Third round of No Kings protests draw thousands across Bellingham and Blaine, Bellingham-based record label owner arrested on charges of owning and distributing child pornography, Teachers at Bellingham STEM-focused private school unionize, WA long-term adult care program seeking volunteers in northwestern counties, WA long-term adult care program seeking volunteers in northwestern counties, NBA board formally votes to explore Seattle expansion, State officials say currently no plans to follow other states’ lead in pausing gasoline taxes, Star Park open house on April 6, FREE OR CHEAP
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, March, 30. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Third round of No Kings protests draw thousands across Bellingham and Blaine
Thousands of Whatcom County residents took to the streets on Saturday as part of the national “No Kings” day of protest.
National organizers estimate that over 8 million people attended over 3300 “No Kings” protests across the United States and worldwide, which marks it as one of the largest single-day protests in modern American history.
Organizers with Indivisible Bellingham estimated roughly 6,000 people participated in the Bellingham march, while much smaller turnouts happened in Blaine and Everson. Similar events were held across Washington state in at least 50 towns and cities, including Seattle, Anacortes, and Edmonds.
The Bellingham march wound through multiple downtown blocks, while participants carried signs and maintained a peaceful, orderly presence. KMRE spoke with a few people to get their take on the day.
No Kings AUDIO 1
Saturday’s demonstration took place against the backdrop of another partial federal shutdown. While the “No Kings” movement does not focus on a single issue, local organizers highlighted federal immigration enforcement and broader concerns over democratic governance.
No Kings AUDIO 2
STORY: Bellingham-based record label owner arrested on charges of owning and distributing child pornography
The co-founder of local indie label Washingtones Records, has been arrested on suspicion of child pornography possession.
Bellingham police took Samuel Chue (CHOO), into custody on Feb. 24th, and prosecutors charged him the next day with six counts of dealing in depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct— a class B felony under Washington law. The charges stem from alleged activity between June and August 2025, when the online platform Kik reported a user had uploaded and shared sexual images of children. According to the probable cause statement, investigators in Bellingham and Seattle traced the account to Chue.
Chue co-founded Washingtones Records in 2023. After the death of his wife, he partnered with Tim Mechling (MECK-ling) to launch the label following prior collaborations on YouTube.
Chue posted bail a day after his arrest and is scheduled to return to court for a hearing in late June.
STORY: Teachers at Bellingham STEM-focused private school unionize
Teachers at a K-8 STEM-focused private school in Bellingham have unionized.
According to a news release from the union, on March 5th, a group of 36 educators voted to join Teamsters Local 231 and will soon begin the collective bargaining process. Unlike public school teachers, private school educators in Washington are not eligible to join the state’s public teachers union.
Franklin Academy operates in two buildings in Bellingham’s Columbia neighborhood and is the only STEM-certified school in Whatcom County. Union leaders say teachers unionized because they sought greater transparency and consistent planning time, along with a stronger voice in decisions affecting instruction.
Head of School Gretchen Bucsko (BUXS-ko) said school administration looks forward to working with both the union and the teachers to continue delivering quality STEM education.
This marks the first group of private school teachers to join Teamsters Local 231. The local also represents employees at the Community Food Co-op, Mount Vernon police support staff, and other public and private workers.
STORY: WA long-term adult care program seeking volunteers in northwestern counties
Northwest Washington is sounding the alarm for long‑term care advocates.
The Long‑Term Care Ombudsman Program says it faces a serious volunteer shortage in Whatcom, Skagit, and nearby counties. Ombuds visit facilities, monitor conditions, and help resolve issues such as poor care, unanswered requests for help, improper evictions, and abuse.
About 4,000 people live in 103 nursing homes, assisted‑living centers, and adult family homes across the region, many without regular visitors to ensure their rights are protected and their care needs are met.
Regional Ombudsman Laura Chouinard (SHEEN-ard) says residents suffer when there are not enough advocates. The program says volunteers get flexible hours, training, support, new relationships, and the satisfaction of helping others.
Community members can learn more by visiting the Washington Ombudsman website.
STORY: NBA board formally votes to explore Seattle expansion
Seattle is suddenly back in the NBA conversation in a very real way.
The NBA Board of Governors voted to formally explore expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas, which opens the bidding process for two new franchises that could hit the court in the 2028–29 season.
According to the Washington State Standard, this is the closest Seattle has come since the failed 2013 effort to relocate the Sacramento Kings. Expansion has faced resistance from owners wary of splitting revenue, but a possible price tag above seven billion dollars could mean a major payout for existing franchises.
Governor Bob Ferguson has met twice with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in recent weeks and says he has held multiple conversations with Kraken leadership, who are widely viewed as potential owners of a new Seattle team.
A final decision could happen as early as this summer.
STORY: State officials say currently no plans to follow other states’ lead in pausing gasoline taxes
Washington leaders are not moving on a gas‑tax pause as prices blow past $5 a gallon.
Georgia’s governor has already signed a 60‑day suspension of that state’s gas tax, and lawmakers in Maryland and South Carolina are considering similar moves. Congress is also debating a federal gas‑tax holiday through the fall.
But the Seattle Times reports the state’s Democratic leaders say a gas‑tax holiday is not on the table, and Republicans are not urging Governor Bob Ferguson to suspend the state’s 59‑cents‑per‑gallon tax. With the Legislature adjourned, any pause would require a special session — and Ferguson has not said whether he’ll call one.
His office has not responded to questions as statewide prices hit $5.30 a gallon, while analysts warn even a short suspension could blow a hole in transportation funding.
WX: Señor Ladopositivo
And now for the weather:
Get ready for periods of clouds and bright sunshine throughout the day. Expect some greater cloud cover later tonight as we settle in for a cold evening. Expect highs today in the upper 40’s with increasing cloud cover. Nighttime lows should be right around freezing.
We’re not ruling out the sun coming out again tomorrow, and expect highs around 55. It looks like rain might come in late Tuesday– but it’s Spring in Whatcom County, so anything might happen.
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, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Kieran (KEAR-un) Dang, and Bella Farris. 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, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Star Park open house on April 6
The City of Ferndale is inviting the community to celebrate a new addition aimed at making local parks more inclusive.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new communication board at Star Park is set for Monday, April 6th at 11:30 a.m.
The boards use symbols and pictures to help children communicate, especially those with disabilities, making it easier to interact and play.
Following the ceremony, families are invited to stay for a free Spring Break Bubble Playdate featuring games, activities, and community fun through 1 p.m.
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