Cover Story
Let’s Renew the Bellingham Transportation Fund
by Stoney Bird Vote Yes on Proposition 2020-14 Ten years ago, Bellingham voters adopted our local Transportation Fund. The fund is responsible for providing us with many of the repaving projects that we’ve been seeing in the last 10 years … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Say Goodbye to the Summer That Was
by Joe Meche Needless to say, the summer of 2020 has been one to remember, and possibly one that we would just as soon forget. In addition to the Covid-19 pandemic and the rash of wildfires in the West, political … Continue reading
Being Frank
Tribes, State Team Up on Harbor Seal Survey
by Lorraine Loomis What we don’t know about populations of harbor seals and California sea lions in western Washington could be hurting salmon, orcas and other marine species — as well as fishing communities and economies — far more than … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at August 11, 2020 Meeting Shall the commission: 62. Renew a lease with Mount Baker Products? The tenant produces plywood products on 6.7 acres at 2929 Roeder Avenue. The rent for the five-year renewal … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at August 24, 2020 Meeting Announcements: The mayor recently signed a letter from Washington state leaders that urge Congress to extend the census deadline. At this time, about 70 percent of Washington state has been counted. The newest … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at August 5, 2020 Meeting Shall the council: 133. Authorize the executive to sign a 9,047 contract (amendment #22) with Washington State University? At the 1/29/2019 meeting, vote #20, council voted to jointly share … Continue reading
Community Service Providers
by Mike Cohen Editor’s Note: There are over 100 organizations in Whatcom County working to provide supportive services to those experiencing chronic poverty and its associated effects: addiction, homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and unemployment. Whatcom Watch believes these organizations often … Continue reading
Election Results
Primary Election page 9 Primary Election page 10 Primary Election page 11 Primary Election page 12
Journalism
by Jennifer Karchmer Washington has one of the strongest reporter shield laws, as depicted in this map from the RCFP. RCW 5.68.010, which went into effect in 2007, “provides the news media with absolute protection for confidential sources and qualified … Continue reading
poetrywatch
Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — … Continue reading
Wildfire
Fire Danger Returning to Western Washington
by Christopher Dunagan Editor’s Note: This series was originally published in the Encyclopedia of Puget Sound. Part 1 Climate change is expected to dry out the forests, increasing the number and size of wildfires that could threaten thousands of homes. … Continue reading
Wildfire
As Wildfires Rage, Trump Slashes Fire Management Budgets
by Jayson O’Neill As wildfires have raged across Western states in recent weeks amidst another record-breaking wildfire season that is destroying lives and communities, new research released by Western Values Project finds President Trump has repeatedly cut federal funding dedicated … Continue reading
The Center for Whale Research has confirmed that the new calf, J57, is a male. He was estimated to have been born on September 4, and is the second viable calf of mother, J35, Tahlequah. J57’s brother, J47, was born … Continue reading