Washington State
Opinion | When it comes to voting, Washington needs to do better
By Caleb LyonAcross many parts of the country, it’s getting harder to engage in the democratic process.
Administration
NEWS BRIEF: Legacy Review Task Force recommends name removals for four campus buildings
By Brooklyn Castellani-Kelsay | July 27Western Washington University’s Legacy Review Task Force has unanimously recommended that the Board of Trustees remove T.H. Huxley’s name from the College of the Environment in a report submitted to Western’s President Sabah Randhawa and the Board of Trustees on June 14.
Western
Art, swings and abandoned bongs: hidden secrets of Western’s arboretum
By Cameron Martinez | May 18Nestled in the backdrop of Western Washington University’s main campus, the Sehome Hill Arboretum provides students and the Bellingham community with a forest that is as mysterious as it is green. The Arboretum is filled with everything from secret art pieces to a watch tower that views the Bellingham Bay.
University Police prepare to adopt new accountability measures
By Jacob O'Donnell | June 2A Western Washington University student has to cross campus in the middle of the night and feels unsafe. The old, Blue Light Alert phones are nowhere to be seen, so they reach out to the university police on a newly installed safety app. Promptly, a campus police officer with the dim light glinting on the lens of their body camera comes to the student’s location and walks them safely across campus. This could be the future of policing on Western’s campus.
Task Force prepares to finalize recommendations on a potential Huxley College of the Environment name change
By Kate Yeoman | May 25The Black Student Union as a part of Western Washington University’s Black Student Organization, came together to create a list of demands for Western in June 2020. Amongst these was, “Prioritize the renaming of Huxley college... as well as re-evaluat[e] current buildings [names].”
On-campus housing full for upcoming fall quarter
By Justin Troia | August 2At Western Washington University, on-campus student housing applications for the 2021-2022 school year have exceeded the number of beds available.
Bellingham
Will worsening climate conditions bring more wildfires west of the Cascades?
By Cliff Heberden | June 6As Wildfire Awareness month comes to a close, local officials are reminding Washington residents to get ready for what could once again be a smokey and dangerous summer.
Western to offer Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Certificate
By Jasper Summy | July 28Western Washington University will offer a new certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership during the upcoming academic year.
Washington state fully reopens, some restaurants still struggle
By Aria Nguyen | July 27After over a year of providing to-go orders, running at half-capacity or shutting down completely, restaurants emerging from COVID-19 restrictions aren’t in the clear yet.
Famous dock and lifeguards return to Bloedel Donovan Park
By Aria Nguyen | July 16Growing up in Bellingham, Washington, Eddie Hansen said he remembers going to Bloedel Donovan Park as a child.
Whatcom
Increasing temperatures pose challenges for Bellingham’s houseless community
By Aria Nguyen | July 9Western Washington faced a record-breaking heat wave with temperatures well into the 90s in late June, leaving those without shelter vulnerable — and it's not over as high temperatures are a possibility for the future.
Whatcom Land Trust bought 1,000 acres of land from commercial logging
By Maddie Federici | July 8Whatcom Land Trust purchased 1,130 acres of land along Upper Skookum Creek from commercial logging company Weyerhaeuser to preserve the land, provide public access and restore critical habitat for spring Chinook salmon.
Search for new police chief postponed to fall
By Brooklyn Castellani-Kelsay | July 7The city of Bellingham did not hire any of the four finalists from a recent search for a new police chief.
How to keep your pet calm this Fourth of July
By Michael Flo | July 3People and pets all around Bellingham are preparing for the Fourth of July.
Sports Recreation
Coast Salish style longhouse to be built on Western's campus
By Nicola Wasmuth | April 28After the Native American Student Union made demands for a Coast Salish style longhouse to be built on campus five years ago, Western Washington University confirmed a proposal in August.
Western dance club SINI-HHA to release series of virtual performances called “Perspectives”
By Rowan Westwood | July 19No ticket? No problem! The SINI-HHA dance club at Western Washington University is releasing an online showcase titled “Perspectives” that will be available for anyone to view.
Local martial arts gym hosts first event since start of pandemic
By Juan Baldovinos Jr. | July 19On June 26, Pure Fitness Martial Arts hosted its first fight event since February 2020.
Washington park agencies offer top tips on beating crowds
By Rowan Forsythe | June 25Time outdoors can provide opportunities for socialization and exercise, boosting moods and leading to positive changes in mental health. With COVID-19 sending record numbers to parks and trails, here are some expert tips and less trafficked spots for those who want to skip the crowds.
Opinion
Opinion | Washington has reopened, and it’s okay to be nervous about it
By Caleb Lyon | July 7It’s your first time out to dinner in almost a year. The restaurant is at capacity, and even though you’re vaccinated you can’t help but feel nervous as your server brings your meal. You might feel as if you’re thinking irrationally, but it is entirely normal to have some anxiety about the reopening process as things in Washington state slowly return to something resembling pre-pandemic normalcy.
Check out some of the letters about Huxley that were submitted to the Legacy Review Task Force
By The Western Front | June 2Editor's note:
We're changing the name. Here's why
By Nate Sanford | June 2This website is a part of a larger evolution that has been in the works for a while. It couldn’t have happened without the hard work and contributions of numerous past editors. Some of the changes have been happening subtly over the past few months; others are rolling out for the first time today. Here’s a rundown:
Beating the next heat wave on a budget
By Caleb Lyon | July 18Bellingham was unprepared for the heat wave that hit over the last week of June.
