North Cascades Highway expected to fully reopen by Friday of next week, Bellingham acquires thirty additional acres of land around Lake Whatcom, Bellingham considering yet stricter regulations surrounding use of fireworks, Uber to resume rideshare service at BLI and Bellingham Cruise Terminal, Library redevelopment proposals sought in Blaine, State cannabis market faces uncertain future amid changes in federal policy and increasing illicit-market activity, Mount Baker Theatre announces lineup for centennial season, Library redevelopment proposals sought in Blaine, Intercultural Dance Day comes to Bellingham (FREE EVENT), FREE & CHEAP June 12:
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June, 9. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: North Cascades Highway expected to fully reopen by Friday of next week
North Cascade Highway will fully reopen next Friday, that’s June 19, weather permitting, according to the Department of Transportation.
The section between Ross Dam Trailhead and Porcupine Creek has been closed since the end of April because of washout damage in December last year.
As long as the new paving stays dry, the highway can reopen to traffic.
STORY: Bellingham acquires thirty additional acres of land around Lake Whatcom
The city of Bellingham will buy about 30 acres of land near the shoreline of Lake Whatcom to protect it against further development.
The city council voted unanimously on Monday to buy three sites for just over $1 million.
Public Works Department spokeswoman Stefanie Cilinceon said in an email that about 30 acres of forested land are to the east of Academy Street.
It’s owned by the Oeser Company which makes utility poles.
The third piece is just under 0.7 acres near Stimpson Family Nature Reserve.
A house there will be demolished.
Lake Whatcom is the drinking water source for Bellingham and the surrounding area.
STORY: Bellingham considering yet stricter regulations surrounding use of fireworks
Whatcom County Council has approved new restrictions on fireworks.
In making the decision, the council cited public safety, environmental concerns, and impacts on people and animals.
In the ordinance proposed by member Kaylee Galloway and dated June 9th, leaders pointed to nearly 10,000 fireworks-related injuries nationwide in 2023, 68 local fire and fireworks calls last Fourth of July weekend, and about six tons of garbage left behind at Birch Bay after last year’s holiday.
Under state law, the tighter local rules cannot take effect for at least one year after adoption.
STORY: Uber to resume rideshare service at BLI and Bellingham Cruise Terminal
After more than five years away, Uber will resume rideshare service at Bellingham International Airport and the Bellingham Cruise Terminal next week.
Uber pulled out in 2021 over a fee dispute with the Port of Bellingham. But Aviation Director Matt Rodriguez says the Port has since responded to travelers asking for more reliable early‑morning and late‑night transportation. As part of the new agreement, per‑trip fees for rideshare companies at BLI drop from three‑fifty to three dollars.
Starting June 15th, passengers at both the airport and the cruise terminal will once again be able to request Uber rides through the app.
STORY: Library redevelopment proposals sought in Blaine
A major redevelopment project could reshape downtown Blaine.
The City of Blaine is requesting proposals to transform the site of the current library branch on Third Street into a mixed-use development. The site would feature a new public library, multifamily housing, and space for a future childcare facility. City officials say they are looking for plans that include at least 30 housing units and support a range of community needs, from workforce and family housing to housing for seniors.
Proposals are due July 8, with a preferred developer expected to be selected later this summer.
STORY: State cannabis market faces uncertain future amid changes in federal policy and increasing illicit-market activity
Washington’s legal cannabis industry faces an uncertain future.
Continued challenges from federal policy uncertainty, market oversupply, and competition from the illicit market continue.
Liquor and cannabis board Executive Director Will Lukela says regulators are still trying to determine exactly what the federal changes could mean here.
LUKELA AUDIO 1 “we’re still searching for what it means.”
Lukela told TVW’S Inside Olympia that state regulators are consulting with other jurisdictions and federal officials to assess impacts on taxation, licensing and the broader cannabis marketplace. Industry advocates hope the federal action could eventually improve business conditions, but Washington officials say many of the practical effects remain unclear.
Officials also say social equity programs continue to face hurdles, including financing difficulties and local cannabis bans that limit business opportunities across the state.
STORY: Mount Baker Theatre announces lineup for centennial season
Mount Baker Theatre is gearing up for its Centennial Season, marking 100 years as one of Bellingham’s landmark venues.
The theatre’s tower has anchored the skyline since 1927, and this season brings more than 35 national and international tours to mark the milestone.
Festivities open July 2nd with the Pacific Northwest’s own Modest Mouse. The season will also bring musicals, comedy, and a special screening of the first film ever shown at the Mount Baker — the 1927 silent baseball comedy Slide, Kelly, Slide, accompanied by the theatre’s Wurlitzer pipe organ.
Staff and board members say they’re proud to carry the theatre into its next century, because, as they put it, 100 years is just the opening act.
STORY: Chess tournament held at the Ferndale library
Chess players of all ages will have a chance to test their skills this summer in Ferndale.
Starting June 17, The Hot Summer Chess Grand Prix returns to the Ferndale Library, with weekly tournaments scheduled throughout June and July. Organized by Northwest Washington Scholastic Chess, the free events are open to local players looking to sharpen their game, earn points, and compete in a friendly setting. The series begins this month and continues through the summer.
WX: Sound of a switchblade shinin’ in the summer rain
And now for the weather:
Wind and rain will be on our doorstep for the next day and a half or so. Today’s forecast calls for gusts of up to 15 miles per hour, and highs in the mid 60s. Expect more rain tonight with overnight lows around 50.
Tomorrow, look for rain in the morning, clearing by the afternoon.
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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STORY: Intercultural Dance Day comes to Bellingham (FREE EVENT)
A new cultural celebration is coming to Bellingham.
Intercultural Dance Day will take place June 14th at Fisherman’s Pavilion at Zuanich Point Park, featuring live music and dance performances, cultural booths, local artists, food trucks, and family activities.
The free event is presented by ANJ Dance Project and aims to bring people together through shared cultural experiences.
Organizers say the event is designed to promote connection and belonging in the community while supporting local artists and intercultural programming.
The celebration runs from noon to 3 p.m.
FREE & CHEAP June 12:
The City of Ferndale is excited to announce the 2026 Summer of Fun, a season-long celebration of free recreational programs, family activities, and community events taking place throughout Ferndale this summer. The Summer of Fun kicks off on Friday, June 12, which also happens to be the last day of school. Families are invited to celebrate the start of summer with Community Game Night at Pioneer Pavilion, followed by Flicks in the Park featuring Zootopia 2. (condense this!)
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