Whatcom health dept head abruptly placed on leave, WWU addresses recent antisemitic graffiti and threats to free speech, Reduced USDA funding deals blow to Whatcom food banks, Mount Baker School District selects former Othello administrator as incumbent superintendent, Special election announced for Meridian SD’s bond measure, Whatcom County aids Habitat for Humanity in purchasing land for future low-income housing site, Ferndale PD searching for Metal Works Skate Park vandal, Federal budget and educational funding take center stage at Ferndale town hall
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, March 17th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom health dept head abruptly placed on leave
Whatcom County Health Department Director Erika Lautenbach (laht-n-BACH) was placed on leave last Wednesday without official explanation.
Her office has reportedly been cleared out, and county officials have remained tight-lipped about the situation. Senior Deputy Prosecutor George Roche (ROA-sh) informed county council members via email last Tuesday that Lautenbach was “on leave,” but provided no further details on her status or potential return. County Executive Satpal Sidhu (saht-POW see-DO) has yet to publicly address the matter, leaving some council members frustrated over the lack of transparency.
Lautenbach, who was appointed in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, has led one of the county’s most complex departments. Assistant Director Charlene Lamont (luh-MAWNT) is currently serving as acting director.
STORY: WWU addresses recent antisemitic graffiti and threats to free speech
WWU is responding to recent incidents of antisemitic vandalism on campus and broader concerns about free speech following the arrest of a pro-Palestine activist at Columbia University.
In an email to students and staff, Chief Diversity Officer Jacqueline Hughes acknowledged reports of swastikas and Nazi slogans found in public areas on campus, and emphasized that quote “Western unequivocally condemns these expressions of antisemitism and all forms of hate” unquote. University police recorded three such incidents in February and March.
Hughes also addressed concerns about free speech after the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil (muh-MOOD cuh-LEEL), a Columbia University graduate, Gaza war protester and U.S. permanent resident who now faces deportation. According to Hughes, campus police and state law enforcement agencies do not participate in immigration enforcement unless legally required.
60 universities are under federal investigation for alleged past incidents of antisemitism, with four of these being Washington schools; WWU, however, is not one of them. In her letter, Hughes called for unity, and urged students to engage thoughtfully and uphold the university’s commitment to safety and inclusion.
STORY: Reduced USDA funding deals blow to Whatcom food banks
Recent cuts by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are expected to significantly impact food banks in Whatcom County.
The USDA has canceled this year’s Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement, which helped food banks buy from local growers. Whatcom County food banks were anticipating $180,000 from the program this year, but that funding will no longer materialize. Additionally, instability in the Emergency Food Assistance Program could lead to a loss of another $650,000 worth of food annually for local food banks.
In a recent interview, the executive director of the Bellingham Food Bank, Mike Cohen, warned that the timing of these cuts is especially harmful, as food insecurity remains high. Local food banks recently requested $2 million in annual funding to meet rising demand, and were given just $750,000.
Local advocates say that the loss of federal funding is a blow, and food banks will now need more assistance from state and local governments to prevent severe shortages.
STORY: Mount Baker School District selects former Othello administrator as incumbent superintendent
In a unanimous vote on Friday, the Mount Baker School Board selected Jessica Schenck (SHANK) to be the new superintendent of the district.
Schenck currently serves as the Othello School District’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, and brings two decades of experience as a math and science teacher, director of STEM education and principal to the post.
The Mount Baker School District faces significant challenges with financing and enrollment, and since the summer of 2023 has been in binding conditions with the state. As reported by the Cascadia Daily, Schenck expressed confidence that she and the leadership team will find the right creative solutions to existing challenges, and said that she had fallen quote “in love with…the staff and students” unquote. Schenk will assume her new role on July 1st, pending contract negotiations and a successful background check.
STORY: Special election announced for Meridian SD’s bond measure
A date has been set for a special election on the Meridian School District’s bond measure.
According to the county Auditor, the election will take place on April 22nd. Voters in the Meridian School District area will once again try to pass a $71 million bond measure that would fund a rebuilt Meridian Middle School; a similar bond failed to reach the necessary 60% threshold in the November election.
Ballots will be sent out to a little over 8,000 registered voters on April 2nd.
STORY: Reykdal Warns of Federal Education Cuts Impacting Washington Schools
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal (RIKE-doll) has raised concerns that recent cuts to the U.S. Department of Education pose an immediate risk to Washington students.
In a wide-ranging call with reporters on Thursday afternoon, Reykdal also addressed a series of other recent actions the federal government has taken on education. The federal Education Department is responsible for enforcing anti-discrimination laws in education, distributing student financial aid, and providing funding for low-income students and those with disabilities, among other responsibilities. On Tuesday, the department reduced its workforce by nearly 50% — a move the Trump administration argues increases efficiency, but that critics say will weaken oversight.
Earlier on Thursday, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown joined 20 states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit against the Trump administration to challenge the department’s plans to dismiss half of its workforce. The lawsuit claims that the department has reduced its workforce so much that it will not be able to perform critical functions. It also argues that the president can neither dismantle the agency nor incapacitate it by cutting the staff needed to carry out its duties.
Reykdal said on average, school districts in Washington get 7% of their funding from the federal government, but that share varies widely between districts. Rural areas, tribal communities and high-poverty districts tend to get more federal funding and could be more affected by cuts.
State lawmakers must finalize a budget by April, but any major federal cuts could force adjustments later in the year.
WX: The weather equivalent of water cooler talk
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
It looks like our overcast streak will persist throughout much of the week, beginning today with cloudy skies, scattered showers, and highs in the upper-40s. Temperatures will drop to lows in the mid-30s, with a chance of accompanying rain, and possibly some thunderstorms.
Tomorrow’s forecast is similar, though we may also see the sun poke its head out from time to time.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren) and Glen Hirshberg. 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. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: Whatcom County aids Habitat for Humanity in purchasing land for future low-income housing site
STORY: Ferndale PD searching for Metal Works Skate Park vandal
STORY: Federal budget and educational funding take center stage at Ferndale town hall
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