The Bellingham Herald week in review

Lummi Nation doc series wins four regional Emmys

A five-part documentary series about Lummi Nation’s ancient reefnet fishing tradition has earned four Northwest Emmy Awards. “Origins: The Last Reefnetters,” produced for Cascade PBS by Fishboat Media, was created by Tyler Rowe and Samuel Wolfe, who founded the company after collaborating on a project for Penco Brewing Company on Whidbey Island. The series documents both the historical and ongoing practice of reefnetting in the Salish Sea, where a net is lowered between two boats to catch fish. Raven Borsey [Xwesultun], a Lummi Nation Tribal member and senior researcher at Setting Sun Circle, praised the series for highlighting the urgency of salmon conservation. Setting Sun Circle, a Bellingham-based Indigenous storytelling company, provided historical footage and resources for the production. The documentary is free to stream on Cascade PBS, PBS, and YouTube.

Reported by Julia Hawkins, published June 30

Ten new Washington state laws you should know about

Ten new Washington state laws took effect this summer, touching daily life in wide-ranging ways. Senate Bill 2334 allows retailers to round cash transaction totals to the nearest nickel now that the federal government has stopped producing pennies. House Bill 2165 makes impersonating a law enforcement officer a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail. HB 2303 bans employers from requiring microchip implants in workers. Senate Bill 6137 permits wagering on in-state college teams at tribal casinos, though bets on individual student athletes remain prohibited. HB 2323 establishes a “blue envelope program” to ease traffic stops for neurodiverse drivers. HB 1795 restricts physical restraints on students in public schools. HB 2496 strengthens tribal consultation for energy projects on sacred lands. Senate Bill 6237 requires landlords to disclose flood risks to prospective tenants. HB 2266 streamlines permitting for homeless shelters in residential zones. Finally, HB 2155 bars AI and non-human entities from using licensed nursing titles.

Reported by Julia Hawkins, published June 29

Deaf student’s parents sue two school districts over bus assaults

The parents of a deaf elementary school student have filed a lawsuit against Blaine School District and Bellingham Public Schools, alleging she was sexually assaulted on school buses during the 2020-2021 and 2025-2026 school years. The lawsuit, filed June 18 in Whatcom County Superior Court, alleges the district failed to investigate the first incident and that no court-ordered safety plan was in place before the accused student returned to school. The districts are accused of negligence, disability and gender-based discrimination, and violations of the Equal Educational Opportunity Law. The girl’s parents say she now refuses to attend school. Separately, Bellingham Public Schools settled a similar 2024 lawsuit involving an autistic student allegedly assaulted on a school bus, with the settlement pending court approval. Spokesperson Jacqueline Brawley called the allegations “upsetting” and said the district is committed to protecting all students.

Reported by Hannah Edelman, published June 25

Free pieces of Bellingham’s I-5 Rock up for grabs

More than 1,000 palm-sized chunks of Bellingham’s iconic I-5 Rock will be given away free from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11, in the parking lot at Civic Stadium, 1445 Puget St., according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. Pieces are limited to one per person until 2 p.m., and an online waiver must be completed by noon Friday, July 10. WSDOT destroyed the 8-foot-high, 100-ton boulder in May, citing a $160 million construction project to widen culverts and bridges along a 6-mile freeway stretch. The rock stood near the Lake Samish exit since the mid-1960s and was first painted in August 1969, becoming a beloved community landmark used to mark graduations, proposals, birthdays, and memorials for generations of Bellinghamsters.

Reported by Robert Mittendorf, published June 26

Whatcom County delays fireworks restriction vote

Whatcom County Council members voted 6-0 to send a proposed fireworks ordinance back to committee June 23, delaying action on what would be the county’s second-most restrictive personal fireworks measure after Bellingham’s total ban. The measure would limit personal fireworks in rural unincorporated areas to July 4 and New Year’s Eve, and ban them entirely during active burn bans. Supporters cited fire risks, environmental harm, and noise impacts on people, pets, and wildlife. Opponents, including fireworks vendors, warned of significant economic consequences. Steve Woodrich of Deming said reduced sales have already limited his ability to support foster children and community groups. The Nooksack Tribe also opposed the measure, citing its broad economic impact on the Indigenous community. Councilwoman Kaylee Galloway, who introduced the ordinance, abstained from the vote.

Reported by Robert Mittendorf, published June 25

Work zone speed cameras active south of Bellingham

Speed cameras are now active in the construction zone near the Interstate 5 bypass south of Bellingham, with increased fines taking effect July 1. A first-time offense will cost $125, rising to $248 for subsequent infractions, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. The higher fines apply statewide across all road work construction sites. The zone involves a $159.6 million project to fix fish migration barriers along I-5, including 17 near Lake Samish. Speed is limited to 50 mph through the area. Since enforcement began April 16, 2025, cameras have been used more than 900 times at roughly 50 job sites, generating 85,000 infractions statewide. Seven vehicle collisions have occurred near the Whatcom County construction zone since bypass lanes opened June 18.

Reported by Jack Belcher, published June 30

This story was originally published July 1, 2026 at 1:30 PM with the headline "The Bellingham Herald week in review."