Local investigators seeking witness to altercation involving state trooper in Ferndale, Bellingham woman arrested following alleged knife attack, City of Sedro-Woolley settles with family of man fatally shot by police officer in 2022, Blood supplies critically low, National LGBTQ suicide hotline to cease specific services later this month, WA joins multi state lawsuit against Trump administration following release of Medicaid data to ICE, Ferndale looking for downtown mural proposals, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Local investigators seeking witness to altercation involving state trooper in Ferndale
Investigators are looking for witnesses to an altercation that involved a Washington State Patrol trooper last weekend.
According to the Whatcom County Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Response Team, the confrontation took place in Ferndale on Sunday morning. The trooper pulled a motorcyclist over at the northbound I-5 off-ramp at Main Street. The altercation took place shortly after, at the intersection of Main and Barrett Road.
Investigators are not sharing further details, but they would like to speak with anyone who was nearby — including drivers heading north on I-5 around that time.
Witnesses are asked to contact Detective Shelby Brown at the Ferndale Police Department.
STORY: Bellingham woman arrested following alleged knife attack
A 24-year-old woman is in custody after an alleged knife attack ended with one man injured.
Bellingham Police say the two parties began to argue over a broken TV in a Bellingham apartment. The woman allegedly blocked the door when the man tried to leave. According to reports, as he pushed past, she allegedly punched him several times.
Lieutenant Claudia Murphy says another argument started when the man returned to the apartment. At that point, the woman allegedly grabbed a kitchen knife, cut his cheek, and stabbed his hand. None of the injuries required a hospital visit.
The woman was arrested on multiple charges, including first-degree assault and unlawful imprisonment. She remained in custody at the Whatcom County Jail as of yesterday morning.
STORY: City of Sedro-Woolley settles with family of man fatally shot by police officer in 2022
The City of Sedro-Woolley has agreed to pay $2 million to the family of David Babcock, who was shot and killed by a Sedro-Woolley police officer in 2022.
The 51-year-old Babcock was shot after officers attempted to stop his car using spike strips. A bullet struck him in the head as he swerved to avoid them. He was unarmed.
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in May of 2024, accused the city and others of negligence in the events leading up to Babcock’s death. While the city admits no fault, the settlement ends the legal fight. Officer Maxwell Rosser, who fired the fatal shots, returned to duty in late 2022 after the city deemed the shooting justified. He remains on the force as of today.
The family’s attorney says the settlement is a step toward justice, and calls for reform in the department’s policies and culture.
STORY: Blood supplies critically low
Summer blood supplies are critically low, and Bloodworks Northwest is urging the community to donate.
Community members can help at several upcoming drives – tomorrow at the Haggen’s in Sehome Village, next Monday at the City of Bellingham Blood Drive, and July 15th at WWU.
Blood donations are also welcome anytime at the Northwest Bloodworks Donation Center in Bellingham.
Appointments are recommended; those interested can sign up at bloodworksnw.org.
STORY: National LGBTQ suicide hotline to cease specific services later this month
In 2022, the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline added a new line for LGBTQ+ youth. Now, due to budget cuts, that special hotline is being retired.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — or SAMHSA (SAM-suh) — the specialized 9-8-8 line provided emergency help for queer youth from trained mental health professionals. It has been used by almost one-and-a-half million members of the LGBTQ+ community since its formation.
According to a release from MAD HOPE, a youth suicide prevention non-profit, studies show that LGBTQ+ youth are 5-to-8 times more likely to experience suicidal ideation than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.
In a statement to the press, SAMHSA said that, quote, “anyone who calls the Lifeline will continue to receive compassion and help” unquote. Lifelines specific to LGBTQ+ communities can still be found at the Trans Lifeline and the Trevor Lifeline.
STORY: WA joins multi state lawsuit against Trump administration following release of Medicaid data to ICE
State Attorney General Nick Brown announced yesterday that Washington has joined another multi-state lawsuit against the Trump administration.
The lawsuit follows a revelation that information from 1.7 million Medicaid recipients — including immigration status, addresses, and Social Security numbers — was shared with ICE without their knowledge.
The lawsuit alleges that the mass transfer of data violates the law. It also seeks to block use of the information for immigration enforcement, as well as the transfer of any additional data.
In a statement released by the Attorney General’s Office, Brown said that Health and Human Services’s actions violate seven decades of precedent in regards to Medicaid patient confidentiality. It also argues that information presented to access medical treatment should not be used, quote, “so that ICE can deport undocumented immigrants because they had to go to the doctor,” unquote.
California, Oregon, Arizona, and Minnesota are among the 14 other states participating in the lawsuit.
STORY: Ferndale looking for downtown mural proposals (kill 7/11)
Calling all artists!
Proposals are now open for Ferndale’s Downtown Mural Project.
The city is seeking creative, vibrant designs to help transform downtown Ferndale with public art. Selected artists will be commissioned to create murals that reflect the community’s identity, culture, and history.
This is a paid opportunity, and artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The deadline to submit a proposal is July 31st. Full project details and submission guidelines are available at cityofferndale.org/mural.
STORY: Bellingham businesses and offices closed for 4th of July
Hot weather, holiday crowds, and widespread closures — that’s the forecast for this Fourth of July in Bellingham.
The Arne (AHR-nee) Hanna Aquatic Center, Whatcom Museum, Bellingham Food Bank, and all public libraries will be closed on Friday. Post offices, banks, and most city, state, and federal offices will also shut down for the holiday.
Emergency services remain fully staffed. Police, fire, medics, and Public Works crews will respond to urgent needs.
Officials warn that all fireworks are illegal within Bellingham city limits. With warm, dry weather expected, they urge residents to follow fire restrictions and stay safe.
Plan ahead, respect closures, and enjoy the holiday responsibly.
WX: The Crimean Warm
And now for the weather:
Today’s forecast calls for clear skies and bright sunshine once again, with highs in the low 70s. The U.V. index rating is set to reach up to 9, so please stay hydrated. Skies should stay relatively cloud-free going into the evening, when we will see temperatures drop to lows in the low-to-mid 50s.
Tomorrow should bring more of the same.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Cody Mills,
Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae (BELL-uh MAY), and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: Crab season opens July 17th – YAY! (kill date 7/17!!)
Get your gear ready — Marine Area 7 South, including the San Juans and Bellingham, opens for crabbing July 17th.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says pots can be dropped Thursdays through Mondays, with no crabbing allowed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
A shellfish license and catch record card are required. The daily limit is five male Dungeness crabs, at least 6-and-a-quarter inches wide, plus six red rock crabs of any sex. Crab must be kept whole so size and sex can be verified.
Area 7 North – from Inati Bay to Point Roberts — remains closed. WDFW expects that season to open in mid-August, once shell condition sampling wraps up.
Always check for emergency closures before heading out. More info at wdfw.wa.gov.
