Former health director halts discrimination lawsuit against the county, Man arrested for armed robbery, County plans for jail, Nooksack teacher honored, Neighbors appeal development, Prescribed burns in Whatcom County, Second flight from Bellingham to Portland starts soon, Semiahmoo Resort for sale, Whatcom Museum changes rates, Port considers buying Bornstein buildings (run no later than 11/16), Meteor shower hits, Lawsuit filed over transgender ban, Dialysis company sued for monopoly, Meat sold in Wa has undeclared allergens, Breakfast food recalled for listeria, Bird flu detected in Pierce Co, Reykdal urges Gov to reject federal tax credit program, WA challenges federal Medicaid barriers, F&C 11/13, WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November, 11. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Former health director halts discrimination lawsuit against the county
Whatcom County’s former health director has dropped her harassment lawsuit plans.
Erika Lautenbach (LAW-n-BOCK) notified county leaders she will not pursue legal action against Whatcom County or Executive Satpal Sidhu. She had filed a tort claim in August of 2025 alleging sexual harassment and a hostile work environment; the county, however, rejected the claim.
Lautenbach said continuing the case would be “futile” and cause further personal and professional harm, despite strong community support.
Lautenbach was fired in March of 2025 after helping guide the county through the pandemic. She now works as chief administrative officer for the state Department of Children, Youth and Families.
STORY: Man arrested for armed robbery
A man is in jail after attacking and robbing someone near the downtown Bellingham skatepark.
Police say the victim had stepped away from their makeshift shelter Monday when the man scattered their belongings and tore their sleeping bag away. They say he also jumped on the wooden sides of the lean‑to, breaking through and hitting the victim in the head.
The man then allegedly slashed the victim with a pocketknife as they tried to crawl away, and then ripped a ring off their finger before fleeing.
The victim flagged down a patrol car and gave officers a description. Police spotted the suspect near the skate park shortly after.
Investigators say the man admitted to the robbery. He’s being held without bail in the Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: County plans for jail
Whatcom County is refining plans for the behavioral care center that will sit next to the new jail.
Cascadia Daily News reports the center planned beside the Anne Deacon Center is shifting into its design phase, and initial sketches may be revised.
The center will include 32 inpatient beds for mental health and substance‑use treatment, along with lounges, a multi‑purpose room, dining, laundry, and outdoor space. The county’s 23‑hour crisis relief center will be located there as well, with 22 recliners for short‑term stabilization.
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in March of 2028 and finish a year later.
The project carries a $34 million price tag, with a $14 million grant covering part of the cost. The county plans to ask the Legislature for more funding next year, but with a multibillion‑dollar shortfall and rising construction costs, securing that money could be a challenge.
STORY: Nooksack teacher honored
A Nooksack Elementary teacher is being recognized for her years of work honoring veterans and mentoring students and fellow educators.
Fifth-grade teacher Anna Malpica has been named Washington’s American Legion Educator of the Year. The award was a surprise announcement at the school’s annual Veterans Day assembly Monday.
Malpica has organized the assembly for years, bringing students and local veterans together to learn about military service and honor those who served. Fifth graders led this year’s program, sharing lessons about the Navajo Code Talkers, the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day, and ways to support veterans.
Malpica was also recognized for her work mentoring students and teachers, and for helping connect young people with science education and college opportunities through programs at Western Washington University.
STORY: Neighbors appeal development
Neighbors have filed an appeal that challenges the approval of an 18-home development on St. Clair Street.
The project would create nine small lots on a 1.7-acre property, with each lot containing a single-family home and an accessory dwelling unit.
Nearby residents David and Patrice Kohles — along with their daughter, who lives next door — say the city failed to adequately address concerns about increased traffic, noise, wildlife, stormwater, and neighborhood safety. They’re also concerned about the removal of trees, and impacts on nearby homes and gardens.
City planners acknowledged the development would increase traffic, but concluded the additional vehicles would have a relatively small impact. Approval requires the developer to install a sidewalk connecting the property to Roslyn Place and replace trees removed from the site.
The city approved the project in October. The appeal now goes to Bellingham’s hearing examiner, who will review the city’s decision. A hearing date has not yet been announced.
STORY: Prescribed burns in Whatcom County
Prescribed burns have begun in Whatcom County.
The Washington Department of Natural Resources says it will conduct strategic burns in several areas to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk.
Whatcom Fire District 14 says one burn is underway near Deming, in the mountains off Mosquito Lake Road. Another is planned near Skookum and Fish creeks, close to Twin Sisters Mountain, pending approval.
The National Park Service is also conducting burns near Lake Chelan and Ross Lake through the end of November.
STORY: Second flight from Bellingham to Portland starts soon
Air travelers will soon have another daily flight option to Portland.
Alaska Airlines will add a second daily flight between the two cities beginning on November 20th. This means travelers will have a choice of morning or afternoon departures, seven days a week.
The additional service follows significant community feedback requesting more flights to Portland.
STORY: Semiahmoo Resort for sale
Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine could soon have new ownership.
The waterfront resort was listed for sale in mid-October, with offers due by October 30th. The listing included the entire property, including its spa, golf course, and three restaurants.
General Manager Mark Andrew says the process is designed to gauge market interest while preserving the resort’s character and guest experience.
Ownership has not disclosed why it is considering a sale, or how much it hopes to receive. Andrew says the resort will continue operating as usual while discussions move forward.
With the initial offer period now closed, the next steps will depend on the interest received and negotiations with prospective buyers.
STORY: Whatcom Museum changes rates
The Whatcom Museum says it will change its hours, admission fees, and programming next year.
Executive Director Jessica Borusky told the Bellingham City Council that starting next year, the museum will stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays to give people more time to visit.
The museum also plans to raise admission prices, although the new rates have not been announced. The museum store in the Lightcatcher Building will be closed and used for programming, rentals, and artist collaborations. Borusky says the store has been losing the museum about 100-thousand dollars a year.
Borusky hopes the moves will tighten the museum’s budget. Its final budget is expected to go before the board of trustees later this month.
WX: Same as it ever was, same as it ever was…
And now for the weather,
Expect clouds, wind and rain to return with warmer-than-normal highs of 69. The light rain should continue this evening through tomorrow morning.
In general, expect a carbon copy of today’s weather, tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), KAI (eye) Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Doug Langworthy, and Cheri Cloninger (SHARE-ee CLAWN-in-ger). 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: Port considers buying Bornstein buildings (run no later than 11/16)
The Port of Bellingham is weighing a proposal to buy the Bornstein Seafoods buildings on the waterfront.
Bornstein owns three marine‑industrial buildings on Hilton Avenue, on land the Port has leased to the company for decades. The proposed price is $5.9 million.
One of the buildings was damaged in a September fire, and the sale price reflects repair costs. Commissioners will also consider adding a $1.23 million restoration project to the 2027 budget.
Port Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone says the purchase would help preserve working‑waterfront jobs and protect moorage and dockage on the I & J Waterway.
The site has already seen major public investment. From 2024 to 2026, the Port and Bornstein completed the first phase of the I & J Waterway cleanup, removing contaminated sediment and building a new bulkhead and dock — a project costing just over $20 million.
The Port Commission takes up the proposal at its Tuesday meeting.
STORY: Meteor shower hits
Washington stargazers have a chance to catch the Taurid meteor shower tonight.
The Northern Taurids are expected to peak overnight into the early hours of Thursday. The shower is known for slower-moving meteors and occasional bright fireballs, although you may not see a large number of them. No special equipment is needed. Find a dark location away from city lights, preferably at higher elevation, and give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust.
Alas, the National Weather Service is forecasting considerable cloud cover in Whatcom and Skagit tonight, which could make viewing difficult.
STORY: Lawsuit filed over transgender ban
A coalition of Washington educators and parents is suing to block the new state law restricting transgender school girls from competing in school sports.
The lawsuit, filed Monday in King County Superior Court, argues Initiative 638 is unconstitutional and violates students’ privacy and equal rights. The measure, approved by nearly 56 percent of voters in the latest returns, would require students competing in girls sports to provide medical verification of their biological sex. The plaintiffs, including the Washington Education Association and TransFamilies, say the requirement unfairly targets girls and creates barriers for transgender athletes.
The suit asks a judge to block the law before it takes effect December third. Supporters say the measure is intended to protect fairness and safety in girls sports.
STORY: Dialysis company sued for monopoly
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is suing the state’s two largest dialysis providers.
The suit alleges they’re using noncompete agreements to limit competition. The lawsuit targets DaVita and Fresenius Medical Care, which together operate dialysis centers across Washington. Brown says the agreements prevent medical directors from working for competing providers and make it harder for new companies to enter the market.
DaVita operates 51 centers statewide, including two in Whatcom County and one in Skagit County. Fresenius operates 29 centers. The lawsuit alleges the companies violated state noncompetition and consumer protection laws.
STORY: Meat sold in Wa has undeclared allergens
A federal food safety alert has been issues for some frozen chicken products sold in Washington.
The USDA says products made by South Carolina-based Betterballen Foods may contain undeclared sesame, a known allergen. The alert covers three products: Bami Rolls, Saté Kroketten and Bitterballen. They were sold online through Lowlands House and may still be in consumers’ freezers.
There has been no formal recall because the products are no longer being sold. Affected products have October 2027 best-by dates and specific lot codes.
The USDA says to throw them away or return them to the place of purchase.
STORY: Breakfast food recalled for listeria
A Renton-based company has recalled more than 2,400 breakfast sandwiches due to possible listeria.
The recalled Fresh To You sandwiches come in 4.6-ounce packages, with best-by dates from November seventh through nineteenth. They were distributed to workplace break rooms, vending machines and cafeterias in Washington and Oregon between October 25th and November fourth. No illnesses have been reported.
Anyone who has a recalled sandwich should throw it away and contact Fresh & Ready Foods for a full refund.
STORY: Bird flu detected in Pierce Co
Another case of bird flu has been detected in Washington state.
Agriculture officials say the infected flock was found at a commercial poultry facility in Pierce County, and workers who may have been exposed are being monitored.
The detection follows recent cases in a Benton County dairy herd and backyard flocks in Yakima and Kittitas counties.
A Yakima County resident has also died after severe complications linked to exposure while working around infected dairy cattle. Two other human infections have been tied to that herd.
State officials are urging poultry owners to keep their birds away from wild birds and other potential sources of infection.
STORY: Reykdal urges Gov to reject federal tax credit program
STORY: WA challenges federal Medicaid barriers
Washington is challenging new federal Medicaid rules that could strip health coverage from thousands of residents.
Attorney General Nick Brown has joined a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services over upcoming changes that will require more than 600,000 Apple Health enrollees to regularly prove they’re working, in school, or volunteering to keep their insurance. Washington officials say similar rules in other states have caused people to lose coverage simply because they couldn’t keep up with the paperwork.
Apple Health is Washington’s Medicaid program and covers more than 1.9 million residents. The new requirements, part of the federal budget bill passed in 2025, are set to take effect in 2027. The Health Care Authority estimates at least 120,000 Washingtonians could lose coverage, with rural counties expected to be hit hardest.
The lawsuit argues the federal government exceeded its authority by requiring states to adopt the new rules.
F&C 11/13
Valley Made Holiday Market
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 14 and 15
Hillcrest Lodge, 1717 S. 13th St., Mount Vernon
Info: valleymademarket.com.
Cardstock NW Card Show
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14 @cardstocknw_cardshow on Instagram.
Salvation Army Gym, 2912 Northwest Ave., Bellingham $5 admission, kids 9 & under free, first 60 kids get free Pokemon card pack.
STORY: WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Should a fee for recreational fishing in the Columbia River be made permanent?
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is inviting public comment on whether the annual fee of $8.75 for anglers should be extended beyond the expiration date in January 2028
The fee applies to anglers over 15 years old who fish for salmon or steelhead.
The comment period ends on November 20 this year.
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