Two deputies fired for sexual harassment, Judge grants injunction to Lummi Tribe over disturbed ancestral remains, Stage 2 burn ban implement as fire danger increases, Mobile dental clinic goes on hiatus, Peace Health offers valet parking, Harbor seal pup found shot in Bellingham bay is now recovering, Whatcom Community College students help develop map, Unemployment numbers released, Dept of Commerce announces 10% rental cap for 2027, Trump fires WA attorney less than an hour after appointment, Blood needed, FREE & CHEAP for Friday, July 17th:, F&C – JULY 25, FREE & CHEAP, August 9th:
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, July, 16. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Two deputies fired for sexual harassment
Two Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office supervisors have been fired for violating sexual‑harassment policies.
Lt. Keith Linderman and Sgt. Courtney Polinder were terminated after an outside investigation found they mishandled a deepfake video of Detective Samantha Robinson and failed to follow mandatory reporting rules. The report says both treated the incident as a joke and allowed inappropriate communication to persist in the detective unit.
Cascadia Daily News reports termination letters describe the supervisors ignoring harassment protocols and leaving Robinson unprotected. The firings stem from a 30‑million‑dollar tort claim alleging years of discrimination and retaliation inside the office.
The detective who created the AI video, Derek Jones, remains employed. Investigators found he made multiple deepfakes of coworkers while on duty, but he was not criminally charged.
The Deputy Sheriff’s Guild disputes the firings and plans to challenge the decision.
STORY: Judge grants injunction to Lummi Tribe over disturbed ancestral remains
The Lummi Nation has filed a federal lawsuit over alleged disturbance of ancestral remains.
The complaint says broadband crews in Point Roberts dug through known Lummi burial grounds, uncovered human bones, and left remains exposed while work continued. The Tribe says workers ignored archaeological warnings and trenching stop‑orders.
The suit names Whidbey Telecom, Whatcom County, the Federal Communications Commission, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the filing, the projects were federally funded and locally permitted but moved ahead without required environmental reviews or government‑to‑government consultation.
The Tribe is asking the court to halt further disturbance, order a damage assessment, allow reinterment access, and award monetary damages.
STORY: Stage 2 burn ban implement as fire danger increases
A Stage 2 Burn Ban takes effect in unincorporated Whatcom tomorrow morning.
Hot, dry conditions have increased wildfire danger and all outdoor burning is prohibited, including yard debris fires, land-clearing burns, and recreational campfires.
Propane fire pits and propane or charcoal barbecues are still allowed, but wood-burning fire pits are not.
Violators face fines starting at $250 and could be held financially and criminally responsible if an illegal fire escapes.
STORY: Mobile dental clinic goes on hiatus
A portable dental clinic is going on hiatus after years of working with underserved communities in Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties.
DentALL is a dental clinic that operates out of the back of a van, allowing them to travel to areas without access to traditional dental care. They offer exams, cleanings, fillings, dentures and extractions.
A social media post announced that there is not enough funding to continue supporting DentALL, forcing it into a hiatus. They will continue searching for funding in the meantime.
The East Whatcom Regional Resource Center is taking names and contact information so they can reach out when the program is available again.
STORY: Peace Health offers valet parking
Visitors can expect temporary parking changes at the emergency room starting Monday.
Construction on the new Peter Paulsen Pavilion will close another 11 to 18 parking spaces near the ER entrance for about eight days.
To help offset the loss of parking, PeaceHealth will offer free valet service from noon to 8 p.m. every day. Visitors can pull up to the Emergency Department entrance, where wheelchairs will also be available if needed.
The valet service is free, and drivers will not accept tips.
STORY: Harbor seal pup found shot in Bellingham bay is now recovering
A harbor seal pup is recovering after being found with a gunshot wound in the Smith Gardens tidal flats near downtown Bellingham.
The Bellingham Herald reports the seal was brought to the Whatcom Humane Society on July 3 before being moved to Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research in Des Moines.
The rescue organization says the seal is improving and is undergoing treatment while veterinarians evaluate the next steps of its recovery.
The organization says this is the third seal they’ve treated for a gunshot wound in less than a year, and said the rise in shootings is likely due to misinformation about seals’ impact on salmon recovery.
Harbor seals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and harming or killing one can result in criminal penalties or fines.
STORY: Whatcom Community College students help develop map
Whatcom Community College students will help develop a new interactive project highlighting Bellingham Bay’s maritime history.
The project, called the Whatcom Maritime Atlas, recently received a $15,000 grant through the Maritime Washington Grant Program.
It will use interactive maps to showcase the region’s maritime history, working waterfront, and ecology, allowing residents and visitors to explore stories tied to locations around the bay.
Students in the college’s Engineering in Context program will work with community partners during the 2026-2027 academic year to create the map and document changes shaping Bellingham Bay.
STORY: Unemployment numbers released
Washington’s unemployment rate remained steady at five-point-two percent for June.
The amount of jobs in Washington grew since May, but decreased since June of last year, according to the monthly report by the Employment Security Department.
The Employment Security Department paid unemployment benefits to over sixty-one thousand people in June, which was a decrease since May.
The unemployment rate in Washington has been five-point-two percent for three consecutive months, compared to the national unemployment rate of four-point-two percent.
STORY: Dept of Commerce announces 10% rental cap for 2027
The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that rent cannot be increased more than ten percent in 2027.
This annual rent cap applies to most housing units, but there are a few exemptions. This includes units owned by a public housing authority, public development authority, or a nonprofit are exempt. Some types of low-income housing and duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes where the owner lives in one of the units are exempt. The full list can be found on the Washington State Legislature website.
Regardless of the type of housing, a landlord can never raise rent during the first twelve months of a tenancy.
STORY: Trump fires WA attorney less than an hour after appointment
President Trump fired the newly appointed U.S. attorney in Washington less than an hour after he was sworn in.
Roger Rogoff (RAW-goff) was appointed unanimously by 17 judges after applying for the top prosecutor position. He was sworn in Wednesday morning and received an email soon after from the Trump administration saying he’d been fired.
Typically, attorneys are appointed by presidents and confirmed in the Senate. But the previous interim attorney’s term had expired, so state judges were allowed to appoint a replacement attorney.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said on social media that the judges abandoned the process of consulting with the president to verify the attorney is qualified to serve. Rogoff spent 6 years as a federal prosecutor and 20 years as a state prosecutor before becoming a state judge.
Washington Senator Patty Murray contested the firing, saying the administration used the incident to push a corrupt agenda.
WX:
And now for the weather…
There may be thundershowers in our future today as clouds continue to roll in and bring a chance of rain. Expect highs today in the mid-70s with lows in the upper 50s.
We should see the sun return tomorrow bringing highs in the mid-70s and light winds from the south. Clear skies should stay with us into tomorrow evening, and the early weekend forecast calls for more sun and warmer temperatures.
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!
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STORY: Blood needed
FREE & CHEAP for Friday, July 17th:
Ferndale has some high‑flying fun tonight. The Bellingham Circus Guild puts on a free 45‑minute “Performance in the Park” at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Village, featuring aerial arts, acrobatics, and circus acts for all ages. Bring a chair or blanket, pack a picnic, or grab a Kona Ice treat while you watch.
Ferndale Pride returns to Pioneer Pavilion. The free, all‑ages festival runs from tomorrow from 10 to 4 and features workshops, a resource fair, local vendors, a drag show, and a Pride costume contest for kids and seniors. Connect Ferndale and LGBTQ+ Western are hosting the event, aimed at supporting LGBTQ+ youth and building community.
F&C – JULY 25
Birch Bay is hosting the Battle of the Badges BBQ. North Whatcom Fire District 21 and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office face off on the grill on Saturday from 11 to 2 in the Birch Bay Waterslides parking lot. Families can enjoy free burgers and hot dogs, games, raffles, music, and a chance to meet local first responders — plus a little friendly rivalry between firefighters and deputies.
The Inclusion Festival brings a full day of accessible, all‑ages activities to Bellingham Sunday. The event runs from 11 to 6 at the Fisherman’s Pavilion and Zuanich Park, with inclusive games, sensory‑friendly areas, craft vendors, food trucks, live music, workshops, and a Walk‑n‑Roll‑athon. Admission is free.
FREE & CHEAP, August 9th:
Ferndale hosts a free Play, Learn & Connect Festival this weekend. The event runs Sunday from 11 to 2 at Pioneer Park, with giant building blocks, arts and crafts, hands‑on learning activities, community booths, and food trucks. It’s designed to celebrate play while connecting families with local programs and services.
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