Skagit County
Signs of a hidden threat: preparing for the really big one
New signs around the Salish Sea raise awareness in areas that might be inundated by tsunami.
Finding happily ever after in Skagit’s ag zone
A proposal that would constrain Skagit farms in operating as event venues has prompted discussion on the future of the area’s sense of place.
Primary’s done: on to the general election
Who will make the cut? Auditors in Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties have updated primary election vote counts that determine which two candidates will face off in November’s general election.
Quiet, once-quirky Edison emerges changed post-pandemic
Change, along with opportunities and tensions, comes with a new bookshop, a brew pub and an artists cooperative in a town of 264.
Island schools avoid perfect storm menacing budgets
School districts in San Juan County have steered away from a perfect storm of budget cuts, while districts in Whatcom and Skagit counties are feeling the squeeze.
Shortage of mental health care providers hits home locally
“Not a pretty picture”: Whatcom, Skagit and San Juan counties — like elsewhere across the country — are seeing a shortage of mental health care providers, and not enough are in the training queue.
Empty cupboards, new anxieties increase with rising food insecurity
Inflationary food prices and end of pandemic-era benefits bring added strain on lower-income residents facing food insecurity.
Food banks and visitors struggle during food and funding scarcity
Video: Food banks are traditionally food rescuers and distributors, but with stocks, funding and donations dwindling, resources are spread thin.
Tune in! Local independent radio is alive and well
KMRE-FM and Whatcom Community College partner for new opportunities in radio resurgence.
Rising seas, high tides, storm surges and waterfront homes: does value outweigh the risks?
Predicted sea-level rising along with extremely high tides and storm surges pose increasing risk to coastal waterfront homes. How much are those trends affecting property values?
Composting as a climate solution
Commentary: Proper disposal of food waste is something every household can do to limit climate change, advise teens engaged in climate action.
New options change choices for that final resting place
A cultural shift is underway from traditional burials and cremations to terramation, a composting process, and aquamation, a water-based process.
Who will farm to feed the people?
Whatcom and Skagit farm centers equip and empower a new generation of farmers. As their predecessors age, farmland prices increase while affordability of land decreases.
Voters asked to approve child care support as demand exceeds supply
Whatcom County voters will decide in November whether they will fund change for an overburdened child care system: Part 2.
Child care shortfall frustrates families, hampers local economy
Demand far outstrips the supply of available and affordable child care locally. The problem is multifaceted, as solutions also will need to be: Part 1.
Roe v. Wade reversal prompts questions locally
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.