PeaceHealth clinicians vote to unionize, Lummi Nation to honor Tokitae with private traditional ceremony, Blaine city layoffs, State collects estimates of economic impact of Sourdough fire, 8-person crash in Everson consisted of 7 Romanian citizens, States agree to install 20 million new heat pumps by 2023, Gov to provide free Covid tests ______________________________
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STORY: PeaceHealth clinicians vote to unionize
Over 80 mid-level workers at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center voted to unionize Monday. This will be the first bargaining unit for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, or UAPD, made up of solely advanced practice clinicians, such as nurse midwives, physician assistants and nurse practitioners.
This vote comes after months of talks concerning the efficacy of caretaking at PeaceHealth in Bellingham. UAPD first started to push to unionize the hospital in July, with a press release stating concerns over “assembly-line” care taking place at St. Joseph’s.
UAPD President Dr. Stuart Bussey finds the union will provide a voice to the workers that have not been able to participate in decisions that affect their workplace.
[Sound bite one]Dr. Bussey sees the union as ultimately helping the patients.
[Sound bite two]The next steps for the union contract will be bargaining for a new contract, one that will represent the interests of all that participate.
STORY: Lummi Nation to honor Tokitae with private traditional ceremony
The Lummi (LUH-mie) Nation will have a private, traditional ceremony for Tokitae this weekend.
The Southern Resident orca’s ashes arrived in Washington this week after her untimely death in August and subsequent necropsy in Georgia. Tokitae, or Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (skal-luh-CHUKH-ten-not), was captured over fifty years ago during the great orca roundup where multiple animals died in the process. She was the longest surviving orca from that roundup, and the second oldest orca in captivity.
Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (skal-luh-CHUKH-ten-not) spent her years in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium, and there was a large grass-roots push to have her returned to her home in the Salish Sea for years. Plans to move her to a private net pen in the Salish Sea were in the works before her death, with some advocates believing she was only months away from release before her death.
The ceremony will be held in a private, sacred location in Bellingham Bay with U.S. Coast Guard oversight to prevent any interference according to a press release from the Lummi Nation. Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut will receive a traditional water ceremony, as orcas are considered relatives to the Coast Salish people, which includes the Lummi Nation.
STORY: Blaine city layoffs
For the first time in a decade, the city of Blaine is planning sweeping layoffs which will eliminate about 10 percent of staff.
In a notice last week, city manager Mike Harmon told employees that the city plans to eliminate 6.5 full time employees on November first. In addition, the city will not rehire for 3 of 4 vacant positions.
To fill in the gaps, the city plans to shift responsibilities, consolidate work to fewer employees, and hire consultants. By laying off these employees, the city hopes to save up to $900,000 in next year’s $40 million budget. If Blaine wants to keep the positions, Harmon says the city needs to spend less on capital improvement projects in order to balance the budget.
The move to save money comes in response to a nearly $1 million deficit in the general fund, with salaries and wages making up over 60 percent of expenses. The budget became unbalanced as inflation increased employees’ salaries while revenue stayed stagnant.
STORY: State collects estimates of economic impact from Sourdough fire
Washington State is asking businesses and nonprofits affected by the Sourdough fire to submit an Economic Injury Worksheet.
The state’s Emergency Management Department is assessing statewide eligibility for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration agency.
For statewide eligibility, at least five businesses or nonprofits must meet certain criteria, including being unable to meet their obligations and pay “ordinary and necessary operating expenses.”
As of yesterday, three businesses within Skagit and Whatcom counties have submitted Economic Injury Worksheets, with economic damages for the two Skagit County businesses totaling $34,000. Those affected can submit reports by November 9th.
STORY: 8-person crash in Everson consisted of 7 Romanian citizens
Seven people involved in the Everson car crash during the weekend were Romanian citizens who had illegally crossed the border.
In a press release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that the Romanian citizens illegally entered the U.S. near Sumas (SUE-mass) by driving across a remote portion of the border and through a berry field. A short while later, the vehicle ran a stop sign in Everson and crashed. According to Washington State Patrol, the second car’s driver was identified as 19-year-old Timothy Garrison of Ferndale. No one in either vehicle was wearing a seatbelt, and all eight people were transported to St. Joseph Medical Center for treatment.
Three Romanians remain hospitalized while four were released and transported to the Sumas Station for processing. A criminal investigation is underway by Homeland Security, and the Washington State Police are investigating the car crash.
STORY: States agree to install 20 mil new heat pumps by 2030
Twenty-five U.S. governors including Governor Jay Inslee have agreed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings by rapidly expanding the installation of heat pumps.
The governors, who all belong to a group called the Climate Alliance, agreed to install 20 million new heat pumps across their states by 2030. At least 40% of their efforts in expanding heat pump installation would go toward disadvantaged communities. Electric heat pumps work by taking warmth from outside air and transferring it indoors or, during the summer months, operate in reverse to keep temperatures low. The alliance stated that the push for heat pumps comes as part of a larger goal to decarbonize existing buildings and to prevent emissions with new construction.
At present, buildings are Washington’s second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions at 27%, second only to transportation at 44%.
STORY: Gov to provide free Covid tests
The Biden administration has announced an additional $600 million to fund the production of new at-home Covid tests. Households will be able to order up to four tests online at no cost.
The new effort is meant to guard against supply chain issues that sparked some shortages of at-home COVID tests during past outbreaks. As winter draws near, experts expect Covid cases to rise as people spend more time indoors. The administration hopes that the increased production in tests will be able to meet higher demand during the holiday season.
The tests will be available beginning Monday, at COVIDTests.gov.
WX: Sunny/clear weather expected
Today will be a mostly sunny day in Bellingham, with a high near 72*, and an overnight low of 51 with winds expected throughout the day. Temperatures for tomorrow are expected to stay about the same. However, expect moderate to heavy rain this weekend and through next 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 listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
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