City & County

Q&A: Challenges and opportunities with affordable housing

By Allison Lam

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.

Campus

Bellingham band Grover prepares to compete at AMP’s Battle of the Bands

News

Winter is hard for people without housing, but one cafe is trying to help

Opinion

OPINION: Bittersweet symphony: the joys and agonies of having a crush

News

City approves $12.7 million contract award for new 911 dispatch center construction

By Allison Lam | February 20

Bellingham City Council awarded a $12.7 million contract to Colacurcio Brothers, Inc to construct a new dispatch center Feb. 9, 2026. Construction is expected to finish late 2027.

City & County

Jason LaClair shares the importance of Indigenous perspectives in education

By Kamra Greenwall-Cox | February 19

Campus

The Planet and a student reporter receive national recognition

By Noelle Reger | February 18

Opinion

OPINION: Knotty or nice? The hidden art of Shibari

By Raleigh Nolan | February 18

Western

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History repeating itself: new student-curated art history exhibit reflects on the past and present

By Katherine Rogers | February 12

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’s Hip-Hop Theater returns for another performance weekend, placing the spotlight on diversity

By Cody Sauter | February 11

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.

Sweet Heart Swing Dance comes to Western

By Katherine Rogers | February 11

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 question campus safety after flashing incident

By Cody Sauter | February 11

Students at Western Washington University say they are questioning how safe campus spaces feel following a flashing incident inside Wilson Library on Jan. 28.

Local News

Whistles turn ‘silence into community action’ in Bellingham

By Kenna Peterson and Caitlin Grygorcewicz | February 6

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.

BRIEF: Bellingham community gathers to honor victims of ICE violence

By Aidan Hadley | January 27

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.

SNAP disruptions are hard – they’re even harder when food access is already fragile

By Janessa Bates | December 12

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.

Limited fueling options persist in Blaine Harbor

By DuPree Nugent | December 10

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.

Sports Recreation

No scores, no pressure: Mini Ballers puts fun back into youth sports

By Caitlin Grygorcewicz | February 13

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.

Wheelchair basketball players score more than just baskets

By Erica Stavnem | February 9

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.

Where to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday

By Jonah Billings | February 5

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.”

WWU sweeps Montana Tech in final home series

By Caitlin Grygorcewicz | January 28

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.

Opinion

OPINION: Queer love and community forges a path through uncertain times

By Raleigh Nolan | February 1

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.

OPINION: In winter, sustainable self-expression doesn’t have to freeze

By Rosalie Johnson | January 25

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.

OPINION: Avoiding deception in reproductive health

By Devin Green | December 12

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.

OPINION: Dreams of high-rises and housing

By Liam Britt | December 12

On Oct. 14, the Whatcom Transit Authority purchased the property at 1522 Cornwall Ave. in downtown Bellingham for $6.2 million. They plan to turn the 1.6-acre site into a large transit-oriented development, constructing up to two 8-10 story mixed-use buildings with a new Bellingham Transit Station.

Q&A: Challenges and opportunities with affordable housing

City approves $12.7 million contract award for new 911 dispatch center construction

Jason LaClair shares the importance of Indigenous perspectives in education

The Planet and a student reporter receive national recognition

OPINION: Knotty or nice? The hidden art of Shibari

Western

History repeating itself: new student-curated art history exhibit reflects on the past and present

Western’s Hip-Hop Theater returns for another performance weekend, placing the spotlight on diversity

Sweet Heart Swing Dance comes to Western

Students question campus safety after flashing incident

Local News

Whistles turn ‘silence into community action’ in Bellingham

BRIEF: Bellingham community gathers to honor victims of ICE violence

SNAP disruptions are hard – they’re even harder when food access is already fragile

Limited fueling options persist in Blaine Harbor

Sports Recreation

No scores, no pressure: Mini Ballers puts fun back into youth sports

Wheelchair basketball players score more than just baskets

Where to watch the Super Bowl this Sunday

WWU sweeps Montana Tech in final home series

Opinion

OPINION: Queer love and community forges a path through uncertain times

OPINION: In winter, sustainable self-expression doesn’t have to freeze

OPINION: Avoiding deception in reproductive health

OPINION: Dreams of high-rises and housing

Trending Stories

Black-owned businesses build community in Bellingham

Should AI be included in Western’s academic policy?

History repeating itself: new student-curated art history exhibit reflects on the past and present

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Students question campus safety after flashing incident

Western Watchdog