Flood warning in Skagit, Water over roadway closures, Three crashes up and down I-5 stall traffic, but no serious injuries, Student employees at WWU file to form union for third time in as many years, Port of Bellingham commissioner announces run for state senate, WCHA disagrees with CDC about hepatitis B, Maternal deaths on the rise in Washington, WA AG proposes immigrant protection act
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 9th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Flood warning in Skagit
The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for Skagit County until further notice.
The Skagit River near Concrete is expected to crest at around 32 feet this afternoon, with a second peak of almost 37 feet on Thursday. In Mount Vernon, the river is forecast to crest above major flood levels on Wednesday and Friday.
Officials urge residents to avoid flooded roads, follow barricades, and take precautions to protect homes and livestock. Road closures are being monitored at Skagit County Road Closures.
STORY: Water over roadway closures
As heavy rains continue, several roads in Whatcom County are closed or have water over the roadway.
Closures include Barrett Road at Paradise Road, Ferndale Road south of Slater Road, Bylsma (BILL-smuh) Road north of E Wiser Lake Road, and Hannegan Road between Lynden and Polinder (PAUL-in-dur) Road. Marine Drive is closed between Rural Avenue and Lummi (LUH-mee) Shore Drive. Drivers should use caution on Ferndale Road north of Slater, Bylsma north of Polinder, and Hampton Road south of Lynden.
Officials warn there could be more closures this week as heavy lowland rains follow recent mountain downpours.
STORY: Three crashes up and down I-5 stall traffic, but no serious injuries
It was a rough commute yesterday on I-5 near Slater Road after three separate crashes brought traffic to a halt.
A semi-truck and passenger van collision in the southbound lanes snarled traffic just before 9 a.m. No one was hurt, and lanes reopened quickly.
Minutes later, two jackknifed semis crashed under the Slater Road overpass, which blocked all northbound lanes. A third minor crash was reported nearby. One of the semis leaked fuel, which forced an extended closure of the highway.
All lanes are now open.
STORY: Student employees at WWU file to form union for third time in as many years
For the third time in three years, student workers at Western Washington University are moving to unionize.
A majority of Western’s Operational Student Employees (OSE) filed paperwork Friday with the state Public Employment Relations Commission, signaling their intent to form a union.
Supporters of the effort say Operational students want the same protections that Educational Student Employees have. Educational student staff are represented by the Western Academic Workers Union – U.A.W. 4929.
The filing comes months after roughly 1100 OSEs went on strike last summer during a contract dispute with the university. Western’s president has said the school supports efforts to secure formal bargaining rights.
A bill in Olympia — HB 1570 — would allow OSEs to officially join the same union as their peers if it becomes law. The primary sponsor of that bill is local Representative Joe Timmons, and many other legislators are co-sponsors.
STORY: Ferndale woman arrested on suspicion of assaulting St. Joe’s employee
A Ferndale woman faces assault charges after police say she attacked a hospital staff member Friday night.
Bellingham Police responded to St. Joseph Medical Center just before 8:30 p.m. after a 27-year-old woman was found in a room where she did not belong. When a hospital employee tried to guide her back to her own room, officers say she punched him in the face.
The employee attempted to restrain her, but police say she continued hitting him, including in the back of the head. He suffered a minor injury.
Officers took the woman into custody and she was still in Whatcom County Jail yesterday morning on a $1,000 bond.
STORY: Port of Bellingham commissioner announces run for state senate
There’s a new contender for a State Senate seat in Whatcom County.
Yesterday, Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard announced that he intends to run for the 42nd District Senate seat in 2026. The move comes after Senator Sharon Shewmake revealed she will not seek re-election and will step down at the end of her term.
Shepard, an anthropology instructor at Western, says he’s running as a Democrat to tackle the rising cost of living, support public schools, strengthen local jobs, expand affordable housing, and protect the environment.
State Representative Alicia Rule — another potential Democratic candidate — says she has decided not to enter the race, opting to remain in the House.
No Republicans have formally announced a campaign yet, though former appointed Senator Simon Sefzik (SEFF-zik) says he has not ruled one out.
STORY: WCHA disagrees with CDC about hepatitis B
The West Coast Health Alliance says it disagrees with the CDC Advisory Committee on the hepatitis B vaccine.
The Alliance says there is no credible evidence for delaying the vaccine, and all newborns should receive the shot within 24 hours after birth. Leading medical organizations support this practice. The Alliance warns that postponing the vaccine can increase the risk of infection, liver disease, and liver cancer in infants.
The Alliance was formed earlier this year and represents California, Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii. It works to ensure public health policies are science-based, transparent, and equitable.
STORY: Maternal deaths on the rise in Washington
Maternal deaths in Washington state rose between 2021 and 2022, and most were preventable.
According to a new report from the Department of Health’s Maternal Mortality Review Panel, nearly half of all pregnancy-related deaths were linked to behavioral health issues, including suicide, homicide, and accidental overdose, with COVID-19 as the second leading cause.
The report also highlights stark disparities: American Indian and Alaska Native communities faced the highest maternal mortality rates at over 7 times that of white residents. Rural residents and those on Medicaid also experienced higher risk. Overall, 82% of pregnancy-related deaths could have been prevented. Contributing factors include care quality, financial barriers, and limited access to health services.
The report also includes 87 recommendations to improve outcomes, from expanding rural maternity care and community support services to providing culturally relevant care and increased access to vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
STORY: WA AG proposes immigrant protection act
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (sal-DAH-nya) and Rep. Lillian Ortiz-Self (or-TEEZ SELF), have proposed the Immigrant Worker Protection Act.
The bill would strengthen protections for immigrant employees and require employers to notify workers when federal authorities request information. It would make clear that federal agents cannot access private business areas without a warrant, and ensure personal data are only shared through a subpoena or judicial order.
Brown says the legislation will empower workers by ensuring they have access to the same information as their employers and can get their affairs in order. Lawmakers and advocates say it helps immigrant workers feel safe, respected, and informed while supporting compliance for employers.
Similar laws exist in California, Oregon, and Illinois.
WX: Tim Robbins gets a gentle rinse
And now weather:
It looks like we’ll have a brief respite from the storm for most of Whatcom County today.
Daytime highs are projected in the low 50s, with overcast skies and some mild rain. But, expect the rain to increase tonight — we could be in for up to half an inch of precipitation. Evening lows should be in the mid-40s.
Conditions are expected to worsen tomorrow, as the forecast calls for up to three-quarters of an inch of rain and 20 mph winds. You’ll probably hear us say this a lot in the coming days, but please, stay safe out there.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, and Kai Blais-Schmolke. 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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