Multiple inclement weather warnings currently active for western WA, Man dies after jumping from tour bus on I-5, Whatcom Public Works announces scaling back of winter operations amid lack of funding, Man arrested in connection with break-in at downtown Bellingham restaurant, Washington State applies for traditional health care waiver, Whatcom detective under investigation for violating 2024 law criminalizing distribution of AI-generated sexual content, Washington State applies for traditional health care waiver, State rep pushes for action as WA leads nation in retail theft, FTC warns of work-from-home scams
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December, 8th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Multiple inclement weather warnings currently active for western WA
A Flood Watch remains in effect across much of northwest and west-central Washington through Friday afternoon.
An atmospheric river is set to bring periods of moderate to heavy rain. Forecasters warn that excessive runoff could lead to flooding on rivers and streams, especially those draining the Cascades and Olympics. Urban flooding is possible where storm drains clog, and saturated soils mean an increased risk of landslides and debris flows, particularly near steep slopes and recent burn scars.
A Wind Advisory is also in place from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. today, with south winds 20 to 30 miles per hour and gusts up to 40. The gusty conditions could knock down tree limbs and cause scattered power outages.
Rainfall totals of 2 to 6 inches in the lowlands and up to 10 inches in the mountains are expected through Wednesday, which will keep rivers high and soils unstable. Stay alert for changing conditions and use caution around flood-prone areas.
STORY: Man dies after jumping from tour bus on I-5
A tragic incident shut down part of Interstate 5 in Bellingham on Sunday afternoon after a 34-year-old man died after he jumped from a moving tour bus.
The Washington State Patrol says the man opened the door of the northbound bus and jumped into traffic, where he was struck by the same vehicle. Troopers first reported the incident around 3:30 p.m., and confirmed the fatality shortly after 4. The right lane of northbound I-5 remained blocked for more than three hours while emergency crews responded and investigators examined the scene.
The man, who was from Hawaii, died at the scene. His name is being withheld until family can be notified. State Patrol says it’s still unknown whether drugs or alcohol were factors, and the investigation is ongoing.
STORY: Whatcom Public Works announces scaling back of winter operations amid lack of funding
Whatcom County drivers can expect reduced road maintenance service this winter as Public Works scales back operations to match limited funding.
In an announcement last week, the department says it will focus on emergency response and keeping key routes open during flooding, snow, and ice events. Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa is asking residents to help by reporting hazards. She says with fewer staff on the roads, the community’s “eyes and ears” are essential to keeping travel safe.
The County Council recently approved a levy increase to prevent deeper cuts and layoffs, but officials warn that more noticeable impacts may begin next year. That could mean longer wait times for routine maintenance, slower pothole and shoulder repairs, and delays to some capital projects as funding shifts toward critical safety needs.
Anyone who sees dangerous road conditions is encouraged to contact Public Works.
STORY: Man arrested in connection with break-in at downtown Bellingham restaurant
A 36-year-old Bellingham man is behind bars after police say he broke into AB Crepes downtown early Friday morning.
Employees discovered the man asleep in a back room when they arrived to open the restaurant around 7 a.m. and immediately called police. Bellingham Police say the shop had been ransacked — with batter, cups, and straws scattered across the floor, some food eaten, and even ashes and burned papers found near flammable items. Investigators say the suspect climbed over two fences to get inside.
He was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of second-degree burglary, reckless burning, and malicious mischief.
STORY: Whatcom detective under investigation for violating 2024 law criminalizing distribution of AI-generated sexual content
A Whatcom County Sheriff’s detective is under investigation for allegedly creating and sharing an AI-generated sex video of a female colleague.
This action could potentially violate Washington’s new law against disclosing deepfake intimate images without consent. The law, signed in March 2024, makes such images a gross misdemeanor for first offenses and a felony for repeat offenders, and allows victims to pursue civil remedies.
The legislation, sponsored by then-Representative Tina Orwall, was designed to protect anyone harmed by nonconsensual fabricated sexual images or videos. Experts warn that the technology disproportionately targets women. Nearly 96% of deepfake pornography is nonconsensual and 99% involves female subjects.
The investigation is being handled by the Mount Vernon Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Office says it will not comment further to ensure impartiality.
STORY: Washington State applies for traditional health care waiver
Washington State is pursuing a Medicaid waiver to allow American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) people to access Traditional Indian Medicine through Apple Health (Medicaid) and CHIP. If approved, qualifying facilities—including Indian Health Service centers, Tribal facilities, and some Urban Indian Health Organizations—could be reimbursed for culturally relevant services.
The program aims to improve access to holistic care, address health disparities, and preserve cultural practices such as drumming, talking circles, sweats, and traditional plant and food preparation.
Public input is being accepted during an extended comment period, including a virtual forum on Tuesday, December 9 from 10:30 a.m. to noon via Zoom.
STORY: State rep pushes for action as WA leads nation in retail theft
Washington leads the nation in retail theft, and lawmakers are calling for action. State Rep. Mari Leavitt is targeting organized retail crime, where groups steal and resell goods, saying it’s harming small businesses, employees, and communities.
She’s reworking a bill to increase penalties for repeat offenders, but warns prosecutors need funding to make it effective. Retail theft in the state has surged, with $2.7 billion in losses in 2021 and rising incidents of violence.
Leavitt says unchecked theft contributes to store closures and public safety risks, emphasizing the focus is on large-scale criminal rings, not individuals stealing out of need.
STORY: FTC warns of work-from-home scams
With unemployment on the rise in our region, the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning today about a growing work-from-home scam.
According to the FTC, here’s what it looks like: scammers pose as big companies like Amazon or FedEx, using stolen credit cards to send high-value items to your door. Your quote-unquote “job” is to forward the stolen goods, often overseas, which makes them harder to trace. Victims usually discover the truth when they fail to get a paycheck and the scammer disappears. Officials warn that those who get scammed by fake employers could also face identity theft.
The FTC says reshipping is never a legitimate job, and urges people to report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
WX: Warning, warning, warning, I made them out of clay
And now for the weather:
There’s a stormy day ahead of us. Be prepared for up to a half-inch of rain and wind gusts up to 30 mph during the daytime, with highs in the mid-50s. The evening will see a little less rain, while the winds may ramp up to 38 mph. Nighttime lows are forecasted in the mid-40s.
Tomorrow, expect a more mild day of clouds and light rains, before a return to stormier conditions overnight.
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!
##
