INTRO
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for [Thursday], [May 18th]. Good afternoon,
I’m __.
STORY: GOOGLE TO PAY $40 MIL IN FERGUSON LAWSUIT
Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that
Google must pay $39.9 million to Washington state for misleading users
over location tracking practices.
The lawsuit alleges that consumers were led to believe that they could
control the ways that Google collects and uses their location information. In
reality, consumers could not prevent Google from collecting, storing or
profiting from their data.
In May of 2022 Google attempted unsuccessfully to have the case
dismissed.
After the announcement by the court Ferguson praised the decision. Saying,
quote “Today’s resolution holds one of the most powerful corporations
accountable for its unethical and unlawful tactics.”
STORY: WHITE HOUSE TO ADDRESS SEATTLE HOMELESS CRISIS
The White House announced today that it will help Seattle address its
homelessness crisis as part of a national effort to reduce the number of
people without homes by 25 percent within two years.
The Seattle Times reports that the federal initiative, called All INside, will
also partner with California, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix.
Federal liaisons will help the cities strategize and navigate available federal
funding.
STORY: ARTIST CONVICTED OF SELLING FAKE NATIVE ART
U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced today that Jerry Chris Van Dyke aka
Jerry Witten, was sentenced to 18 months of federal probation for falsely
representing himself as someone of Native American heritage.
An investigation into his business practices began in 2019 when the Indian
Arts and Crafts Board received a complaint that Van Dyke was representing
himself as a member of the Nez Perce tribe, when he was not enrolled as a
tribal member.
At the hearing, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin said that this was not just a
single instance of misrepresentation, but that Van Dyke had been
undermining not only those with native identities but the community as a
whole.
In response to the verdict, Shannon F. Wheeler, Chair of the tribe said that
Nez Perce artwork is part of who they are and that selling fake native
American artwork devalues indigenous people.
Van Dyke pleaded guilty to the Misrepresentation of Indian Produced Goods
and Products in March 2023.
STORY: DOH LAUNCHES PFA DASHBOARD
The Washington State Department of Health has launched a new dashboard
to help landowners and concerned citizens monitor toxic PFAS or “forever
chemicals”.
INdustrial usage of PFAS began in the 1940’s and they have continued to be
manufactured since the 1950s. Used for waterproofing, non-stick, and fire
resistant coatings in a variety of materials they were discovered to be toxic
starting in the 1970’s. The chemicals were banned in the U.S in 2016 after
scientists proved the build up of the chemicals in fish and wildlife was toxic
to living things.
The Seattle Times reports that record levels of PFAs were recently found in
the drinking water of a San Juan Island community.
Story: Millworks Ground Breaking
This past April the Millworks project broke ground in downtown Bellingham.
The project is entering its first phase of construction now, a full year ahead
of schedule.
Mauri Ingram, the president and CEO of Whatcom Community Foundation,
explained that the Millworks project has been developing for over a decade.
[Audio: “Millworks Began” 17s)
Building alongside many longstanding goals for Whatcom County. The
project has now been fully funded and will begin with the construction of 83
permanent affordable homes. 45 will be 2 and 3 bedroom homes designed
for families. 10% of the units will serve families who lack permanent housing
through a referral program with the Bellingham Opportunity Council.
Ingram believes that the opportunity that they’ve gotten here is significant
and unique.
[Audio: “Redeveloping” 25s]
20% of the units are also designated for community members who are
differently-abled, and the structure will include onsite educational programs
for residents including 6 classrooms operated by the YMCA, that will serve
as an Early Learning Center for the community.
Ingram explained that the Early Learning Center will be available for
everyone, not just residents of the Millworks. Going on to say that by
creating housing where people live and work, the project hopes to create
more time to spend with family, and less coming and going from where
people need to be.
The Community Foundation is planning to open the Millworks for occupancy
in April of next year. Phase 2 will begin soon after, with emphasis on
bringing more businesses and art to the area. The WCF plans to finish
phase 2 no later than the end of 2026.
STORY: FRIDAY BIKE TO WORK AND SCHOOL DAY
Be sure to inflate your tires tonight, because tomorrow is Bike to Work and
School Day. Businesses across the city will host celebration stations
handing out free treats to passing cyclists. A scavenger hunt will start
tomorrow, and if you complete it, you could win a prize at Trackside Brewing
at 5 p.m., including a gift card to El Sueñito Brewing and a gift basket from
Trader Joes.
For more information, visit bike to work and school day dot org.
WX:
And now, here’s today’s weather. This afternoon it’s more of the same, with
a bit of haze on top. Expect temps in the low 70s today with a high of 72
around 3 – 4pm. Tonight it’s going to cool off a bit, reaching a low of 54 with
clear skies.
Tomorrow, more of the same is on the way. Bellingham will reach a high of
72 tomorrow, accompanied by lots of sunshine with spots of clouds.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and Questen
Inghram. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m, and
on demand at kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please send an email
to news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community
radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m
___________ and thanks for listening.
