SCOTUS upholds lower court order blocking Trump-backed restrictions to mail-in voting, WCSO once again seeking information on whereabouts of Custer man last seen nearly eight years ago, Bellingham Girl Scout strives for highest award possible before high school by mailing care packages to former ICE detainees, Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17 (run by 9/15), Whatcom County Open House (run bet. 9/15-9/28), Average Bellingham rental price down from last September, Gas Prices Update, WA joins multi-state lawsuit to block DHS rule allowing for denial of green cards for use of public benefits, Skagit, Cascade river fisheries change, Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September, 15. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: SCOTUS upholds lower court order blocking Trump-backed restrictions to mail-in voting
Mail-in ballots will go ahead in November’s midterms — for now.
In a 7-to-2 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a lower court decision to block the Postal Service rule on mail-in ballots from going into effect.
The rule would have required the post office to codify ballot envelopes; states would have also had to provide lists of eligible voters to the federal government.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh said while the rule “may be legal”, it is unworkable given the elections are only 50 days away.
STORY: WCSO once again seeking information on whereabouts of Custer man last seen nearly eight years ago
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in the disappearance of a Custer man eight years ago.
Billy Joe Darwin was 39 when he was last seen at his home on Valley View Road in the early morning hours of November 16th, 2018.
Darwin is five feet, ten inches tall, weighs about 121 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes. He was last known to be wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt, gray pants, a brown coat, and black shoes.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office tip line.
STORY: Bellingham Girl Scout strives for highest award possible before high school by mailing care packages to former ICE detainees
A seventh grader from Bellingham is earning her Girl Scout Silver Award by helping people released from ICE detention.
Sapphire Buck from Kulshan Middle School is working with Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest to raise money for care packages
She told the Bellingham Herald that “the detainees have been torn apart from their families,” and that they will not have many resources once they are released from the detention center in Tacoma.
Buck has an Amazon wish list that includes cheap phones, hygiene kits and backpacks. However, Girl Scout rules prohibit her from accepting money directly.
STORY: Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17 (run by 9/15)
A community event in Bellingham will explore the stories and traditions behind local food.
The Bellingham Public Library’s downtown location is hosting Growing Community Through Food. The event is free and will feature short films, food from local chefs, and group conversations led by Whiteswan Environmental and WWU’s Center for Community Learning.
Organizers say the event will focus on how local food systems build community, connect people to cultural traditions, and support health and well-being.
Doors open at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, with parts of the event taking place outdoors on the Lee Memorial Lawn, weather permitting.
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 takes place on September 30th from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the County Courthouse. Elected officials and staff from county departments will be 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 may also test their knowledge with Whatcom County trivia.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu said the event is intended to make local government more accessible, as well as giving 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: Average Bellingham rental price down from last September Bellingham renters are finally seeing prices ease.
New data from Zillow shows average rent in the city has dropped $99 over the past year, landing at 2-thousand-50 a month. Prices also slipped about $40 from last month, continuing a steady cooling trend since last fall.
Zillow says Bellingham’s market is still “warm,” with renter demand above the national average. Prices, however, have softened across most property types. The city now has about 460 rentals on the market with prices ranging from roughly $700 on the low end to more than $12,000 for high‑end homes.
Zillow says nearby Mount Vernon remains pricier, with average rent at $2,500 a month.
Zillow says Bellingham’s average rent is still about 2% higher than the national average, but the slowdown suggests rents are leveling out heading into fall.
STORY: Gas Prices Update
The prices for regular gas in Washington keep climbing.
The statewide average is now $5.57 a gallon. In Bellingham, regular is averaging $5.43, up 8 cents from last week and 82 cents from a year ago. Washington also set a new record for diesel this morning, hitting $6.91 a gallon.
GasBuddy analysts say the surge reflects nationwide pressure tied to escalating geopolitical tensions. Friction between the U.S. and Iran, new Red Sea hostilities, and the shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East‑West pipeline have pushed crude sharply higher. The attacks that knocked two Russian refineries offline last weekend added more strain to global supplies.
Analysts say Washington drivers should not expect relief soon. Even with the seasonal switch to cheaper winter‑blend gasoline, global disruptions are outweighing any normal price drop, and forecasters expect prices to stay volatile for now.
STORY: WA joins multi-state lawsuit to block DHS rule allowing for denial of green cards for use of public benefits
Washington is joining a new legal fight over federal immigration rules.
Attorney General Nick Brown joined a coalition suing to block the Department of Homeland Security’s updated “public charge” rule. He says the change would penalize immigrants who use basic health and nutrition programs, and that it could push higher emergency‑care costs onto states.
The “public charge” rule lets immigration officers weigh whether someone might become dependent on government assistance when applying for a green card. The new version, which takes effect this Friday, would allow officers to count nearly any means‑tested benefit against an applicant. It also lets officers consider some benefits legally used by family members supported by the applicant, even if the family members themselves are U.S. citizens; as such, families might be unsure as to which programs could jeopardize their status.
The lawsuit argues Homeland Security overstepped its authority, and asks a federal court to halt the rule.
WX: Beverly Less-Than-Cleary
And now for the weather…
It’s looking like another blend of clouds and sun today. Expect things to feel a bit more on the cool side, with some persistent, tangible breezes and occasional showers and highs in the high-60s. Expect the clouds, wind, and rain to all clear out sometime this evening, and leave us with a mellow night sky and lows around 50 degrees.
Significantly warmer and sunnier weather should return tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), and Jenny Lam. 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: Skagit, Cascade river fisheries change
Fishery managers have shut down major stretches of the Skagit and Cascade rivers.
The state is postponing fall openings in the upper river and closing all fishing from Gilligan Creek to the Dalles Bridge. From the mouth to Gilligan Creek, anglers can still keep two coho, but all other salmon must be released, bait is banned, and single‑point barbless hooks are required. Everything upstream is closed.
Managers say low flows and high Chinook encounters during the August coho opener forced the change to protect a large wild coho return expected in October.
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.
F&C 9/24-26
Friends of the Bellingham Public Library September Book Sale 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!
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