PNW Daily

09/18/2026

📰 TODAY'S FRONT PAGE — September 18, 2026

More than 30 Whatcom and Skagit County businesses have closed in 2026 as a 36% drop in Canadian visitor traffic and rising inflation squeeze the local economy, but restaurants have been hit hardest.

Plus: Search and rescue crews are back out Friday looking for 78-year-old Peter Kalapaca, missing since Thursday on the Sauk Mountain Trail.

Read both stories at PNWDaily.com 👇

09/18/2026

Search and rescue crews resumed their search Friday for 78-year-old Peter Kalapaca, missing since Thursday on the Sauk Mountain Trail in Skagit County.

09/18/2026

📰 TODAY'S FRONT PAGE — September 17, 2026

Gov. Bob Ferguson spoke at the At-Sea Processors Association's fall breakfast in Seattle, spotlighting Washington's $46 billion maritime industry and teasing a new maritime strategy.

Plus: Southbound I-5 shifts overnight to a new bridge over Chuckanut Creek, while northbound traffic stays on the bypass that's seen a string of crashes since summer.

Read both stories at PNWDaily.com 👇

09/17/2026

CLEARED: An incident is partially blocking the I-5 southbound off-ramp to Sunset Drive in Bellingham, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

WSDOT North reported the incident at about 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at milepost 255.

Drivers using the off-ramp should expect a partial blockage and use caution while passing the scene.

Source: WSDOT North.

09/17/2026

Who should run for Whatcom County Executive in 2027?

Satpal Sidhu has announced he will not seek reelection when his second term ends in 2027, opening the door to a new county executive for the first time since 2019.

So, Whatcom County:

Who would you like to see run for the job?

Are there current elected officials, business leaders, community leaders or other people you think should consider a run?

Drop the names below and tell us why you think they should run.

(Photo: Whatcom County Government)

09/17/2026

📰 TODAY'S FRONT PAGE — September 16, 2026

Ferndale residents will gather Sept. 22 to discuss immigration enforcement activity, following Rep. Rick Larsen's oversight visit to the city's ICE holding facility.

Plus: Residents near the bp Cherry Point Refinery should expect visible flaring over the next several weeks as planned maintenance gets underway, Whatcom County Fire District Seven says.

Read both stories at PNWDaily.com 👇

09/16/2026

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09/16/2026

If your brakes are squeaking, grinding, or just don’t feel quite right, it might be time to get them checked out!

Book your appointment today!

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09/16/2026

📰 TODAY'S FRONT PAGE — September 15, 2026

A cold-storage facility in Bellingham was destroyed Saturday night, taking its frozen fish product with it. Crews had to fight the fire from above after roof collapse concerns forced them out of the building.

Plus: Bellingham creates a new city position to help businesses cut through red tape, naming Darby Galligan as its first Urban Transformation Strategist.

Read both stories at PNWDaily.com 👇

09/15/2026