Second measles case confirmed in Whatcom County; officials say Lynden Urgent Care may have had possible exposure, Bellingham City Council considers expansion to anti-discrimination ordinance specifically protecting trans citizens, MIPA issued for Bellingham, Bellingham driver arrested after allegedly threatening pedestrians with a gun, Whatcom man who sexually assaulted friend at cabin will face no jail time, PSE warns of power shutoffs in parts of Whatcom, Local schools brace for more cuts, New trail opens above Lake Whatcom, Annual Bike Swap, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Second measles case confirmed in Whatcom County; officials say Lynden Urgent Care may have had possible exposure A second measles case has been confirmed in Whatcom County.
Health officials say the new case involves a family member of the first case, which was diagnosed last week. Both live in the same household.
One of them may have exposed others at Lynden Urgent Care on Wednesday, June 18th, between 5 and 9 p.m. Public health nurses are working to contact anyone potentially exposed.
Officials say the overall public risk is still low, but will provide updates if more exposure sites are identified.
STORY: Bellingham City Council considers expansion to anti-discrimination ordinance specifically protecting trans citizens The Bellingham City Council says it will continue to work on an ordinance aimed at strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ residents.
The legislation would formally add a new chapter to the city code, guaranteeing fair treatment regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It also reinforces access to gender-affirming
care, use of preferred names and pronouns, and the city’s commitment to investigating hate crimes.
Earlier this month, the council passed a resolution reaffirming Bellingham’s values of equity and inclusion. But many in the community say more is needed — including a formal declaration of Bellingham as a sanctuary city for transgender people.
At last night’s city council meeting, Councilmember Hannah Stone, who is leading the ordinance effort, expressed both support for stronger protections and concern about legal limits on what a city can do.
Fighting back tears during yesterday’s committee meeting, Stone said, quote, “this is an extremely dark and scary time for a number of our community members… I am daily, if not hourly, struggling with that internal conflict of wanting to do more” unquote.
The council voted to continue to refine the ordinance with input from community members who have been calling for more concrete action.
STORY: MIPA issued for Bellingham
A Missing Indigenous Person Alert has been issued today in Bellingham.
Officials are asking for the public’s help in locating 15-year old Abriana Powell, last seen around 7pm last night around Jefferson Street. Abriana is 5 foot 2 inches tall, has brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen
wearing a white t-shirt and jeans. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.
STORY: Bellingham driver arrested after allegedly threatening pedestrians with a gun
A Ferndale man is facing charges after allegedly pointing a gun at pedestrians in downtown Bellingham.
The Bellingham Herald reports the incident happened late Wednesday morning, when two people gestured to a man speeding through an alley between North State Street and Railroad Avenue to slow down. The man responded by allegedly pointing a gun at them and saying, quote, “this is a real one” unquote.
Bellingham Police say officers found the suspect’s truck parked on North Holly Street; the 37-year-old driver was located nearby. A search of the vehicle yielded a pistol, multiple magazines, an optical sight and a rifle bag.
The man was arrested on suspicion of felony harassment and unlawful possession of a weapon. He was booked into Whatcom County Jail and later released on bond.
STORY: Whatcom man who sexually assaulted friend at cabin will face no jail time
An Everett man will face no jail time after pleading guilty in a Whatcom County sex assault case.
The Bellingham Herald reports 27-year-old Colton Wesley Braa was sentenced Monday in Whatcom County Superior Court. He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation — a gross misdemeanor — after originally being charged with third-degree rape.
The victim, a longtime friend of Braa, told police she was assaulted at his family’s Maple Falls cabin in 2020 after she made it clear she did not consent.
Braa was given a two-year no-contact order, but no jail time. His attorney said the order complicates his ability to cross the U.S.-Canada border, where he frequently travels to assist his grandmother with medical care.
STORY: PSE warns of power shutoffs in parts of Whatcom
As Washington braces for a dry summer and heightened wildfire risk, Puget Sound Energy is warning some customers they may face power shutoffs.
PSE, the state’s largest utility, says it may again use Public Safety Power Shutoffs — temporary blackouts designed to prevent wildfires sparked by power lines. Last year, the company shared its plans publicly for the first time, calling the shutoffs a, quote, “tool of last resort” unquote.
This year, areas flagged for higher risk in Whatcom County include parts of southeast Bellingham along Lake Whatcom, as well as Glacier, Concrete, and stretches along I-90, Highway 2, Highway 20, and the Mount Baker Highway.
PSE says it used enhanced safety settings in some zones that can cause unannounced blackouts when faults are detected, but it will try to give at least 48 hours’ notice before a planned shutoff. However, restoring power could still take hours or even days after inspections.
Wildfire risk is expected to climb across the state this summer, expanding from Eastern to Western Washington, according to federal fire officials.
Officials urge all customers to update contact information with PSE, and those who rely on life-saving medical equipment at home should ensure they’re registered for “life support” status.
More information on how to prepare for outages is available on pse.com.
STORY: Local schools brace for more cuts
School districts across Washington are bracing for potential federal education funding cuts that could take effect in the 2026–27 school year.
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal (RIKE-doll) is urging communities to learn more and prepare for the widespread impact if the cuts move forward. Meanwhile, local school leaders say they plan two levies for the November ballot aimed at addressing long-term needs.
According to a recent letter to parents from Bellingham Schools Superintendent Greg Baker, the first levy is a Supplemental Operations Levy that would generate about $4 million annually to help stabilize budgets and meet ongoing operational costs. The second is a new
Facilities Maintenance Levy, projected to bring in $11 million annually over six years. It would fund critical repairs like roof replacements, HVAC upgrades, and new windows — helping to preserve aging buildings and allow future bonds to focus on new construction.
WX: They were never in the band! Their clouds are turning gray! No, they don’t understaaaaaaaaaaand!
And now for the weather:
Today’s forecast calls for a day of increasingly cloudy skies and partial sunshine, with highs in the low-70s. Despite the mostly overcast skies, we are still looking at a maximum U.V. index rating of 9, so remember to stay hydrated out there. The day’s increasing cloud cover should give way to a gray, drizzly evening, with lows in the mid-50s.
Tomorrow’s forecast looks like it’ll keep the clouds and drippy weather around for a spell, with highs falling back into the upper-60s.
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), and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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: New trail opens above Lake Whatcom
The Washington Department of Natural Resources has opened the Olsen Creek Trail System east of Bellingham—the first designated trail network on state trust lands in the county. It includes seven miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, with scenic views of Lake Whatcom, Bellingham Bay, and the Canadian Cascades.
DNR Commissioner Dave Upthegrove says the project expands much-needed outdoor access and was made possible through strong community partnerships.
Groups like the Washington Trails Association and Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition helped build trails designed to protect wildlife habitat and reduce erosion.
Parking is limited at the Y Road trailhead, so visitors are encouraged to carpool. A new trailhead and bridge are in the works.
STORY: Kroger set to close stores throughout Washington and Oregon
Kroger — the parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC — is planning to close around 60 stores across the country over the next 18 months.
The grocery giant, which operates more than 2,700 locations nationwide, announced the closures during its first-quarter earnings report Friday. While specific stores haven’t been named, Kroger says affected employees will be offered jobs at nearby locations. Based in Cincinnati, Kroger operates more than 2,700 stores across 35 states — including 59 QFC locations in Oregon and Washington, and 132 Fred Meyer stores across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
The company cited a $100 million impairment charge tied to the shuttered stores but expects a modest financial benefit in the long run.
Kroger’s net profits reached $866 million for the quarter — slightly down from last year, but still strong enough to send its stock price soaring nearly 10% by the end of trading.
STORY: Annual Bike Swap (Kill 6/29)
Get ready to ride—Bellingham’s 6th Annual Bike Swap is rolling into Boundary Bay Brewery on Sunday, June 29.
Organized by Shifting Gears, the event invites residents to drop off used bikes and gear from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Sellers name their prices, and 25% of
each sale helps fund programs that lower barriers for women in outdoor sports. The public can grab gear starting at 1pm—everything from bikes to parts and apparel. Test rides are allowed, and both cash and cards are accepted.
Pre-registration is available for sellers with more than 15 items. More information is available at Lets Shift Gears-dot-org.
STORY: Crab season opens July 17th – YAY! (kill date 7/17!!)
Get your gear ready—Marine Area 7 South, including the San Juans and Bellingham, opens for crabbing July 17th.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says pots can be dropped Thursdays through Mondays, with no crabbing allowed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
A shellfish license and catch record card are required. The daily limit is five male Dungeness crabs, at least 6-and-a-quarter inches wide, plus six red rock crabs of any sex. Crab must be kept whole so size and sex can be verified.
Area 7 North – from Inati Bay to Point Roberts — remains closed. WDFW expects that season to open in mid-August, once shell condition sampling wraps up.
Always check for emergency closures before heading out. More info at wdfw.wa.gov.
