Cover Story

  June 2026

Bellingham’s Balding Deer

Deer affected by hair-loss syndrome observed in Washington since mid-1990s by Hope Rasa In Bellingham, Wash., the deer are locals. Columbian black-tailed deer, a very common subspecies of mule deer in the Pacific Northwest, are more frequent sights around certain … Continue reading

Comments Off on Bellingham’s Balding Deer

  June 2026

Whatcom Watch Interns

Talk to Us Hope Rasa I’m a third-year student at Western Washington University majoring in journalism-news/editorial. I live in Bellingham, Wash., while attending college full-time and working in the local community. I’ve enjoyed all the opportunities writing for Whatcom Watch … Continue reading

Comments Off on Whatcom Watch Interns

  April-May 2026

Bellingham City Council Gives Tree Protection Ordinance Another Extension

by Hope Rasa The Bellingham City Council voted during their regular meeting on Feb. 23, 2026, to extend the city’s interim Landmark Tree Ordinance through Sept. 2026. The ordinance protects “landmark trees” — trees that measure at least 36 inches … Continue reading

Comments Off on Bellingham City Council Gives Tree Protection Ordinance Another Extension

  March 2026

Local Fish Barrier Improvement Project Delayed

by Hope Rasa The City of Bellingham (COB) has delayed until 2028 and possibly later a construction project that will benefit salmon and trout. The Squalicum Creek at Baker Creek Fish Passage Improvement Project (EN059) will remove two pieces of … Continue reading

Comments Off on Local Fish Barrier Improvement Project Delayed

  February 2026

Construction of Salish Landing Park

Part 1 by Hope Rasa Two beautiful pieces of the Bellingham waterfront have been closed to the public for over 25 years. These overlapping properties are the RG Haley and Cornwall Avenue Landfill sites, situated between downtown Bellingham and Boulevard … Continue reading

Comments Off on Construction of Salish Landing Park

  January 2026

Hidden Pollution: Microplastics on Whatcom County Beaches

by Hope Rasa There’s more plastic pollution in Whatcom County’s beaches than meets the eye. Beachgoers have probably noticed plastic litter in their favorite parks, but there’s more than that. The sand, ocean and almost everything else that meets the … Continue reading

Comments Off on Hidden Pollution: Microplastics on Whatcom County Beaches

  December 2025

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

Comments Off on Educators Adapt as AI’s Presence in the Classroom Grows