NEWS
(NORTHWEST WASHINGTON)- Harmful fine particles in wildfire smoke continue to show impacts on air quality in northwest Washington, according to the annual national “State of the Air” report. The American Lung Association’s 27th annual report includes data from the years 2022-2024, according to a news release from the Northwest Clean Air Agency. It includes information from the relatively smoke-free summer of 2024. The “State of the Air” report takes a nationwide look at particle and ozone pollution – two common, widespread air pollutants that pose risks to people’s health. Among the report’s conclusions: Skagit and Whatcom counties received (read more)
(BELLINGHAM)– Travelers have a new reason to slow down and enjoy the scenery along one of Washington’s most beautiful highways: A permanent speed-limit reduction is now in place along a nearly 9-mile stretch in both directions of State Route 11/Chuckanut Drive south of Bellingham. On Friday, April 17, Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews installed 35 mph speed limit signs from south of Blanchard Road in Skagit County to south of Spokane Street in Whatcom County (mileposts 9.38 to 17.99), according to a news release from the Washington State Department of Transportation. The northern end of the new speed limit ties into (read more)
(OLYMPIA)- Governor Bob Ferguson has proclaimed April 20-24, 2026, to be financial aid completion week (PDF) in Washington state. Schools and education organizations around the state are hosting events and activities to support students in applying for financial aid, securing money to help pay for college or training after high school, according to a news release from the Washington Student Achievement Council. The completion week initiative—officially known as Your Future, Funded—is a statewide push to provide every graduating senior with a financial aid touchpoint before the end of the school year. The project advances Governor Ferguson’s Washington (read more)
(SKAGIT COUNTY)- In 2025, Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program protected four farmland properties, permanently safeguarding another 270 acres of prime agricultural soil. Protected properties were in Bow (40 acres, 83 acres) and Mount Vernon (40 acres, 107 acres). The protection of Skagit County’s USDA-designated prime farmland means these properties can no longer be developed into residential buildings and will instead provide essential soil and land for farming for generations to come, according to a news release from the county. Skagit County’s Farmland Legacy Program now protects 15,400 acres of prime farmland of regional and global significance. An agricultural conservation easement means that the (read more)
(CAMP MURRAY, Wash.)– A Disaster Assistance Center will open Wednesday, April 22, in Whatcom County to help Washington residents affected by the storms and flooding that occurred Dec. 5-19, 2025. Specialists will assist survivors with FEMA applications and other disaster assistance, according to a news release from FEMA. The center location in Whatcom County will be at Sumas Advent Christian Church, 125 Front St., Sumas, WA 98295. The center's hours will be Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and closed Sunday. The center in Sumas can help people with FEMA applications and U.S. Small Business (read more)