Former AG and gubernatorial candidate spearheading lawsuit against “millionaire’s tax”, DeWaard and Bode purchased by Colorado-based acquisitions group, : Bellingham School District to eliminate around 60 certificated positions in response to budgetary restrictions, Bellingham pizzeria announces abrupt move back to Seattle, Affordable Care gridlock hits Whatcom, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue to place levy increase on ballot once again, WA enacts first automated license plate-reading law, Star Park open house on April 6, FREE OR CHEAP
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, March, 31. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Former AG and gubernatorial candidate spearheading lawsuit against “millionaire’s tax”
Opponents of Washington’s new “millionaire’s tax” are moving immediately to block it in court.
The Citizen Action Defense Fund says it is preparing a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the tax Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law Monday morning. The group has retained former Attorney General Rob McKenna, who argues the measure violates long‑standing precedent that classifies income as property under the state constitution. McKenna says the graduated tax conflicts with uniformity requirements and nearly a century of case law.
CADF expects to file suit within days. Executive Director Jackson Maynard says the organization is acting to protect Washingtonians from what it calls an unlawful tax scheme.
At the same time, Let’s Go Washington founder Brian Heywood says the group is filing a referendum to repeal the tax, despite a clause in the bill that shields it from referenda.
The new tax applies a 9.9 percent levy on annual household income above one million dollars beginning in 2028.
STORY: DeWaard and Bode purchased by Colorado-based acquisitions group
One of Whatcom County’s longest‑running family businesses has new ownership.
DeWaard and Bode, the decades‑old Lynden family appliance retailer, has been acquired by Kodiak Interiors Group. The company has been a fixture in the county for generations, known for home appliances, bedding, expert installation, and repair.
DeWaard and Bode leaders say the sale will help the business grow while keeping its customer‑focused approach intact. They say the Lynden‑based team, the brands they carry, and the service model local shoppers rely on will remain in place.
Kodiak, based in Denver, says the acquisition expands its national portfolio and strengthens its appliance and interiors offerings. The deal took effect December 16.
STORY: Bellingham School District to eliminate around 60 certificated positions in response to budgetary restrictions
Bellingham schools are bracing for more major staffing cuts.
Superintendent Greg Baker says lawmakers ended the 2026 session without fixing school funding. The district faces a $7.5 million shortfall.
District spokesperson Dana Smith told KMRE that about 60 certificated teaching positions will be eliminated next year, with roughly half reduced through attrition. Lower enrollment accounts for 22 cuts, changes to the high school schedule account for 15 and a half positions, and the rest are reductions in specific areas.
Bellingham will not increase class sizes, but it will restructure support staff, shift certificated librarians into classrooms, adjust counseling and dean roles, and scale back early learning, athletics, and activities as state and federal funding decline.
Baker urges families to contact state lawmakers as planning continues.
STORY: Bellingham pizzeria announces abrupt move back to Seattle
A popular Bellingham pizzeria has closed its doors for the last time.
Starla’s served its final slices on Saturday, ending nearly two years on North State Street. Owners Jordan Koplowitz, a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist, and Christy Wyble thanked the community for its support, calling the goodbye bittersweet.
They say they are moving back to Seattle and plan to reopen Starla’s there with table service and an expanded menu. No lease is signed yet. Starla’s praised its staff, saying the restaurant was successful because of the team behind it.
STORY: Affordable Care gridlock hits Whatcom
The status of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits is in legislative gridlock.
After these subsidies expired on January 1st of this year, the U.S. House voted to reestablish these tax credits that would lower premiums from plans linked to the Affordable Care Act. Months later, it still faces an uncertain future in the Senate.
At the same time, patients and medical professionals across Washington and in Washington County are feeling the strain for a variety of reasons.
KMRE News reporter Austin Wright talked to PeaceHealth’s Director of Government Affairs, Steve Brennan, about the specific impacts on Whatcom County.
BRENNAN AUDIO 1
And the impacts of the healthcare crisis effect more than just Whatcom.
BRENNAN AUDIO 2
To hear the interview in its entirety, stay tuned after the 5 PM news.
STORY: North Whatcom Fire and Rescue to place levy increase on ballot once again
For the fourth time in the past five years, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue will place a levy rate renewal on the ballot for the August 4th primary election.
If approved, levies would rise from the current rate of 76 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to $1.20. On their webpage explaining the proposed levy lid lift, NWFR says the new money would pay for replacement of aging equipment, improved service through increased staffing, and other upgrades needed to serve the region’s growing population.
Twice in 2021 and again in 2024, NWFR put proposals for raised levy rates before voters. All three of those attempts failed.
NWFR serves close to 34,000 residents in Blaine, Birch Bay, Semiahmoo, and other communities in northern Whatcom County.
STORY: WA enacts first automated license plate-reading law
Washington now has its first statewide rules for automated license plate readers.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed the bipartisan measure Monday, calling it a balance between public safety and privacy. The new law blocks federal agencies and out-of-state authorities from directly accessing camera data collected by Washington public agencies. It also bans the placement of cameras near sensitive locations like health care facilities, courts, and immigration-related sites.
Supporters say the law creates clear guardrails for how the technology is used. But civil rights advocates, including the ACLU of Washington, say it doesn’t go far enough, warning expanded search powers and longer data retention could still enable mass surveillance and unnecessary traffic stops.
The law comes after several Washington cities shut down their camera programs amid growing public concern.
WX: Cloud (questioningly)
And now for the weather:
Daytime forecasts today are calling for increasing cloud cover and highs in the mid-50s. Tonight should be more spring-appropriate than last, with a slight chance of light rain and low temperatures only falling as far as the low 40s.
Tomorrow will be rainier, with up to a quarter-inch of precipitation expected across another cloudy day. So, we’ll see you all on Thursday to apologize when spring inevitably decides to make it 80 and sunny the entire time.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Austin Wright, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Kieran (KEAR-un) Dang, and Bella Farris. 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Star Park open house on April 6
The City of Ferndale is inviting the community to celebrate a new addition aimed at making local parks more inclusive.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new communication board at Star Park is set for Monday, April 6th at 11:30 a.m.
The boards use symbols and pictures to help children communicate, especially those with disabilities, making it easier to interact and play.
Following the ceremony, families are invited to stay for a free Spring Break Bubble Playdate featuring games, activities, and community fun through 1 p.m.
FREE OR CHEAP
Small Looms – Saturday, April 4, 12:00 – 3:00 pm SkillShare Space, Central Library: Hands-on weaving with fiber arts projects for library patrons of all ages. Members of the Whatcom Weavers Guild will bring projects to demonstrate as well as allowing the community to drop in for some firsthand experience.
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