Recreation
A “silent” pandemic
By Jake Isom | May 6The Mount Baker Foundation launched its kidney health awareness initiative on March 1 to coincide with National Kidney Month.
Sports Recreation
Varsity Sports
True viking spirit: women’s rowing perseveres
By Rowan Forsythe | May 4In any other rowing season, the loss of an athlete due to injury might upset the carefully tuned balance of a boat. This spring, losing a teammate threatens to sink the entire Western Washington University women’s rowing team.
Sports
Western's golfing success at GNAC Championships
By Lucas Bohannon | May 3On April 20, the Western Washington University Viking’s men’s and women’s golf teams played the final round in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships. The Viking’s men’s team finished second among four teams, while the women’s were crowned champions of the event.
Sports
Western's softball team drop tough series to Northwest Nazarene Nighthawks
By Ethan Henry | May 3Western Washington University’s softball team went into the series against the Northwest Nazarene University Nighthawks with a chance to clinch a spot in the Greater Northwest Athletic Conference Championships, but things just didn’t go their way.
Washington State
Statue of Billy Frank Jr. to be added to the US Capitol
By Cameron Baird | May 3A statue of Billy Frank Jr., Nisqually tribal activist and environmental leader, will be placed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
Washington State
Bellingham continues seeing benefits from cannabis boom
By Joslin Keim | May 3A report released from Leafly, a Seattle-based cannabis education and retail cannabis information provider, showed that Washington state made $1.42 billion in cannabis sales in 2020.
Varsity Sports
Vikings sweep Falcons, 3-0
By Hayley McGee | May 2With home court advantage in Sam Carver Gymnasium, the Western Washington University women’s volleyball team claimed victory, 3-1, over the Seattle Pacific University Falcons on Friday, April 23.
Washington State
A check-in with The Outback
By Crystal Tucker | April 28Western Washington University’s five-acre organic Outback Farm was designated an essential business throughout the pandemic, allowing continued operation of the student-led organization to provide the community with produce from their garden.
Business & Economy
Vaccine passports could be a pivotal step in reopening the US-Canada border
By Cameron Baird | April 26Vaccine passports are sparking political debate as extended border closures continue to strain Whatcom County’s economy.
Recreation
It’s sunny again; here are some local resources to help you make the most of it
By Hannah VanO | April 26It’s been over a year since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 as a pandemic, and hiking trails and parks are starting to get busier.
Administration
Q&A with Joyce Lopes, Western’s new VP for business and financial affairs
By Zoë Parker | April 26On April 3 President Randhawa announced the hiring of Joyce Lopes as the new vice president of business and financial affairs. Lopes will assume her new role on July 1.
Recreation
Logging on Galbraith Mountain causes temporary trail closures
By Talus Lantz | April 23Galbraith Mountain is one of the most well-renowned mountain biking locations in the state of Washington. With over 65 miles of public trails and a wide degree of trail difficulty it attracts mountain bikers in large numbers. But one possible hindrance to this two-wheeled playground is that Galbraith Mountain, like many mountain biking destinations in Western Washington, is subject to logging.
Sports
Western women’s soccer wins first game of the season
By Ethan Henry | April 23After opening the season with a draw on April 4 against Pacific Lutheran University, the Western Washington University women’s soccer team got their chance to rebound against Saint Martin’s University.
Varsity Sports
Western signs standout hooper Jaden DeBoer
By Lucas Bohannon | April 23On April 14, Western Washington University signed Lynden Christian High School basketball player Jaden DeBoer to a National Letter of Intent to play varsity basketball.
Washington State
New state poet laureate focuses on community
By Jake Isom | April 23Rena Priest was named the new Washington state poet laureate by Governor Jay Inslee on April 1. Priest is a member of the Lhaq’ Temish, Lummi Nation and is the first Indigenous poet to assume the role.
Sports
Western women’s volleyball victorious in home opener
By Hayley McGee | April 21The stands were empty, but the energy was high in Sam Carver Gymnasium as the Western Washington University women’s volleyball team defeated the Western Oregon University Wolves, 3-0, in their season home opener on Friday, April 16.
Sports
Vikings hit track strong after uncertain offseason
By Rowan Forsythe | April 21Western Washington University’s track & field team has come out strong after an uncertain offseason, with standout performances from new athletes since the Viking’s first meet on March 20.
Sports
Men’s golf team qualifies for GNAC Championship
By Ethan Henry | April 19After having over half of their season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Western Washington University men’s golf team finally got to begin their season in early March.
Travel
Border remains closed, but new CDC guidelines a sign of hope for domestic travel
By Joslin Keim | April 16The Centers for Disease Control updated guidelines for domestic travel during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 2 with a focus on those who are fully vaccinated.
