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Campus

Yoga culture grows as students seek academic and personal balance at Western

By Manna Spiro

As the quarter picks up and deadlines begin to stack, some Western Washington University students turn to the yoga mat for relief. Yoga, often viewed through the American lens as a workout or just stretching and balancing, involves much more and is spreading through student communities at Western. On campus, the yoga community is growing and the benefits are noticeable, especially in stress and mood regulation. 

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Campus

What goes into ASWWU elections?

By Gabriel Townsend | May 9

With the election season wrapping up on May 10th for Western Washington University’s student government, the candidates are eager to share plans for initiatives such as renewing student fees and bringing about policies that support LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups.

Western

Pacific North West

Pacific Note West brings treble to the competition

By Maddie Ferguson | May 4

This past winter quarter, Pacific Note West, one of Western Washington University’s competitive a cappella teams, placed fourth overall at the International Championship of Collegiate a Cappella (ICCA) West Quarter Final, which took place at Tacoma Armory on Jan. 24, 2026. Out of nine competing teams, and being the only American team to place in the top four, Pacific Note West came out with a score of 372, just barely missing third place by three points.

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Swim with DECA ‘sharks’ at their first Shark Tank workshop

By Jamie Reed | May 2

On Thursday, May 7, Western Washington University’s Collegiate Distributive Education Clubs of America team is hosting its first-ever Shark Tank workshop on Western’s campus at 5 p.m. in Academic Instructional Center West room 305. They will bring in DECA alumni to act as the “sharks” for students collaborating on their business ideas.

Local News

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Bellingham considers raising select electric vehicle charging rates by 60%

By Atlanta Moss | May 4

The City of Bellingham is considering raising the prices of city-owned electric vehicle charging stations for the first time since 2022. A proposal presented to the city’s transportation commission on April 14 by the city’s climate and energy manager, Seth Vidaña, suggests raising the price of level three fast charging from $0.25 per kilowatt-hour to $0.40. 

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Student bus pass safe in new contract with WTA

By Brodey O’Brien | May 4

The board of the Whatcom Transit Authority (WTA) unanimously approved a new contract with Western Washington University, ensuring the continuation of the student bus pass for another year. In a meeting on April 16 at WTA’s office, board members gathered online and in person to vote on a new contract that would cost the university more but keep the student bus pass. 

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From Dutch Tulipmania to Mount Vernon fields: the long journey of Skagit Valley’s blooms

By Ryann Smith | April 27

Just 30 minutes away from the twists and turns of Chuckanut Drive lies breathtaking fields of tulips. Countless rows of beautiful, brightly-colored flowers, just waiting for the sunshine season to finally arrive. On March 28, 2026, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival reopened for the season. This festival typically runs only in April, but due to a milder-than-normal winter and slightly warmer spring temperatures, the tulip fields opened early this year.

Sports Recreation

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Bellingham kayakers compete in the Little White Salmon Race

By Zander Ulmer | May 1

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. 

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Time to move forward: WWU men’s basketball is working to rebuild roster

By Violet Mills | April 28

The National Collegiate Athletic Association transfer portal brings change to collegiate sports teams across the country every year, and Western Washington University’s men’s basketball team is no exception. At the end of the 2025-26 season, six of Western’s 16 players announced that they were entering the portal. With three graduating seniors, this leaves the roster at just seven players.

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Two teammates, one national stage

By Piper Jones | April 26

Out of the 118 players selected nationwide for the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II Player of the Year Watchlist, two come from the same program. At Western Washington University, third baseman Maleah Andrews and shortstop Hailey Rath have earned national recognition and helped to elevate the Vikings’ softball program. 

Opinion

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OPINION: How the biennial staff and faculty exhibition benefits art students

By Rowan Braeckel | May 5

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. 

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