Heat advisory warning in place for northwestern WA – and Air Quality Advisory issued…, Local Cooling Center reminders, Whatcom County free of cyclospora, Taylor Farms a false positive, City to build third tiny home village, Two new fires reported in North Cascades following local lightning storms, Skagit County Auditor Addresses Voter Pamphlet Printing Issues, Overnight lane closures planned for stretch of I-5 near Northwest Avenue, Save water this summer, Man sentenced for role in attempting to smuggle drugs into WA via watercraft in 2021, FAA clears Boeing to resume self-inspecting aircraft for safety, F&C – JULY 25, FREE & CHEAP, August 9th:
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STORY: Heat advisory warning in place for northwestern WA – and Air Quality Advisory issued…
Air quality and heat advisories remain in effect across Northwest Washington.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency’s alert for Whatcom and Skagit Counties runs through 9 a.m. Wednesday, with smoke from Canadian wildfires pushing pollution into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Sensitive groups should limit outdoor activity and watch for symptoms.
A heat advisory begins at 10 a.m. tomorrow and continues through 11 p.m. Wednesday, with temperatures in the upper 80s. The Whatcom County Fire Marshal has issued a Stage 2 Burn Ban in unincorporated areas, prohibiting all outdoor burning.
Residents are urged to stay indoors when possible, stay hydrated, and check on neighbors. Cooling‑shelter information is available by calling 2‑1‑1.
STORY: Local Cooling Center reminders
As we approach the hottest months of the year and temperatures continue to rise, it’s important to be aware of local cooling centers.
Cooling centers are public spaces that offer cool, clean air during times of extreme heat. In Bellingham, those spaces are the Bellis Fair Branch of the Bellingham Library, the Port of Bellingham Ferry Terminal and the Sportsplex.
If the National Weather Forecast predicts the heat risk level to be major or the air quality forecast is hazardous, the city may open an additional cooling center at Bellingham High School. Follow the City of Bellingham on social media platforms to stay in the know.
STORY: Whatcom County free of cyclospora, Taylor Farms a false positive
Health officials say Whatcom County has not been affected by the national Cyclospora outbreak yet.
The multistate outbreak has sickened more than 7-thousand people and was initially traced to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell restaurants in several Midwestern states. Federal investigators continue to monitor the outbreak after additional testing cast doubt on an earlier positive sample from supplier Taylor Farms de Mexico.
Washington is not among the 27 states included in the recall, and the state Department of Health says it is not seeing evidence of a local outbreak. Health officials say they are watching the situation but there are currently no recalls affecting Whatcom County.
STORY: City to build third tiny home village
A new tiny home village is coming to Bellingham.
The village, scheduled to open early next year, will include about 35 to 40 tiny homes and provide transitional housing for people experiencing homelessness.
The City of Bellingham is partnering with local nonprofit HomesNOW! to manage construction of the village. Construction is expected to begin this winter on city-owned property.
Mayor Kim Lund says the project builds on the success of the city’s existing tiny home communities and expands housing options for people in need.
The project is expected to cost about 1-point-two million dollars and will be funded through city and community sources.
STORY: Two new fires reported in North Cascades following local lightning storms
Fire crews are dealing with new fires in the North Cascades.
Two additional fires have been discovered within North Cascades National Park Service Complex following recent lightning storms across the area this week.
The Border 1 Fire is about one acre, and the Border 2 Fire is roughly a quarter‑acre. Both fires sit close together south of the U.S.–Canada border and east of Ross Lake, in steep, rocky, remote terrain.
A Type‑1 helicopter is making water drops on both fires as conditions allow. The Olympic Wildland Fire Module arrives today to continue additional suppression efforts.
STORY: Skagit County Auditor Addresses Voter Pamphlet Printing Issues
The Skagit County Auditor’s Office is informing voters about two errors in the printed 2026 Local Voters’ Pamphlet.
The office says a candidate statement in the Skagit County Sheriff’s race was accidentally left out. The statement has been added to the online pamphlet, and future printed copies will include a supplemental page.
The office also says a disclaimer traditionally included in the local voters’ pamphlet was left out. Officials note the statement appears on all ballots and has now been added to the county elections website.
Auditor Sandy Perkins said the errors were unintentional and that the office remains committed to fair, accurate, and transparent elections.
Voters are encouraged to review the electronic local voters pamphlet on the Skagit County Elections website for the most current election information.
STORY: Overnight lane closures planned for stretch of I-5 near Northwest Avenue
Drivers should plan on overnight delays on I-5 near Northwest Avenue.
Overnight lane closures are taking place on I-5 Southbound between Northwest Avenue and Guide Meridian. The highway will turn into one lane traffic from 10 pm to 5 am. The repaving project started this past Sunday and continues through Wednesday the 22nd, according to the Washington State Department Of Transportation.
STORY: Save water this summer
Washington is under a statewide drought alert after low snowpack is leaving the state short on water.
In Bellingham, summer demand puts added pressure on the system.
According to the City, outdoor watering during the drier months increases Bellingham’s drinking water use by 6 million gallons a day. To help save water, the city recommended watering your lawn every other day and watering in the morning to reduce evaporation. They also asked residents to consider not watering their lawns until the fall.
STORY: Man sentenced for role in attempting to smuggle drugs into WA via watercraft in 2021
A man was sentenced in Seattle for smuggling drugs into Washington using watercraft.
John Michael Sherwood was sentenced to 15 years in prison after three felony convictions. In 2021, Sherwood attempted to transport 300 pounds of methamphetamine and a kilogram of fentanyl to Canada from California.
He brought duffel bags of the drugs up the coast using a jet ski and raft. The bags were discovered by beachgoers on the Olympic Peninsula.
Sherwood was convicted of possessing controlled substances with intent to distribute and conspiracy to commit international money laundering. Authorities caught the man by using surveillance cameras and tracking his debit card purchases.
Phone records between Sherwood and his co-conspirators showed intent to distribute the drugs once he arrived in Canada.
The estimated wholesale value of the drugs was about 1.5 million Canadian dollars.
STORY: FAA clears Boeing to resume self-inspecting aircraft for safety
The FAA will allow Boeing to resume self-inspections of aircraft.
Boeing received mandatory safety inspections from the FAA on 737 Max airplanes starting in 2019, following a series of aircraft crashes. Federal investigators determined the cause of the incidents was flaws in the company’s self-inspection process.
In September 2025, Boeing was allowed to partially resume its own inspections while under official review. Safety certificates were up to FAA standards in the past 8 months, so Boeing will be able to conduct its own inspections again.
The FAA will continue to monitor inspection reports, quality control and the safety culture at the company.
WX: Good Heats, with Alton Brown
And now for the weather…
Expect partial sun today with highs in the low 80s and light winds. The clouds should stick around as we head into evening, leaving us with a warm, overcast night with lows right around 60 degrees.
A high heat advisory has been issued for Tuesday, so keep the sunscreen and water bottles handy and make yourselves as comfortable as possible.
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 _________… thanks for listening!
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F&C – JULY 25
Birch Bay is hosting the Battle of the Badges BBQ. North Whatcom Fire District 21 and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office face off on the grill on Saturday from 11 to 2 in the Birch Bay Waterslides parking lot. Families can enjoy free burgers and hot dogs, games, raffles, music, and a chance to meet local first responders — plus a little friendly rivalry between firefighters and deputies.
The Inclusion Festival brings a full day of accessible, all‑ages activities to Bellingham Sunday. The event runs from 11 to 6 at the Fisherman’s Pavilion and Zuanich Park, with inclusive games, sensory‑friendly areas, craft vendors, food trucks, live music, workshops, and a Walk‑n‑Roll‑athon. Admission is free.
FREE & CHEAP, August 9th:
Ferndale hosts a free Play, Learn & Connect Festival this weekend. The event runs Sunday from 11 to 2 at Pioneer Park, with giant building blocks, arts and crafts, hands‑on learning activities, community booths, and food trucks. It’s designed to celebrate play while connecting families with local programs and services.
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