A federal judge has halted the USDA’s reorganization plans, including the relocation of US Forest Service headquarters and closure of nine regional offices. In other Business news: Irving Pulp and Paper in Saint John extinguished a wood chip fire; Kimberly-Clark’s acquisition of Kenvue received EU approval; a USMCA panel partially upheld US duties on Canadian lumber; a US importer challenged a lumber duty-evasion finding; and an Oregon library showcases mass timber construction. Meanwhile: US consumer sentiment ticks down; US home sales sink; and inflation broadens beyond energy. 

In Forestry news: Canada invests in protecting Ontario’s taiga forest, and digital forestry innovation in New Brunswick; BC’s Forest Practices Board will audit Carrier Lumber’s operations; BC’s Fraser River pink salmon run doubled; Oregon is investing $10M in wildfire risk reduction; and Weyerhaeuser advanced forest-based climate solutions. Meanwhile; Reuters says fashion brands are turning to alternative fibres; and ARC Bio pursues sustainable aviation fuel from forest residues.

Finally: Alberta Forest Products Association CEO Jason Krips announced his departure; while Tanya Crowell is the Truck Loggers Association’s new Director of Communications.

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog News Editor