Social Justice
New safe-space resource center would assist immigrants
June 24, 2022
Bellingham’s Immigration Advisory Board is recommending a new resource center to assist immigrants in finding and accessing essential services.
Kai Uyehara
photo: Kai Uyehara
Public Health
Schools assess safety protocols after shootings, threats
June 17, 2022
Recent school shootings and threats have renewed concern over safety — and impact on students’ mental health.
Kenneth Duncan
Natural Resources
Dead gray whale: a sign of what’s to come?
June 17, 2022
The emaciated body of a dead gray whale washed up on a Salish Sea beach raises questions about food supply and species survival.
Cooper Castelle
photo: Linnea Hoover © 2022
Commerce
‘Not normal’ high prices, low availability challenge car shoppers
June 10, 2022
In a semi-post-pandemic world, the automobile market is among many businesses suffering from factory shutdowns, computer chip shortages and inflation, leaving prices rising and inventory low.
Chris O’Neill
Social Justice
Transformative power of uplifting diversity is at work in Whatcom
June 10, 2022
Positive images of contributions made by BIPOC members of the community are needed to transform negative stereotypes, asserts the lead planner of an event designed to do just that.
Mike Sato
Commerce
Retail theft surge prompts varied responses
June 3, 2022
As the presence of security guards grows in response to increased retail theft, some residents say de-escalation is a better strategy.
Matt Benoit
Community Voices
Hope on the horizon
June 2, 2022
Despite a difficult start to a difficult life, a woman in her 60s looks forward to finding housing — and reconnecting with family.
John Dunne
Education
Law into action: teaching sexual inclusivity in school sexual education
May 26, 2022
Local public school districts are preparing to meet new state mandates for teaching about sexuality and gender.
Lauren Gallup
Natural Resources
Canoe Encampment highlights earth, sky, water threats
May 25, 2022
The Esqaplh etse Kwelengsen (Gathering of the Eagles) Canoe Encampment is traveling the Salish Sea bringing attention to threats from pipelines, tankers and extractive fossil fuel industries.
Nancy DeVaux
Transportation
WTA diesel bus purchase prompts questions re zero-emission progress
May 19, 2022
Whatcom Transportation Authority’s decision to purchase eight diesel-powered buses has gotten pushback from some who find the move at odds with the county’s emissions goals.
Matt Benoit
Housing
San Juans adopt island-by-island vacation rental cap
May 18, 2022
How much tourism is too much? San Juan County sets a cap on vacation rental permits.
Nancy DeVaux
Public Health
Managing waste: what’s in your bins?
May 18, 2022
China’s 2018 steps back in accepting the world’s throw-aways have resulted in better local systems for managing our millions of tons of waste and recyclables—but more needs to be done.
Clifford Heberden
Culture
Old is new again with early music festival
May 12, 2022
Salish Sea festival brings baroque music played on period instruments out of the past for local audiences.
Kenneth Duncan
Community Voices
Who are the homeless?
May 11, 2022
Our concept of the “deserving poor” needs to expand past attitudes mirroring 17th and 18th century mores that drive today’s ambivalent response to homelessness.
John Dunne
Education
Tribal sovereignty education comes—slowly—to school curriculum
May 5, 2022
Public school districts are working with tribes to develop a crucial new curriculum on tribal sovereignty and treaty rights.
Sarah Reeves
Culture
‘A Precarious Edge’ evokes climate change truths
May 4, 2022
Climate change and global warming are front and center in the Museum of Northwest Art’s latest installation, “A Precarious Edge.”
Chris O’Neill