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.
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.
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.
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.
On Sunday, in between spurts of heavy rainfall and patchy blue skies, dozens of people squeezed into the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center in Bellingham with two things on their minds: whistles and resistance.
As the sun began to set on Western Washington University on Monday, Jan. 26, countless voices chanted “presente” in response to the reading of 38 names, one for each person whose death was caused by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal immigration officers since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term.
For many people, the loss of benefits compounded barriers that were already making food access difficult – like living in a rural area where groceries aren’t as easily accessible, or managing a chronic condition that restricts diet flexibility.
In order to install a public fuel dock, the port must first conduct a cleanup and then determine if installing fuel tanks is feasible, said Mike Hogan, public affairs administrator for the Port of Bellingham.
Now 101, Joanne Rasmussen has lived through more than a century of political change and has taken part in activism at different points in her life. Today, she’s the most senior member of a protest group at The Willows retirement community.
Mobile Medical Units are Federal Drug Enforcement Agency-approved locations for dispensing methadone, vivitrol and suboxone for people interested in medication-assisted treatment services for addiction. The first mobile medical unit in Bellingham started operating in January and is located on Division Street.
Whatcom Transit Authority has proposed increasing bus fare prices in response to rising operating costs and will seek board approval later this winter.
The Port of Bellingham approved a lease agreement with Puget Sound Energy on Oct. 21 to install a solar array on the Fisherman’s Pavilion roof at Squalicum Harbor as part of a community solar program.
2025 marks the 5th year of WACK’s studio tour. On Nov. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., multiple studio locations in Bellingham, Ferndale and Lynden will open their doors to the public, inviting guests to peruse artists’ clay creations and attend ceramics demonstrations.
It was the second nationwide demonstration in the movement against what the No Kings organizers were calling “chaos, corruption, and cruelty.”
David Brauhn, the city of Bellingham’s assistant communications and community relations director, said that the state allows cities to use funds from this sales tax for a broad range of public safety-related purposes.
Bellingham’s Urban Forestry Management Plan is currently paused due to a limited number of staff and their abilities.
The City of Bellingham is collaborating with Hamer Environmental to monitor the new heronry and release a protection plan for the Little Squalicum herons in their 2025 annual report on the Post Point Heron Colony.
With Election Day nearing, candidates for Bellingham City Council gathered at a town hall meeting on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Sehome High School to discuss housing, protecting vulnerable groups and their rights, communication and biking infrastructure.
An estimated 200 people gathered in Maritime Heritage Park on Oct. 7, participating in the March for Gaza wearing keffiyehs, waving flags and holding homemade signs, where members from various groups spoke in solidarity with Palestine.
It’s been a month since Bellingham’s newest club, -HUT-, first opened its doors, but the venue is just getting started. -HUT- aims to be a space where everyone, especially young people, can feel free to be themselves and enjoy the music.
Solutions by The State News
