Today sees 6-cent bump in taxes on gas prices take effect statewide – also included various other new laws, Meador Street bridge reopens fully to traffic, concluding year-long project to update two Bellingham bridges, Whatcom County Council seeking public input on 12 proposed amendments for November election, Fire ban in certain areas of Whatcom to begin this week, CVS to acquire several Rite Aid locations across Whatcom and Skagit counties, Kroger set to close stores throughout Washington and Oregon, Blood supplies critically low, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July 1st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Today sees 6-cent bump in taxes on gas prices take effect statewide – also included various other new laws
Several new laws take effect across Washington state this month.
Starting today, drivers will see a six-cent increase in the state gas tax — bringing the total to 55.4 cents per gallon. Also beginning today, disabled veterans with at least a 40% disability rating will qualify for property tax exemptions.
Most new laws, however, go into effect on July 27th. Among them are a $2-per-pack tax on cigarettes, higher business taxes for top earners, and increased fees for licenses, courts, and recreation permits.
A new law concerning school safety requires panic buttons and live camera access for police on campuses across the state. According to KING 5 News, the law was inspired by the efforts of Lori Alhadeff, who lost her daughter Alyssa in the Parkland school shooting. Other new education laws include the reduction of state aid for students at private and for-profit colleges, as well as the gradual expansion of mandatory driver’s ed to anyone under 21 starting in 2027.
Other updates include unemployment benefits for striking workers, broader hate crime protections, and legal immunity for rescuing a person or pet from a locked car.
STORY: Meador Street bridge reopens fully to traffic, concluding year-long project to update two Bellingham bridges
It’s back to business as usual on Meador Avenue and James Street in Bellingham.
The bridges over Whatcom Creek have officially reopened after a yearlong construction project. The $8.5 million upgrade included brand-new single-span bridges, utility upgrades, and new bike lanes and sidewalks.
Crews worked around tight environmental windows due to fish impacts, and carefully coordinated alternating bridge closures. And the City says there’s more to come — once permitting is in place, the old Meador pedestrian bridge will get a second life over Squalicum Creek.
STORY: Whatcom County Council seeking public input on 12 proposed amendments for November election
Whatcom County is looking for a few good writers.
The County Council is seeking volunteers to craft pro and con statements for proposed charter amendments that could appear on the November general election ballot.
One amendment would establish an “Office of the Ombuds” to handle public complaints about county government. Another would raise the number of signatures needed to place a referendum on the ballot.
The council will appoint up to three people per committee at its July 22nd meeting. Those interested must apply by noon on July 14th.
For more information, contact the Whatcom County Council Office at 360-778-5010.
STORY: Fire ban in certain areas of Whatcom to begin this week
With wildfire risk on the rise, campfires will soon be banned all across the North Cascades.
The National Park Service says the ban goes into effect Thursday and covers North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
That means no wood fires, no charcoal, and no barbecues — even in established campgrounds like Stehekin (stuh-HEE-kin), Hozomeen (HO-zuh-meen), and along Highway 20.
Only gas or propane stoves with shut-off valves are still allowed for cooking.
Officials say the move comes amid worsening drought and extreme summer heat, which raises the threat of human-caused wildfires.
The Park Service also reminds visitors that fireworks and incendiary devices are always illegal on federal land, and even smoking should only be done with extreme caution.
STORY: CVS to acquire several Rite Aid locations across Whatcom and Skagit counties
CVS says it will move ahead with plans to take over several Rite Aid locations in Whatcom and Skagit counties.
The drug store chain announced it will acquire five of the nine area Rite Aid stores: one in Sehome Village in Bellingham, and others in Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, and Sedro-Woolley. Prescriptions from two other Bellingham Rite Aids will be transferred — one to the CVS inside Target at Bellis Fair, the other to the Sehome Village store.
The changes will roll out in phases, starting next Tuesday for Bellingham’s Northwest Avenue location. The Sehome Village store will officially convert in late August, while the others will follow through late September.
The Anacortes and Mount Vernon locations will be permanently closed. Prescriptions from those stores have been moved to Safeway in Anacortes and Fred Meyer in Burlington.
STORY: Kroger set to close stores throughout Washington and Oregon
And in related news, Kroger — the parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC — says it will close around 60 stores across the country over the next 18 months.
The grocery giant announced the closures during its first-quarter earnings report Friday. While specific stores have not been named, Kroger says affected employees will be offered jobs at nearby locations. The Cincinnati-based company operates over 2,700 stores across 35 states, including QFC and Fred Meyer locations across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
STORY: Kohberger pleads guilty, avoids death penalty
Bryan Kohberger (KO-burg-er) will plead guilty to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students — that’s according to ABC News.
Just weeks before his trial was set to begin, the 30-year-old Kohberger will reportedly accept a deal to avoid the death penalty. In exchange, he will receive four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole and give up his right to appeal. He will also spend another 10 years in custody on burglary charges. The state also seeks restitution for the victims and their families.
Kohberger was charged in the fatal stabbings of Ethan Chapin of Skagit County, along with three women at an off-campus house in Moscow (MOS-cow), Idaho in November of 2022.
His formal plea is expected tomorrow.
WX: For the love of humidkind
And now for the weather:
It looks like we will continue our streak of warm sunshine, with daytime highs in the mid-70s and a max U.V. index of 9. KMRE would like to remind all of our listeners that water is good for you, so when the thermometer goes up, make sure you drink a lot of it! The skies should remain relatively clear going into this evening, with temperatures cooling down to lows in the mid-50s.
Tomorrow should be more of the same.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae (BELL-uh MAY), 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. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: Blood supplies critically low (run 7/2)
Blood supplies are critically low, and Bloodworks Northwest is urging the community to donate this summer.
Several upcoming drives offer a chance to help – July 3rd at Haggen’s in Sehome Village, July 7th at the City of Bellingham Blood Drive, and July 15th at WWU.
Donations are also welcome anytime at the Northwest Bloodworks Donation Center in Bellingham.
Appointments are recommended. Visit bloodworksnw.org to sign up and help save lives.
STORY: Ferndale looking for downtown mural proposals (kill 7/11) Calling all artists!
Proposals are now open for the Ferndale’s Downtown Mural Project.
The city is seeking creative, vibrant designs to help transform downtown Ferndale with public art. Selected artists will be commissioned to create murals that reflect the community’s identity, culture, and history.
This is a paid opportunity, and artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The deadline to submit a proposal is July 31st. Full project details and submission guidelines are available at cityofferndale.org/mural.
STORY: Crab season opens July 17th – YAY! (kill date 7/17!!)
Get your gear ready — Marine Area 7 South, including the San Juans and Bellingham, opens for crabbing July 17th.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says pots can be dropped Thursdays through Mondays, with no crabbing allowed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
A shellfish license and catch record card are required. The daily limit is five male Dungeness crabs, at least 6-and-a-quarter inches wide, plus six red rock crabs of any sex. Crab must be kept whole so size and sex can be verified.
Area 7 North – from Inati Bay to Point Roberts — remains closed. WDFW expects that season to open in mid-August, once shell condition sampling wraps up.
Always check for emergency closures before heading out. More info at wdfw.wa.gov.
