News

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City & County

The Banff Film Festival’s return to Bellingham

By Ben Stainbrook | January 24

The Banff Centre’s Mountain Film Festival returned to Bellingham last Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Mount Baker Theatre during its 2023 world tour. Human triumph, commitment, environmental preservation, cultural heritage and a grand love for the natural world were all themes presented during the sold-out, two-and-a-half-hour show hosted by the AS Productions team at Western Washington University.

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Campus

The Importance of representation in reflection of LGBTQ+ romcom “Bros”

By Jase Picanso | January 23

This week, Western Washington University’s AS Productions and LGBTQ+ Western are working together to host a viewing of ‘‘Bros.” The event is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m. in the Viking Union. A discussion will be held after the viewing. 

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City & County

Vintage clothing market comes to Bellingham

By Hayden Hester | January 23

Rather than buying mass-produced, trend-based clothes, thrifting can provide alternatives to modern consumerism. Community-run events such as the most recent vintage clothing market seek to grow Bellingham’s thrifting culture.

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Campus

Food allergies make navigating the dining halls difficult

By Jenna Millikan | January 20

Many students rely on the dining halls at Western Washington University for meals while in school. However, students with food allergies can struggle to find accommodating options. When deciding where to eat, students with food allergies must consider ingredients, cross-contamination and whether there will be allergen-free options.

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Campus

New Western Gallery exhibit will soon be on display around campus

By Aubrey Black | January 20

On Thursday, Jan. 12, the Western Gallery held an opening reception for its new exhibit "Arbitrary Borders," which showcases both new artwork and pieces from the gallery’s permanent collection.  

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City & County

Letter from the editor: learning to do better

By Olivia Palmer | December 19

This quarter, The Front had a big wake-up call.  As fall editor-in-chief, I care a lot about both our publication and the community. That’s why in October, after The Front published a controversial guest opinion column about sexual assault, I knew we had to make a change. 

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Campus

GUEST SUBMISSION: Stepping into the light ⎯ a move toward wellness

By Aria Nguyen , Emma Bjornsrud and Olivia Palmer | December 19

When fourth-year student Izzy Liska walked through the doors of Western Washington University’s counseling center for the first time, she was overwhelmed with many different feelings. Most of all, she felt nervous.

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City & County

Is Bellingham still affordable for WWU alumni?

By Jack Warren | December 15

With Bellingham becoming increasingly desirable and the current economic struggles of the country, students and experts agree that prices haven’t adjusted.  

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Campus

Growing the gardens

By Liz McLane | December 11

Sitting behind Arntzen Hall on the campus of Western Washington University is a patchwork of garden spaces — small raised beds full of soil, a greenhouse, a patch of growing camas bulbs and a compost pile. As part of the university’s campus, the Arntzen Hall gardens are utilized by the College of the Environment for classes that teach hands-on horticulture and agriculture concepts. 

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City & County

Community members call for WWU to help solve Bellingham’s housing crisis

By Nina Walsh | December 11

Bellingham City Council invited community feedback to address affordable housing during a town hall meeting on Nov. 14. Community members had the opportunity to voice their concerns and propose potential solutions to the city’s lack of housing affordability and availability. 

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City & County

Madison Joy LeFever: Art as Healing and Empowerment

By Miranda Grogger | December 7

Sweaty bodies pack a room filled with dizzying, strobing lights and bone-rattling bass. Amidst this chaos, Madison Joy LeFever captures images — fleeting moments between lighting cues and blackouts that somehow encapsulate entire evenings in one still frame.  LeFever is a 21-year-old Bellingham-based creative. Her many titles include playwright, director, photographer, composer, singer and songwriter.

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Campus

BRIEF: WWU appoints first-ever chief diversity officer

By Adam Race | December 7

This fall, Jacqueline Hughes became Western Washington University’s first-ever chief diversity officer. The position works directly with the office of Western President Sabah Randhawa.

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City & County

Sunnyland gets new brewery, tamale restaurant on neighborhood lineup

By Liz McLane | December 4

The Sunnyland neighborhood of Bellingham will soon have one more option for beer and eats with the addition of two new businesses under the same roof — El Sueñito Brewing Company and Frelard Tamales. 

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Campus

Western holds Neurodiversity Workshops for student employees, faculty

By Kota Sato | December 4

Western Washington University’s Disability Access Center (DAC) recently held two neurodiversity workshops for students, student employees, tutors, peer mentors, teaching assistants, graduate assistants, advisors and faculty.

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City & County

BRIEF: Whatcom County Health Department opens severe weather shelters over weekend

By Troy Schulz | December 3

The Whatcom County Health Department is opening overnight shelters in Bellingham and Ferndale in response to severe cold weather warnings.

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Campus

BREAKING: Western Academic Workers United files to unionize

By Olivia Palmer | December 2

Western Washington University academic student employees of Western Academic Workers United filed to form a union on Friday, Dec. 2, with the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) in Olympia. Members of the group also delivered a letter of intent to unionize to President Sabah Randhawa. 

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City & County

‘It’s just such a preventable way to die:’ Bellingham music venue makes harm reduction more accessible

By Nina Walsh | December 2

Content warning: This story includes references to drug use and deaths by overdose

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City & County

2022 midterm results: Proposition 5 passes, big wins for Whatcom County Democrats

By Sydney Jackson | December 2

Results for the 2022 midterm election in Washington state, officially declared Nov. 29, are now available as ballot counting is complete. 

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Campus

Event Review: Yeehaw! Drag goes country

By Olivia Carda | December 2

Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood and Hannah Montana blared over the speakers of the Underground Coffeehouse as The Royal Gambit drag performers lip-synced and strutted their way across the stage.   For their second show, Western’s Royal Gambit Drag Club put on their cowboy hats, boots and plaid attire for A Wild West Drag Show that took place on the night of Nov. 18. 

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Campus

What's Western doing about hazing?

By Dani Gibson | December 2

An email was sent to Western Washington University students including brief information about hazing prevention on Nov. 2, highlighting a new university policy and two educational programs.  Effective on Oct. 19, an interim policy set the new standard for preventing and responding to hazing at Western.