Campus

Students and faculty join together to talk about AI

By Noelle Reger

The skies are getting hazier each day in Memphis, Tennessee, as the world’s largest supercomputer, Elon Musk’s Colossus, drinks up water and spits out pollutants. Large data centers use lots of energy and can consume 5 million gallons of water per day to cool down their computers. More big data centers are being built to keep up with the growth of artificial intelligence, which increases the risk of data centers tapping into freshwater supplies.

Campus

From relationships to cannabis neuroscience: WWU’s podcast covers it

Campus

BRIEF: WWU Associated Students bookstore goes cashless

News

“Tax the rich, make it fair! Millionaires, pay your share!”

Campus

The right to teach and study: a look at academic freedom

By Elliot Nicoletti | March 19

The issue of academic freedom has become a crucial topic, especially at campuses like Western Washington University. Academic freedom is the standard that allows professors and faculty in institutions of higher education to study, teach and publish in their fields without fear of restriction and interference. Falling under the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of expression, professors experience protection from institutional censorship in areas that pertain to their subjects of research.

Opinion

OPINION: Holier-than-thou or know-it-all? You’ll hear what the Red Square Preacher has to say, whether you like it or not

By Raleigh Nolan | March 18

Campus

BRIEF: Wearing two different hats: The role of a WWU Student Trustee

By Chance Loewi | March 18

Campus

BRIEF: Call 9-1-1 if you see ICE on campus, WWU police chief advises

By Chance Loewi | March 18

Western

‘I Remember Being an Egg’ gallery opens, exploring identity and reflection

By Katherine Rogers | March 9

Ten artists, countless ideas. Wire, paint, copper, cotton, medicine bottles, videos, photographs, yarn, ink – an amalgamation of mediums used by Western Washington University students to express themselves in the new “I Remember Being An Egg” art exhibit. The B-gallery exhibition opened to the public on March 2, 2026.

Western student body copes with series of lewd conduct incidents

By Cody Sauter | March 6

Within a week, Western students received three emails alerting them to reports of indecent exposure in Ridgeway residence halls and in Wilson Library, quickly sparking conversations between students. Katie Butler, a Western student, first learned about the situation through the campus advisory notices.

WWU staff address immigration enforcement fears

By Karsin Hutchins | March 5

As immigration enforcement activity increases across Washington state, staff at Western Washington University are working to clarify what students should know and what the university is doing if federal agents come to campus.

Western updates Sustainability Action Plan for 2025–2030

By Karsin Hutchins | March 4

Western Washington University has released an updated Sustainability Action Plan (SAP), outlining strategies for 2025 to 2030 aimed at cutting emissions, strengthening accountability and increasing climate leadership.

Local News

City of Bellingham adopts official condemnation of ICE and CBP actions

By Allison Lam | March 9

Bellingham City Council unanimously passed a resolution that called for an end to “lawless” immigration enforcement in a “moment of fear, grief, anger, and uncertainty” on Feb. 23, 2026.

Unemployment rates rise in Whatcom County

By Kamra Greenwall-Cox | March 4

The Whatcom County unemployment rate increased from 4.6% to 5.2% in December 2025, following a broader decline in jobs countywide.According to the Washington State Employment Security Department, employers reported 300 fewer payroll jobs in the county. Sectors such as manual labor and service providing industries have lost jobs.

Q&A: Challenges and opportunities with affordable housing

By Allison Lam | February 20

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.

Jason LaClair shares the importance of Indigenous perspectives in education

By Kamra Greenwall-Cox | February 19

Third graders at Happy Valley Elementary School remain quiet, grasping onto every word coming from Jason LaClair. They are enthralled he is here. Allied Arts, a gallery and leader in the Whatcom County art scene, has partnered with LaClair to bring his knowledge to the classroom.

Sports Recreation

WWU women's basketball falls short of GNAC Championships title

By Erica Stavnem and Caitlin Grygorcewicz | March 10

The Western Washington University women’s basketball team took on Western Oregon University in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships semifinals Friday, March 6, at WECU Court at Carver Gym in front of a home crowd of 1,127 fans.

Five new inductees enter the WWU Athletic Hall of Fame

By Caitlin Grygorcewicz | March 6

On Jan. 29, 2026, Western Washington University held a celebration of not just athletic achievements, but the relationships and history that defines Viking athletics as a whole. Coaches, former athletes, families and supporters gathered at Carver Gym in Bellingham, Wash. to honor the newest batch of Hall of Fame inductees: Wade Gebers, Cim Hanson, Marc Hill, Herm Nelson and Mike Palm.

WWU women’s basketball defeats Seattle Pacific

By Erica Stavnem | March 3

Western Washington Women’s basketball defeated Seattle Pacific University 72-43 in their second-to-last regular season game on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026.

Q&A: Behind the scenes of the Chuckanut 50k

By Erica Stavnem | March 3

Every third Saturday in March, up to 600 runners from across the world gather in Bellingham to race the Chuckanut 50k ultramarathon.

Opinion

OPINION: There’s no such thing as being ‘too old’ for college

By Raleigh Nolan | March 9

The first time I enrolled at Western Washington University in 2019, I was freshly out of high school, homesick, unfocused and unmedicated. I flew home for spring break at 18 years old. I wouldn’t return to Western as a student until I was 23. COVID-19 wrecked what I thought my college experience was going to look like, leaving me dejected and without motivation for years.

OPINION: Solidarity against ICE must be multifaceted, thorough, and compassion-driven

By Rosalie Johnson | March 7

The words “otro mundo es posible” are painted onto a quilted tapestry banner that hangs on Community to Community’s front window. Adorned with strawberries and roses, it is a form of artful protest that reminds those who pass by that another world is possible. The organization — dedicated to the intersection of farmworker rights, immigrant rights, climate justice and democratic participation — has been working toward community solidarity and a response to ICE’s increased presence in Whatcom and Skagit counties. In doing so, a definition of solidarity has developed.

OPINION: Tell your friends when they deserve better

By Rosalie Johnson | March 2

Much like exam anxiety or Sunday morning hangovers, messy dating is a disconcerting reality for many college students. In navigating these relationships, we learn through trial and error: what is fun and what is not, and who we should or should not be with.

OPINION: The rock that refused to leave

By Eva Breitinger | February 23

Between Flora St and W Champion, nestled behind the backs of O-Pole dance studio and the Mount Baker Theatre, lies the Great Bellingham Boulder. Standing almost two stories tall, it looks disarmingly natural and serene amongst paved asphalt and urban alley.

Students and faculty join together to talk about AI

The right to teach and study: a look at academic freedom

OPINION: Holier-than-thou or know-it-all? You’ll hear what the Red Square Preacher has to say, whether you like it or not

BRIEF: Wearing two different hats: The role of a WWU Student Trustee

BRIEF: Call 9-1-1 if you see ICE on campus, WWU police chief advises

Western

‘I Remember Being an Egg’ gallery opens, exploring identity and reflection

Western student body copes with series of lewd conduct incidents

WWU staff address immigration enforcement fears

Western updates Sustainability Action Plan for 2025–2030

Local News

City of Bellingham adopts official condemnation of ICE and CBP actions

Unemployment rates rise in Whatcom County

Q&A: Challenges and opportunities with affordable housing

Jason LaClair shares the importance of Indigenous perspectives in education

Sports Recreation

WWU women's basketball falls short of GNAC Championships title

Five new inductees enter the WWU Athletic Hall of Fame

WWU women’s basketball defeats Seattle Pacific

Q&A: Behind the scenes of the Chuckanut 50k

Opinion

OPINION: There’s no such thing as being ‘too old’ for college

OPINION: Solidarity against ICE must be multifaceted, thorough, and compassion-driven

OPINION: Tell your friends when they deserve better

OPINION: The rock that refused to leave

Trending Stories

“Tax the rich, make it fair! Millionaires, pay your share!”

City of Bellingham adopts official condemnation of ICE and CBP actions

OPINION: There’s no such thing as being ‘too old’ for college

OPINION: Solidarity against ICE must be multifaceted, thorough, and compassion-driven

OPINION: Holier-than-thou or know-it-all? You’ll hear what the Red Square Preacher has to say, whether you like it or not

Western Watchdog