Former City employees ask US Supreme Court review, County executive Sidhu cites “extraordinary fiscal challenges,” in recommendation for ‘27-’28 budget, WWU and Ferndale School District listed among recipients of Dept. of Commerce’s latest grants to improve energy efficiency, Ferndale High School implements stricter academic standards for student athletes for ‘26-’27 school year, Dog and cat food recall, Blaine waterfront cleanup hits roadblock, Construction delays extend SR 9 lane closure north of Sedro-Woolley, WA joins coalition combating federal restriction of Medicaid towards gender-affirming care, Library’s Democracy Series & Voter Registration 9/9, 9/14, F&C for 9/4-9/7 (holiday weekend!), Friends of the Bellingham Public Library September Book Sale, Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, September, 3. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Former City employees ask US Supreme Court review
Former City of Bellingham employees are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling upholding the city’s vaccination mandate.
In September 2021, Mayor Seth Fleetwood issued an executive order requiring COVID‑19 vaccinations for city employees, volunteers, and contractors. Workers say they were told they would be fired if they didn’t comply — and 18 were ultimately terminated.
The petition argues the city forced employees to take an investigational drug distributed under emergency‑use authorization. It also says the mandate required them to accept a drug covered by a federal immunity law, meaning they would lose the right to sue if they were injured.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed their lawsuit earlier this year. The petition asks the Supreme Court to review and reverse that decision.
The Supreme Court has not decided if it will hear the case.
STORY: County executive Sidhu cites “extraordinary fiscal challenges,” in recommendation for ‘27-’28 budget
Whatcom County says it’s heading into the 2027–28 budget cycle with significant financial challenges.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu warns that slowing revenues and rising labor costs will force departments to tighten their spending plans. Agencies are directed to limit new initiatives, evaluate service levels, and identify efficiencies as the county works to stabilize long‑term finances.
The Executive’s recommended budget reduces the General Fund by about $10 million, or 7 percent, to stabilize the fund and address the structural deficit. It also proposes new revenue in the General Fund and Flood Fund to maintain core services—though at somewhat reduced levels—and to mitigate river and surface‑water flooding impacts.
Departments will spend the next few months evaluating services and identifying needed reductions.
STORY: WWU and Ferndale School District listed among recipients of Dept. of Commerce’s latest grants to improve energy efficiency
Western Washington University and the Ferndale School District will get money from the state Department of Commerce to bring their buildings up to standard.
They are among more than 100 recipients of a grant aimed at making public buildings more energy efficient, reducing pollution and to create jobs.
Western Washington will get more than $590,000 to retrofit its buildings and the Ferndale School District will be spending more than $49,000 on an energy audit.
STORY: Ferndale High School implements stricter academic standards for student athletes for ‘26-’27 school year
Student-athletes at Ferndale High School will have to step up on their academics if they want to continue competing this school year.
The school’s administrator, Kristi Dominguez told Casacadia Daily News that they were shocked to find that many athletes had poor grades and skipped school last spring.
This year, there will be grade checks every week instead of once every three weeks.
Students who can C and D grades will get a warning and those with an F will not be allowed to compete until their grades improve.
STORY: Dog and cat food recall
If you’re a pet owner who feeds raw foods, check your freezer for a recalled product.
Northwest Naturals is recalling two raw chicken pet‑food items after FDA testing found Salmonella and Listeria contamination. The recall covers its 2 pound bag of Frozen Chicken Recipe for cats and 6 pound bags of Frozen Raw Diet for Dogs Chicken Recipe. Both products were distributed to retail stores nationwide.
No illnesses have been reported, but the FDA says the bacteria can sicken pets and pose risks to people who handle contaminated food. Consumers should stop using the affected products and return them to the place of purchase for a refund.
More information, including lot numbers and best-by dates, is available on the Northwest Naturals website.
STORY: Blaine waterfront cleanup hits roadblock
Blaine’s Westman Marine cleanup is on hold after state funding fell through.
The Port had requested that previously‑awarded state cleanup funds be moved into the Westman Marine project so the remaining work could begin, but the state denied that request. Commissioners pressed for an explanation, and staff outlined the scoring criteria behind the decision. Frustration was voiced over the amount of work required to stay shovel‑ready — and this is the first time a reprogramming request has been denied. Reallocating money from other sources wasn’t an option.
The remaining cleanup work is expected to cost about $28 million. Once funded, in‑water work would take about seven months, followed by roughly six months of upland work.
The Port says its options include working with legislative partners, reapplying in the next cycle, or running an interim boatyard. The Port plans to apply again for 2027–28 state cleanup funding.
STORY: Construction delays extend SR 9 lane closure north of Sedro-Woolley
Delays on State Route 9 continue as construction moves ahead.
The around‑the‑clock lane reduction north of Sedro‑Woolley that began Aug. 3 will now run until Thursday morning, Sept. 24. A temporary signal is alternating traffic through a one‑lane bypass near Kalloch Road while crews install a new culvert to open fish passage along a tributary to Hansen Creek.
Further north, traffic is alternating over the Klein Ditch bridge south of Hopewell Road while crews inspect the bridge deck. Loads wider than 14 feet aren’t allowed. That work is part of a project repaving sections of SR 9 and SR 547 in Whatcom County. Drivers should expect delays and make room for emergency vehicles moving through the work zone.
STORY: WA joins coalition combating federal restriction of Medicaid towards gender-affirming care
Washington has joined a lawsuit challenging a new federal rule on gender‑affirming care.
The suit, filed yesterday by Attorney General Nick Brown, along with a coalition of 20 states and the District of Columbia, argues the administration is overstepping its authority by cutting off Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary care for low‑income transgender youth and some young adults — care that remains covered for other minors. Brown says decisions about that care belong with families and doctors, not federal agencies.
The coalition argues that since Medicaid was created in the 1960s, Congress has always given states the authority to decide which services their programs cover, subject only to limits set in federal law. It also contends the policy violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution’s Spending Clause.
Washington estimates the rule would leave the state paying about $1 million a year in costs the federal government previously shared.
The rule is set to take effect Oct. 13.
WX: What news from the cold front?
And now for the weather…
Cooler temperatures and gloomier weather look to retain center stage for a few days, with today’s forecast calling for continuing cloudy skies and highs in the upper 60s. Some sunshine may peek through the gray curtain from time to time, though don’t expect it to stick around for dinner, as this evening looks to be overcast and sporadically rainy, with lows around 50 degrees.
Look for more of the same tomorrow. Autumn seems to have be-fall-en us early this year.
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, 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: Library’s Democracy Series & Voter Registration 9/9, 9/14
STORY: F&C for 9/4-9/7 (holiday weekend!)
Friends of the Bellingham Public Library September Book Sale
Thursday, September 24, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday, September 25, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, half-price
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, $5/bag
Lecture Room, Central Library
Visit the Lecture Room at the Central Library for the Friends of the Library September Book Sale and browse from a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. There will be items for all ages and all proceeds benefit your library. Credit card and cash payments will be accepted. Check it out!
STORY: What tariffs are costing WA state
STORY: Are millionaires really moving out of WA due to income tax?
STORY: Whatcom Water Week runs 9/14-9/19
STORY: Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17
STORY: Whatcom County Open House (run bet. 9/15-9/28)
Whatcom County residents will have a chance to learn more about county government during the second annual Whatcom County Open House.
The event is September 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the County Courthouse, with staff from county departments and elected offices available to answer questions and explain how county government works.
Topics will include the new jail and behavioral health care facility, the upcoming county budget process and the county court system. Attendees can also test their knowledge with Whatcom County trivia.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu said the event is intended to make local government more accessible and give residents an opportunity to connect directly with county staff and elected officials.
County Council Chair Kaylee Galloway said the open house is also an opportunity for residents to raise concerns and have direct conversations with the people who serve them.
STORY: Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept)
Whatcom County residents will soon have a chance to meet their council members and ask questions.
Three councilmembers — Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, and Jon Scanlon — will take part in a community conversation on Thursday, October 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Round Table Pizza on East Sunset Drive. It’s part of the council’s Community Conversations series, this time held with the Barkley Neighborhood Association.
The event is free and open to the public, with time for updates and a Q&A.
More information on upcoming Community Conversations events is available on the county’s website.
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