Recount announced for 42nd District Senate race as Democratic candidates maintain single-digit difference in vote tallies, Birch Bay man arrested on two counts of attempted murder, Bellingham City Council approves list of staff suggestions aimed at improving rental protections, Amtrak Story, Pallet of soda cans slips off of truck on I-5, resulting in brief closure as workers remove fizzical obstacles, DOJ files complaint against WA pet food manufacturer following allegations of pathogenic bacteria in product, Ferndale Back-to-School night (kill 8/17-watch dating), DOJ files complaint against WA pet food manufacturer following allegations of pathogenic bacteria in product, Child welfare deaths in WA continue to decline after last year’s spike, A ghost ship with a crew of cats (Tacoma), Warehouse fire suspends Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland (Robert Clark will write this), Central WA data center scuppered (bump for time if needed), 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,12 Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Recount announced for 42nd District Senate race as Democratic candidates maintain single-digit difference in vote tallies
A recount has been announced for the 42nd District state senator race.
Democrats Michael Alvarez Shepard and Eamon (AY-min) Collins are behind Republican Erika Creydt after the primary, with just 9 votes separating them. In Washington, a recount is mandatory if the difference is less than 2-thousand votes and less than one-half of a percent of the total.
Shepard and Collins say they will both be knocking on doors for Democrats regardless of who wins the recount. Shepard says it’s a great example of how every vote counts.
Whatcom County’s next scheduled count will be on August 17th. This session reviews challenged ballots, due to issues with signatures, ID or power of attorney. Voters are asked to come to the courthouse to amend their ballots by end of day on the 17th.
The canvassing board will decide the date of the recount after the election is certified on August 18th.
STORY: Birch Bay man arrested on two counts of attempted murder
A man is accused of attempted murder after a shooting in Birch Bay.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says the violence started with an argument inside a home Monday night. Investigators say the suspect pointed a gun at an adult, who grabbed a two‑year‑old child and ran as shots were fired. Both were hit.
Deputies arrived within minutes and found the adult and toddler at a nearby home with non‑life‑threatening gunshot wounds.
The Sheriff’s Office says the suspect tried to drive off but was quickly arrested. He’s now booked on two counts of attempted murder and other charges.
The victims were taken to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
STORY: Bellingham City Council approves list of staff suggestions aimed at improving rental protections
Bellingham is moving forward with plans to strengthen protections for renters.
The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve staff recommendations aimed at improving rental housing and safety inspections. The proposed changes include adding an audit process for rental inspectors, updating the appeals process and allowing the city to hire code compliance officers when needed.
The update would also close a loophole involving rent increases. City staff say landlords can currently give tenants 30 days to accept a rent increase after providing a 120-day notice, potentially bypassing the full 100-day period provided by state law.
Councilmember Lisa Anderson says the change would give renters more time to consider their options, including looking at the housing market and finding another place to live before accepting an increase.
The council plans to hold another work session before taking a final vote.
Amtrak Story
Amtrak’s service suspension between Seattle and Portland has been extended through Friday, Aug. 14. A potential building collapse caused by a warehouse fire near Portland Oregon’s Amtrak station forced the closure of the rail line Amtrak uses to reach Seattle.
Amtrak said it is providing buses in place of the suspended train service, but adds that some departures have been canceled due to limited bus availability.
Customers who have had their alternative bus route canceled can rebook their ticket to a different day at no additional cost or cancel their ticket for a full refund, the company said.
Passengers should check with the Amtrak website about their specific trains status for the latest information.
STORY: Pallet of soda cans slips off of truck on I-5, resulting in brief closure as workers remove fizzical obstacles
It was a messy morning on I‑5 in Bellingham yesterday.
WSDOT says a load of soda cans spilled across northbound I‑5 near Iowa Street at 6:40 a.m. Traffic backed up as crews shut down the right lane for about 45 minutes.
A street sweeper was brought in to finish the job, and traffic was flowing smoothly again just before 7:30.
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: DOJ files complaint against WA pet food manufacturer following allegations of pathogenic bacteria in product
The Justice Department is trying to shut down a Washington pet‑food company accused of selling contaminated products.
Prosecutors say Arrow Reliance, which operates as Darwin’s Natural Pet Products, has repeatedly shipped raw pet food tainted with Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli.
The complaint says FDA inspectors found contamination in the food and inside the company’s Tukwila facility for years, despite warnings. The government also links the products to illnesses in people and pets — including a 4‑year‑old child who developed a serious E. coli‑related condition.
The Justice Department wants a judge to force the company to clean up its operation and follow food‑safety rules before it can sell pet food again.
STORY: Child welfare deaths in WA continue to decline after last year’s spike
Child welfare deaths in Washington continued to decline this spring after a record high last year.
The Department of Children, Youth and Families reports compared to the first six months of 2025, incidents this year are down by half. The decrease can be partially explained by the overall drop in opioid-related overdoses, and an increase in emergency room visits for suspected overdoses.
Child welfare staff have also started to conduct mandatory safe child consults for cases involving opioids and children under 3 before closing them. State legislators also approved funds for family resource centers, public health nurses and care for expecting mothers using drugs.
In the upcoming budget, the DCYF is requesting funding for parent sleep safety training and a workgroup to address child injuries and deaths. So far, all welfare bills introduced into the legislature have stalled as the state works with a tighter budget.
KICKER: A ghost ship with a crew of cats (Tacoma)
Tacoma Police are trying to figure out why a boat full of cats showed up off Owen Beach with no humans in sight. The Tacoma News Tribune reports officers found roughly 30 cats onboard on August 6th, and there are still no clues about how the boat got there.
A police spokesperson told the paper the boat was actually anchored — but how it got there, who owns it, and why it was left packed with felines all remain unanswered.
The investigation continues, and the cats are now in safe hands.
WX: Mix-nay
And now for the weather…
It’s looking like a more even split between clouds and sun today, though temperatures should stay nice and warm, with highs projected in the low 70s. A slight chance of early evening rain later today, followed by a mostly clear night sky and lows in the upper 50s.
Sunnier skies look to be on their way tomorrow, not that they ever went very far.
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: Warehouse fire suspends Amtrak Cascades service between Seattle and Portland (Robert Clark will write this)
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 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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