Governor gives update to historic flooding, Wind advisory today, Washington State Patrol officer killed, Bellingham observes inaugural Homeless Memorial Day, Mt. Baker Highway re-opens, Second arrest made in connection with Whatcom sex trafficking ring, Mt. Baker Highway re-opens, Fed judge orders reinstatement of mental health grants, Governor proposes billion dollar infrastructure investment
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December, 22. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Governor gives update to historic flooding
In a recent announcement, Governor Bob Ferguson gave an update on the impact recent flooding has had on the state.
He says historic infrastructure across Washington continues to be strained, with a moderate risk of additional levee (LEH-vee) failures as waters slowly recede. Two have already breached in King County, and the National Guard has mobilized 100 troops to monitor levees around the clock, while swift-water rescue teams and repair crews stand ready statewide.
Closer to home, officials say Whatcom and Skagit counties should remain alert. Saturated ground and river systems are under prolonged pressure and another atmospheric river is possible later this month. Residents are urged to closely follow local flood advisories, evacuation notices, and road closures as conditions remain dynamic.
STORY: Wind advisory today
Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for today, in effect from until 7 p.m.
Southeast winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour are expected, with gusts up to 45, which will impact Island and San Juan County, as well as the lowland areas of western Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties. Officials warn the gusty winds could blow unsecured objects around, bring down tree limbs, and cause isolated power outages—drivers, especially in high-profile vehicles, are urged to use caution.
STORY: Washington State Patrol officer killed
Washington State Patrol says a second vehicle may have struck a trooper who was killed Friday night on Highway 509 in Tacoma.
According to the State Patrol, Trooper Tara-Marysa Guting (TARE-uh muh-REE-sah gu-TING), 29, was standing outside her patrol car investigating a crash when she was hit. The first driver stayed at the scene, but police are searching for a second driver who did not stop. Guting, a recent graduate of the WSP academy and an Army National Guard veteran, is the 34th trooper killed in the line of duty in the agency’s history.
The death comes as another trooper was struck and injured this week, marking the fifth such incident in less than a week.
STORY: Bellingham observes inaugural Homeless Memorial Day
A small group gathered outside Bellingham City Hall on Saturday to remember people who died while experiencing homelessness in Whatcom County.
At the first-ever Homeless Memorial Day, members of the Opportunity Council read the names of 87 individuals. Speakers emphasized the human cost of homelessness, and noted that people who experience chronic homelessness have significantly shorter life expectancies. Mayor Kim Lund declared the day one of observation and mourning.
The event was part of National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day.
STORY: Mt. Baker Highway re-opens
Washington State Department of Transportation officials say a storm-damaged section of Mt. Baker Highway has partially reopened.
One lane of traffic will be allowed between mileposts 41 and 44 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through the holidays, with flaggers alternating eastbound and westbound traffic.
State Route 542 has been closed since December 12th due to flooding and damage, and WSDOT (WASH-dot) says the limited reopening will restore access to winter recreation near Mount Baker while crews continue planning permanent repairs, expected to be completed in early 2026.
In the meantime, drivers should expect delays.
STORY: Second arrest made in connection with Whatcom sex trafficking ring
A second arrest has been made in a sex trafficking case tied to Whatcom County.
Sheriff’s officials say 39-year-old Davon Marlbrough (duh-VONN MARL-burr-oh) was arrested in Renton on a federal warrant and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. Investigators say the arrest stems from an ongoing probe that led to the earlier arrest of a Seattle street gang member on sex trafficking and money laundering charges.
STORY: Fed judge orders reinstatement of mental health grants
A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Education to unwind its cancellation of school mental health grants.
Calling the move unlawful, the court found the department violated federal law when it abruptly ended grants meant to fund mental health professionals in K–12 schools.
Judge Kymberly Evanson directed the department to work with the states on a timeline for deciding whether the funding can continue, and noted the grants have helped bring thousands of mental health professionals into schools and served hundreds of thousands of students nationwide.
STORY: Governor proposes billion dollar infrastructure investment
Governor Bob Ferguson has unveiled a $2.1 billion proposal to preserve and maintain roads and bridges across Washington state.
In a recent announcement, he called it the largest preservation investment in more than 20 years. Ferguson says the plan would be funded without new taxes, and would instead use bonds backed by existing transportation revenues— a move approved by lawmakers last session.
The proposal includes major work on bridge preservation, paving projects, and landslide-prone areas, while also supporting recovery from recent severe storms. Ferguson says the funding will help prevent costly failures and protect critical transportation corridors as hundreds of aging bridges statewide face deferred maintenance.
Some lawmakers say they are exploring whether or not cap-and-trade dollars from the Climate Commitment Act could also be used for road repairs— but currently the CCA prohibits direct funding for most road repairs.
WX: In which the trees might have a future in competitive limbo
And now for the weather,
It’s going to be a blustery day, with gusts expected to reach over 40 mph, carrying over into tomorrow. Expect wind and rain, with daytime highs in the upper 40s. Wind chill will make those temperatures feel like the upper 30’s. Tonight should be stormy, with evening lows falling into the high 30s.
Tomorrow’s weather should ease a bit, with winds around 20 miles per hour, and rainfall under a tenth of an inch.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), 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 what we do, check out our Patreon, Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thanks for listening!
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