STORY: Ice, snowmelt and persistent rain raise flooding fears along the Nooksack River, 8 flooded classrooms at Bellingham High School won’t be ready for return to school next week
Another blockage on I-5 at Sunset, involving pedestrian, Treaty Day, New Billy Frank Jr. Statue unveiled, Local hot sauce company to be featured on popular YouTube show ‘Hot Ones’, Protesters urge WA lawmakers to end child marriage, WA Senate wants LGBTQ+ history and perspectives taught in public schools
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STORY: Ice, snowmelt and persistent rain raise flooding fears along the Nooksack River
Warmer weather in Western Washington is causing rapid snowmelt, raising concerns about flooding— particularly along the Nooksack River.
There’s ice on the river downstream from Ferndale, and as it melts, the risk increases of levee damage or ice jams. The county’s River and Flood Division, along with the Division of Emergency Management, is monitoring the situation. Early projections also show the river rising to near flood stage in Ferndale. Landslides due to saturated ground continue to be a concern.
Forecasters are also watching for signs of an atmospheric river, which could bring more flooding to the West Coast.
STORY: 8 flooded classrooms at Bellingham High School won’t be ready for return to school next week
Eight classrooms at Bellingham High School are out of service after cold weather caused a pipe to burst.
In a letter to parents, the school listed temporary locations for classes while work continues. Crews need to replace carpet, remove the bottom 2 feet of drywall to prevent mold, and dehumidify the rooms.
The school has not provided a timeline for the repairs to be completed.
STORY: Another blockage on I-5 at Sunset, involving pedestrian
Both lanes of southbound I-5 were closed on Friday after a collision occurred involving a pedestrian, who later died.
The highway closed one northbound and both southbound lanes for over an hour and half to clear the road. The lanes reopened around 3pm. Witnesses report seeing someone on the overpass going over and landing on the freeway. This is the third time that I-5 has been closed at Sunset Drive due to a collision this month.
An investigation is still underway.
STORY: Treaty Day, New Billy Frank Jr. Statue unveiled
A new mockup of the statue of Billy Frank Jr. has been unveiled.
Frank Jr, a member of the Nisqually tribe, is remembered by the nation for his tireless voice to maintain fishing rights for Native Americans. His efforts led to the Boldt decision, which allowed tribes to fish without the threat of state regulation. His statue will be placed in the U.S. Capitol, replacing the current statue of doctor and Protestant missionary Marcus Whitman.
In 2021, lawmakers moved to make the switch, which will provide the first contemporary representation of a native American in the state capitol’s statue collection. The 4 foot mockup was designed by Seattle artist Haiying Wu, and will be placed in the lieutenant governor’s office. The complete, 9 foot design will be made for the capitol by next year. Another will also be cast in bronze for the legislative building in Olympia. The statue also represents the first-ever statue designed by a Chinese American in the National Hall, which includes two statues from each state. The statue of Whitman will be relocated to Walla Walla.
Today is also Treaty Day, celebrating the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855. The treaty established the Suquamish (su-KWAH-mish) Port Madison, Tulalip, Swinomish (SWIN-uh-mish), and Lummi (LUM-mee) reservations, guaranteeing them their land and way of life. In a recent release, Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire said he wants to spread awareness across the state because the treaty affects everyone. The fifth annual Treaty Day film festival was held this past weekend, and in honor of the occasion, Lummi Nation and Ferndale schools are closed today.
STORY: Local hot sauce company to be featured on popular YouTube show ‘Hot Ones’
Funky’s Hot sauce, a local hot sauce company, will be featured on the popular YouTube show ‘Hot Ones’ later this week.
‘Hot Ones’ is hosted by Sean Evans, who interviews celebrities while making them eat chicken wings with increasingly spicy sauces.
Funky’s Hot Sauce Factory is known for being the first Pacific Northwest company to win the New York City Hot sauce expo. Its owner, Matthew Minny, has made 16 vegan and gluten free hot sauces using fresh ingredients from Whatcom farms.
The episode will premiere on the ‘Hot Ones’ YouTube channel this Thursday. To have a taste of this locally-made heat, look up funky’s hot sauce online.
STORY: Protesters urge WA lawmakers to end child marriage
On Thursday, protesters dressed in bridal gowns and veils with their mouths taped and their hands in chains, gathered at the state Capitol to advocate for the end of legalized child marriage in Washington.
House Bill 1455, would set a minimum marriage age of 18. The bill unanimously passed the House on January 8th and awaits action in the Senate. The protest, organized by the group Unchained At Last, highlighted loopholes in the current law that allows minors to marry with parental or judicial consent—- a practice that creates challenges if the underage partner wants to divorce before the age of 18.
At the protest, survivors shared their experiences of forced child marriage, and emphasized the lack of autonomy, education, and support systems for minors in abusive marriages.
Over 5,000 minors have been married in Washington since the year 2000. According to statistics, more than 80% of child marriages end in divorce, and advocates emphasize the long-lasting trauma and ripple effects on survivors’ lives.
If the law passes, Washington would join only ten states that ban child marriage.
STORY: WA Senate wants LGBTQ+ history and perspectives taught in public schools
The Washington State Senate has passed a bill that proposes public schools teach about the contributions and perspectives of LGBTQ+ people.
This is the second time Senate Bill 5462 has passed the Senate. Both times, the bill passed along party lines. Democrats emphasized the importance of teaching LGBTQ+ stories to LGBTQ+ students, citing evidence of how their mental health improves when they see people like themselves represented in course curriculum.
Republicans stated that curriculum should be decided individually by school boards and that the legislation infringes on the local boards’ ability to decide on instruction.
The bill sets a timeline for curriculum integration, with 2025-26 as the goal for implementation. The bill will now go to the House where it failed to pass last year.
WX: Rain
Showers are expected all day with a high of 48 degrees and light winds. Tonight has a low of 45. The rain will continue all week.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, and Tristan Trudell. 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 listener donations. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening.
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