Whatcom man arrested on suspicion of child sexual assault, DNA tests confirm Travis Decker is dead, Winter preparations set to prompt closures of Mount Baker Highway starting next week, Tree coupon back, Cascade PBS announces staffing cuts and complete cessation of long-form journalism following federal defunding, FREE OR CHEAP, Veterans claim housing and suicide among their greatest issues in meeting with Rep. Larsen, AI reviews of Medicare eligibility to begin next year, Free or Cheap (kill 10/3), Veterans claim housing and suicide among their greatest issues in meeting with Rep. Larsen, AI reviews of Medicare eligibility to begin next year, Free or Cheap (kill 10/3), WA 3rd best for teachers, Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4)
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 26th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom man arrested on suspicion of child sexual assault
A Ferndale man is in custody after he allegedly sexually assaulted a child.
The Bellingham Herald reports 51‑year‑old Gavin Joseph Glyzinski (gluh-ZIN-ski) of Ferndale is charged with second‑degree rape of a child and communicating with a minor for an immoral purpose.
According to city officials, Glyzinski allegedly sent sexually explicit texts to the minor on August 5th, and arranged to meet with them the next day. Glyzinski reportedly had non-consensual sexual contact with the child when they met. The victim told investigators they froze in fear due to Glyzinski’s size and age.
Ferndale Police arrested Glyzinski on Wednesday and booked him into the Whatcom County Jail, where he remains pending further legal proceedings.
STORY: DNA tests confirm Travis Decker is dead
DNA testing has confirmed that remains found last week belong to Travis Decker, ending a months-long search.
Decker was wanted in connection with the deaths of his three daughters — 9‑year‑old Paityn, 8‑year‑old Evelyn, and 5‑year‑old Olivia — whose bodies were found near a campground in June.
According to the Seattle Times, the results from the Washington State Patrol crime lab that linked Decker’s DNA to the human remains came back on Monday; however, Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison asked the lab to conduct separate tests on the bodily remains and clothing, in order to quash rumors that Decker had killed another person and dressed the body in his clothes to throw off authorities.
Morrison thanked the various agencies that assisted with the search, saying they could not have done it without their help.
[clip: Morrison-thanks.wav, :11, out: “…side of us”]
Morrison added that the county coroner is now working to determine when and how Decker died — a process that could take time.
[clip: Morrison.wav, :09, out: “…have those answers”]
Decker’s remains, clothing and a can of chewing tobacco were found less than a mile away and 1,200 feet above where his daughters’ bodies were located near the Rock Island Campground, west of Leavenworth.
STORY: Winter preparations set to prompt closures of Mount Baker Highway starting next week
Preparations for the upcoming winter season are slated to begin at the Mount Baker Highway next week.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, starting this Monday and ending Thursday, the scenic route will close daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. near the Coal Creek Bridge. An email statement from WSDOT (wash-DOT) says that maintenance crews will be clearing catch basins and ditches, removing hazardous trees, and making guardrail and shoulder repairs.
Any travelers who choose to travel beyond the closure points during closure hours may do so at their own risk. WSDOT says these travelers must be past Picture Lake before 7:30 a.m. and will not be allowed back through the closure point until after 4 p.m.
STORY: Tree coupon back
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.
STORY: Cascade PBS announces staffing cuts and complete cessation of long-form journalism following federal defunding
Cascade PBS is pulling the plug on long‑form journalism.
The media outlet, which serves all of western and central Washington — as well as British Columbia — announced it will cease producing long‑form written journalism, part of a major restructure triggered by the loss of three-and-a-half million dollars in federal funding — prompted by Congress’s defunding of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Cascade will eliminate 16 positions — about a 12% staff cut — across marketing, creative, and editorial departments.
Going forward, the broadcaster plans to focus on video and streaming content. It will continue producing local series like Mossback’s Northwest, The Nosh, and Art by Northwest; Cascade will also expand its news show The Newsfeed to five days a week.
Cascade PBS says it will offer severance packages above its standard policy to help impacted employees. While supporters have rallied with one‑time donations, the organization warns those gifts will not sustain long-term operations.
These cuts mark a major shift for public media in our region — and a sobering reminder of the fragile state of nonprofit journalism.
STORY: FREE OR CHEAP
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
The ninth annual SeaFeast is running tomorrow and Sunday at Bellingham’s Squalicum Harbor, just off Roeder Avenue. According to their website, the event seeks to celebrate the city’s, quote, “rich maritime heritage, vibrant commercial fishing and seafood industries, and the deep connection our community shares with the waters that surround us” unquote. Attractions include live music, a beer garden, salmon from a Lummi Nation traditional fire pit, 25-plus food vendors, dockside dinner or brunch with Pacific Catalyst, and even a storytelling event! More information is available on SeaFeast’s website.
The popular Friends of the Bellingham Public Library Book Sale is underway in the Lecture Room at the Central Avenue location. The public can browse from a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. Items for all ages are available, and all proceeds benefit the Public Library. Most items are going for $2, and credit card and cash payments are accepted. Items will be full price today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., while items will go for half price from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. tomorrow. Not only that, but those attending the sale tomorrow from 1:15-to-4 p.m. can fill a bag for $5.
Finally, today will see Boundary Bay Brewing on Railroad Avenue host its final Fryday Fish Fry from 4-to-10 p.m. There will be live music starting at 6 p.m., as six-piece band Lost at Last bring their brand of country, rock, folk, and jam band music to the stage.
WX: Showers more infrequent than a Magic tournament
And now for the weather:
A trifecta of clouds, showers, and sun is in store for us today. Expect daytime highs to reach into the mid-to-high 60s, with some occasional wind gusts. The clouds look to take center stage this evening, with an overcast, drizzly night expected with lows in the mid-50s.
Tonight we’ll see a similarly overcast evening lead into a drizzly weekend, with some afternoon sunshine tomorrow.
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: Veterans claim housing and suicide among their greatest issues in meeting with Rep. Larsen
STORY: AI reviews of Medicare eligibility to begin next year
Medicare in Washington will soon use AI to decide if certain medical procedures are necessary.
The Washington State Standard reports starting in January, a new federal pilot program will have artificial intelligence review claims for procedures — such as spinal surgeries and cardiac interventions — before approving coverage. The AI analyzes patient data against clinical guidelines, flagging questionable cases for a human medical review.
Officials say the new system is designed to cut down on unnecessary procedures and speed up approvals, which could save money for both Medicare and patients. However, some healthcare providers worry about depending on AI, raising questions about its accuracy and transparency. Patients and doctors will still be able to appeal if a claim is denied.
This pilot program represents one of the first significant uses of AI in Medicare coverage decisions in Washington. If successful, it could pave the way for broader adoption of AI-driven reviews in the future.
STORY: Free or Cheap (kill 10/3)
A free household paint recycling event is coming to Bellingham — now at a new location. Due to a scheduling conflict, the one-day drop-off on Saturday, October 4 will be held at Barkley Village, 2211 Rimland Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents can safely dispose of unwanted paints, varnishes, primers, and similar products in their original containers, five gallons or smaller. Usable paint will be recycled into new latex paint. Attendees should stay in their vehicles while staff unload materials. Pre-registration is encouraged.
STORY: WA 3rd best for teachers
According to Wallet Hub, Washington State is the third best state for Teachers in 2025. Over the past decade, Washington has seen an increase in teacher pay of more than 75% Other factors include teacher friendly policies and the state’s fourth lowest time span before tenure goes into effect.
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.
