WWU announces details of agreement with encampment students, Bellingham Bells look to kick off season, Special Olympics torch will be carried through Whatcom County Wednesday, WSDOT crews start clearing road to Artist Point, More broadband coming to rural Washington, WA will require insurers to tell customers why their rates are going up, Free and Cheap
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, May 31st. Good afternoon, I’m David Korb______.
STORY: WWU announces details of agreement with encampment students
Today, Western President Sabah Randhawa (sa-BAH ranh-DAHH-wahh) announced details of an agreement reached with students encamped on Old Main lawn.
The agreement includes the inclusion of student input through the creation of advisory committees in areas such as University investment and study abroad, as well as collaboration with displaced Gaza students. According to Randhawa, the agreement ensures investment transparency, a process for divestment requests, and procurement aligned with institutional principles. It also expands the role of the Office of Equity.
In addition, Randhawa apologized for past messages that may have hurt Palestinian, Arab, and Arab American students, acknowledged the difficult times, and on behalf of the University called for a ceasefire, safe return of hostages, and peace.
Randhawa said that ensuring everyone’s safety remains a priority for Western, and that academic freedom requires respectful, truthful conversations.
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators left the Old Main lawn yesterday at 5pm.
STORY: Bellingham Bells look to kick off season
The Bellingham Bells are kicking off their season today.
Those going to Joe Martin Field this evening will be treated to the first in a three-game series against the Edmonton Riverhawks. The Bells, which have an all-new coaching staff this season, are seeking to win a second West Coast League title after falling short to the Victoria Harbourcats last season. Joe Martin Field is also slated to host the WCL All-Star Game on July 17th.
The first pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Tickets are available on the Bells’ website.
STORY: Special Olympics torch will be carried through Whatcom County Wednesday
Members of several law enforcement agencies will be running and biking across Washington State in the annual Law Enforcement Torch Run as part of the Washington Special Olympics.
Each year, the torch begins a 150-mile trip to Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma from the Peace Arch Park at the US-Canada border. Torch carriers are expected to pass through Blaine, Custer, Ferndale, and Bellingham on Wednesday as they make their way through Whatcom County, and on to light the “Flame of Hope” cauldron at the Washington State Special Olympics Spring Games.
The Special Olympics will take place this year from June 7th to 9th at Pacific Lutheran University, King County Aquatics Center, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Over 1,800 athletes from across the state will compete in swimming, athletics, powerlifting, soccer, and cycling competitions.
STORY: WSDOT crews start clearing road to Artist Point
Washington State Department of Transit announced that road crews are clearing the road from Heather Meadows to Artist Point.
Backcountry recreationists are advised to be aware and give crews plenty of room to work. There is no timeline yet for the reopening, but Artist Point opened last year in late June.
STORY: More broadband coming to rural Washington
A $20 million investment from Washington state is bringing more broadband infrastructure to rural areas. Efforts are ramping up to connect rural Washington to high-speed internet.
STORY: WA will require insurers to tell customers why their rates are going up
Starting Saturday, Washington state insurers must provide a written explanation for any increases in auto and home insurance premiums at policy renewal if requested by policyholders.
According to Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, the new rule aims to help policyholders make informed decisions about renewing or switching insurers. Insurers must now provide a “reasonable explanation” for premium increases in understandable terms upon request, and they have 20 days to respond to questions about rate increases made by mail or email.
The new rule covers all property and casualty insurers offering private passenger auto and homeowner policies. Health, disability, life, and long-term care insurers are exempt.
Insurers have resisted the rule, arguing it would overwhelm consumers with complex rate-setting details and increase compliance costs.
By 2027, this information will need to be included automatically in renewal notices in clear language.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Here are some events taking place around the county this weekend.
All weekend, the Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth is putting on its final production of Pippi Longstocking. Tickets are $12 dollars, and 20 seats are available at the door an hour before the show. There is a performance today at 7, 2pm and 7pm tomorrow, and a final 2 pm showing on Sunday.
Tomorrow, the City of Bellingham, NSEA, and the Pipeline Safety Trust are hosting a Whatcom Creek Restoration Event in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Olympic Pipeline Tragedy. Volunteers will help restore habitat by removing invasive plants and spreading mulch. All ages are welcome, and tools are provided. The event runs from 9 am to noon, and registration is available at CoB.org/Event.
Also on Saturday is the Lynden Farmers Day Parade. Starting at 10:30am, the parade goes along Front St. beginning at 10th Street and ending at 3rd. The parade celebrates the agriculture industry in Whatcom, and will have an eclectic mix of cars, bands, tractors, trucks, and horses!
WX: Sunny
Your Whatcom County weather today – Expect sun, with a high of 67 degrees. Rain will come late tonight, as temperatures drop to a low of 51. Precipitation will continue through the weekend and last through Wednesday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman, and Kye Salinas (KEY suh-LEE-nus). 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_______________, and thanks for listening.
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