MIPA withdrawn, City of Bellingham reverses decision on replacing bridge into Chuckanut Village, WWU to eliminate student affairs administrators in new round of budget cuts, Whatcom youth suicide prevention program receives national honors, New trail opens above Lake Whatcom, Hormel recalls Beef Stew sold nationwide, Annual Bike Shop, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, June 25th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
UPDATE: MIPA withdrawn
A Missing Indigenous Person Alert issued yesterday for a 15-year-old Bellingham girl has been canceled.
Authorities say the teen has been found safe, and her name has been removed from public reports. The alert had been issued by the Washington State Patrol.
STORY: Bellingham approves new ordinances prohibiting lenders from levying “junk fees”
On Monday night, the Bellingham City Council passed new laws aimed at cracking down on so-called “junk fees” charged to renters.
In a unanimous vote, councilmembers approved two ordinances — one for traditional rentals, the other for manufactured and mobile home leases.
Starting on August 1st, landlords will be banned from charging fees deemed unfair or excessive. This includes fees for using in-unit appliances, accessing common areas, or paying rent by check. Landlords are now legally required to clearly disclose all mandatory and optional fees, as well as utilities associated with the unit, on the first page of the rental agreement. Some limited and clearly disclosed fees will still be allowed, such as applicant screening fees, refundable security deposits, pet damage deposits, utility fees not included in rent, and late fees.
Councilmember Jace Cotton, who introduced the measures, says the goal is greater transparency and affordability for the city’s roughly 20,000 cost-burdened renters. According to the City, Bellingham is 54% renter-occupied and 46% owner-occupied.
STORY: City of Bellingham reverses decision on replacing bridge into Chuckanut Village
Chuckanut Village residents will be able to stay in their homes after all.
The City of Bellingham reversed course and announced it will build a new, permanent bridge to replace the one washed out by flooding in 2021.
Last year, the city had planned to buy out the affected properties, citing high costs and flood risks. However, updated studies show a new bridge, built to current standards and in a slightly different location, will not significantly impact the floodplain.
The $5.1 million project is now part of the city’s 2026-through-2031 Transportation Improvement Program– also called the TIP (TIP). Most of the funding will come from FEMA, and construction is expected to begin in 2027.
STORY: Nooksack River bridge traffic delayed for emergency repairs
Motorists should expect delays on Hannegan Road today, as Whatcom County crews perform emergency bridge repairs just south of Lynden.
Work will take place on the mid-span expansion joint of the Nooksack River bridge, and traffic will be reduced to a single lane for several hours. Minor delays are expected, and drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes.
STORY: WWU to eliminate student affairs administrators in new round of budget cuts
Western Washington University has announced the elimination of another 20 staff positions as it continues to try to close a $23 million structural budget deficit.
The new layoffs include the Vice-President of Student Affairs, Melynda Huskey, and the elimination of her entire department. However, in a letter to the community published yesterday morning, President Sabah Randhawa (suh-BAH run-DAH-wah) emphasized the importance of preserving core student support functions. According to Randhawa, quote, “most student support services and staff will continue under the Office of the Provost, with some functions moving to the Business and Financial Affairs Division,” unquote.
The new cuts also include the reduction of the Athletic Director position to part-time status. In addition, at the June meeting of the Board of Trustees, the university committed to a review of the long-term financial viability of its sports offerings.
These latest actions constitute the third round of cuts and layoffs at Western in the past year, as the institution continues to grapple with the gap between its recurring expenses and its revenues.
Administrators have attributed the deficit to decreased state funding, lingering effects from the pandemic, and increased costs.
STORY: Whatcom youth suicide prevention program receives national honors
Nearly one in six middle and high school students in Whatcom County considered suicide in 2023, according to the state’s Healthy Youth Survey.
While that number is lower than previous years, youth suicide prevention remains a top concern. One local effort gaining national recognition is the MAD HOPE program. Operated by the Whatcom Family and Community Network, the program reached nearly 1,600 students last school year with training tailored specifically to teens.
Program Director Amy Dunham says the curriculum focuses on mental health, suicide warning signs, and encouraging young people to speak to trusted adults. She adds the program now faces funding challenges and is seeking support to continue its outreach.
Learn more at madhope.org.
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 (UP THE GROVE) says the project expands much-needed outdoor access, and was made possible through strong community partnerships.
Parking is limited at the Y Road trailhead, so visitors are encouraged to carpool. A new trailhead and bridge are in the works.
STORY: Hormel recalls Beef Stew sold nationwide
Check your pantry — Hormel (hor-MEL) Foods is recalling over a quarter-million pounds of canned beef stew.
The USDA says 20-ounce cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew may contain pieces of wood. The affected products were produced on February 4th, 2025, and have a “Best by February 2028” date.
The stew was sold at all local Haggen stores, Safeway, and various other retailers. No injuries have been reported, but the USDA has classified it as a Class I recall, meaning there is a reasonable probability that the use of the product will cause serious health issues or death.
If you have a recalled can, do not eat it — return it or throw it out.
WX: Monty Python and the Holy Gray
And now for the weather:
Today’s forecast calls for predominantly cloudy weather, with periods of light showers and intermittent sunshine. Highs are projected in the low 60s, with consistent, mild gusts of wind peaking at around 23 miles per hour. The evening should be consistently cloudy as well, with some late-night showers and lows in the mid-50s.
Overcast skies and intermittent drizzle seems like the theme for tomorrow as well.
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: Kroger set to close stores throughout Washington and Oregon
In more local food news, 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.
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.
