Lynden teachers authorize first labor strike in nearly 50 years, Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of child rape, Bellingham resident accused of aiding Canadian school shooter indicted by grand jury, Break-in at Bellingham restaurant, Ballots mailed for Whatcom residents, Whatcom drug overdoses continue to decline from summer spike, down significantly from last year, Washington’s top schools official urges governor to reject a new federal K-12 tax credit program. F&C 10/17-18, F&C `10/18, F&C 10/24, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, October, 15. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Lynden teachers authorize first labor strike in nearly 50 years
Lynden teachers have voted to authorize a strike.
Cascadia Daily News reports educators approved the move after months of bargaining without a new contract. Teachers have been working under the old agreement since the start of the school year, and more than 100 rejected the district’s latest offer Tuesday.
The union says core issues include more planning time, competitive pay and respect for teachers’ professional judgment. Superintendent David VanderYacht says the district is facing financial headwinds, including reduced enrollment, rising insurance costs and continued state underfunding of special education.
The district says Lynden teachers have received nearly a 25‑percent salary increase since 2022 and offered a 3‑percent total raise next year, which the union rejected. Educators are also asking for more support for psychologists and counselors, and flexibility in how they use late‑arrival time.
Both sides return to bargaining Monday morning.
STORY: Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of child rape
Bellingham police have arrested a man accused of raping a child.
Officers say the assault happened in May. According to investigators, the suspect met the victim through social media and had been providing alcohol and drugs to the victim and friends as early as March. Police say he gave alcohol to the victim — who was under 14 — and then raped the child.
The victim later reported the assault, and police identified the suspect. Officers arrested him on Tuesday and booked him into the Whatcom County Jail. He has since been released on bond.
UPDATE: Bellingham resident accused of aiding Canadian school shooter indicted by grand jury
A grand jury has indicted an alleged accomplice in a deadly school shooting in British Columbia.
Federal prosecutors say 30‑year‑old James Cody Bryant spent months communicating with shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar before the February attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where six people were killed and others injured. Bryant is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country and is scheduled for arraignment on Oct. 22.
According to the indictment, Bryant agreed to record and livestream the attack, tested the setup multiple times, offered advice on targets and weapons, and sent money for supplies used in an improvised explosive device. Prosecutors say he also discussed ways to hide their communications, acknowledging the planning was illegal.
If convicted, Bryant faces up to life in prison.
STORY: Break-in at Bellingham restaurant
Police are investigating an early‑morning break‑in at a Bellingham restaurant.
Officers say the burglary happened around 5:19 yesterday morning at Lilia’s Mexican Cuisine on East Bakerview. An unknown suspect broke through the front door, went inside, and stole the restaurant’s cash register. Staff say the drawer doesn’t hold money, but it does contain credit and debit cards left behind by customers. Anyone who thinks they may have left a card there is urged to contact their bank and cancel it.
Police say they’re reviewing evidence and working to identify the suspect.
STORY: Ballots mailed for Whatcom residents
Ballots are now in the mail for Whatcom County voters.
The Auditor’s Office says all registered voters should receive their November election ballots within the next few days. Anyone who doesn’t get one by early next week is asked to contact the Elections Division.
Ballot drop boxes across the county are open, and voters can also return ballots through the mail with no stamp needed. The county reminds voters to sign their envelopes and return ballots early to avoid last‑minute delays.
Election information and sample ballots are available through the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office.
STORY: Whatcom drug overdoses continue to decline from summer spike, down significantly from last year
Overdose incidents are declining in Whatcom County.
New data from Whatcom Hope shows fewer EMS calls for overdoses, fewer emergency‑department visits, and fewer opioid‑related incidents compared with recent years. The county’s EMS dashboard also reports a drop in overdose‑related dispatches, including calls involving opioids.
The opioid data tools linked through Whatcom Hope — including dashboards from the Washington Department of Health, the CDC, and the UW Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute — reflect the same trend: overdose activity has fallen from earlier peaks, though fentanyl remains the primary driver of deaths statewide and locally.
The data points to a clear pattern: fewer severe overdoses are reaching EMS and emergency rooms, more people are being stabilized before an overdose becomes fatal, and opioid‑related incidents are down across all reporting systems. Health officials say the regularly updated dashboards give residents a real‑time look at overdose patterns, treatment needs, and the impact of local prevention efforts.
STORY: Washington’s top schools official urges governor to reject a new federal K-12 tax credit program.
Washington’s top schools official is urging Governor Bob Ferguson to reject a new federal K-12 tax.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal says the Education Freedom Tax Credit would expand school choice without addressing public school funding needs. The program would offer federal tax credits to people who donate to scholarship funds. While the scholarships are primarily intended for private school students, they could also pay for tutoring, books, supplies, and disability services for public school students.
The Washington State Standard reports Ferguson has not yet decided whether Washington will participate and is reviewing new federal guidance.
Supporters say the program could bring significant new funding for tutoring, after-school programs, and other student services. Reykdal argues the state would have limited oversight of scholarship organizations while still being responsible for verifying they meet federal requirements.
Thirty-one states have already joined the program. Governors have until January 1st to opt in.
WX: Showin’ sum glowin’
And now for the weather…
Pleasant sunshine and continuing highs approaching 70 are in store for the remainder of the day. Skies should stay relatively cloud-free as we head into tonight, when they’ll start to roll in and temps will cool down to around 50 degrees.
Tomorrow, expect sun with increasing clouds and temperatures reaching back into the 70s during the day, before rain arrives around midnight.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), KAI (eye) Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Doug Langworthy, and Cheri Cloninger (SHARE-ee CLAWN-in-ger). 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: Settlements reached in cases against three generic drug manufacturers
Washington has reached new settlements with three generic drug companies.
The Attorney General’s Office says Ascend Laboratories, Citron Pharma and Mayne Pharma settled allegations that they took part in a long‑running conspiracy to inflate prices and limit competition for generic prescription drugs. Ascend will pay $400,000 and Mayne will pay $650,000. Citron has shut down and agreed to non‑monetary terms.
The AG’s Office says these agreements build on earlier settlements with eight other drug companies, totaling more than $496 million. Washington has now recovered funds through a series of actions targeting what investigators describe as widespread price‑fixing in the generic drug market.
Consumers who bought generic prescription drugs between 2009 and 2019 are encouraged to apply for compensation. More information and a preliminary claim form is available at AGgenericDrugs.com.
F&C 10/17-18
The ninth annual Orca Recovery Day is coming up Saturday.
The event brings volunteers together to restore salmon habitat across the region.
Locally, the Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Conservation District and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association will host a restoration work party at Lower Kenney Creek near Deming, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs, spread mulch and remove invasive plants. The work helps keep streams cool and clean for salmon, which are the primary food source for the endangered Southern Resident orcas.
The event is free, but registration is required through the Whatcom Land Trust. Tools, water and snacks will be provided.
F&C `10/18
F&C 10/24
The Ferndale Sister City – Minamiboso Japan Sister City Event – 35 Years… celebrates all the Peoples of Ferndale up to our current Minamiboso relationship.
This free, City of Ferndale Partnership event for all ages, offers something for everyone. From pumpkins where it all began…to the Official Opening Ceremony, FSCA/Minamiboso Photo History, the Pearl Divers of Minamiboso, Regional Display, Shells from both Coasts, Honoring Tsow Sum with Minamiboso, The Import Guys BIG surprise, WCLS Japan books to check out, the FSCA Literacy and Growing Program, FSCA Resource Center, the “Peoples of Ferndale Performances”…Blue Lighting Canoe Family, Ferndale Heritage Society Attire, Danza Latina, The JCYG “Eras of Japan” Runway, Wonderland tea and Haggens cookies, Door prize, JCYG Chopstick Seed Game, Youth Art Photo Op/ Mascot Lounge, BIG free raffle, attendees receive a special pearl Anniversary gift (while supplies last).
Much to learn and experience…
Celebrate with us!
EVENT SCHEDULE:
1:00PM to 1:30PM – OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
– Land Acknowledgement
– “Peoples of Ferndale” Dance – Blue Lightening Canoe Family
– Civic / Municipal Interchange
1:30PM to 3:00PM EVENT ONGOING
– All Event Offerings Listed Above
2:00PM TEA AND COOKIES
– 1ST ROUND FREE RAFFLE DRAWING
2:30PM
– 2ND ROUND FREE RAFFLE DRAWING
3:00PM – PERFORMANCE – “Peoples of Ferndale”
– Ferndale Heritage Society, Historic Attire
– Dance, Danza Latina
– The JCYG/Japanese Cultural Youth Group, “Eras of Japan” Runway
3:30PM – PUMPKIN GIVE AWAY
3:45PM – 4:00 EVENT CLOSING – THANK YOU TO ALL
STORY: Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29)
The Port of Bellingham will hold an open house for the public on Thursday, October 29th.
Community members can talk with Port staff and project leaders about the future of the waterfront, airport, harbors, events and community programs, while sharing their questions and ideas.
The free event will include refreshments and information stations. And, while supplies last, anyone who gets a passport stamped at all the stations can take home a rubber Disco Duck.
The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse.
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