Bellingham City Council unanimously approves reduction of speed limits within city, Legislative candidates face questions from union members at WWU town hall, Lummi Island ferry resumes service, Community group to present findings on Birch Bay incorporation, North Fork of Nooksack river opens for fishing, Community group to present findings on Birch Bay incorporation, North Fork of Nooksack river opens for fishing, Applications now open for WA Cares fund, Trump administration initiates probe into reports of misconduct among trans prisoners at state-run women’s prison
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, May, 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
UPDATE: Bellingham City Council unanimously approves reduction of speed limits within city
The Bellingham City Council has unanimously approved a sweeping plan to lower speed limits across the city.
The ordinance caps a three-year effort by city officials to reduce crashes and serious injuries by slowing traffic. Downtown Bellingham will become the city’s first arterial network posted at 20 mph, with new signs expected this summer.
At last night’s meeting, council member Hollie Huthman said detailed crash and safety data convinced her slower speeds could save lives, even if some drivers become frustrated by longer travel times.
Advocacy group Walk and Roll Bellingham praised the move, saying lower speeds dramatically improve survival rates for pedestrians struck by vehicles and could make streets feel safer for walking and biking.
According to city data, Bellingham recorded 750 crashes in 2025, which included four fatalities and 22 serious injury crashes. Officials say while total crashes have declined over the past decade, the crashes that do happen are becoming more severe.
The city plans to phase in the new speed limits over the next three years across more than 500 lane miles of roadway. Public Works officials are also recommending a public education campaign along with targeted speed enforcement.
STORY: Legislative candidates face questions from union members at WWU town hall
On Monday, WWU’s unions hosted a town hall where candidates debated how to fund higher education.
While the candidates for the 40th and 42nd legislative seats agreed colleges need more state support, they differed on funding solutions. Some, including Eamonn Collins, backed new progressive taxes, while Republican candidate Justin Pike argued lawmakers should focus on spending priorities instead of raising taxes.
Representative Joe Timmons said the state ultimately needs a better higher education funding formula, as Western receives the lowest per-student funding among Washington’s regional universities.
Candidates also discussed possible reforms to Washington’s Public Records Act following controversial records requests targeting university DEI-related course materials. Several said they support changes aimed at protecting faculty and public employees from abusive requests.
UPDATE: Lummi Island ferry resumes service
Hundreds of travelers were stranded Monday after ferry service to Lummi Island was suspended because of an equipment failure at the Gooseberry Point dock.
County officials said a failure in the mainland dock’s lift system forced the shutdown of the Whatcom Chief. Service remained suspended overnight before repairs were completed late yesterday afternoon. Ferry sailings resumed around 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The disruption comes as Whatcom County Public Works warns that the aging ferry system and dock infrastructure are becoming increasingly expensive and unreliable. Earlier this month, county leaders voted to create a ferry taxing district to help pay for future vessel and terminal replacements.
STORY: Community group to present findings on Birch Bay incorporation
A community group pushing to incorporate Birch Bay as its own city says they will unveil new research this week that supports the feasibility of incorporation.
The Birch Bay Incorporation Association will host a public meeting tomorrow night to present what it says are new financial pathways for incorporation.
Last year, a county-commissioned study by consulting firm Community Attributes Inc. concluded that incorporation was not financially feasible. But supporters of incorporation say their own analysis reaches different conclusions.
Backers note Birch Bay’s population is already nearing 9,000 residents — enough to make it Whatcom County’s fourth-largest city — and estimate the area could grow to roughly 13,000 people within the next decade.
The presentation is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday at North Bay Community Church.
STORY: North Fork of Nooksack river opens for fishing
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says the North Fork of the Nooksack River will reopen this Saturday for spring Chinook (SHIH-nook) fishing.
This is the first time in 3 years that fishing has been allowed, and is scheduled to remain open through June 30th— just in the stretch of river between the Highway 9 bridge near Deming and the upstream marker at Kendall Creek Hatchery. Anglers are allowed a daily limit of 2, and are required to release all salmon except hatchery Chinook. Night closures and anit-snagging rules are also in effect.
State fish managers say stronger 2026 Chinook forecasts allowed the reopening after several years of critically low fish returns.
STORY: Applications now open for WA Cares fund
Applications are now open for benefits through Washington state’s long-term care insurance program, the Washington Cares Fund.
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services says eligible residents can begin receiving benefits starting July 1.
The program can help cover services such as in-home caregivers, wheelchair ramps, transportation to medical appointments and other long-term care needs.
Most Washington workers have been contributing to the fund since 2023 through a payroll deduction equal to just over half-a-percent of their wages.
Residents can apply online, by phone through the WA Cares support line, or with help from local Area Agencies on Aging.
STORY: AG’s office proposes revision of enforcement of Public Records Act
Washington’s Attorney General is pushing new rules aimed at speeding up public‑records requests.
The Attorney General’s Office says its revised proposal reflects feedback from the first round of public comments. The updated draft adds clarity on how to submit a request, how quickly agencies should produce records, and when third‑party notice is appropriate. It also incorporates recent court decisions and legislative updates.
The revised rules were filed May 18, and a version with tracked changes is posted on the AGO website. A second public hearing is set for June 30 in Olympia, with remote participation available. Written comments are also being accepted through June 30.
The rulemaking began after news organizations petitioned the state, arguing agencies often take too long to respond under Washington’s Public Records Act.
STORY: Trump administration initiates probe into reports of misconduct among trans prisoners at state-run women’s prison
The federal government is investigating Washington’s policy for housing transgender women in state prisons.
The Washington State Standard reports the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil‑rights inquiry into how the state places transgender women at the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor. Federal officials say they’re examining allegations the prison failed to protect incarcerated women from harassment or violence.
The Department of Corrections says it was notified Tuesday and will cooperate, adding it remains committed to safety for all people in custody.
The investigation follows a recent lawsuit from a woman incarcerated at the Gig Harbor facility who alleges she was attacked by a transgender prisoner.
The DOJ has not said how long the inquiry will take.
WX: Light ‘n fluffy
And now for the weather:
A mixture of clouds and sunshine is in the forecast today, with temperatures reaching highs in the mid-upper 60s. Expect the skies to remain fairly clear throughout the afternoon and into the evening, when we’ll see things cool down to lows around the upper 40s.
Tomorrow look for an increase in both warmth and sunshine. Summer might just make it here yet.
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), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Bella Farris, and Jenny Lam. 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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