AG’s office turns eyes stateside in challenge to PSE’s proposed price hikes, More details on firearm turn-in program, Bellingham-based nonprofit names new executive director, Preparations Made to Deliver Justice Facilities to the Design Team, Canadian travel down 25%, Skagit reporters strike placed on temporary pause, Superintendent Reykdal rejects Dept. of Education’s request for information on state’s “transgender policies”, Cantwell demands Trump restore energy funding, FREE & CHEAP: August 1st:, attempted traffic stop turns into a series of poor decisions. Amazon gets $600 million dollar tariff refund (kicker, Skagit County), F&C August 9th: , 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,
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, July 31st. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: AG’s office turns eyes stateside in challenge to PSE’s proposed price hikes
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown is challenging a proposed rate increase from Puget Sound Energy, arguing the utility’s plan would unfairly raise our energy costs.
In testimony filed with the Utilities and Transportation Commission, Brown’s office opposes PSE’s proposed 29% increase on electric rates and 20% increase on natural gas rates over the next three years.
Brown says utilities should only raise rates when increases are necessary and reasonable. His office argues PSE’s proposal does not meet that standard.
The Attorney General’s Public Counsel Unit has urged regulators to lower the company’s allowed profit margin and shift more costs to shareholders rather than customers. Officials estimate those changes could save us hundreds of millions of dollars.
If approved… the rate hikes would begin in 2027 and continue through 2029. The Utilities and Transportation Commission will hold public hearings on the proposal this fall… before making a decision.
STORY: More details on firearm turn-in program
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office released more details about Whatcom Safe Exchange, the anonymous firearm turn-in program.
Residents are generally limited to turning in 10 firearms, but onsite staff can increase or decrease that limit at their discretion. Residents will receive VISA gift cards for their firearms.
Non-functional firearms are worth $50. Rifles and shotguns are worth $100, handguns are $200, with assault rifles and machine guns at $300.
When booking an appointment, the website asks for a name, but instead of using your name, the sheriff’s office asks residents to submit the make and model of their car in order to maintain anonymity.
STORY: Bellingham-based nonprofit names new executive director
Sustainable Connections announced the selection of a new executive director.
The Bellingham-based nonprofit named Andy Basabe as its new executive director starting September 7th.
Basabe founded the Vamos Outdoors Project in 2018, to support migrant and multilingual students through access to outdoor activities in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Sustainable Connections works with governments and local businesses to expand educational programs and environmental advocacy in Northwest Washington. Their goal is to advance food sustainability, expand housing access, and address climate change issues.
The transition was initiated by previous executive director Derek Long, who stepped down after serving for the last 23 years. Basabe says he wants to continue bringing practical solutions to the table and include underrepresented communities in conversations about sustainability.
STORY: Preparations Made to Deliver Justice Facilities to the Design Team
Whatcom County is preparing to hand off planning documents for its proposed justice facilities project to the design-build team.
During a recent community workshop, county staff and project designers shared details about the proposed jail and Behavioral Care Center, including studies and public input that helped shape the plans.
On August 11, council members will consider approving the plans, which will allow the design-build team to begin work on blueprints, permits, and site preparation.
STORY: Canadian travel down 25%
Canadian visits dropped by 25% in 2025 according to new data from Statistics Canada.
And, those numbers have continued to lag this year. 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 vacations within Canada or elsewhere overseas. According to surveys by the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Border Policy Research Institute, more than half of local businesses report direct negative impacts.
Large-box retailers report 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
Reporters at three Skagit and Snohomish County newspapers are back on the job after a brief strike over wages and AI policies.
Staff at the Skagit Valley Herald, Anacortes American, and Stanwood-Camano News walked off the job July 24th after months of contract negotiations with Adams MultiMedia, a national conglomerate.
Union members with the Pacific Northwest Newspaper Guild say many reporters earn between $19 and $22 an hour: below Skagit County’s living wage for a single adult. They’re seeking a $20 minimum wage, annual raises, and more pay equity between the daily and weekly publications.
Reporters are also pushing for limits on the use of artificial intelligence in news production, saying they do not want AI-generated stories in their papers.
Adams MultiMedia says it is negotiating in good faith and expects to reach an agreement with the union.
STORY: Superintendent Reykdal rejects Dept. of Education’s request for information on state’s “transgender policies”
Washington State superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal rejected the U.S. Department of Education’s request for details on the state’s transgender policies.
Since March of last year, the Department of Education has requested thousands of documents as part of an investigation into Washington’s civil rights laws. Reykdal says his office has complied with all requests, and will continue to comply going forward.
A Department of Education press release demands both Washington and California’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act policies (or FERPA), saying federal funds will be witheld from states that do not comply.
FERPA is a federal privacy law that gives parents access to their child’s school records. The Department claims Washington state has violated FERPA by not requiring staff to notify parents about their child’s gender identity.
Reykdal says Washington has robust protections against discrimination for public school students based on gender identity. He maintains that the protections are fully in compliance with state and federal laws, and do not violate FERPA.
STORY: Cantwell demands Trump restore energy funding
Washington Senator Maria Cantwell has demanded the Trump administration restore more than $1 billion in canceled federal energy grants.
Recent court filings reportedly acknowledged the projects were terminated based on whether states voted for President Trump in 2024. Cantwell says the cuts include a $1 billion grant for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, affecting projects in Bellingham, Richland, and Chehalis. Supporters say the cancellation jeopardizes more than 10,000 jobs and over $5 billion in private investment.
The administration has not announced plans to restore funding.
FREE & CHEAP: August 1st:
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
This weekend, is the 5th Annual Ferndale Block Party. As in previous years, it’s free for the whole family! Featuring all ages entertainment, vendors, food trucks, craft beer & cider. Check out the free games provided by local businesses and organizations! Running from 5 to 9pm tonight, and noon to 9pm Saturday.
Also on Saturday, Friends of the Bellingham Public Library and Wander Brewing will host a “Books and Brews” pop-up sale from noon to 5pm. Browse all kinds of books while getting tipsy at Wander Brewing at 1807 Dean Avenue. All proceeds support the Bellingham Central Library renovation.
Another Saturday event: Fire up the grills—it’s time for the Max’d Out BBQ Competition at Hardware Sales from 11 to 3pm. 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.
And finally, our last Saturday item: The Birch Bay Sand Sculpture Competition takes place at 7930 Birch Bay Dr This free, family-friendly event invites participants of all ages and skill levels to build and compete. Sculpting begins around 10:30am with judging around 2pm.
WX: Eighty – it’s the new fifty!
And now weather…
We close out the work week with sunny skies and highs right around 80 degrees. Look for increasing clouds this evening, as well as a chance of late-night showers, and wind gusts up to 25 mph. Nighttime lows will be in the upper 50s.
Expect rain tomorrow, with up to a quarter-inch and a decent chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures should stay in the high 60s to low 70s. Sunday, we’ll see the sun again with about a 20% chance of rain and temperatures near 70.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, Jenny Lam, Nate Landi, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger, 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: attempted traffic stop turns into a series of poor decisions. (kicker, Skagit County)
STORY: Amazon gets $600 million dollar tariff refund
Amazon says it received about $600 million in tariff refunds last quarter and plans to return some of that money to customers.
The Seattle-based company revealed the refund after reporting stronger-than-expected earnings. The refunds stem from the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning President Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs. Amazon says most of the refund will help keep prices low, while customers who directly paid tariff-related charges on eligible purchases will automatically receive refunds.
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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