WWU operational student employees file to unionize, Sumas Mountain closed to vehicles after environmental damage, Public Meeting to Discuss Cleanup of Plantation Rifle Range, WNS – WA advocates take on sharply rising health care costs, Most kids in WA still aren’t tested for lead, despite risks, Washington workers’ compensation premium rate going up an average of 4.9% in 2024, School officials urge state to extend emergency graduation waiver, Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows, Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, December 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: WWU operational student employees file to unionize
Yesterday, a group of operational student employees at Western Washington University filed for unionization.
The group is made up of over 1,100 individuals who work as program support staff, recreation assistants, and clerks. Citing issues of low and late pay, unsafe work environments, and unpredictable schedules, they submitted their request for union recognition to the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission and delivered a letter to the university president.
This marks the second time in a year that student employees at Western have voted for unionization. According to a recent release, the new operational student employee union hopes to promptly address concerns like low pay and inadequate safety measures through official negotiations with the university.
STORY: Sumas Mountain closed to vehicles after environmental damage
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is closing the area around Sumas Mountain to vehicles.
DNR said the closing is due to environmental damage from the public. Unsanctioned trail-building, garbage dumping, and timber theft continue to damage public resources. Illegal trails affect local fish by delivering sediment to streams. DNR had previously closed the area to vehicle access in August 2022 due to similar environmental concerns. According to the agency, the damage from the past two years has cost the state around $30,000 so far.
The entrances are likely to remain closed until the 2024 hunting season. The forest remains open for walk-in recreation.
STORY: Public Meeting to Discuss Cleanup of Plantation Rifle Range
Tonight, Whatcom County Parks and Rec. will hold a meeting about the cleanup of the Plantation Rifle Range.
Over the course of its 50 years of operation, lead bullets have contaminated the soil and made its way into the nearby streams and waterways, causing concern about negative impacts on both humans and wildlife.
Surface tests have been conducted on the water, revealing that it moderately exceeds the Clean Water Act standards for aquatic life, but remained well below benchmarks for unsafe drinking water.
The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Wade King Elementary.
STORY: WNS – WA advocates take on sharply rising health care costs
Health care advocates are calling on Washington state lawmakers to do more to rein in rising health-care costs after a recent report shows sharply rising prices. Reporter Mark Moran (mor-ANN) has more.
COSTS AUDIO
STORY: Most kids in WA still aren’t tested for lead, despite risks
A recent report from Washington’s state auditor reveals 74% of Medicaid-enrolled kids have not been tested for lead.
Lead exposure, especially harmful to children, is typically determined through blood tests. Federal rules mandate lead testing for Medicaid-enrolled children by the age of 6 if no prior tests are recorded. The recent audit indicates that up to 60,000 children born between 2017 and 2019 in Washington may be at higher risk but were not tested. And according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 4% of all Washington children were tested for lead as of 2018. While lead pipes are uncommon in Washington, children can still be exposed through paint, imported products, contaminated soil, and drinking water.
Despite historical deficiencies in lead testing rates, Washington did see an increase in testing between 2018 and 2022. In response to the report, state agencies acknowledged the need for improvement in identifying and supporting individuals vulnerable to lead exposure.
STORY: Washington workers’ compensation premium rate going up an average of 4.9% in 2024
A 4.9 percent increase in the average workers’ compensation premium rate goes into effect on January 1st.
According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, employers and workers will pay an additional $65 a year for each full-time employee. Workers will contribute about a quarter of the premium. The decision is based on factors like expected payouts, contingency reserves, and wage inflation. The 4.9 percent hike is an average, with rates varying by industry.
STORY: School officials urge state to extend emergency graduation waiver
School districts are hoping the Board of Education will extend the emergency high school graduation waiver for the class of 2024, citing the lasting impact of COVID-19 on students.
The waiver was originally established by the state legislature in 2021 to protect students from quote “unforeseen disruptions beyond the student’s control”. In 2022, this allowed for up to two credits as well as the technical skills graduation pathway requirement to be waived. That year, nearly 13% of students used a waiver to graduate. This year, only one credit can be waived and school officials are asking the board to continue waiving graduation pathway requirements as well.
Scott Friedman, of the Association of Washington School Principals, says that many students and schools are currently focused on credit recovery, due to high failure rates during online learning. Some technical classes could not be offered online, and even now offer fewer classes due to reduced staff, which makes meeting the graduation pathway requirements more difficult. In a School Counselor Association survey of over 70 school districts in the state, 94% said they had students who would not graduate without the pathway requirement waiver.
Board members were scheduled to vote last Thursday whether or not to extend the waiver but could not come to a clear consensus. They will vote on the waiver again in early 2024.
WX: Sunny
Today will be rainy with a high of about 48 degrees and a low around 39. Fog will come around noon, with light winds tonight. Tomorrow will be slightly warmer and partly sunny.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Alex Michael, and Tristan Trudell. 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. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
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STORY: Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows
And finally, if you’re in the mood for something more active, volunteer work parties are happening every Saturday until December 16th throughout Bellingham’s parks. Volunteers are needed from 9AM-12pm– you can find out which parks are being worked on by visiting volunteerbellingham.org.
STORY: Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline
The number of abortions in Washington increased by 23% in 2022, reaching the highest level in a decade.
New data released by the Washington State Department of Health shows 20,000 abortions were performed, nearly 3,800 more than the previous year, reversing a long-term decline. The Department of Health attributes the rise to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion.
Nonresidents seeking abortions in Washington hit a modern peak, accounting for 7% of all abortions, with a 46% increase from the previous year. The trend of out-of-state individuals seeking abortion care in Washington has been ongoing since 2017. Despite the overall increase, the majority of procedures were concentrated in specific counties, notably in the Puget Sound region.
The data suggests that even in states without severe abortion restrictions, individuals may cross borders for care, emphasizing the importance of factors beyond legal regulations.
FREE FRIDAY
Lighted bikes and all-ages fun: The weather outside might seem frightful, but a bunch of lighted bikes, music, hot cocoa and general merriment will be delightful!! Save the date for the 3rd annual Lighted Bike Parade, December 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m. This all-ages event starts in Downtown Bellingham (at Depot Market Square – 1100 Railroad Ave) and Fairhaven (at Hillcrest Church – 1400 Larrabee Ave) and converges at Boulevard Park for live music and other entertainment. Free and open to all. Costumes are encouraged, holiday cheer is required! Co-hosted with WTA, Downtown Bellingham Partnership, Fairhaven Association, Whatcom Smart Tips and Western Washington University.
