Certain Bellingham services to remain closed following declaration of Boxing Day as federal holiday, Icy conditions reported on Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Man arrested following assault outside Bellingham homeless shelter, RFK declares public health emergency following WA floods, Head of WA Dept. of Commerce steps down, expected to be named next leader of Seattle Metropolitan Chamber, AG leads suit to block restrictions on gender-affirming care, Free or Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December, 26. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Certain Bellingham services to remain closed following declaration of Boxing Day as federal holiday
President Trump has signed an executive order making both Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas federal holidays.
That means federal offices will be closed today—which will affect some local services in Bellingham.
All branches of the Bellingham Public Library will be closed today, as will the Bellingham Food Bank, and most city services. Whatcom County District Court will also be closed, and FedEx has announced it will operate on a modified schedule.
Most grocery stores, restaurants and retailers are expected to remain open, though many may have shortened hours.
STORY: Icy conditions reported on Birch Bay-Lynden Road
Icy roads caused problems in northern Whatcom County yesterday.
A Washington State Patrol trooper radioed just before 9 a.m., and warned that Birch Bay–Lynden Road between Lynden and I-5 was a quote “sheet of ice.”
Birch Bay and Maple Falls clocked the lowest temperatures at 32 degrees, Blaine came in second at 33, while Lynden and Ferndale were slightly warmer, at just under 40.
Troopers urge drivers to slow down and use extra caution when the thermometer drops, especially on untreated roads.
STORY: Man arrested following assault outside Bellingham homeless shelter
A Bellingham man faces felony assault charges after an unprovoked attack outside a downtown homeless shelter.
Bellingham Police say a fight broke out Friday night inside Lighthouse Mission Ministries. Thirty-two-year-old Netjo Djukanovich (NED-yo jew-kuh-NO-vich) was escorted outside after he pushed a man. Police say he then punched a second man without warning, knocking him unconscious.
The victim was treated by first responders but was not taken to the hospital. Djukanovich fled before officers arrived, but was arrested the next morning after he returned to the shelter.
He’s now charged with second- and fourth-degree assault, and remains in the Whatcom County Jail on a fifteen-thousand-dollar bond.
STORY: RFK declares public health emergency following WA floods
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has declared a public health emergency over this month’s flooding in Washington state.
The declaration is aimed at protecting Medicare and Medicaid patients, including people who rely on electricity-dependent medical equipment. Health and Human Services says it is activating its emPOWER data system to help identify vulnerable residents and has waived certain HIPAA penalties for hospitals to ensure continued access to care.
The move could also strengthen Washington’s case for a major disaster declaration from President Trump. Governor Bob Ferguson says he plans to formally request that in the coming weeks.
The flooding forced thousands of evacuations, breached levees, damaged highways and has been linked to one death. The emergency declaration is retroactive to December ninth, and federal disaster resources are already in place as crews continue recovery efforts.
STORY: Head of WA Dept. of Commerce steps down, expected to be named next leader of Seattle Metropolitan Chamber
Washington’s Department of Commerce is losing its director.
Joe Nguyen (NWIN) has announced he’s stepping down and is expected to become the next leader of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber.
Nguyen told Commerce employees he plans to leave sometime in January, saying he’s accepted a new opportunity in Seattle that’s closer to home. While he didn’t name the job, the Seattle Chamber is expected to announce him as its next CEO on Monday. The Chamber is an independent business group with about twenty-six hundred members.
Governor Bob Ferguson praised Nguyen’s work leading the agency, which oversees billions of dollars in housing, energy and economic development programs. Nguyen is the first member of Ferguson’s cabinet to step down, and the governor has not yet said how or when he’ll name a replacement.
STORY: AG leads suit to block restrictions on gender-affirming care
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is co-leading a multistate lawsuit that challenges what he calls a federal attack on gender-affirming care for young people.
Brown and attorneys general from nineteen other states argue that Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. unlawfully issued a so-called “declaration” which threatened to punish doctors and hospitals that provide gender-affirming care by cutting them off from Medicare and Medicaid. Gender-affirming care is protected in Washington, and state officials warn the declaration could jeopardize thousands of providers and disrupt care for patients across the Medicaid system.
The coalition says the move bypasses required public review, improperly changes medical standards, and interferes with states’ authority to regulate health care. Brown says the care remains legal under both federal and state law, and calls the federal action “cruel, unnecessary, and illegal.”
The lawsuit asks a federal court to block enforcement of the declaration.
STORY: Free or cheap
It’s Friday, and schools are out for the holidays— so here are some suggestions of family-friendly activities for the weekend.
Today, there’s Open Play at PlayDate BLI – which provides open indoor play for kids. Open Play is located in the Bellis Fair Mall, and all day access costs $10.
It’s Open Skate at the Lynden Skateway tonight– with a family skating session from 7-10:00 pm, and the cost is $12 with skate rental.
Saturday, there’s a free Storytime at the Lynden Village Books from 11- 11:30am.
Also— tomorrow and Sunday— why not stop by the Deck The Old City Hall Event for some arts-related activities– admission is by donation.
WX: Bhacks
It’s Boxing Day— if you’re new to the area or don’t know what that is, Boxing Day is celebrated each year on the day after Christmas. Traditionally, it originated in the U.K. as a day to give gifts to service workers and those in need, and over time it has become associated with post-holiday sales, community events, and charitable giving.
In Whatcom County, Boxing Day is a big deal for both shoppers and local businesses. Many retailers offer post-Christmas discounts, while some community organizations use the day to host donation drives and volunteer events, to keep the spirit of giving alive even after Christmas.
Boxing Day weather in Whatcom County should be a mix of rain and snow throughout the day, with winds from the south 10-15 mph. The rain is expected to lighten up in the evening.
The weekend should be a properly chilly one, with temperatures ranging from the low 40s to below freezing once again. Some partial sunshine may be in store for us on Saturday, but Sunday should bring the gray skies back to our area.
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), 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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