School districts push back against threats to cut federal funding, Gas prices continue to rise in Bellingham, Whatcom, and WA at large, Experts weigh in on how to be prepared following string of WA earthquakes, Tariffs on certain Mexican and Canadian imports delayed until April, Free and Cheap, Ferguson announces plans for WA ferry fleet, California man arrested for smuggling noncitizens across Canadian border, Postal Service to address Whatcom mail delays
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, March 7th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: School districts push back against threats to cut federal funding
Bellingham Public Schools reaffirmed their commitment to following state guidance, while keeping an eye on federal actions. In a statement released last month, Superintendent Greg Baker said the district will continue to monitor developments affecting education funding.
Bellingham schools rely on about $10 million in federal funding, which makes up nearly 5% of the district’s budget. Almost half of those funds support special education and the USDA food program. The rest covers staffing for mental health and multilingual learner support, Title I schools, professional development, as well as, career and technical education.
Our state’s K through 12 system depends heavily on federal dollars. The state’s 2024-25 education budget includes approximately one-and-a-half billion dollars in federal funding. In the 2021-22 school year, federal funds made up 12.4% of Washington public school funding — slightly below the national average of 13.7%.
For now, Washington school districts are standing firm, following state laws and guidance from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Community members can voice their concerns by contacting legislators or submitting comments to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights website.
STORY: Gas prices continue to rise in Bellingham, Whatcom, and WA at large
Gas prices in Whatcom County and Bellingham have increased this month, following a statewide trend.
According to AAA, the average cost of gas in Washington is now $4.12 per gallon, up 16-cents from February. Washington ranks as the third most expensive state for gas, trailing only California at $4.77 and Hawaii at $4.54 per gallon.
For budget-conscious drivers, the most affordable public gas in Whatcom County, as of Tuesday, was at the Mobil station on Meridian and Laurel Road, where a gallon was priced at $3.59.
STORY: Experts weigh in on how to be prepared following string of WA earthquakes
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake struck Orcas Island early Monday morning, marking it the largest quake we’ve seen in Washington since 2020.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the tremor is part of a recent string of seismic activity in the Pacific Northwest, including a 4.8 magnitude quake in southern British Columbia and three other quakes of magnitude 3.0 or higher in Washington since mid-February.
While western Washington faces the highest earthquake risks due to its proximity to major fault lines, even small tremors can trigger landslides or structural damage, particularly to older homes. Experts advise checking for signs of instability in landscapes and ensuring homes are properly secured to their foundations. Officials also recommend using the ShakeAlert system for real-time earthquake warnings.
With Washington’s location along the Cascadia Subduction Zone and several active fault lines, the state experiences over 1,000 earthquakes annually, though most are minor. The last major earthquake in the region was the 6.8 magnitude Nisqually quake in 2001.
STORY: Tariffs on certain Mexican and Canadian imports delayed until April
President Trump has announced another pause on the recently re-implemented 25% tariff on imported goods.
Trump announced via social media Thursday that tariffs on most imports from Mexico and some from Canada would be paused until early April as part of a temporary agreement with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Counter measures have been implemented by other nations in response to the tariffs. China has issued retaliatory tariffs, while Canada plans to impose tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods over the next three weeks. President Sheinbaum is expected to announce Mexico’s counter-tariff plan soon. The stock market has experienced fluctuations since the tariffs were enforced, with declines intensifying after Mr. Trump’s announcement of the temporary tariff pause. Economists warn that the ongoing trade war could have lasting impacts on multiple industries across the U.S. economy.
Washington state, which relies heavily on trade, is particularly vulnerable to these developments. Canada and Mexico are among our top trade partners, with Canada being the largest. With counter-tariffs now looming, Washington businesses and industries may face economic challenges in the coming months.
STORY: Free and Cheap
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
In honor of Gene Hackman, the Pickford Film Center will host two screenings of the 1974 classic The Conversation. The movie, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, stars Hackman as a wiretapping expert who faces a moral dilemma when he suspects the people he’s spying on may come to harm. The two screenings, featuring a new introduction by Coppola, will take place tomorrow at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets, starting at $11 for either screening, are available on the Pickford’s website.
Fairhaven’s Village Books are hosting a conversation with authors and Western professors Laurie Trautman and Edward Alden tomorrow at 5 p.m. Dr. Trautman and Mr. Alden are the minds behind When the World Closed Its Doors: The COVID-19 Tragedy and the Future of Borders, a book that “explores the re-bordering of the world during and after 2020, which created ongoing shocks to the international system of travel and migration”. Those interested in attending can reserve seats at the Village Books’ website for $5 (plus tax).
Finally, Blaine High School is continuing its production of Hadestown this weekend and the next. The 2019 Broadway show is a musical retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, reimagined in a post-apocalyptic version of New Orleans. Shows on Thursday through Saturday begin at 7 p.m., while Sunday shows start at 2 p.m. Tickets starting at $10 can be purchased at Blaine High’s website or at the door.
WX: bro the fog is coming, the fog is coming bro
And now weather:
The forecast for today calls for a mix of clouds and sun, with a slight chance of rain in the late afternoon and evening, with highs in the low-50s. Any rain we do get is likely to intensify as the night wears on, dropping to the low-40s.
Drizzly weather is expected throughout the weekend and beyond, with wind gusts of up to 25 miles per hour forecast for Saturday. If you carry an umbrella, hold on tight.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, and Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren). Our news director is Staci Baird. 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 __David Korb_______… thanks for listening.
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STORY: Ferguson announces plans for WA ferry fleet
STORY: California man arrested for smuggling noncitizens across Canadian border
A Santa Rosa, California resident was sentenced to six months in prison on Wednesday for his role in an illegal smuggling operation that transported noncitizens across the northern border.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington, Sushil Kumar (soo-SHEEL koo-MAR), a 35-year-old citizen of India, was part of a Santa Rosa-based network that directed noncitizens to Peace Arch Park in Canada, where they were guided across the border before being transported to locations throughout Washington and beyond.
Kumar was investigated after a motion-activated camera captured five people jumping a fence near the Boundary Village Apartments in Blaine, Washington, on November 27th, 2023. The individuals, all Indian citizens without documentation, entered a white minivan and were later stopped by U.S. Border Patrol. Court records indicate that they each paid between $5,000 and $10,000 to be smuggled into the U.S. The minivan driver, 68-year-old Bobby Joe Green, admitted he was paid $500 per trip to transport individuals across the border.
Prosecutors condemned the smuggling scheme for exploiting vulnerable individuals and posing potential security risks. Kumar was sentenced to six months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for conspiracy to transport noncitizens for profit. Two other Indian citizens, Rajat Rajat, 26, and Sneha, 20, were later arrested for similar smuggling activities. Rajat and Green have pleaded guilty and await sentencing, while Sneha’s trial is set for May.
STORY: Postal Service to address Whatcom mail delays
Soon, new mail carriers will take to the streets of Everson and Nooksack, with the goal of alleviating ongoing complaints from local residents over mail delays.
Short staffing and winter weather have contributed to delays, says Postal Service media spokesperson Zachary Laux. Laux encouraged residents to keep paths clear for carriers and reassured the community that service improvements are underway. He said, QUOTE As of right now, mail is currently in Nooksack and Everson and within the Postal Service’s delivery standards. END QUOTE
According to Laux, new carriers are nearing the end of training and will soon be onboard to help alleviate the staffing shortages.
Mail delays are not new to the county. In 2022, Washington congress members Suzan DelBene and Rick Larsen urged the U.S. Postmaster General, Louis DeJoy, to address the issues. Complaints from the community detailed mail carriers working extended hours to catch up on deliveries and residents not receiving timely items such as medication. An unnamed spokesperson said the delays were caused by COVID-19.
Laux said the Postal Service encourages customers to report concerns through official channels, and complainers have been given similar advice. Complaints and comments can be submitted at U-S-P-S DOT COM by clicking Contact Us at the bottom of the homepage.
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