It’s World Radio Day, Whatcom County man enters not guilty plea in case of fentanyl overdose, Kindergarten registration opens for Whatcom schools next week, Local weather shelters to reopen this weekend, Bellingham City Council declares Lettered Streets duplex as surplus property, Liminal Coffee opens tomorrow (Austin), Skagit County pledges to maintain senior services throughout change in service providers, Free or Cheap, Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April, Places to free file your taxes Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, February 13th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: It’s World Radio Day It’s February 13th and we at KMRE want to wish you a Happy World Radio Day. Every year, this day highlights the enduring power of radio as a medium for culture, democracy, education, and emergency communication— and celebrates radio’s role in connecting communities. Thank you for supporting local, independent community-run radio. And now the news. STORY: Whatcom County man enters not guilty plea in case of fentanyl overdose A Whatcom County man has pled not guilty in federal court to charges of supplying the fentanyl that led to a woman’s death. Twenty-nine-year-old Stephan Charlot entered the plea Thursday in U.S. District Court in Seattle. Charlot was originally arrested by Lummi Nation Police in June 2025 and charged in tribal court. His case was later transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. According to court records, officers were called to a home on the Lummi Nation in May of last year. They found an unresponsive woman who was later pronounced dead. A Facebook account later linked to Charlot showed he allegedly coordinated the sale of $20 worth of drugs. An autopsy ruled the death accidental, with fentanyl and methadone found in the woman’s system. Charlot remains in custody. His trial is scheduled for April 6. STORY: Kindergarten registration opens for Whatcom schools next week Kindergarten registration is set to open next Tuesday for all school districts. In Bellingham, all eligible children must be five years old before September 1st, have proof of full immunization, proof that a schedule of immunization has begun, or a certificate of exemption, according to their website. All districts encourage parents to register their children as early as possible. STORY: Local weather shelters to reopen this weekend Whatcom County Severe Weather shelters will reopen this weekend. A press release announced that, because of freezing temperatures forecast for the coming five days, the shelters are being reopened. Bellingham’s severe weather shelter on N. Forest St. will be open from Saturday through Wednesday. Check-ins will be from 4 to 8 PM. The Lighthouse Mission drop-in center will reopen from Sunday through Tuesday, between 8 AM and 4 PM. And the Lighthouse Mission will accept overnight guests daily beginning at 7 PM. While Ferndale’s shelter will only be open through Saturday. STORY: Bellingham City Council declares Lettered Streets duplex as surplus property The City of Bellingham has voted to surplus a duplex in the Lettered Streets neighborhood after learning it has owned the property for decades. In an unanimous vote Monday night, the City Council declared the duplex at 1504 I Street as surplus, clearing the way for a below-market sale to a nonprofit that would use it for low-income or recently unhoused residents. The sale will move forward through a negotiated request-for-proposals process. City staff said they were surprised to learn the Opportunity Council, which has operated the property as transitional housing for the past 36 years, no longer plans to manage it. The city originally transferred the duplex to the nonprofit in 1990 under a quit-claim deed requiring that the property revert to city ownership. Opportunity Council leaders say the small, two-unit property has become inefficient to maintain as the agency shifts focus to larger multifamily housing developments. Nonprofits interested in acquiring the duplex must apply through the city’s formal proposal process. STORY: Liminal Coffee opens tomorrow (Austin) Liminal Coffee, on the ground floor of Lighthouse Mission Ministries, opens to the public tomorrow. Graduates of the Lighthouse Mission’s three-step intensive recovery program now have the option to earn a wage while serving coffee. The program is designed to increase social skills that will help participants get back on their feet. For Lighthouse Mission’s executive director, Hans Erchinger-Davis, the coffee shop can help folks find a way back to their families. AUDIO 1 The name of the shop, “Liminal,” reflects the goal of baristas transitioning to a better life. As opening day approaches, the question of whether work can anchor recovery moves from theory to practice. Shift Supervisor Cambria Spaney says many of the benefits start with improved self-image. AUDIO 2 Listen to the full story after the 5 PM news tonight. STORY: Skagit County pledges to maintain senior services throughout change in service providers Skagit County leaders say they will consider changes to senior center funding. The shift comes as the county transitions its senior nutrition program to a new provider and renegotiates contracts with cities. Officials say no centers will close and programming will not be reduced. Commissioners say discussions are still in the early stages, but a decision is expected before current contracts expire in June. STORY: Free or Cheap It’s Friday and Valentine’s Day is tomorrow— so there are many events to choose from. Here are a few in Whatcom County for those looking to shake up the tradition. The Upfront Theatre will host Cupid’s Island, an improvised comedy show, which according to their website “spoofs the drama, desire, and absolute chaos of reality dating TV,”. Tickets range from $13 to $17 dollars. Kulshan Brewing’s Roosevelt Taproom will have Single Mingle Trivia from six to nine PM tonight. Rotating teams offer plenty of opportunities to meet new people, and the event is free. Also tonight from 4-8pm, ladies why not grab your bestie and head to the Galentine’s Day Karaoke PJ Party at Beach Cat Brewing on C. Street in Bellingham. This event is also free. WX: 40s and lovin’ it …
February 12, 2026 News Transcript
Woman arrested on suspicion of break-in and attempted car theft in Bellingham, PeaceHealth to eliminate nearly 100 jobs across system, over a quarter of which are in Bellingham, Ferndale man sentenced to five years for role in fatal 2023 crash, Tuesday sees four separate crashes across Ferndale, resulting in one injury, Proposed improvements to new Whatcom County jail now on chopping block as funding continually shrinks, Whatcom County approves purchase of office building from WWU, Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April, Places to free file your taxes, Free or Cheap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, February, 12. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Woman arrested on suspicion of break-in and attempted car theft in Bellingham Bellingham Police have arrested a 37-year-old woman accused of trying to steal a stranger’s car at knifepoint. Lieutenant Claudia Murphy says the victim had just gotten into their vehicle near Samish Way last Friday morning when the suspect approached with a large knife, and threatened to kill them if they did not get out. The victim was cut on the hand while trying to disarm the woman, but managed to escape and call for help. Police later learned the suspect had allegedly broken into the victim’s apartment and rummaged through the car. She was arrested nearby and is being held in the Whatcom County Jail on $200,000 bail. STORY: PeaceHealth to eliminate nearly 100 jobs across system, over a quarter of which are in Bellingham PeaceHealth says they will eliminate nearly 100 jobs across its system, with over a quarter of them in Bellingham. According to a recent release from PeaceHealth, layoffs will take effect on April 12th. Some of the Bellingham positions to be cut include mental health therapists and clinical social workers, among others. PeaceHealth CEO Sarah Ness announced the move to all employees, citing financial struggles that hospitals nationwide are dealing with. Ness’ decision comes four months after the Catholic nonprofits’ last mass layoff, when 241 positions were cut. STORY: Ferndale man sentenced to five years for role in fatal 2023 crash A 25-year-old Ferndale man has been sentenced to five years in prison for a 2023 hit-and-run that killed a Blaine woman. Prosecutors say Colby Jon Gunderson was riding a motorcycle alongside Ashleigh Woodward’s car on State Route 548 when he struck her side mirror and began moving into her lane. Woodward swerved, crossed the centerline and crashed. She was thrown from the vehicle and later died. Her 13-year-old daughter suffered a brain bleed but recovered. Gunderson drove off, but investigators later linked him to the motorcycle through video and other evidence. Gunderson pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and hit-and-run causing death. According to the terms of his sentencing, he must also pay restitution and will serve one year of community custody. STORY: Tuesday sees four separate crashes across Ferndale, resulting in one injury It was a demolition derby in Ferndale yesterday, as Police and Whatcom County Fire District 7 responded to four separate crashes on Tuesday. A two-vehicle collision on the southbound I-5 at the Portal Way on-ramp started the day. No injuries were reported, but both vehicles were towed. Just before 11 a.m., officers handled a three-car rear-end crash in the 2000 block of Main Street after a driver failed to stop for traffic. No injuries there. Around 1:50 p.m., a driver turning onto Main Street from Hovander Road failed to stop at a stop sign and was hit head-on. One person was taken to the hospital with a head laceration. That driver was arrested for driving with a suspended license and cited for no insurance and failing to stop. The day ended with another crash near Main Street and the I-5 ramps. Minor injuries were reported, and the at-fault driver was cited for no insurance. STORY: Proposed improvements to new Whatcom County jail now on chopping block as funding continually shrinks Whatcom County’s new jail plan has hit a budget wall. In a memo circulated yesterday ahead of a meeting on Thursday, Whatcom County Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresler wrote that falling tax revenues and rising construction costs are forcing officials to scale back their vision. Deputy Executive Kayla Schott‑Bresler says the county’s goals of building a modern jail and preserving revenue for future incarceration‑reduction programs are now competing for limited funds. Voters approved a 0.2% sales tax in 2023 for a new jail and behavioral health center, originally estimated at $150 million. Following the vote, Bellingham, the County, and the small cities worked out a payment plan for the cities to contribute 75% of revenue from the sales tax to the new jail, while the county contributed 100% of revenue. But fudning is coming in about $1 million below projections as construction costs continue to rise. The current jail is overcrowded and often triggers booking restrictions once the population tops 320. Sheriff Donnell (duh-NELL) Tanksley recommended 600 beds, but the county says it is now considering an opening‑day capacity of 480. The county has ruled out the two highest‑cost scenarios. The two remaining options— a $170 million and a $200 million plan— come with trade‑offs. Officials now say the higher price may require a new financing deal with the cities. County and city leaders must settle on a budget and scope by the end of April. STORY: Whatcom County approves purchase of office building from WWU Whatcom County has approved the purchase of an office building from Western Washington University. County Council authorized the sale on Tuesday night, with a five-to-two vote. KMRE previously reported the two-story building located west of the Sehome Village shopping center will sell for eight million dollars. The building currently houses the WWU Testing and Passport Center, as well as WWU I.T. infrastructure. The sale will allow Whatcom County Planning and Development, Permitting and some Public Works services to move in. These departments currently work in the 100-year-old County Annex building on Smith Rd. and Northwest Drive— however, according to the County that …
February 11, 2025 News Transcript
ICE detains man outside of Bellingham Public Library, Bellingham City Council considers official condemnation of ICE actions, Canadian Border Services Agency seizes record-breaking amount of meth from man attempting to cross near Sumas, Another house fire, this time in Kendall, leaves one injured and six homeless, WCSO investigating student misconduct in Mount Baker School District, Bellingham City Council approves $12.7 million grant for construction of new 911 call center, Bellingham announces World Cup “fan zone,” grants for businesses, New Federal Spending Boosts Projects Across Whatcom County Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, February, 11. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: ICE detains man outside of Bellingham Public Library Federal immigration officers detained a man outside the Bellingham Public Library on Monday. According to multiple witnesses and video of the incident, a man was chased near the library’s back entrance and tackled by agents wearing ICE and Department of Homeland Security insignia. Two of the three agents involved wore face masks, and one is heard on video saying they had a warrant. The man was placed into an unmarked vehicle. The arrest is the second outside the downtown library in two weeks. Immigration agents also detained a man on Jan. 30th near Bakerview Road and Meridian Street, where video shows agents pointing a taser as they made the arrest. ICE has not confirmed the identities of those detained or the reasons for the arrests. Nationwide, more than 36,000 people were taken into custody by ICE in January. STORY: Bellingham City Council considers official condemnation of ICE actions The Bellingham City Council says it will consider an official condemnation of actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. According to council documents, a proposed resolution was sent to committee for consideration and possible action by the city council at its February 23rd meeting. Councilmembers Skip Williams and Dan Hamill (HAM-ull) introduced the resolution during Monday’s session. Hamill urged other members to condemn the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics. Hamill noted the deaths of Minneapolis protestors Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and called those incidents murder. STORY: Canadian Border Services Agency seizes record-breaking amount of meth from man attempting to cross near Sumas Canada Border Services Agency arrested a man who tried to smuggle nearly 700 pounds of methamphetamine across the border at Sumas (SOO-mass). According to CBSA, Satnam Singh (SING) tried to enter Canada at the Abbotsford-Huntington port of entry on November 22nd. He was driving a commercial truck with a trailer. A dog detector team found 12 boxes containing 692 pounds of meth. Singh has been charged by the Canadian police for possession of methamphetamine for the purposes of importation and trafficking. It is the largest seizure of narcotics at the border crossing on record. STORY: Another house fire, this time in Kendall, leaves one injured and six homeless Firefighters responded to a house fire in north Whatcom on Monday that left one person injured and six others displaced. Crews were called to Apache Drive in Kendall, where they found flames and smoke coming from a double-wide modular home. According to Whatcom Fire District 14 Chief Jerry DeBruin (duh-BREW-in), the blaze was extinguished, but the home suffered heavy damage from fire, smoke, and water. One person was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center for smoke inhalation, and the American Red Cross is assisting those displaced. The cause of the fire, which started in a back bedroom, remains under investigation. STORY: WCSO investigating student misconduct in Mount Baker School District The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is investigating reports of inappropriate student behavior at Harmony Elementary. The Mount Baker School District says it began looking into allegations of student misconduct in September and later hired an independent, third-party investigator. Law enforcement then opened an investigation on Jan. 22nd. Carrie Coppinger-Carter (COP-in-jer CAR-ter), the attorney representing two minor children connected to the case, says there were multiple reports of inappropriate touching while students were under school supervision. Superintendent Jessica Schenck (SHENK) says the investigation centers on student behavior and the district’s response — and does not involve allegations of staff misconduct. In a step the District calls ‘standard’, Harmony Elementary Principal Todd Matthews has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation is ongoing. According to district officials, they are cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office and student safety remains its top priority. STORY: Bellingham City Council approves $12.7 million grant for construction of new 911 call center The Bellingham City Council has approved a new 12.7 million dollar Communication Center. The new What-Comm 911 call center will replace an aging, 70-year-old facility in the Sunnyland neighborhood and will be built by the Blaine construction company Colacurcio (ko-lah-CURE-ee-oh) Brothers. Demand for a new facility was accelerated by complaints of poor heating, electrical, ventilation and air conditioning systems, among other issues. According to the County, the current call center will remain open until the new building’s construction is completed in the summer of 2027. After that, the Sunnyland facility will be demolished as part of the total construction costs. STORY: Bellingham announces World Cup “fan zone,” grants for businesses The City has awarded approximately $200,000 in grants to local organizations to help boost World Cup-related events in Whatcom. Bellingham is one of nine cities designated by SeattleFWC26 as an ‘official fan zone’ during this summer’s tournament. Originally, larger-scale events were planned. But the city’s $10 million dollar budget deficit prompted a pivot last fall and the city solicited partner proposals for inclusive and affordable celebrations for both visitors and residents. Money for the grants will come from a surcharge on motel and hotel stays, a move Bellingham City Council approved at Monday night’s meeting. Grant recipients include the Den and the Wild Buffalo, which will co-host a Block Watch Party on Commercial Street. Other groups received funding for an array of tournament- and soccer-themed activities and include the Whatcom Family YMCA, Hammerhead Coffee, Allied Arts, Paws for a Beer, and KMRE 88.3FM. For a complete list of grant recipients, visit the Downtown …
February 10, 2026 News Transcript
Sumas house fire caused by faulty wiring, investigators conclude, Whatcom health officer states local risk of contagious meningitis low, New park opens in Birchwood, Schools looking for community task force member, Village Books to host upcoming Children’s Literature Conference, Lighthouse Mission’s new coffee shop set to open on Valentine’s Day, Whatcom public schools report funding for mental health services at critical levels, State reps announce Whatcom and Skagit town halls in near future, AWB reports increasing numbers of WA business leaders considering leaving state, Millionaire’s tax moves forward, Places to free file your taxes, Free or Cheap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, February, 10th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. UPDATE: Sumas house fire caused by faulty wiring, investigators conclude More information is being released today on the cause of the house fire in Sumas (SOO-mass) on Sunday. Fire District 14 crews were called to a home on Halverstick Road near Sumas, where they found heavy smoke and flames. Firefighters later discovered the body of 95-year old Robert Samms inside the home. Investigators say the fire started in a bedroom and was caused by wiring issues with a hot water heater. The county medical examiner has not yet released an official cause of death. STORY: Whatcom health officer states local risk of contagious meningitis low Local Health officials say the risk of contagious meningitis in Whatcom County is low. This comes after a Bellingham High School student died suddenly from meningitis and sepsis in early January. Dr. Meghan Lelonek is a physician and one of Whatcom’s two health officers. Lelonek, who advises the Department of Health and Community Services, says there have been no reports of contagious meningitis to county health officials, indicating there is no increased risk to the public at this time. STORY: New park opens in Birchwood The City of Bellingham has a new park in the Birchwood neighborhood. Storybrook Park is seven-acres, and replaces the former Maplewood-McLeod (mc LOWD) open space. The city says they have added a nature-themed playground, improved trails, lighting, and ADA access. City officials say the park was shaped by years of community input and is designed to balance play space with preserved forestland. A ribbon-cutting celebration is set for Friday afternoon at 2:45, with remarks from the mayor and parks director. STORY: Schools looking for community task force member Bellingham Public Schools is looking for interested community members to serve on its Facilities Planning Task Force. The group will review enrollment trends, building conditions, and long-term facility needs as the district faces a decline in enrollment tied to lower birth rates. The task force will develop recommendations for an elementary facilities master plan, which could include boundary changes, program consolidation, or possible school closures. Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, February 16th, with meetings beginning later this month. STORY: Village Books to host upcoming Children’s Literature Conference Village Books and Paper Dreams will host a Children’s Literature Conference later this month at Sehome High School. Several illustrators and authors will attend a panel discussion from 8-4:30 PM on Saturday, February 28th. According to a recent release, attending authors will also visit schools throughout Whatcom County to give presentations. This year’s cast of panelists includes nationally acclaimed illustrators and authors such as: Sophia Blackall, Natasha Tripplett, Phoebe Wahl (FEE-bee WALL), and Eugene Yelchin (YELL-chin). More information can be found on the Village Books website. STORY: Lighthouse Mission’s new coffee shop set to open on Valentine’s Day The Lighthouse Mission is set to open a new coffee shop on Valentine’s Day. The Lighthouse Mission serves people who deal with homelessness and drug addictions. Many of the residents haven’t had a job in years. The new coffee shop, called Liminal Coffee, was planned several years ago, is located on the bottom floor of the new building and will employ residents. In a previous interview with KMRE News, Mission President and CEO Hans Erchinger-Davis said that the goal of the organization is to help lives change, not just provide a place to live. The new coffee shop is an important part of the process. For those that have felony backgrounds or haven’t had a job for 10 years, having guaranteed employment is a major incentive to finish recovery. Most of the residents in the program say their biggest goal is to reunite with their families. STORY: Whatcom public schools report funding for mental health services at critical levels Whatcom County school districts warn that funding for student mental health services could run out within months. Local officials and school leaders met Friday to discuss how to sustain school-based mental health care that supports thousands of students. The current funding — about 1.65 million dollars a year from federal grants and county sales tax revenue — pays for counselors, clinicians, and telehealth services. But with federal funding uncertain and declining sales tax revenue, school leaders say that support is in jeopardy. Educators stress that losing these services would have serious consequences for student well-being, especially in rural districts. Just last month, the Ferndale School Board unanimously passed a resolution urging the Legislature to fully fund public education in the Ferndale District. There are more than 27,000 public school students across the county. STORY: State reps announce Whatcom and Skagit town halls in near future State lawmakers have announced a pair of town halls in Ferndale, providing updates from Olympia and fielding questions from constituents. 42nd District Representatives Joe Timmons, Alicia Rule, and state Senator Sharon Shewmake will be at Ferndale High School on February 21st. At the Mount Vernon Commons, 40th District Representatives Debra Lekanoff (luh-KAN-ov), Alex Ramel (RAM-ull), and state Senator Liz Lovelett will host a town hall on the same day and time. The meetings will both start at 11 AM. STORY: AWB reports increasing numbers of WA business leaders considering leaving state A new survey suggests confidence among Washington’s business leaders is slipping. The Association of Washington Business says 44 percent of business leaders are considering …
February 9, 2026 News Transcript
Birds ball good, Data shows opioid overdoses took dramatic dip in Whatcom across 2025, Sumas house fire leaves one dead, Maple Falls woman arrested on suspicion of assaulting neighbor, Skagit County man sentenced to six months after threatening to kill members of Congress, Hwy 20 crash sends Skagit County woman to hospital, Whatcom County receives permission to file motion extending water rights court filing date, Coalition protects $1.4 billion in K-12 funding, WWU alum wins gold medal in Olympics downhill skiing Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, February, 9. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Birds ball good For the second time in history, the Seattle Seahawks are Super Bowl champions. The Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-to-13 last night, led by a dominant defensive performance. Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III was named the most valuable player of the game with 135 rushing yards, while kicker Jason Myers set a Super Bowl record by kicking five field goals. The game marked the culmination of the Seahawks’ rapid turnaround under second-year head coach Mike Macdonald, who rebuilt a defense that ranked 25th in points allowed in 2023 into the league’s top unit this year. A parade to celebrate the team’s achievement is planned for Wednesday morning in Seattle. STORY: Data shows opioid overdoses took dramatic dip in Whatcom across 2025 Opioid overdoses dropped significantly in Whatcom County during 2025. New data posted on the Whatcom Overdose Prevention website indicates that the number of fatal opioid overdoses dropped by 37% in 2025, as compared to 2024. The number of EMS calls for suspected overdoses also declined by 33% during the same period. Whatcom County’s numbers mirror statewide trends, with the Washington State Department of Health reporting almost 20% fewer fatal opioid overdose deaths in 2025. The region has poured substantial resources into prevention programs in recent years, including the installation of eight public-access naloxone (na-LOK-sone) dispenser boxes in Whatcom County. Naloxone—often known as Narcan (NAR-kan)—safely reverses the effects of opioid overdoses. The dispenser boxes offer naloxone at no cost. Additionally, Whatcom Overdose Prevention offers free online ordering options. STORY: Sumas house fire leaves one dead An unidentified man died in a house fire yesterday on Halverstick Road in Sumas (SOO-mass). Whatcom County Fire District 14 says crews were called to a home on the 3300 block just after 9 a.m. Smoke and flames were visible on arrival. While extinguishing the fire, firefighters found a deceased man inside the home. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the county’s Fire Marshal and Sheriff’s offices. STORY: Maple Falls woman arrested on suspicion of assaulting neighbor A Maple Falls woman was arrested Thursday evening on suspicion of assaulting a neighbor. According to reports from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the neighbor told police that the woman—and an unidentified man—broke a window, pulled him out of the house, and then assaulted and maced him. The man suffered from several cuts and stinging eyes. Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Amy Cloud says the woman admitted to macing her neighbor. She is being held without bail, and prosecutors have yet to formally charge her. STORY: Skagit County man sentenced to six months after threatening to kill members of Congress A Skagit County man has been sentenced to six months in prison after threatening to kill members of Congress. According to First Assistant U.S. District Attorney Charles Neil Floyd, 67-year-old Bradley Whaley (WHALE-ee) threatened to kill two unidentified members of Congress and their staff in several voicemails he left at their D.C. office. Whaley left his name and phone number in the messages, which led to his arrest in Seattle in March last year. He blamed heavy alcohol abuse for his actions. STORY: Hwy 20 crash sends Skagit County woman to hospital A weekend crash sent a Skagit County woman to the hospital. The Washington State Patrol says two vehicles were speeding on eastbound Highway 20 when one tried to pass the other. The second vehicle went off the road and hit a tree, and both vehicles came to rest blocking the eastbound lanes just east of Concrete. Troopers say the driver of the second vehicle — a 27‑year‑old Concrete woman — was taken to Skagit Valley Hospital. The other driver, a 32‑year‑old Burlington man, was uninjured. The State Patrol says drugs and alcohol were not involved, and the cause remains under investigation. UPDATE: Whatcom County receives permission to file motion extending water rights court filing date Whatcom County has received permission to try to extend a water rights deadline. Whatcom County asked the court last month to give people more time to file claims and set the same deadline for all claimants. Court records indicate that the county cited uncertainty and confusion about the different deadlines. The water rights adjudication case, launched by the Department of Ecology last year, is expected to take over a decade to resolve and affect up to 20,000 water users. The Water Resource Area 1—also known as WRIA1 (WHY-rah ONE)—is bounded by the Canadian border to the north, the Strait of Georgia to the west, the Cascade Crest to the east. It includes all of Whatcom and parts of Skagit. So far, only about 1,600 claims have been filed. County officials say confusion over deadlines for people who haven’t yet received formal notice justifies giving everyone more time. More than a quarter of water users still must be notified by newspaper publication. On January 16th, Superior Court judge David Freeman ruled that Whatcom County can bring their request forward to the court. However, in two different orders, also on Jan. 16, Freeman denied two requests to abstain in the water rights dispute. One came from Sumas (SOO-mass) Out—a group of residents who say they should not be included as their water doesn’t come from the Nooksack River— and the other from the Ag Water Board, who say they object because the lawsuit does not include Canadian water. According to Judge David Freeman’s court order on Jan. …
February, 6 2026, News Transcript
Bellingham Public Schools admits liability in school bus sexual assault case, Presence of outside consulting firm inside PeaceHealth invokes fear of another round of layoffs, Judge’s ruling maintains Sumas’ status as member of ongoing Nooksack water rights lawsuit, New traffic analysis identifies crash hot spots, Round of bills fail to pass WA House, Ferguson meets with NBA commissioner to discuss potential return of Seattle SuperSonics, STORY for 2/6 Free/Cheap: Salish Seed swap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, February 6th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Bellingham Public Schools admits liability in school bus sexual assault case Attorneys for Bellingham Public Schools have admitted the district was negligent in the case of a boy who was sexually assaulted on a school bus. The lawsuit, filed by the boy’s family in 2024, alleges the district failed to protect the child despite knowing another student had a history of assaults on the bus. While the district initially denied responsibility, new court filings show it has accepted liability for negligence and resulting damages. A trial set for July will focus only on the amount of harm suffered by the family. The district as well as attorneys for the family say they cannot comment as the case moves toward trial. STORY: Presence of outside consulting firm inside PeaceHealth invokes fear of another round of layoffs Employees at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center say the presence of outside consultants is raising fears of layoffs. According to Cascadia Daily News, workers say consultants from Huron Consulting Group have been seen around the hospital for weeks, which has prompted concern about staffing cuts — especially in the laboratory. On Tuesday, lab assistants delivered a petition signed by more than 400 employees, and warned that fewer lab staff would mean delays — and harm — to patient care. PeaceHealth says the consultants are conducting an organizational review to improve long-term stability, but would not say whether layoffs are in the offing. The hospital’s lab assistants, represented by SEIU 1199NW, say staffing levels are already stretched thin — and any cuts would hurt patients in Whatcom County’s only hospital. STORY: Judge’s ruling maintains Sumas’ status as member of ongoing Nooksack water rights lawsuit A Whatcom County judge rejected a request to remove Sumas from a water rights lawsuit. The lawsuit filed by the Washington State Department of Ecology is aimed at defining historical water rights of the Nooksack watershed. The Nooksack and Lummi tribes support the suit. Officials say they are gathering information about who uses water county-wide, and how much is used, to better understand how much needs to be reserved for environmental protection, including salmon. The city of Sumas attempted to remove their claim because they say they are in the Fraser River watershed. But Superior Court judge David Freeman denied the petition, essentially saying that a clearer picture of all claims and interests was needed before taking on the broader legal issues. Two groups — Whatcom Family Farmers and Sumas Out — say the decision is frustrating and could force residents into a costly legal process, even though it may later turn out it does not apply, to them, at all. The Nooksack River watershed encompasses all of Whatcom County and part of northern Skagit County, including surface water and groundwater. Up to 30,000 claimants are expected to declare their water usage by May 1st. STORY: New traffic analysis identifies crash hot spots A new analysis from WSDOT has identified several traffic safety hot spots in Whatcom County. In the new I-5 Operations and Demand Management Analysis, state transportation officials say the biggest problem on I-5 through Bellingham isn’t traffic volume — it’s weaving. WSDOT points to seven interchanges packed into eight miles, which encourage short local trips on the freeway and create conflict with the constant merging. In the first nine months of 2024, more than 200 crashes were reported between Old Fairhaven Parkway and Slater Road, with nearly 70 percent occurring between noon and 6 p.m. According to the data, the worst trouble spot is the Iowa Street interchange. Ramp meters have been discussed as a way to reduce crashes, but there’s currently no plan to install them in the Bellingham corridor. Crash totals are lower on I-5 through Ferndale, but fatal crashes have historically been higher, largely due to higher speeds on the straight, 70-mile-per-hour stretch of freeway. The roundabout at Portal Way, built in 2018, has emerged as a major safety concern. During heavy northbound traffic, backups from the roundabout can spill onto I-5 and create dangerous conditions near the Main Street exit. The City of Ferndale says it plans to expand the roundabout to two lanes, add lighting and sidewalks, and reconfigure ramps to improve traffic flow. They had hoped to begin in this year, but no timeline has been confirmed. UPDATE: Round of bills fail to pass WA House The first key legislative deadline in the statehouse has ended the run for dozens of bills during the short 60-day session. Proposals that stalled include a statewide four-day workweek, changes to homeschooling requirements, restrictions on police hiring former ICE agents, and several efforts to protect children online. Other measures that failed to advance addressed food access in under-served communities, reforms to judicial appointments, expanded tribal representation on the Fish and Wildlife Commission, and limits on unauthorized encampments on college campuses. Lawmakers say the next deadline means measures that cost money will face steeper hurdles, while bills tied to the state budget remain exempt from deadlines. Many sponsors acknowledge that their proposals are dead for the year, though several plan to revive them in future sessions. STORY: Ferguson meets with NBA commissioner to discuss potential return of Seattle SuperSonics Washington Governor Bob Ferguson met with NBA commissioner Adam Silver yesterday to discuss the possibility of the Seattle Supersonics’ return. The Supersonics left town in 2008, to become the Oklahoma City Thunder. Silver has stated the league would decide this year whether to pursue expansion. Seattle remains …
February 5, 2026 News Transcript
Naval ordnance shoots down drone over Whidbey Island, Sedro-Woolley mayor announces forthcoming resignation, Everson police arrests suspect in hit-and-run, Ferndale police arrests suspect in armed robbery, Whatcom man arrested on suspicion of assault with an axe, AG’s office files lawsuit against multiple companies alleging involvement in unlicensed casino apps, Lawmaker pushes for help for ag families in crisis, Millionaires tax moves forward despite ban on income tax, Accused National Guard shooter pleads not guilty Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, February, 5. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Naval ordnance shoots down drone over Whidbey Island Naval ordnance shot down a drone on Tuesday at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. According to reporting from KIRO News 7, a U.S. Navy spokesman said the drone operator was revealed to be a reservist on temporary duty with his unit conducting training. During a break, he began flying the drone, which allegedly violated base regulations. After the drone was spotted shortly after 1 p.m., defense systems at the base shot down the drone, and personnel were able to determine that the drone did not pose any immediate threats. STORY: Sedro-Woolley mayor announces forthcoming resignation Sedro-Wooley mayor Julia Johnson will resign on April 3rd. According to Cascadia Daily News says they obtained a copy of an email sent to city officials. The email cites unforeseen family and personal circumstances as reasons for taking the early exit. Her term runs until November 28. Johnson served from 2018 and led the city through COVID-19 and 2 catastrophic floods. The city council will have 90 days to appoint a new mayor. According to the Skagit Valley Herald, Nick Lavacca is the mayor pro-tem, a position which qualifies him to serve until a replacement is found. Johnson wrote ‘she was so grateful for this opportunity to serve this wonderful community’. STORY: Everson police arrests suspect in hit-and-run An Everson woman remains in jail following a hit-and-run that seriously injured an elderly pedestrian. Police say an 87-year-old woman was struck by a black SUV in a parking lot on East Main Street just before one o’clock December seventeenth. Witnesses report the driver fled the scene. Security video helped deputies identify the suspect, forty-year-old Shranden Toquitno-Carpenter (to-KEET-no CAR-pen-ter), who was arrested the next day. She’s charged with vehicular assault and hit-and-run with injury and is being held on sixty-five-thousand dollars bail. STORY: Ferndale police arrests suspect in armed robbery Ferndale Police responded to a reported armed robbery Tuesday night. Officers quickly set up a perimeter in the 5600 block of Eagle Parkway after reports the suspect was armed with a handgun. A K-9 unit and drone were used to track down the suspect in a multi-agency search that lasted until about 9 p.m. An additional, possibly related incident was reported near Fourth Avenue and Main Street. An 18-year-old man was later booked into the Whatcom County Jail, and now faces charges which include first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a firearm, and theft. STORY: Whatcom man arrested on suspicion of assault with an axe A Ferndale man is in custody after an early-morning ax attack on a neighbor. Whatcom County deputies say a forty-six-year-old man broke into a home on Lattimore (LAT-uh-more) Road around three-thirty Tuesday morning and began swinging an ax at the homeowner. The victim was able to block the attack but suffered a minor cut to his arm. Authorities say the suspect then grabbed a knife and continued threatening the neighbor. The man was arrested later that morning and booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and burglary. He’s being held without bail and has not yet been formally charged. STORY: AG’s office files lawsuit against multiple companies alleging involvement in unlicensed casino apps Washington Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit against several companies over their involvement in unlicensed gambling apps. The lawsuit alleges that the companies have violated the Gambling Act and the Consumer Protection Act over their deceptive practices that reportedly target children, such as associated YouTube channels that produce what resembles children’s television. According to a press release from the Attorney General’s office, the apps named in the lawsuit have reportedly made 225 million dollars off of Washingtonians since September 2020. The AG’s office says it hopes the lawsuit will recover all of this money. STORY: Lawmaker pushes for help for ag families in crisis A longtime Eastern Washington lawmaker says mental health challenges in agriculture are reaching crisis levels. SCHMICK AUDIO 1: “Agriculture suicide is three times the rate than it is in the general populace, and with all the stressors right now in agriculture, I am really worried for our ag folks.” Rep. Joe Schmick, a Republican from Colfax who serves on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, says as financial and regulatory pressures mount on farm families, many rural residents personally know someone affected. He’s working with others on expanding an agriculture-specific mental health hotline staffed by people who understand farm life and its pressures. SCHMICK AUDIO 2: “We’re talking about saving lives and that’s the important thing here, to help these folks.” Schmick says making help available around the clock could make the difference for families under extraordinary stress. STORY: Millionaires tax moves forward despite ban on income tax Washington state Democrats are moving forward with a proposed tax on millionaires — despite a state ban on income tax. Lawmakers passed an income tax ban in 2024, but because the Legislature enacted it themselves — instead of it being approved by voters — Democrats can now change or repeal the ban with a simple majority. This week, Democratic leaders introduced a bill to impose a 9.9 percent tax on income over one million dollars, directly amending that ban. Republicans argue the move undermines Washington’s initiative process and accuse Democrats of laying the groundwork to expand the tax later. Democrats say the goal was to preserve flexibility — not to target more taxpayers — and to protect existing taxes from legal challenges. …
February 4, 2026 News Transcript
BPD investigating hit-and-run on Sunset Drive, Bellingham woman arrested on suspicion of human trafficking, Washington man pleads guilty to 2022 murder and string of home robberies up and down Puget Sound, Bellingham licensing building to close for three weeks, Bham kid demo shrinking, district considers consolidation, “Millionaire’s tax” introduced in state legislature, Sedro-Woolley City Council now accepting applications for vacant seat, Ferndale renames itself “Hawkdale,” in anticipation of Superbowl, Places to free file your taxes, Free or Cheap, 2/6 Free/Cheap: Salish Seed swap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, February, 4. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: BPD investigating hit-and-run on Sunset Drive Bellingham Police are investigating a hit-and-run where a 32-year-old woman was injured. Lieutenant Claudia Murphy says officers were dispatched to an area between East Sunset Drive and Barkley Boulevard after receiving a report of a domestic altercation between the woman and a man. During the drive over, it was revealed that the woman had been hit by a car. Murphy said officers later discovered that both individuals ended up in the roadway during the fight. A car approached, and despite the man’s efforts to push the woman away, she was hit by a red sedan that fled east soon after. The woman was taken to St. Joseph’s with minor injuries. STORY: Bellingham woman arrested on suspicion of human trafficking A Bellingham woman is accused of human trafficking involving a child. Police say the 42‑year‑old arranged hotel rooms so a man could sexually assault a teenager in exchange for methamphetamine. Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy identified the man as 46-year-old Kyle Strode of Bellingham. He was arrested in October of 2024 and has pled not guilty to several charges, including rape of a child and commercial sex abuse of a child. Murphy says the woman was aware of the sexual assault and drug use in the hotel rooms. The woman is being held in lieu of a $40,000 bond. STORY: Washington man pleads guilty to 2022 murder and string of home robberies up and down Puget Sound The co-leader of a violent home‑invasion crew has pleaded guilty to racketeering. Federal prosecutors say 24‑year‑old Christopher Johnson admitted to helping run a string of armed robberies across Western Washington in 2022 — including a home invasion and kidnapping in Mount Vernon. Prosecutors say Johnson and co‑leader Kevin Thissel (THISS-ul) sent masked crews posing as police into homes at night, where they zip‑tied victims – including children – and ransacked homes. They often picked targets based on social media posts about wealth or collections. One mother was shot and killed in Everett as her 7‑year‑old lay beside her. Other admitted crimes span Mercer Island, Kent, Burien, and Everett. Johnson faces life in prison, though both sides say they will recommend 25 years. Court records indicate that he also plans to plead guilty in Snohomish County to second‑degree murder in the Everett killing, with another 25‑year term recommended to run concurrently. STORY: Bellingham licensing building to close for three weeks The only in-person driver’s license office in Whatcom County will close for maintenance between February 13th and March 4th. Washington’s Department of Licensing says the closure affects only the office on Cordata Parkway in Bellingham. A number of common licensing services, including address changes, renewals or replacements, and status checks can be accessed through the Department of Licensing’s website at dol.wa.gov. All of the Whatcom offices that handle vehicle and vessel licensing will remain open as usual. According to a recent Facebook post by the D.O.L., county residents who require in-person help during the closure period are being urged to visit either the Mount Vernon driver licensing office, or the Smokey Point office in Arlington. STORY: Bham kid demo shrinking, district considers consolidation Local school leaders say recent voter-approved levies helped ease budget pressure, but did not close the gap. State law caps how much districts can raise locally, while lawmakers in Olympia have yet to fully fund K-thru-12 education. More than two-thirds of district revenue comes from the state, and officials will not know next year’s funding levels until the legislative session wraps up in mid-March. According to a recent open letter shared with the media – and signed by the Bellingham School Board – the rising costs for utilities and insurance, combined with inflation and flat state funding, will force more cuts. District leaders have approved a shift from an eight-period to a seven-period high school schedule to save money while preserving course options. Simultaneously, a decline in birth rates is driving lower enrollment projections, even as Bellingham continues to grow — largely due to housing that’s unaffordable for families. District officials say they’re working with a demographer to plan for possible school consolidations or site repurposing, and urge residents to press local and state lawmakers to fully fund public education. STORY: “Millionaire’s tax” introduced in state legislature In related news, Washington state legislators have introduced a proposal for a tax on residents making over $1 million per year. My Bellingham Now and KOMO News both report that Senate Bill 6346, which was introduced on Tuesday, would create an income tax of 9.9% for the state’s highest earners. According to Governor Bob Ferguson, the money generated by such a tax should fund K-thru-12 public education and supportive programs. He did, however, recommend changes to the bill’s language on Tuesday afternoon, claiming that the current proposal does not ensure the revenues would return to Washingtonians’ pockets. If passed, the so-called “millionaire’s tax” would take effect on New Year’s Day in 2028, with the first payments due in April of 2029. STORY: Sedro-Woolley City Council now accepting applications for vacant seat The Sedro-Woolley City Council is now accepting applications for Ward 6’s vacant seat. Until recently, that seat was occupied by Joe Burns of the Democratic Party, who had been reelected to the City Council in November by a significant margin. Burns, however, was appointed to the Skagit County Board of Commissioners to fill the vacancy left …
February 3, 2026 News Transcript
Bellingham Target draws particular attention from weekend ICE protesters, Bellingham Public Library’s mall branch to see temporary expansions as main branch closes for renovations, Whatcom County removed from list of defendants in ongoing Birch Bay Waterslides suit, Skagit County to install temporary bridge on flood-devastated section of Rockport Cascade Road, Two more state Supreme Court seats to be vacant going into this year’s election, House bill would impose restrictions on cities’ ability to sweep homeless encampments from public spaces, Fed cutbacks affect UW, WSU research, Amazon announces more cuts, Millionaires Tax details emerge, Seattle’s children grow more ethnically diverse, Amazon announces more cuts, Places to free file your taxes, Bham kid demo shrinking, Free or Cheap, 2/6 Free/Cheap: Salish Seed swap, Menace Brewing Puppy Bowl Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, January 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Bellingham Target draws particular attention from weekend ICE protesters More than 50 protesters rallied at the Bellingham Target store this past weekend. Members of the Bellingham Troublemakers marched through the store, handed out flyers, and delivered demands to management. They accused the retailer of cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The protesters called on Target to block ICE agents access to its stores, and publicly oppose federal immigration enforcement practices. Target has not yet responded to the allegations. STORY: Bellingham Public Library’s mall branch to see temporary expansions as main branch closes for renovations Bellingham Public Library’s branch in the Bellis Fair Mall will be expanding hours and events to make up for renovations at the main branch. The addition at the library’s Bellis Fair location will provide expanded hours and events like storytimes and youth programming, according to a news release on the library’s website. The Central Library’s expansion will focus on improving spaces for children and teens, as well as better staff work areas. It will close for renovation once construction begins later this year or early next. STORY: Whatcom County removed from list of defendants in ongoing Birch Bay Waterslides suit Whatcom County has been found not liable in court for a serious leg injury at Birch Bay Waterslides in 2023. The Bellingham Herald first reported that a summary judgment was issued last Monday, where the county was then removed from the list of defendants. The county successfully argued that state law prevents health jurisdictions from being held responsible for damages when a waterpark fails to comply with regulations. The plaintiff, whose legs went through a faulty panel on a slide, is still suing the park, in addition to Safe Slide Restoration, and Kingworks Consulting Engineers. A jury trial is scheduled for August 26th. STORY: Skagit County to install temporary bridge on flood-devastated section of Rockport Cascade Road Skagit County plans to use a World War 2-era Bailey bridge, or temporary bridge, on Rockport Cascade Road. According to Skagit County Public Works, last December’s flooding washed out a 70 foot piece of road at Jordan Creek. The road is an essential alternative route to Highway 20, and serves logging trucks and fire crews. The temporary bridge will be in place for at least 4 months at the cost of $500,000. It does, however, have the potential to remain in place for decades. County commissioners will wait to see if federal funding comes through before deciding to buy the current bridge or construct a new concrete bridge, which could take 4 years to build. The county estimates flood-related road and bridge repairs will cost around $3.15 million. STORY: Two more state Supreme Court seats to be vacant going into this year’s election A longtime member of Washington’s Supreme Court is stepping down. Justice Barbara Madsen, the first woman elected to the state’s high court, will retire on April 3rd after 33 years on the bench. Governor Bob Ferguson says Madsen’s tenure helped to shape modern state law, including two terms as chief justice and thousands of decisions across more than three decades. Her retirement follows other recent changes. Justice Colleen Melody joined the court last month, replacing Justice Mary Yu, who retired in the fall. The Washington State Standard reports Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis will not seek reelection after one term. She’s backing Appeals Court Judge J. Michael Diaz, who also has Attorney General Nick Brown’s support. Finally, Justice Charles Johnson, the court’s longest-serving member, must retire at year’s end when he turns 75. With Madsen’s departure and other upcoming changes, one third of the court will have turned over by next year. STORY: House bill would impose restrictions on cities’ ability to sweep homeless encampments from public spaces Washington lawmakers are weighing new limits on unhoused encampment sweeps. House Bill 2489, known as the Shelter, Not Penalties Act, would block cities and counties from penalizing people for life-sustaining activities on public property unless adequate shelter is available. Supporters say it prioritizes dignity and consistency statewide, while critics warn it could expose cities to lawsuits and limit local control. STORY: Fed cutbacks affect UW, WSU research Federal funding uncertainty is hitting Washington’s research pipeline. University of Washington President Robert J. Jones says faculty are now wary of recruiting new PhD students because they can not guarantee support through graduation. [CLIP Jones-1.wav :14 out: their training ] Jones also says U-dub and Wazzu may compete in sports — but collaboration is critical when it comes to research and statewide problem-solving. [clip Jones-2.wav :11 out: with each other ] Jones told TVW’s Inside Olympia that stable funding and stronger partnerships are both essential to keep Washington at the forefront of innovation. STORY: Seattle’s children grow more ethnically diverse New Census data show that in 2024— for the first time— Seattle’s under-18 population had no racial or ethnic majority group. White children remained the largest single group at about 49 percent, but no longer make up a majority — down from nearly 53 percent last year. By contrast, white residents still account for roughly 56 percent of Seattle’s total population. The city’s youngest residents are …
February 2, 2026 News Transcript
Protests against ICE draw crowds of hundreds across Whatcom and Skagit counties, Protesters at Portland ICE facility tear gassed, Man arrested on suspicion of harassing Lummi Nation leadership, IED discovered in Mount Vernon church donation bin, Hovander Park reopens following flood closure, Whatcom Health and Community Services issues health advisory following measles outbreak in Snohomish, N. Cascades Bluegrass Festival Closes, WA population one of the fastest growing nationwide, Fed cutbacks affect UW, WSU research, Seattle’s children grow more ethnically diverse, Bham kid demo shrinking, Free or Cheap, Salish Seed swap, Menace Puppy Bowl Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, February, 2. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Protests against ICE draw crowds of hundreds across Whatcom and Skagit counties Hundreds of people across Skagit and Whatcom County, including students, gathered on Friday to protest the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement around the country. Last Friday’s protest was part of a nationwide shutdown calling on people to stay home from work, shopping, or school. Students from Burlington-Edison High School and Western Washington University walked out of class and joined the protest. The demonstrations followed a series of federal immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis, including deadly encounters between agents and civilians that drew national attention. Western students called on administrators to ensure campus safety by passing additional policies and resolutions that would limit cooperation with federal law enforcement. STORY: Protesters at Portland ICE facility tear gassed In other ICE news, federal agents deployed tear gas on protesters outside Portland’s ICE facility this weekend. Saturday’s protest saw tear gas, pepper balls, rubber bullets, and flash-bangs used on a crowd that included families, while Sunday’s response escalated more gradually. The tactics drew sharp criticism from city leaders. Tear gas was fired after demonstrators pounded on the facility and rattled its security gate. Protesters said the aggressive response only strengthened their resolve to return and continue to protest federal immigration policy. STORY: Man arrested on suspicion of harassing Lummi Nation leadership A man was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of harassing and cyberstalking Lummi Nation leadership. A statement released by the Lummi Nation on Friday says Bellingham Police apprehended the individual after he was accused of trespassing at the Lummi Nation administrative building, posting what the tribe described as disturbing and threatening videos online, and violating an unrelated no-contact order. In a release issued a day before the arrest, Lummi officials urged the community not to engage with the individual as the situation escalated through social media. STORY: IED discovered in Mount Vernon church donation bin A Mount Vernon church discovered what appeared to be a tennis ball explosive in its donation bin. The Bellingham Police Department’s Hazardous Device Unit was dispatched last Thursday and arrived on scene at around 6 p.m. Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy said the unit was able to confirm the item as an improvised explosive device, and safely disposed of it. Mount Vernon Police are investigating who might have donated the item. STORY: Hovander Park reopens following flood closure Whatcom County Parks announced on their Facebook page that Ferndale’s Hovander Homestead Park reopened on Friday. The park was severely damaged after the Nooksack River flooded in December. About 3 weeks ago, the parks department announced it had reopened the boat ramp and the off-leash dog area. They could not reopen all of the park, however, because of additional needed repairs – some of which are still ongoing. The county advises people to be cautious in the designated work areas when they visit the park. STORY: Whatcom Health and Community Services issues health advisory following measles outbreak in Snohomish The surge in measles cases in Snohomish County has prompted Whatcom County Health and Community Services to issue an advisory. Health officials have linked the outbreak in Snohomish — Washington’s first since 2023 — to a larger outbreak in South Carolina. According to the advisory, Whatcom County’s current vaccination rate of 86% is too low, which increases the risk of widespread infection. A 95% vaccination rate would prevent community spreading if measles does arrive in our area. In its post, Whatcom County Health offers numerous resources, including a map of exposure locations in Washington state and information about the Childhood Vaccine Program. Parents can take children 19 or under to be immunized for free at specific locations. A free vaccination clinic will take place tomorrow at the Chestnut Professional Building in Bellingham. For full information and appointments, visit the County’s Immunization Clinics webpage. STORY: Bellingham School Board pushes legislature for change in funding Leaders of Bellingham Public Schools have called for a change in what they say is Washington’s broken school funding system. In a recent letter to the press, the school board argues the state is failing its constitutional duty to fully fund basic education when it forces districts to use local levy dollars to cover essentials like utilities, insurance, special education, and staffing. With costs on the rise and state funding formulas lagging behind, the board urged lawmakers to overhaul school funding this session so it reflects the real cost of operating schools — and does not rely on local taxpayers to cover the basics. STORY: N. Cascades Bluegrass Festival Closes A popular music festival is calling it quits. Organizers of the North Cascades Bluegrass Festival say a steep drop in ticket sales — about thirty‑five percent last year — pushed the Labor Day weekend event into the red, and they do not expect the market to bounce back anytime soon. The festival launched in 2016 at Hovander Homestead Park. It later moved to the Deming Log Show Grounds, and became the main fundraiser for the Whatcom Parks and Recreation Foundation. However, shifting priorities at both the Log Show and the Foundation, along with a downturn in Canadian attendance, led to the decision to shut it down. Co‑founders Daniel Tepper and David Starr thanked fans, volunteers, and bands, calling the festival a labor of love. STORY: WA population one of the fastest growing nationwide …
January 29, 2026 News Transcript
Whatcom County email archival glitch revealed to have led to numerous improperly filed public works request, Whatcom County Council moves prospective location of new treatment facility from Ferndale to Bellingham, Whatcom County Council moves prospective location of new treatment facility from Ferndale to Bellingham, Bham Public Library moves forward with reno, Whatcom unemployment rate undergoes typical seasonal increase, Burn ban canceled for Columbia Valley area, Highway 542 closed next week, State bill barring masked law enforcement passes Senate Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, January, 29. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Whatcom County email archival glitch revealed to have led to numerous improperly filed public works request Whatcom County says an email archiving glitch led to numerous public records requests being inadequately filled between mid-September and early January. According to the Cascadia Daily News, the problem came to light after the newspaper received “zero” emails in response to a records request tied to last fall’s historic flooding. County officials say the issue affected a backup archiver — not Microsoft email accounts themselves — and has since been fixed. However, they say the backlog could take up to 90 days to restore. The county says it plans to rerun affected records searches, and release any additional documents. They also cited a growing volume and scope of public disclosure requests. STORY: Whatcom County Council moves prospective location of new treatment facility from Ferndale to Bellingham Whatcom County is steering its new behavioral health center away from the jail. The County Council voted 6-to-1 this week to recommend placing the 32‑bed facility on Division Street in Bellingham as an out‑of‑custody center — a move that would make it available to the broader community, not just people in jail custody. Councilmember Ben Elenbaas cast the lone no vote, saying he wasn’t ready to sign off without seeing more of the full plan. [clip elenbaas.wav : out: way there yet] Locating the center on Division Street would put it near existing treatment services, including crisis stabilization, detox and inpatient care. Supporters — including Councilmember Jon Scanlon and county staff — say the out‑of‑custody model improves access to treatment. The center is part of the county’s Justice Project, a voter‑approved effort to overhaul criminal justice and behavioral health through a new jail, the care center, and expanded treatment and housing services. STORY: Bham Public Library moves forward with reno In more construction news, the City of Bellingham announced that the central Public Library is moving ahead with Phase Two of its renovation. The eight-and-a-half-million-dollar project will be supported by city funds, private donations, and more than three million dollars in state grants. According to the City, the renovation will modernize the children’s and teen spaces, improve safety and accessibility, upgrade staff work areas, and enhance heating and ventilation. Construction is expected to begin in late 2026 or early 2027. The Central Library will maintain open regular hours until then, some services will shift to other branches during construction. STORY: State Dept. of Commerce awards nearly $3 million in grants to affordable housing projects across Whatcom Three cities in Whatcom County have been awarded nearly one million dollars each for affordable housing projects. The Washington State Department of Commerce announced last week that it was investing a total of 54.5 million dollars across the state to connect 70 housing projects to water-related infrastructure. Bellingham will receive one million dollars for senior housing construction, while Ferndale will receive the same amount for the Kulshan Community Land Trust. The non-profit says it plans to build up to 50 homes inside their affordable housing project in northeast Ferndale called Thornton Village. Everson was granted 900,000 dollars for the Mateo Meadows Community development near its downtown district. STORY: Whatcom unemployment rate undergoes typical seasonal increase Whatcom County saw a slight increase in the seasonal unemployment rate closing out the year 2025. The Washington State Employment Security Department reported the seasonal adjusted rate that ended in December is higher from prior months and a few percentage points higher than last year. However, Whatcom County’s unemployment rate of 5.4% is lower than the state average. About 7700 new jobs were added last quarter— most are in food service and bars. STORY: Burn ban canceled for Columbia Valley area The Northwest Clean Air Agency has cancelled its Stage 2 burn ban for Whatcom County’s Columbia Valley urban growth area. The ban was issued on January 16th, then upgraded to a Stage 2 ban three days later. The Clean Air Agency bases their projections on weather forecasts and small particle air pollution, and issues burn bans when projected air quality is worse than national health-based standards for 24 hours or more. The agency cited improved air quality, but encouraged residents to keep indoor wood burning limited to help reduce the necessity for future actions. STORY: Highway 542 closed next week Just a reminder that Mount Baker Highway will close for five days east of Glacier starting at 6 a.m. Monday. Flood damage from December weakened a culvert and part of the roadway near milepost 43. Crews will replace the culvert, rebuild the roadbed, repave, and install new striping and guardrail. The highway is expected to reopen Friday afternoon, Feb. 6. Afterward, drivers should expect alternating traffic near milepost 41 as additional repair work continues. STORY: State bill barring masked law enforcement passes Senate The Washington State Senate has passed a bill that bars law enforcement officers from concealing their identities and covering their faces while performing public duties. Supporters of the bill say it adds accountability and transparency. The debate over the bill coincides with heightened national scrutiny over conduct by masked federal immigration agents, including two shooting deaths in Minneapolis this month. Governor Bob Ferguson held a news conference where he urged the bill to move quickly through the House so he could sign it into law. Opponents of the bill include state Republicans, who questioned how the bill might be enforced. …
January 27, 2026 News Transcript
Governor and AG’s offices pledge action should ICE violate WA citizens’ rights, Trial begins for Whatcom woman accused of 2021 murder, PSE reports nearly 2,000 Bellingham homes affected by power outage, Bellingham man arrested for felony DUI following collision, Bellingham Intl to stop providing direct flights to Oakland in May, State bill under consideration that would legalize home-growing of cannabis Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, Jan, 27. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Governor and AG’s offices pledge action should ICE violate WA citizens’ rights Washington leaders are pushing back after a deadly ICE operation in Minnesota. Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown held a press conference yesterday in response to federal escalation in Minnesota. TVW’s Angela Nalasco reports: [clip ICE-wrap.wav :60 out: with the public] TAG: The press conference comes two days after ICE agents killed another U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, who was fatally shot while peacefully exercising his constitutional rights. STORY: Trial begins for Whatcom woman accused of 2021 murder A Whatcom County woman is now on trial for a 2021 killing. According to court records, 67‑year‑old Lynda Clare Mercy is charged with second‑degree murder in the death of Thomas Flood, a transient man from Langley whose body was found near a beach access trail on the Semiahmoo Spit. Prosecutors say Flood was shot twice, driven to the spit in his van, and left under a mattress and sleeping bag. They told jurors Mercy’s DNA was found in the van and on a mask near his body, and that the bullets match a gun she owned. Defense attorneys argue the case is entirely circumstantial, and say investigators filled gaps with assumptions and failed to preserve key surveillance footage. Mercy was arrested in April of 2021 and has been held in the Whatcom County Jail since that time. The trial is expected to last about four weeks. STORY: PSE reports nearly 2,000 Bellingham homes affected by power outage Puget Sound Energy reported a power outage yesterday at about 12:18 PM in Bellingham. 1951 customer addresses were without power. PSE applied a standard 2-hour window to restore service. PSE cited the cause as an equipment failure. STORY: Bellingham man arrested for felony DUI following collision A 36-year-old Bellingham man faces felony DUI charges after a midnight collision near East Chestnut and North Forest Streets. The driver had a blood alcohol content three times the legal limit and crashed into another car stopped at a red light. He was arrested and taken to jail soon after. Previous charges were dismissed and upgraded to a felony DUI after it was discovered the man had three previous DUI convictions since 2014. The suspect appeared in court on January 16th, where his bail bond was set at 100,000 dollars, or 10,000 dollars cash. STORY: Bellingham Intl to stop providing direct flights to Oakland in May Bellingham International Airport will suspend its twice-weekly direct flight to Oakland International Airport in California after May 25th. Bellingham was the last remaining Allegiant Air route at Oakland International Airport. The airline currently connects Bellingham travelers to six airports on the West Coast. This month, Allegiant announced its intention to acquire Minneapolis-based Sun Country, a small budget airline. It remains unclear how the acquisition will affect Bellingham International, although multiple airlines are discussing service options in and around San Francisco. STORY: State bill under consideration that would legalize home-growing of cannabis Home-grown cannabis may soon be legal in Washington state. Senate Bill 6204 would allow adults 21 and over to grow cannabis in their private residences, with a limit of 15 plants per location. Recreational home growing is currently a Class C felony, though growing medical cannabis is legal. Under the proposal, home-grown cannabis could not be sold, and neighbors could report visible or odor-producing plants to law enforcement. Seattle State Senator Rebecca Saldana starts off this TVW wrap-up of the discussion on the Senate floor yesterday. CANNABIS AUDIO PX Supporters say the change would expand access and strengthen the regulated market, while opponents raised concerns about enforcement and youth exposure. WX: Principal Fluffy And now for the weather: Today’s forecast calls for cloudy skies, with occasional sun breaks. Daytime highs should reach into the low 50s today, with the evening dipping into the low 40s and high 30s. Tonight, look for modest winds and light rainfall. Tomorrow, expect the rain and mild temperatures to persist, with showers expected to fall overnight. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Austin Wright, Tyler Warne, and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thanks for listening! ##
