Kohberger sentenced to life without parole, Man arrested following standoff in Blaine, Bellingham City Council moves to strengthen anti-discrimination protections for queer residents, Bellingham joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s demands to change policies regarding protected classes, New tenant protections will be on November ballot for Bellingham voters, Primary election ballots have been mailed, La Conner becomes first local school district to enact major cuts to budget following federal funding crisis, Primary election ballots have been mailed, La Conner becomes first local school district to enact major cuts to budget following federal funding crisis, Whatcom County veteran’s program receives national award, Part of Bellingham’s South Bay Trail set to close for 18 months of construction, Free or Cheap, Spike in critical injuries among Washington children in welfare system
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 23rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Kohberger sentenced to life without parole
Bryan Kohberger has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murders of four University of Idaho students.
CNN reports that 30-year-old Kohberger did not address the court.
Steve Goncalves (gohn-SAHL-ves), father of victim Kaylee Goncalves, said any details from Bryan Kohberger would have been useful in protecting survivors. He added that the plea deal negotiation wasn’t justice, but a shortcut.
Scott Laramie, the stepfather of Madison Mogen (MOW-gan), said he hopes his family can start to move on now that Kohberger has been sentenced.
Moscow Police Department Chief Anthony Dahlinger (DAH-lin-jur) thanked the victims’ families for their strength and resilience, and promised to make sure the lives of the students are not forgotten.
Kohberger will likely be sent to the Idaho Maximum Security Institution, the state’s only maximum-security prison.
STORY: Man arrested following standoff in Blaine
A man is in custody after a tense standoff in Blaine on Sunday evening.
In recent court records, police say the 42-year-old threatened to kill multiple people and chased one resident near Peace Portal Drive before locking himself in a room at the Bayside Motor Inn. Officers say he appeared intoxicated and refused to cooperate.
The situation ended after Bellingham Police arrived with an armored vehicle, and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident.
He’s being held in the Whatcom County Jail on a $25,000 bail.
STORY: Bellingham City Council moves to strengthen anti-discrimination protections for queer residents
The Bellingham City Council voted unanimously on Monday night to strengthen the city’s anti-discrimination laws to explicitly protect sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
The newly adopted ordinance creates a separate chapter in the city’s municipal code affirming equal access to city services for all residents. It follows months of public testimony, and takes effect in 15 days.
Council members called the measure a bold stand against federal rollbacks under the Trump administration. Councilman Jace Cotton spoke emotionally about growing up as a closeted gay youth, saying he hopes the ordinance gives others a sense of hope and belonging.
Although the ordinance does not include enforcement penalties or designate Bellingham as a “sanctuary city,” advocates praised the move as a significant step forward — and vowed to keep pushing for more protections.
STORY: Bellingham joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s demands to change policies regarding protected classes
And in more city-related news, the City of Bellingham will join a national lawsuit that challenges the Trump administration’s efforts to tie federal funding to changes on immigration, diversity, gender identity, and reproductive rights.
Mayor Kim Lund announced on Monday night that Bellingham is now a plaintiff in King County v. Turner, a federal case with over 60 cities and counties signed on. Lund says the administration’s demands amount to executive overreach. In addition, the new requirements threaten critical services funded by nearly $50 million in federal aid each year.
City leaders say the conditions are unconstitutional and put Bellingham in an impossible position — forcing it to either adopt harmful federal policies or lose vital funding.
Council member Michael Lilliquist (LIL-ih-kwist) called the situation “Orwellian” (or-WEH-lee-uhn), warning that the people hurt most would be children, seniors and families relying on long-standing programs.
STORY: New tenant protections will be on November ballot for Bellingham voters
Bellingham voters are set to decide on a sweeping tenant protection initiative this fall.
A proposed amendment to Bellingham’s municipal code would bolster tenants’ rights by explicitly protecting freedoms of speech, assembly, and association in rental housing. It would ban landlord retaliation for tenants who report unsafe conditions, join tenant unions, host meetings, or distribute flyers.
Under the measure, landlords couldn’t refuse to renew leases, raise rents, or impose fees as punishment for tenants exercising those rights. Any retaliatory act within 210 days of a tenant complaint would be presumed illegal.
The initiative also voids lease clauses that try to silence tenants or block organizing, and requires landlords to display a tenants’ rights poster in common areas or online.
Violations could result in lawsuits, with penalties up to $2,000 plus attorney fees. The city could also fine landlords up to $1,000 per offense.
Supporters say the initiative protects free speech and helps renters stand up for safe, fair housing.
STORY: Primary election ballots have been mailed
Primary election ballots have been mailed to most registered voters in Whatcom County as of last Wednesday.
If you’re unsure whether a ballot was sent to you, visit VoteWA.gov to check your status. Voters who haven’t received their ballot should contact the Whatcom County Election Division for a replacement.
The deadline to register or update your address online or by mail is Monday, July 28th. After that, you can still register in-person.
Ballots can be returned by mail or placed in any of the 23 official drop boxes across the county. Ballots must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, August 5th, or postmarked by that date if mailed.
For questions or assistance, call or email the Election Division. More election info is available at whatcomcounty.us/CurrentElection.
WX: Sun-ce around again…
And now for the weather:
It should be another lovely day ‘round these parts, with high temperatures once again reaching into the mid-to-upper 70s, partnered with a high U.V. index rating of 8. The nighttime forecast calls for clear skies and temperatures dropping to the high-50s.
Tomorrow, be prepared for up to fourteen inches of snowfall as temperatures plummet down to – I’m just kidding, it’s gonna be warm and sunny again.
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, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy (luh-ROY). 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: La Conner becomes first local school district to enact major cuts to budget following federal funding crisis
The La Conner School District is the first in Skagit or Whatcom County to make substantial budget cuts in response to the ongoing uncertainty over federal education funding.
The Trump administration announced on June 30th that it would withhold $6 billion in school funding traditionally released to states on July 1st while it reviewed allocations for alignment with the President’s priorities. No timeline for the process has been offered.
The withheld funds affect most of the La Conner district’s consolidated grants. As a result, in a letter to the community, Superintendent Dave Cram announced last Friday that the district will need to close its Braves’ Hub afterschool program, cancel the new Braves Beginnings preschool meant to start this fall, and cut programming and staff aimed at assisting multilingual and migrant students.
Cram held out the possibility that funding might be restored, and pledged that district officials would make any adjustments possible if and when that happens. In the meantime, however, he said the district was, quote, “incredibly sorry to lose so many of our staff who have provided incredible support and services for our students and the school community,” unquote.
STORY: Whatcom County veteran’s program receives national award
Whatcom County Health and Community Services’ Veterans Program earned an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties.
The association said that the veterans’ program strives to improve health and wellness for veterans by providing access to benefits, along with medical, mental health and employment resources.
The National Association of Counties looks for innovative policy, improved resources and services, and public understanding of county government.
STORY: Part of Bellingham’s South Bay Trail set to close for 18 months of construction
STORY: Free or Cheap
https://www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums — Sat, Sept. 17
STORY: Spike in critical injuries among Washington children in welfare system
Washington has seen a sharp rise in critical injuries and deaths among children tied to the state’s child welfare system.
At least 92 children died or nearly died in the first half of 2025 — a significant increase from the same time last year. The state ombuds says many of these cases stem from fentanyl exposure, abuse, and neglect. Already this year, 20 cases involving children under age 3 were linked to accidental fentanyl ingestion.
Some lawmakers blame a 2021 law meant to keep families together, saying it’s putting kids at risk. But the ombuds office says there’s no clear link between the law and most of the recent cases. In response, the state has increased oversight of opioid-related cases and strengthened court review rules. But officials warn economic stress and drug use continue to put vulnerable children in danger.
Last year, more than 40% of child fatalities involved families that had recent contact with state child welfare.
