Compass Health union workers picket as negotiations stall, Whatcom County Council votes 4-2 not to defund rehabilitative housing project, Bellingham Business Beat, Lawmakers call for resignation of WA director of children’s services, WA on northern lights watch this week
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 31st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Compass Health union workers picket as negotiations stall
On Monday, over 350 Compass behavioral health care workers were on the picket line protesting 16 months of stalled negotiations.
The Service Employees International Union, which includes counselors, nurses, and medical assistants, says there is high turnover and staffing shortages due to insufficient wages. Additionally, the union is asking for a flat $4 an hour increase for all health care employees, regardless of seniority or job class, and a reduction in health insurance premiums. Union leaders say Compass Health administrators have rejected their proposals, and instead offered to cut health care benefits rather than pay higher wages. Compass Health says it is doing the best it can to pay higher wages while maintaining strong benefits.
In recent reporting by Cascadia Daily News, communications director for the SEIU Healthcare local, Kenia Escobar, says that due to the Washington state Legislature’s 15 percent increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates for behavioral health, the union expected those additional funds would be allocated to front-line workers’ wages; but was told by Compass Health last Thursday that the increase would be used to help the nonprofit pay its debts.
STORY: Whatcom County Council votes 4-2 not to defund rehabilitative housing project
The Whatcom County Council indefinitely tabled a resolution which aimed to defund 22 North following a 4-2 vote last night.
The decision came after a presentation by Whatcom County Health and Community Services as well as substantial public comment. Council member Jon Scanlon deemed the resolution “problematic” and “unworkable.” Tyler Byrd and Mark Stremler opposed the motion to table, while Ben Elenbaas, who introduced the resolution, was absent.
Elenbaas has criticized the Opportunity Council’s management of the low-income apartment complex in downtown Bellingham, and proposed it be converted into a secure detox center. However, Todd Donovan, who moved to table the resolution, argued for further discussion rather than immediate defunding. The resolution to defund faced criticism for not being legally feasible and for misunderstanding the permanent supportive housing model.
22 North, which offers 40 units of supportive housing for homeless adults, receives funding from various sources including Whatcom County—which has capped its contribution for 2024 at $650,000. County Executive Satpal Sidhu and others warned that cutting funds would jeopardize the facility’s services and safety.
An independent audit of all permanent supportive housing facilities in the county is set to begin on September 10th.
STORY: Bellingham Business Beat
This week, KMRE is proud to present another installment of Bellingham Business Beat– a limited series where we find out more about some of the small businesses who are the heartbeat of our downtown. Every Wednesday after the 5 p.m. news, we’ll explore their origins, impact on our community, and what drives their passion for Bellingham. Here’s a preview of our interview with the SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention.
PLAY “BBB e2 PREVIEW” AUDIO CLIP
Listen to the entire interview today after the 5pm news.
STORY: Lawmakers call for resignation of WA director of children’s services
Two Washington lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Mari Leavitt (MARY LEV-utt) and Republican Rep. Travis Couture (ko-TOUR), are calling for the resignation of Ross Hunter, the director of the Department of Children, Youth and Families.
This follows the agency’s decision on July 6th to halt new intakes at two juvenile detention centers due to overcrowding. The Department then transferred 43 young men from Green Hill youth detention facility to state prison. However, that action was reversed on July 19th after a Thurston County Superior Court judge ordered the department to return the men to Green Hill. The transfer has drawn bipartisan criticism, with many pointing to system failures as well as Hunter’s mismanagement.
The situation has heightened concerns about staff safety and the overall handling of juvenile justice by the DCYF. Lawmakers and families have expressed frustration over Hunter’s leadership, with previous votes of no confidence from department staff further fueling the calls for his resignation. In a statement last Friday, the Department of Children, Youth and Families said the court’s latest decision will put the safety of residents and staff at Green Hill at risk, and they plan to ask for a pause on the court’s ruling while it files an emergency appeal.
STORY: WA on northern lights watch this week
The northern lights may make an encore appearance in our area this week.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts visible auroras in much of the northern U.S., including Washington, due to a series of coronal mass ejections. A strong geomagnetic storm (G3-level) is expected on Tuesday night, with potential aurora sightings down to southern Washington. A moderate sun storm on Wednesday could make auroras visible across nearly all of Washington and parts of Oregon.
Forecasts indicate that skies will clear by Wednesday night, providing better visibility. While the auroras may not be as intense as those seen in May, this event could still be significant due to the potential for a “cannibal” solar storm, where combined mass ejections hit Earth simultaneously.
WX: Sun
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Today will see temperatures rising once again to a high of 76, and they should remain warm for the rest of the week. Tomorrow, expect some morning cloud cover giving way to sunny skies as the day goes on, with calm southwestern winds. Nighttime lows are projected to be around the mid to high 50s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHRAM), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Ikumi Mashiko (ih-KOO-me muh-SHE-ko), Anna Vickers, and Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson. 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. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thank you for listening.
WEDNESDAY 7/31 5PM ONLY – play audio file “BBB e2 – SPARK Museum”
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