Commerce
Local unionization efforts aim to raise wages, lower burnout
August 12, 2022
Unionization efforts in retail, healthcare and journalism have become more frequent since the pandemic heightened awareness of risks and hazards for workers.
Matt Benoit
Natural Resources
Can trees save the Nooksack River?
August 5, 2022
The stronger positive effects of older forests on streamflows in the watershed are under study, as forest management practices are reconsidered in response to climate change impacts.
Clifford Heberden
Natural Resources
‘Salmon People’ dives deep into the past to save the salmon
August 5, 2022
Inspired to keep alive the work of past generations and influenced by care for future generations, a nonprofit video production group’s current project focuses on the “Salmon People.”
Chris O’Neill
Community Voices
Collaborate, adjudicate to settle Nooksack water issues
August 4, 2022
Summer streamflows in the Nooksack Basin have been declining for decades, while the need for irrigation water grows as summers get hotter and rainfall diminishes.
Eric Hirst
Climate
Faith communities ally for climate justice; to hold Sacred Earth Fair
July 28, 2022
A grassroots multifaith network is seeking to increase awareness of — and action to address — climate change issues through its Sacred Earth Fair July 31.
Clifford Heberden
Public Health
Leaded aviation fuel fires decades-long complaint
July 26, 2022
A Cliffside neighborhood resident is challenging federal, state and local officials including the Port of Bellingham over the use of leaded airplane fuel.
Sadie Fick
Natural Resources
Intalco restart: can ‘green’ aluminum get ‘clean’ power?
July 21, 2022
Options for a clean-power source are narrowing for a buyout firm with a sustainability ethos that wants to restart and upgrade the Intalco aluminum plant near Ferndale.
Eric Scigliano
Governance
From the Editor’s Desk: Fact-checking the candidates
July 15, 2022
A 42nd District forum presented by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County offered an opportunity for fact-checking candidate statements.
Mike Sato and Salish Current staff
Climate
Still rising: Planners assess sea level, storm surge risks
July 15, 2022
Rising sea levels combined with storm surges threaten to inundate shoreline sites such as Bellingham’s Boulevard Park.
Kai Uyehara
Culture
Sylvia Center closure clouds future for local theater
July 7, 2022
Announcement of the closure of Sylvia Center for the Arts — a surprise to many — has prompted questions about the future of local theater.
Matt Benoit
Public Health
Local policing at recruitment crossroads
July 7, 2022
Local police departments are adapting to staff and applicant shortages in ways as multifaceted as the reasons behind the trend.
Kai Uyehara
Community Voices
‘Be the Bridge’: RUN-Lynden marks 2nd anniversary of March for Black Lives
July 7, 2022
Racial Unity Now-Lynden’s approach of addressing racism under a Christian framework may indeed “be the bridge” for community engagement.
Vernon Damani Johnson
Community Voices
A twisted path to homelessness
July 6, 2022
A community resident finds herself without long-term housing after a downward spiral into homelessness.
John Dunne
Public Health
Roe v. Wade reversal prompts questions locally
July 1, 2022
With bans on abortion rolling out in many states after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it can be difficult to know what to do and what to expect when seeking reproductive health care.
Sadie Fick
Social Justice
Faith-based Lynden group works for racial unity
July 1, 2022
Racial tensions in Lynden in 2020 galvanized the formation of a group working to build bridges between communities and cultures.
Clifford Heberden
Governance
Women who lead: San Juans to have first all-woman county council
June 28, 2022
San Juan County is on track to have its first all-woman county council next year.
Nancy DeVaux