Good morning, Bellingham.

Tina Hayes — who experienced homelessness herself — now directs HomesNOW!

Not Later in building tiny home villages that give residents an 8 by 12-foot space and communal facilities to help them rebuild, and she plans to expand the program with five more villages in Bellingham and Whatcom County.

A No Kings Day of Defiance protest will take place at Bellingham City Hall on June 14 from 3—6 p.m. as organizers challenge rising authoritarian actions, and an ICE-Breaker rally in Ferndale is set for June 13 starting at 4—30 p.m. with a march to City Hall to demand protection for undocumented neighbors.

Tina Alcorn, a 55-year-old Arkansas woman, has been charged with second-degree murder in Clallam County for the 2016 death of Neah Bay woodcarver George David following DNA evidence by Washington’s Indigenous cold case unit — its first charged case.

A report from Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism found that tourism spending increased by just over 3% in 2024 with nearly 3.5 million visitors supporting jobs that remain above pre-pandemic levels.

CEO Dylan Deane-Boyle hopes growth will continue as the region faces challenges from Canadian travel and rising inflation.

Proposed federal funding cuts could severely affect Whatcom County schools by reducing support for migrant and multilingual learners, mental health services, homelessness programs and professional development.

Bellingham Public Schools may lose about $90 per student amounting to nearly $750,000 while rural districts like La Conner could see losses of almost $680 per student—officials said the U.S. Senate will debate the budget through the summer—increasing uncertainty for future funding.

Fifth graders at Everson Elementary School held their career fair on June 6—where more than 50 students presented on chosen careers and conducted mock interviews—to build skills for their future.

Bellingham City Council approved a new ordinance Monday that offers developers incentives to build affordable multi-family housing in urban villages by increasing income thresholds—expanding the program to new areas.

The decision follows interim ordinances passed in late May and relates to Mayor Kim Lund’s executive order to address local housing challenges—efforts that have come under close local review.

Comedy Night with Scott Losse

9:30-11:30 p.m. — Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro — Tickets required — Enjoy a night of laughs with national headliner Scott Losse in Bellingham.

Ann Aguirre Book Launch with Sarah Hawley

6-7 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — $6.44 - $20.44 — Celebrate the launch of Ann Aguirre's newest book with an engaging conversation and a book voucher.

Intro to the Laser Cutter

6-7 p.m. — Bellingham Makerspace — Free for members — Get insights on laser projects and learn about design tools with expert Jason Davies.

Tenderpile Smile Aisle Live Performance

8-11 p.m. — Aslan Brewing Company — Free entry — Enjoy a melodic evening of jazz music from the local group Tenderpile Smile Aisle.

Intro to Vector Graphics Workshop

6:00 – 7:30 PM — Bellingham Makerspace — $ — Learn to create stunning vector graphics using Inkscape for your creative projects.

Boulevard Park Concert Series: SpaceBand

6-8 p.m. — Boulevard Park Stage — Free — Enjoy an evening of old-school dance covers and new classics with the local favorite, SpaceBand.

Bellingham Festival of Music Opening Night 2025

7:30 p.m. — Performing Arts Center — $50--$60 — Experience a global musical tour with Artistic Director Marcelo Lehninger and pianist Simon Trpceski starting with The Russian Masters.

2025 Literary Citizenship Awards Ceremony

6-7 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Celebrate local literary citizens recognized for their contributions to the community.

Laser Cutter Q&A Session

6-7 p.m. — Bellingham Makerspace — Free for members — Get expert advice on laser projects and tools from Jason Davies in a casual setting.

In Timberline's Embrace Book Reading

6-7 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Jean Waight explores the enchanting history of Timberline Lodge through her latest book.