Cover Story
Educators Adapt as AI’s Presence in the Classroom Grows
by Hope Rasa When OpenAI (an American artificial intelligence organization headquartered in San Francisco) released ChatGPT in November 2022, it placed a powerful form of generative AI in the public’s hands. Generative AI is different from traditional AI, which most … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Beaks and Bills by Joe Meche As another year winds down, it seems fitting to look back and see how we fared in what’s become a wearying time in America. The rest of the world appears to be scratching its … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at September 23, 2025 Meeting Shall the commission: 96. Authorize the interim executive director to sign a proof of loss statement for costs incurred due to winter storm damage? In January 2024, a prolonged period of cold caused … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at September 23, 2025 Meeting Shall the council: 220. Authorize the executive to accept a two-year 2,845 state grant to collect and properly manage household hazardous waste? Solid waste disposal activities have been funded … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at September 29, 2025 Meeting Shall the council: 193. Authorize the mayor to retain outside counsel to represent the city in litigation challenging FEMA grant conditions? (Discussed in Executive Session.) Motion carried 6-0, Hollie Huthman excused. 194. Authorize … Continue reading
Climate
Articles You Might Have Missed
Climate Good News Around the world people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here are some good news briefs compiled by the Climate Issue group of the LWV of Bellingham/Whatcom. Carbon Capture May Come to Your Home Direct … Continue reading
Climate
Report: Data Centers’ Climate Impacts in the Northwest
How leaders respond to data centers’ surging power demand could shape the region’s energy future. by Martina Pansze A new report from nonpartisan regional research group Sightline Institute complicates a growing narrative of data center demand for power undermining the … Continue reading
Community Service Spotlight
The Story of Whatcom County’s Restorative CommUnity Coalition
Community Service Spotlight by Irene Lincoln Morgan Roots of Determination I was raised by two strong-minded parents — one outspoken, the other quietly stubborn — both determined in their own ways. By 26, I’d lost them both: my mother to … Continue reading
Development
An Inventory of Sidewalks and Curbs in the Columbia Neighborhood
by Bill McCallum I have lived most of my life in the Columbia neighborhood and have walked all the streets, except for Madrona and East Maplewood, many times. The Preston Schiller article about sidewalks in the October-November 2025 issue of … Continue reading
Lands preservation
Samish Crest Open Space Faces Threats
by Betsy Gross My husband John and I moved from San Diego to Bellingham in the summer of 2003, exchanging the deserts of the Southwest for the lush rain forests of the Northwest. John had been diagnosed with early onset … Continue reading
Life Before Flowers
Life Before Flowers All mushroom photos are by Fred Rhoades Part II by Fred Rhoades This continues my occasional focus on different mushrooms that are relatively easy to identify to genus group, but show considerable diversity. Such a look will … Continue reading
Native Plant Neighbors
Native Plant Neighbors Editor’s Note: Eric Worden will contribute this “Native Plant Neighbors” column over the next year. by Eric Worden Your native plant neighbor evergreen huckleberry is welcomed by everyone wherever it’s found, both in nature and in the … Continue reading
Salmon
Students Await a Special Delivery of Salmon Eggs It’s that time of year again when NSEA’s Education Team is setting up aquariums in schools around Whatcom County. These aren’t for your typical aquarium fish — they’re for salmon eggs! Students … Continue reading
Watch Out!!
Nearly three years ago, an application notice was quietly posted for the Ranch Quarry Surface Mine. This proposed 64-acre open pit rock quarry, located off South Pass Road in the foothills above Sumas, might look like just another industrial development … Continue reading
