Whatcom County At Risk of Drought, Whatcom Family Farmers Pollution, Drug Possession Law fails in Seattle, Free Fishing Weekend, WNS AARP Resources Provide Care for Caregivers, KMRE Signal Change
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KMRE brings you local news for [Thursday], [June 8]. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom County At Risk of Drought
According to the United States Drought Monitor, Whatcom County is at severe risk of drought this summer.
The Washington Department of Ecology said that due to a dry winter and unexpected heat in May, record breaking snow-melt has already left the region. This is causing an already apparent reduction in stream levels.
Falling water levels will not only affect the natural health of the area, but fish like salmon will be at risk of not having enough water to spawn.
Currently there are nine acknowledged water rights holders for the Nooksack basin and an adjudication is about to begin to determine how water will be distributed throughout the region.
STORY: Whatcom Family Farmers Pollution
A farm advocacy group called Whatcom Family Farmers is raising concerns about pollution in creeks that flow across the border and into the Nooksack River near Lynden.
According to the letter, testing conducted by Washington state and Whatcom County shows that pollution, including bacterial contamination, has been found to be as high as 260 times the legal limit. The contamination is negatively affecting farmland, as well as fish and shellfish beds near the mouth of the Nooksack River.
In the past, a collaborative effort between the United States and Canada had successfully reduced this type of pollution, but Canada discontinued the program in 2021. The source of the pollution remains unknown.
Whatcom Family Farmers has reached out to the Department of Ecology and other agencies, urging them to pressure the Canadian government to address the issue.
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STORY: Drug Possession law fails in Seattle
Seattle City Council Members narrowly rejected a bill that would allow the City Attorney’s Office to prosecute drug possession and public use.
The 5-4 vote came after a four-hour public hearing where more than 100 people spoke against adopting the bill. Opponents argue that the bill would be a re-escalation of the war on drugs, claiming incarceration is not an effective path toward treating the drug-abuse epidemic.
Supporters of the bill frame it as a path to treatment. Council President Dobora Juarez cited her experience as a defense attorney and King County Superior Court Judge, saying quote “even though we don’t want to admit it, sometimes the front door to treatment, whether we like it or not, is the courthouse.” end quote
The bill was initially proposed by Seattle City Attorney Ann Davidson, and supported by council members Sara Nelson and Alex Pederson. As the meeting was concluding first-year council member Andrew Lewis voted no, rejecting the proposal.
On April 10th of this year, Bellingham City Council passed a similar law making public drug use illegal in Bellingham through April 2025.
STORY: Free Fishing Weekend
Washington’s annual Free Fishing Weekend returns this Saturday and Sunday.
Anglers across the state will be able to fish for trout, bass and other game fish without a license. However, new exceptions are in place this year. Any fish requiring a catch record card – including sturgeon, salmon, steelhead and halibut– will still require a license. Fishermen are encouraged to check current regulations as rules such as seasons, area closures and limits on size and daily catch are still in effect.
STORY: Mount Baker Highway Road Closure
Mount Baker Highway will remain closed between Britton Road and Noon Road in Bellingham for the installation of a fish-passable bridge.
A detour will take travelers around the work zone on Hannagan and East Smith Road. Construction is expected to continue through November – and will add approximately 3 miles of habitat for salmon and sea-run cutthroat trout.
STORY: Murder Hornets Back in Whatcom County
The Washington Department of Agriculture is advising residents in our region to watch out for murder hornets.
Citizen scientists are being recruited to participate in a trapping program designed to give an early warning of the presence of the invasive Northern Giant Hornet. Residents are also being encouraged to adopt a paper wasp nest, as the Northern Giant Hornets are known to attack and steal larvae from these nests. Individuals who have a wasp nest on their property can register it with the department, regularly check it, and report their observations using the Watch a Wasp Check-in form.
STORY: WNS AARP Resources Provide Care for Caregivers
The AARP has released a list of available resources to help support caregivers in Washington State. Eric Tegethoff has more.
[Audio: WNSCaregivers: 1m 34s]
STORY: KMRE SIGNAL CHANGE
This coming Sunday KMRE will be moving to 88.3FM! In order for us to increase our power to 2000 watts, we need to change our frequency – so find us down at the start of the FM dial at 88.3 or on-demand at kmre.org.
WX: Your Whatcom Weather today is… beautiful. Expect a comfortable high of 70 degrees this afternoon. Clouds will be passing by throughout the day but no rain is forecast. Tonight, a low of 56 is on the way accompanied by passing showers.
Tomorrow, be ready for rain in the morning followed by a cooler high of 63 degrees in the afternoon. Showers will continue to pass over Bellingham throughout the afternoon.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteer Carl Bryden. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email st 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.