June 26, 2026 News Transcript

Blaine and Bellingham School Districts named in lawsuit alleging deaf student was repeatedly sexually assaulted over year, Details released in Wednesday I-5 rollover crash, Burn ban set to take effect for North Cascades next week, One entrance to popular Bellingham park to close for repaving next week, In more road construction news…, Blaine PD seeking owner(s) of stolen tools, Gov. Ferguson signs executive order establishing new Economic Development Council, WA, CA, and Quebec sign historic carbon market agreement, FREE or Cheap, 4th of July fireworks info (use this as follow to July 4th – Port of Bellingham), F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post:

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Independent, nonprofit community radio.

KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 26th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.

STORY: Blaine and Bellingham School Districts named in lawsuit alleging deaf student was repeatedly sexually assaulted over years

The parents of a disabled, Blaine elementary student are suing both the Blaine and Bellingham school districts over repeated sexual assaults.

A lawsuit filed in Whatcom County Superior Court on June 18th says the student was assaulted multiple times on school buses over several years.

The suit says the first assault happened six years ago, when an older boy attacked her on a Blaine bus. Another student reported it and the boy was removed, but the lawsuit says the district never investigated.

Court documents say she was assaulted again last fall on a Bellingham-operated bus to the Salish Sea Deaf School. The alleged assailant had previously attacked other students and was supposed to have a safety plan, but it was not implemented.

The lawsuit accuses both districts of negligence and disability, and gender-based discrimination. Her parents say she no longer feels safe riding the bus and now refuses to attend school.

STORY: Details released in Wednesday I-5 rollover crash

Details have been released about a rollover crash that closed northbound I-5 for about 4 hours Wednesday evening.

The Washington State Patrol says the crash happened around 7:45pm near North Lake Samish Drive. An SUV failed to merge in a construction zone, struck a barrier and rolled onto its roof.

An 83-year-old man and a 57-year-old woman, both from Elma, were injured in the crash. The man was taken to Harborview in Seattle, while the woman was taken to St. Joseph’s in Bellingham. Both were wearing seatbelts; no drugs or alcohol were involved in the crash.

All northbound lanes reopened around 11:30 Wednesday night.

STORY: Burn ban set to take effect for North Cascades next week

A burn ban is set to take effect in the North Cascades.

The ban is active over the entire North Cascades National Park Service Complex, as well as Ross Lake and Lake Chelan. Prohibited items include campfire pits, barbeque grills, and propane-powered fires.

Visitors are allowed to use gas and propane stoves for cooking if there is no flammable material within 3 feet. All stoves must have an off-switch capable of extinguishing flames quickly.

The North Cascades National Park Service says the burn ban will lower the chances of human-caused fires during a dry summer.

STORY: One entrance to popular Bellingham park to close for repaving next week

One Lake Padden Park entrance will be closed next week for repaving.

The Wilkin Street entrance and parking lot will be temporarily closed from Monday to Wednesday.

The Whatcom Parks and Recreation Department asks visitors to use the Samish Way entrances and parking lots during the construction.

The dog park, golf course, tennis courts, playground, restrooms, boat launch, and trails will remain open.

STORY:
In more road construction news…

Work is underway on the second phase of the stormwater project in Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood which will reduce pollution flowing into Little Squalicum Creek.

The project includes new treatment facilities along the Pinewood corridor and West Illinois Street, as well as replacement of a century-old water main beneath West Illinois.

Drivers should expect temporary lane closures and detours.

Meanwhile, the full closure of James Street between Bakerview and Kellogg is extended through July 10th due to paving delays, utility conflicts, and additional retaining wall work.

That project will add a new shared pedestrian/bicycle path to the road.

STORY: Blaine PD seeking owner(s) of stolen tools

Blaine Police are searching for the owners of some stolen tools.

Officers recovered a large number of tools after the search of a storage unit.

Most have been returned to their owners, but several Dewalt handheld tools are still unclaimed. Blaine PD says they were stolen before April 23.

If you think they might belong to you, reach out to the Blaine Police Department.

Any tools not claimed in 60 days will be disposed of according to Washington law.

STORY: Gov. Ferguson signs executive order establishing new Economic Development Council

Governor Bob Ferguson has created a new Economic Development Council.

A group of 26 major employers will advise the governor on economic policies to help accomplish the goals outlined in his first budget. The Council will also weigh in on marketing Washington to outside business, and review regulations to reduce barriers to economic growth.

Members of the Council include representatives from Amazon, Microsoft, Boeing, T-Mobile, the University of Washington, the Suquamish Tribe, and the Puyallup Tribe.

STORY: WA, CA, and Quebec sign historic carbon market agreement

Washington, California, and Quebec have signed an historic agreement to merge their carbon pollution markets.

When the agreement takes effect next year, it will establish the world’s largest sub-national carbon market.

Separately, each government has been issuing what are called “carbon allowances”, paid by the largest corporate polluters for their part in damaging the climate. Now, the polluters will be able to buy and sell carbon allowances from anywhere in the three jurisdictions by 2027.

The revenue from the carbon allowances is used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health. The agreement is intended to make the market more stable and reduce fuel costs for residents.

When it goes into effect, the joint prices of carbon allowances will be lower than Washington’s current price, but will rise over time to incentivize companies to reduce their emissions.

Washington’s Cap-and-Invest program, part of the Climate Commitment Act, already limits emissions from major polluters. Through this program, carbon prices will rise over the next twenty years.

The new linked market won’t lower the prices, but is expected to ease the financial burden on residents during the transition away from fossil fuels.

STORY: FREE or Cheap

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.

Sumas Community Days runs today and tomorrow with a parade, cornhole competition, live music, food, and the first-ever Glow and Foam Party Saturday night before fireworks in the evening.

And tonight from 6 to 8pm, the Boulevard Park Concert series presents Veronica North.

An alternative for Saturday evening is the Whatcom Grooves Summer Music Series at the Lynden Library. The Jerry Steinhilber Trio will offer a free jazz performance from 7 to 8 p.m. Registration is required and space is limited.

On Sunday, head to Zuanich Point Park for the Bellingham Holi (HOE-lee) Festival from 11 to 3pm. This colorful celebration features Bollywood dance performances, drumming, food trucks, henna, cultural activities, and coordinated color tosses throughout the day.

WX: Sploosh Change

And now weather:

Today’s forecast calls for highs in the low 60s and up to a quarter-inch of rain by this evening. There’s a decent chance of thunderstorms tonight. Expect rain to lessen over night, leaving us cool and partly cloudy with lows in the mid-50s.

This weekend looks to alternate between drizzle and moments of sunshine, with temperatures remaining cool.

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, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger, and Sean Lynch. 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!

JULY 4th – Port of Bellingham

STORY: 4th of July fireworks info (use this as follow to July 4th – Port of Bellingham)

If you’re planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, make sure you know the rules before you light the fuse.

Fire officials remind residents to celebrate safely and know your local fireworks laws. In unincorporated Whatcom County, consumer fireworks may only be discharged July 3rd and 5th from 6 to 11 p.m., and July 4th from 6 p.m. to midnight. Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property, roads, school grounds, or in parks without permission, and users are responsible for keeping fireworks away from people, buildings, and dry vegetation.

In Bellingham, all consumer fireworks are illegal.

Officials urge residents to check local regulations, use fireworks responsibly, and consider attending a professional fireworks display instead.

F&C – JULY 25 (not June) from FB post: