Lelo announces voluntary return to Mexico after months of detention, Heat advisory in place for Western WA, wildfire smoke possible, Heat wave this week, Sedro-Woolley police arrest man following alleged assault and attempted arson, WWU among universities added to DOJ antisemitism probe, Freeway blocked Wednesday (run tomorrow, TUES), Free and cheap, WA joins multistate lawsuit over $7 billion in withheld formula grants, Dept of Health urges kids to get shots before school starts, AG’s office bans sale of machine gun converters in WA, WSDOT seeking community feedback on repaving of Guide Meridian
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July 15th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Lelo announces voluntary return to Mexico after months of detention
A well-known farmworker activist detained by ICE will voluntarily return to Mexico this week.
According to court documents, an immigration judge granted 25-year-old Alfredo “Lelo” (LAY-lo) Juarez Zeferino voluntary departure after spending months in detention at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma.
Liz Darrow, Participatory Democracy Coordinator for
Community2Community, says Lelo –– a longtime labor organizer in Northwest Washington –– chose to leave rather than continue facing prolonged detention with limited access to legal support.
DARROW AUDIO 1
The judge ruled he was ineligible for bond, and ongoing immigration proceedings could take months. Voluntary departure allows him to leave the country without a formal removal order, preserving a possible legal return in the future.
DARROW AUDIO 2
Lelo is expected to depart within days.
STORY: Heat advisory in place for Western WA, wildfire smoke possible
As scorching heat grips Bellingham, Whatcom County may see its first wildfire smoke of the season.
A heat advisory remains in effect through tomorrow night across Western Washington, with highs in the upper 80s and a moderate heat risk for Bellingham.
The National Weather Service says shifting winds could carry wildfire smoke from Canada into the region, creating hazy skies and colorful sunsets. But most of the smoke should stay high in the atmosphere, with little to no impact on air quality at ground level.
A Fire Weather Watch is also in effect from 11 a.m. today through 11 p.m. Wednesday for much of Western Washington — including Whatcom, Skagit, King, Snohomish and several other counties. Officials warn of increased wildfire risk due to hot, dry, and breezy conditions.
Help reduce sparks — and if you see a fire start, call 9-1-1. STORY: Heat wave this week
It’s not a mirage — heat waves in the Pacific Northwest are getting longer and more dangerous.
New data from the EPA shows the average length of Seattle’s heat waves has increased by over two days since 1961 — outpacing the national average. The city is currently in its first heat wave of the year, with temperatures breaking daily records across Western Washington. In the Seattle area, highs near 96 degrees are expected today, with little relief overnight.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for parts of the Cascades, as the combination of heat, drought, and wind raises the wildfire risk.
The EPA report also shows heat waves nationwide are now more frequent, more intense, and lasting longer — with the season stretching nearly 50 days longer than in the 1960s.
The trend is linked to climate change and the urban heat island effect, where cities trap more heat due to loss of vegetation and more pavement.
Forecasters say cooler marine air may arrive in the Seattle area by Thursday, which should drop highs back into the low 80s.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley police arrest man following alleged assault and attempted arson
A man was arrested in connection to an attempted arson incident in Skagit County last Tuesday.
According to a Facebook post by Sedro-Woolley Police, it all started when someone placed a 9-1-1 call and said the suspect had tried to stab them. The victim escaped with minor injuries, while the suspect hid inside an apartment unit.
Officers were working on securing a search warrant for the man’s arrest when smoke began rising from the unit he was in. The building was evacuated, and the suspect exited through a small window where he was met by officers. The man refused to drop his knife until police shot him in the hip with a non-lethal round; he was later booked into the Skagit County Jail on charges of first-degree arson and assault.
The investigation is still ongoing.
STORY: WWU among universities added to DOJ antisemitism probe
Western Washington University is under federal investigation for alleged campus antisemitism.
According to recent reporting by The Bellingham Herald, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Jewish and Israeli students
at WWU have faced harassment or discrimination — acts which violate civil rights protections under Title IV.
WWU is one of more than 60 colleges across the country under scrutiny since the Hamas attack on Israel in October of 2023 — and the war in Gaza that followed. A DOJ letter outlines concerns about a hostile learning environment tied to students’ national origin or religion.
Some Jewish students at Western have said they have felt unsafe on campus. Incidents include chants interpreted as antisemitic during protests, and a student reportedly being spat on for wearing a Star of David necklace. That last case is under review as a possible hate crime; however, it was not reported to the FBI’s hate crime database.
STORY: Freeway blocked Wednesday (run tomorrow, TUES)
Drivers can expect nighttime delays on southbound I-5 between Blaine and Ferndale starting at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says repair work will stretch across 10 miles of freeway and continue through early morning hours until Friday.
Crews will repave deteriorating lanes, ramps, and shoulders. They will also install upgraded guardrails, barriers, and traffic counters along the corridor.
Work hours run nightly from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Drivers are urged to plan ahead and expect lane closures.
WX: 86, chef (HA!!)
And now for the weather:
In the local forecast, 90 miles makes a difference, and temperatures are expected to be a bit milder.
However, a heat advisory is in effect today, with temperatures set to hit highs in the mid-80s. The skies are expected to stay predictably clear and sunny throughout the daytime hours, with a max U.V. index rating of 8. Things should cool down as the day wears on, with evening lows currently projected somewhere in the high-50s to low-60s.
The heat advisory is expected to remain in place until 10 a.m. tomorrow, with highs once again reaching into the 80s. Please stay hydrated out there.
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), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI
BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy. 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: Free and cheap
Pioneer Old Settlers Grand Parade at 11am on Saturday, July 26th.
STORY: WA joins multistate lawsuit over $7 billion in withheld formula grants
Washington is joining a multi-state lawsuit against the federal government for withholding $7 billion in education grants.
Attorney General Nick Brown announced Monday that Washington and 22 other states, plus D.C., are suing the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget.
The states argue the grants—set to go out July 1st—are legally required and support programs like English learner services, classroom technology, and adult education. Education officials statewide echoed those concerns, noting that Washington’s adult education systems—critical for workforce development—are among the hardest hit.
Washington’s share includes nearly $137 million for K-12 schools and more than $13 million for adult learning.
The lawsuit demands the funding be released immediately.
STORY: Dept of Health urges kids to get shots before school starts
As students get ready to head back to class, the Washington State Department of Health is urging families to make sure kids are up to date on required vaccinations.
The rules apply to all students—including those in child care or remote learning.
State officials say immunizations protect children, prevent illness outbreaks, and help keep kids in school.
Childhood vaccination rates have been struggling statewide since the pandemic. In 2024, whooping cough cases jumped 25-fold amid a drop in DTaP vaccine coverage.
The Health Department says now is the time to check with your doctor and get caught up.
STORY: AG’s office bans sale of machine gun converters in WA
STORY: WSDOT seeking community feedback on repaving of Guide Meridian
