Open enrollment for state health insurance begins next week, on heels of newly approved hike in rates, Former WWU police officer now under state investigation for striking handcuffed suspect, WCC under financial sustainability review after months of cuts and furloughs, Raw milk products at Whatcom dairy linked to E. coli outbreak, Vehicle crash blamed for widespread power outages in Skagit County on Saturday, St. Joe’s breaks ground on new Peter Paulsen Pavilion, Mount Vernon seeks property tax hike to avoid reductions in first responder and municipal staff
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October 27th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Open enrollment for state health insurance begins next week, on heels of newly approved hike in rates
The Washington Health Benefit Exchange Board has approved a 21 percent average increase in health insurance premiums for 2026 — nearly double last year’s hike.
And other insurance buyers will face even larger increases. Officials say the sharp rise stems from uncertainty over federal premium tax credits set to expire at year’s end. Those credits are a key sticking point in the ongoing government shutdown debate between Republicans and Democrats.
According to state records, nearly 300,000 Washingtonians bought plans through the Exchange last year. Three out of four received federal credits and saved an average of $1,330 a year. The Exchange warns that without an extension, 80,000 people could lose coverage next year.
Open enrollment for Washington’s health insurance marketplace starts November 1 — but small business owners, freelancers, and others who buy their own coverage can now preview next year’s rates at Washington Healthplanfinder dot org.
STORY: Former WWU police officer now under state investigation for striking handcuffed suspect
The case of a former Western Washington University police officer who struck a handcuffed suspect in early 2024 is now under review.
44-year-old Robert Anderson was fired by WWU Police after video showed he hit a man who had broken into his personal truck. Anderson later pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault; he received probation, a fine, and mandatory anger management. A Bellingham Police investigation found both Anderson and his supervisor, Sergeant Wolf Lipson, violated multiple department policies.
Lipson was placed on leave, voluntarily demoted himself and subsequently retired before the conclusion of the internal review. Anderson was fired in July of 2024, and briefly rehired by Lummi Nation Police Department later that year — he was, however, dismissed weeks later when a background discrepancy surfaced.
According to the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission, Anderson’s peace officer certification remains active, though he has not worked in law enforcement since last December.
STORY: WCC under financial sustainability review after months of cuts and furloughs
After a series of cuts, furloughs, and budget shortfalls, Whatcom Community College is undergoing its first-ever comprehensive financial review.
According to reporting by Cascadia Daily, President Justin Guillory (GILL-or-ee), who took office in May, says the college faces a $2.3 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, with another $1 million shortfall in 2026-27 if no changes are made.
Every program and service at Whatcom has been asked to report on enrollment, efficiency, and potential cost savings. Those reports will be reviewed by a task force made of faculty and staff before final recommendations reach the president by December 12th. Guillory says he plans to present his proposals to the Board of Trustees on January 14th.
In the meantime, furloughs have begun with nearly all employees taking between six and twelve unpaid days this year, which is estimated to save the college about $900,000. Controversy has surfaced over retention bonuses for two senior administrators, who are each scheduled to receive $3,000 a month through January. Guillory defended the payments, and called them key to maintaining leadership continuity during a challenging transition.
Faculty leaders are now calling for greater transparency about college finances — and how it plans to make lasting change in its approach.
STORY: Raw milk products at Whatcom dairy linked to E. coli outbreak
An E.coli outbreak has been tied to raw milk products from a Whatcom County creamery.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, raw milk cheeses produced by Ferndale’s Twin Sisters Creamery are being recalled after an outbreak of E. coli (EE KOH-lye) infections in Whatcom County and Oregon. Two adults and a small child fell ill between September 5th and September 16th; one person was hospitalized.
The patient from Oregon reported eating Twin Sisters Creamery Farmhouse cheese before they fell ill. A sample revealed the presence of E.coli. Bacteria was also found in an additional sample from a Washington retail location. As a result, all sizes of Whatcom Blue, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed cheeses produced on or after May 27th of this year have been recalled.
The Washington State Department of Health says it is working with the Oregon Health Authority – as well as local, state, and federal partners – to investigate the infections. Twin Sisters is cooperating with the investigation.
STORY: Vehicle crash blamed for widespread power outages in Skagit County on Saturday
Thousands of Skagit County residents woke up Saturday morning without power.
Puget Sound Energy says it started to receive outage reports after a crash damaged multiple transformers in Sedro-Woolley. Police say the outage was caused by a motor vehicle crash at Wicker and Fruitdale roads. The people in the vehicle were safely rescued.
Much of Sedro-Woolley and Burlington were affected; power fully was restored about 24 hours later.
STORY: St. Joe’s breaks ground on new Peter Paulsen Pavilion
St. Joseph Medical Center broke ground last Friday on a major expansion that honors the late developer Peter Paulsen.
According to a release from PeaceHealth, the new six-story Peter Paulsen Pavilion will add 80 single-patient rooms, a modern emergency department, and new childbirth and pediatrics floors.
Paulsen, who died last year, donated $50 million dollars toward the $336 million dollar project — which helped PeaceHealth make the project happen. Officials say the expansion will bring better care to Whatcom County and help attract more doctors and nurses to the area.
The first phase is expected to open in 2027.
STORY: Mount Vernon seeks property tax hike to avoid reductions in first responder and municipal staff
Mount Vernon voters will decide this November whether to raise property taxes to help prevent cuts to police, fire, and parks services.
The proposal would increase the city’s property tax rate by 65 cents per $1,000 of assessed value and would start in 2026. The bump would make the total tax rate $2.25 per $1,000. For a $550,000 home, that’s about $31 a month, or $368 a year.
If approved, the levy is expected to generate nearly $4 million annually, funding six new police officers, six firefighters, and ongoing maintenance and improvements to parks and recreation programs. Mayor Peter Donovan says the city has already cut staff to the “bare minimum” and cannot keep up with Mount Vernon’s growth without additional revenue.
Mount Vernon faces a $6 million shortfall in 2026, driven by inflation, rising labor costs, and the loss of COVID-era funding. Without the levy, city officials warn that reductions to public safety and parks services are likely.
WX: The calm after the storm, but probably also before the storm
And now for the weather:
Expect partly cloudy skies and a chance of showers. Highs are expected to be in the lower-50s, with mild winds throughout the day. Tonight should be similar, with lows falling to just under 40 degrees. Expect cloudy skies tomorrow morning with a 70% of rain.
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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