new from me, at @thewalrus.ca: it is, in fact, a big deal! thewalrus.ca/the-new-york...

Lynden voters have so far resoundingly rejected a new capital facilities levy, leaving the district no closer to getting the needed funds to expand schools.

As Bellingham's school district began to discuss the potential for school closures due to declining enrollment earlier this year, I kept thinking about the bond voters passed four years earlier. The district had asked for money to build a 15th elementary school due to expected enrollment growth.

An American hero passes: Jim Whittaker, a Northwest icon and climbing legend who in 1963 became the first American to stand atop Mount Everest, has died in Port Townsend at the age of 97.

While landlines have gone out of fashion in recent years, the folks behind Telehamster, a new independent landline network, are trying to bring them back. Had a blast talking to these folks. Now I'm feeling nostalgic for being a kid and calling my best friend's landline to find times to hang out.

Public schools are required to provide a free, appropriate public education to every student with disabilities. But what happens when a family and a school disagree on what that means? And on where those services are delivered?

The Oversight Project, a spinoff of the Heritage Foundation, filed sweeping records requests to Western Washington University, asking for course materials related to diversity, equity and inclusion. The project, which intends to target higher education institutions, has worried professors nationwide

🧵 Deming residents signed up for a new county alert system in 2023 after the life-threatening flood in 2021 devastated the unincorporated community in Whatcom County. So when flooding was predicted on Dec. 9, they assumed an evacuation alert would go out... www.cascadiadaily.com/2026/jan/26/...

Nooksack river flooding has long been a cross-border issue, affecting both Whatcom County communities and residents and businesses in Abbotsford, BC. New from me on a group of MPs looking to boost collaboration, and an update on the existing transboundary initiative.

Bellingham students led chants at a Free America walkout and protest in downtown Bellingham Tuesday. A group of Shuksan students left class at 2 p.m. and took a bus downtown to attend the protest.

School districts across Skagit County are asking voters to renew levies to fund program operations and maintenance. Here's a guide to your ballot:

As reporters, we’re prepared to cover disasters. As local journalists, we know those tragedies will be within our community. But, what I failed to think through was how to navigate a natural disaster that threatens both communities in our coverage area and my family.

Today, our trial against the RCMP kicks off in a Vancouver courtroom. We’re fighting to clear a path for all journalists in Canada to do their work without risk of police interference. Want to follow the case, or even attend in person? Here’s what you need to know: thenarwhal.ca/press-freedom/

Whatcom students, educators and local legislators at a school funding town hall Tuesday night agreed the state needs to fully fund K-12 education. But the governor's proposed supplemental budget suggests cuts could be coming.

An adaptive art program at Cascadia Elementary in Ferndale makes it so all students can participate in art class.

I was so thrilled to write about a 19-year-old who won a school board seat in Mount Vernon, WA. The cherry on top was finding out that the candidate ran his campaign with the help of his friend, a 17-year-old college freshman. An amazing example of young people engaging in local politics:

A year has passed since CDN published a series highlighting indoor recreation gaps in Bellingham. Here's where three potential projects to expand access stand today.

Community members gathered on the winter solstice to mourn the 87 homeless people who died in Whatcom County this year.

More than 600 households have sought flooding recovery support from Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group, as of Dec 15. In Skagit, officials are still responding to ongoing flooding and landslide threats, but cities and towns have started assessing the impact so far as they prepare for more flooding.

Over the course of Saturday, it became clear that Mount Vernon and Sumas would face very different recovery efforts after historic flooding tore through the region.

It’s impossible to pick just one story from our tranche of flood coverage but this one probably hits the hardest. I am so proud to work with such dedicated, talented people at @cascadiadaily.com

Eleven significant floods have hit Whatcom County in the past century, while the Skagit River has reached flood stage more than 60 times in the same time frame. Residents have painful memories of past disasters.

The joy and relief when this family discovered that their chickens, stuck in a flooded coop, were still alive was a beautiful moment in a difficult last few days. Find the rest of our coverage of the NW WA floods at cascadiadaily.com.

Follow the FREE COVERAGE, as we work to keep our community informed and safe.

Heavy rains overnight have increased the potential for record-breaking levels of the Skagit River, prompting evacuation warnings. Plus, school and road closures, and aid information. Check back for live updates throughout the day.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for parts of Skagit County early Tuesday morning as the Skagit River near Concrete is expected to reach major flooding stages later today. You can check here for updates throughout the day.

Nearly 150 people showed up to the Whatcom Transportation Authority's typically quiet board meeting Thursday morning. Most expressed opposition to the WTA’s plan to raise bus fares

Edmundo "Mundo" Corrales, the Anacortes High School teacher who died in a car crash on Monday, is remembered for his warmth, humor and dedication to his work and those around him.

When I was combing through the 50 candidates running for school board in Whatcom and Skagit a few months ago, I noticed a name missing. Steve Jones, a Nooksack Valley School Board member for 36 years, wasn't running for reelection. I took the chance to speak with him about his long tenure:

School bus drivers are often underrecognized, but play an essential role in students' access to education. My colleague @santi8a.bsky.social and I spent some time with a Lynden school bus driver last month, for a story spotlighting drivers and discussing some of the challenges they face every day.

🧵 Recent story for @cascadiadaily.com: A female detective with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is alleging a decade of workplace discrimination, retaliation and hostility, including the circulation among co-workers of a sexual AI-generated video of her. www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/10/...

State Rep. Alicia Rule spent part of Thursday, Oct. 30, shadowing Cascadia Elementary's Principal as part of a statewide effort to get legislators to better understand the realities of education in 2025.

Voters appear to want change in a number of school boards across Whatcom and Skagit counties. My election night file:

Enjoyed covering this fascinating new class at Bellingham High School: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/nov/03/...

After cuts, furloughs and financial challenges, Whatcom Community College is undergoing a review to "ensure the long-term financial sustainability" of the institution.

Frogs, herons, canary grass and more: students at Explorations Academy are now spending part of a day every week on the school's new field campus in Everson.

Fifty people are seeking school board positions in Whatcom and Skagit counties this year. In some districts, the November election could majorly shake up school boards, shaping the direction of the district for the next four years. A rundown of Whatcom County candidates:

An academic program in Fairhaven is sending students back in time by encouraging them to read classic works of literature, learn Ancient Greek, and leave screens at the door.

Cascadia Daily News earned first in general excellence as well as the prestigious Community Service Award for the third year in a row.

A new bus station, housing and more will be coming to Bellingham's now-vacant Public Market site. The Whatcom Transportation Authority plans to officially purchase the property later this month and begin work on a transit-oriented development project, which could start construction by 2030.

Western will be launching a new initiative to boost enrollment, President Sabah Randhawa announced this morning in his annual State of the University address. That includes a new pilot to offer guaranteed admissions to eligible students in five counties.

This is no magic messaging to completely protect the public from election misinformation. But, it’s important to enact multiple layers of defense where possible. So, @cascadiadaily.com is knocking the dust off our reporting on last year about how voting works. www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/sep/08/...

Very cool to see the Seattle Times reference a recent story of mine as an example of local investigative journalism! Link to my investigation: www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/jun/26/...

Thirty years ago, Dan Chaplik slipped an application to be a teacher at the Blaine School District under the door of the boardroom. Now, he sits at the front of the room as interim superintendent.

Artificial intelligence has arrived in local classrooms. Despite worries about its impact, many school districts have authorized its use in an effort to teach students how to use this powerful technology responsibly and ethically.

Wondering what your school district's budget and enrollment looks like going into the new school year? Check out this rundown of Whatcom and Skagit school district budgets.

It was such a joy to be at this unique school on the first day today! And amazing to see such emphatic community support in challenging financial times for school districts across the state.