Western’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation (E&I) program hosts quarterly showcases where students can display the projects they're working on. These showcases often give E&I students invaluable feedback on their projects and ideas for improvement, turning what might have started as a class assignment into something with potential beyond college.
Tucked in a corner on the first floor of Western Washington University’s Ross Engineering Technology Building sits WWU Racing’s V67, a car the team has spent the last two years building to get ready for this June’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers competition.
On May 6, 2026, students from across Western Washington University’s College of Fine and Performing Arts came together to work toward stepping outside of their comfort zones to learn music and dance in different ways.
From being assigned random genres to navigating the rush of last-minute editing, Western Washington University’s 48-hour film festival challenges students to create an original short film in just two days. Registration for this unique event is open now on the 48-hour film festival website. Kickoff is Friday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. and films will be screened at the Pickford Film Center on May 21.
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.
Contaminated oysters and clams sold at three Bellingham locations (the downtown Community Food Co-op, Keenan’s at the Pier and Rock & Rye Oyster House) between March 22 and April 9 were recalled by the FDA and the Washington State Department of Health on April 10. Five confirmed cases of norovirus-like illness linked directly to the shellfish were reported in Whatcom County.
As the temperature and cost of living rise, places like the Community Boating Center and the Lakewood Boathouse are offering low-cost opportunities to get on the water. They offer rentals of kayaks, boats, paddleboards and so much more. Their goals are to just get people outside and have fun.
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.
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
