City Council increased Level 3 (DC Fast Charger) fees, Whatcom landowner group commits six acres to construction of new YMCA facility, Whatcom landowner group commits six acres to construction of new YMCA facility, Bellingham’s Way Station reports nearly doubling their projected number of assistees within first year, Budget cuts, transparency in Skagit, WA among states hit by recent parasitic infection outbreak, Applications for limited-entry deer hunting in Okanogan County open today, U.S. House passes bill that would make daylight saving time permanent, FREE & CHEAP for Friday, July 17th:, F&C – JULY 25, FREE & CHEAP, August 9th: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July, 15. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: City Council increased Level 3 (DC Fast Charger) fees The Bellingham City Council voted unanimously to increase fees for electric vehicle fast chargers. The rates will be increased from 25 cents per kilowatt to 40 cents per kilowatt. The fees will cover the 11-thousand dollar deficit created by the sharp increase in public fast charger use. For an average mid-size EV, a full 70 kilowatt charge could now cost about 30 dollars. City council member Michael Lilliquist says that amount is less than the market rate. Starting in January of 2027, the city council will annually adjust the fast charger fees using the Consumer Price Index inflation rates. The city’s finance director will calculate the new rates each year in September and publish them prior to January 1st of the following year. The standard, non-fast charger rates will remain the same this year, at 25 cents per kilowatt. STORY: Whatcom landowner group commits six acres to construction of new YMCA facility A new community YMCA is coming to Barkley Village after the Talbot Group announced they’d be donating six acres to Whatcom Family YMCA. The site is located near the intersection of Woburn Street, Sunset Drive and Hannegan Road. The new YMCA is still being planned, and Whatcom YMCA is hoping to get community input to determine what amenities will be included in the new building. The project will be funded through donations, community giving, corporate partnerships, foundation support, and YMCA investment. Construction timelines and opportunities for public comment will be announced at a later date. STORY: Bellingham’s Way Station reports nearly doubling their projected number of assistees within first year Bellingham’s Way Station has assisted nearly 1,400 people since opening in November of 2024 — nearly double the organization’s original projections. Initially launched by Unity Care NW — and in partnership with multiple private and public organizations — the Way Station provides showers, laundry, and basic health and hygiene services to the area’s growing unhoused population. In January of last year, the Way Station introduced a substance use disorder counseling program. In May, it partnered with the Opportunity Council and Peace Health to open its Respite Center, which offers short-term overnight stays to recently discharged hospital patients without access to safe and stable places to recuperate. As Whatcom County continues to face growing housing pressures, demand for integrated support services keeps rising. UnityCare NW says the Way Station is on track to exceed its first‑year numbers again in year two. STORY: Budget cuts, transparency in SkagitSkagit County is preparing for more budget cuts in 2027. Commissioners say the county faces an estimated 10-million-dollar General Fund deficit if spending continues at current levels. Departments have been ordered to submit reduction plans, and officials warn residents could see fewer public service hours, less road maintenance, and cuts to discretionary programs. The county has already eliminated 94 positions, frozen hiring, and taken other cost-saving steps over the past two years, but leaders say more reductions are needed to balance the budget. At the same time, Skagit County has launched a new online budget transparency website that gives residents access to county revenues, expenses, and future budget proposals. STORY: WA among states hit by recent parasitic infection outbreak Washington is among the 34 states that have reported cases of the parasitic disease, Cyclosporiasis (SYCH-low-spore-EYE-uh-sis). The Washington Department of Health reports 27 confirmed cases of the parasite in Washington state since May 1st, with just five contracted domestically. Officials say the disease is caused when food or water comes in contact with human feces. The only effective way to destroy the bug is to cook the food to at least 158 degrees. While the parasite is not new, the recent outbreak has been difficult to track because of recent cuts to the CDC and Department of Agriculture, complex U.S. supply chains, and the long incubation period of the disease— between 2 and 10 days. The CDC says there have been over 67-hundred confirmed cases and 141 reported hospitalizations in the US. STORY: Applications for limited-entry deer hunting in Okanogan County open today The annual draw for the limited deer-hunting permit in Okanogan County opens today. This permit allows a limited number of hunters the rare chance to hunt white-tailed and mule deer on a 6,000 acre patch of land in the Scotch Creek Wildlife Area. There are 18 available permits for the season and the application period is open through July 31st. The draw results will be available the last week of August and the selected hunters will receive their permit and boundary map of the area in the mail. STORY: U.S. House passes bill that would make daylight saving time permanent The U.S. House voted to make daylight saving time permanent and end the twice-yearly clock changes. Permanent daylight saving time would keep clocks shifted forward, pushing sunrise and sunset later. The exact times vary across the U.S., but the sun could rise as late as 9:30 a.m. and set as early as 5:30 p.m in some places. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine endorses permanent standard time for its circadian rhythm benefits. But researchers agree that either time being permanent would be better for health than the current mid-year switches. In 1974, the U.S. attempted permanent daylight saving time, abandoning it after a year. It …
July 14, 2026 News Transcript
Second body found in recent search-and-rescue efforts for missing hikers, Schweinhaus owner pleads not guilty to multiple felony charges, Bellingham City Council to debate waiving business tax as downtown continues to struggle, Voices from the Rock (Natalie), New nonprofit animal rescue launches in Bellingham, with a particular focus on farms, Pair convicted in scheme to defraud ill veterans via medical data theft, Trial of Albertsons Company for alleged role in opioid crisis underway, FREE & CHEAP for Friday, July 17th:, F&C – JULY 25, FREE & CHEAP, August 9th: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July, 14. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Second body found in recent search-and-rescue efforts for missing hikers The body of a missing hiker was found yesterday morning in the Twin Sisters Range. 34-year-old Gursimran (GUR-sim-run) Singh planned on being back home in British Columbia by June 29th. Whatcom County Search and Rescue was alerted of a sighting on Sunday. The Snohomish County Helicopter Rescue Team and the Bellingham Mountain Rescue Council launched a search and rescue mission yesterday morning. It eventually became a recovery mission. Singh is the second hiker fatality in Whatcom County in recent weeks. Just last Saturday, the body of 55-year-old Steven Dorsett was found off Highway 20, near the North Cascades National Park. STORY: Schweinhaus owner pleads not guilty to multiple felony charges The owner of Schweinhaus Biergarten in Bellingham has pleaded not guilty to felony charges related to allegations of theft and trafficking of stolen alcohol. The Bellingham Herald reports Brandon Robert Bates entered the plea Monday in King County Superior Court. He faces charges including theft, identity theft, possession of stolen property, and trafficking of stolen property — all in the first degree. Court records allege that Bates used funds from Issaquah-based Formula Brewing — a brewery he previously co-owned — to make large, unauthorized purchases of expensive alcohol. His former business partner estimates the brewery lost around $125,000. Bates remains out of custody. His next court hearing is scheduled for August 31st. STORY: Bellingham City Council to debate waiving business tax as downtown continues to struggle The Bellingham City Council has expanded its business‑and‑occupation tax incentives and is now considering a new one aimed at downtown vacancies. Washington’s B&O tax is a tax on gross receipts — meaning businesses are taxed on total revenue, not profit. Last night, the Council voted 6–1 to broaden the Urban Village Phased Tax Credit to include Fairhaven and Barkley, giving new businesses in any urban village a three‑year phased reduction in their B&O tax. The measure also includes a proposal for a seven‑year exemption from the city‑collected B&O tax for businesses that open a new location in the downtown pedestrian core. City leaders say the incentive responds to recent studies showing ground‑floor vacancies downtown at unhealthy levels. The council will take a final vote on the tax‑credit ordinance on July 27. STORY: Voices from the Rock (Natalie) Nearly 750 Bellingham Rock enthusiasts showed up to Civic Stadium on Saturday morning to collect their pieces of history. WASH-DOT gave away free pieces of the rock after it was removed from its old spot along I-5 to improve fish passage near the highway. The first car in line showed up at 6:15 a.m.; by 9:30, the line was backed up into Lakeway Drive. Every attendee had a story to share about the rock. Steve Messerer (MESS-er-er), a Western alum from the 1980s, made a 2-hour trip on the ferry to pick up his piece of the rock. INSERT STEVE AUDIO Kelli Little, a lifelong Bellingham resident, recalled a time in high school when her name was written on the rock. INSERT KELLI AUDIO The boys’ families found out, and they were forced to repaint it to say “Kelli sorry”. Alex Gordon has lived in Bellingham for over 25 years. When he drove up I-5 for the first time, he felt at home because there was a similar community-painted rock in his hometown. INSERT ALEX AUDIO While the rock is gone, the stories will live on through the hundreds of pieces collected on Saturday. Most of the attendees said they planned to put their piece in their garden or display it proudly on a shelf. STORY: New nonprofit animal rescue launches in Bellingham, with a particular focus on farms A new farm animal rescue nonprofit has launched in Bellingham. Mountain Meets Farm Rescue and Sanctuary provides care for animals that have experienced neglect, health issues, trauma, or displacement. The sanctuary has rescued over 100 animals since its founding. Founder Janie Reopelle (ree-oh-PELL) says becoming a nonprofit will help expand the organization’s rescue efforts and educational outreach. The sanctuary also offers community programs, including camps and farm experiences. Reopelle says they are currently recruiting volunteers to assist with animal care and farm operations. STORY: Pair convicted in scheme to defraud ill veterans via medical data theft Two people have been convicted in a fraud scheme that targeted seriously ill veterans. Federal prosecutors say 47-year-old Darryl Young posed as a VA employee while inside the King County Jail to obtain information on hospitalized veterans. He then worked with 29-year-old Aqeelah (uh-KEE-luh) Williams to trick victims into providing debit and credit card information. Investigators say the pair targeted more than 60 victims and stole about $8,300 through fraudulent transactions. A federal jury convicted both defendants on multiple counts, including wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. STORY: Trial of Albertsons Company for alleged role in opioid crisis underway Albertsons is on trial in Washington for its alleged role in fueling the opioid crisis. Attorney General Nick Brown says the case stems from years of ignored red flags — including prescriptions that should have triggered mandatory reviews under state and federal law. The trial opened yesterday in King County Superior Court. Albertsons, which also owns Safeway and Haggen, operates more than 200 pharmacies statewide. Brown says that between 2006 and 2022, the company filled opioid prescriptions without resolving …
July 13, 2026 News Transcript
Search and rescue efforts recover body of missing hiker in North Cascades, Child dies after driftwood fort collapses at Little Squalicum Beach, East Whatcom community leader injured by bison in Yellowstone, Zillow data shows Bellingham home rental prices remain on the uptick, Justice Project input requested, Avellino Coffeehouse suddenly closed permanently, Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestone, HR1 impacts on Apple Health revealed, Seahawks one step closer to new ownership, WA joins 15-state lawsuit against Dept. of Education’s cuts to mental health care, Free circus fun in Ferndale July 17, Family fun in Ferndale on August 9th Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news forMonday, July, 13. Good afternoon, I’m ______. UPDATE: Search and rescue efforts recover body of missing hiker in North Cascades The body of a missing 55-year-old hiker was recovered at North Cascades National Park. Steven Dorsett was last heard from on June 24th at the Canyon Creek Trailhead. He planned to be gone for ten days. His body was recovered last Thursday. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office extended their deepest condolences to Dorsett’s loved ones. STORY: Child dies after driftwood fort collapses at Little Squalicum Beach A 6 year old has died from a brain injury after being struck by a piece of driftwood. Around 6 pm on Wednesday, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office responded to find Killian Gonzales unconscious and not breathing after being hit by a log at Little Squalicum Beach. Both the Bellingham Police Department and Fire Department arrived and performed CPR on the child. The boy suffered a collapsed lung, broken nose, and several skull fractures and was airlifted to Seattle Children’s Hospital before being transferred to Harborview Medical Center. During the first few days at Harborview, doctors sedated Killian to allow his brain to heal, but the boy passed away on Sunday. A Go-Fund-Me has been set up to help the family with medical and funeral expenses. STORY: East Whatcom community leader injured by bison in Yellowstone East Whatcom community leader Carl McDaniel was injured by a bison in Yellowstone. McDaniel and his grandson were taking photos of the bison at a campground near Yellowstone Lake on Friday. Video from another visitor showed the bison charging after McDaniel and his grandson before knocking McDaniel about 8 feet into the air. His grandson was able to get away, but the incident left the community leader with multiple broken bones. The New York Times reported that the bison was likely experiencing a testosterone surge, and had charged at multiple other visitors the same day. McDaniel has been a long-time Whatcom resident, and serves as a board member on several community organizations. McDaniel is currently recovering from his injuries. STORY: Zillow data shows Bellingham home rental prices remain on the uptick The average rental price for housing in Bellingham is increasing. According to Zillow, it has now reached an average of 22-hundred dollars for all bedroom and property types. This is about 100 dollars more than it was last July and 183 dollars more than the national average. Out of the seven cities in Whatcom County, Bellingham now has the third-highest average rent, below Lynden and Blaine. STORY: Justice Project input requestedWhatcom County invites the public to weigh in on the future of its Justice Project. A community workshop will be held Wednesday, July 22nd, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse. County leaders and representatives from several agencies will be on hand to answer questions and gather public input. Attendees can review plans for a proposed Behavioral Care Center and a new jail, learn how public feedback helped shape the proposal, and hear what’s next as the project moves toward the design and construction phase. STORY: Avellino Coffeehouse suddenly closed permanently Avellino Coffeehouse suddenly closed this weekend, becoming the next casualty in a slew of downtown business closures. A note was posted on the front door on Saturday announcing Avellino’s closure. The note thanked customers and expressed the hope that Avellino will continue to hold a special place in Bellingham’s heart. Customers online mourned the loss, blaming it on high rent and low wages. Regulars remember good coffee, friendly service and a cozy atmosphere. STORY: Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestoneThere’s been a major milestone for wildlife at Snoqualmie Pass. The first black bear has been caught on camera using the wildlife bridge over I-90, nearly seven years after the crossing opened. The grass-covered overpass reconnects habitat divided by the freeway, and helps animals cross safely while reducing vehicle collisions. State transportation officials say bears are among the most cautious animals to use wildlife crossings – sometimes taking years to try them. Since the bridge opened, more than 38,000 animal crossings have been recorded. STORY: HR1 impacts on Apple Health revealedMajor changes are coming to Washington’s Apple Health program. Beginning October 1st, some refugees, asylees, parolees, and other lawfully present immigrants will no longer qualify for Apple Health coverage. In addition, starting January 1st, most adults enrolled in Apple Health will have to work, train, volunteer, or meet other community engagement requirements for at least 80 hours a month to keep their coverage, unless they qualify for an exemption. Enrollees will also be required to renew their coverage every six months instead of once a year, and retroactive coverage will be reduced. State health officials urge Apple Health members to make sure their contact information is up to date so they don’t miss important notices. STORY: Seahawks one step closer to new ownershipThe Seattle Seahawks are one step closer to new ownership. The Khosla (KAWS-luh) family reached an agreement to buy the team for a record-breaking 9-point-six billion dollars. Sports business experts say the sale reflects the soaring value of the NFL, fueled by massive television and streaming rights deals that guarantee hundreds of millions of dollars for every team each year. The sale still needs approval from at least 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners, which could come as soon as late August. Neeru (NEE-roo) Khosla (KAWS-luh) …
July 10, 2026 News Transcript
Bellingham City Council to hold public hearing on elimination of parking minimums next Monday, Pedestrian injured in vehicle collision on Sunset overpass, Early stages of downtown Bellingham stormwater drainage renovation to begin next week, Petition launched urging Bellingham School Board to begin livestreaming and archiving meetings, Whatcom County approves expansion of controversial Point Roberts campground, Lookout installed at the top of Commercial Street garage, Judge’s ruling likely to pave the way for state-run health inspections at Tacoma ICE detention facility, Petition launched urging Bellingham School Board to begin livestreaming and archiving meetings, Whatcom County approves expansion of controversial Point Roberts campground, Judge’s ruling likely to pave the way for state-run health inspections at Tacoma ICE detention facility, Man gets blown halfway out of an airplane window, The Free, the Cheap, and the Ugly, HR1 impacts on Apple Health revealed, Justice Project input requested, Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestone Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, July 10th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Bellingham City Council to hold public hearing on elimination of parking minimums next MondayThe Bellingham City Council is considering a permanent change to parking across the city. The council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 13th to propose eliminating minimum parking requirements — these are rules that currently require developers to build a minimum number of parking stalls with each new project. The city has been operating under an interim ordinance since January of last year, which allows developers to decide how much parking their projects need based on demand. The temporary rule was extended last month and is now set to remain in place through January of next year. The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the permanent changes with some amendments for bicycle parking. Residents can provide comments in person, online, or by phone. STORY: Pedestrian injured in vehicle collision on Sunset overpass A man was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle on the I-5 Sunset overpass. The Bellingham Fire Department says the collision happened early Thursday morning, just before 5. The man was taken to St. Joe’s. No additional details about his injuries or what led to the crash have been released. STORY: Early stages of downtown Bellingham stormwater drainage renovation to begin next week Stormwater drainage renovations in downtown Bellingham will begin next week. On Monday, crews will begin replacing the old stormwater line on Lincoln Street between Kentucky and the I-5 offramp at Ohio Street. Construction is expected to last two weeks. This is Phase 1 of a plan to alleviate flooding along the west side of I-5 during heavy rainfalls. Iowa Street has a history of flooding due to stormwater runoff draining into it from nearby streets when Whatcom Creek is already full. The construction will replace a large stormwater pipe near the freeway that has collapsed sections and tree root damage. Most of the work will take place overnight to avoid slowing daytime traffic. The city said drivers should expect nighttime closures and detours in the area around the southbound I-5 off-ramp at Ohio Street and nearby residential streets. STORY: Landlords and tenants needed for new city committeeThe City of Bellingham is looking for tenants and landlords to help shape the future of local rental policies. A new temporary advisory group will review the city’s rental programs and recommend improvements aimed at supporting safe, affordable housing. City officials are encouraging people with a variety of rental experiences to apply, especially those interested in working collaboratively with other people. Applications are due by July 15th. STORY: Petition launched urging Bellingham School Board to begin livestreaming and archiving meetings A petition is calling on the Bellingham School Board to livestream and record its regular meetings. Supporters say requiring in-person attendance can create barriers for people with disabilities, transportation challenges, childcare responsibilities, and nontraditional work schedules. The petition asks the district to livestream meetings, post recordings online, and provide captions and transcripts when possible. The effort aims to allow families and community members to stay informed about decisions affecting Bellingham schools. STORY: Whatcom County approves expansion of controversial Point Roberts campground Whatcom County approved expansion of a controversial Point Roberts campground. After two years of review, the Whatcom County Planning and Development Department approved a proposed campground at Point Roberts. At a hearing last week opponents expressed fears that more visitors would bring traffic, increase litter, and add more noise. Other residents said the community needed more tourist income. The campground will have 136 tent sites, 18 RV sites, and 12 cabins. STORY: Lookout installed at the top of Commercial Street garageIf you’re looking for a new point of view in Bellingham, head to the top of the Commercial Street Parking Garage. The city has installed a public viewfinder overlooking downtown and the waterfront as part of the city’s Downtown Activation and Beautification Program. City officials say the project was designed in collaboration with the Downtown Bellingham Partnership and is intended to encourage people to spend more time exploring downtown. STORY: Judge’s ruling likely to pave the way for state-run health inspections at Tacoma ICE detention facility US District Court Judge Benjamin Settle approved a motion to allow health inspections at the ICE detention center in Tacoma. This past week Washington State won two injunctions against The GEO Group. GEO Group is the company that manages the ICE detention center in Tacoma and has over 3,500 reports of unsafe conditions at their center. GEO has not allowed the Department of Health to enter the facility and carry out inspections for the last three years since it became law for Washington to conduct health and safety inspections of private facilities. Judge Settle granted both Washington state and the Department of Health requests for the injunctions. He ordered that The GEO Group must allow health and safety inspectors into the facility. STORY: Man gets blown halfway out of an airplane windowMore bad news for Boeing. A Ryanair flight made an emergency landing in Greece after a …
July 9, 2026 News Transcript
Both directions of I-5 near Alger to drop down to one lane of traffic beginning tonight, WCSO seeking information on whereabouts of missing hiker, Bellingham rock distributed on Saturday, Over 150 pounds of trash removed from Locust Beach following Fourth of July, Fire in North Cascades swells to over seven acres, County, State Dept. of Financial Institutions names new deputy director, State Superintendent proposes mandatory post-high school preparation courses Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestone Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, July, 9. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Both directions of I-5 near Alger to drop down to one lane of traffic beginning tonight Starting tonight, both directions of I-5 near Alger (AL-jer) will drop down to one lane of traffic. North and southbound I-5 will each be reduced to a single lane at 8 p.m. tonight for the next 15 days near the Alger-Lake Samish Road exits. This closure is part of the long-term construction project aimed at restoring fish passages underneath the freeway. By 2030, WASH-DOT will provide nearly 5 miles of new stream habitat for salmon and other aquatic wildlife. WASH-DOT says drivers should expect slowdowns as crossover lanes are established for the construction. Commercial trucks can detour to State Route 9, while passenger vehicles can use either State Route 9 or Chuckanut Drive. The southbound Alger-Lake Samish exit will remain closed until August 3rd. All I-5 lanes are scheduled to reopen by July 25th. STORY: WCSO seeking information on whereabouts of missing hiker The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is looking for information about an overdue hiker. Fifty-five-year-old Steven Dorsett was last heard from on June 24th after leaving the Canyon Creek Trailhead. He had planned to be gone for no longer than 10 days. Specific areas of interest include Hart’s Pass, Pasayten Trail, Big Craggy and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. Dorsett is believed to be carrying a green backpack, backpacking tent, and sleeping bag. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1. STORY: Bellingham rock distributed on Saturday If you want a piece of Bellingham history, this Saturday is your chance. WASH-DOT will give away more than 1,000 pieces of the former Bellingham Rock from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Civic Stadium parking lot. Assistant Regional Administrator Melissa Ambler had this to say. ROCK AUDIO 1 WSHDOT hopes Ambler says the realities of moving the 100 ton rock made relocation impossible. ROCK AUDIO 2b Why it broke One rock per person will be handed out during the first five hours. Those interested must fill out an online waiver before noon Friday to get one. WASH-DOT Communicator David Rasbach (RAZ-bach) explains. ROCK AUDIO 4 680 With only 400 pieces left, those who want a piece of the rock are encouraged to sign up by Friday. The agency says it hopes the keepsakes will help preserve the community’s connection to the unofficial welcome sign that stood for generations. STORY: Over 150 pounds of trash removed from Locust Beach following Fourth of July Volunteers removed over 150 pounds of trash from Locust Beach after the Fourth of July celebrations. Local nonprofit RE Sources organized the cleanup. Volunteers collected nearly 170 pounds of debris. Community engagement specialist Seth Mangold said that 53 volunteers showed up to Sunday’s beach cleanup – a higher turnout than usual. The environmental nonprofit Surfrider Foundation says July 5th is the “dirtiest beach day of the year”. This year, the foundation hosted 150 cleanups nationwide and prevented over 150-thousand pounds of garbage from going into the ocean. RE Sources works with Surfrider Foundation on several Whatcom beach cleanups each year, including the Fourth of July and Valentines Day. To minimize cleanup, the Surfrider Foundation encourages beachgoers to bring reusable dishes, opt for recyclable materials and pack out their trash after a celebration. STORY: Fire in North Cascades swells to over seven acres The largest of three wildfires currently burning in North Cascades National Park continues to spread. Now covering seven acres, the Luna fire is burning in steep, remote terrain along the Big Beaver Trail west of Ross Lake. The Warm Springs Wildland Fire Module, a team of firefighting specialists, continues to battle the blaze, with support from three helicopters. No injuries have been reported. The Luna Fire was likely triggered by a lightning storm that hit the Park on June 24th, though it was only discovered last week. Firefighters fully contained two other North Cascades blazes, the Rigby and Little Beaver Fires, this past weekend. No new closures or evacuations have been announced, but the Park Service urges visitors to check its Fire Closure page for up-to-date information on trail and camping restrictions. STORY: Paving work begins on SR 534 in southern Skagit County For the first time in 23 years, State Route 534 will get new paving. WSDOT says they began work yesterday on the state route connecting Conway with Lake McMurray. The work, which is weather-dependent and may be delayed whenever rain is forecasted, is expected to be finished by late August. STORY: State Dept. of Financial Institutions names new deputy director The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions has named Ali (AH-lee) Higgs as its new deputy director. Higgs has worked with the DFI for more than 20 years, most recently serving as director of the agency’s Consumer Services Division. DFI Director Charlie Clark says Higgs brings extensive knowledge of financial regulation and a commitment to protecting Washington consumers. Higgs will begin her new role on July 16th. STORY: State Superintendent proposes mandatory post-high school preparation courses Washington high schoolers may soon be required to take a post-high school planning course. The curriculum proposed by state superintendent Chris Reykdal (RIKE-doll) aims to fully prepare graduating seniors for their futures. The course would be one year long, combining the current civics requirement with instruction on financial literacy and career readiness. Senior students would be required to have a High School and Beyond Plan, which includes making a resume, applying to …
July 8, 2026 News Transcript
Capsizing boat in Bellingham Bay claims life of man aboard, One injured in Bellingham garage fire, Second person sentenced in case of last October’s fatal Guide Meridian shooting, Lynden property tax increase slated for November ballot, Ragnar Relay race likely to impact traffic along Puget Sound beginning this Friday, Representatives report proposed new Washington-Oregon bridge is cleared to begin construction, Yearly automatic gas tax increases scheduled, U.S. AG threatens Washington with federal prosecution should noncitizens vote in upcoming election, Yearly automatic gas tax increases scheduled, Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestone, F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July, 8. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Capsizing boat in Bellingham Bay claims life of man aboard A man died after his boat capsized in Bellingham Bay. Around 6 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a report of a capsized vessel with one person aboard Saturday evening, and issued an emergency broadcast to mariners in the area. Coast Guard and Bellingham Fire Department crews found him unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the Coast Guard Station in Bellingham. . STORY: One injured in Bellingham garage fire A garage fire in the Columbia neighborhood left one person injured. Bellingham Fire Department crews responding to Walnut Street Monday afternoon found a detached garage on fire, with flames spreading to a neighboring garage and the main house. Firefighters were able to stop the fire from spreading farther, but the garage was destroyed and the house was heavily damaged. One resident received a minor injury. Investigators believe the fire started from a wood-burning stove in the garage. STORY: Second person sentenced in case of last October’s fatal Guide Meridian shooting A second man has been sentenced for his role in a deadly gang-related drive-by shooting in Bellingham. Twenty-one-year-old Alan Ramos will serve just over four years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter and third-degree assault. The October 2025 shooting on the Guide Meridian killed 26-year-old Daytin Duronso-Harp and wounded another man. Ramos will also spend 18 months in community custody after his release. Earlier this year, his brother, 19-year-old Royelio Marquez (ROY-ell-ee-oh mar-KEZ), was sentenced to seven months in prison after pleading guilty to rendering criminal assistance. Investigators say both men knew the victims through gang affiliations, though court records do not identify a specific motive. STORY: Lynden property tax increase slated for November ballot Voters in Lynden will decide whether to increase property tax in the general election in November The Lynden City Council voted 5-1 on Monday to include the resolution on the ballot. If approved, the tax rate will go up by 50 cents to $1.54 per thousand dollars, based on the 2027 evaluation. For a $600,000 home, that’s an increase of about $300. Recently, budget issues have forced Lynden to make cuts to police and fire services despite rising demands. The city has also cut 10-percent of its workforce and City Hall is only open four days a week. The city said the additional revenue will allow it to restore staff funding, increase public safety and perform additional maintenance on parks and city streets. STORY: Ragnar Relay race likely to impact traffic along Puget Sound beginning this Friday Thousands of runners will hit the road Friday for the Annual Northwest Passage Ragnar Relay. The 194-mile course stretches from Blaine through Ferndale, Bellingham and Fairhaven, then across Whidbey Island to the finish in Langley. WSDOT (Wash-dot) is warning drivers to expect runners along I-5 from 5 a.m. Friday through 8 p.m. Saturday. Participants will also be on state routes 548, 11, 20 and 525, and near several I-5 crossings at Northwest Drive, North Lake Samish Drive and Nulle Road. Runners will remain on the shoulder of the freeway and must wear reflective gear and lights during overnight segments from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Advance warning signs will be posted along the course. For maps and additional details, visit the Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage website. STORY: Representatives report proposed new Washington-Oregon bridge is cleared to begin constructionThe replacement of the I-5 Bridge over the Columbia River has cleared a major hurdle. Federal officials have completed the project’s environmental review and issued the final Record of Decision, which allows construction to move forward. The project will replace the aging bridge with separate northbound and southbound spans, while adding improved transit service, expanded park-and-ride capacity, and interchange upgrades. Supporters say the project will strengthen freight movement, improve safety, and better connect Washington and Oregon for decades to come. Others point to the surging costs, now expected to top 14 billion dollars. To address those concerns, Washington and Oregon plan to share costs and focus on the bridge replacement, adding in other upgrades as funding becomes available. In addition, tolls will be collected starting July 1, 2028. STORY: Yearly automatic gas tax increases scheduledFilling up in Washington will get a little more expensive. On July 1st, the state’s gas tax increased by 2% to 56.5 cents per gallon. Lawmakers approved automatic yearly increases in 2025 to help keep pace with rising highway construction costs and shrinking gas tax revenue as vehicles become more fuel-efficient. Unless lawmakers change the law, the tax will continue to rise every year, and will reach more than 61 cents per gallon by 2030. STORY: U.S. AG threatens Washington with federal prosecution should noncitizens vote in upcoming election Federal authorities are warning Washington state officials they could face criminal prosecution if they fail to prevent noncitizens from voting in this year’s federal elections. In a letter sent Tuesday, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon told Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and other election officials that they could be held liable for knowingly keeping noncitizens on voter rolls. Election officials are being given five days to explain how they are complying with federal laws that prohibit noncitizens from voting. Hobbs said his office is reviewing the legality of the request and said the Justice Department is creating …
July 7, 2026 News Transcript
Brunswick Creek fire in BC casts smokey haze over WA, Bellingham initiative prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing officially passes signature certification, St. Joe’s reports a near-tripling of fireworks injuries over 4th of July weekend compared to 2025, Local housing market holds steady, but slow, Affordable housing comes online, Legal battle over ferry fares continues, Portion of Skagit River closed to all fishing through Thursday, State Dept. of Natural Resources making strong headway on preserving forested areas through prescribed burns, Member of WA Human Rights Commission resigns following accusations of antisemitism, Holiday weekend sees jump in firework-related incidents (already covered), F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July, 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Brunswick Creek fire in BC casts smokey haze over WA A large fire in Brunswick Creek casts a haze over Washington state. The fire became a concern on July 4th when intense winds increased the size and range of the fire in Brunswick Creek, about 50 north of Hope, B.C.. Evacuation Orders were put in place on Sunday for a large portion of the Fraser valley. The wildfire has continued to spread outside of the control line that the fire department established. As of today, 96 firefighters have been assigned to the area to handle the incident as well as 12 helicopters to provide water and other resources and other heavy machinery to manage the fire. STORY: Bellingham initiative prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing officially passes signature certification A ballot initiative limiting rent-setting software has qualified for the November Election. County Auditor Stacey Henthorn says Community First Whatcom submitted nearly 5,700 signatures, well above the 3,200 required. The petition was certified last Thursday. The initiative would prohibit landlords from using algorithmic software that analyzes rental market data and recommends rent prices, lease renewal terms or occupancy levels. It would also ban agreements between landlords to establish rental prices. The Bellingham City Council is expected to consider next week whether to place the measure on the November ballot. STORY: St. Joe’s reports a near-tripling of fireworks injuries over 4th of July weekend compared to 2025 Hospitals in Washington have reported an increase in firework-related injuries following the Fourth of July weekend. PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham says its emergency department treated 14 firework-related injuries over the weekend. That’s up from five patients treated last Fourth of July holiday. Harborview Medical Center in Seattle reported 86 people were treated for fireworks-related injuries, up from the 52 patients in 2025. Hospital officials say many of these injuries were severe and could have been prevented. STORY: One driver hospitalized following two-vehicle collision on Bow Hill Road A BC woman is in the hospital following a lane-change crash on Bow Hill Road The Washington State Patrol says both vehicles were headed north Monday when the first driver moved into the second lane. The other driver swerved onto the left shoulder to avoid her, but the two vehicles collided. Troopers say the first vehicle, driven by a 68‑year‑old woman from Coquitlam (ko-KWIT-lum), rolled onto its side and blocked the lane. She was taken to Skagit (SKA-jit) Valley Hospital. The second driver was not hurt. Troopers blame the crash on an improper lane change. STORY: Local housing market holds steady, but slowWhatcom County’s housing market remained relatively steady in the second quarter. Prices and sales did see modest increases compared to a year ago, but homes are taking significantly longer to sell—averaging 46 days on the market. Local realtors say higher mortgage rates and increased inventory are giving buyers more time to weigh their options. Meanwhile, Sudden Valley stood out as one of the county’s hottest markets, with home sales jumping more than 23 percent. STORY: Affordable housing comes onlineFamilies have started to move into the new affordable housing development near Bellis Fair Mall. The Opportunity Council says Cedar Commons will ultimately provide 129 affordable apartments and an early learning center with space for about 80 children. The first phase is now complete, with 65 units serving lower-income families. Construction is already underway on a second phase that will add 64 apartments for seniors by next summer. The City of Bellingham has invested just over $10 million toward the nearly $65 million project. STORY: Legal battle over ferry fares continuesA legal battle over fares for the Lummi Island ferry is headed into its next chapter. The Washington Court of Appeals has issued a split decision in a citizen lawsuit challenging how Whatcom County calculates fares for the Whatcom Chief. The lawsuit argues ferry users should only pay 55 percent of operating expenses, not capital projects. The court agreed—for the second time—that over 750-thousand dollars in ferry dock repairs are capital costs that cannot be passed on to riders through the fare box. But it also ruled that roughly 3-and-a-half million dollars in tideland lease payments can continue to be included in fares. Plaintiff Peter Earle says he plans to ask the court to reconsider the ruling and, if necessary, appeal to the Washington Supreme Court. STORY: Portion of Skagit River closed to all fishing through Thursday A portion of the Skagit (SKA-jit) River will be closed to all fishing through Thursday. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says part of the lower Skagit River will be closed to all fishing until Thursday, and again from July 13th through 15th. The closed area is from the State Route 536 bridge to Gilligan Creek. The closure allows WDFW to conduct research on salmon runs using SONAR, drift nets and fish tagging methods. Fishing will still be allowed in the area between Thursday and Saturday– with some restrictions. All salmon except sockeye must be released, and the daily catch limit is 4 sockeye. There will be additional periodic closures in the Skagit and Baker river areas during the upcoming tribal fisheries. For updates about closures, fishers can visit the WDFW website or download the Fish Washington app. STORY: State Dept. of Natural …
July 6, 2026 News Transcript
Hit-and-run by suspected inebriated driver claims life of pedestrian near Sedro-Woolley, Crews successfully battle fire near Luna Camp in North Cascades, Whatcom County deputies get a raise, Apartment building with no parking moves forward, Overnight lane striping to cause intermittent road closures this week, Gas prices drop in Whatcom, Environmentalist groups in WA sound alarm over proposed Canadian oil pipeline, Environmentalist groups in WA sound alarm over proposed Canadian oil pipeline, Holiday weekend sees jump in firework-related incidents, F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, July, 6. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Hit-and-run by suspected inebriated driver claims life of pedestrian near Sedro-Woolley A pedestrian was killed by a drunk driver in Sedro Woolley on Saturday. On July 4th at around two in the afternoon, 19-year-old Anahi Mendoza was hit by a vehicle travelling at excessive speeds near the intersection of Highway 20 and Township Street. According to reports, the driver fled the scene, while several witnesses assisted the victim. First responders arrived but they were unable to save Mendoza. Police located the suspect later that day. The driver was booked for DUI, vehicular homicide and driving on a suspended license. He has seventeen previous felony convictions in the state. STORY: Crews successfully battle fire near Luna Camp in North Cascades A new wildfire has been discovered in the North Cascades National Park Service Complex after last month’s lightning storm. The one-acre Luna fire is burning in steep, remote terrain southwest of Luna camp along Big Beaver trail. Firefighters were deployed Friday with helicopter support to continue suppression efforts. In the meantime, crews have completed suppression work on the three-quarter-acre Rigby Fire and continue to wrap up operations on the one-acre Little Beaver Fire. There are no closures or evacuations, and campfire restrictions remain in effect throughout the park. STORY: Whatcom County deputies get a raiseThe Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office now accounts for nearly a quarter of all county payroll. A review of county payroll data found the sheriff’s office is projected to spend about $28.5 million on employee compensation in 2026, the highest of any county department. The increase comes after the deputies’ union negotiated a 6% wage increase aimed at improving recruitment and retention— and as officials grapple with budget shortfalls. The sheriff’s office has grown from 194 full-time employees a decade ago to 225 today, while overtime and other compensation costs have climbed sharply. Nearly $5 million in 2025 compensation is classified as “other pay,” which includes longevity pay, leave payouts and specialty premiums. Overtime has also doubled since 2019 to roughly $2 million, with staffing shortages at the Whatcom County Jail driving much of the increase. Union officials argue competitive wages are necessary to attract and retain qualified deputies as neighboring counties increase pay. Meanwhile, county leaders continue weighing potential layoffs and service reductions to address projected budget deficits. STORY: Apartment building with no parking moves forward An apartment building with no parking lot is proposed for development on Samish Way. A 54-unit studio apartment building is the latest build planned for the Samish Way Urban Village. A 2019 development plan for the area mentions its central placement within the WTA transit system and describes plans to make it more pedestrian and bike friendly. The lack of parking is part of recent initiatives in the state that aim to prioritize building affordable housing, and incentivize residents to rely less on cars and reduce their carbon emissions. A state senate bill passed last year removed mandatory parking for new buildings less than 12-hundred square feet starting in 2027. Last year, Bellingham City Council passed an ordinance in alignment with the state, removing minimum parking requirements in the city. Legislators say that planned parking adds unnecessary costs to construction and discourages other modes of transportation. STORY: Overnight lane striping to cause intermittent road closures this week Public Works crews will carry out overnight lane striping projects on roads throughout Whatcom County this week. The operation began Sunday evening, and will continue every night through July 9th from 8:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., weather permitting. Other teams will chip seal on county roads during roughly the same hours. The County is asking motorists to slow down, keep a careful eye out for workers and equipment, and avoid the fresh paint. Drivers should also prepare for intermittent delays or temporary closures. STORY: Downtown Ferndale fire station now operating with around-the-clock staffing A fire station in downtown Ferndale is now fully staffed around-the-clock. Whatcom Fire District 7 said Station 41 is now staffed 24/7 with at least 3 firefighters. This addition will make response times quicker near downtown and the freeway, which are typically the busiest areas. District 7 Chief Ben Boyko estimates response times will be 4 to 5 minutes quicker than before. In 2025, a levy was voted in by Ferndale residents that guaranteed funding to support the staffing increase, add sleeping quarters and update older fire equipment. Station 41 is now the fifth fully-staffed fire station in District 7. STORY: Gas prices drop in Whatcom Gas prices have dropped in our region. According to AAA, Whatcom County averages 4 dollars and 86 cents per gallon which is lower than the state average of 5 dollars and 3 cents per gallon. The new price reflects a 65 cent decrease compared to June. The current average price in Bellingham is 4 dollars and 71 cents per gallon. STORY: Environmentalist groups in WA sound alarm over proposed Canadian oil pipeline The province of Alberta has announced plans for a new crude oil pipeline that would carry up to one million barrels of oil per day to Canada’s West Coast. Environmental groups in Washington say the project would significantly increase the risk of oil spills in the Salish Sea, and increase harm to endangered marine wildlife. Alberta’s pipeline website states that marine wildlife protection will be a priority in the project’s design and operation, including the use of …
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: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, July 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: 4th of JulyHappy 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 partnerMore 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 …
July 2, 2026 News Transcript
Technology firm announces layoff of 75 workers at Bellingham location, Schweinhaus owner charged with felonies, WCSO seeking information on whereabouts of missing hiker, Earthquake detected in Oak Harbor, Average hourly wage in Bellingham tops national average, One more chance to weigh in on City Comp Plan, Rep. Larsen announces Port of Bellingham to receive over $23 million in federal funding as part of BUILD grant program, Whatcom and Skagit offered nearly $6 million in state Dept. of Ecology grants for water quality projects, Twenty-one arrests made in multi-agency investigation into child sexual abuse in Snohomish County, Governor, AG, and state legislators all receive seven percent pay raises this year, F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, July, 2. Good afternoon, I’m ______—- happy Canada Day to our neighbors across the line. STORY: Technology firm announces layoff of 75 workers at Bellingham location 75 workers at Alpha Technologies Services in Bellingham will lose their jobs at the end of August. The Washington State Employment Security Department received notification yesterday that the company will close its Bellingham facility. Open since 1975 with locations around the world, Alpha Technologies also laid off 77 workers at its Spokane branch two years ago. The other locations will remain open. STORY: Schweinhaus owner charged with feloniesThe owner of Schweinhaus Biergarten in Bellingham is facing multiple felony charges related to selling alcohol from a brewery he previously owned. Brandon Bates set up Formula Brewing in Issaquah in partnership with Danial Bohm in 2018, but the brewery eventually went into receivership due to disagreement between the two. Prosecutors allege Bates used brewery funds to buy expensive spirits that were never delivered to the business, which resulted in losses estimated at about $125,000. Bates was charged June 25 with theft, identity theft, possession of stolen property, and trafficking in stolen property. He is scheduled to be arraigned in King County Superior Court on July 13. Bates has not publicly commented on the allegations. STORY: WCSO seeking information on whereabouts of missing hiker A Canadian hiker has been reported missing in the South Twin area of the Twin Sisters. 34-year-old Gursimran Singh, also known as Randawa, was expected home four days ago. His white Toyota Tacoma was found on the Middle Fork Road. Bellingham Mountain Rescue is looking for him and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office has asked anyone who might have seen him to call 911. STORY: Earthquake detected in Oak HarborA small earthquake rattled parts of northwest Washington overnight. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded 3-point-8 magnitude tremors just after 11:30 p.m. The epicenter was near Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, about 30 miles south of Whatcom County. The quake was reportedly felt from Everett to Bellingham. There were no reports of damage, according to the state Emergency Management Division. STORY: Average hourly wage in Bellingham tops national average Workers in Bellingham receive a higher hourly wage than the national average. Bellingham’s average hourly wage in May 2025 was thirty-four dollars and twenty-nine cents, compared to the national average of thirty-three dollars and fifty-four cents. Higher paying occupational groups in Bellingham include management, healthcare practitioners and technical, and computer and mathematical. Lower paying groups are building and grounds cleaning and maintenance, food preparation and serving related, and healthcare support. STORY: One more chance to weigh in on City Comp PlanResidents will have one more chance to weigh in on the future growth of Whatcom County next week. Whatcom County Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, July 14th on major updates to the county’s Comprehensive Plan, development regulations and zoning maps. State law requires counties to update those plans every ten years to prepare for the next two decades of growth. The changes help guide decisions on housing, transportation, jobs, agriculture, natural resources and climate policy. The hearing begins at six p.m. in Council Chambers and will also be available online through Zoom. Written comments can be submitted directly to the County Council ahead of the meeting. STORY: Rep. Larsen announces Port of Bellingham to receive over $23 million in federal funding as part of BUILD grant program The Port of Bellingham will receive a sizeable grant from the US Department of Transportation. Representative Rick Larsen said the 23-and-a-half-million dollar grant is designed to help rebuild infrastructure and create jobs. The Port will use the funding to continue restoring its aging shipping terminal by strengthening deck loading capacity and upgrading a mooring system as part of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal North Pier rehabilitation project. The project’s completion will move the Port closer to its goal of operating at significantly increased volume, improving both movement of goods and worker safety, which should lead in turn to more local jobs. STORY: Whatcom and Skagit offered nearly $6 million in state Dept. of Ecology grants for water quality projects Millions of dollars in state funding are headed to Whatcom County for clean water and wastewater projects next year. The Washington State Department of Ecology announced its list of 2027 grants and low-interest loans, which include funding for several projects across the county. Among the largest local projects is a $2.4 million loan to the Lummi Nation Water and Sewer District for long-term improvements to its wastewater collection and treatment system. Whatcom County Water District 13 will also receive a $1.5 million loan to help design a new wastewater treatment facility in Maple Falls. Other local grants will support stream restoration, fish habitat improvements and efforts to reduce pollution in local waterways. STORY: Twenty-one arrests made in multi-agency investigation into child sexual abuse in Snohomish County A child sex abuse sting operation in Snohomish County has led to the arrest of twenty-one individuals. Of those detained, eighteen are from Washington. The three others are from Texas, Mississippi, and Mexico. Individuals are between the ages of twenty-two and sixty-five, and all are accused of sexual abuse and exploitation of children. “Operation Guardian” was led by the Washington State Patrol’s Missing …
July 1, 2026 News Transcript
U.S. Supreme Court rejects executive order, upholds birthright citizenship, WSDOT speed camera fines to increase today, Thousands lose internet service after RV fire in Lynden, Data breach at DSHS may have jeopardized records of thousands of WA residents, State Water Supply Availability Committee reports likely worsening drought conditions in near future, Ferguson joins group of eleven western state governors endorsing unified approach to revamping power grids, F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July, 1. Good afternoon, I’m ______—- happy Canada Day to our neighbors across the line. STORY: U.S. Supreme Court rejects executive order, upholds birthright citizenship The Supreme Court of the United States struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order denying birthright citizenship to children born to parents without permanent legal status. In a 6-3 decision, the Court decided it violated the 14th Amendment, which has long been interpreted to grant citizenship to all children born on American soil. The Court said a constitutional amendment would be needed to enact Trump’s order. On Truth Social, Trump called on Congress to start working on legislation ending birthright citizenship. STORY: WSDOT speed camera fines to increase today Speed camera fines in work zones will increase today. First-time violations will now cost offenders 125 dollars, and all subsequent violations will cost 248 dollars. The increase comes after 85-thousand infractions were issued last year across the state – 77-thousand of which were first-time offenders. The speed cameras will rotate through different work sites, and are meant to change driver behavior and improve safety for work crews and others on the road. The cameras only record speeding vehicles when work crews are present on site. Since 2020, Washington has averaged over 13-hundred work zone accidents per year. Research from the state shows the cameras to be effective in reducing drivers’ speed. Work zones can be active during the day or at night—- WSHDOT (WASH-dot) says drivers should be cautious and always consider them active. STORY: Thousands lose internet service after RV fire in Lynden Thousands of Xfinity customers in Lynden lost internet service Monday night after a fire damaged a utility pole. Cascadia Daily News reports North Whatcom Fire and Rescue responded just after 10 p.m. to an abandoned fifth-wheel trailer near Enterprise Road. The RV was aflame, and it took about 45 minutes to put the fire out. Fire officials say a nearby utility pole was damaged after a fiber-optic cable caught fire. Internet service was restored to the area around noon Tuesday. Puget Sound Energy confirmed there were no power outages in the area, but said communication lines were damaged. STORY: Data breach at DSHS may have jeopardized records of thousands of WA residents Thousands of Washington residents may have had their personal records exposed during a state agency’s data breach. The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services says it discovered in March that an employee had accessed personal information of its clients for non-work related reasons. KOMO News reports that the employee accessed over 85-hundred records during the breach. The compromised information included names, dates of birth, social security numbers and the types of services people received. DSHS says no specific information such as diagnosis, chart notes or treatments were retrieved. The employee was terminated from the agency. DSHS is reaching out to anyone whose information may have been viewed, and recommended all clients monitor their financial accounts for suspicious activity. The department is cooperating fully with law enforcement agencies during the ongoing investigation. STORY: State Water Supply Availability Committee reports likely worsening drought conditions in near future El Niño is here, and the state warns that it could cause a warmer, drier winter in Washington. Although El Niño doesn’t usually affect summer temperatures in the Pacific Northwest, the Department of Ecology says it usually creates warmer winters and poor snowpack. Add in an early melt-off in the spring, as well as a predicted hotter-than-normal summer and you have lower streamflows through September. The department says there’s a 63% chance El Niño will be classified as very strong by winter, which means sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific will rise by at least two degrees Celsius. However, there’s still some uncertainty about what all of this will mean for the coming winter. Generally, a very strong El Niño can result in extremely low snowfall, but Washington’s past three very strong El Niño events had normal to above normal snowpack levels. STORY: Ferguson joins group of eleven western state governors endorsing unified approach to revamping power grids Governor Bob Ferguson has joined a bipartisan coalition of Western governors to modernize the region’s energy grid. 11 governors signed an agreement Tuesday that establishes a multi-state task force to speed up permitting for new transmission lines and improve coordination across the West. The effort is intended to expand the aging grid to meet growing electricity demand and improve reliability during extreme weather events. According to the coalition, much of the power system was built 60 years ago, and the current permitting process for new transmission lines can take up to 15 years. They say the new partnership will speed up this process and get transmission projects built more quickly. WX: A Magic: The Gathering Tournament And now for the weather: Expect high amounts of cloud cover throughout the remainder of today, with the possibility of the odd rain shower here and there. Temperatures should remain steadily in the mid to high 60s during daytime hours, dropping down into the mid-50s by nightfall. Tomorrow, look for some light morning showers, before breaking into some partial sunshine later in the afternoon. 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 …
June 30, 2026 News Transcript
Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of deliberately setting fire to own apartment, Bellingham woman arrested after allegedly pepper-spraying acquaintance and stealing their car, Initiative banning algorithmic rental price fixing reportedly receives more than enough support to proceed to ballot, Officials report minimal fire behavior on four ongoing blazes in North Cascades National Park, State fire mobilization authorized for Lambdin fire, Dept. of Ecology issues postcards reminding visitors to beware of asbestos hazards near Sumas Mountain, U.S. Supreme Court to revisit challenge to WA runaway youth law previously dismissed in 2023, F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June, 30. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of deliberately setting fire to own apartment A man was arrested on suspicion of setting his Barkley Village apartment on fire. Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy says officers responded to reports of smoke coming out of the Sunset Drive apartment Friday afternoon. Several items on fire were found inside. Surveillance cameras showed the tenant, a 53-year-old man, leaving the apartment just before the smoke was noticed. He looked around and then hid behind a nearby garage before running away. He has several outstanding DUI warrants, and has been booked into the Whatcom County Jail for first-degree arson and malicious mischief. STORY: Bellingham woman arrested after allegedly pepper-spraying acquaintance and stealing their car In more crime news, a Bellingham woman is in custody after pepper-spraying a man and stealing his car. Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy says officers were called to Northwest Avenue Friday morning. The victim was allegedly sprayed in the face by a female acquaintance, who then took off in his hatchback. State Patrol troopers later found the stolen car on Marine Drive. They also learned that the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Grace Cooper, had an active warrant from the Department of Corrections. Law enforcement surrounded a nearby home and took Cooper into custody without incident. Probable cause was established for first‑degree robbery, second‑degree assault, and motor‑vehicle theft. Cooper was booked into the Whatcom County Jail. STORY: Initiative banning algorithmic rental price fixing reportedly receives more than enough support to proceed to ballot A ban on using algorithms to determine rent may proceed to November’s general election ballot. Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn said her office received nearly 57-hundred signatures — over 2-thousand more than needed for the item to be included. Organizers say they want to stop landlords from using paid-for algorithms that use data to determine rent and the terms of leases. The county auditor’s office will start verifying the signatures today. They hope to have that process completed by Thursday. STORY: Officials report minimal fire behavior on four ongoing blazes in North Cascades National Park Cool temperatures and traces of airborne moisture have helped keep four active fires in check. All four broke out in the steep and forested areas north of Little Beaver Creek and west of Ross Lake. Warmer and drier weather should arrive by the weekend, along with the fire dangers that always come with the July 4th holiday. Presently, campfires, fire pits and barbecues remain banned throughout the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Campers may use lanterns, grills or stoves fueled by gas or propane, as long as no flammable material is within three feet of the device. The forest service asks everyone to use common sense, follow the rules, and help the firefighters who are risking their lives to keep us all safe. STORY: State fire mobilization authorized for Lambdin fire State fire assistance is supporting local firefighters in their containment of the Lambdin fire in Walla Walla County. It’s unknown what caused the fire that broke out yesterday morning. The blaze is estimated at 15-hundred acres, and is burning agricultural crops and parts of the Mid-Columbia Wildlife Refuge. The fire is threatening homes, power infrastructure and standing wheat. Level 3 evacuations are currently in place for the area. STORY: Dept. of Ecology issues postcards reminding visitors to beware of asbestos hazards near Sumas Mountain If you are going to Swift Creek or Sumas River, be aware of asbestos in the sediment. The state Department of Ecology says material from the Sumas Mountain landslide is washing downstream. In dry weather, the asbestos may become airborne, posing risks of cancer and lung disease. Ecology advises people to avoid the area entirely. 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 blocking 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 nearly 6-million-dollar project will open up about two miles of upstream habitat for salmon and other fish. Work is expected to be completed by mid-October. STORY: U.S. Supreme Court to revisit challenge to WA runaway youth law previously dismissed in 2023 The U.S. Supreme Court announced it will revisit the legality of a Washington law that protects runaway transgender youth. A 2023 state senate bill expanded the list of compelling reasons a child could use to justify running away without legal repercussions. Under the law, emergency shelters are not required to notify parents when children run away to seek gender-affirming care or reproductive services. Conservative group America First Legal challenged the bill; lower courts dismissed their argument. The Supreme Court will revisit the law’s constitutionality and review related runaway laws in the state. Opponents of the law say it violates their parental constitutional rights, while advocates argue it protects children from abuse or neglect while they pursue gender-affirming care. Attorney General Nick Brown’s office pointed to lower court rulings upholding the law, and said they are …
