High pressure ridge set to bring high temperatures to BC and northwestern WA this weekend, St. Joe’s among two PeaceHealth centers named in lawsuit by Alaska man alleging poor communication lead to wife’s death, Whatcom Healthy Children’s Fund awards a total of $750,000 to two local nonprofits to aid in continuing flood recovery, Whatcom Community College approves nearly balanced budget, Port of Bellingham votes 2-1 to restrict immigration enforcement on port property, World Cup fever hits Bellingham, BlueBridge Program Provides First Direct Assistance in Ferndale, Amtrak trains bound for Vancouver receive clearance to “pre-clear,” passengers for border crossing, Proposed state clean energy installation may have bypassed permitting requirements, FREE & CHEAP for June 12:, Fan Zone events for today
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STORY: High pressure ridge set to bring high temperatures to BC and northwestern WA this weekend
A warm weekend is headed our way, with temperatures reaching 89 degrees in some places.
The National Weather Service in Seattle says a high pressure ridge will build offshore tomorrow night and move into lower British Columbia.
By Saturday, expect temps to hit the mid-70s and 80s and expect it to stay warm through Monday.
In Whatcom County, Deming, Lynden and Sumas (SOO-mass) is forecast to stay in the 80s throughout the weekend.
STORY: St. Joe’s among two PeaceHealth centers named in lawsuit by Alaska man alleging poor communication lead to wife’s death
A man is suing PeaceHealth facilities in Bellingham and Ketchikan following his wife’s death.
Court documents show that 62-year-old Kathleen Zamudio had chest pain in June 2024.
Doctors in Ketchikan diagnosed her as having a heart attack and consulted with a cardiologist in Bellingham. She was flown to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center, but the cardiologist was working with another patient. Zamudio was then taken back to Ketchikan where she died of an aortic dissection 12 hours later.
In his lawsuit, Zamudio’s husband, Samuel, alleges several missteps in communication between the two facilities caused his wife to be transferred to Bellingham without a surgeon to work on her.
STORY: Whatcom Healthy Children’s Fund awards a total of $750,000 to two local nonprofits to aid in continuing flood recovery
New grant funding is coming to Whatcom County families recovering from last winter’s floods.
The Whatcom Healthy Children’s Fund is directing nearly three-quarters of a million dollars to help families with young children hit hardest by the December storms.
Two nonprofits— Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group and Skookum Kids—will receive the funding for housing repairs, rent help, and temporary lodging.
County officials say at least 177 families qualify.
STORY: Whatcom Community College approves nearly balanced budget
Whatcom Community College has approved a nearly balanced budget.
After a year of cutbacks, consolidations, and layoffs Executive Vice President Nathan Langstraat (LANG-strat) told a board meeting yesterday that this year’s budget is set at just over $39 million dollars.
A further $131,000 in cutbacks is expected this year through attrition and deferred hiring. The college’s financial woes has led to elimination of some programs, administrative restructuring, furloughs and layoffs.
College president, Justin Guillory said in a memo to the board that student enrollment is not expected to pick up, though an expected change to the state community and technical college system may bring some benefits.
STORY: Port of Bellingham votes 2-1 to restrict immigration enforcement on port property
The Port of Bellingham has approved a resolution that limits the use of Port‑owned property for civil immigration enforcement.
Commissioners passed it 2–1 Monday night.
The policy bars civil immigration detention or support operations on Port property and requires a judicial warrant for civil immigration enforcement in non‑public Port spaces.
Port legal staff said the commission has no legal authority to stop Customs and Border Protection agents from operating in public or shared areas outside the space they lease, and that federal law and the FAA limit the Port’s authority over federal operations.
Commissioner Bobby Briscoe cast the lone no vote.
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The resolution also directs the Port’s executive director to develop signage, procedures, and staff training.
STORY: World Cup fever hits Bellingham
The world’s biggest soccer tournament kicks off today, and Bellingham is joining the celebration.
As one of Washington’s official FIFA World Cup Fan Zone cities, festivities begin today with community watch parties, soccer-themed activities and family-friendly events across downtown and around the city. Organizers say the Fan Zone is designed to bring World Cup excitement to local fans, with dozens of businesses and community organizations hosting events throughout the tournament.
Official Fan Zone events kick off tomorrow, but if you’re looking for a place to watch tonight’s game, the Sportsplex offers free viewing and plenty of pubs and eateries around town will have it on.
Check out bellingham-dot-org-slash-fan-hyphen-zone for a complete list of activities.
STORY: BlueBridge Program Provides First Direct Assistance in Ferndale
Ferndale Police say their new BlueBridge program has already helped someone in crisis.
Officers recently used the fund for the first time after finding a person in distress. They connected the individual with the Mobile Crisis Outreach Team, then used BlueBridge to pay for a safe place to stay — giving them a chance to rest and access more services.
Chief Matt Huffman says the program is designed for situations where enforcement isn’t the right response. BlueBridge gives officers prepaid cards to cover urgent needs like food, shelter, clothing, or transportation.
Residents can learn more or donate at bluebridgealliance.org/ferndalewapd.
STORY: Amtrak trains bound for Vancouver receive clearance to “pre-clear,” passengers for border crossing
Faster border crossings are on the horizon for Amtrak Cascades passengers headed into the U.S.
According to a recent Amtrak announcement, trains from Vancouver, B.C., no longer stop in Blaine for a second customs check — a change that cuts about 10 minutes from the trip.
Passengers are now fully cleared before boarding at Vancouver’s Pacific Central Station— they are the first rail station in North America with ‘U.S. preclearance’.
WSDOT (WASH-dot) says the streamlined process should boost ridership ahead of a busy summer travel season.
STORY: Proposed state clean energy installation may have bypassed permitting requirements
The future of one clean energy development in Washington is in doubt.
Opponents question if former governor Jay Inslee and a state panel bypassed regulations in approving Horse Heaven Solar Project in the Tri-cities. The 72-and-a-half acre wind, solar and battery storage facility is planned for an area four miles southwest of Kennewick.
They say the plan failed to consider the impact on the environment, the communities, and tribal cultural resources.
The state Supreme Court was scheduled to hear the case today.
WX: IGNITION
And now for the weather:
Expect sunny skies all day, with barely a cloud in sight. High temperatures are projected around 70 degrees, with a max U.V. index rating at a staggering nine, so use caution if you plan to enjoy the weather. Clear skies and cool temperatures are be in store tonight, with lows projected around 50 degrees.
Tomorrow should be more of the same, before the weekend sets us all on fire.
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, and Jenny Lam. 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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FREE & CHEAP for June 12:
The City of Ferndale is excited to kick off the 2026 Summer of Fun today, which also happens to be the last day of school. Families are invited to celebrate the start of summer with Community Game Night at Pioneer Pavilion, followed by Flicks in the Park featuring Zootopia 2.
Intercultural Dance Day takes place Sunday at Fisherman’s Pavilion at Zuanich Point Park from noon to 3pm, featuring live music and dance performances, cultural booths, local artists, food trucks, and family activities. The free event aims to build connection and belonging through shared cultural experiences.
STORY: Fan Zone events for today
for today feature an “Inflatable Viewing Party” at the Bellingham Sportsplex (1225 Civic Field Way) running from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Additionally, a major downtown block party hosted by The Den and Wild Buffalo will be taking over the 1300 block of Commercial Street.
At the Sportsplex, games will be shown on multiple large screens and a 25-foot projector. Free to watch, with a $5 wristband for extra activities like Bubble Ball, bouncy houses, and foosball. On Commercial Street, outdoor giant screens, food, local brews, and lively fan energy are planned.
The city, Visit Bellingham, and Downtown Bellingham Partnership have coordinated a series of watch parties and special events leading up to Seattle’s first World Cup matches later this month. Officials say the goal is to create a festival atmosphere and showcase Bellingham as a gateway city between the tournament host cities of Seattle and Vancouver.
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