Election coverage, Average price of gas in Whatcom drops below $5 for first time in months, Atmospheric river set to hit Whatcom next week, Skagit Valley College names new president, Tribal nations and government sign agreement for fish passage improvements, Whatcom Resources provides one-stop hub for health and human services, Governor creates fraud prevention officer position, Community Conversations event scheduled Dec 3 (run bet. 11/27 & 12/1), WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, October, 4. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Election coverage
Early election returns from last night’s general election show several Democratic candidates leading, and mixed results on local ballot measures.
In Whatcom County, Congressman Rick Larsen leads Republican challenger Edwin Feller with nearly 68 percent of the vote.
Democrats are also leading in several key local races. Jesse Corkern has nearly 58 percent in the race for Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney. Michael Alvarez Shepard is ahead in the 42nd District State Senate race, while incumbents Alicia Rule and Joe Timmons are leading in their State House races.
Two Port of Bellingham commission races are also leaning toward Chris Elder and Tor Benson. Eddy Ury is leading in the race for Whatcom PUD Commissioner.
On local ballot measures, Bellingham voters are strongly approving rental pricing restrictions and two city charter amendments. However, property tax levy proposals in Lynden and for Whatcom County Fire District One are trailing.
In Skagit County, early returns show Chris Baldwin leading the sheriff’s race with nearly 75 percent. Democrat Jackie Brunson is ahead in the treasurer’s race, and Joe Burns is leading for County Commissioner.
Voters are also favoring several Skagit County ballot measures, including the La Conner Schools facilities and technology levy, and Mount Vernon’s transportation tax.
Statewide, Initiative 645 — the measure to repeal the 9.9% tax on income over $1 million and ban future income‑based taxes — was failing, with 63% voting no. Initiative 001, restoring earlier parental‑rights language for public schools, was also trailing, with 57% no. Initiative 638, restricting participation in certain girls’ sports to students defined as biologically female, remained close at 51% yes and 49% no.
These are preliminary results, with additional ballots still being counted. County election officials are expected to release updated results daily in the coming days.
STORY: Average price of gas in Whatcom drops below $5 for first time in months
Drivers in Bellingham are finally seeing regular gas drop under five dollars.
Triple-A reports regular now averages $4.97, eight cents lower than a week ago and thirty‑five cents lower than a month ago. Compared to last year, prices are about a dollar higher. Diesel has held steady at $6.99, which is $2.20 higher than a year ago.
Statewide, regular gas averages $5.15, twelve cents lower than last week and thirty‑three cents lower than a month ago.
GasBuddy’s Patrick De Haan says drivers are finally seeing relief as refinery maintenance winds down and cooler weather reduces demand. Oil prices also dropped sharply to start the week on hopes for renewed diplomacy in the Middle East, though analysts warn prices could swing again depending on whether tensions ease or escalate.
STORY: Atmospheric river set to hit Whatcom next week
An atmospheric river is expected to bring wetter weather to western Washington next week.
The National Weather Service in Seattle says the heaviest rain and gusty winds are expected November 10th through 12th, particularly in western Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Whatcom County will see a wet, windy stretch beginning next Wednesday, with a stronger system Thursday night into Friday. Gusts could reach 40 to 50 miles an hour, and rain is expected through the weekend. In the Cascades, rain and snow are likely, with snow levels between 5,000 and 7,000 feet and heavier mountain precipitation possible Friday and Sunday. Pass travel may be slow or slick.
Forecasters have not yet determined expected rainfall totals or snow levels, but say residents should prepare for a wetter stretch of weather.
STORY: Skagit Valley College names new president
Skagit Valley College has named its next president.
The Board of Trustees has appointed Dr. Thomas Broxson after a nationwide search. He’ll take office January 1 under a contract running through June 2030, with an annual salary of $295,000.
Broxson brings more than 30 years of higher‑education experience, including leadership roles at Clover Park Technical College and Pierce College. He’s also a 2024–25 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow, a national program for emerging community college leaders.
Board Chair Flora Perez‑Lucatero says his experience and collaborative approach make him well‑suited to guide the college as it marks its centennial year. Broxson will replace Interim President Tom Keegan.
STORY: Tribal nations and government sign agreement for fish passage improvements
Tribal Nations and government agencies have signed a new agreement to advance fish passage improvements in Bellingham.
The Nooksack Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the City of Bellingham approved the agreement last week, setting shared priorities for removing City‑owned barriers that block salmon in local streams.
Officials say the coordinated plan will speed up culvert repairs and strengthen salmon recovery. At a Padden Creek event, Lummi Nation’s Merle Jefferson Sr. said the agreement reflects the Tribe’s responsibility to protect salmon and the habitat they rely on. WDFW’s Brendan Brokes called the agreement one of the first of its kind in Washington.
The partners also visited two recently completed fish passage projects on Padden Creek, highlighting the type of work the agreement will help advance.
STORY: Whatcom Resources provides one-stop hub for health and human services
A new online hub is making it easier for Whatcom County residents to find local support services.
The Whatcom Resources website lists food assistance, shelter, medical and dental care, mental health support, childcare, legal aid, transportation, disability services, and senior programs. It also includes a community events calendar with trainings and health‑related events.
The directory is updated regularly by local staff supported by Whatcom County Health and Community Services, and residents can suggest corrections or additions through the site’s feedback form.
Community Health and Human Services Manager Ann Beck says the goal is a reliable, local resource that avoids outdated or non‑local information.
The directory is available at whatcomresources.org.
STORY: Governor creates fraud prevention officer position
Governor Bob Ferguson has signed an executive order creating Washington’s first Chief Fraud Prevention Officer.
The new officer will coordinate fraud‑prevention, detection and recovery work across health and human services agencies, including the Health Care Authority and the departments of Health, Social and Health Services, Labor and Industries, and Children, Youth and Families. The Governor’s Office says the role will use existing resources.
The order also creates a Public Funds Fraud Prevention and Accountability Workgroup to develop a statewide fraud‑prevention framework and recommend changes to statutes, reporting systems, whistleblower protections and contractor oversight. It may also propose a public dashboard tracking fraud‑prevention performance and recoveries.
Ferguson also announced upcoming legislation to expand Washington’s Medicaid False Claims Act to cover all false claims against the state. Whistleblowers would be able to bring civil actions on the state’s behalf, with violators facing triple damages and inflation‑adjusted penalties.
WX: Counting out cloud
And now for the weather,
Cloudy skies and mild highs will close out today, with temperatures topping out around the upper 50s. Some slightly stormier weather looks to move in later this evening, with some periodic bursts of rain and winds gusting up to 24 mph. Nighttime temperatures are forecasted in the high 40s.
The rain looks like it’ll wrap up sometime late tomorrow morning, after which, we might just get some decent sunshine.
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: Community Conversations event scheduled Dec 3 (run bet. 11/27 & 12/1)
Three Whatcom County Councilmembers will take part in a Community Conversations event in Lynden next month/next week/this week.
Barry Buchanan, Jon Scanlon and Mark Stremler plan to meet with residents on Thursday, December 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lynden Library. The Community Conversations series is designed to give people a chance to connect with councilmembers outside of formal meetings, ask questions, share ideas and hear updates on county issues.
More information about upcoming Community Conversations events is available on the county’s website.
STORY: WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Should a fee for recreational fishing in the Columbia River be made permanent?
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is inviting public comment on whether the annual fee of $8.75 for anglers should be extended beyond the expiration date in January 2028
The fee applies to anglers over 15 years old who fish for salmon or steelhead.
The comment period ends on November 20 this year.
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