Bellingham hard-of-hearing residents see support in Loops, Noisy scrap metal loading expect next week at Port of Bellingham, Task force recommends $160 million for upgrades, new high school in Lynden, Restrictions eased on food imports, Health insurance rates are about to jump for thousands, Washington Supreme Court rules against lawsuit demanding state pay more for school construction, Free and Cheap
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 15th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Bellingham hard-of-hearing residents see support in Loops
A technology to help the hard-of-hearing has become widespread in Bellingham.
The Loops system, known officially as Audio Frequency Induction Loop System, is a simple copper wire and a specialized amplifier that takes a few different forms. Loops connects with individual hearing aids to amplify nearby sound to the point of crystal clear audio.
Most city buildings have Loops in place now, including the library, city hall and Whatcom Museum. Some local businesses also have added the technology.
According to Hearing Loss Association of America’s Whatcom County chapter president Larry Wonnacott, the growing use of Loops makes spaces more accessible for people with hearing aids. He sees the Loops system as the gold standard for accessibility for hard of hearing people.
STORY: Noisy scrap metal loading expected next week at Port of Bellingham
ABC Recycling’s operation at the Bellingham Ship Terminal will see heavy activity next week with the arrival of a new bulk carrier ship.
The M.V. Autumn Sea will dock next week and load about 27,000 metric tons of recycled iron and steel, an activity that draws complaints due to high noise levels. The loading is expected to take seven days with 70 workers laboring between 8am and 2:30am daily.
Noise complaints from the South Hill neighborhood caused the Port of Bellingham to install a sound barrier made of stacked shipping containers next to the loading area. The height of the sound barrier is expected to increase for next week’s loading. The Port also set up a website with the purpose of informing the public through email and text notifications about updates in the shipping terminal schedule.
ABC Recycling is also facing backlash regarding plans for a metal shredder and recycling facility outside of town, with 200 people gathering at a public meeting last week to discuss the potential impact of the facility and any possible dangers it could bring to the community. Residents addressed concerns about potential noise, traffic, and environmental impacts such as dust and chemicals.
STORY: Task force recommends $160 million for upgrades, new high school in Lynden
The Lynden School Board held a meeting last night to discuss a proposed bond that would include the construction of a new high school.
The district’s bond planning task force made several proposals in a report released earlier this week, one of them being the construction of a $150 million high school to replace the 43-year-old building. This is in response to a third-party giving the current high school building a low condition assessment and the high school exceeding its capacity by 130 students – with enrollment expected to increase.
Overall, the report proposes almost two dozen projects funded by a $160 million bond that would raise property taxes $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value.
STORY: Restrictions eased on food imports
Restrictions have eased on the amount and type of meats that travelers can bring into the US from Canada.
Those crossing into the states are now allowed to bring up to 50 pounds of beef, bison, veal, sheep, goat, swine or camelid meat. This is separate from the personal use amounts of beef, veal, and bison. Cervid meat like deer and elk is also allowed, but it must be proven to come from the Cervidae (SERVE-i-dee) family of animals. Travelers are also able to bring eggs, egg products, and poultry, however, it is best to check the USDA’s temporary restrictions page before crossing just in case.
STORY: Health insurance rates are about to jump for thousands
The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has approved an average premium increase of nearly 9% next year for 14 health insurers operating in Washington’s individual health insurance market.
While the average may be 9%, some insurers like Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, Premera Blue Cross and Bridgespan Health Co. will have premium increases of more than 15%. Health insurance premiums in the individual market will increase for the third consecutive year in 2024 after monthly premiums dropped during the pandemic because of funding provided by the American Rescue Plan.
According to the 2022 census, around 220,000 Washington residents directly purchase their insurance, instead of receiving it from an employer. Of those 220,000, nearly 90% bought coverage through the state-run Washington Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Apple Health, through which more than 75% received some financial help to pay their monthly premiums.
Affordability of healthcare is an increasing worry for Washingtonians according to a 2022 survey by the Altarum Healthcare Value Hub, with four in five expressing concerns about future affordability.
STORY: Washington Supreme Court rules against lawsuit demanding state pay more for school construction
The Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously on September 7th that the state is not solely responsible for covering the costs of construction for public schools.
The decision, which dictates that school construction is a shared responsibility between local and state governments, is in response to a lawsuit from the Wahkiakum (wuh-Ki-uh-kuhm) School District, filed after 22 years of failed bond proposals. Wahkiakum stated it needs at least $50 million for critical repairs and to remodel its high school, which hasn’t had renovations since it was first built in 1962. The district noted in court filings that 57% of students in Wahkiakum come from low-income households, and that the per-capita income in the county is around $29,000 a year. Voters refused to pay additional taxes to pass the bonds, and the district contended construction costs would be “burdensome” even if the bond was to pass.
As such, according to the justices, the district’s only option was to apply for a small school district modernization grant, but that “the existing fund distribution system does not offer relief to Wahkiakum.” The school district failed in their argument that construction costs were included in the Washington State Constitution.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something to do this weekend?
Tomorrow, Bellingham Makerspace is hosting an all ages open craft event from 2-5 at Bellis Fair Mall. On Sunday, Makerspace will host a repair open house where you can bring in any broken item, that you can carry, for free repair. On Sunday, Makerspace is hosting an art meetup for teens. For more details visit bellinghammakerspace.com.
Also on Saturday, the ALS Association is hosting a Walk to defeat ALS at Zuanich Point Park. Registration is free and done online.
There will be a Whatcom County Farm Tour, hosted across various farms in Whatcom. The self guided event is free and open from 10am to 4pm on Saturday.
On Sunday, the Bellingham Veg Fest will be taking place from 10am to 3pm at Barkley Village Green, 2215 Rimland Drive.
WX: Clear Clear Rain
Today and tomorrow are expected to be sunny, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s. Tonight will cool to about 53, and clouds expected to roll in Saturday night. By Sunday night there’s a chance of showers and temperatures will begin cooling as we head into the week.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Susan Lindsey, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. 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. I’m __David Korb______________… thanks for listening.
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