requires Electrical Utility Worksites to Have AEDs

10.   Wyoming Electric Utility Dumps Wind & Solar in Long-Term Planning

11.   WA State: $7.5M Solar Farm Off Highway 395 Is A First for Franklin County

12.   Sunnyside Renewable Energy Project Aims to Turn Dairy Waste into Natural Gas

13.   In a First, Renewables Beat Natural Gas on U.S. Grid Last Month

14.   Hosting Solar Can Be a Lifeline for Farmers. But Overcoming Local Opposition Is Tough

15.   States Are Struggling to Meet Their Clean Energy Goals. Data Centers Are to Blame

16.   Commercial Salmon Fishing to Open in California for the First Time Since 2022 as Population Rebounds

17.   Seattle to Sign Agreement Concerning Skagit River Dams

18.   ‘The Salmon People’: How Alaska’s Only Native Reservation Saved Its Fishing Culture

19.   Oregon’s Snowpack Just Broke a Terrifying Record, & the Consequences Could Be Devastating This Summer

20.   Fourth WA Drought Emergency. ‘No Way to Sugarcoat’ Power, Fish & Fire Risks

21.   ‘It’s Incredibly Bad’: No End in Sight to Colorado River Water Crisis

22.   $38 Million Water Infrastructure for Idaho

23.   Iran War Has Some U.S. Water Utilities Facing a Fluoride Shortage

24.   Seattle Weighs Five Data Center Proposals Amid Power Concerns

25.   Trump Approves Oregon Disaster Declaration Over Severe Winter Storms

26.   Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for WA Flooding

27.   Two Major Disaster Declarations Approved for Montana

28.   Overnight Offshore Earthquake Swarm Poses No Danger to Pacific Northwest, Expert Says

29.   Guest Essay: Salmon Are Not to Blame for Bonneville Power Administration Failing to Meet Its Responsibilities

Word of the Day

Éminence Grise • \ay-mee-nawns - GREEZ\ • Noun - 1: a confidential agent; especially: one exercising unsuspected or unofficial power 2: a respected authority; specifically: an elder statesman.

     See Edgar Bergen

     McCarthy’s Éminence Grise

     His voice thrown for laughs

https://joelshorriblehaiku.blogspot.com/

Energy & Utility Issues

1.      EIA Sees Electricity Consumption Continuing to Grow Through 2050 at a Rate of 0.9% to 1.6% (American Public Power Association)

https://www.publicpower.org/periodical/article/eia-sees-electricity-consumption-continuing-grow-through-2050-rate-09-16

2.      California Utility Bills Are 20% Higher Due to Wildfires (Bloomberg News – Via the Insurance Journal)

https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/west/2026/04/13/865378.htm

3.      More Households Face Gas, Electricity Shutoffs Despite New Protections (The Oregonian, Portland, OR)

https://www.oregonlive.com/environment/2026/04/utility-disconnections-rise-in-oregon-despite-moratoriums.html

4.      Analysis Finds U.S. Electricity Costs Stable, Household Burden Near Historic Low (Daily Energy Insider)

https://dailyenergyinsider.com/news/51819-analysis-finds-u-s-electricity-costs-stable-household-burden-near-historic-low/

5.      Fire Survivors Call for Audits of Edison's Wildfire Prevention Spending (Los Angeles Times, CA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/fire-survivors-call-audits-edisons-100000644.html

6.      Terra-Gen to Pay $5.6M To Settle California ISO Market Manipulation Charges (Utility Dive)

https://www.utilitydive.com/news/terra-gen-ferc-caiso-market-manipulation/817178/

7.      Amid ‘Nuclear Renaissance,’ Idaho Worries About Job Demands Coming to the Intermountain West (Utah News Dispatch)

https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/13/nuclear-renaissance-idaho-worries-about-job-demands/

8.      Power Providers Make Moves That Are Reshaping Colorado’s Electric Utilities Landscape (Colorado Sun)

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/10/power-providers-wholesale-market-lpea-tri-state/

9.      New California Law Requires Electrical Utility Worksites to Have AEDs (Safety & Health Magazine)

https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/new-california-law-requires-electrical-utility-worksites-to-have-aeds/

Renewable Energy & Self Storage

10.   Wyoming Electric Utility Dumps Wind & Solar in Long-Term Planning (WyoFile)

https://wyofile.com/wyoming-electric-utility-dumps-wind-and-solar-in-long-term-planning/

11.   WA State: $7.5M Solar Farm Off Highway 395 Is A First for Franklin County (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via MSN News)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/75m-solar-farm-off-highway-395-is-a-1st-for-franklin-county/ar-AA20Ly2T

12.   Sunnyside Renewable Energy Project Aims to Turn Dairy Waste into Natural Gas (KIMA-TV, Yakima, WA)

https://www.applevalleynewsnow.com/news/sunnyside-renewable-energy-project-aims-to-turn-dairy-waste-into-natural-gas/article_275cad44-cd70-4d86-8ee8-c6c9b2024833.html

13.   In a First, Renewables Beat Natural Gas on U.S. Grid Last Month (Canary Media)

https://www.canarymedia.com/articles/clean-energy/renewables-beat-natural-gas-us-grid-march-2026

14.   Hosting Solar Can Be a Lifeline for Farmers. But Overcoming Local Opposition Is Tough (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/hosting-solar-can-be-a-lifeline-for-farmers-but-a22203375

15.   States Are Struggling to Meet Their Clean Energy Goals. Data Centers Are to Blame (Associated Press)

https://apnews.com/article/ai-data-centers-nevada-clean-energy-47d1b6633ed720962848f4b5b91e7d6b

Fish & Wildlife

16.   Commercial Salmon Fishing to Open in California for the First Time Since 2022 as Population Rebounds (Associated Press)

https://www.seattlepi.com/business/commercial-salmon-fishing-to-open-in-california-a22202623

17.   Seattle to Sign Agreement Concerning Skagit River Dams (KNKX Radio, Tacoma, WA)

https://www.knkx.org/environment/2026-04-10/seattle-to-sign-agreement-concerning-skagit-river-dams

18.   ‘The Salmon People’: How Alaska’s Only Native Reservation Saved Its Fishing Culture (Alaska Beacon)

https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/04/09/the-salmon-people-how-alaskas-only-native-reservation-saved-its-fishing-culture/

Water, Water, Anywhere?

19.   Oregon’s Snowpack Just Broke a Terrifying Record, & the Consequences Could Be Devastating This Summer (The Oregonian, OR – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/oregon-snowpack-just-broke-terrifying-220237711.html

20.   Fourth WA Drought Emergency. ‘No Way to Sugarcoat’ Power, Fish & Fire Risks (Tri-City Herald, WA – Via Yahoo! News)

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/4th-wa-drought-emergency-no-234912771.html

21.   ‘It’s Incredibly Bad’: No End in Sight to Colorado River Water Crisis (WyoFile)

https://wyofile.com/its-incredibly-bad-no-end-in-sight-to-colorado-river-water-crisis/

22.   $38 Million Water Infrastructure for Idaho (KHQ-TV, Spokane, WA)

https://www.khq.com/news/38-million-water-infrastructure-for-idaho/article_842ca0f2-b587-414b-be80-0b9c1ba92a3b.html

23.   Iran War Has Some U.S. Water Utilities Facing a Fluoride Shortage (ABC News)

https://abcnews.com/Health/wireStory/iran-war-us-water-utilities-facing-fluoride-shortage-131996908

HAL’s Internet Café

24.   Seattle Weighs Five Data Center Proposals Amid Power Concerns (Axios Seattle)

https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/10/seattle-five-data-center-proposals-city-light-electricity-demand-review

Politics, Governance, and Management

25.   Trump Approves Oregon Disaster Declaration Over Severe Winter Storms (Oregon Capital Chronicle)

https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/briefs/trump-approves-oregon-disaster-declaration-over-severe-winter-storms/

26.   Trump Approves Disaster Declaration for WA Flooding (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/trump-approves-disaster-declaration-for-wa-flooding/

27.   Two Major Disaster Declarations Approved for Montana (KFBB-TV, Great Falls, MT)

https://www.montanarightnow.com/helena/2-major-disaster-declarations-approved-for-montana/article_70488e2d-1665-4230-99ca-5d8162e403ed.html

Other Things to Know About Today

28.   Overnight Offshore Earthquake Swarm Poses No Danger to Pacific Northwest, Expert Says (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

https://www.king5.com/article/weather/earthquakes/overnight-offshore-earthquake-swarm-poses-no-danger-to-pacific-northwest-expert-says/281-f4749ec8-aeb4-4e54-9700-0428518088dc

Soapbox Serenade – Vox Populi

29.   Guest Essay: Salmon Are Not to Blame for Bonneville Power Administration Failing to Meet Its Responsibilities (Washington State Standard)

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/04/08/salmon-are-not-to-blame-for-bonneville-power-administration-failing-to-meet-its-responsibilities/

Diversions - Alligators in the Sewer

Nearly 50 Years Later, Cincinnati May Get a Real 'WKRP'

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/07/nx-s1-5775485/nearly-50-years-later-cincinnati-may-get-a-real-wkrp-radio-station

From ‘BuddhaBot’ to $1.99-Per-Minute Chats with Artificial Intelligence Jesus, the Faith-Based Tech Boom Is Here

https://apnews.com/article/religious-chatbots-ai-technology-jesus-buddhabot-e1ed4832b25a23ee85292da681a0ec37

‘H.R. Pufnstuf’, ‘Land of the Lost’ Co-Creator, Sid Krofft, Dies at 96

https://ktla.com/entertainment/h-r-pufnstuf-land-of-the-lost-co-creator-sid-krofft-dies-at-96/

He Recorded 10,000 Concerts on Tape, Now They’re Streaming for Free

https://ktla.com/entertainment/he-recorded-10000-concerts-on-tape-now-theyre-streaming-for-free/

Song of the Day

 Tom Wells & Hugh Wilson – WKRP Theme

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7TyXhNDCLE

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