Western’s annual Alumni Awards happened on Friday, May 15, to present the five award winners, allowing students and attendees to hear them speak in person and over video about their experiences as Western students, and the work they've been doing after graduating.
April is Fair Housing Month in the United States, commemorating the passage of the Fair Housing Act of 1968, signed on April 11 of that year. The law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, national origin, religion, sex, familial status and disability. To commemorate the month, the City of Bellingham hosted an information session on April 28 to educate residents about city and state rental laws.
On Saturday, May 16, the Planting Hope Fun Run 5K will bring costume contests, food donations and community fundraising to Western Washington University. The 5K aims to support the local nonprofit Growing Veterans and students facing food insecurity.
Student delegates from around the world attend the National Model United Nations conference. This year, Western’s team of delegates won big, receiving an Outstanding Delegation award, which is only given to about 13% of groups that attend the conference each year, according to Riley Kessler, a Western Model U.N. delegate.
After years of conversation and planning, the Lhaq'temish-ew'xw e tse XwLemi' – House of Healing will open to the public on May 14, 2026, during the Native American Student Union's annual Spring Powwow and Coastal Jam. The longhouse sits at the south end of the Sehome Arboretum.
With Western Washington University Police reporting 10 stolen bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters in April, students are doubting the security of bike racks on campus. Amid the ongoing rise in theft, students who haven’t already experienced losses are searching for preventative solutions.
Bellingham International Airport will close for 30 days in the summer of 2027 as construction crews repair many parts of the airport, primarily the single runway. The Port of Bellingham issued the closures set to be from July 20 through August 19, 2027.
The sun shines brightly on a warm Saturday morning in downtown Bellingham as upwards of 120 vendors set up their booths and gear up for a busy and bustling day – it’s officially farmers market season once again.
Every four years, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) releases a state rail plan that outlines the state’s goals for both freight and passenger rail upkeep and expansion. While the last rail plan was released in 2020 and the current rail plan has been delayed for over two years, a new preliminary findings report for the 2026 State Rail Plan was released last month.
Rumors Co-owner Drew Keith said Miller’s Back Door was no longer financially sustainable, but rather than leave the space empty, ownership chose to convert it into a more casual environment designed to foster connection within Bellingham’s queer community.
For some multilingual and immigrant households, getting outside can be filled with barriers that are not made accessible for Spanish-speaking families.
Music bumps, kicks fly and hands whirl as Western Washington University students dance their way through a Zumba class at the Wade King Recreation Center. Fitness classes at Western’s rec center provide a space for participants to move their bodies while surrounding themselves with peers who share a goal of staying active. A variety of classes are offered to fit many styles of movement and exercise goals including Zumba, Pilates, yoga, kickboxing, spin and weightlifting.
While many senior athletes struggle to find their place after hanging up their cleats, Western Washington University graduates often find themselves back on campus after their playing time is done. Of the 61 staff members working for WWU Athletics, 21 are listed as alumni on the staff directory or on their individual rosters.
Every April, the roar of the Little White Salmon River is drowned out by cheers echoing from the canyon. Cars lined the shoulder of Cook-Underwood Road, near White Salmon, Wash., on April 18, as spectators and fans bushwhacked to the river. Within the lush, forested gorge, a roster of elite whitewater kayakers prepared to charge down miles of continuous rapids and waterfalls in the annual Little White Salmon Race.
Women have always been underrepresented in film. Since 1929, only five women directors have been nominated for the Academy Award for best director, according to a study done in 2020. While representation has increased since then, the number of women directors is shockingly inferior to that of male directors, continuing the cycle of women being under-recognized.
When wandering the tightly woven one-way streets of Bellingham, you’re never more than a stone's throw from a music venue, with venue being a loose term for anywhere people have figured out a way to plug in an extension cord long enough to run an amp through. The gatherings of music often start in the funky houses of the York Neighborhood and Garden Street, with rattling windows and crowded porches overflowing with thick smoke and baggy jeans. The house show is the perfect stomping ground for fresh bands hoping to entertain burnt-out college kids, but the short-term reality of rental leases and college degrees creates inconsistency for concertgoers and musicians alike.
It has been three years since the last biennial faculty and staff exhibition, so this year's display was much anticipated by students and staff. With 20 artists from the art department, the Western Gallery is showcasing their pieces ranging from interactive sensory pieces to weaving to rings of photographs. This event works to showcase the reality of working within the art world, often seen as intimidating by students.
It’s no coincidence that the number of people who know basic sewing skills has declined with the rise of fast fashion. Recent trends show that cheap, readily available garments have directly limited the need for the skill.
Solutions by The State News
