July 10, 2026 News Transcript

Bellingham City Council to hold public hearing on elimination of parking minimums next Monday, Pedestrian injured in vehicle collision on Sunset overpass, Early stages of downtown Bellingham stormwater drainage renovation to begin next week, Petition launched urging Bellingham School Board to begin livestreaming and archiving meetings, Whatcom County approves expansion of controversial Point Roberts campground, Lookout installed at the top of Commercial Street garage, Judge’s ruling likely to pave the way for state-run health inspections at Tacoma ICE detention facility, Petition launched urging Bellingham School Board to begin livestreaming and archiving meetings, Whatcom County approves expansion of controversial Point Roberts campground, Judge’s ruling likely to pave the way for state-run health inspections at Tacoma ICE detention facility, Man gets blown halfway out of an airplane window, The Free, the Cheap, and the Ugly, HR1 impacts on Apple Health revealed, Justice Project input requested, Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestone

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Independent, nonprofit community radio.

KMRE brings you local news for Friday, July 10th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.

STORY: Bellingham City Council to hold public hearing on elimination of parking minimums next Monday
The Bellingham City Council is considering a permanent change to parking across the city.

The council will hold a public hearing on Monday, July 13th to propose eliminating minimum parking requirements — these are rules that currently require developers to build a minimum number of parking stalls with each new project.

The city has been operating under an interim ordinance since January of last year, which allows developers to decide how much parking their projects need based on demand. The temporary rule was extended last month and is now set to remain in place through January of next year.

The Planning Commission has recommended approval of the permanent changes with some amendments for bicycle parking.

Residents can provide comments in person, online, or by phone.

STORY: Pedestrian injured in vehicle collision on Sunset overpass

A man was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle on the I-5 Sunset overpass.

The Bellingham Fire Department says the collision happened early Thursday morning, just before 5. The man was taken to St. Joe’s.

No additional details about his injuries or what led to the crash have been released.

STORY: Early stages of downtown Bellingham stormwater drainage renovation to begin next week

Stormwater drainage renovations in downtown Bellingham will begin next week.

On Monday, crews will begin replacing the old stormwater line on Lincoln Street between Kentucky and the I-5 offramp at Ohio Street. Construction is expected to last two weeks. This is Phase 1 of a plan to alleviate flooding along the west side of I-5 during heavy rainfalls.

Iowa Street has a history of flooding due to stormwater runoff draining into it from nearby streets when Whatcom Creek is already full. The construction will replace a large stormwater pipe near the freeway that has collapsed sections and tree root damage.

Most of the work will take place overnight to avoid slowing daytime traffic. The city said drivers should expect nighttime closures and detours in the area around the southbound I-5 off-ramp at Ohio Street and nearby residential streets.

STORY: Landlords and tenants needed for new city committee
The City of Bellingham is looking for tenants and landlords to help shape the future of local rental policies.

A new temporary advisory group will review the city’s rental programs and recommend improvements aimed at supporting safe, affordable housing. City officials are encouraging people with a variety of rental experiences to apply, especially those interested in working collaboratively with other people.

Applications are due by July 15th.

STORY: Petition launched urging Bellingham School Board to begin livestreaming and archiving meetings

A petition is calling on the Bellingham School Board to livestream and record its regular meetings.

Supporters say requiring in-person attendance can create barriers for people with disabilities, transportation challenges, childcare responsibilities, and nontraditional work schedules.

The petition asks the district to livestream meetings, post recordings online, and provide captions and transcripts when possible.

The effort aims to allow families and community members to stay informed about decisions affecting Bellingham schools.

STORY: Whatcom County approves expansion of controversial Point Roberts campground

Whatcom County approved expansion of a controversial Point Roberts campground.

After two years of review, the Whatcom County Planning and Development Department approved a proposed campground at Point Roberts.

At a hearing last week opponents expressed fears that more visitors would bring traffic, increase litter, and add more noise. Other residents said the community needed more tourist income.

The campground will have 136 tent sites, 18 RV sites, and 12 cabins.

STORY: Lookout installed at the top of Commercial Street garage
If you’re looking for a new point of view in Bellingham, head to the top of the Commercial Street Parking Garage.

The city has installed a public viewfinder overlooking downtown and the waterfront as part of the city’s Downtown Activation and Beautification Program.

City officials say the project was designed in collaboration with the Downtown Bellingham Partnership and is intended to encourage people to spend more time exploring downtown.

STORY: Judge’s ruling likely to pave the way for state-run health inspections at Tacoma ICE detention facility

US District Court Judge Benjamin Settle approved a motion to allow health inspections at the ICE detention center in Tacoma.

This past week Washington State won two injunctions against The GEO Group. GEO Group is the company that manages the ICE detention center in Tacoma and has over 3,500 reports of unsafe conditions at their center. GEO has not allowed the Department of Health to enter the facility and carry out inspections for the last three years since it became law for Washington to conduct health and safety inspections of private facilities.

Judge Settle granted both Washington state and the Department of Health requests for the injunctions. He ordered that The GEO Group must allow health and safety inspectors into the facility.

STORY: Man gets blown halfway out of an airplane window
More bad news for Boeing.

A Ryanair flight made an emergency landing in Greece after a cabin window shattered on takeoff, sucking a passenger part way out of the cabin.

Passengers described hearing a loud bang followed by rapid cabin decompression. Local reports say debris from an engine may have struck the window, though investigators have not confirmed a cause.

Reported by Agence France-Presse, the man still had his seat belt on and his wife helped him hold on. The airline says the Boeing 737 returned safely to Thessaloniki (thess-uh-low-NEE-kee), where he received medical care.

The incident comes more than two years after the Alaska Airlines midair panel blowout that intensified scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing and aviation safety oversight.

STORY: The Free, the Cheap, and the Ugly

It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.

Pride IN Bellingham starts tonight with a Books and Brews gathering at Village Books’ Next Chapter Café from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday brings a Pride Family Fun Day at the Fairhaven Village Green and an all-ages Pride Dance at HUT. On Sunday, the Pride Parade runs from 11am to 1pm, stepping off at Bellingham High School and ending at Depot Square, where the festival continues into the afternoon.

Car fans can head to Ferndale for the Firecracker Car Show on Sunday from 9am to 2pm at Pioneer Park. It’s free to attend, with food vendors, shirts for sale, and a food-bank donation drive.

Two more free options: the Everson Kids Craft Fair is Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Everson Library, and a Bellingham Festival of Music community concert Saturday at 4 p.m. at Old City Hall.

WX: The prequel to a star

And now weather…

Overcast skies this afternoon and into the evening. Expect daytime highs in the low 70s, dipping into nighttime lows in the mid-50s.

Tomorrow’s forecast calls for clouds in the morning, with sunny skies later that may persist through the weekend.

OUTRO:

Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, Bella Farris, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger, and Sean Lynch. 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, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb________… thanks for listening!

STORY: HR1 impacts on Apple Health revealed
Major changes are coming to Washington’s Apple Health program.

Beginning October 1st, some refugees, asylees, parolees, and other lawfully present immigrants will no longer qualify for Apple Health coverage.

In addition, starting January 1st, most adults enrolled in Apple Health will have to work, train, volunteer, or meet other community engagement requirements for at least 80 hours a month to keep their coverage, unless they qualify for an exemption.

Enrollees will also be required to renew their coverage every six months instead of once a year, and retroactive coverage will be reduced.

State health officials urge Apple Health members to make sure their contact information is up to date so they don’t miss important notices.

STORY: Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestone
There’s been a major milestone for wildlife at Snoqualmie Pass.

The first black bear has been caught on camera using the wildlife bridge over Interstate 90, nearly seven years after the crossing opened. The grass-covered overpass reconnects habitat divided by the freeway, and helps animals cross safely while reducing vehicle collisions. State transportation officials say bears are among the most cautious animals to use wildlife crossings–sometimes taking years to try them.

Since the bridge opened, more than 38,000 animal crossings have been recorded.

STORY: Justice Project input requested
Whatcom County invites the public to weigh in on the future of its Justice Project.

A community workshop will be held Wednesday, July 22nd, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse. County leaders and representatives from several agencies will be on hand to answer questions and gather public input. Attendees can review plans for a proposed Behavioral Care Center and a new jail, learn how public feedback helped shape the proposal, and hear what’s next as the project moves toward the design and construction phase.

F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: