WA hydrogen production to get boost from share of $1B in funding, potentially in Bellingham, Public Participation Sought for Point Roberts Drainage Study, Lummis move aggressively to combat overdose deaths, WNS – Opponents push back on initiative to build jail, WA agreement would require access to trans health care in prison, Free and Cheap, WWU’s Fall 2023 First-Year Class is its Second Largest Ever,
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 13th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: WA hydrogen production to get a boost from share of $1B in funding, potentially Bellingham
The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen the Pacific Northwest as a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub.
These hubs, supported by President Biden’s investment agenda, aim to create a national network for clean hydrogen production, storage, and delivery. According to the Pacific Northwest Clean Hydrogen Association, they will reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and enhance energy security.
The regional Hydrogen Hub hopes to reduce the carbon impacts of heavy transportation, energy storage, ports, agriculture, and industrial operations. It’s expected to generate over 10,000 jobs and strengthen energy security while promoting equitable energy systems. One of the proposed sites for the hub would be here in Bellingham.
The hub is eligible to receive up to $1B dollars in federal funding over nine years, with the first phase beginning in early 2024.
STORY: Public Participation Sought for Point Roberts Drainage Study
Whatcom County is conducting a study in Point Roberts to analyze current and future water drainage patterns.
The study aims to identify and understand drainage problems, develop solutions and cost estimates, and seek funding. The results will be used to create the Point Roberts Drainage Management Plan. Residents of Point Roberts are encouraged to provide input on drainage issues via a public survey.
STORY: Lummis move aggressively to combat overdose deaths
In response to recent overdose deaths in Lummi Nation, the community is acting swiftly to fight against the growing drug trade.
After declaring an emergency in September, Lummi Nation has begun utilizing police to search for drugs, with random traffic stops on the reservation. Lummi Chairman Anthony Hillaire (hill-AIR) acknowledged the random stops and searches might conflict with state law, which requires police to have a warrant and probable cause before searching a car without consent and are having policy analysts review it.
A Sheriff’s Office statement said the department doesn’t participate in the checkpoints and suggested that they couldn’t book suspects from these stops due to this law. Hillaire said that Lummi Nation may go further and block main thoroughfares through the reservation altogether, including roads that are used to access non-tribal homes and businesses on Lummi Island, via the ferry terminal at Gooseberry Point.
Lummi Nation has also received federal assistance, with Senator Maria Cantwell helping the tribe partner with the FBI to address crime within the reservation.
STORY: WNS – Opponents push back on initiative to build jail
A November ballot initiative would fund building of a jail near Bellingham, but some say it’s the wrong way to address issues in Whatcom County. Eric Tegitoff has more…
JAIL AUDIO
STORY: WA agreement would require access to trans health care in prison
A new proposed settlement agreement with the state for gender-affirming medical care in state prisons may go into effect soon.
Disability Rights Washington filed the complaint and the proposed settlement agreement in federal court on Wednesday morning, after an investigation beginning in 2017. The investigation looked into the conditions for transgender people in Washington prisons. DRW alleges the state has denied transgender prisoners gender-affirming care, hormone therapy, and have subjected them to strip searches by guards of opposite gender.
The agreement, if accepted, would require that the state prison staff include a mental-health care provider specializing in gender-affirming care, and a gender-affirming medical care specialist approved by both the state and DRW. The agreement would also limit trans women in state prisons being searched by male guards, requiring that enough female guards work at the relevant facilities.
The state Department of Corrections has signed off on the agreement. A judge will now need to review and accept the deal.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some affordable events happening around Whatcom County.
Bellingham SeaFeast will take place this weekend at Squalicum Harbor & Fisherman’s Pavilion. The event will have seafood vendors, cooking demos, market, entertainment, and beer garden. Admission is free and the event runs from 10 to 5 on Saturday, and from 11 to 5 on Sunday.
Bellingham Farmers Market and Blaine’s Market By The Sea will have their weekly markets on Saturday from 10 to 2. This weekend will be Blaine’s last Market by the Sea until May.
For those looking for something a little scarier, the Upfront Theatre will be the Hellingham improv murder mystery. The show takes place every Friday and Saturday night in October at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets are 10 dollars for students and 16 for regular attendees.
WX: Sunny
Today is going to be partly sunny, with highs in the low 70s. The low will be 54 with winds blowing from 5 to 13 mph throughout the day. Rain will come later tonight, and continue into the weekend.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) 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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