Heat advisory in place for North Cascades foothills, Perry Fire in east Whatcom County continues to expand, now threatening buildings, Two-week closure of Marblemount Bridge begins today, WSDOT repavings to reduce southbound I-5 to one lane of traffic in Ferndale, Labor Day “Workers over Billionaires,” protests draw hundreds of attendees across Whatcom and Skagit, New study places WA among five best regions in the country for workers, Dept. of Natural Resources debuts “Tree Equity Score,” to study benefits of municipal vegetation, Drivers urged to stay alert for kids going back to school, Free and Cheap (Kill 9/5), Free and Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Heat advisory in place for North Cascades foothills A heat advisory is in effect from noon today through 5 p.m. Thursday.
Highs in the upper-80s to mid-90s and overnight lows in the 60s and 70s are expected across Cascade foothills and valleys.
The National Weather Service warns of a moderate-to-major risk of heat-related illness, especially for those without cooling or hydration. The hottest conditions will hit areas like Packwood, Marblemount, and Darrington, with little relief overnight. Here in Whatcom, high temperatures are expected in areas like Sumas, Everson/Nooksack, Glacier, Deming, and Maple Falls.
STORY: Perry Fire in east Whatcom County continues to expand, now threatening buildings
A wildfire in the North Cascades of eastern Whatcom County has grown to more than 600 acres and is now threatening buildings.
The Perry Fire, which was sparked by lightning last week, is burning above Ross Lake about 16 miles northeast of Newhalem. Officials report the fire is active, and have closed roads and trails in the area including several hiking trails near Ross Lake. Firefighting crews say the steep terrain is limiting their efforts; however, additional teams have been ordered, and a helicopter crew has been brought in to drop water.
Responders say warm, windy, and dry conditions have fueled the fire’s rapid growth.
STORY: Two-week closure of Marblemount Bridge begins today The Marblemount Bridge in Skagit County is closed, as crews begin major repair work.
Stellar J Corporation has started the first phase of a two-year project to repair and upgrade the 90-year-old bridge over the Skagit River. The work will restore two-lane traffic, remove current weight limits, and extend the bridge’s lifespan.
Cascade River Road is closed at the Marblemount Bridge through September 16th. No vehicles — including emergency vehicles — are allowed through.
Drivers should use the marked detour via State Route 20, State Route 530, and Rockport Cascade Road. Officials urge the public to respect all signs and closures for the safety of workers and road users.
STORY: WSDOT repavings to reduce southbound I-5 to one lane of traffic in Ferndale
Drivers on southbound I-5 through Ferndale can expect overnight lane closures this week.
Starting tonight and continuing through early Thursday morning, contractor crews will close the left lane of southbound I-5 between the Custer Rest Area and the Nooksack River Bridge.
Closures run nightly from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as part of the ongoing paving project from Nooksack to Blaine.
Drivers should plan for delays during these hours.
STORY: Labor Day “Workers over Billionaires,” protests draw hundreds of attendees across Whatcom and Skagit
Another protest of the Trump administration saw about 300 people march through Mount Vernon on Labor Day, calling for worker solidarity.
Organized by Indivisible Skagit and local unions, the Workers Over Millionaires march highlighted recent executive orders rolling back federal labor protections. Participants stopped at union halls along the route, joining more than 1,000 Workers Over Billionaires demonstrations nationwide.
Protests in cities like Boston and Chicago drew members of Congress and other elected officials — and prompted a defensive response from the
Department of Homeland Security. Organizers in Mount Vernon say the community will push back against attacks on unions and other federal actions.
STORY: New study places WA among five best regions in the country for workers
A new study by Oxfam America rates Washington as the fifth-best place in the country for workers.
Published annually since 2018, the Best States to Work in the U.S. Index takes into account wages and worker protections, as well as worker-related government policies and the right to organize. In terms of wage policies, which make up 40% of a state’s overall score in Oxfam’s accounting, Washington rates as second-best in the United States, trailing only the District of Columbia.
Oxfam’s worker protection rankings encompass everything from paid family, medical, and sick leave to flexible scheduling and protection against sexual harassment, amongst many other concerns. Washington ranked 4th in this area.
Overall, Oxfam rates only the District of Columbia, California, Oregon, and New York ahead of Washington as the best places in the country for workers. All five of the worst places in the country are in the Southeast, with North Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama at the bottom of the list.
STORY: Dept. of Natural Resources debuts “Tree Equity Score,” to study benefits of municipal vegetation
A new, free online map is showing how tree cover shapes life in Washington.
The Tree Equity Score Analyzer — a partnership between the state Department of Natural Resources and the American Forests nonprofit organization — tracks how canopy cover affects community health, and how shady neighborhoods can cool temperatures.
Bellingham averages a score of 85, with some areas scoring a perfect 100 — where tree-lined blocks run up to 17 degrees cooler. Point Roberts and Sudden Valley also earned perfect scores.
Ferndale came in at 74, Birch Bay at 81, and both Lynden and Blaine landed in the 50s and 60s. Each region now has canopy goals to improve shade and health.
The tool comes as Bellingham extends protections for landmark trees — part of a broader effort to regulate local climate conditions.
STORY: Drivers urged to stay alert for kids going back to school School is back in session across Whatcom County, and motorists are urged to stay alert for school buses.
State law requires motorists traveling in both directions on a two-lane road to stop whenever a bus’s red lights are flashing or whenever its stop sign
is out. The same rules apply in many three-lane situations, though not when traffic is divided by a median.
Failing to stop carries a $500 fine. The state also urges drivers to watch for children even after the bus lights turn off and the stop arm retracts.
Officials say when in doubt — stop.
WX: I’d like to be sun-der the sea
And now for the weather:
Our streak of pleasantly warm weather should continue today— at least for those of us close to the water—- with the forecast calling for mostly sunny skies and highs in the upper 70s. Temperatures are expected to rise as high as the 90s further inland, so do your best to stay cool and hydrated out there. The evening should bring temps to lows in the mid-50s, with some widespread fog expected to set in over the course of the night.
More morning-haze tomorrow should burn off early, after which we’ll see more sunshine.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy (luh-ROY). 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: Free and Cheap (Kill 9/5)
Celebrate the Salish Sea at Free First Friday!
As the summer draws to a close, paddle over to the Whatcom Museum on Sept. 5 for Free First Friday. Visitors of all ages are invited to learn all about the Salish Sea and the people and animals who call its waterways home. Create a fish print inspired by the traditional Japanese art of gyotaku, sculpt your own sea creature, decorate a buoy to add to Bellingham SeaFeast’s community net project, join a guided walk to the Whatcom Creek Hatchery — and much more! In the afternoon, hear stories from Nooksack Storytellers Tammy Cooper-Woodrich and Angela LeToi, then join in a sea shanty sing-along with The Mighty Bards of Menace in the Lightcatcher courtyard! Find a full list of events and times.
STORY: Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
https://www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums — Sat, Sept. 13
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Run with the Chums on September 13th at BP Highlands in Birch Bay.
This free, family-friendly 5K fun run celebrates salmon, clean water, and community. All ages and paces are welcome, and the scenic course offers stunning views of Whatcom County’s shoreline.
Kids 10 and under can enjoy the Smolt Sprint obstacle course starting at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K kicking off at 10.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.—arrive early for a free T-shirt while supplies last.
