Thousands rally in Bellingham for No Kings protest, BPD seeking witnesses or victims related to man arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor, Whatcom County Charter approves twelve amendments for next month’s ballot, Ferndale ballot dropbox temporarily moved, Data shows WA counties hardest hit by health care cost rise, Medicare open enrollment has started
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Thousands rally in Bellingham for No Kings protest
Despite persistent rain, over five thousand people filled Bellingham’s Maritime Heritage Park on Saturday to protest a wide range of Trump administration policies.
The event was part of the nationwide series of No Kings rallies, which drew over 7 million protestors across all 50 states. Addressing what he sees as the administration’s intensifying turn toward authoritarianism, State Representative Alex Ramel told the crowd that, quote, “All of us who believe in justice, freedom, equality, and democracy need to speak up, stand up, and act,” unquote.
Other speakers at the almost entirely peaceful rally included Shu-Ling Zhao from the Whatcom Human Rights Task Force, as well as representatives from tenants- and trans-rights groups, the Bellingham Chapter of the Troublemakers organization, and more. Folksinger Robert Sarazin (s-air-a-zin) Blake led several singalongs, and giant puppets representing the Constitution paraded through the park.
Groups of participants marched to the rally from the Western Washington campus and the Fairhaven business district. Some dressed in inflatable animal costumes, likely inspired by similar outfits donned by Portland citizens protesting ICE actions in that city. Thousands of No King’s protestors also lined half a mile of sidewalk along Burlington Boulevard in Skagit County. Adding to the dozens of rallies that took place throughout Washington state.
STORY: BPD seeking witnesses or victims related to man arrested for sexual exploitation of a minor
Bellingham Police are asking for the public’s help in finding witnesses or possible victims connected to a 24-year-old Alger man.
Police say Jacob — or Jake — Smith drives a bronze 2008 Subaru Outback. They’ve also released his Snapchat handles: Jakemdd_11 and Jake_s1121.
Smith was arrested October 17th on suspicion of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to the Whatcom County jail log. He’s being held on $150,000 bail but has not yet been formally charged.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Lisa Aspessi (a-SPEZ-ii), or leave an anonymous tip at cob.org/tips.
STORY: Whatcom County Charter approves twelve amendments for next month’s ballot
Whatcom County voters will see 12 proposed amendments to the county charter on this year’s ballot — the local constitution that shapes how county government operates.
The 15-member Charter Review Commission met for seven months in a once-a-decade process, ultimately forwarding a dozen measures that won support from at least 10 commissioners, a supermajority requirement set in 2015.
Most proposals focus on transparency, accountability, and process improvements — such as creating a county Office of the Ombuds (on-buds), allowing councilmembers to hire dedicated aides, and requiring performance audits of county operations.
Voters will also weigh changes to budgeting, financial reporting, and redistricting rules.
The full list of propositions — and explanatory statements — can be found in the Whatcom County Voters’ Pamphlet and online at whatcomcounty.us/elections.
STORY: Ferndale ballot dropbox temporarily moved
Due to construction, Ferndale’s Drop Box has temporarily moved to Pioneer Pavilion Community Center at 2007 Cherry Street, for this election only!
Be sure to return your ballot in an Official Ballot Drop Box by 8:00 pm November 4 or by mail, postmarked by November 4, 2025. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing by Tuesday, October 28.
You can find an official ballot box near you on the Whatcom County website.
STORY: Hanford comes online
Washington has begun turning nuclear waste at the Hanford Site into glass for safe disposal.
This marks a major milestone in one of the nation’s most complex environmental cleanups. Governor Bob Ferguson and the State Department of Ecology say the Low-Activity Waste Facility is now operating under strict safety and environmental standards, just ahead of an October 15th legal deadline.
The process will take decades, but officials say vitrifying the waste offers the best protection for the environment and communities in the Pacific Northwest.
STORY: Federal shutdown takes a toll in Washington
According to State Employment Security, about 79 federal workers a day across the state are applying for unemployment benefits due to the federal shutdown.
Employment Security notes that while claims from federal workers are a small percentage of the growing number of unemployment claims, they are more complex and take longer to process. This Thursday at 1 p.m., Employment Security will host a webinar for federal workers and contractors impacted by the shutdown.
Over 1500 federal workers live in Whatcom County.
STORY: Data shows WA counties hardest hit by health care cost rise
Washingtonians will likely face major health insurance premium hikes next year— and certain rural counties will be hit the hardest.
The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits help make health insurance more affordable for millions of people who buy coverage on the open market. However, Congress needs to extend those credits, and it has been shut down with Republican congressmen sent home on vacation.
Senator Maria Cantwell released new data this week that shows average premiums in seven rural counties east of the Cascades — including Yakima, Grant, Adams, Franklin, Douglas, Chelan, and Ferry — could more than double if the credits expire.
Statewide, about one in thirty residents received the enhanced tax credits this year. San Juan County has the highest share of recipients at more than 11 percent of its under-65 population.
STORY: Medicare open enrollment has started
And just a quick note– Medicare’s Open Enrollment is underway through December 7th.
Elders are encouraged to visit Medicare.gov to review coverage options, check for changes to their current plan, and update their information.
WX: A weatherperson who reports an overcast forecast is a cloud bank teller
And now for the weather:
Expect today to be cloudy and rainy once again. High temperatures should peak around the upper 50s. The evening’s forecast is much the same, with largely cloudy skies and lows in the high 40s.
Tomorrow morning there’s just a 20% chance of rain before 11am with mostly cloud cover which should lead us into another streak of rainy days.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae, 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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