SNAP food benefits stop, Ole man atmospheric river comes for a visit this weekend, Bellingham City Council needs your input on Monday, Blaine man accused of assault after shooting another with rubber bullets, Feds spy on Seattle, Leaders of WA, OR, and B.C. sign memorandum recommitting to strong cross-border partnerships, Fallback on Sunday, Free and cheap
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 31st. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: SNAP food benefits stop
The federal government shutdown is creating uncertainty for our community, but local and state resources are available.
Households that now face a pause in SNAP benefits can access free hot meals and groceries throughout Whatcom County. Bellingham Food Bank and Western Washington University both offer information on food programs for students, seniors, and families. Washington’s WIC program announced that they have funding to continue through most of November.
Federal workers impacted by the shutdown may qualify for mortgage, rental, and other financial assistance through the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.
Other supports — including clothes, childcare, and financial help — are listed at Whatcom Resources. Medical and cash programs in Washington remain unaffected this month.
For details, visit the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website, and consider supporting your community if you are able.
STORY: Ole man atmospheric river comes for a visit this weekend
Forecasters warn a strong storm is set to hit western Washington this weekend — bringing gusty winds and heavy rain.
A moderately strong atmospheric river is expected to drop two to four inches of rain across much of the region, with up to five inches possible in the Olympics and the north and central Cascades.
The Skokomish River is forecast to reach minor flood stage Saturday, while several others — including the Bogachiel (bo-guh-CHEEL), Skagit, Snohomish, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie — could approach action stage.
Currently, officials expect water in the Nooksack and the Stillaguamish to rise, but not flood. However, the National Weather Service says localized flooding and debris flows are possible, especially near burn scars or in urban areas where drains are clogged with leaves.
Snow levels will rise to around 9,000 feet, which adds to runoff concerns.
A Wind Advisory is also in effect for western Whatcom County until 10pm tonight, with southeast gusts up to 45 miles per hour.
STORY: Bellingham City Council needs your input on Monday
Bellingham City Council will hold a public hearing Monday at 7 p.m. on two key issues — the city’s 20-year growth plan and the proposed 2026 budget.
The Bellingham Plan will shape how the city grows over the next two decades — including housing, jobs, and services. Monday’s hearing is the community’s final chance to weigh in before the plan is adopted later this year.
The Council will also take comments on the 2026 city budget, which will be finalized in December.
Residents can submit written comments or sign up to speak during the meeting. More information and materials are available on the city’s website.
STORY: Blaine man accused of assault after shooting another with rubber bullets
Whatcom County authorities have arrested a Blaine man for assault using non-lethal ammunition.
Court documents say 34-year-old Dillon McKinley Wilson fired rubber bullets at another man during an argument earlier this month on Maple Crest Avenue in Blaine. Deputies found black rubber projectiles at the scene and the injuries were consistent with rubber bullet impacts. Wilson was arrested two weeks later after deputies spotted him near Birch Bay Drive.
In addition to existing felony warrants, he has now been charged with second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and remains in Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Feds spy on Seattle
Federal agencies have accessed police surveillance data in Washington state — in some cases, without permission.
A new report from the University of Washington Center for Human Rights found that eight local law enforcement agencies using Flock Safety license plate readers shared data directly with U.S. Border Patrol this year. Ten more were accessed through technical back doors, despite no formal authorization.
The findings raise questions about Washington’s claim as a sanctuary for immigrants and those seeking abortion or gender-affirming care — as gaps in data-sharing rules may be exposing private information.
According to their website, Flock Safety is a public safety technology company that provides license plate reading cameras to law enforcement, communities, and private organizations. Flock Safety says it has paused pilot programs with federal agencies amid growing concern over how their data are used.
Critics warn that such surveillance networks — increasingly common across U.S. cities — could put vulnerable communities at risk.
STORY: Leaders of WA, OR, and B.C. sign memorandum recommitting to strong cross-border partnerships
Leaders from Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia have reaffirmed their commitment to work together on shared regional priorities.
According to a recent release, the three governments signed a new memorandum to strengthen cooperation on innovation, housing affordability, sustainability, and high-speed rail.
At this week’s Cascadia Innovation Corridor Conference in Seattle, Governor Bob Ferguson called the partnership a reflection of the region’s “commitment to progress,” while Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said it will help expand housing supply and create more jobs. British Columbia Premier David Eby (EEE-bee) added that working together keeps the region globally competitive and economically strong.
The agreement expands earlier partnerships and marks Oregon’s first formal inclusion in the Cascadia collaboration.
STORY: Fall back on Sunday
Remember to “fall back” on Sunday as clocks turn back an hour for daylight saving time.
With evenings getting darker earlier, safety on the roads is key.
Drivers, walkers, and cyclists should stay alert — wear bright or reflective clothing, slow down, and watch for others. Wildlife like deer may also be more active at dawn and dusk, so keep your eyes peeled.
A little caution goes a long way in keeping both people and animals safe this time of year.
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday – and Halloween – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
This afternoon from 4-6pm. It’s the annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat, where families come downtown for a fun and FREE alternative to neighborhood trick-or-treating. Bring your costumed kiddos and stroll around grabbing goodies from over 100 participating businesses. There’s also early trick-or-treating at Whatcom Museum, the Bellingham YMCA, and the Birch Bay Berm.
For adults who want to do something spooky and uniquely Bellingham, the Fairhaven Gore and Lore walking tour with the Goodtime Girls is open to those 21-and over. That happens tonight from 7-8:30pm. Tickets are $25 and are booked online.
Whatcom Community College celebrates Día de los Muertos this Saturday, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Syre (SY-ree) Auditorium. The event is free and features keynote speaker Yosimar Reyes, Santa Clara County’s Poet Laureate, plus other performances. The celebration is open to the public and begins with a free community meal.
If community service is more your style, why not consider helping NSEA and the City of Lynden finish planting a newly restored section of Fishttrap Creek? Saturday from 9am-noon in Lynden.
Also on Saturday, there’s a tree planting at Kendall Creek in Deming at the fish hatchery from 9am-noon.
WX: BUT OOOL’ MAAAN RIVER, HE JUST KEEPS ROLLIN’ AAAAALOOOOONG
And now weather:
Expect up to a half-inch of rain throughout the day with gusts projected up to 45 miles per hour. Temperatures should remain largely consistent today, with daytime highs and evening lows both in the upper 40s and low 50s. The rain will continue tonight, with up to another three-quarters of an inch slated to fall by Saturday morning.
The weekend will bring consistent breezes and showers, but we might see some sunshine on Sunday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron Danielson, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Bella Mae, and Kai Blais-Schmolke. 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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