Federal funding cuts, a statewide budget crisis and lowered enrollment have all played a role in Western Washington University’s current financial position. Students breathe an air of uncertainty, having seen layoffs and shrinking budgets across campus throughout the past year.
Housing affordability has been a hotly debated topic among Bellingham residents for years. According to a 2025 study by Construction Coverage, Bellingham had the fourth highest home price-to-income ratio out of 375 observed areas, making it one of the least affordable cities in the nation. One way the city planned to solve the issue is through investing in affordable housing as detailed in 2025’s Bellingham Comprehensive Plan.
A new exhibit titled “Centuries of Caricature: Critiquing Cultural Conflicts” opened earlier this January in Western Washington University’s Special Collections. The exhibit features more than 40 historic caricature art pieces focusing on major conflicts like world wars, political divide, antisemitism, capitalism, communism and morality.
Western Washington University’s theater department presents its fourth Hip Hop Theater, showcasing performances rooted in hip-hop music and the struggles students can face.
For the first time, Viking Swing and Western Americana Music Group are coming together to host a Valentine’s Day event. The Sweet Heart Swing Dance will be held in the Viking Union Multi-Purpose Room on Feb. 12th from 6 to 8 p.m.
Students at Western Washington University say they are questioning how safe campus spaces feel following a flashing incident inside Wilson Library on Jan. 28.
On Sunday, in between spurts of heavy rainfall and patchy blue skies, dozens of people squeezed into the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center in Bellingham with two things on their minds: whistles and resistance.
As the sun began to set on Western Washington University on Monday, Jan. 26, countless voices chanted “presente” in response to the reading of 38 names, one for each person whose death was caused by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal immigration officers since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term.
For many people, the loss of benefits compounded barriers that were already making food access difficult – like living in a rural area where groceries aren’t as easily accessible, or managing a chronic condition that restricts diet flexibility.
In order to install a public fuel dock, the port must first conduct a cleanup and then determine if installing fuel tanks is feasible, said Mike Hogan, public affairs administrator for the Port of Bellingham.
Small sneakers squeak across the gym floor at the Bloedel Donovan Community Center as their owners take turns swinging plastic bats and chasing after each ball. Some run straight to their parents while others share their bat with the person next to them, but all of them cheer for each other.
Every Monday evening, basketballs bounce, wheels skid and players holler across Court A inside Wade King Student Recreation Center. Many things change from week to week; players fluctuate, different drills are run. But one thing about the WWU Adaptive Sports Club stays the same: an undeniable sense of community.
When the clock expired on the Seattle Seahawks’ 27-31 NFC Championship victory over the Los Angeles Rams on the evening of Jan. 25, 2026, it wasn’t just to the delight of the uproarious home crowd affectionately known as the “12s.”
This past weekend on Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan. 24, the Western Washington University men's hockey team took on the Montana Tech Diggers, winning both games and sweeping Montana Tech at the Sportsplex Arena in Bellingham, Wash.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day by admiring other people's feelings instead of dealing with your own! Check out WinkWink Boutique’s newest gallery during the month of February.
Fostering community, building connections and refusing to hide queer joy is what will help us prevail through the current administration. Programs like Generations of Pride and Camp Ten Trees provide invaluable opportunities to celebrate queer friendships.
As temperatures drop and rain drizzles, we retreat from leisurely walks through campus and instead briskly dash to class in zipped coats and flipped hoods. The rush for warm, dry shelter, combined with less daylight, all too often robs us of comfortable time together. This becomes a temporary loss of personal spark that is tangible in our energy and visible in our style.
If you search for a pregnancy test or STI testing in Bellingham, you’ll find plenty of options, but not all of them are actually there to help you.
Solutions by The State News
