Cherry Point petroleum company files multiple complaints in Skagit Superior Court over previous results of Whatcom hearing, Coalition of Bellingham tenants share experiences after settling out of court with former property management company, Downtown Bellingham business owners voice lack of confidence in economic conditions at neighborhood meeting, Peg Wendling honored with lifetime achievement award, Health Department advises caution when swimming, WA posts fourth consecutive month of job loss, AG’s office reaches settlement with home cleaning platform over cited deceptive business practices, WA sues Dept of Education for 4th time, Fri to Chea— maybe add more + ski to sea?
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, May 22nd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Cherry Point petroleum company files multiple complaints in Skagit Superior Court over previous results of Whatcom hearing
Canadian energy company AltaGas has appealed a ruling that returned over 30 gas export permits for further environmental review.
The appeal, filed Wednesday in Skagit County Superior Court, challenges a March decision by the Whatcom county hearing examiner that ordered planners to reassess the terminal’s operating capacity and environmental impacts.
Environmental groups argued changes at the Ferndale facility increased propane and butane handling volumes, and thus created greater risk for the Salish Sea. The hearing examiner criticized the county for relying too heavily on company projections that assumed the terminal could operate at maximum capacity around the clock.
AltaGas says the county acted appropriately and an appeal is necessary to correct the record.
Environmental organizations represented by Earthjustice also filed their own appeal, and say they seek broader environmental studies.
STORY: Coalition of Bellingham tenants share experiences after settling out of court with former property management company
A group of Bellingham tenants who sued their former property management company, Lakeway Realty, say they hope their case encourages other renters to hold landlords accountable.
Earlier this year, the tenants settled out of court after alleging years of unsafe living conditions, and unresolved code violations, at a rental home on Ellis Street in the York neighborhood.
The lawsuit followed repeated failed inspections and what tenants describe as years of ignored repair requests.
The tenants say the legal process was difficult, but they hope the case creates a roadmap for future renter protections in Bellingham.
STORY: Downtown Bellingham business owners voice lack of confidence in economic conditions at neighborhood meeting
Downtown Bellingham business owners say economic struggles, vacant storefronts, and fewer customers continue to hurt the city’s neighborhood.
During a meeting with Mayor Kim Lund on Wednesday, business owners voiced frustration over what they see as slow progress in addressing the challenges downtown. The unhoused and declining foot traffic were key topics.
About 15% of downtown commercial space sits vacant.
In the meeting, Mayor Lund said the city’s focus is on long-term solutions. These include expanded housing, fast-tracking development, and creating more family-wage jobs to help revive the downtown core.
Some business owners also raised concerns about recent alley closures and increased camping near businesses.
STORY: Peg Wendling honored with lifetime achievement award
The Washington State Department of Health has honored recently retired City of Bellingham Water Quality Technical Supervisor Peg Wendling with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
State officials recognized Wendling for decades of leadership and expertise in water quality, laboratory management, and drinking water safety.
The Department of Health praised her commitment to protecting Bellingham’s drinking water and advancing industry best practices throughout her 32-year long career in Bellingham.
STORY: Health Department advises caution when swimming
With warm weather on the way, Whatcom County health officials are warning swimmers to check water conditions before heading out.
The county says heavy rain can wash bacteria like e. coli into lakes and saltwater beaches, and contaminated water can make people and pets sick. They urge swimmers to avoid cloudy water, stay clear of drainage pipes, and follow posted warnings and closures.
Beach conditions are updated on the state’s WA BEACH map, and shellfish harvesters should check the Department of Health website for biotoxin closures. Cooking does not destroy toxins like PSP.
Officials also say to steer clear of any algal blooms — and report suspected waterborne illness through the county’s online complaint form.
STORY: WA posts fourth consecutive month of job loss
Washington’s economy shows more signs of slowing, according to the latest state jobs report.
The Employment Security Department says Washington has now recorded four straight months of job losses, while the state’s unemployment rate rose to 5.2% in April. That’s up from 5.1% in March and higher than the same period last year.
Construction saw the largest private-sector job losses, while finance posted the largest gains.
The state’s unemployment rate has been climbing since fall of 2024.
Whatcom County’s April jobs report is expected next Tuesday.
STORY: AG’s office reaches settlement with home cleaning platform over cited deceptive business practices
The state Attorney General is cracking down on deceptive home-cleaning schemes.
Under a new consent decree, the Attorney General’s Office says Homeaglow, also known as Dazzling Cleaning, must stop luring customers with cheap first-time cleanings that secretly enrolled them in a $59-a-month membership. The program bought customers nothing except the chance to book future cleanings, and they were locked in for six months unless they paid steep a cancellation fee.
Investigators say Homeaglow hid those terms behind fake urgency tools — including a bogus “countdown clock” and phony “voucher” limits.
In one case, a Washington customer booked a $79 cleaning and wound up paying more than $600 after automatic enrollment and a $358 cancellation fee.
The consent decree also requires Homeaglow to clearly disclose its terms and pay civil penalties, costs, and fees to the state.
STORY: WA sues Dept of Education for 4th time
In more AG news, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition of states are suing the U.S. Department of Education… for the fourth time.
The lawsuit argues a new Trump administration rule unlawfully narrows the definition of a ‘professional degree’. They say the change will limit student loan access for professional medical degree programs and make it more difficult for students to pursue careers in healthcare.
State officials say the changes will increase healthcare worker shortages in Washington and create new financial barriers for students already enrolled in professional programs.
STORY: Fri to Chea— maybe add more + ski to sea?
It’s the Friday before Memorial Day weekend with several community events and holiday closures.
It’s Ski to Sea time! Sunday’s race starts with cross-country skiers at 7:30 a.m. on Mount Baker with teams working their way down to Marine Park, where spectators gather to watch kayakers sprint up the hill and ring the bell. Race details, maps, and schedules can be found at skitosea.com. Spectators are encouraged to bus, bike, or walk to the finish area. WTA will be running buses every 10 minutes between downtown and Fairhaven through the day.
The Friends of the Bellingham Public Library Book Sale continues today through Saturday at the Central Library, featuring hundreds of donated books, most priced at just two dollars.
The annual Memorial Day Parade returns Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., honoring military members who died in service to our country. The parade begins at Alabama and Cornwall, and heads south on Cornwall.
And, City Hall, libraries, the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center will be closed Monday for Memorial Day; also, KMRE news will not broadcast on that day.
WX: Shine on the Prize
And now weather:
Looks like fabulous weather this weekend. Highs today should reach the low 70s, with mostly clear skies. A few clouds tonight, but temperatures should hover around 50 degrees.
Look for sunny skies and highs in the mid to upper 60s through Sunday. However, we do expect rain on Memorial Day.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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