Driver hospitalized, passengers uninjured after school bus crash near Lynden, KMRE fundraiser set for tomorrow night, Stranded fin whale dies on Samish Island beach, Birch Bay Waterslides announces it will not reopen for 2026 season, Nineteen schools across Whatcom and Skagit Counties recognized by state Board of Education, WA Dept of Children, Youth and Families sued for failing to meet needs of immigrant youth in foster care
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, May, 6. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Driver hospitalized, passengers uninjured after school bus crash near Lynden
A Lynden school bus driver crashed into a tree Friday afternoon.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says the incident happened around 3:40 p.m. on Sunrise Road; the driver suffered a medical emergency before the crash. He was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, while five students on board were evaluated and safely released to their parents at the scene.
STORY: KMRE fundraiser set for tomorrow night
The KMRE annual fundraiser —Whatcom In Food & Stories — takes place tomorrow evening.
As an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, everything we do happens because of our supporters. Tomorrow, local voices, food, and storytelling come together for an evening focused on connection and community — all in support of independent local media.
The highlight of the evening will be 20 chefs and food artisans from across the county and seven local storytellers. Just a few tickets remain, and we would LOVE your help. It’s a chance to explore different types of food, hear meaningful stories, and celebrate Whatcom County’s vibrant food culture and keep our only public access to the airwaves alive — so buy a ticket, won’t you?
More information (and tickets) can be found at whatcomstories.org.
STORY: Stranded fin whale dies on Samish Island beach
An emaciated fin whale died in Skagit County yesterday after it became stranded on a Samish Island beach.
NOAA Fisheries stated that rescue teams from multiple agencies flocked to the scene after the whale was reported stranded but alive on Monday night. The animal, however, died before they could get there.
According to experts, the whale carcass is 61 feet long and weighs about 40 tons. A necropsy is due to be performed, after which the carcass will be left to naturally decompose on the gravel beach.
STORY: Whatcom Chief ferry returns to service after steering issue
The Whatcom Chief is back in service after a temporary stoppage.
The ferry was temporarily pulled from service on Monday evening after crews identified a steering issue at Gooseberry Point. According to Whatcom County Public Works, mechanics worked overnight to solve the issue.
Some limited service resumed before the ferry was taken offline again yesterday morning for repairs. After additional troubleshooting and sea trials, the ferry returned to full service in the afternoon.
STORY: Bellingham advocacy group launches Mother’s Day fundraiser for immigrant single mothers
The Bellingham advocacy group IRIS is launching a Mother’s Day fundraiser for 18 immigrant single mothers.
IRIS — which stands for Immigrant Resources and Immediate Support — focuses on helping immigrant families in crisis. According to an online announcement, 14 of the 18 women targeted have fallen into financial hardship due to recently detained or deported partners, while the remaining four have escaped from domestic violence.
IRIS hopes to raise money to provide a bag of basic groceries and hygiene supplies to each affected family, plus self-care gifts.
More information is available on IRIS’s website.
STORY: Birch Bay Waterslides announces it will not reopen for 2026 season
Birch Bay Waterslides will not reopen for the 2026 season.
Ownership has not publicly provided any detailed reasons for the continued closure, and the decision leaves many feeling uncertain about the future of the popular water park. The Waterslides closed in 2023 after a serious accident; after repairs and inspections, they re-opened under new management last summer.
The news is a disappointment for many in the region who have fond memories of the slides and relied on the park as a seasonal gathering spot. Local businesses may also feel the impact, as the attraction has historically drawn summer tourism to the area.
No timeline has been provided for a potential reopening beyond 2026. Community members remain hopeful that the waterslides may one day return, but for now, the iconic attraction will sit idle for at least another summer.
STORY: Nineteen schools across Whatcom and Skagit Counties recognized by state Board of Education
Nineteen public schools across Skagit and Whatcom counties have been recognized by the Washington State Board of Education.
The annual Washington School Recognition Program, led by the state Board of Education, aims to spotlight schools making meaningful strides in supporting student success across Washington. The program highlights schools that demonstrated notable progress during the 2024–2025 school year. This includes gains in student achievement, academic growth, and efforts to close opportunity gaps. Statewide, 379 schools earned recognition across 150 districts, which represents roughly 16% of public schools in Washington.
According to state officials, nine of the recognized schools are located in Whatcom County and ten in Skagit County. Several local schools — including Cordata Elementary, Blaine Middle, and Beach Elementary — showed improvements in areas such as reading and writing proficiency, math performance, and student attendance rates.
These recognitions reflect ongoing efforts to improve outcomes and support students across the region.
STORY: WA Dept of Children, Youth and Families sued for failing to meet needs of immigrant youth in foster care
A new lawsuit accuses Washington state of failing immigrant youth in foster care.
According to court documents, advocacy groups representing two young people in foster care say the Department of Children, Youth and Families does not inform eligible youth about immigration relief or help them apply.
The suit claims that without support, many could miss a narrow window for legal status — leaving them at risk of losing access to work, education, and protection from deportation.
Plaintiffs seek major changes to how the state handles these cases.
WX: Cloudy B. Goode
And now for the weather:
Expect partly sunny skies today, resulting in a mild drop in temperatures down to highs in the mid-to-low 60s. The clouds will start to roll in after sunset, leaving us with mostly overcast night skies and a low of 50 degrees.
Tomorrow should be more of the same, with an overcast early morning, partial clouds, and mildly late spring weather.
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), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Bella Farris, and Jenny Lam. 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: Upcoming early dismissals from local schools
Bellingham Public Schools will have announced early dismissals on Thursday, May 14 and May 21.
According to the release, this is to accommodate scheduled staff and instructional planning. Elementary schools dismiss at 12:20 p.m., middle schools at 1:15, and high schools at 2 p.m. Schools will also be closed Friday, May 15, as a planned weather make-up day is no longer needed, and again Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. Classes resume Tuesday, May 26. More information, including school calendars, are available on the district’s website.
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