July 3, 2026 News Transcript

4th of July, Owner of Schweinhaus Brewery accused of trafficking in stolen alcohol by former business partner, YWCA receives grant, Perpetrator of string of home invasions across western WA sentenced, Let’s Go Washington submits signatures for ballot measure repealing imposition of Millionaires tax, AG’s office spearheads effort to have federal efforts to undermine mail-in voting formally withdrawn, State officials remind residents to exercise caution with fireworks amid ongoing drought conditions, FREEEEEEEEEEE and cheap, F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post:

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Independent, nonprofit community radio.

KMRE brings you local news for Friday, July 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.

STORY: 4th of July
Happy 250th birthday, America.

Here’s a look at what’s closed this 4th of July holiday weekend.

Most Bellingham city services and the Whatcom County District Court are officially closed today and tomorrow. All branches of the Bellingham Public Library and the Bellingham Food Bank are closed through the weekend.

Post offices and local bank branches remain open today, but will close tomorrow. Also on Saturday, there will be no WTA buses or paratransit.

For holiday shoppers, Costco will be closed, and Trader Joe’s will wrap up early, closing their doors at 5:00 p.m. Saturday evening.

Sanitary Service Company says all curbside residential trash pickup routes are running on schedule today. However, their Bellwether Way office and the Bellingham transfer station are closed today, and the Cedarville transfer station will be closed tomorrow.

STORY: Owner of Schweinhaus Brewery accused of trafficking in stolen alcohol by former business partner
More details are emerging in the felony case against the owner of Schweinhaus Biergarten in Bellingham.

Prosecutors say 48-year-old Brandon Bates made unauthorized alcohol purchases during an ownership dispute at Formula Brewing in Issaquah, a brewery he co-founded with former business partner Daniel Bohm.

Court documents allege Bates purchased and removed large quantities of alcohol, including premium liquor that was never sold through the brewery, resulting in losses estimated at up to $125,000. Bates reportedly acknowledged under oath, during a civil case, that he purchased about $50,000 worth of alcohol.

Bates now faces charges including theft, identity theft, possession and trafficking of stolen property in King County Superior Court. His arraignment is scheduled for July 13th.

STORY: YWCA receives grant

The Whatcom Family YMCA has received funding to expand its Youth Institute program.

The Y is one of ten organizations chosen for the Allen Family Philanthropies’ Creative Youth Development grant. Over the next three years, it will receive over $500,000 to expand the Youth Institute from a summer program into a year-round institution. It will add mentorship, creative learning activities, and more support as teens work toward graduation and following career paths.

The Y says the funding will double the number of youth served, upgrade creative technology, and build a youth-run digital media enterprise that gives participants real-world job experience.

CEO Courtney Whitaker says the investment will help more teens discover their strengths, build relationships, and gain confidence.

STORY: Perpetrator of string of home invasions across western WA sentenced

The perpetrator of a series of home invasions in Western Washington was just sentenced.

Christopher Johnson was involved in multiple home invasions in 2022. He just received a 25 year sentence for racketeering and conspiracy. He also pled guilty to second degree murder of an Everett woman, earlier this year, and is facing 25 years in prison for that offense.

Johnson worked with many other co-conspirators including Kevin Thissel who is also being tried for his crimes — which included kidnapping a boy during a Mount Vernon robbery in May of 2022.

Johnson will serve his sentence in the Washington State Prison System and will have five years of court supervision after completing his sentence.

STORY: Let’s Go Washington submits signatures for ballot measure repealing imposition of Millionaires tax

Let’s Go Washington has filed a ballot initiative to repeal the Millionaire’s Tax.

The Conservative political action committee submitted a petition with about half a million signatures.

The tax, passed during the last legislative session, imposes a 9.9% percent income tax on those making over one million dollars. It’s the first income tax in Washington state.

Let’s Go Washington argues the law would eventually change to include lower income households. It also said that the tax targets individuals by leaving corporations and large businesses untouched.

Before the initiative reaches the ballot, the Secretary of State has to validate at least 308,000 valid signatures to meet the threshold. The Washington Supreme Court has consistently ruled income tax unconstitutional.

STORY: AG’s office spearheads effort to have federal efforts to undermine mail-in voting formally withdrawn

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown co-led a multi-state effort to encourage the U.S. Postal Service to rescind a proposed rule restricting mail-in voting.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order earlier this year to create a national list of eligible voters. He instructed the USPS to only deliver mail-in ballots to those on the list.

A federal judge struck down the order last week, saying it interfered with the states’ constitutional right to run their own elections. The USPS has not withdrawn its proposed rule that would only deliver mail-in ballots to voters on the list.

Brown and 24 other attorneys general filed a formal comment asking the USPS to withdraw the rule.

STORY: State officials remind residents to exercise caution with fireworks amid ongoing drought conditions

State fire officials are reminding residents to exercise caution when lighting fireworks this weekend amid drought conditions.

The Department of Natural Resources says that 80 to 90 percent of wildfires are human caused. Last year, 79 fires on Washington state lands were firework caused. The July 2025 Bear Gulch fire was started by a firework – that blazed over 20-thousand acres and took months to contain.

If you plan to light fireworks, the State Fire Marshal recommends keeping a water bucket or hose nearby and avoid areas with dry vegetation.

Purchasing or lighting fireworks is not permitted on any day within Bellingham city limits. Violating this could result in fines from $100 to $1000. Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Nooksack and Sumas allow fireworks from 10 pm until midnight on July 4th.

For all city-specific firework rules, visit the State Fire Marshal’s website.

STORY: FREEEEEEEEEEE and cheap

Fourth of July celebrations are planned across Whatcom County this weekend, with major events in both Bellingham and Blaine.

Peoples Bank Fourth of July Spectacular will run from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Zuanich Park. The event features live music, family activities, food vendors and a fireworks show over Bellingham Bay beginning at 10:30 p.m.

And, Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July celebration will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a parade, street fair, live music, and a car show. Fireworks will shoot over Semiahoo Bay beginning at 10 p.m.

WX STORY: Certain inalienable brights

And now weather:

This afternoon, look for partly sunny skies with highs in the low 70s.

Clouds are expected this evening, bringing lows in the mid-50s tonight.

On Saturday, expect clouds to burn off and leave temperatures in the low 70s, with sunshine continueing through Monday and gradually increasing temperatures each day; perhaps into the 80s.

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, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger, 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 _David Korb________… Enjoy the holiday everyone!

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