ACLU files federal claim on behalf of family of asylum seekers detained for four weeks in Blaine, Four youths arrested following armed robbery at Bellingham Regal Cinemas, Three injured across two collisions in Skagit County, Affordable living facility for seniors proposed as part of Bellingham’s Old Town redevelopment, Blaine PD seeking information on car suspected of damaging lightpole, Whatcom County 2026 snapshot on homelessness, Free Shred Day in Bellingham, WA Costco shoppers may be eligible for payout, WA Climate Partnership meeting outlines stringent requirements for state to meet 2030 emissions limit, Attempted traffic stop turns into a series of poor decisions. (kicker, Skagit County), Canadian travel down 25%, Skagit reporters strike placed on temporary pause, FREE & CHEAP, August 1st: F&C Aug 21, Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, July, 30. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: ACLU files federal claim on behalf of family of asylum seekers detained for four weeks in Blaine
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington state is representing a family of six in a federal tort claim against U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The family sought asylum in the U.S. in 2024 because of persecution in their home country. An immigration judge denied their request for more time to submit supporting documents in 2025 and ordered them deported.
The family tried to seek asylum in Canada, but were stopped by immigration enforcement in Blaine. They were detained for four weeks in a small cell without being able to change or shower for two weeks.
At the time, the children ranged from an infant to age thirteen, and their mother was five months pregnant with a high‑risk pregnancy. As a result of the poor conditions in the cell, she lost consciousness and was hospitalized twice.
The family is seeking damages, saying that Border Patrol violated their own policies and harmed their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
The federal government has six months to respond to the filing.
STORY: Four youths arrested following armed robbery at Bellingham Regal Cinemas
Four teenage boys were arrested for armed robbery near Bellingham Regal Cinemas on Monday.
Three of the boys, ages 13-16, posed as customers for a clothing sale. Once they grabbed the clothes they ran off, while the fourth boy was outside on lookout.
According to police, one of the boys threatened to stab the pursuing sellers with a knife and the one on look out acted like he had a gun. After setting up a perimeter and using a drone, the boys were found and arrested for felony robbery, harassment and theft.
The stolen clothing was recovered.
STORY: Three injured across two collisions in Skagit County
Three people were injured in two separate collisions in Skagit County.
Washington State Patrol says the first crash happened Tuesday on State Route 20 near Gibraltar Road, when a southbound Jeep crossed the centerline and hit a northbound truck. The 79‑year‑old Jeep driver was taken to Harborview Medical Center, and the truck driver was not hurt. Both vehicles were totaled. The cause is under investigation.
In Tuesday’s second crash, troopers say a car on State Route 536 near Bennett Road went onto the shoulder, overcorrected, crossed the westbound lane, and rolled off the roadway.
Two women from Mount Vernon were injured — one taken to Harborview and the other to Skagit Valley Hospital. WSP says drugs or alcohol were involved, and charges are under investigation.
STORY: Affordable living facility for seniors proposed as part of Bellingham’s Old Town redevelopment
Bellingham’s Old Town district is headed for major redevelopment.
The City says projects are planned across eight city blocks over the next decade and are expected to add about 500 housing units along with new commercial space.
Construction is underway on an 84-unit apartment building on Astor Street, expected to open this summer. The city has also approved a 74-unit affordable senior housing project by Mercy Housing Northwest and permits for two mixed-use buildings on West Holly Street and D Street.
City officials say the redevelopment will help address the housing shortage, support downtown businesses, and create a more walkable urban village.
STORY: Blaine PD seeking information on car suspected of damaging lightpole
Blaine Police are seeking information about a driver who hit a brand new light pole in Blaine.
The suspect was driving a gray Dodge or Chevrolet pickup truck and struck the pole Tuesday at about 7:48 p.m. Anyone with information should contact the police department.
STORY: Whatcom County 2026 snapshot on homelessness
Whatcom County’s annual homelessness count has reached its highest level since the survey began in 2008.
The 2023 Point in Time Count found more than 1,050 people experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County — a 27% increase from the year before. County officials say the numbers show people are becoming homeless faster than available housing and services can keep up, although the report does say a small percentage of the increase is due to changes in definitions of homelessness.
The count found a sharp increase in unsheltered homelessness, with the number of people sleeping outside, in vehicles, tents, or other locations nearly doubling from 182 people in 2022 to 348 in 2023.
The report also found the number of people age 60 and older experiencing homelessness has increased 141% since 2019, rising to 164 people last year.
Officials say the count is likely an undercount, because it only captures a snapshot of homelessness on one night and many people are difficult to locate or choose not to participate.
Whatcom County provides funding for shelter, rental assistance, eviction prevention, and supportive housing programs through local nonprofit partners.
STORY: Free Shred Day in Bellingham
With identity‑theft cases on the rise, a local bank will offer community members free secure document shredding.
Washington Trust Bank will provide the shredding Friday from 9 a.m. to noon at its Bellingham branch on Rimland Drive — and you don’t need an account to participate.
Residents can bring sensitive paperwork for on‑site disposal, such as old bank statements, bills, canceled checks, pre‑approved credit offers and tax documents more than three years old.
Bank officials say proper shredding remains one of the simplest ways to protect against rising fraud losses for consumers and businesses.
STORY: WA Costco shoppers may be eligible for payout
Washington Costco shoppers may be eligible for money under a proposed class‑action settlement.
A lawsuit claims Costco sent commercial marketing emails with misleading subject lines, violating Washington’s commercial email law. Costco denies the allegations and says it followed all state and federal requirements, but has agreed to a 14-million-dollar settlement if the court approves it.
The settlement covers Washington residents who received Costco marketing emails between June 2021 and July 2026. Payments will be split among people who submit valid claim forms, though the final amount per person isn’t yet known.
The deadline to file a claim or opt out is August 24. A final approval hearing is set for October 2. More information is available at WashingtonCommercialEmailSettlement.com.
STORY: Fish return to Toutle River
Spring Chinook salmon are returning to the upper North Fork Toutle River for the first time since the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and its partners released 30 adult Chinook into South Fork Coldwater Creek in June as part of a long-term effort to restore historic salmon habitat. Officials hope to release up to 600 Chinook each year using a trap-and-haul program that moves fish around the Sediment Retention Structure, which blocks natural upstream passage.
The project is expected to help rebuild threatened salmon and steelhead populations in the lower Columbia River basin.
STORY: WA Climate Partnership meeting outlines stringent requirements for state to meet 2030 emissions limit
Washington will need to follow strict climate guidelines to meet the 2030 emissions limit.
The Washington Department of Ecology reports 40% of all emissions are due to transportation, mainly driving. In order to meet the 2030 carbon-neutral goal, these emissions will need to be heavily reduced.
At a Washington Climate Partnership meeting this week, emission modeler Jeremy Hargreaves said the state is behind the curve on the transition to electric vehicles. Only 8% of registered vehicles in Washington are hybrid or fully electric.
Earlier this year, the Senate passed a bill to establish an electrical transmission authority and more energy-efficient projects across the state.
The DOE also proposed ideas to speed up the transition – like adding a surcharge to luxury gas-powered vehicles, or creating a fund to lower EV interest rates for low and middle income families.
WX: Turn around, bright skies
And now for the weather…
We’ll see sunshine and modestly high temperatures the remainder of today, with highs in the mid-70s. Expect another mild evening to follow, with mostly clear skies and nighttime lows projected in the mid-50s.
Expect even more sunshine and fun times tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Nate Landi, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger (NO-ell REE-ger), and Sean Lynch. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p.m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by your donations. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: attempted traffic stop turns into a series of poor decisions. (kicker, Skagit County)
STORY: Canadian travel down 25%
Canadian visits dropped by 25% in 2025 according to new data from Statistics Canada.
Those numbers have continued to lag in 2026. Canadians took over 7 million fewer trips south of the border last year, and spent over $2 billion less on U.S. travel.
The decline follows trade tensions and political friction between the two countries, with many Canadians choosing to vacation within Canada or overseas instead. According to surveys by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Border Policy Research Institute, more than half of local businesses reported direct negative impacts. Large-box retailers reported revenue losses between 25% and 40%, while specific border-town businesses — like gas stations and boutiques in Blaine — experienced sales drops ranging from 30% to over 50%.
Canadians historically account for nearly 12% of Whatcom County’s annual taxable retail sales.
While road trips to the U.S. have started to rebound, air travel from Canada remains well below previous levels.
STORY: Skagit reporters strike placed on temporary pause
FREE & CHEAP,
August 1st:
The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library and Wander Brewing host a “Books and Brews” pop‑up sale Saturday from noon to 5. Browse fiction, nonfiction, kids’ books, graphic novels, cookbooks, puzzles and more at Wander Brewing on Dean Avenue. All proceeds support the Bellingham Central Library renovation.
Fire up the grills—it’s time for the Max’d Out BBQ Competition is happening Saturday at Hardware Sales from 11 to 3. It’s a community fundraiser for the Max Higbee Center, with $2 BBQ tastings, a dunk tank, kids’ games, and a silent auction. All proceeds support programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
F&C August 9th:
Ferndale hosts a free Play, Learn & Connect Festival this weekend. The event runs Sunday from 11 to 2 at Pioneer Park, with giant building blocks, arts and crafts, hands‑on learning activities, community booths, and food trucks. It’s designed to celebrate play while connecting families with local programs and services.
F&C Aug 21
Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall
Friday, August 21, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Inside Bellis Fair Mall
Enjoy a wide array of handmade crafts and baked goods created by children ages 13 and younger. All items are priced $5 or less; cash only sales. Fun for all ages to shop for unique treasures and support local youth.
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