The Jungle: What Closing It Will Actually Take
by Whitney Bowerman
Following the recent news of plans of closure for The Jungle, a look back at its history and what steps can be taken for a proper transition for those most affected.
In early May, the City of Olympia announced it would begin a regional effort to close The Jungle encampment, in coordination with the City of Lacey and Thurston County. A regional encampment transition planning team has been assembled, including representatives from the City of Olympia, the City of Lacey, Thurston County, Interfaith Works, Family Support Center, Olympic Health & Recovery Services, and Intercity Transit. The closure is expected to take 18 months to 2 years or more.
For a moment, this seemed like it might be different — not a sweep, not a clearing, but a genuine attempt to do the right thing.
Shelton Wins Its Fight For Pride
by Matt Hilton
Shelton Pride Proclamation approved due to community turnout and reconsideration by Shelton City Council.
A Pride Month proclamation in Shelton initially failed on a tied 3-3 vote before being approved. A large community turnout pushed City Council to reconsider. More than 180 community members showed up to the revote, with 56 people giving public comment primarily in support. The final vote passed 5-2.
End US Aggression Against Cuba!
by Peter Bohmer
The Trump administration is committed to overthrowing the Cuban government and its political economic structure. What can be done to stop it?
On May 1, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order authorizing additional sanctions on Cuba. Trump said, “We will be taking it [Cuba] over almost immediately.” These continued threats follow the Trump administration’s April 14 directive to the Pentagon to “ramp up preparations for possible military action against Cuba.” In response to Trump’s threats to take over the country, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said, “No aggressor, no matter how powerful, will find surrender in Cuba, … he will find a people determined to defend sovereignty and independence in every inch of our country.”
Trump told reporters that “we may stop by Cuba after we’ve finished with this” (referring to war against Iran). This followed a January 29 Executive Order calling Cuba “an unusual and extraordinary threat to US national security.” Trump announced a blockade of oil to Cuba and stiff tariffs for any country delivering oil. The two main suppliers had been Mexico and Venezuela. They and other nations have stopped shipping oil to Cuba except one big shipment by Russia in late March.
Sharpening Conjunctures
Taking a technical term and turning it into a multi tool for everyday carry.
by Carl Eugene Stroud
It doesn’t matter what the goal is, there’s not much point in only anticipating ideal scenarios. This is why the concept of “conjuncture” is helpful, for strategizing and getting a lay of the land. Analyzing the conjuncture is about starting from the here and now because it’s important to look at things in context, paying attention to the situation at hand, accounting for the when and the where. But it’s also true that, as a term, conjuncture needs to be demystified to make it a tool that more people feel comfortable picking up and using.
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