Wildlife Reintroduction: The Colville Tribes say Canada lynx released in the Kettle Range are surviving and reproducing, with trail cameras confirming kittens still alive a year later—an early win for the 46-lynx augmentation effort. Climate & Health: A TikTok video from the Seattle-area/Chelan region shows wildfire smoke thick enough for ash to fall, a reminder that smoke can quickly turn hazardous for lungs and outdoor work. Renewable Power: Cypress Creek Energy’s Ostrea Solar in Yakima County has reached commercial operation, adding 104 MWDC while conserving about 275 acres of shrubsteppe habitat. Solar + Wildlife Planning: A Washington solar project is also being highlighted for wildlife corridors and pollinator-friendly plantings as it comes online. Labor & Public Services: Hundreds of Washington state workers staged a one-hour walkout in Olympia over pay demands as contract talks near an Oct. 1 ratification deadline. Education: Seattle Public Schools avoided a teacher strike after a tentative deal, but budget questions remain as the district weighs next steps. Workforce & Tech: Fluke opened a new engineering lab at WSU Everett to train thousands of students on industry measurement tools. Agriculture Under Heat: A new study examines lettuce performance under heat stress, pointing to soil management and heat-tolerant varieties as key to keeping yields steady.