Heat advisory to take effect this weekend, Ferndale intersection to close for two days next week while undergoing maintenance, City of Bellingham launches home share program, Former WCSO chief and Nooksack mayor passes away, City begins work on sewer plan, State agency reports average salary in WA nearing six figures, FREE & CHEAP for June 12:, World Cup Fan Zone events start today, Road work in Lynden, Cantwell sponsored bill directs research into rising lung cancer rates among women, World Cup Fan Zone events start today, Road work in Lynden, Cantwell sponsored bill directs research into rising lung cancer rates among women, Cantwell sponsored bill directs research into rising lung cancer rates among women, Election center tours scheduled, WA joins multi-state lawsuit against federal government’s addition of contract terms targeting DEI
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 12th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Heat advisory to take effect this weekend
The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Whatcom and Skagit counties beginning Sunday morning and lasting through early Tuesday.
Temperatures are expected to reach the upper 80s to near 90 in Bellingham, Mount Vernon, and surrounding communities, with overnight lows hovering around 60.
Forecasters say the prolonged heat could increase the risk of heat-related illness, especially for older adults, young children, and outdoor workers.
Cooling centers are available throughout the county. Residents can find the latest information by calling 2-1-1 or checking the Whatcom County Extreme Heat webpage.
Common cooling locations include Bellingham Public Library branches, Bellis Fair Mall, the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center in Maple Falls, and community centers in Ferndale and Lynden. In addition, the spray parks in Cornwall, Fairhaven, and Cordata Park will open at 11 a.m. on Monday, to help beat the heat.
Officials encourage people to hydrate, limit outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day, and check on vulnerable neighbors during the heat advisory.
STORY: Ferndale intersection to close for two days next week while undergoing maintenance
Ferndale drivers should expect delays next week.
According to Ferndale Public Works, the intersection of Church Road and Thornton Street will close for road maintenance. The City of Ferndale says the intersection will shut down from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday for grinding and repaving work. Detours will be posted.
Officials say the intersection will reopen overnight, but drivers should use caution during the project due to uneven pavement and loose gravel.
STORY: City of Bellingham launches home share program
The City of Bellingham has launched a new home-share program.
Aimed at turning unused bedrooms into affordable housing, the city says it will partner with Nesterly— a program that matches homeowners to renters who need long-term housing.
City officials estimate there could be as many as 10,000 unused bedrooms in Bellingham, which could offer a potential source of much-needed housing. The program includes background checks, support services, and flexible arrangements that can include reduced rent in exchange for help with household chores.
Costs include a one-time Nesterly booking fee of $95-195 upon confirming a home share, along with 2.5% of the monthly rent for ongoing platform use. The program is open to all homeowners in Whatcom County who have empty rooms and are open to sharing their home.
The Bellingham City Council will receive a presentation on the program Monday night.
STORY: Former WCSO chief and Nooksack mayor passes away
The Mayor of Nooksack and longtime Whatcom County Sheriff Deputy Kevin Hester has died at the age of 59.
Hester served with the sheriff’s office for three decades, holding roles that ranged from patrol deputy to chief of investigations and support services. He spent much of his career in narcotics and major crimes investigations, including work on the high-profile Mandy Stavik murder case.
After retiring from law enforcement in 2021, Hester was elected mayor of Nooksack in 2022 and won reelection last year. He passed away Tuesday at his home and is survived by his wife, two sons, and three grandchildren.
STORY: City begins work on sewer plan
The City of Bellingham says it’s ready to update its Comprehensive Sewer Plan.
This Monday, the City Council’s Public Works and Natural Resources Committee will get an overview of the planning process, including how emerging technologies, changing regulations, and evolving treatment practices could shape the city’s future wastewater system.
Bellingham’s sewage treatment has faced controversy as officials weigh concerns over aging sludge incinerators and past air quality violations. The Post Point facility, which serves more than 90,000 residents, has been cited in recent years by the Northwest Clean Air Agency for emission issues tied to equipment built decades ago.
City leaders say a planned $65 million upgrade would bring the system into compliance, while environmental advocates argue the city should move away from incineration altogether due to pollution concerns and long-term sustainability.
The debate follows earlier discussions of a much larger replacement project that was ultimately shelved due to projected costs approaching $1 billion.
STORY: State agency reports average salary in WA nearing six figures
Washington workers saw wages continue to rise in 2025, with the state’s average annual wage increasing nearly five percent to just under $100,000.
The Employment Security Department says the average weekly wage climbed to about $1,900. The increase will boost unemployment benefits for new claims filed after July 5th, with the maximum weekly benefit rising to $1,208. The higher wage figures will also increase the maximum paid family and medical leave benefit beginning in 2027.
State officials say the strongest wage growth came in professional and technical services, finance and insurance, and the information sector.
STORY: FREE & CHEAP for June 12:
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
The City of Ferndale kicks 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.
Saturday night, Aspen Birchfield & Happy Accidents will be playing at the Acme Diner. Show starts at 5pm.
And Intercultural Dance Day takes place Sunday at the 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.
STORY: World Cup Fan Zone events start today
And Bellingham’s World Cup celebrations begin today as the city’s official Fan Zone launches a summer of soccer celebrations.
Two notable events are scheduled today. The “Inflatable Viewing Party” at the Bellingham Sportsplex at Civic Field Way that runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.. And, a block party hosted by The Den and Wild Buffalo takes place on the 1300 block of Commercial Street.
At the Sportsplex, games will be shown on large screens and a 25-foot projector. They are free to watch, but a $5 wristband is required for Bubble Ball, bouncy houses, and foosball. On Commercial Street, outdoor giant screens, food, local brews, and lively fan energy are planned.
WX: Big Hotski’s
And now weather:
Sunny skies today with highs in the low 70s. The U.V. index is set to reach nine again. Clear skies are expected this evening with temperatures in the low 50’s.
Tomorrow highs are expected to reach 80, and it only gets warmer Sunday and Monday– with temps in the low 80’s.
Drink water, wear a hat, and stay cool as we head into summer.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Road work in Lynden
A new roundabout project is set to begin June 18 at the SR 546 and Benson Road intersection in Lynden.
Part of ongoing efforts to improve safety along the East Badger Road corridor. The Washington State Department of Transportation says most of the construction will take place during a full closure of the intersection from June 21 through June 27, when crews will remove the existing roadway and build the new compact roundabout. Drivers will be detoured using nearby highways and local roads, while access to nearby businesses and clinics will be maintained.
WSDOT says the project is expected to wrap up in mid-July, weather permitting, and is designed to improve traffic flow and reduce crashes along a corridor used by roughly 11,000 vehicles a day.
STORY: Cantwell sponsored bill directs research into rising lung cancer rates among women
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed a new bill aimed at improving research and prevention of lung cancer in women.
Co-sponsored by Washington Senator Maria Cantwell,the Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act directs health officials to conduct a comprehensive review of why lung cancer rates among women have risen sharply in recent decades— even as overall rates among men have declined. The measure now moves to the House for consideration.
STORY: Election center tours scheduled
Next month, Whatcom County residents can get a behind-the-scenes look at how local elections are run.
The Auditor’s Office will host public tours of the county Election Center July 28th through the 30th. The tour gives visitors a chance to see how ballots are processed, learn about election security measures, and ask questions about voting procedures.
According to the Auditor’s office, the tour takes less than an hour and advance reservations are encouraged through the Whatcom County Elections Division.
STORY: WA joins multi-state lawsuit against federal government’s addition of contract terms targeting DEI
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown has sued the federal administration over new contract requirements tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The lawsuit challenges a March executive order that directs federal agencies to prohibit what it calls “racially discriminatory DEI activities” in federally funded contracts. Brown says the new rules are vague, confusing, and could jeopardize billions of dollars in federal contracts, including agreements with Washington state agencies.
The coalition argues federal agencies failed to follow required public notice and comment procedures and have asked a federal court to block enforcement of the new contract terms.
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