Energy News Digest for April 29, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 29, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/ogguhu9

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Warm Winter, Cold Reality for Portland General Electric Bottom Line (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/04/warm-winter-cold-reality-for-pge-bottom-line.html

Jefferson County: A Tussle over PUD Privilege Taxes – Fire District Wants PUD Tax Money County Kept (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/news/a-tussle-over-taxes/article_38c56ae8-edfd-11e4-a965-b37383558464.html

An Active Oregon Volcano Could House a New Renewable Energy Lab (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/04/an-active-oregon-volcano-could-house-a-new.html

Twitter Trading Halted after Shares Plunge on Leaked Earnings (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Twitter-trading-halted-after-shares-plunge-on-6229358.php

Brinnon Man Dies after Collision at East Anthony Road Intersection North of Shelton (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/brinnon-man-dies-after-collision-at-east-anthony-road-intersection-north-of-shelton/

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Warm Winter, Cold Reality for Portland General Electric Bottom Line
• Jefferson County: A Tussle over PUD Privilege Taxes – Fire District Wants PUD Tax Money County Kept
• Streamflow Dropped at Merwin Dam to Save Water for Fall
• Fitch Affirms Tacoma’s Electric System Revenue Bonds at ‘AA-’; Outlook Stable
• Fitch Rates Grays Harbor County PUD’s Electric Revenue Bonds ‘A’; Outlook Stable
• Alaska: Power Plant Fire Knocks Out Electricity in Emmonak
• Spring Has Sprung & So Have Power Scams
• Feds Urge Immigrant Victims of Scams to Speak Out
• Biggest Coal Exporter Says Climate Change Won’t Strand Assets
• Will the Quadrennial Energy Review Change Anything?
• Top Ten Things You Didn’t Know about Hydropower
• Disbelief over State Plan to Spray Neurotoxin into Oyster Beds
• King County Taking Insurers to Court Again over Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Don’t Blame Drought for Higher Water Rates in Seattle
• California Dems Won’t Fast-Track New Reservoirs
• Builders Flood Congress to Block Obama’s Bid to Regulate Creeks
• An Active Oregon Volcano Could House a New Renewable Energy Lab
• Utility Buy-In Fuels a Boom in Colorado Community Solar
• U-S Energy Demand Slows Except for Industrial, Commercial Sectors
• Port Townsend’s First Retail Marijuana Shop Due to Open Next Month
• Cannabis Farm Gets OK’d by Washington State, Kittitas County
• Sunnyside Bans Marijuana after More than Year of Indecision
• Editorial: Legalized Marijuana – Unforeseen Consequences
• Four Marijuana Plants Require Huge Amounts of Electricity
• California Governor Issues Executive Order to Aggressively Reduce Greenhouse Gases by 2030
• Scientists & Religious Leaders Discuss Climate Change at Vatican
• Amazon: 1% of Tree Species Store 50% of Region’s Carbon
• Oregon Brewers Tasked with Turning Sewage into Suds
• T-Mobile Likely to Bump Out Sprint, Become Third-Largest Carrier as Customer Growth Continues
• Using Comcast Data: One Arrested, Ten Wanted in $1.2 Million Identity Theft Scheme
• American Airlines Planes Grounded by iPad app Error
• AT&T Bills 83 Year Old $24,298 for AOL Dial Up
• Twitter Trading Halted after Shares Plunge on Leaked Earnings
• How One Tweet Wiped $8 Billion Off Twitter’s Value
• Data Analysis Proves That Some Brands Are Really Good At Twitter
• We Already Knew Legacy Media Had a Problem – These Two Charts Are Really Depressing
• Bud Light Apologizes after ‘Up For Whatever’ Slogan Misses Mark, Causes Social Media Uproar
• ‘Seinfeld’ Reruns Headed to Hulu in Rich Deal
• Indicted Washington State Auditor to Begin Unpaid Leave
• Brinnon Man Dies after Collision at East Anthony Road Intersection North of Shelton
• Details: Simpson/Sierra Pacific Industries Deal
• Sierra Pacific’s Shelton Mill Acquisition Won’t Change Things for Aberdeen Mill
• Mason General Hospital Board Approves Shelton Pool Agreement; School Board Needs More Time
• Hupp Running for Shelton Port Commission
• Hero Teacher Speaks Out About Stopping North Thurston Gunman
• Scrap Metal Laws Still Not Deterring Thieves
• NFL Gives Up Tax-Exempt Status, Calls It a ‘Distraction’

WORD OF THE DAY

Alliumphile • \ALLEY-yum-file\ • noun – A lover of garlic

Alfredo was a walking, talking, breathing, fume emitting, advertisement for garlic. As the town’s resident alliumphile, he was often requested to walk on the other side of the street…especially after his morning breakfast of twenty (count-’em, twenty) cloves of pickled elephant garlic. His olfactory-challenged wife had no idea what the fuss was about.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Warm Winter, Cold Reality for Portland General Electric Bottom Line (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/04/warm-winter-cold-reality-for-pge-bottom-line.html

Jefferson County: A Tussle over PUD Privilege Taxes – Fire District Wants PUD Tax Money County Kept (Port Townsend Leader, WA)

http://www.ptleader.com/news/a-tussle-over-taxes/article_38c56ae8-edfd-11e4-a965-b37383558464.html

Streamflow Dropped at Merwin Dam to Save Water for Fall (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/28/streamflow-dropped-merwin-dam-save-water-fall/

Fitch Affirms Tacoma’s Electric System Revenue Bonds at ‘AA-’; Outlook Stable (BusinessWire)

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150428007062/en/Fitch-Affirms-Tacoma-Electric-System-Revenue-Bonds#.VUDyWo7F98E

Fitch Rates Grays Harbor County PUD’s Electric Revenue Bonds ‘A’; Outlook Stable (BusinessWire)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/fitch-rates-grays-harbor-county-150000159.html

Alaska: Power Plant Fire Knocks Out Electricity in Emmonak (Alaska Dispatch)

https://www.adn.com/article/20150428/power-plant-fire-knocks-out-electricity-emmonak

Spring Has Sprung & So Have Power Scams (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/industry/crime/spring-has-sprung-and-so-have-power-scams/80699

Feds Urge Immigrant Victims of Scams to Speak Out (Inquirer.Net)

http://globalnation.inquirer.net/121721/feds-urge-immigrant-victims-of-scams-to-speak-out/

Biggest Coal Exporter Says Climate Change Won’t Strand Assets (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-28/biggest-coal-exporter-says-climate-change-won-t-strand-assets

Will the Quadrennial Energy Review Change Anything? (Morning Consult)

http://morningconsult.com/2015/04/will-the-quadrennial-energy-review-change-anything/

Top Ten Things You Didn’t Know about Hydropower (Breaking Energy)

http://breakingenergy.com/2015/04/28/top-10-things-you-didnt-know-about-hydropower-2/

FISH & WILDLIFE

Disbelief over State Plan to Spray Neurotoxin into Oyster Beds (Seattle Times, WA)

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/disbelief-over-state-plan-to-spray-neurotoxin-into-oyster-beds/

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

King County Taking Insurers to Court Again over Brightwater Wastewater Treatment Plant (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/2015/04/28/king-county-brightwater-lawsuit-pump/26554435/

Don’t Blame Drought for Higher Water Rates in Seattle (Crosscut Seattle)

http://crosscut.com/2015/04/dont-blame-drought-for-higher-water-rates-in-seattle/

California Dems Won’t Fast-Track New Reservoirs (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/04/28/calif-dems-wont-fast-track-new-reservoirs.htm

Builders Flood Congress to Block Obama’s Bid to Regulate Creeks (Bloomberg News)

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-29/builders-flood-congress-to-block-obama-s-bid-to-regulate-creeks

RENEWABLE ENERGY

An Active Oregon Volcano Could House a New Renewable Energy Lab (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/04/an-active-oregon-volcano-could-house-a-new.html

Utility Buy-In Fuels a Boom in Colorado Community Solar (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/utility-buy-in-fuels-a-boom-in-colorado-community-solar/391501/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

U-S Energy Demand Slows Except for Industrial, Commercial Sectors (U-S Energy Information Administration)

http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=21012

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Port Townsend’s First Retail Marijuana Shop Due to Open Next Month (Peninsula Daily News, Port Angeles, WA)

http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150428/news/304289991/port-townsend-8217-s-first-retail-marijuana-shop-due-to-open-next

Cannabis Farm Gets OK’d by Washington State, Kittitas County (Ellensburg Daily Record, WA)

http://www.dailyrecordnews.com/members/cannabis-farm-gets-ok-d-by-state-county/article_556a5ad0-ecfb-11e4-a211-774c225a9f79.html

Sunnyside Bans Marijuana after More than Year of Indecision (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/latestlocalnews/3122131-8/sunnyside-bans-marijuana-after-more-than-year-of

Editorial: Legalized Marijuana – Unforeseen Consequences (The Daily Astorian, OR)

http://www.dailyastorian.com/editorials/20150428/editorial-unforeseen-consequences

Four Marijuana Plants Require Huge Amounts of Electricity (Energy Manager Today)

http://www.energymanagertoday.com/4-pot-plants-require-huge-amounts-of-electricity-0111526/

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

California Governor Issues Executive Order to Aggressively Reduce Greenhouse Gases by 2030 (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/science/news/articles/2015/04/29/california-touts-aggressive-plan-to-reduce-greenhouse-gases

Scientists & Religious Leaders Discuss Climate Change at Vatican (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/29/world/europe/scientists-and-religious-leaders-discuss-climate-change-at-vatican.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Amazon: 1% of Tree Species Store 50% of Region’s Carbon (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32497537

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Oregon Brewers Tasked with Turning Sewage into Suds (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Brewers-tasked-with-turning-sewage-into-suds-301687281.html

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

T-Mobile Likely to Bump Out Sprint, Become Third-Largest Carrier as Customer Growth Continues (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/04/t-mobile-likely-to-bump-out-sprint-become-third.html

Using Comcast Data: One Arrested, Ten Wanted in $1.2 Million Identity Theft Scheme (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/04/28/3534203_1-arrested-10-wanted-in-12-million.html?rh=1

American Airlines Planes Grounded by iPad app Error (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32513066

AT&T Bills 83 Year Old $24,298 for AOL Dial Up (Broadband Reports)

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/ATT-Bills-83-Year-Old-24298-for-AOL-Dial-Up-133543

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter Trading Halted after Shares Plunge on Leaked Earnings (SF Chronicle)

http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Twitter-trading-halted-after-shares-plunge-on-6229358.php

How One Tweet Wiped $8 Billion Off Twitter’s Value (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32511932

Data Analysis Proves That Some Brands Are Really Good At Twitter (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/28/data-analysis-proves-that-some-brands-are-really-good-at-twitter/

We Already Knew Legacy Media Had a Problem – These Two Charts Are Really Depressing (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/29/we-already-knew-legacy-media-had-a-problem-but-these-two-charts-are-really-depressing/?wprss=rss_national

Bud Light Apologizes after ‘Up For Whatever’ Slogan Misses Mark, Causes Social Media Uproar (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/29/bud-light-apologizes-after-up-for-whatever-slogan-misses-mark/

‘Seinfeld’ Reruns Headed to Hulu in Rich Deal (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/04/29/hulu-gets-seinfeld-reruns/26561369/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Indicted Washington State Auditor to Begin Unpaid Leave (Associated Press)

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/apr/29/indicted-state-auditor-to-begin-unpaid-leave/

GENERAL NEWS

Brinnon Man Dies after Collision at East Anthony Road Intersection North of Shelton (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/brinnon-man-dies-after-collision-at-east-anthony-road-intersection-north-of-shelton/

Details: Simpson/Sierra Pacific Industries Deal (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/22697-simpson-sierra-pacific-industries-deal

Sierra Pacific’s Shelton Mill Acquisition Won’t Change Things for Aberdeen Mill (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/sierra-pacific-acquisition-won-t-change-things-aberdeen-mill

Mason General Hospital Board Approves Shelton Pool Agreement; School Board Needs More Time (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15119

Hupp Running for Shelton Port Commission (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15117

Hero Teacher Speaks Out About Stopping North Thurston Gunman (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/hero-teacher-speaks-out-about-stopping-north-thurston-gunman

Scrap Metal Laws Still Not Deterring Thieves (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/news/crime/2015/04/29/scrap-metal-theft-copper-whittenberg-king-5/26565639/

NFL Gives Up Tax-Exempt Status, Calls It a ‘Distraction’ (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/28/nfl-gives-up-tax-exempt-status-calls-it-a-distraction/

DIVERSIONS

Fed Up Professor Flunks Entire Class

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/national/university-steps-after-professor-flunks-entire-cla/nk4xj/

You Can Now Rent a Chicken to Get the Freshest of Fresh Eggs

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/28/you-can-now-rent-a-chicken-to-get-the-freshest-of-fresh-eggs/

Brewer Replaces Athletes’ Missing Teeth with Implants That Double as Bottle Openers

http://www.adweek.com/adfreak/brewer-replaces-athletes-missing-teeth-implants-double-bottle-openers-164384

Would You Pay $80 a Pound for Coffee? Starbucks Thinks You Will

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/morning_call/2015/04/would-you-pay-80-a-pound-for-coffee-starbucks.html

SONG OF THE DAY

Alice Cooper - School’s Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh2j7nUX1y4

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for April 28, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 28, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/n4oft69

Small Craft Advisory for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://tinyurl.com/lhnm98a

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Simpson Lumber Selling Mason County Mills to Sierra Pacific (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15097#more-15097

Wind Turbines Being Considered for Lewis County (Wind Watch)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/25/wind-turbines-being-considered-for-lewis-county/

CAISO to FERC: Energy Imbalance Market Problems Found, Reforms Coming “…failure to recognize capacity held by PacifiCorp led to apparent shortages & subsequent price spikes…” (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/caiso-to-ferc-energy-imbalance-market-problems-found-reforms-coming/391556/

Amid Concerns, Portland Pledges to Help Building Owners Meet Energy Reporting Standards (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/real-estate-daily/2015/04/amid-concerns-portland-pledges-to-help-building.html

Makah Tribe’s Request to Hunt Whales under Public Scrutiny in Seattle (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2753403/Tribeaposs-request-to-hunt-whales-under-public-scrutiny-in-Seattle

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• CAISO to FERC: Energy Imbalance Market Problems Found, Reforms Coming
• Boardman to Hemingway: Oregon-California Trails Association Protests Proposed Pacific Northwest Power Line
• Portland Economist Says Region’s Last Nuke Losing $250 Million on Fuel Deal - Utility disagrees with calculation
• Op/Ed: Fighting Back Against Washington State’s Attempts to Kill Montana Coal
• Central Washington University Launches Energy Degree Program
• Portland Water & Sewer: Utility Watchdog Group – Stop Developer Discounts
• Why NERC Thinks the EPA Clean Power Plan Could Threaten Grid Reliability
• New England’s Governors Release Six-State Action Plan to Address Energy Infrastructure Needs
• Moniz: Gas Pipelines a ‘Very Obvious’ Vulnerability
• How Do Electric Utilities Make Money?
• This Kentucky Hydropower Dam Is a Beautiful Building Site
• Makah Tribe’s Request to Hunt Whales under Public Scrutiny in Seattle
• California: Plan to Release Billions of Gallons of Water for Salmon Draws Concern
• New York State to Dim Lights to Save Migrating Birds
• Wind Turbines Being Considered for Lewis County
• U-S Sales Drive SolarWorld’s Revenue through the Roof
• California Farmers without Water Are Installing Solar Panels Instead
• Build It, We Dare You: Ocean-Energy Project Bad for Killer Whales, British Columbia Researcher Says
• DOE Looking for Tech Boom with New Wave Energy Prize
• Rhode Island: First U-S Offshore Wind Project Begins Construction
• Amid Concerns, Portland Pledges to Help Building Owners Meet Energy Reporting Standards
• Front-Loading Washers Get Class Action Suit
• Medical Marijuana Patients Fret about New Grower Limits Considered by Oregon Legislators
• New Study Links Weather Extremes to Global Warming
• How the Fukushima Disaster Crippled Japan’s Climate Plans
• Pope Francis Steps Up Campaign on Climate Change, to Conservatives’ Alarm
• Editorial: Spend on Schools, Not Electric Car Subsidies
• Tesla’s Gigafactory Could Be Obsolete Before It Even Opens - Here’s Why
• Washington State Has Second-Most Identity Theft Complaints
• The Internet of Things: How Safe is ‘Smart’ Technology?
• ESPN Sues Verizon over New Cable Packages
• Track Your Stuff Anywhere in the World, without GPS
• That Huge Starbucks Outage? Here’s Why It Was a Good Thing for the Company
• Facebook Messenger Adds Video Calling, Because Why Not
• How to Turn Employees into Social Media Advocates: Case Examples
• Kevin Durant Schools Sonic’s ‘Two Guys’ in the Brand’s First Athlete-Backed Ad
• Using Times New Roman on Your Résumé Is Like “Putting on Sweatpants for a Job Interview”
• Meet the Same-Sex Couples Poised to Make Supreme Court History
• Grays Harbor County: Former Clerk of the Board of Commissioners Files Wrongful Termination Claim
• U-S Senator Murray, Mom in Tennis Shoes in ‘92, Stands Her Ground
• Simpson Lumber Selling Mason County Mills to Sierra Pacific
• Sierra Pacific Acquiring Simpson’s Shelton Assets; Will Close Mill & Rebuild
• Simpson Lumber to Close Shelton Mills
• Teacher Hailed a Hero: Students Not Surprised Brady Olson Risked His Life to Save Others
• Mercy Corps, Medical Teams International Crews Face Storms, Blocked Roads as They Provide Aid in Nepal
• Deep Part of Cascadia Fault So Slippery Sun, Moon Trigger Tremors
• Cowlitz: Casino Construction May Start by End of Year
• Is a Strong El Nino FINALLY coming?

WORD OF THE DAY

Plebiscite • \PLEB-uh-site\ • noun – a vote by which the people of an entire country or district express an opinion for or against a proposal especially on a choice of government or ruler

“The ballots have been sent out. Like Noah sending the dove and the Raven to search for dry land we will soon know if the subjects like what I’ve suggested, or will continue to be restless,” mused the white-bearded king as he gazed from his tower, overlooking his lovely city of rivers. Unfortunately, calling for a plebiscite on naming the ‘cane toad’ as the Australian amphibian was like asking for an indulgence for a beer belch in church.

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

CAISO to FERC: Energy Imbalance Market Problems Found, Reforms Coming “…failure to recognize capacity held by PacifiCorp led to apparent shortages & subsequent price spikes…” (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/caiso-to-ferc-energy-imbalance-market-problems-found-reforms-coming/391556/

Boardman to Hemingway: Oregon-California Trails Association Protests Proposed Pacific Northwest Power Line (Business Wire)

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/octa-protests-proposed-power-line-150600147.html

Portland Economist Says Region’s Last Nuke Losing $250 Million on Fuel Deal - Utility disagrees with calculation (Willamette Weekly, OR)

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-33121-portland_economist_says_regions_last_nuke_losing_$250_million_on_fuel_deal.html

Op/Ed: Fighting Back Against Washington State’s Attempts to Kill Montana Coal (Ravalli Republic, Hamilton, MT)

http://ravallirepublic.com/missoula/news/opinion/columnists/article_e924504b-c7db-5f54-b07d-70ed11f34bc3.html

Central Washington University Launches Energy Degree Program (Yakima Herald-Republic, WA)

http://www.yakimaherald.com/news/yhr/tuesday/3120011-8/cwu-launches-energy-degree-program

Portland Water & Sewer: Utility Watchdog Group – Stop Developer Discounts (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/04/27/utility-watchdog-group-stop-developer-discounts/

Why NERC Thinks the EPA Clean Power Plan Could Threaten Grid Reliability (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/why-nerc-thinks-the-epa-clean-power-plan-could-threaten-grid-reliability/390966/

New England’s Governors Release Six-State Action Plan to Address Energy Infrastructure Needs (ISO News – Hey Look! Large scale hydro makes a cameo in this)

http://isonewswire.com/updates/2015/4/24/new-englands-governors-release-six-state-action-plan-to-addr.html

Moniz: Gas Pipelines a ‘Very Obvious’ Vulnerability (U-S News & World Report)

http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2015/04/27/ernest-moniz-gas-pipelines-a-very-obvious-vulnerability

How Do Electric Utilities Make Money? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/coley-girouard/2220891/how-do-electric-utilities-make-money

This Kentucky Hydropower Dam Is a Beautiful Building Site (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/this-kentucky-hydro-power-damn-is-a-beautiful-building-1700610897

FISH & WILDLIFE

Makah Tribe’s Request to Hunt Whales under Public Scrutiny in Seattle (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://mynorthwest.com/11/2753403/Tribeaposs-request-to-hunt-whales-under-public-scrutiny-in-Seattle

California: Plan to Release Billions of Gallons of Water for Salmon Draws Concern (Redding Record Searchlight, CA)

http://www.redding.com/news/local-news/bor-plan-to-release-billions-of-gallons-of-water-for-salmon-draws-concern_60880973

New York State to Dim Lights to Save Migrating Birds (British Broadcasting Corporation)

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-32491715

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Wind Turbines Being Considered for Lewis County (Wind Watch)

https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2015/04/25/wind-turbines-being-considered-for-lewis-county/

U-S Sales Drive SolarWorld’s Revenue through the Roof (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/sbo/2015/04/u-s-sales-drive-solarworlds-revenue-through-the.html

California Farmers without Water Are Installing Solar Panels Instead (Gizmodo)

http://gizmodo.com/california-farmers-without-water-are-planting-solar-pan-1700521743

Build It, We Dare You: Ocean-Energy Project Bad for Killer Whales, British Columbia Researcher Says ((Vancouver Sun, BC)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Ocean+energy+project+killer+whales+researcher+says/11010628/story.html

DOE Looking for Tech Boom with New Wave Energy Prize (Hydroworld)

http://www.hydroworld.com/articles/2015/04/doe-looking-for-tech-boom-with-new-wave-energy-prize.html

Rhode Island: First U-S Offshore Wind Project Begins Construction (Utility Dive)

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/first-us-offshore-wind-project-begins-construction/391502/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Amid Concerns, Portland Pledges to Help Building Owners Meet Energy Reporting Standards (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/blog/real-estate-daily/2015/04/amid-concerns-portland-pledges-to-help-building.html

Front-Loading Washers Get Class Action Suit (KOIN-TV, Portland, OR)

http://koin.com/2015/04/27/front-loading-washers-target-of-class-action-suit/

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

Medical Marijuana Patients Fret about New Grower Limits Considered by Oregon Legislators (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/mapes/index.ssf/2015/04/medical_marijuana_patients_fre.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

New Study Links Weather Extremes to Global Warming (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/science/new-study-links-weather-extremes-to-global-warming.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

How the Fukushima Disaster Crippled Japan’s Climate Plans (Mother Jones)

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/04/fukushima-climate-shinzo-abe-obama

Pope Francis Steps Up Campaign on Climate Change, to Conservatives’ Alarm (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/world/europe/pope-francis-steps-up-campaign-on-climate-change-to-conservatives-alarm.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

Editorial: Spend on Schools, Not Electric Car Subsidies (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/04/proposed_electric_car_subsidy.html

Tesla’s Gigafactory Could Be Obsolete Before It Even Opens - Here’s Why (Fortune Magazine)

http://fortune.com/2015/04/27/gigafactory-obsolete/

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Washington State Has Second-Most Identity Theft Complaints (KING-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.king5.com/story/money/consumer/2015/04/28/washington-identity-theft-complaints/26501595/

The Internet of Things: How Safe is ‘Smart’ Technology? (KGW-TV, Portland, OR)

http://www.kgw.com/story/news/investigations/2015/04/27/the-internet-of-things-how-safe-is-smart-technology/26479733/

ESPN Sues Verizon over New Cable Packages (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/business/media/espn-sues-verizon-over-new-cable-packages.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Track Your Stuff Anywhere in the World, without GPS (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2015/04/28/ozy-track-stuff-without-gps/26505123/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

That Huge Starbucks Outage? Here’s Why It Was a Good Thing for the Company (Puget Sound Business Journal, WA)

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/blog/techflash/2015/04/that-huge-starbucks-outage-heres-why-it-was-a-good.html

Facebook Messenger Adds Video Calling, Because Why Not (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/27/facebook-messenger-adds-video-calling-because-why-not/

How to Turn Employees into Social Media Advocates: Case Examples (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/turn-employees-into-social-media-advocates/

Kevin Durant Schools Sonic’s ‘Two Guys’ in the Brand’s First Athlete-Backed Ad (AdWeek – Interesting that a former Supersonic, is helping “Sonic” sell its product. Nope. Not bitter here. Not at all. Enjoy the off-season OKC.)

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/kevin-durant-schools-sonics-two-guys-brands-first-athlete-backed-ad-164331

Using Times New Roman on Your Résumé Is Like “Putting on Sweatpants for a Job Interview” (Consumerist)

http://consumerist.com/2015/04/27/using-times-new-roman-on-your-resume-is-like-putting-on-sweatpants-for-a-job-interview/

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Meet the Same-Sex Couples Poised to Make Supreme Court History (Mashable)

http://mashable.com/2015/04/27/supreme-court-same-sex-marriage-families/

Grays Harbor County: Former Clerk of the Board of Commissioners Files Wrongful Termination Claim (KBKW Radio, Aberdeen, WA)

http://kbkw.com/former-clerk-of-the-board-of-commissioners-files-wrongful-termination-claim-in-grays-harbor/

U-S Senator Murray, Mom in Tennis Shoes in ‘92, Stands Her Ground (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Sen-Murray-mom-in-tennis-shoes-in-92-stands-her-ground-301438891.html

GENERAL NEWS

Simpson Lumber Selling Mason County Mills to Sierra Pacific (Mason Web TV, Shelton, WA)

http://masonwebtv.com/archives/15097#more-15097

Sierra Pacific Acquiring Simpson’s Shelton Assets; Will Close Mill & Rebuild (Aberdeen Daily World, WA)

http://thedailyworld.com/news/local/sierra-pacific-acquiring-simpson-s-shelton-assets-will-close-mill-and-rebuild

Simpson Lumber to Close Shelton Mills (KMAS Radio, Shelton, WA)

http://kmasnewsradio.com/news/local-state-news/22683-simpson-lumber-to-close-shelton-mills

Teacher Hailed a Hero: Students Not Surprised Brady Olson Risked His Life to Save Others (KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/27/teacher-hailed-a-hero-students-not-surprised-brady-olson-risked-his-life-to-save-others/

Mercy Corps, Medical Teams International Crews Face Storms, Blocked Roads as They Provide Aid in Nepal (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2015/04/mercy_corps_medical_teams_inte.html

Deep Part of Cascadia Fault So Slippery Sun, Moon Trigger Tremors (Seattle Times, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://tinyurl.com/kgcl92u

Cowlitz: Casino Construction May Start by End of Year (Vancouver Columbian, WA)

http://www.columbian.com/news/2015/apr/27/cowlitz-tribe-casino-construction/

Is a Strong El Nino FINALLY coming? (Cliff Mass Weather Blog)

http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2015/04/is-strong-el-nino-finally-coming.html

DIVERSIONS

Why Is the Paper Clip Shaped Like It Is?

http://gizmodo.com/why-is-the-paper-clip-shaped-like-it-is-1699985310

Solar Lights Light the Way to Jail for Two Richland Thieves – and yes, alcohol was involved…

http://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/28913141/solar-lights-light-the-way-to-jail-for-two-richland-thieves

Baltimore Mom Slaps & Scolds Rioting Son in Front of Everyone

http://mashable.com/2015/04/28/baltimore-mom-slaps-son-riot/

25-Year-Old Woman Surprised to Learn She’s ‘Dead’

http://q13fox.com/2015/04/28/mich-woman-surprised-to-learn-shes-dead/

SONG OF THE DAY

Hear Johnny Cash’s Biggest Hits Played on Beer Bottles

http://time.com/3837298/johnny-cash-bottle-boys/

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.

Energy News Digest for April 27, 2015

SHELTON FORECAST & WEATHER ALERTS

Weather Forecast for April 27, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/lvs6o7p

Small Craft Advisory in effect for Puget Sound & Hood Canal

http://tinyurl.com/m3peulr

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ENERGY NEWS DIGEST

To subscribe, email jmyer@masonpud3.org

THE NEWS DIGEST TWITTER FEED

Follow the news digest on Twitter for breaking news & notices:

http://twitter.com/energydigest

HOT SHOTS – TODAY’S TOP FIVE STORIES

Western Drought Steals Clean Energy Along with Fresh Water at Power Plants (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/at-hoover-dam-the-drought-is-stealing-clean-energy-along-with-fresh-water/2015/04/26/8ce2740a-e93d-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html

Power Needs of Marijuana: Industry’s Use of Electricity Sparks Concerns (The Daily Astorian, OR)

http://www.dailyastorian.com/da/capital-bureau/20150426/power-needs-of-pot-industry-raise-issues-with-energy-dept-utilities

Responding to De-List Petition, NOAA Fisheries Announces Status Review for Snake River Fall Chinook (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433798.aspx

Audit: Hanford Failed To Take Advantage of Energy Incentive Payments (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/04/25/3529338_audit-hanford-failed-to-take-advantage.html?rh=1

Nevada’s Lake Mead on Track to Reach Record Low Water Level amid Drought (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/nevadas-lake-mead-track-reach-record-low-water-212101707.html

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS (Details Below)

• Western Drought Steals Clean Energy Along with Fresh Water at Power Plants
• Power Needs of Marijuana: Industry’s Use of Electricity Sparks Concerns
• Cowlitz PUD Looking at Refinancing Bonds to Cut Debt
• Taking the Power Back: Public Power Utilities Empower Customers
• Editorial: New England Energy Infrastructure to Blame for High Electricity Rates
• Viridian in the Hot Seat: Fluctuating Electricity Rates, My Foot
• Week Ahead: Moniz Takes Energy Infrastructure Pitch to Congress
• Responding to De-List Petition, NOAA Fisheries Announces Status Review for Snake River Fall Chinook
• Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em, Sea Lions Raise Concerns on the Columbia River
• Complex – And Expensive - System Transports Lewis River Fish
• Tri-Cities: Biologists Say West Fork of Amon Wasteway is Poor Habitat for Salmon, Trout
• Oregon Officials Discover Zebra Mussel Infestation on Boat Being Hauled from Ohio
• Nevada’s Lake Mead on Track to Reach Record Low Water Level amid Drought
• Kitsap PUD Wins State Water Quality Award
• Below-Average Snowpack in Clearwater Basin Calls for Early Fill of Dworshak Reservoir
• Drought Frames Economic Divide of Californians
• How Much Water Does a Water Leak Waste?
• How a Portland-Area Company is Powering Washington D-C’s Biggest Solar (energy) System
• Solar Oven: 3,500 Birds Died at Ivanpah ‘Power Towers’ in First Year
• More, Bigger Co-op Solar Coming
• Thirsty for Clean Power, California Taps Winds in Mexico
• Audit: Hanford Failed To Take Advantage of Energy Incentive Payments
• Bonneville Power Administration Testing Conservation Measures to Brace for High Demand, Low Supply
• With Legalization, Lawyers Turn to the Business of Marijuana
• Washington State House Democrats See Carbon Emissions Tax as Educational Funding Fix
• Op/Ed: Higher Taxes Not the Best Way to Reduce Emissions
• EPA’s McCarthy Tells Industry to Ignore ‘Doomsday’ Talk, Focus on Innovation
• Pope Francis Poised to Weigh in on Climate Change with Major Document
• How to Get More Electric Cars on the Roads
• Conspicuous Consumption for the Smug Environmentalist
• Rays from Exploding Stars May Help Measure Strength of Thunderstorms
• Comcast’s Deal Is Dead, So Now Charter Wants to Buy Time Warner Cable
• Comcast-Time Warner Cable Deal’s Collapse Leaves Frustrated Customers Out in the Cold
• With Amazon atop the Cloud, Big Tech Rivals Are Giving Chase
• Minnesota: Rural Broadband Download Disrupted by Politics
• The Kind of Hacker Your City Wants
• Pinterest Opens Up to Brands with New Ways to Plan Posts & Buy Ads
• Top Nine Facebook Marketing Questions Answered
• Wimbledon Bans Selfie Sticks at the Tournament Because of Contraption’s ‘Nuisance Value’
• Washington State Auditor: Troy Kelley Recall Petition Advances to Pierce County Court
• Gunman Who Fired Shots at North Thurston High School Tackled by Teacher (Shelton Alum)
• Nepal: Earthquake Death Toll Passes 4,000 & Climbing; Basic Goods in Short Supply
• Western Washington Couple Missing in Nepal
• Rafter Dies in Sultan River
• Low Snow Pack May be a Win for Some Outdoor Enthusiasts
• Scam Alert: Con Artists Posing as Heating, Air Conditioning Workers
• As Students Refuse Tests, Washington State Superintendent Warns of Consequences

WORD OF THE DAY

Peregrine • \PAIR-uh-grin\ • adjective – Having a tendency to wander

Walter Mitty sat immobile at his desk, his unfocused eyes betraying his peregrine mind, as it took a flight of fancy to a Renaissance Festival in Belfair, Washington…

WORD HISTORY FROM MERRIAM WEBSTER DICTIONARY – The current meaning of "peregrine" has wandered a bit from its earlier meanings. The word originally meant "foreign," as did its Latin predecessor "peregrinus." But even before "peregrine" appeared on its own in English, it was part of the name of that well-known bird of prey, the peregrine falcon. The bird's appellation derives from "falco peregrinus" -- literally, "pilgrim falcon" in Medieval Latin. Peregrine falcons typically nest in high places, such as on cliff ledges or, in modern times, city skyscrapers. Because of the nests' inaccessibility, medieval falconers who wanted young peregrine falcons to train had captured them on their first flights or migratory "pilgrimages." That practice led to a new sense of "peregrine" ("engaged in or traveling on a pilgrimage"), which was later broadened to "wandering." 

ENERGY & UTILITY ISSUES

Western Drought Steals Clean Energy Along with Fresh Water at Power Plants (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/at-hoover-dam-the-drought-is-stealing-clean-energy-along-with-fresh-water/2015/04/26/8ce2740a-e93d-11e4-9767-6276fc9b0ada_story.html

Power Needs of Marijuana: Industry’s Use of Electricity Sparks Concerns (The Daily Astorian, OR)

http://www.dailyastorian.com/da/capital-bureau/20150426/power-needs-of-pot-industry-raise-issues-with-energy-dept-utilities

Cowlitz PUD Looking at Refinancing Bonds to Cut Debt (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/cowlitz-pud-looking-at-refinancing-bonds-to-cut-debt/article_d632c46c-ba33-5a37-a31d-c1e00f9446f9.html

Taking the Power Back: Public Power Utilities Empower Customers (American Public Power Association)

http://blog.publicpower.org/sme/?p=524#sthash.ArPUOgkj.dpuf

Editorial: New England Energy Infrastructure to Blame for High Electricity Rates (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/energy-environment/239804-energy-infrastructure-to-blame-for-high-electricity

Viridian in the Hot Seat: Fluctuating Electricity Rates, My Foot (Courthouse News Service)

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/04/24/fluctuating-electricity-rates-my-foot.htm

Week Ahead: Moniz Takes Energy Infrastructure Pitch to Congress (The Hill, Washington, DC)

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/240008-week-ahead-moniz-takes-energy-infrastructure-pitch-to-congress

FISH & WILDLIFE

Responding to De-List Petition, NOAA Fisheries Announces Status Review for Snake River Fall Chinook (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433798.aspx

Love ‘Em or Hate ‘Em, Sea Lions Raise Concerns on the Columbia River (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

http://www.opb.org/news/article/sea-lions-columbia/

Complex – And Expensive - System Transports Lewis River Fish (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/567016c0-dc2f-5531-a80f-e87fd1d0f7f8.html

Tri-Cities: Biologists Say West Fork of Amon Wasteway is Poor Habitat for Salmon, Trout (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/04/26/3530851_biologists-say-west-fork-of-amon.html?rh=1

Oregon Officials Discover Zebra Mussel Infestation on Boat Being Hauled from Ohio (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2015/04/oregon_officials_discover_zebr.html

WATER & THE ENVIRONMENT

Nevada’s Lake Mead on Track to Reach Record Low Water Level amid Drought (Reuters)

http://news.yahoo.com/nevadas-lake-mead-track-reach-record-low-water-212101707.html

Kitsap PUD Wins State Water Quality Award (Central Kitsap Reporter, WA)

http://www.centralkitsapreporter.com/news/301239631.html

Below-Average Snowpack in Clearwater Basin Calls for Early Fill of Dworshak Reservoir (Columbia Basin Bulletin)

http://www.cbbulletin.com/433793.aspx

Drought Frames Economic Divide of Californians (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/us/drought-widens-economic-divide-for-californians.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

How Much Water Does a Water Leak Waste? (The Energy Collective)

http://theenergycollective.com/wegowise/2221046/how-much-water-does-water-leak-waste

RENEWABLE ENERGY

How a Portland-Area Company is Powering Washington D-C’s Biggest Solar (energy) System (Portland Business Journal, OR)

http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/morning_call/2015/04/how-a-portland-area-company-is-powering-d-c-s.html

Solar Oven: 3,500 Birds Died at Ivanpah ‘Power Towers’ in First Year (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060017406

More, Bigger Co-op Solar Coming (Electric Co-op Today)

http://www.ect.coop/power-supply/renewable-energy/electric-cooperatives-developing-more-solar-projects/80294

Thirsty for Clean Power, California Taps Winds in Mexico (San Diego Union-Tribune, CA)

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/apr/26/cross-border-currents/

CONSERVATION & EFFICIENCY

Audit: Hanford Failed To Take Advantage of Energy Incentive Payments (Tri-City Herald, WA)

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2015/04/25/3529338_audit-hanford-failed-to-take-advantage.html?rh=1

Bonneville Power Administration Testing Conservation Measures to Brace for High Demand, Low Supply (Longview Daily News, WA)

http://tdn.com/news/local/bpa-testing-conservation-measures-to-brace-for-high-demand-low/article_fc64ace5-2d2f-573d-b5b6-7857b38ab959.html

KILOWATTS FOR CANNABIS

With Legalization, Lawyers Turn to the Business of Marijuana (Associated Press)

http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article19457370.html

CLIMATE CHANGE SEQUESTRATION VAULT

Washington State House Democrats See Carbon Emissions Tax as Educational Funding Fix (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/04/26/3760068_house-democrats-see-carbon-emissions.html?rh=1

Op/Ed: Higher Taxes Not the Best Way to Reduce Emissions (News Tribune, Tacoma, WA - Paywall Advisory)

http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/04/24/3757628/higher-taxes-not-the-best-way.html

EPA’s McCarthy Tells Industry to Ignore ‘Doomsday’ Talk, Focus on Innovation (E&E Publishing)

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1060017378

Pope Francis Poised to Weigh in on Climate Change with Major Document (Washington Post)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pope-francis-poised-to-weigh-in-on-climate-change-with-major-document/2015/04/27/d5c268b2-df81-11e4-a500-1c5bb1d8ff6a_story.html?wprss=rss_national

BARREL O’ GREEN POTPOURRI

How to Get More Electric Cars on the Roads (Christian Science Monitor)

http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2015/0427/How-to-get-more-electric-cars-on-the-roads

Conspicuous Consumption for the Smug Environmentalist (Slate Magazine)

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2015/04/bmw_i8_vs_tesla_model_s_which_electric_car_is_best.html

Rays from Exploding Stars May Help Measure Strength of Thunderstorms (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/28/science/rays-from-exploding-stars-may-help-measure-strength-of-thunderstorms.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

TECHNOLOGY & TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Comcast’s Deal Is Dead, So Now Charter Wants to Buy Time Warner Cable (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/silicon-forest/index.ssf/2015/04/comcasts_deal_is_dead_so_now_c.html

Comcast-Time Warner Cable Deal’s Collapse Leaves Frustrated Customers Out in the Cold (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/27/business/media/mergers-collapse-leaves-frustrated-cable-customers-out-in-the-cold.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

With Amazon atop the Cloud, Big Tech Rivals Are Giving Chase (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/technology/amazon-reports-big-profits-in-its-cloud-computing-business.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

Minnesota: Rural Broadband Download Disrupted by Politics (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, MN)

http://www.startribune.com/local/yourvoices/301062901.html

The Kind of Hacker Your City Wants (USA Today)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2015/04/26/ozy-civic-hacker-city-wants/26301435/

MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA

Pinterest Opens Up to Brands with New Ways to Plan Posts & Buy Ads (AdWeek)

http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/pinterest-opens-brands-new-ways-plan-posts-and-buy-ads-164321

Top Nine Facebook Marketing Questions Answered (Social Media Examiner)

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/top-9-facebook-marketing-questions-answered/

Wimbledon Bans Selfie Sticks at the Tournament Because of Contraption’s ‘Nuisance Value’ (Associated Press)

http://www.usnews.com/news/sports/articles/2015/04/27/leave-your-selfie-sticks-at-home-say-wimbledon-organizers

POLITICS & GOVERNANCE

Washington State Auditor: Troy Kelley Recall Petition Advances to Pierce County Court (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/troy-kelley-recall-petition-advances-pierce-county-court

GENERAL NEWS

Gunman Who Fired Shots at North Thurston High School Tackled by Teacher (Shelton Alum) (KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Gunman-at-North-Thurston-High-School-apprehended-by-staff-301426921.html

Nepal: Earthquake Death Toll Passes 4,000 & Climbing; Basic Goods in Short Supply (Oregonian, Portland)

http://www.oregonlive.com/today/index.ssf/2015/04/nepal_earthquake_death_toll_at.html

Western Washington Couple Missing in Nepal (Seattle Post-Intelligencer, WA)

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/article/W-Washington-couple-missing-in-Nepal-6226019.php

Rafter Dies in Sultan River (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/rafter-dies-Sultan-River/nk3tS/

Low Snow Pack May be a Win for Some Outdoor Enthusiasts (Associated Press)

http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Low-snow-pack-may-be-a-win-for-some-outdoor-enthusiasts-301362001.html

Scam Alert: Con Artists Posing as Heating, Air Conditioning Workers (KIRO Broadcasting, Seattle, WA)

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/scam-alert-con-artists-posing-heating-air-conditio/nk4Kn/

As Students Refuse Tests, Washington State Superintendent Warns of Consequences (Northwest Public Radio)

http://nwpr.org/post/students-refuse-tests-washington-superintendent-warns-consequences

DIVERSIONS

How the Tea Bag Was Invented

http://gizmodo.com/how-the-tea-bag-was-invented-1700351584

Man Sidetracked by Tater Tots during Suspected Robbery Burglary Attempt

http://time.com/3836003/man-falls-asleep-during-robbery/

This Sneaky Turtle Just Photobombed a Group Picture in the Philippines

http://time.com/3835615/turtle-photobomb-philppines/

Quacking Duck Ringtone Helps Firefighter Rescue Ducklings

http://news.yahoo.com/quacking-duck-ringtone-helps-firefighter-rescue-ducklings-220325434.html

SONG OF THE DAY

The Doobie Brothers – Black Water

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

LINKS & PAYWALL ADVISORY

All the links in today’s news digest lead to current stories. Please note that some media organizations update their web sites regularly, which may result in broken links in the future.

Note that as some newspapers migrate to a “paywall” system of access, some articles may not be available without forking over some cold hard credit card cash. However, some sites will allow a certain number of story accesses per month before holding out their hand. Sorry if this is an inconvenience.