The Wandering ‘Hamster

Bellingham man killed in wrong-way crash near Tacoma identified, City of Blaine hearing on public records ends in yelling, Port of Bellingham to vote on 2024 budget, New capital gains tax brings tax in nearly $900 mi for state, WA raises $260 million in most-recent carbon-pricing auction, Orca sightings around Washington break records, Storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County this weekend ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, the 16th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Bellingham man killed in wrong-way crash near Tacoma identified The Washington State Patrol has released the identities of two men who died following a wrong-way crash in Tacoma last month. One of them, 24-year-old Thomas C. Greenan, was from Bellingham. Greenan was driving south in the northbound lane of I-705 around 4 am on October 29th when he crashed head-on into another car, which was being driven north by 43-year-old Hassan H. Ali of Seattle. Both men were injured in the wreck and later died at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. According to State Patrol, drugs and alcohol are thought to have played a role in the wreck. STORY: City of Blaine hearing on public records ends in yelling The Blaine City Council’s hearing on public records escalated into a heated exchange last night.  The fees discussed were public record requests for scanned copies and body-worn camera footage requests, respectively. The city, facing a surge in requests, justified the fees by citing the need to allocate significant time to fulfill requests under the Public Records Act. Despite opposition from speakers, the council approved the resolutions to increase fees in a 4-0 decision.  The meeting then became chaotic as speakers criticized the higher cost. The council attempted to enforce topic restrictions, leading to shouting and arguments among attendees. Some residents accused the council of limiting access to information, while others referenced Nazi Germany.  Police officers were called to the building, and tensions remained high. Some attendees say they will file public records violations with the Washington State Attorney General. STORY: Port of Bellingham to vote on 2024 budget Commissioners from the Port of Bellingham are due to vote on the port’s 2024 budget during their regular board meeting next Tuesday.  The Port generates money through property taxes, marinas in Bellingham and Blaine, the Bellingham International Airport and real estate. Expenditures focus on economic development, infrastructure preservation and environmental cleanup.  Although the 2024 budget is expected to be balanced, the port is projecting a $12 million deficit, due to capital works and environmental cleanup projects. According to Port officials, despite the deficit, the port has a healthy reserve and is expected to end 2024 with $27 million. Commissioners are also expected to approve a 1% property tax levy increase, which is the highest amount taxing districts may annually increase their levy without voter approval.  A public hearing on the draft budget is scheduled for this Tuesday’s meeting, which can be attended in-person, or online at the Port of Bellingham’s website. STORY: New capital gains tax brings in nearly $900 mi for state According to state officials, Washington’s new capital gains tax generated $890 million in its first year.  The tax, which went into effect in 2022, imposes a 7% tax on long-term capital asset sales exceeding $250,000, excluding real estate and retirement savings transactions.  The revenue will be divided with the first $500 million going to the Education Legacy Trust Account and the remainder to the common school construction account in the capital budget.  Lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee anticipate allocating over $1 billion from the capital gains tax for the 2023-25 budget, with discussions on spending plans expected in the upcoming legislative session.  STORY: WA raises $260 million in most-recent carbon-pricing auction The Washington state Department of Ecology says the recent carbon-emission allowances auction has generated approximately $260 million. Now, officials are exploring merging the state’s carbon-pricing market with California and Quebec. The carbon-pricing program is the cornerstone of the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, requiring the state’s biggest polluting businesses to reduce their emissions or purchase ‘allowances’ to cover their emissions. State officials plan to eventually reduce the number of allowances sold, ramping up pressure on the industries to lower their emissions. The goal is for Washington to be mostly carbon free by 2050. If successful, a merger could help settle the high prices of pollution, but relief would take time. Assuming Washington, California and Quebec agree to merge their markets, the earliest the process could be finished is 2025, according to state officials. However, members of the state Environmental Justice Council have cautioned against linking the three regions until more is known about how it would affect efforts to make meaningful pollution reductions in Washington. STORY: Orca sightings around Washington break records Bigg’s killer whales, or transients, have been making a reappearance in waters near Seattle.  According to the Orca Behavior Institute, there have been 1,270 sightings in the Salish Sea since October 2022. This is the ninth record breaking year for the species, calling into question their once transient behavior.  This uptick may be a result of last year’s voluntary slowdown of commercial ships in the Puget Sound, designed to decrease noise pollution.  However, the Marine Mammal Commission noted that the Southern Resident Orca population was at an estimated 74 in July. This is due to a lack of salmon, which are declining as ocean temperatures rise.  To report your own whale sightings, visit Orcanetwork.org  STORY: Storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County this weekend A storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County on Saturday will bring rain to the lowlands and snow to the mountains, along with strong winds that could cause power outages.  The National Weather Service forecasts a 20-to-30% chance of wind gusts to 40 mph. Rain is expected to start on Saturday evening, eventually tapering to showers on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to remain normal, with highs near 50 and lows in the 40s. This comes on the heels of last …

November 16, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Man recently awarded millions from state after years of abuse and neglect dies, North Cascades Highway partially reopens partially reopens after heavy snowfall, Providence nurses on strike, DOJ funds programs for juveniles in six Western Washington tribal communities, Lummi Nation, State and EPA ready grants to restore salmon habitat, improve water quality near Puget Sound, Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against WA’s carbon-pricing law, year anniversary of of bipartisan infrastructure law, many projects in Whatcom ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, the 15th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Man recently awarded millions from state after years of abuse and neglect has died A Whatcom County man who was recently awarded nearly $23 million from multiple state agencies after years of abuse and neglect has died. 67-year-old James Rupke (RUHP-key) passed away Sunday at the assisted living facility he had been living in for several months. Rupke won a lawsuit that accused the Department of Social and Health Services, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Northwest Regional Council of failing to protect him from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment by his state-paid caregiver. The lawsuit was the largest ever levied against DSHS for a severely disabled adult. The cause of death has not yet been determined. STORY: North Cascades Highway partially reopens after heavy snowfall A section of the North Cascades Highway reopened on Tuesday after being closed due to wintry weather over the weekend. The stretch of State Route 20 between the Ross Dam Trailhead and Silver Star Gate had been closed due to significant snowfall and slide concerns, but was cleared at 1pm yesterday as weather conditions improved. However, the Department of Transportation says the reopening is temporary, and the seasonal closure of the North Cascades Highway is pending. STORY: Providence nurses on strike Over 1,300 workers at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett are on strike as labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract. The strike, scheduled to last until Sunday morning, has led to concerns from hospital leaders about disruptions in patient care and the negotiation process for a new contract. According to recent reporting, the hospital claims to have had a seamless handoff of care with qualified nurses, while the union insists that conditions inside are not okay. The hospital has offered a 21.5% pay increase over three years, but the union says nurses need a 30% increase to stay competitive with contracts offered at other local hospitals. STORY: DOJ funds programs for juveniles in six Western Washington tribal communities, Lummi Nation The Department of Justice has allocated over $2 million in grants to tribal communities in Western Washington to improve services for juveniles. Six Western Washington tribes will receive money, including the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe who will each receive about $100,000. The grants, announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman, cover a range of needs, including substance abuse and mental health treatment, academic support, and strategies to engage students in school. STORY: State and EPA ready grants to restore salmon habitat, improve water quality near Puget Sound The Environmental Protection Agency has allocated up to $30 million over the next six years to the Washington Department of Ecology to enhance the health of streams and rivers in the Puget Sound region. According to a recent release from Ecology, the funding aims to improve water quality, stream flows, and critical habitats by restoring native vegetation along riverbanks. Ecology will establish criteria for evaluating and implementing riverbank restoration projects in collaboration with partners such as the Washington State Conservation Commission. The initiative will ask farmers, landowners, counties, and others to identify suitable projects that will support local salmon runs, and protect waterways from the impacts of climate change. The funding is coming through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. STORY: Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against WA’s carbon-pricing law A federal judge has ruled against a natural gas power plant in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The law, enacted in 2021, requires top polluters to purchase greenhouse gas emissions allowances. Invenergy, the private operator of a natural gas power plant in Grays Harbor County, claimed discrimination against privately operated gas plants and unfair treatment as an out-of-state business. U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle dismissed the case, noting the Climate Commitment Act treats all owners of electric utilities and generating facilities the same, regardless of their location. Invenergy expressed disagreement with the ruling but affirmed support for Washington’s climate efforts. The ruling seems to strengthen the Climate Commitment Act against legal challenges, but according to recent reporting by the Seattle Times, right-wing groups are still seeking a 2024 ballot measure to repeal it. STORY: 2 year anniversary of of bipartisan infrastructure law, many projects in Whatcom Two years after President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Washington state has received approximately $7.9 billion dollars from the legislation. According to a recent update from Senator Maria Cantwell, funding has been directed to various projects throughout the state, with 27 different projects funded in Whatcom County alone. Roads, bridges, transit, and climate resilience efforts are included in the projects to-date. Statewide, more than 465 grants had been allocated for infrastructure projects, totaling around $5.3 billion for transportation and $366 million for clean water projects. Examples of local projects funded by the Infrastructure act include the Lummi Island Ferry replacement, multiple fish passage projects, sidewalk upgrades in Everson and Birch Bay, and the Lake Samish Bridge. Large-scale projects state-wide include the expansion of the Port of Tacoma’s Husky Terminal, relocation of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Upland Village, construction of a rail underpass in Washougal, and expansion of Spokane International Airport’s terminal. According to a release from the White House, $400 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been distributed throughout the country to over 40,000 specific projects across more than 4,500 communities in all 50 states, territories, and Tribes. WX: Clear Today will be mostly cloudy with a 60% chance of rain, with a high around 47° …

November 15, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Bellingham suffers weekend vandalism, Birch Bay awarded nearly $3m in state construction loans, Test of Canadian emergency alert system scheduled for Nov. 15th, Northwest Safe Trails Task Force awarded DOJ grant to enhance prosecutions in tribal communities, WNS – WA cap-and-trade spending falls short for frontline communities, Thurston County elections office is sixth in WA to receive suspicious envelope ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, the 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham park suffers weekend vandalism Boulevard park was damaged on Sunday after someone drove across its lawn. The damage was reported by a neighbor early Sunday morning. According to the Bellingham Herald, tires had ripped into the grass, leaving long tracks of dirt on the surface. Parks and Recreation Director Niclole Oliver considered the damage to be significant. A sign was also blown over in the same night, but this was found to be a result of a windstorm. A timeline and budget for the repairs is yet to be determined. STORY: Birch Bay awarded nearly $3m in state construction loans Birch Bay Water and Sewer District was granted two loans to improve water quality and supply. The first of the two loans will be put towards a new water storage tank at Point Whitehorn. The second will be used to replace water mains at Birch Bay and Semiahmoo (SEM-ee-AH-moo). Birch Bay is the largest urban growth area in Whatcom County, and currently serves over 8,000 water connections annually. Officials from the Water and Sewer district stated that the loans were essential to replace aging equipment, such as a 50-year-old pipe at the Birch Bay watershed.. Interest rates for the $3m project will be 1.65%, which will help keep water rates affordable. STORY: Test of Canadian emergency alert system scheduled for Nov. 15th A test of the Canadian Alert Ready system is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:55 PM. As a result, US residents near the border may receive emergency alert messages on phones and via Canadian television and radio broadcasts. The test will be similar to the American nation-wide test conducted earlier last month. STORY: Northwest Safe Trails Task Force awarded DOJ grant to enhance prosecutions in tribal communities The Northwest Safe Trails Task Force is set to receive almost $900,00 to help fight crime in tribal communities. The FBI’s Pacific Northwest Safe-Trails Task Force investigates major crimes on tribal land, and is a collaboration between the FBI and five local tribes– the Swinomish (SWIN-uh-mish), Tulalip (too-LAY-lip), Lummi, Nooksack, and Upper Skagit Tribes. In a recent release from the Department of Justice, it was announced that the five-year grant will support an additional federal prosecutor to handle cases in tribal or federal court. It will also support tribal law enforcement as they collaborate to combat drugs and violent crimes on tribal lands. The grant follows a successful two-year period during which over eight federal cases were prosecuted for armed drug dealing in tribal communities. The new Special Assistant US Attorney who is hired to work with the Safe Trails Task Force will join three other tribal liaisons working in the Western District of Washington. STORY: WNS – WA cap-and-trade spending falls short for frontline communities Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act promised funds for communities on the front lines of climate change. One group is tracking those dollars to make sure the state follows through. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. CAP AUDIO STORY: Thurston County elections office is sixth in WA to receive suspicious envelope The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is the latest election office to receive a suspicious envelope containing white powder. According to the Auditor’s Office, the county intercepted the envelope, which the U.S. Postal Service had sent advance warning about. Staff isolated the unopened envelope and turned it over to law enforcement. Ballot processing was not impacted. Five other Washington election offices previously received unknown white powder in their mail. King, Skagit, Spokane, and Pierce county offices were evacuated on Wednesday, and Snohomish County elections officials turned over a piece of suspicious mail to the FBI on Thursday. The envelopes sent to King and Spokane counties tested positive in a field test for traces of fentanyl, and the Pierce County envelope contained baking soda. No one has been harmed by the packages. WX: Clear Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 50° degrees and a low of 37. Rain will come later tonight, continuing into tomorrow. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ### Run after ruling– The Washington State Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case involving the rights of people sheltering in their vehicles. A growing number of homeless individuals in Washington are living in their vehicles, but they face challenges due to local laws, including bans on vehicle habitation, restrictive parking rules, and towing. These laws often force people to leave their communities, even if they have lived there for a long time. Jack Potter, a longtime resident of Lacey, was forced to live in his travel trailer due to housing market pressures. Lacey passed a law prohibiting vehicles used as shelter from parking in town for more than four hours, essentially forcing Potter and others out of their community. Tomorrow, Potter’s case will be heard by the Washington Supreme Court.

October 14, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Thursday count seals races, Fleetwood, Chadwick concede, Student sues Lynden School District, educators for discrimination, defamation, Student sues Lynden School District, educators for discrimination, defamation, Birch Bay incorporation group seeks community input, North Cascades and other Washington passes temporarily closed, Washington makes its biggest forestland purchase in more than a decade, Swans have returned to Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, WDFW re-establishes hotline to report injuries ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, the 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Thursday count seals races, Fleetwood, Chadwick concede Election 2023 is over and Whatcom County residents have spoken. In the Bellingham mayoral race, incumbent Seth Fleetwood conceded late Thursday. Nonprofit leader Kim Lund is now set to become the next mayor with 52.9% of the vote. In the Whatcom County Sheriff contest, Donnell “Tank” Tanksley won the race with almost 52% of the vote. Undersheriff Doug Chadwick conceded Friday afternoon. Satpal Sidhu will return as Whatcom County executive, winning over 57% of the vote. Ben Ellenbaas, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler all won their races for Whatcom county council positions. In Bellingham City Council races the winners are Hannah Stone, Dan Hammill, and Jace Cotton. The new jail tax passed, and Bellingham residents also approved community initiatives for a higher minimum wage and relocation assistance for rent increases. Some school board races remain too close to call, with the next ballot count scheduled for November 17 and final certification of all elections on November 28. STORY: Overnight high winds leave thousands without power across Whatcom County Storm winds late Friday night left thousands of homes across the county without power. According to Puget Sound Energy, 230 outages were reported since Friday night with amost 16,000 customers losing power. Winds as high as 67 mph were reported by the National Weather Service, knocking trees and other vegetation onto power lines. Among the largest outages was one affecting more than 2,500 customers in the Puget, Samish, and Happy Valley neighborhoods. Other large outages were recorded in Kendall and Blaine. PSE worked overnight and throughout Saturday morning to get the power restored. STORY: Student sues Lynden School District, educators for discrimination, defamation A former Lynden High School student is suing the school district and two educators for alleged discrimination and defamation. According to the lawsuit, the school district discriminated and defamed the student when teacher Julie Clift allegedly started a false sexual rumor about her, which impacted the student’s education. It also alleges that Lynden High School principal, Ian Freeman, failed to take steps to rectify the harm caused by the rumor, as well as failing to follow district policy regarding sexual harassment of its students. The student’s lawsuit accuses the educators and the district of violating her civil rights, including Title IX violations. The student has requested general, special, and punitive damages. Court documents show that she has also demanded a trial by jury on all issues. STORY: Birch Bay incorporation group seeks community input Next week, a community group will be voting on the boundaries of a potentially incorporated City of Birch Bay. The Birch Bay incorporation group will be meeting to discuss creating what would be the fourth largest city in Whatcom County. As a non-incorporated municipality, Birch Bay does not have its own local government. However, the group feels that its population of around 10,000 should be able to have representation and govern itself. The organization is advocating for Whatcom County to conduct a feasibility study on Birch Bay incorporation that would answer questions on city operating costs and tax revenue. The study would be an update to one done in 2008 to help determine whether the group wants to move forward. The Whatcom County Executive’s Office has given verbal support to help update the study. Whatcom County’s land use code states that the county will “actively support incorporation as appropriate” in Birch Bay. If bylaws are passed in the upcoming meeting, the association will have further communication with Whatcom County on the study. The meeting will take place on Wednesday at 5:30 pm at Christ the King Community Church. STORY: North Cascades and other Washington passes temporarily closed Due to the risk of snow slides, both directions of the North Cascades Highway have been closed. According to the WSDOT(WASH-dot), snow fell in the cascades at a rate of four to six inches an hour Saturday night, causing dangerous conditions. State Route 20 is closed from the west side of milepost 134 to the east side of milepost 171. The Cayuse (KAI-oos) and Chinook passes are also closed due to icy conditions. The Department of Transportation will provide an update on Tuesday. For more information on traveling for the holidays, visit WSDOT.wa.gov. STORY: Washington makes its biggest forestland purchase in more than a decade The Washington Department of Natural Resources will purchase about 9,000 acres of forestland in southwest Washington to generate revenue from logging. The transaction, which is the largest state land purchase in more than a decade, was approved by the State Board of Natural Resources last Tuesday. The land, located in Wahkiakum (wuh-Ki-uh-kuhm) County, will cost the state $55 million dollars. Money for the purchase will come from proceeds from previous land transactions and from revenue generated by the state’s auctions of air pollution allowances to businesses. Revenue from the land would benefit the Common School trust, which goes toward K-12 construction across the state. The property is currently owned by a private landowner. The deal is expected to close in mid-December. STORY: Swans have returned to Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, WDFW re-establishes hotline to report injuries The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has reestablished a hotline to report sick, injured, or dead swans. The hotline is part of the WDFW’s ongoing effort to assess the impact of lead poisoning on trumpeter and tundra swans, which are returning to Whatcom County and other counties in western Washington. While lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting in the state …

November 13, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Update on vote count, Interview with Riley Sweeney, Person arrested after starting ‘unintentional’ fire at Planned Parenthood, Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire spoke to Congress about fentanyl in Indigenous communities, Ballot counts delayed after white powder, fentanyl sent to WA election offices, WSDOT on second day of real-time system data outage, Blaine substitute teacher arrested on suspicion of first-degree child molestation ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, November 9th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Update on vote count There have been some changes in the preliminary election results. Blaine Police Chief Donnell Tanksley passed Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick in the race for Whatcom County Sheriff. After the second round of ballots were counted, Tanksley leads by nearly 4 percent. In the race for Bellingham Mayor, incumbent Seth Fleetwood is trailing challenger Kim Lund, by 52% to 47% after a second day of counting. Fleetwood led on Election Night by 140 votes. Other races are looking decisive. Incumbent County Executive Satpal Sidhu may win reelection, as he leads Dan Purdy by more than 11 percentage points.  Scanlon is ahead of Ordos by 57% to 43% for the at-large county seat, which could change the political makeup of the council. The results will be updated later this week and certified on Nov. 28. STORY: Interview with Riley Sweeney Riley Sweeney is running for Meridian School District Position 5, and is narrowly behind his opponent in their race for the school board. KMRE reporter Connor O’Boyle sat down with Riley to learn more about why he chose to run. SWEENEY AUDIO STORY: Person arrested after starting ‘unintentional’ fire at Planned Parenthood A suspect was arrested in connection with a fire that took place at the Planned Parenthood facility on Ellis Street yesterday morning.  Fire alarms triggered around 4 a.m. Wednesday, and Bellingham fire crews arrived to find the front entryway on fire. A bench in the outside of the clinic was destroyed by the fire, which also caused damage to nearby walls, ceiling, lamps and a fixture that appeared to be a camera on the building. The total damage is estimated to be over $7,500. Clinic staff do not believe the act to have been malicious. Bellingham PD arrested and booked a yet unnamed male suspect into the Whatcom County Jail. The man is being held on suspicion of second-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief. STORY: Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire spoke to Congress about fentanyl in Indigenous communities Leaders of Native American tribes detailed the fentanyl crisis in Indigenous communities during a Wednesday U.S. Senate hearing. One of those leaders was Lummi Chairman Tony Hillaire, who has declared a state of emergency in Lummi Nation. He and other tribal leaders in Washington state have been calling on Governor Inslee to declare its own public health emergency over the opioid crisis. At the meeting, tribal leaders discussed issues with jurisdiction. In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that tribal officers have the authority to detain non-Natives suspected of committing crimes on reservations until non-Native law enforcement arrives, but the authority to detain can only go so far. If the nearest county can’t take that person, then the tribal police have to let them go. Leaders want to be able to charge that person in tribal court. More than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native people died from synthetic opioid overdoses from 2018 to 2022 in Washington state. STORY: Ballot counts delayed after white powder, fentanyl sent to WA election offices Ballot counts were delayed in several counties after an unknown white powder was found in envelopes, including traces of fentanyl in mail received by two of the offices. Election offices in King, Pierce, Skagit and Spokane counties were evacuated Wednesday after the white powder was found. Fentanyl was found in some envelopes sent to Spokane and King counties. Ballot counting was halted in those offices, as contact with fentanyl can cause overdose. The powder sent to the Pierce County Elections Office was determined to be baking soda. Included with that ballot was a vague message that referenced stopping the election. Governor Inslee condemned the incidents, calling it an “attack on democracy”. King County and Okanogan County election officials have previously received suspicious substances in envelopes during the Aug. 1 primary election. The Okanogan County envelope was determined to be unharmful while King County’s contained “trace” amounts of fentanyl. No workers were harmed by the incidents. STORY: WSDOT on second day of real-time system data outage Officials with the WSDOT said that a system outage that has affected both their website and mobile apps since early Tuesday is due to a security incident aimed at interrupting travel-related information. The outage was first reported about 6am on Tuesday. The result was disabled pages on the WSDOT website and blank real-time resources in the agency’s mobile apps. The outage appeared to continue as of this morning. WX: Rainy There’s rain in the afternoon today, with a high near 55° and light winds. Tonight will have a low of around 43, with wind having gusts of up to 20 mph. The rain will continue into tomorrow morning, and last throughout the weekend and all of next week. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ### STORY: Blaine substitute teacher arrested on suspicion of first-degree child molestation A substitute teacher at Blaine Middle School was arrested on a charge of first-degree child molestation on November 2nd.  61-year-old Gerald William Robinson had allegedly touched at least two underage girls inappropriately, and caused more than 10 others to feel uncomfortable by staring or making inappropriate comments. Blaine PD lieutenant Michael Munden stated that all of these incidents have …

November 9, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Election Day, WCSO Seeking Public’s Help In Locating Suspected Burglar, Search suspended for missing person shortly after it was issued, “Prescribed” burning visible on Sumas, Tanker Truck causes major closure on North Cascades Highway over the weekend, WDFW seeks public comment on proposed land acquisitions in Whatcom, U.S. regulators will review car-tire chemical that kills salmon, upon request from West Coast tribes  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, November 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Election Day It’s Election Day and the polls are open until 8pm tonight. In Whatcom County, ballots can be dropped in any of the 22 locations around the county. You can get a replacement for a lost ballot, register to vote, or update your registration until 8pm at the Whatcom County Courthouse in Bellingham. If you’ve lost your voter pamphlet, an online version can be found at whatcomcounty.us.  Results are expected to be released via the Whatcom County Auditor’s website at about 8:30pm tonight, but races won’t be finalized for a few days. STORY: WCSO Seeking Public’s Help In Locating Suspected Burglar The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspected burglar.  61-year-old Johnnie Rathjen is wanted in connection with several burglaries in eastern Whatcom County. He is also accused of fleeing from deputies after being caught burglarizing a home. Rathjen was last seen driving a 2003 Toyota Corolla, license plate #BQP3779. Anyone who sees him or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office hotline. STORY:  Search suspended for missing person shortly after it was issued The search for a missing senior from Tsawwassen (suh-WA-sun) was suspended shortly after it was issued in Point Roberts last week. David Ho, a 89 year-old Canadian citizen, was reported missing after failing to return home from his walk on Wednesday. After relatives notified police, David was spotted on CCTV crossing the border from Canada into Point Roberts around the time of his walk. Delta Police issued a missing person’s alert, with help from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies. Search efforts began, with hundreds of community members volunteering. Unfortunately, David was found deceased four days later. STORY: “Prescribed” burning visible on Sumas Mountain Fires on private property on Sumas (SOO-mass) Mountain are currently burning, and visible throughout western Whatcom County.  Fire Chief Hank Maleng of Fire District 16 stated the fires were lit earlier yesterday and were being done under permits issued by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Those seeing the fires from a distance or on a drive past need not be worried, nor call 911. While permitted, it is not a prescribed burn as defined by DNR. The fires were set and managed by the property owner. DNR was only involved in granting the permits for the fires on private property. STORY: Tanker truck causes major closure on North Cascades Highway over weekend A tanker truck crash caused a major closure on the North Cascades Highway over the weekend.  Friday afternoon, the truck went off the road near Rainy Pass where it flipped onto its top down a steep slope with 11,000 gallons of fuel in the tanker. Highway 20 was closed for about 24 hours as three tow trucks carefully hauled the truck back onto the roadway. The recovery was especially difficult as workers had to accommodate for the massive amount of fuel as well as the steep terrain. Additionally, the 40-foot tow trucks had to work on a 35-foot road. A WSDOT (WASH-dot) tow operator said it was the hardest job he’s had in his 30-year career. No one was seriously injured in the crash. STORY: WDFW seeks public comment on proposed land acquisitions in Whatcom The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is inviting public comment on 20 proposed public land acquisitions that would help promote fish and wildlife conservation and public access to Washington’s outdoors. The proposals encompass over 13,000 acres with acquisitions in 11 counties. One of the proposals consists of the acquisition of 117 acres near the town of Lynden, which would be added to the Whatcom Wildlife Area. The property, located near Wiser Lake, would enhance public access to the lake as well improve freshwater wetland habitat for waterfowl and other species. More information about the proposed land acquisitions is available on WDFW’s land acquisitions webpage.  STORY: U.S. regulators will review car-tire chemical that kills salmon, upon request from West Coast tribes Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency said they will review the use of a chemical found in almost every tire.  The Yurok tribe in California and the Port Gamble S’Klallam (sKLA-lum) and Puyallup tribes in Washington have petitioned the EPA to ban the rubber preservative 6PPD. The tribes argue that the chemical washes from roadways into rivers and kills salmon as they return from the ocean to their home streams to spawn. Five states, including Washington, also wrote the EPA in support of the petition, citing the chemical’s “unreasonable threat” to their waters and fisheries. 6PPD has been used as a rubber preservative in tires, footwear, and other rubber products for over 60 years. As the tires wear, tiny particles of rubber are left behind on roads and parking lots that break down into 6PPD-quinone (kwih-NOWN)– a byproduct that kills salmon, steelhead, and other wildlife within hours after coming into contact with the substance. The long regulatory process to review the chemical has just started, and tire manufacturers say they are already looking for an alternative that will meet federal safety requirements. WX: Rainy There’s a 80% chance of showers today, with a high near 53° and winds of more than 10 mph. Tonight will have a low of around 47, with the chance of showers decreasing into the night. Tomorrow’s weather should be about the same, with a smaller chance of rain. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. Tune in to local news …

November 7, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Registration open for Cap Thanksgiving baskets, toy store, Man arrested after firearms, explosive found in north Bellingham home, Larsen to Host Veterans Forum in Bham and thru phone, Whatcom County assures public that nothing is wrong with Terrell Creek’s smell, Bellingham Plan to hold open house at WWU, Tribal members gather to demand the federal government uphold treaty obligations, protect salmon, WA seeks public comment on new landfill methane emissions rules ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, November 6. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Registration open for CAP Thanksgiving baskets, toy store The Community Assistance Program is encouraging north Whatcom County residents experiencing financial constraints to sign up for some additional support this holiday season. The Program, which serves Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts residents, will be handing out Thanksgiving baskets to families and individuals. Additionally, the Community Toy Store allows parents to purchase holiday gifts at a discounted price. The deadline for Thanksgiving basket registration is this Friday, while the deadline to register for the Community Toy Store is Sunday, November 26th. Registration for both can be done at BlaineCAP.org. STORY: Man arrested after firearms, explosives found in north Bellingham home A man was arrested in Bellingham two weeks ago after firearms and explosives were found in his home. 43-year-old Matthew John Simmons was arrested in his north Bellingham home on October 26th. A search warrant was served on Simmons’ house after deputies were told that he still possessed firearms after signing a declaration stating he had no weapons to surrender. Items located included a loaded assault rifle, a loaded Glock handgun, 5 homemade explosive devices and bags of powder used in making explosives. Simmons was booked into Whatcom County jail with suspicion of possession of explosives without a license, and unlawful possession of firearms. He was released from custody on October 27th after a $20,000 cash bond was posted. STORY: Larsen to Host Veterans Forum in Bham and thru phone U.S. Representative Rick Larson is answering questions in-person and remote this month. Earlier today, Larson held an in-person meeting at the American Legion on Bakerview Road. Veteran forums are opportunities for veterans to ask their elected officials questions about veteran’s legislation and benefits. A similar telephone town hall will be held this Thursday at 5 pm. Sign up at Larsen.House.gov. STORY: Bellingham Plan to hold open house at WWU Bellingham will be hosting an open house event for its upcoming Bellingham Plan at Western Washington University. Created in 1980, the Bellingham Plan addresses topics such as climate resilience, housing, recreation, economic vitality, transportation, and equitable growth. The City of Bellingham plans to lay out goals and policies to help city leaders make decisions with the next 20 years in mind. The city hopes that the student-focused Open House will provide unique perspectives as planners continue their work over the year. The event will take place in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room, this Thursday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Food will be available, and more information can be found on the city website. STORY: Whatcom County assures public that nothing is wrong with Terrell Creek’s smell In a recent press release, the Whatcom County Public Works assured the public that Terrell Creek in Birch Bay is fine. Public works received multiple inquiries regarding the strange appearance and smell of the water. However, according to the County, it’s a natural seasonal occurrence caused by bacterial and algal (AL-gull) growth. A buildup of decaying organic matter like seaweed happens every summer in places such as Terrell Creek. The natural conditions in late summer and early fall generate strong sulfur smells, surface films, and unusual colors in the creek. The creek will return to normal once the fall rains start flushing out the waterways. Although not unsafe, Public Works does recommend the public keep kids and pets out of the creek until it’s no longer stagnant and smelly. STORY: Tribal members gather to demand the federal government uphold treaty obligations, protect salmon Last week, 15 Washington tribes met at a convention in Tulalip to demand the federal government uphold their salmon treaty obligations. The tribes, including Lummi Nation, convened to discuss the removal of the four lower Snake River dams in southeastern Washington. While the dams provide carbon-free electricity, irrigation, and transportation of agricultural goods, they also prevent the movement of salmon and have caused fish populations to plummet to near extinction. Convention speakers urged attendees to push harder to save the dwindling salmon and orca populations. The fight to remove the dams started decades ago, with tribes arguing that the government has an obligation to allow indigenous people the right to continue their way of life and protect the fish. Both Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee agree that the extinction of native salmon is an unacceptable cost to running the dams. Federal discussions on the dams are still ongoing. STORY: WA seeks public comment on new landfill methane emissions rules The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on proposed new rules aimed at curbing landfill methane emissions. The new rules would require municipal solid-waste landfills to do more to prevent methane from escaping into the atmosphere, to track emissions, and make reports to the state. Washington would also make $15 million dollars in grants available to landfill owners and operators to cover the costs associated with the proposed new regulations. Those proposed new rules would put Washington on par with California, Oregon and Maryland in setting standards for curbing methane emissions. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted online, by mail or at a public hearing on December 6th. WX: Rainy This week is expected to be somewhat rainy. There’s a 90% chance of showers today, with a high near 55° and a low around 47 at nighttime. Winds are expected to remain calm, and the rain will likely persist until Wednesday night. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, …

November 6, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

  Harcourt misses deadline, loses waterfront development rights, Public invited to learn about update to Lynden, Sumas land ports of entry, Fire levy votes won’t count in Sumas after error on ballots, WA to pursue linking carbon-pricing market with Ca, Quebec, Housing, health care meet in innovative WA program, Free and Cheap, Democracy Block ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, November 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.   STORY: Harcourt misses deadline, loses waterfront development rights Harcourt Developments, an Irish company involved in reshaping Bellingham’s waterfront, has lost its rights to build on nearly 8 waterfront acres after failing to meet a deadline for completing two condominium near Waypoint Park.  The Port of Bellingham commissioners confirmed this decision after Harcourt violated the terms of its contract by missing the occupancy deadline. The company had previously faced delays in constructing the condominiums due to COVID-19 disruptions and was granted a two-year extension, but it still couldn’t meet the new deadline. As a result, Harcourt’s rights to develop the 7.7 acres were revoked.  The Port remains committed to working with Harcourt to complete the project, given the high demand for housing in the community. STORY: Public invited to learn about updates to Lynden, Sumas land ports of entry The General Services Administration is hosting an in-person meeting on Monday to inform the public about the expansion and modernization plans for the Lynden and Sumas (SOO-mass) border crossings.  According to a GSA news release, both crossings face issues like limited space, leading to congested traffic flow. A contract has been awarded to Jacobs, Inc. to help with planning and construction for both projects, which is set to commence in the fall of 2026. STORY: Fire levy votes won’t count in Sumas after error on ballots The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office has reported an error on the ballot sent to residents of Sumas. Ballots sent to City of Sumas voters mistakenly included a question and contest for Whatcom County Fire District 14. While properties in Sumas are within the service area of Fire District 14, they are not part of the taxing district. As a result, Sumas voters were not supposed to vote on restoring a property tax levy for the Fire District, but it was included on their ballots. The Auditor says that– when it comes to this issue– votes from Sumas will not be included in the final result. The levy aims to restore the fire district’s property tax levy to $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. The Auditor’s Office apologized for any inconvenience for voters. STORY: WA to pursue linking carbon-pricing market with CA, Quebec Yesterday, the Washington Department of Ecology announced that it is planning to link its carbon market with those of California and Québec. Ecology hopes that in connecting the new program with established markets, it will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of carbon allowances. The merger was always a goal of the state when it created the market, and experts say that California and Québec are welcoming of the merger. Expansion would give the three governments greater leverage in cutting emissions from their largest polluters and provide stability to businesses that must buy the allowances, further encouraging their transition toward renewable energy.  Washington’s carbon market has been the target of criticism since its inception due to the cost of its pollution allowance prices. The prices quickly increased past expected values, and oil companies blame those prices for why they need to pass on costs to the consumer through gasoline sales. The merger is still in the early stages and will be complete no sooner than 2025. STORY: WNS – Housing, health care meet in innovative WA program Washington state has a new innovative program that helps people on Medicaid find housing, and it is reaching its first year of implementation. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. HOUSING AUDIO STORY: Free and Cheap Whatcom offers a variety of free and cheap events this Saturday. The Majestic Artisan Market will take place from 12 to 3 pm, just two blocks up from the farmer’s market at the Majestic Art Cafe. The event will have vendors selling handmade works of art, and the cafe will also be open for business. If Halloween wasn’t enough of a masquerade, the Bellingham Makerspace at the mall is offering a free cosplay meetup on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. The event will provide a communal space to show off, get advice, and work on costume projects. For just 5 dollars admission, the Daughters of Norway will offer festivity and flavors inspired by the North. Taking place at the Ferndale Convention Center from 10 am to 4 pm, the 23rd Annual Nordic Fest will include over 30 vendors with traditional cuisine and live entertainment.  Yearning to see Salmon in action? Look no further than the free salmon sighting at Thompson Creek Bridge from 10 to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. Staff will provide games and answer questions about the biannual migration.  STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County.   Today after the 5pm news, two candidates for Whatcom County Council At-Large Position B– Jon Scanlon and Hannah Ordos– share their views on protecting Lake Whatcom, the source of our drinking water.  WX: Rainy Today will be mostly cloudy with a high of around 59. Rain will come later tonight with lows around 51. The rain will continue into tomorrow and have gusts of up to 43 mph. The temperatures will drop a bit heading into Sunday, but the wind and rain will persist. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two nWIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips …

November 3, 2023 News transcriptRead More

Police activity results in Shuksan Middle School secure action, Flood Siren tests scheduled in Sumas tomorrow, City assessment underway for future recreation development at Lake Padden, Winter Shelters, WA opens health insurance exchange to undocumented immigrants, Democracy Block, Winter and Severe Weather Shelters set to open by the Holiday Season ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, November 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Police activity results in Shuksan Middle School secure action Shuksan (SHUCK-sun) Middle School initiated a secure action yesterday afternoon after shots were fired at West Maplewood Avenue.  After shots were heard, Shuksan’s exterior doors were locked, and no one was allowed to enter or leave the building until 4 pm, when Bellingham Police gave them the all-clear. Bellingham Police also issued an advisory asking people to avoid the area during the investigation.  According to Bellingham PD, the investigation into the reports resulted in the arrest of 60-year-old Thomas Edward Paine on charges of second-degree assault and fourth-degree assault. He is currently being held at the Whatcom County Jail. STORY: Flood siren tests scheduled in Sumas tomorrow Sumas will be conducting an annual test of the local flood siren tomorrow at 10 am. The test follows the City’s Flood Awareness Day last weekend nearly two years after flooding devastated the greater Sumas area. No action needs to be taken, and the test will only take a few minutes. STORY: City assessment underway for future recreation development at Lake Padden An assessment is underway for future recreational development at Lake Padden Park.  The planned Recreation Assessment Study will analyze existing recreational use, and help ensure that future uses and development are compatible with the recreational and ecological setting of the park.  Data gathering and a public survey are underway. Those wishing to take the survey can go to EngageBellingham.org. The survey is open until November 8th.  STORY: Winter Shelters Two new shelters are set to open up in Whatcom County. The shelters hope to provide additional space to those seeking refuge from this winter’s weather. KMRE reporter Connor O’Boyle has more. WINTER SHELTER AUDIO STORY: WA opens health insurance exchange to undocumented immigrants Washington’s health insurance exchange is expanding access to health and dental plans to undocumented immigrants.  While federal subsidies will continue to be available solely to U.S. citizens and immigrants with legal documentation, the Cascade Care Savings program will be available to anyone in Washington who meets the income eligibility limits, regardless of immigration status. Currently, about one out of four of the remaining uninsured in Washington are people who are undocumented. Washington is one of the few states to offer access and state subsidies for health insurance through its exchange to all residents regardless of immigration status. Only five other states and the District of Columbia currently offer state-funded coverage or subsidies to all residents, with Minnesota planning to do so as well by 2025.  Enrollment through the Washington State Healthplanfinder website is open through January 15th.  STORY: Washington DOH releases guidance on new COVID vax Following guidelines from the CDC, new COVID vaccines are being rolled out to the public. The Washington State Department of Health is recommending that everyone 6 months and older get the new COVID-19 vaccine. All updated vaccines are FDA approved and recommended to help fight the newer virus variants. Those who have not received the vaccine in any capacity, like young children, should get multiple doses of the new vaccine. The new COVID vaccine can be safely taken at the same time as the flu vaccine.  While most health insurance plans cover the vaccine, those without it can get the shot for free at local health centers, health departments, or pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. You can find the nearest vaccine on the Washington DOH website. STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County.   Today after the 5pm news, the mayoral candidates– incumbent Seth Fleetwood and challenger Kim Lund– share their views on protecting our drinking water source, Lake Whatcom.  WX: Rainy Today will be rainy with a high of around 60°. Winds will have gusts as high as 24 mph. Tonight has lows around 50. The rain will continue into tomorrow, with winds calming down during the night. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ### STORY: Winter and Severe Weather Shelters set to open by the Holiday Season With the Lighthouse mission basecamp at a consistent full capacity, the need for shelters rises as the temperature plummets. Last month, Whatcom county approved leases for a Severe Weather shelter and a Winter Weather Shelter.  The Severe Weather Shelter is designed to operate only when the climate is life threatening. Ann Beck, human services supervisor for the county, is preparing for the worst: “If temperatures drop to kind of an extreme low below 28 degrees, and we need to get people in to do some life saving measures, we wanted to have some extra space.”  Beck hopes to open their shelter later this month once the building is approved by the fire marshal.  Ashley Burger, executive director of Road2Home, also approved a lease for a winter weather shelter located in Civic field. It is expected to be open from December first to February 29th.  “ Both shelters are still looking for employees and volunteers to maintain these resources. To learn more, visit road2home.org or Whatcom volunteer.org.  Run after ruling– The Washington State Supreme Court is set to hear …

November 2, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Halloween – Events around the city, Landlords to face higher fees for inspections after City Council Vote, Lynden City Council pushes discussion on fluoridation removal to Jan, Whatcom County Council resolution in support of Lummi Nation, Kaiser Permanente and WA workers reach tentative contract agreement, Democracy Block ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 31st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Halloween – Events around the city It’s Halloween– and there are a variety of family-friendly Halloween experiences for people of all ages in Bellingham. Here are some of the highlights: The Downtown Bellingham Trick-or-Treat will take place from 4-6 p.m. in downtown Bellingham. It features over 100 participating businesses and is open to all ages.  “FEAR” Haven will host trick-or-treating from 3-6 p.m. in Fairhaven Village. This event also includes a photo booth. The Cordata Place Trick-or-Treat event will run from 4-7 p.m. and starts at Christ The King Bellingham church in the Cordata neighborhood. There will be over 25 candy stops, hot cocoa, glow sticks, and a photo booth. Bellis Fair Mall will also host Spooktacular Mall-O-Ween– a trick-or-treating event from 4-6 p.m. Participating stores will be giving out candy. And finally, the Lake Samish Association will host Trunk-or-Treat from 4-6 p.m. at Lake Samish Park. The event includes candy, games, prizes, music, and hot beverages. STORY: Landlords to face higher fees for inspections after City Council vote The Bellingham City Council has voted unanimously to double registration fees for landlords. Part of an update to an 8-year-old rental inspection program aimed at ensuring safe living conditions for tenants, the new fee structure will impose escalating penalties for failed inspections. Fees will increase to $100 for the first failure, $200 for the second, and $500 for the third. Fees for missed appointments will also rise incrementally.  The council plans to finalize these changes in November. The increased revenue will support the rental inspection program and allow for the hiring of dedicated inspectors to fast-track re-inspections.  Approximately 55% of Bellingham homes are rented, according to 2022 census figures. STORY: Lynden City Council pushes discussion on fluoridation removal to Jan The Lynden City Council voted two weeks ago to push the discussion on water fluoridation removal to January. The council tried to vote on setting a public hearing date for the topic during the October 16th meeting, but it failed and council members unanimously agreed to table the topic until next year.  Both sides of the discussion were represented at the meeting. Critics of public water fluoridation said that it’s not about the benefits of fluoride, but whether or not the government is in a position to make decisions about citizens’ health. Others said that they wanted pure water, and not have to deal with the “chemical”. Various dentists showed up to the meeting in support of fluoridation. They cited the American Dental Association’s recommendation of fluoride use, as well as the beneficial change in Lynden residents’ teeth since the addition of fluoride. The next city council meeting is scheduled for November 6th. STORY: Whatcom County Council passes resolution in support of Lummi Nation Last week, the Whatcom County Council approved a resolution in support of the Lummi Indian Business Council’s state of emergency declaration in response to the fentanyl crisis. The LIBC declaration was originally made in September, in response to the increasing number of overdose deaths in Lummi Nation. In the resolution, the council recognizes the fentanyl crisis across Whatcom County, and pledges to support all efforts, from tribal to federal, in combating the crisis.  Tribal leader Nickolaus Lewis pushed for the council to declare its own state of emergency, but Councilmember Ben Elenbaas was worried about the resolution becoming too political and not passing. He emphasized that the council would be able to be the most effective if it worked in a collaborative, non-political manner. 91 overdose deaths have occurred in Whatcom county this year. STORY: WA 2023 fire season a ‘wake-up call,’ DNR chief says This year’s fire season in Washington was especially challenging, according to the Department of Natural Resources. While fewer acres burned this year in total than in previous years, the fires were some of the most catastrophic. The Gray and Oregon Road fires were the most destructive ever in Spokane County history. The fires killed two people and destroyed over 350 structures. And for the first time, more fires sparked in Western Washington than in Central and Eastern Washington combined. DNR reported 596 fires on the western side of the state, and 559 on the eastern side. Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz called it a “wake-up call” for Western Washington, urging people to start safeguarding their homes from fires, and protecting forest health to prevent wildfires from getting out of hand in the first place. STORY:  Kaiser Permanente and WA workers reach tentative contract agreement Kaiser Permanente and its Washington staffers have reached a tentative contract agreement. The agreement, which comes after months of negotiations, would avoid a strike that was set to start tomorrow.  SEIU Healthcare eleven ninety-nine northwest, the labor union representing the Kaiser staffers, shared few details about the deal but said it complements the tentative national agreement reached earlier this month. According to the SEIU, the new agreement would offer local Kaiser workers competitive wages, better benefits, generous retirement income plans, and more job training opportunities. The new four-year contract still has to be voted on by the state’s roughly 3,000 Kaiser workers, with voting due to begin tomorrow. STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County.   Today after the 5pm news, listen to County Executive Satpal Sidhu and challenger Dan Purdy answer questions on affordable housing in Whatcom and share their ideas on possible answers. Tomorrow, we’ll air the challengers for Whatcom County …

October 31, 2023 News TranscriptRead More