City & County

Bellingham fills with music as Downtown Sounds concerts return

By Will Story

A few thousand people welcomed the return of the summer Downtown Sounds concerts as 1980s music from the band Nite Wave played across downtown Bellingham. The concert on Wednesday, July 6, was the first of five concerts happening downtown throughout July and August put on by the Downtown Partnership. They are among a few different free concert events planned this summer throughout the city.

City & County

What’s it like to climb Mount Baker?

Campus

One year later: inside Western’s Basic Needs program

City & County

After a century of industry, a toxic beach is becoming a park

Opinion

OPINION: Biden’s foreign policy is an embarrassing mess – the fist bump isn’t helping

By Finn Kurtz | July 30

In July, President Joe Biden visited the Middle East, in what appeared to be an attempt at soothing relations with petrol power-brokers during a time of global economic crisis. What attracted most attention – and most criticism – was his meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and his bizarre decision to fist bump him.

Campus

Calling all kings, queens, non-binary fiends: Royal Gambit Drag Club comes to Western

By Matthew Phillips | July 21

Opinion

Letter from the editor: 6/15

By Milo Openshaw | July 19

City & County

Hops, community brew Bellingham’s most loved beer spots

By Rowan Westwood | July 9

Western

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire

By Matthew Phillips | July 29

After a year of navigating the challenges of on-campus living in a pandemic, no one anticipated the record-breaking heatwave and subsequent wildfires the summer of 2021 would bring.

WWU cannabis lab explores impacts of CBD on young brains

By Matthew Phillips | July 17

Western Washington University psychology professor Josh Kaplan and his team of student researchers are exploring the possible impacts and therapeutic benefits of using CBD, also known as cannabidiol, on a still-developing brain.

Here and queer: introducing Untethered The Musical

By Mia Tocas | June 16

Western Washington University's Summer Theatre is producing a student-created musical titled “Untethered.” The process began through Student Theatre Productions, where Western theatre and dance students connected to cultivate the writing team.

Long-awaited Lawnstock makes first in-person return since 2019

By Mia Tocas | June 16

On Saturday, June 4, students flocked to Western Washington University's south campus to enjoy an evening filled with live music, food trucks, tie-dying and a 30 ft slide.

Bellingham

3 candidates compete to represent 42nd district

By Finn Kurtz | July 26

As the long-awaited state primaries approach, campaigning continues in the three-way race for the 42nd representative district position 1 seat.

Sea of rainbows marks return of Bellingham’s Pride Parade, Festival

By Will Story | July 24

Thousands lined the streets of downtown Bellingham and later filled Depot Market Square on July 17. This was the first time since the start of the pandemic Bellingham held its annual Pride Parade and Festival.

BRIEF: Meet the candidates running for state senate in the 42nd district

By Finn Kurtz | July 5

In the northwesternmost corner of Washington state, campaigning has begun for the competitive and valuable state senate seat representing the 42nd district.

BRIEF: Bans off Bellingham protest

By Jenelle Baumbach | June 24

Alongside parallel demonstrations throughout the United States, over 500 people gathered in Bellingham’s civic center on Friday, June 24, to display their unwavering support for abortion rights.

Whatcom

Memorial Day in Whatcom County

By Troy Schulz | June 16

Whatcom County’s annual community Memorial Day parade returned to Bellingham on May 28, with several thousand attendees turning out from as far as the Seattle area.

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Tears and triumph: an outpouring of love at Whatcom Youth Pride

By Jordan Oliver | June 16

An estimated 1,500 people turned out for the Whatcom Youth Pride parade and festival in Bellingham on June 4.

REDress represents centuries of daily violence

By Ani Lowe | June 11

The courtyard of Whatcom Museum’s Lightcatcher Building was home to a number of red dresses for 10 days this past month. Some dresses hung on a tall rack, others lay strewn across a rock; another hung in a tree, and two more were displayed on a fence.

Celebrate the queer community in Whatcom County with Whatcom Youth Pride

By Jordan Oliver | June 11

Whatcom Youth Pride hosted its first in-person pride parade and festival in two years on Saturday, June 4, in Bellingham.

Sports Recreation

Review of new Lizzo album, 'Special'

By Rowan Westwood | July 31

“In case nobody told you today… you’re special,” said Melissa Viviane Jefferson, or as most people know her, Lizzo. She’s the queen of spreading self-love and positivity through her music. Lizzo released her fourth studio album, “Special,” on July 15, 2022, and it’s her most empowering one yet.

Rocket League Club at Western

By Theron Danielson | June 28

Rocket League Club President, fourth-year Kanyen Sherwood, was interested in the Western Washington University club even before he arrived on campus. “I have an embarrassing amount of hours into this game,” Sherwood said. “When I committed to going to Western, the first thing I did was type into google ‘WWU Rocket League.’”

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Could Rocket League Club become a sports club?

By Theron Danielson | June 28

Western Washington University has multiple clubs centered around gaming. Some of these clubs, such as the Rocket League Club, have an esports program that could be helped by becoming a club sport.