July 13, 2026 News Transcript

Search and rescue efforts recover body of missing hiker in North Cascades, Child dies after driftwood fort collapses at Little Squalicum Beach, East Whatcom community leader injured by bison in Yellowstone, Zillow data shows Bellingham home rental prices remain on the uptick, Justice Project input requested, Avellino Coffeehouse suddenly closed permanently, Wildlife crossing at Snoqualmie sees milestone, HR1 impacts on Apple Health revealed, Seahawks one step closer to new ownership, WA joins 15-state lawsuit against Dept. of Education’s cuts to mental health care, Free circus fun in Ferndale July 17, Family fun in Ferndale on August 9th

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KMRE brings you local news forMonday, July, 13. Good afternoon, I’m ______.

UPDATE: Search and rescue efforts recover body of missing hiker in North Cascades

The body of a missing 55-year-old hiker was recovered at North Cascades National Park.

Steven Dorsett was last heard from on June 24th at the Canyon Creek Trailhead. He planned to be gone for ten days. His body was recovered last Thursday.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office extended their deepest condolences to Dorsett’s loved ones.

STORY: Child dies after driftwood fort collapses at Little Squalicum Beach

A 6 year old has died from a brain injury after being struck by a piece of driftwood.

Around 6 pm on Wednesday, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office responded to find Killian Gonzales unconscious and not breathing after being hit by a log at Little Squalicum Beach. Both the Bellingham Police Department and Fire Department arrived and performed CPR on the child.

The boy suffered a collapsed lung, broken nose, and several skull fractures and was airlifted to Seattle Children’s Hospital before being transferred to Harborview Medical Center.

During the first few days at Harborview, doctors sedated Killian to allow his brain to heal, but the boy passed away on Sunday. A Go-Fund-Me has been set up to help the family with medical and funeral expenses.

STORY: East Whatcom community leader injured by bison in Yellowstone

East Whatcom community leader Carl McDaniel was injured by a bison in Yellowstone.

McDaniel and his grandson were taking photos of the bison at a campground near Yellowstone Lake on Friday. Video from another visitor showed the bison charging after McDaniel and his grandson before knocking McDaniel about 8 feet into the air.

His grandson was able to get away, but the incident left the community leader with multiple broken bones.

The New York Times reported that the bison was likely experiencing a testosterone surge, and had charged at multiple other visitors the same day.

McDaniel has been a long-time Whatcom resident, and serves as a board member on several community organizations.

McDaniel is currently recovering from his injuries.

STORY: Zillow data shows Bellingham home rental prices remain on the uptick

The average rental price for housing in Bellingham is increasing.

According to Zillow, it has now reached an average of 22-hundred dollars for all bedroom and property types. This is about 100 dollars more than it was last July and 183 dollars more than the national average.

Out of the seven cities in Whatcom County, Bellingham now has the third-highest average rent, below Lynden and Blaine.

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.

STORY: Avellino Coffeehouse suddenly closed permanently

Avellino Coffeehouse suddenly closed this weekend, becoming the next casualty in a slew of downtown business closures.

A note was posted on the front door on Saturday announcing Avellino’s closure. The note thanked customers and expressed the hope that Avellino will continue to hold a special place in Bellingham’s heart.

Customers online mourned the loss, blaming it on high rent and low wages. Regulars remember good coffee, friendly service and a cozy atmosphere.

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 I-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: 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: Seahawks one step closer to new ownership
The Seattle Seahawks are one step closer to new ownership.

The Khosla (KAWS-luh) family reached an agreement to buy the team for a record-breaking 9-point-six billion dollars. Sports business experts say the sale reflects the soaring value of the NFL, fueled by massive television and streaming rights deals that guarantee hundreds of millions of dollars for every team each year.

The sale still needs approval from at least 24 of the NFL’s 32 owners, which could come as soon as late August. Neeru (NEE-roo) Khosla (KAWS-luh) is expected to become the Seahawks’ controlling owner, making Seattle one of 10 NFL franchises with a woman in a leading ownership role.

STORY: WA joins 15-state lawsuit against Dept. of Education’s cuts to mental health care

Washington is suing to stop the federal government from ending school-based mental health grants.

Attorney General Nick Brown joined attorneys general from 14 other states in filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. The department plans to terminate these grants by the end of July.

Washington schools are projected to lose an estimated $20 million in mental health funding if the program is ended.

Brown says the grants help place mental health professionals in schools, particularly in low-income and rural communities, and provide critical services to students.

The lawsuit argues the department is attempting to end the grants despite a court order that blocked an earlier effort to discontinue the program.

The coalition is asking a federal court to prevent the grants from being terminated as the case proceeds.

WX: It’s a new life, and I’m feelin’ gooooood

And now for the weather…

Look for clear skies and warm sunshine to close out the day, with highs set to reach pleasant peaks in the mid 70s with light winds. The evening is expected to remain clear with lows projected in the mid 50s.

Be ready for highs approaching 80 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), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Bella Farris, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger (REE-ger), 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 _________… thanks for listening!

STORY: Free circus fun in Ferndale July 17
There’s high-flying fun to be had in Ferndale on Friday.

The Bellingham Circus Guild will have a free Performance in the Park at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Village. It will feature about 45 minutes of aerial arts, acrobatics, and circus acts for all ages. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, pack a picnic, or grab a frozen treat from Kona Ice while you enjoy the show.

The event is part of Ferndale’s Summer of Fun series, offering free family-friendly activities throughout the summer.

STORY: Family fun in Ferndale on August 9th
Families from across Whatcom County are invited to a free day of hands-on fun in Ferndale.

The City of Ferndale and the Heart of Play Children’s Museum will host the Play, Learn, & Connect Community Festival on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pioneer Park.

The festival features giant building blocks, arts and crafts, interactive learning activities, community resource booths, and food trucks. Organizers say the event is designed to celebrate the power of play while connecting families with local programs and resources.

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