June, 29, 2026 News Transcript

Three arrests made in Maple Falls, two in connection with fatal Mount Vernon shooting, Barbecue fire displaces residents of Bellingham duplex, PSE reports nearly 6,000 addresses affected by power outage in south Bellingham, Partial closure of James Street extended through early July, JULY 4th – Port of Bellingham, WA still expecting budgetary difficulties next year despite windfalls from capital gains tax, WA Cares Fund benefits start in July, Weeklong closure of SR 9 planned for early August, F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post:

Return to Transcripts

Independent, nonprofit community radio.

KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June, 29. Good afternoon, I’m ______.

STORY: Three arrests made in Maple Falls, two in connection with fatal Mount Vernon shooting
Three more arrests have been made in connection with a deadly June shooting in Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon Police served a search warrant at a home on Lacey Lane in Maple Falls on Thursday. A 17-year-old Mount Vernon boy and a 20-year-old Burlington woman were arrested on charges related to the homicide investigation.

Police also arrested a 26-year-old Mount Vernon man after finding him in possession of a firearm with its serial number removed. Investigators say that weapon was not used in the June 11 shooting that killed 23-year-old Arturo Ortiz Lopez.

STORY: Barbecue fire displaces residents of Bellingham duplex
A backyard barbecue grill is being blamed for a duplex fire in Bellingham last week.

Firefighters responded to the blaze on West Indiana Street Tuesday evening after flames spread from the grill up the back wall of the building and into the attic. Crews were able to quickly contain the fire, and no injuries were reported. However, several residents were displaced from their homes for at least one night as a result of the damage.

STORY: PSE reports nearly 6,000 addresses affected by power outage in south Bellingham
Nearly six thousand homes and businesses in south Bellingham lost power Saturday morning.

Puget Sound Energy reported that more than 59-hundred customers were affected. The cause of the outage remained under investigation.

Around the same time, Bellingham firefighters responded to an electrical emergency at a PSE substation near McKenzie Avenue and 13th Street. Officials have not confirmed whether the incidents were connected.

STORY: Partial closure of James Street extended through early July

The closure of James Street between Bakerview and Kellogg in north Bellingham has been extended through July 10.

The City of Bellingham says unforeseen challenges have delayed the reopening, including repaving delays, utility and tree-related complications and additional retaining wall construction.

The closure is part of a project to improve safety along the James Street corridor with a new shared multi-use path, sidewalks and bike lanes.

The city expects to reopen at least one lane of James Street by July 11. Construction is expected to continue through the fall.

JULY 4th – Port of Bellingham

A section of the ASB Waterfront Trail in Bellingham will be closed July 2 through July 6 ahead of the Port of Bellingham’s annual Fourth of July event.

The event will begin at 4 p.m. at Zuanich Point Park and Squalicum Boathouse, featuring live music, games and food vendors. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m.

The closure will allow for event preparations and is expected to reopen after the holiday.

STORY: 4th of July fireworks info (use this as follow to July 4th – Port of Bellingham)

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. They cannot be used on public property, roads, school grounds or parks, and must be kept clear of 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.

STORY: Federal judge rules against executive order demanding states provide voter registries

A federal judge has ruled in favor of Washington state’s push back on vote-by-mail.

On Thursday, a federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administration’s effort to tighten mail-in voting rules ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The ruling halts a March executive order that would have required states to provide voter registration lists to the federal government or face penalties. The administration also warned that the Postal Service may stop delivery of mail ballots in states that refused to comply.

Washington joined a multi-state lawsuit that challenged the order, and argued that vote-by-mail systems are safe, secure, and under the purview of the states. The judge’s ruling declared that the federal government, including the USPS, does not have constitutional authority to require states to turn over voter registries. It also barred the federal government from investigating state election systems for not complying.

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs praised the decision, and called it a victory for free and fair elections.

STORY: WA still expecting budgetary difficulties next year despite windfalls from capital gains tax
Washington state will get an unexpected budget boost after capital gains tax collections came in far above expectations.

The state collected about one-and-a-half billion dollars from the tax this year — roughly double what economists predicted and enough to erase a projected budget deficit in 2028.

Washington has a 7% tax on the sale or exchange of long-term capital assets such as stocks and bonds. This funding goes into a state account that pays for schools, early learning and child care programs. Funds exceeding $500 million go to a separate account that pays for school construction and renovations.

But lawmakers say the windfall is only temporary. Other tax collections are down, and state officials still expect a difficult budget cycle next biennium as the cost of programs and services continues to rise faster than revenues. Governor Bob Ferguson has already signaled that his next budget proposal will rely on spending cuts rather than new taxes.

STORY: WA Cares Fund benefits start in July

Washingtonians who need daily living assistance will be able to start receiving help through the WA Cares Fund starting in July.

WA Cares Fund is the first public long-term care insurance program in the U.S. Each person who is eligible to receive the benefit can access long-term care services and supports costing up to $36,500. Support services available include in-home personal care, home modifications and delivered meals.

To qualify, WA Cares must determine you need help with three or more activities of daily living and will continue to need help for at least 90 days. Applicants must have previously contributed to the program through paycheck deductions.

Most W-2 employees in the state are eligible, and have already automatically contributed to the fund. Near and recent retirees who were born before 1968 can also access partial benefits through the program.

To get started, applicants must create a benefits account and fill out a brief online application. WA Cares team members are also available to guide applicants through the forms over the phone.

WX: The Big Gray Box

And now for the weather:

Expect a mix of clouds and sunshine for the remainder of today, with temperatures in the mid-70’s. A slight chance of showers looks to join the party later tonight, with lows set to fall into the mid-50s.

More clouds are on the horizon tomorrow, with a dash of sunshine and the possibility of rain in the evening.

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!

STORY: Weeklong closure of SR 9 planned for early August

Drivers on State Route 9 in Skagit County should prepare for delays this summer.

Work is scheduled along the roadway to replace two culverts that block salmon migration. Construction begins today on sites east of Mount Vernon and north of Sedro-Woolley, with lane reductions and alternating traffic expected through much of the summer.

A full seven-day closure of Highway 9 near Mount Vernon is currently planned for early August, with drivers detoured via State Route 534, Interstate 5, and College Way.

The $5.7 million project will open about two miles of upstream habitat for salmon and other fish and is expected to be completed by mid-October.

F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: