News

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Campus

Juggling it all: The balance of social and academic life at Western

By Jack Glenn | October 11

At almost 11 p.m. on the first Wednesday school night of October, dozens of Western Washington University students - many of them first-year students - gathered for an impromptu party at the campus sculpture popularly known as the “Stairs To Nowhere.” Away from their parents, first-year students at Western are getting a taste of what adult life is and the liberty that comes with it. 

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City & County

Mystery Thrift celebrates first month at new Bellingham location

By Zoe Wiley | October 8

After opening a first location in Ferndale last February, family-owned-and-operated thrift store Mystery Thrift opened a second location in downtown Bellingham on Sept. 3, with a focus on charity, affordability and sustainability.  Kyle Weiss, his wife Nicole and their daughter Avery own the business, while other members of the family work or volunteer within it.  Co-owner Kyle Weiss was hoping to land a larger second location in Ferndale, but the best building for the business was on Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham. The building will soon be shared with We Care, another donation-based thrift store. 

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Campus

Finally … Freshens Reopens on Campus!

By Bryn VanMansum | October 7

For the first time in over a year, the Carver Gym location of Freshens Fresh Foods Studio has opened for the fall quarter.  The on-campus dining option was closed all of last year and some of 2020 due to the pandemic, subsequent labor shortages and supply chain issues. Now, Western Washington University students who have been craving Freshens in its absence are excited to see it up and running again. 

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City & County

BRIEF: Hundreds expected to gather at Bellingham City Hall for reproductive rights

By Jenelle Baumbach | October 7

A month out from the Nov. 8 midterm elections, community members are finding ways to build solidarity and civic engagement on local and regional levels.  A local political action group, Indivisible Bellingham, is hosting an action-oriented Rally for Reproductive Rights, Freedom and Privacy at Bellingham City Hall on Saturday, Oct. 8 at 3 p.m. 

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Campus

BRIEF: WWU State of the University Address

By Jack Glenn | September 30

Western Washington University’s State of the University Address, held Wednesday, Sept. 28, took a look back on the 2021-22 academic year and described new goals set for 2022-23. 

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Campus

Abortion rights demonstrations consume Red Square

By Finn Kurtz | May 19

Opposing groups of demonstrators gathered in Red Square on Monday, May 16,  in yet another theater of the nationwide battle over abortion rights.

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City & County

BRIEF: Solace in shared sentiments

By Jenelle Baumbach | May 9

A group of an estimated 300 protestors on Friday evening marched down the sidewalks of downtown Bellingham toward the Whatcom County courthouse, advocating for abortion rights.

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City & County

Surge in car thefts increase worry among Bellingham residents

By Simone Higashi | May 7

Bellingham residents have experienced a surge in car and auto-related thefts since the beginning of this year. By March 27, 193 vehicles had been reported stolen since the start of 2022, according to the Bellingham Police Department’s daily activity logs. 

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City & County

Bellingham rent continues to rise as vacancy rates continue to fall

By Ben Larson and Emily Paulson | May 5

High rent costs continue to be a struggle for Bellingham residents due to several factors, including low vacancy rates. 

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City & County

BRIEF: Rally for Roe

By Jenelle Baumbach | May 3

An estimated 400 people showed up at the Whatcom County courthouse to participate in the Rally for Roe protest on May 3.

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Campus

Bagels roll back to Western's campus

By Sophia Heit | January 14

Zoe's Bookside Bagels, located in Wilson Library at Western Washington University, has opened again after COVID-19 forced it to close back in 2020. 

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Health & Wellness

University extends remote learning for Western students

By Ryan Scott | January 11

In an email to students and faculty at Western Washington University on Monday afternoon, President Sabah Randhawa announced that remote learning will be extended another two weeks, starting Tuesday, Jan. 11. The extension will last until Jan. 24. 

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City & County

Watch: Jay Inslee press conference to discuss flooding in Whatcom County

By Bella Neff and Ryan Scott | November 18

Governor Jay Inslee visited Whatcom County to talk about the impact and damage the county faced following record rainfall and unprecedented flooding, two days after declaring a severe weather emergency on Nov. 15. 

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City & County

Gov. Inslee visits Whatcom County in wake of record flooding

By Bella Neff | November 18

Governor Jay Inslee visited Whatcom County to talk about the impact and damage the county faced following record rainfall and unprecedented flooding, two days after declaring a severe weather emergency on Nov. 15. 

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Campus

Remembering Axel Acosta

By Cameron Martinez | November 12

Loving, adventurous and fun. These were some of the words used by Joel Acosta to describe his brother, Axel Acosta. 

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Campus

Candidates for Bellingham City Council make their case on eve of election

By Jonathan Tall | November 2

On Oct. 28, Incumbent Bellingham City Councilmember Michael Liliquist and candidate Kristina Michele Martens stopped by Miller Hall and gave their final campaign pitches at a forum hosted by the Office of Student Engagement. 

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City & County

It’s not too late to vote! Here’s what’s on the ballot

By Cliff Heberden | November 2

Last-minute voter registrations can be made at the Whatcom County Courthouse at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham by 8pm where registration updates and replacement ballots can also be obtained. Here is a list of Ballot Drop Off Locations in Whatcom.

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News

ForeFront podcast | Episode 5: 'Welcome Back Western'

By Kelton Burns , Crystal Tucker and Kyle Tubbs | October 27

In the first part of today's episode, we take a look at the mask policy, how many people are vaccinated and what happens if you don't comply with Western's covid protocols. Next, we look back at the October 2 women's march in Bellingham and the anti-abortion protest in Red Square. 

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City & County

Watch out Bellingham, it’s about to get really, really windy

By Jonathan Tall | October 24

Grab your ponchos and bolt down your belongings — there’s a storm coming Sunday night. 

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Campus

Do I need to wear a mask while walking outdoors on campus?

By Brianna Poulos | September 28

Western's current COVID-19 compliance criteria include an agreement to wear masks in required spaces on campus, but some wonder if they are required outdoors as well.