WA fires – arsonist arrested (for Wednesday!), Heat and air quality advisories in effect for Whatcom and Skagit counties, Early primary results, Former employee sues WWU over alleged failure to accommodate for disability, Permanent speed limit reduction coming for section of North Cascades Highway, Gas prices remain stagnantly high in WA and beyond, Dept of Ed demands change from WA and CA (bump for time if needed), Central WA data center scuppered (bump for time if needed), 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
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, August, 5. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: WA fires – arsonist arrested (for Wednesday!)
A man accused of starting one of the three major wildfires in Spokane County has been charged with arson.
Prosecutors say 37‑year‑old Aaron Farinacci (fah-ree-NAH-chee) is suspected of igniting the Old Trails Fire. CNN reports his bail was set at one million dollars. His arraignment is set for tomorrow.
The Old Trails, Autumn Lane and Fairview fires have burned more than 10,000 acres and destroyed over 700 structures. About 65,000 people have evacuated.
STORY: Heat and air quality advisories in effect for Whatcom and Skagit counties
Smoke from the Spokane‑area fires — along with dozens of others burning across the West — is drifting into northwest Washington and worsening air quality.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency has issued an Air Quality Alert for Whatcom and Skagit Counties through tomorrow at 5 p.m., with the worst conditions expected in the eastern portions of both counties. People are urged to limit time outdoors and avoid strenuous activity when air quality turns unhealthy.
A Heat Advisory is also in effect until 10 p.m. Thursday. Highs near 90 and warm overnight lows will offer little relief. Health officials urge people to stay hydrated, avoid the sun, check on neighbors, and take breaks in shade or air‑conditioning if working outside.
STORY: Early primary results
Early results from last night’s primary and special election are in. So far, Whatcom County had a 25% voter turnout.
Washington holds Top 2 Primaries, meaning the two candidates who receive the most votes, regardless of party, will be on the general election ballot on Nov. 3.
In the District 2 U.S. House race, Democrat Rick Larsen and Republican Edwin Feller will be moving on to the general election.
The first State Representative District 40 position has Democrat Debra Lekanoff leading, and Republican Cindy Carter following close behind. The second State Representative District 40 position has Democrat Alex Ramel leading, and Joseph Segault in second with no party preference.
The State Senator race for District 42 has Republican Erika Creydt in first, followed by Democrat Michael Alvarez Shephard.
The first State Representative position for District 42 has Democrat Alicia Rule leading, and Republican Misty Flowers in second. The second State Representative position for District 42 has Democrat Joe Timmons in first, followed by Republican Justin Pike.
Ryan Swinburnson, with no party preference, leads the Whatcom Prosecuting Attorney race with Democrat Jesse Corkern in second.
In the District 4 Port Commissioner race, Paul Burrill leads with Tor Benson in second. In the District 5 Port Commissioner race, Chris Elder is first, followed by Shawn Ensley.
Voters in Whatcom County Fire District 1 rejected a levy lid lift, which would have increased regular property taxes to support fire and EMS services. Fire District 21 and Glacier Fire and Rescue, in Fire District 19, approved property tax levies. Both levies support increases in calls for service and rising costs for staff and maintenance.
STORY: Former employee sues WWU over alleged failure to accommodate for disability
A former employee is suing Western Washington University for alleged disability and age discrimination.
The Bellingham Herald reports Teri Hall worked at WWU for 13 years and had been approved to work remotely. Her position was later eliminated, and when she tried to transfer into a similar role at the Woodring College of Education, college leaders objected.
Human resources told her the job required in‑person fingerprinting, even though another employee was already trained to handle that duty.
Hall says WWU denied her accommodation request, rejected every alternative job she pursued, and ultimately fired her. The lawsuit also claims a younger, less‑experienced employee kept the Program Specialist role.
Hall is seeking damages for pain and suffering.
STORY: Permanent speed limit reduction coming for section of North Cascades Highway
A permanent speed reduction is coming to State Route 20 in Skagit County.
After reviewing speed and collision data and community safety concerns, the Washington State Department of Transportation and the town of Lyman decided to reduce the speed limit from fifty-five miles per hour to fifty miles per hour in both directions.
Maintenance crews are replacing the signs this week, and the limit is enforceable as soon as the new signs are installed.
STORY: Gas prices remain stagnantly high in WA and beyond
Gas prices in Washington remain stagnant and high this month.
The state average cost per gallon is approaching 5 dollars and 14 cents. Whatcom County’s average is slightly lower, at 4 dollars and 94 cents. These are both higher than the national average, making Washington the third most expensive place to buy gas in the country.
Triple-A reports the stagnant high prices are due to the uncertainty about the war in Iran and the inaccessibility of the Strait of Hormuz. Demand for gasoline has also increased in the last few weeks, while supply remained the same.
Typically, as vacations end and fall routines return in August, prices shift downward. This year, the high oil prices could prevent this usual shift in cost.
STORY: Dept of Ed demands change from WA and CA (bump for time if needed)
The U.S. Department of Education has demanded Washington change its policies on student data.
The department says Washington and California must provide details on their student privacy policies and explain how they plan to comply with recent court rulings on parental rights.
The dispute centers on whether schools must disclose certain student information to parents, including issues involving transgender students. The Trump administration says current policies conflict with its interpretation of federal laws, including Title Nine and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
The issue is expected to continue into November, when Washington voters will consider two initiatives involving parental access to school records and transgender student participation in sports.
STORY: Central WA data center scuppered (bump for time if needed)
A proposed natural gas power plant planned to supply electricity to a Central Washington data center has been canceled.
Texas-based VoltaGrid had proposed installing 14 gas generators in Quincy to serve the nearby Vantage data center campus, but withdrew its air quality permit application after environmental groups submitted more than 500 public comments opposing the project. Grant County Public Utility District officials confirmed the project will not move forward, saying the on-site power generation is no longer needed.
The proposal had drawn criticism over its emissions and its connection to the growing energy demands of artificial intelligence data centers.
WX: A community college bathroom
And now for the weather…
Expect some heavy smoke and near-record breaking temperatures today, with highs projected in the mid-low 80s. This evening ought to cool things down to lows in the mid-50s, though the haze looks to be going nowhere anytime soon.
Accordingly, prepare for another round of hot smog 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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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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