With wildfires across Oregon and Washington impacting Native nations in each state, communities have rallied together to support families impacted by the fires through supplies and monetary donations. Below is information on what and where to donate. www.underscore.news/land/wildfir...

Community Rallies for Wildfire Relief: How to Help - Underscore Native News

As wildfires burn through Native nations in Oregon and Washington, communities across both states have banded together to set up sites to donate and support families impacted by the fires.

underscore.news

In the wake of devastating wildfires in Spokane, we’re seeing statewide impacts to air quality. As winds shift through this evening, we expect to see smoke blanket the state from Vancouver to Spokane, including major metropolitan areas like Seattle, Tacoma, and Everett.

The Spokane Complex Fire has destroyed hundreds of homes and displaced thousands of people. Our communities are jumping in to help. Here are a few resources for where to locate resources and how to pitch. If you think of anything we missed, let us know at team@rangemedia.co.

Where wildfire victims can find resources, how neighbors can help

An evolving resource directory for people affected by the disaster and people who want to lend a hand.

rangemedia.co

We polled voters in 18 toss-up districts and the results are clear: voters want candidates who will challenge the political establishment, not give it cover. Here are some interesting findings from @workingfamilies.org... 🧵

Class is in session 📚 lets dig into WA’s historic new #MillionairesTax Learn more: budgetandpolicy.org/a-look-at-th...

REVIEW: Arte Noir's latest exhibit honors Seattle's Black Panthers through Black art and Central District testimony, spotlighting community programs, displacement, and a legacy that endures. Read the full review here: soseaem.org/4wd8FC4 #Seattle

Maurice Mitchell 🐺 @mauricewfp.bsky.social linktr.ee/mauricemitch... Inatai Foundation @inatai.org linktr.ee/InataiFounda...

A Kalispel Tribal Police detective was fired in 2021 after lying about an arrest. He'd been fired at least twice before. Tribal agencies are a fraction of Washington’s police workforce, but a disproportionately common landing place for fired officers - www.investigatewest.org/fired-office...

Washington tribal police hire fired officers at outsized rates

Tribal police in Washington hire officers fired elsewhere at a rate four times higher than their share of the workforce

investigatewest.org

A casual Spanish-language exchange that started in West Seattle is now bringing neighbors together in White Center. The informal "intercambio" welcomes fluent speakers, beginners, and everyone in between for conversation, food, and drinks. Read more: soseaem.org/4fypLmM #Seattle

A win for Lewis County: A new community center has opened with resources for neurodiverse individuals and their families: https://www.lewistalk.com/2026/01/21/a-sanctuary-for-success-lewis-county-autism-coalition-launches-the-spectrum-and-development-community-center/ #WhenWeConnectWeWin

A Sanctuary for Success: Lewis County Autism Coalition Launches the Spectrum and Development Community Center - LewisTalkWA

Lewis County Autism Coalition and its new facility are a beacon of hope, offering sensory-friendly environments, professional guidance and a community-led approach to disability equity.

lewistalk.com

Not having accessible mail service is an issue when you're living in a state that votes by mail. Read more here: www.hcn.org/articles/whi...

White Salmon has been fighting for free mail for decades - High Country News

In small towns across the West, residents are paying hundreds of dollars for a service that others get for free. They say the U.S. Postal Service has ignored their pleas for help.

hcn.org

Yesterday, a judge sided with Washington state, agreeing that the GEO Group must permit health inspections at its private detention facility, the Northwest ICE Processing Center. The complaints we're hearing from people held in the facility paint a picture of neglect and cruelty.

The Indigenous Media Awards were announced this week, and Underscore is proud to have garnered seven first-place awards, including for General Excellence among small outlets in the print/online division. Underscore also won four second-place awards for 11 total.

COLUMN: Seattle went all of June without a homicide for the first time in 56 years. Marcus Harrison Green argues the milestone should prompt humility about public safety — and a closer look at the prevention work that often goes unseen and underfunded. Read here: soseaem.org/4p9N2Ql #Seattle

Community leaders in Washington State dream, organize, and show up for each other in the most beautiful ways. Our 2025 Annual Report is a reflection of the courage and persistence of Washington leaders, organizations, and communities. We hope you'll read it! www.inatai.org/2025-annual-report

2025 Annual Report - Inatai Foundation

We recognize the urgency of today, and we understand that the journey toward equity and racial justice requires sustained time and energy. We believe the

inatai.org

Inatai Foundation announces $2 Million Safety & Resilience Fund to support Washington communities: https://loom.ly/2_QeS5U

Inatai Foundation Announces $2 Million Safety & Resilience Fund to Support Washington Communities - Inatai Foundation

Inatai Foundation Announces $2 Million Safety & Resilience Fund to support Washington communities.

inatai.org

Federal authorities on Tuesday threatened Washington state election officials with criminal prosecution if they fail to prevent noncitizens from voting in this year’s federal elections. washingtonstatestandard.com/briefs/doj-t...

DOJ threatens WA election officials with prosecution if noncitizens vote • Washington State Standard

Federal authorities on Tuesday threatened to prosecute Washington state election officials if noncitizens vote in federal elections.

washingtonstatestandard.com

This piece for The Black Lens says it clearly: The guilty verdicts against the Spokane Three should alarm anyone who values First Amendment rights. https://www.blacklensnews.com/stories/2026/jun/07/from-the-board-the-spokane-3-verdict-is-a-warning-/

From the board: The Spokane 3 verdict Is a warning to every community organizer in America

The guilty verdicts against Jac Archer, Justice Forral, and Bajun Mavalwalla II should concern anyone who values the First Amendment, community organizing, and the right to stand up against injustice.

blacklensnews.com

Shoutout to @budget-policy.bsky.social for the breakdown of Washington's tax code in this thread!

Washington State Budget and Policy Center@budget-policy.bsky.social · last mo.

🧵1/9 Neighbor by neighbor, town by town, city by city – every great change in our country has started the same way. #WeAreTheAmericanStory #America250 #BPC

Cowlitz County residents can breathe a sigh of relief – the new, permanent Kelso driver licensing office is opening next Thursday, July 2. It’s in the same building where we’ve held our mobile licensing events since January. Appointments are available now!

This gathering celebrates the Pacific Lamprey, a first food for many Northwest tribes. Learn more from the Washington State Standard: washingtonstatestandard.com/2026/06/26/r...

Hundreds turn out to Willamette River for Yakama Nation lamprey celebration • Washington State Standard

The fifth annual gathering follows a traditional lamprey harvest at Willamette Falls, where thousands of lamprey used to pass each year.

washingtonstatestandard.com

Every Tuesday through July 21, “First Stories of the Salish Sea,” created by Taproot Travel Co. and the FRS Clipper, are offering a whale watching tour of Elliot Bay that highlights Coast Salish culture, both present and historic. ✍️: @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social, UNN + ICT

Fusing Indigenous Knowledge and Whale Watching on New Seattle Tour - Underscore Native News

‘First Stories of the Salish Sea,’ a collaboration with Taproot Travel Co. and FRS Clipper, took its inaugural voyage on June 16, offering the first Indigenous-led whale watching tour in Elliot Bay of...

underscore.news

Earlier this month, the University of Washington School of Medicine Student Education Program announced the largest scholarship gift the school has received. ✍️ : @nikabartoosmith.bsky.social UNN + ICT

New UW School of Medicine Scholarship to Increase Healthcare in Rural and Indigenous Communities - Underscore Native News

A recent $25 million gift to the University of Washington School of Medicine Student Education Program will create the Franke Medical Student Scholars Program to provide scholarships, recruitment, and...

underscore.news

We stand in solidarity with the Spokane Three and with communities across Washington working to ensure that the right to dissent remains protected for all. inatai.org/news/spokane...

Spokane Three: Protecting protest, protecting democracy - Inatai Foundation

On May 28, a federal jury found three nonviolent protesters in Spokane guilty of conspiracy for protesting deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Spokane Three—Bajun Mavalwalla II, J...

inatai.org

It's simple. We keep fighting. Thank you to the brave #spokane3.