INTROIndependent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for [Friday], [May 26th]. Good afternoon,I’m __. STORY: CAPITAL GAINS TAX BRINGS IN MORE THAN EXPECTEDThe new capital gains tax to help fund education in the state could bringin over three times more than expected. The Seattle Times reports that the capital gains tax, which was passed in2021, was given the green light from the state supreme court in Marchdespite legal challenges. The seven percent tax on the sale or exchange of stocks, bonds andother assets that are valued above two hundred and fifty thousanddollars will fund K through 12 and early education, and help build andrepair schools. The legislature first thought that the tax might bring in about twohundred and forty eight million dollars, but so far it’s brought in overeight hundred million. The first five hundred million of the tax will go to the Education LegacyTrust Account for the benefit of public schools. Excess goes towardschool construction projects. STORY: FENTANYL DEALER ARRESTEDThe Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has announced the arrest of 35-year-old Daniel Little for possession and distribution of fentanyl. The Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force began investigating Littleearlier this month and received a warrant to search the room at theBellingham Motel 6 where Little was suspected to be operating.After arresting Little, detectives found over 500-suspected fentanyl-laced pills, suspected fentanyl powder, scales, a loaded 9mm handgunand roughly $800 cash. Little was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on May 24. He is beingcharged with Delivery of a Controlled substance, Possession of aControlled Substance with intent to deliver, and unlawful possession of afirearm. STORY: BELLINGHAM MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FENTANYL SALESIn more drug task force news, Jeffrey Loren Eagleman, a 32-year-oldresident of Bellingham, has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges inWhatcom County Superior Court, following a criminal narcoticsinvestigation. According to court records, the investigation began after a high-speedpursuit involving Washington State Patrol troopers. Eagleman facedfelony charges in three cases as well as felony harassment charges forthreatening a domestic violence victim. On May 11th, he was sentenced to almost 6 years in prison. Eaglemanhas prior felony convictions for child molestation, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, assault with a deadly weapon, and failure toregister as a sex offender. STORY: NEW STATE STREET CREAMERY BUILDING PROJECTAccording to a story published by the Bellingham Herald, a new five-story mixed use building has been proposed in downtown Bellingham.The State Street Creamery project begins with the demolition of the olddairy building at 820 N. State Street where a new combination rentalhousing and commercial space will be built.Pricing for the apartments has not been set, though according to ScarletPonder, an employee of the RJ group who is managing the project, unitswill be market rate with no affordable units expected.The project will contribute to Whatcom County’s goal of creating almost35,000 new units by 2044, however, according to Bellingham PlanningDirector Blake Lyon, the city needs about 22 thousand Affordable unitsto answer current demand. Housing is considered affordable when it does NOT exceed 30% of afamily’s income, and serves those making 80% or less of the area’smedian income. According to the latest U.S. census, that’s roughly 56thousand dollars in Bellingham.The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. STORY: WNS Wetlands Protections GuttedThe United States Supreme Court has handed down a decision that willeliminate protections for some wetland areas. Before, these areas wereprotected under the federal Clean Water Act. Eric Tegethoff has thestory.[Audio: 1:50s] STORY: FREE AND CHEAP EVENTSNow for KMRE’s free and cheap things to do this weekend! Tonight, kickoff Ski to Sea weekend with Boundary Bay Brewery’s blockparty featuring live music and a fish fry; proceeds of the event benefitthe Bellingham Food Bank. It goes from 4 to 10 p.m. Tomorrow, wave at KMRE’s float in the Whatcom Memorial Day Paradein downtown Bellingham. Starting at noon, the parade will begin atAlabama and Cornwall and move south into downtown. On Lummi Island this weekend, the Spring Artists’ Studio Tour will befrom 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Over 30 artists andcrafters will show off their skills including painting, metalwork andquilting. A map of the tour can be found at lummi dash island dot com. The Nooksack tribe is holding its annual Nooksack Days Canoe Race atBloedel Donovan park on Lake Whatcom this Saturday and Sunday,starting at 11. They’ll also be hosting a Coast Salish music jam session at the BloedelDonovan multipurpose room from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday evening. Sunday marks 50 years of Ski to Sea, the multisport relay race spanningMount Baker to Bellingham Bay. Accompanying Ski to Sea is the huge Fairhaven Festival, with live music,food and artisan vendors taking up the streets of Fairhaven from 11 a.m.to 7 p.m. On Monday, the American Legion of Bellingham will hold twoceremonies in honor of Memorial Day, the first is at 8:45 in the morningat Memorial Park on King Street. The second is 11 a.m. at BayviewCemetery. WX:Today’s forecast says we can expect sunny skies in Bellingham allweekend long. Today a high of 75 will reach town at around 3pm thisafternoon, followed by a low of 52 into the evening. Tomorrow will be sunny with spots of clouds, a high of 68 during the daywith another low around 51 in the evening.For the rest of Memorial Day weekend be prepared for temperaturespeaking in the high 60s. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and QuestenInghram. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m,and on demand at kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please sendan email to news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofitcommunity radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m___________ and thanks for listening.
MAY 22, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPT
INTROIndependent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for [Monday], [May 22nd]. Good afternoon, I’m__. STORY: LUMMI NATION AGAINST PORT OF VANCOUVER EXPANSION The Lummi Nation has released a statement against the approval of theRoberts Bank Terminal 2, a marine container terminal project of the Port ofVancouver. The Lummi Nation says that the port’s expansion will impacttheir ability to revitalize their salmon fisheries and that their rights were notconsidered during the approval. The Supreme Court of Canada found in a 2021 ruling that a Washingtonresident with Canadian First Nations heritage could not be fined for shootingan elk without a license, as he was exercising constitutionally protectedaboriginal rights, despite being an American citizen. Lummi Nation officials say that this ruling means they also have aboriginalrights under the Canadian Constitution, since their traditional territoryincludes southern British Columbia. The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project is projected to increase WesternCanada’s shipping container capacity by one third, according to the Port ofVancouver. STORY: DRONE WILL SPRAY PESTICIDES IN SKAGIT WILDLIFE AREAStarting today, the Department of Fish and Wildlife will take to the skies intheir efforts against noxious weeds. A contractor will fly a drone to identifyinvasive plants in wetlands in the Skagit Wildlife Area and the drone will beable to spray herbicides in areas unreachable by people on the ground. The drone will target invasive cattails and reed canary grass, as well asother noxious weeds.Flights will occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through June, weatherpermitting. STORY: WEDNESDAY MARKET CANCELEDThe Bellingham Farmers Market announced that the Wednesday Market ison pause as we enter the summer due to a lack of sales.The Bellingham farmers market hosted a mid-week market in 2021 and2022 on the waterfront. According to organizers the mid-week market hadstruggled to make enough to maintain itself. Saying that Quote: We want to ensure that any market we organize, honors the hard work it takes for ourvendors to make their products available. End Quote.The Bellingham farmers market will continue to operate on Saturdaymornings every week. STORY: LUMMI, OTHER TRIBES TO HOST FENTANYL SUMMITBeginning today, the Lummi nation is hosting a two-day summit to discussfentanyl use and how the crisis is affecting all tribes in Washington State.The Lummi Nation Public Health Department reported that in 2023, eightypercent80% of emergency room visits and Emergency Medical Servicesrelated to substance abuse were directly related to fentanyl.During the summit, tribes from all corners of Washington will discuss topicslike fentanyl treatment, recovery, prevention, housing and community needs.Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and their staff areattending the summit as well.Lummi Nation is hosting another summit in August with representatives ofthe federal government. STORY: WA CAREGIVERSThe state legislature has set aside money to help fund a critical-yet-underpaid service: at-home caregiving. Eric Tegethoff has the story. WNS AUDIO WX:And now, here’s today’s weather. This week we’re going to see a bit coolerweather. A high of 63 degrees is on the way today, this afternoon we canexpect mostly cloudy weather with passing showers in the afternoon.Tomorrow, a high of 63 is on the way with a mixture of clear skies, sun andspots of rain. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and QuestenInghram. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m, and ondemand at kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please send an email tonews@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radiostation, powered by listener donations. I’m ___________ andthanks for listening.
MAY 19, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPT
INTROIndependent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for [Monday], [May 22nd]. Good afternoon, I’m__. STORY: LUMMI NATION AGAINST PORT OF VANCOUVER EXPANSION The Lummi Nation has released a statement against the approval of theRoberts Bank Terminal 2, a marine container terminal project of the Port ofVancouver. The Lummi Nation says that the port’s expansion will impacttheir ability to revitalize their salmon fisheries and that their rights were notconsidered during the approval. The Supreme Court of Canada found in a 2021 ruling that a Washingtonresident with Canadian First Nations heritage could not be fined for shootingan elk without a license, as he was exercising constitutionally protectedaboriginal rights, despite being an American citizen. Lummi Nation officials say that this ruling means they also have aboriginalrights under the Canadian Constitution, since their traditional territoryincludes southern British Columbia. The Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project is projected to increase WesternCanada’s shipping container capacity by one third, according to the Port ofVancouver. STORY: DRONE WILL SPRAY PESTICIDES IN SKAGIT WILDLIFE AREAStarting today, the Department of Fish and Wildlife will take to the skies intheir efforts against noxious weeds. A contractor will fly a drone to identifyinvasive plants in wetlands in the Skagit Wildlife Area and the drone will beable to spray herbicides in areas unreachable by people on the ground. The drone will target invasive cattails and reed canary grass, as well asother noxious weeds.Flights will occur between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through June, weatherpermitting. STORY: WEDNESDAY MARKET CANCELEDThe Bellingham Farmers Market announced that the Wednesday Market ison pause as we enter the summer due to a lack of sales.The Bellingham farmers market hosted a mid-week market in 2021 and2022 on the waterfront. According to organizers the mid-week market hadstruggled to make enough to maintain itself. Saying that Quote: We want to ensure that any market we organize, honors the hard work it takes for ourvendors to make their products available. End Quote.The Bellingham farmers market will continue to operate on Saturdaymornings every week. STORY: LUMMI, OTHER TRIBES TO HOST FENTANYL SUMMITBeginning today, the Lummi nation is hosting a two-day summit to discussfentanyl use and how the crisis is affecting all tribes in Washington State.The Lummi Nation Public Health Department reported that in 2023, eightypercent80% of emergency room visits and Emergency Medical Servicesrelated to substance abuse were directly related to fentanyl.During the summit, tribes from all corners of Washington will discuss topicslike fentanyl treatment, recovery, prevention, housing and community needs.Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, and their staff areattending the summit as well.Lummi Nation is hosting another summit in August with representatives ofthe federal government. STORY: WA CAREGIVERSThe state legislature has set aside money to help fund a critical-yet-underpaid service: at-home caregiving. Eric Tegethoff has the story. WNS AUDIO WX:And now, here’s today’s weather. This week we’re going to see a bit coolerweather. A high of 63 degrees is on the way today, this afternoon we canexpect mostly cloudy weather with passing showers in the afternoon.Tomorrow, a high of 63 is on the way with a mixture of clear skies, sun andspots of rain. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and QuestenInghram. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m, and ondemand at kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please send an email tonews@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radiostation, powered by listener donations. I’m ___________ andthanks for listening.
MAY 18, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPT
INTROIndependent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for [Thursday], [May 18th]. Good afternoon,I’m __. STORY: GOOGLE TO PAY $40 MIL IN FERGUSON LAWSUITWashington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today thatGoogle must pay $39.9 million to Washington state for misleading usersover location tracking practices.The lawsuit alleges that consumers were led to believe that they couldcontrol the ways that Google collects and uses their location information. Inreality, consumers could not prevent Google from collecting, storing orprofiting from their data.In May of 2022 Google attempted unsuccessfully to have the casedismissed.After the announcement by the court Ferguson praised the decision. Saying,quote “Today’s resolution holds one of the most powerful corporationsaccountable for its unethical and unlawful tactics.” STORY: WHITE HOUSE TO ADDRESS SEATTLE HOMELESS CRISIS The White House announced today that it will help Seattle address itshomelessness crisis as part of a national effort to reduce the number ofpeople without homes by 25 percent within two years. The Seattle Times reports that the federal initiative, called All INside, willalso partner with California, Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix.Federal liaisons will help the cities strategize and navigate available federalfunding. STORY: ARTIST CONVICTED OF SELLING FAKE NATIVE ARTU.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced today that Jerry Chris Van Dyke akaJerry Witten, was sentenced to 18 months of federal probation for falselyrepresenting himself as someone of Native American heritage. An investigation into his business practices began in 2019 when the IndianArts and Crafts Board received a complaint that Van Dyke was representinghimself as a member of the Nez Perce tribe, when he was not enrolled as atribal member.At the hearing, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin said that this was not just asingle instance of misrepresentation, but that Van Dyke had beenundermining not only those with native identities but the community as awhole. In response to the verdict, Shannon F. Wheeler, Chair of the tribe said thatNez Perce artwork is part of who they are and that selling fake nativeAmerican artwork devalues indigenous people.Van Dyke pleaded guilty to the Misrepresentation of Indian Produced Goodsand Products in March 2023. STORY: DOH LAUNCHES PFA DASHBOARDThe Washington State Department of Health has launched a new dashboardto help landowners and concerned citizens monitor toxic PFAS or “foreverchemicals”. INdustrial usage of PFAS began in the 1940’s and they have continued to bemanufactured since the 1950s. Used for waterproofing, non-stick, and fireresistant coatings in a variety of materials they were discovered to be toxicstarting in the 1970’s. The chemicals were banned in the U.S in 2016 afterscientists proved the build up of the chemicals in fish and wildlife was toxicto living things. The Seattle Times reports that record levels of PFAs were recently found inthe drinking water of a San Juan Island community. Story: Millworks Ground Breaking This past April the Millworks project broke ground in downtown Bellingham.The project is entering its first phase of construction now, a full year aheadof schedule.Mauri Ingram, the president and CEO of Whatcom Community Foundation,explained that the Millworks project has been developing for over a decade. [Audio: “Millworks Began” 17s) Building alongside many longstanding goals for Whatcom County. Theproject has now been fully funded and will begin with the construction of 83permanent affordable homes. 45 will be 2 and 3 bedroom homes designedfor families. 10% of the units will serve families who lack permanent housingthrough a referral program with the Bellingham Opportunity Council.Ingram believes that the opportunity that they’ve gotten here is significantand unique.[Audio: “Redeveloping” 25s]20% of the units are also designated for community members who aredifferently-abled, and the structure will include onsite educational programsfor residents including 6 classrooms operated by the YMCA, that will serveas an Early Learning Center for the community.Ingram explained that the Early Learning Center will be available foreveryone, not just residents of the Millworks. Going on to say that by creating housing where people live and work, the project hopes to createmore time to spend with family, and less coming and going from wherepeople need to be. The Community Foundation is planning to open the Millworks for occupancyin April of next year. Phase 2 will begin soon after, with emphasis onbringing more businesses and art to the area. The WCF plans to finishphase 2 no later than the end of 2026. STORY: FRIDAY BIKE TO WORK AND SCHOOL DAYBe sure to inflate your tires tonight, because tomorrow is Bike to Work andSchool Day. Businesses across the city will host celebration stationshanding out free treats to passing cyclists. A scavenger hunt will starttomorrow, and if you complete it, you could win a prize at Trackside Brewingat 5 p.m., including a gift card to El Sueñito Brewing and a gift basket fromTrader Joes.For more information, visit bike to work and school day dot org. WX:And now, here’s today’s weather. This afternoon it’s more of the same, witha bit of haze on top. Expect temps in the low 70s today with a high of 72 around 3 – 4pm. Tonight it’s going to cool off a bit, reaching a low of 54 withclear skies. Tomorrow, more of the same is on the way. Bellingham will reach a high of72 tomorrow, accompanied by lots of sunshine with spots of clouds. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and QuestenInghram. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m, andon demand at kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please send an emailto news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit communityradio station, powered by listener donations. I’m___________ and thanks for listening.
MAY 17, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPT
INTROIndependent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for [Wednesday], [May 17th]. Good afternoon,I’m __. STORY: SPECIAL SESSION ENDS IN ONE DAYState lawmakers came together on a plan yesterday to make drug use anddrug possession a gross misdemeanor in the state. KUOW reports that the special session ended in just one day, with GovernorJay Inslee signing the bill not long after it was passed. Under the new law,first and second time offenses would be given a maximum penalty of 180days in jail and up to a thousand dollar fine. On the third offense, it would goup to 364 days in jail. A State Supreme Court decision had effectively decriminalized drugpossession and public use in 2021 when it struck down the state’s felonystatute as unconstitutional. A temporary law was set to expire in July. STORY: SETH FLEETWOOD TO RUN FOR REELECTIONBellingham Mayor Seth Fleetwood has announced he will run for reelection. Fleetwood is an attorney who served on the Whatcom County Council andthe Bellingham City Council before he was elected as mayor in 2020 andbegan his position not long before the pandemic. He says his work while in office to maintain essential public services,address the housing affordability and homelessness crisis, and promotebusiness growth has improved livability in the city. Among his challengers for the position are Kim Lund, former director of theBellingham Public Schools Foundation; Mike McAuley, a former portcommissioner; and Chris McCoy, who founded Kombucha Town. STORY: ALICIA RULE ANNOUNCES RUN FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE Washington State Representative Alicia Rule has announced her run forcounty executive. Alicia Rule has been elected twice to represent the 42ndlegislative district, which covers most of Whatcom County, and has beenserving since 2020. Rule previously worked as a mental health worker and owns a smalltherapy practice. She served as a city councilmember in Blaine and aspresident of the Blaine Downtown Development Association. She says she wants to address homelessness and increase behavioralhealth support in the county. Rule joins incumbent Satpal Sidhu and county councilmember BarryBuchanan in the race for county executive. STORY: SKAGIT DIALYSIS CLINIC MANAGER CONVICTED OF FRAUDThe manager of two dialysis centers in Skagit county was sentenced to 30months in prison today.U.S. Attorney Nick Brown announced that Jeanne Ang Rather, 51, a formerWashington resident, was sentenced today to 30 months in prison. Rather ischarged with Aggravated Identity Theft and Bank Fraud.In May 2021 Rather was indicted for stealing personal information from atleast 10 people who worked under her between September 2019 and March STORY: B.C. SENDS CANCER PATIENTS TO BELLINGHAMStarting May 29th, BC Cancer will temporarily refer eligible patients to clinicsin Bellingham. The initiative is aimed at reducing wait times and increasing capacity forradiation treatments. The program hopes to support up to 50 additionalpatients per week and benefit approximately 4,800 people over two years.British Columbia is also expanding cancer care by through adding morecancer centers, upgrading existing facilities, and hiring more healthcarestaff. The goal is to meet growing demand and improve outcomes forpatients by providing vital radiation therapy. Eligible patients will have allcosts covered by Canadian health, including travel and accommodation. STORY: “High Court Examines Domestic Violence Survivors Right to ShieldRecords”Yesterday, the Washington state Supreme Court heard a case that involvesthe rights of employees to shield public records if they are survivors ofdomestic violence or sexual assault.Eric Tegethoff has the story.[WNS Audio: 1:48] WX:And now, here’s today’s forecast. We’ll reach a high of 76 degrees inBellingham this afternoon with clear skies expected all day. Plan on warm weather TO CONTINUE as temperatures should only reach a low of 60degrees tonight. More heat is on the way, tomorrow afternoon we’ll see a high of 74, and aswe approach the weekend more sunshine is anticipated.
MAY 16, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPT
INTROIndependent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for [Tuesday], [May 16th]. Good afternoon, I’m__. STORY: SPECIAL SESSION BEGINSWashington lawmakers are reconvening today for business left unfinishedfrom their regular session: tackling the public use of drugs in the state. Drug possession and use essentially became decriminalized by the stateSupreme Court in 2021 with the Blake decision and a temporary law on drugpossession is set to expire July first. The Seattle Times reports that lawmakers unveiled a plan yesterday tomake drug possession and public drug use a gross misdemeanor. Under theplan, first and second time offenses would be given a maximum penalty of180 days in jail and up to a one thousand dollar fine. On the third offense, itwould go up to 364 days in jail. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been negotiating forweeks on the policy after a similar one failed in April, leading to the specialsession which began this morning. STORY: ALICIA RULE TO RUN FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVEWashington State Representative Alicia Rule has announced her run forcounty executive. Alicia Rule has been elected twice to represent the 42ndlegislative district, which covers most of Whatcom County, serving since2020. Rule has worked as a mental health worker and owns a small therapypractice. She served as a city councilmember in Blaine and as president ofthe Blaine Downtown Development Association. She says she wants to address homelessness and increase behavioralhealth support in the county.Rule joins incumbent Satpal Sidhu and county councilmember BarryBuchanan in the race for county executive. STORY: KRAKEN OUT AFTER GOOD RUNThe Seattle Kraken’s first postseason run ended last night. While tied in theirsecond series yesterday, the Kraken lost to the Dallas Stars. The game wastied 1 – 1 when Dallas rookie Wyatt Johnston scored with 18 seconds left inthe game, allowing the Dallas Stars to move into the Western conferencefinals. Though they didn’t advance, the Kraken displayed a strong second year ofexistence. In their first playoff series, the Kraken defeated the ColoradoAvalanche, who won the 2022 Stanley Cup. STORY: NEW ORCA BILL SIGNED; VOLUNTEERS NEEDEDIn Olympia yesterday, Governor Jay Inslee signed new legislation creating amandatory one thousand yard vessel buffer around Southern Resident KillerWhales. The goal of the legislation is to protect orca pods from vessel noiseand disturbance; the new requirement will go into effect on January first,2025.The new bill also needs your help. The law directs that the WashingtonDepartment of Fish and Wildlife must form a voluntary advisory group tohelp inform the development, outreach and education that will need to bedone to enforce the new legislation.The Center for Whale Research recorded that the Southern Resident KillerWhale population was at just 73 individuals last year. Killer Whales havebeen listed as endangered since the start of the Endangered Species Act in2005.Even though the new law doesn’t go into effect until 2025, Fish and Wildlifemanagers still strongly encourage any boaters to give Southern ResidentOrcas as much space as possible. Currently the law states vehicles must stay a minimum of 300 yards away and at least 400 yards of the path in frontof or behind the orcas.The thousand yard rule applies exclusively to the Southern Resident KillerWhales. Fish and Wildlife encourages anyone interested in witnessing theKiller Whales to consider shore-based viewings as it poses significantly lessrisk to wildlife.Fish and Wildlife is accepting applications to volunteer through June 9th.Those interested are encouraged to review the Orca RegulationsCommunications Advisory Group website where they can find moreinformation. STORY: REPORT ON FOSTER YOUTHSTeenagers in foster care in the state face unique challenges as theytransition to adulthood. Eric Tegethoff has the story. WNS AUDIO WX:And now, today’s weather. Thankfully for most of us the heat is beginning toback off today. We should see a high of 71 around 4pm today with mostly sunny skies accompanying the cool off. Tonight we can expect a low ofaround 62 degrees with even more clear skies. Tomorrow, it’ll be a bit warmer with a high of 76 that should reachBellingham around 3pm. Be ready for it to drop down to around 60 in thelate evening as well.
MAY 15, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPT
INTRO Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for [Monday], [May 15th]. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: BIDEN TO OPEN LANDS TO CONSERVATION LEASES The Biden administration is proposing to prioritize conserving government-owned lands alongside oil drilling, livestock grazing, and other interests. In an interview with the Associated Press, Tracy Stone-Manning, director of the Bureau of Land Management, explained that the changes aim to address the increasing pressures of climate change and development. The proposal would create a framework that would allow conservationists and others to lease federally owned land so it can be restored and would work similarly to cattle grazing, where land is leased as it is being used. Stone-Manning also explained that the federal government has leased its land out like this before, but there’s never been a dedicated program for it. Republican lawmakers are heavily criticizing the proposal, arguing that it would ultimately just exclude businesses such as mining, agriculture, or energy development. The Biden administration is facing pressure to allow more drilling, but the proposed rule aims to strike a balance between conservation and other uses of federal lands. Environmentalists generally support the changes, though they emphasize the need for careful consideration of potential unintended consequences. Public meetings and discussions are being held to gather feedback on the proposal. STORY: INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS NO LONGER NEED COVID-19 SHOT People traveling to the United States no longer need to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19. The Biden administration ended the requirement last week for air travelers, and the Department of Homeland Security soon followed by ending the requirement at border entries and ferry ports. Canada ended their vaccination requirement in October. STORY: WSDA RAMPS UP ASSAULT AGAINST JAPANESE BEETLE A year after the invasive Japanese beetle was found in Washington, the State Department of Agriculture is ramping up efforts to control it. In Wapato, a small town just to the south of Yakima, the Department of Agriculture will use insecticide on more than fifteen hundred properties -, encompassing around 500 acres. The Japanese beetle is a pest to more than 300 plants, including economically important crops like roses, grapes and hops. Last year over 23,000 Japanese beetles were captured in the state. STORY: ALOHA SIGN TO BE REINSTALLED The Aloha Motel neon sign which stood on Samish Way since the 60s will be reinstalled tomorrow after undergoing restoration. The City of Bellingham sold the site of the Aloha Motel to the Bellingham and Whatcom Housing Authorities in 2017. The site is now the center of the construction of the Samish Commons, a large housing project, set to be completed this summer. Samish Commons will provide 171 affordable apartments, as well as offices for the Housing Authority and an early learning center. STORY: COWS BLOCK I-5 LANE NEAR CUSTER If you were heading up 1-5 yesterday near Custer, you might have experienced a strange traffic jam. Loose dairy cows on the freeway caused some delays, but they were safely removed. STORY: CITY OF BELLINGHAM NAMES FIRST FEMALE FIRE CAPT The Bellingham Fire Department made history last week when it promoted Bellingham’s first-ever female fire captain. A total of four promotions were honored at a pinning ceremony– Sarah Pernick was promoted to Fire Captain, Shawn Linville to City Fire Marshall; Matt Munger to Battalion Chief; and Tom Kettman was promoted to Fire Chief. STORY: VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION The state legislature passed a law aimed at enhancing the Washington Voting Rights Act and making it easier to challenge unfair election practices. Eric Tegethoff has the story. WNS AUDIO WX: And now, here’s today’s weather. We’ve got more warmth on the way this week, today be ready for a high of 85 in Bellingham. It’s going to cool off in the evening reaching a low of 59 degrees. A heat advisory is still in effect so be sure to stay cool and be safe, Bellingham. Tomorrow it’s going to cool off a little more, we can expect to see a high around 75 degrees with a low of 57 in the evening. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and Questen Inghram. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m, and on demand at kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please send an email to news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m _______________________ and thanks for listening.
