Good morning, Bellingham.

Robert Wilmore’s Space Time event brings close to 300 community members to local parks for weekly stargazing using his telescopes+ with an opportunity for visitors to sign them and learn about the cosmos.

Attendees may also see Saturn on Nov. 11 as the group continues its cosmic adventure.

Thirteen local farms hosted the 19th annual Whatcom Farm Tours on Sept.

12 as part of Sustainable Connections+ inviting visitors to explore fields and stores across the county.

Two people, including a child, were injured in a black bear encounter at a private residence outside Bellingham on Sunday, Sept.

13; the victims received treatment at a local hospital + state officials are working to trap the bear, marking the second such incident in Whatcom County within a month.

The state's Employment Security Department reported on Wednesday, Sept.

16 that Washington lost roughly 900 seasonal jobs in August, yet the jobless rate fell to 4.9% as fewer job seekers were counted. Private-sector losses came in at 9,000 jobs while the public sector saw gains of about 8,100.

WalletHub ranked Washington as the best state for teachers due to an 83% pay increase plus a three year path to tenure, based on data collected through Aug.

17. The report compared salaries, starting pay and working conditions across 50 states, showing strong opportunities for educators in Washington.

Since Sept. 1, the Lynden Education Association has worked without a contract & will meet with the Lynden School District on Sept.

22 to bargain for a new deal for the 2026-2027 school year.

BP Cherry Point Refinery in Ferndale will show visible flaring during routine maintenance over the coming weeks as BP said the work is not due to an emergency, and emissions will be monitored closely.

Bellingham teacher and Ski to Sea champion Jeff Hilburn died on Aug.

29 after a motorcycle crash near Lake Whatcom; he led Birch Equipment to four win streaks from 2022 to 2025, leaving a mark on our local sporting community.