WWU to host first of three student vaccination clinics tomorrow, Bellingham City Council approves sales tax meant to fund public safety initiatives, Construction company awarded contract to begin work on upcoming Salish Landing Park, Public hearing for latest Bellingham Plan draft taking place tonight, Allegiant to end service to LAX after 17 years, Environmental advocates demand Whatcom follow through on promises to restrict Ferndale petroleum facility, Reykdal seeking $10M to bring artificial intelligence tools into classrooms, BCC receives grant to create scholarships for parents in aerospace programs, Bellingham Chamber of Commerce hosting event to discuss business impacts of the One Beautiful Bill, N. Lake Samish bridge reopens today (Fri, Sept 24), West Coast Health Alliance announces vaccine recommendation, Tree Coupon back
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, September 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: WWU to host first of three student vaccination clinics tomorrow
Western Washington University has announced three upcoming vaccine clinics for students.
The first two clinics run tomorrow, September 19th, and Monday, September 22nd, from 11am to 4pm in the Campus Services Building on South Campus. A third clinic is set for Monday, October 20th.
Students can get a range of vaccines, including COVID-19, flu, HPV, meningococcal (muh-NIN-juh-KAH-kul) and more. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Students are asked to bring their insurance cards.
STORY: Bellingham City Council approves sales tax meant to fund public safety initiatives
Bellingham will move ahead with a new sales tax to fund public safety.
The City Council voted unanimously to authorize a one-tenth of 1% sales tax — about 10 cents on a $100 purchase. The final vote is slated for October 6th; if approved, the tax would generate nearly $4 million in 2026, which would help close a projected $10 million budget deficit.
The money could fund police, domestic violence programs, public defenders, and crime-reduction efforts. Officials say Bellingham Police will meet new state training requirements by October 3rd, which will clear the way for the tax to take effect.
STORY: Construction company awarded contract to begin work on upcoming Salish Landing Park
The City of Bellingham says it’s ready to launch a major cleanup on the waterfront.
The city has awarded a $49 million contract to IMCO General Construction to transform the long-polluted Cornwall Avenue landfill and RG Haley sites into the new, 17-acre Salish Landing Park. The three-year project will cap contaminated soil, restore shoreline habitat, and create a public park along the bay.
The president and CEO of IMCO General Construction, Tyler Kimberley, thanked the City Council on Monday night for the bid award, and told them this will be the company’s largest Whatcom County project to date. The bid that IMCO submitted came in below city estimates.
STORY: Annexation of Britton Road still on table as Bellingham City Council votes to reexamine proposal next year
The Bellingham City Council says it will reconsider its decision to annex Britton Road.
Back in August, the council voted down the 146-acre Britton Road/Northern Heights annexation, citing budget concerns. This week, however, members agreed to reconsider the proposal once the city updates its annexation plan — likely in late 2026 or early 2027.
The area includes nearly 300 homes and about 700 residents, most already connected to city water and sewer. Supporters argue the annexation has been in the works for decades and would help meet growth needs, while critics say it’s still not fiscally responsible and does not align with climate goals.
STORY: Public hearing for latest Bellingham Plan draft taking place tonight
The City of Bellingham is asking the public to weigh in on the Bellingham Plan.
The plan seeks to guide the city’s growth over the next two decades, and tackles topics such as housing and jobs. It’s currently in phase 4, which means the city is looking for public feedback on the plan before its formal adoption process begins and a final decision is made in December.
To that end, the city is hosting a public hearing in the city council chambers tonight at 6pm. Interested residents may submit a comment by emailing thebellinghamplan@cob.org.
STORY: Allegiant to end service to LAX after 17 years
After 17 years, Allegiant Airlines is ending all operations at Los Angeles International Airport.
An Allegiant spokesman told the Aviation Week Network yesterday that the decision was made due to the rising costs of operating out of LAX. This comes days after the airline announced it will add a non-stop route between Bellingham and Hollywood Burbank Airport in February.
Allegiant plans to end its last two routes out of LAX — Bellingham and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport in Ohio — on January 3rd.
STORY: Environmental advocates demand Whatcom follow through on promises to restrict Ferndale petroleum facility
Environmental groups say Whatcom County needs to keep its promise regarding the AltaGas terminal at Cherry Point.
The county recently issued a finding of “no significant impact” for 33 projects at the liquefied petroleum gas facility — most of them already
completed. The finding would allow the County to sidestep a full review of the facility and its impacts.
A coalition of advocates, including Friends of the San Juans, argue the county broke its promise to require a more thorough Environmental Impact Statement. A recent release from the group says that increased vessel traffic threatens fisheries, wildlife, and endangered Southern Resident orcas. According to the group, an Environmental Impact Statement is the only tool that can fully evaluate the combined impacts on the area.
Public comments on the county’s decision were due by yesterday afternoon.
STORY: Reykdal seeking $10M to bring artificial intelligence tools into classrooms
Washington’s top education official has called on lawmakers to fund a statewide AI pilot program.
In a recent press conference, State Superintendent Chris Reykdal (RIKE-doll) said he’ll ask for $10 million in next year’s budget to purchase artificial intelligence tutoring tools. The money would also train teachers to use them.
The push comes as state test scores show modest improvement but persistent inequities, with students in higher-poverty schools lagging behind.
Reykdal says AI is already part of daily life for teachers and students, and could help personalize learning — if used responsibly. He’s also warned lawmakers not to cut education funding, and urged them instead to act boldly to protect kids from the fallout of budget shortfalls.
STORY: Feds greenlight Hanford cleanup plant
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced yesterday that the Hanford nuclear cleanup project will move forward on schedule.
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved the October 15th startup of the Direct-Feed Low-Activity Waste Program at the Hanford vitrification plant, after weeks of concern the Trump administration might delay it.
Cantwell says the decision protects 3,000 jobs and a $24 billion investment to safeguard the Columbia River and Tri-Cities community from radioactive tank waste. Cantwell calls it a major milestone in the decades-long cleanup effort.
WX: Groovy
And now for the weather:
It should be milder here in Whatcom today. Expect highs to drop down into the upper-60s. We should see the sun return and leave us with mostly clear skies and a U.V. index rating of 4. This evening should also
be fairly clear and cool as well, with temperatures right around 50 degrees.
We may see a touch of rain this weekend; however, before that happens, expect tomorrow to give us another round of warm sun.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae, and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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 _________, and thank you for listening!
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STORY: BCC receives grant to create scholarships for parents in aerospace programs
STORY: Bellingham Chamber of Commerce hosting event to discuss business impacts of the One Beautiful Bill
STORY: N. Lake Samish bridge reopens today (Fri, Sept 24)
STORY: West Coast Health Alliance announces vaccine recommendations
STORY: New ferry schedules starts
STORY: Free or cheap (kill 9/19)
As part of Whatcom Water Week, the Whatcom Land Trust is hosting a Forest Water Scavenger Hunt at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve on Saturday, September 20, from 10 to 4. Families can pick up an activity booklet at the trailhead, then explore the forest to learn how trees and streams keep water clean and cool. The free, family-friendly event includes kid-friendly activities and a Water Wise take-home memento.
STORY: Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4)
This year’s election is all about local power — from city councils to school boards — and Cascadia Daily News wants voters to hear directly from the candidates.
You’re invited to two free town halls in October at the Sehome High School Theater in Bellingham. The first, focused on County Council races, is Saturday, October 4. The second, covering Bellingham City Council candidates, is Saturday, October 11. Both run from 6 to 8 p.m.
It’s your chance to ask questions, raise concerns, and hear where candidates stand before ballots drop.
Admission is free, but an RSVP is required. Reserve your seat for county races at CascadiaDaily.co/WhatcomTownHall, and for city races at CascadiaDaily.co/BhamTownHall.
STORY: Tree coupon back (fill)
Bellingham’s Tree Coupon Program is back this fall. Residents can get up to $100 off per tree at participating nurseries to plant on private property. The city says last year’s program added more than 500 trees, boosting Bellingham’s urban canopy. Sign-ups are online, and coupons are valid from October through May.
