Former WCSO detective sues county for harassment and retaliation, Whatcom County flood managers announce reveal years-long early action plan, Local Zen Buddhism community leads interfaith walk for peace, Bellingham City Council formally denounces federal immigration action, Whatcom Democrats chair announces plans to step down in advance of run for state senate, 42nd District Town Hall airs today and Saturday on KMRE, Proposed federal rule barring mixed-immigration households from rental subsidies likely to affect hundreds of families across WA, Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April, Places to file your taxes for free
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, February, 25. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Former WCSO detective sues county for harassment and retaliation
A former detective with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is suing Whatcom County.
Detective Samantha Robinson filed the lawsuit last Wednesday in Skagit County Superior Court, alleging sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation on the job. Sheriff Donnell Tanksley and two deputies were also named as defendants. Robinson resigned a day earlier, claiming constructive discharge — meaning she says working conditions were so intolerable she was forced to quit.
The suit details allegations of sex-based comments during hiring, inappropriate conduct by colleagues, and a 2025 AI-generated explicit video that was allegedly shared within the department. Robinson says she later developed PTSD, and faced retaliation after filing complaints.
Sheriff Tanksley says a third-party investigation is ongoing, and declined further comment. Robinson is seeking monetary damages to be determined at trial.
STORY: Whatcom County flood managers announce reveal years-long early action plan
Whatcom County flood managers say they have an early action flood plan.
The Public Works and Health Committee held a meeting yesterday to discuss the proposed plan. The plans include cutting a channel through Everson, levee improvements in Everson and Ferndale, and several other improvements.
Flood manager Paula Harris estimates the early action plan alone to cost about $182 million.
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Harris estimates the long-term costs to exceed $474 million.
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The county has requested money from the state to continue the planning projects. The implementation of the plan is expected to take several years.
STORY: Local Zen Buddhism community leads interfaith walk for peace
A local Zen Buddhist community led a two-and-a-half-mile interfaith walk through downtown Bellingham on Saturday.
The crowd began their walk at Waypoint Park offering prayers and calling for peace and justice, and finished at Marine Park. There, the group recited “Loving Kindness Sutra,” a Buddhist chant that urges people to replace violence and hatred with peace, compassion, and goodwill.
According to the group’s website, no faith affiliation was required to participate. The group was inspired by Buddhist monks who walked from Texas to Washington D.C. in 108 days, also calling for peace.
Organizers say a similar walk is being planned that will start in Blaine’s Peace Arch Park and end in Bellingham.
STORY: Bellingham City Council formally denounces federal immigration action
The Bellingham City Council has unanimously approved a resolution denouncing unlawful immigration enforcement in Whatcom.
Council members Skip Williams and Dan Hammill introduced the measure on Monday, citing arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement near the county courthouse. The two said they are concerned those actions undermine trust in the government and the courts.
Mayor Kim Lund said the City of Bellingham is committed to elevating diverse voices and immigrant stories, citing some recent examples.
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Supporters say fear of detention has kept some immigrant families from seeking food, medical care, or legal services. Council member Michael Lilliquist pointed to the city’s oath to uphold constitutional rights, saying he’s watching the right to peacefully protest and criticize the federal government come under attack.
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Council member Hannah Stone said the resolution sends a message that residents should still feel safe calling 9-1-1.
The Whatcom County Council passed a similar resolution last month.
STORY: Whatcom Democrats chair announces plans to step down in advance of run for state senate
Eamonn Collins, the chair of the Whatcom Democrats, has announced his plan to run for the state Senate.
Collins will run to replace Senator Sharon Shewmake, who announced last year that she will not seek re-election to the 42nd District. Collins is a science teacher at Lummi Nation School and the vice president of the Kulshan Community Land Trust. Additionally, a news release states he has experience as an education policy advisor in the U.S. Congress.
Collins will join a crowded race of three other candidates: Port of Bellingham Commissioner Michael Shepard, a Democrat; Blaine School Board director Erika Creydt, a Republican; and unaffiliated candidate Ryan Bowman.
STORY: 42nd District Town Hall airs today and Saturday on KMRE
Just a reminder that you can listen to the 42nd District Town Hall Saturday at 8:30, or find it posted on our YouTube, Soundcloud, or Substack.
STORY: Proposed federal rule barring mixed-immigration households from rental subsidies likely to affect hundreds of families across WA
Hundreds of Washington families could lose housing under a proposed Trump administration rule that would bar federal rental subsidies to mixed-immigration households.
The proposal from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would prohibit families from receiving public housing or Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program support if even one member is ineligible due to immigration status.
Federal data shows Washington had about 600 mixed-status families in subsidized housing in 2024 — the fifth-highest total in the nation.
HUD Secretary Scott Turner says the change would prioritize limited housing aid for U.S. citizens. However, housing advocates warn it could increase homelessness — especially in high-cost areas like Seattle — and force some families to separate.
The proposed rule is now open for a 60-day public comment period.
WX: Conversations with Greg
And now for the weather:
Following yesterday’s surprise burst of sunshine, expect a return to overcast skies today, with moderate winds of around 20 mph and highly sporadic showers. Temperatures will reach into the upper 40s, and mostly stay there — forecasts predict nighttime lows will only dip to about 41 degrees. Overnight: expect high cloud cover and a consistent strong breeze.
Right now, it looks like more of the same tomorrow.
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), Austin Wright, Tyler Warne, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), and Kieran (KEAR-un) Dang. 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 our work, check out our Patreon, Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thanks for listening!
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STORY: Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April
STORY: Places to file your taxes for free
Even though the Trump Administration has ended the IRS Direct File program, many Americans can still file their taxes for free this season.
Taxpayers earning under eighty-nine thousand dollars a year can use IRS Free File software online, while those making about sixty-seven thousand dollars or less may qualify for free, in-person help through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites at libraries and community centers. Seniors can get no-cost help through AARP Tax-Aide, and military members can file for free through the Defense Department’s MilTax program.
Anyone can also file at no charge using the IRS’s Free File Fillable Forms on IRS dot gov. The tax filing deadline is April fifteenth.
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