Top stories: Invasive newts, empty storefronts and rising home prices

Bellingham and Whatcom County are navigating a busy news day, from an invasive species bust to economic challenges downtown. Here’s a quick digest of the top local headlines.

Here are key takeaways:

• Invasive newts seized: State wildlife officials confiscated 16 invasive newts carrying a “potentially devastating” amphibian pathogen from an Everson man, with the case referred to the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office, according to The Bellingham Herald.

• Downtown vacancy concerns: About 10% of first-floor properties in downtown Bellingham are vacant — rising to 14% in the pedestrian core — prompting the City Council to consider strategies including a possible state-level vacancy tax, according to The Bellingham Herald.

• Home prices climb: Bellingham’s median home sale price hit $700,000 in March, a 9.4% increase from March 2025, while Whatcom County’s median rose to $623,000 amid spiking mortgage rates, according to The Bellingham Herald.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.