Public hearings scheduled today, City of Blaine seeking developer proposals for envisioned multi-use facility on city ground, Drop Your Nets recycling event tomorrow, Drop Your Nets recycling event tomorrow, Campground closed due to black bears, Transportation funding projected to fall, WA joins multi-state lawsuit against federal government’s addition of contract terms targeting DEI, Postal Service representatives abruptly cancel meeting with WA legislators regarding proposed rule changes to mail-in ballots, FBI arrests Belfair man on suspicion of planning to attack White House UFC event, Small Bellingham business owner seeking support as storefront nears closure, 4th of July fireworks info
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June, 23. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Public hearings scheduled today
Whatcom County residents will have a chance to weigh in on two proposed ordinances during public hearings tonight.
One proposal would temporarily stop new or expanded civil detention centers in Whatcom County for one year. The ordinance says that one-year period would give the county time to review the land use and impact of these facilities before starting any new projects. The proposal would not affect the existing county jail, the planned new jail, or any behavioral health facilities.
Another proposal would add restrictions on when fireworks may be used in the county. Under the ordinance, fireworks would only be allowed on the evening of July Fourth, and no longer on July third or fifth. Fireworks could also be prohibited during Stage Two Burn Bans or other emergency conditions.
Both hearings are scheduled for 6 p.m. tonight in the Whatcom County Council Chambers.
STORY: City of Blaine seeking developer proposals for envisioned multi-use facility on city ground
The City of Blaine is planning a major redevelopment that could bring new housing, childcare, and a public library to its downtown core.
The city is looking for developers to submit plans to redevelop city-owned property downtown. City Manager Michael Harmon said the project reflects a vision for a more vibrant downtown space that will also support long-term economic growth.
Along with these new facilities, the city plans to improve parking and transportation, and make downtown more walkable. The city is accepting developer proposals through July 8th.
STORY: Drop Your Nets recycling event tomorrow
Looking for a volunteer opportunity tomorrow?
The Drop Your Nets recycling event is an effort aimed at keeping plastic waste and microplastics out of local waterways. It’s happening from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4 p.m.
The event is organized by Bellingham SeaFest, Net Your Problem, and Samson Rope; it’s also partially funded by the Washington Department of Ecology. Volunteers will work with fishermen — under the shade — to sort nets so they can be recycled into new products.
Those interested in attending may sign up at Seafest.com.
STORY: Campground closed due to black bears
The Goodell Creek Campground has been closed due to increased black bear activity.
Officials with the National Park Service say bears have repeatedly entered camping areas and ignored standard deterrents while searching for food. This has prompted an emergency closure of the campground.
The nearby Newhalem Creek Campground remains open. Visitors, however, are being urged to strictly follow food storage rules and use bear boxes or hard-sided vehicles.
STORY: Transportation funding projected to fall
Washington’s transportation funding is projected to fall due to a decrease in revenue.
The Office of Financial Management released a report this week detailing an expected $36 million decrease in transportation revenue compared to the forecasted funds for the 2025-2027 time frame.
The decrease is due to loss in revenue from vehicle registration fees, gas taxes, and rental car taxes.
OFM says they anticipate a drop in overall transportation revenue by over 2.6% by 2031 if the trend continues.
State officials are concerned the decrease will put pressure on an already tight budget amid rising costs and shifts in demand for gas.
STORY: WA joins multi-state lawsuit against federal government’s addition of contract terms targeting DEI
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is suing the Trump administration over new contract requirements tied to DEI programs.
The lawsuit challenges a March executive order directing federal agencies to prohibit what it calls “racially discriminatory DEI activities” in federally funded contracts. Brown says the new rules are vague, confusing, and could jeopardize billions of dollars in federal contracts, including agreements with Washington state agencies.
The coalition argues federal agencies failed to follow required public notice and comment procedures. They are asking a federal court to block enforcement of the new contract terms.
STORY: Postal Service representatives abruptly cancel meeting with WA legislators regarding proposed rule changes to mail-in ballots
Officials with the U.S. Postal Service cancelled a meeting with Washington legislators Monday regarding proposed changes to mail-in-ballots.
The Washington State Standard reports these USPS representatives cancelled just a few hours before they were scheduled to appear in front of a public panel at the House of Representatives.
The meeting would have addressed the potential upcoming changes to mail-in ballots across the country. The changes would require election officials to provide a list of mail-in voters to the USPS.
Washington Democrats have been fighting changes to the voting process since last year, when the federal government sued 30 states for refusing to turn over voter rolls. These voter rolls include sensitive information such as social security and driver’s license numbers.
Supporters of the move say they would increase trust in elections. Critics say it would cause confusion too close to the November election and disproportionately impact Democratic voters, who vote by mail more often.
STORY: FBI arrests Belfair man on suspicion of planning to attack White House UFC event
A Belfair resident was arrested Friday in connection with a plot to attack the UFC event at the White House.
21-year-old William Falkner (FAWLK-ner) was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. The arrest came as part of an FBI investigation into a multistate plan to attack the White House.
According to communications uncovered by the FBI, Falkner (FAWLK-ner) planned to load drones with explosives and detonate them on one side of the UFC event. According to the plan, the attack would force attendees to
flee in the opposite direction, which would allow co-conspirators to shoot them with sniper rifles. The goal was to cause enough chaos to overthrow the U.S. government.
The U.S. Department of Justice said Falkner (FAWLK-ner) has experience with manufacturing and piloting drones, and that he discussed how to configure and fly them for maximum destructive impact.
Before the event took place, the parents of alleged collaborator Tycen (TY-son) Proper alerted the FBI of his concerning online activities and recent weapons purchases in Ohio. After reviewing online communications, the FBI identified several other co-conspirators and arrested Proper and others in California, Missouri, and Nebraska before the event. The remaining accomplices, including Falkner (FAWLK-ner), cancelled their plan.
Falkner (FAWLK-ner) appeared in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma today, and is currently detained pending future hearings.
WX: Marshmallows beware
And now for the weather:
Expect today’s highs to hit the upper-80s with some light winds giving that convection oven feeling. Some clouds should start rolling in closer to night time, with lows in the low-60s expected.
Your Wednesday weather looks like more sun with a few clouds, highs in the low-80s, and more clouds towards the evening. Rain is likely later this week.
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, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger (REE-ger), and Sean Lynch. 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 _________… thank you for listening!
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STORY: Small Bellingham business owner seeking support as storefront nears closure
The owner of EverLocal has asked for community support while he closes his store.
According to their website, the store– which sells local products, gifts, and secondhand clothes— has to close before the end of the lease. That leaves the owner *********, responsible for 90-thousand dollars worth of rent and fees. He says he’s worked out an agreement that would allow him
to exit the lease and avoid additional penalties if he can pay his rent through July.
He’s asking Bellingham residents to shop, donate, and spread the word about his situation. EverLocal will close at the end of July.
STORY: 4th of July fireworks info
If you’re planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, make sure you know the rules before you light the fuse.
Fire officials remind residents to celebrate safely and know your local fireworks laws. In unincorporated Whatcom County, consumer fireworks may only be discharged July 3rd and 5th from 6 to 11 p.m., and July 4th from 6 p.m. to midnight. Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property, roads, school grounds, or in parks without permission, and users are responsible for keeping fireworks away from people, buildings, and dry vegetation.
In Bellingham, all consumer fireworks are illegal.
Officials urge residents to check local regulations, use fireworks responsibly, and consider attending a professional fireworks display instead.
FREE or Cheap for next weekend
What: Bellingham Holi Festival 2026 — a city-wide celebration of colors, culture, food, and community (NOTE: It’s pronounced just like “holy”)
When: Sunday, June 28 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Zuanich Point Park) Expected attendance: 500–1,000 people
The day features Bollywood dance performances (noon and 2:00 PM), a special dhol drumming showcase (1:00 PM), remarks from County Executive Satpal Singh Sidhu, coordinated color tosses with countdowns, a cultural tent with henna and samosa samples, food trucks, a photobooth, and more.
• 1 Ticket ($5) — 3 powder packets OR sunglasses and bandana • 4 Tickets ($15) — event shirt
• 8 Tickets – Party Pack ($25) includes an event shirt, sunglasses, bandana + 6 powder packets
Anyone interested in helping to look for green crab shells can join in the annual Salish Sea Molt Blitz on Friday, June 26. The event is an annual effort to search as many Washington Salish Sea beaches as possible for evidence of green crabs. A virtual training event will be held on June 24 at noon, and participants can register on the Washington Sea Grant Crab Team website.
STORY: Election center tours scheduled
Whatcom County residents can get a behind-the-scenes look at how local elections are run.
The Auditor’s Office will host public tours of the county Election Center July 28th through the 30th. The tour gives visitors a chance to see how ballots are processed, learn about election security measures, and ask questions about voting procedures.
The Auditor’s office says the tour takes less than an hour and advance reservations are encouraged through the Whatcom County Elections Division.
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