The Wandering ‘Hamster

W Smith Road month-long closure begins, Driver cited for DUI in rollover crash that injured teens, New Downtown Safety Strategy document details plans to make downtown safer, All backlogged sexual assault kits cleared from shelves and sent for testing, New rules to protect homes from wildfire ignite controversy, PROMO:Thrillingham, Democracy Block, WA 2023 fire season a ‘wake-up,’ DNR chief says ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October 30th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: W Smith Road month-long closure begins Starting today, West Smith Road in Ferndale will be closed to all traffic for a month. The closure is part of the City of Ferndale’s plans to decommission a sewer pump station in the area of Bel West Drive and West Smith Road. Traffic will be detoured around the closure via Barrett Road, Main Street, and Northwest Drive. Residents and businesses inside the closure zone will be able to access their homes and businesses. STORY: Driver cited for DUI in rollover crash that injured 5 teens Five Bellingham teens were injured in a rollover crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 5. According to the State Patrol, a total of six people, aged 15 through 18, were in a pickup truck that drifted off the freeway on northbound I-5 at Northwest Drive. The truck then hit the median cable barrier and rolled, eventually coming to rest and blocking the northbound lanes.  The 18-year-old driver was cited on suspicion of drunken driving and released for treatment at St. Joseph Medical Center. The investigation is still ongoing. STORY: New Downtown Safety Strategy document details plans to make downtown safer Due to the increase in crime after COVID, city officials have created a new Downtown Safety Strategy document, with steps to maintain security downtown.  One step is recruiting more police officers to provide more consistent staffing for the recent foot patrols. The program was resumed in July after being halted by the pandemic, and is currently being run on a volunteer basis. The new strategy document also includes monthly street cleanings to make downtown more inviting.  According to the report, the city will also collaborate with Whatcom County to deploy $9 million dollars in state funding to support mental health programs. This funding will be shared with nonprofit organizations that provide housing, behavioral health and services to the county homeless populations.  As of now, the 9-page document is considered subject to change, but provides an outline of the city’s response to a crisis worsened by the pandemic.  STORY: All backlogged sexual assault kits cleared from shelves and sent for testing Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced that over 10,000 backlogged sexual assault kits have been successfully cleared.  The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative provided the funding needed to get the kits to labs for testing– efforts which have already resulted in the resolution of at least 21 sexual assault cases and over two thousand DNA ‘hits’ in the national crime offenders database. The crimes solved through this initiative span from 2002 to 2015.  According to the Attorney General’s Office, two changes are needed to eliminate the backlog and keep it from happening again–additional funds earmarked for the state crime lab, and a 30-day mandatory submission deadline. To date, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has expanded to include financial grants for DNA collection, evidence storage, and forensic genetic genealogy testing for cold cases. It has also added DNA profiles from registered sex offenders and violent offenders to the national DNA database. STORY: New rules to protect homes from wildfire ignite controversy New state codes meant to protect buildings from wildfires have been met with backlash from builders, cities, and environmentalists alike. Taking effect in March, the Washington Wildland-Urban Interface Code will require new construction to use fire resistant materials. It also includes a requirement for a “defensible space” buffer zone between the structure and surrounding vegetation. Areas affected by the new codes are determined by Washington’s wildland urban interface map, which shows where structures meet or mix with vegetative fuel. This includes, but is not limited to, the majority of areas in and around Bellingham, Ferndale, and Lynden. Critics of the code say that the map includes many low-risk places, and is inconsistent with other agencies’ processes for determining fire risk. Lawmakers are using the map from the Department of Natural Resources, who has said that its map is not intended to be an end-all assessment of fire risk. Other critics believe the buffer zone rule will cause many trees to be unnecessarily cut down, and prevent future trees from being planted in areas that need it. Michael Feerer, executive director of the Whatcom Million Trees Project, says the new code contradicts climate mitigation plans by numerous local jurisdictions and that changes must be made as soon as possible. The Building Code Council will meet again next month to discuss possible changes. PROMO: Thrillingham Thrillingham is a volunteer-run Bellingham dance group that performs to the Michael Jackson song every Halloween. However due to COVID, the group has been on a four year hiatus. KMRE Reporter AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) visited one of their weekly rehearsals to interview some of the performers trying to resurrect this holiday tradition. THRILLINGHAM CLIP AUDIO Listen to the complete story today after the 5pm news. STORY: Democracy Block Today is the last day to register to vote online or update your registration before Election Day next Tuesday.  If you have a Washington State driver’s license or ID card you can register or update your information online. If you don’t have one, you can still fill out a registration form at the County Auditor’s office.  In more election news, KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. KMRE News has chosen a series of questions so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County.   Tomorrow after the 5pm news, listen to County Executive Satpal Sidhu and …

October 30, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Arroyo Park bridge open after 3 years, Thrillingham, 2% of kids and 7% of adults have gotten the new Covid shots, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 27th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.   STORY: Arroyo Park bridge open after 3 years The bridge in Bellingham’s Arroyo Park has been repaired and is now open after being closed for nearly three years. According to the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, the bridge was damaged in January 2021 after a tree fell on it during a winter storm. Delays to the repair were due to red tape, but in the end the bridge was given a sizable upgrade and is expected to last much longer. STORY: Thrillingham Thrillingham is a volunteer-run Bellingham dance group that performs along with Michael Jackson’s Thriller every Halloween. However due to COVID, the group has been on a four year hiatus. KMRE Reporter AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) visited one of their rehearsals to interview the performers resurrecting a holiday tradition. THRILLINGHAM AUDIO STORY: 2% of kids and 7% of adults have gotten the new COVID shots A month after federal officials recommended new versions of COVID-19 vaccines, very few people have received the shot. According to a study conducted by the CDC two weeks ago, only 7% of U.S. adults and 2% of children have received the vaccine. The data also indicates that nearly 40% of adults said they probably or definitely will not get the shot. A similar percentage of parents said they did not plan to vaccinate their children. While cases remain low compared with the pandemic’s early months, health officials say about 18,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths are still being reported each week. You can locate your nearest vaccine on the Washington Department of Health website. STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE is airing a series of candidate forums. On Saturday from 4pm-6pm we will air the Whatcom County Council forum including Council District 4 candidate Kathy Kershner, Council District 5 candidates Ben Elenbaas (EL-en-boss) and Jackie Dexter, as well as the At-Large position candidates Jon Scanlon and Hannah Ordos.  The Lynden School Board candidate forum will be aired immediately following the council forum. Hear from Danny Martinez and Nick Sawka for School Board Director position 2, Jim Verburg and David Vis for school board position 3, and Kenneth ‘Spin’ Owsley and Doris Smith who are competing for position 5.  The Ferndale City Council Forum, and the Ferndale School Board Forum will air on Sunday from 3pm to 6pm. Two city council positions and three school board director positions are up for election.  PROMO: BEYOND BARS Coming up after the 5pm news– a decision on whether or not to fund a new jail. KMRE, in collaboration with Cascadia Daily News, produced a series of interviews with people who have experience and opinions on the subject. This week, we are re-airing those interviews.  People experiencing mental illness, drug use, and extreme poverty often commit low-level crimes due to unmet needs. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, or LEAD, pairs social workers with those who have multiple low-level criminal offenses. Tony’s experience with LEAD started after years of living on the street in Bellingham. He sat down with us to discuss how the innovative diversion program has affected his life. TONY AUDIO The whole interview will air tonight after the 5pm newscast. WX: Freeze Watch Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 51. Winds will blow at around 12 mph. Tonight has lows around 33, with winds calming down to 6 mph. There is a freeze warning in place tonight night across the county. The weekend will bring frost, but temperatures will stay the same. 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 your donations. I’m __David Korb______________… thanks for listening. ###

October 27, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Moratorium on new heavy industry fails, Downtown Bellingham Partnership honored for its City Block Program, City invites nominations for Mayor’s Arts Awards, 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor, WA, 32 states sue Meta, alleging harm to youth mental health, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, October 25th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Moratorium on new heavy industry fails During the Whatcom County Council meeting yesterday, council members voted against a yearlong moratorium on heavy-industry developments near the airport. The moratorium was prompted over a month ago by ABC Recycling’s proposed metal shredding plant. Residents of the nearby neighborhoods expressed concerns over possible noise from the shredding, and heavy-metal pollution from truck tires. In response, the County Council called for a vote proposing an emergency moratorium on new heavy industry developments in the Alderwood area, including the ABC Recycling property. The vote failed by one, and ABC Recycling managed to submit an application before the council could reconsider the moratorium yesterday. During the meeting, much of the testimony focused on a metal shredding facility proposed by ABC Recycling. However, because the application was submitted before the moratorium could be reconsidered, the moratorium likely wouldn’t affect the plant. The vote tied 3 to 3, with one abstention, and the moratorium failed. ABC Recycling plans to hold community forums about the project in November and December, but no specific dates have been given yet. STORY: Downtown Bellingham Partnership honored for its City Block Program Downtown Bellingham’s ‘City Block Program’ has been recognized for innovation and excellence.  The program, organized by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, received the Organizational Excellence Award from the Washington State Main Street Program. Launched in April 2022 in response to post-pandemic challenges, the Bellingham program divided the downtown into districts and promoted engagement and communication among business owners. The initiative led to an advocacy campaign addressing downtown drug issues, alleyway improvements, and the Commercial Street Block Party series.  STORY: City invites nominations for Mayor’s Arts Awards Nominations are now open for the Mayor’s Arts Awards. The awards celebrate the vibrant arts scene in the city and those who contribute to it and recognize individuals, educators, and events that feature various forms of artistic achievements. Community members are encouraged to submit nominations.  The deadline is December 31 and awardees will be announced in early spring 2024. STORY: 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was detected near Gig Harbor on Sunday.  According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was felt across Puget Sound at around 8pm. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network stated the epicenter of the earthquake was 17 miles northwest of Tacoma. 170 people reported to the USGS that they felt the earthquake.  STORY: WA, 32 other states sue Meta, alleging harm to youth mental health Washington and 32 other states are suing Meta, alleging it deliberately designed and maintained “addictive” features that harm kids’ mental health. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in federal court in California, saying that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, “has profoundly altered the psychological and social realities of a generation of young Americans.” The 33-state lawsuit argues Meta’s practices violate state consumer protection laws, and claims Meta routinely collects data on children younger than 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement that Meta knew that targeting youth posed risks to their mental health, and exploited that for profit. He added that features such as the like button, endless scrolling, and push notifications were designed to monopolize the time and attention of younger users. These features can lead to addiction, which has been shown to exacerbate mental health issues in teenagers. Seven other states and the District of Columbia are suing the company in their own courts, and Florida is filing its own federal lawsuit. STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE will present a series of candidate forums.  We’ll air a new Bellingham-Whatcom League of Women Voters forum every day at 11AM. Today, tune in to hear the candidates for Whatcom County Sheriff– incumbent Doug Chadwick and challenger, City of Blaine Chief of Police Donnell (daw-NELL) “Tank” Tanksley square off on issues of law and justice. Tomorrow’s Democracy Block will feature a vigorous debate on the most recent Jail funding proposition. On the pro side are Peter Frazier and Stephen Gockley, and on the con side are Josh Ceretti and Jason McGill.  PROMO: BEYOND BARS Also– coming up after the 5pm news– join community radio KMRE and Cascadia Daily News in a collaborative exploration of the many aspects of the current  Whatcom County jail and the controversy around the push to build a new one.  Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Maialisa Vanyo (MY-uh-lisa VAUGHN-yo)—  Whatcom County Chief Deputy Defense Attorney. Vanyo has worked as a public defender for over 24 years, 13 of them here in Whatcom County. She has an exhaustive understanding of the nature of crime in our region.  MAIALISA AUDIO Tune in to hear the whole interview after the 5pm news. WX: Freeze Watch Today will be mostly sunny and clear with a high of 52°. Winds will have gusts of up to 20mph. Tonight has lows around 36, winds calming down. There will be frost in some areas overnight, with the temperatures being much of the same tomorrow. There is a freeze watch in place across Whatcom and Skagit as temperatures drop to around freezing later this 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. ###

October 25, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Shower trailer to open behind City Hall in November: WNS-Clean energy advocates hold cautious optimism for NW hydrogen hub, Governments come together to build flood resilience in Nooksack, Sumas watersheds, DNR releases tsunami evacuation maps for Bellingham, six other coastal communities, State Department of Corrections pledges to reduce solitary confinement by 90% over the next five years, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS, Run After Ruling – ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October 23rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Shower trailer to open behind City Hall in November A new shower trailer is opening behind City Hall next month.  The trailer will provide free showers to community members until the Way Station shelter opens next year. The new vehicle will complement the existing shower trailer at the Salvation Army Food Bank, and aims to offer 500 showers each month to 350 people. The trailer has three stalls, with one being ADA-accessible, and also provides basic toiletries. Starting November 10th, the Opportunity Council’s Homeless Outreach Team will operate the interim shower program at City Hall from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Salvation Army trailer is open on Tuesdays from 9am to 3pm.  STORY: WNS – Clean energy advocates hold cautious optimism for NW hydrogen hub Last week, the Biden administration announced investments in a hub for hydrogen energy in the Northwest. Clean energy advocates say it could be immensely useful, if done right. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. HYDROGEN AUDIO STORY: Governments come together to build flood resilience in Nooksack, Sumas watersheds An international co-operative agreement in flood-risk reduction and salmon habitat restoration for our area has been finalized.  The agreement, called the Transboundary Flood Initiative, was signed by representatives of nine governments, including British Columbia Premier David Eby (EE-bee), Governor Jay Inslee, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, the Lummi Nation and Whatcom County. The signing of the initiative comes after the 2021 flooding of the Nooksack River, which resulted in water spilling into BC’s Fraser Valley and rural Whatcom County. The resulting damages made the flooding one of the most expensive natural disasters in Canadian history. The initiative’s goals are to manage the flood risk from the Nooksack and Sumas rivers, restore important habitat and ecosystem function for fish and other aquatic species, and to advance cooperation and collaboration with Indigenous governments. STORY: DNR releases tsunami evacuation maps for Bellingham, six other coastal communities The Washington Department of Natural Resources has released new tsunami evacuation maps for several coastal communities. The 7 new maps, which cover areas along the coast of the Olympic Peninsula, show optimal routes and the times it would take to evacuate on foot from tsunami zones. In addition to the maps, new simulation videos were released, showing the extent of possible tsunami flooding and the maximum velocities of currents. Other, older maps exist for Bellingham, the Lummi Reservation, Blaine, and Point Roberts. The plans come in preparation for “the Big One”, a possible earthquake in the Cascadia subduction zone. The fault line reaches from Vancouver Island in Canada to Northern California, and could produce an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or greater, with many communities along the coast disastrously underprepared. The maps are available for viewing on the DNR website. STORY: State Department of Corrections pledges to reduce solitary confinement by 90% over next five years The Washington Department of Corrections is pledging to reduce solitary confinement by 90% over the next five years. The DOC recently released their new Solitary Confinement Transformation Project, which outlines the steps needed to reach the goal of a 90% reduction in solitary confinement use. To accomplish this, the plan recommends improving staffing ratios and training, expanding access to risk-reduction programming, improving alternatives to solitary confinement, and increased opportunities for out-of-cell time for incarcerated individuals in restrictive housing. The plan would cost an estimated $228 million to implement over the next five years. STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE will present a series of candidate forums.  Starting tomorrow, we’ll air a new Bellingham-Whatcom League of Women Voters forum every day at 11AM. Hear the candidates for Whatcom County Executive, Satpal Sidhu & Dan Purdy tomorrow, and the candidates for Whatcom County Sheriff– Doug Chadwick and Donnell (don-NELL) ‘Tank’ Tanksley– on Wednesday.  PROMO: BEYOND BARS Also– coming up after the 5pm news– join community radio KMRE and Cascadia Daily News in a collaborative exploration of the many aspects of the current  Whatcom County jail and the controversy around the push to build a new one.  Today’s ‘Beyond Bars’ interview features David Goldman. When he first arrived in Bellingham, Goldman had been a teacher for almost 20 years in a variety of contexts. He expected the job of Jail Education Program Facilitator and Teacher to be a temporary position. In the ten years he’s been teaching at Whatcom County jail, David Goldman discovered that one foundational experience links most of his students. GOLDMAN AUDIO Listen to the whole interview tonight after the 5pm newscast.  WX:  Today will be another cloud, rainy day, with a high of 55° winds around 6 mph. Tonight will have a 50% chance of rain and lows of 43°. The rain will continue into tomorrow, but with a 90% chance. We could see our first snow next week. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. 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 …

October 23, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

 Woman, suspect of DUI, flees Ferndale police on a flat tire, Opening on Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee, WA recovers $2 million from ‘predatory’ student loan debt adjusters, Expansion of Pacific Northwest natural gas pipeline gets go-ahead, Free and Cheap, PROMO: BEYOND BARS, Run after Ruling- ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 20th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.   STORY: Woman, suspect of DUI, flees Ferndale police on a flat tire Ferndale Police arrested a woman Tuesday, following a brief pursuit, after she was spotted in her car, stuck in a ditch. According to the Ferndale Police Department, officers were dispatched to an intersection near Ferndale High School due to a reported crash. Officers arrived at the scene and ordered 38-year-old Stephanie Lee Hendrickson to exit the vehicle, but she drove out of the ditch and fled. The officers on scene pursued the vehicle, which had a flat tire, until the vehicle came to a stop near Cascadia Elementary School.  Hendrickson was charged with suspicion of driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and attempting to elude a police vehicle. Hendrickson was released on Wednesday after posting bail. STORY: Opening on Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee The County Council is seeking applications to fill vacancies on the Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee.  The committee provides and reviews recommendations on issues that affect ferry service to Lummi Island, as well as act as a forum for those who depend upon the Lummi Island ferry service to voice their concerns. There are six vacancies on the committee. All applicants must live and be registered to vote in Whatcom County. The application deadline is October 31st.  STORY:  WA recovers $2 million from ‘predatory’ student loan debt adjusters Washington state’s yearslong campaign to prosecute predatory student loan adjusters has recovered more than $2 million for residents who were charged illegal fees. According to the state’s Attorney General’s office, more than 30 student loan debt adjusters have been forced to refund illegal fees dating back to 2017. Debt adjusters offer to help students with consolidating their federal loans, a service that would be free if borrowers go directly through the federal government.  Additionally, the Attorney General’s Office found many illegal practices, including false marketing about loan forgiveness and charging above the legal limit in fees, with some adjusters even claiming to be affiliated with the federal government.  Borrowers who suspect illegal practices from a debt adjuster can submit their concerns to the state’s Attorney General’s office online. STORY: Expansion of Pacific Northwest natural gas pipeline gets go-ahead Yesterday, an upgrade to a natural gas pipeline running from California to Canada was approved, despite opposition at local, state, and federal levels. TC Energy, who also owns the Keystone Pipeline, brings in natural gas from Alberta via a 1,300-mile pipeline that passes through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon to link with California networks. The proposed project will boost the pipeline’s capacity and reliability by improving three compressor stations in Kootenai (KOO-tuh-nee), Walla Walla, and Sherman Counties. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted to authorize the project, allowing TC Energy to increase the amount of fracked gas by 150 million cubic feet per day. The increase is expected to raise greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 3.5 million metric tons annually, according to a filing from the Washington Attorney General and the Oregon and California justice departments. So far Senators and Governors from Washington and Oregon, along with multiple non-profit and tribal organizations, have released statements against the upgrade. The states and intervening organizations will have the opportunity to file a ‘petition for rehearing’ to the commission. Construction will not begin until the petition is resolved.  STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some affordable events happening around the County. Tomorrow is Bellingham Comicon, hosted at the Ferndale Events Center. The convention will have artists, writers, crafters, vendors, and a costume contest. Parking is free and tickets are $15 at the door. The Bellingham Dockside Market will also have its bimonthly pop-up on Saturday at Squalicum Harbor from 10 to 2. Visit the dock early to ensure the best selection of seafood options, from dock to table. On Sunday, the Whatcom Museum will be hosting experts from the North Cascades Audubon Society who will teach about migration, conservation, birds in peril, and the importance of studying bird specimens. The event runs from 1 to 3, and is included with the $10 admission. PROMO: BEYOND BARS Coming up after the 5pm news– join community radio KMRE and Cascadia Daily News in a collaborative exploration of the many aspects of the current  Whatcom County jail and the controversy around building a new one.  Beyond Bars: The Changing Face of Justice in Whatcom County shares perspectives on the jail from the people most affected by it.   Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Sheriff Bill Elfo—appointed Sheriff in 2003 and later elected five more times, Bill Elfo has been fighting to make changes in the Whatcom County jail since he first took over the position. His position on the jail is clear: ELFO AUDIO Jails been a nightmare Hear more today right after the 5pm news. WX:  Expect clouds all day today, with a high of 59 degrees. Winds light and variable with an overnight low of 49. Tomorrow, we’ll see overcast skies, mist, and reduced visibility at times with a high of 59. Whatcom should be cloudy through the weekend with a 20% chance of rain and partial sun on Sunday. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by your donations. I’m _David Korb_______________… thanks for listening. ### Run after ruling– The Washington State Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case involving the rights of people …

October 20, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Tokitae died from diseases linked to aging, necropsy says, County Council Funding Supports Kitchen Upgrade in Rural ‘Food Desert’, $1 million Mega Millions prize won in Ferndale remains unclaimed, Bellingham-based Rice Insurance facing multi-million-dollar fraud lawsuit, Wash AG ordered to pay Value Village +$4 mil in legal fees, Insurance Commissioner fines UnitedHealthcare $500,000 for not demonstrating compliance with mental health parity laws, PROMO: BEYOND BARS ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, 19 October. Good afternoon, I’m __David Korb____.   STORY:  Tokitae died from diseases linked to aging, necropsy says The necropsy done on Tokitae the orca was released on Tuesday, saying that she died from chronic diseases associated with aging. Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (skal-li-CHUKH-ten-not), as she was named by the Lummi Nation, died in August after 53 years of captivity. The necropsy began just hours after Tokitae’s death when her body was trucked from Miami to the University of Georgia. Anthony Hillaire (hill-AIR), chairman of the Lummi Nation, said it was a shock that the Lummi were not consulted about the necropsy. Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut had heart, lung, and kidney diseases, the necropsy stated. The progression of the chronic conditions ultimately led to her death, according to the report.  There are 75 southern resident orcas today. Orca L25, the world’s oldest known orca who is still alive and possibly approaching 100 years old, is believed to be her mother. Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut was the last of the southern residents still in captivity. She was 57. STORY: County Council Funding Supports Kitchen Upgrade in Rural ‘Food Desert’ The East Whatcom Regional Resource Center kitchen is getting a commercial license with the support of the County Council, and the American Rescue Plan Act. East Whatcom is a USDA-designated food desert, and the Resource Center says the new funding will help them expand their food programs, including the Foothills Food Bank and senior meals. Additionally, the kitchen will now be able to help small-scale commercial businesses operate more effectively. The project aligns with the goals of the recently passed Whatcom County Food System Plan, and the funding represents the first step in its implementation.  STORY: $1 million Mega Millions prize won in Ferndale remains unclaimed Washington Lottery officials say a $1 million Mega Millions winning ticket purchased at the Silver Reef Casino in Ferndale is still unclaimed.  The state lottery has regional offices where winners can claim prizes or mail in tickets for smaller winnings, while larger prizes require an in-person appointment. Unclaimed prizes are eventually transferred to the Washington Opportunity Pathways Account each June.  Winners have 180 days to claim their prize.  STORY: Bellingham-based Rice Insurance facing multi-million-dollar fraud lawsuit Rice Insurance and its previous owner, James Fritts, are facing a multi-million dollar fraud lawsuit in federal court.  After buying Rice Insurance in 2021, PCF Insurance Services retained Fritts to run the agency. The buyout agreement included lucrative bonuses based on Rice’s year-over-year growth. PCF alleges that Fritts devised a plan to inflate the agency’s growth before the sale was finalized. According to PCF, he and others at Rice kept a secret set of books and used undisclosed amounts to pay company expenses and some employees. PCF claims it overpaid the earn-out bonuses by $19 million in the first year it owned Rice.  PCF says it became aware of the accounting discrepancies in July and began an investigation that Fritts tried to obstruct. Rice Insurance has not yet commented on the lawsuit. STORY: Wash AG ordered to pay Value Village +$4 mil in legal fees The state of Washington has been ordered to pay nearly $4.3 million in legal fees to the thrift store chain Savers Value Village. A long-running court case, led by Attorney General Bob Ferguson, claimed Value Village engaged in deceptive marketing practices– but the state Supreme Court unanimously rejected the claims, deeming the lawsuit “needless.”  Despite the ruling, the case did prompt changes in the company’s practices.  The money to cover the fees will come from a reserve account funded by awards from successful cases, rather than taxpayer funds. Savers Value Village, based in Bellevue, says it will donate over $1 million of the award to charity.  STORY: Insurance Commissioner fines UnitedHealthcare $500,000 for not demonstrating compliance with mental health parity laws One of the largest insurers in Washington is facing a half a million dollar fine for failing to prove its operations are compliant with mental health coverage requirements.  Washington’s Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) says that UnitedHealthcare failed to provide adequate information about its administration of benefits for mental health as well as substance use disorders.  The OIC found that UnitedHealthcare denied a higher number of mental health and substance use disorder cases, compared to cases associated with a medical service. A similar pattern was found with reimbursement rates, potentially violating state and federal law. Half of the $500,000 fine will be suspended as long as UnitedHealthcare meets a compliance plan, requiring the insurer work with the OIC on these issues for two years. This is the first time the insurance commissioner has acted against an insurer specifically for violating mental health parity requirements.  PROMO: BEYOND BARS A sales tax increase designed to provide financing for a new jail facility in Whatcom County will be voted on in three weeks.  To provide more background on this important issue we are re-airing the interviews after the 5pm newscast.  Malora Christensen moved to Whatcom County 15 years ago. Today she’s the manager of both the GRACE and LEAD programs—two innovative jail-alternative strategies that are making a difference among the most marginalized people in our community. MALORA AUDIO Tune in after the 5pm news, read more at CascadiaDaily.com, and find a complete playlist of all the Beyond Bars interviews at kmre.org/beyondbars. WX:  Today will be mostly cloudy with a 60% chance of rain. Highs of 65 will head down to a low of 53 tonight. Fog will come tomorrow morning, continuing into the weekend. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos …

October, 19 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Tenant’s Revolt unveil map detailing renters’ complaints, Whatcom Museum to Waive Admission, Extend Hours One Day per Month with “Access for All” Grant, Chanterelle Trail extension set to open by early November, Climate Pledge becomes first sports arena to earn zero carbon certification, Indigenous people in WA incarcerated at higher rates than any other group, data shows Promo: Beyond Bars, Run after ruling– ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, October 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Tenants’ Revolt unveil map detailing renters’ complaints The Bellingham renters’ advocacy group, Tenants Revolt, has launched an interactive map called the “Horrible Properties Map.”  Users can view and report rental properties with habitability problems, such as mold, utility issues, lack of heat, and more. The map, accessible via the Tenants Revolt website, is searchable by address, parcel number, property management company, or landlord. It aims to compile a record of renter concerns and hold landlords and property management companies accountable. Current or former tenants can submit information about a property, including their experiences and warnings. The map had over 150 data submissions at launch. It also offers paths for redemption and ways for landlords to verify improvements to their units. Rebecca Quirke, head of Tenants Revolt, says their goal is to expand the Horrible Properties Map to other areas and share it with renters nationwide. STORY: Whatcom Museum to Waive Admission, Extend Hours One Day per Month with “Access for All” Grant Starting next year, entrance to the Whatcom Museum will be free the first Friday of every month. The $40 million Access for All grant from the Art Bridges Foundation was awarded to 64 institutions across the country, with Whatcom Museum receiving a portion of the funds. In addition to the free Fridays, the museum will also extend open hours until 9 pm, and bring local and visiting artists in to create and lead projects for community participation. The museum’s monthly extended hours and free admission will coincide with First Fridays through the Downtown Bellingham Partnership. More information about special events and free Fridays will be available on the Whatcom Museum website. STORY:  Chanterelle Trail extension set to open by early November Construction of a new path on Lake Whatcom Park is expected to be finished by early November.  The new 4-plus-mile trail will descend 2,000 feet from the current end of the Chanterelle Trail and will include a viewpoint. According to Whatcom County Parks Supervisor Asa Deane, the full loop involves about 12 miles of hiking and will be open for foot traffic only. Deane expects the total cost of the new trail to come out to around $300,000. The completion of this project marks the first of several improvements planned for Lake Whatcom Park, including the construction of new public restrooms, additional parking spaces and stormwater treatment infrastructure. STORY: Climate Pledge becomes first sports arena to earn zero carbon certification Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena has become the world’s first sports stadium to receive a zero-carbon certification. The International Living Future Institute certified the arena after 12 consecutive months of meeting its net zero-carbon standard. Institute CEO Lindsay Baker said that it was a significant undertaking for a project as large and complex as Climate Pledge.  To receive this certification, a building must solely rely on renewable energy sources, use low-carbon materials during its construction, and create renewable energy on- or off-site. Climate Pledge has solar panels among other things and gets clean power from Puget Sound Energy’s Lower Snake River wind farm. During its recent remodel, the arena completely stopped using natural gas and converted operations, like its heating system, to electric. STORY: Indigenous people in WA incarcerated at higher rates than any other group, data show U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics data shows that indigenous people in Washington are imprisoned at over six times the rate of white people.  The information, compiled and released by the Prison Policy Initiative, shows that while Native people make up about 2% of the state’s population, they constitute 5% of the state’s prison population. This disparity has doubled over the past decade, even while incarceration numbers for both groups have decreased. This high rate is attributed to factors such as disproportionate rates of poverty among Indigenous communities, over-policing of those communities, and a history of dispossession and disinvestment.  The Prison Policy Initiative says addressing this racial disparity in Washington’s jails may involve increasing public benefits, providing affordable housing, and offering social programs as alternatives to incarceration. PROMO: BEYOND BARS In other incarceration news, a sales tax increase designed to provide financing for a new jail facility in Whatcom County will be voted on in three weeks.  Earlier this year, KMRE News collaborated with Cascadia Daily News on Beyond Bars, a series of interviews designed to explore the complexities of one of the most contentious issues on the ballot. To provide more background on this important issue we are re-airing the interviews after the 5pm newscast.  Today, we hear from Chief Corrections Deputy Wendy Jones—the person who runs the Whatcom County Jail, to find out more about the history of the jail.  JONES AUDIO Tune in after the 5pm news, read more at Cascadiadaily.com, and find a complete playlist of all the Beyond Bars interviews at kmre.org/beyondbars. WX:  Today will be partly sunny with a 50% chance of rain. Highs of 66° with temperatures going down to 53 tonight. Winds of up to 14 mph will calm down to 5 mph during the night. The rain will continue through tomorrow. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. 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 …

October 18, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Thursday is the Great ShakeOut, a worldwide earthquake preparedness event, PeaceHealth surgery center to open by end of month, Man found dead at Bellingham homeless encampment, WWU’s Fall 2023 First-Year Class is its Second Largest Ever, New Amtrak Cascades plan for railway travel underway, Washington Kaiser health care workers vote to strike, Run after ruling-    ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 17th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Thursday is the Great ShakeOut, a worldwide earthquake preparedness event This Thursday is the Great ShakeOut, an annual drill held worldwide to help people practice earthquake safety. The exercise will happen at exactly 10:19 am. During this time, the National Weather Service will test the Emergency Alert System on TVs and radios, and Washington state will test its tsunami sirens.  The worldwide drill is an important addition to the other preparations being made on the West Coast. Research has shown that the Cascadia subduction zone, which reaches from Vancouver Island in Canada to Northern California, could produce an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or greater, with many communities along the coast disastrously underprepared.  To help spread awareness, Bellingham is hosting an event at Squalicum Harbor from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, where you can learn more about earthquakes, tsunami, and the tsunami sirens.  STORY: PeaceHealth surgery center to open by end of month PeaceHealth will begin providing outpatient surgeries at the former Pacific Rim Outpatient Surgery Center by the end of October.  The not-for-profit health care system opted to establish their own outpatient surgery program instead of renewing the lease for Pacific Rim, which closed on August 31st. The first patient could be seen in the new center as early as October 26, after building and equipment upgrades are complete. It will offer a wide range of procedures that don’t require overnight hospital stays.  Pacific Rim plans to maintain a local presence and will build a smaller surgery center in the Cordata neighborhood. STORY: Man found dead at Bellingham homeless encampment Bellingham police are investigating the death of an unidentified man who was found in a wooded homeless encampment near Walmart on Saturday. The body was found by officers early Saturday morning, in a makeshift structure made of wood and tarps. Police found no identification with the individual and are investigating to determine his identity.  An official at the medical examiner’s office said that as of Monday they could not yet release any information on the case. STORY: WWU’s Fall 2023 First-Year Class is its Second Largest Ever Western Washington University has announced its second-largest incoming class in the institution’s history. Although Fall enrollment includes 3,184 new first-year students, total enrollment is still below pre-Covid counts. A release from WWU blames lower overall enrollment to lingering impacts from the pandemic, with the smallest pandemic-era cohort now entering their fourth year. However, Western says overall trends are positive, with a more than 10% increase in first-year Fall enrollment. The report also notes increased retention rates and a higher FAFSA completion rate among new first-year students. Approximately 30% of Western’s overall student body identifies as students of color, demonstrating a four-year trend of increasing diversity. WWU’s total registered students for Fall 2023 is 14,651. STORY: New Amtrak Cascades plan for railway travel underway WSDOT unveiled a new Amtrak Cascades Service Development Plan to create a blueprint for improving Amtrak Cascades service for the next two decades. The creation of the blueprint is underway now, outlining things like future capital improvements and service changes. WSDOT explains that by having a Service Development Plan ready, it will improve its ability to compete for federal funds for future infrastructure and service improvements. A preliminary SDP will be released to the public next month with information about the two additional daily round trips between Seattle and Portland to be added this fall to increase service in the Pacific Northwest. The preliminary plan will also identify travel trends, outline project goals, and forecast future ridership. Comments will be sought for the new plan when it releases, with sign ups available on the WSDOT site. STORY: Washington Kaiser health care workers vote to strike Around 3,000 Washington Kaiser Permanente workers voted last week to go on strike next month, if a new contract is not reached by the end of October. Jane Hopkins, a nurse and president of SEIU Healthcare 1199NW, says that 99% of union members voted to strike if a deal is not reached by November, affecting sites across Washington.  Last week, tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente workers went on strike nationwide demanding better wages, and protesting understaffing. Kaiser reached a tentative deal with the unions representing the 75,000 workers who participated in the strike, and set a new minimum wage. Hopkins says the deal is a step in the right direction, but that more is needed in Washington. According to Hopkins, Kaiser workers in the state are 20-30% behind colleagues at other local institutions, which leads to short staffing as workers leave for better paying positions. If a deal is not reached, this will be the seventh strike to affect the healthcare industry this year alone. WX:  Rain will continue through the afternoon with a high of 58 degrees and light and variable winds. Rain will continue through the evening, with showers overnight and a low of 52 degrees. Expect a 50% chance of rain tomorrow. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. 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 …

October 17, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

New program at BTC for homeless residents, Fire District 14 seeks property tax hike, Street renaming unveiled in Fairhaven, WNS Breast Cancer Awareness, Medicare open enrollment started yesterday, avoid scams, Rite Aid Files for Bankruptcy, WWU’s Fall 2023 First-Year Class is its Second Largest Ever, New Amtrak Cascades plan for railway travel underway, New Amtrak Cascades plan for railway travel underway, Run after ruling ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October 2023. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: New program at BTC for homeless residents Last week, Bellingham Technical College announced a new partnership to provide homeless residents educational opportunities. Called the “Break the Cycle” partnership, BTC hopes to offer access to GED programming or trade programs to those in need. BTC is planning on working with Lighthouse Missions Ministries and Northwest Youth Services to provide those services. Russell Whidbee, who is coordinating the effort, said that furthering one’s education and learning a trade is a proven way to improve one’s economic status and become self-sufficient. The partnership is set to be finalized and implemented by Winter Quarter 2024. STORY: Fire District 14 seeks property tax hike A property tax increase has been put on the November 7th ballot to help fund Fire District 14 in northeast Whatcom County. Voters will be asked to approve a levy rate of $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. According to Assistant Fire Chief David Moe, the additional funding would be used to hire more firefighters and make necessary equipment upgrades. The newest fire engine in the district’s fleet is 19 years old, and the district’s ambulances are aging too. According to Moe, if the levy doesn’t pass, the fire district would have to slow or cancel planned equipment and station replacements, as well as pause hiring. STORY: Street renaming unveiled in Fairhaven A street near the Fairhaven Library is getting a new name today in honor of longtime local resident and community supporter, Brian Griffin.  A small section of 12th street will be renamed Brian Griffin Way in acknowledgment of the lifetime of work for Bellingham. Griffin, who is now 90, was instrumental in establishing the downtown Bellingham parking garage on Commercial Street, collaborated with the Bellingham Rotary Club to create Boulevard Park in 1980, led a successful fundraising campaign that resulted in the development of Fairhaven Village Green, and was instrumental in the creation of Depot Market Square along Railroad Avenue. Bellingham resident Michael Bradburn came up with the idea of renaming the street, and says it’s an important acknowledgment of a lifetime of service.  AUDIO: GRIFFIN 1 STORY:  WNS – Breast Cancer Awareness October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and health professionals say younger women are increasingly being diagnosed with it. Eric Tegethoff has more. CANCER AUDIO STORY: Medicare open enrollment started yesterday, avoid scams As Medicare Open Enrollment starts, the FTC is warning subscribers to be on lookout for scams. Open Enrollment began yesterday on the 15th, and scammers have started as well. The FTC recommends two actions to avoid getting your information stolen. First, never give personal information to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Medicare doesn’t call people unexpectedly to ask for personal and financial information. Secondly, don’t respond to anyone who seems to be from Medicare and asks for your personal info. Don’t click on links, open any attachments, or call any numbers in those messages. If you receive a suspicious message, throw away the mail, delete the messages, or get off the phone. To report a potential scammer, consumers are encouraged to call 1-800-MEDICARE. STORY: Rite Aid Files for Bankruptcy Rite Aid drugstores have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The chain, which recently closed two locations in Bellingham, is currently dealing with lawsuits over its role in the opioid pandemic and a debt load of roughly $4 billion dollars.  According to court papers, Rite Aid began a series of debt swaps and pay-downs between 2020 and 2022 to try to cut its interest expenses in order to address the impact of the pandemic. The chain also closed around 200 underperforming stores and entered sale-leaseback deals. They also agreed to sell its pharmacy benefits manager business, Elixir, to MedImpact Healthcare Systems for $575 million in cash. Any potential sale is subject to court approval.  WX: Sunny Today will be rainy in Bellingham, with highs near 65*, and winds from the south-southeast reaching as high as 32mph. There is also a chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon. The rain will continue through the night, with a low near 49*. The rainy weather is expected to last until Wednesday at the very least. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. 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: WWU’s Fall 2023 First-Year Class is its Second Largest Ever Western Washington University has announced its second-largest incoming class in the institution’s history. Although Fall enrollment includes 3,184 new first-year students, total enrollment is still below pre-Covid counts. A release from WWU blames lower overall enrollment to lingering impacts from the pandemic, with the smallest pandemic-era cohort now entering their fourth year. However, Western says overall trends are positive, with a more than 10% increase in first-year Fall enrollment. The report also notes increased retention rates and a higher FAFSA completion rate among new first-year students. Approximately 30% of Western’s overall student body identifies as students of color, demonstrating a four-year trend of increasing diversity. WWU’s total registered students for Fall 2023 is 14,651. STORY: New Amtrak Cascades plan for railway travel underway WSDOT unveiled a new Amtrak Cascades Service Development Plan to create a blueprint for improving Amtrak Cascades service for the next two decades. The creation of the blueprint is underway now, outlining …

October 16, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Woman suspected of making bomb threat to distract police, Students facing discipline after anti-Semitic display found at Bellingham High School, Sheriff’s Office warns of scam calls, WNS – Far-right candidates running in WA school board races, Washington is safest state for U.S. high school students, according to new national study, Washington counties win initial legal victory over scarce mental health beds, Social Security Announces Benefit Increase for 2024 ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, October 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Woman suspected of making bomb threat to distract police A 33-year-old woman was arrested by Blaine Police for suspicion of making a bomb threat.  The incident began on Monday while police were assisting the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office in the search for a driver who had fled a traffic stop in Blaine. During the search, deputies asked the woman they believed was dating the driver,  Kathleen Fox, about his whereabouts. Soon after, a 911 call reported a bomb threat at a local grocery store. The phone used for the threat was traced back to Fox. Officers confirmed her voice from the 911 recording. Fox was released from custody on Tuesday after posting $100 cash bail. STORY: Students facing discipline after anti-Semitic display found at Bellingham High School Students at Bellingham High School are facing disciplinary action after an anti-semitic display was found. One of the skeletons used as decorations in the senior homecoming hallway was posed giving a Nazi salute and two others were wearing swastikas. They were up for a day before administrators were notified and took down the display. In an email, Principal Martin Atkins wrote that the display was more hateful before it was reported, with someone likely removing the most offensive bits before administrators found out about it. It is not immediately known how many students were involved or whether they were disciplined. STORY: Sheriff’s Office warns of scam calls The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has issued a new scam alert. In a recent social media post, the Sheriff’s office says the current scam involves phone calls to county residents by people impersonating law enforcement employees, demanding money and asking for the purchase of a bond for bail. These scammers often use local area codes, but they are typically located out of state or overseas, making it hard to apprehend them.  The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that law enforcement will never contact individuals to request payment to avoid arrest. STORY: WNS – Far-right candidates running in WA school board races Candidates with extreme political views are running for school board across Washington state. If they win, opponents say they could threaten the safety of some students. Reporter Eric Tegitoff has more. SCHOOL BOARD AUDIO STORY: Washington is safest state for U.S. high school students, according to new national study Washington state has been ranked as the safest state for high school students in 2023, according to a study by an online scholarship website. Scholaroo (SKALL-uh-roo) determined its rankings based on 11 safety metrics, with states receiving an overall score out of 100. These metrics included factors such as bullying, cyberbullying, exposure to illegal drugs, feeling safe at school, school safety plans, school resource officers, and school shootings, among others.  Prioritizing safety is crucial for high school students, as it creates a conducive environment for learning and personal growth. Washington state had the highest safety score, followed by Delaware, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and New Jersey in the top five. The five lowest-ranked states for high school student safety were Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia. STORY: Washington counties win initial legal victory over scarce mental health beds In a win for 28 Washington counties, a Pierce County Judge has ordered the Department of Social & Health Services to continue providing services for patients with mental illnesses that are awaiting trial. Originally filed in August, 28 counties including Whatcom accuse the DSHS of refusing to offer services ordered by courts. The counties have criticized the department’s decision to stop providing initial evaluation and subsequent treatment for patients in need of behavioral health support when exiting the criminal legal system. DSHS has asserted that it is no longer obligated to either evaluate or treat patients whose criminal charges are dismissed, despite court orders and state laws requiring them to do so. On Friday, Judge Michael Schwartz issued a preliminary injunction that requires DSHS to return to prior practices for mental health evaluations, and notify when patients are to be released. DSHS responded, saying it puts the agency at odds with a federal court ruling that limits admissions to the state hospital. However, DSHS did say that it will comply and continue to seek more bed capacity for those patients. STORY: Social Security Announces Benefit Increase for 2024 The Social Security Administration announced today that benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024. More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive this 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment in January, while approximately 7.5 million SSI recipients will see increased payments starting on December 29.  More information about Medicare changes for 2024 can be found at medicare.gov. WX: Foggy then Sunny Bellingham is sunny today, with a high near 64° and lows tonight around 48. Tomorrow will bring fog in the morning, going away later in the day with a high around 71°. Expect rain tomorrow night, going into the weekend. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. 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. ###

October 12, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More