Administration
Western has yet to hire Black counselors requested by the BSO in June 2020
By Jacob O'Donnell | May 12Please Note: We only include phonetic spellings by request of the source.
News
Campus
Western’s employee vaccination site is a key element of reopening plans
By Zoë Parker | May 10Following a statewide vaccine eligibility increase to all those over the age of 16, Western Washington University announced plans for a vaccination site for employees and student staff. As appointment slots are booked, Western continues to iron out the logistics of the fall quarter reopening.
Washington State
A mysterious disease is wreaking havoc on Pacific Coast sea stars
By Luisa Loi | May 8A mysterious illness that appeared eight years ago and nearly wiped out sea star populations along the Pacific Coast is continuing to leave researchers puzzled.
Campus
Western's Black Student Organization celebrates its first year with an eye towards the future
By Jacob O'Donnell | May 8Please Note: We only include phonetic spellings by request of the source.
Recreation
Summer boating season and invasive aquatic species — things to know
By Clay Wren | May 7Boating season in Whatcom County began April 24, with boat check stations opening at Lake Samish, Bloedel Donovan Park and Sudden Valley Marina, according to the City of Bellingham website. The Lake Whatcom South Bay station opened on May 2.
News
Alternatives to calling the police for behavioral health or substance abuse
By Clay Wren | May 7A man sat unresponsive with his face down at a table at Casa Que Pasa — he'd been there for over five hours, and Tina Prekaski, an employee, said staff's attempts to rouse him came up short.
News
Black Lives Matter march gathers a hundred in a call for social justice
By Cliff Heberden | May 5A crowd of about a hundred gathered around the steps of the Whatcom County Courthouse in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement on May 1, renewing the community’s call to defund the Bellingham Police Department.
Campus
Students with small businesses share their art
By Brianna Poulos | May 3Western Washington University students have turned their art and passions into small businesses, working from their homes to create imaginative and ambitious brands.
Sports
Western's golfing success at GNAC Championships
By Lucas Bohannon | May 3On April 20, the Western Washington University Viking’s men’s and women’s golf teams played the final round in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships. The Viking’s men’s team finished second among four teams, while the women’s were crowned champions of the event.
Sports
Western's softball team drop tough series to Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks
By Ethan Henry | May 3Western Washington University’s softball team went into the series against the Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks with a chance to clinch a spot in the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference Championships, but things just didn’t go their way.
Washington State
Statue of Billy Frank Jr. to be added to the US Capitol
By Cameron Baird | May 3A statue of Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually tribal activist and environmental leader, will be placed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
Washington State
Bellingham continues seeing benefits from cannabis boom
By Joslin Keim | May 3A report released from Leafly, a Seattle-based cannabis education and retail cannabis information provider, showed that Washington state made $1.42 billion in cannabis sales in 2020.
Campus
Ridgeway dorms: from party zone to isolation
By Cameron Martinez | May 3Western Washington University’s student housing requires that students diagnosed with COVID-19 live in isolation in the Ridgeway residence halls during a 10-day isolation period. This area of campus that was once home to parties is now an isolation zone.
Immigration
Ban of for-profit prisons in Washington state
By Cliff Heberden | May 3On April 14, Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1090 into law, banning for-profit prisons and detention facilities. The measure announces change to the immigration enforcement landscape in Washington state.
News
Growing towards food sovereignty in Birchwood
By Liz McLane | May 3While driving through Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood, it’s hard to miss the small, colorful boxes that occupy street corners and the front yards of homes. Food share boxes, which are often filled with pasta, canned food, bread, fresh vegetables and various other pantry items, are providing necessary staples to a community in need.
Campus
Concerns raised by students of color loom as WWU’s Honors Program becomes an honors college
By Zoë Parker | April 26As Western’s Honors Program begins the transition to being called the Honors College, expected to finalize in fall 2022, honors students of color remain concerned about diversity, equity and inclusion moving forward.
Environment
Port of Bellingham to use 100% renewable energy
By Luisa Loi | April 26The Port of Bellingham is reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 86% after signing an 18-year-contract with Puget Sound Energy, according to a press release from the port.
City & County
Bellingham Public Library near reopening
By Clay Wren | April 26Bellingham Public Library is set to open the doors of its Central branch in late spring, after a remodel of its main floor.
Business & Economy
Vaccine passports could be a pivotal step in reopening the US-Canada border
By Cameron Baird | April 26Vaccine passports are sparking political debate as extended border closures continue to strain Whatcom County’s economy.
