News

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Campus

Career fairs become more accessible through new Early Access Hour

By Dani Gibson | November 16

The Career Services Center and the Disability Access Center have collaborated to make Western Washington University career fairs more accessible by implementing an Early Access Hour. Inclusive spaces were held for participants for the first time at the Career and Internship Fair on Oct. 21 and again at the recent Technology and Engineering Career and Internship Fair on Nov. 3.

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City & County

Maple Alley Kitchen returns for its 35th year

By Siena Mariani | November 16

With winter right around the corner, a Bellingham organization is doing its part to feed members of the community with hot meals and create a welcoming environment for anyone who needs it.

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City & County

Making it in the music industry: Bellingham edition

By Jack Warren | November 16

Music is a competitive industry to get started in, especially in the new age of digital media and short form content. Successful Bellingham musicians and employees gave their insight into what sets the failing artists apart from the winners, and what it takes to make a sustainable living.   

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Campus

Meet the man in the van

By Adam Race | November 16

Owen Donnelly wakes up at 7:30 a.m., makes some instant oatmeal for breakfast, brushes his teeth, puts on his rain jacket and heads to his 8 a.m. class. He showers after class, has a snack and after his last class of the day, he makes himself some pasta and goes to study on Western’s campus before heading back home at 11 p.m. to go to bed.

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Campus

BRIEF: Feel the pain!

By Adam Race | November 15

A group of Western Washington University students focused on menstrual health advocacy will set up a table and operate a period cramp simulator in Red Square on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. The group will give any willing volunteers a chance to test their limits with the simulator and will also be accepting cash donations to help buy menstrual products for Bellingham’s YWCA.

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City & County

Amid anti-union tactics, Sehome Starbucks is unionizing

By Tallie Johnson | November 14

The Sehome Starbucks filed with the National Labor and Relations Board on Oct. 17, making it one of over 300 Starbucks locations across the U.S. that have begun unionizing. Currently, around 250 stores have completed the process. This past summer, the Iowa and King streets, and Cordata locations officially unionized. Starbucks employees, often called partners, cited harsh working conditions, low wages and unrealistic company standards as some of the reasons behind wanting to unionize. 

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Campus

First multi-stall gender-neutral bathroom opens on WWU campus

By Adam Race | November 14

Oct. 31 marked the opening of Western Washington University’s first multi-stall gender-neutral bathroom, a 10-stall facility located on the main floor of the Haggard Hall side of the library, room 241. Since 2016, Western has been expanding the accessibility of gender-neutral restrooms across campus, and single-occupancy gender-neutral restrooms are now in the majority of buildings on campus.

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Campus

Shutting off on-campus streaming service

By Lili Cruz | November 14

Whether it’s streaming from a phone, laptop or TV in a dorm, unwinding after class by binge-watching the latest season of the hottest new show is second-nature to many students.  Before this year, students living on-campus have been able to access live Xfinity channels and HBO through a service included in housing fees. The Xfinity-on-Campus service was a tiered service for students living on campus but what was offered varied from where you were watching.

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City & County

Fight to protect legacy forest lost

By Nina Walsh | November 13

The Department of Natural Resources decided on Tuesday, Nov. 1, to move forward with the planned auction of a 40-acre plot of forest in Whatcom County, despite objections from conservationists and environmental activists. 

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City & County

Tips on how to put together your own Friendsgiving

By Maylis Laverne | November 12

Friendsgiving is a time for friends to gather and enjoy a meal together in whatever way works best for them. Friends can cook or bring dishes potluck style. They can enjoy Thanksgiving-themed food or burgers. They can have it the day of Thanksgiving or a week before.  There is no correct way to celebrate, but here are a few tips and tricks to host a successful Friendsgiving. 

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City & County

Grab your apron! The Front examines solutions to rising food prices

By Liz McLane | November 10

Food prices haven’t stopped rising — take a walk down the aisle at your closest grocery store, and you’ll see it right on the price tags — it’s no secret.  From September 2021 to September 2022, the price index for food products rose 13 %, according to an October data release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Certain essential food groups’ pricing increased even more in that time span.

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City & County

The Mount Baker Film Fest welcomes you!

By Siena Mariani | November 10

If you like both winter sports and movies, you’re in luck! The Mount Baker Film Fest is returning for its first in-person show since 2019 and is excited to share some of the latest films that have come out of the Mount Baker community. 

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City & County

Enjoy cider and free yoga?

By Kenna Dupree | November 10

If you are looking for a community of Bellingham locals to hang out, drink a cider and do some yoga with, Bellingham Treehouse Yoga has just the event for you. Lacy Kemp, founder and instructor of Bellingham Treehouse Yoga, hosts free pop-up yoga classes throughout the winter at Bellingham’s own Lost Giants Cider Co.

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Campus

Without free HBO Max, Western students seek other streaming services

By Jacob Mina | November 10

Western Washington University used to offer the HBO Max streaming service for students living on campus but not anymore. Western decided not to renew its contract with Comcast, leaving students looking to other streaming services for something new to binge-watch. 

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Campus

‘I’m someone who creates in order to live:’ “LUSH” opens in VU gallery

By Dani Gibson | November 9

A new show has arrived at the Viking Union's student-curated art gallery. This solo show, titled “LUSH,” showcases works by Filipinx-American artist Heidi Grace Acuña. Until Nov. 29, Acuña’s multidisciplinary works, including photography, ceramics and textiles, will be available for Western Washington University students to enjoy. 

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Campus

Stepping into drag and onto the stage

By Lili Cruz | November 9

Welcomed by a packed Underground Coffee House, Western Washington University’s Royal Gambit Drag Club kicked off their first-ever drag show with The Monster Mash: A Devilish Night of Drag.  The night of Oct. 29 consisted of nine performers taking turns lip-syncing to songs while performing pre-planned pantomimes and dancing. The queens, kings and monarchs were all met with an exuberant crowd that they said surpassed all expectations.

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City & County

Armory Pickleball to open soon as owners put final touches on the business

By Zoe Wiley | November 8

The historic armory building at 525 N. State Street, Bellingham, is now home to Armory Pickleball, which will open for member use within the next couple of weeks.  The armory was built in 1911 and served as a hub for military logistics and defense during the First and Second World Wars. In 1953, a portion of the armory was converted into a roller rink. The building became a popular event location and a meeting place for Boy and Girl Scouts. In 1972, the National Guard sold the building to Western Washington University, that sold it again in 2018 after little use. 

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Campus

The Illustrious Pearl performs at WWU

By Olivia Carda | November 7

“This is a good drag show because it’s running late, so you know it’s going to be the real experience,” Chan joked as they prepped for their set.  The audience cheered as Wo Chan, The Illustrious Pearl in drag, strutted into the Multicultural Center on Western Washington University’s campus sporting a bright red lip, a black studded wig cap and carrying a basket full of mysterious props. 

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City & County

Comic-Con comes to Bellingham

By Siena Mariani | November 7

Comic-Con is back! The popular comic book and fantasy event occurred in Bellingham on Saturday, Oct. 15, bringing renowned comic book artists, writers and professionals to share their expertise with the public.

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City & County

Here’s what you need to know about State Senate candidates Simon Sefzik and Sharon Shewmake

By Sydney Jackson | November 6

If the primaries in Whatcom County are any indication, the 42nd District Senate seat will be a neck-in-neck race.  The candidates, Rep. Sharon Shewmake and incumbent Sen. Simon Sefzik, are long-time Whatcom County residents who never saw themselves becoming politicians.