Bellingham Mayor unveils plans for 2025, including return of downtown police bike patrols, Electric Ave bridge to be closed for repairs for two weeks in September, Bellingham to add 14 bike lockers across two locations downtown, State releases Whatcom County’s unemployment numbers for July, State releases Whatcom County’s unemployment numbers for July, Commonwealth Fund report finds stark disparity in healthcare outcomes for indigenous peoples across WA
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STORY: Bellingham Mayor unveils plans for 2025, including return of downtown police bike patrols
Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund has announced the return of downtown bike patrols as part of a comprehensive city plan for next year.
In February, Lund issued an executive order made up of 11 actions – including the establishment of a downtown safety response office, an expansion of the community paramedic clinic, and increased access to methadone and opioid treatments. According to a report published by the city last Thursday, the city has made significant headway toward the completion of all eleven action items. As a result, the downtown core has seen a sharp decline in overdose calls since the completion of several cleanup projects, an increase in drug citations, as well as more police “emphasis patrols”. The city received an average of just over 1 call a day in March, declining to 0.4 calls in July following an increase of police presence.
The report also outlines more efforts for increasing public safety with a new project called Downtown Forward. Included is the re-establishment of police bike patrols, the installment of murals, and the renovation of aging buildings.
Lund says the last downtown plan was established 10 years ago, long before the many challenges resulting from the pandemic as well as the recurring opioid crisis. Mayor Lund says the goal is to respond to today’s problems while making downtown a more safe and inviting place for business and community members.
STORY: Electric Ave bridge to be closed for repairs for two weeks in September.
The City of Bellingham has announced the Electric Avenue bridge in Bellingham will be closed in September for temporary repairs to reinforce its structure and reopen both travel lanes.
Starting September 9th, a signed detour will be in place, and bike and pedestrian access will be limited during construction hours. The city is also seeking funding for a long-term solution after critical structural issues were found in a June inspection.
The City expects the work to be completed and both lanes to be re-opened by September 20th.
STORY: Bellingham to add 14 bike lockers across two locations downtown.
The City of Bellingham says it plans to install bike lockers downtown.
A proposal brought forward to the City Council last Monday would see the addition of 14 bike lockers–– six near the Commercial Street parking lot and eight near the WTA station on Magnolia Street. The lockers themselves are expected to cost the City $44,000, as well as an additional $5,000 in installation costs.
Those using the lockers would pay 5 cents per hour for up to 10 days, and 12 cents per hour after time expires. According to Natalie Monro from the Public Works Department, funds collected by the lockers would go to the parking fund, which pays for downtown cleaning and decorations.
Demand for secure bike storage downtown has come on the heels of last year’s bike theft spree, when nearly 200 bicycles were reported stolen in the area.
STORY: State releases Whatcom County’s unemployment numbers for July.
Whatcom County’s unemployment numbers for July have been released by the state Employment Security Department and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The county’s unemployment rate last month stood at 5.1% – an increase of 0.7% from June, and a marked increase compared to July 2023, when the unemployment rate stood at 3.9%. In Bellingham, the unemployment rate also increased month to month, with a 5.1% unemployment rate in July compared to 4.5% in June.
According to Employment Security, the Whatcom County unemployment numbers are about average. State-wide, Ferry County had the highest unemployment rate last month, at 8.4%, while San Juan County had the lowest at 3.6%.
STORY: Commonwealth Fund report finds stark disparity in healthcare outcomes for indigenous peoples across WA.
A new report by the Commonwealth Fund highlights severe disparities in health care access and outcomes for Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Washington state.
According to the The Commonwealth Fund 2024 State Health Disparities Report, non-dominant populations experience significantly shorter life expectancies and higher rates of preventable and treatable diseases, compounded by poor access to quality health care. The report ranks Native Americans’ health system performance at just 8 out of 100, compared to 87 for white Washingtonians, a number that reflects long-standing and worsening health inequities.
The Indian Health Service— the primary health care provider for these groups— is chronically underfunded, which leads to inadequate care, long travel distances to providers, and delayed treatments. According to the report, underfunding increases health disparities, and makes it difficult for the Health Service to recruit staff and maintain facilities. The IHS’s unstable budget, which requires annual congressional approval, further undermines its ability to serve its population effectively. The report also notes issues such as racial misclassification, incomplete data, and a lack of trust in the health care system due to intergenerational trauma.
Despite legislative efforts to address these problems, such as the creation of the Governor’s Indian Health Advisory Council, the new report underscores the need for better data collection, support for tribal health systems, and the elimination of institutional barriers to improve health outcomes for Native Americans and Alaska Natives in Washington.
WX: Clouds ‘n showers
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Today is expected to be largely overcast and rainy, with a chance of the sun returning later in the afternoon. Daytime highs will be in the upper 60s, with calm south-southwestern winds, and a nighttime low in the mid-low 50s.
Tomorrow’s weather is expected to be sunnier, once the clouds part around noon.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHRAM), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Anna Vickers, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick, and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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 listener donations. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thank you for listening.
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