SR 544 reopens after month long closure, Bham Climate Action Week Begins on Friday, New Central WA legislative maps could mean a shakeup in Olympia, State finds fire-prone old BNSF train ignited 500-acre blaze, WA Supreme Court Clears Roadblock for Hearing Some Childhood Sexual Abuse Cases
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: SR 544 reopens after month long closure
East Pole Road near Lynden and Everson has been re-opened.
It closed a month ago due to fish passage construction on Fourmile Creek below the road.
On road closure news, just a reminder that the Guide Meridian between Front and Main streets in Lynden is now closed round-the-clock until 7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 22. Check with WSDOT (WASH-dot) if you are uncertain about detours.
STORY: Bham Climate Action Week begins on Friday
The fifth annual Bellingham Climate Action Week starts this Friday.
There are over 20 events planned, from film screenings to tours to presentations on local wildlife.
This year’s theme is “Leading with Collaborative Solutions,” showcasing how participating organizations work together on climate solutions and events.
In addition, Whatcom Transit Authority has partnered with the Whatcom Million Trees Project to plant one tree for every 100 bus rides during the week. They hope to plant 1,000 new trees.
A large closing ceremony will be held at the downtown waterfront next Saturday, the 30th, complete with live music, an interactive kids’ play zone, electric bike demos, food trucks, and a chance to get involved with local environmental organizations.
STORY: New Central WA legislative maps could mean shakeup in Olympia
A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that a legislative district in Central Washington violates the rights of Latino voters and must be redrawn.
Judge Robert Lasnik’s ruling states that the 15th Legislative District’s boundaries violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965, agreeing that despite meeting the required percentage of Latino voters, the district was drawn in a way that dilutes their voting power. Democratic leaders in the state legislature have decided to assign the task of redrawing the district to a federal court instead of reconvening a state commission to redraw the boundaries, citing that it would be the quote “most expedient and non-political way” unquote.
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed in January of 2022 by the Campaign Legal Center, Washington lawyer Edwardo Morfin, and other groups on behalf of Latino voters in the Yakima Valley. Judge Lasnik’s ruling stated that the slim 51.5% majority held by Latino voters wasn’t enough to “provide equal electoral opportunity where past discrimination, current social/economic conditions, and a sense of hopelessness keep Latino voters from the polls in numbers significantly greater than white voters,” Judge Lasnik also ruled that the plaintiffs provided “ample historical evidence of discriminatory English literacy tests, English-only election materials, and at-large systems of election that prevented or suppressed Latino voting.”
The decision comes after decades of efforts on the part of voter rights organizations to boost political representation of Latinos in the Yakima Valley.
STORY: State finds fire-prone old BNSF train ignited 500-acre blaze
An investigation by the Washington Department of Natural Resources found that the Tunnel 5 fire in the Columbia River Gorge in July was caused by an old Burlington Northern Santa Fe train.
The fire, which burned 546 acres and destroyed 10 structures over two weeks, was found to be caused by chunks of hot carbon and lubricant pads spewed from a 1970s-era BNSF locomotive. The department ruled out lighting and other ignition sources after they found 1 to 2 inch chunks of exhaust particles from a diesel engine, and more than 70 scraps of train-wheel lubrication pads in or near the three spots where the fire broke out. The objects were scattered over a 690-foot stretch, north of the track, on the same side and area where the fire began.
The morning of the fire, eyewitnesses took a photo of an older green and white BNSF locomotive headed for Tunnel 5. The engine was a model from the 70s, likely with an older, non-turbocharged engine prone to emitting hot globs of carbon in its exhaust. The photos were shared with the DNR investigation. While other rail companies do not use older, more fire-prone engines during the summer, BSNF has not made it their policy at this time.
STORY: WA Supreme Court Clears Roadblock for Hearing Some Childhood Sexual Abuse Cases
The Washington state Supreme Court has reduced some impediments for bringing childhood sexual abuse cases to court and are considering completely eliminating the statute of limitations for them. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more.
SUPREME COURT AUDIO
WX: Expected rain
Rain is expected in Bellingham this afternoon and into the night, clearing at some point tomorrow. The high will be 64* today. Overnight lows should dip as low as 48* on Wednesday night. Day temperatures are expected to rise into the low 70s over the next few days.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Susan Lindsey, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. 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 listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
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