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WA hydrogen production to get boost from share of $1B in funding, potentially in Bellingham, Public Participation Sought for Point Roberts Drainage Study, Lummis move aggressively to combat overdose deaths, WNS – Opponents push back on initiative to build jail, WA agreement would require access to trans health care in prison, Free and Cheap, WWU’s Fall 2023 First-Year Class is its Second Largest Ever,     ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 13th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.   STORY:  WA hydrogen production to get a boost from share of $1B in funding, potentially Bellingham The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen the Pacific Northwest as a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub.  These hubs, supported by President Biden’s investment agenda, aim to create a national network for clean hydrogen production, storage, and delivery. According to the Pacific Northwest Clean Hydrogen Association, they will reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and enhance energy security.  The regional Hydrogen Hub hopes to reduce the carbon impacts of heavy transportation, energy storage, ports, agriculture, and industrial operations. It’s expected to generate over 10,000 jobs and strengthen energy security while promoting equitable energy systems. One of the proposed sites for the hub would be here in Bellingham. The hub is eligible to receive up to $1B dollars in federal funding over nine years, with the first phase beginning in early 2024.  STORY:  Public Participation Sought for Point Roberts Drainage Study Whatcom County is conducting a study in Point Roberts to analyze current and future water drainage patterns.  The study aims to identify and understand drainage problems, develop solutions and cost estimates, and seek funding. The results will be used to create the Point Roberts Drainage Management Plan. Residents of Point Roberts are encouraged to provide input on drainage issues via a public survey.  STORY:  Lummis move aggressively to combat overdose deaths In response to recent overdose deaths in Lummi Nation, the community is acting swiftly to fight against the growing drug trade. After declaring an emergency in September, Lummi Nation has begun utilizing police to search for drugs, with random traffic stops on the reservation. Lummi Chairman Anthony Hillaire (hill-AIR) acknowledged the random stops and searches might conflict with state law, which requires police to have a warrant and probable cause before searching a car without consent and are having policy analysts review it.  A Sheriff’s Office statement said the department doesn’t participate in the checkpoints and suggested that they couldn’t book suspects from these stops due to this law. Hillaire said that Lummi Nation may go further and block main thoroughfares through the reservation altogether, including roads that are used to access non-tribal homes and businesses on Lummi Island, via the ferry terminal at Gooseberry Point.  Lummi Nation has also received federal assistance, with Senator Maria Cantwell helping the tribe partner with the FBI to address crime within the reservation. STORY:  WNS – Opponents push back on initiative to build jail A November ballot initiative would fund building of a jail near Bellingham, but some say it’s the wrong way to address issues in Whatcom County. Eric Tegitoff has more… JAIL AUDIO STORY:  WA agreement would require access to trans health care in prison A new proposed settlement agreement with the state for gender-affirming medical care in state prisons may go into effect soon. Disability Rights Washington filed the complaint and the proposed settlement agreement in federal court on Wednesday morning, after an investigation beginning in 2017. The investigation looked into the conditions for transgender people in Washington prisons. DRW alleges the state has denied transgender prisoners gender-affirming care, hormone therapy, and have subjected them to strip searches by guards of opposite gender.  The agreement, if accepted, would require that the state prison staff include a mental-health care provider specializing in gender-affirming care, and a gender-affirming medical care specialist approved by both the state and DRW. The agreement would also limit trans women in state prisons being searched by male guards, requiring that enough female guards work at the relevant facilities. The state Department of Corrections has signed off on the agreement. A judge will now need to review and accept the deal. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some affordable events happening around Whatcom County. Bellingham SeaFeast will take place this weekend at Squalicum Harbor & Fisherman’s Pavilion. The event will have seafood vendors, cooking demos, market, entertainment, and beer garden. Admission is free and the event runs from 10 to 5 on Saturday, and from 11 to 5 on Sunday. Bellingham Farmers Market and Blaine’s Market By The Sea will have their weekly markets on Saturday from 10 to 2. This weekend will be Blaine’s last Market by the Sea until May. For those looking for something a little scarier, the Upfront Theatre will be the Hellingham improv murder mystery. The show takes place every Friday and Saturday night in October at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets are 10 dollars for students and 16 for regular attendees. WX: Sunny Today is going to be partly sunny, with highs in the low 70s. The low will be 54 with winds blowing from 5 to 13 mph throughout the day. Rain will come later tonight, and continue 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 your donations. I’m ___David Korb_____________… thanks for listening. ###

October 13, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Lake Whatcom fire 90% contained, The blob to return to PNW, Work begins on Whatcom Falls Park Trestle removal, PeaceHealth to restore palliative care, Avian Flu spreading, Money available for those affected by E WA wildfires, Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only, WA traffic deaths trending higher  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, the 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Lake Whatcom fire 90% contained The Lake Whatcom fire is nearly enclosed as firefighters report that 90 percent of it is contained. The north flank of the fire has been a particularly hard area to reach for ground crews because of steep slopes and cliffs. However over the weekend, helicopters have dropped water on this area and managed to secure it. Now with the more difficult areas taken care of, firefighters are finishing up the effort on foot. The fire broke out last Monday and there was a Level 2 evacuation order in place for much of last week. Now that most of the fire has been taken care of, the evacuation order has been downgraded to Level 1, and state and federal government officials are leaving the mop-up operations to local Department of Natural Resources crews. Blue Canyon Road will remain closed for non-residents until further notice. STORY: The Blob to return to the PNW A mass of warm ocean water known as “The Blob”, is predicted to revisit the Pacific coast for a third time. The return of the Blob could mean less snow for skiers and snowboarders and an extension on the current drought. The increased temperature of the water may also drive away salmon in search of cooler waters to feed in.  The Blob was first detected in 2013, where it led to mass seabird die-offs, migrations of fish and plankton, lower oxygen levels, and an increase in  toxic algae blooms that affected marine mammals. After its first appearance, the Blob split up into multiple smaller warm water bodies, affecting Alaska, Mexico, as well as the Pacific Northwest. Although forecasters hoped that weather patterns were going to shift back in 2017, the Blob has returned and, in combination with a predicted El Niño, this coming winter looks to be much warmer and drier than usual. STORY: Work begins on Whatcom Falls Park Trestle removal The beloved Whatcom Falls Park Trestle is being removed. According to park officials, the structure is beyond repair and will be removed by the end of September so the work doesn’t interfere with salmon spawning in the creek below the trestle. According to Bellingham Parks and Recreation Project Engineer Gina Austin, the trestle is in a floodway, where structures are no longer permitted and some of the trestle’s pilings have rotted all the way through. Also, the timber used in the trestle was treated with creosote (kree – uh – sowt), which contaminates water bodies. People are asked to stay away from the structure during demolition. STORY: PeaceHealth to restore palliative care The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation, in partnership with PeaceHealth, has announced its intention to reinstate an outpatient palliative care program or OPPC for the residents of Whatcom County.  This decision comes in response to community feedback following PeaceHealth’s earlier announcement to reduce comprehensive palliative care services. In a recent announcement, Dr. Scott Foster, the CEO of PeaceHealth Medical Group, acknowledged that the previous decision regarding OPPC was made hastily without consulting key stakeholders and apologized for any distress it caused. In the release, PeaceHealth said a new model has been developed with a focus on sustainability and improved efficiency to serve both cancer and non-cancer patients. The proposed model was approved by the Foundation Board last week.  PeaceHealth plans to launch the program in early 2024. STORY: Avian flu spreading The Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are advising the public to avoid any contact with wild birds, particularly those that appear sick or dead. The outbreak of bird flu affecting birds and seals near Fort Flagler State Park which began in July seems to be spreading. Initial findings suggest that three harbor seals from the same area may also be infected with avian influenza, with confirmation testing pending. WDFW has already removed over 1,700 deceased Caspian terns and gulls from the area and is actively monitoring the situation.  Recent detections of infected Caspian terns have also been reported near the Port of Everett, Port of Tacoma, and along the lower Columbia River. Although human infections of avian influenza are rare, they can occur through extended contact with infected animals or surfaces contaminated with their saliva or feces. Dogs and other animals can also become sick from bird flu, so don’t let your pets come in contact with sick or dead animals. WDFW urges the public to report any sick or dead birds promptly using their online form. To learn more, go to the Fish and Wildlife webpage. STORY: Money available for those affected by E WA wildfires Cash relief is available for people affected by the Eastern Washington wildfires. Residents in Spokane, Pend Orielle (POND uh RAY) and Whitman counties – if affected by the fires – can apply for immediate cash relief from Washington’s Disaster Cash Assistance Program. Unlike other cash relief programs, applying as a single person or non-pregnant individual is an option. This money is not available to people already receiving other disaster cash relief however, and the awarded amount is based on income, household size and need. Relief dollars can – at maximum – range from over $400 for a single person to over $1500 for a household of 10 or more. People can apply online at washingtonconnection.org or in person at their local community services office or call the disaster cash assistance hotline at 877-501-2233 to complete the entire application process over the phone. STORY: Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only The Bainbridge ferry will reduce crossings to only one boat and only allow walk-on travel …

September 5, 2023 News TranscriptRead More