Agreement reached between WWU and student employees, Drought declared in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, WA State GOP joins Oregonian movement to end mail-in voting, Eviction filings in WA continue to reach record highs, Affordable and extremely affordable LOL!
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 6th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Agreement reached between WWU and student employees
A resolution has been reached between Western Washington University and its striking student employees.
While WWU still refuses to recognize the union of operational student employees — which includes resident advisors, recreation assistants and more — the university agreed to many of the students’ other demands, such as a month’s notice before layoffs, increased sick leave, bereavement leave, increased pay and a dispute resolution process.
In a video posted on social media, Emma Jean McGreevey, a member of the OSEs’ bargaining committee, said that Western, quote, “gave us an enforceable set of terms and conditions,” and that “this is unprecedented for non-educational student employees.”
The students had originally gone on strike on May 28th, a year and a half after they voted to join Western Academic Workers United. WWU said they would not recognize the union until the passage of legislation that extends bargaining rights to student workers. The strike was paused on Monday, as the committee entered negotiations with Western.
In a statement sent to the community earlier today, President Sabah Randhawa (suh-BAH run-DAH-wah) says that WWU is committed to lobbying for a new bill that would grant formal bargaining rights to OSEs in the next Legislature session. McGreevey said that the OSEs’ fight for recognition, quote, “is not over” unquote.
STORY: Drought declared in Whatcom and Skagit Counties
Washington’s drought emergency is growing, with worsening conditions now hitting Whatcom, Skagit, and several other counties.
Officials with the Washington Department of Ecology say early snowmelt combined with unusually dry weather in April and May has left many areas without the water reserves typically expected heading into summer.
Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller says the expanded declaration will make more communities eligible for assistance. In a statement, he said the goal is to, quote, “protect Washington’s farmers, fish, and the communities that depend on snowmelt for their water supplies” unquote.
The declaration allows Ecology to issue emergency water permits and transfer applications more quickly, and to distribute drought response grants. Up to four-and-a-half million dollars are being made available to eligible public entities.
STORY: WA State GOP joins Oregonian movement to end mail-in voting
The Washington State Republican Party is joining forces with a growing election reform movement that started just across the border in Oregon.
Led by Chair Jim Walsh, the Washington GOP is backing the citizen-led effort that would require voters to show photo ID and proof of citizenship at the ballot box.
It’s part of the broader End Vote by Mail campaign. The regional push calls for one-day, in-person voting, hand-counted ballots, clean voter rolls, and making Election Day a national holiday.
Chairman Walsh says Washington’s current system lacks oversight and accountability, stating that nobody is taking responsibility for ensuring that registered voters are actual citizens.
Walsh, who also serves as a state representative, says the long-term goal is to align Washington with Oregon’s grassroots push for election transparency and trust. The movement also echoes similar federal efforts.
In previous interviews with KMRE, Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn says that the data proves voter fraud related to ballots sent by mail or placed in drop boxes is extremely rare. In addition, vote-by-mail is more accessible, and gives more voters a chance to participate.
STORY: Eviction filings in WA continue to reach record highs
Evictions are on the rise in Washington — and the numbers are climbing fast.
According to InvestigateWest, eviction filings have more than doubled statewide since 2019, and hit an all-time high in 2024. Fiscal year 2025 is already on track to surpass that.
The Office of Civil Legal Aid reports some counties have been hit especially hard. King and Kitsap counties saw the number of evictions filed more than double from 2023 to 2024. Other counties with sharp year-over-year increases include Whatcom, Skagit, Douglas and Snohomish.
InvestigateWest says the surge is being driven by rising rents, stagnant wages, a shortage of affordable housing, and the end of pandemic-era rental protections.
All this comes as Washington grapples with a record homelessness crisis — and looming federal cuts. As of late May, the Trump administration plans to slash rent assistance through HUD by 40-percent.
But there may be relief ahead. Governor Bob Ferguson recently signed a statewide rent stabilization law — making Washington the third state, after Oregon and California, to do so.
The law caps most rent hikes at 7-percent plus inflation, or 10-percent — whichever is less. Mobile home park increases are limited to 5-percent. Landlords must now give 90 days’ notice before raising rent.
STORY: Affordable and extremely affordable LOL!
It’s Friday– and if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, there’s plenty on the calendar.
Tonight – Stemma Brewing is opening a new location in Sunnyland with a community celebration. There’s music, raffles, and good vibes. Details are available at stemmabrewing.com.
Also tonight, local deathrock band Gallowmaker plays with Datura and Anthers over at The Shakedown. This high-energy, late-night show starts at 9. Tickets can be purchased at shakedownbellingham.com.
On Saturday, why not check out the iconic Farmer’s Day Parade at 10:30 a.m. on Front Street? Watch tractors, horses, and hometown spirit roll through downtown in one of the Northwest’s longest-running parades. Get there early for a good seat — and bring your appetite for music and treats! Full details can be found at lynden.org.
If you’ve got little ones, there’s the 2025 Safety Fair at Barkley Village tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kids can climb aboard fire trucks, police cruisers — even a rescue chopper! It’s hands-on, family-friendly, and a chance to meet your local heroes. Info is available at barkleyvillage.com and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Facebook page.
Finally — also on Saturday, head to Ferndale and get crafty at the Community Crafting Day from 2-to-4 p.m. at FrinGe Brewing. Artists of all ages and skill levels are welcome.
WX: There’s Sun Thing About Mary
And now for the weather:
Expect sunny weather and temperatures in the mid-low 70s today. The sky should remain fairly clear into the evening, when we’ll see temps drop to lows in the mid-50s.
The sun should stick around throughout the weekend, with temperatures expected to steadily climb into the low 80s on 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), 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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