Bellingham Public Schools weighing potential elementary school closures amid declining enrollment, Lynden Public Schools places levy on April ballot following three bond failures, City of Bellingham warns of fraudulent QR codes around downtown parking meters, Construction to cause Guide Meridian delays tomorrow and Wednesday, BLI to close runway for 30 days in 2027, WA joins 12-state lawsuit over Trump administration’s cuts to clean energy programs, including one in Whatcom, Whatcom County representatives lay out priorities for remainder of legislative session, WA’s congressional delegation pens letter in support of governor’s request for federal aid in wake of flooding
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, February, 23. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham Public Schools weighing potential elementary school closures amid declining enrollment
A new Bellingham Public Schools committee is debating what to do in the wake of declining enrollment, which could include school closures.
The district has faced a drop of 600 students over the last six years. According to officials, the declining birth rate is one of the main reasons for the drop in enrollment.
A 2022 district bond measure that provided funds to rebuild three elementary schools and to build a new one is currently on hold. The committee could advise the district to use the funds elsewhere amid the enrollment issue. Other options in addition to potential school closures include adjusting attendance boundaries and consolidating programs.
The committee will draft recommendations on elementary school use for the years 2026 to 2036.
STORY: Lynden Public Schools places levy on April ballot following three bond failures
In more school news, the Lynden School Board has announced they will try again for a capital facilities levy.
After three previous failed bond attempts, the district has been unable to secure the 60% approval needed to rebuild Lynden High School and expand two elementary schools. Now, officials have proposed a four-year levy that would raise $25.5 million from 2027 through 2030 for maintenance, safety and technology upgrades.
The plan would fund elementary school expansions, building repairs, heating and ventilation upgrades, districtwide security improvements and the purchase of property for Lynden Academy.
Superintendent David VanderYacht (VAN-dur YOT) said delaying repairs will only compound costs. After rejecting a similar proposal in December, the board — with new members — voted unanimously Thursday to place the levy before voters in a special election on April 28th.
STORY: Bellingham property management company ordered to pay up following unlawful removal of tenant organization signs
A Bellingham property management company has been ordered to pay $3,050 to a tenant advocate.
Sparq Living must pay a union organizer over $3,000 after maintenance staff removed tenant union organizing posters from an apartment complex. Ethan Martez, with Tenants Revolt, sued under a 2025 voter-approved ordinance that protects tenant speech and organizing rights in Bellingham.
A Whatcom County judge ruled in his favor on Feb. 12th. The company has 30 days to pay.
STORY: City of Bellingham warns of fraudulent QR codes around downtown parking meters
The City of Bellingham is warning people of fake parking meter QR codes.
According to official reports on the city website, the QR codes are actually a scam. Officials want to remind the public that the City of Bellingham never accepts payments through QR codes.
If you see a QR Code near a parking meter do not scan it— report it instead to parking@cob.org.
STORY: Construction to cause Guide Meridian delays tomorrow and Wednesday
Construction will cause delays for drivers on the Guide Meridian north of the freeway tomorrow and Wednesday.
The City of Bellingham says it will close the right northbound lane between 7 AM and 3 PM for street and sidewalk repairs. According to an update released by the city, the construction is part of a sewer main improvement project, which aims to reduce sewer overflows.
The construction comes ahead of WSDOT’s (WASH-DOT) plan to resurface both sides of the Meridian, replace traffic loops, and improve traffic control.
STORY: BLI to close runway for 30 days in 2027
Bellingham International Airport will close for one month next summer.
In a meeting on Tuesday, the Port of Bellingham Commissioners unanimously approved the closure for commercial air traffic for repairs, which are estimated between 25 and 30 million dollars.
Some improvements to the runway include runway shoulders and blast pads, which are designed to protect the runway from damage caused by aircraft exhaust during takeoff.
BLI is expected to lose around 385,000 dollars in revenue when it closes for the month next year. Other airport services are expected to remain open, including the medical transport service Life Flight.
STORY: WA joins 12-state lawsuit over Trump administration’s cuts to clean energy programs, including one in Whatcom
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is suing the Trump administration again—this time over deep cuts to clean energy funding.
The suit comes in response to the U.S. Department of Energy and the Office of Management and Budget’s cancellation of billions of dollars in Congressionally mandated, previously awarded funding. Among the affected projects is the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub— the anticipated centerpiece of a clean hydrogen-initiative which aims to reduce climate change-causing emissions. Plans included construction of multiple storage tanks, two new power plants in Ferndale, and the creation of thousands of quality jobs statewide.
The DOE initially granted $27 million dollars to the project in 2024, with a promise of up to $1 billion in additional funding. Without federal support, the project will not be able to move forward.
In his statement announcing the lawsuit which includes 12 other states, Brown called the removal of funding illegal.
STORY: Whatcom County representatives lay out priorities for remainder of legislative session
Washington lawmakers have reached the halfway point of the 2026 short legislative session, but major decisions are still ahead.
In the 42nd Legislative District— which covers most of Whatcom County— lawmakers say their top priorities include a proposed income tax on millionaires, education funding, flood recovery and immigration protections.
Gov. Bob Ferguson has proposed a 9.9% tax on households earning more than $1 million a year. Opponents point out that the proposed tax is an income tax— something that Washington state voters have rejected multiple times before. Supporters, including Sen. Sharon Shewmake, say it would make the tax system less regressive and help stabilize the state budget. Reps. Alicia Rule and Joe Timmons say they’re still reviewing the plan, raising concerns about long-term impacts.
Education funding remains a top concern, with lawmakers citing shortages in K-12 support staff and ongoing funding disparities at Western Washington University.
The delegation is also seeking $15 million in state funds for Whatcom County flood recovery and backing new immigration protections following increased federal enforcement.
Lawmakers have just weeks left to finalize budgets and move priority bills before the session ends. You can listen to the entire town hall meeting here on KMRE Wednesday at 10am or Saturday at 8:30am, or find it posted on our Youtube, Soundcloud, and Substack. Look for 42nd District Town Hall.
STORY: WA’s congressional delegation pens letter in support of governor’s request for federal aid in wake of flooding
Washington’s elected representatives are urging President Donald Trump to approve a major disaster declaration following December’s historic flooding.
The request covers 10 counties and 15 tribes and the letter was signed by all 12 members of the U.S. congress, including Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell. The state is seeking up to $173 million to repair damaged roads, levees, and other infrastructure, with total losses estimated at more than $182 million.
The state has also applied for hazard mitigation funds to strengthen flood protection statewide. If approved, FEMA assistance could provide up to $36 million in grant funding.
WX: Wetter off dead
And now for the weather:
It looks like a rainy week is ahead of us. Expect up to a quarter-inch of precipitation across the day. But temperatures will warm significantly from last week’s cold snap, with highs today set to hover around the upper 40s and low 50s. But the cold will come back tonight, along with cloudy skies and lows in the mid-upper 30s.
Tomorrow could be slightly sunnier— but be prepared for an intermittent shower or two.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Austin Wright, Tyler Warne, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Kieran Dang (KEAR-un). 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thanks for listening!
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