Ongoing primary results, Auditor calls for “against” committee members (kill 8/8), Birch Bay Waterslides injury suit ends in $4 million settlement for plaintiff, Nooksack City Councilmember appointed to replace recently deceased mayor, Bellingham City Council announces hearing for appeal on controversial Edgemoor subdivision, Two bats in Whatcom test positive for rabies, HCS says no immediate risk of danger to nearby residences, Fair Season starts, North Cascades National Park names acting superintendent to full-time position, Canadian cyber-criminal pleads guilty to multiple charges in Seattle court, potentially facing sentence of over thirty years, Auditor calls for “against” committee members (kill 8/8), Ferndale Back-to-School night (kill 8/17-watch dating), Work begins on Washington’s new ferries, 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 7th:, F&C Aug 21, Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall, Friday, August 21, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, August, 6. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
UPDATE: Ongoing primary results
The updated primary election results are in. Here are the unofficial results as of this morning:
Rick Larsen leads the District 2 U.S. House race, with Edwin Feller close behind.
In the 40th District, Debra Lekanoff (luh-CAN-off) and Alex Ramel (RAM-ull) hold wide leads in both House positions.
In the 42nd District Senate race, Erika Creydt (KRITE) is ahead. It’s a tight contest for second place, with Michael Alvarez Shepard only about half a point ahead of Eamonn Collins.
Alicia Rule leads the 42nd District House Position 1 race, and Joe Timmons leads Position 2.
For Prosecuting Attorney, Ryan Swinburnson is in front. Jesse Corkern (KAWR-kurn) and Dona Bracke (BRACK) are close, separated by just over a point.
At the Port of Bellingham, Paul Burrill and Tor Benson lead District 4, while Chris Elder and Shawn Ensley lead District 5.
On ballot measures: The Fire District 1 levy lid lift is failing. The Glacier Fire & Rescue levy is passing. The Fire District 21 levy is also passing.
The Auditor’s office says there are still about 11-thousand ballots to be counted.
STORY: Auditor calls for “against” committee members (kill 8/8)
If you’ve got a civic streak and a knack for writing, the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is putting out the call.
The county needs volunteers to write “against” statements for several city and district measures for the November voters’ pamphlet — proposals ranging from city governance changes to rental‑market rules and levy lid lifts for public safety and fire services.
Applicants must live and be registered in the district, work cooperatively, and have email access. At least one member must agree to be named in the pamphlet.
The deadline to apply is Monday at noon, with committee statements due at 4:30 p.m. the same day.
Interested residents can email their name, voter registration address, phone number, and the district they wish to represent to
elections@co.whatcom.wa.us.
STORY: Birch Bay Waterslides injury suit ends in $4 million settlement for plaintiff
A man severely injured at Birch Bay Waterslides in 2023 has settled his lawsuit against the water park.
Whatcom News reports Larry Baker, who sustained severe leg injuries riding a water slide, will receive $4 million as part of the settlement.
The structural condition of the waterslides was evaluated in 2022 by a third-party company and defendant in the case, Kingsworks Structural Engineers. The report showed faulty equipment, rusty nails, and water-damaged wood.
Birch Bay Waterslides was immediately closed after the incident. Following safety inspections, it re-opened last year, but did not open for the 2026 season. The property is currently listed for sale for $6 million.
STORY: Nooksack City Councilmember appointed to replace recently deceased mayor
The Nooksack City Council appointed a new mayor following the passing of Mayor Kevin Hester.
During the July 20th meeting, councilmember Marshall Judy was appointed to serve as mayor until the 2027 general election. The council also honored Hester’s service with a resolution. With Judy appointed as mayor, there is a vacancy in the council to fill.
STORY: Bellingham City Council announces hearing for appeal on controversial Edgemoor subdivision
A challenge to a proposed subdivision overlooking Mud Bay is headed to the Bellingham City Council.
A local group, Protect Mud Bay Cliffs, has appealed the city’s approval of the Woods at Viewcrest development after officials determined an Environmental Impact Statement was not required. In justifying the appeal, the group cited erosion hazards and historical landslide activity.
The council will hear the appeal this Monday, August 10th, with a written decision expected at a later date.
STORY: Two bats in Whatcom test positive for rabies, HCS says no immediate risk of danger to nearby residences
Two bats in Whatcom County have tested positive for rabies.
The Whatcom County Health and Community Services reminded residents to avoid contact with bats. According to the agency, it does not matter where the bats were found; since they’re mobile creatures, they could be anywhere now. Furthermore, it is impossible to say whether a bat has rabies just by looking at it; as such, nobody should handle bats with their bare hands.
Those who think they’ve been exposed are advised to seek medical care.
STORY: Fair Season starts
It’s opening day at the Skagit County Fair.
The fair has been a summer tradition in Skagit for more than 125 years, and celebrates agriculture, 4-H and FFA youth programs, local organizations and family-friendly entertainment. Organizers say hundreds of volunteers help make the annual tradition possible.
Those who have been craving an elephant ear, a crusty pup, a pickle-on-a-stick, or a fair burger, have a chance to experience fair life only until Sunday.
That is, until the Whatcom County Fair starts next week.
STORY: North Cascades National Park names acting superintendent to full-time position
The North Cascades National Park Service Complex has a new leader.
Jason J. Taylor has been selected as superintendent and will officially take over in late September. Taylor has been serving as acting superintendent since May and brings more than 20 years of experience with the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management.
The park complex includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
STORY: Canadian cyber-criminal pleads guilty to multiple charges in Seattle court, potentially facing sentence of over thirty years
A Canadian man pleaded guilty to multiple cyber-crimes in Seattle after hacking over 160 company databases.
Ontario resident Connor Riley Moucka (MOW-chkuh) pleaded guilty to computer fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and a related conspiracy. The arrest comes just six months after Moucka began his scheme.
The FBI’s Cyber Division and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police combined forces to investigate after reports of extortion.
Seattle FBI says Moucka used sensitive customer records from 165 organizations to extort companies and individuals. He and his co-conspirators extorted over two-and-a-half million dollars and caused $9 million in business losses.
Moucka is scheduled for sentencing on October 27th. He faces a minimum sentence of two years in prison for identity theft, and a maximum penalty of 30 years on the remaining counts.
WX: Smokey Cunningham
And now for the weather…
We’re in for another toasty summer afternoon, though hopefully this time with some clearer air to accompany it. Daytime highs are projected in the
low-80s, falling into the upper-50s later tonight. Expect the smoke to stick around through today; with that said, light breezes should clear the air by tomorrow.
The heat advisory is still active through the end of today. Still, the weather should remain just a little too warm and sunny for comfort for the rest of the week.
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: Auditor calls for “against” committee members (kill 8/8)
If you’ve got a civic streak and a knack for writing, the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office is putting out the call.
The county needs volunteers to write “against” statements for several city and district measures for the November voters’ pamphlet — proposals ranging from city governance changes to rental‑market rules and levy lid lifts for public safety and fire services.
Applicants must live and be registered in the district, work cooperatively, and have email access. At least one member must agree to be named in the pamphlet.
The deadline to apply is Monday at noon, with committee statements due at 4:30 p.m. the same day.
Interested residents can email their name, voter registration address, phone number, and the district they wish to represent to
elections@co.whatcom.wa.us.
STORY: Ferndale Back-to-School night (kill 8/17-watch dating)
Families getting ready for the new school year have a one‑stop event coming up in Ferndale.
Ferndale High School will host a back‑to‑school resource night on Tuesday, August 18th, from 4 to 7 p.m. The event offers free school supplies, an immunization clinic, twenty‑dollar sports physicals, community resource booths and more. Families can also connect with support services to prepare for the year ahead.
No registration is required, and all district families are welcome.
STORY: Work begins on Washington’s new ferries
Washington’s ferry system is finally getting new boats.
Shipbuilders in Florida began cutting steel yesterday on the state’s first new ferry in 11 years — a 160‑car hybrid‑electric vessel that will anchor the next generation of Washington State Ferries. Eastern Shipbuilding Group is building three ferries under a contract that came in more than 30 percent cheaper than the in‑state bid, saving taxpayers an estimated $360 million.
State ferry leaders say the new hybrid‑electric vessels will boost reliability, cut emissions, and help restore service across Puget Sound.
The first ferry is scheduled for delivery in 2030, with two more arriving in 2031 and 2032.
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.
F&C August 7th:
The Whatcom County Granges will hold their summer picnic this Saturday at Rome Grange on Mount Baker Highway. It starts at 4 p.m. Guests should bring their own grill items, tableware, and a dish to share. If the weather holds, a lawn chair is recommended for outdoor seating.
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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