Supreme Court strike down Affirmative Action, New Explanation for Gas Price Rises, State Audit Discloses Underbilling, Updated Heat Protections for Outdoor Workers, Funding for Indigenous Community Water Projects, Wonderpup Academy, Abortion Ban in Idaho not Decreasing Abortions, Free and Cheap
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, June 29th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Supreme Court Strikes Down Affirmative Action
The Supreme Court has ruled against affirmative action in college admissions, stating that race cannot be considered as a factor.
The conservative majority on the court overturned admissions plans at Harvard and the University of North Carolina, criticizing the notion that an individual’s identity should be determined by their race. Chief Justice John Roberts stated that universities have quote “concluded, wrongly, that the touchstone of an individual’s identity is not challenges bested, skills built, or lessons learned but the color of their skin. Our constitutional history does not tolerate that choice.”
This decision forces universities to find alternative methods to promote diversity among their student bodies.
STORY: New Explanation for Gas Price Rises
A new explanation has emerged for Washington’s high gas prices, which are among the highest in the nation.
According to a new report by triple A, scheduled maintenance on the Olympic pipeline is the primary cause of increased fuel prices in both Washington and Oregon. The Olympic pipeline, operated by BP, transports fuel from Cherry Point, the largest refinery in Washington, to Portland. The pipeline requires frequent routine maintenance, which leads to a surge in fuel prices.
Washington currently has the most expensive gas in the country, priced at $4.99 a gallon, while Oregon ranks fourth at $4.64 a gallon.
STORY: State Audit Discloses Underbilling
A recent audit at the City of Ferndale has revealed underbilling of utility customers amounting to more than $230,000 dollars between 2007 and 2021.
The city says it acknowledged the findings, initiated internal reviews, and plans to introduce new financial software. The state auditors will assess the city’s actions in the next annual audit.
The city also says the underbilled amounts will be collected over time to comply with state law and prevent misuse of public funds.
STORY: Updated Heat Protections for Outdoor Workers
Washington state has updated its workplace heat rules to better protect outdoor workers from heat stroke and other hazards associated with hot weather.
The rules take effect in mid-July and expand existing requirements and protections. According to a recent release from the State Dept of Labor and Industries, the rules specify requirements for shade, cool-down rest periods, monitoring workers, and acclimatization to high heat. Employers must update their heat exposure safety programs, train workers and supervisors, and closely observe workers during heatwaves.
The temperature that will trigger these new requirements is now 80°F for most outdoor work
STORY: Funding for Indigenous Community Water Projects
The federal government has committed to allocating $278 million for water infrastructure projects in Indigenous communities across the United States.
The funding, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, will support projects such as clean water and wastewater treatment, lead pipe removal, and studies on emerging contaminants. The funds’ intention is to address inadequate and outdated infrastructure in rural Indigenous communities, and they will have a significant impact on water quality and environmental health across the country.
The total funding for water infrastructure projects on Indigenous lands over the next decade is expected to exceed $13 billion, with a significant portion allocated to the states of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska.
WONDERPUP ACADEMY
Interested in teaching your dog a new trick? Come down and visit the Trackside Container Village tomorrow from 4-8 pm. Kierin (Keer-in) from Wonderpup Academy will be at the KMRE/ Cascadia Daily container to help dog owners understand their furry companions better. There’s no cost, and you can say hi to the KMRE folks too! See you there.
STORY: ABORTION BAN IN IDAHO NOT DECREASING ABORTIONS
Since the near-total ban on abortion in Idaho, data from clinics in the Pacific Northwest indicates that Idaho women are seeking reproductive services in neighboring states.
The number of Idaho patients at clinics in Eastern and Central Washington has increased by 56% since the ban was implemented. However, according to the Society of Family Planning, the new data also indicates the ban itself has not effectively reduced the number of abortions in Idaho.
While there have been over 1,200 fewer abortions in Idaho since the ban, Washington and Oregon have seen a significant increase in the number of abortions performed, with an estimated 75% of out-of-state patients coming from Idaho.
Additionally, there’s been a dramatic jump in the number of doctors in Idaho who are leaving to practice elsewhere, and some officials have expressed concern about the collapse of the healthcare system of the state.
FREE AND CHEAP
Looking for things to do this weekend that wont break the bank? Concerts In The Park are back tomorrow with the Chris Eger Band playing a free show at Boulevard Park from 6 – 8 pm. If you’re in the mood for a movie head to Ferndale’s Pioneer Village Friday night for a free outdoor screening of the film Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, airing at 9 pm. You can also catch an outdoor screening of Top Gun: Maverick in Fairhaven Village Green at 6:30, followed by a performance by the Bayou Oppussums. Tickets are 7 dollars. Want to spend your Friday on the beach? Join volunteers and staff at Cama Beach State Park at 2:30 to learn about barnacles and plankton and how they interact in a marine environment.
WX: Sunny and Warm
The weather today will be sunny with light winds and a high of 73F. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low a 56F. Beautiful weather will continue through the weekend with sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteer Myles Weber. 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 listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
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