One dead after Friday shooting in Sedro-Woolley, First of two free youth vaccination clinics set for tomorrow, New bike and turn lanes on James Street among multiple proposed construction projects weighed by Bellingham, Former CFO of Skagit Transit sues organization and CEO for alleged retaliation after reporting financial misconduct, PNW trains about to get a major upgrade, Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against state housing reparations program, Blood supplies critically low, Ferndale looking for downtown mural proposals, Kroger set to close stores throughout Washington and Oregon, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, June 30th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: One dead after Friday shooting in Sedro-Woolley
One person was killed outside of Sedro-Woolley in a shooting on Friday.
Cascadia Daily News reports Sedro-Woolley Police officers and Skagit County Sheriff’s deputies responded to multiple reports of a shooting around 6:30 p.m. at the 26000 block of Panorama Place in Clear Lake.
Initial reports show the incident started from a neighborhood dispute between two men. A social media post from the Sedro-Woolley Police department says officers initially responded to reports of multiple shooters and multiple people injured. Firearms were also found at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
STORY: First of two free youth vaccination clinics set for tomorrow
Whatcom County Health and Community Services have announced two new opportunities for children to receive free vaccines.
The announcement comes after the health department reported the county’s first two confirmed cases of the highly contagious measles disease in eleven years.
The clinics will be held at 800 E. Chestnut Street, from noon to six p.m. on Tuesday, July 1st, and from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8th. Children under 18 can get all standard vaccines there at no cost, including the MMR vaccine, which protects against measles, mumps, and rubella.
Appointments are available on the health department’s website, but patients may also walk in until 5:15.
STORY: New bike and turn lanes on James Street among multiple proposed construction projects weighed by Bellingham
James Street in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood could see major changes aimed at improving safety and mobility.
City officials are considering a plan to reduce traffic lanes, remove parking on one side, and add bike lanes along the busy north-south corridor. The proposal is part of Bellingham’s six-year Transportation Improvement Program — an annual plan that outlines which projects will be prioritized and prepped for funding and construction.
This year’s update includes several projects, but James Street is a standout. Under current plans, the street would be narrowed from four lanes to two with a center turn lane. Bike lanes would be added in both directions, and parking on the west side — where most businesses have off-street lots — would be removed.
Public Works Director Joel Pfundt told the City Council earlier this month that the current design is outdated and encourages speeding. A 2023 survey showed James Street carries up to 15,000 vehicles per day, with drivers often exceeding the 25-mile-per-hour limit through the commercial zone between Iowa and Sunset.
The proposal aims to make the corridor safer for people walking, biking, crossing the street, or turning in and out of driveways.
Other projects in the city’s long-range plan include replacing bridges on Electric Avenue and Eldridge Avenue, and adding roundabouts to several key intersections, including Meridian, Lincoln, and Fraser.
There’s no official start date yet for the James Street project. Council’s review of the transportation plan is a first step toward potential changes in the years ahead.
STORY: Former CFO of Skagit Transit sues organization and CEO for alleged retaliation after reporting financial misconduct
A former top official at Skagit Transit claims he was fired in retaliation for reporting financial misconduct and is suing the agency.
Former Chief Financial Officer Christopher Stamey filed a lawsuit this week in Skagit County Superior Court. In the lawsuit, he alleges that CEO Crystle Stidham misused public funds and retaliated against him after he raised concerns — including an accusation that she forged his signature to authorize $500,000 in purchases.
Stamey says he was placed on administrative leave after confronting Stidham, and then later fired after being put on what he calls an “impossible” performance plan.
He also claims that other employees who supported him faced retaliation, including another finance director who was also terminated.
The lawsuit follows a 2024 state audit that found Skagit Transit had significant deficiencies in its financial controls — though those issues were reportedly corrected.
Stamey has asked for a jury trial, back pay, removal of disciplinary actions from his record, and whistleblower protection training for management.
Skagit Transit and CEO Stidham have not responded to media requests for comment. The agency’s board held an emergency meeting Thursday in executive session to discuss the lawsuit.
STORY: PNW trains about to get a major upgrade
In more transportation news, train travel in the Pacific Northwest is about to get a major upgrade.
Amtrak has unveiled its new Airo (AIR-oh) trains, set to debut nationwide in 2026 — which will include the popular Cascades line that connects Eugene, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C.
The Airo fleet will feature panoramic windows, redesigned seating, personal lighting, onboard Wi-Fi, digital displays, and a new café car. Amtrak says the new trains will reach speeds of up to 125 miles per hour — though real-world speeds can still be affected by freight traffic.
The Cascades line has seen record demand, with nearly a million riders in 2024 — a 33% jump from the year before. The line also faced challenges earlier this year when aging train cars pulled for emergency repairs temporarily reduced service to just one working train.
Amtrak and state officials say they hope the upgrades will offer a faster, more comfortable, and car-free way to explore the Northwest.
STORY: Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against state housing reparations program
A federal judge has tossed a lawsuit challenging Washington state’s race-based housing aid.
The lawsuit argued the Covenant Homeownership Program violates the Constitution by giving help based on race. But the court dismissed the claim — at least for now.
Supporters say the program is about righting past wrongs. State housing commissioner Steve Walker told The Seattle Times that race-neutral solutions haven’t closed the homeownership gap.
The program offers zero-interest loans and help with closing costs — but only for first-time buyers with roots in communities hurt by historic housing discrimination. That includes Black, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, Korean, and Asian Indian Washingtonians.
Critics, like the Pacific Legal Foundation, say high home prices affect everyone — and race-based aid crosses a legal line.
WX: Bored Ororo Munroe
And now for the weather:
It looks like we’ll have another mostly cloudy day today, with highs in the mid-60s. A brief period of morning showers may give way to some partial sunshine later this afternoon, with some forecasts placing the max U.V. index rating as high as 9, so consider preparing for some rapid-onset summer. The evening should return things to a mild, cloudy drizzle, with lows in the mid-to-high 50s.
As for the weekend forecast, Saturday will bring a drippy morning, before giving way to some warm afternoon sunshine that should persist throughout the remainder of the day and Sunday.
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), Bella Mae (BELL-uh MAY), 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: Blood supplies critically low (kill 7/2)
Blood supplies are critically low, and Bloodworks Northwest is urging the community to donate this summer.
Several upcoming drives offer a chance to help – July 3rd at Haggen’s in Sehome Village, July 7th at the City of Bellingham Blood Drive, and July 15th at WWU.
Donations are also welcome anytime at the Northwest Bloodworks Donation Center in Bellingham.
Appointments are recommended. Visit bloodworksnw.org to sign up and help save lives.
STORY: Ferndale looking for downtown mural proposals (kill 7/11)
Calling all artists!
Proposals are now open for the Ferndale’s Downtown Mural Project.
The city is seeking creative, vibrant designs to help transform downtown Ferndale with public art. Selected artists will be commissioned to create murals that reflect the community’s identity, culture, and history.
This is a paid opportunity, and artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The deadline to submit a proposal is July 31st. Full project details and submission guidelines are available at cityofferndale.org/mural.
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.
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: 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.
