Ecology Releases WA Litter Study, New Heat Protections in for Outdoor Workers Implemented, Unemployment Rates Back to Pre-Pandemic Lows, Funding for Upcoming Bellingham and Whatcom Elections, Tours of Election Process, Advocates push for election safety, Mayoral Candidates interview after news, New Mural in Ferndale
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, July 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Ecology Releases WA Litter Study
Washingtonians produce more than 37 million pounds of litter each year, according to a study the Department of Ecology released this morning.
That’s nearly 5 pounds of litter per person, per year.The most littered items include glass beer bottles, cigarette butts, food wrappers and construction and demolition debris. Researchers found that roadways collected the most litter, with more than 18 million pounds per year. Parks came in second, with people leaving more than 10 million pounds of trash per year.
The state spends about 12 million dollars a year on litter cleanup efforts, but they are only able to remove a small portion of the waste that accumulates across the state.
STORY: New Heat Protections in for Outdoor Workers Implemented
Washington State has implemented new heat protections for outdoor workers to address the increasing risk of heat-related illnesses due to rising temperatures.
The updated rules require employers to provide shade at 80 degrees Fahrenheit and mandatory cool-down breaks every two hours when the temperature reaches 90 degrees and every hour at 100 degrees.
Employers are also required to update their heat exposure safety programs and train their workers accordingly.
STORY: Unemployment Rates Back to Pre-Pandemic Lows
Washington’s employment rate is up to pre-pandemic highs.
In June, the state’s economy added an estimated 11,900 jobs, leading to an unemployment rate of 3.8%– the lowest rate since February 2020.
The state’s labor force saw modest growth, and the unemployment rate also declined nationally to 3.6%.
Education and health services, government, and leisure and hospitality sectors experienced the most growth.
STORY: Funding for Upcoming Bellingham and Whatcom Elections
As the elections for mayor of Bellingham and Whatcom County executive approach, fundraising is proving to be a significant factor.
Incumbent Satpal Sidhu in the executive’s race has raised $77,387, twice the amount of all his challengers combined. Farmers and rural business owners have made significant contributions to Sidhu’s campaign along with strong financial support from his family and the Indian-American business community. For the county executive race, Alicia Rule follows Sidhu with $15,540 in funds raised, mostly from outside Whatcom County. Challenger Dan Purdy has nearly matched Sidhu’s campaign spending, despite only raising 1,200 dollars in outside contributions. The former oil and business executive has spent more than 25,000 dollars of personal funds on his campaign.
In the Bellingham mayoral race, challenger Kim Lund has raised over $53,000 dollars, three times more than incumbent Seth Fleetwood, who comes in second. Notably, 10 of Lund’s $1,200 donors are connected to the building or real estate industries. Other mayoral candidates like Mike McAuley, Chris McCoy, and Kristina Michele Martens have also raised funds, with Martens having the highest fundraising total ever for a Bellingham City Council candidate in a previous race.
Election day is August first, with ballots due by 8pm.
STORY: Tours of Election Process
Whatcom County is inviting members of the public to observe the election process by participating in tours at the County Courthouse.
The trips are designed to give attendees insight into the ballot processing system, security measures, and an opportunity to have their questions answered by election administrators.
Tours will be held daily from next Tuesday to Friday. Two time slots are available– from 10 am to noon, and from 1 pm to 3 pm. You can reserve a timeslot via email or phone.
STORY: Advocates push for election safety
Safe election advocates say the federal government needs to do more to protect election workers who are facing unprecedented threats and intimidation at the polls. Next year’s election is likely to be no exception. Here with more on that story is reporter Eric Tegethoff.
Election Audio
STORY: Mayoral Primary Candidates interviews after news
The KMRE Focus on Primary Candidates airs everyday after the 5pm news. You’ll hear the candidates for Mayor and County Executive speak to issues that are on our listener’s minds. Today, the County Executive Candidates share their views on a new jail– please note, candidate Sukwant Gill was unable to attend. Tune in after the 5pm news.
STORY: New Mural in Ferndale
Well, a new mural titled “Ancestral Spirits” has been unveiled in Ferndale.
Kevin Lee, owner of Kevin’s Car Wash, commissioned Tlingit (KLINK-it) Alaska native artist Káa Sháyee (KAY- uh SHAY-yee) to create the 43-foot artwork, which features an orca whale and eagle in the Tlingit formline style. Both Lee and Sháyee are enrolled members of the Tlingit tribe.
The mural project was administered by the Ferndale Arts Commission, with contributions from both the Arts Commission and Kevin Lee.
WX: Sunny and Warm
The weather today is mostly sunny with a high of 80 and an overnight low of 57. Expect partial cloud cover the next few days with temperatures in the mid to low 70’s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Sarah Edmonds and Myles Weber. 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 listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
